JP2004135270A - Software usage measuring device and multimedia information output device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a software usage measuring device capable of determining usage for appropriate charging even when software is used in a use style except an ordinary use style. <P>SOLUTION: When encrypted image data frames compressed in the MPEG standard are transmitted to an SD circuit 5, on the condition that a charging counter value is equal with or higher than "1", a DES decrypting part 34 expands the frames one by one in an MPEG expansion circuit 11a. Each time one frame is expanded, the MPEG expansion circuit 11a outputs a frame expansion complete signal to a frame counter part 29. The frame counter part 29 counts the frame expansion complete signal and outputs a counter value to a unit conversion part 28. Each time the counter value reaches a predetermined reference value, the unit conversion part 28 instructs a charging counter register part 32 to make decrement the charging count value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a software usage measuring device for measuring the usage of software such as a computer program or a video work, particularly digitalized software. In particular, the present invention relates to a software usage measuring device capable of determining an appropriate usage even when the software is used in a usage mode other than a usage mode in a case where the software is normally used.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the development of large-scale storage media such as CD-ROMs and large-capacity high-speed communication technologies such as B-ISDN, not only computer programs but also images and sounds are distributed as digital information using these means. It is expected that
[0003]
That is, a video work, which has been conventionally supplied on a video tape, is stored as it is on a CD-ROM and sold, or begins to be distributed to the market as a game utilizing the interactiveness (interactivity) of the CD-ROM. Is coming.
[0004]
The same applies to communication lines, and the situation is such that the above-mentioned video work is delivered to the user's hand via communication. By the way, since this kind of digital information is very easy to copy to another medium, and there is no deterioration due to copying like analog information, the same information can be copied. It is very likely that profits will be harmed. That is, as long as a large-capacity rewritable magneto-optical disk or magnetic disk device is owned, it is easy to copy the contents of the CD-ROM with only a small amount of OS (operation system) command knowledge.
[0005]
As described above, in most cases, rental operations of this kind of digital information medium are prohibited by the manufacturer because a sufficient security check is impossible.
[0006]
However, as an end user, the price of this type of software is expensive today, and it is necessary to make sure that the software is exactly what you want or that you can use it with your own hardware. Until they can be taken, they often hesitate to purchase.
[0007]
In this regard, a large number of software with limited functions are stored on a CD-ROM and sold at a low price, and the end user cancels the function limitation by remitting the usage right setting fee for the desired software from among them. A new software distribution method of being notified of the code has begun to be realized. However, since it is difficult to limit the period of use and the number of times of use when setting the right to use, the right to use has to be set for permanent use. Therefore, this setting price had to be very expensive.
[0008]
In this regard, Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-19707 discloses that the available amount of money is registered in the IC card in advance, and the available amount of the IC card is registered in the system when the paid software is used. A method of deducting the balance for each use has been proposed.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of software of a type that uses a series of data successively in a time-series manner, such as moving image data and audio data, an appropriate charge cannot be made by the above method.
[0010]
For example, in the case of moving image data such as a movie, the software user may temporarily stop the image during the reproduction of the moving image data and leave the reproducing device for a while to perform another operation. In this case, the software user returns to the front of the playback device again, and resumes the playback of the moving image data from the temporarily stopped data position or the head position of the moving image data. In such a case, according to the above-described method, it is considered that the reproduction through the moving image data is regarded as one use, and a charge for one use is charged, or the reproduction after returning to the head position is performed by another time. Was considered to be the reproduction of the file, and the usage fee for the second use was charged.
[0011]
It is irrational that if only the usage amount is charged once when the reproduction is resumed after returning to the head position, it is not possible to charge for the data of the part which has already been reproduced before the primary stop. Also, if the usage amount for two uses is uniformly charged when the reproduction is resumed after returning to the head position, the data for the part that has not been reproduced before the primary stop is also charged. It is irrational. Also, if the playback is resumed at the stop location where the primary suspension was performed, if the usage amount for the two uses is uniformly charged, the charge will be twice as much as the usual amount. is there.
[0012]
In order to avoid such irrationality, it is also conceivable to charge according to the data usage time. However, in the state of the temporary stop, data copying is not performed, and only a fragment of an image that is meaningful as a moving image is displayed. It is still unreasonable to charge for the same amount of time you are doing. This is the first problem in the related art.
[0013]
When digital information is used as data, step search can be performed instead of cue and review in analog video. However, in the conventional charging method, no appropriate means has been adopted for how to charge for such a step search. In this case, if the fee is charged during the step search in the same manner as during normal playback, the story of the moving image cannot be tracked, which is severe for the user. This is the second conventional problem.
[0014]
In view of the above problems, the present invention can take the above-mentioned prior art one step further and measure the usage amount for performing appropriate charging even when the software is used in a usage form other than the normal usage form. It is an object to provide a software usage measuring device.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As shown in FIG. 1 which is a principle diagram, a software usage accounting apparatus according to the present invention outputs software (100) including a plurality of distinguishable unit data (101) and obtains usage amount information for use of the software. A detecting means (103) for detecting use of the unit data, a counting means (104) for counting the total number of uses of the unit data detected by the detecting apparatus, Determining means (105) for determining an amount of use of the software in accordance with the counting result of the software. Hereinafter, each component requirement will be described.
〔software〕
The software according to the present invention includes, in addition to computer programs, image data including moving image data such as movies, and audio data such as music.
[0016]
This software is composed of a plurality of unit data. For example, in the case of moving image data, data for displaying a still image for each screen constituting a moving image is the unit data referred to herein. Otherwise, if the data is decomposed for each frame, the decomposed frame becomes the unit data.
[0017]
The plurality of unit data may be encrypted in advance or may be compressed. If the unit data is compressed in advance, a decompression means for decompressing and restoring the compressed unit data may be provided.
[0018]
If the unit data has been encrypted in advance, a decryption unit for decrypting the encrypted unit data may be provided.
(Detection means)
The detecting means detects use of the unit data. For example, in the case of moving image data, display of an individual still image or output to an external display device corresponds to use of unit data.
[0019]
In order to detect such use, for example, it may be detected that the unit data is output to the monitor device, or it may be detected that the expansion of the compressed unit data by the expansion unit is completed. You may.
[Counting means]
The counting means counts the total number of uses of the unit data. Therefore, when only the same unit data is repeatedly used many times, the number of times of repeated use is counted. Also, even if the use of the software is temporarily suspended during continuous use of the software and resumed later, the count is not performed during the primary suspension, and the unit data used after the resume is not counted. Perform a count.
[0020]
The counting means is not limited to the one-stage configuration, and may be a plurality of stages. The counting means may be configured to count up each time the detecting means performs the detection, or may be configured to count down.
(Determining means)
The deciding means decides a charge amount for using the software. In this case, the billing amount may be finely determined for each of the count values, or the billing amount may be determined for every certain number.
[0021]
The billing amount determined by the determining means may be an amount charged to the user after the fact, or may be an amount obtained by subtracting the already used amount from the prepaid fee.
[0022]
In the latter case, the determination means has a second count value corresponding to the software usage fee paid in advance, and determines the second count value in accordance with a change in the first count value by the count means. What is necessary is just to comprise so that it may change. The second count value may be configured to count up as the total number of times the unit data is used increases, or may be configured to count down.
[0023]
In the case where a decoding unit is provided, the decoding processing may be performed only when the second count value has not reached the unusable value.
<Additional configuration in the present invention>
The present invention is composed of the essential components described above, but can be realized by adding the following additional components.
(Use prevention means)
When the second count value becomes an unusable value, use prevention means for preventing use of the unit data may be further provided. By doing so, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use after reaching the unusable value.
[0024]
As the use preventing means, an image signal for preventing normal display of a moving image may be configured to be superimposed on the image data.
[Mode switching means]
A first mode in which a moving image is reproduced as it is by continuously outputting a plurality of unit image data, and a second mode in which a moving image is reproduced at a high speed by outputting the plurality of unit image data discretely are selectively provided. May be further provided. If the second mode can be executed, the screen search can be easily performed.
[0025]
In this case, the deciding means may determine a rate of change of the second count value corresponding to a change of the first count value in the second mode by the first counter in the first mode. The billing amount may be determined so as to reduce the rate of change of the second counter value corresponding to the change of the value. In this way, an appropriate low fee can be charged for use other than the original use form for following the story.
[0026]
Further, in the present invention, in multimedia information including a moving image, the moving image can be divided for each frame of display, and even if the image is interrupted or a part is repeated, it is used depending on the number of output frames. The focus is on the fact that it can be measured regardless of the type of operation.
[0027]
Therefore, every time image information is output as a unit of output, the number of outputs, for example, the number of outputs of a frame, or the number of outputs of each individual frame in the case of discrete playback such as so-called still feed, etc. It is provided with a circuit that performs accumulation processing such as accumulating information corresponding to the used amount or subtracting the information from a specific value, or an accumulation processing unit that performs processing by a micro CPU. In addition, there is provided an inhibiting means for inhibiting output of at least a part of the plurality of types of output information in accordance with the usage amount information subjected to the integration processing.
[0028]
Since voice information cannot distinguish the unit sentence, while moving images can be distinguished by frame, usage information is determined according to the number of output image frames for information in which voice and image are combined.
[0029]
Further, information obtained by synthesizing image information and audio information is subjected to processing that cannot be recognized as an image even if a signal is output as it is to a monitor TV, such as encryption processing or compression processing. In some cases, information is configured so that a series of information includes image information that has been subjected to encryption processing and compression processing, and image information that has been subjected to only compression processing and has not been subjected to encryption processing.
[0030]
On the other hand, when confirming whether or not the usage amount has reached a certain amount based on the output amount of the image, it is conceivable to prevent further image output in the middle of the image. It is difficult to tell whether a particular use has been reached or has reached a limited usage.
[0031]
Another example of the present invention is an apparatus that handles information having at least predetermined processing as information, for example, first image information subjected to encryption processing and second image information not subjected to the predetermined processing. is there.
[0032]
The apparatus includes means for separating the first image information and the second image information from, for example, the supplied image or the image itself. For example, the storage track of the first image and the storage track of the second image are identifiably separated from each other by an identification code on an optical disk or the like as a supply source, or the storage tracks of the second image are separated from each other by image tracks of the optical disk. , The image supplied is classified into the first image information and the second image information.
[0033]
Next, in the case of the second image information, the information is output without being set as a usage amount integration target. When a plurality of processes have been performed on the first image information, only the processes performed on the second image need be solved. For example, if encryption and compression are performed on the first image information, and only compression is performed on the second image information, the second image information is decrypted to decrypt the image. May be passed and only the decompression process for the compression process may be executed.
[0034]
Means is provided for solving the processing of the first image information that has been subjected to the predetermined processing. For example, when an encryption process that has not been performed on the second image has been performed, a circuit that executes a decryption process for the encryption process is provided. If a plurality of processes common to the second image have been performed, those processes are additionally executed.
[0035]
Further, when processing the first image information that has been subjected to the processing, the usage amount information is integrated in accordance with the output of a unit of image information capable of outputting a visible image. Therefore, the apparatus is provided with means for this integration process. The execution of the operation itself can be carried by a portable IC card detachably attached to the device, or it can be carried by the device itself. Further, the integrating means can be constituted in cooperation with the device and the IC card.
[0036]
The device has a means for inhibiting output when the usage information reaches a predetermined usage amount. The inhibition means outputs, as warning information, output information that can appeal to the user's perception, such as visible or audible warning screen information or warning voice information.
[0037]
In addition, for example, in the case of a movie or the like, the second image information that has not been subjected to the predetermined processing is selected and recorded as the second image information such as a movie advertisement image, and this is distinguished and extracted. The output can be performed even if the usage amount integrating process is not performed and the predetermined process is not performed. Therefore, the apparatus has a means for managing the output time of the warning information for a certain period as an inhibiting means, and is provided with a means for outputting this second image information after outputting the warning information for a certain period.
[0038]
The multimedia information output device has a plurality of output modes for image information. For example, there are a plurality of modes such as a normal mode for continuously restoring image information of continuous frames, a mode for outputting images of frames sampled at fixed intervals, a so-called still mode, and a skipping mode for skipping a fixed amount of images. Mode. In each of these modes, the amount of information obtained from the output image is always small, and depending on the mode, the amount of information output as a multimedia information output device differs for each mode, for example, audio information is not reproduced. Therefore, even if the usage amount of the user is integrated, charging at the same rate with respect to the amount of output images has a problem in terms of serviceability. In the present apparatus, the usage amount of the unit for the integration processing is made variable in accordance with this mode.
[0039]
[Action]
A plurality of unit data (101) constituting a group of software (100) as a whole is input to the device (102) and used continuously for each unit data.
[0040]
When each unit data is used, the detecting means (103) detects the use. Each time the detecting means (103) detects the use of the unit data, the counting means (104) changes the count value. Therefore, the count value of the counting means (104) corresponds to the total number of times the unit data is used.
[0041]
The deciding means (105) decides the usage amount for the use of the software according to the count result by the counting means. Therefore, regardless of the number of times the software is used as a whole, and regardless of the length of time the software is used, charging can be performed according to the total number of times the actual unit data is used. Become.
[0042]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0043]
[First embodiment]
<Configuration of Example>
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the software playback device used in the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0044]
The software playback device 2 as a multimedia information output device is an information device that can use various software provided through media such as high-density CD-ROM 1 and communication through a telephone line. The various software has a form of digital data such as audio data, image data, character data, and a computer program. The contents of the various software include computer programs and data provided by conventional floppy disks, television programs broadcast by analog television systems, and video tapes and video disks. Movie data, music data conventionally provided by radio broadcasting and compact discs, still image data such as photographs, and the like.
[0045]
That is, the software playback device 2 is an information device that can uniformly handle various types of software provided in a common data format. Specifically, these various kinds of software are read, computer programs are executed, movie programs and television programs are reproduced (image signal reproduction and audio signal reproduction), music data reproduction (audio signal reproduction), and still image reproduction are performed. It has a function of performing display and the like.
[0046]
Here, the format of various software stored in the high-density CD-ROM 1 will be described. That is, with regard to image data and audio data, a plurality of frames as unit data are continuously formed as a whole as a unit of software. Before being stored in the high-density CD-ROM 1, the image data frame and the audio data frame are A / D converted. The A / D-converted data frame is compressed according to the MPEG-2 standard. Here, MPEG-2 is an image data compression standard recommended by MPEG (Motion Picture Image Experts Group), and includes CCIR 601 standard (4: 2: 2 format) and HDTV (up to 1920 × 1080 lines / frame). Is a standard that uses as a basic image format. The data frame that has been compressed in this manner is encrypted using a predetermined encryption key. On the other hand, regarding the computer program, since the MPEG standard is a standard relating to a video signal and an audio signal, the computer program is directly subjected to the encryption process without being subjected to the compression process by the MPEG-2. The data encrypted (and compressed) through such processing is written in the high-density CD-ROM.
[0047]
The high-density CD-ROM 1 in which the data that has undergone such processing is stored is read by a drive device (not shown). The data frame read by the drive device (not shown) is input to the demodulation circuit / control circuit 3. The demodulation circuit / control circuit 3 has a function of demodulating the image / audio information of the MPEG standard among the input data frames and transmitting the demodulated information to the decoder 4.
[0048]
The decoder 4 has a function of executing error correction and bit rearrangement to deliver image / audio information of a maximum of 2 Mbytes / sec (average 1 Mbytes / sec) to the SD circuit 9. The decoder 4 is connected to a system bus B in the SD circuit 9 via an I / O (input / output) device 6a for transferring the image / audio information.
[0049]
The interface device 17 is also connected to the system bus B in the SD circuit 9 via the I / O device 6a. The interface device 17 performs input / output processing between the operation keys 23 provided on the outer surface of the software reproducing device, the floppy disk drive device 18, and a modem (not shown) and the SD circuit 9. Then, software data transmitted from the software right holder via the communication network is input to the SD circuit 9 by the modem device and the interface device 17 (not shown). The software supplied by this communication has the same format as the software supplied by the high-density CD-ROM 1, and has been encrypted (and compressed) in advance.
[0050]
Next, the SD circuit 9 connected to the decoder 4 and the interface 17 will be described. Various kinds of software provided to the software reproducing apparatus 2 are distributed in an easily obtainable form like the above-described high-density CD-ROM 1 and communication. Therefore, how to charge the license for the software should be determined. It becomes a problem. The SD circuit 9 is used for that purpose. That is, various software that can be used in the software playback device 2 is distributed in an encrypted state. The various kinds of encrypted software are sequentially decrypted by the SD circuit 9. Further, the SD circuit 9 decrements the charging counter value X every time decoding is performed. The charging counter value X is a point as a second counter value written in the SD circuit in accordance with the amount of money previously paid to the software right holder (copyright holder) by the user. The SD circuit maintains the security of the software by stopping the decoding process when the charging counter value X becomes 0 (unusable value).
[0051]
Note that the SD circuit 9 is realized in the form of an IC card detachably mounted in a card slot (for example, a PCMCIA-compliant card slot) of the software playback device 2. With such an IC card, the SD circuit can be easily transported. Therefore, when the user brings the software to a software store or the like, the user can have the charge counter value X added in exchange for payment.
[0052]
The SD circuit 9 includes a control CPU 5, a DES (Data Encryption Standard) 7, a billing table 8, and I / O devices 6a and 6b interconnected to the bus B.
[0053]
The control CPU 2 controls the exchange of information between the decoder 4 and the demultiplexer 10 and the DES 7 by sharing with the host control CPU 14 in the software playback device 2. Further, the CPU 11 has a function of controlling the DES 7 and the charging table 8.
[0054]
The charging table 14 is a table that stores the charging counter value X described above. In the charging table 14, the charging counter value X is encrypted. Therefore, it is impossible for anyone other than the software right holder to analyze the charging table 14 and rewrite the charging counter value X.
[0055]
The DES 7 serving as a decoding method has a function of decoding image / audio information received from the decoder 4 and a function of encrypting user information (use time and use number of the software) generated by operation of the software. . The user information is notified to the software right holder through a communication network by a modem (not shown) connected via the interface 10 or written on the floppy disk 7 to be used for the next charge. Collected by the software right holder at the time of payment.
[0056]
FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the DES 7. As shown in the figure, the DES 7 has a DES execution unit 20 and has a function of decrypting the input data (IN) with the key information 21 and outputting the decrypted data as output data (OUT). In the present embodiment, the DES execution unit 20 has a mode identification unit 22. The mode identification unit 22 selects an optimal mode from a plurality of DES modes according to its data format and the like, and sends the DES execution unit 20 It has the function of giving. The key information 21 is a decryption key that is notified from the software right holder via communication when the payment of the software usage fee from the software user is confirmed by the software right holder. It should be noted that FIPS'PUB. An IC chip “46DATA ENCRYPTION STANDARD NIST” manufactured by the company can be used.
[0057]
Returning to FIG. 2, the data (image data, audio data, etc.) frame decoded by the DES 7 is sent to the demultiplexer 10 outside the SD circuit 9 via the I / O device 6b. The demultiplexer 10 separates an audio data frame, an image data frame, a computer program and its data. Then, the image data frame is output to the MPEG decompression circuit (MPEG-2) 11a, the audio data frame is output to the MPEG decompression circuit (MPEG-2) 11b, and the computer program and its data are transmitted to the MPEG decompression circuit (MPEG-2). Output to 11C.
[0058]
MPEG decompression circuits (MPEG-2) 11a and 11b as decompression means can decompress image data frames or audio data frames transmitted in a state of being compressed according to the MPEG standard and output images or audio. This is a circuit for restoring the format. When data frames are expanded in these MPEG expansion circuits (MPEG-2) 11a and 11b, the output is synchronized by the VRC circuit 12. That is, the MPEG decompression circuits (MPEG-2) 11a and 11b output decompressed data frames in synchronization with the synchronization signal output from the VRC circuit 12. Note that an IC chip "ISO / IEC CD13818'1 to 3" can be used as the MPEG decompression circuit.
[0059]
The output from the image MPEG decompression circuit (MPEG-2) 11a is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 13a. This analog signal is output through an addition circuit 19 to a TV monitor device (not shown) connected to the software reproduction device 2. The output from the audio MPEG decompression circuit (MPEG-2) 11b is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 13b. This analog signal is output as it is to a speaker (not shown) connected to the software playback device 2. On the other hand, the computer program or data passes through the MPEG decompression circuit (MPEG-2) 11c as it is and is output to a computer (not shown) connected to the software reproducing apparatus 2.
[0060]
An image MPEG expansion circuit (MPEG-2) 11a as a detection means for detecting use of unit data outputs a frame expansion completion signal every time expansion processing is completed for each compressed data frame. This frame decompression completion signal is received by the host control CPU 14 of the software reproduction device 2 and is used for performing accounting control. That is, the host control CPU 14 receiving this frame decompression completion signal shares the function with the control CPU 5 in the SD circuit 9 mutually connected via the bus B, and subtracts the charge counter value described in the charge table 8. Is performed, and data output inhibition control is performed when the billing counter value becomes zero. Note that the host control CPU 14 is a processing device that controls the entire software playback device 2 including the entire processing.
[0061]
The specific contents of the accounting process executed by the host control CPU 14 and the control CPU 5 in the SD circuit 9 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the functions of these two control CPUs 14 and 9. In FIG. 4, the host control CPU 14 receives an input from an operation key 23 provided on the outer surface of the software reproducing apparatus 2 (an interface 17 and a frame counter 29) which receives a frame expansion completion signal from the MPEG expansion circuit 11a. A mode selection unit 24 for receiving (via the I / O device 6a and the bus B), a skip mode control unit 27 for receiving a signal from the mode selection unit 24, and a mode selection unit 24 and a skip mode control unit 27. , A still-feed mode control unit 25 for receiving a signal from the mode selection unit 24, a normal-play mode control unit 26, a still-feed mode control unit 25, and a frame counter unit 29. And a unit for receiving a signal from the control CPU 5 of the SD circuit 9. And an inhibit signal output unit 30. On the other hand, the control CPU 5 of the SD circuit 9 includes an image extracting unit 33 that receives a signal from the decoder 4, a DES decoding unit 34 that receives a signal from the image extracting unit 33, a DES decoding unit 34, and a still feed mode. A frame selection unit 35 that receives a signal from the control unit 25 and outputs a signal to the MPEG decompression circuit 11a, a subtraction unit 31 that receives a signal from the unit conversion unit 28, and a signal that receives a signal from the subtraction unit 31 The DES decoding unit 34, the image obstruction signal output unit 30, and the charging counter register unit 32 that outputs a signal to the subtraction unit 31. Hereinafter, each of the above-described functional units will be described.
[0062]
The mode selection unit 24 serving as a mode switching unit detects that any one of the “play key”, the “still feed key”, and the “skip feed key” constituting the operation key 23 has been pressed, and presses the pressed key. Of the skip mode control unit 27, the normal reproduction mode control unit 26, and the still feed mode control unit 25 in accordance with the type of. The control units 25, 26, and 27 are started and stopped by pressing a "stop key" constituting the operation key 23.
[0063]
The skip mode control unit 27 performs control for intermittently activating the normal reproduction mode control unit 26. The normal reproduction mode control unit 26 performs control to sequentially output all the frames sent to the SD circuit 9 at predetermined intervals. When the normal playback mode control unit 26 is activated, the activation notification signal is transmitted to the unit conversion unit 28 during the activation.
[0064]
The still feed mode control unit 25 controls to select and output the frame sent to the SD circuit 9 according to a predetermined algorithm. In the still feed mode, image data is displayed as a moving image which is fast-forwarded in a step search in a frame skipping manner. When the still-feed mode control unit 25 is activated, an activation notification signal is transmitted to the unit conversion unit 28 and the frame selection unit 35 during the activation.
[0065]
On the other hand, when the normal reproduction mode control unit 28 or the still feed mode control unit 25 is activated, the CD-ROM drive, the demodulation circuit / control circuit 3 and the decoder 4 (not shown) are activated (or via a modem not shown). Each data frame is downloaded), and each data frame is transmitted to the image extraction unit 33. The image extracting unit 33 extracts only the image data frame from each of the transmitted data frames, and transfers the extracted data frame to the DES decoding unit 34.
[0066]
The DES decoding unit 34 activates the DES 7 to decode the transferred image data frame. In order for the DES decoding unit 34 to decode the transferred image data frame, it is necessary that the DES decoding unit 34 has received a decoding permission signal from the accounting counter register unit 32.
[0067]
The image data frame decoded by the DES decoding unit 34 is input to the frame selection unit 35. While receiving the activation notification signal from the still feed mode control unit 25, the frame selection unit 35 selects a part of the received image data frame according to a predetermined algorithm and outputs the selected part to the MPEG decompression circuit 11a. . Examples of this algorithm include selecting only a frame with a predetermined flag set, selecting one frame for each predetermined number of frames, and selecting one frame at a predetermined time interval. Is used. Note that the frame selection unit 35 outputs all the received image data frames to the MPEG decompression circuit 11a while not receiving the activation notification signal from the still feed mode control unit 25.
[0068]
The image MPEG decompression circuit 11a that has received the image data frame performs decompression processing on the received image data frames one by one. The MPEG decompression circuit 11a outputs an image signal to the D / A converter 13a and transmits a frame decompression completion signal to the frame counter unit 29 every time the decompression processing for each frame is completed.
[0069]
The frame counter 29 as a counting means is a counter that counts up a count value n as a first count value one by one every time a frame expansion completion signal is received. The frame counter unit 29 always notifies the unit conversion unit 28 of this counter value. When receiving the clear signal from the unit converter 28, the frame counter 29 clears the counter value to zero.
[0070]
The unit conversion unit 28 compares the counter value n notified from the frame counter unit 29 with a predetermined reference value while receiving the activation notification signal from the normal reproduction mode control unit 28 or the still feed mode control unit 25. I do. This predetermined reference value is set to R (for example, R = 100,000,000) when the activation notification signal is received from the normal reproduction mode control unit 28, and the activation notification signal is Is received, 2R is set. Then, when the counter value n reaches a predetermined reference value, the unit conversion unit 28 outputs a charge unit decrement instruction to the subtraction unit 31. Specifically, unit conversion section 28 outputs a subtraction value “1” to subtraction section 31. It should be noted that the unit conversion unit 28 outputs a clear signal to the frame counter unit 29 when the activation notification signal is stopped and when a charge unit subtraction instruction is output.
[0071]
The charging counter register unit 32 reads out the charging counter value X from the charging table 8 and notifies the subtracting unit 31 and updates the charging counter value X in the charging table 8.
[0072]
When receiving a charge unit subtraction instruction from the unit conversion unit 28, the subtraction unit 31 decrements the charge counter value X notified from the charge counter register unit 32 by one. Then, the subtraction unit 31 notifies the charging counter register unit 32 of the new decremented new charging counter value X (= X−1). The billing counter register unit 32 overwrites the billing table 8 with the new billing counter value X (= X-1) notified from the subtracting unit 31.
[0073]
The charging counter register unit 32 determines whether the charging counter value X written in the charging table 8 has become 0 (unusable value). Then, when the charging counter value X becomes 0, the charging counter register unit 32 notifies the image inhibition signal output unit 30 of that fact. At the same time, the charging counter register unit 32 issues a command to stop the decoding by the DES 7, and stops the permission signal to the DES decoding unit 34. When the software right holder rewrites the charging counter value X in the charging table 8 to a value of 1 or more, the charging counter unit 32 outputs a permission signal to the DES decryption unit 34, This is notified to the inhibition signal output unit 30. The unit conversion unit 28, the subtraction unit 31, and the charging counter register unit 32 constitute a determination unit that determines a charging amount.
[0074]
The image inhibition signal output unit 30 outputs a pulse-shaped image inhibition signal when notified from the accounting counter register unit 32 that the accounting counter value X has become zero. When receiving a notification that the charging counter value X> 0 from the charging counter register unit 32, the image inhibition signal output unit 30 outputs a pulse-shaped reset signal.
[0075]
The flow of processing executed by each of the control CPUs 5 and 14 described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a billing process executed by the host control CPU 14 of the software playback device 2. This process is started by detecting that any one of the "play key", the "still feed key", and the "skip feed key", which constitute the operation keys 23, has been pressed. Then, first in step S101, the host control CPU 14 determines an image display mode to be executed based on the type of the pressed key. That is, when the “play key” and the “skip feed key” are pressed, it is determined that the mode is the “normal playback mode”. On the other hand, when the “still feed key” is pressed, it is determined that the mode is the “still feed mode”. The following processing differs depending on the determined reproduction mode.
[0076]
First, in the case of the "still feed mode", in step S102, a frame expansion completion signal from the MPEG expansion circuit 11a is detected. If a frame expansion completion signal is detected, the process proceeds to step S103, and the count value n of the frame counter unit 29 is counted up by one.
[0077]
In a succeeding step S104, it is determined whether or not the count value n has reached a reference value 2R (for example, 2R = 200,000,000). Then, if the count value n has not yet reached the reference value 2R, it is determined in step S105 whether or not to end the charging process. This determination is made based on whether or not the activation notification signal from the still feed mode control unit 25 has been received. That is, when the activation notification signal has not been received, it is determined that the accounting process is to be ended, and the process proceeds to step S116. On the other hand, if the activation notification signal has been received, it is determined that the accounting process is to be continued, and the process returns to step S102.
[0078]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the count value n has reached the reference value 2R, the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, a charge unit subtraction instruction is issued to the control CPU 5 of the SD circuit 9.
[0079]
In the following step S107, the counter value n of the frame counter unit 29 is cleared to “0”. In the following step S108, it is determined whether or not to terminate the charging control process, similarly to step S105. If it is determined that the accounting control process is to be continued, the process returns to step S102. On the other hand, if it is determined that the accounting control process is to be ended, the process proceeds to step S116.
[0080]
Next, in the case of the "normal reproduction mode", in step S109, a frame expansion completion signal from the MPEG expansion circuit 11a is detected. If a frame expansion completion signal is detected, the process proceeds to step S110, and the count value n of the frame counter unit 29 is counted up by one.
[0081]
In a succeeding step S111, it is determined whether or not the count value n has reached a reference value R (for example, R = 100,000,000). If the count value n has not yet reached the reference value R, it is determined in step S112 whether or not the accounting process is to be terminated. This determination is made based on whether or not the activation notification signal from the normal reproduction mode control unit 26 has been received. That is, when the activation notification signal has not been received, it is determined that the accounting process is to be ended, and the process proceeds to step S116. On the other hand, if the activation notification signal has been received, it is determined that the accounting process is to be continued, and the process returns to step S109.
[0082]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S111 that the count value n has reached the reference value R, the process proceeds to step S113. In step S113, a charge unit subtraction instruction is issued to the control CPU 5 of the SD circuit 9.
[0083]
In the following step S114, the counter value n of the frame counter unit 29 is cleared to “0”. In a succeeding step S115, it is determined whether or not to terminate the charging control process, similarly to the step S112. If it is determined that the accounting control process is to be continued, the process returns to step S109. On the other hand, if it is determined that the accounting control process is to be ended, the process proceeds to step S116.
[0084]
In any case, in step S116, the counter value n of the frame counter unit 29 is cleared to “0”. Then, in step S117, the process waits for a pattern generation instruction from the control CPU 5 of the SD circuit 9. If there is a pattern generation instruction, in step S118, a processing step of generating an image inhibition signal is performed.
[0085]
FIG. 8 shows the detailed steps of step S118. In this embodiment, the image information is recorded on the high-density CD1, and the image information that has not been subjected to the encryption processing to the identifiable area of the high-density CD1 but has been subjected to the image compression encoding processing of MPEG2, The following description is based on the premise that image information on which encryption processing and image compression / encoding processing of MPEG2 have been performed in other predetermined areas are respectively stored.
[0086]
This will be described with reference to FIGS. The control CPU 14 first issues an image rejection output command in step S1181, thereby activating the sequencer 15 and setting the pattern generator 16 to the generation enable state. The pattern generator 16 generates a fixed image pattern according to a start signal generated from the sequencer 15 at a predetermined cycle. This pattern is a binary image, and if a monitor screen is connected, the warning text is displayed on the monitor screen. This output signal is superimposed on the repeatedly decoded image output. That is, next, the control CPU 14 activates step S1182, sets 15 seconds in the timer, and starts measuring the time again. Next, in step S1183, the value 1 is added to a counter of a work area (not shown). Next, in step S1184, it is determined whether or not the value of this counter has exceeded the value “5”. If not, the flow advances to step S1186 to determine whether the previously set timer has exceeded "15 seconds". If 15 seconds have not elapsed, wait until 15 seconds have elapsed. If the time exceeds 15 seconds, the flow shifts to the inhibition output instruction issuing step S1181 in step S1186, and this is repeated again. When the value of the counter exceeds five times, the process exits from the loop in step S1184, shifts to step S1185, and clears the counter.
[0087]
By the operation up to this point, as an image output, the inhibition image signal is superimposed on the normal decoded image signal and output at a period of 15 seconds. Therefore, the user confirms this and performs a procedure to obtain a usable amount of use.
[0088]
On the other hand, when this warning display is repeated to the user five times in a cycle of 15 seconds, step S1187 is executed. In this step, the control CPU 14 issues an instruction to the control CPU 5 in the SD circuit 9 to stop the decryption function. In this step, the control CPU 14 instructs the operation of the MPEG2 decoding / decompression circuit to an operable state.
[0089]
Thereafter, the control CPU 5 in the SD circuit transfers the image information to the information supplied from the decoder 4 side from the interface 6a directly to the interface 6b without passing through the decryption circuit 7.
[0090]
After this state, the control CPU 14 executes step S1188. That is, a read access is made to the drive of the high-density CD1 via a bus line (not shown). At this time, an area in which the above-described encryption processing has not been performed is designated and read is instructed. The optical drive 1 reads out the information of the address given from the control CPU 14. The read information is supplied to the compression / decompression circuit 11a via the demodulation circuit 3, the decoder 4, the interface 6a, the interface 6b, and the demultiplexer 10. At this time, the data is compressed and decompressed, and the DA converter 13a outputs an analog signal as image information.
[0091]
That is, after a certain number of warning messages are output to an image, only the image information stored unencrypted on the optical disk is read out and output as an image. The control CPU 14 keeps this area until the operation switch provided on the operation surface (not shown) of the software playback device 2 as a multimedia information output device determines in step S1189 that an operation indicating the end of playback has been performed. Playback will be repeated. After the above, this accounting process ends.
[0092]
During the period in which the processing of step S118 described above is being executed, a count inhibition output is supplied to the frame counter unit 29 (FIG. 4) in the control CPU 14, and the frame counter unit 29 thereby stops counting. Needless to say,
[0093]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the accounting process executed in the control CPU 5 of the SD circuit 9. This process starts when an IC card containing the SD circuit 9 is set in the software playback device 2. Then, in the first step S201, the control CPU 5 executes the authorization. The authorization is a check between the control CPUs 14 and 5 when the SD circuit 9 is set.
[0094]
Subsequently, the control CPU 5 checks whether or not a charge unit subtraction instruction has been received from the host control CPU 14 in step S202. If the charge unit subtraction instruction has not been received, the check in step S202 is repeated.
[0095]
On the other hand, when the charge unit subtraction instruction is received, the charge counter value X is read from the charge table 8 in step S203. Then, “1” is subtracted from the charging counter value X, and the value (X−1) after the subtraction is set as a new charging counter value X.
[0096]
In a succeeding step S204, it is determined whether or not the new charging counter value X is 0 or less. If the charging counter value X is not 0 or less, the process returns to step S202.
[0097]
On the other hand, if the charging counter value X is equal to or smaller than 0, a restoration stop command for the DES 7 is issued in step S205. Therefore, since the DES 7 does not perform the decoding process on the image data frame thereafter, only the image data frame which has been encrypted remains transmitted to the MPEG decompression circuit 11a. Accordingly, only noise is output from the MPEG decompression circuit 11a.
[0098]
In a succeeding step S206, a pattern generation instruction is issued to the host control CPU. After the above, this processing ends. In order to re-execute the processing of FIG. 6, the SD circuit 9 is temporarily removed from the software reproducing apparatus 2, and the accounting counter value in the accounting table 8 is written to the software right holder in exchange for payment of the software usage fee. Then, the SD circuit 9 must be mounted again on the software reproducing apparatus 2.
[0099]
Returning to FIG. 2, a description will be given of a configuration as a use preventing unit for superimposing a pattern on a TV monitor according to an image inhibition signal from the host control CPU 14. The image inhibition signal from the host control CPU 14 is input to the pattern generator 16 and the sequencer 15. The sequencer 15 turns ON / OFF in a predetermined sequence from the timing at which the image inhibition signal is received, and outputs a signal. The output signal of the sequencer 15 is input to the pattern generator 16.
[0100]
Upon receiving the image inhibition signal, the pattern generator 16 generates an image pattern for displaying character information such as “charging counter value = 0”. Then, the pattern generator 16 outputs the generated image pattern only when the output signal of the sequencer 15 is ON. The image pattern signal output from the pattern generator 16 is input to an adding circuit 19.
[0101]
The adding circuit 19 superimposes the image pattern signal output from the pattern generator 16 on the analog image signal output from the D / A converter 13a and outputs the resultant signal to the TV monitor. Therefore, when the image pattern signal from the pattern generator 16 is OFF, the analog image signal output from the D / A converter 13a is output as it is. On the other hand, when the image pattern signal is ON, the image signal in which the image pattern is overwritten on the analog image signal output from the D / A converter 13a is output.
[0102]
When a reset signal is transmitted from the host control CPU 14, the sequencer 15 and the pattern generator 16 stop outputting.
<Operation of Embodiment>
Now, it is assumed that the “play key” constituting the operation key is pressed. Then, the image data frame is transmitted from the high-density CD-ROM 1 to the SD circuit 9 together with the audio data frame. The audio data frame and the image data frame are decoded by the DES 7 on condition that the charging counter value X in the charging table 8 is 1 or more.
[0103]
The SD circuit 9 inputs all the decoded audio data frames and the decoded image data frames to the demultiplexer 10 in order. The image data frame separated by the demultiplexer 10 is input to the image MPEG expansion circuit 11a, and the audio data frame is input to the audio MPEG expansion circuit 11b. Each of the MPEG decompression circuits 11a and 11b decompresses the received frame one by one in order and outputs it to the D / A converters 13a and 13b.
[0104]
Each time the image MPEG decompression circuit 11a completes decompression processing for an individual image data frame, a frame decompression completion signal is input to the host control CPU. The host control CPU 14 counts the number of times the frame decompression completion signal has been received, and decrements the accounting count value X in the accounting table 8 each time the count value n reaches a predetermined reference value R.
[0105]
As described above, in the present embodiment, regardless of which part of one moving image (for example, movie) data is viewed or the same place is viewed many times, billing is performed according to the number of output frames. Done. When the image is stopped, a new frame is not output, so that the billing amount is not added. Therefore, appropriate charging can be performed without causing irrationality as in the conventional charging method. As a result, it is not necessary to add the uncollectible portion of the usage fee to one usage fee in advance, so that the usage fee setting is expected to be relatively low.
[0106]
If the "still feed key" constituting the operation key is depressed, the SD circuit 9 outputs only the image data frames and the audio data frames corresponding to the selected image data frames to the demultiplexer 10 according to a predetermined algorithm.
[0107]
The image data frame separated by the demultiplexer 10 is input to the image MPEG expansion circuit 11a, and the audio data frame is input to the audio MPEG expansion circuit 11b. When the image MPEG decompression circuit 11a completes decompression processing for each image data frame, a frame decompression completion signal is input to the host control CPU. However, in this case, the host control CPU 14 does not decrement the charging count value X in the charging table 8 until the count value n of the number of times of reception of the frame expansion completion signal reaches twice the reference value R. That is, each time the count value n reaches 2R, the charge count value X is decremented.
[0108]
Therefore, even if the same number of frames are output within the same time, the charge in the step mode is half the charge in the normal reproduction. Therefore, while the unfairness with the case of normal reproduction is eliminated, it is also possible to compensate for outputting data. Therefore, fair profit adjustment between the software right holder and the user can be performed.
[0109]
When the billing count value X becomes 0 as a result of decrementing the billing count value X in this way, the signal states of the respective components are as shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows that the billing count value X has become 0 at the time of “A” (e).
[0110]
First, the decoding of the analog video signal (a) output from the A / D converter 13a by the DES 7 is stopped after the billing count value X becomes 0, so that only the noise is output.
[0111]
Next, when the accounting count value X becomes 0, the host control CPU 14 outputs a pulse-like image inhibition signal (b). Then, the pattern generator 16 intermittently outputs a character pattern image signal (an image signal for displaying a character with “charge count value = 0”) in the first fixed period, and thereafter continuously outputs the character pattern image signal. The character pattern image signal (c) is output in such a sequence.
[0112]
The adding circuit 19 for superimposing the video signal (a) and the character pattern signal (c) outputs the character pattern image signal and the noise alternately in the first fixed period when the accounting count value X becomes 0, and thereafter outputs the character An analog video signal is output in such a sequence that the pattern image signal is output continuously. However, during this time, the audio signal is output as usual.
[0113]
Therefore, the software user looking at the monitor can recognize that the generation of noise is not due to the failure of the device, but to the fact that the accounting count value has become zero. As a result, the SD circuit 9 is removed from the software reproducing apparatus 2, and the software right holder is prompted to pay a usage fee in exchange for the addition of the charging count value.
[0114]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, even when the software is used in a usage mode other than the normal usage mode, it is possible to determine the usage amount for performing appropriate charging.
[0115]
Further, if the usage amount is determined according to the usage mode of the software, it is possible to charge an appropriate amount even for usage that is not the original usage form for following the story.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a software playback device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal function of the DES in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing functions of control CPUs 5 and 14 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing executed by a control CPU 14 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing executed by a control CPU 5 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a time chart showing signal states of respective units in FIG. 2;
8 is a detailed step of a main part in FIG. 5;
[Explanation of symbols]
1. High-density CD-ROM
2 ... Software playback device
5 ... Control CPU
7 ... DES
8 Billing table
9 ... SD circuit
11 MPEG expansion circuit
14 Host control CPU
28 Unit conversion unit
29 ・ ・ ・ Frame counter
32 ... Charge counter register
34 ... DES decryption unit

Claims (8)

From multimedia information obtained by combining a plurality of types of information including at least image information and audio information, in a multimedia information output device that classifies and outputs information for each type,
An output unit of the multimedia information as an output of the image information, and each time the image information is output, an integration processing means for integrating the usage information according to the number of outputs,
A multimedia information output device, comprising: an inhibiting unit that inhibits output of at least a part of the plurality of types of output information when the usage amount information subjected to the integration processing reaches a predetermined value. From multimedia information obtained by combining a plurality of types of information including at least image information and audio information, in a multimedia information output device that extracts and outputs at least image information and audio information to different output terminals in a distinguished manner,
The image information is composed of a plurality of pieces of information of a frame image of a unit constituting a moving image,
A circuit that outputs a completion signal each time the unit of output of the multimedia information is output of frame image information and the frame image information is output to an image information output terminal,
Output control means for processing the information output to at least one output terminal to supply the output information to the output terminal when the usage information according to the number of outputs of the completion signal is integrated and reaches a predetermined usage amount; Multimedia information output device. In a software usage measurement processing device that outputs software including a plurality of data of distinguishable units and obtains usage information for use of the software,
Decompression means for decompressing and decompressing each unit data which has been compressed in advance,
Detecting means for detecting that the unit data has been used, by detecting completion of expansion of the unit data by the expanding means,
Counting means for counting the number of uses of the unit data detected by the detection means,
Determining means for determining the amount of use of the software according to the count result of the counting means. The determining means has a second count value corresponding to a software usage fee paid in advance, and changes the second count value in accordance with a change in the first count value by the counting means. The software usage measuring device according to claim 3, wherein: 5. The software usage measuring device according to claim 4, further comprising a use blocking means for blocking use of said unit data when said second count value becomes an unusable value. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the unit data is image data for displaying an image, and the use preventing unit superimposes an image signal for preventing normal display of the moving image on the image data. Software usage meter. Each of the unit data is encrypted in advance, and further includes a decryption unit for decrypting each of the encrypted unit data only when the second count value is not an unusable value. The software usage measuring device according to claim 5, wherein In a software usage measurement processing device that obtains usage information for use of software including a plurality of compressed distinguishable unit data,
Decompression means for decompressing the unit data,
Detecting means for detecting supply to a playback device for outputting the expanded unit data;
Counting means for counting the number of times detected by the detection means,
Determining means for determining an amount of use of the software according to a count result of the counting means.

Images