Information carrier and recording and/or reproducing apparatus and/or initializing apparatus

• US 5,974,140 A
• Filed: 06/24/1996
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Tanaka, Shinichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Barron, Gilberto
• Application Number:
  US08/669,643
• Time in Patent Office: 1,219 Days
• Field of Search: 380/4, 380/25, 360/60
• US Class Current: 705/52
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/16 Program or content traceability, e.g. by watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2211/007 Encryption, En-/decode, En-/decipher, En-/decypher, Scramble, (De-)compress
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2135 Metering
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/02 Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing
• 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 20/00115 wherein the record carrier stores a unique medium identifier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00188 involving measures which result in a restriction to authorised devices recording or reproducing contents to/from a record carrier
• 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 20/00253 wherein the key is stored on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00304 the key being stored in the lead-in area [LIA]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00347 wherein the medium identifier is used as a key
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00557 wherein further management data is encrypted, e.g. sector headers, TOC or the lead-in or lead-out areas
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00695 said measures preventing that data are read from the recording medium
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/0071 involving a purchase action
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00746 wherein the usage restriction can be expressed as a specific number
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00876 wherein physical copy protection means are attached to the medium, e.g. holograms, sensors, or additional semiconductor circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/12 Formatting, e.g. arrangement of data block or words on the record carriers within interface between computers and data recorders G06F3/06
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0302 Auxiliary features
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0305 : Semiconductor memories
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/28 : Indicating or preventing prior or unauthorised use, e.g. cassettes with sealing or locking means, write-protect devices for discs write-protect devices for tapes G11B23/042, G11B23/08714; dummy cassettes for locking in the drive G11B33/005
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/284 : on the record carrier

Abstract

ID codes are given individually to each reproducing apparatus. An information carrier has a subsidiary storing area for recording reproduction-management-information (RMI) and ID codes can be registered in this area. When the ID code is registered, the reproducing apparatus is permitted to reproduce main information from the information carrier. When a reproducing apparatus with an unregistered ID code tries to reproduce the main information, the ID code of the reproducing apparatus itself is registered in the RMI of the information carrier and the main information is reproduced. The number of ID codes for permitting registration in the RMI is limited. When the area for registering the ID code is fully occupied, the main information cannot be reproduced by reproducing apparatuses that have unregistered ID codes. When the reproducing apparatus digitally copies the main information reproduced from the information carrier where the ID code of the reproducing apparatus is registered, the ID code of the reproducing apparatus is registered in the information carrier of the copy destination. An initializing apparatus for initializing the RMI in the information carrier accumulates the total number of ID codes registrable in the RMIs of the information carriers initialized by the initializing apparatus.

Claims

1. A reproducing apparatus for reproducing main information comprising at least one unit information retrieved from an information carrier provided with a recorded medium for carrying the main information on it and a subsidiary storing area for storing a reproducing-management-information (RMI) according to each of the unit information in order to manage a reproduction operation of each of the unit information, said apparatus comprising:

reproducing means for reproducing the main information from a recording surface of the recorded medium of the information carrier,

ID code storing means for storing a predetermined number, greater than one, of ID codes of reproducing apparatuses, each ID code individually given to the apparatus, on the subsidiary storing area of the information carrier as a part of the RMI without the use of an external apparatus,

RMI reading means for reading the RMI from the subsidiary storing area of the information carrier,

copy protection level checking means for checking a copy protection level of the unit information,

ID code registration means for registering each of the ID codes by storing information corresponding to the ID code on the subsidiary storing area as a part of the RMI in accordance with the copy protection level, and

control means for selecting and executing the reproducing operation of the main information or canceling reproduction for the reproducing means in accordance with the RMI and ID code;

wherein said control means;

activates the ID code registration means when a registering space is available on the subsidiary storing area and the ID code is not registered on the subsidiary storing area,

activates the reproducing means to reproduce the unit information, and

cancels the reproduction command when the ID code is not registered on the subsidiary storing area and the registering space for registering the ID code is not available,

and wherein

the RMI of the information carrier is divided into a first RMI and a second RMI,

the subsidiary storing area is divided into a first portion for storing the first RMI disposed on a case enclosing the recorded medium in it and a second portion for storing the second RMI disposed on the recorded medium, wherein the second RMI includes a key for encrypting/decrypting at least one portion of the first RMI,

the RMI reading means comprises a decryption means for decrypting at least one portion of the encrypted RMI in accordance with the key, and

the ID code registration means comprises an encryption means for encrypting the RMI in accordance with the key.

2. A reproducing apparatus for reproducing main information comprising at least one unit information retrieved from an information carrier provided with a recorded medium for carrying the main information on it and a subsidiary storing area for storing a reproducing-management-information (RMI) according to each of the unit information in order to manage a reproduction operation of each of the unit information, said apparatus comprising:

reproducing means for reproducing the main information from a recording surface of the recorded medium of the information carrier,

ID code storing means for storing a predetermined number, greater than one, of ID codes of reproducing apparatuses, each ID code individually given to the apparatus, on the subsidiary storing area of the information carrier as a part of the RMI without the use of an external apparatus,

RMI reading means for reading the RMI from the subsidiary storing area of the information carrier,

copy protection level checking means for checking a copy protection level of the unit information,

ID code registration means for registering each of the ID codes by storing information corresponding to the ID code on the subsidiary storing area as a part of the RMI in accordance with the copy protection level, and

control means for selecting and executing the reproducing operation of the main information or canceling reproduction for the reproducing means in accordance with the RMI and ID code;

wherein said control means;

activates the ID code registration means when a registering space is available on the subsidiary storing area and the ID code is not registered on the subsidiary storing area,

activates the reproducing means to reproduce the unit information, and

cancels the reproduction command when the ID code is not registered on the subsidiary storing area and the registering space for registering the ID code is not available,

and wherein

the RMI of the information carrier is divided into a first RMI and a second RMI,

the subsidiary storing area is divided into a first portion for storing the first RMI disposed in a semiconductor IC mounted on a case enclosing the recorded medium and a second portion for storing the second RMI disposed on the recorded medium,

said semiconductor IC comprises an encryption means for encrypting at least a part of the first RMI,

the second RMI comprises a key for decrypting the encrypted RMI portion, and

the RMI reading means comprises a decryption means for decrypting, in accordance with the key, the encrypted RMI portion read from the semiconductor IC.

3. A reproducing apparatus for reproducing main information comprising at least one unit information retrieved from an information carrier provided with a recorded medium for carrying the main information on it and a subsidiary storing area for storing a reproducing-management-information (RMI) according to each of the unit information in order to manage a reproduction operation of each of the unit information, said apparatus comprising:

reproducing means for reproducing the main information from a recording surface of the recorded medium of the information carrier,

ID code storing means for storing a predetermined number, greater than one, of ID codes of reproducing apparatuses, each ID code individually given to the apparatus, on the subsidiary storing area of the information carrier as a part of the RMI without the use of an external apparatus,

RMI reading means for reading the RMI from the subsidiary storing area of the information carrier,

copy protection level checking means for checking a copy protection level of the unit information,

ID code registration means for registering each of the ID codes by storing information corresponding to the ID code on the subsidiary storing area as a part of the RMI in accordance with the copy protection level, and

control means for selecting and executing the reproducing operation of the main information or canceling reproduction for the reproducing means in accordance with the RMI and ID code;

wherein said control means;

activates the ID code registration means when a registering space is available on the subsidiary storing area and the ID code is not registered on the subsidiary storing area,

activates the reproducing means to reproduce the unit information, and

cancels the reproduction command when the ID code is not registered on the subsidiary storing area and the registering space for registering the ID code is not available,

and wherein

the RMI is divided into a first RMI and a second RMI,

the subsidiary storing area is divided into a first portion for storing the first RMI disposed in a semiconductor IC mounted on a case enclosing the recorded medium and a second portion for storing the second RMI disposed on the recorded medium,

said semiconductor IC comprises a decryption means for decrypting and outputting an encrypted first RMI,

the second RMI comprises a key for encrypting the first RMI, and

the ID code registration means comprises an encryption means for encrypting the first RMI in accordance with the key.

4. A reproducing apparatus for reproducing main information comprising at least one unit information retrieved from an information carrier provided with a recorded medium for carrying the main information on it and a subsidiary storing area for storing a reproducing-management-information (RMI) according to each of the unit information in order to manage a reproduction operation of each of the unit information, said apparatus comprising:

reproducing means for reproducing the main information from a recording surface of the recorded medium of the information carrier,

ID code storing means for storing a predetermined number, greater than one, of ID codes of reproducing apparatuses, each ID code individually given to the apparatus, on the subsidiary storing area of the information carrier as a part of the RMI without the use of an external apparatus,

RMI reading means for reading the RMI from the subsidiary storing area of the information carrier,

copy protection level checking means for checking a copy protection level of the unit information,

ID code registration means for registering each of the ID codes by storing information corresponding to the ID code on the subsidiary storing area as a part of the RMI in accordance with the copy protection level, and

control means for selecting and executing the reproducing operation of the main information or canceling reproduction for the reproducing means in accordance with the RMI and ID code;

wherein the control means;

i) outputs the ID code read from the ID code storing means and the unit information reproduced from the information carrier in digital form; and

ii) controls the outputting of the unit information in accordance with the ID code of the reproduction apparatus.

5. An initializing apparatus for initializing a reproducing-management-information (RMI) on an information carrier provided with a recorded medium for carrying main information comprising at least one unit information and a subsidiary storing area for storing, for each of the unit information, the RMI for managing the reproducing of each of the unit information, said apparatus comprising:

RMI generating means for generating at least one portion of the RMI so that a number of ID codes that are permitted registration may be increased by at least one,

accumulating means for accumulating the number of ID codes that are permitted registration, and

RMI writing means for writing on the subsidiary storing area at least one portion of the generated RMI,

wherein the subsidiary storing area stores a predetermined number, greater than one, of ID codes,

and wherein

the RMI of the information carrier is divided into a first RMI and a second RMI, and

the subsidiary storing area is divided into a first portion for storing the first RMI disposed on a case enclosing the recorded medium and a second portion for storing the second RMI disposed on the recorded medium,

key reading means for extracting a key from a signal reproduced from the second RMI is further provided,

the RMI generating means generates the first RMI and encrypts it in accordance with the key read by the key reading means, and

the RMI writing means writes the first RMI produced by the RMI generating means on the portion of the subsidiary storing area disposed on the case.

6. An information carrier comprising:

an information recorded medium accommodating a main information storing area for recording main information including at least one unit information; and

a subsidiary storing means having a subsidiary storing area for storing reproduction management information (RMI) which includes an ID code given individually for a predetermined number of individual reproducing apparatus to be registered for each unit information, wherein the main information is recorded, in a non-rewritable form, on the information recorded medium;

wherein said subsidiary storing means has first and second subsidiary storing areas for storing first and second reproduction management information, respectively, said first reproduction management information including an ID code given for individual reproducing apparatus, and said second reproduction management information including an encryption/decryption key for encrypting/decrypting the first reproduction management information, and wherein said second subsidiary storing area is disposed on the information recorded medium.

7. An information carrier comprising:

an information recorded medium accommodating a main information storing area for recording main information including at least one unit information; and

a subsidiary storing means having a subsidiary storing area for storing reproduction management information (RMI) which includes an ID code given individually for a predetermined number of individual reproducing apparatus to be registered for each unit information, wherein the main information is recorded, in a non-rewritable form, on the information recorded medium;

wherein said subsidiary storing means has first and second subsidiary storing areas for storing first and second reproduction management information, respectively, said first reproduction management information including an ID code given for individual reproducing apparatus, and said second reproduction management information including an encryption/decryption key for encrypting/decrypting the first reproduction management information, and wherein said second subsidiary storing area is disposed on the information recorded medium;

wherein said first subsidiary storing area is a substantially non-volatile memory which is provided in a semiconductor IC disposed in the information carrier.

8. An information carrier as defined in claim 7, wherein said semiconductor IC includes a decryption means for decrypting the first reproduction management information encrypted with the encryption/decryption key.

9. An information carrier as defined in claim 7, wherein said semiconductor IC includes an encryption means for encrypting the first reproduction management information with the encryption/decryption key.

10. An information carrier comprising:

an information recorded medium accommodating a main information storing area for recording main information including at least one unit information; and

a subsidiary storing means having a subsidiary storing area for storing reproduction management information (RMI) which includes an ID code given individually for a predetermined number of individual reproducing apparatus to be registered for each unit information, wherein the main information is recorded, in a non-rewritable form, on the information recorded medium;

wherein said subsidiary storing means has first and second subsidiary storing areas for storing first and second reproduction management information, respectively, said first reproduction management information including an ID code given for individual reproducing apparatus, and said second reproduction management information including an encryption/decryption key for encrypting/decrypting the first reproduction management information, and wherein said second subsidiary storing area is disposed on the information recorded medium;

wherein said second subsidiary storing area is disposed in the main information storing area on the information recorded medium.