JP2002108365A - Download system, information processing device, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To enable a user to enjoy information distributed from a network or multimedia contents such as downloaded music without being aware of the troublesomeness of network connection. SOLUTION: When processing is performed according to the flow shown in (B) and execution of copying of a file with a limited number of copies is detected (step S331), referring to "download related data", if copying is not possible, Step S332), copy is executed. Then, after copying, the copy inhibition flag of the copy destination file is turned ON (step S333). This prevents further grandchild copy and great grandchild copy from being executed from the copy destination file. Subsequently, “1” is subtracted from the permitted number of copies of “download related data” to update the data (step S334).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a download system for downloading music data, an information processing apparatus, and a recording medium.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Today, with the development of communication technology and the improvement of communication infrastructure, distribution services and download services of various multimedia contents by e-mail, Internet connection, and the like have become widespread. Also,
Apart from this, applications specialized in multimedia, such as playing and editing music downloaded in a data format such as MP3 and processing images on a personal computer, are also becoming widespread.

[0003]

However, as described above,
Even if the network environment and applications controlled and executed by personal computers have become widespread, it is necessary to be aware of this when connecting to the Internet under the current situation, and it is troublesome for PC users to enjoy multimedia contents. There was something to feel. The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and allows a user to enjoy information distributed from a network or multimedia contents such as downloaded music without being bothered by a network connection. It is an object of the present invention to provide a download system, an information processing device, and a recording medium that can be used.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a download system for managing a database for storing music data including setting information in which copy information is set. In a download system including a server and a terminal that downloads and stores song data from the database via a network by connecting to the server, the terminal includes a copy instructing a copy of the downloaded song data. An instruction means, and a copy control means for reading out the copy information of the music data and controlling the copy of the music data when the copy instruction means instructs to copy the music data.

[0005] That is, the copy information is information relating to the copy of music data, such as copy limit number information and copy limit period information. Therefore, if the copy instructing means instructs to copy the music data after downloading,
By reading the copy information of the music data and controlling the copy of the music data, it is possible to limit the number of music data and the duplication period. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a grandchild copy and a great grandchild copy from being executed, and to construct a system having a copyright protection function.

In the information processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, a connection means for connecting to a server via a network, and the connection means connects to the server, so that the connection is established via the server. In the information processing apparatus having download means for downloading song data from a database, the copy instructing means for instructing copying of the song data downloaded by the downloading means, and when the copying is instructed by the copying instructing means, Determining means for determining whether or not copy control information has been acquired at the time of download of the music data instructed to be copied; and determining that the copy control information has been obtained by the determination means, the music data instructed to be copied. Replication control means for controlling the replication of

Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 2, it is possible to function as a terminal in the download system according to the invention described in claim 1. Therefore,
A terminal capable of constructing a system having a copyright protection function can be provided.

In the recording medium according to the third aspect of the present invention, a connection procedure for connecting to a server via a network, and the connection procedure is used to connect to the server. A copy instruction procedure for instructing a copy of the music data downloaded in the download procedure, on a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing the information processing apparatus to execute a download procedure for downloading the music data from the database. When a copy is instructed in the copy instructing procedure, a discriminating procedure for judging whether or not copy control information has been obtained at the time of downloading the music data instructed to be copied, If it is determined that the copy has been performed, the copy control procedure for controlling the copy of the music data instructed to be copied is performed. It records the program to be executed by the broadcast processing apparatus.

Therefore, according to the recording medium of the third aspect, by causing the computer to read the recorded program, the computer can easily function as the terminal of the invention according to the first aspect. Therefore, it is possible to easily provide a terminal capable of constructing a system having a copyright protection function.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 1, a system according to this embodiment
The server 5 includes a PC 5 having a wireless communication function with the b server 2 and the base station 3 and capable of accessing the Web server 2 via the telephone line network 4 and the network 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the Web server 2 includes a communication control unit 22, an operation unit (keyboard) 23, a control unit (main frame) 24, a work memory 25, a display unit (display) 26, a storage management unit 27, Recording medium reading unit 2
Reference numeral 8 denotes a system interconnected by a system bus 21, which distributes data (music information) stored in the database 6 for a fee to the PC 5 operated by the registrant and provides a download service.

The communication control unit 22 is connected to the network 1 of FIG.
It has a function of controlling the connection when transmitting and receiving information by connecting to the database 6 via a LAN or a wide area network, and controls a port connected to a modem or a LAN system.

The storage management unit 27 includes a registrant management DB 271 for managing registrants who receive the service, a database 6 management DB 272 for managing the storage status of music information of various media stored in the database 6, and a log file 273. And The recording medium reading unit 28 reads information recorded on an external recording medium 29 (specifically, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a floppy (registered trademark) disk) based on an operation from the operation unit 23.
It has a function of outputting to the system bus 21.

As shown in FIG. 3, the registrant management DB 271 has a “management address” in the DB, a “user ID” and a “password” used for registrant authentication, a registrant's name, contact information, and various downloads. "User information" composed of account information for payment of service fee, payment status, file data downloaded in the past, etc., "service fee" generated when using the service to date, and provision of registrant's service Is managed as one record, and a plurality of such records are stored and managed.

The database 6 management DB 272 includes:
As shown in FIG. 4, the “management address” in the DB, the “storage address in the database 6”, which is the storage location of each music information file in the database 6, the “file name”, the artist, the label,
Single / album, record company, release time, etc.
"Comment data", "data size", file format, "file attributes" such as format, image information (jacket data, icon information, video information) , Lyrics information), the number of permitted copies, the number of permitted reproductions, “other accompanying data” such as the reproduction period, and the “registration date / update date” that is the date registered / updated in the database 6 are managed as one record. And a plurality of records are stored and managed. Also,
The log file 273 statistically manages the music information distributed in the past and the history of various services such as the file name and count number of the file requested to be downloaded, in association with the storage contents of the DB 272 for database 6 management. This is the file to be executed.

The PC 5 is a so-called mobile type that can be carried by a registrant, and is mainly constituted by a CPU 51 that controls each unit as shown in a schematic block diagram of FIG. The CPU 51 includes an input / output unit 52, a position detection circuit 5
3, display drive circuit 54, memory 55, transmission / reception unit 56, system memory 57, recording medium reading unit 58, RAM6
2 and the tuner 63 are connected. The input / output unit 52 includes a keyboard provided with various buttons to be described later, a hard disk (HD),
Record and read information to and from a DR drive, a DVD-RAM drive, a VHS video drive, a DV (digital video) drive, an MD drive, and an MP3 media drive 302, and perform 5.1D or 6CH Dolby Digital or DTS. Interface unit for inputting and outputting data to and from a standard audio output system, and also connected to a mouse. The CR-ROM drive 101 is an example of a specific configuration of various media drives connected to the input / output unit 52, and includes a scanner 105 that optically reads a print surface formed on the upper surface of the CD 104. Is provided. In the PC 5, the operation of each drive is performed by an operation button on a keyboard of the PC, a PC main body, or software of the PC. In addition, after information is recorded on any selected media, each media can be carried by dedicated hardware for reproducing these media, so that the user can select the desired location at any desired time. It is possible to play such media in a short time.

The position detecting circuit 53 includes a tablet 59
The display drive circuit 54 detects the input position in response to a pen input or the like by the user.
Is to be driven. The memory 55 is constituted by a hard disk (HD). In this memory 55, the user information storage area 551 stores the We
b. Connection information to server 2 (in the case of Internet connection, the URL (Uniform Resource
urce Locators), registrants (= users)
D and password), connection history with the Web server 2 such as what kind of music information has been received in the past, what file (song, music) has been downloaded,
And an area for storing an amount to be paid when the service is used. A distribution information storage area 552 is an area for storing music information such as new music information distributed from the Web server 2. In addition, a download data storage management area 553 for storing information on files downloaded up to now, Download storage area 554 for storing downloaded files, C
It is divided by the work area 555 of the PU 51 and the like.
FIG. 6 illustrates the storage state of the download data storage management area 553. The “management address” of the storage area, the “file name” of the downloaded file, the “file storage address” in the download storage area 554, and the album "Property data" composed of data related to the file, such as name, artist, lyrics, release date, etc., and "Download related data" composed of data related to the service, such as the number of playbacks, playback period, number of copies, etc. , Image information (“other accompanying data” composed of jacket data, icon data, etc.) and “date of download” are managed as one record, and a plurality of these records are stored and managed. For performing wireless communication with the telephone network 4 via the base station 3 Is composed of a modulator and a demodulator or the like. The system memory 57, OS (Operating Sy
The recording medium reading unit 58 reads a program stored in the recording medium 61. Then, based on the program read by the recording medium reading unit 58 from the recording medium 61, the CPU 51 executes necessary processing or controls each unit as shown in a flowchart described later.

The RAM 62 has a function as a work memory for temporarily storing data input from the outside.

In the embodiment according to the above configuration,
The copy number display function processing flow shown in FIG. 7 realizes a function of recording the number of copies in a file. That is, when copying a downloaded music file, the number of copies of the file is limited by providing copy number restriction information (flag) on the copy source (downloaded file) side.

First, the CPU 51 of the PC 5 executes processing according to the flow shown in FIG. That is, when the user downloads a music file whose number of permitted copies is included in the other accompanying data from the Web server 2 at a download fee of $ 250 (step S321), the "download related data" area of the download data storage management area 553 The number of permitted copies is written into the file and stored in association with the storage address of the downloaded file. And when you start the music OS,
Based on the permitted number of times of copying, the number of times of copying is displayed on the icon of the downloaded file (step S322). Steps S321 and S32
By the process of No. 3, the number of copies P23 from the initial screen state shown in FIG. 8A to the icon P24 shown in FIG.
Move to the state where is displayed.

The CPU 51 of the PC 5 operates as shown in FIG.
When the execution of the copy of the file with the copy number limitation is detected (step S33)
1) Referring to "download related data", if copying is not possible (step S332), copy is executed. Then, after copying, the copy inhibition flag of the copy destination file is turned ON (step S33).
3). This prevents further grandchild copy and great grandchild copy from being executed from the copy destination file.

Subsequently, "1" is subtracted from the permitted number of copies of "download related data" to update the data (step S334). Therefore, FIGS. 8B and 8C
As shown in (3), each time the process of step S334 is performed, the number of copies P23 is decreased by one.
Further, as a result of the update, it is determined whether or not the value of the permitted number of copies is “0” (step S335). If not, the process according to this flow is ended. However, if the value of the permitted number of copies becomes “0” as a result of the update, the copy source file, that is, the downloaded file is deleted from the download data storage area 554 (step S336).

According to the first embodiment, the Web server 2 that provides a download service can download a file in which the number of copies is limited in advance, thereby preventing illegal copying by a file supply destination. Can be done.

It should be noted that in the present embodiment, W
Although the number of permitted copies is set on the web server 2 side, the number of permitted copies may be set according to, for example, a service fee system or a charging status of a service registrant without being limited to this. Good. Also, the download itself may be performed by distribution via another recording medium without going through a network.

(Second Embodiment) The configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the downloaded file is attached to another PC (not shown) by e-mail and transferred. At this time, a case where a restriction is imposed on the reproduction of the attached file (music file) at the transfer destination will be described in detail. The mail software applied in the present embodiment is conventionally known, and is stored in the recording medium 61 or in an area (not shown) of the memory 55, and is executed under the control of the CPU 51. Shall be.

In the mail transfer prohibition processing flow shown in FIG. 9, when mail transmission with a music file attached is executed, the transmission of the mail is stopped by providing reproduction restriction information in the property of the file, or the mail is transmitted. This function implements a function of deleting the attached file from the transmission source PC before the transmission.

The CPU 51 of the PC 5 executes processing according to the flow shown in FIG. That is, the file is attached to the mail according to the user's operation input (step S36).
1), transfer is performed (step S362). that time,
It is determined whether or not there is a transfer prohibition file in the attached file (step S363). If there is no transfer prohibition file, the process directly shifts to mail transmission (step S36).
4).

However, if there is a transfer prohibition file, a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit 60 (step S365). As a result of the process in step S365, as shown in FIG. 10, "copying of copy prohibited file is being executed." And "e-mail attachment of transfer prohibited file is being executed." Is displayed. Next, after the transfer from the transfer source (PC5), it is determined whether or not the file is to be deleted (step S366). If the file is not to be deleted, the mail transmission is stopped (step S367). This prevents inconvenience that the transfer prohibition file is transmitted to another person.

If the file is to be deleted, the mail is transferred (step S368), and then the attached file is deleted (step S369).

According to the second embodiment, when a file whose transfer is prohibited is intentionally transferred,
By deleting the copy source file, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the transfer prohibition file multiplies indefinitely with the mail transfer.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a copy of the downloaded music data is instructed, the copy information of the music data is read to control the copy of the music data. In addition, it is possible to limit the number of copies of music data and the copy period. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a grandchild copy and a great grandchild copy from being executed, and to construct a system having a copyright protection function.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a Web server.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a registrant management DB.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a database management DB configuration.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a PC.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a storage state of a download data storage management area.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a remaining copy number display function process on the icon according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an operation transition diagram of a remaining copy number display function process on an icon.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of prohibiting mail from rolling over a file according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an operation transition diagram of a file mail rotation prohibition process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network 2 Web server 3 Base station 4 Telephone network 5 PC 51 CPU 55 Memory 56 Transmission / reception part 57 ROM

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A server for managing a database for storing music data including setting information in which copy information is set, and by connecting to the server, music data is downloaded from the database via a network and stored. In a download system including a terminal, the terminal includes: a copy instructing unit that instructs to copy the downloaded song data; and when the copy instructing unit instructs to copy the song data, the copy information of the song data is copied. A copy control means for reading and controlling the copy of the music data. 2. An information processing system comprising: connection means for connecting to a server via a network; and download means for connecting to the server via the connection means to download music data from a database via the server. A copy instructing unit for instructing a copy of the music data downloaded by the download unit; and when the copy is instructed by the copy instructing unit, the copy control information is acquired at the time of download for the music data instructed to be copied. Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the copying control information has been acquired by the discriminating means, and copying control means for controlling copying of the music data instructed to be copied. Information processing device. 3. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a connection procedure for connecting to a server via a network; and a download procedure for downloading music data from a database via the server by being connected to the server in the connection procedure. A copying instruction procedure for instructing copying of the music data downloaded in the downloading procedure, on a computer-readable recording medium storing a program to be executed by A determination procedure for determining whether or not the copy control information has been acquired at the time of downloading the designated song data, and if it is determined that the copy control information has been acquired in the determination procedure, the A program for causing the information processing apparatus to execute a copy control procedure for controlling the copy; and A computer-readable recording medium characterized by the above-mentioned.