JP2002298507A - Device for reproducing information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information reproducing device that can be shipped to an optional area. SOLUTION: This information reproducing device for reproducing information of a recording medium on which limitation information limiting a use area is recorded, is provided with a function that decides whether the information reproducing device is used for the first time or not, finds the location of information reproducing device when the information reproducing device is decided to be used for the first time, specifies a use area based on the location, and sets the use area in accordance with the use location of the information reproducing device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing information recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD disk.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, car navigation units have been used for road guidance and road traffic information acquisition.

The car navigation unit has a DVD
Some have a function of reproducing an optical disk, such as a movie or music in a car.

In order to enjoy a movie or the like on a DVD, a DV
It is necessary to store a regional code called a region code in a device (DVD drive, player, or the like) incorporated in the D playback device. If a region code is not set in each device, the DVD may not be seen.

[0005] For this reason, the manufacturer of the DVD reproducing apparatus requires the D
DVD players are shipped with a region code set in the storage unit of each device constituting the VD playback device.

[0006]

However, in order to attach a car navigation unit with a DVD playback function to a car manufactured by a car maker, the region code of the car navigation unit and the export destination of the car must be matched. In addition to the complexity of the adaptation work, problems such as difficulty in inventory adjustment due to limited export destinations of automobiles arise.

Further, when the manufactured DVD playback device is shipped to an arbitrary region, the default language setting used in the playback device must be adapted to the language of each region, and more complicated adaptation work is required. There is also a problem that it becomes necessary.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information reproducing apparatus which can be shipped to an arbitrary area.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 provides restriction information for restricting a use area (for example, an area code in the first embodiment).
And an information reproducing apparatus (for example, the information reproducing apparatus 1) for reproducing the reproduced information on the recording medium S for recording the reproduced information.
00) and a determining means (for example, the reading device 2) for determining whether the information reproducing device is used for the first time.
CPU 25) and self-position specifying means for specifying the self-position (for example, the latitude-longitude calculation unit 1 of the
2) and use area specifying means (for example, a self-position specifying device) for specifying a use area based on the self-position specified by the self-position specifying means when the use is determined to be the first use by the discrimination means. 1 CPU 14), use area storage means for storing the use area specified by the use area specifying means (for example, the memory 26 of the reading device 2), and the specific use area stored in the specific use area storage means. A reproducing unit (for example, a reproducing device 3) for reproducing the reproduced information when the information corresponds to an available area in the restriction information stored in the recording medium.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the discriminating means determines that the information reproducing apparatus is used for the first time, the self-position specifying means and the use area specifying means determine
The area of use is specified based on the location of the information playback device,
The specified use area is stored in the use area storage means.
If the use area restriction information recorded on the recording medium does not include the use area stored in the information reproducing apparatus (that is, the use is not restricted), the reproduction apparatus reproduces the information to be reproduced from the storage medium. I do. Therefore, in the information reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the use area is set when the user starts using the information reproducing apparatus. Even if the information reproducing apparatus is shipped to any area, the use area according to the area is set. And can be shipped to any region.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing the reproduced information on a recording medium for recording the reproduced information in a plurality of languages, wherein whether the information reproducing apparatus is used for the first time is determined. Discriminating means for discriminating, self-position specifying means for specifying a self-position, and, when the discriminating means determines that it is the first use, use in an area corresponding to the self-position specified by the self-position specifying means. Language specifying means for specifying the language being specified, specific language storage means for storing the specific language specified by the language specifying means (for example, the CPU 14 of the self-position specifying device 1 and the memory 35 of the reproducing device 3), Reproducing means for reproducing the information to be reproduced in a specific language stored in the language storage means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the discriminating means determines that the information reproducing apparatus is the first use, the self-position specifying means and the language specifying means correspond to the use position of the information reproducing apparatus. The specified language is specified, and the specified language is stored in the specific language storage unit as a language used by the information reproducing apparatus. When reproducing the information stored in the storage medium, the information to be reproduced recorded on the storage medium is reproduced in the language stored in the specific language storage means. As described above, the information reproducing apparatus of the present invention selects a language suitable for the use position of the information reproducing apparatus at the time when the use of the user is started, and reproduces the reproduced information by using the language. Regardless of the region where the information playback device is used, information will be output in the language corresponding to that region,
Even if the information reproducing apparatus is shipped to an arbitrary region, the user can understand the output contents.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium for recording information to be reproduced, regulation information for storing the country of use and the information to be reproduced regulated in the country of use in association with each other. An information reproducing apparatus that reproduces information, a determining unit that determines whether the information reproducing apparatus is used for the first time, a self-position specifying unit that specifies a self-position, and the first use by the determining unit. If determined,
A country-of-use specifying means for specifying a country of use corresponding to the self-position specified by the self-location specifying means (for example, the CPU 14 of the self-location specifying device 1), and a specific country of use specified by the country-of-use specifying means are stored. Specific use country storage means (for example, the memory 35 of the reproducing device 3), and reproduction means for restricting and reproducing the information to be reproduced according to the specific use country stored in the specific use country storage means. Features.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the discriminating means determines that the information reproducing apparatus has been used for the first time, the self-position specifying means and the specific use country storage means determine
The country in which the information reproducing device is used is specified, and the specified country of use is stored in the specified country of use storage means. And
When reproducing the information stored in the storage medium, the output information is selected in accordance with the country regulations stored in the specific country of use storage means. As described above, the information reproducing apparatus according to the present invention stores the country in which the information reproducing apparatus is used when the user starts using the information reproducing apparatus. The information corresponding to the regulation can be provided, and the information reproducing apparatus can be used in any area.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a region code setting process by the information reproducing apparatus.

[First Embodiment] An information reproducing apparatus according to a first embodiment will be described below. The information reproducing apparatus 100 is, for example, a DVD (Digital Video Dis
c) a navigation system for identifying a self-position by a device for reproducing images and music recorded on a storage medium S such as a CD (Compact Disc).

Further, the storage medium S in the first embodiment is provided with a restriction on the reproduction area, and can be reproduced only when the area where the information reproducing apparatus 100 is used is included in the permitted reproduction area. .

The information reproducing apparatus 100 includes the information reproducing apparatus 10
Self-locating device 1 for measuring the position of
A reading device 2 for reading information stored in a storage device, a reproducing device 3 for converting the information read by the reading device 2 into a format that can be output, a display device 4, and a speaker 5; And the playback device 3 are connected by a data bus 9.

The self-locating device 1 is a GPS (Global p.
ositioning System) antenna 11, latitude and longitude calculator 1
2. Drawing controller 13, CPU (Central Processi
ng Unit) 14, a memory 15, an interface 16, and the like.

The latitude / longitude calculation unit 12 includes the GPS antenna 1
Information reproducing apparatus 1 based on radio waves from satellites received by
The position (latitude, longitude) of 00 is calculated and transmitted to the drawing controller 13 or the CPU 14.

The drawing controller 13 displays a map or a menu on the display device 4. The drawing controller 13 causes the display device 4 to display a map, road guidance information, and the like using the latitude and longitude calculation unit 12. Further, the drawing controller 13 generates a menu screen for setting a navigation function, displays the menu screen on the display device 4, and accepts a user input.

The CPU 14 and the memory 15 have a function of specifying the area code of the information reproducing apparatus 100. The memory 15 stores a file that associates a latitude and longitude with a region code (hereinafter, referred to as a region identification file), and is configured so that the region code can be searched using the latitude and longitude as keys.

The CPU 14 specifies an area code of the information reproducing apparatus 100 based on an instruction from the reading apparatus 2.
When the reading device 2 instructs the CPU 14 to specify the area code, the CPU 14 acquires the position data (latitude, longitude) of the information reproducing device 100 from the latitude / longitude calculation unit 12. Next, the CPU 14 reads the area specifying file from the memory 15, searches the area code of the information reproducing apparatus 100 using the latitude and longitude as keys, and transmits the selected area code to the reading apparatus 2.

The reading device 2 includes a motor driver 21,
RF (Radio Frequency) amplifier 22, signal processing unit 2
3, a servo control unit 24, a CPU 25, a memory 26, and the like.

The reading device 2 has a storage medium S mounted thereon.
Rotate by one. The information recorded on the storage medium S is read out by an optical pickup (not shown),
Is output to The RF amplifier 22 amplifies and shapes the input information waveform and outputs the amplified information to the signal processing unit 23. The signal processing unit 23 converts the frequency and phase of the input data into a PLL (Phase
Locked Loop), outputs the correction amount to the servo control unit 24, and outputs the corrected data to the playback device 3.
Output to

In the memory 26, a storage area for storing a region code (hereinafter, referred to as a region code storage region) indicating a region where the information reproducing apparatus 100 is used is set. Memory 26
Is a non-volatile memory that does not lose its contents even when the power is turned off. The contents of the area code storage area can be operated only by vendor-specific commands and cannot be changed by ordinary users.

The CPU 25 controls the operation of each device of the reading device 2 and sets an area code and performs a comparison process of the area code.

When the power is turned on to the information reproducing apparatus 100, the CPU 25 checks whether or not a local code is set in the local code storage area. If no area code is set in the area code storage area, the CPU 25
Recognizes that the information reproducing apparatus 100 is used for the first time, and requests the self-position specifying apparatus 1 to transmit the area code of the information reproducing apparatus 100. Next, when the local code is transmitted from the self-locating device 1, the CPU 25 reads the vendor unique command, stores the local code in the local code storage area of the memory 26, and ends the local code setting process.

Next, when the storage medium S is mounted on the reading device 2 and the user instructs the reproduction of the storage medium S,
The CPU 25 starts the area code comparison processing, and first rotates the motor driver 21 to read the area code stored in the storage medium S. If the area code stored in the storage medium S and the area code set in the reading device 2 match, the CPU 25 obtains a decryption key for decrypting the recorded content of the storage medium S. , The information of the storage medium S can be browsed.

The playback device 3 is an MPEG (Moving Picture)
cording Experts Group) decoder 31, video signal modulator 32, D / A converter 33, CPU 34, memory 3
5 and the like.

The MPEG decoder 31 is connected to the reading device 2 via the data bus 9, and the reading device 2
The information of the storage medium S read by the MPEG decoder 3
1 is sent.

The MPEG decoder 31 is an audio decoder,
The information provided with an image decoder, a sub-image decoder, and the like is separated into audio information, image information, and sub-image information, and is transmitted to a decoder corresponding to each information.

The MPEG decoder 31 decodes image information and audio information according to the MPEG decoding method, outputs audio information to the D / A converter 33, and outputs image information and sub-image information to the video code modulator 32. .

The video signal modulator 32 encodes the image information and the sub-image information into a television communication system such as NTSC or PAL, and outputs it to the display device 4. Here, the sub-image information is defined as data to be superimposed on image information such as subtitles, menus, and karaoke lyrics display. It is output to match.

The voice information and the sub-picture information are recorded in a plurality of languages, and can be output in any of the languages. The CPU 34 reads out the priority language stored in the memory 35 and sends it to the MPEG decoder 31. Send and specify output language.

Next, the information reproducing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment
The area code setting process of 00 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this area code setting process,
First, the CPU 25 determines whether or not the information reproducing apparatus 100 is first turned on (step S1). If the information reproducing apparatus 100 is not turned on first (step S1; NO), the information is not turned on. The playback device 100 does not set the area code, and ends the processing as it is.

On the other hand, in step S1, the CPU 25
Determines that the information reproducing apparatus 100 has been turned on for the first time (step S1; YES), the CPU 25 reads the contents of the area code storage area in the memory 26 of the reading apparatus 2 and determines whether the area code has been set. Is confirmed (step S2).

If the area code is stored in the memory 26 of the reading device 2 in step S2 (step S2; NO), the CPU 25 recognizes that the setting of the area code has already been completed, This processing ends. On the other hand, if the area code is not set in the memory 26 (step S2; YES), the CPU 25 recognizes that the information reproducing apparatus 100 is to be used for the first time, and sends the area code transmission command signal to the self-location specifying apparatus 1. Send.

Upon receiving the local code transmission command signal, the self-locating device 1 uses the information reproducing device 100 by the latitude / longitude calculation unit 12 based on the radio wave received by the GPS antenna 11.
The CPU 14 specifies the area code based on the calculated latitude and longitude, and transmits the area code to the reading device 2. Then, the CPU of the reading device 2
25 records the transmitted area code in the area code storage area of the memory 26 (step S4), and ends the area code setting process.

As described above, the information reproducing apparatus 100 according to the present invention determines whether the information reproducing apparatus 10
If the information reproducing apparatus 100 is used for the first time by recognizing whether or not the information reproducing apparatus 100 is used, a local code is searched using the self-position (latitude and longitude) calculated by the self-position specifying apparatus 1 as a key. Identify 100 area codes.

Then, the area code of the information reproducing device 100 is stored in the memory 26 of the reading device 2. Since the area code storage area of the memory 26 can be changed only by a command unique to the vendor, ordinary users cannot change the area code. The memory 26 is a non-volatile memory, and once set, the area code is not erased regardless of whether power is supplied.

Therefore, in the information reproducing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the area code is not set until the use of the information reproducing apparatus 100 is started.
0 can be shipped to any area.

The information reproducing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment
When the vehicle is mounted on the vehicle, the vehicle can be installed without being conscious of the export destination of the vehicle, and there is no need to carry out the work of conforming to the region code with the export destination of the vehicle.

Further, the information reproducing apparatus 10 of the present invention
Since 0 can be shipped to an arbitrary region, it is not necessary to perform inventory adjustment for each shipping region, which leads to reduction of inventory.

The area code stored in the memory 26 of the reading device 2 cannot be changed by the user.
The area code is not changed due to the user's convenience, and an accurate area code is set.

[Second Embodiment] Next, an information reproducing apparatus 100 according to a second embodiment will be described. Second
The information reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment includes a self-position specifying device 1, a reading device 2, an output device 3, a display device 4, a speaker 5, and the like, like the information reproducing device 100 according to the first embodiment. It has a language selection function of selecting a language based on the position (latitude, longitude) of the playback device 100. Therefore, description of each configuration will be omitted, and the description will be made using the reference numerals of the information reproducing apparatus 100 in the first embodiment.

When the power of the information reproducing apparatus 100 is turned on, the CPU 25 of the reading apparatus 2 checks whether or not the area code is set. If the area code is not set, the information reproducing apparatus 100 is used for the first time. recognize. When the information reproducing apparatus 100 is used for the first time, the CPU 25 transmits an area code transmission command signal to the self-position specifying apparatus 1 and instructs the CPU 14 of the self-position specifying apparatus 1 to start setting a language.

The CPU 14 of the self-position specifying device 1 specifies the language used in the area based on the latitude and longitude calculated by the latitude and longitude calculating device 12. The memory 15 of the self-locating device 1 stores a file (hereinafter, referred to as a language specifying file) that associates the latitude, longitude, and language with each other.
It is configured so that the language can be searched using the latitude and longitude as keys. When a language specifying instruction signal for specifying a language is transmitted from the reading device 2, the CPU 14 acquires the latitude and longitude of the information reproducing device 100 from the latitude and longitude calculating unit 12. Next, the CPU 14 reads the language specifying file from the memory 15 and searches for a language using the latitude and longitude transmitted from the information reproducing apparatus 100 as keys.

When the language is searched, the CPU 14 transmits the specified language information to the playback device 3 and
U34 stores the transmitted priority language information in the priority language storage area of the memory 35.

Thereafter, the language used in the information reproducing apparatus 100 corresponds to the stored language, so that the user can understand the display contents regardless of the region where the information reproducing apparatus 100 is used. Have been.

The priority language information stored in the memory 35 of the reproducing device 3 is used when reproducing the storage medium S. When the information to be reproduced of the storage medium S read by the reading device 1 is transmitted to the reproducing device 3, the CPU 34 reads the priority language stored in the memory 35 and instructs the MPEG decoder 31 to use the priority language as an output language. I do.

Then, the MPEG decoder 31 instructed by the priority language selects information to be reproduced corresponding to the priority language,
The information is transmitted to the video signal modulator 32 and the D / A converter 33 as output information.

As described above, the information reproducing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment stores a file in which latitude and longitude are associated with a language, and when the information reproducing apparatus 100 is first turned on, the position (latitude, A language is searched by using (longitude) as a key, and a language corresponding to a use position of the information reproducing apparatus 100 is specified. Then, the specified language is stored in the memory 35 as a priority language, and when the information reproducing apparatus 100 is used, this language is used as a priority language for outputting reproduction information and outputting a menu screen.

Thus, regardless of the region where the information reproducing apparatus 100 is used, the language corresponding to the area is displayed, and the user can use the information reproducing apparatus 100 without feeling uncomfortable.

[Third Embodiment] Next, an information reproducing apparatus 100 according to a third embodiment will be described. Third
The information reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the information reproducing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.
It comprises a self-locating device 1, a reading device 2, an output device 3, a display device 4, a speaker 5, and the like. Third
The information reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment is an information reproducing apparatus 1
Information reproducing apparatus 10 based on the 00 position (latitude, longitude)
It is characterized by identifying zero use countries and complying with the information disclosure regulations of each country. Accordingly, description of each component is omitted, and the information reproducing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is omitted.
Description will be made using the reference numeral 00.

The CPU 25 of the reading device 2 checks whether or not the area code is set when the information reproducing apparatus 100 is turned on. If the area code is not set, the information reproducing apparatus 100 is used for the first time. recognize. Then, when the information reproducing apparatus 100 is used for the first time, the CPU 25 transmits an area code transmission command signal to the self-locating apparatus 1 and causes the CPU 14 of the self-locating apparatus 1 to start setting the country of use.

The CPU 14 of the self-position specifying device 1 specifies a country in which the information reproducing device 100 is used, based on the latitude and longitude calculated by the latitude and longitude calculating unit 12. The memory 15 of the self-locating apparatus 1 stores a file for associating the latitude and longitude with the country of use (hereinafter referred to as a country of use identification file) so that the country of use can be searched using the latitude and longitude as keys. Is configured. When a country-of-use specifying signal for specifying the country of use is transmitted from the reading device 2, the CPU 14 sends the information reproducing device 1 to the latitude / longitude calculation unit 12.
Request transmission of 00 latitude and longitude. Next, when the latitude / longitude of the information reproducing apparatus 100 is transmitted from the latitude / longitude calculation unit 12, the CPU 14 reads the country-of-use specifying file from the memory 15 and uses the latitude / longitude transmitted from the information reproducing apparatus 100 as a key. Is transmitted to the playback device 3.

Then, the CPU 34 of the reproducing apparatus 3 stores the transmitted country-of-use information in the country-of-use storage area of the memory 35.

The country-of-use information stored in the memory 35 of the reproducing device 3 is used when reproducing the storage medium S. When the information on the storage medium S read by the reading device 1 is transmitted to the reproducing device 3, the CPU 34 reads the country of use information stored in the memory 35 and transmits the information to the MPEG decoder 31.

The MPEG decoder 31 skips a portion of the audio information, image information, and sub-image information that is regulated by the country of use, based on the regulation information and country of use information recorded on the recording medium S, Output to the display device 4 and the speaker 5.

As described above, the information reproducing apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment stores the file that associates the latitude and longitude with the country of use, and when the information reproducing apparatus 100 is first turned on, the position (latitude) of the information reproducing apparatus 100 , Longitude) as a key, it is possible to specify the country of use of the information reproducing apparatus 100 and make it correspond to the regulation information recorded on the storage medium S.

Thus, in any country, the information reproducing apparatus 1
When 00 is used, information according to the regulations of the country can be provided, and the information reproducing apparatus 100 can be used in any area.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described first to third embodiments, but includes modifications and improvements as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved. For example, the information reproducing apparatus 100 of the above embodiment
Whether or not the information reproducing apparatus 100 is used is recognized based on whether or not the area code is set. However, it is not always necessary to use the area code for this recognition processing. For example, a use / non-use recognition flag is prepared, May be made to recognize that it is not the first use.

[0064]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the discriminating means determines that the information reproducing apparatus is used for the first time, the self-position specifying means and the use area storage means allow the information reproducing apparatus to be used. The use area based on the position is specified, and the specified use area is stored. Then, if the use area stored in the information reproducing apparatus matches the use area restriction information recorded on the recording medium, the content of the storage medium is reproduced. For this reason, in the information reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the use area is set when the user starts using the apparatus, and even if the information reproducing apparatus is shipped to any area, the use area according to the area is set. And can be shipped to any region.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when it is determined by the determining means that the information reproducing apparatus has been used for the first time,
A language corresponding to a use position of the information reproducing apparatus is specified by the self-position specifying means and the specific language storage means, and the language is stored as a default use language. Then, when reproducing the information stored in the storage medium, the information recorded in the storage medium is reproduced using the language stored by the specific language storage unit. Therefore, the information reproducing apparatus according to the present invention selects a language suitable for the use position of the information reproducing apparatus when the user starts using the information reproducing apparatus, and reproduces the information to be reproduced using the language. Therefore, even if the information reproducing apparatus is used, information is output in a language corresponding to the area, and even if the information reproducing apparatus is shipped to an arbitrary area, the user can understand the output contents of the information reproducing apparatus. .

According to the information reproducing apparatus of the second aspect, when it is determined by the determining means that the information reproducing apparatus has been used for the first time, the information reproducing apparatus is used by the self-position specifying means and the specific use country storage means. And identify the country of use. Then, when reproducing the information stored in the storage medium, the output information is selected in accordance with the regulation of the country stored by the specific use country storage means. As described above, the information reproducing apparatus of the present invention stores the country in which the information reproducing apparatus is used when the user starts using the information reproducing apparatus. Can be provided, and the information reproducing apparatus can be used in any area.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information reproducing apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an area code specific use area storage process by the information reproducing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 information reproducing device 1 self-locating device 11 GPS antenna 12 latitude / longitude calculating unit 14 CPU 2 reading device 25 CPU 26 memory 3 reproducing device 31 MPEG decoder 34 CPU 35 memory 4 display device 5 speaker S storage medium

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5D044 AB01 AB05 AB07 BC03 CC06 DE45 DE49 DE50 FG18 GK12 HL02 5K067 FF03 FF40 HH23 JJ52

Claims (3)

[Claims] An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing said information to be reproduced on a recording medium for recording restriction information for restricting an area of use and information to be reproduced, wherein said information reproducing apparatus is used for the first time. Discriminating means for discriminating; self-position specifying means for specifying a self-position; when the discriminating means determines the first use, a use area based on the self-position specified by the self-position specifying means. Use area specifying means for specifying the use area; use area storage means for storing the use area specified by the use area specification means; and a specific use area stored in the specific use area storage means, stored in the recording medium. An information reproducing apparatus, comprising: reproducing means for reproducing the information to be reproduced in a case where the information corresponds to a usable area in the restriction information. 2. An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing the information to be reproduced on a recording medium for recording the information to be reproduced in a plurality of languages, comprising: a judging means for judging whether or not the information reproducing apparatus is used for the first time; A self-position specifying means for specifying a self-position; and a language used in an area corresponding to the self-position specified by the self-position specifying means when the first use is determined by the determination means. Language specifying means, a specific language storing means for storing the specific language specified by the language specifying means, and a reproducing means for reproducing the information to be reproduced in the specific language stored in the specific language storing means. An information reproducing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 3. An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing said reproduced information on a recording medium for recording the reproduced information and regulation information corresponding to a country of use and said reproduced information regulated in said country of use. Determining means for determining whether or not the information reproducing apparatus is used for the first time; self-position specifying means for specifying a self-position; and, when the determining means determines that the information reproducing apparatus is used for the first time, Country-of-use specifying means for specifying the country of use corresponding to the self-position specified by the position specifying means; Specific country-of-use storage means for storing the specific country of use specified by the country-of-use specifying means; An information reproducing apparatus, comprising: reproducing means for restricting and reproducing information to be reproduced by a specific country of use stored in the means.