Distribution system, distribution apparatus, and reception apparatus for distributing contents having usage expiry

• US 20040003291A1
• Filed: 05/08/2003
• Published: 01/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Masaya, Tatebayashi, Makoto, Futa, Yuichi, Ohmori, Motoji
• Granted Patent: US 7,386,618 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/201
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2137 Time limited access, e.g. to a computer or data

Abstract

A reception apparatus includes a first timer and sends to a distribution apparatus a first date-time clocked by the first timer. The distributing apparatus includes a second timer, and generates expiry information based on a difference obtained by subtracting, from the first date-time, a second date-time that is clocked by the second timer. The expiry information is used to adjust a usage expiry date-time of a content. The reception apparatus judges whether playback of the content is permitted based on the first timer and the expiry information. With this arrangement, unauthorized use of the content beyond the expiry date-time is prevented.

Claims

1. A digital content distribution system for distributing a content having a usage expiry date-time, comprising:

a distribution apparatus that includes a first timer operable to clock a date-time, and sends the content to a reception apparatus; and

the reception apparatus that includes a second timer operable to clock a date-time, and makes a usage permission judgment of the content using a date-time clocked by the second timer, the usage expiry date-time of the content, and a difference between date-times clocked by the first and second timers.

2. The digital content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein:

the reception apparatus sends to the distribution apparatus a second date-time clocked by the second timer; and

the distribution apparatus

receives the second date-time from the reception apparatus,

generates expiry information by adding, to the usage expiry date-time that is of the content and is based on the first timer, a difference calculated by subtracting from the second date-time a first date-time that is clocked by the first timer at an instant when the second date-time is received, and

sends the expiry information to the reception apparatus.

4. The digital content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein:

the reception apparatus

stores therein a date-time difference for adjusting a date-time clocked by the second timer, and a difference ID identifying the date-time difference,

sends an adjusted date-time and an adjustment ID to the distribution apparatus, the adjusted date-time being calculated by adding the date-time difference to the date-time clocked by the second timer, and the adjustment ID corresponding to the difference ID identifying the date-time difference that is used to generate the adjusted date-time;

the distribution apparatus

receives the adjustment ID and the adjusted date-time from the reception apparatus,

generates, upon receipt of the adjustment ID and the adjusted date-time, expiry information by adding, to the usage expiry date-time of the content, a difference calculated by subtracting from the adjusted date-time a date-time clocked by the first timer at an instant when the adjusted date-time is received, and

sends the expiry information and the received adjustment ID to the reception apparatus; and

the reception apparatus judges that usage of the content is permitted when a date-time shown by the received expiry information is later than a date-time calculated by adding, to a date-time clocked by the second timer at an instant of the judgment, a date-time difference identified by a difference ID that corresponds to the received adjustment ID.

7. The digital content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein:

the distribution apparatus sends to the reception apparatus a first date-time clocked by the first timer;

the reception apparatus receives the first date-time, and stores a difference calculated by subtracting the first date-time from a second date-time clocked by the second timer at an instant when the first date-time is received; and

the reception apparatus judges that usage of the content is permitted when the usage expiry date-time of the content is later than a date-time calculated by adding the difference to a date-time clocked by the second timer at an instant of the judgment.

3. A digital content distribution apparatus for sending a content and expiry information to a reception apparatus, the expiry information relating to a usage expiry date-time of the content and being for use by the reception apparatus to make a usage permission judgment of the content, comprising:

a receiver operable to receive from the reception apparatus a first date-time clocked by a timer included in the reception apparatus;

a timer operable to clock a date-time and to output a second date-time clocked at an instant when the first date-time is received; and

a sender operable to send to the reception apparatus the expiry information generated by adding, to the usage expiry date-time of the content, a difference calculated by subtracting the second date-time from the first date-time.

5. A digital content distribution apparatus for sending a content and expiry information of the content to a reception apparatus, the expiry information relating to a usage expiry date-time of the content and being for use by the reception apparatus to judge a usage permission of the content, comprising:

a receiver operable to receive from the reception apparatus a first date-time clocked by the reception apparatus and an ID identifying the first date-time;

a timer operable to clock a date-time and to output a second date-time clocked at an instant when the first date-time is received; and

a sender operable to send to the reception apparatus the received ID and the expiry information that is generated by adding, to the usage expiry date-time of the content, a difference calculated by subtracting the first date-time from the second date-time.

6. A digital content reception apparatus for receiving, from a distribution apparatus, expiry information of a content to make a usage permission judgment of the content, the expiry information being generated by the distribution apparatus using information sent from the reception apparatus, comprising:

a user date-time acquiring unit operable to acquire a user date-time that is designated by a user;

a timer operable to clock a date-time and to output a first date-time clocked at an instant when the user date-time is acquired;

a memory unit operable to store therein a difference in association with an ID identifying the difference, the difference being calculated by subtracting the first date-time from the user date-time;

a playback request acquiring unit operable to acquire a playback request for a content that is designated by the user;

a sender operable to send, to the distribution apparatus, the ID and an adjusted date-time that is calculated by adding the difference to a date-time clocked by the timer at an instant when the playback request is acquired;

a receiver operable to receive the ID and the expiry information from the distribution apparatus; and

a judging unit operable to judge that usage of the content is permitted when a date-time shown by the received expiry information is later than a date-time calculated by adding a difference identified by the received ID to a date-time clocked by the timer at an instant of the judgment.

8. A digital content reception apparatus for receiving, from each one of a first and a second distribution apparatus, a usage expiry date-time of a content to judge a usage permission of the content using the usage expiry date-time, the first and second distribution apparatuses including a first timer and a second timer, respectively, and the respective usage expiry date-times being based on their timers, comprising:

a receiver operable to receive from the first distribution apparatus a first ID identifying the first distribution apparatus and a first date-time clocked by the first timer, and from the second distribution apparatus a second ID identifying the second distribution apparatus and a second date-time clocked by the second timer;

a timer operable to clock a date-time and to output (i) a third date-time clocked at an instant when the first date-time is received, and (ii) a fourth date-time clocked at an instant when the second date-time is received; and

a memory unit operable to store therein (i) a difference between the first date-time and the third date-time in association with the first ID, and (ii) a difference between the second date-time and the fourth date-time in association with the second ID.

9. A digital content reception apparatus for receiving, from each one of a first distribution apparatus and a second distribution apparatus that is dependent on the first distribution apparatus, a usage expiry date-time of a content to judge a usage permission of the content using the usage expiry date-time, the first and second distribution apparatuses including a first timer and a second timer, respectively, and the respective usage expiry date-times being based on their timers, comprising:

a receiver operable to receive from the first distribution apparatus a first ID identifying the first distribution apparatus and a first date-time clocked by the first timer, and from the second distribution apparatus a second ID identifying the second distribution apparatus and a second date-time clocked by the second timer;

a timer operable to clock a date-time and to output a third date-time clocked at an instant when the first date-time is received; and

a memory unit operable to store, when the receiver receives the first ID and the first date-time, a difference between the first date-time and the third date-time in association with the second ID.

10. A digital content distribution apparatus for sending, to a reception apparatus that makes a usage permission judgment of a content using a usage expiry date-time of the content and a first timer included in the reception apparatus, the usage expiry date-time being based on a second timer included in the distribution apparatus, comprising:

a receiver operable to receive, from the reception apparatus, synchronism information showing that the first and second timers clock a substantially same date-time; and

a sender operable to send to the reception apparatus the content and the usage expiry date-time in response to the synchronism information.

11. A digital content distribution method for sending a content and expiry information to a reception apparatus, the expiry information relating to a usage expiry date-time of the content and being for use by the reception apparatus to make a usage permission judgment of the content, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving from the reception apparatus a first date-time clocked by a timer included in the reception apparatus;

a clocking step of clocking a date-time and outputting a second date-time clocked at an instant when the first date-time is received; and

a sending step of sending to the reception apparatus the expiry information generated by adding, to the usage expiry date-time of the content, a difference calculated by subtracting the second date-time from the first date-time.

12. A digital content distribution method for sending a content and expiry information of the content to a reception apparatus, the expiry information relating to a usage expiry date-time of the content and being for use by the reception apparatus to make a usage permission judgment of the content, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving from the reception apparatus a first date-time clocked by the reception apparatus and an ID identifying the first date-time;

a clocking step of clocking a date-time and outputting a second date-time clocked at an instant when the first date-time is received; and

a sending step of sending to the reception apparatus the received ID and the expiry information that is generated by adding, to the usage expiry date-time of the content, a difference calculated by subtracting the first date-time from the second date-time.

13. A digital content distribution method for sending, to a reception apparatus that makes a usage permission judgment of a content using a usage expiry date-time of the content and a first timer included in the reception apparatus, the usage expiry date-time based on a second timer included in the distribution apparatus, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving, from the reception apparatus, synchronism information showing that the first and second timers clock a substantially same date-time; and

a sending step of sending to the reception apparatus the content and the usage expiry date-time in response to the synchronism information.

14. A digital content reception method for receiving, from a distribution apparatus, expiry information of a content to make a usage permission judgment of the content, the expiry information being generated by the distribution apparatus using information sent from the reception apparatus, comprising:

a user date-time acquiring step of acquiring a user date-time that is designated by a user;

a clocking step of clocking a date-time and outputting a first date-time clocked at an instant when the user date-time is acquired;

a storing step of storing therein a difference in association with an ID identifying the difference, the difference being calculated by subtracting the first date-time from the user date-time;

a playback request acquiring step of acquiring a playback request for a content that is designated by the user;

a sending step of sending, to the distribution apparatus, the ID and an adjusted date-time that is calculated by adding the difference to a date-time clocked by the timer at an instant when the playback request is acquired;

a receiving step of receiving the ID and the expiry information from the distribution apparatus; and

a judging step of judging that usage of the content is permitted when a date-time shown by the received expiry information is later than a date-time calculated by adding a difference identified by the received ID to a date-time clocked by the timer at an instant of the judgment.

15. A digital content reception method for receiving, from each one of a first and a second distribution apparatus, a usage expiry date-time of a content to judge a usage permission of the content using the usage expiry date-time, the first and second distribution apparatuses including a first timer and a second timer, respectively, and the respective usage expiry date-times being based on their timers, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving from the first distribution apparatus a first ID identifying the first distribution apparatus and a first date-time clocked by the first timer, and from the second distribution apparatus a second ID identifying the second distribution apparatus and a second date-time clocked by the second timer;

a clocking step of clocking a date-time and outputting (i) a third date-time clocked at an instant when the first date-time is received, and (ii) a fourth date-time clocked at an instant when the second date-time is received; and

a storing step of storing therein (i) a difference between the first date-time and the third date-time in association with the first ID, and (ii) a difference between the second date-time and the fourth date-time in association with the second ID.

16. A digital content reception method for receiving, from each one of a first distribution apparatus and a second distribution apparatus that is dependent on the first distribution apparatus, a usage expiry date-time of a content to judge a usage permission of the content using the usage expiry date-time, the first and second distribution apparatuses including a first timer and a second timer, respectively, and the respective usage expiry date-times being based on their timers, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving from the first distribution apparatus a first ID identifying the first distribution apparatus and a first date-time clocked by the first timer, and from the second distribution apparatus, a second ID identifying the second distribution apparatus and a second date-time clocked by the second timer;

a clocking step of clocking a date-time and outputting a third date-time clocked at an instant when the first date-time is received; and

a storing step of storing, when the receiver receives the first ID and the first date-time, a difference between the first date-time and the third date-time in association with the second ID.

17. A digital content distribution program for use by a distribution apparatus that sends a content and expiry information to a reception apparatus, the expiry information relating to a usage expiry date-time of the content and being for use by the reception apparatus to makes a usage permission judgment of the content, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving from the reception apparatus a first date-time clocked by a timer included in the reception apparatus;

a clocking step of clocking a date-time and outputting a second date-time clocked at an instant when the first date-time is received; and

a sending step of sending to the reception apparatus the expiry information generated by adding, to the usage expiry date-time of the content, a difference calculated by subtracting the second date-time from the first date-time.

18. A digital content distribution program for use by a distribution apparatus that sends a content and expiry information of the content to a reception apparatus, the expiry information relating to a usage expiry date-time of the content and being for use by the reception apparatus to make a usage permission judgment of the content, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving from the reception apparatus a first date-time clocked by the reception apparatus and an ID identifying the first date-time;

a clocking step of clocking a date-time and outputting a second date-time clocked at an instant when the first date-time is received; and

a sending step of sending to the reception apparatus the received ID and the expiry information that is generated by adding, to the usage expiry date-time of the content, a difference calculated by subtracting the first date-time from the second date-time.

19. A digital content distribution program for use by a distribution apparatus that sends, to a reception apparatus that makes a usage permission judgment of a content using a usage expiry date-time of the content and a first timer included in the reception apparatus, the usage expiry date-time based on a second timer included in the distribution apparatus, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving, from the reception apparatus, synchronism information showing that the first and second timers clock a substantially same date-time; and

a sending step of sending to the reception apparatus the content and the usage expiry date-time in response to the synchronism information.

20. A digital content reception program for use by a reception apparatus that receives, from a distribution apparatus, expiry information of a content to make a usage permission judgment of the content, the expiry information being generated by the distribution apparatus using information sent from the reception apparatus, comprising:

a user date-time acquiring step of acquiring a user date-time that is designated by a user;

a clocking step of clocking a date-time and outputting a first date-time clocked at an instant when the user date-time is acquired;

a storing step of storing therein a difference in association with an ID identifying the difference, the difference being calculated by subtracting the first date-time from the user date-time;

a playback request acquiring step of acquiring a playback request for a content that is designated by the user;

a sending step of sending, to the distribution apparatus, the ID and an adjusted date-time that is calculated by adding the difference to a date-time clocked by the timer at an instant when the playback request is acquired;

a receiving step of receiving the ID and the expiry information from the distribution apparatus; and

a judging step of judging that usage of the content is permitted when a date-time shown by the received expiry information is later than a date-time calculated by adding a difference identified by the received ID to a date-time clocked by the timer at an instant of the judgment.

21. A digital content reception program for use by a reception apparatus that receives, from each one of a first and a second distribution apparatus, a content and a usage expiry date-time of the content, and makes a usage permission judgment of each content using the usage expiry date-time of the content, the first and second distribution apparatuses including a first timer and a second timer, respectively, and the respective usage expiry date-times being based on their timers, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving from the first distribution apparatus a first ID identifying the first distribution apparatus and a first date-time clocked by the first timer, and from the second distribution apparatus a second ID identifying the second distribution apparatus and a second date-time clocked by the second timer;

a clocking step of clocking a date-time and outputting (i) a third date-time clocked at an instant when the first date-time is received, and (ii) a fourth date-time clocked at an instant when the second date-time is received; and

a storing step of storing therein (i) a difference between the first date-time and the third date-time in association with the first ID, and (ii) a difference between the second date-time and the fourth date-time in association with the second ID.

22. A digital content reception program for use by a reception apparatus that receives a usage expiry date-time of a content from each one of a first distribution apparatus and a second distribution apparatus that is dependent on the first distribution apparatus, and makes a usage permission judgment of each content using the usage expiry date-time of the content, the first and second distribution apparatuses including a first timer and a second timer, respectively, and the respective usage expiry date-times being based on their timers, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving from the first distribution apparatus a first ID identifying the first distribution apparatus and a first date-time clocked by the first timer, and from the second distribution apparatus, a second ID identifying the second distribution apparatus and a second date-time clocked by the second timer;

a clocking step of clocking a date-time and outputting a third date-time clocked at an instant when the first date-time is received; and

a storing step of storing, when the receiver receives the first ID and the first date-time, a difference between the first date-time and the third date-time in association with the second ID.