JP2002077149A - INFORMATION USE CONTROL METHOD AND DEVICE AND RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDING THE PROGRAM - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide an information use control method for achieving both use control of content for each terminal and use control of content for a group. A usage control identifier having a hierarchical structure is assigned to a user terminal, the user terminal sends the usage control identifier to a content providing terminal, and a usage hierarchy range of the usage control identifier is assigned to the content providing terminal. The content providing terminal modifies the content requested by the user terminal using the usage control identifier within the usage hierarchy range, sends the modified content to the user terminal, and uses the content. Terminal stores the transformed content,
The user terminal having the same usage control identifier within the usage hierarchy range and using the usage control identifier within the usage hierarchy range returns the deformed content to its original form and uses it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling the use of digital contents.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method of controlling use such as making digital contents on a network available only to a specific terminal, a method of controlling with a user ID and a password, a method of controlling with a terminal identifier, There is a method of performing control using an identifier of an information medium.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional method, there is a problem that it is impossible to control the use of contents for a certain group, for example, since the ID and the identifier are different for each terminal. . Also,
When the same use control information is given to a group, there is a problem that it is impossible to control each terminal individually.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and solves the problem that the use control for each terminal and the use control for the group are not compatible. An object of the present invention is to make it possible to generate control information for each layer by layering identifiers for performing the above, and to make it possible to achieve both the use control of the content for each terminal and the use control of the content for the group.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information use control method for controlling use of contents, wherein a use control identifier having a hierarchical structure is assigned to a user terminal. The user terminal sends the usage control identifier to the content providing terminal, sends the usage hierarchy range of the usage control identifier to the content providing terminal, and the content providing terminal uses the usage control identifier within the usage hierarchy range. Deforming the content requested by the user terminal, sending the deformed content to the user terminal, the user terminal receiving the deformed content, and using the same usage control identifier within the usage hierarchy range. The user terminal having the use control identifier of (1) uses the transformed content in its original form using the use control identifier within the range of the use hierarchy.

According to the present invention, since the use control identifier having a hierarchical structure is used, it is possible to achieve both the use control of the content for each terminal and the use control of the content for the group.

[0007] When the usage control identifier is assigned to the user terminal, the destination to which the usage control identifier is assigned is, for example, an OS information or the like relating to the user terminal itself, or an information storage medium (hard disk, CD-ROM, MO, smart media, etc.). ),
There are a network card, an IP address, and the like.

[0008] The usage control identifier is non-rewritable,
Alternatively, rewriting may be extremely difficult.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information use control method for controlling use of contents, wherein a use control identifier having a hierarchical structure is assigned to a user terminal, and the user terminal performs the use control. Sends an identifier to the content providing terminal, the content providing terminal specifies a usage hierarchy range of the usage control identifier, and uses the usage control identifier within the usage hierarchy range to send the content requested by the user terminal. The user terminal receives the modified content, and sends the modified content and the designated use hierarchy range to the user terminal, and the user terminal receives the modified content, and the use control identifier within the use hierarchy range is the same as the use control identifier. The user terminal having the use of the modified content returns to the original form using the use control identifier within the use hierarchy range.

According to the present invention, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained.

[0011] The invention described in claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In the description, the user terminal sends accompanying information together with the usage control identifier to the content providing terminal, and the content providing terminal is requested using the usage control identifier in the usage hierarchy range and the accompanying information. The user terminal using the transformed content and using the transformed content returns the transformed content to the original form using the use control identifier and the accompanying information in the use hierarchy range and uses the transformed content.

According to the present invention, various usage controls can be performed by using the accompanying information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information use control method for controlling use of contents, wherein a use control identifier having a hierarchical structure is assigned to a user terminal, and the user terminal is provided with at least Sending the use control identifier to an authentication server, the authentication server sends authentication information for the sent information to the user terminal, and the user terminal sends the same information as the information sent to the authentication server. Sending the information including the information to the content providing terminal, the content providing terminal sends the sent information to the authentication server, obtains authentication information corresponding to the information, and fetches the content using the obtained authentication information. Deformed and sends the deformed content to the user terminal, and the user terminal receives the deformed content and converts the deformed content to the original form using the authentication information. Back to use.

According to the present invention, various usage controls can be performed by using the authentication information, and the authentication server performs authentication, so that reliable usage control can be performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a user terminal in an information use control system having a content providing terminal and a user terminal, wherein: means for holding a use control identifier having a hierarchical structure; Means for requesting the providing terminal, a use control identifier, means for sending the use hierarchy range of the use control identifier to the content providing terminal, and the content providing terminal modified by using the use control identifier within the use hierarchy range. Means for receiving the modified content, and means for using the modified content in its original form using a use control identifier within the use hierarchy range.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a user terminal in an information use control system having a content providing terminal and a user terminal, wherein: means for holding a use control identifier having a hierarchical structure; Means for requesting the providing terminal, means for sending the use control identifier to the content providing terminal, modified content modified using the use control identifier within the use hierarchy range specified by the content providing terminal, and use thereof Means for receiving a hierarchical range, and means for using the transformed content in its original form by using a use control identifier within the use hierarchical range.

[0017] The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 5 or 6.
And means for sending the accompanying information to the content providing terminal and means for returning the transformed content to its original form using the usage control identifier within the usage hierarchy range and the accompanying information.

[0018] The invention described in claim 8 is the invention according to claim 5 or 6.
A means for sending at least the use control identifier to an authentication server and receiving authentication information from the authentication server in place of the means for sending the use control identifier or the use hierarchy range to the content providing terminal; Means for sending information including the same information as the information sent to the server to the content providing terminal, means for using the modified content in its original form using a use control identifier within the use hierarchy range In place of the above, there is provided a means for using the authentication information to return the transformed content to its original form.

According to the fifth to eighth aspects of the invention, the same effects as above can be obtained.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content providing terminal in an information use control system having a content providing terminal and a user terminal, wherein a use control identifier;
Means for receiving, from the user terminal, the use hierarchy range of the use control identifier, and means for transforming the requested content using the use control identifier within the use hierarchy range, and sending the transformed content to the user terminal And

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content providing terminal in an information use control system having a content providing terminal and a user terminal, wherein: a means for receiving a use control identifier from the user terminal; Means for designating the use hierarchy range of the identifier, means for transforming the requested content using the use control identifier within the use hierarchy range, and sending the modified content and the designated use hierarchy range to the user terminal And

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the ninth or tenth aspect, a means for receiving the associated information from the user terminal, and using a usage control identifier in the usage hierarchy range and the associated information. Means for transforming the requested content.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the ninth or tenth aspect, means for transmitting at least the use control identifier to an authentication server and acquiring authentication information corresponding to the use control identifier; Means for transforming the content using the authentication information, instead of transforming the requested content using the usage control identifier within the hierarchical range.

According to the ninth to twelfth aspects of the invention, the same effects as above can be obtained.

The invention according to claims 13 and 14 is a computer-readable recording medium in which a program for causing a user terminal to execute a process is recorded. This is a computer-readable recording medium on which a program to be executed is recorded. According to the inventions of claims 13 to 15, the same effects as above can be obtained.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, an outline of an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The present invention makes it possible to perform content use control on a terminal basis or on a group basis by layering identifiers used for use control.

A use control identifier is assigned to a terminal which handles contents whose use is to be controlled. This use control identifier has a hierarchical structure (128-bit structure divided into 16-bit units). The destination to which the usage control identifier is assigned is, for example, a terminal, an information medium, a user, a network interface, or the like.

Terminals used by individuals are assigned the same use control identifier in the upper layer, and terminals used in organizations are assigned the same use control identifier in the upper layer to terminals used in those organizations. Granting according to the management system.

The user provides the content providing terminal with the use control identifier assigned to the terminal, the information medium, the user, or the network interface, and the information on the hierarchical range (the third from the top, etc.) used for the control. Send it. At this time, accompanying information (terminal identification information and the like) may be sent together. In addition, the user specifies the content to be acquired.

The content providing terminal that has received the usage control identifier and the usage hierarchy range from the user processes the content requested by the user using the information in the usage hierarchy range of the usage control identifier that received the content. Alternatively, the decryption key of the encrypted content is processed by using information within the use hierarchy range of the use control identifier. In some cases, accompanying information is used.

The content providing terminal sends the processed content or the encrypted content and the processed decryption key to the user terminal. When the use control identifier of the information medium is used, the processed content or the encrypted content received by the terminal and the processed decryption key are sent to the information medium.

The received content is made available using a terminal, information medium, user, or network interface usage control identifier that has a usage control identifier having the same usage hierarchy range used for usage control. It is possible. If the usage hierarchy range is the entire hierarchy of the usage control identifier, only the terminal that has acquired the content from the content providing terminal can be used. This makes it possible to control the use of content on a terminal basis or on a group basis.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment: Use of Use Control Identifier Only, User Specification> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an information use control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This information use control system includes a content providing terminal 10, a user terminal 1
To 3 (11 to 13), each of which is a network 1
4 can be connected.

It is assumed that the user terminal 1 (11) is provided with a usage control identifier having a hierarchical structure of Y stages for each Xbit. Also, the user terminal 2 (12) has the user terminal 1
A use control identifier whose upper Y-1 layer is the same as the use control identifier of (11) is assigned. In addition, the user terminal 3 (1
3) is the upper Y of the usage control identifier of the user terminal 1 (11)
-2 layers have usage control identifiers that are the same.

That is, in the example shown in FIG. 1, a user terminal 1 (11) is provided with a use control identifier having a hierarchical structure of four levels every 16 bits, and a user terminal 1 (11) is assigned to the user terminal 2 (12). 11) and the upper three layers (00
1011010011) are assigned the same usage control identifier, and the user terminal 1 (1) is assigned to the user terminal 3 (13).
The upper two layers (0010110) of the usage control identifier of 1)
A usage control identifier identical to 1) is assigned.

Each user terminal requests a content providing terminal from the content providing terminal 21 for content to be acquired.
An identifier sending unit 22 for sending the usage control identifier to the content providing terminal; a use range sending unit 23 for sending the usage hierarchy range of the usage control identifier to the content providing terminal; It has a content decryption unit 24 that returns to the original form using the usage control identifier and makes the content usable.

The content providing terminal 10 transforms the requested content using the usage control identifier within the usage hierarchy range sent from the user terminal.
5 and a modified content sending unit 26 that sends the transformed content to the user by the content providing terminal.

Next, an operation example will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The user requests the content to be obtained by the content request unit 21 of the user terminal 1 (step 1).
1). Then, the usage control identifier of the user terminal 1 is sent to the content providing terminal 10 by the identifier sending unit 22 (step 12). Further, the use range sending unit 23 sends information on which layer of the sent use control identifiers is to be used for content transformation (step 1).
3). Here, as an example, information indicating that the upper Y-1 layer is used for content transformation is transmitted. Note that it is also possible to request the content after sending the use control information and the use hierarchy range information.

The content providing terminal 10 transforms the requested content by using the information of the use control identifier of the upper Y-1 layer which is the transmitted use layer range (step 14). If the content has been encrypted in advance, the decryption key is modified. And the content providing terminal 1
0 sends the transformed content or the encrypted content and the transformed decryption key to the user terminal 1 through the transformed content transmitting section 26 (step 15).

As a modification, for example, encryption, scrambling, and hashing are performed at least once using a usage control identifier within the user hierarchy range as a key.
Further, the modification may be performed using not only the identifier information in the user hierarchy range but also other information. In addition, the content providing terminal and the user terminal share an algorithm and information for performing deformation, a usage control identifier within the user hierarchy range,
Hash processing may be performed on a specific identifier shared by the content providing terminal and the user terminal, and scramble processing or the like may be performed on the content using the output result as a key.

The user terminal 1 is a content providing terminal 10
When the transformed content or the encrypted content and the transformed decryption key are obtained from, the content is restored using the content decryption unit 24 and made usable (step 1).
6). Note that the decryption is performed in a reverse manner to the modification by using the usage control identifier in the same usage hierarchy range as the usage control identifier in the usage hierarchy range used in the modification. At this time, the terminal is set in a usable state by using information of the upper Y-1 layer which is the use hierarchy range of the use control identifier in the own terminal. The acquired content is stored in the user terminal while being constantly deformed.

The contents stored in the user terminal 1 can be used by the user terminals having the same identifier of the same use hierarchy range (step 16). For example, when the upper Y-1 layer is used as described above, the user terminal 1 and the user terminal 2 having the same upper Y-1 layer can be used, but only the upper Y-2 layer is the same. The user terminal 3 cannot use it.

<Second Embodiment: Use of Only Use Control Identifier, Designation of Content Providing Terminal> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

This information use control system has a content providing terminal 10 and user terminals 1 to 3 (11 to 13), each of which can be connected to the network 14.

As in the first embodiment, the user terminal 1 (1
It is assumed that a usage control identifier having a hierarchical structure of Y stages for each Xbit is assigned to 1). User terminal 2
(12) is assigned a usage control identifier whose upper Y-1 layer is the same as the usage control identifier of the user terminal 1 (11). The user terminal 3 (13) is connected to the user terminal 1 (1
It is assumed that the upper Y-2 layer of the use control identifier of 1) has the same use control identifier.

Each user terminal requests a content to be obtained from a content providing terminal by a content requesting unit 21.
And an identifier sending unit 22 for sending the usage control identifier to the content providing terminal, and a content decoding unit for returning the sent modified content to the original form using the usage control identifier within the usage hierarchy range and making the content usable. 24.

The content providing terminal 10 uses the usage range designating section 27 for the content providing terminal to specify the usage hierarchy range of the usage control identifier, and uses the usage control identifier in the usage hierarchy range to which the requested content is sent. The content transforming unit 10 transforms the content and the transformed content is transmitted by the content providing terminal to the user.

Next, an operation example will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The user requests the content to be obtained by the content request unit 21 of the user terminal 1 (step 2).
1). Then, the usage control identifier of the user terminal 1 is sent to the content providing terminal 10 by the identifier sending unit 22 (step 22). Note that it is also possible to request the content after sending the use control information and the use hierarchy range information.

The content providing terminal 10 uses the use range specifying unit 27 for specifying the use hierarchy range of the use control identifier.
Is used to specify the use range (step 23). For example, top Y
Specifies that the -1 layer is used for content transformation. Then, the content providing terminal 10 modifies the requested content using the information of the upper Y-1 layer of the use control identifier (step 24). If the content has been encrypted in advance, the decryption key is modified. The modification is the same as that described in the first embodiment. Then, the content providing terminal 10 sends the modified content and the usage range of the usage control identifier or the encrypted content and the usage range of the modified decryption key and usage control identifier to the user terminal 1 through the content sending unit 26 (step 2).
5). The above modification is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

The user terminal 1 is a content providing terminal 10
When the transformed content or the encrypted content and the transformed decryption key are obtained from, the content is restored using the content decryption unit 24 and made usable (step 2).
6). At this time, the terminal is set in a usable state by using information of the upper Y-1 layer which is the use hierarchy range of the use control identifier in the own terminal. The acquired content is stored in the user terminal while being constantly deformed.

The contents stored in the user terminal 1 can be used by the user terminals having the same identifier of the same use hierarchy range (step 26). For example, when the upper Y-1 layer is used, the user terminal 1 and the upper Y
-1 can be used on the user terminal 2 having the same hierarchy,
It is impossible to use a user terminal 3 in which only the upper Y-2 layer is the same.

<Third Embodiment: Utilization of Use Control Identifier and Associated Information> Next, a third embodiment will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an information use control system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The information use control system includes a content providing terminal 10, user terminals 1 to 3,
(11 to 13), each of which can be connected to the network 14. It also has an accompanying information issuing server 30.

It is assumed that the user terminal 1 (11) is provided with a usage control identifier having a hierarchical structure of Y stages for each X bit. Also, the user terminal 2 (12) has the user terminal 1
A use control identifier whose upper Y-1 layer is the same as the use control identifier of (11) is assigned. In addition, the user terminal 3 (1
3) is the upper Y of the usage control identifier of the user terminal 1 (11)
-2 layers have usage control identifiers that are the same.

Each user terminal is provided with a content requesting unit 21 for requesting a content to be obtained from a content providing terminal.
An identifier sending unit 22 for sending the usage control identifier to the content providing terminal; a use range sending unit 23 for sending the usage hierarchy range of the usage control identifier to the content providing terminal; It has a content decryption unit 24 that returns to the original form using the usage control identifier and makes the content usable.

The content providing terminal 10 transforms the requested content using the usage control identifier within the range of the usage hierarchy sent from the user terminal.
5 and a modified content sending unit 26 that sends the transformed content to the user by the content providing terminal.

Next, an operation example will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The user requests the content to be obtained by the content requesting section 21 of the user terminal 1 (step 3).
1). Then, the usage control identifier of the user terminal 1 is sent to the content providing terminal 10 by the identifier sending unit 22.
At this time, the accompanying information is sent by the identifier sending unit 22 together with the usage control identifier (step 32). Further, the use range sending unit 23 sends information indicating which layer of the sent use control identifier is to be used to transform the content. For example, information indicating that the upper Y-1 hierarchy is used to transform the content is sent (step 33). It should be noted that it is also possible to request the content after sending the use control information and the use hierarchy range information.

The accompanying information is, for example, information created depending on the use control identifier. In the third embodiment, the user terminal 1 sends a usage control identifier to the associated information issuing server, and has the associated terminal 1 issue the associated identifier 1 depending on the usage control identifier. Similarly, the user terminal 2 and the user terminal 3 are also issued. These are issued depending on the usage control identifier, but the association between the usage control identifier and its accompanying information is known only by the accompanying information issuing server, and it is impossible to analogize the accompanying information from the usage control identifier. .

The content providing terminal modifies the requested content by using the information of the use control identifier of the upper Y-1 layer which is the transmitted use layer range, and further modifies it by using the transmitted accompanying information ( Step 34). Alternatively, the modification is performed by using both the information of the usage control identifier and the accompanying information at once. Alternatively, after the modification using the accompanying information, the modification may be performed using the usage control identifier. If the content has been encrypted in advance, the decryption key is modified. Then, the content providing terminal sends the transformed content or the encrypted content and the transformed decryption key to the user terminal 1 through the content sending section 26 (step 3).
5). The modification is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

When the user terminal 1 obtains the deformed content or the encrypted content and the deformed decryption key from the content providing terminal, the user decrypts the content using the content decryption unit 24 and makes the content usable (step 3).
6). At this time, the terminal is made available using the information of the upper Y-1 layer, which is the range of the use hierarchy of the use control identifier in the terminal itself, and the accompanying information. The acquired content is stored in the user terminal while being constantly deformed.

The content stored in the user terminal 1 can be used if the identifier of the same use hierarchy range is the same use terminal and has the accompanying information (step 36). For example, when the upper Y-1 layer is used in this way, the user terminal 1 and the user terminal 2 in which the upper Y-1 layer is the same can be used, but only the upper Y-2 layer is the same. It is impossible to use the terminal 3. Even if the user has the correct use control identifier, the content cannot be used if the user does not have the accompanying information or has not acquired the information.

Next, the accompanying information will be further described.

As described above, the accompanying information is transmitted by the identifier sending unit 2
2 is information transmitted to the content providing terminal together with the usage control identifier, and is used for transforming the content and the like. The generation of the accompanying information will be described in further detail with respect to two examples. One is a method of using the accompanying information issuing server 30, and the other is a method of acquiring it from inside the terminal.

First, an example in which the accompanying information issuing server 30 is used will be described. The user terminal having the use control identifier A performs an authentication process to determine whether the use control identifier A is provided to the accompanying information issuing server, and requests the accompanying information issuing server to issue the accompanying information. The associated information issuing server generates and issues the associated information a corresponding to the usage control identifier A when the user terminal verifies that the user terminal has the usage control identifier A.

On the other hand, the content providing terminal requested for the content sends the sent usage control identifier A to the associated information issuing server, requests the associated information corresponding to the usage control identifier A, and obtains the associated information. I do. The content is modified based on the acquired accompanying information a and the information in the use hierarchy range of the use control identifier A, and the modified content is sent to the user terminal.

The user terminal restores the deformation of the content by using the information of the usage control identifier A in the usage hierarchy range and the information of the accompanying information a. Unless the accompanying information issuance server authenticates, two types of information, the use control identifier A and the accompanying information a, cannot be prepared.

Next, an example of acquiring accompanying information from inside the terminal will be described. It is assumed that the terminal having the usage control identifier A holds a non-rewritable terminal IDaa. When making a content request, the user terminal sends the use hierarchy range, the use control identifier A, and the terminal IDaa to the content providing terminal, and the content providing terminal uses the information to transform the content and send it to the user terminal. I do. This content has a use control identifier A, and can be used only by a user terminal whose terminal ID is aa.

Also, the accompanying information issuing server 30 shown in FIG.
Instead of an authentication server, you can do the following:

First, the user terminal sends a use control identifier to the authentication server. At this time, the use hierarchy range information and the accompanying information may be sent together. Next, the authentication server sends authentication information for the sent information to the user terminal.

The user terminal sends information including the same information as the information sent to the authentication server to the content providing terminal. The content providing terminal sends the sent information to the authentication server, acquires authentication information corresponding to the information, transforms the content using the acquired authentication information or information including the authentication information, and To the user terminal.

Then, the user terminal receives the transformed content, decrypts the transformed content by using the previously acquired authentication information, and uses it. When the usage hierarchy range is defined by the content providing terminal, information on the usage hierarchy range can be sent to the user terminal.

Each part of the content providing terminal and the user terminal in each of the first to third embodiments is constructed as a program and can be used as the content providing terminal and the user terminal in the present invention by installing the program on a computer. It is. The program is CD-RO
M, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk or the like, and can be stored and distributed on a recording medium. By installing a program recorded on the recording medium into a computer, the content providing terminal of the present invention can be used. It can be used as a user terminal.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified and applied within the scope of the claims.

[0079]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the use control identifier having a hierarchical structure is used, it is possible to achieve both the use control of the content for each terminal and the use control of the content for the group.

[0080]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information use control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an information use control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation in a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an information use control system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation in a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Content provision end 11-13 User terminals 1-3 14 Network 21 Content request part 22 Identifier sending part 23 Use range sending part 24 Content decoding part 25 Content transformation part 26 Modified content sending part 27 Use range designation part 30 Issuance of accompanying information server

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) H04N 7/167 H04L 9/00 685 7/173 640 H04N 7/167 Z (72) Inventor Eiji Kuwana Major in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 2-3-1, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation F-term (reference) 5B017 AA03 BA07 BB06 CA15 CA16 5B082 EA11 5B085 AA08 AE04 5C064 BA07 BB10 BC17 BC20 BC22 BD01 BD09 5J104 AA01 AA07 JA03 KA01 KA02 NA05 NA12 PA07

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An information use control method for controlling use of contents, wherein a use control identifier having a hierarchical structure is assigned to a user terminal, and the user terminal sends the use control identifier to the content providing terminal. Sending the usage hierarchy range of the usage control identifier to the content providing terminal, and the content providing terminal transforms the content requested by the user terminal using the usage control identifier within the usage hierarchy range. The modified content is sent to the user terminal, the user terminal receives the modified content, and the user terminal having the same usage control identifier within the usage hierarchy range has An information use control method, wherein the transformed content is returned to its original form and used using a use control identifier within a hierarchical range. 2. An information use control method for controlling use of contents, wherein a use control identifier having a hierarchical structure is assigned to a user terminal, and the user terminal sends the use control identifier to the content providing terminal. The content providing terminal specifies a usage hierarchy range of the usage control identifier, and uses the usage control identifier within the usage hierarchy range to deform the content requested by the user terminal. , And sends the designated use hierarchy range to the user terminal, the user terminal receives the modified content, and the user terminal having the same use control identifier as the use control identifier in the use hierarchy range is: An information use control method, wherein the transformed content is returned to its original form and used by using a use control identifier within the use hierarchy range. 3. The user terminal sends accompanying information together with the usage control identifier to the content providing terminal, and the content providing terminal requests using the usage control identifier within the usage hierarchy range and the accompanying information. 3. The user terminal that modifies the transformed content and uses the transformed content by using the transformed content in its original form using the usage control identifier and the accompanying information in the use hierarchy range.
Information use control method described in. 4. An information use control method for controlling use of contents, wherein a use control identifier having a hierarchical structure is assigned to a user terminal, and the user terminal transmits at least the use control identifier to an authentication server. And the authentication server sends authentication information for the sent information to the user terminal, and the user terminal sends information including the same information as the information sent to the authentication server to the content providing terminal. The content providing terminal sends the sent information to the authentication server, acquires authentication information corresponding to the information, transforms the content using the acquired authentication information,
Sending a transformed content to the user terminal, the user terminal receiving the transformed content, and using the transformed content in the original form by using the authentication information; . 5. A user terminal in an information use control system having a content providing terminal and a user terminal, comprising: means for holding a use control identifier having a hierarchical structure; and means for requesting the content from the content providing terminal. Means for sending a use control identifier and a use hierarchy range of the use control identifier to a content providing terminal; means for receiving a modified content modified by the content providing terminal using a use control identifier within the use hierarchy range And a means for using the transformed content in its original form using a use control identifier within the use hierarchy range. 6. A user terminal in an information use control system having a content providing terminal and a user terminal, comprising: means for holding a use control identifier having a hierarchical structure; and means for requesting the content from the content providing terminal. Means for sending a usage control identifier to a content providing terminal; means for receiving a modified content modified using the usage control identifier within a usage hierarchy range specified by the content providing terminal, and a usage hierarchy range thereof And a means for using the transformed content in its original form using a use control identifier within the use hierarchy range. 7. A means for sending the accompanying information to the content providing terminal, and means for returning the transformed content to the original form using the use control identifier within the use hierarchy range and the accompanying information, and using the modified content. The user terminal according to claim 5. 8. A means for sending at least the use control identifier to an authentication server and receiving authentication information from the authentication server, instead of sending the use control identifier or the use hierarchy range to the content providing terminal, Means for sending information including the same information as the information sent to the authentication server to the content providing terminal, and using the modified content in its original form using a usage control identifier within the usage hierarchy range The user terminal according to claim 5, further comprising a unit that uses the authentication information to return the transformed content to its original form, instead of the unit. 9. A content providing terminal in an information use control system having a content providing terminal and a user terminal, the means for receiving a use control identifier, and a use hierarchy range of the use control identifier from the user terminal; Means for transforming the requested content using a use control identifier within the use hierarchy range, and transmitting the transformed content to the user terminal. 10. A content providing terminal in an information use control system having a content providing terminal and a user terminal, a means for receiving a use control identifier from a user terminal, and specifying a use hierarchy range of the use control identifier. Means for transforming the requested content using the usage control identifier within the usage hierarchy range, and sending the modified content and the specified usage hierarchy range to the user terminal. Content providing terminal. 11. The system according to claim 9, further comprising: means for receiving the accompanying information from the user terminal; and means for transforming the requested content using the use control identifier in the use hierarchy range and the accompanying information. 11. The content providing terminal according to 10. 12. A means for sending at least the use control identifier to an authentication server and obtaining authentication information corresponding to the use control identifier, and transforming the requested content using a use control identifier within the use hierarchy range. 11. The content providing terminal according to claim 9, further comprising: a unit configured to deform the content using the authentication information instead of performing the authentication. 13. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a user terminal to execute a process in an information use control system having a content providing terminal and a user terminal, wherein the use control identifier has a hierarchical structure. Holding, a procedure for requesting the content from the content providing terminal, a use control identifier, a procedure for sending the use hierarchy range of the use control identifier to the content provision terminal, and a use control identifier within the use hierarchy range. Receiving the transformed content modified by the content providing terminal, and using the transformed content in its original form using the use control identifier in the use hierarchy range, and causing the user terminal to execute the procedure. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded. 14. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a user terminal to execute a process in an information use control system having a content providing terminal and a user terminal, wherein a use control identifier having a hierarchical structure is stored. Holding the content, requesting the content from the content providing terminal, transmitting the usage control identifier to the content providing terminal, and using the usage control identifier within the usage hierarchy range specified by the content providing terminal. Receiving the modified content and the use hierarchy range thereof, and causing the user terminal to execute the procedure of using the modified content in its original form using the use control identifier within the use hierarchy range. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded. 15. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a content providing terminal to execute a process in an information use control system having a content providing terminal and a user terminal, wherein the use control identifier is transmitted from the user terminal. A step of receiving, a step of receiving a use layer range of the use control identifier from the user terminal, or a step of designating a use layer range; and a content requested by using a use control identifier within the use layer range. And transmitting the transformed content to the user terminal, and transmitting the use hierarchy range to the user terminal when the use hierarchy range is specified. Computer readable recording medium.