US6678392B2
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US
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Method for encoding auxiliary data within a source signal
Assignee: Digimarc Corp
•
Filing: 2001-07-25
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Granted: 2004-01-13
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Expires: 2021-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for embedding signatures within visual images in both digital representation and print or film. A signature is inseparably embedded within the visible image, the signature persisting through image transforms that include resizing as well as conversion to print or film among the pixels of an original image. The pixel values of the signature points and surrounding pixels are adjusted by an amount detectable by a digital scanner. The adjusted signature points form a digital signature which is stored for future identification of subject images derived from the image. In one embodiment, a signature is embedded within an image by locating relative extrema in the continuous space of pixel values and selecting the signature points from among the extrema. Preferably, the signature is redundantly embedded in the image such that any of the redundant representations can be used to identify the signature. Identification of a subject image includes ensuring that the subject image is normalized with respect to the original image or the signed image. Preferably, the normalized subject image is compared with the stored digital signature.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Powell
- 👤 Mark J. Nitzberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:35
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T1/00; G06T1/0021; G06T1/005; G06T1/0064; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/341; G06T1/0028; G07; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/004; G07D7/0047; G07D7/005; G07D7/0054; G07D7/0056; G07D7/06; G07D7/12; G07D7/20; G07D7/2008; G07D7/202; G07D7/2033; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/12; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/32; H04N1/32101; H04N1/32144; H04N1/32149; H04N1/32203; H04N1/32208; H04N1/32229; H04N1/32245; H04N1/32251; H04N1/32288; H04N1/3232; G06T2201/00; G06T2201/005; G06T2201/0051; G06T2201/0081; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3201; H04N2201/3225; H04N2201/3233; H04N2201/3235; H04N2201/3269; H04N2201/327
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for hiding an authentication code in an electric signal representing pixel values, wherein the pixel values are selected from the electric signal for processing on the basis of locations associated with contents of the authentication code, characterized in that the value of each pixel value selected for processing is re-determined by a filter, which uses as filter input pixel values of the electric signal from predetermined pixels.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for hiding an authentication code in an electric signal representing pixel values, wherein the pixel values are selected from the electric signal for processing on the basis of locations associated with contents of the authentication code, characterized in that the value of each pixel value selected for processing is re-determined by a filter, which uses as filter input pixel values of the electric signal from predetermined pixels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 , characterized in that said electric signal is a file and its pixel values are bytes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 2 , characterized in that said file is an image file.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 1 , characterized in that said electric signal is a continuous signal and its pixel values are bytes, whereby a certain period is separated from the continuous signal and the authentication code is hidden in said separated signal period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 4 , characterized in that the authentication code is repeatedly hidden in the same continuous signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the contents of the authentication code comprise the locations and message values.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
91 words
A device for hiding the authentication code in an electric signal representing pixel values, wherein said device comprises a memory for saving said electric signal, and a processing unit for reading the electric signal from the memory and for selecting certain pixel values for the electric signal for processing on the basis of locations associated with the authentication code, characterized in that said device comprises a filter, and said processing unit is arranged to re-determine the value of each pixel value selected for processing in a manner specified by said filter.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
91 words
A device for hiding the authentication code in an electric signal representing pixel values, wherein said device comprises a memory for saving said electric signal, and a processing unit for reading the electric signal from the memory and for selecting certain pixel values for the electric signal for processing on the basis of locations associated with the authentication code, characterized in that said device comprises a filter, and said processing unit is arranged to re-determine the value of each pixel value selected for processing in a manner specified by said filter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 7 characterized in that said device also comprises an input device for receiving input data from a user and an output device for conveying information about device operation to the user.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for hiding an authentication code in an electric signal representing pixel values, wherein the pixel values are selected from the electric signal for processing on the basis of a pattern associated with contents of the authentication code, characterized in that the value of each pixel value selected for processing is re-determined by an adjustment processor, which uses as adjustment processor input pixel values of the electric signal from predetermined pixels.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for hiding an authentication code in an electric signal representing pixel values, wherein the pixel values are selected from the electric signal for processing on the basis of a pattern associated with contents of the authentication code, characterized in that the value of each pixel value selected for processing is re-determined by an adjustment processor, which uses as adjustment processor input pixel values of the electric signal from predetermined pixels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the contents of the authentication code comprise the pattern and message values.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
94 words
A device for hiding the authentication code in an electric signal representing pixel values, wherein said device comprises a memory for saving said electric signal, and a processing unit for reading the electric signal from the memory and for selecting certain pixel values for the electric signal for processing on the basis of a pattern associated with the authentication code, characterized in that said device comprises an adjustment processor, and said processing unit is arranged to re-determine the value of each pixel value selected for processing in a manner specified by said adjustment processor.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
94 words
A device for hiding the authentication code in an electric signal representing pixel values, wherein said device comprises a memory for saving said electric signal, and a processing unit for reading the electric signal from the memory and for selecting certain pixel values for the electric signal for processing on the basis of a pattern associated with the authentication code, characterized in that said device comprises an adjustment processor, and said processing unit is arranged to re-determine the value of each pixel value selected for processing in a manner specified by said adjustment processor.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of hiding a code in an image signal comprising: selecting points in the image signal for hiding the code based on a pattern associated with the code; and re-computing the value of the image signal at the selected points to hide the code based on one or more values of the image signal at or around the selected points.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of hiding a code in an image signal comprising: selecting points in the image signal for hiding the code based on a pattern associated with the code; and re-computing the value of the image signal at the selected points to hide the code based on one or more values of the image signal at or around the selected points.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the pattern is formed, at least in part, based on a random selection of points.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the pattern comprises a preprogrammed pattern.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the code comprises a variable binary message.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the selecting and re-computing results in a signature embedded in the image, the signature comprising a pattern.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the signature comprises the pattern and a binary message.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the selecting includes selecting points based on image characteristics.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the image characteristics correspond to characteristics for hiding changes made to hide the code.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the points correspond to pixels in the image signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 12 wherein selecting points includes selecting more points than bits in a binary message to be encoded such that the binary message is redundantly encoded throughout the points.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of hiding a code in an electric signal representing pixel values, comprising: selecting pixel values for processing on the basis of the code, including selecting locations of pixels corresponding to the code and selecting which of the locations corresponding to the code represent a binary one and which of the locations corresponding to the code represent a binary zero; and having selected the locations and binary values at the locations, adjusting the pixel values at the locations using only the pixel values as input.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of hiding a code in an electric signal representing pixel values, comprising: selecting pixel values for processing on the basis of the code, including selecting locations of pixels corresponding to the code and selecting which of the locations corresponding to the code represent a binary one and which of the locations corresponding to the code represent a binary zero; and having selected the locations and binary values at the locations, adjusting the pixel values at the locations using only the pixel values as input.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the selecting of locations of pixels is based, at least in part, on a random selection of locations.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the selected locations comprise a preprogrammed pattern.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the code comprises a variable binary message.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the selecting and adjusting results in embedding the code in the electronic signal, the code comprising a pattern including the selected locations.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the code comprises the pattern and a binary message.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the electronic signal comprises an image, and wherein the selecting includes selecting locations based on image characteristics.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the image characteristics correspond to characteristics for hiding changes made to hide the code.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 22 wherein selecting locations of pixels includes selecting more locations than bits in the code such that the code is redundantly encoded throughout the locations.
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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) | 2007-01-12 | 2007-07-14 | 2008-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-01-12 | 2011-07-14 | 2012-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-01-12 | 2015-07-14 | 2016-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |