US5841978A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Network linking method using steganographically embedded data objects
Assignee: Digimarc Corp
•
Filing: 1995-07-27
•
Granted: 1998-11-24
•
Expires: 2015-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A given data object can effectively contain both a graphical representation to a network user and embedded information, such as the URL address of another network node, thereby to permit the object itself to serve as an automated hot link. The underlying development tools and web site browsers create and identify such an object for use in a manner similar to a hot link, as provided on the World Wide Web.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey B. Rhoads
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:06
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/14; G06K7/1404; G06K7/1439; G06K7/1447; B; B42; B42D; B42D25/00; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/955; G06F21/00; G06F21/10; G06F21/16; G06F21/30; G06F21/31; G06F21/36; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/06009; G06K19/06037; G06K19/06046; G06K19/08; G06K19/10; G06K19/14; G06K19/18; G06K7/1408; G06K7/1417; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/341; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/401; G06Q20/4014; G06Q20/40145; G06T; G06T1/00; G06T1/0021; G06T1/0028; G06T1/005; G06T1/0057; G06T1/0064; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/22; G07C9/25; G07C9/253; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/003; G07D7/0032; G07D7/0034; G07D7/004; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/16; G07F17/26; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/086; G07F7/10; G07F7/1008; G07F7/1016; G07F7/12; G10; G10L; G10L19/00; G10L19/018; G11; G11B; G11B20/00; G11B20/00086; G11B20/00094; G11B20/00166; G11B20/0021; G11B20/00884; G11B20/00891; H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/66; H04B1/665; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00002; H04N1/00005; H04N1/00026; H04N1/00037; H04N1/00071; H04N1/00074; H04N1/00079; H04N1/32; H04N1/32101; H04N1/32144; H04N1/32149; H04N1/32154; H04N1/3216; H04N1/32203; H04N1/32208; H04N1/32251; H04N1/32288; H04N1/32352; H04N19/00; H04N19/46; H04N19/467; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/238; H04N21/2389; H04N21/23892; H04N21/80; H04N21/83; H04N21/835; H04N21/8358; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/91; H04N5/913; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2107; G06F2221/2119; G06K2019/06215; G06K2019/06253; G06T2201/00; G06T2201/005; G06T2201/0052; H04N1/32106; H04N1/32122; H04N2005/91307; H04N2005/91321; H04N2005/91335; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3201; H04N2201/3204; H04N2201/3205; H04N2201/3207; H04N2201/3225; H04N2201/3226; H04N2201/3233; H04N2201/3249; H04N2201/3269; H04N2201/327; H04N2201/3271; H04N2201/3274; H04N2201/328
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of initiating access from a first computer to a second computer via a data communications medium; the method comprising: creating a data object with information indicative of an address associated with the second computer; steganographically embedding the data object in a content file comprising at least one of audio and visual data; on the first computer, reading the content file; decoding therefrom the steganographically embedded data object; and initiating a link to the second computer using the address in the decoded data object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of initiating access from a first computer to a second computer via a data communications medium; the method comprising: creating a data object with information indicative of an address associated with the second computer; steganographically embedding the data object in a content file comprising at least one of audio and visual data; on the first computer, reading the content file; decoding therefrom the steganographically embedded data object; and initiating a link to the second computer using the address in the decoded data object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the creating step includes the substep of including in the content file a human-perceptible indicium for indicating the presence of the steganographically embedded information in the object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the address in the steganographically embedded data object is a URL address.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the steganographically embedded data object includes an index number for use in accessing a data base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 1 in which the data object is distributable over a computer network that has network sites with discrete addresses, the data object further including an icon presentable to a user at one of the network sites in audio or visual form, the icon being indicative of the presence of steganographically embedded address information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 1 in which: the data object includes function code defining a predetermined function; the first computer extracts the function code from the decoded data object; and the first computer executes the predetermined function in accordance with the function code.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 6 in which the predetermined function includes establishing a link to the second computer, and the function code includes software operable on the first computer to route the user to the address in the decoded data object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 6 in which the first computer analyzes the data object to determine whether it recognizes and can execute the function code.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the data object includes a URL comprising said address and the second computer responds to initiation of the link by sending a data file back to the first computer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 9 in which the data file includes a hypertext document.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the data communications medium includes a network to which the first and second computers are connected, each computer on the network having a unique address.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the data communications medium includes an internet connection and the first and second computers each have one said address which includes a domain name, the data object including the domain name of the second computer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 including the steps of imprinting the steganographically embedded data object in a visible image and inputting a data file defining the visible image as the content file into the first computer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-23 | 2002-05-25 | 2002-11-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-23 | 2006-05-25 | 2006-11-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-23 | 2010-05-25 | 2010-11-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |