Inferring object status based on detected watermark data
View Patent ↗Image, video, or audio data is encoded with both a frail and a robust watermark. The two watermarks respond differently to different forms of processing (e.g., copying the object may render the frail watermark unreadable), permitting an original object to be distinguished from a processed object. Appropriate action can then taken in response thereto.
1. A method to analyze an object, wherein an original or authentic object includes both a first watermark and a second different watermark, said method comprising:
attempting to detect first and second watermarks from an object;
if the first and second watermarks are both detected, reaching a first conclusion concerning the object; and
if the first watermark is detected but not the second, reaching a second, different, conclusion concerning the object.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the watermarking of at least the first watermark is effected by slight alterations to the object's color.
3. The method of claim 2 , in which the first watermark is designed to withstand a predetermined process, and the second watermark is not, wherein the predetermined process comprises at least scanning and reprinting.
4. A method comprising:
receiving a set of sampled data, wherein original or authentic data comprises a plurality of different watermarks;
analyzing said set of sampled data for watermark information, wherein the watermark information comprises first watermark information and second watermark information; and
based on a result of said analysis, concluding that the sampled data does not correspond to an original.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the first watermark information is designed to withstand a predetermined process, and the second watermark information is not.
6. The meted of claim 5 , wherein the predetermined process includes scanning and printing.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the watermarking of the first watermark is effected by slight alterations to the sampled data's color.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the object comprises a document.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein reaching a first conclusion concerning the object comprises determining that the object comprises an original or authentic object.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the second, different, conclusion concerning the object comprises determining that the object is not an original or authentic object.
11. A security document comprising:
a substrate;
printing on the substrate, wherein the printing comprises at least a first digital watermark and a second digital watermark, and
wherein the first digital watermark and the second digital watermark cooperate to yield an authentication clue concerning the security document.
12. The security document of claim 11 , wherein the first digital watermark is designed to withstand a predetermined process, and the second digital watermark is not, and wherein the predetermined process comprises at least one of scanning and printing.
13. A method comprising;
attempting to detect first and second watermarks from an object, wherein the first watermark is designed to withstand a predetermined process, and the second watermark is not, and wherein the predetermined process comprises at least one of scanning and reprinting;
if the first and second watermarks are both detected, reaching a first conclusion concerning the object; and
if the first watermark is detected but not the second, reaching a second, different, conclusion concerning the object.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the security document comprises a photo identification document.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the security document comprises a passport.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the security document comprises a financial instrument.
17. A method of authenticating the security document of claim 11 comprising:
receiving optical scan data associated with at least a portion of the security document;
analyzing the optical scan data to determine the authentication clue; and
determining authenticity of the security document based on the authentication clue.
18. A security document comprising:
a substrate; and
printing on the substrate,
wherein the printing comprises at least a first digital watermark and a
second digital watermark in a predetermined relationship, and
wherein the first digital watermark and the second digital watermark comprise the predetermined relationship to help enable authentication of the security document.
19. A method of authenticating the security document of claim 18 , comprising:
receiving optical scan data associated with at least a portion of the security document;
analyzing the optical scan data to determine whether the first and second watermarks comprise the predetermined relationship; and
if the watermarks do not comprise the predetermined relationship, determining that the security document is not authentic.
20. A method of authenticating the security document of claim 18 , comprising:
receiving optical scan data associated with at least a portion of the security document;
analyzing the optical scan data to determine whether the first and second watermarks comprise the predetermined relationship; and
if the watermarks comprise the predetermined relationship, determining that the security document is authentic.
21. The method of claim 18 , wherein the security document comprises a photo identification document.
22. The method of claim 18 , wherein the security document comprises a passport.
23. The method of claim 18 , wherein the security document comprises a financial instrument.
24. The security document of claim 18 , wherein the, predetermined relationship comprises the first digital watermark being designed to withstand a predetermined process, and the second digital watermark being designed to not withstand such predetermined process, and wherein the predetermined process comprises at least one of scanning and printing.
25. The method of claim 1 wherein the first watermark comprises a private watermark.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein the second watermark comprises a public watermark.
27. The method of claim 4 wherein the first watermark information comprises private watermark information.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein the second watermark information comprises public watermark information.
29. The method of claim 11 wherein the first watermark comprises a private watermark.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein the second watermark comprises a public watermark.