초록 ▼

A method of performing digital asset management of media content. In this method, a watermark reader device reads a watermark embedded into media content. The watermark conveys watermark information, such as a content identifier and creator identifier. The reader forwards the watermark information

A method of performing digital asset management of media content. In this method, a watermark reader device reads a watermark embedded into media content. The watermark conveys watermark information, such as a content identifier and creator identifier. The reader forwards the watermark information to a router. The router then uses the watermark information to find a metadata database identifier. It then sends a request for metadata along with the watermark information to the metadata database identified by the metadata database identifier. The metadata database uses the watermark information to find related metadata for the media content and sends the related metadata to the reader device.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A method of performing digital asset management of media content comprising: in a reader device, reading a watermark embedded into media content, the watermark conveying watermark information; forwarding the watermark information to a router; in the router, using the watermark informat

We claim: 1. A method of performing digital asset management of media content comprising: in a reader device, reading a watermark embedded into media content, the watermark conveying watermark information; forwarding the watermark information to a router; in the router, using the watermark information to find a metadata database identifier; sending a request for metadata along with the watermark information to the metadata database identified by the metadata database identifier; from the metadata database, using the watermark information to find related metadata for the media content and sending the related metadata to the reader device. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the reader device has a user interface that enables a user to input a media content file for watermark reading, and in response to input of the media content file, the reader device requests and displays related metadata returned from the metadata database in the user interface. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the user interface enables the user to input the media content file by dragging and dropping a representation of the media content file into the user interface with a cursor control device. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the metadata includes information about an object depicted in a watermarked image signal. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the metadata includes information about how to purchase or license the media content to which it is related. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the router routes requests for metadata to different metadata databases based on watermark information decoded from watermarked media content. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the reader is operable to fetch metadata relating to a media object file from two or more different metadata databases. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the reader device comprises an Internet browser program including a watermark reader executing on a computer. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the reader device comprises a watermark reader program executing on a computer, and the reader application includes a user interface for displaying the metadata returned from the metadata database. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the reader device fetches metadata from two or more different metadata databases linked to the media content by the watermark and integrates the metadata from the different databases into a user interface display. 11. The method of claim 1 including: using the watermark information to find related media content to the media content from which the watermark is read, and returning information about the related media content to the reader device. 12. A method of controlling unauthorized distribution of content media, the content media being contained in a physical package, said method comprising: digitally watermarking the content media with a first digital watermark; associating the first digital watermark with a second digital watermark; and digitally watermarking the physical package with the second digital watermark, wherein access to the content media is intended only when a comparison of the first digital watermark and the second digital watermark confirms that the first digital watermark and the second digital watermark correspond. 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising a step of permitting access to a data storage resource comprising enhanced content that is related to the content media only when the comparison of the first digital watermark and the second digital watermark confirms that the first digital watermark and the second digital watermark correspond. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the physical package comprises at least one of a video cassette tape, a DVD, a CD, paper, label, covering, packaging, plastic and a jewel case. 15. The method of claim 12, wherein said first digital watermark comprises a first identifier and said second digital watermark comprises a second identifier. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first digital watermark and the second digital watermark are confirmed to correspond if the second identifier provides a key to the first digital watermark. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the key is at least one of an encryption key, a decoding key, and a watermark location key. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein said associating step ensures that the first identifier and the second identifier correspond. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first identifier and the second identifier are associated via at least one of a data record and index. 20. A media package comprising physical packaging and media content, said media content comprising a first digital watermark, and said physical packaging comprising at least a second digital watermark, wherein said first digital watermark and said second digital watermark reduce the unauthorized distribution of the media content by requiring cooperation between the first digital watermark and the second digital watermark to permit access to the media content. 21. The media package of claim 20 wherein said first digital watermark comprises a first identifier and said second digital watermark comprises a second identifier, and wherein said second identifier comprises a key to unscramble or decode the first identifier. 22. The media package of claim 21, wherein the first identifier comprises a decryption key to decrypt the media content. 23. A content searching system comprising: a plurality of search agent programs, each operable to search corresponding computer systems and to report descriptive metadata and storage locations of content files found on the corresponding computer systems to a database; the database being operable to store the descriptive metadata and being searchable by keywords to find content files with descriptive metadata data relating to the keywords; wherein at least one of the search agents is in communication with a digital watermark detector operable to extract content identifiers embedded in selected content files, the content identifiers providing a reference to the descriptive metadata for the selected content files. 24. The system of claim 23 wherein content files include digital watermarks that provide content type information used to index the content files in the database. 25. In a metadata management system in which media content is persistently linked to related metadata via a digital watermark embedded in the media content, a method of formatting metadata for display comprising: receiving metadata from a metadata source that has been identified via a digital watermark; receiving information about a client device on which the metadata is to be rendered for output; and reformatting the metadata for rendering on the client device based on the information about the client device. 26. A method of managing media content comprising: in a reader, reading a watermark embedded into media content, the watermark conveying watermark information; using the watermark information to find a metadata database; sending a request for metadata along with at least a portion of the watermark information to the metadata database; receiving related metadata from the metadata database, wherein at least a portion of the watermark information is used in the metadata database to find the related metadata for the media content. 27. A method of managing media content comprising: receiving watermark information that has been obtained from a digital watermark extracted from media content; using the watermark information to find a metadata database; sending a request for metadata along with at least a portion of the watermark information to the metadata database; receiving related metadata from the metadata database, wherein at least a portion of the watermark information is used in the metadata database to find the related metadata for the media content.