Image management system and methods using digital watermarks

Abstract

Digital watermarking technology is used in an image management system. Images are uniquely identified by digital watermarking. The images are stored so as to be indexed according to unique identifiers. In one embodiment, related images are linked together by a unique watermark identifier. The unique watermark identifier is also used to manage metadata, and provide forensic tracking. Watermark identifiers can be used to carry or access security clearance information associated with an image or other media. Other embodiments are provided as well.

1 . A method comprising: 
 receiving media including digital watermarking embedded therein through alterations to data representing the media, the digital watermarking including at least a first plural-bit identifier;    analyzing the media to obtain the plural-bit identifier;    communicating the plural-bit identifier to a remote database, the remote database including a plurality of usage rights indexed therein, the usage rights including a required security clearance associated with the plural-bit identifier;    receiving information indicating the required security clearance from the remote database;    obtaining information indicating a user's security clearance level;    determining whether to allow access to the media by the user based at least in part on whether the information indicating a user's security clearance level corresponds with the received information indicating the required security clearance.    
     
     
         2 . A method of maintaining images in a database, wherein a first image includes a digital watermark embedded therein, the digital watermark comprising a first unique identifier, said method comprising: 
 storing the first image to be indexed by the first unique identifier;    storing information related to the first image; and    linking the first image and the related information by the first unique identifier.    
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  further comprising: 
 in the database, storing at least a second image and linking the first image and the second image with the first unique identifier.    
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the second image comprises a derivative of the first image.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the second image includes a digital watermark embedded therein, the digital watermark comprising a second unique identifier, and wherein said method further comprises linking the second unique identifier to the first unique identifier.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the related information comprises a history of the image.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the history comprises at least one of user usage, creation time, transmission, printing, and image checkout.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the database comprises a plurality of databases.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein the related information comprises at least one item of information selected from a group comprising: metadata, location, date, permission level, security access levels, analyst comments, notes, files, and past usage information.  
     
     
         10 . A method to monitor images in a system, the system comprising at least a first user terminal to communicate with a second user terminal and with a database, the images comprising at least a first image digitally watermarked to include a first identifier, said method comprising: 
 determining a security level associated with the first image;    comparing the first image security level with a user security level; and    allowing access to the first image based on a result of said comparing.    
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising recording a transmission in the database of the first image from the first user terminal to the second user terminal.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said determining comprises: 
 decoding the digital watermark to determine the first identifier; and    interrogating the database with the first identifier to retrieve the security level.    
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said first image's digital watermark includes security level data, and wherein said determining comprises decoding the digital watermark to determine the security level.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the user security level comprises at least one of a security level for a user and a security level for a user terminal.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein when the result is a match between the first image security level and the user security level access is allowed.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein the match indicates that the user security level is equal to or greater than the first image security level.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising recording access to the image.