JP2011091830A - Management method for recorded content and video recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanism of recording and content data management which can copy content data, restricted for only one duplication, by the number of receivers on a network, in order to save resources for recording and improve convenience while taking the copyright management into consideration. <P>SOLUTION: The number of times for duplication possible during recording is set to one time by restricting a recording function of a linked device, or the number of times for duplication possible during recording is set to a value that is the number of receivers on a network subtracted by 1. Wherein, the receivers can record a content restricted for one duplication. When data is transferred to other device, the content is deleted after the transfer if the number of times for duplication possible becomes 0, or the number of times for duplication possible is reduced by one after the transfer if the number of times for duplication possible becomes one or more. A program of a component format is delivered between a video recording device and the linked device to carry out linked operation. Overlapped recording reservation are unified in the network. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In order to save recording resources and improve convenience while considering copyright management, the present invention makes it possible to copy content data that is limited to one copy by the number of receiving devices on the network. It relates to the mechanism of video recording and content data management.

  Digital terrestrial content broadcasting is spreading, such as terrestrial digital television broadcasting started on December 1, 2003. However, in the case of content provided by the conventional analog method, the technical problem that the quality of the content deteriorates if it is copied many times has limited the illegal copying act. Compared to, it is easier to copy without degradation, so a new technology is needed to limit illegal copying for digital data.

  As a conventional method for solving this problem, there is CPRM (Content Protection for Recordable Media) which is a copyright protection technology adopted in the DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) standard. It is possible to limit to one time (for example, see Patent Document 1).

In addition, when recording is attempted on a recording device, recording reservations at the same time overlap, broadcast wave reception level is low / unstable, viewing processing / recording processing / data conversion processing overlap In some cases, the recording resource of the recording device is insufficient or tight due to a high load on the recording means.
As a conventional method for solving this problem, there is a proxy recording function in which recording is performed instead of another recording device connected to the network (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
If you want to watch the same digital broadcast content stored on both HD (Hard Disk) and DVD, or if you want to save it on both a PC (Personal Computer) and a mobile device, you can use two receivers. This can be realized by preparing, receiving by each receiving device, recording each, obtaining two recorded contents data, and moving or down-converting one of the data.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-84271 (first page, FIG. 17) JP 2000-285598 A (first page, FIG. 1)

  The content that has been limited to one copy by the CPRM described above is being replicated for the first time when it is recorded on the device's HD immediately after the content is received on HD / DVD recorders that are rapidly spreading. Therefore, subsequent copies are considered as a second copy and are prohibited. For this reason, in order to record the content data once recorded in the device (in a copy-prohibited state) on another medium, the original medium data is used instead of “replication” that leaves the original medium data. You must do a “move” to delete. In addition, data that is stored on a DVD by “move” and is in a copy-prohibited state can be read by another device such as a PC even though it is still encrypted, to prevent “copy”. Re-transfer from DVD to HD is prohibited.

Therefore, when the proxy recording function is used, the content data stored in the proxy recording server device must be “moved” instead of “duplicated” when transferred to the proxy recording client device. This is because both the proxy recording server device and the proxy recording client device are equipped with a digital broadcast receiving device, which is originally received by proxy recording even though both devices can be replicated once. This means that the right to duplicate one device is lost.
In addition, in order to save and view the same content on both HD and DVD, or both PC and mobile devices, two recorded content data are obtained with two receivers, and one of them is moved or down-converted. Despite the same content, the recording resources for two recorded content data are temporarily used.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to limit copying to one time in order to save recording resources and improve convenience while considering copyright management. It is intended to provide a recording and content data management mechanism that makes it possible to copy the content data as many as the number of receiving devices on the network.

  In order to solve the above problems, the recording device of the present invention includes a receiving recording unit that receives and records restricted content that is limited to one copy, and a content management unit that manages the number of times that the recorded restricted content can be copied And linked device control means for restricting the linked device connected to the network from recording the restricted content, and restricting the linked device from recording the restricted content while the restricted content recording process is being executed. And manage the number of duplication times as one.

In addition, when transferring the recorded restricted content to the linked device, the recording device of the present invention can be copied by deleting the restricted content after transfer and deleting it from the management target of the content management means, If the number of times is 1 or more, the number of times that copying can be performed is reduced by 1 without deleting the restricted content after transfer.
In addition, the recording device of the present invention includes a component-type program that restricts the cooperation device from recording the restricted content, and means for transferring the component to the cooperation device, and the device type of the cooperation device received from the cooperation device From the unique number for identifying the component, a component suitable for the cooperation device is selected and transmitted to the cooperation device.

In addition, when the component of the recording device of the present invention is transferred to the cooperation device and operates, the recording restriction of the cooperation device is performed, a recording restriction start notification is transmitted to the recording device, and a recording restriction release command is issued from the recording device. When the recording device of the present invention receives the recording restriction start notification from the cooperation device, the recording device starts the recording process, and issues a recording restriction release command to the cooperation device after the recording processing is completed. Send.
Also, the recording device of the present invention has a recordable number investigation means for checking the number of receiving devices in a state where the restricted content can be recorded in a linked device connected to the network at home, and the content management means can record The number obtained by subtracting 1 from the number acquired by the number checking means is set as the permitted number of times of replication and managed.

In addition, the recording device of the present invention includes a recording reservation unit that receives and sets a recording reservation request, a reservation status investigation unit that investigates linked device recording reservation contents set in the cooperation device, and a recording reservation content of the recording reservation request. , There is a duplication confirmation means that compares the recording reservation contents of linked devices and checks whether there is a duplicate reservation that reserves the recording of the same content, and a recording restriction means that restricts the receiving recording means so that the restricted content is not recorded. When there is no duplicate reservation, the recording reservation means sets the recording reservation, and when there is a duplicate reservation, the recording restriction means records while the linked device for which the duplicate reservation is set is executing the recording process. Restrict.
Further, the recording device of the present invention has a request means for transmitting a deletion prevention request so as not to delete the recorded content data due to the duplicate reservation to the cooperation device for which the duplicate reservation is set. Instead of restricting recording, a deletion prevention request is transmitted to the cooperation device.

  In addition, the recording device of the present invention has request means for transmitting a deletion prevention request so as not to delete the recorded content data due to the duplicate reservation to the cooperation device for which the duplicate reservation is set, and is a target of the recording reservation request. If there is a duplication reservation investigation means to check whether or not it is necessary to duplicate the recorded data of the content, and if there is no duplicate reservation, the recording reservation means sets the recording reservation, and there is a duplicate reservation and duplication is required, While a linked device that has a duplicate reservation is executing the recording process, if the recording restriction means restricts the recording, and there is a duplicate reservation and duplication is not required, for the linked device for which a duplicate reservation is set Send a delete prevention request.

Further, the recording system of the present invention includes a recording device and a cooperation device that operate in cooperation with each other, and the cooperation device receives and records restricted content whose copying is restricted to one time, and a recording device. A proxy recording request means for requesting to record instead of the linked device, and a recording restriction means for restricting the reception recording means not to record the restricted content, and recording restriction after transmitting the proxy recording request When the means starts the recording restriction and the recording end time of the proxy recording request has passed, the recording restriction means finishes the recording restriction.
Further, the cooperation device of the recording system of the present invention has a component receiving means for receiving a component, and transmits a unique number for identifying the device type of the cooperation device to the recording device together with the proxy recording request, and the component received from the recording device Is operated as a recording restriction means.

  In addition, the recording system of the present invention is connected to a network by receiving recording means for receiving and recording restricted content whose copying is restricted to N times, and content managing means for managing the number of times that the recorded restricted content can be copied. The linked device has a linked device control means for restricting the linked device from recording the restricted content. While executing the restricted content recording process, the linked device restricts the linked device from recording the restricted content, and sets the number of times that can be copied Manage as (2 * N-1) times.

  The network-linked recording method of the present invention in which a recording device and a linked device connected to each other in a network operate in cooperation with each other is a step in which the linked device transmits a proxy recording request to the recording device to limit recording. The recording device receives the proxy recording request and performs proxy recording, and manages the number of times that the recorded content data can be copied as one time; and the recording device records when the recording end time of the proxy recording request has passed And the step of ending the restriction.

According to the present invention, while the recording device is recording, the recording function of the cooperation device is restricted so that the number of times of duplication is one, or the content whose duplication is restricted to one time can be recorded. The number obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of receiving apparatuses on the network in the state is set as the number of times of duplication. For this reason, the number of receiving apparatuses that should have been able to record simultaneously on the network can be managed, and the right of copying can be fully exercised in consideration of copyright.
Further, according to the present invention, even if there is only one entity of the recording data, it can be handled as if the recorded content is virtually held by the number. Also, it can be controlled so that the recording process does not overlap on the network. For this reason, it is possible to save an arithmetic device and a recording medium which are recording resources.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the recording device transfers the copyable content data to another device, and reduces the number of times that the copy can be made by one. For this reason, even if the content data actually remains in the recording device, the same state as when the recording device has moved the content recorded as the recording device itself or the proxy recorded content as the linked device to another device It becomes possible to.

Further, according to the present invention, the recording device duplicates one piece of content data that can be duplicated, and reduces the number of times that the data can be duplicated by one. Therefore, for example, the copied content data can be moved to a DVD, or down-converted and moved to another device.
Further, according to the present invention, the program for limiting the recording function of the cooperation device is provided in the component format. For this reason, by using a component suitable for each linked device, this method can be applied even if the model of the linked device changes.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to save recording resources and improve convenience while considering copyright management.

It is the figure which showed schematic structure of the video recording apparatus 1 in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed schematic structure of the cooperation apparatus 2 in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the content management database 125 in embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed operation | movement of the video recording apparatus 1 and the cooperation apparatus 2 in Example 1 of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the transfer process of the video recording apparatus 1 in Example 1 of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the duplication process of the video recording apparatus 1 in Example 1 of this invention. In Example 1 of this invention, it is an example of the screen which shows the user the error message to the effect that the copy of the designated content is impossible. It is the flowchart which showed operation | movement of the video recording apparatus 1 in Example 2 of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed operation | movement of the video recording apparatus 1 in Example 3 of this invention. In Example 3 of this invention, it is an example of the screen prompting the user to select whether the content to be recorded needs to be duplicated in the future.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, a schematic configuration of the recording device 1 in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the recording device 1 of the present embodiment includes a control device 11, a recording device 12, a communication device 13, a recording device 14, a receiving device 15, and an input / output device 16. .
The control device 11 is a device that executes the processing program held by the recording device 12 and controls the operation of the entire device.

  The recording device 12 is a device that records a processing program for controlling the operation of the recording device 1. Examples of the recording device 12 include a disk, a tape, and a semiconductor. The processing programs held by the recording device 12 include a device control processing unit 121, a cooperation device cooperation processing unit 122, a cooperation device control component 123, a content management processing unit 124, and a content management database 125.

  The device control processing unit 121 is a processing unit that causes each device of the recording device 1 to cooperate and operate as a recorder. For example, a viewing function that causes the receiving device 15 to receive / decode television broadcast content and output it to the input / output device 16, a reception recording function that records the received content data in the recording device 14, and a content management processing unit 124 are linked. Content data processing function for copying / moving / deleting content data recorded in the recording device 14, recording reservation function for receiving and setting a recording reservation instruction or request, and whether recording reservations overlap with linked devices Implement a duplicate confirmation function to check whether or not and a recording restriction function to restrict the recording function.

  The cooperation device cooperation processing unit 122 is a processing unit for operating in cooperation with the cooperation device 2 connected to the network via the communication device 13. Linked device control that restricts the linked device 2 from recording, response to proxy recording request, etc., inquiry about the number of receivers not using recording, reservation status inquiry, reservation content deletion prevention request, etc. I do.

  The cooperation device control component 123 is a component-format program that operates on the cooperation device 2, and controls the operation of the cooperation device 2 in cooperation with the cooperation device cooperation processing unit 122. Here, the component is a program comprising a program implementation part and an interface part for calling the implementation, and having a mechanism that can be dynamically exchanged on a device that operates the entire program.

The content management processing unit 124 is a processing unit that manages content data recorded in the recording device 14. Control content, manage the number of times that copying is possible.
The content management database 125 is a database for the content management processing unit 124 to manage content. A content ID for identifying the content and the number of times each content can be copied are stored in association with each other.

The communication device 13 is a device that communicates with the cooperation device 2 and transfers the cooperation device control component 123. Examples of communication methods include USB, IEEE1394, Ethernet (registered trademark), and wireless LAN.
The recording device 14 is a device for recording content data. Examples of the recording device 14 include a hard disk drive, a DVD drive, and a tape recorder.
The receiving device 15 is a device that receives television broadcast radio waves and decodes them so that they can be viewed.
The input / output device 16 is an interface device that allows a user to operate the recording device 1 and obtain information from the recording device 1. Examples of the input / output device 16 include a button, a switch, a key, a dial, a stick, a pad, a mouse, a remote controller, a touch panel, a monitor, a lamp, a speaker, and a vibrator.

Next, a schematic configuration of the cooperation device 2 in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the cooperation device 2 of this embodiment includes a control device 21, a recording device 22, a communication device 23, a recording device 24, a receiving device 25, and an input / output device 26. . Since the cooperation device 2 is the same as the recording device 1 shown in FIG. 1 except for the processing program recorded by the recording device 22, detailed description of components other than the recording device 22 is omitted.

  The recording device 22 is a device that records a processing program for controlling the operation of the cooperation device 2. Examples of the recording device 22 include a disk, a tape, and a semiconductor. The processing programs held by the recording device 22 include a device control processing unit 221, a recording device cooperation processing unit 222, and a cooperation device control component 223.

  The device control processing unit 221 is a processing unit that causes the devices of the cooperation device 2 to cooperate and operate as a recorder. For example, the receiving device 25 receives / decodes television broadcast content and outputs it to the input / output device 26, the reception recording function for recording the received content data in the recording device 24, and the recording device 24. Content data processing function that duplicates, moves, and deletes content data, proxy recording request function that requests recording on behalf of linked devices, recording restriction function that restricts recording function, and recording content deletion prevention function Realize.

The recording device cooperation processing unit 222 is a processing unit for operating in cooperation with the recording device 1 connected to the network via the communication device 23. A proxy recording request function that requests to perform recording instead of a linked device, a recording status response function that responds to a recording status inquiry, and a reservation status response function that responds to a reservation status inquiry are realized.
The cooperation device control component 223 is a component device cooperation device control program received from the recording device 1 and operates as the recording device cooperation processing unit 222.

Hereinafter, an example of the content management database 125 held in the recording device 12 in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the content management database 125, the content ID 1251 and the duplicatable count 1252 are stored in association with each other.

  Hereinafter, Example 1 which is the 1st form for carrying out the present invention is explained. In the present embodiment, while the recording device 1 performs proxy recording of the linked device 2 connected to the network at home, the recording function of the linked device 2 is limited to record the content whose copying is limited to one time after recording. An example in which copying is possible once again will be described.

Hereinafter, operations of the recording device 1 and the cooperation device 2 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the recording device cooperation processing unit 222 executed by the control device 21 of the cooperation device 2 transmits the type of the cooperation device 2 and the proxy recording request to the recording device 1 via the communication device 23 (step 1001).

Next, the device control processing unit 121 executed by the control device 11 of the recording device 1 links the linked device control component 123 corresponding to the device type received from the linked device 2 via the communication device 13 via the communication device 13. The data is transmitted to the device 2 (step 1002).
Next, the device control processing unit 221 executed by the control device 21 of the cooperation device 2 replaces the recording device cooperation processing unit 222 with the cooperation device control component 123 received from the recording device 1 via the communication device 23 (step 1003). ). The replaced cooperative device control component 123 is executed by the control device 21 to restrict the recording of the recording device 24 (step 1004), and transmits a recording restriction start notification to the recording device 1 (step 1005).

  Next, when the cooperation device cooperation processing unit 122 executed by the control device 11 receives the recording restriction start notification, the device control processing unit 121 causes the recording device 14 to record the content data received by the reception device 15 ( Step 1006). At this time, the content management processing unit 124 executed by the control device 11 assigns an identification ID to the recorded content, and registers the content in the content management database 125 in association with the content ID, with the number of times that the content can be copied as one. (Step 1007). Next, the cooperation device cooperation processing unit 122 transmits a recording restriction release command to the cooperation device 2 (step 1008).

When receiving the recording restriction release command from the recording device 1, the cooperative device control component 123 releases the recording restriction of the recording device 24 (step 1009).
Thereafter, when receiving a transfer request from the cooperation device 2 or a copy instruction from the user (step 1010), the recording device 1 performs a transfer process or a copy process (step 1011).

Hereinafter, transfer processing of the recording device 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
First, a content transfer request is sent from the cooperation device 2 together with an identification ID of the content (step 2001). The content ID is designated by the user of the link device 2 selecting from a list of IDs obtained by the link device 2 inquiring from the recording device 1 in advance. Next, the content management processing unit 124 searches the content management database 125 for the number of times that copying can be performed in association with the received content ID (step 2002).

  When the number of times that copying is possible is 0 (No in step 2002), the content management processing unit 124 deletes the received content ID entry from the content management database 125 (step 2003), and the content data indicated by the content ID is deleted. And move to the cooperation device 2 (step 2004). That is, after the data transfer from the recording device 1 to the cooperation device 2, the data in the recording device 1 is deleted.

  When the number of duplication times is one or more (Yes in step 2002), the content management processing unit 124 reduces the number of duplication times associated with the received content ID once (step 2005), and the content ID is The content data to be pointed is copied to the cooperation device 2 (step 2006). That is, the data in the recording device 1 is not deleted after the data transfer from the recording device 1 to the cooperation device 2.

Hereinafter, the duplication processing of the recording device 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the user of the recording device 1 designates a content identification ID and instructs to copy the content (step 3001). The content ID is designated by the user selecting from the ID list indicated by the recording device 1. Next, the content management processing unit 124 checks the content management database 125 for the number of times that copying can be performed in association with the designated content ID (step 3002).

When the number of times that copying is possible is 0 (No in step 3002), the device control processing unit 121 displays an error message indicating that the specified content cannot be copied on the input / output device 16 (step 3003). ).
If the number of duplication times is one or more (Yes in step 3002), the content management processing unit 124 reduces the number of duplication times associated with the designated content ID once (step 3004), and device control processing The unit 121 duplicates the content data indicated by the content ID (step 3005). That is, the content data is duplicated in the recording device 14 of the recording device 1. Next, the device control processing unit 121 assigns an identification ID to the copied and newly generated content data, and registers the content data in the content management database 125 in association with the content ID, with the number of times that the content can be copied as 0 (step). 3006).

FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen displayed in step 3003 by causing the device control processing unit 121 to display an error message on the input / output device 16 indicating that the designated content cannot be copied, and showing it to the user. is there.
In the present embodiment, the cooperation device that makes a proxy recording request and the cooperation device that makes a transfer request have been described as the same cooperation device 2, but may be different devices.
In the present embodiment, an example in which the content ID is associated with the number of times of duplication is shown, but the device ID of the cooperation device may be associated with the number of times of duplication. In this case, even content that is actually recorded and held by the recording device 1 can be handled as content recorded by each device.

In this embodiment, the case where recording is restricted after the recording device cooperation processing unit 222 is replaced by the cooperation device control component 123 has been described as an example. However, the recording restriction may not be immediately after the replacement. Alternatively, it may be immediately before the time when the recording device 1 starts recording due to the proxy recording request. In this case, the recording restriction time is shortened, and the receiving device 25 and the recording device 24 of the cooperation device 2 can be used effectively.
Further, in this embodiment, when the cooperation device 2 receives the cooperation device control component 123, the recording device cooperation processing unit 222 is replaced and the recording is limited as an example. A program may be installed in the linkage device 2 from the beginning by limiting the recording when it is released and releasing the recording limitation after the recording end time of the proxy recording.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the recording device 1 performs the proxy recording of the cooperation device 2 has been described as an example. However, the recording processing performed by the recording device 1 and the cooperation device 2 in cooperation with each other is not a proxy recording. Any other recording process may be used.
Further, in the present embodiment, the case where content whose copy is limited to one time is recorded has been described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to the case where content whose copy is limited to N times is recorded. In this case, when the content management processing unit 124 assigns an identification ID to the recorded content and registers it in the content management database 125 in step 1007, the number of times that the content can be copied is (2 * N-1) times. .
In the above, the 1st form for implementing this invention was demonstrated.

  The second embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described below. It is assumed that each of the receiving devices of the recording device 1 and the cooperation device 2 has the right to copy (receive and record) the content whose copying is limited to once, and the recording device 1 records. An example of acquiring the right to copy the content that is limited to one copy after the recording (copying right) for the number of receiving devices that were not used for recording on the home network explain. In addition, below, the content which overlaps with the content already described in Example 1 is abbreviate | omitted.

Hereinafter, the operation of the recording device 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
First, recording is instructed by a user of the recording device 1, or a proxy recording request is received from another recording device 1 or linked device 2 connected to the network (step 4001).
Next, the device control processing unit 121 causes the recording device 14 to record the content data received by the receiving device 15 (step 4002). During this time, the cooperation device cooperation processing unit 122 intermittently inquires the other recording devices 1 or the cooperation devices 2 connected to the network about the number of receiving devices that are not used for recording (here, the recording device 1 or the recording device 1). Considering the case where the cooperation device 2 has a plurality of reception devices), the other recording device 1 or the cooperation device 2 checks the number of reception devices that are not used for recording by the own device and answers the recording device 1. The control processing unit 121 checks the total number of duplication rights in the network in total (step 4003).

  The device control processing unit 121 and the cooperation device cooperation processing unit 122 repeat Step 4002 and Step 4003 until the recording is completed (No in Step 4004). Here, at a certain moment, it is assumed that the receiving device 25A is not used for recording and another receiving device 25B is used for recording. At another moment, even if the receiving device 25A is used for recording, if another receiving device 25B is not used for recording at that time, the receiving device 25A and the receiving device 25B are combined and the copy is limited to one time. It is assumed that one receiving device that can record the recorded content is continuously reserved. That is, it continues to check how many receiving devices are not used for recording at a certain moment, and the number of the number of copies that can be taken while the recording device 1 is recording is the number of copying rights of the entire home network. And

When the recording is completed (Yes in step 4004), the content management processing unit 124 assigns an identification ID to the recorded content, and the recording device 1 has already been used for recording from the number of duplication rights of the entire home network obtained in step 4003. The number of copies reduced by one copy right is registered in the content management database 125 in association with the content ID as the number of times that the content can be copied (step 4005).
The subsequent transfer processing or duplication processing is the same as steps 2001 to 2006 of the first embodiment or steps 3001 to 3006 of the first embodiment (step 4006 and step 4007).
In the above, the 2nd form for implementing this invention was demonstrated.

  Hereinafter, a third mode for carrying out the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, when the recording device 1 receives a recording reservation instruction, if another recording device 1 or a linked device 2 connected to the network has already planned to record the same content, the user copies the content. Depending on whether or not there is a plan to perform recording, the recording device 1 restricts recording and performs processing linked to another recording device 1 or linked device 2 for which a duplicate reservation is set, or another recording for which a duplicate reservation is set. An example of processing for selecting whether or not to delete the recorded content of the device 1 or the cooperation device 2 will be described. In addition, below, the content which overlaps with the content already described in Example 1 and Example 2 is abbreviate | omitted.

Hereinafter, the operation of the recording device 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
First, when a recording reservation is instructed by the user of the recording device 1 (step 5001), the cooperation device cooperation processing unit 122 starts and ends recording with respect to another recording device 1 or the cooperation device 2 connected to the network. The reservation status such as time and recording channel is inquired (step 5002). The other recording device 1 or linked device 2 connected to the network checks the reservation status of its own device and answers the recording device 1.

Next, the device control processing unit 121 investigates whether the reservation instructed by the user overlaps with the reservation set in the other recording device 1 or the linked device 2 connected to the network (step 5003). If the reservations do not overlap (No in step 5003), the recording reservation in the recording device 1 is set according to the instruction from the user (step 5004).
If the reservations are duplicated (Yes in step 5003), the device control processing unit 121 sends a message to the input / output device 16 asking the user whether the content to be recorded needs to be duplicated in the future. The display is displayed (step 5005), and the user selects the displayed option and answers (step 5006).

  If the user replied that copying is not necessary (No in step 5007), the linked device linkage processing unit 122 is linked to another recording device 1 or a linked device that has set a duplicate reservation that overlaps the reservation instructed by the user. A deletion prevention request is transmitted to the device 2 so as not to delete the recording content data of the duplicate reservation (step 5008). The other recording device 1 or linked device 2 that has received the deletion prevention request manages not to delete the recorded content.

  In step 5007, when the user replied that replication is necessary (Yes in step 5007), the device control processing unit 121 and the cooperation device cooperation processing unit 122 are similar to steps 1004 to 1009 in the first embodiment. Recording of the recording device 1 is restricted, and cooperation processing is performed with another recording device 1 or cooperation device 2 for which a duplicate reservation is set (step 5009). Here, the recording device 1 performs the processing on the linked device side of the first embodiment, and the other recording device 1 or the linked device 2 for which the duplicate reservation is set performs the processing on the recording device side of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an example of a screen that prompts the user to select whether or not the content to be recorded needs to be duplicated in the future in step 5005.
FIG. 10 shows an example in which “Yes” or “No” is selected with the up and down buttons of the remote control and the “Enter” button on the remote control is pressed to confirm the choices. If so, you can specify with the number buttons or color buttons on the remote control, select with the radio button format and click the OK button, select from the drop-down list, select from more than 3 choices, etc. .

In this embodiment, the case where the recording device is instructed to make a recording reservation has been described as an example. However, even if it is not a recording reservation instruction to record on a specified channel at a specified time, recording is immediately performed on the currently set channel. It may be a recording instruction for starting the recording.
In the present embodiment, the case where the recording device is instructed to record by the user has been described as an example. However, even if the recording instruction is not from the user, the proxy recording request from the linked device connected to the network is also possible. Good.
Further, in this embodiment, the case where the recording device inquires the cooperation device about the reservation status such as the recording start / end time and the recording channel set in the cooperation device has been described as an example. The recording device may transfer the reserved content to the cooperation device, and the cooperation device may check and answer whether there is a reservation content overlapping in the cooperation device.

In addition, in this embodiment, after confirming whether there is duplication of recording reservations, an example in which the user is asked whether duplication is necessary and the subsequent processing is branched is described. In such a case, the recording restriction / cooperation process may be performed without asking the user whether or not copying is necessary.
In addition, in this embodiment, after confirming whether there is duplication of recording reservations, an example in which the user is asked whether duplication is necessary and the subsequent processing is branched is described. In such a case, a reservation content deletion prevention request may be transmitted to the linked device without asking the user whether or not copying is necessary.
In the above, the 3rd form for implementing this invention was demonstrated.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the linkage device is described as a device connected to the recording device and the network at home. However, within the scope of “duplication for private use” permitted by the copyright law. For example, it may not be connected to the network at home.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the recording device and the cooperation device are different devices connected to each other via the network has been described as an example. However, the recording device and the cooperation device may be the same device. For example, the embodiment of the present invention can also be applied when there are a plurality of receiving apparatuses in the same device.
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, while the recording device is recording, the recording function of the cooperation device is limited so that the number of times of duplication is one, or the content whose duplication is limited to one time is recorded. A number obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of receiving apparatuses on the network in a recordable state is set as the number of times of duplication. For this reason, the number of receiving apparatuses that should have been able to record simultaneously on the network can be managed, and the right of copying can be fully exercised in consideration of copyright.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, even if there is only one entity of the recording data, it is possible to handle it as if the recording contents are virtually held by the number. Also, it can be controlled so that the recording process does not overlap on the network. For this reason, it is possible to save an arithmetic device and a recording medium which are recording resources.
Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the recording device transfers the copyable content data to another device, and reduces the number of times of copying by one. For this reason, even if the content data actually remains in the recording device, the same state as when the recording device has moved the content recorded as the recording device itself or the proxy recorded content as the linked device to another device It becomes possible to.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the recording device duplicates one piece of content data that can be duplicated, and reduces the number of times that the data can be duplicated by one. Therefore, for example, the copied content data can be moved to a DVD, or down-converted and moved to another device.
Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the program for limiting the recording function of the cooperation device is provided in the component format. For this reason, by using a component suitable for each linked device, this method can be applied even if the model of the linked device changes.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Recording apparatus 11 ... Control apparatus 12 ... Recording apparatus 13 ... Communication apparatus 14 ... Recording apparatus 15 ... Reception apparatus 16 ... Input / output apparatus 2 ... Cooperation apparatus

Claims (16)

Receiving recording means for receiving and recording restricted content that is limited to one copy, and
Content management means for managing the number of times the recorded restricted content can be copied;
Linked device control means for limiting the linked device connected to the network so as not to record the restricted content,
A network-linked recording device that restricts the linked device from recording the restricted content while managing the restricted content recording process, and manages the duplicatable number of times as one.   When transferring the recorded restricted content to the cooperative device, if the permitted number of times of copying is 0, the restricted content is deleted after the transfer and deleted from the management target of the content management means, and the permitted number of times of copying is determined. 2. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the number of times of duplication is reduced by one without deleting the restricted content after transfer in the case of one or more times. Means for transferring a component-type program that restricts the linked device from recording the restricted content to the linked device;
The component-type program suitable for the cooperation device is selected from the unique number that identifies the device type of the cooperation device received from the cooperation device, and transmitted to the cooperation device. Recording equipment.   When the program in the component format is transferred to the cooperation device and operates, the recording restriction of the cooperation device is performed, a recording restriction start notification is transmitted to the recording device, and a recording restriction release command is received from the recording device. Then, the recording device has a function of releasing the recording restriction, and the recording device starts the recording process when receiving the recording restriction start notification from the cooperation device, and issues a recording restriction release command to the cooperation device after the recording processing is completed. The recording device according to claim 3, wherein the recording device transmits the recording device.   Recordable number investigation means for examining the number of receiving devices that are capable of recording the restricted content in the linked device connected to the network at home, and the content management means is acquired by the recordable number investigation means The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a number obtained by subtracting 1 from the number obtained is set as the number of duplication possible and managed. A recording reservation means for receiving and setting a recording reservation request;
Furthermore, reservation status investigation means for investigating the linked device recording reservation content set in the linked device,
The duplication confirmation means for comparing the recording reservation contents of the recording reservation request with the linked device recording reservation contents and checking whether there is a duplicate reservation for reserving recording of the same content;
Recording restriction means for restricting the reception recording means not to record the restricted content,
When there is no overlapping reservation, the recording reservation means sets a recording reservation, and when there is the overlapping reservation, the recording device performs the recording process while the cooperative device that has set the overlapping reservation is executing a recording process. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the restriction unit restricts recording. Requesting means for transmitting a deletion prevention request not to delete the recorded content data due to the duplicate reservation to the cooperation device that sets the duplicate reservation;
The recording reservation unit sets a recording reservation when there is no overlapping reservation, and transmits the deletion prevention request to the cooperation device when there is the overlapping reservation. Recording equipment. Request means for transmitting a deletion prevention request so as not to delete the recorded content data due to the duplicate reservation to the cooperation device that has set the duplicate reservation;
A duplication necessity investigation means for examining whether or not it is necessary to duplicate the recording data of the content that is the target of the recording reservation request;
When there is no duplicate reservation, the recording reservation means sets a recording reservation, and when the duplicate reservation is present and duplication is required, the cooperating device setting the duplicate reservation is executing a recording process. In the meantime, the recording restriction means restricts recording, and when the duplicate reservation is present and duplication is unnecessary, the deletion prevention request is transmitted to the cooperation device for which the duplicate reservation is set. Item 7. The recording device according to Item 6. A linked device that operates in conjunction with a recording device having a means for receiving and recording restricted content that is limited to one copy and connected to the network,
The cooperative device receives and records limited content that is limited to one copy, and receives and records,
Proxy recording request means for requesting the recording device to perform recording instead of the cooperation device;
Recording restriction means for restricting the reception recording means not to record the restricted content,
The recording restriction unit starts recording restriction after transmitting the proxy recording request, and the recording restriction unit ends recording restriction when a recording end time of the proxy recording request has passed. Linked equipment. A linked device that operates in conjunction with a recording device having a means for receiving and recording restricted content that is limited to one copy and connected to the network,
The recording device includes means for managing the number of times the recorded restricted content can be copied, and control means for restricting the linked device from recording the restricted content. During execution, the cooperation device is restricted so as not to record the restricted content, and operates so as to manage the duplicatable number of times as one time,
The cooperative device receives and records limited content that is limited to one copy, and receives and records,
Proxy recording request means for requesting the recording device to perform recording instead of the cooperation device;
Recording restriction means for restricting the reception recording means not to record the restricted content,
The recording restriction unit starts recording restriction after transmitting the proxy recording request, and the recording restriction unit ends recording restriction when a recording end time of the proxy recording request has passed. Linked equipment. A linked device that operates in conjunction with a recording device having a means for receiving and recording restricted content that is limited to one copy and connected to the network,
The recording device has means for managing the number of times the recorded restricted content can be copied, and means for transferring a component-type program that restricts the linked device from recording the restricted content to the linked device. From the unique number that identifies the device type of the cooperation device received from the cooperation device so that the cooperation device does not record the restriction content while performing the recording process of the restriction content, Select a component-type program suitable for the cooperation device, send it to the cooperation device and limit it, and operate to manage the number of duplication times as one,
The cooperative device receives and records limited content that is limited to one copy, and receives and records,
Proxy recording request means for requesting the recording device to perform recording instead of the cooperation device;
Component receiving means for receiving the component-type program in order to restrict the reception recording means from recording the restricted content;
After transmitting the proxy recording request, a unique number for identifying the device type of the cooperation device is transmitted to the recording device together with the proxy recording request, and recording restriction is performed using the component format program received from the recording device. Recording restriction means to perform,
The recording restriction unit starts recording restriction after transmitting the proxy recording request, and the recording restriction unit ends recording restriction when a recording end time of the proxy recording request has passed. Linked equipment. A network-linked recording system that operates in cooperation with a recording device having means for receiving and recording restricted content that is limited to one copy and a network-connected device,
The recording device is:
Means for receiving and recording restricted content that is limited to one copy;
Means for managing the number of times the recorded restricted content can be copied;
Control means for restricting the linked device from recording the restricted content,
A network-linked recording system that restricts the linked device from recording the restricted content while managing the restricted content recording process, and manages the duplicatable number of times as one. A network-linked recording system that operates in cooperation with a recording device having means for receiving and recording restricted content that is limited to one copy and a network-connected device,
The recording device has means for managing the number of times the restricted content that has been recorded can be copied, and control means for restricting the linked device from recording the restricted content,
While performing the recording process of the restricted content, the cooperative device is restricted so as not to record the restricted content, and operates so as to manage the duplicatable number as one time,
The cooperative device includes a reception recording unit that receives and records restricted content that is limited to one copy, and a proxy recording request unit that requests the recording device to perform recording instead of the cooperative device; Recording restriction means for restricting the reception recording means not to record the restricted content,
The network is characterized in that the recording restriction unit starts recording restriction after transmitting the proxy recording request, and the recording restriction unit operates to end the recording restriction when a recording end time of the proxy recording request has passed. Linked recording system. A network-linked recording method in which a recording device and a linked device connected to each other in a network operate in cooperation with each other,
The cooperative device sends a proxy recording request to the recording device to limit the recording;
A recording device that receives the proxy recording request and performs proxy recording, and manages the number of times that the recorded content data can be copied as one; and
A network-linked recording method, comprising: a step of ending a recording restriction when a cooperation device passes a recording end time of the proxy recording request. A network-linked recording method in which a recording device and a linked device connected to each other in a network operate in cooperation with each other,
A step in which the cooperating device transmits a unique number for identifying the device type of the cooperating device to the recording device and a proxy recording request;
A recording device that receives the proxy recording request and the unique number, selects a component suitable for the cooperation device from the unique number, and transmits the selected component to the previous cooperation device;
A cooperative device receiving the component and operating as a recording restriction unit;
A network-linked recording method, comprising: a recording device performing proxy recording and managing the number of times that the recorded content data can be copied as one. Receiving recording means for receiving and recording restricted content that is limited to N copies, and
Content management means for managing the number of times the recorded restricted content can be copied;
Linked device control means for limiting the linked device connected to the network so as not to record the restricted content,
While performing the recording process of the restricted content, the cooperative device restricts the linked device from recording the restricted content, and manages the duplicatable number of times as (2 * N-1) times. .

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