JPH11196367A - Copy protect device for recording - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inform the user of the fact that copy protect is on, visually or audibly, in the case that a copy protect signal is fed to his recording and reproducing device or the like. SOLUTION: In the case that a copy protect signal is given to a video recording and reproducing device such as a VTR, a 1st CPUA 2 separates the copy protect signal from a video signal in terms of the software, and the copy protect signal stops a mechanism drive means 4 such as a drum via a 2nd CPUB 3, and a display means 6 and a sounding means 8 discriminate the copy protect signal to make a display or a warning denoting that recording is not available.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a copy protector suitable for use in a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various sources are recorded (dubbed, recorded) on a magnetic recording medium or a record carrier capable of recording and reproduction using a recording device such as a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus (VTR), a camera-integrated VTR, or a digital VTR. Various arrangements have been made in consideration of the effect on copyright issues when copying, copying, etc.). For example, in the case of a DAT (Digital Audio Taperecorder) for recording a digital audio signal or the like, if a digital signal having a copy prohibition code is input to a digital source, the recording cannot be performed without fail. In the transmission and reception of digital signals, restrictions are imposed on copy prohibition so that a copy prohibition code must be sent upward.

[0003]

As described above, for example, VT
When recording such as copying, copying, and dubbing (hereinafter referred to as copying) from a predetermined source such as an R cassette, satellite broadcasting, etc., for example, a source containing a copy prohibition code signal suddenly enters a copy disabled state and is used. The user has an adverse effect of erroneously recognizing that the recording device has failed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a recording copy protector device which does not cause the above-mentioned adverse effects. It is an object of the present invention to provide a copy protection device for recording which is applicable to various recording devices and which can immediately notify a user of an illegal copy visually or by hearing.

[0005]

A recording copy protection device according to the present invention is a recording copy protection device capable of recording at least a video signal, and receives a video signal to which a copy protection signal is added. Video signal processing means, video signal operation control means for determining the copy protection signal separated by the video signal processing means as copy protection discrimination data, and recording signal receiving copy protection discrimination data from the video signal operation control means. Interface control means for outputting a recording prohibition signal and a display or warning signal indicating that copying cannot be performed, and recording based on a control signal from a video signal operation control means supplied with a recording prohibition signal from the interface control means. Means in non-recording state, display means or alarm means via interface control means In which copy is form so as to display or warning that can not be performed.

According to the above-described recording copy protection apparatus, the user can immediately recognize that the copying is illegal, so that it is possible to avoid a problem that the recording apparatus during copying is mistaken for a failure.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A recording copy protection apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

Hereinafter, a case will be described in which the copy protector (hereinafter referred to as a copy protector) of the present invention is applied to a camera-integrated VTR with a line input.

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of the copy protector of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the copy protector of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram of the copy protector signal, and FIG. 4 shows a display example on a display means. .

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a signal processing system such as a line input circuit, a luminance signal processing circuit, and a chroma signal processing circuit.
C is an image processing means, and an output terminal from the image processing means 1 is connected to an image operation control means 2 at the next stage.

The video operation control means 2 is a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as CPUA) for mainly controlling the operation of video, audio and the like.
* 2)).

A bus output terminal of the CPU A 2 is connected to the human interface control means 3. The human interface control means 3 comprises a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as CPUB) for controlling a device which is operated and sensed by a human.

The output end of the CPU B.3 is connected to an alarm means 9 for blinking or lighting a light-emitting element, a lamp or the like as required to notify that the copy-inhibiting software is used.

Further, an output terminal from the CPU B.3 is a CPU.
The control output terminal of the CPU B 2 is connected to a mechanical drive unit 4 including a mechanical drive unit such as a drum and a capstan of the VTR.

The control output terminals of the CPUB 3 are a display signal processing means 5 comprising a display signal processing circuit such as a liquid crystal panel and a viewfinder of a camera-integrated VTR and a screen character display processing circuit, and an IC of a sound processing circuit. And the like are connected to the audio signal processing means 7 respectively.

An output terminal of the display signal processing means 5 is connected to a display means 6 comprising a liquid crystal panel or a viewfinder, and an output terminal of the audio signal processing means 7 is connected to a sound emitting means 8 such as a speaker.

The copy protection signal for recording according to the present invention is inserted, for example, into a synchronization pulse of 6 to 20 lines in a vertical erasing section of a television video signal as shown in FIG. 3A. Figure 3B shows an enlarged waveform of 13-th horizontal synchronizing signals, four pseudo sync signals S ₁ that is, the copy protection signal.

The operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The video signal processing means 1 of the camera-integrated VTR with a line input is supplied with an external input signal (hereinafter referred to as a video signal) including a copy protection signal and a video signal of FIG. 3 to be recorded (copied, dubbed, copied). You.

The copy protection signals S ₁ in the video signal is transmitted to the CPUA · 2 for control video signal operation. The copy protection signals S ₁ is transmitted once per vertical interval. As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 2, the algorithm performs integration of a predetermined vertical section in the CPU 2 to obtain more reliable information.

That is, in the flowchart of FIG. 2, the first step ST
It is determined whether the set (line) state from the _first initial state in the second step ST _2, if "NO" is cleared in the third step ST _3, "YES" is long if the fourth step ST ₄ Proceed to.

[0021] The fourth step ST ₄ in the NTSC system or the P
Branching is performed by the AL system or the TV system. Advanced to a fifth step ST _5, if the PAL system, the sixth forwarded the data read at each step ST ₆ is performed if the NTSC system.

The seventh and pseudo sync number N2 or more or less step ST ₇ the pseudo sync number N1 of the PAL system is N3
Whether the line is continuous or more is determined and the discrimination conforming to the format is performed.

Similarly, the eighth step ST in the NTSC system
_{In step 8} , it is determined whether the number of pseudo syncs is equal to or less than P1 and the number of pseudo syncs P2 or more is continuous for P3 lines or more, and the number of pseudo syncs P4 is continuous for P5 lines or more.

Seventh step ST ₇ and eighth step ST
If “NO” in each of Steps ₈ , the process proceeds to the tenth step ST ₁₀ and the twelfth step ST ₁₂ , and it is determined that the signal is not a copy protection signal.
Proceed to ₉ and 11 step ST _11, it determines that the copy protect signal. These were the determination information of one vertical interval, and sends these determination result information to the thirteenth step ST _13.

[0025] to update the counter in the 13th step ST _13. That is, when it is judged as a copy protection signal is counted to + A, non determination time which is determined not to be copy protection signal is counted -B, integrated in each vertical interval, proceed to the next stage of the 14 step ST _14. As a final determination information S ₂ at the 14 step ST ₁₄ the copy protection recognition determination is performed the predetermined threshold 15 step S
Is output from the CPUA · 2 as the T ₁₅ is supplied to the CPUB · 3.

The above-described algorithm is merely one embodiment, and various flowcharts are conceivable. In short, the CPU A 2 only needs to output the information S ₂ as a copy protection signal with higher accuracy.

The following three processes are performed in the CPU B.3 based on the information S ₂ provided as a copy protection signal supplied to the CPU B.3.

In the first process, a process for disabling the recording (copying, dubbing, copying) operation is performed. That is, an operation equivalent to the pressing of the stop button is performed.

For this purpose, a stop signal S ₃ is supplied from the CPU B · ₃ to the CPU A · 2. In CPUA · 2 stops the machine drive means 4 receives this stop signal S _3. That is, the recording state also stops.

[0030] After the surface operations copy protection signals S ₂ while recording video signals with mechanical drive means 4 is inputted, stops recording after determination, also, when the copy protection signal is continuously input, recording state It will not be.

The second and third processes include a camera-integrated VT
This is a process for notifying the user of R that recording cannot be performed.

In the second process, the display means 6 is transmitted as screen display information, and information S ₆ indicating that a copy protection signal is input is transmitted from the CPU B 3 to the display signal processing means 5.

Since the display signal processing means 5 includes the screen character display processing circuit as described above, the video signal processing means 1
The character information from the image character display processing circuit is superimposed on the external input signal (video signal S ₇ ) from.

The character information is superimposed on the video signal not only in the display signal processing means 5 but also in the video signal processing circuit 1 for example.
It can be done inside.

The superimposed signal S ₈ the screen information to the user such as display made is in the display example shown in finally 4A and 4B are supplied to the display unit 6 from the display signal processing unit 5 is transmitted . FIG. 4A shows a display example for Japan, and FIG. 4B shows a display example for English-speaking countries.

The third processing is to inform the user as audio information, and information S ₁₀ indicating that a copy protection signal has been input from the CPU B · 3 to the audio signal processing means 7.
Is supplied, the audio signal processing means 7 emits a beep sound or the like from a sound emitting means 8 such as a speaker or a buzzer to draw the user's attention.

[0037] Besides the above-described configuration operates, for example, as a recording stopping method, instead of erasing instantaneously, from the display signal processing unit 5 the signal S ₁₁ as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 1 to the video signal processing unit 1 4A and 4B, the character string shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B may be recorded for a few seconds and then stopped, and the recording that cannot be dubbed by the protect signal may be left on the medium side.

[0038] Alternatively, it may be the way to light or blink the signal S ₄ the lamp of the warning means 9 also display method from CPUB · 3. The voice guidance may be not only a peep sound but also guidance by voice synthesis. In short, any means may be used to inform the user. Further, in the above-described example, the camera-integrated VTR has been described. However, the present invention is applicable to a recording / reproducing apparatus and a VTR capable of recording and reproducing a medium such as a magnetic tape or a recordable disk.

[0039]

According to the recording copy protection apparatus of the present invention, it is a relatively easy and effective means of transmitting visual and auditory senses among the five senses of human beings, and it is possible for the user to copy illegally. In the course of copyright protection, which can be transmitted, there can be obtained products that can be easily constructed with digital ICs and software from the viewpoint of copyright protection.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a recording copy protection apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a recording copy protection apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram of a copy protection signal used in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a screen showing a display example when protected by the recording copy protection apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Video signal processing means, 2 ... Video signal operation control means (C
PUA), 3 ... Human interface control means (C
PUB), 4 ... mechanical drive means, 5 ... display signal processing means,
6 display means, 7 audio signal processing means, 8 sound emitting means

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] February 24, 1998

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0021

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0021] The fourth step ST ₄ in the NTSC system or the P
Branching is performed by the AL system or the TV system. Advanced to a fifth step ST _5, if the NTSC system, the sixth forwarded the data read at each step ST ₆ is performed if the PAL system.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0022

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The seventh and pseudo sync number N2 or more or less step ST ₇ the pseudo sync number N1 of the NTSC system is N
By determining whether three or more lines are continuous, discrimination based on the format is performed.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0023

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Similarly, the eighth step ST ₈ in the PAL system
In, the discrimination conforming to the format is performed by determining whether the number of pseudo syncs P1 or less, the number of pseudo syncs P2 or more is continuous for P3 lines or more, and the number of pseudo syncs P4 is continuous for P5 lines or more.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Explanation of sign

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Description of Signs] 1 ... Video signal processing means, 2 ... Video signal operation control means (C
PUA), 3 ... Human interface control means (C
PUB), 4 ... mechanical drive means, 5 ... display signal processing means,
6 display means, 7 audio signal processing means, 8 sound emitting means,
9 Alarm means

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Figure 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A recording copy protection device capable of recording at least a video signal, comprising: a video signal processing unit to which a video signal to which a copy protection signal is added is input; Video signal operation control means for judging a copy protection signal as copy protection discrimination data; and receiving the copy protection discrimination data from the video signal operation control means, displaying a recording prohibition signal for the recording signal and a message indicating that copying cannot be performed. Or an interface control means for outputting an alarm signal, wherein the recording means is in a non-recording state based on a control signal from the video signal operation control means to which the recording inhibition signal is supplied from the interface control means, A table indicating that copying cannot be performed on the display means or the alarm means via the interface control means. Or recording copy protection system, characterized in that form as a warning.