US5963909A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-media copy management system
Assignee: Verance Corp
•
Filing: 1997-11-25
•
Granted: 1999-10-05
•
Expires: 2017-11-25
Abstract
Abstract Reproduction of a multi-media data signal which is stored on a source media or distributed via a communication network is controlled by inserting master tag data and control tag data into the data signal. A player/recorder inserts an additional generation of control tag information each time a copy of the media is made. If the number of generations of the control tag information is above a threshold value, reproduction of the data signal may be inhibited. For example, if the data signal comprises video data, the player/recorder may only allow playing of the video signal on a display but will not allow recording. The playing and recording of associated signals, such as an audio signal which accompanies a video signal, may also be controlled. The master tag data and control tag data may be provided as spread spectrum signals which are spectrally shaped and power-adjusted according to the data signal to render them imperceptible in the data signal. With encrypted frames of multi-media data, encryption keys may be carried in a key layer with the encrypted data signal or another data signal for use in decryption on a frame by frame basis.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Warren
- 👤 Chong U. Lee
- 👤 Kamran Moallemi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:40
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B20/00; G11B20/10; G11B20/00086; G11B20/0021; G11B20/00217; G11B20/00253; G11B20/00333; G11B20/00485; G11B20/00492; G11B20/00507; G11B20/00731; G11B20/00746; G11B20/00753; G11B20/00768; G11B20/00818; G11B20/00884; G11B20/00913; G11B27/00; G11B27/02; G11B27/031; G11B27/034; H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/66; H04B1/665; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/28; H04H20/30; H04H20/31; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/91; H04N5/913; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17336; G11B2220/00; G11B2220/20; G11B2220/25; G11B2220/2537; G11B2220/2545; G11B2220/2562; H04N2005/91307; H04N2005/91328; H04N2005/91342; H04N2005/9135; H04N2005/91357; H04N2005/91364; H04N9/00; H04N9/79; H04N9/80; H04N9/804; H04N9/8042; H04N9/82; H04N9/8205; H04N9/8227
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 107
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for controlling the reproduction of a multi-media data signal using master tag information embedded therein, and which is adapted to carry control tag information embedded therein, comprising: a receiver for receiving and detecting said master tag information embedded in said multi-media data signal, detecting said control tag information, if any, embedded in said multi-media data signal, and determining the number of generations of said control tag information; an encoder for providing an additional generation of control tag information in said multi-media data signal; and a data output stage responsive to the number of said generations of control tag information for selectively reproducing said multi-media data signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for controlling the reproduction of a multi-media data signal using master tag information embedded therein, and which is adapted to carry control tag information embedded therein, comprising: a receiver for receiving and detecting said master tag information embedded in said multi-media data signal, detecting said control tag information, if any, embedded in said multi-media data signal, and determining the number of generations of said control tag information; an encoder for providing an additional generation of control tag information in said multi-media data signal; and a data output stage responsive to the number of said generations of control tag information for selectively reproducing said multi-media data signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said encoder is responsive to said master tag information for providing said additional generation of control tag information; and in the absence of master tag information in said multi-media data signal, said additional generation of control tag information is not provided.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said encoder further comprises at least one of: (a) means for spectrally shaping said control tag information according to said multi-media data signal; and (b) means for adjusting the power of said control tag information according to said multi-media data signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a master source encoder comprising at least one of: (a) means for spectrally shaping said master tag information according to said multi-media data signal; and (b) means for adjusting the power of said master tag information according to said multi-media data signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein: at least one of said spectral shaping and power adjusting means render the master tag information at a desired level in said multi-media data signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said data output stage is prevented from reproducing said multi-media data signal when a predetermined number of generations of said control tag information is detected in the multi-media data signal; said predetermined number being at least one.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said multi-media data signal includes cryptographic data embedded therein to enable the decryption of data packets carried together with said multi-media data signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said data signal comprises a plurality of data channels, and said encoder provides said control tag information and said master tag information in different ones of said data channels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said multi-media data signal comprises: at least one frame of multi-media data which is encrypted under an encryption key; and an encryption key layer with at least one packet containing said encryption key for decrypting said at least one frame of multi-media data frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said encoder provides said control tag information as a spread spectrum signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a master source encoder that provides said master tag information in said multi-media data signal as a spread spectrum signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said multi-media data signal comprises compressed digital data; and said encoder provides said additional generation of control tag information without decompressing said compressed digital data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said master tag information is provided as a spread spectrum signal in accordance with an associated pseudo-random sequence in at least one time segment of said multi-media data signal; said encoder generates said control tag information as a spread spectrum signal using said associated pseudo-random sequence; and said encoder provides said control tag information in said multi-media data signal in a time segment which is unaligned relative to said at least one time segment in which said master tag information is carried.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: at least one of said master tag information and said control tag information, if any, is provided as a spread spectrum signal in said multi-media data signal; and said encoder provides said additional generation of control tag information as a spread spectrum signal which is distinguishable from said at least one of said master tag information and said control tag information.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: at least one of said master tag information and said control tag information, if any, is provided as a spread spectrum signal in said multi-media data signal in accordance with a first pseudo-random sequence; and said encoder provides said additional generation of control tag information as a spread spectrum signal in accordance with a second pseudo-random sequence which is distinct from said first pseudo-random sequence.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said encoder provides said control tag information in a plurality of non-adjacent time segments of said multi-media data signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a master source encoder that provides said master tag information in a plurality of non-adjacent time segments of said multi-media data signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said encoder provides said additional generation of control tag information at a level calculated to cumulatively degrade the quality of said multi-media data signal according to said number of generations of control tag information.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: auxiliary data is embedded in said multi-media data signal; and said data output stage is responsive to the number of said generations of control tag information for selectively reproducing said auxiliary data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: a presence of at least one of said master tag information and said control tag information in defined intervals of said multi-media data signal is used to carry information in said multi-media data signal according to a binary signaling scheme.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said multi-media data signal comprises video data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said number of generations of detected control tag information in said received data signal is at least one.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said encoder provides said additional generation of control tag information in said multi-media data signal such that said additional generation of control tag information replaces said master tag information.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said encoder is operatively associated with said receiver for degrading the quality of said received data signal such that succeeding received and encoded generations of said data signal have an increasingly degraded quality.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for controlling the reproduction of a multi-media data signal that carries master tag information embedded therein, and which is adapted to carry control tag information embedded therein, comprising the steps of: (a) retrieving said master tag information embedded in said multi-media data signal; (b) retrieving said control tag information, if any, embedded in said multi-media data signal; (c) determining the number of generations of said control tag information in said multi-media data signal; (d) determining whether the number of said generations of control tag information is below a threshold level; and: (i) if so, providing an additional generation of control tag information in said multi-media data signal; and, (ii) if not, inhibiting the reproduction of said multi-media data signal.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for controlling the reproduction of a multi-media data signal that carries master tag information embedded therein, and which is adapted to carry control tag information embedded therein, comprising the steps of: (a) retrieving said master tag information embedded in said multi-media data signal; (b) retrieving said control tag information, if any, embedded in said multi-media data signal; (c) determining the number of generations of said control tag information in said multi-media data signal; (d) determining whether the number of said generations of control tag information is below a threshold level; and: (i) if so, providing an additional generation of control tag information in said multi-media data signal; and, (ii) if not, inhibiting the reproduction of said multi-media data signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 25, comprising the further step of: determining said threshold level according to said master tag information.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 25, comprising at least one of the further steps of: (a) spectrally shaping said additional generation of control tag information according to said multi-media data signal; and (b) adjusting the power of said additional generation of control tag information according to said multi-media data signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 25, comprising at least one of the further steps of: (a) spectrally shaping said master tag information according to said multi-media data signal; and (b) adjusting the power of said master tag information according to said multi-media data signal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 25, wherein: at least one of said spectral shaping and power adjusting steps render said master tag information at a desired level in said multi-media data signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 25, wherein: said inhibiting step prevents reproduction of said multi-media data signal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 25, comprising the further step of: providing cryptographic data embedded in said multi-media data signal to enable the decryption of data packets carried together with said multi-media data signal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said data signal comprises a plurality of data channels, comprising the further step of: providing said control tag information and said master tag information in different ones of said data channels.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said multi-media data signal comprises: at least one frame of multi-media data which is encrypted under an encryption key; and an encryption key layer with at least one packet containing said encryption key for decrypting said at least one frame of multi-media data frame.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 25, wherein: said additional generation of control tag information is provided as a spread spectrum signal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 25, wherein: said master tag information is provided as a spread spectrum signal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 25, wherein: said multi-media data signal comprises compressed digital data; and said additional generation of control tag information is provided without decompressing said compressed digital data.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
92 words
The method of claim 25, comprising the further steps of: providing said master tag information as a spread spectrum signal in accordance with an associated pseudo-random sequence in at least one time segment of said data signal; providing said additional generation of control tag information as a spread spectrum signal using said associated pseudo-random sequence; and providing said additional generation of control tag information in said multi-media data signal in a time segment which is unaligned relative to said at least one time segment in which said master tag information is carried.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 25, wherein at least one of said master tag information and said control tag information, if any, is provided as a spread spectrum signal in said multi-media data signal, comprising the further step of: providing said additional generation of control tag information as a spread spectrum signal which is distinguishable from said at least one of said master tag information and said control tag information.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 25, wherein at least one of said master tag information and said control tag information, if any, is provided as a spread spectrum signal in said multi-media data signal in accordance with a first pseudo-random sequence, comprising the further steps of: providing additional generations of control tag information as distinct spread spectrum signals by using different pseudo-random sequences; and providing said additional generation of control tag information as a spread spectrum signal in accordance with a second pseudo-random sequence which is distinct from said first pseudo-random sequence.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 25, comprising the further step of: providing additional generations of control tag information in a plurality of non-adjacent time segments of said multi-media data signal.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 25, comprising the further step of: providing said master tag information in a plurality of non-adjacent time segments of said multi-media data signal.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 25, wherein: said step (d)(i) provides said additional generation of control tag information at a level calculated to cumulatively degrade the quality of said multi-media data signal according to said number of generations of control tag information.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 25, wherein auxiliary data is embedded in said multi-media data signal, and the number of said generations of control tag information is not below said threshold level, comprising the further step of: inhibiting the reproduction of said auxiliary data.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 25, comprising the further step of: providing at least one of said master tag information and said control tag information in defined intervals of said multi-media data signal to carry information in said data signal according to a binary signaling scheme.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 25, wherein: said multi-media data signal comprises video data.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 25, wherein: said number of generations of detected control tag information is at least one.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 25, wherein: said step (d)(i) provides said additional generation of control tag information in said multi-media data signal such that said additional generation of control tag information replaces said master tag information.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 25, comprising the further step of: degrading the quality of said multi-media signal such that succeeding encoded generations of said multi-media data signal have an increasingly degraded quality.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for controlling the reproduction of a primary multi-media data signal using an auxiliary multi-media data signal, where master tag information is embedded in at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals, and at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals is adapted to carry control tag information embedded therein, comprising: a receiver for receiving and detecting said master tag information embedded in said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals, detecting said control tag information, if any, embedded in said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals, and determining the number of generations of said control tag information; an encoder for providing an additional generation of control tag information in said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals; and a data output stage responsive to the number of said generations of control tag information for selectively reproducing said primary multi-media data signal.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for controlling the reproduction of a primary multi-media data signal using an auxiliary multi-media data signal, where master tag information is embedded in at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals, and at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals is adapted to carry control tag information embedded therein, comprising: a receiver for receiving and detecting said master tag information embedded in said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals, detecting said control tag information, if any, embedded in said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals, and determining the number of generations of said control tag information; an encoder for providing an additional generation of control tag information in said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals; and a data output stage responsive to the number of said generations of control tag information for selectively reproducing said primary multi-media data signal.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: said data output stage is responsive to the number of said generations of control tag information for selectively reproducing said auxiliary multi-media data signal.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: the master tag information is embedded in said auxiliary multi-media data signal, and said auxiliary multi-media data signal is adapted to carry the control tag information embedded therein.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: the master tag information is embedded in said primary multi-media data signal, and said auxiliary multi-media data signal is adapted to carry the control tag information embedded therein.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: said encoder provides said additional generation of control tag information in said primary multi-media data signal.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 53, wherein: said encoder provides said additional generation of control tag information at a level calculated to cumulatively degrade the quality of said primary multi-media data signal according to said number of generations of control tag information.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals are carried on a common source media.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: said encoder is responsive to said master tag information for providing said additional generation of control tag information; and in the absence of master tag information, said additional generation of control tag information is not provided.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said encoder further comprises at least one of: (a) means for spectrally shaping said control tag information according to said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals; and (b) means for adjusting the power of said control tag information according to said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 49, further comprising: a master source encoder comprising at least one of: (a) means for spectrally shaping said master tag information according to said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals; and (b) means for adjusting the power of said master tag information according to said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: at least one of said spectral shaping and power adjusting means render the master tag information at a desired level.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: said data output stage is prevented from reproducing said primary multi-media data signal when a predetermined number of generations of said control tag information is detected in said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals; said predetermined number being at least one.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals includes cryptographic data embedded therein to enable the decryption of data packets carried together with said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: said primary multi-media data signal comprises at least one frame of multi-media data which is encrypted under an encryption key; and said auxiliary multi-media data signal comprises an encryption key layer with at least one packet containing said encryption key for decrypting said at least one frame of the primary multi-media data signal.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: said encoder provides said control tag information as a spread spectrum signal.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 49, further comprising: a master source encoder that provides said master tag information as a spread spectrum signal.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals comprises compressed digital data; and said encoder provides said additional generation of control tag information without decompressing said compressed digital data.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
91 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: said master tag information is provided as a spread spectrum signal in accordance with an associated pseudo-random sequence in at least one time segment of said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals; said encoder generates said control tag information as a spread spectrum signal using said associated pseudo-random sequence; and said encoder provides said control tag information in a time segment which is unaligned relative to said at least one time segment in which said master tag information is carried.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: at least one of said master tag information and said control tag information, if any, is provided as a spread spectrum signal; and said encoder provides said additional generation of control tag information as a spread spectrum signal which is distinguishable from said at least one of said master tag information and said control tag information.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: at least one of said master tag information and said control tag information, if any, is provided as a spread spectrum signal in accordance with a first pseudo-random sequence; and said encoder provides said additional generation of control tag information as a spread spectrum signal in accordance with a second pseudo-random sequence which is distinct from said first pseudo-random sequence.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: said encoder provides said control tag information in a plurality of non-adjacent time segments.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 49, further comprising: a master source encoder that provides said master tag information in a plurality of non-adjacent time segments of said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: said encoder provides said additional generation of control tag information in said auxiliary multi-media data signal.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: a presence of at least one of said master tag information and said control tag information in defined intervals of said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals is used to carry information in said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals according to a binary signaling scheme.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals comprises video data.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: said number of generations of detected control tag information is at least one.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: said encoder provides said additional generation of control tag information in said multi-media data signal such that said additional generation of control tag information replaces said master tag information.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: said encoder is operatively associated with said receiver for degrading the quality of said primary multi-media data signal such that succeeding encoded generations of said primary multi-media data signal have an increasingly degraded quality.
Claim 80
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for controlling the reproduction of a primary multi-media data signal using an auxiliary multi-media data signal, where master tag information is embedded in at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals, and at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals is adapted to carry control tag information embedded therein, comprising the steps of: (a) retrieving said master tag information embedded in said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals; (b) retrieving said control tag information, if any, embedded in said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals; (c) determining the number of generations of said control tag information; (d) determining whether the number of said generations of control tag information is below a threshold level; and: (i) if so, providing an additional generation of control tag information in said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals; and, (ii) if not, inhibiting the reproduction of said primary multi-media data signal.
Claim 81
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for controlling the reproduction of a primary multi-media data signal using an auxiliary multi-media data signal, where master tag information is embedded in at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals, and at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals is adapted to carry control tag information embedded therein, comprising the steps of: (a) retrieving said master tag information embedded in said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals; (b) retrieving said control tag information, if any, embedded in said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals; (c) determining the number of generations of said control tag information; (d) determining whether the number of said generations of control tag information is below a threshold level; and: (i) if so, providing an additional generation of control tag information in said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals; and, (ii) if not, inhibiting the reproduction of said primary multi-media data signal.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 77, comprising the further step of: determining said threshold level according to said master tag information.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 77, wherein: the master tag information is embedded in said auxiliary multi-media data signal, and said auxiliary multi-media data signal is adapted to carry the control tag information embedded therein.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 77, wherein: the master tag information is embedded in said primary multi-media data signals, and said auxiliary multi-media data signal is adapted to carry the control tag information embedded therein.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 80, wherein: said step (d)(i) provides said additional generation of control tag information at a level calculated to cumulatively degrade the quality of said primary multi-media data signal according to said number of generations of control tag information.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 77, wherein: said encoder provides said additional generation of control tag information in said primary multi-media data signal.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 77, wherein: said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals are carried on a common source media.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 77, comprising at least one of the further steps of: (a) spectrally shaping said additional generation of control tag information according to said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals; and (b) adjusting the power of said additional generation of control tag information according to said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 77, comprising at least one of the further steps of: (a) spectrally shaping said master tag information according to said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals; and (b) adjusting the power of said master tag information according to said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 77, wherein: at least one of said spectral shaping and power adjusting steps render said master tag information at a desired level.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 77, wherein: said inhibiting step prevents reproduction of said primary multi-media data signal.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 77, comprising the further step of: providing cryptographic data embedded in said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals to enable the decryption of data packets carried together with said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 77, wherein: said primary multi-media data signal comprises at least one frame of multi-media data which is encrypted under an encryption key; and said auxiliary multi-media data signal comprises an encryption key layer with at least one packet containing said encryption key for decrypting said at least one frame of the primary multi-media data signal.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 77, wherein: said additional generation of control tag information is provided as a spread spectrum signal.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 77, wherein: said master tag information is provided as a spread spectrum signal.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 77, wherein: said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals comprises compressed digital data; and said additional generation of control tag information is provided without decompressing said compressed digital data.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
109 words
The method of claim 77, comprising the further steps of: providing said master tag information as a spread spectrum signal in accordance with an associated pseudo-random sequence in at least one time segment of said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals; providing said additional generation of control tag information as a spread spectrum signal using said associated pseudo-random sequence; and providing said additional generation of control tag information in said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals in a time segment which is unaligned relative to said at least one time segment in which said master tag information is carried.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 77, wherein at least one of said master tag information and said control tag information, if any, is provided as a spread spectrum signal, comprising the further step of: providing said additional generation of control tag information as a spread spectrum signal which is distinguishable from said at least one of said master tag information and said control tag information.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 77, wherein at least one of said master tag information and said control tag information, if any, is provided as a spread spectrum signal in accordance with a first pseudo-random sequence, comprising the further steps of: providing additional generations of control tag information as distinct spread spectrum signals by using different pseudo-random sequences; and providing said additional generation of control tag information as a spread spectrum signal in accordance with a second pseudo-random sequence which is distinct from said first pseudo-random sequence.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 77, comprising the further step of: providing additional generations of control tag information in a plurality of non-adjacent time segments of said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 77, comprising the further step of: providing said master tag information in a plurality of non-adjacent time segments of said multi-media data signal.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 77, wherein: said encoder provides said additional generation of control tag information in said auxiliary multi-media data signal.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 77, comprising the further step of: providing at least one of said master tag information and said control tag information in defined intervals of said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals to carry information in said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals according to a binary signaling scheme.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 77, wherein: said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals comprises video data.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 77, comprising the further step of: wherein said number of generations of detected control tag information is at least one.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 77, wherein: said step (d)(i) provides said additional generation of control tag information in said at least one of said primary and auxiliary multi-media data signals such that said additional generation of control tag information replaces said master tag information.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 77, comprising the further step of: degrading the quality of said primary multi-media data signal such that succeeding encoded generations of said primary multi-media data signal have an increasingly degraded quality.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-10-04 | 2003-04-05 | 2003-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-04 | 2007-04-05 | 2007-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-04 | 2011-04-05 | 2011-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |