Audio-based internet search methods and sub-combinations

• US 10,449,797 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2007
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Rhoads, Geoffrey B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Yicun
• Application Number:
  US11/620,999
• Publication Number:
  US 20070185840A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,670 Days
• Field of Search: 707 2, 70799902, 382100
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1418 the inserts being deformed or preformed, e.g. by the injection pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/29 Securities; Bank notes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/634 Query by example, e.g. query by humming
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/683 using metadata automatically derived from the content
• 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: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking
• 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 17/26 for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus ticket printing or the like apparatus G07F17/42
• 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 15/26 : Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence
• 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 20/00144 : involving a user identifier, e.g. a unique customer ID
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00195 : using a device identifier associated with the player or recorder, e.g. serial numbers of playback apparatuses or MAC addresses
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00891 : embedded in audio data
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/31 : using in-band signals, e.g. subsonic or cue signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/84 : combined with power distribution network
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/93 : which locates resources of other pieces of information, e.g. URL [Uniform Resource Locator]
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/50 : characterised by the use of watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/63 : for services of sales data processing systems or methods specially adapted for electronic commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/74 : using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter
• 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 1/00973 : from a remote device, e.g. receiving via the internet instructions input to a computer terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 : in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• 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 1/32219 : involving changing the position of selected pixels, e.g. word shifting, or involving modulating the size of image components, e.g. of characters H04N1/32224 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32229 : with selective or adaptive application of the additional information, e.g. in selected regions of the image H04N1/32213 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32261 : in binary data H04N1/32256 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32304 : Embedding different sets of additional information
• 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 21/23892 : involving embedding information at multiplex stream level, e.g. embedding a watermark at packet level
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42203 : sound input device, e.g. microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4394 : involving operations for analysing the audio stream, e.g. detecting features or characteristics in audio streams arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of audio in broadcast systems H04H60/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 : for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 : comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format
• 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 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 2201/3225 : of data relating to an image, a page or a document
• 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 2201/3239 : using a plurality of different authentication information
• 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 2201/3274 : Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/328 : Processing of the additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A portable device uses a microphone to listen to ambient audio, ascertains a corresponding identifier, and uses the identifier to enable one or more further functions. One of these can be internet search. Such functionality can also be based on digital data—without requiring a microphone-equipped device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

capturing ambient audio with a microphone;

producing audio data from the ambient audio;

providing the audio data to a processor;

decoding first information from first watermark data steganographically-encoded in the ambient audio, wherein decoding the first information comprises;

decoding a unique identifier and a first part of the first information from a first portion of the ambient audio; and

decoding the unique identifier and a second part of the first information from a second, different portion of the ambient audio;

identifying a database record corresponding to the first information in a remote database;

decoding a location of where the ambient audio was captured from second watermark data steganographically-encoded in the ambient audio, wherein the ambient audio steganographically-encoded with the second watermark originates from a low level white-noise broadcast;

obtaining second, different, information corresponding to the audio data from the identified database record, wherein the second information is identified by reference to the first information; and

initiating a search using a general purpose internet search engine for information related to the audio using the second information, wherein the search is initiated with a general purpose internet search engine without entry of text keywords by a user and without selection of text keywords by the user, wherein the search comprises search terms sent to the general purpose internet search engine, and wherein the search terms comprise the second information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing an algorithmic operation on the provided audio data, wherein the algorithmic operation produces the first information.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting a textual listing of results.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting a menu of options on a display of a portable wireless device, wherein at least one of the options relates to search;

receiving a selection of a search-related option; and

initiating a search in response to the received search-related option.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

locating, in a database, a data record corresponding to the first information; and

determining options to be presented on the menu by reference to information obtained from the data record.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second information identifies a song title.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second information identifies an artist.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first information comprises non-text data, and wherein the second information comprises text data.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the watermark data that specifies the location is steganographically-encoded in a white-noise signal of the ambient audio.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first information is specified by second watermark data steganographically-encoded in the ambient audio, and wherein the first information comprises a unique identifier corresponding to the ambient audio.

11. A method comprising:

decoding first information from first watermark data steganographically-encoded in the audio data, wherein decoding the first information comprises;

decoding a unique identifier and a first part of the first information from a first portion of the audio data; and

decoding the unique identifier and a second part of the first information from a second, different portion of the audio data;

identifying a database record corresponding to the first information in a remote database;

decoding a location of where the audio data was captured from second watermark data steganographically-encoded in the audio data, wherein the audio data steganographically-encoded with the second watermark originates from a low level white-noise broadcast;

obtaining second, different, information identifying a song title or artist information associated with the audio data from the identified database record, wherein the second information is identified by reference to the first information; and

initiating a search using a general purpose internet search engine for information related to the identified song title or artist information, wherein the search is initiated with a general purpose internet search engine without entry of text keywords by a user and without selection of text keywords by the user, wherein the search comprises search terms sent to the general purpose internet search engine, and wherein the search terms comprise the song title or artist information.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

obtaining a digital representation associated with an audio content object; and

deriving the first information from the digital representation.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the deriving comprises decoding steganographically-encoded digital watermark data from the digital representation.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising presenting a textual listing of results.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

presenting a menu of options on a display of a portable wireless device, wherein at least one of the options relates to search;

receiving a selection of a search-related option; and

initiating a search in response to the received search-related option.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

locating, in a database, a data record corresponding to the first information; and

determining, by reference to information obtained from the data record, options to be presented on the menu.

17. An apparatus comprising:

a microphone configured to capture ambient audio; and

a processor configured to;

produce audio data from the ambient audio;

decode first information from first watermark data steganographically-encoded in the ambient data, wherein to decode the first information the processor is further configured to;

decode a unique identifier and a first part of the first information from a first portion of the ambient data; and

decode the unique identifier and a second part of the first information from a second, different portion of the ambient data;

identify a database record corresponding to the first information in a remote database;

decode a location of where the ambient audio was captured from second watermark data steganographically-encoded in the ambient audio, wherein the ambient audio steganographically-encoded with the second watermark originates from a low level white-noise broadcast;

obtain second, different, information corresponding to the audio data from the identified database record, wherein the second information is identified by reference to the first information; and

initiate a search using a general purpose internet search engine for information related to the audio using the second information, wherein the search is initiated with a general purpose internet search engine without entry of text keywords by a user and without selection of text keywords by the user, wherein the search comprises search terms sent to the general purpose internet search engine, and wherein the search terms comprise the second information.

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

instructions to capture ambient audio; and

instructions to produce audio data from the ambient audio;

instructions to decode first information from first watermark data steganographically-encoded in the ambient data, wherein instructions to decode the first information comprise;

instructions to decode a unique identifier and a first part of the first information from a first portion of the ambient data; and

instructions to decode the unique identifier and a second part of the first information from a second, different portion of the ambient data;

instructions to identify a database record corresponding to the first information in a remote database;

instructions to decode a location of where the ambient audio was captured from second watermark data steganographically-encoded in the ambient audio, wherein the ambient audio steganographically-encoded with the second watermark originates from a low level white-noise broadcast;

instructions to obtain second, different, information corresponding to the audio data from the identified database record, wherein the second information is identified by reference to the first information; and

instructions to initiate a search using a general purpose internet search engine for information related to the audio using the second information, wherein the search is initiated with a general purpose internet search engine without entry of text keywords by a user and without selection of text keywords by the user, wherein the search comprises search terms sent to the general purpose internet search engine, and wherein the search terms comprise the second information.

19. An apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to;

decode first information from first watermark data steganographically-encoded in the audio data, wherein to decode the first information the processor is further configured to;

decode a unique identifier and a first part of the first information from a first portion of the audio data; and

decode the unique identifier and a second part of the first information from a second, different portion of the audio data;

identify a database record corresponding to the first information in a remote database;

decode a location of where the audio data was captured from second watermark data steganographically-encoded in the audio data, wherein the audio data steganographically-encoded with the second watermark originates from a low level white-noise broadcast;

obtain second, different, information identifying a song title or artist information associated with the audio data from the identified database record, wherein the second information is identified by reference to the first information; and

initiate a search using a general purpose internet search engine for information related to the identified song title or artist information, wherein the search is initiated with a general purpose internet search engine without entry of text keywords by a user and without selection of text keywords by the user, wherein the search comprises search terms sent to the general purpose internet search engine, and wherein the search terms comprise the song title or artist information.

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

instructions to decode first information from first watermark data steganographically-encoded in the audio data, wherein instructions to decode the first information comprise;

instructions to decode a unique identifier and a first part of the first information from a first portion of the audio data; and

instructions to decode the unique identifier and a second part of the first information from a second, different portion of the audio data;

instructions to identify a database record corresponding to the first information in a remote database;

instructions to decode a location of where the audio data was captured from second watermark data steganographically-encoded in the audio data, wherein the audio data steganographically-encoded with the second watermark originates from a low level white-noise broadcast;

instructions to obtain second, different, information identifying a song title or artist information associated with the audio data from the identified database record, wherein the second information is identified by reference to the first information; and

instructions to initiate a search using a general purpose internet search engine for information related to the identified song title or artist information, wherein the search is initiated with a general purpose internet search engine without entry of text keywords by a user and without selection of text keywords by the user, wherein the search comprises search terms sent to the general purpose internet search engine, and wherein the search terms comprise the song title or artist information.