Integrating digital watermarks in multimedia content

• US 7,224,819 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2002
• Issued: 05/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Bradley, Brett Alan, Levy, Kenneth L., Rhoads, Geoffrey B., Hannigan, Brett T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Do; Anh Hong
• Application Number:
  US10/277,617
• Publication Number:
  US 20030103645A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,681 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/233, 382/232, 382/240, 382/242, 382/244, 382/245, 382/246, 382/248, 382/250, 380/202, 380/252, 235/494, 715/716, 715/719, 705/1, 705/14, 705/26, 717/151, 717/178, 709/223, 709/224
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/00 Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof printing processes to produce identification or security features B41M3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/305 Associated digital information record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/333 Watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• 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 19/18 Constructional details
• 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 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• 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 1/0028 Adaptive watermarking, e.g. Human Visual System [HVS]-based watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/005 Robust watermarking, e.g. average attack or collusion attack resistant
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0071 using multiple or alternating watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0064 for copy protection or copy management, e.g. CGMS, copy only once, one-time copy
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0065 Extraction of an embedded watermark; Reliable detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/40 : Document-oriented image-based pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/253 : visually
• 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 17/0014 : for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• 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 19/018 : Audio watermarking, i.e. embedding inaudible data in the audio signal
• 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 20/00884 : involving a watermark, i.e. a barely perceptible transformation of the original data which can nevertheless be recognised by an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00891 : embedded in audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 : DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• 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 1/32122 : 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 1/32149 : Methods relating to embedding, encoding, decoding, detection or retrieval operations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32154 : Transform domain methods H04N1/32309 takes precedence
• 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 1/32229 : 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 1/32251 : 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 19/00 : Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/467 : characterised by the embedded information being invisible, e.g. watermarking
• 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 21/44008 : involving operations for analysing video streams, e.g. detecting features or characteristics in the video stream arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of video in broadcast systems H04H60/59
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 : Rights management associated to the content 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 21/8355 : 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 21/858 : Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
• 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 2201/323 : for tracing or tracking, e.g. forensic tracing of unauthorized copies
• 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 2201/3271 : 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 2201/3284 : for error correction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only

Abstract

A method for tracking media signals in multimedia content is provided by uniquely identifying the multimedia content with a digital watermark identifier. A video channel is preferably embedded with a first watermark identifier. The first identifier uniquely identifies the multimedia content or the content family. A second digital watermark is embedded in an audio channel of the multimedia content. The second digital watermark uniquely identifies a user or user device. When the multimedia content is found in an unauthorized or unexpected channel, the content can be traced back to its misappropriating source via the user identifier.

Claims

1. A method for tracking multimedia content with two or more media signals of different media types, comprising:

receiving the multimedia content, wherein the multimedia content comprises a first watermark embedded in a first of the two or more media signals, the first watermark comprising a first identifier, wherein the first identifier identifies at least the multimedia content, and wherein the first watermark identifier is embedded by a first embedding site; and

embedding a second watermark in a second of the two or more media signals, the second watermark comprising a second identifier, the second identifier uniquely identifying a user or user device, wherein the second watermark identifier is embedded by a second embedding site that is remote from the first embedding site.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the second watermark is embedded by a user device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the second watermark is embedded by a distribution router.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first media signal comprises video and the second media signal comprises audio.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein a temporal relationship exists between the video and audio such that the first watermark is within a predefined temporal distance of the second watermark.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the first digital watermark further comprises an orientation component, wherein the orientation component of the first digital watermark facilitates detection of the second digital watermark.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the twice watermarked multimedia content for embedding with a third watermark in a media signal of the multimedia content, the third watermark comprising a third identifier, the third identifier uniquely identifying a second user or second user device, wherein the third watermark identifier is to be embedded at a third embedding site that is remote from the first and second embedding sites.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising embedding the multimedia content with a third watermark in a media signal of the multimedia content, the third watermark comprising a third identifier, the third identifier uniquely identifying a second user or second user device, wherein the third watermark identifier is embedded at the second embedding site before or during communication of the multimedia content to the second user or second user device.

9. A method of forensically tracking content marked according to claim 1, said method comprising:

decoding the second watermark identifier; and

accessing information with the second watermark identifier to uniquely identify the user or user device.

10. A method of resolving distortion of a video signal of multimedia content through analysis of an audio signal of the multimedia content, said method comprising:

detecting a first digital watermark that has been embedded in a transform domain representation of the audio signal, the first digital watermark including a first calibration component, the first calibration component serving to resolve signal distortion;

using the first calibration component to locate embedded payload information in the video signal, wherein the payload information varies from a first frame to a second frame.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the video comprises a time-compressed format.

12. A method of authenticating multimedia content including two or more media signals of different media types, said method comprising:

receiving the multimedia content, wherein the multimedia content comprises a first watermark embedded in a first of the two or more media signals, the first watermark comprising a first identifier, wherein the first identifier identifies at least the multimedia content, and wherein the first watermark identifier is embedded at a first embedding site, and a second watermark in a second of the two or more media signals, the second watermark comprising a second identifier, the second identifier uniquely identifying a user or user device, wherein the second watermark identifier is embedded at a second embedding site that is remote from the first embedding site;

cross-correlating the first and second identifiers; and

determining whether the multimedia content is authentic based at least in part on the cross-correlating.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the cross-correlating comprises determining whether a rendering device is authorized to render the content based on at least one of the first and second identifiers.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the cross correlating comprises determining whether the second identifier meets a predetermined expectation that is associated with the first identifier.

15. A method of authenticating multimedia content including at least audio and video, said method comprising:

receiving the multimedia content, wherein the multimedia content comprises a first watermark embedded in the video, the first watermark including a first message;

decoding the first watermark to obtain the first message; and

determining whether the multimedia content is authentic based at least in part on the first message,

wherein the first message comprises an expected attribute associated with at least the audio.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the expected attribute comprises a hash.

17. A method of authenticating multimedia content including at least audio and video, said method comprising:

receiving the multimedia content, wherein the multimedia content comprises a first watermark embedded in the video, the first watermark including a first message;

decoding the first watermark to obtain the first message; and

determining whether the multimedia content is authentic based at least in part on the first message,

wherein the first message comprises an expected attribute associated with at least the video and audio.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the expected attribute comprises a hash.

19. A method of authenticating multimedia content including at least an audio signal and a video signal, said method comprising:

receiving the multimedia content, wherein the multimedia content comprises a first watermark embedded in the video signal, the first watermark including a first message;

decoding the first watermark to obtain the first message; and

determining whether the multimedia content is authentic based at least in part on the first message,

wherein the multimedia further comprises a second watermark embedded in the audio signal, the second watermark comprising a second message, said method further comprising decoding the second watermark to obtain the second message, and wherein said decoding comprises cross-correlating the first and second message to determine whether the multimedia content is authentic.