IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,512,987
Granted Patent B2
US 12,512,987 · App. 18/340,155 · Granted Dec 30, 2025

Data watermarking

Inventors: Alan J. Michaels (Blacksburg, VA); Venkata N. Sai Srikar Palukuru (Canton, MI); John Moore (Canton, MI); Michael Fletcher (Roanoke, VA); Christopher Henshaw (Christiansburg, VA)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
H04L9/32
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,512,987
App. No.
18/340,155
Granted
Dec 30, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to generate first and second messages for transmission via a communications bus via a first modulation mode and to generate first and second watermarking signals for transmission on the communications bus via a second modulation mode, in which the first and second modulation modes are isolated from each other. The instructions may additionally be to transmit the first message overlaid by the first watermarking signal and to transmit the second message overlaid by the second watermarking signal, the second watermarking signal having a parameter that varies from the first watermarking signal.

Claims (36)

1 . A system comprising:

a computer including a processor coupled to a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to:

generate first and second messages for transmission via a communications bus via a first binary voltage modulation mode;

generate first and second watermarking signals for transmission on the communications bus via a second binary voltage modulation mode, wherein the first and second binary voltage modulation modes are isolated from each other;

transmit the first message overlaid by the first watermarking signal; and

transmit the second message overlaid by the second watermarking signal, the second watermarking signal having a parameter that varies from the first watermarking signal and based on detected noise on a conductor of the communications bus.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first binary voltage modulation mode includes a differential mode.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the second binary voltage modulation mode includes a common mode.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second watermarking signals are modulated via a spread-spectrum technique.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the parameter is based on a ratio of a spreading code rate to a data rate of a binary voltage spread-spectrum signal.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the parameter is an integer value of a ratio of a spreading code rate to a data rate of a spread-spectrum signal.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the parameter is a phase shift of a spreading code of a spread-spectrum signal.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the parameter is a length of the second watermarking signal.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the parameter is a code rate of a spread-spectrum signal.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the parameter is an up-conversion factor of a spreading code of a spread-spectrum signal.

11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the parameter is a voltage amplitude of a spreading code of a spread-spectrum signal.

12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further to:

determine the parameter based on content of the second message.

13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further to:

determine the parameter based on a recipient of the second message.

14 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first or the second watermarking signals extend beyond an interval during which the first message or the second message are transmitted.

15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first or the second watermarking signals terminate prior to completion of transmission of the first message of the second message.

16 . A method comprising:

generating first and second messages for transmission via a communications bus via a first binary voltage modulation mode;

generating first and second watermarking signals for transmission on the communications bus via a second binary voltage modulation mode, wherein the first and second binary voltage modulation modes are isolated from each other;

transmitting the first message overlaid by the first watermarking signal; and

transmitting the second message overlaid by the second watermarking signal, the second watermarking signal having a parameter that varies from the first watermarking signal and based on detected noise on a conductor of the communications bus.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

detecting interference on one or more conductors of the communications bus; and

determining the parameter of the second watermarking signal based on the detected interference.

18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

determining a recipient of the second message; and

determining the parameter of the second watermarking signal based on the determined recipient.

19 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

determining a message content of the second message; and

determining the parameter of the second watermarking signal based on the determined second message content.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2023
From: MICHAELS, ALAN J.; PALUKURU, VENKATA N. SAI SRIKAR; MOORE, JOHN; FLETCHER, MICHAEL; HENSHAW, CHRISTOPHER
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 064040/0486 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2023
From: VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY
To: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 064040/0770 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2023
From: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 064040/0922 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240430088A1 · Dec 26, 2024
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