System and method for extracting, decoding, and utilizing hidden data embedded in audio signals

• US 20010055391A1
• Filed: 03/13/2001
• Published: 12/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Jacobs, Paul E.
• Application Number:
  US09/805,679
• Publication Number:
  US 20010055391A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/241
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/018 Audio watermarking, i.e. embedding inaudible data in the audio signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/31 using in-band signals, e.g. subsonic or cue signal

Abstract

A system and method for enabling a user to retrieve, decode, and utilize hidden data embedded in audio signals. An exemplary implementation includes a microphone structured to receive sound waves representative of an audio signal and hidden data embedded in the audio signal. The then microphone converts the received sound waves into an electrical output signal. The system also includes a processor electrically coupled to the microphone and configured to receive the electrical output signal in order to extract the hidden data and provide information represented by the hidden data as an output thereof. A user interface is also provided and is electrically coupled to the processor and configured to receive a first input from the user and activate the processor to selectively initiate extraction of the hidden data. The processor produces as an output the information represented by the hidden data. Finally, the system includes a user presentation mechanism configured to present the information to the user.

Claims

1. A portable communication device comprising:

a microphone structured for receiving sound waves, the sound waves being representative of (i) an audio signal and (ii) hidden data embedded in the audio signal, the microphone converting the received sound waves into an electrical output signal;

a processor electrically coupled to the microphone and configured to receive the electrical output signal in order to extract the hidden data and provide information represented by the hidden data as an output thereof;

a user interface electrically coupled to the processor and configured to (i) receive a first input from the user and (ii) activate the processor to selectively initiate extraction of the hidden data in accordance with the first user input, the processor producing as an output the information represented by the hidden data; and

a user presentation mechanism configured to present the information represented by the hidden data to the user.

2. The portable communication device according to

claim 1

, wherein the user interface is further configured to (i) receive a second input from the user and (ii) activate the processor to output data representative of the second input, the second input being indicative of user preferred portions of the information representative of the hidden data presented to the user.

3. The portable communication device according to

claim 2

, further comprising an output mechanism electrically coupled to the processor and configured to receive the output therefrom and transmitting a signal corresponding to the received output.

4. The portable communication device according to

claim 3

, wherein the transmitted signal activates computer network functions.

5. The portable communication device according to

claim 3

, further comprising an embedding device for (i) receiving the output from the processor and (ii) embedding the output with identification information, wherein the signal corresponding to the received output includes the embedded identification information.

6. A portable communication device comprising:

a receiver structured to receive a radio frequency signal containing hidden data and converting the radio frequency signal into an electrical output signal;

a processor electrically coupled to the receiver and configured to receive the electrical output signal in order to extract the hidden data and provide information represented by the hidden data as an output thereof;

a user interface electrically coupled to the processor and configured to (i) receive a first input from the user and (ii) activate the processor to selectively initiate extraction of the hidden data in accordance with the first user input, the processor producing as an output the information represented by the hidden data; and

a user presentation mechanism configured for presenting the information represented by the hidden data to the user.

7. A base station configured to (i) receive and process information broadcast from a portable communication device, (ii) extract hidden data from the processed broadcast information, the extracted hidden data including identifier information and linking information, and (iii) establish a communication link to a destination represented by the linking information.

8. A communication system for processing a broadcast audio signal including hidden data, the communication system comprising:

a portable communication device including;

a microphone structured for receiving sound waves, the sound waves being representative of (i) an audio signal and (ii) hidden data embedded in the audio signal, the microphone converting the received sound waves into an electrical output signal;

a processor electrically coupled to the microphone and configured for receiving the electrical output signal in order to extract the hidden data and provide information representative of the hidden data as an output thereof;

a user interface electrically coupled to the processor and configured for (i) receiving a first input from the user and (ii) activating the processor to selectively initiate extraction of the hidden data in accordance with the first user input, the processor producing as an output the information represented by the hidden data; and

a user presentation mechanism configured for presenting the information represented by the hidden data to the user;

wherein the user interface is further configured to (i) receive a second input from the user and (ii) activate the processor to output data representative of the second input, the second input being indicative of preferred user portions of the information represented by the hidden data presented to the user;

an output mechanism electrically coupled to the processor and configured for receiving the output therefrom and transmitting a signal corresponding to the received output; and

a base station configured to (i) receive and process the signal corresponding to the output from the portable communication device, (ii) extract the hidden data from the processed signal, the hidden data including identifier information and linking information, and (iii) establish a communication link to a destination represented by the linking information.

9. A portable communication device comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a broadcast signal, the broadcast signal being representative of (i) an audio signal and (ii) hidden data embedded in the audio signal, the receiver converting the received broadcast signal into an electrical output signal;

a processor electrically coupled to the receiver and configured to receive the electrical output signal in order to extract the hidden data and provide information representative of the hidden data as an output thereof;

a user interface electrically coupled to the processor and configured for (i) receiving an input from the user and (ii) activating the processor to selectively initiate extraction of the hidden data in accordance with the input, the processor producing as an output information represented by the hidden data; and

a user presentation mechanism configured for presenting the information represented by the hidden data to the user.

10. A method of communicating using a system including a processor, a user interface, and a user presentation mechanism, the method comprising:

receiving sound waves using a microphone, the sound waves being representative of (i) an audio signal and (ii) hidden data embedded in the audio signal, and converting the received sound waves into an electrical signal;

selectively extracting the hidden data from the electrical signal in accordance with a first input from a user and producing information representative of the hidden data; and

presenting the information representative of the hidden data to the user.

11. A method of sharing broadcast revenue among a plurality of entities, each entity of the plurality receiving revenue shares based upon a broadcast of data signals, the data signals being representative of audio content and including hidden information embedded therein, the method comprising:

broadcasting the data signals having the hidden information, the hidden information including at least an identity of each of the entities;

receiving the broadcast data signals in a portable communication device;

separating the hidden information from the information content in the received broadcast data signals and presenting the hidden information to a user to facilitate a user selection, the user selection being associated with the hidden information;

wirelessly transmitting the user selection to a revenue determination center;

determining a revenue share amount for each of the plurality of entities based upon the broadcast data signals and the user selection; and

allocating the determined revenue share amount to each of the plurality of entities.

12. The method of sharing broadcast revenue according to

claim 11

, wherein the separating includes converting the received broadcast data signals into electrical signals and extracting the hidden information from the electrical signals.

13. The method of sharing broadcast revenue according to

claim 11

, wherein the wirelessly transmitting includes transmitting the user selection to a wireless network resource, the wireless network resource being coupled, at least indirectly, to the revenue determination center.