Abstract: The presently claimed invention relates to audio and video processing. One claim recites a method including: obtaining streaming audio or video on a handheld wireless device, the handheld wireless device comprising: i) a programmed electronic processor, and ii) memory; using the programmed electronic processor, analyzing data representing the audio or video to extract identifying information there from; obtaining a device identifier or user identifier from the memory; communicating the identifying information and the device identifier or user identifier to a database as part of a request to add a title corresponding to the streaming audio or video to a media collection associated with the device identifier or user identifier, and in which the title is associated with the identifying information. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too.

Abstract: A method for operating an electronic gaming system captures an image of a gaming object, extracts identifying information from the image of the gaming object, and uses the extracted identifying information to reference a database to determine a behavior associated with the identifying information. The method returns data to the gaming system to execute or control the behavior of the gaming system in response to the gaming object. Various system configurations for this method as well as unique applications of it are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides digital watermarks through multiple channels. The channels may include, e.g., visible, ultraviolet and infrared channels, or be based on predetermined materials. The non-visible channels can be selected to fluoresce either in the visible or IR/UV spectrums upon the appropriate illumination in the infrared or ultraviolet spectrums. The watermarks in the various multiple channels can cooperate to facilitate watermark detection or to authenticate an object in which the watermarks are embedded. In other implementations the multiple watermarks include so-called orientation components. A relative relationship between the orientation components is used to convey data. Of course, other combinations are provided too.

Abstract: A shopper is presented with a customized online store whose inventory is defined by the shopper. In one embodiment, specification of the inventory is conducted in a bricks and mortar store—either during checkout, or by the shopper walking the aisles and scanning items with a barcode scanner pen or the like. The inventory may be defined—at least in part—by scanning items in the shopper's home. A variety of other novel features useful in on-line shopping are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for operating an electronic gaming system captures an image of a gaming object, extracts identifying information from the image of the gaming object, and uses the extracted identifying information to reference a database to determine a behavior associated with the identifying information. The method returns data to the gaming system to execute or control the behavior of the gaming system in response to the gaming object. Various system configurations for this method as well as unique applications of it are also disclosed.

Abstract: The presently claimed invention relates to audio and video processing. One claim recites a method including: obtaining streaming audio or video on a handheld wireless device, the handheld wireless device comprising: i) a programmed electronic processor, and ii) memory; using the programmed electronic processor, analyzing data representing the audio or video to extract identifying information there from; obtaining a device identifier or user identifier from the memory; communicating the identifying information and the device identifier or user identifier to a database as part of a request to add a title corresponding to the streaming audio or video to a media collection associated with the device identifier or user identifier, and in which the title is associated with the identifying information. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to fingerprinting (e.g., deriving identifying data from audio or other media content). One claim recites a method including: obtaining identifying data derived with fingerprinting from data representing audio elements of an audio signal or derived with fingerprinting from data representing video picture elements of a video signal, the audio signal or video signal corresponding to a media signal captured by a wireless handheld device; determining a media title that corresponds to the identifying data; determining usage rights associated with at least one of the media title or a user of the wireless handheld device; identifying the user of the wireless handheld device or a library of the media titles that is associated with the user of the wireless handheld device; and adding the media title to the library of media titles that is associated with the user if so permitted by the usage rights. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided as well.

Abstract: Embedded data in gaming objects is used to authenticate the gaming object and to enhance the gaming experience in gambling venues The gaming object is authenticated automatically using information about the venue encoded in the gaming objects. The behavior of electronic gambling game systems is enhanced by extracting covert data from gaming objects and using the extracted data to control behavior of the gambling game.

Abstract: Driver's licenses and other security documents include one or more machine-readable features, each conveying plural bits of information. These features are used in a variety of ways to increase security, and/or to enhance functionality. In one embodiment, data encoded on a driver's license is used at airport check-in, to link to a state DMV database and obtain information by which the document, and its custodian, can be authenticated. In like fashion, a license can be used to authenticate a bearer and/or his/her age prior to the sale of alcohol or tobacco products. In other embodiments, different elements of a driver's license (e.g., the substrate, photo, text data, and machine-readable data) are logically bound together (e.g., interlinked through payloads conveyed by different machine-readable features) as a deterrent against counterfeiting. Driver's licenses can be similarly logically bound to personal checks and other documents. Many other arrangements are also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure describes novel methods for generating unique copies of content. One method combines the functions of the master copy and unique copy watermarks. In particular, the method generates a unique copy by varying the manner in which the master copy watermark is embedded in unique copies of a content item. In one embodiment, the master copy watermark is repeated within the content item and its location is varied in a unique pattern that comprises the unique copy watermark. The unique copy is generated by producing a copy in which master copy watermarks are embedded in a unique pattern. For instance in one embodiment, the locations of the master copy watermarks in the content item are represented as a vector of delta values in which each delta value corresponds to the distance between a corresponding instance of the master copy watermark, and a neighboring instance of the master copy watermark.

Abstract: A digital watermark detection method uses a matched filtering technique on a log polar re-mapping of a watermarked signal to detect peaks associated with a repetitive structure of a watermark.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variety of content identifiers (e.g., fingerprinting and watermarking) and related methods. One method recites: associating a digital rights management (DRM) identifier with content; populating a first rights registry with usage rights associated with the content, wherein the usage rights are indexed in the first rights registry according to the DRM identifier; and populating a second rights registry with at least some of the usage rights, wherein the at least some of the usage rights are indexed in the second rights registry according to a content identifier extracted or derived from the content. Other combinations are provided as well.

Abstract: A digital watermark detection method uses a matched filtering technique on a log polar re-mapping of a watermarked signal to detect peaks associated with a repetitive structure of a watermark.

Abstract: Media objects are transformed into active, connected objects via identifiers embedded into them or their containers. In the context of a user's playback experience, a decoding process extracts the identifier from a media object and possibly additional context information and forwards it to a server. The server, in turn, maps the identifier to an action, such as returning metadata, re-directing the request to one or more other servers, requesting information from another server to identify the media object, etc. The linking process applies to broadcast objects as well as objects transmitted over networks in streaming and compressed file formats.

Abstract: A digital watermark detection method uses a matched filtering technique on a log polar re-mapping of a watermarked signal to detect peaks associated with a repetitive structure of a watermark.

Abstract: Driver's licenses and other security documents include one or more machine-readable features, each conveying plural bits of information. These features are used in a variety of ways to increase security, and/or to enhance functionality. In one embodiment, data encoded on a driver's license is used at airport check-in, to link to a state DMV database and obtain information by which the document, and its custodian, can be authenticated. In like fashion, a license can be used to authenticate a bearer and/or his/her age prior to the sale of alcohol or tobacco products. In other embodiments, different elements of a driver's license (e.g., the substrate, photo, text data, and machine-readable data) are logically bound together (e.g., interlinked through payloads conveyed by different machine-readable features) as a deterrent against counterfeiting. Driver's licenses can be similarly logically bound to personal checks and other documents. Many other arrangements are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides various methods and apparatus used in connection with steganography and digital watermarking. In one implementation, a method of obtaining information from a network of computers based at least in part on the environment associated with a first computer is provided. An object is presented within the field of view of an optical sensor device. The optical device is in communication with a first computer. The object includes plural-bit data steganographically encoded in the object. The first computer communicates with at least a second computer in the network of computers. Optical data corresponding to the object is acquired, and the plural-bit digital data is decoded from the optical data. At least some of the decoded data and environmental data is submitted to the second computer, which determines which information to send to the first computer based on the environmental data. Many other embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Media objects are transformed into active, connected objects via identifiers embedded into them or their containers. In the context of a user's playback experience, a decoding process extracts the identifier from a media object and possibly additional context information and forwards it to a server. The server, in turn, maps the identifier to an action, such as returning metadata, re-directing the request to one or more other servers, requesting information from another server to identify the media object, etc. The linking process applies to broadcast objects as well as objects transmitted over networks in streaming and compressed file formats.