Using embedded data with file sharing

• US 8,126,918 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2010
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Levy, Kenneth L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleurantin, Jean B
• Application Number:
  US12/835,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20100281545A1
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 707600-831, 709/217, 709/219, 709223-225, 713/167, 713/179, 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. A method of authenticating a media signal file using auxiliary embedded data hidden in the file, the method comprising:

extracting, using a computing device, time codes from auxiliary data hidden in a media signal file, wherein the time codes indicate a number of frames between selected time frames in the media signal file and enable verification that the number of frames are present in the media signal file; and

determining, using the computing device, whether the extracted time codes in the media signal file are complete.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the media signal file comprises a video file.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the media signal file comprises an audio file.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary data comprises a hidden digital watermark imperceptibly embedded by altering data samples of a video or audio signal in the media signal file.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the time codes are embedded in an ordered time sequence in frames within the media signal.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the time codes are extracted and an order of the extracted time codes is analyzed to determine whether the media signal file has been tampered with.

7. A non-transitory computer readable medium on which is stored instructions that, when executed by a computing device, perform operations comprising:

extracting time codes from auxiliary data hidden in a media signal file, wherein the time codes indicate a number of frames between selected time frames in the media signal file and enable verification that the number of frames are present in the media signal file; and

determining whether the extracted time codes in the media signal file are complete.

8. A system comprising:

a computing device configured to extract time codes from auxiliary data hidden in a media signal file, wherein the time codes indicate a number of frames between selected time frames in the media signal file and enable verification that the number of frames are present in the media signal file;

wherein the computing device is further configured to determine whether the extracted time codes in the media signal file are complete.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the media signal file comprises a video file.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the media signal file comprises an audio file.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the auxiliary data comprises a hidden digital watermark imperceptibly embedded by altering data samples of a video or audio signal in the media signal file.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the time codes are embedded in an ordered time sequence in frames within the media signal.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the computing device is configured to extract time codes and analyze an order of the extracted time codes to determine whether the media signal file has been tampered with.