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

The image signal band compressing method employs a three-dimensional motion compensating technique, an intraframe and an interframe processes which are alternatively executed. The transfer rate of the intraframe to the interframe is set to 4:1 in a unit of fixed length. The intraframe process is defined such that the present frame image data is compressed in a variable length compressing manner by way of two-dimensional discrete coding transform. The interframe process is defined such that motion data is estimated by comparing the present frame and the preceding frame, the present frame is expected on the basis of the motion data and the difference data between the motion compensated image data and the present frame data.

Image signal band compressing system for digital video tape recorder

An error correction system of digital data for use in a digital VTR or a digital TV constituted as parts of a digital processing system, which is provided with an ECC outer encoder, a shuffling means, an inner encoder, a tape, an ECC inner decoder, a de-shuffling means and an ECC outer decoder to perform the double encoding/decoding, comprises a memory address generating circuit for enabling the de-shuffling portion to generate addresses increasing toward the column from the first address of write addresses, a de-shuffling memory circuit for storing data and error flags and a path control circuit for controlling the input/output of data and error flag memories. Thus, it makes use of an ID signal identifying the position information of data recorded on a tape and an error flag confirming whether the reproduced data is error or not, so that it controls the write addresses and input/output paths of the data and error flag memories to minimize the loss of recorded data, thereby improving the quality of the image to be reproduced.

Seung K. Pack

Papers

Image signal band compressing system for digital video tape recorder

Error correction system of digital data