Watermark Encoder Timestamp Range Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media watermarking techniques have limitations in supporting long time periods for timestamp ranges, which becomes ambiguous when media is time-shifted beyond the supported duration, leading to issues in accurately tracking media presentation times.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves increasing the numerical base of timestamp symbols from base 16 to base 28, allowing for a longer timestamp range while maintaining backwards compatibility by incrementing symbols within the original range and selectively using values from the extended range, thereby extending the timestamp range from 28 days to 341 days.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the timestamp range is extended beyond 28 days, then the ability to track media presentation times is improved, but the backwards compatibility with legacy watermarks is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The timestamp range is segmented into two distinct ranges: a first timestamp range (0-28 days) using original base-16 symbols for backwards compatibility, and a second timestamp range (28-341 days) using extended base-28 symbols. This segmentation allows the system to maintain compatibility with legacy watermarks while extending the timestamp range for newer media.
Solution Approach 2:
The timestamp symbol encoding is made dynamic by allowing different bases (base-16 for legacy compatibility, base-28 for extended range) depending on the time range being represented. The system adapts the encoding scheme based on whether the timestamp falls within the first or second range, enabling both backwards compatibility and extended functionality.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the numerical base of timestamp symbols is increased from base 16 to base 28, then the timestamp range is extended to 341 days, but the complexity of decoding legacy watermarks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The decoding process is segmented into two distinct phases: first, attempt to decode using the original base-16 symbol values for legacy compatibility; second, if decoding fails or the timestamp exceeds 28 days, switch to base-28 symbol values. This segmentation simplifies the overall decoding complexity by handling legacy and extended ranges separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a simple, easily implementable base-16 decoding mechanism for legacy watermarks that can be quickly discarded or overridden when extended functionality is needed. The base-28 extension acts as an optional enhancement that only activates when necessary, avoiding the need to redesign the entire decoding system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If timestamp symbols are incremented within the original base-16 range, then backwards compatibility is maintained, but the timestamp range is limited to 28 days
Solution Approach 1:
The timestamp representation is segmented into two ranges: the first range (0-28 days) uses original base-16 symbols to maintain backwards compatibility with legacy watermarks, while the second range (28-341 days) uses extended base-28 symbols to provide extended functionality. This segmentation allows both requirements to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extends the timestamp range by adding a new dimension to the symbol value space, transitioning from base-16 (16 possible values) to base-28 (28 possible values). This dimensional expansion allows the timestamp to represent longer durations while maintaining the original base-16 encoding for backwards compatibility within the first 28 days.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to extend a timestamp range supported by a watermark without breaking backwards compatibility are disclosed. An example watermark encoder includes a counter to increment symbols of a watermark timestamp and a controller to control the counter to increment the symbols of the watermark timestamp based on a key, the controller to cause the counter to restrict ones of the symbol values to increment over one of a first range of symbol values or a second range of symbol values based on a value of the key, the second range of symbol values different from the first range of symbol values.