Methods and systems for embedding camera information in images

• US 7,663,670 B1
• Filed: 02/04/2002
• Issued: 02/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cedar Lane Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: Digital Imaging Systems GmbH
• Inventors: Orboubadian, Vahid
• Primary Examiner(s): Jerabek; Kelly L
• Application Number:
  US10/067,463
• Time in Patent Office: 2,934 Days
• Field of Search: 348/231.99, 348/231.2, 348/231.3, 358/3.28, 380/54, 380/277, 283/113
• US Class Current: 348/231.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32149 Methods relating to embedding, encoding, decoding, detection or retrieval operations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91335 the copy protection signal being a watermark
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• 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 2201/3209 of a telephone number
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3214 of a date
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3215 of a time or duration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3252 Image capture parameters, e.g. resolution, illumination conditions, orientation of the image capture device H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3257 relating to the original, the input device or the input process, e.g. scanner profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3274 Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3281 Encryption; Ciphering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/80 Camera processing pipelines; Components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/843 Demosaicing, e.g. interpolating colour pixel values
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/95 Computational photography systems, e.g. light-field imaging systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/60 Noise processing, e.g. detecting, correcting, reducing or removing noise
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/616 involving a correlated sampling function, e.g. correlated double sampling [CDS] or triple sampling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/63 : applied to dark current
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/67 : applied to fixed-pattern noise, e.g. non-uniformity of response
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/68 : applied to defects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 : the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/913 : for scrambling ; for copy protection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 : involving data reduction

Abstract

The present invention is related to providing, in association with an image, information related to the image capture device used to capture the image. In one embodiment, information related to a first static camera characteristic and camera setting information related to a first captured digitized image is embedded in the first captured digitized image using a watermark. The watermarked information may be used to identify the source or owner of the picture, and/or to aid in the more accurate reproduction of the image.

Claims

1. A method of embedding camera information and image capture related information in a digital form of an image, comprising:

receiving information on a first static camera characteristic suitable to enhance image reproduction;

receiving information on a first static camera characteristic suitable to identify a single camera that is the source of the image by embedding unique single camera characteristics;

receiving camera setting information related to a first captured digitized image;

generating an encryption key based at least in part on the first static camera characteristic;

embedding a watermark in said first captured digitized image, wherein the watermark contains at least a portion of the information on at least one of said first static characteristics and at least a portion of the camera setting information related to said first captured digitized image; and

encrypting the watermark using the encryption key, wherein the first static camera characteristic suitable to enhance image reproduction is a camera image sensor bad pixel characteristic.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first static camera characteristic suitable to enhance image reproduction is related to a sensor current value.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first static camera characteristic suitable to enhance image reproduction is related to a camera image sensor sensitivity.

4. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the camera setting information includes information related to the flash intensity used to capture the first captured digitized image.

5. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising including information in the watermark related to the ambient light present when the image was captured by the camera.

6. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising including at least a first dynamically measured camera characteristic in the watermark.

7. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said unique single camera characteristics comprise an image capture device serial number.

8. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said image capture related information comprises information about the user who has taken an image.

9. The method as defined in claim 8, wherein said user information comprises a user identification.

10. A digital camera system, comprising:

an imager;

a first static camera characteristic associated with the imager in regard of enhancing image reproduction;

a first static camera characteristic associated with the imager in regard of identifying a single camera that is the source of an image by embedding unique single camera characteristics;

a first variable camera setting;

a watermark generator used to embed in the form of a watermark at least one of said first static camera characteristic and said first variable camera setting information in an image captured by the camera; and

a key generator configured to generate an encryption key used to encrypt the watermark, wherein said first static camera characteristic for enhancing image reproduction is gamma information.

11. The digital camera system as defined in claim 10, wherein the watermark is visually perceptible.

12. The digital camera system as defined in claim 10, wherein the watermark is visually imperceptible.

13. The digital camera system as defined in claim 10, wherein said first variable camera setting is a shutter speed.

14. The digital camera system as defined in claim 10, wherein said first variable camera setting is an aperture setting.

15. The digital camera system as defined in claim 10, wherein said first variable camera setting is a flash setting.

16. The digital camera system as defined in claim 10, wherein said first static camera characteristic suitable to enhancing image reproduction is related to an imager current.

17. The digital camera system as defined in claim 10, wherein said first static camera characteristic suitable to enhancing image reproduction is related to defective pixels associated with the imager.

18. The camera system as defined in claim 10, wherein said unique single camera characteristics comprise an image capture device serial number.

19. The camera system as defined in claim 10, wherein said image capture related information comprises information about the user who has taken an image.

20. The camera system as defined in claim 19, wherein said user information comprises a user identification.

21. A method of including camera information and image capture related information in association with a digital form of an image, comprising:

capturing an image;

digitizing the image;

receiving information on a first static camera characteristic suitable to enhance image reproduction, wherein said first static camera characteristic is gamma information;

a first static camera characteristic associated with the imager in regard of identifying a single camera that is the source of an image by embedding unique single camera characteristics;

receiving camera setting information related to a first captured digitized image;

inserting in a data set associated with the digitized image at least a portion of the information on at least one first static characteristic; and

transmitting the digitized image and the data set to an image processor.

22. The method as defined in claim 21, wherein said unique single camera characteristics comprise an image capture device serial number.

23. The method as defined in claim 21, wherein said image capture related information comprises information about the user who has taken an image.

24. The method as defined in claim 23, wherein said user information comprises a user identification.