Patent ID: 6802074
Filing Date: 2004-10-05
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A recording apparatus for selecting one of a plurality of broadcast programs and recording the selected broadcast program onto a recording medium, each broadcast program being composed of a plurality of video sections into each of which is embedded an electronic watermark showing whether recording of the broadcast program is permitted or prohibited,the recording apparatus comprising: a receiving means for receiving video sections composing the selected broadcast program one at a time; a recording means for performing a recording operation according to instructions; a reading means for reading an electronic watermark from each video section received by the receiving means; an instructing means for issuing (a) a first instruction to have the recording means record a video section next to the video section from which the electronic watermark has been read if the read electronic watermark shows that recording of the selected broadcast program is permitted and (b) a second instruction to have the recording means not record the next video section if the read electronic watermark shows that the recording is prohibited, wherein the instructing means includes an instruction changing unit for canceling, when an other broadcast program is selected after the second instruction has been issued, the second instruction and issuing a third instruction to have the recording means record a video section, out of video sections of the other broadcast program, that is first received; a selection receiving means for receiving a selection of the other broadcast program from an operator, wherein the instruction changing unit issues the third instruction when the selection receiving means receives the selection; a time information generating means for, when the selection receiving means receives the selection after the second instruction has been issued, generating first time information that shows when the selection receiving means receives the selection; a time information storing means for storing the time information, wherein when the selection receiving means receives a further selection of a broadcast program different to the other broadcast program, the time information generating means generates second time information showing when the selection receiving means receives the further selection; a difference calculating means for calculating a difference between the first time information and the second time information; and a judging means for judging whether the difference exceeds a predetermined time period, wherein if the difference exceeds the predetermined time period, the instruction changing unit issues a fourth instruction to have the recording means record a video section, out of video sections of the different broadcast program, that is first received.