Theater identification system utilizing identifiers projected onto a screen

• US 20060262280A1
• Filed: 07/28/2004
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Sterling, Michael Allan, Duffield, David Jay, Schultz, Mark Alan
• Application Number:
  US10/567,941
• Publication Number:
  US 20060262280A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 353/46
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/14 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/26 Projecting separately subsidiary matter simultaneously with main image
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/18 Error detection or correction; Testing , e.g. of drop-outs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91392 using means for preventing making copies of projected video images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/74 Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/913 for scrambling ; for copy protection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3194 including sensor feedback

Abstract

A method and a system for identifying a copy of an image sequence that is presented on a screen. At least one identifier distinct from the image sequence is projected such that the identifier is displayed on the screen using visible light along with the image sequence. The identifier can be presented at periodic intervals and can define a theater location, a date and/or a time. A color and/or an illumination of at least a portion of the image sequence presentation can be measured. Based on the measured illumination and/or color, a projection brightness and/or color can be determined for the identifier. Also, a location on the screen where the identifier should be projected can be determined.

Claims

1. A method for marking a copy of an image sequence comprising the steps of:

presenting the image sequence on a screen; and

projecting onto the screen at least one identifier distinct from the image sequence such that the identifier is displayed using visible light along with the presented image sequence.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of presenting the at least one identifier further comprises the steps of:

measuring an illumination of at least a portion of the image sequence presentation; and

determining a projection brightness for the at least one identifier based upon the measured illumination.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of determining a projection location of the at least one identifier based upon the measured illumination.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of presenting the at least one identifier further comprises the steps of:

measuring a color of light associated with at least a portion of the image sequence presentation; and

determining a projection color for the at least one identifier based upon the measured color of light.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of determining a projection location of the at least one identifier based upon the measured color of light.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one identifier is presented at periodic intervals.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one identifier defines at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of a theater location, a date and a time.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the projected at least one identifier represents marking data comprising a forward error correction code.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the marking data represents at least one of a theatre identifier, date and/or time.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the forward error correction code represents an exclusive NOR operation of at least some of the marking data.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the image sequence is a movie.

12. A system for identifying a copy of an image sequence comprising:

a projector for projecting onto a screen at least one identifier distinct from an image sequence being presented on the screen such that the identifier is displayed using visible light along with the presented image sequence.

13. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

a detector for measuring an illumination of at least a portion of the image sequence presentation; and

a processor for determining a projection brightness for the at least one identifier based upon the measured illumination.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor also determines a projection location of the at least one identifier based upon the measured illumination.

15. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a detector for measuring a color of light associated with at least a portion of the image sequence presentation; and

a processor for determining a projection color for the at least one identifier based upon the measured color of light.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor also determines a projection location of the at least one identifier based upon the measured color of light.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the system is configured to present the at least one identifier at periodic intervals.

18. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one identifier defines at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of a theater location, a date and a time.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the projected at least one identifier represents marking data comprising a forward error correction code.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the marking data represents at least one of a theatre identifier, date and/or time.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the forward error correction code represents an exclusive NOR operation of at least some of the marking data.

22. The system of claim 12, wherein the image sequence is a movie.

23. A method for use in identifying how a recording was made, the method comprising:

playing back the recorded movie to view image sequences thereof; and

identifying in at least one of the image sequences a marking pattern that was displayed using visible light along with the movie, wherein the marking pattern provides an identification indicative of at least one parameter selected from a group comprising a theater location, a date and a time.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the marking pattern represents marking data comprising a forward error correction code.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the marking data represents at least one of a theatre identifier, date and/or time.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the forward error correction code represents an exclusive NOR operation of at least some of the marking data.

27. A medium for storing a recorded movie that when accessed by a processor results in a playing of the recorded movie, the medium comprising:

a first portion representing a sequence of images representing the movie;

wherein at least one of the sequences includes therein a marking pattern that was displayed using visible light along with the movie.

28. The medium of claim 27, wherein the medium is a digital versatile disc (DVD).

29. The medium of claim 27, wherein the medium is a camcorder tape.

30. The medium of claim 27, wherein the marking pattern represents at least one of a theatre identifier, date and/or time.

31. The medium of claim 27, wherein the marking pattern represents marking data comprising a forward error correction code.

32. The medium of claim 31, wherein the forward error correction code represents an exclusive NOR operation of at least some of the marking data.