Watermark-Based Channel Identification for ACR Multi-Match

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Solution Overview

Problem

Content presentation devices lack the ability to determine which channel of media content they are rendering, and existing fingerprint-based automatic content recognition (ACR) methods face ambiguity when multiple channels broadcast the same content, leading to inconclusive channel identification.

Innovation Solution

Utilize steganographically encoded watermarks in media content to disambiguate channel identification by decoding source identifiers (SIDs) when fingerprint-based ACR encounters multi-match scenarios, enabling precise channel determination and subsequent content modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If fingerprint-based ACR is used to identify channels, then channel identification can be performed without receiver involvement, but ambiguity occurs when multiple channels broadcast the same content

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic channel identificationVSAvoidchannel identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The channel identification process is segmented into two stages: first, fingerprint-based ACR performs automated content matching, and second, when multiple matches are found, steganographic watermark decoding is applied to disambiguate the specific channel. This segmentation allows the system to leverage the automation of fingerprinting while maintaining reliability through watermark verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Steganographic watermarks serve as an intermediary mechanism that resolves the ambiguity created by fingerprint-based multi-matches. The watermarks are embedded in the media content and contain unique channel identifiers that disambiguate between multiple channels broadcasting the same content, thereby maintaining identification accuracy without compromising automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If steganographic watermarks are used to disambiguate channel identification, then precise channel determination is achieved, but additional processing complexity is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel identification precisionVSAvoidprocessing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Steganographic watermarks are pre-encoded into the media content during the broadcasting process, so that when a content presentation device receives the signal, the channel identification information is already embedded and ready for extraction. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time analysis and reduces processing complexity at the receiving end.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or algorithmic analysis systems with steganographic watermark decoding. Instead of using elaborate methods to determine channel identity from content analysis alone, the system substitutes a simpler watermark extraction process that directly reveals the channel identifier embedded in the media signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If content presentation devices independently determine channel identity, then no receiver involvement is needed, but the devices lack access to channel selection information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent channel identificationVSAvoidchannel selection information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Channel identification information is preliminarily embedded in the media content itself through steganographic watermarks during the broadcasting process. This allows content presentation devices to independently extract and determine channel identity directly from the received signal without needing to query the receiver or access external channel selection databases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The media content carries its own channel identification information through embedded watermarks, enabling the content presentation device to self-determine its channel identity without external assistance. The system serves itself by containing all necessary identification data within the broadcast signal, eliminating dependency on receiver-provided information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20260067515A1Use of Steganographically-Encoded Data as Basis to Disambiguate Fingerprint-Based Multi-Match

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 THE NIELSEN CO (US) LLC

AI summary

The disclosure provides for use of steganographically-encoded data as a basis to disambiguated a fingerprint-based channel-multimatch. A fingerprint-matching server or other entity could detect a channel-multi-match scenario by determining that query fingerprints representing media content being rendered by a content presentation device match reference fingerprints respectively representing multiple channels. In view of that detected channel-multi-match scenario, the content presentation device could then provide channel-identification information that the content presentation device extracts from a watermark that is steganographically encoded in the media content of the channel that the content presentation device is rendering, for use of the extracted channel-identification information to determine which channel the content presentation device is rendering. Identifying the channel being rendered could then facilitate channel-specific action, such as then detecting a content-modification opportunity on the identified channel and preparing and enabling the content presentation device to carry out an associated content modification.