Patent ID: 6212329
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: G06F,G11B,H04N

Abstract:
A reproduction apparatus providing reproduction protection, for operating on main data which are conveyed by a data medium, the apparatus comprising:means for detecting medium protection data which are specific to said data medium and are conveyed by said data medium;means for generating apparatus protection data which comprise at least first apparatus protection data and second apparatus protection data,wherein said first apparatus protection data are specific to a region or a country in which said reproduction apparatus is to be used, and can not be modified by a user of said reproduction apparatus and wherein said second apparatus protection data can be modified by the user to selectively define a plurality of protection levels including at least two levels which are respectively specific to adults and to children;means for defining a protection level based on said medium protection data and said apparatus protection data in combination; andmeans for executing reproduction of said main data in accordance with said protection level,wherein, in response to a combination of said medium protection data with said first apparatus protection data, said main data are reproduced either in their entirety or not at all, and in response to a combination of said medium protection data and said second apparatus protection data, said main data are reproduced in their entirety, partially, or not at all.