Abstract:
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for establishing true authorship of a master resolution image are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention relate to reducing unauthorized copying of images posted for public display on image transaction sites where posted images for sale by true authors are susceptible to unauthorized copying by other individuals. Further embodiments allow a true author to post a master resolution version of the image in a secured area of the image transaction site that is shielded from public viewing while posting a downgraded version of the image in a public viewing area of the image transaction site. In one embodiment, an unauthorized copy is verified when the unauthorized copy is a copy of the downgraded version of the image in the public viewing area so when compared to the master resolution version, the image can be verified as an unauthorized copy of the downgraded version.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a U.S. nonprovisional patent application which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/496,078 filed on Jun. 13, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention related to establishing authorship of posted images on web-based image services. 
         [0004]    2. Background Information 
         [0005]    Web based image services allow users to search the web for image content. Web based image services also allow authors to post image content available to be viewed on the web. If the image is for sale, posting of the image by a web based image service allows the image to be searched for and viewed on the web by potential buyers of the image. Interested buyers can then purchase the posted image through the web based image service. 
         [0006]    In many instances, posted images offered for sale by the web based image service are not protected. Such posted images can be copied by individuals searching the web based image service for image content. The copied images can then be posted elsewhere on the web based image service by the individuals who copied the original image. In such instances, the web based image service cannot distinguish between the image posted by the true author and the copied image. If the copied image is also for sale, the true author does not receive compensation for the copies sold; instead the individual that copied the image and posted the copy receives the compensation. The true author has no way of proving that the copied image is a copy taken from the original image without the true author&#39;s permission because the copy of the original image is identical to the original image posted by the true author. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Embodiments of the invention relate to establishing authorship of posted images on web based image services. In a first embodiment, a computer implemented method for providing an image transaction site having a capability to verify a true authorship of at least one image having a plurality of visual features where each visual feature is acting as a unique identifier of the image. A master resolution image with a plurality of master visual features is received by a secure area of the image transaction site where the master resolution image is not disseminated on a public display of the image transaction site. A downgraded resolution image having a plurality of downgraded visual features is disseminated on the public display of the image transaction site where the downgraded resolution image is a downgraded version of the master resolution image. A plurality of visual features of a third-party image is compared to the plurality of master visual features when the third-party image is disseminated on the public display. An alert is issued when the plurality of visual features of the third-party image is identified as being a copy of the downgraded resolution image. 
         [0008]    In a second embodiment, a system provides an image transaction site having a capability to verify true authorship of at least one image having a plurality of visual similarity features where each visual similarity feature acts as a unique identifier of the image. A receiver module receives a master resolution image having a plurality of master visual features to a secure area of the image transaction site where the master resolution image is not disseminated on a public display of the image transaction site. A dissemination module that disseminates on the public display of the image transaction site a downgraded image having a plurality of downgraded visual features where the downgraded resolution image is a downgraded version of the master resolution image. A comparison module compares a plurality of visual similarity features of a third-party image to the plurality of master visual features when the third-party image is disseminated on the public display. An issuance module that issues an alert when the plurality of visual features of the third-party image is identified as being a copy of the downgraded resolution image. 
         [0009]    Further embodiments, features, and advantages, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES 
         [0010]    Embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers may indicate identical or functionally similar elements. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates an image transaction site having a displayed image, according to an embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  illustrates an image transaction site having a secure area and a public display, according to an embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an image transaction site having a master resolution image stored in a secure area and a downgraded image on public display, according to an embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates an image authorship verification computing system architecture, according to an embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary aspect of operation, according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    In embodiments, an image transaction site provides a capability to establish authorship of displayed images by storing a master resolution image in a secure area while publicly displaying a downgraded version. In the Detailed Description herein, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be described in connection with an embodiment, it may submitted that it may be within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. 
       Overview 
       [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates an image transaction system  100  according to an embodiment. System  100  includes image transaction site  110 . Image transaction site  110  includes displayed image  120 . 
         [0018]    Generally speaking, embodiments described herein provide image transaction site  110  with a capability to verify true authorship of displayed image  120 . Displayed image  120  represents an actual digital image that an author of displayed image  120  would like to display on image transaction site  110 . Examples of displayed image  120  include but are not limited to digital representations of a photograph, a drawing, and a painting. Displayed image  120  may be owned by an author. The author may have intentions of publicly displaying and selling displayed image  120 . The author may submit displayed image  120  to image transaction site  110  for display and sale. 
         [0019]    Image transaction site  110  provides a web based service for displaying images available for purchase. Potential buyers may purchase images displayed on image transaction site  110  such that the true author of the images is compensated. 
         [0020]    However, images available for public viewing on image transaction site  110  may be susceptible to copying. For example, if displayed image  120  were posted on image transaction site  110 , a third party could search image transaction site  110  and copy displayed image  120  rather than purchasing displayed image  120 . A competing copy of displayed image  120  may then be posted on image transaction site  110  for sale so that the true author of displayed image  120  would not be compensated for sales of the copy. Prevention of the sale of the copy requires that image transaction site  110  be able to determine whether the third party image is an original image belonging to the third party or whether it is merely a copy of the true author&#39;s original image. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment, image transaction site  110  verifies authorship of displayed image  120  by storing a master copy of displayed image  120  on image transaction site  110 . Image transaction site  110  may then generate a downgraded copy of displayed image  120  and display the downgraded copy on image transaction site  110  for sale to potential buyers. If an individual happens to copy the downgraded copy, referred to herein as the unauthorized downgraded copy, and post it for sale on image transaction site  110 , image transaction site  110  may compare the unauthorized downgraded copy posted for sale to the stored displayed image  120 . Image transaction site  110  confirms that the unauthorized downgraded copy has been copied from the downgraded copy generated by image transaction site  110  based on a comparison of the unauthorized downgraded copy to that of the stored displayed image  120 . If the unauthorized downgraded copy is of a lower quality than the stored displayed image  120 , then image transaction site  110  confirms that the unauthorized downgraded copy has been copied from the downgraded copy displayed on image transaction site  110 . Accordingly, the author of the stored displayed image  120  may also be the true author of the downgraded copy. 
       Image Transaction Site 
       [0022]      FIG. 2A  illustrates one embodiment of an image transaction system  200 . Image transaction system  200  includes image transaction site  110 , which includes secure area  230  and public display  240 . 
         [0023]    In an embodiment, image transaction site  110  posts an image for public display on public display  240 . Public display  240  may be a portion of image transaction site  110  that displays multiple images to the public. Users of image transaction site  110  may search public display  240  and examine the images displayed on public display  240 . Public display  240  may be accessed by web-based search tools used to search for images available for view on the web. 
         [0024]    Images stored on image transaction site  110  may be publicly viewed on public display  240 . Secure area  230  may not allow public viewing of images stored in secure area  230 , and images stored in secure area  230  may not be dispersed to the public. 
       Establishing Authorship 
       [0025]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an embodiment of an image transaction system  250  that stores master resolution image  280  in secure area  230  and displays downgraded resolution image  210  on public display  240 . Secure area  230  stores master resolution image  280 . Public display  240  displays downgraded resolution image  210  and third-party image  220 . Master resolution image  280  has a master visual feature  270 . Downgraded resolution image  210  and third-party image  220  each have downgraded visual feature  260 . 
         [0026]    Master visual feature  270  includes a distinct visual feature unique to master resolution image  280 . Downgrading master visual feature  270  generates a second image similar to master resolution image  280  in that the second image exhibits identical content to master resolution image  280 . However, the second image and master resolution image  270  differ in that the second image has a visual feature downgraded from master visual feature  270 . 
         [0027]    Master visual feature  270  may include any type of visual feature included in master resolution image  280  that contributes to the overall visual quality of master resolution image  280 . For example, master visual feature  270  may include but is not limited to color, pixel count, resolution, clarity, and polarity. For example, master resolution image  280  may represent a mountain range. As shown in  FIG. 2B , master visual feature  270  includes a mountain range exhibited in a black polarity. Any downgrading of the black polarity feature creates the second image that displays the same mountain range as master resolution image  280  but differs in the downgrading of the black polarity feature. 
         [0028]    In an embodiment, master resolution image  280  with master visual feature  270  is stored in secure area  230  of image transaction site  110 . Secure area  230  of image transaction site  110  protects master resolution image  280  from public viewing and any type of access or unauthorized copying by any party. Master resolution image  280  is not disseminated on public display  240  of image transaction site  110 . Master resolution image  280  may be distinguished from other images because only master resolution image  280  includes master visual feature  270 . 
         [0029]    Downgraded Resolution Image 
         [0030]    In an embodiment, downgraded resolution image  210  with downgraded visual feature  260  is disseminated for public viewing on public display  240  of image transaction site  110 . Downgraded resolution image  210  may be a downgraded version of master resolution image  280 , with visual features having a lower quality than the visual features presented in master resolution image  280 . 
         [0031]    In such an embodiment, downgraded visual feature  260  may have a lower quality than master visual feature  270 . Downgraded visual feature  260  may include any type of visual feature included in downgraded resolution image  210  that contributes to the overall visual quality of downgraded resolution image  210 . 
         [0032]    For example, master resolution image  280  may be received by image transaction site  110 , where master resolution image  280  represents a mountain range. Master visual feature  270  of master resolution image  280  may include, for example without limitation a specific pixel count, resolution, clarity, and a black and white shade of polarity for the mountain range image. 
         [0033]    The difference between master resolution image  280  and downgraded resolution image  210  includes the difference between master visual feature  270  and downgraded visual feature  260 . Downgraded visual feature  260  has a lower quality because the mountain range is displayed in white polarity rather than the black polarity displayed by master visual feature  270 . 
         [0034]    In an embodiment, downgraded resolution image  210  may be generated from master resolution image  280 . As stated above, master resolution image  280  represents an image with master resolution feature  270 . Master resolution feature  270  may be extracted from master resolution image  280  and downgraded to downgraded visual feature  260 , generating downgraded resolution image  210 . In many cases, the differences between master resolution image  280  and downgraded resolution image  210  are imperceptible to a viewer, but detectable electronically. 
         [0035]    In an embodiment, master resolution image  280  is represented by a raw image file that contains data from the image sensor of, for example, a digital camera, image scanner, or motion picture film scanner. The raw image file of master resolution image  280  contains master resolution feature  270 . Downgraded resolution image  210  may be generated from the raw image file of master resolution image  280  by, for example, sampling the raw image file at a lower resolution to create downgraded resolution image  210 . Sampling the raw image file at a lower resolution generates downgraded visual feature  260  from master resolution feature  270 , creating downgraded resolution image  210 . 
         [0036]    In another embodiment, the raw image file of master resolution image  280  may be downgraded by generating a JPEG representation of the raw image file of master resolution image  280 . The JPEG representation of the raw image file of master resolution image  280  contains downgraded features, such as downgraded visual feature  260 , of master resolution image  280 . In such an embodiment, downgraded resolution image  210  is the JPEG representation of the raw image file of master resolution image  280 . 
         [0037]    Comparing Images 
         [0038]    In an embodiment, master resolution image  280  is stored in secure area  230  of image transaction site  110 , while downgraded resolution image  210  is publicly disseminated on public display  240  of image transaction site  110 . As noted above, master resolution image  280  may be stored in secure area  230  of image transaction site  110  so that master resolution image  280  is protected from public view and potential copying. However, the true author of master resolution image  280  may wish to display master resolution image  280  on image transaction site  110  so that potential buyers may view and purchase master resolution image  280  from the true author. According to an embodiment, rather than publicly displaying master resolution image  280 , downgraded resolution image  210  is publicly displayed on public display  240  of image transaction site  110 . 
         [0039]    Although downgraded resolution image  210  is a lower resolution version of master resolution image  280 , downgraded resolution image  280  is still of sufficient quality to be useful to a purchaser. For example, master resolution image  280  may have a resolution of five megapixels, while downgraded resolution image  210  may have a resolution of four megapixels. If an unauthorized copy of the image were to occur, the unauthorized copy would be of downgraded resolution image  210  and not master resolution image  280 . 
         [0040]    Publicly displaying downgraded resolution image  210  on public display  240  of image transaction site  110  makes downgraded resolution image  210  susceptible to being copied by a third-party without authorization from the true author. The third-party may copy downgraded resolution image  210 , generating third-party image  220 . Third-party image  220  may be an identical copy of downgraded resolution image  210 . The third-party may then post third-party image  220  on public display  240  of image transaction site  110  so that third-party image  220  is viewed by potential buyers. 
         [0041]    The posting of third-party image  220  on public display  240  of image transaction site  110  may result in an authorship dispute between the true author of master resolution image  280  and the third party. In order to establish authorship of third-party image  220  and confirm that third-party image  220  is a copy and not an original image, third-party image  220  may be compared to master resolution image  280 . As noted above, master resolution image  280  with master visual feature  270  may be stored in secure area  230  of image transaction site  110 . Third-party image  220  may then be compared to master resolution image  280 . Since master resolution image  280  with master visual feature  270  is not available to the public, third-party image  220  may not have master visual feature  270  but may instead have downgraded visual feature  260 . 
         [0042]    A comparison of master resolution image  280  having master visual feature  270  to third-party image  220  having downgraded visual feature  260  confirms that third-party image  220  is a copy of downgraded resolution image  210 . The third-party that copied and posted third-party image  220  is not the true author of third-party image  220  but rather the author of master resolution image  280  is the true author of third-party image  220 . In comparing third-party image  220  to master resolution image  280 , the only difference in the image may be, for example, downgraded visual feature  260  of third-party image  220  as compared to master visual feature  270  of master resolution image  280 . Such a difference confirms that a third-party copied third-party image  220  from downgraded resolution image  210  and is not the true author of third-party image  220 . 
         [0043]    If the visual features of third-party image  220  match master visual features  270  of master resolution image  280 , then image transaction site  110  may not be able to confirm whether third-party image  220  is a copy. Such a third-party image  220  may be a second copy of master resolution image  280  disseminated by the true author somewhere other than secure area  230  of image transaction site  110 . Alternatively, third-party image  220  may be an image taken by a second author where the second author happened to take the same image as the true author of master resolution image  280 . Regardless of the origin, third-party image  220  with master visual feature  270  cannot be confirmed as an unauthorized copy of master resolution image  280 . 
         [0044]    In an embodiment, a comparison of master visual features  270  of master resolution image  280  with downgraded visual features  260  of third-party image  220  may be performed to confirm that third-party image  220  is a copy of downgraded resolution image  210 . This comparison may entail extracting master visual features  270  from master resolution image  280  and comparing those features to downgraded visual features  260  from third-party image  220 . If the extractions do not match, then third-party image  220  may be a copy of downgraded resolution image  210  and not an original image. Extracting and comparing of visual features from images may include, but are not limited to, using a browser plug-in or a visual algorithm. 
         [0045]    In an embodiment, an alert may be issued when third-party image  220  is confirmed to be a copy of downgraded resolution image  210  when compared to master resolution image  280 . The true author of master resolution image  280  may not desire to have an unauthorized copy of downgraded resolution image  210  displayed on public display  240  of image transaction site  110 . An alert may be issued making known that third-party image  220  is displayed on public display  240  and that third-party image  220  may be an unauthorized copy of downgraded resolution image  210 . In an embodiment, third-party image  220  may be blocked from being disseminated on public display  240  of image transaction site  110  when the alert is issued. 
       System  300   
       [0046]      FIG. 3  is an example database system architecture  300  in which embodiments of the present invention, or portions thereof, may be implemented. System architecture  300  includes image authorship verification computing device  302  coupled to master resolution image database  326 . Image authorship verification computing device  302  may also be coupled to downgraded resolution image database  308  and public display database  328 . While the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3  shows image authorship verification computing device  302  connected to master resolution image database  326 , downgraded resolution image database  308 , and public display database  328 , it is important to note that embodiments can be used to exchange data between a variety of different types of computer-implemented data sources, systems and architectures. For example, architecture  300  may be distributed over a networked cloud. 
         [0047]    Image authorship verification computing device  302  has receiver module  304  that receives master resolution image  330 . Dissemination module  314  receives master visual features  306  and downgraded visual features  312 . Dissemination module  314  disseminates downgraded resolution image  310 . Comparison module  316  compares image features of third-party image  332  to master visual features  306 . Extracting module  320  extracts the image features of third-party image  332  and master visual features  306  and generates a visual similarity comparison  318 . Issuance module  322  issues an alert when third-party image  332  is a copy of downgraded resolution image  310 . Blocking module  334  blocks third-party image  332  from being displayed on public display  336 . 
         [0048]    In general, image authorship verification computing device  302  operates as follows. Master resolution image database  326  supplies a master resolution image  330 , where master resolution image  330  includes master visual features  306 . Receiver module  304  receives master resolution image  330 . 
         [0049]    Dissemination module  314  receives downgraded visual features  312  from downgraded resolution image database  308  and master visual features  306  from receiver module  304 . Dissemination module  314  disseminates downgraded resolution image  310  on public display  336 . Downgraded resolution image  310  includes downgraded visual features  312 . Downgraded resolution image  310  may differ from master resolution image  330  because master visual features  306  differ from downgraded visual features  312 . 
         [0050]    Comparison module  316  compares third-party image  332  to master resolution image  330 . In an embodiment, master resolution image  330  includes master visual features  306 . Third-party image  332  may be an unauthorized copy of downgraded resolution image  310  that is displayed on public display  336 . Third-party image  332  may include downgraded visual features  312 , since third-party image  332  may be an unauthorized copy of downgraded resolution image  310 . Comparison module  316  compares third-party image  332  to master resolution image  330  to determine whether visual features of third-party image  332  match master visual features  306  of master resolution image  330 . 
         [0051]    In an embodiment, extracting module  320  executes a visual similarity comparison  318  to determine whether visual features of third-party image  332  match master visual features  306  of master resolution image  330 . Extracting module  320  extracts visual features from third-party image  332  and also extracts master visual features  306  from master resolution image  330 . If visual features from third-party image  332  are similar to master visual features  306  of master resolution image  330  but of lower quality, third-party image  332  is identified as an unauthorized copy of downgraded resolution image  310 . 
         [0052]    Issuance module  322  issues an alert when third-party image  332  is identified as downgraded resolution image  310 . Upon receiving the alert from issuance module  322 , blocking module  334  blocks third-party image  332  from public display  336 . 
         [0053]    Modules as described above may be used by image authorship verification computing device  302 . As referred to herein, a module may be any type of processing (or computing) device having one or more processors. For example, a module can be an individual processor, workstation, mobile device, computer, cluster of computers, set-top box, game console or other device having at least one processor. In an embodiment, multiple modules may be implemented on the same processing device. Such a processing device may include software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof. Software may include one or more applications and an operating system. Hardware can include, but may not be limited to, a processor, memory, and/or graphical user display. 
       Method  400   
       [0054]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary method  400  for verifying authorship of an image, according to an embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 4 , method  400  begins at step  410 , where a master resolution image having a plurality of master visual features is received by a secure area of an image transaction site. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2B , the master resolution image, such as master resolution image  280 , having master visual feature  270 , is received into secure area  230  of image transaction site  110 . The master resolution image, such as master resolution image  280 , is not disseminated on a public display, such as public display  240 , of the image transaction site. Step  410  may be performed by, for example, receiver module  304 . Once step  410  is complete, method  400  proceeds to step  420 . 
         [0055]    At step  420 , a downgraded resolution image is generated and disseminated on the public display of the image transaction site. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2B , a downgraded resolution image, such as downgraded resolution image  210  having downgraded visual feature  260 , is disseminated on public display  240  of image transaction site  110 . Downgraded resolution image  210  is a downgraded version of master resolution image  280 . Step  420  may be performed by, for example dissemination module  310 . Once step  420  is complete, method  400  proceeds to step  430 . 
         [0056]    At step  430 , a visual feature of a third-party image is compared to the master visual feature when the third-party image is disseminated on the public display. This step may be initiated automatically by the image transaction site, or it may be initiated upon request of the true author of the master resolution image or any other viewer who notices a similarity between the master resolution image and the third party image. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2B , downgraded visual feature  260  of third-party image  220  is compared to master visual feature  270  when third-party image  220  is disseminated on public display  240 . Step  430  may be performed by, for example extracting module  320 . Once step  430  is complete, method  400  proceeds to step  440 . 
         [0057]    At step  440 , an alert is issued when the third-party image is identified as being downgraded compared to the master resolution image. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2B , an alert is issued when downgraded visual feature  260  of third-party image  220  is identified as being downgraded compared to master visual feature  270 , implying that third-party image  220  is a copy of the downgraded version of master resolution image  280 . Step  440  may be performed by, for example issuance module  332 . When step  440  is completed, method  400  ends. 
         [0058]    Embodiments can work with software, hardware, and/or operating system implementations other than those described herein. Any software, hardware, and operating system implementations suitable for performing the functions described herein can be used. Embodiments are applicable to both a client and to a server or a combination of both. 
         [0059]    The Brief Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments as contemplated by the inventors, and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention and the appended claims in any way. 
         [0060]    Embodiments of the present invention have been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. 
         [0061]    The foregoing description of specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance. 
         [0062]    The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.