Patent ID: 6385726
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: G06F,H04N

Abstract:
A contents utilizing management apparatus, comprising:utilizing condition storing means for storing a utilizing condition corresponding to a sum of money of purchased authorization for use of the contents, wherein the utilizing condition stored in said utilizing condition storing means comprises an accumulative time of utilization for the contents; a determination means, coupled to a plurality of computers in which the contents are utilized, for determining whether the contents can be utilized based on the utilizing condition of the contents referred to by a utilizing request supplied from one of said plurality of computers; utilizing permission means for supplying permission to utilize the contents to the one of said plurality of computers when said determination means determines that the contents can be utilized; and updating means for updating the accumulative time of utilization so that an amount of utilization of the contents is subtracted from the accumulative time of utilization for the contents when said determination means determines that the contents can be utilized, wherein the updated accumulative time of utilization is used to determine, in response to a next utilizing request for the contents, whether the contents can be utilized.