JP2002544743A - Method for enhancing functions of media player / recorder device or application program - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] By comparing a title signal with a player signal stored in a player device, a method of using a title signal included in data is provided. Preferably, the data is digital image, video, or audio data. The method comprises the steps of providing data having a title signal, detecting, at the player device, the title signal in the data, and combining the title signal with the player signal stored in the player device. And a step of performing an operation based on the comparison. In the preferred embodiment, if the title signal matches the player signal, an action is taken to notify the device user of the match and the acquisition of a prize. In another preferred embodiment, the title signal is a sub-signal of the watermark signal encoded in the digital data, wherein the method extracts the watermark signal from the digital data and decodes the sub-signal. There are further steps. In order to carry out the method according to the invention, devices such as DVD players / recorders and personal computers are further provided. In yet another embodiment, the title signal is included in the application program, is part of the application program, or is included in data input to the application program.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a method for enhancing the functions of a media player / recorder device, and more particularly to digital data encoded as a sub-signal of a digital watermark signal included in digital data, or an application program. The present invention relates to a method of using a title signal contained in digital data contained in a part of an application program.

[0002] 2. Prior Art There has been considerable interest in adding watermarks as a complementary technique to encryption for copy protection of content on DVD video discs.
It is currently proposed to insert 4 bits of copy control information. The first two bits indicate the copy permission combined with the content: free copy, copy once, copy no more and never copy. The other two bits are used to control the corresponding analog copy protection system to prevent VHS recording for copy no more and copy never. The watermark is expected to be encoded with 4 bits of this information and an additional 4 bits whose usage has not yet been determined.

In order for the copy protection system to work, all DVD recorders (preferably all (digital) video recorders) find watermarks in the video and conform to a standards-compliant DVD player or recorder. But, for example,
A watermark detection circuit must be provided to prevent the illegal act of recording a copy never movie. The cost of this detector may be low, and the device manufacturer shares the cost, although there is no direct benefit to the manufacturer. In fact, D
Adding copy generation control to VD players and recorders not only imposes a cost on the manufacturer, but also reduces the functionality of the device from the perspective of the buyer. That is, the buyer wants to make a copy of the movie. Of course, without proper copy protection technology, both device manufacturers and buyers benefit indirectly because content owners do not publish their content on this media.

[0004] Nevertheless, buyers prefer to copy pre-recorded content, and therefore device manufacturers generally tend not to install copy protection mechanisms, and especially watermark detectors. Accordingly, legislative and licensing mechanisms have been considered to force the incorporation of copy protection mechanisms. While such measures are likely to be quite successful, it is nevertheless obvious that equipment manufacturers will only do the bare minimum to meet their legal obligations.

[0005] Ideally, content owners would have a copy protection mechanism with enhanced features so that manufacturers and buyers would actually seek out such devices rather than noncompliant devices. Is what they want. Obviously, unless the buyer is authorized to make a copy of the movie, some other function must be provided to compensate for this limitation.

[0006] Content owners of e-books and software face similar challenges with regard to motivating buyers to purchase upgrades or new versions of their products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method by which a copy protection mechanism adds enhanced functionality to a player and / or recorder device or application program.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method wherein a player and / or recorder device having a copy protection mechanism is sought by device manufacturers and purchasers.

Therefore, a method for utilizing a “title signal” included in multiple copies of a title has been proposed. Here, the title is digital content data,
For example, a movie name such as "Waterworld" is indicated, and multiple copies refer to each copy of the movie, for example, copied to a DVD disc or downloaded to a personal computer via an Internet connection. When a copy of the title is played, the title signal is compared to the player signals already stored on the player device. The data includes digital images, video (both are hereinafter referred to as image data), audio data, and multimedia data. The method comprises: providing data having a title signal; detecting, in the player device, a title signal in the data; comparing the title signal with a player signal stored in the player device; Performing an operation based on the information.

In a preferred embodiment, an action is performed if the title signal matches the player signal, and the action is to notify the device user of the match and winning of the prize. Other actions are possible, including allowing the user to view hidden video chapters or hidden audio tracks in the movie. Any action that the user perceives to be valuable is a candidate action.

In another preferred embodiment, the title signal is a sub-signal of the watermark signal encoded in the digital data, wherein the method comprises extracting the watermark signal from the digital data; The method further comprises decoding the signal.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the title signal is a sub-signal of a copy control watermark signal encoded in digital data, in which case the method comprises:
The method further includes extracting a watermark signal from the digital data and decoding the sub-signal. The advantage of this device is that the copy control watermark suppresses illegal recording and playback while adding functionality over perceived disadvantages. Therefore, the user will actively desire a device that conforms to the standard.
Of course, the described method need not be technically tied to the copy control watermark, but may instead be tied to the licensing means.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for enhancing the capability of a player device to display digital image data having a watermark signal embedded therein or to emit digital audio data. . The method comprises the steps of: detecting a watermark signal in data, extracting a title signal from the watermark signal, decoding the title signal in the player device, and decoding the title signal in the player device. Comparing with the player signal indicating the attribute of the device user, data, or data owner, and notifying the device user of the prize if the title signal matches the player signal.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the title signal contained in the digital data is compared by comparing the player signal stored in the personal computer or available from the personal computer with the title signal. Are provided. The method includes the steps of providing digital data having a title signal, detecting a title signal in the data in a personal computer, comparing the title signal with a player signal, and performing an operation based on the comparison. Having a step to perform.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the title signal is for computer readable instructions executed on a machine capable of reading a set of instructions (hereinafter, alternatively referred to as a personal computer). The set of computer-readable instructions contained in, or part of, a set (hereinafter alternatively referred to as an application program or a computer program including an operating system) includes a memory, a hard disk, a CD, / Or D
Accessed from a variety of potential sources, including VD drives or the Internet.

When Internet distribution is used, it is relatively simple to encode different title signals in different copies of the same title. This is in contrast to DVD discs, where the duplication process makes this difficult. Further, different matching algorithms and / or actions can be downloaded with the video, thus providing greater freedom for standalone players and recorders.

When used in conjunction with a personal computer, the title number need not be limited to image, audio or multimedia data. In practice, for example, every application program is assigned a title number. When the application program is executed, the program compares its title number to a player number from information contained in or available on the personal computer and operates accordingly.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the data for the application program may include a title number to be compared with a player number.
For example, a document can have a title number that is read by a word processing application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS These and other features, aspects and advantages of the method according to the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings. .

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, flowcharts of a preferred embodiment of a first embodiment of the method according to the invention and schematic diagrams of an apparatus for performing the method according to the invention are denoted by reference numerals 100 and 200, respectively. Are indicated by. The method 100 and the apparatus 200 are for enhancing the capabilities of a player and / or recorder device 202 (hereinafter referred to as a player), such as a DVD player or a personal computer, for displaying and / or recording digital data. , Data, preferably digital data. However, the method according to the invention can also be implemented in other devices, such as VHS players, in which the title signal is contained on the magnetic tape of the VHS cartridge.

The title signal is defined as an arbitrary signal extracted from digital data (or from an application program described below), and is stored in the player device or calculated from the attribute of the player device. It is finally compared with the player signal. Preferably, the title signal is the same for all copies of the digital data (eg, all copies of "Water World" include the same title signal). However, the title signal can change with each copy of digital data.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the title signal is preferably a sub-signal of a watermark signal encoded in digital data. The sub-signals of the title signal and the watermark signal are hereinafter used interchangeably to refer to a title signal that is compared with the player signal stored in the player 202. Preferably, the watermark signal comprises a predetermined number of bits of a copy protection sub-signal, the remaining bits being sub-signals detected and used by the method 100 according to the invention. Currently, the data hiding subgroup of the Copy Protection Technical Working Group has specified an 8-bit watermark, of which 4 bits remain undefined. The additional undefined four bits of the expected watermarking method provide the capabilities and enhanced features desired by both manufacturers and buyers. Therefore, the length of the copy protection signal is 8 bits, of which 4 bits are used for copy protection information, and the remaining 1 to 4 bits are used for encoding a title sub-signal. Various encodings are feasible, especially when these four bits are variable in time. Therefore, it is possible to perform time-varying encoding of many bits (probably 256) included in digital data content. In this way, the title signal can consist of many bits, for example 256, requiring only at least one bit change over time. Therefore, not all four undefined bits of the watermark need be allocated for the purposes of the method. However, one bit (or more) is desirable.

Alternatively, the title signal may be encoded as part of a proposed tag / ticket framework to support copy creation management. Although some benefits may be lost when combining the title signal with the copy protection system, the title signal may be another metadata. However, this combination could be implemented as a license agreement.

The method 100 has a first step 102 of providing digital data with a title signal. The content owner desirably creates digital data in the form of a DVD 204 containing digital video data such as a movie. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the means for providing digital data with the title signal may be of any one of a number of formats and include any one of the possible contents. Yet another variation of the method is to allow for a title having one or more title signals, ie, one copy contains one title signal, another copy contains a different title signal, and so on. Is to make it possible. Within limits, each copy may include a unique title signal. However, in practice, this is not possible due to the nature of the replication process. However, for some forms of Internet distribution, such possibilities are realistic. next,
In step 104, the apparatus 200 detects the title signal in the digital data (or the sub-signal included in the watermark signal) by any detecting means 206 known in the art.

If the title signal is in the form of a watermark sub-signal encoded in the digital data, the watermark is extracted from the video data in step 106 and
08 must be decoded. Any means known in the art for extracting sub-signals from watermark signal 208 and decoding sub-signals 210 can be utilized for this purpose without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. .

At this point of the method 100, the title signal is stored in step 110 by the optional comparing means 214 known in the art.
2 is compared with the player signal stored in the second. As described below, having a player signal indicative of the attributes of the device, the device user, the digital data, or the owner of the digital data is a preferred embodiment of the method.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the method and apparatus according to the present invention are ultimately independent of the copy protection mechanism used by the industry. To implement the method according to the invention, only steps 102, 104 and 110-114 are required, the remaining steps are the preferred embodiments of the invention for use with a copy protection mechanism.

A novel feature of the present invention is that an N-bit signal (called a title signal) is combined with digital data, for example, digital video.
This can be done in a variety of different ways. For example, as described above, the title signal may be inserted as part of the watermark.

If the digital data content is a movie, it is desirable that the title signal be the same for all copies of the movie. However, due to the nature of the DVD duplication process, this is not essential, but seems most likely. When the DVD video movie 204 is shown on the DVD player 202, the title signal is detected by the hardware in the player 202 (that is, the detecting means 206). Next, this title signal is desirably unique to each DVD player and is compared with player signals stored in memory 212 of player 202. In its simplest form, the player signal will be an N-bit random number. However, in a more advanced embodiment of the method, the N-bit player signal includes a field identifying the manufacturer, type number, and serial number of the player 200, as well as the name of the owner,
It may include a programmable field containing information about the address and other personal items that the user can enter into the player 202.

The means for inputting such information includes a receiver 218 for inputting information to memory 212 via an intermediate stage of processor 222 for converting the remote control signal into a player signal identified by comparing means 214. May be a remote control 216 remotely linked to the player 202 via a remote control. While the data is being input, the user can view the input data on the monitor 220. Yet another field may include information about the current date and time. Obviously, other information is possible without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

In step 112, it is determined whether the title signal and the player signal match. The match between the title signal and the player signal may be a direct bit comparison, or a more flexible character regular expression match in the two corresponding fields, i.e., an exact match is not required. , An approximate match would be possible.

If the player 202 determines that the player signal matches the title signal, as schematically shown as step 112 a, the player 202 can inform the user at step 114 of the match. A variety of different mechanisms can be used to do this. For example, an overlay screen may appear on the user's television monitor 220 connected to the player 202 to inform the user of the match. Alternatively, in other ways, video breaks that may be hidden from view,
Player 202 may jump, which will inform the viewer of the match. Many other features are further possible without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Therefore, the player 202 according to the present invention is capable of storing digital data contents (
That is, the operation can be started based on a comparison between the information (ie, the title signal) included in the movie) and the player. One possible way to create the desired functionality for the buyer is to use sweepstakes marketing. In the simplest embodiment, the player signal is a random number and the title signal corresponds to some (approximately) known number of players 202. Then, a movie or digital content in general can be put on the market as an opportunity to obtain a prize, for example, a cash prize if the title signal included in the digital data matches the player signal of the player.

Further, the viewer may be instructed to call a coordination center to confirm the match. The coordination center need not know the title signal of the movie, but only the set of possible matching player signals. For security, the viewer may only be informed about an encrypted version of the player signal that can be decrypted at the coordination center. In this way, the same player signal cannot be reused and the encryption prevents the user from guessing other possible matches.

Many other forms of sweepstakes are possible, including dinner with movie stars. In practice, the method according to the present invention provides the studio with a new variety of "product placement", as the sweepstakes are not supplied by the studio and may be supplied by a co-marketing company such as McDonald's . Such devices can provide additional fixed income to content owners, such as movie studios, by selling title signals. Thus, content owners have clear economic benefits.

[0036] Manufacturers of players, such as DVD devices, also benefit from the method according to the invention. First, buyers will learn more about the differences between DVD video players and traditional VHS players. In particular, this product differentiation provides a high quality example of DVD video over VHS video, but may not be enough to convince the user to switch to DVD.

A second advantage is that if the player signal includes manufacturer information such as shape and type, the device manufacturer can sell statistical information about the buyer of the device to the (sweep-stakes) sales promotion, and The promoter can select a title signal that actually targets a particular group of statistics, rather than a random number. Thus, equipment suppliers also have potential economic benefits.

In addition, in order for device manufacturers to participate in these promotions, content owners can require manufacturers to enter into licensing agreements that guarantee a high level of copy protection.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a variant of the method according to the invention mentioned above will now be described.
As described above, the digital data and the corresponding title signal are distributed on a medium such as a DVD disk 204. However, it is clear that the Internet (shown schematically as 302) allows digital data to be downloaded from the Internet 302, as for example in the case of streaming audio. In such a case, the title signal may be received by a set-top box that converts the digital data into a conventional format, for example, NTSC video for television. Other possibilities include downloading digital data to a special player, such as is done with MP3 audio and Diamond Rio MP3 players. Alternatively, digital data may be stored and / or played directly on a personal computer.

[0040] Copy protection is not so clearly defined in the context of the Internet. However, it is expected that similar or identical solutions will eventually be used. Further, as already mentioned, the application of the present invention is not tied to copy control and can be performed independently.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the title signal is transmitted to the personal computer 304.
It can be included in or part of the application program executed above. The player signal may be stored in the application program or in the personal computer 304 or may be calculated from information available on the personal computer 304. For example, the player signal may function as a computer Ethernet address, or may use the latest ID information unique to each Pentium® chip (or other processor), or may be programmed by the user. May be obtained when registering with the manufacturer. Combinations of these treatments are also possible. As in the embodiment described above, the application program can be downloaded to the personal computer 304 via the Internet. Further, like the player devices described above, player signals can be input to a personal computer via an input device (such as a keyboard 310 or mouse 314) and viewed on a monitor 312.

The present invention has focused on digital data in the form of photographic, audio, video, and multimedia signals. However, in the context of a computer environment, the distinction between these forms of data and other data, such as documents or even programs, is small. Everything is stored as bits. Therefore, it is reasonable to consider the assignment of title signals to these other data and programs. For example, the application program
It can have a title signal embedded in the application program and, as already mentioned, this number can be periodically compared with a player number, possibly a unique identifier of a personal computer. Again, if the title number and the player number match, an operation is performed to notify the user of the prize acquisition. Each of the different application programs
The player signal can be searched for different information available on the personal computer. For example, a word processor application may use a Pentium chip I.P.M. player signal that the word processor application uses to compare to a title signal contained within (or as part of) a word processor application program. D. Might ask. However, other application programs such as spreadsheets may rely on the system clock for player signals. That is, the application program desirably has a subset of instructions therein that direct the application program to look for and calculate player signals. However, an operating system for a personal computer, such as a Windows (registered trademark) operating system, reads a title signal from an application program when starting the application program, and adds a player signal calculated by the operating system. Title signals can be compared. However, there is more flexibility if these actions are performed by application programs rather than by the operating system.

The comparison, match and notification steps outlined above are also preferably controlled by the application program. However, the operating system may perform all or any one of these steps.

When the title signal is included in the application program or is attached to the application program, and the player recorder is the personal computer 304 that executes the application program, the application program is transmitted to the Internet 302. In many cases, the verification of the match between the title signal and the player signal occurs automatically, so that the customer contacts the third party by telephone. The need is eliminated or reduced. However, if the personal computer does not have an active Internet connection 306, a personal telephone call to a third party can still be used.

The player device is a personal computer 304 or a component 308 thereof
(For example, a DVD player or a CD-RW), or even in the case of a stand-alone player device 200, the downloaded digital data can be read before the title signal contained therein is compared with the player signal. It can be completely or partially written on a writable medium or a storage device in a personal computer. The downloaded data is then transferred to the player device, or its components, or a standalone device where the title signal is compared to the player signal. Digital data may be used in real time as it is downloaded from the Internet. However, since digital data must be transferred from the Ethernet card or similar device to the player device, this is also defined as a digital data transfer.

When the title signal is included in an application program executed on the personal computer 304 or is attached to the application program, the player signal is transmitted periodically or intermittently at startup. The determination can be made by an application program that compares the title number with the player number. As already mentioned, the player number is determined by the system clock, Ethernet address, Pentium chip I
It can be a function of various sources present in the computer, including D, registration number, and personal information such as, for example, name, address, and the like. Or,
In this regard, the application program may communicate with a remote site to obtain a player number. Again, the remote site can generate this number in various ways, including the transmission of a pure random number in the case of a lottery device.

A player connected to a network further enables other forms of communication between the player and a third party. Thus, it is possible to automatically upgrade players by downloading updates from Internet sites, as is done in many application programs today. In particular, these upgrades can include changes to the player signal, or the method of calculating the player signal to enhance performance, or the algorithm used to match the title signal with the player signal. In addition, upgrades may be made (temporarily) by increasing the frequency of matches for upgraded players over the previous version, or by making the previous version obsolete so that the previous version does not match the new title signal. On)
If prompted, the user can be encouraged to upgrade the player. Even if such an upgrade is not free, it provides a strong motivation for the upgrade.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the title signal can be included in digital data used to enter an application program running on a personal computer. For example, text documents that can be read, displayed, and possibly edited by a word processing application program can have a title signal included therein. The text document may be an electronic version of the book containing the title signal. When an electronic book is entered into a word processing program and opened, an application program (or alternatively an operating system) detects the title number and performs a comparison step and a matching step. Of course, documents used with the application programs can also be downloaded via the Internet.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, a title signal in digital data can be encrypted using a secret key. When played on a player device, the player device detects a title signal in the data and decrypts the encrypted title signal using the player signal as a secret key. Next, a determination is made as to whether the result of the decryption results in a title signal, i.e., whether the particular player signal in the player device was actually the secret key used to encrypt the title signal. Will be If the decryption results in a title signal, an action is taken to notify the user of the prize, as described above. Any or all variations on this subject described above are feasible.

Although some of the methods and apparatus according to the present invention have been described with reference to an application program and a personal computer, any computer readable set of instructions and any machine capable of reading and executing those instructions may be used. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is clear that it is within the scope and spirit of the invention.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various modifications and changes in form or detail are readily made without departing from the spirit of the invention. . Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but will be construed to include all modifications that come within the scope of the appended claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a flow chart of a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a variant of the invention in which digital data with a title signal is downloaded to a personal computer.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 7/08 H04N 7/08 Z 5D044 7/081 (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY) , DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), CA, JP (72) Inventor Miller, Matthew El. U.S.A. 08540 Princeton T.A. BC02 CC06 DE50 GK12 GK17 GK20 [Continued] The title signal is included in the application program, is part of the application program, or is included in the data input to the application program.

Claims (83)

[Claims] 1. A method of using a title signal included in data for comparing a title signal with a player signal stored in a player device, comprising: supplying data having a title signal; Detecting the title signal in the data; comparing the title signal with the player signal stored in the player device; and performing an operation based on the comparison. Using the title signal. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said data is digital data. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the player signal is indicative of an attribute of the device, device user, data, or data owner. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the title signal is a watermark signal encoded in the digital data, or a sub-signal thereof, and extracting the watermark signal from the digital data; 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of decoding 5. The watermark signal includes a copy protection sub-signal having a predetermined number of bits, and the title signal is a part of the predetermined number of bits not used by the copy protection sub-signal. 4. The method according to 4. 6. The copy protection signal is 8 bits, 4 bits of which are used for copy protection information, and a subset of 4 bits is used for encoding the title signal. 5. The method according to 5. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein all remaining four bits are used to encode the title signal. 8. The method according to claim 2, wherein said digital data is digital video data. 9. The method according to claim 2, wherein said digital data is digital audio data. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation is performed if the title signal matches the player signal. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operation is performed in accordance with the user of the device and at least one of the operations is performed.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein one of the results is reported. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the result is to inform the user that a prize has been won. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein said data is digital video data and said result enables viewing of hidden video chapters. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein said data is digital audio data, and said result enables listening to a hidden audio track. 15. The operation of informing the device user of a match and the player signal or an encrypted version thereof.
The described method. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of: confirming with a third party that the title signal matches the player signal to prevent fraudulent requests. 17. The player signal indicates a name of the device user, an address of the device user, a social security number of the device user, a serial number of the device, an id of the manufacturer, and / or a model number of the device. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein 18. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of changing the encoding of the title signal over time. 19. The method of claim 3, further comprising inputting the player signal to the player device prior to the comparing step. 20. The inputting step is performed by a remote control device remotely linked to the player device, the player device having viewing means for viewing the input of the attribute, or The method of claim 19, wherein the method is connected to viewing means for viewing the input. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein said player device is a DVD player having a remote control linked to a DVD player, said DVD player further connected to a monitor for viewing said input attributes. 22. The method according to claim 10, wherein a perfect match between the title signal and the player signal is required to perform the operation. 23. The method of claim 10, wherein said operation is allowed to be performed upon an incomplete or approximate match between said title signal and said player signal. 24. The title signal and the player signal have at least two fields, each field having a group of bits, and performing the operation by matching the fields of the title signal and the player signal. The method of claim 10, wherein performing the operation is allowed. 25. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one title signal that initiates the execution of the action when compared to the player signal is sold to a co-marketing company. 26. The at least one title signal that initiates the execution of the action when compared to the player signal is selected to match at least one target demographic group. the method of. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein demographic information about the target demographic group is sold to advertisers. 28. The operation is performed if the title signal matches the player signal, the operation providing the device user with contact information for communicating with a third party to determine a match and a prize. The method of claim 1, wherein said notifying is a notification. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the third party requests and collects additional information to determine the prize. 30. The data is digital data, the providing step includes downloading the digital data having the title signal via an Internet connection, and transferring the downloaded digital data to the player device. The method of claim 1, comprising: 31. The method according to claim 30, wherein said digital data is streaming audio or video data. 32. The method of claim 30, wherein said player device is a personal computer, and wherein said transferring step includes storing said downloaded data on a recordable medium readable by said player device. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein said detecting, comparing and performing steps are performed after completion of said storing step. 34. The detecting, comparing and executing steps are performed after the downloaded digital data is partially stored so that the title signal can be used in the method before the storing step is completed. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein said method is performed. 35. The method of claim 30, wherein said player device is a personal computer and at least said detecting step is performed in real time as said digital data is downloaded. 36. A player device that uses a title signal included in data to compare a title signal with a player signal stored in the player device, wherein: a means for supplying data having a title signal; A memory for storing the player signal, a means for comparing the title signal with the player signal, and a means for performing an operation based on the comparison. A player device that uses a title signal. 37. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said data is digital data. 38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the player signal is indicative of the device, device user, digital data, or an attribute of a digital data owner. 39. The title signal is a watermark signal encoded in the digital data or a sub-signal thereof, and means for extracting the watermark signal from the digital data; 38. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising means for decoding 40. The watermark signal includes a copy protection sub-signal having a predetermined number of bits, and the title signal is a part of the predetermined number of bits not used by the copy protection sub-signal. 39. The apparatus according to claim 39. 41. The copy protection sub-signal is 8 bits, of which 4 bits are used for copy protection information, and a subset of the remaining 4 bits is used to encode the title signal. Item 41. The apparatus according to Item 40. 42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein all remaining four bits are used to encode the title signal. 43. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said digital data is digital video data. 44. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said digital data is digital audio data. 45. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the operation is performed if the title signal matches the player signal. 46. The device of claim 45, wherein the action is to notify the user of the match. 47. The device of claim 45, wherein the action informs the device user of the match and at least one result. 48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the result informs the user that a prize has been won. 49. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein said data is digital video data, and said result enables viewing of hidden video chapters. 50. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein said data is digital audio data, and said result enables listening to a hidden audio track. 51. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the action is to inform the user of the match and the player signal or an encrypted version thereof. 52. The apparatus of claim 51, further comprising the step of: confirming with a third party that the title signal matches the player signal to prevent unauthorized requests. 53. The player signal indicates the name of the device user, the address of the device user, the social security number of the device user, the serial number of the device, the id of the manufacturer, and / or the model number of the device. 39. The device of claim 38. 54. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising means for varying the encoding of the title signal over time. 55. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising input means for inputting said attribute to said device before comparing said title signal with said player signal. 56. The input means comprises a remote control device remotely linked to the device, the device having viewing means for viewing the input of the attribute, or the input of the attribute. 56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the apparatus is connected to viewing means for viewing. 57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein said apparatus is a DVD player having a remote control linked to a DVD player, and said viewing means is a monitor connected to said DVD player. 58. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein a perfect match between the title signal and the player signal is required to perform the operation. 59. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein an incomplete or approximate match between the title signal and the player signal allows the operation to be performed. 60. The title signal and the player signal have at least two fields, each field having a group of bits, and execution of the operation is allowed when the fields of the title signal and the player signal match. 46. The device of claim 45. 61. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein at least one title signal that initiates the execution of the action when compared to the player signal is sold to a co-marketing company. 62. The at least one title signal that initiates the execution of the operation when compared to the player signal is selected to match at least one target demographic group. Equipment. 63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein demographic information about the target demographic group is sold to advertisers. 64. The action is performed if the title signal matches the player signal, the action providing the device user with contact information for communicating with a third party to determine a match and a prize. 37. The device of claim 36, wherein said device is to notify. 65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the third party requests and collects additional information to determine the prize. 66. The title signal is included in a set of computer readable instructions, and the title signal is compared with the player signal stored in or available from a personal computer. Item 7. The method according to Item 1. 67. The method of claim 66, wherein said set of computer readable instructions including said title signal is provided by downloading to said personal computer via an internet connection. 68. The method of claim 66, wherein said player signal is embedded in said set of computer readable instructions. 69. The method of claim 66, wherein said detecting step comprises calculating said player signal from said information obtained from said personal computer. 70. The information obtained from the personal computer includes a processor identification number, a system clock time and / or date, an Ethernet address, a registration number, and a registered user of the personal computer. 70. The method of claim 69, wherein the method is selected from the group consisting of: 71. The method of claim 66, wherein said comparing is performed by a subset of instructions included in said set of computer-readable instructions. 72. The computer-readable set of instructions represents an application program executable by the personal computer, the personal computer having an operating system for launching the application, and the detecting step comprising: 67. The method of claim 66, wherein the method is performed by: 73. The method of claim 66, wherein the operating system further performs a comparing step and / or an executing step. 74. The method of claim 73, wherein the operating system passes the title and / or player signal to an application for performing a comparing step and / or an executing step. 75. The method of claim 66, further comprising expiring the player signal after a predetermined time period such that the player signal cannot be used for comparison with the title signal. 76. The method of claim 75, further comprising updating the player signal by purchasing a new player signal for comparison with the title signal. 77. The method of claim 76, wherein the new player signal is purchased as part of an upgrade to the set of computer readable instructions. 78. A method of utilizing a title signal included in digital data and a player signal stored in a player device, comprising: encrypting the title signal using a secret key; Detecting, at the player device, the title signal in the data; decrypting the encrypted title signal using the player signal as the secret key; and the result of the decrypting step. Deciding whether or not to provide the title signal; and performing an operation based on the decision using the title signal contained in the digital data and the player signal stored in the player device. how to. 79. The method of claim 78, wherein said operation is performed if said result of said decryption results in said title signal. 80. The method of claim 79, wherein the action informs the device user of the decision and at least one result thereof. 81. The method of claim 80, wherein the result is to inform the user that a prize has been won. 82. A method for displaying digital image data having a watermark signal embedded therein, or for enhancing the function of a player device for emitting digital audio data, the method comprising: Detecting a watermark signal; extracting a title signal from the watermark signal; decoding the title signal; and storing the title signal in the device, a device user stored in the player device,
Enhancing the function of the player device having a step of comparing with a player signal indicating data or an attribute of a data owner, and a step of notifying the device user of a prize if the title signal matches the player signal. how to. 83. A player device having enhanced functionality, wherein the player device displays digital image data having a watermark signal embedded therein or emits digital audio data, wherein: A unit for detecting the watermark signal in the data, a unit for extracting a title signal from the watermark signal, a unit for decoding the title signal, the device, an apparatus user, data, Alternatively, a memory for storing a player signal indicating an attribute of a data owner, means for comparing the title signal with the player signal, and acquiring the prize if the title signal matches the player signal. A player device having enhanced functionality having means for notifying the device user.