Method and Apparatus for Enabling Content to be Shared Among Multiple Devices in a Secure Environment

Abstract

A Master device (e.g., a SIM card) is configured with information regarding one or more Slave devices (e.g., SIM cards) that are associated with the Master device. The Master device is installed in a user device that receives content files and access and usage rights from a content provider. The Master device identifies one or more Slave devices that are associated with the Master device and transmits content files and the rights data to the Slave devices. A user device in which a Slave device is installed receives the content files and rights data sent by the Master device. The Slave device extracts a key from the rights data and provides the key to a decryption component of the user device, which uses the key to decrypt the content file.

1 . An apparatus for enabling content files to be shared among multiple user devices, the apparatus comprising:
 a Master device configured to be installed in a user device, the Master device comprising:
 an input/output (I/O) device configured to receive and send data; and 
 a digital rights management (DRM) processor configured to perform a DRM algorithm, wherein the DRM processor identifies at least one Slave device associated with the Master device and sends rights data associated with a content file to a Slave device identified by the Master device as being associated with the Master device, the rights data enabling a user device in which the Slave device is installed to gain access to a content file associated with the rights data. 
   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the DRM processor sends the rights data and the content file associated with the rights data to the Slave device. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the rights data includes access and usage rights data. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the Master device is an integrated circuit (IC) of a System Identification Module (SIM), and wherein the Slave device is an IC of a System Identification Module (SIM). 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the Master device further comprises:
 a memory element configured to store the rights data.   
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein prior to the DRM processor sending the rights data to the Slave device, the DRM processor identifies any Slave devices that are associated with the Master device. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein prior to the DRM processor sending the rights data to the Slave device, the DRM processor analyzes an identity of the Slave device and only sends the rights data to the Slave device if the DRM processor determines that the Slave device is associated with the Master device. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rights data includes a digital decrypting key that is used by the user device in which the Slave device is installed to decrypt the content file. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for enabling content files to be shared among multiple user devices, the apparatus comprising:
 a Slave device configured to be installed in a user device, the Slave device comprising:
 an input/output (I/O) device configured to receive and send data; and 
 a digital rights management (DRM) processor configured to perform a DRM algorithm, the DRM processor receiving rights data via the I/O device from a Master device associated with the Slave device, the DRM processor extracting a key from the rights data and providing the key to one or more components of the user device, said one or more components of the user device using the key to gain access to a content file associated with the rights data. 
   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein when the DRM processor receives rights data and the content file associated with the rights data from the Master device. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the rights data includes access and usage rights data. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the Slave device is an integrated circuit (IC) of a System Identification Module (SIM), and wherein the Master device is an IC of a System Identification Module (SIM). 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the Slave device further comprises:
 a memory element configured to store the rights data received in the Slave device from the Master device.   
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for enabling content files to be shared among multiple user devices, the apparatus comprising:
 at least first and second System Identification Module (SIM) cards electrically interface with one another, each of the SIM cards having one or more electrical contacts thereon that are in electrical contact with one or more electrical contacts on another of the SIM cards to enable each of the SIM cards to communicate with at least one other of the SIM cards, wherein each SIM card includes a digital rights management (DRM) processor configured to perform a DRM algorithm.   
   
   
       15 . A method for enabling content files to be shared among multiple user devices, the method comprising:
 in a Master device, identifying one or more Slave devices that are associated with the Master device; and   in the Master device, causing rights data associated with a content file to be sent to a Slave device identified by the Master device as being associated with the Master device, wherein a user device in which the Slave device is installed uses the rights data to gain access to the content file associated with the rights data.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 in the Master device, causing the content file associated with the rights data to be sent the Slave device.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the rights data includes access and usage rights data. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the Master device is an integrated circuit (IC) of a System Identification Module (SIM), and wherein the Slave device is an IC of a System Identification Module (SIM). 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 storing the rights data in a memory element of the Master device.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the rights data includes a digital decrypting key that is used by the user device in which the Slave device is installed to decrypt the content file. 
   
   
       21 . A method for enabling content files to be shared among multiple user devices, the method comprising:
 in a Slave device, receiving rights data associated with a content file, the rights data being sent to the Slave device by a Master device associated with the Slave device; and   in the Slave device, extracting a key from the rights data and providing the key to one or more components of a user device in which the Slave device is installed to enable the user device to gain access to the content file.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 in the Slave device, receiving the content file associated with the rights data, the content file being sent the Slave device from the Master device.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the rights data includes access and usage rights data. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the Master device is an integrated circuit (IC) of a System Identification Module (SIM), and wherein the Slave device is an IC of a System Identification Module (SIM). 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 storing the rights data in a memory element of the Slave device.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the rights data includes a digital decrypting key that is used by the user device in which the Slave device is installed to decrypt the content file.