Audio encoding to convey auxiliary information, and decoding of same

• US 7,987,094 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2007
• Issued: 07/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Rhoads, Geoffrey B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johns; Andrew W
• Application Number:
  US11/676,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20070201835A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,617 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/232, 380/31, 380/42, 380/252, 380/287, 704/200.1, 704/270, 704/273, 370/522, 370/523, 370/527, 370/528, 370/529, 381/73.1
• US Class Current: 704/270
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/1408 by using cryptography for digital transmission H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/005 Robust watermarking, e.g. average attack or collusion attack resistant
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0057 Compression invariant watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0052 Embedding of the watermark in the frequency domain
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/253 visually
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/0032 using holograms
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/004 using digital security elements, e.g. information coded on a magnetic thread or strip
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/26 for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus ticket printing or the like apparatus G07F17/42
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/086 by passive credit-cards adapted therefor, e.g. constructive particularities to avoid counterfeiting, e.g. by inclusion of a physical or chemical security-layer for security documents G07D7/00; for the reading of record-carriers in general G06K7/00; for the design of coded credit-cards G06K19/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1016 Devices or methods for securing the PIN and other transaction-data, e.g. by encryption arrangements for secret communication, see H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/12 Card verification
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/018 Audio watermarking, i.e. embedding inaudible data in the audio signal
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00007 Time or data compression or expansion audio compression based on psychoacoustics G10L19/00; data processing for reproducing audio data at different playback speeds G10L21/04; video compression H04N19/00; data compression per se H03M7/30
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00086 Circuits for prevention of unauthorised reproduction or copying, e.g. piracy indicating unauthorised use of record carriers in general G11B23/28; scrambling for television signal recording H04N5/913; network architectures or network protocols for network security H04L63/00; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00094 : involving measures which result in a restriction to authorised record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00115 : wherein the record carrier stores a unique medium identifier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00166 : involving measures which result in a restriction to authorised contents recorded on or reproduced from a record carrier, e.g. music or software
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00181 : using a content identifier, e.g. an international standard recording code [ISRC] or a digital object identifier [DOI]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/0021 : involving encryption or decryption of contents recorded on or reproduced from a record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00884 : involving a watermark, i.e. a barely perceptible transformation of the original data which can nevertheless be recognised by an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00891 : embedded in audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10037 : A/D conversion, D/A conversion, sampling, slicing and digital quantisation or adjusting parameters thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10527 : Audio or video recording; Data buffering arrangements G11B20/12 - G11B20/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/00014 : the compressed signal being an audio signal
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/10546 : specifically adapted for audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/10555 : wherein the frequency, the amplitude, or other characteristics of the audio signal is taken into account
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/665 : using psychoacoustic properties of the ear, e.g. masking effect
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00005 : relating to image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00037 : Detecting, i.e. determining the occurrence of a predetermined state H04N1/00031 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00079 : remotely
• 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 1/32149 : Methods relating to embedding, encoding, decoding, detection or retrieval operations
• 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 1/32251 : in multilevel data, e.g. greyscale or continuous tone data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32288 : Multiple embedding, e.g. cocktail embedding, or redundant embedding, e.g. repeating the additional information at a plurality of locations in the image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91321 : the copy protection signal being a copy protection control signal, e.g. a record inhibit signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91335 : the copy protection signal being a watermark
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91342 : the copy protection signal being an authentication signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/9135 : by superimposing the spectrally spread copy protection signal onto the video signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 : of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3207 : of an address
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 : of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3233 : of authentication information, e.g. digital signature, watermark
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/327 : which are undetectable to the naked eye, e.g. embedded codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 : Printing or stamping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/328 : Processing of the additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/89 : using holographic recording H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/90 : on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/913 : for scrambling ; for copy protection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 : involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8047 : using transform coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8205 : involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 283/901 : Concealed data

Abstract

The present claims relate generally to steganographically encoding and decoding of audio signals. One claim recites a method of embedding auxiliary information in data representing audio. The method includes acts of: using at least a programmed electronic processor, altering data representing audio to include a sequence of bits of auxiliary information, said altering based on a carrier signal and corresponding to the sequence of bits, and said altering based on a local gain that varies within the data representing audio, the sequence of bits of auxiliary information including at least one fixed registration sequence for registration of the auxiliary information within the data representing audio and at least one message sequence, and in which the fixed registration sequence and the at least one message sequence are interleaved in at least some portions of the data, and in which the fixed registration sequence is provided in the data representing audio so as to allow determination of threshold levels associated with the auxiliary information; and repeating the altering of the data representing audio to include redundant instances of at least some of the auxiliary information including at least the fixed registration sequence. Of course, other combinations and claims are provided as well.

Claims

1. A method of embedding auxiliary information in data representing audio, the method comprising:

altering, using a processor of a computing device, data representing audio to include a sequence of bits of auxiliary information, wherein the altering is based on a carrier signal and a local gain that varies within the data representing the audio, wherein the sequence of bits of auxiliary information includes at least one fixed registration sequence for registration of the auxiliary information within the data representing the audio and at least one message sequence, wherein the fixed registration sequence and the at least one message sequence are interleaved in at least a portion of the data, and wherein the fixed registration sequence is provided in the data so as to allow determination of threshold levels associated with the auxiliary information; and

repeating the altering of the data to include redundant instances of at least a portion of the auxiliary information that includes the fixed registration sequence.

2. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions comprising:

instructions to alter data representing audio to include a sequence of bits of auxiliary information, wherein the altering is based on a carrier signal and a local gain that varies within the data representing the audio, wherein the sequence of bits of auxiliary information includes at least one fixed registration sequence for registration of the auxiliary information within the data representing the audio and at least one message sequence, wherein the fixed registration sequence and the at least one message sequence are interleaved in at least a portion of the data, and wherein the fixed registration sequence is provided in the data so as to allow determination of threshold levels associated with the auxiliary information; and

instructions to repeat the altering of the data to include redundant instances of at least a portion of the auxiliary information that includes the fixed registration sequence.

3. A method comprising:

receiving, by a computing device, data representing audio, wherein the data includes redundant instances of a sequence of bits of auxiliary information hidden in the data based on a carrier signal and a local gain that varies within the data representing the audio, wherein the sequence of bits of auxiliary information includes at least one fixed registration sequence for registration of the auxiliary information within the data and at least one message sequence, wherein at least one redundant instance of the auxiliary information includes the fixed registration sequence, and wherein the fixed registration sequence and the at least one message sequence are interleaved in at least a portion of the data;

registering the data representing the audio or the sequence of bits of auxiliary information within the data with reference to at least the fixed registration sequence; and

decoding at least one instance of the auxiliary information by at least determining threshold levels associated with the auxiliary information.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the threshold levels associated with the auxiliary information are associated with the fixed registration sequence.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the threshold levels associated with the auxiliary information are further associated with the at least one message sequence.

6. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions comprising:

instructions to receive data representing audio, wherein the data includes redundant instances of a sequence of bits of auxiliary information hidden in the data based on a carrier signal and a local gain that varies within the data, wherein the sequence of bits of auxiliary information includes at least one fixed registration sequence for registration of the auxiliary information and at least one message sequence, wherein at least one redundant instance of the auxiliary information includes the fixed registration sequence, and wherein the fixed registration sequence and the at least one message sequence are interleaved in at least a portion of the data;

instructions to register the data representing the audio or the sequence of bits of auxiliary information within the data with reference to at least the fixed registration sequence; and

instructions to decode at least one instance of the auxiliary information by at least determining threshold levels associated with the auxiliary information.

7. A method comprising:

altering, with a processor of a computing device, samples of data representing audio to include a sequence of bits of auxiliary information, wherein the altering is based on a carrier signal and data hiding attributes of the samples that vary within the data representing the audio, wherein the sequence of bits of auxiliary information includes at least one fixed sequence for registration of the auxiliary information within the data representing the audio; and

repeating the altering of the data representing the audio to include redundant instances of at least a portion the auxiliary information that includes the fixed sequence.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the carrier signal comprises a pseudo random carrier signal.

9. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions comprising:

instructions to alter samples of data representing audio to include a sequence of bits of auxiliary information, wherein the altering is based on a carrier signal and data hiding attributes of the samples that vary within the data representing the audio, wherein the sequence of bits of auxiliary information includes at least one fixed sequence for registration of the auxiliary information within the data representing the audio; and

instructions to repeat the altering of the data representing the audio to include redundant instances of at least a portion the auxiliary information that includes the fixed sequence.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a memory configured to store data representing audio; and

a processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to;

alter the data representing the audio to include a sequence of bits of auxiliary information, wherein the altering is based on a carrier signal and a local gain that varies within the data representing the audio, wherein the sequence of bits of auxiliary information includes at least one fixed registration sequence for registration of the auxiliary information within the data and at least one message sequence, wherein the fixed registration sequence and the message sequence are interleaved in the data, and wherein code signals representing the fixed registration sequence allow detection of the fixed registration sequence through an analysis of signal thresholds associated with the auxiliary information; and

repeat the altering of the data representing the audio to include redundant instances of at least a portion of the auxiliary information that includes the fixed registration sequence.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a memory configured to store data representing audio, wherein the data includes redundant instances of a sequence of bits of auxiliary information that is hidden in the data based on a carrier signal and a local gain that varies within the data representing the audio, wherein the sequence of bits of auxiliary information includes at least one fixed registration sequence for registration of the auxiliary information within the data and at least one message sequence, wherein at least one redundant instance of the auxiliary information includes the fixed registration sequence, and wherein the fixed registration sequence and the at least one message sequence are interleaved in at least a portion of the data; and

a processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to;

register the data representing the audio or the sequence of bits of auxiliary information within the data with reference to at least the fixed sequence; and

decode at least one instance of the auxiliary information based on threshold levels associated with the auxiliary information.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the threshold levels associated with the auxiliary information are associated with the fixed registration sequence.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the threshold levels associated with the auxiliary information are associated with the at least one message sequence.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a memory configured to store data representing audio; and

a processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to;

alter samples of the data representing the audio to include a sequence of bits of auxiliary information, wherein the altering is based on a carrier signal and data hiding attributes of the samples that vary within the data representing the audio, wherein the sequence of bits of auxiliary information includes at least one fixed sequence for registration of the auxiliary information within the data representing the audio; and

repeat the altering of the data representing the audio to include redundant instances of at least a portion of the auxiliary information that includes the fixed sequence.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the carrier signal comprises a pseudo random carrier signal.