Methods for optimizing watermark detection

• US 6,307,949 B1
• Filed: 11/04/1999
• Issued: 10/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1996
• 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:
  US09/434,757
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/232, 380/210, 380/287, 380/54, 380/252, 713/176, 370/527, 370/529
• US Class Current: 382/100
• 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 2201/0051 Embedding of the watermark in the spatial domain
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0061 Embedding of the watermark in each block of the image, e.g. segmented watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0064 for copy protection or copy management, e.g. CGMS, copy only once, one-time copy
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0065 Extraction of an embedded watermark; Reliable detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/40 Document-oriented image-based pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/018 Audio watermarking, i.e. embedding inaudible data in the audio signal
• 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 1/00079 remotely
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• 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 1/32149 Methods relating to embedding, encoding, decoding, detection or retrieval operations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32154 Transform domain methods H04N1/32309 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32203 Spatial or amplitude domain methods H04N1/32309 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32229 with selective or adaptive application of the additional information, e.g. in selected regions of the image H04N1/32213 takes precedence
• 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 1/32352 Controlling detectability or arrangements to facilitate detection or retrieval of the embedded information, e.g. using markers for decoding, detection or retrieval operations H04N1/32149 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23892 involving embedding information at multiplex stream level, e.g. embedding a watermark at packet level
• 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 2201/3207 : of an address
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3225 : of data relating to an image, a page or a document
• 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 2201/327 : which are undetectable to the naked eye, e.g. embedded codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 : Printing or stamping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3274 : Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/328 : Processing of the additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3284 : for error correction

Abstract

Watermark detection in an image or the like is optimized by exploiting the innate biases in the image to emphasize the watermark signal. The watermark signal can be trial-located with different origins in the image to find one that yields improved results. Similarly, the image can be processed (e.g., by changing resolution, rotation, or compression) so as to change the innate biases to better reinforce the watermark signal. Compression of an image can be done in accordance with a desired watermark signal, with the compressor deciding which image components to retain and which to discard based, in part, on a watermark signal that is to be encoded (or maintained) in the image.

Claims

1. A method of encoding original data with watermark data, comprising:

analyzing the original data to discern innate watermark biases therein; and

encoding watermark data in the original data, exploiting said innate biases, to thereby yield encoded data;

the exploiting including, if analysis discerns an innate bias consistent with a desired watermark, encoding relatively weakly or not at all, wherein the innate bias in the original data serves to represent or contribute to representation of the watermark data.

2. The method of claim 1 in which the original data represents image information.

3. The method of claim 1 in which the original data represents audio information.

4. A computer storage media having stored thereon audio processed in accordance with the method of claim 3.

5. The method of claim 1 that further includes decoding watermark data from the encoded data.

6. The method of claim 5 that further includes controlling an aspect of a system'"'"'s operation based on at least part of the decoded watermark data.

7. The method of claim 6 in which the system is a content playback or recording system.

8. A computer storage media having stored thereon software instructions for causing a programmable system to perform the method of claim 1.

9. A method of encoding original data with watermark data, comprising:

analyzing the original data to discern innate watermark biases therein; and

encoding watermark data in the original data, exploiting said innate biases, to thereby yield encoded data;

wherein the analyzing includes performing a decoding operation on the original data.

10. The method of claim 9 which includes selecting one or more watermark payload bits in accordance with said innate biases.

11. The method of claim 9 which includes selecting an encoding origin in accordance with said innate biases.

12. The method of claim 9 in which the original data represents image information.

13. The method of claim 9 in which the original data represents audio information.

14. A computer storage media having stored thereon audio processed in accordance with the method of claim 13.

15. The method of claim 9 that further includes decoding watermark data from the encoded data.

16. The method of claim 15 that further includes controlling an aspect of a system'"'"'s operation based on at least part of the decoded watermark data.

17. The method of claim 16 in which the system is a content playback or recording system.

18. A computer storage media having stored thereon software instructions for causing a programmable system to perform the method of claim 9.

19. A method of encoding original data with watermark data, comprising:

analyzing the original data to discern innate watermark biases therein; and

encoding watermark data in the original data, exploiting said innate biases, to thereby yield encoded data;

wherein the analyzing includes performing plural decoding operations on the original data.

20. The method of claim 19 which includes performing one decoding operation on the original data when considered in a first manner, and decoding a second operation on the said data when considered in a second manner.

21. The method of claim 20 in which the first manner comprises considering the original data using a first watermarking origin, and second manner comprises considering the original data using a second watermarking origin.

22. The method of claim 19 which includes selecting one or more watermark payload bits in accordance with said innate biases.

23. The method of claim 19 which includes selecting an encoding origin in accordance with said innate biases.

24. The method of claim 19 in which the original data represents image information.

25. The method of claim 19 in which the original data represents audio information.

26. A computer storage media having stored thereon audio processed in accordance with the method of claim 25.

27. The method of claim 19 that further includes decoding watermark data from the encoded data.

28. The method of claim 27 that further includes controlling an aspect of a system'"'"'s operation based on at least part of the decoded watermark data.

29. The method of claim 28 in which the system is a content playback or recording system.

30. A computer storage media having stored thereon software instructions for causing a programmable system to perform the method of claim 19.

31. A method of encoding original data with watermark data, comprising:

analyzing the original data to discern innate watermark biases therein; and

encoding watermark data in the original data, exploiting said innate biases, to thereby yield encoded data;

the method further including selecting one or more watermark payload bits in accordance with innate biases.

32. The method of claim 31 which includes selecting an encoding origin in accordance with said innate biases.

33. The method of claim 31 in which the original data represents image information.

34. The method of claim 31 in which the original data represents audio information.

35. A computer storage media having stored thereon audio processed in accordance with the method of claim 34.

36. The method of claim 31 that further includes decoding watermark data from the encoded data.

37. The method of claim 36 that further includes controlling an aspect of a system'"'"'s operation based on at least part of the decoded watermark data.

38. The method of claim 37 in which the system is a content playback or recording system.

39. A computer storage media having stored thereon software instructions for causing a programmable system to perform the method of claim 31.

40. A method of encoding original data with watermark data, comprising:

analyzing the original data to discern innate watermark biases therein; and

encoding watermark data in the original data, exploiting said innate biases, to thereby yield encoded data;

the method further including selecting an encoding origin in accordance with said innate biases.

41. The method of claim 40 which includes selecting one or more watermark payload bits in accordance with said innate biases.

42. The method of claim 40 in which the original data represents image information.

43. The method of claim 40 in which the original data represents audio information.

44. A computer storage media having stored thereon audio processed in accordance with the method of claim 43.

45. The method of claim 40 that further includes decoding watermark data from the encoded data.

46. The method of claim 45 that further includes controlling an aspect of a system'"'"'s operation based on at least part of the decoded watermark data.

47. The method of claim 46 in which the system is a content playback or recording system.

48. A computer storage media having stored thereon software instruction for causing a programmable system to perform the method of claim 40.

49. A method of producing a set of encoded data conveying watermark data, comprising:

modifying a set of original data;

discerning the suitability of at least two sets of data to host the watermark data, at least one of said sets of data comprising the modified data; and

based on the foregoing discernment, encoding the watermark data in a set of data.

50. The method of claim 49 which includes modifying the set of original data by changing the resolution thereof.

51. The method of claim 49 which includes modifying compression of the set of original data.

52. The method of claim 49 which includes modifying the scales of the set of original data.

53. The method of claim 49 which includes modifying rotation of an image represented by the set of original data.

54. A computer storage media having stored thereon software instructions for causing a programmable system to perform the method of claim 49.

55. A method of encoding original data with watermark data, comprising:

analyzing the original data to discern innate watermark biases therein; and

encoding watermark data in the original data, exploiting said innate biases, to thereby yield encoded data;

method including adding relative less energy to the original data where in innate watermark bias tends to mimic a signal sought to be encoded.

56. The method of claim 55 that includes adding relatively more energy to the original data where the innate watermark bias tends against a signal sought to be encode.

57. The method of claim 55 which includes selecting one or more watermark payload bits in accordance with said innate biases.

58. The method of claim 55 which includes selecting an encoding origin in accordance with said innate biases.

59. The method of claim 55 in which the original data represents image information.

60. The method of claim 55 in which the original data represents audio information.

61. A computer storage media having stored thereon audio processed in accordance with the method of claim 60.

62. The method of claim 55 that further includes decoding watermark data from the encoded data.

63. The method of claim 62 that further includes controlling an aspect of a system'"'"'s operation based on at least part of the decoded watermark data.

64. The method of claim 63 in which the system is a content playback or recording system.

65. A computer storage media having stored thereon software instructions for causing a programmable system to perform the method of claim 55.

66. A method of encoding original data with watermark data, comprising:

analyzing the original data to discern innate watermark biases therein; and

encoding watermark data in the original data, exploiting said innate biases, to thereby yield encoded data;

the method including adding relatively more energy to the original data where the innate watermark bias tends against a signal sought to be encoded.

67. The method of claim 66 which includes selecting one or more watermark payload bits in accordance with said innate biases.

68. The method of claim 66 which includes selecting an encoding origin in accordance with said innate biases.

69. The method of claim 66 in which the original data represents image information.

70. The method of claim 66 in which the original data represents audio information.

71. A computer storage media having stored thereon audio processed in accordance with the method of claim 70.

72. The method of claim 66 that further includes decoding watermark data from the encoded data.

73. The method of claim 72 that further includes controlling decoding an aspect of a system'"'"'s operation based on at least part of the decoded watermark data.

74. The method of claim 73 in which the system is a content playback or recording system.

75. A computer storage media having stored thereon software instructions for causing a programmable system to perform the method of claim 66.