Blockchain-Linked Digital Watermarking for Copyright Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing copyright protection methods face challenges in identifying and managing unauthorized use of copyrighted content, particularly when only a portion of the content is used, as it can be difficult to embed and detect copyright information effectively.
Innovation Solution
Generating a unique identifier based on copyright information associated with digital content, determining features of printable materials, and converting the unique ID to a digital watermark that can be invisibly embedded, allowing retrieval of copyright information from a blockchain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If digital watermarking is used to embed copyright information, then copyright protection is improved, but the visibility and detectability of the watermark deteriorates when only a portion of content is used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the copyright information into discrete unique identifiers that can be independently embedded and detected. Each identifier corresponds to a specific copyright work or portion, allowing targeted detection even when only partial content is used. This segmentation enables the system to maintain high detectability without requiring the entire copyrighted content to be present.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces blockchain technology as an intermediary layer between the copyright information and the digital watermark. The blockchain stores unique identifiers that link to copyright records, while the watermarks themselves remain embedded in the content. This intermediary structure allows for reliable copyright protection while maintaining watermark detectability through the blockchain's immutable record-keeping capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If copyright information is embedded in the content, then identification of copyrighted material is improved, but the complexity of the embedding and detection system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core copyright identification function into separate unique identifiers that are stored on the blockchain. This extraction separates the identification logic from the content embedding and detection processes, simplifying the overall system architecture. The unique identifiers act as standalone references that can be independently managed on the blockchain without complicating the watermark embedding or detection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the unique identifiers to serve multiple functions: they identify copyright works, link to blockchain records, and enable detection of unauthorized use. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each purpose, thereby simplifying the overall architecture while maintaining high identification accuracy.
3Shape
If invisible digital watermarks are used, then the aesthetic quality of content is improved, but the reliability of copyright detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or visual watermarking methods with digital watermarking combined with blockchain verification. The invisible digital watermarks use subtle modifications to content data that are imperceptible to human eyes but detectable through digital processing. The blockchain provides an independent verification mechanism that ensures detection reliability without affecting the visual appearance of the content.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer-implemented method for hiding copyright information in printable materials, the method comprising: generating, by a computing device, a unique identifier (ID) based on copyright information associated with digital content, wherein the copyright information and the digital content are recorded on a blockchain of a blockchain network; determining, by the computing device, one or more features associated with one or more printable materials; and converting, by the computing device, the unique ID to a digital watermark based on the one or more features, the digital watermark not being apparent to an unaided human eye when printed on the one or more printable materials and configured to enable retrieval of the copyright information from the blockchain based on the unique ID, wherein the one or more features are identifiable from reproduction of one or more printed content after the digital watermark is printed on the one or more printable materials to provide the one or more printed content, and wherein the one or more printable materials include paper and the one or more features include one or more of texture, hue, deformation, ruggedness, and ink attributes associated with the paper.