Program encoding and counterfeit tracking system and method
First Claim
1. A method for uniquely identifying a plurality of copies of an audio-visual program in an electronic or optically recorded form, said method comprising:
- (a) Altering images appearing at selected ones of a plurality of different locations in said program; and
(b) Selecting said ones of said locations in each of said copies to create a unique pattern in each of said copies.
44 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
Unique encoding of each of a substantial number of distribution video copies of a program such as a motion picture is produced by altering the images slightly at several pre-selected locations in the program in a uniquely coded pattern. Suspected counterfeits can be compared with an unaltered master video to determine the encoded number for the copy which was counterfeited to enable tracking the source of the counterfeit. Preferably, each frame of several whole scenes is altered at each location so as to make the alterations largely undetectable by counterfeiters but easily detected by comparison with an unaltered master video. Artifacts are inserted in patterns representing a unique number for the program. These supplement the encoding by alteration of images and gives added means to aid in tracing counterfeit copies.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for uniquely identifying a plurality of copies of an audio-visual program in an electronic or optically recorded form, said method comprising:
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(a) Altering images appearing at selected ones of a plurality of different locations in said program; and
(b) Selecting said ones of said locations in each of said copies to create a unique pattern in each of said copies. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17)
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14. A method of distributing electronic motion picture copies, comprising:
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(a) marking said copies with image shifting signals for selected frames of said motion picture, to form a unique pattern;
(b) distributing said copies to selected recipients; and
(c) recording the unique pattern for each such copy with the identity of its recipient(s). - View Dependent Claims (15)
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18. A system for copy coding motion picture copies, said system comprising:
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(a) apparatus for making multiple copies of said motion picture, and (b) a computer-controlled device for providing a visually detectable indication at each of a plurality of selected locations in each of said copies, said locations being selected so as to form a coded pattern unique to each copy. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification