Abstract: Generally the more effective is the copy protection provided on an optical disc, such as a DVD, the greater is the likelihood that the copy protection will adversely interfere with legitimate uses of the optical disc. It is therefore proposed to include at least one region of subversive data within the content in the data area of an optical disc, and then to prevent access to each such region of subversive data during normal playback of the disc. For a DVD, the subversive data may be incorporated within video objects and/or may be in gaps between files in the DVD_Video zone. It is arranged that there are no navigable paths to the regions of subversive data.

Abstract: The CGMS unacceptable recorder accepts transmission frames only when the copyright protection information in a transmission header transmitted to the IEEE1394 serial bus indicates copy free. The CGMS acceptable recorder accepts transmission frames when the copyright protection information in the transmission header indicates copy free. When the copyright protection information in the transmission header indicates compliance with the copyright information contained in the content of the transmission frame, the copyright information in the content is fetched based on the signal format type information of the transmission header. As described herein above, a copy management information changeable apparatus such as a computer cannot accept data other than copy free signals from the digital interface.

Abstract: An information processing device, for executing content reproduction processing from an information recording medium, includes a security information processing unit for determining output messages based on security check information in a content reproduction sequence, and outputting a message output command accompanied by selection information of the output message to a user interface processing unit, and a user information processing unit for obtaining message information based on the selection information input from said security information processing unit and outputting to a display unit.

Abstract: A system and method of determining the copy protection features of a program, and notifying a potential user of the program of these features, is provided. The copy protection features of the program first are analyzed. On the basis of this analysis, a message such as “this program cannot be recorded with IEEE1394, optical digital audio” is displayed to the user. By displaying such a message, the user can easily recognize that copy protection is applied to the program and that, for example, the program can be recorded (picture-recorded) in an analog style but cannot be digitally recorded. Accordingly, the user is easily made aware of the copy protection features of the program before using or purchasing the program.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a data processing unit which performs copy processing for recording recorded data of a first medium in a second medium, wherein the data processing unit receives three-dimensional image restriction information as copy restriction information of a three-dimensional image from a management server, and when a three-dimensional image is included in copy data from the first medium, performs processing for referencing the three-dimensional image restriction information, determining whether or not the copy processing is permitted, and copying recorded data of the first medium to the second medium under the condition it is determined that the copy processing is permitted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for modifying an analogue video signal to impair its conversion to a digital signal by an analogue to digital converter. The resulting modified signal may prevent the operation of the analogue to digital converter altogether, or even if a digital signal can be output and recorded, may result in a signal which is difficult to view due to a reduction in quality on playback. The modifications made to the signal include altering the amplitude of the horizontal synchronization pulses in the original signal, and/or modifying the level of the back porch, or the region of the signal adjacent the back porch. Additionally, methods are contemplated for the use of specific response models for target analogue to digital converters, and display devices.

Abstract: There is provided a content recording/reproducing apparatus that can restore a deleted content. An MD recording player (1) as an example of the content recording/reproducing apparatus records, each time a content recorded in a mini disk (90) is deleted, information on the deleted content to a deletion history. Since a personal computer (200) as an external device re-records the content deleted in the MD recording player (1) on the basis of the content of the deletion history, so the user has not to re-record the deleted content by remembering what the deleted content was. Also, even if a content checked out to the MD recording player (1) is deleted, the number of times of check-in or check-out is matched with the content data by making deemed check-in on the basis of the deletion history or recording history.

Abstract: To provide a recording and reproducing apparatus that recovers contents having approximately the same quality as the original contents in a short time and requiring only light processing load, at the time of (a) moving the contents from the first recording medium to the second recording medium, (b) rewriting the contents in order to disable reproduction of the contents, (c) reconstructing the original contents by recovering the contents from the second recording medium to the first recording medium. The recording and reproducing apparatus includes a move processing unit 72a and a recovery processing unit 73a. The former records reconstruction information on the second recording medium in association with the second contents, the reconstruction information being used in reconstructing one or more parts of the contents that have been rewritten in order to disable reproduction of the contents at the time of moving the contents.

Abstract: An integrated circuit or system receives a bit pattern from a metadata, IPG, and or EPG signal. This bit pattern is then coupled to a circuit to provide a content control command to a recorder or to a processing circuit to generate a content control signal. In particular the bit pattern may be utilized in a manner to program, enable, or disable the generated control signal. Furthermore this content control signal provides resistance to a circumvention device. For example, the circumvention device is unable to remove sufficiently the content control signal, and content control is maintained.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for anti-piracy protection and verification include a first projection device configured to project image frames onto a screen. A feedback device records a plurality of consecutive frames, an image analyzing module analyzes image properties of the recorded frames and a modulator creates anti-sampling system content to be projected contemporaneously with the image frames. The projected anti-sampling system content, while virtually invisible to the human eye, is detectable by sampling systems such as camcorders, thus rendering any such pirated recordings of the protected image content useless. The first projection device can include a security processor configured for comparing the recorded content with an expected content in real-time. A display enable/disable module is provided for disabling the projection of the content on the screen if the recorded content does not match the expected content.

Abstract: A system and method are described for rendering Compact Discs (CDs) and Digital Video Discs (DVDs) unreadable. Embodiments comprise a frame, a guide for constraining motion of the frame with respect to a disc, and at least one scraping element. Scraping elements may be positioned to damage the disc volume descriptor while the frame moves in a constrained manner relative to the disc. The guide may comprise a spindle which engages the center hole of a disc to hold the frame in a radially-fixed position. A scraping element on the frame damages the disc as the disc rotates relative to the frame. The guide may be integrated, such that the frame comprises a slot through which the disc passes. A scraping element inside the slot damages a disc as it passes through. Embodiments are hand operated, not motorized, and some have no moving parts. Embodiments also function with non-optical media.

Abstract: A system for validating electronic voting made via computer apparatus comprises a device configured to connect to the computer apparatus and store data output by the computer apparatus. A separate processing device is configured to connect with the device and analyse the stored data to determine the validity of the voting.

Abstract: A portable RFID device includes an analog modulation radio frequency transmitter and a data storage holding audio data files. In response to user entered commands the device retrieves the audio data files, applies digital to analog conversion to generate analog audio signals, and transmits the analog audio signals through the analog modulation RF amplifier. Optionally, the analog modulation RF amplifier is a frequency modulation (FM) modulator and transmitter, optionally using a UHF broadcast FM band. The transmitted analog modulated RF signal is received and played by a receiver and playback device proximal to the transmitter. Optionally, a locking operation is applied after storing the multimedia files, preventing subsequent altering of the files.

Abstract: A reproducing method is disclosed, that comprises the steps of determining whether or not additional data has been read from data that had been read from a loaded record medium, and when the determined result represents that the additional data has been read from the data, performing a reproducing process for the data that had been read from the record medium corresponding to reward data contained in the additional data.

Abstract: A reproducing method is disclosed, that comprises the steps of determining whether or not additional data has been read from data that had been read from a loaded record medium, and when the determined result represents that the additional data has been read from the data, performing a reproducing process for the data that had been read from the record medium corresponding to reward data contained in the additional data.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information transmitting apparatus includes a receiver, a management module, a transmitter, and an update module. The receiver is configured to receive a first content item in which a first viewable time is set. The management module is configured to manage the first content item and a remaining viewable time. The transmitter is configured to transmit a second content item and information of second viewable time to a device to which a duplicate is to be made, the second content item being a duplicate of the first content item and the information of the second viewable time defining a period of time during which the second content item can be viewed in the device. The update module is configured to update the remaining viewable time managed by the management module to a period of time obtained by subtracting the second viewable time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable storage medium, a media player and a method of disturbing the perception of content provided in a first media stream. The first media stream is combined with other media streams to at least one transport stream and provided, together with at least one second media stream, on the portable storage medium. The media player includes a control unit, which retrieves a playing control unit from the storage medium and implements it, (step 37), receives a user selection of reproducing content provided in the first media stream, (step 40), selects the second media stream for presentation in relation to the first media stream based on the user selection, (step 44), and presents content provided in the second media stream in relation to the first media stream so that the content of the second media stream disturbs the perception of content provided in the first media stream, (step 48).

Abstract: In case continuous reproduction is commanded from a first AV stream to a second AV stream, a third AV stream, made up of a preset portion of the first AV stream and a preset portion of the second AV stream, is generated. The third AV stream is reproduced when reproduction is switched from the first AV stream to the second AV stream. As information pertinent to the third AV stream, the address information of a source packet of the first AV stream at a time of switching from the first AV stream to the third AV stream and the address information of a source packet of the second AV stream at a time of switching from the third AV stream to the second AV stream, are generated. This enables reproduction such as to maintain continuity between separately recorded AV streams.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for securely providing a time and space shifted audiovisual work. The method includes accessing a time shifted and a space shifted audiovisual work comprising a series of related images that are intrinsically intended to be shown with accompanying sounds. In addition, the time shifted and the space shifted audiovisual work is presented with a copyright compliance mechanism (CCM)-enabled playback/recording/recording application, the CCM-enabled playback/recording application utilizing a new pathway distinct from a commonly used data pathway of a audiovisual work rendering subsystem of an operating system, such that the audiovisual work continuously remains in a secure environment during rendering, playback and recording.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus (1) includes: an AV recording medium (26) recording an AV data item; a transmitting and receiving unit (21) transmitting and receiving the item and information on the item to and from an other apparatus connected to the apparatus (1) via a network; a retrieving unit (28) retrieving AV data items that indicate a same program and are recorded on the AV recording medium and in the other apparatus; a comparing unit (29) comparing image qualities of the items; and a restriction value control unit (30) moving use restriction values through the transmitting and receiving unit so that, based on a result of the comparison, (i) a use restriction value of one of the items having a lower image quality is decreased by a predetermined value and (ii) a use restriction value of an other one of the items having a higher image quality is increased by the predetermined value.

Abstract: A more efficient method of recording programs simultaneously is provided in one embodiment by translating certain bands of the RF spectrum and translating and or reordering the channel allocation into a (analog) spectrum of one or more lower intermediate frequency band(s). A recorder records the analog RF spectrum, which then is available for playback from the recorder. Programs contained in the played back RF spectrum are selectively extracted by means of a tuner and or demodulator for subsequent viewing, listening, or distribution. Alternatively, an RF signal is supplied to a recorder for recording or storage without translation. The recorder then plays back the RF signal to a tuner and or demodulator for display and or distribution.

Abstract: A high speed data processing apparatus which is able to produce smooth reproduced pictures without lowering the quality of the reproduced picture. When the high speed reproduction is selected by a user, a system controller controls a media controller to cause a reproducing driver to read out a plural number of stamp video data from an optical disc to write the data in an associated memory space of the memory on the frame basis. The data processing apparatus reads out stamp video data written on the frame basis in a memory space of the memory portion-wise to display the plural number of frames of the picture information simultaneously on one picture frame in each output frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for generating a moving image, and an apparatus and a method for reproducing a moving image are provided. The present moving image generating apparatus includes a script parsing unit which analyzes script information, a composer which generates a script to define a moving image, and a storage management unit which includes and stores setting information regarding the moving image in the script. Accordingly, a user may prevent the consumption of unnecessary resources as a moving image defined in a script is generated.

Abstract: A method and system to store user data are provided. A system to store user data may include a video recorder device. The video recorder device may include a video receiver to receive video data. The video recorder device may also include a memory device. The memory device may include at least one protected memory region to store video data received via the video receiver. The memory device may also include at least one unprotected memory region. The video recorder device may be adapted to prevent user copying of video data stored at the protected memory region and to allow user copying of data stored at the unprotected memory region.

Abstract: The digital broadcast recording apparatus (100) includes a recording unit (160) for recording digital broadcast, a detection unit (170) for detecting a packet containing information regarding a portion permitted to be recorded from a stream of a program prohibited from being recorded in the digital broadcast, and a control unit (140) for controlling, when the recording unit (160) records the program prohibited from being recorded, the recording unit (160) to record the portion permitted to be recorded based on the information contained in the packet detected by the detection unit (170).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for enabling and facilitating the licensing of audio portions of audio-video assets per individual copy of the asset. The method and apparatus involves omitting unlicensed portions of the audio content from the asset and instead inserting tags identifying the omitted audio portions and distributing the audiovisual asset, whereupon each individual distributee may obtain licenses for the unlicensed audio portions of the asset and then accessing and playing those audio portions during playback of the asset.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for processing motion picture and a record medium, which decompose a motion picture into unit frames and insert copyright information into the unit frames, enabling to determine the infringement of copyright when the motion picture is illegally circulated. The apparatus includes a processing unit, a merging unit and an output unit. The processing unit decomposes a motion picture into a plurality of unit frames, and generates a main frame, a sub-frame including copyright information for the motion picture and a degree frame which is paired with the sub-frame, based on the unit frames. The merging unit merges the sub-frame into the main frame according to a degree of mergence of the degree frame. The output unit continuously outputs the merged frames in time order.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus, for enabling recording/reproducing of a three-dimensional (3D) video stream, by taking a display environment into the consideration thereof, comprises: a stream distinguishing means for distinguishing the three-dimensional (3D) video stream; a 3D/2D stream converting for converting the three-dimensional (3D) video stream distinguished by the stream distinguishing means into a two-dimensional (2D) video stream; and a conversion indicating means for indicating to execute the 3D/2D conversion, wherein the three-dimensional (3D) video stream is converted into the two-dimensional (2D) video stream by the 3D/2D stream means, when the 3D/2D conversion is indicted in the conversion indicating means.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing and marking a film include determining color conditions which define colors compatible with a proposed mark, retrieving a number of consecutive frames to be marked, and determining potential marking areas within an image of each frame of the film. The color components associated with each potential marking area are analyzed to generate color values, and the color values of each of the potential marking areas are compared with the respective color conditions for determining ideal marking areas. Actual marking locations in the film are determined from the determined ideal marking areas.

Abstract: There is provided an AV server device in a home network for enabling transmission/reception of an AV content between digital AV apparatuses connected with communication interfaces of different standards while protecting copyright. The AV server device includes an HDD (11) for recording a content and its attribute information; a format conversion portion (12) for converting the format of the content; and a plurality of communication interfaces (13, 14) for transmitting/receiving a content to/from an external apparatus through the HDD (11).