Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090116686 | Content Serialization by Varying Content Properties, Including Varying Master Copy Watermark Properties - This disclosure describes novel methods for generating unique copies of content. One method combines the functions of the master copy and unique copy watermarks. In particular, the method generates a unique copy by varying the manner in which the master copy watermark is embedded in unique copies of a content item. In one embodiment, the master copy watermark is repeated within the content item and its location is varied in a unique pattern that comprises the unique copy watermark. The unique copy is generated by producing a copy in which master copy watermarks are embedded in a unique pattern. For instance in one embodiment, the locations of the master copy watermarks in the content item are represented as a vector of delta values in which each delta value corresponds to the distance between a corresponding instance of the master copy watermark, and a neighboring instance of the master copy watermark. This vector is stored in a transaction record in association with transaction information, such as information identifying the master copy and information associated with the unique copy. Other ways of representing the unique pattern of attributes of the master copy watermark are also possible. In other embodiments, properties of the master copy watermark other than its location are varied through the content. The unique copy watermark is conveyed in the vector of deltas in these properties of the master copy watermark. Some examples of these properties of the master copy watermark signal include phase characteristics (e.g., the phase shift of a watermark carrier signal), frequency magnitude characteristics, etc. These properties are varied in a manner that does not alter the information carried in the master copy watermark. However, it does provide a variation that creates a unique copy, and the unique copy watermark is conveyed in this variation. The variation in location of the instances of the master copy watermark can be in different domains, such as a spatial domain, a time domain, a time-space domain, a transform domain (including frequency transform domains), a compressed domain, etc. | 05-07-2009 |
20090187435 | SECURITY METHODS EMPLOYING DRIVERS LICENSES AND OTHER DOCUMENTS - Driver's licenses and other security documents include one or more machine-readable features, each conveying plural bits of information. These features are used in a variety of ways to increase security, and/or to enhance functionality. In one embodiment, data encoded on a driver's license is used at airport check-in, to link to a state DMV database and obtain information by which the document, and its custodian, can be authenticated. In like fashion, a license can be used to authenticate a bearer and/or his/her age prior to the sale of alcohol or tobacco products. In other embodiments, different elements of a driver's license (e.g., the substrate, photo, text data, and machine-readable data) are logically bound together (e.g., interlinked through payloads conveyed by different machine-readable features) as a deterrent against counterfeiting. Driver's licenses can be similarly logically bound to personal checks and other documents. Many other arrangements are also disclosed. | 07-23-2009 |
20100008586 | Systems and Methods of Managing Audio and Other Media - The presently claimed invention relates to audio and video processing. One claim recites a method including: obtaining streaming audio or video on a handheld wireless device, the handheld wireless device comprising: i) a programmed electronic processor, and ii) memory; using the programmed electronic processor, analyzing data representing the audio or video to extract identifying information there from; obtaining a device identifier or user identifier from the memory; communicating the identifying information and the device identifier or user identifier to a database as part of a request to add a title corresponding to the streaming audio or video to a media collection associated with the device identifier or user identifier, and in which the title is associated with the identifying information. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too. | 01-14-2010 |
20100029380 | Interactive Gaming Objects - A method for operating an electronic gaming system captures an image of a gaming object, extracts identifying information from the image of the gaming object, and uses the extracted identifying information to reference a database to determine a behavior associated with the identifying information. The method returns data to the gaming system to execute or control the behavior of the gaming system in response to the gaming object. Various system configurations for this method as well as unique applications of it are also disclosed. | 02-04-2010 |
20100179859 | Method and System for Facilitating On-Line Shopping - A shopper is presented with a customized online store whose inventory is defined by the shopper. In one embodiment, specification of the inventory is conducted in a bricks and mortar store—either during checkout, or by the shopper walking the aisles and scanning items with a barcode scanner pen or the like. The inventory may be defined—at least in part—by scanning items in the shopper's home. A variety of other novel features useful in on-line shopping are also disclosed. | 07-15-2010 |
20100208975 | Multi-Channel Digital Watermarking - The present disclosure provides digital watermarks through multiple channels. The channels may include, e.g., visible, ultraviolet and infrared channels, or be based on predetermined materials. The non-visible channels can be selected to fluoresce either in the visible or IR/UV spectrums upon the appropriate illumination in the infrared or ultraviolet spectrums. The watermarks in the various multiple channels can cooperate to facilitate watermark detection or to authenticate an object in which the watermarks are embedded. In other implementations the multiple watermarks include so-called orientation components. A relative relationship between the orientation components is used to convey data. Of course, other combinations are provided too. | 08-19-2010 |
20110276429 | Method and System for Facilitating On-Line Shopping - A shopper is presented with a customized online store whose inventory is defined by the shopper. In one embodiment, specification of the inventory is conducted in a bricks and mortar store—either during checkout, or by the shopper walking the aisles and scanning items with a barcode scanner pen or the like. The inventory may be defined—at least in part—by scanning items in the shopper's home. A variety of other novel features useful in on-line shopping are also disclosed. | 11-10-2011 |
20120014568 | Speech Recognition, and Related Systems - In one arrangement, information useful in understanding the content of user speech (e.g., phonemes identified by a speech recognition algorithm, data indicating the gender of the speaker, etc.) is determined at an apparatus (e.g., a cell phone), and accompanies speech data sent from that apparatus. (Steganographic encoding of the speech data can be employed to convey this information.) A receiving device can use this accompanying information to better understand the content of the speech. A great variety of other features and arrangements—some dealing with imagery rather than audio—are also detailed. | 01-19-2012 |
20120288135 | Multi-Channel Digital Watermarking - The present disclosure relates generally to digital watermarking including watermarking conveyed through multiple channels. One claim recites a method to detect digital watermarks carried in different channels of a physical object. The method comprising: receiving first optically captured image data, the first optically captured image data corresponding to a first channel which is detectable with visible lighting; receiving second optically captured image data, the second optically captured image data corresponding to a second channel with is detectable in a first non-visible spectrum; receiving third optically captured image data, the third optically captured image data corresponding to a third channel with is detectable in a second non-visible spectrum; and using a programmed electronic processor, analyzing the first, second and third optically captured image data to detect watermark components embedded therein. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too. | 11-15-2012 |
20130035984 | DISTRIBUED SENSOR METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS - A retail store is equipped with plural shelf-mounted sensors, which are employed in discerning a shopper's interests. The discerned information is used, e.g., in later online interactions with the shopper. A variety of other novel features and arrangements are also detailed. | 02-07-2013 |
20130290112 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FACILITATING SHOPPING - A shopper is presented with a customized online store whose inventory is defined by the shopper. In one embodiment, specification of the inventory is conducted in a bricks and mortar store—either during checkout, or by the shopper walking the aisles and scanning items with a barcode scanner pen or the like. The inventory may be defined—at least in part—by scanning items in the shopper's home. A variety of other novel features are also disclosed. | 10-31-2013 |
20150055855 | LEARNING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A sequence of images depicting an object is captured, e.g., by a camera at a point-of-sale terminal in a retail store. The object is identified, such as by a barcode or watermark that is detected from one or more of the images. Once the object's identity is known, such information is used in training a classifier (e.g., a machine learning system) to recognize the object from others of the captured images, including images that may be degraded by blur, inferior lighting, etc. In another arrangement, such degraded images are processed to identify feature points useful in fingerprint-based identification of the object. Feature points extracted from such degraded imagery aid in fingerprint-based recognition of objects under real life circumstances, as contrasted with feature points extracted from pristine imagery (e.g., digital files containing label artwork for such objects). A great variety of other features and arrangements—some involving designing classifiers so as to combat classifier copying—are also detailed. | 02-26-2015 |