Systems and methods for dynamically and automatically generating digital watermarks are provided. Watermark payloads utilized in generating the digital watermarks are altered based upon changing conditions, such as environmental characteristics associated with playback or distribution of media content. Changing conditions may also encompass a change in the distribution/presentation chain of devices associated with the playback or distribution of the media content.
TECHNICAL FIELD (1) The present disclosure relates generally to watermarking content before or during playback. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART (2) Digital watermarking is a technique for embedding data in media content, such as audio-visual content, for example. A digital watermark may go unnoticed by an ordinary consumer of the media content, but carries information that may be used for a variety of purposes. For example, a digital watermark embedded in a digital movie file may be used to identify the producer or distributor of the media content, or may identify the point of origin of the digital movie file carrying the media content. A digital watermark may be visible or invisible to the viewer of the content. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE (3) Various embodiments are directed to dynamically generating watermarks during a viewing of an audio-visual work capable of indicating a change in the presentation environment of media content. For example, watermark payloads utilized in generating a dynamic watermark can be configured to reflect one or more changes in the number of viewers watching a movie in a theater. Other embodiments are directed to dynamically generating watermarks capable of indicating a change in the chain of devices used in the distribution and/or playback of media content. For example, the aforementioned watermark payloads can be configured to reflect when the media content goes from being presented on a TV set to a tablet PC. (4) In accordance with one embo
1. A method comprising: detecting an original chain of devices including a first device connected to a second device connected to a third device, wherein the second device is identified using a second identifier of the second device, and the third device is identified using a third identifier of the third device, and wherein the original chain of devices is configured to distribute content from the first device through the second device to the third device; generating a first watermark payload based upon the original chain of devices; embedding the first watermark payload in a first portion of the content; distributing the first portion of the content embedded with the first watermark payload via the original chain of devices from the first device through the second device to the third device; while distributing the first portion of the content embedded with the first watermark payload via the original chain of devices, detecting a change in the original chain of devices resulting in a changed chain of devices, based on identifying a fourth identifier of a fourth device, the change being an inclusion of the fourth device between the first device and the third device in the original chain of devices resulting in the changed chain of devices; generating a second watermark payload different than the first waterpark payload, in response to detecting the change; embedding the second watermark payload in a second portion of the content following the first portion of the content; and distributing the second portion of the content embedded with the second watermark payload via the changed chain of devices from the first device through the fourth device to the third device. ||
11. A first device comprising: a memory including a computer code; and a processor configured to execute the computer code to: detect an original chain of devices including a first device connected to a second device connected to a third device, wherein the second device is identified using a second identifier of the second device, and the third device is identified using a third identifier of the third device, and wherein the original chain of devices is configured to distribute content from the first device through the second device to the third device; generate a first watermark payload based upon the original chain of devices; embed the first watermark payload in a first portion of the content; distribute the first portion of the content embedded with the first watermark payload via the original chain of devices from the first device through the second device to the third device; while distributing the first portion of the content embedded with the first watermark payload via the original chain of devices, detect a change in the original chain of devices resulting in a changed chain of devices, based on identifying a fourth identifier of a fourth device, the change being an inclusion of the fourth device between the first device and the third device in the original chain of devices resulting in the changed chain of devices; generate a second watermark payload different than the first waterpark payload, in response to detecting the change; embed the second watermark payload in a second portion of the content following the first portion of the content; and distribute the second portion of the content embedded with the second watermark payload via the changed chain of devices from the first device through the fourth device to the third device. ||
20. A method comprising: generating a first watermark payload based upon an original chain of devices; embedding the first watermark payload in a first portion of the content, wherein the first watermark payload adds information to the first portion of the content that indicates the first portion of the content embedded with the first watermark payload is legitimately reproduced; distributing the first portion of the content embedded with the first watermark via the original chain of devices; while distributing the first portion of the content embedded with the first watermark via the original chain of devices, detecting a change in the original chain of devices resulting in a changed chain of devices, the change being at least one of adding a new device to the original chain of devices or removing an existing device from the original chain of devices; generating a second watermark payload different than the first waterpark payload, in response to detecting the change; embedding the second watermark payload in a second portion of the content following the first portion of the content, wherein the second watermark payload adds information to the second portion of the content that indicates the second portion of the content embedded with the second watermark payload is legitimately reproduced; and distributing the second portion of the content embedded with the second watermark via the changed chain of devices.