Information processing apparatus, program and method for transmitting content in security scheme according to license policy

Abstract

An information processing apparatus is connectable to a user device over a network. The apparatus includes a processor. The processor transmits, in response to reception of a request for a particular item of content, an identification of a security scheme which is applicable to transmission of the particular item of content in accordance with a license policy. When the item of content can be received by the user device in the security scheme, the processor transmits the item of content in the security scheme.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An information processing apparatus connectable to a user device over a network, said information processing apparatus comprising a processor, wherein 
 said processor transmits, in response to reception of a request for a particular item of content, an identification of a security scheme which is applicable to transmission of said particular item of content in accordance with a license policy, and    when the item of content can be received by said user device, and reproduced in said security scheme, said processor transmits the item of content in said security scheme.    
     
     
         2 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein after transmitting the identification of said security scheme, said processor receives selection of the identification of said security scheme or cancellation of said request for the item of content.  
     
     
         3 . An information processing apparatus connectable to a user device over a network, said information processing apparatus comprising a processor, wherein 
 said processor is adapted to receive a request for a particular item of content from said user device,    said processor is adapted to receive an identification of an available security scheme from said user device, and    when the requested item of content can be transmitted in said security scheme in accordance with a license policy, said processor transmits the requested item of content in said security scheme.    
     
     
         4 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein when the requested item of content cannot be transmitted in said security scheme in accordance with said license policy, said processor does not transmit the requested item of content.  
     
     
         5 . An information processing apparatus connectable to a user device over a network, said information processing apparatus comprising a processor, wherein 
 said processor is adapted to receive an identification of an available security scheme from said user device, and    said processor transmits, in response to reception of a request for a content list, a list of items of content that can be transmitted in said available security scheme in accordance with a license policy.    
     
     
         6 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein in response to a request for an item of content selected from said list of items of content, said processor transmits the selected item of content in an applicable security scheme which matches said available security scheme.  
     
     
         7 . An information processing apparatus connectable to a content source over a network, said information processing apparatus comprising a processor, wherein 
 said processor transmits a request for a particular item of content,    said processor transmits an identification of a security scheme available for reception and reproduction of the particular item of content, and    said processor receives the particular item of content transmitted in said security scheme in accordance with a license policy.    
     
     
         8 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said processor transmits said request for the particular item of content, in response to a request for the particular item of content received from another apparatus.  
     
     
         9 . An information processing apparatus connectable to a content source over a network, said information processing apparatus comprising a processor, wherein 
 said processor transmits a request for a particular item of content,    said processor receives an identification of a security scheme which is applicable to transmission of said particular item of content in accordance with a license policy,    when said security scheme is available, said processor transmits the identification of said security scheme.    
     
     
         10 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said processor transmits said request for the particular item of content, in response to a request for the particular item of content received from another apparatus.  
     
     
         11 . An information processing apparatus connectable to a content source over a network, said information processing apparatus comprising a processor, wherein 
 said processor transmits an identification of a security scheme available for reception and reproduction of content,    said processor transmits a request for a content list, and    said processor receives a list of items of content which can be transmitted in said security scheme in accordance with a license policy.    
     
     
         12 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said processor further transmits an identification of an item of content selected from said received list of items of content, and receives the selected item of content transmitted in said security scheme.  
     
     
         13 . An information processing apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said processor transmits said request for the content list, in response to a content request received from another apparatus.  
     
     
         14 . A program, stored on a storage medium, for an information processing apparatus connectable to a user device over a network, said program being operable to effect the steps of: 
 transmitting, in response to reception of a request for a particular item of content, an identification of a security scheme which is applicable to transmission of said particular item of content in accordance with a license policy; and    transmitting the item of content in said security scheme, when the item of content can be received by said user device in said security scheme.    
     
     
         15 . A program according to  claim 14 , being operable to further effect the step of receiving selection of the identification of said security scheme or cancellation of said request for the item of content, after transmitting the identification of said security scheme.  
     
     
         16 . A program stored on a storage medium for an information processing apparatus connectable to a user device over a network, said program being operable to effect the steps of: 
 receiving a request for a particular item of content,    receiving an identification of an available security scheme, and    transmitting the requested item of content in said security scheme, when the requested item of content can be transmitted in said security scheme in accordance with a license policy.    
     
     
         17 . A program stored on a storage medium for an information processing apparatus connectable to a user device over a network, said program being operable to effect the steps of: 
 receiving an identification of an available security scheme, and    transmitting, in response to reception of a request for a content list, a list of items of content which can be transmitted in said available security scheme in accordance with a license policy.    
     
     
         18 . A program according to  claim 17 , being operable to further effect the step of transmitting, in response to a request for an item of content selected from said list of items of content, the selected item of content in an applicable security scheme which matches said available security scheme.  
     
     
         19 . A program stored on a storage medium for an information processing apparatus connectable to a content source over a network, said program being operable to effect the steps of: 
 transmitting a request for a particular item of content,    transmitting an identification of a security scheme available for reception and reproduction of the item of content, and    receiving the item of content transmitted in said security scheme in accordance with a license policy.    
     
     
         20 . A program stored on a storage medium for an information processing apparatus connectable to a content source over a network, said program being operable to effect the steps of: 
 transmitting a request for a particular item of content,    receiving an identification of a security scheme which is applicable to transmission of said particular item of content in accordance with a license policy, and    transmitting the identification of said security scheme, when said security scheme is available.    
     
     
         21 . A program stored on a storage medium for an information processing apparatus connectable to a content source over a network, said program being operable to effect the steps of: 
 transmitting an identification of a security scheme available for reception and reproduction of content,    transmitting a request for a content list, and    receiving a list of items of content which can be transmitted in said security scheme in accordance with a license policy.    
     
     
         22 . A program according to  claim 21 , being operable to further effect the step of transmitting an identification of an item of content selected from said received list of items of content, and receiving the selected item of content transmitted in said security scheme.  
     
     
         23 . A method for transmitting an item of content in an information processing apparatus connectable to a user device over a network, said method comprising the steps of: 
 transmitting, in response to reception of a request for a particular item of content, an identification of a security scheme which is applicable to transmission of said particular item of content in accordance with a license policy; and    transmitting the particular item of content in said security scheme, when the particular item of content can be received by said user device in said security scheme.    
     
     
         24 . A method for transmitting an item of content in an information processing apparatus connectable to a user device over a network, said method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving, from said user device, a request for a particular item of content, and    transmitting the requested particular item of content in said security scheme, when the requested particular item of content can be transmitted in said security scheme in accordance with a license policy.    
     
     
         25 . A method for transmitting an item of content in an information processing apparatus connectable to a user device over a network, said method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving an identification of an available security scheme from said user device, and    transmitting, in response to reception of a request for a content list, a list of items of content that can be transmitted in said available security scheme in accordance with a license policy.    
     
     
         26 . A method for transmitting an item of content in an information processing apparatus connectable to a content source over a network, said method comprising the steps of: 
 transmitting a request for a particular item of content,    transmitting an identification of a security scheme available for reception and reproduction of the item of content, and    receiving the item of content transmitted in said security scheme in accordance with a license policy.    
     
     
         27 . A method for transmitting an item of content in an information processing apparatus connectable to a content source over a network, said method comprising the steps of: 
 transmitting a request for a particular item of content,    receiving an identification of a security scheme which is applicable to transmission of said particular item of content in accordance with a license policy, and    transmitting the identification of said security scheme, when said security scheme is available.