US6782115B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Watermark holograms
Assignee: Digimarc Corp
•
Filing: 2002-10-28
•
Granted: 2004-08-24
•
Expires: 2022-10-28
Abstract
Abstract Methods for integrating digital watermarks into holograms, watermarked hologram structures, and related applications. One method creates a watermark image, and then embeds the watermark image into a holographic structure. The holographic structure is created using computer generated holography to create a digital representation of the holographic structure. This digital representation is recorded on a physical substrate using optical techniques or microlithography. As an alterative, a watermark signal is embedded in a physical holographic structure by embedding the signal into an image that is optically merged with the holographic structure as it is optically recorded, or by embedding the signal into an image or physical model from which the holographic structure is formed. Another approach the creates a halftone watermarked image, and forms the halftone watermarked image in the hologram by creating hologram dots corresponding to the dots in the halftone watermarked image.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen K. Decker
- 👤 Hugh L. Brunk
- 👤 J. Scott Carr
- 👤 Geoffrey B. Rhoads
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:27
CPC Classifications
B; B42; B42D; B42D25/00; B42D25/20; B42D25/29; G; G03; G03H; G03H1/00; G03H1/04; G03H1/08; G06; G06T; G06T1/00; G06T1/0021; G07; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/003; G07D7/0032; G07D7/0034; G07D7/004; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/086; G07F7/12; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00249; H04N1/32; H04N1/32101; H04N1/32144; H04N1/32149; H04N1/32203; H04N1/32219; H04N1/32261; H04N1/32288; H04N1/32304; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/14; B29C45/1418; G03H1/0005; G03H1/0011; G03H2001/0016; G03H2001/0022; G06T2201/00; G06T2201/005; G06T2201/0083; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3201; H04N2201/3204; H04N2201/3205; H04N2201/3207; H04N2201/3212; H04N2201/3215; H04N2201/3225; H04N2201/3226; H04N2201/3233; H04N2201/3239; H04N2201/3269; H04N2201/327; H04N2201/3271; H04N2201/328; H04N2201/3281
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of embedding a digital watermark in an optically variable device comprising: creating a watermarked image using a carrier and a variable message to form a watermark signal and modifying a host digital image to embed the watermark signal into the host digital image; and forming a holographic structure from at least the watermarked image.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of embedding a digital watermark in an optically variable device comprising: creating a watermarked image using a carrier and a variable message to form a watermark signal and modifying a host digital image to embed the watermark signal into the host digital image; and forming a holographic structure from at least the watermarked image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the holographic structure is recorded on a physical medium by optically projecting the holographic structure on a photosensitive material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the watermarked image is created by forming a message of two or more variable symbols, modulating the carrier with the message and embedding the modulated carrier in a host image to form the watermarked image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the watermarked image is transformed into the holographic structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the watermarked image is optically merged with an interference pattern of a hologram on a photosensitive material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 including: embedding two or more different watermarked signals into the holographic structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A computer readable medium on which is stored software for creating a digital representation of the holographic structure using the method of claim 1 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A watermark decoder for detecting a watermark signal from a digital image captured of a physical representation of the holographic structure of claim 1 .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A physical holographic structure embedded with a watermark according to the method of claim 1 .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The holographic structure of claim 9 wherein the watermark is machine readable by executing a watermark decode process on a digital image captured of the holographic structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The holographic structure of claim 10 wherein the watermark carries a message, including an identifier number.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The holographic structure of claim 11 wherein the identifier number comprises a serial number to identify the holographic structure or group of holographic structures.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The holographic structure of claim 10 wherein the watermark carries authentication information that is compared with information related to an object bearing the holographic structure to authenticate the object.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The holographic structure of claim 13 wherein the information related to the object is on the object in a machine readable form.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The holographic structure of claim 13 wherein the information related to the object is stored in a database record indexed by the message carried in the watermark.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The holographic structure of claim 10 wherein the watermark carries a key used to decode an authentication mark on an object bearing the holographic structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The holographic structure of claim 10 wherein the watermark carries an index to a database record storing information related to an object bearing the holographic structure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The holographic structure of claim 10 wherein the watermark carries a message used to look up a network address of a network resource related to an object bearing the holographic structure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The holographic structure of claim 10 wherein the watermark is encoded so as to be viewable only at selected orientation and focal plane.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of embedding a digital watermark in an optically variable device comprising: creating a watermark image; and embedding the watermark image into a holographic structure; wherein the watermark image modulates a 2D or 3D digital image model to create a watermarked image, and the watermarked image is transformed into the holographic structure.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of embedding a digital watermark in an optically variable device comprising: creating a watermark image; and embedding the watermark image into a holographic structure; wherein the watermark image modulates a 2D or 3D digital image model to create a watermarked image, and the watermarked image is transformed into the holographic structure.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of embedding digital watermark in an optically variable device comprising: creating a watermark image; and embedding the watermark image into a holographic structure; wherein the watermark image is transformed into the holographic structure; and wherein the watermark image is integrated into the holographic structure using wavefront calculations to calculate a digital representation of the holographic structure, which is recorded on a physical medium by optically creating a diffraction grating on the physical medium or using microlithography to reproduce the holographic structure on the physical medium.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of embedding digital watermark in an optically variable device comprising: creating a watermark image; and embedding the watermark image into a holographic structure; wherein the watermark image is transformed into the holographic structure; and wherein the watermark image is integrated into the holographic structure using wavefront calculations to calculate a digital representation of the holographic structure, which is recorded on a physical medium by optically creating a diffraction grating on the physical medium or using microlithography to reproduce the holographic structure on the physical medium.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of embedding a digital watermark in an optically variable device comprising: creating a watermark image; and embedding the watermark image into a holographic structure; wherein creating the watermark image includes: spread spectrum modulating a binary message to create the watermark image in a digital form.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of embedding a digital watermark in an optically variable device comprising: creating a watermark image; and embedding the watermark image into a holographic structure; wherein creating the watermark image includes: spread spectrum modulating a binary message to create the watermark image in a digital form.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of embedding a digital watermark in an optically variable device comprising: creating a watermark image; and embedding the watermark image into a holographic structure; wherein creating the watermark image includes spread spectrum modulating a binary message to create a watermark signal; and including: altering values of a host image to embed the watermark signal in the host image, such that the altered host image forms the watermark image.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of embedding a digital watermark in an optically variable device comprising: creating a watermark image; and embedding the watermark image into a holographic structure; wherein creating the watermark image includes spread spectrum modulating a binary message to create a watermark signal; and including: altering values of a host image to embed the watermark signal in the host image, such that the altered host image forms the watermark image.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 23 including: perceptually adapting the watermark signal to the host image such that the watermark signal is imperceptibly embedded in the host image.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of embedding a digital watermark in an optically variable device comprising: creating a watermark image; and embedding the watermark image into a holographic structure; including embedding two or more different watermark signals into the holographic structure; wherein one of the watermark signals encodes a key to decode another watermark signal.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of embedding a digital watermark in an optically variable device comprising: creating a watermark image; and embedding the watermark image into a holographic structure; including embedding two or more different watermark signals into the holographic structure; wherein one of the watermark signals encodes a key to decode another watermark signal.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of embedding a digital watermark in an optically variable device comprising: creating a watermark image; and embedding the watermark image into a holographic structure; wherein the watermark image includes an orientation signal used to re-align image data scanned from the holographic structure before decoding the watermark image.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of embedding a digital watermark in an optically variable device comprising: creating a watermark image; and embedding the watermark image into a holographic structure; wherein the watermark image includes an orientation signal used to re-align image data scanned from the holographic structure before decoding the watermark image.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for integrating a digital watermark into a hologram comprising: creating a halftone watermarked image, including generating a message of two or more symbols, modulating a carrier signal with the message; the watermarked halftone image being formed from the modulated carrier such that the message is embedded in the watermarked halftone image; and forming the halftone watermarked image in the hologram by creating hologram dots corresponding to the dots in the halftone watermarked image.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for integrating a digital watermark into a hologram comprising: creating a halftone watermarked image, including generating a message of two or more symbols, modulating a carrier signal with the message; the watermarked halftone image being formed from the modulated carrier such that the message is embedded in the watermarked halftone image; and forming the halftone watermarked image in the hologram by creating hologram dots corresponding to the dots in the halftone watermarked image.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the hologram dots are created by demetalizing a metal layer of the hologram such that remaining metal dots are in a pattern of the halftone watermarked image.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the hologram dots are created by forming a dot matrix hologram comprised of discrete diffraction grating dots corresponding to the halftone watermarked image.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the halftone watermarked image is created by altering sample values of a host image.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
A physical holographic structure embedded with a watermark according to the method of claim 27 .
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The holographic structure of claim 31 wherein the watermark is machine readable by executing a watermark decode process on a digital image captured of the holographic structure.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The holographic structure of claim 32 wherein the watermark carries a message, including an identifier number.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
The holographic structure of claim 33 wherein the identifier number comprises a serial number to identify the holographic structure or group of holographic structures.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
The holographic structure of claim 32 wherein the watermark carries authentication information that is compared with information related to an object bearing the holographic structure to authenticate the object.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The holographic structure of claim 35 wherein the information related to the object is on the object in a machine readable form.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
25 words
The holographic structure of claim 32 wherein the watermark carries a key used to decode an authentication mark on an object bearing the holographic structure.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
The holographic structure of claim 32 wherein the watermark carries an index to a database record storing information related to an object bearing the holographic structure.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
31 words
The holographic structure of claim 32 wherein the watermark carries a message used to look up a network address of a network resource related to an object bearing the holographic structure.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
23 words
The holographic structure of claim 32 wherein the watermark is encoded so as to be viewable only at selected orientation and focal plane.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for integrating a digital watermark into a hologram comprising: creating halftone watermark image, including spread spectrum modulating a message to create a watermark signal and mapping elements of the watermark signal to discrete locations in the halftone image; and forming the halftone watermarked image in the hologram by creating hologram dots corresponding to dots in the halftone watermarked image.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for integrating a digital watermark into a hologram comprising: creating halftone watermark image, including spread spectrum modulating a message to create a watermark signal and mapping elements of the watermark signal to discrete locations in the halftone image; and forming the halftone watermarked image in the hologram by creating hologram dots corresponding to dots in the halftone watermarked image.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for integrating a digital watermark into a hologram comprising: creating halftone watermarked image including error correction encoding a message and embedding the message in a halftone image to create the halftone watermarked image; and forming the halftone watermarked image in the hologram by creating hologram dots corresponding to dots in the halftone watermarked image.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for integrating a digital watermark into a hologram comprising: creating halftone watermarked image including error correction encoding a message and embedding the message in a halftone image to create the halftone watermarked image; and forming the halftone watermarked image in the hologram by creating hologram dots corresponding to dots in the halftone watermarked image.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
116 words
A physical holographic structure embedded with a watermark by creating a halftone watermarked image and forming the halftone watermarked image in the hologram by creating hologram dots corresponding to the dots in the halftone watermarked image; wherein the watermark is machine readable by executing a watermark decode process on a digital image captured of the holographic structure, the watermark carries authentication information that is compared with information related to an object hearing the holographic structure to authenticate the object, the information related to the object is on the object in human or machine readable form and the information related to the object is stored in a database record indexed by the message carried in the watermark.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
116 words
A physical holographic structure embedded with a watermark by creating a halftone watermarked image and forming the halftone watermarked image in the hologram by creating hologram dots corresponding to the dots in the halftone watermarked image; wherein the watermark is machine readable by executing a watermark decode process on a digital image captured of the holographic structure, the watermark carries authentication information that is compared with information related to an object hearing the holographic structure to authenticate the object, the information related to the object is on the object in human or machine readable form and the information related to the object is stored in a database record indexed by the message carried in the watermark.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
65 words
A watermark reader operable to decode a watermark from a watermarked hologram, the reader comprising: a watermark decoder for detecting a watermark signal in an image scanned from a watermarked hologram; and a message decoder for extracting a message from the watermark signal, the message decoder operable to demodulate the message from a modulated carrier signal embedded in the image scanned from the watermarked hologram.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
65 words
A watermark reader operable to decode a watermark from a watermarked hologram, the reader comprising: a watermark decoder for detecting a watermark signal in an image scanned from a watermarked hologram; and a message decoder for extracting a message from the watermark signal, the message decoder operable to demodulate the message from a modulated carrier signal embedded in the image scanned from the watermarked hologram.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
35 words
The reader of claim 44 wherein the reader is operable to detect the watermark signal from a hologram and control usage of an image scanned from an object bearing the hologram based on the message.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
28 words
The reader of claim 44 wherein the reader is operable to compare the message with information related to an object bearing the watermarked hologram to authenticate the object.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
19 words
The reader of claim 44 wherein the watermarked hologram carries the watermark signal in a pattern of hologram dots.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
31 words
The reader of claim 44 wherein the watermarked hologram carries the watermark signal in a holographic image that is formed by directing light onto a diffraction grating of the watermarked hologram.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
60 words
A watermark reader operable to decode a watermark from a watermarked hologram, the reader comprising: a watermark decoder for detecting a watermark signal in an image scanned from a watermarked hologram; and a message decoder for extracting a message from the watermark signal; and wherein the reader is operable to establish a connection with a network resource using the message.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
60 words
A watermark reader operable to decode a watermark from a watermarked hologram, the reader comprising: a watermark decoder for detecting a watermark signal in an image scanned from a watermarked hologram; and a message decoder for extracting a message from the watermark signal; and wherein the reader is operable to establish a connection with a network resource using the message.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
33 words
The reader of claim 49 wherein the network resource is a network server and the reader is operable to fetch information related to the object from the network server over a computer network.
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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) | 2007-08-24 | 2008-02-23 | 2008-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-08-24 | 2012-02-23 | 2012-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-08-24 | 2016-02-23 | 2016-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |