Method of controlling the reproduction of copyrighted images
First Claim
1. A method of controlling the reproduction of copyrighted images, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing an image medium having a predetermined pattern of micro-dots;
b) steganographically embedding a reproduction authorization signal, that is separate and distinct from the micro-dots, within some copyrighted digital images and not in others;
c) printing the copyrighted digital images on the image medium to produce copyrighted images;
d) in an image reproduction apparatus, attempting to detect the predetermined pattern of micro-dots and the authorization signal in an image to be reproduced;
e) if the authorization signal is detected, and the pattern of microdots is detected, overriding the micro-dot detection and permitting reproduction of the image to be reproduced; and
f) if the authorization signal is not detected and the pattern of microdots is detected, preventing the reproduction of the image to be reproduced.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of controlling the reproduction of copyrighted images, includes the steps of: a) providing an image medium having a predetermined pattern of micro-dots; b) steganographically embedding a reproduction authorization signal within some copyrighted digital images and not in others; c) printing the copyrighted digital images on the image medium to produce copyrighted images; d) in an image reproduction apparatus, attempting to detect the predetermined pattern of micro-dots and the authorization signal in an image to be reproduced; e) if the authorization signal is detected, or the pattern of microdots is not detected, permitting reproduction of the image to be reproduced; and f) if the authorization signal is not detected and the pattern of microdots is detected, preventing the reproduction of the image to be reproduced.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of controlling the reproduction of copyrighted images, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an image medium having a predetermined pattern of micro-dots;
b) steganographically embedding a reproduction authorization signal, that is separate and distinct from the micro-dots, within some copyrighted digital images and not in others;
c) printing the copyrighted digital images on the image medium to produce copyrighted images;
d) in an image reproduction apparatus, attempting to detect the predetermined pattern of micro-dots and the authorization signal in an image to be reproduced;
e) if the authorization signal is detected, and the pattern of microdots is detected, overriding the micro-dot detection and permitting reproduction of the image to be reproduced; and
f) if the authorization signal is not detected and the pattern of microdots is detected, preventing the reproduction of the image to be reproduced. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
a) steganographically embedding the identification of a copyright holder in the image;
b) retrieving the identification; and
c) compensating the copyright holder based upon the retrieved identification.
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18. The method claimed in claim 17, wherein the reproduction apparatus automatically implements compensation to the copyright holder.
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19. A method of creating a copyrighted image, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an image medium having a predetermined pattern of micro-dots;
b) steganographically embedding a reproduction authorization signal, that is separate and distinct from the micro-dots and that can override the micro-dot detection, within a copyrighted digital image; and
c) printing the copyrighted digital images on the image medium to produce copyrighted images. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method of controlling the reproduction of an image bearing document in a document reproduction apparatus, the document possibly being printed on a medium having a predetermined pattern of micro-dots, and possibly including a steganographically embedded reproduction authorization signal separate and distinct from the micro-dots, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) attempting to detect the predetermined pattern of micro-dots and the authorization signal in the document;
b) if the authorization signal is detected, and the pattern of microdots is detected, overriding the micro-dot detection and permitting reproduction of the document; and
c) if the authorization signal is not detected and the pattern of microdots is detected, preventing the reproduction of the document.
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Specification