JP2002312522A - Information processor, information processing method, recording medium and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inform a user of the use condition of contents. SOLUTION: A right information storage part 65 records the data of right information corresponding to contents (that is, whether or not the right information is present, whether or not the right information is movable, or the residual number of times of check-out). A GUI part 61 allows a display to display an icon corresponding to the data of the right information corresponding to the name of a piece of music.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus, method, and recording medium that enable the user to know the usage conditions permitted for content. , And the program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, with the spread of digital technology, various data such as music data and image data have been digitally recorded or reproduced on a recording medium.

[0003] For copyright protection, the number of times the data is reproduced or the period during which the data can be used may be limited based on the right information corresponding to the data.

[0004] Further, a user can purchase various data such as music data and image data at a terminal device or the like provided at a store of a store, and record and use the personal computer. According to the corresponding rights information, the data purchased at the store or the like can be moved either indefinitely or only once, and after the move, only check-out or check-in is permitted. You.

[0005]

However, unless a dialog box showing rights information is displayed on the personal computer, the user cannot know the usage conditions permitted for the data. .

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and does not require a troublesome operation, and enables the user to quickly know the entire usage conditions permitted for the content. is there.

[0007]

According to an information processing apparatus of the present invention, read control means for controlling reading of contents and data related to contents stored in a storage medium, and reading is controlled by the read control means. Determining means for determining whether the right information corresponding to the content is included in the content or data included in the content. If the result of the determination by the determining means indicates that the right information is included, the content is associated with the data. And display control means for controlling the display of the icon based on the right information.

[0008] An identification means for identifying the type of right information may be further provided.

[0009] Based on the result of the identification by the identification means, the display control means can control the display of the icons so as to indicate permission to move the content and indicate the number of remaining checkouts of the content.

[0010] Based on the result of the identification by the identification means, the display control means can control the display of the icon so as to indicate that the content cannot be moved and to indicate the number of remaining check-outs of the content.

When it is determined that the right information is not included as a result of the determination by the determining unit, the display control unit displays a message indicating that the right information is not included in the content.
The display of icons can be controlled.

[0012] An information processing method according to the present invention comprises: a read control processing step for controlling reading of contents and data related to contents stored in a storage medium;
A determination processing step of determining whether or not the content or data whose read has been controlled by the processing of the read control processing step includes right information corresponding to the content; and a determination result by the determination processing step;
When it is determined that the right information is included, a display control processing step of controlling display of an icon based on the right information in association with the data is included.

The program recorded on the recording medium of the present invention can be read out by the read control processing step for controlling the reading of the content and the data related to the content stored in the storage medium, and the read control processing step. As a result of the determination processing step of determining whether the controlled content or data includes the right information corresponding to the content and the determination processing step, it is determined that the right information is included. In this case, the method includes a display control processing step of controlling display of an icon based on the right information in association with the data.

A program according to the present invention includes a read control processing step for controlling reading of content and data related to the content stored in a storage medium; and a content or data whose read is controlled by the processing of the read control processing step. A determination processing step of determining whether or not right information corresponding to the content is included; and a determination made by the processing of the determination processing step, if it is determined that the right information is included, And a display control processing step of controlling display of an icon based on the right information.

[0015] In the information processing apparatus and method and the program according to the present invention, the content and the data related to the content stored in the storage medium are read, and the read content or the data has the right corresponding to the content. It is determined whether or not the information is included. If the result of the determination is that the right information is included, the display of the icon based on the right information is controlled in association with the data.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a content data management system according to the present invention. The personal computer 1 is connected to a network 2 including a local area network or the Internet. The personal computer 1 is an EMD (Ele
ctronic Music Distribution) server 3
Alternatively, musical tone data (hereinafter, referred to as content) read from a CD (Compact Disc) may be recorded as it is, or a predetermined encoding method (for example, ATRAC3 (Ad
vanced Transform Acoustic Coding (trademark)) and encrypted by an encryption method such as DES (Data Encryption Standard) and recorded.

The personal computer 1 records right information data indicating usage conditions of the content in plain text or corresponding to the content recorded in an encrypted form.

The data of the rights information is, for example, the number of portable devices (Portable Devices (PDs)) that can simultaneously use contents corresponding to the data of the rights information (so-called PDs that can be checked out).
Number). Even when the number of contents indicated by the data of the right information is checked out, the personal computer 1 can reproduce the contents.

Here, the check-out means, for example, of the content, data related to the content, and data of the right information of the content recorded in the personal computer 1, the content and the data related to the content. Is copied to the portable device 5, and the check-in means that the content recorded on the portable device 5 and checked out from the personal computer 1 is returned to the personal computer 1. Then, the content and data related to the content recorded on the portable device 5 are erased.

Alternatively, the data of the right information indicates that the content can be copied. When the content is copied to the portable devices 5-1 to 5-3,
The personal computer 1 can reproduce the recorded content. Content portable device 5-1
The number of times that data can be stored in 5 to 5-3 may be limited. In this case, the number of times that copying can be performed does not increase.

Alternatively, the data of the rights information indicates that the content can be copied without any limitation (that is, there is no use condition). When the content is copied to the portable devices 5-1 to 5-3, the personal computer 1 can reproduce the recorded content.

Alternatively, the data of the right information indicates that the content can be moved to another personal computer (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as “move”). After the content is moved to the portable devices 5-1 to 5-3 (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as “move-out”), the content recorded in the personal computer 1 cannot be used (the content is deleted or the right Information is changed and can no longer be used).

Here, the move-out is different from the check-out described above. For example, all of the contents, data related to the contents, and data of the right information of the contents, which are recorded in the personal computer 1, are stored. The move-in means moving to the portable device 5, and “move-in” moves all the content, data related to the content, and data of the right information of the content recorded in the portable device 5 to the personal computer 1. Means that.

Alternatively, the right information indicates that only check-out or check-in is permitted after the content is moved from the recording medium to the personal computer 1. In this way, importing only once is defined as import. Memory cards 9-1 to 9
-4 to the personal computer 1, for example, the portable device 5-
Checking out to 1 to 5-3 is allowed, but other personal computers or memory cards 9
Moving from -1 to 9-4 is not allowed.

The personal computer 1 stores the encrypted and recorded contents together with data (for example, song titles or reproduction conditions) related to the contents in the US.
Via a B (Universal Serial Bus) cable, the portable device 5-1 is connected and stored in the portable device 5-1. In response to the storage in the portable device 5-1, the rights information corresponding to the stored content is stored. Update the data (hereinafter referred to as checkout). More specifically, when checking out, the number of times the data of the right information corresponding to the content recorded by the personal computer 1 can be checked out is reduced by one. If the number of checkouts is 0,
The corresponding content cannot be checked out.

Similarly, the personal computer 1 causes the portable device 5-2 or 5-3 connected to the portable device 5-2 or 5-3 to store the encrypted and recorded content together with data relating to the content via a USB cable. With the portable device 5-2 or 5-3
, The data of the right information corresponding to the stored content is updated.

The personal computer 1 is connected to a USB
The portable device 5-1 deletes (or disables) the content checked out by the personal computer 1 to the connected portable device 5-1 via the cable, and corresponds to the deleted content. The right information data to be updated is updated (hereinafter referred to as check-in). More specifically, when checking in, the number of times data can be checked out, which is described in the right information of the corresponding content recorded by the personal computer 1, is increased by one.

Similarly, the personal computer 1 is connected to a US
The content checked out by the personal computer 1 to the connected portable device 5-2 or 5-3 via the B cable is transferred to the portable device 5
-2 or 5-3 (or make it unusable), and update the data of the rights information corresponding to the deleted content.

The personal computer 1 is a portable device 5-1 other than a personal computer (not shown).
I cannot check in content that has been checked out to. Similarly, the personal computer 1 is connected to another personal computer by the portable device 5-2 or 5
-3 cannot check in content that has been checked out. That is, the devices that can check in are uniquely determined.

The EMD server 3 supplies the content to the personal computer 1 via the network 2 together with the data (for example, the title of the music or the reproduction restriction) in response to the request from the personal computer 1.

The contents supplied by the EMD server 3 are encoded by a predetermined encoding method and are also encrypted by a predetermined encryption method. The EMD server 3 supplies the personal computer 1 with a key for decrypting the content.

A WWW (World Wide Web) server 4 responds to a request from the personal computer 1 via a network 2 to read data (eg, CD album name or CD sales) corresponding to a content read CD. The data corresponding to the content read from the CD (eg, a company) is supplied to the personal computer 1 (for example, a song title or a composer name).

The portable device 5-1 stores the content (ie, the content supplied from the personal computer 1).
The content that has been checked out or the content that has been moved out) is stored together with data related to the content (for example, a song title or rights information). The portable device 5-1 reproduces the stored content based on the data related to the content, and outputs the content to headphones (not shown) or the like.

For example, when an attempt is made to reproduce more than the number of reproductions described in the rights information stored as data related to the content, the portable device 5
-1 stops the reproduction of the corresponding content. Further, for example, when an attempt is made to play back after the playback time limit described in the right information stored as data related to the content, the portable device 5-1 stops playing back the corresponding content.

The user can remove the portable device 5-1 storing the content from the personal computer 1, carry it around, play back the stored content, and listen to music or the like corresponding to the content using headphones or the like. .

Like the portable device 5-1, the portable device 5-2 or 5-3 stores the content supplied from the personal computer 1 together with data relating to the content. The portable device 5-2 or 5-3 reproduces the stored content based on the data related to the content, and outputs the content to headphones (not shown). The user can remove the portable device 5-2 or 5-3 storing the content from the personal computer 1, carry it around, play back the stored content, and listen to music or the like corresponding to the content using headphones or the like. it can.

The memory card 9-1 is inserted into a terminal device 6 provided at a store or the like of a store, and stores contents purchased by a user operating the terminal device 6 together with corresponding rights information data. I do. The predetermined content stored in the memory card 9-1 is imported (that is, moved only once) based on the data of the right information.
Is allowed.

Memory card 9-1 storing contents
Is installed in a slot of the personal computer 1. The personal computer 1 imports (moves in) the content stored in the attached memory card 9-1. The personal computer 1 generates data of rights information corresponding to the imported content and permitting only check-out or check-in, and stores the generated data of rights information. The content imported to the personal computer 1 is stored in the portable devices 5-1 to 5 based on the right information.
-3 is permitted to be checked out, or check-in is permitted from the portable devices 5-1 to 5-3.

The memory card 9-2 is inserted into the mobile phone 7 and purchased by the user operating the mobile phone 7 (for example, via a mobile phone line,
(Downloaded content) is stored together with the corresponding right information data. The predetermined content stored in the memory card 9-2 is based on the data of the right information.
Import is allowed.

Memory card 9-2 storing contents
Is installed in a slot of the personal computer 1. The personal computer 1 imports the content stored in the attached memory card 9-2. The personal computer 1 generates data of rights information corresponding to the imported content and permitting only check-out or check-in, and stores the generated data of rights information.

The memory card 9-3 has a PDA (Personal Digital
gital assistant) 8 and stores the content purchased from the EMD server 3 via the network 2 together with the corresponding rights information data by operating the PDA 8 by the user. Import of the predetermined content stored in the memory card 9-3 is permitted based on the data of the right information.

Memory card 9-3 storing contents
Is installed in a slot of the personal computer 1. The personal computer 1 imports the content stored in the attached memory card 9-3. The personal computer 1 generates data of rights information corresponding to the imported content and permitting only check-out or check-in, and stores the generated data of rights information.

The memory card 9-4 is inserted into a portable device 5-4 with a recording function (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a portable device 5-4), and a user operates the portable device 5-4 to record. The content is stored together with the correspondingly generated right information data. The content stored in the memory card 9-4 is
Import is permitted based on the rights information data.

Memory card 9-4 storing contents
Is installed in a slot of the personal computer 1. The personal computer 1 imports the content stored in the attached memory card 9-4. The personal computer 1 generates data of rights information corresponding to the imported content and permitting only check-out or check-in, and stores the generated data of rights information.

The portable devices 5-1 to 5-
When it is not necessary to distinguish the 4 individually, it is simply referred to as a portable device 5. Hereinafter, the memory cards 9-1 to 9
When it is not necessary to distinguish -4 individually, it is simply referred to as a memory card 9.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the personal computer 1.

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11
Various application programs (for example, an application program called a so-called jukebox) for realizing the functions described later, and an operating system (OS)
stem) is actually executed. ROM (Read Only Memory) 12
Generally stores fixed data of a program used by the CPU 11 and parameters for calculation. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 11 and parameters that change as appropriate in the execution. CPU 11 to RAM 13
Are interconnected by a host bus 14 composed of a CPU bus and the like.

The host bus 14 is connected to a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interfac
e) It is connected to an external bus 16 such as a bus.

The keyboard 18 is operated by the user when inputting various commands to the CPU 11. Mouse 19
Is operated by the user when pointing or selecting a point on the screen of the display 20. Display 2
0 indicates LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or CRT (Catho
de Ray Tube) and displays various information as text or images. An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 21 drives a hard disk and records or reproduces a program or information executed by the CPU 11 on the hard disk.

The drive 22 reads data or a program recorded on the mounted magnetic disk 41, optical disk 42 (including CD), magneto-optical disk 43, or semiconductor memory 44, and reads the data or program. Interface 17, external bus 16,
The data is supplied to the RAM 15 connected via the bridge 15 and the host bus 14.

A portable device 5-1 is connected to the USB port 23-1 via a USB cable. The USB port 23-1 includes data (for example, contents or commands of the portable device 5-1, etc.) supplied from the CPU 11, the RAM 13, or the HDD 21 via the host bus 14, the bridge 15, the external bus 16, and the interface 17. ) Is output to the portable device 5-1 or data stored in the portable device 5-1 is supplied to the HDD 21, the CPU 11, or the RAM 13 via the interface 17 to the host bus 14.

A portable device 5-2 is connected to the USB port 23-2 via a USB cable, and a portable device 5-3 is connected to the USB port 23-3 via a USB cable. The USB port 23-2 or 23-3 is connected to the CPU 11, the RA, similarly to the USB port 23-1.
M13 or data supplied from the HDD 21 (for example,
Content or portable device 5-2 or 5-
3 command etc.) to the portable device 5-2.
Or the data stored in the portable device 5-2 or 5-3, respectively.
21 and supply them to the CPU 11 or the RAM 13, respectively.

The speaker 24 outputs a predetermined sound corresponding to the content based on the sound signal supplied from the interface 17.

The keyboard 18 to the speaker 24
Is connected to the interface 17, and the interface 17 is connected to the CPU 11 via the external bus 16, the bridge 15, and the host bus 14.

The communication unit 25 is connected to the network 2, stores data (for example, a content transmission request) supplied from the CPU 11 or the HDD 21 in a packet of a predetermined format, and While transmitting, the data (for example, content) stored in the received packet via the network 2 is transmitted.
Output to CPU11, RAM13, or HDD21.

The memory card interface 26 reads the content and the corresponding right information data stored in the memory card 9 from the memory card 9 inserted in the slot of the personal computer 1,
U11, RAM13, or HDD21, and C
The data supplied from the PU 11, the RAM 13, or the HDD 21 is stored in the memory card 9.

The communication unit 25 and the memory card interface 26 are connected to the CPU 11 via the external bus 16, bridge 15, and host bus 14.

Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the USB ports 23-1 to 23-3 individually, the USB ports
Called.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of the personal computer 1 realized by the CPU 11 executing the content management program.

GUI (Graphical User Interface) unit 61
Supplies the song name corresponding to the content desired by the user or the file name of the file in which the content is stored to the song management unit 64 in response to the operation of the keyboard 18 or the mouse 19 by the user, Requests registration of data corresponding to the content in the database 67.

The GUI unit 61 receives data corresponding to the contents from the database 67 via the song management unit 64, for example, song ID, song title, or artist name, and data such as song title or right information from the right information storage unit 65. Is acquired, and an icon corresponding to text such as a song ID, a song title, or an artist name, and right information is displayed on the display 20.

The GUI section 61 supplies a music ID corresponding to the requested content to the content management processing section 62 when the reproduction of the content is requested by the user's operation, and also controls the content reproduction. Request to the processing unit 62.

The GUI unit 61 supplies the music ID corresponding to the content requested to be transferred to the transfer processing unit 63 when the content transfer (checkout, copy, move, etc.) is requested by the user's operation. At the same time, it requests the transfer processing unit 63 to transfer the content.

When the import of the content is requested by the user's operation, the GUI unit 61 supplies the media content ID corresponding to the content requested to be imported to the transfer processing unit 63 and performs the transfer processing of the import of the content. Request to section 63.

The GUI unit 61 sends the portable device 5-1 to 5-3 or the memory card 9 from the transfer processing unit 63.
Data corresponding to the content stored in the e.g., media content ID, song name, or artist name, and data such as rights information are obtained, and converted to text data such as the song name or artist name, and data of rights information. The corresponding icon is displayed on the display 20.

The content management processing section 62 includes a GUI section 61
When the playback of the content is requested from the
Then, a music ID corresponding to the content requested to be reproduced is supplied, and a file name corresponding to the content is requested. When the content management processing unit 62 acquires the file name from the music management unit 64, the music file storage unit 68-1
Alternatively, the content is obtained from 68-2 via the database 67, the file search unit 66, and the music management unit 64.

The content management processing section 62 converts the acquired content into a PC (Protected Content) plug-in 69-
1 or 69-2.

The PC plug-in 69-1 or 69-2 is
When the unencrypted content is supplied from the content management processing unit 62, the encoded content is decoded, and the audio data is output to the audio output unit 70-1 or 70-7.
0-2. When the encrypted content is supplied from the content management processing unit 62, the PC plug-in 69-1 or 69-2 decrypts the encrypted content into plain text, and deletes the encoded content. The audio data is decoded and the audio data is output to the audio output unit 7
0-1 or 70-2 respectively. The audio output unit 70-1 or 70-2 generates an audio signal based on the audio data, and causes the speaker 24 to output audio.

The user can additionally install the PC plug-in on the personal computer 1.

Hereinafter, when there is no need to individually distinguish the PC plug-in 69-1 or the PC plug-in 69-2, it is simply referred to as the PC plug-in 69.

When the transfer of the content is requested from the GUI unit 61, the transfer processing unit 63 supplies the song ID corresponding to the content requested to be transferred to the song management unit 64, and stores the file name corresponding to the content. Request. When acquiring the file name from the song management unit 64, the transfer processing unit 63 sends the file name from the song file storage unit 68-1 or 68-2 via the song management unit 64, the file search unit 66, and the database 67. Get the content corresponding to. The transfer processing unit 63 supplies the acquired content to the PD plug-ins 71-1 to 71-3, respectively.

When the import of content is requested from the GUI unit 61, the transfer processing unit 63 supplies the media content ID corresponding to the content requested to be imported to the memory card plug-in 72, and Request to import content. The transfer processing unit 63 includes the memory card plug-in 7
2, the content to be imported is acquired together with the corresponding right information data. The transfer processing unit 63 supplies the content to be imported to the music management unit 64 together with the data of the right information.

When the transfer of the content from the GUI unit 61 to the personal computer 1 is requested, the transfer processing unit 63 supplies the memory card plug-in 72 with the media content ID corresponding to the requested content. At the same time, a request is made to move the content corresponding to the media content ID. Transfer processing unit 63
Acquires the content to be moved from the memory card plug-in 72 together with the corresponding right information data. The transfer processing unit 63 supplies the content to be moved to the music management unit 64 together with the data of the right information.

When transferring the content to the portable device 5-1, the PD plug-in 71-1 performs mutual authentication with the portable device 5-1. When the mutual authentication has not been performed, the PD plug-in 71-1 transmits the portable device 5-
1 do not transfer content.

The PD plug-in 71-1 has a transfer processing unit 63
When the encrypted content is supplied from, the content is supplied to the portable device 5-1 together with the data related to the content. When the unencrypted content is supplied from the transfer processing unit 63, the PD plug-in 71-1 encrypts the content,
The encrypted content is supplied to the portable device 5-1 together with the data related to the content.

Note that the mutual authentication process may be executed when the portable device 5-1 is connected to the personal computer 1.

The PD plug-in 71-2 or 71-3 is
Like the PD plug-in 71-1, the portable device 5
When transferring the content to -2 or 5-3, mutual authentication is performed with the portable device 5-2 or 5-3, respectively. When mutual authentication is not successful, PD Plug-in 71-2
Or 71-3 is the portable device 5-2 or 5
-3 is not transferred.

The PD plug-in 71-2 or 71-3 is
When the encrypted content is supplied from the transfer processing unit 63, the content is supplied to the portable device 5-2 or 5-3 together with the data related to the content. PD plug-in 71-2 or 71-3
When the unencrypted content is supplied from the transfer processing unit 63, the content is encrypted and the encrypted content is supplied to the portable device 5-2 or 5-3 together with the data related to the content. .

The mutual authentication process may be executed when the portable device 5-2 or 5-3 is connected to the personal computer 1, respectively.

The user can further install the PD plug-in on the personal computer 1.

Hereinafter, the PD plug-ins 71-1 to 71-3
Are simply referred to as PD plug-ins 71 when there is no need to distinguish them individually.

The memory card plug-in 72, when requested to import the content from the transfer processing unit 63,
The content corresponding to the media content ID is read from the memory card 9 together with the corresponding right information data. The memory card plug-in 72 supplies the data of the read content and the right information to the transfer processing unit 63.

When a transfer of a content is requested from the transfer processing unit 63, the memory card plug-in 72 reads out the content corresponding to the media content ID from the memory card 9 together with the corresponding right information data. The memory card plug-in 72 supplies the data of the read content and the right information to the transfer processing unit 63.

The song management unit 64 stores the title of the song corresponding to the content in the database 67 via the file search unit 66.
Data such as a file name corresponding to the content is recorded, and a song name or a file name is read from the database 67. When receiving the song name or the file name from the GUI unit 61, the song management unit 64 causes the database 67 to add a record, and records the song name or the file name as an item of the record.

When the data of the content and the right information to be imported are supplied from the transfer processing unit 63, the song management unit 64 stores the song name and the content corresponding to the content in the database 67 via the file search unit 66. Record the data such as the file name
The content is stored in the music file storage unit 68-1 or 68-2.
To record. The music management unit 64 generates new rights information data based on the rights information supplied corresponding to the content to be imported, and causes the rights information storage unit 65 to record the generated data. At this time, the data of the right information generated in the music management unit 64 records that only check-in or check-out is permitted.

When the data of the content and the right information to be moved are supplied from the transfer processing unit 63, the music management unit 64
Then, data such as a song name corresponding to the content and a file name corresponding to the content are recorded, and the content is recorded in the song file storage unit 68-1 or 68-2. The music management section 64 causes the right information storage section 65 to record the data of the supplied right information corresponding to the content to be imported.

The music management section 64 reads out all music names and music IDs recorded in the database 67 in response to the request from the GUI section 61 and supplies them to the GUI section 61.

The music management section 64 includes the content management processing section 6
When the song ID is supplied from 2, the file name corresponding to the song ID is read from the database 67, and the read file name is supplied to the content management processing unit 62. When the song ID is supplied from the transfer processing unit 63, the song management unit 64
The file name corresponding to the song ID is read from the database 67, and the read file name is supplied to the transfer processing unit 63.

The file search section 66 responds to the request from the music management section 64 based on the file name obtained from the database 67, and stores the file corresponding to the file name from the music file storage section 68-1 or 68-2. Search for content). The file search unit 66 supplies the file read from the song file storage unit 68-1 or 68-2 to the song management unit 64, or changes the file name of the file, and manages the file with the changed file name in song management. To the unit 64.

The music management section 64 supplies the file storing the content supplied from the file search section 66 to the content management processing section 62 or the transfer processing section 63.

[0092] The database 67 is stored in the HDD 21 and includes data related to contents, for example, a song ID,
Record song name, file name, or other attributes.

The music file storage unit 68-1 stores, for example, an HD
It is composed of an external storage device (not shown) such as D21 or a removable disk device, and stores contents as a file. The contents recorded in the music file storage unit 68-1 include those having rights information and those having no rights information. The music file storage unit 68-1 can store one or more files corresponding to one music. The music file storage unit 68-1 corresponds to, for example, one drive letter. The drive letter corresponding to the music file storage unit 68-1 may be changed.

Since the music file storage unit 68-2 has the same configuration as the music file storage unit 68-1, its description is omitted.

Next, the import of contents will be described with reference to FIG.

The memory card 9-1 is stored in the EMD server 3, the terminal device 6, or the portable device 5 with a recording function.
4 and the contents permitted to be imported (moved only once) are stored.

When the content permitted to be imported is imported from the memory card 9-1 to the personal computer 1, the content imported to the personal computer 1 is checked out to, for example, the portable device 5-1 and checked. After being out, it is permitted to check in from the portable device 5-1. However, transfer of the content imported to the personal computer 1 to the memory card 9-2 is not permitted. Of course, movement to another memory card 9 is not permitted. That is, the content stored in the memory card 9-1 is permitted to be moved only once, and when the content is imported from the memory card 9-1 to the personal computer 1 (moved once),
Thereafter, only check-in or check-out is allowed.

Next, the movement of contents will be described with reference to FIG.

The memory card 9-1 is stored in the EMD server 3, the terminal device 6, or the portable device 5 with a recording function.
4 and the contents permitted to be moved are stored. Since the content permitted to be moved only once (that is, imported) has been described above with reference to FIG. 4, the content permitted to be moved two or more times will be described here.

When the content permitted to be moved two or more times is moved from the memory card 9-1 to the personal computer 1, the portable device 5-1 checks the content moved to the personal computer 1, for example. Out and check out,
Check-in from the portable device 5-1 is permitted.

The contents moved to the personal computer 1 are permitted to move to the memory card 9-2. Further, the movement of the content moved to the memory card 9-2 to the personal computer 1 is permitted.

However, when the content is moved from the personal computer 1 to the portable device 5-1 after being checked out to the memory card 9-3, the content stored in the portable device 5-1 is deleted. Check-in to 1 is not allowed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing data of music information including rights information corresponding to contents stored in the personal computer 1. Personal computer 1
The data of the song information stored in is stored in, for example, a media content ID, a song name, the number of checkouts, and a file name.

In addition, a device ID indicating the ID of the personal computer 1 or a device content ID indicating an identifier having a unique value for each song in the personal computer 1 may be stored.

The media content ID is an identifier that uniquely corresponds to one song and has a unique value for each song in the recording medium of the personal computer 1, for example, the HDD 21. The song name indicates the name of the song.

The type of content indicates the use condition of the content (movable with right, movable with right, or no right). When the type of the content is 1, it indicates that the content cannot be moved with the right (only check-in and check-out are permitted). When the type of content is 2, it indicates that the content is moveable with rights (check-in and check-out is possible and move is possible). When the content type is 3,
This indicates that the content has no right information (the number of times that the content can be checked out is infinite (unlimited)).

The file name indicates, for example, a file name including a path including a drive name and a folder name. The right information storage unit 65 stores a file (song file storage unit 68) in which the content at the time when the content is registered (when the content is stored, or when data related to the content is registered in the database 67). -1 or 68-2) as a file name.

In the case of the example shown in FIG.
The content whose ID is 1 has a song name of “Song-A”, a content type of “3”, a checkout count of “0”, and a file name of “F: \ My Music \ Albu
m \ 01-Song-a.omg "is stored. The content whose media content ID is 2 has a song name of “Song-B”, a content type of “1”,
Check-out count is “3” and the file name is “F:
\ My Music \ Album \ 02-Song-b.omg "is stored. The content whose media content ID is 3 has a song name of “Song-C”, a content type of “2”, a checkout count of “3”, and a file name of “F: \ My Music \”. New \ 01-Song-c.omg "is stored.

Next, the icons corresponding to the data of the right information displayed on the display 20 by the GUI unit 61 will be described.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the GUI unit 61 stores a field 101 for displaying a song name corresponding to the content stored in the personal computer 1 on the display 20 and a memory card 9. A window including a field 102 for displaying a song name or the like corresponding to the content being displayed is displayed.

In the window shown in FIG.
01, 102, check-in button 103-1, check-out button 103-2, move-in button 10
4-1, a move-out button 104-2, a player operation unit 105, and a tab group 106 are displayed.

The check-in button 103-1 is operated when checking in the content corresponding to the predetermined music title selected in the field 102 into the personal computer 1, and the check-out button 103-2 is selected in the field 101. This operation is performed when the content corresponding to the predetermined music title is checked out to the memory card 9.

The move-in button 104-1 is operated when moving the content corresponding to the predetermined music title selected in the field 102 into the personal computer 1, and the move-out button 104-2 is selected in the field 101. This operation is performed when a content corresponding to a predetermined music title is moved out to the memory card 9.

The player operation unit 105 includes various operation buttons used when the user plays back content data imported or moved to the jukebox application program. The tab group 106 includes tabs named “CD” (hereinafter simply referred to as “CD” tabs and the same applies to other tabs), “Import” tab, “Playlist” tab, “Check-in / out” Tab, an “apparatus / media” tab, and an “internet” tab. In this case,
The fields 101 and 102 are displayed when the user selects the “check in / out” tab.

[0115] The "CD" tab is attached to the drive 22.
This is selected when the content data recorded on the CD is to be reproduced. The “import” tab is selected when content data that is not registered as content data managed by the jukebox application program among the content data recorded on the HDD 21 is registered in the playlist. The “Playlist” tab is selected when, for example, playing back content data registered in a playlist, collecting desired content data, and editing a favorite content data group. The “check-in / out” tab is selected when content data is checked in from an external device such as the memory card 9 or checked out to the memory card 9. The "Internet" tab
This is selected when connecting to the network 2 or the like and downloading desired content.

When the type of content included in the right information corresponding to the content is the immovable content with the right and the number of remaining checkouts of 4 or more is set, the GUI section 61 indicates that the content cannot be moved. , An icon 111 indicating that the number of remaining checkouts is four or more
Is displayed in the field 101 in correspondence with the title of the content (in this case, “Song-1”).

When the type of the content included in the right information corresponding to the content is the immovable content with the right and the number of remaining checkouts is set to 3 times, the GUI unit 61 determines that the content is immovable. Yes, icon 112 indicating that the number of remaining checkouts is three
Is displayed in the field 101 in association with the title of the content (in this case, “Song-2”).

When the type of the content included in the right information corresponding to the content is the immovable content with the right, and the number of remaining checkouts is set to two, the GUI unit 61 determines that the content is immovable. Yes, icon 113 indicating that the number of remaining checkouts is two
Is displayed in the field 101 in correspondence with the title of the content (in this case, “Song-3”).

When the type of the content included in the right information corresponding to the content is the immovable content with the right and the number of remaining checkouts is set to one, the GUI unit 61 determines that the content is immovable. Yes, icon 114 indicating that the number of remaining checkouts is one
Is displayed in the field 101 in association with the title of the content (in this case, “Song-4”).

When the type of the content included in the right information corresponding to the content is the immovable content with the right and 0 remaining checkout times are set, the GUI unit 61 determines that the content is immovable. Yes, icon 115 indicating that the number of remaining checkouts is 0
Is displayed in the field 101 in association with the title of the content (in this case, “Song-5”).

Further, the GUI unit 61 determines whether or not the type of content included in the right information corresponding to the content is a movable content with a right, and if the number of remaining checkouts is set to 4 or more, the GUI unit 61 can move the content. And an icon 11 indicating that the number of remaining checkouts is four or more.
6 is displayed in the field 101 in association with the title of the content (in this case, “Song-6”).

When the type of the content included in the right information corresponding to the content is the movable content with the right and the number of remaining checkouts is set to three, the GUI unit 61 determines that the content is movable. Yes, an icon 117 indicating that the number of remaining checkouts is three is displayed in the field 101 in association with the title of the content (in this case, “Song-7”).

When the type of the content included in the right information corresponding to the content is the movable content with the right, and the number of remaining checkouts is set to two, the GUI unit 61 determines that the content is movable. Yes, an icon 118 indicating that the number of remaining checkouts is two is displayed in the field 101 in association with the title of the content (in this case, “Song-8”).

When the type of the content included in the right information corresponding to the content is the movable content with the right and the number of remaining checkouts is set to one, the GUI unit 61 determines that the content is movable. Yes, an icon 119 indicating that the number of remaining checkouts is one is displayed in the field 101 in association with the title of the content (in this case, “Song-9”).

When the type of the content included in the right information corresponding to the content is the movable content with the right and 0 remaining checkout times are set, the GUI unit 61 determines whether the content is movable. An icon 120 indicating that the number of remaining checkouts is 0 is displayed in the field 101 in association with the title of the content (in this case, “Song-10”).

Further, the GUI unit 61 is provided, for example, in FIG.
As shown in (1), when the content does not include the right information, an icon 131 indicating that there is no right information is displayed in the field 101 in association with the title of the content (in this case, “raw file”). .

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the icons corresponding to the right information displayed in the windows of FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 9A is a diagram showing the icon 111 in a case where it is immovable and the number of remaining checkouts is four or more.

FIG. 9B shows an icon 1 indicating that movement is not possible and the number of remaining checkouts is three.
FIG.

FIG. 9 (C) shows an icon 1 indicating that movement is not possible and the number of remaining checkouts is two.
FIG.

FIG. 9D shows an icon 1 indicating that movement is not possible and the number of remaining checkouts is one.
FIG.

FIG. 9E shows an icon 1 indicating that movement is not possible and the number of remaining checkouts is 0.
FIG.

FIG. 9 (F) is a diagram showing the icon 116 in the case where it is possible to move and the number of remaining checkouts is four or more.

FIG. 9 (G) shows an icon 11 indicating that the mobile terminal is movable and the number of remaining checkouts is three.
FIG.

FIG. 9 (H) shows an icon 11 indicating that the mobile terminal is movable and the number of remaining checkouts is two.
FIG.

FIG. 9 (I) shows an icon 11 indicating that it is movable and the number of remaining checkouts is one.
FIG.

FIG. 9 (J) shows an icon 12 indicating that it is movable and the number of remaining checkouts is 0.
FIG.

FIG. 9K is a diagram showing the icon 131 in the case where there is no right information.

As described above, whether or not the right information is present, whether or not the content included in the right information is movable, or the number of remaining checkouts included in the right information is displayed as an icon. It is possible to easily inform the user of the usage conditions of the content.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10, a process of displaying an icon related to the right information included in the content, which is executed by the GUI unit 61 will be described.

At step S 1, the GUI unit 61 acquires the data of the right information from the right information storage unit 65 via the music management unit 64. In step S2, the GUI unit 6
1 determines whether or not the acquisition of the right information data has been successful. If it is determined that the acquisition of the right information data has not been successful, there is no right information in the content, so the process proceeds to step S3. Icon 13 indicating that there is no right information
1 (FIG. 9 (K)), and the process proceeds to step S24.

If it is determined in step S2 that the right information data has been successfully obtained, the process proceeds to step S4, where the GUI unit 61 determines the type of the content (movable or not) from the obtained right information data. Or the number of remaining checkouts).

In step S5, the GUI unit 61 determines whether or not the content is movable based on the type of the content investigated in the processing in step S4. If it is determined that the content is not movable, the process proceeds to step S6. The process proceeds, and it is determined whether the number of remaining checkouts is four or more based on the type of content checked in the process of step S4.

If it is determined in step S6 that the number of remaining checkouts is four or more, the process proceeds to step S6.
7, the GUI unit 61 displays an icon 111 indicating that the user cannot move and the number of remaining checkouts is four or more.
(FIG. 9A) is set, and the process proceeds to step S24.

When it is determined in step S6 that the number of remaining checkouts is not four or more, the process proceeds to step S8, and the GUI unit 61 further determines whether the number of remaining checkouts is three. .

If it is determined in step S8 that the number of remaining checkouts is three, the process proceeds to step S9, where the GUI unit 61 displays an icon indicating that movement is not possible and the number of remaining checkouts is three. 112 (FIG. 9
(B)) is set, and the process proceeds to step S24.

If it is determined in step S8 that the number of remaining checkouts is not three, step S1
Proceeding to 0, the GUI unit 61 further determines whether or not the number of remaining checkouts is two.

If it is determined in step S10 that the number of remaining checkouts is two, step S9
The GUI unit 61 displays an icon 113 (FIG. 9) indicating that the user cannot move and the number of remaining checkouts is two.
(C)) is set, and the process proceeds to step S24.

If it is determined in step S10 that the number of remaining checkouts is not two, step S10
Proceeding to 12, the GUI unit 61 further determines whether or not the number of remaining checkouts is one.

If it is determined in step S12 that the number of remaining checkouts is one, step S9
The GUI unit 61 displays an icon 114 indicating that the user cannot move and the number of remaining checkouts is one (see FIG. 9).
(D)) is set, and the process proceeds to step S24.

If it is determined in step S12 that the number of remaining checkouts is not one, the process proceeds to step S12.
Proceeding to 14, the GUI unit 61 displays an icon 115 indicating that it cannot be moved and the number of remaining checkouts is zero.
(FIG. 9E) is set, and the process proceeds to step S24.

If it is determined in step S5 that the content is movable based on the type of content checked in the processing in step S4, the process proceeds to step S15, and the GUI unit 61 further checks in the processing in step S4. It is determined whether the number of remaining checkouts is four or more based on the type of the content.

If it is determined in step S15 that the number of remaining checkouts is four or more, the process proceeds to step S16, and the GUI unit 61 determines that the mobile terminal is movable and the number of remaining checkouts is four or more. Icon 11
6 (FIG. 9 (F)), and the process proceeds to step S24.

If it is determined in step S15 that the number of remaining checkouts is not four or more, the process proceeds to step S17, and the GUI unit 61 further determines whether the number of remaining checkouts is three. .

If it is determined in step S17 that the number of remaining checkouts is three, step S1
8, the GUI unit 61 displays an icon 117 (FIG. 9) indicating that it is movable and the number of remaining checkouts is three.
(G)) is set, and the process proceeds to step S24.

If it is determined in step S17 that the number of remaining checkouts is not three, the process proceeds to step S17.
Proceeding to 19, the GUI unit 61 further determines whether or not the number of remaining checkouts is two.

If it is determined in step S19 that the number of remaining checkouts is two, step S2
0, the GUI unit 61 displays an icon 118 (FIG. 9) indicating that it is movable and the number of remaining checkouts is two.
(H)) is set, and the process proceeds to step S24.

If it is determined in step S19 that the number of remaining checkouts is not two,
Proceeding to 21, the GUI unit 61 further determines whether or not the number of remaining checkouts is one.

If it is determined in step S21 that the number of remaining checkouts is one, step S2
Then, the GUI unit 61 moves to an icon 119 indicating that the number of checkouts is one (see FIG. 9).
(I)) is set, and the process proceeds to step S24.

If it is determined in step S21 that the number of remaining checkouts is not one, the process proceeds to step S21.
Proceeding to 23, the GUI unit 61 sets an icon 120 (FIG. 9 (J)) indicating that it is movable and the number of remaining checkouts is 0, and proceeds to step S24.

In step S24, the GUI unit 61
The set icon is displayed on the display 20, and the process ends.

As described above, since the GUI unit 61 displays the icons according to the use conditions included in the right information, the user can quickly know the use conditions of the content.

Although the content has been described as music data, it may be a moving image, a still image, data such as a numerical value, or a program.

The personal computer 1 reads out the right information from the right information storage section 65 and displays the icon. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The portable device 5, the mobile phone 7, PD
A8, the right information may be read from a video cassette recorder with a portable imaging function, a portable personal computer, or the like, and the icon may be displayed.

Although the personal computer 1 has been described as importing content from the memory card 9, the content is imported not only from the memory card 9 but also from a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a magneto-optical disk. Is also good.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recording medium for recording the program installed in the computer and made executable by the computer is a magnetic disk 4
1 (including floppy disk), optical disk 42 (CD-R
OM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Vers
atile Disc), magneto-optical disk 43 (MD (Mini-D
isc), a package medium such as a semiconductor memory 44, or a flash ROM or a hard disk in which a program is temporarily or permanently stored. The program is recorded on the recording medium via a network such as a public line network, a local area network or the Internet, or a wired or wireless communication such as a digital satellite broadcast via an interface such as a router or a modem as necessary. This is performed using a medium.

In this specification, the step of describing a program recorded on a recording medium is not limited to processing performed in chronological order according to the described order. This also includes processing executed in parallel or individually.

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

[0169]

According to the information processing apparatus, method, and program of the present invention, contents and data related to contents stored in a storage medium are read out.
It is determined whether the read content or data includes the right information corresponding to the content. If the result of the determination is that the right information is included, the right Since the display of the icon based on the information is controlled, the user can quickly know the entire use condition of the content without any troublesome operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the personal computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of the personal computer of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating import.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating movement.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing music information data including right information stored in a personal computer.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a window displayed on a display.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a window displayed on a display of another example.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing icons corresponding to right information.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an icon display process.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 personal computer, 2 network,
3 EMD server, 4 WWW server, 5-1 to 5-4
Portable device, 6 terminal device, 7 mobile phone, 8 PDA, 9-1 to 9-4 memory card,
11 CPU, 12 ROM, 13 RAM, 21 HD
D, 41 magnetic disk, 42 optical disk, 43
Magneto-optical disk, 44 semiconductor memory, 61 GU
I section, 62 content management processing section, 63 transfer processing section, 64 music management section, 65 right information storage section, 6
6 File search section, 67 database, 68-
1, 68-2 music file storage, 69-1, 69-
2 PC plug-in, 70-1, 70-2 audio output unit,
71-1 to 71-3 PD plug-in, 72 memory card plug-in, 101, 102 fields, 1
11 to 120 icons, 131 icons

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 12/00 515 G06F 12/00 515B (72) Inventor Mikiko Sakurai 6-7-7 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo No. 35 F-term in Sony Corporation (reference) 5B082 EA11 GC03 5E501 AA13 AB15 AC25 AC42 BA03 FA04 FA46

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A reading control means for controlling reading of content and data related to the content stored in a storage medium, and the content or the data whose reading is controlled by the reading control means, Determining means for determining whether or not rights information corresponding to the rights information is included; and, as a result of the determination by the determining means, determining that the rights information is included, corresponding to the data, An information processing apparatus comprising: display control means for controlling display of an icon based on information. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an identification unit that identifies a type of the right information. 3. The display control means, based on a result of the identification by the identification means, displays the icon so as to indicate permission to move the content and to indicate the number of remaining checkouts of the content. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus performs control. 4. The display control means, based on a result of the identification by the identification means, displays the icon so as to indicate that the content cannot be moved and to indicate the number of remaining checkouts of the content. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus performs control. 5. When the result of the determination by the determination unit determines that the right information is not included, the display control unit causes the content to indicate that the right information is not included. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein display of the icon is controlled. 6. A read control processing step for controlling reading of a content and data related to the content stored in a storage medium, and the content or the data whose read is controlled by the read control processing step. A determination processing step of determining whether or not right information corresponding to the content is included; as a result of the determination in the determination processing step, if it is determined that the right information is included, the data And a display control processing step of controlling display of an icon based on the right information. 7. A read control processing step for controlling reading of a content and data related to the content stored in a storage medium, and the content or the data whose read is controlled by the read control processing step. A determination processing step of determining whether or not right information corresponding to the content is included; as a result of the determination in the determination processing step, if it is determined that the right information is included, the data And a display control processing step of controlling display of an icon based on the right information. 8. A read control processing step for controlling reading of a content and data related to the content stored in a storage medium, and the content or the data whose read is controlled by the read control processing step. A determination processing step of determining whether or not right information corresponding to the content is included; as a result of the determination in the determination processing step, when it is determined that the right information is included, the data And a display control processing step of controlling display of an icon based on the right information.