Patent ID: 6915427
Filing Date: 2005-07-05
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A hub system to which at least one storage device and at least one contents reproducing apparatus can be electrically connected, said hub system comprising: a hub apparatus to which said at least one storage device and said at least one contents reproducing apparatus can be electrically connected; and a key storing apparatus, electrically connected to said hub apparatus, for storing therein keys, each being used to decode encrypted contents data, wherein said key storing apparatus comprises: store means for storing said keys, authentication means for authenticating said at least one contents reproducing apparatus and said at least one storage device which are electrically connected thereto, means for transmitting a key in said store means to said at least one contents reproducing apparatus as a partner of communication by utilizing cipher communication if said at least one contents reproducing apparatus to which the key is transmitted is authenticated as the partner of communication by said authentication means, and means for reading out a key from said store means, transmitting the key thus read to a storage device as a partner of communication by utilizing cipher communication, and deleting from said store means the key thus read, if said storage device to which the key thus read is transmitted is authenticated as the partner of communication by said authentication means.