Patent US6724912B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6724912B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital watermarking of physical objects
Assignee: Digimarc Corp
•
Filing: 2000-05-01
•
Granted: 2004-04-20
•
Expires: 2020-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A machine readable indicia is formed in a blank printable medium. The indicia may be formed in an opacification layer applied to a translucent substrate, or may be formed in a laminate layer. The indicia is optically detectable from the exterior of the medium, even if the indicia is not formed on the medium's exterior surface. One particular indicia is a seemingly-random weave-like pattern of lines defined in response to (1) a first user control that determines a degree of randomness of the line(s), (2) a second user control that determines a modulation effect to be applied to the line(s), and (3) the bits to be represented thereby. Many other indicia, including checkerboards, barcodes, data glyphs, etc., can also be used.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Scott Carr
- 👤 Geoffrey B. Rhoads
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:09
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/88; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/16; B; B42; B42D; B42D25/00; B42D25/20; B42D25/29; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/341; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/401; G06Q20/4014; G06Q20/40145; G06T; G06T1/00; G06T1/0021; G06T1/005; G06T1/0064; G06V30/00; G06V30/40; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/22; G07C9/25; G07C9/253; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/003; G07D7/0032; G07D7/0034; G07D7/004; 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; G11B20/00217; G11B20/00224; G11B20/00485; G11B20/00557; G11B20/00855; 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; H04N1/00838; H04N1/0084; H04N1/00843; H04N1/00846; H04N1/00856; H04N1/00864; H04N1/00867; H04N1/0087; H04N1/00875; H04N1/32; H04N1/32101; H04N1/32144; H04N1/32149; H04N1/32203; H04N1/32208; H04N1/32219; H04N1/32251; H04N1/32261; H04N1/32288; H04N1/32304; H04N1/32352; 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; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/14; B29C45/1418; G06T2201/00; G06T2201/005; G06T2201/0051; G06T2201/0052; G06T2201/0061; G06T2201/0065; G11B20/00876; 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; H04N2201/3239; H04N2201/3269; H04N2201/327; H04N2201/3271; H04N2201/3274; H04N2201/328; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/916; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24802
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
In a method of forming a printable substrate that includes applying plural layers to a film substrate, an improvement comprising providing a two dimensional pattern earlier defined by a process including applying an algorithmic transformation to a plural bit payload, and from which pattern plural bit payload can be subsequently decoded by applying an inverse transformation process, and tailoring the tone or density of at least one of said layers so as to form said pattern thereby, encoding the substrate with plural bits of digital data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
In a method of forming a printable substrate that includes applying plural layers to a film substrate, an improvement comprising providing a two dimensional pattern earlier defined by a process including applying an algorithmic transformation to a plural bit payload, and from which pattern plural bit payload can be subsequently decoded by applying an inverse transformation process, and tailoring the tone or density of at least one of said layers so as to form said pattern thereby, encoding the substrate with plural bits of digital data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 in which the pattern comprises a steganographic digital watermark pattern.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 in which the film substrate is translucent, and the layers are opacification layers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 comprising tailoring the tone or density of at least one internal layer to form said pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4 in which the tailoring comprises applying ink to an internal layer by an inkjet printing process.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 in which the tailoring comprises applying ink with a gravure printing plate having grooves of non-uniform thickness formed therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 in which the tailoring comprises applying ink with a gravure printing plate having non-uniformly distributed grooves formed therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 in which the in pattern is coextensive with the substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
A printable substrate formed according to the method of claim 1 .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
A banknote printed on the substrate of claim 9 .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 in which the method includes said algorithmically transforming of a plural bit payload to define said two dimensional pattern.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
A printable substrate comprising a laminate structure including at least one internal layer, characterized in that said internal layer is formed with a machine readable indicia encoding plural binary bits, said indicia being optically detectable from outside said substrate, said indicia corresponding to a pattern formed by a process including apply an algorithmic transformation to said plural binary bits, said pattern being subsequently decodable to read the plural binary bits therefrom by application of an inverse transformation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
77 words
A printable substrate comprising a laminate structure including at least one internal layer, characterized in that said internal layer is formed with a machine readable indicia encoding plural binary bits, said indicia being optically detectable from outside said substrate, said indicia corresponding to a pattern formed by a process including apply an algorithmic transformation to said plural binary bits, said pattern being subsequently decodable to read the plural binary bits therefrom by application of an inverse transformation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The substrate of claim 12 in which the machine readable indicia is a digital watermark pattern.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The substrate of claim 12 in which the machine readable indicia is coextensive with the substrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The substrate of claim 12 in which at least one internal layer is formed of paper.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The substrate of claim 12 in which at least one internal layer is formed of a polymer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The substrate of claim 12 in which at least one external layer is formed of paper.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The substrate of claim 12 in which at least one external layer is formed of a polymer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The substrate of claim 12 in which the internal layer has gaps defined therein.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The substrate of claim 12 in which the internal layer is printed by an inkjet printing process.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The substrate of claim 12 in which the indicia encodes a calibration signal.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of forming a document, comprising: providing a two dimensional pattern earlier defined by a process including applying an algorithmic transformation to a first set of plural digital bits, and from which pattern said first set of digital bits can be subsequently decoded by applying an inverse transformation process; providing a substrate having a face; forming a first patterned layer over the substrate face, said first layer being formed to include said two dimensional pattern; inking over the first patterned layer to form a second patterned layer, the patterning of said second layer providing visible artwork or printing associated with said document.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of forming a document, comprising: providing a two dimensional pattern earlier defined by a process including applying an algorithmic transformation to a first set of plural digital bits, and from which pattern said first set of digital bits can be subsequently decoded by applying an inverse transformation process; providing a substrate having a face; forming a first patterned layer over the substrate face, said first layer being formed to include said two dimensional pattern; inking over the first patterned layer to form a second patterned layer, the patterning of said second layer providing visible artwork or printing associated with said document.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 22 that includes applying the first patterned layer directly to the substrate face.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 22 in which the first patterned layer is formed of ink.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the first patterned layer is formed by applying plural layers of ink to the substrate.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 22 in which the first patterned layer obscures the transparency of the substrate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 22 that comprises applying the first patterned layer by a gravure process using a gravure member having groove sizes that change on a localized basis to deposit more ink at some locations than others.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 22 that comprises applying the first patterned layer by a gravure process using a gravure member having groove spacings that change on a localized basis to deposit more ink at some locations than others.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 22 that includes forming voids in a material to define the patterning of the first patterned layer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 22 that includes inking said second patterned layer directly on said first patterned layer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 22 that includes applying said first patterned layer directly to the face of the substrate, and wherein the second patterned layer also defines a machine readable indicia.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the substrate is substantially transparent.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the layers applied over said substrate make the composite document generally opaque.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 22 that includes forming said first patterned layer using an ink which produces a reflective effect.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the ink has a composition including copper.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the ink has a composition including aluminum.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 22 that includes forming the first patterned layer comprises a reflective foil.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the first patterned layer is applied by a hot stamping process.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the patterning of the first layer comprises a steganographic digital watermark pattern.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
11 words
A banknote produced according to the method of claim 22 .
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
12 words
An identification document produced according to the method of claim 22 .
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 22 in which the method includes said algorithmically transforming of a first plural bit payload to define said two dimensional pattern.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of forming a document, comprising: providing a substrate having a face; forming a first patterned layer over the substrate face by laser ablating portions of a layer applied over the substrate, the patterning of said first layer defining a machine readable indicia encoding plural first bits of digital data; and inking over the first patterned layer to form a second patterned layer, the patterning of said second layer providing visible artwork or printing associated with said document.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of forming a document, comprising: providing a substrate having a face; forming a first patterned layer over the substrate face by laser ablating portions of a layer applied over the substrate, the patterning of said first layer defining a machine readable indicia encoding plural first bits of digital data; and inking over the first patterned layer to form a second patterned layer, the patterning of said second layer providing visible artwork or printing associated with said document.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of forming a document, comprising: providing a substrate having a face; forming a first patterned layer over the substrate face, the patterning of said first layer defining a machine readable indicia encoding plural first bits of digital data; and inking over the first patterned layer to form a second patterned layer, the patterning of said second layer providing visible artwork or printing associated with said document; wherein defining the machine readable indicia comprises patterning in two or more layers over the substrate.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of forming a document, comprising: providing a substrate having a face; forming a first patterned layer over the substrate face, the patterning of said first layer defining a machine readable indicia encoding plural first bits of digital data; and inking over the first patterned layer to form a second patterned layer, the patterning of said second layer providing visible artwork or printing associated with said document; wherein defining the machine readable indicia comprises patterning in two or more layers over the substrate.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 44 wherein said patterning in two or more layers cooperate to define a single machine-readable lidicia encoding said plural first bits of digital data.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of forming a document, comprising: providing a substrate having a face; forming a first patterned layer over the substrate face, the patterning of said first layer defining a machine readable indicia encoding plural first bits of digital data; inking over the first patterned layer to form a second patterned layer, the patterning of said second layer providing visible artwork or printing associated with said document; the method further including forming a further patterned layer, the patterning of said further layer defining a second machine readable indicia encoding plural second bits of digital data different from said plural first bits.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of forming a document, comprising: providing a substrate having a face; forming a first patterned layer over the substrate face, the patterning of said first layer defining a machine readable indicia encoding plural first bits of digital data; inking over the first patterned layer to form a second patterned layer, the patterning of said second layer providing visible artwork or printing associated with said document; the method further including forming a further patterned layer, the patterning of said further layer defining a second machine readable indicia encoding plural second bits of digital data different from said plural first bits.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
80 words
The method of forming a document, comprising: providing a substrate having a face; forming a first patterned layer over the substrate face, the patterning of said first layer comprising forming voids therein and defining a machine readable indicia encoding plural first bits of digital data; inking over the first patterned layer to form a second patterned layer, the patterning of said second layer providing visible artwork or printing associated with said document; wherein said voids are formed by laser cutting.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
80 words
The method of forming a document, comprising: providing a substrate having a face; forming a first patterned layer over the substrate face, the patterning of said first layer comprising forming voids therein and defining a machine readable indicia encoding plural first bits of digital data; inking over the first patterned layer to form a second patterned layer, the patterning of said second layer providing visible artwork or printing associated with said document; wherein said voids are formed by laser cutting.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of forming a document, comprising: providing a substrate having a face; forming a first patterned layer over the substrate face, the patterning of said first layer defining a machine readable indicia encoding plural first bits of digital data; inking over the first patterned layer to form a second patterned layer, the patterning of said second layer providing visible artwork or printing associated with said document; wherein the substrate comprises plural layers of polypropylene.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of forming a document, comprising: providing a substrate having a face; forming a first patterned layer over the substrate face, the patterning of said first layer defining a machine readable indicia encoding plural first bits of digital data; inking over the first patterned layer to form a second patterned layer, the patterning of said second layer providing visible artwork or printing associated with said document; wherein the substrate comprises plural layers of polypropylene.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4370057A
Cited
US4442541A
Cited
DE2943436A1
Cited
US5161829A
Cited
US5380044A
Cited
WO1995004665A1
Cited
US5698333A
Cited
US5568550A
Cited
US5710636A
Cited
EP0789480A2
Cited
US5919730A
Cited
WO1998033658A1
Cited
US5772250A
Cited
US6103353A
Cited
US6286761B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-04-20 | 2007-10-20 | 2008-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-04-20 | 2011-10-20 | 2012-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-04-20 | 2015-10-20 | 2016-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |