Abstract: An improved apparatus for on-line coal flow control in vertical spindle mills comprising a plurality of independently adjustable flow control elements and positioning rods that adjust the positioning of those flow control elements. Each flow control element is positioned within the discharge turret of the vertical spindle mill along the outer wall of the discharge turret proximate the entrance to its corresponding coal outlet pipe. The adjustable rods are seated on the side or top of the discharge turret of the coal pulverizer and are connected to the flow control element horizontally or vertically as the case may be. The flow control elements can be independently rotated by +/?90 degrees about the positioning rod axis, moved back and forth in the horizontal plane, and can also be moved up and down in the vertical plane. Therefore, each flow control element has three degrees-of-freedom: one rotational and two linear displacements.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for on-line coal flow control in vertical spindle mills comprising a plurality of independently adjustable flow control elements and positioning rods that adjust the positioning of those flow control elements. Each flow control element is positioned within the discharge turret of the vertical spindle mill along the outer wall of the discharge turret proximate the entrance to its corresponding coal outlet pipe. The adjustable rods are seated on the side or top of the discharge turret of the coal pulverizer and are connected to the flow control element horizontally or vertically as the case may be. The flow control elements can be independently rotated by +/?90 degrees about the positioning rod axis, moved back and forth in the horizontal plane, and can also be moved up and down in the vertical plane. Therefore, each flow control element has three degrees-of-freedom: one rotational and two linear displacements.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for on-line coal flow control in vertical spindle mills comprising a plurality of independently adjustable flow control elements and positioning rods that adjust the positioning of those flow control elements. Each flow control element is positioned within the discharge turret of the vertical spindle mill along the outer wall of the discharge turret proximate the entrance to its corresponding coal outlet pipe. The adjustable rods are seated on the side of the discharge turret of the coal pulverizer and are connected to the flow control element horizontally. The flow control elements can be independently rotated by +/?90 degrees about the positioning rod axis, and can also be moved back and forth in the horizontal plane. Therefore, each flow control element has two degrees-of-freedom: rotational and linear displacements. The apparatus improves boiler performance by making it possible to operate the boiler with reduced pollutant levels (e.g. NOx, CO) and increased combustion efficiency.

Abstract: Object identifiers are used in a variety of content distribution arrangements, including—but not limited to—peer to peer networks. The object identifiers may be of different forms, including digital watermarks, fingerprint identifiers, etc. Through use of such identifiers, sometimes in conjunction with related databases, a number of functions and services can be readily implemented. These include governing content uploading/downloading in order to inhibit piracy, and to enable subscription models. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to steganographic encoding for multimedia content. In one combination, a method is provided including: encoding first information in a first component of a multimedia signal, the first component comprising audio, the first information being encoded though subtle changes to data representing the first component; encoding second information in a second component of the multimedia signal, the second component comprising video, the first information being encoded though subtle changes to data representing the first component, the first information and the second information are associated. Of course, other combinations are provided as well.

Abstract: This patent application is generally related to watermarking and steganography. In one implementation, a method of embedding auxiliary information within original data is provided. The original data is divided into a series of groups, with each group in the series of groups associated with a value. The method includes: investigating a first group to determine a presence of a local masking opportunity; and if there exists a presence of a local masking opportunity with the first group, embedding data by setting a value of one or more groups in a neighborhood of the first group, including the first group, in accordance with a value associated with at least a portion of the auxiliary data. Other implementations and embodiments are provided as well.

Abstract: Digital watermarking or steganographic data hiding is used to convey location data in video. A digital watermark or steganographic signal may associate geovector or geolocation information with video, video objects or areas depicted in the video. Other implementations and combinations are provided as well.

Abstract: A method of performing digital asset management of content is provided. The content is identified with an identifier. The identifier can be identified with a digital watermark, header file, or both. The identifier is linked to usage rules to regulate usage and protect the content. The usage rules can be maintained on a remote or local database or server. Once extracted, an identifier is used to index the database to locate a corresponding usage rule, and can be used to override copy control information with proper purchase and subsequent protection. Content can be managed from such. In another embodiment, an identifier is used to track usage, such as amount of content viewed, time played, and copies made. In yet another embodiment, a content identifier is used to regulate content throughout a distribution chain, and a distributed set of databases with information relevant only to the owner of the database act as one database due to a central router.

Abstract: The present application relates generally to content management (e.g., management of audio, video and/or imagery). In a first implementation, a method is provided including: tracking up to N identifiers associated with previously accessed content items, where N is an integer, and where each previously accessed content item has an identifier associated therewith; reviewing rendering rules associated with a new content item or an identifier associated with the new content item; and restricting access to the new content item if the rendering rules are not met. The rendering rules include one or more rules allowing access to the new content item if: i) its identifier is one of the N identifiers associated with the previously accessed content items, or ii) less than N content items have been accessed within a predetermined time. Of course, other implementations and embodiments are provided as well.

Abstract: A portable device for use with audio or visual content (e.g., an MP3 player-like device, or a camera-enabled device) is equipped with one or more features/capabilities, including: a user interface through which a consumer can instruct that content be delivered to a different consumer's device, the ability to derive identifiers from content and take action(s) based thereon, the ability to count playbacks of content; and/or the ability to interact with remote web services. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to fingerprinting, e.g., a reduced-bit representation or other identifier of a media signal (e.g., audio, video or still images). One method recites: receiving a partial fingerprint of a media signal, wherein the partial fingerprint is derived from the media signal itself, the partial fingerprint being computed a first location; processing the partial fingerprint to obtain a more refined fingerprint, relative to the partial fingerprint, the act of processing occurring at a second location that is remote from the first location; and based at least in part of the refined fingerprint, identifying the media signal or information associated with the media signal.

Abstract: A portable device for use with audio or visual content (e.g., an MP3 player-like device, or a camera-enabled device) is equipped with one or more features/capabilities, including: a user interface through which a consumer can instruct that content be delivered to a different consumer's device, the ability to derive identifiers from content and take action(s) based thereon, the ability to count playbacks of content; and/or the ability to interact with remote web services. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: An identifier corresponding to an object is used in establishing links to related electronic resources. The identifier can be obtained by decoding a watermark, performing a hashing algorithm on content data, reading a bar code, etc. The object can be physical (e.g., a magazine page) or electronic (e.g., music or image data). Suitable devices useful with this technology include cell phones, PDAs, and the like, which may include sensors for capturing object data. The associated electronic resource can be a web site from which information, image/audio content, etc., is provided. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: A method of associating a content object with metadata uses a combination of a content identifier and a bounding identifier to enable handling of disparate sets of content identifiers for content objects with potentially conflicting content identifiers. The method receives a content identifier for a content object from among a set of content identifiers. It provides a unique bounding identifier for the set of content identifiers. This unique bounding identifier is used in combination with the content identifier to form a globally unique identifier for the content object. This globally unique identifier is associated with a metadata source, which enables routing of a user to the metadata source. Another novel method addresses content objects with two or more content identifiers, potentially referencing different metadata sources. This method registers different globally unique identifiers for a content object.

Abstract: A method of associating a content object with metadata uses a combination of a content identifier and a bounding identifier to enable handling of disparate sets of content identifiers for content objects with potentially conflicting content identifiers. The method receives a content identifier for a content object from among a set of content identifiers. It provides a unique bounding identifier for the set of content identifiers. This unique bounding identifier is used in combination with the content identifier to form a globally unique identifier for the content object. This globally unique identifier is associated with a metadata source, which enables routing of a user to the metadata source. Another novel method addresses content objects with two or more content identifiers, potentially referencing different metadata sources. This method registers different globally unique identifiers for a content object.

Abstract: A method for controlling watermark embedding in a media object through the use of a watermark embedding command. The use of the embedding command enables watermark embedding to be adapted for the transmission channel at the time of transmission.

Abstract: Identification of media content, such as audio, can be performed through use of watermarking or fingerprinting (aka content signature) technologies. Aspects of these technologies may be combined to advantageous effect. For example, in dealing with the problem of fingerprint errors arising from object distortion, operations known from digital watermarking systems can be employed.

Abstract: The content metadata directory system connects consumers of identified content to managed metadata databases and other digital resources. The system manages links between identifiers in content objects and metadata sources. It supports a variety of different type of content identifiers and allows for overlap among different content identification schemes. One method of associating a content object with metadata uses a combination of a content identifier and a bounding identifier to enable handling of disparate sets of content identifiers for content objects with potentially conflicting content identifiers. The method receives a content identifier for a content object from among a set of content identifiers and provides a unique bounding identifier for the set of content identifiers. This unique bounding identifier is used in combination with the content identifier to form a globally unique identifier for the content object.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and apparatus involving embedding data. Data can be embedded steganographically in content or embedded in, e.g., headers associated with the content. In one implementation, a method of embedding auxiliary information in data is provided. The method includes receiving data and correlated data. The correlated data is related to but independent from the received data. The method further includes receiving auxiliary information, the auxiliary information being independent of the received data and the correlated data; changing the auxiliary information based on at least the correlated data; and embedding the changed auxiliary information in the received data. Other implementations are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems include, e.g.,: (1) steganographically embedding location information in images, where the location information is obtained from remote sources like a cell phone network or remote GPS receiver; (2) steganographically embedding participant IDs in content to ensure proper billing and royalty tracking; (3) providing fair-use content management based upon digital watermark-tracked usage; (4) providing micro-payments based upon watermarked ID cards for retailers; and/or (5) providing watermarked logon cards, such as watermarked hotel room keys, to better provide internet logon access control. Other systems and methods are provided as well.