Patent ID: 7230898
Filing Date: 2007-06-12
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A reproducing apparatus compatible with a storage medium storing copyright-protected audio files compressed in accordance with a first compression standard and copyright-unprotected audio files compressed in accordance with a second compression standard which is different from the first compression standard, said reproducing apparatus being capable of reproducing any one of the audio files stored on the medium, said reproducing apparatus comprising: selective operation executing means operated to selectively choose a single audio file from among said copyright-protected audio files and said copyright-unprotected audio files as an audio file to be reproduced; demodulating means for demodulating said single audio file in accordance with said first decompression standard or said second decompression standard which is different from said first decompression standard; means for applying power to said demodulating means in order to enable the demodulation of said single audio file; and controlling means for causing said demodulating means to select one of the two different ways of demodulation depending on whether a copyright-protected audio file or a copyright-unprotected audio file has been selected by operation of said selective operation executing means, wherein said demodulating means is capable of decryption as a way of accomplishing the demodulation, wherein said controlling means controls said demodulating means so that said demodulating means decrypts any one of said copyright-protected audio files and does not decrypt any one of said copyright-unprotected audio files, and wherein said controlling means stops or bypasses a decryption function circuit of said demodulating means if any one of said copyright-unprotected audio files has been selected by operation of said selective operation executing means.