JP2003346001A - Contents recording device, server device and contents processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem wherein, in a contents recording device, contents are not recorded taking confidence into consideration when a user having fairly settled an account and having accumulated confidence records the contents. <P>SOLUTION: This contents recording device comprises a contents receiving section for receiving the contents, a contents recording section for recording the received contents, a log information acquiring section for acquiring log information as information regarding contents records of the contents recording section, a log information transmitting section for transmitting the acquired log information, a transmitting state information accumulating section for accumulating transmitting state information as information regarding transmitting state of the log information in the log information transmitting section, and a contents record controlling section for indicating the contents recording section to record the contents on the basis of the accumulated transmitting state information. Thereby, fairly transmitting the log information to a server device allows the user to record the contents corresponding to the transmitting state of the log information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a content recording device for recording content, a server device for receiving log information as information relating to content recording from the content recording device, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional content recording apparatus controls the recording of content by the following processing. The content has content recording control information as an attribute value of the content. The content recording control information is, for example, information indicating whether recording is prohibited, recording can be performed only once, or recording is free. Then, for example, when the content recording control information is a value indicating recording prohibition, a value of “2” is taken, and when the content recording control information is a value indicating that recording can be performed only once, a value of “1” is taken, If the content recording control information is a value indicating that recording can be freely performed, a value of “0” is assumed. In such a case, the content recording device acquires the content recording control information and determines whether or not to record the content according to the content recording control information. That is, when the content recording control information is “2”, the content recording device did not record the content. When the content recording control information was "0", the content recording device freely recorded the content. Note that recording content means copying the content to a recording medium such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

[0003] Further, other content recording apparatuses have performed content recording control by the following processing. In other words, it is a content recording device that downloads and records content such as music when payment is completed.
To complete the payment means a process in which the user pays the money and confirms the payment of the money.

[0004]

However, the conventional content recording apparatus has the following problems. That is, usually, credit is accumulated when the user properly performs the payment processing on the content recording. But,
The accumulation of the credit was not reflected in the processing of the content recording device. On the other hand, content providers can easily and easily record content for users who have properly settled their payments and have accumulated credit, even in order to distribute a large amount of content to a wide area. It is desirable to do.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content receiving unit for receiving a content, a content recording unit for recording the content received by the content receiving unit, and a content recording unit. A log information acquisition unit that acquires log information that is information related to the content recording of the log information, a log information transmission unit that transmits the log information acquired by the log information acquisition unit, and information about a transmission status of the log information in the log information transmission unit. A content recording apparatus comprising: a transmission status information storage unit that stores transmission status information; and a content recording control unit that instructs the content recording unit to record content based on the transmission status information stored by the transmission status information storage unit. If the log information is legitimately transmitted to the server device by the content recording device, the transmission status of the log information It is possible to record the content corresponding to.

A second invention for solving the above-mentioned problems relates to a content receiving section for receiving content, a content recording section for recording the content received by the content receiving section, and a content recording of the content recording section. A log information acquisition unit that acquires log information that is information,
A log information transmitting unit that transmits the log information acquired by the log information acquiring unit; a transmission status information accumulating unit that accumulates transmission status information that is information on a log information transmission status in the log information transmitting unit; A recording control information receiving unit that receives certain recording control information from outside, and a content recording device including a content recording control unit that instructs the content recording unit to record content based on the transmission status information and the recording control information, If the log information is legitimately transmitted to the server device by such a content recording device,
It becomes possible to record the content corresponding to the transmission status of the log information and the recording control information transmitted from the server device or the like.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that, in the present embodiment, components using the same reference numerals, steps in a flowchart, and the like have the same function, and therefore, description may be omitted for components that have been described once.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content processing system according to the present embodiment. The content processing system includes a transmitting device 11, a content recording device 12, a server device 13, and a recording medium 14.
Having. The transmission device 11 includes a content storage unit 110
1. It has a content transmission unit 1102. The content recording device 12 includes a content receiving unit 1201, a content recording unit 1202, a log information acquisition unit 1203, a log information transmission unit 1204, a transmission status information storage unit 1205, and a content recording control unit 1206. The server device 13 includes a log information receiving unit 1301 and a log information storage unit 1302. The recording medium 14 is a medium that can store contents and is preferably a recording medium that is removable from the content recording device 12 and is portable. However, the recording medium 14 may be a recording medium built in the content recording device 12. The recording medium 14 is, for example, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or the like.

[0009] The content storage unit 1101 stores content. The content storage unit 1101 is preferably a nonvolatile recording medium, but may be a volatile recording medium. Specifically, the content storage unit 1101 is preferably a large-capacity hard disk or the like. What is content?
Examples include electronic book data, movie data, music information, television program information, concert data, and technical commentary documents, and the content, data structure, data type, and the like are not particularly limited.

[0010] Content transmitting section 1102 transmits the content stored in content storing section 1101. The content transmission unit 1102 can be realized by a broadcast unit, a communication unit, or the like. That is, transmission may be transmission by broadcasting or transmission by communication. Communication is
Wireless communication or wired communication may be used. Broadcasting may be digital broadcasting or analog broadcasting. In addition, broadcast,
Also includes broadcasting by CATV and the like.

[0011] The content receiving unit 1201 is a transmitting device 1
1 receives the content to be transmitted. The content receiving unit 1201 can be realized by means for receiving a broadcast (such as a tuner and its driver software) or communication means.

[0012] The content recording section 1202 records the content received by the content receiving section 1201. The content recording unit 1202 can be realized by, for example, a drive (hardware) for writing information on the recording medium 14 and its driver software. For example, when the recording medium 14 is an optical disk, the content recording unit 1
202 can be realized by an optical disk drive and its driver software. The timing at which the content recording unit 1202 records the content does not matter. The content recording unit 1202 may record the content according to a user instruction, may automatically record the content received by the content receiving unit 1201, or may output a certain content from among the content received by the content receiving unit 1201. Only contents satisfying the conditions may be recorded.

A log information acquisition unit 1203 acquires log information which is information relating to content recording of the content recording unit 1202. The log information includes, for example, a content identifier for identifying the recorded content, a size of the recorded content, a data type of the recorded content, a recording date and time, a purchase price of the recorded content, and a content distributor identifier for identifying the content distributor. , A content holder identifier that identifies a content holder, a content recording device vendor identifier that identifies a provider that provides a content recording device that receives content, and a content output function provider that identifies a vendor that provides a function of outputting content An identifier or the like may be included. That is, the log information may be any information as long as the information is related to content recording, and is mainly information used by the server device 13 for billing processing. Further, the data structure of the log information does not matter. The log information may be an attribute value of the content, or may be information stored in the content recording device 12 in advance. The log information acquisition unit 1203 is usually realized by software, but may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit). Further, the acquisition of log information may be a search of log information, a generation of log information, or the like, and various algorithms for acquiring log information are also conceivable.

The log information transmitting unit 1204 transmits the log information acquired by the log information acquiring unit 1203. The log information transmitting unit 1204 can be realized by a broadcasting unit, a wireless or wired communication unit, or the like. Log information transmission unit 1204
And the content receiving unit 1201 may be physically one unit. The timing at which the log information transmitting unit 1204 transmits the log information does not matter. Log information transmission unit 1204
May be transmitted after a certain amount of log information is accumulated, or may be transmitted immediately after the log information is acquired. When the log information transmitting unit 1204 transmits the log information, usually, the log information is not retransmitted so that the log information is not retransmitted.
It is preferable that the log information is deleted or the log information transmitted once is checked so as to be understood. To be checked means to write some information so that transmitted log information and untransmitted log information can be distinguished. Note that transmission means transmitting information widely, which has the same meaning as distribution.

The transmission status information storage unit 1205 stores transmission status information, which is information relating to the transmission status of log information in the log information transmission unit 1204. What is transmission status information?
Information related to the transmission of log information, such as whether or not log information has been transmitted, the number of times log information has been transmitted, and the elapsed time since the last log information transmission. The transmission status information storage unit 1205 is usually realized by software, but may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit). The transmission status information storage unit 1205 stores the transmission status information in a recording medium (not shown). The transmission status information storage unit 1205 may have a recording medium therein.
The content recording device 12 and an external recording medium may be used.
The recording medium in which the transmission status information storage unit 1205 stores the transmission status information may be a non-volatile recording medium or a volatile recording medium. That is, this accumulation includes temporary storage.

The content recording control unit 1206 instructs the content recording unit 1202 to record the content based on the transmission status information stored by the transmission status information storage unit 1205. The content recording control unit 1206 is usually realized by software, but may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit). To instruct recording of the content based on the transmission status information means that the value of the transmission status information
There may be various recording controls, such as instructing recording, prohibiting recording, recording only a part of the content, and the like.

The log information receiving unit 1301 receives the log information transmitted from the content recording device 12. The log information receiving unit 1301 can be realized by means for receiving a broadcast (such as a tuner and its driver software) or communication means.

The log information storage unit 1302 stores the log information received by the log information receiving unit 1301. The log information storage unit 1302 is usually realized by software.
It may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit). The log information accumulating unit 1302 accumulates log information in a recording medium (not shown), which may be a recording medium that the log information accumulating unit 1302 has internally, or a recording medium that is external to the server device 13. . Also, a log information storage unit 1302
The storage medium for storing the log information may be a nonvolatile storage medium or a volatile storage medium. It does not matter how the accumulated log information is used. Normally, the server device 13 performs a process of charging the user using the log information. Further, for example, the server device 13 transmits the log information to another server device of the bank, and the server device of the bank performs a billing process.

The operation of the content processing system according to the present embodiment will be described below. First, the transmission device 11
Will be described. The transmitting device 11 performs the following operation. The content transmission unit 1102 acquires the content stored in the content storage unit 1101, and transmits the content. The transmitting device 11 may transmit the content according to a predetermined schedule, or may transmit the content in response to a request of the user of the content recording device 12. Next, the operation of the content recording device 12 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S201) Content receiving unit 1
201 determines whether or not the content has been received. If the content is received, the process proceeds to step S202. If the content is not received, the process jumps to step S205.

(Step S202) The content recording control unit 1206 acquires the transmission status information accumulated by the transmission status information accumulation unit 1205. However, the transmission status information storage unit 1
There may be cases where the transmission status information accumulated by 205 does not exist. In such a case, the content recording control unit 1206
It is assumed that empty transmission status information is acquired.

(Step S203) The content recording control unit 1206 determines whether or not to record the content based on the transmission status information obtained in step S202.
The determination here may be two types of determination, ie, recording / not recording, but may also be a determination to select one recording method from three or more types of recording methods. For example, based on the transmission status information, the content recording control unit 1206 selects one recording method from three choices of recording all of the content / recording a part of the content / not recording the content. It may be possible. Also, for example, the content recording control unit 1
Step 206 may select one of the three recording methods based on the transmission status information, that is, recording the content as it is, encrypting it, and not recording it. The case where a part of the content is recorded may mean that only the audio information of the content having the moving image and the audio is recorded. Also, the case where part of the content is recorded may mean that only the information of the table of contents is recorded when the content is information of an electronic book. When the content is movie information of 2 hours, only the information of the first 5 minutes may be recorded. If the content recording control unit 1206 determines to record the content by any algorithm based on the transmission status information acquired in step S202, the process proceeds to step S204, and if it determines not to record the content, the process proceeds to step S205. Fly to.

(Step S204) The content recording control unit 1206 instructs the content recording unit 1202 to record the content based on the transmission status information obtained in step S202, and the content recording unit 1202 stores the content on the recording medium 14. Record. Further, the content recording unit 1202 accumulates log information regarding content recording.

(Step S205) Log information transmitting section 12
Step 04 determines whether or not to transmit log information. If it is determined that the log information is to be transmitted, the procedure proceeds to step S206, and if it is determined that the log information is not to be transmitted, the procedure returns to step S201.

(Step S206) Log information acquisition section 12
03 acquires log information.

(Step S207) Log information transmitting section 12
Step 04 transmits the log information acquired in step S206.

(Step S208) The transmission status information storage unit 1205 forms transmission status information. There are various data structures of the transmission status information and algorithms for configuring the transmission status information. For example, if the transmission status information is the number of transmitted log information, the transmission status information storage unit 1205 configures the transmission status information using the following algorithm. That is, the transmission status information storage unit 1205 counts the number of transmitted log information. Then, a number obtained by adding the counted number to the number of accumulated transmission log information is recorded. Other data structures of the transmission status information and algorithms constituting the transmission status information will be described in the following specific examples.

(Step S209) The transmission status information storage unit 1205 stores the transmission status information configured in step S208.

In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the processing is terminated by interruption such as turning off the power or terminating the processing.

Next, the operation of the server device 13 will be described. The log information receiving unit 1301 of the server device 13 receives the log information from the content recording device 12, and the log information storage unit 1302 stores the log information. Note that the accumulated log information is used for billing processing and the like.

Hereinafter, a specific operation of the content recording system according to the present embodiment will be described. First, a first specific example will be described. Now, the transmitting device transmits the content having the structure shown in FIG. This content has a header portion and a main body portion, and the header portion includes “content identifier”, “content size”, “purchase price information”.
"Content distributor identifier" and the like. “Content identifier” is information for identifying content, such as a content name or an identification symbol. “Content size” is information indicating the size of the content. “Purchase price information” is information indicating the price of the content. The “content distributor identifier” is information for identifying a content distributor that distributes content. The distribution of the content has the same meaning as the transmission of the content. The main body is the content itself. And
Now, it is assumed that the transmitting device transmits the content shown in FIG. The content identifier of FIG.
ZZ ", the content size is" 4.6 GByte (gigabyte) ", the purchase price information is" 1000 yen ", and the content distributor identifier is" Company A ".

Currently, a log information management table as shown in FIG. 5 is managed in the content recording apparatus. The log information management table is a table having one or more log information having “transmission check”, “content identifier”, “content size”, “purchase price information”, and “content distributor identifier”.
“Content identifier”, “content size”, “purchase price information”, and “content distributor identifier” are values (attribute values) of the header portion of the recorded content. “Transmission check” is an attribute that records whether or not log information has been transmitted. When the value of “transmission check” is “0”, it indicates that the log information has not been transmitted. If the value of “transmission check” is “1”, it indicates that the log information has been transmitted. In FIG. 5, the content recording device has recorded three contents, but all three pieces of log information have not been transmitted.

Also, the content recording control unit 1206
It is assumed that the content recording control table shown in FIG. 6 is held. The content recording control table is a table having one or more records having “payment fee” and “storage limit”.
The “payment fee” is the amount (payment amount) for which the settlement processing has been completed by transmitting the log information by the user of the content recording apparatus. The “storage limit” is information indicating the maximum amount of money that can be recorded without paying the content. In other words, the user accumulates credit by paying “2000 yen”, and can record contents in an unsettled state up to “4000 yen”. Also,
Now, it is assumed that the user of the content recording apparatus has never transmitted the log information, and the payment fee is “0 yen”. In such a case, the “storage limit” is “3000 yen”. Since the three contents in FIG. 5 have been recorded in the past, "2700 yen" is used.

In the above situation, consider the case where the content recording apparatus receives the content shown in FIG. The “purchase price information” of the content received by the content recording device is “1000 yen”. Therefore, when the content is recorded, the total amount is “3700 yen”, which exceeds the “storage limit amount” of “3000 yen”. Therefore, the content recording apparatus determines that “movie ZZZ” is not to be recorded, and “movie ZZZ” is not recorded.
Z recording is prohibited.

Next, it is assumed that the content recording apparatus periodically transmits log information to the server apparatus. What is regular?
For example, once a month or once a week. Then, it is assumed that the content recording apparatus has transmitted the three pieces of log information of FIG. 5 to the server apparatus at the time of transmitting the log information. Next, the content recording device rewrites the value of “transmission check” of the three pieces of log information of FIG. 5 to “1”. Then, the log information management table of FIG. 5 becomes a log information management table as shown in FIG. Then, the content recording device
After transmitting the three pieces of log information, the transmission status information is configured. FIG. 8 shows a transmission status information management table. The transmission status information management table in FIG. 8 manages one or more pieces of transmission status information having “payment fee” and “date”. In other words, the transmission status information management table manages the charges for which the settlement process has been performed by transmitting the log information and the date when the log information was transmitted. Now, the content recording apparatus has constructed and accumulated transmission status information having a payment fee of "2700 yen" and a date of "2002.4.30".

Next, it is assumed that the contents shown in FIG. 4 are transmitted when the log information management table is in the state shown in FIG. In such a case, the storage limit of the content recording device is “4000”.
Circle ". This is because the payment fee is now "2700 yen". Therefore, the content of “1000 yen” in FIG. 4 can be recorded. Therefore, the content recording device records the received content of FIG. 4 on the recording medium. Then, the content recording device acquires the log information. Next, the content recording device adds the acquired log information to the log information management table. As a result, the log information management table becomes as shown in FIG.

In the first specific example, the content recording control unit prohibits the content recording unit from recording the content when the transmission status information satisfies a certain condition. In addition, the content recording control unit is configured to permit the content recording unit to record a large amount of content as the amount of payment indicated by the transmission status information increases. Further, the log information transmitting unit periodically transmitted the log information. However, the log information acquiring unit further includes a log information accumulating unit that accumulates the log information acquired by the log information acquiring unit, and the log information transmitting unit transmits the log information when the log information accumulated by the log information accumulating unit is accumulated for a certain amount or more. You may. The timing and conditions for transmitting the log information by the log information transmitting unit are not limited. That is, for example, when the content is recorded, the log information may be configured and transmitted directly. In such a case, the log information need not be accumulated. Note that the case where a certain condition is satisfied has the same value as the case where a predetermined condition is not satisfied.

Next, a second specific example will be described. The transmitting device transmits the content of FIG. 4 having the structure shown in FIG. Further, a log information management table as shown in FIG. 5 is currently managed. Also, the content recording control unit 12
06 holds the content recording control table shown in FIG. Also, the content recording control unit 1206
When the condition is not satisfied by applying the content recording control table shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that only a part of the content is recorded as shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a recording control content management table for managing the content of content recording control. FIG.
The recording control content management table of “0” has “content type” and “recording method”. “Content type” is information indicating the type of content, and includes music content, movie content, concert content, electronic book content, and the like. The music content is, for example, music information of the singer. The movie content is a movie having a moving image and audio information. The concert content is, for example, information having a moving image and audio information that convey the content of the singer's concert. Electronic book contents are contents that constitute an electronic book. The “recording method” is a recording method performed when the conditions are not satisfied by applying the content recording control table shown in FIG. That is, in the case of music content, only the first 15 seconds are recorded. If it is movie content, only the first 5 minutes are recorded. In the case of concert content, only audio information is recorded. If it is an electronic book content, only the first 400 bytes are recorded.

In the above situation, consider the case where the content recording apparatus receives the content shown in FIG. The “purchase price information” of the content received by the content recording device is “1000 yen”. Therefore, when the content is recorded, the total amount is “3700 yen”, which exceeds the “storage limit amount” of “3000 yen”. Therefore, the content recording apparatus determines that the condition for recording the entire “movie ZZZ” is not met, and records only the first five minutes of the “movie ZZZ”. Whether the content of “movie ZZZ” is movie content may be determined from the content identifier, or information indicating the content type may be included in the header of the content.

In the above second specific example, the content recording control unit has shown that the content recording unit records only a part of the content when the transmission status information satisfies a certain condition. Note that when certain conditions are satisfied,
This is the same value as when the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

Next, a third specific example will be described. In the third specific example, a case will be described in which the content recording device allows the content recording unit to record a larger number of contents as the transmitted log information indicated by the transmission status information increases. The content recording control unit manages the recording control table of FIG.
The recording control table has “the number of transmitted log information” and “the number of log information that can be stored”. In the content recording device,
As the “number of transmitted log information” increases, the content recording control unit is configured to permit the content recording unit to record a large number of contents. That is, when the number of transmitted log information is “0 to 2”, the number of log information that can be accumulated is “3”. In other words, since the user of the content recording apparatus that has only completed payment for a maximum of two content recordings has little credibility, the number of content that can be recorded without payment is "3". When the number of transmitted log information is “3 to 5”, the number of log information that can be accumulated is “5”. When the number of transmitted log information is “8 to 9”, the number of log information that can be accumulated is “8”. Further, when the number of transmitted log information is “10 or more”, the number of log information that can be accumulated assuming that the user of the content recording apparatus has sufficient credit is “10”. In addition, the content recording device can transmit log information to the server device every time content is recorded, or can transmit several pieces of log information to the server device at once in consideration of communication costs and the like. It has a configuration. It is also assumed that the content recording device manages the log information management table shown in FIG. That is, although three contents are recorded, all the log information has not been transmitted and has not been settled.

In such a situation, it is assumed that the content recording device receives the content shown in FIG. Now, according to FIG. 5, the number of accumulated log information is “3”. The number of transmitted log information is “0”. FIG.
From the record control table, the number of log information items that can be stored is “3”. Therefore, it is not possible to record the content of FIG. 4 and further accumulate log information. That is, the content recording device prohibits the recording of the received content of FIG.

Next, a user's instruction or automatically shown in FIG.
It is assumed that the three pieces of log information are transmitted to the server device.
In such a case, the content recording device deletes the transmitted log information. Therefore, the current log information management table is empty (the record is 0). Then, the number of transmitted log information is “3”. Here, the number of transmitted log information “3” is transmission status information. And from FIG.
The number of log information transmitted corresponds to “3”, and the number of log information that can be stored is “5”. Therefore, in such a situation,
The content recording device can record up to five contents.

As described above, in the content recording apparatus, as the number of transmitted log information indicated by the transmission status information increases, the content recording control unit permits the content recording unit to record a large number of contents. That is, it is possible to perform appropriate content recording corresponding to the trust of the user of the content recording device.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the content recording device controls the recording of the content based on the transmission status information, and when the content recording device transmits the appropriate log information for the content recording, Recording of content corresponding to the transmission status of the log information becomes possible. That is, it is possible to control the recording of the content in consideration of the trust of the user who transmits the appropriate log information.
By doing so, for users who have accumulated trust,
Content can be obtained easily and with low communication costs. In addition, a large amount of content can be sold to excellent users relatively safely for content holders and the like.

In this embodiment, the timing and conditions for transmitting the log information have not been described in detail. However, the log information may be transmitted periodically, or when the log information is accumulated in a certain amount or more. You may send log information,
When the content is recorded, the log information may be configured and transmitted immediately. When to send log information,
The conditions are not particularly limited. This is the same in other embodiments. If you want to configure and send log information immediately after the content is recorded,
It is not necessary to accumulate log information.

Further, in this embodiment, an example of the data structure of the content is shown, but the data structure of the content is not particularly limited. This is the same in other embodiments.

Also, in the present embodiment, the content recording control unit of the content recording apparatus instructs the content recording unit to record the content based on the transmission status information. Although the mode in which either one of the instruction and the recording / only recording is instructed has been shown, other modes may be shown. For example, three-stage recording control of recording / only recording / not recording may be performed based on the transmission status information. Also, for example, based on the transmission status information, all recording / encryption recording / not recording,
Recording control such as may be performed. This is the same in other embodiments.

Also, in the present embodiment, a description has been mainly given of a mode in which transmission status information and log information are completely different.
The transmission status information may be information indicating the presence or absence of log information. That is, the receiving device may not permit recording of the content if log information exists, and may permit recording of the content if log information does not exist. There are various examples of how the transmission status information is made,
The same applies to other embodiments.

Further, various processes in the present embodiment may be realized by software and provided by software download. Further, such software may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed. The fact that there are various types of such realization means is the same in other embodiments. The program of the content recording device when various processes according to the present embodiment are realized by software has the following configuration. The program includes, in a computer, a content receiving step of receiving content, a content recording step of recording the content received in the content receiving step, and a log information obtaining step of obtaining log information that is information related to the content recording in the content recording step. A log information transmitting step of transmitting the log information obtained in the log information obtaining step, and a transmission status information storing step of storing transmission status information that is information on a transmission status of the log information in the log information transmitting step. The program is a program for instructing recording of content based on the transmission status information accumulated in the transmission status information accumulation step. The computer referred to here is a device that receives content, and includes a so-called content recording device, a set-top box, and a television receiver.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content processing system according to the present embodiment. The content processing system includes a transmitting device 11,
It has a content recording device 122, a server device 123, and a recording medium 14. The content recording device 122 includes a content receiving unit 1201, a content recording unit 1202, a log information acquiring unit 1203, a log information transmitting unit 1204, a transmission status information accumulating unit 1205, and a recording control information receiving unit 1220.
1. It has a recording control information storage unit 12202 and a content recording control unit 12203. The server device 123 includes a log information receiving unit 1301, a log information accumulating unit 1302, a recording control information storing unit 12301, and a recording control information transmitting unit 12302.
Having.

The recording control information receiving section 12201 receives recording control information, which is information relating to recording control, from outside. The recording control information may be any information as long as the information is related to recording control. Further, the data structure of the recording control information does not matter. Specific examples of the recording control information will be described in detail below.
Normally, the recording control information receiving unit 12201
23, the recording control information may be received from another device. That is, the recording control information receiving unit 12201 may receive the recording control information from outside. In the present embodiment, a case where recording control information is received from server device 123 will be described. Further, the timing at which the recording control information receiving unit 12201 receives the recording control information from outside does not matter. Content recording device 12
2 may use the recording control information immediately before using the recording control information, or may receive and store the recording control information in advance. The recording control information receiving unit 12201 can be realized by a means for receiving a broadcast (a tuner and its driver software or the like) or a communication means. The recording control information receiving unit 12201, the log information transmitting unit 1204, and the content receiving unit 1201 may be physically one unit.

The recording control information storage section 12202 stores the recording control information received by the recording control information receiving section 12201. The recording control information storage unit 12202 is usually realized by software, but may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit). The recording control information accumulating unit 12202 accumulates the recording control information in a recording medium (not shown). The recording control information accumulating unit 12202 may have a recording medium therein or an external recording medium. A recording medium may be used. The recording control information storage unit 12
The recording medium in which the recording control information 202 is stored may be a non-volatile recording medium or a volatile recording medium.

The content recording control unit 12203 records the content based on the transmission status information accumulated by the transmission status information accumulation unit 1205 and the recording control information received by the recording control information receiving unit 12201.
To instruct. The content recording control unit 12202 is usually realized by software, but may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit).

The recording control information storage section 12301 stores recording control information. Recording control information storage unit 12301
Can be realized by a non-volatile recording medium or a volatile recording medium.

The recording control information transmitting section 12302 transmits the recording control information stored in the recording control information storage section 12301 to the content recording device 122. The recording control information transmitting unit 12302 can be realized by a wireless or wired communication unit, a broadcasting unit, or the like. Recording control information transmitting unit 1
The physical unit 2302 and the log information receiving unit 1301 may be one unit.

The operation of the content processing system according to the present embodiment will be described below. The operation of transmitting apparatus 11 has been described in the first embodiment. Next, the operation of the content recording device 122 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S1301) The content receiving section 1201 determines whether or not content has been received.
If the content has been received, the process proceeds to step S1302, and if the content has not been received, the process proceeds to step S1311.

(Step S1302) The content recording control unit 12203 acquires the transmission status information accumulated by the transmission status information accumulation unit 1205. However, the transmission status information stored by the transmission status information storage unit 1205 may not exist. In such a case, the content recording control unit 1220
3 acquires empty transmission status information.

(Step S1303) The content recording control unit 12203 acquires the recording control information accumulated by the recording control information accumulation unit 12202. It is assumed that recording control information always exists.

(Step S1304) The content recording control unit 12203 determines whether or not to record the content based on the transmission status information obtained in step S1302 and the recording control information obtained in step S1303. The determination here may be two types of determination, ie, recording / not recording, but may also be a determination to select one recording method from three or more types of recording methods. For example, based on the transmission status information and the recording control information, the content recording control unit 12203 selects one of three options of recording all of the content / recording part of the content / not recording the content. In some cases, a recording method may be selected. If the content recording control unit 12203 determines that the content should be recorded based on the transmission status information acquired in step S1302 and the recording control information acquired in step S1303, the process proceeds to step S1305, and determines that the content is not recorded. In this case, the process jumps to step S1306.

(Step S1305) The content recording control unit 12203 instructs the content recording unit 1202 to record the content on the recording medium 14 based on the transmission status information acquired in step S1302 and the recording control information acquired in step S1303. Content recording unit 12
02 records the content on the recording medium 14. Further, the content recording unit 1202 accumulates log information regarding content recording.

(Step S1306) Log information transmitting section 1
Step 204 determines whether or not to transmit log information. If it is determined that log information is to be transmitted, step S1307 is performed.
And if it is determined not to transmit the log information, the process returns to step S1301.

(Step S1307) Log information acquisition unit 1
203 acquires log information.

(Step S1308) Log information transmitting section 1
204 transmits the log information acquired in step S1307.

(Step S 1309) Transmission status information storage section 1205 constitutes transmission status information. There are various data structures of the transmission status information and algorithms for configuring the transmission status information. For example, when the transmission status information is the content identifier and the purchase price information of the transmitted log information, the transmission status information storage unit 1205 configures the transmission status information by the following algorithm. That is, the transmission status information storage unit 1205 acquires the content identifier and the purchase price information that constitute the transmitted log information.

(Step S1310) The transmission status information storage unit 1205 stores the transmission status information configured in step S1309.

(Step S1311) The recording control information receiving section 12201 judges whether or not recording control information has been received. If the recording control information has been received, the process proceeds to step S1312. If the recording control information has not been received, the process proceeds to step S130.
Return to 1.

(Step S1312) The recording control information storage section 12202 stores the recording control information received in step S1311.

Next, the operation of the server device 123 will be described. The log information receiving unit 1301 of the server device 123 receives the log information from the content recording device 122, and the log information storage unit 1302 stores the log information. Note that the accumulated log information is used for billing processing and the like. Also, the recording control information transmitting unit 12302 of the server device 123
Acquires the recording control information from the recording control information storage unit 12301 and transmits it to the content recording device 122. The timing and condition for transmitting the recording control information to the content recording device 122 by the recording control information transmitting unit 12302 are not limited.
For example, the recording control information transmitting unit 12302 periodically transmits the recording control information to the content recording device 122. This is a process when the recording control information in the recording control information storage unit 12301 is periodically updated.

Further, for example, recording control information applied to a specific content recording device may be changed based on log information received by the server device 123. For example, this is to change the recording control information for the content recording device that has transmitted a large number of log information so that a large number of contents can be recorded. In such a case, the server device 123
Transmits the recording control information based on the log information received by the log information receiving unit 1301 to the specific content recording device 122.
Is updated, and the updated recording control information is transmitted to the specific content recording device 122.
Alternatively, the server device 123 includes the log information receiving unit 1301
Recording control information storage 1 based on the log information received by
One piece of recording control information is obtained from the plurality of pieces of recording control information stored in 2301 and the content recording device 12
Send to 2.

Hereinafter, a specific operation of the content recording system according to the present embodiment will be described. First, a first specific example will be described. Now, FIG.
The management table manages recording control information for each content recording device as shown in FIG. The recording control information management table for each content recording device stores a plurality of records having a “content recording device identifier” and “recording control information”. The "content recording device identifier" is information for identifying the content recording device, and here, a telephone number for communicating with the content recording device is used. "Recording control information"
Is information for the content recording device to control the recording of the content, and is represented by a numerical value. This numerical value indicates the maximum number of contents that can be recorded without the log information being transmitted from the content recording device, that is, in a state in which the content information has not been settled. Then, the transmitting device transmits the content recording device identifier “0669”.
The recording control information “3” is transmitted to the content recording device identified by “000001”. Similarly, the transmitting device transmits the content recording device identifier “0728886666”.
The recording control information “5” is transmitted to the content recording device identified by “6”, and the content recording device identifier “0332” is transmitted.
The recording control information “2” is transmitted to the content recording device identified by “112222”.

Next, for example, it is assumed that the content recording device identified by the content recording device identifier “0332112222” stores the transmission status information of FIG. Then, it is assumed that this content recording apparatus has received the content of FIG. 16 having the structure shown in FIG. Next, the content recording device determines whether to record the content based on the transmission status information and the recording control information as described below. The content recording device acquires the transmission status information of FIG. Next, the content recording device acquires the recording control information “2” transmitted from the server device 123 and stored. Next, it is determined whether or not the acquired transmission status information is less than “2”. Now, according to FIG. 15, since the acquired transmission status information is “2”, the content recording device can no longer record the content without transmitting the log information. Therefore, the content recording device determines that the recording of the content is prohibited, and does not record the content.

Next, for example, it is assumed that the recording control information corresponding to the content recording device identified by the content recording device identifier “0332112222” has become “5”.
This is, for example, the content recording device identifier “0332
112222 ", the user of the content recording apparatus has notified the change of the payment method, or the log information transmitted from the content recording apparatus has increased the credibility of the user of the content recording apparatus. It is assumed that the value of the recording control information corresponding to the device has increased. Further, the server device may automatically increase the value of the recording control information in accordance with the number of received log information. Then, the server device transmits new recording control information to the content recording device in which the value of the recording control information has changed.

Next, the content recording device identifier "033
21112222 "is the content recording device.
The recording control information “5” is received and stored. In this state, when the content recording device receives the content of FIG. 16, the content recording device can record the content of FIG. According to FIG. 15, the number of untransmitted log information included in the transmission status information is “2” and the recording control information is “5”, so there is room for recording three contents.

As described above, in the first specific example, the content recording control unit of the content recording device prohibits the content recording unit from recording the content / permits the recording of the content based on the transmission status information and the recording control information. The aspect in which the determination is made and the content is recorded based on the determination has been described. Further, in this specific example, the content recording control unit permits the content recording unit to record a large number of contents as the number of transmitted log information indicated by the transmission status information increases. Further, in this specific example, the timing and condition for transmitting the log information by the content recording device are not limited. That is, the content recording device may periodically transmit the log information to the server device, or may transmit the log information when the log information is accumulated for a certain amount or more.

Next, a second specific example will be described. The transmitting device transmits the content of FIG. 16 having the structure shown in FIG. At present, a log information management table as shown in FIG. 15 is managed. The transmission status information is the “transmission check” attribute value in FIG. That is, the transmission status information indicates the number of transmissions “0”. Note that the meaning of the “transmission check” attribute value is as described in the first embodiment.
“0” means not transmitted, and “1” means transmitted.

It is assumed that the content recording apparatus has a recording control content management table shown in FIG. Therefore, if the content of the electronic book does not satisfy the condition of the received content, the content is first 400 By.
That is, only te is recorded.

Now, as in the first example, the content recording apparatus initially stores the recording control information “2”.
In addition, the content recording device stores the transmission status information of FIG. In this state, it is assumed that the content recording device has received the content of FIG. next,
The content recording device determines that the condition is not met.
That is, the content recording device compares the number of log information “2” stored in FIG. 15 with the recording control information “2”, and can no longer record the content without transmitting the log information.
Judge. Then, the content recording device records only the first 400 bytes of the content “electronic book“ ABC Magazine ”” according to the recording control content management table of FIG.

Next, for some reason, for example, the recording control information corresponding to the content recording device identified by the content recording device identifier “0332112222” is “5”.
Let's say Next, the content recording device identifier "0
The content recording device identified by “332112222” receives and stores the recording control information “5”. In this state, when the content recording device receives the content of FIG. 16, the content recording device can record all of the content of FIG. According to FIG. 15, the number of untransmitted log information included in the transmission status information is “2” and the recording control information is “5”, so that there is room to record all three contents.

As described above, in the second specific example, the content recording control unit has shown that the content recording unit records only a part of the content when the transmission status information satisfies a certain condition. Note that when certain conditions are satisfied,
This is the same value as when the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the content recording device controls the recording of the content based on the transmission status information and the recording control information, and the content recording device transmits the appropriate log information for the content recording. In this case, recording of the content corresponding to the transmission status of the log information becomes possible. That is, it is possible to control the recording of the content in consideration of the trust of the user who transmits the appropriate log information. Further, the recording of the content in the content recording device can be controlled from an external device such as a server device. As a result, it is possible for a user who has accumulated trust to easily acquire contents with reduced communication costs. In addition, a large amount of content can be sold to excellent users relatively safely for content holders and the like.

Note that, in the present embodiment, various processes in the present embodiment may be realized by software and provided by software download.
Further, such software may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed. The fact that there are various types of such realization means is the same in other embodiments. The program of the content recording device when various processes according to the present embodiment are realized by software has the following configuration. The program includes, in a computer, a content receiving step of receiving content, a content recording step of recording the content received in the content receiving step, and a log information obtaining step of obtaining log information that is information related to the content recording in the content recording step. A log information transmitting step of transmitting the log information acquired in the log information acquiring step, a transmission status information accumulating step of accumulating transmission status information which is information on a transmission status of the log information in the log information transmitting step, and a recording control. A program for executing a recording control information receiving step of externally receiving recording control information, which is information, and instructing recording of a content based on transmission status information and recording control information. The computer referred to here is a device that receives content, and includes a so-called content recording device, a set-top box, and a television receiver.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content processing system according to the present embodiment. The content processing system includes a transmitting device 11,
It has a content recording device 172, a server device 173, and the recording medium 14. The content recording device 172 includes a content receiving unit 1201, a content recording unit 1202, a log information acquiring unit 1203, a log information transmitting unit 17201, a transmission status information accumulating unit 1205, and a content recording control unit 120.
6. The log information transmitting unit 17201 includes a log information transmitting unit 172011, a log information reception result receiving unit 172.
012, a log information check unit 172013 is provided.
The server device 173 includes a log information receiving unit 17301 and a log information storage unit 1302. Log information receiving unit 1730
1 includes a log information receiving unit 173011 and a log information receiving result transmitting unit 173012.

The log information transmitting means 172011 transmits log information. The log information transmitting unit 172011 is generally realized by a wireless or wired communication unit. However, the log information transmitting unit 172011 can be realized by a broadcasting unit.

Log information reception result receiving means 172012
Receives, from the server device 173, a log information reception result that is information indicating whether or not the server device 173 has successfully received the log information. Log information reception result receiving means 1720
12 is usually realized by wireless or wired communication means. However, the log information reception result receiving means 172012 can be realized by means for receiving a broadcast. In general, the log information transmitting unit 172011 and the log information receiving result receiving unit 172012 are realized by one physical unit.

The log information checking means 172013 checks that the stored log information has been transmitted when the log information reception result received by the log information reception result receiving means 172012 is a result indicating successful transmission. . Checking refers to writing information for deleting log information or not, or deleting information. The log information check unit 172013 is usually realized by software, but may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit). It is assumed that the information checked by the log information checking unit 172013 is stored in the transmission status information storage unit 1205.

The log information receiving means 173011 receives log information from the content recording device 172. The log information receiving unit 173011 is generally realized by a wireless or wired communication unit. However, the log information receiving means 173
011 can also be realized by means for receiving a broadcast.

Log information reception result transmission means 173012
Determines whether the log information receiving unit 173011 has normally received the log information, and transmits the log information reception result as the determination result to the content recording device 172. The log information reception result transmitting unit 173012 is generally realized by a wireless or wired communication unit. However, the log information reception result transmitting unit 173012 can be realized by a broadcasting unit. Note that the log information receiving means 173011 and the log information receiving result transmitting means 173012 are usually realized by one physical means.

Hereinafter, the operation of the content processing system according to the present embodiment will be described. First, the operation of the content recording device 172 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Since the operation of transmitting apparatus 11 has been described in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

(Step S1801) The content receiving section 1201 determines whether or not the content has been received.
If the content is received, the process proceeds to step S1802. If the content is not received, the process proceeds to step S1805.

(Step S1802) The content recording control unit 1206 acquires the transmission status information accumulated by the transmission status information accumulation unit 1205. However, the transmission status information stored by the transmission status information storage unit 1205 may not exist. In such a case, the content recording control unit 1206
Acquires empty transmission status information.

(Step S1803) The content recording control unit 1206 determines whether or not to record the content based on the transmission status information obtained in step S1802. The judgment here is that recording / not recording should be performed.
In some cases, the determination is made as one of the three methods, but in some cases, a determination is made to select one of the three or more recording methods. For example, the content recording control unit 1206 records all of the content based on the transmission status information /
There may be a case where one recording method is selected from the three choices of recording part of the content / not recording the content. Content recording control unit 1206
If it is determined that the content is to be recorded based on the transmission status information acquired in step S1802, the process proceeds to step S1804, and if it is determined that the content is not recorded, the process jumps to step S1805.

(Step S1804) The content recording control unit 1206 instructs the content recording unit 1202 to record the content on the recording medium 14 based on the transmission status information obtained in step S1802, and the content recording unit 1202 Record. Further, the content recording unit 1202 accumulates log information.

(Step S1805) Log information transmitting section 1
Step 204 determines whether or not to transmit log information. If it is determined that log information is to be transmitted, step S1806
And if it is determined not to transmit the log information, the process returns to step S1801.

(Step S1806) Log information acquisition unit 1
203 acquires log information that has not been checked.

(Step S1807) The log information transmitting means 172011 transmits the log information obtained in step S206.

(Step S1808) The log information reception result receiving means 172012 determines whether or not the log information reception result has been received. If a log information reception result is received, the process proceeds to step S1809, and if a log information reception result is not received, the process returns to step S1808.

(Step S1809) The log information checking means 172013 determines whether the log information reception result received in step S1808 is success or failure. If successful, go to step S1810; if unsuccessful, go to step S1810.
Return to 1807.

(Step S1810) The log information checking means 172013 checks the transmitted log information so that the transmitted log information can be recognized. This check is performed by recording some information or deleting some information so that transmitted log information and untransmitted log information can be distinguished.

(Step S1811) The transmission status information storage section 1205 forms transmission status information. It should be noted that there are various data structures of the transmission status information and algorithms for configuring the transmission status information. Also, log information checking means 1720
When the information checked by 13 constitutes transmission status information as it is, the transmission status information storage unit 1205 acquires the information checked by the log information check unit 172013.

(Step S1812) The transmission status information storage section 1205 stores the transmission status information configured (or acquired) in step S1811.

In the flowchart of FIG. 18, when the log information reception result is unsuccessful, the log information is retransmitted. However, the process may be terminated without retransmitting, or an error message may be output. If the log information reception result is unsuccessful, transmission of the log information may be attempted again, and the process may be terminated if a predetermined time has elapsed. Further, when the log information reception result is unsuccessful, transmission of log information may be tried again within a certain number of times.

Next, the operation of the server device 173 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S1901) It is determined whether or not the log information receiving means 173011 has received log information.
If log information has been received, the process proceeds to step S1902. If log information has not been received, the process returns to step S1901.

(Step S1902) The log information reception result transmitting means 173012 determines whether the reception of the log information in step S1901 is successful or unsuccessful. If successful, go to step S1903; if unsuccessful, go to step S1903.
Fly to 1904. The success or failure of the reception of the log information is determined by, for example, the following method. There is a method in which the size of log information is determined, and when data different from the size is received, it is determined that the log information has failed. There is also a method of judging success or failure by parity check.
However, any method may be used to determine success or failure.

(Step S1903) “Success” is substituted for the log information reception result. Go to step S1905.

(Step S1904) “failure” is substituted for the log information reception result.

(Step S1905) The log information reception result is transmitted to the content recording device 172.

(Step S1906) Step S190
The log information received in step 1 is accumulated.

Hereinafter, a specific operation of the content recording system according to the present embodiment will be described. Now, it is assumed that the log information transmitting means of the content recording device transmits the log information to the server device if three or more pieces of log information are accumulated in the content recording device. And now, FIG.
Is stored in the content recording device. That is, three pieces of log information are accumulated in the content recording device.

In such a situation, the content recording device transmits three pieces of log information to the server device. Next, the server device receives the log information. Next, the server device determines that the received information is log information. For example,
The log information is indicated in a specific portion of the header of the received information (for example, the type of information is specified in 20 Bytes before the information, and “Log information” is in the area of 20 Bytes before the information) Is indicated), the server device determines that the received information is log information.

Next, the server determines whether or not the log information has been normally received by an error check method such as a parity check. When receiving the log information normally, the server device transmits a log information reception result indicating “success” to the content recording device. Further, when the server device fails to receive the log information, the server device transmits a log information reception result indicating “failure” to the content recording device.
Now, assume that the server device has normally received the log information.
In such a case, the server device transmits a log information reception result indicating “success” to the content recording device.

Next, the content recording apparatus receives a log information reception result indicating “success”. Next, the content recording device recognizes the log information reception result indicating “success”, and rewrites the attribute value of “transmission check” in FIG. 5 from “0” to “1” (see FIG. 7). Thereby, the content recording device can recognize that the three pieces of log information have been normally transmitted to the server device. Therefore, the content recording device
It does not resend one log information. That is, when transmitting the log information, the content recording device checks the attribute value of “transmission check”, and transmits only the log information for which “transmission check” is “0” to the server device. In addition,
If the attribute value of “transmission check” is “0”, it indicates that the log information has not been transmitted. If the attribute value of “transmission check” is “1”, the log information has been transmitted. Indicates that

In the above example, the content recording device rewrites the “transmission check” attribute value of the log information of the content from “0” to “1” when the transmission of the content is successful. The device may be able to distinguish between transmitted and untransmitted by other methods. For example, the content recording device may delete the transmitted log information, delete a part of the transmitted log information (such as purchase price information), or delete data linked to the log information. May be written as information indicating that transmission has been completed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the content recording apparatus checks log information that has been successfully transmitted, and transmits only unchecked log information when transmitting log information. The log information can be transmitted reliably, and unnecessary retransmission of the log information can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately cope with a communication failure.

The process of discriminating transmitted log information and untransmitted log information described in the present embodiment can be applied to the content transmitting / receiving system in another embodiment for transmitting log information.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content processing system according to the present embodiment. The content processing system includes a transmitting device 11,
It has a content recording device 202 and a server device 13.
The content recording device 202 includes a content receiving unit 120
1. Content recording unit 1202, log information acquisition unit 120
3. Log information transmission unit 1204, transmission status information storage unit 12
05, a content recording control unit 1206, a content storage unit 20201, a command receiving unit 20202, and a content output unit 20203.

[0119] The content storage section 20201 stores the content recorded by the content recording section 1202. The content storage unit 20201 is preferably implemented by a non-volatile recording medium such as a hard disk.
It may be realized by a volatile recording medium.

Command receiving section 20202 receives an output instruction command indicating a content output instruction. Command reception unit 2
Means for realizing 0202 differs depending on the input means of the output instruction command. When the output instruction command is input by a keyboard, the command receiving unit 20202 can be realized by a keyboard driver. When the output instruction command is input by a remote controller, command receiving section 20202 can be realized by a remote control driver. If the output instruction is input with a mouse,
The command receiving unit 20202 can be realized by a mouse driver.

Content output section 20203 outputs the content stored in content storage section 20201 when command receiving section 20202 receives the output instruction command. The output refers to any one of output to a display, audio output to a speaker, printing to a printer, or a combination thereof. Content output unit 20
The means for realizing 203 differs depending on the output mode. The content output unit 20203 can be realized by, for example, a display and its driver software.

The operation of the content processing system according to the present embodiment will be described below. The operations of the transmission device 11 and the server device 13 have been described in the first embodiment. The operation of the content recording device 202 for receiving and recording the content is basically the same as the operation of recording the content on a recording medium external to the content recording device or on an internal content storage unit. The processing is the same as the flowchart in FIG. Therefore, the description of the operation of the content recording device 202 for receiving and recording the content is omitted. Here, an operation in which the content recording device 202 outputs content will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

(Step S2101) Instruction receiving unit 202
02 determines whether an output instruction command has been received. If an output instruction command is received, the process proceeds to step S2102,
If no output instruction command is received, the process returns to step S2101.

(Step S2102) The content output section 20203 reads the content specified in step S2101 from the content storage section 20201.

(Step S2103) The content output section 20203 outputs the content read in step S2102.

Hereinafter, the specific operation of the content recording apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. Examples of the appearance of the content recording device are shown in FIGS. here,
The content recording device is a so-called electronic book device. That is, the target content is the content of the electronic book. The electronic book device has two thin displays and is foldable. FIG. 22 shows an electronic book in a state where it is easily folded and carried.
As the thin display, a liquid crystal display is preferable. FIG. 23 is an electronic book in an open state;
A page break switch 2301 is provided. That is,
When the user presses the page break switch 2301 left or right, the electronic book device displays the previous page or the next page.

This electronic book device receives the contents of an electronic book by broadcasting or communication. Then, the electronic book device accumulates (records) the contents of the electronic book. Then, log information relating to the recording of the content is transmitted to the server device. Then, the electronic book device stores the transmission status information, and controls whether or not to record the content based on the transmission status information. The operation of such recording control has already been described.

Next, the electronic book device accepts a command to output a content from the user. The instruction is
Usually includes a content identifier. Then, the electronic book device reads and outputs the content identified by the content identifier included in the instruction command.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a display example of an electronic book device storing a large number of electronic book contents.
The electronic book device displays that many electronic book contents are stored in an image in which books are lined up on a bookshelf. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of reading and outputting a book when the electronic book device receives an instruction command to select one of the books in the bookshelf in FIG. 24.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the content recording device can store the content and output the content according to an instruction from the user or the like. Therefore, according to the content recording device, a device capable of outputting the content can be provided, and appropriate recording control of the content can be performed based on the transmission status information. That is, when the content recording device has transmitted appropriate log information for content recording, the content recording device can record content corresponding to the transmission status of the log information.

In the present embodiment, the content recording apparatus has been described mainly by taking an electronic book apparatus as an example.
The content recording device is not limited to the electronic book device, but may be any device that can store and output contents. The content recording device may be, for example, a set-top box, a digital television, a navigation device, or the like.

Further, the content output function of the content recording apparatus according to the present embodiment may be provided in other embodiments. In other words, the content recording device according to another embodiment records the content on an external recording medium. However, the content may be recorded on a recording medium of the content recording device itself and output according to a user instruction or the like.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content processing system according to the present embodiment. The content processing system includes a transmitting device 11,
It has a content recording device 262, a server device 263, and the recording medium 14.

The content recording device 262 includes a content receiving unit 1201, a content recording unit 1202, a right confirmation unit 26201, a content recording control unit 26202, a content identifier storage unit 26203, and a software identifier storage unit 2.
6204, a device identifier storage unit 26205, and a user identifier storage unit 26206. The right confirmation unit 26201
It has a confirmation information transmitting unit 262011 and a confirmation result information receiving unit 262012. The server device 263 includes a confirmation information receiving unit 26301, a confirmation result information acquiring unit 26302, and a confirmation result information transmitting unit 26303.

Before the content recording unit 1202 records the content, the right confirmation unit 26201 confirms whether or not the content can be recorded with an external server device. The right confirmation unit 26201 can be generally realized by wireless or wired communication means and its driver software. However, the right confirmation unit 26201 may be realized by means for transmitting and receiving a broadcast. In addition, the right confirmation unit 26201 may be realized by a communication unit for transmitting information and a broadcast receiving unit for receiving information.

[0136] Content recording control section 26202 instructs content recording section 1202 to record the content based on the result of the confirmation by right confirmation section 26201. The content recording control unit 26202 is usually realized by software, but may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit).

[0137] The content identifier storage section 26203 stores a content identifier which is information for identifying the content. The content identifier is usually information received together with the content received by the content receiving unit 1201. The content identifier is the content recording unit 1
It can also be said that the information 202 identifies the content to be recorded. The software identifier storage unit 26204 stores a software identifier which is information for identifying software constituting the content recording unit 1202. The soft identifier is
Usually, it exists in pairs with software and is stored in the content recording device when the software is installed.
The device identifier storage unit 26205 stores a device identifier that is information for identifying the content recording device. The device identifier is usually stored at the stage of shipping the content recording device. The user identifier storage unit 26206 stores a user identifier which is information for identifying a user of the content recording device. The user identifier is usually stored before and after the content recording device is delivered to the user. Content identifier storage unit 26203, software identifier storage unit 262
04, the device identifier storage unit 26205, and the user identifier storage unit 26206 can be realized by a nonvolatile recording medium or a volatile recording medium.

[0138] Confirmation information transmitting means 262011 transmits confirmation information. The confirmation result information receiving means 262012
The confirmation result information is received from the server device 263. Confirmation information is information used to confirm whether or not recording of content is possible. There are various data structures and data contents of the confirmation information. The confirmation information transmitting unit 262011 and the confirmation result information receiving unit 262012 can be generally realized by a wireless or wired communication unit, but may be realized by a unit for transmitting and receiving a broadcast. Also, the confirmation information transmitting means 262011
The confirmation result information receiving means 262012 can be generally realized by one physical means, but may be realized by different means. The confirmation information transmitting unit 262011 may be realized by a communication unit, and the confirmation result information receiving unit 262012 may be realized by a broadcast receiving unit.

[0139] Confirmation information receiving section 26301 receives confirmation information from content recording device 262. The confirmation information receiving unit 26301 can be generally realized by wireless or wired communication means, but may be realized by a broadcast receiving means.

[0140] The confirmation result information acquiring section 26302 acquires confirmation result information based on the confirmation information received by the confirmation information receiving section 26301. The confirmation result information is information indicating a result of confirming whether or not recording of the content is possible. There are various data structures and data contents of the confirmation result information. The confirmation result information acquisition unit 26302 can be generally realized by software, but may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit).

The confirmation result information transmitting section 26303 transmits the confirmation result information acquired by the confirmation result information acquiring section 26302 to the content recording device 262. The confirmation result information transmitting unit 26303 can be generally realized by a wireless or wired communication unit, but may be realized by a broadcasting unit. Also, a confirmation information receiving unit 26301 and a confirmation result information transmitting unit 26303
Can usually be realized by one physical means.

The operation of the content processing system according to the present embodiment will be described below. The operation of the transmission device 11 has been described. First, the operation of the content recording device 262 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S2701) The content receiving section 1201 determines whether or not content has been received.
If the content has been received, the process proceeds to step S2702. If the content has not been received, the process returns to step S2701.

(Step S2702) Right Confirmation Unit 262
01 confirmation information transmitting unit 262011 includes a content identifier storage unit 26203 and a software identifier storage unit 2620.
4. Obtain necessary identifiers (content identifiers and the like) from the device identifier storage unit 26205 and the user identifier storage unit 26206. That is, the confirmation information has one or more identifiers, and need not have all the identifiers described above.

(Step S2703) Confirmation information transmitting means 262011 constitutes confirmation information.

(Step S2704) Confirmation information transmitting means 262011 transmits confirmation information.

(Step S2705) The confirmation result information receiving means 262012 transmits the confirmation result information to the server device 263.
It is determined whether or not it has been received from. If the confirmation result information has been received, the process proceeds to step S2706, and if the confirmation result information has not been received, the process returns to step S2705.

(Step S2706) The content recording control unit 26202 determines whether to record the content received in step S2701 based on the confirmation result information received in step S2705. If it is determined that the content is to be recorded, the process proceeds to step S2707, and if it is determined that the content is not to be recorded, the process ends.

(Step S2707) The content recording control unit 26202 instructs the content recording unit 1202 to record the content based on the confirmation result information received in step S2705.

(Step S2708) The content recording section 1202 records the content according to the instruction in step S2707.

In the flowchart of FIG. 27,
The content recording control is not limited to control of recording / not recording, but may be control of recording the entire content / recording a part of the content / not recording, or recording the content as it is / Control such as encryption and recording may be used. That is, the content recording device may control the recording of the content based on the confirmation result information.

Next, the operation of the server device 263 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S2801) Confirmation information receiving section 2
Step 6301 determines whether confirmation information has been received. If confirmation information is received, the procedure goes to step S2802, and if confirmation information is not received, the procedure returns to step S2801.

(Step S2802) The confirmation result information acquiring section 26302 acquires confirmation result information based on the confirmation information received in step S2801. There are various methods for acquiring the confirmation result information based on the confirmation information, and the specific method will be described below.

(Step S2803) The confirmation result information transmitting section 26303 transmits the confirmation result information acquired in step S2802 to the content recording device 262.

Hereinafter, a specific operation of the content recording system according to the present embodiment will be described. First, a first specific example will be described. FIG. 29 shows an example of the structure of the confirmation information. The confirmation information has a “content identifier” and a “user identifier”. Now, the content recording device receives the content, and acquires the content identifier of the received content and the user identifier stored in the content recording device in advance. Next, the content recording device forms confirmation information having the structure shown in FIG. now,
Specifically, the content identifier constituting the confirmation information is “electronic book ZZZ”, and the user identifier is “100133”.
33 ". Next, the content recording device
The confirmation information is transmitted to the server device.

Next, the server device receives the confirmation information.
Then, the server device holds a content level management table of FIG. 30 for managing the content level of each content. The content level management table is a table that manages prices for each content by level, and stores one or more records having a “content identifier” and a “content level”. The smaller the “content level”, the higher the price of the content. In addition, the server device shown in FIG.
And a user-specific recording control table for managing recordable content levels for each user. The recording control table for each user includes "user identifier" and "recordable content level".
Is stored. That is, FIG.
1, the user identifier "1000211"
The user identified by "1" has a content level of "1".
Alternatively, the content of “2” or “3” can be recorded. The reason that the content level differs depending on the user is that, for example, the trust level differs depending on the user. Also, for example, this service is a membership system, and the membership fee differs depending on the user.

[0158] And now, the server device has the content identifier "electronic book ZZZ" and the user identifier "10013".
333 "is received. Next, the server device acquires the content level “2” paired with the content identifier “electronic book ZZZ” from the table in FIG.
Next, the server apparatus checks the user identifier “1001333”
The recordable content level “3” that is paired with “3” is acquired. Next, the server device compares the content level “2” with the recordable content level “3” and determines that recording is not possible.

Then, the server device forms confirmation result information as shown in FIG. The confirmation result information may be recordable or unrecordable information. Now, since the server apparatus has determined that recording is not possible, information indicating that recording is not possible is configured as confirmation result information. Then, the server device transmits confirmation result information, which is information indicating that recording is impossible, to the content recording device.

Next, the content recording apparatus receives confirmation result information which is information indicating that recording is not possible. Then, the content recording device performs recording control so as to prohibit recording of the received content. As a result, no content is recorded.

In the first specific example described above, it is determined whether or not content recording is possible based on confirmation information having a content identifier and a user identifier, and confirmation result information is formed, and content recording is performed based on the confirmation result information. Has been described above. However, the identifier used for the confirmation information may be only the content identifier or only the user identifier. The identifier used for the confirmation information may be another identifier.

Next, a second specific example will be described. In the second specific example, an example in which an identifier used for confirmation information is different from the identifier in the first specific example will be described. FIG. 33 shows an example of the structure of the confirmation information. The confirmation information has a “content identifier”, a “software identifier”, and a “device identifier”. Now, the content recording device receives the content, a content identifier of the received content, a software identifier stored in the content recording device in advance,
Get the device identifier. Next, the content recording device
The confirmation information having the structure of FIG. 33 is configured. Now, specifically, it is assumed that the content identifier constituting the confirmation information is “electronic book ZZZ”, the software identifier is “BA company”, and the device identifier is “AB company”. Next, the content recording device transmits the confirmation information to the server device.

Next, the server device receives the confirmation information.
Then, it is assumed that the server device holds the content provider company management table of FIG. The content provider management table is a table for managing content providers for each content. The content provider management table includes a record having “content identifier” and “content provider” as one.
The above is stored. “Content providing company” is an attribute in which information for identifying a company that provides content is input. It is assumed that the server stores the group company management table of FIG. The group company management table is a table for managing a group relationship between a content providing company, a software company, and a device company. That is, according to FIG. 35, the content provider company “Company A” and the software company “AA”
Company "and an equipment company" AB company "are companies of the same group. Then, it is assumed that the server device forms the confirmation result information based on a relationship between a company that provides the content to be recorded, a software company that provides the software for recording the content, and a device company that provides the content recording device. The server device forms confirmation result information having a structure shown in FIG. 36 according to a relationship between a company that provides content to be recorded, a software company that provides software for recording content, and a device company that provides the content recording device. I do. The confirmation result information shown in FIG. 36 includes a “recording method” and a “recording program when partial recording is possible”. “Recording method” is information indicating a recording method, and
Any one of the three pieces of information that can be partially recorded or not can be used. Then, when the recording method indicates a value of “partially recordable”, the confirmation result information has a “recording program when partial recording is possible”. The “recording program when partial recording is possible” is, for example, “the first 50 contents.
A program indicating "record 0 bytes", a program indicating "record contents for 5 minutes from the beginning when the contents are reproduced", and the like. When the recording method indicates a value of “recordable” or “recordable”, the data of the “recording program when partial recording is possible” is empty.

More specifically, in a case where the company that provides the content to be recorded, the software company that provides the software for recording the content, and the device company that provides the content recording device are all companies belonging to the same group, The server device sets the information of “recordable”, in which all the contents can be recorded, as the confirmation result information. Further, in a case where only two of the company that provides the content to be recorded, the software company that provides the software for recording the content, and the equipment company that provides the content recording device belong to the same group, the server device is , "Partially recordable" as confirmation result information. Further, if the three companies, the company that provides the content to be recorded, the software company that provides the software for recording the content, and the equipment company that provides the content recording device, all belong to different groups, the server device is “recording disabled”. Is used as the confirmation result information.

Since the server apparatus has received the confirmation information having the content identifier “E-book ZZZ”, the software identifier “BA company”, and the device identifier “AB company”, it performs the following processing. The server device acquires the content provider “company B” paired with the content identifier “electronic book ZZZ” from the table in FIG. Next, the server device transmits the content providing company “Company B” and the software identifier “B
“Company A” and device identifier “AB company” are applied to the table of FIG. Then, the server device transmits the content providing company “B
And the software identifier “BA company” are the same group company, and the device identifier “AB company” is a different group company. Then, the server device sets the confirmation result information to “partially recordable”. Then, the server device acquires the “recording program when partial recording is permitted” recorded in advance, and configures the confirmation result information. Next, the server device transmits the confirmation result information to the content recording device.

Next, the content recording device receives the confirmation result information. Next, the content recording device acquires the value “partially recordable” of the recording method of the received confirmation result information.
Next, the content recording apparatus acquires the “recording program when partial recording is possible” that constitutes the confirmation result information, and executes the received content. As described above, the content recording device can record a part of the received content. The “recording program when partial recording is possible” may be a program having various recording algorithms.

In the above second specific example, it is determined whether content recording is possible or not based on confirmation information having a content identifier, a software identifier, and a device identifier, and confirmation result information is formed. The example of controlling the recording of the content has been described. However, the identifier used for the confirmation information may be only the content identifier, only the software identifier, or only the device identifier. The identifier used for the confirmation information may be another identifier.

In the second specific example, the software identifier is the name of the company that provides the software. That is,
The software identifier is not limited to information for uniquely identifying software, and may be information for identifying a software group. Similarly, the device identifier is not necessarily information that uniquely identifies a device such as a serial number of a content recording device, but may be information that identifies a device group such as a device manufacturer name. The identifier in this specification may be any information that distinguishes it from others, and is not necessarily information that uniquely identifies it.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when recording content, the server device confirms whether or not recording is possible, and controls recording of the content based on the confirmation result, thereby ensuring more appropriate recording. Control becomes possible.

In this embodiment, the recording control of recordable / recordable or recordable / partial recordable / recordable has been described. However, the recording control method is not limited to this. That is, recording control such as recording as it is / encrypting and recording may be performed based on the confirmation result information.

Further, in the present embodiment, the mode described in the fourth embodiment may be applied. That is, the content recording apparatus may include a command receiving unit 20202 and a content output unit 20203. In such a case, the content recording device is, for example, an electronic book device and has an external appearance as shown in FIGS. 22 to 25.
4. An electronic book as shown in FIG. 25 may be displayed.

[0172]

According to the present invention, the content recording device can appropriately record the content.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a content processing system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the content recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data structure of content according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of content according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a log information management table according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a content recording control table according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a log information management table according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a transmission status information management table according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a log information management table according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a recording control content management table in the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a recording control table according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a content processing system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the content recording device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a recording control information management table for each content recording device in the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows a transmission status information management table according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a specific example of content according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a content processing system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the content recording device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the server recording device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a content processing system according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the content recording device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of a content recording device according to Embodiment 4.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of a content recording device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a content display example of the content recording device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a content display example of a content recording device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram of a content processing system according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the content recording device according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the server recording device according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a structure of confirmation information according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 30 shows a content level management table according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a recording control table for each user according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of confirmation result information in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a structure of confirmation information according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a content provider company management table according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 35 shows a group company management table in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a structure of confirmation result information in the fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Transmission device 12, 122, 172, 202, 262 Content recording device 13, 123, 173, 263 Server device 14 Recording medium 1101 Content storage unit 1102 Content transmission unit 1201 Content reception unit 1202 Content recording unit 1203 Log information acquisition unit 1204, 17201 log information transmitting section 1205 transmission status information storing sections 1206, 12202, 26202 content recording control section 1301, 17301 log information receiving section 1302 log information storing section 2301 page break switch 12201 recording control information receiving section 12202 recording control information storing section 12203 content Recording control unit 12301 Recording control information storage unit 12302 Recording control information transmission unit 20201 Content storage unit 20202 Command reception unit 20203 Content output unit 26201 Check unit 26203 Content identifier storage unit 26204 Software identifier storage unit 26205 Device identifier storage unit 26206 User identifier storage unit 26301 Confirmation information reception unit 26302 Confirmation result information acquisition unit 26303 Confirmation result information transmission unit 172011 Log information transmission unit 172012 Log information reception result Receiving unit 172013 Log information checking unit 173011 Log information receiving unit 173012 Log information reception result transmitting unit 262011 Confirmation information transmitting unit 262012 Confirmation result information receiving unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) // H04N 5/76 H04N 5/76 Z (72) Inventor Tomomi Kaga 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ike ▲ Saki ▼ Masao 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture F Term in Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 5B085 AA08 5C052 AB02 AB04 AC08 DD02 DD04 DD06 5C064 BA07 BB02 BB07 BC06 BC16 BC20 BD02 BD07 5D044 AB05 AB07 AB09 BC01 BC04 CC04 DE49 EF05 FG18 HL08 HL11

Claims (28)

[Claims] 1. A content receiving unit for receiving a content, a content recording unit for recording the content received by the content receiving unit, and a log information acquiring unit for acquiring log information that is information on content recording of the content recording unit A log information transmitting unit that transmits log information acquired by the log information acquiring unit, a transmission status information accumulating unit that accumulates transmission status information that is information on a transmission status of log information in the log information transmitting unit, A content recording device comprising: a content recording control unit that instructs the content recording unit to record content based on transmission status information accumulated by a transmission status information accumulation unit. 2. A content receiving unit for receiving a content, a content recording unit for recording the content received by the content receiving unit, and a log information acquiring unit for acquiring log information that is information on content recording of the content recording unit. A log information transmitting unit that transmits the log information acquired by the log information acquiring unit; a transmission status information accumulating unit that accumulates transmission status information that is information on a transmission status of the log information in the log information transmitting unit; A recording control information receiving unit that externally receives recording control information that is information relating to control; and a content recording control unit that instructs the content recording unit to record content based on the transmission status information and the recording control information. Content recording device. 3. The content recording control unit, when the transmission status information satisfies a certain condition, or when the transmission status information and the recording control information satisfy a certain condition, the content recording unit deletes the content. 3. The content recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein recording is prohibited. 4. The content recording control unit, when the transmission status information satisfies a certain condition, or when the transmission status information and the recording control information satisfy a certain condition, the content recording unit 4. The content recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein recording of only a part is permitted. 5. The content recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the log information transmitting unit transmits log information periodically. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a log information storage unit configured to store the log information acquired by said log information acquisition unit, wherein said log information transmission unit stores the log information accumulated by said log information accumulation unit in a predetermined amount or more. 2. The log information is transmitted in the case.
The content recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 7. The content recording control unit permits the content recording unit to record a large number of contents as the number of transmitted log information indicated by the transmission status information increases. Content recording device according to the above. 8. The log information transmitting unit further includes a log information check unit that checks log information that has been successfully transmitted, and transmits only log information that has not been checked by the log information check unit. The content recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. A command receiving unit for receiving an output instruction command indicating a content output instruction, and a content output unit for outputting the content recorded by the content recording unit when the command receiving unit receives the output instruction command. 9. The content recording device according to claim 1, further comprising: 10. A server device for receiving and storing log information from the content recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. 11. A content receiving unit for receiving a content, a content recording unit for recording the content received by the content receiving unit, and whether or not the content can be recorded before the content recording unit records the content. A content recording device, comprising: a right confirmation unit for confirming to a server device; and a content recording control unit for instructing the content recording unit to record a content based on a confirmation result in the right confirmation unit. 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a content identifier storage unit storing a content identifier which is information for identifying the content recorded by said content recording unit, wherein said right confirmation unit transmits confirmation information having said content identifier. 12. The content recording apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: a confirmation information transmitting unit that performs the confirmation, and a confirmation result information receiving unit that receives the confirmation result information from the server device. 13. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a software identifier storage unit storing a software identifier which is information for identifying software constituting the content recording unit, wherein the right confirmation unit transmits confirmation information having the software identifier. 12. The content recording apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: a confirmation information transmitting unit that performs the confirmation, and a confirmation result information receiving unit that receives the confirmation result information from the server device. 14. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a device identifier storage unit storing a device identifier as information for identifying the content recording device, wherein said right confirmation unit transmits confirmation information having said device identifier. The content recording device according to claim 11, further comprising: a confirmation result information receiving unit that receives confirmation result information from the server device. 15. A user identifier storage unit storing a user identifier which is information for identifying a user of the content recording apparatus, wherein the right confirmation unit transmits confirmation information having the user identifier. 12. The content recording apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a transmitting unit, and a confirmation result information receiving unit that receives confirmation result information from the server device. 16. A command receiving unit that receives an output instruction command indicating a content output command, and a content output unit that outputs the content recorded by the content recording unit when the command receiving unit receives the output command command. The content recording device according to claim 11, further comprising: 17. A confirmation information receiving unit for receiving confirmation information from the content recording device according to any one of claims 11 to 16, and acquiring confirmation result information based on the confirmation information received by the confirmation information receiving unit. 17. A server device comprising: a confirmation result information acquiring unit; and a confirmation result information transmitting unit configured to transmit the confirmation result information acquired by the confirmation result information acquiring unit to the content recording device according to any one of claims 11 to 16. 18. A computer, comprising: a content receiving step of receiving a content; a content recording step of recording the content received in the content receiving step; and a log acquiring log information which is information relating to the content recording in the content recording step. An information acquisition step, a log information transmission step of transmitting the log information acquired in the log information acquisition step, and a transmission status information accumulation step of accumulating transmission status information that is information on a transmission status of the log information in the log information transmission step A program for instructing recording of content based on the transmission status information accumulated in the transmission status information accumulation step. 19. A computer, comprising: a content receiving step of receiving a content; a content recording step of recording the content received in the content receiving step; and a log acquiring log information which is information relating to the content recording in the content recording step. An information acquisition step, a log information transmission step of transmitting the log information acquired in the log information acquisition step, and a transmission status information accumulation step of accumulating transmission status information that is information on a transmission status of the log information in the log information transmission step And a program for executing a recording control information receiving step of externally receiving recording control information that is information relating to recording control, wherein the program instructs recording of content based on the transmission status information and the recording control information. program. 20. A content receiving step of receiving a content in a computer, a content recording step of recording the content received in the content receiving step, and whether or not the content can be recorded before the content is recorded in the content recording step. Is a program for executing a right confirmation step of confirming the content to an external server device, and instructing recording of content based on a result of the confirmation in the right confirmation step. 21. The right confirmation step includes a confirmation information transmitting step of transmitting confirmation information having a content identifier stored in advance, and a confirmation result receiving step of receiving a confirmation result from the server device.
The program described. 22. The right confirmation step includes a confirmation information transmitting step of transmitting confirmation information having a software identifier stored in advance, and a confirmation result receiving step of receiving a confirmation result from the server device. The described program. 23. The right confirmation step includes a confirmation information transmitting step of transmitting confirmation information having a device identifier stored in advance, and a confirmation result receiving step of receiving a confirmation result from the server device. The described program. 24. The right confirmation step includes a confirmation information transmitting step of transmitting confirmation information having a user identifier stored in advance, and a confirmation result receiving step of receiving a confirmation result from the server device. The described program. 25. A command receiving step for receiving an output instruction command indicating a content output command, and a content output step of outputting the content recorded in the content recording step when the output receiving command is received in the command receiving step. Claim 18 further comprising:
25. The program according to claim 24. 26. A content processing system comprising the content recording device according to claim 1 and the server device according to claim 10. 27. A content processing system comprising the content recording device according to claim 11 and the server device according to claim 17. 28. The content processing system according to claim 26, further comprising a content transmitting device that transmits content to said content recording device.