Patent ID: 8229116
Filing Date: 2012-07-24
Classification: H04L,H04N

Abstract:
1. An information processing apparatus configured to transfer first encrypted information from a sending source to a sending destination, comprising: a memory storing a first common key used in said sending source and a second common key, different from said first common key, used in said sending destination, wherein said first and second common keys are assigned by a security manager configured to manage setting of keys for said sending source and said sending destination based on a device database and a key database; a decryptor configured to decrypt said first encrypted information supplied from said sending source by use of said first common key to obtain decrypted information; an encryptor configured to encrypt said decrypted information decrypted by said decryptor by use of said second common key and to output second encrypted information as information to be transferred to said sending destination; and a transmitter configured to transmit said decrypted information decrypted by said decryptor to said encryptor through a predetermined route in said information processing apparatus, wherein the sending source is a first security group containing a first plurality of devices set to use the first common key, the security manager is arranged outside of the first security group and is further configured to determine whether a new device is connected to the security manager, acquire a device ID from the newly connected device, determine whether the newly connected device is registered in the device database based on the acquired device ID, register the newly connected device in the device database when it is determined that the newly connected device was not previously registered, determine whether the newly connected device is to join the security group, and when it is determined that the newly connected device is to join the security group, update the device database to associate the new device with the first common key, and said sending destination is configured as a second security group containing a second plurality of devices set to use the second common key, each of said security groups specifying that, when protection information is transmitted from a predetermined one of said first plurality of devices or said second plurality of devices to another one of said first plurality of devices or said second plurality of devices, respectively, said predetermined one device encrypts said protection information by use of said first or second common key to send resultant encrypted protection information and said another device receives said resultant encrypted protection information and decrypts said resultant encrypted protection information by use of said first or second common key, respectively.