Abstract: Content identifiers are associated with respective metadata. Through use of the metadata, a user's experience with the content can be enhanced. A variety of other arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: The disclosure describes methods and apparatus of providing steganographic indicia or digital watermarking in image or video data. One implementation provides a method of embedding a digital watermark in image data captured by an imager, with watermark embedding occurring on-chip with the imager. Another implementation provides a method of managing images. Each of the images comprises plural-bit data steganographically embedded therein in the form of a digital watermark, with the plural-bit data corresponding to a geo-location. Yet another implementation provides a method of identifying locations on a map, with the map being for display via a computer display. Still another implementation provides a method of introducing a watermark message to a watermark embedder located on-chip with an image array. Other implementations and embodiments are provided as well.

Abstract: Content identifiers are associated with respective metadata. Through use of the metadata, a user's experience with the content can be enhanced. A variety of other arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: A wireless phone is equipped with a 2D optical sensor, enabling a variety of applications. For example, such a phone may also be provided with a digital watermark decoder, permitting decoding of steganographic data on imaged objects. Movement of a phone may be inferred by sensing movement of an imaged pattern across the optical sensor's field of view, allowing use of the phone as a gestural input device through which a user can signal instructions to a computer-based process. A variety of other arrangements by which electronic devices can interact with the physical world are also detailed, e.g., involving sensing and responding to digital watermarks, bar codes, RFIDs, etc. Other novel arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, e.g., methods, sensors and apparatus that provide steganographic indicia or digital watermarking in image or video data. One implementation provides a method including: determining one or more operating characteristics of a device; based at least on the one or more operating characteristics, adjusting a steganographic embedding process associated with the device; steganographically embedding plural-bit auxiliary data in host content handled or processed by the device according to the adjusted steganographic embedding process. Another implementation provides an image sensor comprising: a controller; an image sensor array; at least one digital watermark detector co-located with the image senor array. The digital watermark detector operates to decode digital watermarks from imagery captured by the image sensor array.

Abstract: Directional albedo of a particular article, such as an identity card, is measured and stored. When the article is later presented, it can be confirmed to be the same particular article by re-measuring the albedo function, and checking for correspondence against the earlier-stored data. The re-measuring can be performed through us of a handheld optical device, such as a camera-equipped cell phone. The albedo function can serve as random key data in a variety of cryptographic applications. The function can be changed during the life of the article. A variety of other features are also detailed.

Abstract: Directional albedo of a particular article, such as an identity card, is measured and stored. When the article is later presented, it can be confirmed to be the same particular article by re-measuring the albedo function, and checking for correspondence against the earlier-stored data. The re-measuring can be performed through us of a handheld optical device, such as a camera-equipped cell phone. The albedo function can serve as random key data in a variety of cryptographic applications. The function can be changed during the life of the article. A variety of other features are also detailed.

Abstract: A method of associating a content object with metadata uses a combination of a content identifier and a bounding identifier to enable handling of disparate sets of content identifiers for content objects with potentially conflicting content identifiers. The method receives a content identifier for a content object from among a set of content identifiers. It provides a unique bounding identifier for the set of content identifiers. This unique bounding identifier is used in combination with the content identifier to form a globally unique identifier for the content object. This globally unique identifier is associated with a metadata source, which enables routing of a user to the metadata source. Another novel method addresses content objects with two or more content identifiers, potentially referencing different metadata sources. This method registers different globally unique identifiers for a content object.

Abstract: The application discloses signals and identification and security documents and methods and systems for authenticating such. In one implementation, a financial instrument or identification document is provided with an organic light emitting diode (OLED) array. The OLED array displays information thereon. The information is preferably correlated to the information on or in the financial instrument or identification document. Other implementations and embodiments are provided as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to digital watermarking and steganography. In one implementation, a method includes receiving permuted or encrypted data generated at a remote computing device, wherein the received data is encrypted or permuted according to a key carried by a digital watermark embedded in a security document; determining whether the received data matches or corresponds to data stored in a data repository, where the data repository indexes data stored therein without associating indexed data to a particular person or to an issued security document; and communicating an authentication indication to the remote computing device in accordance with a result of the act of determining.

Abstract: Content identifiers are associated with respective metadata. Through use of the metadata, a user's experience with the content can be enhanced. A variety of other arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: Directional albedo of a particular article, such as an identity card, is measured and stored. When the article is later presented, it can be confirmed to be the same particular article by re-measuring the albedo function, and checking for correspondence against the earlier-stored data. The re-measuring can be performed through us of a handheld optical device, such as a camera-equipped cell phone. The albedo function can serve as random key data in a variety of cryptographic applications. The function can be changed during the life of the article. A variety of other features are also detailed.

Abstract: A number of novel watermarking applications, and improvements to watermarking methods, are disclosed. Included are techniques for encoding printed circuit boards and street signs with watermarks, deterring credit card fraud and controlling software licensing using watermarks, registering collectibles via watermarks, encoding the margins of printed pages with watermarks, and using watermarks to convey extra information in video by which fidelity of the rendered video may be improved. One particular arrangement is a method in which a PDA, wristwatch, or other portable device with a display screen presents a pattern that includes a machine-readable identifier. This image is sensed by a separate device, such as a webcam or a camera-equipped cell phone. The sensing device can then take an action based on the identifier. In some arrangements, the action is personalized to the user.

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).

Abstract: A method of embedding auxiliary data in coefficients generated for a compressed data stream applies embedding rules to selected coefficients in different blocks to embed the data. The method receives coefficients in a data stream in which the coefficients are divided into blocks. It changes the value of selected coefficients to embed multi-bit message data in the coefficients. The process of changing the coefficients includes controlling changes to the selected coefficients from different blocks so that the relationship of the selected coefficients from the different blocks satisfy an embedding rule. One embedding rule causes the embedded data to form a pattern across the blocks. Another rule causes coefficients of blocks to have a desired phase relationship. Another rule enforces entropy and/or bit rate constraints onto the data stream. These embedding rules facilitate data hiding within bit rate and perceptibility constraints, while increasing robustness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus employing digital watermarking and/or steganography. In one implementation a printer includes watermarking capabilities to facilitate image management. Other implementations are detailed herein as well.

Abstract: Various improvements to data processing systems involve enhancements to BIOS functionality, use of identifiers associated with specific instances of hardware, and data hiding techniques—sometimes alone, sometimes in combination. Many of these improvements can be applied to increase the security of computer systems, and networks of which they form part.

Abstract: A method for issuing a credential includes scanning in documents (e.g., breeder or ID documents) used to verify the applicant of the credential and creating data records including the image of the documents. As a means to reduce fraud, these data records are linked to the credential and to the issuer location, operator and time and place of issuance. If the document includes machine readable information, the method automatically reads the machine readable information from the document and uses at least part of the machine readable information from the document to pre-populate a form used to create a credential, such as an identification document. The method includes applying a transformation to the image of the document that enables protection against fraudulent use. The transformation secures the image of the document from tampering and/or enables tracking of the use of the document image to deter fraud.

Abstract: A method for decoding auxiliary data from media signals in multimedia content decodes auxiliary data, including digital watermarks, from different media signals and uses the watermarks to control processing of the multimedia content. A copy control method decodes a watermark from one of the media signals in multimedia content, and uses the watermark to control processing of the multimedia content. Another method uses a watermark decoded from a first media signal to decode a second media signal. Yet another method uses a watermark decoded from a media signal to decode metadata associated with the media signal. Finally, another method forms a key for decoding data from at least first and second watermarks extracted from first and second media signals.

Abstract: An image is processed to encode a digital watermark, with different regions thereof processed using different levels of watermark intensity. In an image comprised of elements of differing sizes (e.g., halftone shapes of different sizes, or lines of different width), the different regions can be defined by reference to the sizes of elements contained therein. Regions characterized by relatively small elements can be watermarked at a relatively low intensity. Regions characterized by relatively large elements can be watermarked at a relatively high intensity. A variety of other features are also discussed.