Digital information recording apparatus, reproducing apparatus and transmitting apparatus

• US 10,529,372 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2017
• Issued: 01/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maxell, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Maxell, Ltd.
• Inventors: Okamoto, Hiroo, Owashi, Hitoaki, Yoshioka, Atsushi
• Primary Examiner(s): Zhao, Daquan
• Application Number:
  US15/690,640
• Publication Number:
  US 20170365292A1
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 386239, 386248, 386252
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/06 by counting or timing of machine operations
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/122 involving the detection of an identification or authentication mark record carriers indicating unauthorised or prior use G11B23/28
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00166 involving measures which result in a restriction to authorised contents recorded on or reproduced from a record carrier, e.g. music or software
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00688 said measures preventing that a usable copy of recorded data can be made on another medium
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10527 Audio or video recording; Data buffering arrangements G11B20/12 - G11B20/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/10537 Audio or video recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91314 the copy protection signal being a pulse signal inserted in blanking intervals of the video signal, e.g. pseudo-AGC pulses, pseudo-sync pulses
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91328 the copy protection signal being a copy management signal, e.g. a copy generation management signal [CGMS]
• 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 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44204 Monitoring of content usage, e.g. the number of times a movie has been viewed, copied or the amount which has been watched monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; protecting generic digital content where the protection is independent of the precise nature of the content G06F21/10; arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services in broadcast systems H04H60/31
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4542 Blocking scenes or portions of the received content, e.g. censoring scenes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/913 for scrambling ; for copy protection

Abstract

A digital information recording apparatus includes a recording circuit for recording information of a retention period included in the digital information and indicating a period for permitting the digital information to be held in the recording medium, starting with a time at which the digital information is recorded on the recording medium; and information of a playback permission period included in the digital information and indicating a period for permitting the digital information to be played back starting with a time at which the information is reproduced initially following recording of the digital information on the recording medium, permitting temporary recording or copying for the information permitted for “copy never” or “copy one generation.”

Claims

1. A reproducing system, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive an audio/video information encrypted according to a predetermined encryption method and control information related to the audio/video information, the control information for controlling reproduction of the audio/video information after distribution and at a location different from a distribution location;

a memory configured to at least temporarily store at least a portion of the audio/video information and at least a portion of the control information;

a detector configured to detect at least a portion of the control information, including data indicative of a first period for enabling a reproduction of the audio/video information and disabling reproduction after expiration of a prescribed time and a second period, that begins at a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information within the first period and is shorter than the first period, for enabling a reproduction of the audio/video information and disabling reproduction after expiration of a prescribed time following the start of the initial reproduction of the audio/video information;

a decryptor configured to decrypt the audio/video information encrypted according to the predetermined encryption method;

a reproducer configured to reproduce at least a portion of the audio/video information from the memory consistent with restrictions associated with the first period and the second period through decryption by the decryptor; and

a controller configured to control at least the reproducer,

wherein, in a case where the controller confirms that an elapsed time from a start of the first period is within the first period and an elapsed time from a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information is within the second period, the controller is configured to, based on at least a portion of the control information detected by the detector, allow the reproducer to reproduce the audio/video information,

wherein, in a case where the controller confirms that a reproduction of the audio/video information is started before an end of the first period and the reproduction is continuing at the end of the first period, the controller is configured to, based on at least a portion of the control information detected by the detector, allow the reproducer to reproduce the audio/video information to an end of the audio/video information beyond the end of the first period and thereafter not allow the reproducer to start an another reproduction of the audio/video information even if an elapsed time from a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information is within the second period.

2. The reproducing system according to claim 1,

wherein the audio/video information is embedded with at least a portion of the control information.

3. The reproducing system according to claim 1,

wherein the control information is embedded as a watermark in the audio/video information.

4. The reproducing system according to claim 1,

wherein the control information includes data indicative of user identification information for permitting a specified user to reproduce the audio/video information.

5. The reproducing system according to claim 1,

wherein the reproduction to the end of the audio/video information beyond the end of the first period is enabled if the reproduction is not stopped.

6. The reproducing system according to claim 1,

wherein the memory is configured to keep storing the audio/video information after the end of the first period, and a start of a reproduction is disabled after the end of the first period.

7. A reproducing system, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive an audio/video information which is encrypted according to a predetermined encryption method and is restricted from reproduction based on at least a portion of control information, including data indicative of a first period for enabling a reproduction of the audio/video information and disabling reproduction after expiration of a prescribed time and a second period, that begins at a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information within the first period and is shorter than the first period, for enabling a reproduction of the audio/video information and disabling reproduction after expiration of a prescribed time following the start of the initial reproduction of the audio/video information;

a decryptor configured to decrypt the audio/video information encrypted according to the predetermined encryption method and received by the receiver;

a reproducer configured to reproduce at least a portion of the audio/video information consistent with restrictions associated with the first period and the second period through decryption by the decryptor; and

a controller configured to control at least the reproducer,

wherein, in a case where the controller confirms that an elapsed time from a start of the first period is within the first period and an elapsed time from a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information is within the second period, the controller is configured to, based on at least a portion of the control information, allow the reproducer to reproduce the audio/video information,

wherein, in a case where the controller confirms that a reproduction of the audio/video information is started before an end of the first period and the reproduction is continuing at the end of the first period, the controller is configured to, based on at least a portion of the control information, allow the reproducer to reproduce the audio/video information to an end of the audio/video information beyond the end of the first period and thereafter not allow the reproducer to start an another reproduction of the audio/video information even if an elapsed time from a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information is within the second period.

8. The reproducing system according to claim 7,

wherein the control information includes data indicative of user identification information for permitting a specified user to reproduce the audio/video information.

9. The reproducing system according to claim 7,

wherein the reproduction to the end of the audio/video information beyond the end of the first period is enabled if the reproduction is not stopped.

10. A transmitting system, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a request of a user;

a transmitter configured to transmit an audio/video information to an external reproducing system in response to the request of the user, wherein the audio/video information is encrypted according to a predetermined encryption method and is restricted from reproduction based on at least a portion of control information, including data indicative of a first period for enabling a reproduction of the audio/video information and disabling reproduction after expiration of a prescribed time and a second period, that begins at a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information within the first period and is shorter than the first period, for enabling a reproduction of the audio/video information and disabling reproduction after expiration of a prescribed time following the start of the initial reproduction of the audio/video information;

wherein at least a portion of the control information is for controlling a reproduction of the external reproducing system, in a case where an elapsed time from a start of the first period is within the first period and an elapsed time from a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information is within the second period, to allow the reproduction of the audio/video information by the external reproducing system, and, in a case where a reproduction of the audio/video information by the external reproducing system is started before an end of the first period and the reproduction is continuing at the end of the first period, to allow the reproduction to an end of the audio/video information beyond the end of the first period and thereafter not allow a start of an another reproduction of the audio/video information even if an elapsed time from a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information is within the second period.

11. The transmitting system according to claim 10,

wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the audio/video information with at least a portion of the control information related to the audio/video information to the external reproducing system.

12. The transmitting system according to claim 11,

wherein at least a portion of the control information to be transmitted by the transmitter is embedded as a watermark in the encrypted audio/video information.

13. The transmitting system according to claim 10,

wherein the control information includes data indicative of user identification information for permitting a specified user to reproduce the audio/video information.

14. The transmitting system according to claim 10,

wherein, in a case that the audio/video information is reproduced once by the external reproducing system and thereafter moved to another external reproducing system, a reproduction of the audio/video information moved to the other external reproducing system is restricted based on a period which is decremented from at least one of the first period or the second period.

15. The transmitting system according to claim 10, further comprising

an encryptor configured to encrypt the audio/video information in advance of transmitting to the external reproducing system.

16. A reproducing system, comprising:

a receiving means for receiving an audio/video information encrypted according to a predetermined encryption method and control information related to the audio/video information, the control information for controlling reproduction of the audio/video information after distribution and at a location different from a distribution location;

a storing means for at least temporarily storing at least a portion of the audio/video information and at least a portion of the control information;

a detecting means for detecting at least a portion of the control information, including data indicative of a first period for enabling a reproduction of the audio/video information and disabling reproduction after expiration of a prescribed time and a second period, that begins at a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information within the first period and is shorter than the first period, for enabling a reproduction of the audio/video information and disabling reproduction after expiration of a prescribed time following the start of the initial reproduction of the audio/video information;

a decrypting means for decrypting the audio/video information encrypted according to the predetermined encryption method;

a reproducing means for reproducing at least a portion of the audio/video information from the memory consistent with restrictions associated with the first period and the second period through decryption by the decrypting means; and

a controlling means for controlling at least the reproducer,

wherein, in a case where the controlling means confirms that an elapsed time from a start of the first period is within the first period and an elapsed time from a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information is within the second period, the controlling means is configured to, based on at least a portion of the control information detected by the detecting means, allow the reproducing means to reproduce the audio/video information,

wherein, in a case where the controlling means confirms that a reproduction of the audio/video information is started before an end of the first period and the reproduction is continuing at the end of the first period, the controlling means is configured to, based on at least a portion of the control information detected by the detecting means, allow the reproducing means to reproduce the audio/video information to an end of the audio/video information beyond the end of the first period and thereafter not allow the reproducing means to start an another reproduction of the audio/video information even if an elapsed time from a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information is within the second period.

17. The reproducing system according to claim 16,

wherein the audio/video information is embedded with at least a portion of the control information.

18. The reproducing system according to claim 16,

wherein the control information is embedded as a watermark in the audio/video information.

19. The reproducing system according to claim 16,

wherein the control information includes data indicative of user identification information for permitting a specified user to reproduce the audio/video information.

20. The reproducing system according to claim 16,

wherein the reproduction to the end of the audio/video information beyond the end of the first period is enabled if the reproduction is not stopped.

21. The reproducing system according to claim 16,

wherein the storing means keeps storing the audio/video information after the end of the first period, and a start of a reproduction is disabled after the end of the first period.

22. A reproducing system, comprising:

a receiving means for receiving an audio/video information which is encrypted according to a predetermined encryption method and is restricted from reproduction based on at least a portion of control information, including data indicative of a first period for enabling a reproduction of the audio/video information and disabling reproduction after expiration of a prescribed time and a second period, that begins at a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information within the first period and is shorter than the first period, for enabling a reproduction of the audio/video information and disabling reproduction after expiration of a prescribed time following the start of the initial reproduction of the audio/video information;

a decrypting means for decrypting the audio/video information encrypted according to the predetermined encryption method and received by the receiving means;

a reproducing means for reproducing at least a portion of the audio/video information consistent with restrictions associated with the first period and the second period through decryption by the decrypting means; and

a controlling means for controlling at least the reproducing means,

wherein, in a case where the controlling means confirms that an elapsed time from a start of the first period is within the first period and an elapsed time from a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information is within the second period, the controlling means is configured to, based on at least a portion of the control information, allow the reproducing means to reproduce the audio/video information,

wherein, in a case where the controlling means confirms that a reproduction of the audio/video information is started before an end of the first period and the reproduction is continuing at the end of the first period, the controlling means is configured to, based on at least a portion of the control information, allow the reproducing means to reproduce the audio/video information to an end of the audio/video information beyond the end of the first period and thereafter not allow the reproducing means to start an another reproduction of the audio/video information even if an elapsed time from a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information is within the second period.

23. The reproducing system according to claim 22,

wherein the control information includes data indicative of user identification information for permitting a specified user to reproduce the audio/video information.

24. The reproducing system according to claim 22,

wherein the reproduction to the end of the audio/video information beyond the end of the first period is enabled if the reproduction is not stopped.

25. A transmitting system, comprising:

a receiving means for receiving a request of a user;

a transmitting means for transmitting an audio/video information to an external reproducing system in response to the request of the user, wherein the audio/video information is encrypted according to a predetermined encryption method and is restricted from reproduction based on at least a portion of control information, including data indicative of a first period for enabling a reproduction of the audio/video information and disabling reproduction after expiration of a prescribed time and a second period, that begins at a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information within the first period and is shorter than the first period, for enabling a reproduction of the audio/video information and disabling reproduction after expiration of a prescribed time following the start of the initial reproduction of the audio/video information;

wherein at least a portion of the control information is for controlling a reproduction of the external reproducing system, in a case where an elapsed time from a start of the first period is within the first period and an elapsed time from a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information is within the second period, to allow the reproduction of the audio/video information by the external reproducing system, and, in a case where a reproduction of the audio/video information by the external reproducing system is started before an end of the first period and the reproduction is continuing at the end of the first period, to allow the reproduction to an end of the audio/video information beyond the end of the first period and thereafter not allow a start of an another reproduction of the audio/video information even if an elapsed time from a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information is within the second period.

26. The transmitting system according to claim 25,

wherein the transmitting means is configured to transmit the audio/video information with at least a portion of the control information related to the audio/video information to the external reproducing system.

27. The transmitting system according to claim 25,

wherein at least a portion of the control information to be transmitted by the transmitter is embedded as a watermark in the encrypted audio/video information.

28. The transmitting system according to claim 25,

wherein the control information includes data indicative of user identification information for permitting a specified user to reproduce the audio/video information.

29. The transmitting system according to claim 25,

wherein, in a case that the audio/video information is reproduced once by the external reproducing system and thereafter moved to another external reproducing system, a reproduction of the audio/video information moved to the other external reproducing system is restricted based on a period which is decremented from at least one of the first period or the second period.

30. The transmitting system according to claim 25, further comprising

an encrypting means for encrypting the audio/video information in advance of transmitting to the external reproducing system.

31. A method, comprising:

receiving an audio/video information encrypted according to a predetermined encryption method and control information related to the audio/video information by a receiver, the control information for controlling reproduction of the audio/video information after distribution and at a location different from a distribution location;

at least temporarily storing at least a portion of the audio/video information and at least a portion of the control information in a memory;

detecting by a detector at least a portion of the control information, including data indicative of a first period for enabling a reproduction of the audio/video information and disabling reproduction after expiration of a prescribed time and a second period, that begins at a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information within the first period and is shorter than the first period, for enabling a reproduction of the audio/video information and disabling reproduction after expiration of a prescribed time following the start of the initial reproduction of the audio/video information;

decrypting the audio/video information encrypted according to the predetermined encryption method by a decryptor;

reproducing by a reproducer at least a portion of the audio/video information from the memory consistent with restrictions associated with the first period and the second period through decryption by the decryptor; and

controlling at least the reproducer by a controller,

wherein, in a case where the controller confirms that an elapsed time from a start of the first period is within the first period and an elapsed time from a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information is within the second period, the controller is configured to, based on at least a portion of the control information detected by the detector, allow the reproducer to reproduce the audio/video information,

wherein, in a case where the controller confirms that a reproduction of the audio/video information is started before an end of the first period and the reproduction is continuing at the end of the first period, the controller is configured to, based on at least a portion of the control information detected by the detector, allow the reproducer to reproduce the audio/video information to an end of the audio/video information beyond the end of the first period and thereafter not allow the reproducer to start an another reproduction of the audio/video information even if an elapsed time from a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information is within the second period.

32. The method according to claim 31,

wherein the audio/video information is embedded with at least a portion of the control information.

33. The method according to claim 31,

wherein the control information is embedded as a watermark in the audio/video information.

34. The method according to claim 31,

wherein the control information includes data indicative of user identification information for permitting a specified user to reproduce the audio/video information.

35. The method according to claim 31,

wherein the reproduction to the end of the audio/video information beyond the end of the first period is enabled if the reproduction is not stopped.

36. The method according to claim 31,

wherein the memory is configured to keep storing the audio/video information after the end of the first period, and a start of a reproduction is disabled after the end of the first period.

37. A method, comprising:

receiving by a receiver an audio/video information which is encrypted according to a predetermined encryption method and is restricted from reproduction based on at least a portion of control information, including data indicative of a first period for enabling a reproduction of the audio/video information and disabling reproduction after expiration of a prescribed time and a second period, that begins at a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information within the first period and is shorter than the first period, for enabling a reproduction of the audio/video information and disabling reproduction after expiration of a prescribed time following the start of the initial reproduction of the audio/video information;

decrypting by a decryptor the audio/video information encrypted according to the predetermined encryption method and received by the receiver;

reproducing by a reproducer at least a portion of the audio/video information consistent with restrictions associated with the first period and the second period through decryption by the decryptor; and

a controlling at least the reproducer,

wherein, in a case where the controller confirms that an elapsed time from a start of the first period is within the first period and an elapsed time from a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information is within the second period, the controller is configured to, based on at least a portion of the control information, allow the reproducer to reproduce the audio/video information,

wherein, in a case where the controller confirms that a reproduction of the audio/video information is started before an end of the first period and the reproduction is continuing at the end of the first period, the controller is configured to, based on at least a portion of the control information, allow the reproducer to reproduce the audio/video information to an end of the audio/video information beyond the end of the first period and thereafter not allow the reproducer to start an another reproduction of the audio/video information even if an elapsed time from a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information is within the second period.

38. The method according to claim 37,

wherein the control information includes data indicative of user identification information for permitting a specified user to reproduce the audio/video information.

39. The method according to claim 37,

wherein the reproduction to the end of the audio/video information beyond the end of the first period is enabled if the reproduction is not stopped.

40. A method, comprising:

receiving a request of a user by a receiver;

transmitting an audio/video information to an external reproducing system by a transmitter in response to the request of the user, wherein the audio/video information is encrypted according to a predetermined encryption method and is restricted from reproduction based on at least a portion of control information, including data indicative of a first period for enabling a reproduction of the audio/video information and disabling reproduction after expiration of a prescribed time and a second period, that begins at a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information within the first period and is shorter than the first period, for enabling a reproduction of the audio/video information and disabling reproduction after expiration of a prescribed time following the start of the initial reproduction of the audio/video information;

wherein at least a portion of the control information is for controlling a reproduction of the external reproducing system, in a case where an elapsed time from a start of the first period is within the first period and an elapsed time from a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information is within the second period, to allow the reproduction of the audio/video information by the external reproducing system, and, in a case where a reproduction of the audio/video information by the external reproducing system is started before an end of the first period and the reproduction is continuing at the end of the first period, to allow the reproduction to an end of the audio/video information beyond the end of the first period and thereafter not allow a start of an another reproduction of the audio/video information even if an elapsed time from a start of an initial reproduction of the audio/video information is within the second period.

41. The method according to claim 40,

wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the audio/video information with at least a portion of the control information related to the audio/video information to the external reproducing system.

42. The method according to claim 40,

wherein at least a portion of the control information to be transmitted by the transmitter is embedded as a watermark in the encrypted audio/video information.

43. The method according to claim 40,

wherein the control information includes data indicative of user identification information for permitting a specified user to reproduce the audio/video information.

44. The method according to claim 40,

wherein, in a case that the audio/video information is reproduced once by the external reproducing system and thereafter moved to another external reproducing system, a reproduction of the audio/video information moved to the other external reproducing system is restricted based on a period which is decremented from at least one of the first period or the second period.

45. The method according to claim 40, further comprising

encrypting the audio/video information by a encryptor in advance of transmitting to the external reproducing system.