Abstract: This invention relates to a method of processing rights relating to content, that can be communicated between devices. Typically, a Digital Rights Management (DRM) system imposes limitations of use and distribution, imposed by the service provider, content provider or distributor. The method of the invention renders it possible for a user who has received DRM rights to restrict the right further. The invention is more particularly related to the receipt of DRM rights to Authorized Domain Digital Rights Management (AD-DRM) systems and the introduction of user attributed rights in the form of further restrictions introduced to the received DRM rights. The invention further relates to a Rights Program Template (RPT) facilitating the introduction of such further restrictions in a user friendly way. Finally, the invention relates to a system supporting the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method of controlling content rendering to one or more content rendering devices (22, 24, 26, 28) associated with a consumer environment (12) includes receiving an initial content reference from within the consumer environment. Zero or more equivalent content references associated with the initial content reference are identified. A preferred equivalent content reference associated with the consumer environment is selected from the initial content reference and the equivalent content references. A content instance described by the preferred equivalent content reference is rendered on a first content rendering device. The method may also include selecting a preferred content rendering device associated with the consumer environment. The preferred content rendering device is compatible with the preferred equivalent content reference. A content instance described by the preferred equivalent content reference is then rendered to the preferred content rendering device.

Abstract: A device for the processing of a data base consisting of a sequence of data records, having a reference memory (140) for a reference data record and a mask memory (142) for a mask data record. In reaction to the successively received data of a data record, these memories can be read in order to activate a comparison. There is provided an indicator element (160) which has a state "provisionally correct" and which is activated by a starting signal produced by the reception of a data record. If the comparison indicates that an impermissible relationship exists between the content of an element of the data record received and the corresponding element of the reference data record, the indicator element is set to the state "incorrect". The data record received is meanwhile stored in a data buffer (100,102). At the end of the reception, the state of the indicator element indicates whether or not the data record may be applied to a user.

Abstract: The unauthorized reading of program words stored in a memory of a dating processing system is counteracted by supplying the unauthorized reader with nuisance data from a data source instead of program words from the memory. In order to determine whether the memory is being read by an unauthorized reader or by a data processor unit of the system for the execution of the program, use is made of the sequence in which the data processor unit reads the program words from the memory. This sequence deviates from the sequence in which the program words are stored in the memory. Additional information is added to each program word stored in the memory, said additional information containing an indication of a subsequent program word to be read by the data processor unit.

Abstract: An integrated sorting device for data words comprises a bidirectional bus (54) to which are connected the address input (AD) of a memory (52), a command register (66) for memory clear, sorting criterion and pointer reset signals, a multiplexer (74) and an address counter (98). In a write mode of operation, data words arriving on the bus address the memory and representations thereof, e.g. binary 1s, are stored therein. Briefly before each such storage operation, the same memory location is read and any representation (DOUT) already stored therein is used to trigger flip-flop (82) to indicate that an overflow condition exists. During a read operation, the address counter addresses the successive memory addresses under the control of an oscillator (88). When a filled memory location is reached, a further flip-flop (94) causes the counter to stop and a "ready" signal (RDY) is outputted. The counter resumes counting when the relevant memory location has been read completely.

Abstract: Signal processor device having a processor module and a conditional interrupt module for use in a multiprocessor system employing these signal processor devices. The processor module has address, data and control inputs and outputs, including an interrupt signal input for receiving an incoming interrupt request signal. The signal processor device has at least one conditional interrupt module in which the identity address of the signal processor is present, said interrupt module having inputs for receiving an incoming external interrupt request signal with corresponding destination address. The conditional interrupt module also has comparators in which its identity address is compared with the destination address. If the addresses agree, an interrupt signal is fed to the interrupt signal input of the processor module. The processor module may also have an interrupt signal output and be provided with an arbitration module to prevent conflicts between several interrupt requests.

Abstract: A multi-source/receiver data processing system has a communication bus of at least one transfer medium. Clock signal generators have different clock frequencies with respect to each other. To prevent sources and/or receivers having a slow clock signal generator from being excluded as rightful participants from an action concerning a communication, the system determines whether said bus is "ready" for executing an action using first and second detecting means whereby it can allocate a first and a second period of time thereto, respectively. When a source/receiver determines that this second period of time has expired, the bus is indeed ready for this source/receiver and all further source/receivers which have meanwhile determined during their first period of time that the bus in ready, so the bus can be occupied by this action.