Watermark systems and methods

Abstract

Various improvements relating to digital watermarking and related technologies are detailed, including methods that enhance security and functionality, and new articles including watermarked puzzles and marked DNA.

1 . A method comprising:
 receiving a steganographically encoded content object;   at a first processing device at a first location, processing the received steganographically-encoded content object a first time to yield a processed content object;   sending the processed content object to a second processing device at a second, remote location; and   further processing the processed content object on the second processing device, said further processing including decoding plural-bit data steganographically encoded therein.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  in which the processing of the content object the first time includes generating a more compact representation of the content object, and the method further includes time-stamping or encrypting the more compact representation of the content object sent to the second processing device. 
     
     
         3 . A method useful with a network of computers, comprising:
 employing an agent process to process files on computers of said network;   decoding watermarks from file objects encountered by said agent;   by reference to said watermarks, accessing metadata associated with said file objects; and   collecting said metadata in a data structure useful for searching.   
     
     
         4 . A puzzle comprising plural distinct pieces that fit together, characterized in that the puzzle, when assembled includes a digital watermark pattern that, when sensed with a compliant reader device, triggers an action responsive to a plural-bit payload conveyed by said pattern. 
     
     
         5 . A method comprising:
 receiving a wireless transmission of a content object on a user's wireless computer, the wireless transmission being sent by a transmitter device at a trade show;   within the wireless computer, decoding a watermark from the received content object; and   establishing communication between the user's wireless computer and a remote computer in accordance with plural-bit data obtained from said decoded watermark.   
     
     
         6 . A substrate having printed thereon a pattern including a steganographic pattern, characterized in that the steganographic pattern is printed in a thermochromic ink, wherein the pattern presented thereby changes color in accordance with temperature. 
     
     
         7 . A printed package having a steganographic watermark pattern printed, on a portion thereof having a uniformly light background, with an ink that is transparent at visible light wavelengths, but is readily detectable if illuminated with invisible light, the pattern conveying plural bits of digital data. 
     
     
         8 . A banknote marked with a biological protein, the protein serving as a taggant by which the banknote can be identified. 
     
     
         9 . A strand of DNA having inactive components thereof deliberately configured so as to represent numeric data according to a code. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 (a) storing in a database a URL associated with an index number, the URL corresponding to the address of a networked computer on which a web page associated with the index number can be found;   (b) occasionally and automatically changing the URL associated in said database with said index number; and   (c) providing said web page at said changed URLs.   
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 capturing image data from a product or package using a portable device;   transmitting data corresponding to said image data to a remote computer for processing; and   if the remote computer failed to respond in an expected manner, decoding a digital watermark from the image data using said portable device.   
     
     
         12 . A method comprising:
 encoding a product or package with a digital watermark   distributing the encoded item through retail channels;   receiving data reporting on electronic linking performed by customers presenting the item to compliant computer devices;   wherein a product manufacturer can receive prompt feedback on sales of the product.   
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 encoding a plural printed publications with digital watermark data; and   forming an on-line community comprised of users who have custody of the publications, as evidenced by their presentation of the publications to compliant watermark reading devices.   
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 decoding an N-bit payload from a steganographically-encoded content object, the payload being redundantly represented in the content object by a first set of M-bits, where M>N, so as to permit correct recovery of the N-bit payload notwithstanding corruption of certain of the first set of M bits; and   from the decoded N-bit payload, generating a second set of M-bits corresponding thereto, the second sets redundantly representing the N-bit payload without corruption.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  that further includes processing the first and second sets of M-bits to yield an indication of the corruption of the content signal. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  that includes transforming the first and second sets of M-bits from {0,1} symbols to {−1,1} symbols, and performing a bit-wise multiplication between the two transformed sets. 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 steganographically encoding plural-bit payload data into a portion of a file representing audio or imagery, the steganographic encoding employing a watermarking protocol; and   storing in the header of the file a tag indicating the watermarking protocol used for said encoding.   
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 at a first site, in connection with making an electronic payment for a product or service, presenting to a first image sensor a digitally watermarked talisman that conveys a payload corresponding to a user;   at a second site remote from the first, presenting the same talisman to a second image sensor; and   by reference to watermark payloads decoded from image data from said first and second sensors, determining whether the user has paid for the product or service.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  that includes applying a compression algorithm to at least some of the received content object at the first location, sending compressed data away from the first location, and decompressing said compressed data prior to decoding the plural-bit data therefrom. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  in which said processing of the content object the first time includes associating time data therewith and, at a location away from the first location, making a decision based on said time data. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  in which said decision includes checking the associated time data to determine if such time data indicates a time within an expected prior period. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said content object comprises audio data. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said content object comprises still image data. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said content object comprises video data. 
     
     
         25 . A method comprising:
 capturing steganographically encoded content using a first device, said first device comprising a cell phone;   in said first device, processing the steganographically-encoded content a first time to yield processed content data;   sending the processed content data to a second processing device at a second, remote location; and   further processing the processed content data on the second processing device, said further processing including decoding plural-bit data steganographically encoded therein.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , in which said content data comprises image data. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  in which said content data comprises audio data.