JP2006011555A - License evaluation device, computer program, license evaluation method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a license evaluation device that can realize simultaneous parallel processing by a plurality of domains. <P>SOLUTION: The license evaluation device comprises a license storage section 114 for storing a license including use condition information prepared every domain, a status storage section 116 storing status information including a variable indicating a use condition of contents based on the license while classifying the region every domain, a domain specifying section 142 for applying the use condition information included by the license and specifying domains of one or more variables constituting the conditional expression of the use condition information based on domain specifying information included in the use condition information, and a status information update section 144 that locks a domain region corresponding to the specified domain of the status information and updates the variable in the locked domain region in response to the use content of the contents when the contents are used based on the license. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a license evaluation apparatus, a computer program, and a license evaluation method for evaluating a license for using content.

  In recent years, copyright management systems using DRM (Digital Rights Management) technology that restricts the distribution and use of content have become widespread. In such a copyright management system, a method of controlling the use (playback, copying, etc.) of digital content such as music content and video content on a user-owned terminal (PC, etc.) based on a license issued by a server is generally used. Is. Furthermore, recently, in such a copyright management system, a content usage method for independently managing content and a license has been implemented. In this case, the content is encrypted on the server side and provided to the user terminal, and the encryption is decrypted on the user side terminal based on a separately acquired license. In such a copyright management system, it is possible to freely distribute content from the server to the user terminal, and use of the distributed content is managed by a separate license.

  As an example of a copyright management system in which content and licenses are provided independently as described above, even when license variations and purchasing procedures are complex, processing to create licenses easily and securely and distribute them to user terminals A technique for performing is known (for example, Technical Document 1). In this technology, complex licenses are separated for each service, and licenses are individually defined for each service.

  In such a copyright management system, the license usage conditions (Usage Rule) and the content usage status (status information) in the terminal are described by a plurality of predefined variables. In the user terminal, content usage is controlled based on such license usage conditions and the past usage status of content in the user terminal. For this reason, when content is used based on a license, it is necessary to lock the status information variable (exclusively so that it is not updated by other processing) and then update the variable according to the content of use. . In such a copyright management system, a domain that is a classification (category) of functions used for content is set in order to make license evaluation processing more efficient and clear.

JP 2004-308440 A

  By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional copyright management system, there is no provision in the license as to which domain the variable indicating the license usage condition and the content usage status is valid. For this reason, when updating the status information variable in accordance with the use of the content based on the license at the user terminal, since the range for locking / unlocking the status information is unknown, the entire status information variable is locked / unlocked. I had to unlock and update some variables. Also, status information variables could not be updated by locking / unlocking each domain. Therefore, there has been a problem that the processing of a plurality of domains cannot be performed simultaneously in parallel.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize simultaneous parallel processing by a plurality of domains by locking / unlocking status information variables for each domain. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved license evaluation apparatus, computer program, and license evaluation method capable of performing the above.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, according to an aspect of the present invention, a license evaluation apparatus for evaluating a license for using content is provided. The license evaluation device includes a license storage unit that stores one or more licenses including usage condition information created for each domain that is a classification of content usage functions; a license storage unit that is created for each license, A status storage unit for storing status information including a variable indicating a usage state for each domain; one or more variables that analyze the usage condition information included in the license and constitute a conditional expression of the usage condition information A domain identification unit that identifies the domain of the domain based on the domain designation information included in the use condition information; and when the content is used based on the license, the domain area corresponding to the identified domain in the status information Lock and change the variables in the locked domain area according to the content usage. Characterized in that it comprises a; and the status information updating section for updating Te.

  Here, the license evaluation apparatus includes a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone, a portable audio player, a home game machine, an information appliance, and the like. The domain designation information is information for designating the domain in which the variable is used, and is described corresponding to each variable in the license usage condition information. In addition, locking the domain area of the status information means that the variable authority in the domain area is exclusively used so that the variable in the domain area is not updated by other processing.

  With the configuration as described above, the domain specification information of the variable is described in association with each variable in the license usage condition information, and the domain that uses the variable can be specified by such domain specification information, and the status information for each domain. It is divided into areas. For this reason, when a variable in status information is updated according to the use of content, the domain of the variable to be updated can be specified, and the range of status information to be locked can be limited to the specified domain area. Therefore, since it is not necessary to lock the entire status information, it is possible to simultaneously execute update processing for variables belonging to a plurality of different domains.

  The license usage condition information includes information indicating whether the variable is a variable value or a fixed value. The status information update unit determines whether the variable is a variable value or a fixed value. It may be determined whether or not the status information is locked based on the information to be expressed. As a result, when the variable has a variable value, the corresponding domain area in the status information can be locked, and when the variable has a fixed value, the status information can be prevented from being locked.

  A license extraction unit that reads a license corresponding to the content that has received the use request from a license storage unit; and a status that reads, from the status information storage unit, a variable of a domain corresponding to the use request among status information corresponding to the read license The information extraction unit; substitutes the status information variable read into the conditional expression of the usage condition information included in the read license, and permits the use of the content requested for use based on whether the conditional expression is satisfied A conditional expression determination unit to be disallowed;

  In order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a computer program for evaluating a license for using content is provided. This computer program analyzes one or more one or more of the conditions of use condition information by analyzing the use condition information created for each domain, which is included in the license and is a classification of the content use function. Domain identification processing that identifies the domain of the variable based on the domain specification information included in the use condition information; when content is used based on the license, it is created for each license, and the usage status of the content based on the license Status information update that locks the domain area corresponding to the specified domain, and updates the variables in the locked domain area according to the usage of the content, among the status information that includes the variable to be classified by domain And a process is executed.

  By installing such a computer program on a computer, the above-described license evaluation apparatus can be suitably constructed.

  The license usage condition information includes information indicating whether the variable is a variable value or a fixed value. In the status information update process, whether the variable is a variable value or a fixed value is included. It may be determined whether or not the status information is locked based on the information to be expressed.

  Also, a license extraction process for reading out a license corresponding to the content for which the use request has been received from the license storage unit; a status for reading out a domain variable corresponding to the use request out of the status information corresponding to the read license from the status information storage unit Information extraction processing; Substitute the status information variable that has been read into the conditional expression of the usage condition information included in the read license, and allow the use of the content requested for use based on whether the conditional expression is satisfied The conditional expression determination process to be disallowed may be further executed.

  In order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a license evaluation method for evaluating a license for using content is provided. This license evaluation method analyzes the usage condition information created for each domain that is included in the license and is the classification of the usage function of the content, and determines the domain of one or more variables constituting the conditional expression of the usage condition information. A domain identification step that identifies based on domain specification information included in the usage condition information; a variable that is created for each license and indicates the usage status of the content based on the license when the content is used based on the license A status information update step that locks the domain area corresponding to the identified domain out of the status information that is divided into areas for each domain, and updates the variables in the locked domain area according to the content usage. It is characterized by including;

  With this license evaluation method, when updating variables in status information according to the use of content, the domain of the variable to be updated is specified, and the scope of status information to be locked is limited to the specified domain area. Can do.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since only the domain area corresponding to the variable to be updated is locked in the status information for each domain, the update of a plurality of variables belonging to different domains can be processed in parallel. it can.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(First embodiment)
The content distribution system, license evaluation apparatus, computer program, and license evaluation method according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

<Overview>
First, an outline of the content distribution system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The content distribution system according to the present embodiment manages the use (playback, copying, etc.) of content in each user terminal based on a separately issued license regarding the content distributed from the content distribution server to the user terminal. , It is configured as a copyright management system for protecting the copyright of the content.

  Specifically, this content distribution system issues a license for the content, thereby purchasing a license by paying a reasonable price for the copyright of the content and using it within the scope of private use. Users) are allowed to use the content freely within the scope of the license. On the other hand, users who use illegally such as mass distribution of content through the Internet, etc., or users who try to use content beyond the scope of the license without paying a reasonable price, should not use the content. Strictly restrict.

  More specifically, when a user intends to use content distributed for a fee, both the content itself and a license for using the content need to be acquired. In the content distribution system according to the present embodiment, such content and license are managed independently. A user freely downloads encrypted content from a content distribution server or the like using a license evaluation apparatus (user terminal) owned by the user, and purchases and acquires only a license separately from the content.

  In this license, for example, usage conditions corresponding to the purchase price of the license are described. The user cannot change the description of this use condition without permission. In addition, the user can use the content only by associating the content with the license without recognizing the content of the license or content encryption.

  The “content” according to the present embodiment is, for example, audio (Audio) content such as music, a lecture, a radio program, a still image constituting a movie, a television program, a video program, a photograph, a picture, a chart, or the like. Video (Video) content made up of moving images, content combining the video content and audio content, electronic books (E-books), games, software (software), and all other contents are included. The “content data” is, for example, digital data representing the contents of the above various contents, such as video data, audio data, character data (subtitle data), electronic book data, electronic game data, software data, and the like. is there. In the following description, as a specific example of content, for example, a movie content (for example, composed of video data, audio data, and subtitle data) will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example.

<System configuration>
Next, the overall configuration of the content distribution system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the content use system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the content distribution system 100 includes a license evaluation device 10 that is a user terminal, a content distribution server 20, a license providing server 25, and a network 5 that interconnects them. The The content distribution system 100 distributes various types of content C from the content distribution server 20 to the license evaluation apparatus 10 via the network 5, and transmits a license L corresponding to the content C from the license providing server 25 via the network 5. System for providing to the license evaluation apparatus 10 and using the content C in the license evaluation apparatus 10 based on the license L (playback, checkout, ripping, copying, transferring to PD (Portable Device), editing, etc.) It is.

  The license evaluation device 10 includes a computer device that includes an input device, a storage device, an arithmetic device, a control device, an output device, and the like. Specifically, the license evaluation device 10 includes, for example, a personal computer (notebook or desktop type), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), an information appliance or a home game machine equipped with the computer device. , Portable content player, mobile phone, PHS and the like. In FIG. 1, only one license evaluation device 10 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to such an example, and a plurality of license evaluation devices 10 owned by the same user, or one or more license evaluation devices 10 owned by other users. The license evaluation device 10 may be connected to the network 5.

  The license evaluation device 10 acquires the content C and the license L from the content distribution server 20 and the license providing server 25 via the network 5. Further, the license evaluation device 10 evaluates the acquired license L and the status information S held by itself, and permits / denies use of the acquired content C. At this time, the license evaluation device 10 interprets the use condition information included in the license L and the use state information included in the status information S, details of which will be described later.

  Furthermore, the license evaluation apparatus 10 executes the use process of the content C when the use of the content is permitted as a result of the evaluation of the license L or the like. In this sense, the license evaluation device 10 according to the present embodiment functions not only as a device that performs the license evaluation, but also as a content processing device that actually processes content.

  The content distribution server 20 and the content distribution server 25 are server devices owned by, for example, a service provider that provides a content distribution service. These servers 20 and 25 are composed of one or more computer devices having a server function.

  Among these, the content distribution server 20 stores the content C that can be used by the user, and distributes the content C received from the license evaluation device 10 or the like to the license evaluation device 10 via the network 5. Here, the distribution of the content C may be, for example, either downloading of content data or streaming of content data. In addition, the content distribution server 20 compresses and encrypts the content to be distributed using, for example, various MPEG systems.

  Thus, the content C distributed from the content distribution server 20 is, for example, copyright-protected content. Specifically, the encrypted content data is provided with attribute information and content key of the content. Includes security information. For this reason, the license evaluation apparatus 10 cannot use the distributed content unless it has an appropriate license.

  Further, the license providing server 25 issues a license L for using the content C and provides it to the license evaluation device 10. Specifically, the license providing server 25 stores various licenses L corresponding to the content C distributed from the content distribution server 20, and the license L is stored in the network in response to a request from the license evaluation device 10 or the like. 5 is provided to the license evaluation apparatus 10. However, there is a case where the license L is charged. In this case, the license providing server 25 executes a charging process related to the purchase of the license L by an accompanying charging server (not shown), and then the license L I will provide a.

  In FIG. 1, two servers 20 and 25 are illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the content distribution server 20 and the content provision distribution server 25 may be configured by one server device. Alternatively, other servers may be provided in addition to the above, depending on the functions / uses related to content distribution. Examples of other servers include, for example, a billing server that performs billing processing in response to a license issuance, software that provides various software such as an application for using content and a copyright management program (DRM module, etc.) Providing server, etc. Note that these software may be provided to the license evaluation apparatus 10 via a storage medium such as an optical disk or a semiconductor memory, as well as being downloaded from a software providing server.

  The network 5 is a communication line network that connects the information processing apparatus 10 and the server 20 so that bidirectional communication is possible. This network 5 is composed of, for example, a public line network such as the Internet, a telephone line network, a satellite communication network, etc., or a dedicated line network such as WAN, LAN, IP-VPN, etc., regardless of wired or wireless. Further, the network 5 may include a private network such as a home network or a local line.

  The content distribution system 100 having the above-described configuration can manage the content C and the license L independently, and can use the license L made up of a small amount of data as a unit of buying and selling. Each user can use the content C legally by receiving the distribution of the desired content C using the license evaluation device 10 owned by the user and further acquiring (purchasing) the license L.

<License evaluation device>
Next, the configuration of the license evaluation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail based on FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the license evaluation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the license evaluation apparatus 10 includes, for example, a CPU (not shown), a memory (not shown), an input unit 102, an output unit 104, a communication unit 106, and a storage unit. 110, a content use unit 120, and a copyright management unit 130.

  A CPU (not shown) functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls processing of each unit in the license evaluation device 10. The memory (not shown) includes, for example, a RAM, a ROM, a cache memory, and the like, and has a function of temporarily storing various data related to CPU processing, CPU operation programs, and the like.

  The input unit 102 includes, for example, an operation device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a button, a switch, and a lever, and an input control circuit that generates an input signal and outputs it to the CPU 102. The user of the license evaluation apparatus 10 can input various data and instruct processing operations to the license evaluation apparatus 10 by operating the input unit 102.

  The output unit 104 includes, for example, a CRT display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, a display device such as a lamp, and an audio output device such as a speaker. The output unit 104 can output the content reproduced by the content processing unit 124 described later. Specifically, the display device displays the reproduced video data and the like, while the audio output device can sound the reproduced audio data. If the content handled by the license evaluation device 10 consists only of audio data, the display device is unnecessary, whereas if the content consists only of video data, the audio output device is unnecessary.

  The communication unit 106 is a communication interface configured with, for example, a communication line, a communication circuit, a communication device, and the like. The communication unit 106 can transmit and receive various data such as content C, license L, and various control signals to and from other devices such as the license evaluation apparatus 10 and the servers 20 and 25 via the network 5. it can.

  The storage unit 110 is a data storage device configured by, for example, a hard disk drive, a flash memory, and the like, and stores various data such as a program, content C, license L, and status information. The storage unit 110 is configured as a status information storage unit and a license storage unit in the present embodiment. The storage unit 110 stores, for example, a content database 112, a license database 114, and a status information database 116.

  The content database 112 is a database that stores one or more contents C distributed from the content distribution server 20 and one or more contents C acquired from another license evaluation apparatus 10. The license database 114 is a database that stores one or more licenses L issued by the license providing server 25 and one or more licenses L exported from another license evaluation apparatus 10. In addition, the status information database 230 is a database that stores status information S indicating the usage state of the content C based on the license L in the license evaluation apparatus 10. The license L and the status information S are securely stored, for example, encrypted or added with a digital signature in order to prevent unauthorized tampering by the user.

  The content use unit 120 is a component for using content. The content using unit 120 is configured by installing an application (such as a reproduction application or a distribution service using application) provided by a software providing server or a storage medium in a license evaluation apparatus 10 such as a PC.

  The content utilization unit 120 includes, for example, a content selection unit 122 that selects a content to be processed based on a user input and the like, a content processing unit 124 that uses (reproduces, checks out, copies, edits, etc.) the content C, A distribution service using unit (not shown) for performing user registration processing, license purchase request processing, content distribution request processing, and the like for the servers 20 and 25, and a license processing unit (for example, transferring a license to another license evaluation device 10). Not shown). In addition, the content use unit 120 gives various instructions regarding the use of the content C to the next copyright management unit 130, and performs communication and management of the content C, the license L, and the like.

  The copyright management unit 130 is a component for managing the use of the distributed content C based on the license L, status information S, and the like. The copyright management unit 130 is configured by installing an application (DRM module or the like) provided by a software providing server or a storage medium in the license evaluation apparatus 10 such as a PC.

  The copyright management unit 130 interprets the license L and evaluates the license L and the status information S, thereby permitting / disapproving the use of the content, or obtaining the status information S according to the content used. Or update. In this way, the copyright management unit 130 performs the copyright management process for the content C based on the license L and the status information S associated with the content C.

  In order to execute such copyright management processing, the copyright management unit 130 specifically includes a license extraction unit 132, a status information extraction unit 134, a variable analysis unit 136, a variable setting unit 138, and conditional expression determination. Unit 140, domain specifying unit 142, and status information updating unit 144.

  Here, each part of the content utilization part 120 and the copyright management part 130 having the above-described configuration will be described in detail.

  The content selection unit 152 selects the content C to be used. The content C to be used may be stored in advance in the storage medium or the content database 112, or may be streamed from the content distribution server 20 or the like via the network 5. For example, the content selection unit 152 selects the content C that the user desires to use based on a user input to the input unit 102. For this reason, the content selection unit 152 may display the list of the content C to be used on the output unit 104 and allow the user to make a selection input. Further, the content selection unit 152 may automatically select the predetermined content C based on the set condition.

  The license extraction unit 132 extracts the license L corresponding to the content C selected by the content selection unit 152 from the license database 114. A status ID is added as security information to be described later to every content C that is copyright-managed in the present embodiment. This status ID is an ID assigned in units of licenses L (status information S units). The status ID is added to the content C, the license L, and the status information S, respectively, and has a function of associating the content C, the license L, and the status information S with each other. The license extraction unit 132 reads the status ID added to the content C from the processing target content C, searches the license database 114 based on the read status ID, and corresponds to the processing target content C. The license L is extracted.

  The status information extraction unit 134 has a restriction based on the usage state in the license L (for example, when there is a use restriction regarding the playback time, playback period, playback count, possible copy count, checkout count, etc.) ), The status information S corresponding to the content C to be processed is extracted from the status information database 116.

  Specifically, the status information extraction unit 134 reads the status ID added to the content C from the content C selected by the content selection unit 152, and stores the status information database 116 based on the read status ID. By searching, status information S corresponding to the content C to be processed (that is, status information S corresponding to the extracted license L) is extracted. On the other hand, if there is no usage restriction on the license L, for example, if the content can be freely used without restriction after the purchase of the content C, the status information extraction unit 134 must necessarily extract the status information S. There is no.

  Here, a specific example of the relationship among the content C, the license L, and the status information S using the status ID will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between the status ID added to the content C according to the present embodiment, the license L, and the status information S.

  As shown in FIG. 3, for example, one status ID is added to each of the contents C1, C2, C3. By this status ID, the range of contents to which the license L is applied can be specified.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the same status ID “0001” is added to the content C1 and the content C2, so that the content C1 and the content C2 are managed by the same license L and the same status information S. Will be. On the other hand, a status ID “0002” different from the content C1 and C2 is added to the content C3, so that the content C1 and C2 and the content C3 have different licenses L and different status information S. Will be managed. Depending on the application range of the license L, for example, a status ID can be added to each track constituting the content C.

  In addition, a status ID is added to the license L in the header 192 in order to specify the content C and status information S corresponding to the license L. The license extraction unit 132 detects the status ID read from the content C and the license L to which the same status ID is added, and associates the content C with the license L.

  Similarly, a status ID is added to the status information S in the header 194 in order to specify the content corresponding to the status information S. The status information extraction unit 134 detects the status information S to which the same status ID as the status ID read from the content C is added, and associates the content C with the status information S.

  In this way, “license L”: “status information S”: “status ID”: “content” = 1: 1: 1: n. Here, n is a natural number.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the variable analysis unit 136 analyzes the use condition information included in the license L extracted by the license extraction unit 132, and among the one or more variables constituting the conditional expression of the use condition information. Whether there is a new variable that has not been set. This use condition information is information that defines the use condition of the content based on the license L, and is composed of conditional expressions described by one or more variables.

  The variable analysis unit 136 analyzes the extracted usage condition information of the license L, and among the variables included in the usage condition information, there is an unset new variable that has not been handled in the license evaluation apparatus 10 in the past. Determine whether or not. Specifically, the variable analysis unit 136 refers to a variable that has already been registered in the status information S, or refers to a past log that has already been set by the next variable setting unit 138, for example. Determine if it is a new variable. If a new variable is detected as a result of this determination, the variable analysis unit 136 outputs to the variable setting unit 138 that the new variable exists and the new variable.

  The variable setting unit 138 sets the new variable based on the variable attribute information corresponding to the detected new variable among the variable attribute information included in the usage condition information of the license L. In the usage condition information of the license L, in addition to the above conditional expression, variable attribute information representing the attribute of each variable constituting the conditional expression is described. The variable attribute information includes, for example, an initial value of the variable, information indicating whether the variable is a variable value or a fixed value, variable type information, global / local specification information, domain specification information for specifying a variable domain, Includes variable data size information, variable type information, and so on. Such variable attribute information is described in association with each variable in the usage condition information of the license L by the license providing server 25 when the license L is created.

  Accordingly, the variable setting unit 138 interprets the usage condition information of the license L, reads the variable attribute information for the new variable among the variable attribute information, and sets a new variable based on the read variable attribute information (for example, Initial value setting, variable value or constant setting, data size setting when storing in status information S, variable type setting, variable value range setting, variable type determination , Variable domain determination, etc.). Further, the variable setting unit 138, for example, sets the initial value of the new variable set as described above to a predetermined area in the status information S corresponding to the license L including the new variable in a predetermined format. Write and register.

  The conditional expression determination unit 140 interprets the extracted license L and the extracted status information S, and the usage state represented by the status information S satisfies the conditional expression in the usage condition information in the license L. Determine if you are.

  Specifically, in the example of FIG. 3, the conditional expression determination unit 140 first reads the description of “the number of reproductions ≦ the number of reproductions” that is the conditional expression 196 from the usage condition information of the license L, and the conditional expression 196 Is interpreted. Next, the conditional expression determination unit 140 reads the value “variable number of reproductions; 4” of the use restriction 200 constituting the conditional expression 196 from the usage condition information, and the “reproduction” which is the usage state 202 of the status information S. Number of times: 2 ”is read out. Further, the two variables read out in this way are substituted into the conditional expression 196, and the variable value “usable number of reproductions: 4” in the usage limit 200 and the variable value “number of reproductions: 2” in the usage state 202 are as follows. Compare

  When the conditional expression determination unit 140 determines that the condition of the conditional expression 196 is satisfied as a result of the comparison, the conditional expression determination unit 140 permits the use processing of the content to be used, and causes the content processing unit 124 to execute the content. Output permission instructions for use. On the other hand, as a result of the comparison, if it is determined that the condition of conditional expression 196 is not satisfied, the use processing of the content to be used is not permitted, and the content processing unit 124 is instructed not to permit the use of the content. Is output.

  The content processing unit 124 determines that the use of the content C is permitted by the conditional expression determination unit 140 (for example, when it is determined that the use state according to the status information S satisfies the conditional expression 196, or usage restrictions are imposed). If not, the content C usage process is executed. Here, the use of the content C includes, for example, editing such as reproduction, copying, and division of the content, checkout of the content with respect to another license evaluation device 10, transfer (export) of licenses to other license evaluation devices 10, and lending ( lend), copy, and the like.

  Specifically, when reproducing the content C, the content processing unit 124 reads the content to be used from the content database 112, decrypts and decodes the encrypted content, reproduces it, and outputs it. Displayed on the unit 104. Thereby, the user can browse the reproduced and displayed video content.

  Note that the decryption and decoding processing of the encrypted content C is performed by the decryption unit and the decoding unit provided in the copyright management unit 130, and the content processing unit 124 of the content use unit 120 performs the combined and decoded content data. Only the playback process (normal playback, fast forward playback, rewind playback, etc.) may be performed.

  The domain specifying unit 142 analyzes the use condition information included in the license L and specifies one or more variable domains constituting the conditional expression of the use condition information based on the domain designation information included in the use condition information. To do. The license L use condition information includes domain designation information as the variable attribute information. A domain is a classification (category) of functions used for content, and includes, for example, a DRM domain, a renderer domain, a checkout (lcm) domain, an export domain, and the like, which will be described later in detail. The domain designation information is information indicating in which domain the variables used in the license L and the status information S are variables used, that is, in which domains. Such domain designation information is described by the license providing server 25 in association with each variable in the license L use condition information when the license L is created.

  When the use of the content C is permitted by the conditional expression determination unit 140 and the corresponding variable of the status information S is updated according to the use of the content C, the domain specifying unit 142 receives the conditional expression determination unit 140 from the conditional expression determination unit 140. The update target variable is notified. Then, the domain specifying unit 142 reads the domain designation information corresponding to the variable to be changed from the change usage condition information of the license L, specifies the domain of the variable to be updated based on the read domain designation information, The identified domain is output to the status information update unit 144.

  When the use of the content C is permitted by the conditional expression determination unit 140, the status information update unit 144 updates a variable corresponding to the status information S according to the use content of the content C by the content processing unit 124. (Rewrite). Therefore, the status information update unit 144 selects the status information S corresponding to the evaluated license L and the used content C based on the status ID input from the conditional expression determination unit 140, and this status information. Of S, the variable corresponding to the use content of the content C is updated. Such updating is performed, for example, by adding, changing, or deleting variables representing the content playback time, playback period, number of playbacks, number of times of copying, number of checkouts, etc., according to the usage details.

  Further, when performing update processing of the variable of the status information S, the status information update unit 144 locks only the domain area specified by the domain specifying unit 142 in the corresponding status information S, and locks the domain It is characteristic that the variables in the area are updated according to the content usage.

  Here, the lock of the status information S means that all or some of the variables in the status information S are guarded so as not to be updated by other update processing, thereby exclusively updating the variable in the corresponding area. It is to be. When a predetermined area of status information S is locked with respect to a certain update process, if the update of the variable is terminated and the lock is not released by the update process, the variable in the predetermined area is related to another update process. Can not be updated.

  When such a lock is applied, if the entire status information S is locked, a plurality of processes cannot be performed simultaneously. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the status information S is divided into domains for each domain, and the domain determination unit 42 is configured so that the domain of the variable to be updated can be specified. In the status information S, it is possible to lock only the domain area corresponding to the variable to be updated (that is, corresponding to the use contents of the content) and not lock the other domain areas. For this reason, it becomes possible to perform content usage processing for a plurality of domains simultaneously in parallel.

  Heretofore, each component of the license evaluation device 10 has been described. Each unit of the content using unit 120, each unit of the copyright management unit 130, and the like install a program (software such as an application or a DRM module) that causes the computer to execute the above functions in the license evaluation apparatus 10, for example. Or may be configured as hardware having the above functions. Such a program is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Further, when the user uses a plurality of content distribution services, for example, a plurality of the content use units 120 and copyright management units 130 may be provided for each content distribution service used by the user.

  Further, a plurality of sets of the copyright management unit 130 may be provided for each domain. That is, a plurality of copyright management units 130 are provided for each domain, such as a copyright management unit (playback module) for a playback domain, a copyright management unit (lcm module) for a checkout domain, and the plurality of copyright management units 130. However, in order to execute the function of its own domain, the license extracting unit 132, the status information extracting unit 134, the conditional expression judging unit 140, the status information updating unit 144, and the like may be provided.

<Content>
Next, the content C according to the present embodiment will be described based on FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the content C used in the license evaluation device 10 according to the present embodiment. Here, an example of movie content will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, one movie file C is included in one content file 210. This movie content C includes, for example, a video track (Video Track) 230, an audio track (Audio Track) 232, , Subtitle track (Subtitle Track) 234, and security information 240, 242, 244 corresponding to each track 230, 232, 234.

  Each of the above-mentioned tracks included in the movie content C is a component of the content and is data representing the actual content. The number of tracks constituting one content differs for each content. In the example of FIG. 4, the number of tracks is composed of three tracks 230, 232, and 234. Among these, the video track 230 includes video data that is moving image data corresponding to a video of a movie. The audio track 232 includes audio data corresponding to movie audio. The caption track 234 includes movie caption data. Each of these tracks 230, 232, and 234 is encrypted with a track key 250 included in the corresponding security information 240, 242, and 244, respectively.

  The content C may be composed of only one of the video track 230, the audio track 232, and the subtitle track 234. In addition to the above, other tracks (still image track, music-related character information track, etc.) May be included.

  The security information 240, 242, 244 is information (SINF: Security Information) for managing the copyright of the content, and is added to each track by the content distribution server 20, for example. In the example of FIG. 4, three pieces of security information 240, 242, and 244 are added to three tracks 230, 232, and 234 in one movie content C, respectively. In this embodiment, security information is provided in units of tracks as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, when license management for each track is not performed, the security information is provided in units of content C. It may be provided.

  The security information 240, 242, 244 includes, for example, an encrypted track key 250, attribute information 260, and a signature 270.

  The track key 250 is a key for decrypting (decrypting) each encrypted track. The track key 250 of the security information 240 is a key for decrypting the video track 230, the track key 250 of the security information 242 is a key for decrypting the audio track 232, and the track key 250 of the security information 244 is , A key for decrypting the caption track 234. Such a track key 250 itself is also encrypted with a license key. Therefore, without the proper license L, the track key 250 cannot be decrypted, and as a result, the content data of the track cannot be decrypted and reproduced.

  The attribute information (Attribute) 260 is information indicating the attribute of the content C, and includes, for example, an attribute code (variable name), which will be described later, and a content attribute ID (variable). This content attribute ID includes the above-described status ID. The attributes of the content C include not only properties and characteristics (eg, status, file, track, etc.) in terms of copyright management of the content C, but also properties and characteristics (eg, content supervision, starring) in the content side of the content C. Actors). In the present embodiment, the attribute information 260 is determined for each track constituting the content and represents the attribute of each track constituting the content C, for example. For this reason, even in the same movie content C, the attribute information 260 corresponding to different tracks may be different information. The attribute information 260 added to the content C in this way is used for matching the content C and the license L.

  The signature 270 is a digital signature added by the license evaluation device 10 or the content distribution server 20 connected to the license evaluation device 10 via the network 5 and has a function of preventing falsification of the entire security information. The signature 270 includes, for example, a certificate for verifying the validity of the digital signature.

  Next, the attribute information 260 of the content C according to the present embodiment will be described in detail based on FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a configuration example of the attribute information 260 of the content C according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the attribute information 260 is composed of a combination of an attribute code (variable name) 280 and a content attribute ID (variable) 290 corresponding to the attribute code.

  The attribute code 280 is an identification code for identifying the type of content attribute, and corresponds to a variable name of a variable used in the license L or status information S. This attribute code 280 is a code defined in common for each type of content attribute in the copyright management system, for example, regardless of the difference in content to which the attribute information 260 is added. This attribute code is composed of a 4-digit character string such as “A000”. In the present embodiment, for example, 1000 attribute codes from “A000” to “A999” can be set, and thereby 1000 types of attributes can be defined.

  In the present embodiment, four characters “Four Character Code” are described as a variable name for variables representing use conditions and use states. Examples of the 4-character variable names include “A000” to “A999”, “umcc”, “uref”, and the like described later.

  The content attribute ID 290 is an ID for specifying a content attribute, and corresponds to a variable used in the license L or status information S. This content attribute ID 290 is composed of a unique character string (a 14-digit character string in the example of FIG. 5) for each content attribute, and uniquely identifies the attribute of the content to which the content attribute ID 290 is added. In the content attribute ID 290, a plurality of types are set for each content attribute type (the attribute code). Hereinafter, each content attribute ID will be described.

(Status ID)
The content attribute ID whose attribute code is “A000” is the status ID. This status ID is an ID that is uniquely assigned in units of licenses L (that is, status information S units), and the range of content C or track to which the licenses L are applied can be specified by this status ID. The content or track to which the license L is applied is a set of data that is meaningful as a copyright management target using the license L. By adding this status ID to the content C, the license L and the status information S for copyright management of the content C can be specified.

  Here, the administrator (service provider) who manages the content can freely set the content C or the range of the track to which the same status ID is added, and thereby the content C by one license L and one status information S. Alternatively, the track management range can be freely determined in various forms.

  For example, a status ID may be added in units of individual contents C or in units of individual tracks. Thereby, each content C or track can be individually managed with one license L and one status information S. Further, a status ID may be added in units of a plurality of contents C or in units of a plurality of tracks. Thereby, a plurality of contents C or tracks can be managed together with one license L and one status information S. Specifically, the same status ID may be added to a plurality of contents C1, C2, C3,... Having a predetermined relationship (for example, the same movie series). In this case, the same license L and status information S are applied to a plurality of related contents (content groups).

(Track ID)
The content attribute ID whose attribute code is “A001”, for example, is a track ID. This track ID is an ID uniquely assigned to each track T constituting the content. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, different track IDs are assigned to the video track 230 and the audio track 232. By adding such a track ID to the content C, the track of the content C distributed in the system can be identified. In the present embodiment, since the security information and the track are set on a one-to-one basis, the security information added to the content C can be identified by the track ID.

(File ID)
The content attribute ID whose attribute code is “A029” is a file ID, for example. This track ID is an ID uniquely assigned to each content file including one or more contents. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, one file ID is assigned to the content file 210 including one movie content C. By adding such a file ID to the content C, a content file distributed in the system can be identified.

(Group ID)
Eight content attribute IDs having attribute codes “A257” to “A264” are group IDs, for example. This group ID is an ID uniquely assigned in common attribute units that are attributes common to a plurality of contents C. A plurality of types of group IDs are set corresponding to a plurality of types of common attributes. The common attribute represented by the group ID can be freely set by an administrator (service provider) such as the content distribution server 20. Specific examples of the common attribute include, for example, the service provider of the content provider, the leading actor and actress of the content supervision content, the content genre and the creation location.

  When the license evaluation apparatus 10 reproduces such content C, first, security information 240, 242, 244 corresponding to the tracks 240, 242, 244 of the designated movie content C is read and from the attribute information 260 therein. The status ID is extracted. Next, the reproduction condition is interpreted with reference to the license L associated with the status ID, and the status information S is also referred to as necessary to evaluate whether the content satisfies the reproduction condition of the license L. If the reproduction of the content C is permitted as a result of the evaluation of the license L, the content data of the designated tracks 240, 242, 244 is decrypted by the track key 250 in the security information 240, 242, 244, and the content C is played back.

<License>
Next, the configuration of the license L according to the present embodiment will be described based on FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the license L in the present embodiment.

  When the user tries to use the content C by using the license evaluation device 10, in addition to the content C described above, the user must acquire a license L from the license providing server 25 in advance.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the license L includes, for example, the header 192, version 310, profile 312, creation date 314, expiration date 316, usage condition information UR (Usage Rule), and usage condition information. An electronic signature 318, an electronic signature 320, and a certificate 322 are included.

  The status ID in the header 192 associates each content C, license L, and status information S as described above. Therefore, the license extracting unit 132 compares the status ID read from the content C with the status ID described in the header of the license L in the license database 114, thereby obtaining the content C corresponding to the content C to be used. Can be extracted.

  The version 310 represents the version of the license L, and the major version and the minor version are sequentially arranged and described. The profile 312 is information defining restrictions on the description method of the license L, and is described as an integer value. The creation date and time 314 describes the date and time when the license L was set, that is, the creation date and time of the license L.

  The expiration date 316 indicates the expiration date of the license L, and usually describes the year, month, day, and time in the Western calendar. When the expiration date is unlimited, a symbol to that effect is attached or the expiration date is set to 23:59:59 on December 31, 9999.

  In the use condition information UR, a conditional expression that defines a use condition for using the content C based on the license L is described. This usage condition includes, for example, for each status ID, the reproducible time of the content C, the reproduction valid period, the reproducible number of times, the possible number of copies, the possible number of checkouts, the recordability to the storage medium, the transfer of the license L and the copy This includes whether or not it is possible and how many times it is possible and whether or not status information S is updated. Further, as described above, the use condition information UR includes variable attribute information (initial values of variables, domain designation information, etc.) that define variables that constitute the conditional expression. The variable attribute information also includes various constants used in the conditional expressions, leaf IDs uniquely assigned to the license evaluation apparatus 10 or user units, and the like. Details of the use condition information UR will be described later.

  The electronic signature 318 of the use condition information is an electronic signature corresponding to the use condition information UR and has a function of preventing falsification of the use condition information UR. The electronic signature 318 includes, for example, a certificate for verifying the validity of the electronic signature 318.

  The electronic signature 320 is an electronic signature corresponding to the entire license L, and prevents falsification of the license L. The certificate 322 is a certificate including the public key of the license providing server 25.

<Domain>
Next, the domain according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  As described above, the domain is a classification (category) of functions used by the content in the license evaluation apparatus 10. In this embodiment, for example, the following domains are set.

(Drm domain; copyright management domain)
The drm domain is a category representing all usage modes. The function of the drm domain corresponds to the entire copyright management unit 130 (DRM module) described above. The drm domain handles variables that specify a user (such as the leaf ID) that uses the content.

(Renderer domain; regeneration domain)
The renderer domain is a category of usage patterns related to content reproduction, display, and the like. The renderer domain corresponds to a playback module, and handles variables such as the number of playbacks possible and the playback possible period.

(Lcm domain; checkout domain)
The lcm domain is a category of usage related to content check-out / check-in (transmission / reception) and the like for other license evaluation apparatuses 10 such as PD. This lcm domain handles variables such as “umcc” checkout counts (Check Out Count).

(Export domain; license transfer domain)
The export domain is a category of usage patterns related to the transfer (export) of the license L between the license evaluation apparatuses 10 in the home network, for example. The export domain handles variables such as “umxc” export count (Export Count).

(Divide domain; split domain)
The divide domain is a usage pattern category related to content division.

(Ripper domain; ripping domain)
The ripper domain is a category of usage related to reading (ripping) of content from a storage medium such as a CD.

(Burner domain; burner domain)
The burner domain is a category of usage related to recording of content on a storage medium such as a CD-R.

  As described above, by dividing the functions related to the use of the content C and the processing of the license L for each domain, the processing efficiency of the copyright management processing can be improved and the processing content can be clarified. In addition, the content distribution system 100 can easily add or change the use processing function of the content C or the processing function of the license L.

<Status information>
Next, the configuration of the status information S according to the present embodiment will be described based on FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the status information S according to the present embodiment.

  The status information S is information indicating the usage state of the content C based on the license L. However, the license L defines a fixed use condition, whereas the status information S is updated in accordance with the use of the content C. Then, when the content C is used next time, the updated usage state is referred to, and by comparing with the license L again, whether or not the content C can be used is determined.

  This status information S is generated for each license L in each license evaluation device 10. Accordingly, different status information S is generated if the license evaluation apparatus 10 is different, and different status information S is generated if the license L is different. Therefore, when one license evaluation apparatus 10 acquires a plurality of licenses L and uses the content C, status information S corresponding to each license L is generated. FIG. 7 shows one status information S corresponding to a certain license L among the plurality of status information S stored in the status information database 116 of the license evaluation device 10.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the status information S is divided into a plurality of areas for each domain. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 7, the status information S is divided into domain areas such as a drm domain area 410, an lcm domain area 420, a renderer domain area 430, and an export domain area 440, for example. . Further, each of the domain areas 410 to 420 has, for example, fixed value areas 412, 422, 432, and 442 (areas indicated by (r) in FIG. 7) that store variables that are fixed values (constants) and variable values. It is divided into variable value areas 414, 424, 434, and 444 (areas indicated by (rw) in FIG. 7) for storing a certain variable.

  Specifically, the variable “uref” is stored in the fixed value area 412 of the drm domain area 410. This variable “uref” is a terminal ID (leaf ID) that is securely managed by the copyright management unit 120, and is a fixed value. On the other hand, the variable “ultc” and the variable “usst” are stored in the variable value area 414 of the drm domain area 410. The variable “ultc” represents the date and time when the license evaluation apparatus 10 last accessed the servers 20 and 25 (including both the charter and the time; the same applies hereinafter), and is a variable value. The variable “usst” represents the date and time when the copyright management unit 130 is activated, and is a variable value.

  Also, a variable “uefu” is stored in the fixed value area 422 of the lcm domain area 420. This variable “uefu”, when used in the lcm domain, represents the date and time when the content C is first checked out, and is a fixed value. On the other hand, the variable “umcc” is stored in the variable value region 424 of the lcm domain region 420. This variable “umcc” is a checkout count, which represents the number of times the license evaluation device 10 has checked out content in the past, and is a variable value.

  In the fixed value area 432 of the renderer domain area 430, a variable “uefu” and a variable “umdp” are stored. This variable “uefu”, when used in the renderer domain, represents the date and time when the content C is first reproduced, and is a fixed value. The variable “umdp” represents a reproducible time limit (end date and time of the reproducible period), and is a fixed value. On the other hand, the variable “umpc” is stored in the variable value area 434 of the renderer domain area 430. This variable “umpc” is a play count, which represents the number of times the license evaluation apparatus 10 has played back content in the past, and is a variable value.

  Further, the variable “uefu” is stored in the fixed value area 442 of the export domain area 440. This variable “uefu”, when used in the export domain, represents the date and time when the license L is first transferred (exported), and is a fixed value. On the other hand, the variable “umxc” and the variable “umcc” are stored in the variable value area 444 of the export domain area 440. This variable “umxc” is an export count and represents the number of times the license evaluation apparatus 10 has transferred the license L in the past, and is a variable value. When used in the export domain, the variable “umcc” represents the number of times the license evaluation device 10 to which the license L is transferred has checked out the content in the past, and is a variable value.

  As described above, in the status information S, various variables are stored by being divided into variable values and fixed values in each corresponding domain region. By dividing the status information S into domains for each domain in this manner, when processing the domain and updating the status information S, the entire status information S is not locked, but only the corresponding domain area is locked. You can update the variables. For example, when the lcm module performs a checkout process belonging to the lcm domain, only the lcm domain area 420 of the status information S is locked and the variable “umcc” is increased by one. By doing so, the processing of a plurality of domains can be executed in parallel, so that the processing efficiency is improved.

  Furthermore, even within the same domain area, by dividing the fixed value areas 412, 422, 432, 442 and the variable value areas 414, 424, 434, 444, the variable value areas 414, 424, 434, when updating the variables Only 444 needs to be locked. This is because the variables to be updated are limited to variables that take variable values. However, even if a variable has a fixed value, the fixed value areas 412, 422, 432, and 442 may be locked when newly registering in the status information S.

  The variables stored in the status information S are not limited to the above example, and various variables described later can be stored. Further, when the variable relating to the use state is in the license L and not in the status information S, the variable is newly added to the status information S by the variable setting unit 134. In the above, the storage area in the file of one status information S is divided into areas, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and one status information S is divided into files for each domain, and the variable of each domain It is also possible to manage files by classifying them.

<License usage condition information>
Next, the use condition information UR for the license L will be described in detail.

  First, a description rule example of the use condition information UR of the license L according to the present embodiment will be described based on FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a description rule of the use condition information UR of the license L according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, one use condition information UR (Usage Rule) defines a domain to which it is applied by domain_id described at the head. Furthermore, various rules are defined in the subsequent “'{'...}”, And within that frame, there are three sections: a rule section, a definition section (definition section), and an overhead part section (overhead part section). Is defined.

  The rule section can describe a plurality of conditional expressions (domain_rule) within the frame. The definition section is described after the rule section and defines a variable. Here, a part of the variable attribute information is described. The overhead part section section follows the definition section and describes the unique rules for each domain.

  Domain_id is a name indicating a domain, and is a character string such as “drm”, “renderer”, “lcm”, “divid”, “export”, “ripper”, “burner”, and the like.

  The conditional expression described in the rule section is obtained by performing a comparison operation on the variable name (Four Character Code (4CC)) for referring to the usage conditions and usage state variables and constants of each domain. .

  Available operators include, for example, “!” As a unary operator, “=”, “<”, “>”, “<=”, “> =”, “in”, “and” as binary operators. ”,“ Or ”, etc. The operation priority of the binary operator is higher for the operator in front in the above order. All operators are left associative.

  The definition section is a part for defining various variables, and defines specific values for the variables in the format of “variable name (4CC) = value;”.

  A specific example of the description of the use condition information UR described based on the basic description rule of the use condition information UR as described above will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14 are explanatory diagrams showing specific description examples of the use condition information UR according to the present embodiment.

  First, in the description example of the use condition information UR shown in FIG. 9, use conditions are described for the drm domain, the lcm domain, and the export domain.

  First, “'ivar.com.rref' = 'gvar.sys.uref'" is described as a conditional expression of the drm domain. A variable “ivar.com.rref” is assigned a predetermined value “/ 07ff000000000001”, which is the ID of a terminal permitted to be used by the license based on the description in the definition section. The variable “rref” represents a terminal ID (leaf ID) that can use the license L and represents the above-described leaf ID, and the variable “uref” is a terminal ID held by the D copyright management unit 130 of the license evaluation device 10. (Leaf ID). This conditional expression stipulates that the use condition of the drm domain is satisfied if the terminal ID of the license evaluation device 10 is “/ 07ff000000000001”.

  Here, the copyright management unit 130 reads the terminal ID “uref” managed in the status information S, for example, and the conditional expression determination unit 140 determines whether the values match with the conditional expression determination unit 140. If they match, the judgment of the conditional expression of the drm domain is terminated, and the conditional expression judgment of another domain is started. As described above, the license evaluation device 10 sequentially reads the conditional expressions from the use condition information UR of the license L, and evaluates the conditional expressions in the order of reading.

  Also, “'gvar.sys.umcc' <= 'ivar.com.recc'" is described as a conditional expression for the lcm domain. “Gvar.sys.umcc” is the number of checkouts already performed, and is described in the lcm domain area 420 of the status information S. “Ivar.com.recc” is the number of times that the checkout is possible, and is defined as “3” times in the definition section of the use condition information UR. Therefore, this conditional expression stipulates that the use condition of the lcm domain is satisfied if the number of checkouts is 3 or less.

  Furthermore, “'gvar.exp.uefu' + 'ivar.expt.rxp1'> = 'gvar.sys.ucdt'" is described as a conditional expression for the export domain. “Gvar.expt.uefu” represents the date and time when the license L was first transferred (exported), and is stored in the fixed value area 442 of the export domain area 440 of the status information S. “Ivar.exp.rxp1” represents a transferable period, and is defined as “$ 0000/00/7/00: 00: 00 (7 days)” in the definition section of the use condition information UR. “Gvar.sys.ucdt” is the current time, and the accurate current time is acquired from the reliable timing device included in the license evaluation device 10. Therefore, this conditional expression stipulates that the use condition of the export domain is satisfied within 7 days after the license L is first transferred to another license evaluation apparatus 10.

  The use conditions of the use condition information UR shown in FIG. 9 have been described above. By the way, the use condition information UR in FIG. 9 includes the variable attribute information for defining various variables constituting the conditional expression. Examples of the variable attribute information are as follows: (1) initial value of variable, (2) information indicating whether variable is variable value or fixed value, (3) variable type information, (4) variable The global / local designation information and (5) variable domain designation information will be described.

(1. Initial values of variables)
In the use condition information UR of FIG. 9, initial values of variables that take variable values are defined. For example, "'gvar.sys.umcc' = 0" is described in the definition section of the lcm domain. Thus, the initial value of the variable “umcc” indicating the number of checkouts is defined as “0”. As another example, “'gvar.expt. Uefu' = in_system” is defined in the export domain definition section. This is defined so that the initial value of the variable “uefu” indicating the date and time when the license L is first transferred is set to “in_system”, that is, the date and time when the license evaluation device 10 first transfers the license L.

  Thus, even if a new variable is added to the use condition information UR by explicitly specifying the initial value of the variable, the variable setting unit 138 of the license evaluation device 10 describes the use condition information UR. Since the initial value of the new variable can be set as the initial value of the new variable, it is not necessary to change the design of the apparatus or program of the copyright management unit 130 and set the initial value of the new variable roughly.

(2. Information indicating whether the variable is variable or fixed)
In the use condition information UR in FIG. 9, “(r)” and “(rw)” are described in association with each variable as information indicating whether the variable is a variable value or a fixed value. . For example, in the definition section of the lcm domain, “'gvar.sys.umcc' = 0; (rw)” is described, and the variable “umcc” is a value to be read and written, that is, , Variable values (variables). Also, “'ivar.com.recc' = 0; (r)” is described, and it is defined that the variable “recc” is a read-only value, that is, a fixed value (constant). Yes.

  Thus, by describing whether the variable is a variable value or a fixed value in the use condition information UR, a new variable can be suitably set and registered in the status information S.

(3. Variable type information)
In the use condition information UR in FIG. 9, information indicating the type of the variable is described in association with each variable. For example, in the definition section of the drm domain, “'gvar.sys.uref' = im_system; (r) unsigned long” is described, the type of the variable “uref” is “unsigned long”, and the variable “ It is defined that “uref” is, for example, a positive integer of 8 bytes (long). In the definition section of the lcm domain, “'gvar.sys.umcc' = 0; (rw) unsigned char” is described, the type of the variable “umcc” is “unsigned char”, and the variable “ It is defined that “umcc” is, for example, a positive integer of 2 bytes (char). In the definition section of the export domain, “'gvar.expt.uefu' = in_system; (rw) time_t” is described, and the type of the variable “uefu” is “time_t”, and the variable “uefu” Is, for example, date / time information (time_t). Although not shown in FIG. 9, in order to define that the variable is, for example, a 4-byte (int) positive integer (unsigned), “unsigned int” is described after designation of the initial value of the variable. Also good.

  By defining the variable type in this way, the license evaluation apparatus 10 can determine the range of values that the variable can take, the nature of the variable, the capacity required to store the variable in the status information S (data size of the variable), Understand the storage method of variables, and set and register variables appropriately.

(4. Variable global / local specification information)
In the use condition information UR in FIG. 9, information specifying whether the variable is a global variable or a local variable is described in association with each variable. The global variable is a variable commonly used for a plurality of contents C. On the other hand, the local variable is a variable used only for one specific content C.

  For example, in the rule section and the definition section of the drm domain, the variable “uref” is described as “'gvar.sys.uref'”. It is defined to be a global variable. Also, “'gvar.sys.umcc'” is described in the rule section and definition section of the lcm domain, and the variable “umcc” is a global variable according to the global designation information “gvar.” As described above. Is defined.

  By designating whether the variable is a local variable or a global variable in this way, when one license L is valid for a plurality of contents C, the status information S can be made one.

  For example, it is assumed that the contents C1 to C5 are valid for a certain license L1, and the license L is a license L that is valid for three days from the first use. In this case, in order to store a variable representing the first use date and time in the status information S regardless of which of the contents C1 to 5, the variable must be valid for all of the contents C1 to C5. . For example, when using only local variables as in the prior art, it was difficult to make such a setting. However, by specifying the variables globally as described above, the use date and time spanning a plurality of contents C is used. Can be set. As described above, if the variable representing the first use date and time is globally designated, the first use date and time of the variable is set regardless of which of the contents C1 to C5 is used. On the other hand, when a variable representing the first use date / time is locally specified for a certain content C1, the first use date / time of the variable is not set even if the content C2-5 other than the locally specified content C1 is used. .

(5) Variable Domain Specification Information In the use condition information UR in FIG. 9, variable domain specification information is described in association with variables. This domain designation information is information that designates a domain that uses a variable (a domain in which the variable is valid), and is referred to when the domain identification unit 142 identifies the domain of the variable.

  For example, "'gvar.exp.uefu'" and "'ivar.exp.rxp1'" are described in the rule section and definition section of the export domain. Among these, “exp.” Is domain designation information for designating the export domain, and defines that the variables “uefu” and “rxp1” are variables used in the export domain. In this way, by describing the domain designation information “expt.” Etc. at the head of the variables “uefu” and “rxp1” that may be used in a plurality of domains, the domain using these variables is changed. Can be specified explicitly.

  Although not shown in FIG. 9, the domain designation information “rend.” For designating the renderer domain, the domain designation information “lcm.” For designating the lcm domain, and the like are described at the beginning of the variable, so that other domains can be specified. It is also possible to specify.

  As described above, the variable attribute information is described in the use condition information UR of the license L according to the present embodiment. The variable attribute information is a list that is simply referred to in the processing by the copyright management unit 130 (DRM module), and the variable attribute information itself does not function as a program. Therefore, even if the variable attribute information is added to the existing use condition information UR, this does not change the DRM module program itself that constitutes the copyright management unit 130, so there is no inconvenience. Therefore, the license evaluation device 10 can suitably cope with the new variable in the use condition information UR without requiring any device or software change.

  The description example of the use condition information UR has been described above in detail with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, another description example of the use condition information UR will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, a description example of the use condition information UR in FIG. 10 will be described. In the description example of the use condition information UR shown in FIG. 10, the use condition is described for the renderer domain.

  Specifically, the conditional expression of the renderer domain is “'gvar.rend.uefu' + 'ivar.rend.rxp1'> = 'gvar.sys.ucdt'". “’ Ivar.rend.rxp1 ′ ”is a variable indicating a reproducible period, and is defined as“ 7 ”days in the definition section.

  In this use condition information UR, the date and time when the content C was first reproduced is read in the variable “’ gvar.rend.uefu ′ ”, but this value itself is stored in the status information S. The conditional expression determination unit 140 adds the license period “'ivar.end.rxp1 ′” to the time “′ gvar.rend.uefu” ”when the content is first used, and the result is a variable“ ′ ”indicating the current time. It is determined whether or not it is after “gvar.sys.ucdt ′”.

  In the use condition information UR, the variables “rxp1” and “uefu” are designated as variables used in the renderer domain by the domain designation information “rend.”, And the date and time are designated by the variable type information “time_t”. It is defined to be a variable to represent. The variable “uefu” is defined as a global variable by “gvar.” And defined as a variable value by “(rw)”.

  Next, a description example of the use condition information UR in FIG. 11 will be described. In the description example of the use condition information UR shown in FIG. 11, the use conditions are described for the renderer domain.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the conditional expression of the renderer domain is “('ivar.rend.resp' <= 'gvar.sys.ucdt') and ('gvar.sys.ucdt' <= 'ivar.rend.rep. ')'. The variable “'ivar.rend.resp'” and the biased “'ivar.rend.reep'” are variables representing the playback start time limit and playback end time limit of the content, respectively, and are fixed values (constants) by (r). And their initial values are specified in the definition section as “2003/03/01/00: 00: 00” and “2003/10/01/00: 00: 00”, respectively. ing. The variable “’ gvar.sys.ucdt ′ ”is a variable representing the current time. In this use condition information UR, it is evaluated whether or not the current time is after the reproduction start deadline and before the reproduction end deadline.

  In such use condition information UR, the variables “resp” and “reep” are designated as variables used in the renderer domain by the domain designation information “rend.” And are fixed values by “(r)”. Is defined, and the variable type information “time_t” defines that the variable represents a date and time.

  Next, a description example of the use condition information UR in FIG. 12 will be described. In the description example of the use condition information UR shown in FIG. 12, the use condition is described for the drm domain, and the presence / absence of a content viewing license is evaluated as the use condition in the drm domain.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the conditional expression of the renderer domain is “’ ivar.attr.A256 ′ = ’ivar.com.X001 ′”. The variable “’ ivar.com.X001 ′ ”is the value of Preview used in this license L, and this value is specified as“ / 0000000000000001 ”in the definition section. The variable “’ ivar.attr.A256 ′ ”represents the value of the attribute code (variable name) A256 in the attribute information in the security information of the content C corresponding to the license L.

  When evaluating based on the use condition information UR, the conditional expression determination unit 140 reads the value of A256 in the attribute information of the content C into the variable “'ivar.attr.A256 ′” and sets the variable “′ ivar. com.X001 ′ ”, the license L is confirmed.

  In the use condition information UR, the variable “X001” is defined as a fixed value by “(r)”, and is defined as a positive integer of, for example, 8 bytes by the variable type information “unsigned long”. Has been.

  Next, a description example of the use condition information UR in FIG. 13 will be described. In the description example of the use condition information UR shown in FIG. 13, the use condition is described for the renderer domain, and whether or not the license providing server 25 is regularly updated is evaluated as the use condition.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the conditional expression of the renderer domain is “'gvar.sys.ultc' + 'ivar.rend.rtci'> '' gvar.sys.trtm '". In this conditional expression, the variable “’ gvar.sys.ultc ′ ”is a variable representing the time when the server 25 was last accessed. The variable “'ivar.rend.rtci'” is a variable representing a minimum access period that is a time interval to be periodically connected to the server 25, and this value is designated as “1” minutes in the definition section. Yes. "'Gvar.sys.trtm'" is a variable representing the current time.

  When evaluating based on the use condition information UR, the conditional expression determination unit 140 stores the license providing server stored in the status information S associated with the license L in the variable “'gvar.sys.ultc'”. 25, the date and time of the last connection are substituted, and the minimum access period “ivar.end.rtci” is added to this value, and whether or not the result is after the current time “'gvar.sys.trtm'”. If it is judged and this conditional expression is satisfied, the reproduction of the content is permitted.

  In such use condition information UR, the variable “rtcl” is designated as a variable used in the renderer domain by the domain designation information “rend.”, And defined as a fixed value by “(r)”. The variable type information “time_t” defines that the variable represents a date and time.

  Next, a description example of the use condition information UR in FIG. 14 will be described. In the description example of the usage condition information UR shown in FIG. 14, the usage conditions are described for the renderer domain, and whether or not the time information (Trusted Time) is updated by connecting to the license providing server 25 is used. It is evaluated as.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the conditional expression of the renderer domain is “′ gvar.sys.ultc’> ’gvar.sys.usst ′”. In this conditional expression, the variable “’ gvar.sys.ultc ′ ”is a variable representing the time when the server 25 was last accessed. The variable “′ gvar.sys.usst” is a variable representing the date and time when the application including the copyright management unit 130 (DRM module) is activated in the license evaluation device 10.

  When evaluating based on the use condition information UR, the conditional expression determination unit 140 stores the time “'gvar.sys” last accessed to the license providing server 25 stored in the status information S associated with the license L. .Ulc '"and the application start date and time"' gvar.sys.usst '"are compared to determine whether or not the license providing server 25 is accessed after the application start time. If the expression is satisfied, playback of the content is permitted.

  In such use condition information UR, variables “ultc” and “usst” are defined as variable values by “(rw)” in the definition section, and are variables representing date and time by variable type information “time_t”. It is defined.

  Next, a description example of a variable designation method in the use condition information UR according to the modified example of the present embodiment will be described based on FIG. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a description example of a variable designation method in the use condition information UR according to the modification of the present embodiment.

  First, a description example of FIG. As shown in FIG. 15A, the use condition information UR describes, for example, “umcc: lcm: global (r)”. Among these, “lcm:” is the above-mentioned domain designation information, and designates that “umcc” is a variable used in the renderer domain. “Global” is the global / local designation information, and defines that “umcc” is a global variable. Further, “(r)” is information indicating whether the value is a variable value or a fixed value, and defines that “umcc” is a fixed value in the drm domain.

  In the definition section of the lcm domain, “umcc = 0: type = CHANGE” is described. Among these, “umcc = 0” is information indicating the initial value of the variable, and indicates that the initial value of the variable “umcc” in the lcm domain is zero. “Type = CHANGE” is information indicating whether the value is a variable value or a fixed value, and defines that the variable “umcc” in the lcm domain is a variable value.

  In the description example of FIG. 15A, variables “umcc” described in the same notation are defined in the drm, lcm, and divide domains, respectively. In such a case, the domain of the variable “umcc” is designated by the domain designation information (such as “umcc: lcm” above) indicating in which domain the variable “umcc” is valid. When the variable “umcc” is updated, the domain area to be updated can be determined.

  Next, a description example of FIG. 15B will be described. As shown in FIG. 15B, “umcc: INCREMENTAL COUNTER: default = 0” is described. Among them, “INCREMENTAL COUNTER” corresponds to the type information of the variable and information indicating whether the value is variable or fixed, and defines that the type of the variable “umcc” is a simply increasing counter variable. The variable “umcc” is defined as a variable value. “Default = 0” is information indicating the initial value of the variable, and indicates that the initial value of the variable “umcc” is “0”.

  In addition, “uefu: UNCHANGED DATE: default = first playback date and time” is described. Among these, “UNCHANGED DATE” corresponds to the type information of the variable and information indicating the variable value or the fixed value, and defines that the type of the variable “uefu” is date / time information and the variable “uefu”. "Is a fixed value. “Default = first playback date / time” is information indicating the initial value of the variable, and the initial value of the variable “uefu” is “first playback date / time” stored in the status information S. Yes.

  As described above, based on FIGS. 15A and 15B, the modification example of the variable attribute designation method (definition method) in the use condition information UR has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above example. The variable attribute information as described above can be described in the use condition information UR by various description methods to specify the attribute of the variable.

<License evaluation method>
Next, a method for evaluating the license L by the license evaluation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a license evaluation method according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 16, first, in step S102, the license evaluation apparatus 10 accepts a content use request (step S102). For example, when the user of the license evaluation apparatus 10 desires to use the content C, the user of the license evaluation device 10 operates the input unit 102 to make a use request for the content C. This use request is made, for example, by selecting the desired content C on the GUI screen or the like and making an input instructing the use details. The license evaluation device 10 accepts the use request from the user and interprets the content. Note that the license evaluation device 10 may automatically generate a use request based on preset conditions.

  Next, in step S104, the content selection unit 122 of the content use unit 120 of the license evaluation device 10 selects the content C desired for use based on the use request (step S104). The content selection unit 122 outputs information specifying the selected content C to the license extraction unit 132 and the status information extraction unit 134 of the copyright management unit 130.

  In step S106, the license extraction unit 132 of the copyright management unit 130 determines whether or not the license L corresponding to the selected content C exists in the license database 114 (step S106). Specifically, the license extraction unit 132 reads the status ID added to the selected content C to be used, searches the license database 114 based on the status ID, and licenses corresponding to the content C It is determined whether L (that is, the license L to which the status ID is added) exists in the license database 114.

  If the result of this determination is that there is no corresponding license L, there is no authority to use the content C to be used, so that the use of the content C is not permitted in step S118, and all processing is terminated. On the other hand, if the corresponding license L exists, the process proceeds to step S108.

  Thereafter, in step S108, the license extraction unit 132 extracts the license L corresponding to the selected content to be used from the license database 114 (step S108). The license L is extracted based on the status ID as described above.

  Next, in step S110, a new variable included in the license L is set. (Step S110). Specifically, the variable analysis unit 136 analyzes the extracted license L, and determines whether or not a new variable not set in the license evaluation apparatus 10 exists in the license L. If there is a new variable as a result of this determination, the variable setting unit 138 sets a new variable based on the variable attribute information. Details of the new variable setting process will be described later.

  Further, in step S112, the status information extraction unit 134 extracts the status information S corresponding to the content C to be used and the extracted license L from the status information database 116 (step S112). The license extraction unit 132 checks whether or not the extracted license L has a variable related to the usage state. If there is a variable related to the usage state, the license extraction unit 132 adds the variable to the status information extraction unit 134 to the content C to be used. The status ID corresponding to the content C and the extracted license L is instructed to be extracted.

  The status information extraction unit 134 searches the status information database 116 based on the input status ID, and status information S corresponding to the content C and the license L (that is, the status information S to which the status ID is added). ) Are extracted from the status information database 116 and output to the conditional expression determination unit 140.

  On the other hand, if there is no variable related to the usage state in the license L, it is not necessary to extract the status information S, and therefore this step S112 can be omitted.

  Thereafter, in step S114, the conditional expression determination unit 140 evaluates the license L and determines whether or not the usage condition of the license L is satisfied (step S114). Specifically, the conditional expression determination unit 140 interprets a domain conditional expression corresponding to the use request content in the extracted usage condition information UR of the license L, and adds the extracted status to the conditional expression. It is determined whether or not the above conditional expression is satisfied by, for example, substituting a variable indicating the usage state of the information S.

  As a result of the determination in step S114, if it is determined that the conditional expression of the use condition information UR is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S118, and the conditional expression determination unit 140 does not permit the use of the content C to be used (step S116), all the processes are terminated. In this case, the reason for the disapproval (reason for error) may be output (displayed) to the output unit 106 to notify the user.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S114 that the conditional expression is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S116, and the conditional expression determination unit 140 permits the use of the content C to be used (step S116).

  Next, in step S120, the status information update unit 114 updates the extracted status information S (step S120). Specifically, when it is necessary to update a variable in the status information S as a result of the use permission in step S116 (for example, when the number of reproductions is increased by one), the conditional expression determination unit 140 The status information update unit 114 outputs the variable to be updated and the update contents. At this time, the domain identification unit 142 identifies the domain of the variable to be updated based on the domain designation information in the use condition information UR, and notifies the status information update unit 144 of the domain.

  Then, the status information update unit 144 sets the variable to be updated in the status information S extracted in the step according to the use contents of the content S based on the instructions of the conditional expression determination unit 140 and the domain specifying unit 142. Update. The status information S can be updated by changing the playback time or playback date and time, or by increasing the number of playbacks or the number of checkouts. Further, when the status information S is updated, the status information update unit 114 rewrites the variable after locking the domain region including the variable to be updated. The details of the status information S update process will be described later.

  Thereafter, in step S122, the content processing unit 124 performs use processing (for example, reproduction, checkout, etc.) of the content C permitted to be used (step S122). Note that after the use of the content C is completely or partially completed in step S122, the status information S update process in step S120 may be performed.

<Conditional expression judgment processing>
Next, a more detailed flow example of the conditional expression determination process (S114) in the license evaluation method of FIG. 16 described above will be described based on FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a more detailed flow of the conditional expression determination process (S114) of FIG.

  Here, a flow for confirming whether or not the content C reproduction request is within the reproduction period will be described with reference to the renderer domain conditional expression in the use condition information UR illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 17, first, in step S202, the conditional expression determination unit 140 determines the conditional expression “'gvar.rend.uefu' + 'ivar.rend.rxp1'> = 'gvar from the use condition information UR of the license L. .Sys.ucdt '"is read and interpreted (step S202).

  Next, in step S204, the conditional expression determination unit 140 determines whether or not the playback process of the content C to be played back is the first time, that is, whether or not it is the first viewing (step S204). As a result of this determination, if it is determined that it is the first time, the process proceeds to step S206, and if it is determined that it is not the first time (that is, it has been reproduced in the past), the process proceeds to step S208.

  Next, in step S206 when it is determined that the reproduction is the first time, the variable setting unit 138 first reproduces the content C to be reproduced in the renderer domain area 430 of the status information S corresponding to the license L. A variable “gvar.rend.uefu” indicating time is created, and the first reproduction date and time of the content C, that is, the current time is written (step S206).

  On the other hand, in step S208 when it is determined that the reproduction is not the first time, the variable “gvar.rend.uefu” has already been created in the status information S, so that the status information extraction unit 134 renders the status information S. The value of the variable “gvar.rend.uefu” is read from the domain area 430 and output to the conditional expression determination unit 140. As a result, the conditional expression determination unit 140 can acquire the value of the first reproduction time “gvar.rend.uefu” (step S208).

  Next, in step S210, the conditional expression determination unit 140 sets a fixed value of the reproducible period described in the definition section of the use condition information UR of the license L as an internal variable of “ivar.end.rxp1” in the conditional expression. Substitute (step S210).

  Furthermore, in step S212, the conditional expression determination unit 140 substitutes the current date and time for another internal variable “gvar.sys.ucdt” in the conditional expression (step S212).

  Thereafter, in step S214, the conditional expression determination unit 140 evaluates the conditional expression in which the variable is substituted as described above, and determines whether or not the reproduction condition is satisfied (step S214). That is, it is determined whether or not the current date and time has reached the date and time obtained by adding the above reproducible period to the initial reproduction date and time.

  As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the conditional expression is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S216, where the conditional expression determination unit 140 creates a use permission signal and outputs it to the content processing unit 134 (step S216). As a result, the content processing unit can reproduce the content C to be reproduced.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the conditional expression is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S218, where the conditional expression determination unit 140 creates a use disapproval signal and outputs it to the content processing unit 134 (step S218). As a result, the content processing unit cannot reproduce the content C to be reproduced.

<Variable setting process>
Next, a more detailed flow example of the new variable setting process (S110) in the license evaluation method of FIG. 16 described above will be described based on FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a more detailed flow of the new variable setting process (S110) of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 18, first, in step S302, the variable analysis unit 136 analyzes the license L corresponding to the content C to be used, and includes one or more of the use condition information UR of the license L. It is determined whether there is an unset variable (new variable) to be processed for the first time in the license evaluation apparatus 10 among the variables. (Step S302). As a result of this determination, if it is determined that there is no new variable, there is no need to set a new variable, and therefore the variable analysis unit 136 outputs the license L to the conditional expression determination unit 140 and outputs all the licenses. The process ends.

  On the other hand, when determining that there is a new variable, the variable analysis unit 136 outputs to the variable setting unit 138 that the new variable exists and information for specifying the new variable, and proceeds to step S304. At this stage, the new variable is not registered in the status information S of the license evaluation apparatus 10.

  Next, in step S304, the variable setting unit 138 reads variable attribute information corresponding to the detected new variable from the use condition information UR of the license L (step S304). As described above, the use condition information UR of the license L describes variable attribute information representing the attributes of each variable constituting the conditional expression in addition to the conditional expression. This variable attribute information includes, for example, the initial value of the variable, information indicating whether the variable is a variable value or a fixed value, variable type information, global / local specification information, domain specification information for specifying the variable domain, etc. It is. The variable setting unit 138 interprets the usage condition information UR of the license L, and reads the variable attribute information corresponding to the new variable among the variable attribute information corresponding to the variables.

  In step S306, the variable setting unit 138 determines whether the new variable is a variable value or a fixed value based on information indicating whether the variable is a variable value or a fixed value among the read variable attribute information. (Step S306). For example, as shown in FIG. 9, if (r) representing a fixed value is described in association with a new variable in the use condition information UR, it can be determined that the new variable is a fixed value. . On the other hand, if (rw) indicating a variable value is described in association with a new variable, it can be determined that the new variable is a variable value.

  As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the new variable is a variable value, the process proceeds to step S310 without performing special processing.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the new variable is a fixed value, the process proceeds to step S308, and a constant declaration is made for the new variable. This constant declaration is an instruction to add a constant code to the header of the new variable when writing the new variable to the status information S. If the constant code is added in this way, when the variable is read from the status information S, it can be determined that the variable is a fixed value (constant).

  Next, in step S310, the variable setting unit 138 interprets and defines the attribute of the new variable based on the other variable attribute information (step S310). For example, the variable setting unit 138 determines, based on the variable type information, the data size (length) of the new variable, whether the new variable is a positive number or a negative number, and the possible value of the new variable. Define the range. The variable setting unit 138 defines whether the new variable is a global variable or a local variable based on the global / local designation information information. Further, the variable setting unit 138 can specify a domain in which the new variable is used based on the domain information information. Thus, by defining a new variable, when writing the new variable to the status information S, it is possible to determine in what format (address, size, presence / absence of code, etc.) the new variable is written.

  In step S312, the variable setting unit 138 sets an area for writing the new variable in the specified domain area of the status information S corresponding to the license L based on the definition of the new variable (step S312). Step S312).

  Thereafter, in step S314, the variable setting unit 138 determines whether or not the initial value of the new variable is described in the use condition information UR of the license L. (Step S314).

  If it is determined in step S314 that the initial value of the new variable is described, the process proceeds to step S316, and the initial value described in the use condition information UR of the license L is set. , The initial value of the new variable is set (step S316).

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S314, if it is determined that the initial value of the new variable is not described, the process proceeds to step S318, and the initial value (in the DRM module of the DRM module) held by the copyright management unit 130 is determined. The value described in the program) is set as the initial value of the new variable (step S318). At this time, if the copyright management unit 130 does not have an initial value corresponding to the new variable, a predetermined default value (for example, always 0) is set as the initial value of the new variable.

  Thereafter, in step S320, the variable setting unit 138 writes the initial value of the set new variable into the specified domain area of the status information S set in step S312 and completes the registration of the new variable. (Step S320).

<Status information update processing>
Next, a more detailed flow example of the status information update process (S120) in the license evaluation method of FIG. 16 described above will be described based on FIG. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a more detailed flow of the status information update process (S120) of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 19, first, in step S402, the domain specifying unit 142 receives an update instruction for the status information S from the conditional expression determination unit 140 (step S402). As described above, when the license L is evaluated by the conditional expression determination unit 140 and it is determined that the conditional expression is satisfied, the use of the content C to be used is permitted. In this case, the conditional expression determination unit 140 instructs the domain specifying unit 142 and the status information update 144 to update the variables in the status information S according to the permitted usage content. The domain specifying unit 142 receives an update instruction for the status information S.

  Next, in step S404, the domain specifying unit 142 specifies the domain corresponding to the variable to be updated based on the domain designation information included in the use condition information UR of the license L. (Step S404). As described above, the use condition information UR describes domain designation information in association with each variable. When the domain specifying unit 142 receives the update instruction for the variable of the status information S, the domain specifying unit 142 interprets the use condition information UR and reads the domain specifying information associated with the variable to be updated. Based on this, identify the domain that uses the variable to be updated. Specifically, for example, in the case where “'gvar.rend.uefu'” is described in the use condition information UR, based on the domain designation information “rend.” Of this variable “uefu”, the variable “ The domain corresponding to “uefu” is specified as the renderer domain. The domain specifying unit 142 notifies the status information update unit 144 of the domain specified in this way.

  Further, in step S406, the status information update unit 144 determines whether or not the domain area of the status information S that should store the variable to be updated is locked (step S406). As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the domain area is locked and within, the process proceeds to step S410.

  On the other hand, when the domain area is already locked by another update process, the status information update unit 144 cannot update the variable in the domain area. For this reason, the status information update unit 144 waits for the update of the variable that has received the update instruction until the domain area is unlocked by another update process. If the lock is released as a result of this standby, the process proceeds to step S410. On the other hand, if the domain area is not unlocked after waiting for a predetermined time, it is determined that the time-out (waiting upper limit time is exceeded) (step S408), and the process ends in error.

  Next, in step S410, the status information update unit 144 locks only the domain area specified in step S404 in the status information S. (Step S410). For example, when updating the variable “'gvar.rend.uefu'”, it is sufficient to lock the renderer domain area 430 shown in FIG. 7, and the other domain areas 410, 420, 440, etc. need to be locked. There is no. In this case, the status information update unit 144 locks the renderer domain area 430 and occupies the update authority, and prevents the variables in the renderer domain area 430 from being updated by other update processes.

  Further, in step S412, the status information update unit 144 updates the variable to be updated in the locked domain area according to the content usage (step S412). For example, when the content C with a limited number of times of reproduction is reproduced, the status information update unit 144 increases the variable “umpc” representing the number of reproductions in the renderer domain area 430 by one.

  Thereafter, in step S414, the status information update unit 144 unlocks the domain area of the status information S that has been locked (step S414). As a result, the variable of the domain area can be updated by another update process.

  As described above, first, after identifying the domain of the variable to be updated, by locking only the domain area of the status information S corresponding to the identified domain, A plurality of update processes can be executed in parallel.

  Here, a specific example of such concurrent processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram for comparing and comparing the conventional status information S update process (a) and the status information S update process (b) according to the present embodiment.

  Conventionally, since the status information S is not divided into domains for each domain and the domain of the variable to be updated cannot be specified, when updating the variable of the status information S, the entire status information S is locked. There was a need to do. For this reason, it was impossible to process multiple domains simultaneously in parallel.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20 (a), when there is a request for updating a variable belonging to the lcm domain (hereinafter referred to as an lcm variable), the lcm processing unit (lcm module) receives status information. The entire S was locked and the lcm variable was updated. For this reason, even if an update request for a variable belonging to the export domain (hereinafter referred to as an export variable) is made during the update process of the lcm variable, the export processing unit (export module) starts the update process of the export variable. It was impossible to wait until the update process of the lcm variable was completed and the lock of the entire status information S was released. Then, only after the lock is released, the export processing unit locks the entire status information S again and performs the update process of the export variable.

  On the other hand, in the update process of the status information S according to the present embodiment, since each domain area of the status information S can be locked, the update process of a plurality of variables can be performed concurrently in different domains. Can be done.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20A, first, when there is an update request for the lcm variable, the lcm processing unit locks only the lcm domain region 420 in the status information S, and Update the lcm variable. If an export variable update request is made during this lcm variable update process, the export domain area 440 of the status information S is not locked, so the export processing unit immediately locks the export domain area 440 and exports. The variable update process can be executed in parallel with the lcm variable update process. That is, the export variable update process and the lcm variable update process can be performed in parallel. Accordingly, the efficiency of updating the status information S can be improved.

  The license evaluation device 10 in the content distribution system 100 according to the present embodiment and the license evaluation method in the license evaluation device 10 have been described above in detail. According to the present embodiment, in the use condition information UR of the license L, the variable domain designation information is described in association with each variable, and the status information S is divided into regions for each domain. Thereby, when updating the variables in the status information S, the domain of the variable to be updated can be specified, and the range of the status information S to be locked can be limited to the specified domain area. Therefore, since it is not necessary to lock the entire status information S, it is possible to execute the update processing of variables of different domains at the same time.

  Furthermore, in the use condition information UR, information indicating whether the variable is a variable value or a fixed value is described in association with each variable, so that when the variable of the status information S is updated, the lock is based on the information. Whether it is necessary or not can be determined. Further, by dividing the storage area of the status information S into variable value areas 414, 424, 434, 444 and fixed value areas 412, 422, 432, 442, only variables that become variable values that need to be locked at the time of updating. Can be locked.

  Further, by classifying the variables constituting the conditional expression of the use condition information UR for each domain, dependency between domains is eliminated, and modularity can be improved.

  Further, since the variable attribute information such as the initial value and type of the variable is explicitly described in the usage condition information UR of the license L, the license evaluation device 10 can use the variable attribute information extracted from the license L. Each variable can be set. Therefore, even when a new variable is newly added to the usage condition information UR of the license L, the license evaluation device 10 can flexibly use the new variable without changing the design of the license evaluation device or software. It can correspond to.

  Also, by specifying variables globally, it is possible to set a variable number across a plurality of content C licenses. For this reason, the variation of the status management of the content C by the license L can be expanded.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are of course within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  For example, the variable attribute information included in the use condition information UR of the license L is not limited to the specific example of the above embodiment, and may be any information other than the above as long as it is information necessary for defining a variable. Also good.

  In addition, the description method of the variable attribute information in the use condition information UR is not limited to the description examples illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 15, and each variable and the corresponding variable attribute information are described in association with each other. Any description method may be used as long as it is.

  Further, the domain designation information is not limited to the above description example, and any description method may be used as long as the domain of each variable can be designated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the status information S is divided into regions for each domain. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. A plurality of status information S files are created for each domain, and the status information S variable is set for each domain. It may be divided into

  The present invention is applicable to a license evaluation apparatus that evaluates a license for using content, a computer program thereof, and a license evaluation method.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a content use system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the license evaluation apparatus 10 concerning the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the relationship between status ID added to the content C concerning the embodiment, the license L, and status information S. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the content C used with the license evaluation apparatus 10 concerning the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the structural example of the attribute information 260 of the content C concerning the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structural example of the license L concerning the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structural example of the status information S concerning the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a description rule of the use condition information UR of the license L concerning the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific description example of the use condition information concerning the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific description example of the use condition information concerning the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific description example of the use condition information concerning the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific description example of the use condition information concerning the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific description example of the use condition information concerning the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific description example of the use condition information concerning the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a description of the designation | designated method of the variable in the use condition information concerning the example of a change of the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the license evaluation method concerning the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the more detailed flow of the conditional expression judgment process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the more detailed flow of the new variable setting process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the more detailed flow of the status information update process of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which compares and demonstrates the update process (a) of the conventional status information, and the update process (b) of the status information concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 License evaluation apparatus 20 Content delivery server 25 License provision server 110 Storage part 112 Content database 114 License database 116 Status information database 120 Content utilization part 122 Content selection part 124 Content processing part 130 Copyright management part 132 License extraction part 134 Status information extraction Section 136 Variable analysis section 138 Variable setting section 140 Conditional expression determination section 142 Domain identification section 144 Status information update section C Content C
L License UR Usage condition information S Status information

Claims (7)

A license evaluation device that evaluates a license to use content:
A license storage unit for storing one or more licenses including use condition information created for each domain, which is a classification of content use functions;
A status storage unit that stores status information that is created for each license and includes a variable that represents a usage state of content based on the license for each domain.
A domain specifying unit that analyzes use condition information included in the license and specifies a domain of one or more variables constituting a conditional expression of the use condition information based on domain designation information included in the use condition information When;
When the content is used based on the license, the domain area corresponding to the specified domain is locked in the status information, and the variable in the locked domain area is set according to the usage of the content. A status information update unit to be updated;
A license evaluation device comprising: The license usage condition information includes information indicating whether the variable is a variable value or a fixed value,
2. The status information update unit according to claim 1, wherein the status information update unit determines whether to lock the status information based on information indicating whether the variable is a variable value or a fixed value. License evaluation device. A license extraction unit that reads a license corresponding to the content requested to be used from the license storage unit;
A status information extraction unit that reads a domain variable corresponding to the use request out of the status information corresponding to the read license from the status information storage unit;
By substituting the variable of the read status information into the conditional expression of the usage condition information included in the read license, whether to use the content that has received the usage request is determined based on whether the conditional expression is satisfied. A disabling conditional expression determination unit;
The license evaluation device according to claim 1, further comprising: A computer program for evaluating a license to use content:
Have a computer:
The usage condition information included in the license and created for each domain that is a classification of the usage function of the content is analyzed, and the domain of one or more variables constituting the conditional expression of the usage condition information is used as the usage condition information. Domain identification processing to identify based on the domain designation information included in the;
When the content is used based on the license, the identified domain among the status information created for each license and including a variable indicating the usage state of the content based on the license for each domain. Status information update processing that locks the domain area corresponding to, and updates the variable in the locked domain area according to the usage of the content;
A computer program characterized by executing The license usage condition information includes information indicating whether the variable is a variable value or a fixed value,
5. The status information update process according to claim 4, wherein whether or not the status information is locked is determined based on information indicating whether the variable is a variable value or a fixed value. Computer program. A license extraction process for reading out a license corresponding to the content requested for use from the license storage unit;
Status information extraction processing for reading out a domain variable corresponding to the use request from the status information storage unit among the status information corresponding to the read license;
By substituting the variable of the read status information into the conditional expression of the usage condition information included in the read license, whether to use the content that has received the usage request is determined based on whether the conditional expression is satisfied. Disabling conditional expression judgment processing;
The computer program according to claim 4, further comprising: A license evaluation method for evaluating a license to use content:
The usage condition information included in the license and created for each domain that is a classification of the usage function of the content is analyzed, and the domain of one or more variables constituting the conditional expression of the usage condition information is used as the usage condition information A domain identification step for identifying based on the domain designation information contained in
When the content is used based on the license, the specified information among the status information created for each license and including a variable indicating the usage state of the content based on the license for each domain is classified. A status information update step of locking a domain area corresponding to a domain and updating a variable in the locked domain area in accordance with usage of the content;
A license evaluation method characterized by including:

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