US 10,706,488 B2 · Embedding debugging information via watermarks

Abstract

Debugging information for content rendered for display on a client device can be included in one or more watermarks inserted into the content. Performance, state, configuration, debugging, and other information can be encoded into a watermark and placed in rendered content in such a way that the information is imperceptible to most users. When a user reports a potential issue or problem, the user (or another source) can provide a version of the image frame corresponding to the issue, which enables the watermark to be located and the data extracted. A checksum or other value can be used to ensure that a complete and valid watermark was obtained. The data extracted from the watermark can then be used to attempt to identify and/or diagnose the potential issue without having to have access to the client device or communication with the user.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A computer-implemented method, comprising:

embedding debugging data into a first watermark;
analyzing a first image frame representing rendered content on a client device;
identifying first watermark data represented in the first image frame, the first watermark data corresponding to at least a first portion of the first watermark containing debugging data;
embedding the debugging data into a second watermark;
positioning the second watermark in a different location than the first watermark;
analyzing a second image frame representing the rendered content;
identifying second watermark data represented in the second image frame, the second watermark data corresponding to at least a first portion of the second watermark containing debugging data;
and
utilizing the debugging data from the first watermark and the second watermark to attempt to determine a cause of an issue with the rendered content.

6 more elements

A system, comprising:

at least one processor;
and
memory including instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to:
obtain content for rendering on a client device;
determine debugging data relevant to the content;
determine verification data relevant to the content or client device;
generate watermark data including at least the debugging data and the verification data;
encode first watermark data into a first image frame of the content;
encode second watermark data into a second image frame of the content;
receiving the first image frame from the user device, the first image frame representative of content rendered on the client device;
locating watermark data within the first image frame;
determining the watermark data is incomplete;
evaluating the second image frame from the user device, the second image frame representative of content rendered on the client device;
and
extracting the watermark data from a different location within the second image frame.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Embedding debugging information via watermarks

Life of this patent

Embedding debugging information via watermarks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18