JP2003330576A - Information processing device and method therefor, expansion device and method therefor, information processing system, recording medium and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To supply electric power of a corresponding voltage after distinguish ing the kind of an expansion bay. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 2003 recognizes that an expansion bay is mounted by a presence signal input through a connecting terminal 102a, and receives an ID signal input after that. The CPU 2003 distinguishes the kind of the expansion bay connected from the ID signal by using a table stored in a memory 2004 beforehand, and outputs a power source output of the voltage corresponding to the expansion bay recognized to the expansion bay which is mounted from the connecting terminal 102a by controlling a power circuit 2001. The devices and the methods can be applied to a connecting terminal of a bay slot for a personal computer. <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 an information processing device and method, an expansion device and method, an information processing system, a recording medium, and a program. Then, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, an expansion apparatus and method, an information processing system, a recording medium, and a program capable of supplying electric power having a voltage according to the identified expansion apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Expansion bays for expanding the functions of portable personal computers without impairing their portability are becoming popular.

The expansion bay includes, for example, a ten keyboard bay or an FD (Flexible Disc) drive bay. These expansion bays function as a part of a portable personal computer by mounting them in bay slots provided in advance in the portable personal computer.

[0004]

However, in the bay slot, the voltage of the power supplied to the expansion bay is uniformly determined by the standard. Therefore, the expansion bay is irrelevant to the power consumed by itself. Accept the standard voltage,
It is necessary to provide a step-up device or a step-down device to make it a voltage that can be consumed by itself, and as a result, the cost of the expansion bay is increased and the weight and size of the expansion bay body are increased. .

Further, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bu
When the expansion device is attached in s) or the like, the USB is standardized so that the voltage of the supplied power is uniformly 5 V, and the same problem as described above has occurred.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is possible to switch the voltage of the power to be supplied by recognizing the type of the expansion bay mounted on the device side having the expansion bay slot. It is something to do.

[0007]

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a power supply means for supplying power of a plurality of voltages to an expansion device, a reception means for receiving an ID signal transmitted from the expansion device, and an ID. Identification means for identifying the type of the expansion device corresponding to the signal, signal line switching means for switching the signal line of the connection terminal corresponding to the type of the expansion device identified by the identification means, and identification by the identification means Power supply means for switching the power supply means is provided so that power of a voltage corresponding to the type of expansion device is supplied to the expansion device using a power supply line corresponding to the expansion device.

The connection terminal may be a 42-pin connection terminal.

The power of the plurality of voltages is 5V of power,
Alternatively, it can include 3V of power.

The plurality of types of expansion devices may include a ten keyboard bay, an MD drive bay, an FD drive bay, or a speaker bay.

The receiving means may be made to receive a 3-bit ID signal transmitted from the expansion device, and the identification means may select the type of expansion device corresponding to the 3-bit ID signal. It can be made to distinguish.

The information processing method of the present invention comprises a power supply step of supplying power of a plurality of voltages to the expansion device, a reception step of receiving an ID signal transmitted from the expansion device,
An identification step of identifying the type of expansion device corresponding to the ID signal, a signal line switching step of switching the signal line of the connection terminal corresponding to the type of expansion device identified in the processing of the identification step, and an identification step In order to supply the power of the voltage corresponding to the type of the expansion device identified in the process to the expansion device by using the power supply line corresponding to the expansion device,
And a power switching step of switching processing of the power supply step.

The program of the first recording medium of the present invention is
A power supply control step for controlling the supply of power of a plurality of voltages to the expansion device, a reception control step for controlling reception of an ID signal transmitted from the expansion device, and identification of the type of expansion device corresponding to the ID signal And a signal line switching control step for controlling the switching of the signal line to the connection terminal corresponding to the type of the expansion device whose identification is controlled in the processing of the identification control step, and the processing of the identification control step. The power switching that controls the switching in the processing of the power supply control step so that the power of the voltage corresponding to the type of the expansion device whose identification is controlled by is supplied to the expansion device using the power supply line corresponding to the expansion device. And a control step.

A first program of the present invention comprises a power supply control step for controlling the supply of power of a plurality of voltages to the expansion device, and a reception control step for controlling reception of an ID signal transmitted from the expansion device. , An identification control step for controlling the identification of the type of the expansion device corresponding to the ID signal and a switching of the signal line to the connection terminal corresponding to the type of the expansion device whose identification is controlled by the processing of the identification control step Power is supplied so that power of a voltage corresponding to the type of the expansion device whose identification is controlled in the processing of the signal line switching control step and the identification control step is supplied to the expansion device using the power supply line corresponding to the expansion device. And a power switching control step for controlling switching in the processing of the control step.

The expansion device of the present invention includes storage means for storing its own ID signal, transmission means for transmitting its own ID signal stored in the storage means to an information processing device through a connection terminal, and an ID signal. And a power receiving unit that receives power of a voltage corresponding to the information processing device from the information processing device.

The connection terminal may be a 42-pin connection terminal.

The power of the plurality of voltages is 5V of power,
Alternatively, it can include 3V of power.

The expansion device includes a ten keyboard bay,
It can include MD drive bays, FD drive bays, or speaker bays.

The ID signal may be a 3-bit signal, and the transmitting means transmits the 3-bit ID signal stored in the storage means to the information processing device through the connection terminal. Can be allowed to.

The processing method of the expansion device according to the present invention is
A storing step of storing the signal, a transmitting step of transmitting the own ID signal stored in the processing of the storing step to the information processing device through the connection terminal, and a power of a voltage corresponding to the ID signal from the information processing device. And a power receiving step of receiving power.

The program of the second recording medium of the present invention is
A storage control step for controlling storage of its own ID signal, a transmission control step for controlling transmission of its own ID signal stored in the processing of the storage control step to the information processing device through a connection terminal, and an ID signal And a power reception control step of controlling power reception of the power of the voltage corresponding to the power from the information processing device.

A second program of the present invention is directed to an information processing device via a connection terminal of a storage control step for controlling storage of its own ID signal and its own ID signal stored in the processing of the storage control step. The computer is caused to execute a transmission control step of controlling the transmission of the signal and a power reception control step of controlling the reception of the power of the voltage corresponding to the ID signal from the information processing device.

In the information processing system of the present invention, the information processing device supplies power to the expansion device with power of a plurality of voltages, receiving means for receiving an ID signal transmitted from the expansion device, and an ID signal. Corresponding to the type of the expansion device, identification means for identifying the type of the expansion device identified by the identification means, signal line switching means for switching the signal line of the connection terminal, and the expansion identified by the identification means. The expansion device is provided with a power switching means for switching the power supply means so as to supply power to the expansion device with a voltage corresponding to the type of the device, and the expansion device stores the ID signal of itself and the storage device. Further, it is characterized by comprising a transmitting means for transmitting its own ID signal to the information processing device via the connection terminal, and a power receiving means for receiving power of a voltage corresponding to the ID signal from the information processing device.

In the information processing apparatus and method and the program of the present invention, the power of a plurality of voltages is supplied to the expansion device, the ID signal transmitted from the expansion device is received, and the expansion device corresponds to the ID signal. The type of is identified, the signal line of the connection terminal is switched according to the identified type of the expansion device, and the power of the voltage corresponding to the identified type of the expansion device is supplied to the expansion device. Can be switched.

In the expansion device, the processing method, and the program of the present invention, its own ID signal is stored, and the stored own ID signal is transmitted to the information processing device via the connection terminal and corresponds to the ID signal. The power of the voltage to be applied is received from the information processing device.

In the information processing system of the present invention, the information processing device supplies power of a plurality of voltages to the expansion device and receives the ID signal transmitted from the expansion device.
The type of expansion unit is identified according to the ID signal, the signal line of the connection terminal is switched according to the type of expansion unit identified, and the power of the voltage corresponding to the type of expansion unit identified is expanded. It is switched so that it is supplied to the device, its own ID signal is stored by the expansion device, and the stored own ID signal is transmitted to the information processing device via the connection terminal, and the voltage corresponding to the ID signal. Is received from the information processing device.

[0027]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a music data management system according to the present invention. The personal computer 1 is connected to a network 2 including a local area network or the Internet. The personal computer 1 is an EMD
(Electrical Music Distribution) server 4-1 to 4-3 or a CD (Compact Dict.
The music data (hereinafter referred to as content) read from the sc) is converted into a predetermined compression method (for example, ATRAC3 (trademark)), and DES (Data Encryption Stand
ard) and other encryption methods to record.

The personal computer 1 records the usage condition data indicating the usage conditions of the content, corresponding to the encrypted content recorded. The usage condition data is data indicating whether or not the data can be copied and moved to another personal computer. Details of the usage condition data will be described later.

The personal computer 1 stores the encrypted and recorded content in the MD 1204 (FIG. 1) installed in the connected MD drive bay 1201 (FIG. 12).
In step 2), the usage condition data corresponding to the stored content is updated in accordance with the storage in the MD 1204 (hereinafter referred to as checkout).

Further, the personal computer 1 has an MD 12 mounted in the connected MD drive bay 1201.
04 contents stored in MD drive bay 1
The data of the usage condition corresponding to the deleted content is updated by deleting the data in 201 (hereinafter referred to as check-in).

When the personal computer 1 starts to acquire contents from the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3, the EMD registration server 3 responds to the request from the personal computer 1 via the network 2 and the personal computer 1 And an EMD server 4-1 to 4-3, the authentication key necessary for mutual authentication is transmitted to the personal computer 1, and the program for connecting to the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3 is transmitted to the personal computer 1. .

The EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3 respond to the request from the personal computer 1 by using the network 2
The contents are supplied to the personal computer 1 via.

The contents supplied by each of the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3 are compressed by the same or different compression method. The contents supplied by each of the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3 are encrypted by the same or different encryption method.

WWW (World Wide Web) server 5-1
Responds to the request from the personal computer 1 via the network 2 via a CD (for example, an album name of a CD, a sales company of a CD, etc.), and data corresponding to the content read from the CD ( For example, a song title, a composer name, etc.) is supplied to the personal computer 1. WWW server 5-2
In response to a request from the personal computer 1, the personal computer 1 supplies to the personal computer 1 via the network 2 the CD that has read the content and the data corresponding to the content that has been read from the CD.

The contents recorded by the personal computer 1, check-out, and check-in will be described.

The personal computer 1 is a WWW server 5-1 or 5-connected to the network 4.
While converting the content, which is the data of the musical sound received from # 2 or read from a CD (Compact Disc) into a predetermined compression method (for example, ATRAC3 (trademark)),
The data is encrypted and recorded with an encryption method such as DES (Data Encryption Standard).

The usage condition data indicates, for example, the number of MDs 1204 that can simultaneously use the content corresponding to the usage condition data (the number of MDs 1204 that can be checked out, which will be described later). Even when the content is checked out by the number indicated by the usage condition data, the personal computer 1 can reproduce the content.

Further, the usage condition data indicates that it can be copied. The number of times content can be copied may be limited. The number of times you can copy does not increase.

Further, the usage condition data indicates that the content can be moved to another personal computer or server. After moving the content to another personal computer or server, the content recorded by the personal computer 1 becomes unusable (the content is deleted or the usage condition is changed and unusable).

The personal computer 1 stores the encrypted and recorded content in the MD 1204 in the MD drive bay 1201 together with the data related to the content (for example, the song name or the reproduction condition), and the MD 1204. In response to the fact that the content is stored, the usage condition data corresponding to the stored content is updated, so-called check-out processing is executed.

More specifically, when checking out,
The number of times the personal computer 1 records the usage condition data corresponding to the content that can be checked out is reduced by one. When the number of times check-out is possible is 0, the corresponding content cannot be checked out.

The personal computer 1 is an MD1
A so-called check-in process is executed to update the usage condition data corresponding to the erased content in association with the erasure of the content checked out in 204 by the MD drive bay 1201. More specifically, when the check-in is performed, the number of times the personal computer 1 records the usage condition data of the corresponding content that can be checked out is increased by one.

The MD drive bay 1201 erases the stored contents when the check-out period set in the usage conditions corresponding to the contents has passed.
The process of erasing contents corresponding to the checkout period of the portable device 2 will be described below in the MD drive bay 12
It is also referred to as the 01 automatic check-in process.

The personal computer 1 is the MD 1204
When the checkout period set in the usage conditions corresponding to the content checked out to
Increase the number of times you can check out by 1. The process of incrementing the number of times the personal computer 1 can check out the content corresponding to the checkout period is also referred to as an automatic check-in process of the personal computer 1 below.

The personal computer 1 displays the content of the content for which the checkout period is set based on the data indicating the content of the content for which the checkout period is set. The personal computer 1 executes the checkout in response to the operation of the user who has selected the content to be checked out based on the displayed content.

Next, details of the personal computer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The personal computer 1 is basically
It is composed of a main body 21 and a display unit 22 which can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 21. FIG. 2 shows the display unit 22 as the main body 2.
FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a state where it is opened with respect to FIG. Figure 3
4 is a plan view of the main body 21, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a jog dial 23, which will be described later, provided on the main body 21. FIG. 5 is a side view of the jog dial 23 provided on the main body 21.

The main body 21 has a keyboard 24 operated when various characters and symbols are input, and a touch pad 25 used as a pointing device operated when moving a pointer (mouse cursor) displayed on the LCD 26. , And a power switch 27 are provided on the upper surface thereof. In addition, the jog dial 23 and IEEE (In
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1
The 394 port 28 and the like are provided on the side surface of the main body 21. Instead of the touch pad 25, it is possible to provide a stick type pointing device.

An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 26 for displaying an image is displayed on the front of the display unit 22, and a power lamp PL, a battery lamp BL, and a message lamp ML (if necessary) provided in the upper right portion. A lamp comprising other LEDs (not shown) is provided. Further, a microphone 31 is provided at the center of the upper portion of the display unit 22.

Next, the jog dial 23 executes a predetermined process (for example, a screen scrolling process) corresponding to the rotating operation indicated by the arrow a in FIG. 4, and the moving operation indicated by the arrow b in the figure. Corresponding processing (for example, icon selection determination processing) is executed.

The IEEE1394 port 101 has a structure based on the standard defined by IEEE1394, and is connected with a cable based on the standard defined by IEEE1394.

Various expansion bays are mounted in the bay slot 102. The expansion bays include, for example, a ten keyboard bay 1151, an MD drive bay 1201, an FD drive bay, a speaker bay 1301 and the like, which will be described later, but they may be expansion bays having other functions. Further, it may be a multifunction bay having a plurality of functions (for example, as shown in FIG. 34, an expansion bay having all the functions of a numeric keyboard bay, an MD drive bay, and an FDD drive bay).

The memory card 11 is mounted in the memory card slot 115, and data is recorded in the memory card 11 or data recorded in the memory card 11 is read out.

Next, an example of the internal structure of the personal computer 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

Central Processing Unit (CPU: Central Processing
The Unit) 51 is composed of, for example, a Pentium (registered trademark) processor manufactured by Intel, and is connected to the front side bus (FSB) 52. FSB
Further, a north bridge 53 is connected to 52, and the north bridge 53 is an AGP (Accelerated Graphic).
s Port) 50 and is connected to the hub interface 56.

The north bridge 53 is composed of, for example, 440BX which is an AGP Host Bridge Controller manufactured by Intel, and has a CPU 51 and a RAM (Random Acces).
s Memory) 54 (so-called main memory) and the like. Further, the north bridge 53 controls the video controller 57 via the AGP 50. The video controller 57 is an LCD 26 or a VGA (Video Graphics Arr).
ay) type display (hereinafter referred to as VGA91)
Control.

The video controller 57 receives data (image data or text data, etc.) supplied from the CPU 51 and generates image data corresponding to the received data, or a video which contains the received data as it is. Stored in a memory (not shown). The video controller 57 causes the LCD 26 or VGA 91 to display an image corresponding to the image data stored in the video memory. The LCD 26 or VGA 91 displays an image or a character based on the data supplied from the video controller 57.

The north bridge 53 is also connected to the cache memory 55. Cache memory 55
Is composed of a memory such as SRAM (Static RAM) capable of executing a faster write or read operation as compared with the RAM 54, and caches (temporarily stores) a program or data used by the CPU 51.

The CPU 51 has a primary
Compared to the cache memory 55, it has a cache that can operate at a higher speed and is controlled by the CPU 51 itself.

The RAM 54 is, for example, DRAM (Dynamic RAM)
A program executed by the CPU 51, or a CPU
The data required for the operation of 51 are stored. Specifically, for example, the RAM 54 is the HDD 6 when the boot is completed.
It stores the operating system, Internet programs, etc. loaded from 7.

Operating system (OS (Operating
System)) is a program that controls basic operations of a computer, represented by, for example, so-called Windows (registered trademark) XP of Microsoft Corporation or so-called Mac OS (registered trademark) of Apple Computer Corporation.

The north bridge 53 is also connected to the south bridge 58 via the hub interface 56. The south bridge 58 is, for example, a PI manufactured by Intel Corporation.
It is composed of IX4E etc., AC97 link interface 58A, USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface 58B, IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) interface 58C, PCI (Peripheral Component Interc).
onnect) Interface 58D, LPC (Low Pin Count)
The interface 58E and the Ether interface 58F are built in.

The south bridge 58 controls various I / O (Inp) such as control of devices connected via devices connected to the AC97 link bus 59, the USB bus 60, and the IDE bus 61.
ut / Output).

A modem 62 and a sound controller 63 are connected to the AC link bus 59. Modem 62
Is connected to a public line network and executes a communication process via the public line network or the Internet (neither is shown). The sound controller 63 captures a voice from the microphone 31, generates data corresponding to the voice, and outputs the data to the RAM 54. Further, the sound controller 63 drives the speaker 92 to cause the speaker 92 to output sound.

U is connected to the USB bus 60 of the south bridge 58.
The SB connector 64 is connected so that various USB devices can be connected. In addition, a memory card slot 115 and a Bluetooth communication unit 66 are provided via the USB bus 60. A memory stick (trademark) 103 is connected to the memory card slot 115.

The memory card 11 is, for example, a memory stick which is a kind of flash memory card developed by Sony Corporation, the applicant of the present application. This Memory Stick is 21.5 vertical x 50 horizontal x 2.8 [mm] thick.
Is a non-volatile memory that is electrically rewritable and erasable in a small and thin plastic case.
ically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory
), Which is a type of flash memory device, in which various data such as images, sounds, and music can be written and read out through a 10-pin terminal.

The Bluetooth communication unit 66 performs communication according to the Bluetooth standard. USB interface 58B
Transmits data to an external device connected via the USB bus 60 and receives data from the device. Although not shown, the side surface of the main body 21 has a US
B slot is provided, and it is possible to connect a device with a USB standard terminal.

The IDE interface 58C is composed of two IDE controllers, a so-called primary IDE controller and a secondary IDE controller, and a configuration register (neither is shown).

The HDD 67 is connected to the primary IDE controller via the IDE bus 62. When a so-called IDE device such as a CD-ROM drive 68 or an HDD (not shown) is attached to another IDE bus, the attached IDE device is electrically connected to the secondary IDE controller. .

The Ether connector 69 is a LAN (Local Area N
etwork) and other networks. The Ether interface 58F transmits data to the network connected to the Ether connector 69 and receives data.

The LPC bus 70 has a BIOS (Basic Input Out)
A put system) 71, an I / O (Input / Output) interface 72, and a controller 73 are connected. BI
The OS 71 is a program group that collects basic operation commands of the personal computer 1, and is, for example, a ROM (Read Only M
emory) etc. Also, the BIOS 71 is the OS
Alternatively, it controls the transfer (input / output) of data between the application program and the peripheral device.

A serial terminal 74 and a parallel terminal 75 are connected to the I / O interface 72, and data is exchanged with a device connected to each terminal. The controller 73 includes a jog dial 23 and a keyboard 2
4, a mouse 104, an AC power supply 76, etc. are connected.
Details of the controller 73 will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

A PC card interface 78 and an IEEE1394 interface 79 are connected to the PCI bus 77. The PC card interface 78 is the magnetic disk 1 mounted on the drive 121 connected to the slot 111.
31, the optical disk 132, the magneto-optical disk 133, or the data supplied from the semiconductor memory 134 is stored in the CPU.
51 or the RAM 54 and the data supplied from the CPU 51 and connected to the drive 121 are the magnetic disk 131, the optical disk 132, and the magneto-optical disk 1.
33, or output to the semiconductor memory 134. The drive 121 is connected to the PCI bus 77 via the slot 111 and the PC card interface 78.

The drive 121 includes the magnetic disk 131, the optical disk 132, and the magneto-optical disk 13 mounted therein.
3 or data recorded in the semiconductor memory 134 is read and the read data is supplied to the RAM 54.
Further, the data generated by the processing of the CPU 51 can be stored in the magnetic disk 131, the optical disk 132, the magneto-optical disk 133, or the semiconductor memory 134 mounted in the drive 121.

The IEEE1394 interface 79 is an IEEE1394 interface.
Data (data stored in a packet) that conforms to the IEEE 1394 standard is transmitted and received via the port 81.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an internal configuration example of the controller 73. The controller 73 mainly monitors data from the keyboard 24 and the mouse 104. The controller 73 includes a CPU 201. The CPU 201 executes processing according to the control program 202.

The key input monitoring program 203 is a program for monitoring the input from the keyboard 24 or the mouse 104. The special key input monitoring program 204 is a program for monitoring the input from a special key such as the jog dial 23. The special keys include, for example, a jog dial 23, a hot key, and a PPK (ProgrammablePosition).
wer Key), which is a key for which it is necessary to determine the processing corresponding to the input key via a predetermined program.

The power management program 205 is a program for managing the battery or the AC power supply 76, and controls, for example, supplying a necessary power supply voltage to each unit of the personal computer 1.

The CPU 201 uses the controller program 2
On the basis of 02, it is determined to which program the input data is to be passed, and each program, when the data is passed, determines the content of the passed data and executes the corresponding processing.

The controller 73 also includes a register 206. Although only one register 206 is shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of registers 206 are provided as necessary. The register 206 shown in FIG. 7 stores a flag indicating whether or not the power supply voltage is supplied from the AC power supply 76. South Bridge 5
8 is also provided with a register 211. In this case, the CPU 51
A flag indicating whether or not the state of dynamically changing the frequency is stored is stored.

Control program 202, key input monitoring program 203, special key input monitoring program 2
04 and the power management program 205,
When the programs are connected to the south bridge 58 by a dedicated interrupt line, and when each program receives some key input and executes processing, and outputs data to the south bridge 58, it is transmitted via these dedicated interrupt lines. It

Here, in particular, the control program 2
SMI for the dedicated line for interruption that connects 02 and the south bridge 58
As the dedicated line 221-1, the interrupt dedicated line connecting the power management program 205 and the south bridge 58 is the SCI dedicated line 2
22-1. Also, South Bridge 58 and CPU 51
Between the SMI dedicated line 221-2 for exclusively transmitting the interrupt from the control program 202 and the SC for exclusively transmitting the interrupt from the power management program 205.
I dedicated lines 222-2 are provided respectively.

A line in the LPC bus 70 may be used as the SCI dedicated line 222-1.

Next, referring to FIG. 8, the ten keyboard bay 1151 is used as an expansion bay for the personal computer 1.
An example of mounting in the bay slot 102 will be described.

The ten-keyboard bay 1151 can be attached to the personal computer 1 by inserting it in the bay slot 102 in the direction of arrow B in the figure, and by pulling it out of the bay slot 102 in the direction of arrow A in the figure. It can be removed from 1.

In FIG. 8, the ten keyboard bay 1151 is
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the ten-keyboard bay 1151 is entirely inserted in the bay slot 102 (a state in which the entire ten keyboard bay 1151 is inserted in the bay slot 102). Furthermore, ten keyboard bay 11
The ten keyboard 1152 of 51 can be pulled out from the ten keyboard bay 1151 in the direction of arrow A and the main body of the ten keyboard 152 can be inserted in the direction of arrow B so that the personal computer 1 can be stored without impairing portability. You can

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10A, the ten keyboard 1152 is the ten keyboard bay 1151.
It is locked in the state that it is stored in, and further in this state,
When the ten-key keyboard 1152 is pressed in the B direction in the figure, the lock (not shown) is released, and it is pushed out in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG. 10B by the repulsive force of an elastic body such as a spring (not shown).

The ten keyboard bay 1 shown in FIG.
The connection terminal 1161 of 151 is a connection terminal 1 provided at a position opposed to the connection terminal 1161 of the bay slot 102.
02a (FIG. 22) is electrically connected to receive power from the personal computer 1 and exchange data with various signal lines.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the electrical construction of the ten keyboard bay 1151 will be described. The ten keyboard bay 1151 is the ten keyboard bay 1171,
The ten-key keyboard 1151 and the connection terminal 1161 are connected via a bus 1172, and signals can be exchanged between them.

The control unit 1171 includes a CPU, a RAM,
It is a so-called microcomputer composed of a ROM and a ROM. Further, the control unit 1171 has a presence signal generation circuit and an ID (Identifier) signal generation circuit, which are not shown, and when connected to the personal computer 1, the connection terminal 102 of the personal computer 1 is connected.
In response to a predetermined signal input from a, the connection terminal 11
A presence signal indicating that the personal computer 1 is connected and an ID signal for identifying itself are output via 61. Further, when the numeric keyboard 1152 is operated by the user, the control unit 1171 generates a signal corresponding to the operation content and outputs the signal to the personal computer 1 via the connection terminal 1161.

Next, referring to FIG. 12, the bay slot 1
An example in which the MD drive bay 1201 is installed in 02 will be described. The MD drive bay 1201 can be attached to the personal computer 1 by inserting the MD drive bay 1201 into the bay slot 102 in the direction of arrow B in the figure, and can also be pulled out from the bay slot 102 in the direction of arrow A and removed from the personal computer 1. You can

As shown in FIG. 13A, the MD slot bay 1201 is provided with an MD slot 1202, and an MD 1204 in the MD slot 1202 is indicated by an arrow B shown in FIG. 13B.
13B, the inserted MD 1204 can be inserted into the eject button 12 as shown in FIG. 13B.
By pushing 03 in the direction of arrow B, it can be pushed out in the direction of arrow A and pulled out.

Connection terminal 121 of MD slot bay 1201
1 is a bay slot 102 of the personal computer 1.
Is electrically connected to the connection terminal 102a provided at a position opposed to the connection terminal 1211.

The MD drive bay 120 shown in FIG.
The terminal 1211 of No. 1 is the connection terminal 1 of the bay slot 102.
Connection terminal 102a provided at a position opposed to 211
(FIG. 22) and is electrically connected to the personal computer 1 to receive electric power and to exchange various data via signal lines.

Next, the electrical configuration of the MD drive bay 1201 will be described with reference to FIG. The MD drive bay 1201 includes a connection terminal 1211, a modulation / demodulation unit 1221,
The control unit 1222 and the recording / reproducing unit 1223 are connected to the bus 12
The structure is such that they are connected via 24, and signals can be exchanged between them. Modulator / demodulator 1221
Is controlled by the control unit 1222, demodulates the music data recorded in the MD 1204 and read by the recording / reproducing unit 1223, and outputs the demodulated music data to the personal computer 1 via the connection terminal 1211. Also, the modulation / demodulation unit 1221 modulates the music data supplied from the connection terminal 1211 and outputs the modulated music data to the recording / reproducing unit 1223 for recording in the MD 1204.

The control unit 1222 includes a CPU, RAM,
It is a so-called microcomputer composed of a ROM and a ROM. The control unit 1222 has a presence signal generation circuit and an ID signal generation circuit (not shown), and when connected to the personal computer 1, a predetermined signal input from the connection terminal 102 a of the personal computer 1. In response to the connection terminal 1211,
It outputs a presence signal indicating that the personal computer 1 is connected and an ID signal for identifying itself.

Furthermore, when a signal for operating the MD drive bay 1201 is input via the connection terminal 1211,
A signal corresponding to the operation content is generated, and the modulation / demodulation unit 12
21 and the recording / reproducing unit 1223 are controlled.

Next, referring to FIG. 15, the bay slot 1
An example in which the FD drive bay 1251 is installed in 02 will be described. The FD drive bay 1251 can be attached to the personal computer 1 by inserting the FD drive bay 1251 into the bay slot 102 in the direction of arrow B in the figure, and can also be pulled out from the bay slot 102 in the direction of arrow A and removed from the personal computer 1. You can

As shown in FIG. 16A, the FD slot bay 1251 is provided with an FD slot 1252, and the FD 1254 is indicated by an arrow B in FIG. 16B in the FD slot 1252.
16B, the inserted FD 1254 can be inserted into the eject button 12 as shown in FIG. 16B.
By pressing 53 in the direction of arrow B, it can be pushed out in the direction of arrow A and pulled out.

Connection terminal 126 of FD slot bay 1251
1 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 102a of the personal computer 1.

The FD drive bay 125 shown in FIG.
The connection terminal 1261 of No. 1 is the connection terminal 10 provided at a position facing the connection terminal 1261 in the bay slot 102.
2a (FIG. 22) is electrically connected to receive electric power from the personal computer 1 and exchange data with a signal line.

Next, the electrical construction of the FD drive bay 1251 will be described with reference to FIG. The FD drive bay 1251 has a structure in which a connection terminal 1261, a control unit 1272, and a recording / reproducing unit 1272 are connected via a bus 1273, and signals can be exchanged with each other.

The control section 1271 includes a CPU, RAM,
It is a so-called microcomputer composed of a ROM and a ROM. The control unit 1271 has a presence signal generation circuit and an ID signal generation circuit (not shown), and when connected to the personal computer 1, a predetermined signal input from the connection terminal 102 a of the personal computer 1. In response to the connection terminal 1261,
It outputs a presence signal indicating that the personal computer 1 is connected and an ID signal for identifying itself.

Furthermore, when a signal for operating the FD drive bay 1251 is input via the connection terminal 1261,
A signal corresponding to the operation content is generated, and the recording / reproducing unit 1
223 is controlled and data is recorded in FD1254,
Read recorded data.

Next, referring to FIG. 18, the bay slot 1
An example in which the speaker bay 1301 is attached to 02 will be described. By inserting the speaker bay 1301 into the bay slot 102 in the direction of arrow B in the figure,
It can be attached to the personal computer 1 and can be pulled out from the bay slot 102 in the direction of arrow A and removed from the personal computer 1.

As shown in FIG. 19, the speaker bay 1301 is provided with speakers 1302a and 1302b, and can output left and right stereo sound, respectively.

Connection terminal 1311 of speaker bay 1301
Is electrically connected to the connection terminal 102a of the personal computer 1.

Also, the speaker bay 1301 shown in FIG.
The connection terminal 1311 of the connection terminal 102 of the bay slot 102 is provided at a position facing the connection terminal 1311 of the bay slot 102.
a (FIG. 22) and is supplied with electric power from the personal computer 1 and exchanges data with a signal line.

Next, referring to FIG. 20, the speaker bay 1
The electrical configuration of 301 will be described. Speaker bay 1
301 has a structure in which a connection terminal 1311, a control unit 1322, and an amplifier 1322 are connected via a bus 1323, and signals are mutually exchanged.

The control section 1321 includes a CPU, a RAM,
It is a so-called microcomputer composed of a ROM and a ROM. The control unit 1321 has a presence signal generation circuit and an ID signal generation circuit (not shown), and when connected to the personal computer 1, a predetermined signal input from the connection terminal 102 a of the personal computer 1. In response to the connection terminal 1311,
It outputs a presence signal indicating that the personal computer 1 is connected and an ID signal for identifying itself.

Further, when a signal for operating the speaker bay 1301 is input through the connection terminal 1311, a signal corresponding to the operation content is generated and the amplifier 1322 is operated.
To output to the speakers 1302a and 1302b.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the EMD registration server 3. The CPU 1501 actually executes an application program such as a Web server program and an OS. The ROM 1502 generally stores basically fixed data of programs used by the CPU 1501 and parameters for calculation. RAM 1503 is a CPU 1501
Stores the program used in the execution of and the parameters that change appropriately in the execution. These are connected to each other by a host bus 64 including a CPU bus and the like.

The host bus 1504 is connected to the bridge 1505.
Via an external bus 1506 such as a PCI bus.

The keyboard 1508 is operated by the user when inputting various commands to the CPU 1501. The mouse 1509 is operated by the user when pointing or selecting points on the screen of the display 1510. The display 1510 is a liquid crystal display device (LCD: Liq).
uid Crystal Display) or CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)
It is composed of etc. and displays various information in text and image. The HDD 1511 drives hard disks, and causes them to record or reproduce programs and information executed by the CPU 1501.

The drive 1512 reads the data or program recorded in the mounted magnetic disk 1531, optical disk 1532, magneto-optical disk 1533, or semiconductor memory 1534, and transfers the data or program to the interface 1507 or external bus. 1506, bridge 1505, and host bus 15
It is supplied to the RAM 1503 connected via 04.

The keyboard 1508 to the drive 1512 are connected to the interface 1507, and the interface 1507 is a CP via the external bus 1506, the bridge 1505, and the host bus 1504.
It is connected to U1501.

The communication unit 1513 is connected to the network 2, and the data stored in the packet received via the network 2 (for example, the data necessary for registration described later or the ID of a predetermined program) is stored in the CPU 150.
1, the RAM 1503, or the HDD 1511 and outputs the data (for example, a predetermined number of authentication keys or programs) supplied from the CPU 1501 or the HDD 1511 in a packet of a predetermined method, and the data is transmitted via the network 2. And send.

The communication unit 1513 uses the CP via the external bus 1506, the bridge 1505, and the host bus 1504.
It is connected to U1501.

Since the respective configurations of the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3 are the same as the configuration of the EMD registration server 3, the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the structure near the connection terminal 102a provided in the bay slot 102 will be described with reference to FIG.

The power supply circuit 2001 is controlled by the CPU 2003, corresponds to the controller 73 of FIG. 6, and supplies power to the expansion bay via the connection terminal 102a. The power supply circuit 2001 is a 5V power output 2001 for FDD.
a, 5V power output 2001b and 3V power output 2001c
Based on a control signal from 2003, they are switched and power is supplied to the expansion bay via the connection terminal 102a.

The Super I / O IC 2002 corresponds to the controller 73 of FIG. 6, is controlled by the CPU 2003, and is connected to the FD drive bay 1 via the connection terminal 102a.
When 251 is attached to the bay slot 102 as an expansion bay, a signal for controlling the FD drive bay 1251, data to be recorded, or read data is exchanged.

The CPU 2003 is the south bridge 5 of FIG.
8 and the controller 73,
The ID stored in the memory 2004, which receives and transmits the USB signal via the connection terminal 102a and the ID signal and the presence signal transmitted from each expansion bay.
The power supply circuit 2001 is controlled so that the signal and expansion bay type table are read and corresponding power supply is performed.

When the FD drive bay 1251 is connected, the CPU 2003 determines that the LPC bus (LPC bus 70 in FIG.
(Corresponding to the above) to control the Super I / O IC to control the FD drive bay 1251.

Further, when the MD drive bay 1201 and the speaker bay 1301 are connected, the ACLINK bus (see FIG. 6)
Audio IC 200 via AC97 link bus)
5 is controlled to convert the audio signal input through the connection terminal 102a into an analog signal, which is further amplified and output to the speaker 92 to output a sound.
The analog audio signal input from the microphone 31 is digitized and output to the MD drive bay 1201 or the speaker bay 1301.

Next, the detailed structure of the connection terminal for each expansion bay will be described.

FIG. 23 shows the detailed structure of the connection terminal 1161 of the ten keyboard bay 1151. In the following description, the connection terminals 1161, 1211, 126
1, 1311 and 102a are all 42-pin terminals, and are arranged in two rows of 21 pins. The positions of the pins are terminals A1 to A21 and terminals B1 for each row.
Through B21. Also, the connection terminal 116
All of 1,1211,1261,1311 are configured to be connectable to the connection terminal 102a (for example, configured to be connected to each other in the shape of male and female).

Control unit 11 of numeric keyboard bay 1151
71 (the ID signal generating circuit (not shown)) is a 3-bit type that indicates the type of expansion bay from terminals A4 to A6 indicated by IDs 0 to 2 (in this case, it indicates that it is a ten keyboard bay).
Output ID signal. Further, the control unit 1171 (the presence signal generation circuit thereof (not shown)) outputs a presence signal indicating that it is connected from the terminal A7 indicated by PRS.

The numeric keyboard 1152 has terminals A3, A10, A13, A1 indicated by DGND (digital ground).
It will be in the state grounded by 9, A20, B3, B19, and B20. Further, the ten-key keyboard 1152 is supplied with power of 5V from terminals A9, B1 and B2 indicated by + 5V. In addition, the numeric keyboard 1152 is a USB
Data is exchanged with the personal computer 1 via terminals A11 and A12 represented by + and USB-. That is, in the ten keyboard bay 1151, signals are exchanged according to the USB standard.

Next, with reference to FIG. 24, the detailed structure of the connection terminal 1211 of the MD drive bay 1201 will be described.

Controller 1222 of MD drive bay 1201
(Not shown ID signal generating circuit) indicates the type of expansion bay from terminals A4 to A6 indicated by ID0 to ID2 (in this case,
Outputs 3-bit ID signal (indicating MD drive bay). The control unit 1222 (the presence signal generating circuit (not shown) of the control unit 1222) outputs a presence signal indicating that it is connected from the terminal A7 indicated by PRS.

The recording / reproducing unit 1223 has terminals A3, A10, A13, A19, A indicated by DGND (digital ground).
It is in a state of being grounded by 20, B3, B19, and B20. Further, the recording / reproducing unit 1223 is supplied with electric power of 3V from the terminals A21 and B21 indicated by + 3V.
Further, the recording / reproducing unit 1223 transmits / receives data to / from the personal computer 1 through terminals A11 and A12 represented by USB + and USB−. That is, MD drive bay 12
In 01, signals are exchanged according to the USB standard.

The recording / playback unit 1223 uses LINE_IN_L + and LIN.
The differential input signal of the left audio signal is received by the terminals A14 and A15 indicated by E_IN_L-, and similarly, LINE_IN_
The differential input signal of the right audio signal is received by terminals A17 and A18 indicated by R + and LINE_IN_R-.

Next, with reference to FIG. 25, the detailed structure of the connection terminal 1261 of the FD drive bay 1251 will be described.

Control unit 1271 of FD drive bay 1251
(Not shown ID signal generating circuit) indicates the type of expansion bay from terminals A4 to A6 indicated by ID0 to ID2 (in this case,
Outputs a 3-bit ID signal (indicating that it is the FD drive bay). Further, the control unit 1271 (the presence signal generating circuit thereof (not shown)) outputs a presence signal indicating that it is connected from the terminal A7 indicated by PRS.

The recording / reproducing unit 1272 has terminals A3, A10, A13, A19, A indicated by DGND (digital ground).
It is in a state of being grounded by 20, B3, B19, and B20. Further, the recording / reproducing unit 1272 receives the power supply for exclusive use of FDD having a voltage of 5 V from the terminals A1 and A2 indicated by + 5_FDDPWR. Furthermore, the recording / reproducing unit 1272 outputs to the personal computer 1 via the terminal B4 indicated by INDEX, a pulse issued every one rotation of the FD 1254, which is issued when the head position of the track is detected.

The recording / reproducing unit 1272 is also supplied with a signal for selecting one of a plurality of drives via the terminal B5 indicated by DR0. Further, the recording / reproducing unit 1272, through the terminal B6 shown by DSKCHG, the FD12
A signal indicating that 54 has been removed from the FD slot 1252 is output. The recording / reproducing unit 1272 also receives a signal for turning on the power of the motor from the terminal B7 indicated by MTR0.

Further, the recording / reproducing unit 1272 is configured so that the recording / reproducing unit 1272 is connected to the FD125 via the terminal B8 indicated by DIR.
A signal indicating a direction indicating whether data is being searched from inside to outside or outside to inside on 4 is output to the personal computer 1.

Further, the recording / reproducing unit 1272 outputs to the personal computer 1 a signal for one pulse, which is output when the search position on the FD 1254 moves one track, via the terminal B9 indicated by STEP.

Further, the recording / reproducing unit 1272 receives the data to be written in the FD 1254 via the terminal B10 indicated by WDATA. The recording / reproducing unit 1272 is a WGAT.
A signal designating the period from the start to the end of writing to the FD 1254 is received via the terminal B11 indicated by E. Further, the recording / reproducing unit 1272 has a terminal B12 indicated by TRK0.
A signal indicating that the head is present at track number 0 on the FD 1254 is output via.

Further, the recording / reproducing section 1272 outputs a signal notifying that writing is prohibited to the personal computer 1 through the terminal B13 shown by WP. Further, the recording / reproducing unit 1272 has a terminal B1 indicated by RDATA.
The data read out from the FD 1254 is output to the personal computer 1 via 4. In addition, the recording / reproducing unit 12
The 72 receives a signal for designating whether the position is the front or the back on the FD 1254 at the time of reading or writing via the terminal B15 indicated by HDSEL.

Next, referring to FIG. 26, the speaker bay 1
A detailed configuration of the connection terminal 1311 of the 301 will be described.

Control unit 1321 of speaker bay 1301
(Not shown ID signal generating circuit) indicates the type of expansion bay from terminals A4 to A6 indicated by ID0 to ID2 (in this case,
Outputs 3-bit ID signal (indicating the speaker bay). Further, the control unit 1321 (the presence signal generating circuit (not shown)) outputs a presence signal indicating that it is connected from the terminal A7 indicated by PRS. Also,
The control unit 1301 receives a command for muting audio (command for stopping audio output) via the terminal A8 indicated by BAY_MUTE.

The amplifier 1322 is supplied with electric power of 5V from the terminals A9, B1 and B2 indicated by + 5V.
Further, the amplification unit 1322 is AGND (analog ground)
Analog grounding is performed via terminals A16 and B17 indicated by.

Further, the amplifying section 1322 uses SPOUT_R and SPO.
The right and left analog audio signals are received and amplified by the terminals B16 and B18 indicated by UT_L, and this is amplified by the speaker 1
It outputs to 302a and 1302b.

Next, with reference to FIG. 27, a detailed structure of the connection terminal 102a of the personal computer 1 will be described. The terminals A1 and A2 indicated by + 5V_FDDPWER supply power of 5V dedicated to the FD drive bay 1251 from the power output 2001a of the power circuit 2001. Terminals indicated by DGND A3, A10, A13, A19, A20, B
3, B19 and B20 are terminals of digital ground. The terminals A4, A5, A6 indicated by ID0 to ID2 are terminals for receiving the ID signal supplied from the connected expansion bay. Specifically, terminals A4, A5, A6 shown by IDs 0 to 2
Is a terminal for outputting a predetermined signal to the expansion bay and receiving an ID signal as a response signal thereof. The terminal A7 indicated by PRS is a terminal for receiving the presence signal supplied from the connected expansion bay. Specifically, the terminal A7 indicated by PRS is a terminal that outputs a predetermined signal to the expansion bay and receives a presence signal as a response signal thereof.

The terminal A8 indicated by BAY_MUTE is a terminal for supplying a mute signal when the speaker bay 1301 is connected. The terminals A9, B1 and B2 indicated by + 5V are
This is a terminal for supplying 5V of power to the connected expansion bay. The terminals A11 and A12 indicated by USB + and USB- are US
This is the terminal that sends and receives the signal specified by B. LINE_IN_L +
The terminals A14 and A15 indicated by LINE_IN_L- are terminals for supplying a differential signal of the left audio signal, and similarly, the terminals A1 indicated by LINE_IN_R + and LINE_IN_R-.
Reference numerals 7 and A18 are terminals for supplying a differential signal of the right audio signal.

The terminals A16 and B17 indicated by AGND are terminals for analog ground. The terminals A21 and B21 indicated by + 3V are terminals that supply power of 3V to the connected expansion bay.

The terminal B4 indicated by INDEX is FD1254.
This is a terminal for receiving a signal which is issued every 1 rotation of, and which is issued when the head position of the track is detected. DR0
The terminal B5 indicated by supplies a signal for selecting one of the plurality of drives. Terminal B6 indicated by DSKCHG
Is a terminal to which a signal indicating that the FD 1254 is removed from the FD slot 1252 is supplied. The terminal B7 indicated by MTR0 is a terminal for supplying a signal for turning on the power source of the motor of the FD drive bay 1251.

The terminal B8 indicated by DIR is a terminal for receiving a signal indicating a direction indicating whether data is being searched from inside to outside or from outside to inside on the FD1254. The terminal B9 indicated by STEP is a terminal for receiving a signal for one pulse that is output when the search position on the FD 1254 moves one track. Terminal B10 indicated by WDATA
Is a terminal for supplying data for writing to the FD 1254. The terminal B11 indicated by WGATE is a terminal that supplies a signal that specifies the period from the start to the end of writing to the FD 1254. The terminal B12 indicated by TRK0 has an FD head
It is a terminal for receiving a signal indicating that it exists in the track number 0 on 1254.

The terminal B13 indicated by WP is a terminal for receiving a signal notifying that writing is prohibited. RDATA
The terminal B14 indicated by is a terminal for receiving the data read from the FD 1254. Terminal B15 indicated by HDSEL
When reading or writing, the position is FD12
54 is a terminal for supplying a signal designating the front side or the back side.

Terminals B16 and B1 indicated by SPOUT_R and SPOUT_L
8 is the speaker 1302a, 1 on the right side and the speaker 1 on the left side, respectively, when the speaker bay 1301 is connected.
A terminal for supplying an audio signal output from 302b.

Next, the ID signal for identifying the expansion bay will be described. The ID signal is composed of a 3-bit signal that identifies the type of expansion bay. These ID signals are generated by an ID signal generation circuit (not shown) of the control unit for each expansion bay, and as a response signal to a predetermined signal input from the personal computer 1 when the connection terminal is connected.
Output ID signal.

This ID signal is set corresponding to the expansion bay, and as shown in FIG. 28, the numeric keyboard bay 1
In the case of 151, the ID signal generation circuit of the control unit 1171 causes the terminals A4 to 0 indicated by ID0 to be changed to the terminal A5 indicated by ID1.
By outputting 1 to 1 and 0 from the terminal A6 indicated by ID2, a 3-bit signal of (ID0, ID1, ID2) = (0, 1, 0) is output as an ID signal for identifying the numeric keyboard bay. Further, in the case of the MD drive bay 1201, the ID signal generating circuit of the control unit 1222 has the terminal A4 indicated by ID0.
To ID 0, the terminal A5 to 0 indicated by ID1 and the terminal A6 to ID 1 indicated by ID2 are output (ID0, ID1, ID2)
In the case of the FD drive bay 1251, the ID signal generation circuit of the control unit 1271 of the 3-bit signal of = (0, 0, 1) causes the terminals A4 to 0 indicated by ID0 to the terminal A5 indicated by ID1.
To 0 and the terminal A6 indicated by ID2 to output 0 to output a 3-bit signal of (ID0, ID1, ID2) = (0, 0, 0) in the speaker bay 1301.
The ID signal generating circuit 321 outputs 0 from the terminal A4 indicated by ID0.
, Terminals A5 to 1 indicated by ID1 and terminals A6 indicated by ID2
By outputting 1 to (ID0, ID1, ID2) =
The 3-bit signal (0, 1, 1) is output.

Memory 200 of personal computer 1
4, a BIOS (corresponding to the BIOS 71 in FIG. 6) is stored, and there is a table in which the types of expansion bays corresponding to the above-mentioned signals of ID 0 to 2 are recorded by the BIOS.
The 2003 can identify the type of the expansion bay currently connected based on the ID signal input from the connected expansion bay.

The ID signal does not necessarily have to be composed of 3 bits. For example, one of the DGND terminals may be used as a terminal showing ID3 so that it has 4 bits. The number of bits may be the above. By doing so, it is possible to increase the types of ID signals and identify more expansion bays. Also,
The table shown in FIG. 28 can be updated by rewriting the BIOS.

Next, the expansion bay switching processing will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In step S1, the CPU 2003
It is determined whether or not a presence signal is input through the terminal A7 of the connection terminal 102a, and the process is repeated until it is determined that the presence signal is input.

For example, it is assumed that the ten keyboard bay 1151 is inserted into the bay slot 102. Here, the bay switching processing of the ten keyboard bay 1151 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S21, the control unit 1171.
Determines whether the connection terminal 1161 is connected to the connection terminal 102a of the bay slot 102 of the personal computer 1 and repeats the process until it is connected. In this case, ten keyboard bay 1151 is bay slot 1
02 is inserted, the process proceeds to step S22.

In step S22, the control unit 1171.
Controls the terminal A7 to output a presence signal.

More specifically, in step S1 of FIG. 29, the CPU 2003 sends a predetermined signal to the connection terminal 102a.
Is output to the terminal A7 of the connection terminal 1161 of the ten keyboard bay 1151. A presence signal generation circuit (not shown) of the control unit 1171 generates a presence signal as a response signal to the predetermined signal and connects it to the connection terminal 116.
It is output from the terminal A7 of 1. That is, here, the presence signal generation circuit (not shown) of the control unit 1171 only outputs the presence signal as a predetermined response signal in response to the input predetermined signal, and the control unit 1171.
Does not execute processing by receiving other power supply.

Here, in step S1 of FIG.
The CPU 2003 receives the presence signal from the ten keyboard bay 1151 via the terminal A7 of the connection terminal 102a, and the processing proceeds to step S2.

At this time, in step S23 of FIG. 30, the controller 1171 of the ten keyboard bay 1151
The terminals A4 to A6 of the connection terminal 1161 are controlled to output an ID signal for identifying itself. In this case, (ID0, ID1, ID2) = (0, 1, 0) is output as shown in FIG.

More specifically, in the process of step S1 of FIG. 29, the CPU 2003 sends a predetermined signal to the connection terminal 102a.
From the terminals A4 to A6 to the terminals A4 to A6 of the connection terminal 1161 of the ten keyboard bay 1151. An ID signal generation circuit (not shown) of the control unit 1171 generates an ID signal as a response signal to this predetermined signal and outputs it from the terminals A4 to A6 of the connection terminal 1161. That is, here, the ID signal generating circuit of the control unit 1171 responds to the input predetermined signal as an ID signal as a predetermined response signal.
Only the signal is output, and the control unit 1171 does not receive the other power supply to execute the process.

At step S2 (FIG. 29), the CPU2
003 detects the ID signal from the numeric keyboard bay 1151 via the terminals A4 to A6 of the connection terminal 102a.

At step S3, the CPU 2003
Determines the type of expansion bay connected. In this case, since the ID signal is (ID0, ID1, ID2) = (0, 1, 0), the CPU 2003 refers to the table stored in the memory 2004, and the connected expansion bay is the ten keyboard. It is determined that the bay 1151 is recognized.

At step S4, the CPU 2003
It is determined whether the identified expansion bay is a numeric keyboard bay. In this case, since the connected expansion bay is the ten keyboard bay 1151, it is determined to be the ten keyboard bay, and the process proceeds to step S5.

At step S5, the CPU 2003
The power supply circuit 2001 is controlled to output power of 5V to the ten keyboard bay 1151 from the power output 2001b via the terminals A9, B1 and B2 of the connection terminal 102a.
At this time, the CPU 2003 determines that the terminals A10, A13, A1
9, A20, B3, B19, B20 are used for grounding as DGND (digital ground).

At this time, the ten keyboard 1152 of the ten keyboard bay 1151 is
Power is supplied from the connection terminals A9, B1 and B2 at a voltage of 5V. At this time, the numeric keyboard 1152 has terminals A10, A13, A19, A20, B3, B19, B.
20 is used for grounding as DGND (digital ground).

At step S6, the CPU 2003
Connect the signal line of the connection terminal 102a to the ten keyboard bay 115.
Established to correspond to 1. That is, the CPU 2003
Is a signal line that serves as terminals A11 and A of the connection terminal 102a.
Twelve USB + and USB− are established as signal lines, and the process returns to step S1.

Further, for example, it is assumed that the MD drive bay 1201 is inserted into the bay slot 102. here,
Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 31, MD drive bay 1
The bay switching process of 201 will be described.

In step S31, the control unit 1222
Determines whether the connection terminal 1211 is connected to the connection terminal 102a of the bay slot 102 of the personal computer 1, and repeats the process until it is connected. In this case, the MD drive bay 1201 is the bay slot 102.
Is inserted, the process proceeds to step S32.

In step S32, the control unit 1222
Controls the terminal A7 to output a presence signal.

More specifically, in the process of step S1 of FIG. 29, the CPU 2003 sends a predetermined signal to the connection terminal 102a.
Connection terminal 12 of MD drive bay 1201 from terminal A7
11 to terminal A7. A presence signal generation circuit (not shown) of the control unit 1222 generates a presence signal as a response signal of this predetermined signal and outputs it from the terminal A7 of the connection terminal 1211. That is, here, the control unit 1
A presence signal generation circuit (not shown) 222 only outputs a presence signal as a predetermined response signal in response to an input predetermined signal, and the control unit 1222 receives another power supply to perform processing. It's not running.

Here, in step S1 of FIG.
The CPU 2003 receives the M through the terminal A7 of the connection terminal 102a.
The presence signal from the D drive bay 1201 is received, and the process proceeds to step S2.

At this time, in step S33 of FIG. 31, the control unit 1222 of the MD drive bay 1201 controls the terminals A4 to A6 of the connection terminal 1211 to output an ID signal for identifying itself. In this case, since it is the MD drive bay 1201 as shown in FIG. 28, (ID0, ID
1,1,2) = (0,0,1) is output.

More specifically, in the process of step S1 of FIG. 29, the CPU 2003 sends a predetermined signal to the connection terminal 102a.
Output from the terminals A4 to A6 to the terminals A4 to A6 of the connection terminal 1211 of the MD drive bay 1201. Control unit 1
An ID signal generation circuit (not shown) 222 generates an ID signal as a response signal to the predetermined signal, and the connection terminal 1
It is output from the terminals A4 to A6 of 211. That is, here, the ID signal generating circuit of the control unit 1222 only outputs the ID signal as a predetermined response signal to the input predetermined signal, and the control unit 1222 supplies other power. It has not received and processed.

At step S2 (FIG. 29), the CPU2
003 detects the ID signal from the MD drive bay 1201 via the terminals A4 to A6 of the connection terminal 102a.

At step S3, the CPU 2003
Determines the type of expansion bay connected. In this case, since the ID signal is (ID0, ID1, ID2) = (0, 0, 1), the CPU 2003 refers to the table stored in the memory 2004, and the connected expansion bay is the MD drive. It is determined that the bay 1201 is recognized.

At step S4, the CPU 2003
It is determined whether the identified expansion bay is a numeric keyboard bay. In this case, since the connected expansion bay is the MD drive bay 1201, it is determined that the identified expansion bay is not the ten keyboard bay, and the process proceeds to step S7.

At step S7, the CPU 2003
Determine whether the identified expansion bay is an MD drive bay. In this case, the connected expansion bay is the MD drive bay 1201, so the processing proceeds to step S8.

At step S8, the CPU 2003
The power supply circuit 2001 is controlled to output the power of 3V to the MD drive bay 1201 from the power supply output 2001c via the terminals A21 and B21 of the connection terminal 102a. At this time, the CPU 2003 determines that the terminals A10, A13, A19, A
20, B3, B19, B20 are used for grounding as DGND (digital ground).

At this time, the recording / reproducing unit 1223 of the MD drive bay 1201 is supplied with the power of 3V through the connection terminals A21 and B21 in step S34. The numeric keyboard 1152 has terminals A10, A
13, A19, A20, B3, B19, B20 are connected to DGND
Used as ground (digital ground).

At step S9, the CPU 2003
The signal line of the connection terminal 102a is established so as to correspond to the MD drive bay 1201. That is, the CPU 2003
As the signal line, the terminals A11 and A12 of the connection terminal 102a are used.
USB + and USB- for control signals, and terminal A1
4, A15 as LINE_IN_L +, LINE_IN_L- as the differential input of the left side audio, and terminals A17 and A18 as LINE_IN_.
Signal lines are established by using R + and LINE_IN_R− as differential inputs of the right audio, and the process returns to step S1.

Further, for example, the FD drive bay 1251
Shall be inserted into the bay slot 102. Here, the bay switching processing of the FD drive bay 1251 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

At step S41, the control unit 1272.
Determines whether the connection terminal 1211 is connected to the connection terminal 102a of the bay slot 102 of the personal computer 1, and repeats the process until it is connected. In this case, the FD drive bay 1251 is the bay slot 102.
Is inserted, the process proceeds to step S42.

In step S42, the control unit 1272.
Controls the terminal A7 to output a presence signal.

More specifically, in the process of step S1 of FIG. 29, the CPU 2003 sends a predetermined signal to the connection terminal 102a.
Connection terminal 12 of FD drive bay 1251 from terminal A7
61 to the terminal A7. The presence signal generation circuit (not shown) of the control unit 1271 generates a presence signal as a response signal of this predetermined signal and outputs it from the terminal A7 of the connection terminal 1261. That is, here, the control unit 1
A presence signal generation circuit (not shown) 271 only outputs a presence signal as a predetermined response signal in response to an input predetermined signal, and the control unit 1271 receives another power supply to perform processing. It's not running.

Here, in step S1 of FIG.
The CPU 2003 is connected to the F terminal via the terminal A7 of the connection terminal 102a.
The presence signal from the D drive bay 1201 is received, and the process proceeds to step S2.

At this time, in step S43 of FIG. 32, the control unit 1272 of the FD drive bay 1251 controls the terminals A4 to A6 of the connection terminal 1261 to output the ID signal for identifying itself. In this case, (ID0, ID1, ID2) = (0,0,0) is output as shown in FIG.

More specifically, in the process of step S1 of FIG. 29, the CPU 2003 sends a predetermined signal to the connection terminal 102a.
From the terminals A4 to A6 of the FD drive bay 1251 to the terminals A4 to A6 of the connection terminal 1261 of the FD drive bay 1251. Control unit 1
An ID signal generating circuit (not shown) 271 generates an ID signal as a response signal to the predetermined signal, and the connection terminal 1
It is output from terminals A4 to A6 of H.261. That is, here, the ID signal generation circuit of the control unit 1271 only outputs the ID signal as a predetermined response signal to the input predetermined signal, and the control unit 1271 supplies other power. It has not received and processed.

At step S2 (FIG. 29), the CPU2
003 detects the ID signal from the FD drive bay 1251 via the terminals A4 to A6 of the connection terminal 102a.

At step S3, the CPU 2003
Determines the type of expansion bay connected. In this case, since the ID signal is (ID0, ID1, ID2) = (0, 0, 0), the CPU 2003 refers to the table stored in the memory 2004 and the connected expansion bay is the FD drive. It is determined that the bay 1251 is recognized.

At step S4, the CPU 2003
It is determined whether the identified expansion bay is a numeric keyboard bay. In this case, since the connected expansion bay is the FD drive bay 1251, it is determined that the identified expansion bay is not the ten keyboard bay, and the process proceeds to step S7.

At step S7, the CPU 2003
Determine whether the identified expansion bay is an MD drive bay. In this case, since the connected expansion bay is the FD drive bay 1251, it is determined that the identified expansion bay is not the MD drive bay, and the process is step S10.
Proceed to.

In step S10, the CPU 2003
Determines whether the identified expansion bay is an FD drive bay. In this case, since the connected expansion bay is the FD drive bay 1251, the processing is step S11.
Proceed to.

In step S11, the CPU 2003
Controls the power supply circuit 2001 to output the power of 5V dedicated to FDD to the FD drive bay 1251 from the power supply output 2001a via the terminals A1 and A2 of the connection terminal 102a. At this time, the CPU 2003 determines that the terminals A10, A13,
A19, A20, B3, B19 and B20 are used for grounding as DGND (digital ground).

The recording / reproducing unit 1272 of the FD drive bay 1251 determines in step S44 that the connection terminal A2
The power supply of the voltage of 3V is received via 1, B21. At this time, the numeric keyboard 1152 has terminals A10 and A1.
3, A19, A20, B3, B19, B20 to DGND
Used as ground (digital ground).

At step S9, the CPU 2003
The signal line of the connection terminal 102a is established so as to correspond to the FD drive bay 1251. That is, the CPU 2003
As the signal line, the terminals A11 and A12 of the connection terminal 102a are used.
As USB +, USB-, terminal B4 as INDEX, terminal B5 as DRC, terminal B6 as DSKCHG, and terminal B7 as
MTR0, terminal B8 as DIR, terminal B9 as STEP, terminal B10 as WDATA, terminal B11 as WGATE, terminal B12 as TRK0, terminal B13 as WP, terminal B14 as RDATA and terminal B15 as HDSEL. , The respective signal lines are established, and the processing is performed in step S
Return to 1.

Further, for example, it is assumed that the speaker bay 1301 is inserted into the bay slot 102. Here, referring to the flowchart in FIG. 33, the speaker bay 130
The bay switching process of No. 1 will be described.

In step S51, the controller 1321
Determines whether or not the connection terminal 1311 is connected to the connection terminal 102a of the bay slot 102 of the personal computer 1, and repeats the process until it is connected. In this case, since the speaker bay 1301 is inserted into the bay slot 102, the processing proceeds to step S52.

In step S52, the control unit 1321
Controls the terminal A7 to output a presence signal.

More specifically, in the process of step S1 of FIG. 29, the CPU 2003 sends a predetermined signal to the connection terminal 102a.
From the terminal A7 of the connection terminal 131 of the speaker bay 1301
1 to the terminal A7. The presence signal generation circuit (not shown) of the control unit 1321 generates a presence signal as a response signal of this predetermined signal and outputs it from the terminal A7 of the connection terminal 1311. That is, here, the control unit 13
The presence signal generation circuit (not shown) 21 only outputs a presence signal as a predetermined response signal to the input predetermined signal, and the control unit 1321 receives another power supply to perform processing. It's not running.

Here, in step S1 of FIG.
The CPU 2003 receives the presence signal from the speaker bay 1301 via the terminal A7 of the connection terminal 102a,
The process proceeds to step S2.

At this time, in step S53 of FIG. 33, the control unit 1321 of the speaker bay 1301 controls the terminals A4 to A6 of the connection terminal 1311 to output an ID signal for identifying itself. In this case, (ID0, ID1, ID2) = (0, 1, 1) is output as shown in FIG.

More specifically, in the process of step S1 of FIG. 29, the CPU 2003 sends a predetermined signal to the connection terminal 102a.
Output from the terminals A4 to A6 to the terminals A4 to A6 of the connection terminal 1311 of the speaker bay 1301. Control unit 13
An ID signal generation circuit (not shown) 21 generates an ID signal as a response signal to the predetermined signal, and the connection terminal 13
It is output from the terminals A4 to A6 of 11. That is, here, the ID signal generation circuit of the control unit 1321 only outputs the ID signal as a predetermined response signal to the input predetermined signal, and the control unit 1321 supplies other power. It has not received and processed.

At step S2 (FIG. 29), the CPU2
003 detects the ID signal from the speaker bay 1301 via the terminals A4 to A6 of the connection terminal 102a.

In step S3, the CPU 2003
Determines the type of expansion bay connected. In this case, since the ID signal is (ID0, ID1, ID2) = (0, 1, 1), the CPU 2003 refers to the table stored in the memory 2004, and the connected expansion bay is the speaker bay. 1
Recognize that it is 301 and decide.

At step S4, the CPU 2003
It is determined whether the identified expansion bay is a numeric keyboard bay. In this case, since the connected expansion bay is the speaker bay 1251, it is determined that it is not the ten keyboard bay, and the process proceeds to step S7.

At step S7, the CPU 2003
Determine whether the identified expansion bay is an MD drive bay. In this case, since the connected expansion bay is the speaker bay, it is determined that it is not the MD drive bay, and the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S10, the CPU 2003
Determines whether the identified expansion bay is an FD drive bay. In this case, since the connected expansion bay is the speaker bay 1301, it is determined that it is not the FD drive bay 1251. That is, the connected expansion bay is not a numeric keyboard bay, MD drive bay, or FD drive bay, so it is determined to be a speaker bay (in this case, there are only four types of expansion bays). Therefore, the process proceeds to step S13.

At step S13, the CPU 2003
Controls the power supply circuit 2001 to supply the power of 5V from the power supply output 2001b through the connection terminals A9, B1, and B2. At this time, the CPU 2003 determines that the connection terminal 10
The terminals A16 and B17 of 2a are used for grounding as AGND (analog ground).

At this time, the amplification section 1322 of the speaker bay 1301 determines in step S54 that the connection terminal A9,
Power is supplied at a voltage of 5 V via B1 and B2. The amplifier 1322 connects the terminals A16 and B17 to AGND.
Used as ground (analog ground).

In step S14, the CPU 2003
Connect the signal line of the connection terminal 102a to the speaker bay 1301.
Establish to correspond to. That is, the CPU 2003
Connect the terminals B16 and A18 of the connection terminal 102a to SPOUT_
Signal lines are established as R and SPOUT_L, and the process returns to step S1.

Through the above processing, even when the power supply voltages of the plurality of expansion bays mounted in the bay slot 102 are different from each other, the expansion bay mounted in the bay slot 102 is identified and the corresponding power is supplied. Therefore, it is not necessary to install a device for boosting or lowering (transforming) the voltage of the power supply used in the expansion bay,
The cost of the expansion bay can be reduced, and the size can be reduced. In the above example, an example in which electric power (power source) having a different voltage is supplied has been described, but the current value may be different. Furthermore, if there are power supply characteristics that are different from the voltage and current in addition to voltage (for example, if the power supply is an alternating current, or if the frequency is different), provide a power supply with each characteristic individually. Alternatively, they may be switched depending on the type of expansion bay.

Further, since it becomes possible to supply a plurality of power supplies according to the voltage, for example, as shown in FIG. 34, it is necessary to provide a multi-function bay having a plurality of expansion functions according to the power supplies. can do. That is, as shown in FIGS. 23 to 25, all the connection terminals have the same 42-pin structure and each signal line is individually provided. , And the FD drive bay may be set. In this example, the control unit 135
1 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, RAM, and ROM as in the above, and the ROM stores the ID signals of the numeric keyboard bay, MD drive bay, and FD drive bay, respectively. To terminals A5 to A7 forming the personal computer 1
To output sequentially.

However, in this case, each function needs to be miniaturized in terms of configuration. The bay switching process in this case is the same as the process described with reference to FIGS. 29 to 32, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the function realized by executing a predetermined program when the personal computer 1 is equipped with the MD drive bay 1201 will be described.

FIG. 35 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the personal computer 1 realized by executing a predetermined program of the CPU 51 and the like. The content management program 2311 is the EMD selection program 233.
1. Check-in / check-out management program 23
32, encryption method conversion program 2333, compression method conversion program 2334, encryption program 2335, usage condition conversion program 2336, signature management program 23
37, authentication program 2338, decryption program 233
9, bay slot driver 2340, purchase driver 2
341, and a plurality of programs such as a purchase driver 2342.

The content management program 2311 is described by, for example, shuffled instructions or encrypted instructions, and hides the processing contents from the outside, making it difficult to read the processing contents (for example, The instruction cannot be specified even if the user directly reads the content management program 2311).

The EMD selection program 2331 is not included in the content management program 2311 when the content management program 2311 is installed in the personal computer 1, and the EMD registration server 2331 is not included in the content management program 2311 through the network 2 in the EMD registration processing described later. 3 received. The EMD selection program 2331 is
By selecting connection with any of the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3, the purchasing application 2315 or the purchasing driver 2341 or 2342 communicates with any of the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3 (for example, When downloading content, download the content).

The check-in / check-out management program 2332 uses the check-in or check-out settings and the use condition files 2362-1 to 2362 recorded in the content database 2314.
Content files 2361-1 through 236-2 based on N.
MD1204 contents stored in 361-N
-1 to 1204-3, or check in the contents stored in MD 1204-1 to 1204-3.

The check-in / check-out management program 2332 corresponds to the check-in or check-out process and uses condition files 2362-1 to 236 recorded in the content database 2314.
Update the usage condition data stored in 2-N.

The encryption method conversion program 2333 receives the encryption method of the content received from the EMD server 4-1 by the purchasing application program 2315 via the network 2, and the purchasing driver 2341 receives it from the EMD server 4-2. The content file 2 in which the content database 2314 records the content encryption method or the content encryption method received by the purchasing driver 2342 from the EMD server 4-3.
The contents are converted into the same encryption method as the contents stored in 361-1 to 2361-N.

Also, the encryption method conversion program 2333
Converts content to be checked out to an encryption method that can be used by MD 1204-1 or 1204-3 when checking out content to MD 1204-1 or 1204-3.

The compression method conversion program 2334 compresses the content received by the purchasing application program 2315 from the EMD server 4-1 via the network 2 and the content received by the purchasing driver 2341 from the EMD server 4-2. Content file 2361 in which the content database 2314 records the compression method of the above or the compression method of the content received by the purchase driver 2342 from the EMD server 4-3.
-1 to 2361-N is converted to the same compression method as the content stored.

A compression method conversion program 2334
When checking out the content to MD 1204-1 or 1204-3, converts the content to be checked out into a compression method that can be used by MD 1204-1 or 1204-3.

The encryption program 2335 is, for example, a CD
The content (not encrypted) read from the recording program 2313 is encrypted with the same content as the content stored in the content files 2361-1 to 2361-N recorded in the content database 2314. Encryption method.

The use condition conversion program 2336 is a data (so-called Usage Rule) indicating the use condition of the content received from the EMD server 4-1 by the purchasing application program 2315 via the network 2.
The content database 2314 records the data indicating the usage condition of the content received by the purchasing driver 2341 from the EMD server 4-2 or the data indicating the usage condition of the content received by the purchasing driver 2342 from the EMD server 4-3. Usage condition file 236
Convert to the same format as the usage rule data stored in 2-1 to 2362-N.

Further, the usage rule conversion program 2336
When checking out content to MD1204-1 or 1204-3, MD1204-1 displays the data of the usage condition corresponding to the content to be checked out.
Alternatively, 1204-3 converts the data into usable condition data.

The signature management program 2337 uses the usage rule data stored in the usage rule files 2362-1 to 2362-N recorded in the content database 2314 before executing the check-in or check-out process. The tampering of the usage condition data is detected based on the included signature (described later). The signature management program 2337 is used by the usage rule files 2362-1 to 236 recorded in the content database 2314 in accordance with the check-in or check-out process.
Corresponding to the update of the usage rule data stored in 2-N, the signature included in the usage rule data is updated.

The authentication program 2338 executes mutual authentication processing between the content management program 2311 and the purchasing application program 2315, and mutual authentication processing between the content management program 2311 and the purchasing driver 2341. In addition, the authentication program 233
8 is a process of mutual authentication between the EMD server 4-1 and the purchase application program 2315, and the EMD server 4
-2 and the purchase driver 2341, and the authentication key used in the mutual authentication process between the EMD server 4-3 and the purchase driver 2342 are stored.

The authentication key used by the authentication program 2338 in the mutual authentication process is the content management program 231.
1 is installed in the personal computer 1 and is not stored in the authentication program 2338, and when the display / operation instruction program 2312 normally executes the registration process, it is supplied from the EMD registration server 3 to the authentication program 2338. Remembered.

The decryption program 2339 decrypts the content when the personal computer 1 reproduces the content stored in the content files 2361-1 to 2361-N recorded in the content database 2314.

The bay slot driver 2340 is the MD1
When checking out a predetermined content to 204-2 or checking in a predetermined content from the MD 1204-2, the MD 1204-2 is supplied with a content or a command for causing the MD 1204-2 to execute a predetermined process.

The bay slot driver 2340 is the MD1
When checking out a predetermined content to 204-1 or checking in a predetermined content from MD 1204-1, the content is sent to the MD drive bay 1201 via the connection terminal 102a, or the predetermined processing is performed to the MD drive bay 1201. Supply the command to be executed.

The bayslot driver 2340 uses the MD1
When a predetermined content is checked out to the 204-3 or a predetermined content is checked in from the MD 1204-3, the content or the connection terminal 102 is input to the MD drive bay 1201 via the connection terminal 102a.
A command for executing a predetermined process is supplied to the MD drive bay 1201 via a.

The purchase driver 2341 is a so-called plug-in program, is installed together with the content management program 2311, and is installed in the EMD registration server 3
From the network 2 or a predetermined C
Recorded in D and supplied. Purchase driver 2341
When installed in the personal computer 1, transmits and receives data to and from the content management program 2311 via an interface of a predetermined format included in the content management program 2311.

[0240] The purchase driver 2341 requests the EMD server 4-2 to transmit a predetermined content via the network 2 and receives the content from the EMD server 4-2. In addition, the purchase driver 2341
When receiving the content from the EMD server 4-2, a billing process is executed.

The purchase driver 2342 is a program installed together with the content management program 2311, and the EMD server 4 is connected via the network 2.
-3 to request transmission of the specified content, and E
The contents are received from the MD server 4-3. Further, the purchase driver 2342 executes a charging process when receiving the content from the EMD server 4-3.

The display operation instruction program 2312 includes a filtering data file 2381, a display data file 2382, and image files 2383-1 to 2383-.
K, or based on the history data file 2384, an image of a predetermined window is displayed on the display 20, and a process such as check-in or check-out to the content management program 2311 is executed based on the operation of the keyboard 18 or the mouse 19. Instruct.

Filtering data file 2381
Stores data for weighting the contents stored in the content files 2361-1 to 2361-N recorded in the content database 2314 and is recorded in the HDD 67.

The display data file 2382 stores data corresponding to the contents stored in the content files 2361-1 to 2361-N recorded in the content database 2314 and recorded in the HDD 67.

Image files 2383-1 through 2383-
K stores an image corresponding to the content files 2361-1 to 2361-N recorded in the content database 2314, or an image corresponding to a package described later, and is recorded in the HDD 67.

Below, the image files 2383-1 through 23-23
When it is not necessary to individually distinguish the 83-K, it is simply referred to as the image file 2383.

The history data file 2384 is a history of the number of times the content stored in the content files 2361-1 to 2361-N recorded in the content database 2314 has been checked out, checked in, and dated. Store data in HD
Recorded in D67.

At the time of registration processing, the display / operation instruction program 2312 transmits the ID of the content management program 2311 stored in advance to the EMD registration server 3 via the network 2 and performs authentication from the EMD registration server 3. The management key and EMD selection program 2331 are received, and the authentication key and EMD selection program 2331 is supplied to the content management program 2311.

The recording program 2313 displays an image in a predetermined window, and based on the operation of the keyboard 18 or the mouse 19, the data such as the recording time of the content is recorded from the CD which is the optical disk 42 mounted in the drive 121. read out.

The recording program 2313 uses the recording time of the contents recorded on the CD or the like to send the CD to the WWW server 5-1 or 5-2 via the network 2.
From the WWW server 5-1 or 5-2 while requesting the transmission of the data (for example, the album name or the artist name) or the data (for example, the song name) corresponding to the content recorded on the CD. CD
And data corresponding to the content recorded on the CD are received.

The recording program 2313 receives the received CD
The display operation instruction program 231
Supply to 2.

When a recording instruction is input, the recording program 2313 reads the contents from the CD which is the optical disc 42 mounted in the drive 121,
It is output to the content management program 2311.

The content database 2314 is compressed by a predetermined method supplied from the content management program 2311, and the content encrypted by the predetermined method is stored in the content files 2361-1 to 2361-.
Store in any of N (record in HDD 67). The content database 2314 is the content file 2
The usage rule data corresponding to the contents stored in each of the 361-1 to 2361-N is converted into the usage rule file 23 corresponding to each of the content files 2361-1 to 2361-N in which the contents are stored.
62-1 to 2362-N (HDD
67).

The content database 2314 may record the content files 2361-1 to 2361-N or the usage rule files 2362-1 to 2362-N as records.

For example, the content file 2361-1
The usage rule data corresponding to the content stored in is stored in the usage rule file 2362-1. The usage rule data corresponding to the content stored in the content file 2361-N is stored in the usage rule file 2362-N.

Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the content files 2361-1 to 2361-N, they are simply referred to as the content file 2361. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the usage rule files 2362-1 to 2362-N, the usage rule file 236 is simply used.
2.

FIG. 36 shows the usage rule file 2362-1.
6 is a diagram showing an example of usage condition data stored in 2362-N. FIG. The content ID is data that identifies the content stored in each of the content files 2361-1 or 2361-N. Checkout is possible by setting either "YES" or "NO", and when "YES" is set,
Content management program 2311 is the content ID
The content specified by the MD1204-1 through MD1204-1
You can check out to any of 4-3.
When "NO" is set for checkout,
Content management program 2311 is the content ID
The content specified by the MD1204-1 through MD1204-1
Do not check out to any of 4-3.

The number of possible checkouts is set to the number of checkouts that can be executed by the content management program 2311. Content management program 2311
Performs a single checkout, the available checkout count is decremented. When the content management program 2311 executes check-in once, the number of possible check-outs is incremented.

When the check-out is executed and the number of possible check-outs changes from "1" to "0", "NO" is set in the check-out possible. Check-in is executed, and the number of times check-out is possible is from "0"
When it becomes 1 ”, you can check out with“ YE
S "is set.

[0260] If the move is possible, "YES" or "N"
When any value of “O” is set and “YES” is set, the content management program 2311 can move the content specified by the content ID. “NO” is set to move enabled. The content management program 2311 does not move the content specified by the content ID.

To copy, "YES" or "N"
When any value of “O” is set and “YES” is set, the content management program 2311 can copy the content specified by the content ID. “NO” is set to copy enable. The content management program 2311 does not copy the content specified by the content ID.

[0262] The number of times copying is possible is set to the number of times copying can be executed by the content management program 2311.

For the expiration date, use the content specified by the content ID (checkout or playback)
The possible period is described.

The usable area describes the area (for example, Japan or the whole world) where the content specified by the content ID can be used (checked out or reproduced).

The signature management program 23 is used for the signature based on the content ID or the data set in the usable area.
Data generated by 37 (hereinafter referred to as signature data) is stored. The signature data is used to detect tampering with the usage condition data. Since the algorithm for generating the signature data of the signature management program 2337 is a one-way function and is not disclosed, the content management program 231
It is difficult for anyone other than the person who supplies 1 to generate correct signature data based on the content ID or the data set in the usable area.

Purchasing application program 231
5 is supplied from the EMD registration server 3 via the network 2 or recorded on a predetermined CD and supplied.
The purchase application program 2315 requests the EMD server 4-1 to transmit predetermined content via the network 2 and receives the content from the EMD server 4-1 to receive the content management program 2
311 is supplied. Further, the purchasing application program 2315 executes a charging process when receiving the content from the EMD server 4-1.

Next, the correspondence between the data stored in the display data file 82 and the content files 2361-1 to 2361-N stored in the content database will be described.

Content files 2361-1 to 236
The content stored in any of 61-N belongs to a predetermined package. As for the package, more specifically, the original package, my select package,
Or either a filtering package.

The original package belongs to one or more contents and corresponds to the classification of contents in the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3 (for example, corresponding to so-called album) or one CD. Content belongs to one of the original packages and cannot belong to more than one original package. Also, the original package to which the content belongs cannot be changed. The user can edit (add information or change the added information) a part of the information corresponding to the original package.

FIG. 32 is a view for explaining an example of the relationship between the original package display data 2401 and the content files 2361-1 to 2361-N which define the relationship between the original package and the content, which are included in the display data file 2382. is there. The original package display data 2401 is the package display data 241.
1-1 to 221-M.

The package display data 2411-1 is
Content display data 2421-1-1 to 221-
1-i are correlated with each other.

Content display data 2421-1-1
Corresponds to the content stored in the content file 2361-1. Content file 236
The usage rule data of the content stored in 1-1 is stored in the usage rule file 2362-1.

Content display data 2421-1-2
Corresponds to the content stored in the content file 2361-2. Content file 236
The usage rule data of the content stored in 1-2 is stored in the usage rule file 2362-2.

Content display data 2421-1-i
Corresponds to the content stored in the content file 2361-q. Content file 236
The usage rule data of the content stored in 1-q is stored in the usage rule file 2362-q.

The package display data 2411-2 is
Content display data 2421-2-1 to 2421
-2-j are associated with each other.

Content display data 2421-2-1
Corresponds to the content stored in the content file 2361- (q + 1). The usage rule data of the content stored in the content file 2361- (q + 1) is the usage rule file 2362- (q
+1).

Content display data 2421-2-2
Corresponds to the content stored in the content file 2361- (q + 2). The usage condition data of the content stored in the content file 2361- (q + 2) is stored in the usage condition file 2362- (q
It is stored in +2).

Content display data 2421-2-j
Corresponds to the content stored in the content file 2361-r. Content file 236
The content usage rule data stored in 1-r is stored in the usage rule file 2362-r.

Similarly, the package display data 2411
-M is associated with the content display data 2421-M-1 to 221-Mp.

Content display data 2421-Mp
Corresponds to the content stored in the content file 2361-N. Content file 236
The usage rule data of the content stored in 1-N is stored in the usage rule file 2362-N.

Hereinafter, the package display data 2411-
When it is not necessary to individually distinguish 1 to 2411-M,
This is simply referred to as package display data 2411. Less than,
Content display data 2421-1-1 to 2421
When it is not necessary to individually distinguish -Mp, it is simply referred to as content display data 2421.

Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the content files 2361-1 to 2361-N, they are simply referred to as the content file 2361. Hereinafter, the usage rule files 2362-1 to 2362-N are simply referred to as the usage rule file 2362 when it is not necessary to individually distinguish them.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the display data file 2382. FIG. 38A is a diagram showing an example of the package display data 2411. The package display data 2411 is the package I that identifies the package.
Stores data of D, original package, my select package, or package type data for identifying any of the filtering packages, package name data, artist name data, genre name data, and images corresponding to the package. It is composed of data indicating an image file name that is displayed and data of a content ID corresponding to one or more contents belonging to the package. Information corresponding to the original package added by the user is added to the package display data 2411 as unillustrated data.

FIG. 38B shows the content display data 24.
It is a figure which shows the example of 21. Content display data 24
21 is an image file name in which the content ID data, the original package ID data for specifying the original package to which the corresponding content belongs, the song name data, the checkout count data, and the image corresponding to the content are stored. It is composed of data indicating.

Further, as shown in FIG. 38C, the display data file 2382 may record the data type and the data in association with the content ID.

One or more contents arbitrarily selected by the user belong to the My Select Package. The user can arbitrarily edit which content belongs to the MySelect package. Content can belong to more than one My Select Package at the same time. Further, the content does not have to belong to any My Select package.

[0287] FIG. 39 shows display data 2441 for MySelect package that defines the relationship between MySelect package and contents, which belongs to the display data file 2382.
It is a figure explaining the relationship between the content files 2361-1 to 2361-N. The MySelect package display data 2441 is the package display data 245.
1-1 to 2451-S are included.

The package display data 2451-1 is
Content display data 24 corresponding to the user's settings
21-1-1, 2421-2-2, or 2421-1
-I, etc.

The package display data 2451-2 is
Content display data 24 corresponding to the user's settings
21-2-j, 2421-3-1, or 2421-1
-2 and so on.

Similarly, package display data 2451
-S is the content display data 2421-2-2, 2421-2-1 or 24 corresponding to the user's setting.
21-1-i and the like.

Hereinafter, the package display data 2451-
When it is not necessary to individually distinguish 1 to 2451-S,
It is simply referred to as package display data 2451.

The package display data 2451 is shown in FIG.
Display data 241 for package described with reference to 8A
Since it has the same structure as that of No. 1, its description is omitted.

As described above, the user can make an arbitrary content belong to the MySelect package, and one content may belong to a plurality of MySelect packages.

A content selected based on the filtering data stored in the filtering data file 2381 belongs to the filtering package.
The filtering data is the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-.
3 or WWW server 5-1 or 5-2 or the like via the network 2 or recorded on a predetermined CD and supplied. The user can edit the filtering data stored in the filtering data file 2381.

The filtering data serves as a reference for selecting a predetermined content or calculating a weight corresponding to the content. For example, if the filtering data corresponding to this week's J-POP (Japanese pops) best ten is used, the personal computer 1 identifies the contents of the Japanese pops of the first week this week to the contents of the Japanese pops of the tenth week. can do.

Filtering data file 2381
Is, for example, filtering data that selects content in the order of the longest checked out period in the past January, filtering data that selects content that has been checked out a lot in the last half year, or the word "love" in the song name. It includes filtering data to select the content that contains.

As described above, the content of the filtering package is the content display data 2421 corresponding to the content (including the data set by the user in the content display data 2421) or the history data 238.
4 is associated with the filtering data and selected.

FIG. 40 shows the filtering package display data 24 belonging to the display data file 2382 which defines the relationship between the filtering package and the contents.
81 and content files 2361-1 to 2361-
It is a figure explaining the relationship with N. The filtering package display data 2481 includes package display data 2491-1 to 2491-A.

[0299] The package display data 2491-1 is
Content display data 2421-2-2, 2421-
1-2, and 2421-Mp, etc.

Package display data 2491-2 is
Content display data 2421-1-i, 2421-
2-j, 2421-2-2, and the like.

Similarly, package display data 2491
-A is content display data 2421-1-i, 2
421-2-j, 2421-2-2, and the like.

Hereinafter, package display data 2491-
When it is not necessary to individually distinguish 1 to 2491-A,
It is simply referred to as package display data 2491.

The package display data 2491 is shown in FIG.
Display data 241 for package described with reference to 8A
Since it has the same structure as that of No. 1, its description is omitted.

As described above, a predetermined content selected by the processing of the personal computer 1 belongs to the filtering package, and one content may belong to a plurality of filtering packages.

Next, the process of registering the EMD is shown in FIG.
Will be described with reference to. Content management program 231
1 and the display operation instruction program 2312 are installed in the personal computer 1 and the display operation instruction program 2312 is activated for the first time, the display operation instruction program 2312 has a URL stored in advance inside.
With reference to (Uniform Resource Locator) and the like, the EMD registration server 3 is connected via the network 2.

The EMD registration server 3 transmits data for displaying a screen for executing the registration process to the display operation instruction program 2312. Display operation instruction program 2
For example, as shown in FIG. 42, the 312 displays the screen on which the EMD registration button 2511 is arranged on the display 20.

When the EMD registration button 2511 is clicked, the display operation instruction program 2312 causes the EMD registration server 3 to store the ID of the content management program 2311 stored in advance and the data necessary for registration (user of the personal computer 1). Name, credit number, etc.) of the authentication key 2501 and the EMD selection program 23, which are pre-recorded by the EMD registration server 3.
31 request for transmission.

If the EMD registration server 3 determines that the received ID of the content management program 2311 is valid, it sends the authentication key 2501 and the EMD selection program 2331 to the display operation instruction program 2312 via the network 2. .

If the EMD registration server 3 determines that the received ID of the content management program 2311 is not valid, it sends a predetermined error message to the display / operation instruction program 2312 via the network 2. When the ID of the content management program 2311 is not valid, the display operation instruction program 2312 displays the authentication key 25.
01 and EMD selection program 2331 cannot be obtained.

The display / operation instruction program 2312 uses the EM
When the authentication key 2501 and the EMD selection program 2331 are received from the D registration server 3, the authentication key 2501
And the EMD selection program 2331 to the content management program 2311.

When the authentication key 2501 and the EMD selection program 2331 are supplied from the display operation instruction program 2312, the content management program 2311
The EMD selection program 2331 is installed and activated, and the authentication key 2501 is supplied to the authentication program 2338. The authentication program 2338 is
The acquired authentication key 2501 is stored inside.

When the EMD selection program 2331 is started, for example, as shown in FIG.
A window in which a button for starting connection with any one of -1 to 4-3 is arranged is displayed on the display 20.

For example, when the button 2531 is clicked, the content management program 2311 activates the purchasing application 2351 and causes the purchasing application 2351 to connect to the EMD server 4-1. At this time, the authentication program 2338 uses the authentication key 250.
1 is used to execute the process of mutual authentication with the purchasing application 2351 and cause the purchasing application 2351 to execute the process of mutual authentication with the EMD server 4-1.

When the mutual authentication processing is successful, the purchasing application 2351 causes the display 20 to display a screen for purchasing the content shown in FIG. 44, for example.

For example, when the button 2532 shown in FIG. 43 is clicked, the content management program 2311
Installs the purchasing driver 2341, which is a plug-in, and installs the purchasing driver 2341 into the EMD server 4
-2 to connect. At this time, the authentication program 233
8 uses the authentication key 2501 to purchase driver 2
341 and the mutual authentication process are executed, and the purchase driver 2341 is made to execute the mutual authentication process with the EMD server 4-2.

When the mutual authentication process is successful, the purchasing driver 2341 causes the display 20 to display a screen for purchasing the content shown in FIG. 45, for example.

Similarly, for example, the button 25 shown in FIG.
When 33 is clicked, the content management program 2311 causes the purchase driver 2342 to display the EMD server 4
-3. At this time, the authentication program 233
8 uses the authentication key 2501 to purchase driver 2
A mutual authentication process with the EMD server 4-3 is executed via the 342.

Note that the check button 253 shown in FIG. 43 is used.
4 is checked, when the content is received from any of the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3 (that is, when the content is purchased), the received content is stored in the content database 2314 and , Predetermined MDs 1204-1 to 12
Checked out to any of 04-3.

Next, a series of processes for reading and recording contents from the CD loaded in the drive 121 will be described.

FIG. 46 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation instruction window displayed on the display 20 by the operation instruction program 2312 when the display operation instruction program 2312 is activated when the EMD registration is completed.

On the display / operation instruction window, a button 2541 for starting the recording program 2313, EM
Button 2 for activating D selection program 2331
542, a button 254 for displaying a field for setting check-in or check-out processing
3. My select package, that is, a button 2544 for displaying a field for editing the display data 2441 for my select package is arranged.

When button 2545 is selected, field 2551 displays data corresponding to the original package. When button 2546 is selected, field 2551 displays data corresponding to the MySelect package. When button 2547 is selected, field 2551 displays data corresponding to the filtering package.

The data displayed in the field 2551 is the data relating to the package, for example, the package name or the artist name.

For example, in FIG. 46, the package name "first" and the artist name "A Taro" stored in the package display data 2411-1, and the package name stored in the package display data 2411-2. “Second” and artist name “Ataro” are displayed in the field 2551.

Field 2552 contains field 25
Data corresponding to the content belonging to the package selected in 51 is displayed. The data displayed in the field 2552 is, for example, a song title, playing time, or the number of times check-out is possible.

For example, in FIG. 46, since the package corresponding to the package display data 2411-2 is selected, the content display data 2421 corresponding to the content belonging to the package corresponding to the package display data 2411-2. -1 is stored in the song name "minami no tavern" and the number of times you can check out "...
-"(Indicating 3 times) and content display data 2
The field 2551 displays the song name “Northern Graveyard” and the number of check-out possible times “...” (indicating twice) stored in the 421-2.

The number of times check-out is possible is shown in FIG.
In addition to displaying a predetermined number of figures (eg, stars, moons, etc.) as shown in, the number or the length of the note (eg, 16th note corresponds to 1 time)
A quarter note or an eighth note may correspond to two times, or three sixteenth notes or a dotted eighth note may correspond to three times) and the like.

Further, in the display operation instruction window, a field 2548 for displaying an image or the like associated with the selected package or content is arranged. The button 2549 plays the selected content (the audio corresponding to the content is output to the speaker 9
2) and clicked.

Button 2545 is selected and field 2
When the data corresponding to the original package is displayed in 551, when the erasing operation is performed by selecting the song name of the predetermined content displayed in the field 2552, the display operation instruction program 2312 displays the content management program. 2311 is caused to delete the predetermined content stored in the content database 2314 corresponding to the selected song title.

FIG. 47 is a view for explaining a window displayed on the display 20 by the recording program 2313 when the recording program 2313 is activated by clicking the button 2541.

The recording program 2313 is stored in the drive 12
The playing time of the content recorded on the CD is read from the CD mounted in the No. 1 and displayed in the field 2583. Recording name is unknown, so recording program 231
As for No. 3, "Unknown" is displayed in the portion of the field 2583 that displays the song title.

Since the title and artist name of the CD mounted on the drive 121 are unknown,
The recording program 2313 displays "unknown" in the field 2581 for displaying the title of the CD and the field 2582 for displaying the artist name.

[0333] The window displayed by the recording program 2313 further includes a button 2584 that is clicked when acquiring the information of the CD, and a content automatically read from the CD when the content read from the CD is recorded in the content database 2314. Content that MD1
A button 2585 for setting whether to check out to any of 204-1 to 1204-3 is arranged.

For example, when the button 2585 is clicked, the recording program 2313 displays a pull-down menu showing a list of MDs 1204-1 to 1204-3. The user selects MD1 from the pull-down menu.
When any one of 204-1 to 1204-3 is selected, the personal computer 1 selects the selected MD 12
04-1 to 1204-3, automatically C
Check out the recorded content from D. If the user selects "Do not check out" from the pull-down menu, the personal computer 1
Do not check out when recording content from CD.

In the window displayed by the recording program 2313, a button 2586 for instructing to start recording the content recorded on the CD is arranged.

FIG. 48 shows that the recording program 2313 is WW.
When the CD information is acquired from either the W server 5-1 or 5-2, the recording program 2313 displays C from the WWW server 5-1 or 5-2.
It is a figure which shows the property dialog box which sets whether the information of D is acquired.

In the properties dialog box, WW
A field 2601 for setting whether to acquire CD information from either the W server 5-1 or 5-2 is arranged. For example, when “CDDB” is set in the field 2601, the recording program 2313 requests the WWW server 5-1 corresponding to the CDDB to transmit the CD information. For example, in the field 2601, “CDNEW J
When APAN "(for example, the name of a company or site that provides a service similar to CDNOW (trademark)) is set, the recording program 2313 causes the W corresponding to the CDDB.
It requests the WW server 5-2 to transmit the CD information.

When "CDDB" is set in the field 2601, fields 2602 and 260
3 can be set. In the field 2602, the CD
Set the URL of the DB 1st site, field 2603
Is set to the URL of the CDDB second site.

In the field 2604, the WWW server 5
When the CD information is received from either -1 or 5-2, a directory in which the received information is recorded (HDD 67
(One of the directories) is set.

When the button 2605 is clicked, the recording program 2313 accesses the predetermined WWW server based on the URL stored in advance by the recording program 2313 via the network 2 to determine the URL of the CDDB first site. And the information of the URL of the CDDB second site is acquired, and the information of the URL of the CDDB first site is set as a candidate for the information to be set in the field 2602 as shown in FIG. Is set as a candidate for the information set in the field 2603.

The user sets "CDDB" in the field 2601 as shown in FIG.
If the URL of the CDDB first site is set to 2 and the URL of the CDDB second site is set to the field 2603,
When the button 2584 shown in FIG. 47 is clicked, the recording program 2313 displays the URL set in the field 2602 and the UR set in the field 2603.
Based on L, it connects to the WWW server 5-1 and requests CD information from the WWW server 5-1 by the procedure corresponding to "CDDB" set in the field 2601, and from the WWW server 5-1. Receive CD information.

FIG. 51 is a diagram for explaining a window displayed by the recording program 2313 on the display 20 when the button 2584 is clicked and the information of the CD is received from the WWW server 5-1. WWW server 5
Recording program 2 based on the CD information received from -1
313 is displayed in the field 2581, for example, “Asynkron
The title of the CD such as "ised" is displayed. Based on the information of the CD received from the WWW server 5-1, the recording program 2313 displays in the field 2582, for example, "Kuwa".
The artist name such as "i" is displayed.

On the basis of the CD information received from the WWW server 5-1, the recording program 2313 uses the field 25
For example, "Heat", "PL
Display song names such as "ANet", "Black", "Soul".
Similarly, the recording program 2313 uses the field 258.
For example, “Kuwa
The artist name such as "i" is displayed.

When the information of two or more CDs is received from the WWW server 5-1, the recording program 2313 is set as shown in FIG.
A dialog box shown in 2 is displayed to allow the user to select which CD information is used.

In FIG. 53, the field 2601 indicates "CDN".
This is a dialog box for setting a search keyword that the recording program 2313 causes the display 20 to display on the display 20 when "EW JAPAN" is set and the button 2584 is clicked.

The button 2631 is clicked and activated when searching the information of the CD using the album name as a search keyword. The search keyword for the album name is set in the field 2641.

The button 2632 is clicked and activated when searching CD information using an artist name as a search keyword. The search keyword for the artist name is set in the field 2642.

The button 2633 is clicked and activated when searching for CD information using the song title as a search keyword. Search keyword for song title is in field 26
43 is set.

The button 2634 is clicked and activated when searching CD information using the product number as a search keyword. The search keyword for the product number is set in the field 2644.

When searching for information on the CD, the button 263
At least one of 1 to 2634 is activated.

For example, as shown in FIG. 54, when searching CD information using an artist name as a search keyword, the button 2634 is activated and the field 264 is displayed.
For example, a character string indicating an artist name such as “quie” is set in 2.

When the button for executing the search, which is arranged in the dialog box for setting the search keyword, is clicked, the recording program 2313 causes the WWW server 5-2 to search the URL stored in advance. Connect to the "CDNE" set in the field 2601
In the procedure corresponding to "W JAPAN", the WWW server 5-based on the search keyword set in the ALOG box.
2 requests CD information from the WWW server 5-
The information of the CD is received from 2.

The WWW server 5-2, together with the information on the CD, shows the C related to the information on the retrieved CD shown in FIG.
Data for displaying an image prompting purchase of D is transmitted to the personal computer 1. The user of the personal computer 1 uses the data for displaying the image for urging the purchase of the CD to transmit a predetermined CD through the network 2.
Can be purchased.

In FIG. 56, the button 2584 for executing the search arranged in the dialog box for setting the search keyword is clicked to open the WWW server 5-.
When the CD information is received from 2, the recording program 23
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a window displayed on the display 20 by 13; Based on the information of the CD received from the WWW server 5-2, the recording program 2313 displays the field 2
581, for example, a CD such as "Asynchronized"
Display the title of. Based on the CD information received from the WWW server 5-2, the recording program 2313 displays an artist name such as “quie” in the field 2582.

On the basis of the information of the CD received from the WWW server 5-2, the recording program 2313 makes the field 25
For example, "Heat", "
The song names such as “Planet”, “Black”, and “Soul” are displayed. Similarly, the recording program 2313 displays an artist name such as “quie” in the field in which the artist is displayed in the field 2583.

[0356] After the recording program 2313 receives the information of the predetermined CD, the recording program 2313 stores C in the directory of the HDD 67 designated in the field 2604.
The information of D is stored.

When a button 2584 or the like is clicked, C
Recording program 2 when instructed to acquire D information
313 is initially specified in field 2604,
Search the HDD 67 directory. Recording program 2
313 displays a dialog box 2661 shown in FIG. 57 when the CD information is stored in the directory designated in the field 2604, and the user is informed of the CD stored in the directory designated in the field 2604. Let them choose whether to use the information.

[0358] When the button 2586 for instructing the start of recording of the contents arranged in the window displayed by the recording program 2313 is clicked, the recording program 2313 stores the CD stored in the drive 121.
Content from the CD and the content read from the CD together with the information of the CD, the content management program
311 is supplied. Content management program 2311
The compression method conversion program 2334 compresses the content supplied from the recording program 2313 by a predetermined compression method, and the encryption program 2335 encrypts the compressed content. The usage rule conversion program 2336 also generates usage rule data corresponding to the compressed and encrypted content.

The content management program 2311 supplies the compressed and encrypted content to the content database 2314 together with the usage condition data.

The content database 2314 generates the content file 2361 and the usage rule file 2362 corresponding to the content received from the content management program 2311, and creates the content file 2314.
The content is stored in 61 and the usage condition data is stored in the usage condition file 2362.

When the content database 2314 stores content and usage condition data corresponding to the content, the content management program 2311 determines that
The CD information and the usage condition data received from the recording program 2313 are supplied to the display / operation instruction program 2312.

The display / operation instruction program 2312, based on the usage condition data and CD information corresponding to the contents stored in the contents database 2314 in the recording process, displays the original package display data 2401.
And display data for content 2421 are generated.

As shown in FIG. 58, when the button 2545 is selected, in the display operation instruction window, the package name (CD title) of the original package corresponding to the content stored in the content database 2314 in the recording process is displayed. ) Is displayed in the field 2551, and when the package is selected, the song title corresponding to the content read from the CD is displayed in the field 2552.

When the button 2585 of the window displayed by the recording program 2313 is selected (activated), when the content read from the CD is recorded in the content database 2314, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the display operation instruction program 2312 displays the MD 12 specified in advance in the display operation instruction window.
A field 2681 for displaying the song title of the content stored in any of 04-1 to 1204-3 is displayed.

The display / operation instruction program 2312 has MDs 1204-1 to 1204 in which the contents read from the CD recorded in the contents database 2314 are designated in the contents management program 2311.
-3 Check out to any of the above.

As described above, when the content read from the CD is recorded in the content database 2314 only by activating the button 2585 of the window displayed by the recording program 2313, the personal computer 1 is designated in advance. MD1204
-1 to 1204-3 can check out the content read from the CD.

When the display / operation instruction program 2312 causes the field 2681 to be displayed in the display / operation instruction window, the display / operation instruction program 2312 indicates which of the MDs 1204-1 to 1204-3 specified in advance in the display / operation instruction window. Field 268 displaying the name of the portable package (the package to which the content stored in any of MD 1204-1 to 1204-3 belongs) to which the content stored in
2, button 268 for closing field 2681
3 and a button 2684 for performing check-in or check-out are displayed.

Further, when the display / operation instruction program 2312 displays the field 2681 in the display / operation instruction window, the display / operation instruction program 2312 checks the contents corresponding to the music title selected in the field 2552 in the display / operation instruction window. A button 2691 for setting out, a button 2692 for setting check-in of content corresponding to the song name selected in the field 2681, a button 2693 for setting check-in of all content corresponding to the content name displayed in the field 2681, And a button 2694 for canceling the check-in or check-out setting is arranged.

Next, the process of setting check-in or check-out and executing check-in or check-out will be described.

When the button 2543 for displaying the field for setting the check-in or check-out process is clicked, the display / operation instruction program 2312 displays the MD1204-1 through MD1204-1 specified in advance in the display / operation instruction window. Field 2 for displaying the song title of the content stored in any of 1204-3
681 is displayed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 60, when the song name "Southern Tavern", song name "Northern Graveyard", and song name "Nana Narabe" displayed in the field 2552 are selected, the button 2691 is clicked. 61, the display operation instruction program 2312 displays the song title "
Check out the contents corresponding to the "Southern Tavern", the song name "Northern Graveyard", and the song name "Nana Narabe", and set the song name "Southern Tavern" and song name in the field 2681. Display "Northern Graveyard" and song title "Nana Narabe".

At this time, the display / operation instruction program 231
2 is the number of check-outs that can be checked out corresponding to the song name "Southern Bar" displayed in field 2552 "..."
Change (shows 3 times) to "..." (shows 2 times), and display the number of possible checkouts "..." (shows 2 times) corresponding to the song name "Northern Graveyard" Displayed after being changed to "(indicating once)", the number of possible check-outs "..." (indicating 3 times) corresponding to the song name "Nana Narabe" is "..."
Change to (indicates twice) and display.

For example, from the state shown in FIG. 61, the song name "Northern Graveyard" is selected in the field 2681 and the button 2
When 692 is clicked, the display operation instruction program 2312 sets the check-in of the content corresponding to the song title “Northern Graveyard” and deletes the song title “Northern Graveyard” from the field 2681, as shown in FIG. 62. To do.

At this time, the display / operation instruction program 231
2 is the number of possible checkouts corresponding to the song name "Northern Graveyard" displayed in the field 2552 "." (1
Change the number of times) to "..." (indicates twice) and display.

If the package name displayed in the field 2551 is dragged and dropped into the field 2681, checkout of all contents belonging to the package corresponding to the dragged and dropped package name is set.

The personal computer 1 does not execute the check-in or check-out processing only by setting the check-in or check-out by operating the buttons 2691 to 2694.

When the button 2684 is clicked after the check-in or check-out is set by operating the buttons 2691 to 2694, the display operation instruction program 2312 causes the content management program 2311 to operate.
Causes check-in or check-out processing to be performed. That is, when button 2684 is clicked,
The display operation instruction program 2312 causes the content management program 2311 to display MDs 1204-1 to 1204-3 based on the check-in or check-out setting.
A predetermined command (for example, MD120
4-1 to 1204-3) and a usage condition data stored in the usage condition file 2362 corresponding to the transmitted content or command. To update.

When check-in or check-out is executed, the display / operation instruction program 2312 responds to the transmitted content or transmitted command by
Update the history data stored in the history data file. Historical data is information that identifies the content that was checked in or checked out, or the date that the content was checked in or out,
MD1204-The content was checked out.
1 to 1204-3.

Since the check-in or check-out setting process can be executed in a short time, the user can quickly know the status after the check-in or check-out process is executed, and the check-in or time-consuming process can be performed. The number of check-out processes can be reduced to shorten the overall time required for check-in or check-out (including setup and execution).

[0380] Next, an editing operation for the MySelect package, such as adding desired contents to a predetermined MySelect package, will be described.

As shown in FIG. 63, when the button 2544 for displaying the field for editing the MySelect package is clicked, the display operation instructing program 2312 displays a predetermined MySelect package in the display operation instructing window. A field 2701 for displaying the song name or the like corresponding to the content to which it belongs is displayed.

At this time, the display / operation instruction program 231
2 displays a field 2702 for displaying the package name (stored in any of the package display data 2452-1 to 2451-S) of the selected MySelect package in the display operation instruction window. When the package name of the MySelect package to be edited is set in the field 2702, the display operation instruction program 2312 causes the display operation instructing program 2312 to correspond to the contents belonging to the MySelect package having the package name (the package display data 2452-1 to 245-224).
51-S stored in the content display data 2421 associated with any of 51-S) field 2
701.

Further, when the display / operation instruction program 2312 displays the field 2701 in the display / operation instruction window, the display / operation instruction program 2312 displays in the display / operation instruction window the content corresponding to the music title selected in the field 2552. Execute the process of storing the selected content display data 2421 in any of the package display data 2452-1 to 2451-S that belong to the MySelect package whose package name is displayed in 2702. Button 2721 and a process for deleting the content corresponding to the song name selected in the field 2701 from the MySelect package whose package name is displayed in the field 2702 (package display data 2452-1 to 2451-S. From there, the button 2722 for executing the content ID of the selected content display data 2421) and the processing executed before that (processing for making the content belong to My Select Package or content from My Select Package) A button 2723 for executing a process for canceling any one of the processes (for deleting) is arranged.

For example, by operating the display operation instruction window displaying the field 2701, the user
In the My Select Package where the package name "My Best 1" is displayed in the field 2702, the content with the song name "North Pole Star", the content with the song name "Meteor Star", the content with the song name "Southern Alps", the song name It is possible to have content that is "Millionaire" and content that has a song title "Slot 1".

That is, in response to a predetermined operation, the display operation instruction program 2312 causes the package display data 2451 in which the package name “My Best 1” is stored to be stored in the content whose title is “Polar Star”. Content ID, content ID of content whose title is "shooting star", content ID of content whose title is "Southern Alps", content ID of content whose title is "Millionaire", and content whose title is "slot 1" The content ID of is stored.

Also, if the package name displayed in the field 2551 is dragged and dropped in the field 2701, all contents belonging to the package corresponding to the dragged and dropped package name will be displayed in the field 2702. You can make it belong to the selected My Select package.

When the button 2546 arranged in the display operation instruction window for displaying the data corresponding to the My Select package in the field 2551 is activated, the display operation instruction program 2312 displays the field as shown in FIG. Package name corresponding to My Select package in 2551 (for example, "My Best 1", "My Best 2", "Snow Drive", "South Island Select", and "Overseas Travel")
Is displayed, and the song name of the content belonging to the MySelect package corresponding to the selected package name is displayed in the field 2552.

When the button 2546 is activated and the data corresponding to the My Select Package is displayed in the field 2551, the song name of the predetermined content displayed in the field 2552 is selected and the deletion operation is performed. When the display operation instruction program 2312
Simply deletes the data of the content ID corresponding to the content belonging to the package contained in the package display data 2451.
The predetermined content stored in 14 is not deleted.

Next, the display corresponding to the filtering package and the process of associating the filtering package with the desired content will be described.

When the button 2547 for displaying the data corresponding to the filtering package in the field 2551 arranged in the display / operation instruction window is activated, the display / operation instruction program 2312:
As shown in FIG. 65, in the field 2551 the package name corresponding to the filtering package (for example, "
"Pops Best Ten", "Rock Best Ten", "Enka Best Ten", "Love Song Standard", and "80"
"Period pops recommendation" etc.) is displayed, and the song name of the content belonging to the filtering package corresponding to the selected package name is displayed in the field 2552.

FIG. 66 is a diagram for explaining the process of generating a filtering package. The display operation instruction program 2312 is used for the content display data 2421-1-1 to 242-1-24 stored in the display data file 2382.
21-Mp and the history data stored in the history data file 2384, or any one of them, and the filtering data 2751-1 stored in the filtering data file 2381. To generate.

The package display data 2491-1 is as follows:
Content I of the content belonging to the filtering package corresponding to the package display data 2491-1
D is stored.

For example, package display data 2491
-1 stores the content IDs of 10 specific contents (for example, corresponding to the songs of Pop Best Ten) specified by the filtering data 2751-1.

The display / operation instruction program 2312 stores the history display data 2421-1-1 to 2421-Mp stored in the display data file 2382 and the history data stored in the history data file 2384, or the history data thereof. Based on any one of them and the filtering data 2751-2 stored in the filtering data file 2381, the package display data 2
491-2 is generated.

The package display data 2491-2 is
Content I of the content belonging to the filtering package corresponding to the package display data 2491-2
D is stored.

For example, package display data 2491
-2 stores the content ID of the content in which the specific character string designated by the filtering data 2751-2 is included in the song name (for example, the song having the song name that includes the character "love").

Similarly, the display / operation instruction program 2312
Are package display data 2491-3 to 291-
Generate A. Each of the package display data 2491-3 to 2491-A stores the content ID of the content belonging to the filtering package corresponding to each of the package display data 2491-3 to 2491-A.

For example, package display data 2491
-3 stores the content ID of the selected content based on the history data stored in the history data file 2384 by selecting the 10 most checked-out contents in the week. .

Further, for example, the package display data 2
491-4 randomly selects 10 contents whose total playing time is 60 minutes, and stores the content ID of the selected contents.

As described above, the display / operation instruction program 23
12 is the content display data 2421-1-1 to 242-1-24 stored in the display data file 2382.
21-Mp and the history data stored in the history data file 2384, or any one of them, and the filtering data 2751-1 to 2751-A stored in the filtering data file 2381. To do.

Filtering data 2751-1 to 275-2
The 751-A is downloaded from a predetermined server via the network 2 or recorded on a predetermined CD and supplied from the drive 121, for example. In addition, the user himself / herself sets the filtering data 2751-1.
Through 2751-A can be created.

For example, the content database 2314
The personal computer 1 downloads and updates the filtering data 2751-1 to 2751-A from one or more servers at a predetermined time every day via the network 2 without changing the content recorded in the. Then, if a new filtering package is generated, the user can enjoy different combinations of contents by using the generated new filtering package.

Next, the image displayed in the field 2548 will be described. As shown in FIG. 67, in the display operation instruction program 2312, the package name displayed in the field 2551 is selected, and the field 255 is displayed.
The song name displayed in 2 is not selected (hence,
Field 25 when content is not playing)
At 48, the image associated with the package corresponding to the selected package name is displayed.

That is, the display / operation instruction program 231
2 is the package display data 2411, the package display data 2451, or the package display data 2
The image files 2383-1 through 2383-K are referred to by referring to the data indicating the image file name stored in 491.
Of the selected image file 238
The image data stored in any of 3-1 to 2383-K is read out, and the image corresponding to the image data is displayed in the field 2548.

For example, when the package name “second” of the original package is selected and the music title displayed in the field 2552 is not selected, the display operation instruction program 2312 causes the package display data 2 to be displayed.
The predetermined image files 2383-1 to 238 are referred to by referring to the data indicating the image file name stored in 411.
The image data stored in any one of 3-K is read out and the image corresponding to the image data is read in the field 25.
Display at 48.

Further, the display operation instruction program 2312
Is selected when the package name displayed in the field 2551 is selected and the song name displayed in the field 2552 is not selected, when a predetermined image is dragged and dropped in the field 2548 The image is associated with the package corresponding to the selected package name.

That is, the display operation instruction program 231
2 uses a predetermined method (eg, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Gross) for the image dragged and dropped.
up) etc. and adjust the size (eg 3
0 pixels x 30 pixels, etc., and reduce the color (for example,
(E.g. 256 colors) is stored in the image file 2383 and recorded, and the name of the recorded image file 2383 is stored in the package display data 2411, the package display data 2451 or the package display data 2491 corresponding to the package name. It is recorded as data indicating one of the image file names.

As shown in FIG. 68, the display operation instruction program 2312 causes the title of the song displayed in the field 2552 to be selected and the content not to be reproduced.
An image associated with the content corresponding to the selected song title is displayed in the field 2548. That is, the display operation instruction program 2312 refers to the data indicating the image file name stored in the content display data 2421 corresponding to the content corresponding to the selected song title, and refers to the predetermined image file 2383-1.
Through 2383-K, the image data stored in any one of them is displayed, and the image corresponding to the image data is displayed in the field 2548.

[0409] For example, when the package name "second" of the original package is selected, the song name "Southern Alps" displayed in the field 2552 is selected, and the content "Southern Alps" is not reproduced, the display operation instruction program 2312 displays Content display data 24 corresponding to the content corresponding to the song name "Southern Alps"
21 is referred to, the image data stored in any of the predetermined image files 2383-1 to 2383-K is read, and the image corresponding to the image data is stored in the field 2548. indicate.

At this time, the content display data 2421 corresponding to the content corresponding to the selected song title.
When the data indicating the image file name is not set in, the display operation instruction program 2312 displays the image file name stored in the package display data 2411 to which the content belongs when the button 2545 is set to active. The image data stored in any of the predetermined image files 2383-1 to 2383-K is read with reference to the data shown, and the image corresponding to the image data is displayed in the field 2548.

Similarly, when the corresponding image file is not set in the content display data 2421 corresponding to the content corresponding to the selected song title, the button 25 is pressed.
When 46 is set to active, the display operation instruction program 2312 refers to the data indicating the image file name stored in the package display data 2451 to which the content belongs, and refers to the predetermined image file 23.
The image data stored in any of 83-1 to 2383-K is read, and the image corresponding to the image data is displayed in the field 2548.

Similarly, when the corresponding image file is not set in the content display data 2421 corresponding to the content corresponding to the selected song title, the button 25 is pressed.
When 47 is set to active, the display operation instruction program 2312 refers to the data indicating the image file name stored in the package display data 2491 to which the content belongs, and refers to the predetermined image file 23.
The image data stored in any of 83-1 to 2383-K is read, and the image corresponding to the image data is displayed in the field 2548.

Also, the display / operation instruction program 2312
When the song title displayed in the field 2552 is selected, when the predetermined image is dragged and dropped in the field 2548, the dragged and dropped image corresponds to the content corresponding to the selected song title. Apply. That is, the display operation instruction program 2312 converts the dragged and dropped image into a predetermined method, adjusts the size, reduces the color, stores the image in the image file 2383, and records the image file. The name 2383 is recorded as data indicating the image file name of the content display data 2421 corresponding to the music title.

As shown in FIG. 69, the display operation instructing program 2312 is in the field 25 when the content corresponding to the song title displayed in the field 2552 is being reproduced (when sound is being output from the speaker 92).
48, each frequency band of the audio being output (for example, 1
An image showing the signal level of each octave (so-called spectrum analyzer image) is displayed.

Also, according to the user's setting, as shown in FIG. 70, when the display operation instruction program 2312 is reproducing the content corresponding to the music title displayed in the field 2552, a predetermined field 2548 is displayed. An image showing the signal level corresponding to the passage of time of the output voice during the period is displayed.

As shown in FIGS. 71 and 72, when the display / operation instruction program 2312 does not display the fields 2551 and 352 due to the user's setting, the display / operation instruction program 2312 similarly reproduces the content. When the content is not reproduced, the image showing the signal level of each frequency band of the output sound is displayed in the field 2548, and when the content is not reproduced, the image corresponding to the selected package or content is displayed in the field 2548. .

Next, the content management program 2311
The process of registration, which is executed when the display operation instruction program 2312 is installed in the personal computer 1 and the display operation instruction program 2312 is activated for the first time, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 42.

[0418] In step S121, the display operation instruction program 2312 of the personal computer 1 connects to the EMD registration server 3 via the network 2 with reference to a URL stored in advance.

[0419] In step S122, the display operation instruction program 2312 is stored in advance in the content management program 2311 in the EMD registration server 3 together with data necessary for registration (name of user of personal computer 1, credit number, etc.). The ID of the content management program 2311 being sent is transmitted. In the process of step S122, the display / operation instruction program 2312 transmits the ID of the display / operation instruction program 2312 stored in advance in the display / operation instruction program 2312 to the EMD registration server 3 together with the data necessary for registration. You may

[0420] In step S123, the EMD registration server 3 receives the ID of the content management program 2311. In step S124, the EMD registration server 3 determines whether the ID of the content management program 2311 is valid, and the content management program 2
When it is determined that the ID of 311 is valid, the process proceeds to step S125, the user of the personal computer 1 is registered based on the name and credit number of the user of the personal computer 1, and the personal computer 1 is registered. , A predetermined number of authentication keys (eg EM
(Used for mutual authentication with D servers 4-1 to 4-3).

In step S126, the display / operation instruction program 2312 receives the predetermined number of authentication keys transmitted from the EMD registration server 3. Step S127
At, the EMD registration server 3 transmits the EMD selection program 2331 to the personal computer 1.
In step S128, the display operation instruction program 2
The 312 receives the EMD selection program 2331 transmitted from the EMD registration server 3.

In step S129, the display / operation instruction program 2312 supplies the received EMD selection program 2331 to the content management program 2311. In step S130, the content management program 2311 activates the EMD selection program 2331 and the process ends.

If it is determined in step S124 that the ID of the content management program 2311 is not valid, the process proceeds to step S131, and the EMD registration server 3
Sends a predetermined error message to the personal computer 1 without performing registration. In step S132, the display / operation instruction program 2312 receives the error message transmitted by the EMD registration server 3.

In step S133, the display / operation instruction program 2312 displays the received error message, and the process ends.

In this way, the personal computer 1
When the display operation instruction program 2312 is first activated, for example, the authentication key used for mutual authentication with the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-3, and the EMD selection program 2
331 is acquired.

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 74, the process of recording from a CD by the recording program 2313 will be described. In step S141,
The recording program 2313 operates the drive 121, reads the data (the number of contents, the recording time, etc.) corresponding to the content recorded on the CD mounted in the drive 121, and displays it in a predetermined window.
Display the list of contents recorded on the CD.

[0427] In step S142, the recording program 2313 uses the button 2 for acquiring the information corresponding to the CD.
It is determined whether or not 584 is clicked, and when it is determined that the button 2584 for acquiring information corresponding to the CD is clicked, the process proceeds to step S143, and the acquisition process of the information corresponding to the CD is executed. For details of the process of acquiring the information corresponding to the CD, refer to the flowchart of FIG.
It will be described later.

In step S144, the recording program 2313 displays a predetermined window in step S143.
The information corresponding to the CD acquired in the process of is displayed.

[0429] If it is determined in step S142 that the button 2584 for acquiring information corresponding to the CD has not been clicked, it is not necessary to acquire the information corresponding to the CD, so steps S143 and S14 are performed.
4 is skipped, and the procedure proceeds to step S145.

[0430] In step S145, the recording program 2313 determines whether or not the button 2586 for instructing the start of recording of the content recorded on the CD has been clicked, and if it is determined that the button 2586 has not been clicked. , And returns to step S145, and the button 25
The determination process is repeated until 86 is clicked.

In step S145, the button 258
When it is determined that 6 has been clicked, step S14
The recording program 2313 proceeds to the field 25.
Based on the check set in 83 corresponding to the song title,
Content selection information indicating which content recorded on the CD is to be recorded is acquired. Step S14
In 7, the recording program 2313 reads the selected content from the CD based on the content selection information.

At step S148, the recording program 2313 causes the compression method conversion program 2334 of the content management program 2311 to compress the content read from the CD by a predetermined method such as ATRAC3. In step S149, the recording program 23
13 causes the encryption program 2335 of the content management program 2311 to encrypt the compressed content by a predetermined encryption method such as DES.

At step S150, the recording program 2313 stores the compressed and encrypted content in the content database 2314. Step S1
In 51, the recording program 2313 generates usage condition data corresponding to the content stored in the content database 2314, and stores the generated usage condition data in the content database 2314 (the usage condition file 2362 (stored in the content database 2314). (Associated with the content).
In step S152, the recording program 2313
Updates the display data file 2382 based on the generated usage rule data or the information corresponding to the CD.

[0434] In step S153, the recording program 2313 sets the content read from the CD to MD1.
When it is determined that the button 2585 for setting whether to check out to any of 204-1 to 1204-3 (automatic checkout) is active, and it is determined that the button 2585 is active , And proceeds to step S154, display operation instruction program 2312
To start.

In step S155, the recording program 2313 causes the display / operation instruction program 2312 to check out the content stored in the content database 2314 to any of the MDs 1204-1 to 1204-3, and the processing ends.

[0436] In step S153, the button 258 is displayed.
If it is determined that No. 5 is not active, there is no need to check out, so the processes of steps S154 and S155 are skipped and the process ends.

[0437] As described above, when the button 2585 is activated and the recording process from the CD is executed, the personal computer 1 stores the contents read from the CD in the contents database 2314, and automatically MD1204-1. To 1204-3.

Similarly, if the check button 2534 is checked, the EMD servers 4-1 to 4-
3, the display operation instruction program 2312 stores the received content in the content database 2314 and causes the content management program 2311 to store the MDs 1204-1 through 1204.
-3 Check out to any of the above.

Next, the process of acquiring the information corresponding to the CD by the recording program 2313 corresponding to step S143 of FIG. 74 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0440] In step S171, the recording program 2313 causes the HDD 67 to operate in a predetermined directory (for example, the HDD 67 specified in the field 2604 of the dialog 461).
Search the information recorded in the directory).

[0441] In step S172, the recording program 2313 causes the data (for example, the data corresponding to the content recorded on the CD mounted on the drive 121 to be recorded).
It is determined whether or not the information corresponding to the CD is recorded in the predetermined directory based on the number of songs, the playing time, etc., and it is determined that the information corresponding to the CD is not recorded in the predetermined directory. In this case, the process proceeds to step S173, and C based on the character string set in the field 2601
It is determined whether DNEW is selected.

If it is determined in step S173 that CDNEW has been selected, the flow advances to step S174, and the recording program 2313 transfers to the server corresponding to CDNEW (for example, the WWW server 5-2) via the network 2. Connecting. In step S175,
The recording program 2313 causes the display 20 to display a screen (for example, a dialog box shown in FIG. 53) for inputting a search keyword. Step S17
In 6, the recording program 2313 transmits the search keyword such as the album name, the artist name, the song name, or the product number input based on the screen to the server corresponding to the CDNEW.

In step S177, the recording program 2313 receives the information corresponding to the CD from the server corresponding to the CDNEW.

[0444] In step S178, the recording program 2313 associates the information corresponding to the CD with the content, and the process ends.

[0445] If it is determined in step S173 that CDNEW has not been selected, that is, CDD
Since B is selected, the flow proceeds to step S179, and the recording program 2313 causes the CDDB first site URL set in the field 2602 and the C set in the field 2603 via the network 2.
Based on the URL of the DDB second site, it connects to a server (for example, WWW server 5-1) corresponding to CDDB. In step S80, the recording program 2313 determines that C
The data corresponding to the playing time of the content recorded in D is transmitted to the server corresponding to the CDDB.

In step S181, the recording program 2313 receives the information corresponding to the CD from the server corresponding to the CDDB.

In step S182, the recording program 2313 determines whether or not the data corresponding to the CD received from the server corresponding to the CDDB has two or more candidates, and it is determined that there are two or more candidates. If so, the process advances to step S183 to display a dialog box that allows the user to select which CD information to use.

In step S184, the recording program 2313 selects one of the candidates based on the input in the dialog box, and proceeds to step S78, where the CD
The information is associated with the content and the process ends.

If it is determined in step S182 that there are no more than two candidates, the procedure is step S17.
8, the recording program 2313 associates the information corresponding to the CD received from the server corresponding to the CDDB with the content, and the process ends.

If it is determined in step S172 that the information corresponding to the CD is recorded in the predetermined directory, the process proceeds to step S85, and the recording program 23
13 reads the information corresponding to the recorded CD, proceeds to step S178, associates the information corresponding to the read CD with the content, and the process ends.

As described above, the recording program 2313
Acquires information corresponding to a CD from any of two or more servers having different search procedures. Further, if the recording program 2313 has acquired and recorded information corresponding to the CD in the past, the recording program 2313 uses the recorded information.

Next, for example, the display operation instruction program 231 executed when the button 437 is clicked
The process of generating the filtering package according to No. 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S201, the display operation instruction program 23
12 selects the first filtering data 2751 stored in the filtering data file 2381, for example, the filtering data 2751-1.

In step S202, the display / operation instruction program 2312 causes the display data file 2382 to store the data and the history data file 23.
Based on the history data stored in 84 or any one of them and the selected filtering data 2751, the weight for the content is calculated.

In step S203, the display / operation instruction program 2312 selects the content belonging to the filtering package corresponding to the selected filtering data 2751, based on the weight for the content calculated in the processing in step S202.

[0455] In step S204, the display / operation instruction program 2312 sets the content selected in step S203 to the selected filtering data 2
Register in the filtering package corresponding to 751. That is, the display operation instruction program 2312 stores the content ID corresponding to the selected content in the package display data 2491 corresponding to the filtering package corresponding to the selected filtering data 2751.

[0456] In step S205, the display operation instruction program 2312 determines whether or not the content is registered in the filtering package corresponding to all the filtering data 2751 stored in the filtering data file 2381, and all the filtering data 2751. If it is determined that the content has not been registered in the filtering package corresponding to, the processing proceeds to step S207 and the filtering data file 23
Next filtering data 275 stored in 81
1 is selected, the process returns to step S202, and the content registration process is repeated.

If it is determined in step S205 that the content has been registered in the filtering packages corresponding to all the filtering data 2751, the processing ends.

In this way, the display / operation instruction program 23
12 is selected by selecting a content based on the data stored in the display data file 2382, the history data stored in the history data file 2384, or any one of them, and the selected filtering data 2751. The registered content is registered in the filtering package.

Next, for example, when the field 2681 is displayed in the display operation instruction window, the operation instruction program 2312 and the content management program 2311 are displayed.
Check-out and check-in processing executed by the above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 77 and 78. First, the check-out process will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0460] In step S221, the display operation instruction program 2312 reads from the display data file 2382 the number of check-out possible times corresponding to the content. In step S212, the display operation instruction program 2312 displays the number of check-out possible times read in step S221.

[0461] In step S223, the display operation instruction program 2312 determines whether or not the button 2691 for setting checkout has been clicked. If it is determined that the button 2691 for setting checkout has been clicked, the process proceeds to step S224. Go on, field 2
Checkout of the content corresponding to the song title selected in 552 is set.

[0462] In step S225, the display operation instruction program 2312 causes the content display data 2421 of the display data file 2382 to correspond to the check-out setting of the content corresponding to the song title selected in the field 2552 executed in step S224. The number of possible checkouts is updated, the process returns to step S221 and the process is repeated.

If it is determined in step S223 that the button 2691 for setting checkout has not been clicked, the flow advances to step S226, and the display / operation instruction program 2312 determines whether or not the button 2684 for executing checkout has been clicked. To judge.

[0464] In step S226, the button 268 is displayed.
If it is determined that 4 has been clicked, step S22
In step 7, the display / operation instruction program 2312 causes the check-in / check-out management program 2332 of the content management program 2311 to perform check-out in accordance with the content check-out setting. Check-in / check-out management program 23
32 determines whether or not checkout can be executed for each content based on the use condition data stored in the use condition file 2362, and it is determined that checkout can be executed. If so, check out.

When it is determined that the check-out cannot be executed, the check-in / check-out management program 2332 does not execute the check-out.

[0466] In step S228, the display operation instruction program 2312 corresponds to the execution of the content check-out, and the check-in / check-out management program 2332 of the content management program 2311.
Then, the number of check-out times of the usage rule data stored in the usage rule file 2362 (corresponding to the checked-out content) of the content database 2314 is updated.

[0467] In step S229, the display operation instruction program 2312 causes the check-in / check-out management program 2332 to check the check-out count from the usage rule data stored in the usage rule file 2362 corresponding to the checked-out content. Read out.

[0468] In step S230, the display operation instruction program 2312 updates the history data stored in the history data file 2384 and, based on the check-out possible count read in the processing of step S229, displays the display data file 2382. The content display data 2421 is updated, the process returns to step S221, and the process is repeated.

In step S226, the button 268 is set.
If it is determined that No. 4 has not been clicked, the check-out is not executed, so the process returns to step S221 and the process is repeated.

In this way, the display / operation instruction program 23
12 changes the display according to the check-out setting and causes the content management program 2311 to execute the check-out based on the check-out setting.

Next, the check-out process will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. The processes of steps S241, S242, and S250 are the same as steps S221, S222, and S230, so the description thereof will be omitted.

[0472] In step S243, the display operation instruction program 2312 determines whether or not the check-in setting button 2692 has been clicked. If it is determined that the check-in setting button 2692 has been clicked, the display operation instruction program 2312 advances to step S224. Go ahead, field 268
Set the check-in of the content corresponding to the song name selected in 1.

In step S245, the display operation instruction program 2312 causes the content display data 2421 of the display data file 2382 to correspond to the check-in setting of the content corresponding to the song title selected in the field 2681 executed in step S244. The number of check-outs allowed is updated, the process returns to step S241, and the process is repeated.

If it is determined in step S243 that the button 2692 for setting check-in has not been clicked, the flow advances to step S246, and the display / operation instruction program 2312 determines whether or not the button 2684 for executing check-in has been clicked. To judge.

[0475] In step S246, the button 268 is displayed.
If it is determined that 4 has been clicked, step S22
In step 7, the display / operation instruction program 2312 causes the check-in / check-out management program 2332 of the content management program 2311 to perform check-in in response to the content check-in setting.
Check-in / check-out management program 2332
Determines whether or not check-in can be performed for each content based on the use-condition data stored in the use-condition file 2362, and it is determined that check-in can be performed. If so, check in.

When it is determined that the check-in cannot be executed, the check-in / check-out management program 2332 does not execute the check-in.

[0477] In step S248, the display operation instruction program 2312 responds to the check-in of the content by executing the check-in / check-out management program 2332 of the content management program 2311.
Then, the allowable number of times of checking out the use condition data stored in the use condition file 2362 (corresponding to the checked-in content) of the content database 2314 is updated.

[0478] In step S249, the display operation instruction program 2312 causes the check-in / check-out management program 2332 to check the check-in count from the usage rule data stored in the usage rule file 2362 corresponding to the checked-in content. Read out.

In step S250, the display / operation instruction program 2312 updates the history data stored in the history data file 2384 and, based on the check-out possible count read in the processing of step S249, displays the display data file 2382. The content display data 2421 is updated, the process returns to step S241, and the process is repeated.

[0480] In step S246, the button 268 is displayed.
If it is determined that 4 has not been clicked, the check-in is not executed, so the process returns to step S241 and the process is repeated.

In this way, the display / operation instruction program 23
12 changes the display according to the check-in setting and causes the content management program 2311 to execute the check-in based on the check-in setting.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 79, a process of reproducing the content recorded in the content file 2361 of the HDD 67 of the personal computer 1 and checking out to the MD 1204 of the MD drive bay 1201 will be described. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of 79 and the flowchart of FIG. Fig. 79
80 shows the processing of the personal computer 1, and the flowchart of FIG. 80 shows the MD drive bay 1
The processing of 201 is shown. First, the checkout process of the personal computer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 79. This processing is basically executed by the CPU 51 based on the content management program 2311.

[0483] In step S261, when the user operates the jog dial 23, the keyboard 24, or the touch pad 25 to specify the content to be checked out, the CPU 51 (content management program 231
In 1), the data of the designated content is acquired from the content file 2361 of the HDD 67.

At step S262, the CPU 51
The content data acquired in the process of step S261 is encoded by a predetermined method. For example, content data encoded by the MP3 system is encoded by the PCM system.

[0485] Next, in step S263, the CPU 5
1 performs a process of encrypting the content data encoded in the process of step S262.

[0486] In step S264, the CPU 51 determines that
The content data encrypted in the process of step S263 is transferred to the MD drive bay 1201, and the process of requesting the calculation of the hash value is executed.

As will be described later, the MD drive bay 1201
, A hash value based on the content data is calculated, encrypted, and transmitted (see FIG. 80 described later).
Steps S285 to S287). Therefore,
In step S265, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the encrypted hash value is received, and if it is received, the process proceeds to step S266 to decrypt the encrypted hash value. Furthermore, in step S267, the CPU
The 51 records the hash value (HASH1) decrypted in the process of step S266 in the usage rule file 2362 of the HDD 67 as the content ID of the content.

[0488] In step S268, the CPU 51 causes the M
The data permitting check-out to the D drive bay 1201 is encrypted and transmitted. As described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 80, the MD drive bay 120
In No. 1, the TOC data writing process (checkout process) of the content is performed based on the permitted data (step S289).

The CPU 51 also decrements the number of times the content can be checked out by one.

If it is determined in step S265 that the hash value has not been received from the MD drive bay 1201, the process proceeds to step S269, and the CPU 51 executes error processing. That is, at this time, the content checkout process is not performed.

Next, the check-out processing of the MD drive bay 1201 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0492] In step S281, the connection terminal 12
11, the personal computer 1 performs step S264.
The encrypted content data transferred in the process of 1 is received. The connection terminal 1211 supplies the received content data to the control unit 1222. Step S282
In, the control unit 1222 decrypts and outputs the encrypted content data.

At step S283, control unit 1222 encodes the content data decoded by the processing at step S282 into a predetermined method allowed in the mini disk system. In the present case, the content data encoded in the PCM system is, for example, ATRAC1.
It is encoded by the method.

Next, in step S284, the control unit 1
222 controls the recording / reproducing unit 1204 to execute step S
The content data encoded by the process of 283 is MD12.
The processing to write in 04 is executed. That is, at this time, the modulation / demodulation unit 1221 is controlled by the control unit 1222, modulates the supplied data encoded by the ATRAC1 system, and outputs the modulated data to the recording / reproducing unit 1223. Recording / playback unit 12
23 records the content data supplied from the modulation / demodulation unit 1221 in the MD 1204.

In this way, the audio data encoded by the method (ATRAC1 or ATRAC3) permitted in the mini disk system is written in the MD 1204. This MD1204 can be played back by another MD player.

At step S285, control unit 1222 extracts a predetermined portion of the supplied content data and calculates the hash value thereof. This operation divides the total length of the content into four, for example,
For example, a hash value of the data in the section of 0.5 seconds is calculated from the beginning of each of the 2/4 portion and the 3/4 portion. The 1/4 or 4/4 portion is not used because it often includes a silent section.

Next, in step S286, the control unit 1222 receives the calculated hash value and encrypts the hash value.

In step S287, the controller 122
2 transmits the encrypted hash value to the personal computer 1 via the connection terminal 1211.

As described above, this hash value is used as the usage condition file 2 of the HDD 67 of the personal computer 1.
Data stored in 362, and based on the data, check-out permission data is encrypted and transmitted from the personal computer 1.

Therefore, in step S288, the control unit 1222 of the MD drive bay 1201 determines whether or not the data permitting the check-out is received from the personal computer 1.

That is, the control unit 1222 determines that the connection terminal 1
When data is transmitted from the personal computer 1 via 211, it is received, the encrypted data is decrypted, and the decryption result is read to determine whether or not the data permitting the checkout is received. Can be determined.

If data permitting check-out is received, the process advances to step S289, and the control unit 1222.
Generates TOC data corresponding to the content written in the process of step S284, supplies the TOC data to the recording / playback unit 1223, and records the TOC data in the TOC area of the MD 1204. As a result, the address information of the content written in the process of step S284 and the like are recorded in the MD 1204 as TOC data.

When the TOC is recorded, the MD 1204 can read the corresponding TOC to reproduce the corresponding content. In other words, in the process of step S284, even if the content is recorded, if the corresponding TOC data is not written, the MD deck equipped with the MD1204 or the MD player reproduces the content from the MD. I can't. By writing the TOC data corresponding to the TOC data in the process of step S289, the content can be read.

If it is determined in step S288 that the data permitting check-out has not been received, the process of step S289 is skipped. That is, in this case, since TOC data is not written,
The content data written in the process of step S284 is in a state in which it cannot be reproduced (it is substantially the same as the state in which it is not written).

As described above, when the contents and the TOC data corresponding to the contents are written in the MD 1204, the MD
The drive bay 1201 can reproduce the content recorded in the MD 1204.

Check-in processing will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 81 and 82. Figure 8
1 shows the check-in processing of the personal computer 1, and FIG. 82 shows the check-in processing of the MD drive bay 1201.

First, the check-in processing of the personal computer 1 shown in FIG. 81 will be described. This process
When the user specifies check-in of predetermined content by operating the jog dial 23, the keyboard 24, or the touch pad 25, it is basically executed by the CPU 51 based on the content management program 2311.

[0508] In step S301, the CPU 51
The MD drive bay 1201 is requested to calculate the hash value of the content designated as the check-in target by the user. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 82, based on this request, the MD drive bay 1201 calculates the hash value of the designated content, encrypts it, and sends it (steps S322 to S325).

[0509] Therefore, in step S302, the CPU
The 51 determines whether or not the hash value has been received, and if the hash value has been received, the process proceeds to step S303 to decrypt the encrypted hash value.

Further, in step S304, the CPU 51 determines that the hash value obtained by decrypting step S303 is the database of the HDD 67 (the usage condition file 23
It is checked whether or not the content ID is stored in 62). If the hash value decrypted in step S283 is stored as the content ID, step S283
In step 305, the CPU 51 requests the MD drive bay 1201 to check in the target content.

Upon receiving this check-in request, the MD drive bay 1201 deletes the corresponding content and sends a notification of the content deletion in encrypted form, as will be described later (steps S327, S328). .

[0512] Then, in step S306, the CPU
The 51 determines whether or not the notification of the content deletion has been received. If the notification has been received, the process advances to step S307 to execute the content check-in process.

[0513] In step S302, the MD drive bay 1201
If it is determined that the hash value cannot be received from the device, it is determined in step S304 that the corresponding hash value is not stored, or it is determined in step S306 that the content deletion notification has not been received. If so, the process proceeds to step S308 and error processing is executed. That is, in these cases,
The targeted content is the personal computer 1
Check-in processing is not executed because the content is not managed by or the other party is the illegal MD drive bay 1201.

Next, the check-in processing of the MD drive bay 1201 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0515] First, in step S321, the control unit 1222 receives from the personal computer 1 a request for hash value calculation of predetermined content. That is,
As described above, the personal computer 1 calculates and decrypts the hash value in step S51. The control unit 1222, in step S72, the recording / reproducing unit 1
223 is controlled to reproduce a predetermined portion of the requested content recorded in the MD 1204 and extract the data.

[0516] In step S323, the controller 122
In step 2, the hash value is calculated from the content data extracted in step S322. In step S74, the control unit 1222 encrypts the hash value calculated in step S323. In step S75, the control unit 1222 sets the encrypted hash value supplied from the connection terminal 1211 to the personal computer 1
Send to.

As described above with reference to FIG. 81, upon receiving this hash value, the personal computer 1
Requests to check in content (step S)
305). Therefore, in step S326, the control unit 1222 determines whether or not a content check-in request has been received, and if it has received, a step S32
7, the recording / reproducing unit 1223 is controlled to delete the content recorded in the MD 1204. Control unit 122
2 further controls the recording / playback unit 1223 to rewrite the TOC data in response to the deletion of the content.

[0518] Next, in step S328, control unit 1222 encrypts the notification indicating that the content has been deleted, and causes personal computer 1 to be notified from connection terminal 1211.

As described above, based on this notification, the personal computer 1 executes the content check-in processing (step S307).

If it is determined in step S326 that the personal computer 1 has not requested the check-in of the content, the processes of steps S327 and S328 are skipped. That is, in this case, the check-in process is not executed.

In the above description, the hash value is calculated only for the content designated as the content to be checked in. (Since the calculation of the hash value takes a relatively long time, the content of the target content is thus calculated. The check-in process can be completed in a short time by calculating only the hash value. However, the hash values of all the contents can be calculated in advance and stored. The processing in this case will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 83 and 84.

FIG. 83 illustrates the check-in processing of the personal computer 1.

[0523] In step S341, the CPU 51 causes the M
The D drive bay 1201 is requested to calculate the hash value of the content whose sequence number (display number) is 1.
As described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 84, in response to this request, the MD drive bay 1201 calculates the hash value of the specified content, encrypts it, and sends it (step S374 of FIG. 84). ). Therefore, in step S342, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the hash value is received, and when the hash value is received, the CPU 51 determines in step S3.
Proceeding to 44, the hash value is decrypted (decryption is performed).

[0524] In step S345, the CPU 51 determines that
It is determined whether the hash value decrypted in the process of step S344 is stored as the content ID in the usage rule file 2362 of the HDD 67. If the decrypted hash value is stored in the usage rule file 2362, the CPU 51 proceeds to step S346 and sets the sequence number of the content in the normal state (in the normal state) of the LCD 26.
To display.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the decrypted hash value is not stored as the content ID, the process advances to step S347, and the CPU 51 reversely displays the sequence number corresponding to the content on the LCD 26.

Content whose hash value is not stored as the content ID is stored in this personal computer 1.
Is not the content that manages check-in and check-out. On the contrary, when the hash value is stored, it means that the corresponding content is the content whose check-in and check-out are managed by this personal computer 1. The user can confirm whether the sequence number of the content is displayed normally.
Depending on whether the content is highlighted, it can be determined whether the content is managed by the currently connected personal computer 1.

If it is determined in step S342 that the hash value is not received from the MD drive bay 1201, the process proceeds to step S343, and the CPU 51 executes error processing.

After the processing in step S356, S357 or step S343, in step S348, the CP
The U51 determines whether or not hash value calculation has been requested for all contents, and if there is any content that has not been requested yet, the process returns to step S341,
Repeat the subsequent processing.

[0529] When it is determined in step S348 that the above processing has been executed for all contents, the order of all contents recorded in the MD 1204 mounted in the MD drive bay 1201 is displayed on the LCD 26. The number is displayed. The user can specify the content to be checked in by looking at this display.

Therefore, in step S349, the CPU
51 determines whether or not the content to be checked in is designated by the user, and if not, proceeds to step S355 to determine whether or not the check-in of all the contents is completed. If all contents have not been checked in yet, step S
Returning to 349, the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed.

[0531] If it is determined in step S349 that the content to be checked in has been designated by the user, the process proceeds to step S350, in which the CPU 51 determines whether or not the designated content can be checked in. As described above, the sequence numbers of the contents managed by the personal computer 1 are displayed in the normal rotation, and the sequence numbers of the contents not managed are displayed in reverse. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the content can be checked in based on whether or not the designated sequence number is normally displayed.

When the check-in possible content is designated, the CPU 51 proceeds to step S351 and encrypts the hash value of the designated content as a content ID and sends it to the MD drive bay 1201 (or this). Instead of the hash value, the sequence number corresponding to the content may be encrypted and transmitted.

As will be described later with reference to FIG. 84, when the MD drive bay 1201 receives the hash value of the content to be checked in, the MD drive bay 1201 deletes the content corresponding to the hash value and sends a deletion notification ( Step S
379).

Therefore, in step S352, the CPU
51 indicates a content deletion notification in the MD drive bay 120
It is determined whether or not it is received from 1, and if it is received, the process proceeds to step S353, and a content check-in process is executed. Specifically, the number of times you can check out is 1
Is incremented only.

[0535] If it is determined in step S350 that the designated content is not the check-in content, or if it is determined in step S352 that the content deletion notification has not been received, the process proceeds to step S354. , Error handling is performed. After the process of step S353 or step S354, the process proceeds to step S355, it is determined whether check-in of all contents is completed, and if there is content that has not been checked-in yet, step S3
Returning to 49, the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed. If it is determined that the check-in of all the contents is completed, the process ends.

Next, the check-in processing of the MD drive bay 1201 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S371, the control unit 122
In step 2, the personal computer 1 executes step S341.
When the request for calculating the hash value of the content having the designated sequence number is received, the hash value of the content having the designated sequence number is calculated based on the request in step S372.

At step S123, the control unit 122
2 stores the hash value calculated in the process of step S122 in the internal memory. This storage is used to identify the content to be deleted in the process of step S378 described later.

[0539] Next, in step S374, the control unit 1222 encrypts the hash value calculated in the process of step S372, and transmits the encrypted hash value to the personal computer 1.

In step S375, the control unit 122
2 determines whether or not the hash values of all the contents have been calculated, and if there is any content that has not been calculated, the process returns to step S371 and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

If it is determined by the above processing that the hash values of all contents have been calculated, a specific check-in processing becomes executable, so step S
Proceed to 376.

In step S376, the control unit 122
2 determines whether or not the hash value of the content to be checked in has been received from the personal computer 1. That is, the personal computer 1 encrypts the hash value of the check-in content when the user specifies the check-in content,
It is transmitted (step S351).

Therefore, in step S376, when the control unit 1222 determines that the hash value as the content ID of the content to be checked in has been received, the process proceeds to step S377, the encryption / decryption unit 202 is controlled, and the reception is performed. Then, the encrypted hash value is decrypted. In step S378, the control unit 1222 controls the recording / playback unit 1223 to delete the content corresponding to the hash value obtained by decryption from the MD 1204. The control unit 1222 also deletes the MD
The TOC data of 1204 is rewritten.

In step S379, the control section 122
2 encrypts the notification indicating that the content has been deleted and sends it to the personal computer 1.

As described above, based on this notification, the personal computer 1 executes the check-in processing of the deleted content (step S353).

[0546] Next, proceeding to step S380, it is determined whether check-in of all contents has been completed,
If there is content that has not been checked in yet, the process returns to step S376, and the subsequent processes are repeated. If it is determined that the check-in of all the contents is completed, the process ends.

All communication between the personal computer 1 and the MD drive bay 1201 via the connection terminal 1211 is encrypted. This prevents unauthorized copyright management.

Next, an image pasting process executed by the display / operation instruction program 2312 when a predetermined image is dragged and dropped in the field 2548 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S391, the display operation instruction program 2312
Determines whether the package is selected, and if it is determined that the package is selected, step S
Proceeding to 392, the dragged and dropped image is converted into a predetermined size, the system is converted, and the color is reduced.

In step S393, the display / operation instruction program 2312 stores the image converted and color-reduced in the process of step 392 in the image file 2383.

[0550] In step S394, the display operation instruction program 2312 determines whether or not the content is selected. If it is determined that the content is not selected, the process proceeds to step S395, and the image file 23 is selected.
83 and the selected package in association (namely, the name of the recorded image file 2383 is either the package display data 2411, the package display data 2451, or the package display data 2491 corresponding to the package. The data is recorded as data indicating the image file name), and the process ends.

[0551] If it is determined in step S394 that the content is selected, the flow advances to step S396, and the display operation instruction program 2312 associates the image file 2383 with the selected content (that is, recorded). The name of the image file 2383 is set as the content display data 24 corresponding to the content.
21 is recorded as data indicating the image file name),
The process ends.

[0552] If it is determined in step S391 that the package is not selected, there is no object to be associated with the image. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S397, and the display operation instruction program 2312 displays a predetermined error message, Ends.

As described above, the display / operation instruction program 23
12 can attach the dragged and dropped image to the package or content (relate the image to the package or content).

Next, the image display processing executed by the display / operation instruction program 2312 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In step S411, the display operation instruction program 2312 determines whether or not the content is reproduced, and if it is determined that the content is not reproduced, the display operation instruction program 2312 proceeds to step S412.
Determine if a package is selected.

[0555] If it is determined in step S412 that the package is not selected, step S413.
Then, the display operation instruction program 2312 displays a predetermined image (for example, an image showing the provider of the display operation instruction program 2312) in the field 2548, returns to step S411, and repeats the display processing.

[0556] If it is determined in step S412 that the package is selected, the flow advances to step S414, and the display operation instruction program 2312 determines whether or not the content is selected.

If it is determined in step S414 that the content has not been selected, step S415.
Then, the display operation instruction program 2312 displays an image associated with the selected package in the field 2548 (the package display data 241).
The predetermined image files 2383-1 to 2383 are referred to by referring to the data indicating the image file name stored in
The image data stored in any one of K is read, and the image corresponding to the image data is read in the field 254.
8), the process returns to step S411, and the display process is repeated.

[0558] If it is determined in step S414 that the content is selected, the flow advances to step S416, and the display operation instruction program 2312 determines whether or not there is an image associated with the selected content.

If it is determined in step S416 that there is an image associated with the selected content, the flow advances to step S417, and the display operation instruction program 2312 displays the image associated with the selected content. The predetermined image files 2383-1 to 2383-1 to 23-23 are displayed by referring to the data indicating the image file name displayed in the field 2548 and stored in the content display data 2421 corresponding to the selected content.
83-K, the image data stored in any one of them is read, and the image corresponding to the image data is read in the field 2
(Displayed in 548), the process returns to step S411, and the display process is repeated.

If it is determined in step S416 that there is no image associated with the selected content, the process advances to step S418, and the display operation instruction program 2312 associates with the package to which the selected content belongs. Image in field 2548
, And the process returns to step S411, and the display process is repeated.

[0561] If it is determined in step S411 that the content is being reproduced, the flow advances to step S419, and the display operation instruction program 2312 determines whether or not the display of the audio signal level corresponding to each frequency band is set. If it is determined that the display of the audio signal level corresponding to each frequency band is set, the process proceeds to step S420, the field 2548 displays the audio signal level corresponding to each frequency band, Step S4
Returning to 11, the display process is repeated.

If it is determined in step S419 that the display of the audio signal level corresponding to each frequency band is not set, the flow advances to step S411, and the display operation instruction program 2312 outputs the audio output to the field 2548. (The signal level corresponding to the passage of time of the voice being output) is displayed, the process returns to step S411, and the display process is repeated.

Thus, the display / operation instruction program 23
12 is the selection state of packages or contents,
Or, in response to the content reproduction, the field 254
8 displays the image associated with the package, the image associated with the content, the signal level of the sound corresponding to each frequency band, or the waveform of the sound being output.

In the above, as described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 74, the recording program 23
Button 25 in the process of recording from CD by 13
When 85 is set to active, the personal computer 1 records all the contents read from the CD, and then collectively records MDs 1204-1 to 1204.
-3 is checked out, but for example, after recording one content from a CD,
It is also possible to start the recording of the next piece of content that has not been recorded from, and to start checking out the piece of content that has already been recorded.

In FIG. 87, the personal computer 1
When the process of recording the content and the process of checking out the recorded content are executed at the same time, an example of a window displayed by the recording program 2313 on the display 20 when the recording program 2313 is activated is shown. In the window shown in FIG. 87, the recording destination display field 280 is added to the window shown in FIG.
1, a recording state display bar 2802, and a recording state display field 2803 are added.

[0566] The recording destination display field 2801 displays the recording destination device. In this case, "HDD & MD1204-
1 ”is displayed. Therefore, when button 2585 is clicked, from the displayed pull-down menu,
MD1204-1 to 1204-3 to check out
Of these, MD1204-1 is selected. Further, “HDD” is shown as a recording destination of the content. In other words, when "Do not check out" is selected from the pull-down menu, the recording destination display field 2
Only “HDD” will be displayed in 801.
When any of D1204-1 to 1204-3 is selected (in this case), the selected portable device is displayed together with the HDD.

The recording status display bar 2802 indicates the progress status of the processing for recording the content and the progress status of the processing for checking out the recorded content by checking the recording processing of all the selected contents and checking the progress status thereof. When the processing of out is the whole, the ratio of each processed is displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 87, check boxes of track numbers 5, 7, 9 to 11 on the field 2583 are checked (other contents are recorded), that is, five contents are selected. Then, button 25 to start recording
When 86 is clicked and recording is started, as the recording progresses, for example, as shown in FIG. 88, a bar showing the progress of each of the recording and checkout processing is displayed. That is, the recording status display bar 2802 has a red portion 2802a that shows the progress of the recording processing and a brown portion 2802b that shows the progress of the checkout. As the respective processing progresses, the display portion is shown in the figure. From left to right.

Red part 2802a and brown part 2802b
Shows all the processing (in this case, tracks 5, 7,
This shows that the processing for recording the contents 9 to 11 and the processing for checking out all the recorded contents) have been completed. In the present case, as shown in FIG. 88, the content recording process is about half of the whole process (red part 280).
2a is displayed from the left of the recording state display bar 2802 to the substantially central portion), and the recorded content is checked out in about 1/4 of the entire processing (the brown portion 2802b indicates the recording state). From the left of the display bar 2802
It is shown that each of the 1/4 parts is displayed). Since the process of recording the content is performed prior to the process of checking out the recorded content, a red portion 2802a is first displayed on the recording status display bar 2802 and then the recording state display bar 2802 is displayed. , Brown part 2802b is red part 2802
It will be displayed so as to overlap and cover a.
As a result, finally, when all the processing is completed, only the brown portion 2802b is displayed on the recording state display bar 2802. Also, a recording status display bar 2802
The display color may be other than the above-mentioned combination of red and brown.

The recording status display field 2803 has a button 258.
6 is clicked and is displayed in an active state while the recording process and the check-out process are being executed (for example, the display of “recording” is highlighted as shown in FIG. 88).

Further, when the check-out process is executed, the recording program 2313 causes the dialog box 2 indicating that the process is in progress on the window as shown in FIG.
811 is displayed. In the dialog box 2811, "Check-in / check-out process is in progress. Please do not remove the external device. (It may cause a malfunction)."
Is displayed, and a check-in / check-out status display bar 2811a is displayed below it. check-in/
The check-out status display bar 2811a indicates the progress status of the check-in / check-out processing for one content, and the bar displayed in the check-in / check-out processing progresses as the check-in / check-out processing progresses. , From left to right in the figure. For example, in this case, as shown in field 2583, up to 30% of the content of track number 9 has been recorded (track number 9
There is a display of "30%" indicating that the processing of recording the content of has been completed up to 30%. Therefore, since the recording of the track numbers 5 and 7 has already been completed, the check-in / check-out status display bar 2811a shows the contents of any of the track numbers 5 and 7 which are already recorded contents. The progress of the checkout process is shown. Further, the dialog box 2811 indicating that this process is in progress is hidden when the check-out is completed for each content, and is displayed again when the next check-out is started (therefore, this dialog box is checked out). Is displayed and hidden repeatedly while is executed).

A check box 281 is provided below the check-in / check-out status display bar 2811a.
1b is provided, and next to it, "This message is not displayed again" is displayed. When the check box 2811b is checked, the dialog box 2811 is set not to be displayed in the next recording process. Further, when the button 2811c displayed as "interrupt" is clicked, the recording state (including the checkout process) is interrupted. Further, when the button 2811d displayed as "hide display" is clicked, the display of the dialog box 2811 being processed is hidden.

[0572] Next, with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 89, description will be given of the check-out simultaneous processing for recording the content and checking out the recorded content. In step S431, the recording program 2313 reads the selected content from the CD based on the content selection information. In the case of FIG. 87,
The contents corresponding to the track numbers 5, 7, 9 to 11 are read from the CD.

In step S432, the recording program 2313 causes the compression method conversion program 2334 of the content management program 2311 to compress the content read from the CD by a predetermined method such as ATRAC3. In step S203, the recording program 23
13 causes the encryption program 2335 of the content management program 2311 to encrypt the compressed content by a predetermined encryption method such as DES.

[0574] In step S434, the recording program 2313 stores the compressed and encrypted content in the content database 2314. Step S2
In 05, the recording program 2313 generates usage rule data corresponding to the content stored in the content database 2314, and causes the content database 2314 to store the generated usage rule data in the usage rule file 2362. In addition, the recording program 23
13 updates the display data file 2382 based on the generated usage condition data or information corresponding to the CD.

[0575] In step S436, the recording program 2313 determines whether or not recording for one track is completed, and continues the processing until recording for one track is completed. If it is determined in step S436 that recording of one track has been completed, in step S437, the recording program 2313 adds the recorded content to the checkout processing list held by the display operation instruction program 2312.

[0576] In step S438, the display operation instruction program 2312 determines whether or not the check-out process is being executed by the content management program 2311. If it is determined that the check-out process is being executed, the process proceeds to step S439. move on.

[0577] In step S439, the recording program 2313 determines whether or not recording of all tracks is completed. If it is determined that recording is not completed in all tracks, the process returns to step S431. , And the subsequent processing is repeated.

[0578] If it is determined in step S438 that the checkout process has not been executed, in step S440, the display / operation instruction program 2312 is displayed.
Causes the content management program 2311 to execute (start) the checkout process.

Checkout processing will now be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. This process is started by the process of step S440 described above, and in step S451, the content management program 2311 is executed.
Determines whether or not the content to be checked out is entered (written) in the checkout processing list held by the display operation instruction program 2312, and if it is determined that there is content to be checked out, The process proceeds to step S452.

[0580] In step S452, the contents management program 2311 checks out the contents entered in the checkout processing list to a predetermined portable device.

[0580] In step S453, the contents management program 2311 determines whether or not the checkout is completed, repeats this processing until completion, and when it is determined that the checkout is completed, the processing is step S454.
Proceed to.

[0582] In step S454, the content management program 2311 determines that the display / operation instruction program 23
The content entered in the checkout processing list is deleted by 12, and the processing returns to step S451, and the processing thereafter is repeated.

If it is determined in step S451 that the content to be checked out is not entered in the checkout processing list, the processing ends.

As described above, when content recording and checkout are executed at the same time (when the checkout processing is performed in the background), for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, contents whose recording and check-out are designated at the same time, such as track numbers 5, 7, 9 to 11 whose check boxes are checked, can be played back during the recording process and the check-out process. You may do it.

[0585] Further, the simultaneous recording and check-out of contents (the process of the flowchart of Fig. 89) and the process of collectively checking out after recording all contents may be selectively used depending on the usage environment. For example, in the check-out process, the personal computer 1 uses the MDs 1204-1 to 1204-3.
If you need mutual authentication between your and your
Mutual authentication is required every time the content is checked out. For this reason, when the portable device cannot execute the check-out mutual authentication processing at high speed, it is possible to speed up the whole processing by recording all the contents and then collectively checking out.

The display operation instruction program 2312
According to the setting made by the user, the field 2548 may display an image showing the level of the sound currently being output when the content is being reproduced.

Also, the method for compressing contents by the personal computer 1 has been described as ATRAC3, for example, but it is not limited to ATRAC3, and MP3 (Moving Picture Expe
rtsGroup 2 Audio Layer 3), TwinQV ™, or
Any compression method such as AAC (MPEG2 Advance Audio Coding) may be used.

The personal computer 1 has described the method for encrypting contents as, for example, DES, but not limited to DES, IDEA (International Data En
Cryptography algorithm), public key cryptography such as RAS, or elliptic cryptography.

Also, the content management program 2311
May be independently provided inside the personal computer 1, and may be executed on hardware that cannot directly read the content management program 2311 itself from the personal computer 1. The hardware that executes the content management program 2311 may have tamper resistance.

The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software. When a series of processes is executed by software, various functions can be executed by installing a computer in which a program configuring the software is incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. It is installed from a recording medium into a possible general-purpose personal computer or the like.

The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software. When a series of processes is executed by software, a program that constitutes the software can execute various functions by installing a computer in which dedicated hardware is installed or various programs. It is installed from a program storage medium into a possible general-purpose personal computer or the like.

As shown in FIG. 6, a magnetic disk 1 is used as a recording medium for recording a program which is installed in a computer and is made executable by the computer.
31 (including flexible disk), optical disk 13
2 (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD
(Including Digital Versatile Disc)), magneto-optical disc 1
33 (including MD (Mini-Disc) (trademark)), a package medium including a semiconductor memory 134, or a program is temporarily or permanently recorded.
It is composed of HDD 67 and the like. The recording of the program in the recording medium is performed using a wired or wireless communication medium such as a local area network or the network 2 such as the Internet and digital satellite broadcasting via an interface as necessary.

In the present specification, the steps for writing the program stored in the program storage medium need not necessarily be performed in time series in the order described, but may not necessarily be performed in time series. It also includes processing executed in parallel or individually.

Further, in this specification, the system means
It represents the entire apparatus composed of a plurality of devices.

[0595]

According to the present invention, even if expansion bays having different operating voltages of power supplies are connected, it is possible to identify the type of the power supply and supply the power. Since it is not necessary to provide a facility for transforming the voltage to a standardized voltage, it is possible to reduce the cost of the expansion bay and further reduce the size.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the personal computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the external configuration of part of the personal computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a part of the personal computer of FIG.

5 is a side view showing an external configuration of the personal computer of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of the personal computer 1 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of the personal computer 1 of FIG.

8 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a personal computer shown in FIG. 1 when a ten-keyboard bay is attached.

9 is a perspective view showing an external configuration when a ten-keyboard bay is mounted on the personal computer of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the ten keyboard bay shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

11 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the ten keyboard bay of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an external configuration when the MD drive bay is mounted on the personal computer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the MD drive bay of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the MD drive bay of FIG.

15 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a personal computer shown in FIG. 1 when an FD drive bay is attached.

16 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the FD drive bay of FIG.

17 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the FD drive bay of FIG.

18 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a personal computer shown in FIG. 1 when a speaker bay is attached.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the speaker bay shown in FIG.

20 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the speaker bay shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the EMD registration server 3.

22 is a block diagram showing a configuration near a connection terminal of the personal computer of FIG.

23 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a connection terminal of the ten keyboard bay of FIG.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a connection terminal of the MD drive bay shown in FIG.

25 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a connection terminal of the FD drive bay of FIG.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a connection terminal of the speaker bay of FIG.

27 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of a connection terminal of the personal computer of FIG.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an ID signal.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating a bay switching process performed by the personal computer in FIG. 1.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating a bay switching process by the ten keyboard bay of FIG. 10.

31 is a flowchart illustrating a bay switching process by the MD drive bay of FIG. 13. FIG.

32 is a flowchart illustrating a bay switching process by the FD drive bay of FIG. 16. FIG.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating bay switching processing by the speaker bay of FIG. 19.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a connection terminal of the multifunction bay.

FIG. 35 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration when the MD drive bay is attached to the personal computer 1.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of usage condition data.

FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between original package display data belonging to a display data file and a content file.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a display data file.

[Fig. 39] Fig. 39 is a diagram for describing the relationship between display data for My Select Package and content files.

FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between filtering package display data and a content file.

FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating an EMD registration process.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for executing a registration process.

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by the EMD selection program.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by a purchasing application.

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by a purchasing driver.

FIG. 46 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation instruction window.

FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating an example of a window displayed on the display by the recording program.

FIG. 48 is a diagram showing a property dialog box for setting WWW server selection.

FIG. 49 shows a property dialog box for setting WWW server selection.

FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating an example of a window displayed by a recording program on a display.

FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating an example of a window displayed by a recording program on a display.

FIG. 52 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog box displayed on the display by the recording program.

FIG. 53 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog box displayed on the display by the recording program.

FIG. 54 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog box displayed on the display by the recording program.

FIG. 55 is a diagram illustrating an example of a window displayed by the recording program on the display.

FIG. 56 is a diagram illustrating an example of a window displayed on the display by the recording program.

FIG. 57 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog box displayed by a recording program on a display.

FIG. 58 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation instruction window.

FIG. 59 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation instruction window.

FIG. 60 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation instruction window.

FIG. 61 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation instruction window.

FIG. 62 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation instruction window.

FIG. 63 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation instruction window.

FIG. 64 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation instruction window.

FIG. 65 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation instruction window.

FIG. 66 is a diagram illustrating a process of generating a filtering package.

FIG. 67 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation instruction window.

FIG. 68 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation instruction window.

FIG. 69 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation instruction window.

FIG. 70 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation instruction window.

71 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation instruction window. FIG.

FIG. 72 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation instruction window.

FIG. 73 is a flowchart illustrating a registration process.

[Fig. 74] Fig. 74 is a flowchart illustrating a recording process from a CD.

FIG. 75 is a flowchart illustrating a process of acquiring information corresponding to a CD.

FIG. 76 is a flowchart illustrating a process of generating a filtering package.

FIG. 77 is a flowchart illustrating a checkout process.

FIG. 78 is a flowchart illustrating a check-in process.

[Fig. 79] Fig. 79 is a flowchart illustrating a content check-out process of a personal computer.

FIG. 80 is a flowchart illustrating MD drive bay checkout processing.

FIG. 81 is a flowchart illustrating a check-in process of the personal computer.

FIG. 82 is a flowchart illustrating MD drive bay check-in processing.

FIG. 83 is a flowchart illustrating another check-in process of the personal computer.

FIG. 84 is a flowchart illustrating another check-in process of the MD drive bay.

FIG. 85 is a flowchart illustrating an image pasting process.

FIG. 86 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying an image.

FIG. 87 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation instruction window.

FIG. 88 is a diagram showing an example of a display operation instruction window.

FIG. 89 is a flowchart illustrating checkout simultaneous processing.

FIG. 90 is a flowchart illustrating checkout processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 personal computer, 102 bay slots,
102a connection terminal, 1151 numeric keyboard bay,
1152 numeric keyboard, 1161 connection terminal,
1171 control unit, 1201 MD drive bay, 1
202 MD slot, 1203 eject button,
1204 MD, 1211 connection terminal, 1221
Demodulator, 1222 control unit, 1223 recording / playback unit, 1251 FD drive bay, 1252 FD slot, 1253 eject button, 1254 FD,
1261 connection terminal, 1271 control unit, 127
2 recording / reproducing unit, 1301 speaker bay, 130
2a, 1302b speaker, 1311 connection terminal,
1321 control unit, 1322 amplifier, 2001 power supply circuit, 2001a to 2001c power supply output, 2
002 Super I / O IC, 2003 CPU, 2004
Memory, IC for 2005 Audio

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takanobu Matsuo             6-735 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Soni             -Inside the corporation F term (reference) 5B011 DB20 DB21 DC06 EA02 EB06                       FF03 HH01

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus in which a plurality of types of expansion devices can be mounted in expansion slots via connection terminals; power supply means for supplying power of a plurality of voltages to the expansion device; and transmission from the expansion device. Receiving means for receiving the ID signal, identification means for identifying the type of the expansion device corresponding to the ID signal, and the connection corresponding to the type of the expansion device identified by the identification means Signal line switching means for switching the signal line of the terminal, and power of a voltage corresponding to the type of the expansion device identified by the identification means is supplied to the expansion device using a power supply line corresponding to the expansion device. And an electric power switching unit for switching the electric power supply unit. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection terminal is a 42-pin connection terminal. 3. The power of the plurality of voltages is 5V power,
Alternatively, the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a power of 3V. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of types of expansion devices include a numeric keyboard bay, an MD drive bay, an FD drive bay, or a speaker bay. 5. The receiving means receives a 3-bit ID signal transmitted from the expansion device, and the identifying means identifies the type of the expansion device in correspondence with the 3-bit ID signal. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 6. An information processing method of an information processing apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of types of expansion devices in expansion slots via connection terminals, the power supply step of supplying power of a plurality of voltages to the expansion device, A receiving step of receiving an ID signal transmitted from the expansion device, an identification step of identifying the type of the expansion device corresponding to the ID signal, and a type of the expansion device identified in the process of the identifying step. Correspondingly, a signal line switching step of switching the signal line of the connection terminal is used, and power of a voltage corresponding to the type of the expansion device identified in the processing of the identification step is used using a power supply line corresponding to the expansion device. And a power switching step of switching the processing of the power supplying step so that the power is supplied to the expansion device. 7. A program for controlling an information processing apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of types of expansion devices in expansion slots via connection terminals, the power controlling the supply of power of a plurality of voltages to the expansion device. A supply control step, a reception control step for controlling reception of an ID signal transmitted from the expansion device, an identification control step for controlling identification of the type of the expansion device corresponding to the ID signal, and the identification control step Signal line switching control step for controlling the switching of the signal line to the connection terminal corresponding to the type of the expansion device whose identification is controlled by the process of step (a), and the expansion whose identification is controlled by the process of the identification control step. The power supply control step so that power having a voltage corresponding to the type of device is supplied to the expansion device by using a power supply line corresponding to the expansion device. A recording medium having a computer-readable program recorded thereon, the recording medium storing a computer-readable program. 8. A power supply control for controlling the supply of a plurality of voltages of power to the expansion device to a computer that controls an information processing device in which a plurality of kinds of expansion devices can be mounted in expansion slots via connection terminals. Step, a reception control step of controlling reception of an ID signal transmitted from the expansion device, an identification control step of controlling identification of the type of the expansion device corresponding to the ID signal, and a process of the identification control step A signal line switching control step for controlling the switching of the signal line to the connection terminal corresponding to the type of the expansion device whose identification is controlled by, and the expansion device whose identification is controlled by the process of the identification control step. The process of the power supply control step is performed so that power having a voltage corresponding to the type is supplied to the expansion device using a power supply line corresponding to the expansion device. A program for executing a power switching control step for controlling physical switching. 9. An expansion device attachable to an information processing device via a connection terminal, wherein a storage means for storing its own ID signal and an own ID signal stored in the storage means are connected via the connection terminal. An expansion device, comprising: a transmitting unit configured to transmit the power to the information processing device, and a power receiving unit receiving power of a voltage corresponding to the ID signal from the information processing device. 10. The expansion device according to claim 9, wherein the connection terminal is a 42-pin connection terminal. 11. The expansion device according to claim 9, wherein the power of the plurality of voltages includes a power of 5V or a power of 3V. 12. The expansion device according to claim 9, wherein the expansion device includes a ten keyboard bay, an MD drive bay, an FD drive bay, or a speaker bay. 13. The ID signal comprises a 3-bit signal, and the transmitting means transmits the 3-bit ID signal of itself stored in the storage means to the information processing apparatus via the connection terminal. The expansion device according to claim 9, wherein: 14. A method of processing an expansion device attachable to an information processing device via a connection terminal, comprising: a storing step of storing its own ID signal; and an own ID signal stored in the processing of the storing step,
A processing method comprising: a transmitting step of transmitting to the information processing apparatus via the connection terminal; and a power receiving step of receiving power of a voltage corresponding to the ID signal from the information processing apparatus. 15. A program for controlling an expansion device attachable to an information processing device via a connection terminal, the program comprising: a storage control step of controlling storage of its own ID signal; A transmission control step of controlling the transmission of its own ID signal to the information processing apparatus via the connection terminal, and a power reception control of controlling the reception of power of a voltage corresponding to the ID signal from the information processing apparatus. A recording medium having a computer-readable program recorded thereon, comprising: 16. A storage control step of controlling storage of an ID signal of the computer, which controls an expansion device attachable to an information processing device via a connection terminal, and a storage device stored in the processing of the storage control step. A transmission control step of controlling the transmission of the ID signal of the ID signal to the information processing apparatus via the connection terminal, and a power reception control step of controlling the reception of the power of the voltage corresponding to the ID signal from the information processing apparatus, A program to execute. 17. An information processing system comprising a plurality of types of expansion devices and information processing devices connected via connection terminals, wherein the information processing device supplies power of a plurality of voltages to the expansion device. Means, receiving means for receiving an ID signal transmitted from the expansion device, identification means for identifying the type of the expansion device corresponding to the ID signal, type of the expansion device identified by the identification means Corresponding to, the signal line switching means for switching the signal line of the connection terminal, and the power supply means for supplying the expansion device with the power of the voltage corresponding to the type of the expansion device identified by the identifying means. The expansion device includes a storage unit that stores its own ID signal and a power switching unit that switches its own ID signal stored in the storage unit via the connection terminal. The information processing system characterized in that it comprises transmitting means for transmitting to the information processing apparatus, and a receiving means for receiving a power voltage corresponding to the ID signal from the information processing apparatus.