초록 ▼

The present invention relates generally to controlling rendering of video to particular audiences, e.g., children. For example, one claim recites a method including: obtaining video or image data, the video or image data comprising information steganographically hidden in data representing perceptua

The present invention relates generally to controlling rendering of video to particular audiences, e.g., children. For example, one claim recites a method including: obtaining video or image data, the video or image data comprising information steganographically hidden in data representing perceptual portions of the video or image data; analyzing the video or image data to obtain the hidden information, the information comprising data associated with suitability for viewing of the video or image data for a particular demographic; comparing the data to predetermined information; and based at least on said act of comparing, determining whether to render the video or image data for display. Of course, other claims are provided too.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method comprising: detecting digital watermarking integrated within a received video or image data, the received video or image data representing content for display, the digital watermarking being integrated through alterations to data representing the video or image data;

What is claimed is: 1. A method comprising: detecting digital watermarking integrated within a received video or image data, the received video or image data representing content for display, the digital watermarking being integrated through alterations to data representing the video or image data; decoding the digital watermarking to obtain content classification information; and controlling display or rendering of the video or image data in response to the content classification information obtained from the digital watermarking. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said act of controlling display or rendering of the video or image data includes comparing the content classification information with codes stored at a programmed device performing said method, the codes representing classes of video or image data which are not to be displayed or rendered. 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising receiving user input representing a user selection of one or more codes to prevent display or rendering of video or image data. 4. The method of claim 2 wherein the device cooperates with a television receiver or internet surfing software. 5. A method comprising: providing video or image data as an input to a controller in response to video or image data being transmitted to a data receiver from a data transmitter, the video or image data representing content for display, the video or image data having been encoded with a steganographic marking integrated within the video or image data through alterations to data representing the video or image data, the steganographic marking including a content classification for the video or image data; decoding the steganographic marking from the video or image data to obtain the content classification; comparing the content classification to stored classification information identifying classes of video or image data which are not to be displayed; and providing the video or image data for display in accordance with a result of said act of comparing. 6. A method according to claim 5 wherein said act of providing the video or image data for display in accordance with a result of said act of comparing prevents display of the video or image data. 7. A method of encoding video or image material with content appropriateness information comprising: obtaining an appropriateness indication for video or image material; encoding steganographic information within one or more picture elements of the video or image material by altering data representing the one or more picture elements, the information representing the appropriateness indication, the information being for use by a video or image display device including a detector or reader to obtain the information encoded within the video or image material, the device further including a controller to control display or rendering of the video or image material in response to the obtained appropriateness information. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the information comprises an appropriateness for children indication. 9. A method comprising: obtaining video or image data, the video or image data comprising information steganographically hidden in data representing perceptual portions of the video or image data; analyzing the video or image data to obtain the hidden information, the information comprising data associated with suitability for viewing of the video or image data for a particular demographic; comparing the data to predetermined information; based at least on said act of comparing, determining whether to render the video or image data for display. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the predetermined information comprises user preferences. 11. The method of claim 9 where said act of analyzing the video or image data comprises error correction of the information. 12. The method of claim 9 wherein said data comprises multi-bit information. 13. The method of claim 9 wherein the predetermined information is stored locally with respect to a television receiver, said method being carried out locally with respect to said television receiver. 14. The method of claim 9 wherein said act of determining determines whether to render the video or image data for display on a television or via internet surfing software. 15. The method of claim 9 wherein the demographic comprises children. 16. The method of claim 9 wherein the hidden information comprises one or more control flags. 17. The method of claim 2 wherein said act of controlling display of the video or image data further includes preventing display or rendering of the video or image data in a viewable form in response to identifying a correspondence between the content classification information and one of the stored codes. 18. The method of claim 1 in which said act of detecting utilizes an electronic processor programmed as a digital watermarking detector. 19. A programmed computing device comprising instructions stored in memory, said instructions cause said programmed computing device to perform the method of claim 1. 20. A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored therein, said instructions cause an electronic processor to perform the method of claim 1. 21. The method of claim 5 in which said act of decoding utilizes an electronic processor programmed as a steganographic marking decoder. 22. A programmed computing device comprising instructions stored in memory, said instructions cause said programmed computing device to perform the method of claim 5. 23. A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored therein, said instructions cause an electronic processor to perform the method of claim 5. 24. The method of claim 9 in which said act of analyzing utilizes an electronic processor that is programmed to obtain the hidden information. 25. A programmed computing device comprising instructions stored in memory, said instructions cause said programmed computing device to perform the method of claim 9. 26. A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored therein, said instructions cause an electronic processor to perform the method of claim 9. 27. An apparatus comprising: electronic memory for buffering video or image data, the video or image data comprising information steganographically hidden in data representing perceptual portions of the video or image data; and an electronic processor programmed for: analyzing the video or image data to obtain the hidden information, the information comprising data associated with suitability for viewing of the video or image data for a particular demographic; comparing the data to predetermined information; based at least on said comparing, determining whether to render the video or image data for display. 28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the predetermined information comprises user preferences. 29. The apparatus of claim 27 in which said analyzing the video or image data comprises error correction of the information. 30. The apparatus of claim 27 in which the data comprises multi-bit information. 31. A television receiver comprising the apparatus of claim 27, in which the predetermined information is stored locally with respect to the television receiver. 32. The apparatus of claim 27 in which said determining determines whether to render the video or image data for display on a television or via internet software. 33. The apparatus of claim 27 in which the demographic comprises children. 34. The apparatus of claim 27 in which the hidden information comprises one or more control flags. 35. The apparatus of claim 27 in which the electronic processor is operating to perform at least one of the functions recited therein. 36. A method comprising: obtaining data representing video picture elements or representing audible elements that are associated with the video picture elements, the data comprising information steganographically hidden therein; using at least a programmed electronic processor, analyzing the data to obtain the information, the information comprising data associated with suitability for viewing of the video picture elements by a particular audience; comparing the information to predetermined information, in which the predetermined information corresponds to user preferences; and based at least on said act of comparing, determining whether to allow rendering or display of the video picture elements. 37. The method of claim 36 in which the predetermined information is stored locally with respect to a television receiver, and said method is carried out locally with respect to said television receiver. 38. The method of claim 36 in which said act of determining determines whether to allow rendering or display of the video picture elements via a television or via internet software. 39. The method of claim 36 in which the particular audience comprises children. 40. A programmed computing device comprising instructions stored in memory, said instructions cause said programmed computing device to perform the method of claim 36. 41. A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored therein, said instructions cause an electronic processor to perform the method of claim 36. 42. A programmed computing device comprising instructions stored in memory, said instructions cause said programmed computing device to perform the method of claim 38. 43. A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored therein, said instructions cause an electronic processor to perform the method of claim 38. 44. An apparatus comprising: electronic memory for buffering data representing video picture elements or representing audible elements that are associated with the video picture elements, the data comprising information steganographically hidden therein; an electronic processor programmed for: analyzing the data to obtain the information, the information comprising data associated with suitability for viewing of the video picture elements by a particular audience; and comparing the information to predetermined information, in which the predetermined information corresponds to user preferences; and based at least on said comparing, determining whether to allow rendering or display of the video picture elements. 45. A television receiver including the apparatus of claim 44 in which the predetermined information is stored locally with respect to a television receiver. 46. The apparatus of claim 44 in which said determining determines whether to allow rendering or display of the video picture elements via a television or via internet software. 47. The apparatus of claim 44 in which the particular audience comprises children. 48. The apparatus of claim 44 in which the electronic processor is operating to perform at least one of the functions recited therein. 49. The apparatus of claim 46 in which the electronic processor is operating to perform at least one of the functions recited therein.