Embedding and reading codes on objects

• US 8,379,908 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2006
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Davis, Bruce L., Rhoads, Geoffrey B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bali, Vikkram
• Application Number:
  US11/383,684
• Publication Number:
  US 20070108287A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,471 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/086 with markings consisting of randomly placed or oriented elements, the randomness of the elements being useable for generating a unique identifying signature of the record carrier, e.g. randomly placed magnetic fibers or magnetic particles in the body of a credit card
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/004 using digital security elements, e.g. information coded on a magnetic thread or strip
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/01 Testing electronic circuits therein

Abstract

The disclosure relates generally to audio and video signal processing. One claim recites a method comprising: receiving audio or video content, wherein the audio or video content comprises a hidden steganographic code including information, the steganographic code being hidden in the audio or video content through alterations to data representing the audio or video content; detecting the steganographic code to obtain the information, said act of detecting utilizes correlation to obtain the information; providing at least a portion of the information to a data repository to identify machine-executable instructions stored therein; providing data associated with a user to the data repository; receiving machine-executable instructions from the data repository; and executing the machine-executable instructions to control processing of the audio or video content. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving audio or video content, wherein the audio or video content comprises a hidden steganographic code including information, the steganographic code being hidden in the audio or video content through alterations to data representing the audio or video content;

detecting the steganographic code to obtain the information, said act of detecting utilizes correlation to obtain the information;

providing at least a portion of the information to a data repository to identify machine-executable instructions stored therein;

providing data associated with a user to the data repository;

receiving machine-executable instructions from the data repository; and

executing the machine-executable instructions to control processing of the audio or video content.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein executing the machine-executable instructions processes the audio or video content as part of inventory or distribution management.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein executing the machine-executable instructions processes the audio or video content as part of audio or video identification.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein executing the machine-executable instructions processes the audio or video content as part of a purchase of the audio or video content.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving information or instructions from the data repository in response to the data associated with the user.

6. A computing apparatus programmed to perform the method of claim 1.

7. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving audio or video content, wherein the audio or video content comprises a hidden steganographic code including information, the steganographic code being hidden in the audio or video content through alterations to data representing the audio or video content;

means for detecting the steganographic code to obtain the information, said detecting utilizes correlation to detect and obtain the information;

means for providing at least a portion of the information to a data repository to identify machine-executable instructions stored therein;

means for providing data associated with a user to the data repository;

means for receiving machine-executable instructions from the data repository; and

means for executing the machine-executable instructions to control processing of the audio or video content.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which said means for executing the machine-executable instructions processes the audio or video content as part of inventory or distribution management.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 in which said means for executing the machine-executable instructions processes the audio or video content as part of audio or video identification.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 in which said means for executing the machine-executable instructions processes the audio or video content as part of a purchase of the audio or video content.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising means for receiving information or instructions from the data repository in response to the data associated with the user.