JP2002133768A - Electronic computer system and control method for electronic computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic computer system and a control method for the electronic computer system capable of preventing a user from violating the Copyright Protection Act by intentionally or unintentionally generating a copy. SOLUTION: This electronic computer system is provided with data reproduction control means 2 and 3 reproducing the data stored on an information storage medium 1, a storage control means 5 storing the reproduced main data on a data storage means 4, an auxiliary data detecting means 10 detecting the auxiliary data embedded in the reproduced data, and a central process control means 7 controlling the storage control means to interrupt the reproduction of data from the information storage medium, interrupt the copying and storage of the main data on the data storage means, and erase the main data being copied and stored on the data storage means if the detected auxiliary data are determined to correspond to copy prohibition when the reproduced main data are copied and stored on the data storage means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for reproducing data such as images and sounds stored in an information storage medium, detecting sub-data embedded in the reproduced data, and performing other operations in accordance with the detected sub-data. The present invention relates to an electronic computer system having a central processing control means for controlling copy storage processing to a data storage means, and a control method based on an operating system program in the electronic computer system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A technique for embedding another sub-data in an image, voice, text data, or the like is also referred to as data hiding, a watermark, a digital watermark, or the like.
It has been studied as a technique for embedding identification information and annotations related to voice and text data.

Recently, data for protecting the copyright of such information has been embedded and applied as a technique for preventing an illegal operation such as creation of an illegal copy.

[0004] In addition, there are various situations regarding copy restrictions, such as original data that can be freely copied because of copyright, data that is prohibited from being copied, and data that can be copied only once. It has been considered that corresponding data is embedded in accordance with those situations, and copying is controlled by detecting this.

The prior art is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-230.
No. 89 is known. This prior art relates to a digital disk reproducing apparatus having a copy restriction function. Specifically, based on a detection result of a copy restriction due to a digital watermark or the like in information recorded on the digital disk, and a determination result as to whether the digital disk is read-only or recordable, the digital disk It is determined whether or not to output the information recorded in the device to another device.

[0006]

In the above prior art, it is assumed that the reproduction apparatus, that is, the data reproduction means, has a copy restriction function. Therefore, for example, a data drive such as a disk drive connected to an electronic computer system is used. Unless the reproduction means itself is provided with a copy restriction function, it has been difficult to prevent unauthorized duplication. Therefore, it has been desired to effectively prevent unauthorized duplication even when the data reproducing means does not have a duplication restriction function.

[0007] A first object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem and to prevent a user from violating laws and regulations relating to copyright protection by intentionally or unintentionally making a copy. And a control method in the computer.

A second object of the present invention is to reduce the time required for apparent copying from a copying (copying) processing request from a user to completion of copying (copying), and to detect a watermark as sub data. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic computer system and a control method in the electronic computer that can eliminate the user's discomfort due to the waiting time.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is to copy main data which may require copyright protection in an electronic computer system such as a video / audio viewing apparatus. In this case, the watermark is detected and the copying process is controlled in accordance with the result of the watermark detection, so that the operating system program by the central processing control means for the copying process operation instructed by the user has the purpose of copyright protection. The operation according to the above is performed.

That is, the present invention provides a data reproduction / control means for reproducing and outputting data stored in an information storage medium based on reproduction control, and a main reproduction / control means reproduced and output by the data reproduction / control means. Storage control means for controlling storage of data in data storage means; sub-data detection means for detecting sub-data embedded in data reproduced by the data reproduction / control means; and control by the storage control means. When the main data output from the data reproducing / controlling means is copied and stored in the data storage means, if the sub-data detected by the sub-data detecting means is found to correspond to the copy prohibition, the data Controlling reproduction of data from the information storage medium by the reproduction / control means to be stopped, and further stopping copying and storing main data to the data storage means; A computer system characterized by comprising a central processing control means for controlling said storage control means so as to erase the main data being copied memory to serial data storage means.

Further, the present invention provides a data reproduction / control means, a storage control means, a sub-data detection means, and a main data output from the data reproduction / control means based on control by the storage control means. When copying and storing the data in the data storage means, if the sub-data detected by the sub-data detection means is found to correspond to the copy prohibition, the reproduction of data from the information storage medium by the data reproduction / control means is stopped. And a central processing control means for performing such control.

Further, the present invention provides a data reproduction / control unit, a storage control unit, a sub-data detection unit, and a main data output from the data reproduction / control unit based on control by the storage control unit. When copying and storing the data in the data storage means, if the sub-data detected by the sub-data detection means is determined to correspond to the copy prohibition, the storage is performed so as to stop copying and storing the main data in the data storage means. And a central processing control means for controlling the control means.

Further, the present invention provides a data reproduction / control unit, a storage control unit, a sub-data detection unit, and a main data output from the data reproduction / control unit based on the control by the storage control unit. When copying and storing the data in the data storage means, if it is determined that the sub-data detected by the sub-data detection means corresponds to copy prohibition, the main data in the middle of the copy storage in the data storage means is erased. And a central processing control means for controlling the storage control means.

Further, the present invention provides a data reproduction / control unit, a storage control unit, a sub-data detection unit, and a main data output from the data reproduction / control unit based on control by the storage control unit. When copying and storing the data in the data storage means, if it is determined that the sub-data detected by the sub-data detection means corresponds to the copy prohibition, the copy storage of the main data in the data storage means is stopped, and the data storage is stopped. A central processing control means for controlling the storage control means so as to erase the main data in the middle of copying and storing the data in the means.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned computer system, furthermore, input means for instructing the central processing control means to copy the main data output from the data reproduction / control means to the data storage means. It is characterized by having.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the computer system further comprises display means for displaying control information to the recording / storage control means by the central processing control means.

Further, according to the present invention, the computer system further comprises a display unit for displaying a sub data detection state detected by the sub data detection unit.

Further, according to the present invention, the computer system further comprises a main data reproducing means capable of outputting as an image / sound based on the main data reproduced and output by the data reproducing / controlling means. It is characterized by.

Further, according to the present invention, the data stored in the information storage medium is reproduced and output by the data reproduction / control means, and the reproduced and output main data is transmitted to the data storage means by using the storage control means. A control method in a computer system for controlling the storage of data, comprising: an instruction step of instructing a request to copy main data stored in the information storage medium to data storage means; A sub-data detecting step of detecting the sub-data that is present, and, when the instruction of the copying process is instructed in the instructing step, whether or not to permit copying based on the sub-data detected in the sub-data detecting step Is determined, and if it is determined that the copying is permitted, the storage control means is controlled to continue the copying process to the data storage means and to terminate the copying. Then when it is determined is characterized by a control step of stopping the copying operation of the data storage unit by controlling the storage control unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an electronic computer system, comprising: an instruction step, a sub-data detection step, and the storage control means when the instruction for the copying process is issued in the instruction step. To start the copying process to the data storage means, and then determine whether to permit or prohibit the copying process based on the sub-data detected in the sub-data detecting step. In this case, the control unit controls the storage control unit to continue the copying process to the data storage unit and terminates the copying process. When it is determined that the copying process is prohibited, the storage control unit is controlled to stop the copying process to the data storage unit and perform the copying process. And a control step of erasing the main data during the processing.

The present invention also relates to a control method in an electronic computer system, which comprises an instruction step, a sub-data detection step, and a storage control means for receiving a request for the copying process in the instruction step. To start a copying process to the data storage means, and further checks whether or not the information storage medium is a sub data detection target. As a result of this check, if the information storage medium is a sub data detection target It is determined whether the copying process is permitted or prohibited based on the sub data detected in the sub data detecting step. When it is determined that the copying process is permitted, the storage control unit is controlled to send the data to the data storage unit. The copying process is continued and terminated, and when it is determined to be prohibited, the storage control means is controlled to stop the copying process to the data storage means, and the main data during the copying process is stopped. Characterized by a control step of erasing the data.

The present invention also relates to a control method in an electronic computer system, which is embedded in the reproduced data when an instruction step and an instruction for a request for the copying process are issued in the instruction step. Starting to detect the sub data, a sub data detection step of monitoring the time whether the sub data can be detected from the start and detecting the sub data, and when the sub data is detected by the sub data detection step, It is determined whether copying is permitted or prohibited based on the detected sub-data. When it is determined that copying is permitted, the storage control means is controlled to continue copying processing to the data storage means and terminate. A control step of controlling the storage control means to stop the copying process to the data storage means when it is determined to be prohibited.

The present invention also relates to a control method in an electronic computer system, which comprises an instruction step, a sub-data detection step, and the storage control means, when an instruction for the copying process is issued in the instruction step. To start the copy process to the data storage means, and starts the copy process, and then starts the copy process based on the sub data detected in the sub data detection step. It is determined whether to permit or prohibit. If it is determined to be permitted, the storage control means is controlled to continue the copying process to the data storage means and terminated. If it is determined to be prohibited, the storage control means is controlled. And a control step of stopping the copying process to the data storage means and erasing the main data during the copying process.

The present invention also relates to a control method in an electronic computer system, comprising: an instruction step, a sub-data detection step, and, when an instruction of the copy processing request is issued in the instruction step, the sub-data detection is performed. A control step of controlling the storage control means based on the sub-data detected in the step to control a copying process to the data storage means.

Further, the present invention has a control step of stopping data reproduction by the data reproduction / control means when the sub-data detected in the sub-data detection step corresponds to copy prohibition. And

In the present invention, video, audio, text data, and the like are used as main data, and data embedded in the main data is used as sub data. The sub-data, particularly information for copyright management and the like, is called a watermark.

As described above, according to the above configuration,
Because the central processing control means has a copy restriction function, the copy processing to the data storage means is restricted, so that the user violates the law on copyright protection by intentionally or unintentionally creating copies. Copying can be restricted even when data is sent from an information storage medium via an information transmission means such as the Internet, and when the drive has a copy restriction function. It is possible to reduce the cost as compared with the case.

Further, according to the above configuration, it is assumed that the detection of the watermark by the sub-data detecting means takes a certain period of time or more. Before the watermark is detected, the copying process is started for a while, and the detection of the watermark is started. If it is determined that the copy processing is permitted, the copy processing is continued. If the result is determined not to be permitted, the copy processing is interrupted, and the incomplete file being copied to the data storage unit is deleted. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the time required for the apparent copy processing from the copy processing request to the completion of the copy, and to eliminate the user's discomfort due to the waiting time during the detection of the watermark. In other words, if the time taken to detect the watermark is long, the user may seem to stop the processing of the apparatus and feel uncomfortable. In such a case, the watermark is detected. It is preferable to reduce the user's waiting time in such a case.

Further, according to the above configuration, the user is notified that the creation of the copy determined by the central processing control means has been stopped, thereby preventing the user from misunderstanding that the copy processing has been stopped. It is possible to do.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of an electronic computer system according to the present invention and an audio viewing apparatus including the electronic computer system will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, a first embodiment of a computer system according to the present invention and a video / audio viewing apparatus including the computer system will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, a DVD-R for reproducing information recorded or stored on an information storage medium 1 such as a DVD optical disk.
Data reproducing means 2 composed of an OM drive device or the like
A reproduction control unit 3 including control software such as a device driver for controlling data reproduction of the data reproduction unit 2 including the DVD-ROM drive device; a hard disk drive device, a memory card storage device, etc. A storage / erase control means (storage control means) 5 comprising control software such as a device driver for controlling data storage and erasure with respect to a data storage device (data storage means) 4 comprising:
T, display means 6 including a display device such as a liquid crystal display and a display adapter device for generating a signal corresponding to the content displayed by the display device
A memory 16 for temporarily storing an image / audio signal, which is reproduction data of the DVD optical disc 1 obtained from the data reproduction means (drive device) 2 through the reproduction control means 3; and a reproduction data of the DVD optical disc 1 stored in the memory 16. A main data reproducing unit 9 composed of a DVD reproducing device or the like for demodulating an image / audio signal, which is output from a sound adapter device (not shown); (Drive device) A sub-data detecting means 10 composed of a watermark detecting device for detecting a watermark embedded in a reproduced image / audio signal of the DVD optical disk 1 obtained through the reproducing control means 3 from the reproducing control means 3; Control means 3, storage / erase control means (storage control means) 5, display means 6, memory 16, main data reproducing means 9 And a data processing means 7 comprising a central processing control unit (CPU) connected to the sub data detection means 10 via a bus or the like and performing overall data processing, management and control based on an operating system program (OS) 8. It is configured with. The data reproduction means 2 and the reproduction control means 3 constitute a data reproduction / control means.

Further, since the computer system according to the present invention is provided with the main data reproducing means 9 composed of a DVD reproducing device or the like for viewing images and sounds, the computer system can reproduce images and sounds. It can also be called a viewing device.

Further, the computer system according to the present invention comprises a data processing means 7 comprising a central processing control unit (CPU) comprising a reproduction control means 3, a storage / deletion control means 5, a display means 6, a memory 16, The present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the main data reproducing unit 9 and the sub-data detecting unit 10 are connected by a bus or the like. The connection relationship between the data reproducing means 2 for reproducing data recorded or stored in the information storage medium 1 and the reproduction control means 3 is not limited to the above embodiment.

Here, in actual DVD reproduction by the main data reproducing means 9 constituted by the DVD reproducing apparatus, under the control of the central processing control unit (CPU) 7, the reproduction control means 3 transmits the data via a bus or the like. The decoding process is performed on the data such as MPEG obtained by
Inputting an image signal to the display adapter device 6 to display the image signal after PEG decoding on a display via a bus, and sound to a sound adapter device (not shown) for outputting a sound signal from a speaker or the like. Processing such as signal input is executed. The main DVD reproducing means 9 executes these processes by software or hardware.

The central processing control device (central processing control means) 7 reads out the reproduced image signal or audio signal stored in the memory 16 in accordance with the reproduction output instruction input by the input means 17 such as a keyboard or a mouse. The main data reproducing means 9 performs a decoding process or the like and outputs it to the display adapter device 6 and a sound adapter device (not shown). The sub data detecting device 10 as a watermark detecting device is provided with a drive device. 2 is reproduced from the memory 16 via the data reproduction control means 3.
Indicated by information (copy protection information: for example, information indicating one of copy permission, one-time copy permission, and copy prohibition) embedded in image / audio data stored in the storage device Is detected and restored, and the restored information is transmitted to the central processing controller 7. The sub-data detecting means 10 realizes this processing by dedicated hardware or software protected against reverse engineering. Techniques relating to these are disclosed in JP-A-11-146342 and JP-A-11-1146.
No. 46363, and the like.

Further, control software in the device driver 3 and the like for controlling data reproduction of the DVD-ROM drive device 2 and control software in the device driver 5 and the like for controlling recording / reproduction and erasure of the hard disk drive device 4 are provided for central processing control. Since it is sometimes included in the operating system program 8 executed by the device 7, it may seem that it does not exist as a specific software program.

Next, the processing according to the present invention will be described in chronological order. Here, a description will be given by taking content such as a movie stored in the DVD-ROM disc 1 or the like as an example.
As the contents of protection set by the copyright holder for these contents, for example, simple reproduction (viewing) by the main data reproducing means 9 not including creation of a copy is permitted without any limitation, while, for example, a hard disk Drive device 4
It is anticipated that the creation of duplicates for any number of times will be prohibited. In this case, the information storage medium 1 stores, as a watermark, information regarding permission without restriction on the number of times of reproduction (viewing and listening) and prohibition of copying, embedded in the compressed image / audio data.

Data transfer and storage among the reproduction control means 3, memory 16, main data reproduction means 9, sub-data detection means 10, storage / deletion control means 5, and display means 6 in the computer system according to the present invention. Processing such as copying to the data storage means 4 through the erasure control means 5 is executed by the central processing control device 7 under the management of an operating system program (hereinafter abbreviated as OS).
Therefore, when the user inputs a copy operation command for copying the contents of the DVD disk 1 to another storage device 4 using the input means 17, the central processing control device 7
With the processing and management based on S, it is possible to know that a request for copy processing has been received for data reproduced from the DVD, and furthermore, this processing has been performed improperly in response to the input copy operation from the user. , And other appropriate processing can be executed instead.

Therefore, in the present invention, the central processing controller 7
In the above, the OS determines whether the file copy processing command input by the input means 17 is appropriate in light of the watermark of the file detected by the sub-data detection means 10, and If it is determined that there is a copy operation,
Can be invalidated. Alternatively, the central processing control device 7 starts the copy process once to the data storage device 4 via the storage / erasure control device 5 and then determines that the continuation of the copy process is inappropriate in light of the watermark process. A copy stop command is issued to the storage / deletion control means (storage control means) 5 to stop the copy processing, and a file deletion command is issued to the storage / deletion control means 5 so that the copy processing has been completed. Delete the file that was being created. If the sub-data watermark is detected by the sub-data detection unit 10 as being equivalent to the copy prohibition, the data storage unit 4
Is invalidated, it is preferable that the central processing control device 7 displays that fact on the display means 6 to notify the user.

Next, a description will be given of a first embodiment of a flow for judging copy processing permission / non-permission based on a program such as an OS in the computer system according to the present invention with reference to FIG. The central processing control device 7 starts the determination process based on the OS according to the operation command from the user through the input means 17, and firstly, the operation command includes the DVD disk (information storage medium) 1 to the hard disk drive device (others). It is checked whether or not a process of copying data to the storage device 4 is included (step 201).

As a result, if the copy command is not included in the operation command, the central processing control unit 7 accepts the request for the operation command and executes the necessary processing (for example, the image processing by the main data reproducing unit 9).・ Audio data output processing)
(Step 203).

On the other hand, when the central processing control device 7 determines that the copy command is included in the operation command, the sub-data detection means 10 determines the copy target obtained from the reproduction control means 3 The watermark is detected from the file of the DVD disk 1 and the detection result is transmitted to the central processing controller 7 (step 202). Then, the central processing controller 7 determines that the watermark detection result is
It is checked at least whether the copying process is permitted or prohibited (step 204). As a result, the central processing control device 7 executes Step 2 based on the OS.
If the copy process is permitted in step 04, the copy process is accepted (step 205), and if the copy process is prohibited, the copy process is rejected (step 206).

Next, the procedure of the processing in the above-described determination processing flowchart will be described with a specific example. First, a case in which the user plays (views) only the content of the DVD disc 1 will be described.

When the main data reproducing means 9 is started by a start command from the central processing control device 7 by a user's operation input using the input means 17, data reproduction from the data reproducing means 2 starts. The data reproduced from the DVD disc 1 by the data reproducing means 2 is input to the central processing control device 7 via the reproduction control means 3 and then supplied to the main data reproducing means 9 such as DVD player software, where the data is reproduced. And the reproduction of the image and the sound is performed. Therefore, when the user performs only viewing, the copying process is not included. Therefore, in the flowchart of FIG. 2, the processing path of steps 201 and 203 is executed, and the reproducing process is performed in response to an operation from the user. Will be.

Next, a case where data is copied from the DVD disk 1 to the hard disk drive 4 based on the input copy command from the user will be described. At this time, based on the control from the central processing controller 7, the data reproduced from the DVD disk 1 by the data reproducing means 2 is stored in the memory 16 via the reproduction control means 3, and then stored / erased by the storage / erasure control means. 5 to the data storage means 4. Therefore, when the user inputs a copy command in this way, the central processing control device 7
In the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, the processing paths of steps 201, 202, and 204 are executed, and if the watermark is prohibited from being copied, the copying is prohibited in step 206, and if the copying is permitted, Executes the copy accepting processing path of step 205 and ends. Therefore, the permission / non-permission of the copy operation from the user depends on the contents of the watermark of the target file.

In the first embodiment, a hard disk drive is described as an example of the data storage means 4. However, the data storage means 4 is not limited to this. For example, a CD-R, DVD-R drive, etc. Data storage means which can be recorded only once, and CD-RW, D
A recordable and erasable data storage means such as a VD-RW or MO drive may be used. Further, the storage / erase control means 5 and the central processing control device 7 may be connected to a network via an interface connected to a bus.

As the information storage medium 1, a DVD (D
an optical disk called an “digital versatile disc”; an optical disk reproducing device capable of reproducing the DVD as the data reproducing means 2; a hard disk drive or a memory card storage device as the data storage means 4; a display device as the display means 6; The description has been given of the embodiment using the watermark detection circuit device as the reproducing means 9 and the part for outputting the image / sound data based on the DVD reproducing software as the reproducing means 9; For example, the data storage means 4 may be a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-R, a DVD-R
The present invention can be applied to all data recording devices including optical disk recording devices such as W, DVD-RAM, and magneto-optical disks, and magnetic recording devices. Also, data reproducing means 2
Not limited to devices that reproduce data from tangible media such as optical discs and memory cards, as well as broadcasts intended for unspecified recipients, such as wireless or wired distribution, Devices that can reproduce data from the target communication, on-demand data distribution, Internet connection using a telephone line, a data communication line, and the like are included.

Here, it is assumed that the type of data embedded as a watermark is copy control information for copyright protection. Of course, the information to be embedded is not limited to copy control information. Not
In addition, there may be information indicating the type of data, control information corresponding to each recording medium, or the like. In the present embodiment, the detection of the watermark is performed by the sub-data detecting means 10 of the central processing controller, but the watermark is detected by the sub-data detecting means 10 of the DVD disk reproducing means, that is, the DVD drive. If found,
The central processing control device 7 may receive the detected watermark as it is and use it as information for controlling copying.

Although the program controlled by the central processing control device 7 is an operating system program, it can be executed by other programs.
The above is described in the second embodiment, the third embodiment,
The same applies to the fourth and fifth embodiments.

Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of a copy processing permission / non-permission determination processing flow based on a program such as an OS in the computer system according to the present invention with reference to FIG. Step 20 in the second embodiment
1, 203 and 204 are the same as in the first embodiment. That is, the central processing controller 7 checks whether or not copy processing is included in the input data (step 20).
1). As a result, if the above-described copy processing is not included, the central processing control device 7 receives an operation input from the user based on the OS, and performs control to advance necessary processing (for example, image / audio output processing). (Step 20
3). In other words, when the user performs only viewing, the copying process is not included. Therefore, in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the reproduction process is performed by receiving the operation from the user via the processing paths of steps 201 and 203.

On the other hand, if the input data includes a copy process, the central processing controller 7 controls the storage / erasure control means 5 to start the copy process. However, the central processing controller 7 suspends the copy end processing for the storage / erasure control means 5 (step 302).
Here, the processing command of the central processing control device 7 based on the operation input from the user mainly means a file reading command. That is, when the user inputs a copy processing command as an operation input, the central processing control device 7
It controls the storage / erasure control means 5 to start the copy processing.

Then, the sub-data detecting means 10 starts an operation of detecting a watermark (step 304), and the central processing control device 7 controls the storage / deletion controlling means until the watermark is detected by the sub-data detecting means 10. 5
(Step 305).

When the central processing control unit 7 receives a signal indicating that a watermark has been detected from the sub-data detecting means 10, the central processing control unit 7 determines whether the watermark detection result indicates that the copying process is permitted or not. It is checked whether it is prohibited (step 204).

As a result, if the copy processing is permitted, the central processing control unit 7 continues the copy processing to the storage / erasure control means 5, performs the copy end processing, and normally ends the copy processing. (Step 307). on the other hand,
If the detection result indicates that the copy process is prohibited, the central processing control unit 7 interrupts the copy process without performing the copy end process on the storage / erasure control unit 5 and deletes the file that was being copied. (Step 3
08).

That is, in the case of the copy processing, data reproduced from the DVD disk 1 by the data reproducing means 2 is input to the central processing control device 7 via the reproduction control means 3 and stored in the memory 16. The stored data is transferred to the data storage unit 4 via the storage / erase control unit 5.
And the copy process is started. Next, when the watermark detected by the sub-data detecting means 10 is prohibited from being copied, the central processing control device 7 rejects the copy / restore (step 308) to the storage / deletion controlling means 5 at step 308. If the watermark detected by the sub-data detecting means 10 indicates that copying is permitted, the central processing control device 7 requests the storage / erasing control means 5 to accept the copy in step 307. Is controlled so as to end the process. Therefore, the copy operation from the user is started once, but whether the copy end processing is performed normally or the file being copied is deleted without the copy end processing being performed is determined by the contents of the watermark of the target file. Will depend on Accordingly, when the copy is permitted, the copy process can be started without waiting for the watermark detection. Therefore, when time is required for the watermark detection, the copy process can be simultaneously performed at this time. It is possible to reduce the time required for the apparent copy from the first copy to the completion of the copy.

In the second embodiment, even if the data is once recorded in the data storage means 4 as described above, it is necessary to delete the data when it is determined that the duplication is prohibited. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the data storage means 4 is a hard disk drive, a CD-RW, a DVD-RW,
It is desirable to apply the present invention to a storage device capable of rewriting data in an already written area such as an O drive.
If the present invention is applied to a storage device such as a CD-R or a DVD-R that cannot be rewritten, the amount of writable data of the information medium decreases, which is not preferable. In this case, it is possible to select a suitable one from the flow of the first embodiment or the flow of the second embodiment according to the type of the rewritable medium or not. It is.

When the information medium of the data storage means 4 is exchangeable, the data recorded at the time when the data recorded in the data storage means 4 is found to be prohibited from being copied is erased. Discharge information media,
Notice that the copy operation that the user attempted was rejected
The information may be specified by operation control from the system side (the central processing control device 7 side).

Further, the processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 (second embodiment) is superior to the processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 (first embodiment) in the following points.

That is, when the time required for the watermark detection operation is relatively long and the waiting time during the watermark detection may give a user a sense of incongruity, the processing according to this flowchart is apparently performed for the watermark detection. Since the user does not have to be aware of the required waiting time, it is effective in improving the response speed to the copy operation.

Next, a third embodiment of the copy processing permission / non-permission determination processing flow based on a program such as an OS in the computer system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The third embodiment is the same as the second embodiment, except for the flow (Step 404) of determining whether or not the content is a watermark target content in the electronic computer system. Here, the content to be watermarked is
It refers to data in which a watermark is embedded, for example, image or audio data in which a watermark is embedded.

That is, the central processing control device 7 or the reproduction control means 3 determines in advance whether or not the copy target file input by the user using the input means 17 is the watermark target content (step 40).
4) If the file to be copied is not the content to be watermarked, the copy process is continuously executed, and if the file to be copied is the content to be watermarked, the sub-data detecting means 10 uses the watermark from the file to be copied. By starting the detection operation and making only the necessary files the targets of the watermark detection for the sub-data detection means 10 in step 304, the burden on the central processing control device 7 can be reduced.

It should be noted that whether or not the content is a watermark target content to be determined by the central processing control device 7 or the reproduction control means 3 can be determined from, for example, an extension of a file reproduced by the data reproduction means 2. . As an example, the extension of a file such as a DVD image is. Since it is a vob, it can be determined by looking at this. Of course, this is one example, and it goes without saying that it is possible to determine whether or not the content is a watermark target content from the file content regardless of the extension.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is determined in advance whether or not the file to be copied is the content to be watermarked. Therefore, only the necessary file is targeted for watermark detection, and the data processing means ( The burden on the central processing controller 7 can be reduced.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the copy processing permission / non-permission determination processing flow based on a program such as an OS in the computer system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The fourth embodiment is the same as the first and second embodiments, except for the processing flow (steps 504, 509 to 519) when a watermark cannot be detected after waiting for a predetermined time.

More specifically, in steps 504, 505, and 509, when the sub-data detecting means 10 does not obtain a watermark detection result within a predetermined time after the start of the watermark detection, the central processing control In step 510, the apparatus 7 asks the user whether or not to start the copy process while the watermark is being detected, for example, by displaying it on the display unit 6, and responds to the input using the input unit 17. It is determined whether or not to start copy processing. In this manner, the user is asked whether the copy process can be started because the data storage means 4 is in the CD storage mode.
In the case of -R, DVD-R, etc., the user is warned in advance that the information medium cannot be rewritten in the area where the information has been written, and if the watermark detection result indicates that copying is prohibited, copying is performed. This is to warn the user in advance that the process needs to be interrupted halfway, thereby reducing the writable data amount of the information medium.

That is, after waiting for a predetermined time (step 504), the central processing control device 7 sets the DVD to be copied.
It is determined whether the watermark has been detected from the file on the disk by the sub-data detecting means 10 (step 5).
05). The reason why the processing for waiting for a predetermined time is included is that it is necessary to insert a certain waiting time in the program in practical use.

If the watermark is detected by the sub-data detecting means 10, the process proceeds to step 204. If the watermark permits the copy process, a copy request is accepted (step 205), and the watermark inhibits the copy process. If so, the copy request is rejected (step 206).

When the watermark cannot be detected by the sub-data detecting means 10 in step 505, the central processing controller 7 determines whether a first predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the watermark detection (step 5).
09). As the first processing time, it is assumed that a common sense time required after the user performs an operation to start the copy processing until the computer system starts the copy processing.

Then, if the first predetermined time has not elapsed, the central processing control unit 7 performs a process of returning to step 504 again. If the first predetermined time has elapsed, the central processing control device 7 outputs and displays on the display means 6 or the like whether or not the watermark detection processing has not been completed but the copy processing should be started. Ask the user (Step 5
10). At this time, when the data storage means 4 is a CD-R, DVD-R, or the like, the central processing control device 7 also indicates that the information medium cannot be rewritten in the area in which the data has been written, such as the display means 6. Warning when the watermark detection result indicates that duplication is prohibited, it is necessary to interrupt in the middle of the copy process, resulting in a decrease in the writable data amount of the information medium. Is displayed on the display means 6 or the like and a warning is issued. (Step 510). Note that the central processing control device 7
Can acquire from the storage / erase control unit 5 information on whether the data storage unit 4 is a CD-R, a DVD-R, or the like.

If the answer from the user using the input means 17 does not start the copy process, the process returns to step 504 (step 511). If the answer from the user is to start the copy process, the central processing control device 7 controls so as to start the copy process. However, the copy end operation is suspended (step 51).
2 (302)). Next, after waiting for a predetermined period of time (step 513), the central processing control device 7 reads the sub data detecting means 10
It is determined whether a watermark has been detected (step 514 (305)).

When the watermark is detected, the central processing control unit 7 checks whether the result indicates that the copy processing is permitted or prohibited (step 515 (204)).

If the watermark permits the copying process, the central processing control device 7 controls so as to perform the copying end process (step 516 (307)). Further, if the watermark inhibits the copy processing, the central processing control device 7 does not perform the copy end processing,
The file being copied is deleted (step 517 (3
08)). Further, the central processing control device 7 executes step 51.
If no watermark can be detected in step 4, it is determined whether a second predetermined time has elapsed since the start of watermark detection (step 518). As a result, the process returns to step 514 if the second predetermined time has not elapsed.

If the second predetermined time has elapsed, the central processing control device 7 cannot detect the watermark even if it takes a considerable amount of time. Is interrupted, and control is performed to delete the file being copied without performing the copy end processing (step 519 (308)).

As described above, if the watermark cannot be detected even after the lapse of the first predetermined time from the start of the watermark detection, it is determined whether or not the watermark detection has not been completed but the copy process should be started. Ask against. If the user responds that the operation is to be started, the process proceeds to step 512, and the copy operation from the user is temporarily started, but the copy end process is performed normally, or the file being copied without the copy end process is deleted. This depends on the content of the watermark of the target file. If the copy is permitted, the copy process can be started without waiting for the watermark detection. Therefore, if time is required for the watermark detection, the copy process can be performed simultaneously during this time. The time required for apparent copying until completion can be reduced.

If the user does not respond, the process proceeds to step 504, and after a predetermined time, it is determined whether or not the watermark has been detected again.

However, if the watermark is not detected even after the second predetermined time has passed from the start of the copy processing after passing through the paths of steps 513 and 514 after the transfer to step 512 (step 518), the copy permission is made. If it is determined that confirmation cannot be obtained, the copy process is interrupted, and the file being copied is deleted without performing the copy end process (step 519).

As a result, it is possible to intentionally modify the watermark information for which copying is prohibited so that it does not reach the operating system, thereby preventing an attempt to make an illegal copy.

In the fourth embodiment, as described above, even if the data is once recorded in the data storage means 4, it cannot be confirmed at the time when it is determined that the copy is prohibited or the copy is permitted. It is necessary to delete when it is determined.
Therefore, the fourth embodiment is desirably applied to the case where the data storage means 4 is a rewritable storage device such as a hard disk drive, a CD-RW, a DVD-RW, and an MO drive. When applied to a storage device that cannot be rewritten, such as -R, the amount of writable data of the information medium is reduced. However, as described above, the user is warned in advance that such a situation may occur, and since the situation has occurred as a result of the user's own selection, it is considered acceptable.

Also, in the fourth embodiment, as in the second embodiment, when the information medium of the data storage means 4 is exchangeable, the data recorded in the data storage means 4 is prohibited from being copied. The data recorded at the time when it was found to exist was deleted, then the information medium was ejected, and the operation control from the system side clearly indicated that the copy operation attempted by the user was rejected Is also good.

Further, the processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 (fifth embodiment) is superior to the processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 (first embodiment) in the following points.

That is, in the description of the first embodiment, FIG.
Does not mention the time from the start of watermark detection until the result of watermark detection is obtained, and the time required from the start of watermark detection until the result is obtained is practically Assumes less than a few seconds. However, depending on the embedding state of the watermark, the time required from the start of the watermark detection until the result is obtained may be several minutes or more, and in such a case, the start of the copy process remains suspended. It becomes a problem. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the concept of the upper limit of the waiting time is added in order to solve the above-mentioned problem.

Next, a description will be given of an electronic computer system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the second embodiment.

The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the information storage medium 1 according to the first embodiment is different from the first embodiment.
Is inside the computer system, whereas the second
In the embodiment, the information storage medium 1 does not exist inside the computer system. Instead, the information stored in the information reproducing device 11 outside the computer system is transmitted to the information transmitting unit 12 by the information transmission unit 12. The point is that the data is transmitted to the data reproducing apparatus 2 via the means 13, the information receiving means 14, and the interface means 15.

In FIG. 6, an information reproducing apparatus 11 is an information reproducing apparatus comprising a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive, a video tape reproducing apparatus and a system including an information storage medium corresponding to those apparatuses. , A system capable of transmitting information such as communication equipment, the information transmitting means 13 is an electromagnetic wave propagating in space,
A communication cable such as an optical fiber, a coaxial cable, and a telephone cable, and the information receiving means 14 are a receiver of a broadcast wave, a set-top box for receiving a digital television broadcast, a cable television tuner, an optical fiber receiving terminal device, and a modem. Interface means 15
The connection includes a connection via a cable such as SCSI, USB, IEEE 1394, or a wireless connection such as Bluetooth. Except for the above, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the data reproduced by the data reproducing means 2 is targeted so that a water copy of the data is performed so that a copy operation for the data is appropriately performed. The copy process is controlled based on the result of detecting the mark information. The specific control method is the first
This is the same as the method described in the embodiment.

According to the second embodiment, it is possible to control the copying of data by watermark even for data input to the data reproducing means 2 from outside the target computer system. As long as the interface between the information receiving means and the data reproducing means is correctly performed even if the computer system originally arrives from the information receiving means 14 which was not originally assumed,
There is a feature that the copy control using the watermark can be correctly performed, and even if a new information receiving unit 14 is developed, the effectiveness of the protection using the watermark is not lost. Therefore, the expandability of the system is easily ensured.

As described above, a desired function aimed at by the present invention can be realized by configuring an electronic computer system, a video / audio viewing apparatus including the electronic computer system, or an operating system program for the electronic computer. Becomes possible. That is, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, the central processing control device 7 is provided with a copy restriction function to restrict the copy processing to the data storage means 4, so that the user can intentionally or Violation of laws and regulations relating to copyright protection due to unintentional copying can be prevented beforehand, and data can be transmitted from the information storage medium 1 (11) via information transmission means 12 to 14 such as the Internet. In such a case, copying can be restricted, and the cost can be reduced as compared with a case where the drive has a copy limiting function.

The block configuration shown in the present embodiment is described for each functional block separately for convenience of description, and the present invention is not limited to this.

The present embodiment can be applied to the second or third embodiment in combination, and the effects intended by the present invention can be expected in these combinations.

According to the above-described embodiment, when a user attempts to perform an act that may violate laws relating to copyright protection by intentionally or unintentionally creating a copy, the OS copies the image. ) By detecting the watermark of the file to be attempted and controlling the copying process according to the watermark detection result, it is possible to prevent the user from violating the above-mentioned laws and regulations.

Further, when the copying process is interrupted for the above-mentioned reason, in order to prevent adverse effects due to remaining incomplete files during copying in the data storage means 4, these incomplete files are managed by the OS. It can be automatically erased without any user action under.

Also, by starting the copy processing before detecting the watermark, the time required for the apparent copy from the copy request to the completion of the copy can be shortened.
It is possible to eliminate the user's discomfort due to the waiting time during the detection of the watermark.

In the above case, since the copying process attempted by the user violates the law on copyright protection, the user is notified that the operating system program has stopped creating the copying process. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the user from misunderstanding that the copying process has been stopped.

[0098]

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a user from violating a law concerning copyright protection by intentionally or unintentionally making a copy.

Further, according to the present invention, the time required for apparent copy processing from a copy (copy) processing request from the user to the completion of the copy (copy) is reduced, and the waiting time during detection of a watermark as sub-data is reduced. This has the effect of eliminating user discomfort due to time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of an electronic computer system and a video / audio viewing apparatus including the electronic computer system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an OS in the computer system according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a flowchart of a copy processing permission determination process.

FIG. 3 is an OS in the computer system according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the flowchart of the copy process permission determination process.

FIG. 4 is an OS in the computer system according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the copy processing permission determination processing flowchart of the third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an OS in the computer system according to the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the copy processing permission determination processing flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of an electronic computer system and an audio-visual viewing apparatus including the electronic computer system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the features of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information storage medium, 2 ... Data reproduction means, 3 ... Reproduction control means, 4 ... Data storage means, 5 ... Storage / deletion control means (storage control means), 6 ... Display means, 7 ... Data processing means (Central processing) (Control device, central processing control means), 8: operating system program, 9: main data reproducing means, 10: sub data detecting means, 11: information reproducing apparatus, 1
2 ... information transmission means, 13 ... information transmission means, 14 ... information reception means, 15 ... interface means.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/781 H04N 5/91 P 5/91 5/92 H 5/92 (72) Inventor Eiji Ikeda Ibaraki 1410 Inada, Hitachinaka-shi, Hitachi Digital Media Products Division, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Kimura 1410, Inada, Hitachinaka-shi, Ibaraki Prefecture F-term, Digital Media Products Division, Hitachi, Ltd. 5B017 AA06 BA04 CA09 5C053 FA13 FA23 FA25 GA11 GB11 GB37 JA01 JA21 5D044 AB05 AB07 DE50 FG18 GK12 HH15 HL02 HL08

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. Data reproduction / control means for reproducing and outputting data stored in an information storage medium based on reproduction control, and data storage for main data reproduced and output by the data reproduction / control means. Storage control means for controlling storage in the means, sub-data detection means for detecting sub-data embedded in data reproduced by the data reproduction / control means, and the data based on control by the storage control means. Playback·
When the main data output from the control means is copied and stored in the data storage means, if the sub-data detected by the sub-data detection means is determined to correspond to the copy prohibition, the information by the data reproduction / control means is output. Controlling the reproduction of data from the storage medium to be stopped, stopping the copying and storing of the main data in the data storage means, and deleting the main data in the middle of the copying and storage in the data storage means. An electronic computer system comprising: a central processing control unit that controls a control unit. 2. Data reproduction / control means for reproducing and outputting data stored in an information storage medium based on reproduction control, and main data reproduced and output by the data reproduction / control means for data storage. Storage control means for controlling storage in the means, sub-data detection means for detecting sub-data embedded in data reproduced by the data reproduction / control means, and the data based on control by the storage control means. Playback·
When the main data output from the control means is copied and stored in the data storage means, if the sub-data detected by the sub-data detection means is determined to correspond to the copy prohibition, the information by the data reproduction / control means is output. A central processing unit for controlling to stop reproduction of data from the storage medium; 3. Data reproduction / control means for reproducing and outputting data stored in an information storage medium based on reproduction control, and data storage for main data reproduced and output by the data reproduction / control means. Storage control means for controlling storage in the means, sub-data detection means for detecting sub-data embedded in data reproduced by the data reproduction / control means, and the data based on control by the storage control means. Playback·
When the main data output from the control means is copied and stored in the data storage means, if the sub-data detected by the sub-data detection means is found to correspond to copy prohibition, the main data is stored in the data storage means. And a central processing control means for controlling the storage control means so as to stop the copy storage of the electronic computer. 4. Data reproduction / control means for reproducing and outputting data stored in an information storage medium based on reproduction control, and data storage for main data reproduced and output by the data reproduction / control means. Storage control means for controlling storage in the means, sub-data detection means for detecting sub-data embedded in data reproduced by the data reproduction / control means, and the data based on control by the storage control means. Playback·
When the main data output from the control means is copied and stored in the data storage means, if the sub-data detected by the sub-data detection means is found to correspond to the copy prohibition, the copy storage in the data storage means is performed. And a central processing control means for controlling the storage control means so as to erase the main data in the middle. 5. Data reproduction / control means for reproducing and outputting data stored in an information storage medium based on reproduction control, and data storage for reproducing and outputting main data by the data reproduction / control means. Storage control means for controlling storage in the means, sub-data detection means for detecting sub-data embedded in data reproduced by the data reproduction / control means, and the data based on control by the storage control means. Playback·
When the main data output from the control means is copied and stored in the data storage means, if the sub-data detected by the sub-data detection means is found to correspond to copy prohibition, the main data is stored in the data storage means. And a central processing control means for controlling the storage control means so as to stop the copy storage of the data storage means and to erase the main data in the middle of the copy storage in the data storage means. 6. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising input means for instructing said central processing control means to copy main data output from said data reproduction / control means to said data storage means. The computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. The computer system according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying control information to said storage control means by said central processing control means. . 8. The computer system according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying a sub data detection state detected by said sub data detection means. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a main data reproducing means capable of outputting as an image / sound based on the main data reproduced and output by said data reproducing / controlling means. An electronic computer system according to any one of the above. 10. A data reproduction / control means for reproducing and outputting data stored in an information storage medium, and storing the reproduced and output main data in the data storage means by using a recording / storage control means. An instruction step of instructing a request to copy main data stored in said information storage medium to a data storage means; and a sub-method embedded in said reproduced data. A sub-data detecting step of detecting data; and, when an instruction of the copy processing request is issued in the instructing step, whether or not copying based on the sub-data detected in the sub-data detecting step is permitted or prohibited. Is determined, and when it is determined that the copying is permitted, the storage control means is controlled to continue the copying processing to the data storage means, to end the processing, and to inhibit the copying processing. Control method for an electronic computer system, comprising a control step of stopping the copying operation of the data storage unit by controlling the storage control unit when it is determined that the. 11. A data reproduction / control means for reproducing and outputting data stored in an information storage medium, and controlling the storage of the reproduced and output main data in the data storage means using a storage control means. An instruction step of instructing a request to copy main data stored in the information storage medium to a data storage unit, and sub-data embedded in the reproduced data. Detecting a sub-data to be detected; and, when an instruction for a request for the copy processing is issued in the instruction step, controlling the storage control means to start a copy processing to the data storage means. It is determined whether the copying process is permitted or prohibited based on the sub-data detected in the step. Means for controlling the means to continue and terminate the copy processing to the data storage means, and when it is determined to be prohibited, control the storage control means to stop the copy processing to the data storage means and to copy the main data during the copy processing. And a control step of erasing the data. 12. A data reproducing / controlling means for reproducing and outputting data stored in an information storage medium, and controlling storage of the reproduced and output main data in the data storing means by using a storage control means. An instruction step of instructing a request to copy main data stored in the information storage medium to a data storage unit, and sub-data embedded in the reproduced data. A sub-data detecting step of detecting, and when an instruction of the copy processing request is issued in the instructing step, the storage control means is controlled to start a copy processing to the data storage means. Is a sub data detection target. If the result of the check indicates that the information storage medium is a sub data detection target, the sub data detection step is performed. It is determined whether or not the copying process is permitted or prohibited based on the sub data detected in step. If it is determined that the copying process is permitted, the storage control unit is controlled to continue the copying process to the data storage unit, and the process is terminated. Controlling the storage control means to stop the copy processing to the data storage means when it is determined to prohibit, and to erase the main data during the copy processing. Control method. 13. A data reproducing / controlling means for reproducing and outputting data stored in an information storage medium, and storing the reproduced and outputted main data in the data storing means by using a recording / storage controlling means. An instruction step of instructing a request to copy main data stored in said information storage medium to a data storage means, and instructing said copy processing request in said instruction step. Detecting the sub data embedded in the reproduced data, and monitoring the time whether the sub data can be detected from the start, and detecting the sub data. And determining whether copying is permitted or prohibited based on the detected sub-data when the sub-data is detected in the sub-data detecting step. If it is determined to be permitted, the storage control means is controlled to continue the copying process to the data storage means and is terminated. If it is determined to be prohibited, the storage control means is controlled to perform the copying process to the data storage means. And a control step of stopping the operation of the computer system. 14. A data reproducing / controlling means for reproducing and outputting data stored in an information storage medium, and controlling the storage of the reproduced and output main data in the data storing means by using a storage control means. An instruction step of instructing a request to copy main data stored in the information storage medium to a data storage unit, and sub-data embedded in the reproduced data. A sub-data detecting step to be detected; and, when an instruction for the copy processing request is issued in the instruction step, the storage control means is controlled to inquire whether to start the copy processing to the data storage means. If so, start the copying process, and then allow or prohibit the copying process based on the sub data detected in the sub data detecting step. If it is determined that the copying is permitted, the storage control means is controlled to continue the copying process to the data storage means and is terminated. If it is determined that the copying is prohibited, the storage control means is controlled and the data storage means is controlled. A control step of stopping the copying process and erasing the main data during the copying process. 15. A data reproducing / controlling means for reproducing and outputting data stored in an information storage medium, and controlling the storage of the reproduced and outputted main data in the data storing means by using a storage control means. An instruction step of instructing a request to copy main data stored in the information storage medium to a data storage unit, and sub-data embedded in the reproduced data. A sub-data detecting step of detecting, and when an instruction of a request for the copying process is issued in the instructing step, the storage control means is controlled based on the sub-data detected in the sub-data detecting step to store the data. And a control step of controlling a copying process to a computer system. 16. A control step for stopping data reproduction by data reproduction / control means when the sub data detected in the sub data detection step corresponds to copy prohibition. 16. The control method in the computer system according to 15. 17. The method according to claim 17, wherein, in the control step, when the sub-data detected in the sub-data detecting step corresponds to a copy prohibition, the copying process to the data storage means is stopped. 16. The control method in the computer system according to 15. 18. The method according to claim 18, wherein in the control step, when the sub-data detected in the sub-data detecting step corresponds to a copy prohibition, the data being stored in the data storage means is deleted. A control method in the computer system according to claim 15. 19. In the sub-data detecting step, if the file to be copied reproduced by the data reproducing / controlling means is not the file to be subjected to the sub-data detection, the copying process is continued in the control step. The control method in the computer system according to claim 15, wherein 20. The method according to claim 20, wherein in the sub data detecting step, the determination as to whether or not the file is a target file of the sub data detection is made based on an extension of the file reproduced by the data reproducing / controlling means. Item 17. A control method in the computer system according to Item 16. 21. In the sub-data detection step, when the detection time of the sub-data has exceeded a predetermined time, the control step controls the copying process based on an instruction from a user. Item 16. A control method in the computer system according to Item 15. 22. A sub-data detecting step, wherein when the sub-data is detected as corresponding to the copy prohibition, a notifying step is displayed on the display means to notify the user that the main data is copy prohibition. The control method according to claim 15, wherein: 23. In the sub-data detecting step, when the sub-data is detected as corresponding to the copy prohibition, it is displayed on the display means that the data stored in the data recording / storage means becomes invalid. 16. A notifying step for notifying a user by a notification.
A control method in the electronic computer system described in the above.