Color pictorial serpentine halftone for secure embedded data

Douglas N. Curry

doi:10.1117/12.304699

1 April 1998 Color pictorial serpentine halftone for secure embedded data

Douglas N. Curry

Proceedings Volume 3314, Optical Security and Counterfeit Deterrence Techniques II; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.304699
Event: Photonics West '98 Electronic Imaging, 1998, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

This paper introduces a new rotatable glyph shape for trusted printing applications that has excellent image rendering, data storage and counterfeit deterrence properties. Referred to as a serpentine because it tiles into a meandering line screen, it can produce high quality images independent of its ability to embed data. The hafltone cell is constructed with hyperbolic curves to enhance its dynamic range, and generates low distortion because of rotational tone invariance with its neighbors. An extension to the process allows the data to be formatted into human readable text patterns, viewable with a magnifying glass, and therefore not requiring input scanning. The resultant embedded halftone patterns can be recognized as simple numbers (0 - 9) or alphanumerics (a - z). The pattern intensity can be offset from the surrounding image field intensity, producing a watermarking effect. We have been able to embed words such as 'original' or license numbers into the background halftone pattern of images which can be readily observed in the original image, and which conveniently disappear upon copying. We have also embedded data blocks with self-clocking codes and error correction data which are machine-readable. Finally, we have successfully printed full color images with both the embedded data and text, simulating a trusted printing application.

Citation Download Citation

Douglas N. Curry "Color pictorial serpentine halftone for secure embedded data", Proc. SPIE 3314, Optical Security and Counterfeit Deterrence Techniques II, (1 April 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.304699

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