Controlled-access broadcast signal receiving system

Abstract

An apparatus and method for transferring from a broadcaster to a receiver a limited reproduction right in data. A signal indicating the limited reproduction right is transmitted by the broadcaster and stored by the receiver with the data. The receiver reproduces and processes the data as a function of this signal.

1. Apparatus for receiving, recording, and reproducing data signals, comprising:
 receiving means for receiving said data signals and an access-control signal generated by a remote provider which grants users rights to reproduce said data signals;    processing means, coupled to said receiving means, for processing said data signals to produce processed data signals;    control means for controlling said processing means in response to said access-control signal;    storage means for storing said processed data signals and for storing said access-control signal;    means for reproducing said stored processed data signals to produce reproduced data signals and for retrieving said stored access-control signal; and    reprocessing means coupled to said control means for reprocessing said reproduced data signals in response to said retrieved access-control signal.    
     
     
       2. Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said data signals are digital video data signals. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said receiving means receives said data signals and said access-control signal from a broadcasting station. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said receiving means further comprises a tuner for receiving broadcast signals. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein said receiving means further comprises a modem for receiving said access-control signal. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said receiving means further comprises a modem for receiving said access-control signal. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said receiving means further comprises a user interface for receiving said access-control signal from a user. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said processing means comprises a descrambler. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said processing means comprises a descrambler and an encipherer and wherein said reprocessing means comprises a decipherer. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said processing means comprises an encipherer and wherein said reprocessing means comprises a decipherer. 
     
     
       11. Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said processed data signals are stored on a record medium and said access-control signal is stored in a separate storage medium. 
     
     
       12. Apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein said record medium is a video tape. 
     
     
       13. Apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein said separate storage medium is an integrated circuit memory. 
     
     
       14. Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said processed data signals and said access-control signal both are stored on a common record medium. 
     
     
       15. Apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a clock, coupled to said receiving means and to said control means, for supplying a clock signal to said control means;
 wherein said data signals include a clock reference signal; and    wherein said clock signal is synchronized with said clock reference signal.    
     
     
       16. Apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a decoder, coupled to said reprocessing means, for decoding said reprocessed data signals. 
     
     
       17. Apparatus for receiving and recording data signals, comprising:
 receiving means for receiving said data signals and an access-control signal generated by a remote provider which grants users rights to reproduce said data signals;    processing means, coupled to said receiving means, for processing said data signals to produce processed data signals;    control means for controlling said processing means in response to said access-control signal; and    storage means for storing said processed data signals and said access-control signal.    
     
     
       18. Apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein said processing means comprises a descrambler. 
     
     
       19. Apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein said processing means further comprises an encipherer. 
     
     
       20. Apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein said processing means comprises an encipherer. 
     
     
       21. Apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein said storage means comprises a storage cassette. 
     
     
       22. Apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein said storage cassette contains a record medium on which said processed data signals are recorded and an integrated circuit memory in which said access-control signal is stored. 
     
     
       23. Apparatus for reproducing processed data signals, comprising:
 means for reproducing stored processed data signals to produce reproduced data signals and for retrieving a stored access-control signal generated by a remote provider which grants users rights to reproduce said data signals;    reprocessing means for reprocessing said reproduced data signals to produce reprocessed data signals; and    control means for controlling said reprocessing means in response to said retrieved access-control signal.    
     
     
       24. Apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein said reprocessing means comprises a descrambler. 
     
     
       25. Apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein said reprocessing means comprises a decipherer. 
     
     
       26. Apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein said processed data signals and said access-control signals are stored in a storage cassette. 
     
     
       27. A method for transferring from a broadcaster to a receiver a limited reproduction right in data, comprising the steps of:
 transmitting from said broadcaster to said receiver an access-control signal generated by a remote provider and said data, said access-control signal indicating said limited reproduction right;    receiving, at said receiver, said access-control signal and said data;    processing, at said receiver, said data in response to said access-control signal to produce processed data;    storing, at said receiver, said processed data and said access-control signal;    retrieving, at said receiver, said stored access-control signal;    reproducing, at said receiver, said stored processed data to produce reproduced data; and    reprocessing, at said receiver, said reproduced data in response to said retrieved access-control signal.    
     
     
       28. The method, according to  claim 27 , wherein said limited reproduction right is the right to reproduce said data N times. 
     
     
       29. The method, according to  claim 27 , wherein said limited reproduction right is the right to reproduce said data until date Y. 
     
     
       30. The method, according to  claim 27 , wherein said limited reproduction right is the right to reproduce said data until time T. 
     
     
       31. The method, according to  claim 27 , wherein said data is transmitted in scrambled form and said step of processing said data comprises descrambling said data. 
     
     
       32. The method, according to  claim 31 , wherein said step of processing said data further comprises enciphering said data; and
 wherein said step of reprocessing said reproduced data comprises deciphering said reproduced data.    
     
     
       33. The method, according to  claim 27 , wherein said step of processing said data comprises enciphering said data; and
 wherein said step of reprocessing said reproduced data comprises deciphering said reproduced data.    
     
     
       34. The method, according to  claim 27 , wherein said data is transmitted and stored in scrambled form, and said step of reprocessing said reproduced data comprises descrambling said reproduced data. 
     
     
       35. The method, according to  claim 27 , wherein said processed data and said access-control signal are stored on a storage cassette. 
     
     
       36. A method for transferring from a broadcaster to a receiver a limited reproduction right in prerecorded data, comprising the steps of:
 transmitting from said broadcaster to said receiver an access-control signal generated by a remote provider, said access-control signal indicating said limited reproduction right;    receiving, at said receiver, said access-control signal;    reproducing, at said receiver, said prerecorded data; and    processing, at said receiver, said reproduced data in response to said access-control signal.    
     
     
       37. The method, according to  claim 36 , wherein said step of processing said reproduced data comprises deciphering said reproduced data. 
     
     
       38. The method, according to  claim 36 , wherein said step of processing said reproduced data comprises descrambling said reproduced data. 
     
     
       39. A method for reproducing prerecorded data comprising the steps of:
 reproducing an access-control signal generated by a remote provider which grants users rights to reproduce said data signals from a first storage medium;    reproducing processed data from a second storage medium in response to said access-control signal to produce reproduced data; and    reprocessing said reproduced data in response to said access-control signal.    
     
     
       40. A method for erasing prerecorded data stored on a record medium in response to an access-control signal stored in a separate memory, comprising the steps of:
 retrieving said access-control signal from said separate memory;    determining that said access-control signal is an ERASE signal; and    erasing data stored on said record medium in response to said ERASE signal.    
     
     
       41. Reproduction control apparatus for controlling the reproduction of data signals recorded in encrypted form on a record medium, comprising:
   a playback unit for playing back the encrypted data signals and access control information from said record medium, said access control information representing user rights, granted by a remote provider, to play back said data signals;        an access control unit that uses said access control information for determining whether said played back encrypted data signals should be decrypted, said access control unit updating said access control information when predetermined conditions permitting the reproduction of said data signals are satisfied; and        a decrypting unit for decrypting said reproduced data signals only if the access control information used by said access control unit permits reproduction.      
     
     
       42. The reproduction control apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein said access control information is received from said remote provider.  
     
     
       43. The reproduction control apparatus of  claim 41  wherein the access control information played back from said record medium prohibits the reproduction of said data signals; and said reproduction control apparatus further includes a receiving unit for receiving updated access control information to replace the played back access control information so as to permit the reproduction of said data signals.  
     
     
       44. The reproduction control apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein said predetermined conditions include the authorization of payment for permission to reproduce said data signals.  
     
     
       45. The reproduction control apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein said access control information permits reproduction of said data signals only a predetermined number of times.  
     
     
       46. The reproduction control apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein said access control information permits reproduction of said data signals only until a predetermined date is reached.  
     
     
       47. The reproduction control apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein said receiving unit includes a radio wave receiver to receive updated access control information via radio waves.  
     
     
       48. The reproduction control apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein said record medium is a disk.  
     
     
       49. The reproduction control apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein said disk is a magnetic disk.  
     
     
       50. The reproduction control apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein said disk is video disk.  
     
     
       51. The reproduction control apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein said data signals are video signals.  
     
     
       52. The reproduction control apparatus of  claim 51 , further comprising a video display for displaying the decrypted video signals.  
     
     
       53. A method of controlling the reproduction of data signals recorded in encrypted form on a record medium, comprising the steps of:
   playing back the encrypted data signals and access control information from said record medium, said access control information representing user rights, granted by a remote provider, to play back said data signals;        using said access control information to determine whether said played back encrypted data signals should be decrypted;        updating said access control information when predetermined conditions permitting the reproduction of said data signals are satisfied; and        decrypting said reproduced data signals only if the updated access control information permits reproduction.      
     
     
       54. The method of  claim 53 , wherein said access control information is updated from said remote provider.  
     
     
       55. The method of  claim 53  wherein the access control information played back from said record medium prohibits the reproduction of said data signals; and wherein said updated access control information is derived from a remote source to replace the played back access control information so as to permit the reproduction of said data signals.  
     
     
       56. The method of  claim 53 , wherein said predetermined conditions include the authorization of payment for permission to reproduce said data signals.  
     
     
       57. The method of  claim 53 , wherein said access control information permits reproduction of said data signals only a predetermined number of times.  
     
     
       58. The method of  claim 53 , wherein said access control information permits reproduction of said data signals only until a predetermined date is reached.  
     
     
       59. The method of  claim 54 , wherein updated access control information is received from said remote provider via radio waves.  
     
     
       60. A method of transferring to a receiver conditional access to data, said method comprising the steps of:
   receiving a request for said data from said receiver;        receiving a request from said receiver, defining a time limit or time duration to reproduce said data;        transmitting said data to said receiving apparatus;        transmitting information to generate at said receiver time information defining the time limit or time duration representing the rights granted by a remote provider to a user to reproduce said data; and        transmitting a time reference signal to said receiver.      
     
     
       61. The method of  claim 60 , wherein said data is encrypted.  
     
     
       62. The method of  claim 60 , wherein said data is compressed.  
     
     
       63. The method of  claim 60 , wherein said transmitting information defines a time of day.  
     
     
       64. The method of  claim 63 , wherein the received request defines a number of hours.  
     
     
       65. The method of  claim 60 , wherein said transmitting information defines a calendar date.  
     
     
       66. The method of  claim 65 , wherein the received request defines a number of days.  
     
     
       67. A method of obtaining conditional access at a receiver to data, said method comprising the steps of:
   transmitting a request for said data to a provider;        transmitting a request defining a time limit or time duration to reproduce said data;        receiving said data from said provider;        receiving information to generate time information defining the time limit or time duration representing the rights granted by said provider to a user to reproduce said data;        receiving from said provider a time reference signal for use with a clock at said receiver;        recording said data and said time information on a recording medium; and        reproducing said data based on said time information and said time reference signal.      
     
     
       68. The method of  claim 67 , wherein said data is encrypted.  
     
     
       69. The method of  claim 67 , wherein said data is compressed.  
     
     
       70. The method of  claim 67 , wherein the received time reference signal is used to synchronize the clock with time of day and calendar date.  
     
     
       71. The method of  claim 70 , wherein the request defining a time limit represents number of hours for reproducing said data, and said received information defines a time of day.  
     
     
       72. The method of  claim 70 , wherein the request defining a time duration represents number of days for reproducing said data, and said received information defines a calendar date.  
     
     
       73. Apparatus for transferring to a receiver conditional access to data, comprising:
   means for receiving a request for said data from said receiver;        means for receiving from said receiver, a request defining a time limit or time duration to reproduce said data; and        a transmitter for transmitting to said receiving apparatus  ( a )  said data,  ( b )  information to generate at said receiver time information defining the time limit or time duration representing the rights granted by a remote provider to a user to reproduce said data, and  ( c )  a time reference signal.      
     
     
       74. The apparatus of  claim 73 , wherein said data is encrypted.  
     
     
       75. The apparatus of  claim 73 , wherein said data is compressed.  
     
     
       76. The apparatus of  claim 73 , wherein said transmitted information defines a time of day.  
     
     
       77. The apparatus of  claim 76 , wherein the received request defines a number of hours.  
     
     
       78. The apparatus of  claim 73 , wherein said transmitted information defines a calendar date.  
     
     
       79. The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein the received request defines a number of days.  
     
     
       80. Apparatus for obtaining conditional access at a receiver to data, comprising:
   a transmitter for transmitting to a provider a request for said data and a request defining a time limit or time duration to reproduce said data;        a receiver for receiving from said provider, said data, information to generate time information defining the time limit or time duration representing the rights granted by said provider to a user to reproduce said data, and a time reference signal for use with a clock at said receiver;        a recorder for recording said data and said time information on a recording medium; and        a reproducer for reproducing said data based on said time information and said time reference signal.      
     
     
       81. The apparatus of  claim 80 , wherein said data is encrypted.  
     
     
       82. The apparatus of  claim 80 , wherein said data is compressed.  
     
     
       83. The apparatus of  claim 80 , wherein the received time reference signal is used to synchronize the clock with time of day and calendar date.  
     
     
       84. The apparatus of  claim 83 , wherein the request defining a time limit represents number of hours for reproducing said data, and said received information defines a time of day.  
     
     
       85. The apparatus of  claim 83 , wherein the request defining a time duration represents number of days for reproducing said data, and said received information defines a calendar date.