JP3689593B2 - Content distribution management device and program recording medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a copy subject of digital content (hereinafter simply referred to as “content”) or a content copy target as content distribution management information stored in the content to prevent unauthorized copying of the content or from the copy history of the content. The present invention relates to a content distribution management apparatus for tracking information.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Recently, with the popularization of digital content, there is a tendency that content is illegally copied via a network or a recording medium. Therefore, an illegal organization for preventing unauthorized copying has been devised by establishing an industry group or a working group for each unique recording medium or content.
[0003]
  For example, “Fumitada Takahashi, Naoki Asami“ IEEE 1394 copy protection technology, combined with public key / common key ”, Nikkei Business Publications, Nikkei Electronics 1998.3.23 (No.712) pp.47-53. Describes a first illegal copy prevention technique proposed by CPTWG (Copy Protection Technical Working Group) as described below as a copy prevention method of IEEE1394.
[0004]
  That is, first, information called CCI (Copy Control Information) is embedded in the content. Next, when there is a copy request from the user, the transmission-side device that transmits the content refers to the CCI and checks whether the copy is possible. Here, the CCI is composed of 2-bit information, and “copy not possible”, “copying only once”, “no more copying allowed” and “copying allowed any number of times (copy permission)” depending on the 2-bit value It is given meaning to four kinds.
[0005]
  Next, the transmission-side device performs authentication for confirming whether or not the reception-side device has a copy prevention technology. The authentication includes full authentication and restricted authentication. If both the transmission side and the reception side have public keys, complete authentication is established. It should be noted that in the above-described complete authentication, control is performed so as to transmit content data that is not permitted to be copied. On the other hand, in the restricted authentication, control is performed so that the content is transmitted only when copying is permitted, that is, when the contents of the CCI are “copyable only once” and “copyable any number of times”. .
[0006]
  Here, content that is permitted to be copied may be sent out without being encrypted. However, when data that is not permitted to be copied is transmitted and received, encryption is always required. The encrypted content is decrypted with the public key.
[0007]
  As a second technology for preventing unauthorized copying, the CPTWG determines a CSS (contact scrambling system) for a DVD (digital video disk). In this CSS, four types of copy prevention measures are taken. The first preventive measure is called content encryption. The content is encrypted by combining three encryption keys of “master key”, “disc key” and “title key”. In this case, the “disc key” and “title key” are embedded in the DVD area that cannot be read together with the content via a logical file system such as a personal computer (hereinafter simply referred to as a personal computer).
[0008]
  The second prevention measure is playback restriction by regional codes. This is realized by embedding the regional code of the area where the DVD device is sold in the circuit or firmware of the DVD device.
[0009]
  The third prevention measure is APS (Analog Protection System). This APS is for performing copy restriction on an analog VTR (video tape recorder) or the like, and is incorporated in a TV video signal output circuit by hardware.
[0010]
  The fourth prevention measure is a copy prevention measure based on bus authentication, which is a processing technique specific to a DVD device mounted on a personal computer or the like. In this bus authentication, the DVD device and the CSS module (or DVD decryption board) confirm whether or not the other party has received a CSS license, and data transfer is not performed until it is known that the other party has received the CSS license. I am doing so. In that case, the DVD device and the CSS module share encryption key data that changes every time called a “Bus Key”. When transferring the “disc key” or “title key” from the DVD device to the CSS module, the “disc key” or “title key” can be intercepted by encrypting it with the “bus key” and then transferring it. ("Med in illegal copy prevention technology that holds the key to software decryption", Nikkei Business Publications, Nikkei Electronics, 1997.8.18 (No.696) pp.110-120).
[0011]
  As a third technique for preventing unauthorized copying, there is a technique for inserting a digital watermark into audio, image, video or multimedia data disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-191394. According to this publication, an image, audio signal or video sequence is preferably decomposed by spectral frequency decomposition, and a unique identifier is embedded in a perceptually important component of the decomposed portion to realize a digital watermark.
[0012]
  On the other hand, a technique for identifying the roots of animals and plants from the DNA of animals and plants (deoxyribonucleic acid: one of genetic materials) is known. For example, “Takao Kuriyama“ What Can I Know with DNA ”Kodansha Bluebacks, 1995” describes that Eve, the root of humanity, is identified by tracing parents one after another from DNA. In addition, methods for artificially generating inherited crossovers and mutations are described in “Melanic Mitchell,“ Method of Genetic Algorithm ”, Tokyo Denki University, 1997”.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, the conventional illegal copy prevention technology has the following problems. In other words, although the first and second illegal copy prevention technologies are aimed at preventing unauthorized copying, there is a possibility that unauthorized copying will be executed without restriction once the illegal copy prevention measure is broken. There is a problem that there is. Furthermore, the main focus is on preventing unauthorized copying, and when unauthorized copying is performed, there is also a problem that it is impossible to determine where the unauthorized copying occurs. Furthermore, information related to copy protection is embedded in an area that cannot be read via a logical file system such as a personal computer. For example, it can be read using a microprocessor ICE (in-circuit emulator), logic analyzer, or the like. Therefore, there is a problem that unauthorized copying is not completely prevented for those who have specialized knowledge.
[0014]
  Further, in the first illegal copy prevention technique, since one CCI is assigned to one content, there is a problem that resistance to partial illegal copy in one content is quite low. In the first unauthorized copy prevention technique, a method of implementing an unauthorized copy algorithm as hardware is being taken. However, even in this case, for example, a logic analyzer may be applied to a parallel interface that connects between a decryption LSI (large scale integrated circuit) and a decryption LSI for video and the like, and the data stream after decryption may be taken. it can. Alternatively, there is a problem that unauthorized copying can be easily performed by connecting a video capture board to a dedicated bus for video transfer that connects the decoding LSI and the graphic accelerator LSI.
[0015]
  On the other hand, the third technology for preventing unauthorized copying has a problem that although the quality of illegally copied content can be extremely lowered, unauthorized copying itself cannot be prohibited. Furthermore, as in the case of the first and second illegal copy prevention techniques, there is a problem that information relating to the generation source cannot be obtained when illegal copying is performed.
[0016]
  By the way, the DNA is one piece of information effective for specifying the parents and roots of animals and plants. However, a technology that uses information such as DNA as information for content distribution and copy management has not yet been disclosed.
[0017]
  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a content distribution management device that prohibits unauthorized copying and can determine the source of the unauthorized copying, and a program recording medium on which the content distribution management program is recorded. Is to provide.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, a content distribution management device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a storage means for storing content or information related to content distribution management.And aboveInformation and copy showing the features of the contentsapparatusInformation representing the identity ofOn the basis of theTherefore, content distribution management information that can function as copy history information is generated.CompleteContent distribution management informationGenerationmeansIn response to a copy request from the copying apparatus, the copy control of the content is controlled, and the content distribution management information generated by the content distribution management information generating means is recorded in the copy target area of the copy destination content. The content distribution management information generated is added and recorded in the copy target area of the copy source content stored in the storage means, and the generated content distribution management information is further recorded. And copy control means for storing the content distribution management information of the copy apparatus in the storage meansIt is characterized by having.
[0019]
  According to the above configuration, when content copying is permitted by the copy control means, the content distribution management informationGenerationContent distribution management information is generated by the meansBy the above copy control meansAboveCopy destination and copy sourceRecorded in the content copy target area.Further, the generated content distribution management information and the content distribution management information of the copying apparatus are stored in the storage means.Therefore, illegally copied content or content distribution management information recorded in the copy target areaContent distribution management information added / recorded to the content of the copy source stored in the storage means, further content distribution management information stored in the storage means, and content distribution management information of the copying apparatus,To track and copy history based onapparatusCan be specified. In this way, the source of illegal copying can be determined.
[0020]
  Also, the content distribution management information in the first inventionGenerationmeansDistribution management information generated byIspluralContent distribution management informationEach otherMultiplexingDoneIt is desirable.
[0021]
  According to the above configuration, the information indicating the identity of the content and the copyapparatusIt is possible to multiplex information representing the identity of the content into one content distribution management information. Therefore, by analyzing the content distribution management information, the content and copyapparatusThe relationship with is elucidated.
[0022]
  Further, the first invention is the content distribution management information.GenerationWhen copying, the content distribution management information multiplexed and recorded in the copy target area of the content isOneofContent distribution managementSelecting means for selecting and reading information; andReadWasContent distribution managementInformation and copy to copyapparatusRepresents the identity ofContent distribution managementIt is desirable to provide fusion means for generating new multiplexed content distribution management information based on the information.
[0023]
  According to the above configuration, the feature of the content is expressedContent distribution managementInformation and above copyapparatusRepresents the identity ofContent distribution managementInformation is multiplexed and one content distribution management information is generated. Therefore, aboveMultiplexedBy analyzing the content distribution management information, any content can be copiedapparatusIt is easily clarified whether it was copied by.
[0024]
  At that time, the newly generated content distribution management information has the same amount of information as the original content distribution management information recorded in the content copy target area. Therefore, even if the copy operation is repeated, the amount of information is kept constant and the copy history information does not increase.
[0025]
  In addition, the first invention described above,The content distribution management information generating meansGenerated by the above fusion meansMultiplexedConfigure content distribution management informationEach content distribution managementExchange part of information between informationIs thatIncludes crossover means for crossoverAnd aboveCrossoverWas doneContent management distribution informationGenerationIt is desirable to do.
[0026]
  According to the above configuration, every time the content is copied and content distribution management information is generated,Each content distribution management constituting the generated multiplexed content distribution management informationPart of the information is exchanged between the information. As a result, the aboveGeneratedConfigure content distribution management informationEach content distribution managementAny of the information has a copy that has been involved in the copy up to nowapparatusInformation representing the feature of is inserted.
[0027]
  The crossover means in the first invention is based on a preset crossover function, andEach content distribution management subject to crossoverAffectionIn the newsIt is desirable to control the crossover position, crossover width and crossover occurrence frequency.
[0028]
  According to the above configuration, all copies that have been involved in copying to dateapparatusThe crossover position, the crossover width, and the crossover occurrence frequency are controlled so that the information indicating the feature of the crossover is inserted into the content distribution management information without being lost, and the content becomes unclear.
[0029]
  The first invention is the above-mentionedThe content distribution management information generating means is the aboveIncludes mutation means to mutate part of content distribution management informationAnd aboveThe mutated contents management distribution informationGenerationIt is desirable to do.
[0030]
  According to the above configuration, the content of the content distribution management information is prevented from being disturbed, and the content of the content distribution management information is prevented from leaking outside.
[0031]
  The mutation means in the first invention is preferably configured to control the position of the mutation, the width of the mutation, and the frequency of occurrence of the mutation based on a preset mutation function.
[0032]
  According to the above configuration, the position of the mutation, the width of the mutation, and the frequency of occurrence of the mutation are controlled so that the content of the content distribution management information is more effectively disturbed.
[0033]
  The content copy target area in the first invention is preferably a unit related to the structure of the content.
[0034]
  According to the above configuration, the content distribution management information is recorded in units related to the content structure. Therefore, an effect is also exhibited against partial illegal copying of content.
[0035]
  In addition, the first invention includes an encryption unit that encrypts the generated content distribution management information, and the content distribution management information recording unit records the encrypted content management distribution information. Is desirable.
[0036]
  According to the said structure, the content of the said content distribution management information is disturbed and concealed, and it is prevented effectively that the content of the said content distribution management information leaks outside.
[0037]
  Further, the first invention further comprises electronic watermark information generating means for generating electronic watermark information based on the encrypted content distribution management information, and the content distribution management information recording means stores the electronic watermark information. It is desirable to record.
[0038]
  According to the above configuration, the contents of the content distribution management information can be more effectively prevented from being disturbed or concealed and the contents of the content distribution management information leaking to the outside.
[0039]
  Further, the first aspect of the present invention is the content distribution management information recorded in the copy target area of the content.Or content distribution management information stored in the storage meansTo track and copy history based onapparatusIt is desirable to provide a copy history tracking means for identifying.
[0040]
  According to the above configuration, the copy history is tracked and copied by the copy history tracking means based on the illegally copied content or the content distribution management information recorded in the copy target area.apparatusIs identified. In this way, the source of illegal copying can be easily identified.
[0041]
  In the first invention, the history of copying is tracked based on the decryption means for decrypting the content distribution management information recorded in the copy target area of the content and the decrypted content distribution management information. Then copyapparatusIt is desirable to provide a copy history tracking means for identifying.
[0042]
  According to the above configuration, even if the illegally copied content or the content distribution management information recorded in the copy target area is encrypted, the copy history is tracked and copied by the copy history tracking means.apparatusIs identified.
[0043]
  In the first aspect of the invention, the specific area that cannot be read by the logical instruction in the storage means is permitted to be copied for each content.apparatusCopy restriction information including the above information, the copy control means refers to the copy restriction information before executing the copy,CopyrequestdoingcopyapparatusIs registered in the above copy restriction informationapparatusThe above content distribution management information only whenGenerationThe content distribution management information is instructed to be generated, and the content distribution management information isGenerationPreferably, the means generates the content distribution management information based on the command.
[0044]
  According to the above configuration, a copy requesting a copy by the copy control meansapparatusIs a copy-permitted copyapparatusIf it is, copying is permitted. In this way, copy that is not eligible for copyapparatusUnauthorized copying from is prevented. Further, since the copy restriction information is stored in a specific area that cannot be read by a logical instruction, it cannot be read and altered by a normal copy instruction.
[0045]
  Further, the copy control means in the first invention is the above.CopyrequestdoingcopyapparatusIs not registered in the above copy restriction informationapparatusIn this case, it is desirable to prohibit execution of copying or display a copy prohibition message.
[0046]
  According to the above configuration, a copy requesting a copy by the copy control meansapparatusIs not permitted to copyapparatusIf it is, execution of copying is prohibited. Thus, copying that is not allowed to be copiedapparatusUnauthorized copying from is prevented.
[0047]
  The program recording medium of the second invention is a computer,Storage means in the content distribution management device of the first invention ,Content distribution management information generation meansandContent distribution management processing program to function as copy control meansIsIt is characterized by being recorded.
[0048]
  According to the above configuration, every time the content is copied and content distribution management information is generated, the content distribution management information includes a copy that has been copied to date.apparatusInformation representing the feature of is inserted. Therefore, the copy history is tracked and copied based on the illegally copied content or the content distribution management information recorded in the copy target area.apparatusIs identified. In this way, the source of unauthorized copying can be easily identified.The
[0049]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the content distribution management apparatus according to the present embodiment. The storage unit 1 stores content, content distribution management information, and copy restriction information. This storage means 1 is FD (floppy disk), CD-R (write-once compact disk), MOD (magneto-optical disk), magnetic memory such as DVD, hard disk, RAM (random access memory), smart This is realized by a semiconductor memory such as a card or a flash memory.
[0050]
  The copy control means 2 controls whether or not the content can be copied and performs copying. The content distribution management information recording means 3 reads the contents or the content distribution management information of the copying apparatus 4 which is the main body for copying the contents, and selects the selection means, the fusion means, the crossover means, the mutation means and the encryption means, which will be described later Use to generate new content distribution management information. Then, the content is written to both the copy source and the copy destination via the copy control unit 2, and the copy destination content is sent to the copy device 4. Further, the generated content distribution management information itself and the content distribution management information of the copy device 4 are recorded and stored in the storage unit 1. Further, the copy history is traced based on the content distribution management information written in the copied content. The copy apparatus 4 makes a copy request for the content or a part of the content to the copy control unit 2, and copies the requested content based on the control of the copy control unit 2.
[0051]
  The copy control means 2 and the content distribution management information recording means 3 can be realized by a dedicated LSI or CPU (Central Processing Unit). The copy device 4 is realized by an LSI, a CPU, a personal computer, a terminal device, and the like that can execute copy. The copy device 4 may be included in the content distribution management device, or may be configured by a device different from the content distribution management device. Alternatively, the storage unit 1, copy control unit 2, and content distribution management information recording unit 3 excluding the copy device 4 can use a CPU or the like of another device.
[0052]
  FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the content distribution management information recording means 3 which is a feature of the present invention. The content distribution management information recording means 3 includes a selection means 5, a fusion means 6, a crossover means 7, a mutation means 8, an encryption means 9, a decryption means 11, and a copy history tracking means 12.
[0053]
  The selection means 5 converts one piece of content distribution management information duplicated by the content distribution management device or the copy device 4 into single information. In the present embodiment, the content distribution management information is described as being duplicated information. However, the present invention is applicable even when the content distribution management information is multiplexed more than twice.
[0054]
  The fusing unit 6 fuses the content distribution management information of the copy apparatus 4 selected by the selection unit 5 and the content distribution management information of the content to be copied. Then, new duplicated content distribution management information is generated. The crossover means 7 exchanges part of the mutual information between the content distribution management information duplicated by the fusion means 6. The mutation means 8 inverts some or all values of the content distribution management information. In the present embodiment, the content distribution management information is inherited while keeping the copy history in the storage means 1 storing the content or the content. Sometimes referred to as DNA or simply DNA.
[0055]
  The encryption means 9 encrypts the content distribution management information (content DNA) at the stage of input or output of the content distribution management information to the selection means 5, the fusion means 6, the crossover means 7 or the mutation means 8. I do. The encryption may be performed a plurality of times with respect to the means 5 to 8 described above. The type of encryption is not the subject of the present invention. Further, the electronic watermark information generating means 10 is provided to generate electronic watermark information based on the encrypted content DNA.
[0056]
  The decryption unit 11 decrypts the content DNA encrypted by the encryption unit 9 and converted into digital watermark information by the digital watermark information generation unit 10. Further, the copy history tracking unit 12 tracks the copy history such as in what order the content has been copied and who is the main subject of the copy based on the decrypted content DNA. This process will be described in detail later.
[0057]
  FIG. 3 shows an example of the content DNA and its encryption. FIG. 3A is an example of the content DNA, and is a symbol string representing the content or the identity or ID (identifier) of the copy apparatus 4. FIG. 3A shows an example in which the content or the ID number of the copying apparatus 4 is used as the symbol string. Specific symbols, specific keywords, etc. are not captured by the numbers. There is no problem.
[0058]
  FIG. 3 (b) shows the result of encrypting the content DNA shown in FIG. 3 (a) by the encryption means 9. This encryption is performed using a key generated based on a specific function held by the encryption means 9. However, in FIG. 3B, the obtained cipher is converted into a character string and displayed in units of 8 bits so that the obtained cipher can be seen. FIG. 3 (c) shows the first part of the character string shown in FIG. 3 (b) cut out in order to simplify the following description. Hereinafter, description will be made assuming that the character string in FIG. 3C represents the entire information representing the encrypted content DNA. For convenience of explanation, a character string obtained by converting the above cipher in units of 8 bits is treated as content DNA. FIG. 3 (d) shows that the content DNA of FIG. 3 (c) is duplicated and stored.
[0059]
  FIG. 4 shows the transition of content DNA in the fusion by the fusion means 6, the crossover by the crossover means 7 and the mutation by the mutation means 8. FIG. 4 (a) shows duplicated content DNA. Here, 21 is content DNA on the content side. Reference numeral 22 denotes content DNA on the copy apparatus 4 side generated in the same manner as the content DNA 21. In the case of FIG. 4A, the content DNA on each of the content side and the copy device 4 side simply represents a state where the same information is accumulated twice.
[0060]
  In FIG. 4B, either one of the duplicated content DNA 21 on the content side and one of the duplicated content DNA 22 on the copy apparatus 4 side is selected by the selection means 5, and the fusion means 6 This shows a state where a new content DNA duplexed by the content DNA 23 on the selected content side and the content DNA 24 on the copy apparatus 4 side is generated.
[0061]
  FIG. 4 (c) shows a state where crossover is performed by the crossover means 7 between the new content DNAs generated by the fusion means 6. Crossover in this case is performed by exchanging five characters from the left end of the content DNA 23 on the content side and the content DNA 24 on the copy apparatus 4 side shown in FIG. Hereinafter, replacing the partial character strings in this way is called “crossing”. That is, the content DNA 23 is obtained by crossing 5 characters from the left end of the content DNA 23 with 5 characters from the left end of the content DNA 24, and conversely, the content DNA 25 is obtained by crossing 5 characters from the left end of the content DNA 24 with 5 characters from the left end of the content DNA 23. DNA26.
[0062]
  FIG. 4D shows a state where the mutation has been performed by the mutation means 8. The mutation in this case is a case where a part of information of the content DNA 25 shown in FIG. In this case, the partial information “character string ZZ” is changed to information “character string ZZ”.
[0063]
  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a state where the crossover is performed on the content DNA. The crossover types include one-point crossover, two-point crossover, and uniform crossover. In this embodiment, the crossover type is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, a case of two-point crossover will be described as an example. “Crossover” is performed by replacing information of a partial region of a certain content DNA with information of a corresponding region of the content DNA that is paired.
[0064]
  In FIG. 5, 31 indicates the content DNA after the crossover is performed. Information 32 and information 34 in the content DNA 31 are information of the original content DNA. The hatched information 33 is information replaced from the content DNA paired by the crossover.
[0065]
  Here, the information 33 is displayed from the left end of the content DNA 31.₀L at₁Probability of crossing with a width of_cP is the probability that the crossover will occur_oAnd crossover information is width l₁The probability of having p_wAnd crossover from the left end₀The probability of occurrence at the position of p_lThen, "p_c= P_o* P_w* P_l". Similarly, the above mutation has probability p_mOccurs. Note that the probability of occurrence of crossover and mutation p_c, p_mAre set by probability generators in the crossover means 7 and the mutation means 8, respectively.
[0066]
  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the content distribution management information recording processing operation executed by the content distribution management information recording unit 3 under the control of the copy control unit 2. The content distribution management information recording process will be described below with reference to FIG.
[0067]
  In step S1, the copy control means 2 determines whether there is a copy request from the copy apparatus 4. If there is a copy request, the process proceeds to step S2. Here, the copy request may be made for the entire content or for a part of the content. However, for simplicity of explanation, here, the copy request is made for the entire content. Explained as an example. Note that a supplementary explanation will be given later when a copy request is made for a part of the content.
[0068]
  In step S2, the copy DNA control unit 2 checks the content DNA. The content DNA to be collated is content DNA from both the content side and the copy apparatus 4 side that sent the copy request. Note that at least the content DNA on the content side is written in the content in the format shown in FIG. On the other hand, the content DNA on the copying apparatus 4 side does not necessarily have information multiplexed, and for example, information in the format shown in FIG. 3 (a) or FIG. 3 (b) may be used. Absent.
[0069]
  In step S3, the copy control unit 2 sets the content DNA written and accumulated on the content side and the content DNA on the copy device 4 side to the copy matching condition read from the content or the storage unit 1. Based on this, it is determined whether or not copying is possible. If copying is possible, the process proceeds to step S4, and if copying is not possible, the process proceeds to step S13. The determination of whether or not copying is possible will be described separately.
[0070]
  In step S4, in response to the copy permission command from the copy control means 2, the selection means 5 of the content distribution management information recording means 3 selects one of the multiplexed content DNAs on the content side, and the content DNA Is unified. It should be noted that the multiplexed content DNAs are not necessarily the same information, and the internal information varies as the copy generations are repeated.
[0071]
  In step S5, the fusion means 6 combines the content DNA on the content side unified in step S4 with the content DNA on the copy device 4 side to generate a multiplexed content DNA.
[0072]
  In step S6, the crossover means 7 generates a crossover probability parameter of content DNA. Here, as the crossover probability parameter, the crossover occurrence probability p described above is used._o, Position probability p_l, Width probability p_wIs used. In step S7, crossover processing is performed by the crossover means 7. That is, the crossover position and width are determined based on the probability parameter generated in step S6, and the occurrence probability p_oThus, the crossover is executed between the content DNA on the content side duplexed (multiplexed) and the content DNA on the copy device 4 side.
[0073]
  In step S8, the mutation parameter of the content DNA is generated by the mutation means 8. Here, as the mutation parameter, the occurrence probability of mutation q_o, Position probability q_l, Width probability q_wAnd probability of number q_nEtc. exist. In step S9, the mutation process is executed by the mutation means 8 based on the mutation parameter. At this time, it is also determined which of the content DNAs of the duplicated (multiplexed) content side and the content DNA of the copy apparatus 4 will cause the mutation.
[0074]
  In step S10, the content DNA is encrypted by the encryption means 9. Here, in this embodiment, the encryption method is not particularly problematic. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the encryption process is executed only once after the mutation. However, in the present invention, the ID of the reference content or copy main body (FIG. 3 (b)), the content DNA before the crossover process, the content DNA after the crossover process, and the mutation process It can be executed once or a plurality of times for the content DNA or the like.
[0075]
  In step S11, digital watermark information is generated from the content DNA encrypted in step S10 by the digital watermark information generation means 10. In this case, the digital watermark information generating means 10 can be configured to be able to select a different watermark method depending on the type of content, as will be described later. In step S12, the copy control means 2 executes a recording process for recording digital watermark information (content DNA) that also serves as copy history information from the content distribution management information recording means 3. Here, “recording of content DNA” refers to a process of writing to the copy destination content and returning it to the copy apparatus 4, a process of additionally writing to the copy source content stored in the storage means 1, and This is a process of saving directly in the storage means 1.
[0076]
  If it is determined in step S13 that copy is not permitted in step S3, copy execution is blocked.
[0077]
  In the flowchart of the content distribution management information recording processing operation, when copying is possible, the information is unified by the selection means 5, the fusion processing by the fusion means 6, the crossover processing by the crossover means 7, and the mutation means 8. After all the mutation processes are executed, the encryption means 9 performs encryption. However, the content distribution management information recording processing operation in the present embodiment is not limited to this, and information demultiplexing → encryption, information demultiplexing → fusion processing → encryption, information demultiplexing → fusion processing → Crossover process → Encryption, information unification → Mutation process → Encryption, information unification → Fusion process → Mutation process → Encryption, etc. Various content distribution management information recording processes are possible.
[0078]
  FIG. 7 shows an example of header information added to each content in order to manage the content. This header information is stored in the storage unit 1 together with the added content.
[0079]
  In FIG. 7, a record starting from “content type m” and ending in “protection period m” holds copyright information of the copyrighted work. Among these, the record 59 is copyright information relating to the original work, and the records 60 and 61 are copyright information relating to the secondary work. The records 41, 47, and 53 are information representing “content IDm”. In this record, an ID number for identifying the content is registered. The ID number may be an identifier that combines the serial order of the media number and the content ID. In that case, since the content ID can be determined in the order of arrangement, it may be omitted.
[0080]
  The records 42, 48, 54 represent “content type (content type) m”. In this embodiment, content protected by copyright is targeted. For example, content types include novels, screenplays, papers, lectures and other linguistic works, musical works, butoh or silent play. Works, paintings, prints, sculptures and other fine art works, architectural works, maps, drawings of academic nature, diagrams, models and other graphic works, movie works, photographic works There are copyrighted works and program copyrighted works. These types of content may be slightly different depending on the country in which the content is produced or consumed, but the essence of the invention remains the same.
[0081]
  Records 43 to 45, records 49 to 51, and records 55 to 57 represent "authors" corresponding to the content types 42, 48, and 54, respectively. The number of authors is determined by the presence or absence of co-authors. For example, there are p co-authors of the original work, q co-authors 49 to 51 of the secondary work 60, and r co-authors 55 to 57 of the secondary work 61. The information registered in the author's records 43 to 45, 49 to 51, 55 to 57 can identify the author. For example, the name or name (real name) or its name, brush name, abbreviation, and other real names There is something that can be used instead. Alternatively, it may be a combination of these and other attributes such as address and occupation, or an ID code that can identify these authors. The author changes depending on the type of content. For example, if the type of content is a movie, the author is responsible for creative, contribution to the overall formation of the work related to the movie, in charge of production, director, production, filming, art, music, etc. To do. If the content type is music, composers, songwriters, arrangers, performers, singers, etc. correspond to authors. If the content is a novel, writers, translators, literary artists, etc. It corresponds to.
[0082]
  Records 46, 52, and 58 are information representing the “content protection period m” corresponding to the content IDs 41, 47, and 53. Normally, the last day of the effective period is registered.
[0083]
  Here, the unit and structure of the content differ depending on the content ID and the content type. For example, when the type of content is a linguistic work (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a document or document), in addition to the content ID indicating the entire document, a table of contents, chapter, section, page, index, paragraph, line, There are structures such as letters. Note that the copy request in step S1 in the content distribution management information recording processing operation shown in FIG. 6 is made to one unit or a plurality of units with the structure as a unit. Therefore, as a copy request from the copy device 4, in addition to a copy request to the entire content, by specifying the above unit, for example, in the content whose content ID is “n”, “5th paragraph of Chapter 1” To the eighth paragraph "can be requested to copy the area.
[0084]
  Next, the digital watermark information generation process executed by the digital watermark information generation means 10 in step S11 in the content distribution management information recording process operation shown in FIG. 6 will be described in detail. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the digital watermark information generation processing operation. In step S10 in the flowchart of FIG. 6, when the encryption process is completed, the digital watermark information generation process starts.
[0085]
  In step S21, the copy target requested from the copy apparatus 4 is referred to. In step S22, the copy range requested from the copy apparatus 4 is referred to. In step S23, the content type (content type) to be copied requested from the copy apparatus 4 is referred to. These references are made to the header information of each content stored in the storage unit 1. As a result of the above reference, specific information (content) is obtained.
[0086]
  In step S24, it is determined whether or not the content type of the reference result in step S21 to step S23 is “image”. As a result, if it is an image, the process proceeds to step S25, and if not, the process proceeds to step S28. In step S25, it is determined whether or not the content type is “still image”. As a result, if it is a still image, the process proceeds to step S26, and if not, the process proceeds to step S27. In step S26, a still image watermarking method is selected. After that, the process proceeds to step S33. Here, as the still image watermarking method, there are a density pattern method, a systematic dither method, an error diffusion method, and the like. When the image data includes grayscale information, various watermarking methods such as pixel replacement, pixel space use, quantization error use, frequency domain use, and statistics use are known. In the present embodiment, the still image watermarking method is not particularly specified. In step S27, a moving image watermarking method is selected. After that, the process proceeds to step S33. Here, as the “moving image watermarking method”, a watermarking method according to standards such as MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 1, MPEG2, MPEG4, etc. is known. In the present embodiment, the moving image watermarking method is not particularly specified.
[0087]
  In step S28, it is determined whether or not the content type is “sound”. If the result is a voice, the process proceeds to step S29, and if not, the process proceeds to step S30. In step S29, an audio watermark method is selected. After that, the process proceeds to step S33. Here, watermark methods such as analog format, speech quantization, speech masking, predictive code run length, vector quantization, and excitation pulse are known as the “speech watermark method”. In the present embodiment, the audio watermark method is not particularly specified.
[0088]
  In step S30, it is determined whether or not the content type is “document”. If the result is a document, the process proceeds to step S31; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S32. In step S31, a document watermark method is selected. After that, the process proceeds to step S33. Here, as the “document watermarking method”, there is known a method of changing the watermark generation method between European and Japanese. In step S32, another watermark method corresponding to the “content type” is selected. As described above, in the present embodiment, there is no problem with the digital watermark method, and at least one digital watermark method may be selected according to the type of content.
[0089]
  In step S33, it is determined whether digital watermark information can be generated by the watermark method selected as described above. As a result, if it can be generated, the process proceeds to step S36, and if it cannot be generated, the process proceeds to step S34. Here, the digital watermark information written to the copy target in the present embodiment is content DNA having a predetermined length. Therefore, when the copy unit (that is, the range to be copied) is sufficiently small compared to the content DNA, it is determined that generation of the digital watermark information is impossible because the obtained digital watermark information cannot be written. To do. In step S34, it is determined whether or not the watermark information writing area is maximum. As a result, if it is maximum, the process returns to step S13 in the content distribution management information recording processing operation, and the copy is rejected. On the other hand, if not the maximum, the process proceeds to step S35. Here, the maximum of the watermark information writing area is the entire content of the content ID to be copied.
[0090]
  In step S35, the digital watermark information writing area is expanded to an area one rank higher (one unit larger) than the current area. Here, the initial value of the digital watermark information writing area is the copy range (unit) obtained as a result of the reference in step S22. After that, the process returns to step S23, and the digital watermark method is selected again. If it is determined in step S33 that digital watermark information can be generated, the process proceeds to step S36.
[0091]
  In step S36, a digital watermark writing area is determined based on the current watermark information writing area. In step S37, digital watermark information of content DNA is generated by the selected digital watermark method. After that, the process returns to step S12 in the content distribution management information recording process operation, and the recording process is executed. As a result, the digital watermark information of the content DNA generated in step S37 is written in the digital watermark writing area determined in step S36 in both the copy source content and the copy destination content. Then, the copy destination content in which the content DNA (digital watermark information) is written is returned to the copy apparatus 4.
[0092]
  Next, a process for tracking the copy history based on the content DNA (digital watermark information) written in the content as described above will be described. FIG. 9 shows the transition of content DNA when one content is sequentially copied. In FIG. 9, 65 is the original (first generation) content DNA in the content. Similarly, 66 is the original content DNA in the copying apparatus A, 67 is the original content DNA in the copying apparatus B, and 68 is the original content DNA in the copying apparatus C.
[0093]
  When the original content DNA on the content side and the original content DNA of the copying apparatus A are fused by the fusion means 6, the second generation content DNA 69 is generated. From the figure, it can be seen that the original content DNAs of each origin make a pair. When the content DNA pair is crossed by the crossover means 7, content DNA 70 is generated. The information to be crossed includes information whose partial information has been changed due to the mutation, but will be described in the following.
[0094]
  Next, when the second-generation content DNA 70 after the crossing and the original content DNA 67 of the copy apparatus B are fused, a third-generation content DNA 71 is generated. Then, when the content DNA pair of the content DNA 71 is crossed, the content DNA 72 is generated. Similarly, when the third-generation content DNA 72 after crossover and the original content DNA 68 of the copy apparatus C are fused, a fourth-generation content DNA 73 is generated. When the content DNA pair of the content DNA 73 is crossed, the content DNA 74 is generated.
[0095]
  In the present embodiment, “copy history is traced” means that the fourth generation content DNA 74 after crossover is given, the fourth generation content DNA 73 before crossover, the third generation content DNA 72 before crossover, 71. While following the transition of the second generation content DNA 70 and 69 before the crossover and the content DNA, the copying apparatuses A to C (original content DNA 66 to 68) involved in the copying are clarified.
[0096]
  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the copy history tracking processing operation executed by the content distribution management information recording unit 3 under the control of the copy control unit 2. Hereinafter, the copy history tracking process will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that the content DNA to be traced at that time is generated in the copy order in FIG.
[0097]
  In step S41, the copy control means 2 extracts the latest content DNA 74 from the contents to be tracked or the content DNA written and stored in the storage means 1. Here, the latest content DNA may be selected by selecting the most complicated content DNA in both of the paired content DNAs. In order to speed up the extraction of the latest content DNA, when storing the content DNA in the content, an index of the copy order and the write address of the content DNA should be created.
[0098]
  In step S42, the latest content DNA 74 extracted in step S41 is decrypted by the decrypting means 11 in the content distribution management information recording means 3. In step S43, the copy history tracking means 12 obtains the difference between the latest content DNA 74 decrypted in step S42 and the original content DNA 66-68 of each of the copying apparatuses A-C. The original contents DNA 66 to 68 of the respective copying apparatuses A to C are stored and saved in the storage means 1 when copying has been executed in the past. In step S44, the original content DNA exhibiting the smallest difference is obtained. In the case of this example, when the original content DNA 68 of the copying apparatus C is compared with one (lower side in FIG. 9) of the latest content DNA 74, the minimum difference is obtained.
[0099]
  In step S45, the copy apparatus C of the original content DNA 68 exhibiting the minimum difference is provisionally determined as the copy subject. In step S46, the difference between the provisionally determined original content DNA 68 of the copy subject and the one content DNA 74b of the latest content DNA 74 exhibiting the minimum difference is taken. As a result, in the case of this example, the first shaded area 75 and the second shaded area 76 in the lower content DNA 74b are extracted.
[0100]
  In step S47, a correction process is performed in which the information on the regions 75 and 76 extracted in step S46 is replaced with the information on the corresponding region 77 in the paired (upper) content DNA 74a. As a result, the post-crossing content DNA 74 that is the latest content DNA is returned to the pre-crossing content DNA 73. In that case, bit inversion is performed so that the degree of matching between the lower content DNA 73b in the obtained content DNA 73 before crossover and the original content DNA 68 of the copy main body is maximized, and the data deformation caused by the mutation is also corrected. In step S48, it is determined whether or not the content DNA 73b before crossover obtained as a result of the correction in step S47 matches the original content DNA 68 of the copy main body. As a result, if they match, the process proceeds to step S49, and if they do not match, the process returns to step S47 and the correction of the mutation is continued.
[0101]
  In step S49, the content DNA 73 before crossover obtained as a result of correction as described above is determined as the content DNA of the current generation. In step S50, the copying apparatus C having the original content DNA 68 having the same content as the lower content DNA 73b in the determined generation DNA 73 is identified as the copying apparatus involved in the generation of the generation DNA 73. The In step S51, the content DNA related to the previous generation content is obtained from the upper content DNA 73a of the current generation content DNA 73.
[0102]
  In step S52, it is determined whether or not the content DNA 73a related to the previous generation content 73 obtained in step S51 is the original content DNA (that is, whether or not it is the first generation content DNA). As a result, if it is the original content DNA, the copy history tracking processing operation is terminated. On the other hand, if it is not the original content DNA, the process proceeds to step S53.
[0103]
  In step S53, the previous generation content DNA 72 having the previous generation content DNA 73a obtained in step S51 is searched from all the content DNA stored in the content or from the index. In step S54, it is determined whether or not the corresponding previous generation content DNA is present in the DNA information of the content as a result of the search in step S53. As a result, if there is, the process returns to step S43 to further shift to the history tracking process for the previous generation. On the other hand, if not, the process proceeds to step S55. Here, in the case of further shifting to the history tracking process for the previous generation, “content DNA 72” is applied to “latest content DNA 74” in the above step S43 and step S46. When it is determined in step S52 that the content DNA related to the previous generation content is the original content DNA, the copy history tracking processing operation is terminated. In step S55, after the error is displayed, the copy history tracking processing operation is terminated.
[0104]
  Next, the copy permission / inhibition determination process executed in steps S2 and S3 in the content distribution management information recording process operation shown in FIG. 6 will be described in detail. FIG. 11 shows a data structure when recording copy restriction information. This copy restriction information is written in a specific area that cannot be read by a normal copy command (that is, a logical command) in the content or storage means 1.
[0105]
  In FIG. 11, records 81, 88, and 89 are records that record the ID numbers of copy target contents. The contents of the records 81, 88, 89 are the same as the contents of the content IDs 41, 47, 53 in the header information shown in FIG. Records 82, 84, 86, 90, and 91 are records that record the IDs of copy apparatuses that are permitted to copy content. Records 83, 85, and 87 are records for recording the number of times of copying by each copying apparatus for the content related to content ID 1. Similarly, the record 92 records the number of times the copy is restricted by the copy device with the copy device ID “x” for the content with the content ID “m”.
[0106]
  That is, the copy information 93 is copy information related to the content whose content ID is “1”. Similarly, the copy information 94 and 95 is copy information related to contents whose content IDs are “2” and “m”. It is assumed that each piece of copy information described above is encrypted by an encryption algorithm used when generating content DNA.
[0107]
  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the copy permission / inhibition determination processing operation. When it is determined in step S1 in the content distribution management information recording process operation shown in FIG. 6 that there is a copy request, the copy permission / inhibition determination process operation is started.
[0108]
  In step S61, the requested copy device that identifies the copy device that has issued the copy request is specified. The requested copy device is specified by referring to the copy restriction information (FIG. 11) that is written in the copy target content or the specific area in the storage means 1. This process is executed before the normal copy instruction. In step S62, it is determined whether or not the requested copy device has been successfully identified. As a result, if successful, the copy apparatus that issued the copy request is recognized as a copy permission target apparatus, and the process proceeds to step S63. On the other hand, if it fails, it is determined that the possibility of unauthorized copying is high, and the process returns to step S13 in the content distribution management information recording processing operation.
[0109]
  In step S63, the content DNA stored in the copy target is referred to based on the copy target and the ID of the copy device that is the copy permission target device. In step S64, based on the reference result of the content DNA, a past history decoding process is executed in which the copy apparatus that has sent the copy request this time has copied the copy target in the past. In this case, the decoding method is in accordance with the copy history tracking processing operation shown in FIG.
[0110]
  In step S65, the contents of the copy restriction information (FIG. 11) are referred to. In step S66, based on the result of the reference, the copy limit number related to the requesting copy apparatus and the copy target is compared with the past copy history, and the copy number of the current request is equal to or less than the copy limit number. Is determined. As a result, if the following, the process returns to step S4 in the content distribution management information recording processing operation, and generation of new content DNA is started. Otherwise, the process returns to step S13 in the content distribution management information recording processing operation.
[0111]
  As described above, in the present embodiment, the storage means 1 for storing and accumulating content and content DNA, the copy control means 2 for controlling the determination of whether or not the content can be copied, tracking the copy history, and executing the copy, Content distribution management information recording means 3 is provided that generates new content DNA based on the content and content DNA of the copy device 4 and writes and records it in the copied content.
[0112]
  When content DNA is generated by the content distribution management information recording means 3, one of the content-side content DNAs duplicated by the selection means 5 is selected and the content side selected by the fusion means 6 is selected. Are combined with the original content DNA on the copy apparatus 4 side to create a new content DNA. Further, the crossover means 7 of the content distribution management information recording means 3 crosses the content DNA pair in the new duplicated content DNA. Further, mutation is performed by the mutation means 8 as necessary.
[0113]
  On the other hand, in each content or storage means 1, copy restriction information including the ID of the copy permitted copy device and the number of copy restrictions by the copy device is written in a specific area that cannot be read by a normal copy command (logical command). It is.
[0114]
  When the copy control unit 2 receives a copy request from the copy device 4, the copy control unit 2 refers to the copy restriction information and rejects the copy if the requested copy device 4 is not a copy permission target device. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent unauthorized copying.
[0115]
  On the other hand, if it is a copy permission target device, it instructs the content distribution management information recording means 3 to track the copy history. Then, the copy history tracking unit 12 of the content distribution management information recording unit 3 compares the history of the content DNA stored in the storage unit 1 with the original content DNA of the copying apparatus that has copied in the past, while The reverse procedure of fusion, crossover and mutation is performed until the original content DNA of the content is reached. As a result, it is possible to extract the original content DNA on the side of the copying apparatus crossed before the original content DNA of the content changes to the latest content DNA.
[0116]
  Therefore, based on the copy device that has been copied in the past and the number of copies, the contents of the copy restriction information, and the ID of the copy device that has made the request, the copy request that has been issued is determined. Can be accepted or rejected. That is, according to the present embodiment, even if the illegal copy prevention measure is broken, unauthorized copying can be prevented without limitation.
[0117]
  Further, when the content stored in the storage means 1 is illegally copied and put on the market, the above-mentioned copy history is tracked based on the history of content DNA written and accumulated in the illegal copy content. By doing the above, it is possible to elucidate a copying apparatus involved in illegal copying. Therefore, the source of illegal copy can be determined.
[0118]
  In the present embodiment, the content DNA generated at the time of copying is written in units related to the structure of each content such as a table of contents, chapter, section, page, paragraph or line when the content is a document or document, for example. It is possible. Therefore, the content DNA can be embedded in units corresponding to each content, and the resistance against partial unauthorized copying of the content is increased.
[0119]
  In the present embodiment, as described above, the crossover process and the mutation process are performed on the content DNA necessary for copying the content. Further, the content DNA generated as described above is encrypted and converted into digital watermark information by the encryption means 9 and the digital watermark information generation means 10 of the content distribution management information recording means 3 to disturb and conceal the information. Yes. Therefore, it is impossible to decrypt or alter the content of the content DNA even if the content is read illegally using a device such as the ICE. Further, the copy restriction information is written in a specific area that cannot be read by the content or the normal copy command (logical command) of the storage means 1. Therefore, the existence of the copy restriction information itself is not revealed.
[0120]
  In the present embodiment, the information amount of the content DNA is kept constant by the action of the selection means 5 and the fusion means 6. Therefore, the history information amount (content DNA information amount) does not increase even if the copy operation is repeated.
[0121]
  By the way, the copy control means 2, the content distribution management information recording means 3, the selection means 5, the fusion means 6, the crossover means 7, the mutation means 8, the encryption means 9, the digital watermark information generation means 10, and the decryption in the above embodiment. The functions as the conversion means 11 and the copy history tracking means 12 are performed by a content distribution management information recording processing program, a digital watermark information generation / recording processing program, a copy history tracking processing program, and a copy permission / inhibition determination processing program recorded in the program recording medium. Realized.
[0122]
  The program recording medium in the above embodiment is a program medium composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory: not shown) provided separately from the storage means 1. Alternatively, it may be a program medium that is loaded into an external auxiliary storage device (not shown) and read. In any case, the program reading means for reading each processing program from the program medium may have a configuration for directly accessing and reading the program medium, or provided in a RAM (not shown). The program storage area may be downloaded, and the program storage area may be accessed and read. It is assumed that a download program for downloading from the program medium to the program storage area of the RAM is stored in the main unit in advance.
[0123]
  Here, the program medium is configured to be separable from the main body side, and is a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as an FD or a hard disk, or a CD (compact disk) -ROM, MOD, MD (mini disk ), Disk systems for optical disks such as DVD, card systems such as IC (integrated circuit) cards and optical cards, semiconductor memories such as mask ROM, EPROM (ultraviolet erasable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable ROM), flash ROM It is a medium that carries a fixed program, including the system.
[0124]
  In addition, when the content distribution management device in the above embodiment has a configuration that includes a modem and can be connected to a communication network including the Internet, the program medium is fluidized by downloading from the communication network or the like. Even a medium carrying a program can be used. In this case, it is assumed that a download program for downloading from the communication network is stored in the main device in advance. Or it shall be installed from another recording medium.
[0125]
  It should be noted that what is recorded on the recording medium is not limited to a program, and data can also be recorded.
[0126]
【The invention's effect】
  As is clear from the above, the content distribution management device of the first invention is the content distribution management information.GenerationInformation and copy showing the content's identity by meansapparatusContent DNA that can function as copy history informationBy the copy control meansRecorded in the copy target area of both the copy source and copy destination contentsFurther, the generated content distribution management information and the content distribution management information of the copying apparatus are stored in the storage means.Therefore, copy history information is recorded in the copy target area of the copied content. Therefore, illegally copied content or content DNA recorded in the copy target areaThe content DNA added / recorded to the copy source content stored in the storage means, the content DNA stored in the storage means, and the content DNA of the copying apparatusTo track and copy history based onapparatusCan be specified. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to determine the source of illegal copying.
[0127]
  Further, the first invention is the content distribution management information.GenerationBy meansGeneratedThe content DNAA plurality of the above content DNAsMultiplexTo makeIf this is the case, the information indicating the identity of the content and the copyapparatusIt is possible to multiplex information representing the identity of the content into one content DNA. Therefore, by analyzing the content DNA, the content and copyapparatusCan be clarified.
[0128]
  Further, the first invention is the content distribution management information.GenerationWhen copying, the content DNA multiplexed and recorded on the content is recorded.OneofContent DNAchooseAnd readSelection means and aboveReadWasContent DNAAnd copyapparatusIf the fusion means which produces | generates the new content DNA multiplexed based on the information showing the identity of the content is provided, the feature of the content is expressedContent DNAAnd copyapparatusRepresents the identity ofContent DNACan be multiplexed to generate one content DNA. Therefore, by analyzing the content DNA, any content can be copiedapparatusCan be easily clarified.
[0129]
  At that time, the newly generated content DNA has the same amount of information as the original content DNA recorded in the copy target area of the content. Therefore, the amount of information can be kept constant even when the copy operation is repeated, and an increase in copy history information can be prevented.
[0130]
  Further, the first invention is generated by the fusion means by the crossover means.MultiplexedConstruct content DNAEach content DNAIf you exchange some of the information between the two, you can get a copyapparatusIt is possible to easily generate content DNA into which information representing the identity of the content is inserted.
[0131]
  Further, the crossover means in the first invention is based on a preset crossover function,For each content DNA to be crossedBy controlling the position of crossover, the width of crossover and the frequency of crossovers, all copies that have been involved in copying up to nowapparatusIt is possible to generate content DNA that is inserted without loss of information representing the identity of the content and whose contents are disturbed.
[0132]
  In the first invention, if a part of the generated content DNA is mutated by a mutation means, the content of the content DNA is disturbed to prevent the content of the content DNA from leaking outside. it can.
[0133]
  Further, if the mutation means in the first invention controls the position of the mutation, the width of the mutation and the frequency of occurrence of the mutation based on a preset mutation function, The content can be disturbed more effectively.
[0134]
  In the first invention, if the content copy target area is a unit related to the structure of the content, the content DNA can be recorded in a unit related to the structure of the content. Therefore, it is possible to increase resistance to partial illegal copying of content.
[0135]
  In the first invention, if the generated content DNA is encrypted by an encryption means, the content of the content DNA can be disturbed or concealed. Therefore, the content of the content DNA can be effectively prevented from leaking outside.
[0136]
  In the first invention, if the digital watermark information is generated based on the encrypted content DNA by the digital watermark information generation means, the contents of the content DNA can be more completely disturbed or concealed. Therefore, the content of the content DNA can be more effectively prevented from leaking outside.
[0137]
  In the first invention, the content DNA recorded in the content is recorded by a copy history tracking means.Or content DNA stored in the storage meansCopy and track copy history based onapparatusThus, it is possible to easily trace the source of the illegal copy by tracking the copy history of the illegally copied content.
[0138]
  In the first invention, the copy history is tracked by the copy history tracking unit based on the content DNA decrypted by the decrypting unit.apparatusIf the content DNA recorded in the illegally copied content is encrypted, the copy history is tracked and copied.apparatusCan be specified.
[0139]
  In the first invention, the copy permitted to be copiedapparatusIs stored in a specific area that cannot be read by a logical instruction in the storage means, and the copy control meansCopyrequestdoingcopyapparatusIs registered in the above copy restriction informationapparatusThe above content distribution management information only whenGenerationIf the means is instructed to generate the content DNA, the copy permitted for copyingapparatusCopying is permitted only for, but not for copyingapparatusCan prevent unauthorized copying from. Furthermore, since the copy restriction information is stored in a specific area that cannot be read by a logical instruction, it can be prevented from being read and falsified by a normal copy instruction.
[0140]
  In the first invention, the copy control means is configured as described above.CopyrequestdoingcopyapparatusIs not registered in the above copy restriction informationapparatusIf copy execution is prohibited or a copy prohibition message is displayed, copy that is not eligible for copyapparatusUnauthorized copying by can be prohibited.
[0141]
  The program recording medium of the second invention is a computer,Storage means in the content distribution management device of the first invention ,Content distribution management information generation meansandContent distribution management processing program to function as copy control meansIsSince it is recorded, it is possible to easily find the source of illegal copying based on the content DNA recorded in the illegally copied content.The
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a content distribution management apparatus according to the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of content distribution management information recording means in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of content DNA and its encryption.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of fusion, crossover, and mutation with respect to content DNA.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which crossover is performed on content DNA.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a content distribution management information recording processing operation.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of header information added to each content.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a digital watermark information generation processing operation.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the transition of content DNA when sequential copying is performed.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a copy history tracking process operation.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of copy restriction information.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a copy permission / inhibition determination processing operation.
[Explanation of symbols]
  1 ... storage means, 2 ... copy control means,
  3. Content distribution management information recording means,
  4 ... Copy device, 5 ... Selection means,
  6 ... fusion means, 7 ... crossover means,
  8 ... Mutation means, 9 ... Encryption means,
10 ... Digital watermark information generating means 11 ... Decoding means,
12 ... copy history tracking means 59 ... copyright information about the original work,
60, 61 ... Copyright information about secondary works,
41, 47, 53 ... Content ID,
42,48,54 ... content type,
43-45, 49-51, 55-57 ... author,
46, 52, 58 ... Content protection period,
65 ... original content DNA of content,
66, 67, 68 ... Original content DNA of the copying machine,
69. Second generation content DNA before crossover,
70: Second generation content DNA after crossover,
71 ... 3rd generation content DNA before crossover,
72. Third-generation content DNA after crossover,
73 ... 4th generation content DNA before crossover,
74 ... 4th generation content DNA after crossover,
81, 88, 89 ... Content ID,
82,84,86,90,91 ... Copy device ID,
83, 85, 87, 92: The number of copy restrictions.

Claims (12)

Storage means for storing content or information related to content distribution management ;
Based on the information representative of the identity information and the copy device represents the identity of the upper Symbol content, and the content distribution management information generating unit that forms the raw content distribution management information that can function as a copying history information,
Upon receiving a copy request from the copy apparatus, the copy control of the content is controlled, and the content distribution management information generated by the content distribution management information generating means is recorded in the copy target area of the copy destination content. Return to the copy apparatus, record the generated content distribution management information in addition to the copy target area of the copy source content stored in the storage means, and further generate the generated content distribution management information and the above A content distribution management apparatus comprising copy control means for storing content distribution management information of a copy apparatus in the storage means . The content distribution management device according to claim 1,
The content distribution management information content distribution management information generated by the generating means, the content distribution management device characterized by between a plurality of the content distribution management information is multiplexed. The content distribution management device according to claim 2,
The content distribution management information generating means
During copy execution, selecting means is selected and read one of the content distribution management information from the content distribution management information recorded multiplexed into the copy target area of the content,
And the read out content distribution management information, in that it comprises a fusion device based on the content distribution management information indicating the identity of the copying apparatus for copying, generates a new content distribution management information multiplexed A featured content distribution management device. The content distribution management device according to claim 3,
The content distribution management information generating means includes a crossover means for performing crossover that is exchanging a part of information between the content distribution management information constituting the multiplexed content distribution management information generated by the fusion means. provided, the content distribution management device and generates an upper Symbol content management distribution information crossover has been performed. The content distribution management device according to claim 4,
Said crossover means, based on a preset cross function, the position of the definitive cross to each content distribution management information to be the crossover, that is adapted to control the frequency of width and cross crossover Content distribution management device characterized by this. The content distribution management device according to claim 1,
The content distribution management information generating means comprises a mutation means of mutating a portion of the content distribution management information, content distribution management device and generates an upper Symbol mutation content management distribution information. The content distribution management device according to claim 6,
The content distribution management apparatus, wherein the mutation means controls the position of the mutation, the width of the mutation, and the frequency of occurrence of the mutation based on a preset mutation function. The content distribution management device according to claim 1,
The content distribution management apparatus, wherein the content copy target area is a unit related to the structure of the content. The content distribution management device according to claim 1,
In accordance with the copy target area content distribution management information stored in the content distribution management information or above SL storage means are recorded in the content, it includes a copy history tracking means for identifying the copying apparatus to track the history of copy A content distribution management apparatus characterized by that. The content distribution management device according to claim 1,
In the specific area that cannot be read by the logical instruction in the storage means, copy restriction information including information on the copy apparatus that is permitted to copy is stored for each content,
The copy control means refers to the copy restriction information before executing the copy, and the content distribution management information only when the copy apparatus requesting the copy is a copy apparatus registered in the copy restriction information. Instruct the generation means to generate the content distribution management information,
The content distribution management information generating means, wherein the content distribution management information generating means generates the content distribution management information based on the command. The content distribution management device according to claim 10,
The copy control means prohibits execution of copying or displays a copy prohibition message when the copy apparatus requesting the copy is a copy apparatus not registered in the copy restriction information. Content distribution management device. Computer
Storage means, a computer-readable program recording medium in which the content distribution management processing program to function as the content distribution management information generating means and the copy control means, characterized in that it is recorded in claims 1.

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