Method and system for preventing illegal use of digital contents, processing program thereof, and recording medium for the program

[0001] The present invention relates to a digital content fraud prevention system for preventing unauthorized use of digital content, and in particular, illegally copying or taking out digital content inside various centers and dealers that process digital content. It is related to a technology that is effective when applied to a digital content fraud prevention system that suppresses the use of digital content when it is downloaded.

[0002] [Conventional Technology] In recent years, with the development of electronic commerce business on the Internet, online sales of digital contents have come to the stage of widespread use, and the four streams of commerce (sales promotion, commerce, money, and logistics). There is a demand for an infrastructure that uses digital information. Especially when distributing digital contents, there is a demand for an infrastructure that prevents unauthorized use of digital contents and establishes a method for protecting copyrights.

[0003] Technologies for securely distributing information on a network include leak prevention technology, falsification prevention technology, and source certification technology, and SSL (Secure) that encrypts the contents of a communication path between two points to prevent leakage. Secure sockets such as Sockets Layer) and secure containers with encrypted content and electronically signed are known.

[0004] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention] Since the conventional technique encrypts information when it is distributed on a network and securely distributes it between two points, it is digital in an accumulated state. When trying to protect the content and prevent unauthorized use inside various centers and retailers, it is difficult to apply, or the load of encryption processing is high for large-sized digital content. There is a problem of becoming.

[0005] Further, in order to prevent unauthorized use of digital content after sales, it is necessary to create personal digital content that is permitted to be used only by a specific customer. If the above-mentioned conventional technology is applied when selling to a customer at a store after distribution once, it is not possible to create personal digital content at the stage of the storage management center where the customer to purchase is not specified, so the storage is performed. There is a problem that different encryption processes are required when delivering from the management center to the store and when selling from the store to the customer, which further increases the load of the encryption process.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of solving the above problems and preventing unauthorized use of digital contents in various centers and retail stores.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention is a digital content unauthorized use prevention system for preventing unauthorized use of digital content, and reproduces the digital content according to a value of state information set in the digital content. It controls processing and suppresses unauthorized use.

[0008] In the present invention, the original content is digitized to generate digital content, and the generated digital content is set to state information for prohibiting reproduction processing of all the digital content to obtain invalid version digital content, which is invalid. Accumulate version digital content.

[0009] When obtaining the approval of the content holder who owns the original content for the content of the generated digital content, the state information of the invalid version digital content is set to a value that allows the playback process by the content holder and approved. Generates digital content for content and sends it to the content holder's approval device.

[0010] In the content holder approval device, whether the status information set in the approval digital content indicates a value that allows playback processing by the content holder.<u style="single">Or</u>Is checked, and if the value allows the reproduction process, the reproduction process is performed.

[0011] The digital content approved as described above is stored in the storage management device in the state of the invalid version digital content, and then distributed to the sales device. Note that the encryption process may be used together with the wide area distribution from the storage management device to the sales device.

[0012] When selling the digital content delivered to the sales device to the customer, the state information of the invalid version digital content is set to a value that allows the customer to perform the reproduction process, and the personal digital content is generated. Sell to customers.

[0013] The customer's playback device checks whether the state information set in the personal digital content indicates a value that allows the playback process by the customer, and if the value indicates the value that allows the playback process, the playback process is performed. Do.

[0014] As described above, in the present invention, the digital content is stored in an invalid version, and even when it is enabled, it is enabled only for a specific user, so that a person who is not permitted to use the digital content may use it. , Even if you copy, take out or download the digital contents, you cannot read and use the contents. In addition, since the playback process of the digital content is controlled according to the value of the state information set in the digital content, the playback is permitted by changing the value of the state information of the digital content for the content holder or the customer. It is possible to easily change the user.

[0015] As described above, according to the digital content unauthorized use prevention system of the present invention, the reproduction processing of the digital content is controlled according to the value of the state information set in the digital content. It is possible to prevent unauthorized use of digital contents in.

[Embodiment of the Invention] The state information for controlling the display of the electronic book is set in the electronic book generated by digitizing the book below, and the display of the electronic book is restricted by the state information. The digital content fraud prevention system of one embodiment for preventing fraudulent use of electronic books will be described.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital content distribution system of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital content distribution system of the present embodiment includes a digitization device 100, an approval device 110, a storage management device 120, a sales device 140, and a playback device 150.

[0018] The digitizing device 100 is a device that digitizes the original of a book to generate an electronic book, receives an approval message from the approval device 110, and sends it to the storage management device 120. The approval device 110 is a device for the publisher to approve the contents of the electronic book generated by the digitizing device 100.

[0019] The storage management device 120 is a device that stores electronic books generated by the digitizing device 100. The sales device 140 is a device that sells an electronic book to a customer by copying the electronic book selected by the customer onto a medium or downloading the electronic book to the playback device 150. The playback device 150 is a device for playing back an electronic book purchased from the sales device 140.

[0020] In FIG. 1, all invalid version electronic books are electronic books for which state information for which playback processing by a user is prohibited is set, and valid version electronic books are set for state information for which playback processing by a specific user is permitted. The trial version e-book is an e-book in which state information is set to allow a specific user to perform a reproduction process for a specific period of time.

[0021] Further, the distribution encrypted electronic book is an invalid version electronic book that has been encrypted for distribution, and the personal electronic book is an electronic book in which state information that allows reproduction processing by a specific individual is set. Yes, an e-book for approval is an e-book in which status information is set to allow reproduction processing by a specific publisher.

[0022] Note that the invalid version electronic book, the valid version electronic book, the trial version electronic book, the personal electronic book, and the approval electronic book shown in FIG. 1 are generated in the format defined by the application program for playing the electronic book. , It is assumed that it is an application container described in an intermediate language or binary state.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digitizing device 100 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the digitizing device 100 of the present embodiment includes a CPU 201, a memory 202, a magnetic disk device 203, a keyboard 204, a display device 205, a communication adapter 206, and a scanner 207. There is.

[0024] The CPU 201 is a control device that controls the operation of the entire digitizing device 100. The memory 202 is a storage device for loading various processing programs and data for controlling the operation of the digitizing device 100. The magnetic disk device 203 is a storage device that stores data such as the various processing programs and electronic books.

The keyboard 204 is an input device for inputting an operation instruction or the like to the digitizing device 100. The display device 205 is an output device that displays the operating status of the digitizing device 100 and the like. The communication adapter 206 is an adapter that communicates with another device. The scanner 207 is a device that reads the original book as image data.

[0026] Further, the digitizing device 100 includes a digitizing processing unit 210, a content state control processing unit 211, and a distribution information setting processing unit 212.

[0027] The digitization processing unit 210 is a processing unit that digitizes the original book to generate an electronic book and requests the approval device 110 to confirm the contents thereof. The content state control processing unit 211 is a processing unit that sets state information for controlling the reproduction processing of the generated electronic book in the generated electronic book and generates an invalid version electronic book or an approval electronic book. The distribution information setting processing unit 212 is a processing unit that sets distribution information indicating that digitization has been performed by the digitizing device 100 of the digitization center in the generated approval electronic book.

[0028] A program for causing the digitizing device 100 to function as the digitizing processing unit 210, the content state control processing unit 211, and the distribution information setting processing unit 212 is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and stored on a magnetic disk or the like. After that, it shall be loaded into memory and executed. The medium for recording the program may be a medium other than the CD-ROM.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the approval device 110 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the approval device 110 of the present embodiment includes a CPU 301, a memory 302, a magnetic disk device 303, a keyboard 304, a display device 305, and a communication adapter 306.

[0030] The CPU 301 is a control device that controls the operation of the entire approval device 110. The memory 302 is a storage device for loading various processing programs and data for controlling the operation of the approval device 110. The magnetic disk device 303 is a storage device that stores data such as the various processing programs and electronic books.

The keyboard 304 is an input device for inputting an operation instruction or the like to the approval device 110. The display device 305 is an output device that displays the operating status of the approval device 110 and the like. The communication adapter 306 is an adapter that communicates with another device.

[0032] Further, the approval device 110 includes an approval processing unit 310, a reproduction processing unit 311, a distribution information inspection processing unit 312, and a distribution information setting processing unit 313.

[0033] The approval processing unit 310 receives the approval electronic book requested to confirm the content from the digitizing device 100, and provides the approval information indicating whether or not to approve the content of the approval electronic book. This is a processing unit that is set to and transmitted to the digitizing device 100.

[0034] The reproduction processing unit 311 is a processing unit that displays the content of the state information set in the approval electronic book when it indicates a value that allows the reproduction process by the approval device 110. The distribution information inspection processing unit 312 is a processing unit that permits approval processing by the approval device 110 when the distribution information of the electronic book for approval indicates a regular distribution route. The distribution information setting processing unit 313 is a processing unit that sets distribution information indicating that approval has been performed by the approval device 110 of the publisher in the approved electronic book for approval.

A program for causing the approval device 110 to function as the approval processing unit 310, the reproduction processing unit 311, the distribution information inspection processing unit 312, and the distribution information setting processing unit 313 is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and is recorded on a magnetic disk. After being stored in, etc., it shall be loaded into memory and executed. The medium for recording the program may be a medium other than the CD-ROM.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the storage management device 120 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the storage management device 120 of the present embodiment includes a CPU 401, a memory 402, a magnetic disk device 403, a keyboard 404, a display device 405, and a communication adapter 406.

The CPU 401 is a control device that controls the operation of the entire storage management device 120. The memory 402 is a storage device for loading various processing programs and data for controlling the operation of the storage management device 120. The magnetic disk device 403 is a storage device that stores data such as the various processing programs and electronic books.

[0038] The keyboard 404 is an input device for inputting an operation instruction or the like to the storage management device 120. The display device 405 is an output device that displays the operating status of the storage management device 120 and the like. The communication adapter 406 is an adapter that communicates with other devices.

[0039] Further, the storage management device 120 includes a storage management processing unit 410, a distribution control processing unit 411, a distribution processing unit 412, a distribution information inspection processing unit 413, and a distribution information setting processing unit 414. ..

[0040] The storage management processing unit 410 is a processing unit that receives an invalid version electronic book created by the digitizing device 100 and stores it in the magnetic disk device 403. The distribution control processing unit 411 is a processing unit that performs encryption processing for distribution on an invalid version electronic book to generate a distribution encrypted electronic book, and instructs the distribution processing unit 412 to distribute the encrypted electronic book.

[0041] The distribution processing unit 412 is a processing unit that distributes the distribution encrypted electronic book created by the distribution control processing unit 411 to the sales device 140. The distribution information inspection processing unit 413 is a processing unit that permits the storage processing in the storage management device 120 when the distribution information of the invalid version electronic book indicates a regular distribution route. The distribution information setting processing unit 414 is a processing unit that sets the distribution information indicating that the storage information is stored in the storage management device 120 of the storage management center in the received invalid version electronic book.

[0042] A program for causing the storage management device 120 to function as the storage management processing unit 410, the distribution control processing unit 411, the distribution processing unit 412, the distribution information inspection processing unit 413, and the distribution information setting processing unit 414 is a CD-ROM or the like. After being recorded on the recording medium of the above and stored on a magnetic disk or the like, it is loaded into the memory and executed. The medium for recording the program may be a medium other than the CD-ROM.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sales device 140 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the sales device 140 of the present embodiment includes a CPU 501, a memory 502, a magnetic disk device 503, a keyboard 504, a display device 505, a communication adapter 506, and a medium writing device 507. ing.

[0044] The CPU 501 is a control device that controls the operation of the entire sales device 140. The memory 502 is a storage device for loading various processing programs and data for controlling the operation of the sales device 140. The magnetic disk device 503 is a storage device that stores data such as the various processing programs and electronic books.

[0045] The keyboard 504 is an input device for inputting an operation instruction or the like to the sales device 140. The display device 505 is an output device that displays the operating status of the sales device 140 and the like. The communication adapter 506 is an adapter that communicates with another device. The medium writing device 507 is a device for writing the selected electronic book on the medium.

[0046] Further, the sales device 140 includes a distribution content reception processing unit 510, a sales processing unit 511, a content state control processing unit 512, a distribution information inspection processing unit 513, and a distribution information setting processing unit 514. There is.

The distribution content reception processing unit 510 is a processing unit that receives the distribution encrypted electronic book distributed from the storage management device 120 and stores it in the magnetic disk device 503. The sales processing unit 511 is a processing unit that converts a specific distribution encrypted e-book selected from the distributed distribution encrypted e-books into a personal e-book by the content state control processing unit 512 and sells it to the customer. is there.

[0048] The content state control processing unit 512 is a processing unit that generates a personal electronic book by setting a value that allows reproduction processing by the customer in the state information of the electronic book selected by the customer. The distribution information inspection processing unit 513 is a processing unit that permits storage processing in the sales device 140 when the distribution information of the distribution encrypted electronic book indicates a regular distribution route. The distribution information setting processing unit 514 is a processing unit that sets distribution information indicating that the product has been sold by the sales device 140 of the store in the personal electronic book.

The program for making the sales device 140 function as the distribution content reception processing unit 510, the sales processing unit 511, the content state control processing unit 512, the distribution information inspection processing unit 513, and the distribution information setting processing unit 514 is a CD-ROM. After being recorded on a recording medium such as, etc. and stored on a magnetic disk or the like, it is loaded into a memory and executed. The medium for recording the program may be a medium other than the CD-ROM.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the reproduction device 150 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the playback device 150 of the present embodiment includes a CPU 601, a memory 602, a magnetic disk device 603, a keyboard 604, a display device 605, a communication adapter 606, and a medium reading device 607. ing.

The CPU 601 is a control device that controls the operation of the entire playback device 150. The memory 602 is a storage device for loading various processing programs and data for controlling the operation of the playback device 150. The magnetic disk device 603 is a storage device that stores data such as the various processing programs and electronic books.

[0052] The keyboard 604 is an input device for inputting an operation instruction or the like to the playback device 150. The display device 605 is an output device that displays the operating status of the playback device 150 and the like. The communication adapter 606 is an adapter that communicates with other devices. The medium reading device 607 is a device that reads a purchased personal electronic book from a medium.

[0053] Further, the reproduction device 150 has a reproduction processing unit 610 and a distribution information inspection processing unit 611.

[0054] The reproduction processing unit 610 is a processing unit that displays the content of the state information set in the personal electronic book when it indicates a value that allows the reproduction process by the reproduction device 150. The distribution information inspection processing unit 611 is a processing unit that permits the reproduction processing by the reproduction device 150 when the distribution information of the personal electronic book indicates a regular distribution route.

A program for making the playback device 150 function as the playback processing unit 610 and the distribution information inspection processing unit 611 is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, stored on a magnetic disk, or the like, and then loaded into a memory. It shall be executed. The medium for recording the program may be a medium other than the CD-ROM.

[0056] Next, in the digital content distribution system of the present embodiment, a process of digitizing a book owned by a publisher and generating an electronic book with restricted reproduction processing will be described.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the digitization processing unit 210 of the present embodiment. After receiving the original from the publisher in step 701, the digitizing processing unit 210 of the digitizing device 100 digitizes the received original to generate an electronic book in step 702, and performs all reproduction processing of the electronic book. The state information for prohibition is set by the content state control processing unit 211 to generate an invalid version electronic book. In addition, the product information related to the original is input to generate the product information corresponding to the invalid version electronic book.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an invalid version electronic book of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the electronic book 800 of the present embodiment has state information 801 and electronic book main body 802, and distribution information 803.

[0059] The state information 801 is information for controlling the reproduction process of the electronic book 800. The electronic book main body 802 is a digital content main body of the electronic book 800. The distribution information 803 is information indicating the sender of the electronic book 800.

As shown in FIG. 8, "0" is set in the state information 801 of the electronic book 800 as information for prohibiting all reproduction processing of the electronic book. It is assumed that the electronic book main body 802 is generated in the format defined by the application program for playing the electronic book 800, and is an application container described in an intermediate language or a binary state.

[0061] In step 703, the distribution information setting processing unit 212 sets the distribution information indicating that the digitization has been performed by the digitizing device 100 of the digitization center in the invalid version electronic book generated by the digitization. ..

[0062] In step 704, the content state control processing unit 211 sets the state information permitting the reproduction processing by the publisher that owns the original of the electronic book in the generated invalid version electronic book, and sets the electronic book for approval. It is generated, sent to the approval device 110 of the publisher, and waits for a response from the approval processing unit 310.

[0063] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic book for approval according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, in the state information 801 of the electronic book 800, an "approval device ID" is set as information that permits reproduction processing by the publisher. Further, in the distribution information 803, the ID of the digitizing device 100 is set as information indicating that the digitization has been performed by the digitizing device 100.

[0064] The ID set in the status information 801 includes an approval device ID using the device serial number of the approval device 110, a vendor-designated ID predetermined by the digitization center, and a user-designated ID predetermined by the publisher. There is a public key, a ticket-type password, etc., and a time limit is set for the trial version. If it is sufficient to simply enable it, simple bit information such as "1" may be set in the state information 801.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the approval processing unit 310 of the present embodiment. In step 1001, the approval processing unit 310 of the approval device 110 receives the approval electronic book generated by the digitizing device 100.

[0066] In step 1002, the distribution information inspection processing unit 312 checks whether the product is distributed through the regular distribution channel by referring to the distribution information set in the electronic book for approval, and when it is distributed through the regular distribution channel. That is, if the distribution information of the digitizing device 100 requested to be digitized is set, the process proceeds to step 1003, and if the distribution is not performed through the regular distribution channel, an error message is displayed and the process is performed in step 1004. finish.

[0067] In step 1003, the reproduction processing unit 311 refers to the state information set in the approval electronic book to check whether the reproduction processing in the approval device 110 is permitted, and when the reproduction processing is permitted. Goes to step 1005 and displays the contents of the approval e-book on the display device 305. If the playback process is not permitted, step 1004 displays an error message and ends the process.

[0068] In step 1006, the approval processing unit 310 accepts the input from the operator, and if the operation content input from the operator approves the content of the approval electronic book, the distribution information setting processing unit 310 in step 1007. Distribution information indicating that approval has been performed by the approval device 110 of the publisher according to 313 is set in the approval electronic book, and the approval electronic book and the approval message are transmitted to the digitizing device 100 in step 1008.

[0069] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an e-book for approval approved by the approval device 110 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, in the distribution information 803, the ID of the approval device 110 is set as information indicating that the approval has been performed by the approval device 110.

[0070] If the operation content input from the operator in step 1006 instructs the digitizer to correct the approval electronic book, the process proceeds to step 1009, and the correction content input from the operator is sent to the digitizing device 100 as a correction message. Send.

[0071] In step 705, the digitization processing unit 210 of the digitizing device 100 examines the response content from the publishing company's approval device 110, and if there is a correction to the generated electronic book, the correction processing is performed in step 706. After that, the process returns to step 702, and the following processing for digitization is performed again. If the content of the generated approval e-book is approved, the process proceeds to step 707, and the status information of the approval e-book returned from the publisher is changed to a value that prohibits all reproduction processing, and the invalid version electronic. A book is generated, and the generated invalid version electronic book and its product information are sent to the storage management processing unit 410 of the storage management device 120.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the storage management processing unit 410 of the present embodiment. In step 1201, the storage management processing unit 410 of the storage management device 120 receives the invalid version electronic book and its product information transmitted from the digitizing device 100.

[0073] In step 1202, the distribution information inspection processing unit 413 refers to the distribution information set in the invalid version of the electronic book to check whether it is distributed through the regular distribution channel, and when it is distributed through the regular distribution channel. That is, if the distribution information of the digitizing device 100 and the approval device 110 is set, the process proceeds to step 1203, and if the distribution is not performed through the regular distribution channel, an error message is displayed and the process ends in step 1204. To do.

[0074] In step 1203, the distribution information setting processing unit 414 sets the distribution information indicating that the storage information is stored in the storage management device 120 of the storage management center in the received invalid version electronic book, and in step 1205, the invalidity is set. The version electronic book and its product information are stored in the database in the magnetic disk device 403. Then, in step 1206, database update processing such as index update is performed.

[0075] Next, in the digital content distribution system of the present embodiment, a process of encrypting the invalid version electronic book stored in the storage management device 120 and distributing the invalid version electronic book to the sales device 140 and then selling the electronic book will be described.

[0076] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the distribution control processing unit 411 of the present embodiment. In step 1301, the distribution control processing unit 411 of the storage management device 120 creates a distribution schedule for distributing the invalid version electronic book to the sales device 140. In step 1302, the invalid version electronic book and its product information distributed according to the distribution schedule are read out.

[0077] In step 1303, the distribution control processing unit 411 performs an encryption process for distribution on the read invalid version electronic book to generate a distribution encrypted electronic book, and the distribution encrypted electronic book according to the distribution schedule. Instruct the distribution processing unit 412 to distribute. In step 1304, the distribution processing unit 412 distributes the distribution encrypted electronic book and its product information to each sales device 140 according to the distribution schedule.

[0078] In step 1305, it is checked whether or not the distribution encrypted electronic book and the product information thereof have been distributed to each sales device 140 whose distribution process is performed according to the distribution schedule. If the distribution to each sales device has not been completed yet, the process returns to step 1304 to continue the process, and if the distribution to each sales device is completed, the process ends. It should be noted that broadcast communication is performed to a plurality of sales devices 140 using communication satellites, etc., and the distribution encrypted electronic book and its product information are distributed to each sales device whose distribution process is performed according to the distribution schedule at once. You may go.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the distribution content receiving processing unit 510 of the present embodiment. In step 1401, the distribution content reception processing unit 510 of the sales device 140 receives the distribution encrypted electronic book and its product information distributed from the storage management device 120, and stores the distribution content reception processing unit 510 in the magnetic disk device 503. In step 1402, the received product information is added to the previous product information, and the data used in the search process when the customer selects the electronic book to be purchased is updated. In step 1403, the free space of the magnetic disk device 503 is checked, and a disk management process such as deleting data that has not been recently used for sale is performed according to the value.

[0080] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the sales processing unit 511 of the present embodiment. In step 1501, the sales processing unit 511 of the sales device 140 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for searching an electronic book on the display device 505, and accepts the search conditions input by the customer. When the search condition is input from the customer, the product information in the sales device 140 is searched in step 1502, and the product information of the electronic book matching the received search condition is read out. In step 1503, the product information of the electronic book obtained as a result of the search is displayed on the display device 505, and the customer selects the electronic book.

[0081] In step 1504, it is checked whether or not the specific electronic book in the displayed product information is selected by the customer, and if the electronic book is selected, the process proceeds to step 1505. If a re-search is instructed, the process returns to step 1501 and the input of the search condition is accepted again.

[0082] In step 1505, the specific distribution-encrypted electronic book selected from the distributed distribution-encrypted electronic books is decrypted to generate an invalid version electronic book. In step 1506, the distribution information setting processing unit 514 sets the distribution information indicating that the product has been sold by the sales device 140 of the store in the invalid version electronic book.

[0083] In step 1507, the content state control processing unit 512 sets the state information that allows the reproduction process by the customer in the invalid version electronic book and generates a personal electronic book. In addition, an encryption process may be used together when generating a personal electronic book. The IDs set in the status information include the device serial number of the customer's playback device 150, the vendor-designated ID predetermined by the store, the user-designated ID set in advance by the customer, the public key, the ticket-type password, and the like. If you want to use the trial version, set the time limit. If it is sufficient to simply enable it, simple bit information such as "1" may be set in the state information.

[0084] In step 1508, the generated personal electronic book is copied to a medium by the medium writing device 507, or downloaded to the playback device 150 via a communication cable or a communication line such as the Internet, and sold to the customer. .. When reading a personal electronic book sold as described above, the playback device 150 is used.

[0085] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the reproduction processing unit 610 of the present embodiment. In step 1601, the reproduction processing unit 610 of the reproduction device 150 reads the contents of the sold personal electronic book by accessing the medium on which the personal electronic book is written or the downloaded personal electronic book file.

[0086] In step 1602, the distribution information inspection processing unit 611 checks whether the product is distributed through the regular distribution channel by referring to the distribution information set in the personal electronic book, and when the distribution is performed through the regular distribution channel. That is, if the distribution information of the digitizing device 100, the approval device 110, the storage management device 120, and the sales device 140 is set, the process proceeds to step 1603, and if the distribution is not performed through the regular distribution channel, the process proceeds to step 1604. Display an error message and end the process.

[0087] In step 1603, the state information set in the personal electronic book is referred to, and the reproduction process in the reproduction device 150 is permitted as compared with the personal ID stored in the reproduction device 150 owned by the customer. If the playback process is permitted, the process proceeds to step 1605, and the operation instruction from the customer is input to display the contents of the personal electronic book on the display device 605. If the playback process is not permitted, an error message is displayed in step 1604 and the process ends.

[0088] As described above, in the present embodiment, the electronic book is stored in an invalid version, and even if it is enabled, it is valid only for a specific user, so that a person who is not permitted to use the electronic book. However, even if the e-book is copied, taken out, or downloaded, its contents cannot be read and used. In addition, since the playback process of the electronic book is controlled according to the value of the status information set in the electronic book, the playback is permitted by changing the value of the status information of the electronic book for the publisher or the customer. It is possible to easily change the user.

[0089] As described above, according to the digital content unauthorized use prevention system of the present embodiment, the reproduction processing of the digital content is controlled according to the value of the state information set in the digital content, so that various centers and sales can be performed. It is possible to prevent unauthorized use of digital content inside the store.

[Effect of the Invention] According to the present invention, since the reproduction process of the digital content is controlled according to the value of the state information set in the digital content, the unauthorized use of the digital content in various centers and dealers. Can be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital content distribution system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digitizing device 100 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an approval device 110 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the storage management device 120 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sales device 140 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a reproduction device 150 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the digitization processing unit 210 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an invalid version electronic book of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic book for approval according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the approval processing unit 310 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic book for approval approved by the approval device 110 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the storage management processing unit 410 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the distribution control processing unit 411 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the distribution content reception processing unit 510 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the sales processing unit 511 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the reproduction processing unit 610 of the present embodiment.

[Description of Code] 100 ... Digitizer, 110 ... Approval Device, 120 ... Storage Management Device, 140 ... Sales Device, 150 ... Playback Device, 201 ... CPU, 202. .. Memory, 203 ... Magnetic disk drive, 204 ... Keyboard, 205 ... Display device, 206 ... Communication adapter, 207 ... Scanner, 210 ... Digitization processing unit, 211 .. .Content state control processing unit, 212 ... Distribution information setting processing unit, 301 ... CPU, 302 ... Memory, 303 ... Magnetic disk device, 304 ... Keyboard, 305 ... Display device, 306 ... Communication adapter, 310 ... Approval processing unit, 311 ... Reproduction processing unit, 312 ... Distribution information inspection processing unit, 313 ... Distribution information setting processing unit, 401 ... CPU, 402 ... memory, 403 ... magnetic disk drive, 404 ... keyboard, 405 ... display device, 406 ... communication adapter, 410 ... storage management processing unit, 411 ... distribution control processing unit , 412 ... Distribution processing unit, 413 ... Distribution information inspection processing department, 414 ... Distribution information setting processing unit, 501 ... CPU, 502 ... Memory, 503 ... Magnetic disk device, 504 ... keyboard, 505 ... display device, 506 ... communication adapter, 507 ... media writing device, 510 ... distribution content reception processing unit, 511 ... sales processing unit, 512 ... content Status control processing unit, 513 ... Distribution information inspection processing unit, 514 ... Distribution information setting processing unit, 601 ... CPU, 602 ... Memory, 603 ... Magnetic disk device, 604 ... Keyboard , 605 ... Display device, 606 ... Communication adapter, 607 ... Media reading device, 610 ... Playback processing unit, 611 ... Distribution information inspection processing unit, 800 ... Electronic books, 801. .. Status information, 802 ... e-book body, 803 ... distribution information.