Abstract: A writing apparatus that writes stored information into a chip which has been embedded in an individual being a living body, a reading apparatus that reads the stored information which is stored in the chip, and a management server. The stored information includes at least chip identification information that enables the chip to be distinguished from other chips, and movement history information that includes a movement history of the individual. The movement history is generated on a basis of a zip code and a date and a time of arrival at a predetermined region corresponding to the zip code. The chip identification information and the movement history information are stored in association with each other in the management server.

Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking image senders using client devices are described herein. A computing system may receive an image containing a first watermark vector corresponding to a user account of an image sender. The computing system may convert the image to a frequency domain image that contains the first watermark vector. From the frequency domain image, the computing system may identify the first watermark vector. The computing system may compare the first watermark vector to each of a plurality of stored watermark vectors, each corresponding to a known user account, to determine a probability of a match. The computing system may determine the user account of the sender of the image by determining which of the plurality of stored watermark vectors has a highest probability of a match, and may send, to a workplace administrator platform, an indication of the user account.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for signal identification using a low power watermark. Example apparatus for media identification based on watermarks includes a first processor to determine, in response to receiving a signal, if a first watermark is present in the signal using a first processing technique. The example first processor is further to provoke, in response to the first watermark being present in the signal, a second processing technique on a signal processor. The signal processor is to extract a second watermark in the signal using the second processing technique.

Abstract: A method and a device for searching for images in memory containing at least one or more images and, for each image, at least one sensor fingerprint associated with the image and related to the sensor that acquired the image includes a reading phase, wherein a search sensor fingerprint is read, a compression phase, wherein the search sensor fingerprint and at least one of the sensor fingerprints associated with the images are compressed by using a random projection technique, and a searching phase, wherein the images contained in the memory are either selected or discarded by comparing the sensor fingerprints of the images with the search sensor fingerprint.

Abstract: The present invention relates to both systems and methods for product authentication. Unique identifiers are associated with products. Said identifiers are captured through a camera of the client device and transmitted to authentication server; whereupon said authentication server authenticates the products by contacting an authentication database would manufacturer-provided authentication information.

Abstract: An image processor performs: determining a dot value indicating a dot formation state, the determining including: in a case where a target pixel is not an edge pixel and a first dot forming condition is satisfied, setting the dot value to a value indicating forming a first dot; and in a case where a second dot forming condition is satisfied, setting the dot value to a value indicating forming a second dot; determining a distribution error value, the determining including: in the case where the target pixel is not the edge pixel and the first dot forming condition is satisfied, setting the distribution error value to a value corresponding to a density of the first dot; and in the case where the second dot forming condition is satisfied, setting the distribution error value to a smaller value than a value corresponding to a density of the second dot.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for broadcast of additional content such as metadata required for client specific interactive application in an analog domain along with conventional audio, video and PSI or SI data. The present invention enables transmission of encoded audio data or EPG data, timestamp information required for audio video synchronization referred to as metadata by embedding such metadata in the pixels of video pixels and then encoding by the standard video encoder to generate an encoded stream. The encoded stream is decoded using the standard video decoder at the receiving station to generate a Composite Video Blanking and Sync (CVBS) analog video signal. From the CVBS signal, the RGB or YUV pixels of the videos are extracted. Finally a data extractor module retrieves the embedded metadata from the RGB or YUV pixels.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to signal processing, including processing digital watermarking. One claim recites a detector apparatus comprising: memory for storing data representing color image data comprising red color data and green color data, in which the red color data comprises digital watermarking including a first polarity and the green color data comprises the digital watermarking including a second polarity that is inversely related to the first polarity; means for selectively weighting the red color data and the green color data so that the digital watermarking is emphasized while image content is de-emphasized when weighted red color data and weighted green color data are combined; means for detecting the digital watermarking from combined, weighted red color data and weighted green color data; and more or more processors configured for outputting data corresponding to detected digital watermarking. Of course, different combinations and claims are provided too.

Abstract: In a method of distributing content in plural fragments, each fragment being no longer than a given maximum fragment length, a method of watermarking the content prior to fragmenting the content into the plural fragments, comprising watermarking a given payload symbol from a given alphabet in a given segment of the content, and treating a segment prior to or following the given segment as an intermediary segment, the length of this intermediary segment being substantially equal to or greater than the maximum fragment length.

Abstract: A method for preparing content for watermarking is disclosed. The content is available in different versions on a server for at least a client and the different versions of the content are subdivided into temporally aligned chunks. For each version of the content, candidate locations for watermarking are obtained. A watermark payload bit insertion rate is determined according to a minimum path. Watermark embedding metadata is generated for each version of the content such that the watermark payload bit insertion rate is the same. A device for implementing the method and a non-transitory program storage device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for decoding a signal on an electronic device is described. The method includes receiving a signal. The method also includes extracting a bitstream from the signal. The method further includes performing watermark error checking on the bitstream for multiple frames. The method additionally includes determining whether watermark data is detected based on the watermark error checking. The method also includes decoding the bitstream to obtain a decoded second signal if the watermark data is not detected.

Abstract: A method and a device for analyzing trafficability use a computer to perform the following steps: receiving image data representing an image of surroundings in front of a vehicle, analyzing the image data to identify different zones in the image of the surroundings, and analyzing the identified different zones in terms of trafficability thereof for the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for adding dynamic labels to a file and encrypting the file, after having the file be converted and added at least one label related to information about the file and user, the file is encrypted for reading after decryption. First, transferring at least one file by a file upload unit; converting the file from the file upload unit into PDF format by a first file conversion unit, and adding at least one label corresponding to information about the file and its users via a label-adding unit; encrypting the file from the first file conversion unit by an encryption unit to form an encrypted file, and then generating a decryption key corresponding to the encrypted file; saving the encrypted file and the decryption key respectively in a first storage unit and a second storage unit.

Abstract: A computing device may identify a series of bits representative of a first binary large object (BLOB) for navigation data including road segments and road attributes. The computing device duplicates each bit of the series of bits a predetermined number of times to form a first bit string. The first bit string is larger than the series of bits by a factor of the predetermined number. The computing device performs a binary difference of the first bit string to a second bit string representative of a second BLOB. A result of the binary difference is stored in a navigation patch file.

Abstract: A method of encoding a hidden image in high frequency spatial frequencies of a line pattern of a host image. A set of host image spatial frequencies is generated based on a predefined mapping of a domain of a set of representative scalar values of the hidden image and a domain of the host image spatial frequencies. The line pattern of the host image is generated based on the set of host image spatial frequencies. The host image may be composed of tiles containing parallel line segments, with each tile encoding a corresponding one of the scalar values. The host image may be composed of a stochastic line pattern generated from a white noise image convolved with a space variable kernel based on the predefined domain mapping. The hidden image may be decoded algorithmically or optically in a single step.

Abstract: System and methods for storage and access of job ticket values. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a job ticket controller that receives a print job and an associated job ticket, and processes the job ticket to identify a group of logical pages that share common attribute values. The job ticket controller caches a shared copy of the attribute values in memory for the group, and identifies static attribute values and dynamic attribute values in the shared copy. Responsive to a request to update a dynamic attribute value of a logical page that belongs to the group, the job ticket controller copies the dynamic attribute values to a separate copy, performs the update, and then provides the separate copy and the static attribute values of the shared copy in response to a request of attribute information of the logical page.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: search for packet losses; determine a type of a frame wherein at least one packet loss took place and amount of lost information; determine events affecting user experience based on the type of the frame and the amount of lost information; estimate a first quality indicating parameter for each of the events affecting user experience, wherein the first quality parameter comprises objective quality information, and estimate a second quality indicating parameter by using the first quality indicating parameter, wherein the second quality indicating parameter comprises subjective quality information.

Abstract: Video media subscribers attempt to circumvent embedded ads in downloads by modifying the media files to render only the content feature. A media program is defined as an integrated set of media files including the requested content feature and the accompanying promotional materials. Media files associated with a particular content feature are stored as an integrated whole, and security tokens computed on selected random portions of the collection of media files that define the media program (content feature and interspersed ads). A hash engine computes a security token on selected blocks of the media files. The security tokens and corresponding metadata are stored in a secure repository. Before rendering the content feature, the hash values are recomputed on the downloaded media program; and compared to the corresponding locations from the stored hash values and metadata.

Abstract: The invention relates to an identification document (21) comprising a non-transparent core (6), and one or more layers of a transparent material (14) arranged on at least a back (13) or a front surface (12) of said core. In order to achieve an identification document where forgery attempts are visibly detectable, the identification document (21) has a translucent security element in a region (7) where the thickness of the non-transparent core (6) material is smaller as compared to the thickness of the non-transparent core material in other parts of said core (6).

Abstract: A multilayer structure contains a first security element, in particular a watermark or pseudo-watermark. A diffusing structure having a diffusing region that at least partially covers the first security element. A first luminescent layer at least partially covers the first security element and is capable of emitting a visible light of a first color when subjected to a predefined excitation radiation. The first luminescent layer extends between the first security element and the diffusing structure or the diffusing structure extends between the first security element and the first luminescent layer. In one variation, the first security element is observable in light transmitted through the multilayer structure when the structure is subjected to a predefined excitation radiation and/or in white light, only from the face of the structure situated on the same side as the first security element.

Abstract: An umbrella case comprising a pouch having a bottom end and a top end, such that a collapsed umbrella can be inserted into the pouch through an aperture in the top end, an enclosure member configured to selectively close the aperture of the top end, and one or more connecting members configured to be selectively coupled with components of a stroller or other device. The pouch can have corresponding fasteners that can be selectively coupled with one another to adjust the length of the pouch.

Abstract: Responsibility can be established for specific copies or instances of copies of digitized multimedia content using digital watermarks. Management and distribution of digital watermark keys (e.g., private, semiprivate and public) and the extension of information associated with such keys is implemented to create a mechanism for the securitization of multimedia titles to which the keys apply. Bandwidth rights can be created to provide for a distributed model for digital distribution of content which combines the security of a digital watermark with efficient barter mechanisms for handling the actual delivery of digital goods. Distributed keys better define rights that are traded between transacting parties in exchanging information or content. More than one party can cooperate in adding distinguished watermarks at various stages of distribution without destroying watermarks previously placed in the content.

Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus to authenticate a sequence of video frames includes a process to choose intra-frames of the sequence and sample DC components thereof to produce a set of test fingerprints. To reduce a dimensionality of the test fingerprints, the DC components of the chosen intra-frames are multiplied by a projection matrix formed of eigenvectors associated with the larger eigenvalues of a covariance matrix for a library of frames. The projected test fingerprints are compared against a reference set of fingerprints for authentication. Time-stamp spacings of the chosen intra-frames are determined, and these spacings are employed to select candidate frames for authentication in the reference set of fingerprints.

Abstract: A watermark generator for providing a watermark signal in dependence on binary message data, the watermark generator has an information spreader configured to spread an information unit to a plurality of time-frequency-domain values, to obtain a spread information representation. The watermark generator also has a synchronization inserter configured to multiplicatively combine the spread information representation with a synchronization sequence to obtain a combined information-synchronization representation. The watermark generator also has a watermark signal provider configured to provide the watermark signal on the basis of the combined information-synchronization representation. A watermark decoder, methods and computer programs are also described.

Abstract: The method for restricting access to sensitive contents of digital images using the digital watermarking technique for encoding and decoding sensitive contents of images is characterized in that the sensitive contents of an image are obscured, and the information necessary for the high quality reconstruction is encoded in the insensitive area of the transmitted image by modification of the DCT spectrum coefficients. The information concerning the obscured contents is retained by means of transform coefficients and processed independently. Noise with statistics identical to that of the digital watermark is inserted into the image after decoding. The system contains encoding unit including acquisition module connected with sensitive contents encoding module through sensitive patterns automatic detection module with attached memory buffer. Also, acquisition module is connected directly with sensitive contents encoding module and with compression module.

Abstract: Methods and systems for watermarking of digital images are presented. In one aspect, a method of embedding information in a digital image includes transforming the digital image to a set of coefficient blocks having coefficients in a frequency domain, embedding a watermark-indicator in one or more of the coefficient blocks, and embedding a watermark in one or more watermark blocks that have a predetermined number of coefficient blocks. The embedded watermark is substantially invisible in the output watermarked digital image. Another aspect is a method of extracting a watermark from a digital image that includes transforming a digital image to a coefficient matrix, determining if the digital image is watermarked based on a predetermined watermark-indicator, and retrieving a watermark from a projected watermark block of a projected watermark block distribution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for securing a colored or uncoloured translucent or opaque object (1), in which a sticker (2) is affixed to the back of the object (1), said sticker comprising: a substrate including a watermark or pseudo-watermark (4) which is sufficiently transparent to allow the object (1) to be seen through the watermark or pseudo-watermark (4); and a luminescent agent which is positioned at least partially over the watermark or pseudo-watermark (4) between the watermark or pseudo-watermark (4) and the object (1).

Abstract: A method of watermarking an image. A visible watermark is inserted in the image to obtain a visibly watermarked image. Information allowing removal of the visible watermark is protected to obtain protected information that is inserted as an invisible watermark in the visibly watermarked image to obtain a visibly and invisibly watermarked image. The information allowing removal of the visible watermark may be image values of the pixels to be covered by the visible watermark and, possibly, the position and size of the visible watermark, in which case these values are first memorized. The visible watermark may be opaque. Also provided are an apparatus for inserting the watermarks, a method for removing the visible watermark, essentially by performing the method “in a mirror”, and an apparatus for removing the visible watermark.

Abstract: The presently claimed invention relates generally to confirming that a user has physical custody of an article (e.g., credit card, identification document, etc.). One claim recites a method reciting: at a user's home, presenting a physical article to an input device; and, after the presenting, receiving device data at a CPU at said user's home; deriving a reduced-bit representation of the device data; by reference to at least some of said reduced-bit representation of the device data, confirming that the user has physical custody of the physical article, the physical article having an identifier associated therewith; and providing said identifier to a remote terminal once physical custody of the physical article is confirmed. Of course, additional combinations and claims are provided as well.

Abstract: The present invention enables creating authenticable continuous tone color multi-ink multi-halftone images offering means of verifying their authenticity. The invention relies on color halftones, color separation into different ink surface coverages for different halftoning methods, mapping of an input gamut into a gamut defined by a set of inks, calculating the optimal boundary between region halftones created with different halftoning methods, and color multi-halftone image generation. The basic authentication is performed by examining the color multi-halftone image under a reference illumination and verifying that the message incorporated within the color multi-halftone is hidden and revealed under a different illumination. Authentication can further be performed by observing the color multi-halftone image both in reflection and transmission modes and verifying that in one of these modes the message is hidden and that in the other mode the message is revealed.

Abstract: A variety of systems and embodiments are disclosed. One embodiment provides a method including: maintaining a database including a plurality of records stored therein; obtaining first information derived from image or video data, the first information being derived remotely relative to performance of said method, the first information comprising a reduced-bit representation of the image or video data itself; determining whether the first information has been previously received with reference to at least the plurality of records stored in the database; and disregarding a request or action associated with the first information if the first information has been previously received. Of course, other combinations are provided and claimed as well.

Abstract: The present invention aims that in a printing environment holding only a print instruction and a print data, a printing system capable of updating, changing, correcting, etc. only an additional drawing object is provided by holding an instruction about printing of an additional drawing object (added information) based on the print instruction. In printing out print data on a target page with an additional drawing object added, a job ticket generation means generates a job ticket according to the information about an additional drawing object and instruction information about the printout. Printout means perform printout based on the job ticket generated by the job ticket generating means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protection of products and packaging against counterfeiting using dedicated authentication protocol coupled with portable devices. It is based on the product identification information, i.e., PIN, generated by the product manufacturer, stored in the product database and added to product or packaging in an open and/or a hidden form. The open part is directly available to the consumer before buying, opening or consuming the product or package or damaging its integrity while the hidden part is only revealed after these operations. The hidden information can also be disappearing after a predefined interval of time or number of trials or usages. Both parts are communicated to the authentication server in a predefined order to verify the product or package authenticity. The presence, absence, or multiple requests for the same product PIN, confirm or reject product authenticity or detect attempt at attacking the system or using counterfeited products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a see-through security element (12), for security papers, value documents and the like, having at least one micropattern having a visual appearance that is viewing-angle dependent when looked through (26, 28). According to the present invention, the at least one micropattern is formed from an arrangement of a plurality of pattern elements (24) having a characteristic pattern spacing of 1 ?m or more, and the see-through security element (12) exhibits a total thickness of 50 ?m or less.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method of embedding information into an image comprises dividing the image into a plurality of blocks, providing a plurality of embedded blocks corresponding to the plurality of blocks, respectively, each of the embedded blocks having the same size as each of the blocks when each of the blocks is smaller than a predetermined size, each of the embedded blocks having the predetermined size and being placed at the center of each the block when each of the blocks is not smaller than the predetermined size and selectively modifying the characteristic value of each of the embedded blocks in accordance with the information to be embedded.

Abstract: A security paper for producing security documents, such as bank notes, identity cards or the like, having at least one opening, whereby the opening is produced during papermaking and does not have a sharp limiting edge in the edge area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for creating and utilizing hidden tags on goods, associated labels and/or associated promotional materials related to such goods or to certain services that are only visible through the use of a viewing device.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a user to retrieve, decode, and utilize hidden data embedded in audio signals. An exemplary implementation includes a microphone structured to receive sound waves representative of an audio signal and hidden data embedded in the audio signal. The then microphone converts the received sound waves into an electrical output signal. The system also includes a processor electrically coupled to the microphone and configured to receive the electrical output signal in order to extract the hidden data and provide information represented by the hidden data as an output thereof. A user interface is also provided and is electrically coupled to the processor and configured to receive a first input from the user and activate the processor to selectively initiate extraction of the hidden data. The processor produces as an output the information represented by the hidden data. Finally, the system includes a user presentation mechanism configured to present the information to the user.

Abstract: A verifiable/copy-protected document features a combination of nearly identical line-screen patterns for embedding latent images within visually integrated settings. The latent images can be detected for purposes of verification with a matching viewer but are indistinguishable from their visually integrated settings under ordinary viewing conditions. The line-screen patterns, which can be incorporated into document artwork, are printed at certain combinations of line frequencies and print densities so that the line-screen patterns digitally reproduce as a largely undifferentiated solid tint.

Abstract: A technique to ensure watermarking a highest selected layer for decoding when receiving a scalable coded bitstream having a plurality of bitstream layers. In one technique, the watermark is associated only with the highest layer that is selected from the hierarchically arranged layers and not in any of the lower layers of the hierarchy. In another technique, the watermarks are present in all the layers, but each lower layer watermark is compensated in a next higher layer to remove effects of the presence of the lower layer watermark in the next higher layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward improvements in security substrates, such as paper, used for making security documents, such as bank notes, having anti-counterfeit able features and in particular to security substrates incorporating an elongate security element and methods of making the substrate. The invention comprises a security substrate for making security documents and the like comprising a fibrous base substrate and an elongate security element at least partially embedded therein. At one surface of the security substrate one portion of the security element is exposed to provide a continuous track along the length of the security element. A plurality of other portions along at least one edge of the security element are partially covered by overlapping regions of the fibrous substrate. The invention further comprises a method of manufacturing such a security substrate.

Abstract: A method for deterring information copying, includes: combining a watermark serial number incorporate in a given medium with a content serial number to create a combined serial number, the watermark serial number uniquely identifies the given medium, and the content serial number uniquely identifies a content stored on the given medium; creating a digital signature by encoding the combined serial number using a private key of a public/private key pair; imprinting the content serial number and the digital signature on the given medium; decoding the digital signature imprinted on the given medium using a public key of the public/private key pair to obtain the combined serial number; comparing the decoded combined serial number with the watermark serial number and the content serial number imprinted of the given medium; and in response to determining that both match the combined serial number, determining that the content is authentic.

Abstract: Conventionally, during a copy operation, certain advanced mode settings make the extraction of additional security information impossible. In order to solve this problem, the print control apparatus includes: determining unit for determining an interval between a pattern element and a pattern element adjacent to the pattern element from the received image data; and control unit for performing a control so as to scale the image at a magnification specified by a user and have the scaled image printed by a printing apparatus when the product of the magnification specified by the user and the interval determined by the determining unit falls within a predetermined range, and configured to terminate or interrupt the printing of the image by the printing apparatus when the product of the magnification specified by the user and the interval determined by the determining unit does not fall within the predetermined range.

Abstract: The invention concerns a security document comprising a translucent carrier substrate, in particular of paper and/or plastic material, and at least one security element which is applied to the carrier substrate or embedded in the carrier substrate and which presents at least one image when viewed in the transillumination mode from at least a first side of the security document and simulates a presence of at least a first watermark in the carrier substrate, wherein the security element has at least region-wise at least one layer which simulates the first watermark, wherein the at least one layer of the security element, that simulates the first watermark, imparts thereto unexpected optical effects in relation to security elements with conventional watermarks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing data leakage facilitated by steganography is provided. In one embodiment, the method for preventing data leakage caused by steganography without perceptual quality degradation comprises processing content being transmitted from a computer, wherein the content comprises steganographic data; and before the transmission, modifying the steganographic data to corrupt hidden information within the content without perceptual quality degradation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a methodology, apparatus and product, of combining a void pantograph security feature with a faux watermark feature creating a resilient void pantograph digitally manipulated in an electronic format and printed through any digital platform from high resolution output devices such as but not limited to film/plate image setters used in standard offset printing, high speed commercial digital ink or toner based presses and printers, and low resolution output devices such as all ink/toner based desktop printers, multifunction printers, in which the amalgamation of the two features authenticate the other feature to produce a document security feature which is self authenticable. Such electronic format can conveniently be issued on-demand onto plain paper using any digital output device driven by an executable software, print driver and/or printer firmware application.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security paper for producing value documents, such as bank notes or the like, which includes a creasable, multilayer substrate having at least one paper layer and at least one film, and to a method for producing such a security paper.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is supplied capable of, with respect to a manuscript in which watermark information 25 are buried, limiting an ease copy of manuscript whose watermark information can not be analyzed through stopping the copy of the manuscript according to the degradation state of the watermark information. In the image forming apparatus having copy function, a reading section to read manuscript on which watermark information are buried in an image; a judging section to judge the degradation state of the watermark information; and a controlling section to stop copy of the read manuscript when the watermark information is judged degrading are provided.

Abstract: We provide techniques for uniquely linking security elements in identification documents. In one implementation we provide a digital watermark embedded on, and a smartcard chip embedded in, an identification document. The smart card chip includes a hash or a reduced-bit representation of the digital watermark, while the digital watermark includes a hash of information stored on the smartcard chip. In another implementation we cross-correlate encryption keys carried by various machine-readable features on an identification document. In still another implementation, we embed biometric information, which is stored in smartcard electronic circuitry, with a digital watermark. In one case the watermark is reversible, so that it can be removed to yield unmarked biometric information. In another case the watermark is fragile, to reveal whether the biometric information has been subjected to a transformation. In yet another implementation, we provide a jurisdictional indicator on an identification document.

Abstract: A system to print a security document and a control method thereof. The printing system simplifies a security procedure, and minimizes or prevents the security document from being illegally copied or copied without authorization. The printing system includes an input unit which receives an authenticator to copy the security document, and an output unit which determines whether the authenticator is equal to an authentication mark on the security document, and copies the security document in different ways according to the determined result.