Methods and Arrangements Employing Digital Content Items

• US 20090125607A1
• Filed: 01/08/2009
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Rhoads, Geoffrey B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,751,596 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/40 Document-oriented image-based pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32144 embedded in the image data, i.e. enclosed or integrated in the image, e.g. watermark, super-imposed logo or stamp
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32352 Controlling detectability or arrangements to facilitate detection or retrieval of the embedded information, e.g. using markers for decoding, detection or retrieval operations H04N1/32149 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23892 involving embedding information at multiplex stream level, e.g. embedding a watermark at packet level
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8358 involving watermark protecting executable software by watermarking G06F21/16; image watermarking in general G06T1/0021; watermarks inserted in still images for transmission purposes H04N1/32144; inserting watermarks during video coding H04N19/467
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3249 data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink

Abstract

Methods and arrangements for identifying content, and employing such identification, are detailed. One method embeds a plural-bit digital watermark into content, but first checks to see if the content is previously watermarked. Another method applies a digital watermark detection procedure to only a sub-portion of a digital content item. Yet another arrangement involves plural-portion content, where one portion is watermarked with first data governing its rights management, and another portion is watermarked with second data governing its rights management. Still another method concerns distribution of content items, where each is watermarked with a unique ID as part of the distribution process. Yet another method concerns deriving an identifier from content, and using the content to access related metadata from a remote computer system. Still other methods concern arrangements for recognizing content, and then providing links to information about the content creator, etc., in response. A variety of other technologies and improvements are also detailed.

Claims

1. A method comprising the acts:

receiving a user request, through an interface of a user device, to process audio, image or video content;

applying an algorithm to data representing at least some of the content;

without further user request, taking a first action based on an output from said algorithm, said first action including presenting first information on a display screen of the user device; and

in response to a further user request, initiating a second action, the second action leading to presentation, on the display screen of the user device, of a web page associated with an artist involved with creation of the content.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first information comprises a copyright symbol.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the algorithm is applied by the user device.

4. The method of claim 3 that includes transmitting an output of the algorithm to a remote computer and receiving back from the remote computer a link to the web page.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the algorithm derives signature data from the content, by which it can be identified.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the algorithm comprises a digital watermark decoding algorithm.

7. The method of claim 1 that includes:

sampling a non-digital form of the content, and producing a digital counterpart thereto; and

applying the algorithm to the digital counterpart.

8. The method of claim 1 in which the initial user request comprises a request to render the content to the user.

9. A method comprising the acts:

receiving a user request, through an interface of a user device, to process audio, image or video content;

applying an algorithm to data representing at least some of the content;

without further user request, taking a first action based on an output from said algorithm, said first action including presenting first information on a display screen of the user device; and

in response to a further user request, initiating a second action, the second action leading to presentation, on the display screen of the user device, of a web page through which the user can make a purchase related to the content.

10. A method comprising the acts:

receiving a user request, through an interface of a user device, to process audio, image or video content;

applying an algorithm to data representing at least some of the content;

without further user request, taking a first action based on an output from said algorithm, said first action including presenting first information on a display screen of the user device; and

in response to a further user request, initiating a second action, the second action leading to presentation, on the display screen of the user device, of a web page through which the user can download additional content.

11. A method comprising the acts:

receiving a user request, through an interface of a user device, to process audio, image or video content;

applying an algorithm to data representing at least some of the content;

without further user request, taking a first action based on an output from said algorithm, said first action including presenting first information on a display screen of the user device;

in response to a further user request, initiating a second action relating to said content;

the method including, as part of one of said actions;

requesting information from a remote computer;

receiving responsive information back from the remote computer, the responsive information including a web link; and

presenting the web link to the user on the display screen of the user device, for activation by the user.

12. A method comprising the acts:

receiving a user request, through an interface of the user device, for processing audio, image or video content, the content processing including attempting a recognition operation based on characteristics of the audio, image or video;

if the recognition operation is successful;

presenting first corresponding information on a display screen of the user device; and

also

displaying first and second user interface features, the first user interface feature being selectable by the user to request further information about a creator of the content, the second user interface feature being selectable by the user to initiate a search.

13. The method of claim 12 in which the first user interface feature comprises a link to a web site for the creator.

14. The method of claim 13 that includes receiving the web link from a remote computer, responsive to an output from said recognition operation.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the first corresponding information comprises a copyright symbol.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the first corresponding information comprises text.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the recognition operation is performed by the user device.

18. A system including a user device and a remote server, each including a processor and a memory storing software instructions, the software instructions directing the system to perform the following acts:

receive a user request, through an interface of the user device, to process audio, image or video content;

apply an algorithm to data representing at least some of the content;

without further user request, take a first action based on an output from the algorithm, the first action including presenting first information on a display screen of the user device;

based on an output from the algorithm, identifying a web site associated with a creator of the content; and

in response to a further user request, directing a web browser to said web site.