Embedder for embedding a watermark into an information representation, detector for detecting a watermark in an information representation, method and computer program

• US 9,037,453 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2009
• Issued: 05/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forsching E.V.
• Original Assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forsching E.V.
• Inventors: Grill, Bernhard, Eberlein, Ernst, Kraegeloh, Stefan, Pickel, Joerg, Borsum, Juliane
• Primary Examiner(s): ALBERTALLI, BRIAN LOUIS
• Application Number:
  US12/922,650
• Publication Number:
  US 20110144998A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,268 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 704/201
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0071 using multiple or alternating watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/018 Audio watermarking, i.e. embedding inaudible data in the audio signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32149 Methods relating to embedding, encoding, decoding, detection or retrieval operations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32154 Transform domain methods H04N1/32309 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32299 using more than one embedding method
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32304 Embedding different sets of additional information
• 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

Abstract

An embedder for embedding a watermark to be embedded into an input information representation comprises an embedding parameter determiner that is implemented to apply a derivation function once or several times to an initial value to obtain an embedding parameter for embedding the watermark into the input information representation. Further, the embedder comprises a watermark adder that is implemented to provide the input information representation with the watermark using the embedding parameter. The embedder is implemented to select how many times the derivation function is to be applied to the initial value.

Claims

1. An embedder for embedding a watermark to be embedded into an input information representation, comprising:

an embedding parameter determiner that is implemented to apply a derivation function to an initial value, once or several times, to acquire an embedding parameter for embedding the watermark to be embedded into the input information representation; and

a watermark adder that is implemented to provide the input information representation with the watermark to be embedded using the embedding parameter,

wherein the embedder is implemented to select how many times the derivation function is to be applied to the initial value to acquire the embedding parameter;

wherein the embedding parameter determiner is implemented to receive an index parameter and to determine, depending on the index parameter, how many times the derivation function is to be applied to the predetermined initial value to acquire the embedding parameter; and

wherein the embedder comprises a watermark information detector that is implemented to detect watermark information already comprised in the input information representation, to acquire information on a number of watermarks already comprised in the input information representation, and

wherein the watermark information detector is implemented to provide one or several index parameters for the embedding parameter determiner, based on the information on the number of watermarks already comprised in the input information representation;

wherein the embedder is implemented using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

2. The embedder according to claim 1, wherein the watermark information detector is implemented to detect additional information comprised in the input information representation, which carries information on how many watermarks are comprised in the input information representation, and to acquire information on the number of watermarks already comprised in the input information representation from the additional information.

3. The embedder according to claim 1, wherein the embedding parameter determiner is implemented to acquire an embedding code as the embedding parameter, and

wherein the watermark adder is implemented to provide the input information representation with the watermark to be embedded using the embedding code as spread code.

4. The embedder according to claim 3, wherein the embedding parameter determiner is implemented to acquire an intermediate result value by applying the derivation function to the initial value once or several times, and to use the intermediate result value as initial value for a spread code determination algorithm, to acquire a spread code by applying the spread code determination algorithm to the initial value.

5. The embedder according to claim 4, wherein the spread code determination algorithm is implemented to generate a spread code based on the initial value, comprising a plurality of individual values whose correlation characteristics fulfill a predetermined criterion.

6. The embedder according to claim 1, wherein the embedder is implemented to embed a plurality of watermarks into the input information representation, and

wherein the embedding parameter determiner is implemented to apply the derivation function m times to the initial value to acquire an embedding parameter for embedding a first watermark to be embedded into the input information representation, and to apply the derivation function n times to the initial value to acquire an embedding parameter for embedding a second watermark to be embedded into the input information representation,

wherein m≠

n.

7. A detector for detecting at least one watermark in an input information representation provided with the watermark, comprising:

a detection parameter determiner that is implemented to apply a derivation function to an initial value, once or several times, to acquire a detection parameter for detecting the watermark in the input information representation; and

a watermark extractor that is implemented to extract the watermark using the detection parameter from the input information representation,

wherein the detector is implemented to select how many times the derivation function is to be applied to the initial value to acquire the embedding parameter;

wherein the detection parameter determiner is implemented to receive an index parameter and to determine, depending on the index parameter, how many times the derivation function is to be applied to the predetermined initial value to acquire the detection parameter; and

wherein the detector comprises a watermark information detector that is implemented to detect watermark information comprised in the input information representation, in order to acquire information on a number of watermarks comprised in the input information representation, and

wherein the watermark information detector is implemented to provide one or several index parameters for the detection parameter determiner based on the information on the number of watermarks comprised in the input information representation;

wherein the detector is implemented using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

8. The detector according to claim 7, wherein the watermark information detector is implemented to detect additional information comprised in the input information representation, which carries information on how many watermarks are comprised in the input information representation, and to acquire information on the number of watermarks comprised in the input information representation from the additional information.

9. The detector according to claim 7, wherein the detection parameter determiner is implemented to provide a detection code as a detection parameter, and

wherein the watermark extractor is implemented to extract a watermark from the input information representation, by using the detection code as a spread code.

10. The detector according to claim 9, wherein the detection parameter determiner is implemented to acquire an intermediate result value by applying the derivation function to the initial value once or several times, and to use the intermediate result value as initial value for a spread code determination algorithm, to acquire the spread code by applying the spread code determination algorithm to the initial value.

11. The detector according to claim 10, wherein the spread code determination algorithm is implemented to generate a spread code based on the initial value, which comprises a plurality of individual values, whose correlation characteristics fulfill a predetermined criterion.

12. The detector according to claim 7, wherein the detector is implemented to extract a plurality of watermarks from the input information representation, and

wherein the detection parameter determiner is implemented to apply the derivation function m times to the initial value to acquire a detection parameter for extracting a first watermark from the input information representation, and to apply the derivation function n times to the initial value to acquire a detection parameter for extracting the second watermark from the input information representation,

wherein m≠

n.

13. An embedder for embedding a watermark to be embedded into an input information representation, comprising:

an embedding parameter determiner that is implemented to apply a derivation function to an initial value, once or several times, to acquire an embedding parameter for embedding the watermark to be embedded into the input information representation; and

a watermark adder that is implemented to provide the input information representation with the watermark to be embedded using the embedding parameter,

wherein the embedder is implemented to select how many times the derivation function is to be applied to the initial value to acquire the embedding parameter;

wherein the embedding parameter determiner is implemented to acquire an embedding code as the embedding parameter, and

wherein the watermark adder is implemented to provide the input information representation with the watermark to be embedded using the embedding code as spread code;

wherein the embedder is implemented using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

14. An embedder for embedding a watermark to be embedded into an input information representation, comprising:

an embedding parameter determiner that is implemented to apply a derivation function to an initial value, once or several times, to acquire an embedding parameter for embedding the watermark to be embedded into the input information representation; and

a watermark adder that is implemented to provide the input information representation with the watermark to be embedded using the embedding parameter,

wherein the embedder is implemented to select how many times the derivation function is to be applied to the initial value to acquire the embedding parameter;

wherein the embedder is implemented to embed a plurality of watermarks into the input information representation, and

wherein the embedding parameter determiner is implemented to apply the derivation function m times to the initial value to acquire an embedding parameter for embedding a first watermark to be embedded into the input information representation, and to apply the derivation function n times to the initial value to acquire an embedding parameter for embedding a second watermark to be embedded into the input information representation,

wherein m≠

n;

wherein the embedder is implemented using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

15. A detector for detecting at least one watermark in an input information representation provided with the watermark, comprising:

a detection parameter determiner that is implemented to apply a derivation function to an initial value, once or several times, to acquire a detection parameter for detecting the watermark in the input information representation; and

a watermark extractor that is implemented to extract the watermark using the detection parameter from the input information representation,

wherein the detector is implemented to select how many times the derivation function is to be applied to the initial value to acquire the embedding parameter;

wherein the detection parameter determiner is implemented to provide a detection code as a detection parameter, and

wherein the watermark extractor is implemented to extract a watermark from the input information representation, by using the detection code as a spread code;

wherein the detector is implemented using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

16. A detector for detecting at least one watermark in an input information representation provided with the watermark, comprising:

a detection parameter determiner that is implemented to apply a derivation function to an initial value, once or several times, to acquire a detection parameter for detecting the watermark in the input information representation; and

a watermark extractor that is implemented to extract the watermark using the detection parameter from the input information representation,

wherein the detector is implemented to select how many times the derivation function is to be applied to the initial value to acquire the embedding parameter;

wherein the detector is implemented to extract a plurality of watermarks from the input information representation, and

wherein the detection parameter determiner is implemented to apply the derivation function m times to the initial value to acquire a detection parameter for extracting a first watermark from the input information representation, and to apply the derivation function n times to the initial value to acquire a detection parameter for extracting the second watermark from the input information representation,

wherein m≠

n;

wherein the detector is implemented using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

17. A method for embedding a watermark into an input information representation, comprising:

selecting how many times a derivation function is to be applied to an initial value to acquire an embedding parameter;

applying the derivation function once or several times to the initial value to acquire an embedding parameter for embedding the watermark into the input information representation; and

providing the input information representation with the watermark using the embedding parameter;

wherein the embedding comprises detecting watermark information already comprised in the input information representation, to acquire information on a number of watermarks already comprised in the input information representation from the additional information, and

wherein the embedding comprises providing one or several index parameters depending on the information on the number of watermarks already comprised in the input information representation;

wherein the embedding comprises determining, depending on the index parameter, how many times the derivation function is to be applied to the initial value to acquire the embedding parameter;

wherein the method is performed using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

23. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code stored thereon, wherein the program code, when executed by a computer, performs a method according to one of claims 17 to 22.

18. A method for embedding a watermark into an input information representation, comprising:

selecting how many times a derivation function is to be applied to an initial value to acquire an embedding parameter;

applying the derivation function once or several times to the initial value to acquire an embedding parameter for embedding the watermark into the input information representation; and

providing the input information representation with the watermark using the embedding parameter;

wherein an embedding code is acquired as the embedding parameter, and

wherein the input information representation is provided with the watermark to be embedded using the embedding code as spread code;

wherein the method is performed using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

19. A method for embedding a watermark into an input information representation, comprising:

selecting how many times a derivation function is to be applied to an initial value to acquire an embedding parameter;

applying the derivation function once or several times to the initial value to acquire an embedding parameter for embedding the watermark into the input information representation; and

providing the input information representation with the watermark using the embedding parameter

wherein a plurality of watermarks are embedded into the input information representation, and

wherein the derivation function is applied m times to the initial value to acquire an embedding parameter for embedding a first watermark to be embedded into the input information representation, and wherein the derivation function is applied n times to the initial value to acquire an embedding parameter for embedding a second watermark to be embedded into the input information representation,

wherein m≠

n;

wherein the method is performed using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

20. A method for detecting at least one watermark in an input information representation provided with the watermark, comprising:

selecting how many times a derivation function is to be applied to an initial value to acquire a detection parameter;

applying the derivation function once or several times to the initial value to acquire a detection parameter for detecting the watermark in the input information representation; and

extracting the watermark from the input information representation using the detection parameter;

wherein it is determined, depending on an index parameter, how many times the derivation function is to be applied to the predetermined initial value to acquire the detection parameter; and

wherein watermark information comprised in the input information representation is detected to acquire information on a number of watermarks comprised in the input information representation, and

wherein one or several index parameters are provided based on the information on the number of watermarks comprised in the input information representation;

wherein the method is performed using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

21. A method for detecting at least one watermark in an input information representation provided with the watermark, comprising:

selecting how many times a derivation function is to be applied to an initial value to acquire a detection parameter;

applying the derivation function once or several times to the initial value to acquire a detection parameter for detecting the watermark in the input information representation; and

extracting the watermark from the input information representation using the detection parameter,

wherein a detection code is provided as detection parameter, and

wherein a watermark is extracted from the input information representation, by using the detection code as spread code;

wherein the method is performed using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

22. A method for detecting at least one watermark in an input information representation provided with the watermark, comprising:

selecting how many times a derivation function is to be applied to an initial value to acquire a detection parameter;

applying the derivation function once or several times to the initial value to acquire a detection parameter for detecting the watermark in the input information representation; and

extracting the watermark from the input information representation using the detection parameter;

wherein a plurality of watermarks are extracted from the input information representation, and

wherein the derivation function is applied m times to the initial value to acquire a detection parameter for extracting a first watermark from the input information representation, and wherein the derivation function is applied n times to the initial value to acquire a detection parameter for extracting the second watermark from the input information representation,

wherein m≠

n;

wherein the method is performed using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.