JP3873619B2 - Recording / playback system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a recording / reproducing system suitable for realizing data, audio and video distribution using an optical disk or a magnetic tape.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A video recording / playback apparatus such as a VTR is used for video recording such as TV broadcasting in a general home and provides a time shift function to a user.
[0003]
In addition, for the content delivery side, the time shift function of delivering in the midnight time zone and playing it back at the time desired by the user has the effect that the radio wave and the communication carrier infrastructure can be used effectively.
[0004]
On the other hand, a recording / reproducing apparatus is generally capable of copying and requires means for protecting copyright. In particular, in a detachable recording medium such as a VTR or an optical disk, there is a possibility that the copyright will be infringed significantly when copied in large quantities, and means for protecting the copyright are attracting particular attention and various technologies are being applied. .
[0005]
In a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), data obtained by encrypting data is recorded on a disc in order to protect the copyright of a movie, and each playback device decrypts the encryption to obtain a video signal.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Even if the above-mentioned encryption means is taken, there is a possibility that the encryption may be decrypted improperly and broken, and it may be considered as a problem because it becomes an inadequate system as a recording / reproducing apparatus for protecting copyright. . Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide means for protecting copyright as a recording / reproducing apparatus.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a copyright in a bit stream recording / reproducing apparatus having digital / analog input / output or a recording / reproducing apparatus such as RTRW (Real Time Read Write). It is to prevent illegal data from being recorded or reproduced.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In view of this, a recording / reproducing apparatus is provided in which a recording medium can be reproduced only by a specific apparatus even if it is a removable recording medium such as a VTR magnetic tape or an optical disk. For this reason, the recording / reproducing apparatus has an identification means such as an IC card, which is generally difficult to copy. When desired data is recorded on the recording medium, the recording / reproducing apparatus uses the identification code of the identification means. A different identification code for each recording / reproducing apparatus is recorded on the recording medium.
[0009]
At the time of reproduction, it is achieved by performing a reproduction operation by confirming the coincidence of the identification codes on the recording medium and the identification means.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a video recording / playback system using an optical disk according to the present invention, showing a main part related to the present invention. In particular, elements that are physically essential for recording and reproduction are not shown. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an identification means that is difficult to duplicate and has a structure that can be detached from the recording / reproducing apparatus. The identification means 1 may be in the form of a card incorporating an integrated circuit including a memory such as an IC card, but is not particularly limited. Reference numeral 2 denotes a reading circuit that reads information stored in the identification means. Reference numeral 3 denotes a recording / reproducing circuit that performs recording / reproduction on a detachable recording medium, and reference numeral 4 denotes means for comparing the contents of the identification means with the contents of the disc, and is generally executed by a microcomputer. 7 is an optical disk or magnetic tape as a recording medium, 11 is a recording and / or reproducing device, 12 is a memory A provided in the recording / reproducing device, 8 is an identification signal a stored in the memory, and 5 is an identification signal. The identification signals b and 6 stored in the means are identification signals c and 14 recorded on the optical disk, and 14 is a display means such as a liquid crystal panel or LED.
[0011]
Here, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. The recording / reproducing apparatus 11 is assigned a specific identification code a in advance and is stored in the memory A so that the user cannot easily rewrite it. The number of bits of the identification code a is determined so that the probability of having the same value is almost zero in a plurality of recording / reproducing systems operating in the market. Next, the identification means 1 corresponds to the recording / reproducing apparatus, and here too, the user cannot easily rewrite. Therefore, the identification information b stored in the identification unit 1 corresponds to the recording / reproducing apparatus. When the identification unit 1 is attached, the reading circuit 2 reads the identification code b from the identification unit 1. The reading circuit 2 reads the identification code b and compares it with the identification code a in the memory 12 to determine whether or not the identification means is compatible with the recording / reproducing apparatus. As a result of the determination, if the identification code b and the identification code a of the memory A12 match, the recording / playback apparatus is allowed to record, and if they do not match, the recording is disabled. When the identification means 2 is not incorporated at all, recording and reproduction cannot be performed. Here, if they do not match, the display means 14 is used to indicate that the identification means 1 is not compatible, or a signal indicating that is output to the outside. If the identification code b and the identification code a in the memory A12 do not match, an unrecordable state is displayed and the identification means 1 corresponding to the identification code a is also displayed. Can be prevented from being mistakenly incorporated.
[0012]
Next, when the optical disc 7 on which no content is recorded is inserted into the recording / reproducing apparatus 11, it is determined from the file management information recorded in advance on the disc 7 that no content is recorded. If the identification means 1 corresponding to the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 is incorporated, it is confirmed whether or not the recording / reproducing apparatus is in a recording-permitted state and displayed on the display means 14. If no identification means is incorporated, a message to that effect is displayed. As a result, if it is confirmed that the recording is possible, the desired content is recorded by the recording / reproducing means 3. At this time, the identification code c read by the reading circuit 2 is recorded on the disc 7 in association with a content signal (not shown here). Further, when another unrecorded optical disc is newly inserted, it is similarly determined whether or not the disc can be recorded by the discriminating means 1, and in the case of recording, the discriminating code is associated with the content signal on the disc. Record. The above operation is performed every time an unrecorded recording medium is replaced.
[0013]
When a recorded disc is inserted, the operation differs depending on whether recording or playback is performed on the disc. At the time of recording, as in the case of an unrecorded disc, it is confirmed whether or not the recording / reproducing apparatus is in a recording-permitted state, and this is displayed on the display means 14.
[0014]
At the time of reproduction, the identification code c recorded in association with each content is read from the disc 7. The comparison unit 4 compares whether the identification code c of the content matches the identification code b read from the identification unit 1. The comparison means 4 compares whether the identification code c recorded on the disc 7 matches the identification code b read from the identification means 1, and if it matches, the identification means 1 is incorporated and recorded. It can be determined that this is a disc. If they match, the content can be reproduced. Here, for example, if the identification code of the first content recorded on the disc matches, but the identification code of the second content does not match, only the first content is played and the second content is reproduced. Do not play any content. At this time, it may be displayed that the second content cannot be reproduced, or the name of the identification means having an identification code corresponding to the content may be displayed.
[0015]
In addition, if the content has a limited playback period or number of playbacks, playback is performed within the permitted range.
[0016]
Here, the identification code a in the memory A12 and the identification code b read from the identification means 1 do not match, but if the identification code b and the identification code c read from the disc match, a new recording is performed. Although not allowed, playback of content recorded on the disc is allowed. In this way, by inserting the disc 7 corresponding to the identification means 1 into the recording / reproducing apparatus, only the reproduction can be performed without using the recording / reproducing apparatus corresponding to the identification means 1.
[0017]
Even in the case of a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of inserting a plurality of discs, if a recordable disc is inserted, it is confirmed whether or not the identification means 1 corresponding to the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 is incorporated, and recording is permitted. Determine whether. If a recorded disc is inserted, the reproduction permission is confirmed by the identification code b of the identification means 1 and the identification code c recorded in correspondence with each content.
[0018]
In addition, erasing the content once recorded is permitted when the recording / playback apparatus recording the content is in a state where an identification unit corresponding to the apparatus is mounted. In other combinations, erasure is not permitted, and it may be displayed whether the recording / reproducing apparatus is different, the identification means is different, or both are different.
[0019]
If the identification code c corresponds to the identification code b, the identification code may be updated. For example, the identification code may be updated according to a special rule for each content recorded by the user or according to the order of the content on the disc. This makes it difficult to tamper with the identification code c.
[0020]
By providing identification means having such a function together with the recording / reproducing apparatus, this recording / reproducing system is spread. In addition, if the recording / reproducing apparatus is repurchased and the identification code a and identification code b of the apparatus are managed by user registration or the like, it becomes possible to cope with acts such as counterfeiting of the identification means. If the means is lost, it can be reissued. When the recording / reproducing apparatus is replaced, only the old identifying means is stored, so that the content of the disc corresponding to the identifying means can be reproduced. Therefore, replacement of the recording / reproducing apparatus, failure, etc. can be dealt with, and even if the old recording / reproducing apparatus is disposed, it is only necessary to store the identification means.
[0021]
Here, the reading circuit 8 and the recording / reproducing means 3 shown in FIG. 1 may be configured as a single device. For example, like the PC (personal computer), the devices and means are added in combination. -A configuration that can be deleted may be used.
[0022]
FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention having a memory for storing information relating to recorded contents. Reference numeral 13 denotes a memory 2 and the other configuration is the same as that of FIG. Here, the memory B is described independently of the memory A, but the same memory may be used, and information stored in the memory B may be stored in the identification unit 1.
[0023]
Each time a desired video content is recorded, for the sake of explanation, for example, values to be incremented by 1, 2, 3,. At this time, information related to the content to be recorded, for example, recording restriction and reproduction restriction information is recorded together. If content copy control is performed, the information can be recorded to correctly copy control. As described above, by recording information related to content, different control can be performed for each content. Information related to the content may be recorded on either the optical disk or the memory B, but it is difficult to falsify by recording the information on both and comparing the information. To do.
[0024]
When the recorded content is erased from the disc, information in the memory B corresponding to the content is also deleted. Alternatively, the contents on the disc are deleted, and the history that the information in the memory B has been deleted is left.
[0025]
Here, in FIG. 2, the memory B is shown as being connected to the system control unit 4, but information recorded here may be stored in 1 in the storage unit.
[0026]
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention having a time display function. Reference numeral 15 denotes a timer, and the other components are the same as those shown in FIGS. The point of this embodiment is that the value of the timer 15 is recorded in the memory B and the disc, or the disc 7 or the discriminating means 1 in combination with the content to be recorded when desired content is recorded. This makes it possible to know the time when the content was recorded.
[0027]
Alternatively, when the recorded content is reproduced, the value of the timer 15 is recorded in the memory B and the disc, or the disc or the identification unit 1. Thereby, it becomes possible to know the time when the content was reproduced.
[0028]
FIG. 4 is an embodiment in which the timer setting of the time display function can be performed on the content distribution side, 16 is an input terminal, 18 is time information, and other functions are the same as those in FIG.
[0029]
In this embodiment, time information sent as additional information in digital broadcasting or the like is used. When recording is started, the value sent from the broadcasting station is always loaded into the timer 15. As a result, even if the user intentionally shifts the time, the time can be corrected and corrected at the time of recording. Further, by always operating the timer 15 other than during broadcast reception, the timer operation can be performed almost accurately and independently with time display as a device.
[0030]
By loading the time information sent in this way into the timer 15, even if the interval between broadcasts is changed, it is possible to respond to the changed broadcast by sending the shifted amount of time to the timer 15. It becomes.
[0031]
FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which information indicating the reproduction period of the recorded data is delivered together with or added to the content together with the timer setting of the time display function, and 19 is a means for managing the reproduction period of the recorded data. Other functions are the same as those in FIG. In this embodiment, when a content is recorded, a period during which the reproduction of the content is permitted is recorded on the disc 7 in a pair with the content to be recorded. When the signal indicating the period during which reproduction is permitted is included in the content itself by a method such as digital watermarking, it is recorded on the disc 7 and included in the time information 18 or immediately together with the content. If it can be read, it may be recorded on the identification means 1, the memory B and / or the disk. At least, it must be recorded on either the discriminating means or the disc on which the information for judging permission of reproduction is recorded. For example, the time when the content is recorded is recorded on the disc, and the period during which the reproduction of the content is permitted is recorded on the identification unit 1.
[0032]
The period control means 19 permits the value of the timer 15 at the time of recording recorded on the disc in pairs with the contents, that is, the recording time and the period in which the reproduction recorded in pairs with the contents on the disc 7 is permitted. Is determined and controlled based on the signal indicating whether or not the content reproduction is permitted. For example, if the reproduction permission period is one year and one year has passed since the recorded time, the reproduction is not permitted. Of course, the reproduction permission period can be controlled in units of days, hours, minutes, and seconds.
[0033]
Further, when the recorded content is reproduced, when the value of the timer 15 is recorded in the memory B and the disc, or the disc or the discriminating means 1, the time of the first reproduction is paired with the content on the disc 7. Based on the recorded signal indicating the period during which reproduction is permitted, it is possible to determine and control whether or not it is within the period during which content reproduction is permitted from the first reproduction time.
[0034]
If the recording / reproducing means includes a receiving means (not shown) and receives information such as time information from a broadcasting station or the like, the period management means 19 is always sent from the broadcasting station to the timer 15 when starting reproduction. By loading the value, even if the user intentionally shifts the time, it is corrected at the time of reproduction, and the correct reproduction period can be managed. Further, by always receiving a signal from the timer 15 other than during reproduction, the timer operation can be performed almost accurately and independently with time display as a device.
[0035]
FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which information indicating the restriction on the number of reproductions of the recorded data is added together with the content together with the recorded data, or 50 is a means for managing the number of reproductions of the data, and other functions are shown in FIG. It is the same. In this embodiment, when the content is recorded, the number of times that the reproduction of the content is permitted is recorded on the disc 7 or the identification unit 1 in a pair with the content to be recorded. If the signal indicating the number of times to permit reproduction is included in the content itself by a method such as digital watermarking, for example, it is recorded on the disc 7, and if it can be read out together with the content, the identification means 1 May be recorded on the memory B and / or the disk. At least information for determining the number of times of reproduction needs to be recorded on either the identification means or the disc. For example, the number of times the content is reproduced is recorded in the discriminating means 1 and the number of times that the content is permitted to be reproduced is recorded on the disc 7.
[0036]
The number-of-reproductions limiting unit 50 determines whether or not it is within the number of times permitted to reproduce the content based on the number of times of reproduction recorded on the disc 7 in pairs with the content and the number of times the content is reproduced by the identification unit 1. To do. For example, if the playback count limit is 3 and the playback count is 2, playback is allowed up to 1 more time. Also, when playback is started halfway after returning, it is regarded as one playback count and counted. Thus, it is possible to prevent the reproduction from being repeated indefinitely from the middle.
[0037]
Here, when the receiving side that receives the reproduced output is a recordable device, it is possible to limit the number of duplications by counting the number of outputs to the recording device. Similarly, it is possible to limit the number of times by counting the number of times of recording or reproduction according to the quality of the content at the time of output, for example, the resolution of the video or the number of audio samples.
[0038]
FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which the information indicating the copy generation restriction of the record data is added together with the content or added together with the record data, and the copy generation restriction is performed accordingly. The generation limit of duplication means that when a transmitted signal is recorded on a recording medium, and then a reproduction signal from the recording medium is recorded on another recording medium, the duplication generation corresponds to a child with respect to the parent. Duplicating from a child is equivalent to a grandchild. At this time, the number of generations allowed to be copied is a limitation on the generation of copies. Here, for the sake of clarity, a case where recording is performed on another recording medium using another recording / reproducing apparatus will be described.
[0039]
51 is a recording / reproducing apparatus x, 52 is a copy generation restriction information x, 53 is an identification means x, 54 is a disk x, 55 is a recording / reproduction apparatus y, 56 is a copy generation restriction information y, 57 is an identification means y, and 58 is a disk. y and 59 are the recording / reproducing apparatus z, 60 is the copy generation restriction information z, 61 is the identification means z, and 62 is the disk z. The recording / reproducing apparatus 51 records the content on the disc x, and at the same time, information indicating the copy generation limitation is recorded on the disc x and / or the identification means x. Here, it is assumed that information indicating the copy generation limit is recorded in the identification unit x, and the limit number is limited to two. Next, in order to copy this content, the recording / reproducing apparatus y is connected and copied to the disk y. At this time, the information indicating the replication generation limit is one more time, and a signal indicating the information is recorded in the identification unit y. Further, in order to copy this content again, the recording / reproducing apparatus z is connected and copied to the disk z. At this time, the information indicating the replication generation limit is zero, and a signal indicating the information is recorded in the identification unit z. As described above, after the content with the maximum number of times of duplication of 2 is duplicated twice, even if an attempt is made to duplicate the content to another recording medium, the information indicating the duplication generation limit recorded in the identification unit z is 0 more times. Do not output for duplication. Such a method makes it possible to limit the generation of replication.
[0040]
Further, although the copy generation restriction is described here, the present invention can also be applied to the case where the original content is erased when it is copied, that is, the content is moved to another recording medium.
[0041]
FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which a printer 20 is added. If the identification unit 1 is not one-to-one corresponding to the recording / reproducing apparatus 11, if a unique value that is different for each identification unit is displayed as it is on the display unit 14, it may be duplicated. Display a unique identification symbol. Although not shown here, an identification symbol such as a character string may be registered using an external input device. Further, by providing the printer 20 for printing this identification symbol and attaching it to the disc or the case of the disc, the combination of the discriminating means 1 corresponding to the recorded disc can be easily identified. Here, when a plurality of contents are recorded on one recording disk, the identification means 1 may be different for each content, so it is desirable to print the contents name and the identification signal together.
[0042]
Furthermore, reproduction control in a reproducible device can be applied not only to a recordable medium but also to a medium in which data is recorded in advance and cannot be additionally recorded, such as a DVD-ROM disc. .
[0043]
When an identification code is assigned to content and recorded on the disc, an identification means that records the identification code of the same assignment as this is manufactured, thereby preparing a plurality of recorded discs and an identification means for making them reproducible. . Therefore, by lending the recorded disc and the identification means together, it is possible to perform the same reproduction control as in the previous embodiment. By using such a method, a recorded disk can be rented and reproduced by a software renter or the like.
[0044]
FIG. 9 shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a satellite broadcast receiving apparatus and a recording / reproducing apparatus. 90 is a satellite broadcast receiver, 91 is an antenna, 92 is a receiver that receives a satellite broadcast and selects a channel, 93 is a decryption circuit that decrypts the received signal and decrypts it into a video / audio signal, 94 A control circuit 95 for controlling the entire receiving apparatus 95 is a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording video / audio signals and information sent together. Here, by reading the identification signal b of the identification means by the reading circuit incorporated in the receiving device, the control circuit 94 determines the identification signal b and determines whether it can be decoded and output. As a result, the decoded signal is not only output to the monitor but also input to the recording / reproducing device 95. At this time, in addition to recording the output video / audio signal, the identification signal b is also output to the recording / reproducing apparatus and recorded on the recording medium. By adopting such a method, it is possible to determine which receiving device is used for the recording medium to decrypt the content, and it is possible to perform the same recording / reproduction control as described above.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a recording / reproducing system in which even a detachable recording medium such as a VTR magnetic tape or an optical disk can be reproduced only by a specific device is realized. Prevents unauthorized recording or playback of certain data.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main part related to the present invention of a block diagram of a recording / reproducing system using an optical disk of the present invention according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another example of a recording / reproducing system using the optical disc of the present invention according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example having a time display function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example in which the timer setting of the time display function according to the embodiment of the present invention can be performed on the content distribution side.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example capable of implementing a time limit management function according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example including the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example that can implement the reproduction count control function of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of performing replication generation restriction according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the present invention is adopted in a satellite broadcast receiving apparatus and a recording / reproducing apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Identification means, 2 ... Recording / reproducing circuit, 4 ... Comparison means, 5 ... Identification signal b memorize | stored in identification means, 6 ... Identification signal c recorded on the optical disk, 7 ... Recording medium, 8 ... Memory Identification signals a, 11... Recording and / or reproducing device, 12... Memory A, 14.

Claims (3)

In a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing content on a recording medium,
The recording medium is a structure that can be detached from a recording / reproducing apparatus,
The recording / reproducing apparatus includes a detachable and information-recording identifying means for storing an identification code assigned to the recording / reproducing apparatus, and a memory means for storing the identification code arranged in the recording / reproducing apparatus,
When recording content,
Recording the identification code on the recording medium;
Recording time information indicating the date of start or end of recording with reference to the time information sent from the content distribution side in the recording medium and the identification means or the memory means,
When playing content,
Based on the identification code recorded on the recording medium and the identification code stored in the identification means and the memory means, the reproduction permission is determined,
6. A recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein reproduction permission is determined based on the time information recorded on the recording medium, the identification unit, or the memory unit, and time information sent from the content distribution side. In the recording / reproducing apparatus of Claim 1,
A period management means for managing a period for reproducing the recorded content;
When the period for which reproduction is permitted for the recorded content is limited, at the time of content recording, a signal indicating the reproduction permission period is recorded in the recording medium, the identification unit, or the memory unit,
When playing content,
The period management means determines the reproduction permission based on the signal indicating the reproduction permission period recorded in the recording medium, the identification means, or the memory means, and the time information sent from the content distribution side. A characteristic recording / reproducing apparatus. In the recording / reproducing apparatus of Claim 1,
When the content recorded on the recording medium is output to another recording / reproducing device, and the other recording / reproducing device records the output content on the recording medium of the other recording / reproducing device and replicates it,
The recording / reproducing apparatus that outputs the content performs a process of erasing the content of the recording medium on which the output content is recorded.

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