Channelized Audio Watermarks

• US 20120277893A1
• Filed: 11/02/2011
• Published: 11/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Davis, Bruce L., Rodriguez, Tony F.
• Granted Patent: US 9,225,822 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/0021 involving encryption or decryption of contents recorded on or reproduced from a record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/00 Editing; Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Monitoring; Measuring tape travel
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 applying security measures for digital rights management data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for commerce, e.g. marketing, shopping, billing, auctions or e-commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM] H04L51/04; selective video distribution H04N21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/00 Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers subscriber services or facilities provided at exchanges H04M3/00; prepayment telephone coin boxes H04M17/00; current supply arrangements H04M19/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/00 Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD] real-time bi-directional transmission of motion video data H04N7/14 ; broadcast or conference over packet switching networks H04L12/18

Abstract

An audio watermark signal is associated audio host signal, but is provided separately. When the audio host signal is rendered, a user can control whether—and how strongly—the watermark signal is also rendered. The specification details a great variety of other technologies—most relating to audio and image content, and/or portable devices (e.g., smartphones).

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving audio information at a consumer electronic device, the audio information having been provided by a content distributor, the received audio information including at least first and second audio tracks;

in said device, receiving a control signal that sets a ratio between the first and second tracks; and

rendering the audio information to a consumer in accordance with said ratio;

wherein the second audio track comprises a noise-like digital watermark signal conveying auxiliary information.

2. The method of claim 1 that includes receiving a signal from a consumer-operated control that sets a ratio between the first and second tracks.

3. The method of claim 1 in which the control signal sets a ratio in which the second track is not rendered.

4. A computer readable medium containing first content data that, if rendered by a first device, controls a function of a second device, the content data including at least first and second tracks of audio information, the first track comprising audio for consumer enjoyment, the second track comprising a noise-like digital watermark signal that conveys control data for the second device.

5. The medium of claim 4 in which the first and second tracks of audio information are stored in Dolby TrueHD format.

6. An apparatus comprising:

a memory storing content information, the content information including data corresponding to at least first and second tracks of audio; and

an audio portion for rendering the content information to an output device, the audio portion including a control operable by a user to set a level at which the second track should be rendered relative to the first track;

wherein the stored data that corresponds to the second track of audio represents a noise-like digital watermark signal for controlling a function of a second apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which the audio portion further comprises a mixer for combining the first and second tracks of audio in a single channel.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the stored data that corresponds to the second track of audio is formatted in an RF64 format.