JPH11328935A - Recording and reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the recognition of contents and to enable accidental erasure prevention by making picture codes to accompany an arbitrary information segment, discriminating classifications of the respective information segment and displaying the recorded information segment and the picture codes set to accompany the information segment. SOLUTION: The classification picture codes are so formed that plural kinds of the classification picture codes of the graphics appropriate for classification of the contents of programs are previously stored into a memory 16 and that these classification picture codes may be selected and set at the respective recording programs. When a picture code selection instruction is inputted by pushing the picture code selection button of an operation section 21 while a list display screen is displayed, a system control circuit 20 displays classification picture codes on the list display screen. When the picture code selection button is pushed again, various kinds of the classification picture codes stored in the memory are sequentially updated and displayed and, therefore, the classification codes appropriate for the contents recorded at a cassette tape 28 are stored into the memory 16 by pushing a determination button in the operation section 21 when such picture code are displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording and reproducing apparatus, for example, as in a television signal recording and reproducing apparatus.
The present invention relates to a recording and reproducing apparatus capable of supporting selection and cueing (fast forward) of a target recorded program at the time of recording and reproducing a video signal and an audio signal of a broadcast program received by a TV tuner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-942 discloses a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus for selectively reproducing recorded video and audio signals.
No. 87, a storage circuit for storing recording information is provided, and each time the apparatus enters a recording state, the recording date and time, a recording channel, and the progress of a magnetic tape (cassette tape) are recorded as recording information. To check the recorded program, the recorded information stored in the storage circuit is converted into a video signal and displayed on a display device, and the designated information relating to the recorded program to be reproduced is input by an input device such as a keyboard, and the reproduction is performed. There has been disclosed an apparatus for automatically cueing and reproducing a desired recorded program based on this designation information.

[0003]

According to this conventional apparatus, the display information relating to the contents of the recorded program recorded on the cassette tape includes the recording start date and time, the day of the week, the recording channel, whether or not the audio is multiplexed, and the recording mode. can get. However, when a target recorded program is selected from a large number of cassette tapes and recorded programs, reference information is small and it is difficult to grasp the contents of the recorded program.

[0004] Such a problem also occurs in recording and reproduction of other information signals.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily grasp the contents of recorded recording information sections.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to set prevention of erroneous erasure of a recorded information section.

It is still another object of the present invention to prevent illegal reproduction of a recorded information section.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention manages the recording and reproduction of a plurality of information sections on a recording medium in association with the absolute address of the recording medium on which the information section to be recorded is recorded, and stores the information in the recording medium. A picture code for identifying the classification of each recorded information segment in a recording / reproducing apparatus for reproducing the information segment selected by displaying a list of recorded information segments with reference to the absolute address where the information segment is recorded. A picture code setting means for selectively storing a picture code attached to an arbitrary information section, and means for displaying a recorded information section and a picture code set accompanying the information section. .

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part of a cassette tape type magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus (VTR) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a video signal input switching control circuit, 2 is a date / time signal generation circuit, 3 is an absolute address signal generation circuit, 4 is a TV tuner, 5, 10, and 11 are video signal switching circuits, and 6 is a video signal switching circuit. Information signal recording processing circuit, 7 is an information signal multiplexing processing circuit, 8 is a video signal recording / reproducing processing circuit, 9 is a character signal adding circuit, 12 is a character signal generating circuit,
13 is a video signal presence / absence detection circuit, 14 is a blue-back generation circuit, 15 is an information signal reproduction processing circuit, 16 is a memory,
7 is a control signal recording processing circuit, 18 is a control signal reproduction processing circuit, 19 is a control signal switching circuit, 20 is a system control circuit, 21 is an operation unit, 22 is a display unit, 23 is a reel rotation speed detection circuit, 24
Is a tape insertion detection circuit, 25 is a control head, 2
6, 27 are video heads, 28 is a cassette tape, 29 is a take-up reel, 30 is a supply reel, 31 is an erroneous erasure prevention mode detection circuit, 32 is a TV broadcast signal input terminal, 33 is an external video signal input terminal, 34 is Video signal output terminal.

The operation unit 21 is composed of, for example, a remote control device, and has a power button for instructing power ON / OFF, a tape navigation for displaying a cassette tape recording status and instructing a navigation function for supporting recording / reproduction selection. Button, list display button for instructing a list display of recorded contents, program selection button for selecting and instructing a target recorded program, recording button for instructing recording, play button for instructing playback, stop button for instructing stop of recording or playback , A classification pictogram selection button, a decision button, a recording prohibition button, a reproduction prohibition button, and a password input button (all not shown). Each of these switch buttons is provided independently and exclusively as needed, or provided so as to be shared with other switch buttons.

Next, recording / reproducing control (mainly control processing executed by the system control circuit 20) in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

When the user turns on the power by operating the power button of the operation unit 21, the system control circuit 20 turns on the power of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus (step S1).

Then, first, the presence or absence of the set cassette tape 28 is confirmed (step S2), and then the insertion of the cassette tape 28 is monitored (step S3).
The insertion of the cassette tape 28 is performed by the tape insertion detection circuit 24.
Is detected by When the tape insertion detection circuit 24 detects the insertion of the cassette tape 28, the system control circuit 20 performs preliminary reproduction / recording information acquisition (step S4) and information detection (step S5).

Here, the preliminary reproduction / recording information acquisition processing step S4 will be described. The signal reproduced by the magnetic heads 26 and 27 after the start of the preliminary reproduction is a video signal recording /
The reproduction processing circuit 8 performs a reproduction process, and the information signal reproduction processing circuit 15 extracts a recording information signal and outputs it to the system control circuit 20. Here, the recording information is an identification number unique to the apparatus that has performed recording on the cassette tape 28 being played back, an identification number unique to the cassette tape, and absolute address information of the cassette tape (magnetic tape) being played back. It is. The system control circuit 20 acquires and holds the recording information signal input from the information signal reproduction processing circuit 15. At this time, the system control circuit 20 controls the video signal switching circuit 10 to output the video signal from the TV tuner 4 to the video signal output terminal 34 via the character signal addition circuit 9. Therefore, the video signal reproduced in the preliminary reproduction process is not output to the video signal output terminal 34. Since the purpose of this preliminary reproduction is to read and acquire the recording information recorded on the cassette tape 28, it is not necessary to display the reproduced video signal, and it is necessary to avoid unnecessary display of the reproduced video signal. ing. System control circuit 2
In the case of No. 0, the running of the cassette tape 28 is automatically stopped after executing the preliminary reproduction process for a predetermined time, and the preliminary reproduction is completed.

The system control circuit 20 confirms the presence or absence of the recorded information obtained and held in the preliminary reproduction (step S5). When you have recorded information,
The absolute address is set in the absolute address signal generating circuit 3 and the recording information stored in the memory 16 is searched (step S6), and the identification number unique to the apparatus reproduced from the cassette tape 28, the identification number unique to the cassette tape, and the like. It is checked whether or not there is a record that matches the recording information stored in the memory 16 (step S8). By the way, in the recording using the navigation function, the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus uses a unique identification number, a recorded program number, a recording date, a day of the week, a recording channel, a recording start / end time each time recording is performed. And recording mode, etc., are stored and stored in the memory 16 as recording information, and an identification number unique to the apparatus is stored.

The cassette tape 28 inserted in the apparatus
When the identification number unique to the device that performed the recording and the identification number unique to the cassette tape do not match those stored in the memory 16 ("N" in step S8), the recording information is not extracted in the preliminary reproduction (step S5). If the video signal presence / absence detection circuit 13 has not detected the reproduction of the video signal ("N" in step S7), the cassette tape 28 is rewound to the tape position at the time of cassette insertion and the preliminary reproduction is performed. Is resumed, and the acquisition of the recording information is tried again (step S9).

Then, it is again confirmed whether or not the recording information has been obtained (step S10), the recording information stored in the memory 16 is searched (step S11), and both the recording information are collated (step S12), and they match. If there is nothing, the process proceeds to step S14.

If a reproduced video signal is detected in step S7, or if no recording information is detected in step S10, it is checked whether or not the cassette tape 28 is in the erroneous erasure prevention mode (step S1).
3). This confirmation is performed by confirming an erroneous erasure prevention tab presence / absence detection signal of the cassette tape 28 output from the erroneous erasure prevention mode detection circuit 31.

When the cassette tape 28 is in the erroneous erasure prevention mode, it waits for a reproduction instruction (step S2).
Go to 5). If the cassette tape 28 is not in the erroneous erasure prevention mode, the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S14, the cassette tape 28
To the position where the cassette was inserted. Next, it is confirmed whether or not the navigation function is instructed by the tape navigation button of the operation unit 21 (step S15). If there is no navigation function instruction, the process proceeds to a recording instruction waiting state (step S21). The smallest unused numeral is assigned as an identification number (tape number) unique to the cassette tape (step S16), and the process proceeds to a recording instruction waiting state (step S21).

Next, the display of the recording state of the cassette tape 28 by the navigation function will be described. In the collation of the recording information obtained by the preliminary reproduction and the recording information stored in the memory 16, when the identification number unique to the apparatus and the tape identification number respectively match ("Y" in steps S8 and S12), the operation unit 21 It is checked whether or not there is a list display instruction in the navigation function (step S17). When the list display is instructed, the recording information is read out from the memory 16 and the recording state is displayed as a list (step S18). This list is displayed on the television monitor screen by superimposing the characters and pictorial symbols generated by the character signal generating circuit 12 on the video signal from the blue-back generating circuit 14 or the TV tuner 4 or the video signal input terminal 33. Or by the display unit 22.

In this list display processing step S18, when the instruction input of the decision button for the target recorded program specified by the program selection button of the operation unit 21 is detected (step S19), the target recorded program is recorded. The position information is acquired and the cassette tape 28 is moved to the position.
Is performed (step S20).

When there is no list display instruction from the operation unit 21 and when there is no cueing instruction, the process proceeds to a state of waiting for a recording instruction from the operation unit 21 (step S21).

Next, the cueing control will be described. When a target recorded program is selected by the operation unit 21 and cueing is instructed (step S19), the system control circuit 20 performs cueing control processing step S20. In this control processing step S20, first, the recording start / end unit data is read out from the memory 16 and a target absolute address is set. Then, the tape moving time is calculated based on the difference between the target absolute address read from the memory 16 and the current absolute address of the cassette tape 28, and the cassette tape 28 is moved toward the recording start / end unit. During the movement of the cassette tape, the calculated movement time is compared with the movement time calculated by counting the CTL signal. If the two match, the current absolute address of the cassette tape 28 is read, and the absolute address and the target absolute address are determined. If they match, the movement of the cassette tape 28 is stopped and the cueing ends.

Next, recording will be described. Operation unit 21
When a recording instruction is input by the recording button (step S21), the system control circuit 20 performs a recording process (step S22). This recording processing step S
At 22, a recording information such as an identification number (tape number) unique to the cassette tape already assigned in the above processing, an absolute address of the current position from the start of winding of the magnetic tape, a date and time at the start of recording, a day of the week, a recording channel, etc. 1
6 automatically. Then, the movement of the cassette tape 28 for recording is started, and at the same time, the counting of the absolute addresses is started by the absolute address signal generating circuit 3. Further, the system control circuit 20 controls the control signal recording processing circuit 17 and controls the control head 25.
The cue signal is recorded on the cassette tape 28.

During the recording, a video signal and an audio signal multiplexing the unique identification number (tape number) of the cassette tape 28, the number of the recorded program being recorded, and the recording information such as the absolute address of the current position of the cassette tape. Is recorded (recorded) on the cassette tape 28.

When a stop instruction is input from the operation unit 21 (step S23), the system control circuit 20
Stops the movement of the cassette tape 28, stops the counting of the absolute addresses by the absolute address signal generating circuit 3, stores the recording information in the memory 16, and ends the recording (step S24). At this time, the recording information includes a recorded program number, a recording date, a day of the week, a recording channel, a recording start / end time, a recording mode, a remaining tape time, whether or not audio multiplexing is performed, and whether or not stereo is used. The first recorded video includes the assigned tape number (identification number unique to the cassette tape).

Next, reproduction will be described. Operation unit 21
Is instructed by the play button (step S2).
5), the system control circuit 20 drives the cassette tape 28 to execute a reproducing process (step S2).
6). Then, when a stop instruction is input (step S
27), the drive of the cassette tape 28 is stopped, and the reproduction is terminated (step S28).

In step S29, the presence or absence of a power-off instruction is confirmed, and if there is no power-off instruction input, the flow returns to step S2.

Next, recording state display and picture code setting using the navigation function will be described.

FIG. 3 is an example of a list display screen showing the entire recording state of the cassette tape 28. In FIG. 3, 3
5 is the tape number of the inserted cassette tape 28 (the identification number unique to the tape), 36 is the number of programs recorded on the cassette tape 28, and 37 is the recorded program number of the recorded program.

This magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus includes a cassette tape 2
8 is inserted, the system control circuit 20 performs preliminary reproduction control, compares the reproduced recording information with the recording information stored in the memory 16, and the identification number unique to the apparatus and the tape identification number match. In this case, after waiting for a list display instruction by the list display button of the operation unit 21, the recording information is read from the memory 16, and the recording state is displayed in a list as shown in FIG.

The user operates the program selection button of the operation unit 21 while viewing the list display screen to select and designate a target recorded program, and presses the decision button to decide. Automatically searches for the recording start / end unit of the recorded program and executes cueing. Here, a state in which the recorded program number “1” is selected is shown.

Next, the setting of a classification pictorial code for supporting the identification of the content (classification) of a recorded program will be described. The list display screen illustrated in FIG. 3 lacks information for identifying the content of the recorded program. Therefore, in order to identify the content of each recorded program from the display information of the recording status displayed on the list display screen, it is necessary to rely on the user's memory. When the number of recorded programs is small and the number of cassette tapes 28 to be used is small, it is practical to identify by relying on storage.
As the number increases, identification becomes more difficult.

The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus is capable of setting a classification pictorial code for supporting the identification of the content of each recorded program. This classification pictorial code is stored in the memory 16 with a plurality of types of pictorial codes suitable for classifying (identifying) the contents of the program, and the classification pictorial code is selected and set for each recorded program (attached). ). In FIG. 4, reference numeral 38 denotes a selected classification pictogram, and reference numeral 39 denotes a determined classification pictogram.

When the pictorial symbol selection button of the operation unit 21 is pressed while the list display screen shown in FIG.
Is displayed on the list display screen as shown in FIG.
8 is displayed. Then, when the pictorial symbol selection button is pressed again, the various pictorial symbols stored in the memory 16 are updated and displayed in order. So, cassette tape 2
If a decision button is pressed on the operation unit 21 when a classification pictogram suitable for the content recorded in 8 is displayed, the classification pictogram is determined and set as the classification pictogram 39 instead of the recorded program number 37. And stores it in the memory 16. FIG. 4 shows a state in which a soccer classification pictorial symbol 39 is displayed in place of the recorded program number “1”.

Next, prevention of erasure and reproduction of a recorded program will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, when a recorded program in which the soccer classification pictorial symbol 39 is set on the list display screen to prevent erasure, in a state where this recorded program is selected, the recording prohibition button of the operation unit 21 is selected. Press to instruct recording prohibition. In response to the instruction to prohibit recording, the system control circuit 20 displays the picture-preventing pictogram "record" 42 and records and sets it in the memory 14, and the picture-preventing pictogram 42 is set. Overwrite recording is prohibited in the recording area of the recorded program.

If this part is to be recorded, the character signal generation circuit 12 displays the message "Recording protection part" on the display screen.
The message "Cannot be recorded" is generated, and the recording is stopped or the recorded portion of this program is fast-forwarded and stopped at the beginning of the next program, thereby preventing erroneous erasure due to overwrite recording.

Further, the selected soccer classification pictorial symbol 39
In order to prevent the recorded program from being reproduced by a third party, the reproduction prohibition button of the operation unit 21 is pressed while the recorded program is selected to instruct reproduction prohibition. In response to the input of the reproduction prohibition instruction, the system control circuit 20 displays the reproduction prevention pictorial symbol “re” 43 and displays the message “Enter password” from the character signal generation circuit 12 on the display screen. Is generated, and when the password is input from the operation unit 21 and the enter button is pressed, these are recorded in the memory 14 and set to the reproduction inhibition.

When this portion is to be reproduced, the character signal generation circuit 12 generates a message "Reproduction protection is required, please enter a password" on the display screen to suspend the program. Start playback when is input. If the password has not been input even after the lapse of the predetermined time, the reproduction is ended or the reproduction is continued by fast-forwarding to the beginning of the next recorded program.

FIG. 6 shows such a picture code setting.
The control processing executed in addition to the list display of the recording state in the list display processing step S18 is shown.

In the list display processing step S18, the system control circuit 20 displays a list of recording states (step S1801) and monitors an instruction input of a program selection button on the operation unit 21 (step S180).
2) Update the selected program according to the instruction input (step S1803).

Next, the instruction input of the classification pictogram selection button, the recording prohibition button, and the reproduction prohibition button is monitored (steps S1804, S1805, S1806).

When there is an instruction input of the classification pictogram selection button, selection display of the classification pictogram is performed (step S180).
7). Next, the instruction input of the classification pictorial code selection button and the determination button is monitored (steps S1808, S180).
9) When there is an instruction input of the classification pictogram selection button, the type of the classification pictogram is selectively updated each time (Step S1)
810). Then, when there is an instruction input of the determination button, the classification pictorial code displayed at that time is determined as the classification pictorial code of the selected recorded program, and the setting and display are performed (step S1811).

When a recording prohibition button is input ("Y" in step S1805), a picture-preventing pictorial symbol is set and displayed, and overwriting is prohibited (step S1).
812).

If there is an instruction input of the reproduction prohibition button ("Y" in step S1806), a password is input (step S1813), and if a password is input ("Y" in step S1814), the password is set. A setting process of setting, displaying, and prohibiting the reproduction prevention pictogram is performed (step S1815). If there is no password input during the predetermined time ("N" in step S1814), the process ends without prohibiting reproduction.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus in which an audio signal generating circuit 40 and a speaker 41 are added to the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus described above. The common components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

In this embodiment, a list display screen
When the classification pictogram selection button of the operation unit 21 is pressed to select and display the classification pictogram, the classification pictogram is displayed, and the audio signal generation circuit 40 outputs a sound of an image close to the classification pictogram. It was done. For example,
In the case of a soccer classification pictogram, a voice such as “goal” is output from the speaker 41.

Further, when the enter button of the operation unit 21 is pressed, the classification pictorial code is set and displayed instead of the recorded program number, and the audio information and the classification pictorial code information are stored in the memory 16.

When the cassette tape 28 storing the classification pictorial code and the audio information is inserted into the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus performs preliminary reproduction, and the reproduced recording information and the memory 16 are stored in the memory 16. The stored recording information is compared, and if the identification number unique to the device and the tape identification number match each other, a list display is instructed by the operation unit 21 and the system control circuit 20 executes the recording program information. Is read from the memory 16 and FIG.
The list is displayed as shown in.

The user selects and designates a target recorded program using the operation unit 21 while viewing the list display screen.
Here, when a recorded program in which a soccer classification pictorial code is set is selected and designated, the system control 20
Instructs the audio signal generation circuit 40 to output an audio signal and causes the speaker 41 to output the sound of the "goal".

Although the embodiment of the cassette tape type magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus using a cassette tape as a recording medium has been described above, the present invention is similarly applied to a recording / reproducing apparatus using a magnetic disk or an optical disk as a recording medium. can do.

Although the recording of a television signal in which a video signal and an audio signal are paired has been described as an example, the present invention is directed to a single form of a video signal or an audio signal or to each recorded information section in recording other information signals. Can be applied as

[0056]

According to the present invention, the contents of the recorded information section can be displayed by pictorial symbols in the list display of the recorded state, so that the contents can be easily grasped. It is possible to set playback prevention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a cassette tape type magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a control process executed by the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a list display screen of a cassette tape recorded program in a control process executed by the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

4 is a list display screen of cassette tape recorded programs and pictorial symbols in a control process executed by the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

5 is a list display screen of a cassette tape recorded program, a classification pictogram, and a recording and reproduction prohibition pictogram in a control process executed by the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a detailed flowchart of a list display process in the control process shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Video signal input switching control circuit, 2 ... Date time signal generation circuit, 3 ... Absolute address generation circuit, 4 ... TV tuner, 5, 10, 11 ... Video signal switching circuit, 6 ... Information signal recording processing circuit, 7 ... Information signal multiplexing processing circuit, 8: video signal recording and reproduction processing circuit, 9: character signal addition circuit, 1
2 ... Character signal generation circuit, 13 ... Video signal presence / absence detection circuit,
14 Blue-back generating circuit, 15 Information signal reproduction processing circuit, 16 Memory, 17 Control signal recording processing circuit, 18 Control signal reproduction processing circuit, 19 Control signal switching circuit, 20 System control circuit, 21 Operation unit 22 Display unit 23 Reel rotation speed detection circuit 24 Tape insertion detection circuit 25 Control head 26 and 27 Video head 28 Cassette tape 31 Erroneous erasure prevention mode detection circuit 32
... TV broadcast signal input terminal, 33 ... External video signal input terminal, 34 ... Video signal output terminal, 35 ... Tape number,
36: Number of programs, 37: Recorded program number, 38: Selected classification pictogram, 39: Decision classification pictogram, 40: Audio signal generation circuit, 41: Speaker, 42: Recording prevention pictogram, 43
... Reproduction prevention pictogram.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroto Yamauchi 1410 Inada, Hitachinaka-shi, Ibaraki Pref.Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Inventor Mitsuru Hirota 1410 Inada, Hitachinaka-city, Ibaraki Pref. Hitachi, Ltd. Visual Information Media Division

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A method for managing the recording and reproduction of a plurality of information sections on a recording medium in association with an absolute address of the recording medium for recording the information section to be recorded, and listing the information sections recorded on the recording medium. A recording / reproducing apparatus for reproducing an information section selected by displaying the information section by referring to an absolute address where the information section is recorded, wherein a picture code for identifying a classification of each recorded information section is attached to an arbitrary information section. A recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: a picture code setting means for selectively storing the picture information; and a means for displaying a recorded information section and a picture code set in association with the information section. 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for generating a video signal or an audio signal corresponding to the stored picture code. 3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising means for setting a picture code for preventing erroneous erasure of the information section recorded on the recording medium, and information recording for overwriting an area in which the information section with this picture code is recorded. A recording / reproducing apparatus characterized by comprising means for preventing the recording / reproducing. 4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: means for setting a picture code for preventing reproduction of the information section recorded on the recording medium; means for setting a password for permitting reproduction of the information section accompanied by the picture code; A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising a reproducing means for preventing reproduction of an information section accompanied by a pictorial code and permitting reproduction of the information section by an input password. 5. The picture code setting means according to claim 1, wherein said picture code setting means stores a plurality of picture codes suitable for identifying the contents of the recorded information section, and sequentially stores the picture codes stored in said storage means. A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising means for displaying and selecting.