JP2003338127A - Information output device and information output method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device which prevents an infinite number of recording mediums from being copied freely when the copy is restricted like in 'Copy One Generation' and protects the benefit a copyright holder. <P>SOLUTION: The total number of outer instruments outputting the digital information which restricts the copy for the outer instruments connected with a plurality of output circuits is limited so as to be within as prescribed number. <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 output device and an information output method for outputting digital information such as video and audio, and in particular, the output information is recorded on a recording medium by the authority of a copyright holder or the like. Alternatively, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for limiting the output from the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When information such as video and audio is treated as digital information, there is an advantage that quality deterioration does not occur in the information transmission process or recording / reproduction process, or there is very little. But,
When a large number of good copies of information are made and distributed in places where the copyright owner does not know, and the copies are repeated, there is a problem in that the profit is not returned to the copyright owner.

US Pat. No. 5,896,454,
A method of attaching 2-bit copy control information to information is disclosed. This is due to the will of the copyright holder and the information creator.
"Copy Never", "Copy authorization" (Copy
Free), "Copy authorization for only one generation" (Copy One Genera
The operation of the recording apparatus is controlled by selecting any one of the three options. The recording apparatus does not perform the recording operation if "copy prohibited", and performs the recording operation if "copy authorized". If "copy authorization for only one generation", this control information is "not permitted for further copying" (No More Co
pies) and then perform the recording operation.

[0004]

The matters disclosed in the above-mentioned prior arts define the operation on the recording device side when given information is supplied to the recording device. However, "Copy authorization only for one generation" (Copy One Generatio
There are the following problems in the handling of the information that is said to be n).

[0005] Instead of "Copy Once", "Copy One Generat" (Copy One Generat)
Ion) because there was no effective way to limit the number of connected recording devices or the number of copies. Therefore, as long as the number of recording devices is the same, it is possible to record on an infinite number of recording media, which is practically the same as "copy authorization" (Copy Free), and the profit of the copyright holder is impaired. This problem is not mentioned in the above mentioned literature.

The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems.
When copying is restricted such as "Copy One Generation" (Copy One Generation), it is possible to prevent the unlimited copying to a myriad of recording media, and to protect the interests of the copyright holder with a method and device. To provide.

[0007]

The object is to provide an information output device for outputting digital information, comprising a plurality of output circuits for outputting the digital information and a control circuit for controlling the plurality of output circuits. The circuit limits the total number of external devices that output the digital information among external devices connected to the plurality of output circuits to within a predetermined number, and in a digital information output device capable of mounting the plurality of output circuits. A control circuit for controlling the plurality of output circuits, wherein the control circuit limits the total number of the external devices, which output the digital information, of the external devices connected to the plurality of output circuits to within a predetermined number. And even
In an information output method capable of outputting digital information from a plurality of output circuits, it is achieved by limiting the total number of the external devices outputting the digital information among the external devices connected to the plurality of output circuits to within a predetermined number. it can.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. First, the entire system to which the present invention is applied will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the entire system in which the information output device of the present invention is used. The receiving apparatus 3 receives the information broadcast from the information providing station 1 such as a broadcasting station via the relay station 2, and the first recording / reproducing apparatus 4, the second recording / reproducing apparatus 6A, and the third recording / reproducing apparatus 6 are received.
Recording / reproduction is performed with B, and viewing is performed with the display 5. In this case, the receiving device 3 corresponds to the information output device in the present invention, and the recording / reproducing devices 6A and 6B correspond to the external devices.

The information providing station 1 such as a broadcasting station transmits a signal wave modulated by information via a relay station 2 such as a broadcasting satellite. Other than this, transmission by cable, transmission by telephone line, transmission by terrestrial broadcasting, etc. may be used. The receiving device 3 on the receiving side receives the signal, demodulates it, and then records it on the first recording / reproducing device 4, the second recording / reproducing device 6A, and the third recording / reproducing device 6B as necessary. Further, the received information content is directly displayed on the display 5 or the above-described first to third recording / reproducing devices 4 and 6 are used.
Watch the information reproduced in A and 6B.

The first recording / reproducing apparatus 4 is based on a digital recording system built in the receiving apparatus 3 here. A hard disk, for example, can be used as the recording medium. The recording / reproducing apparatus built in the receiving apparatus has a relatively short information storage period, and thus may be a non-removable medium.
The second recording / reproducing apparatus 6A and the third recording / reproducing apparatus 6B are
Here, it is externally attached to the receiving device 3. The recording medium may be a removable medium such as a magnetic tape or an optical disk in addition to the hard disk.

If the copy control information attached to the broadcasted information is "copy authorization", it can be recorded in any of the first to third recording / reproducing devices 4, 6A and 6B. If the control information is “copy prohibited” or “copy authorization for only one generation”, recording is restricted as described later.

Although the example of FIG. 1 has three recording / reproducing devices, it is not limited to this. That is, the present invention is applicable regardless of the number of devices or whether they are built-in or external. Further, the present invention is not applied only to the system for recording / reproducing the received information. Of course, when playing packaged software that records information in advance,
The present invention can be applied to a case where the information currently being broadcast is simply received and output to the display 5, or a case where the information is reproduced from a hard disk of a PC (Personal Computer) and is output to the outside of the device via a graphic board or the like.

When a removable recording medium on which information is recorded in advance, for example, package software, is provided, the reproducing operation after the recording medium, for example, the second recording / reproducing apparatus 6A, is performed. In this case, the information providing station 1 and the relay station 2
However, the present invention can still be applied.

Information is often sent and received between devices by digital signals, but for example, the receiving device 3 and the display 5 may be connected by analog signals. It may be connected by luminance and two color difference signals, or may be connected by RGB signals like a PC.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the information providing station 1 in FIG. Information such as video / audio generated by the source generation unit 11 including a camera, a recording / reproducing device, etc. is compressed by the encoding circuit 12 by the MPEG method or the like so that the information can be transmitted in a smaller occupied band. When protection such as copy restriction is required, the scramble circuit 13 performs transmission encryption. After being modulated into a signal suitable for transmission by the modulation circuit 14, it is emitted from the transmission antenna 15 as a radio wave toward the relay station 2 such as a broadcasting satellite. At this time, the management information addition circuit 16 adds the above-mentioned copy control information and the like. Further, for example, request information from the receiving side in the video on demand is input to the input terminal 17 via a telephone line or the like, and in response to this, the information to be transmitted is determined.

It should be noted that a plurality of pieces of information are often multiplexed in a radio signal to be transmitted by a method such as time division or spread spectrum. In this case, there are a plurality of systems of the source generation unit 11 and the encoding circuit 12, and a multiplex circuit for multiplexing a plurality of information is placed between the encoding circuit 12 and the scramble circuit 13.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the receiving device 3 in the system of FIG. The solid line in the figure shows the flow of main information such as received video and audio, and the broken line shows the flow of control signal information between the respective components. The first recording / reproducing apparatus 4 is shown as incorporated in the receiving apparatus 3.

First, the configuration of this embodiment will be described along the flow of main information such as video and audio shown by the solid line. RF / I
Radio waves from a relay station such as a broadcasting satellite are input to the F conversion circuit 301. Here, the radio wave in the RF band is I
Frequency conversion to F band (Intermediate Frequency),
Further, the signal has a constant band that does not depend on the reception channel, and the modulation operation performed for transmission by the demodulation circuit 302 is demodulated. Further, after the error correction circuit 303 detects and corrects the error of the code generated during the transmission, the descramble circuit 304 cancels the transmission cipher. Then, the first and second demultiplexing circuits 305, 3
It is sent to 07. Demultiplex circuit 305, 307
Separates only desired information from a plurality of information multiplexed on one channel. The reason for providing the two demultiplex circuits is not only to enable so-called back program recording, but also to remove information not recorded and add information for recording in the first demultiplex circuit 305. is there. For example, items that do not need to be recorded, such as weather forecasts and program broadcast schedules, are removed here.

The output of the first demultiplexing circuit 305 is given to the first recording / reproducing apparatus 4 and also to the input / output circuits 315A and 315B. The input / output circuits 315A and 315B have input / output terminals 306A and 306B.
The second recording / reproducing apparatus 6A and the third recording / reproducing apparatus 6B are connected to each other via the. Input / output circuit 315A, 3
Reference numeral 15B denotes, for example, a bidirectional input / output interface, which is used for the second and third recording / reproducing devices 6A and 6B.
Information to be recorded / reproduced is transmitted / received by, for example, digital data. Generally, the connection according to the IEEE 1394 standard is often used. Also, the USB (Universal
It may be a Serial Bus connection, or a wireless LAN (Loca
l Area Network) or the like may be used for wireless connection.
The number of input / output circuits 315A and 315B is not limited to this, and a larger number may be provided, or a plurality of input / output interfaces having different specifications may be used.

First to third recording / reproducing devices 4, 6A, 6B
In, the recording operation is performed in accordance with the copy control information attached to the information to be recorded. If the copy control information indicates “Copy Never” or “No More Copies” (No More Copies), recording is not performed. “Copy One Generatio”
If it is n), rewrite it as "No more copies" (No More Copies) and record.
If it is "Copy authorization" (Copy Free), it is recorded as it is. Note that as a special case, when Copy Temporary is used for temporary recording with a limited playback period, or when it is No More Copies and information is moved on condition that the original information source cannot be played back. The recording operation such as may be permitted.

The information sent from the descramble circuit 304, the first demultiplex circuit 307, is sent to the second demultiplex circuit 307.
The information reproduced by the recording / reproducing apparatus 4 or the information reproduced by the second and third recording / reproducing apparatuses 6A, 6B is input via the input / output circuits 315A, 315B. Are selected and separated. In the next decoding circuit 308, expansion processing for data compression by the MPEG method or the like performed before transmission is performed, and the output terminal 30
It is sent to an external device via 9,310. Output terminal 3
09 and 310 may be either digital output or analog output, and the former can be used as digital output and the latter can be used as analog output. The number of output terminals may be one.

Next, the configuration in FIG. 3 will be described along with the control signal shown by the broken line. The control circuit 311 uses the above-mentioned R
Control signals are exchanged between the F / IF conversion circuit 301, the first and second demultiplexing circuits 305 and 307, the decoding circuit 308, and the respective input / output circuits 315A and 315B, and a receiving device is provided. The whole of 3 is controlled so as to perform a desired operation. The information management circuit 312 supplies management data for controlling the control circuit 311 in response to a request. For example, information about the reception contract is managed here. When the user specifies a channel to be watched, this specification is input from the input terminal 314 and sent to the control circuit 311 via the command input circuit 313. The control circuit 311 requests the information management circuit 312 for receiving contract information. When it is determined that there is a contract with the channel designated by the user, a control signal is sent to each of the above-described components to instruct the receiving operation of the corresponding channel, and the like.

Further, the first recording / reproducing apparatus 4 is the receiving apparatus 3
If it is built in, the recording / reproducing operation is performed according to the user's instruction input from the input terminal 314. Therefore, the output of the command input circuit 313 is supplied. This control signal may be supplied from the control circuit 311.

Next, the copy control information added to the received information or added at the time of output from the input / output circuit will be described. The copy control information is shown in Table 1, for example.
3-bit information such as

[0026]

[Table 1]

The CCI is 2-bit information. When it is "00", it represents "copy authorization" (Copy Free), and when it is "10", it is "copy authorization only for one generation" (Copy One Generatio).
n), "01" means "no more copies" (No More Copies), that is, information that can only be copied for one generation is copied.
When it is “11”, it represents “Copy Never”.
Note that No More Copies are not used during transmission such as broadcasting. When the CCI is other than "00", the information is protected when an illegal copy is made by encrypting and transmitting at the time of output. The EPN is 1-bit information, and when this information is "0", it means that there is no limitation of copying, but the data is encrypted and transmitted. This protects information from unauthorized use other than copying with a legitimate recording device.

Next, the limitation on the number of copies, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described. In order to limit the number of copies, it is sufficient to limit the number of devices connected to all input / output terminals.
That is, the control circuit 311 manages the total number N of the number of devices connected to the input / output circuit 315A and the number of devices connected to the input / output circuit 315B, and the number Nm ( For example, Nm = 62) or less.

FIG. 4 shows the input / output circuit 315A or 31.
5B shows a flowchart of connection of devices in 5B. When there is a connection request (S101) from the device to be connected,
The input / output circuits 315A and 315B inquire of the control circuit 311 about the number N of currently connected devices (S10).
2). If N is less than the limit number Nm (S10
3) Then, the device is authenticated (S104). For the authentication, for example, the determined information is sent to the partner device, and it is determined whether or not the device is a normal device by a response thereto (S
105). If the authentication is successful, it is determined that the partner device is a legitimate device, and the encryption key is passed to the partner device (S10
6) At the same time as the connection is completed, the control circuit 311 is notified that the connection is established, and the number N of connections managed by the control circuit 311 is updated (S107). If N is not less than Nm (S103) or if the authentication is not successful (S105), the encryption key is not passed to the partner device and the connection is discarded (S108). As a result, even if a device whose connection is not permitted receives the information, it cannot decrypt the encrypted information because it does not have the decryption key.

As described above, even when a plurality of input / output circuits are provided, the number of copies can be limited by limiting the number of connected devices. The plurality of input / output circuits may be interfaces with different specifications,
Of course, an output-only interface may be used. Further, the control circuit 311 may include the authentication processing.

The number of connections N may be managed only when the information to be protected indicated by the copy control information is output. This may be done in all cases where the information requires protection, but if the purpose is to limit the number of copies, for example, Co
You may do it only when outputting the information of py One Generation. Although it may be performed for all devices connected to all input / output circuits, more accurate management is possible by managing only the input / output circuits that output the information to be protected or only the recordable devices. You can In addition,
When a plurality of types of information are output, each information may be managed independently.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the information output device of the invention. The information signal source 71 is composed of an information receiving device, an information reproducing device, or the like, and sends information to external devices by the input / output circuits 72A to 72D. As an example, the input / output circuits 72A and 72B are IEEE13
The 94 standard, the input / output circuit 72C is the USB standard, and the input / output circuit 72D is the interface by the wireless network. The control circuit 73 is similar to the control circuit 311 in FIG. As described above, even when a plurality of input / output circuits having different specifications are provided, the number of copies can be limited by limiting the total number of connected devices by the control circuit 73, as in the case of FIG. .

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the information output device of the present invention. In this embodiment, a bus bridge 74 that relays between different buses intervenes. In this case, it is necessary to consider the number of devices connected via the bus bridge 74. The bus bridge 74 may relay buses having the same specifications, or may relay buses having different specifications.

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of device connection when the bus bridge 74 as in the embodiment of FIG. 6 is interposed. When there is a connection request from the device to be connected (S111), the input / output circuits 72A to 72D cause the control circuit 7 to operate.
3 is inquired about the number N of currently connected devices (S112). Next, the device to be connected is authenticated (S113). At this time, in the case of FIG. 4 (S10
You may confirm whether N is less than the limit number Nm like 3). If the authentication is successful, it is determined that the partner device is an authorized device (S114), and then it is confirmed whether the partner device is a bus bridge (S115). If it is not a bus bridge (S120), N is the limit number Nm
If less, the encryption key is passed to the other device (S12
1) At the same time as the connection is completed, the control circuit 73 is notified that the connection is established, and the number N of connections managed by the control circuit 73 is updated (S122). If the partner device is a bus bridge, the number Nb connected via the bus bridge is acquired from the bus bridge (S116). If N + Nb is equal to or less than Nm (S117), the encryption key is passed to the partner device (S118), and at the same time when the connection is completed, the control circuit 73 is notified that the connection is established and managed by the control circuit 73. The number of connected connections N is updated to N + Nb. If N + Nb exceeds Nm (S120), the connection is discarded (S123). The connection may be performed by limiting the connection via the bus bridge to the range not exceeding Nm.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the information output device of the present invention. Here, for example, a PC
This is a case where the information signal source 71 such as a device, the control circuit 73, and the input / output circuits 72A to 72D are connected via the internal bus 75 and are removable. Here, the internal bus 75 may connect all circuits to one bus, or by using a plurality of internal buses, for example, the information signal source 71 is connected to the control circuit 73 via the first bus, The input / output circuits 72A to 72D may be connected to the control circuit 73 via the second bus.

In this embodiment, first, it is necessary to confirm whether or not the installed input / output circuits 72A to 72D are regular ones, that is, whether or not the input / output circuits 72A to 72D are compatible with the number of connections limitation. Therefore, the control circuit 73 authenticates the installed input / output circuits 72A to 72D, and encrypts and sends the information from the information signal source 71 to the successfully authenticated input / output circuit. This can prevent information from being output via an input / output circuit other than the regular input / output circuit. Further, it is also possible to share a common key between the legitimate input / output circuit and the information signal source 71 without performing authentication. The limit on the number of connections is shown in Figure 4 or Figure 7.
The procedure may be similar to.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when a plurality of input / output circuits or input / output circuits having different specifications are provided, the number of devices connected to the input / output circuits is limited. In the case where copying is restricted such as "copy authorization for only one generation", unlimited copying to unlimited recording media is prevented, and the interest of the copyright holder is protected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of an entire system to which an information output device of the present invention is applied.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an information providing station 1 in FIG.

3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a receiving device 3 (information output device) in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flowchart of connection of devices in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the information output device of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the information output device of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flowchart of device connection in the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the information output device of the invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Information providing station 2 ... Relay station 3 ... Receiving device (information output device) 4 ... First recording / reproducing device 5 ... Display 6A .... second recording / reproducing apparatus 6B ... ... third recording / reproducing apparatus 306A, 306B, 309, 310 ... input / output terminal 308 ... decoding circuits 311, 73 ... control circuit 315A , 315B, 72A to 72D ... I / O circuit 71 ... Information signal source 74 ... Bus bridge 75 ... Internal bus

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Jiro Owase             4-6 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Hitachi, Ltd. Ubiquitous Platform             Within the group (72) Inventor Atsushi Yoshioka             292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa             Ceremony Hitachi Digital Media Development Book             Department F-term (reference) 5B017 AA06 BB10 CA07 CA16                 5B065 PA04 PA11                 5C053 FA13 FA20 GB06 GB21 HA40                       JA30 KA24 KA26 LA07                 5D044 AB02 BC01 BC03 CC04 DE50                       FG18 GK08 GK12 HH15 HL08                       HL11

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An information output device for outputting digital information to an external device, comprising: a plurality of output circuits for outputting the digital information to a connected external device; and a control circuit for controlling the plurality of output circuits. The information output device, wherein the control circuit limits the total number of external devices that output the digital information among the external devices connected to the plurality of output circuits to be within a predetermined number. 2. The information output device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of output circuits include output circuits having different output specifications. 3. The control circuit limits the total number of external devices that output the digital information within a predetermined number when the digital information that is output is information that needs protection. The information output device according to item 1. 4. The control circuit limits the total number of external devices that output the digital information to a predetermined number or less when the digital information to be output is copy-limited information. The information output device according to claim 3. 5. An information output device for mounting a plurality of output circuits and outputting digital information from the output circuits to an external device, comprising: a control circuit for controlling the plurality of output circuits, wherein the control circuit comprises the plurality of output circuits. The information output device is characterized in that the total number of the external devices that output the digital information among the external devices connected to the output circuit is limited to a predetermined number or less. 6. The information output device according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of output circuits include output circuits having different output specifications. 7. The control circuit limits the total number of external devices that output the digital information within a predetermined number when the digital information that is output is information that needs protection. Item 5. The information output device according to item 5. 8. The control circuit limits the total number of external devices that output the digital information to a predetermined number or less when the digital information to be output is copy-limited information. The information output device according to claim 7. 9. The control circuit enables output of the digital information only when the mounted output circuit is an output circuit capable of limiting the total number of external devices to within a predetermined number. The information output device according to claim 5, which is characterized in that. 10. An information output method for outputting digital information from a plurality of output circuits to an external device, wherein the total number of external devices outputting the digital information among external devices connected to the plurality of output circuits is detected. However, the information output method is characterized in that the total number of external devices that output the digital information is limited to within a predetermined number. 11. The information output method according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of output circuits include output circuits having different output specifications. 12. The method according to claim 10, wherein when the digital information to be output is information that needs protection, the total number of external devices that output the digital information is limited to within a predetermined number. Information output method. 13. The method according to claim 10, wherein when the digital information to be output is copy-limited information, the total number of external devices to output the digital information is limited to a predetermined number or less. Information output method.