Method and system for digital image signatures
First Claim
1. A method of image signature processing of an original image having pixels with pixel values, the pixel values including a plurality of pixel values intermediate to minimum and maximum pixel values, comprising:
- locating a plurality of candidate points from among the pixels of the original image;
selecting a first plurality of signature points from among the candidate points;
forming a signature by adjusting the pixel values of the signature points within the original image, thereby resulting in a signed image that includes the signature and pixel values of the original image that have not been adjusted to form the signature, the signed image including a plurality of pixel values intermediate to the minimum and maximum pixel values; and
digitally storing the signature in a database for future identification.
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Abstract
A method and system for embedding signatures within visual images in both digital representation and print or film. A signature is inseparably embedded within the visible image, the signature persisting through image transforms that include resizing as well as conversion to print or film and back to digital form. Signature points are selected from among the pixels of an original image. The pixel values of the signature points and surrounding pixels are adjusted by an amount detectable by a digital scanner. The adjusted signature points form a digital signature which is stored for future identification of subject images derived from the image. In one embodiment, a signature is embedded within an image by locating relative extrema in the continuous space of pixel values and selecting the signature points from among the extrema. Preferably, the signature is redundantly embedded in the image such that any of the redundant representations can be used to identify the signature. Identification of a subject image includes ensuring that the subject image is normalized with respect to the original image or the signed image. Preferably, the normalized subject image is compared with the stored digital signature.
1036 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of image signature processing of an original image having pixels with pixel values, the pixel values including a plurality of pixel values intermediate to minimum and maximum pixel values, comprising:
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locating a plurality of candidate points from among the pixels of the original image; selecting a first plurality of signature points from among the candidate points; forming a signature by adjusting the pixel values of the signature points within the original image, thereby resulting in a signed image that includes the signature and pixel values of the original image that have not been adjusted to form the signature, the signed image including a plurality of pixel values intermediate to the minimum and maximum pixel values; and digitally storing the signature in a database for future identification. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of image signature processing of an original image having pixels with pixel values, comprising:
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selecting a first plurality of signature points from among the pixels of the original image; forming a signature by adjusting the pixel values of the signature points within the original image, thereby resulting in a signed image that includes the signature and pixel values of the original image that have not been adjusted to form the signature, the signed image including a plurality of pixel values intermediate to the minimum and maximum pixel values; and digitally storing the signature in a database for future identification. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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14. A method of image signature processing of an original image having pixels with pixel values, comprising:
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selecting a first plurality of signature points from among the pixels of the original image; forming a signature by adjusting the pixel values of the signature points within the original image, thereby resulting in a signed image that includes the signature and pixel values of the original image that have not been adjusted to form the signature, the signed image including a plurality of pixel values intermediate to the minimum and maximum pixel values; storing the signature for future identification; and locating relative extrema in the original image, wherein the selecting step includes selecting the signature points from among the extrema. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method of image signature processing of an original image having pixels with pixel values, comprising:
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selecting a first plurality of signature points from among the pixels of the original image; forming a signature by adjusting the pixel values of the signature points within the original image, thereby resulting in a signed image that includes the signature and pixel values of the original image that have not been adjusted to form the signature, the signed image including a plurality of pixel values intermediate to the minimum and maximum pixel values; storing the signature for future identification; selecting a second plurality of signature points from among the pixels of the original image; and adjusting the pixel values of the second plurality of signature points to form a redundant signature for the signed image.
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17. A method of image signature processing of an original image having pixels with pixel values, comprising:
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selecting a first plurality of signature points from among the pixels of the original image; forming a signature by adjusting the pixel values of the signature points within the original image, thereby resulting in a signed image that includes the signature and pixel values of the original image that have not been adjusted to form the signature, the signed image including a plurality of pixel values intermediate to the minimum and maximum pixel values; and storing the signature for future identification, wherein the digital image has a border surrounding the image and the pixels whose values adjusted are selected so as not to be within a predetermined distance from the border.
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18. A method of image signature processing of an original image having pixels with pixel values, comprising:
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selecting a first plurality of signature points from among the pixels of the original image; forming a signature by adjusting the pixel values of the signature points within the original image, thereby resulting in a signed image that includes the signature and pixel values of the original image that have not been adjusted to form the signature, the signed image including a plurality of pixel values intermediate to the minimum and maximum pixel values; storing the signature for future identification; and adjusting a plurality of pixel values surrounding the signature points to provide smooth transitions to the adjusted pixel values at the signature points.
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Specification