Methods for identifying equipment used in counterfeiting

• US 6,285,776 B1
• Filed: 04/15/1999
• Issued: 09/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Rhoads, Geoffrey B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johns, Andrew W.
• Application Number:
  US09/293,602
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/103, 382/114, 382/116, 382/140, 705/27, 705/42, 705/43, 705/44, 705/45, 705/51, 705/56, 705/58, 380/1, 380/3, 380/4, 380/6, 380/17, 380/20, 380/55, 380/56
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1418 the inserts being deformed or preformed, e.g. by the injection pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/29 Securities; Bank notes
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0028 Adaptive watermarking, e.g. Human Visual System [HVS]-based watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/005 Robust watermarking, e.g. average attack or collusion attack resistant
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0064 Geometric transfor invariant watermarking, e.g. affine transform invariant
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0071 using multiple or alternating watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0051 Embedding of the watermark in the spatial domain
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0065 Extraction of an embedded watermark; Reliable detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0002 Inspection of images, e.g. flaw detection
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/0034 using watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/004 using digital security elements, e.g. information coded on a magnetic thread or strip
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/018 Audio watermarking, i.e. embedding inaudible data in the audio signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00002 Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for error detection, error correction or monitoring in digital computers or digital computer components G06F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00005 relating to image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00037 Detecting, i.e. determining the occurrence of a predetermined state H04N1/00031 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00092 relating to the original or to the reproducing medium, e.g. imperfections or dirt detecting properties of a sheet H04N1/00681
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00846 based on detection of a dedicated indication, e.g. marks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00859 Issuing an alarm or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00867 : with additional data, e.g. by adding a warning message details of embedding additional information in an image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0087 : with hidden additional data, e.g. data invisible to the human eye
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00875 : Inhibiting reproduction, e.g. by disabling reading or reproduction apparatus
• 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 1/32203 : Spatial or amplitude domain methods H04N1/32309 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32208 : involving changing the magnitude of selected pixels, e.g. overlay of information or super-imposition H04N1/32219, H04N1/32224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32219 : involving changing the position of selected pixels, e.g. word shifting, or involving modulating the size of image components, e.g. of characters H04N1/32224 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32261 : in binary data H04N1/32256 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32304 : Embedding different sets of additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32309 : in colour image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 : of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3207 : of an address
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 : of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3233 : of authentication information, e.g. digital signature, watermark
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3239 : using a plurality of different authentication information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3246 : of data relating to permitted access or usage, e.g. level of access or usage parameters for digital rights management [DRM] related to still images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3249 : data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink
• 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: Y10S 283/901 : Concealed data

Abstract

Line art on a banknote or other security document is slightly changed to effect the encoding of plural-bit digital data (i.e. the banknote is digitally watermarked). When such a banknote is thereafter scanned, the resulting image data can be recognized as corresponding to a banknote by detection of the encoded data. (Alternatively, the image data can be recognized as corresponding to a banknote by machine detection of other forms of watermarking, or by reference to visible structures characteristic of banknotes.) In response to detection of a banknote, the detecting apparatus (e.g., a scanner, photocopier, or printer) can intervene by inserting forensic tracer data (e.g. steganographically encoded binary data) in the image data. The tracer data can memorialize the serial number of the machine that processed the banknote data and/or the date and time such processing occurred. To address privacy concerns, such tracer data is not normally inserted, but is so inserted only when the image data being processed is recognized as corresponding to a banknote. Any printed output from such image data will include the tracer data, permitting identification of equipment used in its reproduction.

Claims

1. A method of image processing, comprising:

providing image data corresponding to an optically scanned document to a processing apparatus; and

digitally watermarking the image data with a machine readable, image-adapted, steganographic digital watermark representing plural bit binary data, said digital watermark serving to mark the image data as having been processed on said apparatus;

wherein said image data thereafter carries said digital watermark embedded therein, permitting the apparatus on which said image data was processed to be identified;

the method further including watermarking the image data only if the image data is recognized to correspond to a security document.

2. The method of claim 1 which includes recognizing a security document by reference to visible structures expressed in said image data.

3. The method of claim 1 which includes recognizing a security document by reference to a steganographic digital watermark already encoded in said image data and detectable in image data produced by visible light scanning of said document.

4. The method of claim 1 which includes decoding a watermark in the input document to recognize the input document as a security document.

5. A method of image processing, comprising:

providing image data corresponding to an optically scanned document to a processing apparatus; and

digitally watermarking the image data with a machine readable, image-adapted, steganographic digital watermark representing plural bit binary data, said digital watermark serving to mark the image data as having been processed on said apparatus;

wherein said image data thereafter carries said digital watermark embedded therein, permitting the apparatus on which said image data was processed to be identified, and wherein said plural bit binary data is encoded redundantly through the image data, rather than each bit being encoded in a single localized region only.

6. A method of image processing, comprising:

providing image data corresponding to an optically scanned document to a processing apparatus; and

digitally watermarking the image data with a machine readable, image-adapted, steganographic digital watermark representing plural bit binary data, said digital watermark serving to mark the image data as having been processed on said apparatus;

wherein said image data thereafter carries said digital watermark embedded therein, permitting the apparatus on which said image data was processed to be identified, and wherein the digital watermarking makes use of a discrete cosine transform.

7. A method of image processing, comprising:

providing image data corresponding to an optically scanned document to a processing apparatus; and

digitally watermarking the image data with a machine readable, image-adapted, steganographic digital watermark representing plural bit binary data, said digital watermark serving to mark the image data as having been processed on said apparatus;

wherein said image data thereafter carries said digital watermark embedded therein, permitting the apparatus on which said image data was processed to be identified;

wherein the digital watermarking includes encoding a calibration signal with the plural bit digital data so as to facilitate decoding of the watermark, and in which the calibration signal is adapted to facilitate decoding of the watermark notwithstanding rotation of the image data.

8. A method of image processing, comprising:

providing image data corresponding to an optically scanned document to a processing apparatus; and

digitally watermarking the image data with a machine readable, image-adapted, steganographic digital watermark representing plural bit binary data, said digital watermark serving to mark the image data as having been processed on said apparatus;

wherein said image data thereafter carries said digital watermark embedded therein, permitting the apparatus on which said image data was processed to be identified;

the method also including digitally watermarking the image data with two different digital watermarks.

9. The method of claim 8 in which the two different digital watermarks are of different robustness.

10. The method of claim 8 in which the two watermarks are encoded in accordance with different code signals.

11. A method of marking printer output from a personal computer system to permit its later identification, the system including at least a personal computer and a separate printer, the method comprising:

receiving printer data being sent from the computer to the printer;

encoding the printer data with a machine readable, steganographic digital watermark comprising a plural bit binary data, said digital watermark serving to mark the printer data as having been printed by said printer;

wherein a document printed by said printer bears said digital watermark, permitting the printer on which said document was printed to be identified, and wherein the watermark is locally adapted to the image data.

12. A method of marking printer output from a personal computer system to permit its later identification, the system including at least a personal computer and a separate printer, the method comprising:

receiving printer data being sent from the computer to the printer;

encoding the printer data with a machine readable, steganographic digital watermark comprising a plural bit binary data, said digital watermark serving to mark the printer data as having been printed by said printer;

wherein a document printed by said printer bears said digital watermark, permitting the printer on which said document was printed to be identified, and wherein the watermark changes printer data luminance, not chrominance.

13. A method of marking printer output from a personal computer system to permit its later identification, the system including at least a personal computer and a separate printer, the method comprising:

receiving printer data being sent from the computer to the printer;

encoding the printer data with a machine readable, steganographic digital watermark comprising a plural bit binary data, said digital watermark serving to mark the printer data as having been printed by said printer;

wherein a document printed by said printer bears said digital watermark, permitting the printer on which said document was printed to be identified, and wherein the watermark varies values of a majority of pixels represented by the printer data.

14. A method of marking printer output from a personal computer system to permit its later identification, the system including at least a personal computer and a separate printer, the method comprising:

receiving printer data being sent from the computer to the printer;

encoding the printer data with a machine readable, steganographic digital watermark comprising a plural bit binary data, said digital watermark serving to mark the printer data as having been printed by said printer;

wherein a document printed by said printer bears said digital watermark, permitting the printer on which said document was printed to be identified, and wherein the watermark is manifested differently in different portions of the printer data.

15. A method of marking printer output from a personal computer system to permit its later identification, the system including at least a personal computer and a separate printer, the method comprising:

receiving printer data being sent from the computer to the printer;

encoding the printer data with a machine readable, steganographic digital watermark comprising a plural bit binary data, said digital watermark serving to mark the printer data as having been printed by said printer;

wherein a document printed by said printer bears said digital watermark, permitting the printer on which said document was printed to be identified, and wherein the intensity of the watermark varies with location in the printer data.

16. A method of marking printer output from a personal computer system to permit its later identification, the system including at least a personal computer and a separate printer, the method comprising:

receiving printer data being sent from the computer to the printer;

encoding the printer data with a machine readable, steganographic digital watermark comprising a plural bit binary data, said digital watermark serving to mark the printer data as having been printed by said printer;

wherein a document printed by said printer bears said digital watermark, permitting the printer on which said document was printed to be identified, and wherein the watermark changes certain pixels represented by the printer data in accordance with more than one bit of the plural bit data.

17. A method of image processing, comprising:

providing image data corresponding to an optically scanned document to a processing apparatus; and

digitally watermarking the image data with a machine readable, steganographic digital watermark representing plural bit binary data, said digital watermark serving to mark the image data as having been processed on said apparatus, said watermark locally changing the luminance, but not the chrominance, of the image data;

wherein said image data thereafter carries said digital watermark embedded therein, permitting the apparatus on which said image data was processed to be identified.

18. A method of image processing, comprising:

providing image data corresponding to an optically scanned document to a processing apparatus; and

digitally watermarking the image data with a machine readable, steganographic digital watermark representing plural bit binary data, said digital watermark serving to mark the image data as having been processed on said apparatus, said watermark altering a majority of pixels comprising said image data;

wherein said image data thereafter carries said digital watermark embedded therein, permitting the apparatus on which said image data was processed to be identified.

19. A method of image processing, comprising:

providing image data corresponding to an optically scanned document to a processing apparatus; and

digitally watermarking the image data with a machine readable, steganographic digital watermark representing plural bit binary data, said digital watermark serving to mark the image data as having been processed on said apparatus, said watermark being manifested differently at different regions of the image;

wherein said image data thereafter carries said digital watermark embedded therein, permitting the apparatus on which said image data was processed to be identified.

20. A method of image processing, comprising:

providing image data corresponding to an optically scanned document to a processing apparatus; and

digitally watermarking the image data with a machine readable, steganographic digital watermark representing plural bit binary data, said digital watermark serving to mark the image data as having been processed on said apparatus, said watermark changing certain pixels of the image in accordance with more than one bit of said plural bit binary data;

wherein said image data thereafter carries said digital watermark embedded therein, permitting the apparatus on which said image data was processed to be identified.

21. A method of marking scanner data provided from a scanner unit to a separate computer system to permit later identification of the scanner unit, the method comprising in the scanner unit:

generating first scan data;

encoding the first scan data with a steganographic digital watermark representing plural bit binary data to yield second scan data; and

providing said second scan data from the scanner unit to the computer system;

wherein the digital watermark in the second scan data serves to identify the scanner from which the scan data was generated—

irrespective of the computer with which it is used.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the watermark is image-adapted.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the watermark changes scan data luminance, not chrominance.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the watermark varies values of a majority of pixels represented by the scan data.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein the watermark is manifested differently in different portions of the scan data.

26. The method of claim 21 wherein the intensity of the watermark varies with location.

27. The method of claim 21 wherein the watermark changes certain pixels represented in the scan data in accordance with more than one bit of the plural bit data.

28. The method of claim 21 wherein the watermark is not identifiable from human scrutiny of an image corresponding to the second scan data.

29. A scanner, for attachment to a separate computer, the scanner including plural image-sensing elements for generating initial scan data from a paper document, the scanner further including a processor for digitally watermarking the initial scan data with a steganographic digital watermark conveying plural bit binary data, thereby yielding processed scan data for transmission to the computer, wherein said processed scan data conveys the digital watermark, permitting the scanner to thereafter be identified—

irrespective of the computer with which it is used.