Abstract: An installation error estimating device has a predicted pattern acquirer which obtains a predicted positioning distribution pattern, which is obtained by computing a characteristic pattern of a predicted positioning distribution obtained by predicting a logical positioning distribution, at each observation point where a wireless tag is installed for positioning; and an observation data inputter to which positioning results obtained from the wireless tags by a tag reader are input as observation data. A dispersion pattern analyzer computes a characteristic pattern of a measured positioning distribution, which is obtained by statistical analysis of the applicable positioning result, as a measured positioning distribution pattern at each observation point based on the observation. An installation error estimator computes the installation error for the tag reader using the predicted positioning distribution patterns obtained and the measured positioning distribution patterns computed.

Abstract: The installation error estimating device is capable of enabling error-free high-precision positioning with simple installation.

Abstract: With content management apparatus 110 serving as a copy origin and storage medium 120 as a copy target, the copy origin retains allowed copy count control information on content, and when the content is copied from the copy origin to the copy target, the allowed copy count control information retained at the copy origin before copy processing is updated in accordance with a predetermined rule to generate allowed copy count control information to be retained at the copy origin and allowed copy count control information to be retained at the copy target, and subsequent copy processing at the copy origin is done based on the allowed copy count control information retained at the copy origin, whereas subsequent copy processing on the content stored in storage medium 120 is done based on the allowed copy count control information stored in storage medium 120. In this way, it is possible to achieve content management which is easily understandable for users.

Abstract: There is provided a content use management method capable of preventing unauthorized distribution of a content and improving user-friendliness. In this method, the same group key is stored in a secure device (400) and a playback terminal (500). Moreover, a license issuing application is received from a license distribution server (200) and stored in the secure device (400). After this, a license encrypted by the group key is sent to the playback terminal (500) and the license encrypted by the group key is stored in the playback terminal (500). Upon playback of the encrypted content, the playback terminal (500) decrypts the license by using the group key and acquires the content decryption key, thereby decrypting the encrypted content. Even when the encrypted license flows into the network, it cannot be decrypted by a playback terminal not having the same group key and the copyright is protected.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is provided for an SD memory card that has a plurality of EPUBxxx.KEY files recorded thereon, each file having a plurality of Key&Rule Entry areas, and an SD_EPUB.MMG file being read from the recording medium prior to the writing of data. A bitmap in SD_EPUB.MMG shows for each EPUBxxx.KEY file whether the EPUBxxx.KEY file has at least one Key&Rule Entry area not in use, or whether all the Key&Rule Entry areas are in use. Based on the bitmap in the read SD_EPUB.MMG file, the recording apparatus opens EPUB#u.KEY having an unused Key&Rule Entry area and writes data into the unused Key&Rule Entry area in the file. If all the Key&Rule Entry areas in EPUB#u.KEY become in use as a result of the writing of the data, the recording apparatus updates the bitmap in SD_EPUB.MMG.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device that carries out secure distribution of a license particularly necessary for using a digital content in a copyrighted digital content distribution system. By a method of distributing a license according to the invention, a license encryption key for distribution is produced by a license distribution server based on a seed produced on the user terminal side according to a prescribed function F and the user terminal transmits a license based on the same seed and the same function F by a common-key method in a tamper resistant module. On the user terminal side, the stored seed is deleted once the license is decrypted.

Abstract: A package management information recording section 131 creates and records on a recording medium 120 package management information for managing packages recorded on the recording medium 120. A content file recording section 132 records on the recording medium 120 content files of content file groups included in packages, and also creates and records on the recording medium 120 content file group management information for managing these content file groups. A content/metadata correspondence information recording section 133 creates and records on the recording medium 120 information on correspondence between content files and metadata files within a package or correspondence between a package itself and metadata files. By this means, the correspondence between content files and metadata files can always be maintained correctly when they are recorded separately.

Abstract: A package management information recording section 131 creates a directory for each package for content distributed in package units, and creates a package management file indicating the relationship between a directory name and package identifier. A content file recording section 132 creates a content file group management file indicating the relationship between a content file name and a reference name when that content is linked from other content. A link resolution information recording section 133 creates a link resolution file indicating the correspondence between a reference name indicating content included in another package and the package identifier of the other package. A link resolution section 142 of a content playback apparatus 140 specifies a link destination content file using these items of file management information. By this means, a link between contents can be maintained even when distributed content is recorded with a name different from the original content file name.

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to perform a use time limit control by means of absolute time and date and relative time and date by retaining use date information and use time period information as use restriction information on content and by updating the use date information with a time and date calculated from current time and date 120 and use time period information. In addition, the invention prevents an unauthorized viewing of content, which may be done by willfully turning a terminal clock back, where such a prevention is achieved by limiting an approval for use of content only in a case where it is confirmed that current time and date is after reference time and date, found through a comparison of the current time and date with the reference time and date, where a terminal or storage medium 110 retains such reference time and date information that is subjected to updating at a specific timing.

Abstract: With content management apparatus 110 serving as a copy origin and storage medium 120 as a copy target, the copy origin retains allowed copy count control information on content, and when the content is copied from the copy origin to the copy target, the allowed copy count control information retained at the copy origin before copy processing is updated in accordance with a predetermined rule to generate allowed copy count control information to be retained at the copy origin and allowed copy count control information to be retained at the copy target, and subsequent copy processing at the copy origin is done based on the allowed copy count control information retained at the copy origin, whereas subsequent copy processing on the content stored in storage medium 120 is done based on the allowed copy count control information stored in storage medium 120. In this way, it is possible to achieve content management which is easily understandable for users.

Abstract: A content managing system capable of achieving the processing for assigning metadata related to the subject of multimedia content such as video and audio to the content with less effort. Non-text content managing section 110 transmits original metadata manually assigned to non-text based content to text-based content managing section 120. Similar text-based content retrieval section 125 in text-based content managing section 120 retrieves similar text-based content using the original metadata, and the metadata automatically extracted with respect to the similar text-based content is transmitted to non-text based content managing section 110 as additional metadata for the non-text based content.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a content management system in which content data recorded on a memory card (1) is used by a content use terminal (2). The memory card (1) has recorded, in a protected area of which reading from outside is restricted, protected information including use restriction information indicative of conditions for using encrypted content data, and key information. The content use terminal (2) performs mutual authentication with the memory card (1). Furthermore, the content user terminal (2) reads the protected information from the protected area only when mutual authentication succeeds. Then, based on the use restriction information included in the read protected information, it is decided whether or not the content data recorded on the memory card (1) is usable. Also, the management server (3) transmits use restriction update information to the content use terminal (2) so as to update the use restriction information.

Abstract: The content composed of plural files is configured so as to provide the entire content and the files for composing the content with the usage restriction information.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for an SD memory card that has a plurality of EPUBxxx.KEY files recorded thereon, each file having a plurality of Key&Rule Entry areas, and an SD_EPUB.MMG file being read from the recording medium prior to the writing of data. A bitmap in SD_EPUB.MMG shows for each EPUBxxx.KEY file whether the EPUBxxx.KEY file has at least one Key&Rule Entry area not in use, or whether all the Key&Rule Entry areas are in use. Based on the bitmap in the read SD_EPUB.MMG file, the recording apparatus opens EPUB#u.KEY having an unused Key&Rule Entry area and writes data into the unused Key&Rule Entry area in the file. If all the Key&Rule Entry areas in EPUB#u.KEY become in use as a result of the writing of the data, the recording apparatus updates the bitmap in SD_EPUB.MMG.

Abstract: A package management information recording section 131 creates and records on a recording medium 120 package management information for managing packages recorded on the recording medium 120. A content file recording section 132 records on the recording medium 120 content files of content file groups included in packages, and also creates and records on the recording medium 120 content file group management information for managing these content file groups. A content/metadata correspondence information recording section 133 creates and records on the recording medium 120 information on correspondence between content files and metadata files within a package or correspondence between a package itself and metadata files. By this means, the correspondence between content files and metadata files can always be maintained correctly when they are recorded separately.

Abstract: A package management information recording section 131 creates a directory for each package for content distributed in package units, and creates a package management file indicating the relationship between a directory name and package identifier. A content file recording section 132 creates a content file group management file indicating the relationship between a content file name and a reference name when that content is linked from other content. A link resolution information recording section 133 creates a link resolution file indicating the correspondence between a reference name indicating content included in another package and the package identifier of the other package. A link resolution section 142 of a content playback apparatus 140 specifies a link destination content file using these items of file management information. By this means, a link between contents can be maintained even when distributed content is recorded with a name different from the original content file name.