Security system for audio equipment where identification data from a compact disc is stored in memory

• US 5,732,237 A
• Filed: 10/20/1995
• Issued: 03/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited (DENSO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited (DENSO Corporation)
• Inventors: Ikeda, Yuji
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Eddie P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BRAGDON, REGINALD GLENWOOD
• Application Number:
  US08/505,336
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 395/439, 395/490, 340/825.31
• US Class Current: 711/112
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/02 Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/12 by sensing distinguishing features of or on records, e.g. diameter end mark
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00876 wherein physical copy protection means are attached to the medium, e.g. holograms, sensors, or additional semiconductor circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/283 Security features, e.g. digital codes
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/284 on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/36 Monitoring, i.e. supervising the progress of recording or reproducing for digital recording G11B20/00 and s.gr.; for monitoring, testing or measuring of TV recorders of the type covered by H04N5/76 and subgroups, see H04N17/06

Abstract

The present invention provides a security system for audio equipment which allows users to easily release a security operation without having to remember any identification numbers or codes. The present invention provides a security system for audio equipment in which audio equipment in an inoperable condition is changed into an operable condition when data recorded on a recording medium during a playback condition matches identification data stored in a memory. Thus, the present invention allows users to easily release the security operation without compromising the level of security. Furthermore, the present invention prevents the audio equipment from being placed in an unlockable condition due to careless operation of users.

Claims

1. A security system for audio equipment capable of reproducing signals recorded on a recording medium, wherein the audio equipment, while being in an inoperable condition, is changed into an operable condition when data recorded on the recording medium during a playback condition matches identification data stored in a memory, said security system comprising:

mode-change-over means for setting the mode of the security system to an identification medium setting mode that allows said identification data to be stored in the memory; and

identification data storage means for storing data recorded on the recording medium into the memory as said identification data when the recording medium is in the playback condition, the mode of the security system is in said identification medium setting mode, and there is no said identification data stored in the memory.

2. The security system of claim 1, wherein the recording medium comprises a compact disc, and wherein said identification data is table of contents data of the compact disc.

3. The security system of claim 1, wherein said mode-change-over means comprises a plurality of switches, wherein the setting the mode of the security system to said identification medium setting mode is performed by simultaneously depressing a predetermined combination of said plurality of switches.