Abstract: A method for providing purchased content is provided. Management data including the identification data of the purchased content data stored in the information processing apparatus is received. Backup data of a user identification associated with the information processing apparatus is updated based on the management data. A request with the user identification associated with the information processing apparatus is received. A determination is made as to whether the request is authorized based on an authentication process. A list of identification data of content data identified in the backup data is provided to the information processing apparatus in response to a determination that the request is authorized. Further, the purchased content data without the fee is provided to the information processing apparatus based on a user selection of the identification data of the purchased content data from the list of the identification data of the content data.

Abstract: A method for providing purchased content is provided. Management data including the identification data of the purchased content data stored in the information processing apparatus is received. Backup data of a user identification associated with the information processing apparatus is updated based on the management data. A request with the user identification associated with the information processing apparatus is received. A determination is made as to whether the request is authorized based on an authentication process. A list of identification data of content data identified in the backup data is provided to the information processing apparatus in response to a determination that the request is authorized. Further, the purchased content data without the fee is provided to the information processing apparatus based on a user selection of the identification data of the purchased content data from the list of the identification data of the content data.

Abstract: A method for providing purchased content is provided. Management data including the identification data of the purchased content data stored in the information processing apparatus is received. Backup data of a user identification associated with the information processing apparatus is updated based on the management data. A request with the user identification associated with the information processing apparatus is received. A determination is made as to whether the request is authorized based on an authentication process. A list of identification data of content data identified in the backup data is provided to the information processing apparatus in response to a determination that the request is authorized. Further, the purchased content data without the fee is provided to the information processing apparatus based on a user selection of the identification data of the purchased content data from the list of the identification data of the content data.

Abstract: In a server serving as an information distribution apparatus and an information communication terminal, contents are managed by using content identifiers (content IDs) managed as IDs conforming to a rule of uniformity. Particularly, in the information communication terminal, a content ripped from a recording medium and stored in storage means is also managed by using a content identifier acquired from the information distribution apparatus. In this way, contents stored in the storage means can be managed by using content IDs each managed as an ID common to the information communication terminal and the information distribution apparatus. In communication between the information communication terminal and the information distribution apparatus, a content identifier conforming to a rule of uniformity identifies a content to which the content identifier is assigned so that the terminal is capable of downloading the content as well as acquiring additional information relevant to the content from the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for providing purchased content is provided. Management data including the identification data of the purchased content data stored in the information processing apparatus is received. Backup data of a user identification associated with the information processing apparatus is updated based on the management data. A request with the user identification associated with the information processing apparatus is received. A determination is made as to whether the request is authorized based on an authentication process. A list of identification data of content data identified in the backup data is provided to the information processing apparatus in response to a determination that the request is authorized. Further, the purchased content data without the fee is provided to the information processing apparatus based on a user selection of the identification data of the purchased content data from the list of the identification data of the content data.

Abstract: In a server serving as an information distribution apparatus and an information communication terminal, contents are managed by using content identifiers (content IDs) managed as IDs conforming to a rule of uniformity. Particularly, in the information communication terminal, a content ripped from a recording medium and stored in storage means is also managed by using a content identifier acquired from the information distribution apparatus. In this way, contents stored in the storage means can be managed by using content IDs each managed as an ID common to the information communication terminal and the information distribution apparatus. In communication between the information communication terminal and the information distribution apparatus, a content identifier conforming to a rule of uniformity identifies a content to which the content identifier is assigned so that the terminal is capable of downloading the content as well as acquiring additional information relevant to the content from the apparatus.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to enhance convenience and service qualities in an information distribution system. In a server serving as an information distribution apparatus and an information communication terminal, contents are managed by using content identifiers (content IDs) managed as IDs conforming to a rule of uniformity. Particularly, in the information communication terminal, a content ripped from a recording medium such as a CD and stored in storage means such as an HDD is also managed by using a content identifier acquired from the information distribution apparatus. In this way, contents stored in the storage means can be managed by using content IDs each managed as an ID common to the information communication terminal and the information distribution apparatus.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to enhance convenience and service qualities in an information distribution system. In a server serving as an information distribution apparatus and an information communication terminal, contents are managed by using content identifiers (content IDs) managed as IDs conforming to a rule of uniformity. Particularly, in the information communication terminal, a content ripped from a recording medium such as a CD and stored in storage means such as an HDD is also managed by using a content identifier acquired from the information distribution apparatus. In this way, contents stored in the storage means can be managed by using content IDs each managed as an ID common to the information communication terminal and the information distribution apparatus.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to enhance convenience and service qualities in an information distribution system. In a server serving as an information distribution apparatus and an information communication terminal, contents are managed by using content identifiers (content IDs) managed as IDs conforming to a rule of uniformity. Particularly, in the information communication terminal, a content ripped from a recording medium such as a CD and stored in storage means such as an HDD is also managed by using a content identifier acquired from the information distribution apparatus. In this way, contents stored in the storage means can be managed by using content IDs each managed as an ID common to the information communication terminal and the information distribution apparatus.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to enhance convenience and service qualities in an information distribution system. In a server serving as an information distribution apparatus and an information communication terminal, contents are managed by using content identifiers (content IDs) managed as IDs conforming to a rule of uniformity. Particularly, in the information communication terminal, a content ripped from a recording medium such as a CD and stored in storage means such as an HDD is also managed by using a content identifier acquired from the information distribution apparatus. In this way, contents stored in the storage means can be managed by using content IDs each managed as an ID common to the information communication terminal and the information distribution apparatus.

Abstract: A data distribution component, system, and method. The data distribution component includes circuitry and a memory. The circuitry is configured to communicate with a plurality of devices, provide content identification data specifying a content item, provide an opportunity to purchase the content item to the plurality of devices, provide the content item to a first one of the devices of a user, after a purchase process, and provide the content item which is purchased at the first one of the devices of the user to a second one of the devices of the user for download. The memory is configured to store the content identification data and the content item.

Abstract: A data distribution component, system, and method. The data distribution component includes circuitry and a memory. The circuitry is configured to communicate with a plurality of devices, provide content identification data specifying a content item, provide an opportunity to purchase the content item to the plurality of devices, provide the content item to a first one of the devices of a user, after a purchase process, and provide the content item which is purchased at the first one of the devices of the user to a second one of the devices of the user for download. The memory is configured to store the content identification data and the content item.

Abstract: An information distribution apparatus and an information communication terminal, in which contents are managed by using content identifiers (content IDs) managed as IDs conforming to a rule of uniformity. In the information communication terminal, a content ripped from a recording medium, and stored in a storage element, is also managed by using a content identifier acquired from the information distribution apparatus. Accordingly, contents stored in the storage element can be managed by using content IDs each managed as an ID common to the information communication terminal and the information distribution apparatus. In communicating between the information communication terminal and the information distribution apparatus, a content identifier conforming to a rule of uniformity is used for identifying a content to which the content identifier is assigned, so that the terminal is capable of downloading the content as well as acquiring additional information relevant to the content from the apparatus.

Abstract: In a server serving as an information distribution apparatus and an information communication terminal, contents are managed by using content identifiers (content IDs) managed as IDs conforming to a rule of uniformity. Particularly, in the information communication terminal, a content ripped from a recording medium such as a CD, and stored in a storage element, such as a had disk drive, is also managed by using a content identifier acquired from the information distribution apparatus. In this way, contents stored in the storage element can be managed by using content IDs each managed as an ID common to the information communication terminal and the information distribution apparatus.

Abstract: An information distribution apparatus and an information communication terminal, in which contents are managed by using content identifiers (content IDs) managed as IDs conforming to a rule of uniformity. In the information communication terminal, a content ripped from a recording medium, and stored in a storage element, is also managed by using a content identifier acquired from the information distribution apparatus. Accordingly, contents stored in the storage element can be managed by using content IDs each managed as an ID common to the information communication terminal and the information distribution apparatus. In communicating between the information communication terminal and the information distribution apparatus, a content identifier conforming to a rule of uniformity is used for identifying a content to which the content identifier is assigned, so that the terminal is capable of downloading the content as well as acquiring additional information relevant to the content from the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and method and communication apparatus and method suitably for use in supplying the encoded data of accumulated music for example to a semiconductor memory or a portable device. In step S461, the content data enabled for check-in into an MS are identified. In step S462, a check-in process is executed. In step S463, it is determined whether or not the content data enabled for check-in have all been checked in. In step S464, an album to be checked out is determined. In step S465, one track is selected. In step S466, the selected track is determined whether or not it is enabled for check-out. In step S467, the capacity of the MS is confirmed. In step S468, a check-out operation is performed. In step S469, it is determined whether or not all tracks in the album to be checked out have been selected. The present invention is applicable to audio servers for example.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus, having functions on which use limitations can be imposed, in which a variety of functions are loaded on the electronic apparatus by hardware circuitry or by computer programs. Use of a certain function(s) is limited by setting a function limiting flag to “1”, provided that an other function(s) are usable within a period of a preset number of days of possible test use. An application is made from the apparatus to a key issuing source for purchasing usable functions. The key issuing source then issues a limitation removing key. The limitation removing key may be acquired from the key issuing source by a mobile phone terminal and transmitted to the apparatus by infrared ray communication. The apparatus rewrites the function limiting flag by this limitation removing key. If the number of days of actual test use has reached the number of days of possible test use, the CPU of the apparatus does not carry out the function(s) the function limiting flag of which is “1”.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to arrange so that the digital signal transmission between specific equipments connected with each other by the transmission line of a fixed standard can be performed securely and satisfactorily. When a digital signal destination is caused to receive a fixed digital signal sent out of a digital signal sender, the digital signal destination acquires at the request of the destination from the digital signal sender data on modes in which the digital signal sender is able to send out the digital signal, and a transmission mode of the digital signal is caused to be set by a command based on the acquired mode data from the digital signal destination. Moreover, when a digital signal destination is caused to receive a fixed digital signal sent out of a digital signal sender, a flag is added to the digital signal sent out of the digital signal sender, which indicates that the transmission rate is being adjusted based on the command from the digital signal destination.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to arrange so that the digital signal transmission between specific equipments connected with each other by the transmission line of a fixed standard can be performed securely and satisfactorily. When a digital signal destination is caused to receive a fixed digital signal sent out of a digital signal sender, the digital signal destination acquires at the request of the destination from the digital signal sender data on modes in which the digital signal sender is able to send out the digital signal, and a transmission mode of the digital signal is caused to be set by a command based on the acquired mode data from the digital signal destination. Moreover, when a digital signal destination is caused to receive a fixed digital signal sent out of a digital signal sender, a flag is added to the digital signal sent out of the digital signal sender, which indicates that the transmission rate is being adjusted based on the command from the digital signal destination.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to arrange so that the digital signal transmission between specific equipments connected with each other by the transmission line of a fixed standard can be performed securely and satisfactorily. When a digital signal destination is caused to receive a fixed digital signal sent out of a digital signal sender, the digital signal destination acquires at the request of the destination from the digital signal sender data on modes in which the digital signal sender is able to send out the digital signal, and a transmission mode of the digital signal is caused to be set by a command based on the acquired mode data from the digital signal destination. Moreover, when a digital signal destination is caused to receive a fixed digital signal sent out of a digital signal sender, a flag is added to the digital signal sent out of the digital signal sender, which indicates that the transmission rate is being adjusted based on the command from the digital signal destination.