Patent ID: 6862400

Claim:
In an apparatus for controlling copying of content embodied in an input video signal to be recorded, the apparatus comprising a video signal processor for separating a composite synchronizing signal from the input video signal, and for performing at least one of modulating and demodulating the input video signal, the improvement comprising: first means for receiving the composite synchronizing signal and for detecting therefrom a copy-preventing signal; and second means for generating a recording-prevention control signal to stop a recording of the content contained in the input video signal when the copy-preventing signal is detected by the first means; wherein the first means comprises: a pulse generator for generating a masking pulse in a predetermined interval of the composite synchronizing signal in which the copy-preventing signal is contained; a first gate for providing as an output signal the composite synchronizing signal in the predetermined interval in which the masking pulse is generated; an integrator for integrating the output signal from the first gate and for providing as an output an integrated signal, said integrated signal having an output level; and a comparator for comparing the output level of the integrated signal with a predetermined threshold value to determine whether the copy-preventing signal is detected.