US6529600B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for preventing piracy of video material from theater screens
Assignee: Uniloc 2017 LLC
•
Filing: 1998-06-25
•
Granted: 2003-03-04
•
Expires: 2018-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and device for preventing video tape piracy of video material shown by an electronic projector by varying frequently the frame rate, line rate or pixel rate of the projector. In a preferred embodiment the frame rate is varied in accordance with a cryptographically secure algorithm. In another embodiment the frame rate is varied in accordance with the content of the scene in the film.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Epstein
- 👤 Douglas A. Stanton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/74
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector onto a screen, comprising: a frequency controller which provides an output signal for varying frequently the frame rate of the projector based on an image characteristic of the video, such that the varied frame rate causes distortion for a video camera imaging the screen yet is undetectable by a viewer watching the screen; and an electronic projector interface which provides the output from the frequency controller to the electronic projector.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector onto a screen, comprising: a frequency controller which provides an output signal for varying frequently the frame rate of the projector based on an image characteristic of the video, such that the varied frame rate causes distortion for a video camera imaging the screen yet is undetectable by a viewer watching the screen; and an electronic projector interface which provides the output from the frequency controller to the electronic projector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 1 , further including a device which stores a cryptographically secure algorithm, coupled to the frequency controller, and wherein the frequency controller varies the frame rate of the projector in accordance with the algorithm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 1 , further including a natural source generator, coupled to the frequency controller, and wherein the frequency controller varies the frame rate of the projector in accordance with the natural source generator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 1 , further including a scene tag detection device which detects the type of scene to be displayed and causes the frequency controller to vary the frame rate of the projector in dependence on the type of scene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the video is pretagged to indicate both the type of scene to be displayed and the scene's variable frame rate, and the scene tag detection device detects the tags and the variable frame rate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by a projector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the video includes fast scenes and slow scenes and the frequency controller reduces the frame rate of the projector for slow scenes and increases the frame rate for fast scenes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
An electronic projector as claimed in claim 6 , wherein at least one center high frame rate is chosen for the fast scenes and at least one center low frame rate is chosen for the slow scenes and wherein the frame rate is varied around the at least one center high frame rate for fast scenes and around the at least one center low frame rate for slow scenes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
An electronic projector for projecting video material onto a screen, comprising: an electronic frequency controller for varying frequently the frame rate of the projector based on an image characteristic of the video material such that the video material on the screen is viewable by a viewer yet the varying frame rate causes distortion for a video camera imaging the video material from the screen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
An electronic projector for projecting video material onto a screen, comprising: an electronic frequency controller for varying frequently the frame rate of the projector based on an image characteristic of the video material such that the video material on the screen is viewable by a viewer yet the varying frame rate causes distortion for a video camera imaging the video material from the screen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
An electronic projector as claimed in claim 8 , further including a device which stores a cryptographically secure algorithm, coupled to the frequency controller, and wherein the frequency controller varies the frame rate of the projector in accordance with the algorithm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
An electronic projector as claimed in claim 8 , further including a natural source generator, coupled to the frequency controller, and wherein the frequency controller varies the frame rate of the projector in accordance with the natural source generator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
An electronic projector as claimed in claim 8 , further including a scene tag detection device which detects the type of scene to be displayed and causes the frequency controller to vary the frame rate of the projector in dependence on the type of scene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device for preventing piracy of films projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the video is pretagged to indicate the type of scene to be displayed and the scene's variable frame rate, and the scene tag detection device detects the tags and the variable frame rate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
An electronic projector as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the film is tagged for fast scenes and slow scenes and the frequency controller reduces the frame rate of the projector for slow scenes and increases the frame rate for fast scenes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
An electronic projector as claimed in claim 13 , wherein at least one center high frame rate is chosen for fast scenes and at least one center low frame rate is chosen for slow scenes and the frame rate is varied around the at least one center high frame rate for fast scenes and around the at least one center low frame rate for slow scenes.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of preventing piracy of video material projected by an electronic projector onto a screen, comprising the steps of: receiving video material in the electronic projector; varying the frame rate of the projector based on an image characteristic of the video material to cause distortion to a video camera imaging the video material off of the screen yet the varying frame rate is substantially undetectable by a viewer watching the video material on the screen.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of preventing piracy of video material projected by an electronic projector onto a screen, comprising the steps of: receiving video material in the electronic projector; varying the frame rate of the projector based on an image characteristic of the video material to cause distortion to a video camera imaging the video material off of the screen yet the varying frame rate is substantially undetectable by a viewer watching the video material on the screen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method for preventing piracy of video material projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the step of varying the frame rate varies the frame rate of the electronic projector in accordance with a cryptographically secure algorithm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method for preventing piracy of video material projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the step of varying the frame rate varies the frame rate of the electronic projector in accordance with a natural source generator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method for preventing piracy of films projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 15 , further including the step of: detecting the type of scene to be displayed; and wherein the step of varying the frame rate varies the frame rate of the electronic projector in dependence on the type of scene to be displayed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method for preventing piracy of video material projected by a projector as claimed in claim 15 , further including the step of detecting which scenes are fast scenes and which scenes are slow scenes and wherein the step of varying the frame rate reduces the frame rate for slow scenes and increases the frame rate for fast scenes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method of preventing piracy of video material projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the video material is pretagged to indicate the type of scene to be displayed, and the step of scene detection detects the tags.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector, comprising the steps of: receiving a video stream; analyzing the video stream to detect scenes with high speed motion and scenes with little motion; and inserting in the video stream tags, which indicate high speed scenes and scenes with little motion, for use by an electronic projector to vary the frame rate of the projector in dependence on the tags.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector, comprising the steps of: receiving a video stream; analyzing the video stream to detect scenes with high speed motion and scenes with little motion; and inserting in the video stream tags, which indicate high speed scenes and scenes with little motion, for use by an electronic projector to vary the frame rate of the projector in dependence on the tags.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein the step of inserting tags inserts tags which also indicate the variable frame rate the projector should use for the scenes.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
82 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector, comprising: an input device which receives a video stream; an analyzer which analyzes the video stream to detect scenes with high speed motion and scenes with little motion; and a scene tagger which tags the video stream with tags which indicate high speed scenes and scenes with little motion, the tags for use by an electronic projector to vary the frame rate of the projector in dependence on the tags.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
82 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector, comprising: an input device which receives a video stream; an analyzer which analyzes the video stream to detect scenes with high speed motion and scenes with little motion; and a scene tagger which tags the video stream with tags which indicate high speed scenes and scenes with little motion, the tags for use by an electronic projector to vary the frame rate of the projector in dependence on the tags.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device as claimed in claim 23 wherein the tagger inserts tags which also indicate the variable frame rate the projector should use when projecting the scenes.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
82 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector on a screen, comprising: a frequency controller which provides an output signal for varying frequently the line rate of the projector based on an image characteristic of the video, such that the varied line rate causes distortion for a video camera imaging the screen yet is undetectable by a viewer watching the screen; and an electronic projector interface which provides the output from the frequency controller to the electronic projector.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
82 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector on a screen, comprising: a frequency controller which provides an output signal for varying frequently the line rate of the projector based on an image characteristic of the video, such that the varied line rate causes distortion for a video camera imaging the screen yet is undetectable by a viewer watching the screen; and an electronic projector interface which provides the output from the frequency controller to the electronic projector.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 25 , further including a device which stores a cryptographically secure algorithm, coupled to the frequency controller, and wherein the frequency controller varies the line rate of the projector in accordance with the algorithm.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 25 , further including a natural source generator, coupled to the frequency controller, and wherein the frequency controller varies the line rate of the projector in accordance with the natural source generator.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 25 , further including a scene tag detection device which detects the type of scene to be displayed and causes the frequency controller to vary the line rate of the projector in dependence on the type of scene.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
63 words
An electronic projector for projecting video material onto a screen, comprising: an electronic frequency controller for varying frequently the line rate of the projector based on an image characteristic of the video material such that video material on the screen is viewable by a viewer yet the varying line rate causes distortion for a video camera imaging the video material from the screen.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
63 words
An electronic projector for projecting video material onto a screen, comprising: an electronic frequency controller for varying frequently the line rate of the projector based on an image characteristic of the video material such that video material on the screen is viewable by a viewer yet the varying line rate causes distortion for a video camera imaging the video material from the screen.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of preventing piracy of video material projected by an electronic projector onto a screen comprising the steps of: receiving video material in the electronic projector; and varying the line rate of the projector based on an image characteristic of the video material to cause distortion to a video camera imaging the video material off of the screen yet undetectable by a viewer watching the video material on the screen.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of preventing piracy of video material projected by an electronic projector onto a screen comprising the steps of: receiving video material in the electronic projector; and varying the line rate of the projector based on an image characteristic of the video material to cause distortion to a video camera imaging the video material off of the screen yet undetectable by a viewer watching the video material on the screen.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method for preventing piracy of video material projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 30 , further including the step of: providing a cryptographically secure algorithm such that the step of varying the line rate of the projector varies the frequency of the line rate of the electronic projector in accordance with the cryptographically secure algorithm.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method for preventing piracy of video material projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 30 , further including the step of: providing a natural source generator such that the step of varying the line rate of the projector varies the frequency of the line rate of the electronic projector in accordance with the natural source generator.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector, comprising the steps of: receiving a video stream; analyzing the video stream to detect scenes with high speed motion and scenes with little motion; and inserting in the video stream tags, which indicate high speed scenes and scenes with little motion, which tags are for use by an electronic projector to vary the line rate of the projector in dependence on the tags.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector, comprising the steps of: receiving a video stream; analyzing the video stream to detect scenes with high speed motion and scenes with little motion; and inserting in the video stream tags, which indicate high speed scenes and scenes with little motion, which tags are for use by an electronic projector to vary the line rate of the projector in dependence on the tags.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
81 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector, comprising: an input device which receives a video stream; an analyzer which analyzes the video stream to detect scenes with high speed motion and scenes with little motion; and a tagger which tags the video stream with tags which indicate high speed scenes and scenes with little motion, the tags for use by an electronic projector to vary the line rate of the projector in dependence on the tags.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
81 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector, comprising: an input device which receives a video stream; an analyzer which analyzes the video stream to detect scenes with high speed motion and scenes with little motion; and a tagger which tags the video stream with tags which indicate high speed scenes and scenes with little motion, the tags for use by an electronic projector to vary the line rate of the projector in dependence on the tags.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
82 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector on a screen, comprising: a frequency controller which provides an output signal for varying frequently the pixel rate of the projector based on an image characteristic of the video, such that the varied pixel rate causes distortion for a video camera imaging the screen yet is undetectable by a viewer watching the screen; and an electronic projector interface which provides the output from the frequency controller to the electronic projector.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
82 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector on a screen, comprising: a frequency controller which provides an output signal for varying frequently the pixel rate of the projector based on an image characteristic of the video, such that the varied pixel rate causes distortion for a video camera imaging the screen yet is undetectable by a viewer watching the screen; and an electronic projector interface which provides the output from the frequency controller to the electronic projector.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 35 , further including a device which stores a cryptographically secure algorithm, coupled to the frequency controller, and wherein the frequency controller varies the pixel rate of the projector in accordance with the algorithm.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 35 , further including a natural source generator, coupled to the frequency controller, and wherein the frequency controller varies the pixel rate of the projector in accordance with the natural source generator.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 35 , further including a scene tag detection device which detects the type of scene to be displayed and causes the frequency controller to vary the pixel rate of the projector in dependence on the type of scene.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
63 words
An electronic projector for projecting video material onto a screen, comprising: an electronic frequency controller for varying frequently the pixel rate of the projector based on an image characteristic of the video material such that video material on the screen is viewable by a viewer yet the varying pixel rate causes distortion for a video camera imaging the video material from the screen.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
63 words
An electronic projector for projecting video material onto a screen, comprising: an electronic frequency controller for varying frequently the pixel rate of the projector based on an image characteristic of the video material such that video material on the screen is viewable by a viewer yet the varying pixel rate causes distortion for a video camera imaging the video material from the screen.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of preventing piracy of video material projected by an electronic projector onto a screen comprising the steps of: receiving video material in the electronic projector; varying the pixel rate of the projector based on an image characteristic of the video material to cause distortion to a video camera imaging the video material off of the screen yet undetectable by a viewer watching the video material on the screen.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of preventing piracy of video material projected by an electronic projector onto a screen comprising the steps of: receiving video material in the electronic projector; varying the pixel rate of the projector based on an image characteristic of the video material to cause distortion to a video camera imaging the video material off of the screen yet undetectable by a viewer watching the video material on the screen.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method for preventing piracy of video material projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 40 , further including the step of: providing a cryptographically secure algorithm such that the step of varying the pixel rate of the projector varies the frequency of the pixel rate of the electronic projector in accordance with the cryptographically secure algorithm.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method for preventing piracy of video material projected by an electronic projector as claimed in claim 40 , further including the step of: providing a natural source generator such that the step of varying the pixel rate of the projector varies the frequency of the pixel rate of the electronic projector in accordance with the natural source generator.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector, comprising the steps of: receiving a video stream; analyzing the video stream to detect scenes with high speed motion and scenes with little motion; and inserting in the video stream tags, which indicate high speed scenes and scenes with little motion, which tags are for use by an electronic projector to vary the pixel rate of the projector in dependence on the tags.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector, comprising the steps of: receiving a video stream; analyzing the video stream to detect scenes with high speed motion and scenes with little motion; and inserting in the video stream tags, which indicate high speed scenes and scenes with little motion, which tags are for use by an electronic projector to vary the pixel rate of the projector in dependence on the tags.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
81 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector, comprising: an input device which receives a video stream; an analyzer which analyzes the video stream to detect scenes with high speed motion and scenes with little motion; and a tagger which tags the video stream with tags which indicate high speed scenes and scenes with little motion, the tags for use by an electronic projector to vary the pixel rate of the projector in dependence on the tags.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
81 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector, comprising: an input device which receives a video stream; an analyzer which analyzes the video stream to detect scenes with high speed motion and scenes with little motion; and a tagger which tags the video stream with tags which indicate high speed scenes and scenes with little motion, the tags for use by an electronic projector to vary the pixel rate of the projector in dependence on the tags.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
80 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector, comprising: input means for receiving a video stream; analyzing means for analyzing the video stream to detect scenes with high speed motion and scenes with little motion; and tagging means for tagging the video stream with tags which indicate high speed scenes and scenes with little motion, the tags for use by an electronic projector to vary the pixel rate of the projector in dependence on the tags.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
80 words
A device for preventing piracy of video projected by an electronic projector, comprising: input means for receiving a video stream; analyzing means for analyzing the video stream to detect scenes with high speed motion and scenes with little motion; and tagging means for tagging the video stream with tags which indicate high speed scenes and scenes with little motion, the tags for use by an electronic projector to vary the pixel rate of the projector in dependence on the tags.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4815013A
Cited
US5079544A
Cited
US5096286A
Cited
US5182771A
Cited
US5751264A
Cited
US5680454A
Cited
US6019473A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-03-03 | 2006-09-02 | 2007-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-03 | 2010-09-02 | 2011-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-03 | 2014-09-02 | 2015-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |