On Thursdays the USPTO publishes new pending patent applications. Assigned to Thomson Licensing, both of today's Spotlight Applications deal with aspects of watermarking. The first application addresses techniques for watermarking films. The second application addresses techniques for digital watermarking.
20090079809, "System and Method for Film Watermarking," assigned to Thomson Licensing, LLC.
Abstract
A system and method for watermarking a film includes a light source array including one or more light sources having light directed toward a film to be watermarked. A control mechanism is configured to synchronize a position of the film with the light sources such that the light sources are activated to record a watermark on the film to identify an aspect of the film, wherein the watermark includes a plurality of spots aligned transversely to a direction of film motion during printing of the film.
20090080689, "Watermarking Encoded Content," assigned to Thomson Licensing, LLC.
Abstract
A system and method are described for inserting a watermark in encoded content, including receiving encoded content, receiving at least one pre-processed watermark unit, and replacing directly a number of bits starting at a position in the encoded content with an alternative value, wherein the alternative value has embedded therein watermark signals, wherein the alternative value is selected from among a plurality of alternative values specified in the at least one said watermark unit. An apparatus and method for generating watermark units are also described including selecting a position where a value in encoded content is to be replaced by an alternative value and calculating the alternative value a plurality of alternative values for each selected position. Further a system and method for replacing a watermark in encoded content are also described including receiving encoded content, receiving at least one pre-processed watermark unit and replacing a number of bits starting at a position in the encoded content with a value, wherein the value is specified in the at least one watermark unit.
Abstract
A system and method for watermarking a film includes a light source array including one or more light sources having light directed toward a film to be watermarked. A control mechanism is configured to synchronize a position of the film with the light sources such that the light sources are activated to record a watermark on the film to identify an aspect of the film, wherein the watermark includes a plurality of spots aligned transversely to a direction of film motion during printing of the film.
20090080689, "Watermarking Encoded Content," assigned to Thomson Licensing, LLC.
Abstract
A system and method are described for inserting a watermark in encoded content, including receiving encoded content, receiving at least one pre-processed watermark unit, and replacing directly a number of bits starting at a position in the encoded content with an alternative value, wherein the alternative value has embedded therein watermark signals, wherein the alternative value is selected from among a plurality of alternative values specified in the at least one said watermark unit. An apparatus and method for generating watermark units are also described including selecting a position where a value in encoded content is to be replaced by an alternative value and calculating the alternative value a plurality of alternative values for each selected position. Further a system and method for replacing a watermark in encoded content are also described including receiving encoded content, receiving at least one pre-processed watermark unit and replacing a number of bits starting at a position in the encoded content with a value, wherein the value is specified in the at least one watermark unit.
