Invisible Watermark Encoding for Digital Media Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital media distribution systems lack effective methods to uniquely identify and protect digital content from unauthorized copying and distribution, as current watermarking technologies are either visible and distracting or difficult to implement.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that encodes digital media with both visible and invisible watermarks, using a unique identification associated with the requestor, allowing for the digital media to be uniquely identified and protected, with the invisible watermark embedded in a pseudo-random pattern across frames of the media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visible watermarks are used to identify digital media owners, then identification effectiveness is improved, but user experience deteriorates due to visual distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an invisible watermark as an intermediary solution that mediates between the need for reliable identification and the desire for good user experience. The invisible watermark embeds owner identification data within the digital media content in a way that is imperceptible to users, thus maintaining identification effectiveness while eliminating visual distraction. This resolves the contradiction by providing a hidden layer of identification that does not interfere with the normal viewing experience.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional watermarking methods are used, then implementation simplicity is improved, but protection reliability deteriorates due to ease of removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the watermark from a visible visual element to an invisible digital signal embedded within the media's data structure. This fundamental parameter change from visual to digital domain makes the watermark much more resistant to removal while maintaining implementation feasibility through automated encoding processes. The invisible watermark is integrated into the digital signal itself, requiring sophisticated tools to detect and remove, thus improving protection reliability without significantly complicating implementation.
3Reliability
If invisible watermarks are embedded in all frames, then identification robustness is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively embedding invisible watermarks in specific key frames or segments of the digital media rather than uniformly in all frames. This approach concentrates identification capability in critical locations while reducing overall processing complexity. By strategically placing watermarks in frames that are most important for identification purposes, the system achieves robust identification without the computational burden of processing every single frame, thus resolving the contradiction between robustness and complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and computer-readable media for uniquely identifying a digital medium by receiving a request for the digital medium, the request corresponding to a requestor, associating a unique identification with the requestor, encoding the digital medium based on the unique identification to provide a watermarked digital medium, the watermarked digital medium including a watermark that can be used to determine the unique identification, and providing the watermarked digital medium to the requestor.