Communication system, communication apparatus, communication method, storage medium, and package medium

• US 20030041123A1
• Filed: 07/31/2002
• Published: 02/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Sato, Takashi, Toriyama, Mitsuru, Kijima, Kaoru, Kanetsuna, Katsuyuki
• Granted Patent: US 8,090,764 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/28 Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/213 Read-only discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/218 Write-once discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2525 Magneto-optical [MO] discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/61 wherein solid state memory is used for storing A/V content
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2407 : Monitoring of transmitted content, e.g. distribution time, number of downloads arrangements for monitoring programmes for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 : external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 : comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8352 : involving content or source identification data, e.g. Unique Material Identifier [UMID]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 : involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 : by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A communication system is disclosed which includes: a storing element for storing content data corresponding to an image associated with a distributed storage medium; a retrieving element for retrieving address information on a network from the distributed storage medium; an accessing element for accessing the storing element based on the address information retrieved by the retrieving element; and a recording element for recording to the distributed storage medium the content data acquired by the accessing element from the storing element.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

storing means for storing content data corresponding to an image associated with a distributed storage medium;

retrieving means for retrieving address information on a network from the storage medium;

accessing means for accessing said storing means based on the address information retrieved by said retrieving means; and

recording means for recording to said storage medium the content data acquired by said accessing means from said storing means.

2. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said storage medium stores storage medium identification data for identifying said storage medium, along with said address information;

wherein said communication system further comprises judging means for judging whether said storage medium is a legitimate one based on said storage medium identification data retrieved from said storage medium by said retrieving means;

wherein said retrieving means retrieves said storage medium identification data from said storage medium; and

wherein, if said judging means judges said storage medium to be legitimate, then said accessing means gains access to said storing means.

3. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said storing means stores storage medium identification data for identifying said distributed storage medium, along with said content data corresponding to said image associated with said distributed storage medium, said storing medium further storing storage medium identification data for identifying said storage medium along with said address information;

wherein said communication system further comprises judging means for judging whether said storage medium is a legitimate one based on the storage medium identification data acquired by said accessing means as well as on the storage medium identification data retrieved by said retrieving means from said storage medium; and

wherein, if said judging means judges said storage medium to be legitimate, then said recording means records said content data to said storage medium.

4. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said storage medium stores storage medium identification data for identifying said storage medium, along with said address information;

wherein said communication system further comprises judging means for judging whether said storage medium is a legitimate one based on said storage medium identification data;

wherein said retrieving means retrieves said storage medium identification data from said storage medium along with said address information, and said accessing means transmits said storage medium identification data in accordance with said address information;

wherein, if said judging means judges said storage medium to be legitimate based on said storage medium identification data transmitted by said accessing means, then said recording means records to said storage medium the content data acquired by said accessing means.

5. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said storage medium stores storage medium identification data for identifying said storage medium, along with said address information;

and

wherein said storage medium identification data are image data.

6. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said storage medium stores storage medium identification data for identifying said storage medium, along with said address information;

and

wherein said storage medium identification data are provided corresponding to each of content data items recorded to said storage medium.

7. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said content data stored in said storing means are kept up to date.

8. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said content data stored in said storing means are furnished with supplementary data.

9. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said content data stored in said storing means are compressed data.

10. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said content data stored in said storing means may be downloaded by said accessing means during a specific time period.

11. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said content data stored in said storing means may be downloaded by said accessing means a predetermined number of times.

12. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said content data stored in said storing means may be selected by a user.

13. A communication method comprising the steps of:

causing storing means to store content data corresponding to an image associated with a distributed storage medium;

retrieving address information on a network from said storage medium;

accessing said storing means based on the retrieved address information; and

recording to said storage medium the content data acquired in said accessing step from said storing means.

14. A communication apparatus comprising:

storing means for storing storage medium identification data for identifying a distributed storage medium, in association with content data corresponding to a jacket image of said storage medium;

receiving means for receiving the storage medium identification data held on said storage medium, said storage medium identification data being transmitted from a second apparatus based on an address retained on said storage medium;

judging means for judging whether said storage medium is a legitimate one based on said storage medium identification data received by said receiving means;

searching means for searching through said storing means for the content data corresponding to said storage medium identification data; and

transmitting means for transmitting said content data to said second apparatus in accordance with the judgment by said judging means.

15. A communication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said judging means judges whether said storage medium is a legitimate one based on whether said storage medium identification data received by said receiving means are stored in said storing means.

16. A communication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said storage medium identification data are image data.

17. A communication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said storage medium identification data are provided corresponding to each of content data items recorded to said storage medium.

18. A communication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said content data stored in said storing means are kept up to date.

19. A communication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said content data stored in said storing means are furnished with supplementary data.

20. A communication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said content data stored in said storing means are compressed data.

21. A communication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said content data stored in said storing means may be downloaded by said second apparatus during a specific time period.

22. A communication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said content data stored in said storing means may be downloaded by said second apparatus a predetermined number of times.

23. A communication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said searching means searches through said storing means for the content data in accordance with selection data transmitted from said second apparatus.

24. A communication method comprising the steps of:

causing storing means to store storage medium identification data for identifying a distributed storage medium, in association with content data corresponding to a jacket image of said storage medium;

receiving the storage medium identification data held on said storage medium, said storage medium identification data being transmitted from a second apparatus based on an address retained on said storage medium;

judging whether said storage medium is a legitimate one based on said storage medium identification data received;

searching through said storing means for the content data corresponding to said storage medium identification data; and

transmitting said content data to said second apparatus in accordance with the judgment in said judging step.

25. A storage medium that contains a computer program executable by a computer, said computer program comprising the steps of:

causing storing means to store storage medium identification data for identifying a distributed storage medium, in association with content data corresponding to a jacket image of said distributed storage medium;

receiving the storage medium identification data held on said distributed storage medium, said storage medium identification data being transmitted from a second apparatus based on an address retained on said distributed storage medium;

judging whether said distributed storage medium is a legitimate one based on said storage medium identification data received;

searching through said storing means for the content data corresponding to said storage medium identification data; and

transmitting said content data to said second apparatus in accordance with the judgment in said judging step.

26. A communication apparatus comprising:

retrieving means for retrieving information about an address on a network and storage medium identification data for identifying a storage medium, from said storage medium which stores the address information and said storage medium identification data and which has a recording area to which content data are to be recorded;

judging means for judging whether said storage medium is a legitimate one based on said storage medium identification data retrieved by said retrieving means;

recording means which, based on said address information retrieved by said retrieving means, accesses a second apparatus which stores the content data corresponding to a jacket image of said storage medium, said recording means further recording to said recording area of said storage medium the content data transmitted from said second apparatus having been accessed; and

controlling means for controlling said recording means in accordance with the judgment by said judging means.

27. A communication apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said recording means further comprises:

accessing means which, based on said address information retrieved by said retrieving means, accesses said second apparatus which stores the content data corresponding to said jacket image of said storage medium; and

downloading means for recording to said recording area of said storage medium the content data transmitted from said second apparatus having been accessed by said accessing means; and

wherein said controlling means inhibits access to said second apparatus by said accessing means depending on the judgment by said judging means.

28. A communication apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said recording means further comprises:

accessing means which, based on said address information retrieved by said retrieving means, accesses said second apparatus which stores the content data corresponding to said jacket image of said storage medium; and

downloading means for recording to said recording area of said storage medium the content data transmitted from said second apparatus having been accessed by said accessing means; and

wherein said controlling means inhibits downloading of said downloading means depending on the judgment by said judging means.

29. A communication apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising receiving means for receiving from said second apparatus the storage medium identification data corresponding to said address information;

wherein said judging means compares the storage medium identification data received by said receiving means with the storage medium identification data retrieved by said retrieving means to see whether said storage medium is a legitimate one.

30. A communication apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said storage medium identification data are image data.

31. A communication apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said storage medium identification data are provided corresponding to each of content data items recorded to said storage medium.

32. A communication apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said content data stored in said second apparatus are kept up to date.

33. A communication apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said content data stored in said second apparatus are furnished with supplementary data.

34. A communication apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said content data stored in said second apparatus are compressed data.

35. A communication apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said content data stored in said second apparatus may be downloaded during a specific time period.

36. A communication apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said content data stored in said second apparatus may be downloaded a predetermined number of times.

37. A communication apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said content data stored in said second apparatus may be selected by a user.

38. A communication apparatus comprising:

a storing unit for storing a plurality of track data items corresponding to a jacket image of a package accommodating a distributed disc, in association with disc identification data for identifying a legitimate disc;

a receiving unit for receiving said disc identification data that are held on said disc and that are transmitted from a second apparatus;

a judging unit for judging whether said disc is a legitimate disc based on said disc identification data received by said receiving unit;

a searching unit for searching through said storing unit for said plurality of track data items corresponding to said disc identification data; and

a transmitting unit for transmitting to said second apparatus said plurality of track data items retrieved by said searching unit in accordance with the judgment by said judging means.

39. A communication apparatus comprising:

a retrieving unit for retrieving information about an address on a network at which a plurality of track data items are stored corresponding to a jacket image of a package accommodating a distributed disc, and disc identification data for identifying said disc, from a recording medium which stores the address information and said disc identification data and which has a recording area to which said plurality of track data items are to be recorded upon receipt;

a judging unit for judging whether said disc is a legitimate one based on said disc identification data retrieved by said retrieving unit;

an accessing unit which, based on said address information retrieved by said retrieving unit, accesses a second apparatus which stores said plurality of track data items corresponding to said jacket image;

a recording unit for recording to said recording area of said disc said plurality of track data items transmitted from said second apparatus having been accessed by said accessing unit; and

a controller for inhibiting access by said accessing unit depending on the judgment by said judging unit.

40. A package medium comprising:

a package designed to accommodate a disc and having an image; and

a disc which has a ROM area on a radially inner side and a RAM area on a radially outer side thereof, said ROM area accommodating a URL indicating a location where content data corresponding to said image are stored.

41. A package medium according to claim 40, wherein said package has a jacket, and said image is on said jacket.

42. A package medium according to claim 40, wherein said ROM area of said disc carries disc identification data for identifying whether said disc is a legitimate disc corresponding to said image.