# US 11,734,397 B2 · Hallmark-based image capture prevention

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- Number: US 11,734,397 B2
- Document ID: US11734397B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/457,066
- Filed: 2021-12-01
- Published: 2023-06-01
- Granted: 2023-08-22
- Earliest claimed: 2021-12-01
- Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation
- Applicants: International Business Machines Corporation
- Inventors: Sai Prasanth Vuppala; Phani Kumar V. U. Ayyagari; Madan K Chukka; Manish Anand Bhide; Purnachandra Rao Jasti
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11734397B2

## CPC

- G06F 21/16: Program or content traceability, e.g. by watermarking
- G06T 1/0021: {Image watermarking}
- G06T 1/005: {Robust watermarking, e.g. average attack or collusion attack resistant}
- H04N 1/00307: {with a mobile telephone apparatus (constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00)}
- H04N 1/00843: {based on recognising a copy prohibited original, e.g. a banknote (pattern authentication and markers therefor, forgery detection G06V20/95; character recognition G06V30/10; document-oriented image-based pattern recognition G06V30/40; testing paper currency or similar valuable papers for genuineness G07D7/00)}
- H04N 1/00854: {Recognising an unauthorised user or user-associated action}
- H04N 1/00867: {with additional data, e.g. by adding a warning message (details of embedding additional information in an image H04N1/32144)}
- H04N 1/32144: {embedded in the image data, i.e. enclosed or integrated in the image, e.g. watermark, super-imposed logo or stamp}
- H04N 23/61: based on recognised objects
- H04N 23/64: {Computer-aided capture of images, e.g. transfer from script file into camera, check of taken image quality, advice or proposal for image composition or decision on when to take image}
- H04N 23/66: Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
- G06T 2201/0064: for copy protection or copy management, e.g. CGMS, copy only once, one-time copy
- H04N 2201/0089: Image display device
- H04N 2201/3233: of authentication information, e.g. digital signature, watermark
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

A method, computer system, and a computer program product for image protection are provided. A first device includes a computer and a first camera. The first device identifies a picture that has a hallmark. The first device transmits a message requesting authorization to have a copy of the picture. The message contains data representative of the hallmark. The first device receives a response message. The first device determines whether the response message authorizes capture of a copy of the picture.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for image protection, the method comprising:
identifying, with a first device comprising a computer and a first camera, a picture having a hallmark;
transmitting via the first device a message requesting authorization to have a copy of the picture, the message containing data representative of the hallmark;
receiving, via the first device, a response message; and
determining via the first device whether the response message authorizes capture of a copy of the picture.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
in response to determining that the response message does not authorize capture of a copy of a picture, preventing, via the computer, the first camera from obtaining a copy of the picture.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the preventing the first camera from obtaining the copy of the picture is performed via a dumping of a cache holding an image file.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
in response to determining that the response message authorizes capture of a copy of a picture, enabling the camera to obtain a copy of the picture.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, further comprising:
capturing a copy of the picture via the camera.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein a destination of the transmitted message depends on a content of the identified hallmark.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the hallmark is selected from a group consisting of altered pixels, a visible watermark, and an invisible watermark.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the message is transmitted to a database stored locally in the first device.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the message is transmitted to a server that is external to the first device.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining via the first device that the response message solicits exception information;
generating and transmitting via the first device an exception message that comprises exception information; and
receiving, via the first device, an answer message; and
determining, via the first device, whether the answer message authorizes capture of a copy of the picture based on an exception authorized by an owner of the picture having the hallmark.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the authorized exception is based on a member selected from a group consisting of a fair use exception, a promotional exception, an identity confirmation, and a picture owner approval.

### Claim 12

A computer system for image protection, the computer system comprising:
one or more processors, one or more computer-readable tangible storage media, and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable tangible storage media for execution by at least one of the one or more processors to cause the computer system to:
identify a picture having a hallmark;
transmit a message requesting authorization to have a copy of the picture, the message containing data representative of the hallmark;
receive a response message; and
determine whether the response message authorizes capture of a copy of the picture.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The computer system of claim 12, wherein the program instructions further cause the computer system to, in response to determining that the response message does not authorize capture of a copy of a picture, prevent an obtaining of a copy of the picture.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

A camera device comprising:
a housing;
the computer system of claim 12, the computer system being connected to the housing; and
a first camera connected to the housing;
wherein the program instructions further cause the computer system to act in response to determining whether the response message authorizes capture of a copy of a picture.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The camera device of claim 14, wherein the action is to capture a copy of the picture via the first camera.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The camera device of claim 14, wherein in response to the response message not authorizing capture the action is to dump an image file of the picture from cache.

### Claim 17

A computer program product for resource management, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith and executable by a computer system to cause the computer system to:
identify a picture having a hallmark;
transmit a message requesting authorization to have a copy of the picture, the message containing data representative of the hallmark;
receive a response message; and
determine whether the response message authorizes capture of a copy of the picture.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The computer program product of claim 17, wherein a destination of the transmitted message depends on a content of the identified hallmark.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the hallmark is selected from a group consisting of altered pixels, a visible watermark, and an invisible watermark.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the program instructions further cause the computer system to:
determine that the response message solicits exception information;
generate and transmit an exception message that comprises exception information;
receive an answer message; and
determine whether the answer message authorizes capture of a copy of the picture based on an exception authorized by an owner of the picture having the hallmark.