System and method for embedding dispersed miniature security marks

A system for embedding dispersed miniature security marks within documents and images, utilizing a mark parameters database, graphical user interface, and detection simulator, the system comprising:

• means for predicting detection error rates for each pixel location of a host image, wherein said host image comprises a digital representation of at least one recipient of the dispersed miniature security marks, wherein each said dispersed miniature security mark is comprised of a plurality of scattered dots;
• means for displaying said detection error rates for each said pixel and said host image on a graphical user interface;
• means for selecting desired dispersed miniature security mark locations from said displayed detection error rates and said host image;
• means for identifying at least one set of dispersed miniature security mark parameters, wherein said parameters are dispersed miniature security mark characteristics which provide an optimized balance between detectability and visibility of said dispersed miniature security marks,
• means for displaying said host image containing said dispersed miniature security marks with said parameters on said graphical user interface;
• and
• means for adjusting said mark parameters if said determined set of dispersed miniature security mark parameters is not satisfactory.

A computer-readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied in said medium which, when said program code is executed by a computer causes said computer to perform method steps for embedding dispersed miniature security marks within documents and images, utilizing a mark parameters database, graphical user interface, and detection simulator, the method comprising:

• predicting detection error rates for each pixel location of a host image, wherein said host image comprises a digital representation of at least one recipient of the dispersed miniature security marks, wherein each said dispersed miniature security mark is comprised of a plurality of scattered dots;
• displaying said detection error rates for each said pixel and said host image on a graphical user interface;
• selecting desired dispersed miniature security mark locations from said displayed detection error rates and said host image;
• identifying at least one set of dispersed miniature security mark parameters, wherein said parameters are dispersed miniature security mark characteristics which provide an optimized balance between detectability and visibility of said dispersed miniature security marks;
• displaying said host image containing said dispersed miniature security marks with said parameters on said graphical user interface;
• and
• adjusting said mark parameters if said determined set of dispersed miniature security mark parameters is not satisfactory.