Method and apparatus for automatic ID management

Abstract

To stop illegal digital content distribution, IDs will be included in the content. However, current ideas of how to use the IDs are unacceptable. The automatic ID management process and apparatus increases the ease of access to protected content for the consumer, with desired content protection and minimal implementation costs. The process includes tracking the IDs of the previously accessed content of a rendering device, reviewing rules contained within the new content and rendering device, and restricting access if the new content does not meet the rules. For example, devices may be limited to accessing content with N different IDs over a specific time period, where the time period is influenced by the number of times content with a specific ID is accessed. The apparatus includes a logic processor and memory that implements the automatic ID management process.

1 . A portable media rendering apparatus comprising: 
 electronic processing circuitry; and    memory, wherein said memory comprises executable instructions stored therein for execution by the electronic processing circuitry, the instructions comprising instructions to:    determine an identifier associated with first media stored in the portable apparatus;    control rendering of the first media by the apparatus through reference to at least i) usage rules associated with the identifier or first content, and ii) at least two identifiers associated with second and third media.    
     
     
         2 . A method of restricting rendering of content on an apparatus comprising: 
 i. determining an identifier associated with a content item prior to rendering the content item;    ii. storing the identifier in list or memory, along with a date the content item is accessed;    iii. rendering the content item;    iv. repeating i.-iii. for each new content item requested for rendering until a predetermined limit of content identifiers are stored in the list or memory; and then    v. determining whether to allow rendering of additional content based on usage rules.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the usage rules comprise a rule to determine whether to drop an identifier from the list or memory based on its date.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the usage rules comprise a rule to replace an identifier from the list or memory.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the usage rules comprise a rule to warn a user of the limit.  
     
     
         6 . A method comprising: 
 maintaining a listing of content identifiers; and    deciding whether to render new content based at least in part on the listing of content identifiers, wherein the new content includes a content identifier that is not included in the listing.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the deciding whether to render new content is also based on usage rules associated with the new content.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising warning a user that the new content can not be rendered unless an action is taken by the user.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the action comprises a purchase.