Method and system for auxiliary data detection and delivery

Abstract

A method and system for auxiliary data detection. Data is received on a hand-held device from a display of a signal on a monitor. The signal is visually displayed on the monitor at a frequency. A modulated video signal is received on the hand-held device from a display device. The modulated video signal contains auxiliary data modulated within a video signal in a substantially invisible way. The modulated video signal is demodulated to obtain the auxiliary data. At least one of the data or the auxiliary data is processed to identify a promotional opportunity available through the hand-held device. The user of the hand-held device is notified of availability of the promotional opportunity through the hand-held device.

1 . A method comprising:
 encoding watermark data into a composite signal that configured to be presented via a television, the watermark data configured to be extracted from the composite signal by one or more devices that receive the composite signal; and   communicating the composite signal with the watermark data to one or more televisions for presentation to one or more users.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the watermark data is configured to direct one or more user devices to obtain additional data from one or more remote servers 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the watermark auxiliary data is encoded into an audio component of the composite signal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the watermark auxiliary data is encoded into a video component of the composite signal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the watermark auxiliary data is encoded into the composite signal by modulating the watermark auxiliary data into the composite signal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the watermark auxiliary data is a data trigger that, responsive to being received by the one or more devices, directs the one or more devices to visually display a user input screen. 
     
     
         7 . A method comprising:
 receiving, via a television, a composite signal having watermark auxiliary data encoded into the composite signal at one or more user devices;   extracting the watermark auxiliary data from the composite signal; and   obtaining additional data from one or more remote servers for presentation on the one or more user devices based on the watermark auxiliary data.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the watermark auxiliary data is encoded into an audio portion of the composite signal. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the watermark auxiliary data is encoded into a video portion of the composite signal. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein extracting the watermark auxiliary data includes removing at least part of the watermark auxiliary data that is modulated into the composite signal. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising visually displaying a user input screen based at least in part on the additional data responsive to extracting the watermark auxiliary data. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein receiving the composite signal and extracting the watermark auxiliary data is performed by one or more hand held electronic devices as the one or more user devices. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 detecting an audio-encoded watermark in a television signal using a hand held electronic device;   obtaining additional data from one or more remote servers based on the audio-encoded watermark using the hand held electronic device; and   presenting a display on the hand held electronic device using the additional data that is obtained and responsive to detecting the audio-encoded watermark.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the audio-encoded watermark is modulated into the television signal. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the hand held electronic device is a mobile phone. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the display that is presented is a website.