Securing Media Content with Steganographic Encoding

• US 20080019560A1
• Filed: 07/23/2007
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Rhoads, Geoffrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,444,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/100
• 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 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 20/306 using TV related infrastructures external card used for payment with client device H04N21/4185
• 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 1/0028 Adaptive watermarking, e.g. Human Visual System [HVS]-based watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/005 Robust watermarking, e.g. average attack or collusion attack resistant
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0057 Compression invariant watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0064 Geometric transfor invariant watermarking, e.g. affine transform invariant
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0064 for copy protection or copy management, e.g. CGMS, copy only once, one-time copy
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0065 Extraction of an embedded watermark; Reliable detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0083 whereby only watermarked image required at decoder, e.g. source-based, blind, oblivious
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/40 Document-oriented image-based pattern recognition
• 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 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 20/00891 : embedded in audio data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00005 : relating to image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00037 : Detecting, i.e. determining the occurrence of a predetermined state H04N1/00031 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00079 : remotely
• 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 1/32149 : 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 1/3216 : 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 1/32229 : with selective or adaptive application of the additional information, e.g. in selected regions of the image H04N1/32213 takes precedence
• 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 1/32299 : using more than one embedding method
• 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 1/34 : for coin-freed systems ; Pay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2347 : involving video stream encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23892 : involving embedding information at multiplex stream level, e.g. embedding a watermark at packet level
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26613 : for generating or managing keys in general key distribution for secret or secure communication involving central third party, e.g. key distribution center [KDC] or trusted third party [TTP] H04L9/083; network support of key management H04L63/06; key management for network security in communication control or processing H04W12/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4405 : involving video stream decryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44204 : Monitoring of content usage, e.g. the number of times a movie has been viewed, copied or the amount which has been watched monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; protecting generic digital content where the protection is independent of the precise nature of the content G06F21/10; arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services in broadcast systems H04H60/31
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44236 : Monitoring of piracy processes or activities protecting computer platforms against harmful, malicious or unexpected behaviour or activities using intrusion detection and counter measures G06F21/566; computer virus detection and handling G06F21/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 : involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8358 : involving watermark protecting executable software by watermarking G06F21/16; image watermarking in general G06T1/0021; watermarks inserted in still images for transmission purposes H04N1/32144; inserting watermarks during video coding H04N19/467
• 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 2201/3225 : 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 2201/3242 : of processing required or performed, e.g. for reproduction or before recording H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3246 : of data relating to permitted access or usage, e.g. level of access or usage parameters for digital rights management [DRM] related to still images
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3284 : for error correction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/1675 : Providing digital key or authorisation information for generation or regeneration of the scrambling sequence pseudo-random number generators in general G06F7/58

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to steganographically encoded audio or image content (e.g., which may include video). In one implementation, a method is provided included: receiving audio or image content via a network, the audio or image content comprising auxiliary information steganographically encoded therein; decoding the auxiliary information from received audio or image content, the auxiliary information pointing to handling criteria associated with the audio or image content; obtaining the handling criteria associated with the audio or image content; and carrying out an action based at least in part on the handling criteria associated with the audio or image content. Other implementations are provided and claimed as well.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving audio or image content via a network, the audio or image content comprising auxiliary information steganographically encoded therein;

decoding the auxiliary information from received audio or image content,

the auxiliary information pointing to handling criteria associated with the audio or image content;

obtaining the handling criteria associated with the audio or image content; and

carrying out an action based at least in part on the handling criteria associated with the audio or image content.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the handling criteria comprises at least one of pricing information, monetary information associated with the audio or image content, or payment options.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the action comprises restricting rendering of the audio or video content.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the image content comprises video.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the auxiliary information is associated with two or more databases.

6. A registry system comprising:

an input to receive audio or image content via a network, the audio or image content comprising auxiliary information steganographically encoded therein;

a decoder to decode the auxiliary information from received audio or image content,

the auxiliary information pointing to handling criteria associated with the audio or image content; and

a processor to;

i) obtain at least a portion of the handling criteria with reference to at least the auxiliary information, and ii) carry out an action based at least in part on the portion of the handing criteria.

7. The registry system of claim 6 wherein the handling criteria comprises at least one of pricing information, monetary information associated with the audio or image content, or payment options.

8. The registry system of claim 6 wherein the action comprises restricting rendering of the audio or video content.

9. The registry system of claim 6 wherein the image content comprises video.

10. A method comprising:

receiving audio or image content via a network supporting a user community, the audio or image content comprising auxiliary information steganographically encoded therein;

decoding the auxiliary information from received audio or image content,

the auxiliary information providing or pointing to a public or free use indication associated with the audio or image content;

obtaining the use indication with at least reference to the auxiliary information; and

carrying out an action based at least in part on the use indication associated with the audio or image content.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the image content comprises video.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the auxiliary information points to the free use indication and is associated with two or more databases.

13. A method comprising:

steganographically encoding an original media signal with data according to first encoding to yield an encoded media signal, the encoded media signal comprising the data encoded therein;

subjecting the encoded media signal to a transformation to determine whether encoding of the data in the encoded media signal meets predetermined criteria;

if the encoding does not meet the predetermined criteria, repeating said act of steganographically encoding and said act of subjecting until the encoding meets the predetermined criteria.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the transformation comprises compression, and said act of subjecting further comprises subjecting the encoded media signal to decompression after subjecting the encoded media signal to compression but prior to determining whether encoding of the data in the encoded media signal meets the predetermined criteria.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the media signal comprises video and the transformation comprises at least compression.

16. The method of claim 13 in which the predetermined criteria comprises encoding signal strength.

17. A method comprising:

obtaining information associated with a compression process;

altering a watermark signal with at least reference to the information;

steganographically embedding an altered watermark signal in a media signal.

18. The method of claim 18 wherein the media signal comprises video and the compression process comprises MPEG.

19. A method comprising:

obtaining a message signal;

obtaining a host signal;

filtering the host signal in accordance with anticipated compression;

obtaining a carrier signal;

combining the message signal with the carrier signal to yield an intermediate signal;

altering the filtered host signal in accordance with the intermediate signal to yield an embedded host signal.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the host signal comprises video the anticipated compression comprises MPEG.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the filtering comprises at least a high pass filter.

22. A method comprising:

obtaining a message signal;

obtaining a host signal;

determining portions of the host signal that are less likely—

relative to other portions of the host signal—

to be adversely affected by anticipated compression;

embedding the message in the host signal in determined portions of the host signal that are relatively less likely to be adversely affected by the anticipated compression.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the host signal comprises video.

24. The method of claim 24 wherein said act of embedding embeds the message in the host signal through altering data representing picture elements of the video.

25. A method comprising:

obtaining a media signal including a message steganographically hidden therein;

transforming the media signal to a transform domain;

in the transform domain, identifying portions of the media signal including signal errors;

filtering identified portions of the media signal to compensate for the signal errors;

inverse transforming the filtered, transformed media signal; and

analyzing the inverse, filtered, transformed media signal to obtain the message.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the signal errors comprises correlated errors of the media signal.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the media signal comprises a compressed form, said method further comprising, prior to said act of transforming, decompressing the media signal.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the signal errors are related to compression of the media signal.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein the media signal comprises video.

30. The method of claim 25 wherein said act of filtering utilizes a filter based on a characterization of the signal errors.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the characterization is related to video compression.

32. A method comprising:

hiding plural-bit data in a media signal, said act of hiding resulting in an encoded media signal;

compressing and then decompressing the encoded media signal;

determining whether hiding of the data in the encoded media signal meets first criteria; and

iteratively repeating said act of hiding and said act of compressing and decompressing until said act of determining determines whether the hiding of the data in the encoded media signal meets the first criteria.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the media signal comprises video or audio.

34. A method comprising:

decompressing a compressed encoded signal, the encoded signal comprising plural-bit information hidden therein;

determining whether the plural-bit information is sufficiently hidden in the decompressed encoded signal based on first criteria; and

embedding the plural-bit information in the decompressed encoded signal if the plural-bit information is not sufficiently hidden.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the signal comprises video or audio.