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  Auxiliary channel masking in an audio signalUSPTO Application #: 20060080086Title: Auxiliary channel masking in an audio signal Abstract: A method is provided for embedding data into an audio signal and determining data embedded into an audio signal. In the method for embedding data into an audio signal, the audio signal is based on a first set of data and includes a phase component. The method modifies at least a portion of the phase component of the audio signal to embed a second set of data into the audio signal. The modified audio signal can be made to differ with respect to the audio signal in a manner at least one of (i) substantially imperceptible and (ii) imperceptible to a listener of the first set of data depending on the extent that the phase component of the audio signal is modified. In the method for determining data embedded into an audio signal, the audio signal is based on a first set of data of an original audio signal and includes a phase component. The method determines a second set of data embedded into the audio signal based on the phase component of the audio signal. The audio signal differs with respect to the original audio signal in a manner that is at least one of (i) substantially imperceptible and (ii) imperceptible to a listener of the first set of data. (end of abstract) Agent: Steven M. Greenberg, Esq. Christopher & Weisberg, P.A. - Fort Lauderdale, FL, US Inventors: Alexander I. Iliev, Michael S. Scordilis USPTO Applicaton #: 20060080086 - Class: 704200000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Data Processing: Speech Signal Processing, Linguistics, Language Translation, And Audio Compression/decompression, Speech Signal Processing The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060080086. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/238,009, filed Oct. 6, 2000, which is incorporated in this application by this reference. BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention generally relates to the field of signal processing and communications. More particularly, the present invention relates to embedding data into an audio signal and detecting data embedded into an audio signal. [0004] 2. Description of Background Information [0005] The efficient and secure storage and distribution of digital audio signals are becoming issues of considerable importance for the information revolution currently unfolding. The challenges of the storage and distribution of such signals arise particularly from the digital nature of modern audio. Most modern digital audio allows for the creation of unlimited, perfect copies and may be easily and massively distributed via the Internet. Nevertheless, such digital nature also makes possible the adoption of intelligent techniques that can contribute in the control of unauthorized copying and distribution of multimedia information comprising audio. In addition, opportunities arise whereby digital audio may be used as a medium for the delivery of enhanced services and for a more gratifying audio and/or visual experience. [0006] The efficient and secure storage and distribution of digital audio signals are becoming issues of considerable importance for the information revolution currently unfolding. The challenges of the storage and distribution of such signals arise particularly from the digital nature of modern audio. Most modern digital audio allows for the creation of unlimited, perfect copies and may be easily and massively distributed via the Internet. Nevertheless, such digital nature also makes possible the adoption of intelligent techniques that can contribute in the control of unauthorized copying and distribution of multimedia information comprising audio. In addition, opportunities arise whereby digital audio may be used as a medium for the delivery of enhanced services and for a more gratifying audio and/or visual experience. [0007] Audio delivery through a network (e.g., the Internet), presented as a stand-alone service or as part of a multimedia presentation, comes in a large range of perceived qualities. Signal quality depends on the audio content (e.g., speech and music), the quality of the original recording, the available channel bandwidth, and real-time transmission constraints. [0008] Real-time Internet audio usually applies to broadcasting services. It is generally achieved by streaming audio, which is decoded at a receiving workstation. Real-time transmission requirements impose limitations on signal quality. At present, audio streaming delivers quality comparable to AM radio. [0009] By relaxing real-time constraints, new opportunities for services have appeared where the quality and security of the transmitted audio is enhanced. Such services include the secure downloading of CD-quality music at transmission rates that are too high for real-time transmission but lower than the CD standard. Such signal compression capitalizes on psychoacoustic properties of human hearing. [0010] Security and authentication of audio distributed over networks (e.g., non-homogeneous networks) is also often required, in addition to low bit rates that do not compromise audio quality. Moreover, perceptual coding may be used for the insertion of new, secure information to an original audio signal in a way that this information remains inaudible and extractable by secure means. This process is generally referred to as watermarking. [0011] Simultaneous frequency masking is used to implement perceptual coding and transparent watermarking in digital audio. Frequency masking is a property of hearing that renders audio signal components in a frequency region inaudible if a component of higher energy is in the same vicinity. The ability of the dominant component to mask others depends on its relative energy and on its proximity to the other audio signal components. In addition to simultaneous frequency masking, temporal masking is used to reduce pre-echoes and post-echoes resulting from signal processing. [0012] While masking in the power spectrum of auditory signals dominates audio coding and watermarking techniques, the phase information has not been involved to date (see, e.g., Nyquist & Brand, Measurements of Phase Distortion, BELL SYS. TECH. J., Vol. 7, 522-49 (1930); D. Preis, Phase and Phase Equalization in Audio Signal Processing--A Tutorial Review, J. AUDIO ENGINEERING SOCIETY, Vol. 30, No. 11, 774-94 (1982)). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 depicts relative phase and intensity differences due to a source located on an azimuth plane. [0014] FIG. 2 depicts a sound source on an azimuth plane. [0015] FIG. 3 depicts, for a sound source distance of r=5 m, plots of distances between a sound source and each of two ears, and a plot of the differences of the distances between the sound source and of each of the two ears. [0016] FIG. 4 depicts interaural phase differences (in degrees) plotted against frequency for azimuth angles of 1, 2, and 3 degrees. [0017] FIG. 5 depicts minimum audible angle values as a function of frequency for zero azimuth and zero elevation. [0018] FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of a method for an encoder of an auxiliary channel. [0019] FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of a method for a decoder of an auxiliary channel. [0020] FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of a method for embedding data into an audio signal. [0021] FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of a method for determining data embedded into an audio signal. [0022] FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of an apparatus for embedding data into an audio signal and/or determining data embedded into an audio signal. Continue reading... Full patent description for Auxiliary channel masking in an audio signal Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Auxiliary channel masking in an audio signal patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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