Electronic apparatus, data recording method for the electronic apparatus, and storage medium storing program for executing the data recording method

• US 20020015495A1
• Filed: 08/02/2001
• Published: 02/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
• Inventors: Kageyama, Takahisa, Kawase, Yoshinori
• Granted Patent: US 7,403,616 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/201
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/122 involving the detection of an identification or authentication mark record carriers indicating unauthorised or prior use G11B23/28
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00086 Circuits for prevention of unauthorised reproduction or copying, e.g. piracy indicating unauthorised use of record carriers in general G11B23/28; scrambling for television signal recording H04N5/913; network architectures or network protocols for network security H04L63/00; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L9/00

Abstract

There is provided an electronic apparatus which once makes a user conscious of copyright and the like of digital data, such as audio data and image data, when the user records the digital data or performs the like processing, and then allows the user to use the digital data without annoying him any longer concerning the copyright and the like of digital data, a data recording method for the electronic apparatus, and a storage medium storing a program for executing the data recording method. The electronic apparatus is capable of performing a plurality of processes including a specific process execution of which is restricted in advance. A notification section notifies a user of a message calling the user'"'"'s attention to the specific process in response to an instruction issued on the specific process. A function-setting section sets a specific function according to the notification of the message. An execution restriction-removal section removes restriction on the execution of the specific process and stops the function of the notification section, based on the set specific function.

Claims

1. An electronic apparatus that is capable of performing a plurality of processes including a specific process execution of which is restricted in advance, comprising:

a notification section that notifies a user of a message calling the user'"'"'s attention to the specific process in response to an instruction issued on the specific process;

a function-setting section that sets a specific function according to the notification of the message; and

an execution restriction-removal section that removes restriction on the execution of the specific process and stops the function of said notification section, based on the set specific function.

2. An electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further including a setting information storage device that stores information indicative of the setting of the set specific function, and a recording section that stores the information in said setting information storage device.

3. An electronic apparatus according to claim 1, including a data storage device that stores the digital data, and wherein the specific process includes storing digital audio data or image data taken in from an outside of the electronic apparatus in said data storage device.

4. An electronic apparatus according to claim 2, including a data storage device that stores the digital data, and wherein the specific process includes storing digital audio data or image data taken in from an outside of the electronic apparatus in said data storage device.

5. An electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said notification section displays the message, in dependence on a kind of digital data on which the specific process is to be carried out.

6. An electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said notification section displays the message, in dependence on a kind of digital data on which the specific process is to be carried out.

7. An electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said notification section displays a message concerning a copyright on a screen or notifies the message by voice, in response to an instruction for executing the specific process or an instruction for setting the specific function.

8. An electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said notification section displays a message concerning a copyright on a screen or notifies the message by voice, in response to an instruction for executing the specific process or an instruction for setting the specific function.

9. An electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said recording section stores the information indicative of the setting of the specific function in the storage device, in response to an instruction for storing the information.

10. An electronic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said storage device and said data storage device are an identical storage device that can be replaced.

11. A data recording method for an electronic apparatus that is capable of performing a plurality of processes including a specific process execution of which is restricted in advance,

the data recording method comprising the steps of:

notifying a user of a message calling the user'"'"'s attention to the specific process in response to an instruction issued on the specific process;

setting a specific function according to the notification of the message; and

removing restriction on the execution of the specific process and stopping the function of the notification section, based on the set specific function.

12. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing data recording method for an electronic apparatus that is capable of performing a plurality of processes including a specific process execution of which is restricted in advance,

the program comprising:

a notifying module that notifies a user of a message calling the user'"'"'s attention to the specific process in response to an instruction issued on the specific process;

a specific function-setting module that sets a specific function according to the notification of the message; and

an execution restriction-removing module that removes restriction on the execution of the specific process and disables said notifying module, based on the set specific function.