Patent US7536555B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7536555B2
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US
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Methods for audio watermarking and decoding
Assignee: Digimarc Corp
•
Filing: 2006-01-03
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Granted: 2009-05-19
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Expires: 2026-01-03
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates generally to digital watermarking and steganographic embedding and decoding. One claim recites a method of decoding auxiliary data that has been embedded in an audio signal through modifications to the audio signal that are substantially imperceptible. The auxiliary data comprises bits of digital data and the bits being carried in a plurality of embedded code signals embedded in the audio signal, each of the plurality of embedded code signals corresponding to one or more bits in the auxiliary data. The method includes: extracting auxiliary data from a series of blocks of the audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks representing the auxiliary data differently as the embedded code signals conveying the same auxiliary data change over the blocks, and wherein extracting includes evaluating features of the blocks, the features being modulated to carry the auxiliary data; and using the auxiliary data from the series of blocks to increase statistical confidence of accurate recovery of the auxiliary data, the auxiliary data being separately decoded from the blocks and combined to increase the statistical confidence of recovery of the auxiliary data. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided as well.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey B. Rhoads
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:41
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/91; H04N5/913; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/12; G06Q20/123; G06Q20/1235; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/306; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/341; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/401; G06Q20/4014; G06Q20/40145; G06T; G06T1/00; G06T1/0021; G06T1/0028; G06T1/005; G06T1/0057; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/22; G07C9/25; G07C9/253; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/003; G07D7/0032; G07D7/004; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/26; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/086; G07F7/10; G07F7/1008; G07F7/1016; G07F7/12; G10; G10L; G10L19/00; G10L19/018; G10L19/02; G10L19/022; G11; G11B; G11B20/00; G11B20/00086; G11B20/00094; G11B20/00115; G11B20/00166; G11B20/00181; G11B20/0021; G11B20/00217; G11B20/00231; G11B20/00485; G11B20/00492; G11B20/00884; G11B20/00891; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/66; H04B1/665; H04N1/00; H04N1/00002; H04N1/00005; H04N1/00026; H04N1/00037; H04N1/00071; H04N1/00074; H04N1/00079; H04N1/32; H04N1/32101; H04N1/32128; H04N1/32144; H04N1/32149; H04N1/32203; H04N1/32208; H04N1/32229; H04N1/32251; H04N1/32288; G06T2201/00; G06T2201/005; G06T2201/0052; H04N2005/91307; H04N2005/91321; H04N2005/91335; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3201; H04N2201/3204; H04N2201/3205; H04N2201/3207; H04N2201/3225; H04N2201/3226; H04N2201/3233; H04N2201/3246; H04N2201/3249; H04N2201/3269; H04N2201/327; H04N2201/3271; H04N2201/3278; H04N2201/328; H04N7/00; H04N7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of decoding auxiliary data that has been embedded in an audio signal through modifications to the audio signal that are substantially imperceptible, the auxiliary data comprises bits of digital data and the bits being carried in a plurality of embedded code signals embedded in the audio signal, each of the plurality of embedded code signals corresponding to one or more bits in the auxiliary data, the method comprising: utilizing a multi-purpose processor programmed as an auxiliary data decoder, extracting auxiliary data from a series of blocks of the audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks represent the auxiliary data differently as the embedded code signals conveying the same auxiliary data change over the blocks, and in which the extracting includes utilizing the multi-purpose processor programmed as the auxiliary data decoder to evaluate features of the blocks, the features being modulated to carry the auxiliary data; and using the auxiliary data from the series of blocks to increase statistical confidence of accurate recovery of the auxiliary data, the auxiliary data being separately decoded from the blocks and combined to increase the statistical confidence of recovery of the auxiliary data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of decoding auxiliary data that has been embedded in an audio signal through modifications to the audio signal that are substantially imperceptible, the auxiliary data comprises bits of digital data and the bits being carried in a plurality of embedded code signals embedded in the audio signal, each of the plurality of embedded code signals corresponding to one or more bits in the auxiliary data, the method comprising: utilizing a multi-purpose processor programmed as an auxiliary data decoder, extracting auxiliary data from a series of blocks of the audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks represent the auxiliary data differently as the embedded code signals conveying the same auxiliary data change over the blocks, and in which the extracting includes utilizing the multi-purpose processor programmed as the auxiliary data decoder to evaluate features of the blocks, the features being modulated to carry the auxiliary data; and using the auxiliary data from the series of blocks to increase statistical confidence of accurate recovery of the auxiliary data, the auxiliary data being separately decoded from the blocks and combined to increase the statistical confidence of recovery of the auxiliary data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 including using reference data to calibrate detection of the auxiliary data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the reference data comprises a predetermined pseudorandom sequence.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the features comprise signal power calculated from the blocks.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein auxiliary data is conveyed using pseudo random carrier data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the pseudorandom carrier data is previously used to modify the features of the blocks to embed the auxiliary data in the blocks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A programmed computing device storing instructions in memory, said instructions are executable by said programmed computing device to perform the acts of claim 1 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A computer readable media comprising instructions stored thereon to cause a multi-purpose processor to perform the acts of claim 1 .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising obtaining the audio signal with a microphone, the audio signal representing an ambient audio signal carried by sound waves.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
237 words
A method of processing a digital audio signal comprising: utilizing a multi-purpose processor programmed as a steganographic encoder to perform the acts: altering the digital audio signal in accordance with an embedded signal so as to encode an auxiliary code therein; the digital audio signal, the altered audio signal, and the embedded signal each including a number of elements, each with an associated value, wherein an element of the altered audio signal has a value different than that of corresponding elements in both the digital audio and embedded signals, and wherein the auxiliary code and reference data are used to generate the embedded signal, the association between the embedded signal and the auxiliary code being indiscernible without availability of the reference data; modifying a feature of the audio signal using the reference data according to the auxiliary code to generate the embedded signal; adjusting the embedded signal according to characteristics of the digital audio signal such that the altered signal preserves aural information of the digital audio signal without human perceptible degradation; and repeating the auxiliary data in blocks of the audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks representing the auxiliary data differently as time varying embedded code signals conveying the same auxiliary data change over time in different blocks of the audio signal, wherein auxiliary data is separately decodable from the blocks of audio data using the time-varying embedded code signals.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
237 words
A method of processing a digital audio signal comprising: utilizing a multi-purpose processor programmed as a steganographic encoder to perform the acts: altering the digital audio signal in accordance with an embedded signal so as to encode an auxiliary code therein; the digital audio signal, the altered audio signal, and the embedded signal each including a number of elements, each with an associated value, wherein an element of the altered audio signal has a value different than that of corresponding elements in both the digital audio and embedded signals, and wherein the auxiliary code and reference data are used to generate the embedded signal, the association between the embedded signal and the auxiliary code being indiscernible without availability of the reference data; modifying a feature of the audio signal using the reference data according to the auxiliary code to generate the embedded signal; adjusting the embedded signal according to characteristics of the digital audio signal such that the altered signal preserves aural information of the digital audio signal without human perceptible degradation; and repeating the auxiliary data in blocks of the audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks representing the auxiliary data differently as time varying embedded code signals conveying the same auxiliary data change over time in different blocks of the audio signal, wherein auxiliary data is separately decodable from the blocks of audio data using the time-varying embedded code signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10 including providing calibration data in the embedded signal to facilitate decoding of the auxiliary code from the altered signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the calibration data comprises a pseudorandom signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 10 including embedding the auxiliary code in the audio signal repeatedly such that recovery of the auxiliary code from the altered audio signal is improved by combining elements of the embedded signal in a process of decoding the auxiliary code.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A computer readable media comprising instructions stored thereon to cause a multi-purpose processor to perform the acts of claim 10 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A programmed computing device storing instructions in memory, said instructions are executable by said programmed computing device to perform the acts of claim 10 .
Claim 18
Independent Claim
205 words
An apparatus comprising: electronic memory; and electronic processing circuitry for decoding auxiliary data that has been embedded in an audio signal through modifications to the audio signal that are substantially imperceptible, the auxiliary data comprises bits of digital data and the bits being carried in a plurality of embedded code signals embedded in the audio signal, each of the plurality of embedded code signals corresponding to one or more bits in the auxiliary; electronic processing circuitry for extracting auxiliary data from a series of blocks of the audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks represent the auxiliary data differently as the embedded code signals conveying the same auxiliary data changes over the blocks, and wherein the extracting includes evaluating features of the blocks, the features being modulated to carry the auxiliary data; and electronic processing circuitry operable to use the auxiliary data from the series of blocks to increase statistical confidence of accurate recovery of the auxiliary data, the auxiliary data being separately decoded from the blocks and combined to increase the statistical confidence of recovery of the auxiliary data; in which said electronic processing circuitry is in a state of execution performing at least one of the above functions.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
205 words
An apparatus comprising: electronic memory; and electronic processing circuitry for decoding auxiliary data that has been embedded in an audio signal through modifications to the audio signal that are substantially imperceptible, the auxiliary data comprises bits of digital data and the bits being carried in a plurality of embedded code signals embedded in the audio signal, each of the plurality of embedded code signals corresponding to one or more bits in the auxiliary; electronic processing circuitry for extracting auxiliary data from a series of blocks of the audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks represent the auxiliary data differently as the embedded code signals conveying the same auxiliary data changes over the blocks, and wherein the extracting includes evaluating features of the blocks, the features being modulated to carry the auxiliary data; and electronic processing circuitry operable to use the auxiliary data from the series of blocks to increase statistical confidence of accurate recovery of the auxiliary data, the auxiliary data being separately decoded from the blocks and combined to increase the statistical confidence of recovery of the auxiliary data; in which said electronic processing circuitry is in a state of execution performing at least one of the above functions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 16 in which the electronic processing circuitry is further operable to use reference data to calibrate detection of the auxiliary data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 17 in which the reference data comprises a predetermined pseudorandom sequence.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 16 in which the features comprise signal power calculated from the blocks.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 16 in which auxiliary data is conveyed using pseudo random carrier data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 20 in which the pseudorandom carrier data is previously used to modify the features of the blocks to embed the auxiliary data in the blocks.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 16 in which the electronic memory comprises data stored therein, the data representing the embedded audio signal.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
227 words
An apparatus comprising: electronic memory; and a multi-purpose computer processor programmed to: alter a digital audio signal in accordance with an embedded signal so as to encode an auxiliary code therein; the digital audio signal, the altered audio signal, and the embedded signal each including a number of elements, each with an associated value, wherein an element of the altered audio signal has a value different than that of corresponding elements in both the digital audio and embedded signals, and wherein the auxiliary code and reference data are used to generate the embedded signal, the association between the embedded signal and the auxiliary code being indiscernible without availability of the reference data; modify a feature of the audio signal using the reference data according to the auxiliary code to generate the embedded signal; adjust the embedded signal according to characteristics of the digital audio signal such that the altered signal preserves aural information of the digital audio signal without human perceptible degradation; and repeat the auxiliary data in blocks of the audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks representing the auxiliary data differently as time varying embedded code signals conveying the same auxiliary data change over time in different blocks of the audio signal, wherein auxiliary data is separately decodable from the blocks of audio data using the time-varying embedded code signals.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
227 words
An apparatus comprising: electronic memory; and a multi-purpose computer processor programmed to: alter a digital audio signal in accordance with an embedded signal so as to encode an auxiliary code therein; the digital audio signal, the altered audio signal, and the embedded signal each including a number of elements, each with an associated value, wherein an element of the altered audio signal has a value different than that of corresponding elements in both the digital audio and embedded signals, and wherein the auxiliary code and reference data are used to generate the embedded signal, the association between the embedded signal and the auxiliary code being indiscernible without availability of the reference data; modify a feature of the audio signal using the reference data according to the auxiliary code to generate the embedded signal; adjust the embedded signal according to characteristics of the digital audio signal such that the altered signal preserves aural information of the digital audio signal without human perceptible degradation; and repeat the auxiliary data in blocks of the audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks representing the auxiliary data differently as time varying embedded code signals conveying the same auxiliary data change over time in different blocks of the audio signal, wherein auxiliary data is separately decodable from the blocks of audio data using the time-varying embedded code signals.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 23 in which the multi-purpose computer processor is programmed to: provide calibration data in the embedded signal to facilitate decoding of the auxiliary code from the altered signal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 24 in which the calibration data comprises a pseudorandom signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 23 in which the multi-purpose computer processor is further programmed to: embed the auxiliary code in the audio signal repeatedly such that recovery of the auxiliary code from the altered audio signal is improved by combining elements of the embedded signal in a process of decoding the auxiliary code.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 23 in which the electronic memory comprises data stored therein, the data representing the embedded audio signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 23 in which said multi-purpose computer processor is in a state of execution performing at least one function recited in claim 23 .
Claim 33
Independent Claim
205 words
An apparatus comprising: electronic memory storing data representing an audio signal; and electronic processing circuitry decoding auxiliary data from the data representing the audio signal, the auxiliary data having been embedded in the audio signal through modifications to the audio signal that are substantially imperceptible, the auxiliary data comprises bits of digital data and the bits being carried in a plurality of embedded code signals embedded in the audio signal, each of the plurality of embedded code signals corresponding to one or more bits in the auxiliary data, the electronic processing circuitry also extracting auxiliary data from a series of blocks of the data representing the audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks represent the auxiliary data differently as the embedded code signals conveying the same auxiliary data change over the blocks, and in which the extracting includes evaluating features of the blocks, the features being modulated to carry the auxiliary data; and the electronic processing circuitry also utilizing the auxiliary data from the series of blocks to increase statistical confidence of accurate recovery of the auxiliary data, the auxiliary data being separately decoded from the blocks and combined to increase the statistical confidence of recovery of the auxiliary data.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
205 words
An apparatus comprising: electronic memory storing data representing an audio signal; and electronic processing circuitry decoding auxiliary data from the data representing the audio signal, the auxiliary data having been embedded in the audio signal through modifications to the audio signal that are substantially imperceptible, the auxiliary data comprises bits of digital data and the bits being carried in a plurality of embedded code signals embedded in the audio signal, each of the plurality of embedded code signals corresponding to one or more bits in the auxiliary data, the electronic processing circuitry also extracting auxiliary data from a series of blocks of the data representing the audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks represent the auxiliary data differently as the embedded code signals conveying the same auxiliary data change over the blocks, and in which the extracting includes evaluating features of the blocks, the features being modulated to carry the auxiliary data; and the electronic processing circuitry also utilizing the auxiliary data from the series of blocks to increase statistical confidence of accurate recovery of the auxiliary data, the auxiliary data being separately decoded from the blocks and combined to increase the statistical confidence of recovery of the auxiliary data.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the electronic processing circuitry comprises recognition signal processing circuitry.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 29 further comprising a microphone to capture an audio signal, wherein the data corresponds the audio signal.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
235 words
An apparatus comprising: electronic memory storing data representing a digital audio signal; and a multi-purpose processor programmed to: alter the digital audio signal in accordance with an embedded signal so as to encode an auxiliary code therein; the digital audio signal, the altered audio signal, and the embedded signal each including a number of elements, each with an associated value, wherein an element of the altered audio signal has a value different than that of corresponding elements of the altered audio signal and embedded signals, and in which the auxiliary code and reference data are used to generate the embedded signal, the association between the embedded signal and the auxiliary code being indiscernible without availability of the reference data; modify a feature of the audio signal using the reference data according to the auxiliary code to generate the embedded signal; adjust the embedded signal according to characteristics of the digital audio signal such that the altered signal preserves aural information of the digital audio signal without human perceptible degradation; and repeat the auxiliary data in blocks of the audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks representing the auxiliary data differently as the time varying embedded code signals conveying the same auxiliary data change over time in different blocks of the audio signal, wherein auxiliary data is separately decodable from the blocks of audio data using the time-varying embedded code signals.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
235 words
An apparatus comprising: electronic memory storing data representing a digital audio signal; and a multi-purpose processor programmed to: alter the digital audio signal in accordance with an embedded signal so as to encode an auxiliary code therein; the digital audio signal, the altered audio signal, and the embedded signal each including a number of elements, each with an associated value, wherein an element of the altered audio signal has a value different than that of corresponding elements of the altered audio signal and embedded signals, and in which the auxiliary code and reference data are used to generate the embedded signal, the association between the embedded signal and the auxiliary code being indiscernible without availability of the reference data; modify a feature of the audio signal using the reference data according to the auxiliary code to generate the embedded signal; adjust the embedded signal according to characteristics of the digital audio signal such that the altered signal preserves aural information of the digital audio signal without human perceptible degradation; and repeat the auxiliary data in blocks of the audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks representing the auxiliary data differently as the time varying embedded code signals conveying the same auxiliary data change over time in different blocks of the audio signal, wherein auxiliary data is separately decodable from the blocks of audio data using the time-varying embedded code signals.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 32 in which the digital audio signal represents an audio signal carried by sound waves.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
208 words
An apparatus comprising: a microphone for capturing an audio signal carried by sound waves; electronic memory for buffering a digital audio signal representing at least a portion of the audio signal captured by said microphone; and a multi-purpose processor configured to: decode auxiliary data from the digital audio signal, the auxiliary data having been embedded in the audio signal through modifications to the audio signal that are substantially imperceptible, the auxiliary data comprises bits of digital data and the bits being carried in a plurality of embedded code signals embedded in the audio signal, each of the plurality of embedded code signals corresponding to one or more bits in the auxiliary data; extract auxiliary data from a series of blocks of the digital audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks represent the auxiliary data change over the blocks, and in which the function to extract includes evaluating features of the blocks, the features being modulated to carry the auxiliary data; and utilize the auxiliary data from the series of blocks to increase statistical confidence of accurate recovery of the auxiliary data, the auxiliary data being separately decoded from the blocks and combined to increase the statistical confidence of recovery of the auxiliary data.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
208 words
An apparatus comprising: a microphone for capturing an audio signal carried by sound waves; electronic memory for buffering a digital audio signal representing at least a portion of the audio signal captured by said microphone; and a multi-purpose processor configured to: decode auxiliary data from the digital audio signal, the auxiliary data having been embedded in the audio signal through modifications to the audio signal that are substantially imperceptible, the auxiliary data comprises bits of digital data and the bits being carried in a plurality of embedded code signals embedded in the audio signal, each of the plurality of embedded code signals corresponding to one or more bits in the auxiliary data; extract auxiliary data from a series of blocks of the digital audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks represent the auxiliary data change over the blocks, and in which the function to extract includes evaluating features of the blocks, the features being modulated to carry the auxiliary data; and utilize the auxiliary data from the series of blocks to increase statistical confidence of accurate recovery of the auxiliary data, the auxiliary data being separately decoded from the blocks and combined to increase the statistical confidence of recovery of the auxiliary data.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 34 in which said multi-purpose processor is in a state of execution to perform at least one of the recited functions.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising an analog-to-digital converter for converting audio signals carried by sound waves into digital audio signals.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
219 words
An apparatus comprising: a microphone for capturing an audio signal carried by sound waves; electronic memory for buffering a digital audio signal representing at least a portion of the audio signal captured by said microphone; and electronic processing circuitry configured to: decode auxiliary data from the digital audio signal, the auxiliary data having been embedded in the audio signal through modifications to the audio signal that are substantially imperceptible, the auxiliary data comprises bits of digital data and the bits being carried in a plurality of embedded code signals embedded in the audio signal, each of the plurality of embedded code signals corresponding to one or more bits in the auxiliary data; extract auxiliary data from a series of blocks of the digital audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks represent the auxiliary data differently as the embedded code signals conveying the same auxiliary data change over the blocks, and in which the function to extract includes evaluating features of the blocks, the features being modulated to carry the auxiliary data; and utilize the auxiliary data from the series of blocks to increase statistical confidence of accurate recovery of the auxiliary data, the auxiliary data being separately decoded from the blocks and combined to increase the statistical confidence of recovery of the auxiliary data.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
219 words
An apparatus comprising: a microphone for capturing an audio signal carried by sound waves; electronic memory for buffering a digital audio signal representing at least a portion of the audio signal captured by said microphone; and electronic processing circuitry configured to: decode auxiliary data from the digital audio signal, the auxiliary data having been embedded in the audio signal through modifications to the audio signal that are substantially imperceptible, the auxiliary data comprises bits of digital data and the bits being carried in a plurality of embedded code signals embedded in the audio signal, each of the plurality of embedded code signals corresponding to one or more bits in the auxiliary data; extract auxiliary data from a series of blocks of the digital audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks represent the auxiliary data differently as the embedded code signals conveying the same auxiliary data change over the blocks, and in which the function to extract includes evaluating features of the blocks, the features being modulated to carry the auxiliary data; and utilize the auxiliary data from the series of blocks to increase statistical confidence of accurate recovery of the auxiliary data, the auxiliary data being separately decoded from the blocks and combined to increase the statistical confidence of recovery of the auxiliary data.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 37 in which said electronic processing circuitry is in a state of execution to perform at least one of the recited functions.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising an analog-to-digital converter for converting audio signals carried by sound waves into digital audio signals.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
218 words
An apparatus comprising: means for capturing an audio signal carried by sound waves; means for buffering a digital audio signal representing at least a portion of the audio signal captured by said means for capturing; and means for decoding auxiliary data from the digital audio signal, the auxiliary data having been embedded in the audio signal through modifications to the audio signal that are substantially imperceptible, the auxiliary data comprises bits of digital data and the bits being carried in a plurality of embedded code signals embedded in the audio signal, each of the plurality of embedded code signals corresponding to one or more bits in the auxiliary data; means for extracting auxiliary data from a series of blocks of the digital audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks represent the auxiliary data differently as the embedded code signals conveying the same auxiliary data change over the blocks, and in which the extracting includes evaluating features of the blocks, the features being modulated to carry the auxiliary data; and means for utilizing the auxiliary data from the series of blocks to increase statistical confidence of accurate recovery of the auxiliary data, the auxiliary data being separately decoded from the blocks and combined to increase the statistical confidence of recovery of the auxiliary data.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
218 words
An apparatus comprising: means for capturing an audio signal carried by sound waves; means for buffering a digital audio signal representing at least a portion of the audio signal captured by said means for capturing; and means for decoding auxiliary data from the digital audio signal, the auxiliary data having been embedded in the audio signal through modifications to the audio signal that are substantially imperceptible, the auxiliary data comprises bits of digital data and the bits being carried in a plurality of embedded code signals embedded in the audio signal, each of the plurality of embedded code signals corresponding to one or more bits in the auxiliary data; means for extracting auxiliary data from a series of blocks of the digital audio signal, the blocks conveying the same auxiliary data, yet the blocks represent the auxiliary data differently as the embedded code signals conveying the same auxiliary data change over the blocks, and in which the extracting includes evaluating features of the blocks, the features being modulated to carry the auxiliary data; and means for utilizing the auxiliary data from the series of blocks to increase statistical confidence of accurate recovery of the auxiliary data, the auxiliary data being separately decoded from the blocks and combined to increase the statistical confidence of recovery of the auxiliary data.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 40 further comprising means for converting audio signals carried by sound waves to digital audio signals.
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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) | 2012-05-18 | 2012-11-17 | 2013-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2016-05-18 | 2016-11-17 | 2017-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2020-05-18 | 2020-11-17 | 2021-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |