Importance

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Abstract

A method for including additional data, such as identifying text, within a stored digital image, the additional data being hidden from view when the image is displayed. The method includes the step of identifying a region within the digital image which contains picture elements, or pixels, having either a constant intensity, hue or saturation value, or a random distribution of such values for the storage of 'hidden' data. An pixel value is determined which differs slightly or blends well with the values contained within the image region into which the hidden data is to be written; and the additional data is saved within the constant or random content image region at this determined intensity value. The intensity value utilized for the encoding of the hidden data or text, although differing slightly from the intensity values of the background pixels within the image region into which the hidden data or text is written, is selected such that the difference between the pixel value of the background and the pixel value of the hidden data is indiscernible when the image is viewed by the human eye. The hidden data stored with the digital image may be identifying text which can be used to aid in the storage, recognition, classification, recovery and retrieval of digital images within a multimedia database.

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First Claim