text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Aug 11, 2009
|Filing date
|Jun 7, 2004
|Priority date
|Jun 5, 2003
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Stuart Green
|Original Assignee
|Zoo Digital Limited
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (12), Referenced by (3), Classifications (53), Legal Events (3)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
The present invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for use in creating or reproducing an audiovisual product. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in controlling access to an audiovisual product, where the product is unlocked before use.
It is desired to control access to an audiovisual product. In particular, it is desired to restrict opportunities that currently exist for audiovisual content to be viewed or otherwise accessed without authorisation.
In general terms, audiovisual content such as a movie or other presentation is formed by gathering together many small sections or clips of raw audio and visual content. This is usually termed an "authoring" process wherein the raw sound clips and video clips are progressively assembled and edited together to form the finished audiovisual product. The audiovisual product is then recorded on some form of recording media. Traditionally, this would be an analogue medium such as celluloid film or analogue video tape (e.g. VHS format video tape). More recently, it has become possible to record audiovisual content onto random access media including in particular optical disk media such as DVDs, or other forms of random storage such as magnetic hard drives. These random access media have many advantages in terms of size, data capacity, playback speed, image quality and so on. However, a disadvantage has also been identified in that it is relatively easy to view or otherwise access a stored audiovisual product, without authorisation.
An optical disc is a convenient storage media for many different purposes. A digital versatile disc (DVD) has been developed with a capacity of up to 4.7 Gb on a single-sided single-layer disc, and up to 17 Gb on a double-sided double-layer disc. There are presently several different formats for recording data onto a DVD disc, including DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, and DVD RAM, amongst others. Of these, DVD-Video is particularly intended for use with pre-recorded video content, such as a motion picture. As a result of the large storage capacity and ease of use, DVD discs are becoming popular and commercially important. Conveniently, a DVD-Video disc is played using a dedicated playback device with relatively simple user controls, and DVD players for playing DVD-Video discs are becoming relatively widespread. More detailed background information concerning the DVD-Video specification is available from DVD Forum at www.dvdforum.org, and elsewhere.
The DVD-Video specification contains a number of built-in copy-protection features that aim to protect the audiovisual data content of the disc. These include Content Scrambling System (CSS), used to encrypt blocks of audio-video data to prevent such data being played separately from the DVD-Video presentation; and Macrovision Copy Protection, used to prevent video being copied using recording devices. Both of these systems are interpreted by the DVD-Video player that performs the appropriate function during playback. While these approaches are effective in protecting data content for average consumers, "reverse engineers" who are skilled and motivated to create copies of discs or parts of discs now easily defeat both systems.
A problem has been identified in that, within the DVD-Video specification, there are no built-in facilities by which content can be held securely on a disc, whilst remaining out of the reach of a reasonably competent reverse engineer. As an example to illustrate this problem, DVD-Video discs sometimes contain so-called "Easter Eggs" which are hidden data on a disc that are accessed such as by inputting a particular key combination (e.g. press a "left arrow" key within 5 seconds of a certain menu appearing). A reverse engineer can easily access such content without knowing the key combination, simply by extracting the relevant audio-video objects directly from the disc. There are a number of DVD-Video interrogation software packages available that can be used to 'rip' each of the individual video presentations on a disc. See, for example, www.dvd-ripper.com, amongst many others.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,179 (WEA Manufacturing, Inc) discloses a key-based protection method for light-readable discs, wherein a disk player provides a unique key each time a disk is played. The user communicates the unique key to a transaction service, and receives an unlock key in return. The user communicates the unlock key to the disk player. The disk player then confirms that the unlock key and the unique key have a predetermined relationship, before playing the disk. This known protection method allows pay-per-view or other pay-per-use commercialisations of an audiovisual product distributed on a light-readable disk, such as in a DVD-Video format.
There are a wide range of applications where a greater level of security and protection is required over and above that afforded by the known copy-protection approaches. These problems arise not only in relation to DVD-Video format optical disks but occur in many other environments, especially where audiovisual content is recorded onto a random access storage medium.
An aim of the present invention is to provide, at least in some preferred embodiments thereof, a method and apparatus for use in creating and/or reproducing an audiovisual product, by which a user's access the audiovisual product is restricted. In particular, an aim of the present invention is to restrict copying, viewing or other unauthorised access to an audiovisual product.
An aim of at least some embodiments of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for use in creating or reproducing an audiovisual product, by which even a skilled reverse engineer is faced with substantial obstacles that inhibit free and unfettered access to the audiovisual product.
According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method as set forth in the appended claims. Preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.
Generally, an audiovisual product appropriate to the present invention has plurality of cells of audiovisual data, whose playback is controlled by one or more sequence instructions. Suitably, each of the cells and each of the sequence instructions have a predetermined structure location within the audiovisual product, which enables navigational movements within the audiovisual product, such as from cell to cell and from one sequence instruction to another.
One aspect of the present invention relates to the use of an access code to control access to an audiovisual product, as a form of unlocking process.
In one exemplary aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for use in creating an audiovisual product, comprising the steps of: receiving original audiovisual data intended for playback according to an original content sequence; dividing the original audiovisual data into a plurality of cells; creating a plurality of sequence instructions each representing a playback sequence for playing back the cells in a specified order; allocating the plurality of sequence instructions each to one of a plurality of structural locations within the audiovisual product; and producing a destination function operable, based on an access code, to calculate a destination structural location amongst the plurality of structural locations and thereby select one amongst the plurality of sequence instructions.
In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method for use in reproducing an audiovisual product, comprising the steps of: receiving an access code; calculating a destination structure location within the audiovisual product by applying a destination function to the access code; and jumping to the calculated destination structure location to thereby select a sequence instruction corresponding to that location.
In use, a destination structure location within the audiovisual product is calculated by applying a destination function to a received access code. Jumping to the calculated destination structure location selects a sequence instruction corresponding to that location. The selected sequence instruction consequently initiates reproduction of a sequence of the cells of audiovisual data in the audiovisual product.
Preferably, the access code is input during playback of the audiovisual product. Most preferably, the access code is input by a user through an input device such as a keypad or remote control unit or other communications device. As one example, the access code is a numerical code (e.g. 1234) input through a visual representation of a numerical keypad.
Preferably, the destination function applied to the access code is a mathematical function that returns a numerical value of the destination location dependent upon the received access code. The access code may take any suitable form but preferably comprises a numerical value within a predetermined range, such that the destination function when applied to the numerical value of the access code calculates the structure location of the correct sequence instruction and so reveals protected original audiovisual data such as an "Easter egg" feature or a section of a movie. By contrast, when the destination function is applied to an incorrect numerical value, some other structure location is derived. For example, the destination function leads to a structure location which causes a message to be displayed such as "Access Denied", or leads to an incorrect sequence instruction which results in unsatisfactory playback of the original audiovisual data.
The destination function suitably comprises a one way hash function. Preferably, the destination function operates on at least two access codes each having numerical values. Preferably, the destination function is applied to generate a first access code for display to a user, and then to operate on a second access code provided in return. The destination function may generate a seed and apply a transformation to generate the first access code, such that a seed of the first access code is held secret and is not revealed to a user.
This aspect of the present invention may be embodied in many different specific forms, according to the manner in which the access code is related to the destination function, and the manner in which audiovisual content is thereby unlocked for enjoyment by the user. This unlocking method is particularly useful in preventing free and unfettered access to an audiovisual product by ordinary consumers. That is, most ordinary consumers will only have access to the audiovisual product, or selected locked sections of the audiovisual product, once they have possession of a correct unlocking access code.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to obscuring data within an audiovisual product.
In one exemplary embodiment the present invention provides a method for use in creating an audiovisual product, comprising the steps of: receiving original audiovisual data intended for playback according to an original content sequence; dividing the original audiovisual data into a plurality of cells; and creating a plurality of sequence instructions each representing a playback sequence for playing back the cells in a specified order, including: at least one correct sequence instruction where the playback sequence reproduces the original content sequence; and a plurality of incorrect sequence instructions where the playback sequence does not reproduce the original content sequence.
In another exemplary embodiment the present invention provides a method for use in reproducing an audiovisual product, comprising the steps of: receiving the audiovisual product, wherein a plurality of sequence instructions include at least one correct sequence instruction for reproducing the audiovisual product according to an original playback sequence, and a plurality of incorrect sequence instructions which do not reproduce the audiovisual product according to the original playback sequence; selecting one amongst the plurality of sequence instructions; and reproducing the audiovisual data in the cells according to the selected sequence instruction.
This aspect of the present invention provides a simple but effective mechanism for controlling access to the original audiovisual data presented in the audiovisual product.
Original content is divided into cells, which are to be played back in an order according to a playback sequence instruction. One or more correct sequence instructions, which allow an original content sequence to be reconstructed from the cells, are themselves hidden amongst a plurality of incorrect sequence instructions. Advantageously, a relatively large number of sequence instructions are created, where only relatively few (e.g. one or two) properly play back the cells to reconstruct the original content sequence. Suitably, the remaining large number of incorrect sequence instructions each result in an unsatisfactory playback of the audiovisual data from the cells. Such obfuscation of the correct sequence instructions leads to secure and reliable control of access to the original audiovisual data. Only a user who is able select the correct sequence instruction will be able to reveal the original audiovisual data.
Preferably, the plurality of sequence instructions are formed as multiple permuted sequences, where only one such sequence corresponds to the original content sequence. Each of the other multiple permuted sequences reproduces the audiovisual data in the cells, but not according to the original content sequence. Hence, the sequence instructions each closely resemble one another and it is relatively difficult for a reverse engineer to determine which one is correct. As a result, the correct sequence instruction is obfuscated amongst the multiple permuted incorrect sequence instructions.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cells are arranged other than according to the original content sequence. That is, the cells are rearranged to provide a new, jumbled, sequence of cells that obscures the original audiovisual data. Recording the cells in the jumbled sequence means that a reverse engineer cannot easily recreate the original audiovisual data from the cells. Knowledge of a correct sequence instruction is also required, in order to correctly reproduce the original content sequence.
One aspect of the present invention concerns addition of one or more erroneous "red herring" cells, which are not proper to an original content sequence.
In one exemplary embodiment the present invention provides a method for use in creating an audiovisual product, comprising the steps of: receiving original audiovisual data intended for playback according to an original content sequence; dividing the original audiovisual data into a plurality of cells of correct audiovisual data; adding at least one erroneous cell containing erroneous audiovisual data to the plurality of cells; and forming a sequence instruction representing a playback sequence for playing back selected ones of the plurality of cells in a specified order.
In another exemplary embodiment the present invention provides a method for use in reproducing an audiovisual product, comprising the steps of: receiving an audiovisual product having audiovisual data divided into a plurality of cells, including at least one correct cell containing correct audiovisual data proper to an original content sequence, and at least one erroneous cell containing erroneous audiovisual data, and at least one sequence instruction representing a playback sequence for playing back selected ones of the plurality of cells in a specified order; and reproducing the audiovisual data in the cells according to the sequence instruction.
Preferably, an erroneous red herring cell contains a short section of original audiovisual data and initially appears to be proper to the original content sequence, but the audiovisual data is distorted such as by playing the video data backwards. Hence, if the erroneous red herring cell is reproduced, then the original content sequence is not seen correctly. Other examples of erroneous cells include distracting visual or audio effects such as negative images, high contrast or low contrast images, snow, fading, jitter, and overly loud, soft or distorted audio, amongst many others.
Still another aspect of the present invention relates to the use of scrambled video streams within an audiovisual product.
In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method for use in creating an audiovisual product, comprising the steps of: receiving original audiovisual data intended for playback according to an original content sequence; dividing the original audiovisual data into a plurality of cells; allocating the plurality of cells amongst at least a first video stream and a second video stream; and creating a video stream switch instruction to switch between the first and second video streams, thereby reproducing the cells according to the original content sequence.
In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method for use in reproducing an audiovisual product, comprising the steps of:
Original audiovisual data intended for playback according to an original content sequence is divided into a plurality of cells, and the cells are allocated amongst at least first and second video streams. A video stream switch instruction is used to automatically switch between the first and second video streams, thereby reproducing the cells according to the original content sequence.
Preferably, a video object holds each cell, and the video stream switch instruction defines a video stream to be reproduced from the video object as either the first video stream or the second video stream. Erroneous data is ideally recorded in the other streams. At least one preliminary video object has program instructions for performing the video switch instruction to select either the first video stream or the second video stream, respectively, and then a multi-angle video object holds the cell in a respective video stream. The preliminary video objects and the multi-angle video objects are suitably interleaved. That is, one or more preliminary video objects are reproduced in sequence, followed by one or more multi-angle video objects, and then repeating this layout. The video stream switch instruction is preferably performed using forced activate button commands associated with hidden menu buttons. The button commands are suitably taken from a DVD-Video virtual command set in order to set a video stream special parameter (i.e. SPRM3) to a desired video stream appropriate to the next multi-angle video object.
Preferably, a sequence generator is used to generate a sequence of video streams in order. The sequence generator is preferably a deterministic algorithm seeded by one or more initial parameters. In one preferred embodiment, one or more of the initial parameters are provided again at playback, as a form of key.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention relate in particular to an audiovisual product playable according to a DVD-Video specification. Preferably, a sequence instruction is implemented as a program chain (PGC). It is desired to provide effective control of access to audiovisual data contained in a DVD-Video product, but also to maintain efficient use of available space on a recording medium such as an optical disc. The bulk of the data on a typical DVD-Video disc is taken up by audio-video presentation data, which is contained within cells and video objects (VOBs). By contrast, the space taken up by navigation data, such as programs (PGs) and program chains (PGCs) is relatively small.
Each of the aspects of the present invention as discussed herein can be employed alone. Preferably, any two or more of the aspects of the present invention are employed in combination. Most preferably, the locking aspect, the obfuscation aspect and the content scrambling aspects disclosed herein are all employed in combination.
In one particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, an original content sequence is divided into cells, and the cells and/or the video streams are scrambled. Hence it is difficult for the original content sequence to be reconstructed simply by reading the audiovisual objects in the audiovisual product. Further, a correct sequence instruction is hidden amongst many similar but incorrect sequence instructions. Further still, access to the correct sequence instruction is controlled by a destination function and an access code. As a result, a very high degree of security is obtained for the original audiovisual data stored in the audiovisual product.
The present invention also extends an audiovisual product formed by or adapted for use in any of the aspects of the present invention as defined herein. The audiovisual product is preferably a DVD-Video product and particularly an optical disc having audiovisual content recorded thereon according to a DVD-Video specification.
Conveniently, in at least some preferred embodiments, the present invention is implemented as a computer program, or a suite of computer programs. The program or programs are recorded on any suitable recording medium, including a removable storage medium such as a magnetic disk, hard disk or solid state memory card, or as a signal modulated onto a carrier for transmission on any suitable data network, such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN) such as the internet.
In at least some preferred embodiments, the present invention is suitably performed on a computing platform, ideally a general purpose computing platform such as a personal computer, or a client-server computing network. Alternatively, the present is implemented, wholly or at least in part, by dedicated hardware. As one example, the present invention is performed in a home entertainment appliance such as an optical disk player or recorder. In at least some preferred embodiments, the present invention is performed in a DVD-Video player for playback of DVD-Video format optical discs and/or in a DVD-recorder for recording DVD-Video format data onto an optical disc.
For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:
The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the particular example of a DVD-Video format optical disk containing audiovisual content. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is applicable to a wide variety of other environments, particularly where audiovisual content is stored in some form of random access storage media. Also, it is envisaged that the DVD-Video format will itself be superseded over time and replaced with new format definitions. That is, the present invention is likely to be applicable even in some future and as yet unrealised environments.
This original audiovisual data can take any form such as a movie, or a company presentation, or a quiz game, amongst many other possibilities. The personal computer acting as the authoring apparatus creates the desired audiovisual product as will be discussed in more detail below. The authoring apparatus 30 writes the audiovisual product 400 onto a storage medium such as a hard disk drive within the personal computer 30 or onto an optical disk 40.
In the preferred example of DVD-Video format data, the cells 420 are played in sequence through their inclusion by reference in programs (PGs) which are in turn organised into Program Chains (PGCs). In
The DVD-Video format permits a many to one mapping from PGCs to cells, which is primarily designed in the specification in order to support multiple storylines. An example of this is a DVD-Video disc that contains two separately rated versions of the same movie corresponding to a PG version and a G (General Audience) version, with the latter having certain scenes removed. When a viewer plays the disc, he or she can select at the outset whether to play the PG or G version, and a 'parental control' feature of DVD is available for exactly this purpose. Typically, most of the movie content is common to both the PG and G versions and recorded only once on the disc. However, the PGC for the PG version omits selected scenes which are included only in the PGC for the G version, or vice versa.
Since the bulk of the data on a typical DVD-Video disc is taken up by audio-video presentation data contained within the cells 420, and the space taken up by presentation data including PGCs 410 is relatively small. The present invention implements multiple variations on the way in which those cells 420 are played, but without duplicating the audio-video data.
Obfuscation of Sequence Instructions
In a first aspect, the present invention provides an audiovisual product where a correct playback sequence instruction is obscured amongst many incorrect sequence instructions.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides obfuscation by using multiple PGCs 410 to reference the underlying cells 420 in multiple different sequences, but where only one such sequence is correct.
For example, for three cells A, B and C, six PGCs 1-6 may be defined as shown in
Thus, a cell may be shared by at most 32767 PGCs. In the example above it is assumed that the correct sequence, A, B, C, consists of sequential cells 420 played back in order.
Step 530 comprises creating a plurality of sequence instructions 410 which control a playback sequence of the cells 420 created in step 520. The step 530 includes the step 531 of creating one or more correct sequence instructions 410 a, amongst other incorrect sequence instructions 410 b. Step 532 optionally comprises permuting the correct sequence instruction 410 a to create a larger number of incorrect sequence instructions 410 b, so that the one or more correct sequence instruction 410 a is hidden amongst the many incorrect sequence instructions 410 b derived therefrom.
Having created the cells 420 of audiovisual data and the corresponding plurality of sequence instructions 410 in steps 520 and 530, the audiovisual product is then formatted and recorded onto a suitable storage medium in step 540. In the preferred embodiment the audiovisual product is formatted according to the DVD video specification and recorded onto a hard disk drive or preferably an optical disk. This step 540 may, if necessary, include downstream processing steps such as specific allocation of structure locations to the cells 410 and the sequence instructions 420, and creating an explicit disk image (i.e. a bitstream image) ready to be recorded or burnt onto an optical disk.
Step 610 comprises receiving the created audiovisual product with the cells 420 of audiovisual data and the plurality of playback sequence instructions 410.
Step 620 comprises selecting one of the playback sequence instructions 410. Step 620 preferably includes the step of performing an authentication process to confirm that the user has permission to reproduce the audiovisual product. In one embodiment, authentication includes a step 621 of receiving a user input such as a user access code or PIN, calculating a structure location within the audiovisual product in step 622, and then jumping to the calculated location in step 623. Such calculation in step 622 suitably realises a structure location corresponding to one amongst the plurality of playback sequence instructions. If the calculation of step 622 has been performed correctly, then a correct playback sequence instruction 410 a will be located. Otherwise, one of the many incorrect playback sequence instructions 410 b will be selected.
Step 630 comprises playing the audiovisual data in the cells 420 according to the selected playback sequence instruction 410. Step 630 suitably includes retrieving the audiovisual data in the referenced cells 420 from a storage medium such as an optical disk, performing appropriate decoding, and rendering the decoded data for output such as through a display screen and through audio speakers, as outlined above with reference to
PGC Obfuscation
A particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of further illustration, with reference to
It is desired that the sequence will be divided into cells 420 with an average duration of 3 seconds each, resulting in a total of 20 cells to represent the sequence.
The supplied video clip is searched for scene cuts. There are well-known methods used for this purpose based on discontinuities in the video and/or audio stream. See, for example, G. Akrivas, N. Doulamis, A. Doulamis and S. Kollias, "Scene Detection Methods for MPEG-encoded Video Signals", Proceedings of MELECON 2000 Mediterranean Electrotechnical Conference, Nicosia, Cyprus, May 2000, amongst many other. The scene cuts become anchor points for the subsequent subdivision, as shown in
As shown in
Erroneous "Red Herring" Cells
Referring to
In practice, the duration of each cell is varied so as not to create a pattern from which, for example, interrogation of time codes could be used to discard obviously erroneous cells.
As shown in
The erroneous red herring cells 421 are inserted into the play order of the valid cells 420, sorted by start time of the cell, as shown in
Cell Scrambling
As shown in
In the preferred DVD-Video format, the cells 420 are numbered from 1 in the order they appear on the disc. Hence, the jumbled cells 420 are renamed sequentially in the order they will appear on the disc as shown in
Under the illustrated arrangement, the correct playback sequence is shown in
Note that the cells 4 , 8 , 15 and 19 are erroneous red herrings and do not occur in the correct playback sequence.
Based on the list of cells 420 as provided on the disc, 1 , 2 , . . . 24 , a number of incorrect playback sequences 410 b are created, each one determined by selecting any 20 from the 24 cells and presenting these in a random order. Again, the level of protection will increase if every such sequence meets the DVD-Video specification's requirements for seamless playback. If the sequence is broken into N cells 420 with the addition of R red herring cells 421, then the number of possible sequences (ignoring the seamless playback constraints) is: (N+R)!/R! In the current example, this equates to 24!/4! This number is very large (2.6�1022) and in practice the number of possible sequences presented on the disc is constrained by DVD-Video limits on the number of Program Chains (PGCs). Since the audio/video data is shared between PGCs, there is a practical limit of 32,767 playback sequences. Each playback sequence stores the playback cells 420 by reference, so each of these sequences can be represented on the DVD disc using very little data.
Each of the playback sequences 410 (i.e. the correct sequence 410 a together with multiple incorrect sequences 410 b) is represented using the Program (PG) DVD-Video navigation structure. This consists of a list of cell pointers. Programs are contained within Program Chain structures. The Program corresponding to the correct sequence 410 a in this worked example would be structured as shown in
An example of one incorrect sequence 410 b, which consists of the playback sequence 1 , 2 , . . . 20 , is illustrated by
A Program Chain is created for each of the playback sequences within a single Video Title Set (VTS). Assume that there are 1,000 sequences in total created for the disc, of which one is the correct sequence and 999 are incorrect sequences. One of the sequence instructions 410 a is chosen to be the destination to unlock the video, in this example, PGC number 321, which contains the Program with the correctly ordered sequence of cells 420, as shown in
The audiovisual product is then ready to be recorded onto a suitable storage medium, in this case an optical disk. However, further intermediate authoring steps may be performed in order to convert the authored audiovisual product into a specific version, i.e. into a disk image ready for burning onto a blank previously unrecorded optical disk.
In order to extract the correct sequence of cells 420, a reverse engineer would need to examine every possible combination. Assuming that the maximum possible number of cells 420 has been encoded, then to reconstruct a one hour program would require a reverse engineer to view up to 32,767 hours (3.74 years) of content.
It is preferred when preparing the sections of video to ensure that there are no obvious clues to the correct sequence of cells 420. For example, any timecodes in the MPEG elementary streams should be removed so that this information cannot be used to sort a series of cells 420 into the required order. Also, cells 420 should be divided on scene boundaries so that a reverse engineer cannot simply compare the last frame in one cell with the first frame in another to guess the correct playback sequence.
To overcome the restriction of the number of PGCs per VTS, the method outlined above can be extended to employ multiple VTSs and therefore increase the number of destinations that must be interrogated in order to find the correct playback sequence. In this case, the video program would be divided into v sections of similar duration, with section 1 mapping to VTS 1 up to section v mapping to VTS v. Within each VTS up to 32767 PGCs can be used to obfuscate the program; the correct PGC in each VTS is unrelated and is arrived at through independent calculation.
Playback of the audiovisual product involves determining the correct playback sequence instruction amongst the many incorrect playback sequence instructions 410. In the above example shown in
Video Stream Scrambling
A further aspect of the present invention relates to scrambling of video objects within an audiovisual product, so that unauthorised access or copying of the audiovisual product is made more difficult.
The preferred embodiment relates to an audiovisual product which is playable according to the DVD-Video specification, and will be described in detail below.
The DVD-Video specification provides a structure known as a Video Object (VOB) to hold streams of audiovisual data. VOBs are internally divided into Cells, as also generally discussed above with reference to
Consecutive VOBs can be ordered to contain different numbers of streams. For example, a first VOB may contain a single video stream, while a second VOB may contain four video streams. A VOB that contains multiple video streams is often referred to as a "multi-angle block". A Special Parameter (SPRM)—number 3 (SPRM3)—is used to stipulate which video stream to play. If the audiovisual product is recorded with this special parameter SPRM3 set to the value "4", then future multi-angle streams will result in angle 4 being selected for playback. This feature is designed to enable a viewer to choose between up to nine different camera angles and then to view the recorded video stream for the chosen camera angle. However, the present invention employs this camera angle video stream feature to provide improved protection against copying or unauthorised access of the audiovisual product.
The method will now be explained in more detail, with reference to
As shown in
A sequence instruction (PGC) is created to play back the VOBs 1910, 1920 in order, thereby reproducing the cells 420 ABCD. The playback sequence is further controlled by video stream switch instructions 2011, 2021 to switch between video streams 1901, 1902 at appropriate points in the sequence. The correct video stream 1901, 1902 is calculated for each multi-angle block 2020, using a deterministic algorithm. When the same deterministic algorithm is employed during reproduction, playback then follows the same path amongst the recorded video streams.
In the preferred embodiment, the video stream switch instructions 2011, 2021 are performed using forced activate button commands associated with hidden menu buttons in a video object 2010 which precedes one of the multi-angle blocks 2020. In this example, the VOB for cell B includes a switch command 2011 to set the SPRM3 special parameter to "2". Upon entering the following VOB for cell C as a multi-angle block, the set value of the special parameter SPRM3 determines that stream "2" is to be reproduced, in this case leading to cell C1. Also, in this example, the VOB 2020 for cell C likewise sets SPRM3 to a value of "1" ready for a following cell.
The preferred embodiment uses a sequence generator to determine the correct video stream playback sequence. One appropriate sequence generator is based on a deterministic algorithm that is seeded by one or more initial parameters, and from which successive values are produced by applying the generator to the set of parameters. An example of such a sequence generator is a Linear Congruential Generator (LCG), defined as a method whereby the next number is generated from the current one by rn+1=(A*rn+B) mod M, where A and B are prime numbers.
The original audiovisual data will only play back correctly if the original cell is played for each of the multi-angle blocks, for which it is necessary to know the values of the parameters to the sequence generator (A, B and M in this example). Since there are many possible values for these parameters, one or more of the parameters can be used as a 'key' to unlock the content. If incorrect parameters are chosen for playback, then incorrect video sequences will play during the multi-angle blocks, which will render the content unplayable (i.e. highly unsatisfactory).
That is, the method includes creating a deterministic algorithm having an iterative sequence of outputs dependent upon initial parameters, and determining the video angle streams according to the sequence. Also, the method includes receiving one or more parameters during playback of the audiovisual product, applying a deterministic algorithm to the parameters to produce a sequence of outputs, and selecting between video streams according to the produced sequence.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to "locking" of the audiovisual product, which then requires "unlocking" before a user is allowed access to the audiovisual product.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user provides an access code through an input device such as a keyboard or handheld remote control unit. Conveniently, the audiovisual product is provided with a start up sequence (e.g. first-play PGC) which prompts the user for input of the access code. The access code then leads, either directly or indirectly, to the correct program sequence instruction of PGC 321.
This further embodiment of the present invention has been developed to allow vendors to publish video content on DVD-Video discs for playback on any DVD-Video player, where the content must be 'unlocked' prior to viewing. This enables, amongst other things, pay-to-play applications, as illustrated by the following scenario:
A number of variants are possible, according to the level of security and functionality that is required, as outlined below.
In a first example method, a single, fixed unlock code is used to unlock the disc content. This could be, for example, a four digit PIN. On screen, the user may be presented with an image of a numeric keypad and using the remote control navigation buttons (e.g. Up, Down, Left, Right and Enter) can key in the four digits. Preferably, as each digit is entered it is displayed on screen for confirmation to the user. Of course, many other input options are also applicable.
A characteristic of the first example method is that every user receives the same unlock code, and therefore a security weakness is that the unlock code could be given by one person to many others who would thereby subvert the access control. Using a pair of codes can enhance security as follows:
Many algorithms are available for generating matching pairs of security codes, such as public/private key pairs.
A characteristic of the second example method is that a new identification code will be generated for each session of playing the DVD disc and unlock codes are unique to each identification code. This means that if the user purchases an unlock code it can only be used to unlock the content once (pay once, play once). This may be desirable for some applications (for example, competition entry, when a user should pay again each time he/she wishes to enter the competition), but may be undesirable in others. For some applications it is desirable to allow pay once, play many functionality.
The second example method can be modified to allow the identification code to be entered by the user using information that is either unique to that user or restricted to a small number of users. Examples are:
Dependent upon the level of security required, these various options for receiving an access code or unlock code can be employed alone, or in any combination. The access control and content security provided by the present invention allows audiovisual products to be defined and produced in many exciting and commercially valuable forms which are at present not possible. Some examples are given in the following table:
Security Required
Drip Feed—A disc
A newspaper publisher provides
Security level is
is delivered to users
a disc with the paper on Monday
relatively low—it
and content is un-
containing a number of
is not critical if a
locked at certain
episodes. An access code is
reader should
time intervals.
published each day of the week
discover early
that unlocks a new episode to
how to view
be viewed.
episodes that are
not yet on general
Reward—Content is
A disc contains some kind of
unlocked if the user
puzzle. When the puzzle is
performs certain
completed successfully, the
reward is a video sequence.
Pay to Play—
A disc contains a bonus
Content is unlocked
episode. The user makes a
when the user
credit card payment to obtain a
access would lead
performs a
code to access the content.
to loss of
transaction (perhaps
revenues, but the
pays a fee).
publisher would
not be exposed to
further costs.
Skill with Prize—A
The disc contains a competition,
prize is awarded
such as a quiz, and based on
Payment of prize
following the user
the user′s response a prize may
exposes the
performing certain
be claimed by the user.
publisher to
additional cost
and risk.
During playback, the content on the DVD-Video disc will cause the player to undergo authentication and will either play valid video if authentication succeeded or some other video if it failed.
To support the preferred embodiments of the present invention, certain steps are taken during the preparation of content for the disc (ie. authoring), and particular steps are taken during playback to unlock the content for authorised users.
During authoring, the disc content is prepared as follows:
Various approaches are possible for definition of the destination function D. For example, a crude function would simply return a success/fail outcome based upon, say, a PIN number. The following pseudo-code returns 1 if the user enters the valid PIN code "1234" and 2 for all other codes.
Function D(C)
if C = 1234 then return 1 else return 2
On the disc two destinations (1 and 2) would be set up, with 1 corresponding to the unlocked content proper, and 2 corresponding to some alternative content, such as a still image with the text "Access Denied". This approach would provide a very low level of protection—it would be trivial for a reverse engineer to identify both the correct unlock code and also the destination on disc for the protected content. The advantage of the approach is that it is very simple to implement, requiring simple authoring and playback methods. Therefore, this approach is adequate when security of the content is not an important requirement.
A slightly more secure approach is to use a one-way Hash function, which is a function H that maps a message M (usually of arbitrary length) to a fixed length 'message digest' where:
Thus, a one-way hash function is a deterministic algorithm that compresses an arbitrary long message into a value of specified length—often referred to as a 'fingerprint'—such that it is infeasible to find two distinct messages that have the same fingerprint. Such functions are widely used in cryptography; popular methods include MD5, SHA and Snefru.
The significance of the one-way hash function is that, although a reverse engineer may be able to determine the required result of evaluating the function, there is no easy way to determine the input value that will give rise to that result.
A simple destination function D based upon a Hash function H is:
Function D(C) { if H(C) = MD then return 1 else return 2 }
where MD is a pre-determined, constant Message Digest value defined as the result of evaluating H(C) for the correct unlock code. Since H is not invertible, it will not be easy for a reverse engineer to determine the value of C that will cause the destination function to jump to the locked content. However, it would still be relatively easy for a reverse engineer to substitute or eliminate the hash function above since the desired destination (namely, '1') is easy to determine from the code.
A more secure destination function would rely on having a relatively large number of apparently valid destinations available. For example, suppose a function D(C) takes as input a four-digit PIN code. A disc may be authored on which there are 10,000 possible destinations, of which 9,999 give "Access Denied" responses, and 1 results in the protected content. This can be accomplished by the following trivial destination function:
Function D(C)
return C
Thus, security here is related to how easy it may be for a reverse engineer to identify the protected content amongst a large collection.
A security weakness then becomes the technique used to determine the code used to unlock the correct destination. In considering the pay-once, play-once scenario, it is important to ensure that a reverse engineer cannot easily purchase unlock codes and use these to allow play-many usages, thereby permitting the protected content to be extracted and transferred to a disc that does not require authentication.
Another example technique involves using a pair of keys as parameters to the destination function, with one key being generated by the player, and the second matching key being supplied by the vendor to unlock the content. One implementation of this approach may operate as follows:
Here, an example destination function is:
Function D(C1, C2)
return (C1 + C2) mod 10000
In this case, the vendor-supplied code calculated at step 3 above would be evaluated as follows, assuming that the correct destination is Dunlock:
C2 = (Dunlock − C1) mod 10000
(Note: 0 � C2 < 10000)
For example, if the correct destination is 1234 and the DVD player presents a code of 5678, then the corresponding code required to unlock the content is (1234-5678) mod 10000=5556.
Another example by which the destination is unlocked is represented by the following pseudo code:
Ref = RND(10,000)
# Generate a random number 0... 9,999
Display Ref
Prompt for Key
# 'Key' is a 4-digit unlock key
entered by the user
Destination = (Ref XOR Key)
# The target PGC in the range 1... 1000
mod 1000 + 1
Jump to PGC Destination
In the above, a random reference number is displayed. The user is required to contact the publisher of the disc to obtain a matching key. The publisher calculates this key as:
Key=D XOR Ref
Note that PIN codes above are used for illustrative purposes; in practice longer codes may be appropriate to provide high levels of security. The destination function illustrated is very simple and insecure; in practice a one-way hash function would be preferable so that it cannot be easily inverted.
The advantages of this method are:
A disadvantage is that a reverse engineer who is aware of a matching pair of codes that unlock the disc could create a copy of the disc, and replace the instructions that generate the random number with instructions that always generate the known generated key. This new disc can then always be unlocked using the known unlock key from the matching pair.
Another enhancement of the method is to apply a non-invertible transformation to the true originating code C1 in order to 'hide' this code. That is, the true originating code C1 acts as a seed to generate the first access code C1′ displayed to a user. In which case, a modified implementation would be:
The advantage of this method over the previous examples is that the exposed values C1′ and C2 are not sufficient to unlock the disc content, but require the pre-transformed value C1 which cannot easily be derived from the exposed values. This is because, even though a reverse engineer could determine the method used by transformation T, this transformation is not invertible. The inverse transformation must be performed at the vendor's offices, where it is achieved through table lookup. Typically this table will be very large, and hence offers high security.
Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.
Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.
All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.
|Cited Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Mar 3, 1982
|Sep 20, 1983
|Telease, Inc.
|Method and system for secure transmission and reception of video information, particularly for television
|Jun 2, 1995
|Jul 30, 1996
|Sony Corporation
|CD-ROM with machine-readable I.D. code
|Mar 4, 1998
|Dec 12, 2000
|Wea Manufacturing, Inc.
|Key-based protection method for light-readable discs
|Aug 20, 1999
|Aug 6, 2002
|Lg Electronics Inc.
|Method and apparatus for blocking reproduction of video title in optical disk player
|Dec 27, 2000
|Sep 6, 2005
|Keen Personal Technologies, Inc.
|Data stream control system for associating counter values with stored selected data packets from an incoming data transport stream to preserve interpacket time interval information
|Mar 14, 2001
|Nov 1, 2001
|Shigeho Ogawa
|Information playback apparatus and method as well as recording medium
|Dec 29, 2000
|Jul 4, 2002
|International Business Machines Corporation
|Digital media delivery with local cache and streaming tokens
|Sep 2, 1998
|Mar 8, 2000
|Hitachi Europe Limited
|Copy protection apparatus and method
|Apr 10, 2002
|Oct 16, 2002
|Victor Company Of Japan, Limited
|Video signal recording method, video signal reproduction method, video signal recording apparatus, video signal reproducing apparatus, and video signal recording medium
|Feb 21, 1991
|Sep 5, 1991
|Kudelski S.A. Fabrique D'enregistreurs Nagra
|Video signal scrambling and unscrambling device
|Oct 13, 1994
|May 4, 1995
|Time Warner Entertainment Co., L.P.
|System and method for controlling play of multiple versions of same motion picture stored on optical disk
|Jul 2, 1999
|Feb 3, 2000
|Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
|Digital video apparatus user interface
|Citing Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Jun 7, 2004
|Mar 22, 2011
|Stuart Green
|Obscuring data in an audiovisual product
|Jun 7, 2004
|Jan 27, 2005
|Stuart Green
|Obscuring data in an audiovisual product
|Dec 13, 2010
|Apr 7, 2011
|ZOO Digital Limited, a Limited Company
|Obscuring data in an audiovisual product
|U.S. Classification
|386/252, 386/258, 386/248, 386/257, 386/337
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Mar 12, 2009
Owner name: ZOO DIGITAL LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOM
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ZOOTECH LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:022383/0198
Effective date: 20090223
|Feb 11, 2013
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|Jan 31, 2017
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 8


text:
But not many.
When the call came to board USAirways Flight 1727, bound for Houston, at Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport, few came forward Thursday evening.
"Anyone?" the agent asked, as if his call to board had been ignored.
Eventually 15 people embarked on the EMB 170, which carries 10 times that many. (Related story: Flights cut)
Who would fly into a city that would be buffeted by hurricane-force winds and heavy rain in the next 36 hours?(Related story: Rita swirls toward land)
Seven were journalists headed to the area to cover the approaching storm.
But a few Houston-area residents also were trying to get home to be with family and take care of their homes.
Mitch Duffy, a 45-year-old in ad sales, had been on a job interview in Albany, N.Y. and was returning to be with his wife and three kids "to ride out the storm."
Laurie Leach, 38, a homemaker who had been visiting family in Vermont, also wanted to be with her three children. She was going home two days early to arrive before Rita struck.
Paul Brooker, 54, is an accountant moving to upstate New York. Brooker said he was about to get two offers to buy his Houston-area home when Rita showed up on the radar screen. The offers have been put on hold and Brooker plans on putting the "For Sale" sign in the garage along with a picnic table and benches.
"Going to protect it, I guess," Brooker says of his house. "I knew if I stayed, I'd be nervous."
As Flight 1727 made its final approach into Houston, passengers on the left side of the plane could see the night lights of Beaumont, Texas dotting the landscape like sparkling diamonds. On the right side of the plane, trails of ruby-like lights faded into the distance from vehicle that create miles-long traffic jams as people evacuate coastal east Texas. And suburban Houston was clearly empty with virtually no cars on the streets, parking lots blank and houses dark.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Why Prop 8 must fall: Civil rights
This Sunday we celebrate the 44th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia, the Supreme Court decision that struck down anti-miscegenation laws that forbade African Americans and whites from marrying.
In the Loving case, a unanimous court held that marriage is "one of the basic civil rights of man fundamental to our very existence and survival." The court also held that "under our Constitution, the freedom to marry, or not to marry, a person of another race resides with the individual, and cannot be infringed by the State."
In addition to its own editorials, USA TODAY publishes a variety of opinions from outside writers. On political and policy matters, we publish opinions from across the political spectrum.
Roughly half of our columns come from our Board of Contributors, a group whose interests range from education to religion to sports to the economy. Their charge is to chronicle American culture by telling the stories, large and small, that collectively make us what we are.
We also publish weekly columns by Al Neuharth, USA TODAY's founder, and DeWayne Wickham, who writes primarily on matters of race but on other subjects as well. That leaves plenty of room for other views from across the nation by well-known and lesser-known names alike.
The Loving decision, which was a watershed moment in the civil rights movement, has deep implications today for gay and lesbian couples who want that essential freedom: to marry.
My wife, Pamela Horowitz, and I were married in Virginia in 1990. Prior to the Loving decision, we could have been sentenced to time in prison for that loving act — committed in the state that likes to claim it "is for lovers."
Of course, prior to the Loving decision, the parents of the current president of the United States would have been committing a felony had they lived in Virginia.
Today, we look at anti-miscegenation laws as a stain on our history and an affront to our beliefs as Americans. In this country, we do not create separate classes of Americans based upon inherent characteristics. Sexual orientation is immutable and unchangeable. It is as much a part of our DNA as our race.
Because I have spent my life fighting to make ours a more just society for all Americans, I'm a supporter of marriage equality. I believe this to be a fight for civil rights.
Fourteen times, the U.S. Supreme Court has said that marriage is a fundamental human right. In Loving v. Virginia, the justices guaranteed that right could not be taken away because of the way we're born. Yet that's exactly what happened when California passed Proposition 8, which declared marriage valid only when between a man and a woman.
Last summer, after a lengthy trial, a federal court declared Prop 8 to be unconstitutional, saying that this discriminatory law does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution "the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples." Almost a year later, the case is on appeal, Prop. 8 still remains on the books, and a motion to throw out the case on blatantly homophobic grounds will be heard in federal district court on Monday.
Prop 8 continues to label some Americans as second class. It denies those Americans the fundamental rights afforded their fellow citizens. Like the anti-miscegenation statutes struck down 44 years ago, Prop 8 serves no purpose but to permit one group of Americans to degrade another.
Mildred Loving passed away in 2008, but on the 40th anniversary of the Loving v. Virginia decision, she reflected on the impact of her case.
"I am proud that Richard's and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight, seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all."
Mildred and Richard Loving were not political people — they were a committed couple who believed they should have the ability to share their lives together, just as their neighbors did.
As Mildred Loving said four year ago, "That's what Loving, and loving, are all about."
And that is why Proposition 8 must not stand.
Julian Bond is on the advisory board for the American Foundation for Equal Rights, chairman emeritus of the NAACP, professor of history at the University of Virginia and a scholar in residence at American University.
Posted | Updated


text:
Vivendi (VIVHY) has received an approach from Amsterdam-listed Altice about an alliance between Vivendi's mobile unit SFR and Altice's cable firm Numericable.
However, Vivendi hasn't yet received a formal offer.
Reuters earlier reported that the the deal being discussed would value SFR at €15B ($20.6B) and give Vivendi a 30% holding in the combined entity. (PR)


text:
Your donations keep RPGWatch running!
Pillars of Eternity - Interview @ RPS
by Couchpotato, 2014-07-30 18:07:41
Rock, Paper, Shotgun posted the second part of their interview with Josh Sawyer.
In the second and final part of a conversation with Josh Sawyer of Obsidian (part one), we discuss how the design of Pillars of Eternity differs from Fallout: New Vegas. That involves a discussion of New Vegas' post-release support, official and otherwise, and the pros and cons of traditional RPG systems. Of particular note – why Pillars of Eternity does not have a Speech skill, or any other skill of that sort.
With contributions from executive producer Brandon Adler, we also discuss the role of Paradox as publisher and the benefits of digital distribution, and end with a tribute to nineties RPG, Darklands.
Newsbit options: Add / View Comments (1) | Forward this newsbit | Link to this Newsbit
Information aboutPillars of Eternity
SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released


text:
Job Title: Learning & Development Officer (LDO)
- Candidate must be holder of Masters Degree in Education Management and Planning.
- Must have worked previously as Registrar or Student Affairs Officer in a university or polytechnic, etc.
- Must be versatile in the use of computer and have Sound work attitude.
- Must have exceptional communication skills, and extremely brilliant.
Location: Lagos
Closing Date
27th October,2016
Method of Application
Applicants should submit their applications with CV's to the "Institute of Credit Administration" via: email@example.com


text:
Evolution of Leather Goods: Before and After Pictures
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text:
In my free time, I play video games, and hang with my friends.
I love stupid comedies. MacGruber is my all time favorite. Followed by Hot Rod. I also love the movie Goon. When it comes to serious movies, or atleast ones with intent to do other things than make you laugh, Big Fish probably tops it for me. Can't forget about The Wedding Singer.
I don't watch much TV anymore, but I do watch South Park.
Modern Baseball, Bad Books, Panic! At The Disco, The Rocket Summer, old Fall Out Boy, The Front Bottoms, Jack's Mannequin, Something Corporate, Taking Back Sunday, Alesana, Motion City Soundtrack, and Kevin Devine are a few of my favorite artists.


text:
Wayne M. Collins
|Wayne M. Collins
November 23, 1899
Sacramento, California
|July 16, 1974(aged 74)
|Civil Rights Attorney
Wayne Mortimer Collins (November 23, 1899 – July 16, 1974) was a civil rights attorney who worked on cases related to the Japanese American evacuation and internment.
Collins was born in Sacramento, California, and was raised and educated in San Francisco.[2] He earned his law degree from San Francisco Law School.[3]
Politically liberal, Collins was one of the founders of the Northern California ACLU and served as its director.[1] He became a leader in the legal fight against persecution of Japanese Americans, during and after World War II, even enlisting a number of conservative colleagues (such as attorney Ted Tamba) to work with him.
With Ernest Besig of the Northern California ACLU, Collins led Fred Korematsu's constitutional challenge to the Internment beginning in 1942, and culminating before the U.S. Supreme Court (Korematsu v. United States) in 1944.[4]
In August 1945, Collins began advising Japanese American internees deceived or coerced into renouncing their American citizenship under the Renunciation Act of 1944 of their legal rights. On November 13, 1945, Collins filed two mass class equity suits (Abo v. Clark, No. 25294 and Furuya v. Clark, No. 25295) and two mass class habeas corpus proceedings (Abo v. Williams, No. 25296 and Furuya v. Williams, No. 25297) in the U.S. District Court of San Francisco. These cases sought to determine nationality, prevent removal to Japan, end internment, and cancel renunciation.[5] Adopting Collins' arguments, Federal Judge Louis E. Goodman found the mass renunciations unconstitutional, stating: "It is shocking to the conscience that an American citizen be confined without authority and while so under duress and restraint for this government to accept from him a surrender of his constitutional heritage."[6] "Not even the hysterics and exigencies of war", Goodman had warned in his opinion, "excused the government for the egregious constitutional wrongs it had committed by imprisoning citizens not charged with a crime".[7]
When the federal appeals court decided that each renunciant's case had to be individually decided, Collins embarked on a 20-year campaign, filing thousands of court cases to successfully recover the renunciants' citizenships.[6][8]
Collins also represented some 3,000 Japanese Latin Americans kidnapped by the U.S. during the war to be bartered for American prisoners of war.[9] While most were deported after the war as "undesirable aliens", Collins successfully enabled hundreds to remain and make their homes in America.[6]
Collins, with Besig and Tomba, also defended Iva Toguri D'Aquino. She was convicted of being "Tokyo Rose"[6] (who actually never existed), through the use of perjured testimony and falsified evidence, having been prosecuted by the FDR Administration in the most expensive trial in American history (as of that time). Even following her release from prison a decade later, Collins continued his efforts to get her name cleared.
Collins died on July 16, 1974 on a plane bound to Honolulu, Hawaii.[10] Collins' son, Wayne Merrill Collins, took on some of the cases his father was actively working on at the time of his death.[11] This included the filing of a presidential pardon petition for Iva Toguri D'Aquino, which President Gerald R. Ford granted during his final days in office.[12]
Although largely unknown to the general public, Collins' relentless efforts on behalf of the Japanese American renunciants have been recognized in various posthumous honors and dedications.[13] For example, the poet Hiroshi Kashiwagi dedicated his book Swimming in the American: a Memoir and Selected Writings to Collins, saying that he "rescued me as an American and restored my faith in America".[14] In the dedication for her influential book Years of Infamy: The Untold Story of America's Concentration Camps, former internee Michi Nishiura Weglyn[15] wrote that Collins "... did more to correct a democracy's mistake than any other one person".
- ^ a b McClain, Charles (1994). The Mass Internment of Japanese Americans and the Quest for Legal Redress. Taylor & Francis. p. 482. ISBN 9780815318668.
- ^ Ng, Wendy (2002). Japanese American internment during World War II: a history and reference guide. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 132. ISBN 0-313-31375-X.
- ^ Collins, Donald E. (1985). Native American Aliens: Disloyalty and the Renunciation of Citizenship by Japanese Americans during World War II. Praeger. p. 4. ISBN 9780313247118.
- ^ Maki, Mitchell T.; Kitano, Harry H. L.; Berthold, S. Megan (1999). Achieving the impossible dream: how Japanese Americans obtained redress. University of Illinois Press. p. 36. ISBN 978-0-252-06764-8.
- ^ "Guide to the Wayne M. Collins Papers, 1918-1974 (bulk 1945-1960): Tule Lake Defense Committee History". Retrieved 2009-04-10.
- ^ a b c d "Japanese Americans, the Civil Rights Movement and Beyond" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-04-10.
- ^ Christgau, John (February 1985). "Collins versus the World: The Fight to Restore Citizenship to Japanese American Renunciants of World War II". Pacific Historical Review. University of California Press. 54 (1): 1–31. JSTOR 3638863.
- ^ O'Brien, David J.; Fugita, Stephen (1991). The Japanese American experience. Indiana University Press. p. 74. ISBN 0-253-20656-1.
- ^ "Japanese Latin Americans" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ Niiya, Brian (1993). Japanese American history: an A-to-Z reference from 1868 to the present. Verlag für die Deutsche Wirtschaft AG. p. 120. ISBN 0-8160-2680-7.
- ^ Yamato, Sharon (October 21, 2014). "Carrying the Torch: Wayne Collins Jr. on His Father's Defense of the Renunciants". Discover Nikkei.
- ^ Hirai, Tomo (May 14, 2015), "JA org honors those who paved a path home", Nichi Bei Weekly
- ^ Nao, Gunji (2005). "Loyalty Redefined on Day of Remembrance".
- ^ Nakao, Annie (April 26, 2005). "Pioneering poet, playwright and actor focuses on his life in his first book -- at age 82". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ Nash, Phil Tajitsu (April 29, 1999). "Michi Weglyn, 1926-1999".
External links[edit]
- Christgau, John (February 1985). "Collins versus the World: The Fight to Restore Citizenship to Japanese American Renunciants of World War II". Pacific Historical Review. University of California Press. 54 (1): 1–31. JSTOR 3638863.
- Kennedy, Ellen Clare (October 2006). "The Japanese-American Renunciants: Due Process and the Danger of Making Laws During Times of Fear".


text:
|Zero executing Raikousen.
Raikousen (雷光閃? lit. "Lightning Flash") is the technique Zero and Layer obtain after defeating Gigabolt Man-O-War in Mega Man X8. By pressing the special attack button while dashing, Zero will perform a shadow-dash, turning him invisible and producing a horizontal trail of thunder-bolts when he reappears, paralyzing weak enemies. Zero is invincible against any damage during the invisibility portion of the technique. Raikousen can be performed while air-dashing as well, and as the length of the shadow-dash is fixed, it can also be used to extend the range of the air-dash.
Raikousen is Avalanche Yeti's primary weakness, but the player will need to time it carefully since there is a slight lag before and after the move is performed.
In Marvel vs. Capcom 3, this move replaces Zero's midair Ryuenjin from Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, and slightly resembles a Sentsuizan covered in lightning. The stab itself does not hit, and Zero no longer disappears, but after a brief moment of activating the attack, a trail of lightning appears for a total of three hits and knocks down the foe lightly, making it great for extending combos. It can also be aimed in three directions, diagonally up, diagonally down, and straight forward. Zero at times will have passed to the opposite side of the screen before the trail appears, making the move great for cross-ups. The lightning is also not part of Zero's hitbox, so it acts as a projectile that cannot be displaced by Advancing Guards; however, should Zero get hit anytime during his dash, the lightning will not appear.
In the Ultimate version, this move combined with Zero's new ability to fire his Hyper Zero Blaster right after his special moves gives him great zoning ability with the Raikousen+HZB combo.
In both versions of MvC3, Zero after activating Sougenmu can launch his foe in any form of knockdown in the corner (e.i. connecting with a Lv. 3 HZB to achieve it), then with Sougenmu activated can rapidly spam Raikousen in small jumps for a corner loop, somewhat remiscent of his Triple Rod loop from his Mega Man Zero incarnation in SvC Chaos. These are aptly referred to as the "Lightning Loops" by fans, and tends to be one of the mains reasons why Zero has been considered a top-tier character, especially in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, ever since.
Raikousen will appear once more in Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite.
See also
Similar Techniques
Counterparts to this Technique
|Electric Special Weapons and Techniques
|Mega Man Classic series
|Bit Cannon • Electric Shock • Force Field • Lightning Bolt • Plug Ball • Spark Shock
Thunder Beam • Thunder Bolt • Thunder Claw • Thunder Wool
|Mega Man X series
|Electric Spark • Lightning Web • Thunder Dancer • Triad Thunder • Tri-Thunder • Volt Tornado
|Zero's Techniques
|Mega Man X series
|E-Blade • Lightning • Raijingeki • Raijinken • Raijinshou • Raikousen • Tri-Thunder
|Mega Man Zero series
|Saber Smash • Sengatotsu • Shield Sweep • Spark Shot • Thunder Stab • Tractor Shot • V-Shot
|Mega Man X8
|List of Mavericks
| Bamboo Pandamonium • Optic Sunflower • Dark Mantis • Gravity Antonion • Earthrock Trilobyte
Gigabolt Man-O-War • Avalanche Yeti • Burn Rooster
|Other Bosses
|Crabs-Y • Vile V • Copy Sigma • Sigma • Lumine
|Mega Man X and Alia's Special Weapons
|Green Spinner • Shining Ray • Shadow Runner • Squeeze Bomb • Crystal Wall • Thunder Dancer • Drift Diamond • Melt Creeper
|Zero and Layer's Special Techniques
| Youdantotsu • Tenshouha • Rasetsusen • Juuhazan • Rekkyoudan • Raikousen • Hyouryuushou • Enkoujin
Renyoudan • Zekkyoudan • Dairettsui • Ganzanha • Senpuukyaku • Raijinken • Enkoukyaku • Shouryuuken
|Axl and Pallette's Special Weapons
|Blast Launcher • Ray Gun • Black Arrow • Spiral Magnum • Bound Blaster • Plasma Gun • Ice Gattling • Flame Burner
|Other Weapons
|D Glaive • Σ Blade • B Fan • T Breaker • K Knuckle • Copy Shot


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New and returning customers: securely link to http://sg.loccitane.com with your preferred social network and share one login for both!
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This daily-use gently cleanses your hair without irritating the scalp. Enriched with organic verbena extract, purifying lemon essential oil and softening linden floral water, it restores softness, shine and vitality to hair. The sparkling and zesty scents of citrus fruits leave hair fresh and pleasantly perfumed. Suitable for all hair types.
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Apply shampoo, lather and leave on for a few minutes, then rinse. May be used daily.
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pool tiles
Tips in Choosing Domestic Pool Tiles
If you're fortunate enough to have a swimming pool in your house, you should use every opportunity that you get to maximise your enjoyment of it. Choosing the right domestic pool tiles is important for that purpose. In this guide, we will show you some of the most essential tips to remember to make sure […]
Finding the Right Pool Tiles
If you need to purchase new tiles to put around your pool area, it will be important to look for the best possible place to get them from.
The most attractive pool accessories you need in your home
There are some great swimming pool accessories out there that can help you to add great entertainment to your summer months.
Advantages of Ceramic Tiles
Autumn is the perfect time to invest in a swimming pool as there are numerous offers available at the stores, so if you own a piece of land, you should consider building a relaxing area in your back garden.
Exceeding Standards in Ceramic Tile Pool Mosaics And Ceramic Pool Heaters
Artistry in Mosaics hand-crafted ceramic and glass pool mosaics have been put to the test with large pool industry standards.


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Times and Guardian Mail Order 962; ca. 1939; Frock with Zouave Effect / Becoming Frock for the Matron. This is a specially becoming style for the full figure. The bodice is given almost a suit-like appearance by means of its zouave shaped front, which is stitched in at the shoulders and side seams. Sleeves are bishop shape and dress front is finished with a row of buttons below V neck opening. Skirt is panelled at back and front. Each side of zouave front has a collar-like rever which finishes at shoulder seam.
Dated to 1939 by news item on reverse of illustration.
Links to reviews/blog postsEdit
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|Message view
|« Date » · « Thread »
|« Date » · « Thread »
|"Rory Winston (JIRA)" <j...@apache.org>
|[jira] Commented: (NET-163) [contribution] DNS utils
|Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:37:04 GMT
[ https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/NET-163?page=com.atlassian.jira.plugin.system.issuetabpanels:comment-tabpanel#action_12513392 ] Rory Winston commented on NET-163: ---------------------------------- Hey Nikolay Thank you for the contribution. Does this require JDK 6? > [contribution] DNS utils > ------------------------ > > Key: NET-163 > URL: https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/NET-163 > Project: Commons Net > Issue Type: New Feature > Reporter: Nikolay Chugunov > Attachments: dnsutils.zip > > > Hi all, > I developed DNS methods for resolving IP address by host name and vice verse; receiving mail exchange and authoritative name servers for domain; and receiving other information about domain from DNS server. > JDK provides above functionality in JNDI DNS service provider [1]. But JNDI technology is too abstract and obfuscates communication with DNS servers, which leads to users don't use JNDI DNS SP. > Attached classes provide evident API for receiving information from DNS server as wrapper for JNDI DNS SP. Also these classes provide necessary additional parsing of answers. > Examples how to use created API can be found in DNSClientTest unit test. This library requires only JDK and JUnit to run the test. > [1] http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/technotes/guides/jndi/jndi-dns.html -- This message is automatically generated by JIRA. - You can reply to this email to add a comment to the issue online. --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: email@example.com For additional commands, e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
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Do you believe in second chances? Become a re-entry literacy volunteer.
41.694756, -73.90028)
Cause Areas
WhenIt's flexible! We'll work with your schedule.
Where504 Haight Avenuepoughkeepsie, NY 12603
Literacy Connections is offering a literacy program tailored just for men and women transitioning out of prison. We need volunteers who are willing to work with this population to help them improve their reading, writing, and work readiness skills. Join us in giving someone a second chance.
Good Match For
People 55+ Group
Requirements & Commitment


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Wake up with mambocino coffee
Creative Directors: Halil Barutçu, Banu Anbarci
Art Director / Illustrator: Gürkan Bayindir
Copywriters: Tolga Güleç, Ozan Beyazkilinç
Photographer: Ahmet Tozar
And why is that?
I like the looks and the idea of this ad, so I'm gonna try this coffee at least once. In case it's better than Illy or Starbucks I will stick to it.
"In case it's better than Illy or Starbucks I will stick to it."
jeeez, you're not much of a coffee expert, are you...
trust me, it's purpose was never to sell coffee. more like sell the agency and get an award or two.
*the best skate/snow/surfing videos and pictures.
*updated daily!
AdArena: Sex Sells
I do something similar for my portfolio college work ::
..take a look :)
(Slogan:"JUUUTRO" mean MOOOORNING )
("BUDILICA" mean "alarm-clock")
it shold be something like loud speaker
("ZVUK JUTARNJEG EXPRESSA" mean "Sound of morning expresso")
I do a whole story with coffe that wakes you up...I also want to do it with Chinese "GONG" (a spoon that kick at saucer like it is gong)...but I didnt :)
Darko Bosnar - firstname.lastname@example.com
Innovation & Art Director
Vozdra darko
samo naprijed s tim budilicama....
svaka cast za prezime :)
all i see is a mortar and pestle. not a bell. wouldn't have gotten it without the title.
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Kabul, July 2: A court in Afghanistan has quashed death sentences given to four people in connection with mob killing of a woman in March this year.
Eight people including policemen, were given jail terms and four sentenced to death in connection with the killing.
The victim Farkhunda, was stoned to death, her body was run over by a car and set on fire at an Islamic shrine after being falsely accused of burning a copy of the Koran, BBC reported.
Keeper of the shrine Omran, who was the one to incite the mob, has also been acquitted by the court. The court decision taken in a secret hearing has attracted huge criticism from women's rights activists.
Read More: Kabul suicide attack kills 1, Taliban claims responsibility
The victim argued with him before her death.
It showed that it was not only the Taliban but the whole Afghan system that oppressed women, said women activist, Wasjima Frogh.
OneIndia News


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Re: Correction: The sky *will* be blue!
Expand Messages
- --- In email@example.com, Zyl Zaku <zylzaku@...> wrote:
>I guess it's just coincidence, but I noted that too. Maybe Toyoguchi Megumi is just getting all the kick-ass roles, not the moe ones. :-)
> I've voted for Sei too.
> It's a little ironic that Revy is also voiced by Sei's voice actress.
Hungry for Yuri? Have some Okazu!
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New JAMB Admission Policy: NANS Rejects JAMB Eligibility Regulation
The fraudulent eligibility regulation of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been brought to the notice of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN STUDENTS (NANS) Southwest Nigeria Zone.
A statement issued by the General Secretary and Public Relations Officer Zone D, Comr. Obanobi Bidemi and Comr. Olatinwo Jeremiah, described the policy as a con game, malicious, mischeavous, savage, lame and nonsensical.
"Over 40 million Nigerian students at home and in diaspora want the JAMB registrar to define the word "CHOICE of INSTITUTION". Why would I be posted to a school I never applied for? Why would I be posted to a school above my parents'/sponsors' means.
"We saw this trend coming from last year when the myopic board reduced the options of institution of choice from six to three claiming it is to save students from the fraudulent activities of tertiary institutions in the process of admitting students.
"We call on the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to begin a probe into the accounts of the admission board, its registrar and top echeleon as it has been paid by proprietors of private tertiary institutions hence the bastardization of the admission exercise – a great semblance to the scandal that rocked the world football governing body, FIFA," it said.
The Nigerian students, therfore, passed a vote of no confidence in the JAMB registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde.
and called for his immediate sack.
It further warned that the over 5 million students across the 6 states of the South West, including affected students, would be mobilised to the JAMB office if the policy was not reversed immediately.
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Interim Guidance for Clinicians Considering the Use of Preexposure Prophylaxis for the Prevention of HIV Infection in Heterosexually Active Adults
Get This Resource
English: Web Page
In January 2011 studies on daily oral tenofovir as antiretroviral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk for HIV acquisition among MSM were published and the CDC issued interim guidance for ARV prophylaxis in this population. Those recommendations remain valid for MSM, including MSM who also have sex with women. Since January 2011, data from studies of PrEP among heterosexual men and women have become available, and in July 2012, the FDA approved a label indication for reduction of risk for sexual acquisition of HIV infection among adults, including both heterosexuals and MSM. These interim recommendations address PrEP for heterosexual populations, including discussion of pregnancy and safety issues for heterosexually active adults at very high risk for sexual HIV acquisition.
|National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention
|Web Page
|North America
|Doctors/Physicians, Nurses, Other Healthcare Workers, Program Managers, Policymakers
|Antiretroviral Treatment & Complications, Primary Prevention
|Clinical Guidelines


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The Foba RODUE Universal Adapter with 3/8" Stud is part of the Combitube System. It has a wingnut lock and a 3/8" stud for small fixtures.


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Composed in 1888, the waltz movement of Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony is more scherzo than waltz. The melody is pure dance music, however, the hemiola and unbalanced phrase structure of the opening
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Posted on November 6, 2015 by: acid stag
This new track from UV boi featuring EASTGHOST is going to blow you away
We claim no credit for any images, music and/or videos posted on this site unless otherwise noted. All audio and visual content is copyright to its respectful owners. We are also in no way responsible for, or have control of the content of any external web site links. This website was created as a promotional tool. Please support the artists and purchase their work.


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Black Dragon Pool Shiro by shiroangWatch
©2012-2017 shiroang
Wow!! That looks so peaceful. I want to go there someday!!!
I LAUGHED AT THE DIRECT TRANSLATION OF HEI LONG TAN... lol.
looks good ;D
Wonderful background. I thought the man in the picture was Danny Choo
Do we look alike?
A little. From the thumbnail you did look like Danny a bit. Up close though there is a distinct difference in the face. Sorry if I confused you
nice one bro (Y)


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The ApartmentFavorites [+]
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You can now enjoy this movie on your iPhone®, iPad®, or compatible Smart TV & Android devices.
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Available MP4 sizes:SD 480p (0.93 GB)
DRM-free downloads offer content that is not limited by standard Digital Rights Management (DRM) access technologies. These technologies allow hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders and individuals to limit the usage of digital content.
When you purchase DRM-free downloadable content, that content is available for you to download on any computer and save to a disk whenever you like. You can also download to multiple computers. There is no timeframe associated with your purchase and the content will not expire.
Running Time: 61 minutes
Released: 05/2008
Studio Name: After Hours Cinema
Description: The Apartment (1971) presents a young, chain-smoking couple posing as brother and sister. The sister sports a seriously supreme 1970s bod while her brother boasts a fine pair of muttonchops. The Apartment also has another little extra a guitar-strumming, folk-singing lesbian who has a bona fide orgasm at the hands of her butch lover.
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Sex Acts: Toy Play - Vaginal, Toy Play - Oral, Grinding, Masturbation, Fondling, Girl on Girl action, Oral Sex
The Apartment: Scene 4 Free Preview
Sex Acts: Vaginal Sex, Oral Sex
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Moroccan Cinnamon Cookies (Mantecados)
Recipe by Caroline Cooks
The number of cookies may vary due to their size. Submitted for ZWT3.
Top Review by cteberry
I made these exactly according to the recipe. They are very flavorful, but are hard to get off the pan once they cool a bit so take them off immediately (while they're still piping hot). You don't need any extra liquid if you sift the flour before you measure it and knead the dough until it holds together. In the end, they are a harder, crunchy cookie with a lot of lemon flavor.
See Discussion:7 Reviews
Ingredients Nutrition
- 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
- 1⁄2 cup oil
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup superfine sugar
- 1⁄2 lemon, zest of, grated
- ground cinnamon
Directions See How It's Made
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Put the flour into a large bowl.
- Make a well in the center.
- Add oil, egg, sugar and grated lemon rind.
- Knead the dough.
- Grease a baking sheet and sprinkle with some flour.
- Gently form small balls from dough and flatten a little.
- Arrange them on the sheet.
- Let stand for 20 minutes.
- Sprinkle the cookies with cinnamon.
- Bake for 20 minutes.


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Noah's Ark (also known as Felicity's Noah's Ark) was introduced to Felicity's Collection in 1991, modified in 1996, and retired in 2007. It is associated with the book Felicity's Surprise. Retail cost was $22.
Wooden toy ark. Removable green roof.
Human Figures
Two human figures representing Noah and his wife.
Animal Figures
Two sheep, horses, pigs, elephants, and camels.
- The first variation had a blue stripe at the bottom of the ark. The second and third variations of the ark do not have the bottom blue stripe.