JP2003323343A - Contents using device and network system and license information acquiring method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contents using device, a network system, and a license information acquiring method for effectively utilizing license information predistributed from a server. <P>SOLUTION: This contents using device has a using right control part 1a possessing the license information, and a contents output part 1b for making output in at least one form of voice, a picture, and data by using the contents on the basis of the license information. The using right control means 1a acquires this license information by requesting the license information from the using right control means of the other contents using device when receiving a request for the license information from the contents output part 1b, and delivers the acquired license information to the contents output part 1b. The contents output part 1b uses the contents on the basis of the license information delivered from the using right control part 1a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a content utilization apparatus and network system for utilizing content, which is a digital work such as music and video, by using license information distributed from a server, and a license information acquisition method. Technology related to effective use of information

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a system has been developed for delivering contents, which are digital works such as music, images, and games, via the Internet, digital broadcasting, etc., and part of them has reached the stage of practical application. In addition, upon distribution of these contents, from the viewpoint of copyright protection and the like, a usage control method of the contents, which restricts the number of times of reproduction, movement, copying, etc. of the distributed contents, is also being studied.

Conventionally, as seen in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-48076 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-293439, information necessary for the server to use the content and restricting usage conditions of the content ( Less than,
“License information”) is distributed so that a plurality of content use devices on a home network system (home network) can use the content by using the license information distributed from the server and perform reproduction or the like. It is modeled. Further, the license information distributed from the server is held in each content utilization device,
The content use device uses the content by using the license information held by itself.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional content use apparatus and network system, only the content use apparatus that requests the server to deliver the license information receives the license information and uses it. I can't. That is, if the content using apparatus does not own the license information already distributed from the server, even if another content using apparatus holds the license information, the content using apparatus uses the content by using the license information. However, there is a problem that the license information already distributed from the server cannot be effectively used. Therefore, in view of such a problem, it is an object of the present invention to provide a content use device, a network system, and a license information acquisition method that effectively utilize license information already distributed from a server.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a content utilization apparatus according to the present invention is composed of a plurality of content utilization apparatuses which are mutually connected by a communication network and utilize content which is a digital work. A single content utilization device in a network system, wherein the content utilization device distributes from a device other than the content utilization device and holds license information for enabling the use of the content; and the content is utilized based on the license information. Output means for outputting at least one of audio, video and data, and the usage right management means, when receiving the license information request from the output means, the usage right management means for another content usage apparatus. Request the license information to get this,
The content use device is characterized in that the acquired license information is transferred to the output means, and the output means uses the content based on the license information transferred from the usage right management means.

Here, the usage right management means of the content using apparatus according to the present invention uses another content using apparatus holding the license information when it does not hold the license information requested by the output means. It is characterized in that a right management means is searched for and the license information is acquired from the other usage right management means.

Further, the usage right managing means of the content using apparatus according to the present invention, when the license information is requested from the usage right managing means of another content using apparatus, the usage right of the request source requesting the license information. When the management means is authenticated and the request source usage right management means is judged to be unjust, acquisition of the license information by the request source usage right management means is prohibited.

Here, the present invention relates to one content using device in a network system, which is connected to each other through a communication network and is composed of a plurality of content using devices that use contents which are digital works. Use right management means that holds license information that is distributed from other than the content use device and that enables the use of the content, and output that uses the content based on the license information and outputs it in at least one form of audio, video, and data. Content, characterized in that the output means requests license information from the usage right management means of another content usage device to acquire the license information, and uses the content based on the acquired license information. It can also be a utilization device.

Further, the present invention includes a plurality of first content utilization devices and at least one second content utilization device which are connected to each other by a communication network and utilize contents which are digital works. A configured network system, wherein the first content use device is licensed from a device other than the first content use device and holds license information for enabling use of the content, and a license. An output unit that uses the content based on the information and outputs the content in at least one form of audio, video, and data; and the second content using apparatus includes only the output unit.
When the usage right management means of the first content usage apparatus receives a request for license information from the output means included in the same first content usage apparatus or the output means of the second content usage apparatus. , Requesting the license information from the usage right management means of the other first content usage apparatus to acquire the license information, and passing the acquired license information to the output means that has requested the license information, and outputting the license information. The means may be a network system characterized in that the content is used based on the passed license information.

The present invention is realized as a license information acquisition method in which a content use device acquires license information, or as a program that causes a computer to execute the steps of the method, and is recorded in a CD-ROM or a communication network. It can also be distributed via a medium or a transmission medium.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A content using apparatus and a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall system configuration diagram including a content utilization device and a network system according to the present embodiment.

This entire system is a system for using at home the contents which are digital works such as music and images distributed from the outside, and is necessary for distributing the contents and using the contents. It includes a server 100 that generates and distributes license information, and a network system (hereinafter referred to as “home network”) 300 according to the present embodiment connected to the server 100 via a broadband network.

The home network 300 includes the server 10
0 is a network system in which the content distributed from 0 can be used from any of a plurality of terminal devices in the home by using license information, for example, a home gateway 200 including an ADSL modem and a server 10.
0 is used in the home with the four content use devices 1 to 4 according to the present embodiment that use the content distributed from 0 using the license information described above. Data is transmitted and received between the home gateways 200.
Here, the home gateway 200 has a firewall function, and the security of the content use devices 1 to 4 is maintained by this firewall function.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the overall system described above. The server 100 includes a license unit 120 that generates and distributes license information and a content unit 110 that distributes content. There may be a plurality of servers 100. Content section 1
Reference numeral 10 includes at least a storage unit that stores a large number of encrypted contents, and a transmission / reception unit that receives a distribution request for the contents and transmits the requested contents.

The license unit 120 generates a license information requested and manages the license information generation management unit, and receives a license information request and instructs the license information generation management unit to generate the license information. And a transmitting / receiving unit that transmits the generated license information.

Here, when the user purchases a license including a usage condition in a wide range for using the content, the license information generation management unit generates license source information having the usage condition as data and generates the license source information. Owns. Then, when the user requests the use of the content, the license information generation management unit cuts out the information corresponding to the use condition of the requested amount from the license source information, and the encrypted use condition is converted into the encrypted content. The corresponding decryption key is combined to generate license information.

That is, the license information is information obtained by licensing a part of the usage conditions (the cut-out part) indicated by the license source information together with the decryption key, and enables the use of the content. Specifically, the number of times the predetermined content can be played (for example, up to three times), the date and time when the predetermined content can be played (for example, up to June 30, 2001), the predetermined content It is composed of information such as a total reproducible time (for example, reproducible until the total reproduction time reaches 10 hours).

For example, when the user purchases a license with the content "license that the movie content can be reproduced only 10 times", the license information generation management unit of the license unit 120 "reproduces the movie content 10 times."
License source information indicating a usage condition such as "reproduction" is generated and held. Then, when the user requests the use of the content, the license information generation management unit uses the license source information indicating the use condition such as “play the movie content 10 times” to use the “play movie content once”. Cut out only the condition information,
The license source information is updated to license source information indicating a usage condition such as “play movie content 9 times”, and the decryption key of the content is matched to the cut information to “play the movie content only once. The license information having the content such as “permit” is generated, and the transmitting / receiving unit of the license unit 120 transmits this.

On the other hand, the content use apparatuses 1 to 4 provided in the home network 300 are, for example, STB (set-
top box), PC (personal computer), PDA (pers
An onaldigital assistant), a PD (portable device), and the like other than the above, for example, an audio component, a VTR, a printer, a television, etc. may be used as long as they use contents. Here, the use of content specifically means reproduction or display of content, DVD-
This means recording the content in a recording medium such as a RAM or an SD (Secure Digital) memory card, or moving the content.

Also, four content utilization devices 1 to 4
Are connected by LAN or local line. For example, the home gateway 200, the content use apparatus 1, and the content use apparatus 2 are connected by a LAN, each has an address according to, for example, IPv6 (internet protocol version 6), and can directly communicate with each other via TCP / IP. In this way, the range of the content use devices that are connected by LAN or the like and can directly communicate with each other is referred to as “IP range”.

The content use device 2 and the content use device 4 are connected by a local line such as a USB, and the content use device 1 and the content use device 3 are connected to each other by, for example, i. The content use devices 3 and 4 are connected by a local line by Link (IEEE1394), and can communicate with other content use devices on the home network 300 and the server 100 via the specific content use devices connected by the local line. Is.

That is, the content use devices 1 and 2 within the IP range are connected so as to directly request the content from the server 100 via the home gateway 200 and can use the content, and are outside the IP range. The content utilization devices 3 and 4 are connected so as to request the content from the server 100 via the content utilization devices 1 and 2 connected to the local line and to utilize the content.

The content usage apparatus 1 receives a content from the server 100 and a usage right management unit 1a that holds and manages license information, and at the same time, the usage right management unit 1a.
A content output unit 1b which is an output unit for requesting and obtaining license information, utilizing the content by using the license information, and outputting the content in at least one form of audio, video, and data. Similar to the content usage apparatus 1, the content usage apparatus 2 also includes a usage right management unit 2a and a content output unit 2b, and the content usage apparatus 3 also includes a usage right management unit 3a and a content output unit 3b. On the other hand, the content use device 4
It does not include a usage right management unit but includes only the content output unit 4b.

The usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a and the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b provided in the content utilization devices 1 to 4 are collectively referred to as "functional units" below. Each functional unit is composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and is tamper resistant by hardware and software.

Further, the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a permit the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b to obtain license information, and the content output units 1b, 2b,
When transmitting the license information to 3b, 4b, the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a interpret the license information as a right, that is, the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b.
Send it after converting it to a usable state. Specifically, the usage right management units 1a, 2a, and 3a provide necessary information such as a content decryption key and time information that defines one-time reproduction, and quality control information from the license information.
It is transmitted to the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b and 4b.

Content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b
Respectively output the image and sound of the content by using the content, an output unit 52 such as a liquid crystal display screen or a speaker, and requests the license information and the content to acquire them, and obtains the license information and the acquired content. The control unit 5 that controls the output unit 52 based on
1 and 1.

For example, in the case where the usage right management unit 1a of the content usage apparatus 1 has license information distributed from the server 100, such as "permit reproduction of movie content only once", When the user operates the content using apparatus 1 to reproduce the content on the content using apparatus 1, the content output unit 1
The control unit 51 of b controls the usage right management unit 1a to have license information such as "permit reproduction of movie content", or limits reproduction times to "play movie content only once." Request the license information with the content such as "license." As a result, the control unit 51 of the content output unit 1b sends license information such as "permit reproduction of movie content only once" held by the usage right management unit 1a from the usage right management unit 1a. get. Furthermore, the control unit 51 of the content output unit 1b requests the server 100 for the movie content, acquires the movie content, and uses the acquired license information and content to output the movie content to the output unit 52 only once. Can be played.

Although the home network 300 is provided with four content utilization devices in the present embodiment, the number of content utilization devices is not limited to this in the network system according to the present invention. Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 51 of the content output unit requests the server 100 for content and sends the content to the server 100.
However, the encrypted content may be obtained by reading the encrypted content from a CD-ROM inserted into the content using device.

Here, the overall operation of the home network 300 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of home network 300 in the present embodiment.

First, when a user operates any of the content use devices 1 to 4 in the home network 300 to use the content, the content output unit of the content use device causes the server 100 to output the content to be used by the user. The content unit 110 is requested (step S101).

In response to the request for this content, the home network 300 holds the license information and the processing for searching the usage right management unit that holds the license information necessary to use the content. The process of moving the license information from the usage right management unit (process Ss3) and whether the function unit to which the license information is transferred is valid before the usage right management unit holding the license information moves the license information. If the license information is not in the home network 300, a process (process Ss2) of authenticating whether the license information is obtained or a process (process Ss4) of acquiring the license information from the server 100 is performed (step S102).

Any one of the above-mentioned content output units, which has acquired the license information by moving it, uses the license information to use the contents distributed from the contents unit 110 of the server 100 (step S103). . And finally, home network 30
At 0, the operation of processing the moved license information is performed (step S104).

Here, in the search (process Ss1) performed in the above-described step S102, the subject of the search is the content output unit requesting the license information,
In some cases, the search target is a usage right management unit 1a, 2a, 3a on the home network 300.
Is.

In addition, as a method of searching, the usage right management unit 1
a, 2a, 3a, a broadcast method for inquiring by broadcasting whether or not the requested license information is held, and holding the license information individually for the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a. Sequential access method for sequentially inquiring whether or not there is a use right management unit 1a, 2
a, 3a, a pre-push method in which the subject of retrieval stores in advance which license information is stored, and one license management unit is requested to search for license information If there is no license information in the management unit, there are four methods such as a search request method in which the usage right management unit requests a search to another usage right management unit, and a search is performed by any one of these four search methods. Is done.

On the other hand, in the authentication (process Ss2) performed in step S102, the license information can be transferred to the functional unit to which the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a are to move the license information. It is performed by confirming the user domain set as the range and the usage restriction that restricts the functional unit that is permitted to acquire the license information that the user owns.

That is, the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a are
It is determined whether or not the functional unit to which the license information is to be moved belongs to the same user domain, and whether or not the functional unit is subject to the usage restriction. Then, the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a validate the functional unit only when the user domain of the functional unit is the same as their own user domain and the functional unit corresponds to the usage restriction. It is determined that

The determination as to whether or not they belong to the same user domain is made by referring to a domain list in which functional unit IDs for identifying each functional unit are registered, or by a domain list method, or by each functional unit. It is carried out by a password method in which the password held in is compared to determine. In addition, the usage restriction is based on the usage right management units 1a, 2a,
It is defined by group information including predetermined data stored in each of 3a.

The group information includes the functional unit ID of the functional unit permitted to obtain the license information, the user ID of the user, the functional unit ID of the functional unit trusted by the usage right management units 1a, 2a, and 3a, and the user ID. , Or the functional unit ID of the functional unit that is permitted to acquire the license information for each content or service to be used, or the functional unit that is permitted to acquire the license information for each processing content. The functional unit ID is registered.

That is, each of the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a has the functional unit ID of the functional unit to which the license information is to be moved or the user ID presented by the functional unit as the above-mentioned group. By confirming whether or not the functional unit ID or the user ID registered in the information is included, it is determined whether or not the functional unit that is the movement destination corresponds to the usage restriction.

Further, in the process of moving the license information in step S102 (process Ss3), the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a holding the license information request the license information to the functional unit that has requested the license information. To send.

At this time, the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a holding the license information divide the license information according to the request content of the license information and transmit a part of it, or all of it without dividing it. Or send. Here, dividing the license information means dividing the usage conditions included in the license information. For example, the usage right management units 1a, 2a, and 3a, which hold the license information, set the license information including the usage conditions such that the content can be reproduced up to 10 times and the content reproduction count is 2 times.
The license information is divided into license information including a usage condition such as up to the number of times and license information including a usage condition such that the number of times the content can be reproduced is up to 8 times, and one of the license information is transmitted. In addition, the usage conditions that are subject to division are
It may be a reproducible period of the content, a cumulative time, or the like.

Further, when the license information is transmitted, the usage right management units 1a, 2a and 3a also have a message prompting the early use of the license information according to the usage conditions included in the license information. Send.

For example, if the license information to be transmitted includes a reproducible period of the content as a usage condition, and the period is short tomorrow,
Usage right management units 1a, 2 holding this license information
The a and 3a transmit the license information and a message prompting immediate use to the functional unit that requests the license information. The content of such a message is displayed by, for example, setting a flag or not setting it.

As a result, even if the functional unit receiving this message and the license information does not have an internal clock, it interprets the message and uses the received license information early and in an unused state. It is possible to prevent the reproducible period from passing.

Further, in the acquisition method in the process (process Ss4) for acquiring the license information from the server 100 in step S102, the license management unit 1a, 2a, 3a requests the server 100 to distribute the license information. A method of acquiring information, and a method of acquiring license information without requiring the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a to request distribution of license information from the server 100 by the server 100 periodically distributing license information, for example. There is.

Then, the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a
When requesting the server 100 to distribute license information, the server searches in advance for another usage right management unit that holds the desired license information, and finds that there is no usage right management unit that meets the search conditions. By checking or by referring to a license list indicating what kind of license information is held on another home network 300, it is possible to confirm that the desired license information is not registered in the license list. This prevents the duplicate license information from being held on the home network 300.

Here, in the search (process Ss1) in step S102 shown in FIG. 3, the usage right management units 1a, 2a,
A case will be described in which any one of 3a serves as a search entity and searches for another usage right management unit that holds license information.

In this case, the content output units 1b and 2
Each of b, 3b, and 4b requests the content to be used, and the license information necessary for using the content is used by the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3
Request any of a. The usage right management unit that has received this request searches for another usage right management unit that holds the license information if it does not have the license information.

Then, if there is a usage right management unit that meets the search conditions, the usage right management unit that has performed the search acquires the license information from the usage right management unit, and the content output unit that requested the license information The license information is acquired from the usage right management unit that is the request destination and has performed the search.

FIG. 4 shows the home network 300 in which the usage right management unit 1a searches for the usage right management unit holding the license information requested by the content output unit 1b.
2 is a functional block diagram of the home gateway 200
Are omitted.

When requesting the license information, the content output unit 1b always requests the license information to the usage right management unit 1a contained in the same content usage apparatus 1 as itself, and likewise outputs the content. Part 2
b requests license information from the usage right management unit 2a, and the content output unit 3b requests license information from the usage right management unit 3a.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram until the content output unit 1b requests license information and uses the content by using the license information. An example of the operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, the content output unit 1b licenses information such as "permit reproduction of movie content", or limits the number of reproduction times to "permit reproduction of movie content only once." The license information having the content such as "Yes" is requested to the usage right management unit 1a (step S1).

Here, the usage right management unit 1a requested for the license information authenticates the request source content output unit 1b to which the license information is moved (step S2).
As a result, when the content output unit 1b determines that the content output unit 1b is improper, the content output unit 1b is prohibited from acquiring the license information and the content output unit 1b is notified that the license information cannot be acquired (step S).
3).

On the other hand, in step S2, the usage right management unit 1a
Determines that the content output unit 1b is valid, it determines whether or not it owns the requested license information (step S4). If it holds the license information, the content output unit 1b outputs the content. The license information is permitted to be acquired by the unit 1b, and the license information is transmitted (step S5).

Then, the usage right management unit 1a proceeds to step S4.
When it is determined that the requested license information is not held, the search for another usage right management unit holding the requested license information is started (step S6). As a result of the search, when the usage right management unit 1a determines that the usage right management unit 2a meets the search condition (step S7), the usage right management unit 1a accesses the usage right management unit 2a and requests license information (step S8).

Upon receiving the request, the usage right management unit 2a authenticates the requesting usage right management unit 1a to which the license information is moved (step S9), and as a result, the usage right management unit 1a.
If it is determined that the license information is not valid, the license information is prohibited from being acquired by the usage right management unit 1a, and the usage right management unit 1a is notified that the license information cannot be acquired (step S10).

On the other hand, in step S9, the usage right management unit 2a
When it is determined that the usage right management unit 1a is valid, the usage right management unit 2a permits the usage right management unit 1a to obtain license information, and the license information requested by the usage right management unit 1a. Is transmitted (step S1
1).

Then, the usage right management unit 1a, which has acquired the license information, permits the content output unit 1b to acquire the license information and transmits the license information to the content output unit 1b (step S12). The acquired content output unit 1b uses the license information to use the content distributed from the content unit 110 of the server 100 (step S13).

Also, the home network 3 as described above
SAC (Secure
Authenticated Channel) and other secure communication protocols. In addition, each functional unit may encrypt the license information with the functional unit ID of another functional unit that is the transmission destination and transmit the encrypted license information to the functional unit that is the transmission destination.
In this case, the destination functional unit that receives the license information decrypts the license information encrypted with its own functional unit ID.

As described above, each of the content use devices 1 to 4 in the present embodiment searches for another content use device holding the necessary license information and acquires the license information from the content use device. Even if the user does not have the necessary license information, this can be acquired from other users to use the content. In other words, not only the content using apparatus holding the license information, but also other content using apparatuses on the home network 300 can use the content by using the license information. As a result, the license information already distributed from the server 100 to the home network 300 can be effectively used.

Further, the usage right management units 1a, 2a and 3a of the content usage devices 1 to 3 search the usage right management units of other content usage devices holding the license information,
Since the license information is requested only to the usage right management units corresponding to the search condition, it is possible to omit useless request processing such as requesting the license information to the usage right management units of all the other content using devices.

In step S9, the usage right management unit 2a
In addition, although the usage right management unit 1a requesting the license information is authenticated, the usage right management unit 1a may be authenticated to the content output unit 1b requesting the license information.
In this case, the usage right management unit 2a determines that the content output unit 1b
When it is determined that the license information is authentic, the requested license information is transmitted to the usage right management unit 1a. Further, the usage right management unit 2a may authenticate both the usage right management unit 1a and the content output unit 1b.

Next, in the search (process Ss1) in step S102 shown in FIG. 3, the content output units 1b, 2
A case will be described in which any one of b, 3b, and 4b serves as a search entity and searches for a usage right management unit that holds license information. In this case, the content output units 1b and 2
After requesting the content to be used, each of b, 3b, and 4b searches the usage right management unit that holds the license information necessary to use the content.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the home network 300 showing a state in which the content output unit 1b searches for the usage right management unit holding the desired license information by the content output unit 1b itself. 200 is omitted. Content output unit 1b
Accesses all the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a to search for the usage right management unit that holds the desired license information.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the operation until the content output unit 1b performs the above-mentioned search and uses the content. Hereinafter, an example of the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

First, the content output unit 1b requests, in advance, license information such as "permit reproduction of movie content", in advance.
The usage right management unit holding such license information is searched (step S21). Then, as a result of the search, when the content output unit 1b determines that the usage right management unit 2a satisfies the search condition (step S22), the usage right management unit 2a.
A is requested to request the license information (step S23).

Upon receipt of the request, the usage right management unit 2a authenticates the request source content output unit 1b (step S2).
4) As a result, when it is determined that the content output unit 1b is improper, acquisition of license information by the content output unit 1b is prohibited and the fact is notified to the content output unit 1b (step S25). When it is determined that the output unit 1b is valid, the license information is permitted to be acquired by the content output unit 1b and the license information is transmitted (step S26). Then, the content output unit 1b that has acquired the license information
Uses the content using this license information (step S27).

In this way, when the search subject is the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, for example, even if the usage right management unit 1a becomes inoperable, all contents including the content output unit 1b The output unit can use the content by obtaining license information from another usage right management unit. On the other hand, when the search subject is the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a, for example, when the usage right management unit 1a becomes inoperable, the license information request destination is always the usage right management unit 1a. The content output unit 1b also cannot obtain the license information and becomes inoperable. That is, when the search subject is the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, the abnormality of the functional unit of one content utilization device is different from the case where the search subject is the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a. It is possible to prevent the functional part of the device from being adversely affected.

The content output units 1b, 2b, 3b
When searching for a usage right management unit that holds desired license information, each of them requests the usage right management unit 1a, 2a, 3a in their own content usage devices 1 to 3 for the license information, and Usage right management unit 1a, 2
If the license information does not exist in a and 3a, another usage right management unit that holds the license information may be searched thereafter.

As described above, the entity that searches the usage right management unit that holds the license information is the content usage apparatuses 1 to 1.
Even if the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, and 4b of No. 4 are the content use devices 1 to 4 as in the case where the search subject is the usage right management units 1a, 2a, and 3a. The license information can be acquired from, and the license information can be effectively used.

Next, a broadcast type search method in the search (step Ss1) in step S102 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a broadcast method.

In this broadcast type search method, first, the search subject X, which is one of the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a and the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, is used as a search target. Rights management unit 1a, 2
The inquiry information for inquiring whether or not the requested license information is held is broadcasted to a and 3a. Then, each of the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a notifies the search subject X of the presence or absence of the above-mentioned license information in the broadcast inquiry information. Based on the notification from the usage right management unit 1a, 2a, 3a,
The search subject X finds a usage right management unit corresponding to the search condition and requests license information from the usage right management unit. In FIG. 8, all the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3
Although a is shown, when the search subject X is the usage right management unit, the above-described search is performed between the usage right management unit that is the search subject X and another usage right management unit.

Here, the search subject X is the usage right management unit 1a,
When it is determined from the notification results of 2a and 3a that the inquired license information is held by a plurality of usage right management units, the search subject X uses the first usage right management unit that responds. Requests acquisition of license information from the rights management unit.

It should be noted that the search subject X may be allowed to select from which usage right management section the license information is acquired, based on the contents of the license information held by each of the plurality of usage right management sections. For example, in response to an inquiry as to whether the search subject X has license information such as “permit reproduction of movie contents until December 31, 2002”, the usage right management unit 1a asks “use movie contents. The license management unit 2a notifies that the license information having the content such as "Permission to play back until December 31, 2003" is held, and the usage right management unit 2a "plays back movie content until December 31, 2004." When it is notified that the license information of the content such as “permit” is held, the search subject X determines that the usage right management unit 1
The usage right management unit 2a is selected from a and 2a to acquire the license information having the shorter expiration date. In addition, when the plurality of usage right management units notify the inquiry information of the search subject X that the license information is held, the search subject X uses the content use device that holds the desired license information. Alternatively, the license information may be acquired from the license management unit of the content usage apparatus selected according to the user's operation by notifying the user of the license management unit and the content of the license information held therein. .

Further, in the above case, the inquiry information for inquiring whether or not the requested license information is held is broadcast to the search subject X, but the content corresponding to the requested license information is to be searched. By specifying the usage right management units 1a, 2a, and 3a, the search subject X may be made to broadcast content correspondence inquiry information for inquiring what kind of license information the content has.

In FIG. 9, the search subject X sends the content-corresponding inquiry information to the usage right management unit 2a, and the usage right management unit 2a
It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement from a to obtaining a reply. First, the search subject X generates content corresponding inquiry information and transmits it to the usage right management unit 2a (step S1).
a). The content corresponding inquiry information includes a header, inquiry message data indicating the content of the inquiry, and checksum data for detecting an error in data transmission / reception.

The inquiry message data includes, for example, a random value generated by a random number and a content corresponding to the requested license information, which is used as a key for encrypting and decrypting information. Identification information for identifying (hereinafter referred to as “content ID”), identification information for identifying usage contents such as reproduction or copying of the content (hereinafter referred to as “action ID”), and itself (search subject X) A flag (hereinafter referred to as a “client capability flag”) that indicates its capability such that the user can reproduce or copy the content, and can determine the usable period of the content included in the acquired license information as a usage condition. And their role on the home network 300, for example, And the role of the role and the client as a server, contains the type information indicating. It should be noted that the inquiry message of the content correspondence inquiry information may further include the usage period information indicating the usage period of the content.

Here, the checksum is one of the error detecting methods at the time of transmitting and receiving data, and the checksum data is that the data is divided before transmission and the data in each block is regarded as a numerical value. It is data showing a value obtained by summing the numerical values. That is, the checksum data in the content-corresponding inquiry information is data indicating the value obtained by performing the above-mentioned numerical summation on the inquiry message data.

Further, the inquiry message data and the checksum data in the content corresponding inquiry information are encrypted with a common password held together with the usage right management unit 2a. That is, the example shown in FIG.
And the usage right management unit 2a hold a common password, and the search subject X is
Content inquiry information cannot be transmitted to a usage right management unit that does not hold a common password and a reply to this cannot be obtained.

By transmitting such content-corresponding inquiry information, the search subject X specifies the content indicated by the above-mentioned content ID and the use content indicated by the action ID in the use right management unit 2a, and Then, the usage right management unit 2a is inquired about what kind of license information is held for the usage content. Next, when the usage right management unit 2a receives the content correspondence inquiry information, the usage right management unit 2a decrypts the inquiry message data and the checksum data in the content correspondence inquiry information with the password described above (step S2a).

Then, the usage right management unit 2a compares the value shown in the decrypted checksum data with the above-mentioned numerical sum for the decrypted inquiry message data (step S3a). If the numbers do not match as a result of the comparison, the usage right management unit 2a does not respond to the inquiry from the search subject X.

On the other hand, if the two numbers match, the usage right management unit 2a retrieves the license information corresponding to the inquiry message information from the license information held by itself (step S4a), Reply information including the search result is created (step S5a). Here, the usage right management unit 2a, based on the client capability flag, type information, and usage period information included in the received content correspondence inquiry information, obtains license information corresponding to the above search condition,
It is determined whether or not the search subject X can be transmitted.

That is, the usage right management unit 2a determines, for example, that the search subject X cannot determine the available period of the license information based on the client capability flag, or based on the type information, for example. Search subject X
Is determined to have the role of a server,
When it is determined that none of the license information corresponding to the search conditions can be used within the usage period of the content indicated by the usage period information, the license information corresponding to the search conditions is set as the search subject X. Determine that it should not be sent.

When the usage right management unit 2a determines that the license information corresponding to the above search conditions should not be transmitted, even if the license information is held,
When the search subject X receives a request for this license information, the search subject X includes a transmission refusal message in advance notifying that the license information is not transmitted to the search subject X.
Send to. Further, the reply information includes a header, reply message data indicating the above-mentioned search result, and checksum data for detecting an error in data transmission / reception.

In the reply message data, for example, the functional unit ID which is the identification information of the usage right management unit 2a which created the reply information and the license information ID which is the identification information of the license information corresponding to the search condition in the search of step S4a. And the content of the license information ID and type information indicating the role of itself (the usage right management unit 2a) on the home network 300. Further, if there are a plurality of license information items that meet the above search conditions, the license information ID of each license information item and its contents are included in the reply message data. The above transmission refusal message is
It is included in the reply message data.

The checksum data included in the reply information is data indicating a value obtained by dividing the reply message data in the reply information, regarding the data in each block as a numerical value, and summing the numerical values. Then, the usage right management unit 2a encrypts the reply message data and the checksum data in the reply information with the random value included in the content corresponding inquiry information received from the search subject X, and makes the reply information the search subject X. Reply (step S6a).

Next, when the search subject X receives the above-mentioned reply information from the usage right management unit 2a, the search subject X uses the random value included in the content-corresponding inquiry information, and the reply message included in the reply information. The data and the checksum data are decoded (step S7a), and similarly to the above, the numerical value indicated by the decoded checksum data is compared with the above-mentioned total numerical value for the decoded reply message data (step S8a). ).

From the comparison result, if the both numerical values match, the search subject X recognizes that the reply information is received without error, and at the same time, the search subject X uses the license information corresponding to the content and the usage content designated by the search subject X itself. Understand what is held by the usage right management unit 2a. If the two numerical values do not match from the comparison result, the search subject X recognizes that the content of the reply information is incorrect.

Further, when the reply message data of the reply information includes the transmission refusal message,
The search subject X understands in advance from the transmission refusal message that the license information cannot be requested to the usage right management unit 2a, and the search subject X wastes license information to the usage right management unit 2a. The required operation can be omitted, and the operation of the search subject X can be made more efficient.

Such an inquiry by the search subject X is also made to the other usage right management units holding the common password other than the usage right management unit 2a, and the reply information from each usage right management unit is used. The search subject X grasps which usage right management unit holds the license information corresponding to the content and the usage content designated by itself, which is most suitable for the request.

In the above case, the search subject X inquires of the usage right management unit 2a what kind of license information is held. For example, for all functional units on the home network 300, When an address for communicating with each other is set, the address of the functional unit to be communicated is inquired, the license information and the location of the content (for example, URL (uniform resour
ce locator))).

Here, the operation of the search subject X acquiring the license information corresponding to the content designated by itself from the usage right management unit holding the license information, which is the most suitable for the request, This will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 10, the search subject X is the usage right management unit 2a.
It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement which acquires license information from.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the search subject X receives the reply information from each usage right management unit, and as a result, the search subject X
When recognizing that the license information most suitable for its own request is held by the usage right management unit 2a, first, the license information ID of the license information and the usage right management unit 2a holding the license information are held. The functional unit ID is stored (step S1b).

Then, the search subject X transmits request information requesting license information to the usage right management unit 2a (step S2b). Here, the request information includes, for example, a header, the license information ID of the requested license information, and the functional unit I of the search subject X that transmits the request information.
D and are included.

Upon receiving such request information, the usage right management unit 2a receives the license information ID shown in the request information.
If the license information corresponding to this search condition is found from the license information owned by itself (step S3b), even if another functional unit subsequently requests the license information The license information is locked so as to reject the request (step S4b).

Then, the usage right management unit 2a stores the functional unit ID of the search subject X included in the request information in association with the locked license information (step S5).
b) The transmission information including the license information and the header is created (step S6b), and the transmission information is transmitted to the search subject X (step S7b).

As a result, the search subject X receives the transmission information from the usage right management unit 2a, acquires the license information requested by itself from this transmission information, and stores it (step S8b). Further, the search subject X makes the step S
The license information ID stored in 1b and the functional unit ID of the usage right management unit 2a are deleted (step S9b). When the search subject X cannot send the transmission information including the license information despite sending the request information, the search subject X stores the license information I stored in step S1b.
The license information is again requested to the usage right management unit 2a based on D and the functional unit ID of the usage right management unit 2a. When the search subject X receives the transmission information including the license information, the search subject X stores both IDs stored in step S1b.
Are considered unnecessary and are deleted as described above.

After that, the search subject X transmits the acquisition notification information notifying that the requested license information has been acquired to the usage right management section 2a (step S10).
b). When the usage right management unit 2a receives the acquisition notification information, the usage right management unit 2a searches the locked license information stored in step S5b (step S1).
1b), when the license information is found, it is deleted (step S12b).

In other words, the usage right management unit 2a executes the step S
Even when the transmission information including the license information is transmitted to the search subject X in 7b, since the same license information as the license information is locked and stored in association with the functional unit ID of the search subject X, the transmission is performed. Even when the information is not received by the search subject X, when the request information is received again from the search subject X, the transmission information can be transmitted to the search subject X again. Then, when the acquisition right information is received from the search subject X as described above, the usage right management unit 2a considers that the transmission information is normally received by the search subject X, and the lock is already locked in step S12b as described above. Delete license information.

Finally, the usage right management unit 2a notifies the search subject X that the processing according to the request from the search subject X has been completed (step S13b). In this way, the search subject X reliably acquires the license information by transmitting and receiving information such as request information and transmission information to and from the usage right management unit 2a. Although the operation of acquiring the license information has been described above based on FIG. 10, the process in which the usage right management unit 2a authenticates the search subject X is omitted for simplicity of description. .

Next, the search method of the sequential access method in the search (step Ss1) in step S102 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the search method of the sequential access method.

In this sequential access method search method, the search subject X first accesses the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a in a preset order ((1) to (3) shown in FIG. 11). And access right management units 1a and 2
a and 3a are individually inquired about whether or not they have the desired license information, and if the usage right management unit holding the license information is found, the above inquiry is stopped. Then, the search subject X acquires the license information from the usage right management unit. Further, the above-described access order is set according to, for example, an order closer to the search subject X on the network. Note that the search subject X may be made to access each of the usage right management units 1a, 2a, and 3a in a random order without setting the order of access in advance. Further, in FIG. 11, all the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a are shown, but when the search subject X is the usage right management unit, the usage right management unit that becomes the search subject X and other usage right management units The search as described above is carried out between and.

Next, the pre-push method search method in the search (step Ss1) in step S102 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the advance push method search method.

In this pre-push type search method, each usage right management unit 1a, 2a, 3a uses the license notification information indicating the license information held in advance by another usage right as the search subject X. Management unit 1a, 2a, 3
a and the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, the search subject X holds what kind of license information is held in each of the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a based on the license notification information. A license information management table having contents such as whether or not it is created and stored. When the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a and the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b serve as the search subject X and perform a search, the search subject X refers to the above-mentioned license information management table and makes a desired search. The usage right management unit that holds the license information is searched, and the license information is acquired from the usage right management unit. Although all the usage right management units 1a, 2a, and 3a are shown in FIG. 12, when the search subject X is the usage right management unit, the usage right management unit that becomes the search subject X and other usage right management units. The search as described above is carried out between and.

Further, in the above case, the license information management table is used as the search subject X and the usage right management units 1a and 2 are used.
a, 3a or content output section 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b
It was stored in the home network 300,
A table management terminal device that stores the license information management table may be provided. In this case, each usage right management unit 1a, 2a, 3a notifies the table management terminal device of its own license information when it updates its own license information or periodically. The table management terminal device updates the contents of the license information management table each time the table is received. Then, the search subject X accesses the table management terminal device to refer to the license information management table stored therein to search for the usage right management unit holding the desired license information.

Each usage right management unit 1a, 2a, 3a which is the search subject X without such a table management terminal device.
Alternatively, when the license information management table is stored in the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, each usage right management unit 1a, 2a, 3a or the content output unit 1b, 2
While it is necessary to update all the license information management tables stored in each of b, 3b, and 4b, when the table management terminal device is provided, the license information management table is centrally managed. Since only the license information management table stored in the terminal device needs to be updated, management of the license information management table can be facilitated.

Further, when the search subject X finds from the reference result of the license information management table that the plurality of usage right management units possess the desired license information, as described above, the search subject X has a plurality of license information management units. Based on the content such as the expiration date of the license information held by each usage right management unit, it is selected from which usage right management unit the license information is acquired. It should be noted that the search subject X notifies the user of the content use device or the use right management unit holding the desired license information and the contents of the license information held therein, and is selected according to the operation by the user. The license information may be acquired from the usage right management unit.

Next, the search method of the search request method in the search (step Ss1) in step S102 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the search method of the search request method.

In the search method of the search request method, if the search subject X is any of the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, the search subject X first asks the usage right management unit 1a, for example. , Request to search for desired license information. The usage right management unit 1a that received the search request
The above license information is searched from the license information that the user owns, and if there is the license information, the search result is notified to the search subject X that is the search request source. Then, the search subject X acquires the license information from the usage right management unit 1a.

If the license information is not found as a result of the search, the usage right management unit 1a requests the usage right management unit 2a to perform the same search as described above. Then, the usage right management unit 2a
Searches for the desired license information from the license information owned by itself, and if there is the license information, informs the search subject X of the search result, but if there is no such license information, further uses The right management unit 3a is requested to perform the same search as above.

On the other hand, the search subject X is the usage right management units 1a, 2
If any of a and 3a, the content output units 1b, 2b, and
The license information requested by 3b and 4b is searched, and if there is no license information, another license management unit is requested to perform the same search as described above.

As described above, in the search request method, the search subject X
Requests any one of the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a to search for desired license information. If there is no license information in any one of the usage right management units, the usage right management unit The usage right management unit is requested to search for the license information, and the search request is repeated until the desired license information is found.

In the above case, the usage right management unit, which has found the desired license information from the license information held by itself, informs the search subject X of the result. However, the result is directly searched by itself. You may inform the usage right management department that you have requested.

In this case, the usage right management unit requesting the search acquires the license information from the usage right management unit holding the license information and sends it to the search subject X. That is, the search subject X does not directly acquire the desired license information from the usage right management unit that holds the desired license information, but indirectly obtains it through another usage right management unit.

Here, each of the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a has a functional unit ID for identifying the other usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a and the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b. Are prioritized and stored and set, and each of the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a is assigned to another functional right management unit 1a, 2a, 3a.
a and the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b request a plurality of searches at the same time, the usage right management units 1a, 2a,
3a or accepts requests from the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b.

In the above case, the usage right management unit 1a,
Although the functional unit IDs are set to each of 2a and 3a in order of priority, the user ID for identifying the user may be set to be set in order of priority. In this case, when the user operates the content utilization devices 1 to 4 to input the user ID, or when the user ID storing the user ID is stored.
When the C card is inserted into the content use devices 1 to 4, the usage right management units 1a, 2a, and 3a accept the request from the functional unit of the content use device operated by the user having the higher priority.

By the way, by various search methods such as the above-mentioned broadcast method, the search subject X searches for the usage right management unit holding the desired license information, and requests the usage right management unit for the license information. On the other hand, the usage right management unit requested for the license information authenticates the search subject X requesting the license information and holds it only when it determines that the search subject X is valid. The license information is permitted to be acquired by the search subject X, and the requested license information is transmitted to the search subject.

However, when the search subject X searches for the usage right management unit that holds the desired license information, the usage right management unit that does not permit acquisition of the license information and the usage that the search subject X cannot access. There is a waste of processing to search all usage right management units including the right management unit. In other words, the search subject X cannot obtain the license information even if the usage right management unit corresponding to the search condition is found as a result of the search, but if the usage right management unit determines that the usage right management unit is invalid, the processing is not performed. Is wasted.

That is, it is desirable that the usage right management unit that does not permit acquisition of license information and the usage right management unit that cannot access the license information are excluded from the search targets of the search subject X in advance. Therefore, the search subject X may be stored with search target group information including a functional unit ID of a usage right management unit that is accessible and permits itself to acquire license information.

In this case, when the search subject X searches for the usage right management unit that holds the desired license information, the search subject X increasingly refers to the group information to be searched, and the usage right management unit of the functional unit ID registered therein is searched. Search only. Thus, even if the search subject X performs a search and there is a usage right management unit that meets the search conditions, it is possible to prevent an unnecessary search in which the license information cannot be acquired from the usage right management unit. it can.

In the above-described case, the waste of the processing is saved by storing the search target group information in the search subject X. However, the usage right management unit that holds the desired license information in the search condition of the search subject X. In addition to such search conditions, search conditions such as a usage right management unit that can access itself and permit itself to acquire license information may be added. As a result, the waste of processing can be omitted, as in the case where the search target group information is stored.

Next, the authentication (step Ss2) of step S102 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. In this embodiment,
The usage right management unit, which is requested by the license information from any of the functional units, always authenticates whether the functional unit is valid or improper.

For example, when the usage right management unit 1a becomes the search subject X and requests license information from the usage right management unit 2a, the usage right management unit 2a requested the license information.
Authenticates the usage right management unit 1a. Also, when the content output unit 1b requests license information from the usage right management unit 1a, the usage right management unit 1 that has been requested for license information
a authenticates the content output unit 1b. Here, the usage right management unit that is the request destination of the license information authenticates the requesting functional unit by checking the user domain and the usage restriction of the requesting functional unit.

The user domain is a movable range of the license information, and in the present embodiment, the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a and the content output unit 1 are used.
All functional units b, 2b, 3b, 4b are set to belong to the same user domain. That is, the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a and the content output units 1b, 2
It is set so that the license information can be moved to any of b, 3b, and 4b.

There are two types of user domains as described above, one user domain is set by the user for protection of privacy, and the other user domain owns the content. It is set by a content provider such as a providing company (hereinafter, the former is simply referred to as "user domain", and the latter is referred to as "content provider domain"). It should be noted that the content provider further sets the range in which the license information can be mutually transferred among the content use apparatus and its functional unit belonging to a predetermined content provider domain by setting the number of chained movements of the license information. You may limit it.

The use restriction means the use right management unit 1a,
In each of 2a and 3a, among the plurality of functional units belonging to the same user domain, the functional unit permitted to acquire the license information owned by itself is restricted.

That is, the usage right management unit of the license information request destination determines whether or not the requesting functional unit belongs to the same user domain, and whether or not the requesting functional unit belongs to the usage restriction. To determine. Then, the request-destination usage right management unit determines that the requesting function unit only has the same user domain as the requesting function unit, and the requesting function unit belongs to the usage restriction. Is authorized, and the requesting functional unit is permitted to acquire the license information owned by the requesting functional unit.

Incidentally, such usage restrictions may be set hierarchically. For example, a usage restriction may be set for each genre of the content in the usage restriction set for each service content, and a usage restriction may be set for each content in the usage restriction.

As described above, by authenticating the functional unit that requested the license information by the user domain, it is possible to prevent the license information from being leaked to other terminal devices that are not in the same home network 300. At the same time, the home network 3
In the functional unit of the content using device in 00, the license information can be acquired and the license information can not be acquired.

For example, try to illegally acquire license information by connecting another terminal device outside the home network 300 to the home network 300. Since the terminal device does not belong to the same user domain, the license information is acquired. I can't. In addition, the content utilization device 1 used by the father in the home network 300
By setting a use restriction between the content use device 2 used by the son and the content use device 2 used by the father, the content use device 1 used by the father can obtain the license information even if the license information can be acquired by the content use device 1 used by the father. It can be classified so that license information cannot be obtained.

Note that the usage right management unit requested for the license information sends a CA (Certificate Authority) to the requesting function unit requesting the license information before performing the authentication based on the user domain and the usage restriction.
Issued by X. S using a certificate according to the standard of 509
Authentication by SL (Secure Sockets Layer) may be performed. Further, in the above-mentioned case, only the usage right management unit requested for the license information is required to perform the authentication based on the user domain and the usage restriction and the above-described SSL authentication to the requesting functional unit. However, both of the authentications may be performed between both the usage right management unit and the requesting function unit.

Next, in the authentication (process Ss2) of step S102 shown in FIG. 3, the user right management unit 1a, 2a, 3a uses the domain list method and the search subject X who has requested the license information has the same user as itself. A method of determining whether or not the user belongs to the domain will be described.

In this domain list system, each of the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a holds a domain list in which the functional unit IDs of the functional units of the content utilization apparatus belonging to the same user domain as itself are registered. When the search subject X requests the acquisition of license information, if the functional unit ID of the search subject X is registered in the domain list by referring to the domain list, the search subject X is the same user as itself. Determine that it belongs to the domain. Then, for example, when a functional unit other than the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a and the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b becomes the search subject X and requests the usage right management unit 1a to acquire license information. , Usage right management unit 1a
Refers to the domain list held by itself, and determines that the search subject X does not belong to the same user domain as itself because the functional unit ID of the search subject X is not registered in the domain list. .

[0135] Such a domain list is created by the user using the usage right management units 1a and 2 of the respective content usage devices 1 to 3.
By directly inputting the functional unit ID or the like to a or 3a, or by using another terminal device to communicate with the server 100, the server 100 uses the right management units 1a, 2a, 3
It is manually created under the responsibility of the user by indirectly inputting the functional unit ID to a.
Further, the domain list is freely edited and updated by the set user, but by using, for example, an editing password, the domain list is prevented from being edited and updated by a person other than the user.

When a home network is constructed from a plurality of content-usage devices and their functional units, the usage right management unit of each content-usage device uses itself as a starting point to transmit a predetermined number of other contents through the network. The domain list may be created by collecting the functional unit IDs of the functional units of the utilization device. In such a case, the user does not need to input data such as the functional unit ID for each usage right management unit of each content utilization device, and the usability can be improved.

Here, a method of updating the domain list when a new content utilization device is connected to a home network including a plurality of existing content utilization devices belonging to the same user domain will be described. First, any one of the existing content utilization devices is selected, and a new content utilization device is connected to the selected content utilization device.

Then, the functional unit ID of the functional unit of the new content using apparatus is registered in the domain list held by the use right management section of the selected existing content using apparatus, and the new content using apparatus is used. The functional unit ID of the functional unit of the selected existing content using apparatus is registered in the domain list held by the right management unit.

As a result, the selected content use device and the new content use device belong to the same user domain. However, at this stage, existing content utilization devices other than the selected content utilization device described above and the new content utilization device belong to different user domains.

Next, each functional unit in a plurality of content utilization devices including a new content utilization device owns each other when moving license information between the functional units belonging to the same user domain. It passes the domain list to the other party and merges the received domain list with the domain list held by itself.

As a result, all the usage right management units of a plurality of existing content utilization devices should update the domain list by registering the functional unit IDs of the functional units of the new content utilization device in their own domain list. Therefore, all the functional units of the existing content using device and the new content using device belong to the same user domain.

An example of updating the above-mentioned domain list will be described below. 14A to 14E, a content usage apparatus newly provided with a usage right management unit 5a is connected to the home network 300 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and each usage right management unit 1a, 2a, 3a, It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the operation | movement which updates the domain list of 5a. In FIGS. 14A to 14E, in order to simplify the description, attention is paid to the domain list held by the usage right management unit of each content usage apparatus, and the content output unit is omitted.

First, as shown in FIG. 14A, in the domain list DL1a held by the usage right management unit 1a of the content usage apparatus 1, the respective functional unit IDs "2A, 2A, 3a" of the usage right management units 2a, 3a are included. 3A ”is registered, and the functional unit IDs“ 1A, 3A ”of the usage right management units 1a, 3a are registered in the domain list DL2a held by the usage right management unit 2a of the content usage apparatus 2. The functional unit IDs "1A, 2A" of the usage right management units 1a, 2a are registered in the domain list DL3a held by the usage right management unit 3a of the content usage apparatus 3.
The usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a all belong to the same user domain.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14B, the content utilization device 1 is selected, a new content utilization device is connected to this content utilization device 1, and the utilization right management unit 1a of the content utilization device 1 operates. Owned domain list DL
In 1a, the user registers the functional unit ID “5A” of the usage right management unit 5a of the newly used content usage device,
The domain list DL1a is updated to "2A, 3A, 5A".

Also, the user inputs the functional unit ID of the usage right management unit 1a into the usage right management unit 5a of the new content usage device, and the domain list DL having the content of "1A" is entered.
Create 5a. As a result, although the usage right management unit 1a and the usage right management unit 5a, that is, the content usage device 1 and the new content usage device belong to the same user domain,
The usage right management units 2a and 3a and the usage right management unit 5a, that is, the content usage devices 2 and 3 and the new content usage device belong to different user domains.

Here, when the usage right management unit 5a acts as the search subject X and searches for the usage right management unit holding the desired license information and requests the usage right management unit 1a for the license information, the usage right management unit 5a. 1a includes the functional unit ID “5A” of the usage right management unit 5a that has requested the license information in the domain list “2A, 3A, 5A” held by itself, so that the usage right management unit 5a is the same as itself. When it is determined that the license information belongs to the user domain, the usage right management unit 5a permits the acquisition of the license information.

As a result, as shown in FIG.
The license information is transferred from the usage right management unit 1a to the usage right management unit 5
Then, the usage right management unit 1a transmits the domain list DL1a “2A, 3A, 5A” held by itself to the usage right management unit 5a, and the usage right management unit 5a owns it. The domain list DL5a “1A” to be transmitted is transmitted to the usage right management unit 1a. Then, the usage right management units 1a, 5
a merges the own domain list and the other party's domain list, and the usage right management unit 5a
The domain list DL5a owned by itself is "1A, 2
A, 3A ".

Next, as shown in FIG. 14D, when the usage right management unit 2a obtains the license information from the usage right management unit 1a, the usage right management unit 1a operates as described above.
Domain list DL1a “2A, 3A,
5A ”to the usage right management unit 2a, and the usage right management unit 2a
a is a domain list DL2a “1A, which it owns,
3A "is transmitted to the usage right management unit 1a. Then, the usage right management units 1a and 2a respectively merge the own domain list and the other domain list, and the usage right management unit 2a owns the own domain list DL2a.
Is updated to “1A, 3A, 5A”.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 14E, when the usage right management unit 3a obtains the license information from the usage right management unit 2a, the usage right management unit 3a operates as described above. Domain list DL3a “1”
A, 2A "is transmitted to the usage right management unit 2a, and the usage right management unit 2a holds the domain list DL2a" 1 "held by itself.
"A, 3A, 5A" is transmitted to the usage right management unit 3a. Then, the usage right management units 2a and 3a respectively merge the domain list held by themselves and the domain list of the other party, and the usage right management unit 3a sets the domain list DL3a held by itself as "1A, 2A, 5A". Update to.

As a result, the user has the right-of-use management unit 2a,
3a, the domain lists L2a, DL3a are updated without manually updating the domain lists DL2a, DL3a, and the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a, 5a on the home network 300, that is, the content use devices 1 to 1 are updated.
3 and the new content utilization device can belong to the same user domain.

In the above case, the usage right management units of the plurality of content use devices are allowed to transmit their own domain lists between them, and merge them with the other party's domain list to obtain their own domain lists. However, the home network 300 may further include a domain list management terminal for updating the domain list of the usage right management unit of each content utilization apparatus.

In this domain list management terminal, the functional unit IDs of the functional units of a plurality of content using devices belonging to the same user domain are registered. When a new content utilization device is provided, the functional unit ID of the functional unit of the new content utilization device is additionally registered in the domain list management terminal.

Then, the usage right management unit of each content utilization apparatus accesses the domain list management terminal periodically or every time a predetermined process is performed, and the latest license registered in the domain list management terminal is accessed. The domain list is updated by re-registering the functional unit ID in the domain list held by itself.

For example, in the above example, the domain list management terminal is made to register the functional unit IDs “1A, 2A, 3A” in advance, and a new content utilization device is connected to the LAN on the home network 300. When you do
The functional unit ID “5A” of the usage right management unit 5a of the new content usage device is additionally registered in the domain list management terminal.

Each functional unit such as the usage right management unit 1a, 2a, 5a periodically accesses the domain list management terminal to obtain the latest functional unit ID "1A" registered in the domain list management terminal. , 2A, 3A, 5A "
Reregister with your own domain list. Although only the functional unit ID is registered in the domain list in the above case, the user ID for identifying the user may be registered in the domain list in association with the functional unit ID.

In this case, when the user operates the content utilization device and inputs the user ID, the user domain is formed by the functional units registered in the domain list in association with the user ID, and the user domain is created for each user. The range of can be different. For example, when the user u1 inputs his / her own user ID “U1” into the content usage device 1, the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a and the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b of the content usage devices 1 to 4 are selected. While the user domain is formed from all of them, when the user u2 inputs his / her own user ID “U2” into the content usage device 1, the usage right management units 1a and 2a and the content output unit 1b of the content usage devices 1 and 2 are used. , 2b form a user domain.

When the user domain is replaced with the content provider domain, the domain list is delivered from the server 100 by secure communication, or the content provider specialized contractor or service person directly By operating the content usage devices 1 to 3, the content usage devices 1 to 3 are registered in the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a. The domain list registered in the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a in this way is distributed by the server 100 through secure communication in response to an inquiry from the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a. Or by a professional contractor or service person directly editing the domain list. In this way, the user is prevented from changing the contents of the domain list. Alternatively, this may be updated by merging the domain lists as described above.

Next, in the authentication in step S102 shown in FIG. 3 (process Ss2), the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a use the password method and the search subject X that has requested the license information has the same user domain as itself. A method of determining whether or not the user belongs to will be described.

In this password system, the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a and the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b belonging to the same user domain hold the same password (common information), Each of the right management units 1a, 2a, 3a, when requested by the search subject X to obtain license information, collates the password held by the search subject X with the password held by the search subject X, and if both passwords match. It is determined that the search subject X belongs to the same user domain as itself.

For example, a device other than the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a and the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b becomes the search subject X and requests the usage right management unit 1a to acquire license information. Occasionally, the usage right management unit 1a
Determines that the search subject X does not belong to the same user domain as the search subject X because the password of the search subject X does not match the password of the search subject X.

Here, the above-mentioned password is input by the user, so that the usage right management units 1a, 2a and 3a and the content output unit 1 in the content usage apparatuses 1 to 4 are input.
It is held in each functional unit of b, 2b, 3b, 4b. In addition,
The home network 300 may further include a password management terminal that manages a password for each user domain. In this case, the password management terminal gives the same password to each of the functional units of the plurality of content using devices that are going to belong to the same user domain.

Further, in the above-mentioned domain list system, by selecting the functional unit ID to be registered in the domain list, and in the password system, by storing a plurality of passwords in the functional unit of the content using apparatus,
Each content utilization device or each functional unit thereof may belong to a plurality of user domains.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example when the content use devices 1 to 4 are set to belong to a plurality of user domains. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the content use device 2 is assigned to the user domain U so that the content use device 1 belongs to the user domains UD1 and UD3.
The content use device 3 is set to belong to the user domains UD2 and UD4, and the content use device 4 is set to belong to the user domains UD3 and UD4 so as to belong to D1, UD2, UD3 and UD4.

In this case, the content use device 1 can move the license information to and from the content use devices 2 and 4, and the content use device 2 can transfer the license information to the content use devices 1, 3 and 4. The information can be moved, and the content use device 3 can move the license information between the content use devices 2 and 4.

When one content-usage device belongs to a plurality of user domains in this manner, information indicating the user domain to be prioritized, for example, by setting a flag, is sent to the content-usage device. You may keep it.

Next, the use restriction confirmed together with the user domain in the authentication (process Ss2) in step S102 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. As described above, each of the usage right management units 1a, 2a, and 3a receives the license information from the search subject X when the search subject X requests it.
Determine whether the search subject X belongs to the same user domain, and determine whether the search subject X can use the requested license information.

This use restriction applies to the use right management units 1a, 2
a, 3a is defined by group information consisting of predetermined data, and the group information includes the functional unit ID of the functional unit for which license information is permitted to be acquired, the user ID of the user, and the usage right management unit. 1a, 2
a and 3a are the functional unit ID of the functional unit and user I
D is a functional unit ID of a functional unit for which license information is permitted to be acquired for each license information, that is, for each content or service used, or a functional unit ID of a functional unit for which license information is permitted to be acquired for each processing content. It is registered.

First, the case where the functional unit ID of the functional unit for which license information acquisition is permitted is registered in the group information will be described. For example, the content output unit 2b having the functional unit ID “2B” becomes the search subject X and the usage right management unit 1a.
When the license information is requested to the user, the usage right management unit 1a determines that the search subject X belongs to the same user domain as itself based on the domain list method or the password method, and then the group stored in itself. Refer to the information and add the functional unit ID “2B” to the group information.
It is determined whether or not is included. Then, if the group information includes the functional unit ID “2B”, the usage right management unit 1a determines that the content output unit 2b that is the search subject X.
Is authorized and permits the search subject X to acquire the license information.

Since the use restrictions are set in this way, even among a plurality of content use devices belonging to the same user domain, the license information can be obtained and the content can be used, and the license information cannot be obtained. The contents can be classified as those that cannot be used.

In the above-mentioned case, the functional unit ID of the functional unit of the content use apparatus permitted to acquire the license information is registered in the group information, but the user ID permitted to use the license information is registered. Is also good.

In this case, the user has his own user ID.
To any of the content usage devices 1 to 4, and the usage right management unit or the content output unit of the content usage device to which the user ID is input becomes the search subject X and becomes the usage right management unit that holds the license information. User ID entered by the user when requesting license information
To the usage right management section. Then, the usage right management unit that is the request destination of the license information determines whether or not the presented user ID is registered in the group information stored in itself, and if the user ID is registered, The acquisition of license information by the search subject X is permitted.

Next, a case will be described in which the functional unit IDs of the functional units trusted by the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a are registered in the group information. For example, when the usage right management unit 1a trusts the usage right management unit 2a and the usage right management unit 2a trusts the usage right management unit 3a, the usage right management is included in the group information of the usage right management unit 1a. Functional part ID "2A" of part 2a
Is registered, and the functional unit ID “3A” of the usage right management unit 3a is registered in the group information of the usage right management unit 2a.

Here, since the usage right management unit 1a trusts the usage right management unit 2a, the usage right management unit 1a permits the usage right management unit 2a to obtain the license information that it owns, and It is also permitted to be acquired by the functional unit of the content usage apparatus that has been approved by the usage right management unit 2a. In other words, since the usage right management unit 2a trusts the usage right management unit 3a, the usage right management unit 3a does not use the usage right management unit 2a.
The license information can be obtained from the usage right management unit 1a.

Specifically, when the usage right management unit 3a acquires the license information from the usage right management unit 1a, the usage right management unit 3a first requests the usage right management unit 2a to issue a certified certificate, The certificate obtained from the usage right management unit 2a is presented to request the usage right management unit 1a to obtain license information. Here, the certificate is composed of trust certification information such as "the usage right management unit 3a is trusted by the usage right management unit 2a".

Upon receiving the request for the license information, the usage right management unit 1a refers to the group information stored by itself, and as a result of the reference, the function unit ID "3A" of the usage right management unit 3a is added to the group information. Although not included, the license information of the usage right management unit 3a is permitted based on the content of the functional unit ID “2A” of the usage right management unit 2a and the above-described certificate.

When another functional unit is trusted by the usage right management unit 3a and is approved by the usage right management unit 3a, the other functional unit says, "I am trusted by the usage right management unit 3a. The usage right management unit 1a is presented by presenting a certificate including information such as "," and a certificate including information such as "The usage right management unit 3a is trusted by the usage right management unit 2a". License information can be obtained from. That is, even if the trust relationships are chained, by presenting the chained certificates, the other functional units can acquire the license information.

In the above case, the usage right management unit 2a
The right-of-use management unit 3a that has been approved by
I got the license information directly from
a may indirectly acquire the license information of the usage right management unit 1a via the usage right management unit 2a. That is, the usage right management unit 3a requests the usage right management unit 2a to acquire the license information from the usage right management unit 1a, and acquires the license information from the usage right management unit 2a that has acquired the license information according to the request. To do.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned case, the group information held by each of the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a belongs to the same user domain as the usage right management unit holding the group information, and the group The usage right management unit that holds information registered the functional unit ID of a functional unit that is trusted, but if the functional unit is a trusted functional unit that belongs to a different user domain, then register the functional unit ID of that functional unit. Is also good.

In this case, the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a
When confirming the user domain with respect to the functional unit that has requested the license information, each of them also refers to the above group information. Then, the usage right management unit 1
When a, 2a, 3a determines that the license information is requested from the functional unit having the functional unit ID registered in the group information held by itself, it determines that the functional unit belongs to a user domain different from itself. Also treats the functional unit as belonging to the same user domain as itself.

That is, for example, the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a other than the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a belonging to the same user domain, and having different user domains from the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a. As a result of a search by the broadcast method or the search request method described above, when the usage right management unit 1a determines that the search condition is met and requests license information from the usage right management unit 1a, the usage right management unit 1a Even if it is determined that the user domain of the other usage right management unit of the request source is different from the user domain to which it belongs, the other usage rights management unit is regarded as a functional unit that trusts the group information owned by itself. Functional part ID
If is registered, the other usage right management unit is determined to be valid, and the other usage right management unit is permitted to acquire the license information.

However, when the above-described trust relationships are chained, each of the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a is a functional unit belonging to the same user domain, although the usage restrictions are set. The search subject X may be permitted to acquire the license information. Further, as described above, if the functional unit ID of the functional unit belonging to a user domain different from itself is also registered in the group information, it is possible that all devices in the world are permitted to acquire license information.

Therefore, the number of hops, which is the number of chains, is limited. For example, if the number of chains with approval is two or less, two or one approval is valid and three or more approvals are invalid. The right management unit 1a,
You may make it handle each of 2a and 3a.

For example, a certificate that the retrieval subject X is "trusted by the usage right management unit 4a" and a certificate that "The usage right management unit 4a is trusted by the usage right management unit 3a". , "The usage right management unit 3a is the usage right management unit 2a.
Is requested by the usage right management unit 1a by presenting a certificate such as "trusted by
The usage right management unit 1a prohibits acquisition of license information to the search subject X because the number of chained approvals is three. As a result, it is possible to prevent all functional units belonging to the same user domain from being permitted to acquire license information.

In the above case, the usage right management unit 1
Although only the functional unit IDs of the functional units that a, 2a, and 3a trust are registered in the group information, the user ID may be registered in the group information in association with the functional unit IDs of the functional units that trust. At this time, the usage right management unit 1 for each user
The above-described trust relationship between each of a, 2a, and 3a and the other functional units can be different.

Next, description will be made regarding the case where the contents of the license information, that is, the functional unit ID of the functional unit for which the acquisition of the license information is permitted for each used content or service is registered in the group information. In such a case, the content ID assigned to each content to identify the content and the service ID assigned to each service to identify the service content such as the usage period or the number of uses of the content are functional. It is registered in the group information in association with the department ID.

Further, the usage right management units 1a, 2a,
Based on the license information request from the search subject X, each of the 3a is made to recognize the content ID and service ID of the content corresponding to the license information. As a result, for example, when the content ID is registered in the group information, each of the usage right management units 1a, 2a, and 3a changes the functional unit that is permitted to acquire the license information that it owns for each content, When the service ID is registered in the group information, the usage right management units 1a, 2
It is possible for each of a and 3a to have a different functional unit for which acquisition of license information owned by itself is permitted for each service.

For example, in the group information of the usage right management unit 1a, the functional unit ID "2A" of the usage right management unit 2a is registered in association with the content ID "C1" of the content for entertainment, which is used for educational purposes. Content ID of the content
The functional unit IDs "2A, 3A" of the usage right management units 2a, 3a are registered in association with "C2".

In such a case, when the usage right management unit 3a becomes the search subject X and requests the license information of the educational content from the usage right management unit 1a, the usage right management unit 1a
Based on the requested license information, the content ID “C2” of the content corresponding to the license information is recognized. Then, the usage right management unit 1a refers to the group information that the usage right management unit 1a owns, and the function ID “2A, 3A” is associated with the content ID “C2” and registered in the group information. The acquisition of the above license information by the unit 3a is permitted.

On the other hand, when the usage right management unit 3a requests the license information of the entertainment content from the usage right management unit 1a, the usage right management unit 1a responds to the license information based on the requested license information. The content ID “C1” of the content is recognized. Then, the usage right management unit 1a refers to the group information held by itself,
Since only the functional unit ID “2A” is registered in the group information in association with the content ID “C1”, acquisition of the above-mentioned license information by the usage right management unit 3a is prohibited.

That is, if the requested license information is the license information of the educational content, the usage right management unit 1a permits the usage right management units 2a and 3a to acquire the license information. If the obtained license information is license information for entertainment content, a functional unit that permits acquisition of license information for each content is provided so that only the usage right management unit 2a is allowed to acquire the license information. You can make things happen.

Next, a case will be described in which the functional unit ID of the functional unit for which license information acquisition is permitted is registered in the group information for each processing content. In this case, a process ID for identifying each process content is assigned to each process content performed by the search subject X, and this process ID is associated with the functional unit ID and registered in the group information.

As a result of the search subject X searching the usage right management unit holding the desired license information, if there is the usage right management unit, the search subject X retrieves the license information from the usage right management unit as described above. If the usage right management unit is not present when the acquisition processing (hereinafter, "right transfer processing") is performed,
The search subject X performs a process of requesting the server 100 to distribute the license information and acquiring the license information (hereinafter referred to as “distribution request process”).

Here, if the search subject X cannot directly request and acquire the distribution of the license information to the server 100, the search subject X searches the usage right management unit that enables this and uses the usage right. The management unit is requested to distribute license information to the server 100, and the license information distributed from the server 100 to the usage right management unit is acquired from the usage right management unit.

Therefore, different processing IDs are assigned to the right transfer processing and the distribution request processing, and the usage right management units 1a and 2 are allocated.
The process ID is registered in association with the functional unit ID in the group information of a and 3a. Further, the usage right management unit 1
Each of a, 2a, and 3a is made to recognize the process ID from the content of the request from the search subject X.

For example, in the group information of the usage right management unit 1a, the functional unit IDs "2A, 3A" of the usage right management units 2a, 3a are registered in association with the process ID "M1" of the right transfer processing. The functional unit ID “3A” of the usage right management unit 3a is registered in association with the process ID “M2” of the distribution request process.

In such a case, the content output section 3
b requests the license information to the usage right management unit 3a, and the usage right management unit 3a acts as the search subject X to search for another usage right management unit that holds the license information, and as a result, the usage right management unit 1a is applicable. Then, the usage right management unit 3a requests the license information in order to perform the above-mentioned right transfer processing with respect to the usage right management unit 1a. As a result, the usage right management unit 1
a recognizes the process ID “M1” from the content of the request,
Referring to the group information owned by itself, the process ID “M1” of the right transfer process is added to the functional unit ID of the usage right management unit 3a.
Check if "3A" is associated. As a result, since the process ID “M1” is associated with the functional unit ID “3A”, the usage right management unit 1a changes the usage right management unit 3
Permit the right transfer processing of a.

Further, as a result of the usage right management unit 3a acting as the search subject X and searching for another usage right management unit holding the license information, if there is no corresponding usage right management unit, the above-mentioned distribution request processing is performed. . Here, the usage right management unit 3a cannot request and acquire the license information from the server 100 by itself, but if the usage right management unit 1a can request and acquire the distribution by itself, the usage right management unit 3a can use the license information. The right management unit 3a searches for the usage right management unit 1a, and requests the usage right management unit 1a for a license information distribution request to the server 100. Upon receiving this request, the usage right management unit 1a recognizes the process ID "M2" from the request, refers to the group information held by itself, and refers to the process ID "M2" of the distribution request process.
It is confirmed whether or not the functional unit ID “3A” of the usage right management unit 3a is associated with. As a result, since the process ID “M2” is associated with the functional unit ID “3A”, the usage right management unit 1a permits the distribution request processing by the usage right management unit 3a and distributes the license information to the server 100. To request.

On the other hand, as a result of the usage right management unit 2a acting as the search subject X and searching for another usage right management unit holding the license information, if there is no corresponding usage right management unit, the usage is performed in the same manner as described above. The distribution right request is sent to the rights management unit 1a. The usage right management unit 1a, which has received this request, assigns the processing ID “M2” of the distribution request processing of its own group information to the functional unit of the usage right management unit 2a. Since the ID "2A" is not associated, the request from the usage right management unit 2a is rejected.

As with the domain list of the user domain, the group information is provided with a management terminal for further managing the group information in the home network 300, and the management terminals are provided with the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a.
The group information of may be centrally managed. At this time, each usage right management unit 1a, 2a, 3a can update the group information at any time by accessing the management terminal. In addition, each usage right management unit 1
Alternatively, a, 2a, and 3a may send group information to each other and update it by merging it with its own group information.

Further, the processing performed by the search subject X is not limited to the above-mentioned right transfer processing and distribution request processing. For example, the license itself for using the content is purchased, and the license source information according to the license is provided to the server 100. The purchase processing may be generated by the. In this purchase process,
If the search subject X directly requests the server 100 to generate the license source information, or if the search subject X itself cannot directly request, the usage right management unit that can directly request the server 100 to generate the license source information, Requests generation of license source information.

Furthermore, the user ID may be registered in the group information described above in association with the process ID and the functional unit ID. In this case, when the user inputs the user ID into any of the content use devices 1 to 4, each of the usage right management units 1a, 2a, and 3a refers to the group information to search for the user and the search subject. Depending on the processing content that X intends to perform, it is determined whether or not to permit the processing to search subject X.

For example, the usage right management unit 1a uses the user u
When the usage right management unit 2a of the search subject X requests the server 100 to distribute the license information in response to an operation from 1, the group information is referred to, and the user ID of the user u1 is added to the group information. If the functional unit ID “2A” of the usage right management unit 2a is registered in association with “U1” and the processing ID “M2” of the distribution request processing, the distribution request processing for the usage right management unit 2a is permitted. hand,
Request distribution of license information from the server 100.

Next, the process (process Ss4) for acquiring license information from the server 100 in step S102 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. As described above, when the search subject X searches the usage right management unit that holds the desired license information and there is no usage right management unit that meets the search condition, the search subject X sends the license information to the server 100. Is requested to be delivered, and the delivery request processing is performed to obtain this. In other words, this distribution request process corresponds to the process of acquiring license information by "the usage right management unit searches in advance and requests distribution" in step Ss4 performed in step S102 of FIG.

Here, if the search subject X cannot directly request and acquire the distribution of the license information to the server 100, the search subject X searches the usage right management unit that enables this and acquires the usage right. The management unit is requested to distribute license information to the server 100, and the license information distributed from the server 100 to the usage right management unit is acquired from the usage right management unit.

FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram in which the usage right management unit 1a performs distribution request processing. As a result of the usage right management unit 1a searching for another usage right management unit that holds the license information requested by the content output unit 1b (step S
31), if it is determined that there is no corresponding usage right management unit (step S32), the usage right management unit 1a itself checks the server 10
It is determined whether or not the license information can be requested and distributed to 0 (step S33).

Here, if the usage right management unit 1a determines that it can make the above-mentioned distribution request, it does so (step S34), and if it determines that it cannot do so, it distributes it. Another usage right management unit that can obtain the request and the license information is searched (step S35). As a result of the search, the usage right management unit 1a determines that the usage right management unit 2a is applicable (step S36),
A request for distribution of license information to the server 100 is requested to the usage right management unit 2a (step S37).

Upon receipt of the request, the usage right management unit 2a authenticates the usage right management unit 1a (step S38), and if the usage right management unit 1a is improper, rejects the request and uses that effect. The right management unit 1a is notified (step S39), and if the usage right management unit 1a is valid, the request is accepted and the server 100 is requested to distribute the license information (step S40).

The server 100, which has received the request from the usage right management unit 2a, distributes the license information corresponding to the request to the usage right management unit 2a (step S41), and the usage right management unit 2a which has received the license information receives the license information. , Usage right management department 1
The license information is transmitted to a (step S4
2). Then, the usage right management unit 1a that has obtained the license information transmits the license information to the request source content output unit 1b (step S43), and the content output unit 1b uses the content by using the license information ( Step S44).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the search subject X
As a result of searching the usage right management unit that holds the desired license information, if there is no usage right management unit that meets the search conditions, the distribution request processing is performed. Therefore, the home network 300
It is possible to prevent duplicate license information from being held on the home network 300 by requesting the license information from the server 100 even though the desired license information is above.

In the above case, the usage right management unit 2a was made to authenticate the usage right management unit 1a in step S38, but the usage right management unit 1a was made to authenticate the content output unit 1b which requested the license information. Alternatively, both the usage right management unit 1a and the content output unit 1b may be authenticated.

Also, in step S40, the usage right management unit 2a
When there is a request from the server 100 to distribute the license information to the server 100, the server 100 generates the license information from the license source information owned by the user who has requested the license information, and distributes it.
At this time, the server 100 may collate the user who has requested the license information with the user who owns the license source information.

That is, when the user purchases a license to use the content, the person who provides the content is informed of, for example, the personal identification number, and the content provider
When the license source information is registered in the server 100 by purchasing the license, the above-described personal identification number is associated with the license source information. When the user uses the content, the user operates the content usage apparatus 1 including the usage right management unit 1a and the content output unit 1b to input the personal identification number, and the usage right management unit 2a causes the server 100 to enter the password in step S40. On the other hand, when requesting the distribution of the license information, the personal identification number is transmitted to the server 100. Then, the server 100 collates the user who has requested the license information with the user who owns the license source information based on the personal identification number.

In the above case, the user is collated by the personal identification number, but an IC card storing identification information for identifying the user is used, and the user is collated by the identification information stored in the IC card. May be. In this case, the license source information is registered in the server 100 in association with the above identification information, and the user is
The identification information of the card is read by the content usage apparatus 1 and transmitted from the usage right management unit 2a to the server 100. Then, the server 100 stores the identification information registered in itself,
The identification information transmitted from the usage right management unit 2a is collated.

By checking the user with the server 100 in this way, the server 100 can generate and distribute the license information from the license source information to the authorized user who owns the license source information. .

Furthermore, if the server 100 does not have the license source information that can generate the requested license information, the server 100 informs that the requested license information cannot be distributed, and the undeliverable information of the content. The license purchase request information that prompts the user to purchase a license is transmitted to the usage right management unit 1a via the usage right management unit 2a. The user knows from the undeliverable information that the license information is not delivered from the server 100, and determines from the license purchase request information whether or not to purchase the license for the content.

Here, when the user purchases a new license, for example, the user indicates the above-mentioned personal identification number and identification information to any one of the content utilization devices 1 to 3 and the contents of the license desired to be purchased. Enter the license information you wish to purchase. The usage right management unit of the content usage apparatus to which the purchase desired license information or the like is input transmits the input information to the server 100, and the server 100 creates the license source information from the information thus transmitted. . When the server 100 receives the purchase-desired license information and determines that the license indicated by the license source information and the license indicated by the purchase-desired license information are duplicated at this time, the home The duplicate purchase notification information indicating that the duplicate license is about to be purchased is transmitted to any of the content use devices on the network 300. Then, the content use device that has received the duplicate purchase notification information notifies the user that the duplicate license is about to be purchased, based on the duplicate purchase notification information. This prevents the user from purchasing duplicate license information.

Next, the process (process Ss4) of acquiring the license information from the server 100 by the "use right management unit referring to the license list and requesting distribution in advance" in step S102 of FIG. 3 will be described. In such a process, the home network 30 is controlled by making each usage right management unit 1a, 2a, 3a refer to the license list.
The license information held on the home network 300 is recognized, thereby preventing duplicate license information from being held on the home network 300.

That is, each of the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a manages the contents of the transferred license information when receiving the license information from the server 100 and when transferring the license information. The license management unit 1a, 2a, 3a notifies the home network 3 based on the contents of the license information.
The license list in which the license information held on the 00 is registered is created. Then, the usage right management unit 1a,
2a and 3a are each requested for license information,
If this license information is not held, the home network 30 can be referred to by referring to the above license list.
0 recognizes all license information on the server 0, and if there is no requested license information on the home network 300, the server 100 is requested to deliver the license information.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an operation in which the usage right management unit 1a requests the server 100 to distribute license information with reference to the license list.
As shown in FIG. 17, first, the content output unit 1b requests license information from the usage right management unit 1a. At this time, if the license information held by the usage right management unit 1a does not have the requested license information, the usage right management unit 1a refers to the license list to determine whether the requested license information is on the home network 300. To do. When it is determined that the license information is on the home network 300, the usage right management unit 1a requests the usage right management unit that holds the license information for the license information, acquires the license information, and acquires the acquired license information. Is transmitted to the content output unit 1b.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the requested license information is not on the home network 300, the usage right management unit 1a requests the server 100 to distribute the license information, acquires the license information, and acquires it. The license information is transmitted to the content output unit 1b.

Next, a process (process Ss4) of acquiring license information from the server 100 without requesting distribution in step S102 of FIG. 3 will be described. In such a process, the server 100 is caused to periodically distribute the license information regardless of whether or not there is a request to distribute the license information.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which the two servers 100 distribute the license information to each of the usage right management units 1a and 2a on the home network 300. 18, the usage right management unit 3a, the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, and the home gateway 200 are omitted.

Each server 100 periodically generates license information from the license source information and uses the license management unit 1a,
It delivers to 2a. At this time, the server 100 selects the usage right management unit that distributes the license information according to the content of the license information. For example, in the case of license information of movie contents, the usage right management unit 1a is selected as a distribution destination and the license information is distributed thereto, and in the case of license information of music contents, the usage right management unit 2a is distributed. Select it as the destination and distribute the license information to it. Here, the usage right management units 1a and 2
Each of a has previously registered the distribution destination setting information in which the content of the license information and the distribution destination thereof are associated with the server 100, and the server 100 uses the registered distribution destination setting information as described above. Select the license information distribution destination.

Note that the usage right management units 1a and 2a are the servers 1
When the delivery destination setting information is registered in 00, the information amount of the license information delivered to the server 100 is limited in order to prevent the license information held by the user from exceeding a predetermined information amount. You may let me.

Next, the license information processing performed in step S104 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. The processing of the license information described here is the content output unit 1
The processing of the license information when any one of b, 2b, 3b, and 4b has not used up all the licenses included in the license information.

For example, the search subject X is the usage right management unit 1a, and the usage right management unit 1a receives a request from the content output unit 1b and then the usage right management unit 2a reads "reproduce the movie content only 10 times. The license information such as "permit" is acquired, and this is transmitted to the content output unit 1b which is the request source. When the content output unit 1b uses the license information to reproduce the content only once, the content output unit 1b transmits the license information and the usage information notifying that the content has been used only once to the usage right management unit 1a.

The usage right management unit 1a is the content output unit 1
Based on the usage information, the license information sent from b
The license information “Allow playback of movie contents only 9 times” is updated and held. Here, the usage right management unit 1a may continue to hold the updated license information or may return the updated license information to the usage right management unit 2a of the acquisition destination.

When returning the updated license information to the usage right management unit 2a of the acquisition destination, the usage right management unit 1a is used.
When acquiring license information from the usage right management unit 2a in advance, it stores the acquisition destination information such that the acquisition destination is the usage right management unit 2a, and the license updated based on the acquisition destination information. Return information. This acquisition source information is, for example, the functional unit ID stored in step S1b of the operation described with reference to FIG. 10, and is stored without being deleted in step S9b.

[0229] Further, it is possible to determine whether to keep the updated license information for each usage right management unit 1a, 2a, 3a, for example, according to the content of the license information, or to return it to the acquisition source. good. For example, the usage right management unit 1a
However, even if the license information acquired from the usage right management unit 2a continues to be held, the usage right management unit 1a holds the acquisition destination information as described above, and the license information is further acquired from the usage right management unit 3a. When the license is requested and transmitted, the license information and the acquisition source information are transmitted.

The usage right management unit 3a, which has acquired the license information and the acquisition destination information, transmits the license information to the content output unit 3b and causes it to be used, and the acquisition destination uses the contents of the acquisition destination information. The content is updated to be the right management unit 1a. Here, the usage right management unit 3
When the content output unit 3b does not use up all the licenses included in the license information, it determines that the license information should be updated and returned from the content of the license information, as described above. Based on the above acquisition source information, the license information is used to manage the license information 1
Return to a. In the above case, the usage right management unit 3
Although the acquisition source information is updated by a, the license information may be returned to the usage right management unit 2a without being updated.

In the above case, the license management unit that has requested and acquired the license information is caused to determine whether to retain the license information that has been used and updated or to return it to the acquisition destination. To the license management unit that is the acquisition source, that is, the license management unit that transmits the license information in response to the request for the license information, and the license management unit that receives the license information. You may instruct them to return it.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 10, when the usage right management unit 2a transmitting the license information creates the transmission information in step S6b, it is used and updated together with the license information in the transmission information. It includes a return compulsory message for compulsorily returning the license information to the usage right management unit 2a itself. This return compulsory message is represented by, for example, setting a flag.
Then, when the search subject X that has received the return compulsory message and the transmission information including the license information updates this license information by using a part of the received license information, the updated license is updated based on the return compulsory message. The information is returned to the usage right management unit 2a.

On the other hand, in the above description, the case where the search subject X is the usage right management unit has been described as an example. However, when the search subject X is the content output unit, the license information that is always used is the source of acquisition. Return it to the usage right management department. For example, when the search subject X is the content output unit 1b, and when the usage right management unit 2a meets the search condition as a result of searching the usage right management unit that holds the desired license information, the content output unit 1b outputs the license. The information is acquired from the usage right management unit 2a and the acquisition destination information is stored.

After using the acquired license information, the content output unit 1b obtains the usage information indicating how much of the license included in the license information has been used and the used license information from the acquisition destination. Based on the information, it is returned to the usage right management unit 2a of the acquisition destination.

By the way, the content use device 3 and the content use device 4 are respectively connected to the home network 30.
When searching for a usage right management unit that is outside the IP range of 0 and holds license information within the IP range, contents within the IP range connected by the local line are searched without directly searching the usage right management unit. Indirect search is performed via the utilization device.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which the content use device 4 searches through the content use device 2 connected by the local line. When the content output unit 4b of the content use device 4 becomes the search subject X and searches for the usage right management unit that holds the desired license information, the content use device 2 within the IP range
Request the search to the usage right management unit 2a. Upon receiving this request, the usage right management unit 2a determines whether or not it owns the license information, and if it holds the license information, it interprets the right and transmits it to the content output unit 4b. If the license information is not owned, the content output unit 4b is searched for, the license information acquired by the search is interpreted as a right, and the license information is transmitted to the content output unit 4b.

Then, the content output unit 4b uses the content by acquiring the necessary usage conditions and the decryption key from the license information whose rights have been interpreted. In this way, a content use device that is outside the IP range and has only the content output unit without providing the usage right management unit itself does not fall within the IP range even when it performs the search as the search subject X. Request a search from the usage right management unit of another content usage apparatus.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which the content use device 3 performs a search via the content use device 1 connected by a local line. When the content output unit 3b of the content usage apparatus 3 becomes the search subject X and searches for the usage right management unit that holds the desired license information, first, the usage right management unit 3a of the content usage apparatus 3 that can be directly searched, A search is performed for the usage right management unit 1a of the content usage device 1 connected by the local line. When neither of the usage right management units 1a and 3a holds license information, the content output unit 3b searches the usage right management unit 1a within the IP range for a usage right management unit that holds the desired license information. Ask.

When the usage right management unit 1a performs the search on behalf of the content output unit 3b and obtains the license information from the usage right management unit corresponding to the above-mentioned search conditions, the license information is acquired. To the usage right management unit 3a. Upon receiving this license information, the usage right management unit 3a interprets the license information as a right and transmits it to the request source content output unit 3b.

When the usage right management unit 3a of the content usage apparatus 3 becomes the search subject X upon receiving the request from the content output unit 3b, it first possesses the license information requested by the content output unit 3b. If the license information is held, it is interpreted as a right and transmitted to the content output unit 3b. If the license information is not held, the usage right management unit 3a requests the usage right management unit 1a within the IP range to search for the usage right management unit that holds the requested license information. After that, the usage right management unit 1a performs the search on behalf of the usage right management unit 3a.

As described above, a content usage apparatus outside the IP range and equipped with the usage right management unit and the content output unit within the IP range unless the desired usage license information exists in the usage right management unit. Requesting a search, the usage right management unit within the requested IP range performs only the search, and the usage right management unit outside the IP range stores the acquired license information. Only interpret rights. In other words, each of the usage right management units inside and outside the IP range is caused to perform proxy search and right interpretation separately.

In the case described above, the usage right management unit inside and outside the IP range is caused to perform the proxy search and the right interpretation separately, but the usage right management unit within the IP range performs the proxy search and the right interpretation. You can let me. In this case, the usage right management unit outside the IP range relays information transmitted and received between the usage right management unit within the IP range and the content output unit outside the IP range.

For example, in the case shown in FIG. 20, the usage right management unit 1a within the IP range is caused to perform proxy search and right interpretation,
The usage right management unit 3a outside the IP range is caused to relay information transmitted and received between the usage right management unit 1a and the content output unit 3b.

(Modification) Next, a modification of the home network 300 in the present embodiment will be described. First, a modification regarding the number of content output units physically connected directly to the usage right management unit will be described.

FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram of the entire system including the home network 300 according to this modification. The home network 300 includes six content usage devices 11 to 16, and one usage right management unit is physically connected to three content output units.

The content usage apparatus 11 has a usage right management unit 11a having the same function as the usage right management unit 1a.
And a usage right management unit 11b having the same function as the above-described content output unit 1b. Similarly, the content usage device 14 has a usage right management unit 11b having the same function as the above-described usage right management unit 1a. It includes a section 14a and a usage right management section 14b having the same function as that of the content output section 1b.

On the other hand, the content utilization devices 12, 13, 1
Reference numerals 5 and 16 denote content output units 12b, 13b, 1 having the same functions as the above-described content output unit 1b, respectively.
Only 5b and 16b are provided.

In the home network 300 including the constituent devices 11 to 16 as described above, the content use device 11
The content output unit 11b of the content using apparatus 11 itself and the content using apparatus 12
Content output unit 12b and content using device 13
Physically connected to the content output unit 13b of
Similarly, the usage right management unit 14a of the content usage apparatus 14 includes a content output unit 14b of the content usage apparatus 14 itself, a content output unit 15b of the content usage apparatus 15, and a content output unit 16b of the content usage apparatus 16. Are physically connected directly.

Here, in the case where the home network 300 is configured by physically connecting a plurality of content output units to one usage right management unit as described above, each of the usage right management units 11a and 14a Content output unit 11b
16b, when searching for the usage right management unit holding the license information, the functional unit ID assigned to the requested content output unit is stored. Then, when transmitting the license information obtained by searching, the usage right management units 11a and 14a specify the content output unit of the request source based on the above-mentioned stored function unit ID, and specify the content output unit. To send.

The operation of this modification when the content output units 11b to 16b search for the usage right management unit holding the license information is as follows. One usage right management unit shown in FIG. It is similar to the operation when is connected.

It should be noted that the content utilization devices 12, 13, 1
5, 16 content output units 12b, 13b, 15b,
The control unit 51 in 16b functions as a license information acquisition unit that acquires license information from another content using device, and the output unit 52 uses the content based on the acquired license information and outputs audio, video, and data. It functions as an output unit that outputs in at least one form.

As described above, a plurality of content output units
Even if the home network 300 shown in FIG. 21 is configured by physically directly connecting to one usage right management unit, one content output unit is connected to one usage right management unit and the home network 300 shown in FIG. As in the case of the configuration, the content output units 11b to 11b of the content utilization apparatuses 11 to 16 are
Any of 16b can use the content by using the license information on the home network 300.

In this modification, three content output units are connected to one usage right management unit, but the present invention is not limited to this, and one usage right management unit includes two or four content output units. The above content output unit may be directly connected.

Next, a modified example relating to the different functions of the plurality of usage right management units will be described. FIG. 22 is a functional block diagram of the entire system including the home network 300 according to this modification. Home network 300
Includes content usage devices 1 and 2, the usage right management unit 1a of the content usage device 1 collectively manages license information, while the usage right management unit 2a of the content usage device 2 includes a content output unit 2b, a server 100, and usage rights. Management department 1
It relays the transmission and reception of data to and from a.

That is, the content output units 1b and 2b always request license information from the usage right management unit 1a, and if the usage right management unit 1a has the license information, it acquires the license information. In addition, the usage right management unit 1a is a content output unit 1a.
, 2a does not have the requested license information, the server 100 is requested to distribute the license information, the license information is acquired, and the acquired license information is transmitted to the content output units 1a, 2a.

As described above, even if the license information is collectively managed by one usage right management unit, the content output of the content usage apparatuses 1 and 2 is performed as in the case where the usage right management units share the license information. Both the units 1b and 2b can use the content by using the license information on the home network 300. In other words, the content use device 2 can obtain the license information from the content use device 1 and use the content.

Further, in this modified example, when the usage right management unit 1a is in an abnormal state where the license information cannot be collectively managed, the usage right management unit 2a collectively manages the license information. That is, the usage right management units 1a and 2a both have a function of collectively managing license information and a function of relaying data transmission / reception, and by detecting the status of each other, one of the usage right management units licenses. The information is collectively managed, and another usage right management unit relays data transmission / reception. As a result, even if the usage right management unit that collectively manages the license information becomes abnormal, another usage right management unit collectively manages the license information, so that the damage can be suppressed to a relatively small level even in the event of an abnormality.

Next, a modification of the number of usage right management units will be described. FIG. 23 is a functional block diagram of the entire system including the home network 300 according to this modification.

The home network 300 comprises a usage right management unit 1a and content output units 1b, 2b, 3b and 4b. Thus, when there is only one usage right management unit, each of the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b requests license information from the usage right management unit 1a, and the usage right management unit 1a holds the license information. If so, it acquires it from the usage right management unit 1a.

As described above, even if there is only one usage right management unit, any one of the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b and 4b can use the content by using the license information on the home network 300. be able to.
In other words, the content use device including the content output units 2b, 3b, and 4b is the usage right management unit 1a.
Also, it is possible to use the content by obtaining license information from the content use device including the content output unit 1b. The network system according to the present invention has been described above using the embodiment and the modification.
The present invention is not limited to these.

For example, in order to prevent the license information from being lost due to a failure of the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a, the usage right management unit 1 is further provided in the network system in the present embodiment and the modified example, that is, the home network 300.
A backup usage right management unit that may replace each of a, 2a, and 3a may be provided. At this time, each time the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a update their own license information, mutual authentication is performed with the backup usage right management unit, and then the backup usage right management is performed. Have the department store the latest license information.

As a result, the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3
Even if “a” fails, the backup usage right management unit operates in place of the failed usage right management unit, and the loss of license information can be prevented.

[0263] Also, the contents section 110 of the server 100
The home network 300 includes a storage unit that stores the content distributed from the home network 300, and transmits the content stored in the storage unit in response to a request from the content output units 1b, 2b, and 3b. Is also good.

In this case, the content to be used is stored in advance in the storage section of the content management section, and when the content output sections 1b, 2b, 3b actually use the content, the content management section stores the content. Request. Then, if the requested content is stored in the storage unit, the content management unit transmits the content to the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, and if the requested content is not stored in the storage unit, The content is requested to the content section 110 of the server 100 to acquire it, and the content output sections 1b, 2b, 3b are acquired.
Send to.

As a result, the content output units 1b, 2
It is not necessary to access the content section 110 of the server 100 each time b and 3b use the content, and the content cannot be used when an abnormality occurs in the communication between the server 100 and the home network 300. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of such problems. Furthermore, the content can be easily used by distributing the content from the server 100 and storing the content in the storage unit of the content management unit during a time period such as midnight when the network load is not heavy.

Further, the home network 300 of this embodiment and its modification has the content section 110 and the license section 120, and receives the content and license information distributed from the server 100, but only the content section 110 is received. The content may be received from the provided server and the license information may be received from the server including only the license unit 120. Furthermore, the contents distributed from the broadcasting station may be received, and the distributed contents may be encrypted by a so-called package medium.

Further, in the present embodiment and its modification,
When the search subject X is the usage right management units 1a, 2a, 3a and the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b request license information, the content output units 1b, 2b,
First, each of 3b and 4b was requested to request license information from a specific usage right management unit, but the usage right management unit that requests license information first may be dynamically changed. For example, the content output unit 1b periodically changes the partner who first requests the license information between the usage right management unit 1a and the usage right management unit 2a, or the content output unit 2b first requests the license information. Is periodically changed between the usage right management unit 2a and the usage right management unit 1a.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment and its modification, each of the content output sections 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b is requested to request license information, but it may be requested to make a reservation for acquisition of license information.

Here, requesting a reservation for license information acquisition means that the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b.
Each of the above-mentioned means promises in advance to the license management unit holding the license information that the license information will be used, and ensures that the license information will not be acquired by other functional units.

For example, the content output unit 1b makes a reservation for acquisition of license information such as "permit reproduction of movie content only 10 times" to the usage right management unit 1a.
If the license right management unit 1a owns the license information, the usage right management unit 1a
It is held together with the reservation information such that the content output unit 1b makes a reservation. Also, this reservation information includes
For example, the functional unit ID “1 of the reserved content output unit 1b
B ”is included.

Then, when the content output unit 1b actually requests the license information from the usage right management unit 1a in order to use the license information such as "permit reproduction of movie content only 10 times", Since the usage right management unit 1a matches the functional unit ID "1B" of the content output unit 1b that has requested the license information with the functional unit ID "1B" included in the reservation information, the reserved license The information is transmitted to the content output unit 1b. As a result, the content output unit 1b acquires the previously reserved license information and uses the license information to use the content.

Even if the usage right management unit 2a requests the license information to the usage right management unit 1a before the content output unit 1b requests the previously reserved license information, the usage right management is performed. The section 1a is the functional section ID "2A" of the usage right management section 2a that has requested the license information.
And the functional unit ID “1B” included in the reservation information do not match, the acquisition of the reserved license information by the usage right management unit 2a is prohibited.

As described above, the reserved license information can be obtained only by requesting the functional unit that reserved it, and if the license information is planned to be used in advance, the content output units 1b, 2b, 3b, By requesting the reservation of the license information acquisition in advance by 4b, it is possible to prevent the license information from being acquired by another functional unit.

In the above example, if the usage right management unit 1a does not hold the requested license information, the usage right management unit 1a may search the usage right management unit holding the license information. good. In this case, if the usage right management unit 2a holds the license information as a result of the search, the usage right management unit 1a requests the usage right management unit 2a to reserve the acquisition of the license information. Then, the above-mentioned reservation information is held together with the requested license information.

[0275] In the above case, it is planned to include the functional unit ID of the reserved functional unit in the reservation information so that, for example, the license information A is used by the content output unit 1b.
The license information B is scheduled to be used by the content output unit 2b, and the license information is reserved for each functional unit, but the license information may be reserved for each user.

For example, the user u1 operates the content using apparatus 1 to input the user ID "U1" and outputs the reservation for acquiring license information such as "permit reproduction of movie content only 10 times". If the license information is held in the usage right management unit 1a when requested by the usage right management unit 1a.
The a holds the license information together with the reservation information such that the user u1 makes a reservation. Here, this reservation information includes, for example, the user ID “U1” of the user u1 who made the reservation.

Next, the user u1 operates the content use device 2 to use the content under the use condition that the content use device 2 reproduces the movie content only 10 times, and at the same time, the user u1 of the user u1 Is input to the content use device 2,
The content output unit 2b requests the usage right management unit 2a for license information such as "permit reproduction of movie content only 10 times". Upon receiving this request, the usage right management unit 2a searches for a usage right management unit that holds the license information if it does not own the license information, and as a result of the search, the usage right management unit 1a When it is determined that the search condition is met, the usage right management unit 2a
The license information is requested from the usage right management unit 1a and the user ID "U1" is presented. Upon receiving the request for the license information, the usage right management unit 1a matches the presented user ID “U1” with the user ID “U1” included in the reservation information. It is transmitted to the usage right management unit 2a. Then, the usage right management unit 2a that has acquired the license information
However, the license information is added to the content output section 2b.
, The content output unit 2b reproduces the movie content using the license information.

Further, a plurality of functional units or users may reserve the acquisition of the same license information. In this case,
The above reservation information includes a plurality of functional unit IDs and user IDs. Further, a plurality of functional units and users who reserve the acquisition of the same license information may be prioritized using the license information. Specifically, each functional unit ID and user ID included in the reservation information
Prioritize.

In this case, even if a plurality of functional units reserve the same license information, only the functional unit with the highest priority can acquire and use the license information.
When the functional unit with the highest priority cancels the reservation, only the functional unit with the next highest priority can acquire and use the license information.

Furthermore, in the above case, for each usage right management unit that holds the license information to be reserved,
The reservation information is held together with the license information, but the reservation information may be held together in one usage right management unit, and a new management terminal device for holding and managing the reservation information is newly provided. May be.

Further, in this embodiment and its modification,
Although the content output unit that has requested the license information is made to acquire the license information, it may be acquired by another content output unit. In this case, for example, when the content use device 1 is installed on the first floor of the house and the content use device 2 is installed on the second floor, the user uses the content use device 1 on the first floor.
Is operated to request license information from the content output unit 1b, and the license information is acquired by the content output unit 2b of the content use device 2 on the second floor. As a result, the usability of the home network 300 can be improved.

[0282]

As is apparent from the above description, the content use apparatus according to the present invention is a network composed of a plurality of content use apparatuses that are connected to each other by a communication network and use content that is a digital work. A single content usage apparatus in the system, which is a usage right management unit that holds license information that is distributed from a device other than the content usage apparatus and that enables the usage of the content, and uses the content based on the license information. Output means for outputting in at least one form of video and data, wherein the usage right management means comprises:
When a request for license information is received from the output means, the license information is requested from the usage right management means of another content using apparatus to acquire the license information, and the acquired license information is passed to the output means to output the license information. The means is a content use device characterized in that the content is used based on the license information transferred from the usage right management means.

As a result, the usage right management means requests and acquires the license information from the usage right management means of the other content usage device, and the user operates the content usage device to obtain this license information. Even when the license information is not held in the usage right management means of the content usage device when the content is to be used by this output means, the usage right management device acquires license information from another content usage device. Then, the output means of the operated content use device can be made to use the content, and as a result, the license information can be effectively utilized.

Here, the usage right management means of the content using apparatus according to the present invention uses another content using apparatus holding the license information when it does not hold the license information requested by the output means. It is characterized in that a right management means is searched for and the license information is acquired from the other usage right management means.

As a result, the usage right management means specifies only one of the plurality of usage right management means of the other content usage devices which holds the license information, and instructs the usage right management means of the content usage device. Since only the license information is requested, useless requests such as requesting the license information to the usage right management means of all the content using devices can be omitted.

Further, when the usage right managing means of the content using apparatus according to the present invention is requested for the license information by the usage right managing means of the other content using apparatus, the usage right of the request source requesting the license information is obtained. When the management means is authenticated and the request source usage right management means is judged to be unjust, acquisition of the license information by the request source usage right management means is prohibited.

As a result, for example, when a network system is constructed by using a plurality of content utilization devices at home, the content utilization device outside the home uses the utilization right management means of the content utilization device on the home network system. Therefore, even if the license information is to be obtained, if the content use device outside the home cannot obtain the license information if it is judged unjust by the authentication of the usage right management means, the license information is leaked to the outside. Can be prevented.

[0288] Here, the present invention relates to a single content using device in a network system, which is composed of a plurality of content using devices which are mutually connected by a communication network and use contents which are digital works. Use right management means that holds license information that is distributed from other than the content use device and that enables the use of the content, and output that uses the content based on the license information and outputs it in at least one form of audio, video, and data. Content, characterized in that the output means requests license information from the usage right management means of another content usage device to acquire the license information, and uses the content based on the acquired license information. It can also be a utilization device.

As a result, the output means requests and acquires the license information from the usage right management means of the other content using device, so that the user operates the content using device to output the license information. Even if the license information is not held in the usage right management means of the operated content using device when the device tries to use the content, the output means of the operated content using device can output from another content using device. The license information can be acquired and the content can be used, and as a result, the license information can be effectively used.

Further, the present invention includes a plurality of first content utilization devices and at least one second content utilization device which are mutually connected by a communication network and utilize the contents which are digital works. A configured network system, wherein the first content use device is licensed from a device other than the first content use device and holds license information for enabling use of the content, and a license. An output unit that uses the content based on the information and outputs the content in at least one form of audio, video, and data; and the second content using apparatus includes only the output unit.
When the usage right management means of the first content usage apparatus receives a request for license information from the output means included in the same first content usage apparatus or the output means of the second content usage apparatus. , Requesting the license information from the usage right management means of the other first content usage apparatus to acquire the license information, and passing the acquired license information to the output means that has requested the license information, and outputting the license information. The means may be a network system characterized in that the content is used based on the passed license information.

As a result, the usage right management means of the first content usage device requests the license information from the usage right management means of the other first content usage device and acquires the license information. When the first content utilization device is operated to cause the output means of the first content utilization device to utilize the content, the license information is held in the utilization right management means of the operated first content utilization device. Even if not, the usage right management means can obtain the license information from the other first content usage apparatus, and the output means of the operated first content usage apparatus can use the content. As a result, ,
The license information can be effectively used. Also,
When the user operates the second content utilization device to cause the output means of the second content utilization device to utilize the content, the first content utilization which is the request destination of the license information of the output means. Even if the license information is not held in the usage right management means of the device, the usage right management means is made to acquire the license information from the other first content usage device, and the output of the operated second content usage device is performed. The means can be made to use the content, and as a result, the license information can be effectively utilized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an overall system including a content utilization device and a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the overall system of the above.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the above network system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic functional block diagram showing a state in which a usage right management unit of the content usage apparatus in the above network system searches for the content.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an operation in which the content output unit acquires license information when the usage right management unit of the content usage apparatus in the above network system searches for license information.

FIG. 6 is a schematic functional block diagram showing a state in which the content output unit of the content using apparatus in the network system of the same as above searches.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an operation in which the content output unit of the content using apparatus in the above network system searches for license information and acquires it.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a broadcast-type search method.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an operation in which the search subject inquires of the usage right management unit about license information.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an operation in which a search subject acquires license information from a usage right management unit.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a sequential access method search method.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a prior push type search method.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a search method of a search request method.

14A to 14E are explanatory diagrams for explaining an example of an operation of updating a domain list.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a state in which the content using device belongs to a plurality of user domains.

FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing an operation in which the usage right management unit performs a distribution request process.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operation of requesting distribution of license information from a server.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a server distributes license information.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a content use device outside the IP range requests a content use device within the IP range for a search.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another state of the above.

FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram of an overall system in which a plurality of content output units are directly connected to a usage right management unit.

FIG. 22 is a functional block diagram of the entire system showing a state in which one license management unit collectively manages license information.

FIG. 23 is a schematic functional block diagram in which the network system is configured by one usage right management unit and a plurality of content output units.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-4 content utilization device 1a, 2a, 3a usage right management unit 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b content output section 51 control unit 52 Output section 100 servers 110 Content Department 120 licenses 200 Home Gateway 300 home network

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yasushi Uesaka             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasushi Miura             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Norio Higashi             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takaaki Namba             2-6-1 Sakae, Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi             Building Annex 5th floor Matsushita Electric Information System Co., Ltd.             Tem Nagoya Institute F-term (reference) 5B017 AA06 BB09 BB10 CA16                 5C053 FA13 GB06 JA21 LA06 LA07                       LA11 LA15                 5C064 BA07 BB02 BC06 BC17 BC18                       BC22 BC23 BC25 BD02 BD08                       BD09

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. A single content use device in a network system, which is connected to each other through a communication network and is composed of a plurality of content use devices that use contents that are digital works. A usage right management means that holds license information that is distributed and enables the use of the content, and uses the content based on the license information.
Output means for outputting in at least one form of video and data, and the license management means, when receiving the license information request from the output means, sends the license information to the license management means of another content utilization apparatus. Requesting and acquiring the license information, and passing the acquired license information to the output means, and the output means uses the content based on the license information passed from the usage right management means. Content utilization device. 2. The usage right management means, when the license information requested by the output means is not held,
2. The content use device according to claim 1, wherein the license information is acquired from the other usage right management unit by searching the usage right management unit of the other content usage device holding the license information. 3. The usage right management means, when license information is requested from the usage right management means of another content usage apparatus, authenticates the usage right management means of the request source requesting the license information, 3. The content use apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the request-source usage right management means determines that the license information is invalid, acquisition of the license information by the request-source usage right management means is prohibited. 4. The usage right management means determines whether or not the requesting usage right management means belongs to a user domain to which the usage right management means belongs, which is set as a movable range of the license information. 4. The content use device according to claim 3, wherein the use right management means of the request source is authenticated. 5. The usage right management means of each of the plurality of content usage devices is assigned different identification information for identifying each, and the usage right management means manages the license information with itself. It holds a domain list in which the identification information assigned to the usage right management means of the other content use devices permitted to move to each other is held, and referring to the domain list, this domain list is
5. The content use apparatus according to claim 4, wherein if the identification information of the request source usage right management unit is registered, it is determined that the request source usage right management unit belongs to the user domain. 6. The usage right management means determines whether or not the usage right management means of the request source belongs to a user domain to which the usage right management means itself belongs, and among the plurality of usage right management means belonging to the user domain. However, by determining whether or not the request source usage right management means belongs to the usage restriction that restricts the license information owned by itself that is permitted to be acquired, the request source usage right management means The content use apparatus according to claim 4, wherein authentication is performed. 7. The usage right management means broadcasts inquiry information for inquiring whether or not the license information is held to the usage right management means of all other content usage devices, and all the other usage rights management means. 3. The content according to claim 2, wherein the usage right management means of another content usage apparatus holding the license information is searched based on a reply to the inquiry information from the usage right management means of the content usage apparatus. Utilization device. 8. The usage right management means searches the license information requested by the output means from the license information held by itself, and if there is no requested license information, the same as in the above search. If a request is made to another usage right management means to execute the search, and if the requested license information does not exist, the usage right management means requested to search the other usage right management means. 3. The content usage apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the usage right management unit of another content usage apparatus holding the requested license information is searched for by executing the request to execute the request. 9. The usage right management means, upon further accepting a reservation for acquisition of license information from the output means, reserves the acquisition of the license information with respect to the usage right management means of another content using apparatus. The content use device according to claim 1, wherein the license information is secured so as not to go outside. 10. A communication network interconnected to each other,
A single content-usage device in a network system composed of a plurality of content-usage devices that use content that is a digital work. License information that is distributed from a device other than the content-usage device and that enables the use of the content is obtained. Use the content based on the license management means you have and the license information,
Output means for outputting in at least one form of video and data, the output means requests license information from the usage right management means of another content utilization apparatus, acquires the license information, and obtains the acquired license information. A content use device characterized in that content is used based on the content. 11. A communication network interconnected to each other,
A single content-usage device in a network system composed of a plurality of content-usage devices that use content that is a digital work. License information that is distributed from a device other than the content-usage device and that enables the use of the content is obtained. A license information acquisition unit for acquiring from another content utilization device, and an output unit for utilizing the content based on the acquired license information and outputting in at least one form of audio, video and data. Content usage device. 12. A communication network interconnected to each other,
Multiple first uses of digital copyrighted content
Is a network system including a content using device and at least one second content using device, wherein the first content using device is distributed from a device other than the first content using device, A right-of-use management unit that holds license information that enables the use of the content; and an output unit that uses the content based on the license information and outputs the content in at least one form of audio, video, and data. The content usage apparatus of No. 1 includes only the output unit, and the usage right management unit of the first content usage apparatus is the output unit included in the same first content usage apparatus as itself or the second content. When the license information request is received from the output means of the utilization device, the utilization right management of the other first content utilization device is performed. Request the license information to obtain the license information, and pass the obtained license information to the output unit that has requested the license information, and the output unit outputs the content based on the passed license information. A network system characterized by utilizing. 13. The usage right management means of the first content using apparatus is requested by an output means provided in the same first content using apparatus together with itself or an output means of the second content using apparatus. If the license information does not exist, the usage right management means of the other first content usage apparatus holding the license information is searched, and the usage right management means of the other first content usage apparatus is searched. 13. The network system according to claim 12, wherein the license information is acquired. 14. The usage right management unit of the first content usage apparatus is a request source of the license information when requested by the usage right management unit of another first content usage apparatus. 14. The network system according to claim 13, wherein the usage right management means is authenticated, and when it is determined that the license information is invalid, the acquisition of the license information by the requesting usage right management means is prohibited. 15. The usage right management means of the first content usage apparatus determines whether or not the usage right management means of the request source belongs to a user domain to which the usage right management means belongs, which is set as a movable range of the license information. By determining
15. The network system according to claim 14, wherein the usage right management means of the request source is authenticated. 16. The usage right management means of the first content usage device is assigned different identification information for identifying each, and the usage right management device of the first content usage device is assigned. Holds a domain list in which the identification information assigned to the usage right management means of the other first content using apparatus permitted to move the license information to and from itself is registered. See the list for this domain list,
16. The network system according to claim 15, wherein if the identification information of the usage right management means of the request source is registered, it is determined that the usage right management means of the request source belongs to the user domain. 17. The usage right management means of the first content usage apparatus determines whether or not the usage right management means of the request source belongs to a user domain to which the usage right management means belongs, and a plurality of users belonging to the user domain. Among the above-mentioned usage right management means, it is determined whether or not the usage right management means of the request source belongs to the usage restriction that restricts the license information owned by itself The network system according to claim 15, wherein the original usage right management means is authenticated. 18. An inquiry for inquiring whether or not the usage right management means of the first content usage device inquires of the usage right management means of all other first content usage devices whether or not the license information is held. Based on the reply to the inquiry information from the usage right management means of all the other first content usage devices, the usage right of the other first content usage devices holding the license information is broadcast. 14. The management means is searched for.
The described network system. 19. The usage right management means of the first content using apparatus further comprises an output means provided in the same first content using apparatus together with itself or an output means of the second content using apparatus. Receiving the reservation to acquire the license information, reserves the acquisition of the license information with respect to the usage right management means of the other first content-usage device so that the license information is secured so as not to go outside. 13. The network system according to claim 12, wherein: 20. Connected to each other by a communication network,
A network system configured to include at least one or more first and second content utilization devices that utilize content that is a digital work, wherein the first content utilization device is the first content utilization device. Usage right management means that holds license information that is distributed from other than the device and that enables use of the content, and output means that uses the content based on the license information and outputs the content in at least one form of audio, video, and data. The second content using device includes only the output means, and each of the output means of the first and second content using devices is licensed to the usage right managing means of the first content using device. It requests information and retrieves it, as well as content based on the obtained license information. Network system, characterized by use. 21. Mutually connected by a communication network,
A network system composed of a plurality of content use devices that use content that is a digital work, wherein the content use device is license information distributed from a device other than the content use device and enabling use of the content, A license information acquisition unit for acquiring from another content utilization device, and an output unit for utilizing the content based on the acquired license information and outputting in at least one form of audio, video and data. Network system. 22. Mutually connected by a communication network,
License information for acquiring the license information that enables the content to be used by the content using apparatus in a network system including a plurality of content using apparatuses that use content that is a digital work An acquisition method, wherein in the content using device, a possession determining step of determining whether or not the license information required by the device itself is possessed, and retaining the license information when the license information is not possessed. A license information acquisition method comprising: a search step of searching for another content usage device; and an acquisition step of requesting license information from the other content usage device and acquiring the license information. 23. The license information acquisition method further comprises a request receiving step of receiving a request for license information from another content using apparatus, and an authentication step of authenticating the content using apparatus that has requested the license information. And an acquisition prohibition step of prohibiting acquisition of license information by the request source content use apparatus when the authentication step determines that the request source content use apparatus is invalid. 22
How to obtain the license information described. 24. Each of the plurality of content using devices is different identification information assigned to identify each, and another content using device permitted to mutually move license information between itself. And a domain list in which the identification information is registered, the license information acquisition method, in the authentication step, a reference step of referring to the domain list, and identification information of the request source content utilization device in the domain list. 24. The license information acquisition according to claim 23, further comprising: a registration determination step of determining whether or not is registered, and if not registered, determining that the request source content utilization apparatus is invalid. Method. 25. Mutually connected by a communication network,
In order to obtain license information that enables the content to be used, the content using apparatus in a network system including a plurality of content using apparatuses that use content that is a digital work is distributed from other than the content using apparatus. A program, in the content utilization device, an ownership determination step of determining whether or not the license information necessary for the content utilization apparatus is owned by the content usage apparatus; And a obtaining step of requesting license information from the other content using apparatus to obtain the license information. 26. The program further comprises a request receiving step of receiving a request for license information from another content using apparatus, an authenticating step of authenticating the content using apparatus that has requested the license information, 26. An acquisition prohibition step of prohibiting acquisition of license information by the request source content use apparatus when the authentication step determines that the request source content use apparatus is invalid.
The listed program. 27. Each of the plurality of content using devices is a different content using device to which mutual identification information assigned to identify each of the plurality of content using devices is different, and the license information is allowed to move to itself. And a domain list in which the identification information of the requesting content use device is registered, and the program includes a reference step of referring to the domain list in the authentication step, and identification information of the request source content use device in the domain list. 27. The program according to claim 26, further comprising: a registration determination step of determining whether or not the request has been made, and if not registered, determining that the request source content utilization apparatus is invalid.