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: 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 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 disclosure describes methods and apparatus of providing steganographic indicia or digital watermarking in image or video data. One implementation provides a method of embedding a digital watermark in image data captured by an imager, with watermark embedding occurring on-chip with the imager. Another implementation provides a method of managing images. Each of the images comprises plural-bit data steganographically embedded therein in the form of a digital watermark, with the plural-bit data corresponding to a geo-location. Yet another implementation provides a method of identifying locations on a map, with the map being for display via a computer display. Still another implementation provides a method of introducing a watermark message to a watermark embedder located on-chip with an image array. Other implementations and embodiments are provided as well.

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: This disclosure describes, e.g., methods, sensors and apparatus that provide steganographic indicia or digital watermarking in image or video data. One implementation provides a method including: determining one or more operating characteristics of a device; based at least on the one or more operating characteristics, adjusting a steganographic embedding process associated with the device; steganographically embedding plural-bit auxiliary data in host content handled or processed by the device according to the adjusted steganographic embedding process. Another implementation provides an image sensor comprising: a controller; an image sensor array; at least one digital watermark detector co-located with the image senor array. The digital watermark detector operates to decode digital watermarks from imagery captured by the image sensor array.

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 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 to steganographically mark metallic, shiny and/or specular surfaces. In one implementation, we provide a method including: obtaining auxiliary data; modifying the auxiliary data according to a pseudo-random signal; providing the modified auxiliary data on a specular surface with an ink or dye that provides a pattern comprising at least diffuse reflection. The pattern is provided in a steganographic manner. Other implementations are described and claimed.

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: Invoices, bank statements, checks, and other transactional paperwork is encoded with a steganographic digital watermark that encodes identification information. When a user shows such a paper (e.g., an invoice) to an optical input device associated with a computer, a browser session is initiated that uses the identification information to transport the user to a web page corresponding to that invoice. The web page provides a variety of functionality, including account review and payment, and customer service.

Abstract: The present invention relates to message encoding. In a first implementation, a message is provided. The message is transformed by a secret key. The secret key is generated by providing a plural-bit seed. The seed is randomized and then error correction encoded. We prefer tail-biting convolutional encoding for our error correction encoding. The encoded seed forms a secure key, which is used to transform the message prior to embedding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to digital watermarking. In a preferred embodiment, media is embedded with one or more digital watermark components. The media includes a blue color plane, a red color plane and a green color plane. The digital watermark component is embedded in the blue color plane, and scaled versions of the digital watermark component are embedded in the red and green color planes. The scaling of component in the red and green color planes helps insure that luminance attributable to the blue color digital watermark component is reduced or offset. A related watermark detection scheme is disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure describes methods and apparatus for providing digital watermarks in image data. One implementation embeds digital watermarks on-chip with respect to a CMOS or CCD image array. Some implementations introduce a watermark component during image capture, the watermark being introduced through variations in physical characteristics of a set of pixels. Other implementations involve managing images through geo-location information embedded therein. The disclosure also describes methods and apparatus for identifying travel points through digital watermarked images. For example, an image includes location information steganographically embedded therein. The location information is used to identify or provide a map corresponding to the location information. A location on the map that is associated with the location information is visually marked with an object. In some implementations the object is the image or a thumbnail version of the image.

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.