US6438231B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Emulsion film media employing steganography
Assignee: Digimarc Corp
•
Filing: 2000-08-17
•
Granted: 2002-08-20
•
Expires: 2020-08-17
Abstract
Abstract Technology is now available permitting consumers to make amateur- or even professional-grade copies of photographs. For wedding and portrait photographers, in particular, the business of making duplications is fundamental to their livelihoods. The threat of such copying is felt strongly. To redress these concerns, a machine-readable marking is provided on emulsion films, photographic papers, and the like. The marking encodes digital information, yet is essentially imperceptible to the human eye. A photographic duplication kiosk can be constructed to read this embedded information and, if warranted by the embedded information, to disable the kiosk's copying function. An exemplary embodiment pre-exposes the photographic product with a spatial domain representation of the embedded data, and may include rotationally symmetric one- or two-dimensional patters. Numerous other implementations are similarly practical.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey B. Rhoads
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T1/00; G06T1/0021; G06T1/005; G06T1/0064; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/10; G06F21/16; G06F21/30; G06F21/44; G06F21/445; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/06009; G06K19/06037; G06K19/06046; G06K19/08; G06K19/10; G06K19/14; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/14; G06K7/1404; G06K7/1408; G06K7/1417; G06K7/1439; G06K7/1447; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/306; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/341; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/401; G06Q20/4014; G06Q20/40145; G07; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/003; G07D7/0034; G07D7/004; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/16; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/086; G07F7/10; G07F7/1008; G10; G10L; G10L19/00; G10L19/018; H; H04; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/04; H04L63/0428; H04L9/00; H04L9/06; H04L9/065; H04L9/0656; H04L9/0662; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/66; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00002; H04N1/00005; H04N1/00026; H04N1/00037; H04N1/00071; H04N1/00074; H04N1/00079; H04N1/00838; H04N1/0084; H04N1/00843; H04N1/00846; H04N1/00856; H04N1/00875; H04N1/32; H04N1/32101; H04N1/32144; H04N1/32149; H04N1/32154; H04N1/3216; H04N1/32203; H04N1/32208; H04N1/32251; H04N1/32288; H04N1/32352; H04W; H04W12/00; H04W12/06; H04W12/12; H04W12/126; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2129; G06K2019/06215; G06K2019/06253; G06T2201/00; G06T2201/005; G06T2201/0081; G11; G11B; G11B20/00; G11B20/00086; G11B20/00884; G11B20/00891; H04M3/00; H04M3/38; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/0077; H04N2201/0091; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3201; H04N2201/3204; H04N2201/3205; H04N2201/3225; H04N2201/3233; H04N2201/3269; H04N2201/327; H04N2201/3274; H04W84/00; H04W84/02; H04W84/04; H04W84/042; H04W88/00; H04W88/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24802; Y10T428/24851; Y10T428/24868; Y10T428/24876
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 73
Claim 1
Independent Claim
34 words
A photographic emulsion film for exposing and developing to produce an image thereon, characterized by an auxiliary information signal encoded therein, said signal being encoded as a patterned physical characteristic coextensive with said film.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
34 words
A photographic emulsion film for exposing and developing to produce an image thereon, characterized by an auxiliary information signal encoded therein, said signal being encoded as a patterned physical characteristic coextensive with said film.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of processing a photographic emulsion film during manufacture and prior to exposure by an end user thereof, the method comprising: generating a pattern representing an auxiliary information signal; encoding said film in accordance with said pattern, said encoding not impairing subsequent use of the film by said end user; said encoded pattern being substantially coextensive with said film.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of processing a photographic emulsion film during manufacture and prior to exposure by an end user thereof, the method comprising: generating a pattern representing an auxiliary information signal; encoding said film in accordance with said pattern, said encoding not impairing subsequent use of the film by said end user; said encoded pattern being substantially coextensive with said film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A photographic emulsion paper, characterized by a pattern incorporated therein, said pattern being substantially undetectable by casual observation, but being detectable from scan data obtained by scanning of said paper using a visible light scanning device, said pattern indicating to a compliant photo reproduction kiosk that copying should be prevented.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A photographic emulsion paper, characterized by a pattern incorporated therein, said pattern being substantially undetectable by casual observation, but being detectable from scan data obtained by scanning of said paper using a visible light scanning device, said pattern indicating to a compliant photo reproduction kiosk that copying should be prevented.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The paper of claim 3 in which said pattern is not detectable until the emulsion paper has been developed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The paper of claim 3 in which said pattern is detectable only from scan data corresponding to a front of said paper, not from scan data corresponding to a back of said paper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The paper of claim 3 in which the pattern spans the paper, rather than being found only in one portion thereof, thereby allowing detection of said pattern from first and second non-overlapping portions of said paper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The paper of claim 3 in which the pattern is periodic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The paper of claim 7 in which said pattern spans the paper, rather than being found only in one portion thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The paper of claim 3 in which the pattern comprises a regular array of elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The paper of claim 9 in which said pattern spans the paper, rather than being found only in one portion thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The paper of claim 3 comprising a substrate and a layer applied thereto, wherein said pattern is incorporated in said layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
A blank photographic paper having an emulsion coating thereon suitable for exposing and developing to produce an image thereon, characterized in that—after developing—a pattern appears on the paper that is substantially undetectable by casual observation, but is detectable from scan data obtained by scanning of said paper using a visible light scanning device, said pattern signaling to a compliant photo reproduction kiosk that copying should be prevented.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
67 words
A blank photographic paper having an emulsion coating thereon suitable for exposing and developing to produce an image thereon, characterized in that—after developing—a pattern appears on the paper that is substantially undetectable by casual observation, but is detectable from scan data obtained by scanning of said paper using a visible light scanning device, said pattern signaling to a compliant photo reproduction kiosk that copying should be prevented.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The paper of claim 12 in which the pattern spans the paper, rather than being found only in one portion thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The paper of claim 12 in which the pattern is periodic.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The paper of claim 12 in which said pattern spans the paper, rather than being found only in one portion thereof, thereby allowing detection of said pattern from first and second non-overlapping portions of said paper.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The paper of claim 12 in which the pattern comprises a regular array of elements.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The paper of claim 16 in which said pattern spans the paper, rather than being found only in one portion thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The paper of claim 17 comprising a substrate and a layer applied thereto, wherein said pattern is incorporated in said layer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
84 words
An article comprising a substrate bearing a photographic image, the article having a pattern incorporated therein that is substantially undetectable by casual observation, but is detectable from scan data obtained by scanning of said article using a visible light scanning device, said pattern spanning the article, rather than being found only in one portion thereof, thereby allowing detection of said pattern from first and second non-overlapping portions of said article, the pattern signaling to a compliant photo reproduction kiosk that copying should be prevented.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
84 words
An article comprising a substrate bearing a photographic image, the article having a pattern incorporated therein that is substantially undetectable by casual observation, but is detectable from scan data obtained by scanning of said article using a visible light scanning device, said pattern spanning the article, rather than being found only in one portion thereof, thereby allowing detection of said pattern from first and second non-overlapping portions of said article, the pattern signaling to a compliant photo reproduction kiosk that copying should be prevented.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The article of claim 19 in which the substrate has an emulsion layer thereon, and the emulsion has been exposed and developed to form said image.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article of claim 20 in which said pattern is formed in said emulsion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
61 words
A printing kiosk comprising: a photographic emulsion paper conveying a photographic image, according to claim 18 ; a visible light scanning device for generating scan data corresponding to said paper; a print-writing device for producing a hard-copy print in accordance with the scan data; and a processor for interrupting operation of the print-writing device if the scan data includes said pattern.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of processing a photographic emulsion paper during manufacture and prior to exposure by an end user thereof, comprising forming on said paper a pattern that is undetectable by casual observation, yet can be computer-detected from optical scan data produced by scanning of a photographic print later formed on said paper, said pattern indicating to a compliant photo reproduction kiosk that copying should be prevented.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of processing a photographic emulsion paper during manufacture and prior to exposure by an end user thereof, comprising forming on said paper a pattern that is undetectable by casual observation, yet can be computer-detected from optical scan data produced by scanning of a photographic print later formed on said paper, said pattern indicating to a compliant photo reproduction kiosk that copying should be prevented.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 23 that includes forming the pattern in an emulsion layer on said paper.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 23 that includes pre-exposing the emulsion layer with said pattern, said pattern not being computer-detectable until after the paper has been developed.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 23 in which the pattern spans the paper, rather than being found only in one portion thereof.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of producing a card- or paper-like article that is copy-restrictive, comprising: providing a substrate; applying a layer of material over said substrate; processing said layer of material to form a pattern therein, said pattern being substantially undetectable by casual observation, but being detectable from scan data obtained by scanning of said article using a visible light scanning device, said pattern indicating to a compliant copying device that copying should be prevented; and thereafter, processing said article to carry human-perceptible information thereon.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of producing a card- or paper-like article that is copy-restrictive, comprising: providing a substrate; applying a layer of material over said substrate; processing said layer of material to form a pattern therein, said pattern being substantially undetectable by casual observation, but being detectable from scan data obtained by scanning of said article using a visible light scanning device, said pattern indicating to a compliant copying device that copying should be prevented; and thereafter, processing said article to carry human-perceptible information thereon.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 27 in which the pattern spans the article, rather than being found only in one portion thereof, thereby allowing detection of said pattern from first and second non-overlapping portions of said article.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
89 words
A photo duplication kiosk for producing a hard-copy print from a customer-provided printed photograph, the kiosk comprising: a visible light scanning device for generating scan data corresponding to said photograph; a print-writing device for producing a hard-copy print in accordance with the scan data; and a processor for interrupting operation of the print-writing device if the scan data includes a pattern signaling that reproduction should be prohibited, said pattern being substantially undetectable by casual observation of the printed photograph, but being detectable by computer processing of said scan data.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
89 words
A photo duplication kiosk for producing a hard-copy print from a customer-provided printed photograph, the kiosk comprising: a visible light scanning device for generating scan data corresponding to said photograph; a print-writing device for producing a hard-copy print in accordance with the scan data; and a processor for interrupting operation of the print-writing device if the scan data includes a pattern signaling that reproduction should be prohibited, said pattern being substantially undetectable by casual observation of the printed photograph, but being detectable by computer processing of said scan data.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of operating a photo duplication kiosk that produces a hard-copy print from a customer-provided printed photograph, the method comprising: optically scanning the printed photograph to generate scan data; processing the scan data to discern the presence of a pattern in the customer-provided printed photograph, said pattern signaling that reproduction of the photograph should be prohibited, said pattern being substantially undetectable by casual observation of the printed photograph; and interrupting a print-making operation if said pattern is detected.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of operating a photo duplication kiosk that produces a hard-copy print from a customer-provided printed photograph, the method comprising: optically scanning the printed photograph to generate scan data; processing the scan data to discern the presence of a pattern in the customer-provided printed photograph, said pattern signaling that reproduction of the photograph should be prohibited, said pattern being substantially undetectable by casual observation of the printed photograph; and interrupting a print-making operation if said pattern is detected.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 30 that includes discerning the pattern from the customer-provided printed photograph notwithstanding a rotational misalignment of said photograph from a correct alignment thereof.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 30 that includes processing at least a portion of said scan data to generate corresponding data in a transform domain, and using said transform domain data in discerning the presence of said pattern.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 30 in which said processing includes a spectral analysis of the image data to discern spectral components thereof.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 30 in which said analyzing includes transforming the image data to a spatial frequency domain.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
The kiosk of claim 29 in which the pattern spans the photograph, rather than being found only in one portion thereof, thereby allowing detection of said pattern from the photograph notwithstanding masking parts thereof.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 35 in which the pattern is periodic.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 35 in which the pattern comprises a regular array of elements.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
10 words
The kiosk of claim 29 , including said printed photograph.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
19 words
The kiosk of claim 38 in which the pattern is formed in an emulsion layer of said printed photograph
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
The kiosk of claim 38 wherein said pattern is exposed in said emulsion layer, and thereafter developed, prior to be included with said kiosk.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
30 words
The kiosk of claim 29 in which the processor detects the pattern from the customer- provided printed photograph notwithstanding a rotational misalignment of said photograph from a correct alignment thereof.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 29 in which the processor performs a domain transformation in detecting the pattern form the customer-provided printer photograph.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 29 in which said processor performs a spectral analysis of the scan data to discern spectral components thereof.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 30 in which the optical scanning comprises scanning with visible light to yield visible light scan data.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 30 in which the pattern is periodic.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 30 in which the pattern comprises a regular array of elements.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 30 in which said pattern derives from a pre-processed medium on which said customer-provided photograph is printed, rather than from a photographic image itself.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
The emulsion film of claim 1 in which the auxiliary information signal is a single bit, signaling copyright.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
15 words
The emulsion paper of claim 3 in which the pattern represents plural bits of information.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
21 words
The emulsion paper of claim 3 in which the pattern does not represent plural bits of information, but rather signals copyright.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
26 words
The paper of claim 12 , after exposure and developing of said emulsion coating to manifest a photographic image, said image including said substantially undetectable pattern.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
14 words
The paper of claim 12 in which the pattern represents plural bits of information.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
20 words
The paper of claim 12 in which the pattern does not represent plural bits of information, but rather signals copyright.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article of claim 19 in which the pattern represents plural bits of information.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
20 words
The article of claim 19 in which the pattern does not represent plural bits of information, but rather signals copyright.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
14 words
The kiosk of claim 35 in which the pattern represents plural bits of information.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
20 words
The kiosk of claim 35 in which the pattern does not represent plural bits of information, but rather signals copyright.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for deterring piracy of a copyrighted photograph, comprising printing the photograph on a pre-processed paper, said pre-processing leading to formation of a pattern that is substantially undetectable by casual observation, but is detectable from scan data obtained by scanning the printed photograph using a visible light scanning device employed by a photo duplication kiosk, wherein detection of said pattern triggers an anti-piracy deterrent action by such photo duplication kiosk.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for deterring piracy of a copyrighted photograph, comprising printing the photograph on a pre-processed paper, said pre-processing leading to formation of a pattern that is substantially undetectable by casual observation, but is detectable from scan data obtained by scanning the printed photograph using a visible light scanning device employed by a photo duplication kiosk, wherein detection of said pattern triggers an anti-piracy deterrent action by such photo duplication kiosk.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 58 in which the pattern spans the photograph, rather than being found only in one portion thereof, thereby allowing detection of said pattern from the photograph notwithstanding masking of parts thereof.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 58 in which the pattern is periodic.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 58 in which the pattern comprises a regular array of elements.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 58 in which the pattern represents plural bits of information.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 58 in which the pattern does not represent plural bits of information, but rather signals copyright.
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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) | 2005-08-19 | 2006-02-18 | 2006-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-19 | 2010-02-18 | 2010-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-19 | 2014-02-18 | 2014-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |