JP2005203836A - Contents data management apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide contents data management apparatuses, the security of which can be ensured, when contents data are checked out among the plurality of contents data management apparatuses. <P>SOLUTION: Each of the contents data management apparatuses includes: an encryption information transmission means for transmitting encryption information to encrypt contents data identification information; an identification information reception means for receiving the contents data identification information encrypted by using the encryption information; an identification information decryption means for decrypting the encrypted contents data identification information by using the transmitted encryption information; and a check-in permission request means for transmitting information to particularize the contents data to a server, in response to the decrypted contents data identification information to make a check-in permission request. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a content data management device, and more particularly to security when content data is checked out and checked in between a plurality of content data management devices.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a content data management apparatus that can transfer content data downloaded from a server or the like to a connected external device. In such a device, the process of transmitting content data to an external device and making the content data available to the external device is called checkout, and conversely, the content data is deleted from the external device. The process of making it impossible is called check-in.

  In a conventional content data management apparatus, in order to avoid illegal copying of content data, a limit is set on the number of checkouts, and the number of checkouts is managed on a content data management apparatus configured by a user computer or the like. .

  In addition to managing the number of possible checkouts, for example, a technique is proposed in which identification information of a device that uses content data is embedded in content data in advance, and content data is allowed to be used only by the device that has the identification information embedded. Has been. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-271766 A

  Conventionally, when transferring content data on a content data management apparatus constituted by a computer or the like to an external device connected to the content data management apparatus, transfer (check-out and check-in) on the content data management apparatus is performed. ). However, since the increase / decrease in the number of transfers depends on the management on the content data management apparatus, the creator of the content data could not change the restrictions later. In addition, unauthorized changes in the number of transfers were possible.

  Furthermore, in the conventional apparatus, there is a possibility that the content data related to the transfer may be illegally transferred to another external device to make a copy of a plurality of content data. In particular, for content data using automatic performance data compliant with the MIDI standard, it is difficult to perform security management such as prevention of unauthorized copying during transfer.

  In addition, in an apparatus that permits the use of content data only in the use device in which the identification information is embedded, it cannot be used with an electronic musical instrument or the like obtained after purchasing the content data.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a content data management device that can ensure security when content data is checked in between a plurality of content data management devices.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a content data management device capable of ensuring management of content data checked in between a plurality of content data management devices.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a content data management device includes: encryption information transmitting means for transmitting encryption information for encrypting content data identification information; and content data identification information encrypted using the encryption information. In accordance with the identification information receiving means for receiving the identification information decrypting means for decrypting the encrypted content data identification information using the transmitted encryption information, and according to the decrypted content data identification information, Check-in permission requesting means for transmitting information for specifying the content data to the server and making a check-in permission request.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a content data management apparatus includes a storage unit that stores content data including content data identification information, and an encryption that receives encryption information for encrypting the content data identification information. Information receiving means, identification information encryption means for encrypting content data identification information using the received encrypted information, identification information transmitting means for transmitting the encrypted content data identification information, and the encrypted content Control means for deleting the content data corresponding to the encrypted content data identification information or restricting the use of the content data after the transmission of the data identification information is completed.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the content data management device includes a check-in permission request receiving unit that receives content data identification information and a check-in permission request for content data corresponding to the identification information from an external device. A check-in permission transmission unit that transmits a check-in permission of content data corresponding to the content data identification information to the external device, and a check-out permission determination when the check-in permission transmission unit transmits the check-in permission. Management means for updating data.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the content data management apparatus which can ensure the security at the time of checking in content data between several content data management apparatuses can be provided.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a content data management device that can ensure the management of content data checked in between a plurality of content data management devices.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating checkout of content data according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, data flow is indicated by arrows a1 to a10.

  The content data management system 100 includes a plurality of content data management apparatuses, and each content data management apparatus includes, for example, a server 5, a computer (PC) 1, an electronic musical instrument 4, and the like. The server 5 is a device on the content data provider side, and the computer 1 and the electronic musical instrument 4 are devices on the user (content user) side. The server 5 and the computer 1 are connected by a communication network 3 (FIG. 2) such as the Internet, for example. The computer 1 and the electronic musical instrument 4 are connected by, for example, a USB interface. The communication between the server 5 and the computer 1 is preferably performed using an encryption communication technique such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption.

  The server 5 stores a plurality of contents data and management information thereof, and manages information (user information) of users (purchasers) of the contents data. The user information includes at least a user ID, a user password, and information on content data to which the user has a right to use (including at least a content ID and a transfer count limit). Details of the information stored in the server 5 will be described later.

  The computer 1 stores at least part of the user information, downloads content data and the like from the server 5 using the user information, and stores the downloaded content data. The stored content data can be transferred (checked out or checked in) to the connected electronic musical instrument 4.

  The electronic musical instrument 4 is a device having a semiconductor memory 15 that can reproduce at least a part of content data or downsized content data and can store the content data. The electronic musical instrument 4 stores content data transferred from the computer 1 in the semiconductor memory 15, and the user can use the content data stored in the semiconductor memory 15. The content data is data including at least one of entity data including, for example, MIDI data (MIDI), audio data (AUDIO), video data (VIDEO), still image data, score data, and other data, It includes content management information that provides restrictions on the use of the content ID and entity data for identifying the content data (completely unusable, permission for only halfway playback, restriction for prohibiting printing only by display, etc.) The The downsize here is a conversion process for making the content data available on the electronic musical instrument side.

  The flow of checking out content data in this embodiment will be described below. In the present specification, content data check-out refers to the number of times that data can be checked out by transferring from the computer 1 to the electronic musical instrument 4 content data with at least a limit on the number of transfers (the upper limit of the number of times that can be checked out). The process which counts up is shown. In addition, the check-in means that content data with a limited number of transfers is deleted from the electronic musical instrument 4 (specifically, the semiconductor memory 15) or the use of the content data is limited, and the number of possible check-outs is counted up. Shows the processing to be performed.

  First, as a preparation stage of the checkout process in the present embodiment, as shown by an arrow a1, the user uses the computer 1 to indicate the intention to purchase content data to the server 5 (content data download request) ). Next, as indicated by an arrow a2, the server 5 distributes the content data requested by the user to the computer 1 with, for example, a limit on the number of transfers, in accordance with the download request. The computer 1 stores the distributed content data in the external storage device 15 (FIG. 3) or the like.

  Next, the actual checkout process is entered. When the user selects content data to be checked out to the electronic musical instrument 4, the computer 1 requests the electronic musical instrument 4 for a media ID, which is unique identification information of the semiconductor memory 15, as indicated by an arrow a3. In the electronic musical instrument 4, as shown by the arrow a4, the media ID in the semiconductor memory 15 is transferred to the computer 1 in accordance with the request for the media ID.

  Thereafter, the computer 1 converts the content data into a form that can be used by the electronic musical instrument 4, and generates an encryption key by combining information generated by itself such as time data and the received media ID, for example. As indicated by a5, the converted content data is encrypted and transferred to the electronic musical instrument 4. At this time, as indicated by an arrow a6, the spoofed external device 50 may receive the content data encrypted by the MIDI trap simultaneously with the electronic musical instrument 4, but the content data is encrypted. The device 50 cannot be used.

  Thereafter, when receiving a report indicating that the reception of the content data has been normally completed from the electronic musical instrument 4 as indicated by an arrow a7, the computer 1 sends the content data to the server 5 as indicated by an arrow a8. Make a checkout permission request. In accordance with the checkout permission request, the server 5 determines whether the checkout of the content data is within the transfer limit number, and if it is within the transfer limit number, counts down the number of times that the content can be checked out, As shown by a9, a checkout permission is transmitted.

  When the computer 1 receives the checkout permission, the computer 1 transmits information generated by itself such as time data used when generating the encryption key of the content data to the electronic musical instrument 4 as indicated by an arrow a10. The electronic musical instrument 4 receives the information and combines it with the media ID of the semiconductor memory 15 to generate a decryption key (the same key data as the encryption key obtained by encrypting the content data). Decrypt.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating check-in of content data according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, data flow is indicated by arrows a11 to a14. The content data management system 100 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, and the same reference numerals as those in FIG. The flow of content data check-in in this embodiment will be described below.

  When the user instructs check-in of content data, as indicated by an arrow a11, information for selecting content data from the computer 1 and information for encrypting the content ID of the selected content data (for example, A random number) is transmitted to the electronic musical instrument 4.

  The electronic musical instrument 4 selects content data to be checked in, encrypts the random number that has received the content ID of the selected content data as an encryption key, and transmits the encrypted data to the computer 1 as indicated by an arrow a12. The content data to be checked in stored in the semiconductor memory 15 may be deleted from the semiconductor memory 15 at this time. In addition, it is deleted from the semiconductor memory 15 by adding restrictions such as disabling use of the content data, permitting only halfway playback, and prohibiting printing only by displaying without deleting the content data. You don't have to.

  In addition, after confirming that the encrypted content ID has been normally transmitted to the computer 1 (no transmission error has occurred or that the signal has been successfully received from the computer 1), the content data is deleted or restricted. Also good. Further, when the computer 1 and the server 5 are not connected, the processing may not be performed.

  Upon receiving the encrypted content ID from the electronic musical instrument 4, the computer 1 decrypts the content ID using the random number previously transmitted to the electronic musical instrument 4, and transmits it to the server 5 as indicated by an arrow a13. . Instead of transmitting the decrypted content ID, the decrypted content ID is once converted into another one and transmitted, or other related information related to the content is sent according to the decrypted content ID. You may make it transmit.

  The server 5 counts up the number of times that the content data can be checked out according to the received content ID, and transmits the number of times that the content data can be checked out and the check-in permission to the computer 1. The computer 1 can also display the new number of possible checkouts and inform the user of the number of times that transfer is possible.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the server 5, the computer (PC) 1, the electronic musical instrument 4 and the like constituting the content data management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. When used as the computer (PC) 1, the MIDI device 17 in the figure corresponds to the electronic musical instrument 4, and in this case, the computer 1 and the electronic musical instrument 4 are connected to the MIDI cable or USB via the MIDI interface 16 or the like. Connected with cables. When used as the electronic musical instrument 4, a communication interface (for example, the communication interface 21) other than the communication interface (for example, the MIDI interface 16) for connection with the computer 1 may be omitted.

  The content data management device is a bus 6, RAM 7, ROM 8, CPU 9, timer 10, detection circuit 11, setting operator 12, performance operator 22, display circuit 13, display 14, external storage device 15, MIDI interface 16, sound source circuit 18. , An effect circuit 19, a sound system 20, and a communication interface (I / F) 21.

  A RAM 7, a ROM 8, a CPU 9, an external storage device 15, a detection circuit 11, a display circuit 13, a MIDI interface 16, a sound source circuit 18, an effect circuit 19, and a communication interface (I / F) 21 are connected to the bus 6.

  The RAM 7 has a working area for the CPU 9 that stores a buffer area, flags, registers, various parameters, and the like.

  The ROM 8 can store various parameters and control programs, or a program for realizing the present embodiment. In this case, it is not necessary to store programs or the like in the external storage device 15 in an overlapping manner. When the content data management device is the electronic musical instrument 4, a unique device unique key (device identification information) may be recorded in the ROM 8.

  The CPU 9 performs calculation or control according to a control program or the like stored in the ROM 8 or the external storage device 15. The timer 10 is connected to the CPU 9 and supplies a basic clock signal, interrupt processing timing, and the like to the CPU 9.

  The user can make various inputs and settings using the setting operator 12 connected to the detection circuit 11. For example, the setting operator 12 may be any switch, pad, fader, slider, character input keyboard, mouse, rotary encoder, joystick, jog shuttle, or the like that can output a signal in accordance with a user input. . The setting operator 12 may be a soft switch or the like displayed on the display 14 that is operated using another operator such as a mouse.

  The performance operator 22 is connected to the detection circuit 11 and supplies performance information according to a user's performance operation. As the performance operator 22, a performance keyboard, pad, or the like can be used. Note that the performance operator 22 is not limited to these, and any performance operator may be used as long as the user can input performance information. The performance operator 22 can be omitted.

  The display circuit 13 is connected to the display 14 and can display various information on the display 14. In addition to displaying various parameters, the display 14 can display a score or the like included in the content data. The user refers to information displayed on the display 14 to perform various inputs and settings, and performs performance operations with reference to various performance guides, musical scores, and the like. The display 14 may be configured by connecting an external display device.

  The external storage device 15 includes an interface for an external storage device, and is connected to the bus 6 via the interface. The external storage device 15 is, for example, a flexible disk or floppy (registered trademark) disk drive (FDD), hard disk drive (HDD), magneto-optical disk (MO) drive, CD-ROM (compact disk-read only memory) drive, DVD ( Digital Versatile Disc) drive, semiconductor memory, and the like.

  The storage contents of the HDD that is the external storage device 15 of the server 5 and the computer 1 will be described later with reference to FIGS. In the case of the electronic musical instrument 4, a semiconductor memory such as smart media (registered trademark) is connected as the external storage device 15, and the semiconductor memory 15 stores a unique media ID for each semiconductor memory.

  When a hard disk drive (HDD) is connected as the external storage device 15, the control program or the program for realizing the present embodiment may be stored in the hard disk (HDD) in the external storage device 15. it can. By reading the control program or the like from the hard disk into the RAM 7, the CPU 9 can be operated in the same manner as when the control program or the like is stored in the ROM 8. In this way, it is possible to easily add or upgrade a control program or the like.

  When a CD-ROM drive is connected in addition to the hard disk drive, a control program or a program for realizing the present embodiment can be stored in the CD-ROM. A control program, a program for realizing the present embodiment, and the like can be copied from the CD-ROM to the hard disk. New installation and version upgrade of control programs and the like can be easily performed.

  The MIDI interface (MIDI I / F) 16 can be connected to a MIDI device 17, other musical instruments, audio devices, computers, and the like, and can transmit and receive at least MIDI signals. The MIDI interface 16 is not limited to a dedicated MIDI interface, and may be configured using a general-purpose interface such as RS-232C, USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394 (Eye Triple E 1394). In this case, data other than MIDI messages may be transmitted and received simultaneously.

  The MIDI device 17 is an acoustic device, a musical instrument or the like connected to the MIDI interface 16. The form of the MIDI device 17 is not limited to a keyboard instrument, and may be a string instrument type, a wind instrument type, a percussion instrument type, or the like. In addition, the sound source device, the automatic performance device, and the like are not limited to those built in one electronic musical instrument body, but each is a separate device, and each device is connected using a communication method such as MIDI or various networks. May be.

  The tone generator circuit 18 responds to music content recorded in the external storage device 15, ROM 8, RAM 7, or the like or performance signals supplied from the performance device 22 or MIDI device 17 connected to the MIDI interface 16, MIDI signals, and the like. A musical sound signal is generated and supplied to the sound system 20 via the effect circuit 19.

  The effect circuit 19 gives various musical effects to the musical sound signal supplied from the sound source circuit 18.

  The sound system 20 includes a D / A converter and a speaker, converts a digital musical tone signal supplied to an analog format and generates a sound.

  The sound source circuit 18 includes a waveform memory method, FM method, physical model method, harmonic synthesis method, formant synthesis method, VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) + VCF (Voltage Controlled Filter) + VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier) analog synthesizer. Any method such as an analog simulation method may be used.

  The tone generator circuit 18 is not limited to being configured using dedicated hardware, but may be configured using a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) + microprogram, or may be configured using a CPU + software program. Or it can be something like a sound card.

  Further, a plurality of tone generation channels may be formed by using one tone generator circuit in a time-sharing manner, or a plurality of tone generation circuits may be formed by using one tone generator circuit for each tone generation channel. You may make it comprise.

  The communication interface 21 can be connected to a communication network 3 such as a LAN (local area network), the Internet, or a telephone line, and the computer 1 and the server 5 can be connected to each other via the communication network 3.

  The communication interface 21 and the communication network 3 are not limited to wired ones and may be wireless. Moreover, you may provide both. The communication interface 21 may be a built-in one or a detachable one such as a PC card.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing data contents of the external storage device (HDD) 15 of the server 5 shown in FIG.

  For example, user information UI, content data CD, content management information CM and other data are recorded in the external storage device (HDD) 15 of the server 5 as data for executing the content data management processing according to the present embodiment. ing.

  The user information UI is information for recording the user ID, the user password PW, the PC specific information PU, and the count information CI for each user such as the user A, the user B,. The user ID is identification information for specifying the user, and the user password PW is a password corresponding to the user ID, and is used when the computer 1 logs into the server 5. The PC specific information PU is information of the computer 1 corresponding to the user ID. The count information CI includes the content ID of the content data downloaded by the user corresponding to the user ID, and information for counting the transfer limit count for each content data CD corresponding to each content ID is the remaining number of times that can be transferred ( As the number of possible checkouts). The number of possible checkouts is used as checkout permission determination data for determining whether checkout is possible for each content data. In addition, for example, a purchase history of user content data may be stored and used as checkout permission determination data. In this case, whether or not to check out is determined based on whether or not the user has the right to use the content data (for example, whether or not the purchase has been made). In addition, data for determining whether or not the user has a right to use content data may be stored as checkout permission determination data.

  A plurality of content data 1 to n are stored as the content data CD. Each content data CD is composed of a content ID for specifying content data and entity data RD. The entity data RD includes, for example, at least one of entity data RD including MIDI data (MIDI), audio data (AUDIO), video data (VIDEO), still image data, score data, and other data.

  The content management information CM is data for defining usage restrictions for each trial version and regular version of each content data CD, and is data transferred to the computer 1 together with the content data CD. Each content management information CM records a content ID for specifying content data and a detailed usage restriction SI of the content. The usage restriction SI is, for example, printing availability, saving availability, recording availability, editing availability, and other usage limitations. Note that the content management information CM may be embedded as a part of the content data CD (for example, as a security information chunk or with a digital watermark).

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing data contents of the external storage device (HDD) 15 of the computer 1 shown in FIG.

  The external storage device (HDD) 15 of the computer 1 records necessary information NI, content data CD, content management information CM, and other information as data for executing the content data management program in this embodiment. Yes.

  The necessary information NI is information necessary for connecting to the server 5 and receiving user authentication upon login, and includes, for example, a user ID, a user password PW, and other information. Note that the user password PW may be manually input by the user at the time of login without being recorded as the necessary information NI.

  As the content data CD, a plurality of content data CDs previously downloaded from the server 5 by the user (for example, a trial version of the content data 1 and a regular version of the content data 3) are stored. Each content data CD is composed of a content ID for specifying content data and entity data RD. The entity data RD includes, for example, at least one of entity data RD including MIDI data (MIDI), audio data (AUDIO), video data (VIDEO), still image data, score data, and other data.

  The content management information CM is data defining usage restrictions for each content data CD, and is data downloaded from the computer 1 together with the content data CD. Each content management information CM records a content ID for specifying content data and a detailed usage restriction SI of the content. The usage restriction SI is, for example, printing availability, saving availability, recording availability, editing availability, and other usage limitations. Note that the content management information CM may be embedded as a part of the content data CD (for example, as a security information chunk or with a digital watermark).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the check-out process according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the flow of data is indicated by line arrows. Note that the server 5 and the computer 1 and the computer 1 and the electronic musical instrument 4 are connected to each other. Steps SA1 to SA7 are processes in the server 5, steps SA8 to SA20 are processes in the computer 1, and steps SA21 to SA28 are processes in the electronic musical instrument 4.

  In step SA1, the server 5 starts processing. In step SA2, the checkout permission request transmitted from the computer 1 in step SA16 is received. In step SA3, it is confirmed whether or not the content data CD corresponding to the content ID included in the received permission request has been properly downloaded with the user ID transmitted from the computer 1 currently connected. Confirm the right to use. If the usage right can be confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step SA4. If it cannot be confirmed, the process in the server 5 is terminated as an error.

  In step SA4, it is determined whether or not the number of checkouts of the content data CD corresponding to the content ID exceeds the transfer limit number. Specifically, for example, the number of checkouts of the content data corresponding to the content ID is acquired from the count information CI (FIG. 4), and the checkout is possible if the number of checkouts possible after the countdown is “1” or more. It is determined that it is within the transfer limit number. If the transfer limit count is exceeded, the process proceeds to step SA7 indicated by a YES arrow, and the process in the server 5 is terminated. If it is within the transfer limit count, the process proceeds to step SA5 indicated by a NO arrow.

  In step SA5, a check-out permission for the content data CD corresponding to the content ID included in the received permission request is transmitted to the computer 1. After that, in step SA6, the number of possible checkouts corresponding to the content data CD corresponding to the content ID included in the received permission request in the count information CI (FIG. 4) is counted down, and the process proceeds to step SA7. End the process.

  In step SA8, the processing in the computer 1 is started. In step SA9, the electronic musical instrument 4 is requested to transmit the media ID of the semiconductor memory 15. In step SA10, the media ID transmitted from electronic musical instrument 4 in step SA22 is received. If the media ID cannot be acquired, the checkout process is stopped.

  In step SA11, the content data CD to be checked out is selected, and the selected content data is converted into a form usable by the electronic musical instrument 4. The conversion here is, for example, downsizing such as reducing the data amount of the content data CD. As shown in FIG. 5, the content data CD is composed of a large number of data (MIDI, AUDIO, etc.) such as content ID and entity data RD, and all of them can be used in terms of device performance in the electronic musical instrument 4 as the transfer destination. Therefore, in the downsize process, those that cannot be used by the electronic musical instrument 4 as the transfer destination are omitted, and the conversion process is performed into a format that can be used by the electronic musical instrument 4. At this time, content management information may be included in the content data CD to form one content data CD.

  In step SA12, an encryption key is generated using the media ID received in step SA10 and information generated on the computer 1 (for example, time data including time information during downsize processing). In step SA13, the content data CD converted in step SA11 is encrypted with the encryption key generated in step SA12.

  In step SA14, the content data CD encrypted in step SA13 is transferred to the electronic musical instrument 4. When the content management information is not included in the content data CD, the content management information may be transmitted at the same time. In step SA15, the transfer result of the content data CD transmitted in step SA24 is received, and it is determined whether or not the transfer has been completed normally. If the process ends normally, the process proceeds to step SA16 indicated by an arrow “YES”. If the process ends normally, that is, if a transfer error occurs, the process returns to step SA14 indicated by an arrow “NO” to retransfer the content data CD. Do. The transfer result may be confirmed by monitoring the occurrence of a transfer error without waiting for a report from the electronic musical instrument. Further, when a transfer error occurs, the process may be terminated in step SA20 without performing retransfer, and the processing in the computer 1 may be terminated.

  In step SA16, the server 5 is requested to check out permission of the content data CD transmitted in step SA14 (transmission of a checkout permission request). In step SA17, it is determined whether or not the checkout permission transmitted in step SA5 has been received. If the checkout permission is received, the process proceeds to step SA18 indicated by an arrow “YES”. If not received, the process proceeds to step SA19 indicated by an arrow “NO”, a checkout failure is displayed, and the computer 1 is displayed in step SA20. The process in is terminated.

  In step SA18, the information (eg, current time information) generated on the computer 1 used to generate the encryption key in step SA12 is transmitted to the electronic musical instrument 4. Thereafter, the processing in the computer 1 is terminated at step SA20.

  In step SA21, processing in the electronic musical instrument 4 is started. In step SA22, the media ID in the semiconductor memory 15 is read and transmitted to the computer 1 in accordance with the media ID transmission request in step SA9.

  In step SA23, the encrypted content data CD transmitted in step SA14 is received. The encrypted content data CD received here is stored in the semiconductor memory 15. In step SA24, the reception result (success / failure of reception) of the content data CD in step SA23 is transmitted to the computer 1.

  In step SA25, the information generated on the computer 1 used to generate the encryption key in step SA12 transmitted in step SA18 is received.

  In step SA26, a decryption key for decrypting the content data CD is generated using the information such as the time data received in step SA25 and the media ID of its own semiconductor memory 15.

  In step SA27, the encrypted content data CD stored in the semiconductor memory 15 in step SA23 is decrypted using the decryption key generated in step SA26, and used according to the usage restrictions defined in the content management information. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SA28, and the process in the electronic musical instrument 4 is terminated.

  As described above, in the checkout process of the content data CD according to the present embodiment, the content data CD is encrypted, and information for generating the encryption key used for encryption is transferred separately from the content data CD. . By doing so, it is possible to eliminate the risk of unauthorized use of content data by an impersonated external device.

  In the checkout process described above, the server 5 requests the checkout permission of the content data CD, and information for generating the encryption key used for the encryption only when the permission is received from the server 5. Was sent to the electronic musical instrument 4. By doing so, the content data CD transferred to the electronic musical instrument 4 cannot be decrypted unless the server 5 has a check-out permission, and the content data CD that is not authorized by the server 5 is checked out. Can be prevented.

  In the above-described checkout process, the server 5 can manage the number of content data checkouts (transfer limit number), so that unauthorized modification of the transfer limit number can be prevented, and the content creator However, the transfer limit number can be changed later. Furthermore, since the server 5 updates the number of possible checkouts after confirming the transfer result of the content data CD, it is possible to prevent the number of possible checkouts from being reduced by mistake when the transfer fails.

  As described above, in the checkout process according to the present embodiment, security when checking out the content data CD can be ensured. In addition, the management of the content data CD to be checked out can be ensured.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the check-in process according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the flow of data is indicated by line arrows. Note that the server 5 and the computer 1 and the computer 1 and the electronic musical instrument 4 are connected to each other. Steps SB1 to SB6 are processes in the server 5, steps SB7 to SB18 are processes in the computer 1, and steps SA19 to SA25 are processes in the electronic musical instrument 4.

  In step SB1, processing in the server 5 is started, and in step SB2, the check-in permission request transmitted from the computer 1 in step SB14 and the content ID of the content data CD to be checked-in are received. In step SB3, it is confirmed whether or not the content data CD corresponding to the content ID included in the received permission request has been properly downloaded with the user ID transmitted from the currently connected computer 1, and the user Confirm the right to use. If the usage right can be confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step SB4. If it cannot be confirmed, the process in the server 5 is terminated as an error.

  In step SB4, the number of possible checkouts corresponding to the content data CD corresponding to the content ID included in the received permission request in the count information CI (FIG. 4) is counted up. In step SB5, check-in permission and a new number of possible checkouts (current number of possible checkouts) are transmitted to the computer 1, and then the process proceeds to step SB6, where the processing in the server 5 is terminated.

  In step SB7, processing in the computer 1 is started. In step SB8, the electronic musical instrument 4 is requested to transmit the media ID of the semiconductor memory 15. In step SB9, the media ID transmitted from the electronic musical instrument 4 in step SB20 is received.

  In step SB10, the content data CD to be checked in is selected, and the selected content data CD is notified to the electronic musical instrument 4. Thereafter, in step SB11, information generated on the computer 1 (for example, random numbers) is transmitted to the electronic musical instrument 4.

  In step SB12, the encrypted content ID transmitted from the electronic musical instrument 4 in step SB23 is received. In step SB13, the received encrypted content ID is decrypted using the random number transmitted in step SB11 as a decryption key. To do. Thereafter, a check-in permission request and the decrypted content ID are transmitted to the server 5. If the received encrypted content ID cannot be decrypted using the random number transmitted in step SB11, the process proceeds to step SB18 and the process in the computer 1 is terminated. As a result, it is possible to prevent unauthorized check-in by an impersonated external device other than the electronic musical instrument 4 that has transmitted the random number in step SB11.

  In step SB15, it is transmitted from the server 5 in step SB5. Receive check-in permission and new number of possible check-outs. Thereafter, in step SB17, the new number of possible checkouts is displayed on the display 14 (FIG. 3) or the like, and the processing in the computer 1 is terminated in step SB18.

  In step SB19, the processing in the electronic musical instrument 4 is started. In step SB20, the media ID in the semiconductor memory 15 is read and transmitted to the computer 1 in accordance with the media ID transmission request in step SB8.

  In step SB21, selection of content data CD to be checked in by the computer 1 is accepted. In step SB22, the information (for example, random number) generated on the computer 1 transmitted in step SB11 is received, and the content ID of the content data CD that has been selected in step SB21 using the received information as an encryption key. Is encrypted. In step SB23, the content ID encrypted in step SB22 is transmitted to the computer 1.

  In step SB24, the content data CD that has been selected in step SB21 is deleted from the semiconductor memory 15. Further, instead of deleting the content data CD from the semiconductor memory 15, the use restriction of the content data CD may be changed so that the content data CD cannot be used. Further, when the content data CD is a regular version, it may be changed so as to give a trial authority equivalent to the used version. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SB25, and the processing in the electronic musical instrument 4 is terminated.

  As described above, in the check-in process of the content data CD according to the present embodiment, information for encrypting the content ID is transmitted from the computer 1 to the electronic musical instrument 4, and the electronic musical instrument 4 uses the received content ID based on the received information. Was encrypted. In this way, it is possible to eliminate the risk of false check-in by an impersonated external device.

  In the check-in process described above, the server 5 is requested to allow the content data CD to be checked in, and the server 5 confirms the right to use the content data CD. Was allowed, and the number of possible checkouts was updated (counted up).

  In the check-in process described above, the server 5 can manage the number of checkouts (transfer limit count) of content data, so that it is possible to prevent unauthorized alteration of the transfer limit count and the content creator. However, the transfer limit number can be changed later.

  In the above embodiment, the time data is taken as an example of the information for encrypting the content data CD in combination with the media ID. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any information generated on the computer 1 may be used. For example, a random number may be used.

  In addition, although a random number is taken as an example of information for encrypting the content ID during the check-in process, it may be time data or the like.

  Further, the confirmation of the use right of the content data CD in step SA3 in FIG. 6 and step SB3 in FIG. You may make it do.

  Further, in the embodiment, whether or not checkout is permitted or not is determined based on the number of possible checkouts, but without using the countdown / countup, for example, the user can check the usage rights for the content other than the number of possible checkouts. By checking based on the out permission determination data, permission / non-permission may be simply determined.

  In addition, when the number of possible checkouts is one, as the checkout permission determination data without performing countdown / countup, for example, “1” when the checkout can be permitted, and “0” when the checkout is not possible. May be prepared, set to “0” after check-out, and set to “1” after check-in.

  Note that this embodiment may be implemented by a general-purpose computer or the like in which a computer program or the like corresponding to this embodiment is installed.

  In that case, the computer program or the like corresponding to the present embodiment may be provided to the user while being stored in a storage medium that can be read by the computer, such as a CD-ROM or a floppy disk.

  The electronic musical instrument 4 of the present embodiment is not limited to the form of the electronic musical instrument, but may be applied to a karaoke device, a game device, a portable communication terminal such as a mobile phone, and an automatic performance piano.

  In the case of taking the form of an electronic musical instrument, the form is not limited to the keyboard musical instrument as described in the embodiment, and may be a string musical instrument type, a wind instrument type, a percussion instrument type, or the like. Moreover, the sound source device, the automatic performance device, etc. are not limited to those built in one electronic musical instrument body, but each is a separate device, and each device is connected using communication means such as MIDI or various networks. There may be.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, improvements, combinations, and the like can be made.

It is a conceptual diagram showing the checkout of the content data by the Example of this invention. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating check-in of content data according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the server 5, computer (PC) 1, electronic musical instrument 4, etc. which comprise the content data management apparatus by the Example of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram showing the data content of the external storage device (HDD) 15 of the server 5 shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram showing the data content of the external storage device (HDD) 15 of the computer 1 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart showing the checkout process by the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the check-in process by the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Computer, 3 ... Communication network, 4 ... Electronic musical instrument, 5 ... Server, 6 ... Bus, 7 ... RAM, 8 ... ROM, 9 ... CPU, 10 ... Timer, 11 ... Detection circuit, 12 ... Setting operator, 13 ... Display circuit, 14 ... Display, 15 ... External storage device (HDD, semiconductor memory), 16 ... MIDI I / F, 17 ... MIDI equipment, 18 ... Sound source circuit, 19 ... Effect circuit, 20 ... Sound system, 21 ... Communication I / F, 22 ... Performance operator

Claims (6)

Encryption information transmitting means for transmitting encryption information for encrypting content data identification information;
Identification information receiving means for receiving content data identification information encrypted using the encryption information;
Identification information decryption means for decrypting the encrypted content data identification information using the transmitted encryption information;
A content data management apparatus comprising: a check-in permission request unit that transmits information for specifying the content data to a server and makes a check-in permission request according to the decrypted content data identification information. Storage means for storing content data including content data identification information;
Encryption information receiving means for receiving encryption information for encrypting the content data identification information;
Identification information encryption means for encrypting content data identification information using the received encryption information;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the encrypted content data identification information;
A content data management apparatus comprising: control means for deleting content data corresponding to the encrypted content data identification information or restricting use of the content data after the transmission of the encrypted content data identification information is completed. Check-in permission request receiving means for receiving content data identification information and a check-in permission request for content data corresponding to the identification information from an external device;
Check-in permission transmitting means for transmitting check-in permission of content data corresponding to the content data identification information to the external device;
A content data management apparatus comprising: a management unit that updates checkout permission determination data when the checkin permission transmission unit transmits a checkin permission. An encryption information transmission procedure for transmitting encryption information for encrypting content data identification information;
An identification information receiving procedure for receiving content data identification information encrypted using the encryption information;
An identification information decryption procedure for decrypting the encrypted content data identification information using the transmitted encryption information;
A content data management program comprising: a check-in permission request procedure for transmitting information for specifying the content data to a server and making a check-in permission request according to the decrypted content data identification information. A storage procedure for storing content data including content data identification information;
An encryption information receiving procedure for receiving encryption information for encrypting the content data identification information;
An identification information encryption procedure for encrypting content data identification information using the received encryption information;
An identification information transmission procedure for transmitting the encrypted content data identification information;
A content data management program comprising: a control procedure for deleting content data corresponding to the encrypted content data identification information or restricting use of the content data after the transmission of the encrypted content data identification information is completed. A check-in permission request receiving procedure for receiving content data identification information and a check-in permission request for content data corresponding to the identification information from an external device;
A check-in permission transmission procedure for transmitting check-in permission of content data corresponding to the content data identification information to the external device;
A content data management program comprising: a management procedure for updating check-out permission determination data when the check-in permission transmission procedure transmits a check-in permission.

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