Information processing method

• US 20010040980A1
• Filed: 03/21/2001
• Published: 11/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Yamaguchi, Takashi
• Granted Patent: US 6,885,755 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0028 Adaptive watermarking, e.g. Human Visual System [HVS]-based watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0051 Embedding of the watermark in the spatial domain

Abstract

Main image information representing a portrait face image of a person is prepared. Predetermined pattern image information, used as sub image information, is also prepared. Synthetic image information is prepared by synthesizing the main image information with the pattern image information in such a manner that the pattern image information is embedded in the main image information in a state that is not recognizable to the eye of a human being. This synthetic image information is recorded on an ID card or the like as a visible image.

Claims

1. An information processing method comprising:

a first step of preparing main image information that is recognizable to the naked eye of a human being;

a second step of preparing pattern image information;

a third step of executing color difference modulation processing for the pattern image information prepared in the second step in accordance with a predetermined color difference modulation amount, and superimposing the pattern image information, which has been modulated in color difference by the color difference modulation processing, on the main image information prepared in the first step, thereby preparing synthetic image information; and

a fourth step of recording the synthetic image information, prepared in the third step, on a recording medium as a visible image.

2. An information processing method according to

claim 1

, wherein the pattern image information prepared in the second step has a cyclic grid pattern having a predetermined period.

3. An information processing method according to

claim 1

, wherein said third step executes color difference modulation processing such that a first color alternates with a second color complementary thereto, based on the pattern image information prepared in the second step, and superimposes the pattern image information, which has been modulated in color difference by the color difference modulation processing, on the main image information prepared in the first step, thereby preparing synthetic image information.

4. An information processing method comprising:

a first step of preparing main image information that is recognizable to the naked eye of a human being;

a second step of preparing a plurality of kinds of pattern image information, which is defined by a repetition of a pattern image;

a third step of preparing synthetic image information by synthesizing the pattern image information prepared in the second step with a plurality of areas of the main image information prepared in the first step, such that a synthesized state is not recognizable to the naked eye of the human being; and

a fourth step of recording the synthetic image information, prepared in the third step, on a recording medium as a visible image.

5. An information processing method according to

claim 4

, wherein said second step prepares a plurality of kinds of pattern image information, said plurality of kinds of pattern image information include first pattern image information used as a reference, and other pattern image information obtained by rotating the first pattern image information by a predetermined angle.

6. An image information processing according to

claim 4

, wherein said second step prepares first pattern image information and second pattern image information, and said second pattern image information is obtained by rotating the first pattern image information by 90°

.

7. An image processing step comprising:

a first step of preparing main image information that is recognizable to the naked eye of a human being;

a second step of preparing sub image information by preparing first pattern image information and second pattern image information different from the first pattern image information, and by assigning the first and second pattern image information to the main image information such that the first pattern image information is assigned to an area corresponding binary image information representing a character or a symbol and such that the second pattern image information is assigned to a background area which is other than the area corresponding to the character or the symbol;

a third step of preparing synthetic image information by synthesizing the sub image information prepared in the second step with the main image information prepared in the first step, such that a synthesized state is not recognizable to the naked eye of the human being; and

a fourth step of recording the synthetic image information, prepared in the third step, on a recording medium as a visible image.

8. An image information processing according to

claim 7

, wherein said second step prepares first pattern image information and second pattern image information, and said second pattern image information is obtained by rotating the first pattern image information by a predetermined angle.