Method and system for embedding device positional data in video signals

Abstract

A system for embedding positional data ( 20 ) in a video signal ( 18 ), the system having a mobile object ( 4 ), a positioning receiver ( 10 ) associated with the mobile object ( 4 ) for obtaining positional data ( 20 ) on the mobile object ( 4 ) from a plurality of positioning satellites ( 6 ), a video camera ( 16 ) associated with the mobile object ( 4 ) for creating the video signal ( 18 ), an encoder ( 12 ) for receiving the video signal ( 18 ) from the video camera ( 16 ) and the positional data ( 20 ) from the positioning receiver ( 10 ) and modulating the positional data ( 20 ) within the video signal ( 18 ) thereby creating a modulated video signal ( 22 ), and a video recorder ( 15 ) associated with the mobile object ( 4 ) for storing the modulated video signal ( 22 ) on a recording medium ( 14 ).

1 . A method comprising: 
 receiving a video signal, the video signal depicting a recording subject;    receiving positional data from a positioning receiver, the positional data being for a location associated with the positioning receiver, the recording subject being viewable from the location; and    encoding the positional data into a video portion of the video signal to produce a modulated video signal.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the encoding of the positional data comprises: 
 modulating the video signal with the positional data by altering the luminance of the video signal.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the encoding of the positional data comprises: 
 selecting one or more selected fields of the video signal for modulation; and    modulating the one or more selected fields of the video signal with the positional data.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 broadcasting the modulated video signal to a playback device.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 storing the modulated video signal on a recording medium.    
   
   
       6 . A method comprising: 
 capturing a digital image, the digital image depicting a recording subject;    receiving positional data from a positioning receiver, the positional data being for a location, the recording subject being viewable from the location; and    encoding the positional data into an image portion of the digital image to produce an encoded digital image, the encoded digital image capable of being decoded to present the digital image and utilize the positional data.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the encoding of the positional data comprises: 
 modulating the digital image with the positional data in a substantially invisible manner.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the digital image is a frame of a video signal.  
   
   
       9 . A method comprising: 
 accessing a modulated video signal, the modulated video signal depicting a recording subject, the modulated video signal including positional data encoded into a visual portion of the modulated video signal, the positional data being for a location;    decoding the modulated video signal to obtain the positional data;    presenting the modulated video signal for display; and    utilizing the positional data during the presenting of the modulated video signal.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the decoding of the modulated signal comprises: 
 detecting a portion of the modulated video signal having altered intensity; and    decoding the modulated video signal to obtain the positional data in accordance with the detecting of the portion.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the utilizing of the positional data comprises: 
 presenting the positional data for reproduction.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the utilizing of the positional data comprises: 
 synchronously depicting the location on a map at a time the modulated video signal was recorded during the presenting of the modulated video signal.    
   
   
       13 . A method comprising: 
 accessing an encoded digital image, the encoded digital image depicting a recording subject, the encoded digital image including positional data encoded into an image portion of the encoded digital image, the positional data being for a location;    decoding the encoded digital image to obtain the positional data;    presenting the encoded digital image for display; and    utilizing the positional data during the presenting of the encoded digital image.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the positional data is Global Positioning System (GPS) location data.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the positional data is triangulation location data.  
   
   
       16 . A method comprising: 
 accessing an encoded digital image, the encoded digital image depicting a recording subject, the encoded digital image including environmental data encoded into an image portion of the encoded digital image, the environmental data being associated with an environment in which encoded digital image of the recording subject was created;    decoding the encoded digital image to obtain the environmental data; and    verifying the encoded digital image utilizing the environmental data.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the verifying of the encoded digital image comprises: 
 verifying at least one of timing, location, authenticity or combinations thereof utilizing the environmental data.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 presenting the encoded digital image for display.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the environmental data includes at least one of: 
 positional data for a location,    vehicle data associated with the environment of a vehicle,    train data associated with the environment of a train,    tank data associated with the environment of a tank,    watercraft data associated with the environment of a watercraft,    airplane data associated with the environment of an airplane,    missile data associated with the environment of a watercraft,    video camera data associated with the environment of a video camera, or combinations thereof.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the recording subject includes at least one of an object, a person, terrain, or combinations thereof.