The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 06, 2007
Filed:
Jul. 15, 2003
Hiromi Ukai, Machida, JP;
Shigeki Hirasawa, Machida, JP;
Kousuke Anzai, Yokohama, JP;
Isao Echizen, Yokohama, JP;
Hiroshi Yoshiura, Tokyo, JP;
Masataka Okayama, Fujisawa, JP;
Shuichi Tago, Abiko, JP;
Hiromi Ukai, Machida, JP;
Shigeki Hirasawa, Machida, JP;
Kousuke Anzai, Yokohama, JP;
Isao Echizen, Yokohama, JP;
Hiroshi Yoshiura, Tokyo, JP;
Masataka Okayama, Fujisawa, JP;
Shuichi Tago, Abiko, JP;
Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A method for using digital contents is provided. In the method, a request is made to a provider apparatus for a certificate containing a first provider ID embedded therein by a certification authority, and the certificate is received from the provider apparatus. A decision is made by using the certificate as to whether or not the provider is authorized by the certification authority. A request is made to the provider apparatus for a digital content having a second provider ID embedded therein by a contents guarantee authority when the provider is authorized by the certification authority, and the digital content is received from the provider. The first provider ID is read from the certificate, the digital content is correlated with the second provider ID, and the digital content is stored in a storage medium. The second provider ID is detected from the digital content in response to a request to use the digital content. The first provider ID is compared with the second provider ID when the second provider ID is detected. The digital content is used when the first provider ID and the second provider ID match. The use of the digital content is restricted when the first provider ID and the second provider ID do no match.