Fujitsu has developed a method of embedding data invisibly within printed pictures. The procedure, commonly known as steganography, will allow numerical information to be hidden within a color image and accessed via a camera.
This would allow data such as phone numbers or a URL to be planted into a poster, advertisement or business card. To extract the information, users would just have to point their camera phone or PDA at the image.
Steganograghy involves altering an image in a way that cannot be perceived by the human eye, but which can be detected electronically. Fujitsu’s technique can hide a 12-digit number in a 1-centimeter square.
Fujitsu said this is the first time technology has been developed to hide numerical data within printed images, but many other IT companies are also working on steganography.
For more information visit www.fujitsu.com.
