JPH09223358A - Information management device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow only a specified user to use specified information in an information management device on the user side by additively recording a profile signal regulated in dealing the specified information out of receiving information. SOLUTION: The receiving information of broadcasting, etc., is inputted and is continuously recorded in a 1st recording medium group 3 by a connecting block 2. A user input signal is sent from a terminal 8 to a profile signal adding block 4 by a user who wants specified information to be regulated in its dealing. The specified information of the 1st recording medium group 3 is added with the profile signal and is recorded in a 2nd recording medium group 5 by the profile signal adding block 4. When the specified information of the 2nd recording medium group 5 is required to be used by this user, this request is made by the user with the user input signal from the terminal 8. Upon being judged as a right user by a selector block 6 in collating the profile signal of the regulated specified information with the user input signal, the requested information is outputted via a signal processing circuit group 7 to the terminal 8.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information management device, and more particularly to an information management device capable of integratedly managing information provided from an equipment base for external broadcasting and communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Due to recent technological innovation, equipment bases related to broadcasting and communication have been set up, and consumers have various information (video information, audio information, text information, graphic information, etc.) from information providers.
You can now get These pieces of information are transmitted to a consumer by radio from a terrestrial broadcasting station, a broadcasting satellite or a communication satellite, for example. Also, CATV
It is transmitted from a center station of (Cable Television) via a cable such as an optical fiber cable.
Further, it is transmitted via a telephone line network using wired or wireless.

It is expected that the technology related to these broadcasts will continue to advance. Therefore, it is easily expected that the amount of information available to consumers will continue to increase.

[0004]

However, while the above-mentioned equipment infrastructure for broadcasting and the like has made it possible for consumers to obtain diversified information at home, etc., a device for recording and managing that information. Has a problem that the concept of defining the handling of diversified information is not considered.

As an example of the above problems, there are a first problem that unnecessary information is provided to a consumer and a second problem that private information is insufficiently protected. Can be mentioned. More specifically, regarding the first problem, the information provider wants to make a contract with a large number of consumers, and not only improves the quality of the information provided, but also provides various information to the consumers. And Therefore, a consumer can freely use various information provided by an information provider by installing a device for recording and managing information (for example, a video cassette recorder or a computer). In addition, such a device generally has a property that it is often not shared by an individual but shared by a family member or an office. Under such circumstances, for example, even if the information is inappropriate for the minor to use (for example, video information with many violent scenes), the information is provided to the household with the minor. The Rukoto. Therefore, if there is a device for recording and managing information, this minor can freely use the above-mentioned inappropriate information. However, it would be natural for a minor parent to want their child to use such information. Therefore, from a parent's perspective, information that is unsuitable for a minor to use is:
It becomes unnecessary information.

The second problem will be explained more specifically. Of the various information provided to consumers, there are of course information that only individuals want to own, and even if they are families, they should share it. It can happen that you don't want to. However, since the devices that record and manage them are often shared with family members, anyone can easily use the information by understanding the operation method.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to define the handling of various information provided by various information providers,
An object is to provide an information management device capable of managing the information in an integrated manner.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention The structure of the present invention for achieving the above object will be shown below, but the present invention will be described in order to clarify the correspondence with the embodiments of the invention described later. The reference numerals of the corresponding parts are attached to the respective components adopted in. However, it should be pointed out in advance that the reference numbers are given only for easy understanding and for reference, and do not limit the scope of the claims of the present invention.

A first aspect of the present invention is an information management device (1) for managing information provided externally, comprising a front recording medium (3) for recording information provided externally, and a front part. Profile information adding means (4) for adding a profile signal for defining the handling of the information to the information desired by the user, which is the information recorded on the recording medium, and the profile signal are added. A rear recording medium (5) for recording information, characterized in that the information recorded on the rear recording medium is used by the user only based on the profile signal added to the information.

The front recording medium records the information provided by using the equipment base for broadcasting and communication. The profile signal adding means adds a profile signal that defines the handling of information to the information desired by the user from the information recorded on the front recording medium. As a concrete example of the profile signal, a signal indicating that a specified user among the users who share the information management device cannot use the information to which the profile signal is added, or the information management device is shared. For example, there is an indication that only the designated user among the users can use the information added with the profile signal. The profile signal adding means outputs the information added with the profile signal to the rear recording medium. Accordingly, the rear recording medium records the information to which the profile signal is added.

The profile signal adding means adds a profile signal to the information recorded on the front recording medium as necessary to define the handling of the information. The information to which the profile signal is added is recorded on the rear recording medium, but the information can be used only in accordance with the regulation of the handling by the profile signal. More specifically,
As illustrated above, it is possible to prevent the specified user from using the information among the users who share the information management device, or to add the profile signal to the users other than the specified user who share the information management device. You can prevent the use of information that you have obtained. This allows the user to specify handling of a large amount of information provided by various information providers. Furthermore, since the information is collectively recorded on the rear recording medium, the user can freely manage the information.

A second aspect of the present invention further comprises an encryption means for encrypting at least an information portion of the information to which the profile signal is added in the first aspect of the invention, wherein the rear recording medium is added with the profile signal, Further, it is characterized by recording encrypted information.

The encrypting means encrypts the information to which the profile signal is added by the profile signal adding means and outputs the encrypted information to the rear recording medium. Accordingly, the rear recording medium records the encrypted information to which the profile signal is added. Therefore, although the information can be protected only by the profile signal, it is possible to provide the information management device capable of ensuring higher security.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the first or second aspect, when the user uses the information recorded on the rear recording medium, it is determined whether the user can be an authorized user of the information. Further, it further comprises a judgment / extraction means (6) for extracting the information only when a positive judgment result is obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, only the authorized user can use the information recorded on the rear recording medium, and the restricted use of the information is recorded on the rear recording medium. Even if an attempt is made to use the existing information, this person is not permitted to use the information depending on the judgment of the judgment / extraction means.
As a result, only authorized users can use the information, so that it is possible to protect and manage the information.

In a fourth aspect based on the first aspect, the front recording medium includes a plurality of first recording media (31) according to the type of information to be input, and profile adding means (41, 42). And 43) are respectively installed in the subsequent stages of the first recording medium, the rear recording medium (51) includes a plurality of second recording media according to predetermined requirements, and the profile adding means adds the profile. Based on the signal, the information to which the profile addition signal is attached is recorded in a predetermined second recording medium.

Each first recording medium records information provided by using a predetermined infrastructure for broadcasting and communication. In addition, each first recording medium records information independently according to the type of input information. The profile signal adding means installed in the subsequent stage of the first recording medium adds a profile signal that defines the handling of information to the information desired by the user from the information recorded in the first recording medium. As a concrete example of this profile signal, there is the one described in the first invention. The profile signal adding means outputs the information to which the profile signal is added to a predetermined second recording medium. Accordingly, the second recording medium records the information to which the profile signal is added.

As described above, each profile signal adding means adds the profile signal to the information recorded on the first recording medium and defines the handling of the information. The information to which the profile signal is added is recorded on each of the second recording media, but the information can be used only based on the regulation of the handling by the profile signal. Therefore, with respect to a large amount of information provided by various information providers, the handling of the information can be specified by the user. Further, since the information is recorded on the second recording medium, the user can freely manage the information. Moreover, since each first recording medium records information provided by using different equipment bases, the information recording device can manage information in an integrated manner.

A fifth aspect of the present invention further comprises an encryption means for encrypting at least an information portion of the information to which each profile signal is added in the fourth aspect of the invention, wherein each second recording medium stores the profile signal. It is characterized in that the added and further encrypted information is recorded.

Each of the encrypting means encrypts at least an information part of the information to which the profile signal is added by the profile signal adding means in the preceding stage, and outputs it to the second recording medium. Accordingly, the second recording medium records the encrypted information after the profile signal is added. Therefore, although the information can be protected only by the profile signal, it is possible to provide the information management device capable of ensuring higher security.

In a sixth invention according to the fourth or fifth invention, when the user uses the information recorded on the second recording medium, it is judged whether or not the user can be an authorized user of the information. However, a judgment / extraction means (61) for extracting the information only when a positive judgment result is obtained is further provided.

According to the above invention, only a legitimate user can use the information recorded on the rear recording medium,
Even if a person who is restricted from using the information tries to use the information recorded on the rear recording medium, the judging / extracting means does not allow the person to use the information. by this,
Since only authorized users can use the information, it is possible to protect and manage the information.

[0023]

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information management device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the information management device 1 includes a connection block 2, a first recording medium group 3, a profile signal addition block 4, a second recording medium group 5, and a selector block 6.
And a signal processing circuit group 7. The connection block 2 is
Information provided by using an external infrastructure for broadcasting and communication (what is shown is a broadcasting satellite, a communication satellite, a terrestrial broadcasting station, a CATV center station, a telephone network).
It is determined whether or not the information is encoded. When the information is encoded, the connection block 2 decodes the information and outputs it. If the information is not encoded, the information is output as it is. Here, the criteria for the connection block 2 to determine whether or not the input information is encoded will be described. Generally encoded information is attached with attached information (hereinafter referred to as a key signal) indicating that the information is encoded. If this key signal is attached, the connection block 2 determines to decrypt the input information.

The first recording medium group 3 continuously records the information provided by the information provider within the range allowed by its recording capacity. When there is no recordable area in the first recording medium group 3 due to recording of information, the first recording medium group 3 returns to the first recording area and sequentially overwrites new information. This allows the user to freely define the handling of a large amount of information stored in the first recording medium group 3.

The profile signal addition block 4 has a memory therein, and the profile signal is previously stored in the memory. Profile signal addition block 4
Extracts information (hereinafter, referred to as first specifying information) specified by the first user input signal (details will be described later) from the first recording medium group 3. Next, the profile signal addition block 4 adds a profile signal designated by the first user input signal (hereinafter referred to as designated profile signal) to the extracted first identification information. Here, the profile signal is a signal for defining the handling of the information recorded in the first recording medium group 3, and there are first and second profile signals exemplified below.

The first profile signal is a signal indicating that the designated user among the users who share the information management device 1 cannot use the information added with the profile signal. The second profile signal is a signal indicating that only the designated user among the users sharing the information management device 1 can use the information added with the profile signal. Where the first or second
The user designated by the profile signal of is referred to as a designated user.

The profile signal addition block 4 outputs to the second recording medium group 5 based on the designated user. Second
The recording medium group 5 records the information to which the profile signal is added in the profile signal addition block 4.

The selector block 6 includes the second recording medium group 5
Information (hereinafter, referred to as second specifying information) specified by the second user input signal (details will be described later) is searched from the information stored in. The second specific information is information that the user desires to use. Further, the selector block 6 determines the number of the profile signal added to the retrieved second identification information and the user identified by the second user input signal (hereinafter referred to as the second particular user). (2) It is determined whether the user who has input the user input signal is a person who can legally use the information. The selector block 6 extracts the second identification information and outputs it to the signal processing circuit group 7 in the subsequent stage only when the determination is affirmative. The second specific information extracted by the selector block 6 is output to the terminal 8 currently used by the above-mentioned user via the signal processing circuit group 7. Here, the signal processing circuit group 7 is
Various signal processes are executed according to the specific information. For example,
The input second identification information is MPEG2 (Motion P
If the image compression processing conforming to image Expert Group 2) has been performed, the signal processing circuit group 7 executes the decompression processing of the information. In addition, the input second identification information is QAM (Quadrature Am
In the case of being digitally modulated (such as a Plitude Modulation), the signal processing circuit group 7 demodulates the information. The terminal 8 is a device for the user to directly use the second specific information, and is, for example, a television or a computer. The terminal 8 transmits the above-mentioned first user input signal to the profile signal addition block 4 and the second user input signal to the selector block 6 based on the user's operation. Here, the first and second user input signals will be described. First, the first user input signal is
The signal is a signal for specifying the information (first specifying information) recorded in the first recording medium group 3, and is a signal for specifying what kind of profile signal is added. Based on this, the profile signal addition block 4
Executes the above-mentioned processing. Further, the second user input signal is a signal for specifying the information recorded in the second recording medium group 5, and is also a signal for specifying the user who uses the information. As a result, the selector block 6 executes the above-mentioned processing.

Next, the information management device 1 having the above configuration
The operation of each part in FIG. The operation described below is a principle operation of the information management device 1, and an exceptional operation will be described in a later detailed description.

The connection block 2 always inputs information provided from the equipment base for external broadcasting and the like. The connection block 2 decodes the received information as necessary and outputs it to the first recording medium group 3. If there is no need for the above, the connection block 2 outputs the received information as it is to the first recording medium group 3. As described above, the first recording medium group 3 continuously records the information output from the connection block 2.

When the user wants to add a profile signal from the various information recorded in the first recording medium group 3 to define the handling of the information, the terminal 8 operates the first user according to the wishes of the user. An input signal is generated and transmitted to the profile signal addition block 4. The profile signal addition block 4 receives the first user input signal based on the first user input signal.
The specific information is extracted from the first recording medium group 3. Next, the profile signal addition block 4 extracts a designated profile signal from the profile signals recorded in the memory based on the first user input signal, and adds the profile signal to the extracted first identification information. . next,
The profile signal addition block 4 outputs the first information to which the profile signal is added to the second recording medium group 5 based on the designated user included in the first user input signal.
In response, the second recording medium group 5 records the first identification information.

When the user wants to use the first identification information recorded in the second recording medium group 5, the terminal 8 generates a second user input signal and sends it to the selector block 6. The selector block 6 searches the information recorded in the second recording medium group 5 for the second specific information. The selector block 6 determines, based on the content of the profile signal added to the retrieved second specific information and the second specific user, whether the user is a person who can legally use the information. If the selector block 6 makes a negative determination, it does not output information to the signal processing circuit group 7. on the other hand,
When a positive determination is made, information is output to the signal processing circuit group 7. The signal processing circuit group 7 performs a predetermined process on the input information, and then outputs the information to the terminal 8 currently operated by the user.

Next, the configuration and the principle operation of the above-described information management device 1 will be described in detail, together with the exceptional operation.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the connection block 2 and the first recording medium group 3 of the information management device 1 shown in FIG. The connection block 2 is composed of a plurality of connection units 21. The connection unit 21 is
It has a configuration according to the information provision mode of the information provider.
Therefore, the form of this connection unit 21 includes the following.

A structure having a structure for receiving the transmitted information, determining whether or not the information is encoded, and decoding and outputting if the information is encoded. For example, B
This corresponds to the combination of the S tuner and the decoder. It receives the transmitted information and outputs it as it is. For example, a BS tuner corresponds to this.

A device which receives transmitted encoded information, decodes the information, and outputs the information. Therefore, the connection block 2 is configured by any combination of these connection units 21. This combination is generally at the user's discretion. Below, the connection unit 21 shown above is demonstrated for simplification of description. The connection unit 21 includes a decryption unit 211, a first condition determination unit 212,
Switch SW1 (having terminals a, b, and c)
And SW2 (having a terminal d, a terminal e, a terminal f and a terminal g). The decoding unit 211 decodes the encoded information. The first condition determination unit 212 determines the connection state of the switches SW1 and SW2 based on the input key signal. The connection state of the switches SW1 and SW2 based on the key signal will be described in detail when the operation of each unit is described. Next, switch S
The function of each terminal of W1 and SW2 will be described. Information is input to the terminal a. The output from the terminal b is input to the terminal d. The output from the terminal c is input to the decoding unit 211. The output of the decoding unit 211 is input to the terminal e. The terminal f is connected to the first path 32 described later. The terminal g is connected to the second path 33 described later.

The first recording medium group 3 has a first path 32 having a first recording medium 31 in the middle thereof and a terminal g of the switch SW2.
And a second path 33 connecting the first connection portion 41 (described later). The number of first paths 32 and second paths 33 installed is determined by the number of connection units 21. Each first recording medium 31 continuously records the information provided by a plurality of information providers within the range allowed by its recording capacity. When there is no recordable recording area in the first recording medium 31 due to the recording of information, the first recording medium 31 returns to the first recording area and sequentially overwrites new information. This allows the user to freely define the handling of a large amount of information stored in each first recording medium 31.

Although a plurality of first recording media 31 are shown as the first recording medium group 3 in FIG. 2, the first recording medium group 3 is a physically identical recording medium of the connection unit 21. It is also possible to divide the recording area according to the number and use each of the divided recording areas as the first recording medium.

FIG. 3 shows the first recording medium group 3 shown in FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a profile signal addition block 4 and a second recording medium group 5. FIG. In FIG. 3, since the first recording medium group 3 has already been described, the description thereof will be omitted.

The profile signal addition block 4 has a first
It includes a connection unit 41, a profile signal addition unit 42, a second condition determination unit 43, a switch SW3 (having a terminal h, a terminal i, and a terminal j), and a second connection unit 44. Here, the first connection unit 41, the second condition determination unit 43, the profile signal addition unit 42, and the switch SW3 process the information input from the first path 32 or the second path 33 ( In order to execute (described later), the same number of profile signal addition blocks 4 as the first path 32 (or the second path 33) are installed. First, the function of each terminal of the switch SW3 will be described. The terminal h receives the information output from the first connection unit 41. The terminal i is connected to the second connecting portion 44 (described later). The terminal j is connected to the profile signal adding section 42. The first connection unit 41 inputs information from one of the first route 32 and the second route 33, outputs a key signal attached to the information to the second condition determination unit 43, and switches the information. Output to SW3. The second condition determination unit 43 determines the connection state of the switch SW3 based on the input first user input signal. Further, the second condition determining unit 43 outputs the first user input signal to the profile signal adding unit 42 and the second connecting unit 44. The profile signal adding section 42 has a memory therein, and the profile signal is stored in advance in the memory. The profile signal addition unit 42 notifies the first recording medium 31 to output the first identification information, and when the information is input, adds the specified profile signal (specific processing will be described later). Here, the profile signal is a signal for defining the handling of the information recorded in the first recording medium group 3, as described above. Also,
The second connection unit 44 inputs information directly from the switch SW3 or from the profile signal addition unit 42. The second connection unit 44 outputs the input information to the predetermined third path 52 or the fourth path 53 (details will be described later).

The second recording medium group 5 includes a third route 52 having the second recording medium 51 in the middle thereof and a fourth route 53 for directly connecting the second connecting portion 44 and the selector 61. The third path 52 and the fourth path 53 form a pair of second paths.
It is included in the recording medium group 5. For example, when the user's family structure consists of a father, a mother, and a child, the second recording medium 51 is assigned a unique second recording medium 51. The second recording medium 51 records the information to which the profile signal is added in the profile signal addition block 4.

FIG. 4 shows the second recording medium group 5 shown in FIG.
6 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a selector block 6 and a signal processing circuit group 7. FIG. In FIG. 4, since the second recording medium group 5 has already been described, the description thereof will be omitted. The selector block 6 includes the number of selectors 61 corresponding to the number of the third paths 52 (or the fourth paths 53). The selector 61, based on the second user input signal,
Information is extracted from the corresponding second recording medium 51. At this time, the selector 61 also executes an authentication process (details will be described later). The selector 61 outputs the information extracted based on the result of the authentication processing to the signal processing circuit 71 in the subsequent stage based on the second user signal.

The signal processing circuit group 7 is composed of a plurality of signal processing circuits 71. The signal processing circuit 71 executes various kinds of signal processing according to input information, but not all perform the same signal processing.
For example, when the input information has been subjected to MPEG2 compliant image compression processing, the signal processing circuit 71 executes decompression processing of the information. When the input information is digitally modulated by QAM or the like, the signal processing circuit 7 described above is used.
1 demodulates the information. What kind of signal processing each signal processing circuit 71 executes is determined by the signal processing circuit 7 concerned.
1 depends on the connected terminal 8. For example, when the terminal 8 is a television, this signal processing circuit 7
1 is to execute the above-mentioned decompression processing. Also,
When the terminal 8 is a computer, the signal processing circuit 71 performs the above-mentioned decompression processing and demodulation processing. In addition, various terminals correspond to the terminal 8 as described above. Note that the number of terminals 8 does not depend on the second recording medium 51, and if there are two televisions at home,
There are two terminals 8, and if there are two TVs and one computer at home, then there are three terminals 8.

Next, the detailed operation of the information management apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the operation of the information management device 1 until the received information is recorded in the first recording medium 31 will be described.

When the information transmitted from the equipment base for external broadcasting etc. is coded, a key signal is generally attached. The key signal further includes copy permission information indicating whether to permit copying of the information. Such information is input to the receiving unit 21. The key signal of this information is input to the first condition determination unit 212. The first condition determining unit 212 determines the switch SW1 based on the copy permission information of the key signal.
And the connection state of SW2 is set. That is, when the key signal is input, the first condition determining unit 212 determines that the information transmitted together with the key signal is encoded. When the copy permission information has a positive content, the first condition determination unit 212 determines that copying the information transmitted from the information provider is permitted. Then, the first condition determination unit 212 connects the terminal a and the terminal c of the switch SW1 and further connects the terminal e of the switch SW2.
And terminal f are connected. As a result, the receiving unit 2
The information input to 1 is input to the decoding unit 211 via the switch SW1. The decryption unit 211 decrypts the input information. The decrypted information is sent via the switch SW2.
It is input to the first recording medium 31. The first recording medium 31 is
The information entered as described above is continuously recorded.

On the other hand, there is a case where information to which a key signal is not attached is transmitted. Such information can generally be handled freely. Such information is input to the receiving unit 21. When the key signal is not input, the first condition determination unit 212 connects the terminal a and the terminal b of the switch SW1 and further connects the switch S1.
The terminal d and the terminal f of W2 are connected. As a result, the information input to the receiving unit 21 is input to the first recording medium 31 via the switch SW1 and the switch SW2. The first recording medium 31 continuously records the input information as described above.

As described above, the information management device 1 records the input information in the first recording medium 31 in principle, although there is a difference in whether the received information is encoded or not.
When the user wants to add the above-mentioned profile signal to the information recorded in the first recording medium 31 and define the handling of the information, the information management device 1 operates as follows.

When the user wants to add a profile signal from the various information recorded in the first recording medium group 3 and to specify the handling of the information, the terminal 8 operates according to the user's request. One user input signal is generated and transmitted to the second condition judgment unit 43 of the profile signal addition block 4.

The second condition judging section 43 connects the terminal h and the terminal j of the switch SW3 based on the first user input signal. Then, the second condition determining unit 43 sends the first user input signal to the profile signal adding unit 42 and the second connecting unit 44.
And output to Since the first user input signal includes the content of adding the designated profile signal to the first identification information as described above, the profile signal addition unit 42 causes the first identification information from the first recording medium 31. To extract. The first specific information extracted from the first recording medium 31 is
It is input to the profile signal adding section 42 via the first connecting section 41 and the switch SW3. The profile signal adding unit 42 takes out the designated profile signal from the internal memory, adds the specified profile signal to the input first specifying information, and outputs it to the second connecting unit 44. Second connection portion 44
Outputs to the predetermined third path 52 based on the designated user included in the input first user input signal. The output first identification information is recorded on a predetermined second recording medium 51 via the third path 52. Here, the predetermined third path 52
Will be described. In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned first and second profile signals are exemplified. In addition, in the present embodiment, the second recording medium 51 installed in the middle of the third path 52 is assigned according to the family structure. Therefore, for example, it is meaningless to specify a child in the first profile signal and record the information added with the child in the second recording medium 51 assigned to the child. Normally, it should be recorded on a medium other than the second recording medium 51 assigned to the child. Similarly, it is meaningless to specify the father in the second profile signal and record the information to which the father is added in the second recording medium 51 allocated to other than the father. Usually, the second recording medium 5 assigned to the father
It should be recorded in 1.

The information management device 1 is the first as described above.
A profile signal is added to the information recorded on the recording medium 31, and the information is recorded on the second recording medium 51.
When the user uses the information recorded in the second recording medium 51 in this way, the information management device 1 operates as follows.

When the user wants to use the information recorded in the second recording medium group 5, the terminal 8 generates the second user input signal according to the user's request, and the selector block 6
Send to At this time, the terminal 8 transmits the second user input signal to the selector 61 located at the subsequent stage of the second recording medium 51 assigned to the user who uses the terminal 8.

The second user input signal indicates specific information (second specific information) that the user desires to use. Based on this, the selector 61 selects from the second recording medium group 5
The second specific information is searched. After that, the selector 61 executes the authentication process based on the specified user of the profile signal added to the searched second specific information and the second specific user indicated by the second user input signal, and the searched information is obtained. Is determined by the user.
For this authentication processing, an identification number (authentication number) that is commonly used may be used. That is, a unique identification number is given to the father, mother, and child of the family in advance, and a specific user is designated by this identification number when the profile signal is added. Further, even when the intention is indicated by using the second user input signal, the intention may be indicated by using the identification number.

When the selector 61 makes an affirmative judgment, it extracts the second specifying information from the second recording medium 51 and outputs it to the digital signal processing circuit 71. The digital signal processing circuit 71 executes signal processing according to this information and outputs it to the terminal 8. The user operates the terminal 8 and uses the second specific information.

The above is the information management apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
Is the principle operation of. As described above, the information management device 1
Is configured to continuously record the information transmitted from the facility infrastructure related to broadcasting etc. within the range allowed by the recording capacity of the first recording medium 31, so that various information can be easily managed according to the user's request. Has become. Further, the profile signal adding section 42 adds the profile signal having the above-mentioned contents to the information according to the user's request, and then,
The data is recorded on a predetermined second recording medium 51. The information recorded on the second recording medium 51 is restricted in handling by the user as described above. That is, the selector 61
When the information is extracted from the second recording medium 51, the profile signal added to the searched second identification information and the second
Since the authentication process based on the second specific user indicated by the user input signal is executed, the user who is restricted from using the information cannot use the information. Further, since only the user who is permitted to use the information can use the information, it becomes possible to protect private information. More specifically, for example, it is assumed that the father designates a child, adds the first profile signal to the information, and stores the information in the second recording medium 51 assigned to him. In such a case, even if the child is the second recording medium 5 assigned to the father,
Even if the second user input information is transmitted to the selector 61 located in the subsequent stage of 1, the selector 61 does not extract the above information. This makes it possible to regulate the handling of information that is inappropriate for children to view (for example, video information with many violent scenes). In this case, a person (for example, mother) other than the designated user may be a person who can legally use this information. Further, for example, it is assumed that the father designates himself and adds the second profile signal to the information, and records this on the second recording medium 51 assigned to him. In such a case, even if a person other than the father sends the second user input information to the selector 61 located at the latter stage of the second recording medium 51 assigned to the father, the selector 61 does not extract the above information. Therefore, anyone other than the father cannot use the information added with the second profile signal. This can protect private information.

Further, the information management device 1 executes the following exceptional operation. The first exceptional operation is that the provided information is used by a consumer in real time. This is the case, for example, when a user views video information according to a television program. At that time, the user must first make an intention to use the provided information in real time. The user inputs this intention display into the terminal 8. Based on this input, the terminal 8 generates a third user input signal including this intention expression, and the corresponding first condition determination unit 212 and second condition determination unit 4
3 and the selector 61. The key signal is also input to the first condition determination unit 212 as described above. The first condition determination unit 212 sets the connection state of the switches SW1 and SW2 based on the third user input signal and the key signal.

First, as a first setting mode, when the provided information includes a key signal, the information is generally encoded, and as described above, the first condition judging unit 2
12 connects the terminal a and the terminal c of the switch SW1,
The terminal e and the terminal f of the switch SW2 are connected. Further, the first condition determination unit 212 connects the terminal e and the terminal g of the switch SW2 based on the third user input signal. In addition, the second condition determination unit 43, which has received the third user input signal, connects the terminal h and the terminal i of the switch SW3, and also outputs the third user input signal to the second connection unit 44.
Also output to The second connection unit 44 connects the terminal i and the fourth path 53 to the fourth path 53 capable of outputting the information input from the terminal i to the selector 61 which is receiving the third user input signal at the same time. To do. As a result, the information input to the receiving unit 21 is output not only to the first path 32 but also to the second path 33 via the switch SW1, the decoding unit 211, and the switch SW2. The information output to the first path 32 is stored in the first recording medium 31 as described above.
Will be recorded. On the other hand, the information output to the second path 33 is input to the first connecting unit 41, and the switch SW3 and the second
It is input to the selector 61 via the connection unit 44. The selector 61 outputs the input information to the signal processing circuit 71 corresponding to the terminal 8 currently used by the user who has transmitted the user input signal. The signal processing circuit 71 executes predetermined processing and outputs the input information to the terminal 8. The user will be able to use the information via the terminal 8.

As the second setting mode, when the provided information is not coded, the first condition judging section 212 connects the terminal a and the terminal b of the switch SW1 as described above, The terminal d and the terminal f of the switch SW2 are connected. Further, the first condition determination unit 212 connects the terminal d and the terminal f of the switch SW2 based on the third user input signal. In addition, the second condition determination unit 43, which receives the third user input signal, connects the terminal h and the terminal i of the switch SW3. As a result, the information input to the receiving unit 21 is output not only to the first path 32 but also to the second path 33, as described in the first setting mode. Therefore, the user can use the information via the terminal 8 in the same manner as described in the first setting mode.

As a second exceptional operation, for example, a person who provides image information is allowed only to watch the image information (that is, copying of the image information is prohibited or a recording medium is used). It is thought that there are some people who prohibit the recording of such information in the above). In such a case, the information provider provides the information by including the copy permission information having negative contents in the key signal. Moreover, since this information is only allowed to be viewed, the user must first
You must be willing to use the information provided. The user inputs this intention display into the terminal 8. The data input unit creates a third user input signal similar to the above based on this input, and the first condition determination unit 212
To the second condition determination unit 43 and the selector 61. A key signal is also input to the first condition determination unit 212. The first condition determination unit 212 sets the connection state of the switches SW1 and SW2 based on the user input signal and the key signal. Since the first condition determination unit 212 receives the key signal, it determines that the information received by the reception unit 21 is coded, connects the terminal a and the terminal c of the switch SW1, and also determines the key signal. Since the copy permission information included in is negative, the terminal e and the terminal g of the switch SW2 are connected. Further, the second condition determination unit 43, which receives the third user input signal, connects the terminal h and the terminal i of the switch SW3, and also outputs the third user input signal to the second connection unit 44. Second
The connection unit 44 connects the terminal i and the fourth path 53 to the fourth path 53 capable of outputting the information input from the terminal i to the selector 61 that is currently receiving the third user input signal. As a result, the information input to the receiving unit 21 is output only to the second path 33 via the switch SW1, the decoding unit 211, and the switch SW2. The information output to the second path 33 is input to the first connection unit 41 and directly input to the selector 61 via the switch SW3 and the second connection unit 44. The selector 61 uses the terminal 8 currently used by the user who has transmitted the user input signal.
The input information is output to the signal processing circuit 71 corresponding to. The signal processing circuit 71 executes predetermined processing and outputs the input information to the terminal 8. The user will be able to use the information via the terminal 8.

According to the above-mentioned second exceptional operation, information is not temporarily recorded in the recording medium (first and second recording medium) existing in the information management apparatus 1, so that the information provider You can protect your work.

Next, an information management apparatus (not shown) according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The information management device differs from the information management device 1 according to the first embodiment only in that an encryption unit is provided immediately after each profile signal addition unit 42 shown in FIG. Other configurations are the same as the configurations shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted, and reference numerals shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 will be used for corresponding components. . The encryption unit encrypts only the information to which the profile signal is added by the profile signal adding unit 42.
Regarding the operation of the information management apparatus according to the second embodiment, except that encrypted information is recorded in the second recording medium 51,
Since the same operation as that described above is executed, the description thereof will be omitted. As a result, the safety of information can be secured only by the profile signal, but higher safety can be secured. In this case, it is necessary to install a descrambling unit for descrambling the terminal 8.

In the above embodiment, the second
The recording medium 51 has been described as being assigned according to the family structure. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the above-described information management device 1 is installed in an office or the like, the second recording medium 51 may be assigned to each person who is in the office. Further, even when the information management device 1 is installed at home, the second recording medium 51 may be allocated according to the purpose of use of the received information instead of being allocated according to the family structure. How to allocate the second recording medium 51 depends on the user's preference.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information management device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a connection block 2 and a first recording medium group 3 of the information management device 1 shown in FIG.

3 is a first recording medium group 3, a profile signal addition block 4 and a second recording medium group 5 shown in FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of FIG.

4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a second recording medium group 5, a selector block 6, and a signal processing circuit group 7 shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information management apparatus 2 ... Connection block 21 ... Receiving unit 3 ... 1st recording medium group 31 ... 1st recording medium 32 ... 1st path 33 ... 2nd path 4 ... Profile signal addition block 41 ... 1st connection part 42 ... Profile signal adding section 43 ... Second condition judging section 44 ... Second connecting section 5 ... Second recording medium group 51 ... Second recording medium 52 ... Third path 53 ... Fourth path 6 ... Selector block 7 ... Signal processing circuit group 8 ... Terminal

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An information management device for managing information provided externally, comprising: a front recording medium for recording information provided externally; and information recorded on the front recording medium. And yet,
Profile information adding means for adding a profile signal for defining the handling of the information to the information desired by the user, and a rear recording medium for recording the information to which the profile signal is added, the rear recording The information management device, wherein the information recorded on the medium is used by the user only based on the profile signal added to the information. 2. The apparatus further comprises an encryption means for encrypting at least an information part of the information to which the profile signal is added, wherein the rear recording medium is added with the profile signal and further encrypted information. The information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information management apparatus records the information. 3. When a user uses the information recorded on the rear recording medium, it is judged whether or not the user can be a legitimate user of the information, and only when a positive judgment result is obtained. The information management device according to claim 1, further comprising a determination / extraction unit that extracts the information. 4. The front recording medium includes a plurality of first recording media according to the type of information to be input, and the profile adding means is installed in a stage subsequent to the first recording medium. The rear recording medium includes a plurality of second recording media according to a predetermined requirement, and the profile adding unit sets a predetermined information to which the profile adding signal is attached based on the profile adding signal. The information management device according to claim 1, wherein the information is recorded on a second recording medium. 5. For each information to which the profile signal is added, further comprising an encryption means for encrypting at least an information part, wherein each of the second recording media is further encrypted with the profile signal added thereto. The information management device according to claim 4, wherein the information is recorded. 6. When a user uses the information recorded on the second recording medium, it is judged whether or not the user can be a legitimate user of the information, and a positive judgment result is obtained. The information management apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a determination / extraction unit that extracts the information.