APPARATUSES, AND METHODS FOR INSERTING USER DATA INTO DIGITAL MULTIMEDIA SIGNALS

• US 20100005305A1
• Filed: 07/01/2008
• Published: 01/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Amitabh Dixit
• Original Assignee: Amitabh Dixit
• Inventors: Dixit, Amitabh
• Application Number:
  US12/166,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20100005305A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/176
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/50 of still image data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/535 Filtering based on additional data, e.g. user or group profiles
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/5838 using colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/5854 using shape and object relationship
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/907 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/28 by using information signals recorded by the same method as the main recording G11B27/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32203 Spatial or amplitude domain methods H04N1/32309 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32208 involving changing the magnitude of selected pixels, e.g. overlay of information or super-imposition H04N1/32219, H04N1/32224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32229 with selective or adaptive application of the additional information, e.g. in selected regions of the image H04N1/32213 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3264 of sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3266 of text or character information, e.g. text accompanying an image H04N2201/3226 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3267 of motion picture signals, e.g. video clip
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/327 which are undetectable to the naked eye, e.g. embedded codes

Abstract

Apparatuses, and methods for inserting user data into digital multimedia signals are provided in which user data is inserted into the digital multimedia signals in a substantially imperceptible fashion. In one embodiment of the invention, digital watermarking techniques are used to embed user data into the digital multimedia signal, such that user data is later helpful in indexing the digital multimedia signal. User data can be in any generic form such as text, audio or video signals. In another embodiment of the invention, user data is superimposed on the digital multimedia signal at a location which contains the least amount of information. In yet another embodiment of the invention, user data is inserted at a location chosen by the user. The color in which user data is superimposed can also be chosen by the user by using either a color palette or by pointing to an area in the digital image or video.

Claims

1. Method comprising:

embedding user data into a digital multimedia signal as an imperceptible watermark;

wherein

user data comprises information helpful in indexing the digital multimedia signal.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein embedding of user data is done substantially concurrently with the capture of the digital multimedia signal.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein user data comprises chronological information regarding the capture of the digital multimedia signal.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein user data comprises information about the events associated with the capture of the digital multimedia signal.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein user data comprises information about a user or owner of the multimedia content.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein user data user data is input in the form of text, audio or video signals.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a receiver for receiving a digital multimedia signal;

a receiver for receiving user data; and

a processor for embedding user data into a digital multimedia signal as an imperceptible watermark.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises a digital imaging apparatus for capturing digital multimedia signals.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises a screen for displaying digital multimedia signals.

10. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises an input device capable of accepting user data.

11. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein user data comprises chronological information regarding the capture of the digital multimedia signal.

12. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein user data comprises information about the events associated with the capture of the digital multimedia signal.

13. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein user data comprises information about a user or owner of the multimedia content.

14. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein user data user data is input in the form of text, audio or video signals.

15. An apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a microphone for receiving user data in the form of audio signals.

16. An apparatus comprising:

a receiver for receiving a digital multimedia signal in which user data has been embedded as an imperceptible watermark;

an extractor for extracting the user data from the digital multimedia signal;

an output device for outputting the multimedia signal; and

an output device for outputting the user data.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16 such that the output user data is in the form of text, audio or video signals.