Abstract: Disclosed is a birefringent marking material comprising a vehicle for the marking material and birefringent nanoparticles having an average particle size of less than about 700 nm. The birefringent marking material, such as an ink or a toner, can be used to provide a security marking on or in an item, thereby enabling authentication of the item containing the image formed using the birefringent marking material.

Abstract: To help ensure that only authorized media content that is associated with rights management (RM) restrictions is delivered from a compliant RM interface of a source device to a non-compliant RM interface of a destination device, an interconnect device provides a compliant RM interface to connect to the source device and monitors media content received from the source device to detect an embedded digital watermark. The interconnect device takes the necessary steps to determine if the watermark is authentic and control delivery of the media content to the destination device accordingly. The interconnect device may go back to the source device or to a remote service to authenticate the watermark. If the watermark is authentic, the media content is passed by the interconnect device to the non-compliant interface of the destination device outside of normal RM restrictions. Otherwise, the delivery of the media content is restricted by the interconnect device.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an information acquiring portion that acquires information on image process conditions for processing image data, a creating portion that creates additional image data, serving as a watermark image, with additional information to be embedded into the image data on the basis of the information on the image process conditions acquired, and a merging portion that merges the image data with the additional image data to create composite image data.

Abstract: A method is provided for degrading 3D information such as a 3D image file from its original form so that that the subject matter of the 3D image is altered in a way which prevents one from reverse engineering or manufacturing the subject matter of the 3D image while the degraded image is still identifiable or recognizable as that of the original 3D image. The degrading method selectively alters dimensions or relationships between portions or parts of the 3D image from their original form while maintaining the integrity and recognizablility of the image as that of which was in the original 3D image. The present method can be applied to both original CAD files as well as reduced or lightweight files produced from an original CAD file.

Abstract: A watermark embedding method for embedding a secret message sequence in a document. The techniques include obtaining layout information of the document, extracting a digest of the document by using a Hash function, calculating embedded positions where the secret message sequence is embedded in the document, and dispersedly hiding the secret message sequence in each of the calculated embedded positions by altering the layout of the document. Also provided is a watermark embedding apparatus, a corresponding watermark detecting method and apparatus, and a method and system for detecting document integrity. The integrity of documents in various forms can be detected, and secret information to be hidden can be embedded therein and extracted therefrom. The techniques described are not limited to the document either in soft copy or in hard copy and have good robustness.

Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided for enabling multiple usages of the same printing job separator page. Separator pages are scanned and an image of the separator page content is obtained in order to determine the location on the separator page of prior print job identification information blocks. The prior identification information block is then obscured and identification information for a newly queued print job is printed in a new information block which is positioned in an unused area of the separator page. The separator pages may be reused until the full extent of each separator page has been filled-up with used or obscured print job identification blocks.

Abstract: Techniques to bolster the security of an AlphaEta cryptosystem using spectral phase encoding. In one aspect, a spatial light modulator (SLM) is used to change the spectral code (spectral phase) of each optical bit in response to the output of an extended key generator based on a cryptographic algorithm. In other aspects, additional time and polarization modulations are used to maintain high security levels as well as good performance levels. Such methods are combined with traditional key generation methods such as key-distribution centers or one-way mathematical algorithms to bolster the security of traditional key generation as well.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for authenticating microparticle marks or marks including other three-dimensional objects. The authentication utilizes two or more sets of information captured or acquired for the mark in response to illumination of the mark by electromagnetic energy such as in the visible frequency range. These sets of information are then used to verify that the mark includes three-dimensional objects such as microparticles. The two or more sets of information about the mark preferably vary from each other in time, space/directionality, color, frequency or any combinations thereof, and can be captured or acquired as part of one, two, or more images of the microparticle mark.

Abstract: A system for secure interaction with a secure document is provided. The secure document has coded tags which each encode data associated with the document identity and a location of that tag on the document. The system has memory for recording a correspondence between the document identity and information relating to the document, a receiver for receiving data from a sensing device used to interact with the document, and a processor for verifying the interaction with the document using the received data and the recorded correspondence. The received data is generated by the sensing device through sensing of the data encoded by the coded tags to identify the document identity and a position of the sensing device relative to the document.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing encryption and decryption of data transmitted on a computer implemented network, preferably user authentication identifier data, such as a password, at the point of entry into the user's computer. The systems and methods enable an end user to mentally select a marker from one of the randomly arranged elements on a first portion of a graphical image. A second portion of the graphical image includes an arrangement of possible elements of any individual authentication identifier sequence, and is positioned adjacent to the first portion. The systems and methods prompt a user to enter each element of the identifier by moving the selected marker and the first portion as necessary to substantially align the selected marker with a chosen element of the authentication identifier appearing on the outer portion. According to one embodiment, the image portions are concentric wheels. According to another embodiment, the image portions are arranged in adjacent rows.

Abstract: The invention discloses a new modulation scheme to prevent illegal copy in movie theaters. None of the existing modulation schemes make the right assumptions to modelize a camcorder device. In such classical schemes, camcorders are always considered as sampling devices without taking into account the effects of shutter speed. The shutter of the camcorder is classically compared to a low-pass filter. As a result, modulation effects can be easily removed by setting up shutter speed to low values (low cutoff frequency). The right mathematical modelization of the shutter effect shows that, in the spectral domain, the behavior of the camcorder is close to a cardinal sine function with a main lobe and sidelobes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an authentication medium capable of eliminating problems with the formation of an authentication portion with and embossed hologram, for instance, difficulty with which fabrication time is cut down, and difficulty with which an authentication pattern is changed due to an increased step counts at the time of embossing mold fabrication. A thin-film layer (2) made up of a material that changes in transmittance of reflectance upon heating, an orientation film (4) that is provided if necessary, and a color change layer (3) such a light selective reflecting layer comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal layer are stacked on a substrate (12). By means of a thermal head or the like, recording is applied to the thin-film layer (2), and changes in the hue of the light selective reflecting layer (3) at a recorded site or the presence or absence of reflection or hues upon observation by way of a circular polarization sheet are observed, thereby solving the above problems.

Abstract: A system and method classifies multiple pieces of private data owned by multiple entities according to data type. Each of the entities has an encryption key. A representative entity is selected that is representative of the entities owning data of the type. Data of each of the representative entity and a target entity is encrypted and the encrypted data is exchanged between the entities. Each piece of the encrypted data that the target entity has obtained is re-encrypted by using its own encryption key to obtain data 1, and the encrypted data that the representative entity has obtained is re-encrypted by using its own encryption key to obtain data 2. If data 1 of the representative entity matches data 2, it is determined that the representative entity and the target entity have data of an identical type.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for protection of streamed media content is disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus includes control means for governance of content streams or content objects, decryption means for decrypting content streams or content objects under control of the control means, and feedback means for tracking actual use of content streams or content objects. The control means may operate in accordance with rules received as part of the streamed content, or through a side-band channel. The rules may specify allowed uses of the content, including whether or not the content can be copied or transferred, and whether and under what circumstances received content may be “checked out” of one device and used in a second device. The rules may also include or specify budgets, and a requirement that audit information be collected and/or transmitted to an external server. In a different aspect, the apparatus may include a media player designed to call plugins to assist in rendering content.

Abstract: A method for examining an electronic representation of an item for a watermark, the method including examining at least a first electronic representation of an item for a watermark in accordance with a first watermark definition, receiving a signal indicating that a second watermark definition is to be used for examining electronic representations, and examining at least a second electronic representation of an item for a watermark in accordance with the second watermark definition. Related apparatus and methods are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus, as implemented by a software program on a computer system, for digitally producing counterfeit-deterring scrambled or encoded indicia images. This method and system are capable of combining a source image with a latent image so the scrambled latent image is visible only when viewed through a special decoder lens. The digital processing allows different latent images to be encoded according to different parameters. Additionally, latent images might be encoded into single component colors of an original visible image, at various angles from each other.

Abstract: An XOR (exclusive or) encoded document is disclosed for establishing a joint secret between two parties. Encoded on the document are one or more areas of XOR messages. Each area containing an XOR message hides from view on each side of the XOR encoded document a different message on either side of a transparent base layer. To uncover a message in an area containing an XOR message on one side of the transparent base layer, the message on the other side of the XOR encoded document is scratched off and rendered illegible.

Abstract: A sending device exchanges handshake signals with a receiving device prior to the delivery of compressed digital audio data. The sending and receiving devices are remotely connected using a data network. In one embodiment of the present invention, the sending device sends an access code to the receiving device. The access code is an encrypted data of two components: a digital data associated with the sending device and a digital data associated with the receiving device. The receiving device decrypts the access code. The receiving device stores the compressed digital audio data in its memory if the decrypted access code contains the correct components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the production and labeling of objects in a manner suitable for the prevention and detection of counterfeiting. Thus, the system incorporates a variety of features that make unauthorized reproduction difficult. In addition, the present invention provides an efficient means for the production of labels and verification of authenticity, whereby a recording apparatus which includes a recording medium, having anisotrophic optical domains, along with a means for transferring a portion of the recording medium to a carrier, wherein a bulk portion of the recording medium has macroscopically detectable anisotrophic optical properties and the detecting apparatus thereon.

Abstract: An electronic image into which an electronic watermark is to be embedded is divided into a plurality of image regions spatially, and pixels each having a property of being difficult to visually recognize a variation in a pixel value are extracted as adaptive pixels from each of the plurality of image regions. A variation between the pixel values of the adaptive pixels in one of the plurality of image regions and those of the adaptive pixels in an adjacent one of the plurality of image regions is produced, and the pixel values of the adaptive pixels of the plurality of image regions are varied in a time direction according to the value of an embedded bit set of the electronic watermark. An electronic-watermark-embedded image is then generated by making the variation in the pixel values of the adaptive pixels vary step by step at a boundary between the two of the plurality of image regions and/or in the time direction so that the variation makes a slow transition.

Abstract: A system is provided for verifying the validity status and/or authenticity information of a secure document. The secure document has user discernable information and a plurality of tags printed thereon. Each tag contains coded data encoding an identity of the document and a location of that tag on the document. The system has memory for recording a correspondence between the identity of the secure document and validity status and/or authenticity information relating to the secure document, a receiver for receiving data from a sensing device, and a processor for verifying the validity status and/or authenticity information of the secure document using the received data and the recorded correspondence. The data received from the sensing device identifies the document identity and a position of the sensing device relative to the document, and is generated by the sensing device sensing coded data contained in at least one tag.

Abstract: A self-authenticating check authorization system and method includes a check that has standard bank and account information printed on the MICR line, as well as a one-way hash value that is computed based on the standard bank and account information as well as a personal identification code of a customer and a key. The scanned MICR line data is provided to a check verifier, which also receives the personal identification code from the customer. The check verifier performs a hashing algorithm on the received data, and compares the computed hash value to a hash value obtained from the scanned MICR line data. If there is a match, the check is verified; if not, the check is not verified.

Abstract: A device is provided that includes a monetary instrument having a surface, and a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) line coupled to that surface. The MICR line includes an ABA number, a customer account number, and a one-way hash value. The one-way hash value is output from a hashing process using input including the ABA number, the customer account number, together with a personal identification code and a key that are not included on the MICR line. A method is also provided that authenticates a monetary instrument by comparing a computed one-way hash value with a one-way hash value that is located in the MICR line of the monetary instrument. At the point-of-sale, the MICR line data is scanned and the personal identification code obtained from the customer. The scanned data and the personal identification code are transmitted to a check verifier that provides a check verification status.

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: An image reading system is disclosed that has an image information reading unit for reading optical information on a manuscript, and an image outputting unit for outputting the optical information read by the image information reading unit to a recording medium. The system includes an IC tag information reading unit for reading IC tag information held by an IC tag provided on the manuscript, an IC tag information outputting unit for outputting the IC tag information read by the IC tag information reading unit to the recording medium, a conversion unit for converting the IC tag information into coded image data, and a control unit for controlling outputting of the coded image data.

Abstract: In some embodiments, techniques for voting and visual cryptography may include various enhancements.

Abstract: A method for embedding digital watermark data in digital data contents includes the steps of obtaining a frequency coefficient of block data of digital data contents, obtaining a complexity of the block data, obtaining an amount of transformation of the frequency coefficient from the complexity and the digital watermark data, and embedding the digital watermark data by transforming the frequency coefficient. In addition, a method for reading digital watermark data includes the steps of calculating a probability of reading ‘1’ or ‘0’ in a read bit sequence by using a test method on the basis of binary distribution, determining the presence or absence of digital watermark data according to the probability, and reconstituting digital watermark data. Another method includes the steps of performing soft decision in code theory by assigning weights to the digital watermark sequence with a weighting function, and reconstituting digital watermark data.

Abstract: An anti-tampering method for processing documents is disclosed. The method comprises, in regard to an encoding step, the steps of resolving (in a step 2303) in regard to an N-level image to be recorded, a pixel of the image into a major component having N possible values, selecting (in the step 2303) a pattern element depending upon the major component and the position of the pixel in the image, and recording the selected pattern element (in a step 2308) onto a transfer medium. In regard to a corresponding decoding step the method comprises extracting (in a step 2405) from the recorded document, a retrieved pattern element for said pixel, determining a pattern element (in a step 2407) depending upon a major component extracted from the retrieved pattern element and the position of the pixel on the recorded document, and comparing (in a step 2409) the retrieved pattern element and the said determined pattern element.

Abstract: The present invention provides digital watermarks through multiple channels. The channels can include, e.g., visible, ultraviolet and infrared channels. The non-visible channels can be selected to fluoresce either in the visible or IR/UV spectrums upon the appropriate illumination in the infrared or ultraviolet spectrums. The watermarks in the various multiple channels can cooperate to facilitate watermark detection or to authenticate an object in which the watermarks are embedded. In other implementations the multiple watermarks include so-called orientation components. A relative relationship between the orientation components is used to convey data.

Abstract: A method of managing content, and in particular, managing content on the Internet retrieves a web page that includes an image and detects whether the image included within the web page is embedded with a digital watermark. It generates an indicia associated with an image included in the web page that is embedded with a digital watermark. The indicia indicate to the user which images include watermarks. The watermarks may be used to convey links to related web pages or specific information about the images, such as usage rights and licensing information. Variations of this method create image bookmarks to web pages including images using thumbnails of those images. A content management system comprises a first program for retrieving web pages including images. It also includes a second program for extracting an image from a web page, creating a thumbnail of the image, and forming an image bookmark linking the thumbnail to the web page that the image has been extracted from.

Abstract: A security element which is difficult to copy includes a layer composite which has microscopically fine, optically effective structures of a surface pattern, which are embedded between two layers of the layer composite. In a plane of the surface pattern, which is defined by co-ordinate axes x and y, the optically effective structures are shaped into an interface between the layers in surface portions of a holographically non-copyable security feature. In at least one surface portion the optically effective structure (9) is a diffraction structure formed by additive superimposition of a macroscopic superimposition function (M) with a microscopically fine relief profile (R). Both the relief profile (R), the superimposition function (M) and also the diffraction structure are functions of the co-ordinates x and y. The relief profile (R) is a light-diffractive or light-scattering optically effective structure and, following the superimposition function (M), retains the predetermined profile height.

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: In a coding method for the encryption of information worth protecting on a holographic data storage medium, an item of information (I; I1, I2) to be encrypted is converted into a graphic data image (D1, D2), which is in turn converted into a hologram in order to write the holographic data storage medium (4) therewith. The invention provides for the hologram to be changed graphically before the writing of the holographic data storage medium (4). As a result of the manner in which the hologram is changed graphically, encryption which is less susceptible to faults is achieved in a simple way, which presents increased resistance to a parallelized brute force attack.

Abstract: In some embodiments, techniques for voting and visual cryptography may include various enhancements.

Abstract: One chip encryption processor is disclosed, in which a password process unit for processing a data encryption and an interface for managing a password needed for an encryption are integrated into one chip. The encryption processor includes an encryption interface for connecting an externally connected apparatus and an internal data process apparatus, a password process unit for encrypting the inputted data, a memory unit for temporarily storing the data. The above elements are integrated into one chip, so that a desired data security, non-error operation and stable user verification are obtained.

Abstract: A method of digital watermarking which can resist against local geometrical distortions such as random bending attack, global geometrical distortions as well as projective transforms, but does not necessary require the recovering of global affine transform or even the repetition of the same watermark pattern. Further, the watermark can resist common global affine transformations such as rotation, scaling, and changes of aspect ratio, cropping as well as other types of operations such as filtering, lossy compression, printing/scanning or detection of watermark in front of video, web or photo camera or any imaging device.

Abstract: An encryption method includes: recognizing any face included in an image; analyzing color(s) of the recognized face(s) and thereby determining skin-color(s) of person(s) included in the image; determining a skin-area using the determined skin-color(s); calculating a ratio of the area of the recognized face(s) to the determined skin-area, and determining whether the image required to be encrypted based upon the calculated ratio; and encrypting the image in response to the inputs of a user if the image is required to be encrypted.

Abstract: A system and method for using cameras to download data to cell phones or other devices as an alternative to CDMA/GPRS, BlueTooth, Infrared or cable connections. The data is encoded as a sequence of images such as 2D bar codes, which can be displayed in any flat panel display, acquired by a camera, and decoded by software embedded in the device. The decoded data is written to a file. The system and method meet the following challenges: (1) To encode arbitrary data as a sequence of images. (2) To process captured images under various lighting variations and perspective distortions while maintaining real time performance. (3) To decode the processed images robustly even when partial data is lost.

Abstract: A digital watermark detection apparatus includes an extraction unit extracting a specific frequency component signal from an input image signal, a first transformation unit orthogonal-transforming the image signal, a second transformation unit orthogonal-transforming the specific frequency component signal, a combination unit combining first and second transformed image signals from the first and second transformation units, a third transformation unit orthogonal-transforming a combined image signal, an estimation unit estimating embedded watermark information by searching for a peak appearing in a third transformed image signal of the third transformation unit, and a compressor compressing a target signal in amplitude based on a compression characteristic varying according to an amplitude and frequency of the target signal to obtain a compression signal, the target signal formed of at least one of the first transformed image signal, the second transformed image signal and the combined image signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for copy protection of an information carrier, said system comprising a diffractive layer for delivering a speckle pattern when illuminated by a light source, a spatial filter, which is aligned with respect to the diffractive layer, for delivering a filtered optical signal from the speckle pattern and a detector array for delivering, when illuminated by said filtered optical signal, an electrical signal. Said system further comprises means for computing a cryptographic key from the electrical signal, and means for decrypting encrypted data contained in the information carrier from the cryptographic key. It finds its application in copy protection of content carriers such as optical discs or in smart cards.

Abstract: A method for inputting a password in a mobile terminal includes displaying a keypad cryptograph taking a form of a keypad image, in which the symbols arrangement of the input keys in the keypad cryptograph is different from a symbols arrangement of the input keys of a physical keypad of the mobile terminal, and inputting the password through the input keys of the physical keypad being adopted to input symbols indicated by the keypad cryptograph.

Abstract: A method for embedding digital watermark data in digital data contents includes the steps of obtaining a frequency coefficient of block data of digital data contents, obtaining a complexity of the block data, obtaining an amount of transformation of the frequency coefficient from the complexity and the digital watermark data, and embedding the digital watermark data by transforming the frequency coefficient. In addition, a method for reading digital watermark data includes the steps of calculating a probability of reading ‘1’ or ‘0’ in a read bit sequence by using a test method on the basis of binary distribution, determining the presence or absence of digital watermark data according to the probability, and reconstituting digital watermark data. Another method includes the steps of performing soft decision in code theory by assigning weights to the digital watermark sequence with a weighting function, and reconstituting digital watermark data.

Abstract: An implementation of a technology is described herein for deriving robust non-local characteristics and quantizing such characteristics for blind watermarking of a digital good.

Abstract: An implementation of a technology is described herein for deriving robust non-local characteristics and quantizing such characteristics for blind watermarking of a digital good. This technology finds the proper balance between minimizing the probability of false alarms (i.e., detecting a non-existent watermark) and the probability of misses (i.e., failing to detect an existing watermark). The technology, described herein, performs quantization index modulation (QIM) based upon non-local characteristics of the digital good. Non-local characteristics may include statistics (e.g., averages, median) of a group of individual parts (e.g., pixels) of a digital good. This abstract itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging material with a forgery-proof security feature, whereby the security feature comprises a coded image arrangement which is provided on the packaging material and which reveals an image or image sequence by superimposing a related decoder element.

Abstract: An implementation of a technology is described herein for deriving robust non-local characteristics and quantizing such characteristics for blind watermarking of a digital good.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for random number generation using a scattering waveguide. The apparatus includes a light source for providing coherent light and a scattering waveguide for receiving the coherent light and providing scattered light. The relative position of the light source and the scattering waveguide are variable. The apparatus also includes a detector for forming at least one random number based on the scattered light.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing encryption and decryption of data transmitted on a computer implemented network, preferably user authentication identifier data, such as a password, at the point of entry into the user's computer. The systems and methods enable an end user to mentally select a marker from one of the randomly arranged elements on a first portion of a graphical image. A second portion of the graphical image includes an arrangement of possible elements of any individual authentication identifier sequence, and is positioned adjacent to the first portion. The systems and methods prompt a user to enter each element of the identifier by moving the selected marker and the first portion as necessary to substantially align the selected marker with a chosen element of the authentication identifier appearing on the outer portion. According to one embodiment, the image portions are concentric wheels. According to another embodiment, the image portions are arranged in adjacent rows.

Abstract: A security feature is produced on a flat substrate, e.g. on paper or board. Particles—forming a cryptographic random pattern—are applied, preferably scattered on, to the substrate or incorporated into the substrate. Flexible pieces of wire or fiber, in particular thin pieces of copper wire, are applied to or incorporated into the substrate in a feature area corresponding to the security feature. The security feature can be provided with a protective layer, e.g. a laminate. A security feature produced in accordance with the invention can be detected simply and faultlessly and evaluated cryptographically. Furthermore, it cannot be imitated, or can be imitated only uneconomically, with known printing processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display device for visually reconstructing an image (330) from an encoded image (320), such a device being particularly useful in the field of visual cryptography. The display device has two stacked liquid crystalline layers (410, 420) with individually addressable pixels. One layer (420) renders encoded image data together with a randomization pattern, and the other layer (410) only renders a randomization pattern. If the patterns match, the display device shows a visually reconstructed image (330) to a viewer. Means are provided for LC layers, such as a birefringent layer (414) between the two LC layers. Alternatively, two twisted nematic LC layers can be used having opposite twist directions. Such means were found to improve an image quality of the visually reconstructed image, and can in fact be advantageously applied in any display system including a plurality of LC layers cooperating for forming an image.