On Thursdays the USPTO publishes new pending patent applications. Both of today's Spotlight Applications concern aspects of digital fingerprinting. Assigned to IBM, the first application discloses techniques for verifying licenses of musical recordings with multiple soundtracks. Assigned to Dolby, the second application discloses techniques for associating information with a portion of media content.
20120102061, "Verifying licenses of musical recordings with multiple soundtracks," assigned to IBM.
Abstract
Distinguishing the background musical soundtrack from a secondary musical soundtrack of a licensed musical recording; mapping a sequential pattern of background musical fingerprints for the background musical soundtrack of the licensed recording; mapping a sequential pattern of secondary musical fingerprints for the secondary musical soundtrack of the licensed recording; and storing the background musical fingerprint patterns and the secondary musical fingerprint patterns in a database of licensed musical recordings.
20120099760, "Associating information with a portion of media content," assigned to Dolby.
Abstract
A media fingerprint is derived from a portion of media content. Information is associated with the media content portion based on the derived media fingerprint. Upon linking to the associated information, the associated content is presented with the media content portion. The media fingerprint includes a unique representation of the media content portion that is derived from a characteristic component of the media content portion. The media content may comprise an original instance of content or a derivative instance of the original content.
