Abstract:
A portable apparatus includes a first connector, a memory, and first circuitry. The first connector automatically receives a plurality of content data from a computer. The memory stores the plurality of content data. The first circuitry performs a mutual authentication process with the computer via the first connector, and plays back the plurality of content data. The computer includes second circuitry and a second connector. The first circuitry stores the plurality of content data to a storage medium, and provides a graphical user interface to receive an input identifying a list of the plurality of content data stored in said storage medium that are to be automatically transferred to the portable apparatus. The second connector is configured to transfer the plurality of content data stored in the storage medium to the portable apparatus.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of and is based upon and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 from U.S. application Ser. No. 14/800,094, filed Jul. 15, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/085,365, filed Nov. 20, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,137,508, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/832,143, filed on Jul. 8, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,861,936, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/621,775, filed on Jan. 10, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,787,751, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/889,016, filed Oct. 15, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,078,032, which is the national stage of PCT/JP00/07974, filed Nov. 10, 2000 and the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference, and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 11-323023, filed Nov. 12, 1999 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-311805, filed Oct. 12, 2000. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method and a program storage medium, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus and method, capable of easily checking out a content to a predetermined device and a program storage medium having stored therein a program for use in the information processing apparatus and method to effect such an information processing. 
         [0004]    Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    An information processor such as a personal computer has a function to read a content such as many musical data from a compact disc (CD) or the like and record it to a recording medium such as a hard disc. 
         [0006]    Also the information processor like the personal computer has a function to check out a predetermined content to a portable device connected thereto. 
         [0007]    Since in the information processor such as the personal computer, a content is read and recorded according to one program while a content is checked out according to another program, a troublesome operation has to be done to check out the predetermined content to the portable device and any desired content cannot easily be checked out. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Accordingly, the present invention has an object to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional information processing apparatus such as a personal computer by providing an improved and novel information processing apparatus and method, capable of checking out a desire content easily and quickly to a portable device connected to the information processor, and a program storage medium having stored therein a program for use in the information processing apparatus and method to effect such an information processing. 
         [0009]    The above object can be attained by providing an information processor including, according to the present invention, means for recording a plurality of contents to a recording means, and means for checking out, when at least one of at least two contents to be recorded has been recorded by the recording means to the recording medium and recording of the other content is started, the one content to a device connected to an information processor which carries out the method. 
         [0010]    The above information processor further includes means for displaying the progress of the recording by the recording means to the recording medium and that of the checkout by the checkout means of the content recorded in the recording medium. The progress displaying means has a function to display the progress of the recording by the recording means to the recording medium and that of the checkout by the checkout means of the content recorded in the recording medium by bars different in color from each other, respectively, and of which one overlaps the other. 
         [0011]    Also, the above object can be attained by providing an information processing method, including, according to the present invention, steps of recording a plurality of contents to a recording means, and checking out, when at least one of at least two contents to be recorded has been recorded at the recording step to the recording medium and recording of the other content is started, the one content to a device connected to an information processor which carries out the method. 
         [0012]    Also, the above object can be attained by providing a program storage medium having stored therein a program, the program including, according to the present invention, steps of controlling the recording a plurality of contents to a recording means, and controlling, when at least one of at least two contents to be recorded has been recorded to the recording medium at the recording step and recording of the other content is started, the checkout of the one content to a device connected to an information processor which carries out the program. 
         [0013]    The above information processing apparatus and method and the program for use in these apparatus and method, check out, when at least one of at least two contents to be recorded has been recorded at the recording step to the recording medium and recording of the other content is started, the one content to a device connected to an information processor which carries out the method or program. 
         [0014]    These objects and other objects, features and advantages of the present intention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the music data management system incorporating the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows the architecture of a personal computer used in the music data management system in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows the configuration of an EMD registration server used in the music data management system in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the personal computer, showing the functions of the personal computer; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows an example of the content usage rule; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  shows an example of the relation between original package display data belonging to a display data file, and content files; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 7A to 7C  shows an example of the composition of the display data file; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  shows an example of the relation between My Select package display data and content files; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  shows a relation between filtering package display data and content files; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  explains the operations made for EMD registration; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  shows an example of the display for execution of the registration; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  shows an example of the display made by the EMD selection program; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  shows an example of the display made by the purchase application program; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  shows an example of the display made by the purchase driver; 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  shows an example of the display/operation instruction window; 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  explains a window the recording program has the display unit; 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  shows a property dialog box where it is set which of the WWW servers is to be selected; 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  shows a property dialog box where it is set which of the WWW servers is to be selected; 
           [0034]      FIG. 19  explains a window the recording program has the display unit; 
           [0035]      FIG. 20  explains a window the recording program has the display unit; 
           [0036]      FIG. 21  explains a dialog box the recording program has the display unit; 
           [0037]      FIG. 22  explains a dialog box the recording program has the display unit; 
           [0038]      FIG. 23  explains a dialog box the recording program has the display unit; 
           [0039]      FIG. 24  explains a dialog box the recording program has the display unit; 
           [0040]      FIG. 25  explains a dialog box the recording program has the display unit; 
           [0041]      FIG. 26  explains a dialog box the recording program has the display unit; 
           [0042]      FIG. 27  shows an example of the display/operation instruction window; 
           [0043]      FIG. 28  shows another example of the display/operation instruction window; 
           [0044]      FIG. 29  shows still another example of the display/operation instruction window; 
           [0045]      FIG. 30  shows still another example of the display/operation instruction window; 
           [0046]      FIG. 31  shows still another example of the display/operation instruction window; 
           [0047]      FIG. 32  shows still another example of the display/operation instruction window; 
           [0048]      FIG. 33  shows still another example of the display/operation instruction window; 
           [0049]      FIG. 34  shows still another example of the display/operation instruction window; 
           [0050]      FIG. 35  explains the generation of filtering package; 
           [0051]      FIG. 36  shows an example of the display/operation instruction window; 
           [0052]      FIG. 37  shows another example of the display/operation instruction window; 
           [0053]      FIG. 38  shows still another example of the display/operation instruction window; 
           [0054]      FIG. 39  shows still another example of the display/operation instruction window; 
           [0055]      FIG. 40  shows still another example of the display/operation instruction window; 
           [0056]      FIG. 41  shows still another example of the display/operation instruction window; 
           [0057]      FIG. 42  is a flow chart of the operations effected for registration; 
           [0058]      FIG. 43  is a flow chart of the operations effected for recording from a CD; 
           [0059]      FIG. 44  is a flow chart of the operations effected for acquisition of information corresponding to CD; 
           [0060]      FIG. 45  is a flow chart of the operations effected for generation of filtering package; 
           [0061]      FIG. 46  is a flow chart of the operations effected for checkout or check-in; 
           [0062]      FIG. 47  is a flow chart of the operations effected for image pasting; 
           [0063]      FIG. 48  is a flow chart of the operations effected for image display; 
           [0064]      FIG. 49  shows an example of a display/operation instruction window; 
           [0065]      FIG. 50  shows an example of a display/operation instruction window; 
           [0066]      FIG. 51  is a flowchart explaining the checkout simultaneous process; and 
           [0067]      FIG. 52  is a flowchart explaining the checkout process. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0068]    In the following, an information processing apparatus and method and a program storage medium according to the present invention will be described in detail. 
         [0069]    In the following description, embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a music data management system will be exemplified. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated an embodiment of the music data management system according to the present invention. As shown, the system includes a personal computer  1  connected to a network  2  composed of a local area network (LAN), Internet or the like. The personal computer  1  receives music data (will be referred to as “content” hereinafter) from EMD (electrical music distribution) servers  4 - 1  to  4 - 3  or those read from a CD (compact disc) which will further be described later, converts the music data to a one compressed by a predetermined method (e.g., ATRAC3™), encrypts the data by a method such as DES (Data Encryption Standard), and then records the data. 
         [0070]    Correspondingly to the above content recorded as encrypted, the personal computer  1  records a usage rule under which the content should be used. The usage rule data concerns for example simultaneous use of the contents corresponding to the usage rule at three portable devices (also called “PD”)  6 - 1  to  6 - 3 , copy to the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3 , move to another personal computer, etc. The usage rule data will further be described later. 
         [0071]    The personal computer  1  stores the content recorded therein as encrypted into the portable device  6 - 1  connected thereto, and updates the usage rule data for the content having thus been stored into the portable device  6 - 1  (which will be referred to as “checkout” hereinafter). Also, the personal computer  1  stores the content recorded therein as encrypted as well as data related to the content into the portable device  6 - 2  connected thereto, and updates the usage rule data for the content having thus been stored into the portable device  6 - 2 . Further, the personal computer  1  stores the content recorded therein as encrypted as well as data related to the content into the portable device  6 - 3  connected thereto, and updates the usage rule data for the content having been thus stored into the portable device  6 - 3 . 
         [0072]    Moreover, the personal computer  1  has the portable device  6 - 1  connected thereto erase the content stored in the latter, and updates the usage rule data for the content having thus been erased (which will be referred to as “check-in” hereinafter). Also, the personal computer  1  has the portable device  6 - 2  connected thereto erase the content stored in the latter, and updates the usage rule data for the content having thus been erased. Further, the personal computer  1  has the portable device  6 - 3  connected thereto erase the content stored in the latter, and updates the usage rule data for the content having thus been erased. 
         [0073]    As shown, the music data management system includes an EMD (electrical music distribution) registration server  3 . Upon reception of a request content distribution from the personal computer  1  starting acquisition of a content from the EMD servers  4 - 1  to  4 - 3 , the EMD registration server  3  sends to the personal computer  1  via the network  2  an authenticate key necessary for mutual authentication between the personal computer  1  and EMD servers  4 - 1  to  4 - 3 , and also a program required for connection to the EMD servers  4 - 1  to  4 - 3 . 
         [0074]    Correspondingly to the request from the personal computer  1 , the EMD server  4 - 1  supplies a content to the personal computer  1  via the network  2 . Also the EMD server  4 - 2  supplies a content to the personal computer  1  via the network  2  correspondingly to that request. Further the EMD server  4 - 3  supplies a content as well as data related to the content to the personal computer  1  via the network  2  correspondingly to the request from the personal computer  1 . 
         [0075]    The content supplied from the EMD servers  4 - 1  to  4 - 3  have been compressed by the same method or different methods, and also encrypted by the same method or different methods. 
         [0076]    As shown, the music data management system further includes WWW (worldwide web) servers  5 - 1  and  5 - 2 . Correspondingly to the request from the personal computer  1 , the WWW server  5 - 1  supplies to the personal computer  1  via the network  2  data on a CD from which a content has been read (e.g., name of album recorded in the CD, distributor or supplier of the CD and the like) and data (e.g., music title (or content name), composer&#39;s name (or artist name) and the like) corresponding to the content having been read from the CD. Also correspondingly to the request from the personal computer  1 , the WWW server  5 - 2  supplies to the personal computer  1  via the network  2  data on a CD from which a content have been read and data corresponding to the content having been read from the CD. 
         [0077]    The portable device  6 - 1  stores the content supplied from the personal computer  1  (namely, “checked-out content”). The portable device  6 - 1  plays back the stored content and output them to a headphone or the like (not shown). The user can disconnect from the personal computer  1  the portable device  6 - 1  having the content stored therein, carry it with him or her, and play back the stored content. Thus the user can listen to music pieces or the like corresponding to the content using an electrical acoustic converter such as a headphone or the like. 
         [0078]    Also, the portable device  6 - 2  stores the content supplied from the personal computer  1  as well as data related to the content. The portable device  6 - 2  plays back the stored content and output them to a headphone or the like (not shown). The user can disconnect from the personal computer  1  the portable device  6 - 2  having the content stored therein, carry it with him, and play back the stored content. Thus the user can listen to music pieces or the like corresponding to the content using a headphone or the like. 
         [0079]    Also, the portable device  6 - 3  stores the content supplied from the personal computer  1  as well as data related to the content. The portable device  6 - 3  plays back the stored content and output them to a headphone or the like (not shown). The user can disconnect from the personal computer  1  the portable device  6 - 3  having the content stored therein, carry it with him, and play back the stored content. Thus the user can listen to music pieces or the like corresponding to the content using a headphone or the like. 
         [0080]    The personal computer  1  used on the music data management system shown in  FIG. 1  has a structure shown in  FIG. 2 , and a CPU (central processing unit)  11  comprised in the personal computer  1  actually executes a variety of application programs (will be detailed later) and OS (operating system). Also, the personal computer  1  includes a ROM (read-only memory)  12  and a RAM (random-access memory)  13 . Generally, the ROM  12  stores programs used by the CPU  11  and basically fixed data of arithmetic parameters. The RAM  13  stores programs executed by the CPU  11  and parameters which will appropriately vary during the execution of the programs. These components are connected to each other via a host bus  14  composed of a CPU bus, etc. The host bus  14  is connected to an external bus  16  such as a PCI (peripheral component interconnect/interface) via a bridge  15 . 
         [0081]    The personal computer  1  is provided also with a keyboard  18 , mouse  19 , display unit  20  and an HDD  21 . The keyboard  18  is operated by the user to input a variety of commands to the CPU  11 . The mouse  19  is also operated by the user for pointing and selection on the screen of the display unit  20 . The display  20  is an LCD (liquid crystal display) unit or a CRT (cathode ray tube) display unit to display a variety of information as a text or image. The HDD (hard disc drive)  21  drives a hard disc or hard discs to write or read a program executed by the CPU  11  and information to or from the hard disc. 
         [0082]    Further the personal computer  1  is provided with a drive  22  to read data or program recorded in a magnetic disc  41 , optical disc  42  (including CD), magneto-optical disc  43  or semiconductor memory  44  set in the drive  22 , and supply it to the RAM  13  connected via an interface  17 , external bridge  16 , bridge  15  and host bus  14  to the drive  22 . 
         [0083]    Moreover the personal computer  1  is provided with USB (universal serial bus) ports  23 - 1  to  23 - 3 , The portable device  6 - 1  is connected to the USB port  23 - 1  via a predetermined cable. The USB port  23 - 1  delivers to the portable device  6 - 1  the data (e.g., content or command to the portable device  6 - 1 ) supplied from the HDD  21 , CPU  11  or RAM  13  via the interface  17 , external bus  16 , bridge  15  or host bus  14 . 
         [0084]    To the USB port  23 - 2 , there is the portable device  6 - 2  via a predetermined cable. The USB port  23 - 2  delivers to the portable device  6 - 2  the data (e.g., content or command to the portable device  6 - 2 ) supplied from the HDD  21 , CPU  11  or RAM  13  via the interface  17 , external bus  16 , bridge  15  or host bus  14 . 
         [0085]    The USB port  23 - 3  has the portable device  6 - 3  connected thereto via a predetermined cable. The USB port  23 - 3  delivers to the portable device  6 - 3  the data (e.g., content or command to the portable device  6 - 3 ) supplied from the HDD  21 , CPU  11  or RAM  13  via the interface  17 , external bus  16 , bridge  15  or host bus  14 . 
         [0086]    The personal computer  1  is further provided with a speaker  24  which outputs a predetermined sound corresponding to a content based on data or sound signal supplied from the interface  17 . 
         [0087]    As shown, the above components from the keyboard  18  to speaker  24  are connected to the interface  17  which is connected to the CPU  11  via the external bus  16 , bridge  15  and host bus  14 . 
         [0088]    Further the personal computer  1  is provided with a communications unit  25  to which the network  2  is connected. The communications unit  25  stores in the form of a predetermined packet data supplied from the CPU  11  or HDD  21  (e.g., request for registration, request for sending of a content or the like), and sends the data via the network  2 , and outputs data stored in the received packet (e.g., authenticate key, content or the like) to the CPU  11 , RAM  13  or HDD  21  via the network  2 . 
         [0089]    The communications unit  25  is connected to the CPU  11  via the external bus  16 , bridge  15  and host bus  14 . 
         [0090]    The EMD registration server  3  comprised in the music data management system to which the present invention has been applied has the configuration shown in  FIG. 3 . As shown, the EMD registration server  3  includes a CPU  61 , ROM  62  and a RAM  63 . The CPU  61  actually executes a variety of application programs and OS. Generally, the ROM  62  stores programs used by the CPU  61  and basically fixed data of arithmetic parameters. The RAM  63  stores programs executed by the CPU  61  and parameters which will appropriately vary during the execution of the programs. These components are connected to each other via a host bus  64  composed of a CPU bus, etc. The host bus  64  is connected to an external bus  66  such as a PCI bus via a bridge  65 . 
         [0091]    The EMD registration server  3  is provided also with a keyboard  68 , mouse  69 , display unit  70  and an HDD  71 . The keyboard  68  is operated by the user to input a variety of commands to the CPU  61 . The mouse  69  is also operated by the user for pointing and selection on the screen of the display unit  70 . The display  70  is an LCD unit or a CRT display unit to display a variety of information as a text or image. The HDD  71  drives a hard disc or hard discs to write or read a program executed by the CPU  61  and information to or from the hard disc. 
         [0092]    Further the EMD registration server  3  is provided with a drive  72  to read data or program recorded in a magnetic disc  91 , optical disc  92 , magneto-optical disc  93  or semiconductor memory  94  set in the drive  72 , and supply it to the RAM  63  connected via an interface  67 , external bus  66 , bridge  65  and host bus  64  to the drive  72 . 
         [0093]    As shown, the above components from the keyboard  68  to drive  72  are connected to the interface  67  which is connected to the CPU  61  via the external bus  66 , bridge  65  and host bus  64 . 
         [0094]    Further the EMD registration server  3  is provided with a communications unit  73  to which the network  2  is connected. The communications unit  73  outputs data stored in the received packet to the CPU  61 , RAM  63  or HDD  71  (e.g., data required for registration which will further be described later, predetermined program ID (identifier) or the like), and stores data supplied from the CPU  61  or HDD  71  (e.g., a predetermined number of authenticate keys, program or the like) in the form of a predetermined packet for sending via the network  2 . The communications unit  73  is connected to the CPU  61  via the external bus  66 , bridge  65  and host bus  64 . 
         [0095]    The EMD servers  4 - 1  to  4 - 3  and WWW servers  5 - 1  and  5 - 2  are constructed similarly to the EMD registration server  3 . Therefore, they will not be described any further. 
         [0096]    Next, referring to  FIG. 4 , functions the personal computer  1  can perform by executing predetermined programs will be described herebelow: 
         [0097]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram the functions of the personal computer  1 , which can be performed by CPU  11  executing predetermined programs. 
         [0098]    The CPU  11  executes a content management program  111  composed of a plurality of programs including an EMD selection program  131 , check-in/checkout management program  132 , encryption method conversion program  133 , compression method conversion program  134 , encryption program  135 , usage rule conversion program  136 , signature management program  137 , authentication program  138 , decryption program  139 , PD driver  140 , and purchase drivers  141  and  142 . 
         [0099]    The content management program  111  is stated with shuffled instructions, encrypted instructions or the like for example to conceal what are to be done under such instructions. Namely, it is difficult to know what is to be effected according to the content management program  111 . For example, even if the content management program  111  is read directly by the user, no instructions included in the program  111  will not be identifiable. 
         [0100]    When the content management program  111  is installed in the personal computer  1 , the EMD selection program  131  will not be included in the content management program  111  but will be received from the EMD registration server  3  via the network  2  during EMD registration which will further be described later. The EMD selection program  131  is to select connection with any of the EMD servers  4 - 1  to  4 - 3  and have a purchase application program  115  or the purchase driver  141  or  142  communicate with any of the EMD servers  4 - 1  to  4 - 3  (for example, downloading of a content to be purchased or the like). 
         [0101]    The check-in/checkout management program  132  is to set either check-in or checkout, and check out contents stored in content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N to any of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3  based on usage rule files  162 - 1  to  162 -N recorded in a content data base  114  or check in contents stored in the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3 . 
         [0102]    Correspondingly to either the check-in or checkout set as in the above, the check-in/checkout management program  132  updates usage rule data stored in the usage rule files  162 - 1  to  162 -N recorded in the content data base  114 . 
         [0103]    The encryption method conversion program  133  is to convert an encryption method having been used to encrypt a content the purchase application program  115  has received from the EMD server  4 - 1  via the network  2 , a one having been used to encrypt a content the purchase driver  141  has received from the EMD server  4 - 2  via the network  2  or a one having been used to encrypt a content the purchase driver  142  has received from the EMD server  4 - 3  via the network  2 , to the same encryption method as that having been used to encrypt contents stored in the content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N the content data base  114  have recorded therein. 
         [0104]    Also, when checking out a content to the portable device  6 - 1  or  6 - 3 , the encryption method conversion program  133  is used to convert an encryption method by which a content to be checked out to a one the portable device  6 - 1  or  6 - 3  can use. 
         [0105]    The compression method conversion program  134  is to convert a compression method having been used to compress a content the purchase application program  115  has received from the EMD server  4 - 1  via the network  2 , a one having been used to compress a content the purchase driver  141  has received from the EMD server  4 - 2  via the network  2  or a one having been used to compress a content the purchase driver  142  has received from the EMD server  4 - 3  via the network  2 , to the same compression method as that having been used to compress contents stored in the content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N the content data base  114  having recorded therein. 
         [0106]    Also, when checking out a content to the portable device  6 - 1  or  6 - 3 , the compression method conversion program  134  is used to convert the compression method having been used to compress the content to be checked out to a one the portable device  6 - 1  or  6 - 3  can use. 
         [0107]    The encryption program  135  is to encrypt a content having been read from a CD for example and supplied from a recording program  113  (not yet encrypted) by the encryption method having been used to encrypt contents stored in the content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N recorded in the content data base  114 . 
         [0108]    The usage rule conversion program  136  is to convert the usage rule data for content the purchase application program  115 , purchase driver  141  or purchase driver  142  has received from the EMD server  4 - 1 ,  4 - 2  or  4 - 2 , respectively, via the network  2 , to the same format as that of the usage rule data stored in the usage rule files  161 - 1  to  161 -N recorded in the content data base  114 . 
         [0109]    Also, when checking out a content to the portable device  6 - 1  or  6 - 3 , the usage rule conversion program  136  converts the usage rule for the content to be checked out to a usage rule data the portable device  6 - 1  or  6 - 3  can use. 
         [0110]    The signature management program  137  is to find, before check-in or checkout of a content, any falsification of the usage rule based on a signature (will further be described later) included in the usage rule data stored in the usage rule files  162 - 1  to  162 -N recorded in the content data base  114 , and updates the signature included in the usage rule data correspondingly to an update of the usage rule data stored in the usage rule files  162 - 1  to  162 -N recorded in the content data base  114 , the update having occurred after the check-in or checkout of the content. 
         [0111]    The authentication program  138  is to provide a mutual authentication between the content management program  111  and purchase application program  115 , and a mutual authentication between the content management program  111  and purchase driver  141 . Also, the authentication program  138  stores authenticate keys for use in a mutual authentication between the EMD server  4 - 1  and purchase application program  115 , a mutual authentication between the EMD server  4 - 1  and purchase driver  141 , and a mutual authentication between the EMD server  4 - 3  and purchase driver  142 . 
         [0112]    The authenticate key used by authentication program  138  for the mutual authentication has not yet been stored in the authentication program  138  when the content management program  111  is installed in the personal computer  1  but it will be supplied from the EMD registration server  3  and stored in the authentication program  138  when a registration has successfully been done by a display/operation instruction program  112 . 
         [0113]    When the personal computer  1  reproduces contents stored in the content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N recorded in the content data base  114 , the decryption program  139  is to decrypt the content. 
         [0114]    When checking out a predetermined content to the portable device  6 - 2  or checking in a predetermined content from the portable device  6 - 2 , the PD driver  140  is to supply the portable device  6 - 2  with the content or a command to have the portable device  6 - 2  execute a predetermined operation. When checking out a predetermined content to the portable device  6 - 1  or checking in a predetermined content from the portable device  6 - 1 , the PD driver  140  is to supply a device driver  116 - 1  with the content or a command to have the device driver  116 - 1  execute a predetermined operation. When checking out a predetermined content to the portable device  6 - 3  or checking in a predetermined content from the portable device  6 - 3 , the PD driver  140  is to supply a device driver  116 - 2  with the content or a command to have the device driver  116 - 2  execute a predetermined operation. 
         [0115]    The purchase driver  141  is a so-called plug-in program. It is installed along with the content management program  111 , and supplied from the EMD registration server  3  via the network  2  or as recorded in a predetermined CD. Installed in the personal computer  1 , the purchase driver  141  is to send and receive data to and from the content management program  111  via an interface of a predetermined type the content management program  111  has. The purchase driver  141  sends to the EMD server  4 - 2  via the network  2  a request for sending a predetermined content, and receives the content from the EMD server  4 - 2 . Also, the purchase driver  141  makes an accounting when receiving a content from the EMD server  4 - 2 . 
         [0116]    The purchase driver  142  is a program which is to be installed along with the content management program  111 . It is to send to the EMD server  4 - 3  via the network  2  a request for sending a predetermined content, and receives the content from the EMD server  4 - 3 . Also, the purchase driver  142  makes an accounting when receiving a content from the EMD server  4 - 3 . 
         [0117]    The display/operation instruction program  112  is to have the display unit  20  display a predetermined window image based on a filtering data file  181 , display data file  182 , image files  183 - 1  to  183 -K or history data file  184 , and instruct the content management program  111  by means of the keyboard  18  or mouse  19  to check in or out a content. 
         [0118]    The filtering data file  181  has stored therein data for weighting each of contents stored in the content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N recorded in the content data base  114 , and it is recorded in the HDD  21 . 
         [0119]    The display data file  182  has stored therein data corresponding to contents stored in the content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N recorded in the content data base  114 , and it is recorded in the HDD  21 . 
         [0120]    The image files  183 - 1  to  183 -K have stored therein images corresponding to the content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N recorded in the content data base  114  or images corresponding to packages which will further be described later, and they are recorded in the HDD  21 . 
         [0121]    In the following, the image files  183 - 1  to  183 -K will be referred to simply as “image file  183 ” where it is not necessary to identify them individually. 
         [0122]    The history data file  184  has stored therein history data including numbers of times contents stored in the content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N recorded in the content data base  114  have been checked out, numbers of times the contents stored in the content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N have been checked in, dates of the check-in and checkout, etc., and it is recorded in the HDD  21 . 
         [0123]    For the registration, the display/operation instruction program  112  is to send a previously stored ID of the content management program  111  to the EMD registration server  3  via the network  2  while receiving an authenticate key and EMD selection program  131  from the EMD registration server  3 , and supplies the content management program  111  with the authenticate key and EMD selection program  131 . 
         [0124]    The recording program  113  is to read out data such as a data recording time, etc. from a CD which is the optical disc  42  set in the drive  22  based on an operation made to the keyboard  18  or mouse  19 , while displaying a predetermined window image. 
         [0125]    The recording program  113  requests, via the network  2 , for sending to the WWW server  5 - 1  or  5 - 2  of data corresponding to a CD (e.g., album name, artist name and the like) or data corresponding to contents recorded in the CD (e.g., content names and the like) based on the content recording time recorded in the CD while receiving, from the WWW server  5 - 1  or  5 - 2  data corresponding to a CD or data corresponding to contents recorded in the CD. 
         [0126]    The recording program  113  is to supply received data corresponding to a CD or data corresponding to contents recorded in the CD to the display/operation instruction program  112 . 
         [0127]    When supplied with a recording instruction, the recording program  113  reads out contents from a CD being the optical disc  42  set in the drive  22  and outputs it to the content management program  111 . 
         [0128]    The content data base  114  stores in any of the content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N contents supplied from the content management program  111 , compressed by a predetermined method and encrypted by a predetermined method (namely, they are recorded in the HDD  21 ). The content data base  114  stores in any of the usage rule files  162 - 1  to  162 -N corresponding to the content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N, respectively, having contents stored therein usage rule data corresponding to the contents stored in the content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N, respectively (namely, they are recorded in the HDD  21 ). 
         [0129]    The content data base  114  may have stored therein the content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N or usage rule files  162 - 1  to  162 -N as records. For example, usage rule data corresponding to a content stored in the content file  161 - 1  is stored in the usage rule file  162 - 1 . Also, usage rule data corresponding to a content stored in the content file  161 -N is stored in the usage file  162 -N. 
         [0130]    In the following, the content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N will be referred to simply as “content file  161 ” where it is not necessary to identify them individually. Also, in the following, the usage rule files  162 - 1  to  162 -N will be referred to simply as “usage rule file  162 ” where it is not necessary to identify them individually. 
         [0131]    As the other personal computer  1 - 2  has a similar structure to that of the personal computer  1 - 1 , the explanation is omitted. 
         [0132]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown an example of usage rule data stored in the usage rule files  162 - 1  to  162 -N. For the item “Content ID”, there is set data to identify a content stored in each of the content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N. For the item “checkout Possible?”, there is set either “YES” or “NO”. When “YES” is set for this item, the content management program  111  can check out a content identified with the “Content ID” to any of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3 . When “NO” is set for the item “Checkout Possible?”, the content management program  111  will not check out the content identified with the “Content ID” to any of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3 . 
         [0133]    For the item “No. of Possible Checkouts”, there is set a number of times the content management program  111  can effect content checkout. When the content management program  111  checks out a content once, the number for the item “No. of Possible Checkouts” is decremented correspondingly. When the content management program  111  checks in a content once, the number for the item “No. of Possible Checkouts” is incremented correspondingly. 
         [0134]    When the number for the item “No. of Possible Checkouts” changes from “1” to “0” as the result of the checkouts done by the content management program  111 , there will be set “NO” for the item “Checkout Possible?”. When the number for the item “No. of Possible Checkouts” changes from “0” to “1” as the result of the check-in&#39;s done by the content management program  111 , there will be set “YES” for the item “Checkout Possible?”. 
         [0135]    In the item “Move Possible?”, there is set either “YES” or “NO”. When “YES” is set for this item, the content management program  111  can move a content identified with the “Content ID”. When “NO” is set for the item “Move Possible”, the content management program  111  will not move the content identified with the “Content ID”. 
         [0136]    In the item “Copy Possible?”, there is set either “YES” or “NO”. When “YES” is set for this item, the content management program  111  can copy a content identified with the “Content ID”. When “NO” is set for this item, the content management program  111  will not copy the content identified with the “Content ID”. 
         [0137]    In the item “Number of Possible Copies”, there is set a number of times the content management program  111  can effect content copy. 
         [0138]    In the item “Usage Period”, there is stated a period for which a content identified with the “Content ID” can be used (checkout or playback). 
         [0139]    In the item “Content-Usable District”, there is stated a district (e.g., Japan or Worldwide) where a content identified with the “Content ID” can be used (checkout or playback). 
         [0140]    In the item “Signature”, there is stored data (will be referred to as “signature data” hereinafter) the signature management program  137  generates based on data set in the items “Content ID” to “Content-Usable District”. The signature data is used for detection of any falsification of usage rule data. The algorithm used by the signature management program  137  for generation of signature data is a unidirectional function. Since it is not disclosed to the public, it is difficult for any other than the supplier of the content management program  111  to generate a correct signature data based on data set in the items “Content ID” to “Content-Usable District”. 
         [0141]    The purchase application program  115  is supplied from the EMD registration server  3  via the network  2  or as recorded in a predetermined CD. The purchase application program  115  is to request the EMD server  4 - 1  for sending a predetermined content, receives the content from the EMD server  4 - 1  and supplies it to the content management program  111 . Also, the purchase management program  115  makes an accounting when receiving the content from the EMD server  4 - 1 . 
         [0142]    Next, correspondence between data stored in the display data file  82  and the content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N stored in the content data base will be described: 
         [0143]    A content stored in any of the content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N belongs to a predetermined package. In detail, the package is an original package, My select package or a filtering package. 
         [0144]    More than one content belong to the original package. The original package corresponds to the content classification in the EMD servers  4 - 1  to  4 - 3  (e.g., so-called album) or to a single CD. The contents belong to any original package and cannot belong to a plurality of original packages. The original package to which the contents belong cannot be modified. The user can edit (addition of information or modification of added information) a part of information corresponding to the original package. 
         [0145]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown an example of the relation between the original package display data  201  included in a display data file  182  and content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N. The relation defines the relation between an original package and contents. The original package display data  201  includes package display data  221 - 1  to  221 -M. The package display data  211 - 1  is related with the content display data  221 - 1 - 1  to  221 - 1 - i . The content display data  221 - 1 - 1  corresponds to a content stored in the content file  161 - 1 . Usage rule data for a content stored in the content file  161 - 1  is stored in the usage rule  162 - 1 . 
         [0146]    The content display data  221 - 1 - 2  corresponds to a content stored in the content file  161 - 2 . Usage rule data for a content stored in the content file  161 - 2  is stored in the usage rule  162 - 2 . The content display data  221 - 1 - i  corresponds to a content stored in the content file  161 - q . Usage rule data for a content stored in the content file  161 - q  is stored in the usage rule  162 - q.    
         [0147]    The package display data  211 - 2  are related with the content display data  221 - 2 - 1  to  221 - 2 - j.    
         [0148]    The content display data  221 - 2 - 1  corresponds to a content stored in the content file  161 -( q +1). Usage rule data for a content stored in the content file  161 -( q +1) is stored in the usage rule  162 -( q +1). 
         [0149]    The content display data  221 - 2 - 2  corresponds to a content stored in the content file  161 -( q +2). Usage rule data for a content stored in the content file  161 -( q +2) is stored in the usage rule  162 -( q +2). 
         [0150]    The content display data  221 - 2 - j  corresponds to a content stored in the content file  161 - r . Usage rule data for a content stored in the content file  161 - r  is stored in the usage rule  162 - r.    
         [0151]    Similarly, the package display data  211 -M are related with the content display data  221 -M- 1  to  221 -M-p. The content display data  221 -M-p corresponds to a content stored in the content file  161 -N. Usage rule data for a content stored in the content file  161 -N is stored in the usage rule  162 -N. 
         [0152]    In the following, the package display data  211 - 1  to  211 -M will be referred to simply as “package display data  211 ” where it is not necessary to identify them individually. Also, the content display data  221 - 1 - 1  to  221 -M-p will be referred to simply as “content display data  221 ” where it is not necessary to identify them individually. Also, the content display data  161 - 1  to  161 -N will be referred to simply as “content display data  161 ” where it is not necessary to identify them individually. The usage rule files  162 - 1  to  162 -N will be referred to simple as “usage rule file  162 ” where it is not necessary to identify them individually. 
         [0153]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7A to 7C , there is shown an example of the composition of the display data file  182 .  FIG. 7A  shows an example of the package display data  211 . The package display data  211  includes package ID data for identification of a package, package type data for identification of either My Select package or filtering package, package name data, artist name data, genre name data, content ID data indicating name of image file in which an image corresponding to a package is stored, and content ID data corresponding to more than one content belonging to a package. Information corresponding to an original package added by the user is added to the package display data  211 . 
         [0154]      FIG. 7B  shows an example of the content display data  221 . The content display data  221  includes content ID data, original package ID data for identification of an original package to which a corresponding package belong, content name data, data on number of checkouts, and data for indicating name of image file in which an image corresponding to a content is stored. 
         [0155]    Further, the display data file  182  may be made to correspond to a content ID and have data type and data recorded therein, as shown in  FIG. 7C . 
         [0156]    The My Select package has belonging thereto more than one content freely selected by the user. The user can freely make an edition to have a content belong to a My Select package. A content may belong to more than one My Select package, and may not belong to any My Select package. 
         [0157]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown an example of the relation between the My Select package display data  241  belonging to the display data file  182  and content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N. The relation defines the relation between a My Select package and contents. The My Select package display data  241  includes package display data  251 - 1  to  251 -S. 
         [0158]    The package display data  251 - 1  is related with the content display data  221 - 1 - 1 ,  221 - 2 - 2  or  221 - 1 - i  correspondingly to a setting made by the user. The package display data  251 - 2  is related with the content display data  221 - 2 - j ,  221 - 3 - 1  or  221 - 1 - 2  correspondingly to a setting made by the user. Similarly, the package display data  251 -S is related with the content display data  221 - 2 - 2  or  221 - 1 - i  correspondingly to a setting made by the user. 
         [0159]    In the following, the package display data  251 - 1  to  251 -S will be referred to simply as “package display data  251 ” where it is not necessary to identify them individually. Since the package display data  251  has a similar composition to that of the package display data  221  having been previously described with reference to  FIG. 7A , so it will not be described any further. 
         [0160]    Thus, the user can have a desired content belong to a My Select package. One content belongs to a plurality of My Select packages as the case may be. 
         [0161]    The filtering package has belonging thereto a content selected based on filtering data stored in the filtering data file  181 . The filtering data is supplied from the EMD servers  4 - 1  to  4 - 3  or WWW server  5 - 1  or  5 - 2  via the network  2 , or as recorded in a predetermined CD. The user may edit filtering data stored in the filtering file  181 . 
         [0162]    The filtering data is a reference for selection of a predetermined content or calculation of a weight corresponding to a content. For example, using the filtering data corresponding to the J-POP (Japanese pops) of the week, the personal computer  1  can identify ten contents from the best to tenth-place ones of the week. 
         [0163]    The filtering data file  181  includes for example filtering data for selection of contents in the descending order of the periods for which they have been checked out for the past one month, filtering data for selection of contents having been checked out frequently for the past half year or filtering data for selection of contents including a letter “love” in their name. 
         [0164]    Thus, a content in the filtering package is selected by relating the content display data  221  corresponding to the content (including data set by the user in the content display data  221 ) or history data  184  with a filtering data. 
         [0165]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is shown an example of the relation between the filtering package display data  281  belonging to the display data file  182  and content files  161 - 1  to  161 -N. The relation defines the relation between a My Select package and contents. The filtering package display data  281  includes package display data  291 - 1  to  291 -A. 
         [0166]    The package display data  291 - 1  is related with the content display data  221 - 2 - 1 ,  221 - 1 - 2  or  221 -M-p. The package display data  291 - 2  is related with the content display data  221 - 1 - i ,  221 - 2 - j  and  221 - 2 - 2 . Similarly, the package display data  291 -A is related with the content display data  221 - 1 - i ,  221 - 2 - j  and  221 - 2 - 2 . 
         [0167]    In the following, the package display data  291 - 1  to  291 -A will be referred to simply as “package display data  291 ” where it is not necessary to identify them individually. Since the package display data  291  has a similar composition to that of the package display data  221  having been previously described with reference to  FIG. 7A , so it will not be described any further. 
         [0168]    Thus, a predetermined content selected by the user operating the personal computer  1  belongs to the filtering package, and one content belongs to a plurality of filtering packages as the case may be. 
         [0169]    Next, EMD registration will be described with reference to  FIG. 10 . When the display/operation instruction program  112  is initially started with the content management program  111  and display/operation instruction program  112  installed in the personal computer  1 , it references to a uniform resource locator (URL) and the like previously stored therein, and connects to the EMD registration server  3  via the network  2 . 
         [0170]    The EMD registration server  3  sends data for display of a screen intended for the registration to the display/operation instruction program  112 . The display/operation instruction program  112  will display a screen having an EMD registration button  311  disposed thereon on the display unit  20  as shown in  FIG. 11  for example. 
         [0171]    When the EMD registration button  311  is clicked, the display/operation instruction program  112  requests the EMD registration server  3  for sending an authenticate key  301  and EMD selection program  131  previously recorded in the EMD registration server  3  along with a previously stored ID for the content management program  111  and necessary data for the registration (e.g., name of the user of the personal computer  1  and credit No.). 
         [0172]    When it is determined that the received ID for the content management program  111  is valid, the EMD registration server  3  sends the authenticate key  301  and EMD selection program  131  to the display/operation instruction program  112  via the network  2 . 
         [0173]    On the contrary, when it is determined that the received ID for the content management program  111  is invalid, the EMD registration server  3  will send a predetermined error message to the display/operation instruction program  112  via the network  2 . When the ID for the content management program  111  is not invalid, the display/operation instruction program  112  cannot acquire the authenticate key  301  and EMD selection program  131 . 
         [0174]    Upon reception of the authenticate key  301  and EMD selection program  131  from the EMD registration server  3 , the display/operation instruction program  112  will supply the authenticate key  301  and EMD selection program  131  to the content management program  111 . 
         [0175]    When supplied with the authenticate key  301  and EMD selection program  131  from the display/operation instruction program  112 , the content management program  111  will install and start the EMD selection program  131 , and supply the authenticate key  301  to the authentication program  138 . The authentication program  138  stores therein the acquired authenticate key  301 . 
         [0176]    After started, the EMD selection program  131  will display, on the display unit  20 , a window having disposed therein buttons for starting the connection with any of the EMD servers  4 - 1  to  4 - 3  as shown in  FIG. 12  for example. 
         [0177]    When an EXA-SOFT AUDIO button  331  for example is clicked, the content management program  111  starts a purchase application  151  and connects the purchase application  151  to the EMD server  4 - 1 . At this time, the authentication program  138  uses the authenticate key  301  to execute a mutual authentication with the purchase application  151  and has the purchase application  151  make a mutual authentication with the EMD server  4 - 1 . 
         [0178]    When the purchase application  151  has successfully made the mutual authentication with the EMD server  4 - 1 , it will display, on the display unit  20 , a screen for purchase of a content as shown in  FIG. 13  for example. 
         [0179]    When a SOLID AUDIO button  332  for example, shown in  FIG. 12 , is clicked, the content management program  111  will install the purchase driver  141  being a plug-in program, and connect the purchase driver  141  to the EMD server  4 - 2 . At this time, the authentication program  138  uses the authenticate key  301  to execute a mutual authentication with the purchase driver  141  and has the purchase driver  141  make a mutual authentication with the EMD server  4 - 2 . 
         [0180]    When the purchase driver  141  has succeeded in the mutual authentication with the EMD server  4 - 2 , it will display, on the display unit  20 , a screen for purchase of a content as shown in  FIG. 14  for example. 
         [0181]    Similarly, when a DMD button  333  for example, shown in  FIG. 12 , is clicked, the content management program  111  will connect the purchase driver  142  to the EMD server  4 - 3 . At this time, the authentication program  138  uses the authenticate key  301  to execute a mutual authentication with the EMD server  4 - 3  via the purchase driver  142 . 
         [0182]    Note that when a check button  334  (DIRECT CHECKOUT) shown in  FIG. 12  is checked, a content received from any of the EMD servers  4 - 1  to  4 - 3  (namely, the content is purchased) is stored into the content data base  114  and checked out to any predetermined one of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3 . 
         [0183]    Next, reading of a content from a CD set in the drive  22  and recording of the content will be described. 
         [0184]    Referring now to  FIG. 15 , there is shown an example of the display/operation instruction window the display/operation instruction program  112  displays on the display unit  20  when it is started after completion of the EMD registration. 
         [0185]    The display/operation instruction window has disposed therein a button  341  for starting the recording program  113 , button  342  for starting the EMD selection program  131 , button  343  for displaying a field in which check-in or checkout is set, and a button  344  for displaying a field for edition of a My Select package, that is, the My Select package display data  241 . 
         [0186]    When a button  345  also disposed is selected, data corresponding to an original package is displayed in a field  351 . When a button  346  also disposed is selected, data corresponding to a My Select package is displayed in the field  351 . When a button  347  also disposed is selected, data corresponding to a filtering package is displayed in the field  351 . 
         [0187]    Data displayed in the field  351  relates to a package, and it is for example a package name or artist name. 
         [0188]    As shown in  FIG. 15 , in the field  351 , there are shown, for example, a package name “FIRST” and artist name “A. TARO” stored in the package display data  221 - 1 , a package name “SECOND” and artist name “A. TARO” stored in the package display data  221 - 2 , etc. 
         [0189]    In a field  352 , there is shown data corresponding to contents belonging to packages selected in the field  351 . Data displayed in this field  352  include content name, play time or number of possible checkouts, etc., for example. 
         [0190]    In  FIG. 15  for example, since a package corresponding to the package display data  221 - 2  is selected, there are displayed in the field  351  a content name “MINAMI-NO-SAKABA” and number of possible checkouts “ . . . ” (indicating three checkouts) stored in the content display data  221 - 1  corresponding to contents belonging to a package corresponding to the package display data  221 - 2 , a content name “KITA-NO-HAKABA” and number of possible checkouts “ . . . ” (indicating two checkouts” stored in the content display data  221 - 2 , etc. 
         [0191]    Note that the number of possible checkouts may not only be indicated with a number of predetermined figures (e.g., star, moon or the like) as shown in  FIG. 15  but also with a numeral or a note or notes (e.g., one sixteenth note for one checkout, two sixteenth notes or one eighth note for two checkouts, three sixteenth notes or one dotted eighth note for three checkouts, etc.). 
         [0192]    Also the display/operation instruction window has disposed therein a field  348  in which an image or the like corresponding to a selected package or content is displayed, and a button  349  for use to play back a selected content (output a sound corresponding to the content from the speaker  24 ). To play back the selected content, the button  349  is to be clicked. 
         [0193]    By selecting a predetermined content name displayed in the field  352  and making an erasing operation while data corresponding to the original package are being displayed in the field  351  with the button  345  activated, the display/operation instruction program  112  will have the content management program  111  erase a predetermined content stored in the content data base  114  and corresponding to the selected content name. 
         [0194]    Referring now to  FIG. 16 , there is shown, for explanation, a window the recording program  113  has the display unit  20  display when it is started by clicking the button  341 . 
         [0195]    The recording program  113  reads a play time of a content from a CD set in the drive  22 , and displays it in a field  383 . Since the name of the content is unknown, the recording program  113  will display “UNKNOWN” in a part of the field  383  in which a content name is to be displayed. 
         [0196]    Since both the title of the CD set in the drive  22  and artist name are unknown, the recording program  113  will display “UNKNOWN” in each of a field  381  in which a CD title is to be displayed and a field  382  in which an artist name is to be displayed. 
         [0197]    The window displayed on the display unit  20  by the recording program  113  has further disposed therein a button  384  which is to be clicked for acquisition of information from a CD, and a button  385  for setting whether or not a content read from the CD should automatically be checked out to any of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3  when the read content is recorded into the content data base  114 . 
         [0198]    When the button  385  for example is clicked, the recording program  113  will have the display unit  20  display a pulldown menu showing the list of portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3 . When the user selects any of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3  from the pulldown menu, the personal computer  1  will automatically check out a content recorded from the CD for any selected one of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3 . When the user selects “NO CHECKOUT” from the pulldown menu, the personal computer  1  will not check out any content recorded from the CD. 
         [0199]    The window the recording program  113  has the display unit  20  display has also disposed therein a button  386  for instructing the start of recording of a content recorded in the CD. 
         [0200]    Referring now to  FIG. 17 , there is shown a property dialog box the recording program  113  has the display unit  20  display when CD information is to be acquired from either of the WWW servers  5 - 1  and  5 - 2  and where it is set from which of the WWW servers  5 - 1  and  5 - 2  the CD information should be acquired. 
         [0201]    The property dialog box has disposed therein a field  401  where it is set from which of the WWW servers  5 - 1  and  5 - 2  the CD information should be acquired. When “CDDB” for example is set in the field  401 , the recording program  113  will request the WWW server  5 - 1  for sending the CD information. When “CDNEW JAPAN” (for example, the name of a company or site providing a similar service to that provided by the CDNEW™) is set in the field  401 , the recording program  113  will request the WWW server  5 - 2  corresponding to CDDB for sending the CD information. 
         [0202]    When “CDDB” is set in the field  401 , fields  402  and  403  will be ready for such a setting. URL at the first site of CDDB is to be set in the field  402  while that at the second site of CDDB is to be set in the field  403 . 
         [0203]    When the CD information is received from either of the WWW servers  5 - 1  and  5 - 2 , there will be set in a field  404  a directory in which the received information is to be recorded (any directory of the HDD  21 ). 
         [0204]    When a button  405  also disposed in the property dialog box is clicked, the recording program  113  will access, via the network  2 , a predetermined one of the WWW servers based on URL previously stored in the recording program  113 , acquire information on URL at the first site of CDDB and URL at the second site of CDDB, and set the information on URL at the first site of CDDB as candidate information to be set in the field  402  while setting the information on URL at the second site of CDDB as candidate information to be set in the field  403 , as shown in  FIG. 18 . 
         [0205]    When the button  384  shown in  FIG. 16  is clicked after the user sets “CDDB” in the field  401 , URL at the first site of CDDB in the field  402  and URL at the second site of CDDB in the field  403  as shown in  FIG. 19 , the recording program  113  will connect to the WWW server  5 - 1  based on URL set in the field  402  and URL set in the field  403 , request the WWW server  5 - 1  for CD information by following a procedure corresponding to “CDDB” set in the field  401 , and receive the CD information from the WWW server  5 - 1 . 
         [0206]    Referring now to  FIG. 20 , there is shown a window the recording program  113  has the display unit  20  display when it has received the CD information from the WWW server  5 - 1  with the button  384  clicked. Based on the CD information received from the WWW server  5 - 1 , the recording program  113  will display a CD title such as “Asynchronized” for example in the field  381 , and also an artist name such as “KUWAI” for example in the field  382 . 
         [0207]    Based on the CD information received from the WWW server  5 - 1 , the recording program  113  will display content names such as “HEAT”, “PLANET”, “BLACK”, “SOUL”, etc. for example in a part of the field  383  where a content name is to be displayed, and also an artist name such as “KUWAI” for example in a part of the field  383  where an artist name is to be displayed. 
         [0208]    When having received more two pieces of CD information from the WWW server  5 - 1 , the recording program  113  will have the display unit  20  display a dialog box as shown in  FIG. 21  for selection by the user of any of the CD information pieces. 
         [0209]      FIG. 22  shows a dialog box the recording program  113  has the display unit  20  display when the button  384  is clicked with “CDNEW JAPAN” set in the field  401  and in which a search keyword is to be set. 
         [0210]    As shown in  FIG. 22 , the dialog box has disposed therein buttons  431 ,  432 ,  433  and  434 . The button  431  is to be activated by clicking for searching CD information taking an album name as a search keyword. The search keyword for the album name is set in a field  441  also disposed in the dialog box. 
         [0211]    The button  432  is to be activated by clicking for searching CD information taking an artist name as a search keyword. The search keyword for the artist name is set in a field  442  also disposed in the dialog box. 
         [0212]    The button  433  is to be activated by clicking for searching CD information taking a content name as a search keyword. The search keyword for the content name is set in a field  443  also disposed in the dialog box. 
         [0213]    The button  434  is to be activated by clicking for searching CD information taking a product No. as a search keyword. The search keyword for the product No. is set in a field  444  also disposed in the dialog box. 
         [0214]    For searching CD information, at least any one of the buttons  431  to  434  is activated. 
         [0215]    When searching CD information taking an artist name as a search keyword as shown in  FIG. 23 , the button  434  is activated and a string of characters indicating the artist name such as “KUWAI” is set in the field  442 . 
         [0216]    When the search button disposed in the dialog box to set a search keyword is clicked, the recording program  113  will connect to the WWW server  5 - 2  based on a previously stored URL or the like, request the WWW server  5 - 2  for CD information following a procedure corresponding to “CDNEW JAPAN” set in the field  401  and based on the search keyword set in the dialog box, and receive the CD information from the WWW server  5 - 2 . 
         [0217]    The WWW server  5 - 2  sends the CD information along with data for displaying an image which prompts the user to purchase a CD related with the searched CD information to the personal computer  1  as shown in  FIG. 24 . The user of the personal computer  1  can purchase a predetermined CD via the network  2  based on the data for displaying the image which prompts the user to purchase the CD. 
         [0218]    Referring now to  FIG. 25 , there is shown, for explanation, a window the recording program  113  has the display unit  20  display when it has received the CD information from the WWW server  5 - 2  after clicking the search button  384  disposed in the dialog box to set the search keyword. Based on the CD information received from the WWW server  5 - 2 , the recording program  113  displays a CD title such as “Asynchronized” for example in the field  381 , and also an artist name such as “KUWAI” for example in the field  382 . 
         [0219]    Based on the CD information received from the WWW server  5 - 2 , the recording program  113  will display content names such as “HEAT”, “PLANET”, “BLACK”, “SOUL”, etc. for example in a part of the field  383  where a content name is to be displayed, and also an artist name such as “KUWAI” for example in a part of the field  383  where an artist name is to be displayed. 
         [0220]    After the recording program  113  receives a predetermined CD information, it will store the CD information into the directory in the HDD  21 , designated in the field  404 . 
         [0221]    When instructed to acquire CD information by the user clicking the button  384  or the like, the recording program  113  will first search the directory in the HDD  21 , designed in the field  404 . When the CD information is stored in the directory in the HDD  21 , designated in the field  404 , the recording program  113  will display a dialog box  461  shown in  FIG. 26  to prompt the user to select whether the CD information stored in the directory designated in the field  404  is to be used. 
         [0222]    When the button  386  for instructing to start recording of any one of the contents displayed in the window the recording program  113  has the display unit  20  display is clicked, the recording program  113  will read the content from a CD set in the drive  22  and supply the content read from the CD along with the CD information to the content management program  111 . The compression method conversion program  134  in the content management program  111  will compress the content supplied from the recording program  113  by a predetermined compression method, and the encryption program  135  will encrypt the compressed content. The usage rule conversion program  136  generates usage rule data corresponding to the compressed and encrypted content. 
         [0223]    The content management program  111  will thus supply the compressed and encrypted content along with the usage rule data to the content data base  114 . 
         [0224]    The content data base  114  generates the content file  161  and usage rule file  162  corresponding to a content received from the content management program  111 , and stores the content into the content file  161  and the usage rule data into the usage rule file  162 . 
         [0225]    When the content and usage rule data corresponding to the content are stored in the content data base  114 , the content management program  111  will supply the CD information and usage rule data received from the recording program  113  to the display/operation instruction program  112 . 
         [0226]    The display/operation instruction program  112  will generate the original package display data  201  and content display data  221  based on the usage rule data and CD information corresponding to the content stored in the content data base  114  by the recording. 
         [0227]    As shown in  FIG. 27 , when the button  345  is selected, the name of the original package (CD title) corresponding to the content stored in the content data base  114  by the recording is displayed in the field  351  in the display/operation instruction window. When the package is selected, a content name corresponding to the content read from the CD is displayed in the field  352 . 
         [0228]    When the content read from the CD is recorded in the content data base  114  and the button  385  in the window the recording program  113  has the display unit  20  display is selected (activated), the display/operation instruction program  112  displays, in the display/operation instruction window, a field  481  in which the name of a content stored in a previously designated one of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3  is to be displayed, as shown in  FIG. 28 . 
         [0229]    The display/operation instruction program  112  has the content management program  111  check out the content read from the CD and recorded in the content data base  114  to any of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3 , previously designated. 
         [0230]    Thus, just with the button  385 , in the window the recording program  113  has the display unit  20  display, being kept activated, when the content read from the CD is recorded into the content data base  114 , the personal computer  1  can check out the content read from the CD to any of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3 , previously designated. 
         [0231]    When the display/operation instruction program  112  has displayed the field  481  in the display/operation instruction window, it also displays, in the display/operation instruction window, a field  482  in which the name of a portable package to which a content stored in any of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3 , previously designated belongs (namely, a package to which a content stored in any of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3  belongs) is displayed, a button  483  to close the field  481 , and a button  484  to execute check-in or checkout. 
         [0232]    Further, when the display/operation instruction program  112  has displayed the field  481  in the display/operation instruction window, it displays, in the display/operation instruction window, also a button  491  to set checkout of a content corresponding to content name selected in the field  352 , a button  492  to set check-in of a content corresponding to a content name selected in the field  481 , a button  493  to set check-in of all contents corresponding to content names displayed in the field  481 , and a button  494  to cancel the setting of check-in or checkout. 
         [0233]    Next, setting of check-in or checkout and execution of the check-in or checkout will be described below: 
         [0234]    When the button  343  for displaying a filed in which check-in or checkout is to be set is clicked, the display/operation instruction program  112  displays, in the display/operation instruction window, the field  481  in which the name of a content stored in any of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3 , previously designated is to be displayed. 
         [0235]    For example, when content names “MINAMI-NO-SAKABA”, “KITA-NO-HAKABA” and “SHICHINARABE” displayed in the field  352  are selected as shown in  FIG. 29  and the button  491  is clicked, the display/operation instruction program  112  sets checkout of contents corresponding to the content names “MINAMI-NO-SAKABA”, “KITA-NO-HAKABA” and “SHICHINARABE”, respectively, and displays the content names “MINAMI-NO-SAKABA”, “KITA-NO-HAKABA” and “SHICHINARABE” in the field  481 , as shown in  FIG. 30 . 
         [0236]    At this time, the display/operation instruction program  112  changes a number of possible checkouts “ . . . ” (indicating three checkouts) for the content name “MINAMI-NO-SAKABA”, in the field  352 , to “ . . . ” (indicating two checkouts), a number of possible checkouts “ . . . ” for the content name “KITA-NO-HAKABA”, also in the field  352 , to “.” (indicating one checkout), and a number of possible checkouts “ . . . ” for the content name “SHICHINARABE”, also in the field  352 , to “ . . . ”, and displays the changed numbers of possible checkouts in the field  352 . 
         [0237]    For example, when in the status shown in  FIG. 30 , the content name “KITA-NO-HAKABA” is selected in the field  481  and the button  492  is clicked, the display/operation instruction program  112  will set check-in of the content corresponding to the content name “KITA-NO-HAKABA” and erase this content name in the field  481  as shown in  FIG. 31 . 
         [0238]    At this time, the display/operation instruction program  112  will change the number of possible checkouts for the content name “KITA-NO-HAKABA” “.” (indicating one checkout) displayed in the field  352  to “ . . . ” (indicating two checkouts), and display the changed number of possible checkouts. Also, by dragging and dropping a package name displayed in the field  351  to the field  481 , checkout of all contents belonging to a package corresponding to the dragged and dropped package name is set. 
         [0239]    With setting of check-in or checkout only by operating the buttons  491  to  494 , the personal computer  1  will not execute any check-in or checkout. 
         [0240]    When the button  484  is clicked after check-in or checkout is set by operating the buttons  491  to  494 , the display/operation instruction program will have the content management program  111  execute the check-in or checkout. That is, with the button  484  clicked, the display/operation instruction program  112  will have the content management program  111  send either a content to any of the portable batteries  6 - 1  to  6 - 3  or a predetermined command corresponding to check-in (for example, a command for erasing a predetermined content stored in any of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3 ), based on the check-in or checkout setting, and erase usage rule data stored in the usage rule file  162  corresponding to the sent content or command. 
         [0241]    When check-in or checkout is done, the display/operation instruction program  112  updates a history data stored in the history data file correspondingly to the sent content or command. The history data includes information for identification of the checked-in or checked-out content or data at which the content has been checked in or out, and the name of any of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3  to which the content has been checked out. 
         [0242]    Since check-in or checkout can be set in a short time, the user can quickly know the status after execution of check-in or checkout. Thus, the number of check-in&#39;s or checkouts which takes time can be reduced to shorten the entire time necessary for check-in or checkout (including the time for setting and execution of check-in or checkout). 
         [0243]    Next, edition of My Select package such as addition of a desired content of a predetermined My Select package will be described. 
         [0244]    As shown in  FIG. 32 , when the button  344  for displaying a field in which a My Select package is edited is clicked, the display/operation instruction program  112  displays, in the display/operation instruction window, a field  501  in which a content name corresponding to a content belonging to a predetermined My Select package is to be indicated. 
         [0245]    At this time, the display/operation instruction program  112  displays, in the display/operation instruction window, a field  502  in which the name of a selected My Select package (stored in any of the package display data  251 - 1  to  251 -S) is to be displayed. When the name of a My Select Package to be edited is set in the field  502 , the display/operation instruction program  112  displays, in the field  501 , a content name corresponding to the My Select package having the package name (stored in a content display data  221  related with any of the package display data  252 - 1  to  252 -S). 
         [0246]    Further, when the display/operation instruction program  112  displays the field  501  in the display/operation instruction window, it will display, in the display/operation instruction window, a button  521  for an operation to have a content corresponding to a content name selected in the field  352  also belong to a My Select package whose name is displayed in the field  502  (to store a content ID of the selected content display data  221  into any of the package display data  251 - 1  to  251 -S), a button  522  for an operation to erase the content corresponding to the content name selected in the field  501  from the My Select package whose name is displayed in the field  502  (to erase the content ID of the selected content display data  221  from any of the package display data  251 - 1  to  251 -S), and a button  523  for an operation to cancel an preceding operation (to have the content also belong to the My Select Package or erase the content from the My Select package). 
         [0247]    For example, by displaying the field  501  in the display/operation instruction window, the user can have, belong to the My Select package whose package name “My Best  1 ” is displayed in the field  502 , a content named “North Star”, content named “Shooting Star”, content named “South-Alps”, content named “Multimillionaire” and a content named “Slot  1 ”. 
         [0248]    That is to say, in response to a predetermined operation, the display/operation instruction program  112  stores into the package display data  251  in which the package name “My Best  1 ” is stored the IDs for the content named “North Star”, content named “Shooting Star”, content named “South-Alps”, content “Multimillionaire”, and the content named “Slot  1 ”, respectively. 
         [0249]    Also, when the package name displayed in the field  351  is dragged and dropped to the field  501 , all contents belonging to a package corresponding to the dragged and dropped package can be made to belong to the My Select package whose name is displayed in the field  502 . 
         [0250]    When the button  346  disposed in the display/operation instruction window to display, in the field  351 , data corresponding to a My Select package is activated, the display/operation instruction program  112  will display, in the field  351 , package names corresponding to the My Select package (e.g., “My Best  1 ”, “My Best  2 ”, “Snow Drive”, “MINAMI-NO-SHIMA-Select”, “Traveling Abroad”, etc.), and in the field  352  names of contents belonging to a My Select package corresponding to a selected package name, as shown in  FIG. 33 . 
         [0251]    When the name of a predetermined content displayed in the field  352  is selected and the erasing operation is made while data corresponding to a My Select package has been displayed in the field  351  with the button  346  activated, the display/operation instruction program  112  will erase only data of a content ID corresponding to a content belonging to the package included in the package display data  251  but not any predetermined content stored in the contend data base  114 . 
         [0252]    Next, display corresponding to a filtering package, and relating the filtering package with a desired content will be described: 
         [0253]    When the button  347  disposed in the display/operation instruction window to display, in the field  351 , data corresponding to a filtering package is activated, the display/operation instruction program  112  displays, in the field  351 , package names corresponding to the filtering package (e.g., “Ten best pops”, “Ten Best rock n′ roll&#39;s”, “Ten best ENKA&#39;s”, “Standard love songs”, “Recommendable  80  pops”, etc.), and, in the field  352 , names of contents belonging to the filtering package corresponding to the selected package name, as shown in  FIG. 34 . 
         [0254]    Referring now to  FIG. 35 , there is explained the generation of a filtering package. The display/operation instruction program  112  generates package display data  291 - 1  based on the content display data  221 - 1 - 1  to  221 -M-p stored in the display data file  182  and history data stored in the history data file  184  or any of them and filtering data  551 - 1  stored in the filtering data filter  181 . 
         [0255]    The package display data  291 - 1  has stored therein ID for a content belonging to a filtering package corresponding to thereto. 
         [0256]    For example, the package display data  291 - 1  stores IDs for predetermined  10  contents (e.g., ones corresponding to ten best pops) designated with the filtering data  551 - 1 . 
         [0257]    The display/operation instruction program  112  generates package display data  291 - 2  based on the content display data  221 - 1 - 1  to  221 -M-p stored in the display data file  182  and history data stored in the history data file  184  or any of them and filtering data  551 - 1 - 2  stored in the filtering data filter  181 . 
         [0258]    The package display data  291 - 2  has stored therein ID for a content belonging to a filtering package corresponding to thereto. 
         [0259]    For example, the package display data  291 - 2  stores IDs for contents whose names contain a predetermined string of characters (e.g., names of contents including characters “love”) designated with the filtering data  551 - 2 . 
         [0260]    Similarly, the display/operation instruction program  112  generates package display data  291 - 3  to  291 -A. Each of the package display data  291 - 3  to  291 -A has stored therein ID for a content belonging to a filtering package corresponding thereto. 
         [0261]    For example, the package display data  291 - 4  stores IDs for 10 contents selected based on the history data stored in the history data file  184  and which have been checked out most frequency for the last week. 
         [0262]    Also the package display data  291 - 3 , for example, stores IDs for 10 contents selected at random and whose total of play times counts 60 minutes. 
         [0263]    In this way, the display/operation instruction program  112  generates package display data  291 - 2  based on the content display data  221 - 1 - 1  to  221 -M-p stored in the display data file  182  and history data stored in the history data file  184  or any of them and filtering data  551 - 1 - 1  to  551 - 1 -A stored in the filter data file  181 . 
         [0264]    The filtering data  551 - 1  to  551 -A are down-loaded from a predetermine server via the network  2 , or supplied as recorded in a predetermined CD from the drive  22 . Also, the user himself can generate the filtering data  551 - 1  to  551 -A. For example, operating the personal computer  1  to generate a new filtering package by down-loading and updating the filtering data  551 - 1  to  551 -A from more than one server via the network  2  at a predetermined time every day without modification of contents recorded in the content data base  114 , the user can use the new generated filtering package for enjoying different combinations of contents. 
         [0265]    Next, an image displayed in the field  348  will be described below. As shown in  FIG. 36 , when a package name displayed in the field  351  is selected while a content name displayed in the field  352  has not been selected (therefore, no content has not been played back), the display/operation instruction program  112  displays, in the field  348 , an image related with a package corresponding to the selected package name. That is, referring to data indicating the image file name stored in the package display data  211 ,  251  or  291 , the display/operation instruction program  112  selects any one of the image files  183 - 1  to  183 -K, reads image data stored in the selected one of the image files  183 - 1  to  183 -K, and displays, in the field  348 , an image corresponding to the image data. For example, when the package name “Second” of the original package is selected while the content name displayed in the field  352  is not selected, the display/operation instruction program  112  refers to data indicating an image file name stored in the package display data  211 , reads image data stored in a predetermined one of the image files  183 - 1  to  183 -K, and displays, in the field  348 , an image corresponding to the image data. 
         [0266]    Also, when a predetermined image is dragged and dropped to the field  348  with the package name displayed in the field  351  being selected and the content name displayed in the field  352  being not selected, the display/operation instruction program  112  makes the dragged and dropped image correspond to a package corresponding to the selected package name. That is, the display/operation instruction program  112  converts the coding method by which the dragged and dropped image has been coded to a predetermined method (e.g., JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) or the like), adjusts the size of the image (e.g., to 30 pixels by 30 pixels or the like), subtracts the colors (e.g., 256 colors or the like), records the image into the image file  183 , and records the name of the image file  183  in which the image has been recorded as data indicating any image file name in the package display data  211 ,  251  or  291  corresponding to the package name. 
         [0267]    As shown in  FIG. 37 , when the content name displayed in the field  352  is selected while no content has been played back, the display/operation instruction program  112  displays, in the field  348 , an image related with a content corresponding to the selected content name. That is to say, the display/operation instruction program  112  refers to data indicating an image file name stored in the content display data  221  corresponding to the content corresponding to the selected content name, reads image data stored in a predetermined one of the image files  183 - 1  to  183 -K, and displays, in the filed  348 , an image corresponding to the image data. For example, when the package name “Second” of the original package is selected and the content name “South-Alps” displayed in the field  352  is selected while the content “South-Alps” has not been played back, the display/operation instruction program  112  refers to a corresponding image file stored in the content display data  221  corresponding to a content corresponding to the content name “South-Alps”, reads image data stored in a predetermine one of the image files  183 - 1  to  183 -K, and displays, in the field  348 , an image corresponding to the image data. 
         [0268]    At this time, when the button  345  is activated while data indicating an image file name is not set in the content display data  221  corresponding to a content corresponding to a selected content name, the display/operation instruction program  112  refers to data indicating an image file name stored in the content display data  221  to which the content belongs, reads image data stored in a predetermine one of the image files  183 - 1  to  183 -K, and displays, in the field  348 , an image corresponding to the image data. 
         [0269]    Similarly, when the button  346  is activated while no corresponding image file is set in the content display image  221  corresponding to a content corresponding to a selected content name, the display/operation instruction program  112  refers to data indicating an image file name stored in the package display data  251  to which the content belongs, reads image data stored in a predetermine one of the image files  183 - 1  to  183 -K, and displays, in the field  348 , an image corresponding to the image data. 
         [0270]    Similarly, when the button  347  is activated while no corresponding image file is set in the content display data  221  corresponding to a content corresponding to a selected content name, the display/operation instruction program  112  refers to data indicating an image file name stored in the package display data  291  to which the content belongs, reads image data stored in a predetermine one of the image files  183 - 1  to  183 -K, and displays, in the field  348 , an image corresponding to the image data. 
         [0271]    Also, when a predetermined image is dragged and dropped to the field  348  while the content name displayed in the field  352  is selected, the display/operation instruction program  112  relates the dragged and dropped image with a content corresponding to the selected content name. Namely, the display/operation instruction program  112  converts the coding method by which the dragged and dropped image has been coded to a predetermined one, adjusts the size of the image, subtracts the colors, records the image into the image file  183 , and records the d name of the recorded image file  183  in which the image has been stored as data indicating any image file name in the package display data  221  corresponding to the content name. 
         [0272]    As shown in  FIG. 38 , when a content corresponding to a content name displayed in the field  352  has been played back (when a sound has been outputted from the speaker  24 ), the display/operation instruction program  112  displays, in the field  348 , an image indicating a signal level in each frequency band (e.g., in each octave) of the output sound (that is a so-called image on a spectrum analyzer). 
         [0273]    Also as shown in  FIG. 39 , when a content corresponding to a content name displayed in the field  352  has been played back according to a user&#39;s setting, the display/operation instruction program  112  displays, in the field  348 , an image indicating a signal level corresponding to the time lapse of the output sound during a predetermined period. 
         [0274]    Also, when the display/operation instruction program  112  does not display the fields  351  and  352  according to a user&#39;s setting, the display/operation instruction program  112  will display, in the field  348 , an image indicating a signal level in each frequency band of the output sound when a content has been played back, and an image corresponding to a selected package or content when no content has been played back, as shown in  FIGS. 40 and 41 . 
         [0275]    Next, operations for a registration, effected when the display/operation instruction program  112  is initially started with the content management program  111  and display/operation instruction program  112  installed in the personal computer  1 , will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in  FIG. 42 : 
         [0276]    At step S 11 , the display/operation instruction program  112  installed in the personal computer  1  refers to predetermined URL and the like network  2  and connects to the EMD registration server  3 . 
         [0277]    At step S 12 , the display/operation instruction program  112  sends, to the EMD registration server  3 , the ID of the content management program  111 , previously stored in the content management program  111 , along with necessary data for the registration (such as the name of a user of the personal computer  1  and credit No.). Note that at step S 12 , the display/operation instruction program  112  may send, to the EMD registration server  3 , the ID of the display/operation instruction program  112 , previously stored in the display/operation instruction program  112 , along with the necessary data for the registration. 
         [0278]    At step S 13 , the EMD registration server  3  receives the content management program  111 . At step S 14 , the EMD registration server  3  judges whether the ID of the content management program  111  is valid. When the ID of the content management program  111  is determined to be valid, the operation goes to step S 15  where the END registration server  3  will register the user of the personal computer  1  based on the name of the user and credit No., and sends a predetermined number of authenticate keys (for use for mutual authentication with the EMD servers  4 - 1  to  4 - 3 , for example) to the personal computer  1 . 
         [0279]    At step S 16 , the display/operation instruction program  112  receives the predetermined number of authenticate keys sent from the EMD registration server  3 . At step S 17 , the EMD registration server  3  sends the EMD selection program  131  to the personal computer  1 . At step S 18 , the display/operation instruction program  112  receives the EMD selection program  131  sent from the EMD registration server  3 . 
         [0280]    At step S 19 , the display/operation instruction program  112  supplies the received EMD selection program  131  to the content management program  111 . At step S 20 , the content management program  111  starts the EMD selection program  131 . Thus, the procedure for the registration is complete. 
         [0281]    If at step S 14 , the ID of the content management program  111  is determined to be invalid, the operation goes to step S 21  where the EMD registration server  3  will send a predetermined error message to the personal computer  1  without effecting any registration. At step S 22 , the display/operation instruction program  112  receives the error message sent from the EMD registration server  3 . 
         [0282]    At step S 23 , the display/operation instruction program  112  displays the received error message. Thus, the procedure for the registration is complete. 
         [0283]    When the display/operation instruction program  112  is started, the personal computer  1  acquires the authenticate keys used for the mutual authentication with the EMD servers  4 - 1  to  4 - 3  and the EMD selection program  131 , for example. 
         [0284]    Next, recording from a CD according to the recording program  113  will be described with reference to the flow chart in  FIG. 43 . 
         [0285]    At step S 41 , the recording program  113  puts the drive  22  into action, reads data corresponding to a content recorded in the CD set in the drive  22  (number of contents or play time), and displays a contents list recorded in the CD in a predetermined window. 
         [0286]    At step S 42 , the recording program  113  judges whether the button  348  for acquisition of information corresponding to the CD has been clicked. When it is determined that the button  384  has been clicked, the operation goes to step S 43  where the recording program  113  will acquire the information corresponding to the CD. The acquisition of the information corresponding to the CD will further be described later with reference to the flow chart in  FIG. 44 . 
         [0287]    At step S 44 , the recording program  113  displays, in a predetermined window, the information corresponding to the CD, having been acquired by the operation at step S 43 . 
         [0288]    If at step S 42 , it is determined that the button  384  for acquisition of information corresponding to a CD has been clicked, it is not necessary to acquire the information corresponding to the CD, so the operation slips over steps S 43  and S 44  and goes to step S 45 . 
         [0289]    At step S 45 , the recording program  113  judges whether the button  386  for instruction to start recording of a content recorded in the CD has been clicked. If it is determined that the button  386  has not been clicked, the operation goes back to step S 45  where it will be repeatedly judged whether the button  386  has been clicked, until it is determined that the button  386  has been clicked. 
         [0290]    When it is determined, at step S 45 , that the button  386  has been clicked, the operation goes to step S 46  where the recording program  113  will acquire, based on a check set correspondingly to a content name in the field  383 , content selection information indicating which of contents recorded in the CD is to be recorded. At step S 47 , the recording program  113  reads a selected content from the CD based on the content selection information. 
         [0291]    At step S 48 , the recording program  113  has the compression method conversion program  134  in the content management program  111  compress the content read from the CD by a predetermined conversion method such as ATRAC3, for example. At step S 49 , the recording program  113  has the encryption method conversion program  135  in the content management program  111  encrypt the compressed content by a predetermined encryption method such as DES, for example. 
         [0292]    At step S 50 , the recording program  113  has the content data base  114  store the compressed and encrypted content. At step S 51 , the recording program  113  generates usage rule data corresponding to the content stored in the content data base  114 , and has the content data base  114  store the generated usage rule data into the usage rule file  162  (related with the content stored in the content data base  114 ). At step S 52 , the recording program  113  updates the display data file  182  based on the generated usage rule data or information corresponding to the CD. 
         [0293]    At step S 53 , the recording program  113  judges whether the button  385  for setting checkout, or no checkout, of the content read from the CD to any of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3  (automatic checkout) is activated. When it is determined that the button  385  is active, the operation goes to step S 54  where the display/operation instruction program  112  is started. 
         [0294]    At step S 55 , the recording program  113  has the display/operation instruction program  112  check out the content stored in the content data base  114  to any of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3 . Thus, the procedure is complete. 
         [0295]    If it is determined, at step S 53 , that the button  385  is not active, it is not necessary to check out the content, the operation is complete with a skip over steps S 54  and S 55 . 
         [0296]    When the recording from the CD is effected with the button  385  being active, the personal computer  1  will store the content read from the CD into the content data base  114  and automatically check it out to any of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3 . 
         [0297]    Similarly, when the display/operation instruction program  112  receives a content from any of the EMD servers  4 - 1  to  4 - 3  while check is made with the check button  334 , it will store the received content into the content data base  114  and have the content management program  111  check out the content to any of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3 . 
         [0298]    Next, acquisition of information corresponding to a CD, effected under the recording program  113  and at step S 43  in  FIG. 43 , will be described with reference to the flow chart in  FIG. 44 : 
         [0299]    At step S 71 , the recording program  113  searches information recorded in a predetermined directory (e.g., directory in the HDD  21 , designated in the field  404  in the dialog box  461 ). 
         [0300]    At step S 72 , the recording program  113  judges, based on data corresponding to a content recorded in a CD set in the drive  22  (e.g., number of contents or play time), whether information corresponding to the CD is recorded in the predetermined directory. If it is determined that the information corresponding to the CD is not recorded in the predetermined directory, the operation goes to step S 73  where it is judged, based on a character string set in the field  401 , whether CDNEW has been selected. 
         [0301]    When it is determined, at step S 73 , that CDNEW has been selected, the operation goes to step S 74  where the recording program  113  will connect to a server corresponding to CDNEW (e.g., WWW server  5 - 2 ) via the network  2 . At step S 75 , the recording program  113  has the display unit  20  display a screen for input of a search keyword (e.g., dialog box shown in  FIG. 22 ). At step S 76 , the recording program  113  sends, to a server corresponding to CDNEW, a search keyword inputted based on the screen such as album name, artist name, content name, product No. or the like. 
         [0302]    At step S 77 , the recording program  113  receives information corresponding to the CD from a server corresponding to CDNEW. 
         [0303]    At step S 78 , the recording program  113  relates the information corresponding to the CD with the content, and terminates the procedure. 
         [0304]    If it is determined, at step S 73 , that CDNEW has not been selected, the operation goes to step S 79  since CDDB has been selected. At step S 79 , the recording program  113  will connect to a server corresponding to CDDB (e.g., WWW server  5 - 1 ) via the network  2  based on URL of the first site of CDDB set in the field  402  and URL of the second site of CDDB set in the field  403 . At step S 80 , the recording program  113  sends, to a server corresponding to CDDB, data corresponding to a play time of a content recorded in the CD. 
         [0305]    At step S 81 , the recording program  113  receives information corresponding to the CD from the server corresponding to CDDB. 
         [0306]    At step S 82 , the recording program  113  judges whether data corresponding to the CD, received from the server corresponding to CDDB, include more than two candidates. When it is determined that there are available more than two candidates, the operation goes to step S 83  where a dialog box will be displayed for allowing the user to select use or no use of information corresponding to any CD. 
         [0307]    At step S 84 , the recording program  113  selects any one of the candidates based on an input to the dialog box, and the operation goes to step S 78  where the recording program  113  will relate information corresponding to the CD with the content. Thus the procedure is complete. 
         [0308]    If it is determined, at step S 82 , that there are not available more than two candidates, the operation goes to step S 78  where the recording program  113  will relate the information corresponding to the CD, having been received from the server corresponding to CDDB, and thus the procedure is complete. 
         [0309]    When it is determined, at step S 72 , that the information corresponding to the CD is recorded in the predetermined directory, the operation goes to step S 85  where the recording program  113  will read the recorded information corresponding to the CD, and goes to step S 78  where it will relate the read information corresponding to the CD with the content, and thus the procedure is complete. 
         [0310]    As in the above, the recording program  113  acquires information corresponding to the CD from any of two or more servers different in searching procedure from each other. Also, when information corresponding to the CD has been acquired and recorded, the recording program  113  will use the recorded information. 
         [0311]    Next, generation of a filter package, performed by the display/operation instruction program  112  when the button  437  is clicked, will be described with reference to the flow chart in  FIG. 45 . At step S 101 , the display/operation instruction program  112  selects a first filtering data  551 , for example, the filtering data  551 - 1 , stored in the filtering data file  181 . 
         [0312]    At step S 102 , the display/operation instruction program  112  computes a weight for the content based on data stored in the display data file  182  and history data stored in the history data file  184  or any of them and the selected filtering data  551 . 
         [0313]    At step S 103 , the display/operation instruction program  112  selects a content belonging to a filtering package corresponding to the selected filtering data  551  based on the weight for the content, computed at step S 102 . 
         [0314]    At step S 104 , the display/operation instruction program  112  registers the content having been selected at step S 103  into a filtering package corresponding to the selected filtering data  551 . That is to say, the display/operation instruction program  112  stores an ID for the selected content into the package display data  291  corresponding to the filtering package corresponding to the selected filtering data  551 . 
         [0315]    At step S 105 , the display/operation instruction program  112  judges whether the content has been registered in the filtering package corresponding to all the filter data  551  stored in the filtering data file  181 . If it is determined that the content has not been registered in the filtering package corresponding to all the filtering data  551 , the operation goes to step S 107  where a next filtering data  551  stored in the filtering data file  181  is selected, and then goes back to step S 102  where the content registration will be repeated. 
         [0316]    If at step S 105  it is determined that the content has been registered in the filtering package corresponding to all the filtering data  551 , the procedure is complete. 
         [0317]    As in the above, the display/operation instruction program  112  will select a content based on data stored in the display data tile  182  and history data stored in the history data file  184  or any of them and the selected filtering data  551 , and register the selected content into the filtering package. 
         [0318]    Next, content checkout or check-in effected by the display/operation instruction program  112  and content management program  111  when the field  481  is displayed in the display/operation instruction window, for example, will be described with reference to the flow chart in  FIG. 46 : 
         [0319]    At step S 121 , the display/operation instruction program  112  reads a number of possible checkouts corresponding to the content from the display data file  182 . At step S 122 , the display/operation instruction program  112  displays the number of possible checkouts having been read at step S 121 . 
         [0320]    At step S 123 , the display/operation instruction program  112  judges whether the checkout setting button  491  or check-in setting button  492  has been clicked. When it is determined that the button  491  or  492  has been clicked, the operation goes to step S 124  where checkout of a content corresponding to a content name selected in the field  352  or check-in of a content corresponding to a content name selected in the field  481  will be set. 
         [0321]    At step S 125 , the display/operation instruction program  112  updates the number of possible checkouts in the content display data  221  in the display data file  182  correspondingly to the setting of checkout of the content corresponding to the content name selected in the field  352  or to the setting of check-in of the content corresponding to the content name selected in the field  481 , having been effected at step S 124 , and returns to step S 121  where the same procedure will be repeated. 
         [0322]    If it is determined, at step S 123 , that neither the checkout setting button  491  nor check-in setting button  492  has bee clicked, the operation goes to step S 126  where the display/operation instruction program  112  will judge whether the button  484  for effecting the check-in or checkout has been clicked. 
         [0323]    When it is determined at step S 126  that the button  484  has been clicked, the operation goes to step S 127  where the display/operation instruction program  112  will have the check-in/checkout management program  132  in the content management program  111  effect the checkout or check-in correspondingly to the setting of content checkout or check-in. The check-in/checkout management program  132  judges, based on the usage rule data stored in the usage rule file  162 , whether each content can be checked out or in. When the program  132  determines that such a content checkout or check-in is possible, it will effect it. 
         [0324]    When it is determined that the checkout or check-in is not possible, the check-in/checkout management program  132  will not effect it. 
         [0325]    At step S 128 , the display/operation instruction program  112  has the check-in/checkout management program  132  in the content management program  111  update the number of possible checkouts for the usage rule data stored in the usage rule file  162  in the content data base  114  (corresponding to a checked-out or checked-in content) correspondingly to the execution of the content checkout or check-in. 
         [0326]    At step S 129 , the display/operation instruction program  112  has the check-in/checkout management program  132  reads the number of possible checkouts from the usage rule data stored in the usage rule file  162 , corresponding to the checked-out or checked-in content. 
         [0327]    At step S 130 , the display/operation instruction program  112  updates the number of possible checkouts stored in the history data file  184 , and updates the content display data  221  in the display data file  182  based on the number of possible checkouts having been read at step S 129 . Then it goes back to step S 121  where the same procedure will be repeated. 
         [0328]    When it is determined, at step S 126 , that the button  484  has not been clicked, no checkout or check-in will be done. So the operation goes back to step S 121  where the same procedure will be repeated. 
         [0329]    As in the above, the display/operation instruction program  112  will change the display correspondingly to the setting of checkout or check-in, and have the content management program  111  execute checkout or check-in based on the setting of checkout or check-in. 
         [0330]    Next, image paste, effected by the display/operation instruction program  112  when a predetermined image has been dragged and dropped to the field  348 , will be described with reference to the flow chart in  FIG. 47 . At step S 151 , the display/operation instruction program  112  judges whether a package has been selected. When it is determined that a package has been selected, the operation goes to step S 152  where the dragged and dropped image will be changed to a predetermined size, and subjected to a coding method conversion and color subtraction. 
         [0331]    At step S 153 , the display/operation instruction program  112  stores the image subject to the coding method conversion and color subtraction at step S 152  into the image file  183 . 
         [0332]    At step S 154 , the display/operation instruction program  112  judges whether a content has been selected. When it is determined that no content has been selected, the operation goes to step S 155  where the image file  183  and selected package will be related with each other (that is, the name of the image file  183  in which the content is recorded is recorded as data indicating an image file name in any of the package display data  211 ,  251  or  291  corresponding to the selected package), and thus the procedure is complete. 
         [0333]    If it is determined, at step S 154 , that a content has been selected, the operation goes to step S 156  where the display/operation instruction program  112  will relate the image file  183  with the selected content (that is, the name of the image file  183  in which the content is recorded is recorded as data indicating an image file name in the content display data  221  corresponding to the selected content), and thus the procedure is complete. 
         [0334]    If it is determined, at step S 151 , that no package has been selected, there is no object with which the image is related, so the operation goes to step S 157  where the display/operation instruction program  112  will display a predetermined error message and thus the procedure be complete. 
         [0335]    As in the above, the display/operation instruction program  112  can paste the dragged and dropped image on a package or content (image and package or content are related with each other). 
         [0336]    Next, image display effected by the display/operation instruction program  112  will be described with reference to the flow chart in  FIG. 48 . 
         [0337]    At step S 181 , the display/operation instruction program  112  judges whether a content has been played back. If it is determined that no content has been played back, the operation goes to step S 182  where it will be judged whether a package has been selected. 
         [0338]    If it is determined, at step S 182 , that no package has been selected, the operation goes to step S 183  where the display/operation instruction program  112  will display, in the field  348 , a predetermined image (e.g., an image showing the supplier of the display/operation instruction program  112 ) and the operation will go back to step S 181  where the same procedure will be repeated. 
         [0339]    When it is determined, at step S 182 , that a package has been selected, the operation goes to step S 184  where the display/operation instruction program  112  will judge whether a content has been selected. 
         [0340]    If it is determined, at step S 184 , that no content has been selected, the operation goes to step S 185  where the display/operation instruction program  112  will display, in the field  348 , an image related with the selected package (the display/operation instruction program  112  refers to data indicating an image file name stored in the package display data  211 , reads image data stored in a predetermined one of the image files  183 - 1  to  183 -K, and displays, in the field  348 , an image corresponding to the image data), and go back to step S 181  where it will repeat the same procedure. 
         [0341]    If it is determined, at step S 184 , that a content has been selected, the operation goes to step S 186  where the display/operation instruction program  112  will judge whether there is available an image related with the selected content. 
         [0342]    If it is determined, at step S 186 , that there is an image related with the selected content, the operation goes to step S 187  where the display/operation instruction program  112  will display, in the field  348 , the image related with the selected content (the display/operation instruction program  112  refers to data indicating an image file name stored in the content display data  221  corresponding to the selected content, reads image data stored in a predetermined one of the image files  183 - 1  to  183 -K, and displays, in the field  348 , an image corresponding to the image data), and go back to step S 181  where it will repeat the same procedure. 
         [0343]    If it is determined, at step S 186 , that there is no image related with the selected content, the operation goes to step S 188  where the display/operation instruction program  112  will display, in the field  348 , an image related with the selected content. Then the operation goes back to step S 181  where the same procedure will be repeated. 
         [0344]    If it is determined, at step S 181 , that a content has been played back, the operation goes to step S 189  where the display/operation instruction program  112  will judge whether display of a signal level of a sound corresponding to each frequency band has been set. If it is determined that the display has been set, the operation goes to step S 190  where the signal level of a sound corresponding to each frequency band will be displayed in the field  348 . The operation goes back to step S 181  where the same procedure will be repeated. 
         [0345]    If it is determined, at step S 189 , that display of a signal level of a sound corresponding to each frequency band has not been set, the operation goes to step S 191  where the display/operation instruction program  112  will display, in the field  348 , a waveform of an output sound (signal level corresponding to a time lapse of the output sound), and go back to step S 181  where it will repeat the same procedure. 
         [0346]    As in the above, correspondingly to the selection of a package or content or the playback of a content, the display/operation instruction program  112  will display, in the field  348 , any of an image related with the package, image related with the content, signal level of a sound corresponding to each frequency band and a waveform of the output sound. 
         [0347]    In the above description with reference to the flowchart in  FIG. 43 , when the button  385  is set to be active in the recording from the CD by the recording program  113 , the personal computer  1  checks out all of the contents read from the CD to any of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3  after the reading. However, it may also be possible that, after one content is read from the CD, the checkout of the content already read is started at the same time reading the next content is started. 
         [0348]      FIG. 49  illustrates an example of a window presented on the display  20  by the recording program  113  when the recording program  113  is started in a case where the reading of the content and the checkout of the recorded content are executed at the same time. In the window shown in  FIG. 49  are added a recorded side display column  601 , a recording state display bar  602  and a recording state display column  603  to the window shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0349]    The recorded side display column  601  displays devices of the recorded side, and displays “HDD &amp; portable device  6 - 1 ” in the present case. Thus, it shows that the button  385  is clicked, and that the portable device  6 - 1  is selected from the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3  to be checked out. Also, “HDD” is shown as a recorded side of the content. That is, when “No checkout” is selected from the pulldown menu, only “HDD” is displayed in the recorded side display column  601 . When any of the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3  is selected (in the present case), the selected portable device as well as the HDD is displayed in the recorded side display column  601 . 
         [0350]    The recording state display bar  602  presents the proportion of the respective processes to the whole process including the process of recording of all contents selected and the checkout process, to show a progress state of the process where the contents are recorded and a progress state of the process where the recorded contents are checked out. For example, when the button  386  to start recording is clicked in a state in which the check boxes of the track numbers  5 ,  7 ,  9  to  11  on the field  383  are checked (the other contents are already recorded), that is, in a state in which the five contents are selected to start recording as shown in  FIG. 49 , the bars to show the progress state of the respective processes of the recording and the checkout are displayed as shown in  FIG. 50 . That is, in the recording state display bar  602  exist a red portion  602   a  showing the progress state of the recording process and a brown portion  602   b  showing the progress state of the checkout, and as the processes go, the portions moves from the left to right in the figure. 
         [0351]    When the red portion  602   a  and the brown portion  602   b  are displayed in the whole area of the recording state display bar  602 , it shows that the whole process (the process of recording of the contents of the tracks  5 ,  7 ,  9  to  11  and the process of the checkout of all contents recorded in the present case) is finished. In the present case, about a half of the whole is finished (the red portion  602   a  is displayed from the left to approximately the center portion of the recording state display bar  602 ) in the process of recording of the contents, while about a quarter of the whole is finished (the brown portion  602   b  is displayed in the quarter portion from the left of the recording state display bar  602 ) in the process of the checkout of the recorded contents. 
         [0352]    Meanwhile, as the process of recording of the contents is performed prior to the process of the checkout of the recorded contents, in the recording state display bar  602  is displayed the red portion  602   a  firstly and then the brown portion  602   b  lying on the red portion  602   a . As a result, when the whole process is finished, only the brown portion  602   b  is displayed in the recording state display bar  602 . It is to be noted that another combination of the colors as well as that of red and brown may be possible with respect to the display colors in the recording state display bar  602 . 
         [0353]    The recording state display column  603  is displayed as an active state while the processes of the recording and the checkout are being preformed (for example, “on recording” is expressed in a reversal state as shown in  FIG. 50 ). 
         [0354]    When the process of the checkout is performed, the recording program  113  displays a dialog box  611  on the window to show the process is going on, as shown in  FIG. 50 . In the dialog box  611  are displayed “The process of check-in/checkout is being performed. Please don&#39;t disconnect the external devices or media. (It will cause a breakdown)” and a check-in/checkout state display bar  611   a  below it. The check-in/checkout state display bar  611   a  shows the progress state of check-in/checkout for one content, and the bar displayed therein proceeds from the left to right as the process of check-in/checkout goes. For example, in the present case, “30%” is displayed to show 30% of the content of the track number  9  is already recorded (30% of the process of recording of the content of the track number  9  is finished) as shown in the field  383 . Thus, as the track numbers  5 ,  7  are already finished recording, the progress state of the checkout process of the content of either track number  5  or  7  which is the recorded content is shown in the check-in/checkout state display bar  611   a . The dialog box  611  showing the process is going on is hidden at a time when the checkout of each content is finished, and is displayed again when the next checkout is started (that is, the dialog box is alternatively displayed and hidden while the checkout is going on). 
         [0355]    Also, below the check-in/checkout state display bar  611   a  is provided a check box  611   b  beside which “This message will not be displayed in the future.” is displayed. If the check box  611   b  is checked, the dialog box  611  is set not to be displayed in the future recording processes. When a button  611   c  shown as “interruption” is clicked, the recording state (including the checkout process) is suspended. Also, when a button  611   d  shown as “Display is hidden.”, the display of the dialog box  611  under processing is hidden. 
         [0356]    Next, a checkout simultaneous process in which recorded contents are checked out at the same time the contents are recorded will be described with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 51 . At step S 201 , the recording program  113  reads out selected contents from the CD on the basis of content selection information. In a case in  FIG. 49 , the contents corresponding to the track numbers  5 ,  7 ,  9  to  11  are read out from the CD. 
         [0357]    At step S 202 , the recording program  113  lets the compression method conversion program  134  of the content management program  111  compress the contents read from the CD in a predetermined method such as e.g., an ATRAC3. At step S 203 , the recording program  113  lets the encryption program  135  of the content management program  111  encrypt the compressed contents in a predetermined method such as e.g., a DES. 
         [0358]    At step S 204 , the recording program  113  lets the content database  114  store the compressed and encrypted contents therein. At step S 205 , the recording program  113  generates the usage rule data corresponding to the contents stored in the content database  114  and lets the content database  114  store the generated usage rule data in the usage rule file  162 . Also, the recording program  113  updates the display data file  182  based on the generated usage rule data or the information corresponding to the CD. 
         [0359]    At step S 206 , the recording program  113  determines whether or not recording of one track has been completed and continues the processing until the recording of one track is completed. If it is determined at step S 206  that the recording of one track has been completed, the recording program  113  adds the recorded contents to the checkout process list possessed by the display/operation instruction program  112  at step S 207 . 
         [0360]    At step S 208 , the display operation instruction program  112  determines whether or not the checkout process is executed by the content management program  111 . If the display operation instruction program  112  determines it is executed, the process goes to step S 209 . 
         [0361]    At step S 209 , the recording program  113  determines whether or not recording of all tracks has been completed. If it is determined recording of all tracks has not been completed yet, the process returns to the step S 201  to repeat the following steps. 
         [0362]    If it is determined the checkout process has not been executed at step S 209 , the display/operation instruction program  112  lets the content management program  111  execute (start) the checkout process. 
         [0363]    The checkout process will now be explained with reference to a flowchart in  FIG. 52 . The process is started by the process at the above step S 210 . At step S 221 , the content management program  111  determines whether or not contents to be checked out are entered (written) in the checkout process list possessed by the display/operation instruction program  112 . If it is determined there are contents to be checked out, the process goes to step S 222 . 
         [0364]    At step S 222 , the content management program  111  lets a predetermined portable device check out the contents entered in the checkout process list. 
         [0365]    At step S 223 , the content management program  111  determines whether or not the checkout has been completed, and repeats the process until it is completed. If it is determined the process is completed, the process goes to step S 224 . 
         [0366]    At step S 224 , the content management program  111  lets the display/operation instruction program  112  delete the contents entered in the checkout process list, and the process returns to the step S 221  to repeat the following steps. 
         [0367]    If it is determined at step S 221  that any contents to be checked out are not entered in the checkout process list, the process is terminated. 
         [0368]    It may be possible, when the recording of the contents and the checkout are performed simultaneously (when the checkout process is performed as a background process) as described above, reproduction process is performed during the recording and the checkout process with respect to the contents in which the recording and the checkout are commanded simultaneously such as e.g., the track numbers  5 ,  7 ,  9  to  11  whose check boxes are checked as shown in  FIG. 49 . 
         [0369]    It is preferred that the simultaneous process of the content recording and the checkout (process in the flowchart in  FIG. 51 ) and the process of the collective checkout after recording of all contents are selectively used depending on the usage environment. For example, if the mutual authentication between the personal computer  1  and the portable devices  6 - 1  to  6 - 3  is needed in the checkout process, the mutual authentication has to be done every time each content is checked out. Therefore, when the portable device cannot perform the process of the mutual authentication of the checkout in high speed, the process of the collective checkout after recording of all contents is preferably selected to speed up the whole process. 
         [0370]    Note that according to a setting made by the user, the display/operation instruction program  112  may display, in the field  348 , an image indicating the level of a sound currently being outputted when a content has been played back. 
         [0371]    Also, it should be noted that although it has previously been described that the content compression method adopted by the personal computer  1  is ATRAC3 by way of example, the method is not limited to ATRAC3 but may be any of MP3 (Moving Picture Experts Group 2 Audio Layer 3), TwinQV™, AAC (MPEG2 Advance Audio Coding), etc. 
         [0372]    Note that although it has previously been described that the content encryption method adopted by the personal computer  1  is DES for example, the method is not limited to DES but may be any of IDEA (International Data Encryption Algorithm), RAS which is a public key encryption method, elliptical encryption, etc. 
         [0373]    Also, the content management program  111  may be executed on a hardware provided independently inside the personal computer  1  and which cannot read directly the content management program  111 , for example. Also, the hardware to execute the content management program  111  may be designed to have a tamping resistance. 
         [0374]    The aforementioned series of operations may be executable by a hardware, but it may be executable by a software. In case the series of operations is to be executed by a software, programs composing the software is installed, from a program storage medium, into a computer incorporated in a dedicated hardware or a general-purpose personal computer, for example, whose various functions can be performed with a variety of programs installed therein. 
         [0375]    The program storage medium to store programs installed in a computer and executable by the computer may be formed from the magnetic disc  41  or  91  (including floppy disc), optical disc  42  or  92  (including CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory), DVD (digital versatile disc)), magneto-optical disc  43  or  93  (including MD (mini disc)), package medium such as semiconductor memory  44  or  94 , ROM  12  or  62  in which the programs will be stored provisionally or permanently, or HDD  21  or  71 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The programs are stored into the program storage medium via an interface such as communications unit  25  or  73  using a cable or radio communications medium such as network  2  including a local area network or Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting. 
         [0376]    Note that the steps of operation concerning a program stored in the program storage medium, described herein, include operations which are effected time-serially in the described sequence as well as operations not effected time-serially but in parallel or individually. 
         [0377]    Also note that the “system” referred to herein covers an entire assembly of a plurality of apparatuses. 
         [0378]    Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0379]    As having been described in the foregoing, according to the present invention, when at least one of at least two contents to be recorded has been recorded at the recording step to the recording medium and recording of the other content is started, the one content is checked out to a device connected to an information processor which carries out the method or program. Thus the recorded content can quickly be checked out.