Patent ID: 6014280
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A reproducing apparatus having a function for reproducing information stored in a storage medium and a function for erasing the information stored in the storage medium, comprising:an erasing operation standby instruction switch for inputting an instruction to set an operation state of said reproducing apparatus to an erasing operation standby state to erase the information stored in the storage medium;measuring means for measuring an elapsed time of the erasing operation standby state after said reproducing apparatus is set to the erasing operation standby state by said erasing operation standby instruction switch;an erasing operation start instruction switch for inputting an instruction to set an operation state of said reproducing apparatus to an erasing operation start state to erase the information stored in the storage medium;a reproducing operation start instruction switch for inputting an instruction to set an operation state of said reproducing apparatus to a reproducing operation start state to reproduce the information stored in the storage medium; anda controller for (i) shifting the operation state of said reproducing apparatus from the erasing operation standby state to the erasing operation start state when the instruction is input by said erasing operation start instruction switch before the elapsed time measured by said measuring means reaches a predetermined time, or (ii) shifting the operation state of said reproducing apparatus from the erasing operation standby state to the reproducing operation start state when the instruction is input by said reproducing operation start instruction switch, or (iii) shifting the operation state of said reproducing apparatus from the erasing operation standby state to the reproducing operation standby state when the elapsed tire measured by said measuring means reaches a predetermined time without input of the instruction by said erasing operation start instruction switch and without input of the instruction by said reproducing operation start instruction switch.