Method and apparatus for controlling the number of devices installed in an authorized domain

1. Method for controlling a number of devices installed in an Authorized Domain containing at least one master device, the method comprising the steps of:

storing, by said master device, ceiling values for:

a total number Total_limit of devices to be installed in the Authorized Domain;

a total number Local_limit of devices to be installed in a local proximity with the master device;

a total number Remote_limit of devices to be installed remotely from said master device;

a current value of a number Local count of devices installed in the Authorized Domain in local proximity with the master device; and

a current value of a number Remote count of devices installed in the Authorized Domain remotely from said master device;

when the master device receives an installation request from a new device, verifying that the ceiling value for the Total_limit has not been reached and,

in case of positive verification, checking whether the new device is in local proximity with the master device and,

in case the new device is found to be in local proximity, verifying that the ceiling value for the Local_limit has not been reached by the number Local count before allowing local installation,

in case the new device is found to be remote, verifying that the ceiling value for the Remote_limit has not been reached by the number Remote count before allowing remote installation.

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the ceiling value Local_limit is greater than the ceiling value Remote_limit.

3. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the ceiling value Total_limit is greater than the sum of the ceiling values Local_limit and Remote_limit.

4. Method according to claim 1 , further comprising, in case the new device is found to be local and in case the number Local_count is equal to or greater than the Local_limit, a step of checking that the number of devices installed in the Authorized Domain, and which are connected at this time in local proximity with the master device, is greater than a predetermined quorum of the number Local_count;

wherein the new device is locally installed should said checking be positive.

5. Method according to claim 4 , wherein the step of checking that the number of devices installed in the Authorized Domain, and which are connected at this time in local proximity with the master device, is greater than a predetermined quorum of the Local_count, comprises:

broadcasting a discovery message containing an Authorized Domain identifier and a random number to all the devices of the Authorized Domain;

receiving messages from the devices of the Authorized Domain containing said random number and an identifier of the responding device, said message being protected by authentication data;

verifying the validity of the received messages using the authentication data;

and for each of the valid message received from a device of the authorized Domain,

checking whether the device having sent the valid message is in local proximity with the master device; counting the number of devices having sent valid messages that are in local proximity with the master device;

and checking that said number is greater than the predetermined quorum of the Local_count.

6. Method according to claim 4 , wherein the predetermined quorum of the Local_count is half the Local_count.

7. Method according to claim 4 , wherein the predetermined quorum is based on the total number Total_count of devices installed in the Authorized Domain instead of the Local_count.

8. Method according to claim 4 , wherein :

the Local_count is incremented when the new device is installed locally; or

the Remote_count is incremented when the new device is installed remotely.

9. Method according to claim 8 , wherein the Local_count or the Remote_count are incremented only when the new device is able to consume and/or to export content.

10. Method according to claim 9 , wherein the Local_count or the Remote_count are incremented by one unit when the new device is able to consume and to export content.

11. Method according to claim 9 , wherein when a device that was installed remotely in the Authorized Domain is found to be in local proximity with the master device, then the Local_count is incremented while the Remote_count is decremented.

12. Method according to claim 4 , wherein said method comprises a step of splitting the master device functionality between two apparatuses,

said splitting step comprising splitting the ceiling values Total_limit, Local_limit and Remote_limit and the current values Local_count and Remote_count being between the two master devices.

13. Method according to claim 12 wherein the number of authorized split of the master device functionality is limited to a predetermined number.

14. Apparatus containing master device functionality for controlling a number of devices installed in an Authorized Domain, comprising:

a memory configured to store ceiling values for:

a total number Total_limit of devices to be installed in the Authorized Domain;

a total number Local_limit of devices to be installed in a local proximity with a master device and

a total number Remote_limit of devices to be installed remotely from said master device; and

the memory further being configured to storeable to store current values of:

a number Local_count of devices installed in the Authorized Domain in local proximity with the master device; and

a number Remote_count of devices installed in the Authorized Domain remotely from said master device; and

a processor configured to control installation of new devices in the Authorized Domain by verifying that the ceiling value for the Total limit has not been reached when the master device receives an installation request from a new device and,

in case of positive verification, checking whether the new device is in local proximity with the master device and,

in case the new device is found to be in local proximity, verifying that the ceiling value for the Local limit has not been reached by the number Local count before allowing local installation,

in case the new device is found to be remote, verifying that the ceiling value for the Remote limit has not been reached by the number Remote count before allowing remote installation.