Embedding information in a digital image digitized from a developed photographic film

Abstract

The invention provides a method and apparatus for embedding hidden data in digital images created from scanning developed photographic film. A film development system develops exposed photographic film to produce developed photographic film. A scanner then scans the developed film to produce a digital image. Film properties are extracted from the developed film, such as the dimensions of the image and / or the graininess or other attributes associated with the image on the film. These properties are stored in memory of a programmed computer system, which includes a digital watermark encoder for embedding information in digital images. The digital watermark encoder reads the film properties and possibly other input parameters supplied by a user, and in response, embeds associated information into the digital image. The embedding process modifies pixel values of the digital image to embed the associated information. Preferably, the modifications to the pixel values are slight so that they do not substantially alter the quality of the digital image. The digital image may be printed, in which case, the embedded information is invisible in the printed image. The digital image may also be stored in a portable storage device, such as a CD, or transmitted electronically over a network, such as the Internet. A variety of data may be embedded in the image, including authentication information, sound data, film speed, exposure information, etc.

Description

MICROFICHE APPENDIX A microfiche appendix, containing 1077 pages on thirteen microfiche, was submitted in application 08 / 746,613, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,403. The complete disclosure of that application and patent is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to steganography, and more particularly relates to steganographically encoding technical exposure information into imagery. BACKGROUND Hiding data in imagery or audio is a technique well known to artisans in the field, and is termed “steganography.” There are a number of diverse approaches to, and applications of, steganography. A brief survey follows: British patent publication 2,196,167 to Thom EMI discloses a system in which an audio recording is electronically mixed with a marking signal indicative of the owner of the recording, where the combination is perceptually identical to the original. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,963,998 and 5,079,648 disclose variants of this system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,735 to...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a method and apparatus for embedding hidden data in digital images created from scanning developed photographic film. A film development system develops exposed photographic film to produce developed photographic film. A scanner then scans the developed film to produce a digital image. Film properties are extracted from the developed film, such as the dimensions of the image and/or the graininess or other attributes associated with the image on the film. These properties are stored in memory of a programmed computer system, which includes a digital watermark encoder for embedding information in digital images. The digital watermark encoder reads the film properties and possibly other input param

Problems solved by technology

The work is somewhat difficult to follow but apparently results in a simple yes / no determination of whether the watermark is present in a suspect image (e.g. a 1 bit encoded message).

Images