Nbcuniversal Media, LLC

Thomas Bause

Sheau Bao Ng

Michael Shane Wilkinson

A multi-channel embedded data technique allows for embedding data, such as watermarks into multiple channels of audio, video, multi-media, and other digitized content streams. Two or more of the channels may be utilized. The embedded data may be segmented within each channel, and these segments may start and stop at identical times, or may be staggered or offset from one another. The available payload may be used for different data, or redundant data, providing enhanced reliability. Staggering allows for more rapid availability of at least some of the embedded data segments. References may be used between channels and between data streams to provide for highly complex configurations of encoding and decoding of the embedded data.

Multi-channel digital content watermark system and method

Digital content, such as video, audio, multimedia, and similar files may be associated with metadata that is in some manner descriptive of the content by means of a unique identifier generated based on the content or a portion of the content. The two may be packaged in a wrapper. If the content is separated from the metadata, such as by circulation in a non-compliant environment, the content may be recognized by a regeneration of the identifier. Based upon the re-created identifier, the metadata may be re-associated with the content. Other scenarios may include generation of compilations for files that are not included in a wrapper with content and metadata, content that becomes dissociated with metadata by transcoding, and so forth.

Metadata/content re-association system and method

A system and method are provided for analyzing 3D digital content to determine whether a watermark is detectable. The watermark may exist in 2D content that is converted to 3D, and in such cases, the survivability of the watermark to the conversion process is evaluated. An anticipated location of the watermark in left and right 3D images may be determined, and the detectability based upon the anticipated location. A report may indicate whether the watermark survived the conversion in one or both images, or neither. The process may be performed for single frames, sequences of single frames, or entire files containing many image frames. Watermark placement may also be proposed for locations in 2D content, 3D content, or both. Watermarks may similarly be placed in the content.

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Brooklyn, NY, United States of America

Thomas Bause