US6374036B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for copy-once watermark for video recording
Assignee: MACROVISON Corp
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Filing: 1998-10-01
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Granted: 2002-04-16
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Expires: 2018-10-01
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for “copy-once” of a digital video signal uses a watermark in the video signal. The embedded watermark has two versions: one indicates copy-never and a second indicates copy-once, the difference being a single watermark bit. The watermark carries additional bits representing a digitized attribute (image characteristic) of a particular video frame of the video signal, for instance an average value of the amplitude of a video field. The frame whose attribute is carried in the watermark has a field (or frame) marker, which is a special signal located in the overscan portion of the frame. A compliant video recorder verifies the watermark and the copy-once bit, extracts the associated attribute from the watermark, and compares it to the measured attribute of the marked video frame. Only if the extracted attribute value and the measured attribute value match is recording enabled. During the recording process, the frame markers are stripped, preventing second generation copies of the recorded video signal, and the copy-once bit is set to copy-never.
Inventors
- 👤 John O. Ryan
- 👤 Patrice Capitant
- 👤 Clayton L. Davidson
- 👤 James Holzgrafe
- 👤 Kordian J Kurowski
- 👤 Andrew Mellows
- 👤 Tony Forrest Rodriquez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:46
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T1/00; G06T1/0021; G06T1/005; G06T1/0071; G06T1/0028; H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/91; H04N5/913; G06T2201/00; G06T2201/005; G06T2201/0064; G06T2201/0065; H04N2005/91307; H04N2005/91314; H04N2005/91321; H04N2005/91328; H04N2005/91335
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for copy protecting a digital video signal comprising the steps of: placing a marker on selected fields or frames of the video signal; measuring an image attribute of each of the selected frames; and marking the video signal with a signal that includes a numeric representation of the measured attribute.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for copy protecting a digital video signal comprising the steps of: placing a marker on selected fields or frames of the video signal; measuring an image attribute of each of the selected frames; and marking the video signal with a signal that includes a numeric representation of the measured attribute.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the marked signal is a watermark.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the attribute is calculated from an amplitude of a predetermined portion of the selected frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the signal includes at least one bit indicating that copying of the video signal is permitted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the marker is located in an overscan portion of the frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the marker is located in a blanking interval of the frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the marker is a signal that is filtered out by a conventional analog video recorder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the signal includes a portion that is a signal which is filtered out by a conventional analog video recorder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the marker is a repeated chroma wave.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the marker is a repeated square waves.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the marker has a frequency between approximately 300 KHz and 1.4 MHz.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the marker is a checkerboard pattern including two complementary colors.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of playing a protected video signal, the protected video signal including in at least one frame marker and having an associated signal including a numeric representation of an image attribute of the frame having the marker, the method comprising the steps of: detecting the marker to identify a particular frame; detecting the signal associated with the frame; measuring the image attribute of the identified frame; comparing the measured attribute to the numeric representation of the attribute for the identified frame; and enabling recording of the video signal only if the comparing step indicates a match.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of playing a protected video signal, the protected video signal including in at least one frame marker and having an associated signal including a numeric representation of an image attribute of the frame having the marker, the method comprising the steps of: detecting the marker to identify a particular frame; detecting the signal associated with the frame; measuring the image attribute of the identified frame; comparing the measured attribute to the numeric representation of the attribute for the identified frame; and enabling recording of the video signal only if the comparing step indicates a match.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the signal is a watermark.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the attribute is calculated from an amplitude of a selected portion of the frame.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 13 , one further comprising determining if the signal includes a copy enable bit, and only enabling copying if the copy enable bit is present.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of changing the copy enable bit during the recording of the video signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the marker is located in an overscan portion of the frame.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the marker is located in a blanking interval of the frame.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the marker is a signal that is filtered out by a conventional analog video recorder.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the signal includes a portion that is filtered out by a conventional analog video recorder.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the marker is a repeated chroma wave.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the marker is a repeated square wave.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the marker has a frequency between approximately 300 KHz and 1.4 MHz.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the marker is a checkerboard pattern including two complementary colors.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
95 words
A digital video recorder adapted for a copy-once protocol for a video signal, the recorder including: video recording circuitry; an input terminal for receiving the video signal; a marker detector which detects a mark in a frame of the received video signal; a detector which detects a signal associated with the frame; attribute measuring circuitry which measures an image attribute of the frame; and a comparator which compares the measured attribute to a numeric representation of the attribute in the signal and enables operation of the video recording circuitry only if there is a match.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
95 words
A digital video recorder adapted for a copy-once protocol for a video signal, the recorder including: video recording circuitry; an input terminal for receiving the video signal; a marker detector which detects a mark in a frame of the received video signal; a detector which detects a signal associated with the frame; attribute measuring circuitry which measures an image attribute of the frame; and a comparator which compares the measured attribute to a numeric representation of the attribute in the signal and enables operation of the video recording circuitry only if there is a match.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the detector also determines if a copy enable bit is set in the digital signal watermark, and wherein the comparator only enables copying if the copy enable bit is set.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 27 , further comprising a circuit for changing the copy enable bit during the recording of the video signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
71 words
An encoding apparatus for protecting a video signal, comprising: a terminal for receiving the video signal; a marker circuit which places a marker on selected frames of the received video signal; a measurement circuit which measures an image attribute of each of the selected frames; and a circuit which marks the video signal with a signal that includes a numeric representation of the measured attribute of each frame having a marker.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
71 words
An encoding apparatus for protecting a video signal, comprising: a terminal for receiving the video signal; a marker circuit which places a marker on selected frames of the received video signal; a measurement circuit which measures an image attribute of each of the selected frames; and a circuit which marks the video signal with a signal that includes a numeric representation of the measured attribute of each frame having a marker.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 29 , wherein the marker is located in an overscan portion of the frame.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 29 , wherein the marker is located in a blanking interval of the frame.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 29 , wherein the marker is a signal that is filtered out by a conventional analog video recorder.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 29 , wherein the signal includes a portion that is a signal which is filtered out by a conventional analog video recorder.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for enabling copying of a protected video signal including in at least one frame a marker and having an associated signal including a numeric representation of an image attribute of at least one frame, the method comprising the steps of: detecting frames carrying the marker; tagging one of the detected frames with a predetermined signal; storing data indicative of a timing of each of the detected frames; recording the video; replaying the recorder video; while replaying the video, detecting the tagged frame; and inserting in the tagged frame and in selected subsequent frames a marker resembling the marker included in the protected video, the inserting being in accordance with the stored data.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for enabling copying of a protected video signal including in at least one frame a marker and having an associated signal including a numeric representation of an image attribute of at least one frame, the method comprising the steps of: detecting frames carrying the marker; tagging one of the detected frames with a predetermined signal; storing data indicative of a timing of each of the detected frames; recording the video; replaying the recorder video; while replaying the video, detecting the tagged frame; and inserting in the tagged frame and in selected subsequent frames a marker resembling the marker included in the protected video, the inserting being in accordance with the stored data.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein the predetermined signal differs from the markers.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein the predetermined signal is a signal that is not removed by a digital video recorder.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein the associated signal is a watermark.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for enabling copying of a protected video signal including in at least one frame a marker and having an associated signal including a numeric representation of an image attribute of the frame, comprising: an input terminal for receiving the protected video signal; a first detector coupled to the input terminal and which detects the frame markers; a circuit coupled to the detector which writes a predetermined signal in at least one of the marked frames; a memory coupled to the first detector which stores data indicative of a timing of each of the detected marked frames; a second detector which detects the predetermined signal; and a circuit for inserting a frame marker into the video signal which is similar to the markers present in the protected video signal, the inserting being in accordance with the stored data.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for enabling copying of a protected video signal including in at least one frame a marker and having an associated signal including a numeric representation of an image attribute of the frame, comprising: an input terminal for receiving the protected video signal; a first detector coupled to the input terminal and which detects the frame markers; a circuit coupled to the detector which writes a predetermined signal in at least one of the marked frames; a memory coupled to the first detector which stores data indicative of a timing of each of the detected marked frames; a second detector which detects the predetermined signal; and a circuit for inserting a frame marker into the video signal which is similar to the markers present in the protected video signal, the inserting being in accordance with the stored data.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 38 , wherein the predetermined signal differs from the frame marker.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 38 , wherein the predetermined signal is a signal that is not removed by a digital video recorder.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 38 , wherein the associated signal is a watermark.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of processing an original video signal to limit copying thereof, the original video signal having a watermark therein conveying data related to copy restriction, the method comprising: inserting a video marker in the original video signal, the video marker having an attribute corresponding, in a predetermined manner, to characteristics of the original video signal, wherein the correspondence indicates that the video signal is the original video signal; in response to a request to output the video signal for copying, detecting the watermark and checking that the video signal is the original video signal, the checking including checking the video marker's predetermined correspondence to the video signal, and only if the video signal is thereby confirmed to be the original video signal then: processing the original video signal to produce a copy thereof, the copy being non-identical to the original video signal so that the video marker no longer corresponds, in said predetermined manner, thereto; wherein subsequent checking of the copied video signal indicates that the video signal is not the original signal, whereby further copying can be restricted.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of processing an original video signal to limit copying thereof, the original video signal having a watermark therein conveying data related to copy restriction, the method comprising: inserting a video marker in the original video signal, the video marker having an attribute corresponding, in a predetermined manner, to characteristics of the original video signal, wherein the correspondence indicates that the video signal is the original video signal; in response to a request to output the video signal for copying, detecting the watermark and checking that the video signal is the original video signal, the checking including checking the video marker's predetermined correspondence to the video signal, and only if the video signal is thereby confirmed to be the original video signal then: processing the original video signal to produce a copy thereof, the copy being non-identical to the original video signal so that the video marker no longer corresponds, in said predetermined manner, thereto; wherein subsequent checking of the copied video signal indicates that the video signal is not the original signal, whereby further copying can be restricted.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 42 , in which the processing includes changing the video marker.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 43 , in which the processing includes eliminating the video marker.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 43 , in which the processing comprises converting the original video signal from digital to analog form.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the image attribute indicates video characteristics of the selected frames.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the image attribute indicates positions of the selected frames.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the image attribute indicates lengths between the selected frames.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the image attribute indicates video characteristics of the selected frames.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the image attribute indicates positions of the selected frames.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the image attribute indicates lengths between the selected frames.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the image attribute indicates video characteristics of the selected frames.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the image attribute indicates positions of the selected frames.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the image attribute indicates lengths between the selected frames.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 29 , wherein the image attribute indicates video characteristics of the selected frames.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 29 , wherein the image attribute indicates positions of the selected frames.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 29 , wherein the image attribute indicates lengths between the selected frames.
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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) | 2005-04-15 | 2005-10-15 | 2006-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-04-15 | 2009-10-15 | 2010-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-04-15 | 2013-10-15 | 2014-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |