Steganographic systems and methods

• US 7,986,845 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2009
• Issued: 07/26/2011
• 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., Miller, Marc D.
• Primary Examiner(s): AZARIAN, SEYED H
• Application Number:
  US12/620,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20100067737A1
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/154, 382/168, 382/181, 382/232, 382/243, 382/233, 382/234, 382/235, 382/236, 382/274, 382/276, 382/287, 382/288, 382/289, 382/294, 382/305, 380/252, 280/228, 713/179
• US Class Current: 382/232
• 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 steganographic systems and methods. One claim recites an apparatus including: electronic memory to buffer a compressed digital watermark object, the digital watermark object is a separate object relative to a compressed video object; and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is programmed for: decompressing the compressed video object to yield a decompressed video object, the decompressed video object comprising data representing video picture elements and data representing audio elements; decompressing the digital watermark object to obtain digital watermark data; steganographically hiding the digital watermark data in the data representing video picture elements or in the data representing audio elements to yield digital watermarked video or audio; and rendering the digital watermarked video or audio. Other claims and combinations are provided too.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a memory configured to buffer a compressed digital watermark object, wherein the compressed digital watermark object is a separate object relative to a compressed video object;

a processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to;

decompress the compressed video object to yield a decompressed video object, wherein the decompressed video object includes data representing video picture elements and data representing audio elements;

decompress the digital watermark object to obtain digital watermark data;

steganographically hide the digital watermark data in the data representing video picture elements or in the data representing audio elements to yield digital watermarked video or audio; and

render the digital watermarked video or audio.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the digital watermark data comprises transaction information.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the digital watermark data comprises distribution information.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the digital watermark data comprises information uniquely associated with the apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a set-top box.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the digital watermark data comprises information based on perceptual modeling of the video picture elements or the audio elements.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to alter the digital watermark data prior to steganographically hiding the digital watermark data in the data representing video picture elements or in the data representing audio elements.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein alterations to the digital watermark data provide transaction information.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein alterations to the digital watermark data uniquely associate the digital watermark data with the apparatus.

10. A method comprising:

storing, in a memory, a compressed digital watermark object, wherein the compressed digital watermark object is a separate object relative to a compressed video object;

decompressing, with a processor, the compressed video object to yield a decompressed video object, wherein the decompressed video object includes data representing video picture elements and data representing audio elements;

decompressing the digital watermark object to obtain digital watermark data;

steganographically hiding the digital watermark data in the data representing video picture elements or in the data representing audio elements to yield digital watermarked video or audio; and

communicating the digital watermarked video or audio to a display device.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising altering the digital watermark data prior to steganographically hiding the digital watermark data in the data representing video picture elements or in the data representing audio elements.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the computing device comprises a set-top box.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the digital watermark data comprises information based on perceptual modeling of the video picture elements or the audio elements.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the digital watermark data comprises transaction information.

15. An apparatus comprising:

means for buffering a compressed digital watermark object, wherein the compressed digital watermark object is a separate object relative to a compressed video object;

means for decompressing the compressed video object to yield a decompressed video object, wherein the decompressed video object includes data representing video picture elements and data representing audio elements;

means for decompressing the digital watermark object to obtain digital watermark data;

means for steganographically hiding the digital watermark data in the data representing video picture elements or in the data representing audio elements to yield digital watermarked video or audio; and

means for communicating the digital watermarked video or audio to a means for rendering the digital watermarked video or audio.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for altering the digital watermark data prior to steganographically hiding the digital watermark data in the data representing video picture elements or in the data representing audio elements.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus comprises a set-top box.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the digital watermark data comprises information based on perceptual modeling of the video picture elements or the audio elements.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the digital watermark data comprises transaction information.

20. A tangible computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions comprising:

instructions to buffer a compressed digital watermark object, wherein the compressed digital watermark object is a separate object relative to a compressed video object;

instructions to decompress the compressed video object to yield a decompressed video object, wherein the decompressed video object includes data representing video picture elements and data representing audio elements;

instructions to decompress the digital watermark object to obtain digital watermark data;

instructions to steganographically hide the digital watermark data in the data representing video picture elements or in the data representing audio elements to yield digital watermarked video or audio; and

instructions to render the digital watermarked video or audio.

21. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the digital watermark data comprises transaction information.

22. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the digital watermark data comprises distribution information.

23. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the digital watermark data comprises information uniquely associated with an apparatus that includes the tangible computer-readable medium.

24. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the tangible computer-readable medium forms part of a set-top box.

25. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the digital watermark data comprises information based on perceptual modeling of the video picture elements or the audio elements.

26. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to alter the digital watermark data prior to steganographically hiding the digital watermark data in the data representing video picture elements or in the data representing audio elements.

27. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein alterations to the digital watermark data provide transaction information.

28. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein alterations to the digital watermark data uniquely associate the digital watermark data with an apparatus that includes the tangible computer-readable medium.