Abstract: Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a stream of digital (binary) data on AGC (automatic gain control) pulses or back porch pulses of the type conventionally used for copy protection in the analog television or video realm. The data is encoded onto the tips of the AGC or back porch pulses added to blanking intervals of an analog video signal. Each pulse tip may define, for instance, 10 to 15 digital bits (1 or 0) in the form of square waves or rectangular waves with two states, high and low, representing respectively 1 and 0. In another version, the digital data is similarly encoded onto the pulse tip of back porch pulses present at the end of video fields for copy protection. This digital data conveyed in an analog signal may be read by an associated decoder in a consumer device and the resulting data decoded, for instance, for copy control, storage permission, network access, user identification, or carrying additional data, such as commentary or text relevant to the accompanying video.

Abstract: The “color stripe” process is well known in the video field for preventing copying by analog video tape recorders of video content, and operates by altering the phase of a portion of the video signal color burst. Here, a weakened version of the color stripe process is employed in a video signal whereby the color burst phase alterations are reduced or attenuated so there is no copy prevention effect on a typical video tape recorder. However the weakened color stripe process is still sufficient to be detectable by a suitable detector located in a compliant device, so the detected presence of the color stripe serves as an encoded indication of copy control or other content control for the video signal by the compliant device.

Abstract: The “color stripe” process is well known in the video field for preventing copying by analog video tape recorders of video content, and operates by altering the phase of a portion of the video signal color burst. Here, a weakened version of the color stripe process is employed in a video signal whereby the color burst phase alterations are reduced or attenuated so there is no copy prevention effect on a typical video tape recorder. However the weakened color stripe process is still sufficient to be detectable by a suitable detector located in a compliant device, so the detected presence of the color stripe serves as an encoded indication of copy control or other content control for the video signal by the compliant device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a stream of digital (binary) data on AGC (automatic gain control) pulses or back porch pulses of the type conventionally used for copy protection in the analog television or video realm. The data is encoded onto the tips of the AGC or back porch pulses added to blanking intervals of an analog video signal. Each pulse tip may define, for instance, 10 to 15 digital bits (1 or 0) in the form of square waves or rectangular waves with two states, high and low, representing respectively 1 and 0. In another version, the digital data is similarly encoded onto the pulse tip of back porch pulses present at the end of video fields for copy protection. This digital data conveyed in an analog signal may be read by an associated decoder in a consumer device and the resulting data decoded, for instance, for copy control, storage permission, network access, user identification, or carrying additional data, such as commentary or text relevant to the accompanying video.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for content control of television signals which operate over multiple television standards and include flags, control bits, data copy, copy protection signals and/or video modification signals. Content control for high definition television signals is provided operative with television-type devices, such as television transmitters, signal translators, recorders, players and others. This approach to content control is intended to operate both with the legacy analog television standards and new higher definition television standards, including the various HDTV standards to convert and detect content control information for use across standards.