Content identification and electronic tickets, coupons and credits

• US 8,103,877 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2004
• Issued: 01/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Hannigan, Brett T., McKinley, Tyler J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zand, Kambiz
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAYOU, YONAS A
• Application Number:
  US10/973,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20050111723A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,647 Days
• Field of Search: 713/176
• US Class Current: 713/176
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/0034 using watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/162 Length or width
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/003 using tactile presentation of the information, e.g. Braille displays

Abstract

The present disclosure describes, e.g., electronic tickets, coupons and credits. In some cases these electronic objects are represented by imagery or audio. One claim recites a handheld apparatus including: an input for receiving an electronic coupon or credit, the electronic coupon or credit comprising audio; electronic memory for storing a received electronic coupon or credit; an audio output for outputting the received electronic coupon or credit, in which the electronic coupon or credit is intended to be applied to a purchase or transaction; and an electronic processor programmed for controlling output of the received electronic coupon or credit. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

capturing image data or video data from a handheld computing device, wherein the image data or video data corresponds to an image or video that is displayed via a display of the handheld computing device, wherein the image data or video data comprises a first digital watermark and a second digital watermark, wherein the first digital watermark comprises information, wherein the second digital watermark is lost when the image data or video data is processed, and wherein the first digital watermark and second digital watermark are embedded in the image data or video data through alterations to visually perceptible elements of the image data or video data;

analyzing, using a processor, the image data or video data to detect the second digital watermark;

determining an authenticity of the image data or video data based on the second digital watermark;

analyzing the image data or video data to derive the information; and

triggering an action based at least in part on the information and the authenticity of the image data or video data, wherein the action comprises at least one of;

i) applying a credit or coupon to a purchase, or ii) regulating entry to an event, movie or secure area.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the handheld computing device comprises a cell phone.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising verifying the information, wherein the action is triggered based upon verification of the information.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein verifying the information comprises comparing an identifier to a set of preauthorized identifiers, wherein the information comprises the identifier, and wherein when the identifier is included in the set of preauthorized identifiers, the information is verified.

2. An apparatus comprising:

a capture device configured to capture image data or video data from a handheld computing device, wherein the image data or video data corresponds to an image or video that is displayed via a display of the handheld computing device, wherein the image data or video data comprises a first digital watermark and second digital watermark, wherein the first digital watermark comprises information, wherein the second digital watermark is lost when the image data or video data is processed, and wherein the first digital watermark and the second digital watermark are embedded in the image data or video data through alterations to visually perceptible elements of the image data or video data; and

a processor configured to;

analyze the image data or video data to detect the second digital watermark;

determine an authenticity of the image data or video data based on the second digital watermark;

analyze the image data or video data to derive the information; and

trigger an action based at least in part on the information and the authenticity of the image data or video data, wherein the action comprises at least one of;

i) applying a credit or coupon to a purchase, or ii) regulating entry to an event, movie or secure area.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to verify the information, wherein the action is triggered based upon verification of the information.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to compare an identifier to a set of preauthorized identifiers to verify the information, wherein the information comprises the identifier, and wherein when the identifier is included in the set of preauthorized identifiers, the information is verified.

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

instructions to capture image data or video data from a handheld computing device, wherein the image data or video data corresponds to an image or video that is displayed via a display of the handheld computing device, wherein the image data or video data comprises a first digital watermark and second digital watermark, wherein the first digital watermark comprises information, wherein the second digital watermark is lost when the image data or video data is processed, and wherein the first digital watermark and the second digital watermark are embedded in the image data or video data through alterations to visually perceptible elements of the image data or video data;

instructions to analyze the image data or video data to detect the second digital watermark;

instructions to determine an authenticity of the image data or video data based on the second digital watermark;

instructions to analyze the image data or video data to derive the information; and

instructions to trigger an action based at least in part on the information and the authenticity of the image or video data, wherein the action comprises at least one of;

i) applying a credit or coupon to a purchase, or ii) regulating entry to an event, movie or secure area.

13. The non-tangible computer-readable medium of claim 3, further comprising instructions to verify the information, wherein the action is triggered based upon verification of the information.

14. The non-tangible computer-readable medium of claim 13, further comprising instructions to compare an identifier to a set of preauthorized identifiers to verify the information, wherein the information comprises the identifier, and wherein when the identifier is included in the set of preauthorized identifiers, the information is verified.

5. A method comprising:

receiving audio data rendered by a handheld computing device, wherein the audio data comprises a first digital watermark and second digital watermark, wherein the first digital watermark comprises information, wherein the second digital watermark is lost when the audio data is processed, and wherein the first digital watermark and the second digital watermark are embedded in the audio data through alterations to audibly-perceptible elements of the audio data;

analyzing, using a processor, the audio data to detect the second digital watermark;

determining an authenticity of the audio data based on the second digital watermark;

analyzing the audio data to derive the information; and

triggering an action based at least in part on the information and the authenticity of the audio data, wherein the action comprises at least one action of;

i) applying a credit or coupon to a purchase, or ii) regulating entry to an event, movie or secure area.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the handheld computing device comprises a cell phone.

15. The method of claim 5, further comprising verifying the information, wherein the action is triggered based upon verification of the information.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein verifying the information comprises comparing an identifier to a set of preauthorized identifiers, wherein the information comprises the identifier, and wherein when the identifier is included in the set of preauthorized identifiers, the information is verified.

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

instructions to record audio data rendered by a handheld computing device, wherein the audio data comprises a first digital watermark and second digital watermark, wherein the first digital watermark comprises information, wherein the second digital watermark is lost when audio data is processed, and wherein the first digital watermark and the second digital watermark are embedded in the audio data through alterations to audibly perceptible elements of the audio data;

instructions to analyze the audio data to detect the second digital watermark;

instructions to determine an authenticity of the audio data based on the second digital watermark;

instructions to analyze the audio data to derive the information; and

instructions to trigger an action based at least in part on the information and the authenticity of the audio data, wherein the action comprises at least one action of;

i) applying a credit or coupon to a purchase, or ii) regulating entry to an event, movie or secure area.

17. The non-tangible computer-readable medium of claim 6, further comprising instructions to verify the information, wherein the action is triggered based upon verification of the information.

18. The non-tangible computer-readable medium of claim 6, further comprising instructions to compare an identifier to a set of preauthorized identifiers to verify the information, wherein the information comprises the identifier, and wherein when the identifier is included in the set of preauthorized identifiers, the information is verified.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a microphone configured to record audio data rendered by a handheld computing device, wherein the audio data comprises a first digital watermark and second digital watermark, wherein the first digital watermark comprises information, wherein the second digital watermark is lost when the audio data is processed, and wherein the first digital watermark and the second digital watermark are embedded in the audio data through alterations to audibly-perceptible elements of the audio data; and

a processor configured to;

analyze the audio data to detect the second digital watermark;

determine an authenticity of the audio data based on the second digital watermark;

analyze the audio data to derive the information; and

trigger an action based at least in part on the information and the authenticity of the audio data, wherein the action comprises at least one action of;

i) applying a credit or coupon to a purchase, or ii) regulating entry to an event, movie or secure area.

19. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to verify the information, wherein the action is triggered based upon verification of the information.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the processor is further configured to compare an identifier to a set of preauthorized identifiers to verify the information, wherein the information comprises the identifier, and wherein when the identifier is included in the set of preauthorized identifiers, the information is verified.

21. An apparatus comprising:

means for capturing image data or video data from a handheld computing device, wherein the captured image data or video data corresponds to an image or video that is displayed via a display of the handheld computing device, wherein the image data or video data comprises a fragile digital watermark comprising information, wherein the second digital watermark is lost when the image data or video data is processed, and wherein the first digital watermark and the second digital watermark are embedded in the image data or video data through alterations to visually perceptible elements of the image data or video data;

means for analyzing the image data or video data to detect the second digital watermark;

means determining an authenticity of the image data or video data based on the second digital watermark;

means for analyzing the image data or video data to derive the information; and

means for triggering an action based at least in part on the information and the authenticity of the image data or video data, wherein the action comprises at least one of;

i) applying a credit or coupon to a purchase, or ii) regulating entry to an event, movie or secure area.

22. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving audio data rendered by a handheld computing device, wherein the audio data comprises a fragile digital watermark comprising information, wherein the second digital watermark is lost when the image data or video data is processed, and wherein the first digital watermark and the second digital watermark are embedded in the audio data through alterations to audibly-perceptible elements of the audio data;

means for analyzing the audio data to detect the second digital watermark;

means determining an authenticity of the audio data based on the second digital watermark;

means for analyzing the audio data to derive the information; and

means for triggering an action based at least in part on the information and the authenticity of the audio data, wherein the action comprises at least one action of;

i) applying a credit or coupon to a purchase, or ii) regulating entry to an event, movie or secure area.