Digital Watermarks as a Gateway and Control Mechanism

• US 20080082618A1
• Filed: 11/20/2007
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Jones, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 7,965,863 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking

Abstract

An electronic system where messages include information carried by digital watermarks. The digital watermarks are used to control the transmission and/or receipt of messages including images or audio transmitted over the system. The system prevents the accidental dissemination of information to unauthorized receivers. Furthermore, while no security system is fool-proof, the system helps guards against the intentional, but unauthorized, dissemination of information to unauthorized receivers.

Claims

1. A method of managing transmission of electronic messages within a transmission network on the Internet, the method comprising:

in a server on the transmission network, receiving a message being transmitted on the transmission network from a sender to a receiver;

extracting audio or image data from the message;

detecting a digital watermark in the audio or image data;

reading one or more bits of data carried in the watermark; and

in response to reading the one or more bits, taking an action to manage the transfer of the message, including logging information about the message.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the audio or image comprises a sound clip.

3. The method of claim 1 including controlling transmission of the message as a function of the one or more bits and identity of the sender or receiver.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the action is determined by interrogating a database with information about the sender or receiver and information from the digital watermark.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the server comprises a web server, and the web server extracts the audio or image data from the message and executes a watermark reader to detect the digital watermark and read the one or more bits of data carried in the watermark.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the server comprises an electronic file transfer server, and the electronic file transfer server extracts the audio or image data from the message and executes a watermark reader to detect the digital watermark and read the one or more bits of data carried in the watermark.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein potential recipients of messages transmitted on the transmission network are categorized into different groups, and the action depends on a determination of which of these groups the receiver is associated with.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein senders of messages transmitted on the transmission network are categorized into different groups, and the action depends on a determination of which of these groups the sender of the message is associated with.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the action includes sending an alert to the sender.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the action includes sending an alert to an administrator separate from the sender and receiver of the message.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more bits include one or more predetermined flags.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the action comprises seeking additional authorization, electronically from the sender or receiver of the message.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the additional authorization includes a password.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the action includes interrogating a rules database, the rules database providing the action to be taken based on the one or more bits and information about the sender or receiver.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the server comprises a gateway between a sending device of the sender and the Internet.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the interface extracts the audio or image data from the message while the message is temporarily buffered for transfer over the Internet.

25. The system of claim 1 wherein the action includes sending an alert to the sender or administrator regarding control of the transfer of the message.

15. A system of managing transmission of electronic messages within a transmission network on the Internet, the system comprising:

a server on the transmission network, for receiving and routing a message being transmitted on the transmission network from a sender to a receiver, the server including memory for storing at least part of the message;

the server including an interface for extracting audio or image data from the at least part of the message stored in the memory;

a digital watermark detector in communication with the interface for detecting a digital watermark in the audio or image data, and for reading one or more bits of data carried in the watermark;

wherein the server, in response to the one or more bits, takes an action to manage the transfer of the message, including logging information about the message.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein the audio or image comprises a sound clip.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein the server controls transmission of the message as a function of the one or more bits and identity of the sender or receiver.

20. The system of claim 15 wherein the server determines the action by interrogating a rules database with information about the sender or receiver and information from the digital watermark.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein the server comprises a web server, and the web server extracts the audio or image data from the message and executes a watermark reader to detect the digital watermark and read the one or more bits of data carried in the watermark.

22. The system of claim 15 wherein the server comprises an electronic file transfer server, and the electronic file transfer server extracts the audio or image data from the message and executes a watermark reader to detect the digital watermark and read the one or more bits of data carried in the watermark.

23. The system of claim 15 wherein potential recipients of messages transmitted on the transmission network are categorized into different groups, and the action depends on a determination of which of these groups the receiver is associated with.

24. The system of claim 15 wherein senders of messages transmitted on the transmission network are categorized into different groups, and the action depends on a determination of which of these groups the sender of the message is associated with.