Patent ID: 8010688
Filing Date: 2011-08-30
Classification: G06F,H04L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A content usage management system comprising: a client apparatus that reproduces distributed content; at least one distribution server; and a database configured to store content to be distributed, the database storing the content on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, wherein said client apparatus includes a usage control data receiving unit operable to receive usage control data including a key used for reproduction of the distributed content from said at least one distribution server, and a reproduction unit operable to reproduce the distributed content using the usage control data, and said at least one distribution server includes a confirmation unit operable to confirm whether or not the content distributed to said client apparatus is content having a limited number of authorized reproduction times indicated by the usage control data, and a usage control data distribution unit operable to: (a) distribute the usage control data by a unicast distribution method where the usage control data is distributed in response to a request from said client apparatus, when the number of authorized reproduction times of the content is limited, and (b) distribute the usage control data to a plurality of client apparatuses including said client apparatus by a multicast distribution method where the usage control data is distributed to said plurality of client apparatuses simultaneously at a predetermined distribution time, when the number of authorized reproduction times of the content is not limited.