KR20070031835A - Contents reproducing device, contents processing device, contents distribution server, contents reproducing method, contents processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

A group ID storage unit L for storing a group ID uniquely generated for each user; A radio transmitter 524 for transmitting contents stored in the storage medium by radio communication; A wireless receiving unit 522 for receiving content transmitted by wireless communication from another device; A reproducibility determination unit 242 for judging whether or not the content is playable; A reproduction execution unit 244 for reproducing the content received by the radio receiving means; An ID recording unit 539 for recording the content ID and the group ID in the first list; A data communication unit 220 for transmitting the content ID and the group ID recorded in the first list to the content distribution server was provided.

Content playback device, distribution server, wireless communication, data communication part

Description

Content playback device, content processing device, content delivery server, content playback method, content processing method and program

The present invention relates to a content reproducing apparatus, a content processing apparatus, a content distribution server, a content reproducing method, a content processing method and a program.

In recent years, portable players, such as a Walkman (trademark) which can enjoy music etc. easily in a hands-free state, have become popular. In addition, a portable player, which is more convenient to carry by wirelessly connecting the main body of the portable player to the headphones, has also appeared (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-143587).

The wireless portable player uses a wireless communication method and is a playback device for transmitting and receiving music data between the main body and headphones. When transmitting and receiving music data in a wireless communication system, for example, the music data is transmitted from the main body by wireless communication, and is received and reproduced by a headphone. The body can be put in a bag or the like, and the headphone is fixed to the head to enjoy music.

However, when another user who has the same wireless portable player is near, it is conceivable that the music data transmitted from the main body is received in the headphones of the other user. If another user who receives the data records the data illegally and distributes the data to another user, a copyright problem occurs.

By the way, digital contents, such as music contents, are increasingly being distributed and exchanged with illegal contents which do not obtain permission of copyright due to the spread of the Internet and the high speed and large capacity of PCs. Therefore, in order to prevent these illegal acts, a copyright management system that restricts the distribution and use of contents has become widespread.

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

However, there has been a problem that the intrinsic enjoyment of music, such as sharing music with an unspecified number of people, is restricted, while restricting the distribution and use of content. In addition, there has been a problem that content providers have difficulty in distributing music widely.

(Initiation of invention)

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object thereof is to transmit and receive content including a content ID and a user identification number by wireless communication, so that an unspecified number of people can legally share the content, The present invention provides a new and improved content reproducing apparatus, a content processing apparatus, a content distributing server, a content reproducing method, a content processing method and a program which can safely and widely spread the content.

In order to solve the above problems, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a group ID storage unit for storing a group ID uniquely generated for each user by being registered in the management server in units of users; A radio transmitter for transmitting the content stored in the content storage unit to another device by radio communication; A radio receiver which receives contents transmitted by radio communication from another device; A reproducibility-determining unit for judging whether or not the content received by the wireless receiving unit is playable based on the group ID added to the content received by the wireless receiving unit and the group ID stored in the group ID storage unit; A reproduction execution unit for reproducing the content received by the radio receiving unit when it is determined that the reproduction is possible by the reproducibility determining unit; An ID recording unit for recording the content ID added to the content reproduced by the reproduction executing unit and the group ID included in the content in the ID storage unit; Content reproduction server comprising a content distribution server providing a download service of a content, and a data communication unit for transmitting the content ID and group ID recorded in the ID storage unit to the content distribution server when the content reproducing apparatus is directly or indirectly connected. An apparatus is provided.

With the above configuration, it is possible to transmit and receive content between the content reproducing apparatuses by wireless communication, and also to restrict the reproduction of the received content based on the group ID. Here, the group ID is user identification information uniquely generated for each user, and the group ID may include a code indicating the type of the content or the type of the content delivery service. For example, if users of the same service type included in the group ID are able to transmit and receive content and play the received content, content can be legally shared between the content reproducing apparatuses.

In addition, by storing the content ID and the group ID of the content received and reproduced from another device, the information of the content can be transmitted to the content distribution server. For example, it is possible to transmit the stored content ID to the server, to purchase and download the content corresponding to the content ID. At that time, the group ID can be transmitted to the server together with the content ID. Therefore, the server can recognize which user has transmitted the content by the group ID unique to the user.

In addition, the content reproducing apparatus includes a main body portion and a headphone portion, wherein the main body portion includes: the wireless transmitting portion; The ID recording unit; The data communication unit includes a headphone unit; The regeneration provision decision unit; The reproduction execution unit may be provided.

By the above configuration, the main body and the headphones can be configured as separate devices. For example, the main body can be placed in a bag, the headphone can be fixed to the head, and the played content can be heard. The contents can be transmitted and received by wired connection between the main body and the headphone, but if the main body and the headphone can communicate wirelessly, the cord is not disturbed and it is convenient to carry.

In addition, the content reproducing apparatus may be provided with a reproduction permission information setting unit for giving the content reproduction permission information for allowing reproduction of the content transmitted by the radio transmitter. In addition, on the basis of the reproduction permission information given to the content received by the radio receiver, the reproduction availability judging unit may determine whether to reproduce the content. As a result, the reproduction of the transmitted content can be restricted.

Moreover, when the radio receiving unit receives the content transmitted by the wireless communication from another device, it may be provided with the display control part which outputs to the display apparatus that the content was received. Accordingly, when the content is received, it is possible to notify the user who owns the content reproducing apparatus that the content has been received.

When the wireless receiving unit receives the content transmitted by wireless communication from another device, the reproducing execution unit stops the reproduction of the content stored in the storage medium included in the content reproducing apparatus, and wirelessly communicates from the other device. A playback control section may be provided to control playback of the content transmitted by the "

According to the above configuration, even when the content is being reproduced, if the content is received from another device, the reproduction of the content being reproduced can be stopped and the received content can be reproduced.

The playback control section stores the content on the storage medium included in the content playback apparatus when the radio receiver receives the content transmitted by the wireless communication from another device and the reliability information included in the content is equal to or higher than a specific value. The playback of the content that has been played may be stopped, and control may be performed so as to reproduce the content transmitted by wireless communication from another device.

With the above configuration, if the reliability of the received content is equal to or higher than a specific value, playback of the content being played back can be stopped and the received content can be played back. Here, the reliability is a degree indicating how many other users are instructed by the user who owns the content reproducing apparatus that has transmitted the content, and the reliability is information transmitted by being given to the content.

Also, the playback control section receives the content transmitted by the wireless communication unit from another device by wireless communication, and when the group ID included in the content and the highly reliable group ID provided from the server providing the download service match, The reproducing execution unit may control the reproduction of the content stored in the storage medium included in the content reproducing apparatus and reproduce the content transmitted by wireless communication from another device.

With the above configuration, it is possible to reproduce only content of a user having a high group ID. Since the list of group IDs with high reliability is provided from the server, the content providing device can determine whether the group ID included in the received content is a user with high reliability.

In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connection determination unit for determining a connection with a content reproducing apparatus that stores a group ID uniquely generated for each user by being registered in the management server on a user basis; A first communication unit which receives the content ID and the group ID stored in the content reproducing apparatus when the connection is determined by the connection determining unit; A second communication unit for transmitting the content ID and the group ID to a content distribution server providing a content download service; A content storage section for storing content corresponding to the content ID received from the content distribution server and received via the second communication section; The content stored in the content storage unit is provided with a content processing apparatus which is transmitted to the content reproduction apparatus via the first communication unit.

With the above configuration, data stored in the content reproducing apparatus can be transmitted to the content delivery server, or data recorded in the content delivery server can be transmitted to the content reproducing apparatus. For example, even if the content reproducing apparatus is not directly accessible to the content distributing server, the content reproducing apparatus enables the content reproducing apparatus to record and reproduce the content delivered from the content distributing server.

The second communication unit may receive reliability information corresponding to the group ID from the content distribution server, and the first communication unit may transmit the reliability information received by the second communication unit to the content reproducing apparatus. The second communication unit may receive a high reliability group ID from the content delivery server, and the first communication unit may transmit the received high reliability group ID to the content reproducing apparatus.

In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a database including: a content database stored in association with a content ID; The content playback apparatus is registered in the management server on a per user basis to directly / indirectly generate a group ID uniquely generated per user, a reliability information database for storing trust information in association with each other, and a content ID and group ID stored in the content playback apparatus. A data receiving unit for receiving; A content search unit for searching for content corresponding to the content identification information; A reliability information updating unit for updating the reliability information corresponding to the group ID when receiving the group ID and the content ID by the data receiving unit; There is provided a content delivery server including a data transmission unit for directly and indirectly transmitting contents retrieved by a retrieval unit to a content reproducing apparatus.

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

The content retrieval unit retrieves the reliability information corresponding to the group ID when the data receiving unit receives the group ID, and the data transmitter transmits the reliability information directly or indirectly to the content reproducing apparatus. good.

Further, in accordance with the reliability information, a reward setting section for setting a reward (cost) for the corresponding group ID may be provided.

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

In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for processing content in a content processing apparatus: a content reproducing apparatus for storing a group ID uniquely generated for each user by being registered in the management server on a user basis. A connection judging step of judging a connection with the mobile terminal; A first communication step of receiving a content ID and a group ID stored in the content reproducing apparatus when the connection with the content reproducing apparatus is determined; A second communication step of transmitting a content ID and a group ID to a content distribution server providing a download service of the content; A content storage step of recording the content corresponding to the content ID received from the content distribution server into the content storage unit; There is provided a content processing method comprising a transmitting step of transmitting the stored content to a content reproducing apparatus.

In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content reproducing apparatus: a group ID memory for storing, in a group ID storage unit, a group ID uniquely generated for each user by being registered in a management unit on a user basis. Treatment; Wireless transmission processing for transmitting the content stored in the content storage unit to another device by wireless communication; Wireless reception processing for receiving content transmitted by wireless communication from another device; A reproducibility judgment process of judging whether or not the received content is reproducible based on the group ID added to the received content and the group ID stored in the group ID storage unit; A reproduction execution process of reproducing the received content, if it is determined that the reproduction is possible by the reproducibility determination process; An ID recording process of recording a content ID corresponding to the reproduced content and a group ID added to the content into the ID storage unit; A computer program for executing a data communication process of transmitting a content ID server and a group ID stored in the ID storage unit to the content delivery server when the content distribution server that provides the content download service and the content playback device are directly or indirectly connected. This is provided.

In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content processing apparatus, which determines: a connection with a content reproducing apparatus that stores a group ID uniquely generated for each user by being registered in the management server on a user basis. Connection discrimination processing; A first communication process of receiving a content ID and a group ID stored in the content reproducing apparatus when the connection with the content reproducing apparatus is determined; Second communication processing for transmitting the content ID and the group ID to a content distribution server providing a download service of the content; A content storage process of storing a content corresponding to the content ID received from the content distribution server, in a content storage unit; A computer program is provided for causing a transmission step of transmitting a content stored in a content storage unit to a content reproducing apparatus.

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

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

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

3 is a block diagram schematically showing the 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. 6 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 a 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 functions 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.

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

Fig. 13 is a timing chart showing the basic flow of a 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.

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

20 is a view for explaining an outline of a content reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment.

21 is a view for explaining an outline of a content reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 22 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a content reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 23 is a data structure of a favorite list according to the embodiment.

24 is a schematic structural diagram of a content processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

25 is a schematic structural diagram of a content delivery server according to the embodiment.

Fig. 26 is a diagram showing a data structure of a reliability information database according to the embodiment.

27 is a timing chart illustrating transmission and reception of data such as content according to the embodiment.

Fig. 28 is a flowchart for explaining from the reception of content in the content reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment until the recording of the content ID and the group ID of the content.

29 is a flowchart for explaining content purchase processing in the content processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

30 is a flowchart for explaining reliability information update to reliability information transmission in a content delivery server according to the embodiment.

(The best mode for carrying out the invention)

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

The content sharing system according to the present embodiment is configured as a copyright management system that manages the use of content among a plurality of devices (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 between devices owned by different users in order to reliably prevent illegal use of the content such as mass distribution of the content over the Internet or the like.

On the other hand, this content sharing system includes a group of users owned by the same user (for example, not only a single user, but also a family, a friend, a colleague of a company, etc.). It is also configured as a system for realizing a content sharing service that can freely share content to some extent.

As described above, the content sharing system according to the present embodiment is capable of recognizing the sharing of content within the scope of private use while managing copyright, and increasing the convenience and freedom of sharing the content among a plurality of devices owned by the same user. A copyright management method (a copyright management scheme of the "group management method" described later) is adopted.

As described above, in the conventional copyright management system that only supports the "check-in and check-out method" conforming to the SDMI, the number of copies of content in "content units" (check-in) is based on the license which is the right information which defines the use right of the content. By limiting the number of checkouts, the illegal use of content was restricted. In such a system, a copyright management process must be performed each time a content is copied (checked in and checked out) between a plurality of content processing apparatuses. Therefore, the system configuration is complicated, processing is slow, and content within the range of private use. There was a drawback of low freedom of use and low 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 providing source and the number of copies of the content. In addition, the original purpose of the copyright management system, "protection of copying of content to a device owned by another person", 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 the group management method, the management unit for using content is referred to as a "source of source" unit (specifically, "user unit who originally owned the content" or "unit of the device which created the content"). ", The copyright management is performed such that the reproduction of the content in each device is allowed / disallowed according to the content provider.

More specifically, in the copyright management system of the group management method, a plurality of devices owned by each user are registered in a group management server on a user basis, and a source indicating the source of content is provided for each group registered device. The reproduction of the content is controlled based on the ID and the source ID list. Accordingly, between devices registered in the device group of the same user, it is possible to freely copy and play content from the same provider.

In addition, the content may be, for example, audio content such as music, lectures, or radio programs, or a video composed of still images or moving images 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 the above 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 an explanatory diagram showing an outline of group registration of the content sharing system 100 according to the present embodiment.

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

This group registration will be described in detail by taking an example of the content processing device (PC) 10-1 owned by user A. FIG. First, user A accesses the group management server 32 using his own content processing apparatus 10-1, performs user authentication processing, and the device ID (for example, the content processing apparatus 10-1). For example, the terminal ID) is transmitted to the group management server 32. Subsequently, the group management server 32 stores the device ID of the content processing apparatus 10-1 in association with the user A, and registers the content processing apparatus 10-1 in the device group of the user A. In addition, the group management server 32 transmits to the content processing apparatus 10-1, user identification information (for example, a leaf ID to be described later) indicating user A, and the content processing apparatus 10-. 1) stores the received user identification information in its 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 (the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20) can register only to a device group of a single user, and cannot simultaneously register to a device group of another user. . 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 user is unregistered from the device group. And re-registration of User B into 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 is performed in the same manner as described above. The device 10-3 can be group registered with the device group of user A. On the other hand, the content processing device 10-1, which is already registered in the device group of the user A, can be deregistered from the group and placed in the group micro.

In this manner, in the content sharing system 100, the group management server 32 registers each device by the user unit owning the device. 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 the device group of another user.

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 content source to the content. In addition, "adding a source ID to content" means to associate a source ID with content, for example, the process of adding data of a source ID in the file (content file) containing content data, or the said content. Processing for associating a file with a file containing data of a source ID and the like.

Also, the "provider of content" is the source at the individual user level of the content shared within 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 delivery service, (2) a content processing device 10 that has created the content by ripping or self-recording or the like. ). The source ID is an identifier uniquely assigned 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, a recorder ID and a group ID are used as the source ID. The recorder ID is a source ID when the content processing apparatus 10 is a 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 ripping function of the content. This recorder ID is generated by the content processing apparatus 10 having the above 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. The content processing apparatus 10 itself is the content processing apparatus 10 itself with respect to the ripped content (hereinafter referred to as "ripping content") when the content is ripped from a removable storage medium such as a music CD. Adds the recorder ID. Therefore, by the recorder ID, it is possible to specify the content processing apparatus 10 of the creator of the ripping content (that is, the provider of the content).

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 the 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 this embodiment, this group ID is generated based on a leaf ID, for example, by the content processing apparatus 10 when registering the group of the content processing apparatus 10 or when receiving the delivered content. do. 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. The leaf ID is configured as an example of user identification information, and is notified from the group management server 32 to the content processing apparatus 10 at the time of group registration or content distribution of each device.

The content processing apparatus 10 generates a group ID based on the leaf ID and service ID notified from the group management server 32. This service ID is an ID unique to each content distribution service or ripping content sharing service realized in the content sharing system 100. Here, the content delivery service is a service that distributes the content to the content processing device 10 from the content delivery server. In addition, 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 registering the group.

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, one type of group ID is combined by combining the service ID and the leaf ID as follows. Is generated.

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

Meanwhile, when the content delivery service and the ripping content sharing service are separately managed, a content delivery service ID unique to each content delivery 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 leaf ID of each service as follows.

"First Group ID" = "Content Delivery Service ID" + "Leaf ID"

"Second group ID" = "rip content sharing service ID" + "leaf ID"

Among these, the first group ID is added to the delivery content in order to identify the user who purchased the delivery content delivered from the content delivery server. In addition, the second group ID is a criterion for determining whether to add additional recorder IDs to the source ID list described later in order to share the ripping content between the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20. do.

In the present embodiment, for example, the latter method of generating the first group ID and the second group ID is employed. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, both the first group ID and the second group ID are not distinguished. Will be described as a group ID.

Such a group ID is added, for example, by the content processing device 10 to the delivery content delivered from the content delivery server. By adding the group ID to the delivery contents in this way, it is possible to identify the user who purchased the delivery contents (that is, 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 divided between the content processing device 10 and the content reproducing device 20. Free copying is possible. In other words, in the copyright management system of the group management method, the copy number limiting process, like the conventional copyright management system of the conventional check-in and check-out method, is used for copying the content to which the source ID is added (that is, the content to be managed by the copyright management). 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 installed 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. The 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 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 content, while the source ID added to the content is added to 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.

Further, the content reproducing unit 2 can request, for example, the list management unit 3 to add a new source ID to the source ID list L that it owns. 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 is added which is not included in the source ID list L held by the content reproducing unit 2. have. For this reason, the content reproduction unit 2 requests the list management unit 3 that permits the update of the source ID list L to add the new source ID.

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

The list manager 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 # is the same as the group ID included in the source ID list L, the list management unit 3 adds the recorder ID included in the group certificate # to the source ID list L. do. Accordingly, 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 has been 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 added 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. In addition, the content sharing system 100 is configured to execute not only the copyright management of the group management method as described above but also the copyright management of the conventional check-in and check-out method, but the details will be described later.

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 referred to as "content processing apparatus 10). And "a plurality of content reproduction apparatuses 20-1, 2, ..., m, n" (hereinafter, may be collectively referred to as "content reproduction apparatus 20"). It consists of a server 30, a network 5 and a local line 9 which connect these devices to each other, and a storage 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. .

The content processing device 10 is a device capable of recording and playing back content. More specifically, the content processing apparatus 10 is constituted of, for example, a computer device such as a PC (including both a notebook type and a desktop type). The content processing device 10 is not limited to the above example, but is provided via the network 5. As a device having one communication function, for example, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a home game machine, an information appliance, or the like can also be configured.

This content processing apparatus 10 is communicable with the server 30 via the network 5, for example. The content processing apparatus 10 can install, for example, software for content distribution service or software for ripping content sharing service. As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 can receive the content from the content delivery server 34, and record the delivery 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, video DVD, software CD-ROM, etc., and converting it into a file format that can be processed by a computer. Recording on the storage device or the storage medium (7).

The content processing apparatus 10 compresses the delivery content and the ripping content by, for example, a predetermined compression such as ATRAC3 (Advanced Transform Acoustic Coding 3) or MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-3). The data can be compressed and encoded by an encoding method, and encrypted and recorded by an encryption method such as DES (Data Encrytion Standard).

Furthermore, the content processing apparatus 10 transmits and receives the delivered 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.

In addition, 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 is provided with 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. In this way, the content processing apparatus 10 is configured to correspond to the copyright management method of the group management method. In addition, although the content processing apparatus 10 is comprised so that it may respond to the conventional copyright management system of the conventional check-in and check-out system, the detail is mentioned later.

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 or the like having a hard disk drive (HDD) having a storage capacity of several tens of GB, but is not limited to the above example. Various portable devices, such as a player, a PDA, a mobile telephone, and a PHS, may be sufficient. In addition, the storage medium or the mountable external storage medium 7 in the content reproducing apparatus 20 are not limited to HDD, but can be randomly accessed, such as an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, a flash memory, a FeRA, 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.

The content reproducing apparatus 20 can be locally connected to the content processing apparatus 10 via the local line 9, for example, and can communicate various data with the content processing apparatus 10. The 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. The content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20 may be configured to enable data communication in wireless communication.

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

In addition, 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 correspond to the copyright management method of the group management method. In addition, the content reproducing apparatus 20 corresponds to the copyright management method of the check-in and check-out method, and is configured to switch between the group management method and the check-in and check-out method according to the setting by the content reproducing device 20. However, details will be described later.

The server 30 is composed of a computer device having a server function or the like. 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. .

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

As described above, the group management server 32 groups 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.

The content delivery server 34 is a server that provides a content delivery service, and distributes the content to the content processing device 10 via the network 5 in response to a request from the content processing device 10 owned by the user. do. The content distribution server 34 is, for example, an EMD server that provides an Electronic Music Distribution (EMD) service. The content delivery server 34 compresses and encodes the music content to be delivered by a compression coding 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. Betray In addition, the content delivery server 34 encrypts the content key for decrypting the delivery content together with the encrypted delivery content, and transmits it to the content processing apparatus 10.

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

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

The WWW server 31, the group management server 32, the content distribution server 34, the certificate management server 36, and the charging server 38 may be all or part of which may be integrally configured as hardware, or It may consist of individual server devices.

The network 5 is a communication line network which connects the content processing apparatus 10 and the server 30 to enable two-way 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, and is wired or wireless.

Furthermore, the network 5 includes a private network. This private network is a network that connects a plurality of content processing apparatuses 10 that share content within the scope of private use from the viewpoint of copyright management. As a specific example of the said private network, the network which connects the several content processing apparatus 10 used by the same user, for example, or the home network which connects the several content processing apparatus 10 used in the same home, for example. And a LAN for connecting a plurality of content processing devices 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, and programs. For example, the DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, CD-R, CD-RW And various optical disks such as 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 / obtaining content between the content processing apparatuses 10. For example, the content processing apparatus 10-1 loads the storage medium 7 on which content is recorded by the content processing apparatus 10-1 in the content processing apparatus 10-2 and reads out the content. Can provide the content to the content processing apparatus 10-2. 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 cannot be connected to the network 5. This storage medium 7 also functions as a medium for providing / acquiring a 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 a storefront or the like, to store the purchased content according to a user's operation, and provide the content to the content processing device 10. .

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 a host bus 104, a bridge 105, an external bus 106, an interface 107, an input device 108, an output device 110, and a storage device (HDD) 111. And 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 along with various programs, and controls each unit in the content processing unit 10. The ROM 102 stores programs, operation parameters, 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, buttons, 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 device 10 can input various data to the content processing device 10 or instruct a processing operation.

The output device 110 includes, for example, a display device such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, a liquid crystal monitor (LCD) device, a lamp, and an audio output device such as a speaker. This 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 voice output device pronounces reproduced voice 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 by, for example, an HDD. This storage device 111 drives a hard disk and stores programs and various data executed by the CPU 101. The storage device 111 also stores a source ID list L, a content database 116, a self ID database 117, a content management information database 118, and the like shown in FIG. 5 described later.

The drive 112 is a reader / writer for a storage medium and is embedded in or attached to the content processing apparatus 10. The drive 112 stores a variety of data such as content, group certificate G, and program for 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. Record / play back.

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

The connection port 114 is a port for connecting external peripheral devices such as the content reproducing apparatus 20, for example, and has connection terminals such as USB and IEEE1394. 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 through 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 content processing device 10 or an external device such as a server 30 via a network 5, and stores contents, a source ID list L, a group certificate G, a control signal, and the like. Send and receive various data.

Next, based on FIG. 5, the main function of the content processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. 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 delivery 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 device 10 and the external device. For example, the data communication unit 120 uses the communication device 115 to intervene between the content processing device 10 and another content processing device 10 or the server 30 via the network 5. Send and receive 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 and outputs the received service common key to the content processing unit 160, for example. This service common key (secret key) is a key necessary for decrypting encrypted content data, and is stored securely so as not to be corrected.

In addition, the group registration unit 130 performs a group deregistration request processing of the content processing apparatus 10 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 the 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 to the group management server 32. Such details of the group registration processing and the 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. The list manager 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 manager 140 adds a service ID to the leaf ID received from the group register 130, converts the leaf ID to which the service ID is added, into a group ID, and converts the group ID. Add to 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 manager 140 includes the group ID included in the group certificate and the source ID list L. If the group IDs to be matched, the recorder ID included in the group certificate is added to the source ID list L. When the expiration date information is set to a source ID such as a group ID or a recorder ID thereof, 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.

When the group registration is canceled, the list manager 140 deletes all the source IDs in the source ID list L. In addition, the list manager 140 may update the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20 connected to the content processing apparatus 10. In addition, the detail of the list update process by this list management part 140 is mentioned later.

The source ID list L is securely stored in the storage 111 or the ROM 102 of the content processing apparatus 10 or the like. This source ID list L is encrypted and stored, for example, in a state in which a digital signature is attached to prevent unauthorized modification 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 has been added, and the reproduction content is reproduced based on the group ID. For example, when the group ID is not used as the source ID but only as the source ID (the second group ID) for the reference of addition of the recorder ID to the source ID list L in the ripping content sharing service, the group is used. The ID may not necessarily be stored in the source ID list. In this case, the group ID may be stored in another storage area in the storage device 111, for example, the self ID database 117, or may be stored in 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 corresponds to the content processing apparatus 10 in the state where the content processing apparatus 10 is group registered and holds the group ID-A as described above. A group certificate G associated with recorder ID1 and group ID-A is issued. By such a group certificate G, it is possible to prove that the content processing apparatus 10 corresponding to the recorder ID1 belongs to the user-owned device group specified in the group ID-A. The group certificate G is also attached with a digital signature for detection of modification, for example, a MAC (Message Authentication Code). As a result, modification of the group certificate G can be prevented.

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

The certificate issuing unit 150 may 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 corresponds to its own content processing device 10 in response to a user input of the content processing device 10 or a request for a certificate from another content processing device 10. A 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 valid period information to the group certificate G to be issued. As a result, 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 period of validity indicated by the period of validity information included in the group certificate G. It becomes possible.

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 issuing server 36 It may be distributed to the other content processing apparatus 10 through it. Accordingly, the certificate management server 36 can collectively manage the group certificate G of each content processing device 10 and distribute it to other content processing devices 10 belonging 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 attached on the home page. The content processing device 10 may be provided via the storage medium 7 on 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. For this reason, the content processing apparatus 10 belonging to the same device group can immediately reproduce the ripping content.

The group certificate G distributed in this way is used in another content processing apparatus 10 for sharing registration, that is, adding a recorder ID to the source ID list L. Accordingly, the other content processing device 10 that has received 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 owning the same group ID, and adds it to the source ID list L. can do.

In this way, by issuing and distributing the group certificate G in which the group ID and the recorder ID are related, the recorder IDs of each other can be shared without directly connecting between the content processing apparatuses 10 belonging to the same device group.

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 the certificate database and distribute it to other content processing apparatus 10 or the like.

The delivery service use unit 152 performs a process related to the content delivery service with the content delivery server 34.

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

The delivery service use unit 152 receives the delivery content transmitted from the content delivery server 34 and the license of the delivery content via 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 delivery service, the delivery service using unit 152 uses the file of the delivery content from the content delivery server 34 and the use of the delivery content. Download the licensed file, for example as a separate file. In the case of content to which copyright management in a group management method is given, the leaf ID assigned to the user by registering the group is described in the license of the delivered content. On the other hand, in the case of content subject to copyright management by check-in and check-out, the license includes information such as usage rule information usage limit (restriction of check-in and check-out, limit of play count, and play time). It is.

The delivery service using unit 152 processes the data of the received distribution data and the license data, and creates a content file having the same file as the license file.

At this time, with respect to the delivery content of the group management method, the source ID adding unit 154 adds the group ID to the content data of the delivery content. 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 delivered content. Specifically, the source ID adding unit 154 executes a process of converting the leaf ID described in the license corresponding to the delivered content into a group ID. The conversion process from the leaf ID to the group ID is given by adding the service ID of the content delivery service to the leaf ID, for example. As a result, it is possible to associate the distribution content with a group ID indicating a user who has purchased the distribution content and a service.

In this way, the delivery service using unit 152 and the source ID adding unit 154 create a content file in which the file of the delivered 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, for example, a system in which only the content sharing system 100 and the content sharing system 100 can handle the content data encrypted with the content key. A content key encrypted with a common key, and a license in which a source ID such as a group ID is described.

On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6B, the content file F2 of the check-in / check-out method is, for example, a content ID, content data encrypted with the content key, content key encrypted with the system common key, and used. Contains the license for which the condition information is described. The licenses in these content files F1 and F2 are encrypted so that modification 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 correction of a license can be performed. For this reason, even if the content is shared within the content sharing system 100, the source ID added to the content and the use condition can be appropriately prevented from being corrected.

The delivery service using 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, the corresponding content and license are managed in the same file and stored in the content database 116, but are not limited to the above examples. For example, the content and license may be managed in separate files. In this case, the file of the content is stored in the content database 116, the file of the license is stored in the license database, and the content and the license may be associated with the content by the content ID or the like included in both files.

In addition, the delivery service use unit 152 receives attribute information of the delivered content from the content delivery server 34 at the time of delivery of the content. The attribute information of this delivery content includes, for example, title information of the delivery content (for example, song name, artist (singer) name, album name, genre, playback time, etc.), content ID, delivery date, data size, data format. , The type of copyright management scheme. The delivery service use unit 152 records the attribute information of the delivery content, a recording place of the delivery content (for example, an address in the content DB 116), and the like in the content management information database 118 as content management information. do.

The delivery service use unit 152 as described above is configured by, for example, installing the software for the content delivery service corresponding to the content delivery service to be used in the content processing apparatus 10. In addition, a plurality of delivery service use units 152 may be provided for each of a plurality of content delivery services used by a 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 the recorder ID, and executes the license. It relates to the content data of the ripping content. That is, the source ID adding unit 154 includes a content including a content ID, content data of an encrypted ripping content, an encrypted content key, and a license in which a recorder ID is described, as shown in Fig. 6A. Create file F1. In this way, the source ID adding unit 154 records the ripping content to which the recorder ID has been added 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 immediately adding the recorder ID to the ripping content, the recorder ID can be reliably added 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 the above example, and may be, for example, a copy to another content processing apparatus 10 during the first reproduction of the ripping content.

In the self 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 (such as the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20). This device ID is, for example, assigned 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. These IDs are encrypted to prevent unauthorized modification. 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 includes, for example, an application program for using contents (for example, playback, transmission, etc.), a DRM module for copyright management of the use thereof, and the like. It consists of installing in. 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 player 170 is a component corresponding to the content player 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, for example, both the contents of the group management method and the contents of the check-in and check-out method, and thus controls the reproduction control of the group management method and the reproduction control of the check-in and check-out method. You can run Specifically, in the case of the playback control in 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 the playback control in 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 or not to satisfy the use condition information of the license corresponding to the content to be reproduced. Control playback. 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 playback devices for installing two or more types of content playback software in one content processing device 10, or using a content playback software and a playback device together, or the like. In the two content processing apparatuses 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 perform the content providing / acquisition process by, for example, a transmission / reception process via the network 5 or the local line 9, or This may be done 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 the content management information thereof. You may display on (110).

The ripping unit 184 rips content recorded on a recording medium 7a such as a CD or a 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 / image data, etc. from the storage medium 7a, and processes the music / image data. Content converted into a format (eg, ATRAC3 format, etc.) that can be processed by the device 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. This self-recording unit may pick up the sound of the surroundings of the content processing device 10, capture the subject, generate sound data or video data, and perform a predetermined data processing on the data to create new content. Video / audio data, such as a television program or a radio program received via 115, may be converted into a recordable format and new content may be created. By adding a recorder ID to the content created by the self-recording unit, the content can be copyrighted in a group management manner.

The ICV data management unit 190 manages ICV (Integrity Check Value) data of the content processing device 10 and ICV data of the content reproducing device 20 connected to the content processing device 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 (the attached (attached) hash value) of the source ID list L. Therefore, based on the ICV data, the ICV data management unit 190 detects whether the source ID list L is legitimate, that is, whether the source ID list L is incorrectly corrected. On the other hand, in the copyright management process of the check-in and check-out system, this ICV data contains the MAC value (the hash value with a key) of the license of the content. Therefore, based on the ICV data, the ICV data management unit 190 detects whether the license is legitimate, that is, whether the license is incorrectly corrected.

As a result, the ICV data management unit 190 permits the processing of the content processing unit 160 when determined to be legitimate. On the other hand, the ICV data management unit 190 determines the content processing unit 160 when it determines to be unjustified. Do not allow the processing of.

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 it is "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, the content processing device 10 sets the copyright management method of the content playback device 20. FIG. Can be. At this time, the setting of the copyright management system of the content reproducing apparatus 20 may be performed based on region information indicating a 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 shown in the drawing, 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 reproducing apparatus (PD) 20. . This transmission control unit transfers the content stored in the content processing apparatus 10 to the content reproducing apparatus 20 or is stored in the content reproducing apparatus 20 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 not only controls the transfer of the content (the content to which the source ID is added) subject to copyright management, but also the transfer control of the content that is not copyright-managed (for example, the raw content without the added source ID). I can do it. 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 and the group ID in the source ID list of the content reproducing apparatus 20 are compared. As a result of this comparison, the transmission control unit permits the transmission when the group IDs of both parties match, and does not permit the transmission when the group IDs of the two parties do not match. As a result, not only the copyright-managed content in the group management method but also the use (unlimited copying between devices) that is not protected by copyright can be restricted.

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, delivery 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 hardware having the respective functions, for example, or may be configured by installing a program in the content processing apparatus 10 that realizes the respective functions in a computer.

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

As shown in Fig. 7, the content reproducing unit 170 includes, for example, a reproducible provision determining unit 172, a reproducing execution unit 174, and a list update requesting unit 176.

The reproducible decision unit 172 controls the reproduction of the content requested for reproduction. The reproduction availability determining unit 172 can perform 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 reproducibility determination unit 172 reproduces 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. Judge whether or not.

Specifically, first, if the playback provisional decision unit 172 receives, for example, a playback request of the content designated by the user from the input device 108, the content-receiving request is read from the content database 116, It is determined whether a source ID is added to the content, that is, whether a source ID is described in a license in the content file. If the source ID is not added to the content, the playability determination unit 172 judges that the content is unnecessary for copyright management, and permits the content to be played back. Outputs On the other hand, when the source ID (recorder ID or group ID) is added to the content, the reproduction judgment unit 172 determines that the content requires copyright management, and performs the following processing.

First, the reproducibility determination unit 172 reads the source ID from the license in the content file, and reads and analyzes the source ID list L. FIG. Next, the reproducibility determination unit 172 compares the source ID read out from the content with the source ID included in the source ID list L, and determines whether the source ID read out from the content is included in the source ID list L. Determine 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 if it is within the expiration date, the reproducibility determination unit 172 reproduces the content. Is allowed, and the reproduction execution unit 174 outputs a reproduction instruction signal of the content. 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 is out of the validity period, the reproducibility determination unit 172 prohibits the reproduction of the content, and the reproduction instruction signal Does not output For this reason, the reproduction execution unit 174 cannot reproduce the content. In this case, an error notification indicating that the reproduction condition is not satisfied may be displayed.

In this way, the reproducibility determination unit 172 according to the present embodiment restricts 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 the above example, and for example, the reproducibility determination unit 172 allows the reproduction of the content by restricting the reproduction of the content to a part of time or content, or to adjust the image quality, sound quality, and the like. The playback may be reduced to allow playback, or playback may be restricted such that playback is allowed only for the first predetermined time (for example, once), and then playback is prohibited.

Also, if the source ID added to the content is not included in the source ID list L, for example, the reproduction right decision unit 172 sends the source ID to the list update request unit 176. Output

On the other hand, when the playback control of the check-in and check-out method is performed, the playback decision section 172 determines the content on the basis of the use condition information (restriction of the number of playbacks and the playback expiration date) in the license corresponding to the content requested for playback. To determine whether or not the playback. As a result, when it is judged that the license use condition is satisfied, the reproducibility determination unit 172 permits the reproduction of the 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 reproducibility 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 decision unit 172. Specifically, the playback execution unit 174 first decrypts the encrypted content key using the service common key, and then decrypts the encrypted content using the decrypted content key. The decoded content is decoded and 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, when a source ID not included in the source ID list L is input from the reproducibility decision unit 172, is the source ID a recorder ID or a group ID? Determine the cognition. 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 automatically perform this additional request process or may check the user after confirming whether or not to add the recorder ID. 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 only register the 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 magnetic ID adding unit 148 and a group ID updating unit 149.

The certificate request unit 141 transmits a certificate request signal to the other content processing apparatus 10 or the certificate management server 36 according to a user input or automatically, and the other content processing apparatus 10 belonging to the same device group. The issued group certificate G 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 includes the recorder ID. A group certificate G may be required. 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 group ID. One or two or more group certificates G including a recorder ID (that is, a recorder ID of another content processing device 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 acquisition unit 142 can receive and obtain the group certificate G from the external content processing device 10 or the certificate management server 36 via the network 5 and the communication device 115. have. 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 acquiring unit 142 outputs the group certificate G thus obtained to the recorder ID updating 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 updating 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, if both group IDs do not match, the recorder ID included in the group certificate G is not added to the source ID list L.

As a result, 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. The recorder ID updating unit 144 may limit the addition of the recorder ID by setting an upper limit to 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 source ID list L after synchronization is included in the plurality of original source ID lists L. All of the recorder IDs that existed will be 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 self. Both source ID list L are synchronized when the group IDs included in the source ID list L of the content processing apparatus 10 in FIG.

From the synchronization processing, the recorder IDs 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, the ripping content can be shared and reproduced between the content processing apparatuses 10.

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

The magnetic ID adding unit 148 adds, for example, the recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself to the source ID list L unconditionally. 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 ripping content riped by 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 updater 149 adds the group ID to the source ID list L, for example, when a group ID is input from the group register 130 at the time of group registration of the content processing apparatus 10. As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 can play the distributed content to which the group ID is added.

The group ID updating unit 149 deletes all source IDs (recorder ID, group ID) included in the source ID list L when the group registration release 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 created ripping content and the content which is not copyrighted.

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

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 at the same time, based on whether the group ID is the same or not, the other content processing apparatus 10 belonging to the same device group. Add the recorder ID of) to the source ID list L. Accordingly, the copied distribution 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 the content processing apparatuses 10 registered or not registered in different device groups, reproduction of the copied content can be restricted to prevent illegal use of the content.

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 made in a certain content processing apparatus 10, and the representative list management unit 140 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, it is preferable that the representative list management unit 140 is made in, for example, a connection server device of a private network.

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 is, 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 (HDD) 211, decoder 213, communication device 215, audio output circuit 216 and remote controller 218 and headphones 219.

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 defining various operations of the main controller 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 controller 201.

The data processing apparatus 204 is constituted by a system LSI or the like to process data transmitted into the content reproducing apparatus 20. The bus 206 includes a main controller 201, a flash memory 202, a RAM 203, a data processing device 204, an input device 208, a display device 210, and a storage device (HDD) 211. And a data line for connecting the decoder 213, the communication device 215, the audio output circuit 216, and the like.

The input device 208 and the remote controller 218 generate an input signal according to the operation means of 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 output 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.

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 device for data storage 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 (HDD) having a storage capacity of several tens of gigabytes, and stores compressed data, various data such as programs and processing data of the main controller 201. .

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 the content, source ID list L, and ICV data between the content processing device 10 connected via a local line 9 such as a USB cable. And transmit and receive various data such as content management information and control signals.

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

Here, the flow of main data 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 a local line 9 such as a USB cable, in the content processing apparatus 10, the content reproducing apparatus 20 is recognized as a removable HDD. . In this state, when the content processing apparatus 10 transmits control information such as content data and ICV data to the content reproducing apparatus 20, the communication apparatus 215 receives these data. The received content data is then stored directly 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, the data flow when the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 reproduces the content will be described. 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. It reads from 211 and transfers it to the RAM 203 and simultaneously transfers the content data transferred to the RAM 203 to the decoder 213. Subsequently, the decoder 213 performs decoding 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 using a 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, based on FIG. 10, the main function 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 includes, for example, a data communication unit 220, a storage unit 230, a reproduction control method determination unit 240, and a reproducible decision unit 242. And a reproduction execution unit 244, a title list creation unit 250, and a content selection unit 252.

The data communication unit 220 transmits and receives data to and from the content processing apparatus 10 through 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 device 20. This storage unit 230 stores, for example, ICV data 231, source ID list L, content database 234, and 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 validity of the content reproducing processing in the content reproducing apparatus 20 is justified. Can be used to check 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 method 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 checked in. When the checkout 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 this embodiment, this source ID list L is updated by the list management unit 140 of the content processing apparatus 10, but the list management unit is installed in the content reproduction apparatus 20, and the content reproduction apparatus 20 has its own. The source ID list L may be updated.

In addition, the content database 234 stores the content transmitted from the content processing device 10. When the reproduction control method of the content reproducing apparatus 20 is set to the group management method, the content database 234 has a licensed content including a source ID as shown in Fig. 6A above. Is stored, and 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, similar 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 of the content (song name Attribute information of the content such as the artist name, album name, etc., 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 securely stored in the self-ID database not shown in the drawing in the storage unit 230. The device ID is an ID uniquely assigned to the content reproducing apparatus 20 at the time of factory shipment and is used at the time of 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 content processing device 10 reads the flag 232 based on the flag 232. The playback control method of the set content playback apparatus 20 is determined. Specifically, 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 ( If 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 reproducibility determination unit 242.

The reproducibility determination unit 242 follows either of the reproduction control methods determined by the reproduction control method determination unit 240, and determines whether to reproduce the content that has been requested to be reproduced. The reproducing / determining unit 242 includes a first reproducing / determining unit 242a for reproducing control according to a copyright management scheme of a group management method, and a second reproducing control according to a copyright management scheme of a check-in / check-out method. The regeneration provision decision section 242b is provided.

When the reproduction control method determination unit 240 determines that the reproduction control method of the content reproducing apparatus 20 is set to the group management method (first reproduction control method), the reproduction reproducibility determination unit 242 determines whether the reproduction control method is determined. The reproduction reproducibility determining 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 judged that the reproduction control method of the content reproducing apparatus 20 is set to the check-in / check-out method (first reproduction control method), the reproduction reproducibility determination unit 242 is the second reproduction reproducibility determination unit 242b. ), And it is judged whether the content is to be played or not based on the use condition information of the license added to the content to be played back (restriction of the number of times of playback, expiration time limit, etc.). Note that this playback provisional decision unit 242 has substantially the same function as the playback provisional decision unit 172 of the content processing apparatus 10, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The reproduction execution unit 244 reproduces the content judged to be reproducible by the reproduction provision decision unit 242, and outputs it to the audio output circuit. This reproduction execution unit 244 has substantially the same function as the reproduction execution unit 174 of the content processing apparatus 10, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The title list creation 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 the list of title information of the contents (hereinafter, " 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. In addition, the title list creating unit 250 causes the display device 210 to display the created title list. As a result, the user browses this title list, selects the desired content for playback, operates the input device 208 to designate the title information of the content, and makes a playback 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 two or more pieces of content held by the content reproducing apparatus 20.

The content selection unit 252 selects a content to be played back based on a user input to the input device 208, and outputs the selection result to the playback decision section 242. FIG. 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 the information. It outputs to the determination part 242. As a result, the reproducibility decision unit 242 performs reproducibility judgment on the selected content to be reproduced, and only the reproducible content is reproduced by the reproducing execution unit 244.

The title list creating unit 250 can also create and display the title list in such a manner that title information of the content that can be played back and title information of the content that cannot be played back can be discriminated. In this case, the title list creation unit 250 first asks the reproduction availability judgment section 242 to determine whether or not each of the contents to be displayed can be reproduced, and on the basis of this determination result, it is possible to reproduce them. Create a title list that can distinguish between content and non-playable content. As a result, the user can select and designate content desired to be reproduced from among contents that can be reproduced. In this way, when the title information of the content desired by the user is selected among the reproducible contents displayed on the display device 210, the content selection unit 252 reproduces the content ID and the storage place of the content corresponding to the selected title information. The content is output to the provisional decision unit 242, and the reproduction provisional decision unit 242 reproduces the content without performing reproduction provisional decision.

  In the above, the functional structure of the content reproducing apparatus 20 which concerns on this embodiment was demonstrated. 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. This not only improves the user's convenience of the content reproducing apparatus 20, but also makes it unnecessary to design and develop another model of the content reproducing apparatus 20 corresponding to each reproduction control method, thereby increasing the efficiency and cost of development work. Can cut down.

In addition, the content reproducing apparatus 20 corresponds to copyright management of a group management method which controls reproduction of 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 play the content from the content processing apparatus 10 owned to the content reproducing apparatus 20, the user can freely use the content compared with the conventional check-in and check-out method. Is higher and more user friendly.

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

In addition, in the above embodiment, when the source ID is not added to the content, the reproducibility judgment unit 242 of the content reproducing apparatus 20 determines that the content is unnecessary for copyright management and permits the reproduction of the content. Then, the reproduction execution unit 244 outputs a reproduction instruction signal of the content. In other words, the content reproducing apparatus 20 is configured to freely reproduce content that is not protected by copyright, such as content to which a source ID is not added. Such use restriction of contents not protected by copyright can be realized by the above group management method. The method is shown below.

First, when the transfer control unit (not shown in the drawing) of the above-described content processing apparatus 10 receives a request for transmitting to the content reproducing apparatus 20 the content which is not protected by the copyright stored in the content database 116, 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 group ID in the source ID list L of the acquired content reproduction apparatus 20 with the group ID in the source ID list L held by the transfer control unit 20 (step 2).

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

In addition, although the transmission of the content not protected by copyright from the content reproducing apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10 is basically prohibited, it is also possible to configure a portion to permit transmission by the group management method described above. Do. The method is shown below.

First, the transmission control unit of the content processing device 10 receives content that is not protected by the copyright stored in the content reproducing device 20 from the content reproducing device 20 connected by the local line 9. 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 held by the transfer control unit 20 (step 2).

As a result of this comparison, when the two group IDs match, the transfer control unit permits the transfer of the content, which is not protected by the copyright, that received the transfer request from the content reproducing apparatus 20 to the content processing apparatus 10. If it does not match, the transfer is prohibited (step 3).

As described above, in the copyright management method of the group management method according to the present embodiment, by controlling the transmission between the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20, copy transmission is restricted even with respect to content not managed by copyright. You can limit your use.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the structure of the server 30 which concerns on this embodiment 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. As shown in FIG.

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 reproducing apparatuses 20 owned by the same user. Register a group and execute a content sharing service for sharing content among the group registered devices. In addition, the WWW server 31, the content delivery server 34, and the charging server 38 constitute a delivery service execution unit, and distribute content for a fee, for example, to a user of the content processing apparatus 10 for a fee. Perform a service.

The functional configuration of each server 31, 32, 34, 36, 38 will be described separately below. 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 with reference to FIG. do.

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 new users who wish to use the content sharing service and / or the content distribution service. And the like. The service registered user is assigned a unique leaf ID on a user basis. Various user account information and leaf IDs determined by such registration processing by the user registration unit 312 are stored in the group registration database 324. However, the present invention is not limited to the above example, and a user registration database may be created in the WWW server 31, and the user account information and leaf ID may be managed in the user registration database.

The user authentication unit 314 is a connection request (registration request, deregistration request, etc.) 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 a content delivery request, a certificate request, a user account information change request, etc.), a user authentication process for authenticating a user who owns the content processing apparatus 10 of the request source is performed. This user authentication process is performed based on, for example, user account information input by a user and user account information of the group registration database 324. The authenticated user can, for example, 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 an HDD, provided in the group management server 32. As shown in Fig. 12, this group registration database 324 is, for example, user account information (user ID 3241, credit card number 3324) of a user who is provided with a content sharing service and a content distribution service. , Among the leaf ID 3243 corresponding to the user, the device ID 3244 of the group registered content processing device 10 or the content player 20, and the group registered content processing device 10 of the device having a ripping function. The recorder 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 devices 10 and the content reproducing device 20 registered in the device group of the user, which 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 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, for example, group registration request information (for example, registration request notification, terminal ID or device ID, recorder) from the group registration unit 130 of the content processing apparatus 10 after the user authentication processing is performed. ID, etc.) is received. 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. Accordingly, the device ID of the group registered device and the leaf ID (device group) assigned to the authenticated user can be related.

In addition, the device registration unit 322 prohibits registering the same content processing device 10 with another device group. For this reason, the device registration unit 322 searches the group registration database 324, and when the device ID of the content processing device 10 of the registration request source is already stored, the content processing device 10 or the content reproduction is performed. The registration of the device 20 is rejected, and 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 the upper limit of the content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproducing apparatus 20 that can be registered in the same device group, specifically, the content processing apparatus 10 that can be associated with the leaf ID of the same user. You can also set the upper limit of). 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 to, for example, a predetermined number (for example, three), and sets the terminal to a certain leaf ID. The ID may be associated with up to a predetermined upper limit (for example, three). In this case, when receiving a registration request exceeding the upper limit from the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 having the terminal ID as the device ID, the device registration unit 322 rejects the registration. As a result, since the number of content processing apparatuses (PCs) 10 that can be registered in the same device group can be limited to three or less, for example, the content processing apparatus (PC) capable of receiving delivery content 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, when a registration request exceeding the upper limit is received from the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 having the recorder ID, registration is rejected. Accordingly, since the number of the content processing apparatus 10 having the ripping function that can be registered in the same device group can be limited, the content processing apparatus 10 that can serve as 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.

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 generated group ID may be notified to the content processing apparatus 10. In this case, the content processing apparatus 10 may not generate a 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, for example, the group deregistration request information (for example, group deregistration request notification, terminal ID, or the like) from the group registration unit 130 of the content processing apparatus 10 after the user authentication process is performed. Device ID, recorder ID, etc.). 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. It deletes from the column of (3244). However, the recorder ID is not deleted even if the corresponding content processing apparatus (PC) 10 is deregistered. Accordingly, when the content processing apparatus 10 having a ripping function is registered in a group up to the predetermined upper limit (for example, ten), even if some content processing apparatus 10 is deregistered thereafter. It is not possible to additionally register the new content processing apparatus 10. Therefore, it is possible to strictly control the copyright of the ripping content by suppressing the number of registrations of the content processing apparatus 10 that can create sharable ripping content.

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. The certificate management server 36 includes a certificate management unit 362 and a certificate database 364.

The certificate database 364 is stored in a storage device (not shown), such as an HDD, provided in the certificate management server 36. 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. In addition, the certificate management unit 362 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 the other content processing apparatus belonging to the same device group ( 10) Distribute to the back.

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

When there is a request for distributing a certificate from the pre-registered content processing device 10, or when the content processing device 10 has accessed the server 30, the certificate management unit 362 is responsible for the content processing device. For (10), a group certificate G of another content processing apparatus 10 belonging to the same device group may be distributed.

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

In this way, the certificate management unit 362 of the certificate management server 36 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 by 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 adds the recorder ID of the content processing device 10 to the source ID list L. can do.

Next, the content delivery server 34 will be described. The content distribution server 34 distributes the content to the content processing apparatus 10 of the user who has registered a user in the content distribution service, for example, at a fee. The content delivery 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 delivery server 34 includes, for example, a license issuing unit 342, a content delivery unit 344, a license database 346, and a content database 348.

The license database 346 and the content database 348 are stored in a storage device (not shown), such as an HDD, provided in the content delivery server 34. The license database 346 is a database for storing licenses issued in accordance with content distribution. The content database 348 is a database of a plurality of contents that are to be delivered of the content delivery service.

The content delivery unit 344 browses the list of contents that can be delivered to the user who has been authenticated, for example, and selects the content to be delivered. In addition, the content delivery unit 344 delivers the selected delivery content to the content processing device 10 used by the user via the network 5. In this delivery process, for example, a charging process as described later is a condition.

In addition, the content delivery unit 344 also distributes information (content ID, title information (song name, artist name, album name, playback time, etc.), etc.) stored in the content base 348 or the like, for example. Send in association with the content.

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

For example, when performing copyright management in a group management method, the license issuing unit 342 issues a license including the 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 a 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 delivery server 34 associates the file of the distribution content with the file of the license including the leaf ID corresponding to the user who purchased the delivery content. Send to (10). As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 that has received the distribution content and license converts the leaf ID into a group ID, adds the leaf ID to the distribution content, and functions the group ID as a source ID for the distribution content. Implement management of copyright.

On the other hand, when performing copyright management by check-in and check-out, the license issuing unit 342 distributes a license in which usage rule information such as check-in / check-out limit, playback limit, playback period, etc. is described. Publish in relation to the content. At this time, the license issuing unit 342 may create a license of the type of use condition 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 delivery server 34 transmits the file of the distribution content and the file of the license including the use condition information to the content processing apparatus 10 in association. As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 that has received the license including the delivered content and the use 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 delivery server 34 transmits the delivered content and its license in one set at the time of the content delivery to the content processing apparatus 10. At this time, the content delivery server 34 includes the leaf ID in the license when delivering the contents of the group management method, and includes the use condition information in the license when delivering the check-in and check-out content.

In addition, although the content delivery server 34 transmits delivery content and license in a separate file, you may transmit both in the same file. In addition, in the above, at the time of group distribution of contents, the content distribution server 34 notifies the content processing apparatus 10 of the leaf ID, and the content processing apparatus 10 based on the notified leaf ID. Is generated, but is not limited to the above example. For example, the content delivery 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 charging server 38 performs the charging process in accordance with the delivery of the content by the content delivery server 34. The charging server 38 includes, for example, a charging processing unit 382 and a charging information database 384.

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

The billing processing unit 382, for example, performs a billing process for requesting payment of an amount corresponding to the content to be delivered to the user who received the content. The billing information such as the billed amount, settlement method, settlement date, etc. generated by the billing processing is stored in the billing information database 384, for example.

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

As shown in Fig. 13, first, a copyright of the group management method is applied to the WWW server 31 of the server 30 using a certain content processing apparatus (PC) 10-1 owned by the new user. A user registration request for a content sharing service using a management scheme is performed (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 delivery service. The user registration processing may be performed by the group management server 32 in place of the WWW server 31.

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

Subsequently, the content processing apparatus 10-2 issues a group certificate G associated with the group ID and the recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10-2 itself, and sends it to the certificate management server 36 of the server 30. Transmit (S16). Further, the certificate management server 36 distributes the group certificate G of the content processing device 10-2 to the content processing device 10-1 (S18). The group certificate G may be distributed directly from the content processing device 10-2 to the content processing device 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 distributed group certificate G as described above, the content processing apparatus 10-1 performs the updating process of its source ID list L (S20). In this list update processing, when the content processing apparatuses 10-1 and 10-2 are registered in the same device group in the group registration, 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, since both devices have different group IDs, 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.

Hereinafter, the case where the content processing apparatus 10-1 acquires and shares the content provided from the content processing apparatus 10-2 in the said state is demonstrated.

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 the said created content (S24). Subsequently, the content processing device 10-2 provides the created content to which the recorder ID has been added to the content processing device 10-1 via the network 5, the local line 9, the storage medium 7, or the like. (S26).

Next, the content processing apparatus 10-1 acquires the created content (S28), and executes a reproduction control process of the created content, for example, in accordance with a reproduction request from the user (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 delivery content data will be described. First, the content processing apparatus 10-2 makes a request for distribution of content to the group management server 32 (S32). Then, the group management server 32 distributes the license including the requested content 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 delivered content (S36). Subsequently, the content processing device 10-2 provides the delivered content to which the group ID is added to the content processing device 10-1 in the same manner as described above (S38), and the content processing device 10-1 distributes the content. The content is acquired (S40). Next, the content processing apparatus 10-1 executes a reproduction control process of the delivered content in response to, for example, a user's reproduction request (S42). In this case, when the group ID added to the delivered 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.

In addition, when the content processing apparatuses 10-1 and 10-2 respectively perform the deregistration request (S44 and S48), the group management server 32, in response to the deregistration request, the content processing apparatuses 10-1 and 10, respectively. The group registration of -2) is released (S46, S50), respectively.

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 content is created between these content processing apparatuses 10. And distribution content can be shared relatively freely.

Next, the group management server 32 will be described in detail for the process of group registration / deregistration of the content processing device (PC) 10 or the content reproducing 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 starts from a state in which a leaf ID is assigned to the user who owns the content processing apparatus 10. do.

First, with reference to FIG. 14, a process (group registration process) of device registration of the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 according to the present embodiment to the group management server 32 will be described. 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. Do it. 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 the registration request source transmits the user ID and password to the WWW server 31 in accordance with the user input (S60). The WWW server 31 then performs a user authentication process by matching the received user ID and password with the user ID and password registered in the group registration database 324 (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 sends 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 the 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) that is an example of address information of the group management server 32. The content processing apparatus 10 (S70). Accordingly, 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 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, the terminal ID and the recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself, and the group management server. A registration request is made to (32) (S76). This terminal ID and recorder ID are generated by the content processing apparatus 10. In addition, since the information transmitted and received in S74 and S76 is prevented from the outside by the session information, transmission and reception can be performed safely.

Next, the group management server 32 determines whether to register the content processing apparatus 10 (S78). For example, the upper and lower limit of the content processing apparatus 10 (for example, the upper limit of the terminal ID (for example, 3) and the upper limit of the recorder ID) may be used. For example, 10). More specifically, when three content processing apparatuses 10 having different terminal IDs are registered in the device group of the authenticated user, for example, the group management server 32 generates a new content processing apparatus 10. ) Is prohibited. In addition, in the case where ten content processing apparatuses 10 having different recorder IDs have been registered in the past in the past (whether or not they are currently registered), the group management server 32 ) Prohibits registration of the new content processing apparatus 10.

If registration is not permitted as a result of the registration provisional determination in S78, the group management server 32 transmits an error notification notifying that the registration is not possible. On the other hand, when the registration is allowed as a result of registration 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. . In addition, the group management server 32 transmits a registration completion notification to the registered content processing apparatus 10 (S82).

Next, upon receiving the 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 of the first group ID and the second group ID) based on the leaf ID in the validated service data, and the group ID is included in its source ID list. Add and save (S86). As a result, the content processing apparatus 10 becomes capable of reproducing the distributed content to which the group ID is added, and also enables the recorder ID of the group certificate G including the group ID to be added to its source ID list L. .

After the registration processing of the content processing apparatus 10, certificate issuance 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 devices 10 already registered in the same device group, the certificate management server 36 recalls the group certificate G of another registered content processing device 10. 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 추가 and adds it to its source ID list L (S94). Accordingly, the content processing apparatus 10 can play the ripping content ripped by another content processing apparatus 10 belonging to the same device group.

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

As shown in Fig. 15, first, in steps S100 to S110, a communication connection via the network 5 is securely established between the content processing apparatus 10 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. The processing of S100 to S110 is performed by the content processing apparatus 10 described with reference to FIG. 14 except that the registration release request notification is made from the content processing apparatus 10 to the WWW server 31 in S106. Since it is substantially the same as S60 to S70 of the group registration processing, detailed description thereof 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 and held in the content processing apparatus 10 at the time of group registration (S112). Specifically, the content processing apparatus 10 deletes the group ID and recorder ID included in its source ID list L. As a result, in the content processing apparatus 10, reproduction of the content to which these source IDs are added is disabled.

Next, the content processing apparatus 10 transmits to the group management server 32 the transaction ID received at S110, the terminal ID and the recorder ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself, and the group management server. A registration cancellation request is made to (32) (S114). In addition, since the information transmitted in 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 illegal deregistration request, the group management server 32 does not permit deregistration.

As a result of the registration enable / disable judgment in S116, when the deregistration is not allowed, 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 provisional determination in S116, when deregistration is permitted, 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 inconvenience that the ripping contents from the plurality of content processing apparatuses 10 can be shared is possible. You can prevent it.

Next, the group management server 32 transmits a deregistration completion notification 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 the group management server 32 side performs the deregistration processing (S118). Do it. As a result, with respect to the content processing device 10 deregistered by the group management server 32, the service data held by the content processing device 10 is reliably invalidated, and the group ID and the like are source ID list L. Can be deleted from For this reason, even if the registration is canceled on the group management server 32, the situation in which the service data is not invalidated on the content processing device 10 can be prevented.

In the above, group registration processing and deregistration processing of the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 were demonstrated. In addition, in order to re-register the content processing apparatus 10 that has already been registered, registration cannot be performed again unless it is deregistered.

Next, referring to Fig. 16, a process (group registration processing) for registering a device for content reproduction 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 playback device (PD) 20, the local line 9 is connected to the content processing device (PC) 10 which is already group-registered. The content processing device (PC) 10 groups the content reproducing 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 in S132 to S142 is in S138, 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, as described in FIG. Since it is substantially the same as S60-S70 of 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). Subsequently, the content processing apparatus 10 transmits 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 to the group management server 32. Then, the group management server 32 makes a request for registration of the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S146). In addition, since the information transmitted and received in this step S144 is prevented from being corrected from the outside by the session information, it is possible to transmit and receive 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 the above example, and an upper limit may be set to the number of registrations of the content reproducing apparatus 20. When the content processing device 10 of the registration request source is not registered, the group management server 32 does not permit registration of the content reproducing device 20 to be registered.

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

On the other hand, when the registration is allowed or not as a result of the registration 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 based on the terminal ID or the like of the content processing apparatus 10 of the registration request source, and registers the record in the record. The device ID of the target content reproducing apparatus 20 is recorded. In addition, the group management server 32 transmits a registration completion notification to the content processing apparatus 10 of the registration request source (S152).

Next, when the content processing apparatus 10 receives the registration completion notice, the content processing apparatus 10 is based on the leaf ID included in the service data acquired at the time of registration of the content processing apparatus 10 itself. Two group IDs) are generated (S154).

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

Further, 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 which is the hash value of the source ID list L, the content processing device 10 obtains the source ID list L obtained from the content processing device 10. It is possible to detect whether or not the source ID list L is corrected by requesting the MAC value of and matching with the MAC value of the ICV data.

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

In addition, 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 step S160 and the ICV data updated in step S162 to the content reproducing apparatus 20, and records them in the storage unit of the content reproducing apparatus 20. (S164). In S156 and S164, the ICV data is transmitted and received between the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20 using the session information so as not to be corrected.

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

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. Fig. 17 is a timing chart showing group deregistration processing of the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 according to the present embodiment.

The group deregistration process of the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20 is also similar to the group registration process of the content reproducing apparatus (PD) 20. Local connection is made to (10), and the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 makes a deregistration request to the server 30.

As shown in Fig. 17, first, in steps S170 to S180, a communication connection via the network 5 is securely established between the content processing apparatus 10 of the deregistration request source and the server 30, and user authentication is performed. Do it. 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 described in FIG. 14 except that in S176, the registration release request notification of the content reproducing apparatus 20 is made from the content processing apparatus 10 to the WWW server 31. 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 S182 to S198, a process for actually deregistering the content processing device 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).

In addition, 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 (modified) as a result of the validity check in S184, an error is generated 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 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.

In addition, 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 step 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 records them in the storage unit of the content reproducing apparatus 20. FIG. (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 To the group management server 32, the transaction ID received at step S180, the terminal ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 itself, and the device ID of the content reproducing apparatus 20 to be deregistered are transmitted and deregistered. Make a request. In addition, since the information transmitted in 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, in the case of an illegal deregistration request, the group management server 32 does not permit deregistration.

As a result of the registration provisional determination in S194, when 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 availability decision 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 or the like of the content processing apparatus 10 of the registration request source, and from this record The device D 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, the content processing apparatus 10 side first deletes (removes) the group ID from the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20 (S186), On the group management server 32 side, deregistration processing (S196) is performed. As a result, the group ID can be reliably deleted from the source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20 with respect to the content reproducing apparatus 20 deregistered by the group management server 32. For this reason, the situation in which the group ID remains in the actual source ID list L of the content reproducing apparatus 20 can be prevented even though it is deregistered on the group management server 32.

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. Even if the owner of the same content processing apparatus 10 or the content reproducing apparatus 20 is changed by the above processing, the group of the content processing apparatus 10 can be changed by deregistration and re-registration.

In addition, even if there is a new group registration or group change of the content processing apparatus 10 having a ripping function, the recorder ID of the content processing apparatus 10 is unchanged. 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 is freely free. It is renewable. Accordingly, the convenience of the user of the content processing apparatus 10 having the ripping function is improved, and the merits of purchase are increased.

Next, based on 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 processing 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, at step S202, a reproduction request is made by the user, for example (step S202; reproduction request step). The user manipulates the input device 108 of the content processing device 10 to select desired content and instructs the content reproducing unit 170 to play the selected content.

Next, in step S204, the source ID added to the content is read (step S204). The reproducibility determining 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 includes the license added to the content. Read and interpret the source ID.

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 determining unit 172 of the content reproducing unit 170 reads and analyzes the source ID list L from the storage 111, for example. Next, the reproduction decision section 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? Determine whether or not.

As a result of this determination, when the source ID read out from the content is included in the source ID list L, the reproducibility determination unit 172 permits the reproduction of the content, and the process 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 reproducibility determination unit 172 does not allow reproduction of the content, and ends the reproduction control process.

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

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

Next, the reproducibility determination section 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 reproducibility determination unit 172 does not permit the reproduction of the content, and ends the reproduction control process.

On the other hand, if the current time is within the expiration date of the source ID, the reproducibility 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 process of the group management method according to the present embodiment is executed based on the source ID in the source ID list L added to the content and the expiration date information of the source ID. According to the reproduction control, it is possible to set an expiration date for reproduction of the content in units of source IDs, and to allow / disallow the reproduction of the content. In addition, the expiration date of the source ID may not necessarily be set.

Next, based on FIG. 19, the update process of the source ID list L in the content processing apparatus (PC) 10 concerning this embodiment 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. This list updating process acquires the group certificate G to which the content processing device 10 is distributed, and based on the group certificate G, the source ID list L of the content processing device 10 itself or the content player 20 connected locally. The following example shows updating the source ID list L of the

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 can obtain 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. Do.

Next, in step S222, it is determined whether or not the acquired group certificate G is within the expiration date (step S222). Specifically, the list update unit 140 of the content processing apparatus 10 first reads the expiration date information included in the group certificate G, and is currently present from time to time from the time measuring device built into the content processing apparatus 10. Obtain information Next, the list updating unit 140 determines whether the current time is within the valid period of the group certificate G. As a result of this determination, if the group certificate G is within the expiration date, the process proceeds to S224. On the other hand, if the group certificate G has expired, the list update is rejected, and the list update process ends.

In addition, in step S224, the list update part 140 reads out the group ID contained in the acquired group certificate G (step S224).

After that, in step S226, the list updating unit 140 reads out the group ID held by the content processing apparatus 10 itself (step S226). In this embodiment, since the group ID is stored in the source ID list L in each content processing apparatus 10, the list updating unit 140 obtains the group ID corresponding to the content processing apparatus 10 from the source ID list L. Read it.

Next, in step S228, the list updating unit 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). 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.

In addition, in step S230, the list update unit 140 adds the recorder ID included in the group certificate G to the source ID list L (step S230). Specifically, the list update unit 140 acquires the acquired group. The recorder ID is read from the certificate G, and the recorder ID is recorded 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. In the above manner, the update processing of the source ID list L based on the group certificate G ends.

In the above, the basic configuration of the content sharing system 100 and the content sharing method using the same have been described. In the content sharing system 100, the copyright management of the group management method and the copyright management method of the check-in and check-out method of the SDMI standard can be realized.

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 unit of park), and the content processing apparatus. By controlling the reproduction of the content by (10) according to the content provider, the copyright management of the content is performed. 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 device 10 on the content acquisition side can collectively prohibit reproduction of all content acquired from the illegal content provider. Therefore, illegal activities such as mass distribution of ripping content to unspecified users, and the act of publicly distributing distribution content for download on the Internet can be effectively prevented.

On the other hand, if the content provider 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, then the content provider is provided from the authorized content provider. Other contents can be freely played back. Therefore, content can be freely copied between a plurality of devices within the range of private use. Therefore, it is possible to realize copyright management that is close to the conventional analog content distribution system that allowed unlimited copying only for private use.

Accordingly, the content sharing system 100 according to the above embodiment (1) does not pay a fair price for the content delivery service, etc., copyright management function that restricts the illegal use of the content, and (2) pay a fair price It is compatible to increase the degree of freedom of use of content within the scope of private use.

In principle, in the copyright management processing of the group management method, the processing of adding the source ID of the source ID list L only once is required at the time of registering the content distribution service or the ripping content sharing service. Therefore, 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 the case where the copyright management process is performed every time copying (check-in / check-out) of the content.

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, contents can be freely copied and used between devices registered in the same device group. For this reason, a legitimate user who uses privately can freely copy content between his or her own devices, and it is difficult to feel the existence of a copyright management system because there is no need to be aware of the copying source or the number of copies of the content. Therefore, within the scope of private use, the degree of freedom and convenience of content use by the user can be further enhanced, and user-friendly copyright management can be executed.

By the way, one of the pleasures of music is that an unspecified number of people share music. By using the content sharing system 100 that follows the copyright management scheme of the group management method described above, it is possible to legally share music with an unspecified number of people. The following describes a method of legally sharing content by using a copyright management scheme of a group management method.

The method of legally sharing content by using a copyright management scheme of a group management method is realized by the content sharing system 100 as shown in FIG. 3, which is further described below for a configuration for legally sharing content. It demonstrates in detail.

First, the outline of the content reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. The content reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment is a device capable of reproducing contents such as music capable of wireless communication, and may be, for example, a portable device (PD), a mobile phone, various music players, or the like. In particular, the present embodiment describes a portable player that can enjoy content such as music and can be carried as an example.

20 is a view for explaining an outline of a content reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 20, the content reproducing apparatus 20A may be composed of a main body 20-2 and a headphone 20-1. The main body 20-2 and the headphone 20-1 are devices capable of wireless communication. For example, the main body 20-2 can record content and transmit the content to the headphone 20-1. In addition, the headphone 20-1 can receive and reproduce the content transmitted from the main body 20-2.

Here, as a means of the wireless communication, for example, IEEE802. 11a, IEEE802. 11b, IEEE802. 11g, UWB (Ultra Wide Band), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. can be illustrated, but it is not limited to the said example. Moreover, although the range of the wireless communication area | region which concerns on this embodiment changes with each said wireless communication standard mentioned above, it is a comparatively short range, such as several meters-several tens of meters.

Therefore, if the main body 20-2 and the headphone 20-1 are devices capable of wireless communication, for example, the main body 20-2 is placed in a bag, the headphone 20-1 is fixed to the head, and playback is performed. Can listen to the content. The content reproducing apparatus may connect the main body 20-4 and the headphone 20-3 by wire to transmit and receive content, but if the main body and the headphone are wireless communication devices, the cord is not disturbed and is convenient to carry.

Next, transmission and reception of content between content playback devices will be described. As described above, the main body 20-1 of the content reproducing apparatus 20A can transmit the content by wireless communication. For example, as shown in Fig. 20, when the content playback device 20B is located near the content playback device 20A, and the content playback device 20B is also capable of wireless communication, the content playback device 20A The content transmitted from the main body 20-2 is received by the main body 20-4 of the content reproducing apparatus 20B, and the content can be reproduced by the headphone 20-3.

In other words, the content reproduced in the content reproducing apparatus 20A can be reproduced in the content reproducing apparatus 20B located near the content reproducing apparatus 20A.

As described above, an example of an ad-hok network in which each communication device operates independently and distributed without a specific control station as a communication station may be exemplified as a network used by an individual by connecting each device by wireless communication.

Next, another embodiment of content transmission and reception between content playback devices will be described. As shown in Fig. 21, the content reproducing apparatus 20C and the content reproducing apparatus 20D are devices capable of wireless communication.

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

Therefore, the content reproduced in the content reproducing apparatus 20C can be reproduced also in the content reproducing apparatus 20D.

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

However, in this embodiment, since the copyright management scheme of the group management method is used, the group ID is included in the content, the transmission and reception of the content can be restricted based on the group ID, and the content can be legally shared. . In addition, the content can be encrypted to transmit and receive the content more securely. In addition, even if the content can be received and played back, the received content can be prevented from being recorded by the content reproducing apparatus.

In the present embodiment where a system for managing an illegal copy is realized, in order to be able to record content in the content reproducing apparatus, the content must be purchased and downloaded from the content delivery server.

For example, if the content reproducing apparatus receives and reproduces the content, and the content is satisfactory, the content can be purchased later and downloaded from the content delivery server. In other words, receiving and playing content in the present embodiment means that the content can be viewed.

In addition, the user D owning the content reproducing apparatus 20D can select whether or not to play the received music. Also, if the user D likes the reproduced music, the music can be purchased later. For example, it is conceivable that the content reproduced by the user C is received and reproduced by the plurality of users as well as the user D, and the plurality of users purchase the content. Since the content includes the group ID, the user who has become a purchase source (reproduction source) of the content can be identified.

If the content reproduced by user C is frequently purchased by other users, user C becomes a purchase source of a plurality of users. It can also be said that user C is a listener supported by a plurality of users. A listener supported by so many users is called a charismatic listener in this embodiment. Which user is a charismatic listener can be managed by the group ID on the content delivery server.

When the content reproduced by the user C is purchased, the content spreads via the user C and leads to the purchase of another user, thereby increasing the reliability of the user C. For example, users D can add points such as reliability 1 when the user D purchases the content being played, and reliability 2 when the other user purchases the content, and can manage the content distribution server as the reliability information. In addition, the reliability information can be managed in association with the group ID of the user in the content distribution server.

User C can also receive his / her reliability information from the content delivery server, and can transmit the content by assigning the reliability information. The user D who has received the content to which the reliability information has been assigned can determine whether to play back based on the reliability information to which the content is assigned.

In the above, the outline | summary of the content reproduction apparatus was demonstrated. Next, a schematic configuration of the content reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 22 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a content reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

The content reproducing apparatus 20 is an information processing apparatus which receives music contents and the like from the content processing apparatus 10 and reproduces the contents. The content reproducing apparatus 20 can be locally connected to the content processing apparatus 10 by, for example, a wired cable such as a USB cable or a SCSI cable. Alternatively, wireless connection may be possible. The content reproducing apparatus 20 may exemplify a portable device PD capable of reproducing music contents, a PC, a mobile phone, various music players, and the like. In the present embodiment, the content reproducing apparatus 20 is applied to a portable portable device.

In addition, as described above, the content reproducing apparatus 20 is an information processing apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving data by wireless communication with the other content reproducing apparatus 20.

As shown in Fig. 22, the content reproducing apparatus 20 mainly comprises a data communication unit 220, a wireless receiving unit 522, a wireless transmitting unit 524, a charismatic list 530, a content database (hereinafter referred to as a content DB) 234. Source ID list L, favorite list 533, reproduction permission information setting unit 534, reproducibility determination unit 242, display control unit 536, reproduction control unit 537, reproduction execution unit 244, ID recorder 539, display device 210, input device 208, and the like.

Here, the charismatic list 530, the content DB 234, the source ID list L, and the favorite list 533 may be stored in the storage unit 230 described above. As described above, since the source ID list L includes the group ID, the storage unit 230 can be exemplified as the group ID storage unit for storing the group ID in this embodiment.

The data communication unit 220 records the content transmitted from the content processing apparatus 10, the source ID list, the charismatic list, and the like into the content DB 234, the source ID list L, and the charismatic list 530, respectively. As described above, the source ID list L contains the group ID of the content reproducing apparatus 20. In the charisma list 530, the group ID of the charismatic listener described above is stored. The charisma list 530 is data updated by the user purchasing the content, and is data managed by the content delivery server 34.

The wireless receiving unit 522 receives the content from the content reproducing apparatus 20A, and provides the content to the reproducible provision determining unit 242 or the display control unit 536.

The reproducibility determination unit 242 compares the group ID included in the content provided from the radio receiver 522 with the group ID of the content reproducing apparatus 20 included in the source ID list L to determine whether the provided content is reproducible. . In addition, when the content is encrypted, the content may be decrypted by the reproducibility determination unit 242. In this case, the content reproducing apparatus 20A for transmitting the content and the content reproducing apparatus 20 for receiving the content need to possess a common secret key for encrypting and transmitting the content.

In the reproducible decision unit 242, when it is determined that the content is reproducible, the content is provided to the reproducing execution unit 244 to reproduce the content.

When the content is provided from the radio receiver 522, the display controller 536 displays the fact that the content is received on the display device 210. The user may confirm that the content has been received by the content reception display of the display device 210.

The reproduction control unit 537 determines whether to reproduce the content based on the reliability information provided to the content provided to the content reproduction execution unit 244. If the reliability information is abnormal, the reproduction of the content reproduced from the content DB 234 is stopped and the provided content is reproduced.

The reproduction control unit 537 compares the group ID included in the content provided to the content reproduction execution unit 244 with the group ID stored in the charismatic list 530, and when the group ID matches, the content DB 234 Stops playback of the content played back) and plays the provided content.

In this way, if the user who owns the content reproducing apparatus 20A that has transmitted the content is a charismatic listener or the user has a high reliability, the content transmitted from the user may be automatically reproduced or reproduced by user input. The selection may be made. In addition, although all the received content is played back, the user may be able to select whether or not to play the content even when the content is received.

The content whose content has been reproduced in the reproduction execution unit 244 is stored by the ID recording unit 539 in accordance with a user input from the input device 208 to store the ID of the reproduced content and the group ID included in the content. It is stored in the unit 230. As an example of the ID memory unit in which the content ID and the group ID are stored, a favorite music list 533 can be exemplified. For example, when the user likes the reproduced content, by pressing a favorite button, for example, an input device provided in the content reproducing apparatus, the content ID and the content of the content provided in the favorite list 533 are provided. The group ID included in is stored.

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

The radio transmitter 524 transmits the content stored in the content DB to the content reproducing apparatus 20B. The reproduction permission information setting unit 534 gives the content a flag of whether or not to transmit the content stored in the content DB to another content reproduction device. Only the content to which the reproduction permission information is given may be transmitted to another content reproduction device. As a result, the reproduction permission information can be set for the content stored in the content DB that can be transmitted to another content reproduction device, and the reproduction permission information is not set for the content not to be transmitted.

It is also possible to divide the content reproducing apparatus 20 into a main body and headphones. In this case, the main body and the headphone can communicate wirelessly or by wire, so that the main body includes at least a data communication unit 220, a wireless transmitter 524, and an ID recording unit 539, and the headphone has at least a wireless receiver 522. And the source ID list L, the reproducibility determining unit 242, and the reproducing execution unit 244, the content reproducing apparatus 20 shown in Figs. 20 and 21 can be constituted.

In the above, the schematic structure of the content reproducing apparatus was demonstrated. Next, the favorite list which concerns on a present Example is demonstrated. Fig. 23 is a data structure of a favorite list in this embodiment.

As described above, the favorite list 533 stores the group ID5331 and the content ID5332 included in the content received by the content reproducing apparatus. As shown in Fig. 23, the group ID5331 indicates the type of content or the type of delivery service. For example, the group ID5331 includes a genre code consisting of the upper five digits and a unique ID assigned to each user. Among the upper five digit genre codes, for example, two digits are codes of the distribution service type. In this embodiment, if the delivery service codes are the same, the contents transmitted and received between the content reproducing apparatuses can be reproduced.

Content that can be used in this embodiment can be purchased by downloading the content from the distribution management server. If the delivery service included in the group ID is the same, they are members of the same delivery service and can download content from the same delivery management server. By allowing only members of the same distribution service to transmit and receive content, the user who has played the received content is already a member of the distribution service, so that the content is more likely to be purchased after the content is played.

In the above, the data structure of the favorite list was demonstrated. Next, a schematic configuration of the content processing apparatus will be described. 24 is a schematic configuration diagram of a content processing apparatus 10. As described above, the content processing apparatus 10 can communicate with the content reproducing apparatus 20 and the content distribution server 34 to transmit and receive data such as content.

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

The connection determining unit 551 determines whether the content reproducing apparatus 20 is connected, and when it is determined that the content reproducing apparatus 20 is connected, the group ID stored in the source ID list L and the content reproducing apparatus 20 are stored. Determine if the group ID matches. In the connection determining unit 551, when it is determined that the group IDs of the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20 match, it is determined that the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproducing apparatus 20 match. The first communication unit 552 is notified.

When the first communication unit 552 is informed by the connection determination unit 551 that the content processing apparatus 10 and the content reproduction apparatus 20 match, the first communication unit 552 is stored in a favorite list of the content reproduction apparatus 20. The group ID and the content ID are stored in the favorite list 555.

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

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

The content received in the content DB 116, the reliability information received in the self-reliability information DB, and the group ID of the charismatic list stored in the charismatic list are transmitted to the content reproducing apparatus 20 via the first communication unit. .

In this way, even if the content reproducing apparatus 20 cannot directly access the content distributing server 34, the data managed by the content distributing server 34 can be acquired through the content processing apparatus 10.

Since the content reproducing apparatus 20 is a portable information processing apparatus, it can be considered that the storage capacity is smaller than that of the content processing apparatus 10. In this case, all of the data stored in the content processing device 10 may not be transmitted to the content reproducing apparatus 20, or only data selected by the user may be transmitted to the content reproducing apparatus 20.

In the above, the schematic structure of the content reproducing apparatus 20 was demonstrated. Next, a schematic configuration of the content delivery server will be described. 25 is a schematic structural diagram of a content delivery server.

The content distribution server 34 can communicate with the content reproducing apparatus 20 and can transmit and receive data. Also, when a favorite list or the like stored in the content reproducing apparatus 20 is transmitted to the content processing apparatus 10 and stored in the favorite list of the content processing apparatus 10, the content reproduction of FIG. 25 is reproduced. The apparatus 20 may be the content processing apparatus 10.

As shown in Fig. 25, the content delivery server 34 mainly comprises a data receiver 561, a data transmitter 562, a favorite list 563, a content search unit 564, and reliability information update. A unit 565, a content DB 348, a reliability information DB 567, a charismatic list 558, a reward setting unit 569, and the like.

The data receiving unit 561 receives the group ID and the content ID stored in the favorite list of the content reproducing apparatus 20 and stores them in the favorite list 563. The content retrieval unit 564 retrieves the content corresponding to the group ID stored in the favorite list from the content DB 348 and provides it to the data transmission unit 562.

The reliability information updating unit 565 updates the reliability information stored in the reliability information DB corresponding to the group ID stored in the favorite list. The reliability information update unit 565 also provides the updated reliability information to the data transmitter 562.

From the reliability information DB where the reliability information is updated by the reliability information updating unit 565, a group ID having a high reliability information is stored in the charisma list 558. The charismatic list 558 is provided to the data transmitter 562.

The content, reliability information, and charismatic list provided to the data transmitter 562 are transmitted to the content reproducing apparatus 20 via the data transmitter.

The reward setting unit 569 sets a reward (cost) for the corresponding group ID according to the reliability information stored in the reliability information DB 567. For example, a reward such as a discount privilege when purchasing content next time is set for a group ID having high reliability. By setting the reward, the user having the group ID for which the reward is set can also purchase the content, send the content to many people, and contribute to promoting the sale of the content.

In this way, the content distribution server 34 managing the group ID can manage which group ID has been purchased via the user having the group ID. For example, a content provider can spread the content by simply providing new content to users with high reliability for free.

In the above, the schematic structure of the content delivery server was demonstrated. Next, the data structure of the reliability information database will be described. Fig. 26 shows the data structure of the reliability information database.

As shown in Fig. 26, the reliability information database 567 is composed of a group ID 5711 and reliability information 572. As described above, the group ID 5711 means a kind of content or a kind of delivery service, and includes, for example, a genre code consisting of the upper five digits and a unique ID assigned to a user unit. The reliability information 5722 is information representing the reliability of the group ID 5711, and specifically, the number of times of purchase of the content including the group ID 5711. Further, a high group ID of reliability information may be selected and stored in a charismatic list. For example, if the reliability information stores 100 or more group IDs in the charismatic list, the group ID01234-0000A and 01234-000D are stored in the charismatic list.

In addition, only the top 10 persons may be stored in the charisma list, for example, a group ID having high reliability information. Since the reliability information is updated every time the user purchases the content, for example, the charisma list may be updated every day or every week. Further, any reward may be set for the user who grabs the group ID stored in the charismatic list. As a result, the user is paid only by purchasing and playing the content, so that the user stored in the charismatic list can be led to the purchase of another content. In addition, the content provider can provide the content to users who are listed on the charismatic list and make the content legally spread.

The data structure of the reliability information database has been described above. Next, transmission and reception of data such as content in the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 27 is a timing chart illustrating transmission and reception of data such as content in the present embodiment.

First, the content reproducing apparatus 20A which transmits the content sets so that the content can be shared (S602). For example, the content sharing flag may be assigned to the content according to the user input. The content reproducing apparatus 20B that receives the content is set to receive the content when the content can be shared.

The content reproducing apparatus 20A reproduces the content (S606). Here, since the content is set to be shared in step S602, the content is played back in step S606, and the content ID and group ID included in the content and the content are transmitted.

The content reproducing apparatus 20B receives the content transmitted from the content reproducing apparatus 20A and reproduces the content (S608). Next, the content ID and the group ID transmitted in step S608 are recorded in the content reproducing apparatus 20B (S610). When the content reproducing apparatus 20B is connected to the content processing apparatus 10, the content ID and group ID recorded in step S610 are transmitted to the content processing apparatus 10 (S612).

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

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

In the above, transmission / reception of data, such as content in this Example, was demonstrated. Next, the processing of step S608 "Content reception / reproduction" and step S612 "Content ID, group ID recording" in Fig. 27 will be described in detail. Fig. 28 is a flowchart for explaining from content reception in the content reproducing apparatus 20B to recording the content ID and the group ID of the content.

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

In step S626, if the service type is different, the process ends. In step S626, if the service types are the same, when the content is received, the content is automatically changed to stop the playback of the content that was heard when the content was received from the content reproducing apparatus 20A and play back the received content. It is determined whether it is set (S628).

In step S628, if it is set to automatically change and play the received content, the received content is played (S632). In step S628, if it is not automatically set to reproduce the received content, it is determined whether the group ID of the user A who owns the content reproducing apparatus 20A is stored in the charisma list (S630). .

In step 630, when it is determined that the group ID of the user A is not stored in the charismatic list, the process ends. In step S630, when the group ID of the user A is stored in the charismatic list, playback of the content that was heard when the content was received from the content reproducing apparatus 20A is stopped, and the received content is reproduced.

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

In the above, it demonstrated until the content ID and group ID of content were recorded from the content reception in the content reproduction device 20B. Next, step S614 " purchase of content " of FIG. 27 will be described in detail. 29 is a flowchart for explaining the content purchase process of the content processing device 10.

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

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

In the above, the content purchase process of the content processing apparatus 10 was demonstrated. Next, steps S616 " Update of reliability information of user A " to steps S618 " Transmission of reliability information of user A " of FIG. 27 will be described in detail. FIG. 30 shows the user A in the content delivery server 34. It is a flow chart explaining reliability information update to reliability information transmission.

First, when the content processing apparatus 10 purchases the content including the group ID of the user A from the content delivery server 34, the content delivery server 34 updates the reliability information of the user A (S662). In step S662, when the reliability information of user A is updated, it is determined whether the reliability information of user A is equal to or more than a specific value (S664). In step S664, when it is determined that the reliability information of the user A is equal to or more than a specific value, the user A is set as charisma (S666). Then, user A's group ID is added to the charisma list. Thereafter, the updated reliability information of the user A is transmitted to the content reproducing apparatus 20A (S670).

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

As described above, the content including the group ID is transmitted and received between the content reproducing apparatus capable of wireless communication, so that the content can be legally shared and enjoyed. It is also possible to satisfy a user's desire to know what kind of content someone is listening to.

In addition, by transmitting and receiving the content including the group ID and managing the content in the content distribution server, it is possible to determine which user has purchased the content. If a user supported by a large number of users is specified, and new content is provided and played back to the user, it is possible to promote the sale of the content.

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

The present invention can be applied to a content reproducing apparatus, a content processing apparatus, a content distribution server, a content reproducing method, a content processing method and a program.

Claims (18)

A group ID storage unit for storing a group ID uniquely generated for each user by being registered in the management server in units of users; A radio transmitter for transmitting the content stored in the content storage unit to another device by radio communication; A radio receiver which receives contents transmitted by radio communication from another device; Based on the group ID added to the content received by the radio receiver and the group ID stored in the group ID storage unit, the reproducibility judgment judges whether or not the content received by the radio receiver is playable. Wealth; A reproduction execution unit for reproducing the content received by the radio receiving unit when it is determined that the reproduction can be reproduced by the reproducible determination unit; An ID recording section for recording a content ID corresponding to the content played back by the playback executing section, and a group ID added to the content section in the ID storage section; A data communication unit that transmits the content ID and the group ID recorded in the ID storage unit to the content distribution server when the content distribution server providing the content download service and the content reproducing apparatus are directly or indirectly connected to the content storage server. Content playback apparatus comprising a. The method of claim 1, The content reproducing apparatus is composed of a main body portion and a headphone portion, The main body unit and the wireless transmission unit; The ID recording unit; The data communication unit is provided, The headphone unit, the wireless receiving unit; The regeneration provision decision unit; And a reproduction execution unit. The method of claim 1, And a reproduction permission information setting unit for granting the content the reproduction permission information for allowing the reproduction of the content transmitted by the radio transmitting unit. The method of claim 3, And the reproduction reproducibility judging unit judges whether or not the content is reproducible based on the reproduction permission information provided to the content received by the radio receiver. The method of claim 1, And a display control section for outputting, to the display device, the reception of the content when the radio receiving unit receives the content transmitted by the wireless communication from another device. The method of claim 1, When the wireless receiving unit receives the content transmitted by the wireless communication from the other device, the playback execution unit stops the playback of the content stored in the storage medium included in the content reproducing apparatus, and then from the other device. And a playback control section for controlling playback of content transmitted by wireless communication. The method of claim 6, The playback control unit, When the wireless receiving unit receives the content transmitted by wireless communication from the other device, and the reliability information included in the content is equal to or more than a specific value, the reproducing execution unit stores in the storage medium included in the content reproducing apparatus. And reproducing content transmitted from the other device by wireless communication. The method of claim 6, The playback control unit, When the wireless receiving unit receives the content transmitted by wireless communication from the other device, and the group ID included in the content and the group ID of high reliability provided from the server providing the download service match, And the reproduction executing unit controls to stop the reproduction of the contents stored in the storage medium included in the contents reproduction apparatus and to reproduce the contents transmitted by wireless communication from the other device. A connection determination unit for determining a connection with a content reproducing apparatus that stores a group ID uniquely generated for each user by being registered in the management server on a user basis; A first communication unit which receives a content ID and a group ID stored in the content reproducing apparatus when a connection is determined by the connection determining unit; A second communication unit for transmitting the content ID and the group ID to a content distribution server that provides a download service of content; A content storage section for storing the content corresponding to the content ID received from the content distribution server and received via the second communication section, The content stored in the content storage unit is transmitted to the content reproduction device via the first communication unit. The method of claim 9, The second communication unit receives the reliability information corresponding to the group ID from the content distribution server, And the first communication unit transmits the reliability information received by the second communication unit to the content reproducing apparatus. The method of claim 9, The second communication unit receives a highly reliable group ID from the content distribution server, And the first communication unit transmits the received high reliability group ID to the content reproducing apparatus. A content database stored in association with the content ID and the content; A reliability information database for storing and storing the group ID and the reliability information uniquely generated for each user by registering the content reproducing apparatus in the management server on a user basis; A data receiving unit which directly / indirectly receives the content ID and the group ID stored in the content reproducing apparatus; A content search unit for searching for a content corresponding to the content ID; A reliability information updating unit for updating the reliability information corresponding to the group ID when receiving the group ID and the content ID by the data receiving unit; And a data transmitter for directly and indirectly transmitting the content retrieved by the search unit to the content reproducing apparatus. The method of claim 12, The content search unit, When the data receiver receives the group ID, retrieves reliability information corresponding to the group ID, The data transmission unit, And transmitting the reliability information directly or indirectly to the content reproducing apparatus. The method of claim 12, And a reward setting unit for setting a reward for a corresponding group ID according to the reliability information. A method for controlling the playback of content in a content player, A group ID storage step of storing, in a group ID storage unit, a group ID uniquely generated for each user by being registered in the management server in units of users; A wireless transmission step of transmitting the content stored in the content storage unit to another device by wireless communication; A wireless reception step of receiving content transmitted by wireless communication from another device; A reproducibility judgment step of judging whether or not the received content is reproducible based on a group ID added to the received content and a group ID stored in the group ID storage unit; A reproduction execution step of reproducing the received content when it is determined that reproduction is possible in the reproduction reproducibility determination step; An ID recording step of recording a content ID corresponding to the reproduced content and a group ID added to the content into an ID storage unit; Data for transmitting the content ID and the group ID recorded in the ID storage unit to the content distribution server when the content distribution server providing the download service of the content and the content reproducing apparatus are directly or indirectly connected. And a communication step. A method of processing content in a content processing device A connection determination step of determining a connection with a content reproducing apparatus which stores a group ID uniquely generated for each user by being registered in the management server on a user basis; A first communication step of receiving a content ID and a group ID stored in the content playback device when the connection with the content playback device is determined; A second communication step of transmitting the content ID and the group ID to a content distribution server providing a download service of content; A content storage step of storing a content corresponding to the content ID received from the content distribution server in a content storage section; And a transmitting step of transmitting the stored content to the content reproducing apparatus. Has a content player, A group ID storage process for storing a group ID uniquely generated for each user by registering in a management server in a user unit, in a group ID storage unit; Wireless transmission processing for transmitting the content stored in the content storage unit to another device by wireless communication; Wireless reception processing for receiving content transmitted by wireless communication from another device; A reproducibility judgment process of judging whether or not the received content is reproducible based on a group ID added to the received content and a group ID stored in the group ID storage unit; A reproduction execution process of reproducing the received content when it is determined that the reproduction is possible by the reproduction probable judgment process; An ID recording process of recording a content ID corresponding to the reproduced content and a group ID added to the content into an ID storage unit; A content delivery server providing a download service of the content, and a content reproducing apparatus connected to the content reproducing apparatus directly or indirectly, when the content reproducing apparatus is directly / indirectly connected, the content ID and the group ID stored in the ID storage unit, and the content distributing. A computer program for causing data communication processing to be transmitted to a server. Have a content processing unit, Connection determination processing for determining a connection with a content reproducing apparatus that stores a group ID uniquely generated for each user by being registered in the management server on a user basis; A first communication process of receiving a content ID and a group ID stored in the content playback device when the connection with the content playback device is determined; Second communication processing for transmitting the content ID and the group ID to a content distribution server providing a download service of content; A content storage process of storing a content corresponding to the content ID received from the content distribution server in a content storage unit; And a transmission process for transmitting the stored content to the content reproducing apparatus.

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