Audio Watermarking via Sectioned Signal Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for distributing digital audio files lack effective means to securely embed copyright information and advertising, prevent unauthorized copying, and provide secure trial versions, as they often require proprietary systems or user authentication and do not ensure the integrity of embedded data.
Innovation Solution
A method of embedding watermarking data in audio signals by sectioning them into distinct sections, generating recoverable distortion in one section, and appending it to another, using robust and fragile data hiding techniques to ensure secure playback and prevent tampering, while allowing for advertising and trial sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If copyright material is embedded in digital audio files to prevent unauthorized copying, then security and integrity are improved, but the system becomes more complex and requires proprietary encoding systems
Solution Approach 1:
The audio signal is divided into multiple sections, with copyright information embedded in specific sections. This segmentation allows the copyright data to be protected independently while maintaining the overall audio signal structure, reducing the complexity of the overall system while improving security.
Solution Approach 2:
A key mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the embedded copyright information and the audio signal. The key controls access to the copyright-protected sections, enabling secure copyright protection without requiring complex proprietary encoding systems throughout the entire audio processing chain.
2Productivity
If advertising material is embedded in digital audio files for commercial purposes, then commercial value is improved, but the advertising material becomes vulnerable to removal and tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The audio signal is segmented into distinct sections, with advertising material placed in specific sections that are marked and protected. This segmentation ensures that advertising content remains integral to the file structure and cannot be easily removed or tampered with, while still providing commercial value.
Solution Approach 2:
Copyright and protection information is embedded in the audio signal before distribution. This preliminary embedding ensures that advertising material and copyright data are securely integrated into the file structure from the outset, preventing later removal or tampering.
3Ease of operation
If trial versions are provided for digital audio files to enable pre-purchase listening, then customer acquisition is improved, but the trial versions can be copied and circulated illegally
Solution Approach 1:
The audio signal is divided into sections, with trial versions provided in marked sections that contain embedded copyright information. This segmentation allows convenient trial access while maintaining security, as the trial sections are clearly identified and protected within the overall file structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback through embedded copyright information that identifies authorized versus unauthorized copies. When trial versions are distributed, the embedded copyright data enables detection of unauthorized copying, allowing the system to distinguish between legitimate trial use and illegal distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method of embedding watermarking data in an audio signal which includes the steps of incorporating watermarking information into said audio signal, sectioning said signal into at least two sections, marking at least one said section whereby said sections may be identified, generating distortion in one said section of said signal in manner recoverable by a key obtainable from at least one other said section, and appending said distorted section to said at least one other section to form a composite signal comprising a distorted section to said at least one other section to form a composite signal comprising a distorted section and at least one undistorted section. The present invention is particularly useful for enabling advertisements and or trial listening sections to be added to an audio file in such a manner that they include the key for recovering a distorted section. If an attempt is made to remove the advertisement or trial section, then the key would be lost.