Authentication watermarks for printed objects and related applications

• US 20020012445A1
• Filed: 02/02/2001
• Published: 01/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Perry, Burt W.
• Granted Patent: US 6,823,075 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6209 to a single file or object, e.g. in a secure envelope, encrypted and accessed using a key, or with access control rules appended to the object itself
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/71 to assure secure computing or processing of information
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/78 to assure secure storage of data address-based protection against unauthorised use of memory G06F12/14; record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/80 in storage media based on magnetic or optical technology, e.g. disks with sectors preventing unauthorised reproduction or copying of disc-type recordable media G11B20/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2135 Metering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0042 Fragile watermarking, e.g. so as to detect tampering
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0071 using multiple or alternating watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0064 for copy protection or copy management, e.g. CGMS, copy only once, one-time copy
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/0034 using watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32144 embedded in the image data, i.e. enclosed or integrated in the image, e.g. watermark, super-imposed logo or stamp
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32283 Hashing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32288 Multiple embedding, e.g. cocktail embedding, or redundant embedding, e.g. repeating the additional information at a plurality of locations in the image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32331 Fragile embedding or watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2347 involving video stream encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2351 involving encryption of additional data arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26613 for generating or managing keys in general key distribution for secret or secure communication involving central third party, e.g. key distribution center [KDC] or trusted third party [TTP] H04L9/083; network support of key management H04L63/06; key management for network security in communication control or processing H04W12/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4117 : for generating hard copies of the content, e.g. printer, electronic paper interfaces to printers G06F3/12; printing data G06K15/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 : Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4408 : involving video stream encryption, e.g. re-encrypting a decrypted video stream for redistribution in a home network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8352 : involving content or source identification data, e.g. Unique Material Identifier [UMID]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8358 : involving watermark protecting executable software by watermarking G06F21/16; image watermarking in general G06T1/0021; watermarks inserted in still images for transmission purposes H04N1/32144; inserting watermarks during video coding H04N19/467
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 : of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3235 : Checking or certification of the authentication information, e.g. by comparison with data stored independently
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3236 : Details of authentication information generation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3238 : using a coded or compressed version of the image data itself
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3239 : using a plurality of different authentication information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3269 : of machine readable codes or marks, e.g. bar codes or glyphs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/327 : which are undetectable to the naked eye, e.g. embedded codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 : Printing or stamping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3281 : Encryption; Ciphering

Abstract

The disclosure describes systems for creating and authenticating printed objects using authentication and copy detection watermarks. For example, one verification system includes a watermark decoder and a verification module. The watermark decoder detects a copy detection watermark in a printed object to determine whether the printed object has been reproduced. The verification module processes a message decoded from an authentication watermark on the printed object to authenticate the printed object or bearer of the printed object. The authentication and copy detection watermarks may be implemented as the same or different watermarks. For example, the copy detection watermark may be a fragile watermark that carries the message and that degrades in response to a reproduction operation, such as photocopying or scanning and then reprinting the object. Alternatively, the authentication and copy detection watermarks may be separate watermarks embedded in an image that is printed on the object. The authentication watermark, in some applications, includes an identifier that links the object to a database entry with related information about the object. This related information can be used to check the bearer of the object by comparing it with attributes of the bearer (such as a user ID or photo) or the validity of the object by comparing it with attributes that are visible or machine readable on the object.

Claims

1. A system for authenticating a printed object comprising:

a watermark decoder for detecting a copy detection watermark in a printed object to determine whether the printed object has been reproduced; and

a verification module for processing a message decoded from an authentication watermark on the printed object to authenticate the printed object or bearer of the printed object.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the message comprises an identifier that is used to look up authentication information in a database, and including:

a communication application for communicating the identifier to the database to fetch the authentication information associated with the printed object and to provide the authentication information to the verification module.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the verification module compares authentication information from the database with authentication information provided by the bearer of the printed object to authenticate the bearer of the printed object or the printed object.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the verification module compares authentication information from the database with authentication information read from a machine readable code on the object to authenticate the object.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the verification module compares authentication information from the database with authentication information derived from a hash of information on the object.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the hash is computed of an image on the object.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the hash is computed of text on the object.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the copy detection watermark and the authentication watermark are the same.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the copy detection watermark comprises one or more watermarks that degrade in response to a reproduction operation on the printed object in a manner that is detectable in a decoding of the one or more watermarks from a reproduced version of the printed object.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the message includes bearer information that is compared with information provided by the bearer to authenticate the bearer of the printed object.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the message includes information that is compared with other information derived by machine from the object to authenticate the object.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the message is associated with a monetary value for the printed object.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the verification module checks the message associated with the printed object to determine whether the printed object is valid for a particular action.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the printed object is a ticket or pass and the particular action is entry to an event or access to a vehicle.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the message includes a time stamp that is used to determine whether validity of the printed object has expired.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the authentication watermark is a copy detection watermark that degrades in response to a reproduction operation performed on the printed object.

16. A system for creating a printed object comprising:

a watermark encoder for encoding a watermark in an image to be printed on a printed object, wherein the watermark is used to authenticate the printed object; and

a communication application for obtaining an identifier from a identifier database for embedding into a message payload of the watermark and for providing information to be associated with the identifier to an object-identifier association database.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the information is user information to authenticate the bearer of the printed object.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the information is a time stamp that is used to determine whether the printed object has expired.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the encoder is operable to encode a first watermark that includes the identifier linking the printed object to the object-identifier database, and a second, fragile copy detection watermark for discriminating between an original and a reproduction of the printed object.