Audio Watermark Modulation for Reliable Streamed Content Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for providing additional content related to streamed audio content face challenges in ensuring reliable, fast, and secure identification of specific audio content, often resulting in misdetections and security vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system and method that modulates a unique audio watermark onto each piece of audio content, allowing a mobile device to identify and retrieve additional content by demodulating the watermark, using a start signal for accurate identification and a look-up table for quick content rendering, while ensuring security through server verification of the complete identification number.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If audio watermarking is used to identify streamed audio content, then additional content can be provided to consumers, but reliable and unambiguous identification is difficult to guarantee without misdetections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding a synchronization marker at the beginning of the audio watermark before the actual identification data. This marker is detected first to initialize the detection process and establish timing reference, enabling subsequent accurate extraction of the identification number. This preliminary step ensures that even if part of the watermark is missed during playback, the system can reliably identify the audio content by starting detection from the known synchronization point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by repeating the identification number multiple times within the audio watermark and incorporating error correction codes. This redundancy acts as a buffer against detection failures, ensuring that even if some portions of the watermark are lost or corrupted during audio playback, the original identification information can be recovered through error correction, thereby maintaining high detection accuracy.
2Reliability
If complex watermark verification is implemented to ensure secure identification, then security is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing initial watermark detection and extraction of the identification number during audio playback without interrupting the streaming. The verification process is initiated in advance by continuously monitoring the audio signal for the synchronization marker and extraction sequence, so that when verification is needed, the identification data is already available, minimizing additional processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the verification process into distinct phases: synchronization marker detection, identification number extraction, and server verification. This segmentation allows the system to perform lightweight operations (marker detection and extraction) locally during playback and defer the computationally intensive verification to the server, reducing the time impact on content delivery while maintaining security.
3Adaptability or versatility
If audio watermarking technology is applied to streaming content, then customized offers and information can be provided, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a watermarking system that serves multiple functions: audio content identification, synchronization for timing-based operations, and triggering for personalized content delivery. The same synchronization marker and identification number structure are used across different audio streams and applications, allowing a single system implementation to support various customization scenarios without requiring separate mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary server that manages the complex verification and content delivery processes. The server acts as a mediator between the client device and the content delivery system, handling the computationally intensive tasks of watermark verification, identification number validation, and personalized content selection. This intermediary approach allows the client device to use a relatively simple watermark detection mechanism while still achieving reliable and secure content customization through the server's processing capabilities.
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 system achieves reliable and fast identification of audio content with reduced misdetection probability and enhanced security by using a unique audio watermark and server confirmation of the identification number, ensuring accurate and secure delivery of additional content.
Implementation Method 1
an audio watermark is modulated onto a carrier signal formed by a piece of audio content
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to a method and a system for identifying by an identifying application, a specific piece of audio content played back by a streaming application based on modulating the specific piece of audio content with an audio watermark comprising an identification number. In response to said identification, additional content corresponding to the specific piece of audio content is rendered on a mobile device of a user. The present invention further discloses various details regarding the way the audio watermark is modulated onto a carrier signal given by the piece of audio content and regarding how the process of identifying a specific piece of content is performed which allows to significantly increase the reliability, speed and security of such a method and system based on the watermarking technology.