Method for human-assisted random key generation and application for digital watermark system

A method of using digital watermarks to convey information for a content metering service, the method comprising the steps of:

• identifying a digital sample stream corresponding to content in which a digital watermark is to be encoded wherein the digital watermark contains at least one of a title identification, a unit measure, a unit price, a percentage transfer threshold at which liability is incurred to a purchaser, a percent of content transferred, an authorized purchaser identification, a seller account identification, a payment means identification, a digitally-signed information from a sender indicating a percent of content transferred, and digitally-signed information from a receiver indicating a percent of content received;
• selecting a random or pseudo-random sequence for use in encoding the digital watermark within the digital sample stream:
• receiving human interactive input information describing application of the random or pseudo-random sequence to the digital sample stream;
• and generating a key associating the random or pseudo-random sequence with the human interactive input information.

A method of encoding digital watermarks which contain information pertaining to distribution restrictions and a location of an addressable directory containing related content, the method comprising the steps of:

• identifying a digital sample stream in which the digital watermarks are to be encoded wherein the digital watermarks contain at least one of a geographical constraint on distribution, a logical constraint on distribution, a Universal Resource Locator, a telephone number, an Internet Protocol address, an Internet domain name, an E-mail address, and a file name;
• selecting a random or pseudo-random sequence for use in encoding the digital watermarks within the digital sample stream;
• receiving human interactive input information describing application of the random or pseudo-random sequence to the digital sample stream;
• and
• generating a key associating the random or pseudo-random sequence with the human interactive input information.