Methods and arrangements employing digital content items

• US 7,953,270 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2009
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Rhoads, Geoffrey B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Couso; Jose L
• Application Number:
  US12/419,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20100094639A1
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/232, 380 28- 30, 380 54- 55, 380/200, 380202-203, 380/217, 705/50, 705 57- 59, 713/167, 713/176, 713/179, 715/202, 715515-516, 715740-743
• US Class Current: 382/145
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/40 Document-oriented image-based pattern recognition
• 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 1/32352 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 21/8358 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 2201/3249 data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink

Abstract

Methods and arrangements for identifying content, and employing such identification, are detailed. One method embeds a plural-bit digital watermark into content, but first checks to see if the content is previously watermarked. Another method applies a digital watermark detection procedure to only a sub-portion of a digital content item. Yet another arrangement involves plural-portion content, where one portion is watermarked with first data governing its rights management, and another portion is watermarked with second data governing its rights management. Still another method concerns distribution of content items, where each is watermarked with a unique ID as part of the distribution process. Yet another method concerns deriving an identifier from content, and using the content to access related metadata from a remote computer system. Still other methods concern arrangements for recognizing content, and then providing links to information about the content creator, etc., in response. A variety of other technologies and improvements are also detailed.

Claims

1. A digital watermark detection method for use with a digital content item, the method comprising:

receiving an identification of a sub-portion of the digital content item through a graphical user interface of a software-configured processing device; and

applying a digital watermark detection procedure only to the sub-portion, wherein if the digital content item is a composite of plural digitally watermarked portions, a tendency of a digital watermark in a dominant element of the composite to dominate a digital watermark detection procedure to the exclusion of other digital watermarks is overcome.

2. A computer readable medium storing digital content comprising plural portions, wherein a first portion is digitally watermarked with first data that governs rights management of the first portion in a processing device responsive thereto, and a second portion is digitally watermarked with second data that governs rights management of the second portion in a processing device responsive thereto.

3. The computer readable medium of claim 2, wherein the first and the second data refer to data stored in one or more remote computer systems.

4. A method of distributing plural items of digital content, the method comprising:

using a software-configured processing device to digitally watermark each of the items of content with a unique plural-bit identifier in the course of distributing the items, wherein the watermarking is automated and proceeds without an operator'"'"'s attention as part of a content distribution process.

5. A metadata method comprising:

rendering a first item of digital content on a software-configured processing device; and

receiving an input from a user in conjunction with a screen of a user device, wherein the user input causes metadata related to the first item of digital content to be identified in a database in a remote computer system, and an action to be taken based thereon.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising presenting a control to the user on the screen of the user device, wherein the user input comprises user activation of the control.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the control comprises a graphical feature distinct from the item of digital content.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the input comprises a single click.

9. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

deriving a content identifier from data representing visual or audio information in the item of digital content; and

transmitting the content identifier to the remote computer system, wherein the identification of the metadata proceeds with reference to the identifier.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the item of digital content comprises a file with header data, together with image data, and wherein the deriving comprises deriving the content identifier from the image data.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the deriving comprises applying a digital watermark decoding algorithm to the image data.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the item of digital content comprises a file with header data, together with audio data, and wherein the deriving comprises deriving the content identifier from the audio data.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the deriving comprises applying a digital watermark decoding algorithm to the audio data.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

rendering a second item of digital content on the device; and

receiving a further input from the user, wherein the further user input causes second metadata related to the second item of content to be identified in the remote computer system in which the metadata related to the first item of digital content was identified, and wherein action is taken based on the second metadata.

15. The method of claim 5, wherein the action comprises transmitting metadata related to the item of digital content from the remote computer system, and displaying information based thereon for viewing by the user on the screen.

16. The method of claim 5, wherein the action comprises transmitting to the device a name of an artist associated with the item of digital content, and displaying same to the user on the screen.

17. The method of claim 5, wherein the action comprises transmitting to the device information about an artist associated with the item of digital content, and displaying same to the user on the screen.

18. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

transmitting metadata related to the item of digital content from the remote computer system; and

presenting the metadata through a user interface on the device, wherein the user interface also presents a control operable by the user to initiate a search operation.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the search operation makes use of data stored in the remote computer system.

20. A metadata method comprising:

receiving a first digital content item comprising a file with header data and content data;

deriving first content identification information from the content data of the first digital content item using a software-configured processing device;

transmitting the first content identification information to a remote computer system, and as a consequence, receiving a first set of metadata related to the first content item;

taking an action based on the received first set of metadata;

receiving a second digital content item, also comprising a file with header data and content data, wherein the second digital content item is by an artist different than the first digital content item;

deriving second content identification information from the content data of the second digital content item;

transmitting the second content identification information to the remote computer system, and as a consequence, receiving a second set of metadata related to the second content item; and

taking an action based on the received second set of metadata, wherein at least one of the actions includes displaying information based on the received metadata.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

displaying the information through a user interface; and

presenting on the user interface a control operable by the user to initiate a search operation.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the search operation makes use of data stored in the remote computer system.

23. An apparatus comprising:

a user interface configured to receive an identification of a sub-portion of a digital content item;

a processor configured to apply a digital watermark detection procedure to only the sub-portion, wherein if the digital content item is a composite of plural digitally watermarked portions, a tendency of a digital watermark in a dominant element of the composite to dominate a digital watermark detection procedure to the exclusion of other digital watermarks is overcome.

24. An apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to digitally watermark each of a plurality of items of content with a unique plural-bit identifier in the course of distributing the plurality of items, wherein the watermarking is automated and proceeds without an operator'"'"'s attention as part of a content distribution process.

25. An apparatus comprising:

a screen configured to render a first item of digital content on the apparatus;

a user interface configured to receive an input from a user; and

a processor configured to;

identify, in a remote database, metadata related to the first item of digital content; and

take an action based upon the identification of the first item of digital content.

26. An apparatus comprising:

a receiver configured to;

receive a first digital content item, wherein the first digital content item comprises a file with header data and content data; and

receive a second digital content item, wherein the second digital content item comprises a file with header data and content data, wherein the second digital content item is by an artist different than the first digital content item;

a processor configured to;

derive first content identification information from the content data of the first digital content item; and

derive second content identification information from the content data of the second digital content item;

a transmitter configured to;

transmit the first content identification information to a remote computer system; and

transmit the second content identification information to the remote computer system;

the receiver further configured to;

receive a first set of metadata related to the first content item in response to the transmitted first content identification information; and

receive a second set of metadata related to the second content item in response to the transmitted second content identification information; and

the processor further configured to;

take an action based on the received first set of metadata; and

take an action based on the received second set of metadata, wherein at least one of the actions includes displaying information based on the received metadata.