Extracting multiple identifiers from audio and video content

• US 7,961,949 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2009
• Issued: 06/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Levy, Kenneth L., Rhoads, Geoffrey B., Hannigan, Brett T., Bradley, Brett A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Do; Anh Hong
• Application Number:
  US12/577,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20100027837A1
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 382/232, 382/233, 382/240, 382/100, 382/190, 348/E5.114, 348/E5.112
• US Class Current: 382/190
• 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

The disclosure concerns content identification, such as extracting identifying information from content itself. One combination described in the disclosure is a method including: extracting first identifying information from data representing audio elements of an audio signal, the act of extracting first identifying information from data representing audio elements of the audio signal utilizes a programmed electronic processor; extracting second identifying information from data representing picture elements of a video signal that is associated with the audio signal, the act of extracting second identifying information from data representing picture elements of the video signal utilizes a programmed electronic processor; and utilizing the first identifying information or the second identifying information in a synchronization process, the synchronization process controls content synchronization during rendering of the audio signal or the video signal. Of course, other combinations are provided as well.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

extracting first identifying information from data representing audio elements of an audio signal, wherein the act of extracting first identifying information from data representing audio elements of the audio signal utilizes a processor;

extracting second identifying information from data representing picture elements of a video signal that is associated with the audio signal, wherein the act of extracting second identifying information from data representing picture elements of the video signal utilizes a processor; and

utilizing the first identifying information or the second identifying information in a synchronization process, wherein the synchronization process controls content synchronization during rendering of the audio signal via a speaker or during rendering of the video signal via a display.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the video signal comprises a time-compressed format.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of extracting first identifying information comprises decoding steganographically hidden information from the data representing audio elements of the audio signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of extracting second identifying information comprises decoding steganographically hidden information from the data representing picture elements of the video signal that is associated with the audio signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the content comprises metadata associated with the audio signal or the video signal.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the metadata includes a URL link.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the content comprises audio or video.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the content comprises ownership information.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the content comprises purchase information.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising utilizing the first identifying information or the second identifying information to track rendering of the audio signal or the video signal.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of extracting second identifying information comprises low pass filtering the data representing picture elements.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of extracting first identifying information comprises low pass filtering the data representing audio elements.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of extracting second identifying information comprises hashing the data representing picture elements.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of extracting first identifying information comprises hashing the data representing audio elements.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of extracting first identifying information comprises analyzing aural attributes of the data representing audio elements.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein a temporal location of the aural attributes is analyzed.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein spectral energy of the aural attributes is analyzed.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of extracting first identifying information transforms the data representing audio elements into a transform domain.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of extracting second identifying information transforms the data representing pictures elements into a transform domain.

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

instructions to extract first identifying information from data representing audio elements of an audio signal;

instructions to extract second identifying information from data representing picture elements of a video signal that is associated with the audio signal; and

instructions to utilize the first identifying information or the second identifying information in a synchronization process, wherein the synchronization process controls content synchronization during rendering of the audio signal via a speaker or during rendering of the video signal via a display.

21. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 20, wherein the act of extracting first identifying information comprises decoding steganographically hidden information from the data representing audio elements of the audio signal.

22. An apparatus comprising:

a memory configured to;

buffer data representing audio elements of an audio signal; and

buffer data representing picture elements of a video signal; and

one or more processors configured to;

extract first identifying information from data representing audio elements of an audio signal;

extract second identifying information from data representing picture elements of a video signal that is associated with the audio signal; and

utilize the first identifying information or the second identifying information in a synchronization process, wherein the synchronization process controls content synchronization during rendering of the audio signal or the video signal.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the extracting first identifying information comprises decoding steganographically hidden information from the data representing audio elements of the audio signal.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the extracting second identifying information comprises decoding steganographically hidden information from the data representing picture elements of the video signal that is associated with the audio signal.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the content comprises metadata associated with the audio signal or the video signal.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the metadata includes a URL link.

27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the content comprises audio or video.

28. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the content comprises ownership information.

29. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the content comprises purchase information.

30. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to utilize the first identifying information or the second identifying information to track rendering of the audio signal or the video signal.

31. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the apparatus comprises an electronic handheld media player.

32. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the content comprises purchase information.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to utilize the first identifying information or the second identifying information to track rendering of the audio signal or the video signal.

34. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the one or more processors are configured to extract the second identifying information by low pass filtering the data representing picture elements.

35. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to analyze a temporal location of aural attributes of the data representing audio elements.

36. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to analyze a spectral energy of aural attributes of the data representing audio elements.

37. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the one or more processors are configured to extract the second identifying information by low pass filtering the data representing picture elements.

38. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the one or more processors are configured to extract the first identifying information by low pass filtering the data representing audio elements.

39. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the one or more processors are configured to extract the second identifying information by hashing the data representing picture elements.

40. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the one or more processors are configured to extract the first identifying information by hashing the data representing audio elements.

41. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the one or more processors are configured to extract the first identifying information by analyzing aural attributes of the data representing audio elements.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the one or more processors are configured to analyze a temporal location of the aural attributes.

43. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the one or more processors are configured to a spectral energy of the aural attributes.

44. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the one or more processors are configured to extract the first identifying information by transforming the data representing audio elements into a transform domain.

45. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the one or more processors are configured to extract the second identifying information by transforming the data representing pictures elements into a transform domain.

46. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a speaker configured to render the audio signal.

47. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a display configured to render the video signal.

48. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the apparatus comprises a server.

49. A system comprising:

means for buffering data representing audio elements of an audio signal;

means for buffering data representing picture elements of a video signal;

means for extracting first identifying information from data representing audio elements of an audio signal;

means for extracting second identifying information from data representing picture elements of a video signal that is associated with the audio signal; and

means for utilizing the first identifying information or the second identifying information in a synchronization process, wherein the synchronization process controls content synchronization during rendering of the audio signal or the video signal.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the means for extracting first identifying information comprises means for decoding steganographically hidden information from the data representing audio elements of the audio signal.

51. The system of claim 49, wherein the means for extracting second identifying information comprises means for decoding steganographically hidden information from the data representing picture elements of the video signal that is associated with the audio signal.

52. The system of claim 49, wherein the content comprises metadata associated with the audio signal or the video signal.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the metadata includes a URL link.

54. The system of claim 49, wherein the content comprises audio or video.

55. The system of claim 49, wherein the content comprises ownership information.

56. The system of claim 49, wherein the content comprises purchase information.

57. The system of claim 49, further comprising means for utilizing the first identifying information or the second identifying information to track rendering of the audio signal or the video signal.

58. The system of claim 49, further comprising means for rendering the audio signal.

59. The system of claim 49, further comprising a means for rendering the video signal.