Content Protection Arrangements
Content protection arrangements govern use of particular electronic content in a consumer electronic device. An exemplary arrangement authorizes use based not just on usage control data corresponding to the content, but also based on the type of output with which the device is equipped. Thus, for example, playback of a song (or video) with particular usage control data may be authorized on a device that includes only analog output, but not be authorized on a device that is capable of outputting the content in an unencrypted digital format. A variety of other technologies and arrangements are also detailed.
1 . In a content protection method in which a consumer electronic device governs its operation in accordance with usage control data associated with particular electronic content, the method including receiving a request to perform an operation, and determining—with reference to said usage control data—whether to perform said operation, an improvement wherein the device is equipped with one or more outputs of respective types, and wherein said determining depends, in part, on the type of output with which said device is equipped.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the requested operation comprises playback of said particular electronic content, and wherein said determining comprises:
(a) if the usage control data comprises data of a first character, and the device is equipped with an output of a first type, determining that said requested playback should not be permitted; and
(b) if the usage control data comprises data of said first character, and the device is not equipped with an output of said first type, determining that said requested playback should be permitted.
3 . The method of claim 2 wherein said determining further comprises:
(c) if the usage control data comprises data of a second character, determining that said requested playback should be permitted, regardless of whether the device is equipped with an output of the first type.
4 . The method of claim 2 wherein said output of said first type comprises an output for outputting content in digital format.
5 . The method of claim 2 wherein said output of said first type comprises an output for outputting content in an unencrypted digital format.
6 . The method of claim 1 that includes limiting use of said device if the device is equipped with an output of a particular type.
7 . The method of claim 1 that includes limiting use of said device if said device is capable of outputting content in digital format.
8 . The method of claim 1 in which said device is a consumer electronic video device.
9 . The method of claim 1 in which said usage control data is provided to said device via watermark data steganographically encoded in said electronic content.
10 . A consumer electronic device that practices the method of claim 1 .
11 . In a content protection method in which a consumer electronic device governs its operation in accordance with usage control data associated with particular electronic content, the method including receiving a request to perform an operation, and applying said usage control data to determine whether to perform said operation, an improvement wherein the device is equipped with one or more outputs of respective types, and wherein said applying comprises applying said usage control data in conjunction with the type of output with which said device is equipped, to determine whether to perform said operation.
12 . Computer readable storage medium having stored thereon electronic media content, said medium also conveying usage control data corresponding to said content, wherein said usage control data is operative to cause a compliant consumer electronic device to refuse a certain use of said electronic media content if said consumer electronic device is equipped with an output of a predetermined type.
13 . The medium of claim 12 wherein said usage control data is operative to cause a compliant consumer electronic device to refuse playback of said electronic media content if said consumer electronic device is equipped with an output that outputs content in digital form.
14 . The medium of claim 12 wherein said usage control data is operative to cause a compliant consumer electronic device to refuse playback of said electronic media content if said consumer electronic device is equipped with an output that outputs content in an unencrypted digital format.
15 . A consumer electronic device having a content protection arrangement that governs authorized operation of said device in connection with particular electronic content, in accordance with usage control data corresponding to said particular electronic content, the device being equipped with one or more outputs of respective types, wherein said content protection arrangement governs operation of the device based not just on said usage control data, but also on the type of output with which said device is equipped, so that an operation with respect to particular electronic content and usage control data may be authorized on said device, but be unauthorized on a different device, due to difference in the types of outputs with which said devices are equipped.
16 . A consumer electronic device having a content protection arrangement that governs authorized operation of said device in connection with particular electronic content, in accordance with usage control data corresponding to said particular electronic content, the device being equipped with one or more outputs of respective types, wherein said content protection arrangement governs operation of the device based not just on said usage control data, but also on the type of output with which said device is equipped, so that an operation with respect to particular electronic content and usage control data may be unauthorized on said device, but be authorized on a different device, due to difference in the types of outputs with which said devices are equipped.
17 . The device of claim 16 wherein:
(a) if the usage control data comprises data of a first character, and the device is equipped with an output of a first type, operation of the device is limited; and
(b) if the usage control data comprises data of said first character, and the device is not equipped with an output of said first type, operation of the device is not limited.
18 . The device of claim 17 wherein:
(c) if the usage control data comprises data of a second character, operation of the device is not limited regardless of whether the device is equipped with an output of the first type.
19 . The device of claim 16 wherein said data indicates to said content protection arrangement that playback of said particular electronic content should be prohibited if the device includes an output of a certain type.
20 . The device of claim 16 wherein said data indicates to said content protection arrangement that playback of said particular electronic content should be prohibited if the device includes an output that outputs electronic content in a digital format.