JP2002099749A - Contents reproducing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that whether contents accumulated in the accumulation medium of a reproducing device are reproduced or not cannot arbitrarily be controlled based on information accumulated in the accumulation medium. SOLUTION: A contents reproducing system 100 is provided with an accumulation medium 101 having a contents accumulating part 103 accumulating the contents and a condition accumulating part 104 accumulating a reproduction condition reproducing the contents and a reproducing device 102 having a reproducing part 105 reproducing the contents accumulated in the contents accumulating part 103, an attribute acquiring part 106 acquiring attribute information, a condition acquiring part 107 acquiring the reproduction condition accumulated in the condition accumulating part 104, a condition judging part 109 judging whether attribute information which the attribute acquiring part 106 acquires is matched with the reproduction condition which the condition acquiring part 107 acquires and a reproduction control part 108 giving an instruction of reproducing the contents to the reproducing part 105 when the condition judging part 109 judges that information is matched with the reproduction condition.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, whether a content such as a movie, music, a program, or the like stored in a storage medium can or cannot be reproduced depends on whether a signal stored in the storage medium can be read by a reproducing apparatus or cannot be read. In spite of the fact that the reproducing apparatus can read the image in a reproducible manner, it was not possible to control not to reproduce it.

[0002] In addition, in the case of paid content distribution, the price is determined only by the content itself, and the price cannot be changed by the difference in the playback device that views the content.

[0003]

Since it is not possible to arbitrarily control, based on the information stored in the storage medium, whether the content stored in the storage medium is to be reproduced or not, the content for various reproduction apparatuses can be controlled. It is difficult to diversify distribution services. Conventionally, the price for viewing the content is determined only by the content itself, so that even if the above-mentioned diversified services become possible, the charging cannot be diversified.

[0004]

First, as means for arbitrarily controlling whether a content stored in a storage medium is played back by a playback device or not, not only content to be played back on a storage medium but also playback conditions are provided. Is stored in advance. Then, in the playback device, the playback device determines whether the attribute information serving as an element of the condition determination matches the playback condition. As a result of this determination, if the attribute information indicates that the reproduction is permitted by the reproduction condition, the reproduction is enabled, and if the attribute information is not permitted by the reproduction condition, the reproduction is disabled. And

[0005] As means for diversifying the billing, not only the content to be played back but also a formula for calculating a billing fee in accordance with the attribute information about the playback possessed by the playback device is stored in the storage medium. In addition, a charging system is provided in which a charging fee is determined in accordance with attribute information on reproduction, thereby enabling diversification of charging.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As described above, the present invention provides an embodiment in which content can be reproduced according to attribute information obtained by a reproducing apparatus, and diversification of billing according to attribute information. It can be roughly divided into the embodiment which can be made possible. Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described in this order. It should be noted that the following description is merely an example of the embodiment, and is not a reason why the present invention is limited to the embodiment described below.

(Embodiment 1) First, an embodiment in which content can be reproduced in accordance with attribute information will be described. In this specification, it is referred to as a first embodiment for convenience. The present invention is an invention embodied in a usage form of contents as shown in FIG. First, the receiving system 2
01, the content is received and stored in the storage medium 204 of the content reproduction system 202. This receiving system receives contents via the Internet, CATV, telephone lines, terrestrial waves, satellite waves, etc., but is not limited to these, and also receives contents via CD, DVD, CD-RW, video tape, etc. Included.

[0008] The received content is stored in the storage medium 204 of the content reproduction system 202. In some cases, there is no distinction between the receiving system 201 and the content reproducing system 202, and the CD, DVD, CD-R
In some cases, W, a video tape, or the like may be used as the storage medium 204 of the content reproduction system 202 as it is. The playback is performed by the playback device 205 of the content playback system 202, and in some cases, the accounting fee is calculated, and the result is sent to the accounting center or the like by the transmission system 203. The transmission system 203 also issues a content transmission request to a center that distributes the content. It is to be noted that the point that the communication line is not necessarily required is the same as that of the receiving system 201.

The subject of the present invention is the content reproduction system 202. As shown in this figure, the content reproduction system 202 includes a storage medium 204 and a reproduction device 205. The storage medium 204 may be non-removable or removable from the content reproduction system 202.

[0010] The term "removable" means that the content stored in the storage medium can be reproduced in another content reproduction system by being portable and being inserted into another content reproduction system. . This is illustrated in FIG. As shown in this figure, the storage medium 302 disposed on the television 301, which is a content reproduction system, is removed, and a set-top box 303, a car navigation system (car navigation) 304, which is another content reproduction system, A personal computer (PC) 305, another television 306, and a projection television 307 can be connected to a playback device.

Now, it will be described below whether or not the contents can be reproduced by the respective reproducing apparatuses. FIG. 1 shows functional blocks of the content reproduction system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a content reproduction system 100 according to the present invention includes a storage medium 101 and a reproduction device 102. The storage medium 101 includes a hard disk drive (hereinafter, referred to as “HDD”), a random access memory (hereinafter, referred to as “RAM”), a read-only memory (hereinafter, referred to as “ROM”), a DVD, a CD, A CD-RW, a video tape, a floppy disk, and other various storage media are constituent elements. The playback device 102 has a function of playing back the content of the content stored in the storage medium 101, and the storage medium 1
01 is converted into an image signal, an audio signal, a data signal, or the like, and can be viewed. A configuration including a display and a speaker or a configuration not including a display and a speaker may be used. The playback device 102 also determines whether or not the content contained in the storage medium 101 can be played back.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The storage medium 101 further includes a content storage unit 103 and a condition storage unit 104. Also, the playback device 102
Playback unit 105, attribute acquisition unit 106, condition acquisition unit 107,
It has a condition determination unit 109 and a reproduction control unit 108. The content storage unit 103 of the storage medium 101 stores content. As described above, the content includes a movie, music, a program, data, and the like. Also, in some cases,
It is a program for conducting a questionnaire or voting, or a program for communicating with an advertisement or a server device storing a homepage for the advertisement.

The condition storage unit 104 of the storage medium 101
Stores content playback conditions. The reproduction conditions include the length of time during which reproduction is permitted, the time, the time zone, the type of device whose reproduction is permitted, the manufacturer of the device, the room where the device whose reproduction is permitted, and the like. In addition, the condition may be a locality, a region, a country, and the like where the playback device is located. In this case, the determination can be made based on an identification code for identifying a terminal connected to a communication line or a telephone number. Further, the information is information for controlling permission or rejection of reproduction according to the owner of the device, the contract status for distribution, the family structure of the owner of the device, age, gender, weather, temperature, humidity, etc. of the day. . This is because there are programs that allow only adults to view and programs that allow only women to watch, regarding age and gender. Also, depending on the weather of the day, for example, viewing of information on an outdoor amusement park is permitted, or guidance information on mountain climbing is not permitted.

The reproducing unit 105 of the reproducing apparatus 102 has a function for reproducing the contents of the storage medium 101.
In this case, the signal obtained from the content storage unit 103 is converted into a video signal and an audio signal, and output from a display or a speaker so that the signal can be viewed. The attribute acquisition unit 106 of the playback device 102 acquires the attribute. The attribute is an element for which it is determined whether or not the above-described reproduction condition is satisfied. That is, the length of time for which playback is requested, time, time zone,
Type of device requiring remanufacturing, device manufacturer, room where the device is located, local, regional, country, owner of the device, contract status for distribution, family structure, age, gender of the owner of the device , Weather, temperature, humidity, etc. of the day. The attribute may be obtained by acquiring the attribute stored in advance in the playback device itself, by giving the viewer by inputting the content for playback, or by acquiring the content through a receiving system. is there.

FIG. 4 illustrates the attribute acquiring unit 106 in more detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the attribute acquisition unit 400 further includes an attribute receiving unit 401, an attribute holding unit 402, an attribute information transmission control unit 403, and an attribute information transmission unit 404. The attribute receiving unit 401 receives attribute information held in the playback device, receives attribute information input by a viewer, or obtains attribute information received by the receiving system by being connected to a content playback system via a communication line or the like. I do. The attribute information received by the attribute receiving unit 401 is temporarily stored in the attribute holding unit 402, and is transmitted from the attribute information transmitting unit 404 according to a control command from the attribute information transmitting control unit 403.

As shown in FIG. 1, the condition acquisition section 107 of the playback device 102 acquires playback conditions from the storage medium 101 of the content playback system 100. The condition determination unit 109 of the playback device 102 acquires attribute information from the attribute acquisition unit 106, acquires playback conditions from the condition acquisition unit 107,
It is determined whether the acquired attribute information is permitted by the reproduction condition. If it is determined that the reproduction is permitted, the reproduction control unit 10
8, a signal for reproduction is sent to the reproduction control unit 108 if it is determined that the reproduction is not permitted, or the reproduction is stopped if the reproduction has already been performed. To send the necessary signals. Playback control unit 10
8 receives a reproduction control signal from the condition determination unit 109,
The reproduction of the reproduction unit 105 is controlled according to the signal.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show the flow of this control. FIG. 5 shows that the storage medium is transferred from the content reproduction system A (500) to the content reproduction system B.
It shows a state transferred to (501). In the content reproduction system A (500), the storage medium 0
1 (502) and the playback device 503, and the storage medium 01
In (502), the content C is stored in the content storage unit 506.
1 is stored in the condition storage unit 507 of the storage medium 01 (502) as reproduction condition information as reproduction condition information.
Attribute information given from the attribute acquisition unit 508 of AA or B
In the case of B, information is recorded which indicates that reproduction is permitted.

In the content reproducing system A (500), the attribute acquired by the attribute acquiring unit 508 of the reproducing apparatus 503 is the attribute AA, and thus the content C1 is reproduced. Then, the storage medium 01 containing the content C1
(502) is transferred to the content reproduction system B (501), and the content reproduction system B (501) is configured by the storage medium 01 (504) and the reproduction device 505 provided in the content reproduction system in advance.

Then, since the reproduction condition included in the storage medium 01 (502) has not changed, reproduction is performed unless the attribute acquisition unit 511 of the reproduction device 505 acquires an attribute matching the attribute AA or BB. Although not permitted, the attribute information acquired by the attribute acquisition unit 511 of the playback device 505 previously incorporated in the content playback system B (501) is the attribute CC, and is therefore stored in the condition storage unit 510 of the storage medium 01 (504). The reproduction of the content C1 is not permitted in the content reproduction system B (501).

However, as shown in FIG. 6, the content storage unit of the storage medium 01 (602) of the content playback system A (including the playback device 603 whose attribute AA is acquired by the attribute acquisition unit 608) (600) Even if the content included in 606 and the playback condition stored in the condition storage unit 607 are the same, the content playback system B (601)
If the attribute acquired by the attribute acquisition unit 611 of the playback device 605 is BB, the content playback system B (60
Condition storage unit 6 of storage medium 01 (604) moved to 1)
Since the reproduction is permitted by the reproduction conditions stored in the storage medium 10, the content C1 of the content storage unit 609 included in the storage medium 01 (604) can be reproduced.

The case where the storage medium of the content reproduction system is transferred to another content reproduction system has been described above. FIG. 7 illustrates a case where the content playback condition is time. In this example, the storage medium 701 of the content reproduction system 700 is fixed, and the cooking program identified by the identifier A is stored in the content storage unit 703 (705). Similarly, in the storage medium 701, information that the time zone is from 15:00 to 17:00 is stored as the reproduction condition identified by the identifier A as the reproduction condition in the condition storage unit 704 (706). On the other hand, the playback device 702 includes a playback unit 707, an attribute acquisition unit 708, a condition acquisition unit 709, a condition determination unit 711, and a playback control unit 710. The condition acquisition unit 709 sends the identifier A as a playback condition from the storage medium 701. The condition 706 identified by is obtained. As described above, this condition is information indicating that 15:00 to 17:00 is a permissible time as a reproduction time zone. The attribute acquisition unit 708 sets the current time as 1 as attribute information.
Acquired as 5:30. This is obtained based on a clock included in the playback device 702, time information given from the reception system to the content playback system 700, and the like. The content playback conditions and attribute information are sent to the condition determination unit 711 to determine whether the attribute information is permitted by the playback conditions. In this example, the reproduction condition as the time for allowing the reproduction to start is 15:00 from 15:00.
At 7:00, the current time obtained by the attribute acquisition unit 708 for reproduction is 15:30, so that the reproduction condition is satisfied.

Therefore, the condition judging unit 711 permits the reproduction, and gives a command to the reproduction control unit 710 for reproducing the cooking program which is the content 705 contained in the storage medium 701 by the reproducing unit 707. Based on this order,
The reproduction unit 707 reproduces the cooking program, and the viewer can view the cooking program. A series of procedures for watching the cooking program may be started by a viewer who wants to view the content by giving a playback command to the content playback system 700, or may be started by the storage medium 701 of the content playback system 700. It may be started automatically when the content 705 and the reproduction condition 706 are accumulated. In the latter case, for example, it is convenient to be able to use a cooking program that is automatically broadcast on a television at the time of preparing meals in the evening.

(Embodiment 2) Next, an embodiment of the invention in which the playback system includes a storage medium, a playback device, and a command receiving unit will be described. Embodiment 2 will be described for convenience. The content reproduction system according to the present invention has the functional blocks shown in FIG. The content reproduction system 800 includes a storage medium 801 and a command reception unit 81
4 and a playback device 802. The difference from the above-described embodiment is that a command receiving unit 814 is added to the content reproduction system. The storage medium 801 includes a content storage unit 803 and a condition storage unit 804.
Content 805 is stored in content storage section 803, and reproduction condition 806 is stored in condition storage section 804. The playback device 802 includes a condition acquisition unit 809,
Attribute acquisition unit 808, condition determination unit 811, playback control unit 81
0, a playback unit 807. Basic functions of these parts included in the second embodiment are described in the first embodiment of the present invention.
Is the same as Explaining only the differences, the command receiving unit 814 receives a playback command 806 that is a command for playing the content 805. The reproduction command 806 may be input by a viewer, or may be received through a receiving system or the like. Then, an attribute acquisition unit 808, a condition acquisition unit 809, and a condition determination unit 811
When the command receiving unit 814 receives a command, it acquires an attribute, acquires a condition, and makes a determination. The command may be a request to immediately start reproduction of the content 805 or a request to reproduce the content 805 after a predetermined time. In any case, after the command receiving unit 814 receives the playback command 806 that is a command to play the content 805, a series of processing for condition determination starts. This is convenient because processing can be started in response to an instruction.

An example of the processing flow of the present invention is shown below.
FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the process waits until there is an input for receiving an instruction (step S901), and when there is an input, receives an instruction (step S902), and then acquires attribute information (step S903). Further, a reproduction condition is acquired (step S904), and it is determined whether the attribute information matches the reproduction condition (step S905). If it is determined that they match, the reproduction of the content is started (step S906), and if it is determined that the attribute information does not match the reproduction conditions, the process ends without reproducing the content.

The configuration of the hardware for executing this processing flow is not necessarily limited to that shown in FIG.
All acceptable configurations can be employed. That is, the reception of the playback command, the acquisition of the attribute information, the acquisition of the playback condition, and the determination of whether the attribute information matches the playback condition may be performed by a playback device provided in the playback system, or by the function of the storage medium. This may be performed, may be performed by the function of the command receiving unit, or may be performed in a part other than these, or in a receiving system, a transmitting system, or the like other than the reproduction system.

(Embodiment 3) Embodiment 3 in which the attribute information in Embodiment 1 or 2 is a playback device identifier for identifying a playback device will be described. This embodiment also has basically the same configuration as the content reproduction device described in the first or second embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the content reproduction system 1000 includes a storage medium 1001 and a reproduction apparatus 1002, or an instruction reception unit (not shown) in addition thereto. The storage medium 1001 includes a content storage unit 1003 and a condition storage unit 1004, and the content 1010 is stored in the content storage unit 1003. The condition storage unit 1004 stores playback conditions, and is different from the first or second embodiment in that the playback conditions are identifiers of playback devices that allow content playback.

Then, the reproducing apparatus 1002 includes the reproducing unit 10
05, an attribute acquisition unit 1006, a condition acquisition unit 1007, a condition determination unit 1009, and a reproduction control unit 1008. These basic functions are basically the same as those in the first or second embodiment. However, the condition acquisition unit 1007
A playback device identifier 1011 that allows playback of content as a playback condition from the condition storage unit 1004 of the storage medium 1001
, And the attribute acquisition unit 1006 acquires the playback device identifier 1012 as attribute information. Then, the condition determination unit 1009 determines whether the playback device identifier obtained by the attribute information is a playback device identifier that allows content playback. As a result of the determination, if the identifier permits reproduction, a signal for reproduction is transmitted to the reproduction control unit 1008. If the identifier does not permit reproduction, a signal necessary for reproduction is not transmitted to the reproduction control unit 1008. . As a result, the content 1010 stored in the content storage unit 1003 depends on the reproduction condition stored in the storage medium 1001.
Can be controlled.

The playback device identifier may uniquely identify the playback device, or may include other information shown in FIG. 11 separately or together with a unique identification number. For example, the owner of the playback device, the type of allowed communication protocol, the type of playback device (eg, DVD playback device, CD playback device, RAM playback device, etc.), the installation location of the playback device, and the date of manufacture of the playback device Information such as date.

(Embodiment 4) Next, a case where the condition judgment is performed in relation to time will be described. A feature of the embodiment of the present invention is that the condition determination unit holds a clock, the information attribute is time, and the time when the reproduction condition is the information attribute is a time zone during which content reproduction is permitted, or whether or not it is time. The point is to judge. FIG. 12 shows functional blocks according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in this figure, the basic functional structure of content reproduction system 1200 is the same as that described in the first or second embodiment. That is, the content reproduction system 1200 includes a storage medium 1201 and a reproduction device 1202, and the storage medium 1201 includes a content storage unit 1203 and a condition storage unit 1204. The content to be played back by the playback device 1202 is stored in the content storage unit 1203, and the playback conditions are stored in the condition storage unit 1204. The playback device 1202 includes a playback unit 1205, an attribute acquisition unit 1206,
It comprises a condition acquisition unit 1207, a condition determination unit 1209, and a reproduction control unit 1208. The condition determining unit 1209 holds a clock, and the attribute information acquired by the attribute acquiring unit 1206 is a time, and the reproduction condition is that the time when the attribute information is the time zone or the time when the reproduction of the content is permitted. There are features. The condition judgment unit 1209 holds the clock includes both the case where the condition judgment unit 1209 holds the clock itself and the case where the clock itself is not inside the condition judgment unit 1209 and receives a clock signal from outside. It is the purpose. For example, when the content playback system has a function of playing BGM (background music), the BGM for Christmas is recorded in the playback condition of the condition storage unit 1204 so as to be played only when Christmas is approaching. Only when the time acquired by the attribute acquiring unit 1206 is close to Christmas, for example, two weeks before Christmas, etc., the Christmas song can be played as BGM, which is convenient.

The time is represented by year, month, day, hour, minute,
All of the seconds or a part of them may be used, and not only the time information but also information about the calendar such as the day of the spring equinox of the year may be included.

Fifth Embodiment Next, a sub-combination of the content reproduction system described above will be described. This is referred to as a fifth embodiment.
The fifth embodiment is a playback device that constitutes the content playback system according to the first to fourth embodiments. 13 corresponds to the playback device 1300 of the first embodiment. That is, the reproduction unit 1301, the attribute acquisition unit 1302, the condition acquisition unit 1303, the condition determination unit 1305, and the reproduction control unit 1
The playback unit 1301 acquires the content, the condition acquisition unit 1303 acquires the playback condition, and the playback condition acquired by the condition acquisition unit 1303 and the attribute acquisition unit 13
02 and the attribute information acquired, the condition determination unit 1305 makes a determination.

This judgment is for judging whether the attribute information is permitted by the reproduction condition. The condition judging unit 1305 determines from the condition judging unit 1305 that the attribute information is permissible according to the reproducing condition.
A signal for reproduction is sent to 304, and the content acquired by the reproduction unit 1301 is reproduced. In this embodiment, the reproduction apparatus 1300 obtains the content and the reproduction condition to perform the process for judging the reproduction. However, the content and the reproduction condition are not necessarily obtained from the same storage medium. For example, the content may be obtained from a storage medium, and the reproduction condition may be obtained from a receiving system.

(Embodiment 5 Part 2) Next, a reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 will be described. The reproducing apparatus of this embodiment is composed of the functional blocks shown in FIG. 14, and is basically the same as that of the fifth embodiment. That is, the playback device 1400 includes the playback unit 140
1, an attribute acquisition unit 1402, a condition acquisition unit 1403, a condition determination unit 1405, and a reproduction control unit 1404. And
The reproduction unit 1401 acquires the content, and
03 acquires a reproduction condition. The feature of this embodiment is that the acquisition of the attribute information by the attribute acquisition unit 1402 and the acquisition of the reproduction condition by the condition acquisition unit 1403 are performed after receiving the instruction. ,
Even if there is no command, a series of processing for reproduction is performed.

(Embodiment 5 Part 3) Next, a reproducing apparatus corresponding to Embodiment 3 will be described. The playback device of this embodiment is shown in FIG. The basic configuration of this reproducing apparatus 1500 is the same as that of the first and second embodiments of the fifth embodiment. The reproducing section 1501, the attribute obtaining section 1502, the condition obtaining section 1503, the reproduction control section 1504,
It comprises a condition judging unit 1505. The reproduction unit 1501 obtains the content and reproduces the content.
No. 3 obtains a reproduction condition, and passes the reproduction condition and the attribute information obtained by the attribute obtaining unit 1502 for determination by the condition determining unit 1505. A feature of the embodiment of the present invention is that the playback condition is a playback device identifier that allows content playback. Therefore, the attribute information acquired by the attribute acquisition unit 1502 is also a playback device identifier. These two identifiers are provided to the condition determination unit 1505, and it is determined whether the device identifier, which is the attribute information acquired by the attribute acquisition unit 1502, is permitted by the reproduction condition.

(Fifth Embodiment Fourth) Next, a reproducing apparatus corresponding to the fourth embodiment will be described. This embodiment is as shown in FIG. 16, and is basically the same as that described in the first to third embodiments. The playback device 1600 also includes a playback unit 1601 and an attribute acquisition unit 1
602, a condition acquisition unit 1603, a reproduction control unit 1604, and a condition determination unit 1605. The playback unit 1601 acquires content, and the condition acquisition unit 1603 acquires playback conditions. The feature of this embodiment is that the playback condition determined by the condition determination unit 1605 is a time or a time at which content playback is permitted. Therefore, the condition determining unit 160
5 stores a clock, attribute information is created based on the clock, and it is determined whether the attribute matches the playback condition acquired by the condition acquiring unit 1603. If the time included in the attribute information satisfies the reproduction condition, a signal for reproduction is sent from the condition determination unit 1605 to the reproduction control unit 1604, and the reproduction unit 1601 reproduces the content.

(Embodiment 6) An invention of a storage medium constituting a content reproduction system described in Embodiments 1 to 4 will be described. This storage medium is as shown in FIG. 17, and includes a content storage unit 1701 and a condition storage unit 1702. As described above, various types of storage media 1700 are allowed.
The content storage unit 1701 and the condition storage unit 1702 of the storage medium 1700 are like a so-called directory. A signal for reproducing the content and a reproduction condition defining the reproduction condition of the content are recorded in a predetermined directory, and are recorded in a computer-readable manner as necessary.

The playback conditions stored in the condition storage section 1702 include not only the playback conditions described alone but also the playback conditions described here and the playback conditions included in the playback device, for example. The purpose is to include both those for which a condition can be determined using information that is present. Content storage unit 1
The condition storage unit 701 and the condition storage unit 1702 do not necessarily need to be recorded integrally on one medium. If they are associated with each other, as shown in FIG.
3, 1704. Further, when two or more media are recorded separately, the two media 1703 and 1704 need not be the same type of media, and may be described on different types of media. This is described in a sixth embodiment described later.
The second to fourth are common.

(Embodiment 6) In the second embodiment, a series of processing for reproduction is started only when the command receiving unit of the playback device receives a playback command. A program that allows the playback device to read the playback conditions only when the playback command is received, or to send the content to the playback device only when the playback device requests a transfer of the content based on the playback command. May be stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner.

(Embodiment 6 Part 3) A storage medium corresponding to the content reproduction system of Embodiment 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 18, this storage medium 1800
Is composed of a content storage unit 1801 and a condition storage unit 1802, and the playback conditions stored in the condition storage unit 1802 specify a playback device identifier that allows content playback. A storage medium capable of restricting reproduction of content stored in the storage medium 1800 to only a predetermined device is realized. If the condition judging unit of the reproducing apparatus determines that the reproduction of the content is permitted with respect to the reproduction of the content, the reproducing apparatus decrypts the content for reading the content of the storage medium. May be recorded in the storage medium 1800. The encryption configuration is common throughout the sixth embodiment.

Sixth Embodiment Fourth Embodiment A storage medium corresponding to the content reproduction system according to the fourth embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 19, this storage medium 1900
Is composed of a content storage unit 1901 and a condition storage unit 1902, and the playback condition stored in the condition storage unit 1902 defines a time zone or a time during which content playback is permitted. Note that the playback conditions stored in the condition storage unit 1902 of the storage medium 1900 described above may be fixed, or may be rewritten regularly or irregularly through a receiving system or the like. Is also good.

(Seventh Embodiment) Next, a content reproducing method for reproducing a content and a storage medium storing reproduction conditions for reproducing the content will be described. FIG. 20 shows a flow of processing of the reproducing method of the present invention.
21 and FIG. First, the reproducing method shown in FIG. 20 will be described. As shown in the diagram showing the flow of this processing,
It waits until there is an input for reproducing the content (step S2001), and if there is an input for reproducing the content, obtains attribute information (step S2002), and then obtains reproduction conditions (step S2003). It is determined whether the information matches the reproduction condition, that is, whether the attribute information is permitted to be reproduced according to the reproduction condition (step S2004).

If the result of the determination is that playback is permitted, the content is played back (step S200).
5) If the reproduction is not permitted, the process ends. According to the present invention, acquisition of attribute information, acquisition of reproduction conditions,
The determination as to whether or not the attribute information matches the reproduction condition does not necessarily need to be performed in the reproduction device, but may be performed in any part of the content reproduction system, the reception system, the transmission system, and other parts. This point is explained in the seventh embodiment described below.
The same is true for the second part.

(Embodiment 7 Part 2) Another embodiment of a content reproducing method for reproducing a storage medium in which reproduction conditions for reproducing content are stored will be described. FIG. 21 shows a processing flow of the method of the present invention. FIG.
As shown in No. 1, first, it waits until there is an input for content reproduction (step S2101), and if there is an input, attribute information is obtained (step S2102), and then reproduction conditions are obtained (step S2103). Further, it is determined whether the attribute information matches the reproduction condition (step S21).
04). If they match, the content is reproduced (step S2105). If they do not match, it is determined whether or not to make a determination again (step S2106). Repeat the process from acquisition. If it is determined that the determination is not made again, the process is terminated. In the case of this embodiment, when it is determined that the attribute information is to be determined again, it is determined whether the attribute information repeatedly matches the reproduction condition. Is advantageous in that the content can be reproduced immediately when the attribute information matches the reproduction condition.

(Embodiment 8) It is convenient to record a program for causing a computer to perform the above processing in a computer-readable recording medium. This embodiment is a recording medium for reproducing a storage medium in which a content and a reproduction condition that is a condition for reproducing the content are stored, wherein a procedure for acquiring attribute information, a procedure for acquiring the reproduction condition, A condition determining step of determining whether or not the attribute information obtained in the step of obtaining the attribute information matches the reproduction condition obtained in the step of obtaining the reproduction condition;
And a program for executing a procedure of reproducing the content when it is determined in the condition determination step that the attribute information matches the reproduction condition. Whether the type of recording medium is portable, fixed, or read-only,
It does not matter whether it is rewritable, magnetic recording, or magneto-optical recording. Further, the recording medium is intended to include a medium recorded on a storage medium of a computer by communication.

(Embodiment 9) The embodiment has been described in which the content can be reproduced according to the attribute information obtained by the reproducing apparatus. An embodiment that enables diversification will be described. FIG. 24 is a functional block diagram of the present invention. This content reproduction system 2400
Comprises a storage medium 2401 and a playback device 2402,
The storage medium 2401 includes a content storage unit 2403 and a charge storage unit 2404. The playback device 2402 includes a playback unit 2405, an attribute acquisition unit 2406, a charge calculation information acquisition unit 2407, and a charge calculation unit 2408.

FIG. 22 is a functional block showing the embodiment of the present invention more specifically. Content is stored in the content storage unit 2203 of the storage medium 2201, and charging fee calculation information is stored in the charging fee storage unit 2204. For example, in the example shown in this figure, a movie identified by the identifier C is stored as content, and the charge C
As for the reproduction of the content identified by, information that the basic charge is 100 yen for Japanese reproduction, the basic charge is 200 yen for subtitle reproduction, and the reproduction time of the content is 2 hours is recorded. The charge calculation information obtaining unit 2207 of the playback device 2202 obtains the charge calculation information stored in the storage medium 2201. In the attribute acquisition of the playback device 2202, Japanese playback is acquired as playback attribute information. The reproduction in Japanese means that the reproduction unit 2205 reproduces the movie as the content in Japanese. The reproduction attribute information refers to reproduction attributes other than the content attribute.

For example, there are a playback device identifier, a type of playback device, time, time zone, and the like. The reproduction attribute information acquired by the attribute acquisition unit 2206 and the charge calculation information acquisition unit 220
The charging fee calculation information acquired in step 7 is the charging fee calculating unit 22
08 and used for calculating the charge. For example, if the formula for calculating the charging fee is, as shown in this figure, a basic fee + reproduction time × 100 yen, the basic fee is 100 yen based on the reproduction attribute information of Japanese reproduction, and the reproduction time is 2 Because it is time, 100 yen + 2 hours x 100 yen = 3
It will be 00 yen. Specifically, the reproduction attribute information shown in FIG. 23 can be considered. As the playback device identifier,
For example, a unique identification number for uniquely identifying a playback device worldwide, for identifying a type of playback device such as a digital television, a high-definition television, etc., time, time zone, This is for identifying the use of an image reproducing method, a sound reproducing method, and other additional functions.

According to the present invention, various charges can be set according to various services added when reproducing the content, not attributes such as the contents of the content. It is convenient.
For example, it is possible to provide a difference in the charging fee depending on whether the playback time zone indicated by the playback attribute is early morning or golden time. In addition, a difference in charging fee may be provided depending on the language of reproduction, or a difference in charging fee may be provided depending on an additional service such as a commentary on a product appearing in a video.

(Embodiment 10) Next, a description will be given of a content reproduction system having an instruction receiving unit for receiving a reproduction instruction for reproducing a content in addition to the invention of the ninth embodiment. FIG. 25 shows functional blocks of the content reproduction system according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.
0 comprises a storage medium 2501, a playback device 2502, and a command receiving unit 2503. The storage medium 2501 includes a content storage unit 2504 and a charge storage unit 2505.

The reproducing device 2502 includes a reproducing unit 2506,
An attribute acquisition unit 2507, a charge calculation information acquisition unit 2508,
There is a charge calculation unit 2509. The difference from the tenth embodiment is that a command receiving unit 2503 is provided.
03 receives a reproduction command which is a command for reproducing the content. This reproduction command may be input by the content viewer to the command receiving unit 2503, or may be input through a receiving system or the like. When the command is received by the command receiving unit 2503, the reproducing unit 2506 reproduces the content, and the charging fee calculating unit 2509
Calculates the charge. The calculation result of the charging fee may be transmitted to a place such as a charging center via a transmission system or the like, or the calculation result of the charging fee may be transmitted in response to a request from a place such as the charging center. In addition,
The calculation of the charging fee is not limited to the calculation up to the money amount, but may not be the calculation up to the money amount, but may be a calculation result obtained by performing the calculation up to the middle of the calculation.

FIG. 26 shows the flow of processing in this embodiment. First, the process waits until there is a playback command (step S2601). If there is a playback command, the content is played back (step S2602), playback attribute information is obtained (step S2603), and billing fee calculation information is obtained (step S2603). (Step S2604), a charge is calculated from the reproduction attribute information and the charge calculation information (step S260).
5). If the charging fee is calculated after receiving the reproduction command as in the present invention, the charging fee calculation information corresponding to the reproduction command can be used for calculating the charging fee. It is possible and convenient.
For example, it is possible to select charging fee calculation information according to the time zone of receiving a reproduction command.

(Embodiment 11 Part 1) Next, the case where the reproduction attribute information of the ninth and tenth embodiments is the attribute information of the reproducing apparatus will be described. 27 and 28 show an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 27 shows a case where the playback attribute information of the content playback system shown in the tenth embodiment is attribute information of a playback device.
As can be understood by looking at the content reproduction system 27,
00 includes a storage medium 2701 and a playback device 2702, and the storage medium 2701 includes a content storage unit 2703 and a charge storage unit 2704. Also, the playback device 270
Reference numeral 2 includes a playback unit 2705, an attribute acquisition unit 2706, a charge calculation information acquisition unit 2707, and a charge calculation unit 2708. As shown in this figure, the attribute is acquired by the attribute acquisition unit 2706, and is characterized in that the reproduction attribute information is the attribute information of the reproduction device 2702.

The reproduction device 2702 which is the reproduction attribute information
Is as shown in FIG. For example, the type, screen size, installation location, function, and the like of the playback device, and in some cases, the manufacturer of the playback device, the manufacturer that supplies components to the playback device, and the like.

For example, a program that is a sponsor of a maker that supplies components to a playback device can be conveniently viewed at a low price on a playback device incorporating components of the maker. FIG. 28 shows that the reproduction attribute information of the tenth embodiment
2 shows a content reproduction system 2800 which is attribute information of the content reproduction system 2800. The common point is that the content stored in the content storage unit 2803 is sent to the playback unit 2805 and played back. However, the difference from the eleventh embodiment is that the content playback system 2800 uses the storage medium 2801. , A playback device 2802, and a command reception unit 280
9 is provided. The command receiving unit 2809 receives the playback command and sends a signal to the playback device 2802 to cause the attribute acquisition unit 2806 of the playback device 2802 to acquire the attribute information of the playback device 2802 as the playback attribute information, and The unit 2807 causes the charging fee calculation unit 2808 to acquire the charging fee calculation information from the storage medium 2801, and causes the charging fee calculation unit 2808 to calculate the charging fee based on the reproduction attribute information and the charging fee calculation information.

In this embodiment, a series of processes for charging are performed according to the reproduction command.
If the attribute information of the playback device indicates that the playback device is installed in a restaurant, the reception time of the playback command is set so that the charging fee calculation information becomes high during the eating and drinking time period, and the charging fee is set to a high value. It is convenient because it is possible to set a low price for the belt.

(Embodiment 12 Part 1 to Part 4) Next, a reproducing apparatus of a content reproducing system according to Embodiments 9 to 11 will be described. FIGS. 30 and 31 show the playback devices of the content playback systems shown in Embodiments 9 and 10, respectively (Embodiments 12 and 1). As shown in FIG. 30, the playback device 3000 of the content playback system includes a playback unit 3001, an attribute acquisition unit 3002, a charge calculation information acquisition unit 3003, and a charge calculation unit 3004. The reproducing unit 3001 acquires the content, reproduces the content, and obtains the billing charge calculation information acquiring unit 3
003 acquires the accounting fee calculation information. The content and the charge calculation information may be stored in the same storage medium or in different storage media, as long as the two are associated with each other.

For example, one can be obtained by communication and the other can be obtained by CD. The attribute acquisition unit 3002 acquires the playback attribute information, the charge information calculation information acquisition unit 3003 acquires the charge information, and passes the information to the charge calculation unit 3004 to calculate the charge. As in the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 31 shows a reproducing apparatus 3100 according to the tenth embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the twelfth embodiment in that a series of billing charges are calculated after the billing charge calculation information acquisition unit 3103 receives the reproduction command. The playback device 3100
A point including a reproducing unit 3101, an attribute acquiring unit 3102, a billing charge calculation information acquiring unit 3103, and a billing fee calculating unit 3104, and a procedure from the start of the process are the same as those of the twelfth embodiment.

Next, FIGS. 32 and 33 show a reproducing apparatus of the content reproducing system according to the eleventh embodiment. The difference between the one shown in FIG. 32 and the one shown in FIG. 33 is that the one shown in FIG. 32 does not necessarily need the processing for receiving the reproduction command, whereas the one shown in FIG. The only difference is that the fee calculation process is performed. Playback device 320 shown in FIG.
0 and the playback device 3300 shown in FIG.
201, 3301, an attribute acquisition unit 3202, 3302, a charge calculation information acquisition unit 3203, 3303, and a charge calculation unit 3204, 3304. Playback unit 320
1, 3301 obtains the content and reproduces it,
The attribute acquisition units 3202 and 3302 acquire the attribute information of the playback devices 3200 and 3300 as the playback attribute information, and the charge calculation information acquisition units 3203 and 3303 acquire the charge calculation information. The charge calculation information is passed to the charge calculation units 3204 and 3304 to calculate the charge.

(Thirteenth Embodiment) Next, a storage medium of the content reproduction system shown in the ninth to eleventh embodiments will be described. This storage medium is shown in FIG. 34 and includes a content storage unit 3401 and a charge storage unit 3402. The content storage unit 3401 stores the content, and the charge storage unit 3402 stores the charge calculation information. Has been accumulated. The billing charge calculation information may store calculation information such as a single calculation formula for calculating the billing fee, or may store calculation information such as a plurality of calculation formulas, and The configuration may be such that the calculation formula is appropriately selected in the device. Also, this information
The information may be stored in the content reproduction system from the beginning, or may be received by the reception system or the like to be taken into the content reproduction system and stored in the storage medium 3.
400. The content is imported into the content reproduction system through a reception system or the like, and is stored in the storage medium 34.
Recording at 00 is convenient when, for example, it is desired to change the accounting information for various reasons.

(Embodiment 14) Next, a content storage unit for storing content, and a charging fee as information for calculating a charging fee for playback attribute information which is attribute information for playback when the content is played back. A method of reproducing a storage medium having a charge storage unit for storing calculation information will be described. According to the present invention, processing as shown in FIG. 35 is performed. First, the process waits until there is an input for reproducing the content (step S3501). When the input is made, the content is reproduced (step S3502), and then the reproduction attribute information is obtained (step S3503). Then, the accounting information is acquired (step S3504).
A charging fee is calculated from the acquired reproduction attribute information and charging fee calculation information (step S3505). These processes do not necessarily need to be performed only inside the above-described content reproducing apparatus, but can be performed in a receiving system, a transmitting system, and other parts.

(Embodiment 15) A content storage unit for storing content, and a charge calculation, which is information for calculating a charge for playback attribute information which is attribute information for playback when content is played, are described. A charge storage unit for storing information; a storage medium for playing back a storage medium having: a procedure for playing back content stored in the content storage unit; and a procedure for obtaining playback attribute information. Acquiring the charge information calculated in the charge storage unit, and acquiring the charge attribute information and the charge attribute information obtained in the step of obtaining the reproduction attribute information. It is convenient to use a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for executing a procedure for calculating a billing fee from a computer is recorded. That.

[0064]

According to the present invention, not only contents but also reproduction conditions which determine conditions for reproducing contents are stored in a storage medium, and the reproduction conditions are read by a reproduction apparatus for reproducing the contents, and the reproduction is controlled. Therefore, it is possible to arbitrarily control whether or not to reproduce the content stored in the storage medium based on the information stored in the storage medium. Also, a charging fee storage unit is provided in the storage medium, and the charging fee calculation information is stored, and the playback device that reproduces the content can read it and use it for calculation of the charging fee. Can be diversified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a content reproduction system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an overall conceptual diagram of a system including a content reproduction system.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a use mode of the content reproduction system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an attribute acquisition unit according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a case where a storage medium is transferred between different content reproduction systems.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a case where a storage medium is transferred between different content reproduction systems.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the content reproduction system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a content reproduction system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a content reproduction system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of information included in a playback device identifier.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of a content reproduction system according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of a playback device according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of a playback device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram of a playback device according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of a playback device according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram of a storage medium according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram of a storage medium according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram of a storage medium according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing according to the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing according to the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a functional block diagram of the content reproduction system according to the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing reproduction attribute information.

FIG. 24 is a functional block diagram of the content reproduction system according to the ninth embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a functional block diagram of a content reproduction system according to the tenth embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing according to the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a functional block diagram of the content reproduction system according to the eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a functional block diagram of the content reproduction system according to the eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing playback attribute information and attribute information of a playback device.

FIG. 30 is a functional block diagram of a playback device according to a twelfth embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a functional block diagram of a playback device according to a twelfth embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a functional block diagram of a playback device according to the twelfth embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a functional block diagram of a playback device according to a twelfth embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a functional block diagram of a storage medium according to the thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 content playback system 101 storage medium 102 playback device 103 content storage unit 104 condition storage unit 105 playback unit 106 attribute acquisition unit 107 condition acquisition unit 108 playback control unit 109 condition determination unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04H 1/00 H04H 1/00 A H04N 7/16 H04N 7/16 C // H04N 5/76 5/76 Z (72) Inventor Yoshihisa Tanaka 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. BD04

Claims (15)

[Claims] A content storage unit for storing content;
A storage medium having a condition storage unit for storing a reproduction condition that is a condition for reproducing the content, a reproduction unit for reproducing the content stored in the content storage unit, and an attribute acquisition unit for acquiring attribute information; A condition acquisition unit that acquires the reproduction condition stored in the condition accumulation unit, and a condition determination unit that determines whether the attribute information acquired by the attribute acquisition unit matches the reproduction condition acquired by the condition acquisition unit. A content playback system comprising: a playback device having a playback control unit that instructs the playback unit to play back the content when the condition determination unit determines that the playback condition is satisfied. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a command receiving unit for receiving a playback command that is a command for playing back the content, wherein when the command receiving unit receives the command, the attribute obtaining unit obtains attribute information, 2. A unit acquires a reproduction condition, and said condition judgment unit makes said judgment.
The content reproduction system described in the above. 3. The reproduction apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the attribute information is a reproduction apparatus identifier for identifying the reproduction apparatus, and the reproduction condition is whether or not the reproduction apparatus identifier for permitting reproduction of the content matches the attribute information. The content reproduction system according to claim 1. 4. The condition judging section holds a clock, wherein the attribute information is a time, and the reproduction condition is that the time, which is the attribute information, is a time zone or a time at which content can be reproduced. The content reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein: 5. A playback device constituting the content playback system according to claim 1. 6. A storage medium constituting the content reproduction system according to claim 1. 7. A content reproducing method for reproducing a content and a storage medium in which a reproducing condition that is a condition for reproducing the content is stored, wherein a step of acquiring attribute information;
Obtaining a playback condition; a condition determining step of determining whether or not the attribute information obtained in the step of obtaining the attribute information matches the playback condition obtained in the step of obtaining the playback condition; Playing back the content when it is determined in step that the attribute information matches the playback condition. 8. A recording medium storing a program for reproducing a content and a storage medium in which a reproduction condition as a condition for reproducing the content is stored, wherein a procedure for acquiring attribute information and a reproduction condition are acquired. A condition determining step of determining whether or not the attribute information obtained in the step of obtaining the attribute information matches the playback condition obtained in the step of obtaining the playback condition; and And a computer readable recording medium for recording a program for executing a procedure for reproducing the content when it is determined that the reproduction condition is satisfied. 9. A content storage unit for storing content,
And a storage medium having a charging fee storage unit for storing charging fee calculation information that is information for calculating charging fee for playback attribute information that is attribute information on playback when content is played back. A playback unit that plays back the stored content, an attribute acquisition unit that acquires playback attribute information, a charge calculation information acquisition unit that acquires charge calculation information stored in the charge storage unit, and the attribute A content playback system comprising: a playback device having a charge calculation unit for calculating a charge from the playback attribute information acquired by the acquisition unit and the charge calculation information acquired by the charge calculation information acquisition unit. 10. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a command receiving unit for receiving a playback command that is a command for playing back the content, wherein when the command receiving unit receives the command, the playback unit plays back the content, and Calculating a billing fee. 11. The content reproduction system according to claim 9, wherein said reproduction attribute information is attribute information of a reproduction device. 12. A playback device constituting the content playback system according to claim 9. 13. A storage medium constituting the content reproduction system according to claim 9. 14. A content storage unit for storing content, and a charging fee for storing charging fee calculation information, which is information for calculating a charging fee for playback attribute information, which is attribute information for playback when the content is played back. A storage unit;
Reproducing a content stored in the content storage unit, obtaining reproduction attribute information, and calculating charge fee calculation information stored in the charge fee storage unit. And a step of calculating a charging fee from the charging attribute calculation information obtained in the step of obtaining the playback attribute information and the charging fee calculation information obtained in the step of obtaining the playback attribute information. Playback method. 15. A content storage unit for storing content, and a charging fee for storing charging fee calculation information, which is information for calculating a charging fee for playback attribute information, which is attribute information for playback when the content is played back. A storage unit;
A recording medium for reproducing a storage medium having: a procedure for reproducing content stored in the content storage unit; a procedure for obtaining reproduction attribute information; A step of obtaining the charging fee calculation information, and a step of calculating the charging fee from the charging attribute calculation information obtained in the step of obtaining the playback attribute information and the charging fee calculation information obtained in the step of obtaining the playback attribute information. A recording medium in which a program to be executed is computer-readable.