Abstract: A method of controlling a system for processing stored information on a storage medium includes the following steps. Stored information is played back during a play mode of operation. A user is provided an opportunity to select a bookmark representing a corresponding location within the stored information, from among a plurality of bookmarks, responsive to user input. Playback is changed to from the location corresponding to the selected bookmark during the play mode of operation. Apparatus for processing information stored on a storage medium includes playback circuitry for retrieving information from the storage medium during a play mode of operation. A user control device receives user input.

Abstract: A method for controlling a system for processing stored information stored on a storage medium, the system including a plurality of playmodes (PMs) representing respectively different processing sequences, includes the following steps. A sequence represented by one of the plurality of PMs is played back during play mode of operation. An opportunity is provided to a user, during the play mode of operation, to select a PM from among the plurality of PMs. Then the sequence represented by the selected PM is played back during the play mode of operation. Apparatus for processing information, in this manner includes playback circuitry for retrieving information from the storage medium during a play mode of operation in one of the plurality of PMs. A user control device receives user input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing information stored on a storage medium involves accessing information stored on the medium during a play mode of operation, i.e., during playback, and processing the information during playback to determine whether a rating of a portion of the program being played back differs from a rating limit set for the apparatus. If a rating other than the rating limit is detected, a user is prompted to decide whether to override the rating limit for the portion of the program. Selection of override is followed by changing the rating limit to a new rating limit needed to permit playback of the portion of the program. Override may be conditioned upon the user first entering a password. Completion of playback of the portion of the program may be followed by return of the rating limit to the rating limit set for the apparatus prior to the override operation. The override “on-the-fly” mode of operation may be selectively enabled.

Abstract: A method for controlling a system for processing stored information on a storage medium, includes the following steps. Information on the storage medium is played back using one of a plurality of repeat modes during a play mode of operation. During the play mode of operation, a user is provided with an opportunity to select a repeat mode from among the plurality of repeat modes. The playback of the information on the storage medium is then changed to the selected repeat mode during the play mode of operation. Apparatus for processing information includes playback circuitry for retrieving information from the storage medium during a play mode of operation. A user control device is coupled to playback circuitry and receives user input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing information stored on a storage medium, such as a digital video disk, involves accessing information stored on the medium and determining whether information stored on the storage medium includes unrated program information. If so, a user is given the opportunity to override a control condition of the system that prevents playback of unrated program information. If override is selected, playback of the unrated program information is enabled and, upon completion of playback, the control condition of the system may be restored to prevent playback of other unrated program information. Override may be conditioned upon the user first entering a password. The mode of operation that permits override of the control condition for preventing playback of unrated program information mode of operation may be selectively enabled.