Abstract: A renal therapy system is disclosed. In an example, the renal therapy system includes a home renal therapy machine that stores, to a log file, dates of when renal therapies were performed and a type of each renal therapy that was performed. The system also includes a server that receives the log file from the home renal therapy machine. The server compares the dates and types of performed renal therapies stored in the log file to a device program that specifies dates for performing renal therapies and the types of renal therapies to be performed. The server displays a flag in a user interface of a clinician computer when there is a deviation from the comparison.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to data hiding and digital watermarking in imagery. One claim recites an apparatus comprising: memory storing an image editing program; an input for receiving imagery, the imagery comprising image features that vary across the imagery; a processor configured for: encoding a pattern of 2-dimensional auxiliary data at a first intensity within a first multi-dimensional region within the imagery; and encoding the pattern of 2-dimensional auxiliary data at a second, different intensity within a second multi-dimensional region within the imagery. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided.

Abstract: An image is processed to encode a digital watermark, with different regions thereof processed using different levels of watermark intensity. In an image comprised of elements of differing sizes (e.g., halftone shapes of different sizes, or lines of different width), the different regions can be defined by reference to the sizes of elements contained therein. Regions characterized by relatively small elements can be watermarked at a relatively low intensity. Regions characterized by relatively large elements can be watermarked at a relatively high intensity. A variety of other features are also discussed.

Abstract: A watermark-based age verification system is provided in one implementation. The verification system may also verify a biometric template against a biometric sample. Shelf-life identification documents are provided in another implementation. Another aspect of the present invention analyzes image data to identify a face region or silhouette associated with a human subject depicted in the image data. The image data is adjusted, e.g., to center or align a face region within an image frame. A digital watermark is embedded after realignment. Another aspect authenticates or handles digital images that are captured at a first location and transferred to a second location via watermarking. In another implementation, first machine-readable code on an identification document layer is cross-correlated with second machine-readable code on the identification document.

Abstract: An image is processed to encode a digital watermark, with different regions thereof processed using different levels of watermark intensity. In an image comprised of elements of differing sizes (e.g., halftone shapes of different sizes, or lines of different width), the different regions can be defined by reference to the sizes of elements contained therein. Regions characterized by relatively small elements can be watermarked at a relatively low intensity. Regions characterized by relatively large elements can be watermarked at a relatively high intensity. A variety of other features are also discussed.

Abstract: An image is processed to encode a digital watermark, with different regions thereof processed using different levels of watermark intensity. In an image comprised of elements of differing sizes (e.g., halftone shapes of different sizes, or lines of different width), the different regions can be defined by reference to the sizes of elements contained therein. Regions characterized by relatively small elements can be watermarked at a relatively low intensity. Regions characterized by relatively large elements can be watermarked at a relatively high intensity. A variety of other features are also discussed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for associating objects with corresponding machine behaviors. Machine behaviors refer to responsive actions that are triggered when an object (which may be physical or electronic) is encountered. Examples of these behaviors include fetching a web page, executing software instructions, etc. A registration system enables machine behaviors to be associated with objects through use of object identifiers. For an electronic object such as an audio or video signal, the identifier can comprise a steganographic in-band watermark, a numeric ID or song/artist name field in a in a file header; a 128-bit hash value obtained by applying a hashing algorithm to the content data, the file header data, a portion thereof, etc. The disclosure particularly focuses on an embodiment utilizing stickers as objects, and watermarks as identifiers, but the technology can be implemented in many other, different, forms.

Abstract: An image is processed to encode a digital watermark, with different regions thereof processed using different levels of watermark intensity. In an image comprised of elements of differing sizes (e.g., halftone shapes of different sizes, or lines of different width), the different regions can be defined by reference to the sizes of elements contained therein. Regions characterized by relatively small elements can be watermarked at a relatively low intensity. Regions characterized by relatively large elements can be watermarked at a relatively high intensity. A variety of other features are also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to steganographic systems and methods. One claim recites an apparatus including: electronic memory to buffer a compressed digital watermark object, the digital watermark object is a separate object relative to a compressed video object; and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is programmed for: decompressing the compressed video object to yield a decompressed video object, the decompressed video object comprising data representing video picture elements and data representing audio elements; decompressing the digital watermark object to obtain digital watermark data; steganographically hiding the digital watermark data in the data representing video picture elements or in the data representing audio elements to yield digital watermarked video or audio; and rendering the digital watermarked video or audio. Other claims and combinations are provided too.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to access control. One claim recites a method of determining whether to allow access to a location, including: receiving optical data from an optical sensor, the optical data being associated with an object presented to the optical sensor, wherein the object comprises optically-detectable, machine-readable indicia encoded in a predetermined symbology thereon, the indicia including at least an orientation component; determining an orientation of the orientation component; obtaining from a data store a predetermined orientation; and comparing the predetermined orientation with the determined orientation to decide whether to allow access to the location. Of course, other claims are provided as well.

Abstract: An image is processed to encode a digital watermark, with different regions thereof processed using different levels of watermark intensity. In an image comprised of elements of differing sizes (e.g., halftone shapes of different sizes, or lines of different width), the different regions can be defined by reference to the sizes of elements contained therein. Regions characterized by relatively small elements can be watermarked at a relatively low intensity. Regions characterized by relatively large elements can be watermarked at a relatively high intensity. A variety of other features are also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to steganographic systems and methods. One claim recites an apparatus including: electronic memory to buffer a compressed digital watermark object, the digital watermark object is a separate object relative to a compressed video object; and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is programmed for: decompressing the compressed video object to yield a decompressed video object, the decompressed video object comprising data representing video picture elements and data representing audio elements; decompressing the digital watermark object to obtain digital watermark data; steganographically hiding the digital watermark data in the data representing video picture elements or in the data representing audio elements to yield digital watermarked video or audio; and rendering the digital watermarked video or audio. Other claims and combinations are provided too.

Abstract: The present invention relates to steganographic systems and methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to steganographic systems and methods.

Abstract: A variety of systems responsive to watermarked documents are detailed. In one, watermarking is employed to facilitate system access. In another, security is provided through analyzing digitally watermarked documents. In yet another, a digital watermark-based combination lock is adapted to analyze a sequence (and perhaps an orientation) of presented digitally watermarked cards.

Abstract: The present invention relates to digital watermarking systems and methods. In a first implementation, so-called movie studio rough-cuts are watermarked to provide a forensic tracking clue or to provide security for distributed rough-cuts. In another implementation, a watermark is determined for a compressed video object. The watermark is compressed as an object and the watermarked object is then associated with the compressed video object. The two separate objects are provided to a rendering device, which after decompressing both objects, embeds the watermark in the video prior to rendering.

Abstract: Methods and systems for associating objects with corresponding machine behaviors. Machine behaviors refer to responsive actions that are triggered when an object (which may be physical or electronic) is encountered. Examples of these behaviors include fetching a web page, executing software instructions, etc. A registration system enables machine behaviors to be associated with objects through use of object identifiers. For an electronic object such as an audio or video signal, the identifier can comprise a steganographic in-band watermark, a numeric ID or song/artist name field in a in a file header; a 128-bit hash value obtained by applying a hashing algorithm to the content data, the file header data, a portion thereof, etc. The disclosure particularly focuses on an embodiment utilizing stickers as objects, and watermarks as identifiers, but the technology can be implemented in many other, different, forms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to linking on-line data to printed documents, such as business cards, envelopes, stickers, stationary, letterhead, résumés, etc. In one embodiment, a card-user registers with an on-line database and receives a gallery item including a steganographically-embedded unique identifier. The gallery item, such as a graphical background, text, shading, graphic, etc., is integrated and then printed with a document. The printed document can then be presented an optical-scanner, which outputs data. The output data is decoded to identify the unique identifier. The unique identifier is then used to index into the on-line database to retrieve information related to the proprietor of the document. In one embodiment, the on-line database includes features such as providing an immediate contact number, translation and/or pronunciation ability, and storage of audio/video files.

Abstract: The present invention relates to embedding a document with multiple watermark components at different printing stages. A document is preprinted to include a first digital watermark component. The document is then reprinted, perhaps with a lower quality printer, to include a second digital watermark component. In some cases the first component provides an orientation signal that is useful when trying to detect the second component. In other cases the first and second components are related or otherwise used to determine the authenticity of the document. In still other cases, the first and second watermark components carry information useful in determining the type of document, watermark-embedding hints and/or personal or serialized data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to digital watermarking systems and methods. In a first implementation, so-called movie studio rough-cuts are watermarked to provide a forensic tracking clue or to provide security for distributed rough-cuts. In another implementation, a watermark is determined for a compressed video object. The watermark is compressed as an object and the watermarked object is then associated with the compressed video object. The two separate objects are provided to a rendering device, which after decompressing both objects, embeds the watermark in the video prior to rendering.