Tuesdays the USPTO issues new patents. Both of today's Spotlight Patents address various aspects of watermarking. Assigned to Sony, the first patent concerns techniques for providing content protection for digital video products. Assigned to IBM, the second patent concern techniques for generating watermark signals.
Abstract
A digital watermark is affixed to an existing image file prior to being copied onto a destination media. In one embodiment, the image file is encrypted using content scrambling system (CSS) encryption. In another embodiment, the image file is also compressed prior to being copied onto the destination digital video media. A unique identification code associated with an intended recipient may be embedded into the digital watermark. In one embodiment, this unique identification code is stored in a database, along with information particular to the intended recipient. In this fashion, the identity of the intended recipient of the destination digital video media may be determined.
7,461,256, "Generating watermark signals," assigned to IBM.
Abstract
A method for generating watermark signals to be embedded as a digital watermark in real-time contents wherein the method includes: inputting the real-time contents; storing the real-time contents; generating watermark signals corresponding to predicted intensities of the real-time contents from divided real-time contents; and storing the generated watermark signals to be outputted.
