Systems and methods for content distribution including resending data

Abstract

An information receiving apparatus receives identification information and encrypted identification information and makes a comparison between them to allow prevention of illegal utilization of contents data. Also, a data storage apparatus can record contents data encrypted by a content key and the content key so that the contents data can be reproduced on other apparatuses to improve versatility. Moreover, a management apparatus can manage the contents data in the data storage apparatus to allow other apparatuses to utilize it. And also, an information regulating apparatus can verify a signature on available data to prevent illegal utilization of the contents data. Furthermore, the data storage apparatus can store the content key, its handling policies, the contents data encrypted by the content key and its license conditions information so as to safely provide the contents data. In addition, an information recording apparatus can select favorite contents data and store it on the data storage apparatus. Furthermore, the information receiving apparatus can prevent utilization of provision-prohibited contents data by a provision prohibition list.

1 - 104 . (canceled) 
     
     
         105 . An information sending system for sending predetermined contents data from an information sending apparatus to an information receiving apparatus, wherein:
 said information sending apparatus comprises means for sending, together with said contents data, data of the maximum number of times of possible resending predefined to the contents data; and   said information receiving apparatus comprises:   means for receiving, together with said contents data, data of maximum number of times;   means for generating data of the remaining number of times of possible resending of said contents data based on said data of maximum number of times; and   means for resending, that is, sending data of the remaining number of times together with said contents data.   
     
     
         106 . The information sending system according to  claim 105 , wherein:
 said means for generating data of the number of times of said information receiving apparatus generates, based on a source of said contents data, a via apparatus data showing an apparatus by way of which the contents data is sent; and   said means for resending sends said via-apparatus data together with said contents data and said data of the remaining number of times.   
     
     
         107 . An information sending apparatus for sending predetermined contents data to an information receiving apparatus, comprising means for sending to said information receiving apparatus, together with said contents data, data of the maximum number of times of possible resending predefined to the contents data. 
     
     
         108 . An information receiving apparatus for receiving predetermined contents data sent from an information sending apparatus, comprising:
 means for receiving said contents data and data of the maximum number of times of possible resending predefined to the contents data, sent from said information sending apparatus; and   means for generating data of the remaining number of times of possible resending of said contents data based on said data of maximum number of times; and   means for resending, that is, sending data of the remaining number of times together with said contents data.   
     
     
         109 . The information receiving apparatus according to  claim 108 , wherein:
 said means for generating data of the number of times generates, based on a source of said contents data, a via-apparatus data showing an apparatus by way of which the contents data is sent; and   said means for resending sends said via-apparatus data together with said contents data and said data of the remaining number of times.   
     
     
         110 . An information sending method for sending predetermined contents data from an information sending apparatus to an information receiving apparatus, comprising:
 a sending step of sending by said information sending apparatus, together with said contents data, data of the maximum number of times of possible resending predefined to the contents data;   a receiving step of, by said information receiving apparatus, said data of maximum number of times together with said contents data;   a number of times data generating step of, by said information receiving apparatus, generating data of the remaining number of times of possible resending of said contents data based on said data of maximum number of times; and   a resending step of, by said information receiving apparatus, sending data of the remaining number of times together with said contents data.   
     
     
         111 . The information sending method according to  claim 110 , wherein:
 said number of times data generating step generates, based on a source of said contents data, a via-apparatus data showing an apparatus by way of which the contents data is sent; and   said resending step sends said via-apparatus data together with said contents data and said data of the remaining number of times.   
     
     
         112 . An information sending method for sending predetermined contents data to an information receiving apparatus, comprising a sending step of sending to said information receiving apparatus, together with said contents data, data of the maximum number of times of possible resending predefined to the contents data. 
     
     
         113 . An information receiving method for receiving predetermined contents data sent from an information sending apparatus, comprising:
 a receiving step of receiving said contents data and data of the maximum number of times of possible resending predefined to the contents data sent from an information sending apparatus;   a number of times data generating step of generating data of the remaining number of times of possible resending of said contents data based on said data of maximum number of times; and   a resending step of sending data of said remaining number of times together with said contents data.   
     
     
         114 . The information receiving method according to  claim 113 , wherein:
 said means for generating data of the number of times generates, based on a source of said contents data, a via-apparatus data showing an apparatus by way of which the contents data is sent; and   said means for resending sends said via-apparatus data together with said contents data and said data of the remaining number of times.   
     
     
         115 . A program storage medium storing a predetermined program and supplying the program to an information sending apparatus, characterized in that said program comprises:
 a sending step of sending to the information receiving apparatus, together with predetermine contents data, data of the maximum number of times of possible resending predefined to the contents data.   
     
     
         116 . A program storage medium storing a predetermined program and supplying the program to an information receiving apparatus, characterized in that said program comprises:
 a receiving step of receiving predetermined contents data and data of the maximum number of times of possible resending predefined to the contents data sent from an information sending apparatus; and   a number of times data generating step of generating data of the remaining number of times of possible resending of said contents data based on said data of maximum number of times; and   a resending step of sending data of the remaining number of times together with said contents data.   
     
     
         117 . The program storage medium according to  claim 116 , wherein:
 said means for generating data of the number of times of said program generates, based on a source of said contents data, a via-apparatus data showing an apparatus by way of which the contents data is sent; and   said means for resending sends said via-apparatus data together with said contents data and said data of the remaining number of times.   
     
     
         118 - 395 . (canceled)