JP2001142786A - Method for processing data with copyright and processor for the data - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve an operability in a data processor by displaying a right for processing data with a copyright on a screen. SOLUTION: An internal data storing part 15 stores distributed music data. A copyright management table 16 stores the processing right concerning each kind of music data. The processing right includes a reproduction right and a data copy right to an external storage medium 7, etc. A control part 17 refers to the processing right which is stored in the table 16, judges the propriety of execution with respect to an inputted processing instruction 30 and outputs a control signal 32 to a reproducing part 18, etc. A display part 21 displays the processing right which is stored in the table 16 in accordance with an operation mode set in a mode storage part 20. The reproduction right and the copy right of music data are displayed by using an icon and information concerning the external storage medium 7 is displayed when the icon indicating the copy right under usage is selected. When the processing instruction 30 not executable is inputted, an alarm screen is displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing copyrighted data, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for processing copyrighted data distributed over a network. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digitization of information has advanced, and many digital works including multimedia contents such as images and sounds have been distributed. Such a digital work is provided to a user using a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a communication means such as the Internet. In particular, a method of downloading a digital work to a personal computer using a communication network is a simple method, and is expected to spread in the future. A digital work has the characteristic that it can be easily copied and its characteristics do not deteriorate even if it is copied. For this reason, the demand for copyright protection of digital works is extremely high.

[0003] Regarding copyright protection of digital works,
The following prior arts are known. As a first related art, a content control method used in a music distribution system is known. The content control method is described in "Music Distribution Matters", Nikkei Electronics, March 8, 1999, no. 738, pp. 87
-111. In the content control method,
Encrypted music data (hereinafter referred to as file A),
Another file (hereinafter, referred to as file B) containing the control information and the decryption key of file A is distributed using the communication network. When playing back the music data included in the file A, it is determined with reference to the control information of the file B whether or not the reproduction and copying of the file A are permitted.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data processing apparatus using the first conventional technique. The data processing device shown in FIG. 17 is used by connecting to a communication network (not shown). The distribution data storage unit 101 stores the file A distributed using a communication network such as the Internet or CATV (Cable TV). The copyright management table 102 stores the file B distributed using the communication network in association with the file A. The purchase processing unit 103 communicates with a charging server (not shown) to purchase a processing right required for performing processing such as reproduction, and records the purchased processing right in the copyright management table 102. I do. Control unit 105
Determines whether to execute a processing instruction with reference to the processing authority recorded in the copyright management table 102 when a processing instruction is input using the input unit 104. The reproduction unit 106 receives the decryption key included in the file B from the control unit 105, and reproduces the music data included in the file A.

A second prior art is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-320.
A method disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 192 is known in which digital data is encrypted to prevent illegal data duplication. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a copyright protection device according to a second related art. The copyright protection apparatus shown in FIG. 18 is characterized in that digital data read from the disk 111 is encrypted before being loaded on the bus 114. That is, the data format unit 112 adds, to the data read from the disk 111, encryption start information, an encryption key, an encryption unit, copy management information indicating whether or not to allow data copy, and encryption to be used. Add identification information of the optimization algorithm. The encryption unit 113 encrypts data using the encryption key provided from the key distribution unit 110. Data is,
It flows on the bus 114 in an encrypted state. Decryption unit 1
15 decrypts the data using the decryption key provided from the key distribution unit 110. The decrypted data is restored to the same state as when it was read from the disk 111 by the data formatting unit 116, and thereafter, the
7 is played.

As described above, according to the first prior art, the received copyrighted data can be processed within the scope of the purchased processing right, and according to the second prior art, the copyrighted data can be processed. Protect against unauthorized duplication.

[0007]

However, in these prior arts, the processing right required when processing copyrighted data is not presented to the user in an appropriate expression format. Did not. For this reason, there is a problem that the user cannot recognize which processing can be executed for each data.

Therefore, the present invention displays the processing right of copyrighted data on a screen in an appropriate expression form,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a copyrighted data processing method and apparatus with improved operability.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention A first invention is a data processing apparatus for executing processing on data protected by copyright within the scope of the acquired right. A data storage unit for storing data, a right information storage unit for storing a processing right required for processing the data stored in the data storage unit, and a processing instruction for the data stored in the data storage unit Input means, a control means for determining whether or not to execute a processing instruction based on the processing right stored in the right information storage means, and a processing executing means for executing the processing instruction in accordance with control from the control means. And display means for displaying the processing right stored in the right information storage means on a screen.

[0010] According to the first aspect, the processing right for each data stored in the data storage means is displayed on the screen. Therefore, the user can easily recognize what processing can be performed on each data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, data is received by receiving the data stored in the data storage means from the communication path and acquiring the processing right stored in the right information storage means using the communication path. Means are further provided.

According to the second aspect, the data stored in the data storage means is received from the communication path.
For this reason, the user can easily recognize what processing can be performed on each data received from the communication path.

[0013] In a third aspect based on the first aspect, the processing execution means copies the data stored in the data storage means to a removable storage medium under the control of the control means, It is characterized by including data copying means having a function of erasing data copied to a storage medium.

According to the third aspect, each data stored in the data storage means is copied to the external storage medium,
The copied data can be deleted. In addition, a processing right for performing each processing is displayed on the screen. For this reason,
The user can easily recognize whether or not data copy processing to an external storage medium or data deletion processing can be performed on each data.

In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, the right information storage means stores storage medium information for identifying the storage medium, and the display means displays the storage medium information on a screen. .

According to the fourth aspect, information on the storage medium on which the data has been copied is displayed on the screen. Therefore, the user can easily recognize on which external storage medium the data has been copied.

In a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the display means displays the storage medium information on the storage medium on the screen when the data copied to the storage medium is selected by the input means. Features.

According to the fifth aspect, since information on the storage medium on which the data has been copied is displayed when the data is selected, a large amount of storage medium information is not displayed on the screen at the same time. . Therefore, the user can easily recognize on which storage medium the selected data has been copied.

According to a sixth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the storage medium information is a unique storage medium identifier of the storage medium.

According to the sixth aspect, the user uses the unique storage medium identifier of the storage medium to
It is possible to easily recognize on which storage medium the data has been copied.

According to a seventh aspect based on the fourth aspect, the storage medium information is an identifier assigned to identify the storage medium.

According to the seventh aspect, the user can freely assign an identifier for identifying the storage medium and easily recognize which storage medium the data has been copied to using the identifier. Can be.

In an eighth aspect based on the third aspect, the control means outputs a warning signal when the control means determines that the processing instruction which is a data copy instruction to the storage medium is not to be executed, and the display means has a warning signal. The warning screen is displayed based on the following.

According to the eighth aspect, when there is no processing right for performing data copying, a warning screen is displayed. Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the data copy instruction has not been executed.

In a ninth aspect based on the eighth aspect, the display means displays on the warning screen a message prompting the user to obtain a processing right required for performing the data copying process.

According to the ninth aspect, the user can immediately acquire the data copy right from the warning screen indicating that there is no processing right for data copy.

In a tenth aspect based on the third aspect, the control means outputs a warning signal when the control means determines not to execute a processing command which is a data erasing command from the storage medium, and the display means outputs the warning signal. The warning screen is displayed based on the following.

According to the tenth aspect, when there is no processing right for erasing data, a warning screen is displayed. Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the data erasure command has not been executed.

In an eleventh aspect based on the first aspect, the display means displays an icon corresponding to the processing right stored in the right information storage means on a screen.

According to the eleventh aspect, the processing right for each data is displayed using the icon. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the contents of the processing right for each data.

According to a twelfth aspect, in the eleventh aspect,
The display means displays the icons corresponding to the processing rights on the screen as many as the number of times of execution, when the number of executions is added to the processing right stored in the right information storage means.

According to the twelfth aspect, an icon equal to the number of executions is displayed on the screen. For this reason,
The user can easily recognize the limitation on the number of executions added to the processing right.

In a thirteenth aspect based on the first aspect, the display means displays, on a screen, a processing right for data that can be processed in the processing mode in accordance with the set processing mode.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the user can display only data that can be processed, and can avoid inputting an erroneous processing command for data that cannot be processed.

In a fourteenth aspect based on the first aspect, the display means switches a display method in accordance with the set display mode, and displays the processing right stored in the right information storage means on a screen. Features.

According to the fourteenth aspect, the user can switch the display mode according to his / her preference and display the processing right for each data on the screen.

In a fifteenth aspect based on the first aspect, the control means outputs a warning signal when it is determined that the processing command is not executed, and the display means displays a warning screen based on the warning signal. Features.

According to the fifteenth aspect, when there is no right to process data, a warning screen is displayed. Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the processing instruction has not been executed.

A sixteenth invention is a data processing method for processing data protected by copyright within the scope of the acquired right, comprising: a data storage step of storing a plurality of data; and a data storage step. A right information storing step of storing a processing right required for performing a process for each data stored in the step, an input step of inputting a processing instruction for the data stored in the data storing step, and a right information storing step A control step of determining whether or not to execute a processing instruction based on the processing right stored in step (a), a processing execution step of executing the processing instruction in accordance with control from the control step, and a processing stored in the right information storage step. Displaying the right on the screen.

A seventeenth invention is a recording medium recording a program for executing, by a computer, a data processing method for processing data protected by copyright within the scope of the acquired right. A data storing step of storing the data of the data, a right information storing step of storing a processing right required for performing processing for each data stored in the data storing step, and a data storing step of storing the data stored in the data storing step. An input step of inputting a processing instruction, a control step of determining whether to execute the processing instruction based on the processing right stored in the right information storage step, and a processing of executing the processing instruction according to control from the control step An execution step and a display step of displaying the processing right stored in the right information storage step on a screen are provided.

According to the sixteenth or seventeenth aspect, the processing right for the data accumulated in the data accumulation step is displayed on the screen. Therefore, the user can easily recognize what processing can be performed on each data.

As described above, the data processing method with copyright according to the present invention and the apparatus therefor are very easy for the user to use, and the practical effect is extremely large.

[0043]

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The data processing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an input unit 10, a distribution data storage unit 11, a purchase management table 1,
2, purchase processing unit 13, data conversion unit 14, internal data storage unit 15, copyright management table 16, control unit 17, playback unit 18, checkout / check-in processing unit 19, mode storage unit 20, and display unit 21. The data processing device 1 is a device that performs processing such as reproduction and duplication on distributed music data with copyright, and is characterized by displaying a processing right for the distributed music data on a screen.

Before explaining the details of the data processing apparatus 1,
The music distribution system using the data processing device 1 and the format of music data handled by the data processing device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The data processing device 1, as shown in FIG.
The communication server 4 is connected to a distribution server 5 and a billing server 6 via a communication network 4. The communication network 4 is a network such as the Internet, CATV, satellite communication, or a mobile phone. The distribution server 5 stores a large number of music data protected by copyright, and distributes the music data in response to a request from the data processing device 1. Billing server 6
Performs a charging process for the distributed music data.
The external storage medium 7 is a storage medium configured to be detachable from the data processing device 1 and the portable music player 8.
The data processing device 1 identifies the external storage medium 7 using a unique storage medium identifier of the external storage medium 7 or a label name specified for each external storage medium 7 by a user.

The outline of copyright management for music data is as follows.
It is as follows. The distribution server 5 distributes the encrypted music data and a decryption key for decryption to the data processing device 1. The data processing apparatus 1 transmits information to the effect that the payment is agreed to the charging server 6 before or after the distribution of the music data, and purchases a processing right for the distributed music data. The data processing device 1 performs processing on the distributed music data within the scope of the purchased processing right. For example, the data processing device 1 reproduces music data by using the decryption key the number of times of the purchased reproduction right.

The data processing device 1 copies the music data and the decryption key to the external storage medium 7 (hereinafter referred to as checkout), and deletes the music data copied to the external storage medium 7 ( (Hereinafter referred to as check-in). The data processing device 1 can check out music data as many times as the number of purchased checkout rights. The check-out right is restored when the checked-out music data is checked in. However, the data processing device that can check in certain music data is limited to the data processing device that has checked out the music data. Also, when writing is performed on the external storage medium from which the music data whose editing is prohibited is checked out, the data processing device 1
Does not check in the music data.

Further, the data processing device 1 can perform a process of transferring music data, a decryption key, and a processing right to another data processing device (hereinafter, referred to as transfer). When the transfer processing is performed, no processing right remains in the original data processing device.

The music data handled by the data processing device 1 includes
In addition to audio content, content such as video, images, text or programs is included. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing formats of three types of music data handled by the data processing device 1. The distribution format shown in FIG. 3A is used when distributing music data. The internal format shown in FIG. 3B is used when music data is stored inside the data processing device 1. The copy format shown in FIG. 3C is used when checking out music data to the external storage medium 7.

The music data is distributed to the data processing device 1 in units called packages. In the distribution format shown in FIG. 3A, the package includes four types of data: a header 40, navigation information 41, a plurality of contents 42, and billing information 43. The header 40 includes information such as a package identifier for identifying the package and the position and size of other data. The content 42 is content data such as audio, video, image, text, or program. Each content has a unique content identifier within the package and is encrypted as needed.

The navigation information 41 is reproduction control information used for controlling reproduction of music data. In order to refer to each content 42 from the navigation information 41, a content identifier is used. Content included in the same package is referred to using only the content identifier, and content included in another package is referred to using the package identifier and the content identifier. The billing information 43 includes usage conditions, prices, decryption keys, and the like for each content 42.

The music data is handled in the data processing device 1 in a format from which the billing information 43 is removed. FIG.
In the internal format shown in (b), music data includes a header 40, navigation information 41, and a plurality of contents 42.

The music data is converted into a format according to the type of the external storage medium 7 before being checked out to the external storage medium 7. For example, if the external storage medium 7 is SD
In the case of a (Secure Digital) memory card, the music data is converted into a format that includes audio content for an SD memory card and does not include video content. In the copy format shown in FIG. 3C, the music data includes a header 44, a content 42, and a decryption key 45. The header 44 is
This is header information according to the type of the external storage medium 7. The decryption key 45 is a decryption key extracted from the accounting information 43 of the distribution format. The content 42 is content data selected from the music data in the internal format according to the type of the external storage medium 7. The music data shown in FIG. 3C includes only one content 42,
It may include a plurality of contents. When checking out the music data, the music data in the copy format may be divided into a plurality of files and copied.

The music data may include content data read from a CD or the like in addition to the content data distributed from the distribution server 5. Such data is called ripped content.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the data processing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 again. The outline of the operation of the data processing device 1 is as follows. The distributed music data is converted into an internal format by the data conversion unit 14 and stored in the internal data storage unit 15. The processing right for each content included in the music data is recorded in the copyright management table 16. The control unit 17 refers to the copyright management table 16 to determine whether or not the input processing instruction 30 can be executed, and instructs the start of processing such as reproduction and checkout.

The user uses the input unit 10 to input a processing command 30 for the content. Processing instructions described in the present embodiment include distribution, purchase, playback, checkout,
Check-in, move and mode settings. In addition, there are processing instructions such as data classification, data editing, data search, import, export, addition of user data, capturing of ripped content, and checking for fraud. The input unit 10 outputs position information 34 obtained from a pointing device such as a mouse.

The distribution data storage unit 11 stores music data in a distribution format distributed from the distribution server 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the purchase management table 12 stores a set of a package identifier 50, a content identifier 51, and a purchase state 52 for each content included in the music data stored in the distribution data storage unit 11. The purchase state 52 is a condition specified when purchasing the content, and includes states such as reproduction, purchase, and trial listening. The content whose purchase state is reproduction can be reproduced for a specified number of times or for a specified period. The content whose purchase status is "purchase" can be freely reproduced and checked out a specified number of times. The content whose purchase status is the audition can be reproduced as many times as the designated time.

When the purchase processing unit 13 receives the processing command 30 instructing the purchase from the input unit 10, the purchase processing unit 13
And sends information to the effect that the user agrees to the payment, and purchases a processing right for the distributed music data. Thereafter, the purchase processing unit 13 stores the purchased processing right in the purchase management table 1.
Record in 2. If the specified content is not stored in the distribution data storage unit 11, the purchase processing unit 13
Requests the distribution server 5 to distribute the music data including the content. After receiving music data distribution,
Purchase processing unit 13 outputs control signal 31 instructing data conversion unit 14 to perform data conversion.

When receiving the control signal 31, the data converter 14 converts the designated music data into an internal format. That is, the data conversion unit 14 separates the billing information 43 from the distributed package and obtains music data in an internal format. The data conversion unit 14
Extracts the decryption key for each content from the billing information 43 and records it in the copyright management table 16.

The internal data storage unit 15 stores the data
The music data in the internal format output from the storage device 4 is stored. Processing such as reproduction and checkout is performed on the stored music data.

As shown in FIG. 5, the copyright management table 16 stores copyright management information for each content stored in the internal data storage unit 15. The copyright management table 16 includes a package identifier 50, a content identifier 51, a purchase state 52, a right acquisition date 53, a decryption key 54, a reproduction count 55, a checkout count 56, and checkout destination information 57. FIG. 5 shows one table divided into two parts. In the table before the division, the number of times of reproduction 55 is arranged next to the decryption key 54.

The package identifier 50, the content identifier 51, and the purchase status 52 are the same data as the data stored in the purchase management table 12. Date of acquisition 53
Is the date when this content was purchased. Decryption key 5
Reference numeral 4 denotes a decryption key for decrypting the content. The reproduction count 55 is the number of times the content has been reproduced. The number of checkouts 56 is the number of times the content has been checked out. Checkout destination information 57
It includes a storage medium identifier and a label name of the external storage medium to be checked out. The label name is assigned when music data is first checked out to an external storage medium.

When new music data is stored in the internal data storage unit 15, the package identifier 50, the content identifier 51, the purchase status 52, the right acquisition date 53, and the decryption key 54 are set to predetermined values, respectively. Is done.
Also, the number of times of reproduction 55 and the number of times of checkout 56 are initialized to 0, and the checkout destination information 57 is cleared. The copyright management table 16 is encrypted by an encryption method unique to the data processing device 1 to prevent data tampering.

The control unit 17 refers to the copyright management table 16 to determine whether or not the processing instruction 30 can be executed.
Instructs the start of processing such as playback and checkout. FIG.
The operation of the control unit 17 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The control unit 17 executes the processing instruction 3 for the content.
When it receives 0 (step S101), it reads out the copyright management information for the content from the copyright management table 16 (step S102). Next, the control unit 17
Uses the read copyright management information to execute the processing instruction 30
Is determined (step S103). For example, when the reproduction process is instructed, the control unit 17
Referring to the permitted number of reproductions or the permitted reproduction period included in the purchase state 52, if the number of reproductions 55 is equal to or less than the permitted number of reproductions or if the date is within the permitted reproduction period counted from the right acquisition date 53, the reproduction is performed. Judge to execute the instruction.

When the control unit 17 determines that the processing command is to be executed, the control unit 17 updates the number of times of reproduction 55 and the number of times of checkout 56 included in the copyright management table 16 (step S104). Next, the control unit 17 outputs a control signal 32 instructing the start of the process to a predetermined process execution unit (step S105). At this time, the control unit 17 outputs the decryption key 54 read from the copyright management table 16 in the control signal 32. On the other hand, when determining that the processing command is not to be executed, the control unit 17 outputs a control signal 32 instructing a warning display to the display unit 21 (step S106).

When receiving the control signal 32 instructing the start of reproduction, the reproducing unit 18 reads the specified content from the music data stored in the internal data storage unit 15 and uses the received decryption key 54 to read the specified content. To play.

Check-out / check-in processing section 19
Receives a control signal 32 instructing start of checkout, reads out a specified content from the music data stored in the internal data storage unit 15, converts the content into a copy format, and converts the converted music data into an external storage medium. 7
Write to. Check-out / check-in processing section 19
Deletes the music data copied to the external storage medium 7 when receiving the control signal 32 instructing check-in.

The check-out / check-in processing section 19 reads the storage medium identifier 33 from the external storage medium 7 and outputs it to the control section 17. The control unit 17
After performing the checkout process, the received storage medium identifier 33 is recorded in the copyright management table 16. In addition, before performing the check-in process, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the check-in process is possible based on whether or not the received storage medium identifier 33 is recorded in the copyright management table 16.

The mode storage unit 20 stores two types of mode information, ie, a processing mode and a display mode, for switching the display screen on the display unit 21. These pieces of mode information are set by a processing instruction 30 indicating a mode setting. Alternatively, these mode information may be automatically set according to the input processing command. The display unit 21 according to the mode information,
A screen representing the processing right is created based on the copyright information stored in the copyright management table 16 and displayed on a CRT, a liquid crystal display, or the like.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on the display unit 21. As shown in FIG. The display screen 60 shown in FIG. 7 displays title names and processing rights for the five contents 61 to 65. The title name is displayed using a character string, and the processing right is displayed using an icon. The checkout right of each content is displayed using an icon depicting a house. Unused checkout rights are displayed using an icon 68 without hatching. The checkout right in use (that is, when the user has previously checked out using this checkout right) is displayed using an icon 69 with hatching. The fact that there is no check-out right is displayed using an icon 70 with a cross. The reproduction right of each content is displayed using an icon 71 depicting a speaker.

According to the display screen 60 shown in FIG. 7, it can be easily understood that the following processing can be executed for each content. The content 61 whose title is AAAAA can be checked out only once. The content 62 whose title is BBBBBB can be reproduced, but cannot be checked out. The content 63 whose title name is CCCCC cannot be checked out because both of the two checkout rights are in use. The content 64 whose title is DDDDD can be checked out only once because one of the two checkout rights is in use. The content 65 whose title is EEEEE can be checked out only once upon reproduction.

An icon 66 in the shape of a CD indicates that the content is ripped from the CD. The icon 66 shown in FIG.
5 indicates that the content is ripped. The comment display 67 indicates a storage medium identifier and a label name of the external storage medium whose content has been checked out. The comment display 67 shown in FIG. 7 indicates that the content 65 has been checked out to the external storage medium 7 having the storage medium identifier of SD54862. The comment display 67 is displayed when the pointing device moves on the icon indicating the checkout right in use.

FIG. 8 is a table showing the correspondence between the processing modes set in the mode storage unit 20 and the contents displayed in each processing mode. The processing mode is
As shown in FIG. 8, playback, checkout, or
Take any value for the move. When the processing mode is playback, the content for which the playback right has been obtained that satisfies the playback conditions,
The ripped content with checkout right is displayed. When the processing mode is checkout,
Among the purchased contents or ripped contents, those satisfying the check-out condition are displayed. When the processing mode is “moving”, the purchased contents or ripped contents that are not checked out are displayed.

FIG. 9 is a table showing the correspondence between display modes set in the mode storage unit 20 and display methods in each display mode. As shown in FIG. 9, the display mode takes one of the following values: minimum display, non-selectable display, icon display, and normal display. When the display mode is the minimum display, only the title name and the reproduction time of the processable content are displayed. When the display mode is not selectable, the title names and playback times of all the contents are displayed. However, contents for which processing cannot be performed are displayed separately. For example, contents for which processing cannot be performed are displayed in gray. When the display mode is the icon display, the title names and reproduction times of all contents are displayed. In addition, processing rights for all contents are displayed using icons. When the display mode is the normal display, the copyright management information on all contents is displayed in a table format.

The display unit 21 switches and displays the screen as in the table shown in FIG. 10 according to the processing mode and the display mode set in the mode storage unit 20. The display screen 60 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed when the display mode is the icon display. Note that the table shown in FIG. 10 shows an example of screen switching, and the screen switching method is not limited to this.

Referring to the flowchart shown in FIG.
The operation of the display unit 21 will be described. The display unit 21 initializes the display screen first (step S201), and then reads out the processing mode and the display mode from the mode storage unit 20 (step S202). Next, the display unit 21 obtains a condition for displaying the content by using the two read operation modes and referring to the table shown in FIG. 10 (step S203). Next, the display unit 21 determines whether or not each content in the copyright management table 16 satisfies the condition obtained in step S203 (step S20).
5) The process of adding the copyright management information about the content that satisfies the condition to the display screen (step S206) is repeated. In step S206, a character string indicating a title and an icon indicating a processing right are added to the display screen according to the display mode. The processing of steps S204 to S207 is performed for all contents.

Next, the display unit 21 receives the position information 34 from the input unit 10 (Step S208). Location information 3
Reference numeral 4 denotes a position on the screen input using a pointing device such as a mouse. The display unit 21 determines whether or not the position information 34 is within the range in which the icon for the used checkout right is displayed (step S20).
9). If the position information 34 is within the display range of the icon, the display unit 21 reads out the checkout destination information 57 from the copyright management table 16 (step S21).
0), a comment display 67 is added to the display screen (step S211). When the position information 34 is not within the display range of the icon, the display unit 21 does not add the comment display 67 to the display screen. Thereafter, the display unit 21 displays a screen (Step S212). Thereby, the display screen 60 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.

As described above, the data processing device according to the present embodiment processes the content distributed within the range of the acquired processing right, and displays the processing right for each content on the screen. For this reason, the user can easily recognize what processing can be performed on each content. Further, the user can switch the method of displaying the processing right by setting the mode information.
Thus, only the processable content is displayed on the screen, and it is possible to avoid inputting an erroneous processing command for the content that cannot be processed. Further, by selecting a mode in which an icon is displayed for each processing right, the user can easily recognize the limitation on the number of executions added to the processing right. In addition, since information on the external storage medium from which the content has been checked out is displayed, the user can easily recognize which external storage medium the music data has been checked out to.

In this embodiment, an icon is displayed for each processing right. Alternatively, the number of processing rights may be displayed by a number. According to this method, the area required for display can be reduced even when the number of processing rights is large. Although a character string is displayed as a label name, image data may be displayed. Affixing a label on which such a character string or image data is printed to an external storage medium makes it easier for a user to identify the external storage medium.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The data processing device 2 illustrated in FIG. 12 includes an input unit 22, a distribution data storage unit 11, a purchase management table 12,
Purchase processing unit 13, data conversion unit 14, internal data storage unit 15, copyright management table 16, control unit 17, playback unit 1
8, a check-out / check-in processing unit 19, a mode storage unit 20, and a display unit 23. The data processing device 2 is used in the same music distribution system as the data processing device 1 according to the first embodiment, and displays a warning screen when processing is not permitted. Among the components of the present embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The data processing apparatus 2 displays the screen shown in FIG. 13 when checking out, and displays the screen shown in FIG. 14 when checking in. FIG.
FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing display screens during and after the check-out process, respectively. FIG. 14A and FIG.
It is a figure which shows the display screen after a check-in process during a check-in process. 13 (a) and FIG. 14 (a)
Arrows A1 to A4 shown in FIG. 3 are for explanation and are not displayed on the screen.

As shown in FIG. 13A, the display screen 72 during the check-out process has a sub-screen 73 showing the contents in the data processing device 2 and a sub-screen 73 showing the contents in the external storage medium 7. A screen 74 is displayed.
The user selects the icon indicating the checkout right displayed on the sub-screen 73 using the pointing device, and moves the icon to the sub-screen 74 as indicated by an arrow A1 or A2. The input unit 22 interprets the drag-and-drop operation as a check-out command.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, since the data processing device 2 has one check-out right for the content 61, the content 61 is checked out. On the other hand, the data processing device 2 has no right to check out the content 62. Therefore, a warning screen 75 indicating that an unauthorized checkout command has been issued.
Is displayed. The warning screen 75 displays a message prompting the purchase of the checkout right. Using the warning screen 75, the user can immediately purchase the right to check out the content 62.

When the user has purchased the check-out right for the content 62, the content 62 is checked out, and after the check-out processing, a screen shown in FIG. 13B is displayed. The user can recognize that the contents 61 and 62 have been checked out on the display screen shown in FIG.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14A, on the display screen 76 during the check-in processing, a sub-screen 77 showing the contents in the data processing device 2 and a content in the external storage medium 7 are displayed. Is displayed. The user selects the content displayed on the sub-screen 78 using the pointing device and moves the content to the sub-screen 77 as indicated by an arrow A3 or A4. The input unit 22 interprets the drag-and-drop operation as a check-in command for the content.

In the example shown in FIG. 14, the data processing apparatus 2 has one check-out right for the content 61 in use. That is, the content 61 checked out to the external storage medium 7 has been checked out from the data processing device 2. Therefore, the content 6
1 is checked in, and the right to check out the content 61 is restored.

On the other hand, the data processing device 2 does not have the right to check out the content 62 in use. That is, the content 62 checked out to the external storage medium 7 is not the content checked out by the data processing device 2. For this reason, a warning screen 79 is displayed to indicate that an unacceptable check-in instruction has been instructed. After the check-in processing, a screen shown in FIG. 14B is displayed. The user can recognize from the display screen shown in FIG. 14B that the content 61 has been checked in and the content 62 has not been checked in.

In the example shown in FIG. 14, a warning screen 79 is also displayed when a check-in instruction is input for a content that does not exist in the data processing device 2, for example, a content whose title is PPPPP.

To display such a screen, the input unit 22, the control unit 17, and the display unit 23 operate as follows. The input unit 22 receives the display position information 35 from the display unit 23. The display position information 35 is information indicating a display position of an icon indicating a sub screen or a processing right. Input unit 22
Refers to the display position information 35 and outputs the processing instruction 30 when it determines that the input position on the screen or the movement of the position corresponds to the processing instruction.

The control unit 17 operates according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, and outputs a control signal 32 instructing the display unit 23 to display a warning when it determines that the check-out / check-in command is not to be executed (step S1). S
106). When receiving the control signal 32, the display unit 23 additionally displays a warning screen 75 or 79 on the screen.

As described above, the data processing apparatus according to the present embodiment displays a warning screen when an unprocessable check-out / check-in command is instructed.
Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the check-out / check-in instruction has not been executed. If the user cannot check out, a warning screen including a message prompting purchase of a checkout right is displayed. Therefore, the user can immediately purchase the checkout right from the warning screen.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data processing device 3 according to a third embodiment. The data processing device 3 shown in FIG.
Distribution data storage unit 11, purchase management table 12, purchase processing unit 13, data conversion unit 14, internal data storage unit 15,
It includes a copyright management table 16, a control unit 17, a playback unit 18, a checkout / checkin processing unit 19, a reference data editing unit 24, and a reference data storage unit 25. The data processing device 3 is used in the same music distribution system as the data processing device 1 according to the first embodiment, and is characterized by using new data that refers to the distributed music data. Among the components of the present embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The data processing device 3 uses new data called reference data in order to refer to the distributed music data. The reference data is used to define music data including original music data and new content. To reference the original music data from the reference data,
A package identifier of a package including original music data (hereinafter, referred to as a reference package) is used.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the format of reference data. FIG. 16A is a diagram showing a distribution format of music data, similarly to FIG.
(B) is a diagram showing a format of reference data.
The reference data is stored in the header 8 as shown in FIG.
0, a reference package identifier 81, a plurality of pieces of reference information 82,
And a plurality of contents 83. Header 80
Contains information about the structure of reference data, such as the position and size of other data. The reference package identifier 81 is
This is the package identifier of the reference package. The content 83 is content data to be replaced or added to the reference package.

Reference information 82 is information indicating details of replacement or addition of content. The reference information 82 indicating content replacement includes a replacement flag 84, a content identifier 85 before replacement, and a content identifier 86 after replacement. This reference information means that the content 42 included in the reference package and having the content identifier 85 before replacement is replaced with the content 83 included in the reference data and having the content identifier 86 after replacement. The reference information 82 indicating addition of a content includes an addition flag 87 and an additional content identifier 88. This reference information is included in the reference data and means that the content having the additional content identifier 88 is added to the reference package.

The reference data editing unit 24 edits the reference data according to the reference data editing command 36 input from the input unit 10. The reference data storage unit 25 stores the reference data edited by the reference data editing unit 24.

When receiving a command to reproduce reference data from the control unit 17, the reproduction unit 18 newly creates navigation information and reproduces music data using the navigation information. That is, the reproducing unit 18 first obtains the reference package identifier 81 from the designated reference data. Next, the playback unit 1
8 reads out the navigation information 41 included in the package having the reference package identifier 81, and
8 is developed on the internal memory. Next, the reproducing unit 18 edits the navigation information developed on the memory using the reference information 82 included in the reference data. For example, when the reference information 82 indicates the replacement of the content, the reproduction unit 1
8 replaces all the pre-replacement content identifiers 85 included in the navigation information on the memory with the post-replacement content identifiers 86. Thereby, navigation information is newly created.

[0098] The reproduction unit 18 reproduces the data according to the created navigation information. Since the created navigation information includes the post-replacement content identifier 86 instead of the pre-replacement content identifier 85, the content 83 included in the reference data is reproduced instead of the content 42 included in the reference package. As a result, it is possible to define music data in which the content data owned by the user is replaced or added to the original music data, and perform processing such as reproduction on the defined data.

As described above, the data processing apparatus according to the present embodiment creates reference data for referring to the original music data, and reproduces the music data using the reference data. Thus, the content owned by the user can be freely replaced or added to the original music data without changing the navigation information included in the distributed music data. The reference data includes only reference information and content owned by the user, and does not include copyright management information. Therefore, only the reference information can be distributed to other users, and the other users can use the reference information.

The data processing apparatuses according to the first to third embodiments can be realized by a combination of a computer and a program operating on the computer. The data processing device according to the present invention can be realized by recording this program on a recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk and mounting the program on an arbitrary computer system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a music distribution system using the data processing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a format of music data handled by the data processing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a purchase management table in the data processing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a copyright management table in the data processing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit in the data processing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the data processing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a table showing a correspondence between a processing mode and displayed content in the data processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a table showing a correspondence between a display mode and a display method in the data processing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a table showing a correspondence between two types of modes and a display method in the data processing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a display unit in the data processing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen at the time of a check-out process by the data processing device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen during a check-in process by the data processing device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data processing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a format of reference data handled by the data processing device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional data processing device.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional copyright protection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2, 3 ... data processing device 4 ... communication network 5 ... distribution server 6 ... billing server 7 ... external storage medium 8 ... portable music player 10, 22 ... input unit 11 ... distribution data storage unit 12 ... purchase management table DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Purchase processing part 14 ... Data conversion part 15 ... Internal data storage part 16 ... Copyright management table 17 ... Control part 18 ... Reproduction part 19 ... Checkout / check-in processing part 20 ... Mode storage part 21, 23 ... Display part 24: Reference data editing unit 25: Reference data storage unit 30: Processing instruction 31, 32 ... Control signal 33 ... Storage medium identifier 34 ... Position information 35 ... Display position information 36 ... Reference data editing instruction 60, 72, 76 ... Display screen 61-65 ... Content 66, 68-71 ... Icon 67 ... Comment display 73, 74, 77, 78 ... Sub screen 75, 79 ... Warning screen

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Katsumi Tokuda, Inventor Katsumi 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A data processing apparatus for performing processing on data protected by copyright within a range of the acquired right, comprising: a data storage unit for storing a plurality of data; Rights information storage means for storing processing rights required when performing processing on the stored data; input means for inputting a processing command for the data stored in the data storage means; and the rights information storage means A control unit that determines whether to execute the processing instruction based on the processing right stored in the storage unit, a processing execution unit that executes the processing instruction according to control from the control unit, and the right information storage unit. And a display unit for displaying the processing right stored in the screen on a screen. 2. A data receiving means for receiving data stored in the data storage means from a communication path and acquiring the processing right stored in the right information storage means by using the communication path. The data processing device according to claim 1. 3. The function of copying the data stored in the data storage means to a removable storage medium under the control of the control means, and the data copied to the storage medium. 2. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a data copying unit having a function of deleting the data. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the right information storage unit stores storage medium information for identifying the storage medium, and the display unit displays the storage medium information on a screen. Data processing equipment. 5. The display means, when data copied to the storage medium is selected by the input means,
The data processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the storage medium information about the storage medium is displayed on a screen. 6. The data processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the storage medium information is a unique storage medium identifier of the storage medium. 7. The data processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the storage medium information is an identifier assigned to identify the storage medium. 8. The control means outputs a warning signal when it is determined that the processing command which is a data copy command to the storage medium is not executed, and the display means displays a warning screen based on the warning signal. The data processing device according to claim 3, wherein the data is displayed. 9. The data processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the display unit displays on the warning screen a message that prompts the user to acquire a processing right required for performing data copy processing. 10. The control means outputs a warning signal when it is determined that the processing command which is a data erasing command from the storage medium is not executed, and the display means displays a warning screen based on the warning signal. 4. The data processing device according to claim 3, wherein the data is displayed. 11. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays an icon corresponding to the processing right stored in the right information storage unit on a screen. 12. The display means, when a restriction on the number of executions is added to the processing right stored in the right information storage means, displays an icon corresponding to the processing right by the number of times of execution. The data processing device according to claim 11, wherein the data is displayed on the data processing device. 13. The data according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays, on a screen, the processing right for data that can be processed in the processing mode according to a set processing mode. Processing equipment. 14. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit switches a display method according to a set display mode, and displays the processing right stored in the right information storage unit on a screen. A data processing device according to claim 1. 15. The control unit outputs a warning signal when it is determined that the processing instruction is not executed, and the display unit displays a warning screen based on the warning signal. 2. The data processing device according to 1. 16. For data protected by copyright,
A data processing method for processing within a range of acquired rights, comprising: a data accumulation step of accumulating a plurality of data; and a processing right required when performing processing on each data accumulated in the data accumulation step. A right information storing step of storing a processing command for the data stored in the data storing step; and an input step of executing the processing command based on the processing right stored in the right information storing step. A control step of determining whether or not the processing right is executed, a processing execution step of executing the processing instruction in accordance with the control from the control step, and a display step of displaying the processing right stored in the right information storage step on a screen. Also, the data processing method. 17. For data protected by copyright,
What is claimed is: 1. A recording medium storing a program for executing a data processing method for processing within a range of an acquired right by a computer, comprising: a data storage step of storing a plurality of data; and each data stored in the data storage step. , A right information storing step of storing a processing right required for performing the processing, an input step of inputting a processing instruction for the data stored in the data storing step, and a right information storing step of storing the right. A control step of determining whether to execute the processing instruction based on the processing right; a processing execution step of executing the processing instruction in accordance with control from the control step; and a right information storage step. Executing a data processing method on a computer, comprising: a display step of displaying the processing right on a screen. Recording medium recording the order of the program.