Abstract: A method for embedding data into a media signal receives a media signal, divides the media signal into blocks of samples, and calculates a function of the samples in the blocks, including transformations of samples in the blocks to corresponding block values. A processor uses the block value to determine a factor for samples in the blocks to be multiplied by the samples so that when a data embedding function is evaluated for the block, an output of the data embedding function corresponds to a data value representing desired digital data embedded in the block. A compatible decoder extracts this embedded data from the media signal. The decoder divides the media signal into blocks of samples and calculates a function of the samples in the blocks, including transformations of samples in the blocks to corresponding block values. A processor processes the block value to evaluate a data embedding function to determine digital data embedded in the block.

Abstract: A method for embedding data into a media signal receives a media signal, divides the media signal into blocks of samples, and calculates a function of the samples in the blocks, including transformations of samples in the blocks to corresponding block values. A processor uses the block value to determine a factor for samples in the blocks to be multiplied by the samples so that when a data embedding function is evaluated for the block, an output of the data embedding function corresponds to a data value representing desired digital data embedded in the block. A compatible decoder extracts this embedded data from the media signal. The decoder divides the media signal into blocks of samples and calculates a function of the samples in the blocks, including transformations of samples in the blocks to corresponding block values. A processor processes the block value to evaluate a data embedding function to determine digital data embedded in the block.

Abstract: A digital watermarking method performs tonal detection on a signal (e.g., audio) to identify tonal and non-tonal components. These components are analyzed to compute appropriate weighting of a digital watermark for the tonal and non-tonal components. This tonal detection method is also used in recovering the watermark. A decoding method performs tonal detection on a watermarked signal, computes weights for tonal and non-tonal components, and recovers the embedded watermark using the weights. The same or different watermark embedding schemes may be used to embed digital watermarks in the tonal and non-tonal components. Tonal analysis is used in conjunction with frequency and temporal shaping to adapt the digital watermark to the signal in which it is embedded.

Abstract: Transactional watermarking is disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes receiving an original multimedia content source. The original multimedia content source may have already had a watermark added thereto. The method watermarks at least a portion of the source at least two times, each time with a different watermark to generate a different watermarked version of the original multimedia content source. A final watermarked content source is then generated by utilizing the different watermarked versions of the content source. One particular version of the watermarked content source may be selected as the final watermarked content source; at least a portion of at least two of the different watermarked versions of the watermarked content source may be combined to generate the final watermarked content source; etc.

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: 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: Multimedia data embedding, such as video, image or audio data watermarking. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method first receives a vector x of N data samples, where X=[x(0)x(1) . . . x(N−1)] and represents multimedia. Next, the method receives a vector p, where P=[p(0)p(1) . . . p(N−1)] and represents a pseudo-random sequence. Finally, the method generates a new vector x′ in which the vector p is embedded in the vector x, such that x′=[x′(0)x′(1) . . . x′(N−1)] and x′=x+aq, where a comprises a perception-based scaling factor and the vector q comprises a perceptually weighted pseudo-random sequence based on the vector p.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the watermarking of video data is disclosed. In one embodiment, discrete objects are extracted from the video host data. Each is assigned and embedded with a watermark. The watermark is embedded by generating the watermark, applying it to a perceptual mask of the block, spatially masking the resulting block, and re-adding the block to the result. The objects are collected into a database so that an object may be tracked as it is transformed from frame to frame of the video host data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for digital watermarking to resolve multiple claims of ownership is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, a first watermark requiring the host data for detection is embedded into the host data. A second watermark is also embedded into the host data. According to another embodiment of the invention, a pseudo-random sequence acting as a watermark is generated based on two random keys. One of the two random keys is related to the author of the host data into which the watermark is to be embedded, whereas the other of the two random keys is dependent on the host data itself.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the scene-based watermarking of video data is disclosed. In one embodiment, each of a number of frames of a scene of video host data undergoes a temporal wavelet transform, from which blocks are extracted. The blocks undergo perceptual masking in the frequency domain, such that a watermark is embedded therein. Once the watermark block is taken out of the frequency domain, a spatial mask of the original block is weighted to the watermark block, and added to the original block to obtain the watermarked block.

Abstract: A technique for hiding of data, including watermarks, in human-perceptible sounds, that is, audio host data, is disclosed. In one embodiment a method comprises three steps. In the first step, data to be embedded is inputted. In the case of a watermark, this data is a unique signature, and may be a pseudo-noise (PN) code. In the case of hidden data to be embedded in the host data, this data is the hidden data itself, or the hidden data as spread against the frequency spectrum by a pseudo-noise (PN) code. In the second step, the inputted data is embedded within the host data, in accordance with a perceptual mask of the host data. The perceptual mask determines the optimal locations within the host data to insert the inputted data. In the case of sounds, these optimal locations are determined by reference to the human auditory system. In the third step, the host data, with the embedded data, is further masked by a non-frequency mask. In the case of audio data, the non-frequency mask is a temporal mask.

Abstract: A technique for hiding of data, including watermarks, in human-perceptible images, that is, image host data, is disclosed. In one embodiment a method comprises three steps. In the first step, data to be embedded is inputted. In the case of a watermark, this data is a unique signature, and may be a pseudo-noise (PN) code. In the case of hidden data to be embedded in the host data, this data is the hidden data itself, or the hidden data as spread against the frequency spectrum by a pseudo-noise (PN) code. In the second step, the inputted data is embedded within the host data, in accordance with a perceptual mask of the host data. The perceptual mask determines the optimal locations within the host data to insert the inputted data. In the case of images, these optimal locations are determined by reference to the human visual system. In the third step, the host data, with the embedded data, is further masked by a non-frequency mask. In the case of image data, the non-frequency mask is a spatial mask.

Abstract: A computerized image and document management system for tent-based retrieval integrating content-based retrieval support directly into the compressed files. The system minimizes a weighted sum of the expected size of the compressed files and the expected query response time. Object searching of documents stored by the system is possible on a scalable resolution basis. The system includes a novel object representation based on embedded prototypes that provides for high-quality browsing of retrieval images at low bit rates.