Abstract: Sensing of machine readable indicia associated with a catalog permits on-line ordering of merchandise. A profile of user-specific data (e.g., clothing sizes) can be employed to customize the transaction. Sensing of such indicia on a garment tag permits a collection of complementary clothing or accessories to be presented to a user for review (e.g., by display of a virtual model wearing the garment and some of the clothing/accessories).

Abstract: In many situations, it is desirable to restrict access to digital content. This invention presents an extremely efficient and simple method and apparatus to degrade and recover digital content. The invented process is based upon searching the data for detection criteria and then adjusting neighboring point(s) to degrade the content, or re-adjusting the neighboring point(s) to recover the original content. For example, one could search for threshold crossings, and scale the following point by a number between 0 and 1 for degradation, or re-scale the following point by the inverse scaling value to recover the original data. The apparatus includes a logic processor and storage unit to implement the degradation and recovery process.

Abstract: A carrier is watermarked and then an image is printed or displayed on this carrier. A watermark can then be read from the image. If the image is printed on the carrier, the watermark can be read from the printed image or from any copy of the printed image. If the watermark is displayed on the carrier, and the displayed image is then copied, the copies will bear the watermark.

Abstract: An identification code signal is hidden in a carrier signal (such as an electronic data signal or a physical medium) in a manner that permits the identification signal later to be discerned. The carrier signal can thereby be identified, or some machine responsive action can thereby be taken. The technique can be applied in video imagery embodiments to control associated video equipment, e.g. to serve as a copy control signal.

Abstract: A watermark decoding method makes use of a line-finding algorithm (e.g., the Radon transform) to determine rotation of an image from an initial orientation. Once rotation has been characterized, differential scaling of the image can readily be determined.

Abstract: A secure document design has a visible graphical structure that forms part of the aesthetic features on the document and carries encoded message information. A method for generating this design starts with a visible structure used for geometric registration. It then generates a variable auxiliary message comprising message values, and maps the message values to a two dimensional pattern of locations in the visible structure on the document. It repeats the auxiliary message and represents the auxiliary message differently in the two dimensional pattern according to a key. An implementation of this method may be used to create design artwork for printed security documents that is aesthetically pleasing, carries a robust machine readable message, and can be used to authenticate other information on the security document.

Abstract: The disclosure details methods and systems for watermark encoding and decoding in imaging devices, such as printers and scanners, and imaging device interfaces. Watermark encoding and decoding functions are incorporated into printer and scanner image processing pipelines. Watermark encoders and decoders perform watermark encoding and decoding, respectively, on an image as it is being transferred from one stage of a printing or scanning process to another. In particular, streaming mode watermark encoders and decoders operate on sequential portions of the image in a sequential image stream passing from one stage to another. The streaming mode encoder and decoder may be incorporated in a printer or scanner driver in a computer connected to a printer or scanner peripheral or within a printer or scanner device.

Abstract: An image is digitally watermarked to convey position data about the subject of the image, such as latitude, longitude and elevation of a point depicted therein. Additional information, e.g., about camera attributes, camera angle, and 3D warp-characterizing polynomial coefficients, can also be included.

Abstract: A cell 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.

Abstract: An identification card is prepared by attaching an antenna and integrated circuit chip onto a core layer of polyolefin, attaching a bottom sheet to the core layer thus encasing the antenna and integrated circuit chip, providing an image-receiving layer on one or both outer surfaces of the resulting sandwich, and laminating a protective layer or layers over the image-receiving layer(s). The identification document displays improved durability, ease of manufacture and protection of the electronic components.

Abstract: Line art on a banknote or other security document is slightly changed to effect the encoding of plural-bit digital data (i.e. the banknote is digitally watermarked). When such a banknote is thereafter scanned, the resulting image data can be recognized as corresponding to a banknote by detection of the encoded data. (Alternatively, the image data can be recognized as corresponding to a banknote by machine detection of other forms of watermarking, or by reference to visible structures characteristic of banknotes.) In response to detection of a banknote, the detecting apparatus (e.g., a scanner, photocopier, or printer) can intervene so as to prevent or deter counterfeiting. For example, the apparatus can interrupt a copying operation, and display a message reminding the operator that it is illegal to reproduce currency. Another option is to dial a remote service and report the attempted reproduction of a banknote. Yet another option is to permit the copying, but to insert forensic tracer data (e.g.

Abstract: Watermark detection in an image or the like is optimized by exploiting the innate biases in the image to emphasize the watermark signal. The watermark signal can be trial-located with different origins in the image to find one that yields improved results. Similarly, the image can be processed (e.g., by changing resolution, rotation, or compression) so as to change the innate biases to better reinforce the watermark signal. Compression of an image can be done in accordance with a desired watermark signal, with the compressor deciding which image components to retain and which to discard based, in part, on a watermark signal that is to be encoded (or maintained) in the image.

Abstract: OLE-like principles are implemented using watermark data in digital objects in order to effect object linking or embedding. In one embodiment, a photocopier scans an original paper document to produce image data. This image data is analyzed for the presence of watermark data identifying a graphic on the document. With this watermark identifier, the photocopier can query a remote image database for pristine image data corresponding to the scanned graphic. This pristine data can be relayed from the remote database to the photocopier and substituted into the scanned image data. Output printed from the photocopier is thus based, at least in part, on pristine image data, rather than on image data that has been subjected to various corruption mechanisms (e.g., degradation of the original paper document, artifacts due to scanning, etc.). A “photocopy” better than the “original” can thereby be achieved.

Abstract: By printing documents and other objects with machine readable indicia, such as steganographic digital watermarks or barcodes, a great variety of document management functions can be enabled. The indicia can be added as part of the printing process (after document data has been output by an originating application program), such as by printer driver software, by a Postscript engine in a printer, etc. The indicia can encode data about the document, or can encode an identifier that references a database record containing such data. By showing the printed document to a computer device with a suitable optical input device (e.g., a webcam), an electronic version of the document can be recalled for editing, or other responsive action can be taken.

Abstract: A watermark embedder encodes auxiliary information, such as a binary message, into a host media signal by modulating message signals with two or more corresponding carrier signals to form a watermark signal and embeds this signal into the host. A compatible watermark decoder uses the carrier signals to demodulate the message signals from the watermarked signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to steganographically hiding images and information. In a preferred embodiment, an image is hidden within a media signal. The media preferably includes a cyan (C) color plane, a magenta (M) color plane, a yellow (Y) color plane and a black (K) color plane. In an alternative embodiment, the media includes a spot color. The image is converted into a black color channel image and is then applied to the media's K channel. The black channel image is inverted and the inverted image is applied to the media's CMY (or spot) color planes. The C, M and/or Y channels can be investigated to determine whether the image's signal level should be modified. In a related embodiment, the media signal is segmented into a plurality of blocks and the detection level of a first embedded block is determined to be sufficient before the embedding continues to a second block.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for watermarking a file which is in a PDL such as PostScript. The present invention can be used to either watermark a PDL file and then generate a watermarked PDL file or the present invention can be part of the Interpreter in a printer which takes a file in a PDL and which then generates watermarked raster images which are printed. The present invention includes an “interpreter” which generates raster images from the PDL file. The raster images are then watermarked using conventional watermarking techniques. Next the raster images are either printed (if the interpreter is part of a printer) or the raster images are combined into a new PDL file.

Abstract: The present invention relates to steganographically hiding images and information. In a preferred embodiment, an image is hidden within a media signal. The media preferably includes a cyan (C) color plane, a magenta (M) color plane, a yellow (Y) color plane and a black (K) color plane. In an alternative embodiment, the media includes a spot color. The image is converted into a black color channel image and is then applied to the media's K channel. The black channel image is inverted and the inverted image is applied to the media's CMY (or spot) color planes.

Abstract: A tangible object (such as a microprocessor, wristwatch, pharmaceutical, compact disc, vehicle part, etc) is surface-textured to encode a plural-bit code thereon. In one arrangement, this encoding conveys date information. In use, the object can be imaged by a scanner apparatus, and the resulting scan data analyzed to discern the plural-bit code. The decoded date information can be used in a determination relating to the object. For example, at a port of entry, date information encoded on a Rolex wristwatch can be used to determine whether importation of the wristwatch should be permitted. The texture-encoded data can also convey other information, such as a vehicle identifier for an automotive part, a place of fabrication, a specification with which the part complies, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to digital watermarks integrated into holograms, watermarked hologram structures, and related applications as an authentication technique. One method creates a watermark image, and then embeds the watermark image into a holographic structure. The holographic structure is carried by a smart card. The smart card includes additional information. In one embodiment, the digital watermark includes information bits, and these information bits are used to authenticate the hologram, or the smart card. In another embodiment, the watermark's information bits are compared with the additional information carried by the smart card. The result of the comparison is used to authenticate the smart card or the hologram.