JP2003132627A - Recording/reproducing device, recording method, reproducing device and distribution device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To convert reproduction control information which cannot be set at reproduction, to the reproduction control information which can be set. SOLUTION: This recording/reproducing device is provided with a reading part for reading the audio contents and the reproduction control information for controlling the audio contents from audio information, a conversion part for deciding whether the setting of the reproduction control information is possible or not in reproducing the audio contents and for converting to the other reproduction control information capable of setting the reproduction control information for outputting when the reproduction control information cannot be set, and a recording part for recording the audio contents and the other reproduction control information to the recording medium.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus, a recording method, a reproducing apparatus and a distributing apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for distributing contents and an apparatus for recording / reproducing distributed contents.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, due to the spread of Internet technology, a personal computer (PC) or the like is used to download desired audio information from a homepage and obtain it, and payment is made through a payment means such as a credit card. (Electr
Music distribution through onic Commerce (electronic commerce) is spreading. Audio information distributed through such music distribution on the Internet includes
Playback control information may be included. The reproduction control information indicates reproduction conditions imposed on the reproduction of audio information, and includes, for example, the number of reproducible times and the reproducible date. For example, as reproduction control information, June 3, 2001
If the audio information is provided with information on the playable date that the audio information can be played back up to the 0th day, the user can only play the audio information until the 30th June 2001. There are various types of reproduction control information, which are often different for each distribution site or for each audio information.

[0003]

When the user downloads the audio information to which the reproduction control information is applied to the recording / reproducing apparatus, if the recording / reproducing apparatus cannot set the reproducing condition indicated by the reproducing control information, the audio information is reproduced. Content may not be played back. For example, in the case of downloading audio information including reproduction control information indicating the number of times of reproduction, the reproduction condition of the number of times of reproduction cannot be set unless the recording / reproducing apparatus has a function of counting the number of times of reproduction. . The recording / reproducing device cannot reproduce the audio content because the reproducing condition cannot be set.

Further, the recording / reproducing apparatus can record the reproduction control information and the audio content on a removable disk such as a DVD-RAM. When the reproduction control information included in the distributed audio information indicates a reproduction condition that can be set by the recording / reproducing apparatus, the recording / reproducing apparatus can reproduce the audio information recorded on the removable disk.

However, in the music market, since the reproduction-only device occupies a large proportion, the audio information recorded on the removable disk may be reproduced by a reproducing device other than the recording / reproducing device which recorded the information. in this case,
If the reproduction device cannot set the reproduction condition of the reproduction control information included in the audio information, the reproduction device cannot reproduce the audio content.

[0006] For example, in the case of reproducing audio information for which the information of the number of times of reproduction is imposed as the reproduction control information,
Unless the playback device is provided with a function for rewriting the value of the number of reproducible times (for example, the function of writing to the DVD-RAM necessary for changing the value of the number of reproducible times recorded in the DVD-RAM). , Cannot play audio information. Generally, the playback device is a DVD
-It rarely has a writing function to RAM.

Therefore, when the audio information to which the reproduction control information is imposed is recorded on the recording medium by the recording / reproducing apparatus,
In consideration of reproduction by a reproduction device other than the recording / reproduction device that performed the recording, the reproduction control information included in the audio information is converted into reproduction control information that can be supported by both the recording / reproduction device and the reproduction device other than that. Then, it is desirable to record the converted reproduction control information and the audio content on the recording medium.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention converts reproduction control information indicating a reproduction condition that cannot be set by a recording / reproducing apparatus and a reproducing apparatus owned by a user so that the recording / reproducing apparatus and the reproducing apparatus can set the reproduction control information. Recording and reproducing device,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording method and a reproducing device, and also to provide a distribution device that distributes information regarding a conversion operation and a recording destination.

[0009]

A recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention comprises a reading unit for reading audio content and reproduction control information from audio information including audio content and reproduction control information for controlling the audio content, and an audio unit. Determines whether or not playback control information can be set when playing content, outputs playback control information if it can be set, and sets playback control information if it cannot. A conversion unit for converting the reproduction control information into another reproduction control information that can be output and outputting the reproduction control information. When the conversion unit outputs the reproduction control information, the audio content and the reproduction control information are recorded on the recording medium, and the conversion unit converts the other reproduction control information. When the reproduction control information is output, a recording unit for recording the audio content and other reproduction control information on the recording medium is provided, whereby the above-mentioned contents are recorded. There is achieved.

The converter may determine whether or not it is possible to set the reproduction control information, based on the type information indicating the type of the reproduction control information that can be set.

The audio information further includes conversion permission information indicating whether or not the reproduction control information is permitted to be converted into other reproduction control information, and the reading unit further reads the conversion permission information from the audio information and performs recording / reproduction. The device further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the reproduction control information can be converted into other reproduction control information based on the conversion permission information, and the conversion unit can convert the determination result of the determination unit. In this case, the reproduction control information may be converted into other reproduction control information, and when the determination result of the determination unit is not convertible, the reproduction control information may not be converted into other reproduction control information.

The audio information further includes conversion information for controlling an operation of converting the reproduction control information into other reproduction control information, the reading unit further reads the conversion information from the audio information, and the conversion unit converts the conversion information into the conversion information. Based on this, the reproduction control information may be converted into other reproduction control information.

The conversion information may include type information indicating the type of reproduction control information that can be set.

The conversion information may further include designation information designating the content of the type information.

The recording method of the present invention comprises a first step of reading audio content and reproduction control information from audio information including audio content and reproduction control information for controlling the audio content, and reproduction control during reproduction of the audio content. It is determined whether or not the information can be set. If the information can be set, the playback control information is output. If the information cannot be set, the playback control information can be set. The second step of converting and outputting the reproduction control information, and the reproduction control information output in the second step, the audio content and the reproduction control information are recorded in a recording medium, and the other reproduction control information is recorded in the second step. When output, the third step of recording the audio content and other reproduction control information on the recording medium is included. The objects can be achieved.

The distribution device of the present invention comprises a database for storing a plurality of audio contents, and an output section for outputting audio information containing at least one of the plurality of audio contents, wherein the audio information is at least one. Playback control information for controlling the audio content and conversion permission information indicating whether or not to permit conversion of the playback control information into other playback control information are further included, thereby achieving the above object. .

The distribution device of the present invention comprises a database for storing a plurality of audio contents, and an output section for outputting audio information containing at least one of the plurality of audio contents, wherein the audio information is at least one. It further includes reproduction control information for controlling the audio content and conversion information for controlling an operation of converting the reproduction control information into other reproduction control information, thereby achieving the above object.

The conversion information may include type information indicating the type of reproduction control information that can be set.

The conversion information may further include designation information designating the content of the type information.

The reproducing apparatus of the present invention can reproduce the audio content, and a reading unit that reads the audio content and the reproduction control information from the audio information including the audio content and the reproduction control information for controlling the audio content. And a reproduction unit that reproduces audio content if the judgment result of the judgment unit indicates that reproduction is possible, and does not reproduce audio content if the judgment result of the judgment unit indicates that reproduction is impossible. The determining unit determines whether the reproduction control information can be set when the audio content is reproduced, and if the reproduction control information can be set, the audio content can be reproduced based on the reproduction control information. If it is not possible to set it, it is possible to set another playback control information that can be set. Is converted into control information, it determines whether it is possible to reproduce the audio content based on another reproduction control information, the object is achieved.

The determination unit may convert the reproduction control information into other reproduction control information based on the conversion information for controlling the operation of converting the reproduction control information into other reproduction control information.

The recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention is based on the reading unit for reading the audio content and the permission information from the audio information including the audio content and the permission information indicating the recording medium permitting the recording of the audio content, and the reading unit based on the permission information. A determination unit that determines whether or not the audio content can be recorded on the recording medium of the recording destination, and if the result of the determination unit indicates that the audio content can be recorded, the audio content is recorded on the recording medium of the recording destination and the determination unit When the result indicates that recording is not possible, the recording medium is provided with a recording unit that does not record the audio content on the recording medium of the recording destination, thereby achieving the above object.

The distribution apparatus of the present invention comprises a database for storing a plurality of audio contents, and an output section for outputting audio information containing at least one of the plurality of audio contents, wherein the audio information is at least one. The above-mentioned object is achieved by further including permission information indicating a recording medium that permits the recording of the audio content.

The distribution apparatus of the present invention comprises a database for storing a plurality of audio contents and an output unit for outputting a plurality of types of reproduction control information for controlling at least one audio content among the plurality of audio contents. The output unit outputs the audio information including at least one audio content and at least one reproduction control information selected by the user from the plurality of types of reproduction control information, and thereby the above object is achieved.

The charging of the audio information output by the output unit may vary based on at least one reproduction control information selected by the user.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present invention, the audio content refers to music information that is reproduced as a music piece, but the audio content is not limited to music information and may refer to sound information such as voice and sound effect. In addition, the audio information includes one or more audio contents.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a recording / reproducing apparatus 11 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Recording / reproducing device 11
Includes a decoding unit 12, a reading unit 13, a reproduction control information conversion unit 14, a recording unit 15, a reproduction unit 17, and an input unit 18.

The decryption unit 12 decrypts the encrypted audio information 101 input to the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 and outputs the decrypted audio information 102. The audio information 101 can be distributed from the distribution device via a network such as the Internet. Audio information 102
Includes audio content 103 and reproduction control information 104 for controlling reproduction of the audio content 103. The reproduction control information 104 includes type information for restricting reproduction and designation information for designating its content.
The type information indicates, for example, a reproducible date, a reproducible time, a reproducible number of times, a music part reproduction, a sound quality reproduction, and the like. The designation information is, for example, 200 when described in association with the type information.
June 23rd, 1st, 15 minutes, 3 times, chorus part of song, low sound quality, etc. The reproduction control information 104 indicates, for example, that the reproduction possible date is June 23, 2001 and the reproduction possible time is 15 minutes. The reading unit 13 reads the audio content 103 and the reproduction control information 104 from the audio information 102.

The reproduction control information converter 14 determines whether or not the reproduction control information 104 can be set when reproducing the audio content 103. Reproduction control information converter 1
4 outputs the reproduction control information 104 when it is determined that it can be set. Also, the reproduction control information conversion unit 14
If it is determined that the playback control information 104 cannot be set, other playback control information 1 that can set the playback control information 104.
Convert to 05 and output.

The recording medium 16 is set inside the recording / reproducing apparatus 11. The recording unit 15 includes the reproduction control information conversion unit 1
4 outputs the reproduction control information 104, the audio information 106 including the audio content 103 and the reproduction control information 104 is generated and recorded in the recording medium 16. In addition, when the reproduction control information conversion unit 14 outputs the other reproduction control information 105, the recording unit 15 generates audio information 107 including the audio content 103 and the other reproduction control information 105, and stores the audio information 107 in the recording medium 16. Record.

The reproducing unit 17 reads the audio information 106 or 107 from the recording medium 16 and reproduces the reproduction control information 1
The reproduction operation is performed according to 04 or 105. The recording medium 16 may be set in a recording / reproducing device or a reproducing device other than the recording / reproducing device 11 to perform the reproducing operation.

Referring to FIG. 2, the reproduction control information conversion section 14
The operation of is further described. The reproduction control information conversion unit 14
The conversion determination unit 110, the conversion method selection unit 111, the post-conversion reproduction control information selection unit 112, the equivalent conversion unit 113, the relaxation conversion unit 114, and the conversion information memory unit 115 are provided.

The conversion information memory unit 115 stores conversion information for controlling the operation of converting the reproduction control information 104 into another reproduction control information 105. The conversion information indicates, for example, type information indicating the type of reproduction control information that can be set by the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 when reproducing the audio content 103, and a method of converting the reproduction control information 104 into another reproduction control information 105. And conversion method information.

The conversion determination unit 110 is provided with the reproduction control information 104.
Is the type of the reproduction control information indicated by the type information 115a stored in the conversion information memory unit 115. As a result of the determination, if the reproduction control information 104 corresponds to the type of reproduction control information indicated by the type information 115a, the reproduction control information 104 is directly recorded in the recording unit 15.
Output to. However, if the reproduction control information 104 does not correspond to the type of reproduction control information indicated by the type information 115a, the reproduction control information 104 is converted to the conversion method selection unit 1.
Output to 11.

The conversion method selection unit 111 uses the reproduction control information 1
When 04 is converted to other reproduction control information 105, it is selected whether the reproduction condition indicated by the reproduction control information is equivalently converted or relaxed. The conversion method selection unit 111 outputs the selection result information 111a and the reproduction control information 104 to the post-conversion reproduction control information selection unit 112. Equivalent conversion means that, for example, in the case of reproduction control information indicating that reproduction is possible three times, if the audio content 103 has a reproduction time length of 5 minutes, reproduction indicating that reproduction is possible for 15 minutes is possible. It means converting into control information. In the case of the above example, "relaxing and converting" means converting to reproduction control information indicating that reproduction is possible for one week, for example. In this case, since the audio content 103 can be played for one week, there is a possibility that it will be played three times or more within one week.
The reproduction control information is relaxed and converted.

The post-conversion playback control information selection unit 112 determines the type of the post-conversion reproduction control information according to the selection result information 111a of the conversion method selection unit 111 as the type of the reproduction control information stored in the conversion information memory unit 115. Select from
For example, when the reproduction control information 104 specifies the number of times of reproduction, the reproduction control information that specifies the reproduction time length is selected for equivalent conversion. When the conversion is performed with relaxation, the reproduction control information that specifies the reproducible period is selected. After the selection, when performing equivalent conversion, the type 112a of the selected reproduction control information and the reproduction control information 104 are converted into the equivalent conversion unit 1.
When the data is output to No. 13, and is relaxed and converted, the selected reproduction control information type 112 b and the reproduction control information 104 are output to the relaxation conversion unit 114.

Equivalent conversion unit 113 or relaxation conversion unit 11
4 reads the conversion method information 115b and 115c of the reproduction control information from the conversion information memory unit 115, and converts the reproduction control information 104 into other reproduction control information 113a and 114a based on the conversion method information 115b and 115c. The reproduction control information 113a and 114a is output to the recording unit 15 as reproduction control information 105.

Here, a case will be described in which the type information that can be set by the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 is the reproducible date, and the type information indicated by the input reproduction control information 104 is the reproducible time. For example, the reproducible time indicated by the reproduction control information 104 is “60 hours”, and the time when the audio information 101 is input is June 20, 2001 1
Suppose it was 7 o'clock. 60 hours later, 2001 6
It becomes 5 o'clock on the 23rd of the month, and the reproducible date “June 22, 2001”, which is rounded down 5 hours, becomes the reproducible date after conversion. Reproduction control information 105 indicating the reproducible date after conversion is output to the recording unit 15.

The conversion from the reproducible time to the reproducible date has been shown as rounding down 5 hours, but the reproducible date may be rounded up to "June 23, 2001", or the time may be changed as it is. May 23, 2001, 5:00 ”.

As described above, by converting the type of the reproduction control information into a type that can be set when the audio content is reproduced, even if the recording / reproduction device 11 cannot set the reproduction condition indicated by the reproduction control information 104, the recording / reproduction device 11 can be set. Enables recording and reproducing operations.

Further, the user may store the type information in the conversion information memory unit 115 via the input unit 18. The input unit 18 includes, for example, an input interface and a display unit (not shown). The type of reproduction control information input by the user is, for example, the type of reproduction control information indicating reproduction conditions that can be set by the recording / reproducing device 11, another recording / reproducing device owned by the user, and the reproducing device. The user selects a desired type from the type list of the reproduction control information displayed on the display unit of the input unit 18 using the input interface. Alternatively, the user may select the model name of the device to be used from the list of model names of the recording / reproducing device and the reproducing device displayed on the display unit of the input unit 18 using the input interface. In this case, by storing in the conversion information memory unit 115 a pair of each model and the type of reproduction control information that can be set in the model, the reproduction control information conversion unit 14 can store the model selected by the user. The reproduction control information 104 can be converted into a type of reproduction control information that can be set.

The conversion method information may be input to the input section 18 in the form of a program or the like from an external device or a recording medium such as CD, DVD and SD using a LAN or the like, and the input conversion method information. Is the conversion information memory unit 115
Stored in. Further, the conversion method information may be distributed from the distributor of the audio information.

By setting the type of the reproduction control information to be recorded in the recording medium 16 to the reproduction control information which can be set by the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 and the recording / reproducing apparatus and the reproducing apparatus owned by other users, the recording medium 16 It is possible to reproduce the audio content recorded on the recording / reproducing apparatus and the reproducing apparatus owned by the user.

Since the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 is provided with the input unit 18, the type information stored in the conversion information memory unit 115 and the conversion method can be updated. Therefore, even if the audio information distribution standard is updated, by updating the information stored in the conversion information memory unit 115, the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 can be adapted to the updated distribution standard. Therefore, even if the distribution standard is updated, the user does not need to purchase a new recording / reproducing device.

As the type information, in addition to the reproducible deadline and the reproducible time, the number of reproducible times, partial reproduction of audio contents, low sound quality reproduction, and the like are included. Conversion is performed between reproduction control information indicating these reproduction conditions. May be.

The audio information may be video information and the audio content may be a moving image.

The recording medium 16 may be an optical disc such as a DVD disc, but may be a hard disc, a magnetic disc, a semiconductor memory or the like.

The recording / reproducing apparatus 11 may be a recording-only apparatus in which the reproducing section 17 is omitted.

The input unit 18 may be omitted from the recording / reproducing apparatus 11, and in this case, the reproduction control information converting unit 14
Performs the conversion operation of the reproduction control information based on the type information and the conversion method information stored in advance in the conversion information memory unit 115.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 shows a distribution apparatus 300 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Distribution device 300
Is an inquiry information receiving unit 301, an audio content recognition unit 302, an audio content search unit 303,
Audio content database 304, conversion permission information search unit 305, conversion permission information database 306
A playback control information search unit 307, a playback control information database 308, an audio information generation unit 309, and an output unit 310.

The audio content database 304 stores a large number of audio contents. The audio content database 304 stores identification information for identifying audio content data and its audio content in pairs. The identification information of the audio content is, for example, ISR.
Although there is a C code or the like, any information that can uniquely identify the audio content in the distribution device may be used, and for example, text data composed of an artist name and an audio content name may be used.

Further, in the reproduction control information database 308, identification information of audio contents and reproduction control information given to the audio contents are recorded as a pair. In the conversion permission information database 306,
The identification information of the audio content and the conversion permission information indicating whether or not to permit the reproduction control information given to the audio content to be converted into other reproduction control information are recorded as a pair.

When the distribution device 300 receives the inquiry information 301a including a request from the user to download a certain audio content at the inquiry information receiving unit 301, it outputs the received inquiry information 301a to the audio content recognition unit 302. . The audio content recognizing unit 302 stores identification information corresponding to each audio content. Audio content recognition unit 30
2 identifies the identification information 302a of the audio content to be distributed based on the inquiry information 301a, and the identification information 3
02a is output to the audio content search unit 303, the conversion permission information search unit 305, and the reproduction control information search unit 307. The audio content search unit 303 determines the audio content database 3 based on the identification information 302a.
04, the audio content 303a to be distributed is searched and output to the audio information generation unit 309. In addition, the reproduction control information search unit 307, based on the identification information 302a,
The reproduction control information 307a assigned to the audio content 303a to be distributed is searched from the reproduction control information database 308 and output to the audio information generation unit 309. The conversion permission information search unit 305 uses the identification information 302a as a basis.
The conversion permission information 305a regarding the reproduction control information 307a of the audio content 303a to be distributed is searched from the conversion permission information database 306 and output to the audio information generation unit 309.

The audio information generation unit 309 inputs the input audio content 303a and the conversion permission information 305 so as to follow the format of the audio information to be distributed.
a and audio information 30 including reproduction control information 307a
9a is generated and output to the output unit 310, and the output unit 310 delivers the audio information 309a.

Each database 304, 306, 3
08 may be collected in one database. In this case, the database stores data that is a combination of audio content identification information, audio content, reproduction control information, and conversion permission information. If you put them all together in one database, you only have to search each data once, which reduces the search load. However, in consideration of future expansion and modification and maintenance of each data, it may be better to separate each data in a separate database.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, a distribution device 400 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The distribution device 400 includes an inquiry information reception unit 301, an audio content recognition unit 302, and an audio content search unit 30.
3, the audio content database 304, the conversion permission information search unit 305, the conversion permission information database 306, the reproduction control information search unit 307, the reproduction control information database 308, the conversion information search unit 311, and the conversion information database 312. And the audio information generation unit 31
9 and an output unit 320. The distribution device 400 is basically configured to further include a conversion information search unit 311 and a conversion information database 312 in addition to the constituent elements of the distribution device 300.

The conversion information database 312 stores identification information of audio contents and conversion information corresponding to each audio content. The conversion information includes information for controlling the operation of converting the reproduction control information into other reproduction control information. For example, the conversion information includes type information indicating the type of reproduction control information that can be set at the time of reproduction for each audio content, and designation information that specifies the content of the type information. The designation information designates a specific number of times (eg, 10 times) when the type information indicates the number of reproducible times.

In the distribution device 400, the audio content recognition unit 302 further outputs the identification information 302a to the conversion information search unit 311.

The conversion information retrieving section 311 uses the identification information 302.
Based on a, the conversion information 311a corresponding to the audio content 303a to be distributed is searched and output to the audio information generation unit 319. The audio content 30
When the conversion permission information 305a corresponding to 3a indicates that conversion is not permitted, the conversion information corresponding to the audio content 303a may not be recorded in the conversion information database.

The audio information generation unit 319 receives the input audio content 303a and the conversion permission information 305 so as to follow the format of the audio information to be distributed.
audio information 319a including a, reproduction control information 307a, and conversion information 311a is generated and output to the output unit 320, and the output unit 320 delivers the audio information 319a.

Each database 304, 306, 3
08 and 312 may be collected in one database.
In this case, the database stores data that is a combination of audio content identification information, audio content, reproduction control information, conversion permission information, and conversion information. If the conversion permission information corresponding to a certain audio content indicates that the conversion is not permitted, the conversion permission information database 306 and the conversion information database 312 can be used to prevent the conversion information from being recorded in the database.
It is preferable to combine and in one database.
In this case, a set of identification information, conversion permission information, and conversion information is stored in the same database, and the database may be constrained so that the conversion permission information does not store conversion information regarding audio contents indicating non-conversion. Good.

The conversion permission information retrieval unit 305 and the conversion permission information database 306 may be omitted from the distribution device 400. In this case, the audio information generation unit 319.
Is the audio content 303a and the reproduction control information 30.
7a and the conversion information 311a are generated and output to the output unit 320, and the output unit 320 delivers the generated audio information.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a recording / reproducing apparatus 41 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The recording / reproducing device 41 includes a decrypting unit 12, a conversion permission information determining unit 42, a reading unit 43, a reproduction control information converting unit 44, and a recording unit 15.
A playback unit 17 and an input unit 18.

The decryption unit 12 decrypts the encrypted audio information 151 input to the recording / reproducing apparatus 41 and outputs the decrypted audio information 152. The audio information 152 includes audio information 103, reproduction control information 104, conversion permission information 153, and conversion information 155. The conversion permission information 153 is the reproduction control information 1
It indicates whether or not to permit conversion of 04 into other reproduction control information. The conversion information 155 includes information for controlling the operation of converting the reproduction control information 104 into other reproduction control information. For example, the conversion information 155 includes type information indicating the type of reproduction control information that can be set when reproducing the audio content 103, and specification information that specifies the content corresponding to the type information. The reading unit 43 reads the audio content 103, the reproduction control information 104, the conversion permission information 153, and the conversion information 155 from the audio information 152.

When the conversion permission information 153 indicates that the conversion of the reproduction control information 104 into another reproduction control information is permitted, the conversion permission information judging unit 42 judges that conversion is possible, and the conversion permission information 153 is converted. If it indicates disapproval, it is determined that conversion is not possible. The conversion permission information determination unit 42 transmits the control signal 154 indicating the determination result to the reproduction control information conversion unit 44.

Referring to FIG. 6, reproduction control information converting section 44
Is a conversion determination unit 160, a conversion method selection unit 111, a post-conversion reproduction control information selection unit 112, and an equivalent conversion unit 113.
A relaxation conversion unit 114 and a conversion information memory unit 115.

The conversion determining section 160 determines the reproduction control information 104.
Of the type information is compared with the type information 115a stored in advance in the conversion information memory unit 115 to make a determination. As a result of the determination, if the reproduction control information 104 corresponds to the type of reproduction control information indicated by the type information 115a, the reproduction control information 104 is output to the recording unit 15 as it is. In this case, the recording unit 15 generates the audio information 106 including the reproduction control information 104 and the audio content 103 and records the audio information 106 in the recording medium 16.

However, when the reproduction control information 104 does not correspond to the type of reproduction control information indicated by the type information 115a, the conversion determination section 160 confirms the content of the control signal 154. If the control signal 154 indicates that the conversion is permitted, the conversion determination unit 160 outputs the reproduction control information 104 to the conversion method selection unit 111. The conversion operation after the conversion method selection unit 111 is the same as the conversion operation described in Embodiment 1 with reference to FIG. The recording unit 15 generates the audio information 107 including the reproduction control information 105 output by the reproduction control information converting unit 44 and the audio content 103, and records the audio information 107 on the recording medium 16.

When the control signal 154 indicates that conversion is not permitted, the reproduction control information 104 is converted and the recording medium 16 is converted.
It is not allowed to record in. In this case, the conversion determination unit 160 outputs the reproduction control information 104 as it is to the recording unit 15. The recording unit 15 records the audio information 106 on the recording medium 16, and the recording / reproducing device 41 (or other information recording / reproducing device and reproducing device owned by the user) cannot reproduce the audio content 103.

It should be noted that instead of the reproduction control information converting section 44, a reproduction control information converting section 44 'shown in FIG. 7 may be used. The reproduction control information conversion unit 44 ′ is the reproduction control information conversion unit 4
A conversion unit 116 is further provided in addition to the four constituent elements. In the reproduction control information conversion unit 44 ', the conversion determination unit 160
Indicates that the reproduction control information 104 does not correspond to the type of reproduction control information indicated by the type information 115a and the control signal 15
If 4 indicates conversion permission, the reproduction control information 104 is output to the conversion unit 116. The conversion unit 116 uses the conversion information 15
5, the reproduction control information 104 is replaced with other reproduction control information 1
16a. The reproduction control information 116a is output to the recording unit 15 as the reproduction control information 105.

Here, a case where the type information that can be set by the recording / reproducing apparatus 41 is the reproducible date and the type information indicated by the input reproduction control information 104 is the reproducible time will be described (also, the recording / reproducing apparatus). 41 is the type information that can be set, and the type information of the reproduction control information included in the type information of the conversion information 155 is the reproduction possible date, and the reproduction control information 1
The same applies when the type information indicated by 04 is the reproducible time). For example, it is assumed that the reproducible time indicated by the reproduction control information 104 is “60 hours” and the time when the audio information 151 is input is 17:00 on June 20, 2001. At this time, as in the description of the first embodiment, “20
The reproduction control information 105 indicating the reproduction-enabled date of "June 22, 2001" is output to the recording unit 15.

A case where the conversion information 155 includes type information and designation information will be described. Here, the recording / reproducing device 41
The type information that can be set is the number of reproducible times, and the type information indicated by the reproduction control information 104 is the reproducible time. For example, the reproduction control information 104 is “1 hour”.
When the conversion permission information 154 indicates that the conversion is possible and the designation information indicates that “the reproducible time of 5 minutes is converted into one reproducible number of times”, the reproduction control information conversion unit 44 reproduces. Possible time "1 hour" is reproducible number of times "1"
It is converted into reproduction control information indicating “twice”.

Another case in which the conversion information 155 includes type information and designation information will be described. Here, it is assumed that the type information that can be set by the recording / reproducing device 41 is the number of reproducible times, and the type information indicated by the reproduction control information 104 is the reproducible time. For example, if the reproduction control information 104 is “60
The conversion permission information 154 indicates the reproducible time "time".
Indicates that conversion is possible, and the designated information indicates that the number of reproducible times is set to 10 irrespective of the reproducible time, the reproduction control information conversion unit 44 transmits the reproduction control information indicating the number of reproducible times "10 times". Output.

As described above, the reproduction control information is converted on the basis of the conversion permission information and the conversion information (that is, the type information and the designation information) so that the intention of the copyright holder of the audio content is ignored and other reproduction is performed. Converted to control information,
Unauthorized reproduction of audio contents can be prevented.

By selecting the type of the reproduction control information after conversion from a plurality of types of reproduction control information, it becomes possible to reproduce the audio content with more recording / reproducing devices and reproducing devices.

When the conversion information 155 includes the designation information, the playback control information indicated by the designation information may be output as it is, so that the playback control information conversion unit 44 does not need to understand the playback control information one by one.

The audio information may be video information and the audio content may be a moving image.

The recording / reproducing apparatus 41 may be a recording-only apparatus in which the reproducing section 17 is omitted. Further, the input unit 18 may be omitted from the recording / reproducing device 11.

Further, the conversion permission information judging section 42 may be omitted from the recording / reproducing apparatus 11, and in this case, the reproduction control information converting section 44 performs the conversion operation of the reproduction control information without being based on the control signal 154.

When the audio information 152 does not include conversion information, the reproduction control information conversion section 44 controls the reproduction control based on the type information and the conversion method information stored in advance in the conversion information memory section 115. Convert information.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 8 shows a reproducing apparatus 31 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The reproduction device 31 includes a decoding unit 32, a reading unit 33, an input unit 34 that receives new conversion information, and a reproduction control information determination unit 3 that determines whether or not audio content can be reproduced based on the reproduction control information.
6 and a reproducing unit 37 for reproducing audio contents.

The decryption unit 32 decrypts the encrypted audio information 131 read from the recording medium 38 and outputs the decrypted audio information 132. The audio information 132 includes audio content 133, reproduction control information 134, and identification information 135. The reading unit 33 reads the audio content 133, the reproduction control information 134, and the identification information 135 from the audio information 132. The reproduction control information determination unit 36 determines whether the audio content 133 can be reproduced based on the reproduction control information 134.

First, the reproduction control information judging section 36 judges whether or not the reproduction control information 134 can be set when reproducing the audio content 133. Playback control information 13
When 4 can be set, the reproduction control information 134
It is determined whether or not the audio content 133 can be reproduced based on. For example, when the type information of the reproduction control information 134 is the number of reproducible times, it is determined as reproducible if the number of replays of the audio content 133 so far is less than the number of reproducible times indicated by the type information, and if it is the number of reproducible times or more Determined to be unplayable. If the reproduction control information determination unit 36 cannot set the reproduction control information 134, the reproduction control information determination unit 36 converts the reproduction control information 134 into other settable reproduction control information, and based on the other reproduction control information. Then, it is determined whether or not the audio content 133 can be reproduced. The reproduction control information determination unit 36 outputs the control signal 136 indicating the determination result to the reading unit 33.

Control signal 136 is audio content 1
If the reproduction of 33 is possible, the reading unit 33
Reproduces the read audio content 133.
, And the reproducing unit 37 reproduces the audio content 133. However, when the control signal 136 indicates that the audio content 133 cannot be reproduced, the reading unit 33 stops reading the audio content 133 and the reproducing unit 37 causes the audio content 133 to be read.
Don't play Note that the control signal 136 may be output to the reproducing unit 37, and in this case, the reproducing unit 37 also outputs the control signal 1.
If 36 indicates reproduction is possible, audio content 13
3 is reproduced, and if reproduction is impossible, reproduction is not carried out. The control signal 136 may be output to the decoding unit 32. In this case, the reproducing device 31 firstly records the recording medium 3
8, the reproduction control information 134 and the identification information 135 are read out, and the reproduction control information determination unit 36 determines whether or not the audio content identified by the identification information 135 can be reproduced. If it is determined that the content can be reproduced, the control signal 136 indicating the determination result is output to the decoding unit 32, and the audio content is read from the recording medium 38.

Regarding the reproduction control information about the audio content that has already been reproduced by the reproducing apparatus 31, the reproduction control information memory section 149 (FIG. 9) is formed by pairing the identification information of the audio content and the reproduction control information. When the same audio content is reproduced for the second time and thereafter, the reproduction is controlled according to the reproduction control information recorded in the memory.

Referring to FIG. 9, reproduction control information determination unit 36
The operation of is further described. The reproduction control information determination unit 36
An already-reproduced determination section 141, a conversion determination section 142, a conversion method selection section 143, a post-conversion reproduction control information selection section 144,
The conversion information memory unit 145, the equivalence conversion unit 146, the relaxation conversion unit 147, the reproduction determination unit 148, and the reproduction control information memory unit 149 are provided.

The conversion information memory section 145 stores conversion information for controlling the operation of converting reproduction control information into other reproduction control information. The conversion information includes, for example, type information indicating the type of reproduction control information that can be set by the reproducing apparatus 11 when reproducing the audio content 133, and specification information that specifies the content of the type information. Also, new conversion information may be stored in the conversion information memory unit 115 via the input unit 34. In this case, the conversion method information is input to the input unit 34 in the form of a program or the like from an external device or a recording medium such as CD, DVD, and SD using a LAN or the like, and the input conversion method information is stored in the conversion information memory unit. 115
Stored in. Further, the conversion information may be provided from the recording medium 38, and the conversion information 137 read by the reading unit may be provided.
Is stored in the conversion information memory unit 145. Further, in the reproduction control information memory unit 149, the identification information of the audio content reproduced in the past and the reproduction control information thereof are recorded.

When the reproduction control information 134 and the identification information 135 are input to the reproduction control information determination unit 36, the already-reproduction determination unit 141 stores the identification information 135 in the reproduction control information memory unit 1.
It is determined whether or not it is stored in 49. Judgment result,
If the corresponding identification information 135 is stored, the reproduction control information 149a corresponding to the identification information 135 stored in the reproduction control information memory unit 149 is read and output to the reproduction determination unit 148. The reproduction determination unit 148 determines whether or not the audio content 133 can be reproduced according to the reproduction control information 149a. For example, reproduction control information 1
When the type information of 49a is the number of reproducible times, the number of reproductions of the audio content 133 is less than or equal to the number of reproducible times (that is, the reproduction control information 1 updated as described below).
If the number of reproducible times indicated by 49a is 1 or more), it is determined to be reproducible, and if it is greater than the number of reproducible times (that is, if the number of reproducible times indicated by the updated reproduction control information 149a is 0), it is determined that reproducible is impossible. To do. The reproduction determination unit 148 outputs a control signal 148a indicating that reproduction is possible or impossible.

The reproduction determination section 148 updates the content of the reproduction control information in the reproduction control information memory section 149 according to the reproduction of the audio content 133. For example, when the reproduction control information that can be reproduced three times is recorded in the reproduction control information memory unit 149, if the corresponding audio content 133 is reproduced once, the reproduction control information that three times can be reproduced is reproduced twice. Update the playback control information.

On the other hand, the already-reproduced judging section 141 determines that the identification information 1
If it is determined that 35 is not stored in the reproduction control information memory unit 149, the reproduction control information 134 and the identification information 135 are output to the conversion determination unit 142. The conversion determination unit 142
It is determined whether or not the reproduction control information 134 corresponds to the reproduction control information indicated by the type information 145a stored in the conversion information memory unit 145. If it is determined as a result of the determination, the reproduction control information 134 and the identification information 135 are output to the reproduction determination unit 148. The reproduction determination unit 148 determines whether or not the audio content 133 can be reproduced according to the reproduction control information 134, and outputs the control signal 148a. Furthermore, the reproduction determination unit 148 determines that the reproduction control information 1
34 and the identification information 135, the reproduction control information memory unit 149.
And the content of the stored reproduction control information 134 is updated according to the reproduction of the audio content 133.

Further, if it is determined that the reproduction control information 134 does not correspond to the reproduction control information indicated by the type information 145a, the conversion determination unit 142 outputs the reproduction control information 134 to the conversion method selection unit 143. The following operation of the reproduction control information determination unit 36 is basically the same as the operation of the reproduction control information conversion unit 14 of the first embodiment.

The conversion method selection unit 143 uses the reproduction control information 1
When converting 34 into other reproduction control information, the reproduction control information 134 is selected to be equivalently converted or relaxed and converted. The conversion method selection unit 143 outputs the selection result information 143a and the reproduction control information 134 to the post-conversion reproduction control information selection unit 144.

The post-conversion reproduction control information selection section 144 selects the kind of reproduction control information after conversion from the kinds of reproduction control information stored in the conversion information memory section 145 according to the selection result information 143a. After the selection, when performing the equivalent conversion, the selected reproduction control information type 144a and the reproduction control information 134 are output to the equivalent conversion unit 146, and when the conversion is relaxed and converted, the selected reproduction control information Type 1
44b and the reproduction control information 134 are output to the relaxation converter 147.

Equivalent conversion unit 146 or relaxation conversion unit 14
7 is conversion method information 145 indicating a method of converting the reproduction control information from the conversion information memory unit 115 into other reproduction control information.
b and 145c are read, and the reproduction control information 134 is converted into other reproduction control information 146a and 147a based on the conversion method information 145b and 145c. The reproduction control information 146a and 147a is output to the reproduction determination unit 148. At this time, the conversion determination unit 142 outputs the identification information 135 to the reproduction determination unit 148.

The reproduction judgment unit 148 determines the reproduction control information 146.
audio content 133 according to a or 147a
Of the control signal 148a is determined.
Is output. Further, the reproduction determination unit 148 stores the reproduction control information 146a or 147a and the identification information 135 in the reproduction control information memory unit 149, and the audio content 1
The content of the reproduction control information 146a or 147a stored according to the reproduction of 33 is updated.

Here, it is assumed that the type information that can be set by the reproducing device 31 is the number of times reproduction is possible and the reproduction control information 134 shows the reproduction possible time. In this case, the reproduction control information determination unit 3
6 converts the reproduction control information 134 into reproduction control information indicating the number of times reproduction is possible, and can determine whether or not the audio content 133 can be reproduced based on the converted reproduction control information. Therefore, the reproduction device 31 can reproduce the audio content even when the audio content associated with the uncontrollable reproduction control information is input.

Therefore, the reproducing apparatus 31 of the present invention can reproduce the audio content which could not be reproduced because the reproduction condition of the reproduction control information cannot be set conventionally.

The audio information may be video information and the audio content may be a moving image.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 10 shows a distribution apparatus 500 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Distribution device 50
0 is an inquiry information receiving unit 301, an audio content recognizing unit 302, and an audio content searching unit 303.
An audio content database 304, a permission information search unit 505, a permission information database 506,
The audio information generation unit 509 and the output unit 510 are provided.

In the permission information database 506, identification information of audio contents and permission information to be given to the audio contents are recorded as a pair. The permission information indicates the type of recording medium permitted to record the audio content. For example, the types of recording media indicated by the permission information are DVD discs and SD (Secure Di).
In the case of a digital memory card, the audio contents to be distributed can be recorded on the DVD disk and the SD memory card, but cannot be recorded on other recording media (for example, CD-R).

When the distribution device 500 receives the inquiry information 301a including a request from the user to download a certain audio content in the inquiry information receiving section 301, it outputs the received inquiry information 301a to the audio content recognizing section 302. . The audio content recognition unit 302 identifies the identification information 302a of the audio content to be distributed based on the inquiry information 301a, and outputs the identification information 302a to the audio content search unit 303 and the permission information search unit 505. The audio content search unit 303 searches the audio content database 304 for the audio content 303a to be distributed based on the identification information 302a and outputs the audio content 303a to the audio information generation unit 509. Further, the permission information search unit 505 searches the permission information database 506 for permission information 505a regarding the audio content 303a to be distributed based on the identification information 302a, and outputs the permission information 505a to the audio information generation unit 509.

The audio information generation unit 509 generates the audio information 509a including the input audio content 303a and the permission information 505a so as to follow the format of the audio information to be distributed, and the output unit 510.
Then, the output unit 510 delivers the audio information 509a.

Incidentally, each database 304 and 506
May be combined in one database. In this case, the database contains audio content identification information,
Data containing a set of audio content and permission information is stored. If you put them all together in one database, you only have to search each data once, which reduces the search load.
However, in consideration of future expansion and modification and maintenance of each data, it may be better to separate each data in a separate database.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, a recording / reproducing apparatus 51 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The recording / reproducing device 51 includes a decoding unit 12, a determination unit 52, and a reading unit 53.
And a recording unit 15 and a reproducing unit 17.

The decryption unit 12 decrypts the encrypted audio information 161 input to the recording / reproducing apparatus 51, and outputs the decrypted audio information 162. The audio information 162 includes an audio content 163 and permission information 164 indicating the type of recording medium permitted to record the audio content. The reading unit 53 reads the audio content 163 and the permission information 164 from the audio information 162.

The determination section 52 determines whether or not the audio content 163 can be recorded on the recording medium 16 of the recording destination based on the permission information 164, and outputs the control signal 165 indicating the determination result to the reading section 53. To do.

The control signal 165 is the audio content 1
When it is indicated that the recording of 63 is possible, the reading unit 53
The read audio content 163 to the recording unit 15
Then, the recording unit 15 generates audio information 166 including the audio content 163 and records the audio information 166 on the recording medium 16. However, when the control signal 165 indicates that the audio content 163 cannot be recorded, the reading unit 53 stops reading the audio content 163 and the recording unit 15 does not record the audio information 166 on the recording medium 166. The control signal 165 may be output to the recording unit 15, and in this case also, the recording unit 15
When the control signal 165 indicates that reproduction is possible, the audio information 166 is recorded on the recording medium 166, and when the control signal 165 indicates that reproduction is not possible, no recording is performed. The reproducing unit 17 reads the audio information 166 from the recording medium 166 and reproduces the audio content 163.

If the recording / reproducing apparatus 51 is equipped with a plurality of types of recording media, the determination section 52 determines that the permission information 1
A recordable recording medium may be selected from a plurality of types of recording media based on 64. The recording unit 15 records the audio information 166 on the selected recording medium. If the recording / reproducing device 51 does not have the recording medium indicated by the permission information 164, the audio information 166 is not recorded.

Further, the permission information 164 may indicate the type of application. In that case, the audio content 1 is selected by using the application indicated by the permission information 164.
The audio information 166 can be recorded on a recording medium capable of recording the information designating 63 reproduction.
For example, the recording / reproducing apparatus 51 has an application called SD jukebox, and the permission information 164 contains S.
When the D jukebox is shown, the audio information 166 can be recorded on a recording medium capable of recording information designating reproduction of the audio content 163 using the SD jukebox.

By selecting the recording medium as described above,
It is possible to prevent the user from recording the audio content in a recording destination without the copyright protection function, which is against the intention of the copyright owner, without permission, and prevents the audio content from being improperly played or copied. be able to.

Note that the audio information may be video information and the audio content may be a moving image.

The recording / reproducing apparatus 51 may be a recording-only apparatus in which the reproducing section 17 is omitted.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 12 shows a distribution device 61 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The distribution device 61 outputs presentation information 66 that presents a plurality of reproduction control information that can be added to the same audio content, to the recording / reproducing device owned by the user. The presentation information 66 is displayed on the display unit included in the recording / reproducing apparatus. When the user wants to download the audio content, the reproduction control that can be set by the recording / reproducing apparatus and the reproducing apparatus owned by the user is selected from the plurality of reproduction control information indicated by the presentation information 66 as the reproduction control information included in the audio information. Select one or more of the information. The distribution device 61 distributes the reproduction control information selected by the user in the audio information.

For example, when the user wants to download the audio content 67 to the recording / reproducing device 64 in which the reproducible time can be set, the user selects reproduction control information indicating that reproduction is possible for 1 hour and downloads the audio information 62 including the audio content 67. . Meanwhile, other users
When it is desired to download the audio content 67 to the recording / reproducing device 65 capable of setting the number of times of reproduction, the reproduction control information indicating that reproduction is possible 10 times is selected and the audio information 63 including the audio content 67 is downloaded.

The fee charged for the audio information to be distributed may be changed according to the reproduction control information selected by the user. For example, as the reproduction control information, the reproduction control information of both the reproduction possible date and the number of times reproduction is possible is added to the audio information rather than only the reproduction control information of the reproduction possible date so that the download can be performed at a lower cost. To In other words, it is possible to provide the user with a mechanism in which the audio information can be purchased at a lower cost by selecting stricter reproduction control information and downloading the audio information.

The operation of the distribution device 61 will be further described with reference to FIG. The distribution device 61 has an inquiry information receiving unit 601.
An audio content recognition unit 602, an audio content search unit 303, an audio content database 304, a reproduction control information recognition unit 603, a reproduction control information search unit 604, and a reproduction control information database 6
05, a billing information search unit 606, a billing information database 607, an audio information generation unit 609, and an output unit 6.
And 10.

The reproduction control information database 605 stores the reproduction control information identification information for identifying the reproduction control information and the reproduction control information as a pair. The reproduction control information identification information may be any information that can uniquely identify the reproduction control information in the distribution device 61, and may be, for example, a serial number assigned so as not to overlap with each reproduction control information.

The charging information database 607 contains
Playback control information identification information and billing information indicating billing added to the playback control information are stored as a pair. The billing information also indicates a billing fee when a plurality of reproduction control information are combined. As described above, the charging fee varies depending on the combination pattern of the reproduction control information.

The reproduction control information recognition section 603 stores the identification number of the audio content and the reproduction control information identification information of the reproduction control information that can be given to the audio content as a pair.

When the inquiry information receiving unit 601 receives the inquiry information 601a from the user who wants to download a certain audio content, the inquiry information receiving unit 601 outputs the inquiry information 601a to the audio content recognition unit 602. The audio content recognition unit 602 identifies the identification information 602a of the audio content to be distributed based on the inquiry information 601a, and outputs the identification information 602a to the reproduction control information recognition unit 603 and the audio content search unit 303.

The reproduction control information recognition section 603 uses the identification information 6
The reproduction control information identification information 603a corresponding to 02a is specified, and the reproduction control information identification information 603a is output to the reproduction control information search unit 604 and the billing information search unit 606.

The reproduction control information searching unit 604 searches the reproduction control information database 605 for a plurality of reproduction control information that can be added to the audio contents to be distributed, based on the reproduction control information identification information 603a, and generates the presentation information 66. ,
It is output to the audio information generation unit 609. The billing information retrieval unit 606 retrieves the billing information 606a from the billing information database 607 based on the reproduction control information identification information 603a and outputs it to the audio information generation unit 609.

The audio information generator 609 displays the presentation information 6
6 and accounting information 606a including audio information 609a
Is generated and output to the output unit 610, and the output unit 610 delivers the audio information 609a.

The presentation information 66 and the billing information 6 are displayed on the display unit of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the user who receives the audio information 609a.
06a is displayed. When the user selects one or more pieces of reproduction control information from the presentation information 66, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the user sends the selection result information 601b indicating the selection result to the distribution apparatus 6
Reply to 1.

The inquiry information receiving unit 601 displays the selection result information 60.
When 1b is received, the selection result information 601b is output to the reproduction control information recognition unit 603. Reproduction control information recognition unit 603
Specifies the reproduction control information information identification information 603b corresponding to the reproduction control information included in the selection result information 601b, and determines the reproduction control information identification information 603b.
4 and the billing information search unit 606. At this time, the audio content search unit 303 determines that the identification information 6
Audio content database 304 based on 02a
The audio content 303a to be distributed is searched and output to the audio information generation unit 609.

The reproduction control information retrieval unit 604 selects the reproduction control information 604 selected based on the reproduction control information identification information 603b.
a is output to the audio information generation unit 609. The billing information search unit 606 outputs the billing information 606b selected based on the reproduction control information identification information 603b to the audio information generating unit 6.
It outputs to 09. The audio information generation unit 609 controls the reproduction control information 604a so as to follow the distribution format.
The audio information 609b including the charging information 606b and the audio content 303a is generated and output to the output unit 610, and the output unit 610 delivers the audio information 609b.

The audio information may be video information and the audio content may be a moving image.

[0128]

According to the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the reproduction control information included in the audio information is converted into the reproduction control information which can be set at the time of reproducing the audio content, so that the reproduction control information which cannot be set at the time of reproduction is included. It becomes possible to play back the audio information that has been recorded.

As a result, if the reproduction control information included in the audio information desired by the user is reproduction control information that cannot be set during the reproduction operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus and the reproducing apparatus owned by the user, the audio content cannot be reproduced. No problem occurs.

Even if audio information including new reproduction control information starts to be distributed in the future, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention can receive the conversion information including the new conversion method. It is possible to reproduce the audio content of the audio information including various reproduction control information.

Therefore, the user does not need to purchase the recording / reproducing apparatus corresponding to the new reproduction control information one by one.

Further, in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the memory section of the recording / reproducing apparatus stores all the recording / reproducing apparatuses owned by the user and the types of reproduction control information that can be set by the reproducing apparatus, and the audio information to be distributed. It is possible to convert the reproduction control information contained in the type of reproduction control information in the memory unit.

As a result, the audio information recorded on the recording medium using the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention can be reproduced by all the recording / reproducing apparatuses and reproducing apparatuses owned by the user.

Further, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention can upload data for converting new reproduction control information into other reproduction control information. For this reason, after uploading, new playback control information can be converted, and audio information that could not be determined to be playable until now can be handled, so that more audio information can be played. become able to.

Also, according to the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the audio information distributed only to the recording destination permitted by the music provider is recorded. As a result, it is possible to prevent illegal copying of audio information by the user and reproduction that ignores the reproduction control information.

Further, the distribution apparatus of the present invention distributes the conversion information about the reproduction control information in the audio information.
Therefore, even if the reproduction control information included in the audio information cannot be set at the time of reproduction, it becomes possible to convert the reproduction control information by using the conversion information and record the audio information, thereby enabling the reproduction of the audio content. Become.

Therefore, it becomes possible to reproduce audio information including reproduction control information that cannot be set during reproduction, and the user can listen to a lot of audio information.

Further, since the distribution apparatus of the present invention distributes the information specifying the recording destination of the audio information in the audio information, the user can record only on the recording medium which the music provider permits the recording. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the audio information distributed to the recording destination that the music provider does not permit from being improperly recorded or being reproduced by ignoring the reproduction control information.

Further, since the distribution apparatus of the present invention allows the user to select the reproduction control information of the audio content to be downloaded, the reproduction control information which the user owns and the reproduction control information which can be set during the reproduction operation of the reproduction apparatus are stored. You can choose to download audio information. As a result, the problem that the audio content cannot be reproduced due to the inclusion of the reproduction control information that cannot be set in the audio information that the user wants to hear does not occur.

Further, since the distribution apparatus of the present invention can change the charging fee according to the reproduction control information selected by the user, it is possible to provide a mechanism whereby the user can purchase audio information at a lower cost. Become.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a recording / reproducing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a reproduction control information conversion unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a distribution device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a distribution device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a recording / reproducing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a reproduction control information conversion unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a reproduction control information conversion unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a reproducing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a reproduction control information determination unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a distribution device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a recording / reproducing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a distribution device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a distribution device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Recording / reproducing device 12 Decoding section 13 Reader 14 Playback control information converter 15 Recording section 16 recording media 17 Playback section 18 Input section

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masatoshi Shinpo             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5D044 AB05 AB07 BC01 BC04 CC04                       DE39 DE45 DE50 EF05 FG18                       GK12

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A reading unit for reading the audio content and the reproduction control information from audio information including audio content and reproduction control information for controlling the audio content, and the reproduction control information when reproducing the audio content. It is possible to determine whether or not it is possible to set, and if it is possible, to output the reproduction control information, and if it is not possible, to set the reproduction control information. A conversion unit for converting and outputting the reproduction control information, the conversion unit recording the audio content and the reproduction control information on a recording medium when the conversion unit outputs the reproduction control information; When the reproduction control information is output, a recording unit that records the audio content and the other reproduction control information in the recording medium is provided. Obtaining, recording and reproducing apparatus. 2. The conversion unit determines whether or not it is possible to set the reproduction control information based on type information indicating a type of reproduction control information that can be set. The recording / reproducing apparatus described. 3. The audio information further includes conversion permission information indicating whether to permit conversion of the reproduction control information into the other reproduction control information, and the reading unit converts the audio information into the conversion information. The recording / reproducing apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the reproduction control information can be converted into the other reproduction control information based on the conversion permission information. The unit converts the reproduction control information to the other reproduction control information when the determination result of the determination unit is convertible, and converts the reproduction control information when the determination result of the determination unit is not convertible. Do not convert to the other playback control information,
The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The audio information further includes conversion information for controlling an operation of converting the reproduction control information into the other reproduction control information, and the reading unit further reads the conversion information from the audio information. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit converts the reproduction control information into the other reproduction control information based on the conversion information. 5. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the conversion information includes type information indicating a type of reproduction control information that can be set. 6. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the conversion information further includes designation information for designating contents of the type information. 7. A first step of reading the audio content and the reproduction control information from audio information including audio content and reproduction control information for controlling the audio content, and the reproduction control at the time of reproducing the audio content. It is possible to determine whether or not it is possible to set information, output the reproduction control information if the information can be set, and set the reproduction control information if the information cannot be set. A second step of converting and outputting the other reproduction control information; and, if the reproduction control information is output in the second step, recording the audio content and the reproduction control information in a recording medium, and the second step. In the case where the other reproduction control information is output, the audio content and the other reproduction control information are Including a third step of recording on the recording medium, the recording method. 8. A database for storing a plurality of audio contents, and an output unit for outputting audio information including at least one of the plurality of audio contents, wherein the audio information is the at least one audio content. The distribution device further includes reproduction control information for controlling the reproduction control information, and conversion permission information indicating whether to permit conversion of the reproduction control information into other reproduction control information. 9. A database that stores a plurality of audio contents, and an output unit that outputs audio information including at least one of the plurality of audio contents, wherein the audio information is the at least one audio content. And a conversion information for controlling an operation of converting the reproduction control information into other reproduction control information. 10. The conversion information includes type information indicating a type of reproduction control information that can be set.
Delivery device described in. 11. The distribution device according to claim 10, wherein the conversion information further includes designation information that designates contents of the type information. 12. A reading unit for reading the audio content and the reproduction control information from audio information including audio content and reproduction control information for controlling the audio content, and whether the audio content can be reproduced. A determination unit that determines whether or not the audio content is played when the determination result of the determination unit indicates that the audio content can be played back, and a playback that does not play the audio content when the determination result of the determination unit indicates that the audio content cannot be played back. The determination unit determines whether or not the reproduction control information can be set at the time of reproducing the audio content, and when the determination unit can set the reproduction control information, the determination unit determines the reproduction control information based on the reproduction control information. If it is not possible to determine whether the audio content can be played back and set it, A playback device that converts the playback control information into other playback control information that can be set, and determines whether or not the audio content can be played back based on the other playback control information. 13. The determination unit converts the reproduction control information into the other reproduction control information based on conversion information for controlling an operation of converting the reproduction control information into other reproduction control information. Item 12. The reproducing device according to item 12. 14. A reading unit for reading the audio content and the permission information from audio information including audio content and permission information indicating a recording medium for permitting recording of the audio content, and a recording destination based on the permission information. A determination unit that determines whether or not the audio content can be recorded on the recording medium, and if the result of the determination unit indicates that the audio content is recordable, the audio content is recorded on the recording medium of the recording destination. A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: a recording unit that does not record the audio content on the recording medium of the recording destination when the result of the determination unit indicates that recording is impossible. 15. A database for storing a plurality of audio contents, and an output unit for outputting audio information including at least one of the plurality of audio contents, wherein the audio information is the at least one audio The distribution device further including permission information indicating a recording medium permitting recording of the content. 16. A database that stores a plurality of audio contents, and an output unit that outputs a plurality of types of reproduction control information for controlling at least one audio content of the plurality of audio contents, the output The unit outputs audio information including the at least one audio content and at least one reproduction control information selected by the user from the plurality of types of reproduction control information. 17. The charging of the audio information output by the output unit is performed by the at least one selected by the user.
The distribution device according to claim 16, which varies based on one piece of reproduction control information.