JP2001331372A - Record controller, recorder, data processor and the method for them - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a record controller, capable of individually controlling propriety of record deletion of contents data recorded in a recording medium. SOLUTION: An STB 101 arranged in a house 90 is provided with an information generating means for generating record deletion propriety information to indicate the propriety of the record deletion of the contents data recorded in a HDD 102 and a record control means for controlling the record deletion of the contents data recorded in the HDD 102, based on the record deletion propriety information corresponding to the contents data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording control device, a recording device, a data processing device, and a method thereof, which are characterized by processing relating to recording of content data on a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, a music distribution business using the Internet or the like has started, and it is considered that a business of downloading various data using the Internet, satellite broadcasting, or the like will become more and more popular in the future. Conventionally, when recording music, movies, TV programs, and the like, recording media such as cassette tapes, minidiscs (MD: trademark), and video tapes have been used.

Data recorded on these recording media can be erased, and new data can be recorded any number of times. In order to prevent data recorded on these recording media from being erroneously recorded and erased, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) has a function for preventing erroneous erasure of data shown in FIG. That is, FIG.
A switch 901 is provided on the back surface of the FD 902 as shown in FIG. Normally, the switch 901 is located on the upper side in FIG. 12, and is in a state where recording and recording erasure are possible. If the user does not want to erase the recorded data by mistake, the user pushes down the switch 901 with a nail or the like. As a result, the FD 902 is in a state where recording and recording cannot be erased, and erroneous erasure of recorded data can be prevented. As described above, most conventional recording media control whether or not recording is possible by the mechanical structure mechanism of the recording medium.

[0004]

However, as described above, in the control of whether or not data can be recorded or erased by a mechanical structure mechanism of a recording medium, it is possible to control whether or not the entire data recorded on the recording medium can be recorded or erased. However, there is a problem that whether or not recording and erasing of individual data can be controlled cannot be controlled.

[0005] Further, when the data distribution business is fully introduced in the future, a data distribution form as shown in FIG. 13 can be considered. In FIG. 13, various data are transmitted from a business (not shown) performing a distribution business through the Internet, satellite broadcasting, cable lines, and the like, using an STB (Set Top Box) 1011 installed in the home as an intermediary. Allows users to send and receive data. The received data is recorded and held on a large-capacity recording medium 1012 installed along with the STB 1011. The data recorded on the recording medium 1012 is, for example, a personal computer (P) installed in another room.
C) 1013 and 1017, TV (TV) 1014
And 1016, game machine 1015, audio equipment 1
018, etc., it is possible to use data transmitted regardless of wired or wireless and received in each room. As in this example, the STB 1011 and the recording medium 1012 may be shared and used by a plurality of users in the same home. As in this case, when a large number of various data are recorded on one recording medium by a plurality of persons, the recording and organization of the data tends to be complicated, and important data may be mistaken for another person. There is a problem that there is a high possibility that a situation such as erasure will occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and has a recording control apparatus capable of individually controlling whether or not recording and erasing of content data recorded on a recording medium can be performed and effectively preventing erroneous recording and erasing. It is an object to provide a recording apparatus and a recording control method. Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording control device, a recording device, and a recording control method that can effectively use the storage capacity of a recording medium. It is another object of the present invention to provide a data processing device and a method thereof that enable various accounting processes for content data according to a recording state on a recording medium.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to achieve the above-mentioned object, a recording control apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention provides a recording control apparatus for recording and erasing content data recorded on a recording medium. Information generation means for generating recording erasure permission information indicating permission / prohibition, and recording control means for controlling recording / deletion of the content data recorded on the recording medium based on the recording / deletion permission information corresponding to the content data. Having.

The operation of the recording control device according to the first invention is as follows. In the information generating means, recording / erasing permission information indicating whether or not recording / erasing of the content data recorded on the recording medium is possible is generated. Then, the recording control means controls the recording and erasure of the content data recorded on the recording medium based on the recording erasure permission information corresponding to the content data.

Further, in the recording control device according to the first invention, preferably, the recording control means manages each of the content data, user identification information assigned to the content data, and a password in association with each other. Then, on condition that the user identification information and the password corresponding to the content data have been input, the change of the record erasure permission / non-permission information corresponding to the content data is permitted.

[0010] The recording control device according to a second aspect of the present invention is an information generation device for generating recording erasure enable / disable information indicating whether recording / deletion of content data recorded on a recording medium is possible and predetermined time information relating to the content data. Means, and recording control means for recording and erasing the content data recorded on the recording medium based on the recording erasure permission information and the time information.

[0011] In the recording control apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention, preferably, the information generating means generates the time information indicating when the content data is received or when the content data is purchased.

In the recording control device according to a second aspect of the present invention, preferably, the recording control means includes:
The recording of the content data on the recording medium before the time indicated by the time information before a predetermined time is erased.

Preferably, in the recording control device according to a second aspect of the present invention, the recording control means specifies the content data whose time indicated by the time information is before a predetermined time, and records the specified content data. A message for inquiring whether or not to delete is output, and when an instruction to delete the recording is received, the recording of the content data on the recording medium is deleted.

[0014] The recording apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is an information generating means for generating recording erasure permission information indicating whether recording and erasure of content data is possible, a recording means for recording the content data, and a recording means for recording on the recording means. Recording control means for controlling the recording and erasing of the content data performed based on the recording / erasing permission / prohibition information corresponding to the content data.

Further, a recording control device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a recording control device, comprising: information generation means for generating recording erasure permission / inhibition information indicating whether recording / deletion of content data is possible, and predetermined time information relating to the content data; And recording control means for recording and erasing the content data recorded in the recording means based on the recording erasure permission information and the time information.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing apparatus comprising: a receiving unit for receiving content data; a recording unit for recording the received content data; Processing means for performing processing for paying a fee corresponding to the transmission source of the content data.

The data processing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a data processing device, comprising: receiving means for receiving content data; recording means for recording the received content data; and recording / erasing indicating whether or not recording / erasing of the received content data is possible. Information generating means for generating permission / prohibition information; recording control means for controlling the recording / deletion of the content data recorded in the recording means based on the recording / deletion permission / prohibition information; And processing means for performing a process for paying a purchase cost of the content data when the content data indicating the content data is recorded in the recording means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the recording control method, recording / erasing permission information indicating whether or not recording and erasing of content data recorded on a recording medium is possible, and recording of the content data recorded on the recording medium are performed. Erasure is controlled based on the record erasure availability information corresponding to the content data.

The recording control method according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the recording control method, wherein recording / erasing permission / non-permission information indicating whether or not recording / erasing of the content data recorded on the recording medium is permitted and predetermined time information relating to the content data are generated. The recording and erasing of the content data recorded on the recording medium is performed based on the recording erasure permission information and the time information.

Further, in a data processing method according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a process for paying a fee corresponding to a time during which received content data is recorded on a recording medium to a source of the content data is performed.

According to a tenth data processing method, recording / erasing information indicating whether or not recording / erasing of received content data is possible is generated, and the content data recorded on a recording medium is generated based on the recording / erasing information. In the case where content data indicating that the recording erasure permission / non-permission information indicates that recording is not erasable is recorded on the recording medium, a process for paying the purchase cost of the content data is performed.

According to the present invention, when the content data is recorded on the recording means or the recording medium, the record erasure permission information indicating whether or not the recording erasure from the recording means or the recording medium is possible is generated. As a result, even when a plurality of various contents such as important contents and low-importance contents are recorded on a large-capacity recording means or a recording medium, there is no possibility that the important contents are accidentally erased. Further, according to the present invention, contents of low importance can be organized for a long time without recording and holding in the recording means, and the resources of the recording means can be used effectively.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a content providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a content providing system 1 according to the present embodiment.
The content providing system 1 performs communication between the home 90 and the service provider 91 via the network 92, and provides the content data from the service provider 91 to the home 90. Although FIG. 1 illustrates a case where the service provider 91 provides content data to one home 90, the service provider 91 actually provides content data to a plurality of homes. Here, the content data includes, for example, music data, video data, a game program, game data,
There are still image data, character data, and program files.

As shown in FIG. 1, a home 90 has an STB
(Set Top Box) 101, HDD 102 and display device 1
03 is provided. Here, the HDD 102 corresponds to the recording unit and the recording medium of the present invention. FIG.
It is a block diagram of TB101. As shown in FIG.
101 is, for example, an information adding unit 301 and an HDD management unit 3
02, a reproduction processing unit 303 and a communication unit 304.
Here, the information adding unit 301 corresponds to the information generating unit of the present invention. Further, the HDD management unit 302 corresponds to the recording control unit and the processing unit of the present invention. Further, the communication unit 304 corresponds to the receiving unit of the present invention. The information adding unit 301 adds a record erasing permission bit (recording erasing permission information of the present invention) to the content data received from the service provider 91. The recording erasure enable / disable bit is
B101 is 1-bit data indicating whether or not recording / erasing can be performed for each piece of content data received from the service provider 91. That is, the recording / erasing permission bit indicates that the corresponding content data is
When the content data is stored in the storage 102, the content data is used to control the recording and erasure of the content data.

Specifically, when the recording / erasing enable / disable bit indicates a logical value “1”, the corresponding content data is
Unless the recording / erasing enable / disable bit is rewritten, the HDD 1
02 cannot be erased. As described above, by adding the recording erasure enable / disable bit for each content data on the content receiving side, recording and erasing control can be performed in content units, and erroneous erasure can be prevented. If the user wants to delete the content, the information adding unit 30
At 1, the recording / erasing enable / disable bit of the content recorded on the HDD 102 is rewritten to a logical value “0”,
Recording and erasing can be performed as usual. A method of changing the recording erasure enable / disable bit will be described later.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining additional information added to content data. The information adding unit 301
The STB 101 adds, as additional information 400, a record erasure enable / disable bit, a purchaser ID number, a purchase date and time, and the like to the content data received from the service provider 91 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, when the recording / erasing permission bit is a logical value “1”, control is performed so that the content data is not recorded and deleted in the HDD 102, and when the recording / erasing permission bit is a logical value “0”, H is set.
The DD 102 is controlled so that the content data can be recorded and erased.

The purchaser ID number is, for example, the S
When it is considered that the content distribution service is used using the TB 101, the content distribution service is used to specify who has purchased the content among a plurality of users living in the home. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a purchaser ID number. For example, the HDD management unit 302 has a correspondence table of purchaser ID numbers, user names, and passwords as shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG.
N users, each with N unique buyers I
D number is assigned, and a password specified by each user is assigned to each purchaser ID number.

For example, when a user inputs a purchaser ID number at the time of receiving content data from the service provider 91, the information adding unit 301
The D number is added to the received content data as additional information 400.

In the above-mentioned example, the case where the recording / erasing permission bit is added to the content data has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the content data may be written in the header portion of the content data. Although not shown, the header portion of the content data includes compression information when the content data is compressed, encryption information when the content data is encrypted, copyright information of the content data, and the like. Is stored. Similarly to the information in the header section, the recording / erasing permission bit may be written in the header section. In addition to directly adding the recording / erasing permission bit to the content data, a link may be established between the content data and the recording / erasing permission bit in some form.

The HDD management unit 302 includes the HDD shown in FIG.
102 is managed. Note that the HDD management unit 302 allows the user to pay a fee corresponding to the time during which the content data is recorded on the HDD 102 in response to the purchase of the content data received from the service provider 91 and recorded on the HDD 102. May be charged. Further, the HDD management unit 302 only records the received content data on the HDD 102 when the recording / erasing permission bit is a logical value “1”, that is, when the recording / erasing of the content data is disabled.
A charging process may be performed so that the user pays for the content data purchase process.

[0031] The reproduction processing unit 303 performs a reproduction process of the content data read from the HDD 102. The communication unit 304 transmits and receives data to and from the communication unit 114 of the service provider 91 via the network 92, outputs data to the display device 103, and accesses the HDD 102.

The service provider 91 has a user management unit 113, a communication unit 114, a charging unit 115, and an HDD 117.

The user management unit 113 manages information on users who have a predetermined contract with the service provider 91. The communication unit 114 performs two-way communication with the STB 101 of the home 90 via the network 92. The billing processing unit 115 performs a billing process on the content data provided (sold) to the user. HDD
117 includes a charging processing unit 115 and a content group 117 holding various contents.

The network 92 includes the Internet,
Communication lines such as satellite broadcasting and cable lines are used.

Hereinafter, various operation examples in the content providing system 1 will be described. [First Operation Example] In this operation example, the contents of the service provided by the service provider 91 are guided to the home 90, and the content providing system 1 performs the process of purchasing the desired content from the home 90 to the service provider 91. An operation example will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation example. It is to be noted that the service provider 91 makes a predetermined contract online or offline with a user of the home 90 to perform the processing and obtains the name, address, telephone number, credit card number, and address of the STB 101 of the user. The user information such as is registered in the user management unit 113.

Step ST1: Service provider 91
The communication unit 114 reads, from the HDD 117, guidance data of content provided by the service provider 91 in response to a request from the STB 101 of the home 90, for example.
The guidance data is transmitted to the STB 101 of the home 90 via the network 92. The guidance data includes a genre of content data (music, movie, drama, game, etc.), a title,
It has contents necessary for the user to purchase the content, such as an outline of the content data and a usage fee for the content data. The STB 101 outputs the guidance data received from the service provider 91 via the network 92 to the display device 103. Display device 103
Performs a guidance display according to the guidance data input from the STB 101.

Step ST2: The user operates the display device 1
The user himself / herself determines the content desired to be purchased while watching the guidance display of 03, and specifies the content desired to be purchased using a function such as a touch panel of the display device 103 or an operation means of the STB 101. Similarly, the user specifies a settlement method. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the name 201 of the user, the names 203, 204, 205 of the specified contents, the usage fee of each content, the total amount 207 of the usage fee, and the specified settlement method 202 are displayed. It is displayed on the device 103. FIG.
, The name of the buyer (user) is “Taro Yamamoto”, the payment method is a credit card, and the desired content names are “Movie A”, “Game B”, and “Music C”
The usage fee for content is "500 yen" and "10
The case of "00 yen" and "200 yen" is illustrated. As a settlement method, for example, other than a credit card, a method such as a bank transfer or a debit from a bank account can be selected.

If the user agrees with the contents shown in FIG. 6 displayed on the display device 103, the user inputs an instruction to that effect. Thereby, the STB 101 generates a purchase request including information for specifying the user, a settlement method specified by the user, and information for specifying content specified by the user, and sends the purchase request via the network 92 to the service provider. Send it to 91.

Step ST3: Service Provider 91
Of the STB 1 via the network 92
When the purchase request is received from 01, the validity of the user specified by the information included in the purchase request is confirmed. Then, the communication unit 114 converts the content data of the content specified by the information included in the purchase request into H
The content data read from the DD 117 is read from the STB 10 of the home 90 via the network 92.
Send to 1. For example, in the case shown in FIG.
14 reads the content data of “Movie A”, “Game B” and “Music C” from the HDD 117 and transmits it to the home 90.

Step ST4: The billing processing section 115 performs a settlement process according to the purchased content and the designated settlement method. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 6, the billing processing unit 115
The charging process is performed with reference to the credit card number of the user registered in.

[Second Operation Example] An operation example when the content delivered by the service provider 91 is received by the STB 101 will be described below. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation example. Step ST11: The communication unit 304 shown in FIG. 2 of the STB 101 shown in FIG. 1 receives content data from the service provider 91 via the network 92.

Step ST12: The communication section 304 transmits the received content data to the information adding section 301 shown in FIG.
Output to Step ST13: The information adding section 301 makes the communication section 304
When the content data is input from, a predetermined instruction is issued to the display device 103 to cause the display device 103 to display a record erasing permission / prohibition setting screen 600 shown in FIG. A record erasing permission setting screen 600 shown in FIG. 8 is a recording erasing permission setting screen for the content data of “Movie A” received by the communication unit 304 from the service provider 91, and is used to set the recording permission of the content data. Display part 601 for setting whether or not recording is possible, and display part 6 for setting the ID number for setting the ID number of the purchaser of the content data
02.

Step ST14: When the user sets the content data to the recording / erasing disabled state,
The location of “Yes” in the display section 601 for setting whether or not recording can be erased is designated using a touch panel, a mouse, or the like. In addition, when setting the content data to the record erasable state, the user designates “No” in the record erasability setting display portion 601 using a touch panel or the like. Also,
The user uses the ID number setting display portion 602 to
The user inputs or selects the purchaser ID number assigned to the user.

Step ST15: The information adding section 301
If "Yes" is specified in step ST14, the process of step ST16 is executed, and if "No" is specified, the process of step ST18 is executed.

Step ST16: The information adding unit 301
A record erasure enable / disable bit indicating a logical value "1";
The additional information 400 shown in FIG. 3 including the purchaser ID number input or selected in T14 and the purchase date and time of the content data is generated, and this is added to the content data received in step ST11. The recording erasure enable / disable bit added as additional information to the content data is:
Control is performed so that only the user with the purchaser ID number added as additional information to the content data can change the content data.

Step ST17: The information adding section 301
A record erasure enable / disable bit indicating a logical value "0";
The additional information 400 shown in FIG. 3 including the purchaser ID number input or selected in T14 and the purchase date and time of the content data is generated, and this is added to the content data received in step ST11. Step ST18: The HDD management unit 302 shown in FIG.
The content data to which the additional information 400 generated in step ST16 or ST17 is added is written to the HDD 102 shown in FIG.

[Third Operation Example] In this operation example, an operation example when the setting of recording permission / prohibition of content data is changed will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the operation example. Step ST21: The user, for example,
Is operated to issue a recording erasure permission setting change instruction including designation of content data whose recording erasure permission state is to be changed. Step ST22: The HDD management unit 302 shown in FIG.
When the recording erasing permission setting change instruction is received, a recording erasing permission setting change screen 700 shown in FIG. A record erasing permission setting change screen 700 includes a display portion 702 indicating the content of the change of the recording erasing permission setting,
A display section 703 for inputting a password.

Step ST23: The user uses the recording / erasing permission setting change screen 700 shown in FIG. 10 to input the contents of the change of the recording / erasing permission setting in the display part 702 and the password in the display part 703. At this time, in the display portion 702, either the change from the record erasable state to the record erasable state or the change from the record erasable state to the record erasable state is designated.

Step ST24: HDD management section 302
Refers to the correspondence table shown in FIG.
The password for the D number is compared with the password input in step ST23, and if they match, the process of step ST25 is executed. If they do not match, the fact is displayed and the process ends.

Step ST25: HDD management section 302
In step ST23, when the change from the record erasable state to the record erasable state is specified, the record erasable bit of the additional information 400 added to the content data is set to "1". HDD management unit 3
In the case of 02, when the change from the record erasing impossible state to the record erasing possible state is specified in step ST23, the recording erasing permission bit of the additional information 400 added to the content data is set to “0”.

As described above, the purchaser ID number is attached to each content data, and the rewriting of the recording erasure permission bit is permitted on condition that the password corresponding to the purchaser ID number is input. This effectively prevents the content data from being accidentally deleted by a person other than the purchaser of the content data.

[Fourth Operation Example] Hereinafter, another operation example of performing the recording control using the above-mentioned recording erasure enable / disable bit will be described. When a plurality of users share the HDD 102 provided in the home 90, various content data purchased by each user is stored in the HDD 102. However, since the storage capacity of the HDD 102 is limited, it is necessary to use the storage area of the HDD 102 effectively. In this operation example, additional information 40 is added to each content data.
Using the purchase date and time information added as 0, the recording / deletion enable / disable bit is set to 0, that is, for content data in a recordable / erasable state, for which a predetermined period has elapsed from the purchase date and time, the recording / deletion is performed in order from the oldest one. Do it automatically.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the process. Step ST31: The HDD management unit 302 of the STB 101 shown in FIG. 2 determines, for example, whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed since the last time the content data stored in the HDD 102 was automatically erased, and determines that the time has elapsed. If so, the process of step ST32 is executed; otherwise, the process of step ST31 is repeated. Note that the predetermined period is, for example, one week.

Step ST32: HDD management section 302
Accesses the additional information 400 of all content data stored in the HDD 102 and
The recording / erasing enable / disable bit of “0” specifies the logical value “0”, that is, specifies all the content data in a state where recording / erasing is possible.

Step ST33: HDD management section 302
Refers to the purchase date and time information of the additional information 400 of the content data specified in step ST32, and determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed from the purchase date and time. The predetermined period is a period that can be set in advance by the user, such as one month or more from the purchase date and time of the content data or three months or more from the purchase date and time, and may be any period.

Step ST34: HDD management section 302
If it is determined in step ST33 that the content data has passed the predetermined period, the process proceeds to step ST3.
5 is executed, and if not, step ST
38. The processing of 38 is executed.

Step ST35: The HDD management unit 302 issues a predetermined instruction to the display device 103, and the display device 103 performs a display for inquiring whether to delete the recording of the content data in response to the instruction. At this time, a message such as “Are you sure you want to delete this content?” Is displayed on the display device 103. Step ST36: The HDD management section 302 executes the process of step ST37 if the user has agreed to the recording and erasure of the content data in response to the display of step ST35, and otherwise executes the process of step ST38. I do.

Step ST37: HDD management section 302
Deletes the recording of the content data in the HDD 102. Step ST38: The HDD management unit 302 determines in step S
It is determined whether or not the processing of steps ST33 to ST37 has been performed for all the content data specified in T32, and if it has been determined that the processing has been performed, the process proceeds to step ST3.
1; otherwise, return to step ST33.
Return to the processing of.

In the above-described example, the case where the user is inquired about whether or not the content data can be recorded / erased has been described. Recording and erasing may be performed automatically without asking the user.

As described above, the HDD management unit 302 manages the content data stored in the HDD 102, and is capable of recording and erasing the recorded content data. When the predetermined period has elapsed, by performing an operation such as erasing, unnecessary contents are stored in the HDD 1 for a long period of time.
02 can be suppressed, and the storage capacity of the HDD 102 can be used effectively.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the HDD is exemplified as the recording unit and the recording medium. However, the present invention is applicable to a case where other recording unit or recording medium such as a magneto-optical disk is used. Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case where a large-capacity recording medium in a home is shared by a plurality of residents living together has been exemplified. The present invention is also applicable to the present invention.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the recording / deletion enable / disable bit, the purchaser ID number, and the purchase date and time are added as additional information to the content data distributed from the service provider. Not limited to, CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile D
The present invention is also applicable to a case where the above-described additional information is added to content data such as package media such as isk), images captured from a video camera, and a still camera. Further, as the additional information to be added to the content data, in the above-described embodiment, the record erasure permission bit, the purchaser ID number, the purchase date and time, and the like are exemplified. However, only the record erasure permission bit and the purchase date information are added. It is not necessary to add all of the information.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By using the recording erasure permission information, whether recording or erasure of the content data recorded on the recording means or the recording medium can be controlled for each content data, and erroneous recording and erasure can be effectively avoided. Further, according to the present invention, the storage capacity of the recording means or the recording medium can be effectively reduced by automatically erasing the content data recorded on the recording medium or the recording means based on the record erasing permission information and the time information. Available. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform various charging processes for content data according to a recording state on a recording medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a content providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an STB shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining additional information added to content data.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a purchaser ID number.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a process of guiding the contents of a service provided by a service provider to a home and performing a process of purchasing desired content from the home to the service provider.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a screen of the display device when a user purchases content.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining STB processing when content distributed by a service provider is received;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a screen of a display device used for the processing shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of changing a setting of recording permission / prohibition of content data.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a screen of a display device used for the processing shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an example of content data in a recordable and erasable state that has passed a predetermined period from the purchase date and time using purchase date and time information added as additional information to each content data; 7 is a flowchart for describing processing when recording and erasing are automatically performed in order from the first step. .

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a recording / erasing prevention function of a conventional floppy disk.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a use form of the data distribution system.

[Description of Special Names] 101: STB, 102: HDD, 10
3 display unit, 113 user management unit, 114 communication unit, 115 billing processing unit, 117 content group, 30
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information addition part, 302 ... HDD management part, 303 ... Reproduction processing part, 304 ... Communication part

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. An information generating means for generating recording erasure permission information indicating whether recording and erasure of content data recorded on a recording medium is possible, and recording and erasing of the content data recorded on the recording medium with the content data. A recording control means for controlling based on the recording erasure availability information corresponding to the above. 2. The recording control means manages the content data, user identification information assigned to the content data, and a password in association with each other, and inputs user identification information and a password corresponding to the content data. 2. The recording control device according to claim 1, wherein a change of the recording / erasing permission / non-permission information corresponding to the content data is permitted on condition that the recording / erasing is enabled. 3. An information generating means for generating recording erasure permission information indicating whether recording and erasure of content data recorded on a recording medium is possible, and predetermined time information relating to the content data; A recording control unit that performs recording and erasing of the content data recorded on the recording medium based on time information. 4. The recording control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said information generating means generates said time information indicating when said content data is received or when said content data is purchased. 5. The recording control means according to claim 1, wherein, of the content data corresponding to the record erasure permission / non-permission information indicating that recording / erasure is possible, the recording of the content data before the predetermined time is indicated by the time information on the recording medium. 4. The recording control device according to claim 3, wherein the recording is erased. 6. The recording control means specifies the content data before the time indicated by the time information is a predetermined time, and outputs a message inquiring whether or not to delete the recording of the specified content data. The recording control device according to claim 5, wherein when receiving an instruction to delete the content data, the recording of the content data on the recording medium is deleted. 7. An information generating means for generating record erasure permission / inhibition information indicating whether recording / deletion of content data is possible, a recording means for recording the content data, and a recording / deletion of the content data recorded in the recording means. A recording control unit for controlling based on the recording erasure permission / inhibition information corresponding to the content data. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising receiving means for receiving said content data. 9. The recording control means manages the content data, user identification information assigned to the content data, and a password in association with each other, and inputs the user identification information and the password corresponding to the content data. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a change of the recording erasure permission / inhibition information corresponding to the content data is permitted on condition that the content data has been deleted. 10. An information generating means for generating record erasure permission / inhibition information indicating whether recording / deletion of content data is possible, and predetermined time information relating to the content data; a recording means for recording the content data; A recording apparatus comprising: a recording control unit that performs recording and erasure of the content data recorded in the recording unit based on availability information and the time information. 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said information generating means generates said time information indicating when said content data is received or when said content data is purchased. 12. The recording control means, according to the recording data erasing permission / non-permission information, indicating that recording / erasing is possible, the recording information being recorded by the recording means before the time indicated by the time information is a predetermined time or earlier. The recording device according to claim 10 erasing. 13. The recording control means specifies content data before the time indicated by the time information and before a predetermined time, and outputs a message inquiring whether or not to delete the recording of the specified content data. 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when receiving an instruction to delete the content data, the recording of the content data by the recording unit is deleted. 14. A receiving means for receiving content data, a recording means for recording the received content data, and a fee corresponding to a time during which the content data is recorded in the recording means, a transmission source of the content data. A data processing device having processing means for performing a process for paying a payment. 15. A receiving means for receiving content data, a recording means for recording the received content data, an information generating means for generating recording erasure information indicating whether or not the received content data can be erased, Recording control means for controlling the recording and erasing of the content data recorded in the recording means based on the recording and erasing permission information; and recording the content data indicating that the recording and erasing permission / prohibition information indicates that recording is not erasable in the recording means. And a processing unit for performing processing for paying the purchase cost of the content data. 16. A recording / erasing permission / prohibition information indicating whether or not recording / deletion of content data recorded on a recording medium is possible, and recording / erasing of the content data recorded on the recording medium is performed according to the content corresponding to the content data. A recording control method for controlling based on recording erasure availability information. 17. The content data, user identification information assigned to the content data, and a password are managed in association with each other, provided that the user identification information and the password corresponding to the content data are input. 17. The recording control method according to claim 16, wherein change of the recording erasure permission / inhibition information corresponding to the content data is permitted. 18. A recording / erasing permission / inhibition information indicating whether or not recording / deletion of content data recorded on a recording medium is possible, and predetermined time information relating to the content data are generated. A recording control method for recording and erasing the content data recorded on the recording medium based on the recording data. 19. The recording control method according to claim 18, wherein the time information indicating when the content data is received or when the content data is purchased is generated. 20. The recording medium according to claim 18, wherein, of the content data corresponding to the record erasure permission / prohibition information indicating that recording / erasing is possible, the recording of the content data on the recording medium before the time indicated by the time information is earlier than a predetermined time. The recording control method described in the above. 21. Specifying the content data before the predetermined time when the time information indicates, outputting a message inquiring whether or not to delete the recording of the specified content data, and instructing to delete the recording. 21. The recording control method according to claim 20, wherein the recording of the content data on the recording medium is deleted when receiving the recording. 22. A data processing method for performing processing for paying a fee corresponding to the time during which received content data is recorded on a recording medium to a source of the content data. 23. Recording / erasing permission / inhibition information indicating whether or not recording / erasing of received content data is possible, and controlling the recording / erasing of the content data recorded on a recording medium based on the recording / erasing permission / prohibition information, A data processing method for performing a process for paying a purchase cost of the content data when recording the content data indicating that the recording erasure is not possible on the recording medium.