A system and methods for permitting open access to data objects and for securing data within the data objects is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for securing a data object is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for securing a data object is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (1) providing a data object comprising digital data and file format information; (2) embedding independent data into a data object; and (3) scrambling the data object to degrade the data object to a predetermined signal quality level. The steps of embedding and scrambling may be performed until a predetermined condition is met. The method may also include the steps of descrambling the data object to upgrade the data object to a predetermined signal quality level, and decoding the embedded independent data.

A method for execution by a customer premises receiver, comprising: receiving a signal that carries an original media stream; determining a location of the receiver; obtaining an identifier of an authorized region for the receiver; determining whether said location is contained within said authorized region; if said location is determined to be contained within said authorized region, outputting the original media stream for conveyance to a user; if said location is determined to not be contained within said authorized region, outputting a second media stream that is sufficiently corrupted relative to the original media stream as to degrade the user's viewing experience while being demonstrative of non-malfunctioning of the receiver. Also, a method, comprising a service provider releasing towards a plurality of customer premises receivers information regarding a respective geographic region within which each receiver is authorized to operate, wherein different geographic regions define coverage areas of different sizes.

A system and methods for permitting open access to data objects and for securing data within the data objects is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for securing a data object is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for securing a data object is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (1) providing a data object comprising digital data and file format information; (2) embedding independent data into a data object; and (3) scrambling the data object to degrade the data object to a predetermined signal quality level. The steps of embedding and scrambling may be performed until a predetermined condition is met. The method may also include the steps of descrambling the data object to upgrade the data object to a predetermined signal quality level, and decoding the embedded independent data.

A playback method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is performed by a Blu-ray device connected to a display device. The playback method includes obtaining, from a recording medium, output control information of content recorded on the recording medium; obtaining, from the recording medium, a video signal of the content recorded on the recording medium; and (a) outputting the obtained video signal to the display device without converting image quality of the video signal, when the obtained output control information does not restrict output of content using a first copyright protection technology, and (b) converting the image quality of the obtained video signal and outputting the video signal to the display device, when the obtained output control information restricts output of content using the first copyright protection technology and output using the first copyright protection technology is performed according to a type of the display device.

A playback method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is performed by a Blu-ray device connected to a display device. The playback method includes obtaining, from a recording medium, output control information of content recorded on the recording medium; obtaining, from the recording medium, a video signal of the content recorded on the recording medium; and (a) outputting the obtained video signal to the display device without converting image quality of the video signal, when the obtained output control information does not restrict output of content using a first copyright protection technology, and (b) converting the image quality of the obtained video signal and outputting the video signal to the display device, when the obtained output control information restricts output of content using the first copyright protection technology and output using the first copyright protection technology is performed according to a type of the display device.

A playback method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is performed by a Blu-ray device connected to a display device. The playback method includes obtaining, from a recording medium, output control information of content recorded on the recording medium; obtaining, from the recording medium, a video signal of the content recorded on the recording medium; and (a) outputting the obtained video signal to the display device without converting image quality of the video signal, when the obtained output control information does not restrict output of content using a first copyright protection technology, and (b) converting the image quality of the obtained video signal and outputting the video signal to the display device, when the obtained output control information restricts output of content using the first copyright protection technology and output using the first copyright protection technology is performed according to a type of the display device.

A system and methods for permitting open access to data objects and for securing data within the data objects is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for securing a data object is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for securing a data object is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (1) providing a data object comprising digital data and file format information; (2) embedding independent data into a data object; and (3) scrambling the data object to degrade the data object to a predetermined signal quality level. The steps of embedding and scrambling may be performed until a predetermined condition is met. The method may also include the steps of descrambling the data object to upgrade the data object to a predetermined signal quality level, and decoding the embedded independent data.

A system and methods for permitting open access to data objects and for securing data within the data objects is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for securing a data object is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for securing a data object is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (1) providing a data object comprising digital data and file format information; (2) embedding independent data into a data object; and (3) scrambling the data object to degrade the data object to a predetermined signal quality level. The steps of embedding and scrambling may be performed until a predetermined condition is met. The method may also include the steps of descrambling the data object to upgrade the data object to a predetermined signal quality level, and decoding the embedded independent data.

In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, at a device, digital audio content to be converted by a digital-to-analog converter to produce analog audio content. The digital audio content has at least one audible frequency. The method also includes selecting, at the device, a first signal and a second signal to output with the analog audio content. The first signal has an inaudible carrier frequency and a bandwidth, and the second signal also has an inaudible carrier frequency and a bandwidth. A difference between the first signal and the second signal is an undesired audible signal. The method further includes outputting, from the device, the analog audio content, the first signal and the second signal, such that when the analog audio content is detected by a recording device the undesired audible signal is detected with the analog audio content.

A playback method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is performed by a Blu-ray device connected to a display device. The playback method includes obtaining, from a recording medium, output control information of content recorded on the recording medium; obtaining, from the recording medium, a video signal of the content recorded on the recording medium; and (a) outputting the obtained video signal to the display device without converting image quality of the video signal, when the obtained output control information does not restrict output of content using a first copyright protection technology, and (b) converting the image quality of the obtained video signal and outputting the video signal to the display device, when the obtained output control information restricts output of content using the first copyright protection technology and output using the first copyright protection technology is performed according to a type of the display device.