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  Method and apparatus for enabling content to be shared among multiple devices in a secure environmentUSPTO Application #: 20080109656Title: 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. (end of abstract) Agent: Motorola, Inc. Law Department - Schaumburg, IL, US Inventor: Michael D. Kotzin USPTO Applicaton #: 20080109656 - Class: 713165 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080109656. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001]The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for enabling content to be shared among multiple devices in a secure environment in which access and usage rights are controlled. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]The term "content" is used in the broadcast and communications industries to denote digital files, such as, for example, video files (e.g., movies), audio files (e.g., music), image files, and text files. Content is distributed by a content provider to end users over wired and wireless networks to devices that have content renderers that render the content, e.g., display the content on a display device and/or playback the content on an audio playback device. For example, a cable television provider or multiple service operator (MSO) may allow a paying customer to download a movie that the user then watches on a laptop computer, a television set, a mobile telephone, etc. [0003]Content providers manage the distribution of content (e.g., downloading, streaming, etc.) by using one or more of a variety of digital rights management (DRM) techniques. DRM techniques are used to prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to content while allowing authorized users to access the content. This is typically accomplished by encrypting the content when it is distributed to the authorized user, and providing the user with a key that allows the user's device to decrypt the content so that it can be rendered. DRM, however, encompasses more than securing content from unauthorized access. It also encompasses describing, identifying, trading, monitoring, and tracking of all forms of rights usages over both tangible and intangible assets. The term "tangible assets" refers to physical content, whereas the term "intangible assets" generally refers to copyrights in the content held by copyrights holders. [0004]Recently, consumer demand has been increasing for ways to allow end users of content to use, or share, the content in multiple devices, e.g., the television, a personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a mobile telephone, etc. Content providers are interested in providing end users with this capability, but need to be able to ensure that the provided content is fully secured and that control over access and usage rights are controlled. Various DRM techniques have been proposed to address these goals. [0005]One known DRM technique that is directed toward achieving these goals is implemented in iTunes products offered by Apple Computers, Inc. The DRM technique implemented in these products allows a user to share the same downloaded content among a fixed number of devices. The devices that share the content are managed by a master device, such as a PC, that checks the devices in and out to ensure that no more than an allowed number of devices are sharing the content at a given time. This DRM technique, however, is implemented in software, which is prone to subversion. In fact, this particular DRM technique has already been compromised by someone who was able to convert protected content into unprotected content. [0006]DRM techniques have also been implemented in hardware. DRM hardware solutions generally are more secure or less easily compromised than DRM software solutions. Nevertheless, to date, no suitable hardware implementations have been developed that achieve the goals of allowing users to simultaneously share the same content among multiple devices while ensuring that the content remains secure, i.e., cannot be accessed by unauthorized or unintended users. [0007]Accordingly, a need exists for a secure way of allowing content to be shared among multiple devices. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008]The invention provides an apparatus and a method for enabling content files to be shared among multiple user devices. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a Master device that has 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 identifies at least one Slave device associated with the Master device and sends rights data associated with a content file to the Slave device identified as being associated with the Master device. The rights data enables a user device in which the Slave device is installed to gain access to the content file associated with the rights data. [0009]In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a Slave device that has an I/O device configured to receive and send data, and a DRM processor configured to perform a DRM algorithm. The DRM processor receives rights data via the I/O device from a Master device associated with the Slave device. The DRM processor extracts a key from the rights data and provides the key to the user device, which uses the key to gain access to a content file associated with the rights data. [0010]In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method performed by the Master device comprises identifying one or more Slave devices that are associated with the Master device, and 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. 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. [0011]In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the method comprises receiving rights data in a Slave device from a Master device associated with the Slave device, and extracting a key from the rights data and providing it to one or more components of the user device to enable the user device to gain access to a content file associated with the rights data. [0012]In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises at least first and second System Identification Module (SIM) cards electrically interfaced with one another. Each of the SIM cards has 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. Each SIM card includes a DRM processor configured to perform a DRM algorithm. [0013]These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, drawings and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014]FIG. 1 illustrates a pictorial network diagram that demonstrates an example of the manner in which the invention allows multiple devices to share content. [0015]FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the portion of the Master SIM shown in FIG. 1, and portions of a user device in which the Master SIM is installed. [0016]FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the portion of one of the Slave SIMs shown in FIG. 1, and portions of a user device in which the Slave SIM is installed. [0017]FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart that represents the method of the invention performed by the Master SIM shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [0018]FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart that represents the method of the invention performed by the Slave SIM shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [0019]FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart that represents another exemplary embodiment of the method performed by the Slave SIM shown in FIG. 3. [0020]FIG. 7 illustrates a pictorial diagram of a cavity formed in a user device and configured to accommodate multiple SIMs to allow content and access and usage rights to be shared among the SIMs. Continue reading... Full patent description for Method and apparatus for enabling content to be shared among multiple devices in a secure environment Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and apparatus for enabling content to be shared among multiple devices in a secure environment patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. 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