Signal conversion apparatus and method

A signal conversion method, comprising the steps of:

• converting within an apparatus an input signal to said apparatus to a converted signal;
• examining said input signal for additional information added to said input signal;
• determining whether or not said additional information indicates that copying of said input signal is limited but not prohibited;
• prohibiting the copying of said converted signal when said use limitation indicates that copying of said input signal is limited but not prohibited;
• and
• notifying a user of said apparatus of said prohibiting for said converted signal.

A signal conversion apparatus, comprising:

• a signal converter adapted to convert an input signal to said apparatus into a converted signal;
• a signal detector adapted to examine said input signal to detect additional information added to said input signal and determine whether said additional information indicates that copying of said input signal is limited but not prohibited;
• a switch for prohibiting the copying of said converted signal when said additional information indicates that copying of said input signal is limited but not prohibited;
• and
• a visual indicator adapted to notify a user of said apparatus of said prohibiting of said converted signal.