Wireless methods and devices employing plural-bit data derived from audio information

• US 8,369,363 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2010
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Rhoads, Geoffrey B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sam, Phirin
• Application Number:
  US12/777,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20100296526A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/522
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06046 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/14 the marking being sensed by radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2019/06253 for a specific application
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1447 extracting optical codes from image or text carrying said optical code
• 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 1/0021 Image watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0064 Geometric transfor invariant watermarking, e.g. affine transform invariant
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0081 whereby both original and watermarked images are required at decoder, e.g. destination-based, non-blind, non-oblivious
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/0034 using watermarks
• 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 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: G10L 19/018 Audio watermarking, i.e. embedding inaudible data in the audio signal
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00891 embedded in audio data
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 1/02 by adding a second signal to make the desired signal unintelligible
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 : using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 : Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• 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 1/00846 : based on detection of a dedicated indication, e.g. marks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00875 : Inhibiting reproduction, e.g. by disabling reading or reproduction apparatus
• 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 1/3216 : using Fourier transforms
• 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 1/32352 : Controlling detectability or arrangements to facilitate detection or retrieval of the embedded information, e.g. using markers for decoding, detection or retrieval operations H04N1/32149 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0091 : Digital copier; digital 'photocopier' H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 : of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• 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 2201/3274 : Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/126 : Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/65 : Environment-dependent, e.g. using captured environmental data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 : Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices

Abstract

A portable wireless device includes a processor portion, which is adapted to process audio information in two different ways, for two different purposes. One is to help generate a signal that drives a speaker of the device, so that a user can listen thereto. Another is to process audio information to derive plural-bit data therefrom. The device can then take an action based on the derived plural-bit data. In one particular arrangement, the processor is configured as a steganographic decoder. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed, including image-based methods, and arrangements employing various types of fingerprinting.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

processing audio information, using a processor of a device, to help generate a signal that drives an audio transducer of the device;

providing auditory output, using the audio transducer of the device;

deriving plural-bit data from the audio information by applying an algorithm to the audio information; and

taking, using the processor, an action based on the derived plural-bit data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein deriving the plural-bit data comprises referencing pseudo-random key information.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising filtering the audio information before deriving the plural-bit data.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a mean-removal operation on the audio information before deriving the plural-bit data.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the deriving the plural-bit data comprises performing a matches filtering operation.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the deriving the plural-bit data comprises performing a correlation operation.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the deriving the plural-bit data comprises determining a correct alignment of the audio information before deriving the plural-bit data.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the audio information from a data channel on which it is sent in the form of packets.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the action comprises controlling an aspect of an operation of the device based on the derived plural-bit data.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the deriving the plural-bit data comprises decoding plural-bit data steganographically encoded in digital information wirelessly received by the device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the deriving the plural-bit data comprises deciding plural-bit data steganographically encoded in digital audio information processed by the device.

12. A device comprising:

a transducer configured to output audio;

a processor configured to;

process audio information to help generate a signal that drives the transducer;

process the audio information to derive plural-bit data; and

control an aspect of an operation of the device based on the derived plural-bit data.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising:

a microphone configured to capture a voice;

a modulator configured to modulate the captured voice;

an antenna; and

an RF amplifier connected to the antenna configured to, transmit a signal that conveys data representing the voice.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to derive the plural-bit data by reference to pseudo-random key information.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to filter the audio information before deriving the plural-bit data.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to perform a mean-removal operation on the audio information before deriving the plural-bit data.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, that when executed by a computing device cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:

processing audio information to help generate a signal that drives an audio transducer;

providing auditory output, using the audio transducer;

deriving plural-bit data from the audio information by applying an algorithm to the audio information; and

taking an action based on the derived plural-bit data.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein deriving the plural-bit data comprises referencing pseudo-random key information.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the operations further comprise filtering the audio information before deriving the plural-bit data.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the operations further comprise performing a mean-removal operation on the audio information before deriving the plural-bit data.