Abstract: The present invention relates to linking on-line data to printed documents, such as business cards, envelopes, stickers, stationary, letterhead, résumés, etc. In one embodiment, a card-user registers with an on-line database and receives a gallery item including a steganographically-embedded unique identifier. The gallery item, such as a graphical background, text, shading, graphic, etc., is integrated and then printed with a document. The printed document can then be presented an optical-scanner, which outputs data. The output data is decoded to identify the unique identifier. The unique identifier is then used to index into the on-line database to retrieve information related to the proprietor of the document. In one embodiment, the on-line database includes features such as providing an immediate contact number, translation and/or pronunciation ability, and storage of audio/video files.

Abstract: Watermarks and related machine-readable coding techniques are used to embed data within the information content on object surfaces. These techniques may be used as a substitute for (or in combination with) standard machine-readable coding methods such as bar codes, magnetic stripes, etc. As such, the coding techniques extend to many applications, such as linking objects with network resources, retail point of sale applications, object tracking and counting, production control, object sorting, etc. Object message data, including information about the object, machine instructions, or an index, may be hidden in the surface media of the object. An object messaging system includes an embedder and reader. The embedder converts an object message to an object reference, and encodes this reference in a watermarked signal applied to the object. The reader detects the presence of a watermark and decodes the watermark signal to extract the object reference.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a method for encoding a digital watermark into an image signal that is robust to geometric distortion. The digital watermark is adapted to the host image signal in which it is embedded so as to be imperceptible or substantially imperceptible in the watermarked image when displayed or printed. This digital watermark may be used to determine the geometric distortion applied to a watermarked image, may be used to carry auxiliary information, and may be used to detect and decode a digital watermark embedded in a geometrically distorted version of a watermarked image. Because of its robustness to geometric distortion, the digital watermark is useful for a number of applications for embedding auxiliary data in image signals, including still pictures and video, where the image signal is expected to survive geometric distortion. This method may adapted to other types of media signals such as audio.

Abstract: User attribute data, such as a retinal scan, is encoded into a media signal as it is captured in media capture device, such as a camera, video recorder, etc. The user attribute data uniquely associates the creator with the content he or she creates. By steganographically embedding the user attribute data into the content at or near the time of capture, the creator of the content can be authenticated at a subsequent time. In addition, alteration of the content can be detected.

Abstract: Security of photographic identification documents is enhanced by embedding within the photographic image encoded information that may be correlated to other information pertaining to the individual represented by the image, such other information being, for example, printed on the document adjacent to the photograph.

Abstract: Digital watermarking technology is used in conjunction with map data, such as is acquired by satellite and other aerial sensors. The watermarks are used to track metadata, provide serialization and forensic tracking, help auto-correlate image data, and quilt together related imagery. One aspect of the present invention contemplates that incoming imagery is automatically geo-referenced and combined with previously collected data sets so as to facilitate generation of revised composite maps. Another aspect of the present invention associates geovector information with a photograph via a digital watermark.

Abstract: The present invention relates to embedding a document with multiple watermark components at different printing stages. A document is preprinted to include a first digital watermark component. The document is then reprinted, perhaps with a lower quality printer, to include a second digital watermark component. In some cases the first component provides an orientation signal that is useful when trying to detect the second component. In other cases the first and second components are related or otherwise used to determine the authenticity of the document. In still other cases, the first and second watermark components carry information useful in determining the type of document, watermark-embedding hints and/or personal or serialized data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identifying copyrighted content on a network to help ensure legal uses of the copyrighted content. The method includes searching a network for steganographically embedded content based on predetermined information; comparing data extracted from located content to the predetermined information; and, if the extracted data matches the predetermined information, verifying with a database whether the located content has been licensed for on-line uses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to digital watermarking. In a preferred embodiment, a multi-channel media signal is embedded with first and second digital watermark components. The first component is embedded in a first of the channels and a second component is embedded in a second of the channels. The second component is registered with the first component so as to reduce visible attributes that are attributable to the first component.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques whereby objects are readily identified. These inventive techniques are ideally suited for traffic monitoring. In one implementation a vehicle is marked with a machine-readable code on an outer, top surface of the vehicle. An elevated or aerial platform captures an image of the vehicle. A detector analyzes the captured image to recover the machine-readable code. The vehicle is identified from such. Traffic congestion can be determined by monitoring the movement of a marked vehicle through the city traffic. In some implementations the machine-readable code comprises an identifier, which is used to interrogate a database for related information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various digital watermarking methods and systems. In one embodiment, a handheld device displays a digitally watermarked ticket image at an event center. At the event center, a watermark decoder extracts the watermark to determine authorized entry. In another embodiment, a plurality of microlenses can provide a polarized luminance pattern on a display. The pattern corresponds to (or conveys) a unique device identifier. In yet another embodiment, monetary objects are watermarked with payload information to signify currency denomination. The payload information, once extracted, is used to provide feedback regarding the currency denomination. An audio signal or Braille output can be provided as feedback. In still another embodiment, a document management system is based on watermarks. Embedded watermarks are used to track document history, determine document version information, and enhance overall security.

Abstract: This disclosure describes several video watermarking and fingerprinting enhancements. These enhancements include synchronizing watermark detectors with one-dimensional calibration signals, layering digital watermarks, watermarks for version control, compressed domain watermarking, watermarking of video object layers, key channel watermark embedding for video, robust fingerprinting of video and watermarking of scalable video.

Abstract: Digital watermark embedding is incorporated into processes for generating halftone images. In a halftone process using a halftone screen, the halftone screen is used to determine the geometric distortion of an image. After determining the geometric distortion, a watermark decoder compensates for this distortion and retrieves an embedded digital watermark.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for improving the state of the art for watermarking and data protection. The disclosure includes feature-based watermarks, auto- and cross-correlation techniques for determining scaling and rotation, transitions in time based watermarking, autocorrelation watermarks for images, and dynamic content scrambling of static files.

Abstract: Security of photographic identification documents is enhanced by providing machine-readable information that may be correlated to other information pertaining to the individual represented by the image, such other information being, for example, printed on the document adjacent to the photograph.

Abstract: The present invention detects the presence of a digital watermark in an image by selecting regions within the image having a high probability of containing the watermark. The image is examined to determine which regions of the image have characteristics indicating that there is a high probability that a watermark signal can be detected in that region of the image. The regions that have a high probability that a watermark can be detected (in contrast to all regions of the image) are examined to find watermark data. Probability factors used to select detection regions include: requiring a minimum variance separation between detection blocks; requiring a minimum distance between overlapping blocks; segmenting the detection blocks into a first and second subset based on separate criteria; establishing a keep away zone to prevent selection of a detection block near an image's border; and selecting a detection block only after its neighbors met sufficient threshold requirements.

Abstract: A steganographic embedder associates data with an image by encoding the data, a link to the data, or a combination of both into the image. The embedder may be located in an image capture device or an external process or device. In one application, for example, an embedder process steganographically encodes data into an image as part of the process of uploading the image from the image capture device to external storage.

Abstract: Reversible watermarking methods enable auxiliary data to be embedded in data sets, such as images, audio, video and software. The reversible nature of the method enables the original data set to be perfectly restored. Control systems with feedback loops are used to optimize embedding based on distortion or auxiliary data capacity constraints. The watermarking may be applied recursively to embed several layers, where subsequent layers are embedded into a previously watermarked data set. To recover the original data, each layer is extracted and the data restored in reverse order of the embedding. Sets of elements that are expanded to carry auxiliary data in each layer overlap or are interleaved to maximize embedding capacity or quality of the host data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to digital watermarking systems and methods. In a first implementation, so-called movie studio rough-cuts are watermarked to provide a forensic tracking clue or to provide security for distributed rough-cuts. In another implementation, a watermark is determined for a compressed video object. The watermark is compressed as an object and the watermarked object is then associated with the compressed video object. The two separate objects are provided to a rendering device, which after decompressing both objects, embeds the watermark in the video prior to rendering.

Abstract: Methods for embedding and reading auxiliary messages from image signals use embedded code signals modulated with the auxiliary message. These embedded ode signals may be used to convey hidden tracking codes in images, video and printed objects. The embedded code signals are embedded by varying characteristics of the image signal, including, for example, gray-level, reflective properties, photo-reactive properties, etc.