| HITACHI HOME | UP | SEARCH | HITACHI

News Release ^
^
^
^

December 9, 1999

Technology Standards Developed for Music Delivery System over Mobile Phones

Download and listen to your favorite music on your mobile phone -- anytime, anywhere

SANYO Electric Co., Ltd., Hitachi, Ltd. and Fujitsu Limited today announced that they 
have developed technology standards for a system called keitai de myujikku ("Music on 
Your Mobile") to deliver music to mobile phones.  The standards are based on UDAC-
MB, a general content protection technology developed by the three companies, and 
comprise security guidelines and the following three technology standards:
 - Protocol standard - System interconnection protocol specifications
 - Secure MultiMediaCard standard - Content protection command extension 
   specifications, etc. (proposal made to MultiMediaCard Association.
 - Download/playback system standards - Mobile handset specifications

Sanyo, Hitachi and Fujitsu, which support the Secure MultiMediaCard standard, will 
begin actively appealing to mobile phone operators, developers of related devices and 
content holders to adopt these technology standards and introduce new services based 
on them.  Such services would enable mobile phone customers to use handsets 
developed according to the standards to access their favorite music through a simple 
procedure (recording it on a Secure MultiMediaCard) and enjoy listening to it at any 
time.

Infineon Technologies AG, which invented the MultiMediaCard, will support the 
worldwide standardization of the Secure MultiMediaCard standard.  Together with 
European partners, such as content providers, device manufacturers, service providers 
and card manufacturers, Infineon will promote the standardization of security concepts 
for the download of content.

Infineon Technologies and Hitachi will jointly develop, manufacture and promote 
comercialization of the Secure MultiMediaCard.  Infineon Technologies will also offer 
secure solutions for ROM cards to fit the UDAC-MB standard.

Mobile phones developed according to the new standards would be the first in the 
industry to offer three functions on one handset: voice telephony, music download, and 
portable audio player.  This infrastructure would give users ready access to everything 
from the latest popular hits to their favorite old melodies -- all available anytime and 
anywhere with compact disk-quality sound.
  
These standards were developed with full consideration for the requirements of content 
holders, the convenience of users and the wishes of mobile phone operators.  As a result, 
they comply with legal requirements for distribution, copying and playback of digital 
content and accommodate a variety of content distribution formats.  

The use of these standards makes it possible to offer a new kind of music delivery 
service with the mobile phone as its core.  For example, content holders can distribute 
encrypted music on CDs or other formats at no charge, and by marketing just the 
playback license keys through mobile phone operators, they can acquire new sales 
channels and expand their business.  In addition to benefiting the mobile phone 
industry, application of the standards opens up the possibility of linkages with music 
retailers, who could use the system to offer music delivery to mobile phones from in-
store kiosk terminals.   

Social Background
At present, mobile phones and portable audio players have achieved broad market 
penetration in Japan, especially among the younger generation, which drives the music 
business. According to a survey conducted by Sanyo, approximately 90% of young people 
in their twenties own mobile phones, and about 80% of them also own portable audio 
players.  Mobile phone operators all offer their own unique services, and it is expected 
that companies will increasingly compete on the basis of their different services.  At 
the same time, the data communication speed of mobile phones is also increasing.  
Under the circumstances, the "Music on Your Mobile" music delivery service is seen as 
an ideal application for the next generation of mobile phones.  It is also expected that 
the availability of a new type of mobile handset that also incorporates a download 
terminal and portable audio player will cause the market for such a service to grow 
rapidly.

Technology Background 
Amidst growing calls for network-delivered digital music service, there remains 
considerable anxiety about how to prevent illegal copying and distribution, and content 
holders have not yet implemented such a full-fledged digital music delivery system.  At 
present, specifications for copyright protection technology to counteract such illegal 
activities as downloading music onto a personal computer via the Internet are being 
promoted through the Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI).

Sanyo, Hitachi and Fujitsu have developed UDAC-MB, a general content protection 
technology that offers greater security than conformity to the SDMI specifications can 
provide.  And based on UDAC-MB, they have also cooperated in developing "Music on 
Your Mobile," a content delivery formula optimized for mobile phone sets and the mobile 
phone networks that are rapidly realizing high-speed data delivery services.  Based on 
this formula, they have devised new technological standards for mobile phone handsets, 
content protection Secure MultiMediaCards, music delivery servers, and technology for 
preventing illegal acts.

Technical Features
(1) Secure and flexible UDAC-MB content protection technology
UDAC-MB is a technology that securely manages the exchange of the license key 
between the delivery server system, Secure MultiMediaCard and internal decoder chip 
(music playback chip) in the mobile phone handset, thereby effectively preventing 
illegal content use while offering flexible service for the user.  Content is distributed to 
the Secure MultiMediaCard after being encrypted by means of a symmetrical key 
encryption method, and the license key is encrypted using the same method as well as a 
public key encryption method.  Use of special tamper-resistant technology for only the 
Secure MultiMediaCard and the decoder chip ensures a highly secure structure whose 
internal mechanisms are extremely difficult to analyze or modify.

[1] User-friendly content protection formula
- Encrypted content can not only be downloaded but can also be rapidly copied from 
  one user's Secure MultiMediaCard to another's without having to pay any 
  communications or distribution fees.  And since one buys with the mobile phone set 
  only the playback license key for the copied encrypted content, one is able to listen 
  to the musical content as decrypted in the decoder chip. 
- Since both the content and playback license key are transferable, users can make a 
  present of the music to give to friends who have compatible mobile phone sets.

[2] Illegal copying and playback prevention functions give content holders peace of 
mind. 
- It is possible to enforce limitations on the number of times music can be copied or 
  played back on the mobile phone sets.
- It is possible to block the download or transfer to illegally modified or manufactured 
  Secure MultiMediaCards, as well as to prevent playback using illegally modified or 
  manufactured decoder chips.
- In order to reduce server network burden and responsibility for the mobile phone 
  operator, it is possible to place previously encrypted content on a delivery server 
  close to the user while positioning the server that issues the license keys near the 
  content manager. Thus, content holders can closely manage the all-important 
  content decoder key, while at the same time providing the above-mentioned 
  convenience for mobile phone operators.

[3] High-level security together with openness
- Since in the public key encryption method each Secure MultiMediaCard and 
  decoder chip manufacturer independently creates the secret key information and 
  embeds it in the chip, they are each able to provide stringent security measures.
- Furthermore, thanks to the adoption of a method where the encryption algorithm 
  can be open, specifications can likewise be completely open, thereby allowing easy 
  interconnection with other companies' content management systems, servers, 
  Secure MultiMediaCards and decoders.

(2) Secure MultiMediaCard with content protection functionality
As recording media for the "Music on Your Mobile" music delivery system, the three 
companies have developed technical standards for a content protection-capable Secure 
MultiMediaCard.

[1] Equipped with high-level security functions
In order to use a Secure MultiMediaCard as the recording media for music delivery, the 
card itself must not only have encryption/decryption functionality but the license key 
used for encryption-decryption must be located in a secure sector of the card.  The new 
Secure MultiMediaCard developed by the three companies realizes the level of security 
required for a music delivery system (SDMI compatible) by introducing these technical 
features into an existing MultiMediaCard and also adding a content protection 
command set.

[2] Maintains compatibility with existing MultiMediaCards
In order to preserve upward compatibility with MultiMediaCards, the exterior form, 
including thickness, has been kept identical to them.  As a result, the new card can be 
used not only in new types of equipment that require content protection capability but 
also as a conventional MultiMediaCard.

[3] Realizes high-speed input 
In the scenario of high-speed download at record store kiosk terminals, the companies 
foresee rapid download rates of 2Mb/sec. in 2000 and 20Mb/sec. in 2001.  At the latter 
speed, one hour of music (approximately 60Mb) could be downloaded in about 3 seconds.

[4] Promotion of international standardization
Hitachi, Infineon and Sanyo have proposed to the MultiMediaCard Association (MMCA) 
that secure media cards based on the new Secure MultiMediaCard's standards be 
adopted as an open standard for content protection-capable Secure MultiMediaCards.  
This technology is suitable for use not only for music delivery but also is readily 
adaptable for delivery of written work, images and other types of digital material where 
content protection is necessary.

The 16Mb version of the new Secure MultiMediaCard will be commercially available in 
the second quarter of 2000.  Following this, 32/64Mb products will be available in the 
second half of 2000, and a 128Mb product in 2001.

(3) Mobile telephones that record and play back music
Sanyo, Hitachi and Fujitsu have set specifications for a mobile telephone that is able to 
download music and record it onto a Secure MultiMediaCard as well as play it back.  
In addition to the functions of a conventional mobile telephone, this totally new type of 
mobile telephone can be used as a portable audio player, enabling users to enjoy a 
never-before kind of music delivery service.

[1] Can be used as mobile phone, portable audio player or a home stereo
When used with a headphone, the handset becomes a portable audio player.  Speakers 
can be plugged into the headphone jack, enabling the device to be used as a home stereo 
player.   And recorded music can even be played back during a phone conversation as 
background music.

[2] Calls get through even while listening to the music
If a phone call comes through while the user is listening to music, the ringer is activated 
so no important messages will be missed.  

[3] Can display lyrics music is playing
While listening to music, users can display the song lyrics and other information on the 
performer, song titles, etc. on the phone's display.  

[4] Download resumes from the point at which it was cut off in case of severed 
connection
If the user is cut off by a bad connection during a download, he can continue the 
download from where it was cut off without having to start over again from the 
beginning.


Explanation of Terminology
UDAC-MB (Universal Distribution with Access Control - Media Base)
A content protection technology which delivers content to a Secure MultiMediaCard or other 
media, providing a convenient and legal way for users to create and replay copies with each 
other.  Realization of this technology is based on a method for independent delivery of 
license key and encrypted content.

SDMI (Secure Digital Music Initiative) 
An organization established in February 1999 to set technical standards for the prevention 
of illegal copying of digital music.  Has over 110 members, including content holders such 
as RIAA (the Recording Industry Association of America) as well as hardware, software and 
systems companies.

Playback license key
Information encrypted by a public key that is unique in each Secure MultiMediaCard, a 
portion of which is used as secret key to decrypt encrypted content.  Accessed over the 
network or other means through purchase or legal transfer, the information is recorded on a 
Secure MultiMediaCard.  Encrypted content can be decoded at playback only if the license 
key is safely transferred to the proper decoding chip.

Symmetrical key encryption method
An encryption method that uses the same key for both encryption and decoding of data.   
Another example is the DES (Data Encryption Standard), a de facto international standard 
developed by IBM.

Public key encryption method
An encryption method that uses different keys when encrypting and decoding.  A complex 
algorithm is utilized to search from one key to the other.  When concealing data, the key 
used for encryption is publicly distributed.   RSA, an international de facto standard 
named for its developers (Rivest, Shamir, Adleman) is an example of this method.

Tamper Resistant Technology
Technology which physically and logically impedes the analysis or alteration of 
semiconductor chips or other devices or software.  For example, the interior of the chip can 
be secured in a sticky coating, such that any attempt to scrape it off will destroy the internal 
circuits; or "dummy" circuitry can be installed.  For example, this technology has recently 
been used for a smart card charge system.     

Content Protection Command Set
A dedicated encoding command set used for content protection in Secure MultiMediaCards.  
Includes commands such as ENCRYPT and DECRYPT.

MultiMediaCard Association
A standards association for the world's smallest, lightest multimedia Secure 
MultiMediaCards.  Currently has about 60 corporate members. Further information at: 
http://www.mmca.org.


Note: Company/product names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks 
of their respective holders and are used for identification purpose only.




Company Information

About SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. is one of the major global consumer electronics giants while also 
leading the way in the innovation that is expanding mobile communications technology. 
SANYO's mobile phone systems are recognized worldwide for their high capability, 
performance and reliability in featuring the latest in cutting-edge technology. This has led 
SANYO to further growth in the development & manufacture of mobile phone components, 
ranging from semiconductors to batteries. One example of this technology is the 
development of the market's leading rechargeable batteries such as lithium ion, which holds 
the number one position in the market, for mobile phones. These technologies provide the 
user with more capable communication possibilities across a mobile phone. This has spurred 
on related development of ultra-thin, lightweight CDMA mobile phones in targeting the next 
generation of mobile terminal devices. SANYO has continued to advance business enterprise 
development, supplying world-class electronic products to satisfy a rapidly evolving market 
in these ever-changing times. SANYO's businesses cover a broad range of multimedia & 
information systems, home appliances, commercial equipment, electronic devices, batteries 
and other products. SANYO's net sales in fiscal 1999, concluded in March 31, 1999, 
amounted to 1,818.2 billion yen(US$15,151 million). The SANYO group is truly an 
international organization, consisting of 145 affiliates employing over 110,000 persons 
globally. (URL http://www.sanyo.co.jp)

About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading global 
electronics companies, with fiscal 1998 (ended March 31, 1999) consolidated sales of 7,977 
billion yen ($65.9 billion*). The company manufactures and markets a wide range of 
products, including computers, semiconductors, consumer products and power and 
industrial equipment. For more information on Hitachi, Ltd., please visit Hitachi's Web site 
at http://www.hitachi.co.jp 
*At an exchange rate of 121 yen to the dollar

About Fujitsu Limited
Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) is a leading provider of comprehensive information technology 
and network solutions for the global marketplace. Comprising over 500 group companies 
and affiliates worldwide -- including ICL, Amdahl and DMR Consulting Group -- the Fujitsu 
Group had consolidated revenues of 5.24 trillion yen ($43.3 billion) in the fiscal year ended 
March 31, 1999.  With world-class hardware and software technology in computers, 
telecommunications and microelectronics, and a corps of 55,000 systems and services 
experts around the world, Fujitsu is uniquely positioned to harness the power of the network 
to help its customers succeed. Altogether, the Fujitsu Group has 188,000 employees and 
operations in over 100 countries. 
Homepage: http://www.fujitsu.co.jp/index-e.html

About Infineon Technologies AG
Infineon Technologies AG, Munich, Germany, formerly Siemens' Semiconductor Group, is 
the 8th largest semiconductor manufacturer world-wide according to Dataquest. Infineon 
provides semiconductor solutions for the telecommunications, automotive, data networking, 
consumer electronics, and industrial automation markets. The company's comprehensive 
product portfolio includes integrated system ICs, memory and high frequency components, 
security and chip card ICs, discrete semiconductors and power ICs, sensors and fiber optic 
components.   Further information at http://www.infineon.com


WRITTEN BY Secretary's Office
All Rights Reserved, Copyright (C) 1999, Hitachi, Ltd.