Photographic products and methods employing embedded information

A photographic emulsion paper for exposing and developing to produce an image thereon, characterized by an auxiliary information signal encoded therein, said signal being encoded as a patterned physical characteristic coextensive with said paper, wherein said characteristic results in a substantially human-imperceptible optical patterning of said paper after said paper is developed.

A photographic emulsion paper for exposing and developing to produce an image thereon, characterized by an auxiliary information signal encoded therein, said signal being encoded as a patterned physical characteristic coextensive with said paper, wherein the auxiliary information signal is a copy control signal.

A blank photographic paper having an emulsion coating thereon suitable for exposing and developing to produce an image thereon, characterized by a binary data signal encoded in said emulsion coating.

A method of processing a blank photographic paper during manufacture and prior to exposure by an end user thereof, comprising:

• generating a pattern having an auxiliary information signal steganographically encoded therein;
• and
• encoding said paper in accordance with said pattern, said encoding not impairing subsequent use of the paper by said end user.

A method of processing a photographic paper during manufacture and prior to exposure by an end user thereof, comprising:

• generating a pattern representing an auxiliary information signal;
• encoding said paper in accordance with said pattern, said encoding not impairing subsequent use of the paper by said end user, said encoding including processing a chemical coating on said paper, wherein a substantially human-imperceptible pattern is formed thereon when the paper is thereafter developed, said encoded pattern being substantially coextensive with said paper.

In a photo-duplication kiosk including a lens for imaging a customer-provided photograph onto an opto-electronic detector for producing image data, and a print-writing device for producing a print in accordance with said image data , an improvement comprising:

• a memory for receiving said data from the opto-electronic detector;
• and
• a processor for processing aid data in the memory to detect the presence of a copy control signal steganographically encoded therein, and for interrupting a usual print-making process of said print-writing device in response thereto.

In a photo-duplication kiosk including a lens for imaging a customer-provided photograph onto an opto-electronic detector for producing image data, and a print-writing device for producing a print in accordance with said image data , an improved method of operation including:

• analyzing, said image data to discern a control signal steganographically embedded therein;
• and
• interrupting a usual print-making process of said print-writing device in response to said control signal.