A watermark system includes an embedder, detector, and reader. The watermark embedder encodes a watermark signal in a host signal to create a combined signal. The detector looks for the watermark signal in a potentially corrupted version of the combined signal, and computes its orientation. Finally, a reader extracts a message in the watermark signal from the combined signal using the orientation to approximate the original state of the combined signal. While adapted for images, video and audio, the watermark system applies to other electronic and physical media. For example, it can be applied to mark graphical models, blank paper, film and other substrates, texturing objects for ID purposes, etc.

Watermark embedder and reader

Various improvements to steganographic systems, and applications therefore, are disclosed. The improvements include facilitating scale and rotation registration for steganographic decoding by use of rotationally symmetric steganographically embedded patterns and subliminal digital graticules; improved techniques for decoding without access to unencoded originals; improving robustness of steganographic coding in motion pictures and/or in the presence of lossy compression/decompression; and representing data by patterned bit cells whose energy in the spatial domain facilitates decoding registration. Applications include enhanced-security financial transactions, counterfeit resistant identification cards, fraud deterrent systems for cellular telephony, covert modem channels in video transmissions, photo duplication kiosks with automatic copyright detection, and hotlinked image objects (e.g. with embedded URLs) for use on the internet.

Computer system linked by using information in data objects

An automated system checks networked computers, such as computers on the internet, for watermarked audio, video, or image data. A report listing the location of such audio, video or image data is generated, and provided to the proprietor(s) thereof identified by the watermark information.

Methods for surveying dissemination of proprietary empirical data

An identification code signal is impressed on a carrier to be identified (such as an electronic data signal or a physical medium) in a manner that permits the identification signal later to be discerned and the carrier thereby identified. The method and apparatus are characterized by robustness despite degradation of the encoded carrier, and by permeation of the identification signal throughout the carrier.

Steganography methods employing embedded calibration data

A method for decoding auxiliary data from media signals in multimedia content decodes watermarks from different media signals and uses the watermarks to control processing of the multimedia content. A copy control method decodes a watermark from one of the media signals in multimedia content, and uses the watermark to control processing of the multimedia content. Another method uses a watermark decoded from a first media signal to decode a second media signal. Yet another method uses a watermark decoded from a media signal to decode metadata associated with the media signal. Finally, another method forms a key for decoding data from at least first and second watermarks extracted from first and second media signals.

Integrating digital watermarks in multimedia content

An image coding apparatus and method are disclosed. The method and apparatus are applicable to coding any array of arbitrary dimension. The apparatus utilizes FIR filters which generate three or more sets of coefficients from linear arrays generated from the array being coded. Each set of coefficients represents spatial frequency information of different frequencies. The filters utilize coefficient sets which are preferrably orthogonal.

Image coding apparatus and method utilizing separable transformations

A method for coding an image or other two-dimensional data array to provide a sequence of images having differing spatial frequency content is disclosed The method generates the output images by taking weighted sums of the pixels in the input image The weights are sets of two-dimensional irreducible scaling and wavelet coefficients

Method and apparatus for coding an image

An image coding apparatus and method are disclosed. The method and apparatus are applicable to coding (404) any array (402) of arbitrary dimension. The apparatus utilizes FIR filters (450, 460, 470) which generate three or more sets of coefficients (454, 456, 458) from linear array (420, 430, 440) generated from the array (402) being coded (404). Each set of coefficients represents spatial frequency information of different frequencies. The filters (450, 460, 470) utilize coefficient sets which are preferably orthogonal.

Image coding utilizing separable transformations

A method for coding an image or other two-dimensional data array to provide a sequence of images having differing spatial frequency content is disclosed. The method generates the output images (933, 934, 935) by taking weighted sums of the pixels in the input image (908). The weights are sets of two-dimensional irreducible scaling and wavelet coefficients.

Linden David C. Plummer

Papers

Image coding apparatus and method utilizing separable transformations

Method and apparatus for coding an image

Image coding utilizing separable transformations

Improved method and apparatus for coding an image