US6560349B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Audio monitoring using steganographic information
Assignee: Digimarc Corp
•
Filing: 1999-12-28
•
Granted: 2003-05-06
•
Expires: 2019-12-28
Abstract
Abstract An audio monitoring device includes a microphone for receiving sound energy from a loudspeaker, and a steganographic decoder that decodes the signal produced by the microphone. By reference to the steganographically-decoded information, the device can be used to monitor the musical selections played in a venue for copyright royalty purposes and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey B. Rhoads
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:57
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/341; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/401; G06Q20/4014; G06Q20/40145; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0283; G06T; G06T1/00; G06T1/0021; G06T1/005; G06T1/0064; 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; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/086; G07F7/10; G07F7/1008; G07F7/1016; G07F7/12; G10; G10L; G10L19/00; G10L19/018; G11; G11B; G11B20/00; G11B20/00086; G11B20/00094; G11B20/00115; G11B20/00166; G11B20/00181; G11B20/0021; G11B20/00884; G11B20/00891; H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/66; H04B1/665; H04K; H04K1/00; H04K1/02; 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; H04N1/32154; H04N1/3216; H04N1/32203; H04N1/32208; H04N1/32251; H04N1/32288; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/91; H04N5/913; G06T2201/00; G06T2201/005; G06T2201/0052; G06T2201/0065; G11B20/10; G11B20/10527; G11B2020/10537; H04N2005/91307; H04N2005/91321; H04N2005/91335; H04N2005/91342; 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; H04N9/00; H04N9/79; H04N9/80; H04N9/82; H04N9/8205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
An audio monitoring device comprising: a microphone for receiving sound energy from a loudspeaker; and a steganographic decoder coupled to the microphone and responsive to data steganographically encoded in a human-audible portion of the sound spectrum so that it is essentially imperceptible to human listeners; wherein the steganographically encoded data represents at least two fields of information, a first of said fields serving to index sale or distribution information, a second of said fields serving to track particular audio data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
An audio monitoring device comprising: a microphone for receiving sound energy from a loudspeaker; and a steganographic decoder coupled to the microphone and responsive to data steganographically encoded in a human-audible portion of the sound spectrum so that it is essentially imperceptible to human listeners; wherein the steganographically encoded data represents at least two fields of information, a first of said fields serving to index sale or distribution information, a second of said fields serving to track particular audio data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the steganographically encoded data would have a sound—if amplified—like noise.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the fields includes error checking information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the fields includes one or more symbols used to interpret symbols in another one of the fields.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the fields includes a public code and at least one of the fields includes a private code.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the fields is used to memorialize that audio was generated by a particular device, enabling tracing of the audio to the particular device.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of monitoring, music played over a loudspeaker in an environment, comprising: using a microphone to produce an electrical signal; and steganographically decoding from said electrical signal information that is steganographically encoded in a human-audible portion of the sound spectrum so that it is generally imperceptible to human listeners; wherein the steganographically encoded information represents at least two fields of information, a first of said fields serving to index sale or distribution information, a second of said fields serving to track particular audio data.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of monitoring, music played over a loudspeaker in an environment, comprising: using a microphone to produce an electrical signal; and steganographically decoding from said electrical signal information that is steganographically encoded in a human-audible portion of the sound spectrum so that it is generally imperceptible to human listeners; wherein the steganographically encoded information represents at least two fields of information, a first of said fields serving to index sale or distribution information, a second of said fields serving to track particular audio data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7 that further includes generating a report detailing music played in said environment by reference to said steganographically decoded information.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the steganographically encoded data would have a sound—if amplified—like noise.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 7 wherein at least one of the fields includes time or place information used to associate the audio with a public performance of the audio through the steganographically encoded time or place information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7 wherein at least one of the fields includes error checking information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 7 wherein at least one of the fields includes one or more symbols used to interpret symbols in another one of the fields.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 7 wherein at least one of the fields includes a public code and at least one of the fields includes a private code.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 7 wherein at least one of the fields is used to memorialize that audio was generated by a particular device, enabling tracing of the audio to the particular device.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
48 words
A method of steganographically decoding data from audio comprising: receiving sound energy from a loudspeaker; and decoding data steganographically encoded in a human-audible portion of the sound spectrum so that it is essentially imperceptible to human listeners; wherein the data includes a public code and a private code.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
48 words
A method of steganographically decoding data from audio comprising: receiving sound energy from a loudspeaker; and decoding data steganographically encoded in a human-audible portion of the sound spectrum so that it is essentially imperceptible to human listeners; wherein the data includes a public code and a private code.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15 wherein removal of the public code leaves detectable characteristics of the private code.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the private code comprises a tracking code.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the private code comprises a tracking code.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the public code serves to degrade quality of the audio.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the public code is removable.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the public code is removable by software or hardware in response to a transaction relating to the audio.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the transaction comprises payment for the audio.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 15 wherein at least one of the codes is used to memorialize that audio was generated by a particular device, enabling tracing of the audio to the particular device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
A computer readable medium on which is stored instructions for performing the method of claim 15 .
Claim 28
Independent Claim
48 words
A method of steganographically decoding data from audio comprising: receiving an audio signal representing sound; and decoding data steganographically encoded in a human-audible portion of the sound spectrum so that it is essentially imperceptible to human listeners; wherein the data includes a public code and a private code.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
48 words
A method of steganographically decoding data from audio comprising: receiving an audio signal representing sound; and decoding data steganographically encoded in a human-audible portion of the sound spectrum so that it is essentially imperceptible to human listeners; wherein the data includes a public code and a private code.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 25 wherein removal of the public code leaves detectable characteristics of the private code.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the private code comprises a tracking code.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the private code comprises a tracking code.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the public code serves to degrade quality of the audio.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the public code is removable.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the public code is removable by software or hardware in response to a transaction relating to the audio.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the transaction comprises payment for the audio.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 25 wherein at least one of the codes is used to memorialize that audio was generated by a particular device, enabling tracing of the audio to the particular device.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 25 including: transferring the audio signal to a remote device for steganographic decoding.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the remote device performs content monitoring based on the steganographically encoded data.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the remote device performs metering or royalty tracking based on the steganographically encoded data.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the public and private codes are embedded into the audio by different devices.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the public code degrades quality of the audio, but is removable and replaceable by a different public or private code that is substantially imperceptible in the audio.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the different code serves to track the audio.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 39 wherein the different code is inserted in the audio at the time of a commercial transaction relating to the audio.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the commercial transaction comprises a purchase of the audio signal.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
A computer readable medium on which is stored instructions for performing the method of claim 25 .
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2630525A
Cited
US2881244A
Cited
US3004104A
Cited
US4245346A
Cited
US3406344A
Cited
US3576369A
Cited
US3493674A
Cited
US3585290A
Cited
US4231113A
Cited
US3569619A
Cited
US3665162A
Cited
US3583237A
Cited
US3845391A
Cited
US3638188A
Cited
US4944036A
Cited
US3703628A
Cited
US3971917A
Cited
US3805238A
Cited
US3922074A
Cited
US3809806A
Cited
US3838444A
Cited
US3969830A
Cited
US3805286A
Cited
US3894190A
Cited
US3885217A
Cited
US3982064A
Cited
US3984684A
Cited
US3914877A
Cited
US3900890A
Cited
US4079419A
Cited
US3977785A
Cited
US4086634A
Cited
US4184700A
Cited
US4025851A
Cited
US4048619A
Cited
US4504084A
Cited
US4122501A
Cited
US4252995A
Cited
US4310180A
Cited
US4238849A
Cited
US4225967A
Cited
US4262329A
Cited
US4307899A
Cited
US4379947A
Cited
US4337483A
Cited
US4323921A
Cited
US4230990C1
Cited
US4230990A
Cited
US4237484A
Cited
GB2063018A
Cited
US4351547A
Cited
GB2067871A
Cited
US4313197A
Cited
US4423415A
Cited
US4528588A
Cited
US4595950A
Cited
US4389671A
Cited
US4395600A
Cited
US4416001A
Cited
US4380027A
Cited
US4367488A
Cited
EP0058482A1
Cited
US4476468A
Cited
US4425661A
Cited
US4665431A
Cited
US4532608A
Cited
US4644422A
Cited
US4495620A
Cited
US4639779A
Cited
US4547804A
Cited
US4967273A
Cited
US4805020A
Cited
US4512013A
Cited
US4523311A
Cited
US4908873A
Cited
US4553261A
Cited
US4590366A
Cited
US4660221A
Cited
US4637051A
Cited
US4675746A
Cited
US4703476A
Cited
US4835517A
Cited
US5166676A
Cited
US4672605A
Cited
US4697209A
Cited
US4593389A
Cited
US4654867A
Cited
US4677435A
Cited
US4663518A
Cited
US4921278A
Cited
US4647974A
Cited
US4723149A
Cited
US4750173A
Cited
US4980782A
Cited
US4682794A
Cited
US4677466A
Cited
US4820912A
Cited
US4765656A
Cited
US4712103A
Cited
US4775901A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-05-05 | 2006-11-04 | 2007-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-05-05 | 2010-11-04 | 2011-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-05-05 | 2014-11-04 | 2015-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |