Display case with transparent display for watermarking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Owners of physical artwork face challenges in enforcing usage restrictions and monitoring compliance when their artwork is rented out, as they lack control over its usage during rental periods.

Innovation Solution

A display case with a transparent display and a watermarking engine that generates and displays watermarks containing usage information, allowing owners to monitor and enforce usage rights through a management system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If artwork is rented out for display, then the artwork can be viewed by the public, but the owner loses control over usage compliance and enforcement

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePublic access to artworkVSAvoidUsage compliance enforcement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback by capturing images of the artwork through the transparent display, detecting watermarks in these images, and using the watermark information to verify usage compliance. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables real-time monitoring and enforcement of rental agreements without interfering with public viewing access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent display serves as an intermediary element that simultaneously allows public viewing of the artwork and enables the watermark detection system to verify usage compliance. The display acts as a mediator between the artwork, the public, and the monitoring system, resolving the contradiction by enabling both functions through a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If a transparent display is used to view the object, then the object remains visible, but the display may interfere with watermark visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTransparency of displayVSAvoidWatermark detection through display

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects watermarks by analyzing color or optical property variations in images captured through the transparent display. The watermark detection algorithm identifies specific color patterns or optical characteristics that distinguish watermarks from the underlying artwork, enabling reliable detection despite the display's transparency and potential optical interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Reliability

If watermarking is implemented on the transparent display, then usage rights can be enforced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUsage rights enforcementVSAvoidWatermarking system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses image copying by capturing photographs or videos of the artwork through the transparent display. Instead of requiring specialized hardware for direct watermark reading, the system processes standard digital images that contain watermark information, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining enforcement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or electronic watermark reading hardware with software-based watermark detection algorithms that process digital images. This substitution of mechanical/electronic systems with software processing simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining reliable usage rights enforcement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12407787B2Display case with transparent display for watermarking

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A display case is provided. The display case includes a transparent display for viewing an object through the transparent display and a watermarking engine configured to display a watermark on the transparent display.