Abstract: An information reproducing method and an information reproducing device in which the key renewal block (KRB) of the latest version is selectively used to encrypt the content to store the encrypted contents in a recording medium. A plural number of KRBs of different generations and versions are stored in a recording medium. If the latest KRB is detected, it is stored in a memory unit within the recording and/or reproducing device. A plural number of KRBs having plural different generations or versions are stored on the recording medium. With the present method and device, in storing the content in the recording medium, the latest usable one of the KRB in the memory unit of the reproducing device and plural KRBs on the recording medium is detected to acquire an encrypting key, such as a media key, to execute the content encryption. In this manner, the encrypted content based on a KRB of a newer version can at all times be stored on the recording medium.

Abstract: An information processing system and method using an encryption key block sets sub-trees classified based on data processing ability of the devices (capability) in a key tree in which respective keys are corresponded to a root, nodes and leaves of a tree in which a plurality of devices are constituted as the leaves, generates a sub-enabling key block which is effective for an entity in a managing subject of each sub-tree (entity), and generates an enabling key block decodable only by the entities having common capability. Also, an information processing system and method using an encryption key block manages a partial tree of a key tree (sub-tree), generates a sub-enabling key block based only on a key set corresponding to nodes or leaves included in the sub-tree, and generates an enabling key block decodable only by selected entities by using the sub-enabling key block.

Abstract: After a reproduction program is installed on a PC, a key for CD ripping is furnished e.g., from an FD. With the key for CD ripping, the music contents in a CD can be copied to a PC, however, it is not possible to download music contents from an EMD server for copying on a PD. For storing the music contents distributed from the EMD server on the PD, the reproduction program first acquired a key for EMD different from the key for ripping over the network. By so doing, the contents data distributed over the network may be improved in safety.

Abstract: The CPU 11 of the personal computer 1 controls the CPU 32 of the adaptor 26 made of a semiconductor IC to compute a hash value of a content-managing music data base recorded in the HDD 21 and store it into the nonvolatile memory 34. When playing back a content recorded in the HDD 21, the CPU 11 computes the hash value of the music data base recorded in the HDD 21, compares it with hash values stored cumulatively in the nonvolatile memory 34, and controls the playback of the content from the HDD 21 based on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: The CPU of the personal computer controls the CPU of the adaptor made of a semiconductor ID to compute a hash value of a content-managing music data base recorded in the HDD and store it into the nonvolatile memory. When playing back a content recorded in the HDD, the CPU computes the hash value of the music data base recorded in the HDD, compares it with hash values stored cumulatively in the nonvolatile memory, and controls the playback of the content from the HDD based on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: A cipher key is generated by first information shared in secrete between a data transmitting unit 10 and a data receiving unit 20, second information derived from duplication control information of transmit data and third information which is time change information shared between the data transmitting unit and the data receiving unit to cipher data by a CPU 12 by using the above-mentioned cipher key to transmit, from the data transmitting unit 10 to the data receiving unit 20, transmit data in which the duplication control information and the time change information are added to the ciphered data.

Abstract: A client receives encrypted content from content server. The header of the content includes license-identifying information for identifying a license required to utilize the content. The client requests a license server to transmit the license identified by the license-identifying information. When receiving the request for a license, the license server carries out a charging process before transmitting the license to the client. The client stores the license received from the license server. The stored license serves as a condition for encrypting and playing back the content. As a result, content can be distributed with a high degree of freedom and only an authorized user is capable of utilizing the content.

Abstract: A system is provided for preventing recorded data from being illicitly read out and analyzed. An Internet connection interface transmits a program executed by an adapter to an authentication station, whilst receiving the program in an encrypted form from the authentication station. A hard disc records the encrypted program, received from the authentication station. An interface transmits the program recorded on the horizontal direction on the adapter.

Abstract: A recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises converting means 15, 18, and 19 and recording means 23, 24, 32, and 33. The converting means 15, 18, and 19 convert the data structure of data into a file structure handled by software. The recording means 23, 24, 32, and 33 record data on a record medium. The file structure has a first data unit as entity data, a second data unit as a set of a plurality of first data units, and a data portion describing management information for managing the relation of the plurality of first data units and attributes of entity data of the first data units. The data portion contains security information for protecting intangible property rights of data.

Abstract: Even if contents data distributed over a network are once destroyed, the contents data are restored, as the copyright protection is maintained. A PC memorizes backup of distributed music contents on a hard disc, at the same time as it transmits the using log information of the music contents stored in the hard disc to an EMD server. If the music contents in the hard disc are destroyed, the PC acquires the using log information from the EMD server to reproduce the backup data memorized in the hard disc depending on the using log information.

Abstract: A contents database 114 memorizes the discriminating information for discriminating contents and the temporal information as to the time of content duplication associated with the discriminating information. A recording program 113 acquires the discriminating information of contents to be duplicated and duplicates the contents in association with the acquired discriminating information and with the temporal information memorized in the contents database 114. This substantially prohibits duplication in large quantities without significantly impairing the interests of a user.

Abstract: A memory stores a hash value of content management data. When an IEEE1394 interface authenticates a personal computer connected thereto via a network, the IEEE1394 transmits content management data to the personal computer while receiving a hash data of the content management data from the personal computer. The IEEE1394 interface then determines whether the received hash value of the content management data matches the stored hash value of the content management data. This arrangement prevents the unauthorized copying of content data, and limits the number of uses of the content data.

Abstract: The invention provides an enciphering apparatus and method, a deciphering apparatus and method and an information processing apparatus and method by which illegal copying can be prevented with certainty. Data enciphered by a 1394 interface of a DVD player is transmitted to a personal computer and a magneto-optical disk apparatus through a 1394 bus. In the magneto-optical disk apparatus with which a change to a function is open to a user, the received data is deciphered by a 1394 interface. In contrast, in the personal computer with which a change to a function is open to a user, the enciphered data is deciphered using a time variable key by a 1394 interface, and a result of the decipherment is further deciphered using a session key by an application section.

Abstract: A system for preventing recorded data from being illicitly read out and analyzed. An Internet connection interface 11 transmits a program executed by an adapter 7 to an authentication station, whilst receiving the program in an encrypted form from the authentication station. A hard disc 15 records the encrypted program, received from the authentication station. An interface 17 transmits the program recorded on the horizontal direction 15 on the adapter 7.

Abstract: The invention provides an enciphering apparatus and method, a deciphering apparatus and method and an information processing apparatus and method by which illegal copying can be prevented with certainty. Data enciphered by a 1394 interface of a DVD player is transmitted to a personal computer and a magneto-optical disk apparatus through a 1394 bus. In the magneto-optical disk apparatus with which a change to a function is open to a user, the received data is deciphered by a 1394 interface. In contrast, in the personal computer with which a change to a function is open to a user, the enciphered data is deciphered using a time variable key by a 1394 interface, and a result of the decipherment is further deciphered using a session key by an application section.

Abstract: The invention provides an enciphering apparatus and method, a deciphering apparatus and method and an information processing apparatus and method by which illegal copying can be prevented with certainty. Data enciphered by a 1394 interface of a DVD player is transmitted to a personal computer and a magneto-optical disk apparatus through a 1394 bus. In the magneto-optical disk apparatus with which a change to a function is open to a user, the received data is deciphered by a 1394 interface. In contrast, in the personal computer with which a change to a function is open to a user, the enciphered data is deciphered using a time variable key by a 1394 interface, and a result of the decipherment is further deciphered using a session key by an application section.

Abstract: In a tree-structural key distribution system, renewed data of a master key and medium key are sent along with a key renewal block (KRB). KRB is such that each of devices included as leaves of a tree structure has a leaf key and restricted node key. A specific KRB can be generated for a group identified by a specific node and distributed to the group to restrict a device for which the key can be renewed. Any device not belonging to the group cannot decrypt the key, whereby the security of key distribution can be assured. Especially in a system using a generation-managed master key, a master key renewed with KRB can be distributed.

Abstract: In an information processing system and method which enables detection processing of a revoked entity using an enabling key block (EKB), a device or a service provider as a revoked entity is determined on the basis of the enabling key block (EKB) used for key distribution in a tree structure. ID which enables position identification in the hierarchical key distribution tree is stored in a public key certificate and tracing processing using a tag of the enabling key block (EKB) is executed on the basis of the ID acquired from the public key certificate, thus determining whether or not the ID is of a position where EKB processing (decryption) is possible and determining the presence/absence of revocation of an entity corresponding to the ID.

Abstract: This invention relates to an information processing apparatus for managing copyrights under SDMI provisions as well as the copyrights for contents distributed over the Internet. Data Enc(Kc, Content) generated by encrypting a given content using a content key Kc are recorded, along with a header (Header), certificate (Cert), data Enc(KR, Kc) generated by encrypting the content key Kc using a root key KR, and an enabling key block (EKB). The header includes a content ID (CID), a license ID (LID), a URL, and a watermark (WM), supplemented with a header signature Sig(Header). The inventive apparatus is applied to devices that provide contents.

Abstract: An information processing system and method are disclosed in which information processing is performed in a highly efficient manner using an enabling key block (EKB) on the basis of a tree structure including category subtrees. A key tree is produced so as to include a plurality of subtrees that are grouped in accordance with categories and managed by category entities. An EKB is produced so as to include data produced by selecting a path in the key tree and encrypting an upper-level key in the selected path using a lower-level key in the selected path. The resultant EKB is provided to a device. If a change occurs in state of a category tree capable of processing an EKB identified in the EKB type definition list, a notification of the change in state is sent to an entity that uses the EKB thereby making it possible for an EKB requester to perform processing in accordance with a newest EKB.