Telecommunications Apparatus and Method, Storage Medium, and Program

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a transmitting apparatus, telecommunications method, and program.

Background Art

In recent years, with the widespread use of public wide area networks such as the Internet (hereinafter referred to as "WAN") and local area networks installed in houses (herein referred to as "LAN") and along with the increased communication rate of these networks, a variety of data have been communicated by using personal computers and various types of electronic AV devices over these WANs and LANs.

This widespread use of these networks enables content data, such as video data, audio data, and program data, to be conveniently sold or shared by individuals. However, content data which is protected by copyright is sometimes illegally distributed because of such convenience. To prevent this, various types of countermeasures are proposed.

For example, some music download services limit the storage medium that stores the downloaded audio data to a storage medium having predetermined protection against being copied.

Additionally, for example, in communication of content data over a small network, such as a network based on IEEE 1394 standard, the encrypted content data are transferred after authentication to prevent the content data from being transferred to an unauthorized device.

Unfortunately, a communication scheme that prevents the illegal distribution of content data has not yet been established for IP protocols, which are commonly used for WAN communication. One possible solution is to limit the area of communication to a LAN when distributing the content data over an IP protocol. To limit the communication of content data within the LAN, it must be determined whether or not the other side communicating the content data is located on a LAN or a WAN. A method for such a determination, however, has not yet been established.

<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="JP2001285284A"><text>JP 2001-285284 A</text></patcit> discloses to provide a transmitter that can transmit literary works to a receiver while taking the copyright protection into account by performing authentication/key exchange only with the receiver in existence on a local network and to provide its transmission method, a transmitter connected to the local network. This transmitter consists of a transmission section that transmits encrypted data including literary works such as movies and music data to a receiver, a local communication discrimination section that discriminates whether or not the received is connected to the local network, and an authentication/key exchange section that performs authentication/key exchange with the receiver only when the discrimination section discriminates that the receiver is connected to the local network.

<patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="GB2281991A"><text>GB 2281991A</text></patcit> describes a method of and system for authentication between two parties. A challenge is transmitted between the two parties and to achieve authentication the response to the challenge must be both correct and received within a predetermined time interval.

<patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="GB2341061A"><text>GB 2341061A</text></patcit> describes a portable data communication terminal and an associated user authentication device which communicate by radio transceiver means. When a user attempts to log the terminal onto a host the terminal sends a challenge to the authenticating device which replies with a coded response. If a correct response is received the users identity is verified and log on is allowed.

<patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="EP0809379A2"><text>EP 0809379A2</text></patcit> describes an authentication apparatus according to the challenge-response principle.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a scheme for determining whether the other side communicating the content data is located on a LAN or across a WAN.

According to the invention there is provided a transmitting apparatus and method according to claims 1 and 8.

Brief Description of the Drawings

<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is a block diagram of a configuration of a telecommunications system to which the present invention is applied;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> shows a configuration of a personal computer shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> shows a first configuration of a communication unit 29 shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Fig. 4</figref> shows an example of a check packet;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Fig. 5</figref> is a flow chart explaining a transmission process in the first configuration of the communication unit 29;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Fig. 6</figref> is a flow chart explaining a receiving process in the first configuration of the communication unit 29;</li><li><figref idref="f0006">Fig. 7</figref> shows a second configuration of the communication unit 29 shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0007">Fig. 8</figref> is a flow chart explaining a receiving process in the second configuration of the communication unit 29;</li><li><figref idref="f0008">Fig. 9</figref> is a flow chart explaining a transmission process in the second configuration of the communication unit 29; and</li><li><figref idref="f0009">Fig. 10</figref> is a flow chart explaining a transmission process over a TCP protocol.</li></ul>

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shows a configuration of a telecommunications system including a LAN having personal computers and AV devices according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this telecommunication system, LANs 1 and 7, and a server 8 are connected to one another across a WAN 6, such as the Internet.

The LAN 1 includes personal computers (PCs) 3 and 4, and an AV device 5, all connected via a switching hub 2. The LAN 1 is, for example, used for communication among specific individuals or a family in a house. The switching hub 2 is connected to the personal computers 3 and 4 and the AV device 5 via a high-speed interface, such as Ethernet (R) 100BASE-TX. Data communication can take place among the personal computers 3 and 4 and the AV device 5 at a rate of about 100 Mbps with a sufficiently low error rate. The personal computers (PCs) 3 and 4 and the AV device 5 can communicate with the LAN 7 or the server 8 via the switching hub 2 and the WAN 6.

The personal computer (PC) 3, upon transmission of content data, can determine whether or not the other side communicating the content data is located on the LAN 1, for example, the personal computer 4 or is located across the WAN 6, for example, the server 8.

Likewise, the personal computer 4 and the AV device 5, upon the transmission of content data, can determine whether the other side communicating the content data is located on the LAN 1, for example, the personal computer 3 or is located across the WAN 6, for example, the server 8.

The LAN 7 has the same configuration as that of the LAN 1, however, it is managed by a different user from the LAN 1. The server 8 is managed by a different user from the LANs 1 and 7.

<figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> shows a configuration of the personal computer 3. The personal computer 3 incorporates a central processing unit (CPU) 21, to which an I/O interface 25 is connected via a bus 24. A read only memory (ROM) 22 and a random access memory (RAM) 23 are connected to the bus 24.

The I/O interface 25 includes an input unit 26 composed of I/O devices, such as a keyboard and a mouse, by which a user enters operation commands, an output unit 27 which outputs video signals to display operation screens on a display unit, a storage unit 28 which includes a hard disk drive to store programs and other various types of data, and a communication unit 29 which includes an Ethernet (R) interface to transmit and receive data via a 100BASE-TX cable connected to the switching hub 2.

Instead of the Ethernet (R) interface, the communication unit 29 may include a universal serial bus (USB), or a high-speed interface, such as an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394.

Additionally, a drive 30 which reads and writes data to and from storage media, such as a magnetic disk 31, an optical disk 32, an optical magnetic disk 33, and a semiconductor memory 34, is connected to the I/O interface 25.

The CPU 21 performs various types of processes, which will be described below, under the control of a program in the ROM 22 or in the RAM 23. The program is read from the magnetic disk 31, the optical disk 32, the optical magnetic disk 33, or the semiconductor memory 34, is stored in the storage unit 28, and is then loaded from the storage unit 28 to the RAM 23. The RAM 23 also stores data required for the CPU 21 to perform the various types of processes.

<figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> shows a first configuration of a functional block achieved by the communication unit 29 in response to controls of the CPU 21. A control unit 41 controls a transmitter-receiver unit 43 which transmits and receives data over the user datagram protocol (UDP), which is one of the communication protocols. The control unit 41 accesses a register 42. Before the transmitter-receiver unit 43 transmits content data in response to the control of the control unit 41, it transmits a predetermined number of check packets to determine whether the other side communicating the content data is located on the LAN 1 or across the WAN 6.

<figref idref="f0003">Fig. 4</figref> shows an example of the check packet. In particular, this check packet has a payload to store a counter value generated by the control unit 41.

The PC 4 and the AV device 5 have the same hardware or software functional block as that of the communication unit 29 shown in <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref>. In addition, various types of apparatuses on the LAN 7 and the server 8 have the same functional block.

An outline of how to determine whether or not the other side communicating the content data is located on the LAN 1 or across the WAN 6 will now be described with reference to the first configuration of the communication unit 29.

The UDP protocol defines that, in the case of a communication error, a packet that is not transmitted correctly is discarded and is not retransmitted. Using this characteristic, whether or not the other side communicating the content data is located on the LAN 1 or across the WAN 6 can be determined.

More specifically, in a high-speed communication with a peer located on the LAN 1, the switching hub 2 transmits all packets to the peer without changing the sequence of the packets, whereas in a high-speed communication with a peer across the WAN 6, a communication error occurs due to a wide area networking and the UDP protocol discards the erroneous packet. Therefore, the peer does not receive some packets or receives the packets in a different order from the transmission order. This is used to determine whether the other side communicating the content data is located on the LAN 1 or across the WAN 6.

A transmission process in the first configuration of the communication unit 29 shown in <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref>, which does not fall^! within the scope of the claims, will now be described with reference to the flow chart in <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 5</figref>. This transmission process determines whether the other side communicating the content data is located on the LAN 1 or across the WAN 6 before the communication of content data takes place.

In step S1, the control unit 41 assigns an initial value A to a value in a counter therein (counter value). In step S2, the control unit 41 increments the counter by a constant value X, then outputs the counter value to the transmitter receiver unit 43. In step S3, the transmitter-receiver unit 43, in response to the control of the control unit 41, writes the counter value from the control unit 41 into the payload of a check packet and then transmits it to the other side communicating the content data.

In step S4, the control unit 41 determines whether the transmitter-receiver unit 43 transmits all the predetermined number of check packets. If all the predetermined number of check packets is not yet transmitted, the process returns to step S2 and the subsequent processes are repeated. If, in step S4, the control unit 41 determines that all the predetermined number of check packets is transmitted, the transmission process is completed. As described above, a plurality of check packets having sequential counter values are transmitted to the receiver.

A receiving process corresponding to the above described transmission process in the first configuration of the communication unit 29, which does not fall within the scope of the claims, will now be described with reference to a flow chart In <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 6</figref>. In the step S11, the control unit 41 stores an initial value A in the register 42. In step S12, the transmitter-receiver unit 43 waits until the check packet transmitted from a transmitter is received. When the transmitter-receiver unit 43 receives the check packet, the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the control unit 41 computes the difference between a counter value in a payload of the check packet received in step S12 and the value in the register 42. In step S14, the resultant difference computed in step S13 is checked to determine if it is equal to the constant value. X. If the difference is equal to the constant value X, a check packet is not lost and the packet is received in the transmission sequence, and then the process proceeds to step S15.

In step S15, the control unit 41 stores the counter value recorded in the packet in step S13 in the register 42. In step S16, the control unit 41 determines whether the transmitter-receiver unit 43 receives all the predetermined number of check packets. If all the predetermined number of check packets is not yet received, the process returns to step S12 and the subsequent processes are repeated. Then, if, in step S16, it is determined that all the predetermined number of check packets is received, the process proceeds to step S17.

In step S17, the control unit 41 determines LAN connection, representing that the transmitter is located on the LAN 1.

In step S14, if the difference computed in step S13 is not equal to the constant value X, a check packet is lost or the check packet is received in a different sequence from the transmission sequence. Accordingly, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the control unit 41 determines WAN connection, representing that the transmitter is located on the WAN 6. This is the end of the description of the receiving process.

For example, if it is determined that the communication takes place across a WAN connection in the receiving process, the usage of content data subsequently transmitted from the transmitter is strictly limited. In contrast, if it is determined that the communication takes place across a LAN connection, the usage of content data subsequently transmitted from the transmitter is moderately limited. This prevents the content data from being distributed across a WAN without impairing personal use on a LAN.

<figref idref="f0006">Fig. 7</figref> shows a second configuration of a functional block achieved by the communication unit 29 in response to controls of the CPU 21. A control unit 51 controls a transmitter-receiver unit 53, which transmits and receives data over the TCP protocol or the UDP protocol. The control unit 51 also accesses a register 52. Before the transmitter-receiver unit 53 transmits content data in response to the control of the control unit 51, it transmits a predetermined number of check packets to determine whether the other side communicating the content data is located on the LAN 1 or across the WAN 6. A timer 54 measures time in response to the control of the control unit 51.

The PC 4 and the AV device 5 have the same hardware or software functional blocks as those of the communication unit 29 shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 7</figref>. In addition, various types of apparatuses on the LAN 7 and the server 8 have the same functional blocks.

An outline of how to determine whether or not the other side communicating the data is located on the LAN 1 or across the WAN 6 will now be described with reference to the second configuration of the communication unit 29. In a communication on the LAN 1, the switching hub 2 ensures a high-speed communication rate. In contrast, in a communication across the WAN 6, the communication rate is decreased due to various reasons compared to the communication rate on the LAN 1. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the other side communicating the data is located on the LAN 1 or across the WAN 6.

A receiving process in the second configuration of the communication unit 29 will now be described with reference to the flow chart in <figref idref="f0007">Fig. 8</figref>. This receiving process starts when a transmitter transmits a check packet.

In step S21, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the transmitter-receiver unit 53 receives all the predetermined number of check packets. The control unit 51 waits until it is determined that all the predetermined number of check packets is received. If it is determined that all the predetermined number of check packets is received, the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the control unit 51 generates acknowledgement information indicating that all the predetermined number of check packets is received, and outputs the information to the transmitter-receiver unit 53. In step S23, the transmitter-receiver unit 53 transmits the acknowledgement information to the transmitter. Preferably, the acknowledgement information cannot be forged by a third party for security reasons. For example, the transmitter and the receiver share key information as privileged information. All data or part of the data is transmitted with a hash and the key information. This is the end of the description of the receiving process.

A transmission process in the second configuration of the communication unit 29 will now be described with reference to the flow chart in <figref idref="f0008">Fig. 9</figref>. In step S31, the control unit 51 sets a waiting time in the timer 54. The waiting time is determined so as to be sufficient to receive the acknowledgement information sent back from a transmitter located on the LAN 1 after transmitting a predetermined number of check packets.

In step S32, the timer 54 starts measuring time in response to the control of the control unit 51. In step S33, the transmitter-receiver unit 53 transmits a predetermined number of check packets in response to the control of the control unit 51. A random number may be written into payloads of all check packets for every checking. The receiver generates the acknowledgement information with a hash and key information as described above to prevent the acknowledgement information from being forged improperly.

In step S34, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the transmitter-receiver unit 53 receives the acknowledgement information from the receiver. If the control unit 51 determines that the acknowledgement information is not received, then the process proceeds to step S35. In step S35, the control unit 51 checks if the waiting time, which is set in step S31, has elapsed or not. If it is determined that it has not elapsed, the process returns to step S34 and then the subsequent steps are repeated.

If, in step S34, the control unit 51 determines that the acknowledgement information is received, the process proceeds to step S36, where the control unit 51 checks if the acknowledgement information is correct or not. If it is not correct, the process proceeds to step S38. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S37. In step S37, the control unit 51 determines that the communication takes place over a LAN connection, that is, the receiver is located on the LAN 1. In particular, to check the acknowledgement information, the transmitter may compute expected acknowledgement information as in the receiving process to compare with a value from the receiver.

If, in step S35, it is determined that the waiting time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S38. In step S38, the control unit 51 determines that the communication takes place across a WAN connection, that is, the receiver is located across the WAN 6. This is the end of the description of the transmission process.

For example, if it is determined that the communication takes place across a WAN connection in this transmission process, subsequent transmission of content data is stopped. In contrast, if it is determined that the communication takes place on a LAN connection, the subsequent transmission of content data is allowed. This prevents the content data from being distributed across a WAN without impairing personal use on a LAN.

A third communication via a Transmission Control protocol (TCP) in the communication unit 29, which does not fall within the scope of the claims, will now be described. In the TCP protocol, when a communication error occurs, an erroneous packet is retransmitted until all the packets are transmitted successful. If a high-speed TCP communication that exceeds the speed of a WAN takes place, retransmissions do not occur on the LAN 1, however, retransmission occur across the WAN 6.

A transmission process to determine whether or not the receiver is located on the LAN 1 or across the WAN 6 by using this characteristic of the TCP protocol will now be described with reference to the flow chart in <figref idref="f0009">Fig. 10</figref>. This Transmission process is performed before the communication of content data In this case, the configuration of the communication unit 29 is identical to that in <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref>.

In step S41, the transmitter-receiver unit 43 starts to transmit check packets in response to the control of the control unit 41. In step S42, the control unit 41 determines whether or not the transmitter-receiver unit 43 retransmits the check packets. If it is determined that retransmission of the check packets occurs, the process proceeds to step S43.

In step S43, the control unit 41 determines WAN connection, representing that the receiver is located on the WAN 6.

If, in step S42, it is determined that retransmission of the check packets does not occur, the process proceeds to step S44. In step S44, the control unit 41 determines whether or not the transmitter-receiver unit 43 transmits a predetermined number of check packets. If it is determined that the predetermined number of check packets is not transmitted, the process returns to step S42 and then the subsequent process is repeated. Subsequently, if, in step S44, it is determined that the predetermined number of check packets is transmitted, the process proceeds to step S45.

In step S45, the control unit 41 determines LAN connection, representing that the receiver is located on the LAN 1. This is the end of the description of the transmission process.

For example, if it is determined that the communication takes place across a WAN connection in this transmission process, subsequent transmission of content data is stopped. In contrast, if it is determined that the communication takes place across a LAN connection, the subsequent transmission of content data is allowed. This can prevent the content data from being distributed across a WAN without impairing personal use on a LAN.

In the present specification, the steps that describe the program stored in the storage media include not only processes executed in the above described sequence, but also processes that may be executed in parallel or independently.

In addition, as used in the specification, "system" refers to a whole device including a plurality of devices.

Industrial Applicability

According to the present invention, it can be determined whether or not the other side communicating content data is located on a LAN or across a WAN.