US7171016B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for monitoring internet dissemination of image, video and/or audio files
Assignee: Digimarc Corp
•
Filing: 1998-11-05
•
Granted: 2007-01-30
•
Expires: 2018-11-05
Abstract
Abstract An automated monitoring service downloads image files (including, e.g., graphic and video files) and audio files from various Internet sites, and checks these files for the presence of embedded digital watermark data. When found, such data is decoded and used to identify the proprietor of each watermarked file. The proprietors are alerted to the results of the monitoring operation, often apprising such proprietors of unknown distribution of their image/video/audio properties.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey B. Rhoads
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:10
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/14; G06K7/1404; G06K7/1408; G06K7/1417; B; B42; B42D; B42D25/00; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/955; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/06009; G06K19/06037; G06K19/06046; G06K19/08; G06K19/10; G06K19/14; G06K19/18; G06K7/1439; G06K7/1447; 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; G06T1/0064; G06V; G06V30/00; G06V30/40; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/22; G07C9/25; G07C9/253; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/003; G07D7/0032; G07D7/0034; G07D7/004; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/0014; 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; G11B20/00086; G11B20/00094; G11B20/00115; G11B20/00166; G11B20/00181; G11B20/0021; G11B20/00217; G11B20/00231; G11B20/0071; G11B20/00884; G11B20/00891; 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; H04N1/32154; H04N1/3216; H04N1/32203; H04N1/32208; H04N1/32251; H04N1/32288; H04N1/32352; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/238; H04N21/2389; H04N21/23892; H04N21/80; H04N21/83; H04N21/835; H04N21/8358; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/91; H04N5/913; G06K2019/06215; G06K2019/06253; G06T2201/00; G06T2201/005; G06T2201/0052; H04L; H04L2463/00; H04L2463/103; H04N1/32106; H04N1/32122; H04N2005/91307; H04N2005/91321; H04N2005/91335; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3201; H04N2201/3204; H04N2201/3205; H04N2201/3207; H04N2201/3225; H04N2201/3226; H04N2201/3233; H04N2201/3269; H04N2201/327; H04N2201/3271; H04N2201/3274; H04N2201/328; H04W; H04W24/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom, including decoding the digital watermark data with reference to public key data; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom, including decoding the digital watermark data with reference to public key data; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom, including decoding the digital watermark data with reference to private key data; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom, including decoding the digital watermark data with reference to private key data; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet; the identifying includes performing a domain transformation on data from at least certain of said files, yielding transformed data; and the identifying further includes performing a matched filtering operation on said transformed data.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet; the identifying includes performing a domain transformation on data from at least certain of said files, yielding transformed data; and the identifying further includes performing a matched filtering operation on said transformed data.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet; the identifying includes performing a domain transformation on data from at least certain of said files, yielding transformed data; and said domain transformation is a 2D FFT transform.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet; the identifying includes performing a domain transformation on data from at least certain of said files, yielding transformed data; and said domain transformation is a 2D FFT transform.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet; the identifying includes performing a domain transformation on data from at least certain of said files, yielding transformed data; said domain transformation is a one-dimensional transform; and the identifying further includes generating column-integrated scan data for at least one oblique scan through an obtained image, and performing a one-dimensional FFT transformation thereon.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet; the identifying includes performing a domain transformation on data from at least certain of said files, yielding transformed data; said domain transformation is a one-dimensional transform; and the identifying further includes generating column-integrated scan data for at least one oblique scan through an obtained image, and performing a one-dimensional FFT transformation thereon.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet; and the identifying includes computing power spectrum data relating to at least certain of said files.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet; and the identifying includes computing power spectrum data relating to at least certain of said files.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6 including low-pass filtering said power spectrum data.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet; including analyzing a spectral characteristic of at least certain of said obtained files to identify the possible presence of digital watermark data therein.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet; including analyzing a spectral characteristic of at least certain of said obtained files to identify the possible presence of digital watermark data therein.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet; and said obtaining includes automatic computer downloading of image or audio files, without specific human instruction of particular files to be downloaded.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet; and said obtaining includes automatic computer downloading of image or audio files, without specific human instruction of particular files to be downloaded.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: from at least one computer, automatically obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; automatically identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: from at least one computer, automatically obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; automatically identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet.
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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) | 2010-01-29 | 2010-07-31 | 2011-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-01-29 | 2014-07-31 | 2015-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-01-29 | 2018-07-31 | 2019-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |