JP4730004B2 - Content sharing system and content sharing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a content sharing system and a content sharing method .

  In recent years, portable players such as Walkman (trademark) that can easily enjoy music and the like in a hands-free state have become widespread. In addition, a portable player that is more convenient to carry by wirelessly connecting the main body of the portable player and the headphones has been considered (for example, Patent Document 1).

  A wireless portable player is a playback device that transmits and receives music data between a main body and headphones using a wireless communication system. When music data is transmitted / received by a wireless communication system, for example, music data is transmitted from the main body by wireless communication, and is received and reproduced by headphones. The main body can be put in a bag, etc., and headphones can be fixed on the head to enjoy music.

  However, if another user who has the same wireless portable player is nearby, the music data transmitted from the main body may be received by another user's headphones. If another user who receives the data illegally records the data and distributes it to another user, a copyright problem arises.

  By the way, digital contents such as music contents have recently been distributed and exchanged illegally without obtaining permission for copyright as the Internet spreads and PCs (Personal Computers) increase in speed and capacity. Yes. Therefore, in order to prevent these illegal acts, copyright management systems that restrict the distribution and use of contents are becoming widespread.

  By using the copyright management system, it is possible to prevent the data transmitted from the main body of the wireless portable player from being received and reproduced by the headphones of another wireless portable player.

  However, there is a problem that the fundamental enjoyment of music, that is, sharing music with an unspecified number of people, is limited due to restrictions on the distribution and use of content. In addition, content providers have a problem that it becomes difficult to spread music widely.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-143587

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and the object of the present invention is to transmit / receive content including a content ID and a user identification number by wireless communication, and to transmit and receive a large number of unspecified content. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved content sharing system and content sharing method that can be shared legally by humans and can spread the content safely and widely.

In order to solve the above-described problems, according to an aspect of the present invention, a plurality of content playback devices; and a content distribution server for distributing content to the content playback device, the content playback device is provided in a management server. A first storage unit that stores a group ID that is uniquely generated for each user by being registered for each user, and reliability information of a user who owns the content processing apparatus; and is stored in the content storage unit A transmission unit that adds the group ID and the reliability information stored in the first storage unit to the content, and transmits the content to another content reproduction device; and the content transmitted from the other content reproduction device. A receiving unit that receives the received content; the content that is added to the content received by the receiving unit; And user group ID, based on the group ID stored in the first storage unit, the received content is determined whether it is possible to reproduce by the reception unit, added to the received content by the receiving unit A reproducibility determining unit that determines whether or not to reproduce the content received by the receiving unit based on the reliability information of the other user being received ; received by the receiving unit by the reproducibility determining unit; It is capable of reproducing content, and if it is determined that the play, the reproduction execution section and reproducing the received content by the reception unit; and the content ID corresponding to the reproduced content by the reproduction execution section, An ID recording unit that records the group ID of the other user added to the content in a second storage unit; A data communication unit that transmits the content ID recorded in the second storage unit and the group ID of the other user to the content distribution server when the content reproduction device is connected to the content distribution server. The content distribution server includes a content database in which the content and the content ID are associated and stored; a reliability information database that stores the group ID and the reliability information in association with each user; A data receiving unit that receives the content ID and the group ID of the other user from a first content reproduction device owned by a certain user; a content corresponding to the content ID received by the data receiving unit; A content search unit for searching using the content database; A reliability information updating unit that searches the reliability information of the other user corresponding to the group ID received by the data receiving unit using the reliability information database and updates the reliability information of the other user; The content searched by the content search unit is transmitted to the first content reproduction device, and the reliability information of the other user updated by the reliability information update unit is owned by the other user. A content sharing system comprising: a data transmission unit configured to transmit to the second content reproduction apparatus.

  With this configuration, it is possible to transmit / receive content between content reproduction apparatuses by wireless communication, and it is possible to limit the reproduction of received content based on the group ID. Here, the group ID is user identification information generated uniquely for each user, and the group ID may include a code representing the type of content or the type of content distribution service. For example, if only users with the same service type included in the group ID can send and receive content and play back the received content, the content can be shared legally between content playback devices. It becomes possible.

  In addition, by storing the content ID and group ID of the content received and reproduced from another device, it becomes possible to transmit the content information to the content distribution server. For example, the stored content ID can be transmitted to the server, and the content corresponding to the content ID can be purchased and downloaded. At that time, since the group ID can be transmitted to the server together with the content ID, the server can also recognize which user has transmitted the content based on the group ID unique to the user.

  The content reproduction apparatus includes a main body unit and a headphone unit. The main body unit includes the wireless transmission unit; the ID recording unit; and the data communication unit. The headphone unit includes the wireless reception unit. And a reproduction availability determination unit; and the reproduction execution unit.

  With this configuration, the main body and the headphones can be configured as separate devices. For example, you can put the main body in a bag and fix the headphones on your head to listen to the played content. It is possible to send and receive content by connecting the main unit and headphones via a cable, but if the main unit and headphones can communicate wirelessly, the cord will not get in the way and is convenient to carry.

  In addition, the content reproduction apparatus may include a reproduction permission information setting unit that adds reproduction permission information that permits reproduction of the content transmitted by the wireless transmission unit to the content. Further, based on the reproduction permission information given to the content received by the wireless reception unit, the reproduction permission / inhibition determining unit may determine whether or not the content can be reproduced. Thereby, it is possible to limit the reproduction of the content to be transmitted.

  In addition, when the wireless reception unit receives content transmitted by wireless communication from another device, the wireless reception unit may include a display control unit that outputs to the display device that the content has been received. Thereby, when the content is received, it is possible to notify the user who owns the content reproduction apparatus that the content has been received.

  In addition, when the wireless reception unit receives content transmitted from another device by wireless communication, the reproduction execution unit interrupts reproduction of the content stored in the storage medium included in the content reproduction device, and the other A playback control unit that controls to play back content transmitted by wireless communication from the device may be provided.

  With this configuration, even when content is being played back, if the content is received from another device, playback of the content being played back can be interrupted and the received content can be played back.

  In addition, when the wireless reception unit receives content transmitted by wireless communication from another device and the reliability information included in the content is equal to or greater than a specific value, the playback execution unit You may make it control to interrupt reproduction | regeneration of the content memorize | stored in the storage medium with which an apparatus is provided, and to reproduce | regenerate the content transmitted by radio | wireless communication from the other apparatus.

  With this configuration, if the reliability of the received content is equal to or higher than a specific value, the playback of the content being played back can be interrupted and the received content can be played back. Here, the reliability is a degree indicating how much the user who owns the content reproduction apparatus that has transmitted the content is instructed by other users, and the reliability is given to the content and transmitted. Information.

  In addition, the playback control unit receives the content transmitted from the other device by wireless communication, and the group ID included in the content and the reliability provided from the server that provides the download service. When the high group ID matches, the playback execution unit controls to stop playback of the content stored in the storage medium included in the content playback device and to play back the content transmitted by wireless communication from other devices. You may make it do.

  With this configuration, it is possible to reproduce only the content of a user having a highly reliable group ID. Since the list of group IDs with high reliability is provided from the server, the content providing apparatus can determine whether or not the group ID included in the received content is a highly reliable user.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a connection with a content reproduction apparatus that stores a group ID uniquely generated for each user by being registered in the management server for each user is determined. A first communication unit that receives a content ID and a group ID stored in the content reproduction device when a connection is determined by the connection determination unit; and a content ID and a group ID. A second communication unit that transmits to a content distribution server that provides a download service; and a content storage unit that stores content corresponding to the content ID transmitted from the content distribution server and received via the second communication unit Provided; the content stored in the content storage unit is transmitted to the content reproduction device via the first communication unit. Content processing apparatus is provided.

  With this configuration, data stored in the content reproduction device can be transmitted to the content distribution server, and data recorded in the content distribution server can be transmitted to the content reproduction device. For example, even if the content playback device cannot be directly connected to the content distribution server, the content distributed from the content distribution server is recorded and played back by the content playback device via the content processing device. It becomes possible to do.

  Further, the second communication unit receives reliability information corresponding to the group ID from the content distribution server, and the first communication unit receives the reliability information received by the second communication unit to the content reproduction device. You may send it. Further, the second communication unit may receive a highly reliable group ID from the content distribution server, and the first communication unit may transmit the received highly reliable group ID to the content reproduction apparatus. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a content database in which a content ID and content are associated and stored; Data reception that directly / indirectly receives the content ID and group ID stored in the content playback device, and the reliability information database that stores the group ID uniquely generated in units and the reliability information in association with each other A content search unit that searches for content corresponding to the content identification information; a reliability information update unit that updates the reliability information corresponding to the group ID when the group ID and the content ID are received by the data receiving unit; The content retrieved by the retrieval unit is directly or indirectly transmitted to the content reproduction device A data transmission unit for signal; content distribution server comprising is provided.

  With this configuration, the content corresponding to the received content ID can be transmitted to the content reproduction device. Also, it is possible to recognize which user was playing the content from the group ID received together with the content ID. Further, since the content is purchased via the user, it is possible to add points as reliability information to the user and manage the group ID and the reliability information in association with each other.

  Further, when the data receiving unit receives the group ID, the content search unit searches for reliability information corresponding to the group ID, and the data transmission unit directly sends the reliability information to the content reproduction apparatus. / You may make it transmit indirectly.

  Moreover, you may provide the reward setting part which sets a reward with respect to corresponding group ID according to reliability information.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling content playback in a content playback device: a method for controlling content playback in a content playback device: a management server A group ID storage step of storing in the group ID storage unit a group ID uniquely generated by the user unit by being registered in the user unit; content stored in the content storage unit being transmitted to other devices by wireless communication A wireless transmission step for transmitting; a wireless reception step for receiving content transmitted by wireless communication from another device; a group ID added to the received content; and a group ID stored in the group ID storage unit; Based on the reproduction allowance judgment step for judging whether the received content is playable or not. A reproduction execution step of reproducing the received content when it is determined that reproduction is possible in the reproduction availability determination step; a content ID corresponding to the reproduced content, and a group ID added to the content ID recording step for recording the content in the ID storage unit; if the content distribution server that provides the content download service and the content playback apparatus are connected directly / indirectly via the communication unit, And a data communication step of transmitting the content ID and group ID to the content distribution server.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for processing content in a content processing apparatus, which is uniquely generated for each user by being registered in the management server for each user. A connection determination step of determining connection with a content reproduction apparatus that stores a group ID; a first reception of a content ID and a group ID stored in the content reproduction apparatus when a connection with the content reproduction apparatus is determined; A communication step; a second communication step of transmitting the content ID and the group ID to a content distribution server that provides a content download service; and recording content corresponding to the content ID received from the content distribution server in the content storage unit Content storage step to perform; stored content Transmission step and to be transmitted to the content reproducing apparatus; content processing method comprising is provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a content playback device is used: a group ID that is uniquely generated for each user by being registered in the physical server for each user. A group ID storage process stored in the storage unit; a wireless transmission process for transmitting the content stored in the content storage unit to another device by wireless communication; and a wireless for receiving the content transmitted from the other device by wireless communication A reception process; a reproduction permission / inhibition determination process for determining whether or not the received content can be reproduced based on the group ID added to the received content and the group ID stored in the group ID storage unit; A reproduction execution process for reproducing the received content when the reproduction is determined to be reproducible by the reproduction availability determination process; ID recording processing for recording the content ID corresponding to the content and the group ID added to the content in the ID storage unit; the content distribution server that provides the content download service, and the content playback device are directly / indirectly And a data communication process for transmitting the content ID and the group ID stored in the ID storage unit to the content distribution server.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a content processing apparatus is used: content that stores a group ID that is uniquely generated for each user by being registered in the management server for each user. A connection determination process for determining connection with the playback apparatus; a first communication process for receiving a content ID and a group ID stored in the content playback apparatus when a connection with the content playback apparatus is determined; and a content ID A second communication process for transmitting the content ID and the group ID to a content distribution server that provides a content download service; a content storage process for storing content corresponding to the content ID received from the content distribution server in the content storage unit; Send the content stored in the content storage unit to the content playback device Shin and step; computer program allowed to run is provided.

  As described above, according to the present invention, content including a content ID and a user identification number is transmitted and received by wireless communication, the content is legally shared by an unspecified number of people, and the content is safely and widely spread. can do

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  First, an outline of a content sharing system corresponding to the copyright management of the group management method according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The content sharing system according to the present embodiment is configured as a copyright management system that manages the use of content among a plurality of devices (such as a content processing device or a content playback device) and protects the copyright of the content. That is, this content sharing system limits content sharing between devices owned by different users in order to reliably prevent illegal use of content such as mass distribution of content through the Internet or the like.

  On the other hand, this content sharing system includes a plurality of devices owned by the same user (for example, not only a single user but also a limited range of user groups such as family members, friends, company colleagues, etc.). It is also configured as a system that realizes a content sharing service that allows content to be freely shared to some extent.

  As described above, the content sharing system according to the present embodiment allows the sharing of content within the scope of private use while performing copyright management, and the convenience of content sharing among a plurality of devices owned by the same user. , Adopts a copyright management system that can increase the degree of freedom (a copyright management scheme of a “group management system” described later).

  As described above, in a conventional copyright management system that supports only the SDMI-compliant “check-in / check-out method”, content is “unit-by-content” based on the license that is the right information that determines the right to use the content. By restricting the number of copies (number of check-ins / check-outs), illegal use of content was restricted. In such a system, the copyright management process must be performed every time content is copied (checked in / checked out) between multiple content processing devices, resulting in a complicated system configuration and slow processing. There was a drawback that the degree of freedom of content usage within the range of use was low and lacked convenience. Further, in such a conventional check-in / check-out type copyright management system, the user must always use the system in consideration of the content copy source and the number of copies. In addition, the original purpose of the copyright management system, “prevention of copying content to devices owned by others” has not been realized.

  On the other hand, the content sharing system according to the present embodiment is characterized in that it can execute not only the conventional check-in / check-out method but also the group management method of copyright management. In this group management-type copyright management system, the content usage management unit is the “content source (source)” unit (specifically, “the first user who owns the content” or “creating the content”). Copyright management in which the reproduction of content on each device is permitted / not permitted according to the content provider.

  More specifically, in this group management-type copyright management system, a plurality of devices owned by each user are group-registered in the group management server in units of users, and the content provider is set in each group-registered device. The reproduction of the content is controlled based on the source ID to be represented and the source ID list. As a result, the contents of the same provider can be freely copied and reproduced between the devices registered in the device group of the same user.

  Note that the content is, for example, audio (Audio) content such as music, lectures, radio programs, etc., and video (Video) composed of still images or moving images constituting movies, television programs, video programs, photographs, paintings, charts, etc. The content may be any content such as a content, an electronic book (E-book), a game, and software. Hereinafter, examples of audio contents, particularly music contents distributed from a distribution server or ripped from a music CD, will be described as contents. However, the present invention is not limited to such examples.

  Next, an outline of group registration in the content sharing system 100 according to the present embodiment for performing copyright management of the group management method as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of group registration of the content sharing system 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the content processing devices (PC) 10-1, 2 and the content playback devices (PD) 20-1, 2 are, for example, a device group owned by the user A (content processing device 10-1, content). Reproduction device 20-1) and device groups owned by user B (content processing device 10-2, content reproduction device 20-2). Such grouping of devices is achieved by registering the content processing device 10 and the content reproduction device 20 in the group management server 32 in units of users.

  This group registration will be specifically described with reference to an example of the content processing apparatus (PC) 10-1 owned by the user A. First, the user A accesses the group management server 32 using the content processing apparatus 10-1 owned by the user A, performs user authentication processing, and manages the device ID (for example, terminal ID) of the content processing apparatus 10-1 in the group management. Send to server 32. Next, the group management server 32 stores the device ID of the content processing device 10-1 in association with the user A, and registers the content processing device 10-1 in the user A device group as a group. Furthermore, the group management server 32 transmits user identification information (for example, a leaf ID described later) representing the user A to the content processing apparatus 10-1, and the content processing apparatus 10 uses the received user identification information as its own. Stored in the storage means. Similarly, other content processing apparatuses 10 are also registered as a group. Further, group registration of the content reproduction device (PD) 20 is performed via the content processing device (PC) 10, which will be described in detail later.

  In such a group registration, one device (the content processing device 10 and the content reproduction device 20) can be registered only in a device group of a single user, and cannot be registered in a device group of different users at the same time. Can not. Accordingly, when the owner of the content processing apparatus 10-2 is changed from the user A to the user B, the group registration of the content processing apparatus 10-2 is changed, that is, the registration cancellation from the device group of the user A and It is necessary to re-register user B with the device group.

  Further, for example, when the user A newly purchases the content processing apparatus 10-3, the content processing apparatus 10-3 is in a group unaffiliated state. -3 can be registered in the user A device group. On the other hand, the content processing apparatus 10-1 that has already been registered in the device group of the user A can be released from the group registration so that it does not belong to the group.

  Thus, in the content sharing system 100, each device is registered in the group management server 32 in units of users who own the devices. As a result, content can be freely shared between devices registered in the device group of the same user. On the other hand, content cannot be shared between devices registered in device groups of different users.

  Here, an outline of such a content sharing management method will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing main components of the content sharing system 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the content sharing system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a source ID adding unit 1, a content reproduction unit 2, and a list management unit 3 as main components.

  The source ID adding unit 1 is provided, for example, in the content processing apparatus 10 and has a function of adding a source ID representing a content providing source to the content. Note that “adding a source ID to content” means associating the source ID with the content. For example, a process of adding data of the source ID in a file (content file) including content data, or the above content This includes processing for associating the file with the file containing the data of the source ID.

  The “content provider” is the source of the content shared within the content sharing system 100 at the individual user level. Specifically, the content provider is, for example, (1) a user who has acquired (purchased) content using a content distribution service, or (2) a content created by ripping or self-recording. The processing apparatus 10 or the like. The source ID is an identifier uniquely assigned to each content provider. By adding this source ID to the content, the provider of the content distributed in the system can be specified.

  In the present embodiment, for example, a recorder ID and a group ID are used as the source ID. The recorder ID is a source ID when the content processing apparatus 10 is a content provider, and the group ID is a source ID when a user is a content provider.

  The recorder ID is an identifier uniquely assigned to each content processing apparatus 10 (such as a PC) having a content ripping function. The recorder ID is generated based on the device ID of the content processing apparatus 10 by the content processing apparatus 10 having the ripping function, and is safely stored in the content processing apparatus 10. When content is ripped from a removable storage medium such as a music CD, the content processing apparatus 10 adds the recorder ID of the content processing apparatus 10 itself to the ripped content (hereinafter referred to as “ripped content”). . Therefore, the content processing apparatus 10 that is the creation source of the ripped content (that is, the content providing source) can be specified by the recorder ID.

  The group ID is an identifier uniquely assigned to each user who owns the content processing apparatus 10 and / or the content reproduction apparatus 20. Specifically, this group ID is assigned for each user account of the content sharing service provided by the content sharing system 100 according to the present embodiment. By such group ID, the device group to which the content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproduction apparatus 20 belongs and their owners can be identified.

  In the present embodiment, the group ID is generated based on the leaf ID (leaf ID) by the content processing device 10 when the content processing device 10 registers a group or receives distribution content, for example. The leaf ID is an identifier assigned to each user, and is generated by the group management server 32 at the time of user registration with the group management server 32, for example. The leaf ID is configured as an example of user identification information, and is notified from the group management server 32 to the content processing apparatus 10 at the time of group registration or content distribution of each device.

  The content processing apparatus 10 generates a group ID based on the leaf ID and service ID notified from the group management server 32. This service ID is a unique ID for each content distribution service or ripped content sharing service implemented in the content sharing system 100. Here, the content distribution service is a service for distributing content from the content distribution server to the content processing apparatus 10. The ripped content sharing service is a service that allows the ripped content to be shared between a plurality of content processing apparatuses 10 and content reproduction apparatuses 20 owned by the same user by performing the above group registration.

For example, when the content distribution service and the ripped content sharing service are not separately managed and a common service ID is used for both services, the service ID and the leaf ID are combined as follows, Group IDs are generated.
“Group ID” = “Service ID” + “Leaf ID”

On the other hand, when the content distribution service and the ripped content sharing service are managed separately, a unique content distribution service ID for each content distribution service and a unique ripped content sharing service ID for each ripped content sharing service are generated. . Therefore, the service ID and the leaf ID of each service are combined as follows to generate two types of group IDs corresponding to each service.
“First group ID” = “content distribution service ID” + “leaf ID”
“Second group ID” = “Ripping content sharing service ID” + “Leaf ID”

  Among these, the first group ID is added to the distribution content in order to identify the user who purchased the distribution content distributed from the content distribution server. Further, the second group ID is a reference for determining whether or not addition is possible when a recorder ID is added to a source ID list, which will be described later, since the ripped content is shared between the content processing device 10 and the content reproduction device 20. .

  In the present embodiment, for example, the latter method of generating the first group ID and the second group ID is adopted. However, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the first group ID and the second group ID are distinguished below. Instead, both will be described as group IDs.

  Such a group ID is added to the distribution content distributed from the content distribution server by the content processing apparatus 10, for example. By adding the group ID to the distribution content in this way, it becomes possible to identify the user who purchased the distribution content (that is, the content provider).

  As described above, the content to which the source ID (recorder ID, group ID) is added by the content adding unit 1 of the content processing apparatus 10 can be freely copied between the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproduction apparatus 20. . That is, in a group management type copyright management system, when a content with a source ID added (that is, a content subject to copyright management) is copied, a conventional check-in / check-out type copyright management system, There is no restriction on the number of copies.

  Next, the content playback unit 2 is configured by a content playback device or playback software, and is provided in the content processing device 10 or the content playback device 20. The content reproduction unit 2 has a source ID list L to which source IDs permitted to be reproduced by the content reproduction unit are added. This source ID list L is provided for each content reproduction unit 2, and if the content reproduction unit 2 is different, the source ID included in each source ID list L is also different.

  When reproducing the content to which the source ID is added, the content reproduction unit 2 checks the source ID list L to enable / disable the reproduction of the content. That is, when the source ID added to the content is included in the source ID list L, the content reproduction unit 2 can reproduce the content, while the source ID added to the content is If it is not included in the source ID list L, the content cannot be reproduced. As described above, the content reproduction unit 2 controls the reproduction of content in units of source IDs, that is, in units of content providers.

  Furthermore, the content reproduction unit 2 can request the list management unit 3 to add a new source ID to the source ID list L held by the content reproduction unit 2, for example. That is, the content reproduction unit 2 adds the new source ID to the source ID list L in order to reproduce the content with the new source ID not included in the source ID list L owned by the content reproduction unit 2. There is a need. Therefore, the content reproduction unit 2 requests the list management unit 3 that permits the update of the source ID list L to permit addition of the new source ID.

  For example, the list management unit 3 is provided in the content processing apparatus 10 and updates the source ID list L held by the content reproduction unit 2. Here, the update of the source ID list L is addition or deletion of the source ID to the source ID list L. By adding / deleting the source ID to / from the source ID list L, the list management unit 3 can enable / disable playback of the content to which the source ID is added in the content playback unit 2.

  The list management unit 3 acquires a group certificate (Group Certificate) G that is shared information in which the group ID and the recorder ID are associated with each other, and updates the source ID list L based on the group certificate G. Specifically, if the group ID included in the group certificate G is the same as the group ID included in the source ID list L, the list management unit 3 records the recorder ID included in the group certificate G. Is added to the source ID list L. Thus, the recorder ID of the content processing apparatus 10 registered in the same user's device group is added to the source ID list L so that the ripped content ripped by the content processing apparatus 10 can be reproduced. it can.

  As described above, in the content sharing system 100 according to the present embodiment, the reproduction of content in each content processing device 10 and the content reproduction device 20 is controlled by the source ID adding unit 1, the content reproduction unit 2, and the list management unit 3. Thus, the copyright of the content copied between the content processing apparatuses 10 is managed. The content sharing system 100 is configured to execute not only the copyright management of the group management system as described above but also the copyright management of the conventional check-in / check-out system. To do.

  Next, the overall configuration of the content sharing system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the content sharing system 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the content sharing system 100 according to the present embodiment may be collectively referred to as a plurality of content processing devices 10-1, 2,..., N (hereinafter “content processing device 10”). ), A plurality of content reproduction apparatuses 20-1, 2,..., M, n (hereinafter may be collectively referred to as “content reproduction apparatus 20”), the server 30, and these apparatuses are connected to each other. Network 5 and local line 9, and storage medium 7. The server 30 includes, for example, a WWW (World Wide Web) server 31, a group management server 32, a content distribution server 34, a certificate management server 36, a charging server 38, and the like.

  The content processing device 10 is a device capable of recording and reproducing content. More specifically, the content processing apparatus 10 is configured by a computer apparatus (a notebook type or a desktop type) such as a personal computer (PC), but is not limited to this example, and the network 5 For example, a device having a communication function can be configured by a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a home game machine, an information appliance, and the like.

  The content processing apparatus 10 can be connected to the server 30 via the network 5, for example. The content processing apparatus 10 can install, for example, software for content distribution service and software for ripping content sharing service. As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 can receive the content distribution from the content distribution server 34 and record the distribution content in a recording unit such as the storage device or the storage medium 7.

  In addition, the content processing apparatus 10 can newly create content by, for example, self-recording (self-recording, recording, etc.) or ripping, and record it in the storage device or the storage medium 7. Note that self-recording means recording video / audio or the like captured / collected by the imaging device / sound collecting device of the content processing apparatus 10 itself as video / audio digital data. Ripping is a file format that can be extracted by digital content data (audio data, video data, etc.) recorded on a storage medium such as a music CD, video DVD, or software CD-ROM, and can be processed by a computer. Is recorded in the storage device or the storage medium 7.

  The content processing apparatus 10 compresses and encodes the distribution content and the ripped content using a predetermined compression encoding method such as an ATRAC3 (Advanced Transform Acoustic Coding) method or an MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-3) method. Data can be recorded after being encrypted by an encryption method such as Data Encryption Standard.

  Furthermore, the content processing apparatus 10 transmits / receives the distribution content and the ripped content to / from other content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproduction apparatus 20 via the network 5 or the local line 9, or via the storage medium 7. Can communicate with each other. Accordingly, the content can be provided / acquired and shared by the plurality of content processing apparatuses 10 and the content reproduction apparatus 20.

  Further, the content processing apparatus 10 is registered as a group in the group management server 32 connected via the network 5. Furthermore, the content processing apparatus 10 includes components corresponding to, for example, the source ID addition unit 1, the content reproduction unit 2, and the list management unit 3 as described above. As described above, the content processing apparatus 10 is configured to be compatible with the copyright management system of the group management system. Further, the content processing apparatus 10 is configured so as to be compatible with, for example, a conventional check-in / check-out copyright management method, which will be described in detail later.

  The content reproduction apparatus 20 is a portable device (PD) that is a portable content reproduction apparatus. More specifically, the content reproduction apparatus 20 is configured by a portable audio player having a hard disk drive (HDD) having a storage capacity of several tens GB, for example, but is not limited to such an example. / Various portable devices such as a voice player, PDA, mobile phone, PHS may be used. Further, the storage medium in the content reproduction apparatus 20 or the external storage medium 7 that can be loaded is not limited to the HDD, but is a randomly accessible storage medium such as an optical disk, magneto-optical disk, flash memory, FeRAM, and magnetic memory. It doesn't matter if it exists. The content playback apparatus 20 may be a content playback dedicated machine.

  For example, the content reproduction apparatus 20 can be locally connected to the content processing apparatus 10 via the local line 9 and can communicate various data with the content processing apparatus 10. The local line 9 is configured by, for example, a wired cable such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) cable. Note that the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproduction apparatus 20 may be configured to be capable of data communication by wireless communication.

  The content reproduction device 20 can reproduce the content transferred from the content processing device 10 via the local line 9 or the content provided by the storage medium 7.

  In addition, the content reproduction apparatus 20 is registered as a group with the group management server 32 via the content processing apparatus 10. In addition, the content reproduction device 20 has a configuration corresponding to the content reproduction unit 2 described above, for example. As described above, the content reproduction apparatus 20 is configured to be compatible with the copyright management system of the group management system. Furthermore, the content playback apparatus 20 also supports a copyright management system of a check-in / check-out system, and can switch between a group management system and a check-in / check-out system according to the setting by the content playback apparatus 20. The details will be described later.

  The server 30 is composed of a computer device having a server function. The server 30 includes, for example, a WWW server 31, a group management server 32, a content distribution server 34, a certificate management server 36, a charging server 38, and the like.

  The WWW server 31 establishes communication with the content processing apparatus 10 connected via the network, and performs user registration processing, user authentication processing, and the like. When the user authentication is completed, the WWW server 31 connects the content processing apparatus 10 to the group management server 32 or the content distribution server 34.

  As described above, the group management server 32 performs group registration of the content processing device 10 and the content reproduction device 20 in units of users in response to a registration request from the content processing device 10 owned by the user registered as a user.

  The content distribution server 34 is a server that provides a content distribution service, and distributes content to the content processing apparatus 10 via the network 5 in response to a distribution request from the content processing apparatus 10 owned by the user. The content distribution server 34 is, for example, an EMD server that provides an electronic music distribution (EMD) service. The content distribution server 34 compresses and encodes the music content to be distributed using, for example, a compression encoding method such as the ATRAC3 method or the MP3 method, and encrypts the music content using an encryption method such as DES. To deliver. Further, the content distribution server 34 encrypts a content key for decrypting the distribution content together with the encrypted distribution content, and transmits the encrypted content key to the content processing apparatus 10.

  The certificate management server 36 acquires and manages the group certificate G issued by each content processing device 10 and distributes it to the content processing devices 10 belonging to the same device group. Accordingly, the content processing apparatus 10 can share the ripped content by adding the recorder ID of another content processing apparatus 10 belonging to the same device group.

  The billing server 38 performs billing processing for the user who purchased the content in accordance with the content distribution by the content distribution server 34.

  These WWW server 31, group management server 32, content distribution server 34, certificate management server 36, and accounting server 38 may be all or partly integrated as hardware, or may be individually separated. You may comprise with a server apparatus.

  The network 5 is a communication line network that connects the content processing apparatus 10 and the server 30 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. This network 5 is composed of, for example, a public line network such as the Internet, a telephone line network, a satellite communication network, etc., or a dedicated line network such as WAN, LAN, IP-VPN, etc., regardless of wired or wireless.

  Further, the network 5 includes a private network. This private network is a network that connects a plurality of content processing apparatuses 10 that share content within the scope of private use from the viewpoint of copyright management. Specific examples of such a private network include, for example, a network connecting a plurality of content processing devices 10 used by the same user, a home network connecting a plurality of content processing devices 10 used in the same home, Examples include a LAN that connects a plurality of content processing apparatuses 10 used in a small limited group (company, friend, etc.).

  The storage medium 7 is a removable medium that can store various data such as content, group certificate G, and programs. For example, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, CD-R, CD-RW , Various optical disks 3 such as magneto-optical disks, magnetic disks such as flexible disks and hard disks, and various semiconductor memories. Note that the storage medium 7 may be a storage medium with a copyright management function that restricts copy and reproduction of content using an encryption key, for example.

  The storage medium 7 functions as a content provision / acquisition medium between the content processing apparatuses 10. For example, the storage medium 7 on which the content is written by the content processing apparatus 10-1 is loaded into the content processing apparatus 10-2 and the content is read, so that the content processing apparatus 10-1 transfers the content processing apparatus 10-2 to the content processing apparatus 10-2. Content can be provided. Further, the content processing apparatus 10-1 can provide / acquire content via the storage medium 7 even with the content reproduction apparatus 20 that cannot be connected to the network 5. This storage medium 7 also functions as a provision / acquisition medium for the group certificate G between the content processing apparatuses 10. Further, the storage medium 7 is inserted into a content sales terminal (not shown) provided at the store front of the store, stores the content purchased in response to a user operation, and provides it to the content processing apparatus 10. You can also

  Next, the configuration of the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  First, a hardware configuration of the content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the hardware configuration of the content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the content processing apparatus 10 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a host bus 104, a bridge 105, and the like. , External bus 106, interface 107, input device 108, output device 110, storage device (HDD) 111, drive 112, connection port 114, and communication device 115.

  The CPU 101 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, operates according to various programs, and controls each part in the content processing device 10. The ROM 102 stores programs and calculation parameters used by the CPU 101. The RAM 103 temporarily stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 101, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like. These are connected to each other by a host bus 104 including a CPU bus.

  The host bus 104 is connected to an external bus 106 such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus via a bridge 105.

  The input device 108 includes, for example, operation means such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a button, a switch, and a lever, and an input control circuit that generates an input signal and outputs it to the CPU 101. A user of the content processing apparatus 10 can input various data and instruct a processing operation to the content processing apparatus 10 by operating the input device 108.

  The output device 110 includes, for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, a display device such as a lamp, and an audio output device such as a speaker. For example, the output device 110 outputs reproduced content. Specifically, the display device displays various information such as reproduced video data as text or images. On the other hand, the audio output device generates reproduced audio data and the like.

  The storage device 111 is a data storage device configured as an example of a storage unit of the content processing device 10 according to the present embodiment, and is configured by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage device 111 drives a hard disk and stores programs executed by the CPU 101 and various data. The storage device 111 also stores a source ID list L, a content database 116, a self ID database 117, a content management information database 118, and the like shown in FIG.

  The drive 112 is a storage medium reader / writer, and is built in or externally attached to the content processing apparatus 10. The drive 112 records / stores various data such as contents, group certificates G, and programs on a removable storage medium 7 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory loaded in the content processing apparatus 10. Reproduce.

  Specifically, the drive 112 reads data recorded in the removable storage medium 7 and supplies the data to the RAM 103 connected via the interface 107, the external bus 106, the bridge 105, and the host bus 104. The CPU 101 stores these data in the ROM 102 or the storage device 111 as required. On the other hand, the drive 112 receives data stored in the ROM 102 or the storage device 111, newly generated data, or data acquired from an external device from the CPU 101 and writes it to the removable storage medium 7.

  The connection port 114 is a port for connecting an external peripheral device such as the content reproduction device 20 and has connection terminals such as USB and IEEE1394. The connection port 114 is connected to the CPU 101 and the like via the interface 107, the external bus 106, the bridge 105, the host bus 104, and the like. With this connection port 114, the content processing apparatus 10 can communicate various data via the content reproduction apparatus 20 and the local line 9.

  The communication device 115 is a communication interface configured with, for example, a communication device for connecting to the network 5. The communication device 115 transmits / receives various data such as content, source ID list L, group certificate G, and control signal to / from external devices such as other content processing devices 10 and servers 30 via the network 5. To do.

  Next, main functions of the content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing functions of the content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the content processing apparatus 10 includes, for example, a data communication unit 120, a group registration unit 130, a list management unit 140, a certificate issuance unit 150, a distribution service use unit 152, and a source ID addition. A unit 154, a content processing unit 160, an ICV data management unit 190, a content database 116, a self ID database 117, and a content management information database 118.

  The data communication unit 120 transmits / receives various data between the content processing apparatus 10 and the external apparatus. For example, the data communication unit 120 transmits and receives data between the content processing apparatus 10 and another content processing apparatus 10 or the server 30 via the network 5 using the communication apparatus 115. In addition, the data communication unit 120 transmits and receives data between the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproduction apparatus 20 via the local line 9 using the connection port 114.

  The group registration unit 130 performs user registration processing and group registration processing (device registration processing) of the content processing apparatus 10 on the group management server 32. In this group registration process, the group registration unit 130 transmits group registration request information (for example, group registration request notification, user ID, password, terminal ID, recorder ID, etc.) to the group management server 32. Here, the terminal ID is an ID for uniquely identifying the content processing apparatus 10 configured by a PC or the like. The terminal ID and the recorder ID are uniquely generated by each content processing apparatus 10 based on, for example, a random number generated independently, a device ID of each content processing apparatus 10, or the like.

  The group registration unit 130 receives service data (leaf ID, service common key, etc.) notified from the group management server 32 in response to group registration of the content processing apparatus 10. Further, for example, the group registration unit 130 outputs the received leaf ID to the list management unit 140 and outputs the received service common key to the content processing unit 160. The service common key (secret key) is a key necessary for decrypting the encrypted content data, and is securely stored so as not to be tampered with.

  In addition, the group registration unit 130 performs group registration cancellation request processing of the content processing apparatus 10 on the group management server 32. Also in this case, group registration cancellation request information (for example, group registration cancellation request notification, user ID, password, terminal ID, etc.) is transmitted to the group management server 32 as in the registration. When the registration is canceled, the group registration unit 130 notifies the list management unit 140 to that effect.

  In addition, the group registration unit 130 can also perform group registration of the content reproduction device 20 connected to the content processing device 10 in the group management server 32. Details of such group registration processing and deregistration processing of the content processing device 10 and the content reproduction device 20 by the group registration unit 130 will be described later.

  The list management unit 140 is a component corresponding to the list management unit 3 shown in FIG. For example, the list management unit 140 has a function of updating the source ID list L held by the content processing apparatus 10.

  For example, at the time of group registration, the list management unit 140 adds a service ID to the leaf ID received from the group registration unit 130, converts the leaf ID to which the service ID is added into a group ID, and converts the group ID. Is added to the source ID list L. When the list management unit 140 acquires the group certificate G distributed from the group management server 32 or another content processing apparatus 10, the list management unit 140 includes the group ID included in the group certificate G and the source ID list L. If the included group ID matches, the recorder ID included in the group certificate G is added to the source ID list L. When expiration date information is set in the source ID such as the group ID or the recorder ID, the list management unit 140 adds the expiration date information of the source ID when the source ID is added to the source ID list L. Is also described in the source ID list L.

  Further, the list management unit 140 deletes all source IDs in the source ID list L when canceling group registration. Furthermore, the list management unit 140 can also update the source ID list L of the content reproduction device 20 connected to the content processing device 10. Details of the list update processing by the list management unit 140 will be described later.

  The source ID list L is safely stored in the storage device 111 or the ROM 102 of the content processing apparatus 10. This source ID list L is stored, for example, in an encrypted state with a digital signature in order to prevent unauthorized tampering by the user.

  In the present embodiment, the group ID generated based on the leaf ID at the time of group registration is stored in the content processing apparatus 10 so as to be included in the source ID list L as described above. This is because, as described above, the group ID is used as a source ID for enabling reproduction of the distribution content to which the group ID is added, and reproduction control of the distribution content is performed based on the group ID. is there. For example, when the group ID is used not only as a source ID but only as a source ID for adding a recorder ID to the source ID list L in the ripping content sharing service (the second group ID), The group ID is not necessarily stored in the source ID list L. In this case, for example, the group ID may be stored in another storage area in the storage device 111, for example, the self ID database 117, or may be stored in the other ROM 102 or the like.

  For example, the certificate issuing unit 150 has a function of issuing a group certificate G to certify a device group to which the content processing apparatus 10 itself belongs. Specifically, the certificate issuing unit 150, for example, in the state where the content processing apparatus 10 is group-registered and holds the group ID-A as described above, the recorder ID 1 corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10, A group certificate G associated with the group ID-A is issued. With such a group certificate G, it can be proved that the content processing apparatus 10 corresponding to the recorder ID1 belongs to the user-owned device group specified by the group ID-A. The group certificate G is added with a digital signature for falsification detection, for example, a MAC (Message Authentication Code). Thereby, falsification of the group certificate G can be prevented.

  When issuing the group certificate G, the certificate issuing unit 150 reads out the recorder ID and group ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself from the storage device 111, and uses the read recorder ID and group ID as the digital ID. A group certificate G is generated and issued by performing encryption processing with a signature.

  The certificate issuing unit 150 can issue a group ID at an arbitrary timing after the group registration of the content processing apparatus 10, for example. For example, the certificate issuing unit 150 receives a group certificate corresponding to its own content processing apparatus 10 in response to a user input of the content processing apparatus 10 or in response to a certificate request from another content processing apparatus 10. G may be issued. The certificate issuing unit 150 may issue a group certificate G and transmit it to the certificate management server 36 after group registration of the content processing apparatus 10.

  The certificate issuing unit 150 may add validity period information to the group certificate G to be issued. As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 that has acquired the group certificate G uses the recorder ID included in the group certificate G as a source only within the validity period represented by the validity period information included in the group certificate G. It can be added to the ID list L.

  In addition, the certificate issuing unit 150 can arbitrarily set the path for distributing the group certificate G issued as described above to other content processing apparatuses 10, for example, via the certificate management server 36. You may make it distribute to the other content processing apparatus 10. FIG. As a result, the certificate management server 36 can centrally manage the group certificate G of each content processing apparatus 10 and distribute it to other content processing apparatuses 10 belonging to the same device group.

  Also, the distribution method of the group certificate G can be arbitrarily set. For example, sending the group certificate G directly via the network 5 or the local line 9, sending the group certificate G attached to an e-mail, or pasting the group certificate G on the homepage Also good. Further, it may be provided to the content processing apparatus 10 via the storage medium 7 on which the group certificate G is recorded. Further, the group certificate G may be distributed via the storage medium 7 in which the group certificate G is recorded together with the content. Thereby, for example, the recorder ID added to the ripped content and the group ID of the ripped content processing device 10 can be distributed together with the ripped content. For this reason, if the content processing device 10 belongs to the same device group , The ripped content can be played immediately.

  The group certificate G distributed in this way is used for share registration, that is, for adding a recorder ID to the source ID list L in the other content processing apparatuses 10. As a result, the other content processing device 10 that has received the distribution of the group certificate G from the content processing device 10 belonging to the same device group obtains the recorder ID of the device having the same group ID, and the source ID list L Can be added to.

  In this way, by issuing and distributing the group certificate G in which the group ID and the recorder ID are associated with each other, the content processing apparatuses 10 belonging to the same device group do not directly connect to each other. Recorder ID can be shared.

  The group certificate G issued by the certificate issuing unit 150 and the group certificate G acquired from another content processing apparatus 10 or the certificate management server 36 are stored in the certificate database (not shown). A certificate management unit (not shown) for management may be provided. As a result, the certificate management unit can read the group certificate G acquired in the past from the certificate database and distribute it to other content processing apparatuses 10 and the like.

  The distribution service using unit 152 performs processing related to the content distribution service with the content distribution server 34.

  Specifically, the distribution service using unit 152 receives, for example, various information such as user authentication information (user ID, password, etc.), billing information, and content distribution request information necessary for using the content distribution service. It transmits / receives to / from the content distribution server 34 and supports input / output of these information.

  The distribution service using unit 152 receives the distribution content transmitted from the content distribution server 34 and the license of the distribution content via the network 5 and the communication device 115. That is, when the user of the content processing apparatus 10 purchases content using the content distribution service, the distribution service using unit 152 sends a file of distribution content from the content distribution server 34 and a license that defines the use conditions of the distribution content. The file is downloaded as a separate file, for example. In the case of content that is subject to group management copyright management, the distribution content license describes the leaf ID assigned to the user by the group registration. On the other hand, in the case of content that is subject to copyright management of the check-in / check-out method, the license includes usage condition information (Usage Rule), which is a check-in / check-out limit, a playback count limit, Information such as the playback deadline is described.

  The distribution service utilization unit 152 processes the distribution content data and the license data received in this way, and creates a content file in which the content and the license are the same file, for example.

  At this time, for the distribution content of the group management method, the group ID is added to the content data of the distribution content by the source ID adding unit 154. The source ID adding unit 154 is a component corresponding to the source ID adding unit 1. The source ID adding unit 154 adds a group ID to the distribution content. Specifically, the source ID adding unit 154 executes processing for converting the leaf ID described in the license corresponding to the distribution content into a group ID. The conversion process from the leaf ID to the group ID is performed, for example, by adding the service ID of the content distribution service to the leaf ID, for example. As a result, the group ID representing the user and service that purchased the distribution content is associated with the distribution content.

  In this way, the distribution service using unit 152 and the source ID adding unit 154 create a content file that combines the distributed content file and the license file.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, the group management type content file F1 can be handled only by, for example, the content ID, the content data encrypted with the content key, and the content sharing system 100. It includes a content key encrypted with a system common key and a license in which a source ID such as a group ID is described.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, the content file F2 of the check-in / check-out method is encrypted with the content ID, content data encrypted with the content key, and the system common key, for example. It includes a content key and a license describing usage condition information. The licenses in such content files F1 and F2 are encrypted so that tampering can be detected. Thereby, the source ID or usage conditions can be safely associated with the content. Further, the content processing apparatus 10 holds common secret information so that, for example, decryption of an encrypted content key and tampering check of a license can be performed. For this reason, even if the content is shared in the content sharing system 100, it is possible to suitably prevent the source ID added to the content and the usage conditions from being falsified.

  The distribution service using unit 152 records the content file created in this way, for example, in the content database 116 in the storage device 111. In the present embodiment, as described above, the corresponding content and license are managed in the same file and stored in the content database 116, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, content and license may be managed as separate files. In this case, the content file may be stored in the content database 116, the license file may be stored in the license database, and the content and license may be associated with each other by the content ID included in both files.

  The distribution service using unit 152 receives distribution content attribute information from the content distribution server 34 during content distribution. This distribution content attribute information includes, for example, distribution content title information (for example, song name, artist (singer) name, album name, genre, playback time, etc.), content ID, distribution date, data size, data format, copyright management. The type of method, etc. The distribution service using unit 152 records the distribution content attribute information, the recording location of the distribution content (for example, an address in the content DB 116), and the like in the content management information database 118 as content management information.

  The distribution service using unit 152 as described above is configured, for example, by installing content distribution service software corresponding to the content distribution service to be used in the content processing apparatus 10. Note that a plurality of distribution service using units 152 may be provided for each of a plurality of content distribution services used by the user.

  Further, the source ID adding unit 154 adds the group ID of the content processing apparatus 10 itself to the content (the ripped content) ripped from the music CD 7a or the like by the ripping unit 184 described later. Specifically, the source ID adding unit 154 reads the recorder ID of the content processing apparatus 10 stored in the self ID database 117, creates a license including the recorder ID, and uses the license as content data of the ripped content. Associate with. That is, the source ID adding unit 154 has a license in which the content ID, the content data of the encrypted ripped content, the encrypted content key, and the recorder ID are described as shown in FIG. Is created. The source ID adding unit 154 records the ripped content to which the recorder ID is added in this way in the content database 116.

  The recorder ID addition timing is preferably, for example, the time when ripping of the content is completed. Thus, by immediately adding the recorder ID to the ripped content, the recorder ID can be surely added before the ripped content requiring copyright management is distributed in the system 100. Note that the recorder ID addition timing is not limited to such an example, and may be, for example, when the ripped content is reproduced for the first time or when it is copied to another content processing apparatus 10.

  The self ID database 117 stores IDs corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself, such as the device ID, recorder ID, and terminal ID of the content processing apparatus 10.

  The device ID is an identifier that is uniquely assigned in units of various devices (such as the content processing device 10 and the content reproduction device 20). This device ID is assigned, for example, when the content processing apparatus 10 is shipped from the factory, and is stored safely in the self ID database 117.

  The terminal ID (Terminal ID) is an ID uniquely assigned to each content processing apparatus 10 such as a PC. In addition, the recorder ID is an identifier uniquely given to each content processing apparatus 10 having a ripping function as described above. These terminal IDs and recorder IDs are generated by the content processing apparatus 10 so as to be unique for each content processing apparatus 10 based on the device ID and random number, in order to prevent unauthorized tampering. It is encrypted and stored securely in the self ID database 117.

  The content processing unit 160 performs various processes on the content. The content processing unit 160 is configured, for example, by installing an application program for using (for example, playing, transferring, etc.) the content and a DRM module for managing the copyright of the use in the content processing apparatus 10. The content processing unit 160 includes, for example, a content reproduction unit 170, a content providing unit 180, a content acquisition unit 182 and a ripping unit 184.

  The content reproduction unit 170 is a component corresponding to the content reproduction unit 2 shown in FIG. The content playback unit 170 is configured by, for example, a playback device having a content playback function or content playback software installed in the content processing device 10 and can play back various types of content. The content data reproduced by the content reproduction unit 170 is output from the output device 110.

  In addition, the content playback unit 170 can handle, for example, both group management content and check-in / check-out content, and performs group management playback control and check-in / check-out playback control. It is feasible. Specifically, when playback control is performed using the group management method, the content playback unit 170 determines whether the source ID added to the playback target content is included in the source ID list L or not. Controls playback of content to be played. On the other hand, when playback control is performed using the check-in / check-out method, the content playback unit 170 determines whether the content to be played back is based on whether or not the license usage condition information corresponding to the content to be played is satisfied. Control playback. Details of the content reproduction unit 170 will be described later.

  Two or more content reproduction units 170 may be provided in one content processing apparatus 10. For example, one content processing can be performed by installing two or more types of content playback software in one content processing device 10, providing two or more playback devices, or using content playback software and a playback device together. Two or more content playback units 170 corresponding to each content distribution service and each copyright management method may be configured in the apparatus 10.

  The content providing unit 180 provides content to other content processing devices 10 or content playback devices 20. Further, the content acquisition unit 182 acquires content from another content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproduction apparatus 20. The content providing unit 180 and the content obtaining unit 182 may execute the content provision / acquisition processing by, for example, transmission / reception processing via the network 5 or the local line 9 or via the storage medium 7. May be.

  Note that at the time of reproduction, provision, and acquisition of such content, the content processing unit 160 may control the above processing based on the content management information in the content management information database 118, and the content management information It may be displayed on the output device 110.

  The ripping unit 184 rips content recorded on a recording medium 7a such as a CD or DVD on which music content or video content is recorded. Specifically, for example, the ripping unit 184 controls the drive 112 in accordance with a user input, extracts music / video data from the storage medium 7a, and can process the music / video data with the content processing apparatus 10. A content converted into a different format (for example, ATRAC3 format) is created. The recorder ID of the content processing apparatus 10 is added to the ripped content by the source ID adding unit 154.

  In addition to the ripping unit 184, a self-recording unit (not shown) for newly creating content by self-recording / recording may be provided. This self-recording unit collects sound around the content processing apparatus 10 and images a subject to generate audio data or video data, and performs predetermined data processing on the data to newly create content. Alternatively, new content may be created by converting video / audio data such as a television program and a radio program received via the communication device 115 into a recordable format. By adding a recorder ID to the content created by the self-recording unit, it is possible to manage the copyright of the content by the group management method.

  The ICV data management unit 190 manages ICV (Integrity Check Value) data of the content processing apparatus 10 and ICV data of the content reproduction apparatus 20 connected to the content processing apparatus 10. The ICV data is data for checking the legitimacy of the processing when processing the content.

  In the copyright management processing of the group management method, this ICV data includes the MAC value (hash value with key) of the source ID list L. Therefore, the ICV data management unit 190 detects whether or not the source ID list L is legitimate, that is, whether or not the source ID list L has been tampered with based on the ICV data. On the other hand, in the copyright management process of the check-in / check-out method, the ICV data includes the MAC value (a hash value with a key) of the content license. Therefore, the ICV data management unit 190 detects whether the license is valid, that is, whether the license has been tampered with based on the ICV data.

  As a result, when it is determined to be valid, the ICV data management unit 190 permits the processing of the content processing unit 160. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not valid, the ICV data management unit 190 performs the content processing. The processing of the unit 160 is not permitted.

  Further, this ICV data includes a flag which is an example of method identification information indicating whether the copyright management method is a group management method or a check-in / check-out method. For example, if this flag is “0”, it indicates a group management method, and if it is “1”, it indicates a check-in / check-out method. Therefore, the content processing unit 160 can determine which copyright management method should be used to process the content based on this flag.

  Further, the ICV data management unit 190 can similarly manage not only the ICV data related to the content processing apparatus 10 but also the ICV data of the content reproduction apparatus 20 connected to the content processing apparatus 10. Thereby, the content processing apparatus 10 sets the value of the flag (system identification information) in the ICV data of the connected content reproduction apparatus 20, thereby setting the copyright management system of the content reproduction apparatus 20. Can do. At this time, the setting of the copyright management method of the content reproduction apparatus 20 may be executed based on region information representing a region where the system 100 is used. For example, when the content reproduction apparatus 20 is used in the United States, the group management method may be set, and when used in Japan, the check-in / check-out method may be set.

  Although not shown, the content processing apparatus 10 may include a transfer control unit that controls transfer of content between the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 and the content reproduction apparatus (PD) 20. For example, in response to a transfer request based on a user input, the transfer control unit transfers the content stored in the content processing device 10 to the content playback device 20 or the content of the content stored in the content playback device 20. Controls transfer to the processing apparatus 10.

  In addition, this transfer control unit not only controls the transfer of content subject to copyright management (content to which a source ID is added) but also content that is not copyright-managed (for example, raw content to which no source ID is added). Transfer control can be performed. For example, when a transfer request from the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproduction apparatus 20 or a transfer request from the content reproduction apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10 is input with respect to content that is not copyright-managed. The group ID in the source ID list of the content processing apparatus 10 is compared with the group ID in the source ID list of the content reproduction apparatus 20. As a result of the comparison, the transfer control unit permits the transfer when both group IDs match, and does not permit the transfer when both group IDs do not match. As a result, it is possible to restrict the use of content not copyright-protected (unlimited copying between devices) as well as content that is copyright-managed by the group management method.

  Heretofore, each component of the content processing apparatus 10 has been described. The data communication unit 120, group registration unit 130, list management unit 140, certificate issuance unit 150, distribution service utilization unit 152, source ID addition unit 154, content processing unit 160, ICV data management unit 190, transfer control unit, etc. For example, it may be configured as hardware having each of the above functions, or may be configured by installing a program for causing the computer to realize the above functions in the content processing apparatus 10.

  Next, the content playback unit 170 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing functions of the content reproduction unit 170 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the content playback unit 170 includes, for example, a playback permission determination unit 172, a playback execution unit 174, and a list update request unit 176.

  The reproduction permission / inhibition determining unit 172 controls the reproduction of the content requested to be reproduced. The playability determination unit 172 can execute both the group management playback control and the check-in / check-out playback control.

  In the case of performing group management playback control, the playback permission determination unit 172 determines the playback based on the source ID (recorder ID or group ID) added to the playback requested content and the source ID list L. It is determined whether or not the content can be reproduced.

  Specifically, for example, when the reproduction permission determination unit 172 receives a reproduction request for content specified by the user from the input device 108, for example, the content that has received the reproduction request is read from the content database 116, and the content is changed to the content. It is determined whether or not the source ID is added, that is, whether or not the source ID is described in the license in the content file. If the source ID is not added to the content, the playback permission determination unit 172 determines that the content does not require copyright management, permits playback of the content, and instructs the playback execution unit 174 to execute the content. The playback instruction signal is output. On the other hand, when the source ID (recorder ID or group ID) is added to the content, the playability determination unit 172 determines that the content requires copyright management, and performs the following processing.

  First, the playability determination unit 172 reads (extracts) the source ID from the license in the content file, and reads and interprets the source ID list L. Next, the playability determination unit 172 compares the source ID read from the content with the source ID included in the source ID list L, and whether the source ID read from the content is included in the source ID list L. Judge whether or not. As a result of this comparison, if the source ID read from the content is included in the source ID list L, the expiration date of the source ID is checked, and if the expiration date is loved, The reproduction of the content is permitted, and a content reproduction instruction signal is output to the reproduction execution unit 174. On the other hand, when the source ID read from the content is not included in the source ID list L, or when the source ID has expired, the playback permission determination unit 172 prohibits playback of the content and plays back the playback instruction signal. Is not output. For this reason, the reproduction execution unit 174 cannot reproduce the content. In this case, an error notification indicating that the reproduction condition is not satisfied may be displayed.

  As described above, the reproduction possibility determination unit 172 according to the present embodiment performs reproduction restriction to completely prohibit reproduction of content to which a source ID not included in the source ID list L is added. However, the content playback restriction is not limited to this example. For example, the playback permission determination unit 172 permits playback by limiting playback of the content to a part of the time or content, such as image quality, sound quality, and the like. It is also possible to perform playback restrictions such as permitting playback by lowering or reducing playback for the first predetermined number of times (for example, once) and prohibiting playback thereafter.

  In addition, for example, when the source ID added to the content is not included in the source ID list L as described above, the reproduction possibility determination unit 172 outputs the source ID to the list update request unit 176.

  On the other hand, in the case of performing check-in / check-out playback control, the playback permission determination unit 172 determines the usage condition information (reproduction count limit, playback expiration date) in the license corresponding to the content requested to be played back. , It is determined whether or not the content can be reproduced. As a result, when it is determined that the license usage condition is satisfied, the reproduction permission determination unit 172 permits the reproduction of the content, and outputs a content reproduction instruction signal to the reproduction execution unit 174. On the other hand, when it is determined that the license usage condition is satisfied, the playback permission determination unit 172 prohibits playback of the content and does not output a playback instruction signal.

  The reproduction execution unit 174 reproduces the designated content in accordance with the reproduction instruction signal from the reproduction availability determination unit 172. Specifically, the playback execution unit 174 first decrypts the encrypted content key using the service common key, and then decrypts the encrypted content using the decrypted content key. Further, the decrypted content is decoded, reproduced, and output from the output device 110.

  The list update request unit 176 requests the list management unit 140 to add a recorder ID to the source ID list L. This addition request process is performed, for example, by outputting an ID addition request signal indicating the recorder ID to be added to the list management unit 140.

  Specifically, for example, when a source ID that is not included in the source ID list L is input from the playability determination unit 172, the list update request unit 176 determines whether the source ID is a recorder ID or a group ID. It is judged whether it is. If it is determined that the recorder ID is the record ID, the list management unit 140 is requested to add the recorder ID to the source ID list L. The list update request unit 176 may perform this addition request processing automatically or after confirming whether or not the user wishes to add a recorder ID. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is that it is a group ID, no additional request processing is performed. This is because the content processing apparatus 10 can be registered only in a single user device group.

  Next, the list management unit 140 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail based on FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the list management unit 140 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the list management unit 140 includes, for example, a certificate request unit 141, a certificate acquisition unit 142, a recorder ID update unit 144, a list synchronization unit 146, a self ID addition unit 148, a group ID update unit 149.

  The certificate request unit 141 transmits a certificate request signal to another content processing apparatus 10 or the certificate management server 36 in response to a user input or automatically, and transmits other certificate belonging to the same device group. The group certificate G issued by the content processing apparatus 10 is requested. For example, the certificate request unit 141 notifies the specific content processing apparatus 10 or the certificate management server 36 of the recorder ID requested to be added from the content reproduction unit 170, and the group certificate G including the recorder ID. May be requested. In addition, the certificate request unit 141 transmits the group ID owned by the content processing apparatus 10 itself to another content processing apparatus 10 or the certificate management server 36 at an arbitrary timing, and associates it with the group ID. One or more group certificates G including the recorded recorder ID (that is, the recorder ID of another content processing apparatus 10 belonging to the same device group) may be requested.

  The certificate acquisition unit 142 acquires the group certificate G from another content processing apparatus 10 or the certificate management server 36. Specifically, the certificate acquisition unit 142 can receive and acquire the group certificate G from the external content processing device 10 or the certificate management server 36 via the network 5 and the communication device 115. Further, the certificate acquisition unit 142 can read and acquire the group certificate G recorded in the storage medium 7 provided from another content processing apparatus 10 by using the drive 112. The certificate acquisition unit 142 outputs the group certificate G acquired in this way to the recorder ID update unit 144.

  The recorder ID update unit 144 adds a recorder ID to the source ID list L based on the group certificate G input from the certificate acquisition unit 142. Specifically, first, the recorder ID update unit 144 reads the group ID included in the group certificate G and also reads the group ID in the source ID list L. Next, the recorder ID updating unit 144 determines whether or not both group IDs match. If both group IDs match as a result of this determination, the recorder ID corresponding to the other content processing apparatus 10 included in the group certificate G is read out and added to the source ID list L. On the other hand, if the two group IDs do not match, the recorder ID included in the group certificate G is not added to the source ID list L.

  Thereby, only the recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 registered in the same device group can be added to the source ID list L. Note that the recorder ID updating unit 144 may limit the addition of recorder IDs by setting an upper limit on the number of recorder IDs that can be added to the source ID list L.

  The list synchronization unit 146 has a function of synchronizing a plurality of source ID lists L. The synchronization of the source ID list L here means merging a plurality of different source ID lists L. The synchronized source ID list L includes a plurality of original source ID lists L. All of the recorder IDs included in are included without duplication.

  The synchronization process of the source ID list L can be executed only between the content processing apparatuses 10 having the same group ID. Specifically, the list synchronization unit 146 acquires the source ID list L held by the other content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproduction apparatus 20, and the group ID included in the source ID list L and its own content. Only when the group IDs included in the source ID list L of the processing device 10 match, both the source ID lists L are synchronized.

  With this synchronization processing, the recorder IDs included in the source ID list L of the plurality of devices registered in the same device group can be made the same. Therefore, the ripped content can be shared between the content processing apparatuses 10 and can be reproduced mutually.

  Note that this synchronization processing may be performed automatically by the list synchronization unit 146 between the content processing apparatuses 10 in the private network, for example, periodically or at an arbitrary timing, or designated according to a user instruction. It may be performed with the specified content processing apparatus 10. In addition, such synchronization processing is performed not only between the content processing devices 10 connected via the private network and between the content processing devices 10 connected via the local line 9, but also remotely connected via the network 5. Even the processing apparatus 10 can be executed.

  The self ID adding unit 148 adds a recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself to the source ID list L unconditionally, for example. Specifically, the self ID adding unit 148 reads out the recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself from the self ID database 117 and writes it in the source ID list L, for example. As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 can reproduce the ripped content that has been ripped by itself, regardless of whether or not the group is registered. The group ID may be generated by the self ID adding unit based on a random number or the like and recorded in the self ID database 117.

  For example, when a group ID is input from the group registration unit 130 at the time of group registration of the content processing apparatus 10, the group ID update unit 149 adds the group ID to the source ID list L. Thereby, the content processing apparatus 10 can reproduce the distribution content to which the group ID is added.

  In addition, when a group registration cancellation notification is input from the group registration unit 130, the group ID update unit 149 deletes all source IDs (recorder ID, group ID) included in the source ID list L. However, only the recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself is not deleted from the source ID list L. As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 can reproduce only the ripped content created by itself and the content that is not copyright-managed.

  Note that the recorder ID update unit 144 and the group ID update unit 149 can update the source ID list L received from the content reproduction apparatus 20 and send it back.

  The list management unit 140 according to the present embodiment has been described above. As described above, the list management unit 140 adds the group ID obtained by the group registration to the source ID list L, and uses other content belonging to the same device group based on whether or not the group ID is the same. The recorder ID of the processing device 10 is added to the source ID list L. As a result, the copied distribution content and ripped content can be freely reproduced between the content processing apparatuses 10 registered in the same device group. On the other hand, between the content processing apparatuses 10 registered or unregistered in different device groups, reproduction of the copied content can be restricted and illegal use of the content can be prevented.

  Regarding a plurality of content processing devices 10 and content playback devices 20 in a private network, only one representative list management unit 140 is provided in a certain content processing device 10, and the representative list update unit 140 includes each content processing device 10. The source ID list L of the processing device 10 and the content reproduction device 20 may be updated in a batch. In this case, the representative list management unit 140 is preferably provided, for example, in a connection server device of a private network.

  Next, the configuration of the content reproduction apparatus (PD) 20 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  First, the hardware configuration of the content reproduction apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the hardware configuration of the content reproduction apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the content playback device 20 includes, for example, a main control device 201, a flash memory 202, a RAM 203, a data processing device 204, a bus 206, an input device 208, a display device 210, and a storage. A device (HDD) 211, a decoder 213, a communication device 215, an audio output circuit 216, a remote controller 218, and a headphone 219 are provided.

  The main control device 201 functions as a control device and controls each part of the content reproduction device 20. The flash memory 202 stores, for example, a program that defines the operation of the main control device 201 and various data. The RAM 203 is constituted by, for example, an SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM), and temporarily stores various data related to processing of the main control device 201.

  The data processing device 204 is configured by a system LSI or the like, and processes data transferred in the content reproduction device 20. The bus 206 connects the main control device 201, flash memory 202, RAM 203, data processing device 204, input device 208, display device 210, storage device (HDD) 211, decoder 213, communication device 215, audio output circuit 216, and the like. Data line.

  The input device 208 and the remote controller 218 are, for example, an input control circuit that generates an input signal according to an operation means such as a touch panel, a button key, a lever, and a dial, and a user's operation on the operation means and outputs it to the main control device 201 Etc. The user of the content reproduction device 20 can input various data and instruct processing operations to the content reproduction device 20 by operating the input device 208 and a remote controller 218 described later.

  The display device 210 includes, for example, an LCD panel and an LCD control circuit. The display device 210 displays various information as text or images in accordance with the control of the main control device 201. For example, as will be described later, it is possible to display the title information of the content held in the content playback device 20 so as to be able to determine whether or not the playback is possible.

  The storage device 211 is a data storage device configured as an example of a storage unit of the content reproduction device 20 according to the present embodiment. The storage device 211 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) having a storage capacity of several tens of GB, and stores various data such as compressed content, a program of the main control device 201, and processing data.

  The decoder 213 performs decryption processing of the encrypted content data, decoding processing, surround processing, conversion processing to PCM data, and the like.

  The communication device 215 includes a USB controller, a USB terminal, and the like, and with the content processing device 10 connected via the local line 9 such as a USB cable, content, source ID list L, ICV data, content management information, Send and receive various data such as control signals.

  The audio output circuit 216 amplifies the analog audio data decoded by the decoder 213 and DA-converted by the CPU, and outputs the amplified analog audio data to the remote controller 218. The analog audio data is output from the remote controller 218 to the headphones 219 and output from a speaker built in the headphones 219.

  Here, a main data flow in the content reproduction apparatus 20 having such a hardware configuration will be described.

  First, a data flow when the content reproduction device (PD) 20 receives content from the content processing device (PC) 10 will be described. When the content playback device 20 and the content processing device 10 are connected by a local line 9 such as a USB cable, the content processing device 10 recognizes the content playback device 20 as a removable HDD. In this state, when the content processing apparatus 10 transmits control information such as content data and ICV data to the content reproduction apparatus 20, the communication apparatus 215 receives these data. Next, the received content data is directly stored in the storage device 211 by the communication device 215. On the other hand, the control information received by the communication device 215 is input to the main control device 201 via the data processing device 204 and stored in a predetermined storage area.

  Next, a data flow when the content reproduction device (PD) 20 reproduces content will be described. First, when a content playback request is input to the main control device 201 and the main control device 201 permits the content playback, the data processing device 204 reads the content data to be played back from the storage device 211. , The content data transferred to the RAM 203 is transferred to the decoder 213 in parallel with the transfer to the RAM 203. Next, the decoder 203 performs decryption processing, decoding processing, surround processing, conversion processing to PCM data, and the like on the encrypted content data, and transfers them to the main control device 201. Further, the main controller 201 adjusts the volume of the input PCM data by a DA converter (not shown), converts it to analog audio data, and transfers it to the amplifier of the audio output circuit 216. The audio output circuit 216 outputs this analog audio data from the headphones 219 via the remote controller 218.

  Next, main functions of the content reproduction apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing functions of the content reproduction apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the content processing apparatus 10 includes, for example, a data communication unit 220, a storage unit 230, a reproduction control method determination unit 240, a reproduction availability determination unit 242, a reproduction execution unit 244, and a title list creation. A section 250 and a content selection section 252.

  The data communication unit 220 transmits / receives data to / from the content processing device 10 via the local line 9 using the communication device 215.

  The storage unit 230 includes, for example, the storage device 211 and the flash memory 202, and stores various data in the content processing device 10. The storage unit 230 stores, for example, ICV data 231, a source ID list L, a content database 234, and a content management database 236.

  The ICV data 231 is generated by the ICV data management unit 190 of the content processing apparatus 10 and transferred to the content reproduction apparatus 20, and is used to check the validity of the content reproduction process in the content reproduction apparatus 20. . The ICV data 231 includes, for example, a 1-bit flag 232 added to the header portion and a MAC value 233.

  The flag 232 is an example of system identification information indicating a playback control system (copyright management system) in the content playback apparatus 20. For example, when the playback control system of the content playback apparatus 20 is set to the group management system by the content processing apparatus 10, the flag 232 is “0”, while the playback control system is the check-in / check-out system. Is set to “1”, the flag 232 is “1”.

  Further, when the content processing device 10 sets the reproduction control method of the content reproduction device 20 to the group management method, the MAC value 233 is the MAC value of the source ID list L. On the other hand, when the playback control method is set to the check-in / check-out method, the MAC value 233 is a MAC value generated based on a license including usage condition information of each content.

  Further, the source ID list L in the storage unit 230 is substantially the same as the source ID list L of the content processing apparatus 10. When the content reproduction device 20 is registered as a group, a group ID is added, and a recorder ID of the content processing device 10 belonging to the same device group is also added. In the present embodiment, the source ID list L is updated by the list management unit 140 of the content processing apparatus 10, but a list management unit is provided in the content reproduction apparatus 20, and the content reproduction apparatus 20 has its own source ID list. L may be updated.

  The content database 234 stores content transferred from the content processing apparatus 10. When the playback control system of the content playback apparatus 20 is set to the group management system, the content database 234 contains contents with a license including a source ID as shown in FIG. When the playback control method is stored and the check-in / check-out method is set, content with a license including usage condition information as shown in FIG. 6B is stored.

  In the content management information database 236, as with the content management database 118 of the content processing apparatus 10, the content ID, content title information (song title, artist name, album name, etc.) regarding the content stored in the content DB 234, etc. Content attribute information, recording location information (for example, an address in the content DB 234), and the like are recorded.

  Further, for example, the device ID of the content reproduction apparatus 20 is safely stored in a self ID database (not shown) in the storage unit 230. This device ID is an ID uniquely assigned to each content reproduction apparatus 20 at the time of factory shipment or the like, and is used at the time of group registration of the content reproduction apparatus 20.

  The reproduction control method determination unit 240 reads the flag 232 of the ICV data 231 when, for example, reproducing content, and determines the reproduction control method of the content reproduction device 20 set by the content processing device 10 based on the flag 232. to decide. Specifically, for example, when the flag 232 is “0”, the reproduction control method determination unit 240 determines that the reproduction control method is the group management method (first reproduction control method), and sets the flag When 232 is “1”, it is determined that the reproduction control method is a check-in / check-out method (second reproduction control method). The reproduction control method determination unit 240 outputs the determination result to the reproduction availability determination unit 242.

  The playability determination unit 242 determines whether or not the content requested to be played can be played back according to any of the playback control methods determined by the playback control method determination unit 240. The reproduction permission / inhibition determination unit 242 includes a first reproduction permission / inhibition determination unit 242a that performs reproduction control according to the copyright management scheme of the group management method, and reproduction control according to the copyright management scheme of the check-in / checkout method. A second reproducibility determination unit 242a is provided.

  If the playback control method determination unit 240 determines that the playback control method of the content playback device 20 is set to the group management method (first playback control method), the playback permission determination unit 242 Is operated to determine whether or not the content can be reproduced based on the source ID added to the content to be reproduced and the source ID list L. If an expiration date is set for the source ID in the source ID list L, content reproduction is permitted when the source ID is within the expiration date.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the playback control method of the content playback device 20 is set to the check-in / check-out method (first playback control method), the playback permission determination unit 242 The determination unit 242b is operated to determine whether or not the content can be reproduced based on license usage condition information (reproduction count limit, reproduction expiration date, etc.) added to the content to be reproduced. Note that the playability determination unit 242 has substantially the same function as the playability determination unit 172 of the content processing apparatus 10 and thus will not be described in detail.

  The reproduction executing unit 244 reproduces the content determined to be reproducible by the reproducibility determining unit 242 and performs an audio output circuit. Note that the reproduction execution unit 244 has substantially the same function as the reproduction enable / disable execution unit 174 of the content processing apparatus 10, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The title list creation unit 250 reads the title information of all or a part of the content stored in the content database 234 from the content management information database 236, and displays a list of content title information (hereinafter, “title list”). "). The title list is, for example, a list of song names of music contents, and includes accompanying information such as artist names, album names, playback times, and the like of the music contents. Further, the title list creation unit 250 causes the display device 210 to display the created title list. As a result, the user browses the title list, selects the content desired to be reproduced, operates the input device 208 to designate the title information of the content, and makes a reproduction request. As described above, the title list creation unit 250 and the display device 210 in the present embodiment are configured as an example of a display unit that displays title information of one or more contents held by the content reproduction apparatus 20.

  The content selection unit 252 selects the content to be played based on the user input to the input device 208, and outputs the selection result to the playability determination unit 242. Specifically, the content selection unit 252 reads the content ID and storage location of the content corresponding to the text information of the content requested to be reproduced by the user from the content management information database 236, and reproduces the information as to whether the information can be reproduced. Output to. As a result, the playability determination unit 242 makes a playability determination regarding the selected content to be played back, and only the playable content is played back by the playback execution unit 244.

  The title list creation unit 250 can also create and display a title list so that the title information of reproducible content and the title information of non-reproducible content can be discriminated. In this case, the title list creation unit 250 first requests the reproduction permission determination unit 242 to determine whether or not each content to be displayed can be reproduced, and based on the determination result, the reproduction is performed. Create a title list that can distinguish between possible content and non-reproducible content. Thus, the user can select and specify the content desired to be reproduced from the contents that can be reproduced. As described above, when the title information of the content desired by the user is selected from the reproducible content displayed on the display device 210, the content selection unit 252 displays the content corresponding to the selected title information. The content ID and storage location are output to the playability determination unit 242, and the playability determination unit 242 causes the content to be played back without determining whether or not playback is possible.

  Heretofore, the functional configuration of the content reproduction apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment has been described. The content playback apparatus 20 can selectively execute group management playback control and check-in / check-out playback control according to the settings made by the content processing apparatus 10. For this reason, not only the convenience of the user of the content reproduction apparatus 20 is improved, but it is not necessary to design and develop a different model of the content reproduction apparatus 20 corresponding to each reproduction control method, so that the efficiency and cost of development work are increased. Reduction can be achieved.

  Further, the content playback apparatus 20 supports copyright management of a group management system in which playback of content is controlled based on the source ID added to the content and the source ID list L. For this reason, the user can freely download and reproduce the content from the content processing apparatus 10 owned by the user to the content reproduction apparatus 20, and thus the degree of freedom of content use by the user as compared with the conventional check-in / check-out method. Higher and more user friendly.

  The data communication unit 220, the reproduction control method determination unit 240, the reproduction availability determination unit 242, the reproduction execution unit 244, the title list creation unit 250, the content selection unit 252 and the like are configured as hardware having the above functions, for example. Alternatively, it may be configured by installing in the content reproduction apparatus 20 a program that causes a computer to realize the above functions.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the source ID is not added to the content, the playback permission determination unit 242 of the content playback device 20 determines that the content does not require copyright management, and The reproduction of the content is permitted, and a reproduction instruction signal for the content is output to the reproduction execution unit 244. That is, the content playback apparatus 20 is configured to freely play back content that is not copyright-protected, such as content without a source ID. Such use restriction of content that is not copyright-protected can be realized by the above-described group management method. The method is shown below.

  First, when a transfer control unit (not shown) of the above-described content processing apparatus 10 receives a request to transfer content not protected by copyright stored in the content database 116 to the content reproduction apparatus 20, the local line 9 The source ID list L in the content playback apparatus 20 connected in step S1 is acquired (step 1).

  Next, the transfer control unit compares the acquired group ID in the source ID list L of the content reproduction apparatus 20 with the group ID in the source ID list L held by itself (step 2).

  If the two group IDs match as a result of the comparison, the transfer control unit transfers the content that has not been copyright-protected in response to the transfer request from the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproduction apparatus 20. If they do not match, the transfer is prohibited (step 3).

  In addition, the transfer of content that is not copyright-protected from the content playback device 20 to the content processing device 10 is basically prohibited, but is configured to permit partial transfer by the above-described group management method. It is also possible to do. The method is shown below.

  First, the transfer control unit of the content processing apparatus 10 transfers, from the content reproduction apparatus 20 connected by the local line 9, content that is not copyright-protected stored in the content reproduction apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10. When the request is received, the source ID list L in the content reproduction apparatus 20 is acquired (step 1).

  Next, the transfer control unit compares the acquired group ID in the source ID list L of the content reproduction apparatus 20 with the group ID in the source ID list L held by itself (step 2).

  If the two group IDs match as a result of the comparison, the transfer control unit transfers the content that has not been copyright-protected in response to the transfer request from the content reproduction device 20 to the content processing device 10. If they do not match, the transfer is prohibited (step 3).

  As described above, in the copyright management system of the group management system according to the present embodiment, content that is not copyright-managed can be copied by controlling the transfer between the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproduction apparatus 20. You can restrict the use by restricting the transfer.

  Next, the configuration of the server 30 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail based on FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically showing functions of the server 30 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the server 30 includes a WWW server 31, a group management server 32, a content distribution server 34, a certificate management server 36, and a charging server 38.

  Among these, the WWW server 31, the group management server 32, and the certificate management server 36 constitute a content sharing service execution unit, register a plurality of content processing devices 10 and content playback devices 20 owned by the same user as a group, A content sharing service for sharing content between the devices registered in the group is executed. In addition, the WWW server 31, the content distribution server 34, and the accounting server 38 constitute a distribution service execution unit, and perform a content distribution service that distributes content, for example, for a fee to the user of the content processing apparatus 10.

  Hereinafter, the functional configuration of each of the servers 31, 32, 34, 36, and 38 will be described individually. The hardware configuration of each server 31, 32, 34, 36, 38 according to this embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 described with reference to FIG. Is omitted.

  First, the WWW server 31 will be described. The WWW server 31 receives a request from the content processing apparatus 10 accessed via the network 5 and controls communication between the content processing apparatus 10 and the server 30. The WWW server 31 includes a user registration unit 312 and a user authentication unit 314.

  The user registration unit 312 is a process for registering a new user who desires to use a content sharing service and / or a content distribution service, a registration change process, a deregistration process, and managing user account information (user ID, credit number, password, etc.), etc. I do. A unique leaf ID is assigned to each user registered as a service. Various user account information and leaf IDs determined by such registration processing by the user registration unit 312 are stored in the group registration database 324. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and a user registration database may be provided in the WWW server 31, and the user account information and leaf ID may be managed in the user registration database.

  For example, the user authentication unit 314 may receive a connection request (a registration request, a deregistration request, a content distribution request, a content distribution request, a registration request from the content processing apparatus 10 owned by the user registered in the content sharing service and / or the content distribution service as described above. In response to a certificate request, a user account information change request, or the like, user authentication processing for authenticating a user who owns the requesting content processing apparatus 10 is performed. This user authentication processing is performed based on, for example, user account information input by the user and user account information in the group registration database 324. The authenticated user is permitted to log in to the group management server 32, the content distribution server 34, the certificate management server 36, or the like, for example.

  Next, the group management server 32 will be described. The group management server 32 registers a plurality of content processing apparatuses 10 and content reproduction apparatuses 20 owned by the same user as a group. The group management server 32 includes a device registration unit 322 and a group registration database 324.

  The group registration database 324 is stored in a storage device (not shown) such as an HDD provided in the group management server 32. As shown in FIG. 12, the group registration database 324 includes, for example, user account information (user ID 3241, credit card number 3242) of a user who is provided with a content sharing service and a content distribution service, a leaf ID 3243 corresponding to the user, a group The device ID 3244 of the registered content processing device 10 or the content reproduction device 20 and the recorder ID 3245 of the device having the ripping function among the group registered content processing devices 10 are stored in association with each other.

  For example, one leaf ID 3243 is assigned to one user ID (user account) 3241. Furthermore, for each user's leaf ID 3243, the device ID 3244 (terminal ID or device ID) of one or more content processing devices 10 and content playback devices 20 registered in the user device group represented by the leaf ID. Is associated. Here, the terminal ID is registered as the device ID 3244 of the content processing device (PC) 10, and the device ID is registered as the device ID 3244 of the content reproduction device (PD) 20. Furthermore, the recorder ID of the content processing apparatus 10 having a ripping function is associated with this terminal ID.

  The device registration unit 322 performs group registration of the content processing device 10 or the content reproduction device 20 that is a registration request source in a device group owned by the user authenticated by the user authentication unit 314. In this group registration process, for example, after the user authentication process is performed, group registration request information (for example, registration request notification, terminal ID or device ID, recorder ID, etc.) is received from the group registration unit 130 of the content processing apparatus 10. Performed when received. When group-registering devices, the device ID (terminal ID or device ID, recorder ID, etc.) of the content processing device 10 or content playback device 20 that is the registration request source is stored in the device ID 3244 column of the group registration database 324. Write in the location corresponding to the authenticated user. As a result, the device ID of the device registered in the group is associated with the leaf ID (device group) assigned to the authenticated user.

  In addition, the device registration unit 322 prohibits registration of the same content processing apparatus 10 in different device groups. For this purpose, the device registration unit 322 searches the group registration database 324, and if the device ID of the content processing device 10 that is the registration request source is already stored, the content processing device 10 or the content playback device. The registration of 20 is rejected so that the device ID is not newly written in the group registration database 324. As a result, one content processing apparatus 10 or content reproduction apparatus 20 can belong to only one device group.

  In addition, the device registration unit 322 is capable of associating with the upper limit number of content processing devices 10 or content reproduction devices 20 that can be registered in the same device group, specifically, the leaf IDs of the same user. You can also set an upper limit for. For example, the device registration unit 322 sets the upper limit number of content processing apparatuses (PCs) 10 that can be registered in the same device group, for example, to a predetermined number (for example, three units), and sets the terminal ID to a predetermined upper limit. You may make it relate only to a number (for example, three). In this case, when the registration request exceeding the upper limit number is received from the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 having the terminal ID as the device ID, the device registration unit 322 rejects the registration. As a result, the number of content processing devices (PCs) 10 that can be registered in the same device group can be limited to, for example, three or less, so that the content processing devices (PC) 10 that can receive distribution content within the same device group You can limit the number.

  As another example of the upper limit number, for example, the device registration unit 322 may set an upper limit number (for example, 10) of recorder IDs that can be associated with the same group ID. In this case, if a registration request exceeding the upper limit is received from the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 having the recorder ID, the registration is rejected. As a result, the number of content processing devices 10 having a ripping function that can be registered in the same device group can be limited. Therefore, the number of content processing devices 10 that can be provided in the same device group and can be shared with ripped content can be reduced. Can be limited.

  In addition, when the content processing device 10 is registered in a predetermined device group as described above, the device registration unit 322 notifies the group-registered content processing device 10 of service data. This service data includes, for example, a leaf ID corresponding to the authenticated user (registered device group) and a service common key for using the content. As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 registered as a group can receive the leaf ID, convert it into a group ID, and add it to its own source ID list L.

  Instead of notifying the content processing apparatus 10 of the leaf ID from the device registration unit 322 of the group management server 32 in this way, the device registration unit 322 generates a group ID in advance based on the leaf ID and the like. The group ID may be notified to the content processing apparatus 10. In this case, the content processing apparatus 10 does not have to generate the group ID itself, and can add the group ID notified from the group management server 32 to the source ID list L as it is.

  In addition, the device registration unit 322 cancels the registration of the content processing apparatus 10 that is the registration cancellation request source from the device group owned by the authenticated user. This group deregistration process is performed, for example, after the above-described user authentication process is performed, from the group registration unit 130 of the content processing apparatus 10 to group deregistration request information (for example, group deregistration request notification, terminal ID or device ID, recorder ID etc.) is received. When canceling the group registration of the device, the device ID (terminal ID, device ID) of the content processing device 10 or the content playback device 20 that is the request for canceling the registration is deleted from the column of the device ID 3244 of the group registration database 324. . However, the recorder ID is not deleted even if the corresponding content processing apparatus (PC) 10 is deregistered. As a result, once the content processing apparatus 10 having the ripping function is group-registered up to the predetermined upper limit number (for example, 10), even if some of the content processing apparatuses 10 are subsequently deregistered, A new content processing apparatus 10 cannot be additionally registered. Therefore, the number of registrations of the content processing apparatus 10 that can create sharable ripped content can be suppressed and the copyright management of the ripped content can be strict.

  Next, the certificate management server 36 will be described. The certificate management server 36 collects and manages the group certificate G issued by each content processing device 10 and distributes the group certificate G to other content processing devices 10 belonging to the same user device group. The certificate management server 36 includes a certificate management unit 362 and a certificate database 364.

  The certificate database 364 is stored in a storage device (not shown) such as an HDD provided in the certificate management server 36. The certificate database 364 stores the group certificate G issued by each content processing apparatus 10 in association with the user (leaf ID) of each content processing apparatus 10.

  The certificate management unit 362 acquires the group certificate G issued by each content processing apparatus 10 via the network 5, and stores the acquired group certificate G in the certificate database 364 in association with the user. Also, the certificate management unit 362 reads the group certificate G of one or more content processing apparatuses 10 belonging to a certain user's device group from the certificate database 364, and other contents belonging to the same device group. Distribute to the processing apparatus 10 or the like.

  For example, when the content processing apparatus 10 is registered as a group by the group management server 32, the certificate management unit 362 associates the recorder ID and group ID of the content processing apparatus 10 from the registered content processing apparatus 10. The obtained group certificate G is acquired and stored in the certificate database 364. Further, when another content processing device 10 is newly registered in the same device group, the certificate management unit 362 has already registered in the same device group for the newly registered content processing device 10. The group certificate G of the content processing apparatus 10 is distributed. Thus, the newly registered content processing apparatus 10 can share the ripped content by acquiring the recorder ID of the registered content processing apparatus 10 and adding it to the source ID list L.

  Also, when there is a certificate distribution request from the registered content processing apparatus 10 or when the content processing apparatus 10 accesses the server 30, the certificate management unit 362 sends the certificate to the content processing apparatus 10. Thus, the group certificate G of another content processing apparatus 10 belonging to the same device group may be distributed.

  In addition, when the content processing apparatus 10 is deregistered, the certificate management unit 362 deletes the group certificate G of the deregistered content processing apparatus 10 from the certificate database 364.

  In this way, the certificate management unit 362 of the certificate management server 36 centrally manages the group certificate G issued by each content processing device 10 and distributes it to other content processing devices 10 belonging to the same device group. . As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 can acquire the group certificate G of another content processing apparatus 10 without directly connecting the content processing apparatuses 10 to each other. Furthermore, by performing unified management of the group certificate G by the certificate management server 36, the content processing apparatus 10 can always obtain the latest group certificate G. For example, the content processing apparatus 10 can acquire the group certificate G of all the content processing apparatuses 10 belonging to the same user's device group, and add the recorder ID of the content processing apparatus 10 to the source ID list L.

  Next, the content distribution server 34 will be described. The content distribution server 34 distributes content, for example, for a fee to the user's content processing apparatus 10 registered as a user in the content distribution service. The content distribution server 34 is configured to be able to distribute both content corresponding to the copyright management scheme of the group management method and content corresponding to the copyright management scheme of the check-in / check-out method.

  The content distribution server 34 includes, for example, a license issuing unit 342, a content distribution unit 344, a license database 346, and a content database 348.

  The license database 346 and the content database 348 are stored in a storage device (not shown) such as an HDD provided in the content distribution server 34. The license database 346 is a database that stores licenses issued along with content distribution. The content base 348 is a database of a plurality of contents to be distributed by the content distribution service.

  For example, the content distribution unit 344 allows a user who has been authenticated to browse a list of contents that can be distributed and to select distribution contents desired to be distributed. Further, the content distribution unit 344 distributes the selected distribution content via the network 5 to the content processing apparatus 10 used by the user. This distribution process is subject to, for example, a charging process as described later.

  The content distribution unit 344 also associates information related to distribution content (content ID, title information (song title, artist name, album name, playback time, etc.)) stored in the content base 348 and the like with the distribution content, for example. To send.

  The license issuing unit 342 issues a license (right information; Usage Right) of the content distributed by the content distribution unit 344. The license issuing unit 342 can issue different types of licenses depending on the type of copyright management method.

  For example, when performing group management-type copyright management, the license issuing unit 342 issues a license including a leaf ID corresponding to the user who purchased the distribution content in association with the distribution content. At this time, the license issuing unit 342 may acquire the leaf ID corresponding to the user from the group registration database 324 or the user authentication unit 314.

  When the license issuing unit 342 issues the license in this way, the content distribution server 34 associates the distribution content file with the license file including the leaf ID corresponding to the user who purchased the distribution content, and the content processing apparatus 34 10 to send. As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 that has received the distribution content and the license converts the leaf ID into a group ID, adds the group ID to the distribution content, and causes the group ID to function as a source ID for the distribution content. Execute copyright management of the management method.

  On the other hand, when performing copyright management of the check-in / check-out method, the license issuing unit 342 describes usage condition information (Usage rule) such as a check-in / out count limit, a playback count limit, and a playback time limit. A license is issued in association with distribution contents. At this time, the license issuing unit 342 may create a license of the usage condition type desired by the user based on the license model information in the license database 346.

  When the license issuing unit 342 issues a license in this way, the content distribution server 34 associates the distribution content file with the license file including the use condition information, and transmits it to the content processing apparatus 10. As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 that has received the distribution content and the license including the use condition information executes copyright management using the check-in / check-out method based on the license.

  The license issuing unit 342 stores and manages the issued license in the license database 346.

  As described above, the content distribution server 34 transmits the distribution content and its license as one set when distributing the content to the content processing apparatus 10. At this time, the content distribution server 34 includes the leaf ID in the license when distributing the content of the group management method, and uses the usage condition information in the license when distributing the content of the check-in / check-out method. Include.

  In the above description, the content distribution server 34 transmits the distribution content and the license as separate files, but both may be transmitted as the same file. In the above, at the time of group management type content distribution, the content distribution server 34 notifies the content processing apparatus 10 of the leaf ID, and the content processing apparatus 10 generates a group ID based on the notified leaf ID. However, it is not limited to such an example. For example, the content distribution server 34 may generate a group ID in advance based on the leaf ID and notify the content processing apparatus 10 of the generated group ID.

  Next, the accounting server will be described. The accounting server 38 performs accounting processing according to the content distribution by the content distribution server 34. The charging server 38 includes, for example, a charging processing unit 382 and a charging information database 384.

  The accounting information database 384 is a database including accounting information for each user, and is stored in a storage device (not shown) such as an HDD provided in the accounting server 38.

  For example, the billing processing unit 382 performs billing processing for requesting the user who received the content distribution to pay the amount corresponding to the content to be distributed. Billing information such as the billing amount, settlement method, and settlement date generated by this billing process is stored in the billing information database 384, for example.

  Next, a basic flow of a content sharing method using the content sharing system 100 as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing a basic flow of the content sharing method according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13, first, a new user uses the content management apparatus (PC) 10-1 owned by the new user to the WWW server 31 of the server 30 for the copyright of the group management method. A user registration request for a content sharing service using the management scheme is made (S2). Then, the WWW server 31 performs a user authentication process for the user, assigns a new leaf ID to the user, and registers the user (S4). The user registration for the content sharing service may also serve as the user registration for the content distribution service. Further, the user registration process may be performed by the group management server 32 instead of the WWW server 31.

  Next, the user makes a registration request for each device to the server 30 using the content processing devices (PC) 10-1 and 10-2 owned by the user (S8, S12). Then, in response to the device registration request, the group management server 32 registers the content processing devices 10-1 and 10-2 in the device group of the user and assigns the leaf ID corresponding to the user to the content processing device. 10-1 and 10-2 are notified (S10, S14). The content processing apparatuses 10-1 and 10-2 convert the notified leaf IDs into group IDs and add them to their own source ID lists L, respectively. Note that such device group registration of each content processing apparatus 10 does not have to be performed at the same time, and may be performed at an arbitrary timing.

  Next, the content processing apparatus 10-2 issues a group certificate G in which a group ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10-2 itself and a recorder ID are associated with each other, and transmits the group certificate G to the certificate management server 36 of the server 30 ( S16). Further, the certificate management server 36 distributes the group certificate G of the content processing apparatus 10-2 to the content processing apparatus 10-1 (S18). The distribution of the group certificate G may be directly performed from the content processing apparatus 10-2 to the content processing apparatus 10-1 without going through the certificate management server 36. Similarly, the group certificate G of the content processing apparatus 10-1 may be distributed to the content processing apparatus 10-2.

  When the content processing apparatus 10-1 acquires the group certificate G distributed as described above, the content processing apparatus 10-1 performs an update process on the source ID list L that the content processing apparatus 10-1 has (S20). In this list update process, when the content processing apparatuses 10-1 and 10-2 are registered in the same device group in the group registration, both devices have the same group ID. The processing device 10-1 can add the recorder ID of the content processing device 10-2 included in the group certificate G to its source ID list L. On the other hand, when the content processing apparatuses 10-1 and 10-2 are registered in different device groups, both the devices have different group IDs. Cannot be added to its own source ID list L.

  Hereinafter, a case will be described in which the content processing apparatus 10-1 acquires and shares the content provided from the content processing apparatus 10-2 in such a state.

  First, the case of sharing created content such as ripped content will be described. The content processing device 10-2 creates content by ripping, self-recording, etc. (S22), and adds a recorder ID corresponding to the content processing device 10-2 to the created content (S24). Next, the content processing apparatus 10-2 provides the created content with the added recorder ID to the content processing apparatus 10-1 via the network 5, the local line 9, the storage medium 7, or the like (S26).

  Next, the content processing apparatus 10-1 acquires the created content (S28), and executes a reproduction control process for the created content in response to a user's reproduction request, for example (S30). In this case, when the recorder ID added to the created content is included in the source ID list L of the content processing apparatus 10-1, the content processing apparatus 10-1 can reproduce the created content. On the other hand, if the recorder ID is not included in the source ID list L, the content processing apparatus 10-1 cannot reproduce the created content.

  Next, a case where distribution content data is shared will be described. First, the content processing apparatus 10-2 makes a content distribution request to the group management server 32 (S32). Then, the group management server 32 distributes the content requested for distribution and the license including the leaf ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10-2 to the content processing apparatus 10-2 (S34). Next, the content processing apparatus 10-2 converts the leaf ID in the received license into a group ID, and adds the group ID to the distribution content (S36). Next, the content processing device 10-2 provides the distribution content to which the group ID is added to the content processing device 10-1 in the same manner as described above (S38), and the content processing device 10-1 supplies the distribution content. Earn income (S40). Next, the content processing apparatus 10-1 executes a reproduction control process for the distributed content in response to, for example, a user's reproduction request (S42). In this case, when the group ID added to the distribution content is included in the source ID list L of the content processing apparatus 10-1, the content processing apparatus 10-1 can reproduce the distribution content. On the other hand, if the group ID is not included in the source ID list L, the content processing apparatus 10-1 cannot reproduce the distribution content.

  Further, when the content processing apparatuses 10-1 and 10-2 make a registration cancellation request (S44 and S48), the group management server 32 responds to the registration cancellation request with the content processing apparatuses 10-1 and 10-. 2 group registration is canceled respectively (S46, S50).

  In the content sharing method using the content sharing system 100 as described above, if a plurality of content processing devices 10 owned by the same user are registered in the same device group, the created content and distribution between these content processing devices 10 are performed. Share content relatively freely.

  Next, a process for registering / deregistering the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 or the content reproduction apparatus (PD) 20 to the group management server 32 will be described in detail. In the following processing flow, it is assumed that the user registration of the content sharing service with respect to the group management server 32 has already been completed and a leaf ID is assigned to the user who owns the content processing apparatus 10.

  First, a process (group registration process) for registering the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 according to the present embodiment in the group management server 32 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing group registration processing of the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 14, first, in steps S60 to S70, a communication connection via the network 5 is securely established between the content processing apparatus 10 as the registration request source and the server 30, and user authentication is performed. The processes of S60 to S70 are performed between the browser of the content processing apparatus 10 and the WWW server 31 of the server 30.

  Specifically, first, the content processing apparatus 10 as the registration request source transmits a user ID and a password to the WWW server 31 in response to a user input (S60). Then, the WWW server 31 compares the received user ID and password with the user ID and password registered in the group registration database 324, and performs user authentication processing (S62). As a result, if the user authentication is not established, the WWW server 31 does not permit login and ends the registration process. On the other hand, when the user authentication is established, the WWW server 31 permits login, and transmits a notification that the user authentication is established and session information for performing secure communication to the content processing apparatus 10 ( S64). Next, the content processing apparatus 10 transmits a registration request notification to the WWW server 31 (S66). By this registration request notification, the WWW server 31 recognizes that the content processing apparatus 10 has accessed for the registration request. Next, the WWW server 31 generates a transaction ID (S68), and transmits the generated transaction ID and a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) which is an example of address information of the group management server 32 to the content processing apparatus 10. (S70). As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 can access the group management server 32 based on the received URL.

  In the next steps S72 to S86, processing for actually registering the content processing apparatus 10 in the group management server 32 is performed. The processes in S72 to S86 are performed between the copyright management unit of the content processing apparatus 10 and the group management server 32 of the server 30.

  Specifically, first, the content processing apparatus 10 requests service data from the group management server 32 (S72). Then, the group management server 32 returns service data to the content processing apparatus 10 (S74). This service data includes a leaf ID corresponding to the authenticated user and the service common key described above. Next, the content processing apparatus 10 transmits the transaction ID received in S70 and the terminal ID and recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself to the group management server 32, and requests registration to the group management server 32. (S76). The terminal ID and recorder ID are generated by the content processing apparatus 10. The information exchanged in S74 and S76 can be safely transmitted and received because the session information prevents falsification from the outside.

  Next, the group management server 32 determines whether or not the content processing apparatus 10 can be registered (S78). This registration permission determination is based on, for example, the upper limit number of content processing apparatuses 10 that can be registered in the same device group (for example, the upper limit number of terminal IDs (for example, three) and the upper limit number of recorder IDs (for example, ten)). It is done. More specifically, if, for example, three content processing apparatuses 10 having different terminal IDs have already been registered in the device group of the authenticated user, the group management server 32 determines that the new content processing apparatus 10 registrations are prohibited. In the case where, for example, 10 content processing apparatuses 10 having different recorder IDs have been registered in the device group of the user in the past (regardless of whether or not they are currently registered), the group management server 32 prohibits registration of a new content processing apparatus 10.

  If the registration is not permitted as a result of the registration permission determination in S78, the group management server 32 transmits an error notification to the content processing apparatus 10 indicating that registration is not possible. On the other hand, if the registration is permitted as a result of the registration permission determination in S78, the group management server 32 performs the registration process of the content processing apparatus 10 that is the registration request source (S80). Specifically, the group management server 32 writes the terminal ID and recorder ID received from the content processing apparatus 10 as the registration request source in the record of the authenticated user in the group registration database 324 for registration. Furthermore, the group management server 32 transmits a registration completion notification to the registered content processing apparatus 10 (S82).

  Next, when receiving the registration completion notification, the content processing apparatus 10 validates the service data received in S74 (S84). Further, the content processing apparatus 10 generates a group ID (both the first group ID and the second group ID) based on the leaf ID in the activated service data, and uses this group ID as its source ID. It is additionally stored in the list L (S86). As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 can reproduce the distribution content to which the group ID is added, and can add the recorder ID of the group certificate G including the group ID to its own source ID list L.

  After such registration processing of the content processing apparatus 10, the following certificate issuance and distribution processing may be performed. That is, first, the content processing apparatus 10 issues a group certificate G including a group ID and a recorder ID corresponding to itself, and transmits this group certificate G to the certificate management server 36 (S88). Then, the certificate management server 36 stores the received group certificate G in the certificate database 364 (S90). As a result, when another content processing apparatus 10 is registered in the same device group, the group certificate G can be distributed and the recorder ID can be shared.

  Further, if there is one or more other content processing apparatuses 10 that are already registered in the same device group, the certificate management server 36 has a group certificate of the other registered content processing apparatuses 10. G is distributed to the registered content processing apparatus 10 (S92). Then, the registered content processing apparatus 10 reads the recorder ID in the received group certificate G and adds it to its own source ID list L (S94). As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 can reproduce the ripped content ripped by another content processing apparatus 10 belonging to the same device group.

  Next, based on FIG. 15, a process for deregistering the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 according to the present embodiment from an already registered device group (group deregistration process) is described. FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing group registration cancellation processing of the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 15, first, in steps S100 to S110, a communication connection via the network 5 is securely established between the content processing apparatus 10 that is the registration cancellation request source and the server 30, and user authentication is performed. The processes of S100 to S110 are performed between the browser of the content processing apparatus 10 and the WWW server 31 of the server 30. The processing of S100 to S110 is the same as the group registration processing of the content processing apparatus 10 described with reference to FIG. 14 except that a registration cancellation request notification is made from the content processing apparatus 10 to the WWW server 31 in S106. Are substantially the same as S60 to S70 of FIG.

  In the next steps S112 to S120, processing for actually canceling registration of the content processing apparatus 10 is performed. The processes in S112 to S120 are performed between the copyright management unit of the content processing apparatus 10 and the group management server 32 of the server 30.

  Specifically, first, the content processing apparatus 10 invalidates service data acquired from the group management server 32 and held in the content processing apparatus 10 at the time of group registration (S112). Specifically, the content processing apparatus 10 deletes the group ID and recorder ID included in its own source ID list L. As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 cannot reproduce the content to which these source IDs are added.

  Next, the content processing apparatus 10 transmits the transaction ID received in S110 and the terminal ID and recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself to the group management server 32, and deregisters from the group management server 32. A request is made (S114). Note that the information transmitted in 114 can be safely transmitted because the session information prevents falsification from the outside.

  Next, when receiving the registration cancellation request, the group management server 32 determines whether or not the content processing apparatus 10 can be deregistered (S116). For example, the group management server 32 does not permit deregistration when the content processing apparatus 10 that is the deregistration request source is unregistered or when it is an illegal deregistration request.

  If the registration cancellation is not permitted as a result of the registration permission determination in S116, the group management server 32 transmits an error notification to the content processing apparatus 10 that the registration cancellation is impossible.

  On the other hand, as a result of determining whether or not registration is possible in S116, when the registration cancellation is permitted, the group management server 32 performs the registration cancellation processing of the content processing apparatus 10 that is the registration cancellation request source (S118). Specifically, the group management server 32 deletes the terminal ID of the content processing apparatus 10 that is the registration cancellation request source from the authenticated user record in the group registration database 324. At this time, the recorder ID of the content processing apparatus 10 that is the registration cancellation request source remains without being deleted from the group registration database 324. As a result, when the ripped content sharing service is provided, the content processing apparatus 10 having an excessively large number of ripping functions is registered, and the inconvenience that the ripped contents from the many content processing apparatuses 10 can be shared is prevented. it can.

  Next, the group management server 32 transmits a registration cancellation completion notification to the deregistered content processing apparatus 10 (S120).

  As described above, in the deregistration process of the content processing apparatus 10, after the service data is first invalidated (S112) on the content processing apparatus 10, the deregistration process (S118) is performed on the group management server 32 side. . As a result, regarding the content processing device 10 whose registration is canceled by the group management server 32, the service data held by the content processing device 10 can be reliably invalidated, and the group ID and the like can be deleted from the source ID list L. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the service data is not actually invalidated on the content processing apparatus 10 even though the registration is canceled on the group management server 32.

  The group registration process and registration cancellation process of the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 have been described above. In order to re-register the content processing apparatus 10 that has already been registered, it cannot be registered again unless the registration is once canceled.

  Next, a process (group registration process) for registering the content reproduction apparatus (PD) 20 according to the present embodiment in the group management server 32 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing group registration processing of the content reproduction apparatus (PD) 20 according to the present embodiment.

  When group registering the content playback device (PD) 20, the content playback device (PD) 20 to be registered is connected to the content processing device (PC) 10 already registered in the group via the local line 9. The content processing device (PD) 20 is registered as a group in the group management server 32 by the content processing device (PC) 10.

  As shown in FIG. 16, first, in steps S132 to S142, the communication connection via the network 5 is secured between the registration request source content processing apparatus 10 connected to the registration target content reproduction apparatus 20 and the server 30. And establish user authentication. The processes of S132 to S142 are performed between the browser of the content processing apparatus 10 and the WWW server 31 of the server 30. Note that the processing of S132 to S142 is the same as that of the content processing apparatus 10 described with reference to FIG. 14 except that the registration request notification of the content reproduction apparatus 20 is sent from the content processing apparatus 10 to the WWW server 31 in S138. This is substantially the same as S60 to S70 of the group registration process of FIG.

  In the next steps S144 to S164, processing for actually registering the content reproduction device 20 in the group management server 32 is performed by the content processing device 10. The processing in S144 to S164 is performed among the content reproduction device 20, the copyright management unit of the content processing device 10, and the group management server 32 of the server 30.

  Specifically, first, the content processing apparatus 10 acquires the device ID of the content reproduction apparatus 20 from the registration target content reproduction apparatus 20 via the local line 5 (S144). Next, the content processing apparatus 10 transmits the transaction ID received in S142, the terminal ID of the content processing apparatus 10 itself, and the recorder ID of the content reproduction apparatus 20 to the group management server 32, and the group management server 32 32, a registration request for the content reproduction apparatus 20 is made (S146). Note that the information exchanged in S144 can be safely transmitted and received because the session information prevents falsification from the outside.

  Next, when receiving the registration request, the group management server 32 determines whether or not the content reproduction apparatus 20 to be registered can be registered (S148). In the present embodiment, since there is no limit on the number of registered content playback apparatuses 20, registration is permitted unconditionally. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the upper limit number may be set for the number of registered content playback apparatuses 20. Good. In addition, when the content processing apparatus 10 as the registration request source is unregistered, the group management server 32 does not permit registration of the content reproduction apparatus 20 to be registered.

  If the registration is not permitted as a result of the registration permission determination in S148, the group management server 32 transmits an error notification indicating that registration is impossible to the content processing apparatus 10.

  On the other hand, if the registration is permitted as a result of the registration permission determination in S148, the group management server 32 performs a registration process for the content reproduction device 20 to be registered (S150). Specifically, the group management server 32 identifies the authenticated user record in the group registration database 324 based on the terminal ID of the content processing apparatus 10 that is the registration request source, and registers the registration target in the record. The device ID of the content reproduction apparatus 20 is written. Furthermore, the group management server 32 transmits a registration completion notification to the content processing apparatus 10 that is the registration request source (S152).

  Next, when receiving the registration completion notification, the content processing apparatus 10 receives a group ID (the first group ID and the second group ID) based on the leaf ID included in the service data acquired at the time of registration of the content processing apparatus 10 itself. (Both group IDs) are generated (S154).

  Next, the content processing apparatus 10 acquires the source ID list L and ICV data of the content reproduction apparatus 20 from the registered content reproduction apparatus 20 (S156).

  Furthermore, the content processing apparatus 10 checks the validity of the acquired source ID list L based on the ICV data acquired in S156 (S158). As described above, in the copyright management scheme of the group management method, since the ICV data includes the MAC value that is the hash value of the source ID list L, the content processing apparatus 10 acquires the content from the content processing apparatus 10. By obtaining the MAC value of the source ID list L and collating it with the MAC value of the ICV data, it is possible to detect whether or not the source ID list L has been tampered with.

  As a result of the validity check in S158, if it is determined that the source ID list L is not valid (tampered), an error occurs and the source ID list L is not updated.

  On the other hand, as a result of the validity check in S158, if it is determined that the source ID list L is valid, the content processing apparatus 10 updates the source ID list L of the content reproduction apparatus 20 (S160). . Specifically, the content processing apparatus 10 adds the group ID generated in S154 to the source ID list L acquired from the content reproduction apparatus 20. At this time, the recorder ID included in the source ID list L of the content processing apparatus 10 itself may be added to the source ID list L acquired from the content reproduction apparatus 20.

  Further, the content processing apparatus 10 updates the ICV data of the content reproduction apparatus 20 (S162). Specifically, the content processing apparatus 10 obtains the MAC value of the source ID list L of the content reproduction apparatus 20 updated in S160, and generates new ICV data.

  Thereafter, the content processing apparatus 10 transmits the source ID list L updated in S160 and the ICV data updated in S162 to the content reproduction apparatus 20, and writes them in the storage unit of the content reproduction apparatus 20 (S164). In S156 and S164, the ICV data is transmitted / received between the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproduction apparatus 20 using the session information without being falsified.

  As a result of the group registration processing of the content reproduction device 20 as described above, the content reproduction device 20 can reproduce the distribution content to which the group ID is added because the group ID is added to its own source ID list L.

  Next, based on FIG. 17, a process of deregistering the content reproduction apparatus (PD) 20 according to the present embodiment from an already registered device group (group deregistration process) will be described. FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing group registration cancellation processing of the content reproduction apparatus (PD) 20 according to the present embodiment.

  Similar to the group registration process of the content playback device (PD) 20, the content playback device (PD) 20 is locally connected to the content processing device (PC) 10 in the group registration cancellation processing of the content playback device (PD) 20. The content processing apparatus (PC) 10 makes a registration cancellation request to the server 30.

  As shown in FIG. 17, first, in steps S170 to S180, a communication connection via the network 5 is securely established between the content processing apparatus 10 that is the registration cancellation request source and the server 30, and user authentication is performed. The processing of S170 to S180 is performed between the browser of the content processing apparatus 10 and the WWW server 31 of the server 30. Note that the processing of S170 to S180 is the same as the content processing apparatus described with reference to FIG. 14 except that in S176, the content processing apparatus 10 sends a registration cancellation request notification to the WWW server 31. Since it is substantially the same as S60 to S70 of the ten group registration processing, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the next steps S182 to S198, processing for actually canceling registration of the content processing apparatus 10 is performed. The processing in S182 to S198 is performed between the copyright management unit of the content processing apparatus 10 that is the registration cancellation request source and the group management server 32 of the server 30.

  Specifically, first, the content processing apparatus 10 acquires the source ID list L and ICV data of the content reproduction apparatus 20 from the content reproduction apparatus 20 to be deregistered (S182).

  Further, the content processing apparatus 10 checks the validity of the acquired source ID list L based on the ICV data acquired in S182 in the same manner as in S158 (S184). As a result of checking the validity in S184, if it is determined that the source ID list L is not valid (tampered), an error occurs and the source ID list L is not updated.

  On the other hand, as a result of the validity check in S184, when it is determined that the source ID list L is valid, the content processing apparatus 10 updates the source ID list L of the content reproduction apparatus 20 (S186). . Specifically, the content processing apparatus 10 deletes the group ID from the source ID list L acquired from the content reproduction apparatus 20. At this time, the recorder ID included in the source ID list L may be deleted. As a result, the content playback apparatus 20 cannot play back the content to which these source IDs are added.

  Further, the content processing apparatus 10 updates the ICV data of the content reproduction apparatus 20 (S188). Specifically, the content processing apparatus 10 obtains the MAC value of the source ID list L of the content reproduction apparatus 20 updated in S186, and generates new ICV data.

  Thereafter, the content processing apparatus 10 transmits the source ID list L updated in S186 and the ICV data updated in S188 to the content reproduction apparatus 20 and writes them in the storage unit of the content reproduction apparatus 20 (S190).

  Next, the content processing apparatus 10 requests the group management server 32 to cancel the registration of the content playback apparatus 20 to be deregistered (S192). Specifically, the content processing apparatus 10 sends the transaction ID received in S180 to the group management server 32, the terminal ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself, and the device ID of the content playback apparatus 20 to be deregistered. And request for deregistration. The information transmitted in 192 can be safely transmitted because the session information prevents falsification from the outside.

  Next, when receiving the registration cancellation request, the group management server 32 determines whether or not the content reproduction apparatus 20 can be deregistered (S194). For example, in the case of an invalid registration cancellation request, the group management server 32 does not permit registration cancellation.

  If the registration cancellation is not permitted as a result of the determination as to whether or not registration is possible in S194, the group management server 32 transmits an error notification to the content processing apparatus 10 that registration cancellation is impossible.

  On the other hand, when the registration cancellation is permitted as a result of the determination as to whether or not registration is possible in S194, the group management server 32 performs a registration cancellation process for the content playback device 20 to be deregistered (S196). Specifically, the group management server 32 specifies the record of the authenticated user in the group registration database 324 based on the terminal ID of the content processing apparatus 10 that is the registration request source, and from the record, The device D of the content reproduction apparatus 20 to be deregistered is deleted.

  Thereafter, the group management server 32 transmits a registration cancellation completion notification to the content processing apparatus 10 that is the registration cancellation request source (S198).

  As described above, in the deregistration process of the content reproduction device 20, the content processing device 10 side first deletes the group ID from the source ID list L of the content reproduction device 20 (S186), and then the group management server 32 side. Then, a registration cancellation process (S196) is performed. As a result, regarding the content playback device 20 whose registration is canceled by the group management server 32, the group ID can be reliably deleted from the source ID list L of the content playback device 20. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the group ID remains in the actual source ID list L of the content reproduction apparatus 20 even though the registration is canceled on the group management server 32.

  The basic flow of the group registration processing and group registration cancellation processing of the content processing device (PC) 10 and the content reproduction device (PD) 20 has been described above. With this process, even when the owner of the same content processing apparatus 10 or content reproduction apparatus 20 is changed, the group of the content processing apparatus 10 can be changed by performing deregistration and re-registration.

  Even when a new group is registered or changed in the content processing apparatus 10 having the ripping function, the recorder ID of the content processing apparatus 10 remains unchanged. For this reason, the content ripped by the content processing apparatus 10 before new group registration or group change can be freely assigned to devices in the device group to which the content processing apparatus 10 belongs even after new group registration or group change. It is reproducible. Thereby, the convenience of the user of the content processing apparatus 10 having the ripping function is improved, and the purchase merit is increased.

  Next, based on FIG. 18, the content reproduction control process of the group management method in the content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a group management type content reproduction control process in the content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The group management playback control process is a process for controlling the playback of content based on the source ID added to the content and the source ID list L.

  As shown in FIG. 18, first, in step S202, for example, a reproduction request is made by the user (step S202; reproduction request step). The user operates the input device 108 of the content processing apparatus 10 to select desired content and instruct the content reproduction unit 170 to reproduce the selected content.

  Next, in step S204, the source ID added to the content is read (step S204). The reproduction permission / inhibition determination unit 172 of the content reproduction unit 170 first reads out the content requested to be reproduced from the content database 116 or the recording medium 7, and then reads the source ID included in the license attached to the content. Interpret.

  Furthermore, in step S206, it is determined whether or not the source ID read from the content is included in the source ID list L of the content processing apparatus 10 (step S206). Specifically, the playability determination unit 172 of the content playback unit 170 reads the source ID list L from the storage device 111 and interprets it, for example. Next, the playability determination unit 172 compares the source ID read from the content with the source ID included in the source ID list L, and the source ID read from the content is included in the source ID list L. Determine whether or not.

  As a result of the determination, if the source ID read from the content is included in the source ID list L, the playback permission determination unit 172 permits playback of the content, and proceeds to step S208. On the other hand, if the source ID read from the content is not included in the source ID list L, the playback permission determination unit 172 does not permit playback of the content and ends the playback control process.

  In step S208, the current time is acquired (step S208). The playability determination unit 172 acquires the current time from a time measuring device (not shown) built in the content processing apparatus 10.

  Thereafter, in step S210, it is determined whether or not the acquired current time is within the expiration date of the source ID read from the content (step S210). Specifically, the playability determination unit 172 first reads the expiration date information corresponding to the source ID read from the content from the source ID list L. The expiration date information corresponding to the source ID read from the content is recorded in the source ID list L in association with the source ID, for example.

  Next, the playability determination unit 172 determines whether or not the acquired current time exceeds the expiration date of the source ID. As a result of this determination, when the current time exceeds the expiration date of the source ID, the source ID has expired. For this reason, the playability determination unit 172 does not allow the content to be played, and ends the playback control process.

  On the other hand, if the current time is within the expiration date of the source ID, the playability determination unit 172 allows the content to be played, and proceeds to step 212. As a result, in step S212, the reproduction execution unit 174 reproduces the content (step S212).

  As described above, the content reproduction control process of the group management method according to the present embodiment is executed based on the source ID in the source ID list L added to the content and the expiration date information of this source ID. The According to such playback control, it is possible to permit / disallow playback of content by setting an expiration date for playback of content in units of source IDs. Note that the expiration date of the source ID is not necessarily set.

  Next, update processing of the source ID list L in the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 according to the present embodiment will be described based on FIG. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the update processing of the source ID list L in the content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. In this list update process, the content processing apparatus 10 acquires the distributed group certificate G, and based on the group certificate G, the content processing apparatus 10 itself has a source ID list L or a locally connected content playback apparatus. This is an example of updating 20 source ID lists L.

  As shown in FIG. 19, first, in step S220, the content processing apparatus 10 acquires the group certificate G distributed from another content processing apparatus 10 or the certificate management server 36 (step S220). The content processing apparatus 10 can acquire the group certificate G by receiving the group certificate G via the network 5 or the local line 7 or by reading the group certificate G recorded in the storage medium 7. is there.

  Next, in step S222, it is determined whether or not the acquired group certificate G is within the validity period (step S222). Specifically, the list update unit 184 of the content processing apparatus 10 first reads the expiration date information included in the group certificate G, and obtains the current time information from the timing device built in the content processing apparatus 10. get. Next, the list update unit 184 determines whether or not the current time is within the validity period of the group certificate G. As a result of this determination, if the group certificate G is within the validity period, the process proceeds to S224. On the other hand, if the group certificate G has expired, the list update is rejected and the list update process is terminated.

  In step S224, the list updating unit 184 reads the group ID included in the acquired group certificate G (step S224).

  Thereafter, in step S226, the list update unit 184 reads the group ID held by the content processing apparatus 10 itself (step S226). In the present embodiment, since the group ID is stored in the source ID list L in each content processing apparatus 10, the list update unit 184 reads the group ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 from the source ID list L.

  In step S228, the list updating unit 184 determines whether the group ID read from the acquired group certificate G matches the group ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself (step S228). ). As a result of the determination, if both group IDs match, the list update is permitted and the process proceeds to S230. On the other hand, if the two group IDs are different, the list update is rejected and the list update process is terminated.

  Furthermore, in step S230, the recorder ID included in the group certificate G is added to the source ID list L by the list updating unit 184 (step S230). Specifically, the list updating unit 184 reads the recorder ID from the acquired group certificate G and writes the recorder ID in the source ID list L. Thereby, the content processing apparatus 10 can reproduce the ripped content to which the recorder ID is added. Thus, the update process of the source ID list L based on the group certificate G is completed.

  The basic configuration of the content sharing system 100 according to the present embodiment and the content sharing method using the content sharing system 100 has been described above. The content sharing system 100 can implement a group management type copyright management and an SDMI-compliant check-in / check-out type copyright management system.

  Among these, in the case of performing group management copyright management in the content sharing system 100, content shared among a plurality of devices is managed in units of content providers (providing user units or device units). Content reproduction management is performed by restricting the reproduction of content by the processing device 10 according to the content provider. That is, it is possible to permit / disallow content sharing between devices on a content provider basis.

  For this reason, when the content provider is an unauthorized content provider, the content processing apparatus 10 on the content acquisition side collectively prohibits the reproduction of all the content acquired from the unauthorized content provider. Can do. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively prevent illegal acts such as an act of distributing a large amount of ripped contents to an unspecified number of users and an act of publishing distributed contents for download on the Internet.

  On the other hand, if the content provider is a valid content provider, once the content provider's source ID is added to the source ID list L and content sharing is permitted, then the content is permitted. Any other content can be freely played back as long as it is provided by the provided content provider. For this reason, content can be freely copied between multiple devices within the scope of private use. Therefore, it is possible to realize copyright management similar to a conventional analog content distribution system that allows unlimited copying only for private use.

  Therefore, the content sharing system 100 according to the above embodiment includes (1) a copyright management function that restricts the act of illegally using content without paying a reasonable price for the content distribution service, and (2) It is possible to achieve both of increasing the degree of freedom of content use within the scope of private use for which a reasonable price has been paid.

  Also, in such group management-type copyright management processing, as a rule, processing for adding the source ID of the source ID list L only once, for example, when registering a content distribution service or ripping content sharing service. . Therefore, as compared with the case where the copyright management processing is executed every time the content is copied (check-in / check-out) as in the conventional copyright management processing of the check-in / check-out method, the copyright management processing is performed. The efficiency of the rights management process can be improved.

  Furthermore, by registering and grouping each device in units of owners (users) of the content processing device 10 or the content playback device 20, the content can be freely copied between devices registered in the same device group. Can be used. For this reason, a legitimate user for private use can freely copy content between his / her own devices, and does not need to be aware of the content's copy source or number of copies. It is hard to feel existence. Therefore, within the range of private use, the degree of freedom and convenience of content use by the user can be further increased, and user-friendly copyright management can be executed.

  By the way, one of the pleasures of music is sharing music with an unspecified number of people. By using the content sharing system 100 according to the copyright management scheme of the group management system described above, music can be legally shared with an unspecified number of people. The following explains how to share content legally using the copyright management scheme of the group management method.

  A method of legally sharing content using the copyright management scheme of the group management method is realized by the content sharing system 100 as shown in FIG. 3, but in the following, for legally sharing content The configuration will be described in more detail.

  First, an outline of the content reproduction apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. The content reproduction apparatus according to the present embodiment is an apparatus capable of reproducing content such as music that can be wirelessly communicated. Examples thereof include a portable device (PD), a mobile phone, and various music players. In particular, in the present embodiment, a portable player that can enjoy contents such as music and can be carried will be described as an example.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the content reproduction apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 20, the content reproduction apparatus 20A may include a main body 20-2 and a headphone 20-1. The main body 20-2 and the headphones 20-1 are devices capable of wireless communication. For example, the main body 20-2 can record content and transmit the content to the headphones 20-1. The headphone 20-1 can receive and play back the content transmitted from the main body 20-2.

  Here, as the wireless communication means, for example, IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.11g, UWB (Ultra Wide Band), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be exemplified, but the present invention is limited to this example. Not. In addition, the range of the wireless communication area according to the present embodiment is a relatively short range such as several meters to several tens of meters although it varies depending on each wireless communication standard.

  Therefore, if the main body 20-2 and the headphone 20-1 are devices capable of wireless communication, for example, the main body 20-2 is put in a bag, the headphone 20-1 is fixed to the head, and the reproduced content is displayed. I can hear you. The content playback apparatus may transmit and receive content by connecting the main body 20-4 and the headphone 20-3 with a cable, but if the main body and the headphone are wirelessly communicable, the code does not get in the way. Convenient to carry.

  Next, transmission / reception of content between content reproduction apparatuses will be described. As described above, the main body 20-1 of the content reproduction apparatus 20A can transmit the content by wireless communication. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, when the content playback device 20B is located at a short distance from the content playback device 20A and the content playback device 20B is also capable of wireless communication, the main body 20-2 of the content playback device 20A The transmitted content is received by the main body 20-4 of the content reproduction apparatus 20B, and the content can be reproduced by the headphones 20-3.

  That is, the content reproduced by the content reproduction device 20A can be reproduced also by the content reproduction device 20B located near the content reproduction device 20A.

  In this way, networks that connect each device by wireless communication and that are used by individuals do not have a specific control station as a communication station, and an example is an ad hoc network in which each communication device operates independently and in a distributed manner. .

  Next, another embodiment of content transmission / reception between content reproduction apparatuses will be described. As shown in FIG. 21, the content playback device 20C and the content playback device 20D are devices capable of wireless communication.

  The main body 20-6 of the content reproduction apparatus 20C records content and can transmit the content by wireless communication. The content transmitted by the main body 20-6 of the content reproduction device 20C is received by the headphones 20-5. Further, the content reproduction device 20D is located near the content reproduction device 20C, and the content transmitted from the content reproduction device 20C can be received by the headphones 20-7 of the content reproduction device 20D.

  Therefore, the content played back by the content playback device 20C can also be played back by the content playback device 20D.

  As described above, if a plurality of users who own the content reproduction apparatus are located at a short distance, anyone can receive and reproduce each other's content. However, if the reproduced content can be recorded and transmitted to another content reproduction device, there is a problem in copyright.

  However, in this embodiment, since the copyright management scheme of the group management system is used, the group ID is included in the content, and the transmission / reception of the content can be restricted based on the group ID. Can be shared. It is also possible to encrypt content and transmit / receive content more securely. Furthermore, even if the content can be received and played back, the received content can be prevented from being recorded by the content playback device.

  In the present embodiment in which a system for managing illegal copies is realized, the content must be purchased and downloaded from the content distribution server in order to be able to record the content in the content reproduction apparatus.

  For example, if a content playback device receives and plays back the content and likes the content, the content can be purchased and downloaded from the content distribution server later. In other words, receiving and playing back content in this embodiment means that the content can be auditioned.

  Further, the user D who owns the content reproduction device 20D can select whether or not to reproduce the received music. Further, if the user D likes the reproduced music, the music can be purchased later. For example, it is conceivable that the content being reproduced by the user C is received and reproduced by a plurality of users as well as the user D, and the plurality of users purchase the content. Since the content includes a group ID, it is possible to identify the user who has purchased the content (reproduction source).

  If the content being reproduced by the user C is frequently purchased by other users, the user C becomes a purchase source of a plurality of users. Further, it can be said that the user C is a listener supported by a plurality of users. In this embodiment, a listener supported by many users is called a charismatic listener. Which user is a charismatic listener can be managed by a group ID on the content distribution server.

  When the content being reproduced by the user C is purchased, the content spreads via the user C, and the reliability of the user C is increased because it leads to purchase by another user. For example, if the user D purchases the content being played by the user C, the reliability is 1, and if another user purchases the reliability 2, the points are added and managed as reliability information on the content distribution server. can do. In addition, the reliability information can be managed in association with the user group ID in the content distribution server.

  User C can receive his / her reliability information from the content distribution server, and can also add the reliability information and transmit the content. The user D who has received the content to which the reliability information is attached can determine whether or not to perform reproduction based on the reliability information attached to the content.

  The outline of the content reproduction apparatus has been described above. Next, a schematic configuration of the content reproduction apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the content reproduction apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The content playback device 20 is an information processing device that receives music content from the content processing device 10 and plays back the content. The content reproduction apparatus 20 can be locally connected to the content processing apparatus 10 by a wired cable such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) cable. Alternatively, it may be wirelessly connected. The content playback apparatus 20 can be exemplified by a portable device (PD), a PC, a mobile phone, and various music players that can play back music content. In the present embodiment, the content reproduction apparatus 20 is applied to a portable device that is portable.

  Further, as described above, the content reproduction device 20 is an information processing device that can transmit and receive data to and from other content reproduction devices 20 by wireless communication.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the content reproduction apparatus 20 mainly includes a data communication unit 220, a wireless reception unit 522, a wireless transmission unit 524, a charisma list 530, a content database (hereinafter, content DB) 234, a source ID list L, a favorite. A list 533, a reproduction permission information setting unit 534, a reproduction permission determination unit 242, a display control unit 536, a reproduction control unit 537, a reproduction execution unit 244, an ID recording unit 539, a display device 210, an input device 208, and the like.

  Here, the charisma list 530, the content DB 234, the source ID list L, and the favorites list 533 may be stored in the storage unit 230 described above. As described above, since the group ID is included in the source ID list L, in the present embodiment, the storage unit 230 can be exemplified as the group ID storage unit that stores the group ID.

  The data communication unit 220 records the content, the source ID list, the charisma list, and the like transmitted from the content processing apparatus 10 in the content DB 234, the source ID list L, and the charisma list 530, respectively. As described above, the source ID list L includes the group ID of the content reproduction apparatus 20. The charisma list 530 stores the above-described charisma listener group ID. The charisma list 530 is data that is updated when a user purchases content, and is data that is managed by the content distribution server 34.

  The wireless reception unit 522 receives content from the content playback device 20A and provides the content to the playback permission determination unit 242 or the display control unit 536.

  The playability determination unit 242 compares the group ID included in the content provided from the wireless reception unit 522 with the group ID of the content playback device 20 included in the source ID list L, and can play back the provided content. Judge. Further, when the content is encrypted, the content may be decrypted by the playability determination unit 242. In this case, the content playback device 20A that transmits content and the content playback device 20 that receives content need to have a common secret key for encrypting and transmitting / receiving the content.

  When the playability determination unit 242 determines that the content can be played, the content is provided to the playback execution unit 244, and the playback of the content is executed.

  When the content is provided from the wireless reception unit 522, the display control unit 536 causes the display device 210 to display that the content has been received. The user can confirm that the content has been received by the content reception display on the display device 210.

  The reproduction control unit 537 determines whether or not to reproduce the content based on the reliability information given to the content provided to the content reproduction execution unit 244. When the reliability information is greater than or equal to the specific value, the reproduction of the content reproduced from the content DB 234 is interrupted and the provided content is reproduced.

  Also, the playback control unit 537 compares the group ID included in the content provided to the content playback execution unit 244 with the group ID stored in the charisma list 530, and if the group IDs match, the content DB 234 The reproduction of the content reproduced from the above is interrupted and the provided content is reproduced.

  In this way, if the user who owns the content playback apparatus 20A that has transmitted the content is a charismatic listener or if the user has high reliability, the content transmitted from the user is automatically played back. Alternatively, it may be selected whether to play or not according to a user input. Further, although all the received content is played back, the user may be able to select whether playback is not performed even if the content is received.

  The content that has been played back by the playback execution unit 244 is stored in the storage unit 230 by the ID recording unit 539 according to a user input from the input device 208. The ID of the played content and the group ID included in the content are stored in the storage unit 230. Is remembered. A favorite list 533 can be exemplified as an example of an ID storage unit in which a content ID and a group ID are stored. For example, if the user likes the reproduced content, the content list 533 includes the content ID and content of the provided content by pressing, for example, a favorite button which is an input device provided in the content reproduction device. A group ID is stored.

  The content ID and group ID stored in the favorite list 533 are transmitted to the outside via the data communication unit 220. Here, the outside may be the content processing apparatus 10 or the content distribution server as shown in FIG. When transmitted to the content processing apparatus 10, the content ID and group ID are transmitted to the content distribution server 34 via the content processing apparatus 10. When connected to the content distribution server 34, the content ID and group ID are directly transmitted to the content distribution server 34.

  The wireless transmission unit 524 transmits the content stored in the content DB to the content reproduction device 20B. The reproduction permission information setting unit 534 gives the content a flag as to whether or not to transmit the content stored in the content DB to another content reproduction device. Only the content to which the reproduction permission information is given may be transmitted to another content reproduction device. Thereby, among the contents stored in the content DB, the reproduction permission information is set for the contents that may be transmitted to other content reproduction apparatuses, and the reproduction permission information is not set for the contents that are not to be transmitted. be able to.

  In addition, the content reproduction apparatus 20 can be divided into a main body and headphones. In this case, the main body and the headphones can communicate with each other wirelessly or by wire, and the main body includes at least the data communication unit 220, the wireless transmission unit 524, and the ID recording unit 539, and the headphones include at least the wireless reception unit 522. In addition, the content reproduction apparatus 20 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 can be configured by including the source ID list L, the reproduction availability determination unit 242 and the reproduction execution unit 244.

  The schematic configuration of the content reproduction apparatus has been described above. Next, the favorite list according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 23 shows the data structure of the favorite list in this embodiment.

  As described above, the favorite list 533 stores the group ID 5331 and the content ID 5332 included in the content received by the content reproduction apparatus. As shown in FIG. 23, the group ID 5331 represents the type of content or the type of distribution service, and is composed of, for example, a genre code consisting of the upper 5 digits and a unique ID assigned to each user. Of the upper 5 digits of the genre code, for example, 2 digits are the codes of the distribution service type. In the present embodiment, if the distribution service code is the same, the content transmitted / received between the content reproduction devices can be reproduced.

  The content used in this embodiment can be downloaded from the distribution management server. If the distribution services included in the group ID are the same, the members are members of the same distribution service and can download content from the same distribution management server. By sending and receiving content only to members of the same distribution service, users who have played the received content are already members of the distribution service, so the content may be purchased after playing the content. Becomes higher.

  The data structure of the favorite list has been described above. Next, a schematic configuration of the content processing apparatus will be described. FIG. 24 is a schematic configuration diagram of the content processing apparatus 10. As described above, the content processing apparatus 10 can be communicably connected to the content reproduction apparatus 20 and the content distribution server 34, and can transmit and receive data such as content.

  The content processing apparatus 10 mainly includes a connection determination unit 551, a first communication unit 552, a second communication unit 553, a source ID list L, a favorite list 555, a content DB 116, a self-reliability information DB 557, a charisma list 558, and the like. The

  The connection determination unit 551 determines whether or not the content reproduction device 20 is connected. If it is determined that the content reproduction device 20 is connected, the connection ID is stored in the content ID and the group ID stored in the source ID list L. It is discriminated whether or not the group IDs matched. When the connection determination unit 551 determines that the group IDs of the content processing device 10 and the content reproduction device 20 match, the connection determination unit 551 notifies the first communication unit 552 that the content processing device 10 and the content reproduction device 20 match. .

  When the first communication unit 552 is notified by the connection determination unit 551 that the content processing device 10 and the content reproduction device 20 match, the first ID and the content ID stored in the favorite list of the content reproduction device 20 are displayed. Is stored in the favorites list 555.

  The second communication unit 553 transmits the group ID and content ID stored in the favorite list 555 to the content distribution server 34. Further, the second communication unit 553 receives content corresponding to the content ID stored in the favorite list 555 from the content distribution server 34 and stores it in the content DB 116. The content DB 116 is an example of a content storage unit according to the present invention.

  The second communication unit 553 receives the reliability information corresponding to the group ID of the content processing apparatus 10 from the content distribution server 34 and stores it in the self-reliability information DB 557. Further, the charisma list 558 is also received from the content distribution server 34.

  Then, the content stored in the content DB 116, the reliability information stored in the self-reliability information DB, and the group ID of the charisma list stored in the charisma list are sent to the content reproduction device 20 via the first communication unit. Sent.

  As described above, even if the content reproduction apparatus 20 cannot directly connect to the content distribution server 34, data managed by the content distribution server 34 can be acquired via the content processing apparatus 10.

  Since the content reproduction apparatus 20 is a portable information processing apparatus, it is conceivable that the storage capacity is smaller than that of the content processing apparatus 10. In that case, it is not necessary to transmit all the data stored in the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproduction apparatus 20, and only the data selected by the user may be transmitted to the content reproduction apparatus 20.

  The schematic configuration of the content reproduction apparatus 20 has been described above. Next, a schematic configuration of the content distribution server will be described. FIG. 25 is a schematic configuration diagram of the content distribution server.

  The content distribution server 34 can be communicably connected to the content reproduction device 20 and can transmit and receive data. 25 is transmitted to the content processing apparatus 10 and stored in the favorite list of the content processing apparatus 10, the content reproduction apparatus 20 in FIG. The device 10 may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the content distribution server 34 mainly includes a data reception unit 561, a data transmission unit 562, a favorites list 563, a content search unit 564, a reliability information update unit 565, and a content DB 348. , Reliability information DB 567, charisma list 558, reward setting unit 569, and the like.

  The data receiving unit 561 receives the group ID and content ID stored in the favorite list of the content reproduction apparatus 20 and stores them in the favorite list 563. The content search unit 564 searches the content DB 348 for content corresponding to the group ID stored in the favorite list, and provides it to the data transmission unit 562.

  The reliability information update unit 565 updates the reliability information stored in the reliability information DB corresponding to the group ID stored in the favorite list. In addition, the reliability information update unit 565 provides the updated reliability information to the data transmission unit 562.

  A group ID with high reliability information is stored in the charisma list 558 from the reliability information DB whose reliability information has been updated by the reliability information update unit 565. The charisma list 558 is provided to the data transmission unit 562.

  The content, reliability information, and charisma list provided to the data transmission unit 562 are transmitted to the content reproduction device 20 via the data transmission unit.

  The reward setting unit 569 sets a reward for the corresponding group ID according to the reliability information stored in the reliability information DB 567. For example, a reward such as a discount privilege when purchasing content next time is set for a highly reliable group ID. By setting a reward, a user having a group ID for which a reward is set can further purchase content, transmit the content to many people, and contribute to the sales promotion of the content.

  In this way, the content distribution server 34 that manages the group ID can manage which group ID the user has purchased the content. For example, the content provider can spread the content only by providing new content free of charge to highly reliable users.

  The general configuration of the content distribution server has been described above. Next, the data structure of the reliability information database will be described. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the reliability information database.

  As shown in FIG. 26, the reliability information database 567 includes a group ID 5671 and reliability information 5672. As described above, the group ID 5671 represents the type of content and the type of distribution service, and includes, for example, a genre code consisting of the upper 5 digits and a unique ID assigned to each user. The reliability information 5672 is information indicating the reliability of the group ID 5671, and specifically, the number of contents purchased including the group ID 5671. Further, a group ID having high reliability information may be selected and stored in the charisma list. For example, if group IDs with reliability information of 100 or more are stored in the charisma list, group IDs 01234-0000A and 01234-000D are stored in the charisma list.

  Further, for example, only the top 10 group IDs with high reliability information may be stored in the charisma list. Since the reliability information is updated every time the user purchases the content, the charisma list may be updated, for example, every day or every week. Furthermore, some reward may be set for the user having the group ID stored in the charisma list. Accordingly, since the user is rewarded only by purchasing and reproducing the content, the user stored in the charisma list can be guided to further purchase of the content. In addition, the content provider can provide the content to users recorded in the charisma list and disseminate the content legally.

  The data structure of the reliability information database has been described above. Next, transmission / reception of data such as contents in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 27 is a timing chart for explaining transmission / reception of data such as contents in the present embodiment.

  First, the content playback apparatus 20A that transmits content performs settings so that the content can be shared (S602). For example, a content sharing flag may be given to content according to user input. The content playback device 20B that receives the content is set so that the content can be received when the content can be shared.

  The content playback device 20A plays back the content (S606). Here, since the content is set to be shared in step S602, the content, the content ID included in the content, and the group ID are transmitted at the same time as the content is reproduced in step S606.

  The content reproduction device 20B receives the content transmitted by the content reproduction device 20A and reproduces the content (S608). Next, the content ID and group ID transmitted in step S608 are recorded in the content reproduction device 20B (S610). When the content playback device 20B is connected to the content processing device 10, the content ID and group ID recorded in step S610 are transferred to the content processing device 10 (S612).

  The content processing apparatus 10 receives the content ID and group ID transferred from the content reproduction apparatus 20B, and purchases content corresponding to the content ID (S614). In step S614, when the content is purchased and downloaded from the content distribution server 34 to the content processing apparatus 10, the reliability information of the user A who owns the content reproduction apparatus 20A is updated (S616).

  When the content reproduction device 20A is connected to the content distribution server 34, the reliability information updated in step S616 is transmitted to the content reproduction device 20A owned by the user A (S618). The content reproduction apparatus 20A that has received the reliability information from the content distribution server 34 updates the reliability information recorded in the content reproduction apparatus 20A (S620).

  The transmission / reception of data such as content in the present embodiment has been described above. Next, the processing of step S608 “content reception / reproduction” and step S612 “content ID / group ID recording” in FIG. 27 will be described in detail. FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining the process from content reception to content content ID and group ID recording in the content playback device 20B.

  The content playback device 20B receives the content being played back by the content playback device 20A (S622). Next, it is determined whether the received content can be shared (624). In step S624, if the content is not sharable content, the process ends. If it is determined in step S624 that the content can be shared, the group ID of the content playback device 20B is compared with the group ID included in the received content, and the service type included in the group ID is determined. It is determined whether they are the same (S626).

  If the service type is different in step S626, the process ends. In step S626, when the service types are the same, when content is received, the content is automatically switched, and the playback of the content that was being listened to when the content was received from the content playback device 20A is interrupted and received. It is determined whether or not the set content is set to be reproduced (S628).

  If it is set in step S628 to automatically switch to reproduce the received content, the received content is reproduced (S632). In step S628, if it is not set to automatically switch to play the received content, it is determined whether the group ID of the user A who owns the content playback device 20A is stored in the charisma list. (S630).

  If it is determined in step 630 that the group ID of user A is not stored in the charisma list, the process ends. If the group ID of user A is stored in the charisma list in step S630, the reproduction of the content that was being listened to when the content was received from the content reproduction apparatus 20A is interrupted, and the received content is reproduced.

  In step S632, after the content is reproduced, it is determined whether the user B has pressed the favorite button (S634). If it is determined in step S634 that the favorite button has not been pressed, the process ends. If it is determined in step S634 that the favorite button has been pressed, the content ID and group ID of the reproduced content are stored in the favorite list (S636).

  In the foregoing, the description has been given from the content reception in the content reproduction apparatus 20B to the recording of the content ID and group ID of the content. Next, step S614 “content purchase” in FIG. 27 will be described in detail. FIG. 29 is a flowchart for explaining content purchase processing of the content processing apparatus 10.

  First, the content reproduction device 20B is connected to the content processing device 10 (S642). It is determined whether the content ID and the group ID are registered in the favorite list of the connected content reproduction apparatus (S644). If it is determined in step S644 that the content ID and group ID are not registered in the favorites list, the process ends.

  If it is determined in step S644 that the content ID and group ID are registered in the favorites list, the content distribution server 34 is connected to the download service (S646). Then, the favorite list of the content processing apparatus 10 is transmitted to the content distribution server 34 (S648). The content corresponding to the content ID is transmitted from the content processing apparatus 10, and the content processing apparatus 10 purchases the content (S650).

  The content purchase process of the content processing apparatus 10 has been described above. Next, step S616 “update reliability information of user A” to step S618 “transmission of reliability information of user A” in FIG. 27 will be described in detail. FIG. 30 is a flowchart for explaining from user A reliability information update to reliability information transmission in the content distribution server 34.

  First, when the content processing apparatus 10 purchases content including the group ID of the user A from the content distribution server 34, the content distribution server 34 updates the reliability information of the user A (S662). In step S662, when the reliability information of user A is updated, it is determined whether or not the reliability information of user A is greater than or equal to a specific value (S664). If it is determined in step S664 that the reliability information of user A is greater than or equal to a specific value, user A is set as charismatic (S666). Then, the group ID of user A is added to the charisma list. Thereafter, the updated reliability information of the user A is transmitted to the content reproduction apparatus 20A (S670).

  If it is determined in step S664 that the reliability information of user A is not greater than or equal to the specific value, the process is terminated without transmitting the updated reliability information of user A to content reproduction apparatus 20A.

  As described above, content including a group ID is transmitted and received between content reproduction apparatuses capable of wireless communication, so that the content can be legally shared and enjoyed. It can also satisfy the user's desire to know what content other people are listening to.

  Also, by transmitting / receiving content including the group ID and managing it by the content distribution server, it is possible to grasp which user was listening to the purchased content. If a user who is supported by many users is identified, new content is provided to the user and played back, it is possible to promote the sale of the content.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  The present invention is applicable to a content reproduction device, a content processing device, a content distribution server, a content reproduction method, a content processing method, and a program.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the group registration of the content sharing system concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main components of the content sharing system concerning the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the whole structure of the content sharing system concerning the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the example of the hardware constitutions of the content processing apparatus concerning the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the function of the content processing apparatus concerning the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a configuration of group management content and check-in / check-out content according to the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the function of the content reproduction part concerning the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the list management part concerning the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the example of the hardware constitutions of the content reproduction apparatus concerning the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the function of the content reproduction apparatus concerning the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the function of the server concerning the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the group registration database concerning the embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows the basic flow of the content sharing method concerning the embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows the group registration process of the content processing apparatus (PC) concerning the embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows the group registration cancellation | release process of the content processing apparatus (PC) concerning the embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows the group registration process of the content reproduction apparatus (PD) concerning the embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows the group registration cancellation | release process of the content reproduction apparatus (PD) concerning the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a content reproduction control process of a group management method in the content processing apparatus (PC) according to the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the source ID list update process in the content processing apparatus concerning the embodiment. It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of the content reproduction apparatus concerning the embodiment. It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of the content reproduction apparatus concerning the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a content reproduction apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a data structure of the favorite list concerning the embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the content processing apparatus concerning the embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the content delivery server concerning the embodiment. It is a figure showing the data structure of the reliability information database concerning the embodiment. 6 is a timing chart illustrating transmission / reception of data such as content according to the embodiment. 5 is a flowchart for explaining from content reception to content ID and group ID recording of content in the content playback apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the content purchase processing in the content processing apparatus concerning the embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining from reliability information update to reliability information transmission in the content delivery server concerning the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Source ID addition part 2 Content reproduction part 3 List management part 5 Network 7 Storage medium 10 Content processing apparatus (PC)
20 Content playback device (PD)
30 server 31 WWW server 32 group management server 34 content distribution server 36 certificate management server 38 charging server 130 group registration unit 140 list management unit 150 certificate issuing unit 152 distribution service using unit 154 source ID adding unit 160 content processing unit 170 content Playback unit 172 Playback permission determination unit 190 ICV data management unit 220 Data communication unit 240 Playback control method determination unit 242 Playback permission determination unit 314 User authentication unit 322 Device registration unit 324 Group registration database 342 License issue unit 344 Content distribution unit 362 Certificate Management unit 382 Charge processing unit L Source ID list G Group certificate 522 Wireless reception unit 524 Wireless transmission unit 534 Playback permission information setting unit 537 Playback control unit 244 Playback execution unit 5 51 Connection Determination Unit 552 First Communication Unit 553 Second Communication Unit 561 Data Reception Unit 562 Data Transmission Unit 564 Content Search Unit 565 Reliability Information Update Unit 569 Reward Setting Unit

Claims (9)

A plurality of content playback devices;
A content distribution server for distributing content to the content reproduction device;
With
The content playback device includes:
A first storage unit that stores a group ID that is uniquely generated in units of users by being registered in the management server in units of users, and reliability information of users who own the content processing apparatus;
A transmission unit that adds the group ID and the reliability information stored in the first storage unit to the content stored in the content storage unit, and transmits the content ID to the other content reproduction device;
A receiving unit for receiving content transmitted from another content playback device;
Based on the group ID of another user who owns the other content reproduction device added to the content received by the reception unit and the group ID stored in the first storage unit, the reception unit It is determined whether or not the content received by can be played, and the content received by the receiving unit is played based on the reliability information of the other user added to the content received by the receiving unit. A reproducibility determination unit that determines whether or not to perform ;
By the inhibition decision section, it is possible reproduce the received content by the receiving unit, and when it is determined that the reproduction, a reproduction execution section for reproducing the contents received by the receiving unit;
An ID recording unit that records a content ID corresponding to the content reproduced by the reproduction execution unit and a group ID of the other user added to the content in a second storage unit;
A data communication unit that transmits the content ID recorded in the second storage unit and the group ID of the other user to the content distribution server when the content distribution server and the content reproduction device are connected; ;
With
The content distribution server includes:
A content database in which the content and the content ID are associated and stored;
A reliability information database for storing the group ID and the reliability information in association with each other;
A data receiving unit that receives the content ID and the group ID of the other user from a first content reproduction device owned by a user;
A content search unit that searches the content database for content corresponding to the content ID received by the data receiving unit;
A reliability information updating unit that searches the reliability information of the other user corresponding to the group ID received by the data receiving unit using the reliability information database and updates the reliability information of the other user; ;
The content searched by the content search unit is transmitted to the first content reproduction device, and the second user owns the reliability information of the other user updated by the reliability information update unit. A data transmission unit for transmitting to the content reproduction apparatus;
A content sharing system. The content playback device is composed of a main body part and a headphone part,
The main body includes the transmission unit; the ID recording unit; and the data communication unit,
The content sharing system according to claim 1, wherein the headphone unit includes the receiving unit; the reproduction propriety determination unit;   2. The content sharing system according to claim 1, wherein the content reproduction apparatus includes a reproduction permission information setting unit that adds reproduction permission information that permits reproduction of the content transmitted by the transmission unit to the content. The content playback device includes:
2. The content according to claim 1, further comprising: a display control unit that outputs that the content has been received to a display device when the receiving unit of the content playback device receives the content transmitted from the other content playback device. Shared system. The content playback device includes:
When the receiving unit of the content playback device receives the content transmitted from the other content playback device, the playback of the content stored in the content storage unit is interrupted and received from the other content playback device The content sharing system according to claim 1, further comprising a reproduction control unit that controls the reproduction execution unit so as to reproduce the content.   When the receiving unit of the content playback device receives content transmitted from the other content playback device, and the reliability information of the other user added to the content is equal to or greater than a specific value, the playback control 6. The content according to claim 5, wherein the unit controls the reproduction execution unit to interrupt reproduction of the content stored in the content storage unit and reproduce the content received from the other content reproduction device. Shared system.   The reception unit of the content reproduction device receives content transmitted from the other content reproduction device, and a group ID added to the content and a highly reliable group ID provided from the content distribution server The playback control unit controls the playback execution unit to interrupt playback of the content stored in the content storage unit and to play back the content received from the other content playback device. The content sharing system according to claim 5.   The content sharing system according to claim 1, wherein the content distribution server includes a reward setting unit configured to set a reward for the other user according to the reliability information of the other user. A content in which a first content reproduction device owned by a certain user adds a group ID of the other user and reliability information of the other user from a second content reproduction device owned by another user Receiving a step;
The first content reproduction device adds the group ID of the other user added to the received content and the group ID stored in the first storage unit of the first content reproduction device. Based on the reliability information of the other user added to the content received by the receiving unit, the content received by the receiving unit is determined based on whether the received content is reproducible Determining whether to play or not ;
Replaying the received content when the first content replay device is capable of replaying the received content and determines to replay;
The first content reproduction device stores the content ID corresponding to the reproduced content and the group ID of the other user added to the content in the second storage of the first content reproduction device. Recording in the department;
Transmitting the content ID recorded in the second storage unit and the group ID of the other user to the content distribution server when the first content reproduction device is connected to the content distribution server; ;
The content distribution server receiving the content ID and the group ID of the other user from the first content reproduction device;
The content distribution server searching for content corresponding to the received content ID using a content database in which the content and the content ID are stored in association with each other;
Using the reliability information database that stores the group ID and the reliability information in association with each user, the reliability information of the other user corresponding to the received group ID is searched, and the other user's Updating the reliability information;
The content distribution server transmitting the searched content to the first content reproduction device;
The content distribution server transmitting the updated reliability information of the other user to the second content reproduction device owned by the other user;
Content sharing method including

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