,,,, o E,;;;p,;;; h,;;__,,,en,_,;;, l lllllll llllll lll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll llllll llllllll llll
off,ce eu;opeen des _;evets (1 1) E P O 538 888 B 1
(1 2) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION
(45) Date of Publication and mention (51) Int. CI.7; H04N lll 6
of the grant of the patent.
1 l.05.2000 Bulletin 2000120
(21) Application number. 921 18204.4
(22) Date of filing. 23.1 O.1 992
(54) ln_ormation processing method and system
Datenverarbeitungssystem und -methode
Système et méthode d'élaboration d'information
(84) Designated Contracting States. _ Yamamoto, Masakuni,
DE FR _B IT NL clo Canon Ka_ushiki _isha
Tokyo (JP)
(30) Priority. 25.1 O.1991 JP 305I0591 _ Yamaguchi, Eiji,
clo Canon Ka_ushiki _isha
(43) Date of Publication of aPPlication. To_o (Jp)
28.04.1 993 BUllet,; 1 99311 l _ Iid,, I;hifo,
(73) clo Canon Ka_ushiki _isha
CPrAONPr_e NtOrKAguSHI_ KAISHA To_o (Jp)
T__O (JP) (74) Representative.
(72) Tiedtke, Harro, Dipl.-lng.
InVentOrS_ p,,e;,,;w,I,s_u__fo
_ MOf,Sh,ma, H,dek,, T,ed,ke-gu__hl,;g-Kj;;e g p,f,;ef
CIO Ca;O; Ka_USh,k, _,Sha g,,,,_,,,_,,g 4
T__O (JP) go336 Mu__n;hen (DE)
_ E;dO, _yO;O_U,
CIO Ca;O; Ka_USh,k, _,Sha (56) References cited.
T__o (JP) Ep-A- o 243 31 2 wo-A-gI11 18_
_ Matsumura, Susumu, uS-A- 4 gol 2g6 uS-A- 4 gl 6 131
clo Canon Ka_ushiki _isha uS-A- 4 ggl 2og
Tokyo (JP)
_ Hoshi, Hiroaki, _ PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1 3, no. 1 92
clo Canon Ka_ushiki _isha (E-153)9 May 1 989 & JP-A-01 01 2183 (TOSHIBA
Tokyo (JP) CORP.)
_ Hasegawa, Koyo,
clo Canon Ka_ushiki _isha
Tokyo (JP)
_
_
OOoo
OO
OO
__ Note. Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give
o notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in
a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art.
_w 99(1) European patent convention). Prin_ed by Kerox
1 EP O 538 888 B1 2
Description _OO04l On the other hand, scramble key Ks, which
is decoded by the decoding circuit 31, is supplied to a
gACK_RouND oF THE INvENTloN pseudo-random number (PN) generator 35, and the PN
generator 35 generates a pseudo-random number sig-
Field of the lnvention _ nal (PN Signal) Whi Ch haS an initial VaIUe Of KS When the
comparison in the contract condition comparison circuit
_oool l The present invention relates to information 34 iS Sati Sfied_ The PN Signal iS SUPPlied tO an aUdiO
processing methods and systems, and in particular, to a deSCrambler 36 and the videO deSCrambler 37, and the
method of limiting the use of information transmitted to a UdiO and VideO SignaIS are reSPeCti VeIY deCOded USing
a large number of unspecified people solely to a specific 1o the PN Signal_
user, and a system utilizing such a method. The present _OO05l The individual information is coded informa-
invention is very useful in a case where a charge is to be tion to be used when the contract condition is altered
made for information supplied through a communication and to be decoded in a decoding circuit 32 using master
system. key Kmi 33 to re-write the contract condition recorded in
1_ the contract condition comparison circuit 34. Thus, the
Related Back round Art scrambled (coded) video and audio signals are
decoded, and only a contractor can receive a broadcast
_OO02l Presently, the transmission of information picture image. As a result, the charge is conducted only
using an electromagnetic wave is widely employed, and for the contractor of the BS broadcast, and the change
a telephone and so forth are used as a one-to-one infor- 2o of the contract condition can be performed by broad-
mation transmission means. Television, radio and the cast.
Iike are _own as unidirectional information transmis- _OO06l ln the prior art pay BS broadcast, however, a
sion means in which information is transmitted from an charge is conducted for the use of a device of the BS
information transmission source to a large number of decoder 38 lent to the contractor, and no charge is
unspecified users having individual receivers. In the 2_ made for respective groups of information. That is, in
case of a telecast, a charge for information transmitted the prior art technique, no charge can be conducted
to each of the unspecified users is conducted, for exam- individually for respective groups of information, and so
ple, by collecting a TV reception rate from users having it is difficult to make a charge for the particular informa-
TV receivers by Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NH_ or the tion received.
Japan Broadcast Association. Further, a charge-based 3o _OOOll Same applies in principle to document US-
broadcast satellite (BS) broadcast has recently been A-4 916 737 as well as to document WO-A-91 1 1884
started by Nippon Eisei Hoso (Japan BS Broadcast) which are concerned with a secure anti-piracy encoded
Co., and a charge for this BS broadcast is conducted by television system and method (US-A-4 91 6 737) and an
using a BS decoder. e_ernal security module for a television signal decoder
_OO03l Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of an example 3_ (WO-A-91 1 1 884), each providing a possibility for
of the BS decoder. In Fig. 1, a work key (Kw), individual charging a subscriber for viewed programs.
information such as conditions of a reception contract _OO08l According to document US-A-4 916 737 bill-
and a master key (Kmi) are stored in a BS decoder 38 ing is conducted for typical billing periods of 30 days
which is loaned to a user having a reception contract. In during which the billing information is collected for the
Fig. 1, an initially scrambled (coded or ciphered) video 4o respective subscribers by a billing data gathering cen-
signal is supplied from a BS tuner (not shown) to a video tral computer.
descrambler 37. In addition, a signal comprising infor- _OO09l Similarly, according to document WO-A-91
mation needed for decoding (hereina_er referred to as 1 1884 a record of pay-per-view usage is uploaded from
related information) superimposed on a scrambled the decoder side to a head end after predetermined
audio signal is supplied to a separation circuit 30, and 4_ intervals or at a predetermined time. That is, actual pay-
the scrambled audio signal and the related information per-view data is forwarded at a later time.
are separated from each other. The related information _O01 Ol Hence, both prior art arrangements suffer
is further separated into common information and indi- from a drawback that it is at least difficult to effect a
vidual information. The common information consists of charge for respective groups of information, and so it is
a scramble key (Ks) needed to decode the broadcast _o difficult to make a charge for the particular information
signal, and contract information, which comprises received.
broadcast station identification information, service con-
tents and so forth, all of which are coded. The separated SUMMAR_ OF THE INVENTION
common information is decoded in a decoding circuit
31, using work key Kw which is recorded in the BS __ _O01 1 l lt is an object of the present invention to pro-
decoder 38. The contract information is supplied to a vide an information processing system and an informa-
contract condition comparison circuit 34 and compared tion processing method, respectively, which are free
with the contract contents stored in the decoder 38. from the above drawback of the prior art arrangements
2
3 EP O 538 888 B1 4
and which enable charging on the basis of units of infor- specified by the so_ware distributor, and copying this
mation. specified so_ware into the recording area 9a of the
_O01 2l This object is achieved by an information magnetO-OPti Cal diSC 9, SOf_are CdeCOding infOrmatiOn)
processing system or method according to claim 1 or 4. fOr deCOding CdemOdUlating) the SOf_are COPied intO
_ this recording area 9a and a management program are
BRIEF DESCRlpTloN oF THE DRAWIN_S recorded in the ROM area 9c.
_O01 6l The operation of this embodiment will be
_O01 3l described. The magneto-optical disc 9 is initially loaded
in the MOD driver 2, and the personal computer 1 is
Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an e_ample of a 1o started. As a result, a boot program in the ROM area 9c
prior art BS decoder. is initiated. The user accesses the host computer 5, and
Fig. 2 is a blockdiagram showing an embodiment of selects either copying of the above-mentioned coded
the present invention applied to a computer com- sof_are from the hard disc 6 or use of the so_ware cop-
munication system. ied in the recording area 9a. When the so_are is to be
Fig. 3 is a blockdiagram showing an embodiment of 1_ copied from the host computer 5, the copying of the
the present invention applied to a receiving system sof_are will be performed in the following manner.
of letter or character multiple_ing broadcast. _O01 ll ln the first place, the communication pro-
Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing a data structure gram with the host computer 5 stored in the ROM area
of a coded letter or character broadcast program. 9c is initiated. In this case, data needed to communicate
Figs. 5A-5D are respectively schematic views illus- 2o with the host computer 5, such as a password, is stored
trating e_amples of a character code to be used for in the ROM area 9c, and this data is transmitted to the
demodulating a letter or character broadcast pro- host computer 5. The host computer 5 determines
gram. whether the communication with the personal computer
1 should be conducted or not, based on the transmitted
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 2_ data. When the communication be_een the host com-
puter 5 and the personal computer 1 thus becomes pos-
_O014l Preferred embodiments of the present inven- sible, a request for copying the sof_are and data
tion will be e_plained with reference to the drawings. needed to copy such so_ware are supplied from the
_O01 5l Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an embod- personal computer 1 to the host computer 5. The host
iment of an information processing apparatus for charg- 3o computer 5 determines whether the so_ware may be
ing for information according to the present invention transmitted to the personal computer 1 by referring to
wherein the present invention is applied to an informa- the data, and upon determining that the transmission
tion communication system for performing distribution may be permitted, the host computer 5 transmits the
and renewal of so_are by a so-called computer com- coded (or incomplete) sof_are stored in the hard disc 6
munication using a telephone line. In Fig. 2, reference 3_ to the personal computer 1. The personal computer 1
numeral 1 designates a personal computer at the side instructs the MOD driver 2 to cause the magneto-optical
of a user, reference numeral 2 designates a magneto- disc 9 to copy the transmitted so_ware into the record-
optical disc driving device (hereina_er referred to as an ing area 9a. After the completion of the transmission
MOD driver), and reference numeral 3 designates an and copying of the sof_are, the host computer 5 per-
information recording apparatus such as a hard disc. 4o forms the verification be_een the so_are copied in
The personal computer 1 is connected to the MOD the recording area 9a and the so_ware in the hard disc
driver 2, the information recording apparatus 3 and a 6 through the telephone line 8. When an accurate copy
modem 4. Further, reference numeral 5 designates a is confirmed, a name of the so_ware, its version, and
host computer at the side of a place from which soft- time and date of the copy are written in the manage-
ware is to be distributed, and the host computer 5 is 4_ ment area 9b, and the communication with the personal
connected to a hard disc 6 of a large capacity and a computer 1 is finished.
modem 7. The host computer 5 supplies and receives _O018l On the other hand, when the user is to initi-
data to and from the personal computer 1 through a tel- ate e_ecution of the so_are copied into the recording
ephone line 8, and the distribution and renewal of the area 9a in the above-discussed manner, the following
so_ware for the personal computer 1 are also per- _o processing will be performed. When the so_ware is first
formed through the telephone line 8. Reference numeral initiated, the sof_are is decoded (demodulated) by ini-
9 designates a magneto-optical disc loaded in the MOD tiating a decode program in the ROM area 9c since the
driver 2, and this disc 9 is made by the distributor of soft- copied so_ware in the recording area 9a is coded (or
ware. A recording area of the magneto-optical disc 9 is incomplete). The sof_are converted to usable form is
divided into a recording area 9a, a management area 9b __ again recorded in the recording area 9a, and at the
and a read only memory (ROM) area 9c. So_are for same time, the management data such as time and
communicating with the host computer 5, so_ware for date at which the so_ware is decoded, and a file name
accessing coded sof_are in the hard disc 6, which is of the decoded sof_are are written in the management
3
5 EP O 538 888 B1 6
area 9b. In this case, the coded (or incomplete) so_ware izer circuit for shaping the wave-shape of the video sig-
in the recording area 9a may be erased or may be pre- nal with reference to the reference clock, reference
served as it is. Thus, the coded so_ware first becomes numeral 1 5 designates a character signal separation
usable, and the user can use this by initiating the soft- circuit for separating a character signal from the video
ware recorded in the recording area 9a. When the soft- _ signal whose wave-shape is shaped by the wave-shape
ware is to be used a second or later time, the so_ware equalizer circuit 1 4 with reference to the reference
recorded in the recording area 9a may be used as it is clock, and reference numeral 1 6 designates a buffer
since the so_are has already been decoded (demodu- memory for storing program data of the character
Iated). The so_ware converted to usable form may be broadcast obtained in the character signal separation
recorded in the information recording apparatus 3 con- 1o circuit 1 5. The program data stored in the buffer mem-
nected to the personal computer 1 and may be used ory 1 6 is demodulated to be displayed on CRT 26 a_er
from there. a determination that the program data may be used is
_O01 9l ln this embodiment, the decode program for COnfirmed USing itS identifiCatiOn COde_ A detailed eXPla-
decoding the coded so_are is recorded in the mag- natiOn Of thiS OPeratiOn will be made beIOw_
neto-optical disc 9, and as a result the user can decode 1_ _O021 l Further, reference numeral 1 7 designates a
the transmitted sof_are and use it. Therefore, if the dis- central processing unit (CPU) for controlling each part,
tributor of sof_are sells the magneto-optical disc 9 at a reference numeral 1 8 designates a work random
price including a use rate of the so_ware when he pro- access memory (RAM), and reference numeral 1 9 des-
duces and sells the magneto-optical disc 1, the distribu- ignates a program ROM, and reference numeral 20 des-
tor can charge for the sof_are. Although the so_ware is 2o ignates a magneto-optical disc. A magneto-optical disc
exemplified as information for which a charge is made in driver apparatus (not shown) records and reproduces
this embodiment, the information may be other data. information in and from the magneto-optical disc 20,
When the sof_are is to be somewhat revised, e.g., cor- and its recording area is divided into a program record-
rection and version-upgrade of the so_ware, revised ing area 20a and a ROM area 20b. The program record-
so_ware is distributed to achieve such revision, without 2_ ing area 20a includes a program recording table in
using new media for distribution. Further, the program which a set of time and date of program recording and a
or data (decoding information) needed to copy or content change flag are to be recorded. In the ROM
decode the so_ware to be recorded in the ROM area 9c area 20b, an identification of the coded character broad-
of the magneto-optical disc 9 is recorded in a so-called cast program (more concretely, coded program chan-
pit structure having an uneven structure but not in a 3o nel, scan interval of transmission, transmission mode
form of a magnetic domain which is usually utilized in a and program number) and so_are (decoding informa-
magneto-optical disc. For example, the program or data tion) needed to demodulate the coded (or incomplete)
(decoding information) may be recorded by simultane- character broadcast program are recorded. Coding of
ous molding, when a disc substrate (this includes a the broadcast program data is performed by, for exam-
groove structure, track number information, sector 3_ ple, using a character code different from a normal char-
number information, etc.)is molded using a metallic acter broadcast. In such a case, the demodulation
mold at the manufacture of the magneto-optical disc. sof_are in the ROM area 20b consists of program for
_O020l Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing another transforming the character code into a normal character
embodiment of the present invention applied to a letter code and character code data.
or character multiplexing broadcast. In this embodi- 4o _O022l Fig. 4 is a view showing the data structure of
ment, it is assumed that a coded character broadcasting a coded (or incomplete) character broadcast program.
program for a specific user as well as a normal or ordi- As is seen from Fig. 4, a program header and a page
nary character broadcast program for a large number of header of each page are written with the same code as
unspecified users are combined in a single broadcast, that of an ordinary character broadcast program, and
and that the coded character broacast program can be 4_ only a unit data of each page (net program information)
offered exclusively to the specific user. In Fig. 3, refer- is coded. Figs. 5A-5D respectively show examples of
ence numeral IO designates an antenna for receiving character code sets (character codes) to be used as
electric waves broadcast from a broadcasting station, decoding information to demodulate an ordinary char-
and reference numeral 1 1 designates a selection- acter broadcast program and convert the broadcast
demodulation circuit for selecting a channel designated _o information to usable form. In this embodiment, only the
by the user and demodulating a video signal of the character codes set of the character broadcast signal is
selected channel. The demodulated video signal is sup- used solely for the coded broadcast program, without
plied to a synchronization separation circuit 1 3, and hor- using character code for an ordinary character broad-
izontal and vertical synchronizing signals are separated cast program illustrated in Figs. 5A-5D. Therefore, if
from the video signal and at the same time a reference __ demodulation of the coded program is attempted using
clock for wave-shape equalization and character signal data in the ordinary program ROM 1 9, the demodulation
separation is generated from the video signal. Further, could not be performed normally because no characters
reference numeral 1 4 designates a wave-shape equal- exist corresponding to the code or only different charac-
4
7 EP O 538 888 B1 8
ters exist corresponding to the code. As discussed displayed by the CRT 26. The charaner code data in the
above, only a specified user can demodulate the coded ROM area 20b has a capacity of 2-3 Mbyte approxi-
Ietter broadcast, and as a result the broadcast is limited mately equal to that of the program ROM used in a con-
to the specified user. ventional character broadcast, and its content consists
_oo23l The operation of this embodiment will be _ Of a tranSfOrmatiOn li St and a PrOgram fOr tranSfOrming
described hereinbelow. (COnVerting) the Charaner COde Set (CharaCter COde)
_oo24l lnitially, when the letter broadcast data is USed in the COded PrOgram intO an OrdinarY Charaner
stored in the buffer memory 1 6 up to a decode unit, COde Set SO that the PrOgram iS in u Sable fOrm_ ln Fig_ 3,
CPU 1 7 compares the identification code attached to referenCe nUmeral 21 deSignateS a diSPlaY COntrOl Cir-
the charaner broadcast program with the identification 1o CUit, referenCe nUmeral 22 deSignateS COIOr memOrY
code in the ROM area 2ob and performs the following and Pattern memOrY and referenCe nUmeral 27 deSig-
control when both of them are coincident with each nateS an interfaCe_
other. In the first place, the time and date of program _O026l On the other hand, when the identification
recording and the content change flag in the program code of the program data in the buffer memory 1 6 is not
recording table of the program recording area 20a are 1_ coincident with the identification code of the coded (or
compared with the content change flag of the character incomplete) charaner broadcast program in the ROM
broadcast program data and present time and data in area 20b, the CPU 1 7 does not perform the recording of
the buffer memory 1 6. Only when the _o content the program data into the program recording area 20a,
change flags are coincident with each other and the and the use of the program data is prohibited. In this
time and date of program recording does not exceed a 2o case, the instruction from the interface 27 is supplied to
time input beforehand (for example, _enty minutes), the CPU 1 7, and the ordinary character broadcast pro-
the program data in the buffer memory 16 is recorded in gram in the program ROM 1 9 may be decoded using the
the program recording area of the magneto-optical disc program or data for decoding to be output into the CRT
20. Namely, the content of the letter broadcast program 26 as a video output.
may be changed, and in this case the presence of a 2_ _O021l ln the conventional character broadcast pro-
change in the content of the program is usually known gram, while the character information and other data
from the content change flag. When the recording time used to display this charaner information (hereina_er
and date of the previously recorded program data and referred to as data for display), for example, color
the content change flag at that time are coincident with instruction of an image surface background, charaner
the present time and date and content change flag as a 3o size instruction, etc., are simultaneously transmitted,
result of the comparison and the recording time and most parts of the data for display, the transmitted char-
date do not exceed a predetermined time, the program aner broadcast signal and the program for properly
data in the buffer memory 1 6 is judged to be the latest controlling the data for display may be in the ROM area
data. Therefore, in the other cases, the program data is 20b for a specific program. As a result, since only char-
judged to be old and the program data in the buffer 3_ aner information is transmitted for the specific program,
memory 1 6 is erased. When the latest program data is the transmission efficiency can be improved. In other
recorded in the program recording area 20a, the content words, incomplete data or program can be transmitted.
change flag and recording time and date at that time are Also in this case, the identification code of the specified
recorded in the program recording table. As a result, program is stored in the ROM area 20b, and this is com-
when the program data is to be used the ne_ time, the 4o pared with the identification code of the program data
Iatest program data can be obtained following the same stored in the buffer memory 1 6. And when both of them
operation as discussed-above. are coincident with each other, the program in the ROM
_O025l The program data recorded in the program area 20b may be initiated.
recording area 20a is thus read out by the CPU 1 7, and _O028l ln this embodiment, the program and data
the demodulation processing is performed. In the 4_ (decoding information) needed to demodulate the spec-
demodulation processing, the program and character ified coded (or incomplete) program data are stored in
code data (decoding data) recorded in the ROM area the ROM area of the magneto-optical disc beforehand,
20b of the magneto-optical disc 20 are read out by the so that the use of the character broadcast program may
magneto-optical disc driver apparatus, and the CPU 1 7 be limited only to a specified user having such a pro-
demodulates the coded (or incomplete) program data _o gram and data (decoding information) on a disc. There-
using that program and data (decoding information). fore, the charge can individually be made for a specific
The demodulated data is finally developed on a color character broadcast by selling the magneto-optical disc
matrix (picture image memory) 23 by the CPU 1 7, and at a price including the use rate of the broadcast pro-
is displayed on the image surface of a cathode ray tube gram. Thus, the charge can individually be made for the
(CR_ 26. When voice is involved in the program data, __ respenive groups of information transmitted to a large
the audio data is transformed into voice by an electronic number of unspecified users, and a finer charge for
voice generator 24, and the video image and audio information is rendered possible. For example, the
voice are mixed by a video-audio mixer circuit 25 to be charge can be made in accordance with a use value of
5
9 EP O 538 888 B1 1 O
information. In the above embodiments, the character claim 1, wherein a first identification code is
program data is coded and transmitted, but such a sys- included in the received information and a second
tem in which a series of information groups is incom- identification code is recorded in said recording
plete may be adopted. In this case, the program is medium (9, 9a, 9_, 9c; 20, 20a, 20_), and further
provided only to a specified user by performing the 5 comprising comparison means (1; 1_ for compar-
demodulation using program and data in a similar man- ing the first identification code of the information
ner. received by said receiving means (4; 1 O) with the
_O029l As described in the foregoing, according to SeCOnd identifiCatiOn COde reCOrded in Said reCOrd-
the present invention, a program or data for demodulat- ing medium C9, 9a, 9_, 9C, 20, 20a, 20_) and
ing coded or incomplete information groups is stored in 1o in StrUCtiOn meanS C1, 1 _ fOr inStrUCting Said
a_vance in an information recording medium. There- demOdUlating meanS C1, 1 _ tO Start the demOdUla-
fore, the information can be provided only to a user hav- tiOn Of the reCeiVed infOrmatiOn When the firSt iden-
ing such a recording medium, thereby enabling tifiCatiOn COde COinCideS With the SeCOnd
individual distribution of the respective information identifiCatiOn COde in Said COmPariSOn meanS C1,
groups. 15 1__
Claims 4. An information processing method comprising the
steps of.
1. An information processing system comprising. 2o receiving transmitted information, the informa-
receiving means (4; 1 O) for receiving transmit- tion being coded or incomplete and in a non-
ted information, the information being coded or usable form;
incomplete and in a non-usable form; providing a recording medium (9, 9a, 9_, 9c;
a recording medium (9, 9a, 9_, 9c; 20, 20a, 20, 20a, 20b), decoding information needed to
20_), decoding information needed to demodu- 25 demodulate the received information being
Iate the received information being pre- pre-recorded on said recording medium (9, 9a,
recorded on said recording medium (9, 9a, 9_, 9_, 9c; 20, 20a, 20_), said recording medium
9c; 20, 20a, 20_), said recording medium com- comprising a first area (9a; 20a) in which the
prising a first area (9a; 20a) in which the received information is to be written and a sec-
received information is to be written and a sec- 3o ond area (9c; 20_) in which the decoding infor-
ond area (9c; 20_) in which the decoding infor- mation is pre-recorded;
mation is pre-recorded; writing the information received during said
writing means (1; 1 _ for writing the information receiving step in the first area (9a; 20a) of said
received by said receiving means (4; 1 O) in the recording medium (9, 9a, 9_, 9c; 20, 20a, 20_);
first area (9a; 20a) of said recording medium 35 reading out the pre-recorded decoding infor-
(9, 9a, 9_, 9c; 20, 20a, 20_); mation from said second area of said recording
reading means (1; 1 _ for reading out the medium (9c; 20_); and
decoding information from said recording converting the information received during said
medium (9, 9a, 9_, 9c; 20, 20a, 20_); and receiving step and written in said first area (9a;
demodulating means (1; 1_ for converting the 4o 20a) of said recording medium (9, 9a, 9_, 9c;
information received by said receiving means 20, 20a, 20_) to a usable form using the pre-
(4; 1 O) and written in said first area (9a; 20a) of recorded decoding information read out in said
said recording medium (9, 9a, 9_, 9c; 20, 20a, reading step;
20_) to a usable form using the decoding infor- wherein the charge for use of the infor-
mation read out by said reading means (1; 1 _; 45 mation is defined in units corresponding to the
wherein the charge for use of the infor- decoding information being prerecorded on
mation is defined in units corresponding to the said recording medium (9, 9a, 9_, 9c; 20, 20a,
decoding information being prerecorded on 20_).
said recording medium (9, 9a, 9_, 9c; 20, 20a,
20_). 5o 5. An information processing method according to
claim 4, further comprising the steps of. comparing
2. An information processing system according to a first identification code included in the information
claim 1, wherein said recording medium (9, 9a, 9_, received during said receiving step with a second
9C; 20, 20a, 20_) comprises an optical disc and the identification code recorded in said recording
decoding information is recorded in said optical disc 55 medium (9, 9a, 9_, 9C; 20, 20a, 20_); and instruct-
in a form of pits having an uneven structure. ing the start of the demodulation of the received
information when the first identification code coin-
3. An information processing system according to cides with the second identification code in said
6
1 1 EP O 538 888 B1 12
comparing step. 3. Informationsverarbeitungssystem nach Anspruch
1, wobei ein erster ldentifikationscode in den emp-
6. An information processing system according to fangenen lnfOrmatiOnen enthalten i St und ein zwei-
claim 1, wherein said recor_ing medium further ter ldentifikatiOnSCOde in dem AUfleiChnUngStrager
comprises a storage area (9a) in which received _ C9, 9a, 9b, 9C, 20, 20a, 20b) aUfgelei Chnet i St,
information, in a decoded and usable form, is to be WObei daS lnfOrmatiOnSVerarbeitUngSSYStem aUf-
recorded. wei St. eine VergleiChSeinriChtung (1; 1 _ zum Ver-
gleichen des ersten ldentifikationscodes der durch
Patentansprüche die EmPfangSeinriChtung C4; IO) emPfangenen
Io lnformationen mit dem zweiten, in dem AufzeiCh-
1. Informationsverarbeitungssystem mit nUng Strager C9, 9a, 9b, 9C, 20, 20a, 20b) a Ufge-
zeichneten ldentifikationscode sowie eine
einer Empfangseinrichtung (4; 1 o) zum Emp- AnWeiSUngSeinriChtUng C1, 1 _ IUr AnWeiSUng der
fang von gesendeten lnformationen, wobei die DemOdulatiOnSeinriChtung C1; 1 _, die DemOdula-
Informationen kodiert oder nicht vollständig 1_ tiOn der emPfangenen lnfOrmatiOnen zu Starten,
sind und in einer nicht vennrendbaren Form vor- Wenn der er Ste ldentifi_tiOnSCOde mit dem IWeiten
Iiegen, ldentifikatiOnSCOde in der VergleiChSeinriChtUng C1;
einem Aufzeichnungsträger (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 2o, 1 7) überein Stimmt_
20a, 20b), wobei zur Demodulation der emp-
fangenen lnformationen erforderliche Dekodie- 2o 4. Informationsverarbeitungsverfahren mit den Schrit-
rungsinformationen auf dem Aufzeichnungs- ten
träger (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, 20a, 20b) vor-aufge-
zeichnet sind, wobei der Aufzeichnungsträger Empfangen von übertragenen lnformationen,
einen ersten Bereich (9a; 20a), in den die emp- wobei die lnformationen kodiert oder nicht voll-
fangenen lnformationen zu schreiben sind, und 2_ ständig sind und in einer nicht verwendbaren
einen zweiten Bereich (9c; 20b) aufweist, in Form vorliegen,
dem die Dekodierungsinformationen vor-auf- Bereitstellen eines Aufzeichnungsträgers (9,
gezeichnet sind, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, 20a, 20b), wobei zur Demodula-
einer Schreibeinrichtung (1; 1 7) zum Schrei- tion der empfangenen lnformationen erforderli-
ben der durch die Empfangseinrichtung (4; 1 O) 3o che Dekodierungsinformationen auf dem
empfangenen lnformationen in den ersten Aufzeichnungsträger (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, 20a,
Bereich (9a; 20a) des Aufzeichnungsträgers (9, 20b) vor-aufgezeichnet sind, wobei der Auf-
9a, 9b, 9c; 20, 20a, 20b), zeichnungsträger einen ersten Bereich (9a;
einer Leseeinrichtung (1; 1 7) zum _slesen 20a), in den die empfangenen lnformationen
der Dekodierungsinformationen aus dem Auf- 3_ zu schreiben sind, und einen zweiten Bereich
zeichnungsträger (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, 20a, 20b) (9c; 20b) aufweist, in dem die Dekodierungsin-
und formationen vor-aufgezeichnet sind,
einer Demodulationseinrichtung (1; 1 7) zur Schreiben der während des Empfangsschritts
Umwandlung der durch die Empfangseinrich- empfangenen lnformationen in den ersten
tung (4; 1 O) empfangenen und in den ersten 4o Bereich (9a; 20a) des Aufzeichnungsträgers (9,
Bereich (9a; 20a) des Aufzeichnungsträgers (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, 20a, 20b),
9a, 9b, 9c; 20, 20a, 20b) geschriebenen lnfor- Auslesen der De_dierungsinformationen aus
mationen in eine verwendbare Form durch Ver- dem zweiten Bereich des Aufzeichnungsträ-
wenden der durch die Leseeinrichtung (1; 1 7) gers (9c; 20b) und
ausgelesenen Dekodierungsinformationen, 4_ Umwandeln der während des Empfangs-
wobei eine Gebühr für eine Verwendung schritts empfangenen und in den ersten
der lnformationen in Einheiten entsprechend Bereich (9a; 20a) des Aufzeichnungsträgers (9,
den Dekodierungsinformationen definiert ist, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, 20a, 20b) geschriebenen lnfor-
die auf dem Aufzeichnungsträger (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; mationen in eine vennrendbare Form durch Ver-
20, 20a, 20b) voraufgezeichnet sind. _o wenden der in dem Leseschritt ausgelesenen
voraufgezeichneten Dekodierungsinformatio-
2. Informationsverarbeitungssystem nach Anspruch nen,
1, wobei der Aufzeichnungsträger (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, wobei eine Gebühr für eine Vennrendung
20a, 20b) eine optische Platte umfaßt und die der lnformationen in Einheiten entsprechend
Dekodierungsinformationen in der optischen Platte __ den Dekodierungsinformationen definiert ist,
in Form von Pits mit einer ungleichmäßigen Struk- die auf dem Aufzeichnungsträger (9, 9a, 9b, 9c;
tur aufgezeichnet sind. 20, 20a, 20b) voraufgezeichnet sind.
l
1 3 EP O 538 888 B1 1 4
5. Informationsverarbeitungsverfahren nach 2. Système de traitement d'information selon la reven-
Anspruch 4, mit den Schritten Vergleichen eines dication 1, dans lequel ledit support d'enregistre-
ersten ldentifikationscodes, der in den während des ment (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, 20a, 20b) comprend un
Empfangsschritts empfangenen lnformationen ent- disque optique et l'information de décodage est
halten i St, mit einem zweiten ldentifi_tionSCode, 5 enregi Strée danS ledit di Sque optique SouS la forme
der in dem Aufzeichnungsträger (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, de puits ayant une structure irrégulière.
20a, 20b) aufgezeichnet ist, und Anweisen, die
DemOdulatiOn der em Pfangenen lnfOrmatiOnen zu 3. Système de traitement d,information selon la reven-
Starten, wenn der erSte ldentifikatiOnSCOde mit dem dication 1, dans lequel un premier code d,identifica-
IWeiten ldentifikatiOnSCOde in dem Verglei ChS- 1o tion est inclus dans l,information re_ue et un
SChritt überein Stimmt_ deuxième code d,identification est enregistré dans
Iedit support d'enregistrement (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20,
6. Informationsverarbeitungssystem nach Anspruch 20a, 20b), et comprenant de plus des moyens de
1, wobei der _fzeichnungsträger einen Speicher- comparaison (1 ; 1 _ pour comparer le premier
bereich (9a) aufweist, in dem empfangene lnforma- 15 code d'identification de l'information re_ue par les-
tionen in einer dekodierten und vennrendbaren dits moyens de réception (4; IO) au deuxième code
Form aufzuzeichnen sind. d'identification enregistré dans ledit support d'enre-
gistrement (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, 20a, 20b) et des
Revendications moyens d'instruction (1; 1 7) pour donner auxdits
2o moyens de démodulation (1; 1 7) l'instruction de
1. Système de traitement d'information comprenant. démarrer la démodulation de l'information re_ue
Iorsque le premier code d'identification co_i_ncide
des moyens de réception (4; 1 O) pour recevoir avec le deuxième code d'identification dans lesdits
une information émise, l'information étant moyens de comparaison (1; 1 7).
codée ou incomplète et sous une forme non 25
utilisable; 4. Procédé de traitement d'information comprenant
un support d'enregistrement (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, les étapes suivantes.
20a, 20b), une information de décodage
nécessaire pour démoduler l'information re_ue la réception d'une information émise, l'informa-
étant pré-enregistrée sur ledit support d'enre- 3o tion étant codée ou incomplète et sous une
gistrement (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, 20a, 20b), ledit forme non utilisable;
support d'enregistrement comprenant une pre- la disposition d'un support d'enregistrement (9,
mière zone (9a; 20a) dans laquelle l'informa- 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, 20a, 20b), une information de
tion re_ue doit etre écrite et une deuxième décodage nécessaire pour démoduler l'infor-
zone (9c; 20b) dans laquelle l'information de 35 mation re_ue étant préenregistrée sur ledit
décodage est pré-enregistrée; support d'enregistrement (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20,
des moyens d'écriture (1 ; 1 7) pour écrire 20a, 20b), ledit support d'enregistrement com-
l'information re_ue par lesdits moyens de prenant une première zone (9a; 20a) dans
réception (4; 1 O) dans la première zone (9a; laquelle l'information re_ue doit etre écrite et
20a) dudit support d'enregistrement (9, 9a, 9b, 4o une deuxième zone (9c; 20b) dans laquelle
9c; 20, 20a, 20b); l'information de décodage est préenregistrée;
des moyens de lecture (1; 1 7) pour lire l'infor- l'écriture de l'information re_ue durant ladite
mation de décodage à partir dudit support étape de réception dans la première zone (9a;
d'enregistrement (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, 20a, 20b); 20a) dudit support d'enregistrement (9, 9a, 9b,
et 45 9c; 20, 20a, 20b);
des moyens de démodulation (1; 1 _ pour con- la lecture de l'information de décodage pré-
vertir l'information re_ue par lesdits moyens de enregistrée à partir de ladite deuxième zone
réception (4; IO) et écrite dans ladite première dudit support d'enregistrement (9c, 20b); et
zone (9a; 20a) dudit support d'enregistrement la conversion de l'information re_ue durant
(9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, 20a, 20b) sous une forme 5o ladite étape de réception et écrite dans ladite
utilisable à l'aide de l'information de décodage première zone (9a; 20a) dudit support d'enre-
Iue par lesdits moyens de lecture (1; 1 7); gistrement (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, 20a, 20b) en une
dans lequel la charge pour l'utilisation forme utilisable à l'aide de l'information de
de l'information est définie par unités corres- décodage pré-enregistrée lue dans ladite
pondant à l'information de décodage qui est 55 étape de lecture;
pré-enregistrée sur ledit support d'enregistre- dans lequel la charge pour l'utilisation
ment (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, 20a, 20b). de l'information est d_inie par unités corres-
pondant à l'information de décodage qui est
8
1 5 EP O 538 888 B1 16
pré-enregistrée sur ledit support d'enregistre-
ment (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, 20a, 20b).
5. Procédé de traitement d'information selon la reven-
dication 4, comprenant de plus les étapes suivan- 5
tes . Ia comparaison d'un premier code
d'identification inclus dans l'information re_ue
durant ladite étape de réception à un deuxième
code d'identification enregistré dans ledit support
d'enregistrement (9, 9a, 9b, 9c; 20, 20a, 20b); et 1o
l'instruction du démarrage de la démodulation de
l'information re_ue lorsque le premier code d'identi-
fication co_i_ncide avec le deuxième code d'identifi-
cation dans ladite étape de comparaison. 15
6. Système de traitement d'information selon la reven-
dication 1, dans lequel ledit support d'enregistre-
ment comprend de plus une zone de mémorisation
(9a) dans laquelle l'information re_ue, sous une
forme décodée et utilisable, doit etre enregistrée. 2o
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
9