Hub apparatus with copyright protection function

Abstract

A licence hub including a hub apparatus to which one or more apparatus and devices can be electrically connected, and a safe storage device for storing therein keys used to decode the encrypted contents data is added to the existing system to construct a licence network. A controller of the licence network acquires the information of various kinds of apparatuses and devices which are electrically connected to the licence hub, and determines automatically the apparatus and/or the device suitable for executing the processing when carrying out the playback of contents or movement of the key to execute these processings.

1 . An apparatus for reproducing encrypted contents, comprising: 
 an interface for connecting with a plurality of external devices;    a storing device for storing a key for decrypting the encrypted contents; and    a reproducing device for decrypting the encrypted contents by using the key stored in the storing device to reproduce decrypted contents,    wherein the storing device receives issuance of the key via a first external device among the plurality of external devices, and    wherein, when transmitting the key in the storing device to a second external device among the plurality of external devices, the storing device authenticates the second external device, and transmits the key in the storing device to the second external device thus authenticated by means of encryption communications.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the interface includes a first connector for the first external device and a second connector for the second external device.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the storing device includes a processor and a tamper resistant module for storing the key with the tamper resistant module being constructed with one chip.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, after transmitting the key in the storing device to the authenticated second external device by means of encryption communications, the storing device deletes the key in the storing device.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for reproducing encrypted contents, comprising: 
 an interface for connecting with a plurality of external devices;    a storing device for storing a key for decrypting the encrypted contents; and    a reproducing device for decrypting the encrypted contents by using the key stored in the storing device to reproduce decrypted contents,    wherein the storing device receives issuance of the key via a first external device among the plurality of external devices, and    wherein, when transmitting the key in the storing device to a second external device among the plurality of external devices, the storing device transmits the key in the storing device to the second external device by means of encryption communications.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 another storing device for storing the encrypted contents.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second external device includes a first storing device for storing the key and a second storing device for storing the encrypted contents.  
   
   
       8 . A license card connectable with an information processing apparatus, comprising: 
 an interface for connecting with a plurality of external devices; and    a storing device for storing a key for decrypting encrypted contents, wherein when transmitting the key stored in the storing device to an external device, the storing device authenticates the external device, and transmits the key in the storing device to the external device thus authenticated via the interface by means of encryption communications.    
   
   
       9 . The license card according to  claim 8 , wherein the interface includes a plurality of connectors for connecting with the plurality of external devices.  
   
   
       10 . The license card according to  claim 8 , wherein the storing device includes a processor and a tamper resistant module for storing the key, with the tamper resistant module being constructed with one chip.  
   
   
       11 . The license card according to  claim 8 , wherein, after transmitting the key in the storing device to the authenticated external device by means of encryption communications, the storing device deletes the key in the storing device.