US-12621400-B2 - Self-verifying hidden digital media within other digital media

Abstract

Self-verifying hidden digital media using a novel interactive component that reveals a secondary hidden watermark. One method reveals at least one hidden image into a visible image, may include the steps of generating, via a processor, a first image that is visible on a computing device screen; generating, via a processor, at least one second image, the at least one second image being in an invisible or nearly invisible state to the human eye in a neutral state and visible in a user activated state. In one embodiment, the activated state of the computing device is achieved when the computing device screen is zoomed in or out, pointer scrolled in a predetermined way, or when the first image has its window size changed.

Inventors

• Cary Michael Quinn

Assignees

• Cary Michael Quinn

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20220510

Claims (5)

1. 1 . A computer-implemented method of concealing and revealing at least one hidden image into a visible image, the method comprising: generating, via a processor, a first image that is visible on a computing device screen; generating, via a processor, at least one second image, the at least one second image being in an invisible or nearly invisible state to the human eye in a neutral state and visible in a user activated state; and wherein the activated state of the computing device is achieved when the computing device screen is zoomed in or out, pointer scrolled in a predetermined way, or when the first image has its window size changed.
2. 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the invisible or nearly invisible state is achieved by a providing a concealing interference pattern using at least one of vertical, horizontal, cross-lenticular, hexagonal and shape-based pattern imposed over the at least one second image, wherein interlacing both positive and negative versions of the at least one second image essentially cancels itself out and being concealed as a generally smooth tint.
3. 3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the invisible or nearly invisible state is achieved by an encoded image displayed on a screen that contains a hidden latent image, wherein the hidden latent image is revealed by overlaying an optical decoding filter on the screen.
4. 4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the optical decoding filter is pattern-based or color-filter based.
5. 5 . A computer-implemented method of concealing and revealing at least one image, the method comprising, in order: submitting a source image; adjusting, changing the source/input image resolution or changing dimensions to match the White/Color Noise Interference Pattern having about 50% overall density so as to appear the same to the naked eye when inverted; setting the source image as base layer; applying an interference pattern as top layer above the source image; selecting all black pixels then using this selection to invert the source image, wherein the pixels are at least one of linear, rectangular, square, hexagonal, or any other repeating shape-based pattern array and wherein the pixels are LED RGB sub-pixels that make up the construction of a display screen; applying a second interference pattern or image; and flattening the image.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a U.S. national phase application filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/US2022/028557, filed May 10, 2022, designating the United States, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/189,770, filed May 18, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. FIELD Presented herein are methods for self-verifiable hidden digital media, and in particular a self-verifying hidden digital media using a novel interactive component that reveals a secondary hidden watermark. BACKGROUND Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are blockchained digital assets with unique identification codes and metadata that distinguish them from each other. NFTs are gaining popularity for a number of reasons. First, some of them are selling for multi millions of dollars, which has greatly accelerated public awareness. More importantly, they are catering to the future of a mostly digital world. NFTs, built on the cryptocurrency platform are protected by blockchain technology and allow someone to prove that they are the original owners of a digital media file, whether it be art, photos, videos, music, etc., from a novel standpoint. Currently, NFTs are usable as a valid solution for protecting and proving ownership of important documents such as land deeds, tickets, art and the like and will likely expand into a wider range of sectors. Thus NFTs are evolving an important technology and will strengthen as we move further into the digital age. One major limitation of most NFTs is that although they are completely secure in terms of chain of custody, since they are protected by the blockchain, they are vulnerable to copying via screenshots, mass digital distribution and the like. Accordingly, further improvements in this technology are desired. It is to be understood that if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art. SUMMARY Accordingly, to advance at least the aforementioned deficiencies in the art, described herein are self-verifying hidden digital media using a novel interactive component that reveals a secondary hidden watermark. According to one approach, a computer-implemented method of revealing at least one hidden image into a visible image, may include the steps of generating, via a processor, a first image that is visible on a computing device screen; generating, via a processor, at least one second image, the at least one second image being in an invisible or nearly invisible state to the human eye in a neutral state and visible in a user activated state. In one embodiment, the activated state of the computing device is achieved when the computing device screen is zoomed in or out, pointer scrolled in a predetermined way, or when the first image has its window size changed. In one embodiment, the invisible or nearly invisible state is achieved by a providing a concealing interference pattern using at least one of vertical, horizontal, cross-lenticular, hexagonal and shape-based pattern imposed over the at least one second image, wherein interlacing both positive and negative versions of the at least one second image essentially cancels itself out and being concealed as a generally smooth tint. In one embodiment, the invisible or nearly invisible state is achieved by an encoded image displayed on a screen that contains a hidden latent image, wherein the hidden latent image is revealed by overlaying an optical decoding filter on the screen. In one embodiment, the optical decoding filter pattern-based or color-filter based. According to another approach, a computer-implemented method of concealing and revealing at least one image is provided which may have the steps of generating, via a processor, an image that is initially visible on a computing device screen; generating, via a processor, a first static image; concealing the initially visible image by covering it with the second static image; reverse inverting the first static image to generate a reversed second static image; and revealing the visible image by overlaying the second static image over the first static image and visible image. According to another approach, a computer-implemented method of concealing and revealing at least one image is provided which may have the steps of, in order, of submitting a source image; adjusting, changing the source image resolution or changing dimensions to match the White/Color Noise Interference Pattern (preferably having about 50% overall density so as to appear the same to the naked eye when inverted); setting the source image as base layer; applying an interference pattern as top layer above source image; selecting all black pixels then using this selection to invert the source image; applying a second interference pattern or image; and flattening the image. Other aspects of the invention are also disclos