Patent ID: 6707774
Filing Date: 2004-03-16
Classification: G11B,H04N

Abstract:
An apparatus for reading record information from a recording disk and outputting the read record information in order to reproduce the record information recorded on the recording disk,the record information including: image information which represents an image or a picture; identification information which represents any one of at least never copy and copy free, the never copy indicating that copying of the record information is prohibited, the copy free indicating that the copying of the record information is permitted, the apparatus comprising: a read device for reading the record information from the recording disk; a first determination device for determining whether the identification information included in the read record information indicates the never copy or the copy free; a second determination device for determining whether the recording disk is a recording disk of a recordable type or a recording disk of a read-only type; an output control device for determining on the basis of determinations of the first determination device and the second determination device whether outputting the read record information is permitted or prohibited; and an output device for outputting the read record information in accordance with a determination of the output control device, wherein the second determination device comprises: a detection device for detecting a form of a track formed on a surface of the recording disk; and a disk determination device for determining on the basis of a detection of the detection device whether the recording disk is the recording disk of the recordable type or the recording disk of the read-only type.