US5870499A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for data hiding in images
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1997-11-17
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Granted: 1999-02-09
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Expires: 2017-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A method of hiding a pattern in a host image increases and decreases parameter values at randomly selected host image locations assigned to respective first and second groups. The alteration modifies the statistical behavior of a test statistic equivalent to a linear combination of a large number of instances of respective functions, associated with the pattern, of the parameter values at first and second group locations. The presence or absence of the pattern in a test image is determined by comparing the experimental value of the test statistic associated with the pattern with the expected value of the same sum for an unaltered host image.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Bender
- 👤 Norishige Morimoto
- 👤 Daniel Gruhl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:57
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T1/00; G06T1/0021; G06T1/0028; G06T1/005; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/32; H04N1/32101; H04N1/32144; H04N1/32149; H04N1/32203; H04N1/32208; H04N1/32229; G06T2201/00; G06T2201/005; G06T2201/0051; G06T2201/0065; G06T2201/0081; G06T2201/0601; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3201; H04N2201/3225; H04N2201/3233; H04N2201/3269; H04N2201/327
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of embedding data in an image encoded as points, each point having a parameter value, the method comprising the steps of: a. generating an ordered series of pseudo-random numbers; b. assigning each pseudo-random number of the series to a first or a second group; c. associating each pseudo-random number with a point; d. designating each point associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the first group to be a first point each point associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the second group to be a second point; and e. altering the image by i. increasing the parameter value of at least some first points and of a first patch of points surrounding each of the at least some first points and ii. decreasing the parameter value of at least some second points and of a second patch of points surrounding each of the at least some second points, thereby embedding data in the image.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of embedding data in an image encoded as points, each point having a parameter value, the method comprising the steps of: a. generating an ordered series of pseudo-random numbers; b. assigning each pseudo-random number of the series to a first or a second group; c. associating each pseudo-random number with a point; d. designating each point associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the first group to be a first point each point associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the second group to be a second point; and e. altering the image by i. increasing the parameter value of at least some first points and of a first patch of points surrounding each of the at least some first points and ii. decreasing the parameter value of at least some second points and of a second patch of points surrounding each of the at least some second points, thereby embedding data in the image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the generation of the series of pseudo-random numbers is based on a key number.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each point corresponds to an electronically represented pixel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each pseudo-random number is assigned to a group by assigning alternate pseudo-random numbers in the series to the first and second groups.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the parameter values of points in patches are changed by amounts having magnitudes that depend on position within the patches, the dependence being formulated on expected subsequent image processing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the parameter values of points in patches are changed by amounts having magnitudes that depend on position within the patches, the dependence being formulated on expected visual perceptibility.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the parameter values of points in first patches are changed by a first constant amount and the parameter values of points in second patches are changed by a second constant amount.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the parameter values of points in first patches are increased by a first amount and the parameter values of points in second patches are decreased by a second amount, the first and second amounts depending on position within the patch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of associating each pseudo-random number with a plurality of adjacent points collectively forming a continuous patch, thereby defining several patches in the image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the patches are disjoint.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the series is divided into first and second halves, each pseudo-random number being assigned to a group so that the first group comprises the numbers of the first half of the series and the second group comprises the numbers of the second half of the series.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the ordered series comprises at least 5,000 pseudo-random numbers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the image is monochrome.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the image is color.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the parameter is luminance.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the parameter is chrominance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 1 wherein either of the first or second groups comprises points belonging to a plurality of subgroups, each subgroup having a subgroup amount associated therewith, and wherein the step of altering the image comprises changing the parameter value of points belonging to a subgroup, and at points in a patch surrounding such points, by the subgroup amount associated with the subgroup to which each such point belongs.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17 wherein each subgroup amount has a magnitude that is independent of position within a patch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 wherein each subgroup amount has a magnitude that depends on position within a patch.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of embedding a pattern in a host image electronically encoded as points, each point having a parameter value, the method comprising the steps of: a. generating an ordered series of pseudo-random numbers; b. assigning each pseudo-random number of the series to a first or a second group; c. mapping a grid comprising an array of cells onto the host image by assigning groups of adjacent points to the cells; d. associating each pseudo-random number with a cell in the host image, each group of points assigned to a cell so associated with a pseudo-random number being designated a patch; e. further designating each patch in the host image associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the first group to be a first patch and each patch in the host image associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the second group to be a second patch; and f. altering the host image by increasing the parameter values of points in at least some of the first patches and decreasing the parameter values of points in at least some of the second patches, thereby embedding the pattern in the host image.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of embedding a pattern in a host image electronically encoded as points, each point having a parameter value, the method comprising the steps of: a. generating an ordered series of pseudo-random numbers; b. assigning each pseudo-random number of the series to a first or a second group; c. mapping a grid comprising an array of cells onto the host image by assigning groups of adjacent points to the cells; d. associating each pseudo-random number with a cell in the host image, each group of points assigned to a cell so associated with a pseudo-random number being designated a patch; e. further designating each patch in the host image associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the first group to be a first patch and each patch in the host image associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the second group to be a second patch; and f. altering the host image by increasing the parameter values of points in at least some of the first patches and decreasing the parameter values of points in at least some of the second patches, thereby embedding the pattern in the host image.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
194 words
A method for determining whether a test image, encoded as points, each point having a parameter value, contains data embedded according to the method of claim 20, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing the series of pseudo-random numbers and assignment of each number to the first or the second group; b. mapping a grid comprising an array of nonoverlapping cells onto the test image by assigning groups of adjacent points in the test image to the cells; c. associating each pseudo-random number with a cell in the test image, the points assigned to each cell so associated with a pseudo-random number being designated a patch; d. further designating each patch in the test image associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the first group to be a first patch and each patch in the test image associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the second group to be a second patch; and e. calculating a value of a test statistic, comprising the parameter values at the first and second patches in the test image, formulated to reflect the pattern, the test statistic indicating whether the pattern is present in the test image.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for embedding data in an image, the apparatus comprising: a. a computer memory for storing the image as an ordered set of pixels, each pixel having a pixel parameter value; b. means for generating a series of ordered pseudo-random numbers; c. means for assigning each pseudo-random number to a first or a second group; d. means for associating each pseudo-random number with a pixel and designating each pixel associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the first group to be a first pixel and each pixel associated with a pseudo-random number of the second group to be a second pixel; and e. means for creating an altered image by i. increasing the pixel parameter value of at least some of the first pixels and of a first patch of pixels surrounding each of the at least some first pixels and ii. decreasing the pixel parameter value of at least some of the second pixels and of a second patch of pixels surrounding each of the at least some second pixels, thereby embedding data in the image.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for embedding data in an image, the apparatus comprising: a. a computer memory for storing the image as an ordered set of pixels, each pixel having a pixel parameter value; b. means for generating a series of ordered pseudo-random numbers; c. means for assigning each pseudo-random number to a first or a second group; d. means for associating each pseudo-random number with a pixel and designating each pixel associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the first group to be a first pixel and each pixel associated with a pseudo-random number of the second group to be a second pixel; and e. means for creating an altered image by i. increasing the pixel parameter value of at least some of the first pixels and of a first patch of pixels surrounding each of the at least some first pixels and ii. decreasing the pixel parameter value of at least some of the second pixels and of a second patch of pixels surrounding each of the at least some second pixels, thereby embedding data in the image.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
227 words
An apparatus for determining whether a test image, electronically encoded as points, each point having a parameter value, contains pattern embedded in a host image by associating each number of a pseudo-random series with a point in the host image, each number being assigned to a first or a second group, and designating each point in the host image associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the first group to be a first point and each point associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the second group to be a second point, and altering the host image by increasing the parameter value of first points in the host image and decreasing the parameter value of second points in the host image, the apparatus comprising: a. means for providing the series of pseudo-random numbers and assignment of each number to the first or second group; b. means for associating each pseudo-random number with a point in the test image; c. means for designating each point in the test image associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the first group to be a first point and each point associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the second group to be a second point; d. means for calculating a test statistic, comprising the parameter values at the first and second points in the test image, formulated to reflect the pattern.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
227 words
An apparatus for determining whether a test image, electronically encoded as points, each point having a parameter value, contains pattern embedded in a host image by associating each number of a pseudo-random series with a point in the host image, each number being assigned to a first or a second group, and designating each point in the host image associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the first group to be a first point and each point associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the second group to be a second point, and altering the host image by increasing the parameter value of first points in the host image and decreasing the parameter value of second points in the host image, the apparatus comprising: a. means for providing the series of pseudo-random numbers and assignment of each number to the first or second group; b. means for associating each pseudo-random number with a point in the test image; c. means for designating each point in the test image associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the first group to be a first point and each point associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the second group to be a second point; d. means for calculating a test statistic, comprising the parameter values at the first and second points in the test image, formulated to reflect the pattern.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
102 words
An image created by altering a host image comprised of points, each point having a parameter value, by associating each number of a pseudo-random series with a point, each number being assigned to a first or a second group, and designating each point associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the first group to be a first point and each point associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the second group to be a second point, and increasing the parameter value of at least some of the first points and decreasing the parameter value of at least some of the second points.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
102 words
An image created by altering a host image comprised of points, each point having a parameter value, by associating each number of a pseudo-random series with a point, each number being assigned to a first or a second group, and designating each point associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the first group to be a first point and each point associated with a pseudo-random number assigned to the second group to be a second point, and increasing the parameter value of at least some of the first points and decreasing the parameter value of at least some of the second points.
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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) | 2002-02-08 | 2002-08-10 | 2003-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-08 | 2006-08-10 | 2007-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-08 | 2010-08-10 | 2011-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |