Steganographic data embedding in objects for authenticating and associating value with the objects

• US 20050169496A1
• Filed: 11/23/2004
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Perry, Burt W.
• Application Number:
  US10/997,813
• Publication Number:
  US 20050169496A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6209 to a single file or object, e.g. in a secure envelope, encrypted and accessed using a key, or with access control rules appended to the object itself
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/71 to assure secure computing or processing of information
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/78 to assure secure storage of data address-based protection against unauthorised use of memory G06F12/14; record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/80 in storage media based on magnetic or optical technology, e.g. disks with sectors preventing unauthorised reproduction or copying of disc-type recordable media G11B20/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2135 Metering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0042 Fragile watermarking, e.g. so as to detect tampering
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0071 using multiple or alternating watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/0034 using watermarks
• 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 1/32283 Hashing
• 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 1/32331 Fragile embedding or watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2347 involving video stream encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2351 involving encryption of additional data arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23
• 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 21/4117 for generating hard copies of the content, e.g. printer, electronic paper interfaces to printers G06F3/12; printing data G06K15/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4408 : involving video stream encryption, e.g. re-encrypting a decrypted video stream for redistribution in a home network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8352 : involving content or source identification data, e.g. Unique Material Identifier [UMID]
• 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 2201/3235 : Checking or certification of the authentication information, e.g. by comparison with data stored independently
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3236 : Details of authentication information generation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3238 : using a coded or compressed version of the image data itself
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3239 : using a plurality of different authentication information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3269 : of machine readable codes or marks, e.g. bar codes or glyphs
• 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 2201/3281 : Encryption; Ciphering

Abstract

A steganographic embedder embeds authentication data and value data into an object. This data is hidden yet machine readable from the object by, for example, scanning an image of the object and extracting a digital watermark from the object. A system for extracting this data includes an image capture device for capturing an image of the object and a steganographic decoder for extracting the steganographic data embedded in the image. The system uses the extracted data to authenticate the object and to associate an amount of value with the object. The value can be refreshed by using the steganographic data to reference a database where an updatable amount of value is stored.

Claims

1. A method of steganographically embedding auxiliary data in an object, the method comprising:

providing first data used to authenticate the object;

providing second data used to associate an amount of value with the object;

steganographically embedding the first and second data in the object, the first and second data being hidden in the object yet machine readable from the object.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first data is used to authenticate that the object is not a counterfeit object by evaluating the first data in connection with information on the object.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first data is used to authenticate that the object belongs to a bearer of the object by referencing the first data to information about the bearer.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the second data provides a reference to the amount of value stored in a database.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the second data references the database enabling a user to add value to the amount stored in the database.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second steganographic data is embedded in an image printed on the object, and the first and second steganographic data is machine readable from an image captured of the image printed on the object.

7. A method of ascertaining value associated with an object, the method comprising:

capturing an image of the object;

decoding first data steganographically embedded in the image;

using the first data to authenticate the object;

decoding second data steganographically embedded in the image; and

using the second data to associate an amount of value with the object.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the first data is used to authenticate that the object is not a counterfeit object by evaluating the first data in connection with information on the object.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the first data is used to authenticate that the object belongs to a bearer of the object by referencing the first data to information about the bearer.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the second data provides a reference to the amount of value stored in a database.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the second data references the database enabling a user to add value to the amount stored in the database.

12. A system for extracting steganographically embedded information from an object comprising:

an image capture device for capturing an image of the object;

a steganographic decoder for extracting steganographic data embedded in the image, the steganographic data being used to authenticate the object and to associate an amount of value with the object.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the steganographic data is used to authenticate that the object is not a counterfeit object by evaluating the first data in connection with information on the object.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the information on the object comprises information stored in a machine readable code on the object.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the steganographic data is used to authenticate that the object belongs to a bearer of the object by referencing the steganographic data to information about the bearer.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the steganographic data provides a reference to the amount of value stored in a database.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the steganographic data references the database enabling a user to add value to the amount stored in the database.