Digital watermarking systems and methods

• US 8,000,495 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2008
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Levy, Kenneth L., Rhoads, Geoffrey B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Vu
• Assistant Examiner(s): Allison; Andrae S
• Application Number:
  US12/251,362
• Publication Number:
  US 20090129627A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/232, 713/193, 713/176, 713/189, 713/179, 713/180, 713/194, 380/28, 380/284, 705/54, 705/51
• 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: 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 20/341 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 1/0028 Adaptive watermarking, e.g. Human Visual System [HVS]-based watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0035 Output size adaptive watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0057 Compression invariant watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0071 using multiple or alternating watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0053 Embedding of the watermark in the coding stream, possibly without decoding; Embedding of the watermark in the compressed domain
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/253 visually
• 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 7/086 : 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: 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 20/00884 : 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: 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 19/20 : using video object coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/467 : characterised by the embedded information being invisible, e.g. watermarking
• 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 2201/3249 : 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

Abstract

The present invention relates to watermarking of compressed audio or video files. One claim recites a method including: obtaining a copy of a compressed audio or video file; decompressing the compressed audio or video file to yield decompressed audio or video content; determining a first watermarking component for the decompressed audio or video content, the first watermarking component intended to be steganographically hidden in the audio or video content; storing the first digital watermarking component separately from the compressed audio or video file; and then providing the stored first watermarking component, a unique plural-bit watermark identifier, and the compressed audio or video file to a remote location. Other claims and combinations are provided as well.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a copy of a compressed audio or video file;

decompressing the compressed audio or video file to yield decompressed audio or video content;

analyzing the decompressed audio or video content to determine watermarking criteria or watermark embedding instructions for the decompressed audio or video content, wherein the watermarking criteria includes information associated with an auxiliary watermark orientation signal or with an auxiliary watermark reference signal, and wherein the auxiliary watermark signals are separate from the audio or video file;

providing, to a remote location, the watermarking criteria or watermark embedding instructions in association with a request to obtain a copy of the compressed audio or video content.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the watermarking criteria comprises information associated with a perceptual model of the audio or video content.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the watermarking criteria comprises audio or video features that are more resilient to changes relative to other audio or video features.

4. A method comprising:

receiving a copy of a compressed audio or video file;

decompressing the compressed audio or video file to yield decompressed audio or video content;

analyzing the decompressed audio or video content to determine watermarking criteria or watermark embedding instructions for the decompressed audio or video content;

providing the watermarking criteria or watermark embedding instructions in association with a request to obtain a copy of the compressed audio or video content;

obtaining a plural-bit identifier that is uniquely associated with a requestor of the copy of the compressed audio or video file or a device of the requestor; and

combining the watermarking criteria or watermark embedding instructions and the plural-bit identifier to yield a combined watermark signal.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising compressing the combined watermark signal as an object.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising providing the compressed, combined watermark signal object and the compressed audio or video file.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions comprising:

instructions to receive a copy of a compressed audio or video file;

instructions to decompress the compressed audio or video file to yield decompressed audio or video content;

instructions to analyze the decompressed audio or video content to determine watermarking criteria or watermark embedding instructions for the decompressed audio or video content, wherein the watermarking criteria includes information associated with an auxiliary watermark orientation signal or with an auxiliary watermark reference signal, and wherein the auxiliary watermark signals are separate from the audio or video file; and

instructions to provide, to a remote location, the watermarking criteria or watermark embedding instructions in association with a request to obtain a copy of the compressed audio or video content.

8. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions comprising:

instructions to receive a copy of a compressed audio or video file;

instructions to decompress the compressed audio or video file to yield decompressed audio or video content;

instructions to analyze the decompressed audio or video content to determine watermarking criteria or watermark embedding instructions for the decompressed audio or video content;

instructions to provide the watermarking criteria or watermark embedding instructions in association with a request to obtain a copy of the compressed audio or video content;

instructions to obtain a plural-bit identifier that is uniquely associated with a requestor of the copy of the compressed audio or video file or with a device of the requestor; and

instructions to combine the watermarking criteria or watermark embedding instructions and the plural-bit identifier to yield a combined watermark signal.

9. A method comprising:

obtaining a copy of a compressed audio or video file;

decompressing the compressed audio or video file to yield decompressed audio or video content;

determining a watermarking component for the decompressed audio or video content, wherein the watermarking component is steganographically hidden in the audio or video content, wherein the watermarking component includes information associated with an auxiliary watermark orientation signal or with an auxiliary watermark reference signal, and wherein the auxiliary watermark signals are separate from the audio or video file;

storing the digital watermarking component separately from the compressed audio or video file; and

providing the stored watermarking component, a unique plural-bit watermark identifier, and the compressed audio or video file to a remote location.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the watermarking component is based at least in part on a perceptual model of the decompressed audio or video content.

10. A method comprising:

obtaining a copy of a compressed audio or video file;

decompressing the compressed audio or video file to yield decompressed audio or video content;

determining a watermarking component for the decompressed audio or video content, wherein the watermarking component is steganographically hidden in the audio or video content;

storing the digital watermarking component separately from the compressed audio or video file;

combining the watermarking component and a unique plural-bit watermark identifier;

compressing the combined watermarking component and the unique plural-bit watermark identifier to form a watermark object; and

providing the watermark object and the compressed audio or video file to a remote location.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions comprising:

instructions to obtain a copy of a compressed audio or video file;

instructions to decompress the compressed audio or video file to yield decompressed audio or video content;

instructions to determine a watermarking component for the decompressed audio or video content, wherein the watermarking component is steganographically hidden in the audio or video content, wherein the watermarking component includes information associated with an auxiliary watermark orientation signal or with an auxiliary watermark reference signal, and wherein the auxiliary watermark signals are separate from the audio or video file;

instructions to store the digital watermarking component separately from the compressed audio or video file; and

instructions to provide the stored watermarking component, a unique plural-bit watermark identifier, and the compressed audio or video file to a remote location.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions comprising:

instructions to obtain a copy of a compressed audio or video file;

instructions to decompress the compressed audio or video file to yield decompressed audio or video content;

instructions to determine a watermarking component for the decompressed audio or video content, wherein the watermarking component is steganographically hidden in the audio or video content;

instructions to store the digital watermarking component separately from the compressed audio or video file;

instructions to combine the watermarking component and a unique plural-bit watermark identifier;

instructions to compress the combined watermarking component and the unique plural-bit watermark identifier to form a watermark object; and

instructions to provide the watermark object and the compressed audio or video file to a remote location.

14. A device comprising:

a memory; and

a processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to;

receive a copy of a compressed audio or video file;

decompress the compressed audio or video file to yield decompressed audio or video content;

analyze the decompressed audio or video content to determine watermarking criteria or watermark embedding instructions for the decompressed audio or video content, wherein the watermarking criteria includes information associated with an auxiliary watermark orientation signal or with an auxiliary watermark reference signal, and wherein the auxiliary watermark signals are separate from the audio or video file;

store the watermarking criteria or watermark embedding instructions for the decompressed audio or video content in the memory; and

provide, to a remote location, the watermarking criteria or watermark embedding instructions in association with a request to obtain a copy of the compressed audio or video content.

15. A device comprising:

a memory; and

a processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to;

receive a copy of a compressed audio or video file;

decompress the compressed audio or video file to yield decompressed audio or video content;

analyze the decompressed audio or video content to determine watermarking criteria or watermark embedding instructions for the decompressed audio or video content;

provide the watermarking criteria or watermark embedding instructions in association with a request to obtain a copy of the compressed audio or video content;

obtain a plural-bit identifier that is uniquely associated with a requestor of the copy of the compressed audio or video file or a device of the requestor; and

combine the watermarking criteria or watermark embedding instructions and the plural-bit identifier to yield a combined watermark signal.

16. A device comprising:

a memory; and

a processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to;

obtain a copy of a compressed audio or video file;

decompress the compressed audio or video file to yield decompressed audio or video content;

determine a watermarking component for the decompressed audio or video content, wherein the watermarking component is steganographically hidden in the audio or video content, wherein the watermarking component includes information associated with an auxiliary watermark orientation signal or with an auxiliary watermark reference signal, and wherein the auxiliary watermark signals are separate from the audio or video file;

store the first digital watermarking component separately from the compressed audio or video file in the memory; and

provide the stored watermarking component, a unique plural-bit watermark identifier, and the compressed audio or video file to a remote location.

17. A device comprising:

a memory; and

a processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to;

obtain a copy of a compressed audio or video file;

decompress the compressed audio or video file to yield decompressed audio or video content;

determine a watermarking component for the decompressed audio or video content, wherein the watermarking component is steganographically hidden in the audio or video content;

store the first digital watermarking component separately from the compressed audio or video file in the memory;

combine the watermarking component and a unique plural-bit watermark identifier;

compress the combined watermarking component and the unique plural-bit watermark identifier to form a watermark object; and

provide the watermark object and the compressed audio or video file to a remote location.