JP2002112210A - Additional information embedding apparatus and method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To embed additional information in a video signal so as to switch the recognizability of additional information depending on a difference in viewing conditions such as normal viewing, recording playback, and variable speed playback. SOLUTION: Additional information is superimposed on a video signal by inverting the phase of each field or each frame. You can watch the program without viewing additional information during normal viewing,
If the output image is temporarily recorded and then reproduced at variable speed, the additional information can be identified. Furthermore, ZOOM,
Even if processing such as rotation and affine transformation is added, it can be recognized as image information. Discrimination is possible with a smaller amount of information than a digital watermark, and a high-quality video signal can be provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an additional information embedding apparatus and method for embedding additional information in video information, and more particularly to a method for embedding additional information in video information in a format that is invisible when viewing the video information normally. The present invention relates to an additional information embedding device and method for embedding information in a device.

More specifically, the present invention relates to an additional information embedding apparatus and method for switching the recognizability of additional information embedded in a video signal depending on a difference in viewing conditions.
In particular, the present invention relates to an additional information embedding apparatus and method that allows only the original video information to be seen during normal viewing, and makes it easier to visually recognize the additional information during variable speed playback such as still or slow playback when video information is recorded and played back.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, digital recording devices such as digital VTRs and MD (Mini Disc (trademark)) recording and reproducing devices have begun to spread. DVD with recording function
(Digital Video Disc (trademark) or Digital
Versatile disk) devices have also appeared,
It is being mounted on devices such as computers (PCs).

[0004] As described above, according to the information processing apparatus that handles information in a digital form, it is extremely easy to copy or falsify data or content, and it can be said that the information and the apparatus are even exposed to the danger of copyright infringement. Therefore, strengthening the copyright law and other laws and regulations is not enough. From the viewpoint of information technology, we support the legitimate use of data and content or eliminate illegal use to expand copyright protection. I think I need to do that.

For example, in a digital information recording device,
The additional information signal may be superimposed or embedded with the digital video signal or digital audio signal as the main information signal, or with the digital data for the computer. In this case, the additional information signal is a digital signal. Information for controlling copying of data and content as additional information (such as "COPY ONECE" or "NEVER COPY")
And embedding copyright information (copyright information etc.), it is possible to control whether or not copying is possible on the content recording device. For example, additional information such as copy control information is added to a header portion added to data in block units of a digital information signal, or other TOC (Table Of Contents).
This can be added to the digital information signal as an information recorded in an area clearly distinguished from the digital information signal main body, such as an area of the digital information signal.

In a conventional data transmission / distribution / distribution system, the additional information is not superimposed directly on the digital information signal, but is added to an indirect portion such as a header. For this reason, the additional information can be deleted relatively easily by filtering or tampering, so that it becomes impossible for the recording device or the reproducing device to detect the necessary additional information. In particular, when additional information includes control information or copyright information to prevent unauthorized duplication of data or content, the initial purpose cannot be achieved due to the lack of additional information. Invite.

In the case where the additional information is embedded in the indirect portion of the information signal as described above, only the main information signal is obtained when the digital information is converted into an analog signal, so that the additional information is lost. Will be. This means that even if a control signal for preventing duplication as described above is superimposed as an additional information signal and measures are taken to suppress illegal digital information signal duplication, it is converted to an analog signal. It means that such measures no longer have any effect in the subsequent process.

[0008] The problem of lack of additional information as described above,
Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 7-339959 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. Hei 9-339959), which has already been assigned to the present applicant, discloses a method of superimposing additional information which solves problems when converting to an analog signal.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 163341/1992 discloses that an original image signal is affected by superimposing a spectrum spread signal obtained by spectrum-splitting an additional information signal such as a duplication control signal on a video signal and digitally or analogly recording the video signal. There has been proposed an information signal recording apparatus and method capable of synthesizing additional information such as a duplication control code without duplication and reliably performing duplication control in the case of an analog interface.

In the additional information embedding method described in the specification, for example, a code of a PN (Pseudorandom Noise: pseudo noise) sequence (hereinafter also referred to as a “PN code”) is generated at a sufficiently short period and added. By multiplying the information signal by the spectrum, the spectrum is spread and the narrow band and high level additional information signal is converted into a wide band and minute level signal which does not affect the original video signal. Then, the spectrum-spread additional information signal, that is, the spectrum spread signal is superimposed on the analog video signal as additional information and recorded on a recording medium. In this case, the video signal recorded on the recording medium may be in either analog or digital format.

In the method described in the specification, the spread spectrum signal as the additional information is superimposed on the video signal at the same time and within the same frequency. It is extremely difficult to remove the duplication prevention control signal from the video signal. On the other hand, it is easy to detect an additional information signal such as a duplication prevention control signal superimposed by inverse spectrum spreading from a video signal and use it for purposes such as duplication control.

In this case, since the additional information consisting of the spread spectrum signal is not removed from the video signal by its detection, the additional information is transferred at a very small level without affecting the reproduced image of the video signal. Must be superimposed. However, even if it is a minute level, it is necessary that the level be capable of detecting additional information.

For this reason, the spectrum-spread additional information is superimposed on the video signal as a wideband, low-level signal. To prevent the video signal from deteriorating, the S / N of the video signal is reduced. It is necessary to superimpose at a small level below the ratio.

[0013] The spectrum-spread additional information is superimposed on the video signal at a small level equal to or lower than the S / N ratio of the video signal,
For example, in order to make it possible to detect additional information of a spread spectrum signal superimposed on a video signal in a recording apparatus, the number of PN codes (PN code length) necessary for spread-spectrum of one bit of the additional information signal is sufficiently increased. Need to be bigger. The PN code length per bit of the additional information signal is a ratio (T / TC) between the time width T per bit of the additional information signal and the time width TC of one PN code (one chip).
Can be rephrased as the spreading gain (spreading factor).
The spreading gain is determined according to the S / N ratio of the information signal on which the additional information is to be superimposed (in this case, the S / N ratio of the video signal), as described below.

For example, when the S / N ratio of a video signal on which additional information is superimposed is 50 dB, the additional information which is spread spectrum and superimposed on the video signal has a level smaller than 50 dB which is the S / N ratio of the video signal. Must be superimposed. At the same time, in order to detect the additional information superimposed on the video signal, it is necessary to secure an S / N ratio that can sufficiently demodulate the additional information after the spread spectrum. This S / N ratio is 10 dB
Then, the spread gain is 60 dB (ie,
(50 dB for S / N ratio of video signal) + (10 dB for S / N ratio required for detection)). In this case, the PN code length per bit of the additional information is one million code length.

As a method of detecting the PN code superimposed on the video signal on the recording device side, a method using a matched filter or a sliding correlation method can be used. In the case of the former detection method, P
Although it is possible to detect N codes, its application is limited to those having a short code length. The realized code length is 256
PN code having a code length of 1,000,000 per bit of the additional information signal cannot be detected. Also,
In the latter detection method, a PN code having a long code length can be detected, but the detection time becomes long. For example, it is expected that a considerable detection time may be required to detect a PN code having a code length of one million.

Therefore, it is desirable that the additional information be superimposed on the video signal at a level as high as possible. However, if the superimposition level of the additional information as a spread spectrum signal becomes slightly higher, the superimposed additional information may cause visual interference. This makes it more noticeable during viewing.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an excellent additional information embedding apparatus and method which can embed additional information in video information in a format that is invisible when viewing the video information normally. Is to provide.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an excellent additional information embedding apparatus and method capable of switching the recognizability of additional information depending on a difference in viewing conditions such as normal viewing, recording / reproduction, and variable speed reproduction. is there.

A further object of the present invention is to allow only the original video information to be seen during normal viewing, and to change the speed when recording and reproducing the video information, such as still playback, slow playback, strobe playback, and frame-by-frame playback. An object of the present invention is to provide an excellent additional information embedding apparatus and method, which can make it easy to visually recognize additional information when performing reproduction.

[0020]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and a first aspect of the present invention is an additional information embedding apparatus or method for embedding additional information in a video signal. And additional information input means or step for inputting additional information to be embedded in the video signal,
Additional information pattern generating means or step to be embedded in the video signal based on the input additional information, and a phase control means or step for inputting the video signal and detecting the phase thereof to control the phase of the additional information pattern, Superimposing means or step of embedding the phase-controlled additional information pattern in a video signal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an additional information embedding apparatus or method for embedding additional information in a video signal, comprising: a copy control information detecting a copy control information included in the video signal; Detecting means or steps, additional information pattern generating means or steps for generating an additional information pattern to be embedded in a video signal based on the detected duplication control information, and inputting the video signal and detecting its phase to detect additional information An additional information embedding apparatus or method comprising: a phase control unit or step for controlling the phase of a pattern; and a superimposing unit or step for embedding the phase-controlled additional information pattern in a video signal.

[0022] The phase control means may synchronously invert the phase of the additional information pattern for each field of the video signal, for each frame, or at a boundary between fields in the frame.

According to the additional information embedding apparatus and method according to the present invention, the additional information is superimposed on the output video signal by inverting the phase of each additional field or each frame.
For this reason, at the time of normal reproduction, as a result of canceling each other between consecutive fields or frames, the additional information becomes visually inconspicuous and does not hinder viewing of video information.

On the other hand, if the variable speed reproduction such as still reproduction, slow reproduction, strobe reproduction, and n-times reproduction is performed after the output image is once recorded, the viewer can check the output image in field units or frame units. As a result, the additional information can be visually identified. For example, when illegal copies are circulated, it is easy to identify the illegally duplicated image simply by visual observation by playing back the video at variable speeds, making it easier to crack down on the duplicate and effective To prevent illegal copying. For example, unlike a case of detecting a digital watermark, a complicated circuit and a long detection time are not required.

Further, according to the additional information embedding apparatus and method according to the present invention, ZOOM,
Even if the rotation and affine transformations are performed, they can be visually recognized as image information. Therefore, in case the other copy control information is broken, the copy prevention effect can be obtained by using the additional information embedding method according to the present invention together. Can be sufficiently secured. For example, a second spread spectrum signal in which another additional information pattern is spread spectrum is embedded in a video signal.
May be further provided.

The additional information embedding apparatus and method according to the present invention may further include an embedding control means for energizing or reducing the superimposing operation by the superimposing means or the step according to the embedding control information included in the video signal. You may.

For example, if the original video signal is prohibited from being copied ("never
In the case of content such as "copy" or "no more copy"), in order to indicate that the information warns the prohibition of the subsequent duplication, the superimposing means or the superimposing operation by the step is activated to prohibit the duplication. It is only necessary to superimpose the additional information pattern to be specified, whereas it is not necessary to activate the superimposing means or steps if the content is copy-free.

Further, the additional information embedding apparatus and method according to the present invention may further include a position control means or step for controlling an embedding position of the additional information pattern on a time axis.

If the additional information pattern is always embedded at the same position on the time axis, the process of removing the additional information pattern from the video signal by an unauthorized user becomes easy. The embedding position of the additional information pattern may be appropriately changed. For example, a random number may be input to disturb the overlapping position. Further, the additional information pattern may be continuously or intermittently superimposed on the time axis.

It is preferable that the additional information pattern embedded in the video signal is selected so as to avoid the color signal band.

It is preferable that the additional information pattern is a character or a pattern which is visually recognized on an output screen of a display device for outputting a video signal.

Such an additional information pattern is, for example,
The information may be information that specifies restriction or prohibition of duplication of the video signal, copyright information regarding the video, or other information that indicates the source of the copyrighted work.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, computer software written to execute additional information embedding processing for embedding additional information in a video signal on a computer system is physically stored in a computer readable format. A storage medium in which the computer software includes an additional information input step of inputting additional information to be embedded in a video signal, and an additional information pattern generation step to be embedded in the video signal based on the input additional information. A phase control step of inputting a video signal, detecting the phase thereof, and controlling the phase of the additional information pattern, and a superimposing step of embedding the phase-controlled additional information pattern in the video signal. This is a storage medium.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, computer software written to execute additional information embedding processing for embedding additional information in a video signal on a computer system is physically stored in a computer readable format. The storage medium, wherein the computer software includes a copy control information detecting step of detecting copy control information included in the video signal, and an addition to be embedded in the video signal based on the detected copy control information. An additional information pattern generating step of generating an information pattern; a phase control step of inputting a video signal and detecting a phase thereof to control the phase of the additional information pattern; and embedding the phase-controlled additional information pattern in the video signal And a superimposing step.

The storage medium according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention can be used, for example, for a general-purpose computer system capable of executing various program codes, by executing computer software in a computer-readable format. It is a medium that is provided on a regular basis. Such a medium is, for example, C
D (Compact Disc), FD (Floppy Disc), MO (Mag
It is a removable and portable storage medium such as a neto-Optical disc. Alternatively, it is technically possible to provide computer software to a specific computer system in a computer-readable form via a transmission medium such as a network (a network may be either wireless or wired).

Such a storage medium defines a structural or functional cooperative relationship between the computer software and the storage medium for realizing a predetermined computer software function on a computer system. It is. In other words, by installing predetermined computer software into the computer system via the storage medium according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, a cooperative action is exhibited on the computer system, and The same effects as those of the additional information embedding device and the additional information embedding method according to the first and second aspects of the present invention can be obtained.

Still other objects, features and advantages of the present invention are:
It will become apparent from the following more detailed description based on the embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings.

[0038]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

The embodiment of the present invention described in this section is
The present invention is applied to a system in which an output video signal from a DVD playback device as an example of a video signal output device is supplied to a DVD recording device and can be copied. An example of the additional information superimposed on the video signal includes duplication prevention warning information.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the configuration of an additional information embedding device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The additional information embedding device 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a data input unit 11, a decoding unit 12, an additional information input unit 13,
It comprises an additional information generation unit 14, a phase control unit 15, a first superimposition unit 16, and a data output unit 17.

The data input section 11 receives, for example, a video playback signal supplied from a DVD playback device (not shown). However, the data input unit 11 converts a video signal reproduced by a recording medium reproducing device other than a DVD or a received video signal obtained from a television receiver (for example, a set-top box (STB)) for receiving broadcast waves into a video signal. It may be a source.

The decoding section 12 decodes the video reproduction signal and outputs it as a decoded video signal. This decoded video signal is supplied to the phase control unit 15 and the first superimposing unit 16.

The additional information input unit 13 is a device for inputting additional information to be embedded in the decoded video signal, and is constituted by, for example, a user interface such as a keyboard and a display. Accept. Alternatively, the additional information input unit 13 may be configured by a connection interface with an external device (not shown), and may receive the additional information transferred from the external device.

The additional information generator 14 generates an embedding pattern for actually embedding the video signal, that is, an additional information pattern, based on the input additional information.

[0045] The additional information pattern is, for example, a pattern expressing information related to video duplication, and is preferably a character or a pattern visually recognized on an output screen of a display device. It is preferable that the additional information pattern is selected while avoiding the color signal band.

The phase control unit 15 receives the video signal and detects the phase. For example, the phase control unit 15 synchronously inverts the phase of the additional information pattern on a field-by-field, frame-by-frame, or field-by-field basis. First superimposing section 16
To supply.

The first superimposing section 16 combines the decoded video signal and the additional information pattern.

The data output section 17 outputs a video signal in which the additional information pattern is embedded to the outside. The output destination is, for example, a DVD recording device, but may be a media recording device that records on a recording medium other than a DVD, or a display device that directly displays and outputs a video signal.

The additional information embedding apparatus 10 includes a spectrum spread signal obtained by spectrum spreading the additional information signal, that is, a digital watermark pattern 51 for generating a digital watermark pattern, and a second superimposing section 52 for superimposing the digital watermark pattern on the decoded video signal. It may be further equipped. Since the additional information embedding method using a so-called electronic watermark does not interfere with the additional information embedding method according to the present invention, there is no problem such as deterioration of a video signal even when both embedding methods are used in combination. Also,
Even if the additional information by one embedding method is broken, the additional information by the other embedding method still remains valid.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the configuration of an additional information embedding device 10-2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The additional information embedding device 10- shown in FIG.
2 is a data input unit 21, a decoding unit 22, an additional information input unit 23, an additional information generation unit 24, a phase control unit 25
, A first superimposing unit 26, a data output unit 27, and an embedding control unit 28.

The data input section 21 receives, for example, a video playback signal supplied from a DVD playback device (not shown). However, the data input unit 21 may use a video signal reproduced by a recording medium reproducing device other than a DVD or a received video signal obtained from a television receiver that receives broadcast waves as a video signal supply source.

[0052] The decoding section 22 decodes the video reproduction signal and outputs it as a decoded video signal. This decoded video signal is supplied to the phase control unit 25 and the first superimposing unit 26.

The additional information input unit 23 is a device for inputting additional information to be embedded in the decoded video signal, and is constituted by, for example, a user interface such as a keyboard and a display. Accept. Alternatively, the additional information input unit 23 may be configured with a connection interface with an external device (not shown), and may receive the additional information transferred from the external device.

The additional information generator 24 generates an embedding pattern for actually embedding the video signal, that is, an additional information pattern, based on the input additional information.

The additional information pattern is, for example, a pattern expressing information related to video duplication, and is preferably a character or a pattern visually recognized on an output screen of a display device. It is preferable that the additional information pattern is selected while avoiding the color signal band.

The phase control unit 25 receives the video signal, detects the phase, and synchronously inverts the phase of the additional information pattern, for example, on a field-by-field, frame-by-frame, or field-by-field basis. Then, the data is supplied to the first superimposing unit 26 via the embedding control unit 28.

The embedding control section 28 extracts the embedding control information inserted in the video signal, and controls whether or not the additional information pattern is embedded and the embedding position based on the extracted control information. As a method of inserting control information into a video signal, for example, use of a specific scanning line during a vertical blanking period can be cited. However, since it is not directly related to the gist of the present invention, it will not be described here. And similar).

The first superimposing section 26 includes an embedding control section 28
, The decoded video signal and the additional information pattern are combined.

For example, if the original video signal is prohibited from being copied ("never
If the content is “copy” or “no more copy”), the superimposing operation by the first superimposing unit 26 is activated to indicate that the information warns the prohibition of the subsequent duplication. It is only necessary to superimpose the additional information pattern that explicitly indicates the prohibition of duplication, whereas it is not necessary to energize the first superimposition unit 26 if the content is copy-free.

The data output section 27 outputs a video signal in which the additional information pattern is embedded to the outside. The output destination is, for example, a DVD recording device, but may be a media recording device that records on a recording medium other than a DVD, or a display device that directly displays and outputs a video signal.

Note that the additional information embedding device 10-2
A digital watermark pattern 51 for generating a spectrum spread signal, that is, a digital watermark pattern, obtained by spectrum-spreading the additional information signal, and a second superimposing unit 52 for superimposing the digital watermark pattern on the decoded video signal may be further provided (same as above).

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the configuration of an additional information embedding device 10-3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The additional information embedding device 10- shown in FIG.
2, a data input unit 31, a decoding unit 32, an additional information input unit 33, an additional information generation unit 34, and a phase control unit 35
, A first superimposing unit 36, a data output unit 37, and a copy control information detection unit 38.

The data input unit 31 receives, for example, a video reproduction signal supplied from a DVD reproducing device (not shown). However, the data input unit 31 may use a video signal reproduced by a recording medium reproducing device other than a DVD or a received video signal obtained from a television receiver that receives broadcast waves as a video signal supply source.

The decoding section 32 decodes the video reproduction signal and outputs it as a decoded video signal. This decoded video signal is supplied to the copy control information detection unit 38 and the first superimposition unit 36.

The copy control information detecting section 38 extracts copy control information as additional information inserted in the video signal. Then, the additional information generating unit 34 generates an embedding pattern for actually embedding the video signal, that is, an additional information pattern, based on the copy control information.

The additional information pattern is, for example, a pattern expressing information relating to the duplication of a video, and is preferably a character or a pattern visually recognized on an output screen of a display device. It is preferable that the additional information pattern is selected while avoiding the color signal band.

The copy control information referred to here is, for example, “O
Such information includes information that restricts or prohibits copying of video signals, such as “nce copy” and “Never Copy”, and copyright information and other information that reveals the source of a copyrighted work.

The phase control unit 35 receives the video signal, detects the phase, and inverts the phase of the additional information pattern for each field or frame, for example, and supplies it to the first superimposing unit 36.

[0069] The first superimposing section 36 combines the decoded video signal and the additional information pattern.

The data output section 37 outputs a video signal in which the additional information pattern is embedded to the outside. The output destination of the video signal with the additional information is, for example, a DVD recording device, but may be a media recording device that records on a recording medium other than a DVD, or a display device that directly displays and outputs a video signal. Is also good.

It should be noted that the additional information embedding device 10-3
A digital watermark pattern 51 for generating a spread spectrum signal, that is, a digital watermark pattern, in which the additional information signal is spread spectrum, and a second superimposing unit 52 for superimposing the digital watermark pattern on the decoded video signal may be provided (same as above).

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the configuration of an additional information embedding device 10-3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The additional information embedding device 10- shown in FIG.
2 is a data input unit 41, a decoding unit 42, an additional information input unit 43, an additional information generation unit 44, a phase control unit 45
, A first superimposing unit 46, a data output unit 47, a copy control information detection unit 48, and a position control unit 49.

The data input section 41 inputs, for example, a video reproduction signal supplied from a DVD reproduction device (not shown). However, the data input unit 41 may use a video signal reproduced by a recording medium reproducing device other than a DVD or a received video signal obtained from a television receiver for receiving broadcast waves as a video signal supply source.

The decoding section 42 decodes the video reproduction signal and outputs a decoded video signal. This decoded video signal is supplied to the phase control unit 45 and the first superimposing unit 46.

The copy control information detecting section 48 extracts copy control information as additional information inserted in the video signal. Then, the additional information generation unit 44 generates an embedding pattern for actually embedding the video signal, that is, an additional information pattern, based on the copy control information.

The additional information pattern is, for example, a pattern expressing information relating to the duplication of a video, and is preferably a character or a pattern which is visually recognized on an output screen of a display device for outputting a video signal. It is preferable that the additional information pattern is selected while avoiding the color signal band.

The copy control information referred to here is, for example, “O
Information that specifies the restriction or prohibition of video signal duplication, such as "nce copy" and "Never Copy," and information indicating the copyright notice or other information indicating the source of a copyrighted work (ibid.).

The phase control section 45 receives the video signal, detects the phase, inverts the phase of the additional information pattern for each field or frame, for example, and outputs the inverted signal to the first superposition section via the position control section 49. 46.

The position control unit 49 controls the position where the additional information pattern is embedded on the time axis. If the additional information pattern is always arranged at the same position on the time axis, the process of removing the additional information pattern from the video signal by an unauthorized user becomes easy.
The embedding position of the additional information pattern may be changed as appropriate. For example, a random number may be input to disturb the overlapping position. Further, the additional information pattern may be continuously or intermittently superimposed on the time axis.

The first superimposing section 46 combines the decoded video signal and the additional information pattern.

The data output section 47 outputs a video signal in which the additional information pattern is embedded to the outside. The output destination is, for example, a DVD recording device, but may be a media recording device that records on a recording medium other than a DVD, or a display device that directly displays and outputs a video signal.

The additional information embedding device 10-4
A digital watermark pattern 51 for generating a spread spectrum signal, ie, a digital watermark pattern, obtained by spectrum spreading another additional information signal, and a second superimposing unit 52 for superimposing the digital watermark pattern on the decoded video signal may be provided (same as above). .

In each of the above-described embodiments, the additional information pattern generated by the additional information generating unit is synchronized in phase by the phase control unit for each field of an image, for each frame, or at a boundary between fields in a frame. It is inverted and superimposed on the video signal. As a result, the recognizability of the additional information in the reproduced image of the video signal can be switched according to the difference in the viewing conditions such as normal viewing, recording playback, and variable speed playback. More specifically, only the original video information can be seen during normal viewing, but when video information is recorded and played back, it is added during variable speed playback such as still playback, slow playback, frame-by-frame playback, and n-times speed playback. The information can be easily viewed. Hereinafter, this mechanism will be described.

As is well known in the art, an image frame of interlaced video information is composed of two fields, an odd field and an even field. "C
For example, in a case where the additional information “opyInhibit” (copy prohibited) is embedded in the video information, the additional information pattern “Copy Inhibit” is written in the first field of a certain frame in a negative sign format.
Is superimposed, and an additional information pattern “Copy Inhibit” is superimposed on the second field in a positive code format.
Since the signs of the additional information patterns superimposed on each of the first field and the second field are opposite in phase, they are integrated by the eyes (that is, cancel out) in the combined frame, and cannot be visually observed. (See FIG. 5).

As described above, when the video information in which the same additional information pattern is inverted and superimposed on the first and second fields of the image frame is normally reproduced, the additional information is added in the first and second fields. As a result of the signs of the information patterns being in opposite phases and being integrated by eyes (see FIG. 6), the additional information patterns cannot be visually observed, and the viewer can only see the original video information. In other words, the additional information does not hinder viewing.

On the other hand, when video information in which the same additional information pattern is inverted and superimposed on the first field and the second field of the image frame and reproduced at a variable speed such as still reproduction, the first field or the second field is reproduced. An image frame composed of only one of the two fields continues to be displayed on the screen. Therefore, as a result of displaying only the additional information pattern having one code, the additional information pattern is visualized, and the viewer can visually observe the additional information pattern (see FIG. 7). Similarly, when performing variable-speed playback such as slow playback, strobe playback, and n-fold playback, the additional information pattern is visualized as a result of the longer time interval during which each field is displayed, and the viewer can visually observe the additional information pattern. Easier to do.

FIG. 8 shows an example of timing for inverting the sign of the additional information pattern in the phase inverting section.

In the example shown in FIG. 8A, a positive sign is given to the first field and a minus sign is given to the second field of each frame. In the example shown in FIG. 8B, a negative sign is given to the first field of each frame, and a positive sign is given to the second field.

FIGS. 8C and 8D show an example in which the phase is synchronously inverted for each frame in each field. In such a case, the additional information embedding method according to the present invention can be applied not only to the interlace method but also to the non-interlace method.

FIGS. 8E and 8F show an example in which the phase is synchronously inverted at the boundary between the fields in the frame. That is, the phase is inverted only between the first field and the second field in each frame, not for each frame.

FIG. 9 schematically shows a configuration of a video reproducing apparatus 60 for reproducing from a recording medium (for example, DVD) in which a video signal in which additional information is embedded by the additional information embedding apparatus 10 according to each of the above-described embodiments is recorded. Is shown.

In the recording medium, the additional information embedding device 1
It is assumed that a video signal on which additional information is superimposed by 0 is recorded by a data recording unit outside the video reproducing device 60. However, the data recording unit may be built in the video reproduction device 60, and the video reproduction device 60 may be a device that is also used for recording and reproduction.

The data reading section 61 accesses the recording surface of the recording medium to read the data, and supplies the data to the decoding section 62 as a video reproduction signal.

[0094] The decoding section 62 decodes the video reproduction signal and outputs a decoded video signal. This decoded video signal is displayed and output on a display device 64 such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT display.

The playback speed control section 63 controls the speed of the playback display output of the video signal. More specifically, based on an instruction via a user operation unit (not shown) constituted by a jog dial or the like, in addition to normal playback, it controls variable-speed playback such as still playback, slow playback, strobe playback, and n-fold playback. I do.

As described above, at the time of normal reproduction, the additional information pattern is visually integrated and becomes inconspicuous due to the effect of superimposing the code by field inversion or frame inversion.

On the other hand, at the time of variable-speed reproduction such as still reproduction, a field reproduction state, that is, a state where only a specific field is continuously displayed, is obtained. The additional information will be visually recognized from within.

Further, even in the case of performing variable speed reproduction such as slow reproduction, strobe reproduction, and n-times reproduction, the additional information is visualized in a continuous reproduction of the same field (or the same frame).

In implementing the additional information embedding method according to the present invention, the video reproducing apparatus itself has the same structure as the conventional one.
Even with the same playback method, a book that allows only the original video information to be seen during normal viewing, and makes it easier to visually recognize additional information during variable-speed playback such as still or slow playback when video information is recorded and played back. It should be appreciated that the present invention has an effect unique to the invention.

The additional information embedding device 10 according to the present invention
Is implemented, for example, in the form of a recording / playback device that records / plays back a video signal received by a television broadcast receiver such as a set-top box (STB). More specifically, it operates as follows. That is, (1) the copy control information inserted in the received video signal is extracted. (2) If "Never Copy" (duplication prohibited) or equivalent control information is detected, the recording operation on the recording / reproducing apparatus is prohibited. (3) If "Copy Once" or control information equivalent thereto is detected, the recording operation on the recording / reproducing apparatus is permitted, but at the time of reproducing, the additional information is inverted while inverting the phase for each field or frame. The video signal on which the pattern is superimposed is reproduced and output.

FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of a recording / reproducing apparatus 100 in which the additional information embedding method according to the present invention is mounted. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the recording / reproducing apparatus 100 is connected to a television receiver such as a set-top box as a video signal supply source, and the display apparatus 130 or another recording / reproducing apparatus is used as an output destination of the reproduced video signal. 140 are connected.

The recording / reproducing apparatus 100 includes a data input unit 10
1, a data recording unit 102, a data reading unit 103,
Decoding section 104, copy control information detection section 105, additional information generation section 106, phase control section 107, superposition section 10
8 and a data output unit 109.

[0103] The data input unit 101 inputs a video signal supplied from a television receiver outside the device 100.

The data recording unit 102 accesses the recording surface of the recording medium and writes the received video signal input via the data input unit 101 in a digital or analog format on the recording medium. The recording medium is, for example, DVD
Is fine.

However, the data recording unit 102 extracts the copy control information inserted into the received video signal, and extracts “Never Copy”
Or if an equivalent duplication ban is provided,
The process of writing the received video signal to the recording medium may be stopped.

The data reading section 103 accesses the recording surface of the recording medium to read data, and supplies the data to the decoding section 104 as a video reproduction signal.

[0107] The decoding section 104 decodes the video reproduction signal and outputs it as a decoded video signal. This decoded video signal is supplied to the copy control information detection unit 105 and the superimposition unit 108.

The copy control information detecting section 105 extracts copy control information as additional information inserted in the video signal. Then, the additional information generation unit 106 generates an embedding pattern for actually embedding the video signal, that is, an additional information pattern, based on the copy control information.

The additional information pattern is, for example, a pattern expressing information relating to the duplication of a video, and is preferably a character or a pattern visually recognized on an output screen of a display device. It is preferable that the additional information pattern is selected while avoiding the color signal band.

The copy control information referred to here is, for example, “O
Such information includes information that restricts or prohibits copying of video signals, such as “nce copy” and “Never Copy”, and copyright information and other information that reveals the source of a copyrighted work.

For example, "Once Copy" is used as copy control information.
When such information that specifies the restriction on duplication is included, the recording and reproduction on the recording / reproducing apparatus 100 is permitted, but the recorded video signal is transmitted to another recording / reproducing apparatus 140. Recording above is prohibited. In the latter case, it is necessary to superimpose the additional information on the video signal to limit or prevent the subsequent recording operation.

The phase control unit 107 receives a video signal and detects the phase thereof.
Alternatively, the phase of the additional information pattern is synchronously inverted at a field in the frame, and
To supply. Further, superimposing section 108 combines the decoded video signal and the additional information pattern.

Data output section 109 outputs a video signal in which the additional information pattern is embedded to the outside. The output destination of the video signal is, for example, the display device 130 or another recording / reproducing device 1.
40, etc., which are external to the recording and playback device 100.

The recording / playback apparatus 100 may include a playback speed control section 110 for controlling playback / display output of a video signal. The playback speed control unit 110 performs normal-speed playback, as well as variable-speed playback such as still playback, slow playback, strobe playback, and n-fold playback based on an instruction via a user operation unit (not shown) including, for example, a jog dial. Variable speed reproduction can be controlled.

In another recording / reproducing apparatus 140, a video signal in a format in which an additional information pattern in which the phase is synchronously inverted and superimposed is superimposed on a field-by-field, frame-by-frame, or a field within a frame basis. It will be recorded. As a result, on the recording / reproducing apparatus 140, the recognizability of the additional information in the reproduced image of the video signal can be switched according to the difference in the viewing conditions such as normal viewing, recording / reproducing, and variable-speed reproduction. More specifically, only the original video information can be seen during normal viewing, while still image playback, slow playback,
When performing variable speed reproduction such as strobe reproduction and n-fold reproduction, it is possible to make the additional information easily visible. This mechanism has already been described with reference to FIGS.

On the other hand, when the copy control information “Once Copy” is inserted in the video signal received via the television receiver, the recording and reproduction on the recording / reproducing apparatus 100 is permitted. Therefore, even when performing variable-speed playback such as still playback, slow playback, strobe playback, and n-fold playback, the original video information is displayed on the display screen of the display device 130 because of the regular video information that does not conflict with the copy control information. Only the information must be visible. Hereinafter, this mechanism will be described.

Here, as shown in FIG. 11, an image frame in which a person is shown will be considered as an example. In the case of the interlace method, one frame is composed of two consecutive frames.
Although it is composed of two fields (described above), in the illustrated example, it is assumed that the frame is composed of a format in which video signals of the A field and the B field are alternately arranged.

When a video signal on which additional information is superimposed while inverting the phase for each field is normally reproduced, one frame is composed of a format in which video signals of the A field and the B field are alternately arranged. , The superimposed additional information is visually integrated between each field,
The additional information is difficult to see on the display screen of the display device 130 (that is, it cannot be visually confirmed) (FIG. 1).
2).

On the other hand, when performing variable speed reproduction such as still reproduction on the recording / reproducing apparatus 100, only a specific field (for example, the A field) is continuously displayed. In such a case, actually, only the content of the A field of the decoded video signal decoded by the decoding unit 104 is used in a place where the content of the B field should be displayed, so that one screen is displayed. A frame is configured.

Further, the additional information at this time is not already superimposed on the decoded video signal, but is in accordance with the operation timing specified by the display synchronization signal of the video signal, that is, at the timing equivalent to the field. Are inverted and superimposed on each location of the A field and the B field. Therefore, the same frame is continuously reproduced in the image frame itself, but since the additional information is alternately inverted in phase between the fields, the superimposed additional information is visually integrated between the fields,
The additional information is difficult to see on the display screen of the display device 130 (that is, it cannot be visually confirmed) (FIG. 1).
3).

On the other hand, when performing still playback or other variable-speed playback of a video signal once recorded on another recording / playback apparatus 140, a specific field (for example, a field) is used.
Only the additional information is continuously displayed, and the additional information is visually recognized as a result of continuously outputting the video of one code of the additional information (see FIG. 14).

Note that the additional information embedding method according to the present embodiment can be realized on a computer system that provides various processing services by executing various applications. FIG. 15 schematically shows the hardware configuration of the computer system 200. Hereinafter, each component of the system 200 will be described.

A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 211 which is a main controller of the system 200 executes various applications under the control of an operating system (OS).

As shown in the figure, the CPU 211
Are interconnected with other devices (described later). Each device on the bus 217 is assigned a unique memory address or I / O address.
Can access each device connected to the bus by specifying an address. The bus 217 is a common signal transmission path including an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus.
al Component Interconnect) bus.

The memory 212 is a storage device used to store a program code to be executed by the CPU 211 and temporarily store work data being executed. It should be understood that the memory 212 shown in the figure includes both a nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory.

The display controller 213 uses C
This is a dedicated controller for actually processing a drawing command issued by the PU 211. That is, the drawing data processed by the display controller 213 is once written into, for example, a frame buffer (not shown) and then displayed and output on the screen of the display device 221.

The input device interface 214 is a device for connecting user input devices such as a keyboard 222 and a mouse 223 to the system 200. The input device interface 214 responds to a key input by the keyboard 222 or a coordinate instruction input via the mouse 23,
An interrupt is generated for the CPU 211.

Network interface 215
Manages the system 200 according to a predetermined communication protocol, such as Ethernet (registered trademark), using a LAN (Local Ar
ea Network) (not shown). Network interface 2
15 is generally provided in the form of a LAN adapter card, and is used by mounting a PCI bus slot on a motherboard (not shown).

On a LAN, a plurality of hosts (computers) are connected in a transparent state, and a distributed computing environment is constructed. A part of the host operates as a router, and further realizes interconnection with another external network such as a LAN or the Internet. On the Internet, software programs and data contents are distributed. For example, computer software for realizing the additional information embedding method according to the present invention on the computer system 200, original video information to be subjected to the additional information embedding processing, video information in which additional information is embedded, and the like are also included.
It may be distributed and distributed via a network.

However, the network interface 2
15, a connection to a network outside the system 200 via a modem and a general telephone line (both not shown) can be made.

The external device interface 216 is a device for connecting an external device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) 224 or a media drive 225 to the system 200. External device interface 16
Is, for example, IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics)
And SCSI (Small Computer System Interface).

The HDD 224 is an external storage device on which a magnetic disk as a storage carrier is fixedly mounted (well-known), and is superior to other external storage devices in terms of storage capacity and data transfer speed. Placing a software program on the HDD 224 in an executable state is referred to as "installing" the program into the system. Usually H
In the DD 224, a program code of an operating system to be executed by the CPU 211, an application program, a device driver, and the like are stored in a nonvolatile manner. For example, computer software for realizing the additional information embedding method according to the present invention on the computer system 200, original video information to be subjected to this additional information embedding processing, video information in which additional information is embedded, and the like are also included. The data can be stored in the HDD 224 in a predetermined file format.

The media drive 225 stores a CD
(Compact Disc), MO (Magneto-Optical disc), D
This is a device for loading a portable medium such as a VD (Digital Versatile Disc) and accessing a data recording surface. Portable media is used mainly for backing up software programs and data files as computer-readable data, and for transferring (including sales, distribution, and distribution) between multiple systems. . For example, computer software for realizing the additional information embedding method according to the present invention on the computer system 200, original video information to be subjected to the additional information embedding processing, video information in which additional information is embedded, and the like are also included. These portable media can be used for distribution and distribution among a plurality of systems.

The receiver interface 218 externally connects the television receiver 226 such as a set-top box or another device for supplying a video signal to the system 200. Therefore, the system 200 can input the original video information to be subjected to the additional information embedding process via the receiver interface 218.

Note that a computer as shown in FIG.
The system is called, for example, a workstation (WS) or a personal computer (PC). One example is IBM's PC / AT (Personal Computer / Adva).
nced Technology) compatible or successor.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an additional information embedding process executed on the computer system 200. Hereinafter, description will be made according to this flowchart.

First, in step S1, a video signal is input. As a video signal supply source, the television receiver 2
26, a portable medium loaded in the media drive 225, an image file stored in the hard disk 224, and an information distribution server (not shown) that can be remotely accessed via the network interface 215. And the like.

Next, the received video signal is decoded to obtain a decoded video signal (step S2).

Next, it is determined whether or not copy control information is included in the video signal (step S3). The copy control information referred to here is, for example, "Once Copy" or "Never Co
py ", which specifies the restriction or prohibition of the duplication of the video signal, a copyright notice, or other information which reveals the source of the copyrighted work.

If the copy control information is not included, the processing of embedding the additional information in the video signal is not performed, and the entire processing routine ends.

On the other hand, when the copy control information is included, an embedding pattern for actually embedding in the video signal, that is, an additional information pattern is generated based on the copy control information (step S4).

[0142] The additional information pattern is, for example, a pattern expressing information relating to the duplication of video, and is preferably a character or a pattern visually recognized on an output screen of a display device. It is preferable that the additional information pattern is selected while avoiding the color signal band.

Next, the phase of the video signal is detected, and the phase of the additional information pattern is inverted, for example, on a field-by-field, frame-by-frame, or field-by-field basis (step S5).

Then, the additional information pattern is synchronously embedded in the decoded video signal (step S6), and data is output (step S7).

The output destination of the video signal with the additional information is, for example, a recording medium mounted on a media drive such as a DVD, but may be a media recording device for recording on a recording medium other than a DVD. Alternatively, the video signal may be displayed and output on the display 221 as it is. Alternatively, the information may be distributed to one or more external host terminals (not shown) via the network interface 215.

[Supplement] The present invention has been described in detail with reference to the specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can modify or substitute the embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is applied to a system in which an output video signal from a DVD playback device as an example of a video signal output device is supplied to a DVD recording device and can be copied. Although the case where the present invention is applied has been described, the gist of the present invention is not limited to this. The source of the video signal may be a recording media playback device other than a DVD, or a television receiver that selects and receives a video signal via a broadcast wave. The output destination of the video signal in which the additional information is embedded may be a media recording device that records on a recording medium other than a DVD, or a video reproduction / display device that reproduces the video signal as it is instead of recording. It may be.

In short, the present invention has been disclosed by way of example, and should not be construed as limiting.
In order to determine the gist of the present invention, the claims described at the beginning should be considered.

[0149]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide an excellent additional information embedding apparatus and method capable of embedding additional information in video information in a format that is invisible when viewing the video information normally.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an excellent additional information embedding apparatus and method capable of switching the recognizability of additional information depending on a difference in viewing conditions such as normal viewing, recording / reproduction, and variable speed reproduction. it can.

Further, according to the present invention, only the original video information is made visible during normal viewing, and when video information is recorded and reproduced, a shift such as still reproduction, slow reproduction, frame-by-frame reproduction, and n-times speed reproduction is performed. It is possible to provide an excellent additional information embedding apparatus and method that can make it easy to visually recognize the additional information when performing reproduction.

According to the additional information embedding apparatus and method according to the present invention, the additional information is inverted in phase (or variable in phase) for each field or frame and is superimposed on the output video signal. For this reason, at the time of normal reproduction, the additional information cancels each other between consecutive fields or frames, and becomes inconspicuous visually and does not hinder viewing. On the other hand, once the output image has been recorded, if a variable speed playback such as still playback, slow playback, strobe playback, or n-fold playback is performed, the viewer can check the output image in field units or frame units, as a result. The additional information can be visually identified. For example, when an illegal copy is circulated, it is easy to visually recognize that the image is an illegally copied image, so that it is easy to control the copy and it is possible to effectively prevent the illegal copy.

According to the additional information embedding apparatus and method according to the present invention, ZOOM,
Even if the rotation and affine transformations are performed, they can be visually recognized as image information. Therefore, in case the other copy control information is broken, the copy prevention effect can be obtained by using the additional information embedding method according to the present invention together. Can be sufficiently secured. For example, the additional information embedding method according to the present invention
It can be used together with a method of embedding a spread spectrum signal in an original signal.

Further, the additional information embedding method according to the present invention can provide a high quality video signal with additional information, which can be identified with a small amount of information.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an additional information embedding device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an additional information embedding device 10-2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an additional information embedding device 10-3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an additional information embedding device 10-4 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the same additional information pattern is inverted and superimposed on the first field and the second field of the image frame of the interlaced video information.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which video information in which the same additional information pattern is inverted and superimposed on a first field and a second field of an image frame and superimposed is normally reproduced.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which video information in which the same additional information pattern is inverted and superimposed on a first field and a second field of an image frame and superimposed thereon is subjected to variable speed reproduction such as still reproduction or slow reproduction.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of timing for inverting the sign of an additional information pattern in a phase inversion unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a video reproducing apparatus 60 that reproduces a video signal in which additional information is embedded by the additional information embedding apparatus 10 from a recording medium on which the video signal is recorded.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a recording / reproducing device 100 implementing the additional information embedding method according to the present invention.

11 is a diagram for explaining a case where a video signal recorded on the recording / reproducing apparatus 100 is reproduced. More specifically, a frame is formed in a format in which video signals of A field and B field are alternately arranged. It is a figure showing a mode that it is constituted.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a case where a video signal recorded on the recording / reproducing device 100 is reproduced, and more specifically, a diagram showing a state in which additional information cannot be visually recognized during normal reproduction.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a case where a video signal recorded on the recording / reproducing apparatus 100 is reproduced, and more specifically, a state in which original additional information cannot be visually recognized even during variable speed reproduction. FIG.

14 is a diagram for describing a case where a video signal recorded on a recording / reproducing apparatus 100 is reproduced. More specifically, a video signal further recorded on another recording / reproducing apparatus 140 is reproduced at a variable speed. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which additional information is visualized in a case.

FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration of a computer system 200 capable of executing the additional information embedding method according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an additional information embedding process executed on the computer system 200.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Additional information embedding device 11, 21, 31, 41 Data input unit 12, 22, 32, 42 Decoding unit 13, 23 Additional information input unit 14, 24, 34, 44 Additional information generation unit 15, 25, 35, 45 ... phase control unit 16, 26, 36 ... superimposition unit 17, 27, 37, 47 ... data output unit 28 ... embedding control unit 38, 48 ... duplication control information detection unit 49 ... position control unit 51 ... electronic Watermark pattern generation unit 52 superimposition unit 61 data reading unit 62 decoding unit 63 playback speed control unit 64 display device 100 recording / reproducing device 101 data input unit 102 data recording unit 103 data reading unit 104 Decoding unit 105: duplicate control information detection unit 106: additional information generation unit 107: phase control unit 108: superposition unit 109: data output unit 110: reproduction speed control unit 13 0 ... Display device 140 ... Other recording / reproducing device 200 ... Image editing system 211 ... CPU 212 ... Memory 213 ... Display controller 214 ... Input device interface 215 ... Network interface 216 ... External device interface 217 ... Bus 218 ... Receiver interface 221 display 222 keyboard 223 mouse 224 HDD 225 media drive 226 television receiver

Claims (23)

[Claims] An additional information embedding device for embedding additional information in a video signal, comprising: additional information input means for inputting additional information to be embedded in the video signal; and a video signal based on the input additional information. Means for generating an additional information pattern to be embedded in a video signal, phase control means for inputting a video signal and detecting its phase to control the phase of the additional information pattern, and superimposing means for embedding the phase-controlled additional information pattern in the video signal And an additional information embedding device, comprising: 2. An additional information embedding device for embedding additional information in a video signal, comprising: copy control information detecting means for detecting copy control information included in the video signal; An additional information pattern generating means for generating an additional information pattern to be embedded in a video signal based on the phase information; a phase control means for inputting the video signal and detecting the phase thereof to control the phase of the additional information pattern; Superimposing means for embedding the additional information pattern in a video signal. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising embedding control means for energizing or reducing the superimposing operation of said superimposing means in accordance with embedding control information included in the video signal. Described additional information embedding device. 4. The additional information embedding device according to claim 1, further comprising a position control means for controlling an embedding position of the additional information pattern on a time axis. 5. The additional information embedding according to claim 1, further comprising a second superimposing means for embedding a spread spectrum signal obtained by spectrum spreading another additional information pattern into a video signal. apparatus. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said phase control means inverts the phase of the additional information pattern for each field of the video signal, for each frame, or at a boundary between fields in the frame. The additional information embedding device according to 1. 7. The additional information embedding device according to claim 1, wherein the additional information pattern is selected while avoiding a color signal band. 8. The additional information embedding device according to claim 1, wherein the additional information pattern is a character or a pattern visually recognized on an output screen of a display device for outputting a video signal. . 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional information pattern is information for specifying restriction or prohibition of duplication of the video signal, a copyright notice on the video, or other information for identifying the source of the copyrighted work. Or the additional information embedding device according to any of 2. 10. In a video signal on which an additional information pattern is superimposed, it is difficult to visually confirm the additional information pattern at the time of normal reproduction, but in a variable-speed reproduction such as still reproduction, slow reproduction, strobe reproduction, and n-times reproduction. 3. The additional information embedding device according to claim 1, wherein the additional information pattern can be visually checked. 11. An additional information embedding method for embedding additional information in a video signal, comprising: an additional information input step of inputting additional information to be embedded in the video signal; and a video signal based on the input additional information. Generating an additional information pattern to be embedded in the video signal, detecting a phase of the video signal and controlling the phase of the additional information pattern, and embedding the phase-controlled additional information pattern in the video signal. And a method for embedding additional information. 12. An additional information embedding method for embedding additional information in a video signal, comprising: a duplication control information detecting step of detecting duplication control information included in the video signal; and the detected duplication control information. An additional information pattern generating step of generating an additional information pattern to be embedded in the video signal based on the phase information; a phase control step of inputting the video signal and detecting a phase thereof to control the phase of the additional information pattern; And a superimposing step of embedding the additional information pattern in a video signal. 13. The embedding control step according to claim 11, further comprising an embedding control step of energizing or reducing the superimposing operation in said superimposing step in accordance with embedding control information included in the video signal. The additional information embedding method described. 14. The additional information embedding method according to claim 11, further comprising a position control step of controlling an embedding position of the additional information pattern on a time axis. 15. The additional information embedding according to claim 11, further comprising a second superimposing step of embedding a spread spectrum signal obtained by spectrum spreading another additional information pattern into a video signal. Method. 16. The phase control step according to claim 11, wherein the phase of the additional information pattern is inverted for each field of the video signal, for each frame, or at a boundary between fields in the frame. Additional information embedding method described in. 17. The additional information embedding method according to claim 11, wherein the additional information pattern is selected while avoiding a color signal band. 18. The additional information embedding method according to claim 11, wherein the additional information pattern is a character or a pattern visually recognized on an output screen of a display device for outputting a video signal. . 19. An additional information pattern according to claim 11, wherein said additional information pattern is information for defining restriction or prohibition of duplication of a video signal, and information for indicating a copyright notice on a video or other sources of a copyrighted work. Or the additional information embedding method according to any one of 12. 20. In a video signal on which an additional information pattern is superimposed, it is difficult to visually confirm the additional information pattern during normal reproduction. However, in a still reproduction, a slow reproduction, a strobe reproduction, and an n-times reproduction, the additional information pattern is used. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein
The additional information embedding method according to any one of the above. 21. A storage medium physically storing computer software written in a computer readable form so as to execute additional information embedding processing for embedding additional information in a video signal on a computer system,
The computer software includes an additional information input step of inputting additional information to be embedded in the video signal, an additional information pattern generation step to be embedded in the video signal based on the input additional information, A storage medium comprising: a phase control step of detecting a phase to control a phase of an additional information pattern; and a superimposing step of embedding the phase-controlled additional information pattern in a video signal. 22. A storage medium physically storing computer software written in a computer readable form so as to execute an additional information embedding process for embedding additional information in a video signal on a computer system,
A copy control information detecting step of detecting copy control information included in the video signal; and an additional information pattern for generating an additional information pattern to be embedded in the video signal based on the detected copy control information. A generating step; a phase control step of inputting a video signal and detecting a phase thereof to control a phase of the additional information pattern; and a superimposing step of embedding the phase-controlled additional information pattern in the video signal. A storage medium characterized by the above-mentioned. 23. In a video signal on which an additional information pattern is superimposed, it is difficult to visually confirm the additional information pattern during normal reproduction. However, in a still reproduction, a slow reproduction, a strobe reproduction, and an n-times reproduction, the additional information pattern is used. 23. A method according to claim 21, wherein
The storage medium according to any one of the above.