Patent ID: 6519676
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A reproducing method for causing a computer to obtain data reproduced from a record medium loaded on a drive connected to the computer, the record medium having a management area and a program area, the method comprising the steps of:causing the computer to issue a predetermined command to the drive so that the drive reads the management area; receiving return data composed of data reproduced from the management area of the record medium by the drive and including a header having identification data representing a length of the data; determining whether the record medium has character information recorded in the management area based on the identification data of the return data received in the step of receiving; and obtaining character information from the return data when the record medium loaded on the drive is determined to have the character information recorded in the management area, wherein the steps of receiving, determining, and obtaining are performed by the computer.