Methods for marking images

• US 20020186886A1
• Filed: 03/26/2002
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Rhoads, Geoffrey B.
• Application Number:
  US10/109,437
• Publication Number:
  US 20020186886A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/232
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06046 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/14 the marking being sensed by radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2019/06253 for a specific application
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1447 extracting optical codes from image or text carrying said optical code
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/306 using TV related infrastructures external card used for payment with client device H04N21/4185
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0028 Adaptive watermarking, e.g. Human Visual System [HVS]-based watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/005 Robust watermarking, e.g. average attack or collusion attack resistant
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0057 Compression invariant watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0064 Geometric transfor invariant watermarking, e.g. affine transform invariant
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0064 for copy protection or copy management, e.g. CGMS, copy only once, one-time copy
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0065 Extraction of an embedded watermark; Reliable detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0083 whereby only watermarked image required at decoder, e.g. source-based, blind, oblivious
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/40 Document-oriented image-based pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/0034 using watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/004 using digital security elements, e.g. information coded on a magnetic thread or strip
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/086 by passive credit-cards adapted therefor, e.g. constructive particularities to avoid counterfeiting, e.g. by inclusion of a physical or chemical security-layer for security documents G07D7/00; for the reading of record-carriers in general G06K7/00; for the design of coded credit-cards G06K19/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 : Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/018 : Audio watermarking, i.e. embedding inaudible data in the audio signal
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00891 : embedded in audio data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00005 : relating to image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00037 : Detecting, i.e. determining the occurrence of a predetermined state H04N1/00031 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00079 : remotely
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 : in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32144 : embedded in the image data, i.e. enclosed or integrated in the image, e.g. watermark, super-imposed logo or stamp
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32149 : Methods relating to embedding, encoding, decoding, detection or retrieval operations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32154 : Transform domain methods H04N1/32309 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/3216 : using Fourier transforms
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32203 : Spatial or amplitude domain methods H04N1/32309 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32208 : involving changing the magnitude of selected pixels, e.g. overlay of information or super-imposition H04N1/32219, H04N1/32224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32229 : with selective or adaptive application of the additional information, e.g. in selected regions of the image H04N1/32213 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32288 : Multiple embedding, e.g. cocktail embedding, or redundant embedding, e.g. repeating the additional information at a plurality of locations in the image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32299 : using more than one embedding method
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32352 : Controlling detectability or arrangements to facilitate detection or retrieval of the embedded information, e.g. using markers for decoding, detection or retrieval operations H04N1/32149 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/34 : for coin-freed systems ; Pay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2347 : involving video stream encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23892 : involving embedding information at multiplex stream level, e.g. embedding a watermark at packet level
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26613 : for generating or managing keys in general key distribution for secret or secure communication involving central third party, e.g. key distribution center [KDC] or trusted third party [TTP] H04L9/083; network support of key management H04L63/06; key management for network security in communication control or processing H04W12/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4405 : involving video stream decryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44204 : Monitoring of content usage, e.g. the number of times a movie has been viewed, copied or the amount which has been watched monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; protecting generic digital content where the protection is independent of the precise nature of the content G06F21/10; arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services in broadcast systems H04H60/31
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44236 : Monitoring of piracy processes or activities protecting computer platforms against harmful, malicious or unexpected behaviour or activities using intrusion detection and counter measures G06F21/566; computer virus detection and handling G06F21/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 : involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 : of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3207 : of an address
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3225 : of data relating to an image, a page or a document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 : of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/323 : for tracing or tracking, e.g. forensic tracing of unauthorized copies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3233 : of authentication information, e.g. digital signature, watermark
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3242 : of processing required or performed, e.g. for reproduction or before recording H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3246 : of data relating to permitted access or usage, e.g. level of access or usage parameters for digital rights management [DRM] related to still images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3249 : data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/327 : which are undetectable to the naked eye, e.g. embedded codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 : Printing or stamping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3274 : Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/328 : Processing of the additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3284 : for error correction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/1675 : Providing digital key or authorisation information for generation or regeneration of the scrambling sequence pseudo-random number generators in general G06F7/58

Abstract

An image is marked by making slight changes to pixel values. These changes are essentially imperceptible on human scrutiny, but detectable by computer analysis. Such markings have applications in identifying ownership of images (including video), and also in device control (e.g., triggering a “do not copy” response in suitably configured hardware and software systems).

Claims

1. A method for imparting a watermark onto a digitized image comprising the steps of:

providing said digitized image comprised of a plurality of pixels, wherein each of said pixels includes brightness data that represents a brightness of at least one color; and

multiplying said brightness data associated with at least one of said pixels by a predetermined brightness multiplying factor, said brightness multiplying factor, “

mf”

, is selected from the group consisting of (0.9<

=“

mf”

<

1), and (1<

“

mf”

<

=1.1).

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein each pixel is associated with a brightness data value that represents a brightness of a monochrome color.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein each pixel is associated with a plurality of brightness data values.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein said plurality of brightness data values represents brightness of a red, green and blue color.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said watermark has an invisibility classification level of undetectably invisible.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said brightness multiplying factor has a relationship with a number taken from a random number sequence.

7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein said relationship is a linear remapping to provide a desired modulation strength.

8. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein said modulation strength is 10%.

9. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein each of said pixels has a row and a column location in an array representing said digitized image, and wherein said brightness multiplying factor employs a different sequential combination of numbers from said random number sequence in sequential correspondence to said row and column location.

10. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein said random number sequence is generated employing a National Standard Data Encryption Algorithm.

11. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein said sequence is formed from a plurality of watermarking parameters.

12. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein said watermarking parameters provide the watermark with at least one property of a robust invisible watermark.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, in which said brightness multiplying factors are in a range of 0.9 to 1.1.

15. A method as recited in claim 13, in which said original image forms an original plane and said watermarking image forms a watermarking plane being smaller than said original plane, said method further comprising the step of extending said watermarking plane by tiling such that said watermarking plane at least covers said original plane.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step of truncating said watermarking plane such that said watermarking plane covers said original plane, upon determining that said watermarking plane extends beyond said original plane.

17. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the watermarking plane is produced by employing an inverse discrete Fourier transform.

18. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein each of said original elements include a plurality of brightness values corresponding to a red, a green and a blue color component.

13. A method for generating a watermarked image wherein a watermark is imparted onto a digitized image having a plurality of original elements having original brightnesses, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a digitized watermarking plane comprising a plurality of watermarking elements, each having a watermark brightness multiplying factor and having one-to-one correspondence with said original elements; and

producing a watermarked image by multiplying said original brightness of each of said original elements by said brightness multiplying factor of a corresponding one of said watermark elements wherein said watermark is invisible.

19. A method for imparting a watermark onto a digitized image comprising the steps of:

providing said digitized image comprised of a plurality of pixels, wherein each of said pixels includes brightness data that represents a brightness of at least one color; and

multiplying said brightness data associated with at least one of said pixels by a predetermined brightness multiplying factor in the range of 0.9 to 1.1,

wherein said brightness multiplying factor has a relationship with a number taken from a random number sequence, said relationship is a linear remapping to provide a desired modulation strength, and said modulation strength is less than 0.5 percent.

20. A method for imparting a watermark onto a digitized image comprising the steps of:

providing said digitized image comprised of a plurality of pixels, wherein each of said pixels includes brightness data that represents a brightness of at least one color; and

multiplying said brightness data associated with at least one of said pixels by a predetermined brightness multiplying factor in the range of 0.9 to 1.1,

wherein said brightness multiplying factor has a relationship with a number taken from a random number sequence, said relationship is a linear remapping to provide a desired modulation strength, said sequence is formed from a plurality of robust watermarking parameters, and said parameters comprise a cryptographic key, two coefficients and an initial value of said random number generator.