JP2001256192A - Distribution method for contents - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attach unique ID numbers to respective electronic data in the case of distributing the contents of books and music, etc., as the electronic data by utilizing communication. SOLUTION: Contents distributor side devices 1 and 2 transmit attribute information including information for specifying purchase object contents and the information for specifying a contents distributor and a purchaser to an ID issuance center side device 4. Receiving it, the ID issuance center side device 4 generates an ID number which is a unique number and registers the ID number to an ID number data base 41 corresponding to the attribute information. The generated ID number is buried in purchase object contents data as watermark information and distributed to the purchaser of the contents by utilizing the communication.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technology for distributing a content to a purchaser of the content as electronic data. In particular, the electronic data representing the content includes information for managing a distribution route of the content.
The present invention relates to a technique for managing the content by embedding the content using a digital watermark technique.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital watermark technology has attracted attention from the viewpoint of copyright protection for multimedia data such as image data and audio data. What is digital watermarking technology?
This is a technique for embedding predetermined information in multimedia data so that the predetermined information cannot be extracted from the multimedia data without using at least the predetermined rule. As the predetermined information to be embedded in the multimedia data, for example, when the content of the multimedia data is a book, an ISBN (Intern) that indicates a nationality, a publisher, and a book name with 10 digits is used.
International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) that specifies the sound source can be used for music.
International Standard Codes called.

[0003]

In recent years, attempts have been made to distribute multimedia data such as image data and audio data via a network such as an online system or the Internet. As described above, when the multimedia data is distributed via the network, how to manage the distribution route of the multimedia data becomes a problem.

For example, multimedia data is stored on a DVD.
When selling by recording on a storage medium such as CD-ROM or FD, in addition to the above-mentioned ISBN and ISRC, a serial number is printed on a label of the recording medium, or embedded in the multimedia data itself as watermark information. Every
Each store can manage the distribution route of each recording medium by managing the serial number of the recording medium sold at the store.

However, the above distribution route management method is based on the premise that the number of recording media to be shipped to the market is known in advance. That is, the manufacturing department and the distribution / sales department are clearly distinguished, and at the manufacturing stage, a serial number to be assigned to each manufactured recording medium can be determined. It is assumed that manufacturing, distribution, and sales are performed only for distribution and sales of numbered recording media.

[0006] On the other hand, when distributing multimedia data via a network, each store (distributor or distributing company), when distributing the multimedia data to the purchaser, purchases the multimedia data stored in the store. The multimedia data (master) is copied and distributed to the purchaser via the network. That is, since the manufacturing department and the distribution / sales department are not distinguished from each other and the multimedia data is produced when a request for purchasing the multimedia data is made, the number of multimedia data to be shipped to the market is reduced. Cannot be grasped in advance. For this reason, since the serial number to be assigned to the multimedia data to be distributed cannot be determined in advance, the above-described distribution route management method cannot be applied as it is.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a unique content for each electronic data when the content such as a book or music is distributed as electronic data by using communication. An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that allows an ID to be assigned.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content distribution method for distributing the content as electronic data to a purchaser of the content. An attribute information transmitting step of transmitting, to the ID issuing center, attribute information of the content to be distributed, and
A watermark information embedding step of embedding the ID number transmitted from the D issuing center in the electronic data representing the content to be distributed as watermark information, and the content in which the ID number is embedded as watermark information by the watermark information embedding step. Electronic data representing
A distribution step of distributing the content to the content purchaser, wherein the device on the ID issuing center side generates an ID number, which is a unique number, in response to the attribute information transmitted from the content distributor. An ID number generating step of registering the ID number in the database in association with the attribute information; and an ID number generated in the ID number generating step, the ID number of the content having transmitted the attribute information associated with the ID number. I to send to distributor
And a D number transmitting step.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention is a content distribution method for distributing the content as electronic data to a content purchaser, wherein an ID issuing center is provided, and the content distributor side apparatus includes: An attribute information transmitting step of transmitting attribute information of the content to be distributed together with electronic data representing the content to the ID issuing center; and a watermark information transmitted from the ID issuing center in response to the attribute information transmitting step. And distributing electronic data representing the content having the ID number embedded therein to a purchaser of the content.
In response to the attribute information transmitted from the content distributor, an ID number which is a unique number is generated, and
An ID number generating step of registering a D number in association with the attribute information in the database, and transmitting the generated ID number to electronic data representing the content transmitted together with the attribute information from a distributor of the content; Watermark information embedding step to embed as
An ID number transmitting step of transmitting, to the distributor of the content, electronic data representing the content in which an ID number is embedded as watermark information in the watermark information embedding step.

[0010] In each of the above aspects, the attribute information of the content to be distributed is configured to include, for example, information specifying the name of the content, the author, the distributor, and the purchaser.

According to the present invention, the content distributor is
The attribute information of the content to be distributed is transmitted to the ID issuing center. In response, the ID issuing center generates an ID number, which is a unique number, and registers the ID number in the database in association with the attribute information. The generated ID number is embedded as watermark information in the content to be distributed, and is distributed to the purchaser of the content.

Therefore, according to the present invention, a unique ID number can be assigned to each piece of content data on the market, and the ID number embedded as described above is extracted from the content data and the ID number is extracted. By searching the attribute center information by searching the database of the issuing center, it is possible to verify the content data in which the ID number is embedded.

In the present invention, an ID verification center is provided, and the ID verification center device extracts the ID number from electronic data representing the content in which the ID number is embedded as the watermark information, and uses the database by using the database. In addition, a verification step of searching the attribute information associated with the ID number and verifying the content may be further provided.

[0014] In the present invention, the watermark information embedding step includes the step of embedding watermark method specifying information for specifying an electronic watermark method used when embedding an ID number as watermark information in electronic data representing content to be distributed. It may be embedded in electronic data representing the content to be distributed by a predetermined digital watermarking method. In this case, the verification step includes extracting, by the predetermined digital watermarking scheme, watermark scheme identifying information from the electronic data representing the content in which the ID number is embedded as the watermark information, and extracting the digital scheme identified by the extracted watermark scheme identifying information. An ID number is extracted from the electronic data using a watermark method.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a content distribution system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

As shown in the figure, the content distribution system according to the present embodiment comprises a content distributor's device 1, 2; a content purchaser's device 6;
And the ID verification center side device 5 are connected to each other via the Internet 9. The content distributor device 2 is connected via a dedicated network 8 such as an online system to a content distributor installation terminal 3 configured to be able to mount the content purchaser portable device 7. Further, the ID verification center side device 5
Are connected to the ID issuing center side device 4 via a dedicated communication line.

In the content distribution system having such a configuration, when the user of the content purchaser side device 6 purchases the content provided by the content distributor side devices 1 and 2, as shown in FIG. Using the content purchaser side device 6, a purchase request is transmitted to the content distributor side devices 1 and 2 (2001), and mutual authentication is performed (2002). Send the name and author information (20
03).

Upon receiving the information of the purchaser, the name of the content to be purchased and the information of the creator from the content purchaser 6, the content distributors 1 and 2 issue an ID issue request to the ID issue center 4. (2004),
Mutual authentication is performed (2005), and then the attribute information including the information of the purchaser, the name of the content to be purchased, the information of the creator, and the information of the distributor itself received from the content purchaser side device 6 is transmitted (2006). ).

The ID issuing center-side device 4 having received the attribute information from the content distributor-side devices 1 and 2 issues a unique ID number and registers it in the database in association with the received attribute information. (2007).
Then, the issued ID number is transmitted to the content distributor apparatuses 1 and 2 that transmitted the attribute information (200).
8).

Upon receiving the ID number from the ID issuing center-side device 4, the content distributor-side devices 1 and 2 store, from the database held by themselves, the electronic data of the content to be purchased that the purchaser has requested for purchase ( (Hereinafter, also referred to as content data), and the copied content data is added to the ID received from the ID issuing center side device 4.
Embed the number as digital watermark information. Then the ID
Information indicating the digital watermarking scheme used to embed the number in the content data is embedded as meta information in the content data using a digital watermarking scheme predetermined with the ID verification center side device 5 (200).
9). Next, the content data in which the ID number and the meta information are embedded as described above is transmitted to the content purchaser side device 6 (2010).

In the content distribution system configured as described above, when the user of the content purchaser-side portable device 7 purchases the content provided by the content distributor-side device 2, first, the content purchaser-side The device 7 is mounted on the content distributor setting terminal 3. Next, as shown in FIG. 3, a purchase request is transmitted to the content distributor side device 2 using the content distributor installation terminal 3 (3001), and the content purchaser side portable device 7 and the content distributor side are transmitted. Mutual authentication is performed between the devices 2 (30
02) Then, the information of the purchaser itself, the name of the content to be purchased and the information of the author are transmitted (3003).

The content distributor side device 2 which has received the information of the purchaser, the name of the content to be purchased, and the information of the author from the content distributor installation terminal 3 transmits an ID issuing request to the ID issuing center side device 4. (3004) to perform mutual authentication (3005). Then, the attribute including the information of the purchaser and the name of the content to be purchased and the information of the author and the information of the distributor itself received from the content distributor installation terminal 3 The information is transmitted (3006).

The ID issuing center-side device 4 that has received the attribute information from the content distributor-side device 2 issues an ID number, which is a unique number, and registers it in the database in association with the received attribute information ( 3007). Then, the issued ID number is transmitted to the content distributor-side device 2 that has transmitted the attribute information (3008).

Upon receiving the ID number from the ID issuing center-side device 4, the content distributor-side device 2 copies the content data of the purchase target content requested by the purchaser from its own database. The copied content data is added to the ID issuing center side device 4.
The received ID number is embedded as digital watermark information. Then, information indicating the digital watermarking method used to embed the ID number in the electronic data is used as meta information,
The content is embedded in the content data by using a digital watermarking scheme predetermined with the ID verification center side device 5 (3009). Next, the content data in which the ID number and the meta information are embedded as described above is transmitted to the content purchaser side portable device 7 via the content distributor installation terminal 3 (3010).

When the attribute information is verified by extracting the ID number from the content data in which the ID number and the meta information are embedded as described above, the content data is transferred via the Internet, a CD-ROM or an FD. Or the like, and bring it to the ID verification center side device 5. In response, the ID verification center side device 5
First, meta information is extracted from the content data by using a digital watermarking scheme predetermined between the content distributor apparatuses 1 and 2. Then, an ID number is extracted from the content data using a digital watermarking method specified by the extracted meta information. Next, the database of the ID issuing center-side device 4 is searched via the dedicated communication line or the Internet 9 to verify the attribute information associated with the ID number.

Next, each device constituting the above content distribution system will be described.

First, the content distributor apparatuses 1 and 2 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the content distributor apparatuses 1 and 2.

As shown in the figure, the content distributor apparatuses 1 and 2 have a processing unit 10 and a storage unit 20.

The processing unit 10 is an input / output unit 11 for inputting and outputting content data such as books and music, and information such as the name of the content represented by the content data and the author.
And a control unit 12 for controlling each unit of the content distributor-side devices 1 and 2 collectively, an attribute information creating unit 13, a watermark embedding unit 14, an authentication unit 15, and the Internet 9 with other devices. Communication unit 1 that performs communication via dedicated network 8
6.

The storage unit 20 includes the input / output unit 11 and the communication unit 16
A content database 21 that stores content data input via the PC in association with the name of the content represented by the content data and information on the author, and content data that holds purchase target content data that the purchaser intends to purchase. A storage unit 22, an attribute information storage unit 23 for storing the attribute information created by the attribute information creation unit 13, and an ID sent from the ID issuing center side device 4.
It has an ID number holding unit 24 for holding numbers, and a watermarked content data holding unit 25 for holding watermarked content data in which ID numbers and meta information are embedded.

The attribute information creating section 13 includes information on the name and author of the content associated with the purchase target content data held in the content data holding section 22, information on the purchaser of the purchase target content data, The attribute information including information on the distributor of the purchase target content data (that is, the owner of the content distributor-side devices 1 and 2) is created.

The watermark embedding unit 14 adds the I content to the purchase target content data held in the content data holding unit 22.
The ID number held in the D number holding unit 24 is embedded as watermark information. Also, information indicating the digital watermarking method used when embedding the ID number is used as meta information as a digital watermarking method previously determined between the ID verification center side device 5 (however, the digital watermarking method is embedded in the content data). (This method does not affect the extraction of the ID number).

The authentication section 15 performs mutual authentication with the other apparatus before communicating with the other apparatus via the communication section 16. Note that various methods have been proposed as authentication methods, and these methods can be applied to the mutual authentication in the present embodiment. For example, an authentication method using a challenge and response can be applied to the mutual authentication of the present embodiment. Here, the challenge and response authentication authenticates the other party in the following procedure. That is, a person having a public key paired with the secret key sends a random number to the owner of the secret key. The owner of the private key is
It encrypts the received random number using its own secret key and returns the ciphertext to the sender of the random number. A person having the public key paired with the secret key decrypts the received ciphertext with the public key owned by the user. If the result is a random number sent by itself, it is proved that the sender of the ciphertext is a person having a private key paired with the public key owned by the user. In the present embodiment, the content distributor apparatuses 1 and 2 own a public key that is paired with a secret key owned by a valid communication partner apparatus. By having a public key paired with a private key owned, mutual authentication using challenge and response can be performed.

Next, the ID issuing center side device 4 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the ID issuing center side device 4.

As shown, the ID issuing center side device 4
Has a processing unit 30 and a storage unit 40.

The processing section 30 has a control section 32 for controlling each section of the ID issuing center side apparatus 4 in an integrated manner and an ID number which is a unique number in accordance with an ID issuing request from the content distributor side apparatuses 1 and 2. ID issuing unit 33 that issues
Mutual authentication between the communication unit 36 that performs communication with the other device via the Internet 9 and a dedicated communication line, and the other device prior to communicating with the other device via the communication unit 36 And an authentication unit 35 for performing

The storage unit 40 holds an ID issuance rule storage unit 42 for storing a rule used by the ID issuing unit 33 to issue an ID number, and attribute information sent from the content distributor apparatuses 1 and 2. Attribute information holding unit 43 to perform
An ID number holding unit 44 for holding the ID number issued by the D issuing unit 33, and an ID number database 41 for registering the ID number held by the ID number holding unit 44 in association with the attribute information held by the attribute information holding unit 43. And

Next, the ID verification center side device 5 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of the ID verification center side device 5.

As shown, the ID verification center side device 5
Has a processing unit 50 and a storage unit 60.

The processing unit 50 controls the input / output unit 51 for inputting / outputting the watermarked content data to be verified of the ID number and the verification result of the ID number, and the respective units of the ID verification center side device 6 as a whole. Control unit 52, an ID verification unit 53, a watermark extraction unit 54 for extracting an ID number from watermarked content data, and a communication unit 56 for communicating with other devices via the Internet 9 or a dedicated communication line. ,
Prior to performing communication with another device via the communication unit 56, an authentication unit 55 for performing mutual authentication with the other device.
And

The storage unit 60 stores a watermark method rule storage unit 62 that stores an electronic watermarking algorithm used for embedding an ID number in content data in each of the content distributor apparatuses 1 and 2, and extracts a watermark with a watermark extraction unit 54. I
An ID number holding unit 64 for holding a D number;
Content data holding unit 6 for holding the watermarked content data input via the communication unit 56
And 3.

The watermark extracting unit 54 uses the digital watermarking scheme prearranged with the content distributor-side devices 1 and 2 to extract meta information from the watermarked content data held in the watermarked content data holding unit 64. Is extracted. Then, the digital watermarking algorithm indicated by the extracted meta information is read from the watermarking rule storage unit 63, and an ID number is extracted from the watermarked content data according to the read algorithm.

The ID verification section 53 accesses the ID number database 41 of the ID issuing center side device 4 via the communication section 56 and a dedicated communication line or the Internet 9, and stores the ID stored in the ID number storage section 64. By examining the attribute information associated with the number, the author, purchaser, and distributor of the content data to which the ID number is assigned are verified. Also, content data whose purchaser is the distributor of the content data indicated by the attribute information associated with the ID number, wherein the attribute and the name or the writer of the content data match the content data indicated by the attribute information. By retrieving information from the ID number database 41, it is verified through what distribution route the content data to which the ID number has been assigned has been distributed.

Next, the content purchaser side device 6 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of the content purchaser side device 6.

As shown, the content purchaser-side device 6 has a processing unit 70 and a storage unit 80.

The processing section 70 is responsible for inputting information for specifying the content to be purchased, such as the content name and author, and for outputting the watermarked content data distributed from the content distributor-side devices 1 and 2. Input / output unit 71
And a control unit 72 that controls each unit of the content purchaser-side device 6 as a whole, a communication unit 76 that performs communication with another device via the Internet 9, and communicates with another device via the communication unit 76. Prior to performing the authentication, an authentication unit 75 for performing mutual authentication with the other device.

The storage section 80 includes a content name / author information holding section 83 for holding information for specifying the content to be purchased, such as the name of the content and the creator inputted to the input / output section 71, A watermarked content data holding unit 84 for holding the watermarked content data distributed from the side apparatuses 1 and 2.

Next, the content distributor setting terminal 3 and the content purchaser side portable device 7 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of the content distributor installation terminal 3 and the content purchaser side portable device 7.

As shown in the figure, the content distributor setting terminal 3 has a processing unit 90 and a storage unit 100. The processing unit 90 includes an input / output unit 91 for inputting information for specifying a purchase target content such as a content name and an author, and a portable device interface for exchanging data with the content purchaser portable device 7. Unit 97, a communication unit 96 that communicates with other devices via the dedicated network 8, and each unit of the content distributor installation terminal 3 and the content purchaser-side portable device 7 connected to the portable device interface unit 97. A control unit 92 that controls each unit in a comprehensive manner. The storage unit 100 includes a content name / author information holding unit 10 for holding information for specifying the content to be purchased, such as the name of the content and the creator input to the input / output unit 91.

On the other hand, the content purchaser side portable device 7
Prior to the installation terminal interface unit 102 that exchanges data with the content distributor installation terminal 3 and the content distributor installation terminal 3 connected to the installation terminal interface unit 102 communicating with other devices, The watermarked content data distributed from the content distributor-side device 2 via the authentication unit 103 for performing mutual authentication with the device of interest and the content distributor installation terminal 3 connected to the installation terminal interface unit 102. And a watermark-containing content data holding unit 104.

It should be noted that the content distributor side device 1,
As shown in FIG. 9, the content purchaser-side device 6, the ID issuing center-side device 4, the ID verification center-side device 5, and the content distributor installation terminal 3
02 and an external storage device 203 such as a hard disk device.
And other external storage devices 204, an input device 205 such as a keyboard, and an output device 206 such as a display
Interface with external storage device and input / output device 2
07 can be constructed on an information processing apparatus having a general configuration. Here, the processing units 10, 30, 50, 70, and 90 of these devices are realized as processes embodied on the information processing device by the CPU 201 executing the program loaded on the memory 202. . In this case, the memory 202 and the external storage devices 203 and 204 store the storage units 20, 40, 60, 80, and 10.
Used as 0.

The content distributor-side devices 1, 2 are executed on the information processing apparatus by being executed by the CPU 201 as described above.
Or the content purchaser side device 6 or the ID issuing center side device 4
A program for realizing the ID verification center-side device 5 and the content distributor installation terminal 3 is stored in the external storage device 203 in advance, loaded on the memory 202 as needed, and executed by the CPU 201. Alternatively, the data is loaded from the portable storage medium 208 onto the memory 202 as needed through a portable storage medium 208, for example, an external storage device 204 that handles a CD-ROM, and
This is executed by 201. Alternatively, once installed in the external storage device 203 from the portable storage medium 208 via the external storage device 204, if necessary,
Loaded onto the memory 202 from the external storage device 203,
It is executed by the CPU 201. Further, via a network connection device (not shown), once downloaded to the external storage device 203 via the network and then loaded onto the memory 202, or directly loaded onto the memory 202 via the network, CPU2
01.

As shown in FIG. 10, the content purchaser-side portable device 7 includes a CPU 301 and a memory 3.
02 and an interface 307 with an external device, for example, can be constructed on a storage medium with a calculation function such as an IC card. Here, the authentication unit 1 of the above device
03 is realized as a process embodied on a storage medium with a calculation function when the CPU 301 executes a program loaded on the memory 302. In this case, the memory 302 is used as the watermarked content data holding unit 104.

Next, the operation of each device of the content distribution system having the above configuration will be described.

First, in the case where the user of the content purchaser side device 6 described above with reference to FIG. 2 purchases the content provided by the content distributor side devices 1 and 2, the content purchaser side device 6 The operations of the content distributor-side devices 1 and 2 and the ID issuing center-side device 4 will be described.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the content purchaser side device 6 when the user of the content purchaser side device 6 purchases the content provided by the content distributor side devices 1 and 2. is there. In this flow, the user of the content purchaser side device 6 designates the name of the content to be purchased, the author, and the like to the content purchaser side device 6 and designates the content purchase destination (either the content distributor side device 1 or 2). It is started when a purchase request for (?) Is instructed.

First, the input / output unit 71 stores, in the content name / author information holding unit 83, information specifying the content to be purchased, such as the name of the content or the author, received from the user (step S4001). Next, the authentication unit 75 transmits a purchase request to the content purchaser via the communication unit 76 and the Internet 9 (step S
4002), mutual authentication is performed with the content purchaser (step S4003). As a result, if the mutual authentication has not been established (step S4004), a predetermined error process such as notifying the user that the content cannot be purchased is performed (step S4005). on the other hand,
If the mutual authentication has been established (step S4004), the communication unit 76 reads the information for specifying the content to be purchased from the content name / author information holding unit 83 and stores the information in the storage unit 80 in advance from the storage unit 80. The information for identifying the content purchaser (ie, the user of the content purchaser-side device 6) is read and transmitted to the content purchaser via the Internet 9 (step S).
4006). At this time, if the information to be transmitted includes information that should be kept secret from a third party, for example, encryption communication is performed using a predetermined encryption method with the content purchaser. Is also good.

After that, the communication unit 76 transmits the Internet 9
, And waits for the content data in which the ID number is embedded as the watermark information from the content purchaser via (step S4007), and stores the received watermarked content data in the watermarked content data holding unit 84. (Step S4008). If an error notification is received from the content purchaser via the Internet 9 (step S4009), the user is notified that the purchase of the content is not possible.
A predetermined error process is performed (step S4005).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the content distributor-side devices 1 and 2 when the user of the content purchaser-side device 6 purchases the content provided by the content distributor-side devices 1 and 2. FIG. This flow is started when a purchase request transmitted from the content purchaser side device 6 is received.

First, the authentication unit 15 communicates with the content purchaser side device 6 via the communication unit 16 and the Internet 9.
(Content buyer) sends a purchase request,
Mutual authentication is performed with the content purchaser side device 6 (step S5001). As a result, when mutual authentication is not established (step S5002), a predetermined error process is performed (step S5003). On the other hand, if the mutual authentication is established (step S5002), the attribute information creating unit 13 specifies the purchase target content such as the name of the content and the author from the content purchaser device 6 via the communication unit 16 and the Internet 9. It waits to receive the information to be performed and the information for specifying the content purchaser (step S5004). Next, from the storage unit 20 to the storage unit 2
0 is read in advance to identify the content distributor (that is, the owner of the content distributor-side devices 1 and 2), and this information and the name and author of the content received from the content purchaser-side device 6 are read. Attribute information including information for specifying the purchase target content and information for specifying the content purchaser is created, and the attribute information holding unit 23
(Step S5005).

Next, the authentication unit 15 transmits the ID to the ID issuing center side device 4 via the communication unit 16 and the Internet 9.
D issuance request is transmitted (step S5006), and mutual authentication is performed with the ID issuance center-side device 4 (step S500).
5007).

As a result, if the mutual authentication has not been established (step S5008), an error notification is transmitted to the content purchaser side device 6 via the communication unit 16 and the Internet 9 (step S5009). Processing is performed (step S5003). On the other hand, if the mutual authentication is established (step S5008), the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage unit 23 is read out, and the communication unit 1
6 and the Internet 9 to the ID issuing center-side device 4 (step S5010). At this time, if the information to be transmitted includes information that should be kept secret from a third party, for example, encryption communication should be performed using an encryption method predetermined with the ID issuing center. Is also good.

After that, the communication section 16 transmits the
Waits for an ID number from the ID issuing center-side device 4 via the server (step S5011), and stores the received ID number in the ID number holding unit 24 (step S50).
5012).

Next, the watermark embedding unit 14 searches the content database 21 and copies the content data associated with the information specifying the purchase target content included in the attribute information stored in the attribute information holding unit 23. Then, it is stored in the content data holding unit 22. Then, the ID number stored in the ID number storage unit 24 is embedded as watermark information in the content data stored in the content data storage unit 22 (step S501).
3). Then, using an electronic watermarking scheme predetermined in advance with the ID verification center side apparatus 5, information indicating the electronic watermarking scheme used when embedding the ID number in the content data is used as meta information, and the ID number is Embedding in the embedded content data (step S501)
4). In this way, the content data in which the ID number and the meta information are embedded are stored in the watermarked content data holding unit 25.

Next, the communication unit 12 transmits the content data, in which the ID number and the meta information are stored, stored in the watermarked content data holding unit 25 to the content The data is transmitted to the purchaser's device 6 (step S5015).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ID issuing center side device 4 when the user of the content purchaser side device 6 purchases the content provided by the content distributor side devices 1 and 2. is there. This flow is started when the ID issue request transmitted from the content distributor apparatuses 1 and 2 is received.

First, the authentication unit 35 communicates with the content distributor device 1 via the communication unit 36 and the Internet 9.
When the ID issuance request is sent from the content distributor 2 (content distributor), mutual authentication is performed between the content distributor side devices 1 and 2 (step S6001). As a result, if mutual authentication has not been established (step S6002), predetermined error processing is performed (step S6003). On the other hand, when mutual authentication is established (step S6002),
The communication unit 36 waits for receiving the attribute information from the content distributor apparatuses 1 and 2 via the Internet 9 (step S6004), and stores the received attribute information in the attribute information holding unit 43 (step S6005).

Next, the ID issuing section 33 reads the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage section 43 and stores an ID number which is a unique number for the attribute information in the ID issuing rule storage section 42. Is issued in accordance with the rules (step S6006), and is stored in the ID number holding unit 44 and registered in the ID number database 41 in association with the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage unit 43 (step S6007). . Then, via the communication unit 36, the ID number stored in the ID number holding unit 44 is
The contents are transmitted to the content distributor apparatuses 1 and 2 via the Internet 9 (step S6008).

Here, the rule stored in the ID issuance rule storage unit 42 is such that, for the attribute information read from the attribute information storage unit 43, a number that is not yet stored as an ID number in the ID number database 41 is assigned to the ID number. Any type may be used as long as it is set as. However, for example, by issuing an ID number according to the following rule, the ID number database 41 is issued.
ID numbers can be registered with high efficiency.

That is, the information for specifying the content such as the author and the content name is shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), numbers each having a predetermined number of digits are assigned in advance and stored in the ID issuance rule storage unit 42. Then, the numbers assigned to the authors and the content names included in the attribute information read from the attribute information storage unit 43 are read from the ID issuance rule storage unit 42, and these numbers are read in a predetermined order (for example, (In order of the content name), a header portion of the ID number is created, and a serial number to be issued for each of the header portions having the same number is added to the header portion to create an ID number. In other words, an ID number whose header part matches the number of the created header part is searched from the ID number database 41, and a number obtained by adding 1 to the number having the largest serial number among the searched ID numbers is referred to as the created number. An ID number is created as a serial number given to the number of the header portion.

FIG. 15 shows ID numbers and attribute information registered in the ID number database 41. FIG. 15 (a)
For the attribute information read from the attribute information storage unit 43, a number that has not been stored as an ID number in the ID number database 41 is simply set as an ID number.
The registration contents in the ID number database 41 are shown.
Here, as attribute information to be associated with each ID number, information for specifying the author and the content name, which are considered essential for specifying the content, information for specifying the content distributor, and specifying the content purchaser Information to be used. In the ID issuing center,
When predetermined codes are assigned in advance to authors, content names, content distributors, and content purchasers, these codes may be used as information associated with ID numbers. Further, FIG. 15B shows that the information for specifying the author and the content name is assigned a predetermined number of digits in advance and stored in the ID issuing rule storage unit 42 as shown in FIG. The number assigned to each of the author and the content name included in the attribute information read from the attribute information storage unit 43 is read from the ID issuance rule storage unit 42, and these numbers are connected in a predetermined order to form an ID. The figure shows the contents registered in the ID number database 41 when a header part of a number is created, and a serial number issued for each of the header parts whose numbers match is created to create an ID number. . In this case, by examining the header portion of the ID number, the author and the content name corresponding to the ID number can be specified, so that it is not necessary to include information for specifying the author and the content name as attribute information associated with the ID number. ID number database 41
ID numbers can be registered with high efficiency.

Next, the owner of the content purchaser-side portable device 7 described above with reference to FIG. 3 purchases the content provided by the content distributor-side device 2 using the content distributor-installed terminal 3. The operation of the content purchaser-side portable device 7 and the content distributor setting terminal 3 in the case of performing the operation will be described. In this case, the operations of the content distributor side device 2 and the ID issuing center side device 4 are as follows.
Since the operation is basically the same as that described above with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 12 and 13, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 16 shows the portable device 7 on the content purchaser side.
The operation of the content purchaser-side portable device 7 and the content distributor-installed terminal 3 when the owner purchases the content provided by the content distributor-side device 2 using the content distributor-installed terminal 3 is shown. It is a flowchart. In this flow, the owner of the content purchaser-side portable device 7 attaches the content purchaser-side portable device 7 to the content distributor-installed terminal 3 and the content distributor-installed terminal 3
When a purchase request is issued to the content distributor-side device 2 (content purchaser) by designating the name of the content to be purchased, the author, and the like, the process starts.

First, the input / output unit 91 of the content distributor setting terminal 3 stores the information received from the user and specifies the content to be purchased, such as the name of the content or the author, in the content name / author information holding unit 101. It is stored (step S7001). Next, the communication unit 96 transmits a purchase request to the content distributor-side device 2 via the dedicated network 8 (Step S7002).

Next, authentication section 103 of content purchaser side portable device 7 performs mutual authentication with content distributor side device 2 via content distributor installation terminal 3 and dedicated network 8 (step S7003). ). As a result, when mutual authentication is not established (step S70)
04), the content distributor setting terminal 3 is notified of this. In response to this, the content distributor installation terminal 3
Performs predetermined error processing such as notifying the user that the content cannot be purchased (step S700).
5).

On the other hand, if the mutual authentication is established (step S7004), the fact is notified to the content distributor setting terminal 3. In response to this, the communication unit 96 of the content distributor setting terminal 3 reads out information for specifying the content to be purchased from the content name / author information holding unit 101, and stores the information in advance from the content purchase side portable device 7 in the device. Information that identifies the content purchaser (that is, the owner of the content purchaser-side portable device 7) is read and transmitted to the content distributor-side device 2 via the dedicated network 8 (step S7006).

Thereafter, the communication section 96 of the content distributor setting terminal 3 checks that the content data with the ID number embedded as watermark information is transmitted from the content distributor side device 2 via the dedicated network 8. Waiting (step S7007), the received watermarked content data is transmitted to the content purchase-side portable device 7. In response to this, the content purchase-side portable device 7 stores the received watermarked content data in the watermarked content data holding unit 104 (step S700).
8). The communication section 96 of the content distributor setting terminal 3
Receives an error notification from the content distributor device 2 via the dedicated network 8 (step S7).
In step 009), predetermined error processing such as notifying the user that the content cannot be purchased is performed (step S7005).

Next, the operation of extracting the ID number from the watermarked content data in which the ID number and the meta information are embedded and verifying the attribute information will be described.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ID verification center side device 5 in the case of extracting the ID number from the watermarked content data and verifying the attribute information. This flow is started when the watermarked content data is recorded via the Internet 9 or on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or FD and is brought into the ID verification center side device 5.

First, the watermarked content data brought in through the communication unit 56 (in the case of bringing in via the Internet 9) or the input / output unit 51 (in the case of bringing in through a storage medium) is stored in the watermarked content data holding unit 64. It is stored (step S8001).

Next, the watermark extracting unit 54 reads out the watermarked content data stored in the watermarked content data holding unit 64, and reads out the content distributor side device 1,
Then, meta information is extracted from the watermarked content data by using a digital watermarking scheme predetermined in advance between the content information and the watermarked content data (step S8002).

Next, the watermark extracting unit 54 reads out the digital watermarking algorithm specified by the extracted meta information from the watermarking rule storage unit 63, and extracts the ID number from the watermarked content data according to the algorithm. Then, it is stored in the ID number holding unit 62 (step S8003).

Next, the ID verification unit 53 transmits the I / O data via the communication unit 56 and the Internet 9 or a dedicated communication line.
The ID number database 41 of the D issuing center side device 4 is accessed, and the attribute information associated with the ID number stored in the ID number holding unit 62 is verified. In addition, if necessary, another ID number associated with each information (author, content name, content distributor, content purchaser) included in the verified attribute information is verified (step S8004). Here, the communication unit 56 is the Internet 9
When accessing the ID issuing center-side device 4 through the authentication unit 55, the authentication unit 55 performs mutual authentication with the ID issuing center-side device 4, and only when the authentication is established, the ID issuing center-side device 4 may be accessible. In this case, encrypted communication may be performed with the ID issuing center-side device 4 using a predetermined encryption method.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described.

In the present embodiment, the content distributor devices 1 and 2 transmit to the ID issuing center device 4 attribute information including information specifying the content to be purchased and information specifying the content distributor and the purchaser. I do. In response to this, the ID issuing center-side device 4 generates an ID number, which is a unique number, and registers the ID number in the ID number database 41 in association with the attribute information. The generated ID number is embedded as watermark information in the content data to be purchased, and is distributed to the purchaser of the content using communication. As described above, according to the present embodiment, a unique ID number can be assigned to each content data on the market.

On the other hand, the ID verification center side device 5 extracts the ID number embedded as described above from the content data on the market, and searches the ID number database 41 of the ID issuing center side device 4. By doing
The purchaser or distributor of the content data in which the ID number is embedded is verified. For this reason, for example, when the content data has been illegally copied, it is possible to identify the person who made the illegal copy or the person who made the illegal copy by specifying the purchaser of the content data as described above. it can.

In the present embodiment, the content distributor's devices 1 and 2 use the information indicating the digital watermarking method used when embedding the ID number in the content data as meta information, and Using a digital watermarking scheme that has been previously agreed between the two (however, a scheme that does not affect the extraction of the ID number embedded in the content data) is used to embed the ID number in the embedded content data. I have. Then, the ID verification center-side device 5 firstly transmits the content distributor-side devices 1, 2
Using a digital watermarking scheme pre-arranged between
Meta-information is extracted from the content data, and the algorithm of the digital watermarking system indicated by the extracted meta-information is replaced with the watermarking system storing the algorithm of the digital watermarking system previously submitted from the content distributor-side devices 1 and 2. The ID number is read from the rule storage unit 63, and the ID number is extracted from the content data according to the read algorithm. For this reason, according to the present embodiment, even when each of the content distributor-side devices 1 and 2 embeds an ID number in content data using a unique digital watermarking method,
The ID number can be reliably extracted from the content data by the ID verification center side device 5.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the content distributor side devices 1 and 2 are
Unique management information in addition to the ID number sent from may be embedded in the content data.

Further, in the above embodiment, the content distributor side devices 1 and 2 embed the ID number and the meta information in the content data. A watermark method rule storage unit 63 may be provided, and the ID number and meta information may be embedded in the content data in the ID issuing center side device 4. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing data exchange between the devices when the ID issuing center side device 4 in FIG. 2 is modified to embed an ID number and meta information in content data. As shown in the figure, when mutual authentication is established between the content distributor devices 1 and 2 and the ID issuing center device (2005), in addition to the attribute information, the purchase target content data itself and the ID number are embedded. Is transmitted to the ID issuing center-side device 4 (2006).
a). In response, the ID issuing center-side device 4 issues an ID number, which is a unique number, and registers the ID number in the database in association with the received attribute information (200).
7). Next, the algorithm of the digital watermarking scheme specified by the received meta information is stored in the digital watermarking rule storage unit 63.
In accordance with the algorithm, the issued ID number is embedded in the received purchase target content data, and the received meta information is converted to the content by using a watermarking scheme predetermined with the ID verification center side device 5. It is embedded in the data (2009a). Then, the watermarked content data in which the ID number and the meta information are embedded is transmitted to the content distributor-side devices 1 and 2 (2008). The content distributor-side devices 1 and 2 transmit the watermarked content data sent from the ID issuing center-side device 4 to the content purchaser-side device 6 (2010).

In the above embodiment, the ID verification center side device 5 and the ID issuing center side device 4 may be constructed on the same information processing device. Further, the content distributor-side device 1 and the content purchaser-side device 6 may be similarly constructed on the same information processing device.

[0098]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When a content such as a book or music is distributed as electronic data using communication, it is possible to assign a unique ID number to each electronic data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a content distribution system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 shows a content distribution system shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing data exchange between devices when a user of a content purchaser device 6 purchases content provided by the content distributor devices 1 and 2.

FIG. 3 shows a content distribution system shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing data exchange between devices when a user of a content purchaser side portable device 7 purchases a content provided by a content distributor side device 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the content distributor apparatuses 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the ID issuing center side device 4 shown in FIG.

6 is a schematic configuration diagram of the ID verification center side device 6 shown in FIG.

7 is a schematic configuration diagram of the content purchaser-side device 6 shown in FIG.

8 is a schematic configuration diagram of the content distributor installation terminal 3 and the content purchaser-side portable device 7 shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 shows the content distributor devices 1, 2 and the content purchaser device 6, the ID issuing center device 4, and I shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a D verification center-side device 5 and a content distributor installation terminal 3.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the content purchaser-side portable device 7 shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of the content purchaser side device 6 when a user of the content purchaser side device 6 purchases content provided by the content distributor side devices 1 and 2;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the content distributor devices 1 and 2 when the user of the content purchaser device 6 purchases the content provided by the content distributor devices 1 and 2; .

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ID issuing center side device 4 when the user of the content purchaser side device 6 purchases the content provided by the content distributor side devices 1 and 2.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an ID number issuance rule.

FIG. 15 shows an ID registered in the ID number database 41.
It is a figure for explaining a number and attribute information.

FIG. 16 shows the content purchaser-side portable device 7 and the content purchaser-side portable device 7 when the owner of the content purchaser-side portable device 7 purchases the content provided by the content distributor-side device 2 using the content distributor-installed terminal 3. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the content distributor installation terminal 3.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ID verification center-side device 5 in the case where an ID number is extracted from watermarked content data to verify attribute information.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing data exchange between devices in a case where the ID issuing center side device 4 in FIG. 2 is modified to embed an ID number and meta information in content data.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2 ... Content distributor side device 3: Content distributor installation terminal 4 ... ID issuing center side device 5 ... ID verification center side device 6 ... Content purchaser side device 7 ... Content purchaser side portable device 8 ... Dedicated network 9 ... Internet 10, 30, 50, 70, 90 ... processing unit 11, 51, 71, 91 ... input / output unit 12, 32, 52, 72, 92 ... control unit 13 ... attribute information creation unit 14 ... watermark embedding unit 15 , 35, 55, 75, 103 ... authentication unit 16, 36, 56, 76, 96 ... communication unit 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 ... storage unit 21 ... content database 22 ... content holding unit 23, 43 ... attribute information Holding units 24, 44, 62 ... ID number holding units 25, 64, 84, 104 ... watermarked content data holding unit 41 ... ID number database 42 ... ID issuing rule storage unit 63: watermark method rule storage unit 83, 101: content name / author holding unit 97: portable device interface 102: installation terminal interface 201, 301: CPU 202, 302: memory 203, 204: external Storage device 205: input device 206: output device 207, 307: interface 208: storage medium

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G09C 5/00 G09C 5/00 5C063 G10L 11/00 H04H 1/02 F 5C076 H04H 1/02 H04N 1/00 104Z 5J104 H04L 9/32 1/387 9A001 H04N 1/00 104 G10L 9/00 E 1/387 H04L 9/00 675D 7/08 H04N 7/08 Z 7/081 (72) Inventor Ryoichi Sasaki Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture 1099 Ozenji, Aso-ku, Ltd.System Development Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshiyoshi Yamanaka 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Within Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Yoichi Takashima Chiyoda, Tokyo 2-3-1 Otemachi-ku, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Hiroshi Ogawa Chiyo, Tokyo 2-3-1, Otemachi, Ta-ku Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Takao Nakamura 2-3-1, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation F-term (reference) 5B017 AA06 BA07 BB09 CA15 CA16 5B049 AA05 BB11 CC05 DD01 EE03 EE05 EE07 FF03 FF04 FF06 GG04 GG07 GG10 5B082 EA12 5B085 AE01 BG07 CA04 5C062 AA01 AB38 AB42 AC24 AC41 AC42 AC43 AF03 DA03 BA03 DA03 BA03 DA03 5J104 AA07 AA14 EA03 KA01 KA02 MA02 NA05 PA07 PA10 9A001 BB04 CC08 FF03 JJ01 JJ19 JJ25 JJ62 LL03

Claims (9)

[Claims] Claims 1. A content distribution method for distributing the content as electronic data to a content purchaser, wherein an ID issuing center is provided, and a content distributor side device stores attribute information of the content to be distributed. An attribute information transmitting step for transmitting to the ID issuing center; and a watermark for embedding, as watermark information, the ID number transmitted from the ID issuing center in response to the attribute information transmitting step in electronic data representing the content to be distributed. An information embedding step; and a distribution step of distributing, to the content purchaser, electronic data representing the content in which an ID number is embedded as watermark information by the watermark information embedding step. , The attribute transmitted from the content distributor In response to the sex information, an ID number, which is a unique number, is generated.
An ID number generating step of registering a D number in the database in association with the attribute information; and distributing the ID number generated in the ID number generating step to the content that has transmitted the attribute information associated with the ID number. Transmitting an ID number to a user. 2. A content distribution method for distributing the content as electronic data to a content purchaser, wherein an ID issuing center is provided, and a device of the content distributor transmits attribute information of the content to be distributed, An attribute information transmitting step of transmitting to the ID issuing center together with the electronic data representing the content; and the content having an ID number embedded as watermark information transmitted from the ID issuing center in response to the attribute information transmitting step. A distribution step of distributing electronic data representing the content to a purchaser of the content, wherein the device on the ID issuing center side responds to the attribute information transmitted from the distributor of the content with a unique number. A certain ID number is generated, and the I
An ID number generating step of registering a D number in the database in association with the attribute information; and transmitting the generated ID number to electronic data representing the content transmitted together with the attribute information from a distributor of the content. Watermark information embedding step, and an ID number transmitting step of transmitting, to the content distributor, electronic data representing the content having an ID number embedded as watermark information in the watermark information embedding step. Content distribution method to be used. 3. The content distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the attribute information of the content to be distributed includes information specifying a name of a content, an author, a distributor, and a purchaser. Content distribution method characterized by the following. 4. The content distribution method according to claim 1, further comprising an ID verification center, wherein the ID verification center device includes an electronic device representing the content in which an ID number is embedded as watermark information. A content distribution method, further comprising the step of: extracting the ID number from data, searching the database for attribute information associated with the ID number, and verifying the content. 5. The content distribution method according to claim 4, wherein said watermark information embedding step includes embedding an ID number as watermark information in electronic data representing the content requested to be purchased. The watermark method specifying information for specifying the method is embedded in the electronic data by a predetermined electronic watermark method predetermined with the ID verification center, and the verification step is performed by the predetermined electronic watermark method. Extracting watermark method specifying information from electronic data representing content in which an ID number is embedded as watermark information, and extracting an ID number from the electronic data using a digital watermark method specified by the extracted watermark method specifying information; Content distribution method characterized by the following. 6. A content distribution system that includes a content distributor side device and an ID issuing center side device, and distributes the content as electronic data to a content purchaser, wherein the content distributor side device distributes the content. Means for transmitting attribute information of the content to be delivered to the ID issuing center; and an ID number transmitted from the ID issuing center side device in response to the transmission of the attribute information, into electronic data representing the content to be distributed, Means for embedding as watermark information, and means for distributing electronic data representing the content in which an ID number is embedded as watermark information to a purchaser of the content, wherein the ID issuing center-side device comprises: A unique ID number is generated in response to the attribute information transmitted from the user side device. Content delivery system and having means for registering in the database in association with the ID number to the attribute information, the generated ID number, and means for transmitting to said content distribution side apparatus. 7. A content distribution system that includes a content distributor side device and an ID issuing center side device, and distributes the content as electronic data to a content purchaser, wherein the content distributor side device distributes the content. Means for transmitting attribute information of the content to be provided, together with electronic data representing the content, to the ID issuing center; ID number as watermark information transmitted from the ID issuing center side device in response to the transmission of the attribute information Means for distributing electronic data representing the content having embedded therein to a purchaser of the content, wherein the ID issuing center side device responds to the attribute information transmitted from the content distributor side device. Generates an ID number, which is a unique number, and associates the ID number with the attribute information. Means for registering; means for embedding the generated ID number as watermark information in electronic data representing the content transmitted together with the attribute information from a distributor of the content; and means for embedding the ID number as watermark information. Means for transmitting electronic data representing the content to a distributor of the content. 8. The content distribution system according to claim 6, wherein the attribute information of the content to be distributed includes information for specifying a name of the content, an author, a distributor, and a purchaser. Content distribution system characterized by the following. 9. A content distribution system according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein said ID number is extracted from electronic data representing the content in which the ID number is embedded as watermark information, and A content distribution system further comprising an ID verification center-side device that searches for attribute information associated with the ID number and verifies the name, author, distributor, and purchaser of the content.