Tracking an image-recording medium using a watermark and associated memory
First Claim
1. A method for distributing an image-recording medium, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) encoding an identifying mark within a recorded image area on the image-recording medium;
(b) associating a tracking memory having tracking information with the image-recording medium with the tracking memory having tracking information stored therein;
(c) distributing the image-recording medium to users of the image-recording medium; and
,(d) reading the tracking information from the tracking memory and storing the tracking information in a database that associates the users to whom the image-recording medium has been distributed with the identifying mark recorded in the image area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for tracking a segment of an image-recording medium and an image-recording medium are provided. In a first aspect of the invention what is provided is a method for distributing an image-recording medium. In accordance with the method, an identifying mark is encoded within a recorded image area on the image-recording medium. A tracking memory is associated with the image-recording medium with the tracking memory having information stored therein. The image-recording medium is distributed to users of the image-recording medium and tracking information from the tracking memory is read and stored in a database that associates the users to whom the image-recording medium has been distributed with the identifying mark recorded in the image area.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method for distributing an image-recording medium, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) encoding an identifying mark within a recorded image area on the image-recording medium; (b) associating a tracking memory having tracking information with the image-recording medium with the tracking memory having tracking information stored therein; (c) distributing the image-recording medium to users of the image-recording medium; and
,(d) reading the tracking information from the tracking memory and storing the tracking information in a database that associates the users to whom the image-recording medium has been distributed with the identifying mark recorded in the image area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. The method to claim further comprising the step of associating a second memory with the image-recording medium comprises physically coupling said second memory to the image-recording medium and emitting an electromagnetic signal having tracking information therein, said tracking information being received by the second memory and stored therein.
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17. A method for distributing an image-recording medium, the method comprising the steps of:
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encoding an identifying mark into an image bearing segment of an image-recording medium to form a marked image-recording medium; storing the marked image-recording medium using a first packaging having a first memory; storing tracking data in the first memory from which the identifying mark on the image bearing segment of the marked image bearing recording medium can be used to determine information about the distribution of the marked image-recording medium, recording an image onto the marked image-recording medium, to form an image-recording medium; storing the image-recording medium using second packaging having a second memory; reading tracking data from said first memory; storing information in the second memory from which the markings on the imaged recording medium can be used to determine information about the distribution of the marked image-recording medium. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for tracing the source of an illegal copy of a motion picture, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) encoding an identifying mark onto a segment of an image-recording medium to form a marked segment of said image-recording medium, said identifying mark associated with a data location in a memory, said memory coupled to said marked segment of said image-recording medium, said data location comprising data identifying said marked segment; (b) extracting said identifying mark from said marked segment of the illegal copy; (c) decoding said encoded identifying mark to obtain said data location; and (d) accessing said memory to obtain data stored at said data location.
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34. An image-recording medium comprising:
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(a) a segment of an image receiving surface having an identifying mark encoded thereon; and (b) a tracking memory coupled to the medium, said memory having data stored thereon corresponding to said identifying mark. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification