Watermark systems and methods

• US 20030032033A1
• Filed: 04/12/2002
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Levy, Kenneth L., Rhoads, Geoffrey B., Perry, Burt W., Brunk, Hugh L., Seder, Phillip Andrew, Jones, Kevin C., Patterson, Philip R., McKinley, Tyler J., Hein, William C. III, Stewart, Steven W., Hudson, Eric C., Anglin, Hugh W., Cattone, Jeremy
• Granted Patent: US 7,822,969 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/6
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking

Abstract

Various improvements relating to digital watermarking and related technologies are detailed, including methods that enhance security and functionality, and new articles including watermarked puzzles and marked DNA.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving data representing a content object;

processing the content object;

sending the processed content object to a remote computer; and

further processing the content object on the remote computer, said further processing including decoding plural-bit data steganographically encoded therein.

2. The method of claim 1 that includes time-stamping or encrypting the more compact representation of the content object sent to the remote computer.

3. A method useful with a network of computers, comprising:

employing an agent process to process files on computers of said network;

decoding watermarks from file objects encountered by said agent;

by reference to said watermarks, accessing metadata associated with said file objects; and

collecting said metadata in a data structure useful for searching.

4. A puzzle comprising plural distinct pieces that fit together, characterized in that the puzzle, when assembled includes a digital watermark pattern that, when sensed with a compliant reader device, triggers an action responsive to a plural-bit payload conveyed by said pattern.

5. A method comprising:

receiving a wireless transmission of a content object on a user'"'"'s wireless computer, the wireless transmission being sent by a transmitter device at a trade show;

within the wireless computer, decoding a watermark from the received content object; and

establishing communication between the user'"'"'s wireless computer and a remote computer in accordance with plural-bit data obtained from said decoded watermark.

6. A substrate having printed thereon a pattern including a steganographic pattern, characterized in that the steganographic pattern is printed in a thermochromic ink, wherein the pattern presented thereby changes color in accordance with temperature.

7. A printed package having a steganographic watermark pattern printed, on a portion thereof having a uniformly light background, with an ink that is transparent at visible light wavelengths, but is readily detectable if illuminated with invisible light, the pattern conveying plural bits of digital data.

8. A banknote marked with a biological protein, the protein serving as a taggant by which the banknote can be identified.

9. A strand of DNA having inactive components thereof deliberately configured so as to represent numeric data according to a code.

10. A method comprising:

(a) storing in a database a URL associated with an index number, the URL corresponding to the address of a networked computer on which a web page associated with the index number can be found;

(b) occasionally and automatically changing the URL associated in said database with said index number; and

(c) providing said web page at said changed URLs..

11. A method comprising:

capturing image data from a product or package using a portable device;

transmitting data corresponding to said image data to a remote computer for processing; and

if the remote computer failed to respond in an expected manner, decoding a digital watermark from the image data using said portable device.

12. A method comprising:

encoding a product or package with a digital watermark

distributing the encoded item through retail channels;

receiving data reporting on electronic linking performed by customers presenting the item to compliant computer devices;

wherein a product manufacturer can receive prompt feedback on sales of the product.

13. A method comprising:

encoding a plural printed publications with digital watermark data; and

forming an on-line community comprised of users who have custody of the publications, as evidenced by their presentation of the publications to compliant watermark reading devices.

14. A method comprising:

decoding an N-bit payload from a steganographically-encoded content object, the payload being redundantly represented in the content object by a first set of M-bits, where M>

N, so as to permit correct recovery of the N-bit payload notwithstanding corruption of certain of the first set of M bits; and

from the decoded N-bit payload, generating a second set of M-bits corresponding thereto, the second sets redundantly representing the N-bit payload without corruption.

15. The method of claim 14 that further includes processing the first and second sets of M-bits to yield an indication of the corruption of the content signal.

16. The method of claim 14 that includes transforming the first and second sets of M-bits from {0,1} symbols to {−

1,1} symbols, and performing a bit-wise multiplication between the two transformed sets.

17. A method comprising:

steganographically encoding plural-bit payload data into a portion of a file representing audio or imagery, the steganographic encoding employing a watermarking protocol; and

storing in the header of the file a tag indicating the watermarking protocol used for said encoding.

18. A method comprising:

at a first site, in connection with making an electronic payment for a product or service, presenting to a first image sensor a digitally watermarked talisman that conveys a payload corresponding to a user;

at a second site remote from the first, presenting the same talisman to a second image sensor; and

by reference to watermark payloads decoded from image data from said first and second sensors, determining whether the user has paid for the product or service.