US6809792B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Spectral watermarking for motion picture image data
Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures LLC
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Filing: 2000-10-09
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Granted: 2004-10-26
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Expires: 2020-10-09
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for forming a substantially invisible watermark or copy-deterrent pattern within a motion picture frame that utilizes spectral image data in order to apply a pattern that is not objectionable to a viewer, but that can be sensed and recorded by a video camera device. A digital watermark or copy deterrent pattern, message, animation, or obscuring effect can be formed to identify a legally distributed copy, degrade the quality of an illegally recorded copy, or expand the storage requirements for an illegally recorded copy using this technique. The pattern is applied using some combination of UV and IR light sources just outside the visible range, displayed on the movie screen. An illegally recorded copy may bear a visible watermark or copy-deterrent pattern which can be detected upon playback. A copy-deterrent pattern can also be used to make video compression techniques less effective, requiring that an illegally recorded copy require excessive amounts of storage media.
Inventors
- 👤 Babak Tehranchi
- 👤 Timothy J. Tredwell
- 👤 Paul W. Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:22
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/91; H04N5/913; G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/14; G03B21/32; H04N19/00; H04N19/46; H04N19/467; H04N5/74; H04N2005/91392
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A pattern display apparatus for forming substantially invisible patterns within serially displayed motion picture image frames of a visually observable motion picture work that is displayed upon a display surface, the apparatus comprising: (a) an infrared light source adapted to provide infrared light within or between displayed motion picture image frames of the motion picture work wherein said substantially invisible patterns comprise an image of the infrared light displayed on the display surface to obscure the displayed motion picture work to recording by a video camera sensitive to visible light and sensitive to infrared light and/or to ultraviolet light; and (b) an ultraviolet light source adapted to provide ultraviolet light within or between displayed motion picture image frames of the motion picture work, wherein said substantially invisible patterns comprises an image of ultraviolet light displayed on the display surface to obscure the displayed motion picture work to recording by the camera.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A pattern display apparatus for forming substantially invisible patterns within serially displayed motion picture image frames of a visually observable motion picture work that is displayed upon a display surface, the apparatus comprising: (a) an infrared light source adapted to provide infrared light within or between displayed motion picture image frames of the motion picture work wherein said substantially invisible patterns comprise an image of the infrared light displayed on the display surface to obscure the displayed motion picture work to recording by a video camera sensitive to visible light and sensitive to infrared light and/or to ultraviolet light; and (b) an ultraviolet light source adapted to provide ultraviolet light within or between displayed motion picture image frames of the motion picture work, wherein said substantially invisible patterns comprises an image of ultraviolet light displayed on the display surface to obscure the displayed motion picture work to recording by the camera.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said invisible pattern is conditioned by encoded data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said motion picture image frames each comprises an array of pixels and the infrared light source provides infrared light to a first plurality of individual pixels and the ultraviolet light source provides ultraviolet light to a second plurality of individual pixels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a display logic apparatus that is adapted to control the illumination of said first and second plurality of individual pixels in order to form said invisible patterns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said infrared light source comprises a lamp.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said infrared light source comprises a filter that discriminates infrared light from other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said infrared light source comprises an LED.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ultraviolet light source comprises a lamp.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ultraviolet light source comprises a filter that discriminates ultraviolet light from other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ultraviolet light source comprises an LED.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said infrared light source and said ultraviolet light source are energized to provide an invisible pattern in a same displayed motion picture image frame.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said infrared light source is disposed behind said display surface relative to a viewing audience.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ultraviolet light source is disposed behind said display surface relative to a viewing audience.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said display surface is a projection screen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said display surface comprises a plurality of LEDs.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
83 words
A copy protection method for projecting, within a visually observable displayed motion picture work substantially invisible patterns, the method comprising: (a) illuminating a display area featuring said motion picture work with ultraviolet light to obscure images of the motion picture work to recording by a video camera having sensitivity to ultraviolet light and/or infrared light; and (b) illuminating a display area featuring said motion picture work with infrared light to obscure images of the motion picture work to recording by said video camera.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
83 words
A copy protection method for projecting, within a visually observable displayed motion picture work substantially invisible patterns, the method comprising: (a) illuminating a display area featuring said motion picture work with ultraviolet light to obscure images of the motion picture work to recording by a video camera having sensitivity to ultraviolet light and/or infrared light; and (b) illuminating a display area featuring said motion picture work with infrared light to obscure images of the motion picture work to recording by said video camera.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 16 wherein in step (a) a first plurality of pixels are illuminated within an image frame or between image frames of said motion picture work with ultraviolet light from an ultraviolet light source; and in step (b) a second plurality of pixels are illuminated within an image frame or between image frames of said motion picture work with infrared light from an infrared light source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said first plurality of pixels is illuminated on alternate image frames with respect to said second plurality of pixels.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 17 wherein at least some of said first plurality of pixels and said second plurality of pixels illuminate substantially the same pixel locations on an image frame of the motion picture work.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said substantially invisible patterns comprises a message.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said substantially invisible patterns are conditioned by encoded data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
79 words
A copy-deterrent method of providing a marking of a visibly observable motion picture work that is projected onto a display surface, the method comprising: (a) displaying a first substantially invisible pattern on said display surface, said first substantially invisible pattern illuminated using infrared light during display of the motion picture work; and (b) displaying a second substantially invisible pattern on said display surface, said second substantially invisible pattern illuminated using ultraviolet light during display of the motion picture work.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
79 words
A copy-deterrent method of providing a marking of a visibly observable motion picture work that is projected onto a display surface, the method comprising: (a) displaying a first substantially invisible pattern on said display surface, said first substantially invisible pattern illuminated using infrared light during display of the motion picture work; and (b) displaying a second substantially invisible pattern on said display surface, said second substantially invisible pattern illuminated using ultraviolet light during display of the motion picture work.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 22 wherein either or both of said first substantially invisible and said second substantially invisible pattern is/are changed from frame to frame of said motion picture work in location on the display or in message or in pattern content or alternated from frame to frame to decrease compression efficiency of recording of the projected motion picture work.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the step of displaying a first substantially invisible pattern comprises the step of displaying a digital watermark.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said step of displaying a first substantially invisible pattern comprises the step of displaying a random noise pattern.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of providing copy deterrence of a visually observable displayed motion picture work, the method comprising an ordered repetition of the following steps for each frame of at least a substantial number of frames of the displayed motion picture work: (a) projecting, in said each frame of said displayed motion picture work, a first substantially invisible pattern, said first substantially invisible pattern formed using light emitted at wavelengths outside the visible spectrum; and (b) projecting, in a next frame of said displayed motion picture work, a second substantially invisible pattern, said second substantially invisible pattern formed using light emitted at wavelengths outside the visible spectrum, whereby said second substantially invisible pattern is deliberately different in shape and/or intensity and/or position from said first substantially invisible pattern, so that an algorithm predicting motion from said each frame to said next frame is thereby rendered less efficient in recording the projected image of the displayed motion picture work.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of providing copy deterrence of a visually observable displayed motion picture work, the method comprising an ordered repetition of the following steps for each frame of at least a substantial number of frames of the displayed motion picture work: (a) projecting, in said each frame of said displayed motion picture work, a first substantially invisible pattern, said first substantially invisible pattern formed using light emitted at wavelengths outside the visible spectrum; and (b) projecting, in a next frame of said displayed motion picture work, a second substantially invisible pattern, said second substantially invisible pattern formed using light emitted at wavelengths outside the visible spectrum, whereby said second substantially invisible pattern is deliberately different in shape and/or intensity and/or position from said first substantially invisible pattern, so that an algorithm predicting motion from said each frame to said next frame is thereby rendered less efficient in recording the projected image of the displayed motion picture work.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the step of forming the first substantially invisible pattern comprises the step of illuminating pixel locations with infrared light.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the step of forming the second substantially invisible pattern comprises the step of illuminating pixel locations with ultraviolet light.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said ordered repetition projects an animation.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the step of forming a first substantially invisible pattern further comprises the step of forming a first substantially invisible pattern comprising high-frequency image content, thereby reducing the efficiency of DCT coefficient quantization.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the step of forming a first substantially invisible pattern further comprises the step of simultaneously illuminating pixel locations with both infrared light and with ultraviolet light.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 26 wherein image areas of a frame of said displayed motion picture work having levels of high red content are overlapped with areas or pixels having infrared light content that is substantially invisible.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 26 wherein image areas of a frame of said displayed motion picture work having high blue and/or violet content are overlapped with image areas or pixels having ultraviolet light content that is substantially invisible.
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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) | 2007-10-26 | 2008-04-26 | 2008-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-10-26 | 2012-04-26 | 2012-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-10-26 | 2016-04-26 | 2016-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |