Abstract: The present invention relates generally to handheld devices and using such to extract identifying data. One claim recites a handheld wireless device including: an input for receiving a subset of database information; electronic memory for storing the retrieved subset of database information, the handheld device including an input device; an optical imaging device for capturing a portion of a map, the portion of the map including at least one steganographic watermark hidden therein through alterations to data representing the portion, the alterations being generally imperceptible to a human observer of the portion of the map, the steganographic watermark including map location information; an electronic processor configured to: determine which information of the retrieved subset of the database information corresponds to the map location information; and control providing corresponding retrieved subset database information. Other claims and combinations are provided as well.

Abstract: Digital watermark methods for encoding auxiliary data into a host signal are used to authenticate physical and electronic objects. One such method computes a content specific message dependent on the host signal, encodes the content specific message into a watermark signal, and embeds the watermark in the host signal such that the watermark signal is substantially imperceptible in the host signal. One specific implementation embeds data representing salient features of the host signal into the watermark. For example, for photo IDs, the method embeds the spatial location of salient features of the photo into the watermark. Another implementation computes a semi-sensitive hash of the host signal, such as a low pass filtering of the signal, and embeds the hash into the watermark. The watermark signal may be content dependent by making the watermark key dependent on some attribute of the signal in which the watermark is embedded.

Abstract: Maps and/or signs are embedded with plural-bit data in the form of digital watermarks. In one implementation, an apparatus is provided to read two or more digital watermarks embedded within a map. Each of the two or more digital watermarks includes location information for a respective map location. The two or more digital watermarks are embedded through alterations to data representing the map; the alterations are generally imperceptible to a human observer of the map. The apparatus includes: a global positioning system receiver to determine a physical location of said apparatus; an input to receive data corresponding to at least a portion of the respective map area; a processor or electronic processing circuitry to extract the location information from the input data and to correlate the physical location with the extracted location information; and an output to output an indication of a relative correlation between the physical location and watermark location information.

Abstract: Imagery, video, maps or signs are embedded with plural-bit data in the form of digital watermarking. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a media signal representing an image or video; introducing digital watermarking into the media signal, the digital watermarking slightly altering samples of the media signal; and the digital watermarking changing across the media signal so as to convey first information related to at least a first area depicted in the image or within data representing a first portion of the video in the media signal and second, different information related to at least a second area depicted in the image or within data representing a second portion of the video in the media signal. Other embodiments are provided as well.

Abstract: A geographic information system digitally watermarks by modifying pixels from a source image with additional spatial and non-spatial information for a destination image. When an image is digitally watermarked, the pixels of the image are modified to include an embedded redundant pattern that is imperceptible to viewers of the image. The redundant pattern of changes from the “digital watermark” can be converted back into a payload containing meaningful data, and in some examples into unique identifiers. The payload is arranged to link the image to additional information such as copyright information, geospatial data, and related applications and services. Since the payload is embedded within the pixels of the image, no additional storage space is required, and the information is arranged to survive various image manipulations that might be employed by a user such as: translation of image formats, rotation, scaling, cropping, printing and scanning, and many other image processes.

Abstract: The ability to remove a watermark from an encoded image opens the possibility of various novel applications. Several such applications are detailed. One employs a reversible watermark in conjunction with a second (robust) watermark. In this arrangement, the payload of the reversible watermark conveys information about the robust watermark (e.g., encoding parameters, or an error signal), permitting removal of the robust watermark from an uncorrupted encoded image. By such arrangements, the encoded image can be fully restored to its pristine, unencoded state even if several different watermarks have been applied.

Abstract: Maps and signs are embedded with plural-bit data in the form of digital watermarks. In one embodiment, the plural-bit data includes location information with respect to a map. A handheld reading device extracts the location information from the map. The reading device then compares the location information with a physical location of the device. Feedback is provided to help a device user to correlate the map location with the physical location. In another embodiment, signs are watermarked to provide navigational and informational aids. The watermarks may include unique identifiers, which allow database lookup of related information.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to digital watermarking and steganography. In one implementation, a method is provided including receiving data representing imagery. The data includes digital watermarking hidden therein through changes to at least some portions of the data. The digital watermarking includes at least geo-location information. The method further includes analyzing the data to obtain the geo-location information from the digital watermarking, and processing the imagery based at least in part on the geo-location information. Other implementations are provided as well.

Abstract: Digital watermarking technology is used in an image management system. Images are uniquely identified by digital watermarking. The images are stored so as to be indexed according to unique identifiers. In one embodiment, related images are linked together by a unique watermark identifier. The unique watermark identifier is also used to manage metadata, and provide forensic tracking. Watermark identifiers can be used to carry or access security clearance information associated with an image or other media. Other embodiments are provided as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for managing images or video and related information. In one embodiment, geographic information system (GIS) layer information is registered or aligned to an image or video using digital watermark information embedded within the image or video. Other embodiments are provided as well.

Abstract: A variety of systems and embodiments are disclosed. Some of the embodiments handle steganographic data. One embodiment provides a method including: launching on a first computer a reader to read embedded, hidden data; extracting identifying data from the embedded, hidden data; communicating at least the extracted identifying data to a second, remote computer to obtain: i) a URL or pointer associated with a third, remote computer, and ii) a ticket, wherein the URL or pointer is associated with the extracted identifying data; receiving the URL or pointer and the ticket at the first computer from the second, remote computer; using at least the URL or pointer, passing the ticket from the first computer to the third, remote computer to obtain a permission associated with the ticket; and upon receipt of the permission from the third, remote computer, passing the permission from the first computer to a fourth, remote computer.

Abstract: A variety of systems responsive to watermarked documents are detailed. In one, watermarking is employed to facilitate secure online transactions. In another, a system for exchanging data is provided. One system includes a user terminal and a central site. The user terminal includes a watermark reader, and a capture device to capture an image of a watermarked document. The central site includes a database of image hashes. The user terminal communicates with the central site. The watermark reader reads a watermark and computes a hash of a captured image, and passes the hash to the central site for comparison with the database of image hashes.

Abstract: Digital watermarking technology is used in an image management system. Images are uniquely identified by digital watermarks. The images are stored so as to be indexed according to their unique identifiers. In the preferred embodiment, related images are linked together by the unique watermark identifier. The unique watermark identifiers are also used to manage metadata, and provide forensic tracking.

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 map depicts a plurality of different locations. Steganographic encoding is embebbed in first and second map areas. Steganographic encoding in each area conveys an identifier that is associated with its respective map area. Different encoded identifiers are used to link to information pertaining various different locations depicted in the map.

Abstract: Digital watermark methods for encoding auxiliary data into a host signal are used to authenticate physical and electronic objects. One such method computes a content specific message dependent on the host signal, encodes the content specific message into a watermark signal, and embeds the watermark in the host signal such that the watermark signal is substantially imperceptible in the host signal. One specific implementation embeds data representing salient features of the host signal into the watermark. For example, for photo IDs, the method embeds the spatial location of salient features of the photo into the watermark. Another implementation computes a semi-sensitive hash of the host signal, such as a low pass filtering of the signal, and embeds the hash into the watermark. The watermark signal may be content dependent by making the watermark key dependent on some attribute of the signal in which the watermark is embedded.

Abstract: Digital watermark methods for encoding auxiliary data into a host signal are used to authenticate physical and electronic objects. In one implementation, an identification document includes electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry includes an image of an authorized bearer of the identification document. The image includes first digital watermarking having a plural-bit identifier. In some cases, the identification document includes a printed image of the authorized bearer of the identification document. The printed image includes second digital watermarking therein. The first digital watermarking and the second digital watermarking can be cross-correlated for authentication of the identification document.

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: Maps and signs are embedded with plural bit data in the form of digital watermarks. In one embodiment, the plural-bit data includes location information with respect to a map. A handheld reading device extracts the location information from the map. The reading device then compares the location information with a physical location of the device. Feedback is provided to help a device user to correlate the map location with the physical location. In another embodiment, signs are watermarked to provide navigational and informational aids. The watermarks may include unique identifiers, which allow database lookup of related information.

Abstract: Digital watermarking technology is used in an image management system. Images are uniquely identified by digital watermarks. The images are stored so as to be indexed according to their unique identifiers. In the preferred embodiment, related images are linked together by the unique watermark identifier. The unique watermark identifiers are also used to manage metadata, and provide forensic tracking.