CONCEALED METADATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
System and method for embedding and concealing data within a video signal such that the embedded data is displayed within an unused portion of a video display area such that the embedded data is not visually offensive. In one embodiment the encoding of metadata may be executed by translating or adjusting pixel values of the video signal within the secondary image area, such that the pixel values are repurposed to contain the metadata and wherein the metadata is visually imperceptible.
This application is a continuation of and claims priority benefit to commonly-owned parent application U.S. Ser. No. 11/657,779, filed on Jan. 24, 2007 and entitled “Concealed Metadata Transmission System” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for passing metadata through networks, cable and satellite systems, or broadcasts without corrupting or losing data.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTraditional television broadcasting devices have enabled additional broadcast related information to be transmitted along with broadcast programs, (e.g., closed captioning). In analog television formats, such as NTSC, additional information is encoded in the vertical blanking area (VBI). As television formats progress to all digital systems the VBI is no longer utilized for carrying information. Digital systems enable information to be encoded in the picture frame user area as defined by MPEG systems. With the expansion of high bandwidth networks providing an increasing volume of information and the adoption of digital transmission networks, there exists a need for providing additional information along with broadcasted audio and video content. One way existing broadcast systems have supplied additional information with broadcasted media is to rely on separate transmission paths such as phone lines or the internet. As additional broadcast related data is passed through networks, cable and satellite systems, or broadcast plants, the additional broadcast data is susceptible to corruption or loss of data.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art to provide a system or method able to provide additional information along with media content without the need of a separate transmission path wherein the additional information is not corrupted or lost.
SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTSDisclosed and claimed herein are systems, methods and apparatus for encoding and displaying data embedded within unused portions of a video signal. In one embodiment, a method includes a media signal having a first display format from a broadcast source, wherein the signal comprises video content and embedded data. The received media signal is then decoded. Video content may then be displayed in a primary image area of a display device, the primary image area having a second display format. A secondary image area may then be displayed simultaneously with the video content, wherein the secondary image area is outside the primary area and contains the embedded data. The method further includes, concealing embedded data within the secondary image area such that the embedded data is not visually offensive.
Other aspects, features, and techniques of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art in view of the following detailed description of the invention.
One aspect of the present invention is directed to displaying embedded data within a secondary image area of a display device, wherein the data is concealed. In one embodiment, the invention relates to video signal processing logic or a display device. The invention may be housed in the display device or may be separate and utilized as a component of a video signal interface such as a set top box. This embodiment may also be connected through a video signal interface to the display. To that end, the invention may be housed in a set-top box which provides a video signal to a display device for presentation of video content.
In one embodiment, data is embedded into a video signal through an encoding process. The encoding process may be through adjustment of pixel values such that the data is visually imperceptible or otherwise concealed. The adjustment of the pixels may be through translating lumen components of a plurality of pixels, illuminating pixels at varying intensities, illuminating pixels at varying black or white intensity levels, scrolling intensity values within a specified image area, varying the intensity of a graphic that scrolls in a particular image area or translating color difference components of pixel values.
Another aspect is to provide a system for encoding data within a video signal wherein the encoded data is passed through a network, cable or satellite system without corruption or loss of data. In one embodiment of the invention, metadata is encoded into a video signal and transmitted to a receiving device. The system provides a network interface which is capable of decoding the media signal and processing logic to display video content from the broadcasted media signal. Video content from the video signal is displayed in a primary image area and the encoded metadata is displayed in a secondary image area such that the encoded metadata is embedded in the video signal in a visually imperceptible manner and extractable for later use and/or storage. Once embedded data is extracted it may be available for storage in a memory device or subsequent use as guide data, program data to convey upcoming programming information, data to upgrade manufactures display devices, metadata or user accessible data. The embedded data may also convey network communications data for messages from the network to affiliates, closed captioning data which can then be displayed over the primary video, content advisory data, forensic data used to identify video content and/or audience measurement data.
When implemented in software, the elements of the invention are essentially the code segments to perform the necessary tasks. The program or code segments can be stored in a processor readable medium. The “processor readable medium” may include any medium that can store or transfer information. Examples of the processor readable medium include an electronic circuit, a semiconductor memory device, a ROM, a flash memory or other nonvolatile memory, a floppy diskette, a CD-ROM, an optical disk, a hard disk, a fiber optic medium, a radio frequency (RF) link, etc. The code segments may be downloaded via computer networks such as the Internet, Intranet, etc.
Referring now to the drawings,
In one embodiment the embedded data source 105 provides guide data, device updates, metadata or user accessible data encoded by back end system 115 for transmission or a media signal to client side system 125. Client side system 125 receives the broadcasted media signal via network interface 130 and may provide the media signal to processing logic 140. In one embodiment network interface 130 may be an analog or digital television tuner. Processing logic 140 provides the media signal to a display device 135 and may receive input from a user input device 145. Display device 135 receives video content and embedded data which then may be displayed.
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In one embodiment, the encoding of metadata may be executed by translating or adjusting pixel values of the video signal within the secondary image area, such that the pixel values are repurposed to contain the metadata and wherein the metadata is visually imperceptible. Translating or adjusting the pixel values may be executed by adjusting one or more lumen components of a plurality of pixels. The lumen components may be adjusted by illuminating pixels at varying intensities, illuminating pixels at varying black or white intensity levels or adjusting values of the pixel such that lumen intensities may be interpreted as binary data.
According to one embodiment of the invention, translating of pixel values may be accomplished by scrolling lumen intensity values within a secondary image area or within a graphic in the secondary image area. According to another embodiment of the invention, a varying intensity graphic that scrolls through the secondary image area may also be utilized to conceal embedded data.
Translating of pixel values may be accomplished by translating color difference components of the pixel values according to another embodiment of the invention.
Referring now to
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art. Trademarks and copyrights referred to herein are the property of their respective owners.
Claims
1. A method comprising:
- receiving a broadcast media signal comprising video content and embedded data; and
- decoding the media signal.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the embedded data is concealed within a plurality of pixels.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the embedded data is characterized by a plurality of pixel intensity differences.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the embedded data is concealed within a scrolling varying intensity graphic.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the embedded data comprises at least one of: guide data, program related information, network messages, audience measurement data, forensic markers, closed captioning, data for device operation, and content advisory data.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the embedded data is embedded in audio data.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying the embedded data simultaneously with the video content on a display device, wherein the embedded data is concealed and visually imperceptible.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the embedded data is displayed in at least one display edge area less than three pixels in thickness.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein the embedded data is displayed in a secondary image area outside a primary viewing area where the video content is displayed.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the secondary image area comprises a letterbox less than three pixels high.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein the secondary image area comprises a pillarbox less than three pixels wide.
12. An apparatus comprising:
- a network interface that receives a broadcast media signal comprising video content and embedded data; and
- a processor coupled to the network interface and configured to decode the media signal.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to display the embedded data within a plurality of pixels.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to display the embedded data as a plurality of pixel intensity differences.
15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to display the embedded data as a scrolling varying intensity graphic.
16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the embedded data comprises at least one of: guide data, program related information, network messages, audience measurement data, forensic markers, closed captioning, data for device operation, and content advisory data.
17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the embedded data is embedded in audio data.
18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to display the embedded data simultaneously with the video content on a display device, wherein the embedded data is concealed and visually imperceptible when decoded and displayed.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the embedded data is displayed in at least one display edge area less than three pixels in thickness.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the embedded data is displayed in a secondary image area outside a primary viewing area where the video content is displayed.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the secondary image area comprises a letterbox less than three pixels high.
22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the secondary image area comprises a pillarbox less than three pixels wide.
23. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory processor-readable medium tangibly embodying non-transitory program instructions thereon that when executed cause a processor to:
- receive a broadcast media signal comprising video content and embedded data; and
- decode the media signal.
24. A system comprising:
- means for receiving a broadcast media signal comprising video content and embedded data; and
- means for decoding the media signal.
25. An apparatus comprising:
- a video content input;
- a metadata input; and
- an encoder coupled to the video content and the metadata, the encoder to execute one or more actions to translate pixel values of the video signal, such that those pixel values are repurposed to contain the metadata, and wherein the metadata is concealed and visually imperceptible when decoded and displayed.
26. A method comprising:
- inputting video content;
- inputting metadata; and
- encoding the video content and the metadata by translating pixel values of the video signal, such that those pixel values are repurposed to contain the metadata, and wherein the metadata is concealed and visually imperceptible when decoded and displayed.
27. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory processor-readable medium tangibly embodying non-transitory program instructions thereon that when executed cause a processor to:
- input video content;
- input metadata; and
- encode the video content and metadata by translating pixel values of the video signal, such that those pixel values are repurposed to contain the metadata and wherein the metadata is concealed and visually imperceptible when decoded and displayed.
28. A system comprising:
- means for inputting video content;
- means for inputting metadata; and
- means for encoding the video content and metadata by translating pixel values of the video signal, such that those pixel values are repurposed to contain the metadata and wherein the metadata is concealed and visually imperceptible when decoded and displayed.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 29, 2012
Publication Date: Jun 21, 2012
Inventor: ROBERT NOEL BLANCHARD (Escondido, CA)
Application Number: 13/408,930
International Classification: H04N 7/26 (20060101);