Software reproduction apparatus
First Claim
1. A software reproduction apparatus for reproducing encrypted or non-encrypted software data received via an input route including a storage medium and by communications with a remote source, and for executing monetary charges according to the usage of the software comprising:
- signal processing means for performing unique signal processing based on the input route of the software data; and
error processing means for conducting error processing based on the input route;
input switchover means for selecting an input route, said input switchover means comprising;
first switchover means for outputting encrypted and non-encrypted software data to said signal processing means and;
second switchover means for receiving the output from said signal processing means and directing the output of said signal processing means to said error processing means;
software management means for decoding encrypted software data and for managing monetary charges according to the usage of the software data;
data conversion means for converting decoded data outputted from said software management means to output data offered to the user; and
output route switchover means for receiving encrypted data from said input switchover means and outputting the encrypted data to said software management means, and for receiving non-encrypted software data from said input switchover means and outputting the non-encrypted software data to said data conversion section.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This invention provides an input switchover means for switching input routes according to the type of medium or communications, a software management means for decoding encrypted software information and for managing monetary charges according to the usage amounts of this software, an information conversion section for converting decoded data outputted from the previously mentioned software management means to visible or audible data, and an output route switchover means for outputting to the previously mentioned software management means encrypted software data, and for outputting to the previously mentioned information conversion section non-encrypted software information.
-
Citations
41 Claims
-
1. A software reproduction apparatus for reproducing encrypted or non-encrypted software data received via an input route including a storage medium and by communications with a remote source, and for executing monetary charges according to the usage of the software comprising:
-
signal processing means for performing unique signal processing based on the input route of the software data; and
error processing means for conducting error processing based on the input route;
input switchover means for selecting an input route, said input switchover means comprising;
first switchover means for outputting encrypted and non-encrypted software data to said signal processing means and;
second switchover means for receiving the output from said signal processing means and directing the output of said signal processing means to said error processing means;
software management means for decoding encrypted software data and for managing monetary charges according to the usage of the software data;
data conversion means for converting decoded data outputted from said software management means to output data offered to the user; and
output route switchover means for receiving encrypted data from said input switchover means and outputting the encrypted data to said software management means, and for receiving non-encrypted software data from said input switchover means and outputting the non-encrypted software data to said data conversion section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
-
4. A software reproduction apparatus for reproducing encrypted or non-encrypted software data received via an input route including a writable medium, a non-writable medium and by communications with a remote source, and for executing monetary charges according to the usage of the software, the software reproduction apparatus comprising:
-
input switchover means for selecting an input route;
software management means for decoding encrypted software data using key data from an external source and for managing monetary charges according to the usage of the software data;
data conversion means for converting decoded data outputted from said software management means to output data offered to the user; and
output route switchover means and outputting the encrypted data to said software management means, for receiving the non-encrypted software data from said input switchover means and outputting the non-encrypted software data to said data conversion means, and for outputting the encrypted software data to a writable medium. - View Dependent Claims (5)
-
-
6. A software reproduction apparatus for reproducing encrypted or non-encrypted software data received via an input route including a storage medium and by communications with a remote source, and for executing monetary charges according to the usage of the software comprising:
-
input switchover means for selecting an input route according to the type of medium or communications;
software management means for decoding encrypted software data and for managing monetary charges according to the usage of the software data;
data conversion means for converting decoded data outputted from said software management means to output data for the user;
output route switchover means for receiving encrypted data from said input switchover means and outputting the encrypted data to said software management means, and for receiving non-encrypted software data from said input switchover means and outputting the non-encrypted software data for said data conversion section;
drive apparatus for installing a writable medium;
writing means for writing, on said medium, encrypted software data obtained from the said input route prior to the output of the encrypted software data to said software management means; and
a means for reading encrypted software data written on said medium.
-
-
7. A software reproduction apparatus for reproducing encrypted or non-encrypted software data received via an input route including a storage medium and by communications with a remote source, and for executing monetary charges according to the usage of the software comprising:
-
signal processing means for performing unique signal processing based on the input route of the software data; and
error processing means for conducting error processing based on the input route;
input switchover means for selecting an input route, said input switchover means comprising;
first switchover means for outputting encrypted and non-encrypted software data to said signal processing means and;
second switchover means for receiving the output from said signal processing means and directing the output of said signal processing means to said error processing means;
software management means for decoding encrypted software data and for managing monetary charges according to the usage of the software data;
data conversion means for converting decoded data outputted from said software management means to output data offered to the user;
output route switchover means for receiving encrypted data from said input switchover means and outputting the encrypted data to said software management means, and for receiving non-encrypted software data from said input switchover means and outputting the non-encrypted software data to said data conversion section;
drive apparatus for installing a writable medium;
writing means for writing on said writable medium encrypted software data obtained from the said input route prior to its output to said software management means; and
a means for reading encrypted software data written on said medium.
-
-
8. An apparatus comprising:
-
digital information receiving means for receiving digital information provided via a communication medium;
drive means for reading digital information from, and writing digital information to, a storage medium;
software management means for decoding encrypted software data and for managing monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data;
information converting means for converting digital information received by said digital information receiving means, digital information read by said drive means, and software data decoded by the software management means, into at least one of visible and audible data;
switch means for switching a one-way connection between one of said digital information receiving means and said information converting means, said digital information receiving means and said drive means, said drive means and said information converting means, said digital information receiving means and said software management means, and said drive means and said software management means; and
outputting means, connected to said information converting means, outputting the at least one of visible and audible data. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. An apparatus comprising:
-
a digital information receiver receiving digital information provided via a communication medium;
a drive device reading digital information from, and writing information to, a storage medium;
a software manager decoding encrypted software data and managing monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data;
a converter converting digital information received by said digital information receiver;
digital information read by said drive device, and software data decoded by the software manager, into at least one of visible and audible data;
a switch switching a one-way connection between said digital information receiver and said converter, between said digital information receiver and said drive device, between said drive device and said converter, between said digital information receiver and said software manager, and between said drive device and said software manager; and
an output device, connected to said converter, outputting the at least one of visible and audible data. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. An apparatus comprising:
-
a communication path providing digital data;
a storage medium storing digital data;
a converter converting digital data into at least one of visible and audible data;
a software manager decoding encrypted software data and managing monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data, the decoded software data being provided to the converter as digital data to be converted;
a switch having a first switch position which connects digital data provided by the communication path to the converter as a one-way connection so that the converter converts the digital data into at least one of visible and audible data, a second switch position which connects digital data read from the storage medium to the converter as a one-way connection so that the converter converts the digital data read from the storage medium into at least one of visible and audible data, a third switch position which connects digital data provided by the communication path to the storage medium as a one-way connection so that the digital data provided via the communication path is stored in the storage medium, a fourth switch position which connects digital data provided by the communication path to the software manager so that the software manager decodes encrypted software data in the provided digital data and the converter converts the decoded software data into at least one of visible and audible data, and so that the software manager manages monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data, and a fifth switch position which connects digital data read from the storage medium to the software manager so that the software manager decodes encrypted software data of the read digital data and the converter converts the decoded software data into at least one of visible and audible data, and so that the software manager manages monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data; and
an output device, connected to the converter, outputting the at least one of visible and audible data. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. An apparatus comprising:
-
a communication path providing digital data;
a storage medium storing digital data;
a converter converting digital data into at least one of visible and audible data;
a decoder decoding encrypted digital data;
a switch having a first switch configuration which, when non-encrypted digital data is provided by the communication path, connects the digital information provided by the communication path to the converter as a one-way connection without passing through the decoder so that the converter converts the digital data into at least one of visible and audible data, a second switch configuration which, when encrypted digital data is provided by the communication path, connects the digital information provided by the communication path to the converter and the decoder as a one-way connection so that the encrypted digital data is decoded by the decoder and then the decoded digital data is converted by the converter into at least one of visible and audible data, a third switch configuration which, when non-encrypted digital data is read from the storage medium, connects the digital data read from the storage medium to the converter as a one-way connection without passing through the decoder so that the converter converts the digital data into at least one of visible and audible data, a fourth switch configuration which, when encrypted digital data is read from the storage medium, connects the digital data read from the storage medium to the converter and the decoder as a one-way connection so that the encrypted digital data is decoded by the decoder and then the decoded digital data is converted by the converter into at least one of visible and audible data, and a fifth switch configuration which connects the digital data provided by the communication path to the storage medium as a one-way connection so that the digital data provided via the communication path is stored in the storage medium;
an output device, connected to the converter, outputting the at least one of visible and audible data; and
a software manager managing monetary charges according to usage of the encrypted digital data decoded by the decoder.
-
-
21. A switch comprising:
-
a first switch position which connects digital data provided by a communication path to a converter as a one-way connection so that the converter converts the digital data into at least one of visible and audible data;
a second switch position which connects digital data read from a storage medium to the converter as a one-way connection so that the converter converts the digital data read from the storage medium into at least one of visible and audible data;
a third switch position which connects the digital data provided by the communication path to the storage medium as a one-way connection so that the digital data provided via the communication path is stored in the storage medium;
a fourth switch position which connects the digital data read from the storage medium to a software manager which decodes encrypted software data in the read digital data and then provides the decoded software data to the converter to be converted into at least one of visible and audible data, wherein the software manager manages monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data; and
a fifth switch position which connects the digital data provided by the communication path to the software manager which decodes encrypted software data in the provided digital data and then provides the decoded software data to the converter to be converted into at least one of visible and audible data, wherein the software manager manages monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data;
wherein an output device, connected to the converter, outputs the at least one of visible and audible data.
-
-
22. An apparatus comprising:
-
first means for connecting digital data provided by a communication path to a converter as a one-way connection so that the converter converts the digital data into at least one of visible and audible data;
second means for connecting digital data read from a storage medium to the converter as a one-way connection so that the converter converts the digital data read from the storage medium into at least one of visible and audible data;
third means for connecting the digital data provided by the communication path to the storage medium as a one-way connection so that the digital data provided via the communication path is stored in the storage medium;
fourth means for connecting the digital data read from the storage medium to a software manager which decodes encrypted software data in the read digital data and then provides the decoded software data to the converter to be converted into at least one of visible and audible data, wherein the software manager manages monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data;
fifth means for connecting the digital data provided by the communication path to the software manager which decodes encrypted software data in the provided digital data and then provides the decoded software data to the converter to be converted into at least one of visible and audible data, wherein the software manager manages monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data; and
outputting means, connected to the converter, outputting the at least one of visible and audible data.
-
-
23. An apparatus comprising:
-
digital information receiving means for receiving digital information provided via a communication medium;
drive means for reading digital information from, and writing digital information to, a storage medium;
information converting means for converting digital information received by said digital information receiving means and digital information read by said drive means into at least one of visible and audible data;
software management means for decoding encrypted software data and for providing the decoded software data to the information converting means to be converted into at least one of visible and audible data, and for managing monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data;
switch means for switching a connection between one of said digital information receiving means and said information converting means, said digital information receiving means and said drive means, said drive means and said information converting means, said digital information receiving means and said software management means, and said drive means and said software management means;
selecting means for selecting one of said digital information received by said digital information receiving means and said digital information read by said drive means and inputting the selected digital information to said information converting means to obtain at least one of visible and audible data based on the selected digital information, which is received from different types of digital information sources; and
outputting means, connected to said information converting means, outputting the at least one of visible and audible data.
-
-
24. An apparatus comprising:
-
a communication medium providing external digital information in one direction;
digital information receiving means for receiving digital information provided via the communication medium;
drive means for reading digital information from, and writing digital information to, a storage medium;
information converting means for converting digital information into at least one of visible and audible data;
software management means for decoding encrypted software data and providing the decoded software data as digital information to the information converting means, and for managing monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data;
switch means for switching a connection between one of said digital information receiving means and said information converting means so that the information converting means converts the digital information received by the digital information receiving means, said digital information receiving means and said drive means, said drive means and said information converting means so that said information converting means converts the digital information read by the drive means, said digital information receiving means and said software management means so that the software management means decodes software data in the digital information received by the digital information receiving means, and said drive means and said software management means so that the software management means decodes software data in the digital information read by the drive means; and
outputting means, connected to said information converting means, outputting the at least one of visible and audible data. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. An apparatus comprising:
-
a communication medium providing external digital information in one direction;
a digital information receiver receiving digital information provided via the communication medium;
a drive device reading digital information from, and writing information to, a storage medium;
a software manager decoding encrypted software data, and managing monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data;
a converter converting digital information received by said digital information receiver, digital information read by said drive device, and software data decoded by the software manager, into at least one of visible and audible data;
a switch switching a connection between said digital information receiver and said converter, between said digital information receiver and said software manager, between said drive device and said software manager, between said digital information receiver and said drive device, and between said drive device and said converter; and
an output device, connected to said converter, outputting the at least one of visible and audible data. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
-
-
32. An apparatus comprising:
-
a communication path providing external digital data in one direction;
a storage medium storing digital data;
a software manager decoding encrypted software data and managing monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data;
a converter converting digital data into at least one of visible and audible data;
a switch having a first switch position which connects digital data provided by the communication path to the converter, the converter converting the digital data into at least one of visible and audible data, a second switch position which connects digital data read from the storage medium to the converter, the converter converting the digital data read from the storage medium into at least one of visible and audible data, a third switch position which connects digital data provided by the communication path to the storage medium, the digital data provided via the communication path being stored in the storage medium, a fourth switch position which connects digital data provided by the communication path to the software manager so that the software manager decodes encrypted software data in digital data provided by the communication path and provides the decoded software data to the converter so that the converter converts the decoded software data into at least one of visible and audible data, wherein the software manager manages monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data, and a fifth switch position which connects digital data read from the storage medium to the software manager so that the software manager decodes encrypted software data in digital data read from the storage medium and provides the decoded software data to the converter so that the converter converts the decoded software data into at least one of visible and audible data, wherein the software manager manages monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data; and
an output device, connected to the converter, outputting the at least one of visible and audible data. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
-
-
36. An apparatus comprising:
-
a communication path providing external digital data in one direction;
a storage medium storing digital data;
a converter converting digital data into at least one of visible and audible data;
a decoder decoding encrypted digital data;
a software manager managing monetary charges according to usage of digital data decoded by the decoder;
a switch having a first switch configuration which, when non-encrypted digital data is provided by the communication path, connects the digital information provided by the communication path to the converter without passing through the decoder, the converter converting the digital data into at least one of visible and audible data, a second switch configuration which, when encrypted digital data is provided by the communication path, connects the digital information provided by the communication path to the converter and the decoder, the encrypted digital data being decoded by the decoder and then the decoded digital data being converted by the converter into at least one of visible and audible data, a third switch configuration which, when non-encrypted digital data is read from the storage medium, connects the digital data read from the storage medium to the converter without passing through the decoder, the converter converting the digital data into at least one of visible and audible data, a fourth switch configuration which, when encrypted digital data is read from the storage medium, connects the digital data read from the storage medium to the converter and the decoder, the encrypted digital data being decoded by the decoder and then the decoded digital data being converted by the converter into at least one of visible and audible data, and a fifth switch configuration which connects the digital data provided by the communication path to the storage medium, the digital data provided via the communication path being stored in the storage medium; and
an output device, connected to the converter, outputting the at least one of visible and audible data.
-
-
37. A switch comprising:
-
a first switch position which connects external digital data provided by a communication path in one direction to a converter that converts the digital data into at least one of visible and audible data;
a second switch position which connects digital data read from a storage medium to the converter, the converter converting the digital data read from the storage medium into at least one of visible and audible data;
a third switch position which connects the digital data provided by the communication path to the storage medium, the digital data provided via the communication path being stored in the storage medium;
a fourth switch position which connects digital data read from the storage medium to a software manager which decodes encrypted software data in the read digital data and then provides the decoded software data to the converter to be converted into at least one of visible and audible data, wherein the software manager manages monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data; and
a fifth switch position which connects the digital data provided by the communication path to the software manager which decodes encrypted software data in the provided digital data and then provides the decoded software data to the converter to be converted into at least one of visible and audible data, wherein the software manager manages monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data;
wherein an output device, connected to the converter, outputs the at least one of visible and audible data.
-
-
38. An apparatus comprising:
-
first means for connecting external digital data provided by a communication path in one direction to a converter that converts the digital data into at least one of visible and audible data;
second means for connecting digital data read from a storage medium to the converter, the converter converting the digital data read from the storage medium into at least one of visible and audible data;
third means for connecting the digital data provided by the communication path to the storage medium, the digital data provided via the communication path being stored in the storage medium;
fourth means for connecting digital data read from the storage medium to a software manager which decodes encrypted software data in the read digital data and then provides the decoded software data to the converter to be converted into at least one of visible and audible data, wherein the software manager manages monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data;
fifth means for connecting the digital data provided by the communication path to the software manager which decodes encrypted software data in the provided digital data and then provides the decoded software data to the converter to be converted into at least one of visible and audible data, wherein the software manager manages monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data; and
outputting means, connected to the converter, outputting the at least one of visible and audible data.
-
-
39. An apparatus comprising:
-
a communication medium providing external digital information in one direction;
digital information receiving means for receiving digital information provided via the communication medium;
drive means for reading digital information from, and writing digital information to, a storage medium;
software management means for decoding encrypted software data and for managing monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data;
information converting means for converting digital information received by said digital information receiving means, digital information read by said drive means, and software data decoded by said software management means, into at least one of visible and audible data;
switch means for switching a connection between one of said digital information receiving means and said information converting means, said digital information receiving means and said drive means, said digital information receiving means and said software management means, said drive means and said software management means, and said drive means and said information converting means;
selecting means for selecting one of said digital information received by said digital information receiving means and said digital information read by said drive means and inputting the selected digital information to said information converting means to obtain at least one of visible and audible data based on the selected digital information, which is received from different types of digital information sources; and
outputting means, connected to said information converting means, outputting the at least one of visible and audible data.
-
-
40. A switch comprising:
-
a first switch position which connects digital data provided by a communication path to a converter so that the converter converts the digital data into at least one of visible and audible data;
a second switch position which connects digital data read from a storage medium to the converter so that the converter converts the digital data read from the storage medium into at least one of visible and audible data;
a third switch position which connects digital data provided by the communication path to the storage medium so that the digital data provided by the communication path is stored in the storage medium;
a fourth switch position which connects digital data read from the storage medium to a software manager which decodes encrypted software data in the read digital data and then provides the decoded software data to the converter to be converted into at least one of visible and audible data, wherein the software manager manages monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data; and
a fifth switch position which connects the digital data provided by the communication path to the software manager which decodes encrypted software data in the provided digital data and then provides the decoded software data to the converter to be converted into at least one of visible and audible data, wherein the software manager manages monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data.
-
-
41. An apparatus comprising:
-
means for connecting digital data provided by a communication path to a converter so that the converter converts the digital data into at least one of visible and audible data;
means for connecting digital data read from a storage medium to the converter so that the converter converts the digital data read from the storage medium into at least one of visible and audible data;
means for connecting digital data provided by the communication path to the storage medium so that the digital data provided by the communication path is stored in the storage medium;
means for connecting digital data read from the storage medium to a software manager which decodes encrypted software data in the read digital data and then provides the decoded software data to the converter to be converted into at least one of visible and audible data, wherein the software manager manages monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data; and
means for connecting digital data provided by the communication path to the software manager which decodes encrypted software data in the provided digital data and then provides the decoded software data to the converter to be converted into at least one of visible and audible data, wherein the software manager manages monetary charges according to usage of the decoded software data.
-
Specification