Abstract: The present invention relates to steganographic encoding for multimedia content. In one combination, a method is provided including: encoding first information in a first component of a multimedia signal, the first component comprising audio, the first information being encoded though subtle changes to data representing the first component; encoding second information in a second component of the multimedia signal, the second component comprising video, the first information being encoded though subtle changes to data representing the first component, the first information and the second information are associated. Of course, other combinations are provided as well.

Abstract: Slight camera movement between capture of successive images is advantageously utilized to minimize or eliminate the need to interpolate in order to fill in the “holes” in a Bayer pattern. The captured color values from multiple appropriately positioned images are used to fill these holes. For example, instead of interpolating the value of red for the second pixel position on the first row of a Bayer pattern, an image is selected which is positioned one pixel to the right of the first image, and the red vales from this image are used for the red values of the second pixel on the first line. Values of the pixels in multiple images which are appropriately aligned to each pixel position are averaged to generate a better value for each pixel position. Information carried by a digital watermark (either alone or together with other techniques) is used to determine the alignment of the images.

Abstract: A method of identifying content in a distributed computing system. The method receives an image or audio signal in a first device in the distributed computing system, such as a cell phone or other wireless device. In this device, the method performs an analysis of characteristics of the signal to identify portions of the signal from which to derive a content identifier. The method then sends the portions to a second, remote device in the distributed computing system, such as a server. The server further processes the portions to derive a content identifier, which in turn, is used to look up data corresponding to the content, such as a Uniform Resource Locator. In the case of a wireless telephone network, for example, the method distributes the task of identifying content signals captured through the microphone or camera on the phones in the network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to creating and managing electronic documents. In one implementation, a method includes obtaining electronic data corresponding to an application document to obtain a driver's license; analyzing the electronic data to detect steganographic indicia encoded therein, the steganographic indicia comprising a plural-bit identifier; and associating the plural-bit identifier with a plurality of different records associated with an applicant or the application document. Other implementations are provided as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to steganography and data hiding. In one embodiment a method is provided including obtaining a media signal; determining characteristics of the media signal; based at least in part on the characteristics of the media signal, providing a map of the media signal; transforming at least some portions of the media signal into a transform domain; and hiding plural-bit data in at least some portions of the transformed media signal. The map identifies at least one area in the media signal in which hiding of plural-bit data should be avoided or suppressed. At least one of the act of transforming or the act of hiding utilizes the map of the media signal. Other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: A number of novel watermarking applications, and improvements to watermarking methods, are disclosed. Included are techniques for encoding printed circuit boards and street signs with watermarks, deterring credit card fraud and controlling software licensing using watermarks, registering collectibles via watermarks, encoding the margins of printed pages with watermarks, and using watermarks to convey extra information in video by which fidelity of the rendered video may be improved. One particular arrangement is a method in which a PDA, wristwatch, or other portable device with a display screen presents a pattern that includes a machine-readable identifier. This image is sensed by a separate device, such as a webcam or a camera-equipped cell phone. The sensing device can then take an action based on the identifier. In some arrangements, the action is personalized to the user.

Abstract: Stationery, or other printable media, is encoded with a digital watermark. The watermark is not conspicuous to a human observer of the media, yet conveys plural bits of auxiliary information when optically scanned and digitally processed. The watermark can be formed by ink-jet printing, or otherwise. The encoded information can be used for various purposes, including authenticating the document as an original, linking to associated on-line resources, and distinguishing seemingly-identical versions of the same document (document serialization).

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to steganography and digital watermarking. An authentication method is provided in one embodiment. The method includes receiving an object including a host object and auxiliary data steganographically embedded within the host object; determining geometric characteristics of the host object relative to expected geometric characteristics of the host object; and detecting the auxiliary data from the host object. The method can further include re-aligning or correcting geometric characteristics of the object based on a result of the act of determining prior to the act of detecting. Other embodiments, method and apparatus and described as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to digital watermarking. In one implementation, a system is provided to read a digital watermark from digital imagery which includes data representing a number of pixels. Each pixel of the number of pixels is defined by a set of values representing color components of the particular pixel. The digital watermark is embedded in the digital imagery through modifications to at least some data representing the digital imagery. The system includes a filter to calculate values of pixels along a preferred projection axis, the preferred projection axis corresponds to a direction of embedding determined based on color characteristics of at least some pixels associated with the digital imagery; and a digital watermark reader which operates on values calculated by the filter. Other implementations are provided as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various digital watermarking methods and systems. In one embodiment, a plurality of microlenses can provide a steganographic signal for a handheld device. The pattern corresponds to (or conveys) an identifier. In yet another embodiment, monetary objects are watermarked to signify currency denomination information. The 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. Handheld computing devices are advantageously employed with these embodiments.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for authenticating identification documents. We also teach an identification document including two or more digital watermarks. The watermarks correspond with each other or with indicia carried by the identification document. The correspondence can be verified to determine authenticity. We also provide digital watermark detection methods and systems to identify the different watermarks through embedded orientation components. We then focus watermark message-decoding efforts on areas identified as likely including watermark orientation components. In another implementation we provide a watermark detection trigger to identify so-called legacy documents. The trigger may indicate the presence or expected absence of a digital watermark. In other implementations we provide a versatile document authenticator to toggle between watermarking and non-watermarking authentication processes depending on a detection trigger. Other implementations are provided as well.

Abstract: Matching the color axis of the watermark detector to the color direction used by the watermark embedder: A preferred projection axis is determined for each pixel. The preferred projection axis for each pixel is determined by examining the color values of the surrounding pixels in a selected area. Once the preferred projection axis for each pixel is determined the color values of that pixel are projected onto this axis to generate a set of values for each pixel. The watermark grid or data signal can then be detected from these values using known techniques.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for authenticating identification documents. We also teach an identification document including two or more digital watermarks. The watermarks correspond with each other or with indicia carried by the identification document. The correspondence can be verified to determine authenticity. We also provide digital watermark detection methods and systems to identify the different watermarks through embedded orientation components. We then focus watermark message-decoding efforts on areas identified as likely including watermark orientation components. In one implementation we provide a watermark detection trigger to identify so-called legacy documents. The trigger may indicate the presence or expected absence of a digital watermark. In other implementations we provide a versatile document authenticator to toggle between watermarking and non-watermarking authentication processes depending on a detection trigger.

Abstract: Stationery, or other printable media, is encoded with a digital watermark. The watermark is not conspicuous to a human observer of the media, yet conveys plural bits of auxiliary information when optically scanned and digitally processed. The watermark can be formed by ink-jet printing, or otherwise. The encoded information can be used for various purposes, including authenticating the document as an original, linking to associated on-line resources, and distinguishing seemingly-identical versions of the same document (document serialization).

Abstract: The present invention relates to various digital watermarking methods and systems. In one embodiment, a plurality of microlenses can provide a steganographic signal for a handheld device. 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. Handheld computing devices are advantageously employed with these embodiments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to digital watermarking methods and systems. In one embodiment, a handheld device displays a digitally watermarked image at an event center. An optical scanner captures optical scan data representing the device display. A watermark decoder analyzes the captured optical scan data to obtain the watermark. The watermark is used to determine authorized entry. The handheld device may include a cell phone or other portable computing device.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems to authenticate identification documents. In a first implementation, an identification document includes a photograph and a digital watermark. The digital watermark carries first facial recognition data corresponding to a face depicted in the photograph. Optical scan data representing the photograph is received, and a second facial recognition data is derived. The first facial recognition data is recovered from the digital watermark, and is compared with the second facial recognition data.

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.

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.