JP4894239B2 - Data recording apparatus and content reproduction system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to copyright protection of content data related to video and audio.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for temporally limiting the reproduction of content such as video and audio recorded on a recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disk) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). In this example, a method of making the digital data on the disc unreadable after a certain period of time has elapsed after the package is opened by applying a layer that generates cloudiness over time on the recording surface of the optical disc that is the recording medium. Used.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a playback apparatus that controls the content playback from a recording medium after the content playback time has been determined and the playback possible time has elapsed.

Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2003-524853 JP 2002-325224 A

  However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, the recording medium itself becomes completely unusable after a certain period of time has elapsed after opening the package, so that a large amount of unnecessary recording medium is generated. There was a problem. Furthermore, since the reproducible time is determined based on the package opening time, there is a problem that the content provider cannot freely control the reproducible time.

  Further, the method disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a problem that if the current time information is illegally changed, the playback time cannot be controlled as intended by the content provider. In other words, if the playback device allows the viewer to easily set time information, such as a personal computer, the actual playback time may be exceeded by intentionally setting the current time information to a past time. It is possible to make it appear as if the time has not been exceeded, and as a result, the control of the reproducible time becomes invalid.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a data recording apparatus and a reproducing apparatus that can effectively protect the copyright of a content provider.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention assumes a configuration in which the recording medium itself includes means for managing current time information. More specifically, for example, it is a data recording device that can be connected to an external device, and the readable period data of the data derived using the current time from the current time measuring unit owned by the data recording device itself May be recorded, and the data that can be read out of the recorded data may be output to the connected external device.

  Here, the external device corresponds to, for example, a television or a recorder, and the data recording device corresponds to, for example, a removable recording medium with a built-in HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

  In this way, by providing the data recording device itself with its own current time measuring unit, the data recording device itself can always hold and grasp the current time information, and the data recorded in the data recording device itself can be read. When the possible period is exceeded, content playback on an external playback device or the like becomes impossible, and playback control as intended by the content provider is possible.

  At this time, the current time measured by the current time measuring unit should not be affected by processing such as compulsory correction from an external device, or it should be corrected only when the content right holder or the provider has permission for correction. If this is the case, further effective copyright protection can be expected.

  In addition, by providing a battery, a battery charging unit, and a charge management unit in the data recording device, it is possible to hold the accurate current time in the data recording device even if a removable device is assumed. Further, by adding a process for preventing an erroneous operation due to battery consumption, unauthorized content reproduction can be more securely prevented.

  In addition, only by assuming the data recording apparatus as described above, a feature can be found in a connectable playback apparatus, for example, a process on the television or recorder side. For example, when notification data indicating the content readable period or content readable cannot be received from the data recording device described above, the user can know the current state of the content by notifying the user of the notification data. Convenient because it can.

  Further, as a control when the digital data readable period exceeds the current time, there is a method of controlling so that the digital data itself on the recording medium of the recording apparatus is deleted. In this case, since the digital data is automatically deleted when the readable period is exceeded, the storage capacity can be secured and the user can freely use the secured data area, which is convenient.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a data recording device and a data reproducing device that can effectively protect the copyright of a content provider.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a recording apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a recording device, 11 is a recording medium on which digital data is recorded, 12 is a reading and writing unit for data to be recorded on the recording medium 11, 13 is a control unit for controlling the recording device 1, and 14 is an external device. An interface unit for exchanging data with the playback device or digital data writing device, 15 is a current time holding unit, 16 is a battery for supplying power to the current time holding unit, and 19 is a connector for connection to the outside.

  For example, the recording medium 11 represents a magnetic disk, the recording apparatus 1 represents a so-called hard disk drive, and the connection connector 19 represents a dedicated interface defined for the hard disk.

  Content consisting of digital data is recorded on the recording medium 11. The format of the digital data is not particularly limited, and may be any format of compression / non-compression and video / audio / data. Further, a digital data readable period for each content is recorded in advance on the recording medium 11.

  The read / write unit 12 is means for accessing the recording medium 11 to read and write digital data, and can read and write both the content itself and the content readable period.

  The read data is subjected to processing such as buffering by the control unit 13, processing is performed so as to conform to the interface format used by the interface unit 14, and input / output is performed with an external device through the connection connector 19. . The connection connector 19 includes interfaces for input / output of digital data itself, operation commands for the recording apparatus 1, and a power supply to the recording apparatus 1.

  The current time holding unit is a timepiece for measuring the current time, and the operation is stopped even when the recording device 1 is not connected to an external device by being constantly supplied with power from the battery 16. There is nothing. Since the operation means other than the current time holding unit 15 in the recording apparatus 1 is supplied with power from the connection connector 19, it does not operate when the recording apparatus 1 is not connected to an external apparatus.

  The operation when reproducing content composed of digital data using the storage device shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Although digital data is recorded in the recording device 1, it cannot be viewed as a single content, and can be viewed by a user by connecting to the playback device 2 shown in FIG. 2 and performing playback and display. It becomes.

  In FIG. 2, 20 is a playback unit for playing back content, 28 is a display unit for displaying the played content, 23 is a control unit, and 29 is a connector. The connection connector 29 corresponds to 19, and the recording apparatus 1 and the playback apparatus 2 can input / output digital data through the interface of the interface unit 14 by connecting the connection connectors 29 and 19.

  Further, by connecting the connection connectors 29 and 19, information notification from the recording device 1 to the reproducing device 2, an operation command from the reproducing device 2 to the recording device 1, and power supply can be performed.

  Subsequently, the control procedure will be described with reference to FIG. When the recording device 1 is not connected to any external device and is independent, only the current time holding unit 15 operates by receiving power supply from the battery 16. When the recording device 1 is connected to the playback device 2 in the state S1, power is supplied to the operation means other than the current time holding unit 15 in the recording device 1 via the connection connector 19, and the device becomes operable.

  Next, the control unit 13 acquires and confirms the current time held by the current time holding unit 15 in the state S2. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the corresponding digital data readable period has been confirmed for all contents recorded on the recording medium 11 in the state S3. In the initial state in which the recording device 1 is connected to the playback device 2, it is a matter of course that all the contents have not been confirmed.

  Therefore, if it is an initial state, it will always progress to state S5. In the state S <b> 5, the control unit 13 reads the digital data readable period from the recording medium 11 using the reading and writing unit 12. Subsequently, in the state S6, it is determined whether or not the current time exceeds the digital data readable period.

  If the current time does not exceed the digital data readable period, it is determined that there is valid content that can be read, and the process proceeds to the state S7. Notifies the playback apparatus 2 using the interface unit 14.

  The content information to be notified is not limited to the above information, and may include any information related to the content, such as genre, performer, summary, recording date / time, fee, and attached data. When the notification of the content information is completed, the process returns to the state S3, and the same control is performed until the confirmation of all the contents recorded on the recording medium 11 is completed.

  If the current time exceeds the digital data readable period in state S6, since the corresponding data is already prohibited from being read, the process proceeds to state S8, and the control unit 13 deletes the digital data of the corresponding content itself. Subsequently, the digital data readable period deleted in the state S9 is deleted. Thereafter, the process returns to the state S3, and the same control is performed until the confirmation of all the contents recorded on the recording medium 11 is completed.

  If the above-described control is performed and the readable period of all the contents has been confirmed, the reproduction apparatus 2 is notified that the digital data can be read in the state S4. By such control, only the information of the content that does not exceed the digital data readable period is notified to the playback device 2. Therefore, only the content that does not exceed the digital data readable period is recognized as the content recorded in the recording device 1 in the playback device 2.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the digital data readable period is checked when the recording device 1 is connected to the playback device 2, and only the readable content is notified to the playback device 2. The present embodiment is not limited to this. That is, when the recording device 1 is connected, it is possible to control the playback device 2 to notify all the content information recorded on the recording medium 11 without checking the digital data readable period. Also in this case, the content reproduction period can be controlled by checking the digital data readable period during content reproduction.

  Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the digital data is deleted when the digital data readable period exceeds the current time, but this embodiment is limited to this. is not.

  That is, even when the digital data readable period exceeds the current time, the digital data itself is not deleted, and it can be controlled to notify the playback apparatus 2 only that the readable period is exceeded. It is.

  In this case, deletion of the readable period performed in state S9 is not performed. When such control is performed, it is necessary for the user to explicitly instruct the playback apparatus 2 to delete content that cannot be played back.

  Subsequently, a control procedure in the case where the playback apparatus 2 plays back the content recorded in the recording apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In state S71, the user instructs the playback apparatus 2 to play back the content that the user wants to view. The reproduction command is received by the control unit 13 of the recording apparatus 1 through the interface unit 14 as a corresponding digital data read command.

  Next, the control unit 13 acquires and checks the current time held by the current time holding unit 15. Further, in the state S5, the control unit 13 reads the digital data readable period from the recording medium 11 using the reading and writing unit 12. Subsequently, in the state S6, it is determined whether or not the current time exceeds the digital data readable period.

  If the current time does not exceed the digital data readable period, the process proceeds to state S7, and reading of the digital data is started using the reading and writing unit 12. The read digital data is transferred to the playback apparatus 2 via the connection connectors 19 and 29 using the interface unit 14.

  In the state S6, when the current time exceeds the digital data readable period, since the corresponding data is already prohibited from being read, the process proceeds to the state S74, and the control unit 13 exceeds the corresponding digital data readable period. To the playback device 2.

  In the state S75, the playback apparatus 2 displays to the user via the display unit 28 that the content playback period has already been exceeded.

  Next, a different embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 30 denotes a battery state inspection unit that checks the remaining amount of the battery. If the recording device 1 is not connected to an external device for a long time, the battery 16 may be exhausted and the current time holding unit 15 may not be able to operate.

  Further, even when the user removes the battery 16, the current time holding unit 15 cannot be operated. In this state, for example, when connected to the playback device 2, the current time acquired by the control unit 13 is incorrect, and therefore the content readable period cannot be accurately determined.

In this embodiment, the battery state in the battery state inspection unit 30 is less than the normal operation limit of the current time holding unit 15 in order to prevent erroneous determination that can be reproduced even if the digital data readable period is exceeded. If it is determined that there is, the control unit 13 performs control so as to prohibit reading of the content.
It takes a long time for the battery to be exhausted. In such a state, there is a high possibility that the digital data reading period has been exceeded. In addition, it is highly likely that intentional removal of the battery 16 is an action of avoiding content playback period control. Therefore, as described above, it is possible to more firmly control the content reading period by performing the control of inspecting the battery state and prohibiting the content reading.

  Next, a different embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 40 denotes a battery charging unit, which is supplied from a power source included in the connection connector 19.

  In the recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, the battery is surely consumed after a certain time, and the current time holding unit 15 does not operate. On the other hand, in the recording apparatus 1 of FIG. 4, when the recording apparatus 1 is connected to an external reproducing apparatus or digital data writing apparatus, the battery 16 is charged by the charging unit 40. As long as the current time is used, the current time holding unit 15 operates normally. For this reason, there is an effect that malfunction due to battery consumption does not occur.

  The charging unit 40 can naturally be applied to the embodiment shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, the form of the digital data writing apparatus based on Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated using FIG. In FIG. 5, 5 is a digital data writing device to which the recording device 1 is connected, 51 is a recording medium for recording content to be written in the recording device 1 as digital data, 52 is a reading and writing unit for the recording medium 52, and 53 is a control. Reference numeral 57 denotes a reproduction information setting unit for setting a period during which content can be reproduced. Further, the writing device 5 has the same interface unit 14 and connection connector 29 as those of the reproducing device 2.

  The operation when the recording device 1 is connected to the writing device 5 and content is written to the recording device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the recording device 1 is connected to the writing device 5 in the state S81, power is supplied to the operating means other than the current time holding unit 15 in the recording device 1 via the connection connector 19, and the device becomes operable. Subsequently, in a state S82, the reproduction information setting unit 57 sets a reproduction period of the content to be written to the recording device 1 as reproduction information.

  The content reproducible period may be set based on the current time of the writing device 5 or may be set based on the current time of the current time holding unit 15 of the recording device 1. When setting based on the current time of the current time holding unit 15 of the recording device 1, the writing device 5 acquires the current time of the current time holding unit 15 between the states S81 and S82. It should be noted that the content reproducible period may be set individually for each content according to the intention of the content right holder, or may be set so that it cannot be reproduced within a certain period after data writing.

  Further, every time the recording device 1 is connected to the writing device 5, the current time of the current time holding unit 15 of the recording device 1 may be corrected based on the current time of the writing device 5. If such an operation is performed, even if the current time held by the current time holding unit 15 in the recording apparatus 1 has an error, it can be corrected to the correct current time every time the writing process is performed.

  Subsequently, in the state S83, digital data is read from the recording medium 51 by the read / write unit 52, and processing such as buffering is performed by the control unit 53, and processing is performed to match the interface format used by the interface unit 14. And transferred to the recording apparatus 1 through the connection connector 29. In the recording apparatus 1, digital data is recorded on the recording medium 11 by the read / write unit 12 via the interface unit 14 and the control unit 13.

  In parallel with the transfer of the content itself, it is transferred to the recording apparatus 1 via the interface unit 54. The reproduction information transferred to the recording device 1 is written to the recording medium 11 in a form linked to the written digital data as a digital data readable period by the reading and writing unit 12 via the interface unit 14 and the control unit 13. It is.

  As described above, the embodiment of the present embodiment shown in the first to third embodiments is effectively operated by linking the digital data itself and the readable period of the data and writing them in the recording medium 11. It becomes possible.

  In the embodiments described so far, the content reproducible period is configured to be recorded on the recording medium 11, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the same operation is performed even if a non-volatile reproducible period recording unit is added to the recording device 1 independently of the recording medium 11, and the reproducible period of content is recorded in the reproducible period recording unit. I can expect that.

  In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the recording medium 11 is a magnetic disk and the recording apparatus 1 is a so-called hard disk. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and the recording medium 11 is an optical disk or a semiconductor. The same effect can be obtained without any problem even in other storage media such as a non-volatile memory.

  Content is information about video or audio, for example, a predetermined program or commercial broadcasted from a television or radio broadcasting station, or text that can be viewed via a website, CD-ROM, DVD, or other medium. It means information such as still images, videos, music, and audio.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

  Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements.

  For example, the configuration may be such that some configuration requirements are deleted from the configuration requirements shown in the embodiment and straddle a plurality of embodiments. More specifically, when an example is a constituent requirement of A + B + E and a constituent requirement of another embodiment is A + B + C + D, A + B + C + D + E, A + B + C, A + B + D ′, and the like derived therefrom are also included in the present invention. If the above problem can be solved and a specific effect is obtained, the invention is established.

1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a recording apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. Example 1 It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus which connects a recording device. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the recording device in other embodiment of this invention. (Example 2) It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the recording device in other embodiment of this invention. (Example 3) It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the writing apparatus in embodiment of this invention. Example 4 It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the recording device in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the recording device in other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the writing device in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: Recording device
11: Recording medium 12: Reading and writing unit 13: Control unit
14: Interface unit 15: Current time holding unit 16: Battery 19: External connector

Claims (7)

A data recording device connectable to an external device,
A recording unit for recording content data related to video or audio;
An access unit for reading and writing data to the recording unit;
A current time measuring unit for measuring the current time;
A battery for operating the current time measuring unit;
An interface unit for inputting / outputting data to / from a connected external device;
A control unit that records data relating to a period in which the data can be read out via the access unit of the recording unit;
Comprising
When the external device and the data recording device are connected, the control unit reads data related to the readable period of the content data recorded in the recording unit and current time data measured by the current time measuring unit. And only the attribute information of the content data whose current time is determined to be within the readable period is read using the access unit, and the attribute of the content data within the readable period is read to the external device via the interface unit A data recording apparatus for outputting information . The data recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
A charging unit for charging the battery;
The control unit controls the charging unit to charge the battery when the data recording device is connected to a playback device that plays back content . The data recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
When receiving a read request from the external device, the control unit compares the data related to the readable period of the content data recorded in the recording unit with the current time data measured by the current time measurement unit. If the current time data is outside the readable period, the access unit is used to prohibit the reading of the content data, and the content data cannot be read via the interface unit. A data recording apparatus characterized by controlling to notify the apparatus. The data recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The control unit compares the data related to the readable period of the content data recorded in the recording unit with the current time data measured by the current time measuring unit, and the current time data is outside the readable period. If there is, the data recording apparatus controls to delete the content data stored by the recording unit. The data recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The data recording apparatus, wherein the recording unit is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) . The data recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A data recording apparatus , wherein the recording unit is an optical disk . A content reproduction system comprising the data device according to claim 1 and an external device,
The external device includes a display unit that displays video and an interface unit that inputs and outputs data to and from the data device,
When the external device and the data recording device are connected, the control unit reads data related to the readable period of the content data recorded in the recording unit and current time data measured by the current time measuring unit. The attribute information of the content data within the readable period is read out to the external device via the interface unit by reading only the attribute information of the content data determined that the current time is within the readable period. And a list of content data within a period in which the current time can be read is displayed on the external device.

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