Patent ID: 7817817

Claim:
A computer-implemented method of conveying information through data concealed in an image, the method comprising the steps of: providing a numerical model operable to produce a curve responsive to a plurality of parameters provided thereto; selecting a plurality of numerical values representative of the data; selecting at least one original curve in the image; determining a plurality of first parameters such that said model produces said original curve responsive thereto; adding each of said plurality of values to a corresponding one of said plurality of said first parameters to produce a plurality of second parameters; forming a marked curve via said model by providing thereto said plurality of second parameters; replacing said original curve in the image with said marked curve; determining a plurality of third parameters such that said model produces said marked curve responsive thereto; and retrieving each of said plurality of values added in said value adding step from a difference between said corresponding first parameter and a corresponding third parameter; wherein said difference corresponds to a manipulation of said marked curve by at least one user, and noise resulting from unauthorized use of said marked curve; where said first parameter determining step includes the steps of: sampling said original curve into a plurality of sample points thereof; and determining each of said plurality of first parameters as that which produces a corresponding set of said sample points of said original curve when provided to said model; where said third parameter determining step includes the steps of: sampling said marked curve into a plurality of sample points thereof; and determining each of said plurality of third parameters as that which produces a set of said sample points of said marked curve when provided to said model.