US5659726A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data embedding
Assignee: University of California
•
Filing: 1995-02-23
•
Granted: 1997-08-19
•
Expires: 2015-02-23
Abstract
Abstract A method of embedding auxiliary information into a set of host data, such as a photograph, television signal, facsimile transmission, or identification card. All such host data contain intrinsic noise, allowing pixels in the host data which are nearly identical and which have values differing by less than the noise value to be manipulated and replaced with auxiliary data. As the embedding method does not change the elemental values of the host data, the auxiliary data do not noticeably affect the appearance or interpretation of the host data. By a substantially reverse process, the embedded auxiliary data can be retrieved easily by an authorized user.
Inventors
- 👤 II Maxwell T. Sandford
- 👤 Theodore G. Handel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:36
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/08; G; G06; G06T; G06T1/00; G06T1/0021; G06T1/0028; H04N1/00; H04N1/32; H04N1/32101; H04N1/32144; H04N1/32149; H04N1/32203; H04N1/32251; H04N1/32309; G06T2201/00; G06T2201/005; G06T2201/0051; G06T2201/0083; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3201; H04N2201/3225; H04N2201/3233; H04N2201/3269; H04N2201/327; H04N2201/3274
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of embedding auxiliary data into host data comprising the steps of: creating a digital representation of said host data in the form of elements having numerical values and containing a noise component; creating a digital representation of said auxiliary data in the form of a sequence of INDIVIDUAL bit VALUES; evaluating said noise component of said digital representation of said host data; comparing pairs of said elements with said noise component to determine pairs of said elements having numerical values which differ by less than said value of said noise component; replacing individual values of said elements with substantially equivalent values from said pairs of elements in order to embed individual bit values of said auxiliary data corresponding to said sequence of bit values of said auxiliary data; and outputting said host data with said auxiliary data embedded into said host data as a file.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of embedding auxiliary data into host data comprising the steps of: creating a digital representation of said host data in the form of elements having numerical values and containing a noise component; creating a digital representation of said auxiliary data in the form of a sequence of INDIVIDUAL bit VALUES; evaluating said noise component of said digital representation of said host data; comparing pairs of said elements with said noise component to determine pairs of said elements having numerical values which differ by less than said value of said noise component; replacing individual values of said elements with substantially equivalent values from said pairs of elements in order to embed individual bit values of said auxiliary data corresponding to said sequence of bit values of said auxiliary data; and outputting said host data with said auxiliary data embedded into said host data as a file.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as described in claim 1 further comprising the step of combining said auxiliary data with predetermined information indicative of said auxiliary data, its file name, and file size, said step to be performed after the step of digitizing said auxiliary data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as described in claim 1 further comprising the step of determining a protocol for embedding said auxiliary data into said host data which allows for verification of said auxiliary data upon extraction from said host data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as described in claim 1, wherein said host data comprises a color photograph.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as described in claim 1, wherein said host data comprises a black and white photograph.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as described in claim 1, wherein said host data comprises a television signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as described in claim 1, wherein said host data comprises a painting.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as described in claim 1, wherein said host data comprises a facsimile transmission.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as described in claim 1, wherein said host data comprises an identification card.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as described in claim 1, wherein said host data comprises digital audio information.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4965827A
Cited
US4972476A
Cited
US5264837A
Cited
US5321749A
Cited
US5398283A
Cited
US5291243A
Cited
US5488664A
Cited
US5493677A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-08-18 | 2001-02-17 | 2001-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-08-18 | 2005-02-17 | 2005-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-08-18 | 2009-02-17 | 2009-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |