U.S. patent application number 10/061162 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-04 for method and system for preventing illegal use of digital contents, processing program thereof, and recording medium for the program.
Invention is credited to Arai, Shigeru, Koike, Hiroshi, Okayama, Nobuya, Tomita, Taminori.
Application Number | 20020087475 10/061162 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18502526 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020087475 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Okayama, Nobuya ; et
al. |
July 4, 2002 |
Method and system for preventing illegal use of digital contents,
processing program thereof, and recording medium for the
program
Abstract
In a method of preventing an illegal use of digital contents, a
status information for controlling the replay processing of the
digital contents is set in the digital contents. The replay
processing of the digital contents is controlled in accordance with
a value of the status information thus set. Thereby, a technique
can be provided which is capable of preventing the illegal use of
the digital contents within the various types of shopping centers
and retail outlets.
Inventors: |
Okayama, Nobuya;
(Kawasaki-shi, JP) ; Koike, Hiroshi;
(Maebashi-shi, JP) ; Tomita, Taminori;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) ; Arai, Shigeru; (Kawasaki-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANTONELLI TERRY STOUT AND KRAUS
SUITE 1800
1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
ARLINGTON
VA
22209
|
Family ID: |
18502526 |
Appl. No.: |
10/061162 |
Filed: |
February 4, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10061162 |
Feb 4, 2002 |
|
|
|
09473275 |
Dec 28, 1999 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 21/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/51 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 28, 1998 |
JP |
10-373649 |
Dec 28, 1998 |
JP |
10-372543 |
Dec 28, 1998 |
JP |
10-373650 |
Dec 28, 1998 |
JP |
10-373651 |
Claims
1. A method of preventing an illegal use of digital contents,
comprising the steps of: setting a status information for
controlling a replay processing of digital contents, in said
digital contents; and controlling the replay processing of said
digital contents in accordance with a value of said set status
information.
2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of
storing an invalidated version of digital contents with said status
information which is set to a value for totally prohibiting the
replay processing.
3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
setting a distribution information, which indicates a source of
said digital contents, in said digital contents; and permitting a
processing at a receiving end when said distribution information of
said digital contents indicates a regular distribution route.
4. A method according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of:
setting a distribution information, which indicates a source of
said digital contents, in said digital contents; and permitting a
processing at a receiving end when said distribution information of
said digital contents indicates a regular distribution route.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of setting said
status information sets said status information to a value for
permitting said replay processing by a specific user to generate a
validated version of digital contents; and said step of controlling
said replay processing enables said specific user to perform said
replay processing when said status information set in said
validated version of digital contents indicates said value for
permitting said replay processing by said specific user.
6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of
storing said invalidated version of digital contents said status
information of which is set to a value for totally prohibiting said
replay processing.
7. A method according to claim 5, further comprising the steps of:
setting a distribution information, which indicates a source of
said digital contents, in said digital contents; and permitting a
processing at a receiving end when said distribution information of
said digital contents indicates a regular distribution route.
8. A method according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of:
setting a distribution information, which indicates a source of
said digital contents, in said digital contents; and permitting a
processing at a receiving end when said distribution information of
said digital contents indicates a regular distribution route.
9. A system for preventing an illegal use of digital contents,
comprising: a contents status control processing unit for setting a
status information for controlling a replay processing of said
digital contents, in said digital contents; and a replay processing
unit for controlling said replay processing of said digital
contents in accordance with a value of said set status
information.
10. A medium for recording a program for enabling a computer to
function as a system for preventing an illegal use of digital
contents, wherein said medium records a program for enabling a
computer to function as a contents status control processing unit
for setting a status information for controlling a replay
processing of said digital contents, in said digital contents, and
a replay processing unit for controlling said replay processing of
said digital contents in accordance with a value of said set status
information.
11. A program for preventing an illegal use of digital contents,
comprising the steps of: setting a status information for
controlling a replay processing of said digital contents, in said
digital contents; and controlling said replay processing of said
digital contents in accordance with a value of said set status
information.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to application Ser. No. ______,
filed by on ______, corresponding to Japanese Patent Application
No. 10-372543, filed on Dec. 28, 1998, and the content of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0002] This application is related to application Ser. No. ______,
filed by on ______, corresponding to Japanese Patent Application
No. 10-373650, filed on Dec. 28, 1998, and the content of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0003] This application is related to application Ser. No. ______,
filed by on ______, corresponding to Japanese Patent Application
No. 10-373651, filed on Dec. 28, 1998, and the content of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to a system for preventing the
illegal use of digital contents, or more in particular to a
technique effectively applicable to such a system by prohibiting
the use of digital contents which may be illegally copied, removed
or downloaded in the various types of shopping centers or retail
outlets engaged in processing the digital contents.
[0005] With the recent progress of electronic commercial
transactions on the internet, the on-line sales of digital contents
have begun to spread, and demand is growing for an infrastructure
for conducting commercial transactions in what is called the four
flows (sales promotion, spread of trade, flow of money and flow of
commodities) with digital information. Especially for the
distribution of digital contents, an infrastructure is required to
establish a method of preventing the illegal use and protect the
copyright of digital contents.
[0006] The techniques for distributing information safely on a
network include those for preventing information leakage,
preventing the alteration and evidencing the origin. A secure
socket such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer) is known in which the
contents on the communication route are encrypted between two
points for preventing leakage, and a secure container is also known
in which contents are encrypted and electronically signed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The conventional techniques described above are intended to
secure the safety of the distribution between two points by
encrypting the information when it is distributed in the network.
Accordingly, the applications of these techniques for protecting
the digital contents in the recorded state and for preventing the
illegal use within the various types of shopping centers or retail
outlets are difficult, or the load of the encryption process for
the large size digital contents is large.
[0008] In order to prevent the illegal use of digital contents
after sales, it is necessary to generate personal digital contents
permitting the use only by specific customers. Consider the
application of the conventional technique to the case where digital
contents are sold to a customer at a retail outlet after being
distributed thereto from a storage management center. The storage
management center where the purchasing customer is not specified
cannot generate any personal digital contents, so that the
different encryption processes are required for the distribution
from the storage management center to the retail outlet and the
sales from the retail outlet to the customer. Thereby, the load of
the encryption process is larger.
[0009] An object of the present invention is to solve the
above-mentioned problems and to provide a technique capable of
preventing the illegal use of digital contents within the various
types of shopping centers and retail outlets.
[0010] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a system for preventing an illegal use of digital
contents, wherein a replay processing of digital contents is
controlled in accordance with a value of status information set in
the digital contents. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the
illegal use of digital contents.
[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, digital contents
are generated by digitizing an original of contents, a status
information for prohibiting a replay processing of all the
generated digital contents is set in the generated digital contents
to generate a invalidated version of digital contents, and the
invalidated version of digital contents are stored.
[0012] In obtaining the approval of a contents holder owning the
original of the contents to the contents of the generated digital
contents, the status information of the invalidated version of
digital contents is set to a value for permitting the replay
processing by the contents holder to generate digital contents for
approval and to transmit it to an approval unit of the contents
holder.
[0013] The approval unit of the contents holder checks whether the
status information set in the digital contents for approval
indicates the value for permitting the replay processing by the
contents holder. In the case where it is the value for permitting
the replay processing, the approval unit performs the replay
processing.
[0014] The digital contents approved in the way described above are
stored in a storage management unit in the form of the invalidated
version of digital contents, and then are distributed to vending
machines. The encryption processing may be used for distributing
the invalidated version of digital contents from the storage
management unit to the vending machines over a wide area.
[0015] When the digital contents distributed to the vending
machines are sold to a customer, the status information of the
invalidated version of digital contents is set to the value for
permitting the replay processing by the customer. Thereby, personal
digital contents are generated and are sold to the customer.
[0016] A replay unit of the customer checks whether the status
information set in the personal digital contents assumes the value
for permitting the replay processing by the particular customer.
Only in the case where the value permits the replay processing, the
replay unit performs the replay processing.
[0017] As described above, according to the present invention, the
digital contents are stored in the form of the invalidated version.
Further, when the invalidated version of digital contents is
validated, they are validated only for the specific user.
Therefore, one who is not permitted to use them cannot read and use
their contents even if he or she succeeds in copying, removing or
downloading them. Also, the replay processing of the digital
contents is controlled in accordance with the value of the status
information set in the digital contents. Therefore, the user
permitted to replay can be easily changed by changing the value of
the status information of the digital contents for the benefit of
the contents holder or a customer.
[0018] According to the system for preventing the illegal use of
digital contents according to the present invention, the replay
processing of the digital contents is controlled in accordance with
the value of the status information set in the digital contents.
Therefore, the illegal use of the digital contents within the
various types of shopping centers and retail outlets can be
prevented.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a general configuration of a
digital contents distribution system according to an
embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a general configuration of a
digitizing unit 100 according to the embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a general configuration of an
approval unit 110 according to the embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a general configuration of a
storage management center 120 according to the embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a general configuration of a
vending machine 140 according to the embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a general configuration of a
replay unit 150 according to the embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of a
digitizing processing unit 210 according to the embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an invalidated
version of electronic book according to the embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic book
for approval according to the embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of an
approval processing unit 310 according to the embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an approved
electronic book for approval which is approved in the approval unit
110 according to the embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of a
storage management processing unit 410 according to the
embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of a
distribution control processing unit 411 according to the
embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of a
distributed contents receiving processing unit 510 according to the
embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of a
sales processing unit 511 according to the embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of a
replay processing unit 610 according to the embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] An explanation will be given below on the following system.
In the system for preventing the illegal use of digital contents
according to an embodiment, a status information for controlling
the display of an electronic book generated by digitizing a book is
set in the particular electronic book. The display of the
particular electronic book is limited by the status information in
order to prevent the illegal use of the electronic book.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a general configuration of a
digital contents distribution system according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the digital contents distribution system
according to the embodiment includes a digitizing unit 100, an
approval unit 110, a storage management unit 120, a vending machine
140 and a replay unit 150.
[0037] The digitizing unit 100 generates an electronic book by
digitizing an original book, receives an approval message from the
approval unit 110, and sends the digitized book to the storage
management unit 120. The approval unit 110 is a unit for approving
the contents of the electronic book, which is generated by the
digitizing unit 100, on the part of the publisher.
[0038] The storage management unit 120 is a unit for storing the
electronic books generated by the digitizing unit 100. The vending
machine 140 is a unit for copying the electronic book selected by
the customer to a medium or downloading it to the replay unit 150
to sell the electronic book to the customer. The replay unit 150 is
a unit for replaying the electronic book purchased from the vending
machine 140.
[0039] In FIG. 1, an invalidated version of electronic book is an
electronic book in which a status information for prohibiting the
replay by any user is set. A validated version of electronic book
is an electronic book in which a status information for permitting
the replay by a specific user is set. A trial version of electronic
book is an electronic book in which a status information for
permitting a specific user to replay the electronic book for a
specific period is set.
[0040] A distribution-encrypted electronic book is an invalidated
version of electronic book encrypted for distribution. A personal
electronic book is an electronic book in which a status information
for permitting a specific person to replay the electronic book is
set. An electronic book for approval is an electronic book in which
a status information for permitting the replay by a specific
publisher is set.
[0041] The invalidated version of electronic book, the validated
version of electronic book, the trial version of electronic book,
the personal electronic book, the electronic book for approval
shown in FIG. 1 are generated in the format defined by an
application program for replaying an electronic book. Further, each
of them constitutes an application container described in an
intermediate language or in binary notation.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a general configuration of the
digitizing unit 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG.
2, the digitizing unit 100 according to the embodiment includes a
CPU 201, a memory 202, a magnetic disk drive 203, a keyboard 204, a
display unit 205, a communication adaptor 206 and a scanner
207.
[0043] The CPU 201 is a control unit for controlling the whole
operation of the digitizing unit 100. The memory 202 is a storage
unit for loading the various types of processing programs and data
for controlling the operation of the digitizing unit 100. The
magnetic disk drive 203 is a storage unit for storing the various
types of programs mentioned above and data of electronic books and
so forth.
[0044] The keyboard 204 is an input device for inputting operating
instructions and so forth to the digitizing unit 100. The display
unit 205 is an output device for displaying the operating
conditions of the digitizing unit 100 and so forth. The
communication adaptor 206 is an adaptor for communicating with
other devices. The scanner 207 is a device for reading the original
book as image data.
[0045] The digitizing unit 100 further includes a digitizing
processing unit 210, a contents status control processing unit 211
and a distribution information setting processing unit 212.
[0046] The digitizing processing unit 210 is a processing unit for
generating the electronic book by digitizing the original book, and
requesting the approval unit 110 to approve the contents thereof.
The contents status control processing unit 211 is a processing
unit for setting a status information for controlling the replay of
the generated electronic book in the generated electronic book to
generate the invalidated version of electronic book or the
electronic book for approval. The distribution information setting
processing unit 212 a processing unit for setting a distribution
information, which indicates that the electronic book is digitized
by the digitizing unit 100 of the digitizing center, in the
generated electronic book for approval.
[0047] The programs for enabling the digitizing unit 100 to
function as the digitizing processing unit 210, the contents status
control processing unit 211 and the distribution information
setting processing unit 212 are recorded in a recording medium such
as a CD-ROM, stored in a magnetic disk and so forth, and then are
loaded in a memory for execution. The medium for recording the
programs is not limited to the CD-ROM but may be other recording
means.
[0048] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a general configuration of the
approval unit 110 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3,
the approval unit 110 according to the embodiment includes a CPU
301, a memory 302, a magnetic disk drive 303, a keyboard 304, a
display unit 305 and a communication adaptor 306.
[0049] The CPU 301 is a control unit for controlling the whole
operation of the approval unit 110. The memory 302 is a storage
unit for loading the various types of processing programs and data
for controlling the operation of the approval unit 110. The
magnetic disk drive 303 is a storage unit for storing various
programs mentioned above and data of electronic books and so
forth.
[0050] The keyboard 304 is an input device for inputting operating
instructions and so forth to the approval unit 110. The display
unit 305 is an output device for displaying the operating
conditions of the approval unit 110 and so forth. The communication
adaptor 306 is an adaptor for communicating with other devices.
[0051] The approval unit 110 further includes an approval
processing unit 310, a replay processing unit 311, a distribution
information inspection processing unit 312 and a distribution
information setting processing unit 313.
[0052] The approval processing unit 310 is a processing unit for
receiving the electronic book for approval the contents of which
the digitizing unit 100 requests to check, and for setting an
approval information in the electronic book for approval, which
indicates whether the contents of the electronic book is approved
or not, to transmit the result to the digitizing unit 100.
[0053] The replay processing unit 311 is a processing unit for
displaying the contents of the electronic book for approval when
the status information set in the electronic book for approval
indicates a value for permitting the replay processing by the
approval unit 110. The distribution information inspection
processing unit 312 is a processing unit for permitting the
approval processing by the approval unit 110 when a distribution
information of the electronic book for approval indicates a regular
distribution route. The distribution information setting processing
unit 313 is a processing unit for setting the distribution
information, which indicates that the approval is granted in the
approval unit 110 of the publisher, in the approved electronic book
for approval.
[0054] The programs for enabling the approval unit 100 to function
as the approval processing unit 310, the replay processing unit
311, the distribution information inspection processing unit 312
and the distribution information setting processing unit 313 are
recorded in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, stored in a
magnetic disk and so forth, and then are loaded in a memory for
execution. The medium for recording the programs is not limited to
the CD-ROM but may be other recording means.
[0055] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a general configuration of the
storage management unit 120 according to the embodiment. As shown
in FIG. 4, the storage management unit 120 according to the
embodiment includes a CPU 401, a memory 402, a magnetic disk drive
403, a keyboard 404, a display unit 405 and a communication adaptor
406.
[0056] The CPU 401 is a control unit for controlling the whole
operation of the storage management unit 120. The memory 402 is a
storage unit for loading the various types of processing programs
and data for controlling the operation of the storage management
unit 120. The magnetic disk drive 403 is a storage unit for storing
the various types of processing programs mentioned above and data
of electronic books and so forth.
[0057] The keyboard 404 is an input device for inputting operating
instructions and so forth to the storage management unit 120. The
display unit 405 is an output device for displaying the operating
conditions of the storage management unit 120 and so forth. The
communication adaptor 406 is an adaptor for communicating with
other devices.
[0058] The storage management unit 120 further includes a storage
management processing unit 410, a distribution control processing
unit 411, a distribution processing unit 412, a distribution
information inspection processing unit 413 and a distribution
information setting processing unit 414.
[0059] The storage management processing unit 410 is a processing
unit for receiving the invalidated version of electronic book
generated in the digitizing unit 100 to store it in the magnetic
disk drive 403. The distribution control processing unit 411 is a
processing unit for performing an encrypting processing for
distribution to the invalidated version of electronic book to
generate a distribution-encrypted electronic book and to instruct
the distribution thereof to the distribution processing unit
412.
[0060] The distribution processing unit 412 is a processing unit
for distributing the distribution-encrypted electronic book
generated by the distribution control processing unit 411 to the
vending machine 140. The distribution information inspection
processing unit 413 is a processing unit for permitting the storage
management unit 120 to perform the storage processing when the
distribution information of the invalidated version of electronic
book indicates the regular distribution route. The distribution
information setting processing unit 414 is a processing unit for
setting the distribution information, which indicates that the
invalidated version of electronic book is stored in the storage
management unit 120 of the storage management center, in the
received invalidated version of electronic book.
[0061] The programs for enabling the storage management unit 120 to
function as the storage management processing unit 410, the
distribution control processing unit 411, the distribution
processing unit 412, the distribution information inspection
processing unit 413 and the distribution information setting
processing unit 414 are recorded in a recording medium such a
CD-ROM, stored in a magnetic disk and so forth, and then are loaded
in a memory for execution. The medium for recording the program is
not limited to the CD-ROM but may be other recording means.
[0062] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a general configuration of the
vending machine 140 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG.
5, the vending machine 140 according to the embodiment includes a
CPU 501, a memory 502, a magnetic disk drive 503, a keyboard 504, a
display unit 505, a communication adaptor 506 and a medium writer
507.
[0063] The CPU 501 is a control unit for controlling the whole
operation of the vending machine 140. The memory 502 is a storage
unit for loading the various types of processing programs and data
for controlling the operation of the vending machine 140. The
magnetic disk drive 503 is a storage unit for storing the various
types of processing programs mentioned above and data of electronic
books and so forth.
[0064] The keyboard 504 is an input device for inputting operating
instructions and so forth to the vending machine 140. The display
unit 505 is an output device for displaying the operating
conditions of the vending machine 140 and so forth. The
communication adaptor 506 is an adaptor for communicating with
other devices. The medium writer 507 is a device for writing a
selected electronic book in a medium.
[0065] The vending machine 140 further includes a distributed
contents receiving processing unit 510, a sales processing unit
511, a contents status control processing unit 512, a distribution
information inspection processing unit 513 and a distribution
information setting processing unit 514.
[0066] The distributed contents receiving processing unit 510 is a
processing unit for receiving the distribution-encrypted electronic
book distributed from the storage management unit 120 to store it
in the magnetic disk drive 503. The sales processing unit 511 is a
processing unit for converting a specific distribution-encrypted
electronic book selected from the distributed
distribution-encrypted electronic books into the personal
electronic book by the contents status control processing unit 512
to sell it the customer.
[0067] The contents status control processing unit 512 is a
processing unit for setting a value for permitting the replay
processing by a customer in the status information of the
electronic book selected by the customer to generate the personal
electronic book. The distribution information inspection processing
unit 513 is a processing unit for permitting the storage processing
in the vending machine 140 when a distribution information for the
distribution-encrypted electronic book indicates the regular
distribution route. The distribution information setting processing
unit 514 is a processing unit for setting the distribution
information, which indicates that the electronic book is sold by
the vending machine 140 of the particular outlet, in the personal
electronic book.
[0068] The programs for enabling the vending machine 140 to
function as the distributed contents receiving processing unit 510,
the sales processing unit 511, the contents status control
processing unit 512, the distribution information inspection
processing unit 513 and the distribution information setting
processing unit 514 are recorded in a recording medium such as a
CD-ROM, stored in a magnetic disk and so forth, and then are loaded
in a memory for execution. The medium for recording the program is
not limited to the CD-ROM but may be other recording means.
[0069] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a general configuration of the
replay unit 150 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6,
the replay unit 150 according to the embodiment includes a CPU 601,
a memory 602, a magnetic disk drive 603, a keyboard 604, a display
unit 605, a communication adaptor 606 and a medium writer 606.
[0070] The CPU 601 is a control unit for controlling the whole
operation of the replay unit 150. The memory 602 is a storage unit
for loading the various types of processing programs and data for
controlling the operation of the replay unit 150. The magnetic disk
drive 603 is a storage unit for storing the various types of
processing programs mentioned above and data of electronic books
and so forth.
[0071] The keyboard 604 is an input device for inputting operating
instructions and so forth to the replay unit 150. The display unit
605 is an output device for displaying the operating conditions of
the replay unit 150 and so forth. The communication adaptor 606 is
an adaptor for communicating with other devices. The medium writer
607 is a device for reading a purchased personal electronic book
from a medium.
[0072] The replay unit 150 further includes a replay processing
unit 610 and a distribution information inspection processing unit
611.
[0073] The replay processing unit 610 is a processing unit for
displaying the contents of the personal electronic book when the
status information set in the personal electronic book indicates
the value for permitting the replay unit 150 to perform the replay
processing. The distribution information inspection processing unit
611 is a processing unit permitting the replay processing in the
replay unit 150 when the distribution information of the personal
electronic book indicates the regular distribution route.
[0074] The programs for enabling the replay unit 150 to function as
the replay processing unit 610 and the distribution information
inspection processing unit 611 are recorded in a recording medium
such as a CD-ROM, stored in a magnetic disk and so forth, and then
are loaded in a memory for execution. The medium for recording the
program is not limited to the CD-ROM but may be other recording
medium.
[0075] Now, an explanation will be given of the process for
digitizing a book owned by a publisher and generating an electronic
book, the replay of which is limited, in the digital contents
distribution system according to the embodiment.
[0076] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the
digitizing processing unit 210 according to the embodiment. After
receiving an original from a publisher in step 701, the digitizing
processing unit 210 of the digitizing unit 100 digitizes the
received original to generate an electronic book in step 702. Then,
the status information for prohibiting the replay processing of all
the electronic books is set by the contents status control
processing unit 211 to generate an invalidated version of
electronic book. Also, a commodity information on the original is
input to generate the commodity information corresponding to the
invalidated version of electronic book.
[0077] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the invalidated
version of electronic book according to the embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 8, the electronic book 800 according to the embodiment
includes a status information 801, an electronic book itself 802
and a distribution information 803.
[0078] The status information 801 is information for controlling
the replay processing of the electronic book 800. The electronic
book itself 802 is the digital contents itself of the electronic
book 800. The distribution information 803 is information for
indicating a transmission source of the electronic book 800.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 8, digit "0" is set in the status
information 801 of the electronic book 800 as information
prohibiting the replay processing of all the electronic books. The
electronic book itself 802 is generated in a format defined by the
application program for replaying the electronic book 800, and
constitutes an application container described in an intermediate
language or a binary notation.
[0080] In step 703, the distribution information setting processing
unit 212 sets the distribution information, which indicates that
the digitization is performed in the digitizing unit 100 of the
digitizing center, in the invalidated version of electronic book
generated by the digitization.
[0081] In step 704, the contents status control processing unit 211
sets the status information, which permits the replay processing in
the publisher owing the original of the electronic book, in the
invalidated version of electronic book generated as described above
to generate an electronic book for approval. Then, the contents
status control processing unit 211 transmits the electronic book
for approval to the approval unit 110 of the publisher to wait for
a response from the approval processing unit 310.
[0082] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the electronic
book for approval according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9,
an "approval unit ID" is set in the status information 801 of the
electronic book 800 as information for permitting the replay
processing in the publisher. Also, an ID of the digitizing unit 100
is set in the distribution information 803 as information for
indicating that the electronic book is digitized in the digitizing
unit 100.
[0083] The IDs set in the status information include an approval
unit ID using the device serial number of the approval unit 110 and
so forth, a dealer designating ID predetermined by the digitizing
center, a user designating ID predetermined by the publisher, a
public key, a password of ticket type, etc. In the case of a trial
version, a time limit is set. In the case where mere validation is
sufficient, simple bit information like "1" is set in the status
information 801.
[0084] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the
approval processing unit 310 according to the embodiment. In step
1001, the approval processing unit 310 of the approval unit 110
receives the electronic book for approval generated in the
digitizing unit 100.
[0085] In step 1002, the distribution information inspection
processing unit 312 checks whether the regular distribution route
is established by reference to the distribution information set in
the electronic book for approval. When the regular distribution
route is established, i.e. when the distribution information of the
digitizing unit 100 requested to digitize is set, the process
proceeds to step 1003. On the other hand, when the regular
distribution route is not established, an error message is
displayed in step 1004 and then the process is terminated.
[0086] In step 1003, the replay processing unit 311 checks whether
the replay processing in the approval unit 110 is permitted by
reference to the status information set in the electronic book for
approval. When the replay processing is permitted, the process
proceeds to step 1005 to display the contents of the electronic
book for approval on the display unit 305. On the other hand, when
the replay processing is not permitted, the error message is
displayed in step 1004 and then the process is terminated.
[0087] In step 1006, the approval processing unit 310 accepts the
input from an operator. When the operation contents input by the
operator is for approving the contents of the electronic book for
approval, the distribution information which indicates that the
approval is granted in the approval unit 110 of the publisher is
set in the electronic book for approval by the distribution
information setting processing unit 313 in step 1007. Then, the
electronic book for approval and the approval message are
transmitted to the digitizing unit 100 in step 1008.
[0088] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the electronic
book for approval which is approved by the approval unit 110
according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the ID of the
approval unit 110 is set in the distribution information 803 as
information which indicates that the approval is granted by the
approval unit 110.
[0089] When the operation contents input from the operator in step
1006 are for instructing the electronic book for approval to be
corrected, the process proceeds to step 1009 to transmit the
correction contents input by the operator to the digitizing unit
1000 as a correction message.
[0090] In step 705, the digitizing processing unit 210 of the
digitizing unit 100 checks the response contents from the approval
unit 110 of the publisher. When the generated electronic book is to
be corrected, the correction processing is performed in step 706,
and then the process returns to step 702 where the digitization and
subsequent processing are performed. When the contents of the
generated electronic book for approval are approved, the process
proceeds to step 707. In the step, the status information of the
electronic book for approval returned from the publisher is changed
to the value for totally prohibiting the replay processing to
generate the invalidated version of electronic book. The
invalidated version of electronic book thus generated and the
commodity information thereof are transmitted to the storage
management processing unit 410 of the storage management unit
120.
[0091] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the
storage management processing unit 410 according to the embodiment.
In step 1201, the storage management processing unit 410 of the
storage management unit 120 receives the invalidated version of
electronic book and the commodity information thereof transmitted
from the digitizing unit 100.
[0092] In step 1202, the distribution information inspection
processing unit 413 checks whether or not the regular distribution
route is established by reference to the distribution information
set in the invalidated version of electronic book. When the regular
distribution route is established, i.e. when the distribution
informations of the digitizing unit 100 and approval unit 110 are
set, the process proceeds to step 1203. On the other hand, when the
regular distribution route is not established, an error message is
displayed in step 1204 and then the process is terminated.
[0093] In step 1203, the distribution information setting
processing unit 414 sets the distribution information, which
indicates that the storage is going on in the storage management
unit 120 of the storage management center, in the received
invalidated version of electronic book. In step 1205, the
invalidated version of electronic book and the commodity
information thereof are stored in the database within the magnetic
disk unit 403. In step 1206, the database updating processing such
as an updating of index is performed.
[0094] Now, an explanation will be given of the processing in the
digital contents distribution system according to the embodiment.
In the processing, the invalidated version of electronic books
stored in the storage management unit 120 are encrypted to be
distributed to the vending machine 140, and then the selling of the
electronic book is performed.
[0095] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the
distribution control processing unit 411 according to the
embodiment. In step 1301, the distribution control processing unit
411 of the storage management unit 120 generates a distribution
schedule for distributing the invalidated version of electronic
book to the vending machine 140. In step 1302, the invalidated
version of electronic book and the commodity information thereof
distributed according to the distribution schedule are read
out.
[0096] In step 1303, the distribution control processing unit 411
performing the encrypting processing for distribution to the
read-out invalidated version of electronic book to generate a
distribution-encrypted electronic book. Then, the distribution
processing unit 412 is instructed to distribute the
distribution-encrypted electronic book in accordance with the
distribution schedule. In step 1304, the distribution processing
unit 412 distributes the distribution-encrypted electronic book and
the commodity information thereof to each of the vending machines
140 in accordance with the distribution schedule.
[0097] In step 1305, it is checked whether or not the
distribution-encrypted electronic book and the commodity
information thereof are distributed to each of the vending machines
140 in which the distribution processing according to the
distribution schedule is performed. When the distribution to each
of the vending machines is not completed, the process returns to
step 1304 and then the process continues. On the other hand, when
the distribution to each of the vending machines is completed, the
process is terminated. The distribution of the
distribution-encrypted electronic book and the commodity
information thereof to each of the vending machines in which the
distribution processing is performed in accordance with the
distribution schedule may alternatively be performed at a time by
performing the simultaneous broadcasting to a plurality of vending
machines 140 utilizing a communication satellite or the like.
[0098] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the
distributed contents receiving processing unit 510 according to the
embodiment. In step 1401, the distributed contents receiving
processing unit 510 of the vending machine 140 receives the
distribution-encrypted electronic book and the commodity
information thereof distributed from the storage management unit
120 to store them in the magnetic disk drive 503. In step 1402, the
received commodity information is added to the previous commodity
information, and data used in a retrieval processing in which the
customer selects the electronic book for purchase is updated. In
step 1403, the available capacity of the magnetic disk drive 503 is
checked, and in accordance with the value of the available
capacity, data not used for the sales recently are deleted or
otherwise the disk is controlled.
[0099] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the
sales processing unit 511 according to the embodiment. In step
1501, the sales processing unit 511 of the vending machine 140
displays the GUI (graphical user interface) for retrieving the
electronic book on the display unit 505 to receive the retrieval
conditions input by the customer. Upon entry of the retrieval
conditions by the customer, the commodity information in the
vending machine 140 is retrieved in step 1502 to read out the
commodity information of the electronic book which meets the
received retrieval conditions. In step 1503, the commodity
information of the electronic book obtained as the result of
retrieval is displayed on the display unit 505 to receive the
selection of the electronic book by the customer.
[0100] In step 1504, it is checked whether or not a specific
electronic book in the commodity information on display is selected
by the customer. When such an electronic book is selected, the
process proceeds to step 1505. On the other hand, when a repeated
retrieval is designated, the process returns to step 1501 to
receive the input of the retrieval conditions again.
[0101] In step 1505, the invalidated version of electronic book is
generated by decoding the selected specific distribution-encrypted
electronic book among the distributed distribution-encrypted
electronic books. In step 1506, the distribution information
setting processing unit 514 sets the distribution information,
which indicates that the electronic book is sold in the vending
machine 140 of the particular outlet, in the invalidated version of
electronic book.
[0102] In step 1507, the contents status control processing unit
512 sets the status information for permitting the replay
processing by the customer in the invalidated version of electronic
book to generate the personal electronic book. Also, the encryption
processing can be conducted at the same time that the personal
electronic book is generated. The IDs set in the status information
include the serial number of the replay unit 150 of the customer, a
dealer designating ID predetermined by the outlet, a user
designating ID predetermined by the customer, a public key, a
password of ticket type, etc. In the case of a trial edition, a
time limit is set. In the case where mere validation is sufficient,
simple bit information such as "1" may be set in the status
information.
[0103] In step 1508, the generated personal electronic book is
copied to a medium by the medium writer 507, or is downloaded to
the replay unit 150 through a communication cable or a
communication line such as an internet to be sold to the customer.
For reading the personal electronic book sold in the manner
described above, the replay unit 150 is used.
[0104] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the
replay processing unit 610 according to the embodiment. In step
1601, the replay processing unit 610 of the replay unit 150 reads
the sold personal electronic book by accessing the medium having
the personal electronic book written therein or the downloaded
personal electronic book file.
[0105] In step 1602, the distribution information inspection
processing unit 611 checks whether or not the regular distribution
route is established by reference to the distribution information
set in the personal electronic book. When the regular distribution
route is established, i.e. when the distribution informations of
the digitizing unit 100, the approval unit 110, the storage
management unit 120 and the vending machine 140 are set, the
process proceeds to step 1603. In contrast, when the regular
distribution route is not established, an error message is
displayed in step 1604 and then the process is terminated.
[0106] In step 1603, it is checked whether or not the customer is
permitted the replay processing in the replay unit 150 owned by the
customer by comparing with the personal ID stored in the replay
unit 150 referring to the status information set in the personal
electronic book. When the replay processing is permitted, the
process proceeds to step 1605, where the operating instruction from
the customer is input to display the contents of the personal
electronic book on the display unit 605. On the other hand, when
the replay processing is not permitted, an error message is
displayed in step 1604 and then the process is terminated.
[0107] As described above, according to the embodiment, the
electronic books are stored in the form of the invalidated version.
When it is validated, the validation is performed only for a
specific user. Thus, those who are not permitted to use the
electronic book cannot read and use the contents thereof even they
are successful in copying, removing or downloading the electronic
book. Also, the replay processing of the electronic book is
controlled in accordance with the value of the status information
set in the electronic book. Thus, the user permitted to replay it
can be easily changed by changing the value of the status
information set in the electronic book for the benefit of the
publisher or the customer.
[0108] As described above, in the system for preventing the illegal
use of digital contents according to the embodiment, the replay
processing of the digital contents is controlled in accordance with
the value of the status information set in the digital contents.
Therefore, the illegal use of the digital contents in the various
types of shopping centers and retail outlets can be prevented.
[0109] According to the present invention, the replay processing of
digital contents is controlled in accordance with the value of the
status information set in the digital contents, so that the illegal
use of the digital contents in the various types of shopping
centers and retail outlets can be prevented.
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