Information receiving and recording/reproducing apparatus/method having function for limiting/delimiting for protecting copyright of recording information

• US 5,912,969 A
• Filed: 12/18/1997
• Issued: 06/15/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Maxell Limited (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Nishijima, Hideo, Ono, Hiroaki, Arai, Takao, Okamoto, Hiroo, Owashi, Hitoaki, Sasamoto, Manabu, Amada, Nobutaka, Noguchi, Takaharu
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes, Gail O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Laufer, Pinchus M.
• Application Number:
  US08/993,190
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 380/4, 380/5, 380/10, 380/20, 360/27, 360/60, 348/5.5
• US Class Current: 705/57
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00086 Circuits for prevention of unauthorised reproduction or copying, e.g. piracy indicating unauthorised use of record carriers in general G11B23/28; scrambling for television signal recording H04N5/913; network architectures or network protocols for network security H04L63/00; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/0021 involving encryption or decryption of contents recorded on or reproduced from a record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00246 wherein the key is obtained from a local device, e.g. device key initially stored by the player or by the recorder
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00333 the key being stored in header data, e.g. in sector headers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91335 the copy protection signal being a watermark
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91364 the video signal being scrambled
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4408 involving video stream encryption, e.g. re-encrypting a decrypted video stream for redistribution in a home network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/913 for scrambling ; for copy protection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/1675 Providing digital key or authorisation information for generation or regeneration of the scrambling sequence pseudo-random number generators in general G06F7/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 involving data reduction

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a transmission system for transmitting an information signal, and a reception system including an information receiving unit for receiving the information signal, and an information recording/reproducing unit for recording/reproducing the received information signal on/from a recording medium. The reception system includes a specific information storage circuit for storing specific information which is assigned peculiarly to the reception system in advance, a specific information donating circuit for adding the specific information to the received information signal or encrypting the received information signal on the basis of the specific information to supply the resulting information signal to the information recording/reproducing unit, and a specific information judgement circuit for receiving an information signal reproduced by the information recording/reproducing unit and verifying the information signal with a condition based on the specific information stored in the specific information storage circuit so that when the condition is satisfied, a signal obtained by deleting the specific information added to the reproduced information signal or by decrypting the encrypted information signal is outputted.

Claims

1. A broadcasting information receiving and recording/reproducing apparatus comprising a reception apparatus including an information receiving unit for receiving a broadcast information signal, and an information recording/reproducing unit for recording/reproducing said information signal received by said information receiving unit on/from a recording medium, wherein said reception apparatus further includes:

a specific identification information storage means for storing specific identification information;

a specific identification information adding means for adding said specific identification information to a received said information signal or encrypting the received said information signal based upon said specific identification information and to supply a resulting information signal to said information recording/reproducing unit;

a specific identification information judgement means for receiving a reproduced information signal reproduced by said information recording/reproducing unit and verifying said reproduced information signal using said specific identification information stored in said specific identification information storage means so that when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a signal obtained by deleting said specific identification information added to said received information signal or by decrypting said reproduced information signal based upon said specific identification information is outputted; and

a reception-system decoder for performing a decoding process on a basis of a predetermined coding rule so that said reception-system decoder applies at least a part of said decoding process to the received said information signal to supply a partly decoded signal to said specific information adding means, and said reception-system decoder further receives said signal outputted from said specific identification information judgement means.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information recording/reproducing unit comprises:

an encoding means for encoding, in a predetermined format, said information signal outputted from said specific identification information adding means, a magnetic head group mounted on a rotary drum and provided for recording/reproducing encoded information signal outputted from said encoding means on/from a magnetic tape, a servo means for rotating said rotary drum at a predetermined rotational speed to thereby make said magnetic tape run at a predetermined speed, and a decoding means for decoding said information signal reproduced by said magnetic head group in accordance with the predetermined format and supplying a thus decoded information signal to said specific information judgement means.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

the broadcast said information signal is in a form of a signal which is time-compressed signal by 1/n (where n is an integer); and

said information recording/reproducing unit has a servo means for reproducing recorded information at a speed which is 1/n as high as a recording speed.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information recording/reproducing unit has a magnetic head group mounted on a rotary drum and provided for recording/reproducing said information signal encoded in said predetermined format on/from a magnetic tape, and a servo means for rotating said rotary drum at a predetermined rotational speed at a time of recording said information signal to thereby make said magnetic tape run at a predetermined speed and for rotating said rotary drum at a speed which is m/n (where 1≦

m≦

n, and m and n are integers) as high as said predetermined rotational speed, at a time of reproduction of said information signal to thereby make said magnetic tape run at a speed which is 1/n as high as a recording speed.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a transmission system for transmitting said information signal, said transmission system including a transmission-system encoder for encoding said information signal based on a predetermined coding rule so that said transmission system transmits said information signal encoded by said transmission-system encoder.

6. A broadcasting information receiving method in a reception apparatus having an information receiving unit for receiving a broadcast information signal to obtain a received information signal, and an information recording/reproducing unit for recording/reproducing said received information signal on/from a recording medium, said method comprising the steps of:

storing specific identification information;

adding, by means of a specific identification information adding means, said specific identification information to said received information signal or encrypting said received information signal based upon said specific identification information to supply a resulting information signal to said information recording/reproducing unit;

receiving, by means of a specific identification information judgement means, an information signal reproduced by said information recording/reproducing unit and verifying said information signal using said specific identification information;

outputting a signal obtained by deleting said specific identification information added to said received information signal or by decrypting said decrypted information signal, when a predetermined condition is satisfied; and

including a reception-system decoder for performing a decoding process on a basis of a predetermined coding rule so that said reception-system decoder applies at least part of said decoding process to said received information signal to supply a partly decoded signal to said specific information adding means, and said reception-system decoder further receiving said signal outputted from said specific information judgement means.

7. A method according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting, from a transmission system, said information signal obtained by encoding said information signal based on a predetermined coding rule, while said reception system decodes an encoded said information signal on a basis of said predetermined coding rule.

8. A broadcasting information receiving and recording/reproducing apparatus comprising a reception apparatus including an information receiving unit for receiving a broadcast information signal encoded on a basis of a predetermined coding rule, and an information recording/reproducing unit for recording said information signal received by said information receiving unit on/from recording medium, wherein said reception apparatus further includes:

a reception-apparatus decoder for performing a decoding process on a basis of said predetermined coding rule;

a specific identification information storage means for storing specific identification information;

a specific identification information adding means for adding said specific identification information to a received said information signal or encrypting said information signal based upon said specific identification information, to supply a resulting information signal to said information recording/reproducing unit; and

a specific identification information judgement means for receiving a reproduced information signal from said information recording/reproducing unit and verifying said reproduced information signal using said specific identification information stored in said specific identification information storage means so that when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a signal obtained by deleting said specific identification information signal or by decrypting said reproduced information signal is outputted; and

said reception-apparatus decoder applies at least a part of said decoding process to the received said information signal to supply a partly decoded signal to said specific identification information adding means, and said reception-system decoder further receives said signal outputted from said specific identification information judgement means.

9. A broadcasting information receiving method in a reception apparatus having an information receiving unit for receiving a broadcast information signal encoded on a basis of a predetermined coding rule, and an information recording/reproducing unit for recording/reproducing said received information signal on/from a recording medium, said method comprising the steps of:

performing, by means of a reception-apparatus decoder, a decoding process which decodes a received said information signal on a basis of said predetermined coding rule;

storing a specific identification information;

adding, by means of a specific identification information adding means, said specific identification information to the received said information signal or encrypting said information signal based upon said specific identification information to supply a resulting information signal to said information recording/reproducing unit;

receiving, by means of a specific identification information judgement means, a reproduced information signal from said information recording/reproducing unit and verifying a predetermined condition between said reproduced information signal and said specific identification information stored in said specific identification information storage means; and

outputting a signal obtained by deleting said specific identification information added to said reproduced information signal or by decrypting said reproduced information signal, when said predetermined condition is satisfied; and

said reception-apparatus decoder applies at least a part of said decoding process to the received said information signal to supply a partly decoded signal to said specific identification information adding means, and said reception-system decoder further receives said signal outputted from said specific identification information judgement means.

10. A broadcasting information receiving apparatus including an information receiving unit for receiving a broadcast information signal, and a reception apparatus which further includes:

a specific identification information storage means for storing specific identification information;

a specific identification information adding means for adding said specific identification information to a received said information signal or encrypting the received said information signal based upon said specific identification information, and to output a resulting information signal; and

a specific identification information judgement means for being inputted a reproduced information signal and verifying said reproduced information signal using said specific identification information stored in said specific identification information storage means so that when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a signal obtained by deleting said specific identification information added to said received information signal or by decrypting said reproduced information signal is outputted; and

said reception apparatus includes a reception-system decoder for performing a decoding process on a basis of a predetermined coding rule so that said reception-system decoder applies at least a part of said decoding process to said received information signal to supply a partly decoded signal to said specific identification information adding means, and said reception-system decoder further receives said signal outputted from said specific identification information judgement means.

11. A broadcasting information receiving method in a reception apparatus having an information receiving unit for receiving a broadcast information signal, said method comprising steps of:

storing specific identification information in a specific identification information storage means;

adding, by means of a specific identification information adding means, said specific identification information to a received said information signal or encrypting the received said information signal based upon said specific identification information to output a resulting information signal;

receiving, by means of a specific identification information judgement means, a reproduced information signal and verifying said reproduced information signal using said specific identification information stored in said specific identification information storage means;

outputting a signal, obtained by deleting said specific identification information from said reproduced information signal or by decrypting said reproduced information signal when a predetermined condition is satisfied; and

providing a reception apparatus including a reception-system decoder for performing a decoding process on a basis of a predetermined coding rule so that said reception-system decoder applies at least a part of said decoding process to the received said information signal to supply a partly decoded signal to said specific identification information adding means, and said reception-system decoder further receiving a signal outputted from said specific identification information judgement means.

12. A broadcasting information receiving apparatus including an information receiving unit for receiving a broadcast information signal, and a reception apparatus which further includes:

a specific identification information storage means for storing specific identification information;

a specific identification information adding means for adding said specific identification information to a received said information signal or encrypting the received said information signal based upon said specific identification information, and to output a resulting information signal; and

a specific identification information judgement means for being inputted an information signal and verifying said information signal using said specific identification information stored in said specific identification information storage means so that when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a signal obtained by deleting said specific identification information added to said received information signal or by decrypting an encrypted said information signal is outputted; and

said reception apparatus includes a reception-system decoder for performing a decoding process on a basis of a predetermined coding rule so that said reception-system decoder applies at least a part of said decoding process to said received information signal to supply a partly decoded signal to said specific identification information adding means, and said reception-system decoder further receives said signal outputted from said specific identification information judgement means.

13. A broadcasting information receiving method in a reception apparatus having an information receiving unit for receiving a broadcast information signal, said method comprising steps of:

storing specific identification information in a specific identification information storage means;

adding, by means of a specific identification information adding means, said specific identification information to a received said information signal or encrypting the received said information signal based upon said specific identification information to output a resulting information signal;

receiving, by means of a specific identification information judgement means, an information signal and verifying said information signal using said specific identification information stored in said specific identification information storage means;

outputting a signal, obtained by deleting said specific identification information added to said received information signal or by decrypting an encrypted said information signal when a predetermined condition is satisfied; and

providing a reception apparatus including a reception-system decoder for performing a decoding process on a basis of a predetermined coding rule so that said reception-system decoder applies at least a part of said decoding process to the received said information signal to supply a partly decoded signal to said specific identification information adding means, and said reception-system decoder further receiving a signal outputted from said specific identification information judgement means.

14. A broadcasting information receiving apparatus including an information receiving unit for receiving a broadcast information signal, and a reception apparatus which further includes:

a specific identification information memory which stores specific identification information;

a specific identification information adder which adds said specific identification information to a received said information signal or which encrypts the received said information signal based upon said specific identification information, and which outputs a resulting information signal; and

a specific identification information judgement circuit which is inputted an information signal and which verifies said information signal using said specific identification information stored in said specific identification information memory so that when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a signal obtained by deleting said specific identification information added to said received information signal or by decrypting an encrypted said information signal is outputted; and

said reception apparatus includes a reception-system decoder which performs a decoding process on a basis of a predetermined coding rule so that said reception-system decoder applies at least a part of said decoding process to said received information signal to supply a partly decoded signal to said specific identification information adder, and said reception-system decoder further receives said signal outputted from said specific identification information judgement circuit.

15. A broadcasting information receiving method in a reception apparatus having an information receiving unit for receiving a broadcast information signal, said method comprising steps of:

storing specific identification information in a specific identification information memory;

adding, using a specific identification information adder, said specific identification information to a received said information signal or encrypting the received said information signal based upon said specific identification information to output a resulting information signal;

receiving, using a specific identification information judgement circuit, an information signal and verifying said information signal using said specific identification information stored in said specific identification information memory;

outputting a signal, obtained by deleting said specific identification information added to said received information signal or by decrypting an encrypted said information signal when a predetermined condition is satisfied; and

providing a reception apparatus including a reception-system decoder for performing a decoding process on a basis of a predetermined coding rule so that said reception-system decoder applies at least a part of said decoding process to the received said information signal to supply a partly decoded signal to said specific identification information adder, and said reception-system decoder further receiving a signal outputted from said specific identification information judgement circuit.