Watermark systems and methods

• US 20020118394A1
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Published: 08/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Mckinley, Tyler J., Brundage, Trent J., Perry, Burt W., Carr, J. Scott, Hannigan, Brett T., Rodriguez, Tony F., Seder, Phillip Andrew, Paul, Indraneel
• Granted Patent: US 7,123,740 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/3.28
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1063 Personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/125 by manipulating the program code, e.g. source code, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/16 Program or content traceability, e.g. by watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6272 by registering files or documents with a third party
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2153 Using hardware token as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8358 involving watermark protecting executable software by watermarking G06F21/16; image watermarking in general G06T1/0021; watermarks inserted in still images for transmission purposes H04N1/32144; inserting watermarks during video coding H04N19/467

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.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

encoding a collectible article with a unique indicia;

selling the encoded article to a collector;

receiving an electronic communication when the collector presents the encoded article to an optical sensor;

serving to the collector a web page permitting the collector to register the article as belonging to that collector;

collecting registration data from the collector; and

storing the registration data.

2. A method of marking product packaging, comprising:

printing on the packaging using a first, visible ink;

printing over at least some of said first ink using a second ink, said second ink fluorescing when exposed to ultraviolet light;

wherein said second ink is printed in a pattern encoding first digital data.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the second ink is printed in a pattern encoding a digital watermark.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the first, visible, ink forms artwork having second digital data steganographically encoded therein.

5. The method of claim 3 in which the second digital data is different than the first digital data.

6. The method of claim 2 in which the printing with the first ink includes depositing a flood of black ink.

7. A photolithography method of shaping an article, comprising exposing a photosensitive material on said article in accordance with a pattern, and thereafter developing the exposed material and chemically removing portions therefrom in accordance with the pattern, wherein said pattern steganographically encodes plural bit digital data.

8. In a method of processing paper, an improvement comprising forming along only margins thereof a pattern, said pattern conveying a steganographic orientation signal.

9. A method of verifying a credit card transaction, comprising:

sensing a credit card presented to an optical sensor device by a user, the sensor device yielding card image data;

decoding a digital watermark from the card image data to aid in confirming physical possession of said card by the user;

using the same optical sensor device to capture an image of the user'"'"'s face; and

storing said facial image for fraud deterrence purposes.

10. The method of claim 9 that includes providing an incentive to users as a reward for employing the method.

11. A method of software licensing, including:

sensing a digital watermark from a talisman presented to an optical sensor device by a user, the sensor device yielding image data; and

using data associated with the digital watermark in enabling the software for use on a user computer.

12. A method of processing a magnetic stripe used on a card substrate, comprising slightly changing localized magnetic signals thereon, said slight changes encoding digital data apart from digital data encoded on the magnetic stripe in a conventional fashion.

13. A method comprising printing a pattern on a printed circuit board, the pattern encoding digital watermark data representing information useful in circuit board assembly or testing.

14. A roadside sign have both an overt, visible, message and a covert, steganographic message, formed thereon.

15. A method of checking a garment for authenticity, comprising decoding steganographically encoded data from a garment hang tag, and checking said data against reference data.

16. An article having a feature therein encoding digital data, said feature becoming exposed only through use.

17. A method of rendering a video, comprising decoding a watermark encoded in the video, and using data conveyed by the watermark to enhance fidelity of the rendered video.