Abstract:
A storage device including a storage medium having a data area configured to write content data therein and an identifier area configured to write an identifier therein, and a storage medium support frame configured to hold the storage medium and provided with visible information that corresponds to the identifier, the visible information being visible from the outside and selected from the group consisting of a character, symbol, pattern, color, and combination of a character, symbol, pattern, and color.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priorities from prior Japanese Patent Applications P2003-12765 filed on Jan. 21, 2003 and P2003-383060 filed on Nov. 12, 2003; the entire contents of which are incorporated be reference herein. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a storage device having a storage element and an apparatus for and a method of writing data and the like in the storage device.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0005]    Recently, storage devices or storage media such as MDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVD-RAMs, DVD-RWs, and small memory cards and apparatuses to write electronic data in such storage devices or media have been developed on a large scale in multimedia businesses. Various memory cards have been proposed, and some of them have decorative pictorial patterns printed on the surfaces of their frames (for example, Japanese Patent Laid Open Publication (Kokai) No. 2001-84347).  
           [0006]    During the large-scale development of storage device businesses, storage devices have been standardized to improve versatility thereof and compatibility of writing apparatuses for them. The standardization has also promoted competition among storage device manufacturers, greatly reduced the prices of storage devices, and thinned the profits of the manufacturers.  
           [0007]    The versatility of the storage devices, however, must not be narrowed because it decreases a market scale of storage devices, drops the amount of products, and increases the manufacturing costs of storage devices.  
           [0008]    Storage devices such as memory cards are in need of a technique for disabling content data stored therein once the content data has been illegally copied or altered. An example of such a technique provides a memory card with an individual ID (identification information) serving as an encryption key and encrypting content data stored in the memory card with the ID (for example, Japanese Patent Laid Open Publication (Kokai) No. 2000-112824).  
           [0009]    According to this technique, content data encrypted with individual IDs and stored in individual memory cards differs from memory card to memory card. A file size of content data is usually very large, occupying the most part of the storage capacity of a memory card, and therefore, encrypted content data that differs from memory card to memory card complicates an operation of writing the encrypted content data in the memory cards and elongates a time of the writing operation.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    According to an aspect of the present invention, a storage device includes  
           [0011]    a storage medium having a data area configured to write content data thereto and an identifier area configured to write an identifier thereto, and a storage medium support frame configured to hold the storage medium and provided with visible information that corresponds to the identifier, the visible information being visible from the outside and selected from the group consisting of a character, symbol, pattern, color, and combination of a character, symbol, pattern, and color.  
           [0012]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a writing apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store an identifier, a software file name, a title of the software, and a visible information file that are related to one another, a display controller configured to read the visible information file and the title from the storage unit and output a display signal to display visible information and the title, a display configured to receive the display signal from the display controller and display the visible information and the title, a slot configured to receive a storage device therein, an identifier reader configured to read an identifier stored in the storage device inserted in the slot, an identifier-corresponding-software searcher configured to determine if software corresponding to the identifier read by the identifier reader is stored in the storage unit, and a writer configured to write the software corresponding to the identifier to the storage device, when the software corresponding to the identifier is present.  
           [0013]    According to an another aspect of the present invention, a replay program enabling a computer to execute instructions includes instructions configured to read a first identifier from an identifier area of a storage medium, instructions configured to read a second identifier from a data area of the storage medium, instructions configured to conduct at least one operation of decrypting the second identifier, confirming if the second identifier is a first electronic watermark embedded therein, and decrypting the second identifier and confirming if the second identifier is the first electronic watermark embedded therein, instructions configured to compare the first identifier and the second identifier with each other, when a case selected from the group consisting of the second identifier being decrypted, the second identifier being confirmed as being the first electronic watermark embedded therein, and the second identifier being decrypted and being confirmed as being the first electronic watermark embedded therein is satisfied, instructions configured to read content data from the data area, instructions configured to conduct an operation selected from decrypting the content data, confirming if the content data is a second electronic watermark embedded therein, and decrypting the content data and confirming if the content data is the second watermark embedded therein when at least a predetermined part of the first and second identifiers are identical to each other; and instructions configured to replay the content data when a case selected from the group consisting of the content data being confirmed as being the second electronic watermark embedded therein, the content data being decrypted, and the content data being decrypted and being confirmed as being the second electronic watermark embedded therein is satisfied.  
           [0014]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer readable storage medium includes an identifier area configured to store a first identifier, and a data area configured to store a second identifier, content data and a replay program, the second identifier having at least one characteristic in which the second identifier is encrypted, the second identifier is a first electronic watermark embedded therein, and the second identifier is the first electronic watermark embedded therein and is encrypted, the content data having at least one characteristic in which the content data is encrypted, the content data is a second electronic watermark embedded therein, and the content data is the second electronic watermark embedded therein and is encrypted, and the replay program configured to make a computer execute instructions including instructions configured to read the first identifier from the identifier area, instructions configured to read the second identifier from the data area, instructions configured to conduct an operation selected from the group consisting of decrypting the second identifier, confirming if the second identifier is the first electronic watermark embedded therein, and decrypting the second identifier and confirming if the second identifier is the first electronic watermark embedded therein, instructions configured to compare the first identifier and the second identifier with each other when a case selected from the group consisting of the second identifier being decrypted, the second identifier being confirmed as being the first electronic watermark embedded therein, and the second identifier being decrypted and being confirmed as being the first electronic watermark embedded therein is satisfied, instructions configured to read the content data from the data area, instructions configured to conduct an operation selected from decrypting the content data, confirming if the content data is the second electronic watermark embedded therein, and decrypting the content data and confirming if the content data is the second watermark embedded therein when at least a predetermined part of the first and second identifiers are identical to each other, and instructions configured to replay the content data when a case selected from the group consisting of the content data being decrypted, the content data being confirmed as being the second electronic watermark embedded therein, and the content data being decrypted and being confirmed as being the second electronic watermark embedded therein is satisfied.  
           [0015]    According to an another aspect of the present invention, a writing method includes writing a second identifier in a data area, the second identifier being obtained by at least one operation in which a first identifier written in an identifier area is encrypted, a first electronic watermark is embedded in the first identifier, and the first electronic watermark in the first identifier is embedded and is encrypted, writing content data to the data area, the content data having at least one characteristic in which the content data is encrypted, the content data is a second electronic watermark embedded therein, and the content data is the second electronic watermark embedded therein and is encrypted, and writing a replay program to the data area, the replay program being configured to make a computer execute instructions including, instructions configured to read the first identifier from the identifier area, instructions configured to read the second identifier from the data area, instructions configured to conduct an operation selected from the group consisting of decrypting the second identifier, confirming if the second identifier is the first electronic watermark embedded therein, and decrypting the second identifier and confirming if the second identifier is the first electronic watermark embedded therein, instructions configured to compare the first identifier and the second identifier with each other when a case selected from the group consisting of the second identifier being decrypted, the second identifier being confirmed as being the first electronic watermark embedded therein, and the second identifier being decrypted and being confirmed as being the first electronic watermark embedded therein is satisfied, instructions configured to read the content data from the data area, instructions configured to conduct an operation selected from decrypting the content data, confirming if the content data is the second electronic watermark embedded therein, and decrypting the content data and confirming if the content data is the second watermark embedded therein, when at least a predetermined part of the first and second identifiers are identical to each other, and instructions configured to replay the content data when a case selected from the group consisting of the content data being decrypted, the content data being confirmed as being the second electronic watermark embedded therein, and the content data being decrypted and being confirmed as being the second electronic watermark embedded therein is satisfied.  
           [0016]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a writing apparatus includes a slot configured to receive a storage device therein, an identifier reader configured to read a first identifier from an identifier area of the storage device inserted in the slot, an identifier processor configured to obtain a second identifier by conducting at least one operation in which a first electronic watermark is embedded in the first identifier, the first identifier is encrypted, and the first identifier being the first electronic watermark embedded therein is encrypted, a storage unit configured to store content data and a reply program, the content data having a characteristic selected from the group consisting of embedding a second electronic watermark therein, being encrypted, and embedding the second electronic watermark therein and being encrypted, and the replay program configured to make a computer execute instructions including instructions configured to read the first identifier from the identifier area, instructions configured to read the second identifier from a data area of the storage device, instructions configured to conduct an operation selected from the group consisting of decrypting the second identifier, confirming if the second identifier is the first electronic watermark embedded therein, and decrypting the second identifier and confirming if the second identifier is the first electronic watermark embedded therein, instructions configured to compare the first identifier and the second identifier with each other when a case selected from the group consisting of the second identifier being decrypted, the second identifier being confirmed as being the first electronic watermark embedded therein, and the second identifier being decrypted and being confirmed as being the first electronic embedded watermark embedded therein is satisfied, instructions configured to read the content data from the data area, instructions configured to conduct an operation selected from decrypting the content data, confirming if the content data is the second electronic watermark embedded therein, and decrypting the content data and confirming if the content data is the second watermark embedded therein when at leas a predetermined part of the first and second identifiers are identical to each other; and instructions configured to replay the content data when a case selected from the group consisting of the content data being decrypted, the content data being confirmed as being the second electronic watermark embedded therein, and the content data being decrypted and being confirmed as being the second electronic watermark embedded therein is satisfied, and a writer configured to write the second identifier, content data, and replay program to the data area of the storage device. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIGS. 1A and 1B show a configuration of a card-type storage device according to an embodiment 1 of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view and FIG. 1B a sectional view taken along a line A-A′ of FIG. 1A;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a first face of a storage device module shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 shows a configuration of physical blocks in the storage device module;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 4A and 4B show relationships between identifiers stored in storage device modules and pictorial patterns printed on the surfaces of support frames, in which FIG. 4A shows that an identifier “ABC” corresponds to a pictorial pattern “Star” and FIG. 4B shows that an identifier “DEF” corresponds to a pictorial pattern “Moon”;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a software writing apparatus according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of a writing process;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 7A and 7B show relationships among pictorial patterns printed on card-type storage devices, pictorial patterns displayed on a display of the writing apparatus, and writing results according to the embodiment 1, in which FIG. 7A shows that a printed pictorial pattern agrees with a displayed pictorial pattern and FIG. 7B shows that a printed pictorial pattern disagrees with a displayed pictorial pattern;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a software writing apparatus according to an embodiment 2 of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIGS. 9A and 9B show relationships among pictorial patterns printed on card-type storage devices, pictorial patterns displayed on a display of the writing apparatus, and writing results according to the embodiment 2, in which FIGS. 9A and 9B each shows that a printed pictorial pattern agrees with a displayed pictorial pattern;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process of replaying content data written in a memory card according to an embodiment 3 of the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIGS. 11A to  11 E show the embodiment 3, in which FIG. 11A shows an identifier in an identifier area, an identifier in a data area, a replay program in the data area, and content data in the data area in a memory card MC 1 , FIG. 11B shows an identifier in an identifier area, an identifier in a data area, a replay program in the data area, and content data in the data area in a memory card MC 2 , FIG. 11C shows the identifier, replay program, and content data copied from the data area of the memory card MC 1  to the data area of the memory card MC 2 , FIG. 11D shows the replay program and content data copied from the data area of the memory card MC 1  to the data area of the memory card MC 2 , and FIG. 11E shows the content data copied from the data area of the memory card MC 1  to the data area of the memory card MC 2 ;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a writing apparatus according to an embodiment 4 of the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a writing process according to the embodiment 4;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a writing apparatus according to an embodiment 5 of the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a writing process according to the embodiment 5;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a writing apparatus according to an embodiment 6 of the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a writing process according to the embodiment 6; and  
         [0034]    [0034]FIGS. 18A to  18 C show the embodiment 6 of the present invention, in which FIG. 18A shows three memory cards MC 601  to MC 603  and card IDs thereof, FIG. 18B shows that a replay program and content data written in a data area of the memory card MC 601  are identical to those written in a data area of the memory card MC 602 , and FIG. 18C shows that an encrypted identifier written in the data area of the memory card MC 601  differs from that written in the data area of the memory card MC 602 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
       [0035]    Embodiments according to the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention, however, is not limited to these embodiments. In the drawings, same or like parts are represented with same or like reference numerals.  
       Embodiment 1  
       [0036]    [0036]FIGS. 1A and 1B show a configuration of a card-type storage device according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view and FIG. 1B is a sectional view taken along a line A-A′ of FIG. 1A. FIG. 2 shows a first face of a storage device module shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.  
         [0037]    The card-type storage device  100  is small and thin and consists of a storage device module  13  of about 0.665 mm thick and a holder  10  of about 0.76±0.08 mm thick to hold the module  13 .  
         [0038]    The holder  10  consists of a support frame  11  made of resin and having an opening  11   a  and a support sheet  12  attached to the whole bottom face of the support frame  11 . The opening  11   a  of the support frame  11  includes a recess  11   b  and a through hole  11   c  that is formed at the bottom of the recess  11   b  and is smaller than the recess  11   b . The support frame  11  also has a write protect area  11   d  to prohibit writing and a seal attaching area  11   e.    
         [0039]    The storage device module  13  includes a wiring board  13   a  having a first face and a second face. On the first face of the wiring board  13   a , there is mounted a semiconductor storage device  13   b  sealed with resin. Connection terminals of the semiconductor storage device  13   b  are connected to wiring  13   e  and through holes  13   d  and then to flat external connection terminals  13   c  arranged on the second face of the wiring board  13   a.    
         [0040]    The storage device module  13  is fitted and adhered to the opening  11   a  of the holder  10  so that the flat external connection terminals  13   c  are exposed. Namely, as shown in FIG. 1B, the wiring board  13   a  is fitted in the recess  11   b  of the opening  11   a , and the flat external connection terminals  13   c  are flush with and exposed from the surface of the holder  10 . At this time, the semiconductor storage device  13   b  is fitted in the through hole  11   c  and is bonded thereto. The semiconductor storage device  13   b  is, for example, a flash memory or a mask ROM.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 3 shows a configuration of physical blocks in the storage device module  13 . An identifier (ID) area is defined. The identifier area is an area to store an identifier that corresponds to a pictorial pattern printed on the surface of the support frame  11 .  
         [0042]    [0042]FIGS. 4A and 4B show relationships between identifiers stored in storage device modules and pictorial patterns printed on the surfaces of support frames  11 . In FIG. 4A, an identifier “ABC” corresponds to a pictorial pattern  14   a  of “Star,” and in FIG. 4B, an identifier “DEF” corresponds to a pictorial pattern  14   b  of “Moon.” 
         [0043]    It is preferable that a short side of the support frame  11  is longer than 31.8 mm. With a short side longer than 31.8 mm, the card-type storage device  100  is considered unable to be accidentally ingested by a child younger than 18-month old, as specified in the Toy Safety Reference Book issued by the Japan Toy Safety Association.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a software writing apparatus according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the software writing apparatus  500  has a display  501 , a slot  502 , a display controller  503 , an identifier reader  504 , an identifier-corresponding-software searcher  505 , a software writer  506 , a storage unit  507 , and a bus  510  that connects these components to one another.  
         [0045]    The slot  502  receives the card-type storage device  100  shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0046]    The identifier reader  504  reads an identifier stored in the card-type storage device  100  inserted in the slot  502 .  
         [0047]    The identifier-corresponding-software searcher  505  checks to see if software corresponding to the identifier read by the identifier reader  504  is stored in the storage unit  507 .  
         [0048]    The storage unit  507  stores a correspondence table TB 1  showing a relationship among an identifier, a pictorial pattern name, a software file name, and a software title. The storage unit  507  also stores software SF 1  and pictorial pattern data PD 1  corresponding to the identifier. The identifier may be an alphabetical identifier such as ABC or DEF or any other identifier composed of Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji, other characters, numerals, or a combination thereof. The pictorial pattern name is a word such as Star or Moon. The pictorial pattern name is a part of or a whole of a visible information file name. The visible information file includes a pictorial pattern data file. The pictorial pattern data file includes the JPEG format file, the GIF format file and the BMP format file. The software file name is a unique file name and may be a combination of alphanumeric characters. The software title is a software commodity name or sales name, for example, “Wise Man&#39;s Adventure.” The correspondence table TB 1  includes at least a record composed of, for example, an identifier field, a pictorial pattern name field, a file name field, and a title field. These fields contain a concrete identifier, a pictorial pattern name, a file name, and a title, respectively. The identifier, pictorial pattern name, file name, and title stored in each record are related to one another.  
         [0049]    The display controller  503  reads a pictorial pattern name (for example, “Star”) and software title (for example, “Wise Man&#39;s Adventure”) stored in a given record in the correspondence table of the storage unit  507  and displays, on the display  501 , the title and a pictorial pattern read from a pictorial pattern data file (for example, “Star.jpg”) specified by the pictorial pattern name.  
         [0050]    The software writer  506  writes software in the card-type storage device  100 .  
         [0051]    With reference to FIG. 6, a flow of a writing process will be explained. First, the display controller  503  reads the correspondence table TB 1  from the storage unit  507 , reads a pictorial pattern name “Star” and software title “Wise Man&#39;s Adventure” from a given record, and displays, on the display  501 , a pictorial pattern “Star” read from pictorial pattern data “Star.jpg” PD 1  and the title “Wise Man&#39;s Adventure” (step S 101 ).  
         [0052]    When the cart-type storage device  100  is inserted into the slot  502  (step S 103 ), the identifier reader  504  reads an identifier stored in the card-type storage device  100  (step S 105 ).  
         [0053]    The identifier reader  504  sends the read identifier to the identifier-corresponding-software searcher  505 . The searcher  505  checks the correspondence table TB 1  stored in the storage unit  507  to see if there is software corresponding to the read identifier (step S 107 ).  
         [0054]    If the read identifier is related to software in the correspondence table TB 1  (YES in step S 109 ), the software writer  506  writes the software corresponding to the read identifier into the card-type storage device  100  inserted in the slot  502  (step S 111 ).  
         [0055]    When the writing of the card-type storage device  100  is completed, the display controller  503  displays a write completion message on the display  501  (step S 113 ).  
         [0056]    If the read identifier corresponds to no software in the correspondence table TB 1  (NO in step S 109 ), the display controller  503  displays a write failure message on the display  501  (step S 115 ).  
         [0057]    [0057]FIGS. 7A and 7B show relationships among pictorial patterns printed on card-type storage devices  100 , pictorial patterns displayed on the display  501 , and write results displayed on the display  501 . In FIG. 7A, the printed pictorial pattern agrees with the displayed pictorial pattern. In FIG. 7B, the printed pictorial pattern disagrees with the displayed pictorial pattern.  
         [0058]    In FIG. 7A, the card-type storage device  100  having a pictorial pattern “Star” printed on the support frame  11  is inserted into the slot  502  of the software writing apparatus  500  with the display  501  displaying the pictorial pattern “Star.” The reading of an identifier, the searching of corresponding software, and the writing of the corresponding software (having a file name “wiseman.exe”) are conducted, and the display  501  displays a message of “Write OK!.” 
         [0059]    In FIG. 7B, the card-type storage device  100  having a pictorial pattern “Moon” printed on the support frame  11  is inserted into the slot  502  of the software writing apparatus  500  with the display  501  displaying a pictorial pattern “Star.” The reading of an identifier, the searching of corresponding software, and the determination of nonexistence of corresponding software are conducted, and the display  501  displays a message of “Write NG!.” 
         [0060]    According to the embodiment 1, the card-type storage device  100  has, for example, an identifier “ABC” and a pictorial pattern “Star” that corresponds to the identifier “ABC” and is printed on the support frame  11 . When this card-type storage device  100  is inserted into the software writing apparatus  500  displaying a pictorial pattern “Star,” software having a file name “wiseman.exe” is written to the card-type storage device  100 .  
         [0061]    The card-type storage device  100  may have an identifier “DEF” and a pictorial pattern “Moon” that corresponds to the identifier “DEF” and is printed on the support frame  11 . When this card-type storage device  100  is inserted into the software writing apparatus  500  displaying the pictorial pattern “Star,” the software “wiseman.exe” is not written to the card-type storage device  100 .  
         [0062]    Namely, the software is written only to a card-type storage device printed with the pictorial pattern “Star” and is never written to a card-type storage device printed with the pictorial pattern “Moon.” 
         [0063]    The software writing apparatus  500  distinguishes a card-type storage device  100  authorized to write software therein from an unauthorized card-type storage device  100  according to identifiers. At the same time, a user can quickly, surely, and easily determine whether or not a card-type storage device  100  is an authorized one by seeing a pictorial pattern printed thereon.  
       Embodiment 2  
       [0064]    According to the embodiment 1, the card-type storage device  100  printed with “Star” is authorized to write software, and the card-type storage device  100  printed with “Moon” is unauthorized to write the software. A software writing apparatus according to the embodiment 2 enables the card-type storage device  100  printed with “Star” as well as the card-type storage device  100  printed with “Moon” to be written with software by changing a setting without regard to what was set before the setting change.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration of the software writing apparatus  800  according to the embodiment 2. In FIG. 8, the software writing apparatus  800  has a display  501 , a slot  502 , a display controller  503 , an identifier reader  504 , an identifier-corresponding-software searcher  505 , a software writer  506 , a storage unit  507 , a correspondence table rewriter  801 , a communication unit  802 , and a bus  803  connecting these components to one another. Except for the contents of the storage unit  507 , the correspondence table rewriter  801 , and the communication unit  802 , the components of the embodiment 2 are substantially the same as those of the embodiment 1, and therefore, the same components will not be explained.  
         [0066]    The communication unit  802  receives data from the outside of the software writing apparatus  800  through a wireless or wire communication circuit (not shown).  
         [0067]    The correspondence table rewriter  801  rewrites an identifier-software correspondence table TB 2  stored in the storage unit  507  according to the data received through the communication unit  802 . Here, “rewrite” means not only overwriting old data with new data but also adding new data to old data without deleting the old data. For example, the correspondence table rewriter  801  rewrites the correspondence table TB 2  to the storage unit  507  as follows:  
         [0068]    “ABC, Star, wiseman.exe, Wise Man&#39;s Adventure” 
         [0069]    “DEF, Moon, wiseman.exe, Wise Man&#39;s Adventure” 
         [0070]    As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, with the identifier-software correspondence table TB 2  rewritten as mentioned above, the display  501  of the software writing apparatus  800  displays pictorial patterns “Star” and “Moon” and a title “Wise Man&#39;s Adventure.” 
         [0071]    In FIG. 9A, a card-type storage device  100  having a pictorial pattern “Star” on the support frame  11  is inserted into the slot  502  of the software writing apparatus  800  displaying the pictorial patterns “Moon” and “Star” on the display  501 . Then, the reading of an identifier, the searching of corresponding software, and the writing of the corresponding software (having a file name “wiseman.exe”) are conducted, and the display  501  displays a message of “Write OK!.” 
         [0072]    Similarly, in FIG. 9B, a card-type storage device  100  having a pictorial pattern “Moon” on the support frame  11  is inserted into the slot  502  of the software writing apparatus  800  displaying the pictorial patterns “Moon” and “Star” on the display  501 . Then, the reading of an identifier, the searching of corresponding software, and the writing of the corresponding software (having the file name “wiseman.exe”) are conducted, and the display  501  displays a message of “Write OK!.” 
         [0073]    The embodiment 2 provides the same effect as the embodiment 1. In addition, the embodiment 2 can write the software (having the file name “wiseman.exe”) into the card-type storage device  100  having the identifier “ABC” and the corresponding pictorial pattern “Star” printed on the support frame  11  as well as into the card-type storage device  100  having the identifier “DEF” and the corresponding pictorial pattern “Moon” printed on the support frame  11 .  
         [0074]    Before rewriting, the correspondence table TB 2  in the storage unit  507  is set to write software to the card-type storage device  100  printed with the pictorial pattern “Star” and not to write the software to the card-type storage device  100  printed with the pictorial pattern “Moon.” After the rewriting, the correspondence table TB 2  allows the software to be written to the card-type storage device  100  printed with the pictorial pattern “Star” as well as to the card-type storage device  100  printed with the pictorial pattern “Moon.” 
         [0075]    For example, the card-type storage device  100  printed with the pictorial pattern “Star” may be an exclusive storage device for game software marketed by a company A, and the card-type storage device  100  printed with the pictorial pattern “Moon” may be an exclusive storage device for game software marketed by a company B. If the companies A and B tie up their businesses, the embodiment 2 allows any card-type storage device  100  printed with one of the pictorial patterns “Star” and “Moon” to download the game software marketed by the company A.  
         [0076]    In this way, any one of the embodiments 1 and 2 is capable of using first visible information (such as a pictorial pattern) that may be printed on a first storage device (such as a card-type storage device) and second visible information (such as a pictorial pattern) that may be printed on a second storage device (such as a card-type storage device), to determine whether or not a first identifier stored in the first storage device is identical to a second identifier stored in the second storage device.  
         [0077]    In addition, any one of the embodiments 1 and 2 is capable of using first visible information that may be printed on a storage device and second visible information that is displayed on a display of a software writing apparatus, to easily, quickly, and surely determine, before inserting the storage device into the software writing apparatus, whether or not the storage device is allowed to write software thereto with the software writing apparatus.  
         [0078]    Further, any one of the embodiments 1 and 2 is capable of providing, without a manufacturing cost increase, a storage device whose versatility is freely controllable and a software writing apparatus that can write software to such a storage device.  
       Embodiment 3  
       [0079]    With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, data and a program to be written to a memory card (card-type storage device) will be explained.  
         [0080]    [0080]FIG. 10 shows a flow of replaying content data written to a memory card, and FIGS. 11A to  11 E show an identifier area and a data area in a memory card and identifiers, a content replay program, and content data written in the areas.  
         [0081]    (Data and Other Information Written in Memory Card)  
         [0082]    In FIGS. 11A to  11 E, a memory card includes an identifier (card ID) area and a data area. The identifier area is made of, for example, a mask ROM, and the data area is made of, for example, a NAND-type flash EEPROM. The identifier area stores a card ID of, for example, 128 bits specific to the memory card. The data area stores, for example, the following files:  
         [0083]    a) VideoAAA.data  
         [0084]    b) 123AAA.ID  
         [0085]    c) PlayerAAA.exe  
         [0086]    a) VideoAAA.data is video data for a video program having a name “AAA.” This video data is compressed according to, for example, MPEG2 and is encrypted according to, for example, RSA. The compression method may be MPEG1, MPEG4, and the like instead of MPEG2. The encryption method may be DSA and the like instead of RSA.  
         [0087]    b) 123AAA.ID is a card ID “123” encrypted according to, for example, RSA. Like VideoAAA.data, any other encryption method may be employed instead of RSA.  
         [0088]    c) PlayerAAA.exe is a program to replay VideoAAA.data and is capable of:  
         [0089]    c1) reading 123.ID from the identifier area;  
         [0090]    c2) reading the encrypted 123AAA.ID from the data area and decrypting the same;  
         [0091]    c3) comparing 123.ID read from the identifier area with the card ID read from the data area and decrypted and determining whether or not they agree with each other;  
         [0092]    c4) reading the encrypted VideoAAA.data from the data area and decrypting the same; and  
         [0093]    c5) playing the decrypted video data.  
         [0094]    PlayerAAA.exe has a decryption key used to decrypt 123AAA.ID and a decryption key used to decrypt VideoAAA.data. These keys may be the same as or different from each other.  
         [0095]    Using a common decryption key helps reduce the file size of PlayerAAA.exe. If VideoAAA.data is compressed according to, for example, MPEG2, PlayerAAA.exe must have a function of decompressing the compressed data.  
         [0096]    (Replay Process of Content Data)  
         [0097]    With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, a flow of a replay process of content data “VideoAAA.data” by the content data replay program “PlayerAAA.exe” will be explained.  
         [0098]    In step S 201 , the replay program reads 123.ID (first storage medium ID) from the identifier area of the memory card.  
         [0099]    In step S 203 , the replay program reads the encrypted identifier 123AAA.ID (second storage medium ID) from the data area of the memory card and tries to decrypt the same.  
         [0100]    In step S 207 , the replay program compares the card ID obtained by the decryption of step S 203  with the card ID read from the identifier area and provides a comparison result. The comparison result indicates whether the card IDs are identical to each other.  
         [0101]    In step S 211 , the card IDs are identical to each other, and the replay program reads the content data “VideoAAA.data” from the data area and tries to decrypt the same.  
         [0102]    In step S 215 , the replay program plays the content data obtained by the decryption of step S 211 .  
         [0103]    If the card ID is unable to decrypt in step S 203 , or if the card IDs are not identical to each other in step S 207 , or if the content data is unable to decrypt in step S 211 , the process is terminated.  
         [0104]    In this way, the embodiment 3 is capable of preventing an illegal use of content data. This will be explained in detail in the following section.  
         [0105]    (Prevention of Illegal Use)  
         [0106]    With reference to FIGS. 11A to  11 E, prevention of an illegal use of content data will be explained. The prevention of illegal use according to the embodiment 3 is not intended to prevent the copying of data files. It intends to prevent the replay of copied content data.  
         [0107]    A memory card MC 1  shown in FIG. 11A stores 123.ID in an identifier area, and in a data area, 123AAA.ID, PlayerAAA.exe, and VideoAAA.data. 123AAA.ID and VideoAAA.data are encrypted and are decrypted with the use of PlayerAAA.exe.  
         [0108]    A memory card MC 2  shown in FIG. 11B stores 124.ID in an identifier area, and in a data area, 124BBB.ID, PlayerBBB.exe, and VideoBBB.data. 124BBB.ID and VideoBBB.data are encrypted and are decrypted with the use of PlayerBBB.exe.  
         [0109]    PlayerAAA.exe is unable to decrypt 124BBB.ID or VideoBBB.data. PlayerBBB.exe is unable to decrypt 123AAA.ID or VideoAAA.data.  
         [0110]    (If All Files are Illegally Copied)  
         [0111]    First, the prevention of use of illegally copied files when all files are illegally copied will be explained.  
         [0112]    [0112]FIG. 11C shows that all files have been copied from the memory card MC 1  to the memory card MC 2 .  
         [0113]    Under this state, PlayerAAA.exe is instructed to replay VideoAAA.data. First, PlayerAAA.exe reads 124.ID from the identifier area of the memory card MC 2  (S 201  of FIG. 10). Then, PlayerAAA.exe reads the encrypted 123AAA.ID from the data area of the memory card MC 2  and tries to decrypt the same (S 203 ). PlayerAAA.exe can decrypt 123AAA.ID, and therefore, step S 205  branches to YES. However, 124.ID read from the identifier area is not equal to the decrypted 123.ID, and therefore, step S 209  branches to NO to terminate the process. In this way, the illegally copied content data is prevented from being replayed.  
         [0114]    (If Some Files are Illegally Copied)  
         [0115]    Next, the prevention of use of illegally copied files when some files are illegally copied will be explained.  
         [0116]    [0116]FIG. 11D shows that PlayerAAA.exe and VideoAAA.data have been copied from the memory card MC 1  to the memory card MC 2 .  
         [0117]    Under this state, PlayerAAA.exe is instructed to replay VideoAAA.data. First, PlayerAAA.exe reads 124.ID from the identifier area of the memory card MC 2  (S 201  of FIG. 10). Then, PlayerAAA.exe reads the encrypted 124BBB.ID from the data area of the memory card MC 2  and tries to decrypt the same (S 203 ). PlayerAAA.exe is unable to decrypt 124BBB.ID, and therefore step S 205  branches to NO to terminate the process. In this way, replay of the illegally copied content data is prevented.  
         [0118]    [0118]FIG. 11E shows that only VideoAAA.data has been copied from the memory card MC 1  to the memory card MC 2 .  
         [0119]    Under this state, PlayerBBB.exe is instructed to replay VideoAAA.data. First, PlayerBBB.exe reads 124.ID from the identifier area of the memory card MC 2  (S 201  of FIG. 10). Then, PlayerBBB.exe reads 124BBB.ID from the data area of the memory card MC 2  and tries to decrypt the same (S 203 ). PlayerBBB.exe can decrypt 124BBB.ID, and therefore, step S 205  branches to YES. 124.ID read from the identifier area is identical to the decrypted 124.ID, and therefore, step S 209  branches to YES. However, PlayerBBB.exe is unable to decrypt VideoAAA.data, and therefore, step S 213  branches to NO to terminate the process. In this way, the illegally copied content data is prevented from being replayed.  
         [0120]    In this way, the embodiment 3 can prevent the replay of content data when part or all of the “encrypted card ID data,” “encrypted content data,” and “program capable of decrypting encrypted data” have been illegally copied.  
         [0121]    The replay process flow shown in FIG. 10 is only an example. For example, it is possible to read a card ID from an identifier area only after a card ID read from a data area has been successfully decrypted. Namely, step S 201  shown in FIG. 10 may be moved between steps S 205  and S 207 .  
       Embodiment 4  
       [0122]    With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, a writing apparatus installed in, for example, a convenience store and used to write content data, etc., in a memory card will be explained.  
         [0123]    In FIG. 12, a writing apparatus  900  is installed in, for example, a shop. The writing apparatus  900  has a display  901 , a slot  902 , a display controller  903 , an identifier reader  904 , an identifier encryption unit  905 , a writer  906 , a storage unit  907 , and a bus  910  that connects these components to each other.  
         [0124]    The slot  902  receives a card-type storage device (memory card)  100  shown in FIG. 1. The display  901  displays, for example, a description relating to content to be written in the memory card.  
         [0125]    The identifier reader  904  reads an identifier (card ID) from an identifier area of the memory card inserted in the slot  902 . The identifier encryption unit  905  encrypts the identifier. The writer  906  writes the encrypted identifier in the memory card.  
         [0126]    The storage unit  907  stores encrypted content data VideoAAA.data and VideoBBB.data, replay programs PlayerAAA.exe and PlayerBBB.exe, and a correspondence table  908 . The correspondence table  908  stores relationships among the content data, the replay programs, text data (for example, descriptions A and B) for explaining the content data, and the like.  
         [0127]    The display controller  903  displays, for example, the description A in the correspondence table  908  on the display  901 . A user reads the description displayed on the display  901  and selects a content to be purchased.  
         [0128]    In FIG. 13, a content selection instruction is input in step S 301 . In step S 303 , the writer  906  writes encrypted content data in a data area of the memory card inserted in the slot  902 . If the display  901  has a touch panel function, inputting the content selection instruction may include a user touching a button on the touch panel corresponding to the content to be purchased. If a button corresponding to VideoAAA.data is touched, the writer  906  reads VideoAAA.data from the storage unit  907  and writes the same in the data area of the memory card inserted in the slot  902 .  
         [0129]    In step S 305 , a replay program is written to the memory card. Like the embodiment 3, the replay program is capable of (a) reading an encrypted card ID from the data area of the memory card and decrypting the same, (b) reading a card ID from the identifier area of the memory card, (c) comparing the decrypted card ID with the card ID read from the identifier area, (d) if the card IDs agree with each other, reading encrypted content data from the data area and decrypting the same, and (e) playing the decrypted content data.  
         [0130]    Step S 307  waits for an instruction to start an ID process. The ID process is a series of processes to write an encrypted card ID in the data area of the memory card. Starting the ID process is instructed, for example, when proper payment for the content data is confirmed.  
         [0131]    In step S 309 , the identifier reader  904  reads the card ID from the identifier area of the memory card in the slot  902 . In step S 311 , the identifier encryption unit  905  encrypts the read card ID. In step S 313 , the writer  906  writes the encrypted card ID in the data area of the memory card.  
         [0132]    Generally, the user enters a content selection instruction (step S 301 ), and a content price is displayed on the display  901 . Then, the user takes out a purse, takes out notes or coins therefrom, and inserts the money into a slot. Once a correct amount of money has been inserted, the start of the ID process is instructed (step S 307 ). Accordingly, inputting a content select instruction (step S 301 ) to determining the start of the ID process (S 307 ) usually takes a time period of about 15 to 30 seconds.  
         [0133]    On the other hand, content data (for example, VideoAAA.data) which may be, for example, an animation of 24 minutes in playing time has a file size of about 30 megabytes (MB) in MPEG2. A program (for example, PlayerAAA.exe) to decrypt and play the content data has a file size of about 1 MB. Therefore, the data and program may need about five seconds to write them to a memory card.  
         [0134]    Namely, the writing of content data and replay program will finish while a user takes out a purse and takes out money therefrom, and therefore, the user will not be kept waiting.  
         [0135]    The card ID data (such as 123AAA.ID) has a file size of only several bytes to several tens of bytes, and therefore, reading the card ID, encrypting the same, and writing the encrypted card ID need only about one second. This never keeps the user waiting.  
         [0136]    On the other hand, a conventional writing method selects content, reads a card ID from a memory card, and uses the card ID to encrypt content data of 30 MB or over. This takes about 50 seconds. Accordingly, in a time period while a user takes out a purse and takes out money therefrom, the writing of the content data and a replay program will not be completed and will keep the user waiting.  
         [0137]    According to the embodiment 4, a time necessary for copying content data and other data is shortened to an extent that produces no waiting time for a user.  
         [0138]    The above-mentioned time for writing content data and other data in a memory card assumes a standard personal computer with a clock rate of 2 GHz and a memory capacity of about 256 MB and a relatively high-speed memory card writer connected to the personal computer through a USB2.0 interface.  
       Embodiment 5  
       [0139]    With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, a writing method to mass-produce memory cards with content data and the like written therein will be explained.  
         [0140]    [0140]FIG. 14 shows a first writing apparatus  930  and a second writing apparatus  940  according to the embodiment 5.  
         [0141]    The first writing apparatus  930  has a slot  931  to receive a memory card, a writer  932  to write content data and a replay program in a data area of the memory card, and a storage unit  933  to store content data (such as VideoAAA.data) and a replay program (such as PlayerAAA.exe).  
         [0142]    The second writing apparatus  940  has a slot  941  to receive a memory card, an identifier reader  942  to read an identifier from an identifier area of the memory card, an identifier encryption unit  943  to encrypt the read identifier, and a writer  944  to write the encrypted identifier in a data area of the memory card.  
         [0143]    [0143]FIG. 15 shows a flow of a write process according to the embodiment 5. First, the first writing apparatus  930  is employed to write common content data and a common replay program to each of a plurality of memory cards (steps S 401  and S 403 ). Then, the second writing apparatus  940  is employed to write an encrypted identifier specific to each memory card of the memory cards.  
         [0144]    In step S 401 , the writer  932  writes VideoAAA.data stored in the storage unit  933  in the data area of the memory card inserted in the slot  931 .  
         [0145]    In step S 403 , the writer  932  writes PlayerAAA.exe in the data area of the memory card. Like the embodiment 3, the PlayerAAA.exe is a program capable of carrying out the following operations in response to a content replaying instruction:  
         [0146]    (a) reading the encrypted card ID (identifier) from the data area of the memory card and decrypting the same;  
         [0147]    (b) reading the card ID from the identifier area of the memory card;  
         [0148]    (c) comparing the decrypted card ID with the card ID read from the identifier area;  
         [0149]    if the card IDs agree with each other,  
         [0150]    (d) reading the encrypted content data from the data area and decrypting the same; and  
         [0151]    (e) playing the decrypted content data.  
         [0152]    Steps S 401  and S 403  are repeated a given number of times, and step S 405  is carried out. In step S 405 , the identifier reader  942  reads a card ID from the identifier area of the memory card inserted in the slot  941 .  
         [0153]    In step S 407 , the identifier encryption unit  943  encrypts the read card ID. In step S 408 , the writer  944  writes the encrypted card ID in the data area of the memory card.  
         [0154]    In this way, the writing method according to the embodiment 5 writes common content data and replay program to each of a plurality of memory cards.  
         [0155]    On the other hand, there is a conventional method that assigns a different card ID to each memory card and employs the card ID to encrypt content data. This method involves the following steps:  
         [0156]    (a) reading a first card ID from a first memory card, employing the first card ID to encrypt content data, and writing the encrypted content data to the first memory card;  
         [0157]    (b) reading a second card ID from a second memory card, employing the second card ID to encrypt the content data, and writing the encrypted content data to the second memory card;  
         [0158]    (c) reading a third card ID from a third memory card, employing the third card ID to encrypt the content data, and writing the encrypted content data to the third memory card; and so on.  
         [0159]    According to this method, writing encrypted content data in, for example, 1000 memory cards needs 1000 times of repetition of encrypting the content data with card IDs.  
         [0160]    On the other hand, according to the writing method of the embodiment 5, content data to be written is common for all memory cards, and therefore, writing content data in, for example, 1000 memory cards requires only one time of the content data encrypting process.  
         [0161]    The embodiment 5 must repeat the encrypting of a card ID in the number of memory cards. While content data has a size of several tens of megabytes or over, a card ID involves only several bytes to several tens of bytes. Accordingly, a time necessary for encrypting a card ID is much shorter than that for encrypting content data.  
         [0162]    Consequently, compared with the conventional writing method, the writing method of the embodiment 5 can speedily mass-produce memory cards written with common content data and other data.  
       Embodiment 6  
       [0163]    [0163]FIG. 16 shows a writing apparatus  960  according to the embodiment 6. In FIG. 16, the writing apparatus  960  has a display  961 , a slot  962 , a display controller  963 , an identifier reader  964 , an identifier encryption unit  965 , a writer  966 , and a storage unit  968 .  
         [0164]    [0164]FIG. 17 shows a flow of a write process according to the embodiment 6. In step S 101 , the display  961  shows a picture of a star and a title “Wise Man&#39;s Adventure” as shown in FIG. 7A. This is done by, for example, the display controller  963  that reads a correspondence table  969  indicating a relationship of “ABC, Star, VideoAAA.data, PlayerAAA.exe, Wise Man&#39;s Adventure” from the storage unit  968  and displays a text “Wise Man&#39;s Adventure” found in the correspondence table  969  on the display  961 . Further, the display controller  963  reads Starjpg corresponding to “Star” from the storage unit  968  and displays a pictorial pattern of “Star” on the display  961 .  
         [0165]    In step S 103 , a memory card is inserted into the slot  962 . In step S 105 , the identifier reader  964  reads an identifier from an identifier area of the memory card. In step S 107 , it is checked to see if content data corresponding to the read identifier is stored in the storage unit  968 . If there is the content data corresponding to the identifier, step S 109  branches to “YES” and proceeds to step S 303 .  
         [0166]    If there is no content data corresponding to the identifier, step S 109  branches to “NO” to terminate the process.  
         [0167]    Determining whether or not there is content data corresponding to the identifier is conducted according to the correspondence table  969  and a part of the identifier. If the identifier consists of, for example, 128 bits, the determination is made according to, for example, 28 bits among the 128 bits.  
         [0168]    A determination of the presence of content data to be made according to lower three characters of an identifier will be explained. FIG. 18A shows three memory cards MC 601  to MC 603  having card IDs  101 ABC,  102 ABC, and  103 DEF, respectively. The memory cards MC 601  and MC 602  have each lower three characters of ABC and the correspondence table  969  contains “ABC, . . . ,” and therefore, it is determined that there is content data corresponding to the identifiers of the memory cards MC 601  and MC 602 . On the other hand, the memory card MC 603  has the lower three characters “DEF” and the correspondence table  969  contains no corresponding identifier data, and therefore, it is determined that there is no content data corresponding to the identifier of the memory card MC 603 .  
         [0169]    In step S 303 , the writer  966  writes encrypted content data in a data area of the memory card. For example, according to the relationship “ABC, . . . , VideoAAA.data, . . . ,” in the correspondence table  969 , it is determined to write “VideoAAA.data” to each memory card having the lower three identifier characters “ABC,” and VideoAAA.data is written in the data area of each of the memory cards MC 601  and MC 602 .  
         [0170]    In step S 305 , the writer  966  writes a replay program in the data area of the memory card. For example, according to the relationship “ABC, . . . , PlayerAAA.exe, . . . ” in the correspondence table  969 , it is determined to write “PlayerAAA.exe” to each memory card having the lower three identifier characters “ABC,” and PlayerAAA.exe is written in the data area of each of the memory cards MC 601  and MC 602 .  
         [0171]    In FIG. 18B, PlayerAAA.exe and VideoAAA.data are written in the data area of each of the memory cards MC 601  and MC 602 .  
         [0172]    Step S 307  is the same as step S 307  of the embodiment 4, and therefore, an explanation thereof is omitted. In step S 309 , the identifier reader  964  reads a card ID from an identifier area of the memory card. In step S 311 , the identifier encryption unit  965  encrypts the read card ID. In step S 313 , the writer  966  writes the encrypted card ID in the data area of the memory card.  
         [0173]    As a result of a series of the processes, FIG. 18C shows that PlayerAAA.exe and VideoAAA.data stored in the storage unit  968  have been copied to the data area of each of the memory cards MC 601  and MC 602 , and the identifier read from the identifier area of each of the memory cards and encrypted has been written in the data area of each of the memory cards.  
         [0174]    In FIG. 18C, the content data and replay program written in the data area of each of the memory cards MC 601  and MC 602  are identical between the memory cards MC 601  and MC 602 . On the other hand, the encrypted identifiers written in the data areas of the memory cards MC 601  and MC 602  differ from each other.  
         [0175]    In this way, according to the embodiment 6, a user who intends to write content data to a memory card using the writing apparatus  960  can visually compare a pictorial pattern displayed on the display  961  of the writing apparatus  960  with a pictorial pattern printed on a support frame of the memory card. Then, the user can easily determine whether or not the memory card is allowed to write data therein, or which memory card is allowed to write data therein with the writing apparatus  960  in front of the user.  
         [0176]    The content data and content data replay program to be written by the writing apparatus  960  are already encrypted and stored in the storage unit  968 . Namely, they are not encrypted after the insertion of a memory card into the writing apparatus  960 , and therefore, a time period from the insertion of a memory card into the slot  962  to the start of data writing is short, and a time to complete the writing is also short.  
         [0177]    A card ID as a whole may be encrypted, or a part of the card ID may be encrypted if the part is unique (has no resemblance to other card IDs). If a card ID consists of, for example, 128 bits, and if 28 bits among them are used to classify content and the remaining 100 bits are specific to the card, the whole 128 bits of the card ID may be encrypted, or the 100 bits that are specific to the card may be encrypted.  
         [0178]    According to the embodiments 3 to 6, an encrypted card ID and encrypted content data are written in a data area of a memory card. If a replay program can decrypt the card ID and content data and if a card ID in an identifier area of the memory card is identical to the decrypted card ID, the replay of the content is allowed. Conditions to allow the replay may exclude the successful decryption.  
         [0179]    An electronic watermark, for example, may be used as a replay allowing condition. More precisely, a card ID is read from an identifier area of a memory card, an electronic watermark is embedded in the read card ID, and the electronic-watermark-embedded card ID is written in a data area of the memory card. At the same time, electronic-watermark-embedded content data is written in the data area.  
         [0180]    In this case, a replay program (a) reads the embedded electronic watermark from the card ID in the data area of the memory card in response to a replay instruction, (b) after confirming that the card ID in the data area has a correct embedded electronic watermark, compares the card ID in the identifier area with the card ID in the data area, (c) if the IDs are identical to each other, reads the electronic watermark embedded in the content data, and (d) after confirming that the content data has a correct embedded electronic watermark, starts to replay the content data.  
         [0181]    Before confirming that the card ID read from the data area has a correct embedded electronic water mark, it is possible to read the card ID from the identifier area. It is also possible to read the card ID from the identifier area after confirming that the card ID read from the data area has a correct embedded electronic watermark.  
         [0182]    The card ID read from the identifier area and the card ID read from the data area may not completely be equal to each other. If a unique part of the card ID read from the identifier area is identical to a unique part of the card ID read from the data area are identical to each other, the replay of the content data may be allowed.  
         [0183]    The decryption and electronic watermark may be combined together to provide a replay allowing condition. For example, a card ID stored in a data area of a memory card is encrypted, and the decrypting thereof is tried. If it is successfully decrypted, the decrypted card ID is compared with a card ID stored in an identifier area of the memory card.  
         [0184]    If the IDs are completely identical to each other as a result of the comparison, or if they are partly equal to each other to satisfy a given condition, an electronic watermark is read from electronic-watermark-embedded content data. If a correct electronic watermark is read, the replay of the content data is allowed.  
         [0185]    Instead, if the IDs are completely identical to each other, or if they are partly equal to each other to satisfy a given condition, the decrypting of encrypted content data is tried. If it is successfully decrypted, an electronic watermark is read therefrom. If a correct electronic watermark is read out of the decrypted content data, and the replay of the content data is allowed.  
         [0186]    According to the embodiments 3 to 6, a replay program to start the replay of content data stored in a storage device is obtainable only after (a) confirming, through decryption and/or an electronic watermark, that a second identifier is proper for the replay program, (b) confirming that the second identifier is proper for a first identifier, and (c) confirming, through decryption and/or an electronic watermark, that the content data is proper for the replay program. Copying all or part of the second identifier, content data, and replay program from the storage device to another storage device is incapable of replaying the content data, thereby effectively preventing an illegal use of the content data.  
         [0187]    According to the embodiment 4, the replay program and content data explained in the embodiment 3 are written to a storage medium in a short time that creates no sense of waiting for a user.  
         [0188]    According to the embodiment 5, storage media in each of which the replay program and content data explained in the embodiment 3 are written can be produced in a short time compared with the method that repeats encryption on every storage medium.  
         [0189]    Although the invention has been described above by reference to certain embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Modifications and variations of the embodiments described above will occur to those skilled in the art, in the light of the above teachings. The scope of the invention is defined with reference to the following claims.