Abstract: Augmenting pulses are added to the horizontal sync pulse intervals of a video signal to prevent a copy of the thus modified video signal from being satisfactorily displayed. The magnitude of the augmenting pulses is chosen so that the modified signal containing these pulses can be displayed without distortion. When the modified video signal is recorded and then reproduced by a typical VCR (i.e., when the modified video signal is copied), attenuation of the augmenting pulses and the remaining portions of the horizontal sync pulse occurs so that a television receiver cannot properly detect horizontal sync in the copied modified video signal, resulting in an unsatisfactory display.

Abstract: Counting circuitry in the vertical synchronizing circuit of a video receiver is prevented from generating vertical control signals at a fixed, standard periodicity when the video signal transmitted to that receiver exhibits a changing field interval which varies above and below that standard period. At least one of the vertical pulses in the vertical period of each field interval as well as plural equalizing pulses in the post equalizing period in that field interval are deleted from the video signal. To minimize perturbations in the video picture displayed from that video signal, the time of occurrence of the first vertical pulse in selected field intervals is shifted.

Abstract: A system and method for encoding an optional video disc to inhibit unauthorized recording of played back signals by conventional videotape recorders is provided. A source program is mounted on a video signal generating means. The video signal is modified by increasing and decreasing time durations from a standard horizontal line duration of pre-established maximums and minimums. The modified video signal is recorded on a previously blank optical video disc.

Abstract: A composite television signal is modified to inhibit the reproduction of an unauthorized recording thereof by conventional video recorders but enable the display of a video picture therefrom on a television receiver. The length of a frame (more particularly, the length of each field in a frame) is increased or decreased from standard length, either by changing the time duration of the respective horizontal line intervals included in each frame while keeping a constant, standard (e.g. 525) number of lines per frame, or by changing the number of horizontal line intervals which constitute a frame while maintaining the standard duration of each line interval (e.g. 63.5 microseconds). A profile pattern representing the variation of the video frame duration, or vertical period, (whether by changing the horizontal line durations or the number of lines in a frame) with respect to time is adjustable to correspondingly control the rate at which the vertical period (i.e.

Abstract: A method of using a card which has a substrate with at least one magnetic track thereon, the method involving dividing the track into a plurality of spaced blocks with a start sentinel being magnetically recorded at the start of each block. A user's critical data is recorded in at least some of the blocks, this critical data including a portion of the user's personal identification number. The method further includes enhancing the security of a cash card by recording in variable locations on the cash card the last date when the user has had a transaction with a terminal, recording in scrambled locations on the card balance information plus security information and storing in a terminal a set of descrambling tables. The user introduces the card into the terminal and enters the user's personal identification number associated with the card.

Abstract: A video recorder has a first transducer which moves with respect to a moving tape to selectively record and play back video information; the tape has a control region which is accessed for recording or playback by a second transducer. Storing means external of the tape store first coded indicia. Generating means responsive to the storing means is connected to the second transducer for generating second coded indicia to be recorded in the control region simultaneously with the recording of video information by the first transducer, provided the second coded indicia has a predetermined relationship with the stored first coded indicia. During playback signals recorded on the control region are utilized for synchronizing the relative movement between the first transducer and the second transducer and the tape.