Information processing device and program

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing device for estimating usage of contents and properly limiting functions realized through use of the contents in accordance with the estimation. Usage of contents is estimated by determining in which of cache memory means and content storage means the contents are stored. When the contents are processed or executed, it is determined whether to limit functions realized through processing or execution of the contents, on the basis of the estimated usage of the contents and function limit information showing a rule regarding limits on functions realized through processing or execution. On the basis of the determination, the functions realized through processing or execution of the contents are limited.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An information processing device having cache memory means, acquiring means for acquiring contents which realize a function through processing or execution, first writing means for writing contents acquired by the acquiring means in a free space or a space, where some data is already stored, of said cache memory means, and content storage means for storing contents, said information processing device comprising: 
 estimating means, when instructed to process or execute contents, for estimating whether said contents are for trial use, by determining in which of said cache memory means and said content storage means said contents are stored;    content using means for reading contents instructed to be processed or executed from said cache memory means or said content storage means, and processing or executing said contents;    determining means, when contents are processed or executed by said content using means, for determining whether to limit functions realized through processing or execution of said contents, on the basis of an estimation of said estimating means and function limit information showing a rule regarding limits on functions realized through processing or execution by said content using means; and    limiting means for limiting functions realized through processing or execution by said content using means on the basis of a determination of said determining means.    
     
     
         2 . An information processing device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 when said estimating means estimates that said contents are for trial use, said determining means determines to limit said functions of said contents; and    when said estimating means estimates that said contents are not for trial use, said determining means determines to disobey said function limit information.    
     
     
         3 . An information processing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 operation means;    deleting means, when a command is issued using said operation means for deleting contents stored in said content storage means, for freeing a storage space for storing said contents; and    second writing means for writing contents acquired by said acquiring means in a free space or a storage space freed by said deleting means,    wherein said acquiring means acquires said contents via communication.    
     
     
         4 . A program product for causing a computer having cache memory means, acquiring means for acquiring contents which realize a function through processing or execution, first writing means for writing contents acquired by said acquiring means in a free space or a space, where some data is already stored, of said cache memory means, and content storage means for storing contents, to execute: 
 a process, when an instruction to process or execute contents are provided, of estimating whether said contents are for trial use, by determining in which of said cache memory means and said content storage means the contents are stored in;    a process of reading contents instructed to be processed or executed from said cache memory means or said content storage means, and processing or executing said contents;    a process, when contents are processed or executed by said content using means, of determining whether to limit functions realized through processing or execution of said contents, on the basis of an estimation of said estimating means and function limit information showing a rule regarding limits on functions realized through processing or execution by said content using means; and    a process of limiting functions realized through processing or execution by said content using means on the basis of a determination of said determining means.