JP2005100447A - Distribution method of content, goods used for recording of content, and system therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that a procedure for purchasing contents through a network is to become complicated. <P>SOLUTION: A user purchases a package 50 including an exclusive recording medium 52 which can be used by a contents distribution system 10. The user installs the recording medium 52 to a contents writing device 100, and requests writing of desired contents. The contents writing device 100 obtains contents appointed by the user from a contents management system 200 at the case when the recording medium 52 is an exclusive medium, and writes them in the recording medium 52. Since advance payment is set in the recording medium 52 beforehand, work of inputting credit card numbers etc. accompanied with writing of contents does not occur. As a result, the user can easily obtain the contents through network. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information distribution technique, and more particularly to a technique for distributing contents via a network and a technique for recording the contents on a recording medium.

  With the development of network technology, users of networks such as the Internet are increasing. The communication speed in the network is increasing. Nowadays, data compression technology has also advanced, and contents such as still images, images, music, and the like that have a large amount of data can be compressed to such an extent that transmission time is not an issue. In addition, efficient content distribution technology such as streaming technology has been developed, and an environment for using a network is increasingly being prepared.

With such a technology as a background, services for distributing music and moving images as contents, for example, are actively performed. Since such content is digital data, various measures are taken to prevent unauthorized copying. For example, content is encrypted and distributed so that it cannot be played back without a dedicated player. A part of the content is recorded in advance on a recording medium, and the user acquires the remaining part of the content via the network. Then, there is a method for enabling reproduction by a dedicated player (Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-189481

  In the former method, generally acquired content is stored in a hard disk and used, but the hard disk may be broken or the content may be erased for some reason. For this reason, the user loses the content despite the purchase. In the latter method, the content is recorded on the recording medium, so that the content is not lost, but a dedicated player is required for reproducing the content.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and its purpose is to record content distributed over a network on a recording medium, technology for easily performing the recording operation, and distribution via the network. Technology that adds value to the content that has been added, technology that distributes content safely, technology that prevents unauthorized use of content, technology that distributes content at low cost, technology that distributes content according to user needs, content distribution It is to provide technology that facilitates management, and technology that manages copyright fees for each content.

  One embodiment of the present invention is a content recording method or apparatus. This method is performed mainly by a writing device realized by executing a program on an arbitrary computer, and obtains an encrypted content and means for recording the content on a predetermined recording medium. A determination step or means for determining whether or not there is a step, a step or means for decrypting the content when it is determined to be qualified, and a step or means for recording the decrypted content on the recording medium, including. As a result, the recording medium can be reproduced by a normal music player. “Content” is digital data that can be reproduced or displayed using a device such as a computer or a player, for example, music, moving images, still images, and the like. The “recording medium” is a so-called write-once recording medium such as a CD-R or DVD-R that can be additionally written and cannot be erased.

  Another aspect of the present invention is also a content recording method or apparatus. This method is performed mainly by a writing device realized by executing a program on an arbitrary computer, and a step or means for acquiring content with a specified recording condition, and a predetermined recording medium satisfies the recording condition. A determination step or means for determining whether or not the condition is satisfied, and a step or means for recording the content on the recording medium when the recording medium satisfies the recording condition. Thus, for example, if age restriction is set for each content as a recording condition and it is not permitted to record such content on the recording medium in advance, the content cannot be written.

  Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method or apparatus for distributing content. This method is mainly performed by a content management device and a writing device realized by executing a program on an arbitrary computer, and the writing device identifies identification information associated with a predetermined recording medium from the user. Based on at least one of the identification information and the code, the step or means for receiving the code, the step or means for reading the code written in advance on the recording medium, and the balance of the prepayment associated with the recording medium A process or means for acquiring from a management device connected to the network, and a process or means for acquiring the content when the price of the content designated by the user is lower than the balance, and the acquired content in the recording medium Writing or writing. As a result, the payment process necessary for purchasing the content can be performed without the user being aware of it. “Identification information” is a character string assigned to each recording medium, and is information for specifying the recording medium. “Code” is information for generating a decryption key by combining with information for identifying a recording medium, information used for decrypting encrypted content, and identification information, for example. One set of identification information and a code may be provided for the recording medium, and the combination of these may identify the recording medium.

  The method or apparatus includes a step or means for determining whether or not the content is normally written on the recording medium, a step or means for transmitting the determination result to the management device, and the content is normally written. In such a case, it may include a step or means for incrementing the content delivery count and not incrementing the content delivery count if the content is not written normally. As a result, when an error occurs during writing to the recording medium, it is possible to prevent the content distribution count from being counted even though the content cannot be used.

  Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a product including a recording medium used for recording content. This product is printed with an additionally writable and non-erasable recording medium including a writing area for recording content and a code area in which a predetermined code is written in advance, and identification information for identifying the recording medium Printed material. The identification information printed on the printed matter included in the product is transmitted to a device that manages the usage status of the recording medium in a process of acquiring the content via a network and writing the content on the recording medium. It is provided for the purpose. “Usage status” is information such as content written to the recording medium, the number of written content, and the balance of the advance payment.

  The recording medium stores in advance information specifying whether or not content with age restrictions can be written, and can visually recognize whether or not content with age restrictions can be written. Thus, a predetermined character or mark may be printed on the surface of the packaging of the product. As a result, it is possible to prevent distribution of age-restricted content to users under the target age. Further, by selling the product through a store clerk at a retail store such as a convenience store, the user can be confirmed visually. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the recording medium corresponding to the age restriction from reaching the user's hand below the target age.

  Yet another embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for writing content on a recording medium. The apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires encrypted content, a permission unit that determines whether or not to permit writing of the content to an accessible recording medium, and when writing is permitted. A decrypting unit that decrypts the encrypted content, and a writing processing unit that writes the decrypted content to the recording medium. As a result, the recording medium can be reproduced by a normal music player.

  Still another aspect of the present invention is a system including a management device that manages content and a writing device that writes the content to a predetermined recording medium. The management device included in the system includes a balance information database that holds a balance that can be used to purchase content in association with information for identifying the recording medium, and a price of the content instructed to the writing device A provision unit that provides encrypted content to the writing device when the amount is lower than the balance, and a settlement unit that subtracts the price of the content provided from the balance; An obtaining unit that obtains the encrypted content provided from the management device via the network, and a permission unit that determines whether or not to permit writing of the content to the accessible recording medium And a decrypting unit for decrypting the encrypted content when writing is permitted, and writing the decrypted content to the recording medium. A write processing unit; a detection unit that detects whether or not the decrypted content has been normally written to the recording medium; and an error processing unit that transmits a result of detection by the detection unit to the management device. The management device increments the number of times the content is distributed when the content is normally written, and does not increment the number of times the content is distributed when the content is not normally written; And a distribution unit that calculates a copyright fee for the content based on the number of distributions and distributes it to the copyright holder.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a content distribution system 10 according to the embodiment. The content writing device 100 acquires content from the content management device 200 and writes it to the recording medium 52. Although details will be described later, the content writing apparatus 100 can write content only to the recording medium 52 that is a dedicated recording medium. The recording medium 52 has a write area 57 that can be additionally written and cannot be erased, and a code area 58 in which a predetermined code 59 is previously written. The content writing device 100 writes content in the writing area 57. Identification information 56 assigned to each recording medium 52 is printed on the printed matter 54, and is used when content is acquired. The recording medium 52 and the printed matter 54 are grouped into a package 50 and sold at a retail store 14 such as a convenience store or a record shop. By displaying at the store in this way, the visibility of the system can be improved. Of course, mail order etc. may be sufficient and the sales method is arbitrary.

  Further, for example, an age limit is set as a writing condition for each content, and the content for which the age limit is set can be written only to a dedicated recording medium 52 prepared separately. The package 50 of the recording medium 52 that is permitted to write the age-restricted content is sold separately. Since the package 50 is sold at a retail store 14 such as a convenience store, the package 50 is sold after the store clerk confirms the age of the purchaser. Therefore, since it is possible to prevent minors from purchasing the age-restricted package 50 in advance, it is possible to prevent distribution of contents that require age restrictions to minors.

  The identification information 56 assigned to each recording medium 52 may be a character string for uniquely specifying the recording medium 52 or may be combined with a code 59 to derive a character string for uniquely specifying the recording medium 52. It may be a predetermined character string. In short, any character string or image for managing the usage status of the recording medium 52 may be used. In the present embodiment, the identification information 56 is a character string for uniquely identifying the recording medium 52.

  The selling price of the package 50 includes the total amount of content that can be written to the recording medium 52, that is, a prepayment. The content management apparatus 200 holds the advance payment and the identification information 56 in association with each other. Thereby, the content management apparatus 200 can deduct the price of the content from the advance payment of the recording medium 52 each time the content is recorded on the recording medium 52. Then, the content management apparatus 200 can pay a part of the subtracted price to the author as a copyright fee for the content, for example. Thereby, the number of contents sold can be accurately grasped, and the copyright fee can be accurately paid to the author. In addition, when purchasing content, the user does not need to input a credit card number or perform general electronic commerce procedures such as electronic money. Therefore, the user can easily obtain the desired content. In addition, this mechanism can eliminate the anxiety of those who are uneasy about sending credit card numbers and the like via the network, and can promote the use of the system.

  The content management device 200 transmits the encrypted content (hereinafter simply referred to as “encrypted content”) to the content writing device 100 via the network 12. The content writing device 100 decrypts the received encrypted content and writes it in the recording medium 52 in a format that can be played back by a general device such as stereo or DVD video (hereinafter simply referred to as “normal content”). In the present embodiment, a case where content is music data will be described as an example.

  The content writing device 100 decrypts the encrypted content and writes it in the recording medium 52 in a format reproducible by the stereo 16. Further, at the time of writing, processing for preventing ripping may be performed. Ripping that may occur because the content is written as normal content in the recording medium 52 can be prevented. Since normal content is written in the recording medium 52, the user can listen to the recording medium 52 with a normal playback device such as the stereo 16. In addition, by using the dubbing function of the stereo 16, music once converted to analog can be recorded on a medium such as a tape 18 or a mini disk 20. In this way, the user can handle the recording medium 52 in the same way as a normal compact disc. In addition, content is not simply stored as data on a hard disk or the like, but remains as a product that can be picked up. Therefore, it is easy for a user who is reluctant to pay for data only.

  In some cases, the content writing apparatus 100 cannot normally write normal content on the recording medium 52. In such a case, the content writing device 100 notifies the content management device 200 as an error. Then, the content management device 200 notifies the support center content writing device 62 of the support center 60 via the network 12 that an error has occurred. The support center content writing device 62 writes the normal content desired by the user to the new recording medium 52. Then, the recording medium 52 is mailed to the user.

  Compared with a conventional product such as a music CD, the content distribution system 10 can reduce costs associated with a press fee, a package fee, and distribution. For this reason, content can be provided at a lower price than before. In addition, content that is out of print or content with a small distribution volume such as indies can be provided.

  FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the content writing apparatus 100 of FIG. In terms of hardware components, each component of the content writing apparatus 100 is a CPU, a memory, a program that realizes the components shown in the figure loaded in the memory, and a hard disk that stores the program. The unit, the drive connected to the recording medium 52 in a readable / writable manner, and the network connection interface are mainly realized. However, those skilled in the art will understand that there are various modifications in the implementation method and apparatus. . Each figure to be described below shows functional unit blocks, not hardware unit configurations.

  The instruction receiving unit 102 receives an instruction from a user including information for specifying content to be written on the recording medium 52 and the identification information 56 in FIG. 1 by using, for example, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that can be operated by the user. The permission unit 104 determines whether or not the recording medium 52 attached to the drive is a dedicated medium, that is, authenticates the recording medium 52 and determines whether or not content writing is permitted. When the writing is permitted, the acquisition unit 106 acquires the encrypted content from the content management apparatus 200. The writing processing unit 108 converts the encrypted content acquired by the acquiring unit 106 into normal content and writes it into the recording medium 52. When an error occurs during writing, the writing processing unit 108 notifies the error processing unit 110 to that effect.

  The error processing unit 110 stores error information including, for example, error contents, content IDs of contents written in the recording medium 52 when an error occurs, content IDs of all contents to be written in the recording medium 52, and the like. 200. In addition, the error processing unit 110 inquires of the user about the error situation, the content of support, the destination for mailing the recording medium 52 from the support center, and the like. Then, the inquiry result is transmitted to the content management apparatus 200 as the error information described above.

  FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of the permission unit 104 in FIG. The decryption code reading unit 112 reads the code 59 from the recording medium 52 as a decryption key. The identification information receiving unit 114 receives identification information 56 as information for uniquely specifying the recording medium 52 from the user via the instruction receiving unit 102. The free space detection unit 118 detects the free space in the writing area 57 of the recording medium 52.

  The age restriction information reading unit 124 reads information indicating whether or not there is age restriction from the recording medium 52. This information may be written in advance in the recording medium 52, the information may be included in the identification information 56, or may be derived by combining the identification information 56 and the code 59. In short, it suffices if age restriction is set in association with the recording medium 52, and the age restriction information reading unit 124 only needs to acquire the information.

  Based on the content ID supplied from the instruction receiving unit 102, the content information acquisition unit 126 acquires content information such as the data amount, price, age restriction, and the like of the content from the content management apparatus 200. This content information is appropriately used by a determination unit 116, a settlement processing unit 122, and the like which will be described later.

  The determination unit 116 determines that the recording medium 52 is an official medium, that is, a dedicated medium based on the identification information 56 and the code 59, and further, a blank space necessary for recording the content designated on the recording medium 52. It is determined whether or not there is a capacity, and further whether or not the age restriction condition set for each content is satisfied is determined to determine whether writing is permitted or not.

  The settlement processing unit 122 transmits the identification information 56 to the content management apparatus 200 and determines whether or not the purchase is possible based on the balance and the price of the designated content. If the purchase is possible, the checkout processing unit 122 notifies the determination unit 116 of the purchase. If the purchase is not possible due to a shortage of the remaining balance, the checkout processing unit 122 newly collects the shortage from the user through any electronic commerce procedure. Then, after the payment is completed, the payment processing unit 122 notifies the determination unit 116 that the purchase is possible. Further, when the settlement is not completed, the determination unit 116 is notified that the purchase is impossible.

  The determination unit 116 determines whether or not writing is permitted based on the identification information 56, the code 59, the free space, the payment status, the age limit, and the like. When the writing is permitted, the determination unit 116 instructs the acquisition unit 106 to acquire the content and outputs the code 59 to the decoded code supply unit 120. The decryption code supply unit 120 outputs the code 59 as a decryption key to the write processing unit 108.

  FIG. 4 is an internal block diagram of the write processing unit 108 of FIG. The decryption code acquisition unit 130 acquires a decryption key from the decryption code supply unit 120. The encrypted content storage unit 142 stores the encrypted content supplied from the acquisition unit 106. The decryption unit 132 reads the encrypted content from the encrypted content storage unit 142 based on an instruction from the later-described decryption control unit 138 and decrypts it using the decryption key. The instruction of the decryption control unit 138 is, for example, the timing for reading the encrypted content and the amount of data to be read. In response to the instruction, the decryption unit 132 reads the encrypted content having a predetermined data amount from the encrypted content storage unit 142 at a predetermined timing and decrypts the encrypted content.

  The temporary storage unit 134 is a buffer such as a semiconductor memory, for example, and is provided to absorb the difference between the normal content writing speed by the writing unit 136 and the normal content output speed from the decoding unit 132. The storage capacity of the temporary storage unit 134 is preferably extremely small as compared with the data amount of the entire normal content, for example.

  The decryption control unit 138 controls the decryption process based on the writing speed of the normal content to the recording medium 52 by the writing unit 136 and the data amount of the normal content temporarily held in the temporary storage unit 134. In this control, normal content writing to the recording medium 52 and decryption processing in the decryption unit 132 are performed in real time. In short, the decryption control unit 138 performs control to hold only normal contents of the minimum necessary amount, that is, the data amount that can be held in the temporary storage unit 134 inside. For example, when the writing speed of the writing unit 136 is 300 kb / sec, the decoding control unit 138 instructs the decoding unit 132 to output normal content at a speed of about 350 kb / sec.

  In general, since the decryption process in the decryption unit 132 is faster than the writing speed of the writing unit 136, the decryption unit 132 periodically reads the encrypted content to be decrypted from the encrypted content storage unit 142 for each predetermined amount of data. In other words, the decryption unit 132 does not decrypt the entire encrypted content at a time, but decrypts each small data collection. Then, the decryption control unit 138 instructs the erasure processing unit 140 to erase the collection of encrypted content decrypted by the decryption unit 132 from the encrypted content storage unit 142. The decryption control unit 138 instructs the erasure processing unit 140 to erase the corresponding data portion held in the temporary storage unit 134 every time the normal content is written by the writing unit 136.

  The erasure processing unit 140 erases a part of the encrypted content decrypted based on the instruction from the encrypted content storage unit 142 and erases a part of the normal content written in the recording medium 52 from the temporary storage unit 134. As a result, both the encrypted content data and the normal content data are not left inside the content writing apparatus 100.

  The anti-duplication information storage unit 146 holds a file defining a data recording method based on a technique for preventing the internal data of the recording medium 52 from being duplicated by, for example, ripping. The writing unit 136 writes normal content to the recording medium 52 based on this file.

  The error detection unit 144 detects in the writing unit 136 that a writing failure has occurred, for example, the recording medium 52 is removed from the drive during writing or the recording medium 52 is defective. When an error is detected, the error detection unit 144 notifies the decoding control unit 138 and the error processing unit 110 to that effect. Based on this notification, the decryption control unit 138 instructs the decryption unit 132 to stop the decryption process, and erases all the encrypted content and the normal content held in the encrypted content storage unit 142 and the temporary storage unit 134. The unit 140 is instructed.

  FIG. 5 is an internal configuration diagram of the content management apparatus 200 of FIG. The encrypted content storage unit 202 holds the encrypted content in association with the content ID. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the encrypted content storage unit 202. The content ID column 310 is information for specifying content. The encryption type column 312 holds the encryption type. One content is encrypted in advance using a plurality of encryption keys. The encryption type is a type that identifies them. Decryption keys corresponding to the encryption keys are written in advance on the recording medium 52 as codes 59 and sold.

  The age restriction column 314 holds a flag indicating whether or not age restriction is set as a writing condition to the recording medium 52 for each content. In this example, “1” indicates that age restriction is set as a writing condition, and “0” indicates that age restriction is not set as a writing condition. The file name column 316 holds the file name of the encrypted content. The data amount column 318 holds the data amount when the encrypted content is decrypted, that is, the free space necessary for writing to the recording medium 52. The content information acquisition unit 126 in FIG. 3 acquires these pieces of information.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the providing unit 204 reads the encrypted content requested by the acquiring unit 106 of FIG. 2 from the encrypted content storage unit 202, and records a predetermined amount of data at a predetermined timing, for example, in a streaming manner in real time. 52 so that writing to 52 is possible. When the content is distributed, the settlement unit 206 subtracts the price of the content from the advance payment of the recording medium 52 of the recording destination. The balance information database 208 holds balance information for each recording medium 52.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the balance information database 208. The identification information column 300 holds information uniquely assigned to each recording medium 52. The prepaid amount column 302 holds the prepaid amount. The remaining amount column 304 holds the remaining amount. In addition to these pieces of information, the balance information database 208 may hold information such as a use start date, the number of contents recorded in the recording medium 52, and a content distribution history.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the management unit 210 receives content information provided to the acquisition unit 106 of FIG. 2 from the provision unit 204 and manages the distribution status for each content. The management database 212 is used by the management unit 210 and holds information such as the distribution history and the number of distributions for each content. Based on the data held in the management database 212, the distribution unit 214 performs a procedure of transferring a copyright fee corresponding to the number of distributions to a bank account of the copyright owner, for example. As a result, the number of times of content distribution can be accurately grasped, and an accurate copyright fee corresponding to the number of content distributions can be paid to the author.

  The error information receiving unit 216 receives error information from the error processing unit 110 in FIG. 2 and stores the error information in the error information storage unit 218. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the error information storage unit 218. The identification information column 320 holds identification information 56 of the recording medium 52 in which an error has occurred. The support content column 322 holds the support content specified by the user. In this example, two types of support contents are prepared: “mail a blank disc” and “mail a content after recording”. The support of “mailing a blank disc” is to mail a blank recording medium 52 on which no content is written to the user. The support “mailing after recording content” is to mail the recording medium 52 after writing the content. These support contents are inquired to the user by the error processing unit 110 in FIG. 2 when an error occurs.

  The target person information column 324 holds information related to the user such as the name, address, and telephone number of the target person to be supported. The recorded content ID column 326 holds the ID of the content written in the recording medium 52 before the error. The unrecorded content ID column 328 holds the ID of content that has not been completely written to the recording medium 52. With these data, the support of “mailing after recording the content” can be provided to the user. In addition to these pieces of information, the error information storage unit 218 may hold the error occurrence time, the content ID of the content written when the error occurred, and the like.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the response instruction unit 220 instructs the support center content writing device 62 about the support content for the user based on the data held in the error information storage unit 218. In addition, when an instruction to “mail a blank disc” is given as the support content, the response instruction unit 220 decrements the number of times of content written to the recording medium 52 and counted as delivered before the error. To the management unit 210. This processing is performed based on the data held in the recorded content ID column 326 in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence in the content writing process of the content writing device 100 and the content management device 200. First, the content writing apparatus 100 receives an instruction for content to be written on the recording medium 52 from the user (S10). Based on the instruction, the content writing device 100 determines whether or not the recording medium 52 has a free capacity necessary for writing the content (S12). If there is no free space (N in S12), the process is terminated. When there is free space (Y in S12), the identification information 56 of the recording medium 52 is received from the user (S14), and the code 59 is read from the recording medium 52 as a decryption key (S16). Next, based on the identification information 56 and the code 59, the content writing device 100 determines whether or not the recording medium 52 is an official one, that is, a dedicated medium, and determines whether or not the content can be written. (S18).

  If content writing is not permitted (N in S18), the process is terminated. When the content writing is permitted (Y in S18), the content writing device 100 transmits the content ID and the identification information 56 to the content management device 200 (S20). The content management apparatus 200 performs settlement by subtracting the price of the content from the advance payment of the recording medium 52 (S22). Next, the content management device 200 selects the encrypted content corresponding to the content ID (S24) and transmits it to the content writing device 100 (S26).

  The content writing device 100 temporarily stores the encrypted content in the encrypted content storage unit 142 of FIG. 4 (S28). Next, the decryption unit 132 in FIG. 4 reads a part of the encrypted content from the encrypted content storage unit 142 (S30), performs decryption, and outputs the normal content (S32). The writing unit 136 in FIG. 4 writes the normal content in the recording medium 52 (S34). Thereafter, the erasure processing unit 140 in FIG. 4 erases a part of the encrypted content corresponding to the decrypted portion from the encrypted content storage unit 142, and erases the normal content written in the recording medium 52 from the temporary storage unit 134 (S36). .

  The error detection unit 144 in FIG. 4 detects the presence or absence of an error (S38). If there is no error (Y in S38), the process proceeds to the next step, and it is determined whether or not the decoding is completed (S40). If not completed (N in S40), the process returns to S30. When completed (Y in S40), all the information related to the decrypted content held in the encrypted content storage unit 142 and the temporary storage unit 134 is deleted (S42). Then, the error detection unit 144 or the acquisition unit 106 notifies the content management apparatus 200 that the content writing has been completed (S48). Upon receiving the notification, the management unit 210 in FIG. 5 performs a management process such as incrementing the number of content distributions (S50). Then, the process ends.

  If there is an error in S38 (N in S38), the error processing unit 110 in FIG. 2 transmits error information to the content management apparatus 200 (S44). In response to this, the response instruction unit 220 in FIG. 5 performs a process for the error (S46). Then, the process proceeds to S50.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. The embodiments are exemplifications, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. .

  For example, as a first modification, a plurality of decryption keys are written in the recording medium 52 in advance, and the decryption unit 132 in FIG. 4 stores a plurality of decryption keys for each set of small data read from the encrypted content storage unit 142. Any one of them may be used for the decoding process. Specifically, the encrypted content is encrypted with a different encryption key for each predetermined range, and the decryption unit 132 performs a decryption process by changing the decryption key for each range. This can be expected to improve security in terms of preventing unauthorized use of content.

  As a second modification, information on the corresponding country may be written in the recording medium 52 in advance, and writing restrictions for each country may be provided for each content. Thereby, for example, content writing can be restricted according to the rules of each country.

  As a third modification, a copy prevention information acquisition unit that acquires a file that defines a data recording method via a network and stores the file in the copy prevention information storage unit 146 of FIG. 4 may be further provided. Thus, the file can be automatically updated each time the ripping prevention technique is improved.

  As a fourth modified example, a configuration may be provided in which lyrics and jackets of contents recorded by the user on the recording medium 52 are printed and mailed, or configurations in which the lyrics and jacket print data are provided to the user. May be provided.

1 is a configuration diagram of a content distribution system according to an embodiment. It is an internal block diagram of the content writing apparatus of FIG. It is an internal block diagram of the permission part of FIG. FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of a write processing unit in FIG. 2. It is an internal block diagram of the content management apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the encryption content storage part of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the balance information database of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the error information storage part of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the sequence in the content writing process of the content writing apparatus and content management apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  10 content distribution system, 50 package, 52 recording medium, 54 printed material, 56 identification information, 57 writing area, 58 code area, 59 code, 100 content writing device, 102 instruction receiving unit, 104 permission unit, 106 obtaining unit, 108 write processing unit, 110 error processing unit, 112 decoded code reading unit, 114 identification information receiving unit, 116 determining unit, 120 decoded code supplying unit, 132 decoding unit, 134 temporary storage unit, 136 writing unit, 138 decoding control , 140 deletion processing unit, 144 error detection unit, 200 content management device, 202 encrypted content storage unit, 204 providing unit, 210 management unit, 220 reception instruction unit.

Claims (6)

Receiving identification information associated with a predetermined recording medium from a user;
Reading a code written in advance on the recording medium;
Obtaining a balance of the advance payment associated with the recording medium from a management device connected to a network based on at least one of the identification information and the code;
Obtaining the content if the price of the content specified by the user is lower than the balance;
Writing the acquired content into the recording medium;
A content distribution method comprising: Determining whether the content has been successfully written to the recording medium;
Transmitting the determination result to the management device;
Incrementing the content delivery count when the content is successfully written, and not incrementing the content delivery count when the content is not successfully written;
The content distribution method according to claim 1, further comprising:   The content distribution method according to claim 2, further comprising a step of calculating a copyright fee of the content based on the number of distribution times. A recordable recording medium including a writing area for recording content and a code area in which a predetermined code is written in advance;
Printed matter on which identification information for identifying the recording medium is printed;
And the identification information is provided for the purpose of being transmitted to a device that manages the usage status of the recording medium in the process of acquiring the content via a network and writing to the recording medium. Characteristic product.   The recording medium stores in advance information specifying whether or not content with age restrictions can be written, and can visually recognize whether or not content with age restrictions can be written. The product according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined character or mark is printed on the surface of the package of the product. A system including a management device that manages content, and a writing device that writes the content to a predetermined recording medium,
The management device
A balance information database that holds a balance that can be used to purchase content in association with information for identifying the recording medium;
A providing unit that provides encrypted content to the writing device when the price of the content instructed to the writing device is lower than the balance;
A settlement section that subtracts the price of the content from the balance,
Have
The writing device includes:
An acquisition unit for acquiring the encrypted content provided from the management device via a network;
A permission unit that determines whether to permit writing of the content on the recording medium that is attached in an accessible manner;
A decryption unit for decrypting the encrypted content when writing is permitted;
A writing processor for writing the decrypted content to the recording medium;
A detection unit for detecting whether or not the decrypted content has been normally written to the recording medium;
An error processing unit that transmits a result of detection by the detection unit to the management device;
Have
The management device
A management unit that increments the delivery count of the content when the content is successfully written and does not increment the delivery count of the content when the content is not successfully written;
A distribution unit that calculates a copyright fee for the content based on the number of distributions and distributes the content to the copyright holder;
The content providing system further comprising:

Images