WO2010016667A2

WO2010016667A2 - Method and apparatus for protecting digital content using hardware identification information

Info

Publication number: WO2010016667A2
Application number: PCT/KR2009/004029
Authority: WO
Inventors: 원성욱
Original assignee: 주식회사 씨디네트웍스
Priority date: 2008-08-07
Filing date: 2009-07-21
Publication date: 2010-02-11
Also published as: KR100897790B1; WO2010016667A3

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for protecting digital content using hardware identification information are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for protecting digital content using hardware identification information includes the steps of acquiring hardware identification information of a device connected to a client, comparing the acquired hardware identification information with preset hardware identification information, and suspending the reproduction of digital content if the acquired hardware identification information corresponds to the preset hardware identification information. The present invention protects digital content even when digital content is output via another external device, and prevents digital content being output via another external device from being stored again by using another device.

Description

Method and device for protecting digital content using hardware ID information

The present invention relates to a method and device for protecting content, and more particularly, to a method and device for protecting digital content that can be output through a screen of external devices that can be connected to a device for playing digital content. .

The development of communication technologies such as the Internet and the development of digital devices such as computers have made it possible to acquire and store various digital contents.

However, due to the nature of digital content that is easy to store, transmit, and copy, digital content is frequently used or copied without legitimate authority.

To protect such digital content, various methods and technologies such as encryption of digital content itself and authentication for use of digital content have been developed.

However, these conventional methods of protecting digital content are merely ways to prevent duplication of digital content itself or to authenticate the use of legitimate owners.

Therefore, the conventional digital content protection method has a problem that it is difficult to prevent the digital content to be viewed by a plurality of external devices using another external device or to store the digital content output from another external device using another device.

For example, when watching a video lecture, only one user registers as a member to receive a video lecture, and outputs a video lecture received through another external device, for example, a projector. There is a problem that it is difficult to protect digital contents with the protection method of.

In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to prevent the digital content such as video lectures output through the external device to be recorded again using another device, such as recording.

In order to solve the conventional problems as described above, the present invention proposes a method and apparatus for protecting digital content that can protect digital content even when digital content is output through an external device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and device for protecting digital content, which can prevent another digital device from storing digital content output through an external device.

Still other objects of the present invention will be readily understood through the following description of the embodiments.

In order to achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a digital content protection method.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method of protecting digital contents performed in a client connected to an external device, the method comprising: obtaining hardware ID information of the external device; (B) comparing the obtained hardware ID information with hardware ID information of a preset external device, wherein hardware preset information of the preset external device is outputted through a screen of the external device; Hardware ID information of an external device to block; And (c) blocking playback of the digital content when the obtained hardware ID information corresponds to hardware ID information of a preset external device. .

The digital content may be a download and play digital content stored in the client and then reproduced in the client.

The digital content may be a digital content of a streaming method that is reproduced in real time to the client.

In step (a), the hardware ID information of the external device may be obtained from the client by a Plug and Play function of the client.

In operation (c), when the acquired hardware ID information corresponds to hardware ID information of a preset external device, the digital content may be blocked from being output to the external device.

In the step (c), if the obtained hardware ID information corresponds to hardware ID information of a preset external device, the transmission of the digital content may be requested to a media server that transmits the digital content to the client. .

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the media server in the content delivery system including a client (client) connected to an external device and a media server for transmitting digital contents to the client (media server) A method of protecting digital content, the method comprising: receiving hardware ID information of the external device from the client; Comparing the received hardware ID information with hardware ID information of a preset external device (b) The hardware ID information of the preset external device prevents the screen played by the client from being output through the screen of the external device. Hardware ID information of an external device to enable; And (c) stopping the transmission of the digital content when the obtained hardware ID information corresponds to hardware ID information of a preset external device. .

In the step (c), if the obtained hardware ID information corresponds to hardware ID information of a preset external device, a signal for blocking output of the digital content to the external device may be transmitted to the client. .

In the step (c), if the acquired hardware ID information corresponds to hardware ID information of a preset external device, a signal may be transmitted to the client to block the digital content from being played on the client.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a digital content protection device is provided.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a device for protecting digital contents, the apparatus comprising: a hardware ID information acquisition unit for acquiring hardware ID information of an external device connected to a client; Hardware ID information comparing unit for comparing the acquired hardware ID information with hardware ID information of a preset external device-The hardware ID information of the preset external device is outputted through the screen of the external device is reproduced on the client Hardware ID information of an external device to block the information; And a content reproduction blocking unit for stopping the reproduction of the digital content when the acquired hardware ID information corresponds to hardware ID information of a preset external device as a result of the comparison of the hardware ID information comparing unit. An apparatus is provided.

The hardware ID information of the external device may be obtained from the client by a Plug and Play function of the client.

The content reproduction blocking unit may block output of the digital content to the external device.

The content reproduction blocking unit may request the transmission of the digital content to the media server transmitting the digital content to the client.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the device for protecting digital contents, the hardware ID information of the external device connected to the client received from the client is set in advance to the hardware ID information of the external device. Hardware ID information comparing unit for comparing the hardware ID information of the preset external device is hardware ID information of an external device which blocks the screen reproduced by the client from being output through the screen of the external device; and the hardware And a content transmission blocking unit that blocks transmission of the digital content when the acquired hardware ID information corresponds to hardware ID information of a preset external device. An apparatus is provided.

The content transmission blocking unit may transmit a signal to block the output of the digital content to the external device to the client.

The content transmission blocker may transmit a signal to the client to block the digital content from being played on the client.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium recording a program for implementing a method of protecting digital content.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a program of instructions that can be executed by the client is implemented so as to implement a method of protecting digital contents performed by a client connected to an external device. A recording medium recording a program that can be read by the client, the method comprising: acquiring hardware ID information of the external device; (B) comparing the obtained hardware ID information with hardware ID information of a preset external device, wherein hardware preset information of the preset external device is outputted through a screen of the external device; Hardware ID information of an external device to block; And (c) blocking playback of the digital content if the obtained hardware ID information corresponds to hardware ID information of a preset external device. Provided is a recording medium having recorded thereon a program.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the media server in the content delivery system including a client (client) connected to an external device and a media server for transmitting digital contents to the client (media server) A recording medium on which a program of instructions executable by the media server is implemented so that a method of protecting digital content performed is implemented, the recording medium having recorded thereon a program that can be read by the media server, the client connected to the client. Receiving hardware ID information of the external device (a); (B) comparing the obtained hardware ID information with hardware ID information of a preset external device, wherein hardware preset information of the preset external device is outputted through a screen of the external device; Hardware ID information of an external device to block; And (c) stopping transmission of the digital content when the obtained hardware ID information corresponds to hardware ID information of a preset external device. Provided is a recording medium having recorded thereon a program.

As described above, according to the method and apparatus for protecting digital content using hardware ID information according to the present invention, there is an advantage that digital content can be protected even when digital content is output through an external device.

In addition, there is an advantage in that the digital content output through the external device can be prevented from being stored again using another device.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital content transmission system that can be applied to the digital content protection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flow chart showing the order in which the digital content protection method is implemented according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flow chart showing the order in which the digital content protection method is implemented according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a content protection module that can be installed in a client to implement the digital content protection method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a content protection device for implementing the digital content protection method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In describing the drawings, similar reference numerals are used for similar elements. In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the related known technology may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component.

The term and / or includes a combination of a plurality of related items or any item of a plurality of related items.

When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected to or connected to that other component, but it may be understood that other components may be present in between. Should be.

On the other hand, when a component is said to be "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there is no other component in between.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and one or more other features. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude the possibility of the presence or the addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or a combination thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Terms such as those defined in the commonly used dictionaries should be construed as having meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the related art, and are not construed in ideal or excessively formal meanings unless expressly defined in this application. Do not.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or corresponding components will be denoted by the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

First, a configuration of a content delivery system to which a digital content protection method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital content transmission system to which the digital content protection method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

In the following description, for the convenience of description, unless otherwise specified, digital content and the terms digital content will be used without any distinction.

As shown in FIG. 1, a Contents Delivery Networks system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may include a projector 100, a client 110, and a media server 130. .

Meanwhile, in FIG. 1, only one component is illustrated for convenience of description, but one or more components may be present.

In addition, although FIG. 1 illustrates the projector 100 as an external device capable of outputting digital content through a screen, any device capable of receiving a digital signal and outputting the received digital signal through a display screen is not limited.

The external device 100 may be, for example, not only a projector illustrated in FIG. 1, but also a digital TV, a monitor of a personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a portable multimedia player (PMP). Various digital devices are possible.

The client 110 may be connected through the communication network 120 to access the media server 130 to receive digital content, and a connection unit such as an output terminal for outputting a screen to an external device such as the projector 100 may be provided. It is a device included.

The client 110 may include a web browser (not shown) that allows access to the media server 130 and an application (not shown) required for playback when the content is played. Obviously, the application may be installed in the form of a program on the client 110.

In addition, the connection that can be output through the screen to an external device such as the projector 100, for example, Universal Serial Bus (USB), High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), digital video interactive (DVI), D-SUB ( Various ports or connections, such as digital video interactive-sub, are possible, but are not limited thereto.

The client 110 may be connected to the media server 130 having a communication function, may install a program capable of playing the received content, and may include a display screen on which the played content is output. In addition, there is no limitation as long as the device may include a connection unit capable of outputting a screen to an external device such as the projector 100.

The client 110 may include, for example, a wired / wireless terminal such as a user personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), and the like, but is not limited thereto. .

The client 110 is connected to the media server 130 via the communication network 120, the communication network 120 in the present invention includes not only online and mobile communication network, but also online to the TCP / IP protocol and its upper layer. Many services exist: Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Telnet, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Domain Name System (DNS), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), Network File (NFS) It includes all global open network architectures that provide services.

The mobile communication network also includes an access gateway that enables transmission and reception of wireless packet data in addition to a base station (BS), a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO), and a home location register (HLR). It further includes components such as a gateway, a packet data serving node (PDSN), and the like.

The media server 130 transmits the digital content to the client 110 and, although not illustrated in FIG. 1, may be connected to a database in which the digital content is stored.

The digital content provided by the media server 130 is not only streaming digital content played back in real time on the client 100 but also download and play downloaded and played on the client 100. There are no restrictions such as digital content.

In particular, in the case of download-and-play digital content, a number of DRM (Digital Rights Management) authentication methods and the like are applied to protect the digital content. In this case, the digital content is protected by the conventional DRM authentication method and the present invention. The protection of digital content such as the protection of digital content can be more useful.

In addition, in the case of the streaming method, the digital content protection method according to the present invention can be further strengthened by using the digital content protection method according to the present invention together with various authentication and protection methods for protecting the conventional streaming content.

Meanwhile, although only the media server 130 is illustrated in FIG. 1, a web server (not shown) that inputs information necessary for authentication to a user through the client 110 and provides a web document that provides information on digital content is provided. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that more may be included.

The digital content protection method according to the present invention in such a content delivery network system can be implemented by various methods.

First, the client 110 acquires a hardware ID of an external device connected to the client 110.

The hardware ID in the present invention is unique identification information given to the corresponding device according to the manufacturer of the hardware or the type or method of the device.

Such hardware ID information may be obtained by using a Plug & Play function that can automatically recognize when a new device is connected.

Meanwhile, when the hardware ID information is recognized, the external output of the digital content is blocked by using the recognized hardware ID information.

The external output of the digital content can be blocked by various methods such as blocking at the client 110 and interruption of transmission of the digital content at the media server 130, and the blocking method is not limited.

On the other hand, it is also possible to selectively block the external output of the digital content using this hardware ID information.

As described above, since the hardware ID information is unique identification information given according to the manufacturer of the hardware or the type or method of the device, for example, the type, manufacturer, and model information of the device may be obtained from the hardware ID information. Do.

Of course, the acquisition of such information may be performed by acquiring hardware ID information and matching the corresponding hardware ID information and corresponding hardware information, and the matching of the information may be performed by at least one of the client and the server.

Accordingly, it is also possible to block various pieces of hardware information from the hardware ID information so that a playback screen of digital content is not selectively output to an external device connected to the client.

In addition, since the type of hardware, that is, the type of the external device, may be obtained from the hardware ID information, the specific device may be blocked from outputting the reproduction screen of the digital content.

On the other hand, the blocking of the external output of the digital content is to block the output of the screen itself from the external device connected to the client 110 and to stop the playback or transmission of the digital content itself, including the client 110 It is possible in various ways such as.

In particular, when the digital content is played in a download and play manner, blocking the play of the digital content may be more effective in the digital protection method according to the present invention. Blocking the transmission of may be effective, but is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, the order in which the digital content protection method is implemented according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

2 illustrates an example in which the client 110 acquires hardware ID information and determines to stop output or playback of the content using the acquired hardware ID information to protect the content. FIG. 3 illustrates that the client 110 protects the content. Only the hardware ID information is obtained and delivered to the media server 130, and the media server 130 determines the interruption of the output or playback of the content to protect the content.

As shown in FIG. 2, when both the acquisition of the hardware ID information and the protection of the digital content are performed in the client 110, the load of the media server 130 may be reduced, but the load on the client 110 may be increased. have.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, only the hardware ID information is obtained from the client 110 and transmitted to the media server 130, and when the method for protecting digital content is performed in the media server 130, the load of the client 110 is increased. Although it is possible to reduce and to increase the type of digital content or the type of external device connected to the client, there is an advantage that the selective protection of the digital content can be performed immediately, but the load on the media server 130 may increase. have.

First, a method of protecting digital content according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of implementing digital content protection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, first, hardware ID information of an external device connected to the client 110 is obtained (S200).

Acquiring the hardware ID information may be performed by the plug and play function as described above, but is not limited thereto.

The acquired hardware ID information is compared with the previously stored hardware ID information to determine whether the acquired hardware ID information is, for example, a projector (S202).

If it is determined that the projector stops playing the content (S204), if not the projector plays the content (S206).

In FIG. 2, the content is protected by playing and stopping the content in the client. However, as described above, the method of protecting the content continues to play the content in the client 110, such as the projector 100. It is apparent that the present invention can be implemented in various ways such as blocking the output to an external device or requesting the media server 130 to stop transmission of digital content.

In FIG. 2, the client 110 acquires hardware ID information and protects digital content. However, as described above, only the hardware ID information is obtained from the client 110 and transmitted to the media server 130. It is also possible to perform a method for protecting digital content at 130. In this case, the order in which the method for protecting digital content according to the present invention is performed will be described with reference to FIG.

3 is a flow chart showing the order in which the digital content protection method is implemented according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, first, the client 110 acquires hardware ID information of the external device 100 connected to the client 110 (S300), and transmits the acquired hardware ID information to the media server 130. (S302).

Meanwhile, the acquisition of the hardware ID information may be performed by the plug and play function as described above, but is not limited thereto.

The media server 130 determines whether the acquired hardware ID information is the projector 100 by comparing the acquired hardware ID information with hardware ID information stored in advance (S304).

As a result of the determination, when the projector 100 is not the projector 100, content is transmitted to the client 110 (S306), and the transmitted content is reproduced by the client 110 (S308).

As a result of determination, in the case of the project 100, the content transmission to the client 110 is stopped, and in this case, the content transmission impossible signal is transmitted to the client 110 (S310). Can be displayed.

On the other hand, the digital content protection method according to the present invention may be implemented as a program and stored in a computer-readable recording medium (CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, etc.).

Hereinafter, a configuration of an apparatus capable of implementing the digital content protection method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a content protection module that can be installed in the client 110 to implement the digital content protection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

On the other hand, it is apparent that the content protection module may be installed in the form of a program on the client 110 or may be configured as a separate device.

4 illustrates the configuration of a content protection module when the client 110 acquires hardware ID information from the above-described embodiment and determines that the output or playback of the content is stopped using the acquired hardware ID information to protect the content. will be.

As shown in FIG. 4, the content protection module according to the present invention may include a hardware ID information acquisition unit, a hardware ID information comparison unit, and a content reproduction blocking unit.

The hardware ID information acquisition unit 400 is connected to the client 110 to obtain hardware ID information of the external device on which the screen reproduced by the client 110 is output. The hardware ID information may receive information obtained by an original function of a program installed in the client 110, for example, a plug and play function, or may be obtained by other methods.

The hardware ID information comparing unit 410 compares the hardware ID information obtained by the hardware ID information obtaining unit 400 with hardware ID information of a device for blocking an external output of a preset screen.

It is determined whether the hardware ID information obtained through the comparison in the hardware ID information comparison unit 410 is, for example, the projector 100.

The content reproduction blocking unit 420 blocks the reproduction of the received digital content in the case of the projector as a result determined by the hardware ID information comparing unit 410.

In FIG. 4, the reproduction of the digital content is exemplified. However, preventing the digital content from being output to the external device may include a method of blocking the screen output from the external device connected to the client 110 and the client 110. ) Can be stopped in a variety of ways, such as to stop the playback of the content or the transmission of the content itself in the media server 130, and the method is not limited.

On the other hand, although not shown in Figure 4, the content protection module according to the present invention is a hardware ID that stores the hardware ID information of the device for blocking the external output of the screen to the hardware ID information obtained from the hardware ID information acquisition unit 400 It may further include an information storage unit (not shown).

5, in the above-described embodiment, the client 110 acquires only the hardware ID information and transmits it to the media server 130, and determines that the output or playback of the content is stopped by using the hardware ID information obtained from the media server 130. In this case, the configuration of the content protection device is illustrated.

On the other hand, the content protection device may be installed in the form of a program in the media server 130 or may be configured as a separate device that can be connected to the media server 130.

As shown in FIG. 5, a content protection device for implementing the digital content protection method according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a hardware ID information comparing unit 500 and a content transmission blocking unit 510. .

The content protection device according to the present invention first receives hardware ID information of an external device, which is connected to the client 110 and outputs a screen played by the client 110, from the client 110. Such hardware ID information may be received through a communication unit (not shown) that may be included in the content protection device according to the present invention.

The hardware ID information comparing unit 500 compares the received hardware ID information with the hardware ID information of the device for blocking the external output of the preset screen as described in FIG. 4.

It is determined whether the hardware ID information obtained through the comparison in the hardware ID information comparison unit 500 is, for example, the project 100.

The content transmission blocking unit 510 blocks the transmission of the content to the client 110 in the case of the projector 100 as illustrated by the hardware ID information comparison unit 500.

In FIG. 5, the transmission of the digital content has been exemplified. However, preventing the digital content from being output to the external device connected to the client 110 means that the screen is output from the external device connected to the client 110 as described above. The method of blocking and the method of stopping the playback of the content in the client 110 can be made in various ways, and the method is not limited.

Meanwhile, the content protection device according to the present invention may be connected to a hardware ID information database in which hardware ID information of an external device for blocking an external output of a screen is stored.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention described above are disclosed for purposes of illustration, and those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additions should be considered to be within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

In a method of protecting digital contents in a client performed by blocking a screen on which a digital content is played on a client connected to an external device from being displayed as a screen of the external device,

Obtaining hardware ID information of the external device from the external device (a);

(B) comparing the obtained hardware ID information with preset hardware ID information; And

(C) blocking the display of the digital content by displaying the external device if the acquired hardware ID information corresponds to hardware ID information of a preset external device. Digital content protection method, characterized in that.
In the content delivery system including a client connected to an external device and a media server for transmitting digital contents to the client, the screen on which the digital content is played on the client is displayed. In the method of protecting digital content in the media server performed by blocking the display of,

(A) receiving hardware ID information of the external device obtained at the client from the client;

(B) comparing the received hardware ID information with preset hardware ID information; And

If the obtained hardware ID information corresponds to hardware ID information of a preset external device, stopping the transmission of the digital content to the client so that the digital content is not displayed to the external device; and c).
The method according to claim 1 or 2,

In step (a),

The hardware ID information of the external device is obtained from the client by the Plug and Play (Plug and Play) function of the client.
The method of claim 1,

In step (c),

And if the acquired hardware ID information corresponds to hardware ID information of a preset external device, blocking the digital content from being output to the external device.
The method of claim 1,

In step (c),

If the obtained hardware ID information corresponds to hardware ID information of a preset external device, requesting to stop the transmission of the digital content to a media server that transmits the digital content to the client. Protection method.
The method of claim 2,

In step (c),

And if the obtained hardware ID information corresponds to hardware ID information of a preset external device, transmitting a signal to block the output of the digital content to the external device to the client. Protection method.
The method of claim 2,

In step (c),

When the obtained hardware ID information corresponds to hardware ID information of a preset external device, a signal for preventing the digital content from being played on the client is transmitted to the client. Way.
Digital content for performing a method of protecting digital content in the client, which is performed by blocking a display of digital contents from being displayed on a screen of the external device in a client connected to an external device. contents of the protection device,

A hardware ID information acquisition unit for obtaining hardware ID information of the external device from the external device;

A hardware ID information comparing unit comparing the obtained hardware ID information with preset hardware ID information; And

As a result of the comparison of the hardware ID information comparing unit, if the hardware ID information acquired by the hardware ID information obtaining unit corresponds to preset hardware ID information, the digital content is blocked from being displayed and the external device is blocked from being displayed. And a content reproduction blocking unit.
Protection of digital content, which performs a method of protecting digital content in the client, which is performed by blocking a display of digital contents from being displayed on a screen of the external device in a client connected to an external device. In the apparatus,

A hardware ID information comparing unit which compares hardware ID information of the external device acquired by the client, received from the client, with preset hardware ID information; And

As a result of the comparison of the hardware ID information comparing unit, if the hardware ID information received from the client corresponds to preset hardware ID information, the digital content is not displayed to the external device by stopping transmission of the digital content to the client. And a content transmission blocking unit to ensure that the digital content is protected.
The method according to claim 8 or 9,

The hardware ID information of the external device is obtained from the client by the Plug and Play (Plug and Play) function of the client.
The method of claim 8,

The content playback blocker,

And protect the digital content from being output to the external device.
The method of claim 8,

The content playback blocker,

And requesting to stop transmission of the digital content to a media server that transmits the digital content to the client.
The method of claim 9,

The content transmission blocking unit,

And transmitting a signal to the client to block output of the digital content to the external device.
The method of claim 9,

The content transmission blocking unit,

And send a signal to the client to block the digital content from being played on the client.
In order to implement a method of protecting digital contents in the client performed by blocking a screen on which a digital content is played on a client connected to an external device from being displayed as a screen of the external device, In a recording medium on which a program of instructions that can be executed is implemented and which records a program that can be read by the client,

Obtaining hardware ID information of the external device from the external device (a);

(B) comparing the obtained hardware ID information with preset hardware ID information; And

(C) blocking the display of the digital content by displaying the external device if the acquired hardware ID information corresponds to hardware ID information of a preset external device. A recording medium recording a program for implementing a method of protecting digital content, characterized in that.
In the content delivery system including a client connected to an external device and a media server for transmitting digital contents to the client, a screen on which the digital content is played on the client is displayed. In order to implement a method of protecting digital content in the media server, which is performed by blocking output from the computer, a program having a program of instructions that can be executed by the media server is implemented and recording a program that can be read by the media server. In the medium,

(A) receiving hardware ID information of the external device obtained at the client from the client;

(B) comparing the received hardware ID information with preset hardware ID information; And

If the obtained hardware ID information corresponds to hardware ID information of a preset external device, stopping the transmission of the digital content to the client so that the digital content is not displayed to the external device; and a recording medium for recording a program for implementing the method of protecting digital content.