JP2000242605A - Image transmission system and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image transmission system capable of changing the state of an electronic watermark to be inserted to images to be sent out by a receiver and a reception condition, etc. SOLUTION: When a client 11 requests the transmission of the image to an image server 1, the image server 1 generates the image 205 including the electronic watermark by inserting information 201 to be inserted to a source image 203 as the electronic watermark in the area of the source image 203 as the electronic watermark and sends it out to the client 11. In the meantime, the client 11 obtains the source image 203 and the information 201 from the image 205 including the electronic watermark by a procedure opposite to the one at the time of generation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image transmission system using a digital watermark and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, when a digital image or the like is transmitted via a network such as the Internet, right information or the like may be inserted into the image as a digital watermark. By using this digital watermark technology, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of image information.

[0003]

However, if an image containing the same digital watermark is always transmitted, the receiver,
There is a problem that it is not possible to cope with a difference in reception conditions and the like.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image capable of changing a state of a digital watermark inserted into an image to be transmitted depending on a receiver, reception conditions, and the like. To provide a transmission system.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image transmission system in which a server and a plurality of client computers are connected via a network, wherein the server holds an image. Holding means for performing the operation, inserting means for inserting a digital watermark into an image held in the holding means when requested by the client computer, and transmitting the image with the digital watermark inserted to the client computer. An image transmission system characterized in that:

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in an image transmission system in which a server and a plurality of client computers are connected via a network, the server comprises: a holding unit for holding an image; and information transmitted from the client computer. An image transmission system comprising: a unit for selecting an original image or an image with a digital watermark according to the image data; and a transmitting unit for transmitting the selected image or the image with a digital watermark.

[0007] A third invention is a program used in an image transmission system in which a server and a plurality of client computers are connected via a network, wherein the server holds an image and holds the client computer. And a recording medium that records a program that functions as a unit that inserts a digital watermark into an image held in the holding unit when a request is received from the holding unit, and a unit that transmits the image with the digital watermark inserted to the client computer.

A fourth invention is a program used in an image transmission system in which a server and a plurality of client computers are connected via a network, wherein the server holds an image, and the client computer And a recording medium that records a program that functions as a transmission unit that transmits the selected original image or digital watermarked image in accordance with the information sent from the computer.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image transmission system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the system includes an image server 1, a network 7, and a client computer 11 (hereinafter, referred to as a client). The image server 1 includes a computer 3, a storage device 5, and the like.

The computer 3 exchanges information with the client 11 via the network 7, controls the storage device 5, and performs processing such as insertion of a digital watermark into an original image. The storage device 5 holds an original image, a digital watermark image, and the like.

The client 11 sends an image transmission request to the image server 1 via the network 7, performs processing such as transmission and reception of information, and separation of information inserted as an original image and an electronic watermark from an image with an electronic watermark. .

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of image processing and transmission according to the first embodiment. Information 201 in the image server 1 is information to be inserted into the original image 203 as a digital watermark.
Generated on the image server 1 side. The information 201 may be any information that can be inserted as a digital watermark, such as the current time, right information of image data, and authentication information used when the client 11 uses the image data.

The digital watermarked image 205 is the original image 20
3, the information 201 is written in a predetermined area as a visible or invisible digital watermark.

The digital watermarked image 205 in the client 11 is transmitted from the image server 1. The digital watermarked image 205 is stored in the client 11
, And the information 201 and the original image 203 are obtained. Note that only the information 201 may be obtained.

Next, image processing and transmission will be described with reference to the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in FIG. When the client 11 requests the image server 1 to send an image (step 301), the image server 1 stores information 201 to be inserted into the original image 203 as a digital watermark inside the image server 1 such as time information and right information. Generate from information.

The image server 1 inserts the generated information 201 into a specific area of the original image 203 as a digital watermark to generate a digital watermarked image 205 (step 30).
2).

The image server 1 sends the digital watermarked image 205 to the client 11 (step 303), and the client 11 obtains the original image 203 and the information 201 from the digital watermarked image 205 in the reverse order of the generation (step 303). Step 304).

Incidentally, in order to increase the transmission efficiency, the image server 1 may transmit the information to be transmitted after performing a compression process, and decompress the information on the client 11. In order to enhance the security of the information being transmitted, the image server 1 may encrypt the information to be transmitted, and the client 11 may decrypt the information. Conditions for sending images (destination, etc.)
Accordingly, the image server 1 may transmit the original image 203 to the client 11 as it is.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of image processing and transmission according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the client 11 sends information 401, and the image server 1 generates information 403 based on the information 401. For example, when a user ID is sent as information 401, the image server 1 generates a user ID and time information as information 403.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the second embodiment. The client 11 sends an image transmission request and information 40
1 is transmitted (step 501).

The image server 1 generates information 403 from time information, rights information and the like according to the contents of the information 401, inserts the generated information 403 into a specific area of the original image 405 as a digital watermark, and includes a digital watermark. An image 407 is generated (Step 502).

The image server 1 sends the digital watermarked image 407 to the client 11 (step 503), and the client 11 obtains the original image 405 and the information 403 from the digital watermarked image 407 in the reverse order of the generation (step 503). Step 504).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of image processing and transmission according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the client 11 sends information 601 to the image server 1, and the image server 1 inserts this information 601 into the original image 603 as a digital watermark. For example, when transmitting an image clearly indicating that the image is for a specific user, the client 11 sends the user name to the image server 1, and the image server 1 uses the received user name as an electronic watermark in the original image 603. insert.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the third embodiment. The client 11 sends an image transmission request and information 601
Is transmitted (step 701).

The image server 1 inserts the information 601 sent from the client 11 into a specific area of the original image 603 as a digital watermark to generate a digital watermarked image 605 (step 702).

The image server 1 sends the digital watermarked image 605 to the client 11 (step 703), and the client 11 obtains the original image 603 and information 601 from the digital watermarked image 605 in the reverse order of the generation (step 703). Step 704).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of image processing and transmission according to the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the client 11 transmits information 800, and the image server 1 determines which of the original image 803 and the digital watermarked image 805 should be transmitted based on the information 800. Information 801 is information to be inserted into the original image 803 as a digital watermark, and is constant regardless of the recipient and the receiving conditions.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the fourth embodiment. The client 11 sends an image transmission request and information 800
(Step 831), and the image server 1 determines which of the original image 803 and the digital watermarked image 805 should be sent based on the information 800 (step 8).
32).

When transmitting an image with a digital watermark, the image server 1 inserts the information 801 into a specific area of the original image 803 as a digital watermark to generate a digital watermarked image 805 (step 833). Then, the digital watermarked image 805 is transmitted (step 834).
When not sending an image with a digital watermark (step 832)
Sends out the original image 803 (step 835).

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of image processing and transmission according to the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, the client 11 sends information 900, and the image server 1 determines which of the original image 903 and the image 905 with an electronic watermark is to be sent based on the information 900. Information 901 is information to be inserted as an electronic watermark into the original image 903, and upon receiving a request for image transmission from the client 11,
Generated on the image server 1 side.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the fifth embodiment. The client 11 sends an image transmission request and information 90
0 (Step 931), and the image server 1 determines which of the original image 903 and the digital watermarked image 905 should be sent based on the information 900 (Step 932).

When transmitting an image with a digital watermark, the image server 1 generates the information 901 and then transmits the original image 903.
Is inserted as a digital watermark in the specified area, an image 905 with a digital watermark is generated (step 933), and the image 905 with a digital watermark is sent to the client 11 (step 934). If the digital watermarked image is not sent (step 932), the original image 903 is sent (step 935).

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of image processing and transmission according to the sixth embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, the client 11 sends information 960 and information 961. The image server 1 determines the original image 96 based on the information 960.
5 or the digital watermarked image 967 is determined. The image server 1 generates information 963 based on the information 961.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the sixth embodiment. The client 11 sends an image transmission request and information 9
60 and information 961 are transmitted (step 991). The image server 1 determines which of the original image 965 and the digital watermarked image 967 is to be sent based on the information 960 (step 992).

When transmitting an image with a digital watermark, the image server 1 generates information 963 based on the content of the information 961 and inserts the generated information 963 into a specific area of the original image 965 as a digital watermark. Digital watermarked image 9
67 (step 993), and the client 11
, The digital watermarked image 967 is transmitted (step 9).
94). If the digital watermarked image is not sent (step 992), the original image 965 is sent (step 99).
5).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to add information determined according to a difference in a receiver, a receiving condition, and the like to image data as an electronic watermark and transmit the image data. For example, when transmitting an image, transmission time information and the like can be added to the image and transmitted. Further, each time an image is transmitted, corresponding customer information is inserted into the image and transmitted, and can be used as authentication information when the customer uses the image.

A usage method in which an image without a visible digital watermark is transmitted to a legitimate user, and an image with a visible digital watermark inserted is transmitted as a sample to other users. Is also conceivable.

It should be noted that a plurality of digital watermarks may be inserted into the original image, and the visible digital watermark and the invisible digital watermark may be properly used depending on the application. Both visible and invisible digital watermarks may be used together. Further, a program for performing processing of the image server 1 or the client 11 can be recorded on a recording medium.

[0039]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image transmission system capable of changing the state of a digital watermark inserted into an image to be transmitted according to a receiver, reception conditions and the like. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of image processing and transmission according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of image processing and transmission according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of image processing and transmission according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of image processing and transmission according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of image processing and transmission according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart according to a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of image processing and transmission according to a sixth embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart according to a sixth embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 image server 3 computer 5 storage device 7 network 11 client computer

Continued on front page F term (reference) 5B085 AE06 BG07 5B089 GA11 JB03 KA17 KC21 KH11 5C076 AA02 AA14 AA40 5J104 AA14 PA07

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image transmission system in which a server and a client computer are connected via a network, wherein the server has a holding unit for holding an image, and the server holds the image when requested by the client computer. An image transmission system comprising: an insertion unit that inserts a digital watermark into an image; and a unit that transmits the image with the digital watermark inserted to the client computer. 2. The information inserted as the digital watermark includes identification information of the client computer, time,
2. The image transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the information is image right information or other information. 3. The image transmission system according to claim 1, wherein said insertion means inserts information sent from a client computer as an electronic watermark into an image. 4. In an image transmission system in which a server and a client computer are connected via a network, the server comprises: holding means for holding an image; and an original image or an image in accordance with information sent from the client computer. An image transmission system comprising: means for selecting a digital watermarked image; and transmission means for transmitting the selected original image or digital watermarked image. 5. The server according to claim 1, further comprising: a generation unit configured to generate a digital watermarked image by inserting a digital watermark into an original image when a request to send a watermarked image is sent from a client computer. The image transmission system according to claim 4, wherein: 6. The information inserted as the digital watermark includes identification information of the client computer, time,
The image transmission system according to claim 4, wherein the information is rights information of an image or other information. 7. The image transmission system according to claim 5, wherein said generating means inserts information sent from a client computer as an electronic watermark into an image. 8. A program for use in an image transmission system in which a server and a client computer are connected via a network, wherein the server comprises: holding means for holding an image; A recording medium recording a program that functions as an insertion unit that inserts a digital watermark into an image held by a holding unit, and a unit that transmits the image with the digital watermark inserted to the client computer. 9. A program used in an image transmission system in which a server and a client computer are connected via a network, wherein the server has: a holding unit for holding an image; and information transmitted from the client computer. And a recording medium storing a program functioning as a transmission unit for transmitting the selected original image or digital watermarked image in accordance with the program.