JP2002330395A - Digital signal processing apparatus, digital signal processing method, information center, and data delivery system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reliably judge whether digital signals such as music data recorded on a storage medium have been legally purchased by a customer from a legitimate vendor, and to offer a new service to the customer only when the digital signals are judged legitimately purchased data. SOLUTION: A music server system 30 transmits inquiry information to inquire of a main server 10 about whether or not music data recorded on an external storage medium 19 have been legally purchased by a customer from a legitimate vendor (supplier) selling digital data to the main server 10 and receives a reply about the inquiry result from the main server 10. When the result of inquiry indicates that the customer has legally purchased the music data from the legitimate vendor, the music server system 30 executes the processing for additional service to the purchaser so as to provide the additional service only to the legitimate purchasers having legally purchased digital data from the legitimate vendors.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a digital signal processing device for processing digital signals such as digital audio data, a digital signal processing method, an information center, and a distribution system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are several methods for obtaining audio data such as music. For example, a method of purchasing a medium itself is known. This method is a method known on a record disk, a compact disk (CD), or the like. There is also a method of receiving a radio broadcast and recording the target audio data on a recordable recording medium.

Recently, audio data (song data) of a large amount of music is stored in a hard disk or the like, and the music data in the hard disk is transferred to an external recording medium brought in by a purchaser and recorded. A server system that provides data is also known.

In the system using the server system, for example, the server system is installed in a store or the like. The purchaser goes to the store with a recording medium (external recording medium) owned by himself and pays a predetermined amount, so that the server system records the desired music data on his own recording medium, and Make a purchase.

Generally, music data stored in a server system is subjected to compression processing in consideration of the storage capacity of the server system, the transfer capacity, and the like. Therefore, the server system can transfer and record the requested music data to the purchaser's recording medium in a shorter time than the actual playing time of the music data.

[0006] In addition, regarding the selection of music data to be purchased, additional information such as the title of the music, the performer, and the playing time is input to the server system in a text format or in a selection format from images. The purchaser can easily select the desired music data, record it on his or her recording medium, and use it.

[0007]

By the way, in the server system described above, a plurality of types of external recording media can be used. For example, there are a small magneto-optical disk called an MD (mini disk) and a disk using a semiconductor element called a memory card.

[0008] Then, through the server system, for example, the music data once purchased by being recorded on the MD is
There is a case where the user wants to re-record (move) to another recording medium, for example, a memory card because the MD reproducing apparatus is no longer used. In this case, the user may not be able to copy from his or her own recording medium to his or her own recording medium due to a problem such as copyright protection or sound quality deterioration.

In such a case, it is necessary to purchase the music data again so that the target music data is recorded on another recording medium (new recording medium) through the server system. However, although the recording medium on which the music data was previously recorded is no longer used, the same music data as the previously purchased music data is purchased again by paying the purchase price again for a new recording medium. Doing so is disadvantageous for the user.

[0010] Also, in the case where music data is purchased on the same recording medium after being subjected to compression processing with improved sound quality as compared with the compression processing at the time of previous purchase, it is necessary to pay the purchase price again. Will happen. In this case as well, the previously purchased music data of poor sound quality is not used, but if it is necessary to purchase it again, it is disadvantageous for the user.

In addition to the above-mentioned case, when purchasing music data through a server system, for example, when the same music data is to be re-recorded because the recording medium is defective, the server system will It is considered that the same music data must be purchased a plurality of times in various cases.

One method for solving such a problem is, for example, a source (purchase destination) of previously purchased music data.
It is considered that the identification information must be recorded on a recording medium, and when purchasing the same music data purchased from the original purchaser again, measures such as making the purchase price free or inexpensive must be taken. .

However, the existing recording medium does not have an area for recording information indicating a source (purchase destination) of music data. Also, if the music data is purchased through the server system and information indicating the generation source is added to the music data recorded on the recording medium of the user, the data is already recorded on the recording medium of the purchaser at this stage. Since the music data is not added with the information, the purchaser who has already received the music data through the server system cannot enjoy a new benefit.

As described above, in the case of a server system for distributing music data, music data recorded on a user's recording medium is used to provide a new service to a music data purchaser. There has been an increasing demand to easily and reliably determine whether or not music data has been regularly purchased from a purchaser who has sold the music data through the server system.

[0015] In the above description, the meaning of whether or not the game is purchased legitimately means whether or not the game is purchased through an appropriate distribution channel that does not cause copyright infringement. This means that if the music data is copied from another person through the server system, or copied from a package medium such as a privately owned CD, the purchase is not regarded as a legitimate purchase.

In view of the above, the present invention reliably determines whether or not a digital signal such as music data recorded on a recording medium has been properly provided by a valid provider, and provides the digital signal. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital signal processing device, a digital signal processing method, an information center, and a distribution system that provide a new service only when the service is provided.

[0017]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a digital signal processing apparatus according to the present invention provides a digital signal processing apparatus for processing digital data, which has been subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process, recorded on a mounted recording medium. Transmitting means for transmitting the inquiry information generated based on the information center to the information center via a predetermined communication line; receiving means for receiving the inquiry result generated on the information center side based on the inquiry information; Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the digital data recorded on the recording medium and which has been subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process based on the received inquiry result is legitimately purchased; and If it is determined that the digital data recorded on the recording medium and having been subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process has been purchased, the additional data for the purchaser is provided. Characterized by comprising a processing control unit to perform processing for performing the service.

Further, in the digital signal processing method according to the present invention, identification information for specifying digital data which has been subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process and transmitted from the terminal side, and the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process are performed. A transmitting step of transmitting inquiry information generated based on the digital data to the information center via a predetermined communication line, and a receiving step of receiving an inquiry result generated on the information center side based on the inquiry information, A determining step of determining whether or not the digital data, which has been subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process recorded on the recording medium based on the received inquiry result, has been properly purchased; and If it is determined that the digital data recorded on the recording medium and having been subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process has been properly purchased, the purchaser is notified. Characterized by comprising a processing step to perform processing for performing additional services that.

According to the digital signal processing device and the digital signal processing method, the digital data recorded on the recording medium is authorized from a valid sales source (provider) who sells the digital data through the digital signal processing device. Inquiry information for inquiring whether or not the item is purchased is transmitted to the information center, an inquiry process is performed in the information center, and the result is returned as an inquiry result.

When it is determined based on the result of this inquiry that the digital data recorded on the recording medium has been properly purchased from a legitimate sales source, an additional service to the purchaser is provided. A true purchaser who has officially purchased digital data from the seller of digital data for various services that could not be provided conventionally, such as processing for providing service points, processing for providing service goods, refund processing, and the like. Only be able to provide for.

In another digital signal processing method according to the present invention, there is provided a digital signal processing method comprising: identification information for specifying digital data subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process to be queried from a terminal device; A receiving step of receiving the inquiry information generated on the terminal device side based on the encoded digital data, and identifying the predetermined highly efficient encoded digital data that is the received inquiry target A search step of searching digital data to be queried stored in an information center based on the identification information to be searched; a reference query information generating step of generating reference query information based on the searched digital data; A comparing step of comparing the received reference information with the received reference inquiry information, and a step of generating the query result based on the comparison result. Results and generating step, characterized by comprising a transmitting step of transmitting a query result of the above product.

The information center according to the present invention is an information center for determining whether or not digital data, which has been recorded on a recording medium on the terminal side and has been subjected to predetermined high-efficiency encoding, is a regular purchase. Generated on the terminal device side on the basis of identification information for identifying the digital data subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process to be queried and transmitted from the device and the digital data subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process Receiving means for receiving the obtained inquiry information, and identification information for identifying the digital data that has been subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process as the received inquiry target, based on the identification information that is stored in the information center. Search means for searching digital data, reference query information generating means for generating reference query information based on the searched digital data, and reference query generated above Means for comparing the received inquiry information with the received inquiry information; inquiry result generating means for generating the inquiry result based on the comparison result; and a case where the generated inquiry result matches the comparison result of the comparison means. Is characterized by comprising a transmission means for transmitting predetermined service information to the terminal side.

According to the other digital signal processing method and the information center described above, in the information center, based on the inquiry information from the terminal device, whether the digital signal already provided is provided by the information center or not. Is inquired, and the result of the inquiry is transmitted to the terminal device.

[0024] Thus, the digital signal recorded on the recording medium loaded in the terminal device can be surely and quickly checked whether or not the digital signal is provided from the information center without excessively adding the terminal device. Then, various services can be provided only to the user who has been provided with the digital signal from the information center.

Further, the distribution system according to the present invention has an information center in which digital data subjected to predetermined high-efficiency encoding processing is stored, and is connected to the information center via a predetermined communication line to be distributed from the information center. And a terminal device for recording digital data on a recording medium, wherein the terminal device is generated based on digital data that has been subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process recorded on the recording medium. Transmitting means for transmitting, via the predetermined communication line to the information center, identification information for specifying the digital data subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding processing to be referred to and the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process; Receiving means for receiving an inquiry result generated on the information center side based on the inquiry result based on the inquiry result received by the receiving means. Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the digital data recorded on the medium, which has been subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process, is the one that has been properly purchased; and the discrimination means records the digital data on the recording medium. Processing control means for performing processing for providing an additional service to the purchaser when it is determined that the digital data subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding processing has been properly purchased; and Comprising: receiving means for receiving identification information for specifying digital data subjected to predetermined high-efficiency encoding processing to be queried and transmitted from the terminal device, and receiving the queried information; and the receiving means. Based on the identification information that specifies the digital data subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process to be queried and received at, the digital data to be queried stored in the information center. Search means for searching data, reference inquiry information generating means for generating reference inquiry information based on the digital data searched by the search means, reference inquiry information generated by the reference inquiry information generation means, and the receiving means Comparing means for comparing the inquiry information received at step S, an introduction result generating means for generating the inquiry result based on the comparison result of the comparing means, and a transmitting means for transmitting the inquiry result generated by the inquiry result generating means And characterized in that:

According to this distribution system, the terminal device and the information center operate in cooperation with each other, and the digital signal recorded on the recording medium loaded in the terminal device is provided by the information center. No is detected. Then, various services can be provided only to the user who has been provided with the digital signal from the information center.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [Regarding Music Server System] First, a configuration of a music server system 30 that stores music data and records the music data on a recording medium of a user will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 1, the main controller 11
Is connected to and controls all the units in the music server system 30. Hard disk 12
Is mainly for storing music data to be provided to the user. The music data stored on the hard disk of the music server system 30 includes main information (digital audio data) as actual music data, and additional information such as the title of the music, the playing time, and a jacket photograph.

In this embodiment, the digital audio data, which is the main information, is compressed in consideration of the efficient use of the hard disk capacity and the capacity of the communication line at the time of transfer to the music server system. It is. Further, as for the compression format, high-speed recording can be performed on the recording medium as long as it can be recorded on a recording medium described later. In this embodiment, a specific example of so-called high-efficiency encoding which is a method of compressing digital audio data will be described in detail later.

For managing the additional information attached to the digital audio data as the main information, for example, a management table file having a configuration as shown in FIG. 2 is prepared, and the correspondence between the file name of the main information and the additional information is described. The updating, reading operation, and the like can be realized by the main controller 11.

In the example of FIG. 2, character information and image information serving as additional information are also files, and an example of managing the file names is shown.
It may be written directly in text format. The other information in FIG. 2 includes, for example, copyright information of music, so-called emphasis information, and the like.

In addition to the above, the performance time of music can be managed in the same manner. For the performance time, the file size of the main information and the high efficiency It can also be calculated at any time from the encoding compression ratio. The detected frame number will be described in detail later, but the audio data recorded on the recording medium of the user mounted on the music server system according to the present embodiment is a valid provider of the audio data that operates the music server system. This is information that is referred to in the process of determining whether or not the user has purchased the product from the company.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, an example in which the additional information is managed by a so-called table file has been described. However, it is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to take a form in which various additional information is added to the main information as a so-called header.

The display unit 13 is connected to the main controller 11 and displays the details of the music data in the hard disk 12 and states of recording, reproduction and the like to the user. The operation unit 14 is a main controller 11
The recording and the reproduction processing are performed on the recording medium via the.

FIG. 1 shows an example in which the music server system has a single configuration.
Concerning item 4, a method is also conceivable in which, for example, a personal computer or the like is used as an external device and its display / display unit, keyboard and mouse are used. In this case, for the music server system and the personal computer, a dedicated signal line for exchanging additional information and a control signal, a so-called serial connection, a USB (Uni)
versal Serial Bus), IEEE (I
nstate of Electric an
d Electronics Engineers) 1
It can be realized by using a digital interface such as 394.

Although not shown in detail including the memory, all the elements of the music server system 30 shown in FIG. 1 can be configured in a personal computer. That is, the music server system 30 shown in FIG.
Can be realized as a so-called stand-alone type dedicated device installed in a store or the like, or can be realized by configuring a music server system in a computer such as a personal computer.

Further, in FIG.
5. The reading and recording unit 16 reads information recorded on the external recording medium 19 and the external recording medium 20 loaded therein under the control of the main controller 11 in response to an instruction from the operation unit 14. In addition, information can be written to the external recording medium 19 and the external recording medium 20.

Therefore, the main controller 11
The read / record unit 15 and the read / record unit 16 are controlled, and data read from the external recording medium 19 and the external recording medium 20 are supplied to, for example, the hard disk 12 and stored therein. From the external recording medium 19 and the external recording medium 20.

In this embodiment, the external recording medium 1
9. The external recording medium 20 is in the form of a package,
The music data recorded on the recording medium can be reproduced by a small-sized reproducing device which can be easily brought outside. As the external recording medium, for example, a small-sized magneto-optical disk called MD (mini disk), which is widely used for music, and a memory stick (hereinafter abbreviated as MS), which is a kind of memory card, are used.
Thus, by providing a plurality of reading and recording units corresponding to different external recording media, it is possible to correspond to each of the different external recording media.

Normally, a detailed mechanism of a device for processing music data, a format for writing to an external recording medium, and the like differ depending on the type of the external recording medium. For this reason, the music server system 30 needs to have music data in a format corresponding to each of the available external recording media. Although it is possible to make the main information common by performing a so-called conversion process between formats, generally, there is a high possibility that sound quality will deteriorate due to the conversion.

For this reason, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the music server apparatus for processing music data has a configuration in which the read / record section 15 and the read / record section 16 are provided, so that different external Recording medium, in the music server system of this embodiment, MD and MS
And can be used.

In this embodiment, the recording medium 19
In the following description, it is assumed that MD is the MD and the recording medium 20 is the MS, and that the hard disk 12 stores MD music data and MS music data for one music.

Next, a specific example of a method of recording music data on an external recording medium will be described for a case of recording on an MD.
In the case of MD, the recording unit of the reading and recording unit 15 is M
It comprises a spindle motor for rotating D, an optical head, a magnetic head, a servo circuit, and the like.

That is, the MD, which is a small magneto-optical disk serving as the external recording medium 19, is driven to rotate by a spindle motor.
A so-called magnetic field modulation recording is performed by applying a modulation magnetic field corresponding to the recording data by a magnetic head in a state where the light is irradiated. In this case, the optical head performs tracking control and focus control based on the servo signal from the servo circuit, and can accurately scan the MD track with laser light having an appropriate spot shape. The music data is accurately recorded on the track.

In this embodiment, the digital audio data, which is the main information of the music data stored in the hard disk 12, is compressed in the compression format (high-efficiency encoding system) used in the MD. Things. When recording digital audio data that has undergone data compression, the recording time can be shortened more than the actual playback time of a music piece because of the data compression.

In the case of MD, TO is included in the disc.
An area for recording music management information called C (Table of Contents) is provided, and additional information such as the title of the music is recorded in this TOC. Therefore, the main controller 11 controls the additional information on the music recorded on the hard disk 12 through the reading and recording unit 15 based on the management information shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with the MD TOC format. ing. In this manner, the association between the main information and the additional information managed in FIG. 1 can be similarly performed on an external recording medium such as an MD.

The reading / recording section 16 has a mechanism for reading data recorded in the semiconductor memory inside the MS and a mechanism for writing data to the semiconductor memory inside the MS. It should be noted that the recordable MD does not have an area for recording the ID information of the music creator or the music itself, but these areas are reserved for the MS. The reading and recording unit 16 can record the ID information of the music creator and the music itself in the corresponding area.

The decoder 17 is a compression / decoding device for actually listening to the sound (song) based on the digital audio data stored in the hard disk 12 in the music server system of this embodiment. The configuration of the decoder 17 will be described later in detail. The digital audio data decoded by the decoder 17 is subjected to reproduction processing by a reproduction processing unit 18 including a so-called D / A converter, amplifier, speaker, and the like.

The reproduction processing by the reproduction processing section 18 is used for a user to listen to a music piece based on actual digital audio data before recording the desired music piece data on his / her external recording medium. is there. As described above, when the music information for the MD and the music information for the MS are present, decoders for the MD and the MS are required.
Any of the S-compressed digital audio data can be decoded.

[Relationship with Main Server 10 and Usage of Music Server System] Next, a main server (information center) which provides music data stored in the hard disk 12 of the music server system 30 of this embodiment.
A usage pattern of the music server system 30 of this embodiment, including the relationship with the music server system 10, will be described.

The main server 10 in FIG. 1 is a server system of a so-called legitimate sales company that owns rights such as the right to sell music data and sells music data. It is almost the same as the system 30. And the main server 10
The music data of the new music (new music) is provided to the music server system 30, and the old music data and the unpopular music data recorded on the hard disk 12 of the music server system 30 are deleted. Is what you can do. That is, the main server 10
Is capable of managing and controlling a large number of music server systems 30 arranged in various places, updating music data, and the like.

As for the music server system 30, in this embodiment, as described above, the music server system 30 is installed at a store such as a CD shop. In this case, the music server system in FIG. 1 can perform a series of billing processes such as a process of receiving payment from a user for billing through the billing device 21, and, for example, the main controller 11 and the billing device 21 cooperate with each other. It also has a function of performing music data price management and the like.

Then, the user brings his / her external recording medium, such as an MD, to the store, and attaches the external recording medium to the music server system of this embodiment installed at the store. Then, an instruction to select desired music data to be viewed from the music data stored in the hard disk 12 of the music server system 30 is input through the display unit 13 and the operation unit 14 of the music server system 30.

The music server system 30 reads out the selected music data from the hard disk 12 in response to a request from the user, and enables a trial listening through the decoder 17 and the reproduction processing unit 18. The user who confirms the target music data by this audition receives money corresponding to the charge related to the recording of the music data in order to record the target music data on his / her external recording medium. By inputting it into the charging device 21 of the system 30 and inputting a recording instruction through the operation unit 14, the target music data can be recorded on its own external recording medium.

As described above, in this embodiment, the user uses the music server system 30 to store music data intended by the user on the external recording medium,
In the case of this embodiment, the target music data can be purchased by recording it on the MD.

In this embodiment, the music server system 30 and the main server system 10 which is a seller of music data are connected by, for example, a dedicated line. Then, as described above, the main server 10 sends the music data to the music server system 30 of this embodiment in fixed time units (for example, once a month), and The music data stored in the hard disk 12 can be updated.

If the music server system 30 and the main server 10 are connected by a high-speed dedicated line, a method of directly using music data in the hard disk on the main server 10 every time a purchase is made may be considered. Can be In this manner, the music server system 30 shown in FIG. 1 functions as a so-called vending machine for music data.

As another application example of the music server system, a method of placing the music server system in a home can be considered. In this case, the transmission path of the music data from the main server 10 includes, for example, the Internet. A method using digital signal communication from a satellite such as CS is also possible.

In this case, unlike the above-described music server system 30 installed at the store, there is no need to provide a charging device in the music server system itself, and a charging process is performed using the existing Internet or telephone line. To do. In other words, in order not to leak the member identification information and credit card number etc. to others, for example, encrypt and send it to the seller of music data, automatic debit from bank account, credit card settlement, or invoice , And a process of charging can be performed by a method such as receiving payment.

In addition to purchasing music data from a music provider (seller), a method of using music data of a package already owned as a system for storing and storing the music data may be considered. At this time, in some cases, in addition to reading from the external recording medium, an encoder for performing desired encoding is required.

[Regarding High Efficiency Coding Method of Digital Audio Data] Next, a data compression method of digital audio data which is main information recorded on the hard disk 12 of the music server system according to this embodiment, that is, digital audio data A specific example of the high-efficiency coding method will be described. Here, ATRAC (Adaptive) used for digital audio data recorded on an MD widely used for music is used.
Transform Acoustic Codin
The high efficiency coding method g) will be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining an example of a high-efficiency coding apparatus for performing ATRAC-system high-efficiency coding on digital audio data. In the high-efficiency encoding device shown in FIG. 3, the input digital audio signal is divided into a plurality of frequency bands, and orthogonal transform is performed for each frequency band. Bits are adaptively allocated to each so-called critical bandwidth (critical band) in consideration of human auditory characteristics described later, and in the middle and high frequency bands, the bandwidth is subdivided into critical bandwidths in consideration of block flow tagging efficiency. Is becoming

Usually, the block for performing the bit allocation is a quantization noise generating block.

Further, in the high-efficiency coding apparatus according to this embodiment, the block size (block length) to which bits are allocated is adaptively changed according to the input signal before the orthogonal transform.

That is, in FIG. 3, when the sampling frequency is 44.1 kHz, for example,
Digital audio data (audio PCM signal) of 0 to 22 kHz is supplied. This input signal is, for example, a so-called QMF (Quadrature Mirror).
0 by a band division filter 101 such as
１１11 kHz band and signals of 11 kHz to 22 kHz band are divided into signals of 0 to 11 kHz band.
0 to 5.5 kHz by band division filter 102 such as F
And signals in the 5.5 kHz to 11 kHz band.

11 kHz from the band division filter 101
The signal in the band of ~ 22 kHz is applied to an MDCT (Modified Discrete Co.) which is an example of an orthogonal transformation circuit.
The signal is supplied to a sine transform circuit 103 and also to the block decision circuits 109, 110, and 111.

Further, 5.
The signal in the band of 5 kHz to 11 kHz is applied to the MDCT circuit 104.
And the block decision circuits 109 and 11
0, 111. Further, the band division filter 10
0 to 5.5 kHz band signal from the second
5 and the block determination circuits 109, 110, and 11
1 is supplied.

The block determining circuit 109 determines the block size based on the signal supplied thereto, and outputs information indicating the determined block size to the MDCT circuit 103, the adaptive bit allocation encoding circuit 106, and the output terminal 113.
To supply. Similarly, the block determination circuit 110 determines a block size based on a signal supplied thereto,
The information indicating the determined block size is stored in the MDCT circuit 10.
4. It is supplied to the adaptive bit allocation coding circuit 107 and the output terminal 115. Also, the block determination circuit 111
Determines the block size based on the signal supplied thereto, and outputs information indicating the determined block size to the MDCT.
The signal is supplied to the circuit 105, the adaptive bit allocation coding circuit 107, and the output terminal 117.

Each block determination circuit 109, 110, 11
1 adaptively sets a block size (block length) according to the time characteristic and frequency distribution of a signal supplied thereto.

The MDCT circuits 103, 104, 10
5 are the corresponding block decision circuits 10
Under the block size supplied from 9, 110, 111, the signal supplied from the QMF 101 or the QMF 102 is subjected to MDCT processing.

FIG. 4 shows the MDCT circuits 103, 104, 1
FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a specific example of a standard input signal for a block for each band supplied to the power supply unit 05.
In the example shown in FIG. 4, three filter output signals, that is, 11 kHz to 22 kHz from the QMF 101 are output.
Hz signal, 5.5kHz-11k from QMF102
The Hz signal and the 0 kHz to 5.5 kHz signal each have a plurality of orthogonal transform block sizes independently for each band, and the time resolution can be switched according to the time characteristics, frequency distribution, and the like of the signal.

That is, when the signal to be subjected to the orthogonal transform is a quasi-stationary signal that does not change significantly with time, the orthogonal transform block size is set to 11.6 ms, that is, (A) Long Mode in FIG. And increase. If the signal is a non-stationary signal that changes greatly with time, the orthogonal transform block size is further divided into two and four.

Therefore, when the signal is non-stationary, as shown in (B) ShortMode in FIG.
All are divided into four, 2.9 mS, or FIG.
(C) Middle Mode A, (D) M
As in idle Mode B, a part is divided into two parts,
By applying a time resolution of 5.8 mS, a partial division into four, and a time resolution of 2.9 mS, it is adapted to an actual complicated input signal. This division of the orthogonal transform block size is more effective if more complicated division is performed if the scale of the processing device allows.

In FIG. 3, each MDCT circuit 1
In the spectrum data or the MDCT coefficient data on the frequency axis obtained by performing the MDCT processing in 03, 104, and 105, the low band is grouped for each so-called critical band (critical band), and the middle and high band is the effectiveness of block floating. In consideration of the above, the critical bandwidth is subdivided and supplied to the adaptive bit allocation coding circuits 106, 107, 108 and the bit allocation calculation circuit 118.

Here, the critical band is a frequency band divided in consideration of human auditory characteristics, and is used when a pure tone is masked by a narrow band noise having the same strength near the frequency of a certain pure tone. This is the band of the noise. In this critical band, the higher the band, the wider the bandwidth, and the entire frequency band of 0 to 22 kHz is divided into, for example, 25 critical bands.

Referring to FIG. 3, bit allocation calculating circuit 118
Is based on the information indicating the block size, and the spectral data or the MDCT coefficient data, and in consideration of the so-called masking effect and the like, the masking amount for each of the divided bands in consideration of the critical band and the block floating, and , The energy or the peak value of each divided band is calculated, and the number of bits to be allocated is calculated for each band based on the calculation result.
06, 107 and 108.

The adaptive bit allocation encoding circuits 106, 10
In steps 7 and 108, each spectrum data or MDCT coefficient data is requantized (normalized) according to the information indicating the block size and the number of bits allocated to each divided band in consideration of the critical band and the block floating. And quantize).

The data encoded in this way is output through output terminals 112, 114 and 116 in FIG. 3, and is supplied to, for example, a processing system for recording on a recording medium, or a main server. The digital audio data is supplied from the digital audio data 10 to the music server system 30. In the following description, each divided band, which is a unit of bit allocation, is called a unit block.

The bit allocation calculation circuit 118 analyzes the state of the tone component and the like based on the spectrum data or the MDCT coefficient, and also uses the existing effects such as the so-called masking effect and the minimum audible curve relating to human hearing, such as the loudness curve. In consideration of the above, the information allocation is determined by calculating the bit allocation amount for each unit block. At this time, the information indicating the block size is also taken into consideration.

The bit allocation calculation circuit 118 also determines a scale factor value which is normalized data indicating the block floating state of the unit block. Specifically, for example, several positive values are prepared in advance as scale factor value candidates, and a minimum value is selected from among them, taking a value equal to or greater than the maximum value of the absolute value of the spectral data or MDCT coefficient in the unit block. Is adopted as the scale factor value of the unit block.

The scale factor value may be numbered using several bits in a form corresponding to the actual value, and the number may be stored in a ROM or the like (not shown). The scale factor value corresponding to the number is defined to have a value in the order of the number, for example, at an interval of 2 dB. Here, as for the scale factor value determined by the method described above in a certain unit block, a number corresponding to the determined value is used as sub-information indicating the scale factor of the unit block.

[High Efficiency Encoding Format of Digital Audio Data] Next, an encoding format which is a format of digital audio data after actual encoding will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, the numerical values shown on the left and right sides represent the number of bytes, and in this embodiment, 212 bytes constitute one frame (one sound frame).

In FIG. 5, the position of the 0th byte located at the top is the block determination circuit 10 in FIG.
The block size information of each band determined in 9, 110 and 111 is recorded.

Information on the number of unit blocks to be recorded is recorded at the position of the next first byte. For example, the higher the frequency side, the more often the bit allocation becomes 0 and recording becomes unnecessary. Therefore, by setting the recording number of the unit block to correspond to this, the influence on the auditory sense is large. Many bits are allocated to the area.

In the position of the first byte, the number of unit blocks in which the bit allocation information is double-written,
Also, the number of unit blocks in which the scale factor information is double-written is recorded. Here, the double writing is to record the same data as the data recorded at a certain byte position in another location for error correction. The more this double-written information is, the higher the error resistance is. However, the less this information is, the more bits that can be used for spectrum data, which is actual digital audio data.

In this embodiment, the number of unit blocks for which double writing is performed is set independently for each of the above-mentioned bit allocation information and scale factor information, and the strength against errors and the spectrum data are set. The number of usable bits is adjusted. Note that for each piece of information, the correspondence between the code in the prescribed bits and the number of unit blocks is determined in advance as a format.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the content of the information recorded in the 8 bits at the position of the first byte in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, three bits out of the eight bits at the position of one byte are used as information on the number of unit blocks to be actually recorded, and the remaining five bits are used.
Two bits in the bits are information on the number of unit blocks in which the bit allocation information is double-written, and the remaining three bits are information indicating the number of the unit blocks in which the scale factor information is double-written. Is recorded.

The bit allocation information of the unit block is recorded at the position from the second byte in FIG. For recording bit allocation information, a format is defined in which, for example, four bits are used for one unit block. As a result, bit allocation information for the number of unit blocks actually recorded in FIG. 5 described above is recorded in order from the 0th unit block.

After the data of the bit allocation information recorded in this way, the scale factor information of the unit block is recorded. For the recording of scale factor information, a format is defined in which, for example, 6 bits are used for one unit block. Thus, in exactly the same way as the recording of the bit allocation information, the scale factor information is recorded in the order of the unit blocks actually recorded in order from the 0th unit block.

Then, after the scale factor information,
The spectrum data of the unit block is recorded. The spectrum data is also recorded in the order of the unit blocks actually recorded, starting from the 0th unit block. The number of pieces of spectrum data that exist in each unit block is determined in advance by a format, so that it is possible to make correspondence between the data using the bit allocation information described above. It should be noted that recording is not performed for a unit block whose bit allocation is 0.

After the spectrum information, the above-described double writing of the scale factor information and the double writing of the bit allocation information are performed. In this recording method, the correspondence between the numbers is merely made to correspond to the double-written information shown in FIG.
This is the same as the recording of the bit allocation information.

For the last two bytes, the information of the 0th byte and the information of the 1st byte are respectively duplicated as shown in FIG. The two-byte double writing is defined as a format, and the scale factor information 2
It is not possible to set the variable amount of double writing as in the case of double writing or double writing of bit allocation information.

That is, in the bit allocation calculating circuit 118 in FIG. 3, the data obtained by processing the orthogonal transform output spectrum with the sub information as the main information, and the scale factor indicating the block floating state and the word length indicating the word length as the sub information. The adaptive bit allocation encoding circuit 106 in FIG.
At 107 and 108, requantization is actually performed, and encoding is performed in accordance with the encoding format.

In this embodiment, highly efficient encoded digital data is stored and held in the hard disk 12 of the music server system 30 in the encoding format described with reference to FIG. 5, and in response to a request from the user. Is recorded on the MD brought in by the user through the reading / recording unit 15. Note that the encoding method described above is an example, and the music server system 30 of this embodiment is an example.
Can also handle digital audio data that has been highly coded by another high efficiency coding method.

[Decoding of Highly Efficiently Encoded Digital Audio Data] Next, the decoding of highly efficient encoded digital audio data as described above will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining a decoding circuit for decoding digital audio data which has been highly-efficiently encoded by the high-efficiency encoding circuit described above with reference to FIG. That is, the high-efficiency decoding circuit shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to the decoder 17 of the music server system 30 shown in FIG.

The quantized MDCT coefficients of each band, that is, data (spectrum data) equivalent to the output signals of the output terminals 112, 114, and 116 in FIG. 3 are input to the decoding circuit input terminal 707 as shown in FIG. To the adaptive bit allocation decoding circuit 706. Also, the used block size information, that is, data equivalent to the output signals of the output terminals 113, 115, and 117 in FIG. 3, is supplied to an inverse orthogonal transform (IMDCT) circuit 703 through an input terminal 708 as shown in FIG. , 704, 705.

In the adaptive bit allocation decoding circuit 706, the spectrum data supplied thereto is deallocated using the adaptive bit allocation information here, and the spectrum data of the high band, the middle band, and the low band is It is supplied to the corresponding inverse orthogonal transform circuits 703, 704, 705.
In the inverse orthogonal transform circuits 703, 704, and 705, spectrum data, which is a signal on the frequency axis, is converted into a signal on the time axis by performing an inverse orthogonal transform process.

As shown in FIG. 7, the signals on the time axis of each band are converted into band synthesis filter (IQMF) circuits 702 and 701.
Supplied to Band synthesis filter circuits 702 and 701
Synthesizes the supplied signal on the time axis and decodes it into digital audio data of a full-band signal.

In this manner, the digital audio data coded with high efficiency is decoded into digital audio data before high-efficiency coding through bit allocation decoding, inverse orthogonal transform, and band synthesis. To be. Then, the decoded audio data is reproduced and listened to.

Also in the MD recording / reproducing apparatus using the MD as a recording medium, the high-efficiency encoding of the audio data and the decoding of the high-efficiency encoded audio data are performed in the same manner. .

[Regarding the Configuration of the Main Server 10] Next, FIG.
Will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The main server 10 shown in FIG. 8 has substantially the same configuration as the music server system 30 in FIG. 1, and includes a main controller 11, hard disk 12, display unit 13, operation unit 14, decoder 17, playback processing in FIG. The unit 18 includes a main controller 81, a hard disk 82, a display unit 83,
It corresponds to the operation unit 84, the decoder 87, and the reproduction processing unit 88,
It works similarly.

[0102] The charging processing section 85 in FIG. 8 receives and processes the charging information in the music server system 30. The communication unit 86 communicates with each of the music server systems 30 (1), 30 (2),..., 30 (N) installed in various places, and includes music data, additional information, and billing information. This is the part that exchanges information. The music server system 30 also has a communication unit for communicating with the main server, but this is omitted in FIG. 1 described above.

In the main server 10 shown in FIG. 8, the encoder 80 performs high-efficiency encoding of PCM samples, and has the configuration shown in FIG. That is, the PCM signal serving as the source sound source is subjected to high-efficiency encoding by the encoder 80 under the control of the main controller 81 and stored in the hard disk 82.

The configuration of the encoder 80 has the configuration described above with reference to FIG. Specifically, the encoder 80 includes two types of methods, a method of realizing the hardware (MD deck) in which a so-called encoding LSI is mounted, and a method of realizing the software for performing arithmetic processing on a PCM file.

In the encoding process in the main server device 10 shown in FIG. 8, it is generally necessary to automatically and efficiently process a large number of music pieces in order to carry out a digital audio data distribution business. In the main server device 10 described above, this is realized by a software method.

[Differences in Properties between Encoding by Hardware and Encoding by Software] As described above, a highly efficient encoding process (encoding) of digital audio data is performed by a hardware There is a method using software, but when using hardware, even if encoding the same digital audio data (PCM data), the encoded digital audio data is completely different. Utilizing this, the music server system 30 of this embodiment shown in FIG.
Is designed to easily and reliably determine whether or not digital audio data recorded on an MD brought in by a user is provided by the own system.

That is, regarding the encoding by hardware (MD deck), anyone can realize high-efficiency encoding by purchasing the hardware. , The accuracy of the implemented encoding LSI. Generally, when a PCM file is used, digitally output so-called PCM data is digitally input and encoded. However, due to this, even when encoding the same music, the timing of the recording operation start depends on the timing. The input position of digitally input PCM data varies, and the data after highly efficient encoding is completely different.

That is, a silent portion is generally provided at the beginning of a CD song, and the length of the silent portion varies depending on the recording start timing. As a result, there is a high possibility that the data sequence encoded by hardware will differ. .

In order to explain this phenomenon, the time unit for performing the high-efficiency encoding process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 showing an example of the high-efficiency encoding circuit. FIG.
In the high-efficiency coding circuit shown in FIG. 1, digital audio data (PCM data) is supplied to the input terminal 100, but the MDCT circuits 103, 10
In the MDCT processing in Steps 4 and 105, the number of samples for performing the so-called orthogonal transformation processing is defined, and this becomes one unit and is repeatedly performed.

In the high efficiency coding circuit shown in FIG. 3, 1024 samples of PCM data input through the input terminal 100 are converted into 512 MDCT coefficients or spectrum data by the MDCT circuit 103,
Output from 104 and 105. That is, the input terminal 1
00 PCM data (PCM input)
The sample data) are converted into 512 high-frequency samples and 512 low-frequency samples by the QMF 101, and the low-frequency samples are further converted into 256 low-frequency samples and 256 middle-frequency samples by the QMF 102.

Thereafter, the 256 low-frequency samples from the QMF 102 are converted into 128 low-frequency spectrum data by the MDCT circuit 105,
The 56 mid-range samples are obtained by the MDCT circuit 104.
128 mid-range spectrum data, QMF10
512 high frequency samples from 1
3, it becomes 256 high frequency spectrum data,
512 spectrum data in total 1024 PCs
It will be created from M samples.

In this case, 1024 pieces of PCM sample data, which is input data, become a time unit for performing one process of the above-described high-efficiency encoding, and this is taken as one frame (1
Sound frame). One frame that has been subjected to high-efficiency encoding is 212 bytes previously shown in FIG.

As for the PCM sample data input from the input terminal 100 in FIG. 3, one frame is composed of 1024 samples, but the preceding and succeeding 512 samples are also used in the preceding and succeeding adjacent frames.
This is to realize an accurate encoding process in consideration of the overlap in the MDCT process.

As described above, in order to form high-efficiency encoded digital audio data for one frame from 1024 samples of PCM sample data, 1024 samples of PCM data input first at the start of the recording operation are converted. The frame is determined, and a high-efficiency encoded frame is generated according to the determined frame.

In view of the overlap, 512 input patterns are theoretically generated. For this reason, in general hardware (MD deck), even when encoding (recording) the same music piece, highly efficient encoded data changes depending on the timing of the start of the recording operation. There is also an analog recording method, but in this case, noise,
It is obvious that the so-called A / D conversion accuracy and the like also depend, and it is obvious that it is difficult to check the coincidence of data.

On the other hand, the encoding method based on the calculation by the software of the PC is such that the PCM file stored in the hard disk is processed, and there is no cause for the shift of the encoding timing as described above. Thus, the same highly efficient encoded data is always generated for the encoding of the same music.

In general, the calculation accuracy of the encoding LSI mounted on the hardware (MD deck) is lower than the calculation accuracy of the CPU of a processing device such as a personal computer that executes the encoding software. Even if encoding processing is started from the same PCM sample data for the same PCM sample data, highly efficient encoded digital audio data will be different due to the low calculation accuracy.

As described above, for a recordable MD, there is no area in which information indicating the music creator can be recorded.
However, for the reasons described above, if it is assumed that the software method is used only in the encoder used by the distribution company, the highly efficient encoded data recorded on the recording medium and the main server 10 or the music By comparing the high-efficiency encoded data recorded on the hard disk 12 of the server system 30 and finding a match, the highly-efficient encoded data (digital audio data) recorded on the MD can be hard-coded from a CD in an ordinary household. It is theoretically possible to determine whether the music is recorded on an MD deck via a wear encoder or purchased by a distributor using a music server system via a network.

By utilizing this property, it is possible to realize various applications such as music transfer between recording media, version upgrade of a high-efficiency encoding algorithm, analysis of defective recording media, etc. Service can be provided.

[Example of Service that Could Not Be Provided in the Conventional Art] For example, the reason why moving music between recording media (move service) is required is as follows. That is, recently, there are various types of external recording media for recording music data, such as MDs and MSs (Memory Sticks), and the user can select a desired one from among them. However, for example, when a new playback device is purchased and a user wants to switch an external recording medium that has been mainly used, there is a demand for music transfer between recording media.

At this time, as a method of directly moving the music by the user, a method of simply copying a signal output as an analog signal can be considered. In this method, so-called A / D conversion, D / A conversion, or the like is considered. And the sound quality is degraded.

Further, in the method using digital signals, if there is no agreement between the recording media to be moved and the high-efficiency encoding methods, decoding and encoding steps are interposed, which also causes deterioration in sound quality. Cause.

If the high-efficiency encoding methods match between recording media, direct copying is technically possible, but there is no deterioration in sound quality, which causes a copyright problem. It will be.

In terms of sound quality, it is ideal to write music data of a music to be moved, which is encoded based on a high-efficiency encoding method of a new recording medium to which the music is moved. However, for example, when the music data of the transfer source is purchased through the music server system 30, the music for the transfer destination recording medium is purchased again despite the purchase of the music for the transfer source storage medium. And the purchaser's financial burden increases.

In order to solve this problem, the high-efficiency encoding recorded on the recording medium of the moving source is performed by a distributor (distributor) that distributes music data through the music server system 30. If it is found, it proves that the music has been purchased from the distribution company (seller), and the recording on a new recording medium is free or compared with the purchaser who newly purchases the music. Then, a service such as setting a low price can be realized.

The movement of music between recording media is an example.
By being able to reliably and accurately determine whether or not music data recorded on an external recording medium has been properly purchased from a distributor (seller) that distributes music data through the music server system 30, As described above, various new services can be provided.

[Determining Whether Music Data Recorded on External Recording Medium is Authorized Purchasing] Next, highly efficient encoded digital audio recorded on the MD brought in by the user The process of determining whether the data is legally purchased from a distributor (seller) that sells music data through the music server system 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The process shown in FIG. 9 is a process mainly executed by the main controller 11 of the music server system 30.

In the processing shown in FIG. 9, when it is determined that the highly efficient encoded digital audio data recorded on the MD brought in by the user has been purchased through the music server system 30, This is an example in which music transfer (move service) between recording media for recording the digital audio data on another recording medium, in this embodiment, an MS (Memory Stick), can be performed. As described above, in this embodiment, the recording medium 19 used in the music server system 30 shown in FIG.
The recording medium 20 is an MS.

First, the music distribution server 30 shown in FIG.
Detects that the external recording medium 19 (MD) in which the music data purchased from the music server system 30 is recorded is inserted (attached) into the reading / recording unit 15 (step S901).

[0130] After that, of the music data recorded on the inserted recording medium 19, the input of the track of the music data that the purchaser wants to move is received (step S90).
2). This information is stored in the main controller 11 in FIG.
Is transmitted to

Thereafter, the music server system 30 accepts input of instruction information of the music data to be moved (step S903). Based on the information received in step S903, the music server system refers to the database owned by the distributor shown in FIG. 2 to determine the music data to be moved (step S904).

The process in step S904 is a process for searching for owned music data to be collated in step S906. Information to be accepted in step S903 for the indexing process in step S904 includes, for example, song title information and artist information. The more information input in step S903, the faster and more reliable the search.

If no corresponding music is found in step S904, the music server system 30 displays on the display unit 13 that there is no corresponding music (step S910), and then instructs to retry. It is determined whether or not an instruction input has been received (step S91)
1). If it is determined in step S911 that retry has been instructed, the music server system 30 repeats the processing from step S903, and if it determines not to perform it, the music server system 30 executes the processing shown in FIG. finish.

If it is determined in step S904 that the music data has been found,
Recording medium 19 (MD) inserted in reading and recording section 15
The high-efficiency encoded data (song data) of the corresponding song is read from (step S905).

Regarding the reading in step S905, all the encoded information of the music may be read, but only the corresponding frame (sound frame) indicated by the detected frame number is read from the database shown in FIG. As a result, it is possible to realize high-speed collation. Here, one representative frame is used. However, by increasing the number of frames, it is possible to increase the accuracy of collation.

The music server system 30 sells the highly efficient encoded data read from the purchaser's recording medium 19 in step S905 by a distributor (sales source) that operates the music server system 30 of this embodiment. A check is performed to determine whether the data has been obtained (step S90).
6).

As described above, the method of collation performed in step S906 is based on the assumption that the music data distribution company encodes the digital audio data to be distributed by software, as described above.
A predetermined frame (212-byte sound frame) of the music data owned by the distributor and a corresponding frame (212) read from the music part recording medium 19 of the purchaser.
(Byte sound frame).

If the collation is not established in step S906, the fact that the collation is not established is displayed on the display unit 13 in FIG. 1 (step S912), and the processing shown in FIG. 9 is ended. In the processing of step S912, processing such as displaying a message such as "The requested music is not sold through this system. Please confirm." Is performed.

If the collation in step S906 is successful, a predetermined accounting process is performed through the accounting unit 21 (step S907). As described above, in this case, a cheap price may be set or a charge may be eliminated. If the charge is eliminated and the charge is free, the process of step S907 includes a message display process such as "No charge occurs. Music data can be moved for free."

Thereafter, the external recording medium 20 (MS) of the purchaser inserted into the read / write unit 16 is read.
The high-efficiency encoded data for the recording medium 20 (MS) of the music data is written (step S908). Thereafter, the music server system 30 deletes (deletes) the Track recorded with the information of the music data recorded on the recording medium 19 (MD) through the read / write unit 15 (step S909). The indicated process ends.

For example, in the billing process of step S907, a certain amount of billing is performed, and if the purchaser responds to this, the song data is not deleted (erased) in step S909. Instead of moving between recording media, a new service is established as a copy service for recording medium data.

Further, a method of omitting the reception of the designation of the music data in step S903, performing step S905 after step S902, and searching the data of the music with all the music data owned by the distribution company Is also conceivable. However, in this case, a certain amount of frames are read, and a certain amount of time is required for the search operation.

It is to be noted that, depending on the recording medium, it is indicated that the carrier has encoded the medium itself, and the step S906 can be realized by directly referring to this. In this case, steps S903, S904,
Step S905, Step S910, Step S91
Processing such as 1 is not required.

As described above, the music data recorded on the external recording medium can be converted by the business operator (sales source) operating the music server system into which the external recording medium is inserted only by comparing the 212-byte sound frame. It is possible to easily and reliably determine whether or not the information is provided.
Then, moving the music between recording media of the music data (move)
It is possible to realize a new service provided by the music server system 30 such as copying and copying.

In the above-described embodiment, all the processing shown in FIG. 9 is performed in the music server system 30. For example, when a personal computer at home and a main server are connected by high-speed communication, Step S90
1, S902, S903, S905, S908, S90
9, S910, S911, and S912 are performed by the personal computer at home, and the processing in steps S904 and S904 is performed.
The processing of S906, S907, and S908 may be performed on the main server side.

In the case of this modification, information of the music to be queried is transmitted from the personal computer in the home to the main server, and a predetermined frame of the music data recorded on the recording medium 19 (MD) is transmitted to the home server. Is transmitted from the personal computer in the main server to the main server.

On the main server side, the target music stored in the hard disk is searched based on the information of the music to be referenced transmitted from the personal computer in the home (corresponding to step S904), and the search result is obtained. If there is a corresponding song, a predetermined frame of the corresponding song data is compared with a predetermined frame of the song data transmitted from the personal computer to the main server (corresponding to step S906). Then, a charging process (step S907) is appropriately performed according to the comparison result, and the comparison result is transmitted to the personal computer.

On the basis of the collation result transmitted from the main server, the personal computer displays an indication that collation has failed (corresponding to step S912),
08 and step S909 for moving the music.

[New Service Variation] Next, by comparing only the 212-byte sound frame, the music data recorded on the external recording medium is transferred to the distributor operating the music server system in which the external recording medium is inserted. A description will be given of a new service that can be realized by simply and surely determining whether or not the service is provided by the (seller). In the following, the recording medium A is different from the recording medium B. For example, the recording medium A is an MD and the recording medium B
Is MS.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the movement of music between recording media (move service). That is, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a data flow at the time of moving music (moving service) between recording media described above with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, a predetermined sound frame of A-encoded data, which is music data recorded on the recording medium A, and A-encoding of the same music data stored in the main server 10 or the music server system 30 The data is compared with the corresponding sound frame, and if they match, the B-encoded data of the same music data is transferred to the recording medium B of the purchaser and recorded.

Therefore, the movement of the music data is performed as shown in FIG.
In this case, the flow as shown by the solid arrow in which the A-encoded data is read and used for collation and then the B-encoded data is transferred is performed, but the user has to move between the recording media as shown by the dotted arrow. Perceived as moved. If the encoded data on the recording medium A is not erased, the dotted arrow is regarded as a copy.

FIG. 11 shows one example of rewriting on the same recording medium such as MD to MD, which improves the sound quality due to the refinement of the high-efficiency coding operation, that is, the version upgrade of the high-efficiency coding algorithm. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a data flow when using a service as a service. As a processing process, the step S908 shown in FIG. 9 is overwriting of the recording medium A, and the step S909 is eliminated.
At this time, the billing process shown in step S907 may be performed, or the billing process may be eliminated and free.

In the above embodiment, the music server system 30 generates new A-encoded data.
At 0, new A-encoded data may be generated and recorded on the recording medium A via the music server system 30. With the system as described above, the main server can appropriately upgrade the version.

FIG. 12 shows one example of rewriting data on the same recording medium. For example, when data in a location other than the above-mentioned detection frame to be compared is damaged or a write failure has previously occurred. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a flow of data when using a service such as performing correction by overwriting again. The processing steps are the same as those in FIG.

In the above embodiment, the normal A encoded data is generated by the music server system 30. However, the normal A encoded data is generated by the main server 10 and recorded on the recording medium A via the music server system 30. You may.

FIG. 13 shows one example of rewriting data on the same recording medium. For example, when it is desired to change the bit rate of encoded data that can be written on the recording medium A, the data is corrected by overwriting again. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data flow when using a service. The processing steps are the same as those in FIG.

In the above embodiment, the encoded data bit rate y is generated in the music server system 30. However, the encoded data bit rate y is generated in the main server 10 and the recording medium A is transmitted through the music server system 30. May be recorded.

[0158] For example, when a database of used customers is created, a password or the like is issued to a registered customer and managed, so that the customer receives a service for music data previously purchased. It becomes possible.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a flow of data for using the service of the music server system. In addition to the data on the recording medium, for example, a unique password or the like is input as customer identification data, and music data and customer data are input. The authentication is confirmed by comparing both information, and an additional service is provided.

The purpose of using the customer identification data is to prevent the same customer from receiving the provision of the additional service many times. As a specific example of the additional service, it is conceivable to give a limited number of presents to only those who have purchased 10 or more songs by an artist A. At this time, in order to prevent the recording medium from being reused, the customer database may be used to manage whether or not the service has been provided.

With regard to the additional service shown in FIG. 14, it is conceivable to provide a bonus track produced by a creator (singer, composer, lyricist, etc.) of the purchased music. In addition, the bromide of the creator of the music purchased from the music server system is referred to as JPEG (Joint Picture Expert Group), G
It is also conceivable that image data is distributed as compressed image data such as an IF and printed on the user terminal side.

Further, a purchase discount coupon (coupon) of a package media such as a CD produced by the creator of the purchased music and a free invitation coupon of a concert ticket are distributed as electronic data from the music server system and printed on the user terminal side. It is also possible to do.

[0163] Further, various types of service points may be considered, such as accumulating service points for each customer, and providing discounts and prizes according to the point height at a later date.

In the above embodiment, the music server system 30 generates the additional service information.
At 0, additional service information may be generated and recorded on the recording medium A via the music server system 30.

In each of FIGS. 10 to 14, as described above, a predetermined sound frame constituting the music data recorded on the external recording medium mounted on the music server The music data recorded on the external recording medium attached to the music server system 30 is converted to the music data through the music server system 30 only by comparing the music data with the same sound frame of the music data held by the server device 10. It is possible to reliably determine whether or not the content has been officially purchased from a distributor (distributor) that distributes the content.

That is, as described above, the case where the music data is recorded on the MD at home using the own MD device and the case where the same music data is recorded on the MD through the music server system 30 are the same. Even the sound frame at the position will be completely different.

By utilizing this fact, the music server system 3
By comparing a predetermined sound track of music data recorded on the MD mounted on the MD with a corresponding sound frame of the same music data provided by the music server system 30, the music data recorded on the external recording medium is compared. However, it is possible to easily and reliably determine whether or not this is provided by a distributor (seller) that operates the music server system 30 into which the external recording medium is inserted. By using this, only those who have received music data through the music server system,
New services can be provided through the music server system.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which a user's external recording medium is brought into a predetermined music server system 30. However, it is not always necessary to bring the user's external recording medium into the music server system that has recorded the music data recorded therein.

Music server systems 30 (1), 30 (2),..., 3 connected to the main server 10 shown in FIG.
0 (N), the music server system 30 (1), 30
The same service can be provided in any of (2),..., 30 (N).

In the case of the examples shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, the music server system 30 has the music of a predetermined sound frame extracted from the music data recorded on the external recording medium of the user attached thereto. The data is transmitted to the main server 10 as inquiry information, and a reply of the inquiry result is received from the main server 10.

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram for explaining processing when authentication is confirmed in the main server.
As shown in FIG. 15, the input music information is transmitted from the music server system 30 (terminal side) to the main server 10 (step S1501).

The main server 10 retrieves the music information from the music stored in the main server (step S1502). The main server 10 transmits the search result and the result of the presence or absence of the corresponding song to the music server system 30 (step S1503). When the music server system 30 receives a message indicating that there is no corresponding song, a message "No corresponding song" is displayed (step S1504).

If the music exists, a predetermined frame of the music is read from the recording medium from the music server system 30 to the main server 10 and transmitted as reference information (step S1505). The main server 10 generates reference inquiry information from a predetermined frame of the music corresponding to the search result (step S1506).

The reference inquiry information generated by the main server 10 is compared with the inquiry information transmitted from the music server system 30 (step S1507). The result of the comparison is transmitted from the main server 10 to the music server system 30 (step S1508). If the comparison results received by the music server system 30 do not match, a message indicating that the verification is not established is displayed (step S1509).

If the comparison results received by the music server system 30 match, a charging process is appropriately performed (step S1510), and the main server 10 describes the music server system 30 with reference to FIGS. The additional service is transmitted (provided) (step S151).
1). Further, the process of moving music between media shown in FIG. 10 is performed in the music server system 30 (step S151).
2).

The authentication confirmation of each service shown in FIGS. 10 to 15 is performed by the main server. However, it is not limited to this. For example, when the content data (212-byte data) of a predetermined sound frame of target music data is provided from the main server 10, the music server system 30 performs authentication processing by comparing sound frames. You can also.

FIG. 16 shows a procedure of a process for performing authentication confirmation in the music server system 30. In FIG.
Steps S1601 to S1604 correspond to FIG.
Since steps S1501 to S1504 are the same as those of steps S1501 to S1504, description thereof is omitted.

If the corresponding song is found in step 1602, reference inquiry information is generated in the main server 10 based on a predetermined frame of the corresponding song (step S160).
5). The generated reference inquiry information is transmitted from the main server 10 to the music server system 30 (step S1).
606).

The reference information generated by the music server system 30 is compared with the reference reference information transmitted from the main server 10 (step S1607). The result of the comparison is transmitted from the music server system 30 to the main server 10 (step S1608).

If the comparison results in the music server system 30 do not match, a message indicating that the verification has failed is displayed (step S1609). If the comparison results match in the music server system 30, the accounting process is appropriately performed (step S1).
610), the main server 10 to the music server system 3
The additional service information shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 is transmitted (provided) to 0 (step S1611). Also,
The process of moving music between media shown in FIG. 10 is performed in the music server system 30 (step S1612).

As a further modification, if the corresponding data or database is in the music server system 30, ie,
The content data of a predetermined sound frame of the music data and a database that collects and manages a plurality of the data may perform authentication processing performed by comparing the sound frames in the music server system 30.

Further, for example, not only the above-mentioned services but also the case of processing a complaint or the like upon recording of a purchased music piece from a purchaser, such as analysis of a defective recording medium, etc.
By using the process shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to determine whether or not the music is a music that has been officially purchased from a distributor (seller), and to provide music data free of charge.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where digital audio data is encoded with high efficiency has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In addition to audio data, the present invention can be applied to a case where digital data, such as still image data and moving image data, which has been subjected to high-efficiency encoding, is provided to an end user by being recorded on a recording medium. .

The high-efficiency coding method has been described using the ATRAC method as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, MPEG (Moving Pict)
ure Expert Group) system, MP3 (M
PEG Audio Layer 3) method, AAC
(Advanced Audio Coding) method, WMA (Windows (registered trademark) Media)
Audio) system, AT which has developed ATRAC system
RAC3 system, Twin-VQ (Transform-
Domain Weighted Interleav
Various high-efficiency coding schemes such as an e-Vector Quantization scheme can be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the content data (2
12 bytes of data) are used as inquiry information. That is, the inquiry information is embedded in the digital data itself, such as a part of the digital data to be processed.

For this reason, if the inquiry information is embedded in the digital data itself, and if the inquiry information is the one that has been legally purchased from a valid sales source, the data pattern is determined. Any information may be used as long as it takes a predetermined information form. Therefore, for example, information superimposed on digital data such as digital watermark information (electronic watermark) may be used as reference information.

[0187]

As described above, according to the present invention, when there is no area for recording information indicating a valid creator (provider) of digital data such as music data on an external recording medium brought in by a user. Even in this case, it is possible to easily and reliably determine whether or not the digital data recorded on the external recording medium has been legally purchased from a valid provider. This makes it possible to provide various services that could not be provided conventionally in the digital data distribution business. In addition, the distribution of digital data can be expanded to use for maintenance, assurance, and the like, and a distribution system with high reliability can be realized for a user who receives distribution of digital data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a basic configuration of a music server system to which an embodiment of a digital signal processing device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an information correspondence management table in the main server or the music server system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a high-efficiency encoding encoder for digital audio data.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a structure of an orthogonal transform block at the time of bit compression.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a high-efficiency encoding format.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing details of data of a first byte in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a high-efficiency encoding decoder that decodes digital audio data encoded by the high-efficiency encoding encoder of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a main server shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an authentication process and a process of moving music data between recording media performed in the music server system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a data flow when using a music information movement processing service in the music server system.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a data flow at the time of using a version-up processing service for encoding operation of music information in the music server system.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a data flow when using a retry service for writing music information that has been destroyed for one minute in the music server system.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a data flow when using a music information bit rate changing service in the music server system.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a data flow when using a music information additional service in the music server system.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for performing authentication confirmation in the main server.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of a process of performing authentication confirmation in the music server system.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 main server, 30 ... music server system, 11 ...
Main controller, 12 hard disk, 13 display unit, 14 operation unit, 15, 16 read / record unit, 1
7 Decoder, 18 Reproduction processing unit, 19 Recording medium, 2
0: recording medium, 21: billing device, 101, 102: band division filter, 103, 104, 105: orthogonal transform circuit (MDCT), 109, 110, 111: block determination circuit, 118: bit allocation calculation circuit, 106, 10
7, 108... Adaptive bit allocation coding circuit, 701, 70
2. Band synthesis filter (IQMF), 703, 704,
705: inverse orthogonal transform circuit (IMDCT), 706: adaptive bit allocation decoding circuit

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) G11B 20/10 G11B 20/10 H H04N 7/173 610Z H04N 5/765 5/91 P 7/173 610 LF term ( Reference) 5C053 FA13 FA23 FA29 GB11 LA14 5C064 BA07 BC06 BD01 BD07 5D044 AB05 BC06 CC06 CC09 DE49 DE50 GK08 GK12 HL08 HL11

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. Inquiry information generated based on digital data which has been subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process and recorded on a mounted recording medium is transmitted to an information center via a predetermined communication line. Transmitting means; receiving means for receiving an inquiry result generated on the information center side based on the inquiry information; predetermined high efficiency recorded on the recording medium based on the inquiry result received by the receiving means Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the encoded digital data has been properly purchased; and performing predetermined high-efficiency encoding processing recorded on the recording medium by the discriminating means. If the digital data is determined to have been purchased, the digital data is provided with processing control means for performing processing for providing additional services to the purchaser. Le signal processor. 2. The additional service for the purchaser is:
2. The digital signal processing according to claim 1, wherein said processing control means copies or moves the digital data, which has been subjected to predetermined high-efficiency encoding processing, recorded on said recording medium to another recording medium. apparatus. 3. The additional service for the purchaser is:
The processing control means performs a high-efficiency encoding process on the digital data recorded on the recording medium and subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process, the version of which is higher than that of the predetermined high-efficiency encoding algorithm. 2. The digital signal processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the digital signal processing is performed by converting the digital signal into digital data. 4. The additional service for the purchaser is:
2. The digital signal processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing control means controls restoration processing of digital data recorded on said recording medium and having been subjected to predetermined high-efficiency encoding processing. 5. The additional service for the purchaser is:
The processing control means converts the digital data, which has been subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process, recorded on the recording medium to a bit rate different from the bit rate obtained by the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process, and performs a replacement process. The digital signal processing device according to claim 1, wherein: 6. The additional service for the purchaser is as follows.
2. The digital signal processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a related product of a creator of digital data that has been regularly purchased from the information center is provided free of charge. 7. An input means for inputting identification information for specifying digital data which has been subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process to be queried, wherein said input means is a queried object input by said input means. 2. The digital signal processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein identification information for specifying digital data subjected to predetermined high-efficiency encoding processing is transmitted to the information center via the predetermined communication line. 8. An information center, comprising: receiving means for receiving identification information for specifying digital data subjected to predetermined high-efficiency encoding processing to be queried and transmitted from the digital signal processing device, and inquiry information; A search for searching the digital data to be queried stored in the information center based on the identification information for specifying the digital data subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process to be queried and received by the receiving means; Means, reference inquiry information generation means for generating reference inquiry information based on the digital data retrieved by the retrieval means, reference inquiry information generated by the reference inquiry information generation means, and inquiry received by the reception means Comparing means for comparing information; introduction result generating means for generating the inquiry result based on the comparison result of the comparing means; and inquiry result generating means. Digital signal processing apparatus according to claim 7 comprising a transmitting means for transmitting the generated query results. 9. The reference inquiry information generating means performs a high efficiency encoding of a part of the digital data retrieved by the retrieval means by a software encoder, and compares the encoded data with the inquiry information by the comparison means. The digital signal processing device according to claim 8, wherein 10. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a charging unit for performing a charging process, wherein a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process recorded on said recording medium by said discriminating unit is performed when said additional service is provided to said purchaser. 2. The digital signal processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the obtained digital data has been purchased, the accounting processing by the accounting means is free or reduced. 11. A digital signal generated based on identification information for specifying digital data subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process and transmitted from a terminal, and the digital data subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process. A transmitting step of transmitting inquiry information to the information center via a predetermined communication line; a receiving step of receiving an inquiry result generated on the information center side based on the inquiry information; and a receiving step of receiving the inquiry result based on the received inquiry result. A determining step of determining whether or not the digital data recorded on the recording medium and having been subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process is the one that has been properly purchased; and the determination is that the digital data is recorded on the recording medium. If it is determined that the digital data that has been subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process has been properly purchased, a process for providing an additional service to the purchaser is performed. Digital signal processing method comprising a processing step of so perform. 12. The additional service for the purchaser means that the processing control means copies or moves the digital data recorded on the recording medium, which has been subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process, to another recording medium. The digital signal processing method according to claim 11, wherein 13. The additional service to the purchaser means that the processing control means converts the digital data recorded on the recording medium, which has been subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process, into the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process. The digital signal processing method according to claim 11, wherein the digital signal is converted into digital data subjected to a high-efficiency encoding process whose version is higher than that of the algorithm and subjected to a replacement process. 14. The additional service for the purchaser is characterized in that the processing control means controls the restoration processing of digital data recorded on the recording medium and subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process. The digital signal processing method according to claim 11. 15. The additional service to the purchaser means that the processing control means performs a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process on the digital data recorded on the recording medium by the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process. 12. The digital signal processing method according to claim 11, wherein the bit rate is converted to a bit rate different from the bit rate and the replacement processing is performed. 16. The additional service for the purchaser is characterized in that a related product of a creator of digital data that has been regularly purchased from the information center is provided free of charge.
2. The digital signal processing method according to 1. 17. An input step for inputting information relating to the digital data subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process to be queried, wherein the predetermined high level to be queried is inputted in the input step. 12. The digital signal processing method according to claim 11, wherein information related to the efficiency-encoded digital data is transmitted to the information center via the predetermined communication line. 18. An identification information for identifying a digital data subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process, which is an inquiry target, transmitted from a terminal device, and the digital data subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process. Receiving the inquiry information generated on the terminal device side, and storing the information in the information center based on the identification information that specifies the digital data subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding processing to be the inquiry target. A search step of searching for the digital data to be queried, a reference query information generating step of generating reference query information based on the searched digital data, a reference query information generated and the received query information A query result generating step of generating the query result based on the comparison result; and a query result generating step of generating the query result. Digital signal processing method comprising a transmitting step of transmitting. 19. An information center for determining whether or not predetermined high-efficiency-encoded digital data recorded on a recording medium on the terminal side is an authorized purchase, wherein an inquiry target transmitted from the terminal device is provided. Receiving the identification information that specifies the digital data that has been subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process and the inquiry information generated on the terminal device side based on the digital data that has been subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process Receiving means, and searching means for searching for digital data to be queried stored in the information center, based on identification information for specifying the digital data subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process to be queried, And reference inquiry information generating means for generating reference inquiry information based on the searched digital data; and comparing the generated reference inquiry information with the received inquiry information. A query result generating means for generating the query result based on the comparison result; and, when the generated query result and the comparison result of the comparing means match, predetermined terminal information is provided to the terminal side. An information center comprising transmission means for transmitting the information. 20. An information center in which digital data subjected to predetermined high-efficiency encoding processing is stored, and digital data connected to the information center via a predetermined communication line and distributed from the information center is recorded on a recording medium. In a distribution system including a terminal device for recording, the terminal device is configured to perform a query with reference information generated based on digital data that has been subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process and that is recorded on the recording medium. Transmitting means for transmitting, via the predetermined communication line, identification information for specifying digital data subjected to the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process and the information center; and the information center based on the inquiry information. Receiving means for receiving the generated inquiry result; and a predetermined high performance recorded on the recording medium based on the inquiry result received by the receiving means. Determining means for determining whether or not the digital data on which the rate encoding processing has been performed has been properly purchased; and performing predetermined high-efficiency coding processing recorded on the recording medium by the determining means. Processing control means for performing processing for providing an additional service to the purchaser when it is determined that the obtained digital data has been purchased legitimately. Receiving means for receiving identification information and inquiry information for specifying digital data subjected to predetermined high-efficiency encoding processing as an inquiry target transmitted from the terminal device; and a predetermined inquiry target received by the receiving means. Search means for searching for digital data to be queried stored in the information center based on identification information for specifying digital data subjected to the high-efficiency encoding process of A reference inquiry information generating means for generating reference inquiry information based on the digital data retrieved by the retrieval means; and comparing the reference inquiry information generated by the reference inquiry information generation means with the inquiry information received by the receiving means. Distribution means comprising: comparison means; introduction result generation means for generating the inquiry result based on the comparison result of the comparison means; and transmission means for transmitting the inquiry result generated by the inquiry result generation means. system. 21. The additional service to the purchaser means that the processing control means copies or moves the digital data recorded on the recording medium, which has been subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process, to another recording medium. 21. The distribution system according to claim 20, wherein 22. The additional service for the purchaser means that the processing control means converts the digital data recorded on the recording medium, which has been subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process, into the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process. 21. The distribution system according to claim 20, wherein the distribution system converts the digital data into a digital data subjected to a high-efficiency encoding process whose version is higher than that of the algorithm and performs a replacement process. 23. The additional service for the purchaser is characterized in that the processing control means controls restoration processing of digital data recorded on the recording medium and subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process. A distribution system according to claim 23. 24. The additional service for the purchaser is that the processing control means converts the digital data recorded on the recording medium, which has been subjected to a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process, by the predetermined high-efficiency encoding process. 21. The distribution system according to claim 20, wherein the distribution system converts the bit rate to a bit rate different from the bit rate and performs the replacement process. 25. The additional service for the purchaser, wherein the related product of the creator of the digital data that has been regularly purchased from the information center is provided free of charge.
0. The distribution system according to 0. 26. The terminal device further comprises a billing means for performing billing processing, and when performing an additional service to the purchaser, a predetermined height recorded on the recording medium by the discriminating means. 21. The charging method according to claim 20, wherein when it is determined that the digital data subjected to the efficiency coding processing has been properly purchased, the charging processing by the charging processing means is free or reduced. Delivery system.