JP2009153191A - Electronic device with network distribution function and network distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain copyright protection or the like of contents by controlling the maximum number of concurrent distributions over a network through simple distribution restriction control processing, so as to prohibit the contents from being utilized over a range of private utilization. <P>SOLUTION: An electronic device includes: a communication control means for controlling network communication; a device information acquiring means for acquiring device information of devices on the network; a distribution information generating means for generating distribution information; a distribution information transmitting means for transmitting the distribution information onto the network; and a control means for controlling a distribution restriction of the distribution information based on a result of comparing the number of network connected devices with the number of distribution restricted devices. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology for distributing various contents such as movies and music, and various information such as game software and practical software via a network.

In recent years, digital broadcasting services in Japan are scheduled to start CS digital broadcasting in October 1996, BS digital broadcasting in December 2000, and terrestrial digital broadcasting in 2003. In each broadcasting infrastructure, digitization is progressing rapidly.
In the digitalization of broadcasting, MPEG2 which is a moving image compression / decompression technique can be used to increase the number of channels of broadcasting, avoid quality deterioration during transfer and storage of broadcasting content, and the like. However, in order to transfer this digital content from a broadcast receiver to another device such as a recorder or a display device, a digital interface is required, but there is no inexpensive general digital interface that can be used for AV devices. . In view of this, the 1394 bus (IEEE 1394-1995), which has an image and audio data real-time transfer function formulated in 1995 and is optimal as an interface for multimedia data transfer, has attracted attention. As a control protocol for digital AV to ensure the interoperability of the digital AV equipment based on the 1394 bus, the transfer control method (IEC61883) of MPEG2 stream that is AV data was established in February 1998. In April 1998, AV / C command sets for mutual control between devices were established. In addition, a DTCP (Digital Transmissiom Content Protection) system is defined as a copyright management system that prevents content from being copied endlessly from a recorder to another recorder via the 1394 bus.

In the copy restriction method (DTCP), “simultaneous distribution of contents is performed within one 1394 bus, so the maximum number of simultaneous distribution is 63 or less, which is the number of devices connectable to one 1394 bus”. There is a precondition. However, the deliberation of the standard of the 1394 bus bridge (P1394.1) that connects a plurality of 1394 buses is underway, and when the 1394 bus bridge is introduced in the future, the following problems are concerned. That is, in a state where a plurality of 1394 buses are connected by a 1394 bus bridge, the precondition of the copy restriction method (DTCP) “maximum simultaneous distribution number is 63 or less” may not be satisfied. The maximum number is 1023 × 63, and the copyright protection of the content exceeds the range of private copying.
In view of the above prior art, the problem of the present invention is that the maximum number of simultaneous distributions is achieved by a simple distribution restriction control process in a state where a plurality of similar networks are connected by bridges, repeaters, etc. and a large number of devices are interconnected. And the content usage beyond the scope of private use can be prohibited to protect the copyright of the content.
An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of solving the above-described problems.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention,
(1) A device that satisfies the specific requirement of being connected to a network in an electronic device with a network distribution function, such as a digital broadcast receiver or a digital recording / reproducing device that generates distribution information and transmits the distribution information to the network The distribution restriction determination is made as to whether or not the distribution restriction condition that the specific device number that is the number exceeds the simultaneous distribution restriction number is satisfied. If the distribution restriction condition is satisfied, the generation and transmission of distribution information is prohibited. The configuration.
(2) In an electronic device with a network distribution function such as a digital broadcast receiver or a digital recording / reproducing device that generates distribution information and transmits the distribution information to the network, if the distribution information is copy-restricted information, A distribution restriction determination is made as to whether or not a distribution restriction condition is established that the number of specific devices that are connected and have the specific requirement of having a recording processing function exceeds the simultaneous distribution restriction number. When the distribution restriction condition is satisfied, the generation and transmission of distribution information is prohibited.
(3) In an electronic device with a network distribution function such as a digital recording / reproducing device that receives distribution information from a network and performs recording processing of the distribution information, if the distribution information is information with copy restrictions, it is connected to the network. The distribution restriction judgment is performed to determine whether or not the distribution restriction condition that the number of specific devices that satisfy the specific requirement of having a recording processing function exceeds the simultaneous distribution restriction number is satisfied, and the distribution restriction When the condition is satisfied, the reception information and the recording process are prohibited.
(4) In an electronic device with a network distribution function such as a bridge that receives distribution information from the first network and transmits distribution information to the second network, when the distribution information is information with copy restrictions, Distribution restriction determination as to whether or not a distribution restriction condition is established that the number of specific devices that are connected to the network and have the specific requirement of having a recording processing function exceeds the simultaneous distribution restriction number When the distribution restriction condition is satisfied, the reception of distribution information from the first network and the transmission of distribution information to the second network are prohibited.

  According to the present invention, even when a large number of devices are interconnected, the use of content beyond the scope of private use can be prohibited by a simple distribution restriction control process, and the copyright of the content can be protected. It becomes possible.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of a digital broadcast receiver as an Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the digital television as an Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the digital recording / reproducing machine as an Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the network bridge which is an Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a digital AV system. It is a figure which shows the example of an apparatus information table. It is a figure which shows the delivery restriction | limiting control processing flow of a delivery restriction | limiting control means. It is a figure which shows the delivery restriction | limiting control processing flow of a delivery restriction | limiting control means. It is a figure which shows the delivery restriction | limiting control processing flow of a delivery restriction | limiting control means. It is a figure which shows the delivery restriction | limiting control processing flow of a delivery restriction | limiting control means.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a digital AV system for explaining the present invention.
The digital AV system includes a digital broadcast receiver 1 that receives broadcast programs and transmits them on a network, a digital television 2 that receives broadcast programs and recorded programs on a network and outputs video and audio, and broadcast programs and records on a network. It comprises a digital recorder 3 for receiving and recording programs, a bridge 4 for connecting the first network N1 and the second network N2, and the like. Note that the broken line in FIG. 5 indicates that another digital AV device is connected.

Next, various digital AV devices constituting the digital AV system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a configuration example of a digital broadcast receiver as an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a digital broadcast receiver 1 is a network distribution control means 12 for controlling network communication, and a device information acquisition means for acquiring device information of devices on the network, as a means for network distribution that is information distribution via a network. 13. Distribution information generation means 14g for generating distribution information to be transmitted, distribution information transmission means 15t for transmitting distribution information on the network, and the like. The distribution information generation unit 14g includes a channel selection processing unit 14g1 that performs a digital broadcast channel selection process as a process of generating distribution information to be transmitted. In addition, device information providing means 16 for providing device information to devices on the network and user operation means 17 for user operation are provided. Furthermore, in addition to the above, whether the distribution restriction condition that the number of specific devices, which is the number of devices satisfying the specific requirement of being connected to the network, is a feature of the present invention exceeds the simultaneous distribution limit number is satisfied A delivery restriction control unit 11 is provided for controlling the delivery restriction when the delivery restriction judgment is made and the delivery restriction condition is satisfied.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a digital television as an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 2, the digital television 2 has, as a network distribution unit that is information distribution via a network, a network communication control unit 22 that controls network communication, a device information acquisition unit 23 that acquires device information of devices on the network, Distribution information receiving means 25r for receiving distribution information from the network and distribution information processing means 24p for processing information of the received distribution information. The distribution information processing unit 24p includes a viewing processing unit 24p1 that generates an analog AV signal from the distribution information as information processing (viewing processing) of the received distribution information. Also provided are device information providing means 26 for providing device information to devices on the network, user operation means 27 for user operations, and AV output means 28 for outputting audio and video from analog AV signals. Furthermore, a distribution restriction control means 31 for controlling distribution restrictions is provided.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a digital recording / reproducing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The digital recording / reproducing apparatus 3 includes a network communication control unit 32 that controls network communication, a device information acquisition unit 33 that acquires device information of devices on the network, and a network distribution unit that is information distribution via the network. Distribution information receiving means 35r for receiving distribution information from, distribution information processing means 34p for processing received distribution information, distribution information generating means 34g for generating distribution information to be transmitted, and distribution information for transmitting distribution information on a network. It has a transmission means 35t. The distribution information processing means 34p has recording processing means 34p1 for recording the distribution information as information processing (recording processing) of the received distribution information. The distribution information generation unit 34g includes a reproduction processing unit 34g1 that performs reproduction processing of recorded distribution information as generation processing of distribution information to be transmitted. In addition, it also includes a device information providing unit 36 that provides device information to devices on the network, and a user operation unit 37 that is a user operation unit. Furthermore, a distribution restriction control means 31 for controlling distribution restrictions is provided.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of a network bridge which is an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 4, the network bridge 4 is a first network communication control unit 421 that controls communication of the first network and a second network that controls communication of the second network as a network distribution unit that is information distribution via the network. 2 network communication control means 422, equipment information obtaining means 43 for obtaining equipment information of equipment on the network, delivery information receiving means 45r1 for receiving delivery information from the first network, and sending delivery information to the first network Distribution information transmission means 45t1, distribution information reception means 45r2 for receiving distribution information from the second network, and distribution information transmission means 45t2 for transmitting distribution information to the second network. Also provided is device information providing means 46 for providing device information to devices on the network. Furthermore, a distribution restriction control means 41 for controlling distribution restrictions is also provided.

Next, device information table creation processing of device information acquisition means in various digital AV devices constituting the digital AV system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 6 shows a device information table including presence / absence information of various functions for distribution information created by device information acquisition means in various digital AV devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 6, the device information acquisition means 13, 23, 33, 43 makes a device information provision request to the own device and the other device, and the device information of the own device and the other device that has received the device information provision request. The providing means 16, 26, 36, 46 provide device information to the device information providing request source. The device information includes presence / absence information on a reception processing function and an information processing function (viewing process, recording process), which are various functions for distribution information. The device information acquisition means 13, 23, 33, 43 that has received the device information includes device information including presence / absence information of various functions for distribution information such as various digital AV devices connected to the network based on the information. Create a table. In this embodiment, in the device information table, the total number N of connected devices, which is the total number of devices connected to the network, the total number X of devices capable of receiving processing, the total number of devices having a reception processing function, and the viewing processing function The total number of devices capable of processing AV, Y, and the total number of devices capable of recording Z, which is the total number of devices having a recording processing function, are included.

The distribution restriction control process of the distribution restriction control means in various digital AV devices will be described below. In the digital AV system of FIG. 5 above, various digital AV devices having distribution information generating means refer to digital broadcast receivers and digital recording / reproducing devices.
FIG. 7 shows a distribution restriction control processing flow of the distribution restriction control means in various digital AV devices having the distribution information generating means of the present invention.
In FIG. 7, in step 11, it is first determined whether or not a distribution restriction condition that the total number N of connected devices, which is the number of devices satisfying the specific requirement of being connected to the network, exceeds the simultaneous distribution restriction number is satisfied. If the distribution restriction condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step 13; otherwise, the process is terminated. In step 13, a distribution restriction instruction for prohibiting transmission of distribution information is given to the distribution information transmitting means, and the process ends. Here, the distribution information transmission means that has received the instruction to prohibit transmission of distribution information does not transmit distribution information.

  According to the present embodiment, in various digital AV devices having distribution information generating means, (1) the maximum number of simultaneous distributions is realized by simple distribution restriction control processing, and private use (reproduction and simultaneous viewing) It is possible to realize copyright protection of content that prohibits the use of content beyond the scope of the above. (2) The distribution restriction determination process in the distribution restriction control process only needs to make a comparison between the total number N of connected devices and the simultaneous distribution restriction number, and a very high level of distribution restriction can be realized with a simple process. Here, a very high level of distribution restriction refers to a level at which unauthorized devices that are false in the device information providing means as having no reception processing function can be counted as distribution targets in the distribution restriction determination. (3) It is possible to perform complete distribution restriction by a simple process of prohibiting transmission of distribution information. Here, complete distribution restriction refers to stopping transmission processing for information distribution. (4) Control of the maximum number of simultaneous distributions can be realized without depending on the function for the distribution information of the connected device and the distribution restriction information of the distribution information.

  Note that the distribution restriction instruction in the distribution restriction control process is an instruction to the own device that is generating the distribution information, and the distribution information generation means prohibits the generation of the distribution information or the other device that has received the information distribution. In the distribution information receiving means, the distribution information receiving means prohibits reception of distribution information, the distribution information transmitting means prohibits transmission of distribution information, the distribution information processing means prohibits information processing of distribution information, Either of the distribution information conversion is prohibited.

FIG. 8 shows a distribution restriction control processing flow of other distribution restriction control means in various digital AV devices having the distribution information generating means of the present invention.
In FIG. 8, in step 21, a first distribution restriction determination is made as to whether or not the distribution information is information with copy restriction. If the distribution information is information with copy restriction, the process proceeds to step 22, where the distribution information is copy restriction. If it is not attached information, the process ends. In step 22, the total number of recordable devices Z, which is the number of devices that satisfy the specific requirement of being connected to the network and being capable of information processing (recording processing) of received distribution information, is set as the simultaneous distribution limit number. A second distribution restriction determination is made as to whether or not the distribution restriction condition of exceeding is satisfied. If the distribution restriction condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step 23, and if not, the process is terminated. In step 23, a distribution restriction instruction to reduce the amount of distribution information generation information is given to the distribution information generation means, and the process ends. Here, the distribution information generation means that has received an instruction to reduce the amount of generated information of distribution information reduces the amount of generated information of distribution information.

  According to the present embodiment, in various digital AV devices having distribution information generation means, (1) the maximum number of simultaneous distributions can be controlled by a simple distribution restriction control process, and the range of private use (copy creation) can be reduced. It is possible to realize copyright protection of content that prohibits the use of excess content. (2) Simple combination of the distribution restriction determination process in the distribution restriction control process with the determination of whether or not the distribution information is information with copy restriction, and the size comparison determination between the total number of recordable devices Z and the simultaneous distribution restriction number. Can be realized by simple processing. (3) With the process of reducing the generation information amount of distribution information, it can be realized by relaxing distribution restrictions. Here, the relaxation of the distribution restriction means that a transmission process for information distribution is performed, but the amount of information of the distribution information is reduced. (4) Control of the maximum number of simultaneous distributions can be realized in a manner that depends on functions for distribution information of connected devices and distribution restriction information of distribution information. The distribution restriction instruction in the distribution restriction control process is a distribution information in the distribution information conversion means that reduces the amount of information processing of the distribution information in the distribution information processing means as an instruction to the other device receiving the distribution information. It is possible to reduce the amount of conversion information.

FIG. 9 shows a distribution restriction control processing flow of the distribution restriction control means in various digital AV devices having the distribution information processing means of the present invention.
In FIG. 9, in step 31, a first distribution restriction determination is made as to whether or not the distribution information is information with viewing restriction. If the distribution information is information with viewing restriction, the process proceeds to step 32, where the distribution information is viewing restriction. If it is not attached information, the process ends. In step 32, the total number Y of devices that can be viewed, which is the number of devices that satisfy the specific requirement of being connected to the network and being capable of information processing (viewing processing) of the received distribution information, is set as the simultaneous distribution limit number. A second distribution restriction determination is made as to whether or not the distribution restriction condition of exceeding is satisfied. If the distribution restriction condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step 33. If not, the process ends. In step 33, a distribution restriction instruction for prohibiting reception of distribution information is issued to the distribution information receiving means, and the process is terminated. Here, the distribution information receiving means that has received the distribution information reception prohibition instruction does not receive the distribution information.

  According to the present embodiment, (1) a copyright of content that realizes control of the maximum number of simultaneous distributions by simple distribution restriction control processing and prohibits the use of content beyond the range of private use (simultaneous viewing). Protection can be realized. (2) Simple combination of the distribution restriction determination process in the distribution restriction control process with the determination of whether or not the distribution information is information with viewing restriction, and the size comparison determination between the total number of viewable devices Y and the simultaneous distribution restriction number. Can be realized by simple processing. (3) A complete distribution restriction can be realized by a simple process of prohibiting reception of distribution information. Here, complete distribution restriction means that reception processing for information distribution is stopped. (4) Control of the maximum number of simultaneous distributions can be realized in a manner that depends on functions for distribution information of connected devices and distribution restriction information of distribution information.

  Note that the distribution restriction instruction in the distribution restriction control process is an instruction to the own device receiving the distribution information, prohibiting the information processing of the distribution information in the distribution information processing means, or generating the distribution information. As an instruction to the device, the distribution information generation means prohibits the generation of distribution information, the distribution information transmission means prohibits the transmission of distribution information, or the distribution information as an instruction to other devices receiving the distribution information. Prohibit reception of distribution information in receiving means, prohibit transmission of distribution information in distribution information transmitting means, prohibit information processing of distribution information in distribution information processing means, prohibit conversion of distribution information in distribution information conversion means Either of these may be used.

FIG. 10 shows a distribution restriction control processing flow of the distribution restriction control means in various digital AV devices that do not have distribution information generation means and distribution information processing means. Here, the various digital AV devices that do not have the distribution information generation means and the distribution information processing means indicate network bridges in the digital AV system of FIG.
In FIG. 10, in step 41, the total number X of receivable devices, which is the number of devices that satisfy the specific requirement of being connected to the network and capable of receiving distribution information, exceeds the simultaneous distribution limit number. The first distribution restriction determination is made as to whether or not the distribution restriction condition is satisfied. If the distribution restriction condition is established, the process proceeds to step 43. If not, the process is terminated. In step 43, a distribution restriction instruction for prohibiting reception of the distribution information is given to the distribution information receiving means, and the process ends. Here, the distribution information transmitting means that has received an instruction to prohibit reception of distribution information does not receive distribution information.

  According to the present embodiment, (1) content that realizes control of the maximum number of simultaneous distributions by simple distribution restriction control processing and prohibits the use of content beyond the scope of private use (copy creation and simultaneous viewing). Can be protected. (2) The distribution restriction determination process in the distribution restriction control process only needs to compare and judge the total number X of receivable devices and the simultaneous distribution restriction number, and a high-level distribution restriction can be realized with a simple process. Here, the high-level distribution restriction is a level at which an unauthorized device, which is assumed to have no information processing function for distribution information by the device information providing means in the distribution restriction determination, can be counted as a distribution target. (3) A complete distribution restriction can be realized by a simple process of prohibiting reception of distribution information. Here, complete distribution restriction means that reception processing for information distribution, that is, a bridge function is stopped. (4) The maximum number of simultaneous distributions can be controlled without depending on the function for the distribution information of the connected device and the distribution restriction information of the distribution information. The distribution restriction instruction in the distribution restriction control process is an instruction to the own device receiving the information distribution, and prohibits transmission of distribution information in the distribution information transmission means or generates other information distribution devices. As an instruction to, distribution information generation means prohibits the generation of distribution information, distribution information transmission means prohibits transmission of distribution information, or distribution information reception as an instruction to other devices receiving information distribution It is possible to prohibit the reception of distribution information in the means, prohibit the information processing of distribution information in the distribution information processing means, or prohibit the conversion of distribution information in the distribution information conversion means. Further, when the network bridge has distribution information conversion means for converting the distribution information in the first format in the first network into the second format in the second network, a distribution restriction instruction in the distribution restriction control process As an instruction to the own device receiving the information distribution, either the distribution information conversion means in the distribution information conversion means is prohibited or the information amount of the distribution information conversion in the distribution information conversion means is reduced.

  In the embodiment described above, (1) when the network handled by the network communication control means is an IEEE 1394 serial bus, the network communication control means, the device information obtaining means, the device information providing means, and the distribution information transmission Means, the above distribution information receiving means, etc. may be based on existing technologies such as standardized IEEE 1394-1995, copy restriction method (DTCP), IEC61883, AV / C command set. (2) When the value of the simultaneous distribution limit number is standardized, the standardized simultaneous distribution limit number value may be implemented in various AV devices. In addition, when a mechanism for embedding the value of the simultaneous distribution limit number in the distribution information is standardized, a mechanism for extracting the value of the simultaneous distribution limit number from the distribution information may be implemented in various AV devices. .

  In addition to the above-described embodiment, the present invention may use (1) a combination restriction condition that distribution information is copyrighted information as a distribution restriction determination condition in the distribution restriction unit. The maximum number of simultaneous distributions can be controlled depending on the presence or absence of copyright. (2) The distribution restriction by the distribution restriction unit may be limited to at least one of the simultaneous copy restriction and the simultaneous viewing restriction. In this case, the distribution restriction depends on whether there is a simultaneous copy restriction or a simultaneous viewing restriction. Can control the maximum number of simultaneous distributions. The simultaneous distribution limit number can be the simultaneous copy limit number or the simultaneous viewing limit number. (3) The information processing of the received distribution information performed by the distribution information processing means may be a program execution process. In this case, the execution of the program can be stopped or some functions of the program can be disabled. .

1 ... Digital broadcast receiver,
11: Distribution restriction control means,
12: Network communication control means,
13: Device information acquisition means,
14g ... Distribution information generation means,
15t ... delivery information transmission means,
14g ... delivery information generation means,
14g1 ... channel selection processing means transmission,
16: Device information providing means,
17: User operation means.

Claims (22)

An electronic device with a network distribution function for distributing information via a network,
An electronic device with a network distribution function, comprising control means for controlling distribution information distribution restriction based on a comparison result between the number of network connection devices and the number of distribution restriction devices. An electronic device with a network distribution function for distributing information via a network,
Communication control means for controlling network communication, equipment information obtaining means for obtaining equipment information of equipment on the network, delivery information generating means for producing delivery information, delivery information sending means for sending delivery information on the network, And an electronic device with a network distribution function, comprising: a control means for controlling the distribution restriction of the distribution information based on a comparison result between the number of network connection devices and the number of distribution restriction devices. An electronic device with a network distribution function for distributing information via a network,
Communication control means for controlling network communication, device information acquisition means for acquiring device information of devices on the network, distribution information receiving means for receiving distribution information from the network, and distribution for processing received distribution information An electronic device with a network distribution function, comprising: an information processing unit; and a control unit that controls distribution limitation of the distribution information based on a comparison result between the number of network connection devices and the number of distribution restriction devices. An electronic device with a network distribution function for distributing information via a network,
Communication control means comprising first communication control means for controlling communication of the first network and second communication control means for controlling communication of the second network; and device information of equipment on the network. Device information acquisition means for acquiring; distribution information receiving means for receiving distribution information from the first network; distribution information transmitting means for transmitting the received distribution information to the second network; And a control means for controlling the distribution restriction of the distribution information based on a comparison result between the number of devices connected to one or both of the two networks and the number of distribution restricted devices. Functional electronic equipment.   5. The electronic apparatus with a network distribution function according to claim 4, wherein the distribution information receiving unit includes a distribution information processing unit that performs information processing on the received distribution information.   The first communication control means has a distribution information conversion configuration for converting the first format distribution information in the first network into the second format in the second network. 5. An electronic device with a network distribution function according to 5. The control means includes
Prohibit the generation of distribution information in the distribution information generation means of own machine, reduce the amount of generated information,
Prohibit transmission of distribution information in the distribution information transmission means of own machine,
Prohibit transmission of distribution information in the distribution information transmission means of other machines,
Prohibition of receiving distribution information in the distribution information receiving means of other devices,
Prohibition of information processing of distribution information in the distribution information processing means of other machines, reduction of processing information amount,
Disallowing conversion of distribution information in the distribution information conversion means of other machines, reducing the amount of conversion information,
The electronic device with a network distribution function according to claim 2, wherein the electronic device is configured to perform at least one of the above. The control means includes
Prohibition of receiving distribution information in the distribution information receiving means of own machine,
Prohibition of information processing of distribution information in own distribution information processing means, reduction of processing information amount,
Prohibition of distribution information generation in the distribution information generation means of other machines, reduction of the amount of generated information,
Prohibit transmission of distribution information in the distribution information transmission means of other machines,
Prohibition of receiving distribution information in the distribution information receiving means of other devices,
Prohibition of information processing of distribution information in the distribution information processing means of other machines, reduction of processing information amount,
Disallowing conversion of distribution information in the distribution information conversion means of other machines, reducing the amount of conversion information,
The electronic device with a network distribution function according to claim 3, wherein the electronic device is configured to perform at least one of the above. The control means includes
Prohibition of receiving distribution information in the distribution information receiving means of own machine,
Prohibition of conversion of distribution information in the distribution information conversion means of own machine, reduction of conversion information amount,
Prohibit transmission of distribution information in the distribution information transmission means of own machine,
Prohibition of distribution information generation in the distribution information generation means of other machines, reduction of the amount of generated information,
Prohibit transmission of distribution information in the distribution information transmission means of other machines,
Prohibition of receiving distribution information in the distribution information receiving means of other devices,
Prohibition of information processing of distribution information in the distribution information processing means of other machines, reduction of processing information amount,
Disallowing conversion of distribution information in the distribution information conversion means of other machines, reducing the amount of conversion information,
The electronic device with a network distribution function according to claim 4, wherein the electronic device is configured to perform at least one of the above.   The control means has a configuration for determining whether or not the number of connected devices is within the number of distribution-restricted devices. As a requirement for the determination, the control means can receive distribution information or can process received distribution information. The electronic device with a network distribution function according to any one of claims 1 to 6, including any one or both of being.   The control means has a configuration for determining whether or not the number of connected devices is within the number of distribution-restricted devices, and distribution information is copyrighted information or distribution-restricted information as a requirement for the determination. The electronic device with a network distribution function according to any one of claims 1 to 6, including either one or both.   12. The electronic device with a network distribution function according to claim 11, wherein the control means includes the distribution restriction information being at least one of copy restriction information and viewing restriction information.   12. The electronic device with a network distribution function according to claim 11, wherein the control unit includes the distribution restriction information that is at least one of simultaneous copy restriction information and simultaneous viewing restriction information.   14. The electronic device with a network distribution function according to claim 13, wherein the number of simultaneous distribution restriction devices to be simultaneously distributed is the number of simultaneous copy restriction devices or the simultaneous viewing restriction devices.   6. The network distribution function according to claim 3, wherein the distribution information processing means performs at least one information processing of content viewing processing, content storage processing, program storage processing, and program execution processing. Electronics.   The electronic device with a network distribution function according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control means performs a control operation so that the number of connected devices or the number of distribution restricted devices does not include the own device.   7. The electronic device with a network distribution function according to claim 2, wherein the communication control means is configured to support an IEEE 1394 serial bus. A network distribution method for distributing information via a network,
A first step of controlling network communication; a second step of acquiring device information of devices on the network; a step of generating distribution information; a third step of transmitting distribution information on the network; Based on the comparison result between the number of connected devices and the number of restricted devices, at least one of distribution information generation prohibition in the distribution information generation means, generation information amount reduction, or distribution information transmission prohibition in the distribution information transmission means A network distribution method comprising: a fourth step to perform. A network distribution method for distributing information via a network,
A first step of controlling network communication, a second step of acquiring device information of devices on the network, a step of receiving distribution information from the network, and a third step of performing information processing of the received distribution information Based on the comparison result between the step and the number of devices connected to the network and the number of restricted devices, the distribution information receiving means prohibits reception of distribution information, the distribution information processing means prohibits information processing of information, or reduces the amount of processing information. A network distribution method comprising: a fourth step of performing at least one of them. A network distribution method for distributing information via a network,
A first step of controlling communication of the first network and communication of the second network, a step of acquiring device information of devices on the network, and a second step of receiving distribution information from the first network A third step of transmitting the received distribution information onto the second network, and the number of devices connected to one or both of the first and second networks and the number of distribution-limited devices A network distribution method comprising: a fourth step of performing at least one of distribution information conversion prohibition and conversion information amount reduction in communication of the first network based on a comparison result.   21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the fourth step includes that information processing of received distribution information is possible as a determination requirement when determining whether or not the number of connected devices is within the number of distribution-limited devices. The network delivery method described.   21. The network distribution method according to claim 18, wherein the fourth step includes copyrighted information as a determination requirement when determining whether or not the number of connected devices is within the number of distribution-limited devices. .

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