Authentication using a digital watermark

• US 20010037455A1
• Filed: 03/08/2001
• Published: 11/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Spectra Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: Spectra Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Lawandy, Nabil M., Tillotson, Scott Andrew
• Application Number:
  US09/801,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20010037455A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/176
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/14 the marking being sensed by radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/12 using a selected wavelength, e.g. to sense red marks and ignore blue marks

Abstract

A method and apparatus for identifying an object include encoding physical attributes of an object where the encoded information is utilized as at least one element for composing a digital watermark for the object. In another embodiment the physical attributes of an object are utilized as a key for accessing information included in a digital watermark for the object. In a further embodiment, a digital watermark is incorporated into a bar code. As another aspect of this embodiment, information may be encoded into the digital watermark of the barcode and may be decoded or otherwise retrieved by the use of a key. The digitally watermarked bar code may function in a conventional manner or may also include a “pass key” to allow reading of the bar code itself.

Claims

1. A method of identifying an object, comprising the steps of:

encoding an object by utilizing discernable physical attributes for encoding information regarding said object; and

utilizing said encoded information as at least one element for composing a digital watermark for said object.

2. The method of

claim 1

, wherein said physical attributes further comprise a set of taggants in association with said object, wherein said set of taggants is comprised of members having discernable physical attributes predetermined for encoding information regarding said object.

3. The method of

claim 1

, wherein said physical attributes comprise at least one of size and shape.

4. The method of

claim 1

, wherein said physical attributes comprise at least one of color and emission wavelength.

5. The method of

claim 1

, wherein said physical attributes comprise loading factor.

6. The method of

claim 1

, wherein said physical attributes comprise at least one of a radio frequency and a response to a radio frequency.

7. The method of

claim 1

, wherein said physical attributes comprise at least one of a magnetic field and a response to a magnetic field.

8. The method of

claim 1

, wherein said physical attributes are related to one or more dimensions of said object.

9. The method of

claim 1

, further comprising the steps of:

detecting said encoded information in said digital watermark; and

authenticating said object by comparing said encoded information with said discernable physical attributes of said object.

10. A method of identifying an object, comprising the steps of:

digitally watermarking a barcode; and

associating said digitally watermarked barcode with said object.

11. The method of

claim 10

, further comprising encoding additional information into said digitally watermarked barcode.

12. The method of

claim 11

, wherein said additional information further comprises at least one of a date of manufacture, a country of origin, and an authorized distribution channel.

13. The method of

claim 11

, wherein said additional information is retrieved from said digitally watermarked barcode by use of a key.

14. The method of

claim 10

further comprising encoding a key in said digitally watermarked barcode such that failure to read a digital watermark in said digitally watermarked barcode results in an inability to read said barcode.

15. A method of identifying an object, comprising the steps of:

encoding an object by utilizing discernable physical attributes for encoding information regarding said object; and

utilizing said encoded information as a key to retrieve data encoded in a digital watermark associated with said object.

16. The method of

claim 15

, further comprising the step of authenticating said object by utilizing said data encoded in said digital watermark.

17. The method of

claim 15

, wherein said physical attributes further comprise a set of taggants in association with said object, wherein said set of taggants is comprised of members having discernable physical attributes predetermined for encoding information regarding said object.

18. A method of identifying an object, comprising the steps of:

encoding an object by utilizing discernable physical attributes for encoding information regarding said object; and

utilizing said encoded information as at least one element for composing a digitally watermarked barcode for said object.

19. The method of

claim 18

further comprising encoding a key in said digitally watermarked barcode such that failure to read a digital watermark in said digitally watermarked barcode results in an inability to read said barcode.

20. The method of

claim 18

, wherein said physical attributes further comprise a set of taggants in association with said object, wherein said set of taggants is comprised of members having discernable physical attributes predetermined for encoding information regarding said object.

21. The method of

claim 20

, further comprising the step of utilizing said encoded information as a key to read a digital watermark in said digitally watermarked barcode.

22. The method of

claim 18

, wherein said physical attributes comprise at least one of size and shape.

23. The method of

claim 18

, wherein said physical attributes comprise at least one of color and emission wavelength.

24. The method of

claim 18

, wherein said physical attributes comprise loading factor.

25. The method of

claim 18

wherein said physical attributes comprise at least one of a radio frequency and a response to a radio frequency.

26. The method of

claim 18

wherein said physical attributes comprise at least one of a magnetic field and a response to a magnetic field.

27. The method of

claim 18

, wherein said physical attributes are related to one or more dimensions of said object.

28. An apparatus for identifying or authenticating an object, comprising:

a detector for detecting physical attributes and a watermark associated with said object; and

a decoder for decoding information encoded by said physical attributes and information included in said watermark for at least one of identifying or authenticating said object.

29. The apparatus of

claim 28

, wherein said physical attributes associated with said object further comprise a set of taggants in association with said object, wherein said set of taggants is comprised of members having discernable physical attributes predetermined for encoding information regarding said object.

30. The apparatus of

claim 29

, further comprising a source for illuminating said set of taggants, wherein said detector comprises means for detecting at least one emission wavelength in response to the illumination.