JP2003085893A - Device and method for processing information, and program therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make additional information able to be shared with other software even when the contents are encoded in various encoding forms. SOLUTION: When making a PD (portable device) 5 check out contents composed of a music file stored in a music file storage part 108 and the additional information, a transfer processing part 103 requests a contents managing processing part 102 to search PC plug-in 109, with which the additional information of the contents can be recognized. When the PC plug-in 109, with which the additional information of the contents can be recognized, is searched, the additional information is extracted from these contents and outputted to the transfer processing part 103 by the contents managing processing part 102. The additional information inputted from the contents managing processing part 102 is outputted to the PD plug-in 111 and recorded on the PD 5 in a prescribed recording format by the transfer processing part 103.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, and a program, and more particularly to recording content encoded by a plurality of encoding systems and additional information on a recording medium in a plurality of format systems. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, and a program that can be performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, with the spread of digital technology,
Various contents (data) such as music data and image data have been digitally recorded or reproduced on a recording medium. Generally, when a content is recorded on a recording medium, the data of the content is encoded by a predetermined method and then recorded on the recording medium in a predetermined recording format.

Recently, software for collectively managing contents recorded on these recording media by a personal computer or the like has been developed, and many users can store contents from various recording media on an HDD (Hard Disc) of the personal computer. Drive) to record,
It is used to select the desired content from the content recorded on the HDD, record it on a recording medium, and enjoy it with headphones such as headphones when moving.

[0004]

By the way, in recent years, recording media have been diversified, and many encoding systems and recording formats have been developed in order to support various data recording systems on recording media. . As a result, the software as described above is required to be compatible with recording formats compatible with various recording media and many encoding methods.

However, since these coding methods and recording formats are subject to rapid technological innovation, in order to make them compatible, software upgrades and the like are required every time new coding methods and recording formats are developed. It has been a problem that a software distributor must bear the burden of software development.

Further, there is a problem in that the user is burdened with the economical burden of purchasing the software for upgrade and also the burden of having to frequently perform the installation process for upgrade.

Further, the software as described above is
Despite the development of various types of software, there are many cases where the compatibility of data between the software is not in place, so for example, exchanging the recording medium on which content is recorded between users. Even if you want to enjoy it, there is a problem that you may not be able to play the content unless you are using software of the same type.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and the contents encoded by a plurality of encoding systems and the additional information are recorded or reproduced on a recording medium of a plurality of format systems. It enables you to do it.

[0009]

A first information processing apparatus of the present invention comprises a storage means for storing contents including music data and its additional information, a recording format identification means for identifying a recording format of a recording medium, The recording medium is characterized by comprising extraction means for extracting the additional information corresponding to the recording format, and recording means for recording the additional information in the recording format identified by the identifying means on the recording medium together with the music data.

A first information processing method of the present invention corresponds to a storage step of storing a content including music data and its additional information, a recording format identification step of identifying a recording format of a recording medium, and a recording format identification step. It is characterized by including an extraction step of extracting additional information and a recording step of recording the additional information in the recording medium in the recording format identified by the processing of the identifying step together with the music data on the recording medium.

A first program of the present invention is a storage control step for controlling storage of content including music data and its additional information, a recording format identification control step for controlling identification of a recording format of a recording medium, and a recording format. Corresponding to, the computer includes an extraction control step for controlling the extraction of the additional information, and a recording control step for controlling the recording of the additional information with the music data on the recording medium in the recording format the identification of which is controlled by the processing of the identification step. To run.

A second information processing apparatus according to the present invention is based on a storage means for storing content including music data and its additional information, a data format identifying means for identifying a data format of the additional information, and a data format based on the data format. It is characterized in that it is provided with an extracting means for extracting the additional information from the content and a recording means for recording the additional information extracted by the extracting means together with the music data on a recording medium.

A recording format identifying means for identifying the recording format of the recording medium and a converting means for converting the music data in accordance with the recording format can be further provided, and the recording means includes an extracting means. The additional information extracted by can be recorded on the recording medium together with the music data converted according to the recording format.

A second information processing method of the present invention is based on a storage step of storing content including music data and its additional information, a data format identification step of identifying a data format of the additional information, and a data format based on the data format. The extraction step of extracting additional information from the content and the additional information extracted by the processing of the extraction step
A recording step of recording the music data on a recording medium together with the music data.

A second program of the present invention comprises a storage step for controlling storage of content including music data and its additional information, a data format identification control step for controlling identification of a data format of the additional information, and a data format. And a recording control step for controlling the recording of the additional information, the extraction of which is controlled by the processing of the extraction control step, on the recording medium with the music data, based on the content. It is characterized by making it execute.

A first information processing apparatus and method of the present invention,
In addition, in the program, the content including the music data and its additional information is stored, the recording format of the recording medium is identified, the additional information is extracted corresponding to the recording format, and the additional information is identified in the recording medium together with the music data. The additional information is recorded in the recording format.

A second information processing apparatus and method of the present invention,
In addition, in the program, the content including the music data and its additional information is stored, the data format of the additional information is identified, and based on the data format,
Additional information is extracted from the content, and the extracted additional information is recorded on the recording medium together with the music data.

[0018]

1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a content data management system according to the present invention. The personal computer 1 is connected to a network 2 including a local area network or the Internet. The personal computer 1
Musical sound data (hereinafter referred to as content) received from an EMD (Electronic Music Distribution) server 3 or read from a CD (Compact Disc) is recorded as it is, or a predetermined encoding method (for example, ATRAC3
(Trademark) and DES (Data Encryption S
tandard) and other encryption methods are used for recording.

The personal computer 1 records the right information indicating the usage conditions of the content corresponding to the content recorded in plain text or encrypted.

The right information indicates, for example, the number of portable devices (Portable Devices (also referred to as PDs)) that can simultaneously use the content corresponding to the right information (the number of PDs that can be checked out, which will be described later). . Even when the number of contents indicated by the rights information is checked out, the personal computer 1
Can play the content.

The right information indicates whether or not the content can be copied. When the content is copied to the portable devices 5-1 to 5-3, the personal computer 1 can reproduce the recorded content. Portable device for content 5
The number of times -1 to 5-3 can be stored may be limited. In this case, the number of times copying is possible does not increase.

Further, the right information indicates whether or not the content can be moved to another personal computer. Portable devices 5-1 to 5-3
After the content is moved to, the content recorded by the personal computer 1 cannot be used (the content is deleted or the right information is changed and cannot be used).

Details of the right information will be described later.

The personal computer 1 stores the encrypted content recorded together with the data related to the content (for example, the song name or the reproduction condition) in the USB.
The right information corresponding to the stored contents is stored in the portable device 5-1 connected thereto via the (Universal Serial Bus) cable and the stored content is updated in the portable device 5-1. Yes (hereinafter referred to as checkout). More specifically, when the checkout is performed, the number of times the personal computer 1 records the right information corresponding to the content that can be checked out is reduced by one. When the number of times check-out is possible is 0, the corresponding content cannot be checked out.

The personal computer 1 stores the encrypted and recorded content, together with the data related to the content, in the connected portable device 5-2 via the USB cable, and at the same time, the portable device 5-2. The right information corresponding to the stored content is updated in response to the stored information. The personal computer 1 and the portable device 5 connected to the content, which has been encrypted and recorded, together with the data related to the content via a USB cable.
3 and the right information corresponding to the stored content is updated in response to the storage in the portable device 5-3.

The personal computer 1 is a USB
The content checked out by the personal computer 1 to the portable device 5-1 connected via the cable is erased (or made unusable) by the portable device 5-1 and corresponds to the erased content. The right information to be updated is updated (hereinafter referred to as check-in). More specifically, when you check in,
The number of times the personal computer 1 can check out the right information of the corresponding content recorded is 1
Will be increased.

The personal computer 1 is connected to a portable device 5-2 via a USB cable.
The content checked out by the personal computer 1 is erased (or made unusable) by the portable device 5-2, and the right information corresponding to the erased content is updated. The personal computer 1 transfers the content checked out by the personal computer 1 to the portable device 5-3 connected to the portable device 5-3 via the USB cable.
Then, the rights information corresponding to the deleted content is updated.

As the personal computer 1, another personal computer (not shown) is a portable device 5-1.
Can't check in content checked out to. The personal computer 1 cannot check in the content checked out to the portable device 5-2 by another personal computer. The personal computer 1 cannot check in the content checked out to the portable device 5-3 by another personal computer.

In response to the request from the personal computer 1, the EMD server 3 supplies the content to the personal computer 1 via the network 2 together with the data related to the content (for example, the song title or the reproduction restriction).

The content supplied by the EMD server 3 is encoded by a predetermined encoding method and encrypted by a predetermined encryption method. The EMD server 3 supplies a key for decrypting the content to the personal computer 1.

A WWW (World Wide Web) server 4 responds to a request from the personal computer 1 via the network 2 and reads data corresponding to a CD (for example, an album name of a CD or sales of a CD). (Company etc.) and data corresponding to the content read from the CD (for example, song title or composer name) are supplied to the personal computer 1.

The portable device 5-1 has contents (ie, contents) supplied from the personal computer 1.
Checked out content, etc.) is the data related to the content (for example, song title, playback restrictions, etc.)
Memorize with. The portable device 5-1 reproduces the stored content based on the data related to the content and outputs the content to headphones (not shown) or the like.

For example, when an attempt is made to perform reproduction over the number of times of reproduction, which is stored as data relating to the content, as the reproduction limit, the portable device 5-1
Stop playing the corresponding content. As the playback restrictions stored as data related to the content,
When the portable device 5-1 tries to reproduce the content after the reproduction time limit has passed, the portable device 5-1 stops the reproduction of the corresponding content.

The user can remove the portable device 5-1 storing the content from the personal computer 1, carry it around, reproduce the stored content, and listen to music or the like corresponding to the content with headphones or the like. .

The portable device 5-2 stores the content supplied from the personal computer 1 together with the data related to the content. Based on the data related to the content, the portable device 5-2
The stored content is reproduced and output to headphones (not shown) or the like. The user can remove the portable device 5-2 storing the content from the personal computer 1, carry it around, play the stored content, and listen to music or the like corresponding to the content with headphones or the like.

The portable device 5-3 stores the content supplied from the personal computer 1 together with the data related to the content. The portable device 5-3, based on the data related to the content,
The stored content is reproduced and output to headphones (not shown) or the like. The user can remove the portable device 5-3 storing the content from the personal computer 1, carry it around, reproduce the stored content, and listen to music or the like corresponding to the content with headphones or the like.

Hereinafter, portable devices 5-1 to 5-
When it is not necessary to distinguish 3 individually, it is simply referred to as a portable device 5.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the personal computer 1. CPU (Central Processing Unit)
Reference numeral 11 actually executes various application programs for realizing the functions described later and an OS (Operating System). A ROM (Read-only Memory) 12 generally stores basically fixed data of programs used by the CPU 11 and parameters for calculation. RAM (Ran
The dom-Access Memory) 13 stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 11 and parameters that change appropriately in the execution. These are connected to each other by a host bus 14 including a CPU bus and the like.

The host bus 14 is connected to the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interfac) via the bridge 15.
e) It is connected to an external bus 16 such as a bus.

The keyboard 18 is operated by the user when inputting various commands to the CPU 11. Mouse 19
Is operated by the user when pointing or selecting points on the screen of the display 20. Display 2
Reference numeral 0 is composed of a liquid crystal display device, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like, and displays various kinds of information as text or images. An HDD (Hard Disc Drive) 21 drives hard disks and causes them to record or reproduce programs and information executed by the CPU 11.

The drive 22 reads the data or program recorded in the mounted magnetic disk 41, optical disk 42 (including CD), magneto-optical disk 43, or semiconductor memory 44, and reads the data or program, The data is supplied to the RAM 13 connected via the interface 17, the external bus 16, the bridge 15, and the host bus 14.

The portable device 5-1 is connected to the USB port 23-1 via a USB cable. The USB port 23-1 has an interface 17 and an external bus 1.
6, via bridge 15, or host bus 14, HD
Data supplied from the D21, the CPU 11, or the RAM 13 (for example, content or portable device 5-1
(Including the command of the above) is output to the portable device 5-1.

The portable device 5-2 is connected to the USB port 23-2 via a USB cable. The USB port 23-2 has an interface 17 and an external bus 1.
6, via bridge 15, or host bus 14, HD
Data supplied from the D21, the CPU 11, or the RAM 13 (for example, content or portable device 5-2
(Including the command of the above) is output to the portable device 5-2.

The portable device 5-3 is connected to the USB port 23-3 via a USB cable. The USB port 23-3 has an interface 17 and an external bus 1.
6, via bridge 15, or host bus 14, HD
Data supplied from the D21, the CPU 11, or the RAM 13 (for example, content or portable device 5-3
(Including the command of the above) is output to the portable device 5-3.

The speaker 24 outputs a predetermined sound corresponding to the content based on the sound signal supplied from the interface 17.

These keyboard 18 to speaker 24
Are connected to the interface 17, and the interface 17 is connected to the CPU 11 via the external bus 16, the bridge 15, and the host bus 14.

The communication section 25 is connected to the network 2, stores data (for example, a content transmission request, etc.) supplied from the CPU 11 or the HDD 21 in a packet of a predetermined method, and via the network 2, The data (for example, contents) stored in the received packet is transmitted via the network 2 while being transmitted.
Output to the CPU 11, RAM 13, or HDD 21.

The communication unit 25 includes the external bus 16 and the bridge 1.
5, and is connected to the CPU 11 via the host bus 14.

Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the USB ports 23-1 to 23-3, simply use the USB port 23.
Called.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the personal computer 1 realized by the CPU 11 executing the content management program. GUI (Gra
The phical user interface) unit 101 is a file of a file in which the music title or content corresponding to the content desired by the user is stored in the music management unit 104 in response to the user operating the keyboard 18 or the mouse 19. Database 107
Request registration of data corresponding to the content in the.

The GUI unit 101 uses data corresponding to contents from the database 107 via the music management unit 104,
For example, data such as the song ID, song name, or artist name is acquired, and the song ID, song name, artist name, or the like is displayed on the display 20. When the reproduction of the content is requested by the operation of the user, the GUI unit 101
The music ID corresponding to the content requested to be reproduced is supplied to the content management processing unit 102, and the content management processing unit 102 is requested to reproduce the content.

When the transfer of the content (checkout, copy, move, etc.) is requested by the operation of the user, the GUI section 101 supplies the transfer processing section 103 with the music ID corresponding to the content requested to be transferred. At the same time, the transfer processing unit 103 is requested to transfer the content.

The content management processing unit 102 includes the GUI unit 1
When the reproduction of the content is requested from 01, the music ID corresponding to the content requested to be reproduced is requested to the music management unit 104.
And request the file name corresponding to the content. The content management processing unit 102 is the music management unit 1.
When the file name is acquired from 04, the song management unit 104,
The content is acquired from the music file storage unit 108-1 or 108-2 via the file search unit 106 and the database 107.

The content management processing unit 102 stores the acquired content in the PC (Protected Content) plug-in 10
9-1 or 109-2.

The content management processing unit 102, concerning the related information (additional information) of the content (encoded) inquired by the request of the transfer processing unit 103,
Recognizable (decryptable) PC plug-in 109-1, 1
09-2 is searched, and if found, the found PC
The additional information of the content is decrypted by the plug-in 109-1 or 109-2 and supplied to the transfer processing unit 103.

When the content is supplied from the content management processing unit 102, if the content is not encrypted, the PC plug-in 109-1 decrypts the encoded content and outputs the audio data to the audio output unit. 110-
Supply to 1. If the content is encrypted when the content is supplied from the content management processing unit 102, the PC plug-in 109-1 decrypts the encrypted content into plaintext, and also decodes the encoded content. The audio data is decoded and the audio data is output.
Supply to -1. The audio output unit 110-1 generates an audio signal based on the audio data and causes the speaker 24 to output the audio.

When the content is not encrypted when the content is supplied from the content management processing unit 102, the PC plug-in 109-2 decodes the encoded content and outputs the audio data to the audio output unit. 110-
Supply to 2. When the content is encrypted when the content is supplied from the content management processing unit 102, the PC plug-in 109-2 decrypts the encrypted content into plaintext, and also decodes the encoded content. The audio data is decoded and the audio data is output.
-2. The audio output unit 110-2 generates an audio signal based on the audio data and causes the speaker 24 to output the audio.

The user can additionally install the PC plug-in on the personal computer 1.

Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the PC plug-in 109-1 or the PC plug-in 109-2,
It is simply referred to as the PC plug-in 109.

When the GUI unit 101 requests the transfer of the content, the transfer processing unit 103 supplies the music ID corresponding to the content requested to be transferred to the music management unit 104, and also supplies the file name corresponding to the content. Request. When the transfer processing unit 103 acquires the file name from the music management unit 104, the transfer management unit 103, the file search unit 106,
And the content corresponding to the file name is acquired from the music file storage unit 108-1 or 108-2 via the database 107.

The transfer processing unit 103 supplies the acquired content to the PD plug-in 111-1 or 111-2. At this time, the transfer processing unit 103 can recognize the additional information of the content, and the PD plug-in 111-1
Or search 111-2 and find the searched PD plug-in 1
PD with additional information of contents on 11-1 or 111-2
Record in 5-1 or PD5-2. Alternatively, the transfer processing unit 103 may use the content management processing unit 102 as described above.
Requesting a search for a PC plug-in 109 that can recognize the additional information of the content, and if a PC plug-in 109 that can recognize the additional information of the content is searched for, the searched PC plug-in 109 returns the additional information. Decrypt, PD
It is supplied to the plug-in 111-1 or 111-2.

The PD plug-in 111-1 mutually authenticates with the portable device 5-1 when transferring contents to the portable device 5-1. When mutual authentication is not performed, the PD plug-in 111-1 does not transfer the content to the portable device 5-1.

The PD plug-in 111-1 is the transfer processing unit 1.
When the content is supplied from 03, if the content is encrypted, the content is supplied to the portable device 5-1 together with the data related to the content.
When the content is not encrypted when the content is supplied from the transfer processing unit 103, the PD plug-in 111-1 encrypts the content and encrypts the content together with the data (additional information) related to the content. Is supplied to the portable device 5-1.

The mutual authentication process may be executed when the portable device 5-1 is connected to the personal computer 1.

The PD plug-in 111-2 mutually authenticates with the portable device 5-2 when transferring contents to the portable device 5-2. When mutual authentication is not performed, the PD plug-in 111-2 does not transfer the content to the portable device 5-2.

The PD plug-in 111-2 is the transfer processor 1
When the content is supplied from 03, if the content is encrypted, the content is supplied to the portable device 5-2 together with the data related to the content.
When the content is not encrypted when the content is supplied from the transfer processing unit 103, the PD plug-in 111-2 encrypts the content and encrypts the content together with the data (additional information) related to the content. Is supplied to the portable device 5-2.

The mutual authentication process may be executed when the portable device 5-2 is connected to the personal computer 1.

The user can additionally install the PD plug-in on the personal computer 1.

Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the PD plug-in 111-1 or the PD plug-in 111-2,
It is simply referred to as PD plug-in 111.

The music management unit 104 stores the content stored in the file recorded in the HDD 21 or the content supplied from the content management processing unit 102.
The data is stored in a file via the database 107 and recorded in the music file storage unit 108-1 or 108-2.

The music management unit 104 uses the database 107.
In addition to recording data such as a song name corresponding to the content and a file name corresponding to the content, the song name or the file name is read from the database 107. When the song name or file name is received from the GUI unit 101, the song management unit 104 adds a record to the database 107 and records the song name or file name as an item of the record.

In response to the request from the GUI unit 101, the music management unit 104 reads out all the music titles and music IDs recorded in the database 107 from the database 107 and supplies them to the GUI unit 101.

When the music ID is supplied from the content management processing unit 102, the music management unit 104 reads the file name corresponding to the music ID from the database 107 and supplies the read file name to the content management processing unit 102. . When the song ID is supplied from the transfer processing unit 103, the song management unit 104 reads the file name corresponding to the song ID from the database 107 and supplies the read file name to the transfer processing unit 103.

The file search unit 106 is a song management unit 104.
In response to the request of the music file storage unit 108-1 or 1 based on the file name acquired from the database 107
The file (contents are stored) corresponding to the file name is searched from 08-2. File search unit 10
6 supplies the file read from the music file storage unit 108-1 or 108-2 to the music management unit 104, or
Alternatively, the file name of the file is changed, and the file with the changed file name is supplied to the music management unit 104.

The music management unit 104 includes a file search unit 106.
The content management processing unit 102 or the transfer processing unit 103 stores the file in which the content is supplied from
Supply to.

The database 107 records data relating to contents, for example, song IDs, song names, file names, or other attributes. The database 107 is
It is stored in the HDD 21.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of data recorded in the database 107. The database 107 is, for example, a relational database, a music table,
And the data corresponding to the contents is managed by the file table.

For example, the music table is composed of records composed of a music ID item and a music title item,
One song name is stored in association with one song ID. Song ID
Corresponds to one song uniquely.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the song table contains
Song name Song-A is recorded corresponding to the song ID of 1, song name Song-B is recorded corresponding to the song ID of 2, song name Song-C is recorded corresponding to the song ID of 3. Is recorded.

For example, the file table is a file ID
Items, song ID items, format items, codec items, bit rate items,
It is composed of a record consisting of a file name item and a file name item, and stores a song ID, a format, a codec, a bit rate, a file name, etc. in association with one file ID. Two or more file IDs have the same song ID
May correspond to.

The file ID uniquely corresponds to one file. The format is data indicating the format of the file. The codec is data indicating the encoding method of the content stored in the file. The bit rate is data indicating the data amount of the content per unit time (for example, one second). The file name is, for example,
It is data indicating a file name including a path consisting of a drive name and a folder name.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, in the file table, the song I of 1 is associated with the file ID of 101.
D, MP3 format, MP3 codec, 128
Bit rate that is 000, and F: \ Music \ Song-A \ trac
A file that contains a filename that is k.mp3 and is 102.
Corresponding to the ID, a song ID of 1, a format of OpenMG, a codec of ATRAC3, a bit rate of 105000, and a file name of F: \ Optimized \ Song-A \ track.omg are stored. . Further, in the example shown in FIG. 4, in the file table, corresponding to the file ID of 103, the song ID of 2, the format of MP3, the codec of MP3, the bit rate of 128000, and F:
The file name that is \ Music \ Song-B \ track.mp3 is stored.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 4, in the file table, corresponding to the file ID of 104, the song ID of 3, the format of OpenMG, the codec of ATRAC3, the bit rate of 132000, and F: \ Music \ S
A file name that is ong-C \ track.omg is stored, and corresponding to a file ID that is 105, a song ID that is 3, a format that is OpenMG, a codec that is ATRAC3, a bit rate that is 105000, and F: \ The file name which is Optimized \ Song-C2 \ track.omg is stored.

Further, each file has a structure as shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a Song-C file, and the file includes a header, song data, and additional information. The header contains control information about this file. Song data is
Actual audio data is recorded. The additional information is pa
ckage.xml, Image.jpg and Lyrics.txt are included. Package.xml describes song names, artist names, genre names, image path names, lyrics path names, and other information in xml (Extended Markup Language) format. This description format is not limited to xml, and other description formats may be used, such as html (hyper Text Markup Lang
uage) etc. The song name, artist name, and genre name corresponding to the content are recorded. Image path name is Image.jpg
Is information indicating the storage location of the image data of the album jacket of the song. In this case, the image data is JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts
Group) (= .jpg) format data, but of course other formats are also possible, for example GIF (Graphic
Interchange Format), TIFF (Tagged Image File For
mat) or BMP (Bit Map) format.

Lirics.txt is lyrics data in text format corresponding to song data, and the lyrics path records information indicating its storage location. Other information is provided as a reserved area when the amount of information handled in the future increases.

The music file storage section 108-1 is, for example,
It is configured by an external storage device (not shown) such as the HDD 21 or a removable disk device, and stores the content as a file. Some of the contents recorded in the music file storage unit 108-1 have right information and some have no right information. Music file storage unit 108-1
Can store one or more files corresponding to one song. The music file storage unit 108-1 corresponds to one drive letter, for example. The drive letter corresponding to the music file storage unit 108-1 may be changed.

The music file storage section 108-2 is, for example,
It is configured by an external storage device (not shown) such as the HDD 21 or a removable disk device, and stores the content as a file. Some of the contents recorded in the music file storage unit 108-2 have right information and some have no right information. Music file storage unit 108-2
Can store one or more files corresponding to one song. The music file storage unit 108-2 corresponds to one drive letter, for example. The drive letter corresponding to the music file storage unit 108-2 may be changed.

One or more files corresponding to one song are recorded in the song file storage section 108-1, and one or more files corresponding to that song are stored in the song file storage section 108-1.
-2 may be recorded.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the correspondence between songs and files. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the song Song-A belonging to the playlist A corresponds to \ Song-A \ track.omg,
Songs that are Song-B belonging to playlist A and playlist B correspond to \ Song-B \ track.mp3 and \ Song-B \ track.omg, and songs that are Song-C belonging to playlist A are , \ So
Corresponds to ng-C \ track.wav. The playlist is a unit of song classification used for displaying 0 or 1 or more songs and displaying song names.

By doing so, it becomes possible to use two or more files of different formats or encoding systems as one content.

The right information storage unit 105 stores the SDMI (Secure D
rights information corresponding to files conforming to the standard defined by the
Stored in 1 and managed. When the right information storage unit 105 receives the song ID from the song management unit 104, the right information storage unit 105 corresponds to the song ID 1
One right information is searched and the searched right information is supplied to the music management unit 104.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of right information stored in the right information storage unit 105. The right information includes, for example, a content ID, the number of remaining playbacks, the number of remaining checkouts, a playback start date and time, a playback end date and time, and the like. The right information stored in the right information storage unit 105 corresponds to one file stored in the music file storage unit 108-1 or 108-2.

Music file storage unit 108-1 or 108
The file stored in -2 is composed of, for example, a header and contents which are musical sound data.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, description will be given of content encryption processing, processing of adding right information corresponding to the content, and content encoding conversion processing.

For example, when the MP3 format content is imported (registered in the database 107) and the first setting (set by the operation of the GUI unit 101) is made, the right information is not generated. Data corresponding to the content is registered in the database 107.

The MP3 format contents that have been imported without the right information being generated will be M
It is inspected whether the watermark of the specified method is included in the content of the P3 method, and when the watermark of the specified method is not included, the encrypted content that is still in the MP3 method is further generated and checked. The content is output, or ATRAC3 type content is further generated and encrypted, and the encrypted ATRAC3 type content is stored in the music file storage unit 108.

For example, when the second setting is made when MP3 format contents are imported, it is checked whether or not the MP3 format content includes a watermark of a predetermined format, and the predetermined format is checked. When the watermark is not included, the data corresponding to the content is registered in the database 107. In addition, the encoding method of the MP3 content is not changed, and the plaintext remains as it is, and the right information corresponding to the MP3 content is generated. The generated right information is stored in the right information storage unit 105.

Rights information was generated and imported
MP3 format content is MP3 compatible with subsequent operations.
The encrypted content is further generated and checked out, or the ATRAC3 content is further generated and encrypted. The encrypted ATRAC3 content is stored in the music file storage unit 108.

By doing so, the content data management system does not need to duplicately record the encrypted contents and the unencrypted contents having the same contents. It is possible to effectively use the recording area such as the HDD 21.

When the third setting is made when MP3 format content is imported, it is checked whether the MP3 format content includes a watermark of a predetermined format, and the watermark of the predetermined format is checked. When the mark is not included, the data corresponding to the content is registered in the database 107. Further, the content converted to the ATRAC3 system is generated and the generated content is encrypted, and the ATRAC3 system encrypted content is recorded in the music file storage unit 108, and
Rights information corresponding to C3 content is generated,
The generated right information is stored in the right information storage unit 105.

When the content includes a watermark of a predetermined method, the content is not registered, the encoding method is not changed, it is not encrypted, and it is not checked out.

When the contents recorded on the CD are ripped, the read contents are converted into ATRAC3 system and encrypted, and the contents converted into ATRAC3 system and encrypted are stored in the music file storage unit 108. The rights information corresponding to ATRAC3 content is recorded in the rights information storage unit 10
Stored in 5.

The above-mentioned import processing, predetermined processing after import, or ripping processing is executed for one or more contents.

Next, referring to the flow chart of FIG.
A process of transferring content from the personal computer 1 to the PD 5 by the content management processing unit 102 and the transfer processing unit 103 will be described.

In step S1, the transfer processing unit 102
Determines whether or not the GUI unit 101 has requested (transferred out) the music file to the PD 5, and repeats the process until the transfer is requested. For example, when the user operates the keyboard 18 or the mouse 19,
When the transfer of a predetermined music file is instructed, the GUI unit 101
Requests the corresponding processing from the transfer processing unit 103, and the transfer processing unit 103 determines that the transfer of the music file is instructed by this request, and the processing proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the transfer processing unit 103
Requests the music management section 104 for a music file having a music ID corresponding to the specified music file name, and acquires the music file transmitted from the music management section 104 in response to this request.

In step S3, the transfer processing unit 103
Transfers the specified music file to the content management processing unit 102 and searches for a recognizable PC plug-in 109.

In step S21, the content management processing unit 102 determines whether or not there is a PC plug-in search request from the transfer processing unit 103, and repeats this processing until there is a search request. For example, if there is a search request from the transfer processing unit 103 in the process of step S3, the process proceeds to step S22.

In step S22, the content management processing section 103 determines that the PC plug-in 109-1 or 109
-2, reference is made to whether or not the designated music file can be recognized.

In step S23, the contents management processing section 103 determines whether or not the PC plug-in 109 capable of recognizing the designated music file is detected,
For example, when it is detected, the process is step S24.
Proceed to.

In step S24, the contents management processing unit 102 transfers the music piece data and the additional information of the encoded music piece file to the transfer processing unit 103 by the searched PC plug-in 109.

In step S4, the transfer processing unit 103
Is a PC plug-in 109 capable of recognizing a desired music file in the content management processing unit 102.
Is detected. For example, step S2
By the processing of 4, the content management processing unit 102 detects the PC plug-in 109 capable of recognizing (decoding) the designated music file, and when the decoded music file and the additional information are transferred, the transfer processing unit 103 wants
It is determined that the PC plug-in 109 is detected, and the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, the transfer processing unit 103
Is converting the song data of the song files decrypted by the PC plug-in 109 searched by the content management processing unit 102 into the optimum format for PD5,
The data is output to the plug-in 111 and recorded in the corresponding PD 5.

In step S6, the transfer processing unit 103
Judges whether or not the recording of the music data is completed. If the recording of the music data is not completed, the processing returns to step S5, and the recording of the music data is completed in steps S5 and S6. The process is repeated. If it is determined in step S5 that the recording of the song data has been completed, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, the transfer processing unit 103
Outputs the additional information of the music file decrypted by the PC plug-in 109 to the PD plug-in 111 and records it in the PD5.

When it is determined in step S23 that the recognizable PC plug-in 109 is not detected,
In step S25, it is determined whether or not the specified music file is unrecognizable in all the PC plug-ins 109, and there is a PC plug-in 109 that is not yet determined to be recognizable. The process returns to step S22. That is, the content management processing unit 102 can recognize the selected music file among the PC plug-ins 109 connected to itself by the PC plug-in 1
The processing of steps S22 to S25 is repeated until 09 is detected.

When it is determined in step S25 that the designated music file cannot be recognized for all the PC plug-ins 109, the content management processing unit 102 can recognize the designated music file in step S26. The transfer processing unit 103 is notified that the PC plug-in 109 has not been detected.

At this time, in step S4, the PC plug-in 1 capable of recognizing the designated music file
09 is not detected, the processes of steps S5 to S7 are skipped, and the process ends.

With the above processing, the PC plug-in 1
09 decodes the music file into a predetermined format that can be recognized by the PD plug-in 111 (reads additional information of the music file and music data), and the transfer processing unit 103 further specifies a predetermined format that the PD plug-in 111 can recognize. Since the song data is converted to the recording format of the PD plug-in 111
The content can be recorded in the optimum format in the PD 5 only by performing a certain process of writing the music file converted into the predetermined recording format to the PD 5 as it is.

Therefore, even if a new encoding method is developed, only the PC plug-in 109 necessary for reading the input music file is developed so as to be compatible with the new encoding method. Management processing unit 10
2 can be called (for example, can be called like a library file),
It is possible to support a new encoding method by a simple upgrade process.

In the above example, the PC plug-in 109
The example in which the transfer processing unit 103 converts the song data and the additional information of the song file into a format that can be recognized by the PD plug-in 111 has been described above. PD plug-in 11 for song data and additional information of song files
If the data can be decoded into a format that can be recognized as it is in step 1, the processes of steps S5 and S6 in the flowchart of FIG. 9 may be omitted. In other words, the transfer processing unit 103 does not need the format conversion process based on the music data of the music file decrypted by the PC plug-in 109 and the additional information.

Further, in the above processing, since the music file designated by the PC plug-in 109 is read, the transfer processing unit 103 makes an inquiry to the content management processing unit 102 to search for a recognizable PC plug-in 109. However, for example, the PD plug-in 111 may be provided so as to be compatible with many encoding methods. In this case, the PD plug-in 111 is installed for each recording format of the recording medium, and the PD plug-in 111 records the content input from the transfer processing unit 103 by itself while converting the content into the corresponding recording format. . As a result, in the flowchart of FIG. 9, the processes of steps S3, S21 to S26, S4 are skipped, and the PD plug-in 111 is skipped in step S5.
Converts the content music file input from the transfer processing unit 103 into a recording format corresponding to the recording format of the PD 5, and records the converted file. Further, in step S7, the additional information is transferred to the PD 5 while converting to the corresponding recording format. Record.

As a result, a new recording medium (for example, PD
Even if the recording format of 5) is developed, it is possible to add a corresponding PD plug-in 111 so that the transfer processing unit 103 can call it (for example, call it as a library). It becomes possible.

According to the above, even the additional information encoded in various encoding formats can be shared with other software. Even if a new encoding format or a new recording medium recording format is developed, it is possible to use the existing functions as they are by simply developing a new PC plug-in or PD plug-in. It will be possible.

The series of processes described above can be executed not only by hardware but also by software. When a series of processes is executed by software, various functions can be executed by installing a computer in which a program configuring the software is incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. It is installed from a recording medium into a possible general-purpose personal computer or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, this recording medium is not limited to the HDD 21 in which the program is recorded, which is provided to the user in the state where it is installed in the personal computer 1 in advance, and is provided to the user separately from the computer. A magnetic disk 41 (including a flexible disk) on which the program is recorded, which is distributed to provide the program, an optical disk 42 (CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Onl
y Memory), DVD (including Digital Versatile Disk)),
It is composed of a package medium including a magneto-optical disk 43 (including MD (Mini-Disk) (registered trademark) or a semiconductor memory 44 (including Memory Stick).

In the present specification, the steps for writing the program recorded on the recording medium are not limited to the processing performed in time series according to the order described and not necessarily the processing performed in time series. , Which include processes executed in parallel or individually.

Further, in the present specification, the system means
It represents the entire apparatus composed of a plurality of devices.

[0129]

According to the first information processing apparatus and method and the program of the present invention, contents including music data and its additional information are stored, the recording format of the recording medium is identified, and the recording format is supported. Then, the additional information is extracted, and the additional information is recorded on the recording medium together with the music data in the identified recording format.

A second information processing apparatus and method of the present invention,
According to the program, the content including the music data and its additional information is stored, the data format of the additional information is identified, the additional information is extracted from the content based on the data format, and the extracted additional information is converted into the music data. Along with this, the data is recorded on the recording medium.

As a result, in any case, the additional information recorded on the recording medium can be shared and referred to by other information processing apparatuses. Further, even if a new recording format or data format is developed in the future, the new recording format or the data format is simply identified so that the new recording format or the data format can be identified without changing other configurations. It is also possible to support data formats.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a content data management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a personal computer.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functions of a personal computer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of data recorded in the database of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a music file.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between songs and files.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of right information.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating import, ripping, and checkout.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a content transfer process.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 personal computer, 2 network,
3 EMD server, 4 WWW server, 5-1 to 5
-3 Portable device, 11 CPU, 12
ROM, 13 RAM, 21 HDD, 41 magnetic disk, 42 optical disk, 43 magneto-optical disk, 44 semiconductor memory, 101 GUI section, 102
Content management processing unit, 103 Transfer processing unit, 1
04 song management unit, 105 right information storage unit, 106
File search unit, 107 database, 108-1
And 108-2 song file storage section, 109-1,
109-2 PC plug-in, 110-1, 110-2
Audio output section, 111-1 and 111-2,

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. Storage means for storing content including music data and its additional information, recording format identification means for identifying a recording format of a recording medium, and extraction for extracting the additional information corresponding to the recording format. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a recording medium for recording the additional information on the recording medium together with the music data in the recording format identified by the identifying device. 2. A storage step of storing a content including music data and additional information thereof, a recording format identification step of identifying a recording format of a recording medium, and an extraction for extracting the additional information corresponding to the recording format. An information processing method comprising: a step; and a recording step of recording the additional information in the recording format identified in the identification step in the recording medium together with the music data. 3. A storage control step of controlling storage of content including music data and its additional information, a recording format identification control step of controlling identification of a recording format of a recording medium, and the recording format identification control step corresponding to the recording format. A computer comprising: an extraction control step of controlling extraction of additional information; and a recording control step of controlling recording of the additional information with the music data in the recording medium in the recording format whose identification is controlled in the processing of the identification step. Program to be executed by. 4. Storage means for storing content including music data and additional information thereof, data format identification means for identifying a data format of the additional information, and the additional information from the content based on the data format. An information processing apparatus, comprising: an extracting unit for extracting; and a recording unit for recording the additional information extracted by the extracting unit on a recording medium together with the music data. 5. A recording format identification unit for identifying a recording format of the recording medium, and a conversion unit for converting the music data in correspondence with the recording format, wherein the recording unit includes the extraction unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the extracted additional information is recorded on a recording medium together with the music data converted corresponding to the recording format. 6. A storage step of storing content including music data and its additional information, a data format identification step of identifying a data format of the additional information, and the additional information from the content based on the data format. An information processing method comprising: an extraction step of extracting; and a recording step of recording the additional information extracted by the processing of the extraction step on a recording medium together with the music data. 7. A storage step of controlling storage of content including music data and additional information thereof, a data format identification control step of controlling identification of a data format of the additional information, and the content based on the data format. The extraction control step for controlling the extraction of the additional information, and a recording control step for controlling the recording of the additional information, the extraction of which is controlled by the processing of the extraction control step, with the music data on a recording medium. The program to run.