JP2002082918A - Information providing device, information providing method, information processor, information processing method, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly find out desired contents. SOLUTION: An authenticating function 221 authenticates a PDA through a network. A contents database 224 holds the use condition of contents and contents information. A communicating function 225 controls the reception of the use condition of the contents and the contents information transmitted from the PDA. A contents managing function 222 updates the held use condition and the contents information based on the received use condition and the contents information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and method, an information processing apparatus and method, and a recording medium, and more particularly to an information providing apparatus and method for handling contents whose operation is restricted based on usage conditions. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of digital devices such as computers, digital contents such as music or images (hereinafter, simply referred to as contents) have been handled.

[0003] In general, contents are stored in a directory structure in a storage device provided inside a digital device or an external storage device provided outside. The content can be provided with additional information such as a content name, a recording date, or information indicating read-only.

[0004] The personal computer can easily search for contents by executing a predetermined program.
Movement or copying can be performed. For example, Microsoft Explorer ™ displays content in a tree structure. When a plurality of digital devices are connected to a personal computer that executes the explorer, the explorer can display all contents recorded in all devices connected to the personal computer.

[0005] The explorer displays the type of content by an icon. In addition, when the icon corresponding to the content is dragged and dropped, the explorer copies or moves the content.

[0006] As described above, contents can be easily moved or copied, and the problem of copyright protection of contents has been taken up.

For this reason, a technology (copyright protection technology) for protecting the copyright by encrypting the content and giving the content a use condition and a content key used for encrypting (decrypting) the content has been used. I have.

[0008] Content usage conditions include the number of times of reproduction,
The reproduction period, the number of moves, the number of copies, the number of checkouts, and the like are defined. The copyright protection technology can be used only when the encrypted content to which the use condition and the content key are attached, and a device that supports the copyright protection technology are available.

[0009]

However, since copyright-protected content cannot be moved or copied without taking procedures in accordance with the copyright protection technology, the conventional method is to move or copy the content. Can not. For this reason, there is a problem that the operation is troublesome.

[0010] In addition, there is a problem that it becomes difficult for a user to search for desired contents when the amount of devices or contents handling contents increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and enables a user to quickly search for desired content and easily move or copy copyright-protected content according to usage conditions. The purpose is to.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus for holding, via a transmission path, an apparatus authentication unit for authenticating a first information processing apparatus, a content use condition, and information related to the content. Based on the received use conditions and the information, the first reception control unit controlling the reception of the contents use conditions and the information related to the contents transmitted from the first information processing apparatus. Updating means for updating the stored use conditions and information.

[0013] The information providing apparatus, when the information is updated,
Transmission control means for controlling transmission of information to the second information processing device can be further provided.

[0014] The information providing apparatus may further include display control means for controlling display of information related to the content.

[0015] The information providing apparatus includes a second reception control means for controlling reception of a content operation request transmitted from the first information processing apparatus, and a content operation request to the second information processing apparatus. Transmission control means for controlling transmission of the request may be further provided.

[0016] The information providing apparatus includes a determining unit for determining whether to permit the operation of the content based on the stored usage conditions, and an operation for operating the content when it is determined that the operation of the content is permitted. Means can be further provided.

[0017] The information providing apparatus may further include user authentication means for authenticating a user of the information providing apparatus.

[0018] The information providing apparatus may further include user authentication means for authenticating a user of the first information processing apparatus.

[0019] The holding means may further hold a flag indicating whether or not the first information processing apparatus is connected via the transmission path, and the updating means may further update the flag.

An information providing method according to the present invention includes an apparatus authentication processing step of authenticating an information processing apparatus via a transmission path;
A holding processing step of holding a use condition of the content and information related to the content, a reception control processing step of controlling reception of the use condition of the content and information related to the content transmitted from the information processing apparatus; And updating the held use conditions and information based on the use conditions and information thus obtained.

[0021] The program of the first recording medium of the present invention comprises:
A device authentication processing step of authenticating the information processing device via a transmission path, a use condition of the content, and a holding processing step of holding information related to the content, a use condition of the content transmitted from the information processing device, And a reception control processing step of controlling reception of information related to the content, and an update processing step of updating the stored usage conditions and information based on the received usage conditions and information.

The information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: holding means for holding a content use condition and information related to the content; and, when the content is operated, the stored use condition corresponding to the content operation. First updating means for updating information and information, apparatus authenticating means for authenticating the information providing apparatus via a transmission path, and controlling transmission of usage conditions and information to the information providing apparatus when content is operated. A first transmission control unit that controls reception of content usage conditions and information related to the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus; and a storage unit that stores the received usage conditions and information based on the received usage conditions and information. And a display control unit that controls display of the information.

[0023] The information processing apparatus includes a judging means for judging whether or not to permit the operation of the content on the basis of the held use condition, and an operation for operating the content when it is judged to permit the operation of the content. Means can be further provided.

[0024] The information processing apparatus may further include user authentication means for authenticating its own user.

[0025] The information processing apparatus may further include second transmission control means for controlling transmission of a content operation request to the information providing apparatus.

According to the information processing method of the present invention, there is provided a holding processing step for holding a content use condition and information related to a content, and when the content is operated, the stored usage corresponding to the operation of the content. A first update processing step of updating conditions and information, a device authentication processing step of authenticating the information providing apparatus via a transmission path, and
A transmission control processing step of controlling transmission of usage conditions and information; a reception control processing step of controlling reception of content usage conditions and content-related information transmitted from the information providing apparatus; It is characterized by including a second update processing step of updating the stored use conditions and information based on the information, and a display control processing step of controlling the display of the information.

The program of the second recording medium of the present invention comprises:
A holding processing step of holding the use condition of the content and information related to the content, and a first update process of updating the held use condition and the information in response to the operation of the content when the content is operated A device authentication processing step for authenticating the information providing apparatus via the transmission path, a transmission control processing step for controlling transmission of usage conditions and information to the information providing apparatus when the content is operated, A reception control processing step of controlling reception of content usage conditions and information related to the content transmitted from the providing device, and updating the stored usage conditions and information based on the received usage conditions and information It is characterized by including a second update processing step and a display control processing step for controlling display of information.

[0028] In the information providing apparatus and method and the first recording medium of the present invention, the information processing apparatus is authenticated via the transmission path, and the content use condition and the information related to the content are held. The use condition of the content and the reception of information related to the content transmitted from the processing device are controlled, and the held use condition and the information are updated based on the received use condition and the information.

[0029] The information processing apparatus and method of the present invention and the second recording medium hold content usage conditions and information related to the content. When the content is operated, the content is operated in accordance with the operation of the content. The stored usage conditions and information are updated, the information providing device is authenticated via the transmission path, and when the content is operated, the transmission of the usage conditions and information to the information providing device is controlled, The use condition of the content and the reception of the information related to the content transmitted from the providing device are controlled, and based on the received use condition and the information, the stored use condition and the information are updated, and the display of the information is performed. Controlled.

[0030]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a content display system according to the present invention. The personal computer 1 is, for example, an IEEE (Institute of Ele)
ctrical and Electronic Engineers (1394) or USB (Universal Serial Bu
s), etc., via a PDA (Pe
rsonal Digital Assistant) 2.

The personal computer 1 includes additional information (for example, a content name, a recording date, or a copyright holder name) of the content, usage conditions (for example, the number of reproducible times, data indicating whether or not the content can be moved, and whether or not copying is possible). Together with data indicating whether the content has been checked or the number of checkouts, etc.) and a content key. Content is DES (D
ata Encryption Standard).

The personal computer 1 authenticates the user of the personal computer 1 based on a previously stored user ID or password. The personal computer 1 uses an authentication key or the like stored in advance to
The PDA 2 is authenticated via the network 3.

The personal computer 1 receives additional information and usage conditions corresponding to contents stored in the PDA 2 from the PDA 2 via the network 3 and displays the received additional information or usage conditions.

The personal computer 1 stores the additional information and usage conditions of the content recorded by itself,
The data is transmitted to the PDA 2 via the network 3.

The personal computer 1 responds to a user's operation by using the contents of the personal computer 1 or using the contents stored in the PDA 2 (recorded by the personal computer 1). Move or copy the content recorded on the personal computer 1 or PDA 2 based on the.

The personal computer 1 decodes and reproduces the content recorded in the personal computer 1 based on the use conditions of the content recorded by the personal computer 1 in response to the operation of the user.

The use conditions include content reproduction conditions, transfer conditions, copy conditions, available users, and the like.

The PDA 2 stores the content together with the additional information of the content, the usage conditions, and the content key.

The PDA 2 authenticates the user of the PDA 2. PDA
2 authenticates the personal computer 1 via the network 3.

The PDA 2 receives additional information and usage conditions corresponding to contents recorded in the personal computer 1 from the personal computer 1 via the network 3 and displays the received additional information and usage conditions.

The PDA 2 transmits the additional information and usage conditions of the content stored therein to the personal computer 1 via the network 3.

The PDA 2 responds to the user's operation based on the usage conditions of the content stored therein or the usage conditions of the content recorded on the personal computer 1 (stored in the PDA 2). To move or copy the content recorded on the personal computer 1 or PDA 2.

The PDA 2 responds to the user's operation based on the usage conditions of the content stored therein,
The content stored in the PDA 2 is reproduced.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the personal computer 1. CPU (Central Processing Unit)
Reference numeral 21 denotes a ROM (Read-only Memory) 22 or a RAM (Rand
By executing various programs stored in the om-Access Memory (Om-Access Memory) 23, functions described below with reference to FIG. 3 are realized. The ROM 22 is an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Progr.
An ammable read-only memory) or a flash memory, and generally stores basically fixed data of a program used by the CPU 21 and calculation parameters. The RAM 23 is configured by a DRAM (Dynamic RAM) or the like, and stores a program used in the execution of the CPU 21 and parameters that change as appropriate in the execution.

The input unit 25 is constituted by a mouse, input keys, and the like.
Operated by the user. The display unit 26 is composed of a liquid crystal display device or the like, and displays various types of information as text or images. The audio reproduction unit 27 reproduces audio data included in the content supplied from the communication unit 28 or audio data included in the content recorded in the recording unit 29 and outputs audio.

The communication unit 28 is connected via the network 3
The data (for example, a request for moving content) supplied from the CPU 21 is stored in a packet of a predetermined format,
Send to PDA2. In addition, the communication unit 28 outputs data (for example, content) or a program stored in a packet received from the PDA 2 to the CPU 21, the RAM 23, or the recording unit 29 via the network 3.

The recording unit 29 is constituted by a hard disk drive or the like, and records contents together with additional information of contents, usage conditions, and contents keys. Recorder 2
The CPU 9 stores the recorded content together with additional information of the content, usage conditions, and a content key in the CPU 21.
Alternatively, the data is supplied to the RAM 23.

The drive 30 reads data or a program recorded on the mounted magnetic disk 51, optical disk 52, magneto-optical disk 53, or semiconductor memory 54, and reads the data or program.
ROM 22 or RAM 23 connected via bus 24
To supply.

The CPU 21 to the drive 30 are interconnected by a bus 24.

Since the PDA 2 has the same configuration as the personal computer 1, the description is omitted.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining functions of the personal computer 1 realized by the CPU 21 executing a program. The personal computer 1
Authentication function 71, content display function 72, content reproduction function 73, content management function 74, copyright management function 75, content database 76, and communication function 7
7 and the like.

The authentication function 71 has a user database 81 inside. The user database 81 records user authentication information (such as a user ID for identifying the user or a password). The authentication function 71 includes data corresponding to a user operation supplied from the input unit 25,
Then, the user is authenticated based on the user authentication information recorded in the user database 81.

The authentication function 71 stores in advance an authentication key and the like necessary for the authentication processing, and the data received by the communication section 28 controlled by the communication function 77 and the communication The PDA 2 is authenticated via the network 3 based on the data to be transmitted.

The content display function 72 includes a display function 82
And an operation instruction function 83. The display function 82 displays, for example, additional information corresponding to the content included in the content information recorded in the content database 76 on the display unit 26 based on a tree structure. The content information includes a device ID for specifying the device, a file name (including a so-called path) corresponding to the content, a content ID, additional information of the content, a usage condition, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 26 by the display function 82. As shown in FIG.

In the display example shown in FIG. 4, the personal computer 1 stores the contents “p” in the directory “\ MUSIC \ POPS”.
ops1 "and content" pops2 ", indicating that the PDA 2 has content" rock1 "and content" rock2 "in the directory" \ AUDIO \ ROCK ".

When the function shown in FIG. 3 operates as a daemon, the display function 82 does not display information about contents on the display unit 26.

The operation instructing function 83 instructs the content reproducing function 73 to reproduce the content when predetermined data corresponding to the user's operation such as clicking on the screen is supplied from the input unit 25, and instructs the display function 82. Update the display.

The operation instructing function 83 instructs the content management function 74 to move or copy the content when predetermined data corresponding to the user's operation such as drag and drop is supplied from the input unit 25. 82
To update the display.

The operation instructing function 83 is used when the user requests the content information to be updated.
4 is instructed to update the content information, and the display function 82 updates the display.

The operation instruction function 83 causes the content management function 74 to discard the content information corresponding to the content stored in the PDA 2 when requested by the user to terminate, and terminates the program.

The content reproduction function 73 decodes and reproduces the content recorded in the content database 76 based on the instruction from the operation instruction function 83. The content reproduction function 73 causes the copyright management function 75 to update the usage conditions recorded in the content database 76.

The content management function 74 includes a communication function 77
The content information corresponding to the content stored in the PDA 2 received by the communication unit 28 controlled by
The content is written into the content database 76.

The content management function 74 causes the communication unit 28 controlled by the communication function 77 to transmit content information corresponding to the content recorded in the content database 76 to the PDA 2 via the network 3.

When the content management function 74 receives an instruction to move or copy the content in the content database 76 from the operation instruction function 83, the content management function 74 determines whether the copyright management function 75 is permitted to move or copy the content. When it is determined that movement or copying of the content is permitted based on the usage conditions recorded in the content database 76, the content is moved or copied to the content database 76. The content management function 74 includes a copyright management function 75
(Source) and destination (destination)
It instructs to update both usage conditions.

When the copyright management function 75 determines that moving or copying of the content is not permitted,
The content management function 74 does not execute moving or copying of the content.

When receiving an instruction to move or copy content from the PDA 2 to the content database 76 from the operation instruction function 83, the content management function 74 determines whether or not the copyright management function 75 is permitted to move or copy the content. When it is determined that moving or copying of the content is permitted, the communication unit 28 controlled by the communication function 77 transmits a request for the content. The content request transmitted by the communication unit 28 to the PDA 2 includes a content ID, a file name including a path, and an operation instruction such as move or copy.

When the copyright management function 75 determines that moving or copying of the content is not permitted,
The content management function 74 does not cause the communication unit 28 to transmit the request for the content.

The content management function 74 includes the communication unit 28
To receive the content transmitted by the PDA 2, record the received content in the content database 76,
It instructs the copyright management function 75 to update the usage conditions of the received content. At this time, the content database 7
No. 6 associates a new content ID with the recorded content.

When receiving an instruction to move or copy content from the content database 76 to the PDA 2 from the operation instruction function 83, the content management function 74 determines whether the copyright management function 75 is permitted to move or copy the content. When it is determined that the movement or copying of the content is permitted, the communication unit 28 controlled by the communication function 77 sends the content I
The content is transmitted to the PDA 2 together with the file name of the transfer (copy) destination including the D and the path name.

When the copyright management function 75 determines that moving or copying of the content is not permitted,
The content management function 74 does not allow the communication unit 28 to transmit the content.

When the communication unit 28 receives the reception confirmation of the content from the PDA 2, the content management function 74 instructs the copyright management function 75 to update the use condition of the transmitted content. When moving the content, the communication unit 28
When receiving the reception confirmation of the content from the PDA 2, the content management function 74 makes the moved content unusable due to the setting of the use condition, or deletes the moved content to the content database 76.

When the communication function 77 receives a request to move or copy the content from the content database 76 to the PDA 2 from the PDA 2, the content management function 74 determines whether the copyright management function 75 permits the movement or copying of the content. And if it is determined that moving or copying the content is allowed,
The communication unit 28 controlled by the communication function 77 causes the content to be transmitted to the PDA 2 along with the file name of the transfer (copy) destination including the content ID and the path name.

When the copyright management function 75 determines that moving or copying of the content is not permitted,
The content management function 74 does not allow the communication unit 28 to transmit the content.

When the communication unit 28 receives the reception confirmation of the content from the PDA 2, the content management function 74 instructs the copyright management function 75 to update the use condition of the transmitted content. When moving the content, the communication unit 28
When receiving the reception confirmation of the content from the PDA 2, the content management function 74 makes the moved content unusable due to the setting of the use condition, or deletes the moved content to the content database 76.

When the communication function 77 receives the content to be moved or copied to the personal computer 1 by the PDA 2, the content management function 74 determines whether or not the copyright management function 75 is permitted to move or copy the content. When it is determined that inquiry, content movement or copying is permitted, the received content is recorded in the content database 76, and the copyright management function 75 is instructed to update the usage conditions of the received content. The content database 76 associates a new content ID with the recorded content.

When it is determined that moving or copying of the content is not permitted, the content management function 74
Discards the received content.

When the personal computer 1 is disconnected from the network 3, the content management function 74
PDA2 recorded in the content database 76
Discard the content information corresponding to the content stored in.

The copyright management function 75 permits or prohibits the reproduction, movement, or copying of the content recorded in the content database 76 based on the usage conditions of the content, and reproduces, moves, or deletes the content.
Alternatively, when the content is copied, the content database 76 is updated with the content usage conditions. Copyright management function 7
5 permits or prohibits the movement or copying of the content stored in the PDA 2 based on the usage condition of the content, and causes the content database 76 to update the usage condition of the content when the content is moved or copied. .

The contents database 76 records contents, contents IDs, additional information, usage conditions, and contents keys as one file in a directory structure. When connected to the PDA 2 via the network 3, the content database 76 records content information received from the PDA 2 and corresponding to the content stored in the PDA 2.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of content information recorded in the content database 76. The content whose content ID is "AAA" has the device ID "DD".
D "device (for example, personal computer 1)
And the name is "111" and the recording date is "YYM
The content whose content ID is "AAA" has an available user of "UUU", the number of times that copying is permitted is zero, and the number of times that moving is permitted is three. The number of times the reproduction is permitted is 10. The content whose content ID is "AAA"
The device whose ID is “DDD” is recorded in the directory whose path is indicated by \ ROOT \ AUDIO, and the file name is au
stored in a file that is dio1.

The content having the content ID “BBB” is recorded on the device (eg, PDA2) having the device ID “ddd”, the name is “222”, and the recording date is “yymm”.
dd ". The content whose content ID is" BBB "has an available user of" uuu ", the number of times the copying is permitted is 0, and the number of times the moving is permitted is 3 times. And the number of times the reproduction is permitted is 10. The content whose content ID is "BBB"
The device whose ID is "ddd" is stored in a file whose path is indicated by \ ROOT \ AUDIO and whose file name is audio2.

The communication function 77 controls the communication unit 28 to cause the communication unit 28 to receive content or content information from the PDA 2 via the network 3 and to transmit the content or content information to the PDA 2.

Since the function of the PDA 2 is the same as that of the personal computer 1, the description is omitted.

Next, the processing of the content display system according to the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, processing when the personal computer 1 displays content will be described.

The display processing of the content by the personal computer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S11, the personal computer 1 executes an initialization process. Details of the initialization process will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In step S12, the operation instruction function 83 of the content display function 72 determines whether or not reproduction has been requested based on the signal supplied from the input unit 25, and when it is determined that reproduction has been requested. Then, the process proceeds to step S13, in which the content reproduction function 73 decrypts the encrypted content with the content key and executes the reproduction process. After finishing the reproduction process, the procedure returns to step S12, and repeats the determination process. The details of the reproduction process will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

If it is determined in step S12 that reproduction has not been requested, the process proceeds to step S14, where the operation instruction function 83 of the content display function 72 is supplied from the input unit 25 corresponding to an operation such as drag and drop. It is determined based on the received signal or the data supplied from the communication function 77 (for example, corresponding to the request for moving the content from the PDA 2) whether or not the moving of the content is requested. If it is determined that the content management function 7 has been performed, the process proceeds to step S15.
4 causes the content to be moved. After ending the content movement processing, the procedure proceeds to step S1.
Returning to step 2, the determination process is repeated. The details of the movement process will be described later with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS.

If it is determined in step S14 that the movement of the content has not been requested, the process proceeds to step S1.
6, the operation instruction function 83 of the content display function 72
Is a signal supplied from the input unit 25 or a communication function 77
It is determined based on the data supplied from the server whether or not the update of the content information has been requested. If it is determined that the update of the content information has been requested, the process proceeds to step S17, where the content management function 74 Execute the process. After the content information update process is completed,
The procedure returns to step S12, and repeats the determination process. Details of the content information update process will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

If it is determined in step S16 that the update of the content information has not been requested, the process proceeds to step S18, where the operation instruction function 83 of the content display function 72 performs the operation based on the signal supplied from the input unit 25. It is determined whether or not the display processing is to be terminated. If it is determined that the display processing is not to be terminated, the process returns to step S12, and the determination processing is repeated.

If it is determined in step S18 that the display processing is to be ended, the process proceeds to step S19, where the operation instruction function 83 causes the content management function 74 to execute the end processing, and the processing ends. For details of the termination process, see FIG.
This will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

As described above, the personal computer 1
Displays the content information corresponding to the content recorded by the personal computer 1 itself and the content stored in the PDA 2 and, in response to a request from the user, the content or the content recorded by the personal computer 1. The content stored in the PDA 2 can be moved or copied.

The process of displaying the content of the PDA 2 is the same as the process of displaying the content of the personal computer 1, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the details of the initialization processing corresponding to the processing in step S11 in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In step S1101, the authentication function 71 executes a process of authenticating the PDA 2 by a method such as a challenge and response. Step S1
If it is determined in 101 that the PDA 2 is not valid, the process ends, and the content information is not updated.

In step S2101, the PDA 2
A process for authenticating the personal computer 1 is executed.
If it is determined in step S2101 that the personal computer 1 is not valid, the process ends, and the content information is not updated.

In step S1101, it is determined that the PDA 2 is valid, and the PDA 2 is authenticated.
If the personal computer 1 is determined to be legitimate in step 2101 and the personal computer 1 is authenticated, the process proceeds to step S1102, where the authentication function 71
Authenticates the user based on the data supplied from the input unit 25 and the user authentication information recorded in the user database 81. In step S1102,
If it is determined that the user is not valid, the process ends,
Content information is not updated.

[0097] If it is determined in step S1102 that the user is legitimate and the user is authenticated, the process proceeds to step S1103, where the content management function 74 deletes the content stored in the content database 76 from the content database 76. The corresponding content information is read out, and the read out content information is transmitted to the PDA 2 via the network 3 by the communication function 77.

In step S2102, the PDA 2
The content information transmitted by the personal computer 1 is received. In step S2103, the content management function (not shown) of the PDA 2 updates the stored content information based on the received content information. That is, the PDA 2 adds the content information corresponding to the content recorded by the personal computer 1 to the stored content information.

In step S2104, the content management function of the PDA 2 transmits content information corresponding to the content stored therein to the personal computer 1 via the network 3.

In step S1104, the communication function 7
7 receives the content information transmitted by the PDA 2. In step S1105, the content management function 74
Causes the content database 76 to update the content information. In other words, the content database 76
The content information corresponding to the content stored in the PDA 2 received in the process of step S1104 is recorded.

In step S1106, the display function 8
The display unit 2 displays content information corresponding to the content recorded in the personal computer 1 and content information corresponding to the content stored in the PDA 2.
6 is displayed, and the process ends.

Thus, after the mutual authentication process, personal computer 1 and PDA 2 exchange content information and update the content information. The personal computer 1 can cause the display unit 26 to display the content information corresponding to the content recorded by itself and the content information corresponding to the content stored in the PDA 2.

Next, the details of the reproduction process corresponding to the process in step S13 in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In step S1201, the copyright management function 75 checks usage conditions corresponding to the content requested to be reproduced, which is recorded in the content database 76. If the permission to play is not set in the usage condition, the process ends without playing back the content.

If the use condition is set to permit reproduction, the flow advances to step S1202, where the content reproduction function 73 decrypts the encrypted content with the content key and reproduces the content. Step S12
In 03, the copyright management function 75 updates the use condition corresponding to the reproduced content (for example, reducing the number of times of reproduction by 1, etc.), and the process ends.

As described above, the personal computer 1
Reproduces the content when the reproduction of the content is permitted based on the use condition.

Next, the details of the process of moving the content from the PDA 2 to the personal computer 1 corresponding to the process of step S15 of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S1301, the copyright management function 75 checks usage conditions corresponding to the content whose movement has been requested, which is recorded in the content database 76. The usage conditions corresponding to the content stored in the PDA 2 are recorded in the content database 76 in the initialization process.

If the permission to move is not set in the usage rule corresponding to the content requested to be moved, the process ends without moving the content.

If the use condition corresponding to the content requested to be moved is set to permit movement, the process advances to step S1302, where the content management function 74 sends a request to move the content to the communication To the PDA 2 via the PC.

In step S2301, the PDA 2
Receive a request to move content. Step S2302
In, the copyright management function (not shown) of the PDA 2 checks a use condition (stored in the PDA 2) corresponding to the content requested to be moved. If the permission to move is not set in the usage rule corresponding to the content requested to be moved, the process ends without moving the content.

If the use condition corresponding to the content requested to be moved is set to permit the movement, the flow advances to step S 2303, and the PDA 2 transmits the requested content to the personal computer 1 via the network 3. Send to

In step S1303, communication function 77 of personal computer 1 causes communication unit 28 to receive the content. In step S1304, the content management function 74 causes the content database 76 to record the received content. Step S1305
, The copyright management function 75 causes the content database 76 to update the usage conditions corresponding to the recorded content. In step S1306, the content management function 74 causes the content database 76 to update the content information corresponding to the recorded content.

In step S2304, the content management function of the PDA 2 updates the use condition corresponding to the transmitted content. In step S2305, the PDA
The content management function 2 updates the content information corresponding to the transmitted content, and the process ends.

As described above, the PDA 2 can move the stored content to the personal computer 1 in response to the request from the personal computer 1 based on the usage conditions.

Next, the details of the process of moving content from the personal computer 1 to the PDA 2 corresponding to the process of step S15 in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In step S1401, the copyright management function 75 checks usage conditions corresponding to the content whose movement has been requested, which is recorded in the content database 76. If the permission to move is not set in the usage rule corresponding to the content requested to be moved, the process ends without moving the content.

If the use condition corresponding to the content requested to be moved is set to permit movement, the process advances to step S1402, and the content management function 74 sends the content to the communication function 77 via the PDA via the network 3.
2

In step S2401, the PDA 2
Receive content. In step S2402,
The copyright management function of the PDA 2 checks usage conditions corresponding to the content requested to be moved. When the permission to move is not set in the usage conditions, the received content is discarded, and the process ends.

If the use condition corresponding to the content requested to be moved is set to permit movement, the flow advances to step S2403, and the content database (not shown) of the PDA 2 stores the received content. In step S2404, the content management function of the PDA 2 transmits a content reception confirmation to the personal computer 1 via the network 3.

In step S1403, communication function 77 of personal computer 1 causes communication unit 28 to receive a reception confirmation of the content. In step S1404, the copyright management function 75 causes the content database 76 to update the use condition corresponding to the transmitted content. In step S1405, the content management function 74 updates the content information corresponding to the content transmitted to the content database 76.

[0119] In step S2405, the content management function of the PDA 2 updates the use condition corresponding to the stored content. In step S2406, the PDA
The content management function 2 updates the content information corresponding to the stored content, and the process ends.

As described above, the personal computer 1
Can download recorded content based on usage conditions
You can move to A2.

Note that the content copy processing is executed in the same manner as the content movement processing, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the details of the content information update process corresponding to the process in step S17 in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. Step S1501
, The content management function 74 reads the content information corresponding to the content recorded by itself from the content database 76, and
Then, the read content information is transmitted to the PDA 2 via the network 3.

In step S2501, the PDA 2
The content information transmitted by the personal computer 1 is received. In step S2502, the PDA 2 updates the stored content information based on the content information corresponding to the content recorded on the personal computer 1. In step S2503, PDA2
Transmits content information corresponding to the content stored therein to the personal computer 1 via the network 3.

At step S1502, the communication function 7
7 receives the content information transmitted by the PDA 2. In step S1503, the content management function 74
Causes the content database 76 to update the content information based on the content information received in the process of step S1502. In step S1504, the display function 82 displays the updated content information on the display unit 26, and the process ends.

As described above, the personal computer 1
Updates the content information recorded in the content database 76 based on the content information received from the PDA 2. The PDA 2 updates the content information based on the content information received from the personal computer 1.

Next, the details of the end processing corresponding to the processing in step S19 in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In step S1601, the content management function 74 sets the content database 76
To the content information (device I
D discards the content information corresponding to PDA2), and the process ends.

As described above, when ending the display processing of the content, the personal computer 1 discards the content information on the content stored in the PDA 2. Therefore, the personal computer 1 displays only the content information on the content stored in the connected device on the display unit 26.

Next, another embodiment of the content display system according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining another function of the personal computer 1 realized by the CPU 21 executing the program. The same parts as those shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The content display function 72 includes the display function 11
1 and an operation instruction function 112. Display function 111
Displays information about the content recorded in the content database 102 on the display unit 26 based on the tree structure.

The display function 111 displays different colors or shapes based on the connection status flags recorded in the content database 102 when the device recording the content is connected and when the device recording the content is not connected. The content information on the content is displayed by the image of (1).

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by the display function 111 on the display unit 26. As shown in FIG.

The display example shown in FIG. 14 shows that the personal computer 1 holds the content “pops1” and the content “pops2” in the directory “\ MUSIC \ POPS”, and is connected to the personal computer 1. PD
A2 has the contents "rock" in the directory "\ AUDIO \ ROCK"
1 "and the content" rock2. "The display example shown in FIG.
Device DDD (eg, a portable personal computer not shown) that is not connected to the directory "\ ROOT \ A
"UDIO" with content "audio1" and content "audio2"
Is held.

As shown in FIG. 14, the display function 111
The content information corresponding to the content of the device connected to the personal computer 1 is displayed in blue, and the content information corresponding to the content of the device not connected to the personal computer 1 is displayed in red.

In this way, the user of the personal computer 1 can instantaneously determine whether or not a device storing desired content is connected to the personal computer 1.

The display function 111 determines the background shape of the content information corresponding to the content of the device connected to the personal computer 1 and the background of the content information corresponding to the content of the device not connected to the personal computer 1. May be displayed differently. For example, the display function 111 displays the background of the content information corresponding to the content of the device connected to the personal computer 1 as a square, and displays the background of the content information corresponding to the content of the device not connected to the personal computer 1. It may be displayed in a circle.

When the function shown in FIG. 13 operates as a daemon, the display function 111 does not display information about contents on the display unit 26.

[0138] The operation instructing function 112 inputs predetermined data corresponding to the user's operation such as clicking on the screen.
When the content is supplied from the server, the content reproduction function 73 is instructed to reproduce the content, and the display function 111 updates the display. The operation instructing function 112 is configured to input predetermined data corresponding to a user operation such as drag and drop into the input unit 25.
When the content is supplied from the server, the content management function 101 is instructed to move or copy the content, and the display function 111 updates the display.

The operation instructing function 112 instructs the content management function 101 to update the content information when the user requests the content information to be updated.
Let 1 update the display.

When the PDA 2 is connected to the personal computer 1, the operation instruction function 112 causes the content management function 101 to update the connection status flag corresponding to the content information of the PDA 2. When the connection between the personal computer 1 and the PDA 2 is disconnected, the operation instruction function 112
It causes the content management function 101 to update the connection status flag corresponding to the content information of the PDA 2.

The operation instructing function 112 causes the content management function 101 to update the connection status flag corresponding to the content information of the PDA 2 when the user requests the end of the display processing of the content, and terminates the program.

When the communication unit 28 controlled by the communication function 77 receives, from the PDA 2, content information corresponding to the content stored in the PDA 2, the content management function 101 stores the PD in the content database 102.
The content information corresponding to the content stored in A2 is discarded, and the received content information is written in the content database 102.

The content management function 101 causes the communication unit 28 controlled by the communication function 77 to transmit content information corresponding to the content recorded in the content database 102 to the PDA 2 via the network 3.

[0144] When the personal computer 1 is connected to the PDA 2 via the network 3, the content management function 101 performs the connection included in the content information recorded in the content database 102 and corresponding to the content stored in the PDA 2. Rewrite the status flag to true, indicating that it is connected.

When the connection between the personal computer 1 and the PDA 2 via the network 3 is disconnected, the content management function 101 is included in the content information recorded in the content database 102 and corresponding to the content stored in the PDA 2. Connection status flag
Rewrite to false to indicate that it is not connected.

When the content management function 101 receives an instruction to move or copy the content in the content database 102 from the operation instruction function 112, the content management function 101 determines whether or not the copyright management function 75 is permitted to move or copy the content. When it is determined that moving or copying of the content is permitted, the content database 102 is moved or copied, and the copyright management function 75 is instructed to update the use conditions of both the source and the destination.

When the copyright management function 75 determines that moving or copying of the content is not permitted,
The content management function 101 does not move or copy the content.

When the content management function 101 receives an instruction to move or copy content from the PDA 2 to the content database 102 from the operation instructing function 112, the copyright management function 75 determines whether or not movement or copying of the content is permitted. If it is determined that moving or copying of the content is permitted,
A request for content is transmitted to the communication unit 28 controlled by the communication function 77. The content request transmitted by the communication unit 28 to the PDA 2 includes a content ID, a file name including a path, and an operation instruction such as move or copy.

When the copyright management function 75 determines that moving or copying of the content is not permitted,
The content management function 101 does not transmit a content request.

The content management function 101 is a communication unit 28
Then, the content transmitted by the PDA 2 is received, the received content is recorded in the content database 102, and the copyright management function 75 is instructed to update the use condition of the received content. Content database 102
Associates a new content ID with the recorded content.

When the content management function 101 receives an instruction to move or copy content from the content database 102 to the PDA 2 from the operation instructing function 112, the copyright management function 75 determines whether or not movement or copying of the content is permitted. If it is determined that moving or copying of the content is permitted,
The communication unit 28 controlled by the communication function 77 causes the content to be transmitted to the PDA 2 along with the file name of the transfer (copy) destination including the content ID and the path name.

When it is determined that moving or copying of the content is not permitted, the content management function 101
Does not send content.

The content is transmitted, and the communication unit 28
When receiving the reception confirmation of the content from A2, the content management function 101 instructs the copyright management function 75 to update the use condition of the transmitted content.

At the time of content movement processing, the content management function 101
Causes the transmitted content to be erased.

When the content management function 101 receives a request to move or copy content from the content database 102 to the PDA 2 from the PDA 2, the content management function 101 inquires of the copyright management function 75 whether or not movement or copying of the content is permitted. When it is determined that the movement or copying of the content is permitted, the communication unit 28 controlled by the communication function 77 sends the content (ID) and the file name of the transfer (copy) destination including the path name,
The content is transmitted to PDA2.

When it is determined that moving or copying of the content is not permitted, the content management function 101
Does not send content.

The content is transmitted, and the communication unit 28
When receiving the reception confirmation of the content from A2, the content management function 101 instructs the copyright management function 75 to update the use condition of the transmitted content. When the movement of the content is requested, the content management function 101
The content moved to the content database 102 is deleted.

When the content management function 101 receives the content to be moved or copied from the PDA 2 to the personal computer 1, the content management function 101 inquires of the copyright management function 75 whether or not the movement or copying of the content is permitted. When it is determined that copying is permitted, the received content is recorded in the content database 102, and the copyright management function 75 is instructed to update the use condition of the received content. The content database 102 stores the recorded content,
Associating a new content ID.

When it is determined that moving or copying of the content is not permitted, the content management function 101
Discards the received content.

The contents database 102 records contents, contents IDs, device IDs, connection status flags, additional information, use conditions, and contents keys as one file in a directory structure.

The connection status flag indicates whether or not the device specified by the corresponding device ID is connected to the personal computer 1. A connection status flag of true indicates that the device specified by the corresponding device ID is connected to the personal computer 1, and a connection status flag of false indicates that the device specified by the corresponding device ID is the personal computer 1. 1 is not connected.

When the personal computer 1 and the PDA 2 are connected via the network 3, when the content information corresponding to the content stored in the PDA 2 is received, the content database 102 has been recording the content information until then. , Discard the content information corresponding to the PDA 2 and record the received content information.

FIG. 15 shows the contents database 102
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of content information recorded by the user. The content whose content ID is "AAA" has the device ID "
The device ID is "DDD", the name is "111", and the recording date is "YYMMDD". Since the connection status flag corresponding to the device ID "DDD" is false, the device ID is "DDD". Is not connected to the personal computer 1.

For the content whose content ID is “AAA”, the available user is “UUU”, the number of permitted copies is 0, and the number of permitted moves is 3
And the number of times the reproduction is permitted is 10.
The content whose content ID is "AAA" is the device ID
Is "DDD", the path is \ ROOT \ AUDIO \,
It is stored in a file whose file name is audio1.

The content whose content ID is “BBB” is recorded on the device whose device ID is “DDD”, and the name of which is “BDD”.
222 ", and the recording date is" yymmdd ". The content whose content ID is" BBB "has an available user of" uuu ", the number of times that copying is permitted is 0, and the content is not moved. The permitted number of times is three, and the number of times that the reproduction is permitted is 10. Content ID
Is "BBB", the device ID is "DDD", the path is \ ROOT \ AUDIO \, and the file name is au.
It is stored in a file that is dio2.

Next, the processing of the content display system when it has another function shown in FIG. 13 will be described.

[0167] The process of displaying the content is the same as the process described with reference to Fig. 6, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The details of the initialization process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Steps S1701 to S1704 are performed in step S110 of FIG.
Steps 1 to 1104 are the same as those described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In step S1705, the contents management function 101 stores the contents in the contents database 102.
The content information on the content of the PDA 2 is discarded. In step S1706, the content management function 101 causes the content database 102 to update the content information based on the content information received in the processing in step S1704. That is, the content database 102 records the received content information corresponding to the content stored in the PDA 2,
The connection status flag corresponding to the device ID of A2 is set to true.

At step S1707, the display function 8
2 displays the updated content information on the display unit 26, and the process ends. The display function 82 displays the content information in which the connection status flag is true and the connection status flag in fals.
The content information with the connection status flag being true is displayed on the display unit 26 in a different image, for example, the content information with the connection status flag being true is displayed in blue, and the content information having the connection status flag being false is displayed in red.

As described above, the personal computer 1
Can update the content information on the content of the PDA 2 and also update the connection status flag.
The personal computer 1 displays the content information based on the color or shape corresponding to the value of the connection status flag.

The reproduction process is the same as the process described with reference to FIG. 8, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

The moving process is the same as the process described with reference to FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the process of updating the content information will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Step S1
Steps 801 to S1802 are the same as steps S1501 to S1502 in FIG.

In step S1803, the contents management function 101 stores the contents in the contents database 102.
The content information on the content of the PDA 2 is discarded. In step S1804, the content management function 101 causes the content database 102 to update the content information based on the content information received in step S1802.

At step S1805, the display function 8
2 displays the updated content information on the display unit 26, and the process ends.

Thus, the personal computer 1
Updates the content information and displays the updated content information.

Next, the termination process will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In step S1901,
The content management function 74 controls the content database 7
6 is updated so that the connection status flag of the content information relating to the content of the PDA 2 is set to false, and the process ends.

As described above, when ending the display processing of the content, the personal computer 1 updates the connection status flag included in the content information on the content of the PDA 2.

Although the personal computer 1 has been described as being connected to the PDA 2 via the network 3,
Not only DA2, but also mobile phones, PHS (Personal Handyphone)
System) A similar process may be executed by connecting to a terminal, a digital still camera, a digital video camera, a car navigation device, a television receiver, a radio receiver, a portable device, or the like.

The personal computer 1 is a PDA 2
It is described that the connection is made via the network 3, but the connection is made via a wired or wireless communication medium such as a public telephone line, a communication line of a mobile phone, PHS, the Internet, Bluetooth, and digital satellite broadcasting. Is also good.

The personal computer 1 or PD
The content recorded or stored by A2 is not limited to music or an image, but may be sound, text, a program, or data for executing the program.

The contents are not limited to DES, but may be encrypted by other block ciphers, stream ciphers, or public key ciphers other than the common key method.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the content display system according to the present invention.

The server 201 is connected to the PDA 203 and the personal computer 204 via the network 202.
Connect to

The network 202 is a local area network such as a network specified by IEEE1394 or a network specified by IEEE802.3,
Or it is constituted by the Internet or the like.

The server 201 records content such as music or a moving image or a still image together with content information and a content key corresponding to the content. The content is encrypted by a method such as DES.

The server 201 is a PDA 203, a personal computer 204, or a hard disk drive 2.
05 records the content information related to the content stored therein.

The server 201 is a user stored in advance.
The user of the server 201 is authenticated based on the ID or the password. The server 201 communicates with the PDA 20 via the network 202 using an authentication key or the like stored in advance.
3 or the personal computer 204 is authenticated. The server 201 authenticates the user of the PDA 203 or the personal computer 204 via the network 202 using a password or the like stored in advance.

The server 201 receives the content information on the content stored in the PDA 203 from the PDA 203 via the network 202, and updates the content information recorded by itself based on the received content information. I do.

The server 201 receives content information on the content stored in the personal computer 204 from the personal computer 204 via the network 202, and records itself based on the received content information. Update content information.

The server 201 receives content information on the content stored in the hard disk drive 205 from the personal computer 204 via the network 202, and records itself based on the received content information. Update content information.

The server 201 is a PDA 203, a personal computer 204, or a hard disk drive 2.
When the content information relating to the content stored in 05 is updated, the updated content information is transmitted to the PDA 203 and the personal computer 204 via the network 202.

In response to a request from the PDA 203 or the personal computer 204, the server 201 copies the content recorded by itself to the PDA 203, the personal computer 204, or the personal computer 204 based on the usage conditions of the content recorded by itself. Hard disk drive 2
Go to 05 or copy.

In response to the request from the PDA 203, the server 201 stores the information in the personal computer 204 or the hard disk drive 205.
Moves or copies the content recorded in the personal computer 204 or the hard disk drive 205 to the PDA 203 based on the usage conditions of the content recorded in the PDA 203.

In response to the request from the personal computer 204, the server 201 stores the PDA 20 in the PDA 203 based on the usage conditions of the content recorded in the PDA 203.
3 is moved or copied to the personal computer 204 or the hard disk drive 205.

In response to the request from the PDA 203, the server 201 stores the content recorded by the personal computer 204 in the hard disk drive 205 based on the usage conditions of the content recorded by the personal computer 204. Move or copy.

In response to the request from the PDA 203, the server 201 sends the content recorded on the hard disk drive 205 to the personal computer 204 based on the usage conditions of the content recorded on the hard disk drive 205. Move or copy.

The PDA 203 stores the content together with the content information and the content key of the content.

The PDA 203 authenticates the user of the PDA 203. The PDA 203 authenticates the server 201 via the network 202.

[0201] The PDA 203 is a PDA 203, a personal computer 204, or a hard disk drive 205.
Is received from the server 201 via the network 202, and the stored content information is updated based on the received content information. PDA203, PDA203,
The content information on the content recorded on the personal computer 204 or the hard disk drive 205 is displayed.

[0202] The PDA 203 transmits the content information relating to the content stored therein to the network 20.
2 to the server 201.

[0203] The PDA 203 responds to a user operation.
The server 201 is requested to move or copy the content recorded on the server 201, the personal computer 204, or the hard disk drive 205.

The PDA 203 responds to the operation of the user,
The content stored in the PDA 203 is reproduced based on the usage conditions of the content stored in the device itself.

The personal computer 204 records the content together with the content information and the content key of the content.

The personal computer 204 authenticates the user of the personal computer 204. The personal computer 204 authenticates the server 201 via the network 202.

The personal computer 204 is a PDA2
03, the personal computer 204, or the content information on the content recorded on the hard disk drive 205 via the network 202,
The received content information is updated from the server 201 based on the received content information. The personal computer 204 is a PDA 203, a personal computer 204, or the hard disk drive 20.
5 is displayed.

[0208] The personal computer 204 transmits content information on the content recorded in the personal computer 204 or the hard disk drive 205 to the server 201 via the network 202.

[0209] The personal computer 204 requests the server 201 to move or copy the content recorded in the server 201 or the PDA 20303 in response to the operation of the user.

[0210] The personal computer 204 responds to the user's operation based on the usage conditions of the content recorded in the personal computer 204 or the hard disk drive 205.
04 or the hard disk drive 205.

[0211] The hard disk drive 205 records the content together with the content information and the content key of the content under the control of the personal computer 204. The hard disk drive 205 supplies the recorded content, content information, and content key to the personal computer 204 based on the control of the personal computer 204.

[0212] The server 201 has the same configuration as the personal computer 1 shown in Fig. 2, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0213] The PDA 203 has the same configuration as the personal computer 1 shown in FIG.

[0214] The personal computer 204 has the same structure as the personal computer 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the function of the server 201. The server 201 has an authentication function 221, a content management function 222, a copyright management function 223, a content database 224, a communication function 225, and the like.

The authentication function 221 has a user database 231 inside. The user database 231 records authentication information of a user of the server 201, the PDA 203, or the personal computer 204 (a user ID for identifying the user, a password, or the like). The authentication function 221 authenticates a user of the server 201, the PDA 203, or the personal computer 204 based on data corresponding to a user operation and user authentication information recorded in the user database 231.

The authentication function 221 stores in advance an authentication key and the like necessary for the authentication processing, and based on the data received and the data to be transmitted by the communication controlled by the communication function 225 by a method such as challenge and response. Then, the PDA 203 or the personal computer 204 is authenticated via the network 202.

The content management function 222 is a PDA 203
Alternatively, the content information recorded in the content database 224 is updated based on the content information transmitted from the personal computer 204 and received by the communication function 225.

The content management function 222 includes the communication function 2
25, the content information recorded in the content database 224 via the network 202 to the PDA.
203 or the personal computer 204.

The content management function 222 includes the communication function 2
25 is the PDA 203 or the personal computer 20
4, when a request to move the content recorded in the server 201 is received, the copyright management function 223 is inquired as to whether the movement or copying of the content is permitted. The copyright management function 223 determines whether movement or copying of the content is permitted based on the usage conditions recorded in the content database 224.

When it is determined that moving or copying of the content is permitted, the content management function 222 causes the content database 224 to move or copy the content. The content management function 222
It instructs the copyright management function 223 to update the usage conditions of both the source (source) and the destination (destination).

For example, when the server 201 requests the movement of the content to the PDA 203 or the personal computer 204, and when it is determined that the movement or the copy of the content is permitted, the content management function 222 causes the content database 224 to operate. To read the contents, and to the communication function 225, the network 20
2, the read content is transmitted to the PDA 203 or the personal computer 204.

When the copyright management function 223 determines that moving or copying of the content is not permitted, the content managing function 222 does not execute moving or copying of the content.

The content management function 222 includes the communication function 2
25 is the personal computer 20 from the PDA 203
4 or a request to move or copy the content recorded on the hard disk drive 205, the communication function 225 sends the request via the network 202 to the communication function 225.
A request to move or copy the content is transmitted to the personal computer 204.

The content management function 222 includes the communication function 2
25, the PDA 20 from the personal computer 204;
3 receives the request for moving or copying the content stored in the communication function 225,
02, a request to move or copy content.
Causes the PDA 203 to transmit.

The request for moving or copying the content transmitted by the communication function 225 to the PDA 203 or the personal computer 204 includes a content ID, a file name including a path, and an operation instruction such as moving or copying.

The content management function 222 includes the communication function 2
25 is a PDA 203 or a personal computer 204
When the content is received from the server, the received content is recorded in the content database 224.

The contents management function 222 is a PDA 203
Alternatively, when the content is moved or copied to the personal computer 204, the content database 2
24, an instruction to update the content information corresponding to the moved or copied content. Content management function 2
22 is a PDA 203 or personal computer 20
4, when the content is moved or copied, the content database 224 is instructed to update the content information corresponding to the moved or copied content.

The contents management function 222 is a PDA 203
Is disconnected from the network 202, the content database 224 updates the content information corresponding to the content stored in the PDA 203.

When the personal computer 204 is disconnected from the network 202, the content management function 222 causes the content database 224 to update the content information corresponding to the content stored in the personal computer 204.

The copyright management function 223 permits or prohibits the movement or copying of the content recorded in the content database 224 based on the usage conditions of the content. Update content usage conditions.

The contents database 224 records contents, contents IDs, contents information, and contents keys as one file in a directory structure.

The communication function 225 is connected to the PDA 203 or the personal computer 20 via the network 202.
4 to receive the content or the content information. The communication function 225 is connected to the network 202.
Via the PDA 203 or the personal computer 2
04, the content or the content information is transmitted.

FIG. 21 shows a personal computer 204.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the function of FIG. Personal computer 2
04 is an authentication function 241, a content display function 242,
Content playback function 243, content management function 24
4. Copyright management function 245, content database 2
46, and a communication function 247.

The authentication function 241 has a user database 251 inside. The user database 251 stores authentication information of a user of the personal computer 204 (a user ID or a password for identifying the user).
Is recorded. The authentication function 241 authenticates the user of the personal computer 204 based on the data corresponding to the user's operation and the user authentication information recorded in the user database 251.

The authentication function 241 stores in advance an authentication key and the like necessary for the authentication processing, and uses a method such as a challenge and response based on the data received by the communication function 247 and the data to be transmitted, via the network 202. Authenticate the server 201.

The content display function 242 includes the display function 2
52 and an operation instruction function 253. Display function 25
2 displays additional information and the like corresponding to the content included in the content information recorded in the content database 246.

The operation instructing function 253 instructs the content reproducing function 243 to reproduce the content when predetermined data corresponding to the user's operation such as clicking on the screen is supplied, and causes the display function 252 to update the display. .

The operation instructing function 253 instructs the content management function 244 to move or copy the content when predetermined data corresponding to a user operation such as drag and drop is supplied, or the communication function 24
7, a request to move or copy the content is sent to the server 2.
01 is transmitted.

[0240] The content reproduction function 243 is based on the instruction of the operation instruction function 253, and
6 is decrypted and reproduced.
When reproducing the content, the content reproduction function 243 causes the copyright management function 245 to update the usage conditions recorded in the content database 246.

[0241] The content management function 244 includes the communication function 2
When 47 receives the content information from the server 201, it causes the content database 246 to update the content information based on the received content information.

When the content is reproduced, moved, or copied, the content management function 244 causes the content database 246 to update the content information, and transmits the updated content information to the communication function 247 via the network 202 to the server 201. Let it.

The contents management function 244 is operated by the operation instructing function 253 to move or copy contents in the contents database 246 (moving or copying contents from the personal computer 204 to the hard disk drive 205, and from the hard disk drive 205). (Including an instruction to move or copy the content to the personal computer 204), the copyright management function 245 is inquired as to whether the movement or copying of the content is permitted, and the usage recorded in the content database 246 is checked. When it is determined that movement or copying of the content is permitted based on the condition, the content is moved or copied to the content database 246. The content management function 244 instructs the copyright management function 245 to update the usage conditions of both the source (source) and the destination (destination).

The contents management function 244 is
1 to request the movement or copying of content in the content database 246 (personal computer 2
(Including a request for moving or copying content from the hard disk drive 205 to the hard disk drive 205 and a request for moving or copying content from the hard disk drive 205 to the personal computer 204). It is inquired whether or not copying is permitted, and based on the usage conditions recorded in the content database 246,
When it is determined that moving or copying of the content is permitted, the content is moved or copied to the content database 246. Content management function 24
No. 4 instructs the copyright management function 245 to update the use conditions of both the source (source) and the destination (destination).

When the copyright management function 245 determines that moving or copying of the content is not permitted, the content managing function 244 does not execute the moving or copying of the content.

When the content management function 244 receives an instruction to move or copy content from the content database 246 to the server 201 from the operation instruction function 253, the copyright management function 245 determines whether the movement or copying of the content is permitted. If it is determined that moving or copying of the content is permitted, the communication function 247 transmits the content to the server 201 together with the file name of the transfer (copy) destination including the content ID and the path name. Let it.

When the copyright management function 245 determines that movement or copying of the content is not permitted, the content management function 244
Do not send content.

When the content management function 244 receives an instruction to move or copy content from the content database 246 to the PDA 203 from the operation instruction function 253, the copyright management function 245 determines whether the movement or copying of the content is permitted. When it is determined that moving or copying of the content is permitted, the communication function 247 causes the PDA 203 to transmit the content together with the file name of the transfer (copy) destination including the content ID and the path name.

When the copyright management function 245 determines that movement or copying of the content is not permitted, the content management function 244
Do not send content.

The content management function 244 sends a request to move or copy content from the content database 246 to the server 201 from the server 201 to the communication function 2.
47, the copyright management function 245 is inquired of whether or not the movement or copying of the content is permitted. When it is determined that the movement or copying of the content is permitted, the communication function 247 sends the content ID to the communication function 247. ,
The content is transmitted to the server 201 together with the transfer (copy) destination file name including the path name and the path name.

When the copyright management function 245 determines that moving or copying of the content is not permitted, the content management function 244
Do not send content.

The content management function 244 sends a request to move or copy content from the content database 246 to the PDA 203 from the server 201 to the communication function 24.
7 is received, an inquiry is made to the copyright management function 245 as to whether or not the movement or copying of the content is permitted. When it is determined that the movement or copying of the content is permitted, the content ID is transmitted to the communication function 247. , And the file name of the transfer (copy) destination including the path name.

When the copyright management function 245 determines that movement or copying of the content is not permitted, the content management function 244
Do not send content.

When the communication function 247 receives the content to be moved or copied to the personal computer 204, the content management function 244 causes the content database 246 to record the received content, and the copyright management function 245 Instruct update of usage conditions.

The copyright management function 245 permits or prohibits reproduction, movement, or copying of the content recorded in the content database 246 based on the usage conditions of the content, and reproduces, moves, or copies the content. Time, content database 2
In step 46, the use condition of the content is updated.

The contents database 246 records contents, contents IDs, additional information, use conditions, and contents keys as one file in a directory structure.

The communication function 247 receives, via the network 202, the content or the content information transmitted from the server 201 or the PDA 203. The communication function 247 communicates with the server 2 via the network 202.
01 or the PDA 203.

The configuration of the functions of the PDA 203 is the same as the configuration of the functions of the personal computer 204, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of content information recorded in the content database 224 of the server 201, the content database 246 of the personal computer 204, or the content database of the PDA 203.

The content information includes, for example, a connected device, a content ID, a device ID, a device name, connection information, additional information, a use condition, a file name, and display information. The connection device is a device ID of a device closer to the server 201 to which the device on which the content is recorded is connected in connection with the server 201.

[0261] The connection information indicates the connection state between the device on which the content is recorded and the server 201. Connection information is "
When "TRUE", the device in which the content is recorded is connected to the server 201. The connection information corresponding to the content recorded in the server 201 is "TRUE". In the case of "", the device on which the content is recorded and the server 201 are not connected.

The device name is the name of the device in which the content is recorded, corresponding to the device ID. As the device name, a user may set a desired name.

[0263] The additional information further includes the name of the recorded content and the type of the content.

The use condition is further composed of a user, the number of copies, the number of moves, and the number of reproductions. The user may be a user ID for specifying the user. Further, the user ID may be included in the usage conditions together with the name of the user.

The file name includes a so-called path.

The display information includes, for example, an artist name, a release date, an album name, and the like.

In the example shown in FIG. 22, the device ID is “0001”
Content ID "0" recorded in the server 201
The name of the content specified by "001" is music A,
The recording date of the content identified by the content ID "0001" is
Since the content specified by the content ID "0001" is encoded by the MP3 (MPEG audio layer-3) method, the device ID corresponding to the content ID "0001"
Is “0001”, the name corresponding to the content ID “0001” is “music A”, the recording date corresponding to the content ID “0001” is “2000/1/15”, and the content ID “0001” The content type corresponding to "is" mp3 ".

In the example shown in FIG. 22, the device ID is “0001”
Is set as "server".

Since the content whose content ID is “0001” is recorded in the server 201, the content ID “000”
The connection information corresponding to “1” is “TRUE”.
Since the content having the ID “0001” is recorded in the server 201, the connection device corresponding to the content ID “0001” is “null”.

Since the available user of the content having the content ID “0001” is “paul”, the available user corresponding to the content ID “0001” is “paul”. Content ID is "0"
Since the number of times that copying is permitted for the content of “001” is 0, the number of times of copying corresponding to the content ID “0001” is “0”.

For the content whose content ID is “0001”, the number of times movement is permitted is three times, so the number of times of movement corresponding to content ID “0001” is “3”.
Since the number of times that the content whose content ID is "0001" is permitted to be reproduced is 10, the content ID "0"
The number of times of reproduction corresponding to “001” is “10”.

Since the content whose content ID is "0001" is stored in a file whose file name is audio1 and which is recorded in a directory whose path is indicated by \ ROOT \ AUDIO, the content ID is "0001". The corresponding file name is "\ ROOT \ AUDIO \ audio1".

The display information corresponding to the content ID “0001” includes the artist name “aaa” and the release date “bbb”.

In the example shown in FIG. 22, the device ID is “0002”
The name of the content identified by the content ID “0002” recorded on the personal computer 204 is music B, and the recording date of the content identified by the content ID “0002” is 2000/2/5. Yes, content ID "000
Since the content specified by “2” is encoded in the MP3 format, the device ID corresponding to the content ID “0002” is “000”.
2 ", the name corresponding to the content ID" 0002 "is" music B ", and the recording date corresponding to the content ID" 0002 "is" 20 ".
00/2/5 ", and the content type corresponding to the content ID" 0002 "is" mp3 ".

In the example shown in FIG. 22, the device ID is “0002”
The device name of the personal computer 204 is "P
C "is set.

[0276] Since the personal computer 204 in which the content whose content ID is "0002" is recorded and the server 201 are connected, the connection information corresponding to the content ID "0002" is "TRUE". Content ID
Is connected to the server 201, the connected device corresponding to the content ID “0002” is “0001” which is the device ID of the server 201. .

Since the available user of the content whose content ID is “0002” is “paul”, the available user corresponding to the content ID “0002” is “paul”. Content ID is "0"
Since the number of times that copying is permitted for the content of “002” is 0, the number of times of copying corresponding to the content ID “0002” is “0”.

[0278] For the content whose content ID is "0002", the number of times movement is permitted is three times, and therefore the number of times of movement corresponding to content ID "0002" is "3".
Since the number of times that the content whose content ID is "0002" is permitted to be reproduced is 10, the content ID "0"
The number of times of reproduction corresponding to “002” is “10”.

[0279] The content having the content ID "0002" is stored in a file having a file name of audio2 and recorded in a directory whose path is indicated by \ ROOT \ AUDIO. The corresponding file name is "\ ROOT \ AUDIO \ audio2".

[0280] The display information corresponding to the content ID "0002" includes the artist name "ccc" and the release date "ddd".

In the example shown in FIG. 22, the device ID is “0002”
The name of the content identified by the content ID “0003” recorded in the personal computer 204 is image C, and the recording date of the content identified by the content ID “0003” is 2000/30/2000. Yes, content ID "00"
03 "is JPEG (Joint Photographi
c Experts Group), the device ID corresponding to the content ID “0003” is “0002”, the name corresponding to the content ID “0003” is “image C”,
The recording date corresponding to the content ID “0003” is “2000/8/30”, and the content type corresponding to the content ID “0003” is “jpeg”.

[0282] Since the personal computer 204 in which the content whose content ID is "0003" is recorded and the server 201 are connected, the connection information corresponding to the content ID "0003" is "TRUE". Content ID
Is connected to the server 201, the connected device corresponding to the content ID “0003” is “0001” which is the device ID of the server 201. .

[0283] Since the available user of the content whose content ID is "0003" is "paul", the available user corresponding to the content ID "0003" is "paul". Content ID is "0"
Since the number of times of copying is permitted once for the content of "003", the number of times of copying corresponding to the content ID "0003" is "1".

[0284] For the content with the content ID "0003", the number of times the movement is permitted is three times, so the number of movements corresponding to the content ID "0003" is "3".
Since the number of times that the content whose content ID is “0003” is permitted to be reproduced is 10, the content ID “0”
The number of times of reproduction corresponding to “003” is “10”.

Since the content having the content ID “0003” is stored in the file having the file name “image1” recorded in the directory whose path is indicated by \ ROOT \ IMAGE, the content ID is “0003”. The corresponding file name is "\ ROOT \ IMAGE \ image1".

The display information corresponding to the content ID “0003” includes the artist name “eee” and the release date “fff”.

[0287] In the example shown in Fig. 22, the device ID is "0003".
The name of the content identified by the content ID “0004” recorded on the hard disk drive 205 is music D, and the recording date of the content identified by the content ID “0004” is 2000/9/15. Yes, content ID "00"
04 "is an ATRAC (Adaptive Transfo
rm Acoustic Coding) -3 (trademark), the device ID corresponding to the content ID “0004” is “000”.
3 ", the name corresponding to the content ID" 0004 "is" music D ", and the recording date corresponding to the content ID" 0004 "is" 20 ".
00/9/15 ", and the content type corresponding to the content ID" 0004 "is" at3 ".

In the example shown in FIG. 22, the device ID is “0003”
Is set as “hard disk drive”.

Since the hard disk drive 205 storing the content with the content ID "0004" and the server 201 are connected via the personal computer 204, the connection information corresponding to the content ID "0004" is " TRUE ". The hard disk drive 20 on which the content whose content ID is “0004” is recorded
5 is the server 20 via the personal computer 204
1, the connected device corresponding to the content ID "0004" is the device ID of the personal computer 204.
"0002".

Since the user of the content whose content ID is “0004” is “kevin”, the user corresponding to the content ID “0004” is “kevin”. Content ID
Since the number of times that copying is permitted for a content whose content is “0004” is two, the number of copies corresponding to the content ID “0004” is “2”.

[0291] For the content whose content ID is "0004", the number of times the movement is permitted is two times, so the number of times of movement corresponding to the content ID "0004" is "2".
As for the content whose content ID is “0004”, the number of times that the reproduction is permitted is 20, so the content ID “0”
The number of times of reproduction corresponding to “004” is “20”.

Since the content whose content ID is "0004" is stored in a file whose file name is audio3 and which is recorded in a directory whose path is indicated by \ ROOT \ AUDIO, the content ID is "0004". The corresponding file name is "\ ROOT \ AUDIO \ audio3".

The display information corresponding to the content ID “0004” includes the artist name “ggg” and the release date “hhh”.

In the example shown in FIG. 22, the device ID is "0004".
Content ID "000" recorded on the PDA 203
The name of the content identified by 5 "is image E, and the recording date of the content identified by the content ID" 0005 "is 20.
Since the content specified by the content ID “0005” is encoded by the GIF (Graphic Interchange Format) method, the device corresponding to the content ID “0005”
The ID is "0004", the name corresponding to the content ID "0005" is "Image E", the recording date corresponding to the content ID "0005" is "2000/6/1", and the content ID " The content type corresponding to “0005” is “gif”.

In the example shown in FIG. 22, the device ID is “0004”.
Is set as "PDA".

Since the server 201 is not connected to the PDA 203 in which the content whose content ID is “0005” is recorded, the connection information corresponding to the content ID “0005” is “FALSE”. Since the PDA 203 in which the content whose content ID is “0005” is recorded is connected to the server 201, the connected device corresponding to the content ID “0005” is “0001” which is the device ID of the server 201. .

Since the user of the content whose content ID is “0005” is “jamie”, the user corresponding to the content ID “0005” is “jamie”. Content ID
Since the number of times that copying is permitted for a content whose content is “0005” is 5, the number of copies corresponding to the content ID “0005” is “5”.

[0298] For the content with the content ID "0005", the number of times the movement is permitted is four, so the number of movements corresponding to the content ID "0005" is "4".
As for the content whose content ID is “0005”, the number of times that the reproduction is permitted is 50 times, so the content ID “0”
The number of times of reproduction corresponding to “005” is “50”.

Since the content whose content ID is "0005" is stored in a file whose image name is image2 and which is recorded in a directory whose path is indicated by \ ROOT \ IMAGE, the content ID "0005" is stored. The corresponding file name is "\ ROOT \ IMAGE \ image2".

[0300] The display information corresponding to the content ID "0005" includes the artist name "iii" and the release date "jjj".

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed by the personal computer 204 which has received the content information shown in the example of FIG.

In the display example shown in FIG. 23, the content “music A” is recorded on the server 201 which is the root, and the personal computer 204 and the PDA are stored on the server 201.
Since the terminal 203 is connected, the icon of the content “music A”, the icon corresponding to the personal computer 204, and the PDA 203 are displayed on the right side of the server icon corresponding to the server icon corresponding to the server 201.
The icon corresponding to is arranged.

[0303] The content "music B" and the content "image C" are recorded on the personal computer 204.
Since the hard disk drive 205 is connected to the personal computer 204, the icon of the content “music B” and the content “image C” are displayed on the right side of the icon corresponding to the personal computer 204 in correspondence with the icon corresponding to the personal computer 204. And the icon corresponding to the hard disk drive 205 are arranged.

Since the content “music D” is recorded on the hard disk drive 205, the content “music D” icon is displayed on the right side of the icon corresponding to the hard disk drive 205 in correspondence with the icon corresponding to the hard disk drive 205. Are located.

Since the content “image E” is stored in the PDA 203, the icon of the content “image E” is arranged on the right side of the icon corresponding to the PDA 203 in correspondence with the icon corresponding to the PDA 203.

Since the PDA 203 is not connected to the server 201, the icon corresponding to the PDA 203 and the icon of the content “image E” are displayed in a color different from that of the content “music A” and the like.
Indicates that the content "image E" has been recorded when connected to.

For example, as shown in FIG. 24, when the icon corresponding to the content “music B” is clicked, the personal computer 204 is “ccc” which is the display information corresponding to the content “music B”. The artist name and the release date of "ddd" are displayed.

Also, the personal computer 204
When the icon corresponding to the content is clicked,
Use conditions corresponding to the content may be displayed.

For example, the icon corresponding to the content “image C” is dragged, and
When the icon is dropped on the icon corresponding to No. 5, the personal computer 204 moves the recorded content “image C” to the hard disk drive 205.

When the content “image C” is moved to the hard disk drive 205, the personal computer 204 updates the content information in response to the movement of the content “image C”, and supplies the updated content information to the server 201. .

[0311] The server 201 updates the content information based on the content information received from the personal computer 204, and supplies the updated content information to the personal computer 204.

[0312] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of content information when the content "image C" has been moved to the hard disk drive 205.

In the example shown in FIG. 25, the content ID “0”
Since the content “image C” specified by “003” has been moved to the hard disk drive 205, the content ID “000”
The device ID corresponding to 3 "is the hard disk drive 205
And the device name corresponding to the content ID “0003” is “hard disk drive”.

[0314] The connection device corresponding to the content ID "0003" is "000" corresponding to the personal computer 204.
2 ".

According to the movement of the content “image C”,
When receiving the updated content information, the personal computer 204 responds to the icon corresponding to the hard disk drive 205 as shown in FIG.
On the right side of the icon corresponding to the hard disk drive 205, an icon of the content “music D” and an icon of the content “image C” are arranged.

Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 27, FIG.
The display processing of the content information by the content display system shown in FIG. 9 will be described.

In step S201, the server 201
Determines whether a device such as a PDA 203 or a personal computer 204 is connected via the network 202. If it is determined that the device is connected, the process advances to step S202 to execute a process of connecting the device.
The details of the device connection process will be described later.

[0318] If it is determined in step S201 that the device is not connected, the process of connecting the device is not necessary, so the process of step S202 is skipped, and the procedure proceeds to step S203.

[0319] In step S203, the server 20
1. PDA 203 or personal computer 204
Determines whether the movement of the content has been requested, and if it is determined that the movement of the content has been requested, the process proceeds to step S204, where the server 201, the PDA 203, or the personal computer 204 executes the processing of the movement of the content. I do. When the content is moved, the server 201 updates the content information according to the movement of the content. The details of the content movement process will be described later.

[0320] If it is determined in step S203 that the movement of the content has not been requested, the processing of the movement of the content is not necessary, so that the processing of step S204 is skipped, and the procedure proceeds to step S205.

At step S205, the server 201
Determines whether or not the content information has been updated. If it is determined that the content information has been updated, step S
Proceeding to 206, the server 201 executes a process of distributing the content information. The PDA 203 and the personal computer 204 that have received the content information distributed from the server 201, based on the received content information,
Display an image corresponding to the content information. The details of the content information distribution process will be described later.

If it is determined in step S205 that the content information has not been updated, the process of distributing the content information is not necessary, so that the process of step S206 is skipped, and the procedure proceeds to step S207.

In step S207, the server 201
Determines whether or not the connection of the device such as the PDA 203 or the personal computer 204 has been disconnected. If it is determined that the connection of the device has been disconnected, the process proceeds to step S208, and executes processing for disconnecting the device. Step S2
01 and the process is repeated.

[0324] If it is determined in step S207 that the connection of the device has been disconnected, the process of disconnecting the device is not necessary, and the procedure returns to step S201.
Repeat the process.

As described above, the content display system shown in FIG. 19 moves the content when the movement of the content is requested, and distributes the updated content information when the content information is updated. Therefore,
For example, the PDA 203 and the personal computer 20
4 displays information about the content when the content is moved, based on the content information updated corresponding to the movement of the content.

Note that the content display system performs not only the movement of the content but also the operation of the content such as the reproduction of the content, the copying of the content, and the deletion of the content, and updates the content information when the state of the content changes. Alternatively, the updated content information may be distributed.

Next, a description will be given, with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 28, of a device connection process corresponding to step S202, for example, when the personal computer 204 is connected.

At step S11001, the server 2
The authentication function 221 executes a process of authenticating the personal computer 204 by a method such as challenge and response. If it is determined in step S11001 that the personal computer 204 is not valid, the process ends and the personal computer 2
04 is not targeted for further processing.

In step S21001, the authentication function 241 of the personal computer 204
1 is authenticated. If it is determined in step S21001 that the server 201 is not valid,
The processing ends, and the content information is not updated.

In step S11001, the personal computer 204 is determined to be valid, and the personal computer 204 is authenticated.
In step 001, if the server 201 is determined to be valid and the server 201 is authenticated, the procedure proceeds to step S11002, and the authentication function 221 of the server 201 is executed.
Authenticates the user of the personal computer 204 based on the information supplied from the personal computer 204. If it is determined in step S11002 that the user of the personal computer 204 is not valid, the process ends, and the content information is not updated.

[0331] In step S11002, if the user of the personal computer 204 is determined to be legitimate and the user is authenticated, the process advances to step S11003, where the content management function 222 reads out the content information from the content database 224 and reads out the content information. The communication function 225 transmits the read content information to the personal computer 204 via the network 202.

In step S 21002, the communication function 247 of the personal computer 204
1 receives the content information transmitted. Step S2
At 1003, the content management function 244 of the personal computer 204
In step 46, the stored content information is updated based on the received content information.

In step S21004, the content management function 244 of the personal computer 204
The content database 246 causes the content information to be read, and the communication function 247 causes the read content information to be transmitted to the server 201 via the network 202.

At step S11004, the server 2
01 is the communication function 225 of the personal computer 20.
4 receives the transmitted content information. Step S1
At 1005, the content management function 222 causes the content database 224 to discard the content information on the personal computer 204.

[0335] In step S1106, the content management function 222 causes the content database 224 to update the content information based on the content information received from the personal computer 204, and the process ends.

Thus, when a device is connected to the server 201, the content information recorded by the server 201 and the connected device is updated.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 29, the process proceeds to step S204 when the PDA 203 requests the server 201 to move the content, for example, by dragging and propping the icon of the content displayed on the PDA 203. A process of moving content from the personal computer 204 to the PDA 203, which is an example of a corresponding process, will be described.

At step S12001, the server 2
01 communicates with the personal computer 2 via the network 202 via the content transfer request.
04.

[0339] In step S22001, the communication function 247 of the personal computer 204 receives a content move request. In step S22002, the copyright management function 2 of the personal computer 204
45 checks the usage conditions corresponding to the content whose movement has been requested, which is recorded in the content database 246 of the personal computer 204. If the permission to move is not set in the usage conditions, the process ends without moving the content. When the use condition is set to permit movement, step S2200 is performed.
In step 3, the content management function 244 of the personal computer 204 reads the content from the content database 246 of the personal computer 204 and sends the content to the communication function 247 via the network 202.
The read content is transmitted to the PDA 2.

At step S32001, the PDA 20
The third communication function receives the content. Step S3
In 2002, the copyright management function of the PDA 203 updates the usage conditions according to the received content.

[0341] In step S22004, the copyright management function 245 of the personal computer 204 operates the content database 2 of the personal computer 204.
In step 46, the use condition corresponding to the transmitted content is updated. In step S22005, the content management function 244 of the personal computer 204 causes the content database 246 to update the content information corresponding to the transmitted content. Step S220
At 06, the content management function 244 of the personal computer 204
The communication function 247 causes the server 201 to transmit the content information.

In step S12002, the server 2
01 is the communication function 225 of the personal computer 20.
4 is received. In step S12003, the content management function 222
The content database 224 causes the content information on the personal computer 204 to be discarded.

In step S32003, the PDA 20
The content management function of No. 3 updates the content information according to the received content. Step S3200
4, the communication function of the PDA 203
02, the content information is transmitted to the server 201.

At step S12004, the server 2
01 communication function 225 receives the content information transmitted from PDA 203. In step S12005, the content management function 222 causes the content database 224 to discard the content information on the PDA 203.

At step S12006, the server 2
01, the content management function 222 includes the content information received from the personal computer 204 and the PDA.
Based on the content information received from 203, the content information is updated in the content database 224, and the process ends.

As described above, the server 201, the personal computer 204, and the PDA 203 can move the content and update the content information corresponding to the moved content.

[0347] Since the movement of the content from the PDA 203 to the personal computer 204 is performed by the same processing, the description is omitted.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 30, for example, by dragging and propping the icon of the content displayed on the personal computer 204, the content is moved to the personal computer 2 by dragging and propping.
Step S when request is made to the server 201 from the server 04
Server 201 which is another example of the processing corresponding to step 204
The process of moving the content from the personal computer 204 to the personal computer 204 will be described.

In step S13001, the server 2
The copyright management function 223 checks the usage conditions corresponding to the content requested to be moved, which is recorded in the content database 224 of the server 201.
If the terms of use do not allow movement,
The process ends without moving the content. If the use condition is set to permit movement, step S1
Proceeding to 3002, the content management function 2 of the server 201
22 is a content database 224 of the server 201
And causes the communication function 225 to transmit the read content to the personal computer 204 via the network 202.

In step S13003, the server 2
The 01 copyright management function 223 causes the content database 224 of the server 201 to update the use condition corresponding to the transmitted content.

At step S23001, communication function 247 of personal computer 204 receives the content. In step S23002, the copyright management function 245 of the personal computer 204
46 is caused to update the use condition.

In step S23003, the content management function 244 of the personal computer 204
The content information is updated in the content database 246 in accordance with the received content. Step S
In 23004, the communication function 247 of the personal computer 204 transmits the content information to the server 201 via the network 202.

At step S13004, the server 2
01 is the communication function 225 of the personal computer 20.
4 is received. In step S13005, the content management function 222
The content database 224 causes the content information on the personal computer 204 to be discarded.

At step S13006, the server 2
01 updates the content information in the content database 224 based on the content information received from the personal computer 204, and the process ends.

As described above, the server 201 and the personal computer 204 can move the content and update the content information corresponding to the moved content.

[0356] Note that the transfer of content from the server 201 to the PDA 203, the transfer of content from the personal computer 204 to the server 201, and the transfer of content from the PDA 203 to the server 201 are performed by the same processing. Is omitted.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 31, a description will be given of the content information distribution process executed when the content information is updated, corresponding to step S206 of FIG.

In step S14001, the server 2
01 communication function 225 transmits the content information to the PDA 203 via the network 202.

At step S34001, the PDA 20
The communication function of No. 3 receives the content information transmitted from the server 201. In step S34002, the PD
The content management function of A203 updates the stored content information based on the received content information. In step S34003, the content display function of the PDA 203 displays the content information based on the updated content information.

In step S14002, the server 2
01 transmits the content information to the personal computer 204 via the network 202.

In step S24001, the communication function 247 of the personal computer 204
1 to receive the content information transmitted from the server. In step S24002, the personal computer 204
The content management function 244 updates the stored content information based on the received content information. In step S24003, the content display function 242 of the personal computer 204 displays the content information based on the updated content information, and the process ends.

As described above, when the content information is updated, the content information is delivered to the device connected to the server 201.

When N devices are connected to the server 201, the server 201 distributes updated content information to each of the N devices.

Next, the processing for disconnecting the device connection corresponding to step S208 in FIG. 27 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In step S 15001, the server 2
The content management function 222 of 01 causes the content database 224 to update the content information such that the connection status flag of the content information relating to the content of the disconnected device is set to false, and the process ends.

For example, when the personal computer 204 is disconnected, the content management function 222
The content database 224 updates the content information so as to set the connection status flag of the content information regarding the content of the personal computer 204 to false.

As described above, when ending the display processing of the content, the server 201 updates the connection status flag included in the content information regarding the content of the device whose connection has been disconnected.

The server 201 is connected to the network 20
PDA 203 and personal computer 2 via
04, but it is not limited to the PDA 203 or the personal computer 204.
The same processing may be executed by connecting to a terminal, a digital still camera, a digital video camera, a car navigation device, a television receiver, a radio receiver, a portable device, or the like.

[0369] The server 201 is connected to the network 20.
PDA 203 and personal computer 2 via
Although it has been described that the connection is made with the communication line 04, the connection may be made through a wired or wireless communication medium such as a public telephone line, a communication line of a mobile phone, PHS, the Internet, Bluetooth, and digital satellite broadcasting.

The contents recorded or stored by the server 201, the PDA 203, or the personal computer 204 are not limited to music or images, but may be voices, characters, programs, or data for executing programs.

The content is not limited to DES, and may be encrypted by other block cipher, stream cipher, or public key cipher other than the common key scheme.

The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software can execute various functions by installing a computer built into dedicated hardware or installing various programs. It is installed from a recording medium into a possible general-purpose personal computer or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, this recording medium is a magnetic disk 51 (including a floppy disk) on which the program is recorded and an optical disk 52 which are distributed separately from the computer to provide the program to the user.
(CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD (Di
gital Versatile Disc), magneto-optical disc 53
(Including MD (Mini-Disc)) or semiconductor memory 5
ROM 22 in which a program is recorded, which is provided to a user in a state in which it is not only constituted by a package medium such as
And a hard disk included in the storage unit 29.

Note that the program for executing the above-described series of processing is executed via a wired or wireless communication medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting via an interface such as a router or a modem as necessary. It may be installed on a computer.

In this specification, the step of describing a program stored in a recording medium may be performed not only in a time-series manner but also in a time-series manner in the order described. This also includes processing executed in parallel or individually.

In this specification, the system is defined as
It represents the entire device composed of a plurality of devices.

[0377]

According to the information providing apparatus and method of the present invention and the first recording medium, the information processing apparatus is authenticated via the transmission path, and the content use conditions and the information related to the content are stored. Then, the use condition of the content and the reception of the information related to the content transmitted from the information processing apparatus are controlled, and the held use condition and the information are updated based on the received use condition and the information. As a result, it is possible to quickly search for desired content, and to easily move or copy copyright-protected content according to usage conditions.

[0378] According to the information processing apparatus and method of the present invention and the second recording medium, the use condition of the content and the information related to the content are held, and when the content is operated, the content is handled. The stored usage conditions and information are updated, the information providing device is authenticated via the transmission path, and when the content is operated, transmission of the usage conditions and information to the information providing device is controlled, The use condition of the content and the reception of the information related to the content transmitted from the information providing device are controlled, and based on the received use condition and the information, the stored use condition and the information are updated, and the information is displayed. Is controlled, so that the desired content can be quickly searched for and the copyright-protected content can be used in accordance with the usage conditions. Such as easy to move or copy so that it is.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a server 201.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating functions of a server 201.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit 26 by a display function 252.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of content information recorded in a content database 224.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a content display process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an initialization process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a reproduction process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing for moving content.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing for moving a content.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of updating content information.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an end process.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a server 201 according to another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit by the display function.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of content information recorded in a content database 102;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating processing for initial setting.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a process of updating content information.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an end process.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the content display system according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating functions of a server 201.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating functions of a personal computer 204.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of content information.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed by the personal computer 204.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed by the personal computer 204.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of content information.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed by the personal computer 204.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying content information.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a device connection process.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating processing for moving a content.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating processing for moving a content.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a process of distributing content information.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating a process of disconnecting a device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 personal computer, 2 PDA, 3 network, 21 CPU, 22 ROM, 23
RAM, 26 display unit, 28 communication unit, 29 recording unit, 51 magnetic disk, 52 optical disk, 5
3 magneto-optical disk, 54 semiconductor memory, 71
Authentication function, 72 content display function, 74 content management function, 75 copyright management function, 76 content database, 77 communication function, 81 user database, 82 display function, 83 operation instruction function, 101 content management function, 102 content database, 111 Display function, 112
Operation instruction function, 201 server, 202 network, 203 PDA, 204 personal computer, 205 hard disk drive, 221
Authentication function, 222 Content management function, 223
Copyright management function, 224 content database, 225 communication function, 231 user database, 241 authentication function, 242 content display function, 243 content playback function, 244 content management function, 245 copyright management function, 246 content database, 247 communication function, 251
User database, 252 display function, 253
Operation instruction function

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Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. An information providing apparatus for providing, via a transmission path, information related to a content to a first information processing apparatus that handles the content based on a use condition in which a restriction on an operation is described. A device authentication unit that authenticates the first information processing device via a transmission path, a holding unit that holds the use condition of the content and the information related to the content, and the first information processing device A first reception control unit that controls reception of the use condition of the content and the information related to the content transmitted from the storage device, based on the received use condition and the information, An information providing apparatus, comprising: a use condition and an updating unit for updating the information. 2. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission control unit that controls transmission of the information to a second information processing apparatus when the information is updated. 3. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display control means for controlling display of the information related to the content. 4. A second controller for controlling reception of a request for operation of the content transmitted from the first information processing apparatus.
The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a reception control unit configured to control transmission of a request to operate the content to a second information processing apparatus. 5. A determining means for determining whether or not to permit the operation of the content based on the held use condition, and operating the content when it is determined that the operation of the content is permitted. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit. 6. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising user authentication means for authenticating a user of the user. 7. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a user authentication unit for authenticating a user of the first information processing apparatus. 8. The holding means, via the transmission path,
The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a flag indicating whether or not the first information processing apparatus is connected, wherein the updating unit further updates the flag. 9. An information providing method for providing, via a transmission path, information related to the content to an information processing apparatus that handles the content based on usage conditions in which operation restrictions are described. A device authentication processing step of authenticating the information processing apparatus, a storage processing step of storing the use condition of the content, and the information related to the content, and the content transmitted from the information processing apparatus. Receiving control processing step of controlling reception of the use condition and the information related to the content, and updating the stored use condition and the information based on the received use condition and the information. And a processing step. 10. An information providing program for providing, via a transmission path, information related to a content to an information processing apparatus that handles the content based on a use condition in which a restriction on an operation is described. Via the transmission path, a device authentication processing step of authenticating the information processing apparatus; a use processing step of the content, and a holding processing step of holding the information related to the content; A reception control processing step of controlling reception of the use condition of the content and the information related to the content; and a use condition and the information held based on the received use condition and the information. And an update processing step of updating the program. Recording medium it is. 11. An information processing apparatus which is connected to an information providing apparatus via a transmission path and handles contents based on usage conditions in which operation restrictions are described, wherein the usage conditions of the contents and the contents Holding means for holding information related to, and, when the content is operated, first updating means for updating the held use condition and the information in response to the operation of the content; and A device authentication unit that authenticates the information providing device via a road, and a first device that controls transmission of the use condition and the information to the information providing device when the content is operated.
Transmission control means for controlling reception of the use condition of the content and the information related to the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus; and An information processing apparatus comprising: a second updating unit configured to update the stored use condition and the information; and a display control unit configured to control display of the information. 12. A determining means for determining whether to permit the operation of the content based on the held use condition, and operating the content when it is determined that the operation of the content is permitted. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising an operation unit. 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising user authentication means for authenticating a user of the user. 14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a second transmission control unit that controls transmission of a request for operating the content to the information providing apparatus. 15. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus which is connected to an information providing apparatus via a transmission path and handles content based on usage conditions in which operation restrictions are described. And a holding processing step of holding information related to the content, and, when the content is operated, a first update for updating the held usage condition and the information in response to the operation of the content A processing step; an apparatus authentication processing step of authenticating the information providing apparatus via the transmission path; and controlling transmission of the use condition and the information to the information providing apparatus when the content is operated. A transmission control processing step, the use condition of the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus, and the content A reception control processing step of controlling reception of the related information, a second update processing step of updating the held use conditions and the information based on the received use conditions and the information, and the information And a display control processing step of controlling the display of the information. 16. A program for information processing of an information processing apparatus which is connected to an information providing apparatus via a transmission line and handles contents based on usage conditions in which operation restrictions are described, wherein A holding processing step of holding the use condition and the information related to the content, and when the content is operated, updating the held use condition and the information in response to the operation of the content A first update processing step; an apparatus authentication processing step of authenticating the information providing apparatus via the transmission path; and an operation of the use condition and the information to the information providing apparatus when the content is operated. A transmission control processing step of controlling transmission; the use condition of the content transmitted from the information providing apparatus; A reception control processing step of controlling reception of the information related to the content, a second update processing step of updating the held use condition and the information based on the received use condition and the information, And a display control processing step of controlling the display of the information. A recording medium storing a computer-readable program.