Patent ID: 6834348
Filing Date: 2004-12-21
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A digital data recording apparatus for recording digital data on a recording medium, said apparatus comprising:a communication unit operable to receive encrypted digital data via a digital network; a decryption unit operable to decrypt the encrypted digital data received by said communication unit; an encryption unit including a plurality of encryption sub-units operable to re-encrypt decrypted digital data in encryption systems having different security levels; a recording unit operable to record digital data that has been re-encrypted by said encryption unit on the recording medium; an accounting unit operable to conduct an accounting process via the digital network; and a controller operable to control said decryption unit, said encryption unit and said accounting unit; wherein said controller is operable to select and control one of said encryption sub-units from among said plurality of encryption sub-units to re-encrypt the digital data that has been decrypted by said decryption unit, to determine an accounting value according to said one of said encryption sub-units that has re-encrypted the decrypted digital data, and to control said accounting unit so that said accounting unit conducts the accounting process according to the determined accounting value.