Image management system and methods using digital watermarks
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- receiving media including digital watermarking embedded therein through alterations to data representing the media, the digital watermarking including at least a first plural-bit identifier;
analyzing the media to obtain the plural-bit identifier;
communicating the plural-bit identifier to a remote database, the remote database including a plurality of usage rights indexed therein, the usage rights including a required security clearance associated with the plural-bit identifier;
receiving information indicating the required security clearance from the remote database;
obtaining information indicating a user'"'"'s security clearance level;
determining whether to allow access to the media by the user based at least in part on whether the information indicating a user'"'"'s security clearance level corresponds with the received information indicating the required security clearance.
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Abstract
Digital watermarking technology is used in an image management system. Images are uniquely identified by digital watermarking. The images are stored so as to be indexed according to unique identifiers. In one embodiment, related images are linked together by a unique watermark identifier. The unique watermark identifier is also used to manage metadata, and provide forensic tracking. Watermark identifiers can be used to carry or access security clearance information associated with an image or other media. Other embodiments are provided as well.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving media including digital watermarking embedded therein through alterations to data representing the media, the digital watermarking including at least a first plural-bit identifier;
analyzing the media to obtain the plural-bit identifier;
communicating the plural-bit identifier to a remote database, the remote database including a plurality of usage rights indexed therein, the usage rights including a required security clearance associated with the plural-bit identifier;
receiving information indicating the required security clearance from the remote database;
obtaining information indicating a user'"'"'s security clearance level;
determining whether to allow access to the media by the user based at least in part on whether the information indicating a user'"'"'s security clearance level corresponds with the received information indicating the required security clearance.
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2. A method of maintaining images in a database, wherein a first image includes a digital watermark embedded therein, the digital watermark comprising a first unique identifier, said method comprising:
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storing the first image to be indexed by the first unique identifier;
storing information related to the first image; and
linking the first image and the related information by the first unique identifier. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method to monitor images in a system, the system comprising at least a first user terminal to communicate with a second user terminal and with a database, the images comprising at least a first image digitally watermarked to include a first identifier, said method comprising:
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determining a security level associated with the first image;
comparing the first image security level with a user security level; and
allowing access to the first image based on a result of said comparing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification