Patent US4034439A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6718047B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Watermark embedder and reader
Assignee: Digimarc Corp
•
Filing: 2002-08-07
•
Granted: 2004-04-06
•
Expires: 2022-08-07
Abstract
Abstract A watermark system includes an embedder, detector, and reader. The watermark embedder encodes a watermark signal in a host signal to create a combined signal. The detector looks for the watermark signal in a potentially corrupted version of the combined signal, and computes its orientation. Finally, a reader extracts a message in the watermark signal from the combined signal using the orientation to approximate the original state of the combined signal. While adapted for images, video and audio, the watermark system applies to other electronic and physical media. For example, it can be applied to mark graphical models, blank paper, film and other substrates, texturing objects for ID purposes, etc.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey B. Rhoads
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T1/00; G06T1/0021; G06T1/005; G06T1/0071; B; B42; B42D; B42D25/00; B42D25/30; B42D25/333; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/955; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/06009; G06K19/06037; G06K19/06046; G06K19/08; G06K19/10; G06K19/14; G06K19/18; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/14; G06K7/1404; G06K7/1408; G06K7/1417; G06K7/1439; G06K7/1447; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/12; G06Q20/123; G06Q20/1235; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/341; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/401; G06Q20/4014; G06Q20/40145; G06T1/0028; G06T1/0064; G06V; G06V30/00; G06V30/40; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/22; G07C9/25; G07C9/253; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/003; G07D7/0034; G07D7/004; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/086; G07F7/10; G07F7/1008; G10; G10L; G10L19/00; G10L19/018; G11; G11B; G11B20/00; G11B20/00086; G11B20/00884; G11B20/00891; H; H04; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/06; 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; H04N1/32187; H04N1/32203; H04N1/32208; H04N1/32229; H04N1/32251; H04N1/32288; H04N1/32352; H04N19/00; H04N19/46; H04N19/467; H04N19/60; H04N19/63; H04N19/64; H04N19/645; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/238; H04N21/2389; H04N21/23892; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/44; H04N21/44008; H04N21/45; H04N21/462; H04N21/4627; H04N21/80; H04N21/83; H04N21/835; H04N21/8358; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N7/163; G06K2019/06215; G06K2019/06253; G06T2201/00; G06T2201/005; G06T2201/0051; G06T2201/0052; G06T2201/0061; G06T2201/0064; G06T2201/0065; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/28; H04H20/30; H04H20/31; H04N1/32106; H04N1/32122; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3201; H04N2201/3204; H04N2201/3205; H04N2201/3207; H04N2201/3225; H04N2201/3226; H04N2201/323; H04N2201/3233; H04N2201/3269; H04N2201/327; H04N2201/3271; H04N2201/3274; H04N2201/328; H04N2201/3284
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A digital watermark embedded in an electronic or physical media signal, comprising two or more components, at least one of the components being encoded more redundantly than another component, wherein the watermark is embedded in the media signal using a method, comprising: deriving a first gain corresponding to elements in the media signal that varies as a function of data hiding potential of the media signal; deriving a second gain that varies as a function of auxiliary message elements of the digital watermark to be embedded and corresponding elements of the media signal; using the first and second gains to control signal energy of a digital watermark signal carrying the auxiliary message elements in a watermarked version of the media signal such that the digital watermark is substantially imperceptible in the watermarked media signal, yet automatically detectable in the watermarked media signal without reference to the media signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A digital watermark embedded in an electronic or physical media signal, comprising two or more components, at least one of the components being encoded more redundantly than another component, wherein the watermark is embedded in the media signal using a method, comprising: deriving a first gain corresponding to elements in the media signal that varies as a function of data hiding potential of the media signal; deriving a second gain that varies as a function of auxiliary message elements of the digital watermark to be embedded and corresponding elements of the media signal; using the first and second gains to control signal energy of a digital watermark signal carrying the auxiliary message elements in a watermarked version of the media signal such that the digital watermark is substantially imperceptible in the watermarked media signal, yet automatically detectable in the watermarked media signal without reference to the media signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The digital watermark of claim 1 , wherein the watermark is embedded using a user adjustable gain in addition to the first and second gains to control signal energy of the digital watermark.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The digital watermark of claim 1 wherein the media signal is an image signal and the first gain is a function of luminance of the image signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The digital watermark of 1 wherein the first gain varies as a function of signal activity around corresponding elements of the media signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The digital watermark of 1 wherein the first gain varies as a function of signal activity around corresponding elements of the media signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The digital watermark of claim 4 wherein signal activity is measured at least in part by calculating edges in the media signal at corresponding elements of the media signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The digital watermark of claim 1 wherein the media signal comprises an image signal and the auxiliary message elements correspond to a modulated carrier signal, where the carrier signal is a function of a key.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The digital watermark of claim 6 wherein the modulated carrier signal is generated by modulating a carrier signal with a plural bit message to be embedded in the media signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The digital watermark of claim 7 wherein the modulated carrier signal is a function of a pseudo random number.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The digital watermark of claim 7 wherein the plural bit message is an error correction encoded message.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
94 words
The digital watermark of claim 1 wherein the second gain is computed at least in part by evaluating characteristics of elements of the media signal to determine whether variations in the characteristics of the elements of the media signal are consistent with variations to the media signal associated with embedding corresponding auxiliary message elements; and deriving the second gain as a function of an extent to which the variations of characteristics of the elements of the media signal are consistent with variations to the media signal associated with embedding the corresponding auxiliary message elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The digital watermark of claim 10 wherein the auxiliary message elements are computed by modulating a plural bit message with a carrier signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The digital watermark of claim 11 wherein the carrier signal is generated as a function of a key.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The digital watermark of claim 12 wherein the carrier signal comprises a pseudorandom carrier signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The digital watermark of claim 1 wherein the components are sets of binary numbers in a multibit watermark message, the message being error correction coded such that at least one set of binary numbers is encoded more redundantly than another set.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The digital watermark of claim 1 wherein the components include components in different transform domains.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The digital watermark of claim 15 wherein one of the transform domains is a spatial domain and another is a spatial frequency domain.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The digital watermark of claim 1 wherein one of the components carries a message, and another component acts as orientation signal used to identify a location of the watermark in the media.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The digital watermark of claim 1 wherein one of the components carries a message payload and is used in locating the watermark in the media.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The digital watermark of claim 1 wherein at least one of the components is more redundant in a spatial domain than another component.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The watermark of claim 1 wherein at lease one of the components is more redundant in a spatial frequency domain than another component.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
150 words
A digital watermark embedded in an electronic or physical media, comprising two or more signal components, the signal components being encoded such that each component has a different signal strength, wherein the digital watermark is embedded in the media signal using a method, comprising: deriving a first gain corresponding to elements in the media signal that varies as a function of data hiding potential of the media signal; deriving a second gain that varies as a function of auxiliary message elements of the digital watermark to be embedded and corresponding elements of the media signal; using the first and second gains to control signal energy of a digital watermark signal carrying the auxiliary message elements in a watermarked version of the media signal such that the digital watermark is substantially imperceptible in the watermarked media signal, yet automatically detectable in the watermarked media signal without reference to the media signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
150 words
A digital watermark embedded in an electronic or physical media, comprising two or more signal components, the signal components being encoded such that each component has a different signal strength, wherein the digital watermark is embedded in the media signal using a method, comprising: deriving a first gain corresponding to elements in the media signal that varies as a function of data hiding potential of the media signal; deriving a second gain that varies as a function of auxiliary message elements of the digital watermark to be embedded and corresponding elements of the media signal; using the first and second gains to control signal energy of a digital watermark signal carrying the auxiliary message elements in a watermarked version of the media signal such that the digital watermark is substantially imperceptible in the watermarked media signal, yet automatically detectable in the watermarked media signal without reference to the media signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The watermark of claim 21 wherein a gain is applied to each component such that the components have different signal strength.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The watermark of claim 21 wherein at least one of the components is encoded more redundantly such that it has greater signal strength than another component.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The watermark of claim 22 including at least first and second components, each carrying messages, and the first component carries a shorter message and has a stronger signal strength than the second component.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The watermark of claim 24 wherein the first and second components are multibit messages, and one multibit message is encoded more redundantly than the other.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The watermark of claim 24 wherein the first and second components are defined in the same transform domain.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The watermark of claim 24 wherein the first and second components are defined in different transform domains.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of embedding a digital watermark in an electronic or physical media signal, the method comprising: deriving a first gain corresponding to elements in the media signal that varies as a function of data hiding potential of the media signal; deriving a second gain that varies as a function of auxiliary message elements of the digital watermark to be embedded and corresponding elements of the media signal; using the first and second gains to control signal energy of a digital watermark signal carrying the auxiliary message elements in a watermarked version of the media signal such that the digital watermark is substantially imperceptible in the watermarked media signal, yet automatically detectable in the watermarked media signal without reference to the media signal.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of embedding a digital watermark in an electronic or physical media signal, the method comprising: deriving a first gain corresponding to elements in the media signal that varies as a function of data hiding potential of the media signal; deriving a second gain that varies as a function of auxiliary message elements of the digital watermark to be embedded and corresponding elements of the media signal; using the first and second gains to control signal energy of a digital watermark signal carrying the auxiliary message elements in a watermarked version of the media signal such that the digital watermark is substantially imperceptible in the watermarked media signal, yet automatically detectable in the watermarked media signal without reference to the media signal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the watermark is embedded using a user adjustable gain in addition to the first and second gains to control signal energy of the digital watermark.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the media signal is an image signal and the first gain is a function of luminance of the image signal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the first gain varies as a function of signal activity around corresponding elements of the media signal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 31 wherein signal activity is measured at least in part by calculating edges in the media signal at corresponding elements of the media signal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the media signal comprises an image signal and the auxiliary message elements correspond to a modulated carrier signal, where the carrier signal is a function of a key.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 33 wherein the modulated carrier signal is generated by modulating a carrier signal with a plural bit message to be embedded in the media signal.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the modulated carrier signal is a function of a pseudo random number.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the plural bit message is an error correction encoded message.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
93 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the second gain is computed at least in part by evaluating characteristics of elements of the media signal to determine whether variations in the characteristics of the elements of the media signal are consistent with variations to the media signal associated with embedding corresponding auxiliary message elements; and deriving the second gain as a function of an extent to which the variations of characteristics of the elements of the media signal are consistent with variations to the media signal associated with embedding the corresponding auxiliary message elements.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the auxiliary message elements are computed by modulating a plural bit message with a carrier signal.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the carrier signal is generated as a function of a key.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 39 wherein the carrier signal comprises a pseudorandom carrier signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the digital watermark has two more components, and the components are sets of binary numbers in a multibit watermark message, the message being error correction coded such that at least one set of binary numbers is encoded more redundantly than another set.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the digital watermark has two more components, and the components include components in different transform domains.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 42 wherein one of the transform domains is a spatial domain and another is a spatial frequency domain.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the digital watermark has two more components, and one of the components carries a message, and another component acts as orientation signal used to identify a location of the watermark in the media.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the digital watermark has two more components, and one of the components carries a message payload and is used in locating the watermark in the media.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the digital watermark has two more components, and at least one of the components is more redundant in a spatial domain than another component.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the digital watermark has two more components, and at lease one of the components is more redundant in a spatial frequency domain than another component.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of embedding a digital watermark in electronic or physical media, comprising: deriving a first gain corresponding to elements in the media signal that varies as a function of data hiding potential of the media signal; deriving a second gain that varies as a function of auxiliary message elements of the digital watermark to be embedded and corresponding elements of the media signal; using the first and second gains to control signal energy of a digital watermark signal carrying the auxiliary message elements in a watermarked version of the media signal such that the digital watermark is substantially imperceptible in the watermarked media signal, yet automatically detectable in the watermarked media signal without reference to the media signal.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of embedding a digital watermark in electronic or physical media, comprising: deriving a first gain corresponding to elements in the media signal that varies as a function of data hiding potential of the media signal; deriving a second gain that varies as a function of auxiliary message elements of the digital watermark to be embedded and corresponding elements of the media signal; using the first and second gains to control signal energy of a digital watermark signal carrying the auxiliary message elements in a watermarked version of the media signal such that the digital watermark is substantially imperceptible in the watermarked media signal, yet automatically detectable in the watermarked media signal without reference to the media signal.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 48 wherein the digital watermark has two or more components, and a gain is applied to each component such that the components have different signal strength.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 48 wherein the digital watermark has two or more components, and at least one of the components is encoded more redundantly such that it has greater signal strength than another component.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 49 including at least first and second components, each carrying messages, and the first component carries a shorter message and has a stronger signal strength than the second component.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 51 wherein the first and second components are multibit messages, and one multibit message is encoded more redundantly than the other.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 51 wherein the first and second components are defined in the same transform domain.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 51 wherein the first and second components are defined in different transform domains.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
26 words
A tangible storage medium on which is stored an electronic or physical media signal embedded with a digital watermark using the method of claim 28 .
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
26 words
A tangible storage medium on which is stored an electronic or physical media signal embedded with a digital watermark using the method of claim 48 .
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
14 words
A tangible storage medium storing instructions for performing the method of claim 28 .
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
14 words
A tangible storage medium storing instructions for performing the method of claim 48 .
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2630525A
Cited
US3406344A
Cited
US3493674A
Cited
US3562420A
Cited
US3585290A
Cited
US4231113A
Cited
US3569619A
Cited
US3665162A
Cited
US3845391A
Cited
US4944036A
Cited
US3703628A
Cited
US3971917A
Cited
US3805238A
Cited
US3922074A
Cited
US3809806A
Cited
US3838444A
Cited
US3982064A
Cited
US3914877A
Cited
US3998160A
Cited
US4038596A
Cited
US3984624A
Cited
US4025851A
Cited
US4252995A
Cited
US4238849A
Cited
US4225967A
Cited
US4262329A
Cited
US4379947A
Cited
US4230990A
Cited
US4230990C1
Cited
US4237484A
Cited
GB2063018B
Cited
DE2943436A1
Cited
GB2067871A
Cited
US4313197A
Cited
US4423415A
Cited
US4595950A
Cited
US4528588A
Cited
US4389671A
Cited
US4395600A
Cited
US4380027A
Cited
US4367488A
Cited
US4476468A
Cited
US4425661A
Cited
US4425642A
Cited
US4665431A
Cited
US4495620A
Cited
US4644582A
Cited
US4967273A
Cited
US4805020A
Cited
US4639779A
Cited
US4547804A
Cited
US4532508A
Cited
US4908873A
Cited
US4553261A
Cited
US4590366A
Cited
US4660221A
Cited
US4637051A
Cited
US4675746A
Cited
US4703476A
Cited
US4835517A
Cited
US5166676A
Cited
US4672605A
Cited
US4697209A
Cited
US4654867A
Cited
US4677435A
Cited
US4663518A
Cited
US4921278A
Cited
US4647974A
Cited
US4750173A
Cited
US4682794A
Cited
US4677466A
Cited
US4820912A
Cited
US5258998A
Cited
US4765656A
Cited
US4712103A
Cited
US4775901A
Cited
US5719984A
Cited
US4776013A
Cited
US4876617A
Cited
US4718106A
Cited
GB2196167B
Cited
US4739377A
Cited
US4977594A
Cited
US5410598A
Cited
US5293399A
Cited
US4864618A
Cited
US4884139A
Cited
US4866771A
Cited
US4903301A
Cited
GB2204984B
Cited
US4941150A
Cited
US4965827A
Cited
US4979210A
Cited
US4855827A
Cited
US5150409A
Cited
US4807031A
Cited
US4811408A
Cited
US5075773A
Cited
US4811357A
Cited
US5394274A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-04-06 | 2007-10-06 | 2008-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-04-06 | 2011-10-06 | 2012-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-04-06 | 2015-10-06 | 2016-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |