Methods for controlling rendering of images and video

• US 8,150,032 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2010
• Issued: 04/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Rhoads, Geoffrey B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smithers, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US12/872,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20110051998A1
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 380/51
• US Class Current: 380/51
• 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 20/306 using TV related infrastructures external card used for payment with client device H04N21/4185
• 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 1/0028 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 1/0057 Compression invariant watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0064 Geometric transfor invariant watermarking, e.g. affine transform invariant
• 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: G06T 2201/0083 whereby only watermarked image required at decoder, e.g. source-based, blind, oblivious
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/40 Document-oriented image-based pattern recognition
• 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 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 20/00891 : embedded in audio data
• 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 1/32122 : 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 1/32288 : 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 1/32299 : using more than one embedding method
• 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 1/34 : for coin-freed systems ; Pay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2347 : involving video stream encryption
• 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 21/26613 : for generating or managing keys in general key distribution for secret or secure communication involving central third party, e.g. key distribution center [KDC] or trusted third party [TTP] H04L9/083; network support of key management H04L63/06; key management for network security in communication control or processing H04W12/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4405 : involving video stream decryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44204 : Monitoring of content usage, e.g. the number of times a movie has been viewed, copied or the amount which has been watched monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; protecting generic digital content where the protection is independent of the precise nature of the content G06F21/10; arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services in broadcast systems H04H60/31
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44236 : Monitoring of piracy processes or activities protecting computer platforms against harmful, malicious or unexpected behaviour or activities using intrusion detection and counter measures G06F21/566; computer virus detection and handling G06F21/56
• 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 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 2201/3242 : of processing required or performed, e.g. for reproduction or before recording H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3246 : of data relating to permitted access or usage, e.g. level of access or usage parameters for digital rights management [DRM] related to still images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3249 : data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink
• 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 7/1675 : Providing digital key or authorisation information for generation or regeneration of the scrambling sequence pseudo-random number generators in general G06F7/58

Abstract

The present disclosure includes disclosure generally related to digital watermarking and steganographic encoding. One claim recites an apparatus including: electronic memory for buffering data representing video or imagery; and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is programmed for: analyzing the data representing video or imagery, the video or imagery comprising digital watermarking hidden therein through alterations, the digital watermarking comprising content classification information; decoding the content classification information from the digital watermarking; and controlling display or rendering of the video or imagery in response to the content classification information. Other combinations are provided and claimed as well.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

using a programmed electronic processor, analyzing data representing video or imagery, wherein the video or imagery comprises digital watermarking hidden therein through alterations, wherein the digital watermarking comprises content classification information;

decoding the content classification information from the digital watermarking; and

controlling display or rendering of the video or imagery in response to the content classification information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling display or rendering of the video or imagery includes comparing the content classification information with codes stored at a programmed device, wherein the codes represent classes of video or image data which are not to be displayed or rendered.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising receiving user input representing a user selection of a code to prevent display or rendering of video or image data.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the device cooperates with a television receiver or internet surfing software.

5. An electronic computing device programmed to perform the method of claim 2.

6. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions stored therein, wherein the instructions cause an electronic processor to perform operations comprising:

analyzing data representing video or imagery, wherein the video or imagery comprises digital watermarking hidden therein through alterations, wherein the digital watermarking comprises content classification information;

decoding the content classification information from the digital watermarking; and

controlling display or rendering of the video or imagery in response to the content classification information.

7. A method comprising:

obtaining, over an internee channel, data representing video picture elements or representing audible elements that are associated with the video picture elements;

using a programmed electronic processor, analyzing the data to decode information steganographically hidden in the data, wherein the information comprises data associated with suitability for viewing of the video picture elements by a particular audience;

determining whether to render or display the video picture elements based on at least the information; and

controlling rendering or display of the video picture elements based on the determining.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the determining determines whether to render or display the video picture elements via internet software.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the particular audience comprises children.

10. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions stored therein, wherein the instructions cause an electronic processor to perform operations comprising:

obtaining, over an internet channel, data representing video picture elements or representing audible elements that are associated with the video picture elements;

analyzing the data to decode information steganographically hidden in the data, wherein the information comprises data associated with suitability for viewing of the video picture elements by a particular audience;

determining whether to render or display the video picture elements based on at least the information; and

controlling rendering or display of the video picture elements based on the determining.

11. An apparatus comprising:

electronic memory configured to buffer data representing video or imagery;

an electronic processor programmed for;

analyzing the data representing video or imagery, wherein the video or imagery comprises digital watermarking hidden therein through alterations, wherein the digital watermarking comprises content classification information;

decoding the content classification information from the digital watermarking; and

controlling display or rendering of the video or imagery in response to the content classification information.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising codes stored therein, wherein the codes represent classes of video or image data which are not to be displayed or rendered, and wherein controlling display or rendering of the video or imagery includes comparing the content classification information with the codes.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the electronic processor is programmed for receiving user input representing a user selection of a code to prevent display or rendering of video or imagery.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus cooperates with a television receiver or internet surfing software.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the controlling controls rendering or display of the video picture elements on a video receiver or internet software.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the content classification information corresponds to children.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the controlling controls rendering or display of the video picture elements on a video receiver or internet software.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the content classification information corresponds to children.

19. An apparatus comprising:

electronic memory for buffering data, obtained over an internet channel, representing video picture elements or representing audible elements that are associated with the video picture elements;

an electronic processor programmed for;

analyzing the data to decode information steganographically hidden in the video picture elements or in the audible elements that are associated with the video picture elements, wherein the information comprises data associated with suitability for viewing of the video picture elements by a particular audience;

determining whether to render or display the video picture elements based on at least the information; and

controlling rendering or display of the video picture elements based on said determining.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein determining determines whether to render or display the video picture elements via internet software.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the particular audience comprises children.