Abstract: An image encoding/decoding system and method for producing a computer-generated security device which can be printed onto a document, such as a passport, to secure the document against data alteration. Deflection encoding means comprises means for applying a selected software lens to a source image and producing a deflected image. Encryption encoding means comprises means for applying an encryption function to the deflected image or a source image and producing an encrypted image. Overlaying means is provided for overlaying the deflected and encrypted images and producing therefrom the security device image. The deflected image may be detected from the security device image both by means of a manual lenticular lens corresponding to the software lens applied to a printing of the security image and by means of computer decoding processing applying the software lens.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus for reproducing data from a recording medium and supplying the data to an external apparatus for recording of the data. The reproducing apparatus has a plurality of authenticators for authenticating the external apparatus and the reproducing apparatus selects an authenticator corresponding to a type of the data reproduced from the recording medium and conducts authentication with the external apparatus. After authentication is confirmed, the reproducing apparatus sends the data to the external apparatus to record the data by the external apparatus.

Abstract: Multiple transform utilization and applications for secure digital watermarking. In one embodiment of the present invention, digital blocks in digital information to be protected are transformed into the frequency domain using a fast Fourier transform. A plurality of frequencies and associated amplitudes are identified for each of the transformed digital blocks and a subset of the identified amplitudes is selected for each of the digital blocks using a primary mask from a key. Message information is selected from a message using a transformation table generated with a convolution mask. The chosen message information is encoded into each of the transformed digital blocks by altering the selected amplitudes based on the selected message information.

Abstract: A method for securing passwords, personal identification numbers and identifying patterns utilizes a MasterCode camouflaged within a grid which contains all the characters, symbols or pictograms of which the MasterCode is a subset. For securing numeric sequences, the MasterCode is comprised of ten characters randomly associated to a corresponding digit (including zero). The characters thereby associated with each numeric password are expanded into an ordinary, natural language word, a SecureWord using non-associated letters. The MasterCode is masked by its unique placement in a MasterGrid known only to the user. For securing passwords comprised of alpha numeric symbolic characters, each unique character, the MasterCode, is assigned a sequential number which becomes a sequence of positions in the MasterGrid with each MasterCode character placed in the appropriate position and the remainder of the character set filled in. SecureNumbers are the positions in the MasterGrid of each character in a password.

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: Sound information related to an image is inputted together with the image taken by a camera, and is printing outputted as a two-dimensional bar code data with the image by a printer provided in the camera as one body. Specifically, a printed matter is formed by printing the taken image and the sound information sound inputted in relation to the image. Thereby, the printed matter is printed with a comment on image taking environment such as information on a subject of image taking and a light condition when taking the image or on the subject of the image taking inputted through the sound. As a result, it can be used as a storage medium which stores information of higher dimension and is easy to access.

Abstract: In an apparatus for authenticating a digital signature, a signature generating part encrypts a digital document by using a private key defined by a signer and digest information for checking whether the digital document has been tampered with, and generates a digital signature. A signature synthesizing part creates image information by synthesizing the digital signature and a predetermined mark. And an image embedding part embeds the image information created by said signature synthesizing part into an indicated position in the digital document.

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: A system and method for verifying and authenticating multimedia objects. Provided is a system for splitting a watermark into at least a first and second part, inserting the first part of the watermark into a first component of the multimedia object, and inserting the second part into a second component of the multimedia object, and outputting a watermarked multimedia object. The watermark may be provided by obtaining a signature of the original multimedia object. Also included are systems and methods for checking the validity and authenticity of a received watermarked multimedia object, wherein the multimedia object includes individual watermarked media components.

Abstract: An image indicating a copyright and its related information are set through a setting input means and those settings are stored in a related information storing means in advance. Registration image data is recorded in a detachable registration image data recording medium in advance. When an arbitrary image signal is generated by an image generating means, an image combining control means receives the generated image signal and also receives, via a registration image data input means, the registration image data stored in the registration image data recording medium. Further, the image combining control means generates a registration image signal by referring to the setting information and combines it with the arbitrary image signal. In this state, if no corresponding registration image data exists in the registration image data recording medium, image signal combining is not performed.

Abstract: The discrimination system of the cryptic graph-text document and manufacturing method thereof is to digitize and decompose the cryptic document and fix them onto the surfaces of the digital reader and printed sheet, which present themselves as the cryptic documents. An array of numerous miniaturized lenses with specific focal lengths is distributed on the surface of the reader. When the printed sheet is covered with a specific digital reader at a specific location, the corresponding document is revealed and presents as the original document and alternating the darkness of the pattern from heavy to light and from invisible to visible gradually while changing the visual angle. Several digital readers are matched to one printed sheet, resulting in different cryptic patterns accordingly. The discrimination system is intuitive, simple and speedy, and is difficult to imitate.

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: The present invention provides methods and compositions for authentication of articles and counterfeit deterrence using non-holographic micro-optics and microstructures having a surface relief greater than a few microns. Embodiments of the present invention disclose a range of distinctive optical effects obtained from micro-optic systems incorporating micro lenses, non-imaging collectors, prisms, wave guides, mirrors, gratings, structural interference filters, and photonic crystal microstructures.

Abstract: A watermarking method converts a watermark message into a Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) signal and embeds the FSK signal in a host signal. The spectral properties of the FSK watermark signal facilitate its detection, even in applications where the watermarked signal is corrupted. Because of these properties, the FSK watermark signal can perform the dual function of identifying the watermark's presence and orientation in potentially corrupted media, and also conveying a hidden message in the host signal. Such a watermark may be referred to as a self-orienting watermark.

Abstract: The present invention is a multi-section lens for decoding at least two encodings, as a function of the parameters of a lens section, of at least one latent image, as implemented by a software program on a computer system, for security measures such as determining the authenticity of an object. The encoded latent image is a function of distinct lenticular parameters which may include the frequency and lens radius of curvature of a particular lens section. Each section has a corresponding encoded latent image thus allowing for multiple latent images and multiple encodings making it virtually impossible to counterfeit the encoded object or the decoding apparatus.

Abstract: A method of applying an authentication image to an article is presented. The method comprises obtaining a digitized version of the authentication image, encoding the digitized version of the authentication image to produce an encoded latent image, and printing the encoded latent image on a printable surface of the article using a transmittent printing medium.

Abstract: In order to protect the copyright of data in accordance with the intent of a copyright holder, an arbitrary timing can be set for the application of an electronic watermark to data. For example, a data registration timing, a data communication timing or a data output timing can be arbitrarily selected.

Abstract: A document includes at least one drawing or data produced, for example, by printing. In addition, this document includes a hologram representing part of the document. The hologram of this document is recorded using a system including a prerecorded or electrically controllable optical modulator in which the image of at least part of the document is recorded. This modulator is designed to be combined with a layer of photosensitive material. A first reference wave illuminates the layer of photosensitive material. A second wave incident on the modulator and giving rise to a third object wave is also transmitted to the layer of photosensitive material in order to interfere with the reference wave in this layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus that partially encrypt an information data file. An exemplary method includes dividing the information file into a first file and a second file, wherein the second file includes content from the information file to preclude reconstruction of the information file using only the first file, and encrypting the second file. Additionally, the method provides for transmitting the first file and the encrypted second file from a first device to a second device.

Abstract: Images are steganographically marked with codes that can be used, e.g., by reference to a remote registry, to identify the image proprietors. Some embodiments pre-mark blank emulsion film or paper products with such codes, so that images formed thereon can be traced back to their proprietors. A variety of other embodiments and technologies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A technique of enciphering the graph-text document and its security transfer on a network. The sender of the graph-text document enciphers at least one graph-text document with digitizing algorithm provided by a control center and producing an enciphered and compressed cryptic document. Sender sends this enciphered cryptic document to a recipient, who prints out the enciphered graph-text document. The control center sends the positioning parameters of a reader sheet, the coordinates of the pole and the polar angle, to the recipient, who puts the reader sheet onto the document sheet at the right position and right orientation as indicated by the parameters received. The original document thus is revealed as a four dimensional (four parametric) document and is ready to be read.

Abstract: In order to shorten the time required for encryption and decryption of communication data, the contents of input data are analyzed by a discrimination method such as pattern matching, and in accordance with this analysis result, it is checked whether the received data is particular data. A portion of data judged as the particular data is encrypted and sent to an output buffer, whereas a portion other than the particular portion is not encrypted but is directly sent to the output buffer. Thereafter, the contents in the output buffer are transmitted. The particular data includes a control code of print data, upper bits of image data, predetermined discrete bits of voice data, a conversion tale for compression data, and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for embedding information into a target element in which information is to be embedded and a storage medium. The method and apparatus include obtaining plural sets of data values of a plurality of elements, wherein each set of data values is obtained along one direction extending through the target element, determining a strength of embedding information into the target element based on the plural sets of data values obtained, and embedding information into the target element based on the strength determined. The storage medium stores a program which enables embedding information by execution by a computer.

Abstract: A secure document design has a visible graphical structure that forms part of the aesthetic features on the document and carries encoded message information. A method for generating this design starts with a visible structure used for geometric registration. It then generates a variable auxiliary message comprising message values, and maps the message values to a two dimensional pattern of locations in the visible structure on the document. It repeats the auxiliary message and represents the auxiliary message differently in the two dimensional pattern according to a key. An implementation of this method may be used to create design artwork for printed security documents that is aesthetically pleasing, carries a robust machine readable message, and can be used to authenticate other information on the security document.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an image path for work flow or printing in which a scanner or image editor produces a raster image. The raster image is segmented into a background plus a plurality of objects represented as foreground, mask pairs (henceforth the background or a foreground, mask pair will be referred to as a field). Each field possesses a potentially different security level. Each security level corresponds to a public encryption key used to encrypt each layer with its corresponding security level. A publicly known file storage and transmission format that supports mixed raster content is used to store or transmit the raster image. Upon retrieval or reception, a viewer enters in a private key into a user interface. The private key can only decrypt that content to which the viewer is authorized.

Abstract: A postage meter includes a vault that accounts for postage dispensed by the postage meter; and a printhead module having a printhead for printing the postage dispensed; a smart card chip having a ROM having software code stored therein; an EEPROM having an encrypted key and executable code stored therein, a CPU; a RAM; and a flash memory having an encrypted pointer data file stored therein.

Abstract: In the accurate inspection of a paper sheet (for example, the type and authenticity of banknotes) light incident on the paper sheet that is being transported is controlled to be constant. To achieve such control, in accordance with the present invention, an illumination monitor is disposed facing an illumination window, and the light reflected by an inner surface of the illumination window is detected by the illumination monitor. Since, in this configuration, the illumination monitor faces the illumination window, the illumination monitor has a monitor region on a transportation path. The illumination monitor is directed toward the illumination window so that the monitor region is positioned outside an illumination region formed by a light-emitting element, thereby preventing the illumination monitor from picking up the light reflected from a transportation path of the paper sheet.

Abstract: To enable the control of rendering contents in part by using digital watermark technique: a contents serving center for embedding watermark in contents 4 embeds control information as digital watermarks within at least one of a plurality of blocks constituting electronic data by which contents are represented, thereby specifying the application of filtering to a part of the contents corresponding to the block; a contents distribution center 1 distributes the watermark-including contents to a receiving terminal 2 where checks the blocks of the received data to detect whether the control information as digital watermarks is embedded therein and applies the filtering to the block for which the embedded control information embedded has been detected in advance of reproducing the contents.

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 coded indicia images, typically in a printed form. 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. A second embodiment teaches a method of forming an optical surface having diffraction properties that vary over the optical surface in accordance with a security graphic image that includes an encoded recognizable indicium formed as a parallax panoramagram image through a lenticular line screen.

Abstract: An information hiding method with reduced fuzziness, which employs interleaving encoding, convolutional encoding and contrasts among neighboring pixels. Once the information is hidden, it can still be extracted without the original image from the generated image after a certain extent of fuzziness damage.

Abstract: In the attribute detection apparatus in the system of the present invention, an inputted image is transformed by DCT means to extract an estimation value of the embedded electronic watermark data in frequency space. Then, the statistical similarity between known electronic watermarks and the extracted electronic watermark data are calculated. The attribute change apparatus in a system of the present invention comprises a selector, an insert data register for storing the output of the selector, a brightness register for storing the brightness signal of the inputted image, a color difference register for storing the color difference signal of the inputted image, and adder for adding the output of the color difference register and the output of the insert data register. Here, the selector selects one of the insert data stored in a plurality of memory areas on the basis of the attribute inputted from attribute detection apparatus.

Abstract: A scannerless range imaging system employs a technique for embedding digital data into its image output in a manner that allows exact recovery of its associated images. The range imaging system captures (a) a plurality of phase images of reflected modulated illumination, wherein each image incorporates a phase delay term corresponding to the distance of objects in the scene from the range imaging system, together with a phase offset term unique for each image, and (b) at least one intensity image of reflected unmodulated illumination, and then generates an image bundle of associated images including the plurality of phase images and the intensity image.

Abstract: One inventive aspect pertains to a watermarking mechanism that allows a watermark to be determined from only a part of the video sequence without human intervention and without reference to the original watermarked frames. This watermark has improved invisibility, detection reliability and robustness. Invisibility is improved through the inclusion of frame difference parameters to calculate the amplitude of the watermark. Detection reliability and robustness can be improved by assuring that opposite signed values for the pseudo-random number sequence are spatially near each other and using data blocks forming the data sets, respectively. Another inventive aspect pertains to a watermarking mechanism that is exclusively dependent on the data contained in the data sets and is completely interoperable between spatial and compressed domains.

Abstract: This invention discloses new methods, security devices and apparatuses for authenticating documents and valuable articles which may be applied to any support, including transparent synthetic materials and traditional opaque materials such as paper. The invention relates to moire intensity profiles which occur in the superposition of periodic or aperiodic geometrically transformed structures. By using a specially designed basic screen and master screen, where at least the basic screen is comprised in the document, a moire intensity profile of a chosen shape becomes visible in their superposition, thereby allowing the authentication of the document. If a microlens structure is used as a master screen, the document comprising the basic screen may be printed on an opaque reflective support, thereby enabling the visualization of the moire intensity profile by reflection.

Abstract: A digital watermarking method encodes different pairs of watermarks into each of a plurality of images offered for use by a vendor. The watermarks in each pair are derived from two separate collections of watermarks and sufficiently different so as to prevent false positives. Because each pair of watermarks is assigned to a different customer relative to a particular image, unauthorized use of a digital image sold to a customer may be determined by locating the associated pair of watermarks assigned to the customer in the image. Collusion detection is also realized by forming each pair of masks from sub-collections of masks which are detectable in an image formed by combining the same images sold to one or more customers.

Abstract: A method and system for creating authentication signatures for digital images and video frames is provided. The method and system involves partitioning the image into multiple blocks, comparing characteristics from each block and generating data bits based on the comparison. Each block is then broken up into additional blocks and those blocks are compared to create additional signature bits which are combined with the signature sets from the first set of blocks. Each of these new smaller blocks can be further broken up and the procedure can be repeated to provide an authentication signature of desired length.

Abstract: A projector (10) with enhanced security camcorder defeat including a copy protection illumination system (1) for illuminating a spatial light modulator (30) comprises: a polychromatic light source (20); uniformizing optics (22) for homogenizing light from the polychromatic light source to provide a uniform illumination field; relay optics; dichroic optics; an interference modulation element (5) located at a plane in an optical path located between the polychromatic light source and the spatial light modulator; and a detection means for determining the absence of the interference modulation element.

Abstract: A method and system for using chromatic dispersion (CD) to encrypt and decrypt data transmitted between a source and a destination domain over an insecure transmission system. In one aspect, a chromatic dispersion encrypter (CDE) in a source domain induces upon data a first CD, thereby encrypting it, prior to transmitting the data on the insecure transmission system. A second optical device, herein called a chromatic dispersion decrypter (CDD), in a destination domain receives the data off the transmission system and induces upon the data a second CD, which is substantially the negative of the first CD, thereby decrypting it. The first and second optical devices may include etalon-based optical assemblies. In another aspect, the ripple amplitude and the ripple period of the CD profile configured on the first optical device is selected based on the data rate of the transmission system, thereby strengthening the encryption.

Abstract: A method of detecting a block-based watermark is provided. The method detects the location of the watermark within a frame of content data regardless of whether the watermark has been shifted or resized.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for cryptographing and/or deciphering an image. The apparatus includes an image segmenting unit, a random image generating unit, a cryptographing unit, and a phase card generating unit. The image segmenting unit segments an input binary image into images. The random image generating unit generates as many random images as the segmented images. The cryptographing unit performs XOR operations on the segmented images and the random images on a one-to-one basis to produce as many cryptographed images as the segmented images. The phase card generating unit assigns phase values of &pgr; and 0 to black and white pixels of the cryptographed images to generate phase cards corresponding to the cryptographed images.

Abstract: Supplementary information related to original data is embedded in the original data without being lost or altered and without degrading the quality of the original data. A photographing condition or the like regarding photographing of the original image data is generated as the supplementary information by supplementary information generating means and stored in a database on a network by supplementary information storing means. Storage management information such as a URL address of where the supplementary information is stored is generated by storage management information generating means and embedded by embedding means in the original image data by using deep layer encryption. The original image data in which the storage management information has been embedded are recorded in a recording medium.

Abstract: A print media has a visible image and a plurality of invisible encodements comprising data printed over it in a hierarchy order, wherein the encodement of the highest order represents a replacement or edited version of the data of lower order encodements. Apparatus and methods provide effectively editing of an existing invisible encodement printed on media with a material sensitive to a first light wavelength by printing an edited or replacement encodement over it with a material sensitive to a second light wavelength of higher order in the hierarchy. Apparatus and methods also provide for selectively reading the highest order encodement, all of the encodements or selected ones of the encodements.

Abstract: A method to embed a first halftone image into a second halftone image is described. The method includes the steps of (1) generating a first halftone image from a first continuous tone image, (2) placing a collection of halftone pixels from the first halftone image into a second halftone image, where the remaining pixels of the second halftone image are not yet determined, (3) generating the remaining pixels of the second halftone image from a second continuous tone image. The method generates a composite halftone image that contains both halftones of the first and second continuous tone images. The composite image appears visually as the halftone of the second continuous tone image. When the pixels corresponding to the first halftone is extracted and arranged, the second halftone becomes visible. The extraction method can also require the use of a key. The composite image can be used for authentication, ownership assertion, and finger printing purposes for printed documents.

Abstract: Upon embedding additional information in image information, since an image region in which the additional information can be embedded is limited, the information size that can be embedded is often limited, and all pieces of additional information cannot be embedded. Before the additional information is embedded in the image information, distribution information of pixel values is obtained by scanning the image information, and the information size that can be embedded is detected and displayed on the basis of the obtained distribution information of pixel values.

Abstract: A method and system for watermarking and recovering a watermarked digitized image for subsequent authentication. The digitized image comprises spatial domain data signals reproduced from an original image. A transformer transforms the spatial domain data signals into frequency domain data signals, including respective magnitude and phase data signal components. Information is embedded into the magnitude data signals to develop modified data signals and the modified data signals are converted from the frequency domain to the spatial domain to generate the watermarked digitized image. For recovery, a second transformer transforms the spatial domain data signals comprising the respective original digitized image and watermarked digitized image into respective frequency domain dataset signals. A comparator responsive to the two transformer outputs compares the respective frequency domain dataset signals to identify the watermark and verify the authenticity of the image reproduction.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus (e.g., photo kiosk) includes a lens for imaging a customer-provided original onto an opto-electronic detector for producing image data, and a reproduction system for producing a copy therefrom. Images that are to be resistant against copying on such apparatuses can be printed on photographic emulsion medium having a subliminal marking. The marking can be detected from visible-light scan data corresponding to the medium, yet such marking is inconspicuous upon human inspection. The apparatus passes the scan data to a processor that looks for evidence of such a marking. If found, the processor issues a signal that interrupts a usual reproduction-making process of the apparatus. The system is useful, e.g., to prevent unauthorized copying of professional photographs, such as wedding portraits.

Abstract: A quantum cryptography apparatus securely generates a key to be used for secure transmission between a sender and a receiver connected by an atmospheric transmission link. A first laser outputs a timing bright light pulse; other lasers output polarized optical data pulses after having been enabled by a random bit generator. Output optics transmit output light from the lasers that is received by receiving optics. A first beam splitter receives light from the receiving optics, where a received timing bright light pulse is directed to a delay circuit for establishing a timing window for receiving light from the lasers and where an optical data pulse from one of the lasers has a probability of being either transmitted by the beam splitter or reflected by the beam splitter. A first polarizer receives transmitted optical data pulses to output one data bit value and a second polarizer receives reflected optical data pulses to output a second data bit value.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus has an input unit for inputting a plurality set of drawing data representing one frame image a generating unit for generating first intermediate language data representing a watermark to be added to the one frame image and generating second intermediate language data by analyzing the drawing data input from the input unit and a producing unit for producing final print image data in accordance with the first and second intermediate language data, wherein the first intermediate language data representing the watermark is regenerated in accordance with contents of the second intermediate language data. A watermark added to an image can be reliably prevented from being lost by an image editing process.

Abstract: An optical signal may be encrypted and decrypted using an encoder and a matched decoder. In this way, an encoded signal may be retrieved using a decoder that matches the encoder. The encoder may alter the phase or amplitude of the signal.