Abstract: 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.

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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides various methods and apparatus used in connection with steganography and digital watermarking. In one implementation, a method of obtaining information from a network of computers based at least in part on the environment associated with a first computer is provided. An object is presented within the field of view of an optical sensor device. The optical device is in communication with a first computer. The object includes plural-bit data steganographically encoded in the object. The first computer communicates with at least a second computer in the network of computers. Optical data corresponding to the object is acquired, and the plural-bit digital data is decoded from the optical data. At least some of the decoded data and environmental data is submitted to the second computer, which determines which information to send to the first computer based on the environmental data. Many other embodiments are disclosed herein.

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.

Abstract: Methods for integrating digital watermarks into holograms, watermarked hologram structures, and related applications. One method creates a watermark image, and then embeds the watermark image into a holographic structure. The holographic structure is created using computer generated holography to create a digital representation of the holographic structure. This digital representation is recorded on a physical substrate using optical techniques or microlithography. As an alterative, a watermark signal is embedded in a physical holographic structure by embedding the signal into an image that is optically merged with the holographic structure as it is optically recorded, or by embedding the signal into an image or physical model from which the holographic structure is formed. Another approach the creates a halftone watermarked image, and forms the halftone watermarked image in the hologram by creating hologram dots corresponding to the dots in the halftone watermarked image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to postal metering devices and mail systems that variously employ digital watermarking techniques. In one implementation we provide on an envelope a marketing image in addition to postage indicia. The marketing image includes a digital watermark embedded therein. The watermark includes a link to access information that is associated with the envelope's sender. In some cases the digital watermark is fragile, allowing us to determine whether the marking image or postal indicia is authentic.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides various techniques for encoding hidden information in checks and other security documents. The hidden information provides an authentication tool. In one implementation, we provide a method for encoding a security document with information. The security document includes a substrate having printing thereon. The information is hidden in the printing and corresponds to text or numbers conveyed by at least a portion of the printing. The method includes dividing the information into a plurality of payload sets, wherein each payload set includes a sub-set of the information, and encoding the payload sets across the substrate. The plurality of payload sets is concatenated in order to retrieve the information.

Abstract: Physical or electronic objects are encoded with identifiers, which serve to trigger object– appropriate responses from computer systems that encounter such objects The encoding may be steganographic (e g by digital watermarks), so the presence of such identifiers is not evident to persons encountering the objects. An exemplary application is a computer system that looks at a printed magazine advertisement (20) and initiates a link to a corresponding internet page In one such implementation, the computer system senses an identifier encoded in the advertisement, forwards the identifier to a remote database, receives from the database (17) a corresponding internet address (18a, 18b, 18c), and directs a browser to that address (18a, 18b, 18c) The same arrangement can be used for on–line ordering from printed merchandise catalogs.

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: The invention relates to methods, devices and systems for reconfiguring a watermark detector. In many applications, it is useful to be able to change the operation of a watermark detector. Such changes may include changing how the watermark detector decodes or interprets a watermark embedded in a signal of a given media type, such as audio, video or still images.

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: 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: 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 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.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods, devices and systems for reconfiguring a watermark detector. In many applications, it is useful to be able to change the operation of a watermark detector. Such changes may include changing how the watermark detector decodes or interprets a watermark embedded in a signal of a given media type, such as audio, video or still images.

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.

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.