U.S. patent application number 14/619604 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-06 for information service method, information service unit, recording or reproducing controlling method, and recording and/or reproducing unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to SONY CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is SONY CORPORATION, SONY DISC & DIGITAL SOLUTIONS INC.. Invention is credited to Shunsuke FURUKAWA, Akiko INOUE, Yoriaki KANADA, Kaoru KIJIMA, Koichi NAKAJIMA, Akiya SAITO, Yoichiro SAKO, Etsuo SHIBASAKI.
Application Number | 20150220708 14/619604 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32105430 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150220708 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIJIMA; Kaoru ; et
al. |
August 6, 2015 |
INFORMATION SERVICE METHOD, INFORMATION SERVICE UNIT, RECORDING OR
REPRODUCING CONTROLLING METHOD, AND RECORDING AND/OR REPRODUCING
UNIT
Abstract
Unique identification information is prerecorded on a disc. The
identification information is registered to a server along with
user's license when he or she buys the disc. When an terminal unit
reproduces data from the disc, identification information is read
and transmitted to the server through the Internet. The server
creates a key that controls to reproduce data from the disc in
accordance with the license identified by the identification
information and transmits the key to the terminal unit along with
the user's license information for the disc. The terminal unit
controls to reproduce contents of the disc in accordance with key
and license information transmitted from the server. The license
for each disc is managed in accordance with the identification
information. Thus, different services can be provided for
individual discs.
Inventors: |
KIJIMA; Kaoru; (Tokyo,
JP) ; SAKO; Yoichiro; (Tokyo, JP) ; FURUKAWA;
Shunsuke; (Tokyo, JP) ; KANADA; Yoriaki;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; NAKAJIMA; Koichi; (Chiba, JP)
; SAITO; Akiya; (Kanagawa, JP) ; SHIBASAKI;
Etsuo; (Tokyo, JP) ; INOUE; Akiko; (Saitama,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SONY CORPORATION
SONY DISC & DIGITAL SOLUTIONS INC. |
Tokyo
Tokyo |
|
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SONY CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
SONY DISC & DIGITAL SOLUTIONS INC.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
32105430 |
Appl. No.: |
14/619604 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12731184 |
Mar 25, 2010 |
8972302 |
|
|
14619604 |
|
|
|
|
10697242 |
Oct 31, 2003 |
7783577 |
|
|
12731184 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
726/31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 2221/0724 20130101;
G06F 21/10 20130101; G11B 20/0071 20130101; G11B 20/00166 20130101;
G11B 20/00927 20130101; G11B 20/00855 20130101; G11B 20/00086
20130101; G11B 20/00797 20130101; G11B 20/00094 20130101; G11B
20/0021 20130101; G06Q 20/1235 20130101; G11B 20/00224
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 21/10 20060101
G06F021/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 5, 2002 |
JP |
2002-321359 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A reproducing apparatus comprising: circuitry configured to:
control transmission of identification information unique to a
recording medium to a server; control reception of digital rights
management (DRM) information related to content data stored in the
recording medium, the DRM information and the identification
information being correlatively stored in the server; and control
whether to reproduce the content data or to record the content data
based on the received DRM information.
3. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
recording medium is an optical disc.
4. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
circuitry is further configured to: control a display of the
reproducing apparatus to display the content data based on the
received DRM information.
5. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the DRM
information includes at least one of a number of times that the
content data can be reproduced, expiration date and expiration time
for the reproduction, and a number of times that the content data
can be recorded.
6. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the DRM
information includes a number of times that the content data can be
reproduced, expiration date and time for the reproduction, and a
number of times that the content data can be recorded.
7. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
number of times that the content data can be reproduced is
unlimited.
8. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
expiration date and expiration time for the reproduction is
unlimited.
9. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
number of times that the content data can be recorded is one.
10. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
circuitry is further configured to: read the identification
information unique to the recording medium from the recording
medium.
11. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
recording medium is an optical disc of which a reproduction signal
is obtained in accordance with reflected light of radiated
light.
12. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
circuitry is further configured to: control a display of the
received DRM information on a display of the reproducing
apparatus.
13. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
circuitry is further configured to: receive key data that has been
issued by the server in accordance with the DRM information and the
identification information, the key data controlling whether to
reproduce the content data or to record the content data to another
recording medium.
14. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
circuitry is further configured to store a part of the DRM
information.
15. A server comprising: circuitry configured to: correlatively
store identification information unique to a recording medium and
DRM information related to content data stored in the recording
medium; control reception of the identification information from a
client device; and control transmission of the DRM information
based on the received identification information to the client
device, the client device controlling whether to reproduce the
content data or to record the content data based on the DRM
information.
16. The server according to claim 15, wherein the recording medium
is an optical disc.
17. A method for controlling a reproducing apparatus, the method
comprising: controlling transmission of identification information
unique to a recording medium to a server; controlling reception of
DRM information related to content data stored in the recording
medium, the DRM information and the identification information
being correlatively stored in the server; and controlling whether
to reproduce the content data or to record the content data based
on the received DRM information.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the recording medium
is an optical disc.
19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:
controlling a display of the reproducing apparatus to display the
content data based on the received DRM information.
20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: reading
the identification information unique to the recording medium from
the recording medium.
21. A non-transitory computer readable medium having a computer
program recorded thereon, the computer program configured to
perform a method when executed on a reproducing apparatus, the
method comprising: controlling transmission of identification
information unique to a recording medium to a server; controlling
reception of DRM information related to content data stored in the
recording medium, the DRM information and the identification
information being correlatively stored in the server; and
controlling whether to reproduce the content data or to record the
content data based on the received DRM information.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present continuation application claims the benefit of
priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 to application Ser. No.
12/731,184, filed on Mar. 25, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/697,242, filed Oct. 31, 2003, and claims
the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 from Japanese
Patent Application No. 2002-321359, filed on Nov. 5, 2002, the
entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a data recording medium
having unique identification information, a data recording method
using the same, an information terminal unit, an information
service method, and an information service unit.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Thus far, data recording mediums such as so-called CD
family, on which content data is pre-recorded and on which users
are prohibited from recording data, have become common. The
standard about compact discs (CD), which have been widely used, is
referred to as compact disc audio (CD-DA) and based on the
description of a standard specification book called Redbook. Based
on the specification, various formats for example CD-ROM have been
standardized and CD family has been set forth. In the following
description, CD generally refers to discs of various formats
included in the CD family.
[0006] A CD is produced by a stamper using a master disc. Since CDs
can be easily produced in quantity, they have been widely used. On
the other hand, since CDs are produced by the stamper, it is
difficult to record data thereon after they have been produced.
Thus, since identification information that identifies CDs is not
recorded on CDs, they cannot be identified. Thus, services with
which the CDs provide the users are restricted.
[0007] To solve such a problem, a technology for adding
identification information that is unique to each CD thereto has
been proposed. For rewritable data recording mediums such as
Compact Disc Re-Writable (CD-RW) discs on which user can record
data, a technology for recording a media ID that is unique
identification information has been proposed as described in
Related Art Reference 1.
Related Art Reference
Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No HEI 11-250572
[0008] Thus far, a system that provides users with services
corresponding to data recording mediums such as CDs on which
ordinary users cannot record data using identification information
uniquely recorded thereon has not been proposed.
[0009] Thus, even if encrypted content data is recorded on a CD, a
predetermined decryption key has to be manually input so as to
decrypt the encrypted content data. Identification information
recorded on a CD cannot be used to decrypt encrypted content
data.
[0010] In addition, license information for content data recorded
on a CD cannot be set in accordance with identification information
recorded thereon.
[0011] At present, a system that protects rights of content data
recorded on a data recording medium such as a CD, on which a
conventional user cannot record data, and that allows him or her to
use his or her content data in his or her favorite manner has been
desired.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide
an information service method, an information service unit, a
recording or reproducing controlling method, and a recording and/or
reproducing unit that allow a user to be provided with a service
corresponding to a data recording mediums on which the user cannot
record data using identification information recorded thereon.
[0013] A first aspect of the present invention is an information
service method, comprising the steps of: recording identification
information that is unique to a non-recordable data recording
medium thereto; correlatively storing the identification
information recorded on the data recording medium at the
identification information recording step and management
information of the data recording medium; reading the
identification information from the data recording medium when data
is reproduced from the data recording medium; transmitting the
identification information that has been read at the identification
information reading step to a communication network; receiving the
identification information transmitted at the transmitting step
through the communication network and reading the management
information that has been correlated with the identification
information and stored at the storing step in accordance with the
received identification information; and providing a service in
accordance with the management information that has been read at
the management information reading step.
[0014] A second aspect of the present invention is an information
service system, comprising: an identification information recording
unit for recording identification information that is unique to a
non-recordable data recording medium thereto; an information
terminal unit having: reproducing means for reproducing data from
the data recording medium, and identification information reading
means for reading the identification information from a
reproduction output of the reproducing means; and a server unit
having: storing means for correlatively storing the identification
information and management information of the data recording
medium, and wherein the server unit is configured to read the
management information stored by the storing means in accordance
with the identification information transmitted from the
information terminal unit and to provide a service in accordance
with the management information to the information terminal
unit.
[0015] A third aspect of the present invention is a reproducing or
recording controlling method, comprising the steps of: reading
identification information that is unique to a non-recordable data
recording medium therefrom; transmitting the identification
information that has been read at the identification information
reading step to a server unit that has correlatively stored the
identification information and management information of the data
recording medium on which the identification information has been
recorded; and receiving the management information correlated with
the transmitted identification information from the server unit,
wherein it is controlled whether to reproduce the content data from
the data recording medium or to record the content data reproduced
form the data recording medium to another recording medium.
[0016] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a reproducing
and/or recording controlling unit, comprising: identification
information reading means for reading identification information
that is unique to a non-recordable data recording medium therefrom;
identification information transmitting means for transmitting the
identification information that has been read by the identification
information reading means to a server unit that has correlatively
stored the identification information and management information of
the data recording medium on which the identification information
has been recorded; and receiving means for receiving from the
server unit the management information correlated with the
identification information transmitted from the identification
information transmitting means, wherein it is controlled whether to
reproduce the content data from the data recording medium or to
record the content data reproduced from the data recording medium
to another data recording medium in accordance with the management
information received by the receiving means.
[0017] According to the present invention, identification
information that is unique to a non-recordable data recording
medium is recorded thereto. The identification information recorded
on the data recording medium and management information of the data
recording medium are correlatively stored. The identification
information is read from the data recording medium when data is
reproduced from the data recording medium. The identification
information that has been read is transmitted to a communication
network. The identification information is received through the
communication network. The management information that has been
correlated with the identification information and stored in
accordance with the received identification information is read. A
service is provided in accordance with the management information
that has been read. Thus, a service in accordance with each data
recording medium can be provided.
[0018] According to the present invention, identification
information that is unique to a non-recordable data recording
medium is read therefrom. The identification information that has
been read is transmitted to a server unit that has correlatively
stored the identification information and management information of
the data recording medium on which the identification information
has been recorded. The management information correlated with the
transmitted identification information is received from the server
unit. It is controlled whether to reproduce the content data from
the data recording medium or to record the content data reproduced
form the data recording medium to another recording medium. With a
non-recordable data recording medium on which an ordinary user
cannot additionally record data, it can be controlled for each data
recording medium whether to reproduce the content data from the
data recording medium or to record the content data reproduced form
the data recording medium to another recording medium
[0019] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent in light of the
following detailed description of a best mode embodiment thereof,
as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of an
example of a UID.
[0021] FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing a part of a
conventional CD.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a flow chart describing a flow of a production
steps of a CD.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram practically describing an
additional recording method of a UID.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram describing a system according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram describing the system
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of
management information managed by a management server.
[0027] FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram showing a structure of an
example of use limit information according to the embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 8B is also a schematic diagram showing a
structure of an example of use limit information according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a sequence chart showing an example of a process
performed by an information terminal unit and the management server
when a disc is used.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a structure of an example
of a data reproducing unit according to the embodiment of the
present invention.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram describing an example of a
method for causing the data reproducing unit to control a data
recording unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Next, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an
embodiment of the present invention will be described. According to
the present invention, with a data recording medium on which
copyrighted content data and unique identification information that
identifies an individual are pre-recorded and on which external
data cannot be recorded (for example, a CD), the identification
information and license information of the content data are
correlatively registered to a server. As a result, the license
information of content data can be controlled for each recording
medium.
[0032] When the user side reproduces data from a data recording
medium, identification information recorded thereon is sent to a
server. The server gives the user a license of content data in
accordance with the received identification information. Thus, the
user can reproduce, copy, and move content data recorded on the
data recording medium in accordance with the license information
correlated with the identification information.
[0033] In this description, the "copy" represents an operation for
almost identically copying copyrighted data recorded on a first
data recording medium to a second data recording medium. When the
copy operation is performed, data is not erased form the source
recording medium (first data recording medium), but remained
thereon. Both the original data and copied data can be reproduced.
The "move" represents an operation for almost identically copying
copyrighted data recorded on a first data recording medium to a
second recording medium. In this case, the original data on the
first data recording medium cannot be reproduced.
[0034] In addition, identification information recorded on each
data recording medium is referred to as Unique Identifier (UID). It
is preferred that a UID is unique for each data recording medium.
For example, a combination of production company number of a
production company that produced the data recording medium, a UID
writing unit number of a UID writing unit that wrote the UID, and a
serial number can be used as a UID. In reality, it is thought that
a UID may be unique in the production company and the model name of
the data recording medium.
[0035] In the case of a CD-DA disc of the CD family, as shown in
FIG. 1, a UID is composed of an album common number that represents
an album recorded on the CD-DA and a serial number unique to the
disc.
[0036] Of course, the structure of a UID is not limited to the
forgoing structure. In the case of a CD-ROM disc on which
conventional data and programs are recorded as a data recording
medium, an album common number can be substituted with information
that represents a model number. Not limited to two types of
information of an album common number and a serial number, a UID
may be composed of a combination of more types of information.
Alternatively, a UID may be composed of only a serial number.
[0037] Next, an example of a method for additionally recording a
UID on a CD will be described. A UID is recorded in such a manner
that it can be read by for example a conventional CD player or a
conventional CD-ROM drive. First of all, for easy understanding,
the structure of an optical disc for example a CD, which is
included in the CD family, will be described.
[0038] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a part of a conventional
CD. Concave portions that are referred to as pits and lands that
are no-pit areas are alternately formed on tracks having a
predetermined track pitch (for example, 1.6 .mu.m). The lengths of
pits and lands are in the range from 3T to 11T where T represents
the minimum inversion interval. Laser light is radiated from the
rear surface of the CD.
[0039] The CD is composed of a transparent disc substrate 1 having
a thickness of 1.2 mm, a reflection film 2 coated thereon, and a
protection film 3 coated thereon. As the reflection film 2, one
having a high reflectance is used. The CD is a read-only disc.
However, as will be described later, after the reflection film 2 is
coated, information (UID) is recorded on the reflection film 2 with
the laser light.
[0040] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a flow of the production
steps of the CD will be described. At step S1, a glass master on
which photo resist, which is a photosensitive material, is coated
on a glass substrate is rotated by a spindle motor. Laser light
that is turned on/off in accordance with a record signal is
radiated on the photo resist film. As a result, a master is
produced. A developing process is performed for the photo resist
film. When the resist is of positive type, the exposed portion is
melted. An uneven pattern is formed on the photo resist film.
[0041] The photo resist master is plated by an electroplating
method. As a result, one metal master is produced (at step S2).
With the metal master, a plurality of mothers are produced (at step
S3). In addition, with the mother, a plurality of stampers are
produced (at step S4). With the stamper, a disc substrate is
produced. The disc substrate is produced by the compression molding
method, the injection molding method, the light setting method, or
the like. At step S6, a reflection film and a protection film are
coated. In the conventional disc production method, a label is
printed on the CD.
[0042] In the example, shown in FIG. 3, laser light is radiated to
the reflection film (a mirror portion, for example a land). In
addition, information is additionally recorded at step S7. Laser
light is radiated on the reflection film. The land on the
reflection film is heated (thermally recorded). As a result, atoms
are traveled and thereby the film structure and crystallization are
varied. Thus, the reflectance of the portion decreases. As a
result, after laser light is radiated, the reflection of the laser
light from the land becomes small. Thus, a reading unit recognizes
the land as a pit. With this characteristics, the pit length or the
land length can be varied so as to record information. In this
case, the reflection film is made of a material that allows the
reflectance thereof to be varied by laser radiation. There is a
material whose reflectance increases by the additional recording
process.
[0043] In reality, the reflection film is made of an aluminum alloy
Al.sub.100-xX.sub.x where X is at least one element selected from a
group consisting of Ge, Ti, Ni, Si, Tb, Fe, and Ag. The composition
rate x of the Al alloy film is selected in the range of
5<x<50 [atomic %].
[0044] Alternatively, the reflection film may be also made of an Ag
alloy film Ag.sub.100-xX.sub.x where X is at least one element
selected from a group consisting of Ge, Ti, Ni, Si, Tb, Fe, and Al.
The composition rate x of the Ag alloy film is selected in the
range of 5<x<50 [atomic %]. The reflection film can be formed
by for example the magnetron spattering method.
[0045] For example, in the condition that the reflection film of
AlGe alloy is formed with a thickness of 50 nm, laser light is
radiated from a transparent substrate side or a protection film
side through an objective lens, if the composition rate of Ge is 20
[atomic %] and the recording power is in the range from 6 to 7
[mW], the reflectance decreases by around 6%. In such a condition,
if the composition rate of Ge is 27.6 [atomic %] and the recording
power is in the range from 5 to 8 [mW], the reflectance decreases
by 7 to 8%. Since the reflectance varies in such a manner,
additional data can be recorded on the reflection film.
[0046] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram more practically describing a
method for additionally recording a UID. There are two patterns
that represent the relation of record data, pits, and lands
depending on the preceding pattern. The two patterns are referred
to as pattern A and pattern B.
[0047] First, the pattern A will be described. Three merging bits
for example (000) are inserted between adjacent symbols. When the
UIS is recorded, a data symbol of eight bits is for example
(0.times.47) where 0x represents hexadecimal notation. FIG. 4 shows
a 14-bit pattern (00100100100100) whose eight bits have been
modulated in accordance with the Eight to Fourteen Modulation (EFM)
system.
[0048] A laser beam with which the UID is recorded is radiated in a
hatched area between the two pits. As a result, the reflectance of
the hatched area decreases. After the UID has been recorded, the
two pits are connected and reproduced as one pit. In this case, the
14-bit pattern becomes (00100100000000). When the 14-bit pattern is
EFM-demodulated, it is demodulated as eight bits (0.times.07).
[0049] In the case of the pattern B, the merging bits are (001). In
this case, as with the pattern A, when a laser beam is radiated to
the hatched area, eight bits can be varied from (0.times.47) to
(0.times.07).
[0050] As described above, a data symbol (0.times.47) can be
rewritten to (0.times.07). There are many types of data that can be
additionally recorded. A data symbol (0.times.40) can be varied to
(0.times.00). However, when the UID is additionally recorded, laser
is radiated to a mirror portion in which data has been recorded so
as to vary the pit length or the land length. Thus, the types of
data that can be additionally recorded are restricted.
[0051] When the reflection film of the CD is peeled off, the UID
that has been additionally recorded is lost. Thus, the UID cannot
be forged.
[0052] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the
UID is additionally recorded on a disc 100 when it is shipped from
the factory. As described above, the UID is unique to the disc 100.
The position at which the UID is recorded on the disc 100 is
predetermined. Position information that represents the position of
the UID is recorded in a Table Of Contents (TOC) area of the disc
100.
[0053] Next, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a system
according to the embodiment of the present invention will be
described. In FIG. 5, a dedicated terminal unit 10 is for example a
terminal unit disposed at a store that sells the disc 100. The
dedicated terminal unit 10 has the same structure as a conventional
computer unit. In addition, the dedicated terminal unit 10 has a
drive device that can read the UID recorded on the disc 100.
[0054] The dedicated terminal unit 10 is connected to a management
server 20 through a dedicated communication line (hereinafter
referred to dedicated line). Of course, the dedicated terminal unit
10 may be connected to the management server 20 through a public
telephone line or the like instead of the dedicated line. The
management server 20 has a similar structure to a conventional
server unit. The management server 20 has a database that
correlates the UID and the attribute information of the disc 100
and manages use limit information of the disc 100 identified by the
UID.
[0055] When the user buys the disc 100 at the store, he or she
selects a license of the disc 100 to be bought. The license of the
disc 100 is composed of the number of times the contents recorded
on the disc 100 can be reproduced, the reproduction expiration date
and time, and the number of times the contents can be copied. It is
preferred that the user should pay a license fee corresponding to
the selected license.
[0056] After the license of the disc 100 has been selected, the
disc 100 is loaded into the dedicated terminal unit 10. The
dedicated terminal unit 10 reads the UID recorded on the disc 100.
The UID that has been read is transmitted to the management server
20 through the dedicated line along with the selected license. The
license is correlated as use limit information of the disc 100
identified by the UID therewith and stored in the management server
20. The UID and the use limit information are registered as
management information to the management server 20.
[0057] When the user uses the disc 100 that he or she bought in
such a manner, he or she obtains from the management server 20 a
key that allows him or her to use the disc 100 in accordance with
the UID and the license that have been registered when he or she
bought the disc 100. In FIG. 6, an information terminal unit 30 is
a user side terminal unit. For example, the information terminal
unit 30 is composed of a conventional computer unit. The terminal
unit is also provided with a drive unit that allows the user to use
the disc 100 with a predetermined key.
[0058] The information terminal unit 30 is connected to the
Internet 31 through a communication system using a public telephone
line such as the Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) or the
Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) or a communication system
using a Cable Television (CATV) line. The foregoing management
server 20 is also connected to the Internet 31 through for example
a dedicated line. In other words, the information terminal unit 30
can communicate with the management server 20 through the Internet
31.
[0059] When the disc 100 is loaded into the information terminal
unit 30, the UID is read from the disc 100. The UID that has been
read is transmitted to the management server 20 through the
Internet 31. The management server 20 creates a key in accordance
with use limit information correlated with the transmitted UID and
rewrites the use limit information so that the license is consumed
by one level. The created key information is transmitted to the
information terminal unit 30 through the Internet 31. The
information terminal unit 30 allows the user to use the disc 100
with the key transmitted from the management server 20.
[0060] Next, with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, management
information registered in the management server 20 will be
practically described. The management server 20 registers and
manages management information for each UID. When the disc 100 is
for example a CD-DA disc, as shown in "Management Information"
field of FIG. 7, the album common number of the UID and the album
attribute information represented by the album common number are
correlated. The album attribute information is composed of stamp
factory information of the factory that produced the disc, a label
name of a company that produced the album, an album name, an artist
name, and release date information.
[0061] On the other hand, the serial number of the UIP of each disc
and the use limit information are correlated. In FIG. 7 and FIG. 8,
the use limit information is represented as Digital Rights
Management (DRM) information. In accordance with the use limit
information, a license for reproducing, copying, and moving
contents recorded on the disc identified by the
[0062] UID can be managed for each disc. In other words, the
management server 20 can manage the use mode of each disc according
to the UID.
[0063] FIG. 8A shows a structure of an example of the use limit
information (DRM information) according to the embodiment of the
present invention. In the example, the use limit information is
composed of the number of times the contents recorded on the disc
100 can be reproduced, the reproduction expiration date and time,
and the number of times the contents can be copied. The DRM
information is correlated with the serial number of each disc 100.
As a result, the license of the contents can be controlled for each
disc 100.
[0064] When the UID is recorded to the disc 100 at the factory, the
UID and the attribute information of the disc 100, on which the UID
has been recorded, are stored in the management server 20 for each
disc 100 (namely, for each UID). At that point, the serial number
of each disc (each UID) is correlated with default use limit
information and stored. As shown in FIG. 8B, the default use limit
information is composed of the number of times the contents can be
reproduced, the reproduction expiration date and time, and the
number of times the contents can be copied that are for example
unlimited, unlimited, and one time, respectively. In such a manner,
the default management information for each UID is registered to
the management server 20.
[0065] The disc 100 whose license information has been registered
to the management server 20 is delivered to the store and then sold
to the user. At that point, as described above, the UID of the disc
100 is read by the dedicated terminal unit 10 on the store side.
The user selects a license for the contents recorded on the disc
100. As a result, the license for the contents recorded on the disc
100 is set.
[0066] A license that the user can select is the number of times
the contents can be reproduced (for example, unlimited, ten times,
or five times), the reproduction expiration date and time (for
example, unlimited or one month), and the number of times the
contents can be copied (for example, unlimited, three times, one
time, or zero time (copy prohibited)). The license scope that the
user can select may depend on the fee that the user pays. For
example, the default license scope that is set on the store side
may be a combination of the number of times the contents can be
reproduced=unlimited, the reproduction expiration date and
time=unlimited, and the number of times the contents can be
copied=0. Depending on the fee that the user pays, the number of
times the contents can be copied may be increased against the
default license.
[0067] The license selected by the user when he or she bought the
disc 100 and the UID of the disc 100 whose license was selected are
transmitted to the management server 20. These information is
received by the management server 20. The management server 20
rewrites the management information identified by the UID in
accordance with the received license.
[0068] As shown in the field "Rewriting of management information"
of FIG. 7, the use limit information (DRM information) correlated
with the serial number of each disc is rewritten. The attribute
information of the album correlated with the album common number is
not rewritten. When the disc 100 was bought at the store, the use
limit information is transmitted to the management server 20 and
initially set. When the use limit information is initially set, the
license for the disc 100 is activated. The user can use the
contents recorded on the disc 100 in accordance with the license
that was set when he or she bought the disc 100.
[0069] The disc 100 that the user bought is loaded into the
information terminal unit 30. The user reproduces, copies, and
performs other operations for the contents recorded on the disc 100
in accordance with the license that was set when the user bought
the disc 100. Whenever the disc 100 is used, data is communicated
between the information terminal unit 30 and the management server
20. The use limit information of the management information
identified by the UID of the disc 100 is rewritten.
[0070] When the number of times of contents can be copied of the
use limit information is set to five times and the contents
recorded on the disc 100 are copied one time by the information
terminal unit 30, the number of times the contents can be copied is
decreased by 1 and becomes four times. When the contents of the
disc 100 are reproduced one time by the information terminal unit
30, the number of times of contents can be reproduced is not
rewritten in the management server 20.
[0071] FIG. 9 shows an example of a process performed by the
information terminal unit 30 and the management server 20 when the
user uses the disc 100. First, the user loads the disc 100 into the
information terminal unit 30. The information terminal unit 30
reproduces data from the disc 100 (at step S10). The UID is read
from the disc 100 (at step S11). After the UID has been read, at
step S12, the information terminal unit 30 is automatically
connected to the management server 20 through the Internet 31. The
UID that has been read from the disc 100 is transmitted to the
management server 20 (in SEQ 10).
[0072] The uniform resource locator (URL) of the management server
20 on the Internet 31 can be pre-recorded in a predetermined area
of the disc 100. When the UID is read at step S11, the area is also
accessed for the URL. As the predetermined area, for example a sub
code area can be used. Alternatively, as information of the UID,
the URL can be further recorded. In addition, the URL of the
management server 20 may be pre-stored in a non-volatile storing
means that the information terminal unit 30 has.
[0073] The UID that has been transmitted in SEQ 10 is received by
the management server 20 at step S20. At step S21, the management
server 20 searches for management information corresponding to the
received UID. The management server 20 extracts the use limit
information for the contents recorded on the disc 100 on which the
UID has been recorded from the searched management information. At
step S22, the extracted use limit information is transmitted to the
information terminal unit 30 (in SEQ 11).
[0074] At step S13, the use limit information transmitted from the
management server 20 in SEQ 11 is received by the information
terminal unit 30. The information terminal unit 30 prompts the user
to select the use mode of the disc 100 loaded into the information
terminal unit 30 and reproduced at step S10 on a display means
thereof in accordance with the received use limit information (at
step S14).
[0075] When the received use limit information represents that the
number of times the contents can be reproduced, the reproduction
expiration date and time, and the number of times the contents can
be copied are unlimited, unlimited, and five times, respectively,
they are displayed on the display means of the information terminal
unit 30. In addition, the information terminal unit 30 prompts the
user to reproduce the contents of the disc 100, copy the contents
of the disc 100 to another recording medium, or perform no
operation.
[0076] When the received use limit information represents that the
number of times the contents can be reproduced, the reproduction
expiration date and time, and the number of times the contents can
be copied are five times, more 25 days, and zero time,
respectively, they are displayed on the display means. In addition,
the information terminal unit 30 prompts the user whether to
reproduce the contents recorded on the disc 100. In this case,
since the number of times the contents can be copied is zero time,
the contents are prohibited from being copied. Thus, the
information terminal unit 30 does not prompt the user to copy the
contents.
[0077] When the user selects the use mode of the disc 100 loaded
into the information terminal unit 30 in accordance with the
indication at step S14, the flow advances to step S15. At step S15,
a request in accordance with the selected use mode is transmitted
from the information terminal unit 30. In this case, it is assumed
that as the use mode of the disc 100 the user has selected a copy
operation for contents recorded on the disc 100 to another
recording medium.
[0078] In SEQ 12, the request is transmitted from the information
terminal unit 30 to the management server 20. At step S23, the
request is received by the management server 20. When the request
is received by the management server 20, the flow advances to step
S24. At step S24, the management server 20 rewrites its managed use
limit information in accordance with the received request.
[0079] When the use limit information managed by the management
server 20 represents that the number of times the contents can be
copied is five times and the request represents that contents
recorded on the disc 100 is to be copied to another recording
medium one time, the number of times the contents can be copied of
the use limit information is decreased by one and rewritten as four
times.
[0080] When the user repeats the copy operation for the contents of
the disc 100 and the number of times the contents can be copied of
the use limit information is rewritten to zero time, the user loses
the license for copying the contents recorded to another recording
medium is created.
[0081] In addition, at step S24, a key that allows the user to use
the disc 100 in the requested use mode is created. In the example,
a key that allows the information terminal unit 30 to copy the
contents recorded on the disc 100 on which the UID has been
recorded to be recorded to another recording medium.
[0082] The key created at step S24 is transmitted from the
management server 20 to the information terminal unit 30 along with
license information in accordance with the use limit information
rewritten at step S24 (at step S25, in SEQ 13). At step S16, the
key and the license information are received by the information
terminal unit 30. With the received key, the information terminal
unit 30 uses the disc 100 in accordance with the license
represented with the license information (at step S17).
[0083] The license information contains information that represents
relevant contents and information that represents the use mode for
the contents. The information terminal unit 30 may display the
received license information on the display means and ask the user
whether or not to accept it.
[0084] The key functions as for example a flag that controls a
predetermined operation of the information terminal unit 30.
Alternatively, the contents recorded on the disc 100 may have been
encrypted. The key may be a decryption key that allows the
encrypted contents to be decrypted. In this case, the key is
created with the UID. When the information terminal unit 30 side
combines the key received from the management server 20 and the UID
recorded on the disc 100, the key may be used as a decryption key
that allows contents to be decrypted.
[0085] It is preferred that all the process described in FIG. 9
except the display process for the user and the user input process
are executed on background namely automatically without an
intervention of the user. Thus, the user can only load the disc 100
into a data reproducing unit 200 that will be described later and
select the use mode of the disc.
[0086] In the foregoing example, all the management information of
each UID is managed by the management server 20. Alternatively, the
management information may be transferred to the user side
information terminal unit 30.
[0087] For example, when the use limit information of a particular
UID represents that the number of times the contents can be copied
ten times, the use limit information that allows the contents to be
copied three times is transferred to the information terminal unit
30 side and the use limit information that allows the contents to
be copied seven times is left in the management server 20 side. In
this case, when the user copies the contents recorded on the disc
100 identified by the UID three times, he or she needs to only
rewrite the management information of the information terminal unit
30. Thus, the user does not need to access the management server
20. In this case, the information terminal unit 30 side can perform
all the process shown in FIG. 9 of the management server 20.
[0088] After the number of times the contents can be copied of the
management information of the information terminal unit 30 becomes
zero time, whenever the information terminal unit 30 copies the
contents recorded on the disc 100 to another disc, the information
terminal unit 30 accesses the management server 20 and obtains the
key and the license information in accordance with the sequence and
steps shown in FIG. 9.
[0089] When the management information is transferred to the
information terminal unit 30 side, the management information is
stored in the information terminal unit 30 in such a manner that
the management information cannot be easily forged. For example, a
non-volatile memory that stores management information can be
disposed in the information terminal unit 30. Alternatively,
management information may be written in a unique format to a hard
disk drive that the information terminal unit 30 has so that the
management information can be accessed by only dedicated
software.
[0090] FIG. 10 shows a structure of an example of a data
reproducing unit according to an embodiment of the present
invention. The data reproducing unit 200 is built in the foregoing
information terminal unit 30. The entire data reproducing unit 200
is controlled by a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 40. The CPU 40 has
a RAM (not shown) as a work memory and a ROM (not shown) in which a
program such as firmware is pre-recorded. The CPU 40 controls the
data reproducing unit 200 in accordance with a program recorded in
the ROM. In addition, the CPU 40 has an interface connected to the
main body of the information terminal unit 30. The data reproducing
unit 200 can be controlled from the information terminal unit 30
through the interface.
[0091] An optical system OP 70 comprises an optical pickup portion
that reproduces data from the disc 100, a controlling circuit that
controls the power and focus of the optical pickup portion, a
thread motor drive that controls the position of the optical
pickup, a controlling circuit that controls the thread motor drive,
and so forth. The optical pickup portion has an optical block and a
converting portion. The optical block has an objective lens, a
laser light source, and a light receiving portion that receives
laser light reflected by the disc 100. The converting portion
converts laser light received by the light receiving portion into
an electric signal.
[0092] A motor M 54 is a spindle motor that drives rotations of the
disc 100 loaded into the data reproducing unit 200. The optical
system OP 70 and the motor M 54 are controlled by a servo circuit
55 in a predetermined manner. The servo circuit 55 is controlled by
the CPU 40.
[0093] The reproducing system drives rotations of the disc 100 at
Constant Linear Velocity (CLV) under the control of the servo
circuit 55. The optical system OP 70 controls the intensity of the
laser light so that the contents can be properly reproduced. The
optical system OP 70 radiates the laser light to the disc 100. The
laser light is reflected on the disc 100 and received by the light
receiving portion. The light receiving portion converts the
received light into an electric signal as a reproduction signal.
The reproduction signal is output from the optical system OP 70 and
supplied to an RF portion 50. The RF portion 50 performs a
predetermined signal process such as a waveform trimming process
for the reproduction signal and outputs a reproduction digital
signal.
[0094] The RF portion 50 extracts a clock from the reproduction
signal that is output from the optical system OP 70 and supplies
the clock to the servo circuit 55.
[0095] The reproduction digital signal that is output from the RF
portion 50 is supplied to an Eight-to-Fifteen Modulation (EFM)
demodulating circuit 51. The EFM demodulating circuit 51
demodulates a signal that was EFM-modulated when data was irecorded
and outputs reproduction digital data. The reproduction digital
data is supplied to a Cross Interleave Reed-Solomon Code (CIRC)
error correcting circuit 52. In addition, the reproduction digital
data is supplied to a Table Of Contents (TOC) reading circuit
56.
[0096] The CIRC error correcting circuit 52 decodes the supplied
reproduction digital data with the CIRC error correction code and
corrects an error thereof. The reproduction data that has been
error-corrected by the CIRC error correcting circuit 52 is supplied
to a CD-ROM decoder 53. The CD-ROM decoder 53 decodes the error
correction code in accordance with the CD-ROM and further corrects
an error of the reproduction data. Output data of the CD-ROM
decoder 53 is supplied to a switch circuit 58.
[0097] On the other hand, when the optical system OP 70 accesses a
lead-in area of the disc 100, the TOC reading circuit 56 reads TOC
data from the supplied reproduction digital data. The TOC data that
has been read is supplied to a UID area acquiring circuit 57. The
UID area acquiring circuit 57 reads information that represents the
recorded position of the UID from the supplied TOC data.
[0098] The position information that represents the recorded
position of the UID is output from the UID area acquiring circuit
57 to the CPU 40. The CPU 40 controls a switch circuit 58 in
accordance with the position information. In other words, the CPU
40 controls the switch circuit 58 so that the switch circuit 58
selects a terminal 58B at a timing of which the CD-ROM decoder 53
outputs the UID. The CPU 40 controls the switch circuit 58 so that
the switch circuit 58 selects a terminal 58A at other timings. An
output of the terminal 58A of the switch circuit 58 is sent to an
output terminal 61 through a switch circuit 64.
[0099] An output of the terminal 58B of the switch circuit 58 is
supplied to a UID reading circuit 59. The UID reading circuit 59
reads a UID from the supplied data. The UID that has been read is
supplied to the CPU 40 and stored in a predetermined area of a
memory 41. In addition, the UID is supplied to a terminal 62. As
described above, the UID supplied to the terminal 62 is transmitted
to the management server 20. The UID is supplied from the terminal
62 to the main body of the information terminal unit 30. Using the
communication function of the main body of the information terminal
unit 30, the UID is transmitted to the Internet 31. Alternatively,
the data reproducing unit 200 may have a communication function to
the Internet 31.
[0100] The information terminal unit 30 and the management server
20 perform the process as described with reference to FIG. 9 in
accordance with the UID read from the disc 100 and transmitted from
the information terminal unit 30. In the process, a key and license
information are transmitted from the management server 20 to the
information terminal unit 30 (in SEQ 13 shown in FIG. 9). This
signal is received by the information terminal unit 30 and input
from a terminal 63 to the data reproducing unit 200. A UID/license
information/key information receiving circuit 60 extracts the key
and license information from the supplied signal. The extracted key
and license information are supplied to the CPU 40 and stored in a
memory 41.
[0101] The CPU 40 outputs a control signal that controls the
reproduction of the disc 100 loaded into the data reproducing unit
200 in accordance with the key and/or license information. When the
key and/or license information prohibits the contents recorded on
the disc 100 from being reproduced, the CPU 40 outputs a control
signal that turns off (closes) the switch circuit 64.
[0102] Thus, data that is reproduced from the disc 100 is not
output to the outside of the data reproducing unit 200. As a
result, the contents recorded on the disc 100 cannot be reproduced
and copied to another recording medium.
[0103] When the disc 100 is a CD-DA disc (not shown), data is
extracted from the CIRC error correcting circuit 52. The data is
output to the outside through circuits corresponding to the switch
circuit 58 and the switch circuit 64. Likewise, the data is
supplied to the UID reading circuit 59 through a circuit
corresponding to the switch circuit 58. The UID reading circuit 59
reads the UID.
[0104] The reproduction control using the key and/or license
information is not limited by on/off control of the switch circuit
64. Alternatively, the reproduction control may be performed by for
example the CD-ROM decoder 53.
[0105] Alternatively, in SEQ 13 shown in FIG. 9, in addition to the
key and license information, the UID transmitted from the
information terminal unit 30 to the management server 20 in SEQ 10
may be transmitted from the management server 20 to the information
terminal unit 30. When the UID is received by the information
terminal unit 30, the UID is supplied from the terminal 63 to the
UID/license information/key information receiving circuit 60 and
then sent to the CPU 40. When the disc 100 is loaded into the data
reproducing unit 200, the UID is read from the TOC. By comparing
the UID stored in the memory 41 and the UID transmitted from the
management server 20, it can be determined whether or not a
communication process is properly preformed between the information
terminal unit 30 and the management server 20.
[0106] Alternatively, when the information terminal unit 30 side
receives the UID transmitted from the management server 20 in SEQ
13, the information terminal unit 30 may re-read the UID from the
disc 100 loaded into the data reproducing unit 200 and compare the
UID that has been read and the UID transmitted from the management
server 20. Thus, it may be determined whether or not key and
license have been given for a valid disc.
[0107] The copy control for contents recorded on the disc 100 to
another recording medium may be performed by the data reproducing
unit 200. Next with reference to FIG. 11, an example of a method
for causing the data reproducing unit 200 to control a data
recording unit 300 will be described. The data recording unit 300
records input data on a recording medium 302 such as a CD-R disc or
a CD-RW disc under the control of a CPU 301.
[0108] In FIG. 11, similar portions to those in FIG. 10 are denoted
by similar reference numerals and their description will be
omitted. In FIG. 11, for simplicity, in the data reproducing unit
200, only a CPU 40 that controls all the portions of the data
reproducing unit 200 is shown. Other portions are omitted.
Likewise, in the data recording unit 300, only a CPU 301 that
controls all the portions of the data recording unit 300 is shown.
Other portions are omitted.
[0109] The data reproducing unit 200 reproduces data from the disc
100 and supplies the data to the data recording unit 300. As the
data reproducing unit 200 reproduces data form the disc 100, the
data reproducing unit 200 performs the process as shown in FIG. 9
with the management server 20 (not shown). In this process, the CPU
40 outputs a control signal that controls to copy contents recorded
on the disc 100 to another recording medium in accordance with the
key and license information transmitted from the management server
20. The control signal is supplied to the CPU 301 of the data
recording unit 300.
[0110] The CPU 301 controls whether or not to record data that is
input to the data recording unit 300 to the recording medium 302 in
accordance with a control signal supplied from the CPU 40 of the
data reproducing unit 200. Thus, the data reproducing unit 200 side
can control the data recording unit 300 that record data to the
recording medium 302. As a result, the data recording unit 300 can
restrict a copy operation for contents recorded on the disc 100 to
another disc. In the foregoing example, the recording medium 302 is
an optical disc such as a CD-R disc or a CD-RW disc. However, the
present invention is not limited to such an recording medium. The
recording medium 302 may be another type of a recording medium on
which digital data can be recorded such as a hard disk drive, a
semiconductor memory, or a magneto-optical disc. In addition, the
data recording unit 300 may be build in an information terminal
unit such as a computer unit. Alternatively, the data recording
unit 300 may be built in the information terminal unit 30 along
with the data reproducing unit 200. Alternatively, the data
recording unit 300 may be connected to the information terminal
unit 30 and used along with the data reproducing unit 200.
[0111] In the foregoing example, the disc 100 is a CD on which data
cannot be recorded by a ordinary user. However, it should be noted
that the present invention is not limited to such an example. Even
if the disc 100 is a CD-R disc, if it has been finalized, the user
cannot additionally record data on the disc 100. Thus, the present
invention can be applied to the case that contents are sold as a
finalized CD-R disc.
[0112] As described above, according to the present invention, each
disc can be identified with a UID. In addition, since management
information for each UID is stored in the server, different
services can be provided to discs on which the same contents are
recorded.
[0113] For example, even if contents recorded on discs are the
same, the values corresponding to the fees the user paid can be
added to the discs.
[0114] In addition, according to the embodiment of the present
invention, each disc can be identified with a UID. In addition,
since license information for each UID is stored in the server.
Thus, the copyright of contents recorded on each disc can be
managed for each disc.
[0115] Although the present invention has been shown and described
with respect to a best mode embodiment thereof, it should be
understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and
various other changes, omissions, and additions in the form and
detail thereof may be made therein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *