JP2006146620A - Digital content copyright protection/quality maintenance system, and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital content copyright protection/quality maintenance system and its method capable of surely protecting copyrights of digital contents, and maintaining quality of the digital contents. <P>SOLUTION: A print identification code (ID) generation part 2507 generates a print identification code (ID) from a content identification code (ID) acquired from a computer 4 by a content identification code (ID) acquisition part 2501, an ink cartridge identification code (ID) acquired from an ink cartridge 8 by an ink cartridge identification code (ID) acquisition part 2502, a printing paper identification code (ID) acquired from a printing paper 7 by a printing paper identification code (ID) acquisition part 2504, and a printer identification code (ID) acquired from a printing part 2509 by a printer identification code (ID) acquisition part 2506; and adds the print identification code (ID) to a printed matter when the printing part 2509 prints a content. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system and method for copyrighted digital content.

Digital content such as photographic images with copyright obtained (purchased) after obtaining permission (for example, purchasing by performing a charging procedure) via the Internet or the like is authorized by the copyright holder. If there is, the user can print with a printer or the like and obtain the printed matter.
However, even if the copyright holder prohibits a plurality of prints, the user's printer can print without restriction. In addition, the printed matter itself can be easily copied with a copying machine or a scanner. As described above, there are cases where the copyright cannot be protected by copying digital content such as a photographic image having a copyright without permission or by reusing the copied digital content.

In the prior art, as a system having a function of preventing unauthorized use of content, for example, there is a collation system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-6458 (Patent Document 1).
In this collation system, when a ticket or the like is issued or sold as content via the Internet, the print data is serial No. in order to ensure the validity of the printed matter output by the user. The print data, its users, and the number of authorized users are recognized and managed by the server computer, and since the identity verification is verified when the ticket is used, it is possible to obtain a valid printed material. The issuer of the printed matter can prevent unauthorized use of the printed matter and guarantee reprinting to the user.

JP 2003-6458 A

  However, in a collation system having a function of preventing the unauthorized use of content in the past, it is possible to obtain a printed matter with validity by collating the identity certificate when using a ticket, but a photographic image, etc. As described above, there has been a problem that it is impossible to prevent unauthorized use by copying digital contents for viewing and enjoying the printed matter itself.

If digital content such as a photographic image can be printed only once, for example, the above problem can be solved, but the same digital content is purchased again each time printing is performed.
However, when a user prints purchased digital content by a general-purpose printer or the like, there are many cases where printing fails and normal quality printed matter cannot be obtained, or the printed matter changes with age or carelessness of the user. In some cases, the image quality deteriorates and the quality of the printed matter cannot be maintained.
For this reason, even when a plurality of printed materials are not required, there arises a new problem that the same digital content must be purchased again every time printing fails or deteriorates.

  The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems. For copyrighted digital contents, the copyright is protected by permitting the printing of a printed material only within a predetermined number of sheets, and it is not necessary to purchase again. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system and method capable of maintaining the quality of the printed matter.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system according to the present invention downloads digital content having a copyright via a network, stores it in a computer, a dedicated ink cartridge, and a dedicated printing sheet. A digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system that permits printing within a predetermined number of sheets by a dedicated printer using the printer, wherein the printer acquires a content identification code added to the digital content from the computer A content identification code acquisition unit, an ink cartridge identification code acquisition unit that acquires an ink cartridge identification code from the ink cartridge, an ink cartridge identification code determination unit that determines the acquired ink cartridge identification code, and printing from the printing paper A printing paper identification code acquisition unit for acquiring a paper identification code; a printer identification code for specifying the printer; a printing paper identification code determination unit for determining the acquired printing paper identification code; the content identification code; A printing identification code generating unit that generates a printing identification code from an ink cartridge identification code, the printing paper identification code, and the printer identification code; a printing unit that prints the digital content; and the generated printing identification code And a print identification code output unit for outputting to a print information storage unit of the computer.
Further, in order to reprint the printed material printed by the printing unit, a print identification code acquiring unit that acquires a print identification code from the printed material and a print identification code determining unit that determines the acquired print identification code are provided. It is characterized by.
Further, a determination for determining whether or not scanning can be performed based on a reading unit that reads a print identification code added to the printed material, print information stored in the print information storage unit, and a print identification code read by the reading unit. And a scanner device comprising: means.
The printed matter includes an IC tag, and the print identification code is written to or read from the IC tag, or the print identification code is recorded on the printed matter by a bar code, or the printed matter is a two-dimensional code. The printing identification code is written or read.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance method according to the present invention downloads digital content having copyright via a network and saves it on a computer after obtaining permission. A digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance method that permits printing within a predetermined number of sheets by a dedicated printer using an ink cartridge and a dedicated printing paper, wherein the printer is added to the digital content from the computer Reading the content identification code, reading the ink cartridge identification code from the ink cartridge, reading the printing paper identification code from the printing paper, and reading the printer identification code of the printer, and printing from the read printing paper identification code The paper is copyrighted Determining whether or not the print sheet is dedicated to digital content printing, determining whether or not the ink cartridge is an ink cartridge dedicated to digital content printing from the read ink cartridge identification code, and Generating a print identification code from the content identification code to be identified, the ink cartridge identification code, the printing paper identification code, and the printer identification code; and printing the digital content on the printing paper to obtain a printed matter; Adding the print identification code to the printed material; and storing the print identification code and the print information in the computer.
In addition, in order to reprint the printed matter, the step of obtaining the print identification code added to the printed matter, the obtained print identification code and the print information obtained from the computer are collated, and reprinting is possible. And a step of overwriting the contents to be invalidated on the printed material and printing the digital content on a new printing paper.
Further, a step of acquiring the print identification code added to the printed material by a scanner device connected to the computer, a step of acquiring information corresponding to the acquired print identification code from the computer, and Determining whether or not the digital content is protected by a right, and if it is determined that the printed matter is a digital content protected by a copyright, the digital content rejects or reads the digital content The scan is executed in a state where the quality of the image is lowered.

  The present invention protects the copyright by permitting the printing of the copyrighted digital content only within a predetermined number of copies, and even when printing failure or deterioration of the printed digital content (printed matter) occurs. The quality of the printed digital content (printed material) can be maintained without purchasing the same digital content again.

  A digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram when digital content is printed using the digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system according to the embodiment of the present invention, copyrighted digital content 2 (content identification code (identification code (ID)) is added. ) Acquisition permission (for example, purchase by performing a charging procedure), and download the digital content 2 stored on a server (not shown) via the network 3 such as the Internet. Once stored in the user's computer 4 (PC or the like). The acquired digital content 2 is printed as a printed matter 6 shown in FIG. 1 by a printer 5 connected to the user's computer 4.

  It is assumed that copyrighted digital content 2 cannot be printed normally by a general-purpose printer or the like without using the digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system 1 of the present embodiment. For example, the data of the downloaded digital content 2 is encrypted, and can be decrypted only by the digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system 1. Alternatively, if the paper (printing paper 7) and ink (ink cartridge 8) dedicated to the printer 5 in the digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system 1 of this embodiment described below are not used, an appropriate printing result can be obtained. Make it not exist.

  At the time of printing, the printing paper 7 to be printed is configured as a paper dedicated to the digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system 1 of the present embodiment. A printing paper identification code (ID) is added to the printing paper 7 by an identification means (IC tag, barcode, two-dimensional code, etc.) to distinguish it from other paper. Further, an ink cartridge identification code (ID) is added to the ink cartridge 8 used at the time of printing by an identification means (IC tag, bar code, two-dimensional code, etc.) to distinguish it from other ink cartridges.

  Note that the printing paper identification code (ID) and the ink cartridge identification code (ID) may simply be information for identifying the product model number or manufacturing number, and the printer 5 or the computer 4 may be used for this system. You may make it memorize | store a model number and a manufacture number as a database.

  In order to print the digital content 2 having the copyright, it is necessary to set the printing paper 7 and the ink cartridge 8 dedicated to the digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system 1 in the printer 5 as described above. At the time of printing, a content identification code (ID), a printing paper identification code (ID), and an ink cartridge identification code (ID) are added to the printed matter 6 as a printing identification code (ID) together with the image of the digital content 2.

The printer 5 or the computer 4 stores the printed content identification code (ID) and the number of printed sheets. For example, in the case of digital content in which only one sheet can be printed, the same digital content is set so that a plurality of sheets cannot be printed.
Here, the print identification code (ID) added to the printing paper 7 is used as content identification information at the time of reprinting.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system 1 includes a computer 4 for storing digital content 2, a dedicated ink cartridge 8 and a dedicated printing sheet 7, and a printed matter on which the digital content 2 is printed. 6 and a dedicated printer 5.

The computer 4 stores and manages printing information such as a content identification code (ID), a printer identification code (ID), a printing paper identification code (ID), and an ink cartridge identification code (ID) when the printed material 6 is printed. An information storage unit 211 is included.
The print information storage unit 211 may be provided in the printer 5 instead of in the computer 4. The print information storage unit 211 includes a flash ROM, a hard disk, a backed up RAM, and the like.

  The printer 5 includes a content identification code (ID) acquisition unit 2501 that acquires a content identification code (ID) from the computer 4, and a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or CCD (CIS) that acquires an ink cartridge identification code (ID) from the ink cartridge 8. Ink cartridge identification code (ID) acquisition unit 2502 by a scanner device such as Charge Coupled Device) or a contact type or non-contact type IC tag reader / writer device, and ink for determining the acquired ink cartridge identification code (ID) Print sheet identification code (ID) acquisition by a cartridge identification code (ID) determination unit 2503 and a scanner device such as a CIS or CCD that acquires the print paper identification code (ID) from the print paper 7 or an IC tag reader / writer device. Unit 2504 and a flash R for identifying the printer Printer identification code (ID) 2506 recorded in M, ROM, etc., printing paper identification code (ID) determination unit 2505 for determining the acquired printing paper identification code (ID), content identification code (ID) and ink A print identification code (ID) generation unit 2507 that generates a print identification code (ID) from the cartridge identification code (ID), the printing paper identification code (ID), and the printer identification code (ID), and the generated print identification code (ID ) Is output to the barcode, two-dimensional code, or IC tag by the printing unit 2509 and output to the print information storage unit 211, the printing unit 2509 for printing digital contents, and the printed material 6a. Print identification code (ID) is obtained from a scanner device such as CIS or CCD, IC tag reader / writer device, etc. A print identification code (ID) acquisition unit 2510 and a print identification code (ID) determination unit 2511 that determines the acquired print identification code (ID).

  The operation of the digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system configured as described above will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, after obtaining permission (for example, purchasing by performing a charging procedure) for obtaining digital content 2 having a copyright (content identification code (ID) is added). The digital content 2 stored on the server (not shown) is downloaded via the network 3 such as the Internet and temporarily stored in the computer 4 (PC or the like).

  When an instruction to print the digital content 2 is transmitted from the computer 4 to the printer 5, the content identification code (ID) acquisition unit 2501 of the printer 5 receives the content identification code (ID) from the print information storage unit 211 of the computer 4. The ink cartridge identification code (ID) acquisition unit 2502 reads the ink cartridge identification code (ID) from the ink cartridge 8, and the printing paper identification code (ID) acquisition unit 2504 reads the printing paper identification code (ID) from the printing paper 7. And a printer identification code (ID) is read (step S301).

The ink cartridge identification code (ID) and the printing paper identification code (ID) are, for example, an ink cartridge and printing paper of a specific model number that are used for digital content printing in order to maintain printing quality, and the digital The ink cartridge dedicated to content printing and the model number of the printing paper are used as the ink cartridge identification code (ID) and the printing paper identification code (ID).
The ink cartridge identification code (ID) and the printing paper identification code (ID) are stored in identification means (for example, an IC tag, a barcode, a two-dimensional code, etc.) attached to the ink cartridge and the printing paper.

  Next, the printing paper identification code (ID) determination unit 2505 determines the read printing paper identification code (ID) (step S302). As a result of determining the printing paper identification code (ID), the printing paper is copyrighted. If it is determined that it is not a print sheet dedicated to printing the digital content 2 having the above, it is determined that the quality cannot be maintained, and the process ends without performing the printing process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S302 that the printing paper identification code (ID) is the printing paper dedicated to printing with respect to the digital content 2 having the copyright, the ink cartridge identification code (ID) determination is performed. When the ink cartridge identification code (ID) read by the section 2503 is determined (step S303) and the ink cartridge identification code (ID) is determined, it is determined that the ink cartridge is not an ink cartridge dedicated to digital content printing. The process ends without performing the printing process because the quality cannot be maintained.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S303 that the ink cartridge identification code (ID) is an ink cartridge dedicated to digital content printing, the print identification code (ID) generation unit 2507 acquires it in step S301. The print identification code (ID) is generated from the content identification code (ID), the ink cartridge identification code (ID), the printing paper identification code (ID), and the printer identification code (ID), and the generated print identification code (ID) ) Is output to the print identification code (ID) output unit 2508 (step S304).

  The print identification code (ID) output unit 2508 receives the print identification code (ID) from the print identification code (ID) generation unit 2507, and uses the print identification code (ID) as the printing unit 2509 and the print information storage unit 211 of the computer 4. The printing unit 2509 prints the digital content 2 on the printing paper 7 to obtain the printed material 6. Further, a print identification code (ID) is added to the printed material 6 (step S305).

  Here, as a means for adding to the printed matter 6, for example, in the case of the printing paper 7 with an IC tag, a printing identification code (ID) is stored in the IC tag. Alternatively, an example of printing a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or the like obtained by encoding a print identification code (ID) on a part of an image of the printed matter 6 or a margin part is given.

  The print information storage unit 211 of the computer 4 stores information such as the print identification code (ID) and the number of prints sent from the print identification code (ID) output unit 2508 (step S306). That is, it is recorded that one printed matter 6 has been printed by the printer 5 for the digital content 2. Since this digital content 2 is copyrighted content, it is restricted so that it cannot be printed indefinitely. For example, when the number of prints is limited to only one, printing of a plurality of digital contents 2 is prohibited.

Through the above processing, the printed material 6 of the digital content 2 having the copyright can be obtained.
However, when printing is not possible due to image misalignment or ink stains due to printing problems, or when the printed matter that has been printed normally has deteriorated due to fading due to changes over time or the carelessness of the user. Can be reprinted by the following procedure.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram when digital content is reprinted using the digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the procedure for starting reprinting in FIG. 3, the printed matter 6a having a problem (such as improper printing or image deterioration) is set in the printer 5 (step S307).
Then, the print identification code (ID) acquisition unit 2510 of the printer 5 obtains the print identification code (ID) added to the printed matter 6a by a scanner device such as CIS or CCD or an IC tag reader / writer device. At the same time, it is determined whether or not a print identification code (ID) has been acquired (step S308).

  In step S308, the print identification code (ID) cannot be acquired from the printed material 6a set in the printer 5 (if another printed material without the print identification code (ID) is set by mistake, or the print identification code ( If (ID) is lost due to damage or the like and cannot be read by a printing identification code (ID) reading means (sensor, etc., not shown) of the printer 5 (No), the processing is terminated. . At this time, the user may be notified that the print identification code (ID) cannot be acquired.

  When the print identification code (ID) is acquired from the printed material 6a in step S308 (Yes), the print identification code (ID) determination unit 2511 uses the print information acquired from the print information storage unit 211 of the computer 4 and the printed material 6a. The acquired print identification code (ID) is collated to determine whether or not reprinting is possible (step S309).

  If it is determined in step S309 that reprinting is not possible (NG), the process ends without printing.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S309 that reprinting is possible (OK), the contents to be invalidated on the printed material 6a are overwritten and printed (invalid processing: step S310). In the example shown in FIG. 4, a mark “X” is added to invalidate the printed material 6b. If the print identification code (ID) acquired from the printed product 6a is a barcode or two-dimensional code, it is overwritten so that it cannot be read, and if it is an IC tag, an invalid print identification code (ID) is written and invalidated. You may make it do.

  The above-described determination of whether or not reprinting is possible is that the print information acquired from the print information storage unit 211 has the same identification code (ID) as the print identification code (ID) acquired from the printed material 6 a, and the printed material 6 a is printed by the printer 5. If it is confirmed, reprinting is permitted (step S311). However, it is desirable to limit the number of reprints to a predetermined number or less.

  Thus, according to the digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system according to the present invention, the content identification code (ID), ink cartridge identification code (ID), printing paper identification code (ID), printer identification code ( ID) is added to the printed material, so that only one (or only a predetermined number) of printed material corresponding to the content identification code (ID) exists, and illegal copying of copyrighted digital content can be prevented. The right can be protected.

  In addition, even if the printed matter deteriorates due to failure during printing or aging, the digital content can be newly reprinted while protecting the copyright of the digital content, and the quality of the digital content can be maintained. .

  Furthermore, the digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system according to the present invention further reads the digital content data using a scanner in addition to the configuration for printing the digital content (FIGS. 1 to 4). You may add the structure of.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram when data is read by using the scanner 9 from the printed matter 6 already printed by the digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system 1 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, data is read from the printed material 6 by a scanner 9 connected to the computer 4. At this time, the scanner 9 reads the print identification code (ID) added to the printed material 6 together with the content image of the printed material 6.

  Then, the computer 4 searches the data stored in the print information storage unit 211 for a content identification code (ID) included in the read print identification code (ID), and the searched content identification code (ID). In the case of digital content protected by copyright, the information stored so as to correspond to the information (whether or not it is protected by copyright, etc.) is scanned with the scanning operation stopped or the quality lowered. .

  As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 6, the configuration for reading data using a scanner includes a printed material 6 having a print identification code (ID), a computer 4 in which printing information of the printed material 6 is stored, and a printed material 6. And a scanner 9 for scanning.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the scanner 9 decodes a barcode or a two-dimensional code from the printed material 6, or obtains a print identification code (ID) by using an IC tag reader / writer device. Unit 631, a print information acquisition unit 632 that acquires print information from the computer 4, a scan availability determination unit 633 that determines scan availability based on the print identification code (ID) and the print information, and a scan execution unit 634 that executes scanning It is comprised.

Next, the operation will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, the print identification code (ID) acquisition unit 631 acquires a print identification code (ID) from the printed material 6 (step S701).
The print information acquisition unit 632 acquires information in the print information storage unit corresponding to the print identification code (ID) acquired in step S701 from the computer 4 (step S702).

  The scan availability determination unit 633 determines from the information obtained from the print information storage unit whether or not the printed material 6 is digital content protected by copyright (step S703). By this determination, the printed material 6 is copyrighted. If it is determined that the digital content is protected by the above, the scan by the scan execution unit 634 is rejected, or the scan is permitted in a state where the quality of the read digital content is deteriorated (step S704), and the process ends (step S704). S707).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S703 that the printed material 6 is not copyright-protected digital content, scanning by the scan execution unit 634 is permitted (step S705), and the scan execution unit 634 executes the scan (step S706). ).

Then, the process ends (step 707).
As described above, in this embodiment, when data is read from the printed matter 6 that has already been printed using the scanner 9, the print identification code (ID) added to the printed matter 6 is acquired, and the print identification code is obtained. Whether or not scanning is permitted is determined by comparing (ID) with the print information storage unit stored in the computer 4 to determine whether the printed matter 6 is digital content protected by copyright. Thereby, in the case of digital content protected by copyright, it is possible to prevent the printed material 6 from being copied without deteriorating, and the copyright of the digital content can be protected.

  Note that, when invalidation processing is performed on a printed matter, an example of invalidating by adding an X on the screen of the original image has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other methods are used. Invalidation processing may be performed.

  In this embodiment, an example in which an identification code (ID) is acquired and determined in the scanner has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a part of the identification code (ID) is determined. The same function can be implemented even if the computer has the above function.

It is a conceptual diagram which prints digital content using the digital content copyright protection and quality maintenance system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the digital content copyright protection and quality maintenance system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the digital content copyright protection and quality maintenance system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram explaining the invalidation process at the time of reprinting in the digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is a conceptual diagram when reading data using a scanner. It is a figure which shows the structure in the case of reading data using a scanner in the digital content copyright protection and quality maintenance system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement at the time of reading data using a scanner in the digital content copyright protection and quality maintenance system which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital content copyright protection and quality maintenance system, 2 ... Digital content, 3 ... Network, 4 ... Computer, 5 ... Printer, 6, 6a, 6b ... Printed matter, 7 ... Printing paper, 8 ... Ink cartridge, 9 ... Scanner , 211 ... print information storage unit, 2501 ... content identification code (ID) acquisition unit, 2502 ... ink cartridge identification code (ID) acquisition unit, 2503 ... ink cartridge identification code (ID) determination unit, 2504 ... printing paper identification code ( ID) acquisition unit, 2505 ... printing paper identification code (ID) determination unit, 2506 ... printer identification code (ID) acquisition unit, 2507 ... print identification code (ID) generation unit, 2508 ... print identification code (ID) output unit, 2509... Print section, 2510, 631... Print identification code (ID) acquisition section, 2511. ) Determination unit, 632 ... print information acquisition unit, 633 ... scan determination unit, 634 ... scan executing unit

Claims (8)

After obtaining permission, download copyrighted digital content via the network, save it on a computer, and print within a specified number of copies using a dedicated printer using a dedicated ink cartridge and dedicated printing paper. A digital content copyright protection and quality maintenance system to allow,
The printer is
A content identification code acquisition unit for acquiring a content identification code added to the digital content from the computer;
An ink cartridge identification code acquisition unit for acquiring an ink cartridge identification code from the ink cartridge;
An ink cartridge identification code determination unit for determining the acquired ink cartridge identification code;
A printing paper identification code obtaining unit for obtaining a printing paper identification code from the printing paper;
A printer identification code for identifying the printer;
A printing paper identification code determination unit for determining the acquired printing paper identification code;
A print identification code generating unit that generates a print identification code from the content identification code, the ink cartridge identification code, the printing paper identification code, and the printer identification code;
A printing unit for printing the digital content;
A print identification code output unit for outputting the generated print identification code to the print unit and a print information storage unit of the computer;
A digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system characterized by comprising: In order to reprint the printed matter printed by the printing unit,
A print identification code acquisition unit for acquiring a print identification code from the printed material;
A print identification code determination unit for determining the acquired print identification code;
The digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system according to claim 1, further comprising: Reading means for reading a print identification code added to the printed matter;
A determination unit that determines whether or not scanning can be performed based on the print information stored in the print information storage unit and the print identification code read by the reading unit;
The digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system according to claim 1, further comprising: a scanner device comprising: The printed matter includes an IC tag,
4. The digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system according to claim 1, wherein the print identification code is written into and / or read out from the IC tag.   The digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the print identification code is written and / or read into the printed matter by a barcode or a two-dimensional code. After obtaining permission, download copyrighted digital content via the network, save it on a computer, and print within a specified number of copies using a dedicated printer using a dedicated ink cartridge and dedicated printing paper. A digital content copyright protection and quality maintenance method that is permitted,
The printer reads a content identification code added to the digital content from the computer, reads an ink cartridge identification code from the ink cartridge, reads a printing paper identification code from the printing paper, and reads a printer identification code of the printer Steps,
Determining whether the printing paper is a printing paper dedicated to digital content printing having a copyright from the read printing paper identification code;
Determining whether the ink cartridge is an ink cartridge dedicated to digital content printing from the read ink cartridge identification code;
Generating a print identification code from a content identification code for identifying the digital content, the ink cartridge identification code, the printing paper identification code, and the printer identification code;
Printing the digital content on the printing paper to obtain a printed matter, and adding the print identification code to the printed matter;
Storing a print identification code and print information in the computer;
A copyright protection / quality maintenance method for digital contents characterized by including: In order to reprint the printed matter,
Obtaining a print identification code attached to the printed matter;
Collating the acquired print identification code with the print information acquired from the computer and determining whether reprinting is possible;
Overprinting the contents to be invalidated on the printed matter, and printing the digital content on a new printing paper;
The digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance method according to claim 7, further comprising: Obtaining the print identification code added to the printed matter by a scanner device connected to the computer;
Acquiring information corresponding to the acquired print identification code from the computer;
Determining whether the printed matter is digital content protected by copyright;
When the printed material is determined to be digital content protected by copyright, the scanning is rejected or the scanning is executed in a state where the quality of the read digital content is lowered. The digital content copyright protection / quality maintenance method according to 7 or 8.

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