Position authentication system and electronic equipment using the same

An electronic equipment for use in a position authentication system, comprising:

• position information detecting-and transmitting-means for detecting current position information, encrypting the position information and then transmitting the encrypted position information to a center system;
• and
• storage means for receiving place-specifying data which is generated on the basis of the position information decoded, authenticated, and subjected to a copy guard-processing by said center system, and transmitted from said center system, and storing the received data,
• wherein said position information detecting-and transmitting-means encrypts the position information on the basis of an encryption key which is predetermined for the position information.

A method for authenticating a position of an image comprising:

• detecting current position information, encrypting the position information and image data and transmitting the encrypted position information and image data, the position information being encrypted on the basis of an encryption key which is predetermined for the position information and image data;
• receiving the encrypted and transmitted position information and image data, authenticating the position information and image data;
• generating place-specifying data indicated by the position information thus authenticated and then performing a copy guard-processing that adds the place-specifying data to the image data, the authentification being executed according to whether the encrypted position information and image data are decoded or not in accordance with the encryption of the position and image data;
• and
• transmitting the copy-guarded and combined place-specifying data with image data thus processed to a storage medium.

A center system for use in a position authentication system, comprising:

• an authentication unit for receiving postion information transmitted from an electronic equipment and authenticating the position information;
• and
• means for generating place-specifying data indicated by the position information authenticated, performing a copy guard-processing on the place-specifying data and transmitting the processed place-specifying data to said electronic equipment,
• wherein the position information transmitted from said electronic equipment is encrypted on the basis of an encrypted key which is predetermined for said position information, and said authentification unit authentficates the position information according to whether the encrypted position information is decoded or not in accordance with the encryption of the position information.

A center system for use in a position authentication system, comprising:

• authentication means for receiving position information transmitted from electronic equipment and authenticating the position information;
• and
• an element for generating place-specifying data indicated by the position information authenticated, performing a copy guard processing on the place specifying data and transmitting the processed place-specifying data to said electronic equipment,
• wherein the position information transmitted from said electronic equipment is encrypted on the basis of an encrypted key which is predetermined for said position information, and said authentication means authenticates the position information according to whether the encrypted position information is decoded or not in accordance with the encryption of said position information.

Electronic equipment for use in a position authentication system, comprising:

• a position information detecting-and transmitting-element for detecting current position information, encrypting the position information and then transmitting the encrypted information to a center system;
• and
• a storage element for receiving place-specifying data which is generated on the basis of the position information decoded, authenticated, and subjected to a copy guard-processing by said center system and transmitted from said center system, and storing the received data,
• wherein said position information detecting-and transmitting-element encrypts the position information on the basis of an encryption key which is predetermined for said position information.

A center system for use in a position authentication system comprising:

• an authentication unit for receiving position information transmitted from an electronic equipment and authenticating the position information;
• and
• an element for generating place-specifying data indicated by the position information authenticated, performing a copy guard-processing on the place-specifying data, and transmitting the processed place-specifying data to said electronic equipment,
• wherein the position information transmitted from said electronic equipment is encrypted on the basis of an encrypted key which is predetermined for said position information, and said authentication unit authenticates the position information according to whether the encrypted
• position information is decoded or not in accordance with the encryption of said position information.

Electronic equipment for use in a position authentication system of which the position authentication is carried out by using said electronic equipment and a center system, said electronic equipment comprising:

• position information detecting and transmitting means for detecting current position information, encrypting the position information and then transmitting the encrypted position information to said center system;
• and
• storage means for receiving place-specifying data transmitted from said center system and storing the place-specifying data, said place-specifying data being generated by said center system on the basis of the position information decoded and authenticated, and being subjected to a copy guard-processing by said center system,
• wherein said position information detecting and transmitting means encrypts the position information on the basis of an encryption key which is predetermined for the position information.