JPWO2007111196A1 - Information distribution apparatus, information recording medium, and information reproduction apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A user ID and a content ID are embedded in the content data as an electronic watermark. Also, reproduction control data including PGC having a routine for requesting input of a password consisting of the last four digits of the user ID is generated. Information content including these content data and reproduction control data is recorded on a recording medium. The information reproducing apparatus detects a digital watermark and automatically generates a password from the user ID. According to this, it is possible to save the trouble of inputting the password by the user and to protect the copyright holder or the like with respect to the information content by using the digital watermark.

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution apparatus that distributes information content such as a movie, an information recording medium on which the information content is recorded, an information reproduction apparatus that reproduces the information recording medium, and the like.

  Currently, write-once and rewritable information recording media such as DVD-R (DVD Recordable) and DVD-RW (DVD ReWritable) are widely used. By using these write-once and rewritable information recording media, the user can record information content such as movies distributed from a content distributor via a network on an information recording medium owned by the user. For example, a homepage established by a content distributor is browsed via the Internet, and the information content desired by the user is downloaded from the content group listed in the homepage as digital data and recorded on the personal computer. .

  Since the information content distributed here is digital data, illegal duplication becomes a problem. When information content such as a movie can be easily recorded as digital information via a network, it is important to protect the copyright holder by preventing such illegal copying.

  As a method for dealing with this problem, there is a CSS encryption method (hereinafter referred to as “CSS” as appropriate) for encrypting content data itself. Although the content data encrypted by the CSS was distributed more securely on the network, there was a situation in which software called DeCSS that decrypted the CSS encryption was distributed on the network. A new problem has arisen in which the cipher is illegally released.

  Therefore, conventionally, in order to prevent such an illegal descrambling act, a method of controlling copying using a digital watermark technique has been developed. For example, as described in Patent Document 1 and the like, CSS and In combination with digital watermarking, the copyright of content creators is protected.

  On the other hand, apart from the above-described digital watermark, there is a method for requesting input of a password when reproducing information content recorded on a DVD. For example, Patent Document 2 incorporates a program for requesting password input into reproduction control information compliant with the DVD-Video standard, thereby restricting viewing.

JP 2003-317378 A JP 2003-132624 A

  However, with the conventional method of simply incorporating digital watermarks, instead of placing a burden on the manufacturing side of the device, there is little merit for the end user who is the final user, and a device equipped with functions related to digital watermarking has been developed. Lack of incentive to do.

  On the other hand, in the method that requires the user to enter a password, the playback device can be manufactured without load, but for the user, it is necessary to enter the password every time information content is played, and from the viewpoint of copyright protection as well. Inadequate protection against illegal duplication.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem as an example, and an object of the present invention is to provide a device or system that can be used by any of the device manufacturing side, end user, and content providing side. The purpose is to protect the copyright while providing it.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information generation apparatus according to the present invention includes a digital watermark embedding unit that embeds identification information in content data using a digital watermark, and a routine for requesting input of a password that can be generated from the identification information. A reproduction control information generation unit that generates reproduction control data for performing reproduction control of the content, an encryption unit that encrypts at least a part of the content data in which the identification information is embedded, the encrypted content data, and the reproduction Means for generating information content comprising control data.

  The identification information is used to identify a user ID for identifying a user who requests distribution of the information content, a content ID for specifying the information content, or a recording device for recording the information content on a recording medium. Preferably, at least one of the recording device IDs is included.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the identification information is the user ID, and the password includes at least a part of the user ID.

Furthermore, in order to solve the above-described problem, an information distribution apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the information generation apparatuses described above and a distribution unit that distributes the information content.
In order to solve the above problem, the data structure of the present invention is a data structure that can be downloaded via a network, and includes content data in which identification information is embedded by digital watermark, and a password that can be generated from the identification information. And reproduction control data for performing reproduction control of the content data.

  In order to solve the above problems, the information recording medium of the present invention records information content having the data structure described above.

  In order to solve the above problem, an information reproducing apparatus of the present invention is an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing the information recording medium described above, and detects whether or not the digital watermark is embedded in the content data. An electronic watermark detection unit; an encryption detection unit for detecting whether at least a part of the content data is encrypted; and the content data is encrypted even though the electronic watermark is detected. And a playback control unit that prohibits playback of the information content when there is not.

  Note that the information reproducing apparatus preferably includes a transmission unit that transmits the identification information to an external device when the content data is not encrypted even though the digital watermark is detected. In addition, when the identification information embedded with the digital watermark is included in the reproduction prohibition list generated by the external device based on the transmitted identification information, the reproduction control unit reproduces the information content. It is preferable to prohibit.

  In order to solve the above problem, an information reproduction program of the present invention is an information reproduction program for reproducing the information recording medium described above, and whether or not the digital watermark is embedded in the content data. And detecting whether or not at least a part of the content data is encrypted, and reproducing the information content when the content data is not encrypted even though the digital watermark is detected. It is characterized by controlling the computer so as to prohibit this.

  In order to solve the above problem, an information recording apparatus of the present invention is an information recording apparatus for recording information content on a recording medium, and the information content has a routine for requesting input of content data and a password. The content data is encrypted, and at least a part of the content data is encrypted, and the information recording device is an electronic device that generates identification information capable of generating the password as a digital watermark. A watermark generation unit, and a digital watermark embedding unit that embeds the generated digital watermark in the content data.

  In order to solve the above problem, an information recording program of the present invention is an information recording program for recording information content on a recording medium, and the information content includes a routine for requesting input of content data and a password. And at least a part of the content data is encrypted, and the information recording program generates identification information capable of generating the password as a digital watermark. And controlling the computer to embed the generated digital watermark in the content data.

  In order to solve the above problems, a first computer program product in a computer-readable medium is a program instruction executable by a computer provided in the above-described information reproducing apparatus of the present invention (including various aspects thereof). And the computer is caused to function as at least a part of the digital watermark detection unit, the encryption detection unit, and the reproduction control unit.

  In order to solve the above problems, a second computer program product in a computer readable medium is a program instruction executable by a computer provided in the above-described information recording apparatus (including various aspects thereof) of the present invention. Is clearly implemented, and the computer is caused to function as at least part of the digital watermark generation unit and the digital watermark embedding unit.

  According to the first or second computer program product of the present invention, if the computer program product is read into a computer from a recording medium such as a ROM, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, hard disk or the like storing the computer program product, or For example, if the computer program product, which is a transmission wave, is downloaded to a computer via communication means, the above-described information reproducing apparatus or information recording apparatus of the present invention can be implemented relatively easily. More specifically, the computer program product may be configured by a computer-readable code (or computer-readable instruction) that functions as the above-described information reproducing apparatus or information recording apparatus of the present invention.

  These effects and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the content delivery system which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram of a content distribution apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the information embedded by the digital watermark based on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the recording structure based on DVD format. It is a block diagram of user PC concerning an example of the present invention. (A) is a figure which shows the flow of a process in a content delivery apparatus, (b) is a figure which shows the flow of a process in user PC. It is a flowchart of the reproduction | regeneration processing in the conventional information reproduction | regeneration apparatus which is not provided with the electronic watermark detection function. It is a flowchart of the reproduction | regeneration processing in PC in which the DVD reproduction program provided with the electronic watermark detection function was installed. It is a flowchart of the reproduction | regeneration processing in PC in which the DVD reproduction program provided with the electronic watermark detection function and the revocation function was installed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Content distribution apparatus 1a Digital watermark embedding part 1b Digital watermark generation part 1c DVD formatter 1d Playback control information generation part 1e Encryption part 1f Interface 1g Control circuit 2 Internet 3 User PC
3a Optical disk drive 3b Memory 3c CPU
3d interface 3e ATAP interface 3f digital watermark detection unit 3g graphic board 3h HDD
3i monitor

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described for each embodiment in order with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the content distribution system of the present invention. In FIG. 1, information content such as a movie is distributed from a content distribution device 1 owned by a content holder via the Internet 2 as a network and downloaded by a PC 3 as a user terminal. In this case, for example, the user specifies information content desired by the user by browsing a homepage on the Internet. Then, the specified information content is downloaded to its own PC 3 via the Internet 2.

  FIG. 2 shows the content distribution apparatus 1 as an information distribution apparatus more specifically. The content distribution device 1 includes an information generation device and a distribution unit. The information generation apparatus includes a digital watermark embedding unit 1a, a digital watermark generation unit 1b, a DVD formatter 1c, a reproduction control information generation unit 1d, a CSS encryption unit 1e, and a control circuit 1g, and a distribution unit includes an interface 1f and a control circuit 1g. Become. In this specification, “digital watermark” is appropriately described as “watermark” or “WM”.

  The digital watermark embedding unit 1a embeds identification information by digital watermark in the specified content data video data, audio data, and data associated therewith. The identification information includes a user ID for identifying a user who requests distribution of information content and a content ID for specifying information content. Based on the control of the control circuit 1g, the digital watermark generation unit 1b generates identification information including a content ID and a user ID as a digital watermark, and supplies the generated digital watermark to the digital watermark embedding unit 1a.

  In addition to the content ID and user ID, for example, a user name, a credit number, a recording device ID for identifying a recording device that records information content on a recording medium, or the like may be used as the identification information. Examples of the recording device ID include a serial number of the optical disc drive 3a and a serial number of firmware installed in the optical disc drive 3a.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of digital watermark information generated by the digital watermark generation unit 1b. In this example, the digital watermark information is configured with an information amount of 16 bytes, and 2 bytes are assigned to each of the content ID and the user ID. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which both the content ID and the user ID are embedded in the content data as digital watermarks, but the present invention is not limited to this, and only one of them may be embedded in the content data as a digital watermark.

  In the digital watermark of this embodiment, copyright information is also inserted with an information amount of 3 bytes, and examples of copyright information include author information and CCI (Copy Control Information).

  Based on the control of the control circuit 1g, the playback control information generating unit 1d generates playback control information (PGC) having a routine for requesting a predetermined password when playing back information content, and the generated playback control data is stored in the DVD formatter 1c. Send it out. The DVD formatter 1c receives the reproduction control data from the reproduction control information generation unit 1d, converts the content data embedded with the digital watermark according to the format of the DVD-Video standard, and outputs it.

  Further, the CSS encryption unit 1e encrypts at least a part of the formatted content data by the CSS method, generates information content including the encrypted content data and the reproduction control data, and generates an interface. Send to 1f.

  The control circuit 1g performs overall control of each unit until the information content is transmitted to the network via the interface 1f.

  FIG. 4 shows a recording structure compliant with the DVD format DVD-Video standard. The control information for requesting the password input is set by a pre-command in the PGC located in the lower layer of the VTS in FIG.

  The above is the configuration on the content distribution side in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 shows the specific configuration of the PC 3 of the user terminal on the content reception side.

  In FIG. 5, a PC 3 constitutes an information recording / reproducing apparatus by installing an information recording program and an information reproducing program, and an optical disk drive 3a, a memory 3b, a CPU 3c functioning as an encryption detection unit and a reproduction control unit, It includes an interface 3d, an ATAP interface 3e, a digital watermark detection unit 3f, a graphic board 3g, an HDD 3h, and a monitor 3i.

  Although the content distribution apparatus 1 embeds a digital watermark in the content data, instead, a digital watermark generation unit and a digital watermark embedding unit are provided on the PC 3 side so that the digital watermark is embedded in the content data. Good. For example, in response to an instruction from the CPU 3c, the digital watermark generation unit generates a digital watermark based on identification information that can generate a password used for reproducing information content, and performs a process of embedding the generated digital watermark in content data. Note that the digital watermark generation unit and the digital watermark embedding unit may be configured by hardware or software including an information recording program.

  On the other hand, the interface 3d shown in FIG. 5 receives the information content downloaded via the Internet under the control of the CPU 3c, and sends the received information content to the ATAP interface 3e through the bus.

  The optical disc drive 3a receives the information content via the ATAP interface 3e, and records the received information content on an optical disc (not shown) such as a DVD-R inserted in the optical disc drive 3a. The downloaded information content may be temporarily recorded on the HDD 3h instead of the optical disc drive 3a, and may be recorded on the optical disc from the HDD 3h.

  Next, a specific processing flow on the content distribution side and the content reception side will be described with reference to FIGS.

  6A is a diagram illustrating a process flow in the content distribution apparatus 1 on the content distribution side, and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a process flow in the PC 3 that is the user terminal.

  First, the processing flow of the content distribution apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The content distribution apparatus 1 confirms whether or not there is a content distribution request from the PC 3 that is the user terminal (step S1). If there is no content distribution request, that is, if “No” in step S1, the presence / absence of reception of a content ID from the PC 3 is subsequently confirmed (step S2). Although details will be described later, when information content that has been illegally copied is reproduced, the content ID and the user ID embedded in the content data as a digital watermark are transmitted from the user terminal to the content distribution apparatus 1. Is done.

  If no content ID is received, that is, if “No” in step S2, the process returns to step S1 again. When the content ID is received in step S2 (“Yes” in step S2), the content distribution apparatus 1 performs a process of adding the received content ID to the reproduction prohibition ID list (step S7). This reproduction prohibition ID list is recorded and held in a host server (not shown) on the content distribution apparatus 1 side, for example.

  Subsequently, when there is a content distribution request from the PC 3 in step S1 (“Yes” in step S1), the content distribution apparatus 1 performs a charging / settlement procedure with the user PC 3 which is a user terminal (step S3). During this billing / settlement procedure, the content distribution apparatus 1 recognizes the user ID and generates a content ID corresponding to the information content to be distributed.

  In step S4, the user ID recognized during the charging procedure and the generated content ID are transmitted as identification information to the digital watermark generation unit. The digital watermark generation unit generates digital watermark information to be embedded in the content data based on the identification information as described above, and embeds the generated digital watermark information in the content data distributed by the digital watermark embedding unit 1a.

  Subsequently, in step S5, reproduction control information (program chain PGC) using, for example, the last four digits of the user ID recognized during the charging procedure as a password is generated. A method for generating PGC related to password setting is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-132624.

  The content data in which the electronic watermark is embedded and the generated reproduction control data are input to the DVD formatter 1c, where they are converted and output according to the DVD format. The output content data is encrypted by the CSS encryption unit 1e according to the CSS method, and finally distributed as information content to the PC 3 via the Internet (step S6).

  Subsequently, the processing flow of the user PC 3 will be described with reference to FIG. When the information content desired by the user is specified, the user PC 3 makes a distribution request to the content distribution device 1 (distribution server) to download the specified information content (step S11). At this time, the user ID is transmitted to the content distribution apparatus 1 together with the distribution request. Usually, the user performs a contract process such as a membership procedure for content download in advance with the content holder, and a user ID is assigned at the time of this membership procedure.

  Subsequently, in step S12, a charging procedure for downloading the specified information content is performed with the content distribution apparatus 1. For example, electronic payment is performed by a predetermined method on a homepage of a content holder on the Internet. As a settlement method, electronic money or input of a credit number may be used.

  When the billing procedure is finished, the desired information content is downloaded from the content distribution apparatus 1 and recording on the optical disk is started (step S13). When the download of the information content is completed (step S14 “Yes”), the recording is stopped (step S15).

  Next, a flow when reproducing the distributed information content in the PC 3 will be described based on FIG. 5 and FIGS. 7 is a diagram showing a flow of reproduction processing in a general information reproduction apparatus not equipped with a digital watermark detection function, and FIG. 8 is a reproduction in a special information reproduction apparatus equipped with a so-called stand-alone digital watermark detection function. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow of processing, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow of reproduction processing in a special information reproducing apparatus having a digital watermark detection function and a function of connecting to a network.

  In addition, the information content used for explanation in this embodiment has a data structure composed of content data and reproduction control data. It is assumed that the user ID and the content ID are embedded as digital watermarks in the content data, and that the reproduction control data includes a PGC that requests password input during reproduction. Also, it is assumed that the last four digits of the user ID are set as the input password.

  First, an example in which information content recorded on an optical disc is reproduced by a conventional PC (not shown) that does not have a digital watermark detection function will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the user tries to reproduce the information content, the process starts when the user gives a reproduction instruction. If the information content is recorded on a DVD or the like, a playback instruction may be automatically issued when the DVD is inserted into the information playback device.

  When the information content reproduction process is started based on the reproduction instruction, a password input is requested based on the PGC included in the reproduction control data (step S21). At this time, the user inputs the password using an input means such as a keyboard connected to the PC. In this case, the password is the last four digits of the user ID as described above, and the user inputs the last four digits of the user ID while referring to a memo or the like.

  Next, it is checked whether the input password is correct (step S22). If the correct password is not input here (“No” in step S22), the process returns to step S21 again to ask for the password. At this time, the number of times of returning to step S21 may be limited. For example, if the correct password is not input three times, the process may be controlled to stop.

  When the correct password is input in step S22, reproduction of the information content is started (step S23).

  Next, a reproduction process in the PC 3 (information reproduction apparatus) in which a DVD reproduction program having a digital watermark detection function is installed will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when the user inputs a reproduction instruction on his / her PC, the information content reproduction process starts.

  When the reproduction process is started, the CPU 3c first controls the digital watermark detection unit 3f to check whether or not the content data to be reproduced has a digital watermark (step S31).

  If the digital watermark is not detected, that is, if “No” in step S31, a flag indicating whether or not the digital watermark has been detected is subsequently checked (step S35), and the flag is not “1”. Therefore, a password input is requested (step S36), whether the input password is correct is checked (step S37), and if the correct password (the last 4 digits of the user ID in this case) is input, the information content Is started (step S38). As a password input method by the user, it is conceivable to input the last four digits of the user ID using a keyboard or the like (not shown).

  On the other hand, if “Yes” in step S31, that is, if a digital watermark has been detected, the last four digits of the user ID, which is the content of the detected digital watermark, is stored in the password register section provided in the memory 3b ( Step S32). Subsequently, a flag WM_FLG indicating that the digital watermark has been detected is set (step S33).

  Subsequently, in step S34, it is checked whether or not the content data to be reproduced is encrypted. That is, it is confirmed whether the content data to be reproduced is encrypted by the CSS method, and if encryption is detected, the process proceeds to step S35.

  On the other hand, if encryption is not detected in step S34, that is, if the content data has not been encrypted, reproduction of the information content is stopped. This is because such information contents are likely to have been illegally decrypted by DeCSS or the like and copied to an information recording medium.

  Next, after encryption is detected in step S34, the process proceeds to step S35, and the CPU 3c refers to the memory 3b to check a flag indicating whether or not a digital watermark has been detected. As described above, since a digital watermark is detected, the flag is “WM_FLG = 1”. Therefore, the CPU 3c refers to the password (the last four digits of the user ID) stored in the password register unit, and completes the password input process using the password held in the register as the automatically input password.

  After the password input process is automatically performed, it is checked whether the input password is a correct password (step S37). In this case, the password input process is unlikely to be wrong because the last four digits of the user ID detected by the digital watermark are mechanically processed.

  Then, after finishing the password check, the reproduction of the information content is started (step S38). This eliminates the need for the user to input the password one by one using the keyboard, improving the convenience related to content reproduction.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a description will be given of a reproduction process in the PC 3 (information reproduction apparatus) in which a DVD reproduction program having a digital watermark detection function and a revocation function is installed.

  First, when the user inputs a reproduction instruction on his / her PC, the information content reproduction process starts.

  When the reproduction process starts, first, the CPU 3c controls the digital watermark detection unit 3f to check whether or not the reproduced content data has a digital watermark (step S41).

  If the digital watermark is not detected, that is, if “No” in step S41, a flag indicating whether or not the digital watermark has been detected is subsequently checked (step S46), and the flag is not “1”. Therefore, a password input is requested (step S47), whether the input password is correct is checked (step S48), and if the correct password (the last 4 digits of the user ID in this case) is input, the information content is directly Is started (step S49). As a password input method by the user, it is conceivable to input the last four digits of the user ID using a keyboard or the like (not shown).

  On the other hand, if “Yes” in step S41, that is, if a digital watermark is detected, the last four digits of the user ID, which is the content of the detected digital watermark, are stored in the password register section of the memory 3b (step S42). . Subsequently, a flag indicating that the digital watermark has been detected is set (step S43).

  Next, in step S44, it is confirmed via the network whether or not the information embedded by the digital watermark is in a reproduction prohibition list (Revocation List) managed by a management center such as the content distribution apparatus 1. This “reproduction prohibition list (Revocation List)” is blacklist-like information, in which the content ID embedded in illegally copied content data and the user ID that downloaded the information content are described. Yes. When the illegally copied information content is reproduced, the content ID and user ID are transmitted to the management center, and the reproduction prohibition list is sequentially updated accordingly.

  In step S44, if the identification information embedded as digital watermark in the content data to be reproduced is registered in the reproduction prohibition list, the embedded identification information is transmitted to the content distribution apparatus 1 (step S50). . Thereby, it is possible to grasp how many times the illegally copied information content has been reproduced. The management center may be a third party organization established by a number of content distributors in addition to the content distribution apparatus 1 operated by the content distributor. Further, if the information reproducing apparatus is equipped with P2P technology, in addition to transmitting the identification information to the management center as described above, this identification information is transmitted to other information reproducing apparatuses, and a reproduction prohibition list is established between the information reproducing apparatuses. Step S44 may be confirmed using a reproduction prohibition list that is shared and stored in the reproduction apparatus.

  On the other hand, if the identification information embedded as a digital watermark is not registered in the reproduction prohibition list, it is checked whether or not the content data to be reproduced is encrypted (step S45). That is, it is confirmed whether or not the content data to be reproduced is encrypted by the CSS method. If encryption is detected, the process proceeds to step S46.

  On the other hand, if encryption is not detected in step S45, identification information detected as a digital watermark is transmitted to the management center as in step S44, Yes (step S50). This is because such information content is likely to have been illegally decrypted and copied to an information recording medium, so that identification information regarding the information content is notified to the outside in order to prohibit future reproduction. This is because it is preferable.

  In this embodiment, the reproduction prohibition list is created using both the content ID and the user ID, but the reproduction prohibition list may be created using only one of them.

  Next, after detecting encryption in step S45, the CPU 3c refers to a memory (not shown) to check a flag indicating whether or not a digital watermark has been detected (step S46). As described above, since the digital watermark is detected, the flag is “WM_FLG = 1”.

  When the flag is “WM_FLG = 1”, the CPU 3c refers to the password stored in the password register (the last four digits of the user ID), and automatically uses the password held in the register as the password. Complete the input process.

  After the password input process is automatically performed, it is checked whether the input password is a correct password (step S48). In this case, the password input process is unlikely to be wrong because the last four digits of the user ID detected by the digital watermark are mechanically processed.

  Then, after finishing the password check, the reproduction of the information content is started (step S49). This eliminates the need for the user to input the password one by one using the keyboard, and improves the convenience of reproducing information content.

  The information reproduction program and information recording program installed in the HDD 3h of the PC 3 and the firmware installed in the optical disc drive 3a may be updated by downloading the latest version sequentially from the management center or the like. At the time of this update, the management center checks whether the user ID of the user who intends to download is registered in the reproduction prohibition list, and if it is registered, prohibits the download of the recording / reproduction program or firmware. May be.

  According to the present embodiment, the information recording / reproducing apparatus is configured by the PC 3, but a stand-alone home DVD player or recorder may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the information content is transmitted from the information distribution apparatus via the network. However, the present invention is not limited to this electronic distribution mode. For example, on the information content distribution side, the information content in which the identification information is embedded as a digital watermark is recorded on a recording master, and a read-only information recording medium is mass-produced using a stamper or the like. It may be distributed free of charge.

  When the information reproducing apparatus is connected to the network, the WM is checked in the same manner as in the above embodiment, the revocation list data already obtained via the network is checked, and the identification information embedded in the WM If it is in the revocation list, reproduction as illegal copy content may not be permitted. If illegal copy content is detected, identification information is sent to a management center connected to the network or another information reproducing apparatus to prevent the spread of illegal copy content. At this time, if Peer to Peer technology is introduced, not only the server but also the illegal copy list can be directly transmitted / received between the connected devices.

  In addition, the network player using a PC consists of a resident part and a non-resident part. Even if the playback function does not work in the resident part, illegal copying is monitored, and if found, if it is connected to the network When not connected immediately, it is desirable to provide information to a network player connected to a predetermined place or network when connected next time.

As described above, in this embodiment, the reproduction control flow is different between the information reproducing apparatus including the digital watermark detector and the information reproducing apparatus not including the digital watermark detector. In a conventional information reproducing apparatus that does not include a digital watermark detector, a user needs to input a password when reproducing information content. On the other hand, in the information reproducing apparatus having the digital watermark detection function as in this embodiment, it is not necessary for the user to input a password when reproducing the information content. Therefore, the user can reduce password input work. In addition, reproduction of information recording media on which illegal duplication has been performed can be restricted, and the copyright holder can be protected.
The embodiment described above is the best mode for carrying out the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the technical idea or the gist of the present invention. Needless to say.

  An information distribution apparatus, an information recording medium, and an information reproduction apparatus according to the present invention are a content distribution apparatus that distributes information content such as a movie, an information recording medium that records information content, and an information reproduction that reproduces the information recording medium. Available to the device. Further, for example, the present invention can be used for an information distribution apparatus and an information reproduction apparatus that are mounted on or connectable to various computer equipment for consumer use or business use.

Claims (12)

A digital watermark embedding unit that embeds identification information in content data by digital watermark;
A reproduction control information generating unit that has a routine for requesting input of a password that can be generated from the identification information and generates reproduction control data for performing reproduction control of the content data;
An encryption unit for encrypting at least part of the content data in which the identification information is embedded;
An information generation apparatus comprising: means for generating information content including the encrypted content data and the reproduction control data.   The identification information is a user ID for identifying a user who requests distribution of the information content, a content ID for specifying the information content, or a recording device for recording the information content on a recording medium. The information generation apparatus according to claim 1, comprising at least one of recording apparatus IDs.   3. The information generation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the identification information is the user ID, and the password includes at least a part of the user ID. An information generating device according to claim 1;
A distribution unit that distributes the information content. Content data in which identification information is embedded by digital watermark;
A data structure comprising: a routine for requesting input of a password that can be generated from the identification information; and reproduction control data for performing reproduction control of the content data.   An information recording medium on which information content having the data structure according to claim 5 is recorded. An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing the information recording medium according to claim 6,
A digital watermark detection unit for detecting whether or not the digital watermark is embedded in the content data;
An encryption detector for detecting whether at least a part of the content data is encrypted;
A reproduction control unit for prohibiting reproduction of the information content when the content data is not encrypted despite the detection of the digital watermark;
An information reproducing apparatus comprising:   8. The transmitter according to claim 7, further comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the identification information to an external device when the content data is not encrypted even though the digital watermark is detected. Information playback device.   The reproduction control unit prohibits reproduction of the information content when the identification information embedded by the digital watermark is included in a reproduction prohibition list generated by the external device based on the transmitted identification information. 8. An information reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein An information reproduction program for reproducing the information recording medium according to claim 6,
Detecting whether the digital watermark is embedded in the content data;
Detecting whether at least a part of the content data is encrypted;
An information reproduction program for controlling a computer to prohibit reproduction of the information content when the content data is not encrypted even though the digital watermark is detected. An information recording device for recording information content on a recording medium,
The information content includes content data and a reproduction control data that includes a routine for requesting input of a password and performs reproduction control of the content data, and at least a part of the content data is encrypted,
The information recording device includes:
An information recording apparatus comprising: a digital watermark generation unit that generates identification information that can generate the password as a digital watermark; and a digital watermark embedding unit that embeds the generated digital watermark in the content data. An information recording program for recording information content on a recording medium,
The information content includes content data and a reproduction control data that includes a routine for requesting input of a password and performs reproduction control of the content data, and at least a part of the content data is encrypted,
The information recording program includes:
Generating identification information capable of generating the password as a digital watermark;
An information recording program for controlling a computer to embed the generated digital watermark in the content data.

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