Middleware upgrades handset audio

New middleware enables the implementation of copyright-protected Windows Media Audio file application development solutions for SH-Mobile based handsets.

Renesas Technology Europe has announced the WMA/DRM Decode Middleware application development software for mobile phones using a SH-Mobile application processor.

The software supports Microsoft Corporation's digital rights copyright management technology Windows Media DRM 10 for Portable Devices and enables the implementation of copyright-protected Windows Media Audio (WMA) file application development solutions.

This makes it possible for copyright-protected WMA format music to be played back on a mobile phone.

The new middleware is the successor to Renesas Technology's current WMA Decode Middleware.

It enables the easy development of a playback function for WMA format audio data copyright-protected by Windows Media DRM 10 in addition to normal WMA format audio data.

This is because the specifications of the API written in an application program are virtually identical to those of the current product, enabling the application development time to be shortened.

The CPU processing load necessary for decryption processing with the new middleware has been kept to an approximately 10% increase over that of the current WMA Decode Middleware.

This offers an ample margin for performing other application processing such as image display while playing back copyright-protected WMA format data.

The middleware offers support not only for WMA format data playback but also a variety of functions specified for "Windows Media DRM 10 for Portable Devices".

These include licence management, including generation of a licence request to a licence issuing server and licence processing, as well as secure time management functions such as an anti-rollback clock and secure clock, making it possible to implement applications capable of performing robust copyright management.

Other functions provide for applications geared to subscription music distribution services, rental music distribution services and for direct licence acquisition from a licence issuing server.

This makes it possible to develop applications that use music distribution services directly via a mobile phone without the need for a PC.

The middleware provides a protocol extension API that enables the transfer of WMA format data between a PC and a portable device by means of MTP communication software.

The extended API makes it easy to incorporate a licence communication function in the MTP software.

Through the provision of this function, the middleware is operated as part of the MTP communication software during communication processing, enabling licence communication to be performed.

MTP software supporting this protocol extension API will be available from Renesas Technology's partner company Tepco Uquest starting in February 2006.

The new WMA/DRM Decode Middleware will be available from 31st January 2006.

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