WO2004031965A1

WO2004031965A1 - Content recording method, content distribution method, commodity used for content recording, device and system for writing content onto recording medium

Info

Publication number: WO2004031965A1
Application number: PCT/JP2003/012681
Authority: WO
Inventors: Akihiko Tashiro
Original assignee: Akihiko Tashiro
Priority date: 2002-10-04
Filing date: 2003-10-01
Publication date: 2004-04-15
Also published as: AU2003268745A1; JP2004127138A

Abstract

A user purchases a package (50) including a dedicated recording medium (52) which can be used in a content distribution system (10). The user mounts the recording medium (52) onto a content write device (100) and requests write of a desired content. When the recording medium (52) is a dedicated medium, the content write device (100) acquires a content specified by the user from a content management device (200) and writes it onto the recording medium (52). Since an advance payment is set for the recording medium (52) in advance, the content write need not be accompanied by an operation such as input of a credit card number. Thus, the user can easily acquire a content via a network.

Description

Description Content recording method, content distribution method, product used for recording content, device for writing content on recording medium, and system

The present invention relates to an information distribution technology, and more particularly to a technology for distributing contents via a network and a technology for recording the contents on a recording medium. Background art

With the development of network technology, the number of users of the network such as the Internet is increasing. Communication speeds in networks are increasing. Nowadays, data compression technology has also advanced, and it has become possible to compress even large amounts of data, such as still images, images, and music, in general, so that the transmission time is not a concern. In addition, efficient content distribution technologies such as streaming technology have been developed, and the environment for using networks has been increasingly prepared.

With these technologies in the background, services for distributing music and video as content, for example, are being actively conducted. Since such content is a digital broadcast, various measures have been taken to prevent unauthorized copying. For example, a method of encrypting and distributing content so that it cannot be played back without a dedicated player, recording a part of the content on a recording medium in advance, and allowing the user to use the remaining part of the content via a network There is a method of acquiring the data and reproducing it with a dedicated player (Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 1 Special Publication 2 0 0 2— 1 8 9 4 8 1

In the former method, the obtained content is generally stored in the hard disk and used, but the hard disk may be damaged or the content may be erased for some reason. For this reason, the user loses the content despite purchasing it. In the latter method, content is recorded on a recording medium. There is no loss of content, but a dedicated player is required to play back the content. Disclosure of the invention

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and has as its object to provide a technology for recording content distributed via a network on a recording medium, a technology for easily performing the recording operation, and a network. Technology that adds value to content distributed via the Internet, technology that securely distributes content, technology that prevents unauthorized use of content, technology that distributes content inexpensively, and that distributes content that meets the needs of users It provides technology, technology that facilitates content distribution management, and technology that manages copyright fees for each content.

One embodiment of the present invention is a content recording method or apparatus. This method is mainly performed by a writing device realized by executing a program on an arbitrary computer, and a step or means for acquiring an encrypted content, and recording the content on a predetermined recording medium A judging step or means for judging whether or not there is a qualification; a step or means for decoding the content when it is judged that there is qualification; and recording the decoded content on the recording medium. ¹ step or means. Thereby, this recording medium can be reproduced by a normal music player. “Content” is a digital content that can reproduce or display, for example, music, moving images, still images, and the like using a device such as a computer or player. The “recording medium” is a so-called write-once recording medium on which additional recording of, for example, CD-R, DVD-R, etc., is not possible.

Another embodiment of the present invention also relates to a content recording method or apparatus. This method is mainly performed by a writing device realized by executing a program on an arbitrary computer, and a step or means for acquiring a cognition ヅ ′ in which recording conditions are specified; A determination step or means for determining whether or not the content is satisfied; and a step or means for recording the content on the recording medium when the recording medium satisfies the recording condition. This allows, for example, age-based recording conditions If the limit is set for each content, and it is not permitted to record such content on the recording medium in advance, the content cannot be written.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method or apparatus for delivering content. This method is mainly performed by a content management device and a writing device that are realized by executing a program in an arbitrary convenience store, and the writing device associates a predetermined recording medium with a user. Receiving the identified identification information, reading the code previously written on the recording medium, or reading the remaining amount of the prepayment associated with the recording medium. A step or means for obtaining from a management device connected to the network based on at least one of the codes; and a step or means for obtaining the content when the price of the content specified by the user is lower than the balance. And means for writing the created content to the recording medium. As a result, the payment process required for purchasing the content can be performed without the user being conscious. “Identification information” is a character string assigned to each recording medium, and is information for specifying the recording medium. The “code” is, for example, information for identifying a recording medium, information used for decoding encrypted content, and information for generating a decryption key in combination with identification information. A set of identification information and a code may be provided for the recording medium, and the combination may be used to specify the recording medium. '

This method or apparatus comprises: a step or means for determining whether or not the content has been normally written on the recording medium; a step or means for sending the determination result to the management apparatus; and The method may include a step or means for incrementing the number of distributions of the content when the content is normally written, and not incrementing the number of distributions of the content when the content is not correctly written. As a result, when an error occurs during writing to the recording medium, it is possible to prevent counting the number of distributions of the content even though the content cannot be used.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a product including a recording medium used for recording content. This product has a writing area for recording content and a predetermined code And a non-recordable and non-erasable recording medium that includes a code area in which is written, and a printed material on which identification information for identifying the recording medium is printed. The identification information printed on the printed matter included in the product is obtained by acquiring the content via a network and writing the information to the recording medium in an apparatus that manages the use state of the recording medium. It is provided for the purpose of being transmitted. The “usage status” is, for example, information such as the content written on the recording medium, the number of written content, and the balance of the advance payment.

The recording medium previously holds information designating whether or not the content with the age restriction can be written, and can visually recognize whether or not the content with the age restriction can be written. As described above, a predetermined character or mark may be printed on the surface of the package of the product. As a result, it is possible to prevent content for which age restriction is set from being distributed to users under the target age. In addition, by selling the product through a store clerk at a retail store such as a convenience store, the user can be visually identified. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a recording medium corresponding to the age restriction from being handed over to a user under the target age.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for writing content on a recording medium. The apparatus includes: an acquisition unit that acquires an encrypted content; a permission unit that determines whether to permit writing of the content on a recording medium that is attached so as to be accessible; and a write permission unit. A decrypting unit that decrypts the encrypted content when the content is encrypted, and a writing unit that writes the decrypted content to the recording medium. Thereby, this recording medium can be reproduced by a normal music player. Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes a management device that manages content, and a writing device that writes the content to a predetermined recording medium. The management device included in the system includes a balance information database that stores a balance available for purchase of the content in association with information for identifying the recording medium; and a price of the content specified by the writing device. When the balance is lower than the balance, a providing unit for providing the encrypted content to the writing device; and a payment unit for subtracting a price of the provided content from the balance, The device is connected to the network by the management device. An acquisition unit for acquiring the encrypted content provided via a network, and a permission unit for determining whether to permit the writing of the content on the recording medium attached so as to be accessible. A decryption unit that decrypts the encrypted content when writing is permitted; a write processing unit that writes the decrypted content to the recording medium; and a decryption unit that normally decrypts the content. A detection unit for detecting whether or not the content has been written to the management device; and an error processing unit for transmitting a result of the detection by the detection unit to the management device, wherein the management device writes the content normally. In this case, the number of distributions of the content is incremented. If the content is not written normally, the number of distributions of the content is incremented. A management unit which is not, on the basis of the distribution count, further comprising a distribution unit for distributing to calculate the copyright royalty of the contents to the copyright holder.

Note that any combination of the above-described components and any conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a combination program, and the like are also effective as an embodiment of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The above and other objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the preferred embodiments described below and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a content distribution system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the content writing device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of the permission unit of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an internal configuration diagram of the write processing unit of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an internal configuration diagram of the content management device of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the encrypted content storage unit in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the balance information database of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the error information storage unit in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence in the content writing process of the content writing device and the content management device in FIG. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a content distribution system 10 according to the embodiment. The content writing device 100 acquires the content from the content management device 200 and writes the content on the recording medium 52. Although details will be described later, the content writing device 100 can write the content only on the recording medium 52 which is a dedicated recording medium. The recording medium 52 has a write area 57 that is recordable and cannot be erased and a code area 58 in which a predetermined code 59 is written in advance. The content writing device 100 writes the content in the writing area 57. The identification information 56 assigned to each recording medium 52 is printed on the printed matter 54, and is used when acquiring content. The recording medium 52 and the printed matter 54 are grouped together in a package 50 and sold at a retail store 14 such as a convenience store or a record shop. Displaying at the store in this way can improve the name recognition of the system. Of course, mail-order sales may be used, and the sales method is arbitrary.

In addition, for example, an age restriction is set as a writing condition for each content, and the content for which the age restriction is set can be written only to a dedicated recording medium 52 separately prepared. The package 50 of the recording medium 52 for which writing of the age-restricted content is permitted is sold separately. Since the package 50 is sold at a retail store 14 such as a convenience store, it will be sold after the clerk checks the age of the purchaser. However, since it is possible to prevent a minor from purchasing an age-restricted package 50 in advance, it is possible to prevent the distribution of content requiring an age restriction to an adult. '

The identification information 56 assigned to each recording medium 52 may be a character string for uniquely identifying the recording medium 52, or may be combined with a code 59 to make the recording medium 52 unique. May be a predetermined character string for deriving a character string specified in (1). In short, it only needs to be a character string or an image that enables the use state of the recording medium 52 to be managed. In the present embodiment, the identification information 56 is a character string for uniquely specifying the recording medium 52. The selling price of the package 50 includes the total amount of content that can be written on the recording medium 52, that is, the advance payment. The content management device 200 holds the advance payment and the identification information 56 in association with each other. Thereby, the content management device 200 can deduct the price of the content from the advance payment of the recording medium 52 every time the content is recorded on the recording medium 52. Then, the content management device 200 can pay, for example, a part of the deducted price to the author as a copyright fee of the content. As a result, the number of contents sold can be accurately determined, and the copyright fee can be accurately paid to the author. In addition, the user does not need to enter a credit card number or take general electronic commerce procedures such as electronic money when purchasing content. Therefore, the user can easily obtain the desired content. In addition, this mechanism can eliminate the anxiety of those who are worried about sending credit card numbers and the like over the network, and encourage the use of this system. 'The content management device 2 b 0 transmits the encrypted content (hereinafter simply referred to as “encrypted content”) to the content writing device 100 0 via the network 12. The content writing device 100 decrypts the received encrypted content and reproduces the data on a recording medium in a format that can be reproduced by a device such as a general stereo or DV video (hereinafter simply referred to as “normal content”). 5 Write to 2. In the present embodiment, a case where the content is music content will be described as an example.

The content writing device 100 decrypts the encrypted content and writes it on the recording medium 52 in a format that can be played back in stereo 16. Also, at the time of writing, processing for preventing rubbing may be performed. Ribbing that can occur due to writing content on the recording medium 52 as normal content can be prevented. Since the content is usually written on the recording medium 52, the user can listen to the recording medium 52 with a normal reproducing device such as a stereo 16 or the like. Furthermore, using the dubbing function of the stereo 16, music once converted to analog can be recorded on a medium such as a tape 18 or a mini disc 20. Thus, the user can handle the recording medium 52 in the same manner as a normal compact disc. Also, just a hard disk Since the content is not stored as data, but remains as a product that can be obtained, it is easy to accept even for users who are willing to pay only for data.

The content writing device 100 may not be able to write normal content to the recording medium 52 normally. In such a case, the content writing device 100 notifies the content management device 200 as an error. Then, the content management device 200 notifies the support center server 60 of the support center server 60 of the occurrence of the error via the network 12 to the content storage device 62. The support content content writing device 62 writes the normal content desired by the user to the new recording medium 52. Then, the recording medium 52 is mailed to the user.

The content distribution system 10 requires less press, packaging, and distribution costs than conventional music CDs and other products. As a result, content can be provided at a lower price than before. In addition, it is possible to provide content with a small distribution amount such as a discontinued content.

FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the content writing device 100 of FIG. Each component of the content writing device 100 is, in terms of hardware components, a CPU, a memory, and a program for realizing the components of the diagram loaded in the arbitrary computer, and stores the program. Storage unit such as a hard disk to be connected, a drive connected to the recording medium 52 in a readable and writable manner, and a network connection interface. It is understood by those skilled in the art. The figures that will be discussed in the following sections show functional blocks rather than hardware units.

The instruction receiving unit 102 receives an instruction from the user including information for specifying the content to be written to the recording medium 52 and the identification information 56 in FIG. 1 by using, for example, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) operable by the user. Accept. The permission unit 104 authenticates whether or not the recording medium 52 attached to the drive is a dedicated medium, that is, authenticates the recording medium 52, and determines whether or not to permit writing of the content. If writing is permitted, the acquisition unit 106 acquires the encrypted content from the content management device 200. book The recording processing unit 108 converts the encrypted content obtained by the obtaining unit 106 into normal content and writes the converted content into the recording medium 52. If an error occurs during writing, the write processing unit 108 notifies the error processing unit 110 of the fact.

The error processing section 110 includes, for example, the content of the error, the content ID of the content written on the recording medium 52 when the error occurred, the content ID of all the content to be written on the recording medium 52, and the like. The error information is transmitted to the content management device 200. Further, the error processing unit 110 inquires of the user about the error situation, the contents of the support, the destination when the recording medium 52 is mailed from the support center, and the like. Then, the result of the inquiry is transmitted to the content management device 200 as the above-mentioned error information.

FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of the permission unit 104 of FIG. The decryption code reading unit 112 reads the code 59 from the recording medium 52 as a decryption key. The identification information receiving unit 114 receives, from the user, identification information 56 as information for uniquely specifying the recording medium 52 via the instruction receiving unit 102. The free space detector 118 detects the free space in the write area 57 of the recording medium 52.

The age restriction information reading unit 124 reads information indicating the presence or absence of the age restriction from the recording medium 52. This information may be written in the recording medium 52 in advance, the information may be included in the identification information 56, or further, by combining the identification information 56 with the code 59. It may be derived. In short, it is only necessary to set the presence or absence of the age limit in association with the recording medium 52, and the age limit information reading unit 124 only needs to be able to acquire the information. , The content information acquisition unit 126 receives the content from the content management device 200 based on the content ID supplied from the instruction reception unit 102, such as the amount of content, price, and whether there is an age restriction. Get content information for This content information is appropriately used in a determination unit 116, a settlement processing unit 122, and the like described below.

The determination unit 1 16 determines that the recording medium 52 is an authorized medium, that is, a dedicated medium, based on the identification information 56 and the code 59, and further determines the content designated as the recording medium 52. To determine if there is enough free space to record the It is determined whether or not the age restriction condition set for each template is satisfied to determine whether writing is permitted.

The settlement processing unit 122 transmits the identification information 56 to the content management device 200, and determines whether or not the purchase is possible based on the balance and the price of the designated content. If the purchase is possible, the settlement processing unit 122 notifies the determination unit 116 of the purchase. If the balance is insufficient and the purchase cannot be made, the settlement processing unit 122 newly collects the shortage from the user through an arbitrary e-commerce procedure. Then, after the settlement is completed, the settlement processing unit 122 notifies the determination unit 116 that the purchase is possible. If the settlement is not completed, it notifies the judgment unit 116 that the purchase is not possible.

Determining unit 1 1 6, the identification information 5 6, co one de 5 9, available capacity, if you allow _d write to determine the write permission settlement status, and the like based on the age limit, the determination unit 1 1 6 It instructs the acquisition unit 106 to acquire the content, and outputs the code 59 to the decryption code supply unit 120. The decryption code supply unit 120 outputs a code 59 as a decryption key to the write processing unit 108.

FIG. 4 is an internal configuration diagram of the write processing unit 108 of FIG. The decryption code acquisition unit 130 acquires the decryption key from the decryption code supply unit 120. The encrypted content storage unit 142 stores the encrypted content supplied from the acquisition unit 106. The decryption unit 132 reads the encrypted continuation from the symbol content storage unit 142 based on the instruction of the decryption control unit 138 described later, and decrypts the read data using the decryption key. The instruction of the decryption control unit 138 is, for example, the timing of reading the encrypted content and the amount of data to be read. In response to the instruction, the decryption unit 132 reads the encrypted content of a predetermined amount from the encrypted content storage unit 142 at a predetermined timing and decrypts it.

The temporary storage section 134 is, for example, a buffer such as a semiconductor memory. Provided. It is preferable that the storage capacity of the temporary storage section 134 is extremely small, for example, as compared with the amount of data stored in the entire continent. The decryption control section 1338 determines the writing speed of the normal content to the recording medium 52 by the writing section 1336 and the amount of normal content temporarily stored in the temporary storage section 134. The decoding process is controlled based on the decoding process. This control allows the normal content to be written to the recording medium 52 and the decoding process in the decoding unit 132 to proceed in real time. In short, the decryption control unit 138 controls the minimum necessary amount, that is, the amount of normal content that can be stored in the temporary storage unit 134, in the internal storage. For example, when the writing speed of the writing unit 1336 is 300 kb / sec, the decoding control unit 1358 outputs the normal content to the decoding unit 132 at a speed of approximately 350 kb / s. To do so. '

In general, the decryption process in the decryption unit 132 is faster than the write speed of the write unit 136, so the decryption unit 132 periodically encrypts the encrypted content to be decrypted for each predetermined amount of data. Read from content storage section 1 4 2. In other words, the decryption unit 132 does not decrypt the entire encrypted content at once, but decrypts the encrypted content every small data collection. Then, the decryption control unit 1338 instructs the erasure processing unit 140 to erase the group of the encrypted content decrypted in the decryption unit 132 from the encrypted content storage unit 142. In addition, the decryption control unit 1338 instructs the erasure processing unit 1 to erase the corresponding data portion held in the temporary storage unit 134 each time normal content is written by the writing unit 1336. Instruct 40. '

The erasure processing unit 140 erases a part of the symbol content decrypted based on the instruction from the encryption content storage unit 142, and temporarily stores a part of the normal content written on the recording medium 52. Erase from 1 3 4 As a result, the contents of both the encrypted content and the normal content are not left inside the content writing device 100.

The duplication prevention information storage unit 146 stores a file defining a data recording method based on a technology for preventing duplication of the internal data of the recording medium 52 by, for example, ripping. Hold. Write unit 1 36 Writes normal content to recording medium 52 based on this file. ' The error detection unit 144 caused a write failure in the writing unit 1366, for example, the recording medium 52 was removed from the drive during writing, or the recording medium 52 was defective. Detect that. When an error is detected, the error detecting unit 144 notifies the decoding control unit 1388 and the error processing unit 110 of the error. Based on this notification, the decryption control unit 1338 instructs the decryption unit 132 to stop the decryption process, and outputs the encrypted content stored in the encrypted content storage unit 142 and the temporary storage unit 134, The deletion processing unit 140 is instructed to delete all the normal contents. FIG. 5 is an internal configuration diagram of the content management device 200 of FIG. The encrypted content storage unit 202 stores the encrypted content in association with the content ID. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the encrypted content storage unit 202. The content ID column 310 is information for specifying content. The encryption type field 3 1 2 holds the encryption type. One content is encrypted in advance using multiple encryption keys. The encryption type is a type that specifies them. A decryption key corresponding to those encryption keys is written in the storage medium 52 as a code 59 in advance and sold.

The age restriction column 314 holds a flag indicating whether or not an age restriction is set as a condition for writing to the recording medium 52 for each content. In this example, “1” indicates that the age restriction is set as the writing condition, and “0” indicates that the age restriction is not set as the writing condition. The file name field 316 holds the file name of the encrypted content. The data amount column 318 holds the data amount when the encrypted content is decrypted, that is, the free space necessary for writing to the recording medium 52. The content information acquisition unit 126 of FIG. 3 acquires such information.

Returning to FIG. 5, the providing unit 204 reads the cryptographic content requested by the obtaining unit 106 in FIG. 2 from the symbol content storage unit 202 and, at a predetermined timing, a predetermined data amount. Is transmitted so that writing to the recording medium 52 can be performed in real time, for example, in a streaming manner. When the content is distributed, the settlement unit 206 deducts the price of the content from the advance payment of the recording medium 52 of the recording destination. .Balance information database 208 holds balance information for each recording medium 52. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the balance information data base 208. The identification information column 300 holds information uniquely assigned to each recording medium 52. The prepaid amount column 302 holds the prepaid amount. The balance column 304 stores the balance. In addition to the above information, the balance information database 208 may hold information such as a use start date, the number of contents recorded on the recording medium 52, and a distribution history of the contents.

Returning to FIG. 5, the management unit 210 receives the content information provided to the acquisition unit 106 of FIG. 2 from the provision unit 204 and manages the distribution status for each content. The management data 2 112 is used by the management unit 210 and holds information such as a distribution history and the number of distributions for each content. Based on the data held in the management database 2 12, the distribution unit 2 14 performs a procedure for transferring the copyright fee according to the number of distributions to the copyright holder's bank account, for example. Do. As a result, the number of distributions of the content can be accurately grasped, and an accurate copyright fee corresponding to the distribution can be paid to the author.

The error information receiving unit 211 receives the error information from the error processing unit 110 in FIG. 2 and stores it in the error information storage unit 218. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the error information storage unit 218. The identification information column 320 holds identification information 56 of the recording medium 52 in which the error has occurred. 'Sabot content field 3 2 2 holds the support content specified by the user. In this example, two types of support are provided: “mail blank disk” and “mail after recording content”. The support of “mail plank disk” is to mail a blank recording medium 52 on which no content is written to the user. In addition, the support of “mail the content after recording” is to mail the recording medium 52 after writing the content. The contents of these supports are inquired to the user by the error processing unit 110 in FIG. 2 when an error occurs.

The target information column 3 2 4 holds information related to the user, such as the name, address, and telephone number of the support target. The recorded content ID column 32 6 holds the ID of the content written to the recording medium 52 before the error. Unrecorded content ID field 3 Reference numeral 28 holds the ID of the content that has not been completely written to the recording medium 52. With these data, users can be provided with the support of "mailing content after recording." In addition to these pieces of information, the error information storage unit 218 may hold the error occurrence time, the content ID of the content that was written when the error occurred, and the like.

Returning to FIG. 5, the response instructing unit 220 instructs the support content writing device 62 on the contents of support for the user based on the data held in the error information storage unit 218. In addition, when the support content is instructed to “mail a blank disc”, the response instructing unit 220 writes the content written to the recording medium 52 before the error and counted as having been distributed. The management unit 210 is instructed to decrement the distribution count. This process is performed based on the data held in the recorded content ID column 326 of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence in the content writing process of the content writing device 100 and the content management device 200. First, the content writing device 100 receives an instruction of the content to be written on the recording medium 52 from the user (S100). Based on the instruction, the content writing device 100 determines whether or not the recording medium 52 has an empty capacity necessary for writing the content (S12). If there is no free space '(N in S12), the processing ends. If there is free space (Y in S12), the identification information 56 of the recording medium 52 is received from the user (S14), and the code 59 is read from the recording medium 52 as a decryption key (S14). 16). Next, based on the identification information 56 and the code 59, the content writing device 100 determines whether or not the recording medium 52 is formal, that is, a dedicated medium, and writes the content. Judgment of permission is made (S18).

If writing of the content is not permitted (No in S18), the process ends. When the writing of the content is permitted (Υ of S 18), the content writing device 100 transmits the content ID and the identification information 56 to the content management device 200 (S 20). The content management device 200 performs settlement by subtracting the content price from the advance payment of the recording medium 52 (S22). Next, the content management device 200 The encrypted content corresponding to the content ID is selected (S24) and transmitted to the content writing device 100 (S26).

The content writing device 100 temporarily stores the encrypted content in the encrypted content storage unit 142 in FIG. 4 (S28). Next, the decryption unit 132 in FIG. 4 reads a part of the encryption content from the encryption content storage unit 142 (S30), performs decryption, and outputs the normal content (S32). The writing unit 136 in FIG. 4 writes the normal content to the recording medium 52 (S34). Thereafter, the erasure processing unit 140 in FIG. 4 erases a part of the encrypted content corresponding to the decrypted part from the encrypted content storage unit 142 and erases the normal content written on the recording medium 52 from the temporary storage unit 134 (S 36).

The error detection unit 144 in FIG. 4 detects the presence or absence of the error (S38). If there is no error (No in 338), the process proceeds to the next step, and it is determined whether or not the decoding is completed (S40). If not completed (N in S40), return to S30. If completed (Y in S40), all information related to the decrypted content held in the encrypted content storage unit 142 and the temporary storage unit 134 is deleted (S42). Then, the error detection unit 144 or the acquisition unit 106 notifies the content management device 200 that the writing of the content has been completed (S48). In response to the notification, the management unit 210 of FIG. 5 performs a management process such as incrementing the number of times of content distribution (S50). Then, the process ends.

If there is an error in S38 (No in S38), the error processing unit 110 in FIG. 2 transmits the error information to the content management device 200 (S44). In response to this, the response instruction unit 220 in FIG. 5 performs a process for the error (S46). Then, the process proceeds to S50.

The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. The embodiments are exemplifications, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. By the way. For example, as a first modification, a plurality of decryption keys are written in the recording medium 52 in advance, and the decryption unit 132 in FIG. The decoding process may be performed using any of a plurality of decoding keys for each set of unique data. Specifically, the encryption content is encrypted by a different encryption key for each predetermined range, and the decryption unit 132 performs the decryption process by changing the decryption key for each range. As a result, improvement of security can be expected from the viewpoint of preventing unauthorized use of content.

As a second modification, information on the corresponding country may be written in advance on the recording medium 52, and a writing restriction for each country may be set for each content. This makes it possible to restrict content writing, for example, according to the rules of each country.

As a third modified example, a duplication prevention information acquisition unit that acquires a file defining a data recording method via a network and stores the file in the duplication prevention information storage unit 146 of FIG. 4 is further provided. Is also good. This allows the file to be updated automatically whenever the anti-rubbing technology is improved.

As a fourth modification, a configuration may be provided in which the content lyrics or jacket recorded by the user on the recording medium 52 are printed and mailed, or the lyrics and jacket printing data may be printed. A configuration provided to the user may be provided. Industrial applicability

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the present invention can be used for an apparatus that records content distributed via a network on a recording medium.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. Obtaining encrypted content;

A determining step of determining whether or not a predetermined recording medium is qualified to record the content;

Decrypting the content if it is determined that the user is qualified;

Recording the decrypted content on the recording medium;

A content recording method comprising:

2. The determining step includes:

A step of receiving identification information assigned to each recording medium from a user, and a step of reading a code held in advance in the recording medium,

2. The content recording method according to claim 1, further comprising: performing the determination based on the identification information and the code.

3. The content recording method according to claim 2, further comprising a step of acquiring or generating a decryption key used for the decryption based on at least one of the identification information and the code.

4. A step of acquiring the content for which the recording condition is specified;

A determining step of determining whether a predetermined recording medium satisfies the recording condition; and a step of recording the content on the recording medium when the recording medium satisfies the recording condition;

A content recording method comprising:

5. The recording condition is a year restriction, and the determination step is to determine whether or not information designating that the medium is a type of medium for which writing of content with an age restriction permitted is previously written on the recording medium. 5. The content recording method according to claim 4, wherein the content is recorded.

^6.! A step of receiving identification information associated with the user in a predetermined recording medium, a step of reading the code written in advance in the recording medium, Obtaining the remaining balance of the advance payment associated with the recording medium from a management device connected to a network based on at least one of the identification information and the code;

Obtaining the content when the price of the content specified by the user is lower than the balance; and

Writing the acquired content on the recording medium;

A content distribution method comprising:

7. determining whether or not the content has been successfully written to the recording medium;

Transmitting the determination result to the management device;

Incrementing the number of distributions of the content when the content is normally written, and not incrementing the number of distributions of the content when the content is not correctly written;

7. The content distribution method according to claim 6, comprising:

8. The content distribution method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of calculating a copyright fee of the content based on the number of distributions.

9. A recordable recording medium including a write-in area for recording content and a code area in which a predetermined code is written in advance,

A printed matter on which identification information for identifying the recording medium is printed,

The identification information is provided for the purpose of transmitting the content to a device that manages the use status of the recording medium in the process of acquiring the content via a network and writing the content to the recording medium. Products characterized by.

10. The recording medium previously holds information for specifying whether or not writing of content with age restriction is possible, and visually confirms whether or not writing of content with age restriction is possible. 10. The product according to claim 9, wherein a predetermined character or mark is printed on the surface of the packaging of the product so that the product can be visually recognized.

1 1. Acquisition unit for obtaining encrypted content, A permission unit that determines whether to permit writing of the content on a recording medium that is attached so as to be accessible;

A decryption unit that decrypts the encrypted content when writing is permitted;

A write processing unit that writes the decrypted content to the recording medium;

A content writing device, comprising:

1 2. The permission unit

A reading unit that reads a code written in advance on the recording medium,

A receiving unit that receives identification information assigned to the recording medium from a user, a determination unit that determines whether or not the content is a recording medium to which writing of the content is to be permitted, based on the code and the identification information.

The content writing device according to claim 11, characterized by having:

13. 'A decryption code supply unit for acquiring or generating a decryption key used for the decryption based on the code is further provided.

13. The content writing device according to claim 12, wherein the decryption unit decrypts the encrypted content based on the decryption key.

1. A system including a management device that manages content, and a writing device that writes the content on a predetermined recording medium,

The management device is

A balance information database that stores balances available for purchase of content in association with information for identifying the recording medium;

A providing unit for providing an encrypted content to the writing device when a price of the content instructed to the writing device is lower than the balance;

A settlement department that deducts the content price from the balance,

Has,

The writing device includes:

An acquisition unit that acquires the encrypted content provided from the management device via a network, A permission unit that determines whether or not to permit writing of the content on the recording medium attached so as to be accessible;

A detection unit for detecting whether or not the decrypted content has been normally written on the recording medium;

An error processing unit that transmits a result of the detection by the detection unit to the management device,

The management device,

A management unit that increments the number of distributions of the content when the content is successfully written, and does not increment the number of distributions of the content when the content is not correctly written;

Based on the number of distributions, the copyright fee of the content is calculated and distributed to the copyright holder, and three copies are provided;

A content providing system, further comprising: