US 7,738,673 B2Grant

Low visible digital watermarks

Issue Date:2010-06-15

•13 Claims

•12 Drawing Sheets

Abstract

The present invention relates to digital watermarking. In a preferred embodiment, media is embedded with one or more digital watermark components. The media includes a blue color plane, a red color plane and a green color plane. The digital watermark component is embedded in the blue color plane, and scaled versions of the digital watermark component are embedded in the red and green color planes. The scaling of component in the red and green color planes helps insure that luminance attributable to the blue color digital watermark component is reduced or offset. A related watermark detection scheme is disclosed.

Metadata

Assignee

Digimarc Corporation

Inventor

Alastair M. Reed

Application Information

Application Number:US 11/153,901

Filing Date:2005-06-14

Priority Date:2000-04-19

Art Unit:2624

Classifications

IPC:

G06K9/00

Patent Drawings (12 sheets)

Description

Related Application Data

[0001] The present application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/818,938, filed Apr. 5, 2004 (published as U.S. 2005-0013463 A1). The Ser. No. 10/818,938 application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/945,243 filed Aug. 31, 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,046), which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/933,863, filed Aug. 20, 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,123), which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/898,901, filed Jul. 2, 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,440), which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/553,084, filed Apr. 19, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,590,996). The present application is also a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/115,582, filed Apr. 2, 2002 (published as U.S. 2002-0164052 A1). The Ser. No. 10/115,582 application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/945,243, filed Aug. 31, 2001 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,046). The Ser. No. 09/945,243 application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/933,863, filed Aug. 20, 2001 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,123). The Ser. No. 09/933,863 application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/898,901, filed Jul. 2, 2001 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,440), which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/553,084, filed Apr. 19, 2000 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,590,996). The present application is also a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/823,514, filed Apr. 12, 2004 (published as U.S. 2004-0234098 A1). The Ser. No. 10/823,514 application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/898,901, filed Jul. 2, 2001 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,440). The 09/898,901 application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/553,084, filed Apr. 19, 2000 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,590,996). This application is also related to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,891,959, 6,804,377, 6,614,914, 5,862,260, 5,822,436, 5,832,119 and 5,748,783; published U.S. Patent Application No. U.S. 2002-0170966 A1, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/186,962, filed Nov. 5, 1998, and International Application No. PCT/US96/06618, filed May 7, 1996 (published as WO 96/36163). Each of the above U.S. patent documents is hereby incorporated by reference.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to hiding data, and is particularly illustrated with reference to hiding information out-of-phase in color channels.

Background and Summary of the Invention

[0003] The above mentioned parent applications disclose various techniques for embedding and detecting of hidden digital watermarks.

[0004] Digital watermarking technology, a form of steganography, encompasses a great variety of techniques by which plural bits of digital data are hidden in some other object, preferably without leaving human-apparent evidence of alteration.

[0005] Digital watermarking may be used to modify media content to embed a machine-readable code into the media content. The media may be modified such that the embedded code is imperceptible or nearly imperceptible to the user, yet may be detected through an automated detection process.

[0006] Digital watermarking systems typically have two primary components: an embedding component that embeds the watermark in the media content, and a reading component that detects and reads the embedded watermark. The embedding component embeds a watermark pattern by altering data samples of the media content. The reading component analyzes content to detect whether a watermark pattern is present. In applications where the watermark encodes information, the reading component extracts this information from the detected watermark. Assignee's U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/503,881, filed Feb. 14, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,614,914), discloses various encoding and decoding techniques. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,862,260 and 6,122,403 disclose still others. Each of these U.S. patent documents is herein incorporated by reference.

[0007] Now consider our inventive out-of-phase digital watermarking techniques with reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b. In FIG. 1a, the dash/dot C, M, Y and K lines represent, respectively, cyan, magenta, yellow and black color channels for a line (or other area) of a media signal (e.g., a picture, image, media signal, document, etc.). The FIG. 1a lines represent a base level or a particular color (or gray-scale) level (or intensity). Of course, it is expected that the color (or gray-scale) level will vary over the media signal. FIG. 1b illustrates the media of FIG. 1a, which has been embedded with an out-of-phase digital watermark signal. The watermark signal is preferably applied to each of the color component dimensions C, M and Y.

[0008] In FIGS. 1a and 1b, the M and Y channels are represented by one signal, since these color components can be approximately equal, but separate signals. Of course, it is not necessary for these components to be equal, and in many cases the yellow and magenta components are not equal. The illustrated “bumps” (or “tweaks”) in FIG. 1b represent the digital watermark signal, e.g., upward and downward signal adjustments in relation to a respective color channel at given points over the media signal. The tweaks are preferably applied at the same level (or signal strength). Alternatively, the bumps are applied with a different signal strength (or tweak level) when compared to one another. Of course, these tweaks can be embedded over a color channel in a predetermined pattern, a pseudo random fashion, a random fashion, etc., to facilitate embedding of a digital watermark signal.

[0009] For the K dimension (or channel), the digital watermark signal is preferably embedded to be out-of-phase with respect to the CMY channels. Most preferably, the K channel is approximately 180 degrees out-of-phase (e.g., inverted) with the watermark signals in the CMY color channels, as shown in FIG. 1b. For example, if a digital watermark signal modifies each of the color channels at a media' first location with a tweak level of say 7, then a tweak level of −7 correspondingly modifies the K channel at the media's first location. This inventive digital watermark technique is referred to as our out-of-phase (or “K-phase”) digital watermark. (We note that if a watermark signal is determined in terms of luminance, we can assign or weight corresponding tweak levels to the respective color plane pixel values to achieve the luminance value tweak. Indeed, a tweak can be spread over the CMY channels to achieve a collective luminance at a given media location. The luminance attributable to the CMY tweak is preferably cancelled or offset by the luminance effect attributable to a corresponding inverted K channel tweak at the give media location. Similarly, if a watermark signal is determined in terms of chrominance, we can assign or weight corresponding tweak levels to the respective color plane pixel values to achieve the chrominance value tweak. Indeed, a tweak can be spread over the CMY channels to achieve a steady luminance at a given media location. The luminance attributable to the CMY chrominance tweaks are preferably cancelled or offset by the luminance effect attributable to a corresponding inverted K channel tweak at the give media location. Or more generally, the luminance in a given localized area is preferably steady or minimal since chrominance tweaks in a first color channel reduces luminance attributable to a chrominance tweaks in a second different color channel.).

[0010] Our inventive watermarking scheme greatly reduces watermark perceptibility. Since the watermark signal for the K channel is applied approximately 180 degrees out-of-phase, when compared to the respective tweaks applied to the C, M and/or Y channels, the watermark visibility is greatly reduced. The visibility reduction is achieved by the effective cancellation of perceived luminance changes when the CMYK image is viewed or printed. Indeed, combining an inverted watermark signal “tweak” or “bump” in a K channel with a corresponding non-inverted watermark signal tweak or bump in the CMY channels effectively cancels an overall perceived luminance change for a given area (e.g., a pixel or block of pixels)—greatly reducing visibility of the digital watermark.

[0011] The present invention discloses a new data hiding technique based on our out-of-phase technology. According to one implementation of the present invention, an image is hidden in or carried by a media signal. The hiding is accomplished with our out-of-phase embedding techniques. The image can be a photograph, a graphic, a barcode (1-D or 2-D), etc., etc. Another aspect of our inventive techniques is used to improve the visibility characteristics of our out-of-phase embedding techniques.

[0012] The foregoing and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be even more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] FIG. 1a is a diagram illustrating CMYK channels; and FIG. 1b illustrates the color CMYK channels of FIG. 1a, embedded with information.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates hiding an image in media.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an embedding method according to one implementation of the present invention.

[0016] FIGS. 4 and 5 are graphs showing hidden signal strength in terms of luminance.

[0017] FIGS. 6 and 7 are graphs showing hidden signal strength in terms of color saturation.

[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates limiting a signal tweak in low CMY areas to reduce hidden signal visibility.

[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates the segmentation of media into blocks.

[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a feedback loop in an embedding process.

[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates feedback for the FIG. 10 feedback loop.

[0022] FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate detection apparatus.

[0023] FIG. 13 illustrates orientation fiducials hidden in a media signal with our out-of-phase embedding techniques.

[0024] FIG. 14 illustrates out-of-phase embedding of a spot color.

[0025] FIG. 15 illustrates a printer calibration process.

[0026] FIG. 16 illustrates embedding in a blue channel with offsetting embedding occurring in red and green channels.

Detailed Description

Image Embedding

[0027] With reference to FIG. 2, an image 10 is steganographically hidden within media 12. Of course, media 12 may represent digital media such as an image, photograph, video frame, graphic, picture, logo, product tag, product documentation, visa, business card, art work, brochure, document, product packaging, trading card, banknote, deed, poster, ID card (including a driver's license, member card, identification card, security badge, passport, etc.), postage stamp, etc., etc. And image 10 can correspond to a digital representation of a photograph, picture, graphic, text, orientation fiducial, object, barcode, message, digital watermark, outline, symbol, etc., etc. In the FIG. 2 example, image 10 includes a close-up photograph, and the media includes a driver's license or passport photograph. The hiding (or embedding) is accomplished using our inventive out-of-phase techniques.

[0028] With reference to FIG. 3, our K-phase hiding is preferably initiated by converting image 10 to a black channel image 10′ (step 30—FIG. 3). Most digital imaging software tools such as Adobe's Photoshop facilitate such a black channel conversion. The black channel image 10′ includes a set of black pixel values (e.g., gray-scale values) 10′. A location in the media 12 is selected to place the black channel image (step 32). The dashed circle 13 in FIG. 2 represents this selected location. The media 12 location can be represented by sets of media 12 pixels. (For example, a first set of pixels corresponds to the selected location's black channel values, a second set corresponds to the selected location's cyan channel values, a third set corresponds to the selected location's magenta channel values, and a fourth set corresponds to the selected location's yellow channel values.). The set of black channel image 10′ values is applied to the black channel pixels in the selected location of media 12—effectively modifying media 12 (step 34). For example, if an image 10′ pixel includes a gray-scale value of 3, this gray-scale value is applied to a corresponding pixel in the selected media 12 location to raise that corresponding pixel value by 3. In an alternative implementation, instead of adjusting the corresponding pixel in the selected media 12 location by the gray-scale value, we replace that corresponding pixel value with the black image 10′ gray-scale value. In another implementation, the corresponding media 12 pixel is modified to achieve the gray-scale value of the image 10′ pixel. Of course we can scale and/or weight the gray-scale value as needed prior to modifying pixels in the selected location of media 12.

[0029] The black channel image 10′ is inverted to produce a set of signal tweaks (step 36). For example, if a black channel pixel is tweaked by a grayscale value of say 24, then a corresponding, inverted CMY tweak value is −24. (As an alternative implementation, image 10 is converted into corresponding C, M and Y images and such images are applied to their respective channels. These signal tweaks are then used to modify or change the color values in their respective CMY color channels (step 38). Most preferably, in the above example, the −24-tweak value is applied to each of the CMY color channels. The overall luminance cancellation can be effected as such. In another implementation we unevenly spread the tweak value over the CMY channels to achieve an overall luminance change in a given media location to cancel the +24 tweak in the black channel. For example, if using a luminance equation of: L=0.3*C+0.6*M+0.1*Y, we can achieve an overall luminance tweak of −24 by tweaking C=−15, M=−30 and Y=−15. Of course there is a vast range of other color combinations to achieve the same collective luminance change. Care should be taken, however, to minimize a color shift when using this tweak-spreading alternative. The CMY pixels and the K pixels are thus out-of-phase with respect to one another—resulting in a local cancellation of the perceived luminance change. Accordingly, image 10 is successfully hidden or carried by media 12.

[0030] The selected location 13 can be determined manually, e.g., via editing software tools (like Adobe's Photoshop). Or the selection process can be automated.

Image Hiding Enhancements

[0031] We have developed improvements to enhance our out-of-phase hiding techniques. These improvements apply to hiding both images and digital watermark signals (in this section both will be referred to as a hidden signal). While these techniques are not necessary to carry out our out-of-phase hiding techniques, they generally reduce the visibility of a hidden signal. Consider our following inventive improvements.

High Luminance Areas

[0032] Media 12 may include areas of low CMY and/or K ink (or signal intensity). In a first case, an area includes little or no C, M and/or Y ink. This results in an inability to counteract (or cancel) an inverted signal in a corresponding channel(s). Accordingly, we can sample the luminance of a media 12 area (or pixel) and, based on the luminance level, determine whether to scale back the hidden signal strength. For example, we begin to scale back the signal strength once the luminance reaches a predetermined threshold (e.g., in a range of 70-95% luminance). We can scale back the signal strength for a given area according to a linear reduction, as shown in FIG. 4, or we can scale the signal strength in a non-linear manner, e.g., as shown in FIG. 5. The illustrated scaling signal strength applies to both the K channel and CMY channels. In a related implementation, we determine the luminance of the yellow channel. We base our scaling decisions on the yellow luminance percentage.

Saturated Color

[0033] Hiding signals in a saturated color area can also result in increased hidden signal visibility concerns. For this document the term “saturation” refers to how pure a color is, or refers to a measure of color intensity. For example, saturation can represent the degree of color intensity associated with a color's perceptual difference from a white, black or gray of equal lightness. We determine the color saturation level in a color plane (e.g., the yellow color plane), and then scale back a hidden signal strength as the color saturation level exceeds a predetermined level (e.g., 80% yellow color saturation). As with the FIGS. 4 and 5 implementations, we can scale the signal strength in a linear manner (FIG. 6) or in a non-linear manner (FIG. 7).

Low or High Luminance Areas

[0034] We have found that we can even further improve the visibility characteristics of our hidden signals by considering the amount of luminance at a given pixel or other media 12 area. A low luminance may indicate that there is insufficient CMY to compensate for a K channel tweak. For example, a 10% luminance in CMY for a given pixel implies that the pixel can accommodate only about a 10% signal tweak (e.g., remember the simplified luminance relationship mentioned above: L=0.3*C+0.6*M+0.1*Y). With reference to FIG. 8, we can cap (or limit) the positive K tweak signal level in such low CMY areas to ensure that the CMY levels can be sufficiently decreased to counteract or cancel the positive K channel signal.

[0035] Similarly, in an area of high CMY luminance, a negative K channel tweak can be capped (or limited) to ensure a sufficient range to increase the CMY values.

Equalizing Detectability

[0036] Now consider an implementation where media 12 is segmented into a plurality of blocks (FIG. 9). Here a block size can range from a pixel to a group of pixels. We redundantly embed an image or watermark signal in each of (or a subset of) the blocks. As shown in FIG. 10, we preferably use signal feedback (k) to regulate the embedding process. A signal feedback (k) method is shown in FIG. 11. A black (K) channel image or watermark signal (in this section hereafter both referred to as a “watermark”) is embedded in block i of media 12 (step 110), where “i” is an integer ranging from 1−n and where n is the total number of blocks. The watermark signal is inverted (step 112) and embedded in the CMY channels of block i (step 114). At this point, we preferably perform a detection process of the signal embedded within the i^thblock (step 116). The detection process determines whether the signal is sufficiently detectable (step 118). The term “sufficient” in this context can include a plurality of levels. In one, “sufficient” implies that the signal is detectable. In another, the detectability of the signal is ranked (e.g., according to error correction needed, ease of detectability, or a detection-reliability metric, etc.). The term sufficient in a ranking context also implies that the detection ranking is above a predetermined threshold. The process moves to embed a new block i+1 if the embedding is sufficient (120). Otherwise the signal strength is increased or otherwise altered (step 122) and the embedding of block i is repeated.

[0037] Such a signal feedback process helps to ensure consistent embedding throughout media 12.

Infrared Image Detection

[0038] An infrared detection method is illustrated with reference to FIG. 12a. In particular, the illustrated detection method employs infrared illumination to facilitate image (or watermark) detection. Media 12 is illuminated with an infrared illumination source 14. The media 12 is embedded as discussed above, for example, to include various components in a multicolor dimension space (e.g., CMYK). A first component (or image) is preferably embedded in the CMY channels. A second component (or image) is embedded in the K channel. The second component is preferably inverted (or is out-of-phase) with respect to the CMY channels.

[0039] Infrared illumination source 14 preferably includes a light emitting diode, e.g., emitting approximately in a range of 800 nm-1400 nm, or a plurality of light emitting diodes (“LED”). Of course, there are many commercially available infrared diodes, and such may be suitable used with our present detection techniques. It will be appreciated that many commercially available incandescent light sources emit light both in the visible and infrared (“IR”) spectrums. Such incandescent light sources may alternatively be used as infrared illumination source 14. Indeed, infrared watermark detection may be possible in otherwise normal (“daylight”) lighting conditions, particularly when using an IR-pass filter.

[0040] A conventional power source powers the infrared illumination source. (We note that a variable trim resistor and a small wall transformer can be optionally employed to control illumination source 14.). Power alternately can be supplied from a battery pack, voltage or current source, or by directly tapping a power source of a camera, e.g., internally drawn from a parallel, USB, or corded power lines. For a consumer device, a battery pack or a single power cord that is stepped down inside a digital watermark reader housing can also be used.

[0041] Returning to the composition of an out-of-phase hidden image (or watermark), a first image (or watermark) component is embedded in a K (or black) channel. A second image component, e.g., which is out-of-phase with respect to the K channel, is embedded in the CMY channels. These characteristics have significance for infrared detection. In particular, C, M and Y inks will typically have high transmission characteristics in the infrared spectrum when printed, which render them nearly imperceptible under infrared illumination. Yet conventional black inks absorb a relatively high amount of infrared light, rendering the black channel perceptible with infrared illumination. We note that standard processing inks, such as those conforming to the standard web offset press (SWOP) inks, include black ink with IR detection properties. Of course, there are many other inks that may be suitably interchanged with the present invention.

[0042] As discussed above our out-of-phase embedding provides an effective cancellation of perceived luminance changes when the CMYK image is viewed in the visible spectrum. Indeed, combining an inverted watermark signal “tweak” or “bump” in a K channel with a corresponding non-inverted watermark signal tweak or bump in the CMY channels effectively cancels an overall perceived luminance change. However, under infrared illumination, the hidden image (or watermark) component in the black (K) channel becomes perceptible without interference from the C, M and Y channels. An infrared image primarily portrays (e.g., emphasizes) the black channel, while the C, M and Y channels are effectively imperceptible under infrared illumination.

[0043] In one implementation, camera 16 captures an image of media 12. Preferably, camera 16 includes an IR-Pass filter that passes IR while filtering visible light. For example, the Hoya RM90 filter available from M&K Optics L.L.C. is one of many IR-Pass/Visible Opaque filters suitable for daylight detection. Another suitable filter is the RG850 filter, part number NT54-664, available from Edmund Scientific. These filters are offered as examples only, and certainly do not define the entire range of suitable IR-pass filters. Of course there are many other IR-Pass filters that are suitably interchangeable with the present invention.

[0044] In yet another implementation, a conventional digital camera (or web cam) is modified so as to capture infrared light. In particular, most digital cameras and web cams include an IR filter, which filters out IR light. Removing the IR filter allows the camera to capture light in the IR spectrum. Consider a visibly dark environment (e.g., an enclosed case, shielded area, dark room, etc.). Media 12 is illuminated by infrared illumination source 14 in the visibly dark environment. Camera 16 (without an IR filter) effectively captures an infrared image (i.e., the K channel image) corresponding to the illuminated media 12.

[0045] The captured image is communicated to computer 18. Preferably, computer 18 includes executable software instructions stored in memory for execution by a CPU or other processing unit. If media 12 includes a digital watermark, the software instructions preferably include instructions to detect and decode the embedded digital watermark. Otherwise, the instructions preferably include instructions to display the K-phase image. The software instructions can be stored in memory or electronic memory circuits. Of course, computer 18 can be a handheld computer, a laptop, a general-purpose computer, a workstation, etc. Alternatively, computer 18 includes a hard-wired implementation, which precludes the need for software instructions.

[0046] With reference to FIG. 12b, a detection housing 20 can be provided to house an infrared illumination source 14 and digital camera (both not shown in FIG. 12b, since they are within the opaque housing 20). The housing 20 is preferably opaque to shield (or otherwise constructed to filter) the camera and media 12 from visible light. The housing 20 has an opening 20a to receive the media 12. In a first case, opening 20a is adapted to engulf media 12. This allows media 12 to be placed on a surface (e.g., table, imaging station, or counter) and the housing opening 20a to be placed over media 12, effectively shielding media 12 from visible light. In a second case, the opening 20a receives media 12 into (e.g., slides media through opening 20a) and positions media 12 within the opaque housing 20. In either implementation, the infrared illumination source 14 illuminates media 12, or the digital camera 12 captures an image of the illuminated media (e.g., captures as image of the K-channel image). The digital camera 12 communicates with computing device 14, which detects and decodes a digital watermark embedded with media 12, if present, or otherwise displays the image.

[0047] In another illustrative embodiment, the above described infrared detection technique is carried out in a visibly dark environment, such as a dark room, shielded area, etc. An out-of-phase image (or digital watermark) is embedded in media. The media is illuminated with an infrared illumination source, and a digital camera captures an image of the illuminated media.

[0048] In still another illustrative embodiment, the above described infrared detection technique is carried out in a visibly lighted environment. An out-of-phase image (or watermark) is embedded in media. The media is illuminated with an infrared illumination source, and a digital camera captures an image of the media. Preferably, the camera includes an IR-pass filter. The digital camera communicates with a computing device, which detects and decodes an out-of-phase image (or digital watermark) embedded in the media.

[0049] Infrared detection is an elegant solution to detect out-of-phase images or digital watermarks, since high transmission colors in the IR spectrum are effectively washed out, allowing detection of a low transmission color channel. Specialized inks are not required to embed the out-of-phase digital watermark. Indeed most multicolor printer ink packs, offset ink, process inks, dye diffusion thermal transfer inks, such as inks conforming to the SWOP standard include black inks that allow infrared detection. Some of these inks include a carbon-based black ink, furthering the absorption of IR. While infrared detection is ideal for out-of-phase images or digital watermarks, this method is also applicable to detection of conventional digital watermarks. For instance, a watermark signal can be embedded only in a black channel of media. Infrared illumination helps to reveal the embedded watermark in this black channel. Alternatively, a digital watermark is embedded across many color planes, while detection is carried out in only those color planes that are perceptible with IR illumination. Additionally, while we have discussed infrared detection techniques, we note that ultraviolet (UV) detection is also possible. In this case, one of the color channels (including the K channel) preferably includes UV pigments or properties. A UV detection process is carried out in a manner analogous to that discussed above. (We also note that a CMY color can include IR/UV pigments or properties to facilitate detection of that color with respective IR or UV detection methods.).

Applications

[0050] Now consider a few applications of our inventive out-of-phase hiding techniques.

[0051] Identification Documents (e.g., Passports, Driver's Licenses, etc.)

[0052] An out-of-phase image is hidden in an identification document to provide enhanced security. For example, a hidden image is a gray-scale version of the identification document's photograph. An airport screener, or law enforcement officer, illuminates the out-of-phase image with infrared (or ultraviolet) light for comparison of the hidden image to the printed photograph. Or, instead of a photograph, the hidden image may include text, which can be compared with the visibly printed text on the identification document.

[0053] In assignee's U.S. Published Patent Application No. U.S. 2002-0170966 A1, we disclosed various security and authentication improvements. One disclosed improvement ties machine-readable code such as barcode information to a digital watermark. Our inventive out-of-phase hiding techniques can be used with the techniques disclosed in the above-mentioned application. For example, instead of hiding an out-of-phase image in the identification document, we instead embedded an out-of-phase digital watermark. The digital watermark includes a payload, which has information corresponding to the printed information or to information included in a barcode. In one implementation, the information includes a hash of the barcode information. In another implementation, we hid a barcode in the identification document as discussed below.

[0054] Hiding Bar Codes in Out-of-Phase Channels

[0055] Over the years, a number of standards organizations and private entities have formed symbology standards for bar codes. Some examples of standards bodies include the Uniform Code Council (UCC), European Article Numbering (EAN, also referred to as International Article Numbering Association), Japanese Article Numbering (JAN), Health Industry Bar Coding Counsel (HIBC), Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), Logistics Application of Automated Marking and Reading Symbols (LOGMARS), Automatic Identification Manufacturers (AIM), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and International Standards Organization (ISO).

[0056] The UCC is responsible for the ubiquitous bar code standard called the Universal Product Code (UPC). AIM manages standards for industrial applications and publishes standards called Uniform Symbology Standards (USS). Some well know bar code schemes include UPC and UCC/EAN-128, Codabar developed by Pitney Bowes Corporation, 12 of 5 and Code 128 developed by Computer Identics, Code 39 (or 3 of 9) developed by Intermec Corporation, and code 93.

[0057] Some bar codes, such as UPC, are fixed length, while others are variable length. Some support only numbers, while others support alphanumeric strings (e.g., Code 39 supports full ASCII character set). Some incorporate error checking functionality.

[0058] While the bar codes listed above are generally one-dimensional in that they consist of a linear string of bars, bar codes may also be two-dimensional. Two dimensional bar codes may be in a stacked form (e.g., a vertical stacking of one-dimensional codes), a matrix form, a circular form, or some other two-dimensional pattern. Some examples of 2D barcodes include code 49, code 16k, Data Matrix developed by RVSI, QR code, micro PDF-417 and PDF-417.

[0059] For more information on bar codes, see D. J. Collins, N. N. Whipple, Using Bar Code-Why It's Taking Over, (2d ed.) Data Capture Institute; R. C. Palmer, The Bar Code Book, (3^rded.) Helmers Publishing, Inc., and P. L. Grieco, M. W. Gozzo, C. J. Long, Behind Bars, Bar Coding Principles and Applications, PT Publications Inc., which are herein incorporated by reference.

[0060] A hidden, out-of-phase image can include a barcode. Consider the vast possibilities. A barcode is often disdained for aesthetic reasons, but a hidden, out-of-phase barcode can carry relatively large amounts of information while remaining virtually imperceptible. In one implementation, a barcode is redundantly hidden or titled throughout media using our out-of-phase embedding techniques. This allows for robust barcode detection even if only a portion of the media is recoverable. In another implementation one or more barcodes are placed in predetermined areas throughout the image. In still another implementation, a barcode reader, such as those provided by Symbol (e.g., the VS4000 and P3001MG models) or Welch Allyn (e.g., the Dolphin model), is augmented with an infrared illumination source and/or IR-filters. Once illuminated, the barcode reader detects and decodes a barcode hidden in a K channel.

[0061] Fiducials and Orientation Signal

[0062] In some digital watermarking techniques, the components of the digital watermark structure may perform the same or different functions. For example, one component may carry a message, while another component may serve to identify the location or orientation of the watermark in a signal. This orientation component is helpful in resolving signal distortion issues such as rotation, scale and translation. (Further reference to orientation signals can be made, e.g., to previously mentioned application Ser. No. 09/503,881.). In some cases, channel capacity is congested by an orientation signal.

[0063] One improvement is to embed an orientation signal using our out-of-phase hiding techniques. The message component of a digital watermark can then be embedded using out-of-phase or non-out-of-phase embedding techniques. This improvement will increase message capacity, while improving visibility considerations. Scale, orientation, and image translation can be resolved based on the orientation of the fiducial.

[0064] A related improvement embeds a plurality of fiducials or orientation markers 54 in an out-of-phase channel of media 12 (FIG. 13). A watermark detection module detects the fiducials to identify distortion.

[0065] Spot Colors

[0066] We have found that our inventive techniques are not limited to process colors. Indeed, our out-of-phase techniques can be extended to spot colors. (See Assignee's U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,677, filed Feb. 11, 2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,124), for a further discussion of spot colors and digitally watermarking spot colors. The 6,763,124 patent is hereby incorporated by reference.). With reference to FIG. 14, and preferably (but not limited to) relatively darker spot colors, e.g., violets, blues, etc., we counteract a watermark signal (or image) embedded in the spot color channel with an inverted signal in a K channel. Preferably, the K channel base intensity is subtle (e.g., 0% as represented by the K channel base level dashed line in FIG. 14) in comparison to the base level spot color intensity (e.g., 100% intensity as represented by the spot color maximum level dashed line in FIG. 14). The watermark signal (or image) signal is embedded through a combination of negative spot color tweaks and positive, offsetting, K channel tweaks. Infrared illumination facilitates detection of the K-channel watermark tweaks. (Embedding a spot color need not be limited to negative tweaks. Indeed, if the spot color is not at 100% intensity, positive spot color tweaks and corresponding negative K channel tweaks can facilitate embedding.).

Paper Information and Printing Processes

[0067] Another improvement is to carry printing process information and/or paper characteristics with a digital watermark. For example, a digital watermark may include signal gain or embedding characteristics that are specific to a printing press, printing process, process ink type or paper characteristics. The digital watermark can be embedded in a digital file, which is analyzed prior to a print run. The embedding process is adjusted according to the watermark data. Or the watermark signal can be analyzed after printing one or more test copies. The signal strength or payload metric can be analyzed to determine whether the process should be adjusted.

[0068] Our out-of-phase digital watermark can be used to detect a misalignment in a printing process. With reference to FIG. 15 a printer 150 outputs a CMYK (or spot color, etc.) printed sheet 152. The printed sheet includes an out-of-phase digital watermark or image hidden therein. An input device 154 captures an image of sheet 152. Preferably, input device 154 captures a visible spectrum image of sheet 152. The input device provides the captured image (e.g., digital scan data) to a watermark detector 156. The watermark detector 156 analyzes the captured image in search of the embedded out-of-phase digital watermark. The watermark detector 156 should not be able to detect the embedded watermark if the printing of the CMY and K are aligned, due the localized cancellation of the signal tweaks (or luminance changes). The term aligned in this context implies that the CMY and K are sufficiently inverted to allow localized cancellation. A misalignment is identified if the watermark detector 156 reads the digital watermark. Such a misalignment is optionally communicated from the watermark detector 156 to the printer 150 or otherwise provided to announce the printing misalignment. Of course other alignment and color balance information can be identified from the detection of the digital watermark.

Color Channel Keys

[0069] A related inventive technique embeds a key in one color channel for decoding a watermark in a second color channel. Consider an implementation where a first digital watermark is embedded in a first color channel. The first digital watermark includes a payload including a key. The key is used to decode a digital watermark embedded in a second color plane. The term decode in this context includes providing a reference point to locate the second watermark, providing a key to unlock, decrypt, decode or unscramble the second digital watermark payload, etc. Of course this inventive technique is not limited to our out-of-phase digital watermarks.

Fragile Security

[0070] Our out-of-phase hiding techniques are fragile since a signal processing operation that combines the K channel with the CMY channels effectively cancels the hidden signal. A fragile watermark is one that is lost or degrades predictably with signal processing. Conversion to other color spaces similarly degrades the watermark signal. Take a typical scan/print process for example. Digital scanners typically have RGB image sensors to measure the image color. Scanning an out-of-phase embedded CMYK image degrades the embedded watermark due to the combination of K with CMY in a local area, effectively canceling the watermark. When the RGB image representation is converted to CMYK and printed, the watermark signal is effectively lost. Similarly, other conversions, such as to an L*a*b color space, degrade the out-of-phase watermark due to the combination of K with CMY throughout local areas. Nevertheless, the watermark signal is detectable from an original CMYK media, since the K channel can be detected separately by viewing, e.g., in the near infrared.

[0071] A fragile watermark has utility in many applications. Take counterfeiting, for example. The inventive fragile watermark is embedded in original CMYK media. If the media is copied, the embedded fragile watermark is either lost or degrades predictably. The copy is recognized as a copy (or counterfeit) by the absence or degradation of the fragile watermark. Fragile watermarks can also be used in conjunction with other watermarks, such as robust watermarks. The fragile watermark announces a copy or counterfeit by its absence or degradation, while the other robust watermark identifies author, source, links and/or conveys metadata or other information, etc. In other embodiments, a fragile watermark is an enabler. For example, some fragile watermarks may include plural-bit data that is used to enable a machine, allow access to a secure computer area, verify authenticity, and/or link to information. This plural-bit data is lost or sufficiently degrades in a copy, preventing the enabling functions.

[0072] Another inventive feature is to embed a hash or other representation of a product (e.g., product code or serial number) in a digital watermark payload or message. The digital watermark is then tied or linked directly to the product. If the product includes a barcode having the product code, such can be compared with the digital watermark.

Imperceptible Embedding

[0073] Our inventive techniques provide a very imperceptible digital watermark, particularly for printed images. One advantage of our embedding techniques is that a relatively strong signal can be inserted while still minimizing visibility to the human eye. In one implementation we take advantage of low sensitivity of the human visual system to high frequency blue/yellow (e.g., chrominance). With reference to FIG. 16 a blue signal tweak (e.g., representing a watermark component in terms of pixel color values) is calculated. The signal tweak can be in the form of a spatial image change (e.g., pixel color values) or frequency domain change. (If a frequency change, the change is preferably converted to a spatial domain adjustment so that an offsetting signal change can be determined.). In fact a watermarking signal, e.g., as described in assignee's U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,614,914 and 6,122,403, can be provided and such a signal can be used as a blue channel tweak. (In actuality there will by many such tweaks spread over an image in various locations.) An inverted or offsetting signal tweak is then determined for the red and green channels at a corresponding image area (e.g., corresponding spatial or pixel location, but in the different channels). One goal of the inverted signal is to provide a resulting image with constant luminance at the various embedding areas. For each tweak in the blue change, we preferably provide an offsetting tweak in the red and/or green channels. This offsetting tweak cancels or offsets localized luminance changes attributable to the blue channel change. We have found that an inverted or offsetting signal tweak of minus ⅛ of the blue tweak that is applied to each of the red and green color channels helps maintain constant luminance in image or video areas receiving signal tweaks. (For example is a signal tweak of 16 is applied to a blue pixel or group of pixels, a minus 2 signal tweak is applied to a corresponding pixel or group of pixels in the red and green channels.) Thus, the watermark signal is effectively conveyed in chrominance. (While we prefer a ⅛ tweak change in each of the red and blue channels, some luminance cancellation is found as the minus tweak values range from about 1/16 to ¼.) We sometimes—affectionately—refer to this type of digital watermark embedding as “blue phase” embedding.

[0074] The “tweaked” or embedded color channels are provided to a printer for printing. We note that most of today's printers and/or printer drivers have sophisticated color converters that convert RGB signals into CMY or CMYK signals for printing. Those of ordinary skill in the art will know of different color converting techniques as well. Our above blue phase watermarking survives this color conversion quite robustly.

[0075] Watermark detection of a printed document includes presenting the printed image to an optical scanner. The optical scanner captures scan data corresponding to the printed image, preferably including scan data representing (or converted to) red, green and blue channels. We can combine the color channels to help emphasize the watermark signal and minimize image interference. For example, we preferably scale and process the color channels per pixel color or chrominance values as follows:
Detection Signal (chrominance)=0.5*blue−0.25*(red+green)+128.
The scaling of color channels is chosen to minimize image interference (e.g., color channels are subtracted) and avoid saturation, e.g., if color data is being represented as an 8 bit value. The 128 pixel color or grayscale value helps shift a color value to avoid color saturation. Of course this shifting value can range depending on image characteristics, detector requirements, etc. For example, the shift can be in a color value (e.g., often represented as a grayscale value for a particular color channel) range of about 64-192. Acceptable detection may also occur when the blue channel is scaled in a range of 0.3-0.75 and the red+green are scaled proportionally in a range of 0.15-0.375.

[0076] Since the watermark signal is effectively conveyed in the chrominance channel, we have found that this type of watermarking is somewhat susceptible to JPEG compression. Nevertheless, while print applications are one of the main areas of application for these blue phase techniques, there are many other areas that will benefit from these techniques as well, e.g., digital cinema. Our blue phase techniques are used to embed a digital watermark signal in a video signal after it is decompressed, but before (or as) it is being projected on the screen. That is, the uncompressed data stream is feed into a digital watermark embedder. The various color channels are embedded as discussed above. The projected video includes a blue phase watermark. The watermark can include a plural-bit payload that, e.g., identifies the projector, theater, date/time, movie, etc. We can add a buffering system to ensure that the perceived video—from the paying customer's point of view—is uninterrupted.

[0077] Another application is a combination of a blue phase watermark with other types of watermarks (e.g., luminance based watermark). Chrominance and luminance are generally orthogonal. This allows for little or no interference between these types of watermarks. Different watermark components can be conveyed with each type of watermark. For example, a chrominance based watermark can include a so-called watermark orientation component while a luminance based watermark includes a message or payload that is synchronized according to the watermark orientation component. The message or payload can vary across an image (e.g., the plural-bits of the message change according to spatial location) while the orientation component remains constant. This is particularly helpful in map or geo-location applications, where different image regions represent different geo-locations. The messages or payloads can represent or link to geo-location information. The curious reader is directed to the following related applications: U.S. 2002-0122564 A1; U.S. 2002-0124171 A1; U.S. 2002-0135600 A1 and U.S. 2004-0008866 A1, which are each hereby incorporated by reference. If using two types of watermarking, a detector can be constructed that analyzes different frames under different detection protocols. For example, a first frame is analyzed according to the blue phase detection mentioned above. A second frame is analyzed to detect a luminance (or other) based watermark. A third frame is again analyzed to detect a blue phase watermark, etc.

[0078] We have also found that our blue phase watermarking provides strong detection results in many of today's handheld readers (e.g., cell phones, PDA, etc).

[0079] Of course our blue phase embedding techniques can be used with the many other implementations and features discussed in this and the incorporated by reference patent documents. For example, instead of embedding a watermark signal, we can embed an image or 2D barcode with blue phase techniques. For every blue phase change to represent an image or 2D barcode, we can introduce a corresponding and offsetting change in red and green—in hopes of maintain constant luminance in embedding areas.

Conclusion

[0080] Preferably, an out-of phase watermark signal is embedded 180 degrees out-of-phase with corresponding channels. However, some cancellation will still be achieved if the signal is approximately 180 degrees, for example, in a range of ±0-50% from the 180-degree mark. The term “inverted” includes values within this range. We note that while the present invention has been described with respect to CMYK process inks, the present invention is not so limited. Indeed, our inventive techniques can be applied to printing processes using more than four inks with the K channel canceling the three or more color channels. Similarly, as shown above under the spot color discussion, our inventive techniques are also applicable to printing processes using less than four inks. Of course our techniques can be used with a variety of printing techniques, including offset printing, dye diffusion thermal transfer (D2T2), other thermal transfers, process ink printing, etc., etc., etc.

[0081] The section headings in this application are provided merely for the reader's convenience, and provide no substantive limitations. Of course, the disclosure under one section heading may be readily combined with the disclosure under another section heading.

[0082] To provide a comprehensive disclosure without unduly lengthening this specification, the above-mentioned patents and patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference, along with U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,122. The particular combinations of elements and features in the above-detailed embodiments are exemplary only; the interchanging and substitution of these teachings with other teachings in this application and the incorporated-by-reference patents/applications are also contemplated.

[0083] The above-described methods and functionality can be facilitated with computer executable software stored on computer readable media, such as electronic memory circuits, RAM, ROM, magnetic media, optical media, memory sticks, hard disks, removable media, etc., etc. Such software may be stored and executed on a general purpose computer, or on a server for distributed use. Data structures representing the various luminance values, out-of-phase embedded signals, embedded color planes, color signals, data signals, luminance signals, etc., may also be stored on such computer readable media. Also, instead of software, a hardware implementation, or a software-hardware implementation can be used.

[0084] In view of the wide variety of embodiments to which the principles and features discussed above can be applied, it should be apparent that the detailed embodiments are illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, we claim as our invention all such modifications as may come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method to embed a first digital watermark in media, wherein said media includes a blue color channel, a red color channel and a green color channel, said method comprising:

utilizing a multi-purpose processor configured to:

provide a signal change in terms of a color value, wherein the signal change corresponds to one or more digital watermark components to be applied to an area of the media;

first change one or more color values in the area in the blue color channel according to the signal change; and

second change one or more color values in the area in the red color channel and the green channel to reduce luminance attributable to the signal change in the blue channel.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising printing the media after said first changing and second changing, wherein a resulting printed media comprises the first digital watermark embedded therein.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein prior to said printing, the blue color channel, red color channel and green color channel are convened to at least yellow, magenta and cyan channels.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said first digital watermark is detectable from analyzing at least chrominance characteristics associated with the printed media.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising embedding a second digital watermark in the media, wherein said first digital watermark and said second digital watermark are separately detectable in a printed version of the media.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the second digital watermark is detectable from analyzing luminance characteristics associated with the printed version of the media.

7. A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon to cause a multi-purpose computer processor to perform the acts of claim 1.

8. A programmed computing device storing instructions in memory, said instructions are executable by said programmed computing device to perform the acts of claim 1.

9. A method to embed a first digital watermark in media, wherein said media includes a blue color channel, a red color channel and a green color channel, said method comprising:

utilizing a multi-purpose processor configured to:

provide a signal change in terms of a color value, wherein the signal change corresponds to one or more watermark components to be applied to an area of the media;

first change one or more color values in the area in the blue color channel according to the signal change; and

second change one or more color values in the area in the red color channel and the green channel to reduce luminance attributable to the signal change in the blue channel, changing one or more color values in the area in the red color channel and the green channel changes color values in each of the red and green channel by ⅛ of an amount of the signal change in the blue channel.

10. A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon to cause a multi-purpose computer processor to perform the acts of claim 9.

11. A programmed computing device storing instructions in memory, said instructions are executable by said programmed computing device to perform the acts of claim 9.

12. An apparatus comprising:

electronic memory for buffering a media signal, the media signal includes a blue color channel, a red color channel and a green color channel; and

a multi-purpose computer processor configured to:

provide a signal change in terms of a color value, wherein the signal change corresponds to one or more watermark components to be applied to an area of a media signal;

first change one or more color values in the area in the blue color channel according to the signal change; and

second change one or more color values in the area in the red color channel and the green channel to reduce luminance attributable to the signal change in the blue channel.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 in which the multi-purpose computer processor is executing to perform at least one of the functions recited in claim 12.

Patent Citations (181)

Patent	Date	Inventor	Cited By
US3547521(A)	1970-12-01	Miyagi et al.	Examiner
US4504084(A)	1985-03-01	Jauch	Applicant
US4725462(A)	1988-02-01	Kimura	Applicant
US4739377(A)	1988-04-01	Allen	Applicant
US5051835(A)	1991-09-01	Bruehl et al.	Applicant
US5093147(A)	1992-03-01	Andrus et al.	Applicant
US5291243(A)	1994-03-01	Heckman et al.	Applicant
US5337361(A)	1994-08-01	Wang	Applicant
US5363212(A)	1994-11-01	Taniuchi et al.	Applicant
US5385371(A)	1995-01-01	Izawa	Applicant
US5481377(A)	1996-01-01	Udagawa et al.	Applicant
US5502576(A)	1996-03-01	Ramsay et al.	Applicant
US5530751(A)	1996-06-01	Morris	Applicant
US5530759(A)	1996-06-01	Braudaway et al.	Applicant
US5557412(A)	1996-09-01	Saito et al.	Applicant
US5568555(A)	1996-10-01	Shamir	Applicant
US5572433(A)	1996-11-01	Falconer et al.	Applicant
US5617119(A)	1997-04-01	Briggs et al.	Applicant
US5621810(A)	1997-04-01	Suzuki et al.	Applicant
US5636874(A)	1997-06-01	Singer	Applicant
US5646997(A)	1997-07-01	Barton	Applicant
US5652626(A)	1997-07-01	Kawakami et al.	Applicant
US5659628(A)	1997-08-01	Tachikawa et al.	Applicant
US5659726(A)	1997-08-01	Sandford et al.	Applicant
US5661574(A)	1997-08-01	Kawana	Applicant
US5687236(A)	1997-11-01	Moskowitz et al.	Applicant
US5689623(A)	1997-11-01	Pinard	Applicant
US5696594(A)	1997-12-01	Saito et al.	Applicant
US5721788(A)	1998-02-01	Powell et al.	Applicant
US5729741(A)	1998-03-01	Liaguno et al.	Applicant
US5748763(A)	1998-05-01	Rhoads	Applicant
US5760386(A)	1998-06-01	Ward	Applicant
US5787186(A)	1998-07-01	Schroeder	Applicant
US5788285(A)	1998-08-01	Wicker	Applicant
US5790693(A)	1998-08-01	Graves et al.	Applicant
US5790703(A)	1998-08-01	Wang	Applicant
US5809139(A)	1998-09-01	Girod et al.	Applicant
US5822436(A)	1998-10-01	Rhoads	Applicant
US5825892(A)	1998-10-01	Braudaway et al.	Applicant
US5832186(A)	1998-11-01	Kawana	Applicant
US5838814(A)	1998-11-01	Moore	Applicant
US5862218(A)	1999-01-01	Steinberg	Applicant
US5862260(A)	1999-01-01	Rhoads	Applicant
US5875249(A)	1999-02-01	Mintzer et al.	Applicant
US5893101(A)	1999-04-01	Balogh et al.	Applicant
US5905800(A)	1999-05-01	Moskowitz et al.	Applicant
US5905819(A)	1999-05-01	Daly	Applicant
US5915027(A)	1999-06-01	Cox et al.	Applicant
US5919730(A)	1999-07-01	Gasper et al.	Applicant
US5930369(A)	1999-07-01	Cox et al.	Applicant
US5933798(A)	1999-08-01	Linnartz	Applicant
US5946414(A)	1999-08-01	Cass et al.	Applicant
US5951055(A)	1999-09-01	Mowry, Jr.	Applicant
US5960081(A)	1999-09-01	Vynne et al.	Applicant
US5960103(A)	1999-09-01	Graves et al.	Applicant
US5974548(A)	1999-10-01	Adams	Applicant
US5978013(A)	1999-11-01	Jones et al.	Applicant
US6045656(A)	2000-04-01	Foster et al.	Applicant
US6046808(A)	2000-04-01	Fateley	Applicant
US6054021(A)	2000-04-01	Kurrle et al.	Applicant
US6081827(A)	2000-06-01	Reber	Applicant
US6094483(A)	2000-07-01	Fridrich et al.	Applicant
US6104812(A)	2000-08-01	Koltai et al.	Applicant
US6122403(A)	2000-09-01	Rhoads	Applicant
US6128411(A)	2000-10-01	Knox	Applicant
US6136752(A)	2000-10-01	Paz-Pujalt et al.	Applicant
US6185312(B1)	2001-02-01	Nakamura et al.	Applicant
US6185683(B1)	2001-02-01	Ginter et al.	Applicant
US6192138(B1)	2001-02-01	Yamadaji	Applicant
US6201879(B1)	2001-03-01	Bender et al.	Applicant
US6233347(B1)	2001-05-01	Chen et al.	Applicant
US6233684(B1)	2001-05-01	Stefik et al.	Applicant
US6234537(B1)	2001-05-01	Gutmann et al.	Applicant
US6246777(B1)	2001-06-01	Gutmann et al.	Applicant
US6272176(B1)	2001-08-01	Srinivasan	Applicant
US6272248(B1)	2001-08-01	Saitoh et al.	Applicant
US6272634(B1)	2001-08-01	Tewfik et al.	Applicant
US6278792(B1)	2001-08-01	Cox et al.	Applicant
US6281165(B1)	2001-08-01	Cranford	Applicant
US6285776(B1)	2001-09-01	Rhoads	Applicant
US6304345(B1)	2001-10-01	Patton et al.	Applicant
US6314192(B1)	2001-11-01	Chen et al.	Applicant
US6320675(B1)	2001-11-01	Sakaki et al.	Applicant
US6332031(B1)	2001-12-01	Rhoads et al.	Applicant
US6332194(B1)	2001-12-01	Bloom et al.	Applicant
US6334187(B1)	2001-12-01	Kadono	Applicant
US6356363(B1)	2002-03-01	Cooper et al.	Applicant
US6373965(B1)	2002-04-01	Liang	Applicant
US6390362(B1)	2002-05-01	Martin	Applicant
US6394358(B1)	2002-05-01	Thaxton et al.	Applicant
US6404926(B1)	2002-06-01	Miyahara et al.	Applicant
US6418232(B1)	2002-07-01	Nakano et al.	Applicant
US6427020(B1)	2002-07-01	Rhoads	Applicant
US6438251(B1)	2002-08-01	Yamaguchi	Applicant
US6456726(B1)	2002-09-01	Yu et al.	Applicant
US6481753(B2)	2002-11-01	Van Boom et al.	Applicant
US6590996(B1)	2003-07-01	Reed et al.	Applicant
US6614914(B1)	2003-09-01	Rhoads et al.	Applicant
US6636615(B1)	2003-10-01	Rhoads et al.	Applicant
US6697498(B2)	2004-02-01	Kawaguchi et al.	Examiner
US6763122(B1)	2004-07-01	Rodriguez et al.	Applicant
US6972793(B1)	2005-12-01	Kameyama	Examiner
US7142689(B2)	2006-11-01	Hayashi et al.	Examiner
US7443537(B2)	2008-10-01	Reed	Examiner
US2001/0014169(A1)	2001-08-01	Liang	Applicant
US2001/0021144(A1)	2001-09-01	Oshima et al.	Applicant
US2001/0024510(A1)	2001-09-01	Iwamura	Applicant
US2001/0026377(A1)	2001-10-01	Ikegami	Applicant
US2001/0028727(A1)	2001-10-01	Naito et al.	Applicant
US2001/0030759(A1)	2001-10-01	Hayashi et al.	Applicant
US2001/0030761(A1)	2001-10-01	Ideyama	Applicant
US2001/0033674(A1)	2001-10-01	Chen et al.	Applicant
US2001/0037313(A1)	2001-11-01	Lofgren et al.	Applicant
US2001/0037455(A1)	2001-11-01	Lawandy et al.	Applicant
US2001/0040980(A1)	2001-11-01	Yamaguchi	Applicant
US2001/0052076(A1)	2001-12-01	Kadono	Applicant
US2001/0053235(A1)	2001-12-01	Sato	Applicant
US2001/0054644(A1)	2001-12-01	Liang	Applicant
US2002/0015509(A1)	2002-02-01	Nakamura et al.	Applicant
US2002/0018879(A1)	2002-02-01	Barnhart et al.	Applicant
US2002/0021824(A1)	2002-02-01	Reed et al.	Applicant
US2002/0023218(A1)	2002-02-01	Lawandy et al.	Applicant
US2002/0027612(A1)	2002-03-01	Brill et al.	Applicant
US2002/0027674(A1)	2002-03-01	Tokunaga et al.	Applicant
US2002/0031241(A1)	2002-03-01	Kawaguchi et al.	Applicant
US2002/0033844(A1)	2002-03-01	Levy et al.	Applicant
US2002/0040433(A1)	2002-04-01	Kondo	Applicant
US2002/0057238(A1)	2002-05-01	Nitta et al.	Examiner
US2002/0057431(A1)	2002-05-01	Fateley et al.	Applicant
US2002/0061121(A1)	2002-05-01	Rhoads et al.	Applicant
US2002/0061122(A1)	2002-05-01	Fujihara et al.	Applicant
US2002/0062442(A1)	2002-05-01	Kurahashi	Applicant
US2002/0064298(A1)	2002-05-01	Rhoads et al.	Applicant
US2002/0067844(A1)	2002-06-01	Reed et al.	Applicant
US2002/0068987(A1)	2002-06-01	Hars	Applicant
US2002/0073317(A1)	2002-06-01	Hars	Applicant
US2002/0080396(A1)	2002-06-01	Silverbrook et al.	Applicant
US2002/0083123(A1)	2002-06-01	Freedman et al.	Applicant
US2002/0097873(A1)	2002-07-01	Petrovic	Applicant
US2002/0099943(A1)	2002-07-01	Rodriguez et al.	Applicant
US2002/0118394(A1)	2002-08-01	McKinley et al.	Applicant
US2002/0122568(A1)	2002-09-01	Zhao	Applicant
US2002/0141310(A1)	2002-10-01	Stephany	Applicant
US2002/0150246(A1)	2002-10-01	Ogino	Applicant
US2002/0163633(A1)	2002-11-01	Cohen	Applicant
US2002/0164051(A1)	2002-11-01	Reed et al.	Applicant
US2002/0176600(A1)	2002-11-01	Rhoads et al.	Applicant
US2003/0005304(A1)	2003-01-01	Lawandy et al.	Applicant
US2003/0012562(A1)	2003-01-01	Lawandy et al.	Applicant
US2003/0032033(A1)	2003-02-01	Anglin et al.	Applicant
US2003/0056104(A1)	2003-03-01	Carr et al.	Applicant
DE2943436	1981-05-01		Applicant
EP590884	1994-04-01		Applicant
EP642060	1995-03-01		Applicant
EP705022	1996-04-01		Applicant
EP991047	2000-04-01		Applicant
EP1077570	2001-02-01		Applicant
EP1137244	2001-09-01		Applicant
EP1152592	2001-11-01		Applicant
EP1173001	2002-01-01		Applicant
EP1209897	2002-05-01		Applicant
GB1534403	1978-12-01		Applicant
GB2360659	2001-09-01		Applicant
JP7093567	1995-04-01		Applicant
JP7108786	1995-04-01		Applicant
WO95/13597	1995-05-01		Applicant
WO96/03286	1996-02-01		Applicant
WO96/36163	1996-11-01		Applicant
WO99/10937	1999-03-01		Applicant
WO/16546	2000-03-01		Applicant
WO1/05075	2001-01-01		Applicant
WO1/08405	2001-02-01		Applicant
WO1/39121	2001-05-01		Applicant
WO1/72030	2001-09-01		Applicant
WO1/73997	2001-10-01		Applicant
WO1/97128	2001-12-01		Applicant
WO1/97175	2001-12-01		Applicant
WO2/19269	2002-03-01		Applicant
WO2/21846	2002-03-01		Applicant
WO2/23481	2002-03-01		Applicant
WO1/88883	2002-11-01		Applicant

Non-Patent Literature (24)

Reed et al., Adaptive Color Watermarking, 2002, Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 4675, pp. 222-229.Examiner
U.S. Appl. No. 60/082,228, Rhoads, filed Apr. 16, 1998.Applicant
U.S. Appl. No. 09/465,418, Rhoads et al., filed Dec. 16, 1999.Applicant
U.S. Appl. No. 09/562,516, Rodriguez et al., filed May 1, 2000.Applicant
U.S. Appl. No. 09/619,264, Kumar, filed Jul. 19, 2000.Applicant
U.S. Appl. No. 60/323,148, Davis et al., filed Sep. 17, 2001.Applicant
Alattar, “Smart Images' Using Digimarc's Watermarking Technology,” IS&T/SPIE's 12.sup.th Int. Symposium on Electronic Imaging, San Jose, CA, Jan. 25, 2000, vol. 3971, No. 25, 10 pages.Applicant
Battialo et al., “Robust Watermarking for Images Based on Color Manipulation,” IH/99 LNCS 1768, pp. 302-317,2000.Applicant
Bender et al., “Applications for Data Hiding,” IBM Systems Journal, vol. 39, Nos. 3&4, 2000, pp. 547-568.Applicant
Bors et al., “Image Watermarking. Using DCT Domain Contraints,” Proc. Int. Conf. on Image Processing, vol. 3, pp. 231-234. 1996.Applicant
Brownell, “Counterfeiters Dye Over Security Measures,” SPIE's OE Magazine, Sep. 2001, pp. 8-9.Applicant
Fleet et al., “Embedding Invisible Information in Color Images,” Proc. Int. Conf. on Image Processing, vol. 1, pp. 532-535, Oct. 1997.Applicant
Frequently Asked Questions About Digimarc Signature Technology, Aug. 1, 1995, http://www.digimarc.com, 9 pages.Applicant
“Holographic signatures for digital images,” The Seybold Report on Desktop Publishing, Aug. 1995, one page.Applicant
Hunt, “The Reproduction of Colour in Photography, Printing & Television,” 1987, pp. 588-589 and Plate 35 (in color).Applicant
Kohda et al., “Digital Watermarking Through CDMA Channels Using Spread Spectrum Techniques,” 2000 IEEE, pp. 671-674.Applicant
Komatsu et al., “A Proposal on Digital Watermark in Document Image Communication and Its Application to Realizing a Signature,” Electronics and Communications in Japan, Part 1, vol. 73, No. 5, 1990, pp. 22-33.Applicant
Komatsu et al., “Authentication System Using Concealed Image in Telematics,” Memoirs of the School of Science & Engineering, Waseda Univ., No. 52, 1988, pp. 45-60.Applicant
Kutter et al., “Digital Signature of Color Images Using Amplitude Modulation,” SPIE vol. 3022, 1997, pp. 518-526.Applicant
ORuanaidh et al, “Watermarking Digital Images for Copyright Protection,” http://www.kalman.mee.tcd.ie/people/jjr/eva—pap.html, Feb. 2, 1996, 8 pages.Applicant
Piva et al., “Exploiting the Cross-Correlation of RGB-Channels for Robust Watermarking of Color Images,” 1999 IEEE, pp. 306-310.Applicant
Vidal et al., “Non-Noticeable Information Embedding in Color Images: Marking and Detection,” IEEE (1999), pp. 293-297.Applicant
Voyatzis et al., “Embedding Robust Watermarks by Chaotic Mixing,” Digital Signal Processing Proceedings, IEEE Jul. 1977, pp. 213-216, vol. 1.Applicant
Wang et al., “Embedding Digital Watermarks in Halftone Screens,” Security and Watermarking of Multimedia Contents II, Proc. of SPIE vol. 3971 (2000), pp. 218-227.Applicant

Abstract