Patent ID: 6021196
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: G06T,H04N

Abstract:
A method of embedding auxiliary data into publication quality digital image data represented by a quantity of color-component values for each picture element comprising the steps of:reducing said quantity of color-component values of said publication quality digital image data, to create a digital reference palette, wherein said digital color palette represents said quantity of color-component values of said publication quality digital image data;creating a digital representation of said auxiliary data as a sequence of individual bit values;creating a color-component digital difference image by numerically combining said publication quality digital image with said digital reference palette image;modifying said color-component digital difference image by combining said auxiliary data and said color-component digital difference image through use of a data embedding method;creating a modified publication quality digital image indiscernibly containing said auxiliary data by combining said modified color-component digital difference image and said digital reference palette image; andoutputting said modified publication quality digital image into a file format specified for said modified publication quality digital image.