Audio Carrier Artifact Insertion for Inaudible Broadcast Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to provide a simple and effective method for the continuous, real-time insertion and retrieval of identifying artifacts in lossy or lossless carrier data sequences that remain inaudible in humanly perceived audio transmissions, particularly in broadcast radio or television advertising, where identification must be attributed to multiple sources beyond the producer.

Innovation Solution

A system that inserts identifying artifacts into carrier data based on predetermined characteristics, generating a composite data sequence for transmission, allowing real-time automated extraction and verification of these artifacts, enabling authentication and activation of processes without human intervention, using a combination of hardware and software components across various communication mediums.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If digital watermarking techniques manipulate carrier data in phase, time or frequency domains, then identification verification is achieved, but audible degradation of the audio carrier occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification verificationVSAvoidaudible degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of data insertion from manipulating audio characteristics (phase, frequency, time) to inserting discrete digital artifacts between audio samples. This parameter change allows identification data to be embedded without altering the audible properties of the carrier signal, resolving the contradiction between reliable identification and audio quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary structure - digital artifacts placed in the discrete time domain between audio samples - that mediates between the need for identification data and the requirement for high audio quality. These artifacts serve as a carrier for identification information without directly interfering with the audio signal's perceptual qualities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If identification data is inserted into carrier data sequences, then verification and authentication capabilities are provided, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the identification data into discrete artifacts that can be independently inserted and processed. Each artifact contains specific identification information (source ID, timestamp, sequence number) that can be handled separately, simplifying the overall system architecture compared to continuous manipulation of the entire carrier signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The artifact-based system enables self-service verification where the inserted artifacts inherently contain all necessary information (identification data, timestamps, sequence numbers) for verification and authentication. The system automatically processes these artifacts without requiring complex external verification infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If continuous real-time insertion and retrieval of identifying artifacts is implemented, then proof of performance and authentication are enabled, but processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time processing capabilityVSAvoidprocessing requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic insertion of artifacts at defined intervals (e.g., every N audio samples) rather than continuous manipulation. This periodic approach enables real-time processing capability while reducing computational requirements compared to continuous signal manipulation, as processing occurs at discrete, predetermined points in the audio stream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS7668205B2Method, system and program product for the insertion and retrieval of identifying artifacts in transmitted lossy and lossless data

Publication Date: 2010.02.23 GULA CONSULTING LLC

AI summary

Identifying artifacts are inserting in radio frequency broadcast data at the transmitter and retrieved at a receiver, allowing verification of the receipt of the transmitted data, authentication of transactions that use the transmitted data, or activation of processes dependent on receipt of the carrier data. A content system receives content data to serve as carrier data, and an identifying artifact insertion system inserts artifact data into the carrier data based on predetermined characteristics of the carrier data without requiring human intervention, and then generates a composite data sequence. A data transmit system connected to the identifying artifact insertion system and the content system transmits the composite data sequence. A receiver system performs real-time, automated extraction of identifying artifacts within lossy carrier data and verifies the reception of the data artifacts in the carrier data.