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US6404898B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and system for encoding image and audio content

Assignee: Digimarc Corp
•
Filing: 1999-06-24
•
Granted: 2002-06-11
•
Expires: 2019-06-24
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Abstract

Abstract Image or audio content data is encoded to steganographically convey plural bit auxiliary data. The content data is thereafter subjected to lossy compression/decompression, and the auxiliary data can still be recovered and used, e.g., to control associated audio or video equipment.

Inventors

  • 👤 Geoffrey B. Rhoads

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 11:27
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F12/00; G06F12/14; G06F12/1408; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/12; G06Q20/123; G06Q20/1235; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/341; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/401; G06Q20/4014; G06Q20/40145; G06T; G06T1/00; G06T1/0021; G06T1/005; G06T1/0057; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/22; G07C9/25; G07C9/253; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/003; G07D7/0032; G07D7/004; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/16; G07F17/26; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/086; G07F7/10; G07F7/1008; G07F7/1016; G07F7/12; G10; G10L; G10L19/00; G10L19/018; G11; G11B; G11B20/00; G11B20/00007; G11B20/00086; G11B20/00094; G11B20/00115; G11B20/00166; G11B20/00181; G11B20/0021; G11B20/00884; G11B20/00891; G11B20/10; G11B20/10009; G11B20/10037; G11B20/10527; H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/66; H04B1/665; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00002; H04N1/00005; H04N1/00026; H04N1/00037; H04N1/00071; H04N1/00074; H04N1/00079; H04N1/32; H04N1/32101; H04N1/32144; H04N1/32149; H04N1/32203; H04N1/32208; H04N1/32251; H04N1/32288; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/89; H04N5/90; H04N5/91; H04N5/913; H04N9/00; H04N9/79; H04N9/80; H04N9/804; H04N9/8042; H04N9/82; H04N9/8205; G06T2201/00; G06T2201/005; G06T2201/0052; G11B2020/00014; G11B2020/10537; G11B2020/10546; G11B2020/10555; H04N2005/91307; H04N2005/91321; H04N2005/91335; H04N2005/91342; H04N2005/9135; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3201; H04N2201/3204; H04N2201/3205; H04N2201/3207; H04N2201/3225; H04N2201/3226; H04N2201/3233; H04N2201/3269; H04N2201/327; H04N2201/3271; H04N2201/328; H04N9/8047; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S283/00; Y10S283/901

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 78
Claim 1
Independent Claim 198 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the discerning includes processing plural redundantly-encoded excerpts of said second encoded content signal to determine the auxiliary multi-bit data embedded therein, wherein greater or lesser confidence in the auxiliary multi-bit data discerned from said second encoded content signal can be obtained by processing longer or shorter excerpts, respectively.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 198 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the discerning includes processing plural redundantly-encoded excerpts of said second encoded content signal to determine the auxiliary multi-bit data embedded therein, wherein greater or lesser confidence in the auxiliary multi-bit data discerned from said second encoded content signal can be obtained by processing longer or shorter excerpts, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 1 which includes performing said processing by a hardware decoding circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 2 which includes disabling recording capability of an apparatus based on said discerned auxiliary multi-bit data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 3 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 2 which includes incrementing a program specific billing meter based on said discerned auxiliary multi-bit data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 5 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 2 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 1 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 188 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the method further includes, after the compressing, storing said compressed, first encoded content signal on an optically encoded storage disk; and prior to said decoding, reading said compressed, first encoded content signal from said optically encoded storage disk.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 188 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the method further includes, after the compressing, storing said compressed, first encoded content signal on an optically encoded storage disk; and prior to said decoding, reading said compressed, first encoded content signal from said optically encoded storage disk.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 9 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 170 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the method includes converting the second encoded content signal to analog form, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data therefrom.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 170 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the method includes converting the second encoded content signal to analog form, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data therefrom.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of claim 11 which includes digitizing the analog form of the second encoded content signal to produce a digitized signal, and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from said digitized signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 12 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 11 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 188 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture or audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein a plurality of samples in the first encoded content signal are each encoded in accordance with more than one bit of said auxiliary data signal, wherein single samples are each encoded in accordance with multiple bits.
Claim 19
Independent Claim 188 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture or audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein a plurality of samples in the first encoded content signal are each encoded in accordance with more than one bit of said auxiliary data signal, wherein single samples are each encoded in accordance with multiple bits.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 15 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 15 in which the input content signal represents audio, without accompanying motion picture information.
Claim 22
Independent Claim 189 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture or audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein a plurality of samples in the first encoded content signal are each encoded is accordance with no more than one bit of said auxiliary data signal, wherein signal samples are each encoded in accordance with single bits.
Claim 23
Independent Claim 189 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture or audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein a plurality of samples in the first encoded content signal are each encoded is accordance with no more than one bit of said auxiliary data signal, wherein signal samples are each encoded in accordance with single bits.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 18 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 18 in which the input content signal represents audio, without accompanying motion picture information.
Claim 26
Independent Claim 158 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into a content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the transforming comprises adding an overlay signal to the content signal.
Claim 27
Independent Claim 158 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into a content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the transforming comprises adding an overlay signal to the content signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the overlay signal is derived from a content signal of the same content type as the input content signal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 22 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 22 in which the content signal comprises image data, and the overlay data is derived from image data.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the method further comprises preconditioning the overlay signal to better withstand certain lossy processing of the encoded content signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 25 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 25 in which the input content signal represents audio, without accompanying motion picture information.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 21 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 21 in which the input content signal represents audio, without accompanying motion picture information.
Claim 36
Independent Claim 165 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture or audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the discerning comprises performing plural statistical analyses on the second encoded content signal.
Claim 37
Independent Claim 165 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture or audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the discerning comprises performing plural statistical analyses on the second encoded content signal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 30 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 30 in which the input content signal represents audio, without accompanying motion picture information.
Claim 40
Independent Claim 197 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture or audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the method further includes receiving a data hiding parameter associated with each of plural excerpts of the content signal, wherein said transforming makes use of said data hiding parameter to enhance concealment of the multi-bit auxiliary data as encoded in the first encoded content signal.
Claim 41
Independent Claim 197 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture or audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the method further includes receiving a data hiding parameter associated with each of plural excerpts of the content signal, wherein said transforming makes use of said data hiding parameter to enhance concealment of the multi-bit auxiliary data as encoded in the first encoded content signal.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of claim 33 that includes generating said data hiding parameters by analysis of the input content signal.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 34 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 34 in which the input content signal represents audio, without accompanying motion picture information.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 33 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 33 in which the input content signal represents audio, without accompanying motion picture information.
Claim 47
Independent Claim 177 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the method further includes receiving global gain data from a user-set control, and using said global gain data in said transforming to adjust a global strength of the encoding.
Claim 48
Independent Claim 177 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the method further includes receiving global gain data from a user-set control, and using said global gain data in said transforming to adjust a global strength of the encoding.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 39 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 50
Independent Claim 182 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture or audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the discerning comprises: measuring statistical characteristics of sets of samples of the encoded content signal; and based on the measured statistical characteristics, computing values of said plural bit auxiliary data.
Claim 51
Independent Claim 182 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture or audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the discerning comprises: measuring statistical characteristics of sets of samples of the encoded content signal; and based on the measured statistical characteristics, computing values of said plural bit auxiliary data.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 41 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 41 in which the input content signal represents audio, without accompanying motion picture information.
Claim 54
Independent Claim 167 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture or audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein an encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; wherein the encoded content signal can undergo lossy compression/decompression, and the auxiliary data can still be discerned therefrom, notwithstanding said losses, and wherein the method further comprises modulating a message carrier signal with the multi-bit auxiliary data, including receiving gain data relating to the content signal, and scaling the message carrier signal in accordance with said gain data; and adding the scaled signal to the content signal.
Claim 55
Independent Claim 167 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture or audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein an encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; wherein the encoded content signal can undergo lossy compression/decompression, and the auxiliary data can still be discerned therefrom, notwithstanding said losses, and wherein the method further comprises modulating a message carrier signal with the multi-bit auxiliary data, including receiving gain data relating to the content signal, and scaling the message carrier signal in accordance with said gain data; and adding the scaled signal to the content signal.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 44 , comprising computing said gain data from samples of the content signal.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 45 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 45 in which the input content signal represents audio, without accompanying motion picture information.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim 39 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein the message signal modulates a statistical characteristic of a selected set of samples of the content signal, such that decoding is enabled by analyzing the statistical characteristic of the encoded content signal.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 48 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 48 in which the input content signal represents audio, without accompanying motion picture information.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 44 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 44 in which the input content signal represents audio, without accompanying motion picture information.
Claim 64
Independent Claim 196 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the discerning includes processing plural redundantly-encoded excerpts of said second encoded content signal to determine the auxiliary multi-bit data embedded therein, wherein greater or lesser confidence in the auxiliary multi-bit data discerned from said second encoded content signal can be obtained by processing longer or shorter excerpts, respectively.
Claim 65
Independent Claim 196 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the discerning includes processing plural redundantly-encoded excerpts of said second encoded content signal to determine the auxiliary multi-bit data embedded therein, wherein greater or lesser confidence in the auxiliary multi-bit data discerned from said second encoded content signal can be obtained by processing longer or shorter excerpts, respectively.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 53 which includes performing said processing by a hardware decoding circuit.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 54 which includes disabling recording capability of an apparatus based on said discerned auxiliary multi-bit data.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 54 which includes incrementing a program specific billing meter based on said discerned auxiliary multi-bit data.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 53 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 70
Independent Claim 186 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the method further includes, after the compressing, storing said compressed, first encoded content signal on an optically encoded storage disk; and prior to said decoding, reading said compressed, first encoded content signal from said optically encoded storage disk.
Claim 71
Independent Claim 186 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the method further includes, after the compressing, storing said compressed, first encoded content signal on an optically encoded storage disk; and prior to said decoding, reading said compressed, first encoded content signal from said optically encoded storage disk.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 58 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 73
Independent Claim 168 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the method includes converting the second encoded content signal to analog form, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data therefrom.
Claim 74
Independent Claim 168 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an audio content signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to a signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input content signal comprising a plurality of samples, each sample having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of samples, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein a first encoded content signal is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; compressing the first encoded content signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded content signal to produce a second encoded content signal, said second encoded content signal being non-identical to the first encoded content signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal; wherein the method includes converting the second encoded content signal to analog form, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data therefrom.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim 33 words
The method of claim 60 which includes digitizing the analog form of the second encoded content signal to produce a digitized signal, and discerning the multi bit auxiliary data from said digitized signal.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 60 that includes discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded content signal without reference to the input content signal.
Claim 77
Independent Claim 202 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to said motion picture signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input motion picture signal representing a plurality of frames of image data, each frame comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of pixels in said frame, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein an encoded frame of image data is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; repeating the foregoing step for a plurality of different frames of said motion picture signal, thereby yielding a first encoded motion picture signal; compressing the first encoded motion picture signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded motion picture signal to produce a second encoded motion picture signal, said second encoded motion picture signal being non-identical to the first encoded motion picture signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded motion picture signal without reference to the input motion picture signal.
Claim 78
Independent Claim 202 words
A method of embedding multi-bit auxiliary data into an input motion picture signal that is thereafter compressed to yield a compressed signal, and thereafter discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from a non-identical counterpart to said motion picture signal obtained by decompressing the compressed signal, the method comprising: providing an input motion picture signal representing a plurality of frames of image data, each frame comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a value associated therewith; for each of a plurality of pixels in said frame, transforming the value thereof in accordance with at least some of said multi-bit auxiliary data, wherein an encoded frame of image data is produced having the auxiliary data embedded therein; repeating the foregoing step for a plurality of different frames of said motion picture signal, thereby yielding a first encoded motion picture signal; compressing the first encoded motion picture signal; decompressing the compressed, first encoded motion picture signal to produce a second encoded motion picture signal, said second encoded motion picture signal being non-identical to the first encoded motion picture signal due to said compression/decompression process; and discerning the multi-bit auxiliary data from the second encoded motion picture signal without reference to the input motion picture signal.

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