Method for image encoding
First Claim
1. A method of processing an image encoded as points, each point having a parameter value, the method comprising:
- identifying plural points within the image;
increasing the parameter value of each of a first group of said identified points, and also increasing the parameter values of a first patch of points surrounding each such point; and
decreasing the parameter value of each of a second group of said identified points and also decreasing the parameter values of a second patch of points surrounding each such point.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for embedding signatures within visual images in both digital representation and print or film. A signature is inseparably embedded within the possible image, the signature persisting through image transforms that include resizing as well as conversion to print or film and back to digital form. Signature points are selected from among the pixels of an original image. The pixel values of the signature points and surrounding pixels are adjusted by an amount detectable by a digital scanner. The adjusted signature points form a digital signature which is stored for future identification of subject images derived from the image. In one embodiment, a signature is embedded within an image by locating relative extrema in the continuous space of pixel values and selecting the signature points from among the extrema. Preferably, the signature is redundantly embedded in the image such that any of the redundant representations can be used to identify the signature. Identification of a subject image includes ensuring that the subject image is normalized with respect to the original image or the signed image. Preferably, the normalized subject image is compared with the stored digital signature.
-
Citations
55 Claims
-
1. A method of processing an image encoded as points, each point having a parameter value, the method comprising:
-
identifying plural points within the image; increasing the parameter value of each of a first group of said identified points, and also increasing the parameter values of a first patch of points surrounding each such point; and decreasing the parameter value of each of a second group of said identified points and also decreasing the parameter values of a second patch of points surrounding each such point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. Apparatus for embedding data in an image, the apparatus comprising:
-
a computer memory for storing the image as an ordered set of pixels, each pixel having a pixel parameter value; means for identifying plural points within the image; and image altering means for increasing the parameter value of each of a first group of said identified points, and also for increasing the parameter values of a first patch of points surrounding each such point; said image altering means further decreasing the parameter value of each of a second group of said identified points, and also for decreasing the parameter values of a second patch of points surrounding each such point. - View Dependent Claims (15)
-
- 16. A method of processing an original source signal to yield an encoded source signal having N-bits of auxiliary data hidden therein, N being at least one, the original source signal having a representation including plural elements, each having a parameter value, the method including changing the parameter values of said elements to encode the auxiliary data therein, and scaling a magnitude of said changes in accordance with said parameter values, wherein elements of the source signal representation having larger parameter values are changed relatively more than elements of the source signal representation having smaller parameter values.
-
30. A method of encoding N bits of first data, N being at least one, within a work of authorship represented by plural elements of second data, each element having a value, the method including, for each bit of the first data:
-
mapping said bit to at least one element of the second data by a process that includes a random function; and changing the value of said at least one element of the second data; wherein changes to the work of authorship are essentially human imperceptible. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
-
-
39. A method of encoding N-bits of auxiliary data within a source signal, N being at least one, the method including:
-
evaluating data hiding characteristics of plural locations in the source signal; and encoding the auxiliary data in the source signal, avoiding the locations that have poor data hiding characteristics; wherein the auxiliary data is encoded where it is relatively less perceptible, said encoding resulting in changes to the source signal that are so slight as to be essentially imperceptible to humans. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
-
-
46. A method of encoding N-bits of auxiliary data within an image represented by a set of data, N being at least one, the method including:
-
evaluating data hiding characteristics of different portions of said set of data; and encoding the auxiliary data in the set of data, avoiding the portions that have poor data hiding characteristics; wherein the auxiliary data is encoded where it is relatively less perceptible, said encoding resulting in changes to the image that are so slight as to be essentially imperceptible to humans. - View Dependent Claims (47)
-
-
48. A method of encoding N-bits of auxiliary data within an image represented by a set of data, N being at least one, the method including:
-
identifying portions of the set of data having a predetermined data hiding attribute; and changing the set of data in at least certain of said portions to effect encoding of the auxiliary data therein; wherein the auxiliary data is encoded where it is relatively less perceptible, said encoding resulting in changes to the image that are so slight as to be essentially imperceptible to humans.
-
-
49. A method of encoding N-bits of auxiliary data within a source signal, N being at least one, the method including:
-
identifying portions of the source signal having a predetermined data hiding attribute; and changing the source signal in at least certain of said portions to effect encoding of the auxiliary data therein; wherein the auxiliary data is encoded where it is relatively less perceptible, said encoding resulting in changes to the source signal that are so slight as to be essentially imperceptible to humans. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
-
Specification