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Patent 2337005 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2337005
(54) English Title: A METHOD FOR INCREASING THE FUNCTIONALITY OF A MEDIA PLAYER/RECORDER DEVICE OR AN APPLICATION PROGRAM
(54) French Title: AUGMENTATION DE LA FONCTIONNALITE D'UN LECTEUR-ENREGISTREUR DE SUPPORT OU D'UN PROGRAMME D'APPLICATION
Status: Dead
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • G06F 13/00 (2006.01)
  • G06T 1/00 (2006.01)
  • H04N 5/913 (2006.01)
  • G11B 20/00 (2006.01)
  • G06K 9/00 (2006.01)
  • G06F 21/00 (2006.01)
  • H04L 9/00 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • COX, INGEMAR J. (United States of America)
  • MILLER, MATTHEW L. (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • NEC CORPORATION (Japan)
(71) Applicants :
  • SIGNAFY, INC. (United States of America)
(74) Agent: OSLER, HOSKIN & HARCOURT LLP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(86) PCT Filing Date: 1999-08-26
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 2000-11-23
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/US1999/019486
(87) International Publication Number: WO2000/070539
(85) National Entry: 2001-01-10

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
09/310,409 United States of America 1999-05-12
09/339,541 United States of America 1999-06-24

Abstracts

English Abstract




A method for utilizing a title signal contained in data through a comparison
of the title signal to a player signal stored in a player device is provided.
The method includes the steps of: providing data (102) having the title
signal; detecting (104, 206), at the player device, the title signal in the
data; comparing (110, 214) the title signal to the player signal stored at the
player device; and performing (114) an action based upon the comparison. The
action is performed if the title signal matches (112) the player signal, and
the action is to inform the device user of the match and the winning of a
prize. In another preferred implementation, the title signal is a subsignal of
a watermark signal encoded in the digital data, in which case the method
further comprises the steps of: extracting the watermark signal from the
digital data; and decoding the subsignal.


French Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé visant l'utilisation d'un signal de titres contenu dans des données par comparaison du signal de titre au signal de lecteur stocké dans un lecteur. Ce procédé comporte plusieurs opérations: disposer de données (102) pourvue d'un signal de titre; détection (104, 206), au niveau du lecteur, du signal de titre dans les données; comparaison (110, 214) du signal de titre au signal de lecteur stocké au niveau du lecteur; et accomplissement (114) d'une action en fonction de la comparaison. L'action sera, si le signal de titre concorde (112) avec le signal de lecteur, d'informer l'utilisateur du lecteur qu'il y a concordance et qu'il a gagné un prix. Selon une autre réalisation, le signal de titre est un sous-signal de filigrane codé dans les données numériques, auquel cas, le procédé comporte des opérations supplémentaires: extraction du signal de filigrane des données numériques; et décodage du sous-signal.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.





WHAT IS CLAIMED IS


1. A method for utilizing a title signal contained
in data through a comparison of the title signal to a
player signal stored in a player device, the method
comprising the steps of:
providing data having the title signal;
detecting, at the player device, the title
signal in the data:
comparing the title signal to the player signal
stored at the player device; and
performing an action based upon the comparison.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is
digital data.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the player
signal is indicative of an attribute of the device,
device user, data, or data owner.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the title signal
is a watermark signal, or a subsignal thereof, encoded in
the digital data, wherein the method further comprises
the steps of:
extracting the watermark signal from the
digital data; and
decoding the watermark signal or subsignal
thereof.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the watermark
signal contains a copy protection subsignal of a
predetermined number of bits, the title signal being a



-21-




portion of the predetermined number of bits unused by the
copy protection subsignal.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the copy
protection signal is eight bits, four of which are
utilized for copy protection information and a subset of
the four remaining bits are used to encode the title
signal.
The method of claim 6, wherein all four
remaining bits are used to encode the title signal.
8. The method of claim 2, wherein the digital data
is digital video data.
9. The method of claim 2, wherein the digital data
is digital audio data.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the action is
performed if the title signal matches the player signal.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the action is
to inform the device user of the match and at least one
consequence thereof.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the consequence is
informing the user of the winning of a prize.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the data is digital
video data and the consequence is allowing a hidden video
chapter to be viewed.



-22-




14. The method of claim 11, wherein the data is digital
audio data and the consequence is allowing a hidden audio
track to be heard.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the action is to
inform the device user of the match and of the player
signal, or an encrypted version thereof.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step
of confirming, at a third party, that the title signal
matches the player signal for preventing fraudulent
claims.
17. The method of claim 3, wherein the player signal is
indicative of the device user's name, device user's
address, device user's social security number, device's
serial number, manufacturer's id, and or device's model
number.
18. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of
encoding the title signal in a time varying manner.
19. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of
inputting the player signal to the player device prior to
the comparing step.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the inputting step is
carried out by a remote control device remotely linked to
the player device, the player device having or being
connected to a viewing means for viewing the input of the
attributes.



-23-




21. The method of claim 19, wherein the player device is
a DVD player having a remote control device linked
thereto, the DVD player further being connected to a
monitor for viewing the input attributes.
22. The method of claim 10, wherein perfect matching
between the title signal and player signal is necessary
in order to perform the action.
23. The method of claim 10, wherein imperfect or
approximate matching between the title signal and player
signal is permitted in order to perform the action.
24. The method of claim 10, wherein the title signal and
player signal contain at least two fields, each field
comprising a group of bits, wherein matching of fields
between the title signal and player signal is permitted
in order to perform the action.
25. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one title
signal which when compared to the player signal evokes
the performance of the action, is sold to a co-marketing
company.
26. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one title
signal which when compared to the player signal evokes
the performance of the action, is chosen to match at
least one targeted demographic group.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein demographic
information relating to the targeted demographic group is
sold to advertisers.



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28. The method of claim 1, wherein the action is
performed if the title signal matches the player signal
and the action is to inform the device user of the match
and contact information for communicating with a third
party in order to determine a prize.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the third party
requests and collects additional information to determine
the prize.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is digital
data and wherein the providing step comprises:
downloading the digital data having the title signal
via an Internet connection; and
transferring the downloaded digital data to the
player device.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the digital data is
streaming audio or video data.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the player device is
a personal computer and the transferring step comprises
storing the downloaded data to a recordable medium
readable by the player device.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the detecting,
comparing and performing steps are performed after the
storing step is completed.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the detecting,
comparing and performing steps are performed after the
downloaded digital data is partially stored such that the

-25-


title signal is available for use in the method before
the storing step is completed.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein the player device is
a personal computer and at least the detecting step is
performed in real time as the digital data is downloaded.

36. A player device for utilizing a title signal
contained in data through a comparison of the title
signal to a player signal stored at the player device,
the device comprising:
means for providing data having the title signal;
means for detecting the title signal in the data;
a memory for storing the player signal;
means for comparing the title signal to the player
signal; and
means for performing an action based upon the
comparison.

37. The device of claim 36, wherein the data is digital
data.

38. The device of claim 36, wherein the player signal is
indicative of an attribute of the device, device user,
digital data, or digital data owner.

39. The device of claim 37, wherein the title signal is a
watermark signal, or subsignal thereof, encoded in the
digital data, wherein the device further comprises:
means for extracting the watermark signal from the
digital data; and

-26-


means for decoding the watermark signal or subsignal
thereof.

40. The device of claim 39, wherein the watermark signal
contains a copy protection subsignal of a predetermined
number of bits, the title signal being a portion of the
predetermined number of bits unused by the copy
protection subsignal.

41. The device of claim 40, wherein the copy protection
subsignal is eight bits, four of which are utilized for
copy protection information and a subset of the four
remaining bits are used to encode the title signal.

42. The device of claim 41, wherein all four remaining
bits are used to encode the title signal.

43. The device of claim 36, wherein the digital data is
digital video data.

44. The device of claim 36, wherein the digital data is
digital audio data.

45. The device of claim 36, wherein the action is
performed if the title signal matches the player signal.

46. The device of claim 45, wherein the action is to
inform the device user of the match.

47. The device of claim 45, wherein the action is to
inform the device user of the match and at least one
consequence thereof.

-27-


48. The device of claim 47, wherein the consequence is
informing the user of the winning of a prize.

49. The device. of claim 47, wherein the data is digital
video data and the consequence is allowing a hidden video
chapter to be viewed.

50. The device of claim 47, wherein the data is digital
audio data and the consequence is allowing a hidden audio
track to be heard.

51. The device of claim 47, wherein the action is to
inform the device user of the match and of the player
signal, or an encrypted version thereof.

52. The device of claim 51, further comprising the step
of confirming, at a third party that the title signal
matches the player signal for preventing fraudulent
claims.

53. The device of claim 38, wherein the player signal is
indicative of the device user's name, device user's
address, device user's social security number, device's
serial number, manufacturer's id, and or device's model
number.

54. The device of claim 36, further comprising means for
encoding the title signal in a time varying manner.

55. The device of claim 38, further comprising inputting
means for inputting the attributes to the device prior to
comparing the title signal to the player signal.

-28-


56. The device of claim 55, wherein the inputting means
comprises a remote control device remotely linked to the
device, the device having or being connected to a viewing
means for viewing the input of the attributes.

57. The device of claim 56, wherein the device is a DVD
player having a remote control device linked thereto, and
wherein the viewing means is a monitor connected to the
DVD player.

58. The device of claim 45, wherein perfect matching
between the title signal and player signal is necessary
in order to perform the action.

59. The device of claim 45, wherein imperfect or
approximate matching between the title signal and player
signal is permitted in order to perform the action.

60. The device of claim 45, wherein the title signal and
player signal contain at least two fields, each field
comprising a group of bits, wherein matching of fields
between the title signal and player signal is permitted
in order to perform the action.

61. The device of claim 36, wherein at least one title
signal which when compared to the player signal evokes
the performance of the action, is sold to a co-marketing
company.

62. The device of claim 42, wherein at least one title
signal which when compared to the player signal evokes

-29-


the performance of the action, is chosen to match at
least one targeted demographic group.

63. The device of claim 62, wherein demographic
information relating to the targeted demographic group is
sold to advertisers.

64. The device of claim 36, wherein the action is
performed if the title signal matches the player signal
and the action is to inform the device user of the match
and contact information for communicating with a third
party in order to determine a prize.

65. The device of claim 64, wherein the third party
requests and collects additional information to determine
the prize.

66. The method of claim 1, wherein the title signal is
contained in a computer readable set of instructions
wherein the title signal is compared to the player signal
stored in, or available from, a personal computer.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the computer readable
set of instructions having the title signal contained
therein is provided to the personal computer by
downloading via an Internet connection.

68. The method of claim 66, wherein the player signal is
embedded within the computer readable set of
instructions.

-30-


69. The method of claim 66, wherein the detecting step
comprises computing the player signal from the
information available from the personal computer.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein the information
available from the personal computer is selected from a
group consisting of, a processor identification number, a
system clock time and/or date, an Ethernet address, a
registration,number, and personal information about a
registered user of the personal computer.

71. The method of claim 66, wherein the comparing step is
performed by a subset of instructions contained within
the computer readable set of instructions.

72. The method of claim 66, wherein the computer readable
set of instructions represents an application program
executable by the personal computer, wherein the personal
computer has an operating system for launching the
application, and wherein the detecting step is performed
by the operating system.

73. The method of claim 66, wherein the operating system
also performs the comparing and/or performing steps.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the operating system
passes the title and/or player signal to the application
for performance of the comparing and/or performing steps.

75. The method of claim 66, further comprising the step
of expiring the player signal after a predetermined time

-31-


such that it is no longer useful for comparison to the
title signal.

76. The method. of claim 75, further comprising the step
of updating the player signal by purchasing a new player
signal for comparison to the title signal.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the new player signal
is purchased as part of an upgrade for the computer
readable set of instructions.

78. A method for utilizing a title signal contained in
digital data and a player signal stored in a player
device, the method comprising the steps of:
encrypting the title signal using a private key;
detecting, at the player device, the title signal in
the data;
decrypting the encrypted title signal using the
player signal as the private key;
determining if the result of the decryption step
results in the title signal; and
performing an action based upon the determination.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein the action is
performed if the result of the decryption results in the
title signal.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein the action is to
inform the device user of the determination and at least
one consequence thereof.

-32-


81. The method of claim 80, wherein the consequence is
informing the user of the winning of a prize.

82. A method for increasing the functionality of a player
device which displays digital image data or emits digital
audio data having a watermark signal embedded therein,
the method comprising the steps of:
detecting, at the player device, the watermark signal
in the data;
extracting a title signal from the watermark signal;
decoding the title signal;
comparing the title signal to a player signal stored
at the player device indicative of an attribute of the
device, device user, data, or data owner; and
informing the device user of the winning of a prize
if the title signal matches the player signal.

83. A player device with increased functionality, the
player device displaying digital image data or emitting
digital audio data having a watermark signal embedded
therein, the player device comprising:
means for detecting, at the player device, the
watermark signal in the data;
means for extracting a title signal from the
watermark signal;
means for decoding the title signal;
a memory for storing a player signal indicative of an
attribute of the device, device user, data, or data
owner; and
means for comparing the title signal to the player
signal; and

-33-


means for informing the device user of the winning of
a prize if the title signal matches the player signal.

-34-

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.



CA 02337005 2001-O1-10
WO OOI70539 PCT/US99/19486
A METHOD FOR INCREASING THE FUNCTIONALITY OF A MEDIA
PLAYER/RECORDER DEVICE OR AN APPLICATION PROGRAM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a
method for increasing the functionality of a media
player/recorder device and, more particularly, to a
]0 method utilizing a title signal contained in digital
data, encoded as a subsignal of a digital watermark
signal contained in the digital data, or contained within
or part of an application program.
2. Prior Art
There is considerable interest in applying
watermarking as a complimentary technology to encryption
for copy protection of content on DVD video discs. It is
currently proposed to insert 4-bits of copy control
information. The first 2-bits indicate the copy
permission associated with the content, i.e., free-to-
copy, copy-once, copy-no-more and never-copy. The other
2-bits are used to control the associated analog copy
protection system that prevents VHS recording of copy-no-
more and copy-never material. The watermark is expected
M,.
to code these 4-bits of information and 4 additional bits
whose use is not yet defined.
In order for the copy protection system to
work, all DVD recorders- preferably all (digital) video
recorders - must have watermark detector circuitry that
detects a watermark in the video and prevents the


CA 02337005 2001-O1-10
WO 00/70539 PCT/US99/19486
compliant DVD player or recorder from performing an
illegal action, e.g., recording a copy-never movie. The
cost of this detector may be small and is borne by the
equipment manufacturers, despite the fact that there is
no direct benefit to said manufacturers. In fact, adding
copy generation control to DVD players and recorders not
only costs manufacturers money but also reduces the
functionality of the devices in the view of the consumer,
i.e. consumers want to make copies of movies. Of course,
both the equipment manufacturer and the consumer
indirectly benefit, since without adequate copy
protection technology, content owners would not publish
their content on this media.
Nevertheless, consumers would like to copy pre-
recorded content, and equipment manufacturers are
therefore not inclined to install copy protection
mechanisms in general and watermark detectors in
particular. Thus, legislative and licensing mechanisms
are being considered in order to compel the incorporation
of copy protection schemes. While such measures are
likely to be reasonably successful, it is nevertheless
clear that equipment manufactures will only do the
minimum necessary to meet their legal obligations.
Ideally, content owners would like to have a
copy protection scheme that included increased
functionality such that manufacturers and consumers would
actually seek out such devices rather than non-compliant
devices. Clearly, if a consumer is not permitted to make
G copy of a movie, then some other functionality must be
provided to compensate for this limitation.
-2-


CA 02337005 2001-O1-10
WO 00/70539 PCT/US99/19486
Content owners of electronic books and software
are faced with similar problems with regard to providing
an incentive for consumers to purchase upgrades or new
versions of their products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore it is an object of the present
invention to provide a method in which a copy protection
scheme adds increased functionality to a player and/or
IO recorder device or to an application program.
It is a further object of the present invention
to provide a method in which a player and/or recorder
device having a copy protection scheme is sought after by
IS manufacturers and consumers of the device.
Accordingly, a method for utilizing a "title
signal" contained.in multiple copies of a title is
proposed. Here, title refers to the title of digital
20 content data, for example a movie, such as "Waterworld",
and the multiple copies refer to say, each copy of the
movie that is replicated onto a DVD disk or downloaded to
a personal computer via an Internet connection. When a
copy of a title is played, the title signal is compared
25 with a player signal previously stored in a player
device. The data includes digital image, video (both of
which are hereinafter referred to as image data), audio
data, and multimedia data. The method comprises the
steps of: providing data having the title signal;
30 detecting, at the player device, the title signal in the
data: comparing the title signal to the player signal
-3-


CA 02337005 2001-O1-10
WO 00/70539 PCT/US99/19486
stored at the player device; and performing an action
based upon the comparison.
In a preferred implementation, the action is
S performed if the title signal matches the player signal,
and an action is to notify the device user of the match
and the winning of a prize. Other actions are also
possible, including allowing the user to view hidden
video chapters of the movie or hidden audio tracks. Any
action that a user perceives as valuable is a candidate
action.
In another preferred implementation, the title
signal is a subsignal of a watermark signal encoded in
IS the digital data, in which case the method further
comprises the steps of: extracting the watermark signal
from the digital data; and decoding the subsignal.
In yet another preferred implementation, the
title signal is a subsignal of the copy control watermark
signal encoded in the digital data,.in which case the
method further comprises the steps of: extracting the
watermark signal from the digital data; and decoding the
subsignal. The benefit of this arrangement is that while
the copy control watermark may inhibit illegal recording
and playback, it also provides added functionality that
outweighs its perceived disadvantage. Consequently, users
will actively desire compliant-devices. Of course, the
method described need not be technologically coupled to
the copy control watermark, but instead, might be coupled
by licensing means.
-4-


CA 02337005 2001-O1-10
WO 00/70539 PCT/US99/19486
In another preferred implementation of the
present invention, there is provided a method for
increasing the functionality of a player device which
displays digital image data or emits digital audio data
having a watermark signal embedded therein. The method
comprises the steps of: detecting, at the player device,
the watermark signal in the data; extracting a title
signal from the watermark signal; decoding the title
signal; comparing the title signal to a player signal
stored at the player device indicative of an attribute of
the device, device user, data, or data owner; and
informing the device user of the winning of a prize if
the title signal matches the player signal.
In another embodiment of the present invention,
a method for utilizing a title signal contained in
digital data through a comparison of the title signal to
a player signal stored in, or available from, a personal
computer is provided. The method comprises the steps of:
providing the digital data having the title signal;
detecting, at the personal computer, the title signal in
the data: comparing the title signal to the player
signal; and performing an action based upon the
comparison.
In yet another embodiment of the present
invention, the title signal is contained in or is part of
a computer readable set of instructions (hereinafter
alternatively referred to as a computer program which
includes an application program or an operating system)
running on a machine capable of reading the set of
instructions (hereinafter alternatively referred to as a
-5-


CA 02337005 2001-O1-10
WO 00/70539 PCT/US99/19486
personal computer) where the computer readable set of
instructions is accessed from a variety of possible
sources including memory, hard disk, CD and/or DVD drives
or the Internet.
When Internet distribution is used, it is
relatively straightforward to encode different Title
signals in different copies of the same title. This is in
contrast to DVD disks, where the replication process
makes this more difficult. Furthermore, different
matching algorithms and/or actions can be download along
with the video, thereby providing much greater
flexibility than for stand-alone players and recorders.
Title numbers need not be restricted to image,
audio or multimedia data when used in conjunction with a
PC. In fact, for example, any application program can be
assigned a title number. When the application program is
run, the program compares its title number to a player
number contained within or from information available at
the P.C. and acts accordingly.
In still yet another embodiment of the present
invention, the data for an application program can
contain the title number which is compared to the player
number. For example, a document might have a title number
which is read by a word processing application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF- TFiE DRAWINGS
These and other features, aspects, and
advantages of the methods of the present invention will
become better understood with regard to the following
-G-


CA 02337005 2001-O1-10
WO 00/70539 PCT/US99/19486
description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings
where:
FIG. 1 illustrates a flow chart of a preferred
implementation of the methods of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a schematical view of a
preferred implementation of a device of the present
invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a variation of the
present
invention wherein the digital data having the title
signal is downloaded to a personal computer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TFIE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are
illustrated a flow chart of the preferred implementation
of a first embodiment of the methods of the present
invention and a schematic illustration of a device for
carrying out the methods of the present invention,
respectively referred to by reference numerals 100 and
200. The method 100 and device 200 utilizes a title
signal contained in data, preferably digital data, for
increasing the functionality of a player and/or recorder
device 202 (hereinafter referred to as a player), such as
2~ a DVD player which displays and/or records the digital
data or a personal computer. However, the methods of the
present invention can also be implemented in other
devices, such as VHS players wherein the title signal is
contained on the magnetic tape of the VHS cartridge.
The title signal is defined as any signal
extracted from the digital data (or from an application


CA 02337005 2001-O1-10
WO 00/70539 PCT/US99/19486
program as discussed below) and ultimately compared to a
player signal stored at the player device or computed
from an attribute of the player device. Preferably, the
title signal is the same for all copies of the digital
data (e.g., all copies of ~~Waterworld~~ would contain the
same title signal). However, the title signal can also
vary from copy to copy of the digital data.
In a preferred implementation of the present
invention, the title signal is preferably a subsignal of
a watermark signal encoded in the digital data. The
title signal and the subsignal of the watermark signal
are hereinafter used interchangeably to refer to the
title signal that is compared to player signal stored in
the player 202. Preferably the watermark signal contains
a copy protection subsignal of a predetermined number of
bits, with the remaining bits being the subsignal which
is detected and utilized by the method 100 of the present
invention. Currently, the Data Hiding Sub Group of the
Copy Protection Technical Working Group specifies an 8-
bit watermark, of which 4-bits remain undefined. The
additional, unspecified 4-bits of the envisioned
watermarking method provides capabilities and increased
functionality that both the manufacturer and consumer
desire. Thus, the length of the copy protection signal
is eight bits, four of which are utilized for copy
protection information and one to four of the remaining
bits are used to encode the title subsignal. A variety of
encodings are possible, especially when these four bits
can vary over time. Thus, many bits (easily 256) can be
encoded in a time varying manner within the digital data
content. In this manner, the title signal can consists of
_g_


CA 02337005 2001-O1-10
WO 00/70539 PCT/US99/19486
many bits, e.g. 256, while only requiring at least one
bit to vary over time. It is therefore not necessary that
all four undefined bits of the watermark be allocated for
the purposes of this method. However, one (or morel bits
is preferable.
Alternatively, the title signal might be
encoded as part of the tag/ticket framework that has also
been proposed to support copy generation management. The
title signal might even be separate meta-data, though
some of the advantage of coupling the title signal to the
copy protection system may then be lost. However, this
coupling might be accomplished by way of a licensing
agreement.
The method 100 comprises a first step at 102 of
providing the digital data having the title signal.
Content owners would produce the digital data, preferably
in the form of a DVD 204 containing digital video data
such as a motion picture. However, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the means
for providing the digital data having the title signal
can be in any one of many forms and containing any one of
possible content. A further variation on the method is
to permit a title to have more than one title signal,
i.e. some copies would contain one title signal, another
set of copies would contain different title signal, etc.
In the limit, each copy might contain a unique title
signal. However, in practice, this is unlikely, due to
the nature of the replication process. However, such a
possibility is realistic for some forms of Internet
distribution. At step 104, the device 200 then detects
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the title signal in the digital data (or the subsignal
contained in the watermark signal) by any detection means
206 known in the art.
If the title signal is in the form of a
subsignal of a watermark encoded in the digital data,
then the watermark must be extracted from the video data
at step 106 and decoded at step 108. Any means for
extracting a subsignal from a watermark signal 208 and
decoding the subsignal 210 known in the art can be
utilized for this purpose without departing from the
scope or spirit of the present invention.
At this point in the method 100, the title
signal is compared at step 110 to a player signal stored
in a memory 212 at the player device by any comparison
means 214 known in the art. As will be discussed below,
it is the preferred implementation of the method to have
the player signal be indicative of an attribute of the
device, device user, digital data, or digital data owner.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that
the methods and apparatus of the present invention are
independent of the copy protection mechanisms that will
eventually be adopted by industry. Only steps 102, 104,
and 110-114 are essential to practicing the method of the
present invention, the remaining steps merely being a
preferred implementation of the present invention for use
with the copy protection mechanism.
A novel feature of the present invention is
that an N-bit signal (referred to as the title signal),
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be associated with the digital data, e.g., digital video.
This may be done in a variety of different ways. For
example, the title signal may be inserted as part of a
watermark as discussed above.
If the digital data content is a movie, the
title signal is preferably identical for all copies of
the movie. However, this is not essential, but is most
likely, due to the nature of the DVD replication process.
When a DVD video movie 204 is played in a DVD player 202,
the title signal is detected by hardware (i.e., detecting
means 206) in the player 202. This title signal is then
compared with the player signal that is preferably unique
to each DVD player and which is stored in the memory 212
of the player 202. In its simplest form, the player
signal would be an N-bit random number. However, in more
sophisticated embodiments of the method, the N-bit player
signal might contain fields that identify the
manufacturer of the player 200, the model number, serial
number as well as programmable fields that contain
information relating to the owner's name, address and
other personal detail which the user can input into the
player 202.
The means for inputting such information can be
a remote control device 216 remotely linked to the player
202 via a receiver 218 which inputs the information into
the memory 212 through the intermediary of a processor
222 for converting the remote control signals into the
player signal recognized by the comparing means 214. The
user can alternatively view the inputted data on a
monitor 220 while it is being entered. Further fields


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might contain information on the current time and date.
Clearly, other information is also possible without
departing from the scope or spirit of the present
invention.
S
At step 112 it is determined whether there is a
match of the title signal and the player signal. The
matching of the title signal and player signal may be a
direct bit comparison or a more flexible regular
expression match of characters within corresponding
fields of the two numbers, i.e. a perfect match would
not be necessary, but approximate matches would also be
possible.
IS When the player 202 determines that its player
signal matches the title signal, shown schematically as
step 112a, it can inform the user of the match at step
114. A variety of different mechanisms can be used to do
this. For example, a overlay screen might appear on the
user's TV monitor 220 connected to the player 202,
informing the user of the match. Alternatively, the
player 202 might jump to a chapter of the video, which
might otherwise be hidden from view, which would inform
the viewer of the match. Numerous other mechanisms are
also possible without departing from the scope or spirit
of the present invention.
Thus, the player 202 of the present invention
can invoke an action based upon a comparison of
information (i.e., the title signal) contained in the
digital data content (i.e., movie) and in the player.
One possible way to create functionality that is
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desirable to the consumer is through the use of prize
marketing. In the simplest implementation, the player
signal would be random and the title signal would match
some (approximately) known number of players 202. The
movie, or digital content in general, could then be
marketed with the opportunity to win, for instance, a
cash prize, if the title signal contained in the digital
data matched the player's player signal.
The viewer might also be instructed to
telephone a coordination center to verify the match. The
center would not need to know the title signal for the
movie, only the set of possible matching player signals.
For security reasons, the viewer might only be informed
IS of an encrypted version of the player signal which could
be decrypted at the coordination center. In this manner,
the same player signal could not be used again and the
encryption prevents users from guessing other numbers
that might also match.
Many other forms of prizes are, of course,
possible, including dinner with the stars of the movie.
In fact, the methods of the present invention offer a new
variety of "product placement" for studios, since the
prize does not actually have to be provided by the studio
but might come from a co-marketing company such as
MacDonalds. Such an arrangement possibly offers the
content owners, such as a movie studio, an additional
revenue stream through selling the title signal. Thus,
there is a clear financial benefit to the content owners.
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The manufacturers of the players, such as DVD
equipment, also gain advantages from the methods of the
present invention. First, the consumer sees a further
distinction between DVD video players and conventional
S VHS players. In particular, this product differentiation
is complimentary to the higher quality of the DVD video
over VHS video, which may not be sufficient to persuade
users to switch to DVD.
A second advantage is that, if the player
signal contains manufacturer information such as make and
model, the equipment manufacturers can sell demographic
information about the purchasers of their equipment to
the (prize) marketers who can in turn choose a title
signal that is not random but actually targets a
particular demographic group. Thus, there is also a
possible financial benefit to equipment providers.
Furthermore, in order for equipment
manufacturers to participate in these promotions, content
owners could require that the manufacturers enter into a
licensing arrangement that guarantees a high level of
copy protection.
Referring now to FIG. 3 a variation of the
methods of the present invention previously discussed
will now be described. As discussed above, the digital
data and the corresponding title signal are distributed
on media such as a DVD disc 204. However, it is apparent
that the Internet (shown schematically as 302) allows the
digital data to be downloaded from the Internet 302, as
for example, in the case of streaming audio. In such
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cases, the title signal may be received by a set-top box
that converts the digital data into a traditional format,
e.g. NTSC video for display on a TV. Other possibilities
include downloading the digital data into a specialized
S player such as is done with MP3 audio and the Diamond Rio
MP3 player. Alternatively, the digital data may be
stored and/or played directly on the P.C.
Copy protection is less well defined within the
context of the Internet. However, it is expected that
similar or identical solutions will eventually be
adopted. Moreover, as has been previously stated, the
application of this invention is not tied to copy control
and can be performed independent of it.
In another embodiment of the present invention,
the title signal can be contained in or a part of an
application program which runs on a P.C. 304. The player
signal may be stored within the application program or
the P.C. 304 or it may be computed from information
available in the PC. 304. For example, the player signal
might be a function of the Ethernet address of the
computer or use the recent ID information that is unique
to each Pentium chip (or other processor) or might be
acquired when the user registers the program with the
manufacturer. Combinations of these approaches are also
possible. Similarly to the embodiments discussed above,
the application program can be downloaded to the P.C. 304
via the Internet. Also, like the player device discussed
above, the player signal can be input into the P.C. via
an input device (such as a keyboard 310 or a mouse 314)
and viewed on a monitor 312.
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The present invention up until now has focused
on digital data in the form of photographs, audio, video,
and multimedia signals. However, within the context of a
computer environment, there is little distinction between
these forms of data and other data, e.g. documents, or
even programs. Everything is stored as bits. It is
therefore reasonable to consider assigning title signals
to these other data and programs as well. For example, an
application program could have a title signal embedded
within it and periodically compare this number to the
player number which, as stated earlier would be a
possibly unique identifier of the PC. Once again, if the
title and player numbers matched, then an action would be
performed such as notifying the user that a prize had
IS been won. Each different application program may look at
different information available at the P.C. for its
player signal. For instance, a word processing
application may look to the Pentium chip I.D. for the
player signal which it will use to compare to the title
signal contained within (or a part of) the word
processing application program. However, another
application program, such as a spreadsheet, may look to
the system clock for its player signal. That is, the
application program preferably has within it a subset of
instructions directing it to look for and compute the
player signal. However, the operating system for the
P.C., such as a Windows operating system, when it
launches an application program, can read a title signal
from the application program, and compare the title
signal to a player signal that the operating system
computes. However, more flexibilty exists if these
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CA 02337005 2001-O1-10
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actions are performed by the application program rather
than the operating system.
Preferably, the comparing, matching, and
S informing steps outlined above are also controlled by the
application program. However, the operating system can
also perform all or any one of these steps.
In the case where the title signal is contained
in or appended to an application program and the player
recorder is a personal computer 304 running the
application program, verification of a match between the
title signal and player signal will, in many cases,
happen automatically, as the application program can
communicate with a third party management center over the
Internet 302, thereby eliminating or reducing the need
for a customer to contact the third party by telephone.
However, in cases where the PC does not have an active
Internet connection 306, personal phone communication to
the third party can still be used.
In the situation where the player device is a
personal computer 304, or a component thereof 308 (e. g.,
a DVD player or a CD-RW) or even a stand-alone player
device 200, the downloaded digital data may be completely
or partially written to a writeable medium or storage
device within the personal computer before the title
signal contained therein is compared to the player
signal. The downloaded data is then transferred to the
player device or component thereof, or stand-alone device
at which the title signal is compared to the player
signal. The digital data may also be used in real time
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as it downloads from the Internet. However, this is also
defined as a transfer of the digital data, since it must
be transferred from the Ethernet card, or similar device,
to the player device.
In the case where the title signal is contained
in or appended to an application program running on a
personal computer 304, the player signal can be
determined by the application program which either at
start-up, periodically, or intermittently, would compare
the title and player numbers. As stated earlier, the
player number can be a function of a variety of sources
including the system clock, Ethernet address, Pentium
chip ID, registration number and personal information,
e.g. name, address, etc, present on the computer.
Alternatively, or in conjunction with this, the
application program might communicate with a remote site
to obtain a player number. Again, the remote site might
generate this number is a variety of ways, including
sending a purely random number in the case of a lottery
arrangement.
Players that are connected to a network also
allow other forms of communication between the player and
third parties. Consequently, it is possible to upgrade
the player automatically, as is currently done with many
application programs, by downloading updates from
Internet sites. Amongst other things, these upgrades may
include changes to the player signal or to the method of
computing the player signal or the algorithms used to
perform the matching of the title and player signals to
enhance performance. Moreover, users might be encouraged
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CA 02337005 2001-O1-10
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to upgrade their players if the upgrade is promoted by
(temporarily) increasing the frequency of matching for
upgraded players over earlier versions or even making the
earlier versions obsolete such that they would not match
new title signals. This provides a strong motivation to
upgrade, even if such an upgrade is not free.
In yet another embodiment of the present
invention, the title signal can be contained in digital
data that is used to input into an application program
running on a P.C. For instance, a text document which is
read and displayed, and maybe even capable of being
edited, by a word processing application program can have
the title signal contained therein. The text document
can be an electronic version of a book which contains the
title signal. When the electronic book is input into the
word processing program and opened, the application
program (or alternatively the operating system) will
detect the title number and perform the comparing and
matching steps. Of course, the document for use with the
application program can also be downloaded via the
Internet.
In yet still another embodiment of the present
invention, the title signal in the digital data can be
encrypted using a private key. When played in a player
device, the player device would detect the title signal
in the data and decrypt the encrypted title signal using
the player signal as the private key. Next a
determination would be made regarding whether the result
of the decryption results in the title signal, that is,
whether the particular player signal in the player device
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was in fact the private key used to encrypt the title
signal. If the decryption does result in the title
signal, like the previously discussed methods, an action
is performed such as informing the user of the winning of
a prize. Any or all of the variations on this theme
discussed above can also be implemented.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that although some of the methods and apparatus of
the present invention have been discussed with regard to
application programs and personal computers, it is clear
that any computer readable set of instructions and any
machine capable of reading and executing those
instructions are within the scope and spirit of the
present invention.
While there has been shown and described what
is considered to be preferred embodiments of the
invention, it will, of course, be understood that various
modifications and changes in form or detail could readily
be made without departing from the spirit of the
invention. It is therefore intended that the invention
be not limited to the exact forms described and
illustrated, but should be constructed to cover all
modifications that may fall within the scope of the
appended claims.
-2U-

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date Unavailable
(86) PCT Filing Date 1999-08-26
(87) PCT Publication Date 2000-11-23
(85) National Entry 2001-01-10
Dead Application 2004-08-26

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
2003-08-26 FAILURE TO PAY APPLICATION MAINTENANCE FEE

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Application Fee $300.00 2001-01-10
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2001-08-27 $100.00 2001-08-07
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2001-11-16
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2002-08-26 $100.00 2002-08-07
Registration of a document - section 124 $50.00 2003-02-18
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
NEC CORPORATION
Past Owners on Record
COX, INGEMAR J.
MILLER, MATTHEW L.
SIGNAFY, INC.
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Claims 2001-01-10 14 438
Drawings 2001-01-10 3 55
Representative Drawing 2001-04-26 1 10
Description 2001-01-10 20 850
Abstract 2001-01-10 1 55
Cover Page 2001-04-26 2 53
Correspondence 2001-03-28 1 25
Assignment 2001-01-10 2 94
PCT 2001-01-10 2 97
Assignment 2001-11-16 4 186
Assignment 2003-02-18 9 379
Fees 2002-08-07 1 55
Fees 2001-08-07 1 56