IP Library Granted Patent US 9,667,365
Granted Patent B2
US 9,667,365 · App. 12/464,811 · Granted May 30, 2017

Methods and apparatus to perform audio watermarking and watermark detection and extraction

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,667,365
App. No.
12/464,811
Granted
May 30, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and apparatus to audio watermarking and watermark detection and extracted are described herein. According to an example method, an identifier is encoded in media content when a different identifier has been previously encoded. According to another example method, messages decoded from media content are validated to provide improved decoding accuracy. In another example method, decoded symbols are stored in memory and synchronization symbols are located to detect a message encoded in media content.

Claims (37)

1. A method to transform media to include an encoding, the method comprising:

detecting, by executing an instruction with a processor, a first encoding in received audio samples, the first encoding including a first synchronization symbol and symbols of a first identification code, the first encoding having been encoded based on a first look-up table correlating the symbols of the first encoding with a first set of frequencies of the audio samples to be modified to encode the first synchronization symbol and the symbols of the first identification code in the audio samples;

in response to the detection of the first encoding, generating, by executing an instruction with the processor, a pre-existing code flag including a pre-existing code flag synchronization symbol and symbols a second identification code, the pre-existing code flag generated based on a second look-up table correlating the pre-existing code flag synchronization symbol and the symbols of the second identification code with a second set of frequencies of the audio samples to be modified to encode the pre-existing code flag synchronization symbol and the symbols of the second identification code in the audio samples, the second look-up table including at least some symbol to frequency correlations different from the first look-up table;

encoding, by executing an instruction with the processor, the pre-existing code flag in the audio samples to transform the audio samples into encoded audio samples including the first encoding and the pre-existing code flag; and

storing, by executing an instruction with the processor, the encoded audio samples in a tangible memory.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first identification code is included in the first encoding at a first time and in a second encoding at a second time, and the second identification code is encoded between the first encoding and the second encoding.

3. The method as defined in claim 2 , wherein the encoding of the pre-existing code flag includes encoding the pre-existing code flag synchronization symbol between the first time of the first encoding and the second time of the second encoding.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the second identification code is encoded by:

identifying frequencies in the second set of frequencies corresponding to the second identification code; and

emphasizing the frequencies in the second set of frequencies.

5. The method as defined in claim 4 , wherein the emphasizing of the frequencies includes:

generating a code signal having a frequency from the set of frequencies emphasized; and

adding the code signal to the audio samples.

6. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first identification code is to identify a first media distributor that broadcast media of the audio samples at a first time and the second identification code is to identify a second media distributor that broadcast the media at a second time later than the first time.

7. An apparatus to transform media to include an encoding, the apparatus comprising:

a prior code detector to detect a first encoding in received audio samples, the first encoding including a first synchronization symbol and symbols a first identification code, the first encoding having been encoded based on a first look-up table correlating the symbols of the first encoding with a first set of frequencies of the audio samples to be modified to encode the first synchronization symbol and the symbols of the first identification code in the audio samples;

a code signal synthesizer to, in response to the detection of the first encoding, generate a pre-existing code flag including a pre-existing code flag synchronization symbol and symbols of a second identification code, the pre-existing code flag generated based on a second look-up table correlating the pre-existing code flag synchronization symbol and symbols of the second identification code with a second set of frequencies of the audio samples to be modified to encode the pre-existing code flag synchronization symbol and the symbols of the second identification code in the audio samples, the second look-up table including at least some symbol to frequency correlations different from the first look-up table; and

a mixer to:

combine the pre-existing code flag and the audio samples to transform the audio samples into encoded audio samples including the first encoding and the pre-existing code flag; and

store the encoded audio samples in a tangible memory.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 , wherein the first identification code is included in the first encoding at a first time and in a second encoding at a second time, and the second identification code is encoded between the first encoding and the second encoding.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 , wherein the mixer is to combine the pre-existing code flag synchronization symbol and the audio samples between the first time of the first encoding and the second time of the second encoding.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 , wherein the first encoded identification code is to identify a first media distributor that broadcast media of the audio samples at a first time and the second encoded identification code is to identify a second media distributor that broadcast the media at a second time later than the first time.

11. At least one of a storage device or storage disk comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at least:

detect a first encoding in received audio samples, the first encoding including a first synchronization symbol and symbols of a first identification code, the first encoding having been encoded based on a first look-up table correlating the symbols of the first encoding with a first set of frequencies of the audio samples to be modified to encode the first synchronization symbol and the symbols of the first identification code in the audio samples;

in response to the detection of the first encoding, generate a pre-existing code flag including a pre-existing code flag synchronization symbol and symbols of a second identification code, the pre-existing code flag generated based on a second look-up table correlating the pre-existing code flag synchronization symbol and the symbols of the second identification code with a second set of frequencies of the audio samples to be modified to encode the pre-existing code flag synchronization symbol and the symbols of the second identification code in the audio samples, the second look-up table including at least some symbol to frequency correlations different from the first look-up table;

encode the pre-existing code flag in the audio samples to transform the audio samples into encoded audio samples including the first encoding and the pre-existing code flag; and

store the encoded audio samples in a tangible memory.

12. The at least one of a storage device or storage disk as defined in claim 11 , wherein the first identification code is included in the first encoding at a first time and in a second encoding at a second time, and the second identification code is encoded between the first encoding and the second encoding.

13. The at least one of a storage device or storage disk as defined in claim 12 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the machine to encode the pre-existing code flag synchronization symbol between the first time of the first encoding and the first time of the second encoding.

14. The at least one of a storage device or storage disk as defined in claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the machine to:

identify frequencies of the second set of frequencies corresponding to the second identification code; and

emphasize the identified frequencies in the second set of frequencies.

15. The at least one of a storage device or storage disk as defined in claim 14 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the machine to:

generate at least one code signal having at least one frequency from the identified frequencies in the second set of frequencies amplified; and

add the at least one code signal to the audio samples.

16. The at least one of a storage device or storage disk as defined in claim 11 , wherein the first identification code is to identify a first media distributor that broadcast media of the audio samples at a first time and the second identification code is to identify a second media distributor that broadcast the media at a second time later than the first time.

Assignments (9)
RELEASE (REEL 054066 / FRAME 0064) Recorded May 11, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: GRACENOTE, INC.; A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063605/0001 →
RELEASE (REEL 053473 / FRAME 0001) Recorded May 11, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063603/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 063574/0632 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063561/0381 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 31, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063560/0547 →
RELEASE (REEL 037172 / FRAME 0415) Recorded Oct 13, 2022
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 061750/0221 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENTS LISTED ON SCHEDULE 1 RECORDED ON 6-9-2020 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 053473 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SUPPLEMENTAL IP SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Oct 7, 2020
From: A.C. NIELSEN (ARGENTINA) S.A.; A.C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; ACN HOLDINGS INC.; ACNIELSEN CORPORATION; ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM; AFFINNOVA, INC.; ART HOLDING, L.L.C.; ATHENIAN LEASING CORPORATION; CZT/ACN TRADEMARKS, L.L.C.; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC; NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER INSIGHTS, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER NEUROSCIENCE, INC.; NIELSEN FINANCE CO.; NIELSEN FINANCE LLC; NIELSEN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; NIELSEN MOBILE, LLC; NMR INVESTING I, INC.; TCG DIVESTITURE INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; VIZU CORPORATION; VNU MARKETING INFORMATION, INC.; NMR LICENSING ASSOCIATES, L.P.; NIELSEN HOLDING AND FINANCE B.V.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY B.V.; VNU INTERNATIONAL B.V.
To: CITIBANK, N.A
Reel/Frame 054066/0064 →
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 9, 2020
From: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; ACN HOLDINGS INC.; ACNIELSEN CORPORATION; ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM; AFFINNOVA, INC.; ART HOLDING, L.L.C.; ATHENIAN LEASING CORPORATION; CZT/ACN TRADEMARKS, L.L.C.; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC; NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER INSIGHTS, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER NEUROSCIENCE, INC.; NIELSEN FINANCE CO.; NIELSEN FINANCE LLC; NIELSEN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; NIELSEN MOBILE, LLC; NIELSEN UK FINANCE I, LLC; NMR INVESTING I, INC.; TCG DIVESTITURE INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; VIZU CORPORATION; VNU MARKETING INFORMATION, INC.; NMR LICENSING ASSOCIATES, L.P.; NIELSEN HOLDING AND FINANCE B.V.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY B.V.; VNU INTERNATIONAL B.V.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053473/0001 →
SUPPLEMENTAL IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 30, 2015
From: THE NIELSEN COMPANY ((US), LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT FOR THE FIRST LIEN SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 037172/0415 →