Watermarking and electronic program guides

• US 8,032,909 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2002
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Tony F., Davis, Bruce L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pendleton; Brian T
• Assistant Examiner(s): EKPO, NNENNA NGOZI
• Application Number:
  US10/172,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20030028882A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,400 Days
• Field of Search: 725/50, 725 9- 21, 725/39, 725/58, 386/291, 386/292
• US Class Current: 725/50
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking

Abstract

Electronic program guide (EPG) information is updated based on watermark data conveyed with video. Such systems permit EPGs to be updated automatically to reflect changes to program scheduling caused by sporting events running long, late breaking news, etc. In one arrangement, a system identifies incoming programming by reference to watermark data, and conforms the EPG presentation to match the incoming programming. The electronic program guide paradigm can also be applied to indexing online messaging forums that are related to video programs, and access to such forums can be provided through use of watermark data.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

automatically decoding, at a plurality of times, in-band digital watermarks associated with transmitted video programs on a channel;

by reference to the decoded digital watermarks, identifying a video program being transmitted at each of the plurality of times;

automatically detecting whether the identified video program is being transmitted at a time different than indicated by electronic program guide data;

if the identified video program is being transmitted at the time different than indicated by the electronic program guide data, automatically updating the electronic program guide data corresponding to the identified video program without human involvement;

receiving a request to record a desired video program that is scheduled to air after the identified video program; and

if the time different than indicated by the electronic program guide data occurs a predetermined amount of time after a scheduled air time of the desired video program, determining that the desired video program will not air and ignoring the request to record the desired video program.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising altering display of an electronic program guide entry corresponding to the identified video program on a display device.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising changing at least an ending time of a time slot associated with the identified video program.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising extending the time slot to a current time.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising extending the time slot to a next thirty minute boundary.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising extending a time slot associated with the identified video program.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising altering display of an electronic program guide entry corresponding to the desired video program.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising changing a format of an electronic program guide entry associated with the identified video program to visually highlight an altered program schedule.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the altering is effected centrally by a central facility, and further comprising sending altered electronic program guide data sent to plural consumer premises.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the altering is effected locally by a processor at a consumer premises.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein the altering includes changing electronic program guide data stored in a memory.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising altering a visible appearance of an electronic program guide entry to indicate uncertainty relative to an earlier schedule.

13. An apparatus comprising:

a memory in which electronic program guide data for plural video programs is stored;

a watermark detector for monitoring in-band video watermark information conveyed with a video program; and

a processor operatively coupled to the memory and to the watermark detector, wherein the processor is configured to;

identify the video program based at least in part on the monitoring;

detect whether the identified video program is being transmitted at a time different than indicated by the electronic program guide data;

if the identified video program is being transmitted at the time different than indicated by the electronic program guide data, automatically updating the electronic program guide data corresponding to the identified video program;

receive a request to record a desired video program that is scheduled to air after the identified video program; and

if the time different than indicated by the electronic program guide data occurs a predetermined amount of time after a scheduled air time of the desired video program, determine that the desired video program will not air and ignore the request to record the desired video program.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is integrated into a consumer electronic device at a premises of a consumer.

15. An apparatus comprising:

means for decoding in-band digital watermarks associated with transmitted video programs on a channel;

means for identifying a video program being transmitted on the channel based at least in part on the in-band digital watermarks;

means for detecting whether the identified video program is being transmitted at a time different than indicated by electronic program guide data

means for automatically updating the electronic program guide data corresponding to the identified video program if the identified video program is being transmitted at the time different than indicated by the electronic program guide data;

means for receiving a request to record a desired video program that is scheduled to air after the identified video program; and

means for determining that the desired video program will not air and ignoring the request to record the desired video program if the time different than indicated by the electronic program guide data occurs a predetermined amount of time after a scheduled air time of the desired video program.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for changing at least an ending time of a time slot associated with the identified video program.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising means for extending the time slot to a next thirty minute boundary.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for altering a visible appearance of an electronic program guide entry to indicate uncertainty relative to an earlier schedule.