Abstract:
A system and method for receiving a user&#39;s biometric data and decoding encoded biometric embedded digital multimedia data into a multimedia signal based on received biometric data in mechanisms. An example includes a dedicated DVD player with a fingerprint scanner. Alternatively, existing DVD players may be retrofitted for the same function. The fingerprint can be encoded at the beginning of each recorded segment, or only at the beginning of the recorded material on the DVD. The system enables a DVD player to work with a television set, once enabled by matching the biometric data encoded on the medium to be viewed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to digital multimedia signal generation, including apparatus, systems, and methods used in digital multimedia signal generation, and more particularly to a multimedia generation system employing encoded biometric data. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION  
       [0002]    Digital multimedia (DMM), including audio, video, pictures, and combinations thereof, may be encoded into a medium for distribution to one or more persons. Common mediums include optically encoded medium (digital video discs (DVD), compact discs (CD), for example), and electronic transmission of DMM to a DMM converter via one or more communication devices. The DMM may be encrypted to prevent unauthorized usage. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
         [0003]    The objects, advantages and features of the invention will be more clearly perceived from the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of digital multimedia (DMM) distribution architecture according to various embodiments; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a biometric embedded digital multimedia (BDMM) encoding device according to various embodiments; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a BDMM decoding device according to various embodiments; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating several methods according to various embodiments; 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating several methods according to various embodiments; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a DVD system coupled to a TV according to various embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of DMM communication architecture  10  comprising DMM source  12 , a biometric data storage (BDS)  14 , a biometric sampler (BS)  22 , a second BS  52 , a multimedia encoder (MME)  20 , a multimedia decoder (MMD)  50 , and a multimedia signal converter (MMSC)  80 , according to various embodiments. The DMM source  12  may communicate DMM data electronically via a wired or wireless protocol or via a medium, such as a DVD or CD, to MME  20 . Embodiments of the MME may encode DMM  12  with user(s)&#39; specific biometric data. In an embodiment the user(s)&#39; specific biometric data may be retrieved from BDS  14  or directly from biometric sampler  22 . Biometric sampler  22  may sample user(s)&#39; biometric data and convert it to electronic format. There may be one or more such users, and the singular form will be used here for convenience. 
         [0011]    Biometric sampler  22  may transfer the electronic representation of the user&#39;s biometric data to BDS  14  or directly to MME  20 . BS  22  may communicate the biometric data electronically via a wired or wireless protocol or via a medium, such as a DVD or CD. BDS  14  may be a device capable of storing electronic data by means of a read only memory (ROM), or an optical or magnetic storage medium or device, for example. A user&#39;s biometric data may be any relatively unique, electronically measurable biometric characteristic including fingerprint, retinal scan, footprint, voice, or DNA, among others. The biometric data will be generally referred to herein with the word “fingerprint.” 
         [0012]    MME  20  may convert user&#39;s biometric data (BD) into encrypted biometric data (EBD) via one or more algorithms. Such converting algorithms are available and are not the subject of this invention. The user&#39;s biometric data or encrypted format may be appended to the DMM. When the DMM data is provided on a medium, the BD or EBD may be inserted onto the medium (such as adding a session to a DVD) to generate a biometric digital multimedium signal (BDMM). In an embodiment of the invention, the DMM may be algorithmically encoded with the BD or EBD to generate a BDMM. The BDMM may be recorded on a medium for use by the user or communicated via a wire or wireless channel to one or more user designated MMD  50 . 
         [0013]    According to an embodiment, the biometric data from two or more users may be encoded in the BDMM. In such an embodiment, substantially similar biometric data may be required from one, two, more users, or any permutation thereof, to permit decoding of the BDMM. MMD  50  may receive the BDMM via a wireless or wired channel or via a medium (such as a DVD or CD). Depending on the encoding format (where the MMD may support multiple formats), MMD  50  may require one or more users to provide biometric data via BS  52  The BDMM may include header information indicating the encoding format used in its generation MMD  50  may then use the appropriate algorithm to attempt to decode the BDMM. When the biometric data does not substantially match the BD or EBD of the BDMM, the MMD may generate one or more error message signals. The signals may be converted to a user perceptible format by MMSC  80 . The MMSC may be able to generate a user perceptible signal that may be textual, visual, audible, or a combination thereof. MMSC  80  may include one or more speakers and photon generation devices, including a liquid crystal display (LCD), cathode tube (CT), plasma display, television, or projector, among others. 
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of a DMM encoding method  100  according to various embodiments of the invention. The method may, upon receipt of a DMM signal, retrieve or receive BD for one or more users (activities  102 ,  104 ). The DMM data may be stored locally or transmitted to an MME upon request of the user. The method may encode a portion or entire DMM via the BD or EBD in an embodiment (activity  106 ). Method  100  may also encode the BD or EBD on a segment of a medium including the DMM or at least a portion of the DMM. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment of the invention, method  100  may then communicate the BDMM (activity  108 ). The method may broadcast the BDMM to one or more locations designated by the user via a wireless or wired protocol. The method may also communicate the BDMM by generating a computer readable medium including the BDMM. In an embodiment, method  100  may include a header or other information within the BDMM that indicates the algorithms or techniques employed to generate the BDMM. 
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of a BDMM decoding method  110  according to various embodiments of the invention. The method may receive or have DMM signals. In the embodiment shown, if the DMM is not encoded via a known or determinable BDMM format, the method may not decode or process the DMM (activity  112 ). Method  110  may generate an error message (activity  122 ) indicating that an improper DMM file has been provided. When the method detects that a properly encoded biometric embedded DMM (BDMM) is present (via medium or communication), method  110  may retrieve or request to receive BD for one or more users (activity  114 ). The method may then determine whether the proper BD has been received or presented (activity  116 ). In an embodiment, method  110  may then decode the BDMM using the BD (activity  118 ). In an embodiment, (not shown) method  110  may decode the BDMM regardless of the BD received. In such an embodiment, when improper BD is provided, the resultant, decoded DMM may be imperceptible when communicated to MMSC  80 . 
         [0017]    Method  110  may generate an error message (activity  124 ) indicating that improper BD was provided The method may then reject the BDMM or store some identifying data about the BDMM so that when subsequently presented the BDMM is automatically locked out. The method may enter such a locked state after two or more improper BD validation attempts are made. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of a device  21  that may be employed as MME  20  in various embodiments. Device  21  may include CPU  24 , RAM  44 , ROM  32 , storage unit  36 , first modem/transceiver  34 , second modem/transceiver  28 , antenna  29 , and medium decoder/encoder  27 . CPU  24  may include DMM encoder  26  and BS interface  22 . RAM  44  may include BD  46  and algorithm instruction set(s)  48 . Storage  36  may include BD  38  and algorithm instruction set(s)  42 . DMM encoder  26  and biometric data interface  22  may be separate modules. 
         [0019]    DMM encoder  26  may receive DMM data from either transceiver  28 ,  34 , or medium decoder/encoder (MDE)  27 . The MDE may be able to read or write media (such as a DVD or CD). BD  46  or  38  may include BD for one or more authorized users associated with the DMM to be encoded. The algorithm instruction set(s)  48  or  42  may include instructions for encoding or encrypting the BD and DMM data in various formats. The encoded biometric embedded DMM (BDMM) may be communicated to an MMD ( 50  in  FIG. 1 ) via transceiver  34  or  28 , or encoded on media via MDE  27 . 
         [0020]    In an embodiment of the invention, first modem/transceiver  34  may couple, in a well-known manner, device  21  to an Internet connection or via a wired telephone system such as the Plain Old Telephone System (POTS). The second modem/transceiver  28  may couple device  21  to one or more wireless networks. Modem/transceiver  34  may be a wireless modem or other communication device that communicates with MMD  50  in the architecture  10  ( FIG. 1 ). CPU  24 , via encoder  26 , may direct communication between the first and second modems,  34  and  28 , respectively, or to MDE  27 . ROM  32  may store program instructions to be executed by the CPU, encoder  26 , or BD interface  22 . RAM  44  and storage  36  may be used to store temporary program information, wireless protocols, queues, and overhead information, among others. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of a device  51  that may be employed as MMD  50  in various embodiments. Device  51  may include CPU  54 , RAM  74 , ROM  62 , storage unit  66 , first modem/transceiver  64 , second modem/transceiver  58 , antenna  59 , and medium decoder/encoder  57 . The CPU may include DMM decoder  56  and BS interface  52 . The RAM may include BD  76  and algorithm instruction set(s)  78 . Storage  66  may include BD  68  and algorithm instruction set(s)  72 . In this embodiment DMM encoder  56  and biometric data interface  52  may be separate modules. 
         [0022]    DMM decoder  56  may receive DMM data from either transceiver  58 ,  64  and medium decoder/encoder (MDE)  57 . The MDE may be able to read or write media (such as a DVD or CD). BD  76  or  68  may include BD for one or more authorized users associated with the DMM to be decoded. Algorithm instruction set(s)  78  or  72  may include instructions for decoding or decrypting the BDMM in various formats. The decoded DMM may be communicated to MMSC  80  via transceiver  64  or  58 . 
         [0023]    In an embodiment of the invention, first modem/transceiver  64  may couple, in a well-known manner, device  51  to an Internet connection or via a wired telephone system such as the POTS. Second modem/transceiver  58  may couple device  51  to one or more wireless networks. Modem/transceiver  64  may be a wireless modem or other communication device that communicates with MME  20  in the architecture  10  ( FIG. 1 ). CPU  54 , via decoder  56 , may direct communication between the first and second modems,  64  and  58 , respectively, or to the MMSC  80 . ROM  62  may store program instructions to be executed by CPU  54 , decoder  56 , or BD interface  52 . RAM  74  and storage  66  may be used to store temporary program information, wireless protocols, queues, and overhead information, among others. 
         [0024]    Any of the components previously described can be implemented in a number of ways, including embodiments in software. Thus, MME  20 , BDS  14 , BS  22 , MMD  50 , BS  52 , MMSC  80 , CPU  24 , encoder  26 , biometric interface  22 , RAM  44 , ROM  32 , storage  36 , BD  46 ,  38 , algorithm instruction set(s)  42 ,  48 , CPU  54 , decoder  56 , biometric interface  52 , RAM  74 , ROM  62 , storage  66 , BD  76 ,  68 , and algorithm instruction set(s)  72 ,  78 , may all be characterized as “modules” herein. 
         [0025]    In a particular embodiment of the invention, modem-transceiver  58  ( FIG. 3 ) may be able to communicate with a remote control where a user may send signals to control the operation of device  51  such as pausing, reversing, and forwarding the decoding of the BDMM. The remote control may include biometric sampler  52  such as a fingerprint sampler. The remote control may be part of a wireless personal data assistant (PDA) or cellular phone. Medium decoder/encoder  57  may be a DVD reader-writer where the DVD reader-writer may be coupled to CPU  54  via various computer interfaces including Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE), Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA), Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), Universal Serial Bus (USB), system bus, or other CPU interface 
         [0026]    In a particular embodiment device  51  may be a DVD player where the DVD player includes a DVD reader functioning as medium decoder/encoder  57 . The DVD player may have a modem-transceiver  58  that is able to communicate with a wireless device (such as a wireless remote, PDA, or cellular phone.) The DVD player may include storage  66  which may store the user&#39;s biometric data  68 . Storage  66  may also use an algorithm  72  to decode BDMM data. A DVD player may be modified to support the BDMM by modifying its instruction set to include algorithm  72  and user&#39;s biometric data  68 . 
         [0027]    A specific example of a system according to various embodiments of the invention is shown in  FIG. 6 , which is a block diagram of DVD system  140  coupled to TV  160 . As shown, DVD system  140  includes CPU  142 , storage unit  144 , ROM  146 , fingerprint scanner  148 , media reader  152 , media decoder  154 , antenna  156 , and wireless remote control  158 . Media reader  152  may be a DVD, CD, or other media reader where the media may include BDMM data. A user, via fingerprint scanner  148 , would provide biometric data to CPU  142 . ROM  146  stores CPU instruction sets. CPU  142  receives the biometric data and retrieves BDMM data from media reader  152 . CPU  142  stores the biometric data or retrieved BDMM data in storage unit  144 . 
         [0028]    CPU  142  employs the biometric data to decrypt the BDMM data and forward the decrypted DMM data to media decoder  154 . The media decoder converts the DMM data to a format usable by TV  160 . The format may include National Television System Committee (NTSC), Phase Alternation Line (PAL), S-VIDEO, Digital Visual Interface (DVI), High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), or component video, among others. In an embodiment, remote control  158  may control the function of the CPU via antenna  156 . Remote control  158  may include a fingerprint scanner or other biometric reader where the remote control may forward the scanned biometric data to CPU  142 , and can be a PDA, cellular phone, or equivalent. 
         [0029]    The modules may include hardware circuitry, single or multiprocessor circuits, memory circuits, software program modules and objects, firmware, and combinations thereof as desired by the architect of architecture  10  and as appropriate for particular implementations of various embodiments They are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. 
         [0030]    Applications that may include the novel apparatus and systems of various embodiments of the invention include electronic circuitry used in high-speed computers, communication and signal processing circuitry, modems, single or multi-processor modules, single or multiple embedded processors, data switches, and application-specific modules, including multilayer and multi-chip modules, among others. Such apparatus and systems may farther be included as sub-components within a variety of electronic systems, such as televisions, cellular telephones, personal computers (for example, laptop computers, desktop computers, handheld computers, tablet computers, among others), workstations, radios, video players, audio players (for example, MP3 players), vehicles, medical devices (for example, heart monitor, blood pressure monitor, and the like) and others. Some embodiments may include a number of methods. 
         [0031]    It may be possible to execute the activities described herein in an order other than the order described. And, various activities described with respect to the methods identified herein can be executed in repetitive, serial, or parallel fashion. 
         [0032]    A software program may be launched from a computer-readable medium in a computer-based system to execute functions defined in the software program. Various programming languages may be employed to create software programs designed to implement and perform the methods disclosed herein. The programs may be structured in an object-orientated format using an object-oriented language such as Java or C++. Alternatively, the programs may be structured in a procedure-orientated format using a procedural language, such as assembly or C. The software components may communicate using a number of mechanisms well known to those skilled in the art, such as application program interfaces or inter-process communication techniques, including remote procedure calls. The teachings of various embodiments are not limited to any particular programming language or environment. 
         [0033]    The accompanying drawing figures that form a part hereof show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
         [0034]    Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. 
         [0035]    In the foregoing description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted to require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may be found in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment