Patent ID: 7218643
Filing Date: 2007-05-15
Classification: G11B,H04H,H04K,H04L

Abstract:
1. A relay device, comprising: a first interface unit connected to a first network operated by a first protocol; a second interface unit connected to a second network operated by a second protocol that is different from the first protocol; a proxy configuration unit for disclosing a device/service/sub-unit on the second network as an own device/service/sub-unit provided on the relay device with respect to a first network side; a control command reception unit for receiving control command signals destined to the own device/service/sub-unit from the first network side; a control command transmission unit for transmitting signals corresponding to the control command signals received by the control command reception unit, to the device/service/sub-unit on the second network; a contents protection information reception unit for receiving contents protection information destined to the own device/service/sub-unit, from a device on the first network; and a contents protection information transfer unit for transferring the contents protection information received by the contents protection information reception unit to the device/service/sub-unit on the second network, so as to selectively relay the contents protection information transparently without making any change in the contents protection information; wherein the contents protection information is information necessary in carrying out a contents protection procedure including at least an authentication and/or a key exchange between one device/service/sub-unit on the first network and another device/service/sub-unit on the second network.