Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm William Y. Conwell
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Patent number: 6768808Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventor: Geoffrey B. Rhoads
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Patent number: 6760463Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventor: Geoffrey B. Rhoads
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Patent number: 6735324Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2000Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventors: Tyler J. McKinley, Marc D. Miller, J. Scott Carr, William Y. Conwell
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Patent number: 6724912Abstract: A machine readable indicia is formed in a blank printable medium. The indicia may be formed in an opacification layer applied to a translucent substrate, or may be formed in a laminate layer. The indicia is optically detectable from the exterior of the medium, even if the indicia is not formed on the medium's exterior surface. One particular indicia is a seemingly-random weave-like pattern of lines defined in response to (1) a first user control that determines a degree of randomness of the line(s), (2) a second user control that determines a modulation effect to be applied to the line(s), and (3) the bits to be represented thereby. Many other indicia, including checkerboards, barcodes, data glyphs, etc., can also be used.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2000Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventors: J. Scott Carr, Geoffrey B. Rhoads
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Patent number: 6681028Abstract: Digital data is steganographically encoded in printed materials, and—when sensed by an appropriately-equipped webcam or other imaging device—can be used to link to associated electronic resources. Data hidden in a business card, for example, may enable linking to a person's electronic calendar—showing the person's schedule availability. Likewise, data hidden in a corporate ID badge may serve to unlock doors at a corporate office, or to enable access to corporate computers. Many other such applications are detailed.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1999Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventors: Tony F. Rodriguez, Jonathan Scott Carr, Geoffrey B. Rhoads
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Patent number: 6674886Abstract: A document is analyzed to determine whether it is a banknote or the like, by reference to image data corresponding to the document. Two analysis techniques may be used, one based on detection of a visible pattern characteristic of a security document, the other based on detection of a steganographic digital watermark characteristic of a security document. If either characteristic is found, the image is flagged, and appropriate anti-counterfeiting steps may be taken. Detection of the visible pattern can be performed using a series of successively more rigorous tests. If the image fails a test, successive testing steps can be skipped, speeding the process. Hough transform-based pattern recognition techniques are used in some embodiments. Provision of both a visible pattern detector and a watermark detector in a single apparatus enhances detection reliability, while permitting various implementation efficiencies.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1999Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventors: Bruce L. Davis, Burt W. Perry, J. Scott Carr, Gilbert B. Shaw, Geoffrey B. Rhoads
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Patent number: 6654887Abstract: Media content, such as imagery (including video) and audio, can be encoded to convey hidden information (steganographic encoding) for a variety of purposes, including communication of auxiliary information (e.g., copyright data), authentication, tamper detection, forensic tracking, etc. The reading (decoding) of the hidden information from the media content is complicated if the content has been corrupted in some manner. One example of corruption is the lossy compression/decompression associated with JPEG processing of digital imagery. In some cases, the corruption introduces errors in the decoding. In other cases, the corruption prevents the hidden information from being decoded at all. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, reliable decoding of steganographically encoded information is enhanced by processing the corrupted media content so as to counteract some of the corruption.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2001Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventor: Geoffrey B. Rhoads
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Patent number: 6650761Abstract: A person's business card is steganographically encoded with plural-bit data. When presented to a computer system with an optical sensor, the plural-bit data is decoded and used to trigger various functionality. For example, the system can link to a remote data store containing updated contact information for the person—contact information that is updated during the day as the person's activities make different contact information appropriate at different times. A great variety of other arrangements, some employing other steganographically encoded objects, are also detailed.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1999Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventors: Tony F. Rodriguez, Geoffrey B. Rhoads, Bruce L. Davis, J. Scott Carr
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Patent number: 6636615Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1999Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventors: Geoffrey B. Rhoads, Ammon E. Gustafson
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Patent number: 6614915Abstract: A digital image is scanned to generate image data, which is processed to steganographically embed plural-bit auxiliary data. The system is useful, e.g., for capturing and marking digital images without noticeably changing their visual appearance.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventors: Robert D. Powell, Mark J. Nitzberg
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Patent number: 6608919Abstract: Paper is textured with a pattern that yields a known signature signal when transformed to the frequency domain. This signature can be used for various purposes, including determining the angular orientation of the paper when scanned, conveying a plural-bit digital watermark, and for simple document recognition purposes (e.g., photocopiers that refuse to reproduce banknotes). The texturing can be effected during the paper-making process, e.g., by shaping the surface of a de-watering element accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2000Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventor: Adnan M. Alattar
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Patent number: 6590997Abstract: A file includes both content data (e.g., audio or visual information) and header data. At least some of the header data is steganographically encoded within the content data. This arrangement permits some of the header data to be recovered from the content, even if the content is transformed in a way that the file header information becomes lost. The encoded data can also be used to check for certain forms of file tampering. A variety of other steganographic techniques and applications are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventor: Geoffrey B. Rhoads
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Patent number: 6580819Abstract: Machine readable data is digitally watermarked into banknotes by slight alterations to ink color, density, distribution, etc., or by texturing the microtopology of the banknote surface. Such watermarking can be optically sensed and detected by scanners, photocopiers, or printers. In response, such devices can intervene to prevent banknote reproduction. This arrangement addresses various problems, e.g., the use of digital image editing tools to circumvent prior art banknote anti-copy systems. In some embodiments, visible structures characteristic of banknotes are also detected (e.g. by pattern recognition analysis of image data), and reproduction can be halted if either the visible structures or the digital watermark data are detected. In other embodiments, automatic teller machines that accept, as well as dispense, banknotes can check for the presence of digitally watermarked data to help confirm the authenticity of banknotes input to the machines.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1999Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventor: Geoffrey B. Rhoads
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Patent number: 6580808Abstract: To permit scaling or rotation of an image to be discerned—even if the original image is not available—certain marker signals are steganographically encoded in the image. In one particular implementation, encoding is effected by adding an overlay signal to the image. The overlay signal—when represented in the spatial frequency domain—includes a pattern of spots. If the image is scaled or rotated, this pattern changes in known ways. By examining the change in this pattern, the distortion (i.e., scale/rotation) of the image can be inferred. This technology finds particular application in conjunction with watermarking systems, permitting recovery of watermark data from images that have been scaled or rotated subsequent to watermarking.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventor: Geoffrey B. Rhoads
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Patent number: 6574350Abstract: Image, video, or audio data is encoded with both a frail and a robust watermark. The two watermarks respond differently to different forms of processing (e.g., copying the object may render the frail watermark unreadable), permitting an original object to be distinguished from a processed object. Appropriate action can then taken in response thereto.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2000Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventors: Geoffrey B. Rhoads, Ammon E. Gustafson
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Patent number: 6567535Abstract: Multi-bit auxiliary information is hidden in audio and imagery (e.g., digital photographs, video), using steganographic techniques. Such information can be used for various purposes, including identifying audio/imagery as originating from a particular source, copy control, etc. In some embodiments, operation of the system changes over time. This change may be triggered by various events, including passage of new information to the system through audio or imagery being processed.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventor: Geoffrey B. Rhoads
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Patent number: 6567534Abstract: Binary data is embedded in banknote artwork, permitting later recovery by, and control of, compliant devices that may encounter banknote image data, such as photocopiers, scanners, and printers. One embedding method involves providing nominal line art for the banknote, and imposing a virtual grid of points over the art, thereby defining plural regions. The luminance of at least certain of these regions is changed to effect encoding of the binary data. The luminance may be changed, e.g., by changing the width or spacing of the artwork lines, or by introducing new lines into the artwork.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventor: Geoffrey B. Rhoads
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Patent number: 6567780Abstract: Digital audio data is processed to convey plural bits of hidden auxiliary data. The auxiliary data can be used for identification purposes, for device control (disabling recording and the like), etc. The claimed arrangement uses a data embedding technique characterized in that the values of single samples of the audio data are each influenced by the values of several of the bits of auxiliary data. A great variety of other techniques and applications are also detailed.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2002Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventor: Geoffrey B. Rhoads
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Patent number: 6560350Abstract: The adage “photos don't lie” is no longer reliable. The advent of digital editing tools makes it relatively easy to move, add, or delete features from photographs. Audio content is similarly susceptible to alteration. This problem is at least partially overcome by providing the content with supplemental data that is below a threshold of human perception. If a version of the content is thereafter encountered with the supplemental data missing or attenuated, it is known to have been altered. By reference to such supplemental data, it is often possible to identify particular portions of the content that have been altered.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventor: Geoffrey B. Rhoads
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Patent number: 6549638Abstract: A computer is provided with software that looks for certain activities that may be illicit (e.g. processing of a graphic file corresponding to a banknote). If such an activity is detected, tracer data detailing the activity is generated and secretly stored. in the computer. If the computer is later searched or seized, the tracer data can be recovered and employed as evidence of the computer's use, e.g. in counterfeiting.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1998Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventors: Bruce L. Davis, Burt Perry, J. Scott Carr