Recording/reproducing apparatus and exclusive control method

A method for use in an apparatus which can be remote-controlled, the apparatus including a display unit which displays various types of information, and a communication unit which sends and receives various types of information, comprising:

• displaying, on the display unit, a message that an instruction cannot be executed, when the instruction issued by a first input unit is received, during execution of an operation instructed by any other input unit;
• and
• transmitting, to a second input unit via the communication unit, information for reporting a message that an instruction cannot be executed, when the instruction issued by the second input unit is received, during execution of an operation instructed by any other input unit.

A method for use in an apparatus which can be remote-controlled, the apparatus including a display unit which displays various types of information, and a communication unit which sends and receives various types of information, comprising:

• displaying, on the display unit, to a first input unit a message that an operation instructed by any other input unit is executed, when executing the operation instructed by any other input unit;
• and
• transmitting, to a second input unit via the communication unit, information for reporting a message that an operation instructed by any other input unit is executed, when executing the operation instructed by any other input unit.