KR20070031838A - Contents reproduction device, contents reproduction control method, program - Google Patents

Abstract

A storage unit 230 for storing the source ID list L and the method identification information 232; A reproduction control method determination unit 240 that determines a reproduction control method based on the method identification information 232; When the reproduction control method determination unit 240 determines that the reproduction control method is the first reproduction control method, the reproduction of the content is performed based on whether or not the source ID added to the content to be reproduced is included in the source ID list. A first reproducing or not judging unit 242a for judging whether or not there is; A second reproducibility determination unit 242b which determines, based on the use condition information of the license accompanying the content to be reproduced, when it is determined that the second reproducing control method is used; A content reproducing apparatus 20 having a reproducing execution unit 244 for reproducing content determined to be playable is provided.

Content playback device, playback control method, license, list

Description

Content playback device, content playback control method, program {CONTENTS REPRODUCTION DEVICE, CONTENTS REPRODUCTION CONTROL METHOD, PROGRAM}

The present invention relates to a content reproducing apparatus, a content reproducing control method and a program, and more particularly, to a content reproducing apparatus corresponding to a plurality of copyright management schemes, a content reproducing control method, and a program.

Unlike conventional analog content, digital content such as music content can be copied a plurality of times without deterioration in quality. For this reason, in recent years, with the spread of the Internet and the high speed and large capacity of personal computers (PCs), distribution and exchange of illegal contents without permission of the author are increasing.

In order to prevent such misconduct, a copyright management system using digital rights management (DRM) technology, which restricts the distribution and use of content, has become widespread. In such a copyright management system, as suggested by the Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI) or the like, the copyright of the content is restricted by restricting the use (reproduction, copying, etc.) of the content based on the terms of use described in the license (right information). The method of managing the data (hereinafter referred to as a "check-in check-out method") is common.

In addition, as a content reproducing apparatus, PD (Portable Device) excellent in portability is prevalent. In the conventional SDMI-compatible PD, only copyright management is performed to control playback of content accompanied by a license checked out from a PC or the like based on the license in accordance with the check-in and check-out method. See 312211).

(Initiation of invention)

However, the above-described conventional PD has a problem in that it cannot cope with playback control of contents created by a plurality of different copyright management methods, corresponding to a single copyright management method.

For this reason, when copyright management systems differ between Japan and abroad, it is necessary to design and develop PDs of different models. Particularly, outside of Japan, PDs corresponding to copyright management schemes that are familiar to users with a higher degree of freedom in using content than the SDMI-compliant check-in and check-out schemes have been sought by users.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved content playback apparatus capable of executing playback control of contents corresponding to a plurality of different copyright management schemes; The present invention provides a method and method for controlling content reproduction.

In order to solve the above problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a memory apparatus, comprising: a storage unit for storing a source ID list indicating a source of content to be reproduced and method identification information indicating a content reproduction control method; A reproduction control method determination unit that determines a reproduction control method of the content based on the method identification information; If it is judged by the reproduction control method determination unit as the first reproduction control method, whether or not the corresponding content can be reproduced based on whether or not the source ID added to the content to be reproduced is included in the source ID list. A first reproducibility determination unit for judging; If it is determined by the reproduction control method determination unit that the second reproduction control method is used, the second reproduction availability determining whether or not the corresponding content can be reproduced based on the use condition information of the license accompanying the content to be reproduced; A judgment unit; A content reproducing apparatus is provided, comprising: a reproducing execution unit for reproducing content judged to be reproducible by a first reproducibility determining unit or a second reproducibility determining unit.

The source ID may also include a group ID uniquely generated for each user registered in the group management server. Further, the group ID corresponding to the user who requested the delivery may be added to the content delivered from the content delivery server to the content processing apparatus.

The source ID may also include a recorder ID uniquely generated in units of a content processing apparatus having a ripping unit for ripping content from a storage medium. In addition, the content processing apparatus having the ripping unit may add a recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus itself to the content ripped from the storage medium.

The usage condition information may include the reproduction frequency limit information of the content, and the usage condition information may also include the reproduction time limit information of the content.

A communication unit for communicating with the content processing apparatus may be further provided, and the method identification information may be updated by the content processing apparatus.

And a display unit for displaying title information of one or more pieces of content held by the content reproducing apparatus, wherein the display unit is determined to be playable by the first reproducibility determination unit or the second reproducibility determination unit. The title information and the title information of the content determined to be unplayable may be displayed identifiably.

A content selection unit for selecting at least one of title information of playable content displayed on the display unit, wherein the storage unit stores content management information associated with title information of the content and storage location information of the content, The reproduction execution unit may read out and reproduce the content corresponding to the title information selected by the content selection unit based on the content management information.

The display unit may display a title list in which the title information of the content judged to be playable and the title information of the content judged to be unplayable are represented by different color / luminance information.

The display unit may display a title list that separately distinguishes title information of content determined to be playable and title information of content determined to be unplayable.

The display unit may display a title list to which different icons are added to title information of content determined to be playable and title information of content determined to be unplayable.

In addition, when the device is registered in the same device group as the content processing apparatus with respect to the group management server via the content processing apparatus, and is provided with a communication unit for communication connection with the content processing apparatus, it is included in the source ID list held by the content processing apparatus. On the basis of this, the list of source IDs stored in the storage unit may be updated.

The content reproducing apparatus may be a portable content reproducing apparatus having a hard disk drive.

In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling the playback of content in the content playback apparatus is provided. The content providing method includes: a reproduction control method determination step of determining a reproduction control method of the content based on the method identification information indicating the reproduction control method of the content; If it is determined in the playback control method determination step that the first playback control method is used, whether or not the source ID added to the content to be played is included in the source ID list indicating the source of the content to be played back. A first reproducibility judging step of judging whether or not the corresponding content is reproducible on the basis of; If it is determined in the reproduction control method determination step that the second reproduction control method is used, the second reproduction availability judgment determining whether or not the corresponding content can be reproduced based on the license condition information of the license accompanying the content to be reproduced; A step; And a reproducing step of reproducing the content judged to be reproducible in the first reproducibility determination step or the second reproducibility determination step.

The source ID may also include a group ID uniquely generated for each user registered in the group management server.

The source ID may include a recorder ID uniquely generated in units of a content processing apparatus having a ripping unit for ripping content from a storage medium.

The use condition information may also include information on the number of times of reproduction of the content. In addition, the use condition information may include the reproduction time limit information of the content.

The content processing device connected to the content reproducing apparatus may further include updating the method identification information.

The display apparatus further includes a display step of displaying title information of one or more pieces of content held by the content reproducing apparatus, wherein the display step is capable of reproducing at the first reproducibility determination step or the second reproducibility determination step. The title information of the content judged to have been determined and the title information of the content judged to be unplayable may be distinguishably displayed.

And further including a selection step of selecting at least one of title information of the displayed playable content, wherein the reproduction step selects the content based on the content management information associated with the title information of the content and the storage location information of the content. The content corresponding to the title information selected in the step may be read and reproduced.

In the above display step, the title list of the content determined to be playable and the title information of the content determined to be non-playable may be displayed with different color / luminance information.

In the above display step, a title list may be displayed in which the title information of the content judged to be playable and the title information of the content judged to be non-playable are displayed separately.

Further, in the display step, a title list in which different icons are added to the title information of the content determined to be playable and the title information of the content determined to be unplayable may be displayed.

And registering the content reproducing apparatus in the same device group as the content processing apparatus with respect to the group management server via the content processing apparatus connected with the content reproducing apparatus; The method may further include updating the source ID list held by the content reproducing apparatus based on the source ID list held by the content processing apparatus.

Further, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, the content playback apparatus: playback control method determination processing for determining the playback control method of the content based on the method identification information indicating the playback control method of the content; Wow; If it is determined by the reproduction control method determination processing that the first reproduction control method is used, is the source ID added to the content to be reproduced included in the source ID list indicating the source of content to be reproduced? Based on the first playback whether or not the content is playable or not; If it is determined by the reproduction control method determination processing that the second reproduction control method is used, the second reproduction whether to determine whether or not the corresponding content can be reproduced based on the license condition information of the license accompanying the content to be reproduced; Judgment processing; A program is provided, characterized in that a reproduction processing for reproducing a content judged to be reproducible by the first reproduction availability determination process or the second reproduction availability determination process is executed.

As described above, according to the present invention, the content reproduction apparatus can realize the reproduction control of the contents corresponding to two different copyright management methods. This not only improves the user's convenience, but also eliminates the need to design and develop content reproducing apparatuses of different models, thereby making it possible to improve the efficiency of development work and reduce the price.

In addition, the content reproduction apparatus can cope with not only the conventional check-in and check-out method but also the copyright management scheme by the group management method which performs playback control based on the source ID and the source ID list added to the content. Therefore, the freedom of use of the content by the user is high, and the user can cope with a copyright management scheme more familiar to the user.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of group registration in a content sharing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the main components of the content sharing system according to the embodiment.

3 is a block diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a content sharing system according to the embodiment.

4 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of a hardware configuration of a content processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the function of the content processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 6A is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the contents of the group management method and the contents of the check-in and check-out method according to the embodiment.

6B is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the contents of the group management method and the contents of the check-in and check-out method according to the embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing the function of the content reproducing unit according to the embodiment.

8 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the list management unit according to the embodiment.

9 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of a hardware configuration of a content reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing the function of the content reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a block diagram schematically showing the functions of a server according to the embodiment.

12 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a group registration database according to the embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a timing chart showing the basic flow of the content sharing method according to the embodiment.

14 is a timing chart showing group registration processing of the content processing device PC according to the embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a timing chart showing group deregistration processing of the content processing device PC according to the embodiment.

Fig. 16 is a timing chart showing group registration processing of the content reproducing apparatus PD according to the embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a timing chart showing group deregistration processing of the content reproducing apparatus PD according to the embodiment.

18 is a flowchart showing content reproduction control processing of a group management method in the content processing apparatus PC according to the embodiment.

Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing source ID list update processing in the content processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

20A is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of local registration according to the embodiment.

20B is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of local registration according to the embodiment.

20C is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of local registration according to the embodiment.

21A is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a source ID list in local registration or service registration according to the embodiment.

21B is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a source ID list in local registration or service registration according to the embodiment.

Fig. 21C is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a source ID list in local registration or service registration according to the embodiment.

Fig. 22 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a group registration unit of the content processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 23 is a flowchart showing an outline of registration processing for the content reproducing apparatus or the content processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

24 is a flowchart showing an outline of registration processing for the content reproducing apparatus or the content processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

25 is a flowchart showing an outline of registration processing for the content reproducing apparatus or the content processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a warning screen according to the embodiment.

27 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a warning screen according to the embodiment.

Fig. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an input screen during service registration processing according to the embodiment.

Fig. 29 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a group management unit provided in the content processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 30 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of registering a service of a content reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 31 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of service registration of the content processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

32 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a content processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

33 is a flowchart showing processing of displaying a title list of contents in a content processing apparatus in the embodiment.

34 is a flowchart showing the deletion processing of the non-playable content in the content processing apparatus in the embodiment.

35 is a flowchart showing processing of displaying a title list of contents in the content reproducing apparatus in the embodiment.

Fig. 36 is a flowchart showing the deletion processing of non-playable content in the content reproducing apparatus in the embodiment.

Fig. 37 is a flowchart showing processing of reproducing contents in the content reproducing apparatus from the content processing apparatus in the embodiment.

38 is a flowchart showing a process of displaying a title list of contents in a content reproducing apparatus in the embodiment.

39 is a screen layout showing a display example of a title list of contents in the content reproducing apparatus in the embodiment.

40 is a screen layout showing a display example of a title list of contents in the content reproducing apparatus in the embodiment.

41 is a screen layout showing another display example of the title list in the embodiment.

42 is a screen layout showing another display example of the title list in the embodiment.

43 is a screen layout showing another display example of the title list in the embodiment.

Fig. 44 is a screen layout showing an example of screen display when the process of deleting non-playable content is carried out in the embodiment.

45 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a content processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

46 is a flowchart showing content transfer processing from the content reproducing apparatus to the content processing apparatus in the embodiment.

Fig. 47 is a flowchart showing the determination process of the transmission mode of the content reproducing apparatus in the embodiment.

Fig. 48 is a flowchart showing content transfer processing from the content reproducing apparatus to the content processing apparatus in the group management method in the embodiment.

Fig. 49 is a flowchart showing check-in processing from the content reproducing apparatus to the content processing apparatus in the check-in and check-out method according to the embodiment.

50 is a flowchart showing content transfer processing from the content processing apparatus to the content reproducing apparatus in the embodiment.

Fig. 51 is a flowchart showing content transfer processing from the content processing apparatus to the content reproducing apparatus in the group management method in the embodiment.

Fig. 52 is a flowchart showing the checkout process from the content processing apparatus to the content playback apparatus in the check-in and check-out system according to the embodiment.

Fig. 53 is a layout example of a screen displayed for causing a user to transfer content in the embodiment.

54 is a flowchart showing an example of content reproduction control processing in the content reproduction device PD according to the embodiment.

55 is a flowchart showing another example of the content reproduction control process in the content reproduction device PD according to the embodiment.

56A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a title list displayed on the display device of the content reproducing apparatus PD according to the embodiment.

56B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a title list displayed on the display device of the content playback device PD according to the embodiment.

56C is an explanatory diagram illustrating a title list displayed on the display device of the content playback device PD according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol about the component which has a substantially same functional structure.

(First embodiment)

Hereinafter, the content sharing system and its components according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

<1. Outline of copyright management of group management method>

First, the outline | summary of the content sharing system corresponding to the copyright management of the group management system which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.

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

On the other hand, this content sharing system includes a plurality of devices owned by the same user (for example, not only a single user but also a limited range of user groups such as family, friends, colleagues of the company, etc., which are the same below). It is also comprised as a system which implements the content sharing service which can share content to some extent freely.

Thus, while the content sharing system according to the present embodiment manages copyright, the content sharing system recognizes content sharing within the range of private use, and enhances the convenience and freedom of content sharing among a plurality of devices owned by the same user. The copyright management method which can be used (the copyright management scheme of the "group management method" mentioned later) is employ | adopted.

As described above, in the conventional copyright management system corresponding to the SDMI-compliant "check-in check-out method", the number of copies of content in "content unit" is based on the license which is the right information which defines the use right of the content. By limiting the number of check-in and check-out), the illegal use of contents was restricted. In such a system, since the copyright management process must be performed each time a content is copied (checked in and checked out) between a plurality of content processing apparatuses, the system configuration is complicated, the processing is slowed, and the contents are used within the range of private use. There was a defect that lack of convenience lacked convenience. In the conventional copyright management system of the check-in and check-out method, the user must always use the system in consideration of the copy source and the copy number of the contents. In addition, "copy protection of content to a device owned by another person", which is an original purpose of the copyright management system, has not been realized.

In contrast, the content sharing system according to the present embodiment is characterized in that not only the conventional check-in and check-out method but also copyright management of the group management method can be executed. In the copyright management system of this group management method, a management unit for using content is referred to as a "source (source) source" unit of content (specifically, "user unit who owns the content for the first time" or "device unit that created the content"). Copyright management, which allows / disallows playback of content in each device depending on the source of the content.

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

The content may be, for example, an audio content such as music, a lecture, a radio program, or a video including a still picture or a moving picture constituting a movie, a television program, a video program, a photograph, a painting, a chart, or the like. ) Arbitrary content, such as content, an E-book, a game, and software. In the following, the content is described as an example of voice content, in particular, music content distributed from a distribution server or ripped from a music CD, but the present invention is not limited to this example.

Next, based on FIG. 1, the outline | summary of group registration in the content sharing system 100 which concerns on this embodiment for copyright management of the group management system as mentioned above is demonstrated. 1 is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of group registration of the content sharing system 100 which concerns on this embodiment.

As shown in Fig. 1, the content processing apparatus PC 10-1, 2 and the content reproducing apparatus PD 20-1, 2 are, for example, a device group owned by user A (content processing apparatus 10-1). , A content player 20-1 and a device group owned by user B (content processor 10-2, content player 20-2). Grouping of such devices is performed by group-registering the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20 on a user basis with respect to the group management server 32.

This group registration will be specifically described by taking an example of the content processing device (PC) 10-1 owned by the user A. FIG. First, the user A accesses the group management server 32 using the content processing apparatus 10-1 owned by him, performs user authentication processing, and the device ID (for example, terminal ID) of the content processing apparatus 10-1. ) Is sent to the group management server 32. Next, the group management server 32 stores the device ID of the content processing device 10-1 in association with the user A, and registers the content processing device 10-1 in the device group of the user A. In addition, the group management server 32 transmits the user identification information indicating the user A (for example, a leaf ID described later) to the content processing apparatus 10-1, and the content processing apparatus 10-1 receives the received information. The user identification information is stored in his storage means. In the same manner, the other content processing apparatus 10 is also group registered. The group registration of the content reproducing apparatus PD 20 is performed via the content processing apparatus PC 10, but will be described later in detail.

In such group registration, one device (content processing apparatus 10 and content reproducing apparatus 20) can be registered only in a device group of a single user, and cannot be registered in a device group of another user at the same time. Therefore, when the owner of the content processing apparatus 10-2 is changed from user A to user B, the group registration of the content processing apparatus 10-2 is changed, i.e., the deregistration from user A's device group and the user B's It is necessary to re-register to the device group.

For example, when the user A newly purchases the content processing apparatus 10-3, since the content processing apparatus 10-3 is in a group microscopic state, the content processing apparatus 10-3 is the same as described above. Can be registered in the device group of the user A. On the other hand, the content processing device 10-1 already registered in the device group of the user A can be deregistered from the group and made into a group micro.

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

Here, based on FIG. 2, the outline | summary of this content sharing management method is demonstrated. 2 is a block diagram showing the main components of the content sharing system 100 according to the present embodiment.

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

The source ID adding unit 1 is provided, for example, in the content processing apparatus 10 or the like, and has a function of adding a source ID indicating a source of supply of content to the content. In addition, "add source ID to content" means that source ID is associated with content, for example, the process of adding data of a source ID to the file (content file) containing content data, and the said Processing for associating a content file with a file containing data of a source ID and the like.

In addition, the "provider of content" is a source at the individual user level of the content shared in the content sharing system 100. Specifically, the provider of this content may be, for example, (1) a user who acquires (purchases) the content using a content distribution service, (2) a content processing device that has created the content by ripping or self-recording ( 10) etc. The source ID is an identifier uniquely given to each content provider. By adding this source ID to the content, it is possible to specify the provider of the content to be distributed in the system.

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

The recorder ID is an identifier uniquely given in units of the content processing apparatus 10 (PC, etc.) having a content ripping function. This recorder ID is generated by the content processing apparatus 10 having the above-described ripping function based on the device ID of the content processing apparatus 10 and the like, and is securely stored in the content processing apparatus 10. When the content processing apparatus 10 rips the content from a removable storage medium such as a music CD, the content processing apparatus 10 own recorder ID with respect to the ripped content (hereinafter referred to as "ripping content"). Add. Therefore, by this recorder ID, the content processing apparatus 10 of the creator of the ripping content (that is, the provider of the content) can be specified.

The group ID is an identifier uniquely assigned to each user who owns the content processing apparatus 10 and / or the content reproducing apparatus 20. Specifically, this group ID is given in units of user accounts of the content sharing service provided by the content sharing system 100 according to the present embodiment. By such a group ID, the device group to which the content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproducing apparatus 20 belongs, and its owner can be identified.

In the present embodiment, this group ID is, for example, based on a leaf ID by the content processing device 10 when registering the group of the content processing device 10 or when receiving distributed content. Is generated. This leaf ID is an identifier given in units of users, and is generated by the group management server 32 at the time of user registration with the group management server 32, for example. Such leaf ID is configured as an example of user identification information, and is notified to the content processing apparatus 10 from the group management server 32 at the time of group registration or content distribution of each device.

The content processing apparatus 10 generates a group ID based on the leaf ID and the service ID notified from the group management server 32. This service ID is an ID unique to each content distribution service or ripping content sharing service realized in the content sharing system 100. Here, the content distribution service is a service that distributes the content from the content distribution server to the content processing device 10. The ripping content sharing service is a service that enables ripping content to be shared between a plurality of content processing apparatuses 10 and content reproducing apparatuses 20 owned by the same user by performing the group registration.

For example, when a service ID common to both services is used without separately managing the content distribution service and the ripping content sharing service, the service ID and the leaf ID are combined as follows. Is generated.

"Group ID" = "service ID" + "leaf ID"

On the other hand, when the content distribution service and the ripping content sharing service are separately managed, a content distribution service ID unique to each content distribution service unit and a ripping content sharing service ID unique to the ripping content sharing service are generated. For this reason, two types of group IDs corresponding to each service are generated by combining the service ID and the leaf ID of each service as follows.

"First group ID" = "content distribution service ID" + "leaf ID"

"2nd group ID" = "ripping content sharing service ID" + "leaf ID"

Among them, the first group ID is added to the distributed content in order to identify the user who purchased the distributed content distributed from the content distribution server. Also, the second group ID is a criterion for determining whether to add additional recorder IDs to the source ID list, which will be described later, in order to share the ripping content between the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20. Becomes

In the present embodiment, for example, the latter method of generating the first group ID and the second group ID is employed, but for the sake of convenience of explanation, the first group ID and the second group ID are not distinguished from each other below. Will be described as a group ID.

This group ID is added to the distributed content distributed from the content distribution server, for example, by the content processing apparatus 10. By adding the group ID to the distributed contents in this way, it is possible to identify the user who purchased the distributed contents (i.e., the provider of the contents).

As described above, the content added with the source ID (recorder ID, group ID) by the source ID adding unit 1 included in the content processing device 10 is between the content processing device 10 and the content reproducing device 20. Is freely copyable. That is, in the copyright management system of the group management method, when copying the content to which the source ID is added (that is, the content subject to copyright management), the copy count limiting process as in the conventional copyright management system of the check-in and check-out method is performed. There is nothing to be done.

Next, the content reproducing unit 2 is constituted by a content reproducing apparatus, reproducing software, or the like, and is provided in the content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproducing apparatus 20. The content reproducing unit 2 has a source ID list L to which a source ID which is permitted to be reproduced in the content reproducing unit is added. This source ID list L is set for each content reproduction unit 2, and if the content reproduction unit 2 is different, the source ID included in each source ID list L is also different.

When reproducing the content added with the source ID, the content reproducing unit 2 checks the source ID list L to enable / disable the reproduction of the corresponding content. In other words, when the source ID added to the content is included in the source ID list L, the content reproducing unit 2 can reproduce the corresponding content, while the source ID added to the content is the source ID list L. If it is not included, the content cannot be played back. In this way, the content reproducing unit 2 controls the reproduction of the content in units of source ID, that is, in units of content provider.

In addition, the content reproducing unit 2 can request the list management unit 3 to add a new source ID to the source ID list L which it holds. That is, the content reproducing unit 2 needs to add the new source ID to the source ID list L in order to reproduce the content to which the new source ID which is not included in the source ID list L held by itself is added. There is. To this end, the content reproducing unit 2 requests the list management unit 3 which permits the update of the source ID list L to add the new source ID.

The list management unit 3 is installed in, for example, the content processing apparatus 10 and updates the source ID list L held by the content reproduction unit 2. The update of the source ID list L is the addition and deletion of the source ID to the source ID list L here. The list management unit 3 can enable / disable the reproduction of the content to which the corresponding source ID is added in the content reproduction unit 2 by adding / deleting the source ID to the source ID list L. FIG.

The list management unit 3 acquires a group certificate G which is shared information relating to the group ID and the recorder ID, and updates the source ID list L based on the group certificate G. Specifically, when the group ID included in the group certificate G is the same as the group ID included in the source ID list L, the list management unit 3 stores the recorder ID included in the group certificate G in the source ID list L. Add. Thereby, the recorder ID of the content processing apparatus 10 registered in the device group of the same user can be added to the source ID list L, and the content processing apparatus 10 can play the ripped content which was ripped. .

As described above, in the content sharing system 100 according to the present embodiment, each of the content processing apparatus 10 and the content is executed by the source ID adding unit 1, the content reproducing unit 2, and the list managing unit 3. By controlling the reproduction of the content in the reproduction device 20, the copyright of the content copied between the content processing devices 10 is managed. The content sharing system 100 is configured to execute not only the copyright management of the group management method described above but also the copyright management of the conventional check-in and check-out method, but will be described in detail later.

<2. System Configuration>

Next, based on FIG. 3, the whole structure of the content sharing system 100 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the content sharing system 100 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in Fig. 3, the content sharing system 100 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a plurality of content processing apparatuses 10-1, 2,... , n, (hereinafter sometimes referred to collectively as the "content processing apparatus 10"), and a plurality of content reproduction apparatuses 20-1, 2,... , m, n, (hereinafter sometimes referred to collectively as the "content reproducing apparatus 20"), the server 30, the network 5 and the local line 9 connecting these devices to each other, and storage It consists of the medium (7). The server 30 includes, for example, a World Wide Web (WWW) server 31, a group management server 32, a content distribution server 34, a certificate management server 36, a billing server 38, and the like. do.

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

This content processing apparatus 10 is communicable, for example, with the server 30 via the network 5. This content processing apparatus 10 can install software for content distribution services and software for ripping content sharing services, for example. As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 can receive the content from the content distribution server 34, and record the distributed content in a recording device such as a storage device or the storage medium 7 or the like.

In addition, the content processing apparatus 10 can, for example, newly create content by self-recording (self-recording, recording, etc.) or ripping, and record the content in the storage device or the storage medium 7. In addition, self-recording means recording the video / audio etc. which were picked up / collected by the imaging device / collection apparatus which the content processing apparatus 10 itself has as video / audio digital data. In addition, ripping refers to extracting digital content data (voice data, video data, etc.) recorded on a storage medium such as a music CD, a video DVD, a software CD-ROM, and converting the file into a computer-processable file format. This means recording to the storage device or the storage medium 7.

The content processing apparatus 10 uses the distributed content and the ripping content as, for example, a predetermined method such as ATRAC3 (registered trademark of Sony Corporation) (Advanced Transform Acoustic Coding 3) or MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-3). The compression coding method can be compressed and encoded, and encrypted and recorded by an encryption method such as DES (Data Encryption Standard).

Furthermore, the content processing apparatus 10 may transmit and receive the distributed content or the ripping content between the other content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproducing apparatus 20 through the network 5 or the local line 9, Alternatively, it may be exchanged through the storage medium 7. Accordingly, the content can be provided / obtained and the content can be shared between the plurality of content processing apparatuses 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20.

Moreover, the content processing apparatus 10 is group-registered with respect to the group management server 32 connected via the network 5. In addition, the content processing apparatus 10 includes components corresponding to the source ID adding unit 1, the content reproducing unit 2, and the list managing unit 3 as described above, for example. Thus, the content processing apparatus 10 is comprised so that it can respond to the copyright management system of the said group management system. In addition, although the content processing apparatus 10 is comprised so that it can respond also to the conventional copyright management system of the conventional check-in and check-out system, it mentions later for details.

The content reproducing apparatus 20 is a portable device PD which is a portable content reproducing apparatus. More specifically, the content reproducing apparatus 20 is constituted by, for example, a portable audio player having a hard disk drive (HDD) having a storage capacity of several tens of GB, but is not limited to this example. Various portable devices, such as a voice player, a PDA, a mobile telephone, and a PHS, may be sufficient. The storage medium or the loadable external storage medium 7 in the content reproducing apparatus 20 are not limited to ADD, but can be randomly accessed such as an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, a flash memory, a FeRAM, and a magnetic memory. It does not matter if it is a storage medium. The content reproducing apparatus 20 may be a content reproducing device.

This content reproducing apparatus 20 is locally connectable to the content processing apparatus 10 via, for example, a local line 9, and can communicate various data with the content processing apparatus 10. This local line 9 is composed of, for example, a wired cable such as a universal serial bus (USB) cable or a small computer system interface (SCSI) cable. In addition, the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20 may be comprised so that data communication may be performed by wireless communication.

The content reproducing apparatus 20 can reproduce the content transmitted from the content processing apparatus 10 via the local line 9 or the content provided by the storage medium 7.

The content reproducing apparatus 20 is group registered with the group management server 32 via the content processing apparatus 10. In addition, the content reproducing apparatus 20 has a configuration corresponding to the above-described content reproducing section 2, for example. In this way, the content reproducing apparatus 20 is configured to cope with the copyright management method of the group management method. In addition, the content reproducing apparatus 20 also supports a copyright management method of the check-in and check-out method, and is configured such that the group management method and the check-in and check-out method can be switched in accordance with the setting by the content reproducing device 20. Although detailed, it mentions later.

The server 30 is comprised with the computer apparatus etc. which have a server function. The server 30 includes, for example, a WWW server 31, a group management server 32, a content distribution server 34, a certificate management server 36, a billing server 38, and the like. do.

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

As described above, the group management server 32 uses the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20 on a user basis in accordance with a registration request from the content processing apparatus 10 owned by the user registered user. Register for a group.

The content distribution server 34 is a server that provides a content distribution service and, in response to a distribution request from the content processing apparatus 10 owned by the user, delivers the content to the corresponding content processing apparatus 10 via the network 5. To distribute. This content distribution server 34 is, for example, an EMD server or the like that provides an Electronic Music Distribution (EMD) service. The content distribution server 34 compresses and encodes the music content to be distributed using a compression encoding method such as the ATRAC3 method or the MP3 method, and encrypts it by an encryption method such as DES, and then the content processing apparatus 10. ) In addition, the content distribution server 34 encrypts the content key for decrypting the distributed content together with the encrypted distributed content, and transmits it to the content processing device 10.

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

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

These WWW server 31, group management server 32, content distribution server 34, certificate management server 36, and billing server 38 may be all or part of them integrally configured as hardware, Alternatively, the server device may be configured as a separate server device.

The network 5 is a communication line network which connects the content processing apparatus 10 and the server 30 so as to enable bidirectional communication. This network 5 is comprised of public line networks, such as the Internet, telephone line networks, and satellite communication networks, and dedicated line networks, such as WAN, LAN, and IP-VPN, for example, and does not have a wired or wireless connection.

Moreover, such a network 5 includes a private network. This private network is a network that connects a plurality of content processing apparatuses 10 that share content within the scope of private use from the viewpoint of copyright management. As a specific example of such a private network, for example, a network connecting a plurality of content processing apparatuses 10 used by the same user, or a home network connecting a plurality of content processing apparatuses 10 used in the same home, may be used. And a LAN for connecting a plurality of content processing apparatuses 10 used in a small limited group (company, friend, etc.).

The storage medium 7 is a removable medium capable of storing various data such as content, group certificate G, program, and the like, for example, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, CD-R, CD-. Various optical disks such as RW and magneto-optical disks, Magnetic disks such as flexible disks and hard disks, and various semiconductor memories. The storage medium 7 may be a storage medium having a copyright management function for restricting copying or reproduction of content, for example, using an encryption key or the like.

This storage medium 7 functions as a medium for providing / acquiring content between the content processing apparatuses 10. For example, the content processing apparatus 10-1 is loaded from the content processing apparatus 10-1 by loading the storage medium 7 in which the content is recorded by the content processing apparatus 10-1 into the content processing apparatus 10-2 and reading out the corresponding content. Content can be provided for two. In addition, the content processing apparatus 10-1 can provide / acquire content via the storage medium 7 even with the content reproducing apparatus 20 that is not accessible to the network 5. The storage medium 7 also functions as a medium for providing / acquiring the group certificate G between the content processing apparatuses 10. In addition, the storage medium 7 may be inserted into a content sales terminal (not shown) installed in the storefront or the like, and may store the purchased content in accordance with a user operation and provide it to the content processing apparatus 10.

<3. Content Processing Unit (PC)>

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

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

As shown in FIG. 4, the content processing apparatus 10 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a read only memory (ROM) 102, and a random access memory (RAM) 103. And the host bus 104, the bridge 105, the external bus 106, the interface 107, the input device 108, the output device 110, and the storage device ADD 111. ), A drive 112, a connection port 114, and a communication device 115.

The CPU 101 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, operates in accordance with various programs, and controls each unit in the content processing unit 10. The ROM 102 stores a program, an operation parameter, and the like used by the CPU 101. The RAM 103 primarily stores programs to be used in the execution of the CPU 101, parameters that are appropriately changed in the execution, and the like. These are connected to each other by a host bus 104 composed of a CPU bus or the like.

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

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

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

The storage device 111 is a data storage device configured as an example of a storage unit of the content processing device 10 according to the present embodiment, and is constituted of, for example, a hard disk drive (ADD). This storage device 111 drives a hard disk and stores a program and various data executed by the CPU 101. In this storage device 111, a source ID list L, a content database 116, a self ID database 117, a content management information database 118, and the like shown in FIG. 5 described later are stored.

The drive 112 is a reader / writer for a storage medium, and is built in or attached to the content processing apparatus 10. The drive 112 is provided with respect to a removable storage medium 7 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory loaded in the content processing apparatus 10, such as contents, group certificate G, programs, and the like. Record / play back various data.

Specifically, the drive 112 reads the data recorded in the removable storage medium 7 and interposes the interface 107, the external bus 106, the bridge 105, and the host bus 104. The RAM 103 is supplied to the connected RAM 103. The CPU 101 stores these data in the ROM 102, the storage device 111, or the like as necessary. On the other hand, the drive 112 receives the data stored in the ROM 102 or the storage device 111 or the like, newly generated data, or data acquired from an external device from the CPU 101, thereby removing the removable storage medium 7. To record.

The connection port 114 is a port for connecting an external peripheral device such as the content reproducing apparatus 20, for example, and has connection terminals such as USB and IEEE 1394. The connection port 114 is connected to the CPU 101 or the like via the interface 107, the external bus 106, the bridge 105, the host bus 104, or the like. The connection port 114 enables the content processing apparatus 10 to communicate various data with the content reproducing apparatus 20 via the local line 9.

The communication device 115 is, for example, a communication interface configured with a communication device or the like for connecting to the network 5. The communication device 115 communicates with another external device such as the content processing device 10 or the server 30 via the network 5 to provide content, a source ID list L, a group certificate G, and a control signal. Send and receive various types of data.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the main function of the content processing apparatus 10 which concerns on a present Example is demonstrated. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the function of the content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

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

The data communication unit 120 transmits and receives various data between the content processing apparatus 10 and the external device. For example, the data communication unit 120 uses the communication device 115 to connect the content processing device 10 with another content processing device 10 or the server 30 via the network 5. Sends and receives data. The data communication unit 120 also transmits and receives data between the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20 via the local line 9 using the connection port 114.

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

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

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

In addition, the group registration unit 130 can also group-register the content reproducing apparatus 20 connected to the content processing apparatus 10 with the group management server 32. Such details of the group registration processing and deregistration processing of the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20 by the group registration unit 130 will be described later.

The list manager 140 is a component corresponding to the list manager 3 shown in FIG. 2. This list management unit 140 has a function of updating the source ID list L held by the content processing apparatus 10, for example.

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

In addition, the list management unit 140 deletes all the source IDs in the source ID list L at the time of group registration cancellation. Also, the list manager 140 may update the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20 connected to the content processing apparatus 10. The details of the list update processing by the list manager 140 will be described later.

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

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

The certificate issuing unit 150 has, for example, a function of issuing a group certificate G to prove the device group to which the content processing apparatus 10 belongs. Specifically, the certificate issuing unit 150, for example, in the state in which the content processing apparatus 10 is group-registered and holds the group ID-A as described above, to the content processing apparatus 10 as described above. A group certificate G associated with the corresponding recorder ID1 and the group ID-A is issued. Such a group certificate G can prove that the content processing apparatus 10 corresponding to the recorder ID1 belongs to the user-owned device group specified by the group ID-A. The group certificate G is also provided with a digital signature for change detection, for example, a MAC (Message Authentication Code). Thereby, the change of the group certificate G can be prevented.

When issuing such a group certificate G, the certificate issuing unit 150 reads the recorder ID and the group ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself from the storage device 111, and the read recorder ID and the group. A group certificate G is generated and issued by attaching the digital signature to the ID and encrypting it.

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

The certificate issuing unit 150 may add the expiration date information to the group certificate G to be issued. Accordingly, the content processing apparatus 10 having obtained the group certificate G adds the recorder ID included in the group certificate G to the source ID list L only within the validity period indicated by the expiration date information included in the group certificate G. You can do it.

In addition, although the certificate issuing unit 150 can arbitrarily set the path when distributing the group certificate G issued as described above to the other content processing apparatus 10, for example, the certificate management server 36 May be distributed to other content processing apparatuses 10 via. Thereby, the certificate management server 36 can manage the group certificate G of each content processing apparatus 10 collectively, and can distribute it to the other content processing apparatus 10 which belongs to the same device group.

Moreover, the distribution method of group certificate G can also be set arbitrarily. For example, the group certificate G may be sent directly via the network 5 or the local line 9, the group certificate G may be attached to an e-mail, or the group certificate G may be pasted on the home page. . The content processing device 10 may be provided via the storage medium 7 in which the group certificate G is recorded. Further, the group certificate G may be distributed through the storage medium 7 recorded with the contents. Thus, for example, the recorder ID added to the ripping content and the group ID of the ripped content processing apparatus 10 can be distributed simultaneously with the ripping content. Therefore, the content processing apparatus 10 belonging to the same device group can immediately reproduce the corresponding ripping content.

The group certificate G thus distributed is used for sharing registration, that is, adding the recorder ID to the source ID list L in the other content processing apparatus 10. Accordingly, the other content processing device 10 that has received the distribution of the group certificate G from the content processing device 10 belonging to the same device group obtains the recorder ID of the device that owns the same group ID, and stores the recorder ID in the source ID list L. You can add

In this way, by issuing and distributing the group certificate G associated with the group ID and the recorder I, it is possible to share the recorder IDs with each other without directly connecting the content processing apparatuses 10 belonging to the same device group.

In addition, the group certificate G issued by the certificate issuing unit 150 or the group certificate G obtained from the other content processing apparatus 10 or the certificate management server 36 is stored and managed in the certificate database (not shown). A certificate management unit (not shown) may be provided. As a result, the certificate management unit can read the group certificate G obtained in the past from this certificate database and distribute it to other content processing apparatus 10 or the like.

The distribution service use unit 152 performs a process relating to the content distribution service between the content distribution server 34 and the content distribution server 34.

Specifically, the distribution service use unit 152 may provide, for example, various types of information such as user authentication information (user ID, password, etc.), billing information, content distribution request information, etc. necessary for using the content distribution service. Sending / receiving with the content distribution server 34, or supporting the input and output of these information.

In addition, the distribution service use unit 152 receives the distribution content transmitted from the content distribution server 34 and the license of the distribution content through the network 5 and the communication device 115. That is, when the user of the content processing apparatus 10 purchases the content using the content distribution service, the distribution service using unit 152 sends the file of the distribution content from the content distribution server 34 and the distribution content. The file of the license which defined the use condition is downloaded to another file, for example. In the case of the content to which copyright management of a group management system is performed, the leaf ID assigned to a user by group registration is described in the license of distribution content. On the other hand, in the case of content which is managed by copyright check-in and check-out method, the license includes information such as check-in / check-out frequency limit, playback frequency limit, and playback time limit, which are usage rule information of the content. Described.

The distribution service use unit 152 processes the data of the distributed content and the data of the license thus received, and creates a content file having the same file as the content and the license, for example.

At this time, the group ID is added to the content data of the distributed content by the source ID adding unit 154 as to the distributed content of the group management method. The source ID adding unit 154 is a component corresponding to the source ID adding unit 1. The source ID adding unit 154 adds a group ID to the distributed content. Specifically, the source ID adding unit 154 executes a process of converting the leaf ID described in the license corresponding to the distributed content into a group ID. As described above, the conversion process from the leaf ID to the group ID is performed by adding the service ID of the content distribution service to the leaf ID. Thereby, the group ID which shows the user who purchased this distribution content and the service is related to the distribution content.

In this way, the distribution service using unit 152 and the source ID adding unit 154 create a content file in which the file of the distributed content and the file of the license are combined.

Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6A, the content file F1 of the group management method is encrypted with, for example, a content ID, content data encrypted with a content key, and a system common key that only the content sharing system 100 can handle. It includes a content key and a license in which a source ID such as a group ID is described.

On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6B, the content file F2 of the check-in and check-out method includes, for example, a content ID, content data encrypted with the content key, content key encrypted with the system common key, and usage condition information. Includes a stated license. The license in these content files F1 and F2 is encrypted so that a change can be detected. Accordingly, the source ID or the use condition can be safely related to the content. In addition, the content processing apparatus 10 holds common secret information, for example, so that decryption of an encrypted content key and change of license can be performed. For this reason, even if the content is shared within the content sharing system 100, it is possible to suitably prevent the source ID and the use condition added to the content from being changed.

The distribution service use unit 152 records the content file thus created in the content database 116 in the storage device 111, for example. In the present embodiment, as described above, corresponding contents and licenses are managed in the same file and stored in the content database 116, but are not limited to these examples. For example, the content and the license may be managed in separate files. In this case, the content file may be stored in the content database 116, the license file may be stored in the license database, and the content and the license may be associated with the content ID or the like contained in both files.

The distribution service using unit 152 receives attribute information of the distributed content from the content distribution server 34 at the time of distributing the content. The attribute information of this distributed content includes, for example, title information of the distributed content (for example, a song name, artist (singer) name, album name, genre, playback time, etc.) content ID, distribution date and time, data size, data format. , The type of copyright management scheme. The distribution service use unit 152 uses such attribute information of the distributed content, a recording place of the distributed content (for example, an address in the content DB 116), and the like as the content management information to the content management information database 118. Record it.

The distribution service use unit 152 as described above is configured by, for example, installing the software for the content distribution service corresponding to the content distribution service to be used in the content processing apparatus 10. In addition, the distribution service use unit 152 may be set in plurality for each of a plurality of content distribution services used by the user.

The source ID adding unit 154 adds the group ID of the content processing apparatus 10 itself to the content (ripping content) ripped from the music CD 7a or the like by the ripping unit 184 described later. . Specifically, the source ID adding unit 154 reads the recorder ID of the content processing apparatus 10 stored in the self ID database 117, creates a license including this recorder ID, and generates such a license. To the content data of the ripping content. That is, the source ID adding unit 154, as shown in Fig. 6A, includes a content file including a content ID, content data of encrypted ripping content, encrypted content key, and a license in which a recorder ID is described. Write F1. The source ID adding unit 154 records the ripping content to which the recorder ID is added in this way to the content database 116.

In addition, as for the addition timing of this recorder ID, the ripping completion time of content is preferable, for example. In this way, by directly adding the recorder ID to the ripping content, it is possible to reliably add the recorder ID before the ripping content requiring copyright management is distributed in the system 100. Incidentally, the addition timing of the recorder ID is not limited to this example, and may be, for example, at the time of first reproduction of the ripping content, at the time of copying to another content processing apparatus 10, or the like.

In the magnetic ID database 117, for example, an ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself, such as a device ID, a recorder ID, a terminal ID of the content processing apparatus 10, is stored.

The device ID is an identifier uniquely given in units of various devices (content processing apparatus 10, content reproducing apparatus 20, etc.). This device ID is given, for example, at the time of factory shipment of the content processing apparatus 10 and is securely stored in the self-ID database 117.

The terminal ID is an ID uniquely assigned to each content processing device 10 such as a PC. As described above, the recorder ID is an identifier uniquely assigned to each content processing apparatus 10 having a ripping function. These terminal IDs and recorder IDs are encrypted by the content processing apparatus 10 based on device IDs and random numbers so as to be unique for each content processing apparatus 10. It is stored securely in the database for self ID 117.

The content processing unit 160 performs various processing on the content. The content processing unit 160 installs, for example, an application program that uses the contents (for example, playback, transmission, etc.), or a DRM module for copyright management of the use thereof in the content processing apparatus 10. It is composed by. The content processing unit 160 includes, for example, a content reproducing unit 170, a content providing unit 180, a content acquiring unit 182, and a ripping unit 184.

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

In addition, the content reproducing unit 170 can cope with both the group management method contents and the check-in and check-out content, for example, so that the group management method can be played back and the check-in and check out method can be controlled. Is executable. Specifically, in the case of the reproduction control by the group management method, the content reproducing unit 170 determines whether or not the source ID added to the content to be reproduced is included in the source ID list L. Control playback of content. On the other hand, in the case of controlling playback by the check-in and check-out method, the content reproducing unit 170 determines whether the content of the content to be reproduced is satisfied based on whether the usage condition information of the license corresponding to the content to be reproduced is satisfied. Control playback. The details of the content reproducing unit 170 will be described later.

In addition, two or more content reproducing units 170 may be provided in one content processing device 10. For example, by installing two or more kinds of content reproducing software in one content processing apparatus 10, installing two or more reproducing apparatuses, or using a content reproducing software and a reproducing apparatus in combination. In one content processing apparatus 10, two or more content reproduction units 170 corresponding to each content distribution service or each copyright management system may be configured.

The content providing unit 180 provides the content to the other content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproducing apparatus 20. In addition, the content acquisition unit 182 acquires the content from the other content processing device 10 or the content reproducing device 20. These content providing unit 180 and content obtaining unit 182 may execute the content providing / acquiring process by, for example, a transmission / reception process via the network 5 or the local line 9, or May be executed via the storage medium 7.

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

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

In addition to the ripping unit 184, a self-recording unit (not shown) for newly creating content by magnetic recording and recording may be provided. The self-recording unit may pick up the sound of the surroundings of the content processing apparatus 10, image the subject, generate sound data or video data, and perform predetermined data processing on such data to create new content. Video / audio data such as a television program or a radio program received via the communication device 115 may be converted into a recordable format and new content may be created. By adding a recorder ID to the contents created by the self-recording unit, the contents can be copyrighted in a group management manner.

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

In the copyright management processing of the group management method, this ICV data includes the MAC value (hash value with key) of the source ID list L. For this reason, the ICV data management unit 190 detects whether or not the source ID list L is justified, that is, whether the source ID list L has been tampered with, based on the ICV data. On the other hand, in the copyright management process of the check-in and check-out method, this ICV data contains the MAC value (hash value with a key) of the license of content. For this reason, based on such ICV data, ICV data management part 190 detects whether a license is legitimate, ie, whether a license is changed illegally.

As a result, the ICV data management unit 190 permits the processing of the content processing unit 160 when judged legitimate, while the ICV data management unit 190 determines the content processing unit ( 160) do not allow processing.

The ICV data also includes a flag that is an example of the method identification information indicating whether the copyright management method is a group management method or a check-in and check-out method. For example, if this flag is "0", it means a group management method, and if "1", it means that it is a check-in check-out method. For this reason, the content processing unit 160 can determine which copyright management method should be processed based on this flag.

In addition, the ICV data management unit 190 can similarly manage not only ICV data relating to the content processing apparatus 10 but also ICV data of the content reproducing apparatus 20 connected to the content processing apparatus 10. Accordingly, by setting the value of the flag (method identification information) in the ICV data of the connected content playback device 20 by the content processing device 10, the copyright management method of the content playback device 20 is set. can do. At this time, the setting of the copyright management system of the content reproducing apparatus 20 may be performed based on region information indicating the region where the system 100 is used. For example, when the content reproducing apparatus 20 is used in the United States, it may be set as a group management method, and when it is used in Japan, it may be set as a check-in and check-out method.

Although not illustrated, the content processing apparatus 10 may include a transmission control unit that controls the transfer of content between the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 and the content reproduction apparatus (PD) 20. good. The transfer control unit is stored in the content reproducing apparatus 20 or transferred to the content reproducing apparatus 20 of the content stored in the content processing apparatus 10 according to a transfer request based on a user input, for example. The transmission of the existing content to the content processing device 10 is controlled.

In addition, the transfer control unit controls not only the transfer control of the content (the content to which the source ID is added) to the copyright management target, but also the transfer control of the content (for example, the live content to which the source ID is not added) that is not copyright managed. Can be done. For example, the transfer control unit requests a transfer from the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproducing apparatus 20 or the content reproducing apparatus 20 from the content reproducing apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10 with respect to the content which is not copyrighted. When the transfer request is input, the group ID in the source ID list of the content processing apparatus 10 is compared with the group ID in the source ID list of the content reproducing apparatus 20. As a result of this comparison, the transmission control unit permits the transmission when both group IDs match, and does not permit the transmission when the group IDs do not match. Accordingly, it is possible to limit the use (unlimited copying between devices) not only of the copyright-managed content by the group management method but also the content which is not copyright-protected.

In the above, each component of the content processing apparatus 10 was demonstrated. The data communication unit 120, group registration unit 130, list management unit 140, certificate issuing unit 150, distribution service using unit 152, source ID adding unit 154, content processing unit 160, ICV data The management unit 190, the transmission control unit, or the like may be configured as, for example, hardware having each of the above functions, or may be configured by installing, in the content processing apparatus 10, a program for realizing the above functions on a computer. good.

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

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the content reproducing unit 170 includes, for example, a reproducing or not determining unit 172, a reproducing execution unit 174, and a list update requesting unit 176.

The reproducibility determination unit 172 controls the reproduction of the content requested for reproduction. The reproduction availability determination unit 172 can execute both the reproduction control of the group management method and the reproduction control of the check-in and check-out method.

In the case of performing the reproduction control of the group management method, the reproduction availability determination unit 172 determines the content of the content based on the source ID (recorder ID or group ID) added to the content requested for reproduction and the source ID list L. It is judged whether regeneration is possible.

Specifically, first, if the reproduction permission determination unit 172 receives a reproduction request of the content designated by the user from the input device 108, for example, the content received from the content database 116 is received. It reads and determines whether or not the source ID is added to such content, that is, whether the source ID is described in the license in the content file. If the source ID is not added to the content, the reproduction availability determination unit 172 determines that the content is unnecessary for copyright management, permits the reproduction of the content, and instructs the reproduction execution unit 174 to reproduce the content. Output the signal. On the other hand, when a source ID (recorder ID or group ID) is added to the content, the reproduction availability determination unit 172 determines that the content requires copyright management, and performs the following processing.

First, the reproduction availability determination unit 172 reads (extracts) the source ID from the license in the content file, and reads and analyzes the source ID list L. Next, the reproduction availability determining unit 172 compares the source ID read out from the content with the source ID included in the source ID list L, and does the source ID read out from the content be included in the source ID list L? Judge whether or not. As a result of this comparison, when the source ID read out from the content is included in the source ID list L, the validity period of the source ID is checked, and when it is within the expiration date, the reproducibility determination unit 172 determines whether the content The reproduction is allowed, and a reproduction instruction signal of the content is output to the reproduction execution unit 174. On the other hand, when the source ID read out from the content is not included in the source ID list L, or when the source ID expires, the reproduction availability determining unit 172 prohibits the reproduction of the content and instructs the reproduction. Do not output the signal. For this reason, the reproduction execution unit 174 cannot reproduce the content. In this case, an error notification indicating that the reproduction condition is not satisfied may be displayed.

In this way, the reproduction availability determination unit 172 according to the present embodiment restricts the reproduction to completely prohibit the reproduction of the content to which the source ID not included in the source ID list L is added. However, the reproduction restriction of the content is not limited to this example, and for example, the reproduction availability determining unit 172 permits the reproduction by limiting the reproduction of the content to only a part of time or content, such as image quality, sound quality, and the like. Playback may be allowed by lowering the number of times, or playback may be restricted such as allowing the first predetermined time (for example, once) and then prohibiting the playback.

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

On the other hand, in the case of performing the check-in and check-out reproduction control, the reproduction availability determination unit 172 determines that the reproduction is possible based on the use condition information (reproduction number limit, reproduction expiration date) in the license corresponding to the content requested for reproduction. It is determined whether to reproduce the content. As a result, when it is determined that the license use condition is satisfied, the reproduction permission determination unit 172 permits the reproduction of the corresponding content and outputs a reproduction instruction signal of the content to the reproduction execution unit 174. On the other hand, when it is determined that the license use condition is satisfied, the reproduction availability determination unit 172 prohibits reproduction of the content and does not output a reproduction instruction signal.

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

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

Specifically, the list update request unit 176, for example, inputs a source ID that is not included in the source ID list L from the reproduction availability determination unit 172, and whether the source ID is a recorder ID or a group. Determine if it is an ID. As a result of this determination, in the case of the recorder ID, the list management unit 140 is requested to add the recorder ID to the source ID list L. The list update request unit 176 may perform this additional request process automatically or after confirming whether or not to add the recorder ID to the user. On the other hand, in the case of the group ID as a result of the determination, no additional request processing is performed. This is because the content processing apparatus 10 can register only to a device group of a single user.

Next, based on FIG. 8, the list management part 140 which concerns on a present Example is demonstrated in detail. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the list manager 140 according to the present embodiment.

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

The certificate requesting unit 141 transmits a certificate request signal to the other content processing apparatus 10 or the certificate management server 36 in accordance with a user input or automatically, so that the other content processing apparatus belonging to the same device group ( The group certificate G issued by 10) is required. For example, the certificate requesting unit 141 notifies the specific content processing apparatus 10 or the certificate management server 36 of the recorder ID additionally requested from the content reproducing unit 170, and returns the recorder ID. The group certificate G may be included. Also, the certificate request unit 141 transmits the group ID owned by the content processing apparatus 10 itself to the other content processing apparatus 10 or the certificate management server 36 at an arbitrary timing, and to the corresponding group. One or more group certificates G including a recorder ID associated with the ID (that is, a recorder ID of another content processing apparatus 10 belonging to the same device group) may be requested.

The certificate acquiring unit 142 acquires the group certificate G from the other content processing apparatus 10 or the certificate management server 36. Specifically, the certificate acquiring unit 142 receives and acquires the group certificate G from the external content processing apparatus 10 or the certificate management server 36 via the network 5 and the communication apparatus 115. Can be. In addition, the certificate acquiring unit 142 can read and acquire the group certificate G recorded in the storage medium 7 provided from the other content processing apparatus 10 using the drive 112. The certificate acquisition unit 142 outputs the group certificate G thus obtained to the recorder ID update unit 144.

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

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

The list synchronizer 146 has a function of synchronizing a plurality of source ID lists L. FIG. Here, the synchronization of the source ID list L means merging (merge) a plurality of different source ID lists L, and the recorder IDs included in the plurality of original source ID lists L are included in the source ID list L after synchronization. All of are included without duplication.

The synchronization processing of this source ID list L can be executed only between the content processing apparatuses 10 owning the same group ID. Specifically, the list synchronizer 146 acquires the source ID list L held by the other content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproducing apparatus 20, and the group ID included in the source ID list L and the group ID. Both source ID lists L are synchronized only when the group IDs included in the source ID list L of the own content processing apparatus 10 match.

In such synchronization processing, the recorder ID included in the source ID list L of the plurality of registered devices of the same device group can be made the same. For this reason, ripping content is shared between such content processing apparatuses 10, and it can reproduce | play each other.

The synchronization processing may be performed automatically by the list synchronization unit 146 at regular or arbitrary timing, for example, between the content processing apparatuses 10 in the private network, or according to a user's instruction. You may carry out with the content processing apparatus 10. FIG. In addition, such synchronization processing is not only between the content processing apparatuses 10 connected through a private network or between the content processing apparatuses 10 connected by the local line 9 but also the content remotely connected via the network 5. Even the processing apparatus 10 is executable.

The magnetic ID adding unit 148 adds the recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself to the source ID list L, for example. Specifically, the magnetic ID adding unit 148 reads the recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself from the magnetic ID database 117 and records it in the source ID list L, for example. Accordingly, the content processing apparatus 10 can play the ripped content ripped in itself regardless of the group registration. The group ID may be generated based on the random number or the like, and recorded in the self ID database 117.

The group ID updating unit 149 adds such a group ID to the source ID list L, for example, when a group ID is input from the group registration unit 130 at the time of group registration of the content processing apparatus 10. As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 can reproduce the distributed content to which the group ID is added.

The group ID updating unit 149 also deletes all source IDs (recorder ID, group ID) included in the source ID list L when a group deregistration notification is input from the group registration unit 130. However, only the recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself is not deleted from the source ID list L. As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 can play only the ripping content that is created by itself and the content that is not managed by copyright.

The recorder ID updating unit 144 and the group ID updating unit 149 may update the source ID list L received from the content reproducing apparatus 20 and reply.

In the above, the list management part 140 which concerns on this embodiment was demonstrated. In this way, the list management unit 140 adds the group ID obtained by group registration to the source ID list L, and records the records of the other content processing apparatus 10 belonging to the same device group based on whether the group IDs are the same. Add the ID to the source ID list L. Accordingly, the copied distributed content and the ripping content can be freely reproduced between the content processing apparatuses 10 registered in the same device group. On the other hand, between content processing apparatuses 10 registered or not registered in different device groups, reproduction of copied contents can be restricted, thereby preventing illegal use of the contents.

Regarding the plurality of content processing apparatuses 10 and content reproducing apparatuses 20 in the private network, only one representative list management unit 140 is provided in a certain content processing apparatus 10, and such representative list management unit 140 is provided. The source ID list L of each of the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20 may be updated collectively. In this case, the representative list management unit 140 is preferably installed in, for example, a connection server device of a private network.

<4. Content Processing Unit>

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

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

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

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

The data processing apparatus 204 is constituted by a system LSI or the like and processes data transmitted in the content reproducing apparatus 20. The bus 206 includes a main controller 201, a flash memory 202, a RAM 203, a data processor 204, an input device 208, a display device 210, and a storage device ADD 211. ), A decoder 213, a communication device 215, an audio output circuit 216, and the like are data lines for connecting.

The input device 208 and the remote controller 218 generate an input signal according to the operation means for the touch panel, the button key, the lever, the dial, and the like, and the operation means by the user, for example. And an input control circuit for outputting to 201. The user of the content reproducing apparatus 20 can input various data or instruct a processing operation to the content reproducing apparatus 20 by operating the input device 208 or the remote controller 218 described later. have.

The display device 210 is composed of, for example, an LCD panel and an LCD control circuit. The display device 210 displays various types of information as text or an image under the control of the main controller 201. For example, as will be described later, the title information of the content held in the content reproducing apparatus 20 can be displayed so as to be able to determine whether the reproduction is possible or not.

The storage device 211 is a data storage device configured as an example of a storage unit of the content reproducing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment. The storage device 211 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive ADD having a storage capacity of several tens of GB, and stores various types of data such as compressed content, programs of the main control device 201, processing data, and the like. To be stored.

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

The communication device 215 is composed of a USB controller, a USB terminal, and the like, and is connected to the content processing device 10 connected via a local line 9 such as a USB cable. The content, source ID list L, ICV data, Various data such as content management information and control signals are transmitted and received.

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

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

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

Next, a description will be given of the data flow when the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 reproduces the content. First, when a content reproduction request is input to the main control device 201 and the reproduction of the content is permitted by the main control device 201, the data processing device 204 stores the content data to be reproduced. The content data transferred to the RAM 203 is transferred to the decoder 213 in parallel while being read from the device 211 and transferred to the RAM 203. Next, the decoder 213 performs decryption processing, decoding processing, surround processing, conversion processing to PCM data, and the like, of encrypted content data, and transmits it to the main controller 201. In addition, the main controller 201 adjusts the volume of the input PCM data by DA converter (not shown), converts it into analog audio data, and transmits it to the amplifier of the audio output circuit 216. The audio output circuit 216 outputs this analog audio data from the headphones 219 via the remote controller 218.

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

As shown in Fig. 10, the content reproducing apparatus 20 is, for example, a data communication unit 220, a storage unit 230, a reproduction control method determination unit 240, and a reproduction reproducibility determination unit 242. ), A playback execution unit 244, a title list creation unit 250, and a content selection unit 252.

The data communication unit 220 transmits and receives data with the content processing apparatus 10 via the local line 9 using the communication apparatus 215.

The storage unit 230 includes, for example, the storage device 211, the flash memory 202, and the like, and stores various data in the content reproducing apparatus 20. This storage unit 230 stores, for example, ICV data 231, a source ID list L, a content database 234, and a content management information database 236.

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

The flag 232 is an example of the system identification information indicating the reproduction control method (copyright management method) in the content reproducing apparatus 20. For example, when the reproduction control method of the content reproduction device 20 is set to the group management method by the content processing device 10, the flag 232 is "0" while the reproduction control method is set to "0". When the check-in and check-out method is set, the flag 232 is "1".

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

The source ID list L in the storage unit 230 is substantially the same as the source ID list L of the content processing apparatus 10. By the group registration of the content reproducing apparatus 20, the group ID is added, and the recorder ID of the content processing apparatus 10 belonging to the same device group is also added. In the present embodiment, the source ID list L is updated by the list manager 140 of the content processing apparatus 10, but the list manager is installed in the content player 20, and the content player 20 itself. The source ID list L may be updated.

In addition, the content database 234 stores the content transmitted from the content processing apparatus 10. When the reproduction control method of the content reproducing apparatus 20 is set to the group management method, the content database 234 stores a content to which a license including a source ID as shown in Fig. 6A is added. When the reproduction control method is set to the check-in and check-out method, the content to which the license including the use condition information as shown in Fig. 6B is added is stored.

In the content management information database 236, in addition to the content management information database 118 of the content processing apparatus 10, with respect to the content stored in the content DB 234, the content ID and title information (song name, Attribute information of the content such as artist name, album name, and the like, recording place information (e.g., an address in the content DB 234), and the like are recorded.

In addition, for example, the device ID of the content reproducing apparatus 20 is safely stored in the self-ID database not shown in the drawing in the storage unit 230. This device ID is an ID uniquely assigned to each content reproducing apparatus 20 at the time of factory release and is used for group registration of the content reproducing apparatus 20.

The reproduction control method determination unit 240 reads the flag 232 of the ICV data 231 at the time of reproduction of the content, for example, and the like, based on the flag 232, to the content processing apparatus 10. The reproduction control method of the content reproducing apparatus 20 thus determined is determined. Specifically, for example, when the flag 232 is "0", the reproduction control method determination unit 240 determines that the reproduction control method is the group management method (first reproduction control method), and the flag. When 232 is "1", it is determined that the reproduction control method is the check-in and check-out method (second reproduction control method). The reproduction control method determination unit 240 outputs this determination result to the reproduction availability determination unit 242.

The reproducibility determination unit 242 determines whether to reproduce the content that has received the reproduction request according to any of the reproduction control methods determined by the reproduction control method determination unit 240. The reproducibility determination unit 242 performs a regeneration control according to the copyright management scheme of the check-in / check-out method and the first reproducibility determination unit 242a which performs reproduction control according to the copyright management scheme of the group management method. 2 is provided with a reproducibility determination unit 242b.

When the reproduction control method determination unit 240 determines that the reproduction control method of the content reproduction device 20 is set to the group management method (first reproduction control method), the reproduction availability determination unit 242 determines whether The first reproducibility determination unit 242a is operated to determine whether to reproduce the content based on the source ID added to the content to be reproduced and the source ID list L. FIG. When the expiration date is set for the source ID in the source ID list L, the reproduction of the content is permitted when the source ID is within the expiration date.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the reproduction control method of the content reproducing apparatus 20 is set to the check-in and check-out method (first reproduction control method), the reproduction reproducing determination unit 242 determines whether the reproduction reproducing determination unit ( 242b), it is judged whether or not reproduction of the corresponding content is made based on the use condition information (reproduction number limit, reproduction expiration date, etc.) of the license added to the content to be reproduced. Note that this reproduction availability determination section 242 has substantially the same function as the reproduction availability determination section 172 of the content processing apparatus 10, and thus, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The reproduction execution unit 244 reproduces the content determined by the reproduction availability determination unit 242 to be reproducible, and outputs an audio output circuit. Since the reproduction execution unit 244 has substantially the same function as the reproduction availability execution unit 174 of the content processing apparatus 10, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The title list creating unit 250 reads the title information of all or part of the contents stored in the content database 234 from the content management information database 236, and lists the title information of the contents (hereinafter, Create a "title list". The title list is, for example, a list of music names of music contents, and includes, as additional information, artist names, album names, playback times, and the like of music contents. The title list creating unit 250 also displays the created title list on the display device 210. As a result, the user browses this title list, selects the content desired for reproduction, operates the input device 208 to designate the title information of the corresponding content, and makes a reproduction request. In this way, the title list creation unit 250 and the display device 210 in this embodiment are configured as an example of a display unit that displays title information of one or more pieces of content held by the content reproducing apparatus 20. .

The content selection unit 252 selects the content to be played back on the basis of a user input to the input device 208, and outputs the selection result to the playability determination unit 242. Specifically, the content selection unit 252 reads from the content management information database 236 the content ID and the storage place of the content corresponding to the text information of the content requested to be reproduced by the user, and reproduces such information. It outputs to the decision determination unit 242. As a result, the reproducibility determination unit 242 determines whether to reproduce the selected content to be reproduced, and only the reproducible content is reproduced by the reproducing execution unit 244.

In addition, the title list creation unit 250 may create and display the title list so as to discriminate title information of reproducible content and title information of non-reproducible content. In this case, the title list creation unit 250 first requests the reproduction availability determination unit 242 to determine whether or not each of the contents to be displayed is playable, and based on the determination result, the contents that can be played back. And a title list capable of discriminating non-playable content. As a result, the user can select and specify the content desired to be played back from the content that can be played back. When the title information of the content desired by the user is selected among the reproducible contents displayed on the display device 210 in this way, the content selection unit 252 selects the content ID and the storage location of the content corresponding to the selected title information. The output is output to the reproducing or not judging unit 242, and the reproducing or not judging unit 242 reproduces the corresponding content without performing the reproducing or not judgment.

The functional configuration of the content reproducing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment has been described above. The content reproducing apparatus 20 can selectively execute the reproduction control of the group management method and the reproduction control of the check-in / check-out method in accordance with the setting by the content processing device 10. For this reason, not only the convenience of the user of the content reproducing apparatus 20 is improved, but also it is not necessary to design and develop the content reproducing apparatus 20 of different models corresponding to each reproduction control method, thereby making the development work more efficient. And cost reduction.

In addition, the content reproducing apparatus 20 corresponds to the copyright management of the group management method of reproducing and controlling the content based on the source ID and the source ID list L added to the content. For this reason, since the user can freely download and reproduce the content from the content processing apparatus 10 owned by the content reproducing apparatus 20, the user can use the content by the user in comparison with the conventional check-in and check-out method. Higher degree of freedom, more user-friendly.

The data communication unit 220, the reproduction control method determination unit 240, the reproduction availability determination unit 242, the reproduction execution unit 244, the title list creation unit 250, the content selection unit 252, and the like, For example, it may be configured as hardware having each of the above functions, or may be configured by installing, in the content reproducing apparatus 20, a program for realizing the above functions on a computer.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, when the source ID is not added to the content, the playability determination unit 242 of the content reproducing apparatus 20 determines that the content is unnecessary, and reproduces the content. Is allowed, and the playback execution unit 244 outputs a playback instruction signal of the content. In other words, the content reproducing apparatus 20 is configured to be able to freely reproduce the content which is not copyrighted, such as the content to which the source ID is not added. Such use restriction of unprotected content can be realized by the above-described group management method. The method is shown below.

First, the transmission control unit (not shown in the drawing) of the above-described content processing apparatus 10 receives a request for transferring the content without copyright protection stored in the content database 116 to the content reproducing apparatus 20. The source ID list L in the content reproducing apparatus 20 connected by the local line 9 is obtained (step 1).

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

As a result of this comparison, when the two group IDs match, the transfer control unit transfers the unprotected content that has received the transfer request from the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproducing apparatus 20. If not, the transfer is prohibited (step 3).

In addition, although the transmission of the content which is not copyright-protected from the content reproducing apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10 is basically prohibited, it can also be configured to allow a part of the transmission by the group management method described above. Do. The method is shown below.

First, the transmission control unit of the content processing apparatus 10 receives, from the content reproducing apparatus 20 connected by the local line 9, the unprotected content stored in the content reproducing apparatus 20 from the content processing apparatus. Upon receipt of the request to be sent to (10), the source ID list L in the content reproducing apparatus 20 is obtained (step 1).

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

As a result of this comparison, when the two group IDs match, the transfer control unit transfers the unprotected content that has received the transfer request from the content reproducing apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10. If not, the transfer is prohibited (step 3).

As described above, in the copyright management method of the group management method according to the present embodiment, copy transmission is restricted even for content not managed by copyright by controlling the transmission between the content processing device 10 and the content reproducing device 20. Can be restricted.

<5. Server>

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the structure of the server 30 which concerns on a present Example is demonstrated in detail. 11 is a block diagram schematically showing the function of the server 30 according to the present embodiment.

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

Among them, the WWW server 31, the group management server 32, and the certificate management server 36 constitute a content sharing service execution unit, and the plurality of content processing apparatuses 10 and content playback apparatuses owned by the same user ( 20), and a content sharing service for sharing content between such group registered devices. In addition, the WWW server 31, the content distribution server 34, and the charging server 38 constitute a distribution service execution unit, and distribute content to a user of the content processing apparatus 10 for a fee, for example. Perform a distribution service.

Hereinafter, the functional configuration of each server 31, 32, 34, 36, 38 will be described separately. In addition, since the hardware configuration of each server 31, 32, 34, 36, 38 according to the present embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 described based on FIG. Omit.

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

The user registration unit 312 manages registration processing, registration change processing, deregistration processing, and user account information (user ID, credit number, password, etc.) of a new user who wishes to use the content sharing service and / or the content distribution service. And the like. To a user registered with a service, a leaf ID unique to each user is assigned. Various user account information and leaf IDs determined by the registration processing by the user registration unit 312 are stored in the group registration database 324. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and a user registration database may be provided in the WWW server 31, and the user account information and leaf ID may be managed by the user registration database.

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

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

The group registration database 324 is stored in a storage device (not shown) such as ADD included in the group management server 32. As shown in Fig. 12, this group registration database 324 includes, for example, user account information (user ID 3221), credit card number 3324, of a user who is provided with the content sharing service and the content distribution service. The recorder of the device having the ripping function among the leaf ID 3243 corresponding to the user, the device ID 3244 of the group registered content processing apparatus 10 or the content player 20, and the group registered content processing apparatus 10. The ID 3245 is stored in association.

One leaf ID 3243 is assigned to one user ID (user account) 3241, for example. Regarding the leaf ID 3243 of each user, the device ID 3244 of one or two or more content processing apparatuses 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20 registered in the device group of the user that the leaf ID means. (Terminal ID or device ID) is related. The terminal ID is registered as the device ID 3244 of the content processing apparatus (PC) 10, and the device ID is registered as the device ID 3244 of the content playback apparatus (PD) 20. . In addition, the recorder ID of the content processing apparatus 10 having a ripping function is related to this terminal ID.

The device registration unit 322 groups-registers the content processing device 10 or the content reproducing device 20 of the registration request source to a device group owned by the user authenticated by the user authentication unit 314. This group registration processing is performed by the group registration unit 130 of the content processing apparatus 10 after the user authentication processing has been performed, for example, group registration request information (for example, registration request notification, terminal ID or device ID, Recorder ID, etc.). In the case of group registration of a device, the device ID (terminal ID or device ID, recorder ID, etc.) of the content processing device 10 or the content reproducing device 20 of the registration request source is set to the group registration database 324. It records in the place corresponding to the said authenticated user in the column of the device ID3244. As a result, the device ID of the group registered device is related to the leaf ID (device group) assigned to the authenticated user.

In addition, the device registration unit 322 prohibits registering the same content processing device 10 with another device group. To this end, the device registration unit 322 searches inside the group registration database 324, and if the device ID of the content processing device 10 of the registration request source is already stored, the device processing unit 10 or The registration of the content reproducing apparatus 20 is rejected so that the device ID is not newly recorded in the group registration database 324. Accordingly, one content processing apparatus 10 or content reproducing apparatus 20 can belong to only one device group.

In addition, the device registration unit 322 is an upper limit of the content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproducing apparatus 20 that can be registered in the same device group, specifically, a content processing apparatus that can be associated with a leaf ID of the same user ( The upper limit of 10) may also be set. For example, the device registration unit 322 sets the upper limit of the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 that can be registered in the same device group, for example, to a predetermined number (for example, three), and to a certain leaf ID. Only up to a predetermined upper limit (for example, three) may be associated with terminal IDs. In this case, when the content processing device (PC) 10 having the terminal ID as the device ID receives a registration request exceeding this upper limit, the device registration unit 322 rejects the registration. Accordingly, the number of content processing apparatuses (PCs) 10 that can be registered in the same device group can be limited to, for example, 3 or less, so that the content processing apparatus (PC) that can receive the distributed contents in the same device group. The number of (10) can be limited.

As another example of the upper limit, the device registration unit 322 may set an upper limit (for example, 10) of recorder IDs that can be associated with the same group ID. In this case, registration is rejected when a registration request exceeding this upper limit is received from the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 having the recorder ID. Accordingly, the number of content processing apparatuses 10 having a ripping function, which can be registered in the same device group, can be limited, so that the content processing apparatus 10 can be a source of shareable ripping content in the same device group. You can limit the number of).

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

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

In addition, the device registration unit 322 deregisters the content processing device 10 of the deregistration request source from the device group owned by the authenticated user. This group deregistration process is performed by the group registration unit 130 of the content processing apparatus 10 after the user authentication process is performed, for example, group deregistration request information (e.g., group deregistration request notification, terminal ID). Or device ID, recorder ID, or the like). When deregistering a device, the device ID (terminal ID, device ID) of the content processing device 10 or content playback device 20 of the deregistration request source is set to the device ID of the group registration database 324. Delete from field (3244). However, the recorder ID is not deleted even if the corresponding content processing apparatus (PC) 10 is deregistered. As a result, once the content processing apparatus 10 having the ripping function has been registered in a group up to the predetermined upper limit (for example, 10), it has been said that the content processing apparatus 10 has been deregistered. Even if the new content processing apparatus 10 cannot be additionally registered. Therefore, the number of registrations of the content processing apparatus 10 that can create shareable ripping content can be suppressed, and the copyright management of the ripping content can be strictly controlled.

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

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

The certificate management unit 362 acquires the group certificate G issued by each content processing apparatus 10 via the network 5, and stores the obtained group certificate G in association with the user in the certificate database 364. The certificate management unit 362 also reads from the certificate database 364 a group certificate G of one or more content processing apparatuses 10 belonging to a device group of a user, and processes other content belonging to the same device group. It distributes to the apparatus 10 etc.

For example, when the content processing apparatus 10 is group-registered by the group management server 32, the certificate management unit 362 is provided with the content processing apparatus 10 from the registered content processing apparatus 10. The group certificate G associated with the recorder ID and the group ID is obtained and stored in the certificate database 364. In addition, when another content processing apparatus 10 is newly registered in the same device group, the certificate management unit 362 is provided with the content processing apparatus registered in the same device group with respect to the newly registered content processing apparatus 10 ( Distribute group certificate G of 10). As a result, the newly registered content processing apparatus 10 can share the ripping content by acquiring the recorder ID of the registered content processing apparatus 10 and adding it to the source ID list L. FIG.

In addition, when there is a request for distributing a certificate from the registered content processing device 10 or when the content processing device 10 accesses the server 30, the certificate management unit 362 processes the content. For the device 10, a group certificate G of another content processing device 10 belonging to the same device group may be distributed.

When the content processing device 10 is deregistered, the certificate management unit 362 deletes the group certificate G of the deregistered content processing device 10 from the certificate database 364.

In this way, the certificate management unit 362 of the certificate management server 36 collectively manages the group certificate G issued by each content processing device 10 and distributes it to other content processing devices 10 belonging to the same device group. Accordingly, the content processing apparatus 10 can obtain the group certificate G of the other content processing apparatus 10 without directly connecting the content processing apparatuses 10 with each other. In addition, by collectively managing the group certificate G in the certificate management server 36, the content processing apparatus 10 can always obtain the latest group certificate G. For example, the content processing device 10 obtains the group certificate G of all the content processing devices 10 belonging to the device group of the same user, and stores the recorder ID of the content processing device 10 in the source ID list L. You can add

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

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

The license database 346 and the content database 348 are stored in a storage device (not shown) such as ADD included in the content distribution server 34. The license database 346 is a database which stores a license issued according to content distribution. The content database 348 is a database of a plurality of contents that are a distribution target of the content distribution service.

The content distribution unit 344 browses the list of content that can be distributed, for example, to a user for whom authentication has been obtained, and selects the distribution content desired for distribution. In addition, the content distribution unit 344 distributes the selected distribution content to the content processing apparatus 10 used by the user via the network 5. In addition, as for this distribution process, the charging process as mentioned later becomes a condition, for example.

In addition, the content distribution unit 344 also includes, for example, information (content ID, title information (song name, artist name, album name, playback time, etc.) related to the distributed content stored in the content database 348, etc.), Send in association with the distributed content.

The license issuing unit 342 issues a license (right information) of the content distributed by the content distribution unit 344. The license issuing unit 342 can issue different kinds of licenses according to the type of the copyright management system.

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

When the license issuing unit 342 issues a license in this way, the content distribution server 34 associates the file of the distributed content with the file of the license including the leaf ID corresponding to the user who purchased the distributed content. It transmits to the processing apparatus 10. As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 that has received such a distributed content and a license converts the leaf ID into a group ID, adds the leaf ID to the distributed content, and functions the group ID as a source ID for the distributed content. Copyright management of the group management method is performed.

On the other hand, when performing copyright management of the check-in and check-out method, the license issuing unit 342 uses a license in which usage condition information such as check-in / out-count limit, playback count limit, and playback period are described, Issued in association with the distributed content. At this time, the license issuing unit 342 may create a license of a usage condition type desired by the user based on the license model information of the license database 346.

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

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

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

In addition, in the above, the content distribution server 34 transmits the distributed content and the license in separate files, but may transmit both in the same file. In addition, in the above, at the time of content distribution of a group management system, the content distribution server 34 notifies the content processing apparatus 10 of the leaf ID, and the content processing apparatus 10 is based on the notified leaf ID. Although a group ID is generated, it is not limited to this example. For example, the content distribution server 34 may generate the group ID in advance based on the leaf ID, and notify the content processing apparatus 10 of the generated group ID.

Next, the charging server will be described. The billing server 38 performs billing processing in accordance with the distribution of the content by the content distribution server 34. This billing server 38 includes a billing processing unit 382 and a billing information database 384, for example.

The billing information database 384 is a database consisting of billing information for each user, and is stored in a storage device (not shown) such as ADD included in the billing server 38.

The billing processing unit 382, for example, performs a billing process for requesting payment of the amount according to the content to be distributed to a user who has received the content. The billing information such as the billed amount, the settlement method, and the settlement date resulting from the billing processing is stored in the billing information database 384, for example.

<6. How to share content>

Next, based on FIG. 13, the basic flow of the content sharing method using the above-mentioned content sharing system 100 is demonstrated. Fig. 13 is a timing chart showing the basic flow of the content sharing method according to the present embodiment.

As shown in Fig. 13, first, a new user uses any one of the content processing apparatus (PC) 10-1 owned by the user, and the group management method for the WWW server 31 of the server 30. A user registration request of the content sharing service using the copyright management scheme of the user is made (S2). Then, the WWW server 31 performs user authentication processing of the user, assigns a new leaf ID to the user, and registers the user (S4). In addition, user registration of this content sharing service may serve as user registration of a content distribution service. In addition, the group management server 32 may perform the user registration processing instead of the WWW server 31.

Next, the user makes a request for registration of each device to the server 30 by using the content processing apparatus (PC) 10-1, 10-2 owned by the user (S8, S12). Then, the group management server 32 registers the content processing apparatuses 10-1 and 10-2 to the device group of the user in accordance with the registration request of the device, and assigns a leaf ID corresponding to the user. The content processing apparatuses 10-1 and 10-2 are notified (S10, S14). The content processing apparatuses 10-1 and 10-2 convert the notified leaf ID into a group ID and add it to their source ID list L, respectively. In addition, the device group registration of each content processing apparatus 10 does not need to be simultaneous, and may be arbitrary timing, respectively.

Next, the content processing apparatus 10-2 issues a group certificate G which associates the recorder ID with the group ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10-2 itself, and transmits it to the certificate management server 36 of the server 30. (S16). In addition, the certificate management server 36 distributes the group certificate G of the content processing apparatus 10-2 to the content processing apparatus 10-1 (S18). The group certificate G may be distributed directly from the content processing apparatus 10-2 to the content processing apparatus 10-1 without passing through the certificate management server 36. Similarly, the group certificate G of the content processing device 10-1 may be distributed to the content processing device 10-2.

When the content processing apparatus 10-1 acquires the group certificate G distributed as mentioned above, it updates the source ID list L which it has (S20). In this list update process, in the group registration, when the content processing apparatuses 10-1 and 10-2 are registered in the same device group, since both devices have the same group ID, the content processing apparatus 10 -1 can add the recorder ID of the content processing apparatus 10-2 included in the group certificate G to its source ID list L. FIG. On the other hand, when the content processing apparatuses 10-1 and 10-2 are registered in different device groups, both devices have different group IDs, so the content processing apparatus 10-1 is included in the group certificate G. The recorder ID cannot be added to its source ID list L.

In the following description, a case in which the content processing device 10-1 acquires and shares the content provided from the content processing device 10-2 in this state will be described.

First, the case where shared content such as ripping content is shared will be described. The content processing apparatus 10-2 creates content by ripping, self-recording, etc. (S22), and adds the recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10-2 to this created content (S24). Next, the content processing apparatus 10-2 provides the created content to which the recorder ID has been added to the content processing apparatus 10-1 via the network 5, the local line 9, the storage medium 7, or the like. (S26).

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

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

Furthermore, when the content processing apparatuses 10-1 and 10-2 respectively perform the deregistration request (S44, S48), the group management server 32 responds to the content processing apparatus 10-1 according to the deregistration request. 10-2) are released (S46, S50).

In the content sharing method using the content sharing system 100 as described above, when a plurality of content processing apparatuses 10 owned by the same user are registered in the same device group, the created content and The distribution content can be shared relatively freely.

<7. Group registration and cancellation processing>

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

First, with reference to FIG. 14, the process (group registration process) of device registration of the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 concerning this embodiment to the group management server 32 is demonstrated. 14 is a timing chart showing group registration processing of the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 according to the present embodiment.

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

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

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

Specifically, first, the content processing apparatus 10 requests the service data from the group management server 32 (S72). Then, the group management server 32 returns the service data to the content processing apparatus 10 (S74). The service data includes the leaf ID corresponding to the authenticated user and the service common key described above. Next, the content processing apparatus 10 transmits to the group management server 32 the transaction ID received at step S70, a terminal ID and a recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself, and performs group management. A registration request is made to the server 32 (S76). This terminal ID and recorder ID are generated by the content processing apparatus 10. In addition, since the information exchanged in these S74 and S76 is prevented from the external change by the said session information, it can transmit / receive safely.

Next, the group management server 32 determines whether or not the content processing apparatus 10 is registered (S78). The determination of whether or not this registration is possible is, for example, an upper limit of the content processing apparatus 10 that can be registered in the same device group (for example, an upper limit of terminal ID (for example, three), and an upper limit of a recorder ID (for example). For example, 10). More specifically, when three content processing apparatuses 10 having different terminal IDs are already registered in the device group of the authenticated user, the group management server 32 is a new content processing apparatus. Registration of (10) is prohibited. In addition, when there are cases in which, for example, ten content processing apparatuses 10 having different recorder IDs have been registered in the device group of the user (whether or not currently registered), the group management server ( 32 prohibits registration of the new content processing apparatus 10.

As a result of the registration acceptance determination in S78, when registration is not permitted, the group management server 32 transmits an error notification indicating that registration is not possible to the content processing apparatus 10. On the other hand, when the registration is permitted as a result of the registration acceptance determination in S78, the group management server 32 performs the registration processing of the content processing device 10 of the registration request source (S80). Specifically, the group management server 32 records and registers the terminal ID and recorder ID received from the content processing apparatus 10 of the registration request source in the record of the authenticated user in the group registration database 324. do. In addition, the group management server 32 transmits a registration completion notification to the registered content processing apparatus 10 (S82).

Next, upon receiving such registration completion notification, the content processing apparatus 10 validates the service data received in step S74 (S84). In addition, the content processing apparatus 10 generates a group ID (both the first group ID and the second group ID) based on the leaf ID in the validated service data, and uses the group ID as its source ID list L. In addition, it is stored inside (S86). As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 can reproduce the distributed content to which the group ID has been added, and can also add the recorder ID of the group certificate G including the group ID to its source ID list L. .

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

Furthermore, when there is another one or two or more content processing apparatuses 10 already registered in the same device group, the certificate management server 36 selects the group certificate G of the other content processing apparatus 10 of this registration. It distributes to the registered content processing apparatus 10 (S92). Then, the registered content processing apparatus 10 reads out the recorder ID in the received group certificate G and adds it to its source ID list L (S94). Accordingly, the content processing apparatus 10 can play the ripped content in which the other content processing apparatus 10 belonging to the same device group is ripped.

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

As shown in Fig. 15, first, in steps S100 to S110, a communication connection via the network 5 is securely established between the content processing apparatus 10 of the deregistration request source and the server 30, and user authentication is performed. Is done. The processing of S100 to S110 is performed between the browser of the content processing apparatus 10 and the WWW server 31 of the server 30. Incidentally, the processing of S100 to S110 is performed by the content processing apparatus 10 described in FIG. Since it is substantially the same as S60 to S70 of the group registration processing, the detailed description is omitted.

In the following steps S112 to S120, a process for actually deregistering the content processing device 10 is performed. The processing in S112 to S120 is performed between the copyright management unit of the content processing apparatus 10 and the group management server 32 of the server 30.

Specifically, first, the content processing apparatus 10 invalidates the service data acquired from the group management server 32 at the time of group registration and held in the content processing apparatus 10 (S112). Specifically, the content processing apparatus 10 deletes the group ID and recorder ID included in its source ID list L. As shown in FIG. As a result, in the content processing apparatus 10, it is impossible to reproduce the content to which these source IDs are added.

Next, the content processing apparatus 10 transmits to the group management server 32 the transaction ID received at said S110, the terminal ID and the recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself, and performs group management. A deregistration request is made to the server 32 (S114). In addition, since the information transmitted by this S114 is prevented from the outside by the said session information, it can transmit safely.

Next, upon receiving the deregistration request, the group management server 32 determines whether to deregister the content processing apparatus 10 (S116). For example, when the content processing apparatus 10 of the deregistration request source is not registered, or is an unregistered deregistration request, the group management server 32 does not permit deregistration.

As a result of the registration acceptance determination in S116, when deregistration is not permitted, the group management server 32 transmits an error notification notifying that the deregistration is impossible.

On the other hand, when deregistration is permitted as a result of the registration acceptance determination in S116, the group management server 32 performs deregistration processing of the content processing apparatus 10 of the deregistration request source (S118). Specifically, the group management server 32 deletes the terminal ID of the content processing apparatus 10 of the deregistration request source from the record of the authenticated user in the group registration database 324. At this time, the recorder ID of the content processing device 10 of the deregistration request source is left without deleting from the group registration database 324. Accordingly, when providing a ripping content sharing service, the content processing apparatus 10 having an excessively large ripping function is registered, and the problem that the ripping content from the plurality of content processing apparatuses 10 can be shared can be prevented. can do.

Next, the group management server 32 transmits a deregistration completion notice to the deregistration content processing apparatus 10 (S120).

As described above, in the deregistration processing of the content processing apparatus 10, the content processing apparatus 10 side first invalidates the service data (S112), and then deregisters processing processing on the group management server 32 side (S118). Is done. As a result, with respect to the content processing apparatus 10 deregistered from the group management server 32, the service data held by the content processing apparatus 10 is reliably invalidated, and the group ID or the like is removed from the source ID list L. You can delete it. For this reason, even if it is unregistered on the group management server 32, the situation that the service data is not invalidated on the content processing apparatus 10 can be prevented.

In the above, the group registration process and deregistration process of the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 were demonstrated. In addition, in order to register the content processing apparatus 10 which has already been registered again, it is impossible to register again once it has not canceled registration.

Next, referring to Fig. 16, a process (group registration processing) of device registration of the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 according to the present embodiment to the group management server 32 will be described. 16 is a timing chart showing group registration processing of the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 according to the present embodiment.

In the case of group registration of the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20, the content line reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 to be registered is connected to the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 that has already been group-registered. The content processing device (PC) 10 registers the content playback device (PD) 20 to the group management server 32 via the content processing device (PC) 10.

As shown in Fig. 16, first, in steps S132 to S142, the network 5 is established between the content processing apparatus 10 of the registration request source and the server 30 connected to the content reproducing apparatus 20 to be registered. The communication connection intervened securely, and user authentication is performed. The processing of S132 to S142 is performed between the browser of the content processing apparatus 10 and the WWW server 31 of the server 30. The processing of S132 to S142 is described in FIG. 14 except that the registration request notification of the content reproducing apparatus 20 is made from the content processing apparatus 10 to the WWW server 31 in S138. Since it is substantially the same as S60-S70 of the group registration process of the content processing apparatus 10, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

In the following steps S144 to S164, a process for actually registering the content reproducing apparatus 20 by the content processing apparatus 10 with the group management server 32 is performed. The processing in S144 to S164 is performed between the content reproducing apparatus 20, the copyright management unit of the content processing apparatus 10, and the group management server 32 of the server 30.

Specifically, first, the content processing apparatus 10 obtains the device ID of the content reproduction apparatus 20 from the content reproduction apparatus 20 to be registered via the local line 9 (S144). . Next, the content processing apparatus 10, with respect to the group management server 32, the transaction ID received in step S142, the terminal ID of the content processing apparatus 10 itself, and the recorder ID of the content reproducing apparatus 20. And the registration request of the content reproducing apparatus 20 to the group management server 32 (S146). In addition, since the information exchanged in this step S144 is prevented from being changed from outside by the session information, transmission and reception can be performed safely.

Next, upon receiving the registration request, the group management server 32 determines whether or not the content reproduction device 20 to be registered is registered (S148). In the present embodiment, since there is no limitation on the number of registrations of the content reproducing apparatus 20, registration is permitted unconditionally. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. An upper limit may be set to the number of registrations of the content reproducing apparatus 20. . In addition, when the content processing apparatus 10 of the registration request source is not registered, the group management server 32 does not permit registration of the content reproduction apparatus 20 to be registered.

As a result of the registration acceptance determination in S148, when not allowing the registration, the group management server 32 transmits an error notification notifying that the registration is not possible.

On the other hand, when the registration is permitted as a result of the registration acceptance determination in S148, the group management server 32 performs the registration processing of the content reproducing apparatus 20 to be registered (S150). Specifically, the group management server 32 specifies the record of the authenticated user in the group registration database 324 on the basis of the terminal ID of the content processing apparatus 10 of the registration request source, and the like. The device ID of the content reproducing apparatus 20 to be registered is recorded. In addition, the group management server 32 transmits a registration completion notice to the content processing device 10 of the registration request source (S152).

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thereafter, the content processing apparatus 10 transmits the source ID list L updated in the step S160 and the ICV data updated in the step S162 to the content reproducing apparatus 20, and stores them in the storage unit of the content reproducing apparatus 20. Record (S164). In S156 and S164, the ICV data is transmitted and received between the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20 without changing the ICV data using the session information.

By the group registration processing of the content reproducing apparatus 20 described above, the content reproducing apparatus 20 is capable of reproducing the distributed content to which the group ID has been added since the group ID is added to its source ID list L. FIG.

Next, referring to FIG. 17, a process (group deregistration process) of deregistering the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 according to the present embodiment from the device group already registered will be described. 17 is a timing chart showing a group deregistration process of the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 according to the present embodiment.

This group deregistration process of the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 is similar to the group registration process of the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20, and the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 is replaced by the content processing apparatus (PC). Local access is made to (10), and the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 makes a request for deregistration to the server 30.

As shown in Fig. 17, first, in steps S170 to S180, a communication connection via the network 5 is securely established between the content processing apparatus 10 of the deregistration request source and the server 30, and user authentication is performed. Is done. The processing of S170 to S180 is performed between the browser of the content processing apparatus 10 and the WWW server 31 of the server 30. The processing of S170 to S180 is performed in FIG. 14 except that in S176, the registration release request notification of the content playback device 20 is made from the content processing device 10 to the WWW server 31. Since it is substantially the same as S60-S70 of group registration process of the content processing apparatus 10 demonstrated, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

In the following steps S182 to S198, a process for actually deregistering the content processing apparatus 10 is performed. The processing in S182 to S198 is performed between the copyright management unit of the content processing device 10 of the deregistration request source and the group management server 32 of the server 30.

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

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

On the other hand, when it is determined that the source ID list L is valid as a result of the validity check in S184, the content processing apparatus 10 updates the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S186). . Specifically, the content processing apparatus 10 deletes the group ID from the source ID list L obtained from the content reproducing apparatus 20. At this time, the recorder ID included in the source ID list L may be deleted. As a result, in the content reproducing apparatus 20, reproduction of the content to which these source IDs are added is impossible.

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

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

Next, the content processing apparatus 10 makes a request for deregistration of the content reproducing apparatus 20 to be deregistered to the group management server 32 (S192). Specifically, the content processing apparatus 10, with respect to the group management server 32, reproduces the transaction ID received at S180, the terminal ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself, and the content to be deregistered. The device ID of the apparatus 20 is transmitted and a deregistration request is made. In addition, since the information transmitted by this S192 is prevented from the outside by the said session information, it can transmit safely.

Next, upon receiving the deregistration request, the group management server 32 determines whether to deregister the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S194). For example, the group management server 32 does not permit deregistration in the case of an illegal deregistration request.

As a result of the registration acceptance determination in S194, when the deregistration is not permitted, the group management server 32 transmits an error notification notifying that the deregistration is impossible.

On the other hand, as a result of the registration acceptance determination in S194, when deregistration is permitted, the group management server 32 performs deregistration processing of the content reproducing apparatus 20 to be deregistered (S196). Specifically, the group management server 32 specifies the record of the authenticated user in the group registration database 324 based on the terminal ID and the like of the content processing apparatus 10 of the registration request source, and from this record. The device ID of the content reproducing apparatus 20 to be deregistered is deleted.

Thereafter, the group management server 32 transmits a deregistration completion notification to the content processing apparatus 10 of the deregistration request source (S198).

As described above, in the deregistration process of the content reproducing apparatus 20, after the group ID is deleted from the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S186) on the content processing apparatus 10 side, On the management server 32 side, deregistration processing (S196) is performed. As a result, with respect to the content reproduction device 20 deregistered from the group management server 32, the group ID can be reliably deleted from the source ID list L of the content reproduction device 20. FIG. For this reason, even though the registration is canceled on the group management server 32, it is possible to prevent the situation that the group ID remains in the actual source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20. FIG.

In the above, the basic flow of group registration process and group deregistration process of the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 and the content reproduction apparatus (PD) 20 was demonstrated. By such processing, even if the owner of the same content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproducing apparatus 20 is changed, the group can be changed in the content processing apparatus 10 by deregistration and re-registration. .

In addition, even when there is a new group registration or group change of the content processing apparatus 10 having the ripping function, the recorder ID of the content processing apparatus 10 is immutable. Therefore, even if the content ripped by the content processing apparatus 10 before the new group registration or before the group change, even after the new group registration or the group change, the device of the device group to which the content processing apparatus 10 belongs, Freely playable As a result, the convenience of the user of the content processing apparatus 10 having the ripping function is improved, and purchase merits are increased.

<8. Replay Control Processing by Group Management Method>

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

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

Next, in step S204, the source ID added to the content is read (step S204). The reproducibility determination unit 172 of the content reproducing unit 170 first reads the content requested for reproduction from the content database 116 or the recording medium 7 or the like, and then licenses added to the content. Read and interpret the source ID included in the.

Further, in step S206, it is determined whether or not the source ID read out from the content is included in the source ID list L of the content processing apparatus 10 (step S206). Specifically, the reproducibility determination unit 172 of the content reproducing unit 170 reads and analyzes the source ID list L from the storage device 111, for example. Next, the reproduction availability determining unit 172 compares the source ID read out from the content with the source ID included in the source ID list L, and the source ID read out from the content is included in the source ID list L. Determine if there is.

As a result of this determination, if the source ID read out from the content is included in the source ID list L, the reproduction availability determination unit 172 permits the reproduction of the corresponding content and proceeds to step S208. On the other hand, when the source ID read out from the content is not included in the source ID list L, the reproduction availability determining unit 172 does not allow reproduction of the content, and ends the reproduction control process.

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

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

Next, the reproduction availability determination unit 172 determines whether the acquired current time exceeds the expiration date of the source ID. As a result of this determination, when the current time exceeds the expiration date of the source ID, the source ID has expired. For this reason, the reproduction availability determination part 172 does not permit reproduction of the said content, and complete | finishes a reproduction control process.

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

As described above, the content reproduction control processing of the group management method according to the present embodiment is executed based on the source ID and the expiration date information of the source ID in the source ID list L added to the content. According to such reproduction control, it is possible to set the expiration date of the reproduction of the contents in units of source IDs, and to allow / disallow the reproduction of the contents. In addition, the expiration date of the source ID may not necessarily be set.

<9. Update processing of source ID list of group management method>

Next, based on FIG. 19, the update process of the source ID list L in the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 which concerns on a present Example is demonstrated. 19 is a flowchart showing an update process of the source ID list L in the content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. In this list update process, the content processing apparatus 10 obtains the distributed group certificate G, and based on the group certificate G, the content processing apparatus 10 own source ID list L or the locally connected content reproduction apparatus. This is an example of updating the source ID list L of (20).

As shown in FIG. 19, first, in step S220, the content processing apparatus 10 acquires the group certificate G distributed from the other content processing apparatus 10 or the certificate management server 36 (step S220). The content processing apparatus 10 obtains the group certificate G by receiving the group certificate G through the network 5 or the local line 9 or by reading the group certificate G recorded in the storage medium 7. It is possible.

Next, in step S222, it is determined whether the acquired group certificate G is within the expiration date (step S222). Specifically, the list management unit 140 of the content processing apparatus 10 first reads the expiration date information included in the group certificate G, and then presents the current time from the time measuring apparatus built in the content processing apparatus 10. Obtain information Next, the list management unit 140 determines whether or not the current time is within the expiration date of the group certificate G. As a result of this determination, if group certificate G is within the expiration date, it progresses to S224. On the other hand, when the group certificate G has passed the expiration date, the list update is rejected and the list update process is terminated.

In addition, in step S224, the list manager 140 reads out the group ID included in the acquired group certificate G (step S224).

Subsequently, in step S226, the list manager 140 reads out the group ID held by the content processing apparatus 10 itself (step S226). In the present embodiment, since the group ID is stored in the source ID list L in each content processing apparatus 10, the list manager 140 selects the group ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 from the source ID list L. Read it.

Next, in step S228, the list manager 140 determines whether or not the group ID read out from the acquired group certificate G and the group ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself match (step S228). . As a result of this determination, when both group IDs match, list update is permitted and the flow proceeds to S230. On the other hand, if both group IDs are different, the list update is rejected and the list update process ends.

Further, in step S230, the recorder ID included in the group certificate G is added to the source ID list L by the list manager 140 (step S230). Specifically, the list management unit 140 reads out the recorder ID from the acquired group certificate G, and records the recorder ID in the source ID list L. As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 can reproduce the ripping content to which the recorder ID is added. Up to the above, the update process of the source ID list L based on group certificate G is complete | finished.

In the above, the basic structure of the content sharing system 100 which concerns on this embodiment, and the content sharing method using the same was demonstrated. In such a content sharing system 100, the copyright management of a group management system and the copyright management system of the check-in and check-out system which conform to SDMI can be implement | achieved.

Of these, in the case of performing copyright management in a group management method in the content sharing system 100, the content shared among a plurality of devices is managed in units of content provider (user unit or device unit in park), and the content processing. The copyright management of the content is performed by restricting the reproduction of the content by the device 10 according to the content provider. That is, the sharing of content between devices can be allowed / disallowed on a content provider basis.

For this reason, when the content provider is an illegal content provider, the content processing apparatus 10 on the content acquisition side can collectively prohibit reproduction of all content acquired from the illegal content provider. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent illegal acts such as mass distribution of ripping content for unspecified number of users, act of publicly distributing distributed content for download on the Internet, and the like.

On the other hand, if the provider of the content is a legitimate content provider, once the source ID of the content provider is added to the source ID list L to allow the content to be shared, thereafter, the content is provided from the authorized content provider. If it is, the other content can be freely played back. Therefore, within the scope of private use, content can be freely copied between a plurality of devices. Therefore, it is possible to realize copyright management close to the conventional distribution system of analog content, which allows unlimited copying only for private use.

In addition, the content sharing system 100 according to the embodiment includes (1) an authoring rights management function for restricting the illegal use of content without paying a fair price for a content distribution service or the like, and (2) a fair price. It is compatible with increasing the degree of freedom of use of content within the range of private use paid.

In addition, in the copyright management processing of such a group management method, as a general rule, the processing of adding the source ID of the source ID list L only needs to be performed once at the time of registering the content distribution service or the ripping content sharing service. Therefore, every time copying (check-in / check-out) of content is performed, as in the conventional copyright management process of the check-in and check-out method, the copyright management process can be made more efficient than when the copyright management process is executed each time. .

Furthermore, by group-registering and grouping each device by the owner (user) unit of the content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproducing apparatus 20, content can be freely copied and used between devices registered in the same device group. . Thus, a legitimate user who uses privately can freely copy content between devices owned by him, and he / she does not need to be aware of the copying source, the number of copies of the content, and the like, so that the existence of a copyright management system can be felt. it's difficult. Therefore, within the range of private use, the user's freedom of use and convenience of content can be further enhanced, and user-friendly copyright management can be executed.

<10. About local registration>

Here, with reference to FIG. 20, the local registration in the copyright management system (content sharing system 100) of the group management system which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated in detail. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of local registration according to the present embodiment.

As shown in Fig. 20, only one recorder ID can be registered in the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20 as a premise of local registration. That is, the content reproducing apparatus 20 can specify only one content processing apparatus 10 so that the content processing apparatus 10 can reproduce, for example, ripped content data (or content).

As shown in Fig. 20A, when the content processing apparatus 10 having the recorder ID &quot; recorder ID1 &quot; and the content reproducing apparatus 20 are connected via a local line 9 (cable) via an interface such as USB, the content reproducing apparatus is provided. The recorder ID1 is added to the source ID list L of (20). That is, the content reproducing apparatus 20 can be registered locally to the content processing apparatus 10 of recorder ID1.

In addition, a series of processes of local registration according to the present embodiment will be described later. As described above, since only one recorder ID can be registered in the content reproducing apparatus 20, another recorder ID has already been registered. In this case, local content cannot be registered in the case where content data related to another recorder ID has already been stored in the content reproducing apparatus 20 or the like.

As shown in Fig. 20A, by describing the recorder ID1 in the source ID list L held by the content reproducing apparatus 20, the content reproducing apparatus 20 is used for the content data recorded by the content processing apparatus 10 of the recorder ID1 by ripping or the like. ) Can be reproduced. As shown in Fig. 20A, the recorder ID1 is assigned to the content data recorded by the content processing apparatus 10 by ripping or the like.

Next, as shown in Fig. 20B, from the state where the content reproducing apparatus 20 is locally registered with respect to the content processing apparatus 10a of the recorder ID1, the content reproducing apparatus 20 and the content processing apparatus 10b of the recorder ID2 are local lines. When connected to 9b and attempts to acquire and reproduce the content data of recorder ID2, the recorder ID registered in the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20 cannot be reproduced because it is the recorder ID1.

Furthermore, even if the recorder ID2 is registered in the source ID list L, since the recorder ID1 is already registered, the recorder ID2 cannot be described in the source ID list L held by the content reproducing apparatus 20. You cannot register locally.

In order to reproduce the content data of recorder ID2, the content reproducing apparatus 20 deletes the recorder ID1 already described in the source ID list L and simultaneously deletes the content data of the recorder ID1. In other words, it is necessary to cancel local registration of the content reproducing apparatus 20.

The release of the local registration is to delete the recorder ID described in the source ID list L held by the content reproducing apparatus 20. The deletion of the recorder ID can be deleted by connecting the content reproducing apparatus 10 to the content reproducing apparatus 20 from the content processing apparatus 10 including the recorder ID by the local line 9.

The recorder ID may be deleted if the recording unit such as the HDD of the content reproducing apparatus 20 includes the source ID list L to perform an initialization process for deleting any data. You can cancel registration.

If the recorder ID1 is deleted from the source ID list L and the content data of the recorder ID1 is deleted, the content processing apparatus 10b of the recorder ID2 can add its own recorder ID2 to the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20. That is, you can register locally.

When the content playback device 20 already registered locally registers locally with respect to another content processing device 10, as described above, the recorder ID held by the content playback device 20 and the recorder ID are added. Although the case where it is necessary to delete the made content data was demonstrated as an example, it is not limited to this example. For example, the deletion of only the recorder ID held by the content reproducing apparatus 20 from the source ID list L may be canceled by local registration, and may be configured to permit local registration with the other content processing apparatus 10.

As shown in Fig. 20C, by deleting the recorder ID1 described in the source ID list L held by the content reproducing apparatus 20, and setting it to the recorder ID2, the content reproducing apparatus 20 is executed by the content processing apparatus 10b of the recorder ID2. The content data to which the recorder ID2 held is added can be obtained, and the content data of the recorder ID2 can be reproduced.

Next, the source ID list L held by the content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproducing apparatus 20 at the time of group registration or local registration described above will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in Fig. 21A, it is assumed that there is a content processing device 10a of recorder ID1, a content processing device 10b of recorder ID2, and a content reproducing device 20 registered locally. In addition, the content reproducing apparatus 20 registers locally with the content processing apparatus 10a of the recorder ID1, and holds the content data of the recorder ID1.

Next, as shown in Fig. 21B, when the content processing apparatus 10a of the recorder ID1 registers the service of the group IDA (or may be referred to as group registration), the source held by the content processing apparatus 10b of the recorder ID1 is held. The group IDA is added to the ID list L. In addition, since recorder ID1 is its recorder ID, it is already described.

In the same manner, when service registration of the group IDA is also registered for the content processing apparatus 10b of the recorder ID2, the group IDA is described in the source ID list L of the content processing apparatus 10b of the recorder ID2.

Furthermore, one group can be formed and registered in groups having the same group ID, and the recorder ID of the device having the same group ID is added to the source ID list L.

As shown in Fig. 21B, the recorder ID of the content processing device 10 of the recorder ID1 to which the same group IDA has been added is added to the source ID list L of the content processing device 10b of the recorder ID2, and the content processing device 10a of the recorder ID1. The recorder ID2 is also added to the source ID list of the.

In addition, as shown in Fig. 21B, when the content processing apparatus 10 accesses the group management server 32 as the timing at which the content processing apparatus 10 adds the recorder ID to the source ID list L, for example. Although the timing etc. which received the group certificate G transmitted from the group management server 32 are mentioned as an example, it is not limited to this example. In addition, by receiving the group certificate G, the content processing apparatus 10 can add to the source ID list L all recorder IDs belonging to the group ID, including the newly added recorder ID.

Access refers to information processing for processing information through a communication network (network 5), for example, using a system, connecting to a server, referencing a file, preserving a file, deleting a file, or changing a file. Speak collectively.

Next, as shown in Fig. 21C, in addition to the content processing apparatus 10a which has already been service-registered in the group IDA, the content reproducing apparatus 20 which is locally registered in the content processing apparatus 10a of the recorder ID1 is also serviced to the group of the group IDA. Upon registration, the group IDA is registered in the source ID list L held by the content reproducing apparatus 20, and the recorder ID2 is also added.

Therefore, when the content reproducing apparatus 20 registers a service in the group IDA, the content reproducing apparatus 20 can reproduce the content data recorded by the content processing apparatuses 10a and 10b of the recorder ID1 and the recorder ID2 by ripping or the like.

Moreover, by registering the content reproducing apparatus 20 as a service, first, the group IDA is added to the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20, but recorder IDs belonging to the group IDA, for example, recorder ID2, are added to the source ID. The timing added to the list L is, for example, connected to the content processing apparatus 10b of the recorder ID2 by the local line 9, but is not limited to this example.

Next, with reference to FIG. 22, the component provided in the group registration part of the content processing apparatus 10 is demonstrated. 22 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a group registration unit of the content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in Fig. 22, the group registration unit in the content processing apparatus 10 includes an acquisition unit 401, a detection unit 403, a recorder ID adding unit 405, a registration request information transmitting unit 407, and registration. The completion receiving unit 409, the notifying unit 411, and the group ID adding unit 413 are provided.

The acquisition unit 401 acquires a source ID list L (second source ID list) held by the content reproducing apparatus 20 to be connected. In addition, the obtained source ID list L is calculated by ICV, the MAC value is obtained, and it can be confirmed that the MAC value included in the change detection data acquired separately is not changed. The change detection data is generated based on the source ID list L.

The detecting unit 403 detects whether the content reproducing apparatus 20 of the source ID list L acquired by the obtaining unit 401 is registered for service, and the content reproducing apparatus 20 acquired by the obtaining unit 401. It is detected whether or not the recorder ID of the content processing apparatus 10 (the child content processing apparatus 10) of the acquisition source is described in the source ID list L of the &quot; The child content processing apparatus 10 has the same meaning as the content processing apparatus 10 itself.

The recorder ID adding unit 405 adds the recorder ID of the child content processing apparatus 10 to the source ID list L acquired by the obtaining unit 401, and the content reproducing apparatus 20 which is the acquisition destination of the source ID list L. The source ID list L added with respect to is stored in the storage device or the like.

As a condition that the recorder ID adding unit 405 adds the recorder ID to the source ID list L, as described later, the content reproducing apparatus 20 to which the source ID list L is acquired is a service unregistered, and is in the source ID list L. The condition that the detection unit 403 detects that recorder IDs other than the recorder IDs of the content processing apparatus 10 itself (the child content processing apparatus 10) of the acquisition source are not described may be exemplified.

The recorder ID adding unit 405 has described the case where the recorder ID is added to the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20 as an example. However, the recorder ID adding unit 405 is not limited to this example. 405 may be the case where the recorder ID is added to the source ID list L held by the content processing apparatus 10.

The registration request information transmitting unit 407 receives a request for the purpose of registering the content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproducing apparatus 20 with the input unit such as a mouse, and the like. 407 transmits registration request information to the transmitter. In addition, the transmitted registration request information is transmitted to the group management server 32 through the network via the transmission unit.

The registration completion receiving unit 409 receives registration completion information from the group management server 32 to which registration request information has been sent, indicating registration completion through the network. If the service registration processing of the content reproducing apparatus 20 or the content processing apparatus 10 does not end normally from the group management server 32, registration abnormality information or the like is transmitted instead of the registration completion information.

The notification unit 411 displays a notification for recommending service registration or the like on the display screen of the content processing apparatus 10. In addition, a notice or the like that recommends to erase (initialize) the content data of the recorder ID not corresponding to the child content processing apparatus 10 stored in the content reproducing apparatus 20 is displayed on the display screen. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the case of displaying on the display screen of the content processing apparatus 10, and can be implemented even when a notification for recommending service registration is displayed on the display screen of the content reproducing apparatus 20.

The group ID adding unit 413, upon receiving the registration completion information from the registration completion receiving unit 409, selects the group ID described in the source ID list L held by the content processing apparatus 10, and the content reproducing apparatus 20. Add to the list of source IDs held by. At that time, the group ID adding unit 413 adds the group ID to the source ID list L obtained by the acquisition unit 401.

In addition, the same function as that provided by the group ID adding unit 413 described above can be implemented even when the group ID updating unit 149 described above with reference to FIG. 8 includes the group ID updating unit 149. The group ID may be added to the source ID list L, for example.

Next, with reference to Figs. 23 to 25, a series of registration processing including automatic local registration processing for the content reproducing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment will be described.

First, as shown in Fig. 23, when the content reproducing apparatus 20 is connected to the content processing apparatus 10 with a cable (local line 9) (S301), the acquisition unit 401 provided in the content processing apparatus 10 is shown. Obtains the source ID list L held by the content reproducing apparatus 20 to which the cable (local line 9) is connected.

When the acquisition unit 401 acquires the source ID list L, the detection unit 403 detects which registration has been performed by the content reproduction device 20 as the acquisition destination based on the source ID list L (S302). For example, the detection unit 403 checks whether the group ID is described in the source ID list L held by the content reproducing apparatus 20, or if the content processing apparatus 10 (child content processing apparatus 10) of the acquisition source is described. It is detected whether the recorder ID is described.

When the detection unit 403 has described the group ID in the source ID list L, for example, the content reproducing apparatus 20 detects that the service registration (or group registration) is completed, and the recorder ID appears in the source ID list L. If described, the content reproducing apparatus 20 detects that it has been registered locally.

As a result of the detection, if any content is registered in the content reproducing apparatus 20 such as local registration or service registration (S302), the detection unit 403 next detects whether the content reproducing apparatus 20 has been registered locally. (S303) When the detection result is local non-registration, it is detected next whether or not the content processing apparatus 10 is registered in service (S304). In addition, whether or not the content processing device 10 is registered in the service is determined based on whether or not the group ID is described in the source ID list L (first source ID list) held by the content processing device 10. Can be.

As a result of the detection by the detection unit 403, when the content processing apparatus 10 is not service registered (S304), that is, the content reproducing apparatus 20 to which the cable (local line 9) is connected is locally unregistered, and also the content processing. If the device 10 is not registered in the service, the notification unit 411 generates service registration recommendation information for prompting the group management server 32 to register the service with respect to the content processing device 10, whereby the content processing device ( A display is displayed on 10) (S305).

Next, when the content processing apparatus 10 registers the service by the user acknowledging the service registration recommendation information by the notification unit 411 via the display screen (S305), the registration screen for service registration is displayed on the display screen. It displays (S306).

According to the registration screen displayed on the screen, when the user operates an input unit such as a mouse, and the registration request information transmitting unit 407 receives an instruction of service registration, the registration request information transmitting unit 407 groups the registration request information. It sends to the management server 32.

The content processing apparatus 10 receives registration completion information (registration completion information) indicating service registration completion from the group management server 32, generates a group ID based on the leaf ID, and the group ID adding unit 413 The service registration is completed by adding the group ID to the source ID list L of the content processing apparatus 10 (S307). In addition to the addition of the group ID, the recorder ID belonging to the group ID is also added to the source ID list L of the content processing apparatus 10.

On the other hand, when the service registration of the content reproducing apparatus 20 is not registered (S305), a warning screen as shown in FIG. 26 is displayed on the display screen of the content processing apparatus 10 (S308). By displaying the warning screen shown in Fig. 26, the user can be made aware that the content reproducing apparatus 20 is not registered correctly.

When the content processing apparatus 10 is already registered with the service (S304), for example, the group ID registered in the source ID list L of the content processing apparatus 10, and the source of the content reproducing apparatus 20, for example. When the detection unit 403 detects that the group IDs registered in the ID list L are the same (S309), the content processing apparatus 10 transmits the content to which the group ID stored in the content processing apparatus 10 is assigned. Data may be transmitted to the content player 20 (S310).

If the group ID described in the source ID list L held by the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20 is not the same (S309), as described above, the warning screen shown in FIG. 26 is displayed on the screen. (S311) As a result, for example, the content processing apparatus 10 cannot transmit the content data distributed from the content distribution server 34 to the content reproduction apparatus 20. FIG.

Next, in the case where the content reproducing apparatus 20 has not registered anything in S302, as shown in FIG. When the content is recognized by the user via the display screen and the content playback device 20 registers the service (S312), the content processing device 10 connected to the cable (local line 9) by the detection unit 403 again registers the service. The registration status is detected whether it is (S313).

As a result of detection by the detection unit 403, when the content processing apparatus 10 has been registered for service (S313), the registration screen for service registration of the content reproducing apparatus 20 is displayed on the display screen of the content processing apparatus 10. It is displayed (S314).

Next, the user operates the input unit such as a mouse along the registration screen displayed on the screen, and when the registration request information transmitting unit 407 receives an instruction of service registration for the content reproducing apparatus 20, the registration request. The information transmitter 407 transmits registration request information to the group management server 32.

The content processing apparatus 10 receives registration completion information (registration completion information) indicating completion of service registration of the content playback apparatus 20 from the group management server 32, thereby providing it to the source ID list L of the content playback apparatus 20. Then, the group ID adding unit 413 adds the group ID of the group to which the content processing apparatus 10 belongs, thereby completing the service registration (S315). In addition to the addition of the group ID, the recorder ID belonging to the group ID is also added to the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20.

After the service registration of the content reproducing apparatus 20 is completed (S315), the content processing apparatus 10 supplies the content reproducing apparatus 20 with the content data to which the same group ID stored in the content processing apparatus 10 is assigned. Can be transmitted (S316).

On the other hand, when the content processing device 10 has not been registered in the service as a result of detection by the detection unit 403 (S317), the content playback device 20 and the content processing device ( A registration screen for registering a service 10) is displayed (S318).

According to the registration screen displayed on the screen, when a user operates an input unit such as a mouse, and the registration request information transmitting unit 407 receives an instruction of service registration, the registration request information transmitting unit 407 groups the registration request information. It sends to the management server 32.

In S318, service registration of the content reproducing apparatus 20 and the content processing apparatus 10 is performed. However, for example, a user ID, for example, for each apparatus of the content reproducing apparatus 20 and the content processing apparatus 10 is provided. Either when accepting input such as a password and generating registration request information, or when inputting common information such as a user ID or a password, for example, when registering a service for each of the above devices. If the information is received, it may be the case of automatically generating the registration request information. According to the latter case, it is possible to simplify the information input processing by the user and shorten the generation time of the registration request information.

The content processing device 10 receives registration completion information (registration completion information) indicating service registration completion of the content processing device 10 and the content playback device 20 from the group management server 32, and is based on the leaf ID. The group ID is generated, and the group ID adding unit 413 adds the group ID to the source ID list L of the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20, thereby completing the service registration (S318). In addition to the addition of the group ID, the recorder ID belonging to the group ID is also added to the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20 and the content processing apparatus 10.

When the service registration of the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20 is completed (S318), among the content data stored in the content processing apparatus 10, it is added to the source ID list L held by the content processing apparatus 10. The content data to which the same group ID as the added group ID is added can be transmitted to the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S319).

Further, when the service registration recommendation information generated by the notification unit 411 is displayed on the display screen and the user acknowledges it, as a result of the service registration of the content processing apparatus 10 (S312), that is, the content If the playback device 20 is not registered at all and no service is registered, the recorder ID adding unit 405 of the content processing device 10 replaces the recorder ID of the content processing device 10 itself with the content playback device. In addition to the acquired source ID list L of (20), change detection data including the MAC value obtained by ICV calculation from the updated source ID list L is generated, and the content reproducing apparatus 20 after the addition is made. The source ID list L and the change detection data are stored (S320).

After local registration is finished (S320), the content data (ripping content data) to which the recorder ID is added among the content data held by the content processing apparatus 10 may be transmitted to the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S321).

Therefore, when the content reproducing apparatus 20 has not registered any content, the content processing apparatus 10 automatically registers the content reproducing apparatus 20 locally. By such local registration, for example, even if there is no function of communicating with a network such as the Internet, the content reproducing apparatus 20 can acquire the content data held by the content processing apparatus 10 and reproduce the content data. have. The content data distributed from the content distribution server 34 cannot be reproduced by the content reproducing apparatus 20, for example, unless service registration is made.

Next, as shown in Fig. 23, the content reproduction apparatus 20 is registered in a certain manner (S302), among which the content reproduction apparatus 20 is registered locally (S303), and as shown in Fig. 25 again. In step S322, it is determined whether the content reproducing apparatus 20 and the locally registered content processing apparatus 10 are actually the content processing apparatus 10 to which the cable (local line 9) is connected.

In other words, when the detection unit 403 detects that the same recorder ID as the recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself is described in the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20, the content reproducing apparatus ( 20 and the locally registered content processing apparatus 10 can be judged as actually connecting the cable (local line 9).

As a result of the detection, when the recorder ID described in the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20 and the content processing apparatus 10 is different (S322), a warning screen is displayed on the screen of the content processing apparatus 10 (S323). In addition, it is checked whether content data exists in the storage device of the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S324).

If the content data does not exist (S324), the notification unit 411 generates service registration recommendation information for prompting the group management server 32 to register the service to the content reproducing apparatus 20, thereby processing the content. The display is displayed on the display screen of the device 10 (S325).

When content data exists in the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S324), a screen for prompting initialization as shown in FIG. 27 is displayed on the screen of the content processing apparatus 10 (S326). When the "Initialize" button is pressed by the operation of the input unit by the user via the screen shown in Fig. 27, all data stored in the storage device of the content reproducing apparatus 20 is deleted, and a physical initialization process is executed ( S327).

When the initialization processing for the content reproducing apparatus 20 is completed (S327), the recorder ID adding unit 405 of the content processing apparatus 10 executes local registration processing (S328). Specifically, the recorder ID adding unit 405 adds the recorder ID of the content processing apparatus 10 itself to the acquired source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20 and from the updated source ID list L. The change detection data including the MAC value obtained by ICV calculation is generated, and the added source ID list L and the change detection data are stored in the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S328).

Therefore, by executing the initialization processing for the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S327), the local registration registered in the other content processing apparatus 10 having the different recorder ID is released, and the cable (local line 9) is connected. Local registration can be made automatically with the recorder ID of the old content processing device 10 (S328).

Next, as a result of detection, when the recorder ID described in the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20 and the recorder ID described in the source ID list L of the content processing apparatus 10 are the same (S322). The service registration recommendation information by the notification unit 411 is displayed on the screen. As a result of the user's recognition of this display, when the content reproducing apparatus 20 is not registered for service (S329), for example, a recorder ID is added to the content data stored in the storage device of the content processing apparatus 10. Only the extracted content data (the ripping content data) may be transmitted to the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S330).

When the content reproducing apparatus 20 is registered as a service (S329), and when the content processing apparatus 10 is registered as a service as a result of detection by the detection unit 403 (S331), the content processing apparatus ( On the display screen of 10), a registration screen for service registration of the content reproducing apparatus 20 is displayed (S332).

Next, the user operates the input unit such as a mouse along the registration screen displayed on the screen, and when the registration request information transmitting unit 407 receives an instruction of service registration for the content reproducing apparatus 20, the registration request. The information transmitter 407 transmits registration request information to the group management server 32.

The content processing apparatus 10 receives registration completion information (registration completion information) indicating completion of service registration of the content playback apparatus 20 from the group management server 32, thereby providing it to the source ID list L of the content playback apparatus 20. Then, the group ID adding unit 413 adds the group ID of the group to which the content processing apparatus 10 belongs, thereby completing the service registration (S333).

When the service registration of the content reproducing apparatus 20 is completed (S333), the content processing apparatus 10 stores the source ID list L held by the content processing apparatus 10 among the content data stored in the content processing apparatus 10. Content data added with the same group ID as the group ID added to the content data can be transmitted to the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S334).

On the other hand, when the content processing apparatus 10 has not registered a service (S331), a registration screen for registering a service of the content reproducing apparatus 20 and the content processing apparatus 10 on the display screen of the content processing apparatus 10 is provided. It is displayed (S335).

According to the registration screen displayed on the screen, when the user operates an input unit such as a mouse, and the registration request information transmitting unit 407 receives an instruction of service registration, the registration request information transmitting unit 407 groups the registration request information. It sends to the management server 32.

The content processing apparatus 10 receives registration completion information (registration completion information) indicating the service registration completion of the content processing apparatus 10 and the content playback apparatus 20 from the group management server 32, and based on the leaf ID. The group ID is generated, and the group ID adding unit 413 adds the group ID to the source ID list L of the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20, thereby completing the service registration (S336). In addition to the addition of the group ID, the recorder ID belonging to the group ID is also added to the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20 and the content processing apparatus 10.

When the service registration of the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20 is completed (S336), the content processing apparatus 10 is the content processing apparatus 10 among the content data which the content processing apparatus 10 stores. The content data added with the same group ID as the group ID added to the source ID list L held by the user can be transmitted to the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S337).

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the content data is transferred from the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproducing apparatus 20 as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. In the case of transmission to the content processing apparatus 10, the present invention can also be implemented.

In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 401 provided in the group registration unit of the content processing apparatus 10, the detection unit 403, the recorder ID addition unit 405, the registration request information transmission unit 407, Although the case where the registration completion receiving part 409, the notification part 411, and the group ID addition part 413 consist of hardware was demonstrated as an example, this invention is not limited to this example. For example, at least one part of each said part may be the case of the program comprised by one or two or more modules or components.

Next, the series of processes described above may be performed by dedicated hardware or may be performed by software. When a series of processes are performed by software, the program which comprises the software is installed in the content processing apparatus 10, the content reproducing apparatus 20, the server 30, etc. In FIG.

Here, in the present specification, a processing step for describing a program for causing a computer such as the content processing apparatus 10, the content reproducing apparatus 20, or the group management server 32 to perform various processing is necessarily a flowchart. It does not need to be processed in time series according to the order described, but also includes processing executed in parallel or separately (for example, parallel processing or processing by an object).

<11. Registration of Content Processing Device or Content Playback Device in the Same ID>

Next, referring to Figs. 28 to 31, the service registration processing of the content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproducing apparatus 20 will be described when the user IDs are the same. FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an input screen during service registration processing according to the present embodiment, FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a group management unit according to the present embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 31 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of service registration of the content reproducing apparatus 20 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 31 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of service registration of the content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

First, as described above, when the service registers the content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproducing apparatus 20, the content processing apparatus 10 accesses the group management server 32 via a network to perform service registration processing. The necessary information is sent to the group management server 32 (management server according to the present embodiment).

Access generally refers to information processing that processes information through a communication network, such as using a system, connecting to a server, referencing a file, saving a file, deleting a file, or changing a file.

Further, the group management server 32 transmits the leaf ID to the content processing apparatus 10, the content processing apparatus 10 generates a group ID based on the leaf ID, and the source of the content processing apparatus 10. It has been described above that service registration is performed by adding to the ID list L or the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20.

As shown in Fig. 28, on the display screen of the content processing apparatus 10, when registering a service, an input screen for requesting the user's ID (user ID) and password from the group management server 32 side is displayed. By operating an input unit such as a mouse, it was necessary to enter a user ID and a password on the input screen. However, even when registering the content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproducing apparatus 20 which is the same user ID, the user ID and password must be sent to the group management server 32, resulting in poor service registration processing efficiency. .

Therefore, a service registration process that can perform service registration without transmitting a user ID and password from the content processing apparatus 10 to the group management server 32 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 29, the group manager of the content processing apparatus 10 includes at least a user information transmitter 430, a registration request information transmitter 433, and a list manager (list updater) 140. As shown in FIG. Although not shown in the drawings, an acquisition unit 401, a detection unit 403, etc., which have appeared when explaining the configuration of the group management unit, may also be provided.

The user information transmitter 430 receives user information including a user ID, a password, and the like inputted by an input unit operated by the user, and transmits the user information to the group management server 32 through the transmitter.

The registration request information transmitter 433 generates registration request information for requesting the group management server 32 for service registration including a device ID or a terminal ID, and transmits the registration request information to the group management server 32 through the transmitter.

When the registration request information transmitting unit 433 performs service registration of the content reproducing apparatus 20 connected to the content processing apparatus 10 by the local line 9, the content reproducing apparatus acquired by the acquiring unit 401 ( Registration request information including the device ID of 20) is generated.

The registration request information transmitting unit 433 generates registration request information including the terminal ID generated by the content processing apparatus 10 when registering the service of the content processing apparatus 10.

When the list management unit 140 transmits the registration request information to the group management server 32 and receives a leaf ID returned from the group management server 32, the list management unit 140 generates a group ID based on the leaf ID, It is added to the source ID list L held by the content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproducing apparatus 20 to be registered.

Next, with reference to FIG. 30, the case where service registration of the content reproduction | regeneration apparatus 20 is demonstrated is demonstrated. In addition, as a prerequisite, the content processing apparatus 10 has already registered the service in the group management server 32.

When the content reproducing apparatus 20 is cabled to the content processing apparatus 10 by the local line 9, the content processing apparatus 10 acquires the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20 as described above. By doing so, it is detected whether or not the corresponding content reproducing apparatus 20 is registered as a service.

When the content processing apparatus 10 detects that the content reproducing apparatus 20 is not registered in the service, as shown in FIG. 30, the content processing apparatus 10 first reproduces the content to the server 30 via the network. The registration request of the device 20 is notified (S340).

In particular, by accessing the WWW server 31 provided in the server 30, the content processing apparatus 10 notifies a registration request (S340). When the WWW server 31 receives the registration request notification, it transmits to the group management server.

Next, when the registration request is notified from the content processing apparatus 10, the server 30 transmits registration start information including information necessary for executing the registration processing to the content processing apparatus 10 (S341). The registration activation information includes, for example, information such as a transaction ID required for retransmission of data, a URL indicating a location in which a leaf ID required for generating a group ID, and the like are stored. The leaf ID is user identification information managed by the group management server 32.

When the content processing apparatus 10 receives the registration start information, the acquisition unit 401 of the content processing apparatus 10 obtains the device ID from the content reproduction apparatus 20 (S342).

When the device ID is acquired (S342), the terminal ID held by the content processing apparatus 10 itself is obtained (S343).

Next, the registration request information transmitting unit 433 of the content processing apparatus 10 generates registration request information including the transaction ID, the terminal ID, and the device ID, and transmits it to the server 30 (S344).

The user registration unit (registration unit) 312 of the WWW server 31 of the server 30 acquires a record (registration record) of the content processing apparatus 10 already registered based on the terminal ID and checks whether it can be registered. Then, the device ID is newly added to the registration record (S345). Moreover, in the registration record of the content processing apparatus 10, user information, such as a user ID and a password, corresponds to terminal ID etc., for example. Normally, the group management server 32 uniquely specified the record in which the content processing apparatus 10 was registered by first receiving the user ID and password from the content processing apparatus 10, but when receiving the terminal ID, Since the record can be uniquely specified, the service registration processing can be performed quickly and efficiently.

In addition, although the registration record was demonstrated by the group registration DB 324 shown in FIG. 12, the registration record (record 3241-record 3245) registers apparatuses, such as the content processing apparatus 10, with the group management server 32. As shown in FIG. Record created when As already described, the registration record contains information such as a user ID, a password, a terminal ID, a device ID, and a recorder ID.

In addition, the WWW server (management server) 31 first receives user information including a user ID and a password from the content processing apparatus 10, and the user authentication unit (authentication unit) 314 of the WWW server 31. Authenticates the user information and transmits the authentication permission notification information to the content processing apparatus 10. If the content processing device 10 does not receive the authentication permission notification information, the registration request information could not be transmitted to the WWW server 31 of the server 30. However, even if the user information is not transmitted, the server 30 does not transmit the terminal ID. Since the record can be uniquely specified, the service registration processing can be performed quickly and efficiently.

When the device ID of the content playback apparatus 20 is added to the group registration DB 324 managed by the group management server 32 (S345), the server 30 ends the registration with respect to the content processing apparatus 10. Registration completion information for conveying the effect is transmitted (S346).

When the content processing device 10 receives the registration completion information, the acquisition unit 401 of the content processing device 10 obtains the source ID list L of the content reproduction device 20 (S347). In addition, the acquisition unit 401 uses the MAC value obtained by ICV calculation of the source ID list L to detect the change at the time of acquisition of the source ID list L, and the change detection data (ICV data) acquired together with the source ID list L. Check if the MAC values included in the table match.

When the source ID list L is obtained (S347), the list manager 140 adds the group ID of the content processing apparatus 10 that has already been registered to the source ID list L (S348). In addition, the list manager 140 generates change detection data from the updated source ID list L, and stores the change detection data together with the source ID list L in the storage device of the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S349). .

In this way, the service registration processing of the content reproducing apparatus 20 ends. If the content processing apparatus 10 has already been service-registered, it is possible to efficiently register the content reproducing apparatus 20 owned by the same user without service input of user information such as user ID and password by the user. Service registration can be performed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 31, the case where the service of the content processing apparatus 10 is registered is demonstrated. In addition, as a prerequisite, the content reproducing apparatus 20 has already been registered as a service in the group registration DB 324 of the group management server 32.

When the content reproducing apparatus 20 is cabled to the content processing apparatus 10 by the local line 9, the content processing apparatus 10 acquires the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20 as described above. By doing so, it is detected whether or not the corresponding content reproducing apparatus 20 is registered as a service.

Further, whether the content processing apparatus 10 itself is a service registered or not is judged by detecting whether or not a group ID or the like is described in the source ID list L, similarly to the content reproducing apparatus 20.

Here, when the content processing device 10 detects that the content processing device 10 is not registered in the service, as shown in FIG. 31, the content processing device 10 first provides the server 30 with respect to the server 30 via the network. The content processing apparatus 10 notifies of its own service registration request (S350).

Next, when the registration request is notified from the content processing device 10, the server 30 transmits registration start information including information necessary for executing the registration process to the content processing device 10 (S351). The registration activation information includes, for example, information such as a transaction ID required for retransmission of data, a URL indicating a location in which a leaf ID required for generating a group ID, and the like are stored. In addition, the transaction ID is managed by the WWW server 31, for example, and the leaf ID is managed by the group management server 32.

When the content processing apparatus 10 receives the registration start information, the acquisition unit 401 of the content processing apparatus 10 obtains the device ID from the content reproduction apparatus 20 (S352).

When the device ID is acquired (S352), the terminal ID held by the content processing apparatus 10 itself is obtained (S353).

Next, the registration request information transmitter 433 of the content processing apparatus 10 generates registration request information including the transaction ID, the terminal ID, and the device ID, and transmits it to the server 30 (S354).

Upon receiving the registration request information, the user registration unit 312 of the WWW server 31 acquires a record (registration record) of the content reproduction apparatus 20 already registered based on the device ID, and at the same time, the content processing apparatus. (10) It is checked whether or not registration is possible, and if registration is possible, a new terminal ID is added to the registration record (S355). In the registration record of the content reproducing apparatus 20, for example, user information such as a user ID and a password is associated with the device ID. Normally, by further receiving the user ID and password from the content processing apparatus 10, the server 30 uniquely specified the registered record in which the content reproducing apparatus 20 was registered. Since the record can be uniquely specified, the service registration processing can be performed quickly and efficiently.

When the terminal ID of the content processing apparatus 10 is added to the corresponding registration record of the group registration DB 324 of the group management server 32 (S355), the server 30 registers with respect to the content processing apparatus 10. The registration completion information for conveying this end is transmitted (S356).

When the content processing apparatus 10 receives the registration completion information, the acquisition unit 401 of the content processing apparatus 10 acquires the source ID list L of the content reproduction apparatus 20 (S357). In addition, the acquisition unit 401 changes the MAC value obtained by ICV calculation of the source ID list L in order to detect a change at the time of acquisition of the source ID list L, and the change detection data (ICV data) acquired together with the source ID list L. Check if the MAC values included in the table match.

When the source ID list L is acquired (S357), the group ID of the already registered content playback device 20 described in the source ID list L is obtained, and the list management unit 140 itself is the content processing device 10 itself. The group ID is recorded in the source ID list L in step S358.

In the above, the service registration process of the content processing apparatus 10 is complete | finished. If the content reproducing apparatus 20 has already registered the service (for example, the device ID is stored in the corresponding registration record), when the content reproducing apparatus 10 registers the service with the content processing apparatus 10 owned by the same user, Service registration can be efficiently performed without inputting user information such as a user ID and a password.

Next, the series of processes described above may be performed by dedicated hardware or may be performed by software. When a series of processes are performed by software, the program which comprises the software is installed in the content processing apparatus 10, the content reproducing apparatus 20, the server 30, etc. In FIG.

Here, in the present specification, processing steps for describing a program for causing a computer to perform various processes do not necessarily need to be processed in time series in the order described as a flowchart, but are executed in parallel or separately (examples). For example, parallel processing or processing by an object).

In addition, the user information transmitter 430, the registration request information transmitter 433, and the list manager 140 provided in the content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment are each composed of one or more modules or components. Although the case of a program has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the user information transmitter 430, the registration request information transmitter 433, and the list manager 140 included in the content processing apparatus 10 are provided. ) May be implemented in the case of hardware.

<12. How to Create a List of Title Information Based on Whether to Play Content>

Next, a method of creating a list of title information based on whether content is reproduced will be described with reference to FIGS.

The content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment determines whether the content is reproducible in the copyright management in the content processing apparatus 10 with respect to the content stored and stored in the content processing apparatus 10, and the determination is made. A list of title information of the content (hereinafter also referred to as title list) is created as possible. The content processing apparatus 10 also displays the created title list on one display of the output device included in the content processing apparatus 10. In addition, the content processing apparatus 10 may delete from the content processing apparatus 10 the content which the content processing apparatus 10 judges that it cannot reproduce on copyright management.

In addition, in the content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, for the content stored in the content reproducing apparatus 20 connected to the content processing apparatus 10, the content is copyright managed in the content reproducing apparatus 20. It is judged whether or not the image can be reproduced, and a title list of the contents is created to enable the determination. The content processing apparatus 10 also displays the created title list on one display of the output device included in the content processing apparatus 10. In addition, the content processing apparatus 10 may delete from the content reproducing apparatus 20 the content determined by the content reproducing apparatus 20 that the content cannot be reproduced in terms of copyright management. Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the content processing apparatus 10 for realizing the above functions will be described in detail.

As shown in Fig. 32, the content processing apparatus 10 includes, for example, a plug-in 502, a content acquisition unit 504, a source ID list acquisition unit 506, A content management information acquisition unit 508, a title list display unit 510, a title list creation unit 512, a reproducibility determination unit 172, a deletion unit 516, and the like are further provided. In the storage device 111 of the content processing apparatus 10, the content management information DB 118, the content DB 116, and the source ID list L are stored.

The plurality of plug-ins 502 are a plurality of plug-in modules included in the data communication unit 120. A plurality of plug-in modules corresponding to the type of the content reproducing apparatus 20 (for example, PC, PDA, portable video player, MP3 player, IC player, CD player or MD player, etc.) are installed in the content processing apparatus 10. As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 can detect the connection of the various content reproducing apparatuses 20 and transmit / receive data via the respective plug-in modules.

For each plug-in module, whether the plug-in module detects a connection and whether each content reproducing apparatus 20 communicates is to manage copyright management of a group management method or copyright management of a check-in / check-out method. It is set. Therefore, when the plug-in module in which the type of group management method is set operates, the content processing apparatus 10 determines whether to play the content in the content reproducing apparatus 20 by the group management method using the source ID. . On the other hand, when the plug-in module in which the type of the check-in check-out method is set operates, the content processing apparatus 10 checks in whether or not the content in the content reproducing apparatus 20 is reproduced using a license corresponding to the content. • Use the checkout method.

The content management information acquisition unit 508 has a function of acquiring management information of the content held by the content reproducing apparatus 20 from the content reproducing apparatus 20 through the plug-in 502. The management information of the content includes the content ID, the address of the content corresponding to the content ID, the title information of the content, and the like. The title information includes, for example, the title of the song, the artist name, and the like when the content is music content.

The content acquiring unit 504 is provided with the content ID of the content held by the content reproducing apparatus 20 or its address from the reproducing or determining judging unit 172, and the content reproducing apparatus 20 is provided from the content reproducing apparatus 20 via the plug-in 502. It has a function of acquiring content based on the content ID or address.

The source ID list obtaining unit 506 has a function of acquiring the source ID list L held by the content reproducing apparatus 20 from the content reproducing apparatus 20 via a plug-in module in which the type of group management method is set.

In the source ID list L which the content processing apparatus 10 refers to for determining whether to reproduce the content, the content processing apparatus 10 indicating the source of content to be allowed to be reproduced by the content processing apparatus 10 is retained. There are two of the source ID list L and the source ID list L held by the content reproducing apparatus 20, which indicates the provider of the content to be reproduced to the content reproducing apparatus 20. The former is an example of the first source ID list, and the latter is an example of the second source ID list.

The reproducibility determination unit 172 has a function of determining whether or not the content stored in the content DB 116 of the content processing device 10 can be reproduced by the content processing device 10 in terms of copyright management. In addition, the reproduction availability determination unit 172 also has a function of determining whether or not the content held by the content reproducing apparatus 20 can be reproduced by the content reproducing apparatus 20 in terms of copyright management. First, the former function will be described.

The reproducibility determination unit 172 acquires the content ID of the content to be judged from the title list creation unit 512 and the content from the content DB 116 based on the content ID. In addition, the reproduction availability determination unit 172 acquires the source ID list L stored in the storage device of the content processing apparatus 10 or the like. The reproduction availability determination unit 172 reads the source ID added to the content acquired from the content DB 116, checks whether the read source ID is included in the source ID list L, and if so, The content added with the source ID is determined to be playable content. On the other hand, if it is not included, the content to which the source ID is added is determined to be non-playable content.

In the above description, the content is obtained from the content DB 116 and described as referring to the source ID added to the content. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, if the content ID and the source ID are recorded in association with the content management information DB 118 or the like beforehand, the reproduction availability determining unit 172 does not acquire the content from the content DB 116, but the content management information DB 118 ) Can be obtained based on the content ID to obtain the source ID.

Next, a description will be given of the latter function of determining whether or not the content held by the content reproducing apparatus 20 can be reproduced by the content reproducing apparatus 20 in terms of copyright management. The processing performed by the reproduction availability determining unit 172 differs depending on whether the connected content reproducing apparatus 20 performs copyright management of a group management method or copyright management of a check-in and check-out method. Explain separately. First, the case of the group management method will be described.

The reproduction availability determination unit 172 obtains the content ID or address of the content in the content reproducing apparatus 20 from the title list creation unit 512 and transmits the content to the content acquisition unit 504 based on the content ID or address. Is obtained from the content reproducing apparatus 20. In addition, the reproduction availability determination unit 172 causes the source ID list acquisition unit 506 to acquire the source ID list L held by the content reproducing apparatus 20. The reproducibility determination unit 172 acquires the source ID list L from the source ID list L acquisition unit 506, acquires the content from the content acquisition unit 504, acquires the source ID added to the content, and performs the corresponding operation. Check if the source ID is included in the source ID list L. If it is included, the content to which the source ID is added is determined to be playable content. If not included, the content to which the source ID is added is determined to be non-playable content.

In the above description, the content is obtained from the content reproducing apparatus 20 and described as referring to the source ID added to the content. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, if the content reproducing apparatus 20 has a database stored in association with the content ID and the source ID, by retrieving the database, the reproducibility determination unit 172 determines the source ID necessary for determining whether to reproduce the content. See.

Next, the case of the check-in and check-out system is demonstrated. The reproducible end portion 172 acquires the content ID or address of the content in the content reproducing apparatus 20 from the title list creation unit 512 and transmits the content to the content acquisition unit 504 based on the content ID or address. Is obtained from the content reproducing apparatus 20. The reproducibility determination unit 172 acquires the content from the content acquisition unit 504, reads the reproduction restriction information set in the license attached to the content, and determines whether the corresponding content can be reproduced. Specifically, for example, if the license includes the number of playable times as the play restriction information, it is checked whether the number of playable times remains (the remaining number of times> 0), and if it remains, the content is determined to be playable. . When the playable period is included as the reproduction restriction information, whether or not the playable period is exceeded is investigated by comparing the system time and the playable period of the content processing apparatus 10, for example. In this case, it is determined that the content is playable.

In the above description, the license is added to the content, but the content is obtained from the content reproducing apparatus 20 and described as referring to the license included therein. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, when the license is not added to the content but is managed in the content reproducing apparatus 20 in association with the content ID in another database, for example, the content processing apparatus 10 may obtain the content. Instead, by acquiring a license, it is possible to judge whether or not the reproduction is possible.

The deletion unit 516 has a function of deleting, from the content DB 116, the content that is determined to be impossible to play in the content processing apparatus 10 by the reproduction availability determination unit 172. In addition, the deletion unit 516 has a function of deleting, from the content reproducing apparatus 20, the content determined by the content reproducing determination unit 172 to be impossible to reproduce in the content reproducing apparatus 20. Specifically, the deletion unit 516 determines whether the content to be deleted is the content in the content processing device 10 in response to an input from the input device 108 such as the pressing of a "batch delete" button. It is determined whether the content is in the playback device 20. Based on the determination, a reproduction request determination unit 172 decides whether or not to play the content inside the content processing apparatus 10 or inside the content reproduction apparatus 20 and decides whether or not to reproduce the content. Acquire. The response includes, for example, the content ID of the content determined by the reproduction availability determination unit 172 to be impossible to reproduce.

The deletion unit 516 is based on the content ID of the non-reproducible content obtained from the reproduction reproducibility determination unit 172 and the deletion target (whether in the content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproducing apparatus 20) determined by the self. Thus, the corresponding content is deleted from the content DB 116 or the content reproducing apparatus 20. When the content is deleted from the content DB 116, the content to which the content ID is added is deleted based on the content ID, for example. When the content is deleted from the content reproducing apparatus 20, for example, the content ID and the deletion request are transmitted to the content reproducing apparatus 20 through the plug-in 502, and the content reproducing apparatus 20 retains its own content. The content to which the corresponding content ID is added is deleted from the content.

In the content management information DB 118, a content ID uniquely assigned to each content stored in the content DB 116, an address of the content, and title information of the content are stored in association with each other.

The title list creating unit 512 has a function of creating a title list of contents based on the input from the input device 108. The title list includes information for identifying the content. For example, when the content is music content, the title list includes the name of a song, an artist, and the like. Specifically, for example, when the user instructs the input device 108 to display a list of a plurality of contents included in a group (album), the title list creation unit 512 manages the contents. The content ID of the content included in the group is read out from the information DB 118, and the read content ID is provided to the reproducibility determination unit 172 to determine whether the contents can be reproduced by the content processing apparatus 10. Let's do it. Thereafter, the title list creation unit 512 obtains the determination result from the reproduction availability determination unit 172, and uses the title information included in the content management information DB 118 to determine whether the content can be reproduced or not. Create a list of titles. Creating a title list of the contents so that the reproduction of the contents is distinguishable is specifically performed by, for example, setting different luminance information in the reproducible content and the non-reproducible content, or matching the different icons to be displayed. Alternatively, the group may be divided into playable content and non-playable content.

The title list display unit 510 has a function of displaying the title list created by the title list creating unit 512 on one display of the output device 110. By such display, for example, is the user instructed through the input device 108 to display a list of a plurality of contents included in a group (album), can each content be reproduced by the content processing apparatus 10? You can see a list of title information, including whether or not.

When the user has instructed the input device 108 to display a list of contents in the content reproducing apparatus 20, the title list creating unit 512 sends the content management information obtaining unit 508 to the content reproducing apparatus. Request content management information from 20. The content management information acquisition unit 508 provides the acquired content management information to the title list creation unit 512. The title list creation unit 512 provides the content availability information or the address of the content included in the content management information to the reproducibility determination unit 172, and determines the contents of the content in the content reproducing apparatus 20 corresponding to the content ID or address. It is judged whether or not reproduction is possible. The reproducibility determination unit 172 acquires the content from the content reproducing apparatus 20 through the content acquiring unit 504 based on the provided content ID or address. Thereafter, the reproduction availability determination unit 172 determines whether reproduction of the acquired content is performed, and provides the result to the title list creation unit 512. The result includes at least the content ID and the information of whether to reproduce. The title list creation unit 512 allows playback based on the content ID included in both the content management information and the determination result, the title information included in the content management information, and the determination result of the reproducibility included in the determination result. Create a list of distinguishable titles. The distinction of regeneration is as described above.

Next, based on FIG. 33, the flow of the process which displays the list of the content in the content processing apparatus 10 so that reproducibility can be distinguished is demonstrated.

First, in step S410, a list display of the contents in the content processing apparatus 10 is commanded (S410). Specifically, as described above, in accordance with the instruction via the input device 108 from the user, the title list creation unit 512 designates the content to be displayed, and the playback permission decision unit 172 allows playback or not. Requires judgment. Next, in step S412, the reproduction availability determination unit 172 acquires the source ID list L of the content processing apparatus 10 (S412). Subsequently, the reproduction availability determining unit 172 selects the head content of the display target content designated by the title list creation unit 512 (S413). Specifically, the reproduction availability determination unit 172 acquires one or more content IDs from the title list creation unit 512, and displays contents corresponding to each content ID in the acquired order or in an arbitrary order. (S413, S419).

The reproduction availability judgment part 172 which acquired the content reads the source ID added to the acquired content in step S414 (S414). After that, the reproduction decision unit 172 checks whether or not the read source ID is included in the source ID list L (S415), and if so, proceeds to step S417 to display the content to which the source ID has been added. The title list creation unit 512 is notified that playback is possible. On the other hand, in step S415, if the source ID is not included in the source ID list L, the flow advances to step S416 to notify the title list creation unit 512 that the content to which the source ID is added cannot be reproduced. The title list creation unit 512 creates a title list based on a notification from the reproduction availability determination unit 172, and the title list display unit 510 reproduces the content according to the created title list. Displayed as content (S416, S417). The above processing is performed for all of the content to be displayed (S418).

In the above, the flow of the process which displays the list of the content in the content processing apparatus 10 so that reproducibility can be distinguished was demonstrated. Next, based on FIG. 34, the flow of the process of deleting the content which cannot be reproduced by copyright management from the inside of the content processing apparatus 10 is demonstrated.

First, in step S420, for example, the "collect all" button is pressed by the user (S420). When the button is pressed, the deletion unit 516 requests the reproduction decision unit 172 to determine whether to reproduce the content stored in the content DB 116 of the content processing apparatus 10. The reproduction permission determination unit 172 which has received this request first obtains the source ID list L of the content processing apparatus 10 in step S421 (S421). Thereafter, the reproduction availability determining unit 172 sequentially reads the content stored in the content DB 116 (S422, S427) and acquires a source ID added to each content (S423). Subsequently, the reproduction availability determining unit 172 checks whether the acquired source ID is included in the source ID list L (S424), and if it is not included, deletes the content to which the source ID is added cannot be reproduced. The unit 516 is notified, and the deletion unit 516 deletes the content from the content DB 116 based on the notification (S425). The above processing is performed for all the contents stored in the content DB 116 (S426).

In the above, the flow of the process which deletes the content which cannot be reproduced by copyright management from the inside of the content processing apparatus 10 was demonstrated. Next, referring to Fig. 35, the flow of processing for displaying the list of contents in the content reproducing apparatus 20 that performs copyright management in the group management system so as to be able to discriminate the reproduction will be described.

First, in step S430, a list display of contents in the content reproducing apparatus is commanded (S430). Specifically, as described above, in accordance with the instruction passed through the input device 108 from the user, the title list creation unit 512 manages the content management device 20 from the content reproducing apparatus 20 in accordance with the instruction. Require acquisition of information. On the basis of the content management information acquired by the content management information acquisition unit 508, the title list creation unit 512 requests the reproduction availability determination unit 172 to determine whether to reproduce the content in the content reproducing apparatus 20. FIG.

Next, in step S431, the reproduction availability determination unit 172 obtains the source ID list L from the content reproducing apparatus 20 through the source ID list obtaining unit 506 (S431). Subsequently, the reproduction availability determining unit 172 selects the head content of the display target content designated by the title list creation unit 512 (S432). Specifically, the reproducibility determination unit 172 acquires one or more content IDs from the title list creation unit 512, and retrieves the content corresponding to each content ID in the acquired order or in any order. It acquires from the content reproducing apparatus 20 via 504 (S432, S438).

The reproduction availability judgment part 172 which acquired the content reads the source ID added to the acquired content in step S433 (S433). After that, the reproduction decision unit 172 checks whether the read source ID is included in the source ID list L (S434), and if so, the process proceeds to step S436 where the content to which the source ID has been added is stored. The title list creation unit 512 is notified that playback is possible. On the other hand, in step S434, if the source ID is not included in the source ID list L, the flow advances to step S435 to notify the title list creation unit 512 that the content to which the source ID is added cannot be reproduced. The title list creation unit 512 displays the content as reproducible or non-reproducible content based on the notification from the reproducibility determination unit 172 (S435, S436). The above processing is performed for all of the content to be displayed (S437).

When the source ID list L includes the expiration date information of the source ID, the reproduction availability determination unit 172 determines that the content to which the source ID which has exceeded the expiration date has been added cannot be reproduced.

In the above, the flow of the process which displays the list of the content in the content reproducing apparatus 20 so that reproducibility can be distinguished was demonstrated. Next, with reference to Fig. 36, the flow of processing for deleting the content which cannot be reproduced by the content reproducing apparatus 20 in the copyright management from the inside of the content reproducing apparatus 20 which performs copyright management in the group management method will be described.

First, in step S440, for example, the "collect all" button is pressed by the user (S440). When the button is pressed, the deletion unit 516 requests the reproduction determination unit 172 to determine whether to reproduce the content in the content reproducing apparatus 20. Upon receipt of this request, the reproduction permission determining unit 172 first obtains the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20 through the source ID list obtaining unit 506 in step S441 (S441). After that, the reproduction availability determining unit 172 sequentially reads the contents from the content reproducing apparatus 20 through the content acquiring unit 504 (S442, S447) and acquires a source ID added to each content ( S443). Subsequently, the reproduction availability determining unit 172 checks whether the acquired source ID is included in the source ID list L (S444), and if it is not included, deletes that the content to which the source ID is added cannot be reproduced. The delete unit 516 sends a delete request to the content reproducing apparatus 20 so that the delete unit 516 deletes the corresponding content from the content reproducing apparatus 20 based on the notification (S445). The above processing is performed for all the contents in the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S446).

In the above, the flow of the process which deletes the content which cannot be reproduced by copyright management from the inside of the content reproduction apparatus 20 was demonstrated. Next, with reference to Fig. 37, the flow of processing for reproducing the content in the content reproducing apparatus 20 from the content processing apparatus 10 will be described.

First, in step S450, the content reproducing apparatus 20 is connected to the content processing apparatus 10 (S450). When the user instructs the list display of the contents in the content reproducing apparatus 20 through the input apparatus 108 (S451), the content processing apparatus 10 receives the source ID list L and the content management information from the content reproducing apparatus 20. And contents are acquired (S452), and the processing described in Fig. 35 is performed to determine whether or not each content is reproduced (S453), and a title list is displayed so that playable content and non-reproducible content can be discriminated (S454). . The user selects the playable content from the displayed title list (S455). At this time, the content which cannot be played back may not be selectable. When the user selects the content, the content processing apparatus 10 instructs the content reproducing apparatus 20 to play the corresponding content (S456). Since it is already judged whether or not reproduction based on the source ID and the source ID list L has been performed, there is no need to perform it again here. The content reproducing apparatus 20 reproduces the indicated content (S457).

In the above, the flow of the process which reproduces the content in the content reproducing apparatus 20 from the content processing apparatus 10 was demonstrated. Next, with reference to Fig. 38, the flow of processing for displaying the list of contents in the content reproducing apparatus 20 that performs copyright management in the check-in and check-out system so as to be able to determine whether or not reproduction can be discriminated will be described.

First, in step S460, a list display of contents in the content reproducing apparatus is commanded (S460). Specifically, as described above, in accordance with an instruction via the input device 108 from the user, the title list creation unit 512 manages the content management device 20 from the content playback device 20 in the content management information acquisition unit 508. Require acquisition of information. On the basis of the content management information acquired by the content management information acquisition unit 508, the title list creation unit 512 requests the reproduction availability determination unit 172 to determine whether to reproduce the content in the content reproducing apparatus 20. FIG.

Next, in step S461, the reproducibility determination unit 172 selects the head content of the display target content specified by the title list creation unit 512 (S461). Specifically, the reproduction availability determination unit 172 acquires one or more content IDs or addresses from the title list creation unit 512, and selects contents corresponding to each content ID or address in the acquired order or in any order. The content is obtained from the content reproducing apparatus 20 through the content acquiring unit 504 (S461, S468).

The reproduction availability judgment part 172 which acquired the content reads the reproduction restriction information from the license contained in the acquired content in step S463 (S463). Thereafter, the reproduction availability determining unit 172 determines whether or not the corresponding content can be reproduced based on the read restriction information. Specifically, as described above, when the playable period is set in the play restriction information, it is checked whether or not the playable period is exceeded by comparing with the system time of the content processing apparatus 10 or the like (S464). ). If it has not passed the reproducible period, the flow advances to step S466 to notify the title list creation unit 512 that the content corresponding to the license can be reproduced. On the other hand, in step S464, when the playable period has passed, the flow advances to step S465 to notify the title list creation unit 512 that the content corresponding to the license cannot be reproduced. The title list creation unit 512 displays the content as reproducible or non-reproducible content based on the notification from the reproducibility determination unit 172 (S465, S466). The above processing is performed for all of the content to be displayed (S467).

In the above, the flow of the process which displays the list of the content in the content reproducing apparatus 20 which performs the copyright management of the check-in and check-out system so that reproducibility is distinguishable is demonstrated. Next, the display example of the title list displayed on the display of the content processing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 39 to 44. FIG.

39 is a display example of a title list relating to content in the content processing apparatus 10. FIG. In the title list 520, the title, artist name, playing time, genre and the like are displayed as title information. Reproducible content and non-reproducible content are distinguished by displaying icons of different colors, shapes, sizes, etc., such as the playable icon 522 and the non-playable icon 524, at the head of each title information, as shown in the figure. .

40 is a display example of a title list relating to content in the content reproducing apparatus 20. FIG. As shown in the figure, for example, the title list 530 of the content reproducing apparatus 20 can be displayed on a part of the display screen. Reproducible content and non-reproducible content are distinguished by displaying different icons such as the playable icon 532 and the non-playable icon 534 at the head of each title information, as shown in the figure.

41, 42, and 43 are other examples in which playable content and non-playable content are distinguished and displayed. In Fig. 41, reproducible content and non-reproducible content are distinguished by being displayed in different colors or different luminance. For example, as shown in the figure, the area 540 in which the title information of the playable content is displayed and the area 542 in which the title information of the non-playable content are displayed are displayed in different colors or luminances, so that the user can play back. Possible and non-playable content can be identified. According to this display, when there is a mixture of playable content and unplayable content in one album, the user can recognize which content in the album is playable and which content is not playable.

In Fig. 42, non-playable contents are distinguished by collectively displaying them. For example, as shown in the figure, non-playable content is grouped and displayed as a reproduction NG song, so that the user can identify the playable content and the non-playable content. In addition, according to such display, since the non-reproducible content in the content processing apparatus or the content reproducing apparatus is collectively displayed, the user can collectively check the content which cannot be reproduced by the content processing apparatus or the content reproducing apparatus.

In Fig. 43, similar to Figs. 39 and 40, different icons are displayed to distinguish them.

44 shows an example of screen display when non-playable content is deleted by user's operation. By the user pressing the batch delete button 550 on the display by the input device 108, unplayable content is deleted from the content processing device 10 or the content reproducing device 20, and the title list 520 or 530 of the display screen is displayed. Title information relating to the deleted content is also turned off.

In the above, the functional structure, the processing flow, and the screen display example of the content processing apparatus 10 which concerns on this embodiment were demonstrated. According to the content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to discriminate whether or not the content can be reproduced in copyright, so that the user can know whether to reproduce the content without actually playing the content. Also, since title information of unplayable content is also displayed, the user can know information of content that cannot be played back.

<13. How to transfer content>

Next, a content transmission method in the content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 45 to 53. The content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment uses the content management apparatus 20 in the corresponding format in accordance with the copyright management scheme of the content reproduction apparatus 20 connected to the content processing apparatus 10. The transmission is performed. Specifically, when the content reproducing apparatus 20 performs copyright management in a group management manner, the content processing apparatus 10 receives the content held by the content reproducing apparatus 20 from the content reproducing apparatus 20. In addition, the content processing apparatus 10 transmits the content held by the content processing apparatus 20 to the content reproducing apparatus 20. On the other hand, when the content reproducing apparatus 20 performs copyright management by the check-in and check-out method, the content processing apparatus 10 checks in or checks out with the content reproducing apparatus 20. Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the content processing apparatus 10 for realizing the above functions will be described in detail.

In order to realize the function, the content processing apparatus 10 includes, for example, a first display unit 602, a second display unit 604, a first operation display unit 606, and a second operation display unit 608. ), A plurality of plug-ins, a selection unit 610, a request unit 612, a transfer mode detector 616, a transfer control unit 614, a first transfer processing unit 618, a second transfer processing unit 622, a third transfer processing unit 620, a fourth transfer processing unit 624, a checkout log storage unit 626, and the like.

The first display unit 602 has a function of displaying title information of content stored in the connected content reproducing apparatus 20 on one display of an output device included in the content processing apparatus 10. The second display unit 604 has a function of displaying title information of the content stored in the content DB 116 of the content processing apparatus 10 on the display. The first display unit 602 and the second display unit 604 can display each display object on the same screen as in the screen layout described later. Therefore, the user can confirm both the title information of the content in the content processing apparatus 10 and the title information of the content in the content reproducing apparatus 20 connected to the content processing apparatus 10 on the same screen. Do.

The selecting unit 610 is a content ID corresponding to the title information designated by the user via the input device among the title information of the content in the content processing apparatus 10 or the title information of the content in the content reproducing apparatus 20. To the requesting unit 612. Specifically, the content ID corresponding to the title information designated by the user is retrieved from the content management DB and acquired, and the content ID is provided to the requesting unit 612.

The first operation display unit 606 has a function of displaying on the display an operation unit for causing the user to perform the first operation. The first operation is an operation for instructing the transfer of the content from the content reproducing apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10. The first operation display unit 606 displays an icon or the like as an operation unit on the display, for example, and the user has performed an operation through the input device by the user on the operation unit, for example, clicking an icon with a mouse. In this case, the request unit 612 notifies that the operation has been performed.

The second operation display unit 608 has a function of displaying on the display an operation unit for causing the user to perform a second operation. The second operation is an operation for instructing the transfer of the content from the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproducing apparatus 20. The second operation display unit 608 displays an icon or the like as an operation unit on the display, for example, and the user has performed an operation through the input device by the user on the operation unit, for example, clicking an icon with a mouse. In this case, the request unit 612 notifies that the operation has been performed.

The requesting unit 612 obtains the content ID from the selection unit 610, receives the notification from the first operation display unit 606, and receives the content ID from the content reproducing apparatus 20 of the content corresponding to the content ID. The transfer control unit 614 requests the transfer to (10). Specifically, the transfer control unit 614 provides, for example, a content ID acquired from the selection unit 610, a flag indicating that the transfer request from the content reproducing apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10, and the like are provided.

In addition, when the request unit 612 receives the notification from the second operation display unit 608, the content reproducing apparatus (from the content processing apparatus 10) of the content corresponding to the content ID acquired from the selection unit 610 ( The transfer control unit 614 requests the transfer to 20). Specifically, the transfer control unit 614 provides, for example, a content ID obtained from the selection unit 610, a flag indicating that it is a transfer request from the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproducing apparatus 20, and the like.

The transfer control unit 614 receives the content transfer request from the request unit 612 and requests the transfer mode detection unit 616 to detect the transfer mode of the connected content playback device 20. The transfer mode detection unit 616 detects the plug-in module operating from the plurality of plug-in modules, and acquires the copyright management method set in the plug-in module that is operating. Specifically, for example, if the identifier of each plug-in module and the file related to the copyright management method set in the plug-in module are stored in a storage device of the content processing apparatus 10 or the like, the transfer mode detection unit 616 ) Can obtain the copyright management method set in the plug-in module operating by referring to the file. By the copyright management system set in the plug-in module, the content reproducing apparatus 20 corresponding to the plug-in module manages the copyright of the content. Accordingly, the transfer mode detection unit 616 detects the copyright management method set in the plug-in module that is operating, and thereby determines whether the copyright management method of the connected content player 20 is a group management method or a check-in / check-out method. It can be seen.

The transmission control unit 614 acquires the detection result from the transmission mode detection unit 616, and according to the detection result and the request from the requesting unit 612, the first transmission processing unit 618 and the second transmission processing unit 622. The third transmission processor 620 or the fourth transmission processor 624 causes the transmission processing.

The notification from the requesting unit 612 is the transmission of the content from the content reproducing apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10, and the detection result by the transmission mode detecting unit 616 is a check-in / check-out method ( 1 mode), the transmission control unit 614 causes the first transmission processing unit 618 to transmit the data.

When the notification from the requesting unit 612 is the transmission of the content from the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproducing apparatus 20, and the detection result by the transmission mode detection unit 616 is a check-in / check-out system. The transmission control unit 614 causes the third transmission processing unit 620 to perform the transmission process.

The notification from the requesting unit 612 is the transmission of the content from the content reproducing apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10, and the detection result by the transmission mode detecting unit 616 is a group management method (second mode). ), The transmission controller 614 causes the second transmission processor 622 to transmit.

If the notification from the requesting unit 612 is the transmission of the content from the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproducing apparatus 20, and the detection result by the transmission mode detecting unit 616 is a group management system, The transmission control unit 614 causes the fourth transmission processing unit 624 to perform the transmission process. Hereinafter, the transfer process of each transfer process part is demonstrated.

The third transfer processing unit 620 performs a checkout process of the content from the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproducing apparatus 20. In the checkout process, the content reproduction device 10 receives a copy of the content held in the content DB 116 from the content processing device 10 by granting a license in which the right information for copying the content is set. Instead of transmitting the content to the content reproducing apparatus 20 so that the content can be reproduced by the content reproducing apparatus 20, the content processing apparatus 10 restricts the right to transmit the content to another information processing apparatus.

The third transfer processing unit 620 acquires the content ID from the transfer control unit 614 and retrieves the content corresponding to the content ID from the content DB 116. The third transfer processing unit 620 refers to the remaining checkout count set in the license granted to the content. If the number of remaining checkouts is greater than zero, the third transfer processing unit 620 can check out the content, create a copy and license of the content, and send the content playback device 20 through the transfer control unit 614. The license created for the content created in the above is given and transmitted. In addition, the third transfer processing unit 620 performs a process of reducing the number of remaining checkouts set in the license of the content stored in the content DB 116 which is the copy source of the content transmitted to the content reproducing apparatus 20. Further, the third transfer processing unit 620 acquires, via the transfer control unit 614, the device ID set in the content reproducing apparatus 20 that is the content transmission destination, and associates the content ID of the transmitted content with the device ID. The checkout log storage unit 626 is stored as a checkout log.

The first transfer processing unit 618 performs check-in processing of the content from the content reproducing apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10. The check-in processing deprives the content playback device 20 of the content checked out from the content processing device 10 as described above by depriving the content playback device 20 of the right to play the content, and instead the content. The processing device 10 is a processing for restoring the right to check out the content to another information processing device.

The first transfer processing unit 618 acquires the content ID from the transfer control unit 614. The device ID of the content reproducing apparatus 20 is obtained from the content reproducing apparatus 20 through the transmission control unit 614. Based on the acquired content ID and device ID, the first transfer processing unit 618 retrieves the checkout log associated with the corresponding content ID and the device ID from the checkout log storage unit 626. As a result of the search, when the corresponding checkout log is stored in the checkout log storing unit 626, the content corresponding to the content ID is checked from the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproducing apparatus 20. FIG. It can be seen that the content is out. In that case, the first transfer processing unit 618 performs check-in processing of the corresponding content. Specifically, the content reproducing apparatus 20 sends a request to the content reproducing apparatus 20 to delete a license granted to the content corresponding to the corresponding content ID from the content reproducing apparatus 20, and applies a license corresponding to the content reproducing apparatus 20. Delete it. The content corresponding to the content ID may be similarly deleted. Further, the third transfer processing unit 620 retrieves the content corresponding to the content ID obtained from the transfer control unit 614 from the content DB 116 of the content processing apparatus 10, and sets it to a license granted to the content. Processing to increase the number of remaining checkouts is performed. In addition, the third transfer processing unit 620 deletes the checkout log retrieved from the checkout log storage unit 626.

The second transfer processing unit 622 performs a transfer process of the content from the content reproducing apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10. Specifically, the second transfer processing unit 622 obtains the source ID list L (second source ID list L) held by the content reproduction device 20 from the content reproduction device 20 through the transfer control unit 614. do. The second transfer processing unit 622 reads the group ID from the source ID list L (the first source ID list L) of the content processing apparatus 10, and reads the group ID from the acquired second source ID list L. It checks whether the two group IDs match. If there is a match, the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20 are registered in the management server as the same group, so that the transfer of the content from the content reproducing apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10 is permitted. Therefore, when the group IDs included in the first source ID list L and the second source ID list L match, the second transfer processing unit 622 transmits the content corresponding to the content ID via the transfer control unit 614. The transmission is requested to the content reproducing apparatus 20, and the transmitted content is stored in the content DB 116. When a plurality of group IDs are included in the first source ID list L or the second source ID list L, any one of the group IDs included in the first source ID list L is grouped in the second source ID list L. If it is included as ID, transmission is allowed. Also, in order to prevent the same content from being duplicated and stored in the content DB 116, the second transfer processing unit 622 uses the content from the transfer control unit 614 before requesting the content reproduction apparatus 20 to transfer the content. The ID may be acquired to search for whether or not the content corresponding to the content ID is stored in the content DB 116, and to request transmission only when it is not stored.

The fourth transfer processing unit 624 performs a transfer process of the content from the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproducing apparatus 20. Specifically, the fourth transfer processing unit 624 acquires the source ID list L (second source ID list L) held by the content reproduction device 20 from the content reproduction device 20 through the transfer control unit 614. do. The second transfer processing unit 622 acquires the content ID of the content to be transmitted from the transfer control unit 614, and retrieves the content corresponding to the content ID from the content DB 116. The second transfer processing unit 622 acquires a source ID added to the retrieved corresponding content, and checks whether the acquired source ID is included in the source ID list L (second source ID list L) obtained from the content reproducing apparatus 20. Investigate. As a result, if it is included, the content reproduction apparatus 20 can reproduce the content to which the source ID is added, so that the fourth transfer processing unit 624 transmits the corresponding content via the transfer control unit 614 to the content reproduction apparatus ( 20) to transmit. In addition, a copy of the content may be created and transmitted.

In the above, the functional structure of the content processing apparatus 10 was demonstrated. Next, with reference to Figs. 46 to 49, the flow of content transfer or check-in from the content reproducing apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10 will be described.

First, in step S502 of Fig. 46, the title information of the desired content is selected by the user from the title information of the content in the content reproducing apparatus 20 displayed on the display of the content processing apparatus 10 and the "←" button is pressed. (S502). The "←" button is an example of the operation unit. When the "←" button is pressed through the input device, the content processing device 10 generates a transfer request from the content reproducing device 20 to the content processing device 10 for the selected content.

Next, in step S504, the content processing apparatus 10 detects the transmission mode of the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S504). The detection process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, in step S512, the content processing apparatus 10 acquires the identifier of the plug-in module that is operating (S512). Then, based on the acquired identifier, the copyright management system set in the plug-in module in operation is acquired (S514). Specifically, as described above, for example, the copyright management system set in the plug-in module is acquired by referring to a file in which the identifier and the copyright management system are related in advance.

Returning to Fig. 46, in step S504, the content processing apparatus 10 acquires the transmission mode (copyright management system) of the content reproducing apparatus 20, and if the delivery mode is the group management system, the flow proceeds to step S508 to apply to the group management system. Transmission processing is started (S508). On the other hand, if the transmission mode is the check-in and check-out method, the flow advances to step S510 to start the check-in and check-out process (S510).

Referring to Fig. 48, the flow of the transfer process of content from the content reproducing apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10 by the group management method will be described.

First, in step S520, the content processing device 10 obtains a source ID list L (second source ID list L) from the content playback device 20 (S520). Thereafter, the group ID is obtained from the source ID list L (first source ID list L) of the content processing apparatus 10, and it is checked whether the group ID is included in the second source ID list L (S522). If it is not included as a result, an error indicating that the content cannot be transmitted is displayed (S524). On the other hand, if it is included, the content processing apparatus 10 checks whether the content processing apparatus 10 already holds the content to be transmitted based on the content ID of the content selected by the user (S526). As a result, when the content processing apparatus 10 already holds the content to be transmitted (S528), the user is notified by displaying a message indicating that the content already exists in the content processing apparatus 10 or the like. (S530).

On the other hand, when the content processing apparatus 10 does not hold the content to be transmitted (S528), the content processing apparatus 20 transmits the content to the content processing apparatus 10 (S532).

Next, with reference to Fig. 49, the transfer processing (check-in processing) of the content from the content reproducing apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10 by the check-in and check-out method will be described.

First, in step S540, the content processing apparatus 10 searches the checkout log based on the content ID of the content to be transmitted and the device ID of the content reproducing apparatus 20 as described above (S540), and retrieves the corresponding content. It is checked whether the log checked out to the content player 20 exists. As a result, when there is no corresponding checkout log (S542), an error indicating that check-in such as "not content checked out from this content processing apparatus" cannot be performed is displayed (S544).

On the other hand, if there is a corresponding checkout log (S542), the number of remaining checkouts set for the license granted to the content in the content processing apparatus 10 corresponding to the content ID of the content to be checked in is increased by one. (S546). After that, the content to be checked in and the license granted to the content are deleted from the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S548). In addition, step S546 and step S548 may be performed in reverse order.

In the above, the flow of the transmission or check-in of the content from the content reproducing apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10 was demonstrated. Next, the flow of transmission or checkout of content from the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproducing apparatus 20 will be described with reference to Figs.

First, in step S550 of Fig. 50, the title information of the desired content is selected from the title information of the content in the content processing device 10 displayed on the display of the content processing device 10, and the &quot; &quot; button is pressed. Press (S550). The "→" button is an example of the operation unit. When the &quot; → &quot; button is pressed through the input device, the content processing device 10 generates a transfer request from the content processing device 10 to the content reproducing device 20 of the selected content.

Next, in step S552, the content processing apparatus 10 detects the transmission mode of the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S552). The detection process is the same as the process described with reference to FIG. 47. As a result of the detection, if the transmission mode is the group management method, the flow advances to step S556 to start the transmission process by the group management method (S556). On the other hand, if the transfer mode is the check-in and check-out method, the flow advances to step S558 to start the check-in and check-out process (S558).

Referring to Fig. 51, the flow of the content transfer processing from the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproducing apparatus 20 by the group management method will be described.

First, in step S560, the content processing apparatus 10 obtains a source ID list L (second source ID list L) from the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S560). Thereafter, a source ID added to the content selected by the user is obtained (S562), and it is checked whether the source ID is included in the second source ID list L (S564). As a result, when it is not included, an error indicating that the content is not transmitted, such as "the content cannot be reproduced by the content reproducing apparatus" is displayed (S572). On the other hand, if included, the content to be transmitted is transferred from the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S570).

Next, based on FIG. 52, the transfer process (checkout process) of the content from the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproducing apparatus 20 by the check-in and check-out method is demonstrated.

First, in step S580, the content processing apparatus 10 refers to the license granted to the content to be transferred in the selected content processing apparatus 10 (S580). If the remaining checkout count set in the license is 0 (S582), an error indicating that the checkout cannot be performed is displayed (S592). On the other hand, if the number of remaining checkouts is greater than zero, a license in which the reproduction restriction information of the corresponding content in the content reproducing apparatus 20 is set is created (S584), and the license created in the copy of the corresponding content is given to the content. The transmission is sent to the playback apparatus 20 (S586).

Thereafter, the content processing apparatus 10 reduces the number of checkouts set in the license granted to the content in the content processing apparatus 10 that is the copy source of the content transmitted to the content reproducing apparatus 20 by one (S588). . The content processing apparatus 10 then creates a checkout log by associating the content ID of the checked-out content with the device ID of the content reproducing apparatus 20 which is the checkout destination (S590).

In the above, the flow of the transmission or the checkout of the content from the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproducing apparatus 20 has been described. Next, based on FIG. 53, an example of the screen layout displayed on the display of the content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

The title list 630 is an example of title information of the content in the content processing apparatus 10 displayed by the second display unit 604. The title list 632 is an example of title information of the content in the content reproducing apparatus 20 displayed by the first display unit 602.

The "→" button 634 is an example of the operation unit displayed by the second operation display unit 608. The "←" button 636 is an example of the operation unit displayed by the first operation display unit 606.

The user can transfer desired content from the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproducing apparatus 20 by selecting desired title information from the title list 630 and pressing the "→" button 634. At that time, according to the copyright management system of the content reproducing apparatus 20 as the transfer destination, the content transfer by the group management method or the check-out of the content by the check-in check-out method is selectively performed.

Further, the user can transfer desired content from the content reproducing apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10 by selecting desired title information from the title list 632 and pressing the "←" button 636. At that time, according to the copyright management method of the content reproducing apparatus 20 which is the transfer source, the content is transmitted by the group management method or the check-in of the content by the check-in check-out method is selectively performed.

In the above, an example of the screen layout displayed on the display of the content processing apparatus 10 was demonstrated.

In the above, the functional structure, the processing flow, and the screen display example of the content processing apparatus 10 which concerns on this embodiment were demonstrated. According to the content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the content can be transmitted by a method corresponding to the copyright management method of the connected content playback device 20. In addition, even if the operation is performed on the same operation unit, since the content processing device 10 detects the copyright management method of the content reproducing apparatus 20 and distinguishes the transmission method, the user controls the copyright management method of the content reproducing apparatus 20. There is no need to be aware of the transmission method.

<14. Content playback control method in content playback device PD>

Next, a reproduction control process of the content in the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 according to the present embodiment will be described.

As described above, the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 according to the present embodiment corresponds to both a copyright management scheme of a group management scheme and a copyright management scheme of a check-in and check-out scheme. For this reason, the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 checks and controls the reproduction control of the group management system based on the source ID and the source ID list L added to the content, and the use condition information of the license corresponding to the content. Either of the checkout type reproduction control can be selectively executed.

The content processing device (PC) 10 sets the playback control method of the content playback device (PD) 20 connected via the local line 9 to either the group management method or the check-in / check-out method. . In the setting of the reproduction control method, the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 obtains ICV data 231 of the content reproduction apparatus (PD) 20 from the content reproduction apparatus (PD) 20, After updating the system identification information (flag 232, see Fig. 10) in the ICV data 231, the ICV data 231 is transferred to the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 and recorded. For example, when the flag 232 in the ICV data 231 is described as "0", the playback control method of the content playback device (PD) 20 is set to the group management method, and the flag 232 When &quot; 1 &quot; is described, the playback control method of the content playback device (PD) 20 is set to the check-in and check-out method.

In the present embodiment, the ICV data 231 of the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 can be updated only by the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 connected locally, and the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 is updated. The self cannot update the corresponding ICV data 231. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 itself configures the ICV data 231 to be updateable based on a user input or the like, and the content reproducing apparatus PD ( The reproduction control method of 20) may be switched by itself.

Next, with reference to Figs. 54 and 10, an example of content reproduction control processing in the content reproduction device (PD) 20 according to the present embodiment will be described. 54 is a flowchart showing an example of content reproduction control processing in the content reproduction device (PD) 20 according to the present embodiment.

This content reproduction control process is a process of judging whether or not reproduction is made with respect to the selected content to be reproduced and controlling the reproduction after selecting a content to be reproduced by the user among all the contents stored in the content reproducing apparatus 20. Flow.

As shown in Fig. 54, first, in step S600, the content reproducing apparatus 20 is started (step S600). For example, when the power button (play key or the like) of the content player 20 is pressed by the user, the content player 20 is activated. In this startup, the content reproducing apparatus 20 and the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 do not need to be connected.

Next, in step S602, the reproduction control method determination unit 240 of the content reproduction device 20 determines the reproduction control method of the content reproduction device 20 which is set in advance based on the system identification information. (Step S602).

Specifically, after the content reproducing apparatus 20 is activated, the reproduction control method determination unit 240 reads the ICV data 231 stored in the storage unit 230 of the content reproducing apparatus 20, and the corresponding data is reproduced. The flag 232 in the ICV data 231 is checked. This flag 232 is an example of the method identification information indicating the reproduction control method of the content. The reproduction control method determination unit 240 determines that the reproduction control method of the content reproduction device 20 is a group ID management method (first reproduction control method) or a check-in and check-out method based on the value of the flag 232. It is determined what kind of (first reproduction control method) is set. For example, when the flag 232 is "0", the reproduction control method determination unit 240 determines that the reproduction control method of the content reproduction device (PD) 20 is set to the group management method. The flow advances to step S604. On the other hand, when the flag 232 is "1", the playback control method determination unit 240 determines that the playback control method of the content playback device (PD) 20 is set to the check-in and check-out method. The flow advances to step S606.

Next, in step S604, the reproducibility determination unit 242 of the content reproducing apparatus 20 checks the validity of performing the reproduction control of the group management method (step S604). Specifically, the reproduction permission determination unit 242 checks the validity of the source ID list L stored in the storage unit 230 based on the ICV data 231 stored in the storage unit 230, that is, It checks that the source ID list L has not been tampered with. As described above, the ICV data 231 of the group management method includes the MAC value 233 of the legitimate source ID list L. For this reason, the reproducibility determination unit 242 determines the MAC value of the current source ID list L read from the storage unit 230 and the MAC value 233 of the ICV data 231 read from the storage unit 230. By comparing with, it is possible to detect whether or not the source ID list L has been changed.

On the other hand, in step S606, the reproducibility determination unit 242 of the content reproducing apparatus 20 checks the validity of performing the check-in / check-out reproducing control (step S606). Specifically, the reproduction permission determination unit 242 checks the validity of the license of each content stored in the storage unit 230 based on the ICV data 231 stored in the storage unit 230, that is, Check that the license has not been tampered with. As described above, the ICV data 231 of the check-in and check-out method includes the MAC value 233 based on the license of each content. For this reason, the reproduction availability determination part 242 can detect the presence or absence of the change of the said license by comparing the license of each content with the MAC value 233 of ICV data 231. FIG.

If an illegal change is detected as a result of the validity check in steps S604 and S606 as described above, all processing is terminated by notifying the reproduction of the content and giving an error notification. On the other hand, when an illegal change is not detected and validity is confirmed, it progresses to step S608.

Next, in step S608, the content management information is read from the content management information database 236 into the RAM 203 (step S608). This content management information is the attribute information of the content such as the content ID, the title information of the content (song name, artist name, album name, playing time, etc.) related to the content stored in the content database 234, and the recording place. Information (e.g., an address in the content DB 234) and the like.

Further, in step S610, a title list is displayed on the display device 210 of the content reproducing apparatus 20 (step S610). The title list creating unit 250 of the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 creates a title list of the contents based on the title information of the contents read from the content management information database 236. This title list is, for example, a list of music names of music contents, and includes, as additional information, artist names, album names, playback times, and the like of music contents. The title list creating unit 250 also displays the created title list on the display device 210.

After that, in step S612, the content to be reproduced is selected by the user (step S612). As described above, when the title list is displayed on the display device 210, the user browses the title list, selects one or more contents desired for playback, and operates the input device 208 to operate the contents. Specifies the title information of the.

Furthermore, in step S614, a playback instruction is given by the user (step S614). After the user designates the title information of the content desired to be played back as described above, for example, the user presses the play key of the input device 208 or the remote controller 218 to instruct the play process to start. The content selection unit 252 then selects the content corresponding to the title information designated by the user as the content to be reproduced, and reproduces the information (content ID, storage location information, etc.) related to the content to be reproduced. It outputs to the decision determination unit 242.

Further, in step S616, the content of the first playback object selected is read from the content database 234 (step S616). Specifically, the reproduction availability determining unit 242 searches the content database 234 based on the information about the content of the reproduction object input from the content selection unit 252, to determine the content of the first reproduction object. Read the file.

After that, in step S618, a reproduction control method of the content reproduction device 20 set in advance is determined in the same manner as in step S602. (Step S618). As a result, when it determines with the group management system, it progresses to step S620 and when it determines with the check-in check-out system, it progresses to step S622. In addition, since the reproduction control method is determined in step S602, this step S618 in which the same reproduction control method is determined can be omitted.

Next, in step S620, the first reproduction availability determination unit 242a determines whether to reproduce the content to be played back based on the reproduction control method of the group management method (step S620). Specifically, the first reproducibility determination unit 242a includes the source ID added to the content to be reproduced in the source ID list L stored in the storage unit 230 of the content reproducing apparatus 20. Based on whether or not there is, it is determined whether or not the corresponding content is reproduced.

As a result, when the source ID added to the content to be reproduced is included in the source ID list L, the first reproducibility determination unit 242a permits the reproduction of the content, and proceeds to step S624. do. On the other hand, when the source ID added to the content to be reproduced is not included in the source ID list L, the first reproducibility determination unit 242a does not allow reproduction of the content, and step S626. Proceed to

When the expiration date is set for the source ID included in the source ID list L, in this step S620, the first reproduction availability determination unit 242a is added to the content to be played back in addition to the determination. It is determined whether the existing source ID is within the expiration date, and the reproduction of the content is permitted when the source ID is within the expiration date. On the other hand, the reproduction of the content is not allowed when the source ID is past the expiration date.

On the other hand, in step S622, based on the reproduction control method of the check-in and check-out system, the 2nd reproduction availability determination part 242b judges whether the reproduction | reproduction target content of reproduction is possible (step S622). Specifically, the second reproducibility determination unit 242b determines whether to reproduce the content to be reproduced on the basis of the use condition (restriction of the number of reproduction, the reproduction time limit, etc.) of the license related to the content to be reproduced. do.

As a result, when the conditions of use of the license are satisfied (for example, within a reproduction period or when the number of past regenerations does not reach the upper limit of the number of regenerations), the second reproducibility determination unit 242b. ) Allows the reproduction of the content, and proceeds to step S624. At this time, for example, when the number of times of reproduction is set in the license use condition, the number of times of reproduction is increased. On the other hand, when the conditions of use of the license are not satisfied (for example, when the reproduction period ends, or when the number of past regenerations reaches the upper limit of the number of regenerations, etc.), the second regeneration decision section 242b. Proceeds to step S626 without allowing the reproduction of the content.

After that, in step S624, the content to be reproduced which is permitted to be reproduced in step S620 or S622 is reproduced by the reproduction executing unit 244 (step S624). On the other hand, the content to be reproduced for which reproduction is not permitted in step S620 or S622 is not reproduced. In this case, error notification may be performed.

Next, in step S626, it is determined whether or not the reproduction control of the above S618 to S624 has been performed for all the content to be reproduced selected in the above S612 (step S626). If playback control is not yet performed on the selected content, the flow advances to step S628 where the next content to be reproduced is read from the content database 234 (step S628). Regarding the content, playback control of S618 to S624 is performed in the same manner as above. If this processing is repeated for all of the content to be played back selected in step S612, all processing flow ends.

Next, with reference to Figs. 55 and 10, another example of the content reproduction control process in the content reproduction apparatus (PD) 20 according to the present embodiment will be described. 55 is a flowchart showing another example of content reproduction control processing in the content reproduction device (PD) 20 according to the present embodiment.

This content reproduction control process firstly displays, for example, title information of all the contents stored in the content reproducing apparatus 20 so as to discriminate between the reproducible content and the non-reproducible content, This is a process flow of reproducing the content of the selected playback object after selecting the content of the playback object from among the low cost and playable contents that have browsed the title list.

As shown in FIG. 55, first, preprocessing similar to steps S600 to S608 described in FIG. 54 is performed (steps S600 to S608).

In the following steps S650 to S664, title list display processing is performed to cause the display device 210 of the content reproducing apparatus 20 to display the reproducible content and the title list from which the non-reproducible content can be determined.

Specifically, first, in step S650, the content of the first display object is read from the content database 234 (step S650). Specifically, the reproduction availability determining unit 234 searches the content database 242 based on the information (content ID, storage location information, etc.) relating to the content in the content management information read in the step S508, and performs the first time. Read the file of the content to be displayed.

In addition, in the present embodiment, all the contents stored in the content database 234 of the content reproducing apparatus 20 become the contents to be displayed, but not limited to these examples, some contents are based on predetermined selection criteria. Only the content to be displayed may be used. The selection criteria are, for example, the artist, album, genre, release time, recent reproduction time, designation by the user, and the like of the music content.

Next, in step S652, the reproduction control method of the content reproduction device 20 set in advance is determined in the same manner as in step S602. (Step S652). As a result, if it is determined by the group management method, the flow proceeds to step S654, and when it is determined by the check-in and check-out method, the flow proceeds to step S656. In addition, since the reproduction control method is determined in step S602, this step S652 for determining the same reproduction control method can be omitted.

Further, in step S654, the first reproduction availability determination unit 242a determines whether to reproduce the content to be displayed based on the reproduction control method of the group management method (step S654). Specifically, the first reproduction availability determining unit 242a includes the source ID added to the content to be displayed in the source ID list L stored in the storage unit 230 of the content reproducing apparatus 20. Based on whether or not there is, it is determined whether or not the corresponding content is reproduced.

As a result, when the source ID added to the content to be displayed is included in the source ID list L, the first reproducibility determination unit 242a determines that the content is reproducible content, and step S658. Proceed to On the other hand, when the source ID added to the content to be displayed is not included in the source ID list L, the first reproducibility determination unit 242a determines that the content is non-reproducible content, and step S660. Proceed to

On the other hand, in step S656, the second playback decision determination unit 242b determines whether or not the content to be played back is to be reproduced based on the playback control method of the check-in and check-out method (step S656). Specifically, the second reproducibility determination unit 242b determines whether to reproduce the content to be reproduced on the basis of the use condition (restriction of the number of times of reproduction, the reproduction time limit, etc.) of the license related to the content to be displayed. do.

As a result, when the use condition of the license is satisfied, the second reproducibility determination unit 242b determines that the content is reproducible content, and proceeds to step S658. On the other hand, when the use condition of the license is not satisfied, the second reproducibility determination unit 242b determines that the content is non-reproducible content, and proceeds to step S660.

Next, in step S658, the content of the display object determined to be playable in step S654 or S656 is displayed as playable content (step S658). Specifically, the title list creating unit 250 is a display device 210 in such a manner that the user can recognize that the title information of the content to be displayed determined to be reproducible is that the corresponding content can be reproduced. ).

On the other hand, in step S660, the content to be displayed that is determined to be unplayable in step S654 or S656 is displayed as non-playable content (step S660). Specifically, the title list creation unit 250 is a display device 210 in a form that allows the user to recognize that the title information of the content to be displayed determined to be unplayable is not playable. ).

Subsequently, in step S662, it is determined whether or not reproduction or not judgment and display processing of the above-described S652 to S660 have been performed on all the contents to be displayed (step S662). If there is content to be displayed that has not yet been played back or not, the process proceeds to step S664 where the next content to be displayed is read from the content database 234 (step S664). Regarding the next content to be displayed, reproduction judgment and display processing of S652 to S660 are performed as described above. If this processing is repeated for all the content to be displayed, the flow proceeds to step S666.

In addition, at the time point to this step S666, the title list which can distinguish playable content and non-playable content is displayed on the display apparatus 210. FIG. An example of display of this title list is shown in FIG.

As shown in Fig. 56, the title list 710 displayed on the display device 210 of the content reproducing apparatus 20 includes, for example, titles A to E (song names) of music contents relating to a certain artist A. It is displayed for every A and B. The title list 710, titles A and C of reproducible content and titles B, D and E of non-playable content are displayed separately.

Specifically, in the example of the title list 710 shown in FIG. 56A, the titles A and C of the reproducible content and the titles B, D and E of the non-playable content are distinguished by displaying in different colors or different luminance. . For example, as shown in the drawing, an area 712 in which titles A and C of reproducible content are displayed and an area 714 in which titles B, D and E of non-playable content are displayed differ in color and brightness. By being denoted by the user, the user can identify playable content and non-playable content. According to this display, when there is a mixture of playable content and unplayable content in one album, the user can recognize which content in the album is playable and which content is not playable.

Incidentally, in the title list 7100 shown in Fig. 56B, the playable icon 716 of the mark with a note is added to the titles A and C of the playable content, while the titles B, D, and A non-playable icon 718 with an x mark is added to E. In this way, by displaying icons with different colors, shapes, patterns, sizes, etc. in addition to the titles of the respective contents, contents that can be played back and contents that cannot be played back are displayed. In addition, in the example of the title list 710 shown in Fig. 56C, the titles A and C of the non-playable content and the titles B, D and E of the non-playable content are divided and displayed in the area. That is, titles A and C of non-playable content are displayed in the reproduction OK area 720, and titles B, D and E of non-playable content are displayed in the reproduction NG area 722. Accordingly, the user can identify the content that can be played back and the content that cannot be played back, and according to this display example, since the content that can be played / unplayed in the content playback apparatus 20 is collectively displayed, the user is displayed. The content reproducing apparatus 20 can collectively check the reproducible / non-reproducible content.

Next, returning to Fig. 55, in step S666, the content to be played back is selected from the contents that can be played back by the user (step S666). As described above, when a title list is selected on the display device 210, the user browses the title list, selects one or more contents desired for playback, and operates the input device 208 to operate the content. Specifies the title information of the. At this time, as shown in Fig. 56, since the playable content and the non-playable content are displayed in a title list so as to be discriminated, the user can select the content desired to be played back from the playable content.

After that, in step S668, a playback instruction is given by the user (step S668). After specifying the title information of the content desired to be reproduced as described above, the user instructs, for example, to press the play key of the input device 208 or the remote controller 218 to start the play process. The content selection unit 252 then selects the content corresponding to the title information designated by the user as the content to be reproduced, and reproduces the information (content ID, storage location information, etc.) related to the content to be reproduced. It outputs to the decision determination unit 242.

Next, in step S670, the first content of the selected reproduction target content is read from the content database 234 (step S670). Specifically, the playback decision determination unit 242 searches the content database 234 on the basis of the information about the content to be played back input from the content selection unit 252, and the first of the contents to be played back is searched. Read the file corresponding to the content. Then, the playback execution unit 244 is instructed to play the content without determining whether to play the content. This is because the contents selected by the user in the above-mentioned S666 are all reproducible contents, and therefore, it is not necessary to judge whether to reproduce them again.

Furthermore, in step S672, the reproduction execution unit 244 reproduces the content to be reproduced (step S672).

Next, in step S674, it is determined whether or not the contents of all the reproduction targets selected in step S666 have been played back (step S674). If there is any non-playback in the selected content, the flow advances to step S676, where the next content to be played back is read from the content database 234 (step S676), and then the next content to be played back is played back. (Step S672). If this reproducing process is repeated for the contents of all the reproducing targets selected in S666 above, all the processing flow ends.

In the above, the content reproduction control method in the content reproduction apparatus (PD) 20 which concerns on this embodiment was demonstrated. In the content reproduction control process of the content reproduction device (PD) 20, the reproduction control determined after determining whether the reproduction control method of the content reproduction device 20 is a group management method or a check-in / check-out method. According to the method, playback control (reproduction decision) is performed. For this reason, the content reproducing apparatus 20 can selectively execute two types of reproduction control methods, a group management method and a check-in and check-out method. For this reason, not only the convenience of the user is improved, but also it is not necessary to design and develop the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 of different models for each reproduction control method, so that development work efficiency and cost reduction can be achieved.

The content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 supports not only the conventional check-in and check-out method but also a copyright management scheme by a group management method which performs playback control based on the source ID and source ID list added to the content. It is possible. Therefore, the degree of freedom of use of the content by the user is high, and a user-friendly copyright management scheme can be coped with.

In addition, when an application managing a copyright management scheme that is different for each region is installed in the content processing apparatus 10, the content identification information (flag 232 or the like) corresponding to each copyright management scheme (playback control method) is used. By simply setting in the playback device 20, playback control of the content transmitted from the content processing device (PC) 10 in which the application is installed is enabled.

In addition, the content reproducing apparatus 20 can display the title list of the held content so as to be able to discriminate between the reproducible content and the non-reproducible content. As a result, the user can browse such a title list to grasp content that can be played back and content that cannot be played back, and can select content to be played back from the content that can be played back.

As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this example. Those skilled in the art can clearly think that various modifications or changes can be made within the scope described in the claims, and it is understood that they belong to the technical scope of the present invention as well.

For example, in the above embodiment, each content processing device (PC) 10 generates a group ID based on the user identification information (leaf ID) received from the server 30, but the present invention is such an example. It is not limited to. For example, the server 30 may generate a group ID for each user. In this case, the group management server 32 notifies the content processing apparatus 10 of the group ID instead of the leaf ID at the time of registering each device, and the content processing apparatus 10 sends the received group ID. It may be stored in the source ID list. In addition, the content distribution server 34 may transmit the distributed content in association with the group ID instead of the leaf ID. At this time, the content distribution server 34 may add a group ID in advance to the file of the distributed content and transmit it to the content processing apparatus 10.

The present invention is applicable to a content reproduction apparatus, a content reproduction control method and a program used in a system corresponding to a plurality of copyright management schemes.

Claims (28)

A storage unit for storing a source ID list indicating a source of content to be reproduced and system identification information indicating a reproduction control method of the content; A reproduction control method determination unit that determines a reproduction control method of the content based on the method identification information; When the reproduction control method determination unit determines that the reproduction control method is the first reproduction control method, the content can be reproduced based on whether or not the source ID added to the content to be reproduced is included in the source ID list. A first reproducibility judging unit for judging whether or not it is; A second reproduction for judging whether or not the corresponding content can be reproduced on the basis of the use condition information of the license accompanying the content to be reproduced when it is determined by the reproduction control method determination unit as the second reproduction control method; A determination unit; And a reproducing execution unit for reproducing the content judged to be reproducible by said first reproducibility determination unit or said second reproducibility determination unit. The method of claim 1, And the source ID includes a group ID uniquely generated for each user registered in a group management server. The method of claim 2, And the group ID corresponding to the user who requested delivery is added to the content delivered from the content delivery server to the content processing device. The method of claim 1, And the source ID includes a recorder ID uniquely generated in units of a content processing device having a ripping section for ripping content from a storage medium. The method of claim 4, wherein And the content processing apparatus having the ripping section adds the recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus itself to the content ripped from the storage medium. The method of claim 1, And the usage condition information includes information on the number of times of reproduction of the contents. The method of claim 1, The use condition information is characterized in that it contains information on the reproduction time limit of the content. The method of claim 1, Further comprising a communication unit for communication connection with the content processing device, And the method identification information is updatable by the content processing apparatus. The method of claim 1, And a display unit for displaying title information of one or more pieces of content held by the content player, The display unit is capable of distinguishably displaying title information of content that is determined to be playable by the first playability determination unit or the second playability determination end, and title information of content that is determined to be unplayable. Characterized in that, the content playback apparatus. The method of claim 9, A content selection unit for selecting at least one of title information of playable content displayed on the display unit; The storage unit stores content management information associated with the title information of the content and the storage place information of the content, And the reproduction executing unit reads and reproduces the content corresponding to the title information selected by the content selecting unit based on the content management information. The method of claim 9, And the display unit displays title information of the content judged to be playable and a title list indicating the title information of the content judged to be unplayable by different color / luminance information. The method of claim 9, And the display unit displays a title list in which the title information of the content judged to be playable and the title information of the content judged to be non-playable are displayed separately. The method of claim 9, And the display unit displays a title list to which different icons are added to title information of the content judged to be playable and title information of the content judged to be unplayable. The method of claim 1, And a communication unit for communicating with the content processing apparatus, When the device is registered in the same device group as the content processing device with respect to the group management server via the content processing device, the source ID stored in the storage unit based on the source ID list held by the content processing device. And the list is updated. The method of claim 1, A content reproducing apparatus, characterized by a portable content reproducing apparatus having a hard disk drive. As a method for controlling the playback of content in a content player: A reproduction control method determination step of determining a reproduction control method of the content based on the method identification information indicating the reproduction control method of the content; If it is determined in the reproduction control method determination step that the first reproduction control method is used, is the source ID added to the content to be reproduced included in the source ID list indicating the source of content to allow reproduction? A first reproducibility determination step of judging whether or not the corresponding content is reproducible based on the first reproducibility determination step; If it is determined in the reproduction control method determination step that it is the second reproduction control method, the second reproduction possibility for determining whether or not the corresponding content is reproducible based on the license condition information of the license accompanying the content to be reproduced; A judgment step; And a reproducing step of reproducing the content judged to be reproducible in said first reproducibility determination step or said second reproducibility determination step. The method of claim 16, And the source ID includes a group ID uniquely generated for each user registered in a group management server. The method of claim 16, And the source ID includes a recorder ID uniquely generated in a content processing device unit having a ripping unit for ripping content from a storage medium. The method of claim 16, And the usage condition information includes the reproduction number limit information of the content. The method of claim 16, And the usage condition information includes the reproduction time limit information of the content. The method of claim 16, And updating the method identification information by a content processing device connected to the content reproducing device. The method of claim 16, A display step of displaying title information of one or more pieces of content held by said content player, In the display step, the title information of the content judged to be playable and the title information of the content judged to be non-playable are distinguishably displayed in the first playback decision judgment step or the second playback availability judgment step. Characterized in that the content playback control method. The method of claim 22, A selection step of selecting at least one of title information of the displayed playable content; In the reproduction step, content reproduction corresponding to the title information selected in the selection step is read out and reproduced based on the content management information associated with the title information of the content and the storage location information of the content. Control method. The method of claim 22, In the display step, a title list in which the title information of the content determined to be playable and the title information of the content determined to be unplayable are displayed with different color / luminance information are displayed. . The method of claim 22, And displaying the title list in which the title information of the content judged to be playable and the title information of the content judged to be non-playable are displayed separately. The method of claim 22, And in the display step, a title list to which different icons are added to title information of the content judged to be playable and title information of the content judged to be unplayable, to be displayed. The method of claim 16, Registering the content reproducing apparatus to a group management server in the same device group as the content processing apparatus via a content processing apparatus connected with the content reproducing apparatus; And updating the source ID list held by the content reproduction device based on the source ID list held by the content processing device. Let the content player: A reproduction control method determination process of determining a reproduction control method of the content based on the method identification information indicating the reproduction control method of the content; If it is determined by the reproduction control method determination processing that the first reproduction control method is used, is the source ID added to the content to be reproduced included in the source ID list indicating the source of content to be reproduced? First reproducibility determination processing for judging whether or not the corresponding content is reproducible based on whether or not the content is reproducible; When it is determined by the reproduction control method determination processing that it is the second reproduction control method, a second judgment is made to determine whether the corresponding content is reproducible based on the license condition information of the license accompanying the content to be reproduced. With regeneration judgment process: And a reproducing process of reproducing the content judged to be reproducible by said first reproducibility determination process or said second reproducibility determination process.

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