A SYSTEM FOR RECORDING IMAGES AND RELATING SOUND

Abstract: In a system for recording images and sound, image and sound are recorded on a separated carrier. A coded number is addressed to each image on the image carrier, a similarly coded number is addressed to the sound track on the sound carrier, the image carrier and the sound carrier being scaned such as to achieve synchronism of image and sound. By using a secret code illegal copying is obstructed. By using a computer it is possible to store a secret code therein, the computer supplying the code only after insertion of a code recognition number. A computer can be connected to the used computer through the telephone network for supplying the code.

Description: A system for recording images and relating sound The invention concerns a system for recording images and relating sound, comprising an image carrier, on which images are recorded and a sound carrier to record sound. Until now the sound relating to the images is being recorded on a separate sound track adjacent the film images on the film. Because the film and the sound are recorded on the same carrier, synchronisation of image and sound is thieved. This known system has several disadvantages. One .isadvantage is that the sound is being recorded analogously, which poses restrictions on the quality. Another major objec¬ tion is that on this way copying of movies and transcribing them onto video tape which is illegally offered for sale or for rent is very simple. Unauthorized copying of movies is a severe problem at present. The invention aimes to solve these difficulties. This is achieved according to the invention in that the sound carrier being separated from the image carrier, a position determining coded number being addressed to each image on the image carrier, a similarly coded number being addressed to the sound track on the sound carrier, and the image carrier and the sound carrier being scanned such as to reproduce simultaneously with the reproduced image the sound with the similarly coded number. Because the image carrier and the sound carrier are separated physically, unauthorized copying is obstructed con¬ siderably. Besides it opens the possibility to choose an optimum medium for a sound carrier, i.e. a digitally recorded sound disc scanned by a laser. By addressing a position determining code number to the image and sound, synchronisa- SUBSTITUTESHEET tion of image and sound can be achieved. To limit the possi¬ bility of unauthorized copying still further, the sound is being recorded on the sound carrier according to the fixed code. This means that during playback the recorded informa- tion has to be decoded which is only possible by means of equipment in which the code is stored. By keeping the code secret, copying is only possible to those who know the secret code. A further possibility for limiting unauthorized copying is storing the code separately from the sound carrier. When the code is only accessible by means of equipment of which the operation is dependent of the supply of a code recogni¬ tion number being known only to certain users, a further limitation of copying is achieved. It is also possible for every sound carrier to make use of different codes according to which the sound is being recorded on the sound carrier. The code according to which the sound can be recorded can be stored in a computer connected to the telephone distribution network. The system can be arranged such as to the computer supplying the secret code only after introducing the code recognition number. It is possible to have the sound on the sound carrier reproduced by reproducing equipment which destroys the code required for decoding after single use. This means that the authorized user should provide access to the computer again and again to obtain the code required* for playback. This further limits the possibility for unauthorized copying. The invention will be explained by means of the accom¬ panying drawings. Figure 1 shows schematically a system with a separated image carrier and sound carrier according to the invention, figure 2 shows the system of figure 1 with means for coding the recorded sound, figure 3 shows the system according to the invention with means to allow decoding only after insertion of a recognition code number, and figure 4 shows schematically the connection between the system according to the invention with a computer comprising the decoding code. The position determining numbers recorded on the film 1 are being supplied to a comparator circuit 2. The position determining numbers recorded on the sound disc 3 acting as sound carrier are being supplied to the comparator circuit 2 as well. When one of the carriers lags behind the other as appears from the comparison in the comparitor circuit 2, the drive of this carrier is being adapted by changing the con¬ trol such as to make the position determining numbers of the image carrier 1 and of the sound carrier 3 matching again. The sound carrier 3 in the shape of a sound disc is being scanned by a laser system and the digital system obtained is being supplied to a digital-analog converter 4. The output of the digital-analog converter 4 is being supplied to an ampli- fier 5, which reproduces the sound stereophonically through the loudspeakers 6 and 7. In figure 2 between the laser system scanning the sound disc and the digital-analog-converter 4 the code means 8 is installed. The decode means 8 comprise the code required for decoding which can be inserted and exchanged by a printed circuit board. In figure 3 recognition number lock circuit 9 is added. Only when the right code recognition number is inser¬ ted into this circuit 9, the switches 10 and 11 are closed and the image carrier 1 and the sound carrier 3 respectively can be made to operate. The system according to figure 4 can only be made to operate in the following way. The user inserts the code recognition number 13 into the computer 16 through the telephone extension 12 by means of the adaption circuit 14 and the telephone network 15. It is possible to insert besides the code recognition number other information like date and time. For instance the user could be a cinema opera¬ tor who has to have the disposal of the code for decoding the sound on preprogrammed times dependent on the beginning of the performance. When the data inserted by the user through the telephone extension 12 coincide with the respective data stored in the computer 16, the computer 16 supplies the code to the personal computer 17 on the users location. Hereupon the image carrier 1 and the sound carrier 3 are put into operation. The laser system scanning the sound disc 3 sends the information scanned to the personal computer 17, which can decode the recorded sound information by means of the code supplied by the computer 16 and can send it decoded to the digital-analog converter 4. The personal computer 17 destroys the inserted code after use, so that with a follo¬ wing use the user has to insert the required data such as the code recognition number again through the telephone extension 12. On this way a nearly optimal protection against unauthorized copying is achieved.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. System for recording images and relating sound, com¬ prising an image carrier on which images are recorded and a sound carrier to record the sound, the sound carrier being separated from the image carrier, a position determining coded number being addressed to each image on the image carrier, a similarly coded number being addressed to the sound track on the sound carrier and the image carrier and the sound carrier being scanned such as to reproduce simul¬ taneously with the reproduced image the sound with the similarly coded number, characterized in the sound being recorded on the sound carrier according to a fixed code. 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in the code of the sound carrier being stored separately. 3. System according to claim 2, characterized in the code being accessible only by means of equipment, the operation of which is dependent on the supply of a code recognition number being available only to certain users. 4. System according to claims 1-3, characterized in that the code according which the sound is registrated on the sound carrier, is different for each sound carrier. 5. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the code is stored in a computer being connected to the telephone distribution network. 6. System according to claim 3 and 5, characterized in that the sound of the sound carrier is reproduced by reproducing equipment which destroys the code needed for decoding after single use.

Inventors: STRUIK TED, STRUIK, TED
Applicants: STRUIK TED, STRUIK, TED
Application year: 1985
Main classification: G03B31
IPC codes: G03B31, G11B20, G11B27