JP2002074020A - Terminal device, sales system, control device, storage medium, and game device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply, surely provide contents to a user, prevent illegal copying, and provide a device capable of unitarily controlling the data on customer information concerning purchasing of contents. SOLUTION: These devices reading/write electronic data in a storage medium previously having inherent individual identification information and capable of readably and writably storing the electronic data. The devices equip with a recording means for recording the electronic data for distribution; and a read/write means conducting reading of at least the individual identification information and writing of the electronic data, and has a control function for storing and controlling the individual identification information, together with relating information corresponding to the individual identification information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a terminal device, characterized by using a storage medium which has a unique individual identification information in advance and has a storage area capable of storing electronic data in a readable and writable manner. The present invention relates to a sales system, a management device, a storage medium, and a game device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a game software sales form, a cartridge type read-only ROM (mask RO) formed for a dedicated game machine is generally used.
M) to store software for sale or CD
-It is a method of selling by recording on a recording medium such as a ROM.
In these modes, a game software provider manufactures a predetermined number of cartridges or CD-ROMs in advance and sells them to consumers. In recent years, various types of game machines, from high-end to low-end, have become widespread in the world. The data volume of high-end game console software is enormous, and CDs
A medium using an optical disk such as a ROM or a DVD-ROM capable of storing a large amount of electronic data as a medium is becoming mainstream. On the other hand, as a recording medium for storing game software used in a low-end portable game machine, a semiconductor device called a mask ROM has been widely used. This is because the data amount of the game software itself is relatively small and the memory capacity for recording is relatively small, so that the specification of the mask ROM is relatively small.

Further, as a recording medium on which electronic data can be freely rewritten and recorded, a RAM, a small memory card, an optical disk such as MD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-
Various recording media such as a RAM and a DVD-RW are known, and a device for reading and writing the electronic data is also known. For example, as an example, when purchasing game software, a customer can select the game software he or she wants and download it to a rewritable storage medium, so that a store-installed device that can obtain the game software, Systems are known. As another example, paid content such as games, music, and images are downloaded as electronic data on the Internet, downloaded to a personal computer owned by the user, and the payment is made by credit card, bank transfer, or other billing system. Paying by is done. And these downloaded electronic data are MD, CD-R, CD-RW, DV
It is recorded on various recording media such as a D-RAM and a DVD-RW and a hard disk of a personal computer.
Conventionally, game software has been sold by selling cassette-type ROMs, CD-ROMs, and other recording media themselves, and the purchase price of the game software has been paid to dealers and the like each time. . Therefore, the customer had to pay for each purchase. In addition, since a dedicated recording medium is manufactured for each game, the unit price is inevitably high.

[0004]

A small-capacity mask ROM, which has been mainly used in the past, has been available as a semiconductor device at a relatively low price. However, with the recent increase in game software for low-end portable game machines, relatively large memory capacity is required, and the low cost of mask ROMs Is no longer useful. Further, as a trend of the semiconductor memory market, a demand for a rewritable flash memory as a substitute for a mask ROM which cannot be rewritten has been increasing, and a price for a storage capacity has been reduced. On the other hand, if the price of the required mask ROM is increased and the semiconductor manufacturer is forced to lower the price, the semiconductor manufacturer will not be able to gain profits due to the price structure of the semiconductor product. Will be forced to withdraw. If the mask ROM is eliminated from the portable game machine in this way, there may be a situation where the portable game machine may disappear.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to convert from a device using a mask ROM, which has conventionally been often used, to a device using a rewritable RAM device as many times as possible. An object of the present invention is to construct an apparatus and a total system corresponding to a RAM device in order to realize a low price by disseminating the RAM device in mass.

[0006] Further, even if a device that provides electronic data of a content such as a game and downloads it to a recording medium or the like is a stand-alone type device, it is connected to the Internet or the like and receives various electronic data from a predetermined server or the like. However, there is no device or system that can unifyly manage data such as customer information on a purchased customer even if the information is downloaded. Therefore, by using a recording medium having an insertable / removable and rewritable area, contents can be easily and reliably provided to the user, illegal copy thereof can be prevented, and data such as customer information regarding purchase of the contents can be stored. It is a further object to provide devices and systems that can be managed centrally. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of selling a game without complicating a customer to pay for the game each time the user purchases the game. . In addition, it is possible to set the unit price for each game to a relatively low price. It is also possible to provide a system that is also suitable for selling
One of the issues.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 has the following means. That is, an apparatus for reading and writing the electronic data to and from a storage medium having a unique storage area capable of storing electronic data in a readable and writable manner, which has unique individual identification information in advance, and is distributed. Recording means for recording electronic data, and at least read / write means for reading the individual identification information and writing the electronic data, and the individual identification information together with related information corresponding to the individual identification information. A terminal device having a management function of storing and managing.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 2 has the following means. That is, a device for reading and writing the electronic data to and from a storage medium that has unique individual identification information in advance and has a storage area capable of storing electronic data in a readable and writable manner. Control means, recording means for recording electronic data for distribution, monitoring means, input means for performing operations on the device, and at least reading of the individual identification information and writing of the electronic data And a management function for storing and managing the individual identification information together with related information corresponding to the individual identification information.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 3 has the following means. 3. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the related information managed in correspondence with the individual identification information includes at least personal information of a person who uses the recording medium. .

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 4 has the following means. 4. A system for selling electronic data related to contents, wherein the electronic data is sold by writing the electronic data on a storage medium. Sales system using a terminal device.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 5 has the following means. That is, an apparatus for reading and writing the electronic data on a storage medium that has a unique individual identification information in advance and has a storage area capable of storing electronic data in a readable and writable manner, Reading and writing means for reading individual identification information and writing the electronic data,
A communication unit for communicating via a network with a separately provided management device, and the management device manages the individual identification information and related information corresponding to the individual identification information. A terminal device having a function of transmitting related information to the management unit.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 6 has the following means. That is, a device for reading and writing the electronic data to and from a storage medium that has unique individual identification information in advance and has a storage area capable of storing electronic data in a readable and writable manner. Control means, recording means for recording electronic data for distribution, monitoring means, input means for performing operations on the device, and at least reading of the individual identification information and writing of the electronic data A read / write unit for communicating with a separately provided management device and a communication unit for performing communication via a network, and for the management device to manage the individual identification information and related information corresponding to the individual identification information. A terminal device having a function of transmitting the individual identification information and the related information to the management unit.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 7 has the following means. 7. The terminal device according to claim 5, wherein the related information managed corresponding to the individual identification information includes at least personal information of a person who uses the recording medium. .

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 8 has the following means. 8. A system for selling electronic data relating to contents, wherein the electronic data is sold by writing the electronic data to a storage medium. Sales system using a terminal device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 9 has the following means. That is, a device for managing information transmitted from a plurality of terminal devices via a network, wherein the terminal device has unique individual identification information in advance and stores electronic data in a readable and writable manner. An apparatus for reading and writing the electronic data from and to a storage medium having a storage area for reading and writing the electronic data, at least for reading the individual identification information; A management device, comprising: a communication unit for performing communication with the device via a network, wherein the information is the individual identification information and related information corresponding to the individual identification information.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 10 has the following means. That is,
The electronic data relating to the content to be transmitted to the terminal device is recorded, and the electronic data is transmitted in response to a request from a terminal device connected via a network. The management device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 11 has the following means. That is,
It has a recording means for recording content data and a storage medium in which unique individual identification information is stored in advance, and gives a purchase right equivalent to a monetary value to the storage medium by pre-charging, and assigns the purchase right to the individual What is claimed is: 1. A system comprising: a management device for managing each identification information; and a read / write unit for writing at least the content data recorded in the recording unit to the storage medium, and reading the identification information of the storage medium. Payment is made by the purchase right as a consideration for the data purchase, and data related to the purchase right reduced by the payment is corrected by the management device, and the content data is sold by writing the content data to the storage medium. Sales system characterized by .

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 12 has the following means. That is,
12. The selling system according to claim 11, wherein the storage medium is a semiconductor memory, and the sold content data is encrypted by means that can be decrypted by using the individual identification information.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 13 has the following means. That is,
A storage device having content data recorded thereon and a storage medium having an OTP area, a purchase right corresponding to a monetary value is given to the storage medium by pre-charging, and writing of the content data from the recording device to the storage medium is performed. ,
And a read / write device capable of writing to an OTP area, wherein payment is made with the purchase right as a price for purchasing content data, and data relating to the purchase right reduced by the payment is stored. Writing to the OTP area of the medium,
A sales system characterized by selling content data by writing the content data to the storage medium.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 14 has the following means. That is,
14. The sales system according to claim 13, further comprising means for managing the purchase right in a coexistent manner with a management device that manages the purchase right for each individual identification information.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 15 has the following means. That is,
The storage medium is a semiconductor memory in which unique identification information is stored in advance, and the sold content data is encrypted by means that can be decrypted by using the individual identification information. Claim 1
3. The sales system according to 3.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 16 has the following means. That is,
The expiration date is set for the purchase right given to the storage medium.
5. The sales system according to 5.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 17 has the following means. That is,
It has a storage area capable of storing electronic data in a readable and writable manner, having unique individual identification information in advance, and by a predetermined terminal device, at least electronic data for distribution can be written and the individual identification information can be written. Is readable, and the individual identification information is managed by the terminal device or a predetermined management device together with related information corresponding to the individual identification information.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 18 has the following means. That is,
It has a storage area that has unique individual identification information in advance and can store electronic data in a readable and writable manner, and is encrypted by a predetermined terminal device using at least the individual identification information for distribution. Data is writable and the individual identification information is readable, and the encrypted electronic data is decrypted by decryption means using the individual identification information. Characteristic storage medium.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 19 has the following means. That is,
It has a storage area that has unique individual identification information in advance and can store electronic data in a readable and writable manner, and by a predetermined terminal device, at least the electronic data encrypted for distribution and the encrypted electronic data The individual identification information is writable and the individual identification information is readable, and in a device using electronic data, the individual identification information obtained by decrypting the encrypted individual identification information and the recording medium are used. A storage medium characterized in that the extracted electronic identification data is subjected to coincidence comparison, and the encrypted electronic data is decrypted by decryption means only when a match is determined.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 20 has the following means. That is,
A game device for using a storage medium having game software that has unique individual identification information in advance and is encrypted by means that can be decrypted using the individual identification information. A control means having a CPU, a slot for loading the recording medium, and reading individual identification information and the encrypted game software,
A display unit for displaying a predetermined game image, and an input unit for performing a game operation or the like, and decrypting the encrypted game software using the individual identification information; A game device capable of executing game software.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 21 has the following means. That is,
A control device having a CPU, which is a game device for using a game medium having unique individual identification information in advance and having encrypted encrypted game software and the encrypted individual identification information stored therein A slot for loading the recording medium, reading individual identification information and the encrypted game software, display means for displaying a predetermined game image, and input means for performing a game operation and the like. The personal identification information obtained by decrypting the encrypted individual identification information is compared with the individual identification information extracted from the recording medium, and only when a match is determined, the encrypted electronic information is obtained. A game device, wherein data is decrypted by decryption means, and the game software can be executed.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 22 has the following means. That is,
A system for providing game software for use in a portable game device, wherein the game software is usable on the portable game device via a storage medium having unique individual identification information. At the same time, the game software is written to the storage medium by a predetermined terminal device in a state where the game software is encrypted by means that can be decrypted using the individual identification information. A game software sales system characterized by the following.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 23 has the following means. That is,
A system for providing game software for use in a portable game device, wherein the game software is usable on the portable game device via a storage medium having unique individual identification information. The game software, wherein both the game software and the individual identification information are written to the storage medium by a predetermined terminal device in a state of being encrypted by a certain encryption means. Sales system.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 24 has the following means. That is,
A system for providing game software for use in a portable game device, wherein the game software is usable on the portable game device via a storage medium having unique individual identification information. At the same time, the game software is written to the storage medium by a predetermined terminal device in a state of being encrypted by means that can be decrypted using the individual identification information, A game software sales system characterized by acquiring a plurality of personal information of sold customers in association with sales of the storage medium or sales of the game software.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 25 has the following means. That is,
A system for providing game software for use in a portable game device, wherein the game software is usable on the portable game device via a storage medium having unique individual identification information. At the same time, the game software and the individual identification information are both written in the storage medium by a predetermined terminal device in a state of being encrypted by a certain encryption means. With the sale of game software,
A game software sales system characterized by acquiring a plurality of personal information of sold customers.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 26 has the following means. That is,
A system for providing game software for use in a portable game device, wherein a purchase right corresponding to a monetary value is given to the storage medium by advance charging, and the purchase right is assigned to the individual identification information. The sales system according to claim 22 or 24, wherein the sales system is managed for each.

[0033]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the storage medium 1 used in the present invention will be described. The storage medium 1 used in the present invention includes “smart media” as an example.
A small-sized memory card mounted with a NAND flash memory chip 3 (dotted line) called "Trademark of Toshiba Corporation" and having electrodes 4 formed on the surface of the main body is used. FIG.
(A) shows an external view of “smart media”. FIG.
FIG. 2B is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration concept of a storage area of the storage medium 1. As illustrated, the storage medium 1 includes a rewritable storage area 5 (RAM area) and an individual An ID area 7 for storing identification information (hereinafter referred to as “ID”) is provided, and the ID is readable and stored. The storage area 5 can store electronic data such as contents in a readable and writable manner.

The “smart media” will be described in more detail. "Smart media" is disclosed in
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 7049 or Japanese Patent Application No. 262724/1999, a card body made of a synthetic resin having a substantially rectangular and flat plate shape having a first main surface and a second main surface, and the card body A semiconductor module having a substantially rectangular and flat plate shape, which is inserted into and overlapped with the recess formed on the second main surface, and the semiconductor module disposed on the first main surface of the card body. A flat electrode pad forming an external connection terminal, the thickness of the entire memory card, that is, the thickness of the card body is set to 0.76 +/- 0.08 mm, which is the same as that of a bank card or a credit card;
The width is 37.0 mm and the length is 45.0 mm.

In this embodiment, in the case where contents such as game software are handled as electronic data as the most preferred embodiment, the card body as disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 262724 is made of synthetic resin which can be seen through. It is formed so that a pattern or a character attached to the surface (first main surface and / or second main surface) of the card main body from the first main surface and the second main surface can be seen through from surfaces opposite to each other. In addition, it is also possible to make the display of the information of the game software, which is the content, at a glance by associating the pattern or character with the information of the game software or the game software providing maker etc. taken in the smart media. .

(First Embodiment) An embodiment of a terminal device and its peripheral system, etc., characterized by using the storage medium 1 will be described below. In the present embodiment, a terminal device that can be installed in a convenience store or other stores and the peripheral technology for selling electronic data relating to game software or other contents (downloading the electronic data to the storage medium 1) are provided. A sales device 9 as shown in FIG. 2 will be described as an example of the terminal device. The vending apparatus 9 includes a control unit 11 having a CPU and other control processing units and the like, a recording unit 13, a monitor unit 15, an input unit 17, a read / write unit 19, and the like, which are integrally or separately connected to the control unit 11. Have been.

The control means 11 is a device having a function equivalent to a so-called personal computer main body, and may be a dedicated machine as the control means or a general-purpose machine as a personal computer. The control means 11 includes a hard disk (HD
D) and CD-ROM / RW, DVD-ROM / RA
Recording means 13 is provided which uses a removable recording medium such as M as a medium. The control means 11 is connected to a monitor means 15 such as a CRT and an input means 17 such as a keyboard. The input means 17 may be a touch panel type on the monitor means 15 for ease of operation. Further, the control means 11 includes the read / write means 1
9 is connected. The read / write means 19 is an input / output means for loading the storage medium 1 and reading and writing electronic data under the control of the control means 11. Further, the selling device 9 may be a stand-alone type or a device connected on the Internet, and the form is not particularly limited. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram, and when an apparatus to be actually installed is used, finishing it into an integrated apparatus is naturally performed due to its necessity. It belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

Next, a method of selling electronic data relating to contents such as game software using the selling device 9 will be described. Conventionally, a ROM cassette that has been packaged in a state in which electronic data is already burned into a mask ROM has been sold. In the present embodiment, the sales device 9 is used for the versatile storage medium 1. Sell by downloading electronic data in stores. Then, the customer uses the sales device 9 to monitor the monitor unit 1.
5, a game desired by the user by operating the keyboard, the touch panel and other input means 17 from among the plurality of choices listed in the list displayed in 5, and the reading and writing means 1
9 to the storage medium 1. Storage medium 1
After downloading the electronic data, the storage medium 1 is set in a game machine, a personal computer, etc. owned by the customer himself,
It is possible to play games and the like. An example of a specific game machine configuration will be described later as a fourth embodiment.

Next, various systems and features that can be realized by using the storage medium 1 having an ID that is unique individual identification information will be described. First, a method for preventing unauthorized copying of electronic data will be described. In the system described in the present embodiment, electronic data is stored in a versatile readable / writable RAM medium. That is, data may be easily copied to another storage medium. In the conventional method for preventing unauthorized copying, electronic data is encrypted and decrypted by the decryption data of the playback device. However, in a general-purpose RAM, the encrypted electronic data can be easily converted to other data. Since copying can be made to the RAM or other storage medium, there is an infinite number of illegal copies. On the other hand, the unauthorized copy prevention system used in the present invention uses a security function that can copy electronic data but cannot use normal electronic data except for electronic data stored in a valid storage medium. Is what you are doing.

More specifically, the DVD-R of the sales device 9
A plurality of game software programs (hereinafter referred to as “game software”) and the like are recorded in the recording means 13 such as an OM / RAM. The game software is encrypted so that it cannot be used as it is, and is decrypted by decryption key data (hereinafter, referred to as “decryption key”), which will be described later, so that it can be used as game software on a predetermined device. I have. The storage medium to which specific identification information is added and the encryption means are not particularly limited to a certain means. Request No. 28252
It is possible to use means as shown in No. 7, etc., whereby the security of copy protection is provided and the copyright of the work is protected.

As shown in FIG. 4, an example in which one game software 20 is sold using “smart media” as the storage medium 1 will be described. At the stage of selling the game software 20, the game software 20 recorded in the recording means 13 of the sales device 9 is downloaded to the storage medium 1 purchased by the customer from a predetermined store or the like. At the time of this download, the ID unique to the storage medium 1 is read by the control means 11 by the read / write means 19. Next, the encrypted game software 20 is downloaded to the storage medium 1. At the same time, data including a decryption key 21 for decrypting the game software 20 protected by security means such as encryption using an ID inherent in the storage medium 1 is also stored in the storage medium 1 at the same time. You.

The decryption key 21 will be described. Decryption key 21
Can be the same area of the recording means 13 as the individually and strictly security-controlled recording means 13 or another individually and strictly security-controlled recording means 14
And at least one or more are provided for each game software. The decryption key 21 is written on the storage medium 1 together with the download of the game software 20. The decryption key 21 written on the storage medium 1 Encryption is performed using an ID.

One specific example of encryption using the ID of the storage medium 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a decryption key 21 encrypted with an ID (media ID), which is individual identification information of the storage medium 1, is used as a content KEY to “encrypt” and “decrypt” the content data as the game software 20. Create as Media KEY22. Thereafter, the storage medium 1 downloads and takes in the game software 20 and the medium KEY 22 encrypted with the decryption key 21 from the terminal device 9 as a sales device. Next, a game machine 10 as an electronic device using the game software 20 downloaded to the storage medium 1
When enjoying the game software in Step 1, as shown in FIG.
The game machine 101 receives the ID stored in the storage medium 1, the encrypted game software 20, and the media KEY 22 paired with the encrypted game software to be taken out. The game machine 101 receives the received media key 2
2 is decrypted with the ID to generate a decryption key 21. With this decryption key 21, the encrypted game software 20 is decrypted,
The original game software 20 is taken out and the game is played on the game machine 101 and enjoyed. However, storage medium 1
If the encrypted game software 20 that has been imported into the
Since the decryption key 21 generated by decrypting the ID 22 with the ID is different from the correct decryption key of the game software 20, the game machine issues a warning and stops the subsequent processing.
The above is one specific example of content encryption.

Another specific example of encryption will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the ID of the storage medium 1 is combined with the decryption key 21. In this merging method, the ID is divided into n parts, and the IDs are scattered in n places of the decryption key 21 based on a certain rule. The larger n is, the more complex and
The load on the CPU / MPU is also heavy, but the security is higher. For example, if n = 2,
In other words, a method of dividing the data into two and adding them before and after the decryption key 21 can be considered. This time, the example of FIG. 8 shows the case where n = 1, which is the simplest case. That is, the ID is used as the decryption key 21
It is a method of just combining before and after. This union is used as another secret key (common key), here, scramble K
Encrypted with what is called EY103, media K
Create EY22. The storage medium 1 downloads the game software 20 encrypted with the decryption key 21 and the media KEY 22 from the terminal device 9 serving as a vending device. The above is another specific example of content encryption.

Next, the game machine 101 executes the game software 20.
When enjoying the game, the game machine 101 stores the ID stored in the storage medium 1, the encrypted game software 20, and the media KEY 22 paired with the encrypted game software 20 to be taken out as shown in FIG. receive. The game machine 101 decrypts the received media key 22 with the scramble key 103, which is a secret key (common key) held in the game machine 101, and extracts the decryption key 21 and the ID. The extracted ID and the ID directly received from the storage medium 1 are compared, and if they are the same, the encrypted game software 20 is decrypted with the decryption key 21 and the next game software data is retrieved. Proceed to step. Here, if the result of the comparison is different, the encrypted game software 20 taken into the storage medium 1 is determined to have been copied by unauthorized means, and
Issues a warning and stops the subsequent processing. From these two specific methods, the ID of the storage medium 1 determines whether the encrypted game software 20 loaded into the storage medium 1 has been properly captured or illegally copied.
Can be determined.

As means for preventing illegal copying by using the unique individual identification information, there is no need to use the individual identification information itself as a part of a means for encrypting content data which is electronic data. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the terminal device 201 encrypts the individual identification information 207 itself by a certain encryption means (encrypted individual identification information 20).
9) the storage medium 2 together with the content data 211 encrypted by another means independently of the individual identification information 207;
03, the game device 205 pulls out both the encrypted individual identification information 209 and the flat individual identification information 207 of the storage medium 203 itself, and determines a match. A method of performing a type of authentication on the game device 205 side so that the decryption process of the encrypted content data 209 proceeds may be adopted.

In the above example of the vending machine 9, as a method of recording in another individually and strictly security-controlled recording means, the control means 11 transmits a "KeyBo".
A box, such as a simple safe, that can store a decryption key called "x" can be provided. This "keyBox"
Is provided with a security structure such as mutual authentication for recognizing the validity of the storage medium 1 after being docked with the control means 11, and then the necessary decryption key 2
1 can be taken out. In order to maintain security, it is desirable to perform one-on-one management and operation in which the game software 20 and the “keyBox” are updated in a fixed period.

The above-described apparatus and system prevent unauthorized copying of electronic data downloaded to the storage medium 1, thereby enabling customer management as described below. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIG. In addition to the functions described above, the vending apparatus 9 collects and manages various types of personal data such as downloaded electronic data, IDs of downloaded storage media, and addresses, names, ages, and mail addresses of customers who own the storage media 1. It has the function to do. For this purpose, it is necessary to link and acquire various personal data with the ID of the storage medium 1 before selling the storage medium 1. Therefore, at the time of downloading to the storage medium 1, the personal data of the customer and the electronic data of the sales record can be obtained, so that various sales data analysis can be performed in addition to customer management. Storage medium 1
By using this ID, illegal copy does not occur,
Accurate sales data can be accumulated, and there is little room for errors or the like in the link between sales data and customer data. That is, accurate information is assured.
Further, if the vending machine 9 is connected to the Internet line 23 or the like, the customer data can be collected in one place and centrally managed. This means that by using IDs, domestic and worldwide, reliable purchase and customer data can be secured. There are various ways to use this customer data, and in general,
Analyze the trend of game software and the genre of game software desired by each customer group. Based on this analysis, provide information tailored to each customer's individual taste with the aim of more efficient customer sales. Various utilization methods can be expected, such as introduction of new games and the like that suit individual tastes.

(Second Embodiment) Next, as another embodiment, as a method of downloading electronic data such as game software to the storage medium 1 used in the present invention, as shown in FIG. A method for downloading electronic data from a predetermined content server 31 via the Internet will be described. In the present embodiment, the content server 3
As a method of writing the electronic data downloaded from the storage medium 1 to the storage medium 1, a personal computer 33 (3
3a, 33b, 33c, 33d...) Or read / write means 35 which is an input / output means connected to a dedicated vending machine. The read / write unit 35 is formed so that the thin storage medium 1 formed as a “smart media” can be freely inserted and removed similarly to the above-described example.
The electronic data is read and written in the inserted state. The storage medium 1 to which the electronic data has been downloaded may be used on the personal computer 33 while being connected to the read / write means 35, or may be used for driving another device (for example, a portable game machine).

The content server 31 is provided with a hard disk, a DVD-ROM / RAM, and other recording means (not shown) as means for storing electronic data such as game software, and stores a plurality of game software. ing. As in the above-described example, the game software 20 to be downloaded is encrypted, and is decrypted by the decryption key 21 so that the game software 20 can be used by a predetermined device. The means for encrypting and the means for decrypting are the same as in the above-described example.

Each game software recorded in the content server 31 is downloaded to the customer's personal computer 33 in accordance with a request using the customer's personal computer 33 (hereinafter referred to as “download request”). At the time of this download request, the ID inherent in the storage medium 1 is transmitted to the content server 31 at the same time. The game software 20 downloaded by the download request is electronic data encrypted as described above, and is encrypted by the above-described ID transmitted to the content server 31 at the same time as the download of the game software 20. The decryption key 21 for decrypting the game software 20 is also stored in the storage medium 1 via the customer's personal computer 33 and the read / write means 35. Note that, in this case, the data may be temporarily stored on the hard disk of the personal computer 33 and transferred to the storage medium 1 instead of being directly written to the storage medium 1. Hereinafter, the description of security and the like is the same as the example described in the above embodiment. Although not described here, a key server 37 only for a decryption key 21 different from the content server 31 for the game software 20 is used.
Can also be prepared.

(Third Embodiment) Next, the first embodiment described above
Alternatively, a sales system for selling game software and other contents suitable for the second embodiment will be described.
In summary, the feature of the third embodiment is that when purchasing "smart media" as the recording medium 1, the purchase price includes a right to purchase the content in advance (hereinafter simply referred to as "purchase right"). The system checks the presence or absence (remaining) of the purchase right, and if the purchase right remains, permits the sale of the content and sells the content, and if the purchase right does not remain, restricts the sale of the content.

As described above, the purchase right is obtained by paying the price of the storage medium 1 and the price of the game software and the like at the time of purchase of the storage medium 1, thereby obtaining the ownership of the storage medium 1. And the right to download game software and the like to the storage medium 1. In short, the storage medium 1 can be handled in the same manner as a prepaid card having a predetermined monetary value. And a method of managing and restricting the purchase right by storing purchase information in the storage medium 1. Further, a more thorough management may be performed by a combination of both. Hereinafter, the former example will be described in detail as a “server management method” and the latter example as a “medium management method”, taking sales of game software as an example. The content to be sold does not necessarily have to be limited to game software, but may be music, images, videos, and other data related to various contents.

The “server management system” will be described.
In the “server management method”, a system having the configuration shown in FIG. 12 is used as an example. The system having the configuration shown in FIG. 12 is preferably a system which is preferably applied to the above-described first embodiment and the second embodiment at the same time. However, the description overlaps with the above description. Therefore, only the third embodiment will be described without including the first and second embodiments. In FIG. 12, 61
(61a, 61b...) Are game software vending devices having substantially the same functions as the vending device 9 described in the first embodiment, and a control device including a CPU or the like for controlling the entire device, a game device, and the like. A recording device for recording software and the like, having a communication device for connecting to the Internet line 63,
Further, it has a monitor device 65, an input device 67, a read / write device 69, and the like. The vending apparatus 61 is installed and used in a convenience store, a game shop, and / or other stores. A content server 71 for distributing game software to each sales device 61 is connected to the Internet line 63, and a management server 73 is further connected to the content server 71. The content server 7
1 can also function as the management server 73, and in this case, the management server 73 can be omitted. Also, instead of providing the content server 71 specially, game software as content can be recorded in the vending device 9 itself.

Using the system having the above configuration,
Each of the customers A and B purchases desired game software through the vending device 61 using the storage media 1a and 1b that have been paid and purchased respectively. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow from the purchase of the storage medium 1 to the purchase of game software as content (hereinafter referred to as “download” or “DL” as appropriate) in the “server management method”. Hereinafter, a specific example of the present system will be described with reference to FIG. 11 together with a flow from purchase of the storage medium 1 to download of game software as content.

As step 1, the customer A purchases the storage medium 1 by paying the purchase price to a predetermined store 75. The purchase price of the storage medium 1 includes a purchase right to download the game software from the sales device 9 in advance. The purchase right has a monetary value as a purchase price for the game. Note that the information as the purchase right does not necessarily have to be a monetary unit, and may be expressed by the number of times the game software can be purchased. Then step 2
The game software is downloaded using the storage medium 1. Specifically, the storage medium 1 is mounted on the read / write device 69 of the sales device 61 shown in FIG.
Is operated by operating the input device 67 in accordance with the instructions and menu displayed on the content server 71 or the game software recorded on the vending device 61 itself from the vending device 9.

A mechanism for downloading the game software from the content server 71 in which the content is recorded using the selling device 61 via the selling device 9 will be described with reference to the configuration diagram shown in FIG. The customer A attaches the storage medium 1 purchased by himself / herself to the read / write device 69 of the vending device 61. The customer A operates the input device 67 in accordance with an instruction or menu displayed on the monitor device 65, and displays a menu screen such as “Game1” or “Game2” in the illustrated menu screen.
Select the desired game software from “Game3”. By selecting the game software, a download (DL) request for the game software is transmitted from the sales device 61 to the content server 71. Then, the transmission data to the content server 71 relating to the download request includes information designating the selected game software and an ID that is the unique identification information of the storage medium 1.

Next, as step 3, the content server 71 transmits transmission data relating to the download request to the management server 73. In step 4, the content of the transmission data relating to the download request received by the management server 73 via the content server 71 is confirmed. The management server 73 stores, for each ID unique to each storage medium, the name of the customer who purchased the storage medium 1, the expiration date of the storage medium 1, the purchase history of the game software, and the balance as purchase right. It has recorded management data 79. The management data 79 is compared with the transmission data relating to the download request, and the balance of the ID used in the download request is confirmed. If there is a balance corresponding to the price of the predetermined game software, the amount (the balance) obtained by subtracting the price of the game software from the balance data of the management data 79 is recorded as step 5 and downloaded as the purchase history of the game software. The game software name and the like are recorded, and subsequently, as step 6, an instruction to execute the transmission of the game software is issued to the content server 71. Is Of course, the download of the game software to the storage medium 1 here is provided with an encryption means based on the ID as described above so as to prevent unauthorized copying and have a security function. Needless to say. In step S4, if the ID of the storage medium used for the download request is confirmed, and the balance is insufficient, a message in step 8 indicating that the download is refused is sent to the sales device 6.
1 and the customer is notified accordingly. After the game software has been downloaded to the storage medium 1 according to the above flow, the storage medium 1 is set in a game machine, a personal computer, or the like owned by the customer himself / herself, as in a fourth embodiment described later, so that a predetermined amount is set. It is possible to play games and the like. Also at this time, the execution is performed after the encrypted game software is decrypted, as described above.

The expiration date (expiration date) of the storage medium 1
Can also be managed. In other words, after purchasing the storage medium 1, a time limit for downloading the game software is determined in advance. This is a function provided for the following reason. That is, the management server 7
When the purchase right is centrally managed by the ID No. 3, the number of IDs to be managed increases as the number of storage media sold increases, and the data amount also increases accordingly. However, there is a certain limit in the storage capacity and processing capacity of the management device (such as the management server 71), so that it is necessary to delete the stored data. As a means for this, the purchase right can be set to an expiration date within a range that is appropriate for the customer.
Further, by setting the expiration date in this way, the customer is motivated to purchase the game software, and is effective in effectively using the sold storage medium. Needless to say, even after the expiration of the validity period, the function as a removable and versatile storage medium does not change, and it can be used for a device such as a digital camera or an MP3 player.

The operation and effect of the “server management method” of the third embodiment described above will be described. As described above, when the game software is downloaded by the sales device 61, the purchase information of the game software on the storage medium 1 is sent to the management server 73 via the sales device 61 and managed as management data 79. . In this way, by centrally managing data based on the ID of the storage medium 1, the storage medium 1 can be used like a prepaid card for purchasing game software. Therefore, when the customer purchases the game software on the selling device 61, the customer simply inserts the storage medium 1 into the slot (read / write device 69) of the selling device 61 and downloads the game software as long as the purchase right remains. be able to. Of course, it is not necessary to use all rights at once, and rights can be reserved for later. From the above, there is an effect that the customer is released from the trouble of having to pay for the game software in some form each time the game software is purchased. This was not possible with the sale of one-package cassette-type ROM, which was the main sales form of conventional game software. Also, the first
As in the embodiment, in addition to the management of the purchase right based on the ID, by collecting and analyzing the customer information, the sales company 77 can develop and sell efficient game software. Have.

The "medium management system" will be described. The medium management method is similar to the server management method described above in that the purchase right is assigned to the storage medium 1 and the game software is sold, but the purchase right information is stored in the storage medium 1 itself. It differs from the former in that It should be noted that the “server management method” and the “medium management method” are not contradictory methods, and it is possible to implement both at the same time. Less than,
This will be specifically described.

The storage medium 1 has an area for storing an ID as described above, and this area is an OTP (One
Time PROM), which is an area where data can be written only once. ID is storage medium 1
Is unique data provided in advance at the time of manufacture of the
There is also left an area where other data can be stored. This O
Using the unused portion of the TP area, information on the purchase right can be stored. In the case of the above-mentioned “smart media”, since the data of “L” among the binary codes to be stored cannot be rewritten to “H” in the OTP area, the unused codes of the OTP area are not used. The portion is set in advance to “H” data, and can be stored as information by setting a “L” flag under a rule set in the area where the unused OTP is set. It has become.

The information setting of the purchase right can be performed by using an example method as shown in FIG. That is, O
The predetermined four bits of the TP area are used for managing the purchase right. Since the L flag can be set only once in each 4-bit area, five combinations are possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, if no flag is set for each bit, the balance is 8,000.
It is a yen, and if all the bits are flagged, the balance is 0 yen. In this way, the balance in the storage medium 1 is managed by leaving a record in the OTP area of the storage medium 1, and is used like a prepaid card. The 4-bit is an example, and the money data can be finely managed by further increasing the number of bits. Note that the information as the purchase right does not necessarily have to be a monetary unit, and may be expressed by the number of times the game software can be purchased. In the third embodiment, a system similar to the prepaid card system, which is a prepaid billing system, is adopted. However, game software or the like to be purchased (downloaded) by appropriate means can be easily stored in another storage medium. If unauthorized copying is performed, the prepaid card system will not function properly. As described above, it is extremely desirable to employ the illegal copy prevention method employed in the first and second embodiments in order to prevent such a state.

The operation of the “medium management system” of the third embodiment described above will be described. Explaining in the above-described example, the information recorded in the OTP area is confirmed using the vending device 61, it is determined whether or not the purchase right remains, and then the game software is sold. The use of the purchase right corresponding to the game price can be stored in the storage medium 1. The vending device 61 does not necessarily need to be connected to the management server 73, and can be used as an independent device.

(Fourth Embodiment) The storage medium 1 described above
FIG. 1 shows an example of use of a portable game device.
5 (a) and FIG. 15 (b). FIG.
(A) is a storage medium 1 called “smart media”
The game game cartridge 113 of the current mask ROM is provided with a slot 115 to indirectly
15 is an example in which a slot 123 is provided directly in the portable game apparatus 121 and inserted. Each of the portable game devices 111 and 121 is provided with a game program provided by the storage medium 1 and is executed. Is built-in.

When the storage medium 1 is indirectly inserted by providing the slot 115 in the current mask ROM type game cartridge 113, the security function for copy protection described above can be incorporated in the cartridge. With the game device 111 that can use the current mask ROM game cartridge,
You can run and enjoy the game software captured in smart media. On the other hand, when the direct slot 123 of the storage medium 1 is provided in the game device main body 121, a new game device is created in order to incorporate the security function for copy protection described above. I need to go. Even in this case, by duplicating the functions in the game device,
A game device can be created while maintaining compatibility so that a current mask ROM game cartridge can be used.

As an example of the security function for the copy protection, as in the first to third embodiments, the storage medium 1 stored in the storage medium 1 is used.
The ID, which is the unique individual identification information, the encrypted electronic data serving as the game program, and the encrypted decryption key are read, and the game device returns to the electronic data that can execute the game software. The outline of the function is to sequentially execute a function of first decrypting the encrypted decryption key based on the ID which is the individual identification information of the storage medium 1 and decrypting the electronic data with the decrypted decryption key. . Then, by decoding the electronic data, a predetermined game can be played. up until this point,
Although it has been described that all electronic data of the game software is taken into the recording medium 1 of the smart media as encrypted data, it is not always necessary to encrypt all the game software data. For example, a game software generally has a relatively small-capacity execution program portion and a large-capacity general data portion as its background. What is important is the part of the execution program that controls the sequentials of the game software. This is an efficient method because the encryption is sufficient for a portion that requires a relatively small capacity. Thus, the security protection of the electronic data by the partial encryption of the game software is not against the gist of the present invention. In the case of partial encryption, the time required for decrypting the encrypted data is reduced, and the load on the control means is reduced.

[0068]

Next, several embodiments related to the application of the present invention will be described. (Embodiment 1) As described above, various techniques according to the present application are:
Instead of selling content such as game software by selling the recording medium itself such as a ROM cassette or CD-ROM as in the past, selling by downloading to a semiconductor memory with an ID such as "smart media" It is related to a system or the like that performs. As described above, as an example of an embodiment that can be realized by using the semiconductor memory with ID, it is possible to set an expiration date for game software to be sold by download. The specific expiration date is set by the selling device 9 in the first embodiment, by the content server 31 or a separately provided management server in the second embodiment, or by the management server 71 in the third embodiment. This can be performed by recording in the OTP area included in No. 1 or by adding a time-limited function to the game software itself. The specific expiration date is arbitrarily set according to the sales strategy of the sales company or the contents of the game software itself. In addition, customers who want to maintain the game software beyond the expiration date will be repurchased, and at the time of repurchase, continue the setting by continuing the game software continuation information. It is also possible to provide services that will give you. The price of the game software can be set to be reduced depending on the validity period, whether the game software is new or old, whether the game software is re-purchased, or the like. (Effect) By setting the expiration date as described above,
For example, the following effects can be obtained. The provision of game software in a RAM system is itself a concept of purchasing game software by downloading it to a media card possessed by an individual. Therefore, unless the media card is sold off, the used market as a secondary game market is established. Although it is unlikely to occur, by setting the expiration date, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a used market as a set secondary game market. As a result of the conventional recording medium sales format, customers who have been tired of using the game software for a certain period of time sell the recording medium to a second-hand retailer and purchase new game software or purchase another used game. That you are no longer doing. This is extremely important also when information is to be unified and managed in an integrated manner using the ID that is the individual identification information of the storage medium. For a game software sales company, which is an evil of the used market, after a certain period from the release,
With the advent of second-hand games, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the sales volume of a game as a legitimate product has dropped extremely, and the production of the game has been forced to end at that time. This has the effect of preventing the use of the used market by setting the expiration date of the game software, and unlike the sale of game software using ROM, the number of purchases of the game software once introduced at least never This has the effect that it is not necessary to discard the disc. Thus, it is attractive to customers to keep selling all game software even for old games.

(Embodiment 2) As an application of the example in which the expiration date is set, a trial portion can be set up to a certain portion of the game software. In other words, once the game software is purchased by the customer,
If you do not like the result of playing, you can include refund of the purchase right and prohibition of using the game software. By providing such a function, it is possible to screen out game software that is not interesting and unacceptable to customers, and only high-quality game software remains in the market. Also,
It can also be used for the next game software development. Furthermore, for trial game software up to a predetermined location,
The copy protection function can be canceled to allow copying between customers. In this case, the game software distributed as the trial game software has limited functions as a game, and if you want to play the game, you will be required to purchase it using the purchase right. . Therefore, the trial game software portion is widely distributed to a large number of customers by free copy, and serves as an advertising effect for having regular purchase of the game software.

(Embodiment 3) In the technology according to the present invention, as described above, customer management depending on individual identification information of a storage medium such as "smart media" is possible, and the frequency of purchase of game software and the like can be reduced. Accordingly, various benefits can be given to the customer. As a privilege system, for example, for customers who have purchased game software for a certain amount or a certain number of times before the expiration date, discounts on the purchase price of storage media such as smart media and the purchase price of game software,
One free download of game software can be implemented. In addition, it is also possible to provide a storage medium such as "smart media" or game software free of charge, provide goods, or the like by issuing a winning ticket to the individual identification information.

(Embodiment 4) In the technology according to the present application, since the medium is not sold by a conventional ROM cassette or CD-ROM or the like, it is possible to purchase the desired game software by downloading it to a storage medium at any time. Has features. In other words, the game should be
The game mode is changed from a game in which game software is stored in a mask ROM cassette to a removable and rewritable storage medium such as “smart media”, that is, a game mode in which only game software is loaded into RAM. As described above, by changing the way of the game, the following game software can be provided. In other words, some game software can be downloaded to the storage medium as long as the storage capacity permits, but it is possible to give the game software to be downloaded sequentially some sort of association. As an example, for each downloaded game software, components that include the completion of the main story and the intro of the next game can be included. Therefore, it is possible to provide a game software having a concept that has not existed before as a “connecting game” that is sequentially connected to the next game while being individual game software. In addition, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the game software, but can be applied to various contents.

(Embodiment 6) Since the technology according to the present application stores contents such as game software in a storage medium, it can be used to distribute a number of contents having a relatively small capacity. As described above, a dedicated vending device, a personal computer of a customer connected to the Internet, or the like can be used for the distribution, but content distribution using a mobile phone is also possible. In addition, by providing a storage medium read / write device that can be connected to a mobile phone, the use range of the technology according to the present invention is widened. Also, the distribution method can be changed depending on the content capacity. In other words, in the case of contents having a concept such as the above-mentioned "connecting game", distribution of a monthly or weekly game software, that is, a relatively large-capacity game software, through a mobile phone (mobile Ne-phone) when connected via the Internet.
t) can be properly used depending on the capacity of the game software such as distribution of weekly magazines or daily newspaper game software, that is, game software having a relatively small capacity.

[0073]

The effects of the present invention will be described below. That is, in the terminal device and the sales system according to the first to fourth aspects, unlike the game software using a mask ROM conventionally sold as a one-package type, the customer can arbitrarily select and purchase the favorite game software. It has the effect that it can be done. In addition, it is possible to purchase multiple game software using one recording medium, and it is not necessary to purchase all of the games at once, it is also possible to purchase each time a new title game comes out Therefore, different types of data can be stored at the same time. Further, since the terminal device has a management means for reading and managing the ID as the individual identification information of the recording medium, the terminal device obtains the management data such as sales information and customer information, thereby obtaining the next period. This has the effect that it can be used effectively for the production of game software and sales strategies.

The terminal device and the sales system according to claims 5 to 8 have the following effects in addition to the above effects. That is, regardless of whether the terminal device is a store-installed terminal or a terminal such as a personal computer owned by a customer, the distribution of electronic data as contents is performed using the Internet line, so that the latest game Alternatively, there is an effect that it is possible to provide various types of content such as an old game which has been sold out in the past as a one-package type and has been discontinued. Furthermore, in the case of a terminal installed in a store, even if the terminal device does not have a large number of game titles, it can be promptly provided to customers by acquiring it through the Internet line. Have.

The management device according to the ninth aspect has the following effects. That is, since the ID as the individual identification information of the storage medium can be managed in association with the purchase information and the customer information as the management data, analysis of the tendency of the game software and the genre of the game software desired by each customer group, In addition, with the aim of more efficient customer sales based on that, it is expected that various utilization methods can be expected, such as providing information tailored to the personal taste of the customer and introducing new games etc. tailored to the personal taste. Has an effect.

The management apparatus according to the tenth aspect has the following effects in addition to the above effects. That is, it is possible to centrally manage a large number of electronic data for distribution, and to quickly distribute the electronic data to a large number of terminal devices.

The invention according to claim 11 of the present application has the following effects. That is, at the time of purchase of the storage medium, the amount of money including the price of the storage medium itself and the purchase price of content such as game software to be sold (downloaded) later is paid to the sales company. That is, the purchase price of the content is pre-charged, and the customer does not need to pay money each time the content is purchased, but simply attaches the storage medium to a predetermined device and obtains the desired content and obtains the payment. This has the effect that payment can be made automatically.
In particular, when purchasing small-volume content or low-priced content in several batches, or when selecting and purchasing from a number of content items in view of the data volume and unit price of the content. , Is a very effective selling method that does not require you to pay for each purchase,
Since the purchase price is sold together with the ROM itself like a ROM cassette, it can be set finely depending on the size of the data of the game software, the fun of the contents of the game software, etc. You can do something like that.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention has the following effects. That is, in addition to the above effects, since the data relating to the content to be sold is protected from unauthorized copying, there is an effect that the reliability of this sales system, which is a pre-charging method, can be maintained. ing.

The invention according to claim 13 of the present application has the following effects. That is, in addition to the above-described effects, another effect for managing the purchase right can be provided.

The invention according to claim 14 of the present application has the following effects. That is, in addition to the above effects, the recording of the purchase right possessed by the storage medium can be performed on the storage medium, so that there is no need for an apparatus for managing the purchase right.

The fifteenth aspect of the present invention has the following effects. That is, in addition to the above effects,
Since the data relating to the content to be sold is protected from unauthorized copying, there is an effect that the reliability of the present sales system, which is a pre-charging method, can be maintained.

The invention according to claim 16 of the present application has the following effects. That is, in addition to the above-described effects, maintaining the purchase right in each storage medium indefinitely means that the management device that manages the purchase right needs to store the management data indefinitely. But,
Since there is a certain limit in the storage capacity and management ability of the management apparatus, a situation occurs in which management is impossible. Therefore, by setting an expiration date on the purchase right, it is possible to cope with the above situation by deleting data on the purchase right whose expiration date has passed. In addition, the expiration date is set for the customer, which also motivates the customer to purchase the game software.

The storage medium according to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention has a storage area for reading and writing electronic data, which is unique individual identification information, so that, for example, game software or the like can be used. When used for sale, various data can be recorded and managed using its unique individual identification information. The management data includes sales information, customer information, and the like, and can be effectively used for the production of the next game and the sales strategy. Furthermore, even if the game software is no longer needed after it has been used for sale, for example, it can be used as a RAM for another device. To explain with a specific example,
"Smart media" optimal as a storage medium of the present invention
Is a highly versatile storage medium that is now used in various models, including digital cameras. Therefore, even if the game becomes tired and becomes unnecessary, it can be secondary-used as a storage medium for a digital camera, so that there is no waste. Therefore, the present invention of the present application makes it possible to reduce the price of the storage medium by making the storage medium more widespread, and it is possible to realize a lower price required as a storage medium for game software for game devices. ing.

The storage medium according to the eighteenth and nineteenth aspects of the present invention has the following effects in addition to the above effects. That is, ID which is unique individual identification information
By having an advanced security function for electronic data, it is possible to prevent the flooding of illegal goods due to illegal copying, thereby eliminating the obstacles to normal sales activities, This has the effect that sales information and customer information can be maintained as highly reliable data.

The game device according to the present invention has the following effects. In other words, the game device uses a storage medium that has unique individual identification information in advance and stores game software encrypted by means that can be decrypted using the individual identification information. can do. Therefore,
This has the effect of eliminating the use of game software due to unauthorized copying and ensuring the proper sale and use of game software.

Further, the sales system according to claims 22 and 23 according to the present invention has the following effects. That is, it is possible to ensure the proper sale and use of the game software related to the sale, and to provide an inexpensive and easy-to-use system for the customer.

The sales system according to claims 24 and 25 according to the present invention has the following effects in addition to the above effects. That is, since the customer information can be acquired with the sale of the game software, the customer's taste and market trends can be grasped by analyzing the customer information, and various services and products for the customer can be obtained. It has the effect that it can be used for development.

The sales system according to claim 26 of the present invention has the following effects in addition to the above effects. In other words, advance billing can be performed using the information held in the storage medium, so that the sales side can manage and restrict the purchase right of the storage medium, and the customer can pay for each time. This makes it possible to provide an easy-to-use system that does not require payment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a storage medium of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a terminal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the terminal device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of selling game software according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating encryption of game software according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for describing decoding of game software according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of encryption of game software according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of decoding of game software according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining copy protection means of game software used in the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining data management according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the game selling system of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration related to a game sales system of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating money management of a storage medium according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of money management of a storage medium according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram related to the game device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 ID Individual identification information A Customer 1 Storage medium 3 NAND flash memory chip 4 Electrode 5 Storage area (RAM area) 7 ID area 9 Vending device 11 Control means 13 Recording means 14 Recording means 15 Monitoring means 17 Input means 19 Reading / writing means 20 Game Software (contents) 21 Decryption key (contents key) 22 Media KEY 23 Internet line 31 Content server 33 Personal computer 35 Read / write means 61 Sales device 63 Internet line 65 Monitor device 67 Input device 69 Read / write device 71 Content server 73 Management server 75 Dealer 77 Sales company 79 Management data 101 Game machine 103 Scramble key, (secret key), (common key)

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for reading and writing electronic data from / to a storage medium which has a unique individual identification information in advance and has a storage area capable of storing electronic data in a readable / writable manner. Recording means for recording electronic data for distribution, and at least read / write means for reading the individual identification information and writing the electronic data, and corresponding the individual identification information to the individual identification information. A terminal device having a management function of storing and managing together with related information. 2. An apparatus for reading and writing electronic data from / to a storage medium which has a unique individual identification information in advance and has a storage area capable of storing electronic data in a readable and writable manner. Control means having a CPU, recording means for recording electronic data for distribution,
Monitoring means, input means for performing operations on the device, and at least reading and writing means for reading the individual identification information and writing the electronic data, and wherein the individual identification information is A terminal device having a management function of storing and managing together with related information corresponding to (i). 3. The related information managed in accordance with the individual identification information includes at least personal information of a person who uses the recording medium. Terminal device. 4. A system for selling electronic data relating to contents, wherein the electronic data is sold by writing the electronic data to a storage medium. A sales system using the terminal device described in Crab. 5. An apparatus for reading and writing said electronic data from / to a storage medium which has a unique individual identification information in advance and has a storage area capable of storing electronic data in a readable and writable manner. A read / write unit for reading at least the individual identification information and writing the electronic data, and a communication unit for communicating with a separately provided management device via a network, and the management device A terminal device having a function of transmitting the individual identification information and the related information to the management unit so as to manage the identification information and the associated information corresponding to the individual identification information. 6. An apparatus for reading and writing said electronic data from / to a storage medium having a unique individual identification information in advance and having a storage area capable of storing electronic data in a readable / writable manner. Control means having a CPU, recording means for recording electronic data for distribution,
Monitoring means, input means for performing operations on the device, reading and writing means for reading at least the individual identification information, and writing the electronic data, and communicating with a separately provided management device via a network. And a communication unit for performing the operation of transmitting the individual identification information and the related information to the management unit so that the management device manages the individual identification information and the related information corresponding to the individual identification information. A terminal device characterized by the above-mentioned. 7. The related information managed according to the individual identification information includes at least personal information of a person who uses the recording medium. Terminal device. 8. A system for selling electronic data relating to contents, wherein the electronic data is sold by writing the electronic data to a storage medium. A sales system using the terminal device described in Crab. 9. A device for managing information transmitted from a plurality of terminal devices via a network, wherein the terminal devices have unique individual identification information in advance and are capable of reading and writing electronic data. An apparatus for reading and writing the electronic data on a storage medium having a storage area for storing the data, and at least reading and writing means for reading the individual identification information and writing the electronic data. And a communication device for communicating with the management device via a network, wherein the information is the individual identification information and related information corresponding to the individual identification information. 10. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein electronic data relating to content to be transmitted to said terminal device is recorded, and said electronic data is transmitted in response to a request from a terminal device connected via a network. The management device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein 11. A storage unit for storing content data and a storage medium for storing unique individual identification information in advance,
A management device that gives a purchase right corresponding to a monetary value to the storage medium by pre-charging, and manages the purchase right for each piece of the individual identification information; A system having read / write means for writing to a storage medium and reading identification information of the storage medium,
The payment by the purchase right is performed as a price for the purchase of the content data, and the data related to the purchase right reduced by the payment is corrected by the management device, and the content data is sold by writing the content data to the storage medium. A sales system characterized by the following. 12. The storage medium is a semiconductor memory,
12. The selling system according to claim 11, wherein the sold content data is encrypted by means that can be decrypted by using the individual identification information. 13. A storage device having content data recorded thereon and a storage medium having an OTP area, a purchase right corresponding to a monetary value is given to the storage medium by pre-charging, and A system having a read / write device capable of writing content data to and writing to an OTP area, wherein the payment by the purchase right is made as a consideration for the purchase of the content data, and the payment is reduced by the payment. A sales system wherein data relating to a purchase right is written into the OTP area of a storage medium, and the content data is sold by writing the content data into the storage medium. 14. The sales system according to claim 13, further comprising means for managing the purchase right in the same period as a management device that manages the individual right of purchase for each individual identification information. 15. The storage medium is a semiconductor memory in which unique identification information is stored in advance, and the sold content data is encrypted by means that can be decrypted by using the individual identification information. 14. The sales system according to claim 13, wherein: 16. The sales system according to claim 11, wherein an expiration date is set for the purchase right given to the storage medium. 17. A storage area having unique individual identification information in advance and storing electronic data in a readable / writable manner, and at least electronic data for distribution can be written by a predetermined terminal device. The individual identification information is readable together with the individual identification information, along with related information corresponding to the individual identification information,
A storage medium characterized by being managed by the terminal device or a predetermined management device. 18. A storage area having unique individual identification information in advance and storing electronic data in a readable and writable manner, and using a predetermined terminal device at least using the individual identification information for distribution. Encrypted electronic data is writable and the individual identification information is readable, and the encrypted electronic data is decrypted by decryption means using the individual identification information. A storage medium characterized by comprising: 19. A storage area having unique individual identification information in advance and capable of storing electronic data in a readable and writable manner, wherein at least a predetermined terminal device encrypts at least electronic data that is encrypted for distribution. The encrypted individual identification information is writable and the individual identification information is readable, and in an apparatus using electronic data, the individual identification information obtained by decrypting the encrypted individual identification information. Performing a match comparison between the information and the individual identification information extracted from the recording medium, and only when a match is determined, the encrypted electronic data is decrypted by decryption means. Storage media. 20. Use of a storage medium having game software that has unique individual identification information in advance and is encrypted by means that can be decrypted using the individual identification information. Control device having a CPU, a slot for mounting the recording medium, reading individual identification information and the encrypted game software, and displaying a predetermined game image. Means, and input means for performing a game operation or the like,
A game device wherein the encrypted game software is decrypted using the individual identification information, and the game software can be executed. 21. A game device for using a game medium having unique individual identification information in advance and having encrypted encrypted game software and the encrypted individual identification information stored therein, comprising: Control means comprising: a slot for reading the individual identification information and the encrypted game software; a display means for displaying a predetermined game image; and a game operation. Input means, and compares the individual identification information obtained by decrypting the encrypted individual identification information with the individual identification information extracted from the recording medium, and only when a match is determined, does the encryption A game device, wherein the converted electronic data is decrypted by decryption means so that the game software can be executed. 22. A system for providing game software for use in a portable game device, wherein the game software is provided via a storage medium having unique individual identification information. The game software is written in the storage medium by a predetermined terminal device while being encrypted by means that can be decrypted using the individual identification information. A game software sales system characterized by the following. 23. A system for providing game software for use in a portable game device, wherein the game software is provided via a storage medium having unique individual identification information. And the game software and the individual identification information are both
A game software sales system wherein a predetermined terminal device writes the data in the storage medium in an encrypted state by a certain encryption means. 24. A system for providing game software for use in a portable game device, wherein the game software is provided via a storage medium having unique individual identification information. The game software is written in the storage medium by a predetermined terminal device while being encrypted by means that can be decrypted using the individual identification information. A game software sales system characterized by acquiring a plurality of personal information of sold customers in association with the sale of the storage medium or the sale of the game software. 25. A system for providing game software for use in a portable game device, wherein the game software is provided via a storage medium having unique individual identification information. And the game software and the individual identification information are both
The information is written to the storage medium by a predetermined terminal device in a state of being encrypted by a certain encryption means. A game software sales system characterized by acquiring multiple pieces of information. 26. A system for providing game software for use in a portable game device, wherein a purchase right corresponding to a monetary value is given to said storage medium by advance charging, and said purchase right is provided. 25 is managed for each of said individual identification information.
The sales system described.