Distribution system, semiconductor memory card, receiving apparatus, computer-readable recording medium and receiving method

A semiconductor memory card used as a distribution medium in a distribution system, the distribution system including a distribution server for distributing a compressed audio content using variable-length coding via a network, a first receiving apparatus for receiving the content via the network and recording the content onto a distribution medium, a second receiving apparatus for receiving the content via the distribution medium and recording a copy of the content onto a recording medium by removing the content from the distribution medium, and a playback apparatus for receiving the copy of the content via the recording medium and playing back the received content, said semiconductor memory card comprising:

• a volume area in which the content and usage rule information are recorded, the usage rule information including control information controlling copying of the content recorded onto the recording medium, and authorization information showing whether moving the control information and the content to the second receiving apparatus is permitted,
• wherein the content comprises a plurality of contents that are recorded onto the semiconductor memory card together with corresponding usage rule information, the usage rule information being contained in a rule management file that is provided in the semiconductor memory card,
• wherein the entirety of at least one of the plurality of contents is contained in a single object file, and at least one of the plurality of contents is divided so as to be contained in a plurality of object files,
• wherein each object file has an assigned serial number that uniquely identifies the object file,
• wherein the rule management file contains a plurality of rule entries that are in one-to-one correspondence with the object files,
• wherein each rule entry has a same serial number as a serial number of a corresponding object file,
• wherein a rule entry that corresponds to the object file containing the entirety of the content includes corresponding usage rule information and a content identifier for the content,
• wherein each of a plurality of rule entries that corresponds to an object file containing a part of the at least one of the plurality of contents, which is divided, includes a content identifier for the at least one of the plurality of contents, which is divided, and one of the plurality of the rule entries includes corresponding usage rule information,
• wherein the semiconductor memory card has recorded thereon pieces of track information that are in one-to-one correspondence with the object files,
• wherein the track information includes a time search table that shows a plurality of read addresses specifying data located in a corresponding object file at predetermined time intervals, and
• wherein each part of the divided content has such a length that a corresponding time search table includes at most a predetermined number of read addresses.

A first receiving apparatus in a distribution system, the distribution system including a distribution server for distributing a compressed audio content using variable-length coding via a network, said first receiving apparatus for receiving the content via the network and recording the content onto a distribution medium, a second receiving apparatus for receiving the content via the distribution medium and recording a copy of the content onto a recording medium by removing the content from the distribution medium, and a playback apparatus for receiving the copy of the content via the recording medium and playing back the received content, said first receiving apparatus comprising:

• a first receiving unit operable to receive via the network a data set including the content and control information controlling copying of the content onto the recording medium, and to hold the received data set;
• and
• a recording unit operable to generate authorization information showing whether moving the data set to another receiving apparatus is permitted, and to record the content onto a distribution medium together with corresponding usage rule information including (1) the authorization information, and (2) the control information included in the data set,
• wherein the content comprises a plurality of contents that are recorded onto the distribution medium together with corresponding usage rule information, the usage rule information being contained in a rule management file that is provided in the distribution medium,
• wherein the entirety of at least one of the plurality of contents is contained in a single object file, and at least one of the plurality of contents is divided so as to be contained in a plurality of object files,
• wherein each object file has an assigned serial number that uniquely identifies the object file,
• wherein the rule management file contains a plurality of rule entries that are in one-to-one correspondence with the object files,
• wherein each rule entry has a same serial number as a serial number of a corresponding object file,
• wherein a rule entry that corresponds to the object file containing the entirety of the content includes corresponding usage rule information and a content identifier for the content,
• wherein each of a plurality of rule entries that corresponds to an object file containing a part of the at least one of the plurality of contents, which is divided, includes a content identifier for the at least one of the plurality of contents, which is divided, and one of the plurality of the rule entries includes corresponding usage rule information,
• wherein the distribution medium has recorded thereon pieces of track information that are in one-to-one correspondence with the object files,
• wherein the track information includes a time search table that shows a plurality of read addresses specifying data located in a corresponding object file at predetermined time intervals, and
• wherein each part of the divided content has such a length that a corresponding time search table includes at most a predetermined number of read addresses.

A receiving apparatus for receiving contents from a distribution server via a network, as well as receiving contents via a distribution medium, and recording copies of a received content onto a recording medium, the distribution medium storing contents and corresponding usage rule information, and the usage rule information including control information controlling copying of a recorded content onto the recording medium, and authorization information showing whether moving a data set including a paired content and control information to said receiving apparatus is permitted, said receiving apparatus comprising:

• a receiving unit operable to receive the data set from the distribution server via the network, and to hold the received data set;
• a data set moving unit operable to read authorization information from the distribution medium, and (a) to move the data set from the distribution medium to the inside of said receiving apparatus by removing the data set from the distribution medium, and (b) to hold the data set, only when the read authorization information shows that moving the data set is permitted;
• and
• a check-out unit operable to perform check-out when the data set is held by one of said receiving unit and said data set moving unit, the performed check-out being based on the control information in the held data set by generating a copy of the content included in the held data set and recording the copy onto the recording medium, the copy recorded onto the recording medium being supplied to the playback apparatus,
• wherein the content comprises a plurality of contents that are recorded onto the distribution medium together with corresponding usage rule information, the usage rule information being contained in a rule management file that is provided in the distribution medium,
• wherein the entirety of at least one of the plurality of contents is contained in a single object file, and at least one of the plurality of contents is divided so as to be contained in a plurality of object files,
• wherein each object file has an assigned serial number that uniquely identifies the object file,
• wherein the rule management file contains a plurality of rule entries that are in one-to-one correspondence with the object files,
• wherein each rule entry has a same serial number as a serial number of a corresponding object file,
• wherein a rule entry that corresponds to the object file containing the entirety of the content includes corresponding usage rule information and a content identifier for the content,
• wherein each of a plurality of rule entries that corresponds to an object file containing a part of the at least one of the plurality of contents, which is divided, includes a content identifier for the at least one of the plurality of contents, which is divided, and one of the plurality of the rule entries includes corresponding usage rule information,
• wherein the distribution medium has recorded thereon pieces of track information that are in one-to-one correspondence with the object files,
• wherein the track information includes a time search table that shows a plurality of read addresses specifying data located in a corresponding object file at predetermined time intervals,
• wherein each part of the divided content has such a length that a corresponding time search table includes at most a predetermined number of read addresses, and
• wherein the contents are compressed audio contents using variable-length coding.

A recording medium having recorded thereon, a computer-readable program capable of instructing a computer to perform processing as a first receiving apparatus in a distribution system, the distribution system including a distribution server for distributing a compressed audio content using variable-length coding via a network, a first receiving apparatus for receiving the content via the network and recording the content onto a distribution medium, a second receiving apparatus for receiving the content via the distribution medium and recording a copy of the content onto a recording medium by removing the content from the distribution medium, and a playback apparatus for receiving the copy of the content via the recording medium and playing back the received content, said computer-readable program being capable of instructing a computer to:

• receive via the network a data set including the content and control information controlling copying of the content onto the recording medium, and hold the received data set;
• and
• generate authorization information showing whether moving the data set to another receiving apparatus is permitted, and record the content onto a distribution medium together with corresponding usage rule information including (1) the authorization information, and (2) the control information included in the data set,
• wherein the content comprises a plurality of contents that are recorded onto the distribution medium together with corresponding usage rule information, the usage rule information being contained in a rule management file that is provided in the distribution medium,
• wherein the entirety of at least one of the plurality of contents is contained in a single object file, and at least one of the plurality of contents is divided so as to be contained in a plurality of object files,
• wherein each object file has an assigned serial number that uniquely identifies the object file,
• wherein the rule management file contains a plurality of rule entries that are in one-to-one correspondence with the object files,
• wherein each rule entry has a same serial number as a serial number of a corresponding object file,
• wherein a rule entry that corresponds to the object file containing the entirety of the content includes corresponding usage rule information and a content identifier for the content,
• wherein each of a plurality of rule entries that corresponds to an object file containing a part of the at least one of the plurality of contents, which is divided, includes a content identifier for the at least one of the plurality of contents, which is divided, and one of the plurality of the rule entries includes corresponding usage rule information,
• wherein the distribution medium has recorded thereon pieces of track information that are in one-to-one correspondence with the object files,
• wherein the track information includes a time search table that shows a plurality of read addresses specifying data located in a corresponding object file at predetermined time intervals, and
• wherein each part of the divided content has such a length that a corresponding time search table includes at most a predetermined number of read addresses.

A recording medium having recorded thereon, a computer-readable program capable of instructing a computer to perform processing as a receiving apparatus for receiving contents from a distribution server via the network, as well as receiving contents via a distribution medium, and recording copies of a received content onto a recording medium, the distribution medium storing contents and corresponding usage rule information, the usage rule information including control information controlling copying of a recorded content onto the recording medium, and authorization information showing whether moving a data set including a paired content and control information to the receiving apparatus is permitted, said computer-readable program being capable of instructing the computer to:

• receive the data set from the distribution server via the network, and hold the received data set;
• read authorization information from the distribution medium, and (a) move the data set from the distribution medium to the inside of said computer by removing the data set from the distribution medium, and (b) hold the data set, only when the read authorization information shows that moving the data set is permitted;
• and
• perform check-out when the data set is held by one of said receiving and said reading, moving and holding, the check-out being performed based on the control information in the held data set by generating a copy of the content included in the held data set and recording the copy onto the recording medium, the copy recorded onto the recording medium being supplied to a playback apparatus,
• wherein the content comprises a plurality of contents that are recorded onto the distribution medium together with corresponding usage rule information, the usage rule information being contained in a rule management file that is provided in the distribution medium,
• wherein the entirety of at least one of the plurality of contents is contained in a single object file, and at least one of the plurality of contents is divided so as to be contained in a plurality of object files,
• wherein each object file has an assigned serial number that uniquely identifies the object file,
• wherein the rule management file contains a plurality of rule entries that are in one-to-one correspondence with the object files,
• wherein each rule entry has a same serial number as a serial number of a corresponding object file,
• wherein a rule entry that corresponds to the object file containing the entirety of the content includes corresponding usage rule information and a content identifier for the content,
• wherein each of a plurality of rule entries that corresponds to an object file containing a part of the at least one of the plurality of contents, which is divided, includes a content identifier for the at least one of the plurality of contents, which is divided, and one of the plurality of the rule entries includes corresponding usage rule information,
• wherein the distribution medium has recorded thereon pieces of track information that are in one-to-one correspondence with the object files,
• wherein the track information includes a time search table that shows a plurality of read addresses specifying data located in a corresponding object file at predetermined time intervals,
• wherein each part of the divided content has such a length that a corresponding time search table includes at most a predetermined number of read addresses, and
• wherein the contents are compressed audio contents using variable-length coding.

A receiving method performed by a first receiving apparatus in a distribution system, the distribution system including a distribution server for distributing a compressed audio content using variable-length coding via a network, the first receiving apparatus for receiving the content via the network and recording the content onto a distribution medium, a second receiving apparatus for receiving the content via the distribution medium and recording a copy of the content onto a recording medium by removing the content from the recording medium, and a playback apparatus for receiving the copy of the content via the recording medium and playing back the received content, said receiving method comprising:

• receiving, via network, a data set including the content and control information controlling copying of the content onto the recording medium, and holding the received data set;
• and
• generating authorization information showing whether moving the data set to another receiving apparatus is permitted, and recording the content onto a distribution medium together with corresponding usage rule information including (1) the authorization information, and (2) the control information included in the data set,
• wherein the content comprises a plurality of contents that are recorded onto the distribution medium together with corresponding usage rule information, the usage rule information being contained in a rule management file that is provided in the distribution medium,
• wherein the entirety of at least one of the plurality of contents is contained in a single object file, and at least one of the plurality of contents is divided so as to be contained in a plurality of object files,
• wherein each object file has an assigned serial number that uniquely identifies the object file,
• wherein the rule management file contains a plurality of rule entries that are in one-to-one correspondence with the object files,
• wherein each rule entry has a same serial number as a serial number of a corresponding object file,
• wherein a rule entry that corresponds to the object file containing the entirety of the content includes corresponding usage rule information and a content identifier for the content,
• wherein each of a plurality of rule entries that corresponds to an object file containing a part of the at least one of the plurality of contents, which is divided, includes a content identifier for the at least one of the plurality of contents, which is divided, and one of the plurality of the rule entries includes corresponding usage rule information,
• wherein the distribution medium has recorded thereon pieces of track information that are in one-to-one correspondence with the object files,
• wherein the track information includes a time search table that shows a plurality of read addresses specifying data located in a corresponding object file at predetermined time intervals, and
• wherein each part of the divided content has such a length that a corresponding time search table includes at most a predetermined number of read addresses.

A receiving method performed by a receiving apparatus for receiving contents from a distribution server via the network, as well as receiving contents via a distribution medium, and recording copies of a received content onto a recording medium, the distribution medium storing contents and corresponding usage rule information, the usage rule information including control information controlling copying of a recorded content onto the recording medium, and authorization information showing whether moving a data set including a paired content and control information to the receiving apparatus is permitted, said receiving method comprising:

• receiving the data set from the distribution server via the network, and holding the received data set;
• reading authorization information from the distribution medium, and (a) moving the data set from the distribution medium to the inside of the receiving apparatus by removing the data set from the distribution medium, and (b) holding the data set, only when the read authorization information shows that moving the data set is permitted;
• and
• performing check-out when the data set is held by one of said receiving and said reading, moving and holding, the check-out being performed based on the control information in the held data set by generating a copy of the content included in the held data set and recording the copy onto the recording medium, the copy recorded onto the recording medium being supplied to a playback apparatus,
• wherein the content comprises a plurality of contents that are recorded onto the distribution medium together with corresponding usage rule information, the usage rule information being contained in a rule management file that is provided in the distribution medium,
• wherein the entirety of at least one of the plurality of contents is contained in a single object file, and at least one of the plurality of contents is divided so as to be contained in a plurality of object files,
• wherein each object file has an assigned serial number that uniquely identifies the object file,
• wherein the rule management file contains a plurality of rule entries that are in one-to-one correspondence with the object files,
• wherein each rule entry has a same serial number as a serial number of a corresponding object file,
• wherein a rule entry that corresponds to the object file containing the entirety of the content includes corresponding usage rule information and a content identifier for the content,
• wherein each of a plurality of rule entries that corresponds to an object file containing a part of the at least one of the plurality of contents, which is divided, includes a content identifier for the at least one of the plurality of contents, which is divided, and one of the plurality of the rule entries includes corresponding usage rule information,
• wherein the distribution medium has recorded thereon pieces of track information that are in one-to-one correspondence with the object files,
• wherein the track information includes a time search table that shows a plurality of read addresses specifying data located in a corresponding object file at predetermined time intervals, and
• wherein each part of the divided content has such a length that a corresponding time search table includes at most a predetermined number of read addresses, and
• wherein the contents are compressed audio contents using variable-length coding.