Computer system linked by using information in data objects

• US 6,553,129 B1
• Filed: 04/28/2000
• Issued: 04/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Rhoads, Geoffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Couso, Jose L.
• Application Number:
  US09/560,976
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/232, 382/284, 395/135, 358/124, 358/142, 358/448, 358/450, 358/454, 380/4, 380/23, 380/25, 380/54, 283/6, 283/93, 283/94, 348/475, 235/494
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/00 Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof printing processes to produce identification or security features B41M3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/333 Watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1063 Personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/16 Program or content traceability, e.g. by watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06046 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/14 the marking being sensed by radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/18 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2019/06253 for a specific application
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1447 extracting optical codes from image or text carrying said optical code
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0064 Geometric transfor invariant watermarking, e.g. affine transform invariant
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0052 Embedding of the watermark in the frequency domain
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0083 whereby only watermarked image required at decoder, e.g. source-based, blind, oblivious
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/40 : Document-oriented image-based pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/253 : visually
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/0032 : using holograms
• 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: G07F 17/26 : for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus ticket printing or the like apparatus G07F17/42
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 : by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/086 : by passive credit-cards adapted therefor, e.g. constructive particularities to avoid counterfeiting, e.g. by inclusion of a physical or chemical security-layer for security documents G07D7/00; for the reading of record-carriers in general G06K7/00; for the design of coded credit-cards G06K19/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 : Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1016 : Devices or methods for securing the PIN and other transaction-data, e.g. by encryption arrangements for secret communication, see H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/12 : Card verification
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/018 : Audio watermarking, i.e. embedding inaudible data in the audio signal
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00086 : Circuits for prevention of unauthorised reproduction or copying, e.g. piracy indicating unauthorised use of record carriers in general G11B23/28; scrambling for television signal recording H04N5/913; network architectures or network protocols for network security H04L63/00; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00094 : involving measures which result in a restriction to authorised record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00166 : involving measures which result in a restriction to authorised contents recorded on or reproduced from a record carrier, e.g. music or software
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/0021 : involving encryption or decryption of contents recorded on or reproduced from a record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00884 : involving a watermark, i.e. a barely perceptible transformation of the original data which can nevertheless be recognised by an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00891 : embedded in audio data
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/665 : using psychoacoustic properties of the ear, e.g. masking effect
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 1/00 : Secret communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/103 : applying security measure for protecting copy right protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment, e.g. protection the software providers copyright G06F21/10; data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; secrecy systems or subscription systems H04N7/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 : for controlling access to devices or network resources
• 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 1/3216 : using Fourier transforms
• 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 1/32251 : in multilevel data, e.g. greyscale or continuous tone data
• 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 19/00 : Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/467 : characterised by the embedded information being invisible, e.g. watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91321 : the copy protection signal being a copy protection control signal, e.g. a record inhibit signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91335 : the copy protection signal being a watermark
• 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 2201/323 : for tracing or tracking, e.g. forensic tracing of unauthorized copies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3233 : of authentication information, e.g. digital signature, watermark
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3235 : Checking or certification of the authentication information, e.g. by comparison with data stored independently
• 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: 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 2201/3281 : Encryption; Ciphering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/913 : for scrambling ; for copy protection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 : Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 : Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems

Abstract

Various improvements to steganographic systems, and applications therefore, are disclosed. The improvements include facilitating scale and rotation registration for steganographic decoding by use of rotationally symmetric steganographically embedded patterns and subliminal digital graticules; improved techniques for decoding without access to unencoded originals; improving robustness of steganographic coding in motion pictures and/or in the presence of lossy compression/decompression; and representing data by patterned bit cells whose energy in the spatial domain facilitates decoding registration. Applications include enhanced-security financial transactions, counterfeit resistant identification cards, fraud deterrent systems for cellular telephony, covert modem channels in video transmissions, photo duplication kiosks with automatic copyright detection, and hotlinked image objects (e.g. with embedded URLs) for use on the internet.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a plural-bit watermark including an identifier from a watermark decoder that decodes same from an object;

providing said identifier to a remote database through the internet;

receiving from said database a profile of a proprietor of said object, said profile including proprietor name and contact information.

2. The method of claim 1 in which the object is an image.

3. A computer-readable storage medium having instructions cooperating with an image editing program for performing the.following method:

receiving a plural-bit watermark including an identifier from an image watermark decoder associated with the image editing program;

providing said identifier to a remote database through the internet; and

receiving from said database a profile of a proprietor of said image, said profile including the proprietor name and contact information.

4. The storage medium of claim 3 in which the medium includes instructions to insert in a drop-down menu associated with said image editing program an option permitting invocation of a read watermark function.

5. A method comprising:

from a first computer, accessing a second computer over the internet to obtain issuance of an ID; and

at the first computer, watermarking an electronic object with said ID;

wherein the second computer serves as a central issuing authority for watermark IDs for plural first computers.

6. The method of claim 5 in which the second computer presents to the first computer a form soliciting information, at least some of which must be completed before issuance of the ID.

7. A method comprising:

loading an electronic content object into RAM memory of a computer device, the content object comprising audio or image data; and

detecting a digital watermark embedded in said content as an automatic operation, rather than as a user-initiated operation.

8. The method of claim 7 in which the computer device is a personal computer that includes an image editing program.

9. The method of claim 7 that further includes alerting a user of said computer device in response to said detection of a watermark.

10. The method of claim 7 in which said loading comprises copying at least part of said content object to a virtual clipboard maintained by an operating system of said computer device.

11. A method of obtaining a profile of the proprietor of an object from data recorded in.a watermark in said object, said object being located on a first computer, said method comprising the steps of:

decoding said watermark from said object, said watermark including an identifier;

sending said identifier to a remote database through the internet in order to obtain said profile of said proprietor,

receiving from said database a profile of said proprietor of said object, said profile including proprietor name and contact information.

12. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon which can cooperate with an image editing program and with other programs to perform the following steps:

decoding a plural-bit watermark including an identifier from an image,

providing said identifier to a remote database through the internet; and

receiving from said database a profile of a proprietor of said image, said profile including the proprietor name and contact information.

13. A method of enabling a multi-computer system to embed and read a watermark, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) storing a plurality of creator identifiers and creator contact data corresponding to each of the creator identifiers in a first memory electrically connected to a first digital electrical computer system, which is also electrically connected to a first input device and a first output device;

(b) enabling a second digital electrical computer system to embed a watermark in a digital photographic image, the watermark including one of the plurality of creator identifiers, the second digital electrical computer system electrically connected to a second input device and a second output device;

(c) enabling a third digital electrical computer system to read the watermark in the digital photographic image to reveal the one of the plurality of creator identifiers, the third digital electrical computer system electrically connected to a third input device and a third output device; and

(d) enabling communication across a network to communicate the revealed one of the plurality of creator identifiers to the first digital electrical computer to obtain the creator contact data corresponding to the one of the plurality of creator identifiers from the memory.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of enabling the second digital electrical computer to automatically detect the watermark when the image is first examined by the second digital electrical computer.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of enabling the second digital electrical computer to selectably detect the watermark when the image is examined by the second digital electrical computer.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein:

(a) the network includes the Internet;

(b) the watermark includes information identifying a World Wide Web site; and

wherein

(c) the third digital electrical computer system is enabled to load a World Wide Web browser and connect to the World Wide Web site in response to the revealed one of the plurality of creator identifiers.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the watermark includes extended data including at least one member from the group consisting of an organization identifier, a transaction identifier, and an item identifier.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the steps are implemented as computer-executable instructions.

19. A method of enabling a multi-computer system to embed a watermark in a digital image, read a watermark from the image, and obtain contact information about the image, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) enabling storage of an identifier and the contact information corresponding to the identifier in a first memory on a first computer, which is electrically connected to an Internet;

(b) enabling a second computer to embed a watermark in the image, the watermark including the identifier, the second computer electrically connected to the Internet;

(c) enabling a third computer to read the watermark in the image to reveal the identifier, the third computer electrically connected to the Internet; and

(d) enabling the third computer to communicate the identifier across the Internet to the first computer in order to obtain the contact information corresponding to the identifier.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the contact information identifies an owner of the watermark or the digital image.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the contact information identifies a creator of the digital image.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein the steps are implemented as computer-executable instructions.

23. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:

(a) storing an identifier and contact information corresponding to the identifier in a first memory on a first computer, which is electrically connected to an Internet;

(b) enabling a second computer to embed a watermark in an image, the watermark including the identifier, the second computer electrically connected to the internet;

(c) enabling a third computer to read the watermark in the image to reveal the identifier, the third computer electrically connected to the Internet; and

(d) enabling the third computer to communicate the identifier across the Internet to the first computer in order to obtain the contact information corresponding to the identifier.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein the contact information identifies an owner of the watermark or the digital image.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein the contact information identifies a creator of the digital image.

26. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:

(a) enabling an embedding computer to embed a watermark in an image, the watermark including an identifier, the embedding computer electrically connected to an Internet;

(b) enabling a reading computer to read the watermark in the image to reveal the identifier, the reading computer electrically connected to the Internet; and

(c) enabling the reading computer to communicate the identifier across the Internet to a server computer in order to obtain contact information corresponding to the identifier.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 26 wherein the contact information identifies an owner of the watermark or the digital image.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 27 wherein the contact information identifies a creator of the digital image.

29. A method comprising:

issuing codes for use in steganographically embedding in electronic objects;

creating a registry of the codes to correspond to the codes steganographically embedded in electronic objects;

in the registry, storing an association between information about an electronic object and a code that is steganographically embedded in the electronic object, wherein the registry serves as a database accessible by users to get information about the electronic objects.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the registry serves as a central issuing authority for the codes.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the registry is accessible via the internet.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the registry is accessible via a telecommunications network to enable users to provide an association between a code and information about an electronic object in which the code is to be steganographically embedded.