METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING DIGITAL CONTENT ITEMS

• US 20100198941A1
• Filed: 04/15/2010
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Rhoads, Geoffrey B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,027,520 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 employing a user device having a processor configured to perform acts of the method and having an interface for user inputs and having a display screen for outputs of information to a user, the method comprising the acts:

the user device processor receiving a user request, through the interface of the user device, to process image content;

responsive to said request, applying an algorithm to data representing at least some of the content;

without further user request, the user device processor 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, the user device processor 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 processor of 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 user request comprises a request to render the content to the user.

9. The method of claim 1 that includes applying the algorithm to data representing video content.

10. The method of claim 1 in which the first information serves to inform the user as to an attribute of the content.

11. The method of claim 10 in which the first information serves to inform the user that copyright has been asserted in said content.

12. The method of claim 1 in which the user device processor applies the algorithm, and the algorithm includes transforming data representing the content into a frequency domain representation.

13. The method of claim 1 in which the algorithm includes transforming data representing the content into a frequency domain representation using a Fourier transformation, and discerning spectral peaks in said frequency domain representation.

14. The method of claim 1 in which:

the user device processor applies an algorithm that includes performing a Fourier transform based on said data, discerning a pattern of spectral peaks in resultant transform data, and determining index data by reference to said discerned pattern; and

in which the first action includes transmitting the index data to a remote computer system.

15. The method of claim 1 in which the algorithm includes performing a domain transformation to produce frequency domain data corresponding to said data representing content, processing the frequency domain data to identify a pattern of peaks in the frequency domain, and producing identification data by reference to said pattern of peaks, wherein the output from said algorithm comprises the identification data.

16. The method of claim 1 in which the first action comprises sending information based on an output from said algorithm to a remote computer system, receiving information responsive thereto, and presenting received information on the display screen of the user device, the presented information including a web link.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the algorithm is applied by the processor of the user device, and the method includes transmitting an output of the algorithm to a remote computer and receiving, in response, a link to a web page.

18. A method employing a user device having a processor configured to perform acts of the method and having an interface for user inputs and having a display screen for outputs of information to a user, the method comprising the acts:

the user device processor receiving a user request, through the interface of the user device, to process image content;

responsive to said request, applying an algorithm to data representing at least some of the content;

without further user request, the user device processor 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, the user device processor 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.

19. A method performed by a user device having a processor configured to perform acts of the method and having an interface for user inputs and having a display screen for outputs of information to a user, the method comprising the acts:

the user device processor receiving a user request, through the interface of the user device, to process image content;

responsive to said request, applying an algorithm to data representing at least some of the content;

without further user request, the user device processor 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, the user device processor 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.

20. A method employing a user device having a processor configured to perform acts of the method and having an interface for user inputs and having a display screen for outputs of information to a user, the method comprising the acts:

the user device processor receiving a user request, through the interface of the user device, to process image content;

responsive to said request, applying an algorithm to data representing at least some of the content;

without further user request, the user device processor 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, the user device processor initiating a second action relating to said content;

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

sending data to a remote computer system;

receiving information in response to said sending, the received information including a web link; and

presenting a graphical feature associated with the web link to the user on the display screen of the user device, for activation by the user.

21. A method employing a user device having a processor configured to perform acts of the method and having an interface for user inputs and having a display screen for outputs of information to a user, the method comprising the acts:

receiving a user request, through the interface of the user device, for processing image content, the requested content processing including attempting a recognition operation based on characteristics of the image; and

following a successful recognition operation, the user device processor undertaking actions including;

presenting first corresponding information on the 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.

22. The method of claim 21 in which the first user interface feature comprises a graphical feature associated with a link to a web site for the creator.

23. The method of claim 22 that includes receiving the web link from a remote computer, responsive to an output from said recognition operation.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the first corresponding information comprises a copyright symbol.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein the first corresponding information comprises text.

26. The method of claim 21 wherein the recognition operation is performed by the user device.

27. 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 image 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, loading graphical data for display to the user from said web site.

28. A computer readable physical storage medium containing non-transitory software instructions operative to cause a user device processor programmed by such software instructions to:

receive user input relating to image content;

in response to the user input, apply an algorithm to data representing said image content;

without further user input, take a first action based on an output from said algorithm, said first action including presenting first information on a display screen; and

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

29. The computer readable physical storage medium of claim 28 in which the software instructions are operative to cause the user device processor to apply the algorithm to data representing video content.

30. The computer readable physical storage medium of claim 28 in which the algorithm comprises a watermark decoding algorithm.

31. The computer readable physical storage medium of claim 28 that contains software instructions operative to cause the user device processor to apply an algorithm that includes transforming the content data into a frequency domain representation.

32. The computer readable physical storage medium of claim 28 that contains software instructions operative to cause the user device processor to apply an algorithm that includes transforming the content data into a frequency domain representation, and discerning a pattern of spectral peaks in said frequency domain representation.

33. The computer readable physical storage medium of claim 28 in which the software instructions are operative to cause the user device processor to:

apply an algorithm that includes performing a Fourier transform based on said data, discerning a pattern of spectral peaks in resultant transform data, and determining index data by reference to said discerned pattern; and

take a first action that includes transmitting the index data to a remote computer system.

34. The computer readable physical storage medium of claim 28 in which the first action includes sending information based on an output from said algorithm to a remote computer system, receiving information responsive thereto, and presenting received information on the display screen, the presented information including a web link.

35. A computer device that includes the computer readable storage medium of claim 28, together with a display screen, a user interface, and a processor, wherein the processor is programmed by the software instructions of said storage medium.

36. A computer readable physical storage medium containing non-transitory software instructions operative to cause a user device processor programmed by such software instructions to:

receive a user request to process image content data, and in response, apply the content to a content recognition process; and

following a successful recognition of the content;

present first corresponding information on a display screen, and

display first and second user interface features on the display screen, 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.

37. The computer readable physical storage medium of claim 36 in which the software instructions are also operative to cause the user device processor to perform said content recognition process, said content recognition process comprising a digital watermark decoding process.

38. The computer readable physical storage medium of claim 36 in which the software instructions are operative to cause the user device processor to receive a user request to process video content, and in response, apply the video content to an video content recognition process.

39. The computer readable physical storage medium of claim 36 in which the software instructions are operative to cause the user device processor to perform acts including transforming the content data into frequency domain data, discerning spectral peaks in the frequency domain data, and further processing information involving said peaks, said acts comprising part of the recognition process, the software instructions also being operative to cause the user device processor to transmit data resulting from said further processing to a remote computer system, and to receive information, including a web link, in response.

40. The computer readable physical storage medium of claim 36 in which the software instructions are operative to cause the user device processor to:

apply an algorithm that includes performing a Fourier transform based on the content data, identifying spectral peaks forming a pattern in resultant transform data, further processing information involving said peaks forming pattern to determine index data;

transmit the index data to a remote computer system; and

receive data relating to said first corresponding information in response.

41. A computer device that includes the computer readable storage medium of claim 36, together with a display screen, a user interface, and a processor, wherein the processor is programmed by the software instructions of said storage medium.