Abstract: Detection of faults in a transmitted signal stream occurs by recovering, from the information stream, a water mark embedded in the stream prior to transmission. The embedded watermark has data characteristic of stream quality. Thereafter, the at least one watermark property is analyzed to detect faults in the received information stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for embedding watermark data into a data stream using the insertion of low frequency carriers modulated by the watermark data into selected spatio-temporal volumes having equal total luminance values

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for determining a threshold, including selecting a desired false result probability, and selecting a threshold value from a threshold table corresponding to the desired false result probability. Also described are a method and apparatus for determining a threshold corresponding to a desired false result probability, including calculating a false result probability, calculating a difference value between the calculated false result probability and the desired false result probability, comparing the difference value to a first predetermined value and comparing the difference value to a second predetermined value if a result of the first comparing act is positive.

Abstract: Implementations may relate to various aspects of modifying, or using, a coded bitstream, or to recovering water-marking information from data. In one implementation, a coded bitstream is modified to allow for the application of a watermark to the coded bitstream without changing the coding of any other syntax elements in the bitstream. This is performed by identifying conditions necessary to change a coded syntax element without disrupting the interpretation of subsequent coded elements. The coded syntax element is replaced with another coded value if the modified value generates the same decoding variables as the original value would have generated. Particular implementations focus on syntax elements coded using entropy coding, including, for example, Context-based Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding (CABAC). Regardless of the type of coding or watermarking, various implementations may provide for recovering watermarking information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus and system for the secure distribution of content such as audiovisual content in a way that prevents users from misusing the content and provides a mechanism for tracking pirated material back to the original location of misappropriation. A security device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, incorporates encryption methods to insure the broadcast encryption key remains secure. A marking device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, incorporates, for example, digital watermarking methods that attach to the content information to identify a location of origin of the misappropriation, such as a Set-top Box (STB) and/or smart card.

Abstract: Information available at a decoder is embedded into image content after decoding by first representing that information by at least one film grain pattern and then blending that at least one film grain pattern with the decoded image content. Such image content is typically in the form of a movie and examples of the information to be embedded include identification of the specific decoding device, the user of the decoding device, the time and date of decoding, the model number of the device, the versions of software running on the device, the status of the device or connections to the device, the contents of device registers or memory locations within the device, among many other possible data. When an unauthorized copy of image content is discovered, the copied image content undergoes a comparison to the decoded image content to generate difference data. Thereafter, the difference data undergoes comparison with a database of film grain patterns to recover the embedded data.

Abstract: A syringe for dispensing a fluid comprising: a barrel for containing the fluid; a plunger having a plunger head slideably mounted and retractable within the barrel; and locking means. The locking means includes fixing means which, when engaged, permanently prevent retraction of the plunger head relative to the barrel beyond a predetermined distance, thereby limiting the travel of the plunger head.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to games that involve luck and skill, such as poker. Specifically, the subject invention provide means, method and apparatus for the generation of statistics relating to a player's luck and skill as exhibited in prior games (“luck and skill statistics” or “luck and skill scores”). In the preferred embodiments, statistics or scores are generated for participants in a poker game. These statistics quantify how lucky or skillful a player has been over a given period of time. The data can be used to enhance the experience of the viewing public, and to aid a player's self-assessment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a low frequency watermark into a compressed data stream carrying compressed content is disclosed. A portion of the compressed data stream is decoded to generate decoded content. The decoded content is analyzed to generate watermark insertion information. The compressed content is embedded with a low frequency watermark using the watermark insertion information.

Abstract: A low-frequency, temporally asymmetric watermark carrier decreases in luminance at a slower rate than it increases in luminance. This allows the carrier to be embedded, e.g., in a video work, in a manner that renders the resultant watermark virtually invisible to the human eye. Moreover, the resultant watermark is substantially resistant to common pirating techniques in which high-frequency visual content (e.g., including watermark data) tends to be filtered out by piracy processing.

Abstract: For each small image region (in space and time), a measure of perceptual transparence of each of a set of possible watermark carrier modulations is used to choose a subset of such modulations, from which a secure random number generator selects, for each image region, a single carrier, modulations of which carry the watermark data.

Abstract: A syringe for dispensing a fluid comprising: a barrel for containing the fluid; a plunger having a plunger head slideably mounted and retractable within the barrel; and locking means. The locking means includes fixing means which, when engaged, permanently prevent retraction of the plunger head relative to the barrel beyond a predetermined distance, thereby limiting the travel of the plunger head.

Abstract: A low-frequency, temporally asymmetric watermark carrier decreases in luminance in a substantially monotonic manner more slowly than it increases in luminance in a substantially monotonic manner. This allows the carrier to be embedded, e.g., in a video work, in a manner that renders the resultant watermark virtually invisible to the human eye. Moreover, the resultant watermark is substantially resistant to common pirating techniques in which high-frequency visual content (e.g., including watermark data) tends to be filtered out by piracy processing.

Abstract: For each small image region (in space and time), a measure of perceptual transparence of each of a set of possible watermark carrier modulations is used to choose a subset of such modulations, from which a secure random number generator selects, for each image region, a single carrier, modulations of which carry the watermark data.

Abstract: Systems and methods of utilizing communications networks and multivariate analysis to predict or recommend optimal products from a predefined population of commercially available products are disclosed. The recommendations are based on intelligence contained in processing elements and subjective and/or objective product information received from consumers or input to the systems as part of their initial setup. The output of the systems comprise sets of products that they predict the consumer will prefer and/or perform well for the problem or concern identified by the consumer. The performance and preference predictions are a function of consumer problems and product responsiveness patterns. Objective product information is generally obtained with diagnostic instruments. Data measured with the diagnostic instruments may be communicated to the data processing portions of the invention via the Internet.