JP2006331011A - Copy preventing method for digital content and recording medium with program relating to copy prevention method recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the copy prevention method of digital content for preventing the copy of digital content, and for preventing the illegal use. <P>SOLUTION: This method is provided to prevent the copy of a content main body 11 of digital content 10 recorded in an auxiliary storage part 133 of a reproduction device 130 which reproduces the digital content 10. The reproduction device 130 is provided with a reproduction part which reproduces the content main body 11 on the auxiliary storage part 133 according to a reproducing operation input, an operation part which manages the whole device including the read/write of such data as digital content 10 to the auxiliary storage part 133, a content management part which issues a management request for exclusively opening the content main body 11 on the auxiliary storage part 133 to the operation part according as the power source of the device is turned on. The operation part rejects access to the digital content 10 on the recording part in response to the management request of the content management part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital content copy prevention method and a recording medium on which a program according to the copy prevention method is recorded.

  In recent years, with the development of high-speed communication lines such as optical fiber lines and ADSL lines, digital contents such as movies and music with a large amount of data can be accessed from the management means for managing the use of digital contents via the communication line. Distribution services that are distributed to other playback devices are starting.

  By the way, digital contents are easy to duplicate and are easily used illegally such as illegal copying. For this reason, copy control (see Patent Document 1) is performed so that digital content can be recorded only a predetermined number of times in a recording unit of a playback device such as a computer.

JP 2004-328775 A

  However, there is a possibility that the digital content on the recording unit may be copied (that is, dead copy) in a state where copy control is performed. That is, there is a possibility that the digital content is illegally copied. For this reason, some content holders such as copyright holders who own digital content refuse to provide digital content to the distribution service.

  The present invention was devised in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a digital content copy prevention method capable of preventing copying of digital content and preventing unauthorized use of the digital content. Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium on which a program according to the copy prevention method is recorded.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a digital content copy prevention method according to the present invention is a method for preventing copying of digital content recorded in a recording unit of a playback device that plays back digital content, and the playback device performs playback. A playback unit for playing back digital content on the recording unit in response to an operation input, an operation unit for managing the entire device including management of reading and writing of data such as digital content to the recording unit, and the device A content management unit that inputs a management request for exclusive use of the digital content on the recording unit to the operation unit when digital content is recorded in the recording unit or the operation unit, Digital content on a recording unit other than the content management unit in response to the input of the management request of the content management unit It is characterized in that it has to be constantly denied access to.

  The playback unit of the playback device inputs a digital content usage request related to the input to the content management unit in response to the playback operation input, and the content management unit responds to the usage request to the operation unit in response to the input of the usage request In response to the release request of the digital content, the operation unit permits access to the digital content on the recording unit related to the release request in response to the input of the release request, and outputs the fact as permission information to the content management unit. The content management unit outputs to the playback unit in response to the input of the permission information, and the playback unit reads and plays the digital content on the recording unit in response to the input of the permission information.

  Alternatively, the playback unit of the playback device inputs a digital content usage request related to the input to the content management unit in response to a playback operation input, and the content management unit responds to the usage request to the operation unit in response to the input of the usage request. The digital content on the recording unit is read and output to the reproduction unit, and the reproduction unit reproduces the digital content according to the input of the digital content.

  The digital content is encrypted, and at least one part of the data string is missing. The content body is continuous between the missing parts of the data string and the data for one place missing from the content body. Thus, the entire bit length may be different from the decoding bit length, and the data may have a missing data to which position information indicating which part of the content body is added.

  In this case, the content management unit of the playback device requests a management request to exclusively use the content body of the digital content on the recording unit when the playback device is in an operating state or when digital content is recorded on the recording unit. Is input to the operation section. When playing back the digital content, the playback unit refers to the position information on the recording unit, recognizes the missing part of the content body of the digital content, and combines the missing data read from the recording unit to the missing part, The content body is decrypted and reproduced for each decryption bit length.

  When the content body of the digital content is compressed before being encrypted, the playback unit refers to the position information on the recording unit to reproduce the missing portion of the content body when playing back the digital content. Recognizing and combining the missing data on the recording unit with the missing part, decoding the digital content for each decoding bit length, and restoring the content body from the compressed state to the original state for each decoding bit length It comes to play.

  The bit length of the missing data is preferably a bit length different from a divisor and a multiple of the decoding bit length. When a part of the data string of the content body of the digital content is missing at a plurality of locations, it is preferable that the bit length of the missing data × the number of missing locations is a bit length different from a divisor and a multiple of the decoding bit length.

  The content body and the missing data are preferably recorded in different areas of the recording unit of the playback device. The playback device can be portable.

  The digital content copy prevention method may be a system having management means that manages the use of digital content and can communicate with the playback apparatus via a communication line. In this case, the management unit includes a content database in which digital content is recorded in advance, and the playback device includes a content download unit that transmits a digital content download request to the management unit in response to an input operation for acquiring the digital content. The management means reads out the digital content related to the download request from the content database and transmits it to the playback device in response to the download request of the content download unit, and the content download unit receives the digital content and sends it to the recording unit. The acquired information indicating that the digital content has been recorded is input to the content management unit, and when the acquired information is input, the content management unit exclusively uses the digital content related to the acquired information. Operate management request It is adapted to input to the ® down part.

  Alternatively, the management means includes a content database in which the content body of the digital content is recorded in advance, and a missing data database in which the missing data of the digital content and its position information are recorded in advance, and the playback device acquires the digital content A content download unit that transmits a digital content download request to the management unit in response to an operation input, and the management unit stores the content body of the digital content related to the download request in response to the download request from the content download unit. The missing data of the digital content and its position information are read from the missing data database and transmitted to the playback device from the database, and the content download unit of the playback device reads the content main body, the missing data and the data. The position information is received and recorded in the recording unit, and the acquisition information indicating that the digital content has been acquired is input to the content management unit. When the acquisition information is input, the content management unit receives the digital information related to the acquisition information. A management request for exclusive use of the content body of the content is input to the operation unit.

  In addition to the digital content download request, the playback device can transmit the missing data and its location information acquisition request to the management means. In this case, the management means transmits the content body of the digital content related to the download request in response to the download request, and the missing data and position information of the digital content related to the acquisition request to the playback device in response to the acquisition request. It is like that.

  The system sells a relay unit that is connected to a communication line and enables wireless communication with a playback device, and a prepaid card that is installed with the relay unit and that prepaid for the use of digital content A vending machine can be provided. In this case, the management means has a billing server in which charge information of a prepaid fee for the user of the playback device is recorded for each user, and the playback device uses the prepaid first fee for the prepaid card input by the operation. Information is transmitted to the management means, and when the management means receives the first charge information, the management means records the first charge information in the charge information of the user of the playback device related to the first charge information of the accounting server. When the management unit receives the download request or the acquisition request of the playback device, the management unit records the second fee information on the use of the digital content related to the request in the charge information of the user of the playback device related to the request of the charging server. It has become.

  The digital content copy prevention method includes a plurality of first management units that manage the use of digital content with the playback device and can communicate with the playback device via a communication line; And means for managing the use of digital content installed at a different location, and a second management means capable of mutual communication with the playback device and the first management means via a communication line. It can also be a system. In this case, the second management means has a second content database in which a plurality of digital contents are recorded in advance, and the first management means includes a part of digital contents recorded in the second content database or The first content database in which another digital content is recorded in advance is included, and the playback device has a content download unit that transmits a digital content download request to the management means in response to a digital content acquisition operation input. The first management means searches the first content database for the digital content related to the download request in response to the download request of the content download unit, and as a result of the search, the digital content related to the download request is the first Recorded in the content database If the digital content is determined to be read, the digital content is read out and transmitted to the playback device, and the content download unit of the playback device receives the digital content and records it in the recording unit, and acquires that the digital content has been acquired. The information is input to the content management unit, and when the acquisition information is input, the content management unit inputs a management request for exclusive use of the digital content related to the acquisition information to the operation unit. If it is determined as a result of the search that the digital content related to the download request is not recorded in the first content database, the management means transmits a message to that effect to the content download unit of the playback device. When receiving that there is no digital content, downloads the digital content. When the second management means receives the download request, the second management means reads the digital content related to the download request from the second content database and transmits the digital content to the playback apparatus. The content download unit receives the digital content and records it in the recording unit, inputs acquisition information indicating that the digital content has been acquired to the content management unit, and the content management unit receives the acquisition information, A management request for exclusive use of the digital content related to the acquired information is input to the operation unit.

  Alternatively, the first management means has a first content database in which content bodies of a plurality of digital contents are recorded in advance, and the second management means is a part recorded in the first content database. A pre-recorded second content database in which the main body of the digital content or another digital content is recorded, the missing data of the digital content recorded in the first and second content databases, and the position information thereof are recorded in advance. The playback device has a content download unit that transmits a download request for the content body of the digital content to the management means in response to the digital content acquisition operation input, and the first management The means is a download request from the content download section In response, the content body of the digital content related to the download request is searched from the first content database, and as a result of this search, it is determined that the content body of the digital content related to the download request is recorded in the first content database. In such a case, the content body is read out and transmitted to the playback device. When the content download unit of the playback device receives the content body, the content body is recorded in the recording unit, and the content body is acquired. When the acquisition information is input, the content management unit inputs a management request to exclusively use the content body related to the acquisition information to the operation unit. 1 management means, as a result of the search, the download If it is determined that the content body of the digital content related to the request is not recorded in the first content database, the fact is transmitted to the playback device, and the content download unit of the playback device If the download request for the content body of the digital content is received, the second management means transmits a download request for the content body of the digital content to the second management means. Reading from the second content database and transmitting to the playback device, the content download unit of the playback device receives the content body and records it in the recording unit, and acquires information indicating that the content body has been acquired to the content management unit. The content management unit When the acquisition information is input, a management request for exclusive use of the content body related to the acquisition information is input to the operation unit.

  When the content main body of the digital content is recorded in the recording unit, the content download unit of the playback device transmits the missing data of the digital content and the acquisition request of the position information to the second management unit, and the second management unit In response to the acquisition request, the missing data and position information of the digital content related to the acquisition request are transmitted to the playback device, and the content download unit receives the missing data and the position information and records them in the recording unit. ing.

  The system includes a plurality of relay means connected to a communication line and capable of wireless communication with a playback device, and a vending machine in which the relay means is installed together with the first management means. it can. The vending machine sells a prepaid card for prepaying a fee related to the use of digital contents.

  In this case, the second management means has a billing server in which the charge information of the prepaid fee of the user of the playback device is recorded for each user, and the playback device has the first fee of the prepaid card input by operation. The information is transmitted to the second management means, and when the second management means receives the first fee information, the user of the playback apparatus related to the first fee information of the accounting server receives the first fee information. When the first management means receives the download request, the first management means transmits a payment request for the use of the digital content related to the download request to the second management means, When the second management means receives the payment request, the second fee information on the use of the digital content related to the payment request is used as the charge information of the user of the playback device related to the request of the charging server. It is adapted to record.

  In the case of the digital content copy prevention method according to claim 1 of the present invention, the content management unit of the playback device performs digital processing on the recording unit when the device enters an operating state or the digital content is recorded on the recording unit. A management request for exclusive use of content is input to the operation unit, and the operation unit rejects access to digital content on a recording unit other than the content management unit in response to the input of the management request. . That is, the operation unit denies access to digital content on the recording unit from other electronic devices connected to the playback device, access to digital content on the recording unit in response to a transmission operation input of the playback device, and the like. Therefore, copying of digital content on the recording unit can be prevented. As a result, unauthorized use of the digital content can be prevented, and digital content can be easily provided from the content holder.

  In the case of the digital content copy prevention method according to claim 2 of the present invention, the playback unit of the playback device inputs a use request for the digital content related to the input to the content management unit in response to the playback operation input, and the content management unit Inputs a request for releasing the digital content related to the use request to the operation unit in response to the input of the use request, and the operation unit applies to the digital content on the recording unit related to the release request in response to the input of the release request. The access is permitted, and the fact is output to the content management unit as permission information. The content management unit outputs to the playback unit in response to the input of the permission information, and the playback unit on the recording unit in response to the input of the permission information. Leading digital content and playing it. In other words, the digital content cannot be copied except for a period from when the operation unit permits access to the digital content on the recording unit until it is read by the playback unit. For this reason, unauthorized use of digital content can be prevented.

  In the case of the digital content copy prevention method according to claim 3 of the present invention, the playback unit of the playback device inputs the use request of the digital content related to the input to the content management unit in response to the playback operation input, and the content management unit Reads the digital content on the recording unit related to the usage request to the operation unit in response to the input of the usage request and outputs it to the playback unit, and the playback unit plays the digital content in response to the input of the digital content Like to do. Since the digital content is output from the content management unit to the playback unit in this way, there is no moment when the digital content can be copied. For this reason, unauthorized use of digital contents can be further prevented.

  In the digital content copy prevention method according to claim 4 of the present invention, the content body of the digital content is encrypted, a part of the bit length different from the decrypted bit length is deleted, and the gap between the missing parts is filled. Are processed continuously. If the content body is processed in this way, the data string of the data after the missing part of the digital content can be different from the data string when encrypted (that is, the data string before being deleted). it can. Therefore, even if there is no missing data, if the playback unit attempts to play back the content body in sequence for each decryption bit length (performs a predetermined calculation), the data after the missing part is not encrypted. Instead of returning to a data string, it is converted to an unknown numeric or alphanumeric string. That is, if the content body and the missing data are not obtained from the management means, the data after the missing portion cannot be reproduced by the digital content copy prevention method, so even if the content body of the digital content is illegally copied, Unauthorized use of the digital content can be prevented.

  In the digital content copy prevention method according to claim 5 of the present invention, the digital content is compressed before being encrypted. For this reason, even if there is no missing data, if the playback unit tries to decrypt sequentially for each decryption bit length, the data sequence of the data after the missing portion is different from the data sequence when encrypted. , Converted to unknown number sequence or alphanumeric sequence. When the unknown number sequence or alphanumeric sequence is to be restored from the compressed state to the original state, the restoration process is stopped. For this reason, the data after the missing portion cannot be reproduced. Therefore, there is a great merit in preventing unauthorized use of digital content.

  In the digital content copy prevention method according to claim 6 of the present invention, the bit length of the missing data is set to a bit length different from a divisor and a multiple of the decoding bit length. If the bit length of the missing data is a divisor or multiple of the decryption bit length, the data string of the data after the missing part becomes the same data string as the data string when encrypted (that is, the data string before being deleted). As a result, data other than the missing portion of the digital content can be reproduced, which can be prevented.

  In the digital content copy prevention method according to claim 7 of the present invention, the bit length of missing data × the number of missing portions is a bit length different from a divisor and a multiple of the decoding bit length. If the bit length of missing data x the number of missing parts is a divisor or multiple of the decryption bit length, the data sequence of the data after the missing portion is encrypted (that is, the data sequence before being deleted) and This makes it possible to prevent data other than the missing portion of the digital content from being reproduced by the same data string.

  According to the digital content illegal copy preventing method according to claim 8 of the present invention, the content body of the digital content, the missing data, and the position information thereof are recorded in another area of the recording unit of the playback device. Yes. For this reason, even if the content body of the digital content can be copied, the missing data and its position information cannot be copied at the same time. If the two are not prepared, the content body of the digital content cannot be genuinely reproduced, which is advantageous in preventing unauthorized use of the digital content.

  In the digital content illegal copy prevention method according to claim 9 of the present invention, the playback apparatus can be carried. As a result, the playback device can be carried in various places and the digital content on the recording unit can be played back and viewed.

  In the digital content illegal copy prevention method according to claim 10 of the present invention, the playback apparatus has a content download unit for acquiring the digital content via a communication line from a management means for managing the use of the digital content. . When the content download unit receives the digital content and records it in the recording unit, the content download unit outputs acquisition information indicating that the digital content has been acquired to the content management unit, and the content management unit receives the acquisition information, A management request for exclusive use of the digital content related to the acquired information is input to the operation unit. For this reason, the access to the digital content on the recording unit is denied by the operation unit at the moment when the digital content is recorded on the recording unit of the playback device by the management means. There is no fear of being done. Therefore, there is an advantage in preventing unauthorized use of digital content.

  In the digital content illegal copy prevention method according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the playback apparatus obtains the content body of the digital content, the missing data and the position information thereof from the management means for managing the use of the digital content via the communication line. It has a content download section to acquire. When the content download unit receives the content body, the missing data, and the position information thereof and records them in the recording unit, the content download unit outputs acquisition information indicating that the digital content has been acquired to the content management unit. When the information is input, a management request for exclusive use of the content body of the digital content related to the acquired information is input to the operation unit. For this reason, the access to the content main body on the recording unit is denied by the operation unit at the moment when the digital content is recorded on the recording unit of the playback device from the management means. There is no fear of being done. Therefore, there is an advantage in preventing unauthorized use of digital content.

  In the case of the digital content illegal copy prevention method according to claim 12 of the present invention, the content body of the digital content, the missing data and the position information thereof are separately transmitted from the management means to the playback apparatus. For this reason, even if the content body of the digital content is stolen in the process of transmission from the management means to the playback device, the content body cannot be properly played back if there is no missing data. For this reason, unauthorized use of digital content can be prevented.

  In the case of the method for preventing unauthorized copying of digital content according to claim 13 of the present invention, since it has a relay means for enabling wireless communication with the playback device, a communication line is connected to the playback device to acquire the digital content. There is no need to connect. That is, since it is not necessary to connect or disconnect the communication line, the usability is improved and it is easy to carry.

  In the method for preventing unauthorized copying of digital content according to claim 14 of the present invention, the fee for using the digital content can be paid simply by inputting the fee information of the prepaid card purchased at the vending machine to the playback device. . Therefore, the payment procedure is simple and convenient.

  In the digital content illegal copy prevention method according to claim 15 of the present invention, a plurality of small first management means can be installed at various locations, and the digital content can be acquired at various locations. . In addition, since digital content can be acquired in the vicinity of the first management means, the possibility of failure in acquiring digital content due to a failure in a communication line or the like is reduced. Further, even if the digital content requested by the playback device is not recorded in the first content database of the first management means, it may be recorded in the second content database of the second management means. In this case, the user of the playback device does not feel inconvenience.

  According to the method for preventing unauthorized copying of digital content according to claim 16 of the present invention, a plurality of small first management means can be installed at various locations, and the digital content can be acquired at various locations. . In addition, since digital content can be acquired in the vicinity of the first management means, the possibility of failure in acquiring digital content due to a failure in a communication line or the like is reduced. Furthermore, even if the digital content requested by the playback apparatus is digital content that is not recorded in the first content database of the first management means, it may be recorded in the second content database of the second management means. In this case, the user of the playback device does not feel inconvenience.

  In the case of the digital content copy prevention method according to claim 17 of the present invention, separately from the content body of the digital content, the missing data of the digital content and its position information are transmitted from the second management means to the playback device. For this reason, even if the content body of the digital content is stolen in the process of transmission from the first or second management means to the playback device, the content body cannot be properly played back if there is no missing data. For this reason, unauthorized use of digital content can be prevented.

  In the case of the digital content copy prevention method according to claim 18 of the present invention, since the relay means for enabling wireless communication with the playback device is provided, a communication line is connected to the playback device in order to acquire the digital content. There is no need to do. That is, since it becomes unnecessary to connect or disconnect the communication line, usability is improved.

  According to the digital content copy prevention method of the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to pay a fee for using the digital content simply by purchasing a prepaid card with a vending machine and performing a payment procedure. Therefore, the payment procedure is simple and convenient.

  In the digital content copy prevention method according to claim 20 of the present invention, it is possible to pay the fee for using the digital content only by inputting the fee information of the prepaid card purchased by the vending machine to the reproducing apparatus. Therefore, the payment procedure is simple and convenient.

  In the case of the recording medium according to claim 21 of the present invention, claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 19 or 20, the same effect as the method for preventing unauthorized copying of digital content can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, a digital content distribution system including a playback device that realizes a digital content copy prevention method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of digital content distributed by the system, and FIG. 3 is a control unit of a playback device of the system. 4 is a flowchart of a content management program to be processed, FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a content playback interrupt program processed by the control unit of the playback device of the system, and FIG. 5 is a content download processed by the control unit of the playback device of the system. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a charge information transmission interrupt program processed by the control unit of the playback device of the system, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart of processing performed by the control unit of the first management center of the system. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the content distribution interrupt program of FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the second content delivery interrupt program processed by the control unit of the management center. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the missing data transmission interrupt program processed by the control unit of the second management center of the system. 10 is a flowchart of the charge charge interruption program processed by the control unit of the second management center of the system.

  A digital content distribution system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a system for distributing digital content 10 to a user of a playback device 130 for the purpose of rental.

  The system 100 uses a plurality of first management centers 110 (first management means) for managing the use of the digital content 10 and the use of the digital content 10 installed at a location different from the first management center 110. Means for managing the second management center 120 (second management means) capable of communicating with the first management center 110 via the communication line α, and the first and second management centers 110, 120 and a reproduction device 130 that can communicate with each other via the communication line α and reproduces the digital content 10, and a plurality of relay devices that are connected to the communication line α and enable wireless communication with the reproduction device 130 140 and a vending machine 150 in which the relay device 140 and the first management center 110 are installed. This will be described in detail below.

  The communication line α is a digital line such as an optical communication line, an internet line such as an analog line such as a telephone line, and a line that transmits and receives radio signals such as digital broadcasting or satellite broadcasting. In this communication line α, the line connecting the relay device 140 and the playback device 130 is wireless, and the other lines are wired.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the digital content 10 is data such as music, moving images, still images, texts, games, software, etc., and a content main body 11 in which a part thereof is missing, and a header portion of the content main body 11 12 and missing data 13 which is data for one place missing from the content main body 11.

  The content body 11 is compressed by a well-known compression method such as MPEG and is well-known encrypted, and at least one part of the data string is missing, and the gap between the missing parts of the data string is continuously filled. It has become. Dummy data having the same bit length as the missing data 13 is added to the rear end of the content body 11 (see FIG. 3). In addition, in the first part of the content body 11, start position information indicating the start position of the content body 11 is recorded. The content main body 11 is recorded in the first content DB 114 of the first management center 110 and / or the second content DB 124 of the second management center 120.

  The bit length of the missing data 13 is a bit length that is different from the decoding bit length of the decoding process of the playback device 130, and a bit length that is different from a divisor or multiple of the decoding bit length. When the content body 11 is dropped at a plurality of locations, the bit length of the missing data 13 × the number of missing locations is set to a bit length different from a divisor and a multiple of the decoding bit length.

  For example, when the decoding bit length is 10 bytes (ie, 80 bits), the bit length of the missing data 13 is 7 bytes (ie, 56 bits), which is a bit length other than 10 bytes and its divisor and multiples. ), 13 bytes (ie 104 bits), etc. When the bit length of the missing data 13 is 7 bytes, the content body 11 is not lost at 10 or 20 locations. This is because if the decoding bit length is 10 bytes and the bit length of the missing data 13 is 20 bytes, the data string of the decoding bit length data after the missing portion of the content body 11 causes the missing data 13 to be lost. This is because it is the same before and after deletion, and as a result, the portion after the missing portion of the content body 11 can be reproduced. Further, when 10 missing data 13 having a bit length of 7 bytes are deleted, the data string of the decrypted bit length after the 10th missing part of the content body 11 is lost before and after the missing data 13 is deleted. This is because there is a possibility that the portion after the tenth missing portion of the content body 11 is reproduced as a result. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the content body 11 will be described assuming that one portion of the data string is missing.

  The missing data 13 is added with position information indicating which part of the content main body 11 the missing data 13 is. The missing data 13 is recorded in the missing data DB 125 of the second management center 120 together with the position information. The position information is the data length and time from the start position information of the content body 11 to the missing part.

  The header section 12 includes reproduction information for reproducing the content body 11, content information such as the content name of the content body 11, content ID assigned to the content body 11, and information on the IP address of the first management center 110, etc. It is included.

  The playback device 130 is a portable set-top box having a playback function of the digital content 10. In the figure, 131 is a control unit such as a CPU, 132 is a main storage unit such as a DRAM, 133 is an auxiliary storage unit (recording unit) such as a hard disk, 134 is a communication unit for performing communication, and 135 is processed by the control unit 131. A display output unit for displaying the output data on an external display device such as a monitor or a speaker, 136 is a display unit for displaying data processed by the control unit 131, and 137 is an operation unit for performing operation input. is there.

  For the communication unit 134, an antenna capable of wireless communication with the relay device 140 is used. A USB port is used for the display output unit 135. An organic EL panel is used for the display unit 136. The display output unit 135 is a connection port for connecting not only an external display device but also other electronic devices such as a computer. The display output unit 135 is connected to a connection port of the extension device when the playback device 130 is set in a stand-type extension device (a so-called cradle) (not shown). That is, the playback device 130 is connected to an external display device connected to the extension device by being set in the extension device. In addition, the display output unit 135 is provided with a switch means (not shown), and when connected to a connection port or the like of an expansion device, the display output unit 135 performs display output. That is, when the display output unit 135 is not connected to the connection port of the extension device, display output is performed through the display unit 136. Switching between the display output unit 135 and the display unit 136 is performed by an operation program management function described later.

  In the auxiliary storage unit 133, the header part 12 of the digital content 10 transmitted from the first and second management means 110 and 120 via the communication line α, the content body 11, the missing data 13 of the digital content 10, and its position Information, a decryption key c for decrypting the content main body 11, and rental information such as a rental period and a rental fee are recorded. The auxiliary storage unit 133 stores a user ID for authentication at the time of purchase or after purchase. The auxiliary storage unit 133 records the IP addresses and URLs of the first and second management centers 110 and 120, and the like. That is, the playback device 130 communicates with the first and second management centers 110 and 120 with reference to the IP address and the like on the auxiliary storage unit 133. Further, the auxiliary storage unit 133 stores play list data that is a list of the downloaded digital contents 10.

  The auxiliary storage unit 133 includes an operation program which is a basic program (not shown), a communication line connection interrupt program (not shown), a content management program shown in FIG. 3, a content reproduction interrupt program shown in FIG. The content download interrupt program and the charge information transmission interrupt program shown in FIG. 6 are recorded.

  Although the contents of these programs will be described later, the operation program is processed by the control unit 131 when the power of the playback device 130 is turned on, thereby reading the data such as the digital content 10 to the auxiliary storage unit 133 and It functions as an operation unit that manages the entire device including light management. The communication line connection interrupt program is processed by the control unit 131 in response to a start operation input through the operation unit 137, thereby enabling mutual communication with the first and second management centers 110 and 120 via the communication line α. become. In addition, the content management program is processed by the control unit 131 when the playback device 130 is turned on, whereby a management request for exclusive use of the content body 11 of the digital content 10 on the auxiliary storage unit 133 is performed. It functions as a content management unit that inputs to the operation program. The content reproduction interrupt program is processed by the control unit 131 in response to a start operation input through the operation unit 137, thereby functioning as a reproduction unit that reproduces the content body 11 of the digital content 10 on the auxiliary storage unit 133. To do. The content download interrupt program for content download is processed by the control unit 131 in response to an input operation for acquiring the digital content 10 through the operation unit 137, thereby transmitting a download request for the digital content 10 to the first management center 110. Demonstrate the function as a part. The charge information transmission interruption program is processed by the control unit 131 in response to the activation operation input.

  Note that the management request to exclusively use the content body 11 of the digital content 10 on the auxiliary storage unit 133 is a right to use the content body 11 of the digital content 10 on the auxiliary storage unit 133 exclusively. It is an instruction for the operation program to obtain.

  The first management center 110 conducts a business of renting the content body 11 of the digital content 10 to the user under a contract with the copyright holder of the copyrighted work included in the content body 11 of the digital content 10. It is a server operated by a person.

  In the figure, 111 is a control unit such as a computer, 112 is a memory unit such as a hard disk, 113 is a communication unit for performing communication, and 114 is a content unit 11 of a plurality of digital contents 10 and a header unit 12 prerecorded therein. 1 content DB.

  In addition to basic programs such as an operation system as a server, the memory unit 112 stores a first content delivery interrupt program shown in FIG. Although the contents download interrupt program will be described later, the first content delivery interrupt program is processed by the control unit 111, so that the server responds to the download request for the digital content 10 of the playback device 130. Thus, the function as the first management center 110 for transmitting the content body 11 of the digital content 10 related to the download request to the playback device 130 is exhibited.

  The memory unit 112 records the IP addresses, URLs, and the like of the playback device 130 and the second management center 120 for mutual communication with the first and second management centers 110 and 120. . That is, the first management center 110 refers to the IP address on the memory unit 112 and the like, and the second management center 120 and the playback device 130 communicate with each other. In the memory unit 112, the list data of the digital content 10 recorded in the first content DB 114 and the second content DB 124 of the second management center 120 (the home page provided by the administrator of the first management center 110). Data for authentication data input for allowing the user of the playback device 130 to input a user ID, a password, and the like are also recorded.

  The relay device 140 is a so-called wireless LAN access point. The relay device 140 is installed not only in the vending machine 150 but also in the home of the user of the station, store, or playback device 130.

  The vending machine 150 is a dedicated or general-purpose vending machine that sells a prepaid card for prepaid for the use of digital content. When the vending machine 150 is a general-purpose vending machine, prepaid cards are sold together with juice, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and the like.

  The second management center 120 is a server operated by a business operator that manages the first management center 110. This second management center 120 is positioned as a parent server of the first management center 110.

  In the figure, 121 is a control unit such as a computer, 122 is a memory unit such as a hard disk, 123 is a communication unit for performing communication, and 124 is the content of the digital content 10 and other digital content 10 recorded in the first content DB 114. The main content 11 and its header portion 12 are pre-recorded in the second content DB 125, the missing data 13 of the plurality of digital contents 10 recorded in the first content DB 114 and the second content DB 124 and the position information thereof are preliminarily stored. The recorded missing data DB 126 is a user information DB in which user information such as personal information, user ID and password of the user of the playback device 130 is recorded.

  The content ID of the digital content 10 corresponding to the missing data 13 is added to the missing data 13 on the missing data DB 125. Using this content ID, the correspondence between the content body 11 of the digital content 10 on the first content DB 114 and the second content DB 124, the missing data 13 on the missing data DB 125, and the position information is matched.

  The user information in the user information DB 126 is obtained by registering the contents described in the document when or after the playback device 130 is purchased. The registration may be performed through the communication line α using a PC or the like. This user information also includes charge information that is data of the user's prepaid fee.

  In addition to the basic program such as an operation system as a server, the memory unit 122 includes the second content delivery interrupt program shown in FIG. 8, the missing data transmission interrupt program shown in FIG. 9, and the charge charge shown in FIG. A break program and the like are recorded. Although the contents of these programs will be described later, the second content distribution interrupt program is processed by the control unit 121, so that the server functions as the second management center 120. In addition, since the interrupt program for missing data transmission is processed by the control unit 121, the server functions as a DRM server that transmits the missing data 13 and its position information to the playback device 130. The charge charging program is processed by the control unit 121 so that the server functions as a charging server.

  The memory unit 122 stores the playback device 130 and the IP address, URL, and the like of the playback device 130 and the first management center 110 that are referred to during communication. That is, the second management center 120 refers to the IP address on the memory unit 122 and the first management center 110 and the playback device 130 communicate with each other. A decryption key c for decrypting the content body 11 and the missing data 12 of the digital content 10 is also recorded.

  Hereinafter, the content management method of the playback device 130 will be described, and the contents of each program processed by the control unit 111 of the playback device 130 will be described.

  First, when the playback device 130 is turned on, the operation program is processed. In the course of this processing, the basic screen included in the operation program is displayed on the display output unit 135 or the display unit 136. This basic screen includes an icon for starting up the communication line connection interrupt program, an icon for starting up the content playback interrupt program, and an icon for starting up the charge information transmission interrupt program. It is.

  After the operation program activation process, the content management program shown in FIG. 3 is processed. Then, it is read and determined whether or not acquisition information indicating that the content body 11 of the digital content 10 has been recorded on a predetermined area of the auxiliary storage unit 133 (s1). As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the acquired information is recorded, a management request for exclusive use of the content body 11 of the digital content 10 related to the acquired information on the auxiliary storage unit 133 is operated. Input to the program (s2). Thereafter, the process proceeds to Step 3 described later.

  When the management request is input to the operation program, access other than access to the content main body 11 on the auxiliary storage unit 133 by processing of the content management program of the control unit 131 is denied. Specifically, the auxiliary storage unit according to the access to the content body 11 on the auxiliary storage unit 133 from another electronic device connected to the display output unit 135, the transmission operation input through the operation unit 137, or the output operation input Access to the content body 11 on 133 is denied.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 1 that the acquired information is not recorded, the content download interrupt program is processed, whereby the acquired information of the content main body 11 of the digital content 10 is newly stored in a predetermined area of the auxiliary storage unit 133. Is recorded (S3). As a result of this determination, when it is determined that newly acquired information has been recorded, a management request to exclusively use the content body 11 of the digital content 10 related to the acquired information on the auxiliary storage unit 133 is input to the operation program (S4). Then, the date and time when the new acquired information is recorded is recorded in the auxiliary storage unit 133 (s5). Thereafter, the process returns to step 3. The operation program includes contents for calculating the date and time.

  When the management request is input to the operation program, access other than access to the content main body 11 on the auxiliary storage unit 133 by processing of the content management program of the control unit 131 is denied. Specifically, as described above.

  When it is determined in the process of step 3 that no new acquisition information is recorded, an elapsed period from the recording date / time of the acquisition information recorded in the predetermined area of the auxiliary storage unit 133 to the current date / time is obtained (s6), When this has reached the rental period included in the rental information, it is determined that it is out of the rental period, and the header part 12, content body 11, missing data 13 and position information of the digital content 10 on the auxiliary storage unit 133 are deleted (s7). . At the same time, the information of the digital content 10 is deleted from the content list data on the auxiliary storage unit 133.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether there is an input of a usage request for using the content body 11 of the digital content 10 (s8). As a result of the determination, when it is determined that there is no use request input, the process returns to step 3. On the other hand, when it is determined that a usage request has been input, a release request for enabling access to the content body 11 of the digital content 10 related to the usage request is input to the operation program (s9).

  When the release request is input to the operation program, the content main body 11 on the auxiliary storage unit 133 can be accessed, and permission information indicating that the content main unit 11 on the auxiliary storage unit 133 can be accessed. Is input to the content management program.

  When the permission information is input to the content management program, the permission information is output to the content reproduction interrupt program (s10). Thereafter, the process returns to step 3. The content management program ends when the playback device 130 is turned off.

  Hereinafter, the procedure for downloading the digital content 10 will be described, and the contents of each program processed by the control units 111 and 121 of the first and second management centers 110 and 120 and the control unit 131 of the playback device 130 in this process will be described. Will be described.

  First, the playback device 130 is brought within the communicable range of the relay device 140 installed in the store or home or the relay device 140 in the vending machine 150. Then, when a communication line connection interrupt program icon on the basic screen displayed on the display output unit 135 or the display unit 136 is activated through the operation unit 137, a communication line connection interrupt program (not shown) is processed. Then, referring to the IP address or the like on the auxiliary storage unit 133, the connection is made to the first management center 110 via the relay device 140 inside the vending machine 150 and the communication line α. Then, a request for list data of the digital content 10 is transmitted to the first management center 110.

  When receiving the request, the first management center 110 transmits the list data of the digital content 10 on the memory unit 112 to the playback device 130.

  When receiving the list data, the playback device 130 displays the list screen on the display output unit 135 or the display unit 136. When an operation for obtaining an arbitrary digital content 10 is input from the list screen through the operation unit 137, the content download interrupt program shown in FIG. 5 is processed. Then, rental information such as a content ID, a rental period, and a rental fee included in the list data is transmitted to the first management center 110 as a first download request for the digital content 10 related to the acquisition operation input (s31). )

  When the first management center 110 receives the first download request, the content distribution interrupt program shown in FIG. 7 is processed. Then, the authentication data input data recorded in the memory unit 112 is transmitted to the playback device 130 (s61).

  When receiving the authentication data input data, the playback device 130 inputs the user ID on the auxiliary storage unit 133 to the authentication data input screen and displays it on the display output unit 135 or the display unit 136. Thereafter, when a password is entered on the authentication data input screen through the operation unit 137 and a transmission operation is performed, the user ID and password are transmitted to the first management center 110 (s32).

  Upon receiving the user ID and password, the first management center 110 refers to the IP address on the memory unit 112 and connects to the second management center 120. Then, the user ID and password are transferred to the second management center 120 as the authentication and settlement request together with the rental information of the first download request (s62).

  When the second management center 120 receives the user ID, password, and rental information, the control unit 121 processes an authentication interrupt program (not shown). Then, the user information related to the user ID is read from the user information DB 126 with reference to the user ID, and it is confirmed whether or not the user ID and the password match. If it is determined that the user ID and the password match, the rental fee of the rental information (second fee information) is recorded in the charge information recorded in the user information DB 126 with reference to the user ID (ie, , Subtract the rental fee from the amount recorded in the charge information.) Then, a message that the user ID and the password match is transmitted to the playback device 130. On the other hand, when it is determined that the user ID and the password do not match, the fact is transmitted to the playback device 130.

  When the first management center 110 receives that the user ID and password do not match (s63), it sends error information (s64). Then, the processing of the content distribution interrupt program ends.

  When receiving the error information, the reproducing device 130 displays the error information on the display output unit 135, the display output unit 135, or the display unit 136 (s34). Then, the processing of the content download interrupt program ends.

  On the other hand, when the first management center 110 receives that the user ID and the password match (s63), the content ID on the first content DB 114 is read and the content ID of the first download request is recorded. Judge whether or not. (s65). As a result of the determination, when it is determined that the content is recorded, the header portion 12 and the content body 11 of the digital content 10 related to the content ID of the first download request are read from the first content DB 114, and the first download is performed. It is transmitted together with the requested rental information (s66). Then, the processing of the content distribution interrupt program ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the content ID of the first download request (that is, the header portion 12 and the content body 11 of the digital content 10) is not recorded, the playback device 130 notifies that fact together with the rental information of the first download request. (S67). Then, the processing of the content distribution interrupt program ends.

  When the playback device 130 receives the header portion 12 and the content body 11 of the digital content 10 and the rental information (s35), the playback device 130 records the rental information in the auxiliary storage unit 133 (s36), and the content ID and the like from the header portion 12 of the digital content 10 The content information and the rental information are recorded in a predetermined area of the auxiliary storage unit 133 as acquisition information indicating that the digital content 10 has been acquired and input to the content management program (s37). At the same time, the content information such as the downloaded content ID and the rental information are recorded in the content list data on the auxiliary storage unit 133.

  Then, the playback device 130 reads the content ID from the header portion 12 of the digital content 10 on the auxiliary storage unit 133 and transmits the content ID to the second management center 120 as an acquisition request for missing data 12 and its position information. (s38).

  When receiving the acquisition request, the second management center 120 processes the interrupt program for missing data transmission shown in FIG. Then, with reference to the content ID of the acquisition request, the missing data 12 and the position information of the digital content 10 related to the acquisition request are read from the missing data DB 125 (s81), and the playback device 130 together with the decryption key c on the memory unit 122 is read. (S82).

  When the reproducing device 130 receives the missing data 12 of the digital content 10, the position information thereof, and the decryption key c (s39), the reproducing device 130 records them in a different area from the content main body 11 of the auxiliary storage unit 133 (s40). Then, the processing of the content download interrupt program ends.

  On the other hand, when the playback device 130 does not receive the header part 12, the content body 11 and the rental information of the digital content 10 (s35) and receives that the header part 12 and the content body 11 of the digital content 10 are not recorded, The content ID of the digital content 10 related to the first download request is transmitted to the second management center 120 as a second download request (s42).

  When the second management center 120 receives the second download request, the content distribution interrupt program shown in FIG. 8 is processed. Then, the header part 12 and the content body 11 of the digital content 10 are read from the second content DB 124 with reference to the content ID of the second download request (s71) and transmitted to the playback device 130 (s72).

  When the playback device 130 receives the header portion 12 and the content body 11 of the digital content 10 (s43), the playback device 130 records them in the auxiliary storage unit 133 (s44). On the other hand, it is recorded in the rental information auxiliary storage unit 133 included in the first download request. Then, content information such as a content ID is read from the header portion 12 of the digital content 10, and the content information is recorded in a predetermined area of the auxiliary storage unit 133 as acquisition information indicating that the digital content 10 is acquired together with rental information. Input to the management program (s45). At the same time, the content information such as the downloaded content ID and the rental information are recorded in the content list data on the auxiliary storage unit 133. Then, the process proceeds to step 38.

  Hereinafter, the procedure for reproducing the digital content 10 will be described, and the contents of each program processed by the control unit 131 of the reproducing apparatus 130 in this process will be described. First, when the icon of the content playback interrupt program on the basic screen displayed on the display output unit 135 or the display unit 136 is operated through the operation unit 137 of the playback device 130, the content playback interrupt shown in FIG. The program is processed. Then, a playlist that is a list of the digital contents 10 recorded on the auxiliary storage unit 133 included in the content reproduction interrupt program is displayed and output on the display output unit 135 or the display unit 136 (s11). Then, when a reproduction operation input of the digital content 10 is made through the operation unit 137 based on the play list (s12), a use request for the digital content 10 is input to the content management program (s13).

  When the permission information indicating that the content main body 11 on the auxiliary storage unit 133 can be accessed is input by the processing of step 10 of the content management program (s14), the digital content on the auxiliary storage unit 133 is input. The content body 11 of the digital content 10 is read for each decoding bit length with reference to the reproduction information contained in the header portion 12 (s15). Then, counting of the data length and time from the start position information to the position information recorded in the first part of the content body 11 read out on the main storage unit 132 is started (s16).

  Thereafter, the data of the content body 11 read for each decryption bit length on the main storage unit 132 is sequentially decrypted using the decryption key c read from the auxiliary storage unit 133 to the main storage unit 132, and the data is Through a filter such as MPEG, the original state is restored sequentially from the compressed state, thereby reproducing the content body 11 (s17).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the counting is finished (s18). Thereby, the missing part of the content body 11 is recognized. As a result of this determination, when it is determined that the count has not ended, the content body 11 continues to be reproduced (s17). On the other hand, when it is determined that the counting is finished and the missing portion of the content body 11 is recognized, if the bit length of the missing data 13 is smaller than the decoding bit length, the content body 11 and the missing data 13 from the auxiliary storage unit 133. Are read from the main storage unit 132 (that is, the content body 11 and the missing data are transferred as decrypted bit length data) and combined (s19). Then, the decrypted bit length data in the main storage unit 132 is decrypted using the decryption key c (s20), and the data is passed through a filter such as MPEG to restore the compressed state to the original state (s21). Thus, the combined data is reproduced (s22).

  When the bit length of the missing data 13 is larger than the decryption bit length, the content main body 11 and a part of the missing data 13 are read from the auxiliary storage unit 133 onto the main storage unit 132, and then the auxiliary data is added. The remaining missing data 13 (data corresponding to the decoded bit length) is read from the storage unit 133 onto the main storage unit 132 (s19). Then, the data on the main storage unit 132 is decrypted using the decryption key c for each decryption bit length (s20), and the data is restored to the original state from the compressed state through a filter such as MPEG (s21). Thus, the data is reproduced (s21).

Alternatively, a part of the missing data 13 (data corresponding to the decoding bit length) is read from the auxiliary storage unit 133 onto the main storage unit 132, and then the content main body 11 and the remaining missing data 13 are read from the auxiliary storage unit 133. Are read and combined on the main storage unit 132 (s19). Then, the data on the main storage unit 132 is decrypted using the decryption key c for each decryption bit length (s20), and the data is restored to the original state from the compressed state through a filter such as MPEG (s21). Thus, the data is reproduced (s22).

  In this way, after playing back and forth the missing part of the content body 11, the remaining data of the content body 11 on the auxiliary storage unit 133 is sequentially decrypted again using the decryption key c for each decryption bit length, and the data is Through a filter such as MPEG, the original state is restored from the compressed state in order, thereby reproducing the remaining content body 11 (s23). If the bit length of the missing data is twice or more of the decoded bit, the process of step 19 is continuously performed. This content reproduction interruption program is terminated when the termination process is performed by the user.

  In the following, a procedure for prepaid a charge related to the use of the digital content 10 will be described, and the contents of each program processed by the control unit 121 of the second management center 120 and the control unit 131 of the playback device 130 in this process will be described. To do.

  First, the user of the playback device 130 purchases a prepaid card at the vending machine 150. When the icon of the charge information transmission interrupt program displayed on the display output unit 135 or the display unit 136 is activated through the operation unit 137 of the playback device 130 within the communicable range of the relay device 140, the charge information shown in FIG. The transmission interrupt program is processed. Then, the user ID on the auxiliary storage unit 133 is input to the data on the prepaid card number input screen included in the charge information transmission interruption program and displayed on the display output unit 135 or the display unit 136 (s51).

  Thereafter, the card number and password of the prepaid card purchased through the operation unit 137 are input, and when a transmission operation is performed, the card number, the user ID and the password are entered with reference to the IP address on the auxiliary storage unit 133 and the like. It transmits toward the management center 120 (s52).

  Upon receiving the card number, user ID, and password, the second management center 120 processes the charge charge interruption program shown in FIG. Then, referring to the user ID, the user information related to the user ID is read from the user information DB 126, and it is confirmed whether or not the user ID and the password match (s91). If it is determined that the user ID and password match, the charge table with the card number included in the charge charge interruption program and the charge information corresponding to the card number (first charge information) is recorded (S92), and the fee information corresponding to the card number transmitted with reference to the fee table is recorded in the charge information included in the user information (that is, the amount of the fee information is included in the amount recorded in the charge information). (S93). Then, the fact that the charging is completed is transmitted to the playback device 130 (s94). Then, the charge charge interruption program process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the user ID and the password do not match, the fact is transmitted to the playback device 130 (s95). Then, the charge charge interruption program process is terminated.

  When the playback device 130 receives information that the charge has been charged (s53), the playback device 130 displays that the charge has been charged on the display output unit 135 or the display unit 136 (s54). Then, the processing of the charge information transmission interrupt program ends. On the other hand, when error information is received (s55), the error information is displayed on the display output unit 135 or the display unit 136 (s56). Then, the processing of the charge information transmission interrupt program ends.

  In the case of the digital content copy prevention method realized by the playback device 130 of the digital content distribution system 100, when the playback device 130 is turned on, the control unit 131 processes the content management program. A management request for exclusive use of the content body 11 of the digital content 10 on the storage unit 133 is input to the operation program. When this management request is input, the contents of data read / write management on the auxiliary storage unit 133 of the operation program are processed, and thereby the content on the auxiliary storage unit 133 by the processing of the content management program of the control unit 131 Access other than access to the main body 11 is denied. For this reason, since the copy of the content body 11 of the digital content 10 on the auxiliary storage unit 133 can be prevented, unauthorized use of the digital content 10 can be prevented, and as a result, it is easy to receive provision of digital content from the content holder. Become.

  In addition, the content main body 11 of the digital content 10 is compressed and encrypted, and a part of the bit length different from the decryption bit length is deleted and processed between the missing parts so as to be continuous. When the content body 11 is processed in this way, the data string of the data after the missing part of the content body 11 is changed to a data string different from the encrypted data string (that is, the data string before deletion). Therefore, if data is sequentially decoded (predetermined calculation) and reproduced for each decoding bit length without acquiring the missing data 13, the data after the missing part is returned to the data string before encryption. First, it is converted to an unknown number sequence or alphanumeric sequence. When the unknown number sequence or alphanumeric sequence is passed through a filter such as MPEG, reproduction of the content body 11 is stopped. For this reason, unless the missing data 13 is obtained from the second management center 120, the data after the missing portion cannot be reproduced. Therefore, even if the content body 11 of the digital content 10 is stolen in the course of transmission from the first or second management center 110 or 120, unauthorized use of the content body 11 of the digital content 10 can be prevented.

  The digital content copy prevention method is a method for preventing copying of digital content recorded in a recording unit of a playback device that plays back digital content, and the playback device receives a recording operation in response to a playback operation input. A playback unit that plays back the above digital content, an operation unit that manages the entire device including management of reading and writing of data such as digital content to the recording unit, and the device is in an operating state or a recording unit When the digital content is recorded on the recording unit, the management unit inputs a management request for exclusive use of the digital content on the recording unit to the operation unit. In response to the input, the digital content on the recording unit other than the content management unit is always accessed. It may be carried out what kind of design changes as long as that is adapted to reject.

  Regarding the content management program, when the playback device 130 is turned on, the management request for the content body 11 is input to the operation program after performing the process of step 1, but the playback device 130 is turned on. Then, the management request for the content body 11 may be input to the operation program. In addition, the content management program inputs a release request for the content body 11 to the operation program in response to an input request for using the content body 11, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, in response to an input of a usage request, the content body 11 may be read, and the data of the content body 11 may be input to the content playback interrupt program and played back. If the digital content 10 is not rented (that is, distributed for a fee or free of charge), the processes of steps 5, 6 and 7 are omitted.

  Although the playback device 130 is a set-top box, it is possible to use a computer or an audio device that can realize the same function. Needless to say, it is not limited to being portable. Further, an expansion device on which the playback device 130 is set is not essential.

  For the digital content 10, it is desirable to delete the missing data 12 from the content body 11, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the digital content 10 can be distributed from the first and second management centers 110 and 120 to the playback device 130. In this case, since the missing data DB 125 of the second management center 120 is not necessary, the cost can be reduced.

  The content main body 11 is compressed before encryption, but whether or not to compress is arbitrary. When the content body 11 is not compressed, if the content body 11 is illegally reproduced, the content body 11 is reproduced as an unknown sequence of numbers or alphanumeric sequences after the missing portion of the content body 11. Further, not only the content body 11 but also other data can be deleted. For example, the header portion 12 of the digital content 10 or the like. Further, although dummy data is attached to the rear end of the content body 11, it may not be attached.

  The content main body 11 is recorded in advance in the first content DB 114 of the first management center 110 and / or the second content DB 124 of the second management center 120. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, the digital content 10 can be recorded on a recording medium and distributed. In this case, the playback device 130 is provided with a read unit for reading the recording medium, and is copied from the read unit to the auxiliary storage unit 133. The first and second management centers 110 are not necessary, and the second management center 120 only needs to have a function of transmitting the missing data 12 and its position information.

  The position information is the data length and time from the start position information to the missing part, but may be an address value or the like indicating the missing part. In this case, for example, it is sequentially determined whether or not the address value of the content body 11 to be read out next matches the position information. As a result of this determination, when it is determined that they do not match, the content body 11 indicated by the address value is determined. When it is determined that the data coincide with each other, the missing data 13 on the auxiliary storage unit 133 is read out.

  Further, it is possible to determine a missing part in advance and include the position information in the reproduction interrupt program 20. In this case, it is not necessary to record the location information together with the missing data 13 in the missing data DB 111 of the first management center 110.

  Although the first management center 110 includes the first content DB 114, the first management center 110 is not limited to the first content DB 114 installed at the same place as the control unit 111 and the like. That is, it can be installed in another place via the communication line α and includes this. In addition, the user information DB 126 and / or the missing data DB 125 may be provided in the first management center 110. In this case, the first management center 110 performs authentication and billing.

  Although the second management center 120 has the second content DB 124, the user information DB 126, and / or the missing data DB 125, these are not limited to those installed in the same place as the control unit 111 and the like. That is, it can be installed in another place via the communication line α and includes this. The second management center 120 can be integrated with the eleventh management center 110. In this case, in response to the download request, the content body 11 of the digital content 10 is read from the content DB, and the missing data 12 and position information of the digital content are read from the missing data DB and transmitted to the playback device. Note that the accounting process of the second management center 120 is separable. That is, it may be performed by another management center including the first management center 110. In this case, another management center has a user information DB 126.

  The relay device 140 may not be provided. In this case, a wired communication line α is connected to the playback device 130.

  The vending machine 150 may not be provided. The prepaid card may be sold at a store such as a convenience store.

  In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the fee for using the digital content 10 is paid in advance by purchasing a prepaid card. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the payment may be made in advance by transfer to the bank account of the managers of the first and second management centers 110 and 120, or may be charged by credit card or withdrawn from the bank account.

  The contents of the above program are merely examples, and the design may be changed to any contents as long as similar functions can be realized.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the delivery system of the digital content which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the digital content distributed by the system. It is a flowchart of the content management program processed by the control part of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus of the same system. It is a flowchart of the interruption program for content reproduction processed by the control part of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus of the same system. It is a flowchart of the interruption program for content download processed by the control part of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus of the same system. It is a flowchart of the charge information transmission interruption program processed by the control part of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus of the same system. It is a flowchart of the 1st content delivery interruption program processed by the control part of the 1st management center of the same system. It is a flowchart of the 2nd interruption program for content distribution processed by the control part of the 2nd management center of the system. It is a flowchart of the interruption program for missing data transmission processed by the control part of the 2nd management center of the same system. It is a flowchart of the charge charge interruption program processed by the control part of the 2nd management center of the same system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital content 11 Content main body 12 Header part 13 Missing data 100 Digital content delivery system 110 1st management center 120 2nd management center 130 Playback apparatus 140 Relay apparatus 150 Vending machine

Claims (21)

In a method for preventing copying of digital content recorded in a recording unit of a playback device that plays back digital content,
The playback device includes a playback unit that plays back digital content on the recording unit in response to a playback operation input, and an operation unit that manages the entire device including management of reading and writing of data such as digital content to the recording unit. And a content management unit for inputting, to the operation unit, a management request for exclusive use of the digital content on the recording unit when the device enters an operating state or digital content is recorded on the recording unit. A method for preventing copy of digital content, characterized in that the operation unit always denies access to digital content on a recording unit other than the content management unit in response to an input of the management request from the content management unit.   2. The digital content copy prevention method according to claim 1, wherein a playback unit of the playback device inputs a use request of the digital content related to the input to the content management unit in response to a playback operation input, and the content management unit receives the use request. In response to the input, the operation unit inputs a digital content release request related to the use request, and the operation unit permits access to the digital content on the recording unit related to the release request in response to the release request input. In response, the content management unit outputs the permission information to the content management unit, the content management unit outputs the permission information to the playback unit, and the playback unit outputs the digital content on the recording unit in response to the permission information input. A copy prevention method for digital contents, wherein the reproduction is performed by reading.   2. The digital content copy prevention method according to claim 1, wherein a playback unit of the playback device inputs a use request of the digital content related to the input to the content management unit in response to a playback operation input, and the content management unit receives the use request. The digital content on the recording unit related to the use request is read to the operation unit in response to the input and output to the playback unit, and the playback unit plays back the digital content in response to the input of the digital content. To prevent digital content from being copied. 4. The digital content copy prevention method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the digital content is encrypted, at least one part of the data string is missing, and the gap between the missing parts of the data string is continuously packed. The content main body and the data corresponding to one portion missing from the content main body, the entire bit length of which is different from the decoding bit length, and the position indicating the portion of the content main body It has a structure with missing data with information added,
The content management unit of the playback device sends a management request to the exclusive use of the content body of the digital content on the recording unit when the playback device is in an operating state or digital content is recorded in the recording unit. To enter
When playing back the digital content, the playback unit refers to the position information on the recording unit, recognizes the missing part of the content body of the digital content, and combines the missing data read from the recording unit to the missing part, A digital content copy prevention method, wherein the content body is decrypted and reproduced for each decryption bit length. 5. The digital content copy prevention method according to claim 4, wherein the content body of the digital content is compressed before being encrypted,
When playing back the digital content, the playback unit of the playback device refers to the position information on the recording unit to recognize the missing part of the content body, and combines the missing data on the recording unit with the missing part. A method for preventing copy of digital content, wherein the content is decrypted for each decryption bit length, and the content body is restored from the compressed state to the original state for each decryption bit length and reproduced.   6. The digital content copy prevention method according to claim 4, wherein the bit length of the missing data is a bit length different from a divisor and a multiple of the decoding bit length.   6. The playback apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a part of the data string of the content body of the digital content is missing at a plurality of locations, wherein the bit length of missing data × the number of missing locations is different from a divisor and multiple of the decoding bit length A digital content copy prevention method characterized by having a bit length.   8. The digital content copy prevention method according to claim 4, 5, 6, or 7, wherein the content body and the missing data of the digital content are respectively recorded in different areas of the recording unit of the playback apparatus. Content copy protection method.   9. The digital content copy prevention method according to claim 1, wherein the playback device is portable. In the digital content copy prevention method according to claim 1, 2, or 3,
A system comprising the playback device, and management means for managing the use of digital content and capable of mutual communication with the playback device via a communication line,
The management means has a content database in which digital content is recorded in advance,
The playback device includes a content download unit that transmits a digital content download request to the management means in response to an input operation for acquiring digital content.
The management means reads out the digital content related to the download request from the content database in response to the download request of the content download unit and transmits it to the playback device,
The content download unit receives the digital content, records it in the recording unit, inputs acquisition information indicating that the digital content has been acquired, to the content management unit,
When the acquisition information is input, the content management unit inputs a management request for exclusive use of the digital content related to the acquisition information to the operation unit. Copy protection method. 9. The digital content copy prevention method according to claim 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8.
A system comprising management means for managing the use of the digital content with the playback apparatus and capable of mutual communication with the playback apparatus via a communication line;
The management means includes a content database in which a content body of digital content is recorded in advance, a missing data database in which missing data of digital content and position information thereof are recorded in advance,
The playback device includes a content download unit that transmits a digital content download request to the management means in response to an input operation for acquiring digital content.
In response to the download request from the content download unit, the management means reads the content body of the digital content related to the download request from the content database, reads the missing data of the digital content and its position information from the missing data database, and transmits them to the playback device. ,
The content download unit of the playback device receives the content body, missing data, and position information thereof, records them in the recording unit, and inputs acquisition information indicating that the digital content has been acquired to the content management unit,
When the acquisition information is input, the content management unit inputs a management request to exclusively use the content body of the digital content related to the acquisition information to the operation unit. A copy prevention method for digital contents. 12. The digital content copy prevention method according to claim 11, wherein the playback apparatus transmits a request for acquiring missing data and its position information to the management means separately from the digital content download request.
The management means transmits the content body of the digital content related to the download request in response to the download request, and transmits the missing data and position information of the digital content related to the acquisition request to the playback device in response to the acquisition request. A method for preventing copy of digital content.   13. The digital content copy prevention method according to claim 10, 11 or 12, further comprising relay means connected to a communication line and enabling wireless communication with a playback apparatus. . 14. The digital content copy prevention method according to claim 13,
A vending machine that sells a prepaid card in which the relay means is installed and prepays a fee related to the use of digital content;
The management means includes a billing server in which charge information of a prepaid fee for the user of the playback device is recorded for each user,
The playback device sends the prepaid first fee information of the prepaid card input by the operation to the management means,
When receiving the first fee information, the management means records the first fee information in the charge information of the user of the playback device related to the first fee information of the charging server,
When receiving the download request or acquisition request of the playback device, the management means records the second fee information on the use of the digital content related to the request in the charge information of the user of the playback device related to the request of the charging server. A copy prevention method for digital content, characterized by comprising: In the digital content copy prevention method according to claim 1, 2, or 3,
A plurality of first management means that manages the use of the digital content with the playback apparatus and can communicate with the playback apparatus via a communication line, and is installed at a location different from the first management means. A system comprising a second management means for managing the use of digital content and capable of mutual communication with the playback device and the first management means via a communication line;
The second management means has a second content database in which a plurality of digital contents are recorded in advance,
The first management means has a first content database in which a part of digital content recorded in the second content database or another digital content is recorded in advance,
The playback device includes a content download unit that transmits a digital content download request to the management means in response to an input operation for acquiring digital content.
The first management means searches the first content database for the digital content related to the download request in response to the download request of the content download unit, and as a result of the search, the digital content related to the download request is the first content. If it is determined that it is recorded in the database, the digital content is read and transmitted to the playback device,
The content download unit of the playback device receives the digital content and records it in the recording unit, inputs acquisition information indicating that the digital content has been acquired, to the content management unit,
When the acquisition information is input, the content management unit inputs a management request for exclusive use of the digital content related to the acquisition information to the operation unit,
If the first management means determines that the digital content related to the download request is not recorded in the first content database as a result of the search, the first management means transmits a message to that effect to the playback device,
When the content download unit of the playback apparatus receives that there is no digital content, it transmits a download request for the digital content to the second management means,
When receiving the download request, the second management means reads out the digital content related to the download request from the second content database and transmits it to the playback device,
The content download unit of the playback device receives the digital content and records it in the recording unit, inputs acquisition information indicating that the digital content has been acquired, to the content management unit,
When the acquisition information is input, the content management unit inputs a management request for exclusive use of the digital content related to the acquisition information to the operation unit. Copy protection method. The digital content copy prevention method according to claim 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8.
A plurality of first management means that manages the use of the digital content with the playback apparatus and can communicate with the playback apparatus via a communication line, and is installed at a location different from the first management means. A system comprising a second management means for managing the use of digital content and capable of mutual communication with the playback device and the first management means via a communication line;
The first management means has a first content database in which content bodies of a plurality of digital contents are recorded in advance.
The second management means includes a second content database prerecorded in which a content body of a part of digital content or another digital content recorded in the first content database is recorded, and first, second A missing data database in which the missing data of the digital content recorded in the content database and its position information are recorded in advance;
The playback device has a content download unit that transmits a download request for the content body of the digital content to the management means in response to an input operation for acquiring the digital content,
The first management means searches the content body of the digital content related to the download request from the first content database in response to the download request of the content download unit, and as a result of this search, the content of the digital content related to the download request When it is determined that the main body is recorded in the first content database, the content main body is read and transmitted to the playback device,
When the content download unit of the playback device receives the content body, the content download unit records the content body in the recording unit, and inputs acquisition information indicating that the content body has been acquired to the content management unit,
When the acquisition information is input, the content management unit inputs a management request for exclusive use of the content body related to the acquisition information to the operation unit,
When the first management means determines that the content body of the digital content related to the download request is not recorded in the first content database as a result of the search, the first management means transmits that fact to the playback device,
When the content download unit of the playback device receives that there is no content body of the digital content, it transmits a download request for the content body of the digital content to the second management means,
When receiving the download request, the second management means reads the content body of the digital content related to the download request from the second content database and transmits it to the playback device,
The content download unit of the playback device receives the content body and records it in the recording unit, and inputs acquisition information indicating that the content body has been acquired to the content management unit,
When the acquisition information is input, the content management unit inputs a management request for exclusive use of the content body related to the acquisition information to the operation unit. Copy protection method. 17. The digital content copy prevention method according to claim 16, wherein when the content main body of the digital content is recorded in the recording unit, the content download unit of the playback device issues a second request for acquisition of missing data of the digital content and its position information. To the management means of
The second management means transmits the missing data and position information of the digital content related to the acquisition request to the playback device in response to the acquisition request,
A content download unit receives the missing data and position information and records them in a recording unit.   18. The digital content copy prevention method according to claim 15, 16 or 17, further comprising a plurality of relay means connected to a communication line and capable of wireless communication with a playback apparatus. Prevention method.   19. The digital content copy prevention method according to claim 18, wherein the relay means is installed inside the vending machine together with the first management means, so that the vending machine prepays a fee for using the digital content. A copy prevention method for digital contents, characterized in that a prepaid card is sold. The digital content copy prevention method according to claim 19,
The second management means has a billing server in which charge information of a prepaid fee of the user of the playback device is recorded for each user,
The playback device transmits the first fee information of the prepaid card input by the operation to the second management means,
Upon receiving the first fee information, the second management means records the first fee information in the charge information of the user of the playback device related to the first fee information of the accounting server. ,
When the first management means receives the download request, the first management means transmits a settlement request for the use of the digital content related to the download request to the second management means,
When the second management means receives the payment request, the second management means records the second fee information on the use of the digital content related to the payment request in the charge information of the user of the playback device related to the request of the charging server. A copy prevention method for digital content, characterized by comprising:   The digital content copy prevention method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20. A recording medium in which such a program is described.

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