Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 76
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of encoding digital data for representation in a video frame, the digital data being comprised of bytes having a predetermined number of data bits, said method comprising the steps of: selecting respective ones of a plurality of video component levels; assigning a respective numerical value to each of the selected video component levels; dividing each of said bytes of digital data into subsets of data bits, each of said subsets having a numerical value determined by the data bits in the respective subset; associating each of said subsets with the video component level corresponding to the numerical value of the respective subset; allocating respective regions of said video frame to each of said subsets; assigning the video component levels respectively associated with each of said subsets to the allocated regions to generate an encoded video frame; and outputting the encoded video frame.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of encoding digital data for representation in a video frame, the digital data being comprised of bytes having a predetermined number of data bits, said method comprising the steps of: selecting respective ones of a plurality of video component levels; assigning a respective numerical value to each of the selected video component levels; dividing each of said bytes of digital data into subsets of data bits, each of said subsets having a numerical value determined by the data bits in the respective subset; associating each of said subsets with the video component level corresponding to the numerical value of the respective subset; allocating respective regions of said video frame to each of said subsets; assigning the video component levels respectively associated with each of said subsets to the allocated regions to generate an encoded video frame; and outputting the encoded video frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said video frame is a monochrome video frame and said step of selecting respective ones of a plurality of video component levels selects from a plurality of grey levels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said video frame is a color video frame and said step of selecting respective ones of a plurality of video component levels selects from a plurality of luminance component levels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said video frame is a color video frame and said step of selecting respective ones of a plurality of video component levels selects from a plurality of color component levels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein each byte is comprised of 2n bits; and wherein said step of selecting respective ones of a plurality of video component levels selects 2 n levels from said plurality of video component levels; said step of dividing each of said bytes of digital data into subsets of data bits divides said bytes into subsets of n data bits; and said step of allocating respective regions of said video frame allocates a respective adjacent pair of said regions to a byte of text data for representing an ASCII character.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein each of said regions of said video frame has a width of one horizontal line and a length of a predetermined number of pixels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of allocating respective regions of said video frame allocates said regions within a portion of said video frame in which useful video image data is not present.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of assigning the video component levels assigns a respective reference video component level to at least a further one of said regions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of outputting the encoded video frame includes recording the encoded video frame onto a recording medium.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of decoding digital data represented in a video frame, the digital data being comprised of bytes having a predetermined number of data bits, said method comprising the steps of: inputting an encoded video frame comprised of a plurality of regions each allocated to a respective subset of a byte; sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective video component level representing a subset, the respective video component level corresponding to a numerical value; generating, for each of said subsets, a respective sequence of bits having the corresponding numerical value; combining the sequences of bits to form respective decoded bytes; and outputting the decoded bytes.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of decoding digital data represented in a video frame, the digital data being comprised of bytes having a predetermined number of data bits, said method comprising the steps of: inputting an encoded video frame comprised of a plurality of regions each allocated to a respective subset of a byte; sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective video component level representing a subset, the respective video component level corresponding to a numerical value; generating, for each of said subsets, a respective sequence of bits having the corresponding numerical value; combining the sequences of bits to form respective decoded bytes; and outputting the decoded bytes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said step of inputting an encoded video frame includes reproducing the encoded video frame from a recording medium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said video frame is a monochrome video frame and said step of sampling each of said regions of the video frame determines a respective grey level.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said video frame is a color video frame and said step of sampling each of said regions of the video frame determines a respective luminance component level.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said video frame is a color video frame and said step of sampling each of said regions of the video frame determines a respective color component level.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said step of sampling each of said regions of the video frame samples plural pixels from said each of said regions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said step of sampling each of said regions of the video frame includes sampling at least one predetermined region to determine a reference video component level.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said step of sampling each of said regions of the video frame samples only the regions within a portion of said video frame in which useful video image data is not recorded.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of displaying the digital data represented by the outputted decoded bytes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said encoded video frame further comprises video image data; and further comprising the steps of decoding the video image data and concurrently displaying the digital data represented by the outputted decoded bytes with the decoded video image data.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of encoding digital data for representation in a video frame, the digital data being comprised of bytes having a predetermined number of data bits, said method comprising the steps of: selecting respective ones of a plurality of first video component levels; assigning a respective numerical value to each of the selected first video component levels; selecting respective ones of a plurality of second video component levels; assigning a respective numerical value to each of the selected second video component levels; dividing each of said bytes of digital data into pairs of subsets of data bits, each of said subsets having a numerical value determined by the data bits in the respective subset; associating a first subset of each of said pairs with the first video component level corresponding to the numerical value of the respective subset; associating a second subset of each of said pairs with the second video component level corresponding to the numerical value of the respective subset; allocating respective regions of said video frame to each of said pairs; assigning the first and second video component levels respectively associated with each of said pairs to the allocated regions to generate an encoded video frame; and outputting the encoded video frame.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of encoding digital data for representation in a video frame, the digital data being comprised of bytes having a predetermined number of data bits, said method comprising the steps of: selecting respective ones of a plurality of first video component levels; assigning a respective numerical value to each of the selected first video component levels; selecting respective ones of a plurality of second video component levels; assigning a respective numerical value to each of the selected second video component levels; dividing each of said bytes of digital data into pairs of subsets of data bits, each of said subsets having a numerical value determined by the data bits in the respective subset; associating a first subset of each of said pairs with the first video component level corresponding to the numerical value of the respective subset; associating a second subset of each of said pairs with the second video component level corresponding to the numerical value of the respective subset; allocating respective regions of said video frame to each of said pairs; assigning the first and second video component levels respectively associated with each of said pairs to the allocated regions to generate an encoded video frame; and outputting the encoded video frame.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein said video frame is a color video frame; said step of selecting respective ones of a plurality of first video component levels selects from a plurality of luminance component levels; and said step of selecting respective ones of a plurality of second video component levels selects from a plurality of color component levels.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
126 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein each byte is comprised of 2n bits; and wherein said step of selecting respective ones of a plurality of first video component levels selects 2 n levels from said plurality of first video component levels; said step of selecting respective ones of a plurality of second video component levels selects 2 n levels from said plurality of second video component levels; said step of dividing each of said bytes of digital data into subsets of data bits divides said bytes into subsets of n data bits; and said step of allocating respective regions of said video frame to each of said pairs allocates each of said respective regions to a byte of text data for representing an ASCII character.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein each of said regions of said video frame has a width of one horizontal line and a length of a predetermined number of pixels.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein said step of allocating respective regions of said video frame allocates said regions within a portion of said video frame in which useful video image data is not present.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein said step of assigning the first and second video component levels assigns a respective reference first video component level to at least a further one of said regions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein said step of outputting the encoded video frame includes recording the encoded video frame onto a recording medium.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of decoding digital data represented in a video frame, the digital data being comprised of bytes having a predetermined number of data bits, said method comprising the steps of: inputting an encoded video frame comprised of a plurality of regions each allocated to a respective pair of subsets of a byte; sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective first video component level representing a first subset of each of said pairs; sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective second video component level representing a second subset of each of said pairs, the first and second video component levels each corresponding to respective numerical values; generating, for each of said first and said second subsets of a pair, a respective sequence of bits having the corresponding numerical value; combining the sequences of bits to form respective decoded bytes; and outputting the decoded bytes.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of decoding digital data represented in a video frame, the digital data being comprised of bytes having a predetermined number of data bits, said method comprising the steps of: inputting an encoded video frame comprised of a plurality of regions each allocated to a respective pair of subsets of a byte; sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective first video component level representing a first subset of each of said pairs; sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective second video component level representing a second subset of each of said pairs, the first and second video component levels each corresponding to respective numerical values; generating, for each of said first and said second subsets of a pair, a respective sequence of bits having the corresponding numerical value; combining the sequences of bits to form respective decoded bytes; and outputting the decoded bytes.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein said step of inputting an encoded video frame includes reproducing the encoded video frame from a recording medium.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein said video frame is a color video frame; said step of sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective first video component level determines a respective luminance component level; and said step of sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective second video component level determines a respective color component level.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein said step of sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective first video component level and said step of sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective second video component level each samples plural pixels from said each of said regions.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein said step of sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective first video component level includes sampling at least one predetermined region to determine a reference first video component level.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein said step of sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective first video component level and said step of sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective second video component level sample only the regions within a portion of said video frame in which useful video image data is not present.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 27, further comprising the step of displaying the digital data represented by the outputted decoded bytes.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein said encoded video frame further comprises video image data; and further comprising the steps of decoding the video image data and concurrently displaying the digital data represented by the outputted decoded bytes with the decoded video image data.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for encoding digital data for representation in a video frame, the digital data being comprised of bytes having a predetermined number of data bits, comprising: means for selecting respective ones of a plurality of video component levels; means for assigning a respective numerical value to each of the selected video component levels; means for dividing each of said bytes of digital data into subsets of data bits, each of said subsets having a numerical value determined by the data bits in the respective subset; means for associating each of said subsets with the video component level corresponding to the numerical value of the respective subset; means for allocating respective regions of said video frame to each of said subsets; means for assigning the video component levels respectively associated with each of said subsets to the allocated regions to generate an encoded video frame; and means for outputting the encoded video frame.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for encoding digital data for representation in a video frame, the digital data being comprised of bytes having a predetermined number of data bits, comprising: means for selecting respective ones of a plurality of video component levels; means for assigning a respective numerical value to each of the selected video component levels; means for dividing each of said bytes of digital data into subsets of data bits, each of said subsets having a numerical value determined by the data bits in the respective subset; means for associating each of said subsets with the video component level corresponding to the numerical value of the respective subset; means for allocating respective regions of said video frame to each of said subsets; means for assigning the video component levels respectively associated with each of said subsets to the allocated regions to generate an encoded video frame; and means for outputting the encoded video frame.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said video frame is a monochrome video frame and said means for selecting respective ones of a plurality of video component levels selects from a plurality of grey levels.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said video frame is a color video frame and said means for selecting respective ones of a plurality of video component levels selects from a plurality of luminance component levels.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said video frame is a color video frame and said means for selecting respective ones of a plurality of video component levels selects from a plurality of color component levels.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
96 words
An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein each byte is comprised of 2n bits; and wherein said means for selecting respective ones of a plurality of video component levels selects 2 n levels from said plurality of video component levels; said means for dividing each of said bytes of digital data into subsets of n data bits divides said bytes into subsets of n data bits; and said means for allocating respective regions of said video frame allocates a respective adjacent pair of said regions to a byte of text data for representing an ASCII character.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein each of said regions of said video frame has a width of one horizontal line and a length of a predetermined number of pixels.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said means for allocating respective regions of said video frame allocates said regions within a portion of said video frame in which useful video image data is not present.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said means for assigning the video component levels assigns a respective reference video component level to at least a further one of said regions.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said means for outputting the encoded video frame includes means for recording the encoded video frame onto a recording medium.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for decoding digital data represented in a video frame, the digital data being comprised of bytes having a predetermined number of data bits, comprising: means for inputting an encoded video frame comprised of a plurality of regions each allocated to a respective subset of a byte; means for sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective video component level representing a subset, the respective video component level corresponding to a numerical value; means for generating, for each of said subsets, a respective sequence of bits having the corresponding numerical value; means for combining the sequences of bits to form respective decoded bytes; and means for outputting the decoded bytes.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for decoding digital data represented in a video frame, the digital data being comprised of bytes having a predetermined number of data bits, comprising: means for inputting an encoded video frame comprised of a plurality of regions each allocated to a respective subset of a byte; means for sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective video component level representing a subset, the respective video component level corresponding to a numerical value; means for generating, for each of said subsets, a respective sequence of bits having the corresponding numerical value; means for combining the sequences of bits to form respective decoded bytes; and means for outputting the decoded bytes.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said means for inputting an encoded video frame includes means for reproducing the encoded video frame from a recording medium.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said video frame is a monochrome video frame and said means for sampling each of said regions of the video frame determines a respective grey level.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said video frame is a color video frame and said means for sampling each of said regions of the video frame determines a respective luminance component level.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said video frame is a color video frame and said means for sampling each of said regions of the video frame determines a respective color component level.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said means for sampling each of said regions of the video frame samples plural pixels from said each of said regions.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said means for sampling each of said regions of the video frame samples at least one predetermined region to determine a reference video component level.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said means for sampling each of said regions of the video frame samples only the regions within a portion of said video frame in which useful video image data is not recorded.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 44, further comprising means for displaying the digital data represented by the outputted decoded bytes.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said encoded video frame further comprises video image data; and further comprising means for decoding the video image data and means for concurrently displaying the digital data represented by the outputted decoded bytes with the decoded video image data.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
220 words
An apparatus for encoding digital data for representation in a video frame, the digital data being comprised of bytes having a predetermined number of data bits, comprising: means for selecting respective ones of a plurality of first video component levels; means for assigning a respective numerical value to each of the selected first video component levels; means for selecting respective ones of a plurality of second video component levels; means for assigning a respective numerical value to each of the selected second video component levels; means for dividing each of said bytes of digital data into pairs of subsets of data bits, each of said subsets having a numerical value determined by the data bits in the respective subset; means for associating a first subset of each of said pairs with the first video component level corresponding to the numerical value of the respective subset; means for associating a second subset of each of said pairs with the second video component level corresponding to the numerical value of the respective subset; means for allocating respective regions of said video frame to each of said pairs; means for assigning the first and second video component levels respectively associated with each of said pairs to the allocated regions to generate an encoded video frame; and means for outputting the encoded video frame.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
220 words
An apparatus for encoding digital data for representation in a video frame, the digital data being comprised of bytes having a predetermined number of data bits, comprising: means for selecting respective ones of a plurality of first video component levels; means for assigning a respective numerical value to each of the selected first video component levels; means for selecting respective ones of a plurality of second video component levels; means for assigning a respective numerical value to each of the selected second video component levels; means for dividing each of said bytes of digital data into pairs of subsets of data bits, each of said subsets having a numerical value determined by the data bits in the respective subset; means for associating a first subset of each of said pairs with the first video component level corresponding to the numerical value of the respective subset; means for associating a second subset of each of said pairs with the second video component level corresponding to the numerical value of the respective subset; means for allocating respective regions of said video frame to each of said pairs; means for assigning the first and second video component levels respectively associated with each of said pairs to the allocated regions to generate an encoded video frame; and means for outputting the encoded video frame.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said video frame is a color video frame; said means for selecting respective ones of a plurality of first video component levels selects from a plurality of luminance component levels; and said means for selecting respective ones of a plurality of second video component levels selects from a plurality of color component levels.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
126 words
An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein each byte is comprised of 2n bits; and wherein said means for selecting respective ones of a plurality of first video component levels selects 2 n levels from said plurality of first video component levels; said means for selecting respective ones of a plurality of second video component levels selects 2 n levels from said plurality of second video component levels; said means for dividing each of said bytes of digital data into subsets of data bits divides said bytes into subsets of n data bits; and said means for allocating respective regions of said video frame to each of said pairs allocates each of said respective regions to a byte of text data for representing an ASCII character.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein each of said regions of said video frame has a width of one horizontal line and a length of a predetermined number of pixels.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said means for allocating respective regions of said video frame allocates said regions within a portion of said video frame in which useful video image data is not present.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said means for assigning the first and second video component levels assigns a respective reference first video component level to at least a further one of said regions.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said means for outputting the encoded video frame includes means for recording the encoded video frame onto a recording medium.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
167 words
An apparatus for decoding digital data represented in a video frame, the digital data being comprised of bytes having a predetermined number of data bits, comprising: means for inputting an encoded video frame comprised of a plurality of regions each allocated to a respective pair of subsets of a byte; first sampling means for sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective first video component level representing a first subset of each of said pairs; second sampling means for sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective second video component level representing a second subset of each of said pairs, the first and second video component levels each corresponding to respective numerical values; means for generating, for each of said first and said second subsets of a pair, a respective sequence of bits having the corresponding numerical value; means for combining the sequences of bits to form respective decoded bytes; and means for outputting the decoded bytes.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
167 words
An apparatus for decoding digital data represented in a video frame, the digital data being comprised of bytes having a predetermined number of data bits, comprising: means for inputting an encoded video frame comprised of a plurality of regions each allocated to a respective pair of subsets of a byte; first sampling means for sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective first video component level representing a first subset of each of said pairs; second sampling means for sampling each of said regions of the video frame to determine a respective second video component level representing a second subset of each of said pairs, the first and second video component levels each corresponding to respective numerical values; means for generating, for each of said first and said second subsets of a pair, a respective sequence of bits having the corresponding numerical value; means for combining the sequences of bits to form respective decoded bytes; and means for outputting the decoded bytes.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said means for inputting an encoded video frame includes means for reproducing the encoded video frame from a recording medium.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said video frame is a color video frame; said first sampling means determines a respective luminance component level; and said second sampling means determines a respective color component level.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said first and second sampling means sample plural pixels from said each of said regions.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said first sampling means samples at least one predetermined region to determine a reference first video component level.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said first and second sampling means sample only the regions within a portion of said video frame in which useful video image data is not present.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 61, further comprising means for displaying the digital data represented by the outputted decoded bytes.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said encoded video frame further comprises video image data; and further comprising means for decoding the video image data and means for concurrently displaying the digital data represented by the outputted decoded bytes with the decoded video image data.