JP2001216729A - Recording system, digital copying method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent wasteful operation of wrongly selecting the choice of a fast digital copying function on an operation menu while the fast digital copying function is prohibited in terms of copyright protection in a recorder supporting the fast digital copying function. SOLUTION: A control part 3 controls operation including copying recording to MD set to an MD drive 2 from CD set to a CD drive 1. When the same CD is mounted until a fixed period passes after fast dubbing is performed onto the MD from one CD in the case of displaying a menu, the part 3 excludes the choice of the fast dubbing from choices in the menu and displays only choices which can be selected actually.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to protection of copyright and the like in high-speed duplication recording in which information reproduced from a recording medium is reproduced and recorded at a higher speed than a normal reproduction speed when recording the information on another recording medium. It relates to replication management technology for etc.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In analog recording, it is inevitable that information is deteriorated and the amount of information is reduced due to reproduction / recording of analog signals. Also, in digital recording, when the sampling rate and the number of quantization bits are smaller than those of the reproduction information, the deterioration of information and the amount of information due to the recording process cannot be avoided. However, when digital recording is performed at the same or higher sampling rate and quantization bit rate as the reproduced information, it is possible to duplicate the original recording medium with almost no deterioration of the information and the amount of information. it can.

However, such advances in digital reproduction / recording technology have facilitated the duplication of digital information (image information, audio information, etc.) beyond private use, and the copyright of the author, for example, the copyright Risk infringement.

[0004] In order to protect copyrights and the like, digital recording devices have conventionally used SCMS (Serial Copy Manageme).
nt System) to prevent unlimited copying from digital sound sources. SCMS is, for example, C
A system that allows the first generation copy from an original recording medium such as D to a secondary medium such as MD, but prohibits the “grandchild copy” of the recording data of the secondary medium onto another secondary medium. Yes, limiting the number of duplicate generations puts a stop on duplication beyond the scope of private use.

Recently, SDMI (Secure Digital Muscle)
ic Initiative), studies are underway to standardize a copy prohibition technology that also supports a technology for compressing and recording digital audio data. MPEG (moving
The MPEG4 standard, which defines the video and audio compression method under development by the Picture Experts Group,
(Intellectual Property Management and Protectio
It includes an interface with an intellectual property protection system called n).

In order to enable copying in a short time, a recording apparatus such as the above-mentioned MD often has a high-speed recording function for high-speed dubbing. In high-speed dubbing, the original recording medium is played at a higher speed than the normal playback speed,
High-speed recording on a duplicate recording medium. For this reason, the aforementioned S
By simply prohibiting duplicate recording of two or more generations by the CMS, it is possible to create a large number of duplicates by repeating the same dubbing with the high-speed recording function. For this reason, even if the SCMS is adopted, the copyright may be easily infringed if the high-speed recording function is provided.

To solve this problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-5 / 1999
Japanese Patent No. 3818 discloses prohibition of duplication and control of duplication speed in accordance with operation history such as presence / absence of duplication history, number of duplications, duplication operation history order, duplication operation time interval, and presence / absence of recording medium exchange. A recording device for performing this is disclosed. For example, this recording apparatus relates to high-speed copy recording from a CD to an MD.
Prohibit high-speed duplication recording.

[0008]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-5381
According to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8 (1996) -2000, when a user instructs recording (copying), the apparatus determines the history of the music to be recorded and selects an appropriate recording method. For this reason, when instructing recording, the user may not be able to assume whether or not recording on the MD is possible, and even if recording is possible, whether the recording is high-speed recording or normal recording. In some cases, even the impression that the device has failed may occur.

A similar problem is to digitally record (copy) digital contents (images, videos, texts, etc.) protected by the Intangible Property Law (Patent Law, Copyright Law, Trademark Law, etc.) and the Unfair Competition Prevention Law. Occurs widely in cases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an easy-to-use digital content recording system and method while protecting the right relating to digital content.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a recording system according to a first aspect of the present invention digitally records digital content on a recording medium at a first recording speed in accordance with a user operation. In a recording system having a first recording function and a second recording function of digitally recording on a recording medium at a second recording speed higher than the first recording speed, a first recording function and a second recording function Display means for displaying a menu including menu options for selecting
Determining means for determining whether or not the recording function is selectable; and display control for displaying a menu on the display means in such a manner that the second recording function cannot be selected when the determination means determines that the selection is not possible. Means, selecting means for selecting a menu option corresponding to a function to be executed from a menu displayed on the display means, and operation control means for executing a function corresponding to the menu option selected by the selecting means, It is characterized by having.

In this recording system, when the second recording function cannot be executed, for example, due to copyright protection or the like, there is no risk of selecting the second recording function, and a lean operation can be performed.

When the display control means or the selection means determines that the second recording function is not selectable, the display control means or the selection means, for example, (1) causes the display means to display
Making the selection item indicating the second recording function non-display,
(2) On the menu, a selection item indicating the second recording function is displayed with a mark indicating that selection is impossible on the menu. (3) Selection of the second recording function on the menu Disabled.

The discriminating means restricts the selection of the second recording function, for example, for copyright protection. The determination means includes, for example, storage means for storing history information of recording of the content by the second recording function, and performs recording by the second recording function based on the history information stored in the storage means. After a certain period (for example, from CD to M
In the case of recording on D, for example, 74 minutes), it is determined that the second recording function cannot be selected for the same content.
With this configuration, infringement of copyright due to repeated high-speed recording by the second recording function can be prevented.

[0015] In a digital duplication method according to a second aspect of the present invention, digital content recorded on a first recording medium is transferred to a second recording medium at a first duplication speed or a lower than the first duplication speed. Duplicate at a high second duplication speed, and use the second
In the digital duplication method for prohibiting duplication at the second duplication speed until a predetermined period elapses after duplication at the duplication speed of the digital content, the digital content is duplicated at the second duplication speed. Storing a history;
When a menu of operation options is displayed, it is determined whether or not duplication at the second duplication speed is prohibited based on the duplication history, and that duplication at the second duplication speed is prohibited. A menu display step of displaying a menu of options in a mode in which copying at the second copying speed cannot be selected when the determination is made, and a selecting step of selecting an option on the displayed menu in response to a user's instruction. Executing a process corresponding to the option selected by the selecting step.

In this digital duplication method, when duplication at the second duplication speed is not possible, there is no risk of selecting the duplication and a lean operation can be performed.

Further, a computer-readable recording medium according to a third aspect of the present invention includes:
According to the operation of the user, the digital content is stored in the first
A recording system having a first recording function of digitally recording on a recording medium at a recording speed of and a second recording function of digitally recording on a recording medium at a second recording speed higher than the first recording speed. Display means for displaying a menu including menu options for selecting the first recording function and the second recording function; and determining whether or not the second recording function can be selected according to a predetermined criterion. Means,
If the determining means determines that the selection is not possible, the second
Display control means for displaying a menu on the display means in such a manner that the recording function cannot be selected, selecting means for selecting a menu option corresponding to the function to be executed from the menu displayed on the display means, and selecting means And an operation control means for executing a function corresponding to the menu option selected by the user, and a program for causing the program to function as an operation control means.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a CD / MD system employing a recording system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of a main part thereof.

The CD / MD system shown in FIG. 1 has a function of dubbing CD information to an MD at a high speed and a normal speed by using the recording system according to the present invention, and includes a CD drive 1, an MD drive 2, and a control unit. 3, an operation unit 4 and a display unit 5.

The CD drive 1 has an optical pickup head facing the recording surface of the CD, and drives the CD to drive the CD.
Is read and provided for reproduction. MD drive 2
Has an optical pickup head facing the recording surface of the MD, drives the MD, and writes recording information to the MD. MD
The drive 2 also has a function of reading recorded information of the MD via the optical pickup head and providing the information for reproduction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 3 includes a CPU
(Central processing unit) 3a and a memory 3b, which achieve the functions of each unit as shown in FIG. 2 and control operations including digital dubbing from CD to MD, that is, digital duplication recording.

The CPU 3a is constituted by using a microprocessor or the like, and achieves various functions in response to the operation of the operation unit 4. When high-speed dubbing from a CD to an MD, that is, “high-speed duplication recording” is instructed, the CPU 3 a
Table of contents information, that is, so-called TOC (table of contents) information, of the recording information of the CD set in the D drive 1,
And the like, and extracts, from the read information, copyright information used as copy management information (copy history information) or information equivalent thereto, and stores it in the memory 3b.

The CPU 3a stores a CD in the CD drive 1.
When D is set, TOC information or the like is read from the CD, and (1) when the copy management information extracted from the information read from the CD indicates that copying should be prohibited, (2) copying If the management information cannot be decrypted, and (3) the extracted copy management information matches the copy management information stored in the memory 3b, the high-speed recording operation is prohibited to protect the copyright. In addition, a menu option (option) for selecting “high-speed copy recording” is not displayed on the menu display. Also, the CPU 3a
The copy management information stored in the memory 3b is cleared after a lapse of a predetermined time, for example, 74 minutes, which is an allowable maximum recording time of a CD or the like.

The memory 3b is composed of, for example, a RAM built in a control microprocessor constituting the CPU 3a, and has a storage area for storing copy management information and the like.

The operation unit 4 has a menu key for displaying an operation menu, and a set key for selecting a displayed menu option, setting and executing a corresponding function. The operation unit 4 is operated by a user, and provides information for instructing menu display, function selection, and function execution to the CPU 3a of the control unit 3 based on the operation.

The display unit 5 is controlled by the CPU 3a of the control unit 3 and at least one of character display by a character display unit, voice display by a voice display unit using voice synthesis, graphic display by an image display unit, and the like. It has a function to perform display according to the above. The display unit 5 displays the menu information based on the control of the control unit 3, and displays the CD / M
Various operation states in the D system are displayed.

The control unit 3 displays a menu option of an operation function in response to an operation of a menu key of the operation unit 4, and enables a menu selection operation by the operation unit 4. And
The control unit 3 changes the menu option selected by the operation of the menu key according to the operation of the set key of the operation unit 4,
Let it run. In this case, the control unit 3 displays on the display unit 5 a menu option corresponding to an operation prohibited or unexecutable for copyright protection as described above in the menu display by the menu key. Without letting
Display only menu options corresponding to executable functions.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 3 includes an operation information processing unit 31, a display control unit 32, and a menu content storage unit 3.
3, prohibition control unit 34, timer processing unit 35,
It has a function as a recording operation control unit 36. These units do not necessarily need to be realized as processing functions by software using the CPU 3a and the memory 3b, and may be configured by hardware.

The operation information processing section 31 supplies operation information based on the operation of the menu key and the set key of the operation section 4 to the display control section 32. The display control unit 32 includes the operation unit 4
When the operation information processing unit 31 extracts the operation information based on the operation of the menu key, the operation information processing unit 31 uses the menu option information stored in the menu content storage unit 33 and refers to the prohibition control unit 34 to handle the function that is not prohibited. A menu is displayed on the display unit 5 only for the menu option to be performed. In addition,
When operating the operation unit 4 other than the menu key, the display control unit 32 causes the display unit 5 to display information corresponding to the operation. The menu content storage unit 33 is configured using a part of the memory 3b, for example, and stores menu options for menu display.

The prohibition control section 34 prohibits a predetermined operation,
The operation function is invalidated. Specifically, the set CD is read via the reproduction / recording operation control unit 36.
A CD that has not passed a predetermined time, for example, 74 minutes, since the high-speed dubbing of the same CD was started based on the copyright information or the like obtained from the drive 1 and using the timer processing unit 35 as necessary. Prohibit high-speed dubbing. The timer processing unit 35 measures and determines whether or not a predetermined time (74 minutes) has elapsed since the high-speed dubbing of the same CD was started.

The reproduction / recording operation control unit 36 controls reproduction of the CD drive 1 and recording or reproduction of the MD drive 2 based on the operation information selected via the display control unit 32.

Next, the menu selection operation of the CD / MD system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described in a cyclic manner with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
An example in which menu options are displayed will be described. FIG.
4 shows the flow of the process of the control unit 3 for the operation of the menu key of the operation unit 4, and FIG. 4 shows the flow of the process of the control unit 3 for the operation of the set key of the operation unit 4.

When the user operates the menu key on the operation section 4, the CPU 3a starts the processing shown in FIG. 3, and first determines whether or not the menu selection mode has already been entered (step S11). If it is not the menu selection mode, the menu selection mode is entered, and menu option "1", for example, "CD playback" is displayed (step S).
12) End the process and return to the steady state.

If the menu selection mode has already been entered when the menu key is operated, it is determined whether or not the displayed menu option is "1" (step S13). If it is determined that the menu option is “1”, a determination process is performed to determine whether or not a high-speed duplication (recording) prohibition condition is satisfied (step S1).
4).

In this determination processing, the CPU 3a
From the TOC area of the CD mounted on D drive 1,
The copy management information (for example, identification code or song information) for identifying the CD is read, and it is determined whether or not the same copy management information is stored in the memory 3b. The CPU 3a is connected to the C
When it is determined that the information indicating D is not stored in the memory 3b, it is determined that the high speed duplication prohibition condition is not satisfied.

On the other hand, when the CPU 3a determines that the information indicating the CD mounted on the CD drive 1 is stored in the memory 3b, the recording time is set at 74 times the current time.
Determine if it is more than a minute ago. If it is determined that it is 74 minutes or more ago, it is determined that the high-speed duplication prohibition condition is not satisfied, and the corresponding information is deleted from the memory 3b. On the other hand, 7
When it is determined that the time is within 4 minutes, it is determined that the high-speed duplication prohibition condition is satisfied. When the copy management information read from the CD prohibits the duplication and when the copy management information cannot be read, it is also determined that the high-speed duplication prohibition condition is satisfied.

If it is determined in step S14 that the condition does not correspond to the high-speed duplication prohibition condition, a menu option "2", for example, "high-speed duplication recording from CD to MD" is displayed (step S15), and the process is terminated. And returns to the steady state. If it is determined in step S14 that the high-speed duplication prohibition condition is satisfied, the menu option “3”, for example, “CD
Is displayed (step S16), the process is terminated, and the process returns to the steady state.

When the menu key is operated, it is determined in step S11 that the menu selection mode has already been entered, and if it is determined in step S13 that the menu option is not "1", the menu option is "2".
Is determined (step S17). If the menu option is "2", the process proceeds to step S16, where menu option "3"("normal copy recording from CD to MD") is displayed, the process ends, and the process returns to the steady state.

When the menu key is operated, it is determined in step S11 that the menu selection mode has already been entered, the menu option is determined not to be "1" in step S13, and the menu option is not "2" in step S17. Is determined, it is determined whether or not the menu option is "3" (step S1).
8). If the menu option is "3", the menu option "4", for example, reproduction of MD is displayed (step S19), and the process is ended to return to the steady state.

When the menu key is operated, it is determined in step S11 that the menu selection mode has already been entered, the menu option is determined not to be "1" in step S13, and the menu option is not "2" in step S17. Is determined, and step S18 is performed.
If it is determined that the menu option is not "3", it is determined whether the menu option is "4" (step S20). If it is determined that the menu option is "4", the menu option "1" is displayed (step S21), the process ends, and the process returns to the steady state. If the menu option is not “4” in step S20,
The process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the steady state.

In this way, every time the menu key of the operation unit 4 is operated, valid, ie, selectable operation function options, ie, menu options, which do not correspond to the high-speed copy recording prohibition condition, are sequentially displayed. When the set key of the operation unit 4 is operated in a state where a desired menu option is displayed in this manner, the control unit 3 executes a process shown in FIG.

When the set key is operated, the high-speed copy recording in the menu is performed. In the example described above, for example, “high-speed copy recording from CD to MD” of menu option “2”,
Is determined (step S3).
1). In step S31, if the menu option “2”, that is, “high-speed copy recording from CD to MD” is not selected, “CD” of menu option “2” is not selected.
It is determined whether or not a menu option other than “high-speed duplication recording from MD to MD” is selected (step S3).
2). If no menu option other than “high-speed copy recording from CD to MD” of menu option “2” is selected, the process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the steady state.

In step S32, if a menu option other than "high-speed copy recording from CD to MD" of menu option "2" is selected, the selected process is executed (step S33), and the process is terminated. To return to the steady state.

In step S31, if "high-speed copy recording from CD to MD" of the menu option "2" is selected, the high-speed copy recording operation is started (step S31).
34). At this time, information for CD identification is read from the TOC area of the CD and stored in the memory 3b together with the time at that time. Here, the information registered in the memory 3b is used for determining whether or not the high-speed duplication prohibition condition is satisfied in step S14.

As described above, in this embodiment, the same CD is used for 74 minutes for copyright protection and the like.
Prohibits high-speed duplicate recording again. During this time, the high-speed copy recording is removed from the menu options. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to select an operation that cannot be executed practically, and it is also possible to reduce the number of options and the complexity of menu selection.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, from the viewpoint of copyright protection, when a high-speed copy prohibition condition is met, a menu is displayed such that “high-speed recording” cannot be selected. However, the menu display is controlled according to other conditions. It is also possible.

Further, the display format of the menu is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications and applications can be made as exemplified below. (0) Instead of displaying menu options cyclically, a list may be displayed. In this case, items that cannot be selected are excluded from display targets.

(1) Instead of not displaying options that cannot be selected depending on the status as menu options, all options are displayed (in a cyclic manner or in a list format), and a display indicating that the function cannot be set is added. You may.
For example, if it is determined in step S14 that the high-speed duplication prohibition condition is satisfied, the option “CD → MD high-speed recording” may be displayed with “x” added thereto or displayed in reverse. Also, information indicating why the selection cannot be made, for example, "74 minutes have not elapsed since the last high-speed recording.
Please wait 23 minutes later ".
The waiting time can be calculated as 74 minutes− (the elapsed time from the start time of the previous high-speed recording to the present).

(2) In order to protect the copyright, in addition to the process of removing high-speed copy recording from the menu for 74 minutes, if no CD is set in the CD drive 1, MD is set in the MD drive 2 for 74 minutes. If not, or if there is an unrecordable MD, the normal recording as well as the high-speed duplication recording may not be selected.

(3) When an option that cannot be immediately executed when selected by a menu option can be brought into a state necessary for an operation corresponding to the option by another processing or the like, After the required pre-operation is performed, the operation corresponding to the option may be performed.

In the above description, the high-speed recording of the copy from the CD to the MD has been described. However, as the original recording medium, that is, the source medium, another disk medium such as MD, a magnetic tape medium such as DAT, Also, various recording media such as various small cards such as SD cards and solid nonvolatile memory media such as Memory Stick (trademark) can be used.
CD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, PC-RW
Other recording media, such as other disk media, magnetic tape media such as DAT, and solid-state nonvolatile memory media can be used.

Further, the present invention is not limited to a recording system in a CD / MD system which enables copy recording from a CD to an MD, but also an audio / video device including a function that requires validity judgment based on verification of illegality, that is, audio / video equipment. The same technology as described above may be applied to menu selection in a device, a video device, or a video and audio device.

Further, at least a part of the recording system of the present invention can be realized by using an ordinary computer system without configuring as a dedicated system. For example, a recording medium (a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, etc.) storing a program for causing a computer system to execute the above-described operation is created, and the program is installed in the computer from the recording medium. It is possible to construct a recording system for executing the processing. By the installation, the program is stored in a medium such as a hard disk in the computer system, configures a recording system, and is used for execution.

Further, the program may be registered in a server provided on a communication network such as the Internet and distributed to a client via the network. Then, start this program and run the OS (Operating System
The above processing can be achieved by executing under the control of m).

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is no possibility of selecting an option whose execution is prohibited.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a CD / MD system to which a recording system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the CD / MD system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation related to a menu key operation in the CD / MD system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation related to a set key operation in the CD / MD system of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 CD (compact disc) drive 2 MD (mini disc) drive 3 control unit 4 operation unit 5 display unit 3a CPU (central control unit) 3b memory 31 operation information processing unit 32 display control unit 33 menu content storage unit 34 prohibition control unit 35 timer processing unit 36 playback / recording operation control unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/91 H04N 5/91 P 5/92 5/92 HF term (Reference) 5C052 AA02 AA03 AB03 AB04 AC05 DD06 DD10 EE03 5C053 FA15 FA23 GB06 GB11 JA07 JA16 JA21 KA04 KA24 5D044 AB05 BC03 BC06 CC04 EF06 GK12 HL04 HL08 JJ01 5D066 DA07 DA11

Claims (7)

[Claims] A first recording function for digitally recording digital content on a recording medium at a first recording speed and a second recording speed higher than the first recording speed on a recording medium according to a user operation; In a recording system having a second recording function for digital recording, a display means for displaying a menu including menu options for selecting the first recording function and the second recording function; Determining means for determining whether or not the second recording function is selectable; and
Display control means for displaying a menu on the display means in such a manner that the recording function cannot be selected, selecting means for selecting a menu option corresponding to the function to be executed from the menu displayed on the display means, and the selecting means And an operation control means for executing a function corresponding to the menu option selected by the user. 2. The display control means according to claim 1, wherein said determination means is a second control means.
2. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising means for hiding a menu option indicating the second recording function when it is determined that the recording function is not selectable.
The recording system according to item 1. 3. The display control means according to claim 2, wherein said determination means is a second control means.
2. When it is determined that the recording function is not selectable, the display unit displays a menu option indicating the second recording function together with a sign indicating that the recording function cannot be selected. The recording system described. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selecting unit is configured to perform a second
And means for disabling selection of the second recording function on a menu displayed on the display means when it is determined that the recording function is not selectable. 3. The recording system according to 3. 5. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit includes a storage unit configured to store history information of the recording of the content by the second recording function, and based on the history information stored in the storage unit.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the second recording function cannot be selected for the same content for a predetermined period after performing recording by the recording function.
Recording system according to paragraph. 6. A digital content recorded on a first recording medium is duplicated on a second recording medium at a first duplication speed or a second duplication speed higher than the first duplication speed. According to the history, the same content
In the digital duplication method for prohibiting duplication at the second duplication speed until a predetermined period elapses after duplication at the duplication speed of the digital content, when the digital content is duplicated at the second duplication speed, Storing the history, and determining whether or not duplication at the second duplication speed is prohibited based on the duplication history when displaying a menu of operation options. When it is determined that copying is prohibited, a menu display step of displaying a menu of options in a manner in which copying at the second copying speed cannot be selected, and a menu displayed on the displayed menu in response to a user instruction. A digital duplication method comprising: a selection step of selecting an option; and a step of executing a process corresponding to the option selected in the selection step. 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the digital content is stored in the computer according to a user operation.
A recording system comprising: a first recording function for digitally recording on a recording medium at a recording speed of; and a second recording function for digitally recording on a recording medium at a second recording speed higher than the first recording speed. Display means for displaying a menu including menu options for selecting the first recording function and the second recording function; and determining whether or not the second recording function is selectable according to a predetermined criterion. Means, when the determination means determines that selection is not possible, a second
Display control means for displaying a menu on the display means in such a manner that the recording function cannot be selected, selecting means for selecting a menu option corresponding to the function to be executed from the menu displayed on the display means, and the selecting means And a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing the computer to execute a function corresponding to a menu option selected by the user.