Abstract: A CD on which only music information specified by the CD-DA is recorded, or a CD on which both music information specified by the CD-DA and music information to be recorded on a CD-ROM are recorded is mounted upon an information processing terminal (10). When the CD on which only music information specified by the CD-DA is recorded is mounted, the information processing terminal (10) acquires, from a directory server (20), an ISRC number that identifies the music information recorded on the CD, and distribution server location information that identifies a content distribution server. The information processing terminal (10) acquires content that is the music information compressed according to the MP3 and encrypted, from the content distribution server identified by the acquired distribution server location information, and the decryption key. The information processing terminal then decrypts the acquired content using the acquired decryption key and reproduces music.

Abstract: A multiple function portable device prevents an occurrence of a situation in which a remainder of a battery is used up after a consumer utilizes a contents playing function of a portable device having a contents playing function, wherein not only the contents playing function but also basic functions inherent to the portable device become unavailable. A power supply control means commands a power supply means to stop the power supply to a contents playing function activator when the battery remainder measured by a battery remainder measuring means becomes lower than a predetermined value.

Abstract: The distribution server administers downloading of contents and writing in storage media. The distribution server includes the obtained rights administration database that stores information regarding rights to receive distribution of contents, and the history database that stores information regarding contents that have been distributed to the user in the past. The distribution server administers distribution of contents to each user.

Abstract: A distribution device (1) stores a group of two or more digital contents and right management information (UR.Us) indicating a user's right range for the group in an interrelated manner. The distribution device transmits a digital content in the group to the NetDRM terminal device (2) together with an LT as requested by the user. Here, the distribution device updates the right management information to reduce the right range. When an updated LT is returned from the user, the distribution device increases the reduced right range based on a partial right range indicated by the updated LT. The distribution device again transmits art that indicates a partial right range of the increased right range and a different digital content in the group to the NetDRM terminal device (2) as requested by the user.

Abstract: A usage right which a user purchases is managed by a right management server (20a). License information which is a part of the usage right is sent from a user terminal (30a) to the right management server (20a). The user terminal (30a) controls usage of content based on this license information.

Abstract: A secure data area of a semiconductor memory card of the present invention stores a media ID and an encrypted content key. The media ID has been stoned during the production of the semiconductor memory card and the encrypted content key is generated by encrypting the first content key using the media ID. A non-secure data area of the semiconductor memory card stores trial data and purchase data. The trial data includes the first encrypted content generated by encrypting a content for promotion using the first content key. The purchase data includes the second encrypted content and encrypted management information. The second encrypted content is generated by encrypting a content related to the content for promotion using the second content key and the encrypted management information includes the second content key, a vendor ID, and a usage condition.

Abstract: A content usage management system includes a terminal device using content as digital production and a server device managing usage of the content on the terminal device, wherein the server device is equipped with a license information memory unit that memorizes license information indicating a usage rule of the content based on a user who uses the terminal device, and a license ticket issuance unit that generates a license ticket as right information indicating a part or all of a usage rule on the license information corresponding to the user based on a request from the user, and the terminal device is equipped with a requesting unit that requests usage of the content to the server device according to designation of the user, a receiving unit that receives the license ticket sent from the server device, and a content usage control unit that controls usage of the content according to the usage rule indicated on the license ticket received, wherein the requesting unit makes a request by sending expected inform

Abstract: An access control system includes a server 11, an access management database storage device 12, first and second client devices 13 and 15, and data storage devices 14 and 16. The first and second client devices 13 and 15 forms a peer-to-peer file exchange system, and can access the server 11. The access management database storage device 12 stores an access management list. When receiving a request for data from the second client device 15, the first client device 13 inquires the server 11 about whether the requested data can be accessed. The server 11 determines whether the data can be accessed by using the access management list.

Abstract: A terminal (140) attaches a client ID and a whole or a part of LT to a backup request and sends them to a right management server (710). A right management server (710) verifies the client ID to see when the entity originating the request is an registered user, and it also verifies data identification ID on the LT to see when right data is the one issued by the server for the registered user, and then performs backup for the right data when the right data is the one issued by the server. The terminal (140) attaches the client ID to a restoration request and sends them to the right management server (710). The right management server (710) checks a user ID from the client ID, and then restores the right data to the terminal (140), which is backed-up in association with the user ID.

Abstract: A management server (5) manages usage rules in accordance with which terminals use contents, and includes a usage rule database (52), a parental control unit (56), a parental database (53), and a ticket producing unit (54). The usage rule database (53) stores usage rule information (13˜14) that associates each user with the usage rules. The parental control unit (56) obtains, from a parent terminal (6), parental information (15˜16) that is a request made by the parent terminal (6) for placing a restriction on content usage by a child terminal (7), and the parental database (53) stores the obtained parental information (15˜16).

Abstract: A right management server 110 that manages usage of a content on a parent terminal 140 and a child terminal 150, comprising (i) content usage right database 113 that stores right information 400 indicating a usage rule of a content for each terminal ID 301 or user ID 203, (ii) a parental control information management unit 118 that acquires, from the parent terminal 140 or the parent user, parental control information 600 that is an instruction to put a restriction on usage of a content on the child terminal 150 or by a child user, and stores the parental control information 600 in a parental control information database 114, and (iii) a license ticket generation unit 117 that acquires a license ticket issuance request from the child terminal 150 or the child user, generates a license ticket that is information for permitting usage of the content on the child terminal 150 or by the child user, under a usage rule with a restriction indicated by the parental control information 600 which is held in the parental

Abstract: A device 201 of a licensee &ggr; generates an issue request for a permission to use content data by using a media identifier in a portable recording medium 101 of a licensee &bgr;, and forwards the resulting issue request to a rights management unit 71. The rights management unit 71 is managing rights information of the content data provided to the licensee &bgr;, and based on the rights information together with the issue request, generates permission information to allow the portable recording medium 101 to use the content data. Based on the permission information, the rights management unit 71 then generates license information with which the use of the content data in the device connected to the portable recording medium 101 is controlled, and transmits the license information to the device 201. The device 201 then processes the license information to control the use of the content data.

Abstract: A user terminal program (1, 10) enables a user terminal apparatus for accepting instruction information specifying a content that a user wants to reproduce on a predetermined reproducing apparatus other than the user terminal apparatus (STEP 1), acquiring system identifying information to identify a system to receive the specified content from a distributing site (STEP 2), judging whether the acquired system identifying information is included in a compatibility file which includes one or more system identifying information (STEP 4) receiving the specified content according to the system identifying information, if the acquired system identifying information is judged to be included, and prohibiting receiving, if judged not to be included (STEP 10), and writing the received content to an internal memory or an insertable memory of the predetermined reproducing apparatus (STEP 13-15).

Abstract: The invention relates to power saving in portable terminals (100) with recording media (200). Conventionally, there is the problem that a battery (104) in the portable terminal (100) may become exhausted and as a result the original function of the terminal cannot be performed.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a system in which various services can be received by a plurality of receiving devices having different structures, without having to take into consideration the difference in the structures, by connecting an adapter that corresponds to the service the user wishes to receive. The distribution server 301 communicates with the storage media access adapter 303 via the receiving device 302, and thereby controls distribution of digital data.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a digital data distribution system in which profits can be properly allocated to digital data provider companies and right holders of digital data, where the digital data distribution system offers subscription services.

Abstract: The distribution server administers downloading of contents and writing in storage media.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a system in which it is possible to pre-warn the consumer who is trying to purchase contents that cannot be written on the PD that the contents cannot be written on the PD. Based on the PD writability information, the PD writability detector determines whether the contents distributed by the distribution system notified by the distribution system detector can be written on the PD. If it is determined that the contents cannot be written, the PD writability detector requests the controller to warn the consumer.

Abstract: The subscriber circuit has a balanced amplifier and a built-in call-current polarity changing circuit. Moreover, the output stage circuits of the direct feed-back and offset cancel circuits of the subscriber circuit have the same configuration. By switching the input voltage supplied to the direct feed-back and offset cancel circuits by a switch, the signals fed back to the inputs of the balanced amplifier are switched. Thus, the polarity of the loop current can be inverted. Furthermore, it is possible to switch the loop current without adopting an extra circuit, and the part of the circuit in which the switches are not required to withstand pressure can be constructed with CMOS thereby allowing minimization of the circuit size.

Abstract: An automatic transaction apparatus for taking a transaction requiring the acquisition of a signature is provided with a mechanism for acquiring a signature. The signature acquisition mechanism includes a detector for detecting the execution of signature application. At the time of a signature acquisition processing, an advancement to the next processing step is taken when the execution of signature application is detected and information indicative of the completion of signature application is inputted. Thereby, the signature is surely recorded. The transaction requiring the acquisition of a signature includes a process for issuing a traveler's check.