JP2001236718A - Information signal recording and reproducing device and information signal recording and reproducing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that illicit copying of video software protected by copyrights is possible with an information signal recording and reproducing device having two recording and reproducing sections allowing copying of the information signals with each other. SOLUTION: When the video software inserted into the VTR recording and reproducing section 1 is copied on a HDD recording and reproducing section 3, the identification information of the video software is acquired by an ID information detecting section 2 and is recorded in combination in the HDD recording and reproducing section 3. When the video software from the HDD recording and reproducing section 3 is reproduced, the video software is inserted into the VTR recording and reproducing section 1 and only when the identification information outputted by the ID information detecting section 2 and the identification information reproduced by the HDD recording and reproducing section 3 coincide, the output of the video software is permitted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information signal comprising a reproducing section for reproducing an information signal from an exchangeable recording medium and a recording / reproducing section for recording / reproducing an information signal reproduced from the recording medium. The present invention relates to a technology for preventing unauthorized copying of an information signal in a recording / reproducing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the digitization of television broadcasting, digital tape recorders capable of recording and reproducing program signals in the form of digital signals in the form of digital signals have been developed and are becoming popular. This digital tape recorder has a feature that a program signal arriving in a digital signal form can be recorded on a removable (replaceable) tape recording medium for a long time, while random access of the recorded program signal requires time.

[0003] In recent years, a recording / reproducing apparatus for a program signal using an HDD has emerged. The recording / reproducing apparatus using the HDD has a feature that random access of a recorded program signal can be performed quickly, while a program signal has a feature. However, since the recording time is short and the recording medium is not removable, there is a disadvantage that the program signal cannot be recorded for longer than the recording time that can be recorded on the disk recording medium provided inside the apparatus.

[0004] Under such circumstances, an information signal recording / reproducing apparatus combining two recording / reproducing apparatuses, a tape recording / reproducing apparatus and a disk recording / reproducing apparatus, is being developed. As one example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-69275 discloses that a disc recording / reproducing unit records only a leading portion of a program signal,
The entire program signal is recorded by the tape recording / reproducing unit, and when the program is viewed, the head of the program signal is reproduced using the disc recording / reproducing unit until the access by the tape recording / reproducing unit is completed. A technique has been disclosed in which the reproduction is switched from the recording / reproducing unit to the tape recording / reproducing unit to increase the apparent access speed of the tape recording / reproducing unit.

[0005]

As described above, the recording / reproducing apparatus achieves both user convenience by increasing the access speed and large-capacity storage of information signals using a removable recording medium. Although this system is very promising as a future system, no consideration is given to copyright protection by writing information signals over a plurality of recording media.

[0006] For example, if video software provided in the form of a tape recording medium is purchased and only the head of the video software is copied to a disk recording / reproducing unit when the video software is viewed, as described above, The access speed can be increased.

If the capacity of the hard disk is sufficiently large, it is necessary to copy all of the video software provided in the form of a tape recording medium onto the hard disk at the time of the first reproduction, and to reproduce it from the next time. Thereby, it is possible to enjoy video software with comfortable operability such as instant search or random access using the good accessibility of the hard disk.

[0008] In this way, for example, by recording video software on a hard disk owned by each of a plurality of persons based on one volume of video software, without paying the copyright holder a fair price, There was a problem that video software could be reproduced. To prevent this, it is one method to prohibit writing on the hard disk. However, there is a problem that the advantage of the system using the hard disk due to high-speed access cannot be used.

Therefore, it is essential to copy video software from a tape recording medium to a disk recording medium in order to take advantage of the system of the high-speed access as described above, and how to prevent unauthorized copying. Was a major challenge.

[0010]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, an information signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a reproducing unit (1) for reproducing an information signal from a recording medium inserted in a replaceable manner; Identification information acquisition means (2) for acquiring information;
A recording / reproducing section (3a, 3h, 3c, 3j) for recording / reproducing the information signal reproduced by the reproducing section; and reproducing the information signal from the recording / reproducing section (3a, 3h, 3c, 3j). When determining, the presence or absence of the recording medium is determined based on the identification information output by the identification information acquisition means (2),
Only when it is determined that the recording medium is present, control is performed so that the information signal reproduced by the reproducing unit is restored and output.

The recording / reproducing unit (3a, 3c) in the information signal recording / reproducing device, when recording the information signal reproduced by the reproducing unit (1), outputs the information signal from the identification information acquiring means (2). When the identification information is recorded together with the information signal and the information signal is reproduced from the recording / reproducing unit (3a, 3c), the identification information reproduced by the recording / reproducing unit (3a, 3c) and the identification information obtaining means The information signal is output only when the identification information output by (2) matches.

[0013] Further, an encrypting means (3g) for encrypting the information signal reproduced by the reproducing section (1) in the information signal recording / reproducing apparatus based on the identification information output by the identification information acquiring means (2). ) And said identification information acquisition means (2)
And decryption means (3k) for decrypting the encrypted information signal based on the identification information output by the recording device. The recording / reproducing unit (3h, 3j) performs the encryption when recording the information signal. The information signal encrypted by the encrypting means (3g) is recorded. On the other hand, when the information signal is reproduced, the encrypted information signal is output to the decryption means (3k), and the encrypted information signal is reproduced. ) Can be normally decrypted only when the identification information output to the decryption means (3k) matches the identification information output to the decryption means (3k).

[0014] Further, an information signal recording / reproducing method according to the present invention comprises:
When reproducing the information signal from the second recording medium on which the information signal reproduced from the first recording medium inserted in a replaceable manner is recorded, the information signal is reproduced based on the identification information given to the first recording medium. 1 to determine the presence or absence of a recording medium,
The information signal reproduced by the reproducing unit is restored and output only when it is determined that the recording medium exists.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an information signal recording / reproducing apparatus and an information signal recording / reproducing method according to the present invention, wherein 1 shows the recording / reproducing of an information signal using a removable tape recording medium. VTR recording / reproducing unit to perform, 2 is VTR
An ID information detecting section for detecting ID information obtained from a tape recording medium inserted into the recording / reproducing section 1, an HDD recording / reproducing section for recording / reproducing an information signal reproduced from the VTR recording / reproducing section 1 on a disk recording medium, 4 is an HDD recording / reproducing unit 3
Is a signal output unit that converts the information signal output from the device into a predetermined signal format and outputs the converted signal.

Here, as the VTR recording / reproducing section 1, a recording / reproducing section of a D-VHS recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing a digital information signal in the form of a bit stream can be used. Note that the D-VHS recording / reproducing device is
A recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing a digital information signal by using a mechanism system of a VHS (registered trademark) type recording / reproducing apparatus which is widely used as an analog video tape recorder. It has the feature that large-capacity recording of an information signal can be performed by using it.

When a tape recording medium is inserted into the VTR recording / reproducing section 1 of the information signal recording / reproducing apparatus configured as described above, the ID information detecting section 2 outputs an ID for identifying the inserted tape recording medium. Get information. In addition, as a method of identifying the tape recording medium, various methods can be considered as follows.

As an example, a read sensor that embeds a semiconductor memory in which information specific to the tape recording medium is written in a cassette that stores the tape recording medium and reads specific information from the semiconductor memory in the VTR recording / reproducing unit 1. And the tape recording / reproducing unit 1 may be configured to read unique information from the semiconductor memory when a tape recording medium is inserted into the VTR recording / reproducing unit 1.

At this time, this unique information may be read by contacting electrodes provided on the semiconductor memory and the tape recording / reproducing unit 1, respectively, or the semiconductor memory may be attached to a label attached to the cassette. A memory may be embedded, and a coil that is not in contact with the semiconductor memory may be provided in the tape recording / reproducing unit 1, and the unique information may be read by aerial transmission using this coil.

Further, a reading sensor for reading unique information from the semiconductor memory embedded in the cassette is provided so as to be connectable to the outside of the present information signal recording / reproducing apparatus, and a user can use the reading sensor to embed the reading information in the cassette. The unique information may be read from the semiconductor memory.

As another method, there is a method of using information unique to the tape recording medium, which is recorded in advance on the tape recording medium. As described above, when the unique information is recorded on the tape recording medium together with the information signal, the semiconductor memory is embedded in the cassette as described above, and a reading sensor for reading the unique information from the semiconductor memory is separately provided. There is an advantage that there is no need to provide.

When the ID information detecting section 2 acquires ID information unique to the tape recording medium in the above-described manner, the ID information detecting section 2 outputs this information to the HDD recording / reproducing section 3.
When the reproduction of the video software recorded on the tape recording medium is started, the HDD recording / reproducing unit 3 records the information signal output from the tape recording / reproducing unit 1 in the information recording area on the disk recording medium, The ID information output by the information detecting unit 2 is recorded in a predetermined area on the disk recording medium.

If the video software recorded on the tape recording medium is protected by copyright, the copyright information stored in the information signal forming the video software is recorded on the tape together with the information signal. Reproduced from the medium, which is recorded on the disk recording medium.

Then, when recording the video software protected by the copyright, the HDD recording / reproducing unit 3 records the video software with a flag indicating that the ID information needs to be collated. On the other hand, when recording an information signal that is not protected by copyright, the recording is performed without adding this flag. Thus, the video software on the tape recording medium is copied on the disk recording medium.

When reproducing the video software recorded on the disk recording medium, the ID information (IR) recorded on the disk recording medium and the ID information (IE) output from the ID information detecting section 2 are reproduced. And the HDD recording / reproducing unit 3 outputs a reproduced signal, and the reproduced signal is output to the signal output unit 4.
Is converted into a predetermined signal form and displayed on a display or the like (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the HDD recording / reproducing unit 3. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 3a denotes an information signal from the VTR recording / reproducing unit 1 and an ID signal from the ID information detecting unit 2.
An HDD recording processor 3c for recording information on the disk recording medium 3b is an HDD reproducing processor for reproducing information signals and ID information recorded on the disk recording medium 3b.

Reference numeral 3d denotes an ID information extraction unit for extracting ID information from the output of the HDD reproduction processing unit 3c, and 3e denotes ID information (IE) output by the ID information detection unit 2 and ID information extraction unit 3
A comparison unit that compares the ID information (IR) output by d and controls the output of the reproduction signal of the HDD reproduction processing unit 3c according to the comparison result.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation when reproducing the information signal recorded on the disk recording medium. Hereinafter, the information signal is reproduced from the disk recording medium by using both FIG. 2 and FIG. The operation at that time will be described.

First, when the user instructs reproduction from the disk recording medium 3b (S01), the HDD reproduction processing unit 3c
Prior to reproduction of the information signal recorded on the disk recording medium 3b, it is confirmed whether or not a flag indicating that the ID information needs to be collated is attached to the information signal to be reproduced (S0).
2).

Here, for example, when the user himself / herself reproduces a video or the like taken by a video camera from a disk recording medium, a flag indicating that the ID information needs to be collated is not added. When reproducing video software protected by copyright, a flag indicating that ID information collation is required is added.

When the collation of the ID information is necessary as described above, the ID information (IR) recorded in a predetermined area on the disk recording medium is reproduced.
d (S03).

On the other hand, the ID information detecting section 2 outputs ID information (I) from the tape recording medium inserted in the VTR recording / reproducing section 1.
E) is output (S04), and the comparing unit 3e compares the ID information (IR) from the ID information extracting unit 3d with the ID information (IE) from the ID information detecting unit 2 (S05).

If the ID information matches, a signal for permitting the output of the reproduction signal is output to the HDD reproduction processing unit 3c (S06), and if the ID information does not match, Outputs a signal for prohibiting the output of the reproduction signal to the HDD reproduction processing unit 3c.

If the ID information does not match, a message "Incorrect tape is inserted" is displayed on a display screen (not shown), or the VT
If a tape recording medium is not inserted in the R recording / reproducing unit 1, a message such as "Please insert a tape" may be displayed to urge the user to insert a correct tape recording medium.

If a tape recording medium having ID information that matches the ID information (IR) from the ID information extracting unit 3d is not inserted even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the message "Cancel playback" is displayed. A message may be displayed.

As described above, in the information signal recording / reproducing apparatus and the recording / reproducing method according to the present invention, even if the video software protected by the copyright is copied from the tape recording medium to the disk recording medium, the video software is recorded. Unless it is confirmed that the user owns the tape recording medium, the video software recorded on the disk recording medium cannot be reproduced, so that the reproduction of the illegally copied video software can be prevented.

Next, another embodiment of the information signal recording / reproducing apparatus and the information signal recording / reproducing method according to the present invention will be described.
An information signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to another embodiment is configured such that the HDD recording / reproducing unit 3 shown in FIG. 1 is configured as shown in FIG. 4, and an information signal from the VTR recording / reproducing unit 1 is recorded on a disk recording medium. At the time of recording, the information signal is encrypted and recorded based on the ID information output from the ID information detecting unit 2 and the device ID held in the present recording / reproducing apparatus, and the information signal is reproduced from the disk recording medium. Has an ID information detection unit 2
And decrypts the encryption at the time of recording based on the ID information output from the device and the device ID of the device to obtain a reproduced signal.

That is, in the information signal recording / reproducing apparatus and the information signal recording / reproducing method described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the information signal recorded on the disk recording medium is output by some method, or If the information itself is taken out by any method, the information signal can be restored. However, in the information signal recording and reproducing apparatus and the information signal recording and reproducing method shown in FIG. Since the applied information signal is recorded, restoration of the information signal can be prevented even when the information signal on the disk recording medium is output or when the disk recording medium itself is taken out.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 3f designates a key generator which receives the ID information output from the ID information detector 2 and the device ID of the apparatus and generates key information for encryption, and 3g designates a key generator 3g. VTR recording / reproducing unit 1 based on key information to be output
Is an encryption processing unit that encrypts the information signal output from the information processing unit.
Here, the device ID is unique identification information provided for identifying this recording / reproducing device from another recording / reproducing device, and is held at a location (not shown) in the recording / reproducing device.

Reference numeral 3h denotes an HDD recording processing unit for recording the information signal after the encryption processing on the disk recording medium 3i.
j is an HDD reproduction processing unit for reproducing the information signal recorded on the disk recording medium 3i, and 3k is a decryption processing unit for decrypting the information signal encrypted based on the key information generated by the key generation unit 3f. is there.

With the above configuration, the information signal output from the VTR recording / reproducing unit 1 is encrypted in the encryption processing unit 3g based on the key information output from the key generation unit 3f.
The data is recorded on the disk recording medium 3i by the D recording processing unit 3h. When reproducing the information signal, the key generator 3
Since the encryption at the time of recording is decrypted by the decryption processing unit 3k based on the key information output by f, and the information signal is restored,
Unless it is confirmed that the user owns the tape recording medium on which the video software is recorded, the information signal recorded on the disk recording medium cannot be restored, and the reproduction of the illegally copied video software can be prevented. .

In the embodiment described above, an example in which the recording and reproduction of the information signal is performed using the two recording media of the D-VHS tape recording medium and the hard disk is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, recording and reproduction of information signals may be performed using an optical disk such as a DVD capable of recording and reproduction and a hard disk.

At this time, instead of the VTR recording / reproducing unit 1 shown in FIG. 1, a recording / reproducing unit with a disk changer containing a plurality of optical disks is provided, and the HDD recording is completed until the access of desired video software is completed by the disk changer. The head portion of the video software may be reproduced from the reproduction unit 3, or the entire video software may be copied to the HDD recording / reproduction unit 3 and used as described above.

In this case, the ID information of the optical disk stored in the recording / reproducing unit with the disc changer is written into a memory in the apparatus when the optical disk is stored in the recording / reproducing unit. What is necessary is just to read information.

[0045]

According to the present invention, when an information signal recorded on a replaceable recording medium is copied, the copied information signal can be normally restored unless it is confirmed that the user owns the recording medium. Since reproduction cannot be performed, even if video software or the like protected by copyright is illegally copied, the reproduction of the illegally copied video software can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an information signal recording / reproducing apparatus and an information signal recording / reproducing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an HDD recording / reproducing unit 3.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of reproducing an information signal from an HDD recording / reproducing unit 3;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another configuration of the HDD recording / reproducing unit 3.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... VTR recording / reproduction part 2 ... ID information detection part 3 ... HDD recording / reproduction part 3a, 3h ... HDD recording processing part 3b, 3i ... Disk recording medium 3c, 3j ... HDD reproduction processing part 3d ... ID information extraction part 3e ... Comparison Part 3f Key generation part 3g Encryption processing part 3k Encryption decryption processing part

Claims (4)

[Claims] A reproducing unit configured to reproduce an information signal from a recording medium inserted in a replaceable manner; an identification information acquiring unit configured to acquire identification information unique to the recording medium; A recording / reproducing section for performing recording / reproducing, wherein when reproducing the information signal from the recording / reproducing section, the presence / absence of the recording medium is determined based on identification information output by the identification information obtaining means, Only when it is determined that there is, the information signal reproduced by the reproduction unit is restored,
And an information signal recording / reproducing device controlled to be output. 2. The recording / reproducing unit, when recording the information signal reproduced by the reproducing unit, records identification information from the identification information acquiring unit together with the information signal, and outputs the information signal from the recording / reproducing unit. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, when reproducing, the information signal is output only when the identification information reproduced by the recording / reproducing unit matches the identification information output by the identification information obtaining means. Information signal recording / reproducing device. 3. The information signal reproduced by the reproducing unit,
Encryption means for encrypting based on the identification information output by the identification information obtaining means; and decryption means for decrypting the encrypted information signal based on the identification information output by the identification information obtaining means. The recording / reproducing unit records the information signal encrypted by the encrypting means when recording the information signal, and decrypts the encrypted information signal when reproducing the information signal. Means for decrypting the information signal normally only when the identification information output to the encryption means matches the identification information output to the decryption means. 2. The information signal recording / reproducing device according to 1. 4. An identification provided to a first recording medium when reproducing the information signal from a second recording medium on which an information signal reproduced from a first recording medium inserted in a replaceable manner is recorded. The presence / absence of the first recording medium is determined based on the information, and only when it is determined that the first recording medium is present, the information signal at the time of reproduction from the first recording medium is restored and output. An information signal recording / reproducing method characterized by performing control as described above.