KR20020003541A - Digital data transmitting method and apparatus, digital data reproducing method and apparatus, digital data copying method and apparatus, data recorded medium, and digital data storing/reproducing method - Google Patents

Abstract

The content in the content server is distributed to the user device. Stores, wired networks, cellular telephone networks, or satellite networks are used as distribution means. The content is encrypted and encrypted. Additional information is also conveyed, including information such as the presence or absence of the charge and the conditions of charge. The user device decrypts the password, decompresses the compressed code, and plays the content. The charging process is performed at the time of reproduction. The distribution of content is free and its playback is paid. The billing process is performed using prepaid data. Prepaid data is represented by the number of times that can be played and the time that can be played. In paid playback, the user device is authenticated by the authentication / billing server and a key for decryption is delivered.

Description

Digital data transmitting method and apparatus, digital data reproducing method and apparatus, digital data copying method and apparatus, data recording medium and digital data storage and reproducing method {Digital data transmitting method and apparatus, digital data reproducing method and apparatus, digital data copying method and apparatus, data recorded medium, and digital data storing / reproducing method}

In CD, DVD, etc., various copy protection techniques for copy protection have been proposed and actually used for copyright protection. For example, SCMS (Serial Copy Management System) allows copying of a first generation to be executed from a CD to a recordable optical disc, but copying of a second generation to another medium from the recordable optical disc is prohibited. Radiation limiting systems are also known which limit the copying of any occurrence.

In recent years, with the rapid development of networks such as the Internet, music contents are distributed over the network. In such a situation, electronic music distribution (EMD), satellite broadcasting, etc., using a network such as the Internet, were started, and a method of copyright management was also proposed at the EMD. In the EMD, the user can obtain music contents by charging. Further, in the EMD, the above-described techniques such as SCMS, copy generation restriction, and the like are used to prevent illegal copying.

As described above, the conventional copyright protection method is a method of restricting copying and protecting the rights of copyright holders by using copy protection technology, so that the technology is hindered when music contents are widely distributed in a short time. For example, there is an evaluation system that is one of the conventional copyright protection systems. This system has been applied in digital audio taperecorder (DAT) and mini disc (MD) as recordable optical discs. The user of the Greek digital recording device pays the compensation fee added to the product price. Networks have been developed these days, so in most cases the hardware (players, media) and content do not correspond one-to-one. This is because the content distributed over the network is received and played by the PC. This evaluation system is inappropriate for copyright protection.

For example, when a large number of pieces of music are recorded in a medium such as a CD, there is a case where the user wants to listen to only one or a few of the music specified, or the user wants to purchase the whole medium. . In addition, the advertising and circulation of music contents is hampered by copy protection technology. If the music content is distributed free of charge, the advertising and circulation of the music contents can be performed in a short time and the cost for the advertising and circulation can also be reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention made in view of the above disadvantages is to provide a digital data transmission method and apparatus, a digital data reproduction method and apparatus, a digital data copy method and apparatus, a data recording medium, and a method of storing and reproducing digital data. In the present invention, the contents are easily and quickly distributed and the copyright holder can be legally rewarded.

The present invention relates to, for example, a digital data transmission method and apparatus applied to music distribution, a digital data reproduction method and apparatus, a digital data copy method and apparatus, a data recording medium, and a method of storing and reproducing digital data.

1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an entire system of a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of prepaid data in a first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram of an example of a player of a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a data form of side information of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of charging processing in the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the charging process of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of charging processing for copying in the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data form of the side information of the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the charging process of the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the above example of the charging process in the second embodiment of the present invention.

In order to solve the above problem, according to the invention of claim 1, a digital data transmission method is provided. The method includes freely distributing the compressed coded and / or encrypted digital data and performing a charging process when the freely distributed digital data is decrypted.

According to the invention of claim 23, further comprising: digital data distribution means for distributing compression-encoded and / or encrypted digital data for free, and digital data decryption means for decrypting the digital data distributed for free and performing billing processing. A digital data transmission device is provided.

According to the invention of claim 23, there is provided a digital data reproduction method for reproducing compressed coded and / or encrypted digital data for free of distribution.

The method includes performing charging processing when the digital data is decrypted.

According to the invention of claim 25, there is provided a digital data reproducing apparatus for reproducing compressed coded and / or encrypted digital data for free of distribution.

The apparatus includes a charging processing unit which performs charging processing when the digital data is decrypted.

According to the invention of claim 26, there is provided a data recording medium on which the first digital data for distribution is free and the second digital data for reproduction is paid and the reproduction is free.

According to the invention of claim 27, there is provided a digital data reproduction method for reproducing compressed coded and / or encrypted digital data.

The reproducing method includes a step of determining whether or not the digital data is digital data for which charging is performed as a precondition, and if the digital data for which billing is performed as a precondition is decoded, the billing process is performed and the billing is a precondition. In the case of reproducing the digital data that is not performed, the charging process is performed.

According to the invention of claim 43, there is provided a digital data reproducing apparatus for reproducing compressed coded and / or encrypted digital data.

The playback device,

A charging processing unit which performs charging processing when the digital data is decrypted;

Discriminating whether or not the digital data is digital data for which charging is performed as a precondition, and if the digital data for which billing is performed as a precondition is decoded, the digital processing is performed and the digital is not performed as a precondition. And a controller for controlling the charging processing unit so as not to perform the charging processing when reproducing data.

According to the invention of claim 44, there is provided a digital data copying method for copying compressed coded and / or encrypted digital data.

The copy method,

A discriminating step of determining whether the digital data is digital data for which charging is performed as a precondition, and if the digital data for which billing is performed as a precondition is decoded, the billing process is performed and the billing is not performed as a precondition. In the case of copying digital data, the billing processing is performed.

According to the invention of claim 45, there is provided a digital data copying device for reproducing compressed coded and / or encrypted digital data.

The copying device,

A charging processing unit which performs charging processing when the digital data is decrypted;

Discriminating whether or not the digital data is digital data for which charging is performed as a precondition, and if the digital data for which billing is performed as a precondition is decoded, the digital processing is performed and the digital is not performed as a precondition. And a controller for controlling the charging processing unit so as not to perform the charging processing when reproducing data.

According to the invention of claim 46, there is provided a data recording medium on which compressed coded and / or encrypted digital data is recorded and which can be read by a computer or a digital data reproducing apparatus.

In the recording medium, additional information about the digital data is recorded and an identifier indicating whether or not the digital data is digital data for which charging is performed as a precondition is included in the additional information.

According to the invention of claim 47, a retrieval step of retrieving distributed, compression-encoded and / or encrypted digital data without carrying out a billing process, and a billing process for performing the billing process when reproducing the recovered digital data; And a reproducing step of reproducing the recovered digital data.

According to the invention of claim 61, there is provided a method of storing and reproducing digital data. The method includes a recovery step of recovering distributed, compression-encoded and / or encrypted digital data without performing charging processing, and whether the digital data is data that requires charging processing when the recovered digital data is reproduced. A determination step of determining whether or not

When it is determined that the digital data is digital data that requires charging processing, the digital data processing includes a charging processing step of performing the charging processing, and a reproduction step of subsequently reproducing the digital data.

According to the invention of claim 75, a reading step of reading compression-encoded and / or encrypted digital data without performing charging processing, and a charging processing step of performing the charging processing when the read digital data is reproduced. And thereafter, a reproducing step of reproducing the recovered digital data.

According to the invention of claim 88, a reading step of reading compressed and / or encrypted digital data without performing billing processing, and whether or not the digital data is data that requires billing processing when the read digital data is reproduced; A determination step of determining

When it is determined that the digital data is digital data that requires charging processing, there is provided a method of reproducing digital data comprising a charging processing step of performing the charging processing and a reproducing step of subsequently reproducing the digital data.

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. An overview of the content distribution system will first be described with reference to FIG. 1. In Fig. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a content supply provider and 102 denotes a content server. The content supply provider 101 produces and distributes the content. The record company is one of the content supply providers 101. The content supply provider 101 also performs watermark embedding, compression encoding and encryption on the content. The content produced by the content supply provider 101 is accumulated in the content server 102.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a copyright management mechanism. For example, JASARC (Japanese Society Rights of Authors and Composers) is a specific example of copyright management agency 103. The content supply provider 101 registers a right in the copyright management organization 103 and receives a royalty fee from the copyright management organization 103.

Reference numeral 104 denotes a user device having a reproduction function of content data. The user device 104 plays the distributed content. That is, it decrypts the encryption performed on the distributed data and decrypts the compression encoding. Thus, the content is played. A content distribution provider exists between the content server 102 and the user device 104 as needed and distributes the content in the content server 102 to the user. Several means are considered as the means of dispensing used by the dispensing provider. One of them is the distribution method through the store 105. For example, a medium on which content is recorded is distributed as a supplement of a magazine. The user buys the magazine. Thus the content is obtained. In addition, there is a method of using a wired network 106 such as the Internet or CATV as a distribution means of the content. In addition, cellular telephone network 107 and satellite network 107 such as satellite broadcasting, satellite communication, etc. may be used as the content distribution means. As described above, in the case of distributing data containing contents using the wired network 106, the telephone network 107, and the satellite network 108, the user may use the device such as a PC to distribute the data including the contents. Play the content.

In the present invention, the use of the distribution means for distributing the paid content as the above-mentioned content distribution means is not prevented. In the case of a medium such as a CD, the royalty for the recorded pieces of music is included in the price of the CD. It is possible to record content free of charge and to decipher (reproduce) music in a different area from the area on the CD where the paid content is recorded.

In FIG. 1, the optical disc 121 is shown as one of the media distributed by the store 105. An area 122 on the inner circumferential side of the optical disc 121 has an identical format to that of a conventional CD, and is an area in which music is freely reproduced and freely distributed. The area 123 on the outer circumferential side of the optical disc 121 is an area to which contents to which the present invention is applied, i.e., content free of charge and paid for reproduction, for example, music data. Since the content recorded in the area 123, that is, the music data is compressed and coded, even if the area 123 is narrow, the music data of the necessary section can be recorded.

As a medium other than the above-described optical disc 121, a memory card using a semiconductor memory and an IC card can be recorded in an area in which content for which distribution is paid and for which reproduction is free and content for which distribution is free and where reproduction is charged can be distinguished. If possible, it can be used as a memory medium. As described above, the content data itself, which is free of charge and paid for reproduction, can also be distributed through a service for distributing music content using satellite TV broadcasting without using a medium.

As described above, the user device 104 can receive the content free of charge using the content distribution service or via the optical disc 121. When the content is redistributed, the identifiers unique to the device and the playback device serving as the transmission source are redistributed with the content, so that the distribution history of the content and the playback / decryption of the content are shown in the billing / settlement center described later. When the content is redistributed, an identifier indicating in which medium the content is stored may be distributed with the content. "Free" means that it is free of royalty, not including actual costs such as communication charges, electricity bills, etc. When the content received by the user device 104 is reproduced, i.e., when the encryption of data containing the content is decrypted, the charging process is executed. The prepaid data 109 is used for billing processing. The prepaid data 109 is stored in a memory in the prepaid card or the source decoder. For the prepaid data 109, the data stored in the memory in the prepaid card or the source decoder can be re-entered by the biller under the management of the prepaid data management company. The prepaid data 109 is, for example, the number of times the content can be played. Each time the user device 104 reproduces the content to be charged, the number of times that can be played back is subtracted.

The billing / settlement 110 is present for cost settlement in cooperation with the content supply provider 101, copyright management organization 103 and user device 104. Billing / settlement 110 has an authentication / billing server (111). The billing / settlement center 110 may be a bank, a credit card company, or the like. In fact, the host computer in the bank or credit card company automatically performs the following steps.

When the user device 104 wants to play the received content, the user device 104 requests the authentication / cracking server 111 to authenticate the user device (illustrated by the path of A1). If it is determined by the authentication / cracking server 111 that the user device 104 is legitimate and the authentication is satisfied, the authentication / cracking server 111 requests the user device 104 to charge (path A2). The user device 104 performs cost settlement with the authentication / dump server 111 (path A3).

As shown by path A4, the billing / purging station 110 communicates the fact that the fee has been charged to the authentication / dump server 111 and is performed on the data containing the content data to the content server 102. Instruct to pass the key data for decryption (path A5). The content server 102 forwards the key data for decrypting the encryption to the authentication / cracking server 111 (path A6). The authentication / cracking server 111 transfers the key data received from the content server 102 to the user device 104 (path A7). Based on the passed key data, the user device 104 can decrypt the data containing the content and play back the data containing the content. When decryption is completed, it is determined that the content has been played. The number of prepaid data 109 is reduced by "1", for example. When the number of times reaches "0", the user device 109 cannot decrypt the data containing the content. In other words, data including content cannot be reproduced.

2 is an example of a management system for prepaid data 109. The player 201 is shown as a device corresponding to the user 104. The player 201 has a secure decoder 202 therein. The player 201 is a portable audio recording and reproducing apparatus. In FIG. 2, music data is recorded in a medium (optical disk, memory card, etc.) reproduced by the player 201 as data containing content, as shown by broken lines. As shown in Fig. 1, several base methods for distributing music data may be used.

The secure decoder 202 and the prepaid data biller 204 communicate so that the prepaid data is passed from the prepaid data biller 204 to a memory in the secure decoder 202. For example, the prepaid data corresponds to the number of reproducible number information of the player 201. That is, it corresponds to the so-called reproducible number of times or reproducible time. The history information (play log: log) of the player 201 is transferred from the player 201 to the prepaid data billing machine 204. The play log includes information such as the type of music content listened to, the number of plays, the play time, and the like. For example, the play log is stored in a memory for storing the play log in the security decoder 202 or in a memory within the control unit of the player 201.

The prepaid data is transferred from the prepaid data management company 205 or from the prepaid data vending machine 206 to the prepaid data billing machine 204 corresponding to the amount of cash paid by the user. For example, if a user has a contract with a prepaid management company, that is, a contract to purchase prepaid data corresponding to the number of times of reproduction or a renewable time corresponding to ¥ 3000 per day, Prepaid data equivalent to 3000 is passed to the billing machine 204. The replay log derived from the regenerator 201 to the prepaid billing machine 204 is transmitted to the prepaid data management company 205 or the prepaid data vending machine 206. The prepaid data selling machine 206 receives the prepaid data from the prepaid data management company 205 and transmits the reproduction log to the prepaid data management company 205. In addition, the prepaid data selling machine 206 pays the prepaid data management company 205 the cost of the prepaid data obtained from the management company 205.

The prepaid data and reproduction log are transmitted and received between the prepaid data management company 205 and the prepaid data vending machine 206 via, for example, a telephone line 207. In addition, for prepaid data, there is a billing / settlement center 208 such as a bank or credit card company. The billing / payment center 208 withdraws the amount of money corresponding to the prepaid data entered into the security decoder 202 from the user's pre-registered bank account based on a request from the prepaid data management company 205. To this end, the amount of prepaid data entered into the security decoder 202 is a predetermined amount based on the contract between the prepaid data management company 205 and the user or through the prepaid billing machine 204 as described above. The amount of data requested by the user to the prepaid data management company 205 is the same.

In addition, the prepaid data management company 205 is delegated the management of services related to prepaid data from the content supply provider 101. The prepaid data management company 205 provides the content provider 101 with a description of the prepaid data and pays for the music for the music. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the content supply provider 101 registers copyright in the copyright management organization 103, thereby requesting copyright management from the copyright management organization 103 and receiving a royalty.

3 shows the overall structure of a player 201 having a secure decoder 202. Security decoder 202 as shown by the broken line; It consists of a single chip IC. The security decoder 202 has a structure called tamper resistant construction. That is, the security decoder 202 has a structure in which the contents in the security decoder 202 are found from the outside and are not forged.

Music data is recorded on the medium 1 as data encoded by compression, encryption, and contents. In addition, the data written for reproducing charging processing is additionally stored on the medium 1 in music data that is compression-encoded and encrypted. In the following description, music data that is compression encoded and encrypted is called content data, and data for reproduction billing processing is called ancillary data. In the present invention described next, it is not always necessary to perform both compression encoding and encryption. In the case of performing only compressed encryption, the copyright protection purpose can be executed while the decryption method is disclosed.

As the medium 1 used in the present invention, a memory card, a recordable optical disc, a read-only optical disc, or the like can be used. If the medium 1 is a recordable medium such as a memory card or a recordable optical disc as described above, data distributed through a room such as satellite broadcasting, a network using a cellular telephone, the Internet, or the like can be downloaded. The content data and the auxiliary data recorded on the recording medium 10 are supplied to the security decoder 202 via the interface 2. The analog audio signal is output from the security decoder 202. The analog audio signal is an amplifier or the like. The sound is converted into audible sound by the speakers supplied for the player 201 through headphones or the like connected to the player 201 and reproduced.

The security code 202 has a decoder 11 for decrypting encryption, a decompressor 12 and a D / A converter 13 corresponding to compression encoding. As a code used for encrypting content data, DES (Data Encryption Standard) can be used. DES is a block encryption method that divides a plain sentence into blocks and performs encryption conversion every block. DES uses 64-bit keys (56-bit and 8-bit keys) to perform encryption conversion on 64-bit input and output 64-bits. When performing encryption of content data, an encryption code other than DES is used. Can also be used. For example, although DES is a common key system that uses the same key data for encryption and decryption, RSA encryption can also be used as an example of public key encryption using other key data for encryption and decryption. As described above, the key data is transferred from the content server 102 to the user device 104 whose authentication is satisfied. That is, such a fact is accurately recognized through the authentication / billing server 111.

The security decoder 202 includes a control unit 14 including a CPU, a CPU interface 15 for performing communication between the control unit 14 and an external CPU, a memory unit 16, a communication unit 17, and a prepaid billing machine. And an antenna 18 for receiving prepaid data from 204 and delivering the replay log to the prepaid billing machine. The control unit 14 receives the subsidiary data separated at the decryption front end in the decoder 11 and controls respective parts such as the decoder 11, the decompressor 12, etc. to decode and decompress the subsidiary data and the content data. Will be performed.

The communication unit 17 and the antenna 18 perform communication in a contactless manner between the player 201 and the prepaid data charger 204. Data communication between the player 201 and the billing machine 204 is performed using an encrypted protocol. Data communication between the player 201 and the billing machine 204 is not limited to the transmission and reception of data. Since the player 201 can receive power from the billing machine 204, even if the player 201 is turned off, the reception of the prepaid data and the transmission of the playback log are performed between the player 201 and the billing machine 204. It can be performed in. The prepaid data received from the billing machine 204 is stored in the memory section 16. In addition, the reproduction log of the player 201 is stored in the memory unit 16. The memory unit 16 is a non-volatile memory in which stored contents are stored even when the player 201 is turned off.

The copy output of the accessory data and the content data may be output from the decoder 11 to the outside of the security decoder 202. The control unit 14 controls whether the copy output of the attached data and the content data is output to the outside. In addition, the decoder 11 and the decompressor 12 have functions in which the decoding process and the decompression process are not executed based on the instructions from the control of the control unit 140. The decoder 11 and the decompressor ( Since the execution of the decoding process and the decompression process is stopped by 12), the unencrypted audio data and the unencoded audio data can be reproduced by the player 201, for example, the linear PCM.

The system controller 21 is provided for controlling the overall operation of the player 201. The system controller 21 is composed of a CPU and controls the operation of the security decoder 202 by communicating with the control unit 14 in the security decoder 202. The operation unit 22, the display unit 23, the memory unit 24, and the modem 25 are connected to the system controller 21 via a bus. In addition, the system controller 21 controls the reproducing operation of the medium 1 and the operation of the medium interface 2.

The operation unit 22 corresponds to switches and keys operated by the user and generates commands for controlling the operation of the player 201. The table section 23 is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal device, and is used to display a menu and to display an operation mode of the player 201 in order to control the operation of the player 201. The memory section 24 is an external memory provided because the memory capacity in the system controller 21 is small. The modem 25 is connected to the aerial and is used for data communication with the outside. For example, by transferring the reproduction log in the memory portion 16 of the security decoder 202 to the memory portion 24, the remaining number of reproducible times or the remaining reproducible time can be displayed on the display portion 23. The replay log can also be delivered via modem 25. In addition, prepaid data may also be received via modem 25.

The user operates the operation unit 22 to instruct reproduction of desired content data in the medium 1. When the content data designated by the user is free data for reproduction, even if the content data read from the medium 1 is converted into an analog signal by the security decoder 202 and outputted, the prepaid stored in the memory unit 16 The data does not change. If the content data designated and reproduced by the user is the object of reproduction charging, the prepaid data in the memory unit 16 is changed. For example, in this case, the prepaid data is reduced by "1" or subtracted in accordance with the reproduction time of the content data.

Various forms of charging processing performed when reproducing content data as a charging target are possible. The billing process can be mainly classified into, for example, a purchase type, a type of monitoring fee by gross, and a degree type of charging rate each time encryption is decrypted by the security decoder. The purchase form is a form that does not become expensive when content data is reproduced after content data is purchased. The gross type of monitoring fee is a one-month contract in which the monitoring fee by reproducing the content data can be paid collectively, that is, the monitoring period and the monitoring time are limited.

In addition, several forms are possible as retrieval forms that charge a monitoring fee each time encryption is decrypted by a secure decoder. According to the first aspect, as described above, each time the reproduction process of the content is executed, the amount of memory or the number of times is deducted from a predetermined amount (prepaid card, electronic money) or the number of times. In this case, if the difference or the remaining number of prepaid data is insufficient, the content data cannot be reproduced. According to the second aspect, the amount or number of money is added each time the reproduction process of the content data is executed. In this case, a fee corresponding to the accumulated amount of money or the accumulated number of times is paid later on a monthly basis. When the amount of accumulated money or the accumulated number of times reaches the amount or number of money set in advance based on the contract with the prepaid data management company 205, the content data cannot be reproduced. According to the third aspect, the number of prepaid data or the amount of money is added or subtracted in accordance with the reproduction time of the content data. In this case, similarly to the case described above in the second aspect, the user paying the fee to the management company 205 is not limited to prepayment but can also be paid postpay.

The amount or number of money of the prepaid data to be added or deducted can be set constantly at the time of reproduction of any content data and can be weighted according to the content data to be reproduced. The charging process is performed in correspondence with one title (in music view, one piece of music) or multiple titles (in music view, album) of the content.

As one method of defining the reproduction process of the content, when the entire content data has been reproduced, the content can be defined to be reproduced. If the reproduction time of the content data is longer or equal to the predetermined time, the contents are also defined to be reproduced. In addition, playback of promotional content that promotes expansion and distribution is not charged. Even in the case of the content to be charged, for example, reproduction of the head portion of the content, for example, 10 seconds from the head can be set free, or only reproduction of the highlight portion of the content becomes free. Therefore, the convenience of the content portion is provided to the user. As described above, in the case where there is a mixture of content that is paid for and content that is free to play, paid / free is associated with the content data and is determined by the incidental data stored in the medium 1.

4 shows an example of a data structure of incidental data. Incidental data is data added before the content data to be distributed. (Compression-coded and encrypted content data, for example, audio data) Subordinate data is encrypted as necessary. Incidental data is added before the content data and recorded on a recordable medium or in an area for data management on the medium 1. In the case of a read-only medium, additional data is recorded in the data management area. In the case of an optical disc, in general, since the management area is provided in one area on the innermost circumferential side of the disc, the additional data is recorded in this management area. In the case of a memory card, for example, since file management data in which one piece of music data is processed as one file is specified, the accompanying data is stored in a memory area in which the file management data is stored.

As shown in Fig. 4, a fixed value (fixed code) 301 is located in the head portion of the accompanying data. The fixed value 301 becomes a 1 byte fixed code, for example, "01010101". The fixed value 301 indicates that subsequent data becomes incidental data. The data following the fixed value 301 will be described in order.

The additional data relating to the fee is composed of a one-byte billing identifier (302: hereinafter referred to as an ID), a one-byte billing form 303, and a thirty-two byte high-value condition 304. The billing ID 302 indicates whether the content is paid or free. The billing form 303 is a purchase form as described above. Information for determining the gross type, the number of times, and the like. The charging condition 304 is data representing information of the charging condition in each charging type.

For example, in the case of the purchase form described above, the purchase price data of the content data is arranged (or recorded) as the charging condition 304. In the case of limiting the number of times of reproduction of the content data in the form of growth described above, the data of the number of times that the content data can be reproduced is memorized as the charging condition 304. In the case of limiting the reproduction period of the above-described growth type, data of the reproduction period (day, week, month, etc.) is recorded as the charging condition 304. In the case of the number of times described above, the number of times data (1 yen / 2 minutes, 1 yen / 1 minute, 1 yen / 30 seconds, ...) is recorded as the charging condition 304. In addition, even in the case of content data that is charged as a prerequisite, the conditions when the data is monitored for free can also be recorded as the charging condition 304.

The CODEC form 305 is written after the charging condition 304. The CODEC form 305 is composed of one byte and is used to indicate a form of compression encoding of content data. As a method for compression coding, MPEG-2 AAC (Advanced Audio coding), MP3 (MPEG1 Audio layer III), ATRAC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding), ATRAC3 and the like. ATRAC3 is obtained by improving ATRAC used in the above-mentioned MD. And to realize a higher compression ratio.

In addition to the CODEC form 305, the software of the CODEC may be delivered as incidental data. The software of the CODEC is used to decompress the content data by the PC or loaded into the DSP in the player 201 and used to decompress the content data by the software.

Channel 306 is written after the CODEC 305 form. Channel 306 is data that identifies the number of audio channels. The number of audio channels, such as monaural, stereophonic, 5.1 channels, etc. of the content data, is identified by channel 306. The bit rate 307 of one byte is written behind the channel 306. The bit rate 307 is data for identifying a bit rate of content data, for example, 64 kbps, 128 kbps, 192 kbps, 256 kbps, or the like.

The one-byte encrypted form 308 is written after the bit rate 307. The cipher form 308 is data identifying the type of cipher (DES, RSA, etc.). Also, when the cipher forms 308 all indicate " 0 ", it can be configured to indicate that the data is not encrypted. The encryption variable 309 of one byte is recorded after the encryption type 308. The encryption variable 308 is used to indicate the bit length of the encryption key and the like. For example, 12 bytes behind the cryptographic variable 309 are provided to the spare area (undefined area) 310 to allow for future expansion.

The fixed value 311 following the spare area 31 indicates that the area 312 in which the medium ID is recorded after the fixed value is continuous. The medium ID in the area 312 is a serial number that makes it possible to unconditionally identify a medium such as a memory card including, for example, a CD, an MD, a recordable optical disc, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The medium ID is represented by 8 bytes, for example. For example, 32 medium IDs may be recorded in the area 312 in which the medium IDs are stored.

The fixed value 313 is recorded behind the area 312 in which the medium ID is stored. The fixed value 313 indicates that the area 314 in which the decoder ID is written after the fixed value is continuous. The decoder ID is one ID. For example, it is a serial number for unconditionally identifying a security decoder built into a user terminal, a user player, or the like. For example, 32 decoder IDs are recorded in the area 314 where the decoder ID is stored. By passing the media ID and decoder ID together with the playback log via the billing machine 204 to the management company 205, each playback log of the media and security decoder can be identified by a computer such as management company 205 or the like. .

An example of the charging process in the player 201 shown in FIG. 3 is described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The billing process

It is executed by the control unit 14 and the system controller 21 in the security decoder 202. Firstly, step S1 displays a reproduction standby mode indicating that content data to be reproduced exists on the medium 1. In detail, when the distributed content data is stored in the medium 1, the case where the content data is recorded in the medium 1 in advance corresponds to the reproduction standby. In step S2, it is determined whether the playback is pressed by the user and the playback button of the operation unit 22 is instructed.

If NO is issued in step S2, this means a copying operation of the content data and proceeds to step S3. In step S3, it is discriminated whether or not the operation is a copying operation of the content whose reproduction is paid. The content of the free reproduction indicates the content for which the charging process is not performed by the reproduction of the content data. Whether or not the content is free playback is determined in step s3 with reference to the charging ID 302 in the accompanying data (Fig. 4). In the case of free reproduction content, in order to protect the copyright, the copy output of the content data decrypted by the security decoder 202 is prohibited. That is, copying of content data to another medium or apparatus is prohibited (step S4).

If it is determined in step S3 that the operation is not a copy of the content of the free play, i.e., if the operation is a copy operation of the content data of the pay play, the content data of the pay play is output from the security decoder 202 so that the other device can output it. Or it can be copied to the medium (step S5). As described above, content data of pay-per-play is copied for free to other devices or media. In this example, the data output from the security decoder is the side data and the encrypted and compressed encoded content data.

If it is determined in step S2 that the reproducing operation is instructed, it is determined in step S6 whether charging processing has been accepted. For example, a message is displayed on the display section 23 of the player 201. Therefore, the user has a response as to whether the charging process is allowed by the operation of the operating unit 22. If the user does not accept the charging process, the content data cannot be reproduced (step S7).

Since there are cases in which the part free reproduction indicated by the reproduction condition 304 of the content data, i.e., the reproduction of the head portion or the highlight portion of the piece of music is allowed to be executed free of charge, even if the charging process is rejected in step S7. In some cases, content data can be monitored. If the charging process is allowed in step S7, the reproduction charging condition for the content data currently being reproduced is presented on the display unit 23 in step S8. The charging conditions are presented to the user based on the charging condition 304 in the charging form 302 and the accompanying data and proceed to step S9.

In step S9, it is selected or determined by the user whether or not the charging form is a purchase form. If it is determined that the charging type selected or determined in step S9 is a purchase type, the charging process for purchasing the content data is executed in step S10 and proceeds to step S11. In step S11, in the decoder 11 of the security decoder 202, the encryption is decrypted by the key data supplied from the server 102 via the server 111. In step S12, free reproduction of the content data is performed. Here, the free reproduction indicates that since the user himself has already purchased and owned the content data to be reproduced, no costs other than the costs incurred by the purchase of the content data are newly generated. In this case, redistribution or copying including transmission of content data reproduced free of charge to another user is prohibited. However, unlike the moving process, i.e., copying, a process may be performed in which the original content data does not remain on the copy source side and the content data is delivered only on the copy destination side.

If it is selected or determined by the user that the charging form is not a purchase form in step S9, it is selected or determined by the user in step S13 whether the charging form is a gross form, for example, a monthly contract. do. If a monthly contract exists, in step S14, for example, if the content data can be reproduced until the cumulative amount of billing reaches ¥ 3000 per month based on the monthly contract, It is determined whether the cumulative amount reaches a limit of ¥ 3000. If the cumulative amount reaches a limit of \ 3000, free reproduction of the content data is performed in step S15. Free reproduction here means that no additional cost is incurred in the reproduction of the content data within the limits of the contract. In this case, redistribution including copying or transferring the content data to another user can be performed free of charge in the same state as in the case of the accompanying data.

If the billing type is selected or determined by the user in step S13 that the billing type is a monthly contract type, it is found that the content data becomes data to be charged by a method corresponding to the number of times. In step S17, the encryption of the content data is decrypted in the secure decoder 202. Paid reproduction is executed in step S18. As described above, in the paid reproduction in step S18, the reproduction is charged according to the number of reproduction of the content data, the reproduction time, and the like. Also in this case, the content data can be copied free of charge. In addition, if the inadequate in the step S14 is not within the range of the monthly down payment, for example, even if the cumulative amount exceeds the threshold of the down payment, the processing of the paid reproduction (steps S17, S18) is performed. Runs during playback.

6 shows another example of the charging process. The processing up to step S9 in which the user selects or determines whether the billing type is the purchase type or not is similar to those shown in Fig. 5, so that they are omitted in Fig. 6. In step S9, when it is selected or judged by the user that the high poultry form becomes the purchase form, it is determined whether or not charging is possible based on the prepaid data stored in the player 201 of the user in step S21. do. If charging is possible, free regeneration is executed in step S22 in a similar manner to step S12. Although not shown in Fig. 6, steps S6 (billing processing for purchase) and step S11 (encryption decoding decryption processing) of Fig. 5 are executed between steps S21 and S22. The output and redistribution of content data for copying are prohibited in a similar manner as in step S12.

If it is determined in step S23 that charging is not possible, replenishment or recovery of the amount of money for the prepaid data is requested in step S23. The user drives the restocking menu, for example, by operating the operation unit 22 of the player 201. Therefore, it is possible to supplement the amount or number of money of the prepaid data online. The present invention is not limited only to the online system. However, it is also possible to temporarily stop the regeneration process and to connect and refill the regenerator 201 to the charging machine 202. Whether or not charging is possible is determined again in step S24. If it is determined in step S24 that charging is possible, the processing routine proceeds to step S22. If it is determined in step S24 that charging is impossible, the processing routine proceeds to step S25 in a manner similar to the case in which it is determined in step S9 that the charging form purchaser is in the form of purchase. In Fig. 6, if it is determined in step S24 that the charging form is a purchasing form, the charging form becomes a count form.

Step S25 is a step of asking the user whether the billing process is allowed or not. For example, an inquiry message is displayed on the display unit 23 of the player 201. In response, the user operates the operation section 22 to input a response as to whether charging is allowed. When the user does not accept the charge in step S25, the content data cannot be reproduced (step S26). As described above, however, there are cases where reproduction of the free playback unit shown by the playback conditions in the content data 304 is permitted.

When the user accepts the charge in step S25, it is determined whether the charge is possible with reference to the prepaid data (difference, remaining number of times, etc.) in step S27. If it is determined that charging is possible in step S27, paid playback of the content is executed in step S28. In the paid reproduction performed in step S28, the charging process is performed in accordance with the reproduction time. For example, playback is performed at an average rate for 10 minutes after the start of playback. When the regeneration time exceeds 10 minutes, the charging process is executed again. Although shown in Fig. 6, the processing in step S17 (decryption of the password) in Fig. 5 is executed and the content data is reproduced. Copying of the content data or redistribution of the data in step S28 can be performed similarly free of charge in step S18 of FIG.

When paid reproduction is executed in step S28, for example, a timer provided in the controller 14 is activated. In step S29, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of reproduction and a timeout has occurred. If it is determined in step S29 that the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of reproduction of the content data, the processing routine returns to step S27 to determine whether or not charging is possible. Therefore, a sufficient amount of prepaid data does not remain to allow the content data to be reproduced, and no charging processing is performed, but a situation in which paid reproduction is executed is prevented.

If it is determined in step S27 that charging is not possible, the process proceeds to step S30, where the user is requested to replenish the charge for performing the charging process. After that, it is again determined in step S31 whether charging is possible. In step S31, if the replenishment of money or the like is not performed by the user and it is determined that charging is impossible, reproduction of the content data is stopped (step S32). If replenishing or the like is performed by the user in step S31, and if it is determined that charging is possible again, the flow advances to step S28, and processing for paid reproduction is executed.

5 and 6 described above, although the reproduction processing of the content data and the control processing of the copying of the content data are executed as common processing, the copying process of the content data can be performed independently. 7 is a flowchart of an example of such copy control processing of content data. First, step S41 shows the copy standby mode generated by the user operating a button for the copy operation of the operation unit 22.

In step S42, it is determined whether the content data to be copied is a billing object, that is, whether or not it is paid content data. If it is determined in step S42 that the content data to be copied is not the charging target, i.e., it is determined to be free content data, copying of the content data is allowed (step S43). If it is determined that the content data to be copied is a billing target, it is determined in step S44 whether or not the user permits the billing required when the content data is copied. If the user does not allow charging in step S44, copying of the content data is stopped (step S45).

If the user permits charging in step S44, the flow advances to step S46 and it is determined whether the charging is possible. The balance of the prepaid data, the number of times remaining, and the like are checked, and if the charge is possible, the flow continues to step S47. The fee processing is executed and the content data is copied. In step S46, if the balance of the prepaid data and the number of times remaining are "0" or the remaining amount of the prepaid data and the number of times remaining enough for the content data to be played back and the charge is not possible, the user is required to supplement the prepaid. Required (step S48). Although not shown in Fig. 7, if the prepaid data is replenished after step S48 and the user replenishes the money, the content data can be copied.

A data recording and / or reproducing apparatus and method thereof according to a second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 8 and the following drawings. The same reference numerals are assigned to common parts with the first embodiment described above, and the detailed description is made by using the first embodiment in common.

8 shows another example of the data structure of the lower data. The lower data is data added before the content data (compression encrypted and encoded content, for example, audio data) to be classified. The sub data are encrypted together with the content data or independently as needed. Subordinate data is recorded in a recordable medium that is added before the content data or in an area for data management on the medium 1. In the case of a read-only medium, the lower data is recorded in the data management area. In the case of an optical disc, since the management area is generally provided in the area on the innermost edge side of the disc, the lower data is recorded in this management area. In the case of a memory card, for example, file management data is designated as one song of music data is treated as one file, and lower data is stored in a memory area in which the file management data is stored.

As shown in Fig. 8, a fixed value (fixed code) 501 is located at the head of the lower data. The fixed value 501 is a fixed code of one byte (8 bits), for example, "11110000". The fixed value 501 indicates that the data following the fixed value 501 is lower data. The data following the fixed value 501 is described next.

The total number of contents 502 of 8 bits represents the total number of packages, for example, the contents of the optical disc. Thereafter, the content number 503 (8 bits) is arranged (recorded). The content number 503 indicates, for example, the order of the total number of contents recorded on the optical disc, and the first (# 1) content is arranged at the first position. The 256-bit unit starting from the content number 503 represents the sub information about # 1.

After the content number 503, the title 504 (128 bits) of the content is arranged. Title 504 represents a title name and an International Standard Recording Code (ISRC). The language and code for describing the title name are reserved. After the content title 504, flags (FLG1 505, FLG2 506, FLG3 507, and FLG 508) each composed of four bits are arranged.

The flag FLG1 505 indicates whether or not the content is copyrighted. In the case of content without copyright, the flag FLG1 = 0000. Examples of non-copyrighted content include, for example, content such that the protection period has expired and the copyright is invalidated based on copyright law. The flag FLG2 506 indicates whether or not the content data is encrypted. In the case of unencrypted content, the flag FLG2 = 0000. Generally, copyrighted content data is not encrypted. The flag FLG3 507 indicates whether the content is promotional content. In the case of promotional content, the flag FLG3 = 0000. The flag FLG4 508 indicates whether the content is original content formed by an individual such as a user or the like. In the case of the original content formed by an individual, for example by the user himself, FLG4 = 0000.

After the flags 505, 506, 507 and 508, the sub information about the fare is arranged. If at least one of the flags FLG1 505 to FLG4 508 indicates (0000) by determining whether the content is a content for which billing processing is performed as an essential condition, such content is content that requires no charge. . The sub information regarding the fee is composed of an 8-bit fee type 509 and a 96-bit billing processing condition 510. As described above, the fee type 509 is information for distinguishing one of fee types such as a purchase type, a total amount type, a number of types, and the like. The billing processing condition 310 is data representing information of billing processing conditions of each billing type represented by the billing type 509.

For example, if the billing type is the purchase type, the data of the purchase price is arranged (recorded) as the charge processing condition 510. If the billing type is a gross amount type and the number of reproductions of the content data is limited, data representing the total number of reproductions of the content data is arranged as the charge processing condition 510. When the reproduction period of the content data of which the lump money type is the total amount type is limited, data (one day, one week, one month, etc.) indicating the reproduction period of the content data is arranged as the charge processing condition 510. If the billing type is the count type, the data of the count (1 yen / 2 minutes, 1 yen / 1 minute, 1 yen / 30 seconds, ...) is arranged as the charge processing condition 510. Further, even when the fee is executed as a preceding condition, the condition when the content can be monitored free of charge can be arranged as the fee processing condition 510.

After the above-described information (256 bits) on the content number # 1, the information on the next content (content number # 2) is arranged. The configuration of the information about the content number # 2 has a data arrangement similar to that relating to the content number # 1 described above. Information about all the contents of the package is recorded below.

Another example of the fee processing executed in the player 201 will now be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10. The charge processing is executed by the control unit 14 and the system controller 21 of the secure decoder 202. First, step S51 indicates a playback standby mode in which content data of content to be reproduced is present on the medium 1. Specifically, the case where the distributed content data is stored in the medium 1 or the case where the content data has already been recorded on the medium 1 corresponds to the reproduction standby. In step S52, it is determined whether at least one of the flags FLG1 505 to FLG4 508 is (0000) with respect to the flags FLG1 505 to FLG4 508 of the lower information, so that the content data to be reproduced is charged. Determines whether this is necessary content data.

As a result of step S52, if one of the flags FLG1 to FLG4 is " 0000 ", it is determined that the content data to be reproduced is content data that does not require fee processing. In step S53, whether or not the content data is encrypted content data is determined with respect to the flag FLG2. If it is determined in step S53 that the content data to be reproduced is encrypted content data, the encryption of the content data is decrypted in step S54. In step S55, free playback is executed. In the case of unencrypted content data, step S54 is skipped and free playback is executed in step S55. The decryption of the cipher is performed using the key in the decryptor 11 of the secure decoder 202.

If all of the flags FLG1 to FLG4 are not " 0000 " and it is determined in step S52 that the content data is content data for which charges are executed as a prerequisite, it is determined whether or not the content data is purchased content data in step S56. The fee processing condition 510 is determined. If it is determined in step S56 that the content data to be reproduced is not the purchased content data, the processing routine proceeds to step S60 in the flowchart of FIG.

If it is determined in step S56 that the content data to be reproduced is purchased content data, it is determined with respect to the flag FLG2 506 whether or not the content data to be reproduced in step S57 is encrypted content data. If it is determined in step S57 that the content data to be played back is encrypted, the password is decrypted in step S58, and free playback is executed in step S59. If it is determined in step S57 that the content data to be reproduced is unencrypted content data, step 58 is skipped and free playback is executed in step S59. The free reproduction here has the same meaning as the free reproduction in step S21 of the flowchart shown in FIG. In the case of content data requiring a fee, such data is generally considered to be encrypted. However, if it is difficult to decompress the compression encryption, there may be a case where the content data is not encrypted. In the free playback in step S59, since the content data is purchased first, the reproduction of such content data is free, and redistribution including the transmission of the content data to another user, copying of the content data to another medium, etc. are prohibited. do. In a manner similar to step S12 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 described above, unlike the movement, i.e., copying, there is no content data remaining on the side provided as a copy source, and content data exists only on the copy destination side. This allows for a process that can be reproduced.

The processing in the case where it is determined in step S56 that the content data to be reproduced is not the purchased content data will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S60, it is selected or determined by the user whether or not the content data has been purchased. In the case of step S60, the user is given a purchase condition and the user judges based on the given condition. For example, the purchase condition and the question message are displayed on the display unit 23 of the player 201. The user responds whether or not to purchase it by operating the operation unit 22 based on the display content.

If it is determined in step S60 that the user purchases the content data to be reproduced, in step S61 it is determined based on the prepaid data of the player 201 whether or not a fee for purchasing the content data is possible. If it is determined in step S61 that the charge is possible, the flow proceeds to step S22, where the content data is reproduced without executing the charge processing. Although not shown in order to save space to be shown in FIG. 10, the processing in step S53 and S57 (determination of whether or not the content data is encrypted) and the processing in steps S59 and S58 (decryption processing) Is executed between steps S61 and S62.

If it is determined in step S61 that the fee for purchasing the content data is impossible, step S63 follows, and the user is required to add or return money. The user connects the player 201 to the player 201 or the billing machine 204, for example activates an additional menu, and adds the amount or number of money of the prepaid data online. Although the present invention is not limited to the online system, it is also possible to stop the processing at the same time and to connect the player 201 to the billing machine 204 and to add it from the billing machine 204. Whether it is possible or not is determined again in step S64. If it is determined in step S64 that the charge is possible, step S22 follows, and the content data is reproduced. If it is determined in step S64 that the fee for purchasing the content data is impossible, the processing routine proceeds to step S65 in a manner similar to the case in which it is determined in step S60 that the content data has not been purchased.

Step S65 is a process for inquiring as to whether the fee is accepted or not. In step S65, for example, a question message is displayed on the display unit 23 of the player 201. In response, the user responds to whether or not the fee is accepted by operating the operation unit 22. If the user does not accept the charge in step S65, step S66 follows and reproduction of the content data is impossible. Partial free reproduction of the content data to be reproduced may be permitted in accordance with the charge processing condition 510.

If the user allows the fee in step S65, the flow proceeds to step S67, and it is determined whether or not the fee is possible with reference to the prepaid data (balance, remaining number, etc.). If it is determined in step S67 that the charge is possible, the charge processing is executed, and the content data is reproduced (step S68).

When charge processing is executed and the content data is reproduced in step S68, the control unit 14 starts a timer provided to the control unit 14. In step S69, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of reproduction of the content data. If a predetermined time elapses from the start of playback of the content data in step S69, the processing routine returns to step S67 to determine whether or not a fee is possible. Then, a situation such as regeneration is executed even if the charge cannot be executed.

If it is determined in step S67 that the fee is impossible, the user is required to add the fee or the like in step S70. Then, in step S71, it is determined whether or not a fee is possible. If it is determined in step S71 that the charge is impossible again, reproduction of the content data is impossible (step S72). If it is determined in step S71 that the charge is possible, the processing routine returns to step S68 to display the content data. The playback process is performed.

9 and 10 described above, even if the reproduction processing of the content data and the control processing of copying of the content data are set to common processing, the control processing of copying is similar to that of the flowchart shown in Fig. 7 described above. May be implemented separately in a manner.

In the above embodiment, description has been mainly made of audio contents, but the present invention is similar to the above-described method in addition to audio data in contents such as video data, still image data, text data, computer graphics data, game software, computer programs, and the like. Applicable

It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital data transmission method and apparatus, a digital data reproduction method and apparatus, a digital data copy method and apparatus, a data recording medium, and a method of storing and reproducing digital data. In the present invention, the contents are easily and quickly distributed and the copyright holder can be legally rewarded.

Claims (101)

In the digital data transmission method, And freely distributing the compression-encoded and / or encrypted digital data, and performing charging processing when the digital data distributed free of charge is decrypted. The method of claim 1, The digital data transmission method is at least one of audio data, video data, still image data, text data, computer graphic data, game software and computer programs. The method of claim 1, At least one of satellite broadcasting, terrestrial broadcasting, Internet, cable TV broadcasting, cellular telephone, PHS and package media is used to distribute the digital data. The method of claim 1, The charging process is a digital data transmission method performed for the prepaid fee. The method of claim 1, The charging process is performed for a postpaid payment. The method of claim 1, And the charging process is performed by a gross. The method of claim 1, Top billing processing is a digital data transmission method performed by the number of times. The method of claim 4, wherein And the charging process based on the number of times is performed by subtracting the number of times of decryption from the set number of times. The method of claim 5, And the charging process based on the number of times is performed by accumulating the number of decrypted times. The method of claim 1, And whether or not the charging process is performed is determined based on an identifier in the incidental information about the digital data. The method of claim 1, And said charging process includes a condition that decryption is free for a predetermined period from when distributed digital data is obtained. The method of claim 1, And said charging process includes a condition that decryption is free until a predetermined period of time. The method of claim 1, And said billing process includes a condition that decryption is free until a predetermined number of times. The method of claim 1, And the charging process includes a condition that the decryption of the set portion of the digital data is free. The method of claim 1, And digitally redistributed free of charge. The method of claim 1, And the distributed digital data can be freely redistributed. The method of claim 15, And the charging process is performed when the redistributed digital data is decrypted. The method of claim 1, A distribution data and / or decryption history can be viewed by appending a device identifier or a media identifier of the decryption apparatus when the digital data is distributed or redistributed. The method of claim 1, Information for decrypting encrypted digital data is transmitted in addition to the digital data. The method of claim 1, And information decompressing the compression-encoded digital data is transmitted attached to the digital data. The method of claim 1, In order to distribute the digital data for free, a medium or a network for distributing pay digital data is used. The method of claim 21, In the medium or network, a distribution is free, and reproduction is a digital data transmission method in which a first digital data having a fee is charged and a second digital data having a fee for a distribution and a reproduction are free. In a digital data transmission device, And digital data distributing means for distributing compression-encoded and / or encrypted digital data for free, and digital data decrypting means for decrypting and distributing the digital data distributed free of charge. A digital data reproducing method for reproducing compressed coded and / or encrypted digital data for free of distribution, the method comprising: And performing a charging process when the digital data is decrypted. A digital data reproducing apparatus for reproducing compressed coded and / or encrypted digital data for free of distribution, And a charging processing unit which performs charging processing when the digital data is decrypted. A data recording medium in which distribution is free and reproduction is paid first digital data and distribution second payment is free and second digital data is free. A digital data reproducing method for reproducing compressed coded and / or encrypted digital data, A determination step of determining whether the digital data is digital data for which charging is performed as a precondition; And performing billing processing when decoding the digital data in which billing is performed as a precondition, and not performing billing processing when playing the digital data in which billing is not performed as a precondition. The method of claim 27, And whether the charging process has been performed or not is determined based on an identifier in the accompanying information relating to the digital data. The method of claim 27, The digital data reproducing method is at least one of audio data, video data, still image data, text data, computer graphic data, game software and a computer program. The method of claim 27, And the charging process is executed for a plurality of titles or one title of the digital data. The method of claim 27, Even in the case of the digital data where charging is performed as a precondition, the charging process is not performed after the digital data is purchased. The method of claim 27, And the digital data for which charging is performed as a precondition is copyrighted digital data. The method of claim 27, And the digital data for which charging is not performed as a precondition is a digital data for promotion. The method of claim 27, And the charging process is performed on a prepaid fee. The method of claim 27, And the charging process is performed for a postpaid fee. The method of claim 27, And the charging process is performed by a gross. The method of claim 27, And the charging process is performed based on the number of times. The method of claim 34, And the charging process is performed based on the number of times, and the charging process based on the number of times is performed by subtracting the number of times of decryption from the set number of times. The method of claim 35, wherein And the charging process is performed based on the number of times, and the charging process based on the number of times is performed by accumulating the decrypted number of times. The method of claim 27, And the charging process includes a condition that decryption is free until a predetermined period of time. The method of claim 27, And the charging process includes a condition that decryption is free up to a predetermined number of times. The method of claim 27, And the charging process includes a condition that the decryption of the set portion of the digital data is free. A digital data reproducing apparatus for reproducing compressed coded and / or encrypted digital data, A charging processing unit which performs charging processing when the digital data is decrypted; Discriminating whether or not the digital data is digital data for which charging is performed as a precondition, and if the digital data for which billing is performed as a precondition is decoded, the digital processing is performed and the digital is not performed as a precondition. And a control unit which controls the charging processing unit so as not to perform the charging processing when reproducing data. A digital data copy method for copying compressed coded and / or encrypted digital data, the method comprising: A discriminating step of determining whether the digital data is digital data in which charging is performed as a precondition; And performing a billing process when decoding the digital data in which billing is performed as a precondition and not performing a billing process when copying the digital data in which billing is not performed as a precondition. A digital data copying apparatus for reproducing compressed coded and / or encrypted digital data, A charging processing unit which performs charging processing when the digital data is decrypted; Discriminating whether or not the digital data is digital data for which charging is performed as a precondition, and if the digital data for which billing is performed as a precondition is decoded, the digital processing is performed and the digital is not performed as a precondition. And a control unit which controls the charging processing unit so as not to perform the charging processing when reproducing data. In a data recording medium in which compression-encoded and / or encrypted digital data is recorded and can be read by a computer or a digital data reproducing apparatus, And additional information relating to the digital data is recorded and an identifier indicating whether the digital data is digital data for which charging is performed as a precondition is included in the additional information. In the method of storing and reproducing digital data, A retrieval step of retrieving distributed, compression-encoded and / or encrypted digital data without performing billing processing; And a reproducing step of reproducing the retrieved digital data when reproducing the retrieved digital data. And the recovered digital data is stored in a medium. The method of claim 48, And the charging process is executed when the decryption process of the digital data read out from the medium is performed. The method of claim 48, And reproducing the digital data read out from the medium when the charging process is not executed correctly. The method of claim 48, The charging process includes a first charging process for purchasing the recovered digital data and a second charging process for performing the charging process whenever the recovered digital data is reproduced, and the charging is performed by the user. A method of storing and reproducing digital data performed based on the charging process selected from the first and second charging processes. The method of claim 51, And when the first charging process is performed, another charging process is not performed when reproducing the recovered digital data. The method of claim 52, wherein And redistribution or copying of the digital data recovered into the recording medium is prohibited when the first charging process is performed. The method of claim 51, And redistribution of the digital data recovered into the recording medium when the second charging process is performed. The method of claim 51, When the second billing process is executed, the user can select whether or not he permits billing based on the second billing process, and when the user allows billing based on the second billing process, the second billing A method of storing and reproducing digital data, wherein it is determined whether or not charging based on processing can be performed correctly. The method of claim 55, Storage of digital data at which reproduction of the digital data is started if the charging based on the second charging processing can be performed accurately when the user inputs information that allows the charging processing based on the second charging processing; How to play. The method of claim 55, When the user inputs information that allows the billing processing based on the second billing process, if the billing based on the second billing process cannot be performed correctly, the billing based on the second billing process is correctly performed. A method of storing and reproducing digital data, in which processing to prompt a user is performed. The method of claim 55, And the reproduction of the digital data is stopped when the information input by the user is inputted indicating that the processing for facilitating the charging based on the second charging processing is rejected. The method of claim 57, And the reproduction of the digital data is started when the user inputs information indicating that the processing for promoting the charging based on the second charging process is allowed by the user. The method of claim 51, When the second billing process is selected, the elapsed time is measured from the start of the reproduction of the digital data, and if the elapsed time of a predetermined time is measured from the playback start time, whether or not charging based on the second billing process is possible or not. Method of storing and reproducing digital data irradiated. In the method of storing and reproducing digital data, A retrieval step of retrieving distributed, compression-encoded and / or encrypted digital data without performing charging processing, and determining whether or not the digital data is data that requires charging processing when the recovered digital data is reproduced; Discrimination step, And when it is determined that the digital data is digital data that requires charging processing, a charging processing step of performing the charging processing, and a reproducing step of reproducing the digital data thereafter. 62. The method of claim 61, And reproducing the digital data when the digital data is determined to be digital data that does not require charging processing. 62. The method of claim 61, And additional data is added to the distributed and compressed and / or encrypted digital data, and whether or not the digital data is digital data that requires charging processing is examined based on the additional data. 62. The method of claim 61, And the recovered digital data is stored in a medium. The method of claim 64, wherein The charging process includes a first charging process for purchasing the recovered digital data and a second charging process for performing the charging process whenever the recovered digital data is reproduced, and the charging is performed by the user. A method of storing and reproducing digital data performed based on the charging process selected from the first and second charging processes. 62. The method of claim 61, And when the first charging process is performed, another charging process is not performed when reproducing the recovered digital data. The method of claim 66, wherein And redistribution or copying of the digital data recovered into the recording medium is prohibited when the first charging process is performed. The method of claim 66, wherein And redistribution of the digital data recovered into the recording medium when the second charging process is performed. 66. The method of claim 65, When the second billing process is executed, the user can select whether or not he permits billing based on the second billing process, and when the user allows billing based on the second billing process, the second billing A method of storing and reproducing digital data, wherein it is determined whether or not charging based on processing can be performed correctly. The method of claim 69, Storage of digital data at which reproduction of the digital data is started if the charging based on the second charging processing can be performed accurately when the user inputs information that allows the charging processing based on the second charging processing; How to play. The method of claim 69, When the user inputs information that allows the billing processing based on the second billing process, if the billing based on the second billing process cannot be performed correctly, the billing based on the second billing process is correctly performed. A method of storing and reproducing digital data in which processing for prompting the user is performed. The method of claim 71, wherein And the reproduction of the digital data is stopped when the information input by the user is inputted indicating that the processing for facilitating the charging based on the second charging processing is rejected. The method of claim 71, wherein And the reproduction of the digital data is started when the user inputs information indicating that the processing for promoting the charging based on the second charging process is allowed by the user. 66. The method of claim 65, When the second billing process is selected, the elapsed time is measured from the start of the reproduction of the digital data, and if the elapsed time of a predetermined time is measured from the playback start time, whether or not charging based on the second billing process is possible or not. Method of storing and reproducing digital data irradiated. In the method of storing and reproducing digital data, A reading step of reading compression-encoded and / or encrypted digital data without performing charging processing, a charging processing step of performing the charging processing when the read digital data is reproduced, and then the recovered A digital data storage and reproducing method comprising the reproducing step of reproducing digital data. 76. The method of claim 75 wherein And the charging process is performed when the decryption process of the digital data read out from the medium is performed. 76. The method of claim 75 wherein And the reproduction of the digital data is stopped when the charging process is not executed correctly. 76. The method of claim 75 wherein The charging process includes a first charging process for purchasing the read digital data and a second charging process for performing the charging process whenever the read digital data is reproduced, and the charging is performed by the user. A reproduction method of digital data performed based on the charging process selected from the first and second charging processes. The method of claim 78, And when said first charging process is selected, other charging processes are not performed when reproducing said read digital data. The method of claim 79, And the redistribution or copying of the digital data read from the recording medium is prohibited when the first charging process is selected. The method of claim 78, And the redistribution of the digital data read out from the recording medium is permitted when the second charging process is selected. The method of claim 78, When the second billing process is executed, the user can select whether or not he permits billing based on the second billing process, and when the user allows billing based on the second billing process, the second billing A reproduction method of digital data, wherein it is determined whether or not charging based on the processing can be performed correctly. 83. The method of claim 82, When the user inputs information that allows the charging processing based on the second charging processing, if the charging based on the second charging processing can be performed correctly, the reproduction of the digital data is started. . 83. The method of claim 82, When the user inputs information that allows the billing processing based on the second billing process, if the billing based on the second billing process cannot be performed correctly, the billing based on the second billing process is correctly performed. A method of reproducing digital data in which a process of prompting the user to be performed is performed. 85. The method of claim 84, The reproduction of the digital data is stopped when the user inputs information indicating that the processing for promoting the charging based on the second charging processing is rejected by the user. 85. The method of claim 84, And the reproduction of the digital data starts when the user inputs information indicating that the processing for promoting the charging based on the second charging process is allowed by the user. The method of claim 78, When the second billing process is selected, the elapsed time is measured from the start of the reproduction of the digital data, and if the elapsed time of a predetermined time is measured from the playback start time, whether or not charging based on the second billing process is possible or not. Reproduction method of digital data to be examined. In the method of reproducing digital data, A reading step of reading compressed and / or encrypted digital data without performing charging processing, and a determining step of determining whether or not the digital data is data that requires charging processing when the read digital data is reproduced; And when it is determined that the digital data is digital data that requires charging processing, a charging processing step of performing the charging processing, and a reproducing step of reproducing the digital data thereafter. 89. The method of claim 88 wherein And reproducing the digital data when the digital data is determined to be digital data that does not require charging processing. 89. The method of claim 88 wherein And the charging process is performed when the decryption process of the digital data read out from the medium is performed. 89. The method of claim 88 wherein And the reproduction of the digital data is stopped when the charging process is not executed correctly. 89. The method of claim 88 wherein The charging process includes a first charging process for purchasing the read digital data and a second charging process for performing the charging process whenever the read digital data is reproduced, and the charging is performed by the user. A reproduction method of digital data performed based on the charging process selected from the first and second charging processes. 92. The method of claim 92 wherein And when said first charging process is selected, other charging processes are not performed when reproducing said read digital data. 94. The method of claim 93, And the redistribution or copying of the digital data read from the recording medium is prohibited when the first charging process is selected. 92. The method of claim 92 wherein And the redistribution of the digital data read out from the recording medium is permitted when the second charging process is selected. 92. The method of claim 92 wherein When the second billing process is executed, the user can select whether or not he permits billing based on the second billing process, and when the user allows billing based on the second billing process, the second billing A reproduction method of digital data, wherein it is determined whether or not charging based on the processing can be performed correctly. 97. The method of claim 96, When the user inputs information that allows the charging processing based on the second charging processing, if the charging based on the second charging processing can be performed correctly, the reproduction of the digital data is started. . 97. The method of claim 96, When the user inputs information that allows the billing processing based on the second billing process, if the billing based on the second billing process cannot be performed correctly, the billing based on the second billing process is correctly performed. A method of reproducing digital data in which a process of prompting the user to be performed is performed. 99. The method of claim 98, The reproduction of the digital data is stopped when the user inputs information indicating that the processing for promoting the charging based on the second charging processing is rejected by the user. 99. The method of claim 98, And the reproduction of the digital data starts when the user inputs information indicating that the processing for promoting the charging based on the second charging process is allowed by the user. 92. The method of claim 92 wherein When the second billing process is selected, the elapsed time is measured from the start of the reproduction of the digital data, and if the elapsed time of a predetermined time is measured from the playback start time, whether or not charging based on the second billing process is possible or not. Reproduction method of digital data to be examined.