Using embedded data with file sharing

• US 7,756,892 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2001
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Levy, Kenneth L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleurantin; Jean B
• Application Number:
  US09/952,384
• Publication Number:
  US 20020052885A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,227 Days
• Field of Search: 707 1- 10, 707100-1041, 707200-206, 709/219, 709223-225, 709/217, 382/100, 715/751
• US Class Current: 707/781
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/16 Program or content traceability, e.g. by watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0064 for copy protection or copy management, e.g. CGMS, copy only once, one-time copy
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 applying security measures for digital rights management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/12 Applying verification of the received information cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/123 received data contents, e.g. message integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/104 Peer-to-peer [P2P] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1063 Discovery through centralising entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• 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 1/32154 Transform domain methods H04N1/32309 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 17/004 for digital television systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2408 Monitoring of the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. client requests monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4425 Monitoring of client processing errors or hardware failure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 : comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8352 : involving content or source identification data, e.g. Unique Material Identifier [UMID]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 : involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• 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 21/8405 : represented by keywords
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

Peer-to-peer file sharing is increasing in popularity on the Internet, faster than any product known in history. Although file-sharing can enable massive piracy, it has many advantages for distribution of information including scalability. Alternatively, file-sharing can be sabotaged with falsified files and used to distribute viruses. To this end, a solution that maintains the scalability of file-sharing and promotes reliability is proposed. The solution involves embedding data within the file or content and using the data to identify the content, demonstrate its completeness and lack of viruses, and verify the file can be shared. The embedded data can be checked when the file is registered with the database for sharing, and before or while the file is being uploaded and/or downloaded. Ideally, the embedded data is added at the time of creation for the file. The embedded data may include a watermark and be linked to other copy management systems, such as those proposed in DVD and SDMI. Finally, the embedded data can be used to enable purchases of files that owners do not have rights to share.

Claims

1. In a file sharing system, a method of controlling use of media files comprising:

embedding auxiliary data into a media signal file, including a time stamp;

using a programmed computer to extract the auxiliary data from the media signal;

reading the time stamp from the extracted auxiliary data to control use of the media signal file in a computing device in the file sharing system.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the auxiliary data is embedded in a digital watermark in a media signal within the media signal file.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the extracted data is used to control transfer of the media signal file in the file sharing system.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the time stamp from the extracted data is compared with a time of processing, and usage rights are determined based on the relative time between the time stamp and the time of processing of the media signal file.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the file is not allowed to be shared within a period of time as measured by a comparison of the time stamp and the time of processing.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the file is allowed to enter an additional section of the file sharing system as more time elapses between a time indicated in the time stamp and the time of processing.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the section corresponds to a level of subscription in the file sharing system.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the time stamp is used to find a version of the media signal file based on the time stamp embedded in the file.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the extracted data is used to control rendering of the media signal file in the file sharing system.

9. A computer readable storage medium on which is stored instructions, which, when executed by a computer, perform a method of controlling use of media files in a file sharing system, the method comprising:

embedding auxiliary data into a media signal file, including a time stamp;

extracting the auxiliary data from the media signal;

reading the time stamp from the extracted auxiliary data to control use of the media signal file in a computing device in the file sharing system.

11. In a file sharing system, a method of controlling use of media files comprising:

using one or more computing devices configured to perform the following acts;

receiving a media signal file including a media signal into which auxiliary data has been embedded, including a time stamp;

extracting the auxiliary data from the media signal;

reading the time stamp from the extracted auxiliary data to control use of the media signal file in the file sharing system.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the auxiliary data is embedded in a digital watermark in a media signal within the media signal file.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the extracted data is used to control rendering of the media signal file in the file sharing system.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the extracted data is used to control transfer of the media signal file in the file sharing system.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the time stamp from the extracted data is compared with a time of processing, and usage rights are determined based on the relative time between the time stamp and the time of processing of the media signal file.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the file is not allowed to be shared within a period of time as measured by a comparison of the time stamp and the time of processing.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the file is allowed to enter an additional section of the file sharing system as more time elapses between a time indicated in the time stamp and the time of processing.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the section corresponds to a level of subscription in the file sharing system.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the time stamp is used to find a version of the media signal file based on the time stamp embedded in the file.

20. A computer readable storage medium on which is stored instructions, which, when executed by a computer, perform a method of controlling use of media files in a file sharing system, the method comprising:

receiving a media signal file including a media signal into which auxiliary data has been embedded, including a time stamp;

extracting the auxiliary data from the media signal;

reading the time stamp from the extracted auxiliary data to control use of the media signal file in the file sharing system.