Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
  • G06F21/10—Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material ; Digital rights management [DRM]
  • G06F21/106—Enforcing content protection by specific content processing
  • G06F21/1063—Personalisation
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
  • G06F21/10—Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material ; Digital rights management [DRM]
  • G06F21/16—Program or content traceability, e.g. by watermarking
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F2211/00—Indexing scheme relating to details of data-processing equipment not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00
  • G06F2211/007—Encryption, En-/decode, En-/decipher, En-/decypher, Scramble, (De-)compress

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing digital or analog content, such as audio or video, with copy protection data embedded therein.
• the system should provide the capability to distribute the pre-processed content to multiple users at the same time, where the encoded composite signal is generated at the user's location according to an ID value provided to the user.
• the system should be suitable for off-line distribution schemes as well, e.g., where the content is provided to the user in person, via mail, and the like.
• the content may be stored on a compact disc (CD) , digital video disc (DVD), computer floppy disk or the like.
• CD compact disc
• DVD digital video disc
• the present invention provides a system having the above and other advantages .
• the marking is provided in some secure manner.
• the most viable marking solution embeds information into the content, thereby reducing the likelihood of alteration or removal of the marking information.
• Marking is particularly important, for example, for music, video, or other digital or analog copyrighted materials that are downloaded over a computer network such as the Internet, a cable or satellite television network, or telephone network, for example.
• a computer network such as the Internet, a cable or satellite television network, or telephone network, for example.
• a user pays a fee to download the content, although the content may be provided free of charge, e.g., for samples or other promotional distributions of the content.
• the presence of the identifying information can be advertised to warn potential pirates, or can be provided without warning to help track the pirate surreptitiously .
• the invention is particularly suitable for use with on-line music distribution systems, wherein users may access a distribution site, such as an Internet web site, via a computer network to purchase audio programs such as those commonly distributed at retail outlets on compact disc or magnetic tape.
• the invention is also suitable for use with video, images, or other content to which embedded information can be applied.
• interactive cable television networks may allow a viewer to download digital audio or video content.
• the use of the present invention by on-line music distributors is particularly relevant since piracy of recorded music has resulted in significant lost sales for the music industry. For on-line music distribution and other applications, one has several options for embedding information.
• pre-embedded copies can be stored in sufficient quantities to keep up with download requirements.
• downloaded audio data such as popular songs, this could require that many uniquely identified copies be kept on a server at the cost of increased storage.
• information can be embedded during the transaction, e.g., as described in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent 5,687,191, entitled “Post Compression Hidden Data Transport", or U.S. Patent 5,822,360, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Transporting Auxiliary Data in Audio Signals.”
• U.S. Patent 5,822,360 relies on additional computational processing, but only required copies are processed, and additional server space (e.g., memory) is not needed.
• Another option, disclosed herein, requires that two copies of the content be pre-processed.
• the copies may be stored on a server, in which case a unique copy is constructed from the two pre- processed copies and provided to a user, typically at the time a download is requested.
• server disks may be used to store each pre-processed copy of the audio.
• the first disk contains all copies embedded with "0's" and the second includes all copies embedded with "l's”.
• Each server is connected to a selector function which selects one of the servers for each segment of the content to construct a composite data signal that is delivered to the user.
• the selector function Based on an account number or some other unique identifier to be embedded, the selector function chooses segments from each server on a segment-by- segment basis.
• the output of the selector function is the copy to be delivered to the consumer.
• the two copies of the content may be distributed to one or more users, in which case the users are provided with an appropriate processing capability to construct the unique copy.
• Cryptographic safeguards may be employed to ensure that the user cannot access the two copies prior to embedding the identifying data.
• the copies may be distributed simultaneously to the multiple users, such as for Internet multicasting of a concert or other live event.
• a method for providing a composite data signal with successive logical values embedded therein includes the step of: pre-processing data segments to provide at least first corresponding pre-processed segments with embedded information representing a first logical value embedded therein, and second corresponding pre-processed segments with embedded information representing a second logical value that is different than the first logical value embedded therein.
• the first and second pre-processed segments are then optionally stored, e.g., at a server of an on-line distributor.
• a control signal designating the successive logical values is provided, and in response to the control signal, particular ones of the corresponding first and second pre-processed segments are assembled to provide the composite data signal with the successive logical values embedded therein.
• the first and second logical values may comprise binary bits (e.g., the first and second values may indicate zeroes and ones, respectively).
• the embedded information in the composite data signal may be provided at a desired audibility level therein.
• the embedded information in the composite data signal may be provided at a desired visibility level therein.
• the successive logical values may identify a source of the composite data signal, such as the online distributor.
• the control signal may be provided in response to a user request to retrieve the composite data signal, in which case the successive logical values can identify the user.
• the successive logical values may be provided cryptographically, e.g., in a scrambled sequence to deter manipulation by pirates.
• the particular ones of the corresponding first and second pre-processed segments are time-multiplexed in response to the control signal to provide the composite data signal with the successive logical values embedded therein.
• the composite data signal may be digital or analog.
• multiple layers of embedded information may be provided in the composite data signal
• a transition between the assembled segments is smoothed according to a transition function.
• Pre-smoothed transition data segments may also be provided in the composite data signal.
• Binary or multi-level (M>2) logical values may be provided in the composite data signal.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional data embedding system.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of a data embedding system in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a pre-processing module and on-line distribution system for distributing digital or analog content in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 4 illustrates the selection of data segments with embedded binary data in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 5 illustrates the selection of content according to an identification signal in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a data embedding system in accordance with the present invention.
• FIGs 7(a) and 7(b) illustrate multiple layer data embedding in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 8 illustrates multi-level, non-binary data embedding in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 9 illustrates a multiplexer with a transition function in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 10 illustrates a system for transition control between two streams in accordance with the present invention.
• the present invention provides a method and apparatus for embedding information into content in a manner that minimizes the computational requirements at the time of embedding.
• the content in this case is any form, or combination, of digital or analog audio, video, images, or other media.
• This invention allows for pre-processing to be performed prior to the final processing such that an on-the-fly (e.g., real-time) embedding can be performed by choosing from specifically prepared segments and assembling a full stream.
• the invention is particularly suitable for an on-line distribution model, where the content is delivered via a communication channel in response to a user request .
• FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional data embedding system 100.
• the content where the data is to be embedded is assumed to be segmented into N frames, with M samples per frame. For example, the content is shown at 110 with frames C(N-l) , . . . , C(l), C(0).
• User data e.g., which identifies the user, is processed by a data packaging module 140, which converts the data into binary user data, shown generally at 150 with frames U(N-l), . . . , U(l), U(0) .
• the module 140 can optionally add error correction code, modulation and packet header/trailers to the user data.
• a data embedding module 120 aligns the packaged data (as indicated by U(0),U(1) etc. . .) with the respective content frame (C(0), C(l) etc. . .), and embeds the ith packaged data bits U(i) 170 into a corresponding ith content frame C(i) 160 to provide an ith embedded data frame 180. Successive frames of embedded content are shown at 130.
• the embedding process may employ any known technique, including additive techniques such as spread spectrum modulation, as well as techniques that modify the signal parameters or the features of the content itself.
• the data packaging module 140 usually uses relatively little processing cycles compared with the data embedding module 120.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of a data embedding system 200 in accordance with the present invention.
• the pre-processed data embedding system of the present invention partitions the conventional system into two steps, namely (1) pre-processed embedding, and (2) target content generation.
• the data embedding module 210 receives the content stream 110 and has two output paths, one to generate a content stream 230 that embeds a binary '0', and one to generate a content stream 235 that embeds a binary '1'.
• the two pre-processed content streams can be multiplexed (in digital or analog domain) at a mux 250 into the respective target embedded stream 230 according to the binary user data itself, or a corresponding control signal from the data packaging module 140. If U(i) is a non- binary value, then the preprocessing stage can be increased accordingly by having more than two output paths .
• FIG. 3 illustrates a pre-processing module and on-line distribution system for distributing content in accordance with the present invention.
• a user communicates with an on-line distributor 350, e.g., via a two-way Internet connection, including a communication channel 385 and nodes 380 and 390.
• the on-line distributor 350 also communicates with a preprocessing module 310, which is typically physically co-located with the on-line distributor 350, but may be in communication with the on-line distributor via some communication path.
• the pre-processing module 310 can operate on an off-line basis, e.g., prior to when the on-line distributor fulfills an order from the user to download digital content.
• the pre- processing module 310 can operate on a real-time basis, such as when a live event is received via a communication path 318, and immediately processed for multicast to a user population.
• any new content stored in the content function 315 can be processed immediately upon receipt, or at some other convenient time.
• the content also referred to as "primary data” or “host waveform”
• the content is provided to the data embedding module 210 to have logical values (e.g., binary zeroes and ones) embedded therein.
• the content can be divided temporally into a number of segments, and a logical value embedded into each segment, as discussed further in connection with FIG. 4.
• the data embedding module 210 can use any known technique for embedding data into an existing signal.
• the techniques of the following U.S. patents and patent applications, incorporated herein by reference, may be used: U.S. Patent 5,822,360, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Transporting Auxiliary Data in Audio Signals”; application no. 08/764,096, filed December 6, 1996 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Embedding Auxiliary Data in a Primary Data Signal”; U.S. Patent 5,687,191, entitled “Post Compression Hidden Data Transport”; application no. 08/912,434, filed August 18, 1997, entitled “Post Compression Hidden Data Transport for Video”; U.S.
• Patent 5,719,937 entitled “Multi-Media Copy Management System”; application no. 08/977,719, filed November 25, 1997, entitled “Multi-Media Copy Management System”, and application no. , filed , entitled “Digital Hidden Data Transport”.
• Other systems for providing embedded information may also be adapted for use with the present invention.
• the term “embedding” is meant to indicate that ancillary, or auxiliary data, is provided in a host waveform, or primary data signal, without substantially interfering with the primary data signal.
• embedded data should not be audible when embedded in an audio signal.
• the data rate of the embedded data is much lower than that of the primary data signal.
• U.S. Patent 5,822,360 discloses a technique for embedding data by modulating a spread spectrum signal.
• the spread spectrum signal has a relatively low noise power, but can be recovered at a special decoder by correlating the received signal with the pseudo-noise (PN) sequence used for spreading at the encoder .
• PN pseudo-noise
• Techniques for embedding data often require computationally intensive time-domain or frequency domain analyses that take advantage of human hearing and vision characteristics, e.g., to allow data to be embedded in audio and video data, respectively.
• the embedded data can therefore be made essentially imperceptible, while establishing a useful hidden data channel within the primary data signal.
• the sophisticated, computationally intensive embedding techniques may take place in a pre-processing step, prior to the time when the content must be immediately available for delivery to users.
• the logical values can be thus be embedded using the most sophisticated techniques available, yet the content is immediately available for downloading or broadcasting to users.
• the content segments with the embedded binary zeros are stored in memory portion 325, while the content segments with the embedded binary ones are stored in memory portion 330.
• memory portions can be provided for each value.
• a library of content e.g., including songs, movies, computer games, and the like, may be stored at the functions 325 and 330.
• the memory 322 may be associated with a web server, for example.
• the memory 322 may only act as a buffer, e.g., to even out data rate variations and account for processing time at the data embedding module 210.
• the on-line distributor 350 may maintain a database 360, including available identification numbers 362, and user records 364.
• the available identification numbers may simply be successive numbers, or other codes.
• the available identification numbers function 362 may maintain only a current order (or user) number, which is then incremented for each new order (or user) .
• the user records function 364 maintains a record of the identification number that is associated with each user or order.
• order is meant to encompass users request for free samples, promotional giveaways, contests and the like, as well as paid purchases of content.
• an identification number or code is associated with the user or order, and a record thereof is written at the user record function 364. Consequently, when content that has been illicitly copied is found, it will be possible to locate the user that originally obtained the content.
• the identification number or code may also identify the on-line distributor or other entity, such as a copyright holder of the content, or may provide a registration number for an industry policing organization, for example.
• copy protection is a primary goal of the invention, it will be appreciated that the embedded data may be used for essentially any purpose, in particular, if the user has a receiver that can read the data. For example, the embedded data may identify the on-line distributor or other entity, be used for awarding prizes to users, providing electronic coupons, and so forth. A corresponding receiver can read the embedded data and, e.g., display the corresponding information for the user.
• the user may order and/or receive the content using a personal computer (PC) 396, television set-top box 397, or any other available means.
• PC personal computer
• the control 365 provides the identification number or code to a selector 370 as a selection signal to select the different segments with the embedded logical values from the functions 325 and 330 on a time-multiplexing basis, e.g., using a multiplexer (MUX) 375.
• MUX multiplexer
• the selector acts as a switch that allows successive segments from either the function 325 or 330, but not both at the same time, to be delivered to the user, as a composite data signal.
• the term "successive" is used herein is understood to include both adjacent and non-adjacent segments which follow one another.
• the selection signal generally can be a binary identification signal, or a signal derived from the identification signal.
• Cryptographic techniques may be used for this purpose (e.g., to transform the identification signal to a selection signal, or vice versa) .
• an appropriate capability is provided to decrypt the received data.
• the control 365 may also make a record indicating that the content was delivered without errors if a bi-directional capability is provided.
• the time and date of the delivery may also be recorded, e.g., at the user records 364.
• the information embedded in the composite data signal may also indicate the time and date of the delivery.
• the delivered content is provided to the user for storage, e.g., at the PC 396 or set-top box 397.
• the same or different communication channels can be used for the upstream request signal and the downstream delivery.
• the upstream request may be provided via a telephone network, while the downstream delivery is provided via a television network.
• the content may be delivered to multiple users at the same time using separate signals with the unique identification numbers embedded therein.
• bandwidth is limited, and the number of users is large, such as for a multicast, the system of FIG. 6, discussed below, may be used.
• FIG. 4 illustrates the selection of data segments with embedded binary data in accordance with the present invention.
• a first copy 400 of content includes successive segments, e.g., SEGMENT 1 (405), SEGMENT 2 (410), SEGMENT 3 (415), . . . , SEGMENT N (420) .
• Each segment has a logical value, which is a binary zero in the present example, embedded therein. Not every segment need have a value embedded into it.
• a further security element may be achieved with the present invention by selecting only particular segments to embed data, e.g., according to a pseudo-random signal, such as a PN sequence.
• a second copy 450 of the same content includes successive segments corresponding to the first copy 400, e.g., segment 1 (455), segment 2 (460), segment 3 (465) , . . . , segment N (470) .
• Each segment has a logical value, which is a binary one in the present example, embedded therein.
• each segment may comprise a specific duration of the track, e.g., corresponding to one or more frames of data.
• a composite data signal 480 is formed by selecting segments from the first and second copies according to a desired embedded bit pattern. For example, if the desired embedded bit pattern is 101 . . . 1, then segment 1 (455) from copy 2 (450) should be selected, followed by segment 2 (410) from copy 1 (400) , followed by segment 3 (465) from copy 2 (450), . . ., followed by segment N (470) from copy 2 (450) .
• the composite data signal 480 therefore has the desired bit pattern 101. . . 1 embedded therein.
• a final, composite copy is thus constructed by selecting previously-created segments from either the first or second copies of the audio data with the embedded binary information.
• the binary data sequence may identify a user who is downloading the content via a network, or provide other information.
• the composite data signal may be assembled in response to the user's purchase of the content.
• the overall effect is that the consumer does not know the state of the information embedded into the composite data signal since the final copy received is perceptually identical to the same content from another copy that does not have embedded data.
• this result is achieved by providing the embedded data at a power level such that it is inaudible when the audio data is recovered and played.
• the embedded data may also be spectrally shaped according to the audio spectrum to further enhance concealment .
• the embedded data may be provided at a power level such that it is not visible when the video data is recovered and displayed.
• FIG. 5 illustrates the selection of content according to an identification signal in accordance with the present invention.
• the copies of content with binary zeroes and ones embedded therein are shown generally at 500' and 550', respectively.
• a transaction system includes a selector 500 which selects segments from the copies according to a unique identification signal, as discussed previously in connection with the selector 370 of FIG. 3.
• the composite data signal may comprise audio, video (moving or still images) , computer games, or other content.
• the advantage of using a binary signal is that only two logical values exist, so only two copies of the content need be stored. If an M-ary signaling scheme is used, such as M-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) , M copies of the content with embedded data are prepared.
• M-ary signaling scheme such as M-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM)
• a constant data rate can be used for the embedded information. This provides for a more universal description, but is not a specific limitation on the system. Using this convention allows a binary digit to be applied to a specific section (e.g., segment) of audio or other content, namely in the form of a specific number of audio samples for each segment.
• digital audio found on compact discs operates at a rate of 44,100 samples per second.
• 1,000 samples per segment of audio may be used for each binary digit of the embedded information. That is, one bit of embedded information is distributed over 1,000 audio samples.
• Each segment such as discussed in connection with FIG. 4, will therefore comprise at least 1,000 samples.
• This means that a copy of the desired audio can convey approximately 44 bits of embedded (e.g., auxiliary) information per second.
• the first and second copies of the audio data are encoded with a "0" or "1", respectively, in every 1,000 sample segment. Otherwise, the copies have identical audio content. That is, the same audio data is provided in the corresponding segments .
• FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a data embedding system in accordance with the present invention. This embodiment is particularly suitable for multicast transmissions to a user population, e.g., for a live event.
• the preprocessors e.g., "0" embedding module 220, and “1” embedding module 225
• the transaction system e.g., data embedding module
• the "0" and the “1” streams from the modules 220 and 225, respectively, are "packaged" by a Stream encryptor/multiplexer unit 630 into a single stream, which is delivered to a number of user terminals 660-A, 660-B, . . . , 660-X.
• the "0" and the "1" streams may be provided to the user terminals in separate data streams.
• the terminals may be set-top boxes
• decoders e.g., decoders
• personal computers coupled to a cable television network, and receive the content with television or other signals.
• the content with the embedded logical values is encrypted at the function 630 according to a stream key provided by a stream access control function 615.
• a stream access control function 615 The use of cryptographic keys is believed to be within the purview of the ordinary practitioner and is therefore not discussed in extensive detail herein.
• the users will also receive an identification (ID) value from a user key generation unit 620.
• ID an identification
• the ID will be embedded into the content, as discussed in connection with FIGs 2-5. Both the stream key and the ID value can be provided at the terminals 660-A, 660-B, . . .
• 660-X various means, e.g., by installation at the time of manufacture of the terminals, local installation at the terminal such as by using smart card (with periodic renewal) , or by secured transmission to the terminals (using the same or different communication path as the multicast content) .
• the ID value is embedded real-time at the data embedding modules 210-A, 210-B, . . . , 210-X on the user's side to generate the user-specific content.
• various mechanisms can be used to ensure the tightly coupled structure of the decryptor/Demux and the data embedding modules so that the "1" and the "0" streams, as well as the ID value, are not accessible in the clear on the client/user side 650.
• the "1" and the "0" streams can be swapped pseudo-randomly at frame boundaries.
• the ID value can be scrambled in advance in a corresponding manner so that the correct ID value is encoded at the data embedding modules without revealing the ID value itself.
• This implementation is particularly suitable for applications where the content provider wants to minimize distribution channel bandwidth utilization, e.g., during the distribution of the content using pay-per-listen or pay-per-view in a cable network.
• the cable operator needs only to allocate the bandwidth for the "1" and "0" streams.
• the users' terminals 660-A, 660-B, . . . , 660-X will generate content which is uniquely marked by the corresponding data embedding module 210-A, 210-B, . . , 210-X. This helps to deter the users from illegally copying and redistributing the content.
• bandwidth need not be allocated for the two streams at all times.
• the distributor can choose a particular segment of the content, and transmit both the "0" and “1" streams to the users, and during other times, transmit only the "0" or "1” streams, or even the unmarked content .
• FIGs 7(a) and 7(b) illustrate multiple layer data embedding in accordance with the present invention. Multiple, independent streams of data, referred to as data layers, can be embedded in the same content .
• the present invention can be adapted for use with multi-layer embedding schemes, such as disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Patent 5,822,360.
• the embedding of the different user data can use either identical or dissimilar data embedding technology, although there are advantages to using identical technology, such as ease of frame synchronization.
• Applications of multi-layer data include providing separate user data streams for tracking, hyperlinks, or electronic coupons, for example.
• a first stream-of user data e.g., User Data X
• the data packaging module 140 receives the corresponding binary user data, shown generally at 710-X with frames X(N-i), . . . , X(l), X(0).
• the "0" embedding module 220 and "1" embedding module 225 are used as discussed previously to provide the target streams 230-X and 235-X, respectively.
• the streams 230-X, 235-X are provided to a mux 250 to obtain the content stream 730 with the user data X embedded therein.
• a second stream of user data e.g., User Data Y
• the data packaging module 140' receives the corresponding binary user data, shown generally at 710-Y with frames Y(N-l) , . . . , Y(l), Y(0).
• the "0" embedding module 220' and "1" embedding module 225' are used as discussed previously to provide the target streams 230-Y and 235-Y, respectively.
• the streams 230-Y, 235-Y are provided to a mux 250' to obtain the content stream 735 with the user data Y embedded therein.
• the streams 730, 735 are combined at an adder 740 and scaled at a sealer 745 to provide the data stream 760 with multilayer embedded data.
• a scaling factor of 0.5 may be used when there are two content streams with different user data.
• the sealer 745 essentially provides the amplitude of the content and user data in the stream 760 at the same level as in the streams 730, 735.
• sealer 745 is adjusted according to the number of layers used.
• FIG. 8 illustrates multi-level, non-binary data embedding in accordance with the present invention.
• the system can be extended to the embedding of multi-level (non-binary) value data.
• M levels the system is termed M-ary, with M>2.
• the data streams 830, 835, 845 and 855 are provided to a mux 250 to provide the content data stream 860 with the multilevel user data embedded therein. As discussed previously, the mux 250 outputs successive frames of data with the desired logical values embedded therein, e.g., under the control of the user data stream 150.
• FIG. 9 illustrates a multiplexer with. a transition/fade function in accordance with the present invention.
• an explicit window/fade-in/fade- out may be performed at the multiplexer 250' ' .
• the multiplexer 250' ' may be used, e.g., in place of the multiplexers 250 or 250' discussed herein.
• the content signal may not be continuous at the boundary between the frames. This can result in artifacts, e.g., audible artifacts for audio content, or visible artifacts for video content.
• a transition period can be provided as discussed herein, in connection with FIGs 9 and 10, to avoid these effects.
• the transition period is typically shorter than the frame length. For example, with a frame length of 2000 samples, the transition length may be 100- 200 samples.
• the transition function can be a fixed function, such as a linear ramp or an exponential decay, or an adaptive function that dynamically adjusts its characteristics based on the host signals.
• the objective is to ensure that the transition does not produce any artifacts which affect the subjective quality of the target content.
• the target embedded streams 230 and 235, with the embedded logical zero and one values, respectively, are multiplied at multipliers 930 and 940 with transition functions 910 and 920, respectively.
• the transition function 910 is shown ramping (in two steps) from zero to one. When the transition function 910 reaches one, the transition function 920 begins ramping down (in two steps) from one to zero.
• the outputs of the multipliers 930 and 940 are combined at an adder 950 to provide the embedded content 960.
• the embedded content 960 is shown including a first frame C(l) and a second frame C(0) .
• the effect of the transition function 910, 920 transition region is shown diagramatically at regions 965, 968, respectively.
• FIG. 10 illustrates a system for transition control between two streams in accordance with the present invention. Another approach to ensuring a smooth transition at frame boundaries is to provide additional transition streams. This avoids the need for the mux 250' ' of FIG. 9 by providing data streams that are pre-processed (e.g., pre-smoothed) with a transition function, such as the function 910, 920 of FIG. 9. Then, to assemble the final target stream, the pre-processed frames can be time multiplexed as discussed previously, e.g., using the mux 250 or 250 ' .
• pre-processed frames can be time multiplexed as discussed previously, e.g., using the mux 250 or 250 ' .
• U(l), U(0->1) , U(0) are provided.
• U(l ⁇ 2) denotes a transition frame between frames U(l) and U(2), while U(0-»1) denotes a transition frame between frames U(0) and U(l) .
• the "0" data embedding module 220 provides the content frames 1030 with embedded logical “zero” values 1030, while the "1" data embedding module 225 provides the content frames 1035 with embedded logical "one” values.
• first and second transition streams, 1050 and 1055 are generated at embedding modules TO ⁇ l (1035) and Tl ⁇ O (1045) .
• the final target content stream 960 including the transition frames C(l—>2) and C(O- ⁇ l), is output from the mux 250 based on the selection signal from the user data stream 1020.
• ID unique identification
• redundancies e.g., error correction or error checking
• the present invention provides a system for providing a composite data signal to a user with embedded information that identifies the user.
• two copies of the content may be pre-processed and stored, e.g., at a server used by an on-line distributor.
• Each copy has data embedded in successive segments therein that indicates a logical value, such as a binary zero or one.
• the segments are assembled according to a desired identification signal to provide a composite signal that is delivered to the user.
• the original user can therefore be tracked from the illicit copies.
• the content can be processed and forwarded to the user on a real- time basis. This particularly desirable when the content is a live event.
• data embedding modules are provided at the user terminals.
• the embedding process is usually carried out in the digital domain, but once the information is embedded, it can be carried in the host signal in digital or analog form.

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  • 1999-05-25 CA CA002333100A patent/CA2333100A1/en not_active Abandoned
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  • 1999-05-25 MX MXPA00011683A patent/MXPA00011683A/es active IP Right Grant
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