Adaptive Video Fingerprinting for Set-Top Boxes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital video fingerprinting methods are complex and inefficient in embedding and recovering spatial fingerprints, particularly in set-top boxes with limited processing power and memory, and struggle to ensure robustness against compression and processing.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for embedding and recovering spatial fingerprints in digital video frames by selecting frame offsets and marking periods, determining marking strength, and using redundant copies to ensure robustness, with analysis of DCT transform energy and residual quality ratios for recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If prior art spatial fingerprinting methods are used to embed unique identifiers in video frames, then a large number of unique identifiers can be provided by spreading information over multiple frames, but the methods are complex and inefficient for implementation in set-top boxes with limited processing power and memory
Solution Approach 1:
The fingerprint data is segmented into multiple groups (first subgroup, second subgroup, third subgroup) that are distributed across different marked frames. Each group contains a portion of the fingerprint information, allowing the system to provide many unique identifiers while simplifying processing by working with smaller segments individually rather than handling the complete fingerprint at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds fingerprint information across the temporal dimension by distributing it over multiple video frames with different frame offsets and marking periods. This temporal distribution allows the system to increase the number of unique identifiers without increasing the complexity of embedding operations in any single frame, as the complexity is spread across time rather than concentrated in one processing moment.
2Reliability
If fingerprint information is embedded in video frames by altering pixel values, then unique identifiers can be specified in different locations within selected frames, but modifications are necessary to focus on luminance values and ensure imperceptibility and robustness against compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different marking strengths to different marked groups based on local quality requirements. By determining a marking strength for modifying each marked group individually, the system can optimize for both imperceptibility and robustness in different locations without requiring complex global modifications, thereby achieving reliability with simpler localized processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds redundant copies of the ordering information in a third subgroup of marked groups. This redundancy acts as a cushion against potential loss or corruption of fingerprint data during compression and processing, ensuring robustness without requiring complex error correction mechanisms, as the redundant information provides a simpler backup that can be used if the primary information is compromised.
3Reliability
If redundant copies of fingerprint ordering are embedded in a third subgroup of marked groups, then robustness against compression and processing is improved, but the embedding process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates redundant copies of the fingerprint ordering information and embeds them in a third subgroup of marked groups. This copying approach provides a simple mechanism for improving reliability - the system embeds the same information multiple times across different frames, and the recovery process can use any valid copy. This is simpler than implementing complex error correction codes while still achieving robustness against compression and processing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method simplifies fingerprint embedding and recovery, enabling robust and efficient protection of digital video content, even in devices with limited resources, by spreading information across multiple frames and using redundant data for reliable identification.
Implementation Method 1
The recovering method analyzes a quality ratio of the DCT transform energy and the residual for each markable position in the frame to determine whether the frame is a marked frame
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for embedding and recovering a spatial fingerprint in a sequence of video frames. The sequence includes marked frames that include marked groups having markable positions. The embedding method selects a frame offset and marking period for the marked frames, and determines a marking strength for modifying each marked group. A portion of the spatial fingerprint is embedded in each marked group of a first subgroup of the marked groups, and an ordering of the portion embedded in the first subgroup is embedded in each marked group of a second subgroup of the marked groups. The recovering method analyzes a quality ratio of the DCT transform energy and the residual for each markable position in the frame to determine whether the frame is a marked frame. The recovering method recovers the spatial fingerprint when the marked groups maintain the quality ratio in a number of successive marked frames.