JP2000231757A - Recording and reproducing controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a reproducing of data, which are recorded or copied by other recording and reproducing device, by an unauthorized means. SOLUTION: A drive unit 2 stores an identification code of a recording and reproducing device 1 which is used to record and copy and or to conduct its initialization. While mounting the unit 2 on the device 1, discrimination is made to determine whether the identification code of the unit 2 and the identification code of the device 1 are coincident with each other or not. If the codes are not coincident with each other, the reproducing of the data from a recording medium 3 is prohibited by the process of a first control section 7 arranged on the unit 2 side. Since a means to prohibit the reproducing of the data is provided on the unit 2 side, a reproducing of the data whose reproducing is prohibited, can not be conducted no matter any kind of unauthorized operation is performed to the device 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drive unit having a large capacity recording medium, for example, a hard disk drive or the like, which is interchangeably mounted on a recording / reproducing apparatus to record and reproduce data such as images and sounds. And a recording / reproducing controller for preventing unauthorized use of data and drive units.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a recording / reproducing apparatus using a drive unit such as a high-speed hard disk drive has been developed as a recording medium of the VHS system or the like. However, a drive unit such as a hard disk device generally has a huge recording capacity, and a drive unit that collectively records a large amount of contents (contents such as movies and music) by illegal copying and a drive unit that records or records a large amount of pay digital broadcasts. Problems such as illegal sale may occur.

Hitherto, exchangeable recording media such as floppy (registered trademark) disks and DVDs have been used.
Since any recording / reproducing apparatus has been characterized in that it can be recorded / reproduced, various methods for preventing unauthorized copying have been proposed.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-339629 proposes a method of prohibiting copying and limiting the number of copies by encrypting an identification code and adding it to digital data and recording it. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
According to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 0697722, when data is output to a digital terminal, the S / N is reduced by reducing the number of quantization bits from that of the original, and the quality of the data (image quality, sound quality, etc.) is reduced each time copying is repeated. A method has been proposed to make it deteriorate.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-287655 discloses that the recording is performed only when the unique identification code of the recording / reproducing apparatus body and the unique identification code recorded on the recording medium (floppy disk or the like) match. A copy prohibition method for permitting access to a medium has been proposed. The feature of this method is that by discarding the interchangeability of the recording medium and making the recording medium and the recording medium which correspond to the recording medium correspond one-to-one, it is possible to almost completely prevent illegal copying.

[0006]

However, a method of adding a copy guard function to the data itself as disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-339629 and a method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-069722 are disclosed. The method of intentionally deteriorating the quality of output data like the one cannot directly address the problem itself caused by illegally selling a drive unit that has recorded or recorded a large amount of pay digital broadcasting or the like. In other words, prohibiting unauthorized copying of data is a completely different problem from using a drive unit that has already been illegally copied using some means by a third party. Does not prohibit data output from a drive unit where an illegal copy has been made, so prevent any secondary damage caused by the use of a drive unit that has copied data in an unauthorized manner. Is impossible.

The copy prohibition method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-287655 is a method for comparing the uniqueness code of the recording / reproducing apparatus main body with the unique identification code of the recording medium. The program is not forcibly executed by the recording medium itself,
Since the recording medium itself does not have a function of prohibiting the reading of data, it is a practical problem solving means unless the recording / reproducing apparatus is provided with a configuration for determining whether to permit access according to the above-described predetermined determination procedure. I can't get it.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, to prevent unauthorized use of data between a drive unit for recording a large amount of image and audio data and the like and a recording and reproducing apparatus, An object of the present invention is to provide a recording / reproducing controller suitable for the age of pay digital broadcasting, which has a function of allowing only the recording / reproducing apparatus performing the above to access the drive unit.

[0009]

The present invention comprises a first control unit provided in a drive unit and a second control unit provided in a recording / reproducing apparatus. Identification code storage means for storing an identification code; recording state determination means for determining whether data is recorded on the recording medium; identification code stored in the identification code storage means; Identification code comparing means for comparing the match / mismatch with the identification code stored in the control unit, and when the recording state determination means detects that no data is recorded, the identification code is stored in the second control unit. An identification code writing unit for reading the identification code stored in the identification code storage unit and storing the identification code in the identification code storage unit. Input / output restricting means for prohibiting recording and reproduction of data on the recording medium when the discrepancy of the identification code is detected by the code comparing means; and recording and reproducing when the discrimination of the identification code is detected by the identification code comparing means. Input / output restriction release means for permitting recording and reproduction of data on and from a medium is provided, and the second control unit is provided with an identification code unique to the recording / reproducing apparatus.

Therefore, when a drive unit provided with an unused recording medium on which no data is recorded is mounted on the recording / reproducing apparatus, first, the identification code storage means of the drive unit stores the information of the currently used recording / reproducing apparatus. An identification code is stored. As long as this drive unit is attached to the recording / reproducing device that first wrote the identification code,
Writing and reproduction of data from the recording / reproducing device are permitted, but when the recording / reproducing device is mounted on another recording / reproducing device, the identification code unique to the recording / reproducing device and the identification code stored in the drive unit are used. Will no longer match,
Recording and reproduction of data are prohibited by the input / output restricting means. Since the input / output restricting means is provided on the drive unit side, no matter how the recording / reproducing device is operated, the input / output restricting device cannot be operated improperly. Reproduction of data from the recording medium is completely prohibited.

When the data storage area of the recording medium is divided into a plurality of storage areas, an identification code storage means and a recording state determination means are provided separately for each storage area, and each storage area is provided with an identification code storage means. The processing of the identification code comparing means, the identification code writing means, the input / output restriction means, and the input / output restriction release means is performed based on the identification code stored in the means and the determination result of the recording state determination means of each storage area. Since each storage area is made to function individually, the storage areas provided in one drive unit can be used independently by a plurality of users without causing confusion in data input / output restrictions. .

Further, since the input / output restricting means is configured to allow a data initialization command for the recording medium even when the identification codes do not match, the drive unit used in another recording / reproducing apparatus can be used as it is. The recording medium can be reused after being initialized by another recording / reproducing device, and it has become possible to simultaneously prohibit unauthorized use of data and effectively use a drive unit.

[0013] Further, since the error signal is returned to the second control unit when the recording and reproduction of the data on the recording medium is prohibited by the input / output restricting means, the recording and the recording on the recording medium in use are performed. The user can be explicitly notified that the reproduction is prohibited.
As a result, the problem of inadvertently initializing the recording medium of the drive unit used by another person is also solved.

Further, the second control unit has a function of reading an identification code of another recording / reproducing apparatus connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus via a cable and transferring the same to the identification code comparing means. The first control unit compares the identification code of the identification code storage means with the first control unit. If there is at least one matching identification code, the matching is detected and the recording or reproduction of data is permitted. For example, in an environment where a plurality of recording / reproducing devices are used in parallel in a user group, for example, at home, the drive unit can be effectively used without excessively restricting data recording and reproduction.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an image and audio recording / reproducing apparatus 1 and a drive unit 2, and FIG. 3 is a recording / reproducing apparatus equipped with the recording / reproducing controller 19. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the device 1 and its drive unit 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the drive unit 2
Is provided with a large-capacity recording medium 3 constituted by a hard disk or the like for recording images and sounds, and
The drive unit 2 itself containing the recording medium 3 is interchangeable with a slide-type tray 4 provided in the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A and 5B. , And is electrically connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 via the connector 5 on the drive unit 2 side and the connector 6 on the tray 4 side.

As shown in FIG. 1, the recording / reproducing controller 19 of the present embodiment generally includes a first controller 7 provided on the drive unit 2 side and a second controller provided on the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 side. The first connector 7 and the second controller 8 are connected by the connector 5 described above.
6 are electrically connected.

The first control unit 7 includes identification code comparing means,
A main control unit 9 including a microprocessor for achieving the functions of an identification code writing unit, an input / output restriction unit, and an input / output restriction release unit; Normal recording / reproduction control unit 1 for performing normal input / output processing relating to recording and reproduction
0 is provided. The identification code storage means and the recording state determination means of this embodiment are constituted by the non-volatile memory 11 fixed inside the drive unit 2.
If a storage area serving as an identification code storage unit and a recording state determination unit is provided in a part of the recording medium 3 itself, the nonvolatile memory 11 can be omitted.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the nonvolatile memory 11 as the identification code storage means and the recording state determination means. The recording medium 3 of this embodiment includes:
The recording medium 3 can be used by being divided into a plurality of storage areas (partitions) in consideration of use by a plurality of users at home, and is used to determine whether image data or audio data is recorded. Recording state judgment field F
m (recording state determination means) and an identification code storage field Ym (identification code storage means) for storing an identification code are also individually provided for each storage area m (partition) divided on the recording medium 3. It is provided in. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, a permission storage area Sm for storing restrictions on data input / output performed between the recording medium 3 and the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 (whether recording or reproduction is permitted) is also provided. It is provided for each storage area m (partition). If the recording medium 3 is used as a single volume without partitioning, only the recording state determination field F1, the identification code storage field Y1, and the permission storage area S1 are sufficient.

On the other hand, the second control section 8 provided on the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 side is provided with a device-specific identification code storage memory 12 for storing an identification code peculiar to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1. An identification code unique to the device 1 is recorded in a non-rewritable manner. Even in the case of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 manufactured according to the same standard, the identification codes are all different for each individual, and there is no recording / reproducing apparatus 1 having an overlapping identification code.

The second control unit 8 is provided with a normal recording / reproducing control unit 13 for performing normal input / output processing for recording and reproducing data between the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 and the recording medium 3. The normal recording / playback control unit 13 is connected to a television tuner 14 and an external input terminal 15 for taking in image and audio source data, and an external output terminal 16 used for outputting image and audio data.

Further, the second control unit 8 has a connection terminal 17 for connecting to another recording / reproducing device having a different identification code.
As shown in FIG. 6, a connection can be made to another recording / reproducing device having a different identification code, for example, the recording / reproducing device 1a, via the inter-device connection cable 18. Connecting cable 1 between a plurality of recording / reproducing devices
It is also possible to use it by connecting it like a digital chain via 8. Further, when a specific condition is satisfied, a drive unit mounted on a certain recording / reproducing device can be used from another recording / reproducing device connected via the inter-device connection cable 18, The total length of the inter-device connection cable 18 that can be used to connect the recording / reproducing device is limited to 100 m or less. Note that the storage / reproduction device 1a and the drive unit 2a shown in FIG. 6 have exactly the same configuration as the storage / reproduction device 1 and the drive unit 2 except that the identification codes are different, and therefore the description of the configuration itself is omitted.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the outline of the processing executed on the first control unit 7 side, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the outline of the processing executed on the second control unit 8 side. These processes are executed by a microprocessor provided as a function realizing means provided in each control unit. Hereinafter, the processing operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, when the drive unit 2 is mounted on the tray 4 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the drive unit 2 is connected from the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 via the connectors 5 and 6. , And the first control unit 7 starts processing as shown in FIG.

The first control unit 7 which has started the processing firstly
An identification number detection command is output to the second control unit 8 of the recording / reproduction control device 1 to which the drive unit 2 is directly connected (step a1), and a standby state is waited for a response from the second control unit 8. Enter (step a2).

The second controller 8 performs a discrimination process (step b1) for detecting an identification number detection command from the drive unit 2 directly connected to the recording / reproducing device 1;
Another recording / reproducing device (for example, the recording / reproducing device 1) connected to the recording / reproducing device 1 via the device connecting cable 18
a) a discrimination process for detecting the identification number detection command from step a) (step b11), and a discrimination process for detecting an error signal from the drive unit 2 directly connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 (step b13). In addition, since the same processing (step b15) related to the drive control of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 itself as in the related art (step b15) is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals, the first control unit 7 in the processing of step a1 described above. The identification number detection command output from is detected by the determination processing of step b1 in the second control unit 8.

Upon detecting the identification number detection command from the first control unit 7, the second control unit 8 first initializes the value of a counter C indicating the total number of connected recording / reproducing devices to 1 (step S1). b2) The value of the identification code unique to the recording / reproducing device 1 is read from the device-specific identification code storage memory 12 of the recording / reproducing device 1, and the identification code storage register Nc is read.
(C = 1) (step b3), and sends an identification number detection command for requesting another recording / reproducing apparatus (for example, recording / reproducing apparatus 1a) connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 to transfer the identification code. It is output via the connection cable 18 (step b4), and the allowable standby time measurement timer T is started (step b5). While the allowable standby time measurement timer T is operating (step b9), another recording / reproducing device ( For example, it waits for an input of an identification code from the recording / reproducing apparatus 1a).

The recording / reproducing device 1 is connected to the inter-device connection cable 18.
If there is another recording / reproducing apparatus (for example, recording / reproducing apparatus 1a) connected via the above, the identification number detection command output from the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 in the processing of step b4 described above is output to the recording / reproducing apparatus (for example, The second control unit (for example, the second control unit 8a) of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1a) is detected by the determination processing in step b11 of the same processing as that in FIG.
By the processing of step b12 performed by the second control unit (for example, the second control unit 8a), the identification code unique to the recording / reproducing device (for example, the recording / reproducing device 1a) is transmitted via the inter-device connection cable 18. The data is transmitted to the recording / reproducing device 1 (step b12).

In addition to the recording / reproducing device 1a, further recording / reproducing devices, for example, the recording / reproducing devices 1b, 1c, 1d,.
.. (Not shown), the processing on each of the recording / reproducing devices 1b, 1c, 1d,... Is the same as described above. Each of the recording / reproducing apparatuses 1b, 1c, 1d,...
A unique identification code is transmitted for each d,.

The second control section 8 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 detects an identification code from another recording / reproducing apparatus (for example, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1a) by the discriminating process in step b6, and increments the value of the counter C by one. (Step b7), and stores the identification code in the identification code storage register Nc (c = incremented value) (step b8). The value of the counter C is incremented each time an identification code transmitted from another recording / reproducing device (for example, the recording / reproducing device 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d,...) Is detected. The storage register N1 stores an identification code unique to the recording / reproducing device 1 itself to which the drive unit 2 is directly connected. Each of the identification code storage registers N2, N3, N4, N5,. , Other recording / reproducing devices (for example, the recording / reproducing devices 1a, 1b, 1
c, 1d,...) are stored in the order of reception.

Then, the detection and recording of the identification code transferred from another recording / reproducing device (for example, the recording / reproducing device 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d,...) Are completed, and the setting operation of the allowable standby time measuring timer T is started. When the time is over (step b
9), the second control unit 8 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 includes a value of a counter C indicating the total number of recording / reproducing apparatuses, and a value N1 of an identification code unique to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 to which the drive unit 2 is directly connected. And another recording / reproducing device (for example, the recording / reproducing device 1) connected to the recording / reproducing device 1 to which the drive unit 2 is directly connected via the inter-device connection cable 18.
a, 1b, 1c, 1d,...) are all transferred to the first control unit 7 of the drive unit 2 (steps N2, N3, N4, N5,...). b10). However, if another recording / reproducing device is not connected to the recording / reproducing device 1, the identification code of the other recording / reproducing device is not detected in the process of step b6, so that it is transferred to the first controller 7 in the process of step b10. The data to be transmitted are only C (= 1) and N1 (= identification code unique to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 to which the drive unit 2 is directly connected).

The first control unit 7 on the drive unit 2 side
Detects these data in the discriminating process of step a2, and determines the total number C of the recording / reproducing devices directly or indirectly connected to the drive unit 2, and the recording / reproducing device directly connected to the drive unit 2. The identification code N1 of the device 1 and the inter-device connection cable 18
And temporarily stores all of the identification codes N2 to Nc unique to each of the other recording / reproducing apparatuses connected via the PC (step a3).

Next, the first control unit 7 sets an initial value 1 to an index m for specifying a divided storage area (partition) of the recording medium 3 (step a4),
The non-volatile memory 11 (see FIG. 2) as a recording state determination unit is accessed to determine whether or not the flag of the recording state determination field Fm is ON. In short, an image or sound is stored in the m-th partition of the recording medium 3. Then, it is determined whether or not the data is recorded (step a5).

If the result of the determination in step a5 is true, that is, if image or audio data has already been recorded in the m-th partition, the first control unit 7
Further accesses the non-volatile memory 11 (see FIG. 2) as the identification code storage means, and corresponds to the identification code stored in the identification code storage field Ym, that is, the m-th partition of the recording medium 3. The set identification code Ym is read (step a6).

Next, the first control section 7 as an identification code comparing means sets an initial value 1 to an index i for searching for a unique identification code of the recording / reproducing apparatus (step a).
7) The value of the identification code Ym set for the m-th partition of the recording medium 3 is
Then, it is determined whether or not the identification code Ni is unique to any of the recording / reproducing devices directly or indirectly connected to (step a8). Since the initial value of the index i is 1, the first comparison target is the identification code N1 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 directly connected to the drive unit 2.

When the value of the identification code Ym does not match the value of the identification code Ni, the first control unit 7 further connects the current value of the index i to the drive unit 2 directly or indirectly. It is determined whether or not the total number C of the recording / reproducing apparatuses has reached (step a9). If the current value of the index i does not reach the total number C of recording / reproducing devices, an identification code unique to another recording / reproducing device which has not been compared so far is assigned to the m-th partition of the recording medium 3. Since there is a possibility that the value matches the set identification code Ym, the first control unit 7 increments the value of the index i by 1 (step a10), and performs the same as described above based on the current value of the index i. Steps a8 to a10 are repeatedly executed.

If the current value of the index i reaches the total number C of the recording / reproducing devices and the result of the determination in step a9 becomes true while such processing is repeatedly executed, the drive unit 2 is directly or This means that an identification code matching the identification code Ym set for the m-th partition of the recording medium 3 was not found even when the identification codes of all indirectly connected recording / reproducing devices were checked. I do.

In the present embodiment, when the unused recording medium 3 is used first, and when the recording medium 3 on which data is already recorded is re-initialized and reused, the recording medium 3 must be used at that time. Then, an identification code unique to the recording / reproducing device connected to the drive unit 2 is written on the recording medium 3. Therefore, even if the identification codes of all the recording / reproducing devices directly or indirectly connected to the drive unit 2 are checked, the identification code that matches the identification code Ym set for the m-th partition of the recording medium 3 If the code is not found, it means that the recording / reproducing device used for recording the image and the sound in the partition m is located at another place beyond the connection range by the inter-device connection cable 18, in short, Images and sounds created or copied by others are in partition m
Means that the information is recorded in the storage area. Generally, such a situation often occurs when another person tries to illegally reproduce an image or sound created or copied by another person, and therefore, reproduction of this data should be prohibited.

Therefore, it is apparent that the result of the determination in step a9 is true, and the recording / reproducing apparatus used for recording the image or sound was located outside the connection range of the inter-device connection cable 18 at another location. Is satisfied, the first control unit 7 as the input / output restricting unit permits only the reception of the data initialization instruction for the m-th partition of the recording medium 3 (step a11), and the current user It is determined whether or not an actual initialization operation has been performed (step a12).

If the initialization is performed here, the user does not intend to reproduce the image or sound created or copied by another user, and the current user himself The use of partitions should be allowed, since it means that is trying to record new images and sounds.

Then, an initialization operation is performed and step a
When the result of the determination in step 12 is true, the first control unit 7 as the identification code writing means sets the value of the identification code N1 unique to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 to which the drive unit 2 is directly connected at the present time. To the identification code storage field Ym corresponding to the m-th partition of the recording medium 3.
(Step a17), and the first control unit 7 serving as the input / output restriction release unit transmits the permission storage area S corresponding to the m-th partition of the recording medium 3.
An access permission flag for permitting recording and reproduction of data is set in m (step a18). The normal recording / reproduction control unit 10 of the drive unit 2 and the recording / reproduction device 1
Since there is no restriction on input / output of data with the normal recording / reproduction control unit 13, processing relating to new recording and reproduction of images and sounds can be performed without any trouble.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step a12 is false, that is, even if the identification codes of all the recording / reproducing devices connected directly or indirectly to the drive unit 2 are checked, the identification of the recording medium 3 If no identification code matching the identification code Ym set for the m-th partition is found and the current user does not intend to initialize the partition, the current user You are trying to preserve the data without reproducing the images or sounds created or copied by others (this is acceptable), or to illegally play the images or sounds created or copied by others Or this is not acceptable)
In any case, writing and reproduction of data to and from this partition m should be prohibited.

Therefore, if the result of the determination in step a12 is false, the first control unit 7 as input / output restricting means
Sets an access prohibition flag for prohibiting data recording and reproduction in the permission storage area Sm corresponding to the m-th partition of the recording medium 3 (step a13), indicating that an erroneous operation or an illegal operation has been performed. An error signal is output to the recording / reproducing device 1 (step a1).
4), the recording / reproducing device 1 is processed by the processing of the second control unit 8 side.
Display an error message on the display (FIG. 9)
Steps b13 and b14). The error message is not limited to a visual display, but may be a sound display such as a buzzer. Data input / output between the normal recording / reproduction control unit 10 of the drive unit 2 and the normal recording / reproduction control unit 13 of the recording / reproduction device 1 is prohibited for the partition for which the access prohibition flag is set. Processing for new recording and playback of audio is completely disabled, and unauthorized use of images and sounds created or copied by others is prohibited, and at the same time, careless data write operations to partitions to which others have the right to use. It is prevented beforehand.

Since this prohibition control is performed by the first control unit 7 of the drive unit 2, data reproduction is impossible even if any command is input from the recording / reproducing apparatus 1. Further, since the recording medium 3 is integrally formed with the drive unit 2, it is very difficult to take out the recording medium 3 from the drive unit 2 and replace it with another drive unit (for example, a drive unit having the same identification code as the recording / reproducing apparatus 1). Difficult.

Steps a8 to a10
If the result of the determination in step a8 becomes true during the repetition of the process of step a8, the identification code of any of the recording / reproducing devices directly or indirectly connected to the drive unit 2 is the same as the identification code Ym of the partition m. That is, it means that an image or a sound is recorded in the m-th partition of the recording medium 3 by any recording / reproducing device directly or indirectly connected to the drive unit 2. As far as this partition m is concerned, the person who has performed the recording or the recording work or the current user who is a member of the user group has the right to use this.

Therefore, when the result of the determination in step a8 is true, the first control unit 7 as the input / output restriction canceling means is activated.
Unconditionally sets an access permission flag for permitting data recording and reproduction in the permission storage area Sm corresponding to the m-th partition of the recording medium 3 (step a18). Since there is no data input / output restriction between the normal recording / reproducing control unit 10 of the drive unit 2 and the normal recording / reproducing control unit 13 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 for the partition for which the access permission flag is set, Can be performed without any trouble.

If the determination result of step a5 is false, that is, if the flag of the recording state determination field Fm is OFF (the same state as when shipped from the factory), the m-th partition of the recording medium 3 If it is found that no image or audio data is recorded in the partition, this means that this partition is used for the first time, and the first control unit 7 as the identification code writing means is used.
Writes the value of the identification code N1 unique to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 to which the drive unit 2 is directly connected at the present time in the identification code storage field Ym corresponding to the m-th partition of the recording medium 3 (step a
17). Further, as a result, the identification code of Ym comes to coincide with the identification code of N1, so that the first control unit 7 as the input / output restriction release unit corresponds to the m-th partition of the recording medium 3. Permission storage area Sm
An access permission flag for permitting data recording and reproduction is set unconditionally (step a18). Since there is no data input / output restriction between the normal recording / reproducing control unit 10 of the drive unit 2 and the normal recording / reproducing control unit 13 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 for the partition for which the access permission flag is set, Can be performed without any trouble.

In this way, the first controller 7 having completed the processing of step a18 or step a14 determines whether or not the current value of the index m has reached the total number max of the partitions of the recording medium 3. (Step a1
5). If the current value of the index m does not reach the total number max of the partitions, the first control unit 7 increments the value of the index m by 1 (step a16), shifts to the processing of step a5 again, and returns to the index m. The same processing as described above is repeatedly executed based on the current value of the data, and processing for initialization and writing of an identification code, and permission for data recording and reproduction are individually performed for each partition indicated by the current value of the index m. / Perform processing for setting of non-permission individually.

When the current value of the index m finally reaches the total number of partitions max and all the processes for each partition are completed and the result of the determination in step a15 becomes true, the first control unit 7 I.e., the input / output of data between the normal recording / reproduction control unit 10 of the drive unit 2 and the normal recording / reproduction control unit 13 of the recording / reproduction device 1 to reproduce or record image and audio data. The processing is started, but all input / output (recording / reproduction) of data to / from the partition for which the access prohibition flag is set in the permission storage area is prohibited by the processing of the first control unit 7, so that Problems such as reproduction of copied images and audio data are all solved.

Moreover, whether the reproduction or recording of image or audio data is possible or not is determined individually for each partition by the first control unit 7, so that a large number of partitions are cut into the large-capacity recording medium 3 and Even if each of the user groups such as family members use it individually,
Independence between partitions and users can be ensured without causing confusion in setting permissions.

Even if the image or audio data is already recorded by another person, the partition can be initialized and reused, so that illegal use of the copied data can be prevented. However, the large-capacity recording medium 3 can be used effectively.

As described above, as one embodiment, the data storage area of the recording medium 3 is divided into max partitions, and the identification code storage means Ym and the recording state determination means Fm for each partition and the unique identification of some recording / reproducing devices are used. An example has been described in which whether or not data can be reproduced or recorded from each partition is individually managed based on the relationship with the code. However, a large capacity (1 (Partition) can be used as it is, and the same configuration can be applied to a recording / reproducing device that does not have a function of connecting to another recording / reproducing device.

For example, when using a large capacity (one partition) without setting a partition on the recording medium 3, simply set the value of max used in the determination processing of step a15 in FIG. Well, when applying the same configuration as the above embodiment to a recording / reproducing device that does not have a connection function with another recording / reproducing device,
The processing of steps b5 to b9 and the processing of steps b11 and b12 in FIG. 9 are omitted, and at the same time, C used in the determination processing of step a9 in FIG.
May be set to 1.

[0054]

According to the recording / reproducing controller of the present invention, unauthorized use of data between a drive unit for recording a large amount of image and audio data and the recording / reproducing device is reliably prevented, and The data of the drive unit can be reproduced only by the recording / reproducing device that has performed the recording operation.

When the storage area of the recording medium of the drive unit is divided into a plurality of storage areas, an identification code storage means and a recording state determination means are provided separately for each storage area, and each storage area is provided with an identification code storage means. Is determined individually for each storage area based on the identification code stored in the storage area and the determination result of the recording state determination means of each storage area. Even when each of the storage areas is used by a plurality of users, each storage area can be used independently by each user without causing confusion about restrictions relating to recording and reproduction.

Further, since the input / output restricting means is configured to allow a data initialization command for the recording medium even when the identification codes do not match, the input / output restricting means has been used in other recording / reproducing apparatuses. The drive unit can be initialized by another recording / reproducing apparatus as it is, and the recording medium can be reused, and illegal use of data can be prohibited, and effective use of the drive unit can be realized at the same time.

When the recording and reproduction of data on the recording medium is prohibited by the input / output restricting means, an error signal is returned to the second control unit. It is possible to explicitly notify the user that recording or reproduction of the drive unit is prohibited, and the problem of inadvertently initializing the recording medium of the drive unit used by another user is also solved.

Further, when another recording / reproducing apparatus is connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus, it is required that the identification code of any one of the recording / reproducing apparatuses matches the identification code of the drive unit being used. Under the conditions, the reproduction and recording of data from the drive unit are allowed, so within a limited range of user groups, for example, in an environment where a plurality of recording and reproduction devices are used in parallel at home, The drive unit can be effectively used without excessively restricting data recording and reproduction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of a recording / reproducing controller of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of recorded contents of a nonvolatile memory as an identification code storage unit and a recording state determination unit.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a recording / reproducing apparatus equipped with the recording / reproducing controller of the embodiment and a drive unit thereof.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing a method of attaching a drive unit to a recording / reproducing device.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view showing a method of electrically connecting a drive unit to the recording / reproducing apparatus.
5A shows a state before connection, and FIG. 5B shows a state after connection.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a state in which a plurality of recording / reproducing devices are connected by an inter-device connection cable.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing of a first control unit.

FIG. 8 is a continuation of the flowchart showing an outline of the processing of the first control unit;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing of a second control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording / reproducing apparatus 2 Drive unit 3 Recording medium 4 Tray 5 Connector 6 Connector 7 First control unit 8 Second control unit 9 Main control unit (identification code comparison means, identification code writing means, input / output restriction means, input / output restriction Release means) 10 Normal recording / reproduction control unit 11 Non-volatile memory (identification code storage means, recording state determination means) 12 Device unique identification code storage memory 13 Normal recording / reproduction control unit 14 TV tuner 15 External input terminal 16 External output terminal 17 Connection Terminal 18 Device connection cable 19 Memory playback controller

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A drive unit having an inseparably integrated recording medium for recording data, and a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing data on / from the recording medium by interchangeably mounting the drive unit. A recording / reproduction controller for controlling input / output, comprising: a first control unit provided in the drive unit; and a second control unit provided in the recording / reproduction device. An identification code storage unit for storing an identification code, a recording state determination unit for determining whether data is recorded on the recording medium, and an identification code stored in the identification code storage unit. An identification code comparison unit that compares the identification code with the identification code stored in the second control unit, and data is recorded by the recording state determination unit. When it is detected that there is no data, the identification code writing unit that reads the identification code stored in the second control unit and stores the identification code in the identification code storage unit, and that the data is recorded by the recording state determination unit. And input / output restricting means for prohibiting recording and reproduction of data on the recording medium when the identification code mismatch is detected by the identification code comparing means, and the identification code matching is detected by the identification code comparing means. Then, input / output restriction release means for permitting recording and reproduction of data with respect to the recording medium is provided, and the second control unit is configured to set an identification code unique to the recording / reproducing apparatus. Characteristic recording and playback controller. 2. A data storage area of the recording medium is divided into a plurality of sections, and an identification code storage section and a recording state determination section are individually provided for each storage area, and the identification code comparison section, the identification code writing section, Each of the output restricting means and the input / output restriction canceling means, based on the identification code stored in the identification code storing means of each storage area and the determination result of the recording state determining means of each storage area, 2. The recording / reproducing controller according to claim 1, wherein the recording / reproducing controller is configured to perform individual processing for each storage area. 3. The recording / reproducing controller according to claim 1, wherein the input / output restricting means is configured to allow a data initialization command for the recording medium. 4. The input / output restricting unit is configured to return an error signal to the second control unit when recording and reproduction of data on the recording medium are prohibited,
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second control unit is configured to display the occurrence of an error on a display unit or an audio output unit provided in the recording / reproducing apparatus. Recording and playback controller. 5. The second control section reads a unique identification code from a second control section provided in another recording / reproducing apparatus connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus via a cable, and sends the identification code to the identification code comparing section. A transfer function, and the identification code comparing means compares all the transferred identification codes with the identification codes stored in the identification code storage means, and if there is at least one matching code, 5. The recording / reproducing controller according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to detect a match.