Signal supplying apparatus, signal processing method and record medium

• US 6,798,974 B1
• Filed: 05/19/2000
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Nakano, Takehiko, Kitajima, Mariko
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Thai
• Assistant Examiner(s): ONUAKU, CHRISTOPHER O
• Application Number:
  US09/575,859
• Time in Patent Office: 1,593 Days
• Field of Search: 386/1, 386/46, 386/94, 386/125, 386/126, 380/201, 725/25-31, 725/52, 725/91
• US Class Current: 386/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40117 Interconnection of audio or video/imaging devices home automation networks H04L12/2803; bitstream network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/913 for scrambling ; for copy protection

Abstract

A plurality of copies of an information signal are prevented from being formed. For example, a transmitter such as IRD, STB, or the like transmits an information signal supplied from the outside via a radio wave or the like to each apparatus in a system. Together with a monitor, a speaker, and the like, for example, two recorders such as VTRs or the like are provided in the system. It is assumed that the recorder is executing the recording operation. The transmitter recognizes that the recorder is under the recording operation. Even if the other recorder issues a request indicating that it wants to perform the recording operation in this situation, the operation responsive to the request is not permitted. By such a management, a plurality of recorders in the network are prevented from recording the same information signal. A plurality of copies are prevented from being formed with respect to the same information signal.

Claims

1. A signal supplying apparatus for supplying a signal to each of apparatuses having a signal recording function in a signal processing system of the type that includes a plurality of apparatuses having the signal recording function, comprising means to permit a recording operation to a predetermined number of apparatuses having the signal recording function, and means are provided such that when an ID number is changed in the system of the apparatuses which are executing the recording operations, said apparatuses which are executing the recording operations declare that the self apparatus is executing the recording operation, so that said apparatuses which are executing the recording operation continue the recording operations.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a signal which is supplied from an outside is received and the signal which is supplied to each of said apparatuses in said signal processing system is formed on the basis of the received signal.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a recording medium and the signal which is supplied to each of said apparatuses in said system is formed on the basis of data recorded on said recording medium.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein for a period of time during which a predetermined number of apparatuses among said predetermined number of apparatuses having the signal recording function are executing the recording operation, it is managed so as to limit a start of the recording operations by the other apparatuses.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the start of the recording operations by the other apparatuses is limited, it is managed so as to perform a display regarding said limitation.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said other apparatuses are managed so as to recognize that the apparatuses which are executing the recording operations exist in said system without inquiring of the apparatuses which are executing the recording operations in association with the limitation of the recording operation by the apparatus which supplies said signal.

7. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said other apparatuses are notified of information regarding an identification of said apparatuses which are executing the recording operations.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein it is managed so that said other apparatuses identify said apparatuses which are executing the recording operations on the basis of said information.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the apparatuses which are executing the recording operation finish the recording operations, if the recording operations are requested by the other apparatuses, it is managed so that the recording operations regarding said requests are executed.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is managed so as to previously specify that said other apparatuses execute the recording operations after the apparatuses which are executing the recording operations finish the operations.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is managed so as to validate said declaration in the case where it is made within a predetermined period of time after the change of said identification numbers.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management is not performed with respect to operations other than the recording operations of the apparatuses having said signal recording function.

13. A signal processing method of supplying a signal to each of apparatuses having a signal recording function in a signal processing system including a predetermined number of apparatuses having the signal recording function, comprising permitting the recording operation to a predetermined number of apparatuses having said signal recording function and providing that when an ID number is changed in the system of the apparatuses which are executing the recording operations, said apparatuses which are executing the recording operations declare that the self apparatus is executing the recording operation, so that said apparatuses which are executing the recording operation continue the recording operations.

14. A record medium having recorded thereon a signal processing program operable with a processor to carry out the method of supplying a signal to each of apparatuses having a signal recording function in a signal processing system including a predetermined number of apparatuses having the signal recording function, comprising permitting the recording operation to a predetermined number of apparatuses having said signal recording function and providing that when an ID number is changed in the system of the apparatuses which are executing the recording operations, said apparatuses which are executing the recording operations declare that the self apparatus is executing the recording operation, so that said apparatuses which are executing the recording operation continue the recording operations.