Abstract: An optical disk recordable by a recording device and having first and second recording areas, the second recording area having recorded therein disk identification information unique to the disk, and multiple cipher keys, the first recording area being capable of having recorded therein information that is encrypted by using the disk identification information and one of the multiple cipher keys during recording.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprising a means for reading and reproducing a program recorded on a first recording medium such as a CD; a means for recording the reproduced program on a second recording medium such as an MD having at least a program area to record programs and a management area to manage the positions of the recorded programs and the program names; a means for inputting character data representative of the program name; a means for settling the program of one unit inputted by the character input means; a means for generating a partition code; a means for storing the program name as a character string after attaching a partition code to the program name inputted by the character input means; and a control means for extracting, from the character strings stored in the storage means, the program name of the relevant program with reference to the partition code, and updating the data in the management area of the second recording medium.

Abstract: In an operation to record information played back from a first recording medium into a second recording medium, control is executed to permit or prohibit the operation to record (dub or copy) the information into the second recording medium on the basis of a judgment as to whether the first recording medium is a recording medium that is permitted to be dubbed or prohibited from being dubbed. The control can be executed to permit or prohibit the operation to copy the information in accordance with the type of the first recording medium.

Abstract: A recording disc has a lead-in area and a data area. A scrambled version of a SID code word is read out from the lead-in area of the disc. The SID code word represents a producer of the disc. The readout scrambled version is de-scrambled to recover the SID code word. The recovered SID code word is collated with reference SID code words to decide whether or not the disc is legitimate. Main information is read out from the data area of the disc when it is decided that the disc is legitimate. Readout of the main information from the data area of the disc is inhibited when it is decided that the disc is not legitimate.

Abstract: The operating and other procedures of a disk or recording medium application system of the type for which a network is used are simplified. Disks or recording media have auxiliary data recording areas, where different IDs for individual disks, and/or cipher keys and/or decoding keys for ciphers are recorded in advance in a factory. By using the IDs to release the soft ciphers, using the cipher keys when sending the ciphers, and using the decoding keys when receiving the ciphers, user authorization procedures are simplified.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dubbing apparatus for selectively permitting dubbing of programs at standard or higher speed and inhibiting for a predetermined period of time consecutive higher-speed dubbing of programs that have been recorded each in its entirety at higher speed. A program not accommodated entirely by a destination storage medium is allowed to be dubbed consecutively at higher speed.

Abstract: A disk-cloning method and system is provided for cloning computer data from a source disk to a target disk. This disk-cloning method and system can be utilized, for example, in the computer assembly line to clone a preselected set of software programs to the main hard disk of each computer unit, or as a backup to a hard disk. This disk-cloning method and system is characterized in that the source data are read from the source disk and written onto the target disk in a sector-by-sector manner rather than in a file-by-file manner as the prior art. This feature allows the cloning procedure to be more efficiently carried out than the prior art. Moreover, it allows the disk-cloning procedure to be performed without having to make modifications to the existing FDT (File Directory Table) and FAT (File Allocation Table) on the target disk, thus ensuring the system security of the target disk. This disk-cloning method and system is therefore more reliable and efficient to use than the prior art.

Abstract: An editing apparatus for editing a digest portion of a program recorded on a non-volatile memory is disclosed, that having an input device for allowing the user to input a start position and an end position of the digest portion, a generating device for generating a start address and digest period information of the digest portion corresponding to the start address and the end position, and a recording device for recording the start address and the digest period information of the digest portion to the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus for recording record information on a plurality of information recording mediums consecutively is provided. The record information is comprised of a plurality of information units and has an entire time length necessary for recording which is longer than a recordable time length of an information recording medium. A plurality of recording devices record each of the information units on each of a plurality of information recording mediums based on a control signal. The same information units are recorded on each of a plurality of information recording mediums concurrently. At least part of an area of one information recording medium where the same information units as those recorded on another information recording medium are recorded is set as a free space which can be overwritten with different information units. The free space is overwritten with rest of the information units which are not recorded on the one information recording medium because of no capacity.

Abstract: A method for protecting disc copy of the present invention includes the steps of detecting an identifier of a disc to be reproduced and determining if a disc copy is permitted or not using copy protection disc information and the identifier. A recording and reproducing apparatus having a disc copy-protection function of the present invention includes a reproducing drive for reading data from a disc, a recording drive for writing data on other disc, storage unit for storing a copy-protection disc information for judging whether a disc copy is permitted or not, and control unit for controlling a disc copy from the disc in the reproducing drive to the other disc in the recording drive.

Abstract: An optical disk recording apparatus for recording a main information signal reproduced from a first optical disk on a second optical disk includes a first part which set an address of a start point of each of tracks of the first optical disk and an address of a position ahead of the start point by a predetermined period of time, a second part which searches a part between the start point and the position ahead of the start point of each of the tracks for an address within a range where each of index values included in subcodes reproduced with the main information signal is zero, and a third part which, with respect to each of the tracks, sets the index values within the range to zero and index values other than the index values within the range to a predetermined value other than zero, and records the index values on the second optical disk together with the main information signal.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing device and a recording/reproducing method for recording a program reproduced from a first recording medium onto a second recording medium having at least two recording regions and onto a third recording medium in synchronism. The recording region may be changed over on the second recording medium. In this case, after the change-over of the recording region of the second recording medium has been completed, the head of the program reproduced from the first recording medium when the change-over of the recording region occurred is recorded onto the second recording medium and into the third recording medium, and the program that was incompletely recorded into the third recording medium is erased after the recording. Therefore, the program that had been recorded during the change-over of the recording region of the second recording medium is completely recorded, and the program is further completely recorded into the third recording medium.

Abstract: An optical disc recorder/reproducer, a personal computer, a television receiver, an IRD and so forth are connected mutually via a 1394 serial bus. When data transmitted from the personal computer to the optical disc recorder/reproducer via the 1394 serial bus are to be recorded, an isochronous packet is sent to the recorder/reproducer inclusive of the data to indicate whether the personal computer is a device capable of cognizing copy control information. And depending on whether the source of the transmitted data is a copy control information cognizant device or not, the optical disc recorder/reproducer updates the copy control information with reference to a selected table, and then the updated copy control information is recorded on the optical disc. This system can distinguish between a prerecorded disc and a user-recorded disc, hence achieving exact management of copy control information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to enable a user to easily make a search with respect to a large amount of music data copied and stored from CDs in a built-in recording medium. A music server is able to record a large amount of music data played back from CDs in a built-in hard disk drive (HDD). When recording the music data, table of contents (TOC) information of each CD is read out of the CD and recorded in the HDD, and simultaneously sent to a personal computer via a connecting line. A CD album information database is provided in the form of a CD-ROM to the personal computer. In the personal computer, which one of CDs recorded in the database on the CD-ROM corresponds to the relevant CD is searched based on the total playing time and the time information of each track which are contained in the TOC information sent to the personal computer. A search result is sent back to the music server.

Abstract: A copy restriction method which imposes a restriction on copying data from a data recording region of an optical recording medium to another medium. A member removable by a user is attached to the data recording region. The copying is performed by an apparatus including a storage unit which stores information indicating a position of a member attached to the data recording region.

Abstract: A dubbing system for inhibiting, for a predetermined length of time, a high-speed dubbing operation for a program for which a high-speed dubbing operation was executed within the predetermined length of time. When the power supply to a volatile memory in which high-speed dubbing permission and inhibition information for each program is stored is reset, the high-speed dubbing immediately after the restarting of the power supply to this volatile memory is forcibly inhibited for the predetermined length of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of generating processed copies (202) of a stream of audiovisual information (201), in which the processed copies are represented by a playlist file (240). The playlist file (240) indicates which fragments of the original stream of audiovisual information (202) are comprised in the processed copy (202). The method also enables a user to add markers (321) and additional information (421) to the processed copy by incorporating extra information in a playlist file.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dubbing a recording tape in a video recording and reproducing device. A source video recording and reproducing device reproduces data of a source recording tape in response to a dubbing demand from a user and confirms an error recording portion and a data unrecorded portion. The source video recording and reproducing device performs error correction with respect to the error recording portion and generates a non-recording control pulse with respect to the data unrecorded portion. The reproduced data and the non-recording control pulse is transmitted to a target video recording and reproducing device. The target video recording and reproducing device records, in a target recording tape, the reproduced data except data transmitted during an interval of the non-recording control pulse.

Abstract: In the recording method of the present invention, the surface of a master information carrier facing a recording medium becomes slightly concave in its center when the master information carrier is placed upon and brought into tight contact with the recording medium, and information signals are transferred and recorded onto the recording medium. The recording method of the present invention can be widely used for producing disk-type recording media with a hole such as magnetic disks, photomagnetic disks and optical disks. The recording method of the present invention achieves quick and productive production of a very flat and smooth recording medium that is free of fine dust. Furthermore, high-density information signals can be recorded evenly and firmly on the whole surface of the magnetic surface of the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A system for copying compact discs using read/write compact disc drives that have one or more copy buttons on their face and attached to a computer system is disclosed. In a one copy button read/write compact disc drive, pressing the copy button launches copy software that evaluates the computer system to determine the number of CD drives available, and evaluates any CDs inserted into any of the CD drives to determine their type and formatting. Based upon this information, the copy software then sends prompts to the user, guiding and directing the user to take the appropriate steps to complete the copy process. In a multiple copy button read/write compact disc drive, each of the copy buttons has a different function. One copy button could be used for copying music CDs. Another copy button could be used for copying data CDs. The copy software is launched by either copy button.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to enable a user to easily make a search with respect to a large amount of music data copied and stored from CDs in a built-in recording medium. A music server is able to record a large amount of music data played back from CDs in a built-in hard disk drive (HDD). When recording the music data, table of contents (TOC) information of each CD is read out of the CD and recorded in the HDD, and simultaneously sent to a personal computer via a connecting line. A CD album information database is provided in the form of a CD-ROM to the personal computer. In the personal computer, which one of CDs recorded in the database on the CD-ROM corresponds to the relevant CD is searched based on the total playing time and the time information of each track which are contained in the TOC information sent to the personal computer. A search result is sent back to the music server.

Abstract: An input is ciphered in at least one of a sector forming circuit 13, a scrambling circuit 14, a header appendage circuit 15, an error correction encoding circuit 16, a modulation circuit 18 and a synchronization appendage circuit 18, used for processing input data for forming a recording signal. Not only the key for ciphering itself in the circuits but also the information as to which of the circuits has been used for ciphering becomes the key for ciphering. This realizes ciphering difficult to decode by a simplified structure.

Abstract: The invention includes a drive control integrated circuit with an intelligent and efficient tracing capability. The drive control integrated circuit executes operating instructions grouped into modules. The drive control integrated circuit stores the module numbers for executed modules in a memory. System designers can then retrieve the module numbers from the memory to assess the operation of the drive control integrated circuit. Some typical modules are read, write, seek, error, and servo modules. The drive control integrated circuit also stores operating parameters associated with the executed modules in the memory. Some typical operating parameters are instruction codes, head numbers, cylinder numbers, and error codes. The invention allows system designers to specify a particular trace operation and wait for the drive control integrated circuit to load the module numbers and operational parameters of interest into the memory.

Abstract: The invention provides a recording and reproduction apparatus which reduces interpolation noise of reproduced information and can produce a recording medium on which information of higher quality is recorded.

Abstract: In a dubbing apparatus capable of prohibiting next high-speed dubbing of a piece of data once completing high-speed dubbing for a predetermined period of time in a process of high-speed dubbing from a first recording medium to a second recording medium, such a piece of data cannot be dubbed at a high speed but can be dubbed at an ordinary speed during the predetermined period of time in response to a request for re-dubbing of the piece of data at the high speed. It is thus possible to achieve an object of the dubbing apparatus to protect a copyright for prohibiting an operation to copy data to a plurality of recording mediums at one time. When the user issues a command to again carry out high-speed dubbing of pieces of data, high-speed dubbing of pieces of data once subjected to high-speed dubbing during the predetermined period of time is deferred.

Abstract: A computer implemented online music distribution system provides for the secure delivery of audio data and related media, including text and images, over a public communications network. The online music distribution system provides security through multiple layers of encryption, and the cryptographic binding of purchased audio data to each specific purchaser. The online music distribution system also provides for previewing of audio data prior to purchase. In one embodiment, the online music distribution system is a client-server system including a content manager, a delivery server, and an HTTP server, communicating with a client system including a Web browser and a media player. The content manager provides for management of media and audio content, and processing of purchase requests. The delivery server provides delivery of the purchased media data. The Web browser and HTTP server provide a communications interface over the public network between the content manager and media players.

Abstract: The invention intends to secure the control of duplicating information signals. In the duplication control method according to the invention, a main information signal containing a duplication control information transformed into a spread spectrum signal to be superimposed and a duplication control information superimposed by a processing different from the spectrum spreading is transmitted. The duplication control information transformed into a spread spectrum signal is extracted from the main information signal by the reverse spectrum spreading, and the duplication control information superimposed by the different processing is extracted from the main information signal. One information most closest to duplication prohibition is selected as an output duplication control information out of the plural extracted duplication control information. On the basis of the selected output duplication control information, the main information signal is controlled on duplication.

Abstract: A universal compact disc (CD) player having the ability to decode and play an encoded audio file residing on a CD, regardless of the particular encoding algorithm used to encode the audio file, consists of: a spindle motor and optical pickup adapted to read the signal recorded on the CD; an amplifier to amplify the signal read by the pickup; a programmable digital signal processor adapted to decode the amplified signal under the direction of a decoding software program; a nonvolatile memory containing the decoding software program directing the operation of the digital signal processor; a program adapted to read the decoding software program from a memory card into the nonvolatile memory; a digital-to-analog converter to convert the decoded signal into an analog audio signal; and a speaker or headphones to convert the analog audio signal into sound.

Abstract: A recording medium includes first information selected from a plurality of information patterns and second information selected from another plurality of information patterns for the true-false judgement. A true-false judging device performs a statistic analysis when any coincidence is found between the readout combination of the first and second information and registered combination patterns, to identify an inspected recording medium as a forged product based on the result of the statistic analysis.

Abstract: An optical disk with an improved structure of an information pit, and a method of manufacturing the same. The optical disk has projections respectively projecting from bottom surfaces of a plurality of information pits. Also, in the optical disk, laser beams irradiated onto the information pits from an optical pickup to read information recorded on the optical disk are scattered by the projections. Thus, among the laser beams irradiated onto the information pits, the laser beams reflected toward the optical pickup are largely decreased, so that an amplitude and resolution of a reproduced signal are greatly increased, thereby significantly improving reproduction characteristics of the optical disk.

Abstract: A process for recording and playing audio, video and/or data signals simultaneously from a recording medium includes the steps of initially acquiring a plurality of audio, video and/or data signals. Incremental temporal segments of each signal are taken and assembled into a single composite data frame in memory, and the composite frame is recorded in a permanent or erasable recording system. For example, the first 100 ms of each signal comprises the first incremental temporal segments, and all of these first segments of all signals are recorded in a predetermined order in the first composite frame. The second composite frame consists of the second 100 ms segments of the same signals, which are recorded in the same order as the first composite frame. This process is reiterated until the entire lengths of all of the signals are recorded in such composite frames.

Abstract: A disk system has contents play-back restriction mechanism. A contents storage section, which contents received from a regular server are stored in. A capacitor charged with power supplied from the server. A volatile memory backed up by the capacitor and stores data necessary for the play-back of the contents received from the server. A controller for controlling the contents storage section and the volatile memory for reading and writing data when supplied with power from a regular player or the server.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exposure apparatus of an optical disc master plate for exposing a photoresist master plate and writing-in a DVD-R format, and a method of exposing an optical disc master plate. The exposure apparatus of the optical disc master plate can cause both the wobble signal and the land pre-pit signal to precisely synchronize with each other and to output the synchronized signals by use of a formatter. The formatter can facilitate the design of a separation element for electrically separating an analog circuit and a digital circuit from each other and a circumferential circuit thereof. The formatter of the optical disc exposing apparatus operates on the basis of the predetermined basic clock signal Fclk. The formatter is provided with a wobble signal generating circuit which generates a wobble signal and a land pre-pit signal generating circuit which operates on the basis of the same basic clock signal Fclk and generates a land pre-pit signal.

Abstract: A system and method for hardware assisted formatted data transfer allows a formatting storage controller to read and record data on a formatted storage medium and avoids a requirement of continuous interaction by a host system in the transfer process. The host system can initiate the transfer process by sending a command block, a data definition, and an on-media structure definition to a formatting storage controller, which performs the formatted transfer and notifies the host system when the transfer is completed or an exception occurs. Alternately, the formatting storage controller can access one or more on-media structure definitions stored in a persistent storage unit in accordance with an on-media structure selector provided by the host system in the command block.

Abstract: A device for recording information on an optical disk having first and second recording areas, which device can record information using a first modulation method into a first recording area, read disk identification information recorded by a second modulation method in a second recording area, encrypt information using both a cipher key and disk identification information unique to the optical disk, and permit recording of such encrypted information after confirming the content of a recording permission code in an input signal for recording.

Abstract: The invention provides a data vending system 10 including the storing data. such as digitised music and/or video and/or computer programs on one or more main computer i.e. the data depot 12 and dispensing the data to a uniquely identifiable data carrier 30. The data on the data depot 12 includes a database which maintains owner and/or possessor records for each said data carrier 30, the data being selected from the group including ownership or possession history of the data carrier, personal details of the past and present owner and/or possessor of the data carrier, demographic data about the user/owner of the data carrier, data recorded onto the data carrier at an authorised data dispensing device (either cumulatively or periodically, by title, by artist, etc), data rented and the rental period (either cumulatively or periodically, by title, by artist, etc), the user's normal requirements, the user's payment records, royalties paid to the copyright owner by the user, and favourite data of the user.

Abstract: A multiple-media duplicating system concurrently copies digital data from a master media to several copy media. The system includes a master input/output (“I/O”) port and several copy I/O ports equal in number to the number of copy media. A special I/O port, coupled in parallel to each of the copy I/O ports, effects a concurrent transfer of digital data from the master media to all of the copy media. The system may further include a circuit which effects copying of data from the master media to the copy media while concurrently preventing conventional direct access to devices that contain the media. A particularly preferred embodiment further includes an adjustable, variable-frequency generator that is coupled to the digital logic circuit, and supplies a clock signal to the digital logic circuit which determines a rate at which digital data is copied from the master media in parallel to the copy media.

Abstract: An information reproduction apparatus which can perform repetitive reproduction is provided. In the apparatus, Information read from an information recording medium is decoded by the plurality of decoding devices. Then a source of an output of the information reproduction apparatus is switched among outputs of a plurality of the decoding devices. If a start position to start repetitive reproduction is designated, another decoding device except one decoding device whose output is currently switched as the source is controlled so as to be able to begin to decode the information on and after the start position. Then if a start instruction is provided, the source is switched from the output of the one decoding device to the output of the another device. Further, the another decoding device is controlled to decode the information on and after the start position, and the one decoding device is controlled to be able to begin to decode the information on and after the start position.

Abstract: The operating and other procedures of an optical disk application system of the type for which a network is used are simplified. Optical disks have auxiliary data recording areas, where different IDs for individual disks, and/or cipher keys and/or decoding keys for ciphers are recorded in advance in a factory. By using the IDs to release the soft ciphers, using the cipher keys when sending the ciphers, and using the decoding keys when receiving the ciphers, user authorization procedures are simplified.

Abstract: A graphic data creating and editing system which can create and edit a graphic data to be displayed when playing music, corresponding to an audio data, and which can efficiently store the audio data and the graphic data in a semiconductor memory. The graphic data creating and editing system separates a plurality of audio data corresponding to the music to be played on the digital audio player (wrist audio player 3) and a plurality of graphic data (illustration and animation) to be displayed on the digital audio player, according to the audio data into each individual storage area, respectively, creates a data format wherein the audio data and the graphic data are corresponded to each other by the address, and stores the data format in the MMC 35.

Abstract: A jack is provided to be inserted with a cable dedicated to analog transmission, a cable dedicated to digital transmission, and a cable dedicated to analog and digital transmissions. A recording device is also provided to have the jack and a cable identifying unit so that the signal to be recorded is automatically switched according to the transmitted digital signal and the cable identified result given by the cable identifying unit.

Abstract: A system for the duplication of binary data onto caddy-loaded recordable disks, the system including a copy unit, a host computer and computer software, the computer software being installed in the host computer to provide a user interface and to direct the transfer of data from the host computer to the copy unit, the copy unit including a gravity-fed hopper holding a stack of caddy-loaded recordable disks, a caddy transport unit, a recordable disk drive, and a microprocessor. Caddies containing blank compact disks placed fed into the gravity-fed hopper and are transported to the recordable disk drive by the caddy transport unit for copying. After copying, each copied compact disk is inspected for errors and transported by the caddy transport unit to an accept or reject bin.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for digitally processing an encrypted data stream scrambled, for example, according to content scrambling system (CSS) technology. This digital processing insures against communication of clear data within the computer system from a central processing unit (CPU) to any accessible structure, such as memory or a system bus. Descrambling of the (CSS) scrambled data stream occurs within a module executing on the CPU, which is followed by reencryption of the data prior to transfer from the CPU. By so processing the data, integrity of copyrighted material is maintained, while allowing for software descrambling of the CSS encrypted data stream. Various techniques for establishing the encryption/decryption algorithm pair employed are described. Decryption of the re-encrypted data can occur at a receiving software module and/or a receiving hardware device, such as a decoder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical disk, an optical disk device, and an optical disk recording method. When it is applied to, for example, a compact disk. It attempts to reduce a jitter at the time of reproduction, and reproduce surely the recorded data. A change pattern of a modulation signal (S2) is detected, and the timing of a modulation signal (S1) is corrected according to this change pattern, to irradiate a laser beam L.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high speed copying system for use in a double-deck video apparatus, which includes a system controller responsive to input copy speed data for generating control signals that generally control operation of the system. First and second switches are responsive to at least one of the control signals supplied from the system controller for supplying power to first and second recording heads. First and second filters are used to filter an output signal picked up by a pick-up means in response to one of the control signals relating to a copy mode from the system controller. Each filter has a passband that includes a frequency Nfc, where N is a number related to copy speed and fc is a reference carrier frequency. Automatic gain control circuits may be used to automatically control gain of the signals output from the respective filters for application to the recording heads. Optionally, the first and second filters may be band pass filters with a variable passband according to the copy speed.

Abstract: Using a music oriented Web site, a “student” user requests a tutorial or tour of a musical artist or genre on the World Wide Web portion of the Internet. The “expert” user peruses the “student” personal music library and creates a playlist for that library to assist in further understanding of the music by the “student” user. The playlist is transferred to a server which generates a command file. This command file is sent to the “student” user to control various multimedia components according to the “expert” user's selection. This tutorial may be accompanied by the “expert” user's personal commentary on his/her selections.

Abstract: A CD player, including a CD drive, which receives a CD and reads compressed digital audio data recorded thereon, and an integrated circuit chip, which decompresses the compressed data and produces a non-compressed audio output. Preferably, the data are compressed by MPEG compression, most preferably by MPEG Layer-3 compression, so that the data are compressed approximately 12-fold, and the CD contains over 800 minutes of high-quality stereo sound recording.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exposure apparatus of an optical disc master plate for exposing a photoresist master plate and writing-in a DVD-R format, and a method of exposing an optical disc master plate. The exposure apparatus of the optical disc master plate can cause both the wobble signal and the land pre-pit signal to precisely synchronize with each other and to output the synchronized signals by use of a formatter. The formatter can facilitate the design of a separation element for electrically separating an analog circuit and a digital circuit from each other and a circumferential circuit thereof. The formatter of the optical disc exposing apparatus operates on the basis of the predetermined basic clock signal Fclk. The formatter is provided with a wobble signal generating circuit which generates a wobble signal and a land pre-pit signal generating circuit which operates on the basis of the same basic clock signal Fclk and generates a land pre-pit signal.

Abstract: A high speed dubbing is to be realized with two recording and/or reproducing units for compressed data. To this end, a magneto-optical disc 32 is read by an optical head 33 and compressed data produced via a decoder 41 are delivered to a memory 14 via a switch 37. The data are then delivered to a magnetic head driving circuit 16 via an encoder 15 for direct writing on a magneto-optical disc 2. In this manner, compressed data are directly dubbed without expansion to realize high speed dubbing.

Abstract: A disk driving device having a disk drive which records data on and retrieves data from a rewritable disk, including a finalizing means which executes a finalizing operation which inhibits writing to the disk, a judgment means which judges whether a rewritable disk has already been finalized, and a formatting means which forcibly executes a formatting of the disk that has been finalized.