Substituting images in copies based on digital watermarks

• US 7,209,573 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2005
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Conwell, William Y., Evans, Douglas B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Couso; Yon J.
• Application Number:
  US11/145,515
• Publication Number:
  US 20050271305A1
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/112, 382/232, 382/305, 382/306, 358/1.13, 358/1.18, 358/3.28, 380/203, 380/252, 705/75, 713/176
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/16 Program or content traceability, e.g. by watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/608 Secure printing
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• 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 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3249 data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3263 of a graphical motif or symbol, e.g. Christmas symbol, logo H04N2201/3211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3264 of sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3266 of text or character information, e.g. text accompanying an image H04N2201/3226 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3267 of motion picture signals, e.g. video clip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

Digital watermarking is provided in a printed photograph. The digital watermarking includes an identifier. The printed photograph is scanned and the digital watermark is decoded to obtain the identifier. The identifier is used to obtain a substitute image for use when generating a copy of the printed photograph. A user interface can be provided to allow a user to select options prior to printing the copy.

Claims

1. A method to provide a substitute image for an image found in a printed photograph, wherein the substitute image is to be provided in a printed copy of the printed photograph, and wherein the printed photograph comprises a digital watermark including a plural-bit identifier, said method comprising:

after receipt of optical scan data corresponding to at least a portion of the printed photograph, decoding the digital watermark from the optical scan data to obtain the plural-bit identifier;

using the plural-bit identifier to identify a storage location of the substitute image;

requesting a digital copy of the substitute image;

receiving the digital copy of the substitute image from the location; and

when generating a printed copy of the printed photograph, using the digital copy of the substitute image instead of the image found in the printed photograph.

2. The method of claim 1 in which the storage location is co-located with a processor that performs said method.

3. The method of claim 1 in which the storage location is remotely located from a processor that performs said method.

4. The method of claim 1 in which the digital copy of the substitute image comprises a digital watermark embedded therein, and the watermark survives printing of the digital copy.

5. Computer readable storage medium comprising executable instructions stored thereon, said instructions comprising instructions to carry out the method of claim 1.

6. A printing device comprising:

electronic processing circuitry; and

memory, wherein said memory comprises instructions stored therein for execution by said electronic processing circuitry, said instructions comprising instructions to carry out the method of claim 1.

7. A computer in communication with a printing device, said computer comprising:

a processor;

a communications port to communicate with the printing device; and

memory, wherein said memory comprises instructions stored therein for execution by said electronic processing circuitry, said instructions comprising instructions to carry out the method of claim 1, the result of which is to control the printing device to generate a printed copy of the printed photograph, using the digital copy of the substitute image instead of the image found in the printed photograph.

8. A method to provide a first substitute image for a first image found in a composite printed document and a second substitute image for a second image found in the composite printed document, wherein the first image comprises a first digital watermark including a first plural-bit identifier and the second image comprises a second digital watermark including a second plural-bit identifier, said method comprising:

after receipt of optical scan data corresponding to at least a portion of the printed document, decoding the first digital watermark and the second digital watermark from the optical scan data to obtain the first plural-bit identifier and the second plural-bit identifier;

using the first plural-bit identifier and the second plural-bit identifier to obtain the first substitute image and the second substitute image; and

when generating a printed copy of the first image and a printed copy of the second image, using the first substitute image and the second substitute image instead of the first image and second image found in the composite printed document.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising presenting a user with one or more options through a user interface.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein at least one option comprises, prior to generating printed copies, an image editing option.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein at least one option comprises determining whether to substitute the first substitute image and the second substitute image for the first image and the second image.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the first substitute image comprises a relatively pristine version of the first image.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the second substitute image comprises a relatively pristine version of the second image.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein the printed copy of the first image and the printed copy of the second image are printed on separate sheets.

15. The method of claim 8 wherein the printed copy of the first image and the printed copy of the second image are printed together on one sheet.

16. Computer readable storage medium comprising executable instructions stored thereon, said instructions comprising instructions to carry out the method of claim 8.

17. A printing device comprising:

electronic processing circuitry; and

memory, wherein said memory comprises instructions stored therein for execution by said electronic processing circuitry, said instructions comprising instructions to carry out the method of claim 8.

18. A computer in communication with a printing device, said computer comprising:

a processor;

a communications port to communicate with the printing device; and

memory, wherein said memory comprises instructions stored therein for execution by said electronic processing circuitry, said instructions comprising instructions to carry out the method of claim 8, the result of which is to control the printing device to generate a printed copy of the first image and a printed copy of the second image, using the first substitute image and the second substitute image instead of the first image and second image found in the composite printed document.