Image analysis – Applications
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-17
2003-04-01
Johns, Andrew W. (Department: 2621)
Image analysis
Applications
C348S461000, C386S349000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06542618
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to video signal processing, and more particularly relates to the processing of such signals to embed auxiliary data (e.g. identification or control data therein), and the subsequent extraction and use of such data.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The copying and redistribution of commercial imagery and video productions has long been a cause of lost revenues to the creators/producers of such material. The advance of technology has not only expanded the means of legitimate distribution for visual/video works, but has also made it easier to copy these materials for unauthorized purposes.
Various methods have been developed to eliminate or limit both sophisticated and unsophisticated illegitimate distribution. Some of these methods rely on physical means. Others employ a “don't copy” signal to disable a machine's recording function.
In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, a multi-bit control message (sometimes termed a “digital watermark”) is embedded directly into the brightness levels of the visible portion of a video signal, or the brightness levels of a still image. Hardware or software systems can then read this control message and, for example, disable recording functions if so instructed.
Key practical issues are addressed whereby the perceptual impact of this added message can be adjusted—both overall and as a function of the underlying visual content. For example, a blank video sequence ought in general to have minimal visible effects, whereas active motion scenes with various areas of high detail can generally tolerate more visual energy in a watermark.
Methods are further detailed whereby the embedded message can survive lossy compression processes. An example of a lossy compression process is the MPEG video compression standard. (MPEG is commonly employed when video is distributed in digital form, e.g. on optically encoded disks.)
REFERENCES:
patent: 4920503 (1990-04-01), Cook
patent: 4969041 (1990-11-01), O'Grady et al.
patent: 5134496 (1992-07-01), Schwab et al.
patent: 5243411 (1993-09-01), Shirochi et al.
patent: 5315448 (1994-05-01), Ryan
patent: 5319453 (1994-06-01), Copriviza et al.
patent: 5319735 (1994-06-01), Preuss et al.
patent: 5404160 (1995-04-01), Schober et al.
patent: 5636292 (1997-06-01), Rhoads
patent: 5652626 (1997-07-01), Kawakami et al.
patent: 5721788 (1998-02-01), Powell et al.
patent: 5727092 (1998-03-01), Sandford, II et al.
patent: 5739864 (1998-04-01), Copeland
patent: 5748763 (1998-05-01), Rhoads
patent: 5850481 (1998-12-01), Rhoads
patent: 6026193 (2000-02-01), Rhoads
patent: 6122392 (2000-09-01), Rhoads
patent: 6266430 (2001-07-01), Rhoads
patent: 6353672 (2002-03-01), Rhoads
patent: 2001/0053236 (2001-12-01), Rhoads
patent: 3806414 (1989-09-01), None
patent: 6-315131 (1994-11-01), None
Szepanski, “Binärdatenübertragung über Videokanäle mit Datensignalen sehr geringer Amplitude,”Fernseh-to und Kino-Technik, vol. 32, No. 7, 1978, pp. 251-256 (with English Translation).*
Schreiber et al., “A Compatible High-Definition Television System Using the Noise-Margin of Hiding Enhancement Information,”SMPTE Journal, Dec. 1989, pp. 873-879.*
Matsui et al., “Video-Steganography: How to Secretly Embed a Signature in a Picture,”IMA Intellectual Property Proceedings, vol. 1, No. 1, Jan. 1994, pp. 187-205.*
Szepanski, “A Signal Theoretic Method for Creating Forgery-Proof Documents for Automatic Verification,”Proceedings 1979 Carnahan Conference on Crime Countermeasures, May 16, 1979, pp. 101-109.
Szepanski, “Additive Binary Data Transmission for Video Signals,” Papers Presented at Conf. Of Comm. Engineering Soc. Sep. 30-Oct. 3, 1980, Technical Reports vol. 74, pp. 342-352.
Szepanski, “Binary Data Transmission Over Video Channels with Very Low Amplitude Data Signals,”Fernseh-to und Kino-Technik, vol. 32, No.7, Jul. 1978, pp. 251-256. (German text with full English Translation).
Szepanski, “Compatibility Problems in Add-On Data Transmission for TV-Channels,”2d Symp. and Tech. Exh. On Electromagnetic Compatibility, Jun. 28, 1977, pp. 263-268.
Szepanski, “Optimization of Add-On Signals by Means of a Modified Training Algorithm for Linear Classifiers,”IEEE Int'l Symp. On Info. Theory, Oct. 10, 1977, pp. 27-28.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/338,995, Rhoads, filed Jun. 24, 1999.
Szepanski,Additive binary Data Transmission for Video Signals, Conference of the Communications Engineering Society, 1980, NTG Technical Reports, vol. 74, pp. 343-351. (German text and English translation enclosed).
Conwell William Y.
Digimarc Corporation
Digimarc Corporation
Johns Andrew W.
LandOfFree
Methods for watermark decoding does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Methods for watermark decoding, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Methods for watermark decoding will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3075640