Image management system and methods using digital watermarks

Abstract

Digital watermarking technology is used in an image management system. Images are uniquely identified by digital watermarking. The images are stored so as to be indexed according to unique identifiers. In one embodiment, related images are linked together by a unique watermark identifier. The unique watermark identifier is also used to manage metadata, and provide forensic tracking. Watermark identifiers can be used to carry or access security clearance information associated with an image or other media. Other embodiments are provided as well.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 858,336, filed May 15, 2001 (issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 7,098,931). The U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 858,336 application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60 / 284,163 filed Apr. 16, 2001, entitled “Watermark Systems and Methods,” and 60 / 284,776 filed Apr. 18, 2001, entitled “Using Embedded Identifiers with Images.” The 09 / 858,336 application is also a continuation-in-part of assignee's U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 800,093, entitled “Geo-Referencing of Aerial Imagery Using Embedded Image Identifiers and Cross-Referenced Data Sets,” filed Mar. 5, 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,061,510). [0002] This patent application is also related to assignee's U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 833,013, entitled “Digitally Watermarked Maps and Signs and Related Navigational Tools,” filed Apr. 10, 2001 (published as US 2002-0147910 A1).FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present inventio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The quality of the imagery has also constantly improved. Some satellite systems are now capable of acquiring image and topological data having a resolution of less than a meter. Aircraft imagery, collected from lower altitudes, provides still greater resolution.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a digital watermark-based image management system helps solve these and other problems. A digital watermark is ideally employed as an enabler to access a related family of images, linked in a database (or other data structure) via digital watermark identifiers. Watermark identifiers can also be used to identify the source of an image, track images and documents, document a distribution chain, and identify unlabeled hard copy images. According to another aspect, digital watermarks help to provide security, monitoring and gatekeeper-like functions.

Problems solved by technology

Management of the resulting large data sets is a growing problem.

Management of resulting image ancestry, image derivates and related metadata is increasingly difficult.

Preferably, such watermarking processes are secure and cannot be replicated by unauthorized individuals.

Images