Abstract: A content object is steganographically encoded with plural-bit decryption instruction data. A recipient can decode this decryption data, and apply it to the content.

Abstract: To enhance decoding of signals suspected of containing an embedded auxiliary signal, a suspect signal is screened to compute detection values evincing presence and strength of the embedded signal. Screening strategies control detector actions, such as rejecting un-marked signals, improving synchronization of a reader used to extract hidden messages in suspect signals, determining authenticity of signals, and controlling use of the signals.

Abstract: To prevent playback of pirated, non-encrypted video, a DVD-based system examines data read from a DVD disk for MPEG-like characteristics. If such attributes are detected, the data is examined for the presence of a video usage-control watermark. The presence of such watermark indicates that the video should be distributed only in encrypted form, so playback of video from the disk is prevented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to digitally watermarking spot colors. Spot colors are represented as digital files including a set of intensity values. These intensity values correspond to the amount or percentage of spot color ink that should be applied to a pixel, a group of pixel or to an image area. A watermark signal component including luminance value adjustments is converted to intensity value adjustments. These intensity value adjustments are applied to the spot color digital file to facilitated digital watermark embedding. In another embodiment, an adjustment is made to the intensity values to compensate for noise introduced by a scanner, camera or color conversion.

Abstract: Colored images are divided into color planes and watermarks are inserted into the individual color planes. One or more watermarks can be inserted into one or more of the color planes. In order to print a color image the image is divided into color planes corresponding to the colors of ink used for printing. A separate plate is used to print each color. The different plates must be precisely aligned. Any misalignment will cause blurring in the image and may make it difficult or impossible to read a watermark in the image. Misalignment of the plates can cause the watermark data in one color plane to, in effect, cancel out the watermark data in a different color plane. With the present invention a watermark is inserted into a selected color plane only, thus there is no cancellation due to misalignment of color plates. The watermark detection and reading can be done after the image is divided into color planes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detecting digital watermarks. In a preferred embodiment, media is embedded with a digital watermark component. The media includes a cyan color plane, a magenta color plane, a yellow color plane, and a black color plane. The digital watermark component is embedded in the cyan, magenta, and yellow color planes. The digital watermark component is inverted and is embedded in the black color plane. The embedded media is illuminated with infrared light, which emphasizes the black color plane. An input device captures a digital image of the illuminated media. The digital watermark component is detected from the emphasized black plane.

Abstract: Methods embed a digital watermark into a halftone image. One method derives halftone thresholds from a watermark image, and then uses these thresholds to convert target images into watermarked halftone images. A method for measuring digital watermark strength is used for a variety of applications, such as distinguishing original printed documents from copies. In this method, a watermarked signal is processed to extract estimates of error correction encoded bits embedded into the watermarked signal. Then, the error correction encoded bits are decoded to compute a message payload. The message payload is re-encoded to compute error correction encoded bits. A measure of watermark strength is computed from the error correction encoded bits and the estimates of error correction encoded bits.

Abstract: Audio and image (including video) content data is watermarked by processes that take into account human perception attributes of the content. Some methods assess the input content data to discern inherent biases, and tailor the watermarking to exploit such data characteristics. Other methods make use of a trial-encoding process to determine how the watermark survives corruption—such as compression—and tailor the watermarking accordingly. A great variety of other techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: Multi-bit auxiliary information is hidden in imagery (e.g., digital photographs, video), using steganographic techniques. Such information can be used for various purposes, including identifying an image as originating from a particular source. In some embodiments, certain bits of the auxiliary information effect no change to the image. A variety of different arrangements are disclosed.

Abstract: Line structures are provided for printed documents to encode plural-bit digital information. The encoded information can be decoded using suitably-equipped processing equipment and used to identify the printed documents. In one implementation the information is repeated differently in a two dimensional pattern of line structures according to a key.

Abstract: An information-bearing laminar assembly, suitable for use as an identification card, is disclosed. The assembly is characterized by the provision therein of an embedded halftone image security feature that becomes visible essentially only when the assembly is viewed in transmitted light. The information-bearing laminar assembly comprises an inner information-bearing layer interposed between a first and a second light-transmissive protective outer layer. The inner layer contains both visible information-bearing indicia and an imagewise halftone pattern of laser-ablated microholes. The light-transmissivity of the information-bearing inner layer within said half-tone pattern is imagewise differentiated at each microhole as a function of the microhole's penetration depth.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus (e.g., photo kiosk) includes a lens for imaging a customer-provided original onto an opto-electronic detector for producing image data, and a reproduction system for producing a copy therefrom. Images that are to be resistant against copying on such apparatuses can be printed on photographic emulsion medium having a subliminal marking. The marking can be detected from visible-light scan data corresponding to the medium, yet such marking is inconspicuous upon human inspection. The apparatus passes the scan data to a processor that looks for evidence of such a marking. If found, the processor issues a signal that interrupts a usual reproduction-making process of the apparatus. The system is useful, e.g., to prevent unauthorized copying of professional photographs, such as wedding portraits.

Abstract: A digital watermark detector uses weighting functions to enhance watermark detection. The weighting function applies more weight to parts of a digitally watermarked signal that are more robust to distortion. As such, the method provides for more reliable watermark detection, especially in applications where distortions, such as lossy compression or analog conversion, more accurate detection more difficult. In one version of the method, the detector projects the watermarked signal into a pseudorandom direction specified by a key, applies the weighting function, and extracts auxiliary data symbols from the projected signal by quantizing the projected signal and deriving the symbol values based on the quantization.

Abstract: Security documents (e.g. passports, currency, event tickets, and the like) are encoded to convey machine-readable multi-bit binary information (e.g., a digital watermark), usually in a manner not alerting human viewers that such information is present. The documents can be provided with overt or subliminal calibration patterns. When a document incorporating such a pattern is scanned (e.g. by a photocopier), the pattern facilitates detection of the encoded information notwithstanding possible scaling or rotation of the scan data. The calibration pattern can serve as a carrier for the watermark information, or the watermark can be encoded independently. In one embodiment, the watermark and the calibration pattern are formed on the document by an intaglio process, with or without ink. A photocopier responsive to such markings can take predetermined action if reproduction of a security document is attempted.

Abstract: An image capture device is provided with processing circuitry that steganographically embeds plural-bit auxiliary data within the captured image data. The embedding may be accomplished by adding a low level noise signal to the image data, where the noise signal has the auxiliary data encoded therein. Image data output by the device thus conveys auxiliary data that can be used for a variety of purposes.

Abstract: Two or more digital watermarks, with different characteristics, are embedded in a document. The characteristics are chosen so that the watermarks will be affected in different manners if the document is subsequently copied or reproduced. The detection process or mechanism reads two or more of the watermarks and compares their characteristics. While wear and handling may change the characteristics of the digital watermarks in a document, the relationship between the characteristics of the multiple digital watermarks in a document will nevertheless give an indication as to whether a document is an original or a copy of an original. Document wear can be independently assessed and used as an aid in interpreting the detected watermark characteristics.

Abstract: An iterative encoding technique assesses trial watermark encoding of an object, and redresses any detected shortcomings in one or more successive re-encodings of the object. Other improvements concern web crawler-based watermark detectors, novel uses of meta-data in watermarks, applications of watermarks in merchandising, embedding of active computer code via watermarks, watermark-based asset management systems, watermark processing of computer system clock signals, and watermarks in labels and tags.

Abstract: Digital watermarks can be employed in conjunction with trading cards (e.g., baseball cards, fantasy game cards, etc.) to serve a variety of purposes. Among these are facilitating on-line collecting and game-play. Digital watermarks may also be used in distinguishing genuine cards from counterfeits.

Abstract: Two or more digital watermarks, with different characteristics, are embedded in a document. The characteristics are chosen so that the watermarks will be affected in different manners if the document is subsequently copied or reproduced. The detection process or mechanism reads two or more of the watermarks and compares their characteristics. While wear and handling may change the characteristics of the digital watermarks in a document, the relationship between the characteristics of the multiple digital watermarks in a document will nevertheless give an indication as to whether a document is an original or a copy of an original. Document wear can be independently assessed and used as an aid in interpreting the detected watermark characteristics.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method of progressively decoding a digital watermark on a distributed computing platform. A client device equipped with a digital camera, such as a PDA or cell phone, captures a digital image of a watermarked object, and pre-filters the image to isolate a portion of the image data suspected of containing a digital watermark. The pre-filter de-correlates a portion of the image data suspected of containing a digital watermark from the remaining host image signal using a predictive filter. The client then quantizes the filtered data and progressively transmits the quantized data to a watermark decoder. The progressive transmitter sends image data as necessary to achieve a valid decoding operation. To reduce bandwidth requirements, the transmitter starts with the most highly quantized version of the filtered image, and sends lesser quantized versions until the watermark decoder completes a successful decoding operation.