Content usage rule management system

A content user terminal including a utilization unit that provides a content utilization, and an interface unit 137 that inquires the content utilization availability to the portable content usage rule management device via a wireless communication and obtains a content utilization permission data which is a inquiry result via a wireless communication. The utilization unit provides the content utilization based on the obtained content utilization permission data. The portable content usage rule management device includes a copyright data storage management unit that stores and manages the content usage rule, an interface unit that receives the inquiry result of the content utilization availability from the content user terminal via a wireless communication, and a copyright data processing is unit that responds to the received inquiry result, judges the content utilization availability based on the stored content usage rule and creates a content utilization permission data based on the judge result. The interface unit sends the created content utilization permission data to the content user terminal via a wireless communication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a copyright data management system, and more particularly to a content usage rule management system that conducts a management processing of a digital copyright and a usage rule when using a content.

(2) Description of the Related Art

In the conventional copyright management system, an IC card, secured and inserted into a content user terminal, is used for managing a copyright data and conducting a content usage management processing. When a user wants to utilize a content, with another user terminal besides the terminal that is operating at the moment, using a pre-holding content usage rule (data which indicates a scope of the right for the content usage right quantitatively, that how much content can we utilize under what kind of circumstances), that is, when a user wants to carry around his own content usage rule, the user should make a good preparation for the own content usage rule to be written to an IC card anytime. And the portability for the content usage rule is secured by inserting the IC card, in which the content usage rule is always being written, to the other user terminal, and the content can be utilized.

As an example of conducting a management with the IC card, there is a conditional receiving method for a digital broadcasting system such as a “pay broadcasting recoding reproduction method” (Japanese Patent No. 2983504).FIG. 1is a diagram that shows a conventional content usage management system configuration. The content usage management system includes a wide area network1, a broadcast (communication) satellite2, a user terminal A3such as an STB (Set Top Box), a user terminal B5, an IC card A7, an IC card B9, a server11, a TV130and a TV150. In the figure, the wide area network1shall include a broadcast communication network such as a satellite TV broadcasting (communication). Conventionally, the user terminal A3is equipped with the IC card A7, the user terminal B5is equipped with the IC card B9as shown in the system configuration diagram ofFIG. 1. The user terminal A3and B5, which have a communication function, receive a content from the server11via the broadcast (communication) satellite2and store the received content inside. On the other hand, the user terminal A3and B5each obtains a content usage rule via the wide area network1such as a dial line network and each user terminal conducts a copyright management in each IC card. The TV130connected to the user terminal A3and the TV150connected to the user terminal B5are available for its utilization by each IC card.

However, with the above conventional method, the portable service for the IC card is not effectively used because of a lack of convenience for inserting/pulling of the IC card and a lack of the portability. As a result, the IC card is used under a condition of always-inserted into the content user terminal, thus the portable service is not realized with the above method.

Also, when a contractor of the IC card and a content user are different, for example, a “family plan use” contract, it is possible to use a content whoever operates the user terminal despite of the contractor's intent with the IC card inserted. Thus, it is difficult for the contractor to give a permission to utilize a content only to a user who is permitted by the contractor.

On the other hand, when one content user terminal is used by a plurality of contractors, each contractor needs to use the content user terminal by turns after inserting the IC card. As a result, when the content user terminal is used for a parallel processing for contents utilization, the processing should be operated by turns as is the same case with the above, accordingly, a problem, which a number of contractors can not use the same content user terminal at the same time, will occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a content usage rule management system which is a system to give a utilization permission by contractors while securing the portability of the content usage rule without reducing its convenience, and to use a content user terminal by a plurality of contractors in parallel.

In order to solve the above problem, the content usage rule management system according to the present invention comprises a user terminal that provides a content utilization for users and a content usage rule management device that stores a content usage rule for permitting a content utilization with the user terminal and manages the content utilization. And the above mentioned user terminal includes a utilization unit having a playback device and a user interface for providing a desired content utilization to users and an inquiry unit operable to inquire a content utilization availability of the utilization unit to the content usage rule management device via a wireless communication and obtain a content utilization permission data, which is a result of the inquiry, from the content usage rule management device via a wireless communication. And the above mentioned utilization unit provides the content utilization based on the obtained content utilization permission data, and above mentioned content usage rule management device, which is a portable device includes a copyright data storage management unit that stores and manages the content usage rule an inquiry result receiving unit that receives an inquiry result of a content utilization availability from the user terminal via a wireless communication, a copyright data processing unit operable to judge an availability for the content in the user terminal and creates a content utilization permission data based on a judge result and a permission unit operable to send the created content utilization permission data to the user terminal via a wireless communication.

As a result, according to the content usage rule management system of the present invention, it is unnecessary to mount a copyright management function to a user terminal. The content usage management device can manage the content usage rule in the user terminal with securing the content usage rule portability by communicating with the user terminal via a wireless communication.

Also, the above mentioned user terminal in the content usage rule management system according to the present invention includes, a plurality of the utilization units that provides a content utilization to a plurality of users in parallel. And the above inquiry unit inquires the content utilization availability to a plurality of the content usage rule management devices and obtains a plurality of the content utilization permission data, and the above each utilization unit provides the content utilization in parallel based on the plurality of the content utilization permission data received from the plurality of the content usage rule management devices.

As a result, according to the content usage rule management system of the present invention, one content user terminal can be used by a plurality of contractors in parallel.

Also, the above content usage rule management system in the content usage rule management system according to the present invention further includes a user interface unit that notifies to a contractor of the content usage rule management device that a content is available upon receipt of the content usage rule from the user terminal.

As a result, according to the content usage rule management system of the present invention, there is an advantage that it is possible to obtain a contractor's permission although a content user and a contractor of the content usage rule management device are different person.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The First Embodiment

FIG. 2is a block diagram that shows a configuration of a content usage rule management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The content usage rule management system100is a system which the portable device such as a portable phone device holds a content usage rule, called a “license ticket” that is able to give a content utilization to the user terminal, and includes a server11, a content user terminal A13, a content user terminal B15, a portable content usage rule management device A17and a wide area network1. The server11conducts a central control of a content utilization right purchased by a user, and provides the content and the content usage rule to each content user terminal in response to a content utilization request and a purchase request from each content user terminal. In other words, the server11provides the content requested from a content user terminal A13and a content user terminal B15via the wide area network1to the content user terminal A13and the content user terminal B15, and provides the content usage rule (the license ticket) for the requested utilization (or the purchased right) to the content user terminal A13and the content user terminal B15in response to the content utilization request and the purchase request from the content user terminal A13and the content user terminal B15. The content usage rule management system is realized as a server1which corresponds to a BS/CS digital broadcast station, realized as a server device controlled by an Internet broadcast station and a copyright data management organization, a content user terminal A13and a content user terminal B15which correspond to a receiver, for example an STB, realized as a terminal device that is installed in home personal computers and convenience stores, and realized as a portable content usage rule management device which corresponds to a portable phone, a PHS and a PDA. The content user terminal A13and the content user terminal B15are connected to the portable content usage rule management device A17with a wireless interface such as a Bluetooth™.

In addition, providing of a content usage rule is defined as for providing a condition which includes a utilization conditional data and a variety of necessary information for utilizing the content when a user (the most typical user is an original author and a content holder), who has a provide right, provides a content.

The content user terminal A13is a terminal device for a user to utilize a content and has a transmission unit131, a storage unit133, a utilization unit135and an interface unit137. The content user terminal B15has the same configuration with the content user terminal A13. The transmission unit131transmits a purchase request, a record notice, a content and a content usage rule to the server11via the wide area network1. The storage unit133is a hard disk or an IC card that supplies a memory area for storing a content received from the server11and a content utilization permission data received from the portable content usage rule management device A17. The utilization unit135is a user interface that conducts an input and output operation with a TV, a printer, a speaker, a controller and a remote controller for utilizing a content. The utilization unit135decodes an encryption of the content stored in the storage unit133using a content key in the content utilization permission data and provides a content utilization (includes a reproduction, a printout and/or a moving) in an amount of times that the permission is given from the content utilization permission data. The interface unit137includes a wireless interface that is for confirming the content utilization permission with the portable content usage rule management device A17.

The content user terminal A13and the content user terminal B15are user terminals that can utilize contents only after receiving a permission result, which is given based on the usage rule in the portable content usage rule management device A17, via the wireless communication with the portable content usage rule management device A17(details are described later referring to a sequence diagram ofFIG. 10and a data format diagram ofFIG. 19).

In addition, the content user terminal A13and the content user terminal B15actually should have other functions such as an authentication function for conducting a device authentication and a personal authentication, a tamper tolerance function for operating each function safely, and a variety of configuration elements for realizing a power control function, however, those are not thrust of the present invention, thus the explanation is omitted. The portable content usage rule management device A17is a portable device that manages the content utilization in the content user terminal based on the content usage rule stored inside the device, and includes a copyright data storage management unit173, a copyright data processing unit175, an interface unit177and a user interface unit179. The copyright data storage management unit173is a memory that supplies a memory part for storing and managing a content usage rule, a content title data and a copyright related data which includes an author data, a publisher data and thereof. The copyright data processing unit175conducts a content utilization management processing for the content user terminal A13and the content user terminal B15based on the content usage rule stored in the copyright data storage management unit173. More specifically, this content utilization management is conducted using the content utilization permission data which indicates the content utilization availability. When the content utilization permission data indicates that the content utilization is permitted, a content key and a number (or time), that how many times the content can be utilized, are described. On the other hand, when the content utilization is not permitted, only data indicating that “the content utilization is not permitted” is described. The interface unit177is a wireless communication unit that receives the content usage rule and a utilization request from the content user terminal A13and the content user terminal B15, and sends the content utilization permission data to the content user terminal A13and the content user terminal B15. When the content user terminal A13or the content user terminal B15requests for a utilization request for the content usage rule stored in the copyright data storage management unit173, the user interface unit179issues a notice of a utilization request received from the content user terminal A13or the content user terminal B15to the stored usage rule contractors, and confirms the content utilization permission with the content user terminal A13and the content user terminal B15.

In addition, the portable content usage rule management device A17actually should have other functions such as an application service function, an authentication function for conducting a device authentication and a personal authentication, a tamper tolerance function for operating each function'safely, and a variety of configuration elements for realizing a power control function, however, those are not thrust of the present invention, thus the explanation is omitted.

FIG. 3Ais a diagram that shows a data flow in the content usage rule management system when the portable content usage rule management device A17configured as shown inFIG. 2.FIG. 3Bis a diagram that shows a data flow in the content usage rule management system100when the data transmission function is configured in the portable content usage rule management device A17with the server11. As shown inFIG. 3A, the portable content usage rule management device A17does not receive the usage rule directly from the server11but receives the usage rule from each content user terminal via the content user terminal A13or the content user terminal B15. Following is detailed explanation of each operation in the content usage rule management system100referring toFIG. 4,FIG. 5andFIG. 6when the case that the portable content usage rule management device A17is configured asFIG. 2and,FIG. 3A, and a content user and a contractor are the same person.

There are two ways for utilizing contents. One of them is to {circle around (1)} utilize a content by consuming the purchased usage rule, purchasing a usage rule every time or purchasing some usage rules for future use previously. And the other is to {circle around (2)} utilize a content by consuming the usage rule which is not yet purchased. To be more precisely, the server11provides an encrypted usage rule, which can be consumed only in devices that configure the content usage management system100, with contents beforehand in a content distribution using a broadcast (i.e. viewing a charged broadcast). And the amount for utilizing the contents is calculated and is charged automatically every time users or contractors use the contents. The calculation for the amount that the contents are used is conducted with the purchase record notice. The purchase record notice is a data that notifies to the server11that which content has been utilized indeed for how much within its contracted utilization. The server11calculates the content charge in accordance with the purchase record notice received from the content user terminal or the portable content usage rule management device and conducts an accounting processing. In addition, this purchase record notice is not necessarily sent to the server11every time in its utilization. For example, the purchase record notice may well be stored in the content user terminal or the portable content usage rule management device in certain amount of periods, and after that, it is periodically sent to the server11. Following is an explanation for the above-mentioned two ways {circle around (1)}, {circle around (2)} of the content utilization.

FIG. 4is a flow chart that shows a processing procedure for obtaining and storing the content and the content usage rule in the content user terminal A13shown inFIG. 2.FIG. 5is a flow chart that shows a processing procedure for obtaining and storing the usage rule in the portable content usage rule management device A17ofFIG. 2.FIG. 6is a sequence diagram of a communication among the content user terminal A13, the portable content usage rule management device A17and the server11when the content view is requested.

(1) The server11provides a requested content ({circle around (2)} and an encrypted usage rule) based on a broadcast schedule or a user request to one or more content user terminal such as the content user terminal A13and the content user terminal B15(S601inFIG. 6)

(2) The content user terminal A13stores and manages a content ({circle around (2)} and an encrypted usage rule) in the storage unit133upon receipt of the content from the transmission unit131(S401, S402inFIG. 4).

(3) When users want to view contents stored in the content user terminal A13, log in from the content user terminal A13and input a view request to the content user terminal A13by selecting a content from a list of contents displayed in the TV130by the utilization unit135(S602inFIG. 6). The content user terminal A13sends contents utilization requests to the peripheral portable content usage rule management devices A and B by using a wireless communication of the interface unit137(S603, S604inFIG. 6). The portable content usage rule management devices A and B that received a utilization request from the content user terminal A13checks whether the copyright data storage management unit173or the storage unit133have a requested usage rule or not. When the copyright data storage management unit173has it, it further checks whether the user, who sent the utilization request from the content user terminal A13, is permitted for utilizing its usage rule from the contractor of the portable content usage rule management device A and B. {circle around (1)} When the usage rule requested by the utilization request is not in the copyright data storage management unit173, the portable content usage rule management devices A and B send the purchase request. {circle around (2)} When the requested usage rule is in the storage unit133but it remains encrypted, the portable content usage rule management devices A and B send a purchase record notice as a utilization permission data that indicates the usage rule is unpurchased to the content user terminal A13(S605, S606inFIG. 6). Also, when the requested usage rule is in the storage unit133or the copyright data storage management unit173but not permitted for using its usage rule by the contractor, a notice for utilization “not permitted” as a utilization permission data is sent to the content user terminal A13. The content user terminal A13that received an utilization permission data for an unpurchase from the portable content usage rule management devices A and B sends {circle around (1)} a purchase request for the usage rule or a providing request or {circle around (2)} purchase record notice for the usage rule to the server11(S607inFIG. 6). The server11provides {circle around (1)} the requested usage rule to the content user terminal A13via the network1based on {circle around (1)} the purchase request, a usage rule providing request or {circle around (2)} a purchase record notice from the content user terminal A13(S608inFIG. 6). When the case of {circle around (2)}, after the server11received a purchase record notice, the server11conducts an accounting processing based on the received purchase record notice. And when the case of {circle around (2)}, the server11does not conduct a usage rule sending processing.

(4) When the content user terminal A13{circle around (1)} receives a content usage rule with the transmission unit131, the interface unit137transfers {circle around (1)} the purchased or {circle around (2)} an encrypted usage rule to a portable content usage rule management device A17designated by a contractor who is a user conducted a purchase proceeding or a provide request of the usage rule (S401, S403inFIG. 4and S609inFIG. 6). In addition, this portable content usage rule management device A17is mounted a copyright management function.

(5) When the portable content usage rule management device A17receives the purchased usage rule from the interface unit177, it transfers the usage rule to the copyright data storage management unit173, and the copyright data storage management unit173stores the usage rule (S501, S502inFIG. 5).

(6) At this time, when the copyright data storage management unit173has a setting for notifying the contractors that the usage rule has been received and stored in the portable content usage rule management device A17, it is able to notify the contractor of the usage rule (the content data and the usage rule data may well be included) which has been obtained by sending data indicating the usage rule is stored in the user interface unit179(S503, S504inFIG. 5).

(7) The portable content usage rule management device A17checks whether the content user terminal A13is in a status of requesting a utilization or not. And when it is in a requesting status, the copyright data processing unit175judges whether the user is authorized or not for utilizing the content, after confirming that the usage rule stored in the copyright data storage management unit173remains valid and notifies whether the utilization is permitted or not, to the content user terminal A13via the interface unit177(S505, S506inFIG. 5, S610inFIG. 6). When the content user terminal A13is not in a status of requesting an utilization, the following processing will be taken.

(8) When there is a request for the service to end, the portable content usage rule management device A17ends the service. However when there is no such request, it continues the processing of a receive wait (S507inFIG. 5).

(9) When there is a service end request, the content user terminal A13ends the service however, when there is no such request, it continues the processing of a receive wait (S404inFIG. 4).

In accordance with the usage rule obtained as above, the processing for utilizing contents (playback or printout of the content) are to be explained with reference toFIG. 6,FIG. 7andFIG. 8. Among the processing below, the processing (1) and (2) are the same with the case of obtaining and storing a content and a usage rule.FIG. 7is a flow chart that shows a processing procedure for the content user terminal A13when a content usage is requested.FIG. 8is a flow chart that shows a processing procedure for the portable content usage rule management device A17when a content usage is requested.

(1) The content user conducts a content view request from the input operable TV130or from the remote controller to control the TV130and the content user terminal A13to the utilization unit135in the content user terminal, using the content user terminal A13(S602inFIG. 6).

(2) When the content user terminal A13receives the content view request, it issues a utilization request from the usage unit135to the storage unit133(S701, S702inFIG. 7).

(3) The storage unit133in the content user terminal A13checks whether a right which corresponding to the received user request (utilization permission data) is already stored in the storage unit133or not, and when the data is already stored, it responds to the usage unit135for utilizing the data, and the content view is thus possible. On the other hand, when it is not stored inside the storage unit133, the storage unit133issues the utilizing request to the interface unit137(S703inFIG. 7).

(4) When the interface unit137in the content user terminal A13obtains the utilizing request, it sends the utilization request for playing back the content to the portable content usage rule management device (S704inFIG. 7, S604inFIG. 6).

(5) When the interface unit177receives the utilization request for playing back the content, the portable content usage rule management device A17transfers it to the copyright data processing unit175(S801, S802inFIG. 8).

(6) When the copyright data processing unit175in the portable content usage rule management device A17accepts the utilization request, it confirms whether the usage rule is stored or not in the copyright data storage management unit173based on the data which specifies the content, the user data (a user ID and a password, etc which are input at the time of login) and the content ID, etc. (S803inFIG. 8).

(7) When the usage rule request is stored in the copyright data storage management unit173, it checks whether the stored usage rule is purchased or not, and when the usage rule is already purchased, the copyright data processing unit175in the portable content usage rule management device A17sends the utilization permission data is sent to the interface unit137in the content user terminal A13via the interface unit177(S804, S805inFIG. 8).

On the other hand, when the usage rule is not stored, the copyright data processing unit175sends {circle around (1)} the purchased request or {circle around (2)} the purchase record notice to the interface unit137in the content user terminal A13via the interface unit177. And when the case of {circle around (2)}, the copyright data processing unit175sends the purchase record notice, after that, sends a utilization permission data to the content user terminal A13(S806inFIG. 8, S606inFIG. 6).

(8) When the interface unit137in the content user terminal A13receives the utilization permission data, and the utilization is permitted, it responds to the utilization unit135with the stored corresponding content via the storage unit133(S705, S706, S707, S708inFIG. 7).

On the other hand, when the interface unit137does not receive the utilization permission data including the utilization permission, the interface unit137notifies the usage unit135via the storage unit133that the view is not permitted, thus the content will not be play-backed for the object content (S705, S706, S708, S710inFIG. 7).

(9) When the content is encrypted, the usage unit135in the content user terminal A13decrypts the content with a content key included in the utilization permission data (S709inFIG. 7, S611inFIG. 6).

(10) The TV130connected to the utilization unit135conducts a playback proceeding for the object content and provides the view service to users.

(11) When the service end is requested, the portable content usage rule management device A17ends the service. However, when the service end is not requested, it continues the processing for a receiving wait (S807inFIG. 8).

(12) When the service end is requested, the content user terminal A13ends the service. However, when the service end is not requested, it continues the processing for a receive wait (S711inFIG. 7).

Following is a processing for purchasing an unpurchased content by a utilization request from the content user terminal A13accompanied by the view request from users with referring toFIG. 6,FIG. 8andFIG. 9.FIG. 9is a flow chart that shows a processing procedure for the content user terminal A13when purchasing the content. In addition, the unpurchsed content is a content that simply obtained the content, that is, not obtained the usage rule for utilization. The purchase processing is generally conducted later.

(1) When the requested usage rule is not stored inside the copyright data storage management unit173in the portable content usage rule management device A17, the purchase request purchase is sent via the interface unit177as a purchase processing, and the copyright data processing unit175sends a purchase request or a purchase record notice to the interface unit137in the content user terminal A13(S806inFIG. 8, S606inFIG. 6).

(2) When the content user terminal A13receives the purchase request in the interface unit137, the received purchase request is sent to the transmission unit131(S901, S902inFIG. 9).

(3) The transmission unit131in the content user terminal A13sends the received purchase request to the server11via the network1(S903inFIG. 9, S607inFIG. 6).

(4) When the server11receives the purchase request, the requested usage rule is sent to the content user terminal A13(S608inFIG. 6).

(5) When the service end request is sent, the content user terminal A13ends the service, and when there is no such request, continues the processing for a receive wait (S904inFIG. 9).

In addition, in the above (1)˜(5), the explanation is made to the content purchasing, which accompanied by the utilization request, however, when a user sends the purchase request toward the server11with the content user terminal A13for setting out to purchase the content usage rule from the first time, the content usage rule management system100conducts a processing of the steps S607˜S609inFIG. 6. Also, when a user conducts a purchase request from the portable content usage rule management device A17, the purchase request from the user is sent from the portable content usage rule management device A17to the content user terminal A13, after that, the purchase request is sent form the content user terminal to the server11(S607inFIG. 6). The processing, from now on is as the same with the case for the content user terminal for sending a purchase request (S608, S609inFIG. 6). Next, when the usage rule, received with the content providing, is encoded for the unpurchased reason, following is an explanation of a processing for purchasing a content with a utilization request from the content user terminal A13accompanied by a view request from a user referring toFIG. 6,FIG. 8, andFIG. 9.

(1) When the requested usage rule, which is already purchased, is not stored in the copyright data storage management unit173in the portable content usage rule management device A17, however the unpurchased usage rule, which remains encrypted, is stored, that is, when the encrypted usage rule is provided accompanied by the providing of the content, the copyright data, processing unit175sends a purchase record notice as a utilization permission data that the usage rule is not purchased yet, to the interface unit137in the content user terminal A13via the interface unit173(S806inFIG. 8, S606inFIG. 6).

(2) When the content user terminal A13receives a purchase record notice in the interface unit137, sends it to the transmission unit131(S901, S902inFIG. 9).

(3) The transmission unit131in the content user terminal A13sends a requested purchase record notice to the server11via the network1(S903inFIG. 9, S607inFIG. 6).

(4) When the service end is requested, the content user terminal A13ends the service, however when there is no such request, the content user terminal A13continues a processing of a receive wait (S904inFIG. 9).

The Second Embodiment

FIG. 10is a block diagram that shows a more detailed over all structure of the content usage rule management system1000shown inFIG. 3B. The content usage rule management system1000does not have a data transmission function for a content user terminal to transmit the data to a server, but alternatively, it has a portable content usage rule management device that establishes a bidirectional communication with the server and has a content user terminal A1013, a content user terminal B1015, a portable content usage rule management device A1017, a server11and a wide area network1. In the figure, since the same configuration elements with the content usage rule management system100according to the first embodiment are put the same reference number, thus, the explanation for those each elements are omitted. In addition, the content user terminal B1015has the same configuration with the content user terminal A1013.

The content user terminal A1013is a terminal device that does not establish a bidirectional communication with the server but obtains a usage rule via only the portable content usage rule management device, and includes a storage unit133, a utilization unit135, a transmission unit1131and an interface unit1137. The transmission unit1131is generally be included as a function unit when the content user terminal A1013is an STB, and does not have a sending function but has a receiving function for receiving a content from an airwave. The interface unit1137transmits a utilization request, a purchase request, a utilization permission data and a usage rule, etc to the interface unit1177in the portable content usage rule management device A1017.

The portable content usage rule management device A1017, that is equipped with a copyright management function, is a portable device to establish a bidirectional communication with the server11and has a copyright data storage management unit1173, a user interface unit179, a transmission unit1171, a copyright data processing unit1175and an interface unit1177. The transmission unit1171, is generally included when the potable content usage rule management device A1017is a portable phone device, communicates with the server11via the wide area network1for receiving a usage rule that is provided by the server11from the portable phone line network. The copyright data storage management unit1173stores and manages the usage rule received by the transmission unit1171. When the usage rule for the utilization request received by the interface unit1177is not stored in the copyright data storage management unit1173, the copyright data processing unit1175sends a purchase request or a notice of a purchase record to the transmission unit1171via the copyright data storage unit1173. The interface unit1177receives a utilization request from the interface unit1137in the content user terminal A1013and sends a utilization permission data of the requested content for the received utilization request to the interface unit1137.

Following is a detailed explanation for the operation of the content usage rule management system1000as composed above, referring toFIG. 6,FIG. 7,FIG. 11andFIG. 12.FIG. 11is a sequence diagram for the communication among the content user terminal A1013, the portable content usage rule management device A, B and the server11when the content view request is made. In the Figure, a content is already stored in the storage unit133and the utilization permission data, for the content to be viewed when the view request is made, shall not be stored in the storage unit133in the content user terminal A1013.

(1) When the usage rule, requested with the utilization request, is not stored in the storage unit133, the content user terminal A1013sends a content utilization request to the portable content usage rule management device A and B using a wireless communication function of the interface unit1137(S1101, S1102inFIG. 11).

(2) The portable content usage rule management device A and B, received the utilization request from the content user terminal A1013, checks whether the usage rule for the utilization request is stored in the copyright data storage management unit1173or not. When the usage rule is stored, a user, who logged in from the content user terminal A1013, checks whether the utilization for the usage rule is permitted or not by each contractor of the portable content usage rule management device A and B based on a contracting related data, that is pre-created by the contractor of the portable content usage rule management device A and B such as a set data in which the usage rule is shared within a family or not. When the utilization for the usage rule is not permitted, a notice for “not-permitted” is sent as a utilization permission data to the content user terminal A1013(S1104inFIG. 11). Also, when the content utilization request based on the usage rule is permitted by the contractor of the portable content usage rule management device A, the utilization permission data including a key for decoding an encrypted of the content is sent to the content user terminal A1013.

(3) When the usage rule is not stored in the copyright data storage management unit1173, the portable usage rule management devices A and B check a utilization permission of the contractor based on the contractor related data. When the contractor is permitted for its utilization, the copyright data processing unit1175sends {circle around (1)} purchase request or {circle around (2)} a purchase record notice to the server11via the copyright data storage management unit1173and the transmission unit1171(51105inFIG. 11). When only the case of {circle around (1)}, the server11provides the requested usage rule based on the purchase request or the purchase record notice of the portable content usage rule management device A via the broad network1(S1106inFIG. 11). When the case of {circle around (2)}, the portable content usage rule management device A1017does not proceed the S1106but conducts the S1107.

(4) {circle around (1)} When the portable content usage rule management device A1017receives the usage rule with the transmission unit1171, stores the usage rule to the copyright data storage management unit1173. In this bout, when the notice, for which to notify that the usage rule is received/stored in the portable content usage rule management device A1017to the contractor, is setup, the copyright data storage management unit1173is able to notify to the contractor for the usage rule (the content data and the usage rule data may well be included) for its obtainment.{circle around (1)}{circle around (2)}The copyright data processing unit1175obtains a utilization permission data for the utilization permission including a key and sends it to the content user terminal A1013via the interface unit1177(S1107inFIG. 11).

(5) The utilization unit135in the content user terminal A1013obtains the utilization permission data from the portable content usage rule management device A via the interface unit1137and the storage unit133, and decodes the encrypted content. As a result, the user is able to view the requested content (S1108inFIG. 11).

Following is an explanation for the content utilization such as a playback in the content usage rule management system1000when the content user and the contractor is different person, that is, for example, when a parental control is conducted, referring toFIG. 6,FIG. 7,FIG. 11andFIG. 12.FIG. 12is a flow chart that shows an operation of the portable content usage rule management device A when conducting a parental control at the time of the content utilization.

(1) A content user (i.e. children) inputs a content view request from the TV130, which is possible to input to the utilization unit135in the content user terminal A1013or from a remote controller which is to control the content user terminal A1013the TV130(S602inFIG. 6, S1101inFIG. 11).

(2) When the content user terminal A1013receives a content view request, sends a utilization request from the user terminal135and the storage unit133(S701, S702inFIG. 7, S1103inFIG. 11).

(3) When the storage unit133in the content user terminal A1013has already stored the accepted right which corresponds to the accepted utilization request, replies the utilization data as it is to the user terminal135, accordingly the user is able to view the content. On the other hand, when the right is not stored in the storage unit133, the storage unit133issues a utilization request to the interface unit1137(S703inFIG. 7).

(4) When the interface unit1137in the content user terminal A1013accepts a utilization request, sends a content playback utilization request to the portable content usage rule management device A1017which is a portable device that a contractor, who holds the obtained usage rule (i.e. a parent), takes along (S704inFIG. 7, S607inFIG. 6).

(5) When the portable content usage rule management device A1017receives a content playback utilization request in the interface unit1177, sends a utilization request to the copyright data processing unit1175(S1201, S1202inFIG. 12).

(6) When the copyright data processing unit1175in the portable content usage rule management device A1017accepts a usage rule, checks a usage rule storage to the copyright data storage management unit1173based on a user data or a data that specify a content such as a content ID (S1203inFIG. 12).

(7) When a content, which is a utilization object, is a parental control object content that has a view limitation by the pre-created contractor related data, the copyright data processing unit1175in the portable content usage rule management device A1017restricts the content utilization based on the content user level (age) which the contractor preset. More specifically, the copyright data processing unit1175conducts a confirmation (parental control) of the utilization permission to the contractor (S1204, S1205inFIG. 12). When the contractor sends a permission for a utilization via the user interface unit179(S1206inFIG. 12), and the requested purchased usage rule is stored in the copyright data storage management unit1173(S1207inFIG. 12), the utilization permission is sent to the content user terminal A1013via the interface unit1177(S1208inFIG. 12).

On the other hand, when the contractor does not permit (S1206inFIG. 12), a “utilization not permitted” notice is sent to the content user terminal A1013via the copyright data storage management unit1173, copyright data processing unit1175and the interface unit1177(S1209inFIG. 12).

Also, when there is a case that although the utilization permission is given by the contractor (S1206inFIG. 12), but {circle around (1)} the purchased usage rule has not stored yet or a case that when {circle around (2)} the usage rule is stored but it is encrypted, the copyright data processing unit1173sends {circle around (1)} a purchase request or {circle around (2)} a purchase record notice to the server11(S1105inFIG. 11, S1210inFIG. 12). The server11sends the requested usage rule to the portable content usage rule management device A1017(S1106inFIG. 11).

(8) The transmission unit1171in the portable content usage rule management device A1017stores {circle around (1)} the received usage rule to the copyright data storage management unit1173and sends the utilization permission data including a content key to the content user terminal A1013{circle around (1)}{circle around (2)} via the interface unit1177(S1107in FIG.11). The interface unit1137in the content user terminal A1013receives the utilization permission data from the portable content usage rule management device A1017. When the utilization is permitted, the interface unit1137sends it to the utilization unit135with the corresponding stored content (S705, S706, S707, S708inFIG. 7).

On the other hand, when the interface unit1137does not receive the utilization permission data including the utilization permission, or receives a utilization permission data which is a notice of a “not permitted” data, the interface unit1137replies to the utilization unit135via the storage unit133that the view is not permitted, accordingly the object content is not play-backed (S705, S706, S708, S710inFIG. 7, S1104inFIG. 11). In this case, the processing is restarted from the S1211inFIG. 12).

(9) When a content is encrypted, the utilization unit135in the content user terminal A1013decrypts the content using a content key included in the utilization permission data (S709inFIG. 7).

(10) The content user terminal A1013conducts a object content playback processing by the TV130connected to the utilization unit135and provides the content view service to users (S1108inFIG. 11).

(11) When there is a request for service end, the portable content usage rule management device A1017ends the service however, when there is no such request, it continues the processing of a receive wait (S1211inFIG. 12).

(12) When there is a request for service end, the content user terminal A1013ends the service however, when there is no such request, continues the processing of a receive wait (S711inFIG. 7).

FIG. 13is a diagram that shows an example of a parental control in the “group shared (family-only)” mode in the content usage rule management system1000ofFIG. 10.FIG. 13Ais a diagram that shows an example of a group register data1300when a family member is registered in a group.FIG. 13Bis a diagram that shows an example of a parental control data1300for a family except parents.FIG. 13Cis a diagram that shows an example of embodiment for use when the content utilization is being parental controlled.

When the content usage rule management system1000is in a “group shared (family-only)” mode and in a status that a content user and a contractor of a content user right are different, however, the both are able to utilize the object content when both are belonged to a same-group. Accordingly, when a desired usage rule is not stored in the portable content usage rule management device A1017, a contractor for which is a content user (i.e. children) and when a user has an access right to a usage rule controlled by a contractor portable content usage rule management device B, a user (child) can utilize a usage rule of the other contractor's (parents) portable content usage rule management device B. As a result, it is possible to share a content usage rule with a family when using a home network. Accordingly, when a family member registered in one group, children can utilize a content using parent's usage rule.

FIG. 13Aincludes a user name1301, a user ID1302, an age1303and a level1304. In the item of the user name1301, a user name description, that belongs to a same group, for example a name of the “Hami Taro”, is written. In the item of the user ID1302, the content usage rule management system1000, the description of a user ID “HAM01”, which is a specified ID allocated to “Hami Taro”, is written for each users. In the item of the age1303, “36-year-old”, which is an age of “Hami Taro”, is described. And in the item of the level1304, a pre-set level, for example, the level “0” is set corresponding to the age “36-year-old” in the content usage rule management system1000. This level is automatically set according to user's age. When the level “0” which corresponds to adult users, above 20-year-old, the users are given any contents they want without any restriction. Further, in a group registration data1300, there are two other users registered “Hami Goro” and “Hami Kichi” besides “Hami Taro”. “Hami Goro” is in level “2” with his age “17-year-old” specified in the user ID “HAM02”, and “Hami Kichi” is in level “3” with his age “12-year-old” specified in the user ID “HAM03”. This level is allocated to each contents used in the content usage rule management system1000. A level for each contents and a user level are compared. When the user level is higher than the level for each contents; the utilization for the content is not permitted, and when the user level is lower than the level for each content, the utilization for the content is permitted, for example. As a result, it is avoidable for juvenile to access to inadequate content for juvenile, roughly. In addition, this level can not only be set in system side, but also be set in each family based on their children growth. Also, it is possible for each family to reset the level set by the system side based on their children growth.

The parental control data1310shown inFIG. 13Bis pre-created by parents of each family and the data is showing a content utilizing restriction for each child for each content utilizing. The parental control data1310describes items of a content ID1311, a user ID1312and a restriction1313. In the item of the content ID1311, a content ID to specify each contents (i.e. “MV012”) is described. In the item of the user ID1312, a children user ID to use contents, which are described in the content ID1311, for example, “HAM 03” is described. In the item of the restriction1313, a user ID described in the user ID1312, for example, “Hami Kichi” specified in the “HAM 03” and a content ID described in the content ID1311. For example, a utilization restriction content (i.e. “need confirmation”) is applied when a content, specified in “MV012”, is utilized. A content for this usage restriction is indicated in any one of “OK”, “NG” and “need confirmation”. The “OK” means “no restriction”, so it is possible for children to utilize any contents based on their utilization request. The “NG” means “utilization not permitted”, so the children can not access to the content. When the “need confirmation” is indicated, a confirmation for utilization permission (a parental control) is conducted to the contractor (parents) via the user interface unit179. When a specific ID for specific field is allocated to contents, that is, for example, when a content ID for an action movie including a violence scene is set starting with an alphabet “R”, it may well be described the whole content ID1311in that field with a wild card “*” such as “R****”.

The situation such asFIG. 13Cis seen in daily lives, that is, while parents are in downstairs, a child is using content in upstairs. In this case, it is difficult to know what kind of content the child is using. To this situation, the parental control data1310ofFIG. 13Bwill work very well. When the child upstairs is about to use a content using a usage rule stored in the parent's portable content usage rule management device A1017, parents can set the portable content usage rule management device A1017to ring a buzzer and to display a confirmation screen to confirm the child's utilization permission. As a result, parents can judge the utilization permission to an inadequate content use request however having their child in a different place where they can't keep an eye on.

The Third Embodiment

Following is an explanation for the utilization unit135in the content user terminal A13ofFIG. 2according to the first embodiment, when the utilization unit135has a driver function for an IC card, a storage media139as a user interface.FIG. 14is a diagram that shows a data flow in the content usage rule management system100when the utilization unit135in the content user terminal A13ofFIG. 2has an IC card driver. As shown inFIG. 14, by having a reading out and a writing function to a content and a content usage rule of the storage media139in the utilization unit135of the content user terminal A13, the following processing can be taken;

{circle around (1)} while a contractor who has a portable usage rule management device A17

{circle around (2)} views the TV130connected to the content user terminal A13,

{circle around (3)} another contractor who has a portable content usage rule management device B19

{circle around (4)} can move the content and the content usage rule to the storage media139connected to the same user terminal A13.

As a result, with this invention, it is able to carry on a utilization request processing from a plurality of contractors at the same time in the content user terminal A13.

Following is an explanation of an example for an operation of the content usage rule management system100when a plurality of contractors use one content user terminal A13using the content usage rule management device A17and the portable content usage rule management device B19as conjured asFIGS. 2 and 14.

First of all, a processing for utilization in parallel is described referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 15.FIG. 15is a sequence diagram for a communication among a content user terminal A13, a portable usage rule management device A17and B19, and a server11, when a plurality of contractors use the content user terminal A13in parallel. In the Figure, the content1and the content2shall previously be stored in the storage unit133of the content user terminal A13.

(1) A content user (i.e. a big brother) sends a view request for desired content (i.e. content1for a movie) from an operation unit in the TV130connected to the utilization unit135in the content user terminal A13or from a remote controller to control the TV130using the content user terminal A13(S1501inFIG. 15).

(2) The utilization request by the content user (the big brother) is confirmed for an availability of the usage rule and a utilization for the content using the nearby portable content usage rule management device including the content user terminal A13and the portable content usage rule management device A17with a wireless communication (S1503, S1504inFIG. 15), and specifies the portable content usage rule management device A17which stored a usage rule, and thus a view availability is determined (S1507, S1508inFIG. 15).

(3) When the content user (the big brother) is utilizing a content, other content user (i.e. a younger brother) sends a content move request for another content (i.e. content2for a music) to the storage medium139which is able to output from the utilization unit135in the content user terminal A13(S1502inFIG. 15).

(4) The utilization request from the content user (the younger brother) is confirmed for its availability of the usage rule and a utilization for the content using the nearby portable content usage rule management device including the content user terminal A13and the portable content usage rule management device B19with a wireless communication (S1505, S1506inFIG. 15) and specifies the portable content usage rule management device B19which stored a usage rule, and thus a movement for the content2is permitted or not is determined (S1510, S1511inFIG. 15).

(5) At this time, the utilization request of each content user (the brothers) is made at the same time, however, it is unnecessary for each content user to switch their IC card, which has a copyright management function inserted into the content user terminal A13, with each user as the case of the conventional system configuration shown inFIG. 1. It is possible to use a same user terminal in parallel (viewing for the content1on and after S1509inFIG. 15, move for the content2on and after S1512inFIG. 15).

Following is an explanation of examples for a judge processing for a usage rule search, a priority order, and an access right referring toFIG. 6,FIG. 16,FIG. 17,FIG. 18andFIG. 19.

(1) The content user terminal A13sends a utilization request for all portable content usage rule management devices as far as the devices are in a communicable situation by the interface unit137(S603, S604inFIG. 6).

(2) The portable content usage rule management device, which received the utilization request from the content user terminal A13in the interface unit177ofFIG. 2, compares the user and contractor in the copyright processing unit175when there are one or more portable content usage management devices, such as the case that there are two devices, the portable content usage rule management device A17and the portable content usage rule management device B19. More particularly, pre-set the access right to a usage rule in each purchased contents. For example, when it is in a “group-shared (family-only)” mode, although the content user and the contractor is different, it is accessible to the object content unless both are belonged to the same group. Accordingly, when a desired usage rule is not stored in the portable content usage management device A17, the contractor for which is a content user, the other contractor's portable content usage rule management device B19can be used unless there is an access right to the usage rule in the other contractor's portable content usage rule management device B19. As a result, it is able to share the content usage rule with a family member in the home network.

The access way to the usage rule from a plurality of users is described in a part where a variety of rights within the usage rule related data is described.FIG. 16is a diagram that shows an example of a data format for the usage rule.FIG. 17is a diagram that shows an example of a data format of a content key descriptor for the usage rule ofFIG. 16.FIG. 18is a diagram that shows an example of a data format of the preview key descriptor for the usage rule ofFIG. 16.FIG. 19is a diagram that shows an example of a data format of a right data descriptor for the usage rule shown in FIG.16. As shown inFIG. 16, the usage rule provided from the server1includes a header unit (not encrypted), an encrypted payload and an encrypted trailer unit. In the herder unit, a bibliography data (i.e. a data length, an encrypted type, and an expiration date) is described. In the payload unit, the content of the usage rule, that is, a data indicating quantitatively in a scope of right for the usage rule, is described. And in the trailer unit, a hashing value, for detecting a tamper is described.

As shown inFIG. 16, a content key ofFIG. 17, a preview key ofFIG. 18and a right data ofFIG. 19, which are described in a variable length form, are included in the usage rule in the payload unit. A content key for decoding a content encryption is included in a base unit of the content key descriptor. The preview content can be the content that pre-created for preview, and the playback content is for previewing a part of the content. In the basic unit of the right data descriptor, a descriptor number for specifying a type of the content utilization, a right permission for indicating a number of utilization permission of the specified type, and an access right for indicating a utilization type of the usage rule are described. There is a case that the above descriptors are included in one usage rule, such as a case that there are various types of utilization for one content. For example, when a music content case, there are various types of utilization such as a “playback” to playback music in the content user terminal A13, a “Move” to move the usage rule to a recording medium and a “Print” to print a lyric sheet enclosed in a music content. In such a case, the right data descriptor can be described in each utilization and be included in one usage rule.

Whether the usage rule, indicated in the above “group shared (family-only)” mode, is sharable or not is described in the item of the access right for the right data descriptor. For example, when “0x00” is described in this access right item, only a contractor can use the usage rule. When “0x01” is described, anybody within a group that members are family can use the usage rule. And when “0xFF” is described, anybody can use this usage rule without any restriction.

(3) On the other hand, when there is a plurality of usage rules for a specific content, the content user terminal A is given a top priority to use the utilization request in the portable usage rule management device A17for which the content user is a contractor.

(4) Further, when a utilizable usage rule is not stored in any portable content usage rule management devices which are devices that is existed in a communicable area (i.e. within an area the radio wave can be reached) for the content user terminal A13, the content user terminal A13notifies the content users that the requested content can not be utilized with only the usage rule from the utilization unit135and, if necessary, sends a purchase request or a purchase record notice to the server11.

When a content usage is diminished, the following is an explanation of an example of a processing of backup and restore referring toFIG. 20.FIG. 20is a sequence diagram for a communication among the content user terminal A13, the portable content usage rule management device A17, B19and the server11when requesting a backup/restore for the usage rule. In addition, although not shown in Figures, a portable content usage rule management device A1017, explained in the second embodiment, is also explained.

(1) A contractor of the portable content usage rule management device A17sends a backup request to the user interface unit179in the portable content usage rule management device (S2001).

(2) The portable content usage rule management device A17sends the backup request to the server (S2003) via the content user terminal A13(S2002). The portable content usage rule management device A1017configured asFIG. 10sends the backup request directly.

(3) The server11receives a backup request of the portable content usage rule management device A17, and sends a backup response to the portable content usage rule management device A17(S2005) via the content user terminal A13(S2004). The portable content usage rule management device A1017sends the backup response to the portable content usage rule management device A1017directly.

(4) The portable content usage rule management device A17backups (S2007inFIG. 20) the usage rule in the portable content usage rule management device A17by sending and requesting the usage rule stored inside the portable usage rule management device A17to the server11or the other portable content usage rule management device B19via the content user terminal A13(S2006).

(5) When the portable content usage rule management device A17receives (S2008, S2009) a usage rule confirmation which is for confirming a backed up usage rule content from the server11or the portable content usage rule management device B19, notifies to a contractor of the portable content usage rule management device A17that the backup is completed with a backup response (S2010).

(6) When the usage rule in the portable content usage rule management device A17is utilized, the portable content usage rule management device A17sends a utilization record to the server11(S2012) via the content user terminal A13(S2011). The portable content usage rule management device A1017sends the utilization record, directly to the server11.

(7) When the portable content usage rule management device A17is broken down and the usage rule inside the portable content usage rule management device A17is diminished, a fixed portable content usage rule management device A17or new portable content usage rule management device sends a utilization request for a backed up usage rule to the server or the portable content usage rule management device B19(S2013, S2014, S2015).

(8) When the server11receives the restore request, it confirms the utilization record of the portable content usage rule management device A17, and when the server11is to backup, deletes a backup data and provides the usage rule as a restore response to the portable content usage rule management device A17. When the portable content usage rule management device B19is the device for backup, it deletes own back up data and provides the backed up usage rule to the portable content usage rule management device A17(S2016, S2017).

(9) When the portable content usage rule management device A17receives the usage rule from the server11or the portable content usage rule management device A17, it notifies to a contractor of the portable content usage rule management device A17that the restore is completed with a restore response (S2018).

FIG. 21is a diagram that shows an example of a data format for communication data between a content user terminal and a portable content usage rule management device. As shown in the Figure, the communication data between the content user terminal and the portable content usage rule management device includes a not encrypted header unit, an encrypted payload unit and a trailer unit, same with the usage rule. In the header unit, an destination address to indicate a destination for communication data, a source address to indicate a sender, a telegraphic ID to indicate a types of communication for communication data, and a sequence number to indicate a number when sending a communication data in a packet are described. The destination address and the source address may well be described with a terminal ID or a user ID. And of course, it may well be described with an address. In the payload unit, a content ID for specifying a content and data which is a details of the communication data for each telegraphic message are described. A usage rule shown inFIG. 16, for example, is inserted into the data for each telegraphic message. In the trailer unit, a CRC for detecting a transmission error for the communication data or a tamper are described.

As explained above referring toFIG. 3AandFIG. 3B, it is possible to utilize contents with one portable content usage rule management device A17using the TV130and the TV150connected to a plurality of content user terminals such as the user terminal A13and the user terminal B14by equipping a copyright management function to a portable content usage rule management device. In addition, theFIG. 3Bcase, it is possible for the user terminal A13and the user terminal B15not to equip a communication function except for the communication function to communicate with the portable content usage rule management device A17by using the communication function of the portable content usage rule management device A17, thus it is possible to cutout a function which conventionally equipped with a user terminal.

In addition, with the exception of the above embodiment according to the present invention explained above, it is possible to do a processing of sending a purchase request or purchase record notice to the server11or obtaining a content usage rule from the server11using the transmission unit171in the portable content usage rule management device17by having the transmission unit171in the portable content usage rule management device A17without a transmission function to the server11but only with a receiving function of the transmission unit131in the content user terminal A13shown inFIG. 3B.

This portable content usage rule management device includes also a portable phone device, a PHS terminal, a PDA, a wearable computer, an electronic databook, a high functional watch, and a movable robot, etc. In addition, a portable device will work effectively for applying to this invention, however it is not necessarily to be the portable device. A desk top type such as a desk top computer will also worked well for this invention.

In addition, when the portable content usage rule management device A is configured with a portable device such as a portable phone device which has a time clock unit, it is easy to control a time (expiration date) management for a usage rule without adding a unit.FIG. 22is a block diagram that shows a configuration of a portable content usage rule management device A2200which has a time management unit2201. In the figure, the component element which already mentioned above is put the same reference number thus, the explanation is omitted. In addition, the figure shows a diagram of a portable content, usage rule management device A17ofFIG. 2configured with the time management unit2201. A dashed lines in the figure indicates a configuration element when the portable content usage rule administration device A17includes the time administration unit2201. As theFIG. 22, when the portable phone device is the portable content usage rule management unit2200, the time management unit2201is included as a portable phone device original function inside the unit. The time management unit2201judges an expiration date, which is, attached to a usage rule and stored in the copyright data storage administration unit173, that whether the expiration date is reached or not by comparing with a current time. When the usage rule expired is deleted or invalidated, above judgment, a deletion and an invalidation processing are carried out periodically or in specified time specified by a contractor.

Also, when the content usage rule management device is realized with a portable phone device, an accounting processing for the portable phone device and the content view are carried out in parallel. As a result, since two accounting processing are put together, it is more efficient than to manage each accountings separately.

Furthermore, when a user manages a device which carries around such as a portable phone, some annoying things such as misplacing the portable phone or stolen the portable phone will happen, unfortunately. As a measure for that case, it is desirable to preset an instruction for the portable phone device via interface unit that a content usage rule is not managed with the portable phone device itself.

In addition, the network1is not limited to be realized as the digital broadcast/GPS satellite network or a broadband network but as a home LAN or an intranet or a WAN.

Also, a details and a size of each parameter, which are a configuration elements for the descriptor ofFIG. 16,FIG. 17,FIG. 18,FIG. 19andFIG. 21, are just an example that there is no limitation for its details and the size for the invention.

In addition, there are other providing methods such as a method for providing a medium packaged with a content besides the method for providing the content via the network1. A content and a content usage rule are corresponded each other with an identifier called “content ID” for specifying a content, however they can be managed separately. InFIG. 2, the explanation is made as one server, but the device for providing the content and the device for providing the content usage rule may well be a separate device. And the device can be set in either a neighborhood or a remote place on networks. In addition, as for providing a content itself, the other providing method is assumed such as, providing the content by broadcasts on airwave or by multicasts on communication. However this is not the thrust of the invention, an explanation for a contents provider and contents providing method is omitted.