US6985600B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printing media and methods employing digital watermarking
Assignee: Digimarc Corp
•
Filing: 2001-03-15
•
Granted: 2006-01-10
•
Expires: 2021-03-15
Abstract
Abstract Stationery, or other printable media, is encoded with a digital watermark. The watermark is not conspicuous to a human observer of the media, yet conveys plural bits of auxiliary information when optically scanned and digitally processed. The watermark can be formed by ink-jet printing, or otherwise. The encoded information can be used for various purposes, including authenticating the document as an original, linking to associated on-line resources, and distinguishing seemingly-identical versions of the same document (document serialization).
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey B. Rhoads
- 👤 Aruna B. Kumar
- 👤 Trent J. Brundage
- 👤 Brett T. Hannigan
- 👤 Tony F. Rodriguez
- 👤 J. Scott Carr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:14
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/0002; G06T7/0004; G06T7/001; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J29/00; B41J29/38; B41J29/393; B41J3/00; B41J3/407; B41M; B41M3/00; B41M3/10; B42; B42D; B42D15/00; B42D15/0073; B42D15/0093; B42D25/00; B42D25/20; B42D25/29; D; D21; D21H; D21H21/00; D21H21/14; D21H21/40; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/50; G03G15/5029; G03G15/65; G03G15/6588; G03G15/6594; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/341; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/401; G06Q20/4014; G06Q20/40145; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/02; G06T1/00; G06T1/0021; G06T1/005; G06T1/0071; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/22; G07C9/25; G07C9/253; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/003; G07D7/0032; G07D7/0034; G07D7/004; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/16; G07F17/26; 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; G11B20/00413; 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; H04N1/00092; H04N1/00681; H04N1/00684; H04N1/00726; H04N1/00962; H04N1/00968; H04N1/23; H04N1/2307; H04N1/2323; H04N1/2369; H04N1/32; H04N1/32101; H04N1/32144; H04N1/32149; H04N1/32203; H04N1/32208; H04N1/32219; H04N1/32251; H04N1/32261; H04N1/32288; H04N1/32304; H04N1/32309; H04N1/32352; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/91; H04N5/913; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/14; B29C45/1418; B41M3/14; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00362; G03G2215/00443; G03G2215/00451; G06T2201/00; G06T2201/005; G06T2201/0051; G06T2201/0052; G06T2201/0061; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/30; G06T2207/30108; G06T2207/30144; 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; H04N2201/3249; H04N2201/3269; H04N2201/327; H04N2201/3271; H04N2201/328
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 67
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet encodes multi-bit binary data, the presence of said multi-bit binary data not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the multi-bit binary data can be recovered.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet encodes multi-bit binary data, the presence of said multi-bit binary data not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the multi-bit binary data can be recovered.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The substrate of claim 1 in which the substrate has been processed with ink to form the steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The substrate of claim 2 in which the ink is clear ink.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The substrate of claim 2 in which the ink is speckled across at least a part of the substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The substrate of claim 1 in which the substrate has been textured to form the steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The substrate of claim 1 in which the digital watermark pattern extends across an entire face of the substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The substrate of claim 1 in which the digital watermark pattern is restricted to certain areas of said substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The substrate of claim 1 in which the substrate has first and second sides, and only the first side has a watermark pattern.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The substrate of claim 1 in which the substrate has first and second sides, and both sides have watermark patterns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The substrate of claim 1 in which the digital watermark pattern is manifested in a laminate layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The substrate of claim 1 in which said multi-bit binary data comprise an identifier, said identifier serving to convey information indicative of an electronic address.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The substrate of claim 11 in which the identifier comprises a pointer into a remote data structure, the remote data structure storing an electronic address corresponding to said substrate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The substrate of claim 1 in which the watermark pattern conveys a steganographic orientation signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The substrate of claim 1 in which the multi-bit binary data comprise serialization information, permitting the printed object to be uniquely identified from other, seemingly identical, printed objects.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The substrate of claim 1 in which the watermark pattern is formed on a side of said substrate opposite a side to which final end-user printing is later applied.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The substrate of claim 1 comprising printing stock for a security document such as a banknote.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
9 words
The substrate of claim 1 comprising a printed check.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The substrate of claim 1 wherein said multi-bit binary data correspond to said pattern in accordance with an algorithmic transformation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
117 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the substrate has been processed with ink to form the steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon, and the ink forms a mesh of thin lines.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
117 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the substrate has been processed with ink to form the steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon, and the ink forms a mesh of thin lines.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The substrate of claim 19 in which the mesh of thin lines comprise a single pattern that is tiled across the substrate, the pattern being arranged so that lines located at adjoining tile edges meet without discontinuity.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
120 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the substrate has been processed with ink to form the steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon, and the ink serves to impart a colored tint to the substrate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
120 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the substrate has been processed with ink to form the steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon, and the ink serves to impart a colored tint to the substrate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
104 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein said processing locally changes an ink absorption attribute of the substrate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
104 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein said processing locally changes an ink absorption attribute of the substrate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
112 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the digital watermark pattern degrades when photocopied, so that the printed object can be distinguished from a photocopy thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
112 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the digital watermark pattern degrades when photocopied, so that the printed object can be distinguished from a photocopy thereof.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The substrate of claim 23 comprising a second digital watermark pattern, the second pattern being robust against photocopying.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
118 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein a first region of the substrate conveys a first watermark payload, and a second, different region of the substrate conveys a second, different watermark payload.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
118 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein a first region of the substrate conveys a first watermark payload, and a second, different region of the substrate conveys a second, different watermark payload.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
118 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the plural bits of digital information serve to identify the type of substrate to a printer, so that the printer can tailor print parameters accordingly.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
118 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the plural bits of digital information serve to identify the type of substrate to a printer, so that the printer can tailor print parameters accordingly.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
132 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the plural bits of digital information can be decoded from said substrate only by a user having secret knowledge, wherein a first end user cannot decode information encoded on a substrate of a second end user, and vice versa.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
132 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the plural bits of digital information can be decoded from said substrate only by a user having secret knowledge, wherein a first end user cannot decode information encoded on a substrate of a second end user, and vice versa.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
98 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, vet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the substrate comprises an envelope.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
98 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, vet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the substrate comprises an envelope.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
97 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, vet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the substrate comprises stationery.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
97 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, vet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the substrate comprises stationery.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
102 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, vet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the substrate comprises blank magazine or newspaper printing stock.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
102 words
A substrate to which final user printing can be later applied to yield a final printed object, characterized in that the substrate has been processed prior to final user printing to yield a steganographic digital watermark pattern thereon that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, vet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the substrate comprises blank magazine or newspaper printing stock.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of processing a blank substrate prior to final printing by an end-user, the method comprising forming a steganographic digital watermark pattern on the substrate that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet encodes multi-bit binary data, the presence of said multi-bit binary data not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the multi-bit binary data can be recovered.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of processing a blank substrate prior to final printing by an end-user, the method comprising forming a steganographic digital watermark pattern on the substrate that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet encodes multi-bit binary data, the presence of said multi-bit binary data not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the multi-bit binary data can be recovered.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 31 that includes forming said pattern by applying ink to the substrate.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 32 that includes forming said pattern by ink-jet printing.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 31 that includes forming said pattern by texturing the substrate.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 34 in which the texture is applied by force of pressure.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 34 in which the texture is formed by embossing.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 34 in which the texture is formed by an intaglio plate.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 31 in which the watermark pattern conveys a steganographic orientation signal.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 31 in which the pattern is formed on the substrate after delivery of the substrate to the end-user, rather than previously—as by a producer or supplier of said substrate.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 31 in which the pattern is formed on the substrate prior to delivery of the substrate to the end user—as by a producer or supplier of said substrate, rather than after.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 31 in which the pattern is formed of ink, and the ink is chosen to optimize watermark detection in the presence of expected illumination spectra.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 31 in which the watermark pattern is formed on a side of said substrate opposite a side to which final end-user printing is later applied.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
12 words
A blank substrate produced according to the method of claim 31 .
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said multi-bit binary data correspond to said pattern in accordance with an algorithmic transformation.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of processing a blank substrate prior to final printing by an end-user, the method comprising forming a steganographic digital watermark pattern on the substrate that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the digital watermark pattern is designed to degrade when photocopied, so that the original printed substrate can be distinguished from a photocopy thereof.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of processing a blank substrate prior to final printing by an end-user, the method comprising forming a steganographic digital watermark pattern on the substrate that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the digital watermark pattern is designed to degrade when photocopied, so that the original printed substrate can be distinguished from a photocopy thereof.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of processing a blank substrate prior to final printing by an end-user, the method comprising forming a steganographic digital watermark pattern on the substrate that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, vet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the method further includes passing the processed substrate through a printer for end-user printing, recognizing the pattern thereon, and tailoring a printing parameter accordingly.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of processing a blank substrate prior to final printing by an end-user, the method comprising forming a steganographic digital watermark pattern on the substrate that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, vet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the method further includes passing the processed substrate through a printer for end-user printing, recognizing the pattern thereon, and tailoring a printing parameter accordingly.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of processing a blank substrate prior to final printing by an end-user, the method comprising forming a steganographic digital watermark pattern on the substrate that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered, wherein: the substrate has a photographic emulsion thereon; the pattern is formed by exposing the emulsion with a noise-like pattern; and the pattern is detectable after developing of the substrate.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of processing a blank substrate prior to final printing by an end-user, the method comprising forming a steganographic digital watermark pattern on the substrate that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered, wherein: the substrate has a photographic emulsion thereon; the pattern is formed by exposing the emulsion with a noise-like pattern; and the pattern is detectable after developing of the substrate.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of processing a blank substrate prior to final printing by an end-user, the method comprising forming a steganographic digital watermark pattern on the substrate that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the pattern is defined by generating a tile specifying one of N luminance values for each of plural different areas, consolidating the N values down to M, where M is less than N, and then forming lines between said areas in response to said consolidated luminance values.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of processing a blank substrate prior to final printing by an end-user, the method comprising forming a steganographic digital watermark pattern on the substrate that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the pattern is defined by generating a tile specifying one of N luminance values for each of plural different areas, consolidating the N values down to M, where M is less than N, and then forming lines between said areas in response to said consolidated luminance values.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 48 that further includes allowing a user to specify line criteria, including whether the lines are straight or curved, and if curved, the criteria therefore.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of processing a blank substrate prior to final printing by an end-user, the method comprising forming a steganographic digital watermark pattern on the substrate that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the plural bits of digital information can be decoded from said substrate only by a user having secret knowledge, wherein a first end user cannot decode information encoded on a substrate of a second end user, and vice versa.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of processing a blank substrate prior to final printing by an end-user, the method comprising forming a steganographic digital watermark pattern on the substrate that does not impair subsequent use of the substrate, yet conveys plural bits of digital information, the presence of said information not being apparent to a human observer of the substrate, said steganographic pattern being detectable by visible-light scanning of the substrate to yield data from which the plural bit information can be recovered; wherein the plural bits of digital information can be decoded from said substrate only by a user having secret knowledge, wherein a first end user cannot decode information encoded on a substrate of a second end user, and vice versa.
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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) | 2009-01-09 | 2009-07-11 | 2010-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-01-09 | 2013-07-11 | 2014-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-01-09 | 2017-07-11 | 2018-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |