Method and apparatus for steganographic embedding of meta-data
First Claim
1. A method for steganographically combining data, comprising the steps of:
- acquiring first data via a first sensor;
contemporaneously acquiring meta-data associated with the acquired first data via a second sensor;
creating a plurality of steganographic data combinations by combining the first data and the contemporaneously acquired meta-data using a plurality of steganographic techniques and a figure-of-merit algorithm for determining an appropriate region of the first data to embed the meta-data for each steganographic technique; and
using the figure-of-merit algorithm to compare the steganographic data combinations and the originally acquired first data to select a steganographic data combination from the plurality of steganographic data combinations with the least discernible changes from the acquired first data.
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Abstract
An electronic device, such as a digital camera, includes sensors to acquire subject data, such as an electro-optical image, as well as additional sensors to acquire meta-data such as temperature, humidity, the identification of the subject data, and the data and time. The electronic device further includes an image evaluator, to determine the best steganographic method to use to combine the meta-data and the subject data, and a steganographic engine, to combine the meta-data and the subject data in an undetectable manner. In this way, meta-data can be associated with the subject data when the subject data is acquired and in a manner that attaches the meta-data and the subject data without requiring generating and maintaining two, linked data sets.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for steganographically combining data, comprising the steps of:
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acquiring first data via a first sensor; contemporaneously acquiring meta-data associated with the acquired first data via a second sensor; creating a plurality of steganographic data combinations by combining the first data and the contemporaneously acquired meta-data using a plurality of steganographic techniques and a figure-of-merit algorithm for determining an appropriate region of the first data to embed the meta-data for each steganographic technique; and using the figure-of-merit algorithm to compare the steganographic data combinations and the originally acquired first data to select a steganographic data combination from the plurality of steganographic data combinations with the least discernible changes from the acquired first data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A device for generating steganographic data, comprising:
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a first sensor configured to acquire data; a second sensor configured to contemporaneously acquire meta-data, wherein the meta-data is associated with the acquired data; and a steganographic engine configured to create a plurality of stenographic data combinations by combining the first data and the contemporaneously acquired meta-data using a plurality of steganographic techniques and a figure-of-merit algorithm for determining an appropriate region of the first data to embed the meta-data for each steganographic technique, wherein the steganographic engine is further configured to use the figure-of-merit algorithm to compare the steganographic data combinations and the originally acquired first data to select a steganographic data combination from the plurality of steganographic data combinations with the least discernible changes from the acquired first data. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A digital camera for steganographically combining meta-data, comprising:
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an image plane configured to acquire an electro-optical image; a sensor configured to contemporaneously acquire meta-data, said meta-data is associated with the electro-optical image; and a steganographic engine configured to create a plurality of stenographic data combinations by combining the electro-optical image and the contemporaneously acquired meta-data using a plurality of steganographic techniques and a figure-of-merit algorithm for determining an appropriate region of the first data to embed the meta-data for each steganographic technique wherein the steganographic engine is further configured to use the figure-of-merit algorithm to compare the steganographic data combinations and the originally acquired electro-optical image to select a steganographic data combination from the plurality of steganographic data combinations with the least discernible changes from the acquired electro-optical image. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification