Method, apparatus and system for embedding data in and extracting data from encoded voice code

A data embedding/extracting method in a system having a voice encoding apparatus for encoding voice according to a prescribed voice encoding scheme and embedding optional data in encoded voice code thus obtained, and a voice reproducing apparatus for extracting embedded data from encoded voice code and reproducing voice from this encoded voice code, comprising the steps of:

• defining beforehand a first element code and a threshold value used to determine whether data has been embedded or not, and a second element code in which data will be embedded based upon the result of the determination;
• when data is to be embedded, determining whether data embedding conditions are satisfied using the first element code and the threshold value, and embedding optional data in the encoded voice code by replacing the second element code with the optional data if the data embedding condition is satisfied;
• and
• when data is to be extracted, determining whether data embedding condition is satisfied using the first element code and the threshold value, determining that optional data has been embedded in the second element code portion of the encoded voice code if the data embedding condition is satisfied, and extracting the embedded data.

A data extracting apparatus for extracting data embedded in encoded voice code that has been encoded according to a prescribed voice encoding scheme, comprising:

• a demultiplexer for demultiplexing element codes constituting the encoded voice code;
• an embedding decision unit for determining whether data embedding condition is satisfied using a first element code from among the element codes and a threshold value;
• and
• an embedded-data extracting unit for determining that optional data has been embedded in a second element code portion of the encoded voice code if the data embedding condition is satisfied, and extracting the embedded data.

A voice encoding/decoding system for encoding voice according to a prescribed voice encoding scheme and embedding optional data in encoded voice code thus obtained, and for extracting embedded data from the encoded voice code and reproducing voice from this encoded voice code, comprising:

• a voice encoding apparatus for embedding optional data in encoded voice code obtained by encoding voice according to a prescribed voice encoding scheme;
• and
• a voice decoding apparatus for reproducing voice by applying decoding processing to encoded voice code that has been encoded by a prescribed voice encoding scheme, and extracting data that has been embedded in this encoded voice code;
• said voice encoding apparatus including:
• an encoder for encoding voice according to a prescribed voice encoding scheme;
• an embedding decision unit for determining whether data embedding condition is satisfied using a first element code from among element codes constituting the encoded voice code, and a threshold value;
• and
• a data embedding unit for embedding optional data in the encoded voice code by replacing a second element code with the optional data if the data embedding condition is satisfied;
• and
• said voice decoding apparatus includes:
• a demultiplexer for demultiplexing encoded voice code into element codes;
• an embedding decision unit for determining whether data embedding condition is satisfied using a first element code from among element codes constituting received encoded voice code, and a threshold value;
• an embedded-data extracting unit for determining that optional data has been embedded in a second element code portion of the encoded voice code if the data embedding condition is satisfied, and extracting the embedded data;
• and
• a decoder for decoding the received encoded voice code and reproducing voice;
• wherein the first element code and threshold value used to determine whether data has been embedded or not, and the second element code in which data will be embedded based upon the result of the determination, are defined beforehand in said voice encoding apparatus and said voice decoding apparatus.

A digital voice communication system for encoding voice by a prescribed voice encoding scheme and transmitting the encoded voice, comprising:

• means for analyzing voice data obtained by encoding input voice;
• means for embedding any code in a specific segment of a portion of the voice data in accordance with result of the analysis;
• and
• means for transmitting the embedded data as voice data;
• whereby additional data is transmitted at the same time as ordinary voice.

A digital voice communication system for receiving transmitted voice data, which has been obtained by encoding voice by a prescribed voice encoding scheme and transmitting the encoded voice as voice data, comprising:

• means for analyzing the received voice data;
• and
• means for extracting code from a specific segment of a portion of the voice data in accordance with result of the analysis;
• whereby additional data is received at the same time as ordinary voice.

A digital voice communication system for encoding voice by a prescribed voice encoding scheme and transmitting the encoded voice, and for receiving transmitted voice data, which has been obtained by encoding voice by a prescribed voice encoding scheme and transmitting the encoded voice as voice data, the system having a terminal device comprising a transmitter and a receiver;

• said transmitter including:
• means for analyzing data obtained by encoding input voice;
• means for embedding any code in a specific segment of a portion of the voice data in accordance with result of the analysis;
• and
• means for transmitting the embedded data as voice data;
• and
• said receiver including:
• means for analyzing the received voice data;
• and
• means for extracting code from a specific segment of a portion of the voice data in accordance with result of the analysis;
• whereby additional data is transmitted between terminal devices bi-directionally at the same time as ordinary voice via a network.

A digital voice communication system for encoding. voice by a prescribed voice encoding scheme and transmitting the encoded voice, and for receiving transmitted voice data, which has been obtained by encoding voice by a prescribed voice encoding scheme and transmitting the encoded voice as voice data, the system comprising:

• a terminal device;
• and
• a server device, which is connected to a network, for relaying voice data between terminal devices;
• said terminal device including:
• voice encoding means for encoding input voice;
• means for transmitting encoded voice code data;
• means for analyzing received voice data;
• and
• means for extracting code from a specific segment of a portion of the voice data in accordance with result of the analysis;
• and
• said server device includes:
• means for receiving data exchanged mutually between terminal devices and determining whether the data is voice data;
• means for analyzing voice data if the received data is voice data;
• and
• means for embedding any code in a specific segment of a portion of the voice data in accordance with result of the analysis, and transmitting the resultant voice data;
• whereby a terminal device that has received data via said server device extracts and outputs the code embedded by said server device.

A digital voice storage system for encoding voice by a prescribed voice encoding scheme and storing the encoded voice, comprising:

• means for analyzing voice data obtained by encoding input voice;
• means for embedding any code in a specific segment of a portion of the voice data in accordance with result of the analysis;
• and
• means for storing the embedded data as voice data;
• whereby additional information also is stored at the same time that ordinary digital voice is stored.

A digital voice storage system for encoding voice by a prescribed voice encoding scheme and storing the encoded voice, comprising:

• means for embedding any code in a portion of encoded voice data and storing the resultant voice data;
• means for analyzing the stored voice data when the stored voice data is decoded;
• and
• means for extracting the embedded code from a specific segment of the stored data in accordance with result of the analysis.

A digital voice storage system for encoding voice by a prescribed voice encoding scheme and storing the encoded voice, comprising:

• means for analyzing voice data obtained by encoding input voice;
• means for embedding any code in a specific segment of a portion of the voice data in accordance with result of the analysis;
• means for storing the embedded data as voice data;
• means for analyzing the voice data when the stored voice data is decoded;
• and
• means for extracting the embedded code from the specific segment of the voice data in accordance with result of the analysis.