Recording and reproducing system

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention prevents unrestricted duplication and unauthorized use of data when replicating digital data from one electronic device to another, while not imposing excessive rights restrictions on legitimate users of the data. Regarding the recording / playback system.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, with the development of digital technology, there are many cases where audio signals are supplied as digital music data, including recording media such as CDs (Compact Discs). Digital music data can achieve high sound quality relatively easily, almost no deterioration of sound quality occurs in the recording media, and the recording media is relatively small and lightweight compared to the conventional analog method. Widely and generally popular.

【0003】

On the other hand, the copyright of digital music data may be threatened by unlimited duplication because the sound quality of the digital music data is hardly deteriorated by the recording medium and the complete duplication is easily possible. Conventionally, as a measure for copyright protection, the reproduction (dubbing) of digital music data including copyright has been managed by SCMS (Serial Copy Management System). In this method, a predetermined flag is set for digital music data, and duplication as digital data is limited to, for example, one generation. SCMS is installed in digital interfaces such as consumer DAT (Digital Audio Tape) and MD (Mini Disc).

【0004】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, this SCMS has a problem that unlimited duplication of digital music data is possible because there are no restrictions on users and devices used. For example, by recording the original digital music data using a plurality of devices or on a plurality of recording media, unlimited duplication can be performed.

【0005】

In addition, limiting the reproduction of digital music data to one generation by SCMS has a problem that, from the user's point of view, the legitimate rights of legitimate users may be excessively restricted. .. For example, even if a user who has legitimately purchased digital music data attempts to duplicate the data within the scope of personal use, restrictions will occur.

【0006】

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording / reproducing system that protects copyrights and suppresses excessive restrictions on users.

【0007】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention includes first and second electronic devices for storing data and reproducing the stored data, and at least the stored data of the first electronic device. A duplication means for duplicating to a second electronic device, and when predetermined data is replicated from the first electronic device to the second electronic device, the predetermined data stored in the first electronic device is the second electronic device. It is a recording / reproduction system including a duplication determination means for determining whether or not to allow duplication by an apparatus according to an identifier transmitted from a second electronic device.

【0008】

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention includes a first electronic device in which data is encrypted and stored and the stored data is reproduced, and an encryption stored in the first electronic device. A decryption means for decrypting the decrypted data and a duplication determination for determining whether or not to allow the predetermined encrypted data stored in the first electronic device to be duplicated in the second electronic device. When duplication is permitted by the means and the duplication determination means, the predetermined encrypted data is decrypted by the decryption means, and when duplication is prohibited by the duplication determination means, the predetermined encrypted data remains as it is. It is a recording / playback system characterized in that it is provided with a control means for controlling the duplication in the electronic device of 2.

【0009】

As described above, the present invention is adapted to determine whether or not data can be duplicated from the first electronic device to the second electronic device according to the identifier sent from the second electronic device. Therefore, it is possible to prevent data duplication to an unauthorized party.

【0010】

Further, the present invention determines whether or not it is permitted to copy the data encrypted by the first electronic device and stored in the first electronic device to the second electronic device, and when the permission is performed. The encrypted data is decrypted and duplicated to the second electronic device, and if not permitted, the encrypted data is duplicated to the second electronic device as it is, so it is against unauthorized parties. Data duplication can be prevented.

【0011】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows a music server to which the present invention is applied and a system using the music server. The music server 50 includes a server main body 51 and left and right speaker units 52L and 52R. The server body 51 is provided with, for example, a display unit 53 made of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel and a CD insertion unit 54 for inserting a CD.

【0012】

Although omitted in FIG. 1, an operation unit for the user to operate the functions of the server main body 51 is provided for the server main body 51. Further, for example, a signal receiving unit for receiving an infrared signal may be provided for remotely controlling the function of the server main body 51 by a remote commander. Further, the server main body 51 has a CPU and is controlled in advance by a predetermined program stored in, for example, a ROM.

【0013】

The user can set the CD55 in the CD insertion unit 54 and perform a predetermined operation on the operation unit to play the CD55 and enjoy the played music, for example, by the speaker units 52L and 52R. Further, when the CD 55 is a CD text including the text data, the display unit 53 can display the predetermined text data.

【0014】

The music server 50 has a large-capacity recording medium such as a hard disk inside. Based on a predetermined operation, the music data of the CD 55 set in the CD insertion unit 54 can be recorded on this recording medium. At this time, a method of recording at a speed of 1x, which is the same as the playback speed of the CD55, or a high-speed recording, which records at a speed higher than the playback speed, can be selected. High-speed recording can be selected and executed by performing billing processing according to a predetermined procedure.

【0015】

In the music server 50, the music data is compressed and encoded by a predetermined method and recorded as compressed music data. For example, about 1000 songs can be stored in a hard disk having a capacity of 6 GByte. A list of songs stored on the hard disk is displayed on the display unit 53, for example, and the user can select and play any song based on this display. Further, since the hard disk can be randomly accessed, it is possible to continuously play back a large number of stored music data in an arbitrary order.

【0016】

Various methods can be used for compression coding, but in this example, a method called ATRAC2 (Adaptive Tranform Acoustic Coding 2) is used. This is an extension of ATRAC, a compression coding method used for MD, which utilizes transform coding and entropy coding by utilizing the masking effect based on the nature of hearing and the frequency dependence of the minimum audible limit. In combination, compression coding of audio data is performed. It can encode / decode at high speed while maintaining high sound quality with relatively small hardware.

【0017】

The music server 50 can be connected to an external system, for example, the Internet server 60, which is a server connected to the Internet, via a communication line 61, which is a public telephone line. By connecting the music server 50 to the Internet server 60 via the communication line 61, various information on the Internet can be obtained. The Internet server 60 has, for example, a database that stores title information of a commercially available music CD. By giving a predetermined key to this database, data attached to the CD, for example, title information of the CD can be obtained.

【0018】

In addition, the Internet server 60 also performs billing processing for the music server 50 according to the service. The high-speed recording of the CD55 described above is billed by the music server 50 communicating with the Internet server 60, and can be selected and executed.

【0019】

Here, the billing process is performed by the Internet server 60 having a large amount of additional information on the CD, but this is not limited to this example. For example, another server connected to the Internet may perform this billing process. It is also possible to perform billing processing on a dedicated network other than the Internet, for example.

【0020】

The portable recording / playback device 70 has a recording medium including a hard disk or a flash memory (flash RAM). Other recording media can be used as long as they can follow the playback speed of music. By connecting the portable recording / playback device 70 to the music server 50 via the connection line 71, the music data recorded in the music server 50 can be transferred to the portable recording / playback device 70 and recorded on the recording medium. .. At this time, on the music server 50 side, the transferred music data exists on the recording medium but is in a non-reproducible state. The recording medium used in the portable recording / playback device 70 has a capacity of, for example, about 200 MByte, and can store music data for several tens of songs.

【0021】

Here, the above-mentioned transfer method used in the present invention, that is, when music data is transferred, the music data is recorded on the recording medium of the transfer destination, and the transferred music data is recorded on the recording medium of the transfer source. The state of being present on the recording medium but being made non-reproducible is referred to as "movement". By moving the music data in this way, it is possible to prevent unlimited duplication of the music data.

【0022】

In the above description, the music server 50 and the portable recording / playback device 70 are connected by the connection line 71, but this is not limited to this example. For example, the music server 50 and the portable recording / playback device 70 may be provided with mounting portions corresponding to each other, and the portable recording / playback device 70 may be directly mounted on the music server 50 to exchange data. In addition to electrical connection, for example, an interface compatible with IrDA (Infrared Data Association) that exchanges data by infrared signals may be provided on both sides to transfer music data by infrared signals.

【0023】

The portable recording / playback device 70 is driven by a battery power source such as a dry battery or a rechargeable battery. For example, the music server 50 is provided with a corresponding charging power source, and by connecting the music server 50 and the portable recording / playback device 70 by a predetermined method, the rechargeable battery of the portable recording / playback device 70 is charged. can do. Of course, the rechargeable battery of the portable recording / playback device 70 can be charged using a dedicated charging power source. Further, the portable recording / playback device 70 is not limited to a battery power source, and can be driven by, for example, an external AC power source.

【0024】

Furthermore, by providing a predetermined interface to the music server 50, it becomes possible to exchange information with various media. For example, by providing an interface compatible with the PC card 80, it is possible to import the music data distributed by the PC card 80 into the music server 50 and exchange data between the personal computer and the music server 50. Become. By providing a serial digital interface using an optical cable or the like, it becomes possible to exchange music data with another digital music data recording / playback device such as an MD recorder 81. In this example, the MD 82 is attached to the MD recorder 81, and the music data reproduced from the MD 82 is supplied to the music server 50. Similarly, an interface such as IEEE1394 can be provided, and a set-top box 83 for, for example, CATV (Cable Television) or satellite broadcasting can be connected.

【0025】

The PC card is a standard for card-type peripherals for personal computers, which was jointly established by PCMCIA (Personal Memory Card International Association) in the United States and JEIDA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association) in Japan. IEEE1394 is an interface standard adopted by the American Association of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.

【0026】

The music server 50 can have a WWW (World Wide Web) browser as a built-in application. By connecting to the Internet server 60 via the communication line 61, various contents described by, for example, HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) on the Internet can be searched and displayed on the display unit 53.

【0027】

With such a configuration, the user can play the music data stored in the music server 50 and listen to it on the speaker units 52L and 52R, and set the CD55 in the CD insertion unit 54 to set the CD55. Can be played. When playing back the CD55, the TOC (Table Of Contents) information of the CD55 is read, and for example, the track number is displayed on the display unit 53.

【0028】

Further, by communicating with the music server 50 and the Internet server 60, the title information of the CD 55 set in the CD insertion unit 54 can be automatically obtained via the communication line 61. The obtained information is stored in the music server 50 and displayed on the display unit 53 as needed.

【0029】

More specifically, user information such as a user ID is sent from the music server 50 to the Internet server 60. On the Internet server 60 side, collation processing and billing processing are performed based on the received user information. In addition, media information is sent from the music server 50 to the Internet server 60. Based on the received media information, the Internet server 60 searches for additional information on the music data, such as the title of the song, the name of the performer, the name of the composer or lyricist, the lyrics, and the jacket image. Then, the Internet server 60 returns the predetermined information requested by the user to the music server 50.

【0030】

For example, as media information, the TOC information of CD55 is sent to the Internet server 60. The Internet server 60 has a database in which additional information on the above-mentioned music data can be searched by using this TOC information as a key. Additional information may be obtained by searching other WWW servers on the Internet. The Internet server 60 searches for additional information of music data based on the received TOC information. This can be searched based on, for example, the time information of each song recorded on the CD55 included in the TOC.

【0031】

The additional information obtained by the search is sent from the Internet server 60 to the music server 50. On the music server 50, the received additional information is displayed on the display unit 53. By embedding the additional information in an HTML file and sending it, the music server 50 can display the additional information with the built-in WWW browser.

【0032】

If another URL (Uniform Resource Locator) on the Internet is described in the additional information, the music server 50 can access the homepage on the Internet indicated by the URL.

【0033】

Further, by communicating with the Internet server 60, the music data of the CD55 set in the CD insertion unit 54 can be transferred to the recording medium of the music server 50 at a speed faster than the specified playback speed of the CD55, for example, one CD55. Minutes of music data can be recorded in about 2 minutes. When not communicating with the Internet server 60, recording is performed at the specified playback speed and 1x the constant speed.

【0034】

Furthermore, by connecting to the portable recording / playback device 70 with the connection line 71, the music data stored in the music server 50 can be transferred to the portable playback device 71 and moved. The moved music data can be played back by the portable recording / playback device 70 even when the connection line 71 is not connected, and can be listened to by, for example, the headphones 72. The transferred and moved music data cannot be played on the music server 50.

【0035】

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the music server 50. First, in this music server 50, RAM5, ROM6, flash RAM7, and CPU8, which are connected to each other by a bus, are provided in the same manner as the configuration of a normal personal computer. CPU 8 is connected to bus 40. CPU8 controls the overall operation of the music server 50.

【0036】

A program for controlling the operation of the music server 50 is stored in ROM6 in advance. Based on this program, the music server 50 performs an operation corresponding to the operation of the input means 1 described later. A data area and a task area for executing a program are temporarily secured in RAM5 and flash RAM7. Alternatively, the program loader is stored in ROM 6, and the program itself can be loaded into the flash RAM 7 by the program loader.

【0037】

The input means 1 includes, for example, push-type and rotary-type keys. The input means 1 is not limited to this, and may be a rotary push type key called a jog dial, a touch panel on the LCD, or the like. Of course, a switch mechanism that reacts by pressing can also be used. A signal corresponding to the operation of the input means 1 is supplied to the CPU 8 via the bus 40. The CPU 8 generates a control signal for controlling the operation of the music server 50 based on this signal. The music server 50 is operated in response to this control signal.

【0038】

Infrared interface (IrDA I / F) driver 3 and / or USB (Universal Serial Bus) driver 4 are connected to bus 40. Keyboard 2 is enabled to communicate or connect to these drivers. By using the keyboard 2, for example, it is easy to input a song name, an artist name, etc. corresponding to the recorded music data. Further, it may be configured to transfer data via the infrared interface driver 3 or the USB driver 4. The infrared interface 3 and the USB driver 4 can be omitted.

【0039】

The CD-ROM drive 9 is connected to the bus 40, and the above-mentioned CD55 is set in the CD-ROM drive 9. In this CD-ROM drive 9, music data is read from the set CD55 at a specified playback speed. Further, the CD-ROM drive 9 can read the music data of the CD55 at a speed higher than the specified playback speed, for example, 16 times or 32 times the specified playback speed.

【0040】

The CD-ROM drive 9 is not limited to this example, and may be compatible with other media in which music data is stored, such as a magneto-optical disc or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). It is also possible to use a drive compatible with a memory card. Further, the data read from the CD-ROM drive 9 is not limited to music data. It is also possible to read image data, text data, program data, and the like.

【0041】

The hard disk drive HDD 10 is connected to the bus 40. The music data read from the CD-ROM drive 9 is recorded in the HDD 10. As a preprocessing for recording the music data in the HDD 10, the music data read by the CD-ROM drive 9 is supplied to the compression encoder 12 via the bus 40 and the DRAM 11 for audio.

【0042】

In the compression encoder 12, for example, the above-mentioned ATRAC2 compresses and encodes the music data. Two speeds, low speed and high speed, are prepared for the compression speed of music data by the compression encoder 12 based on the control of the CPU 8. Slow compression corresponds to 1x playback speed on CD-ROM drive 9. The compression speed can be switched according to, for example, the playback speed of the CD-ROM drive 9. In the compression encoder 12, for example, an encoding algorithm according to the compression speed is driven.

【0043】

The change of the compression speed in the compression encoder 12 is not limited to this method. For example, it may be performed by switching the clock frequency of the compression encoder 12. In addition, different hardware may be prepared for each. Further, in the compression encoder 12 capable of high-speed compression, it is also possible to thin out the processing to achieve low-speed compression.

【0044】

The compressed music data compressed and encoded by the compression encoder 12 is recorded and stored in the HDD 10 via the DRAM 11.

【0045】

Here, the compressed music data compressed and encoded by the compression encoder 12 is configured to be stored in the HDD 10, but the music data read from the CD-ROM drive 9 is directly recorded and stored in the HDD 10. Can also be done.

【0046】

Further, in this example, the audio signal input from the microphone connected to the terminal 13 via the amplifier 14 and the audio signal input from the line input terminal 15 are supplied to the compression encoder 12 via the A / D converter 16. Will be done. These audio signals can be compressed and encoded and recorded on the HDD 10. Further, an optical digital signal is supplied from the optical digital input terminal 17 to the compression encoder 12 via the IEC958 (International Electrotechnical Commission 958) encoder 18. It is possible to compress and encode the audio signal supplied as an optical digital signal and record it on the HDD 10. Of course, it is not necessary to have all of these signal input means.

【0047】

In the above description, the compression encoder 12 uses ATRAC2 as the encoding algorithm, but this is not limited to this example. That is, in the compression encoder 12, any other encoding algorithm that compresses information can be used. For example, encoding algorithms such as ATRAC , MPEG (moving picture coding experts group), PASC (precision adaptive sub-bandcoding), TwinVQ , RealAudio , and LiquidAudio may be used.

【0048】

Modem 20 is connected to bus 40. An external network 19 such as a public telephone line, CATV, or wireless communication is connected to the modem 20. The music server 50 can be communicated via the external network 19 by the modem 20.

【0049】

The music server 50 is connected to, for example, the Internet via the external network 19, and communication is performed between the music server 50 and the remote Internet server 60. From the music server 50 to the Internet server 60, the media information which is the information related to the request signal and the CD55 set in the CD-ROM drive 9, the user ID and the user information given in advance to each of the music server 50, and , Various information such as billing information for the user is sent.

【0050】

This information is received by the Internet server 60, collation processing and billing processing are performed based on the received user information such as the user ID, and additional information of music data is searched based on the received media information, and the music server Returned to 50.

【0051】

Here, an example of returning additional information of the music data is shown, but it is also possible to supply the music data directly from the external network 19 based on the user's request. That is, the user can use the music server 50 to download music data from the Internet server 60. In addition, music data can be returned in response to media information. According to this, for example, a predetermined CD55 bonus track can be acquired by distribution.

【0052】

When the compressed music data that has been compressed and encoded by the compression encoder 12 and recorded and stored in the HDD 10 is read out for reproduction, it is supplied to the compression decoder 21 via the bus 40. The compressed music data is decompressed by the compression decoder 21 and is derived to the terminal 24 via the D / A converter 22 and the amplifier 23. Then, it is supplied from the terminal 24 to the speaker units 52L and 52R, and music is played. Although omitted in FIG. 2, two routes from the D / A converter 22 to the terminal 24 via the amplifier 23 are provided corresponding to the stereo output. Similarly, there are two terminals 24 corresponding to stereo.

【0053】

The compression decoder 21 uses a decoding algorithm corresponding to the encoding algorithm of the compression encoder 12. Further, the compression decoder 21 and the above-mentioned compression encoder 12 may be processed by software by the CPU 8 without having hardware.

【0054】

The LCD 26 constituting the display unit 53 is connected to the bus 40 via the LCD driver 25. A drawing control signal is supplied from the CPU 8 to the LCD driver 25 via the bus 40. Based on this signal, the LCD driver 25 drives the LCD 26 to display a predetermined display.

【0055】

For example, the operation menu of the music server 50 is displayed on the LCD 26. Further, the LCD 26 displays, for example, a title list of compressed music data recorded and stored in the HDD 10. Further, the LCD26 displays, for example, a folder or jacket image corresponding to the compressed music data to be selected and played.

【0056】

Based on the display of the LCD 26, the instructed music data is reproduced and controlled by operating the pointing device as the input means 1 and the keyboard 2. In addition, it is possible to delete the selected music data and control the duplication or movement of the selected music data to an external device based on the display of the LC26. For example, when the input means 1 is a touch panel provided on the LCD 26, the music server 50 can be operated by touching the touch panel according to the display of the LCD 26. In this way, the music data recorded and stored in the HDD 10 is managed and controlled by the user using the LCD 26 as an interface.

【0057】

In the first embodiment of this implementation, IEEE1394 and a PC card are supported as an interface between the music server 50 and an external general information device. The IEEE1394 interface 28 is connected to the bus 40 via the IEEE1394 driver 29. Similarly, the PC card slot 31 is connected to the bus 40 via the PC card driver 30.

【0058】

The IEEE1394 interface 28 allows data to be exchanged between the music server 50 and, for example, a personal computer. In addition, the IEEE1394 interface 28 makes it possible to capture music data from IRD (Integrated Reciever / Decorder) for satellite broadcasting, MD, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc: trademark), digital video, and the like. Furthermore, by inserting a PC card into the PC card slot 31, it is easy to expand an external storage device, other media drives, or various peripheral devices such as a modem, a terminal adapter, and a capture board.

【0059】

The interface 34 is an interface for exchanging music data and the like between the music server 50 and other corresponding recording / playback devices. As the other recording / reproducing device, for example, the portable recording / reproducing device 70 shown in FIG. 1 described above is applied. Not limited to this, the other recording / playback device may be another music server 50.

【0060】

Interface 34 is connected to bus 40 via the interface driver 33. Other corresponding recording / playback devices are provided with an interface 35 paired with the interface 34. By electrically connecting the interfaces 34 and 35 with a predetermined connection line 71, for example, the music data recorded and stored in the HDD 10 can be transferred from the music server 50 to another recording / playback device.

【0061】

Power is supplied from the power supply unit 45 to each part of the music server 50. The power supply unit 45 also has a function for charging the portable recording / playback device 70. Further, the CPU 8 can control a predetermined function of the power supply unit 45. Although omitted in FIG. 2, the music server 50 is provided with a charging terminal for outputting charging power.

【0062】

FIG. 3 schematically shows the signal flow until the music data read by the CD-ROM drive 9 is recorded in the HDD 10. The music data read from the CD-ROM drive 9 is temporarily stored in the DRAM 11 as a buffer memory via the bus 40. Then, the music data is read from the DRAM 11 at a predetermined timing and supplied to the compression encoder 12 via the bus 40. The compression encoder 12 has a predetermined compression rate in step S13 or step S14 described above. The music data is compressed and coded by the compression encoder 12, and is temporarily stored in the DRAM 11 as a buffer memory again. Then, the compressed music data read from the DRAM 11 at a predetermined timing is supplied to the HDD 10 via the bus 40 and recorded.

【0063】

FIG. 4 schematically shows a signal flow from the compressed music data read from the HDD 10 to the reproduction processing and being led out to the terminal 24. The compressed music data read from the HDD 10 is temporarily stored in the DRAM 11 as a buffer memory via the bus 40. Then, the compressed music data is read from the DRAM 11 at a predetermined timing and supplied to the compression decoder 21 via the bus 40. The compressed music data is decompressed by the compression decoder 21 and is converted into music data and supplied to the D / A converter 22. Then, the music data is converted into an analog audio signal by the D / A converter 22, amplified by the amplifier 23, and derived as a reproduction output to the terminal 24. If a speaker is connected to the terminal 24, the music played by the speaker can be enjoyed.

【0064】

FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of the portable recording / reproducing device 70 used as another recording / reproducing device. The portable recording / playback device 70 has substantially the same configuration as the music server 50 shown in FIG. 2 described above. Further, the portable recording / reproducing device 70 is usually used by being carried as a single unit by separating the interface 34 on the music server 50 side and the interface 35 on the portable recording / reproducing device 70 side.

【0065】

First, in this portable recording / reproducing device 70, RAM 103, ROM 104, and CPU 105, which are connected to each other by a bus, are provided in the same manner as the configuration of a normal personal computer. Of course, the flash RAM may be provided in the same manner as the configuration of the music server 50 described above. CPU 105 is connected to bus 130. The CPU 105 controls the overall operation of the portable recording / playback device 70.

【0066】

A program for controlling the operation of the portable recording / playback device 70 is stored in the ROM 104 in advance. Based on this program, the portable recording / playback device 70 performs an operation corresponding to the operation of the input means 102 described later. A data area and a task area for executing a program are temporarily secured in RAM103.

【0067】

The input means 102 comprises, for example, a push-type and a rotary-type key. The input means 102 is not limited to this, and may be a rotary push type key called a jog dial, a touch panel on the LCD, or the like. Of course, a switch mechanism that reacts by pressing can also be used. A signal corresponding to the operation of the input means 102 is supplied to the CPU 105 via the bus 130. Based on this signal, the CPU 105 generates a control signal for controlling the operation of the portable recording / playback device 70. The portable recording / playback device 70 is operated in response to this control signal.

【0068】

In the music server 50, the music data read from the HDD 10 and instructed to be transferred to the portable recording / playback device 70 is transmitted via the interface 34, the interface 35, and the connection line connecting the interface 34 and the interface 35. It is transferred to and supplied to the portable recording / playback device 70. Further, when the music server 50 and the portable recording / playback device 70 are provided with mounting portions corresponding to each other, the interface 34 and the interface 35 are directly connected to transfer music data. Furthermore, if an IrDA interface is provided, music data is transferred using infrared signals.

【0069】

The transferred and supplied music data is recorded from the interface driver 101 via the bus 130 on the HDD 106, which is the music data recording medium of the portable recording / playback device 70.

【0070】

In the portable recording / playback device 70, the music data recording medium is not limited to the HDD 106, and for example, a flash RAM can be used. Further, other recording medium media such as a magneto-optical disk can be used as long as it can follow the reproduction speed of the music data. As the music data recording medium, for example, by using a medium having a capacity of about 200 MByte, several tens of songs can be recorded.

【0071】

By the way, in this example, the music data that is transferred and recorded in the HDD 106 is already compressed and encoded in the music server 50, but is compressed music data. The portable recording / playback device 70 is not limited to this example, and music data that is not compressed and encoded can be supplied and recorded in the HDD 106. For example, the music data played and read from the CD 55 set in the CD-ROM drive 9 of the music server 50 is directly supplied to the portable recording / playback device 70 via the interface driver 101. However, in this case, it goes without saying that the number of recordable music data is significantly limited.

【0072】

As a preprocessing for recording music data in HDD 106, the supplied music data is temporarily stored in the audio DRAM 107 connected to the bus 130. Then, the music data is supplied to the compression encoder 108 via the bus 130. The compression encoder 108 compresses and encodes music data by an encoding algorithm (ATRAC2 in this example) equivalent to that of the compression encoder 12 in the music server 50. The compressed coded compressed music data is supplied to the DRAM 107 and temporarily stored again. Finally, the compressed music data stored in the DRAM 107 is read out and recorded in the HDD 106.

【0073】

As described above, when the compressed music data stored in the HDD 10 in the music server 50 is instructed to move and transferred to the portable recording / playback device 70, the compressed music data in the HDD 10 exists on the HDD 10. However, it is considered as non-reproducible. Further, the moved compressed music data is returned to the recording medium of the moving source again so that the compressed music data can be played back at the moving source. At this time, the compressed music data is deleted from the moving destination recording medium.

【0074】

Further, in this example, the audio signal input from the microphone connected to the terminal 109 via the amplifier 110 and the audio signal input from the line input terminal 111 are supplied to the compression encoder 108 via the A / D converter 112. Will be done. These audio signals can be compressed and encoded and recorded on the HDD 106. Further, an optical digital signal is supplied from the optical digital input terminal 113 to the compression encoder 108 via the IEC958 encoder 114. It is possible to compress and encode the audio signal supplied as an optical digital signal and record it on the HDD 106. Of course, it is not necessary to have all of these signal input means, and if it is a portable reproduction device dedicated to reproduction, it is possible to omit all of these signal input means. ..

【0075】

The compressed music data is read from the HDD 106 for reproduction and supplied to the compression decoder 115 via the bus 130. The music data decompressed by the compression decoder 115 is derived to the terminal 118 via the D / A converter 116 and the amplifier 117. Headphones 72 are connected to the terminal 118, for example. The user can listen to the played music by wearing these headphones. Although omitted in FIG. 5, two routes from the D / A converter 116 to the terminal 118 via the amplifier 117 are provided corresponding to the stereo output. Similarly, there are two terminals 118 corresponding to stereo.

【0076】

The LCD 120 is connected to the bus 130 via the LCD driver 119. A drawing control signal is supplied from the CPU 105 to the LCD driver 119 via the bus 130, and the LCD 120 is driven to display a predetermined value. The LCD 120 displays the operation menu of the portable recording / playback device 70 and the title list of music data recorded in the HDD 106. The LCD 120 may display, for example, a folder or jacket image corresponding to the selected and played music data.

【0077】

By operating the pointing device as the input means 102 based on the display of the LCD 120, the instructed compressed music data is reproduced and controlled. In addition, it is possible to control the erasure, duplication, and movement of the selected compressed music data based on the display of the LC120. For example, the portable recording / playback device 70 can be operated by touching the touch panel as the input means 102 according to the display of the LCD 120. In this way, the compressed music data recorded in the HDD 106 is managed and controlled by the user using the LCD 120 as an interface.

【0078】

Power is supplied from the power supply unit 135 to each part of the portable recording / playback device 70. The power supply unit 135 includes a charging unit that is supplied with electric power from the outside and charged. When the music server 50 and the portable recording / playback device 70 are directly connected by a connection line or a mounting unit, the charging unit is charged by being supplied with electric power from the music server 50 together with the transfer of music data. Of course, it can also be charged by another external charging power source. The power source may be a dry cell power source.

【0079】

FIG. 6 shows another example of the portable recording / playback device 70 described above. In FIG. 6, the same numbers are assigned to the parts common to those in FIG. 5 described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the portable recording / playback device 70'shown in FIG. 6, a switch circuit 200 is inserted between the HDD (or flash RAM) 106' and the bus 130 with respect to the configuration of FIG. 5 described above. One selective end 200a of the switch circuit 200 is connected to the bus 130 and the other selective end 200b is connected to the interface 35. The switch circuit 200 separates the HDD 106'from the bus 130.

【0080】

When transferring compressed music data from the music server 50, the selection end 200b is selected in the switch circuit 200. HDD 106'and bus 40 of the music server 50 are directly connected via interfaces 34 and 35. HDD106'looks as if it were the recording medium of the music server 50. CPU8 of the music server 50 enables direct control of HDD106'. Compressed music data can be easily moved or copied between the music server 50 and the portable recording / playback device 70.

【0081】

Next, the operation in one embodiment of this embodiment, which is performed by the above configuration, will be described. First, the functions executed by the music server 50 alone will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example of processing when the music data of the CD55 set in the CD-ROM drive 9 is recorded in the HDD 10 of the music server 50.

【0082】

In the first step S10, a user's request to record the music data of the CD55 to the HDD 10 is awaited. Then, for example, when a recording request is issued by the user using the input means 1, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, it is determined whether the requested recording is high-speed recording or 1x speed recording. For example, when a recording request is issued in step S10 described above, the user specifies both the recording method, that is, whether the recording is performed at high speed or at 1x speed.

【0083】

If high-speed recording is specified in step S11, the process proceeds to step S12 and the billing system is started. The processing by the billing system will be described later. When the billing process is performed and high-speed recording is permitted, the process proceeds to step S13, and the high-speed compression process is started in the compression encoder 12. Then, the process proceeds to step S15.

【0084】

On the other hand, when it is specified in step S11 that recording is performed at 1x speed, the process proceeds to step S14, and the compression encoder 12 starts the low-speed compression process. Then, the process proceeds to step S15.

【0085】

In step S15, the CD-ROM drive 9 is driven at a predetermined speed under the control of the CPU 8, and the music data recorded on the set CD 55 is read out. The read music data is compressed and coded by the compression encoder 12, transferred to the HDD 10 and recorded.

【0086】

If the transfer of compressed music data to HDD 10 is completed in step S16, the transfer from the CD-ROM drive 9 to HDD 10 is prohibited in the next step S17, and the compression encoder 12 is stopped in the next step S18. Will be done.

【0087】

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the billing process in step S12 of the flowchart of FIG. 7 described above. The billing process is performed by communicating between the music server 50 and the Internet server 60. FIG. 8A shows the processing on the music server 50, and FIG. 8B shows the processing on the Internet server 60.

【0088】

When the billing process is started, first, in the first step S20 of FIG. 8A, communication is started between the music server 50 and the Internet server 60 by a predetermined protocol. When it is confirmed in step S21 that the connection is established and communication is possible, the process proceeds to step S22.

【0089】

In step S22, the TOC information of the CD55 set in the CD-ROM drive 9 and transferred to the HDD 10 for recording is sent from the music server 50 to the Internet server 60. At the same time, high-speed recording information indicating that high-speed recording is performed is transmitted from the music server 50 to the Internet server 60.

【0090】

On the other hand, in FIG. 8B, the Internet server 60 waits for the high-speed recording information and the TOC information from the music server 50 (step S30). When this information is received, the TOC information is searched in step S31. CD55 is identified by searching the TOC information.

【0091】

Then, the billing process is performed in the next step S32. Billing can be done, for example, by debiting the account based on the pre-registered user's credit card number. The billing method is not limited to this, for example, the music server 50 is provided with a function to read the prepaid card, the set billing amount is sent to the music server 50, and the user pays the billing amount by the prepaid card. A method is also conceivable. In addition, based on the TOC information, it is possible to change the billing amount depending on the contents of the CD55 and prohibit recording on the HDD 10.

【0092】

In step S33, billing information is sent to the music server 50. Then, in FIG. 8A, the billing information is confirmed on the music server 50 side (step S23). Also, on the Internet server 60 side, it is confirmed whether or not the billing information has been received by the music server 50 (step S34).

【0093】

Returning to FIG. 8A, when the billing information is confirmed in step S23, the process proceeds to step S24, and the received billing information and the like are displayed on the display unit 53. Then, in step S25, the music data of the CD55 is read out at high speed by the CD-ROM drive 9, compressed at high speed by the compression encoder 12, and recorded in the HDD 10. This step S25 corresponds to step S15 in FIG. 7 described above.

【0094】

By the way, in one embodiment of this embodiment, a cooperative operation is possible between the music server 50 and the portable recording / playback device 70. For example, when music data is moved from the music server 50 to the portable recording / playback device 70, a cooperative operation is performed between them. FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of an example of this movement.

【0095】

First, in the first step S40, it is determined whether the music server 50 and the portable recording / playback device 70 are connected by interfaces 34 and 35. Connection detection is performed, for example, by exchanging predetermined signals with interfaces 34 and 35. Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and a switch mechanism may be provided at a portion connecting the music server 50 and the portable recording / playback device 70 to detect the connection by mechanical means.

【0096】

When the connection is confirmed, in the next step S41, it is determined whether or not the music data recorded and stored in the HDD 10 is required to be moved to the portable recording / playback device 70. For example, the compressed music data stored in the HDD 10 is displayed in a list on the display unit 53, and the user selects a predetermined compressed music data from the list display by a predetermined pointing device as the input means 1. Further, the selected compressed music data is instructed to move to the portable recording / playback device 70.

【0097】

There are various possible methods for instructing movement. For example, a button for instructing movement is displayed on the display unit 53, and this button can be specified by a predetermined method. Further, for example, an icon indicating compressed music data is displayed, and this icon can be moved onto the icon indicating the mobile recording / playback device 70 at the destination, so-called drag-and-drop. Of course, the movement may be instructed by operating the switch mechanism provided in the operation unit.

【0098】

If there is a request to move the compressed music data in step S41, the file size of the compressed music data specified to be moved is checked in step S42. Then, in the next step S43, the free space of the HDD 106 of the portable recording / playback device 70 is checked. Then, the free space of the HDD 106 is compared with the file size of the compressed music data for which the movement specified in step S42 is specified. Based on this comparison result, it is determined whether or not the compressed music data for which movement is specified can be recorded in this HDD 106. If it is possible to record, the process proceeds to step S45, and the transfer of the compressed music data is started.

【0099】

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S43 that the HDD 106 of the portable recording / playback device 70 has insufficient free space, the process proceeds to step S44. In step S44, the compressed music data already recorded in the HDD 106 is deleted so that the compressed music data for which the movement is specified can be recorded in the HDD 106. Then, the process proceeds to step S45.

【0100】

The deletion of the compressed music data is automatically performed based on a predetermined parameter of the compressed music data already recorded in the HDD 106. For example, in the portable recording / playback device 70, it is conceivable to count the number of playbacks for each compressed music data recorded in the HDD 106 and delete the data with the smallest number of playbacks. It is also possible to delete the date recorded on the HDD 106 in chronological order.

【0101】

Furthermore, when automatically deleting, compressed music data that is important to the user may be deleted. In order to prevent this, a warning can be displayed on the display 53 of the music server 50 or the LCD 120 of the portable recording / playback device 70, and the music can be deleted after confirmation by the user. Furthermore, the display unit 53 of the music server 50 and the LCD 120 of the portable recording / playback device 70 display a list of compressed music data already recorded in the HDD 106, and the user himself selects the compressed music data to be deleted. You can take the method.

【0102】

When the compressed music data for which movement is specified can be recorded on the HDD 106 by the processes of steps S43 and S44 described above, the music server 50 is compressed to the portable recording / playback device 70 in step S45. Music data transfer is started. That is, the compressed music data read from the HDD 10 is supplied to the portable recording / playback device 70 via the bus 40 and the interface 34. In the portable recording / playback device 70, the supplied compressed music data is recorded in the HDD 106 on the interface 35.

【0103】

The transferred compressed music data also exists in the HDD 10 on the music server 50 side in the same manner as before the transfer. In one embodiment of this embodiment, the reproduction of the corresponding compressed music data existing in the HDD 10 is prohibited (step S46). For example, a playback prohibition flag indicating playback prohibition is set for the compressed music data. As a result, the corresponding compressed music data is virtually moved from the music server 50 to the portable recording / playback device 70. Therefore, each compressed music data is managed so that there is always only one, and unauthorized duplication of data is prevented.

【0104】

Then, in the next step S47, it is determined whether or not there is a request to move the next compressed music data. If you want to move the compressed music data further, the process returns to step S42. If there is no further data movement request, the series of movement processing is completed.

【0105】

In the above description, it is described that one compressed music data is moved in steps S42 to S46 of the flowchart of FIG. 9, but this is not limited to this example, and a plurality of compressed music data are moved together. You can also do it.

【0106】

Further, in the above description, in the process of step S46, it was explained that the moved compressed music data exists only in the HDD 10 of the music server 50 which is the moving source, only being prohibited from playing. Not limited to the example, it may be deleted.

【0107】

By the way, in the above description, the example of moving the compressed music data from the music server 50 to the portable recording / playback device 70 has been described, but the movement in the opposite direction, that is, the compressed music data recorded in the HDD 106 of the portable recording / playback device 70 Can be moved to the HDD 10 of the music server 50 according to the same process as the flowchart of FIG.

【0108】

At this time, by moving the compressed music data moved from the music server 50 to the portable recording / playback device 70 from the portable recording / playback device 70 to the music server 50 again, the music server 50 has a playback prohibition flag for the corresponding compressed music data. Is released. That is, the corresponding compressed music data can be played back on the music server 50 again.

【0109】

By the way, in the present invention, in performing the above-mentioned movement, a unique identifier is assigned to each of the portable recording / reproducing devices 70 to which the music data is moved. Then, the music server 50 manages the identifier of the portable recording / playback device 70. This prevents the movement or duplication of music data to an unauthorized terminal device, and protects the copyright of the music data.

【0110】

FIG. 10 shows an example of a destination device identifier management table in which the identifier attached to each portable recording / playback device 70 is managed. Each of the portable recording / reproducing devices 70 is given a unique identifier in advance. In the portable recording / reproducing device 70, the identifier is stored in advance in, for example, ROM 104. The identifier of the portable recording / playback device 70 is acquired by the music server 50 by, for example, communication via interfaces 34 and 35 or input by the input means 1. The music server 50 creates a destination device identifier management table based on the acquired identifier, and the created table is stored in a predetermined area of, for example, HDD 10.

【0111】

Further, for each portable recording / reproducing device 70, a permission level consisting of two or more levels can be set. The set permission level is described in the destination device identifier management table. Based on this permission level, it is possible to determine whether or not the music data can be duplicated and moved to the corresponding portable recording / playback device 70 . In this example,'H' is set for higher permissions,'L' is set for lower level permissions, and'x' is set if not allowed, for expiration date determination, which will be described later. Used.

【0112】

The permission level can be set for each portable recording / playback device 70 on the music server 50. That is, the music server 50 and the portable recording / playback device 70 are connected by the interfaces 34 and 35, and the identifier of the portable recording / playback device 70 is acquired by the music server 50. The music server 50 edits the destination device identifier management table based on a predetermined operation. Not limited to this, the portable recording / playback device 70 may be set in advance by being stored in the ROM 104 or the like.

【0113】

On the other hand, a unique song data identifier is assigned to each of the music data recorded in the music server 50. In addition, a movement flag indicating whether or not the data has been moved is attached to each music data. The song data identifier can be acquired based on the data associated with the CD55, for example, the CD number, which is obtained when the music data of the CD55 is recorded on the HDD10.

【0114】

FIG. 11 shows an example of data management table A in which the song data identifier and the movement flag attached to each music data are managed. A unique song data identifier is assigned to each music data. The movement flag indicates whether or not the corresponding music data has been moved, and if the movement flag is '1', it indicates that the music data has been moved to the mobile recording terminal 70. If the move flag is '0', the data has not been moved.

【0115】

For the music data being moved with the movement flag set to '1', the destination device identifier indicating the destination portable recording / playback device 70 is described. In this example, it is shown that the music data of the song data identifier '1000' has been moved to the portable recording / playback device 70 having the identifier of '0010'.

【0116】

For music data that has not been moved with the movement flag set to '0', the move destination device identifier is, for example, '0000' shown in this example, for the actual portable recording / playback device 70. An identifier that is not used is described. Of course, this is not limited to this example, and in the data in which the movement flag is '0', this field may be simply left blank.

【0117】

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an example of the process of moving music data using the destination device identifier management table and the data management table A. The predetermined music data recorded in the music server 50 is moved to, for example, the portable recording / playback device 70 possessed by the user. Note that FIG. 12 shows in more detail the related parts of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 above.

【0118】

First, the user connects the portable recording / playback device 70 to the music server 50 via interfaces 34 and 35 (step S50). Then, in step S51, a predetermined exchange is performed between the portable recording / playback device 70 and the music server 50. As a result, the identifier of the connected portable recording / playback device 70 is acquired by the music server 50.

【0119】

In the next step S52, the music server 50 searches for the acquired identifier from the destination device identifier management table stored in advance. In step S53, it is determined whether or not the acquired identifier has been searched from the destination device identifier management table.

【0120】

If the acquired identifier is not on the destination device identifier management table in step S53, it is assumed that the movement of music data to the portable recording / playback device 70 is not permitted, and the process is performed in step S60. And the user is notified that the move is not permitted. This is done, for example, by displaying to that effect on the display unit 53. Then, the process proceeds to step S61, the error history and the like are stored, and a series of flowcharts is completed.

【0121】

On the other hand, in step S53, when the corresponding identifier is found on the destination device identifier management table, in step S54, among the music data recorded in the HDD 10 of the music server 50, the music data to be moved is selected. Then, it is instructed to move the selected music data.

【0122】

In the next step S55, the music data movement source, that is, the music server 50, searches for the identifier of the music data instructed to move from the data management table A. Then, in the next step S56, the movement flag of the music data corresponding to the searched identifier is checked.

【0123】

In step S57, a judgment is made based on the movement flag of the music data obtained in step S56. If the move flag is '1', it is determined that the music data has been moved from the HDD 10. As described above, the music data that has already been moved is considered to be nonexistent in the HDD 10 unless it is restored. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S60, a movement disapproval notification is given, an error history or the like is recorded in step S61, and a series of flowcharts is terminated.

【0124】

On the other hand, if the movement flag is '0' in step S57, it is considered that the music data can be moved, and the process proceeds to step S58. In step S58, the corresponding music data is moved to the portable recording / playback device 70, which is the destination device. Then, in step S59, the movement flag corresponding to the corresponding music data in the data management table A is set to '1' in the music server 50, the identifier of the destination device is registered in the data management table A, and a series of flowcharts are displayed. It will be terminated.

【0125】

The mobile recording / playback device 70 at the moving destination also has the data management table A'like the music server 50 at the moving source. With the movement of the music data from the music server 50 to the portable recording / playback device 70, the identifier of the moved music data is registered. If the identifier is already registered but the move flag is '1', the move flag is changed to '0'. If necessary, the destination device identifier is deleted.

【0126】

The processing of music data movement shown in FIG. 12 is not limited to this example. For example, the identifier of the destination device may be checked immediately before the actual music data is moved. Further, instead of setting an identifier for the destination device, an identifier, for example, a user ID may be issued individually to the user. In this case, the user identifier is checked instead of checking the identifier of the destination device. Of course, the check may be performed using both the destination device identifier and the user identifier.

【0127】

Further, it can be applied not only to movement but also to a case where music data is duplicated with respect to the portable recording / playback device 70. Furthermore, the movement (or duplication) of music data from the music server 50 to the portable recording / playback device 70 is not limited to the movement and duplication of the music data from the portable recording / playback device 70 to another portable recording / playback device 70'. It can also be moved and duplicated from the music server 50 to another music server 50'. Of course, the moving source and the moving destination are not limited to the music server 50 and the portable recording / playback device 70, and may be other electronic devices corresponding to this method.

【0128】

In order to prevent unauthorized use of the music data more reliably, the music data may be encrypted. For example, each device of the movement source and the movement destination is provided with a unique encryption key and a decryption key corresponding to the encryption key. When recording music data on the HDD of each device, the music data is encrypted with the encryption key possessed by the device. Encrypted data cannot be decrypted without using the corresponding decryption key.

【0129】

When moving (or duplicating) the music data recorded on the HDD to another device, first check the identifier of the destination device. If the identifier of the destination device is confirmed and the movement is possible, the music data moving in the movement source device is decrypted with the decoding key. This decoded music data is moved to the destination device. In the destination device, the decrypted and moved music data is encrypted with the encryption key possessed by the destination device and recorded in the HDD.

【0130】

On the other hand, if the identifier of the destination device is checked and the movement is prohibited due to, for example, the identifier cannot be confirmed, the music data is not moved or the music data is moved without being decoded. For example, music data that has been moved without being decrypted cannot be decrypted because there is no corresponding decryption key at the destination. This prevents unauthorized use of the data.

【0131】

Such processing by encryption may be performed in step S58, for example, in FIG. 12 described above. That is, when the music data is moved or duplicated to the portable recording / playback device 70, the music data encrypted in advance and recorded in the HDD 10 is read from the HDD 10 and is used with a decryption key unique to the music server 50. It is decrypted. The decrypted music data is supplied to the portable recording / playback device 70. Then, the music data supplied by the portable recording / playback device 70 is encrypted with an encryption key unique to the portable recording / playback device 70 and recorded in the HDD 106.

【0132】

In one embodiment of this embodiment, an expiration date can be set for the music data. Move music data to the destination device set with a low permission level (permission level'L') set in the destination device identifier management table, and set the expiration date of the data. In the destination device, the playback of the music data is prohibited after the set expiration date.

【0133】

FIG. 13 shows an example of data management table B in which an expiration date is set for each of the music data. This data management table B is stored in HDD 10 of the music server 50, HDD 106 of the portable recording / playback device 70, and the like. An expiration date is set for each song data identifier corresponding to each music data. In this example, the expiration date is set in "AD / month / day / hour / minute" as "yyyy / mm / dd / hh / mm".

【0134】

In the data management table B, the expiration date does not have to be set for all music data. Further, this data management table B can also be used in combination with the above-mentioned data management table A. In this case, the combined table items consist of a song data identifier, a move flag, a move destination device identifier, and an expiration date.

【0135】

The expiration date set in the data management table B is used together with the permission level of the destination device identifier management table shown in FIG. That is, in the destination device identifier management table, the expiration date is set for the music data moved to the destination device having the identifier whose permission level is'L'. No expiration date is set for devices with a permission level of'H'. Of course, it is also possible to set the expiration date in stages according to the permission level.

【0136】

14 and 15 are flowcharts of an example of processing when the expiration date is set. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an example of processing of moving music data from the moving source to the moving destination. Further, FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an example of a process of playing back music data for which an expiration date has been set at a moving destination. Here, the moving source device is the music server 50, and the moving destination device is the portable recording / playback device 70.

【0137】

In FIG. 14, steps S79 to S81 are processes related to the expiration date check, and the other steps are the same as the processes shown in FIG. 12 above. The same part as in FIG. 12 will be briefly described. First, in step S70, the portable recording / playback device 70 and the music server 50 are connected, and in step S71, the identifier of the connected portable recording / playback device 70 is acquired by the music server 50.

【0138】

In the music server 50, the acquired identifier was searched from the previously stored destination device identifier management table (step S72), and in step S73, was the acquired identifier searched from the destination device identifier management table? It will be judged. If the acquired identifier is not on the destination device identifier management table, it is considered that the movement of the music data to the portable recording / playback device 70 is not permitted, and the process proceeds to step S82 to the user. In addition to being notified that movement is not permitted, the error history and the like are stored in step S83.

【0139】

On the other hand, in step S73, when the corresponding identifier is found on the destination device identifier management table, the music data to be moved is selected in step S74, and the movement instruction is given. Then, in the next step S75, the music data transfer source, the music server 50, searches for the identifier of the music data instructed to move from the data management table A, and the music data movement flag corresponding to the searched identifier is searched. Is examined.

【0140】

In step S76, a judgment is made based on the movement flag of the music data examined in step S75, and if the movement flag is '1', it is determined that the music data has been moved from HDD10 and processed. Moves to step S82, a movement disapproval notification is given, an error history and the like are recorded in step S83, and a series of flowcharts is completed.

【0141】

On the other hand, if the movement flag is '0' in step S76, it is considered that the music data can be moved, and in step S77, the corresponding music data is moved to the portable recording / playback device 70. When the music data is encrypted and recorded as described above, in step S77, the music data is decrypted by the music server 50, encrypted by the portable recording / playback device 70, and recorded in the HDD 106. Will be done.

【0142】

Then, in the next step S78, the movement flag corresponding to the corresponding music data in the data management table A is set to '1' in the music server 50, and the identifier of the destination device is registered in the data management table A.

【0143】

Further, with the movement of the music data from the music server 50 to the portable recording / reproducing device 70, the data management table A'possessed by the portable recording / reproducing device 70 is also changed. The identifier of the moved music data is registered in the data management table A'. If the identifier is already registered but the move flag is '1', the move flag is changed to '0'. If necessary, the destination device identifier is deleted.

【0144】

When the data management table A is registered in step S78 on the moving source music server 50, the process proceeds to step S79. In step S79, the music server 50 acquires the permission level of the mobile recording / playback device 70, which is the mobile device, from the mobile destination device identifier management table. Then, in the next step S80, a judgment is made based on the obtained permission level.

【0145】

As described above, the permission level can be set to'H'for high level permission,'L' for low level permission, and'x' for not allowing movement. If it is determined in step S80 that the permission level is'L', the process proceeds to step S81. Then, in step S81, the expiration date data set for each music data in the data management table B is transmitted to the portable recording / playback device 70. When this expiration date data is transmitted, a series of flowcharts is terminated.

【0146】

The transmitted expiration date data is registered in the data management table A'together with the information of the moved music data in the portable recording / playback device 70.

【0147】

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S80 that the permission level is'H', the expiration date is not set in particular, and the series of flowcharts is terminated as it is.

【0148】

Further, although omitted in FIG. 14, when it is determined in step S80 that the permission level is'x', for example, the process shifts to step S82 and a movement disapproval notification is given, and the error history is displayed. Recording is performed (step S83), and the process is terminated.

【0149】

Next, with reference to FIG. 15, the reproduction of music data in the portable recording / reproducing device 70 when the expiration date is set will be described. First, in the first step S90, the moved music data is selected by a predetermined method, and playback is instructed. In the next step S91, the data management table A'is examined for the music data instructed to be played, and the expiration date is examined based on the song data identifier corresponding to the music data.

【0150】

Then, in step S92, for example, the current date and time is acquired by the timer built in the portable recording / playback device 70, and it is determined whether or not the current time is within the expiration date set for the song. If it is within the expiration date, the music data is reproduced in the portable recording / reproducing device 70 in step S93.

【0151】

On the other hand, if the current date and time is not already within the expiration date, such as when the set expiration date is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S94 and is specified for the user of the mobile recording / playback device 70. It is notified that the expiration date of the music data has been exceeded, and the playback of the music data is prohibited. Of course, at this time, the music data is not reproduced.

【0152】

By the way, as in the above example, when the power supply unit 45 of the music server 50 has a charging function for the portable recording / playback device 70, it can be used to prevent unauthorized use of music data. For example, interfaces 34 and 35 are integrally configured with charging terminals that provide power for charging. Alternatively, the charging terminal itself may be used to exchange predetermined information between the music server 50 and the portable recording / playback device 70.

【0153】

With such a configuration, when the charging terminal is connected for charging, data is exchanged between the music server 50 and the mobile recording / playback device 70, and the identifier of the mobile recording / playback device 70 is inspected. .. If the identifier registered in the music server 50 is not found, or if it is found but the permission level is low, charging is rejected in the same manner as described in FIG. 12 or 14 above. It is good to do so.

【0154】

In the above description, the present invention is applied to the movement of music data, but this is not limited to this example. That is, by applying the present invention to data in other formats for which copyright exists, such as video data and text data, the copyright of those data can be protected.

【0155】

[Effect of the invention]

As described above, according to the present invention, the movement destination or the user who permits the movement of music data or other copyrighted data is managed at the movement source. Therefore, there is an effect that the copyrighted data can be prevented or restricted from being used by an unauthorized device or an unauthorized user.

【0156】

Further, according to the present invention, data can be moved to a permitted destination, so that the data can be transferred to a legitimate user or device while protecting the rights of the copyright holder. There is an effect that it can be used without being restricted by the movement or replication route.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is a schematic diagram which shows roughly the music server by this invention and the system using the music server.

[Figure 2]

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the structure of a music server.

[Fig. 3]

It is a figure which shows schematic the signal flow until the music data read by a CD-ROM drive is recorded in HDD.

[Fig. 4]

It is a figure which shows schematic the signal flow until the compressed music data read from HDD is reproduced and derived to a terminal.

[Fig. 5]

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the portable recording / playback apparatus.

[Fig. 6]

It is a block diagram which shows another example of a portable recording / playback apparatus.

[Fig. 7]

It is a flowchart of an example of a process at the time of recording a music data of a CD in an HDD in a music server.

[Fig. 8]

It is a flowchart which shows an example of the billing process when the music data of a CD is recorded in HDD at high speed.

[Fig. 9]

It is a flowchart of an example of the process of moving music data by this invention.

[Fig. 10]

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the moving destination device identifier management table.

[Fig. 11]

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the data management table in which a music data identifier and a movement flag are managed.

[Fig. 12]

It is a flowchart of an example of the process of moving music data using the moving destination device identifier management table and the data management table.

[Fig. 13]

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the data management table which set the expiration date for each music data.

[Fig. 14]

It is a flowchart of an example of the process of moving music data from a moving source to a moving destination when an expiration date is set.

[Fig. 15]

It is a flowchart of an example of a process of playing music data with an expiration date set at a moving destination.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Music server input means, 8 ... Music server CPU, 9 ... CD-ROM drive, 10 ... Music server hard disk drive, 11 ... Music server buffer memory DRAM , 12 ... Music server compression encoder, 19 ... Communication line, 20 ... Modem, 21 ... Music server compression decoder, 26 ... Music server LCD, 34,35 ... Interface , 40 ... Bus, 50 ... Music server, 55 ... CD, 60 ... Internet server, 70 ... Portable recording / playback device, 106 ... Hard disk drive or flash RAM of portable recording / playback device , 107 ... DRAM as a buffer memory of a portable recording / playback device, 108 ... compression encoder of a portable recording / playback device, 115 ... compression decoder of a portable recording / playback device, 120 ... LCD of a portable recording / playback device , 130 Bus of portable recording / playback device, 200 Switch circuit