Patent US7206409B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7206409B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Motion picture anti-piracy coding
Assignee: Warner Bros Entertainment Inc
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Filing: 2003-09-25
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Granted: 2007-04-17
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Expires: 2023-09-25
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for uniquely identifying a copy of a motion picture disposed on a media. The method includes the steps of selecting two or more motion picture scenes. Each of the motion picture scenes is an identifiable portion of the motion picture distinct from every other portion of the motion picture. Once the scenes have been identified, two or more sequences can be defined within each of the motion picture scenes such that each sequence includes two or more frames. For example, the motion picture can have three scenes, each divided into twenty eight sequences, with each of the sequences containing 12 frames. Once the scenes and sequences have been selected, at least one of the sequences from each scene is marked to define a uniquely identifiable marking pattern on the media.
Inventors
- 👤 Darcy Antonellis
- 👤 Jeffrey J. Bartley
- 👤 Margit Elisabeth Elo
- 👤 Jean Pierre Gagnon
- 👤 William B. Hogue, Jr.
- 👤 Edward J. Price
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:31
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/91; H04N5/913; G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/28; G11B23/283; G11B23/284; H04N2005/91392
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 62
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for uniquely identifying a copy of a motion picture disposed on a media comprising the steps of: selecting a plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said plurality of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of said motion picture distinct from every other portion of said motion picture; defining a plurality of sequences within each of said plurality of motion picture scenes, each said sequence comprising a plurality of frames; selectively marking at least one of said plurality of sequences from each scene with a mark to collectively define a uniquely identifiable marking pattern; selecting a second plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said second plurality of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of said motion picture distinct from every other portion of said motion picture; defining a plurality of said sequences within each of said second plurality of motion picture scenes, each said sequence comprising a plurality of said frames; and selectively marking at least one of said plurality of sequences from each of said second plurality of scenes scene to repeat said uniquely identifiable marking pattern.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for uniquely identifying a copy of a motion picture disposed on a media comprising the steps of: selecting a plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said plurality of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of said motion picture distinct from every other portion of said motion picture; defining a plurality of sequences within each of said plurality of motion picture scenes, each said sequence comprising a plurality of frames; selectively marking at least one of said plurality of sequences from each scene with a mark to collectively define a uniquely identifiable marking pattern; selecting a second plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said second plurality of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of said motion picture distinct from every other portion of said motion picture; defining a plurality of said sequences within each of said second plurality of motion picture scenes, each said sequence comprising a plurality of said frames; and selectively marking at least one of said plurality of sequences from each of said second plurality of scenes scene to repeat said uniquely identifiable marking pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of selecting said motion picture scenes so that they are separated from each other by a buffer section of said motion picture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of selecting said plurality of motion picture scenes further comprises selectively identifying portions of said motion picture that include relatively little motion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of selecting said plurality of motion picture scenes further comprises selectively identifying portions of said motion picture that have at least one of lighting and coloration characteristics to enhance the visibility of said mark.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said selectively marking step is comprised of marking a plurality of consecutive frames in each said sequence that has been marked.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said selectively marking step is further comprised of marking at least one frame within each said sequence that has been marked.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein said selectively marking step comprises marking three consecutive frames within each said sequence that has been marked.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 6 further comprising the step of selecting said at least one marked frame to include a first frame appearing within each sequence that has been marked.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein said marking step further comprises modifying said media so that said mark is visible when an image associated with said frame is displayed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 9 further comprising the step of forming said mark as a constellation of dots.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 10 further comprising the step of assigning a uniquely identifiable constellation of dots to each of a plurality of production locations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 10 further comprising the step of forming each of said dots to have a profile corresponding to a predetermined shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 9 further comprising the step of selecting a color of said mark to enhance a contrast with an image associated with a frame.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of selecting said motion picture to have three of said scenes, each divided into twenty eight of said sequences, and each said sequence containing 12 of said frames.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of selecting said media to be film print.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 15 wherein said marking step is further comprised of physically forming said mark on at least one frame.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of selecting said medium to be a digital storage medium.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 17 wherein said marking step is further comprised of modifying a digital data on said digital storage medium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 18 wherein said modifying step is selected to cause said mark to appear within at least one image that is displayed during playback of said motion picture from said digital storage medium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein each of said sequences corresponds to a number and said selectively marking step further comprising marking respective ones of said sequences in each of said scenes so that the combination of the numbers of the sequences that are marked correspond to a film print identification number assigned to said copy.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of varying said marking pattern for each production copy of said motion picture so that no two copies of said motion picture have the same marking pattern.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
178 words
A security coded motion picture disposed on a media comprising: a plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said plurality of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of said motion picture distinct from every other portion of said motion picture; a plurality of sequences predefined within each of said plurality of motion picture scenes, each said sequence comprising a plurality of frames; a second plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said second plurality of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of said motion picture distinct from every other portion of said motion picture; a plurality of said sequences within each of said second plurality of motion picture scenes, each said sequence comprising a plurality of said frames; and wherein at least one of said plurality of sequences from each of said plurality of motion picture scenes includes a mark, said marked sequences collectively defining a uniquely identifiable marking pattern and at least one of said plurality of sequences from each of said second plurality of scenes is marked to repeat said uniquely identifiable marking pattern.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
178 words
A security coded motion picture disposed on a media comprising: a plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said plurality of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of said motion picture distinct from every other portion of said motion picture; a plurality of sequences predefined within each of said plurality of motion picture scenes, each said sequence comprising a plurality of frames; a second plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said second plurality of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of said motion picture distinct from every other portion of said motion picture; a plurality of said sequences within each of said second plurality of motion picture scenes, each said sequence comprising a plurality of said frames; and wherein at least one of said plurality of sequences from each of said plurality of motion picture scenes includes a mark, said marked sequences collectively defining a uniquely identifiable marking pattern and at least one of said plurality of sequences from each of said second plurality of scenes is marked to repeat said uniquely identifiable marking pattern.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 22 wherein each of said motion picture scenes are separated from each other by a buffer section of said motion picture.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 22 wherein said plurality of motion picture scenes is comprised of portions of said motion picture that include relatively little motion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 22 wherein said plurality of motion picture scenes have at least one of density, lighting and coloration characteristics selected to enhance the visibility of said mark.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 22 wherein each of said sequences that is marked comprises a plurality of consecutive marked frames.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 22 wherein each of said sequences that is marked is comprised of at least one marked frame.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 22 wherein each of said sequences that is marked is comprised of three consecutive frames that have been marked.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 27 wherein said at least one marked frame comprises at least a first frame appearing within said sequence that has been marked.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
38 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 27 wherein said marked frame comprises said mark superimposed on an image associated with said at least one frame so that said mark is visible when said image is displayed.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 30 wherein said mark is a constellation of dots.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 31 wherein said constellation of dots is exclusively associated with one of a plurality of production locations.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 31 wherein each of said dots to has a profile corresponding to a predetermined shape.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 30 wherein a color of said mark contrasts with an image associated with a frame to facilitate subsequent detection.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 22 wherein said motion picture contains at least three of said scenes, each divided into at least ten of said sequences, and each said sequence containing at least eight of said frames.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 22 wherein said media is a film print.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 36 wherein said mark comprises an image disposed on said film print.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 22 wherein said medium is a digital storage medium.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 38 wherein said digital data on said digital storage medium is modified to produce said marking.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
40 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 39 wherein said digital data is modified to cause said marking to appear within at least one image that is displayed during playback of said motion picture from said digital storage medium.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
47 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 22 wherein each of said sequences corresponds to a number and the combination of the numbers of the sequences that are marked correspond to a film print identification number assigned to a particular production copy of said motion picture.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
30 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 22 wherein said marking pattern for each copy of said motion picture is different for each production copy of said motion picture.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
186 words
An apparatus for uniquely identifying a copy of a motion picture disposed on a media comprising: means for selecting a plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said plurality of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of said motion picture distinct from every other portion of said motion picture; means for defining a plurality of sequences within each of said plurality of motion picture scenes, each said sequence comprising a plurality of frames; means for selectively marking at least one of said plurality of sequences from each scene to collectively define a uniquely identifiable marking pattern; means for selecting second plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said second plurality of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of said motion picture distinct from every other portion of said motion picture; means for defining a plurality of said sequences within each of said second plurality of motion picture scenes, each said sequence comprising a plurality of said frames; and means for selectively marking at least one of said plurality of sequences from each of said second plurality of scenes to repeat said uniquely identifiable pattern.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
186 words
An apparatus for uniquely identifying a copy of a motion picture disposed on a media comprising: means for selecting a plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said plurality of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of said motion picture distinct from every other portion of said motion picture; means for defining a plurality of sequences within each of said plurality of motion picture scenes, each said sequence comprising a plurality of frames; means for selectively marking at least one of said plurality of sequences from each scene to collectively define a uniquely identifiable marking pattern; means for selecting second plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said second plurality of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of said motion picture distinct from every other portion of said motion picture; means for defining a plurality of said sequences within each of said second plurality of motion picture scenes, each said sequence comprising a plurality of said frames; and means for selectively marking at least one of said plurality of sequences from each of said second plurality of scenes to repeat said uniquely identifiable pattern.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
195 words
An apparatus for uniquely identifying a copy of a motion picture disposed on a media comprising: means responsive to a user input identifying a plurality of motion picture scenes, for defining a plurality of sequences within each of said plurality of motion picture scenes, each said sequence comprising a plurality of frames; and means for selectively marking at least one of said plurality of sequences from each scene to collectively define a uniquely identifiable marking pattern; means responsive to a user input identifying a second plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said second plurality of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of said motion picture distinct from every other portion of said motion picture; means for defining a plurality of said sequences within each of said second plurality of motion picture scenes, each said sequence comprising a plurality of said frames; and selectively marking at least one of said plurality of sequences from each of said second plurality of scenes to repeat said uniquely identifiable marking pattern; wherein each of said plurality of motion picture scenes comprises an identifiable portion of said motion picture distinct from every other portion of said motion picture.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
195 words
An apparatus for uniquely identifying a copy of a motion picture disposed on a media comprising: means responsive to a user input identifying a plurality of motion picture scenes, for defining a plurality of sequences within each of said plurality of motion picture scenes, each said sequence comprising a plurality of frames; and means for selectively marking at least one of said plurality of sequences from each scene to collectively define a uniquely identifiable marking pattern; means responsive to a user input identifying a second plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said second plurality of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of said motion picture distinct from every other portion of said motion picture; means for defining a plurality of said sequences within each of said second plurality of motion picture scenes, each said sequence comprising a plurality of said frames; and selectively marking at least one of said plurality of sequences from each of said second plurality of scenes to repeat said uniquely identifiable marking pattern; wherein each of said plurality of motion picture scenes comprises an identifiable portion of said motion picture distinct from every other portion of said motion picture.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 44 wherein said means for selectively marking marks three consecutive frames within each said sequence that has been marked.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 44 wherein said means for selectively marking marks at least one frame in each of said sequences that are marked.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 46 wherein said at least one frame in each said sequence includes a first frame appearing within each said sequence.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 46 wherein said means for selectively marking modifies said media to cause a mark to be associated with each said frame that has been marked so that said mark is visible when said image is displayed.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
103 words
A security coded motion picture comprising: a motion picture recording comprised of a plurality of frames, each containing at least a portion of an image associated with said motion picture, at least one predetermined frame of said motion picture defining a reference point relative to which a plurality of other frames can be uniquely identified; and at least one of said frames containing a mark, a position of said at least one marked frame relative to said reference point uniquely identifying a particular production copy of said motion picture; wherein a plurality of said marked frames collectively define a uniquely identifiable marking pattern.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
103 words
A security coded motion picture comprising: a motion picture recording comprised of a plurality of frames, each containing at least a portion of an image associated with said motion picture, at least one predetermined frame of said motion picture defining a reference point relative to which a plurality of other frames can be uniquely identified; and at least one of said frames containing a mark, a position of said at least one marked frame relative to said reference point uniquely identifying a particular production copy of said motion picture; wherein a plurality of said marked frames collectively define a uniquely identifiable marking pattern.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
23 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 49 wherein each said marked frame is part of a series of consecutively marked frames.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
22 words
The security coded motion picture according to claim 50 wherein there are between two to ten marked frames in each said series.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for security coding a motion picture comprising: storing on a media a motion picture recording comprised of a plurality of frames, each containing at least a portion of an image associated with said motion picture; and selectively marking a plurality of said frames having an identifiable position relative to at least one predetermined reference point frame in said motion picture, with a predetermined mark, said position of said plurality of marked frames collectively uniquely identifying a particular production copy of said motion picture.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for security coding a motion picture comprising: storing on a media a motion picture recording comprised of a plurality of frames, each containing at least a portion of an image associated with said motion picture; and selectively marking a plurality of said frames having an identifiable position relative to at least one predetermined reference point frame in said motion picture, with a predetermined mark, said position of said plurality of marked frames collectively uniquely identifying a particular production copy of said motion picture.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 52 further comprising the step of forming each said marked frame as part of a series of consecutively marked frames.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 53 further comprising the step of forming from two to ten marked frames in each said series.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for security coding a motion picture comprising: means for storing on a media a motion picture recording comprised of a plurality of frames, each containing at least a portion of an image associated with said motion picture; and means for selectively marking a plurality of said frames having an identifiable position relative to at least one predetermined reference point frame in said motion picture, with a predetermined mark, said position of said plurality of marked frames collectively uniquely identifying a production copy of said motion picture.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for security coding a motion picture comprising: means for storing on a media a motion picture recording comprised of a plurality of frames, each containing at least a portion of an image associated with said motion picture; and means for selectively marking a plurality of said frames having an identifiable position relative to at least one predetermined reference point frame in said motion picture, with a predetermined mark, said position of said plurality of marked frames collectively uniquely identifying a production copy of said motion picture.
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