Marking articles using a covert digitally watermarked image

• US 20030005304A1
• Filed: 06/06/2002
• Published: 01/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spectra Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: Spectra Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Conroy, Jeffrey L., Lawandy, Nabil M., Smuk, Andrei
• Granted Patent: US 7,184,569 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/176
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 3/003 on optical devices, e.g. lens elements; for the production of optical devices production by thermal imaging means B41M5/265
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 3/10 Watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 3/14 Security printing securities B42D25/29
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 3/144 using fluorescent, luminescent or iridescent effects
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/02 Nature of the markings
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/00 Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof printing processes to produce identification or security features B41M3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/29 Securities; Bank notes
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/333 Watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/382 absorbing or reflecting infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/387 absorbing or reflecting ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking
• 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: G11B 20/00086 Circuits for prevention of unauthorised reproduction or copying, e.g. piracy indicating unauthorised use of record carriers in general G11B23/28; scrambling for television signal recording H04N5/913; network architectures or network protocols for network security H04L63/00; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00173 wherein the origin of the content is checked, e.g. determining whether the content has originally been retrieved from a legal disc copy or another trusted source
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/0021 involving encryption or decryption of contents recorded on or reproduced from a record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/0026 the key being stored as a barcode
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00289 wherein the key is stored as a watermark
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00557 wherein further management data is encrypted, e.g. sector headers, TOC or the lead-in or lead-out areas
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00608 wherein the material that the record carrier is made of is altered, e.g. adding reactive dyes that alter the optical properties of a disc after prolonged exposure to light or air
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00876 wherein physical copy protection means are attached to the medium, e.g. holograms, sensors, or additional semiconductor circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00884 : involving a watermark, i.e. a barely perceptible transformation of the original data which can nevertheless be recognised by an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00905 : multiple watermarks used in combination
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0042 : with provision for auxiliary features sensing such features G11B17/00, G11B19/02
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/281 : by changing the physical properties of the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/284 : on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/30 : with provision for auxiliary signals
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/38 : Visual features other than those contained in record tracks or represented by sprocket holes the visual signals being auxiliary signals
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/40 : Identifying or analogous means applied to or incorporated in the record carrier and not intended for visual display simultaneously with the playing-back of the record carrier, e.g. label, leader, photograph
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/00736 : Auxiliary data, e.g. lead-in, lead-out, Power Calibration Area [PCA], Burst Cutting Area [BCA], control information sector headers or adresses in prepits G11B7/00745; address data in track wobble G11B7/24082
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/244 : comprising organic materials only
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/246 : containing dyes
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/247 : methine or polymethine dyes
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/249 : containing organometallic compounds G11B7/246 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/252 : of layers other than recording layers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/254 : of protective topcoat layers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 : Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/327 : which are undetectable to the naked eye, e.g. embedded codes

Abstract

A marking system that includes forming at least one marking in or on an article, wherein the image formed is not visible to the unaided human observer, and further contains at least one digital watermark. The digitally watermarked image comprises emissive and photoabsorptive portions. The digitally watermarked image is applied using a substance reactive to a predetermined excitation source, and exposure to ultraviolet light. Other traditional techniques, such as printing with fluorescent inks may be used in combination. The digitally watermarked image is subsequently observable upon exposure to the predetermined excitation source. The digitally watermarked image may be observed and decoded by appropriately configured detection systems, wherein the information obtained may be used for purposes including, but not limited to, authentication and security of the article or information contained within the article.

Claims

1. An object comprising at least one digitally watermarked image, said digitally watermarked image being normally invisible and comprising a material that causes said digitally watermarked image to become detectable due at least in part to an optically absorptive property of said digitally watermarked image when exposed to a predetermined excitation source.

2. The object as in claim 1, wherein said digitally watermarked image includes a data code symbology comprising at least one of a bar code, a graphic, text, and alphanumeric characters.

3. The object as in claim 1, wherein said digitally watermarked image comprising at least one digital watermark is disposed upon said article in a coating.

4. The object as in claim 3, wherein said coating comprises at least one of a polymeric material, a monomeric material, a metal chelate, an organic phosphor, an inorganic phosphor, a fluorescent dye and a laser dye.

5. The object as in claim 1, wherein said digitally watermarked image comprises information for purposes comprising at least one of authentication of said article, providing a relationship to said article, providing access to a digital watermark, providing access to said article, providing access to information contained within said article, and providing a key for decrypting encrypted information.

6. The object as in claim 1, wherein said digitally watermarked image comprises a decryption key.

7. The object as in claim 1, wherein said object comprises one of an optical media, a security document, a note of currency, a product package, a label, an identification, and a credit card.

8. An article comprising a marking, the marking comprising:

a first digitally watermarked image, said digitally watermarked image being normally invisible and comprising a material that causes said digitally watermarked image to become detectable due at least in part to an optically absorptive property of said digitally watermarked image when exposed to a predetermined excitation source; and

,

a second digitally watermarked image disposed upon said article, wherein said second digitally watermarked image is substantially observable to the unaided observer.

9. An article as in claim 8, wherein said first digitally watermarked image is in registration with said second digitally watermarked image.

10. An article as in claim 8, wherein said first digitally watermarked image is offset from said second digitally watermarked image.

11. An article as in claim 8, wherein said first digitally watermarked image is concentric with said second digitally watermarked image.

12. An article as in claim 8, wherein said first digitally watermarked image and said second digitally watermarked image each comprise at least a complimentary portion of a complete digitally watermarked image of said marking.

13. An article as in claim 8, wherein at least one of said digitally watermarked images comprises information for purposes comprising at least one of authentication of said article, providing a relationship to said article, providing access to a digital watermark, providing access to said article, providing access to information contained within said article, and providing a key for decrypting encrypted information.

14. An article as in claim 8, wherein at least one of said watermarks comprises a decryption key.

16. An article as in claim 15, wherein said first digitally watermarked image is in registration with said at least one second digitally watermarked image.

17. An article as in claim 15, wherein said first digitally watermarked image is offset from said at least one second digitally watermarked image.

18. An article as in claim 15, wherein said first digitally watermarked image is concentric with said at least one second digitally watermarked image.

19. An article as in claim 15, wherein said first digitally watermarked image is overlapping with said at least one second digitally watermarked image.

20. An article as in claim 15, wherein at least one of said digitally watermarked images comprises information for purposes comprising at least one of authentication of said article, providing a relationship to said article, providing access to a digital watermark, providing access to said article, providing access to information contained within said article, and providing a key for decrypting encrypted information.

21. An article as in claim 15, wherein said first predetermined excitation source and said second predetermined excitation source comprise one of a same excitation source or two excitation sources.

15. An article comprising a marking, the marking comprising:

a first digitally watermarked image, said digitally watermarked image being normally invisible and comprising a material that causes said digitally watermarked image to become detectable due at least in part to an optically absorptive property of said digitally watermarked image when exposed to a first predetermined excitation source; and

,

at least one second digitally watermarked image, said second digitally watermarked image being normally invisible and comprising a material that causes said second digitally watermarked image to become detectable when exposed to a second predetermined excitation source.

22. A method of forming a mark on an article, comprising:

selecting a marking for said article; and

,

exposing said article to ultraviolet light for applying at least one digitally watermarked image of said marking to said article, wherein said at least one digitally watermarked image is not substantially observable to the unaided observer, and said at least one digitally watermarked image being observable upon exposure to a predetermined excitation source.

23. A method as in claim 22, wherein exposing is preceded by applying a coating to said article.

24. A method as in claim 23, wherein said coating comprises at least one of a polymeric material, a monomeric material, a metal chelate, an organic phosphor, an inorganic phosphor, a fluorescent dye and a laser dye.

25. A method as in claim 22, wherein applying comprises at least one of printing, spraying, rolling, silk screening and painting.

26. A method as in claim 22, wherein applying comprises use of at least one of a positive photomask, a negative photomask, and a UV laser.

27. A method as in claim 22, wherein applying comprises applying a portion of said mark in a first image, and at least one complimentary portion of said mark in at least one second image.

29. The method as in claim 28, wherein said predetermined excitation source comprises at least one of a source of certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, a source of a chemical agent, a source of thermal energy, a source of pressure, and source of humidity.

30. The method as in claim 28, wherein said predetermined excitation source comprises at least one of ultraviolet light, visible light, and infrared light.

31. The method according to claim 28, wherein detecting comprises using at least one of a charge coupled device and a visible light scanner.

32. The method according to claim 28, wherein detecting comprises using a hand held device comprising a detector and said predetermined excitation source.

33. The method according to claim 28, wherein detecting comprises at least one of an array of ultraviolet light sensors and an array of infrared light sensors.

34. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:

comparing at least one said digital watermark to predetermined authentication information for said article; and

verifying authenticity of said article based upon the comparison.

35. The method as in claim 34, further comprising, when said article'"'"'s authenticity has been verified, enabling access to information contained in said article.

36. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:

using information from said at least one digital watermark to decrypt further information, wherein said further information is included in at least one of another mark and said article.

37. The method according to claim 28, wherein said at least one digitally watermarked image comprises a first complimentary digitally watermarked image and a second complimentary digitally watermarked image, the method further comprising:

forming a complete digitally watermarked image from a combination of said first complimentary digitally watermarked image and said second complimentary digitally watermarked image.

28. A method of examining an article containing a mark, the method comprising:

providing an article having said mark, said mark comprising at least one digitally watermarked image, said digitally watermarked image being normally invisible and comprising a material that causes said digitally watermarked image to become detectable due at least in part to an optically absorptive property of said digitally watermarked image when exposed to a predetermined excitation source;

exposing said article to said predetermined excitation source;

detecting said at least one digital watermark in accordance with at least a partial absorption of UV light; and

,

decoding said at least one digital watermark.