Integrated circuit for digital rights management

Abstract

An ASIC for implementing digital rights management includes a processor for requesting encrypted digital data from a server and decrypting the data, and a player for transforming the decrypted data to analog signals. Preferably, the ASIC is tamper-resistant. Preferably, all the management code of the ASIC is stored on a ROM in the ASIC. A device for receiving, decrypting and displaying encrypted digital data includes the ASIC, and also a transceiver for communicating with the server, a display mechanism for displaying the analog signals, and a nonvolatile memory for storing the encrypted data. A system for storing and displaying digital data includes both the server and the device. Preferably, the server is configured to send to the device only the encrypted digital data and associated decryption keys.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for digital rights management, comprising:
 (a) an integrated circuit including:
 (i) a processor for:
 (A) requesting encrypted digital data, and 
 (B) decrypting said encrypted digital data, thereby providing decrypted digital data; and 
 
 (ii) a player for transforming said decrypted digital data to analog signals; and 
 
 (b) a flash memory for storing said encrypted digital data; 
 wherein decrypting includes the use of a decryption key stored in the flash memory, and wherein the decryption key stored in the flash memory is encrypted with a unique key stored in non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit; and 
 wherein the flash memory and the integrated circuit are packaged together in a common package. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said encrypted digital data are requested from a server and wherein said requesting of said encrypted digital data includes authenticating said integrated circuit to said server. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said integrated circuit is tamper-resistant. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said encrypted digital data are audio data. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said encrypted digital data are video data. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said processor includes an interface for receiving said encrypted digital data. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6 , wherein said interface is selected from the group consisting of an ISO7816 interface, a local bus interface, a MMCA interface, a SDA interface, a USB interface and a parallel interface. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said integrated circuit has a form factor selected from the group consisting of a SIM form factor, a TQFP form factor, a DIP form factor, a SOP form factor and a BGA form factor. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (c) a transceiver for transmitting a request for said encrypted digital data from said processor and for receiving said encrypted digital data. 
 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (c) a display mechanism for displaying said analog signals. 
 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said integrated circuit includes a single said processor. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said integrated circuit further includes:
 (iii) a ROM for storing management code that is executed by said processor to operate said integrated circuit. 
 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 12 , wherein said management code is stored only in said ROM. 
     
     
       14. A system for digital rights management, comprising:
 (a) a server for storing encrypted digital data; and 
 (b) a user platform including:
 (i) an integrated circuit that includes:
 (A) a processor for:
 (I) requesting said encrypted digital data from said server, and 
 (II) decrypting said encrypted digital data, thereby providing decrypted digital data, and 
 
 (B) a player for transforming said decrypted digital data to analog signals, and 
 
 (ii) a flash memory for storing said encrypted digital data; 
 
 wherein decrypting includes the use of a decryption key stored in the flash memory, and wherein the decryption key stored in the flash memory is encrypted with a unique key stored in non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit; and 
 wherein the flash memory and the integrated circuit are packaged together in a common package. 
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein said requesting of said encrypted digital data from said server includes authenticating said integrated circuit to said server. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 14 , wherein said integrated circuit is tamper resistant. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 14 , wherein said user platform further includes:
 (ii) a transceiver for transmitting to said server a request for said encrypted digital data and for receiving said encrypted digital data. 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 14 , wherein said user platform further includes:
 (ii) a display mechanism for displaying said analog signals. 
 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 14 , wherein said integrated circuit includes a single said processor. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 14 , wherein said server is configured to transmit substantially only said encrypted digital data to said user platform. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 14 , wherein said integrated circuit further includes:
 (C) a ROM for storing management code that is executed by said processor to operate said integrated circuit. 
 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 21 , wherein said management code is stored only in said ROM. 
     
     
       23. A digital rights management method comprising the steps of:
 (a) storing encrypted digital data at a server; 
 (b) providing an integrated circuit that includes:
 (i) a processor operative to:
 (A) request said encrypted digital data from the server and 
 (B) decrypt said encrypted digital data, thereby providing decrypted digital data, and 
 
 (ii) a player operative to transform said decrypted digital data to analog signals; 
 
 (c) requesting said encrypted digital data from the server, by said processor; 
 (d) decrypting said encrypted digital data, by said processor, thereby providing said decrypted digital data; 
 (e) transforming said decrypted digital data to analog signals, by said player; and 
 (f) storing said encrypted digital data in a flash memory; 
 wherein decrypting includes the use of a decryption key stored in flash memory, and wherein the decryption key stored in the flash memory is encrypted with a unique key stored in non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit; and 
 wherein the flash memory and the integrated circuit are packaged together in a common package. 
 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 23 , wherein said requesting includes authenticating said integrated circuit to the server. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 24 , wherein said authenticating is effected using an asymmetrical algorithm. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 25 , wherein said asymmetrical algorithm is a RSA algorithm. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 25 , wherein said asymmetrical algorithm is a ECC algorithm. 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 23 , wherein said decrypting is effected using a symmetrical algorithm. 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 28 , wherein said symmetrical algorithm is a DES algorithm. 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 28 , wherein said symmetrical algorithm is a Rijndael algorithm. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 23 , wherein said decrypting is effected using at least one key, and wherein the method further comprises the step of:
 (g) requesting said at least one key from the server, by said processor. 
 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 31 , wherein the method further comprises the step of:
 (h) storing said at least one key in a nonvolatile memory. 
 
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 32 , further comprising the step of:
 (i) encrypting said at least one key, prior to said storing of said at least one key in said nonvolatile memory. 
 
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 31 , further comprising the step of:
 (h) configuring the server to send substantially only the encrypted digital data and said at least one key to said integrated circuit. 
 
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 23 , further comprising the step of:
 (g) upon detecting an attempt to tamper with said integrated circuit: resetting said integrated circuit. 
 
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 23 , further comprising the step of:
 (g) configuring the server to send substantially only the encrypted digital data to said integrated circuit. 
 
     
     
       37. The system of  claim 14 , wherein said digital data are audio data. 
     
     
       38. The system of  claim 14 , wherein said digital data are video data. 
     
     
       39. The method of  claim 23 , wherein said encrypted digital data are audio data. 
     
     
       40. The method of  claim 23 , wherein said encrypted digital data are video data. 
     
     
       41. A device for digital rights management, comprising:
 (a) a memory; and 
 (b) an integrated circuit, separate from said memory, and including:
 (i) a processor for:
 (A) requesting encrypted digital data from a server, 
 (B) receiving said requested encrypted digital data, 
 (C) storing said requested encrypted digital data in said memory, and 
 (D) decrypting said requested encrypted digital data, thereby providing decrypted digital data, and 
 
 (ii) a player for transforming said decrypted digital data to analog signals; 
 
 wherein decrypting includes the use of a decryption key stored in the memory, and wherein the decryption key stored in the memory is encrypted with a unique key stored in non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit; and 
 wherein the memory and the integrated circuit are packaged together in a common package. 
 
     
     
       42. A system for digital rights management, comprising:
 (a) a server for storing encrypted digital data; and 
 (b) a user platform including:
 (i) a memory, and 
 (ii) an integrated circuit, separate from said memory, and including:
 (A) a processor for:
 (I) requesting said encrypted digital data from the server, 
 (II) receiving said requested encrypted digital data, 
 (III) storing said requested encrypted digital data in said memory, and 
 (IV) decrypting said requested encrypted digital data, thereby providing decrypted digital data, and 
 
 (B) a player for transforming said decrypted digital data to analog signals; 
 
 
 wherein decrypting includes the use of a decryption key stored in the memory, and wherein the decryption key stored in the memory is encrypted with a unique key stored in non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit; and 
 wherein the memory and the integrated circuit are packaged together in a common package. 
 
     
     
       43. A device for digital rights management, comprising:
 (a) a nonvolatile memory; and 
 (b) an integrated circuit, separate from said nonvolatile memory, and including:
 (i) a processor for:
 (A) requesting encrypted digital data and at least one key from a server, 
 (B) storing said at least one key in said nonvolatile memory, and 
 (C) decrypting said encrypted digital data, using said at least one key, thereby providing decrypted digital data, and 
 
 (ii) a player for transforming said decrypted digital data into analog signals; 
 
 wherein the at least one key is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and wherein the at least one key stored in the nonvolatile memory is encrypted with a unique key stored in the integrated circuit; and 
 wherein the nonvolatile memory and the integrated circuit are packaged together in a common package. 
 
     
     
       44. A system for digital rights management, comprising:
 (a) a server for storing encrypted digital data and at least one key; and 
 (b) a user platform including:
 (i) a nonvolatile memory, and 
 (ii) an integrated circuit, separate from said nonvolatile memory, and including:
 (A) a processor for:
 (I) requesting said encrypted digital data and said at least one key from said server, 
 (II) storing said at least one key in said nonvolatile memory, and 
 (III) decrypting said encrypted digital data, using said at least one key, thereby providing decrypted digital data, and 
 
 (B) a player for transforming said decrypted digital data to analog signals; 
 
 
 wherein the at least one key is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and wherein the at least one key stored in the nonvolatile memory is encrypted with a unique key stored in the integrated circuit; and 
 wherein the memory and the integrated circuit are packaged together in a common package. 
 
     
     
       45. An integrated circuit for digital rights management, comprising:
 (a) a processor for:
 (i) requesting encrypted digital data from a server, 
 (ii) receiving said encrypted digital data from said server, and 
 (iii) decrypting said encrypted digital data only after all said encrypted digital data have been received from said server, wherein decrypting said encrypted digital data results in decrypted digital data; and 
 
 (b) a player for transforming said decrypted digital data to analog signals; 
 wherein decrypting includes the use of a decryption key stored in a memory in communication with said processor, and wherein the decryption key stored in the memory is encrypted with a unique key stored in non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit; and 
 wherein the memory and the integrated circuit are packaged together in a common package. 
 
     
     
       46. A system for digital rights management, comprising:
 (a) a server for storing encrypted digital data; and 
 (b) a user platform, for playing said encrypted digital data, the user platform including an integrated circuit that includes:
 (i) a processor for:
 (A) requesting said encrypted digital data from said server, 
 (B) receiving said encrypted digital data from said server, and 
 (C) decrypting said encrypted digital data only after all said encrypted digital data have been received from said server, wherein decrypting said encrypted digital data results in decrypted digital data, and 
 
 (ii) a player for transforming said decrypted digital data to analog signals; 
 
 wherein decrypting includes the use of a decryption key stored in a memory in the user platform, and wherein the decryption key stored in the memory is encrypted with a unique key stored in non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit; and 
 wherein the memory and the integrated circuit are packaged together in a common package. 
 
     
     
       47. A digital rights management method, comprising:
 utilizing an integrated circuit which is coupled to a flash memory device and includes a processor and a player, the player connected to the processor via a bus internal to the integrated circuit, the integrated circuit being utilized by, under control of the processor:
 (i) requesting encrypted digital data, the encrypted digital data being received and stored in the flash memory device in encoded format, 
 (ii) retrieving the encrypted digital data from the flash memory device and producing decrypted digital data by decrypting the retrieved encrypted digital data, 
 (iii) producing decoded-decrypted digital data by decoding the decrypted digital data, and 
 (iv) sending the decoded-decrypted digital data to the player where it is transformed to analog signals, wherein sending the decoded-decrypted digital data to the player via the bus internal to the integrated circuit inhibits interception of the decoded-decrypted digital data to prevent illegal copying of the decoded-decrypted digital data; 
   wherein decrypting includes the use of a decryption key stored in the flash memory, and wherein the decryption key stored in the flash memory is encrypted with a unique key stored in non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit; and   wherein the flash memory and the integrated circuit are packaged together in a common package.   
     
     
       48. The method of claim 47, wherein the flash memory device is separate from the integrated circuit. 
     
     
       49. A method for digital rights management comprising:
 in a device with a flash memory and an integrated circuit, wherein the flash memory is separate from the integrated circuit,
 (a) utilizing the integrated circuit to:
 (A) retrieve encrypted digital data from the flash memory, the encrypted data being encoded, 
 (B) produce decrypted digital data by decrypting the encrypted digital data, and 
 (C) produce decoded digital data by decoding the decrypted digital data, and 
 
 (b) utilizing the integrated circuit to transform the decoded digital data to analog signals, 
   wherein utilizing the integrated circuit inhibits interception of the decoded digital data to prevent illegal copying of the decoded digital data, wherein decrypting includes the use of a decryption key stored in the flash memory, and wherein the decryption key stored in the flash memory is encrypted with a unique key stored in non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit; and   wherein the flash memory and the integrated circuit are packaged together in a common package.   
     
     
       50. The method of claim 49, further comprising:
 utilizing the integrated circuit to:
 request the encrypted digital data including authenticating the device to a source of the encrypted digital data, and 
 store the encrypted digital data, once received, in the flash memory, the encrypted digital data being received and stored in the flash memory in encoded format. 
   
     
     
       51. The method of claim 50, additionally comprising:
 utilizing the integrated circuit to:
 monitor for tampering with at least the integrated circuit, and 
 in response to detecting tampering with at least the integrated circuit, reset at least the integrated circuit. 
   
     
     
       52. The method of claim 50, wherein utilizing the integrated circuit includes utilizing a processor in the integrated circuit controlled by management code stored in a non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit. 
     
     
       53. The method of claim 52, wherein utilizing the integrated circuit to decrypt the encrypted digital data includes use of a co-processer on the integrated circuit. 
     
     
       54. The method of any one of claims 49-53, wherein the digital data includes audio data and the analog signals are therefore analog audio signals. 
     
     
       55. The method of claim 54, wherein the analog audio signals are applied to an audio transducer, wherein audible sounds are generated thereby. 
     
     
       56. The method of any one of claims 49-53, wherein the digital data includes video data and the analog signals are therefore analog video signals. 
     
     
       57. The method of claim 56, wherein the analog video signals are applied to a video screen, wherein visible video images are generated thereby. 
     
     
       58. The method of claim 50, wherein an authentication key for authenticating the device to the source of the encrypted digital data is stored in the flash memory. 
     
     
       59. The method of claim 58, wherein the authentication key stored in the flash memory is encrypted with a unique key stored in non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit. 
     
     
       60. The method of claim 50, wherein an authentication key for authenticating the device to the source of the encrypted digital data is stored in non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit. 
     
     
       61. The method of claim 49, wherein the integrated circuit includes a processor and a player. 
     
     
       62. A method for digital rights management comprising:
 in a device containing a flash memory and an integrated circuit, wherein the flash memory is separate from the integrated circuit,   (a) retrieving by the integrated circuit encrypted data from the flash memory, which encrypted data is encoded; and   (b) outputting analog signals from the integrated circuit, the analog signals being produced within the integrated circuit from the encrypted data by:
 (i) producing encoded clear data by decrypting the encrypted data; 
 (ii) producing clear data by decoding the encoded clear data, and 
 (iii) transforming the clear data into the analog signals, 
   wherein producing the analog signals within the integrated circuit inhibits interception of the clear data to prevent illegal copying of the clear data, wherein decrypting includes the use of a decryption key stored in the flash memory, and wherein the decryption key stored in the flash memory is encrypted with a unique key stored in non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit; and   wherein the flash memory and the integrated circuit are packaged together in a common package.   
     
     
       63. The method of claim 62, wherein the integrated circuit is a tamper-resistant ASIC. 
     
     
       64. The method of claim 62, wherein the integrated circuit includes code. 
     
     
       65. The method of claim 62, wherein the integrated circuit includes a processing means and a player coupled to the processing means via a bus internal to the integrated circuit. 
     
     
       66. The method of claim 65, wherein the processing means includes one or more co-processors. 
     
     
       67. The method as in claim 62, wherein the flash memory and the integrated circuit are contained within the device in a common package. 
     
     
       68. The method as in claim 62, further comprising using the outputted analog signals by a display mechanism. 
     
     
       69. The method of claim 62, wherein the analog signals represent audio. 
     
     
       70. The method of claim 62, wherein the analog signals represent video or audio-video. 
     
     
       71. The method of claim 62, further comprising:
 requesting the encrypted data; and   storing the encrypted data in the flash memory, once it is received by the device, the encrypted data being received and stored in encoded format.   
     
     
       72. The method of claim 71, wherein the requesting further includes utilizing the integrated circuit to authenticate the device to a source of the encrypted data. 
     
     
       73. The method of claim 72, wherein the device is authenticated to a server. 
     
     
       74. The method of claim 72, wherein authenticating includes using an authentication key stored in the integrated circuit. 
     
     
       75. The method of claim 72, wherein an authentication key for authenticating the device to the source of the encrypted data is stored in the flash memory. 
     
     
       76. The method of claim 75, wherein the authentication key stored in the flash memory is encrypted with a unique key stored in non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit. 
     
     
       77. The method of claim 72, wherein an authentication key for authenticating the device to the source of the encrypted data is stored in non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit. 
     
     
       78. The method of claim 62, wherein decrypting includes the use of a decryption key stored in a non-volatile memory on the integrated circuit. 
     
     
       79. The method of claim 62, additionally comprising receiving at least one decryption key from outside of the device along with the encrypted digital data and storing the received decryption key in a non-volatile memory associated with the integrated circuit. 
     
     
       80. The method of claim 79, wherein the at least one decryption key stored in the non-volatile memory associated with the integrated circuit is encrypted with a unique key stored in non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit. 
     
     
       81. The method of claim 62, wherein the integrated circuit includes a processor and a player. 
     
     
       82. A method of protecting data, the method comprising:
 in a portable electronic device with a flash memory and electronic circuits, wherein the flash memory is separate from the electronic circuits, utilizing the electronic circuits to produce analog signals from digital data that is both encrypted and encoded, the analog signals being produced by:
 a) retrieving the digital data from the flash memory; 
 b) producing clear encoded data by decrypting the digital data; 
 c) producing clear data by decoding the clear encoded data; and 
 d) transforming the clear data to analog signals useful for delivery to a display mechanism of the portable electronic device, 
   wherein utilizing the electronic circuits inhibits interception of the clear data and thus prevents unlicensed copying thereof, wherein decrypting includes the use of a decryption key stored in the flash memory, and wherein the decryption key stored in the flash memory is encrypted with a unique key stored in non-volatile memory in the electronic circuits; and   wherein the flash memory and the electronic circuits are packaged together in a common package.   
     
     
       83. The method of claim 82, further utilizing the electronic circuits to:
 e) request the digital data; and   f) store the digital data in the flash memory for subsequent use, the digital data being received in an encrypted, encoded format.   
     
     
       84. The method of claim 83, wherein requesting the digital data further includes utilizing the electronic circuits to authenticate the device to a source of the encrypted data. 
     
     
       85. The method of claim 84, wherein the device is authenticated to a server. 
     
     
       86. The method of claim 83, wherein requesting the digital data includes requesting encrypted and encoded digital data from outside of the device and authenticating the device to a source of the encrypted and encoded digital data. 
     
     
       87. The method of claim 86, wherein authenticating the device includes using an authentication key stored in the device. 
     
     
       88. The method of claim 82, wherein decrypting the read encrypted digital data includes the use of a decryption key stored in a non-volatile memory that is part of the electronic circuits within the device. 
     
     
       89. The method of claim 82, additionally comprising receiving at least one decryption key from outside of the device along with the encrypted digital data and storing the received decryption key in a non-volatile memory that is part of the electronic circuits within the device, and wherein reading the stored digital data from the flash memory and decrypting the read digital data includes reading the at least one decryption key from the non-volatile memory and using the read at least one decryption key to decrypt the read digital data. 
     
     
       90. The method of claim 82, additionally comprising:
 monitoring the electronic circuits within the device for tampering therewith, and   in response to detecting tampering with the electronic circuits within the device, resetting the electronic circuits.   
     
     
       91. The method of claim 82, wherein utilizing electronic circuits within the device includes utilizing a processor controlled by management code stored in a non-volatile memory that is part of the electronic circuits. 
     
     
       92. The method of claim 91, wherein decrypting the read encrypted digital data includes use of a co-processer that is part of the electronic circuits within the device. 
     
     
       93. The method of any one of claims 82-92, wherein utilizing the electronic circuits within the device include utilizing the electronic circuits on a single integrated circuit. 
     
     
       94. The method of any one of claims 82-92, wherein the digital data are audio data and the analog signals are therefore analog audio signals. 
     
     
       95. The method of claim 94, wherein the analog audio signals are utilized by the user by applying the analog audio signals to an audio transducer, wherein audible sounds are generated thereby. 
     
     
       96. The method of any one of claims 82-92, wherein the digital data are video data and the analog signals are therefore analog video signals. 
     
     
       97. The method of claim 96, wherein the analog video signals are utilized by the user by applying the analog video signals to a video screen, wherein visible video images are generated thereby. 
     
     
       98. The method of claim 84, wherein an authentication key for authenticating the device to the source of the encrypted data is stored in the flash memory. 
     
     
       99. The method of claim 84, wherein an authentication key for authenticating the device to the source of the encrypted data is stored in non-volatile memory in the electronic circuits. 
     
     
       100. The method of claim 82, additionally comprising receiving the decryption key from outside of the device along with the encrypted digital data and storing the decryption key in the flash memory, and wherein reading the stored digital data from the flash memory and decrypting the read digital data includes reading the decryption key from the flash memory and using the decryption key to decrypt the read digital data. 
     
     
       101. The method of claim 82, wherein the electronic circuits include a processor and a player. 
     
     
       102. A playback device comprising:
 a flash memory containing encrypted-encoded data;   electronic circuits adapted to retrieve the encrypted-encoded data from the flash memory and to produce analog signals from the encrypted-encoded data by:
 producing clear encoded data by decrypting the encrypted-encoded data; 
 producing clear data by decoding the clear encoded data; and 
 producing the analog signals by transforming the clear data to the analog signals; and 
   an interface for conveying the analog signals to a display mechanism,   wherein the electronic circuits are further adapted to inhibit interception of the clear data and to thus prevent unlicensed copying thereof, and wherein the flash memory is separate from the electronic circuits, wherein decrypting includes the use of a decryption key stored in the flash memory, and wherein the decryption key stored in the flash memory is encrypted with a unique key stored in non-volatile memory in the electronic circuits; and   wherein the flash memory and the electronic circuits are packaged together in a common package.   
     
     
       103. The playback device of claim 102, further comprising a display mechanism coupled to the interface, wherein the display mechanism comprises a video or audio-video display mechanism. 
     
     
       104. The playback device of claim 102, further comprising a display mechanism coupled to the interface, wherein the display mechanism comprises an audio display mechanism. 
     
     
       105. The playback device of claim 102, wherein the electronic circuits include a processing mechanism for producing the analog signals. 
     
     
       106. The playback device of claim 105, wherein the processing mechanism includes a processor. 
     
     
       107. The playback device of claim 106, wherein the processing mechanism includes one or more co-processors. 
     
     
       108. The playback device of claim 105, wherein the processing mechanism is adapted for authenticating the playback device to a source of the encrypted-encoded data. 
     
     
       109. The playback device of claim 108, wherein an authentication key for authenticating the playback device to the source of the encrypted-encoded data is stored in the flash memory. 
     
     
       110. The playback device of claim 108, wherein an authentication key for authenticating the playback device to the source of the encrypted-encoded data is stored in non-volatile memory in the electronic circuits. 
     
     
       111. The playback device of claim 102, wherein the electronic circuits include an integrated circuit with a processor and a player. 
     
     
       112. The playback device of claim 111 further comprising a bus internal to the electronic circuits that connects the processor and the player. 
     
     
       113. The playback device of claim 102, wherein the electronic circuits include a processor and a player. 
     
     
       114. A digital rights management method, comprising:
 utilizing an integrated circuit which is coupled to a flash memory device and includes a processor and a player, the player connected to the processor via a bus internal to the integrated circuit, the integrated circuit being utilized by, under control of the processor:
 (i) retrieving encrypted digital data from the flash memory device and producing decrypted digital data by decrypting the retrieved encrypted digital data, 
 (ii) producing decoded-decrypted digital data by decoding the decrypted digital data, and 
 (iii) sending the decoded-decrypted digital data to the player where it is transformed to analog signals, wherein sending the decoded-decrypted digital data to the player via the bus internal to the integrated circuit inhibits interception of the decoded-decrypted digital data to prevent illegal copying of the decoded-decrypted digital data; 
   wherein decrypting includes the use of a decryption key stored in the flash memory device, and wherein the decryption key stored in the flash memory is encrypted with a unique key stored in non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit; and   wherein the flash memory and the integrated circuit are packaged together in a common package.   
     
     
       115. The method of claim 114, wherein the flash memory device is separate from the integrated circuit. 
     
     
       116. An integrated circuit adapted for use in a playback device having a flash memory device, the integrated circuit comprising:
 a player;   a bus internal to the integrated circuit; and   a processor connected to the player via the bus, wherein the processor is operative to control the integrated circuit to:
 (i) retrieve encrypted digital data from a flash memory device and produce decrypted digital data by decrypting the retrieved encrypted digital data, 
 (ii) produce decoded-decrypted digital data by decoding the decrypted digital data, and 
 (iii) send the decoded-decrypted digital data to the player where it is transformed to analog signals, wherein sending the decoded-decrypted digital data to the player via the bus inhibits interception of the decoded-decrypted digital data to prevent illegal copying of the decoded-decrypted digital data; 
   wherein decrypting includes the use of a decryption key stored in the flash memory device, and wherein the decryption key stored in the flash memory device is encrypted with a unique key stored in non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit; and   wherein the flash memory and the integrated circuit are packaged together in a common package.   
     
     
       117. The integrated circuit of claim 116, wherein the flash memory device is separate from the integrated circuit.