Secure authentication of images
First Claim
1. Apparatus for capturing and authenticating an image, the apparatus comprising:
- a digital image camera, having a lens that forms a digitally expressed image of a selected view;
digital image recording and storage means for receiving the digitally expressed image from the camera and for storing this digitally expressed image as an array of pixel values, with each pixel value corresponding to a pixel in an array of pixels; and
position determination means for determining position information, which includes at least one of the location of the camera, the angular orientation of the camera and the time at which the camera forms a digitally expressed image and for storing this position information as part of the digitally expressed image in the digital image recording and storage means, where the position information is stored as part of the digitally expressed image as an overlay on, or modification of, digital values representing pixel values for the digitally expressed image.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for capturing and authenticating a visual image of a selected view, using a digital image forming means, such as a digital camera, together with a position determining system that provides position information, including location, angular orientation and/or time of observation at the time a digital image is formed by the digital camera. Once captured, the visual or electronic image and accompanying position information cannot be deleted or altered within the digital camera and can be downloaded only by an authorized downloader. The digital image of the selected view is presented as an array of pixels with associated pixel values. The position information may be incorporated in the digital image by altering selected pixel bit values for a selected pattern of pixels in the pixel array, or as any other suitable overlay; and this selected pattern may be determined using the position information. The position information may be encrypted, using an encryption key based on position information, and may be stored as part of the digital image. Optionally, position information includes the distance from the digital camera to a selected object in the selected view.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for capturing and authenticating an image, the apparatus comprising:
-
a digital image camera, having a lens that forms a digitally expressed image of a selected view; digital image recording and storage means for receiving the digitally expressed image from the camera and for storing this digitally expressed image as an array of pixel values, with each pixel value corresponding to a pixel in an array of pixels; and position determination means for determining position information, which includes at least one of the location of the camera, the angular orientation of the camera and the time at which the camera forms a digitally expressed image and for storing this position information as part of the digitally expressed image in the digital image recording and storage means, where the position information is stored as part of the digitally expressed image as an overlay on, or modification of, digital values representing pixel values for the digitally expressed image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. Apparatus for capturing and authenticating an image, the apparatus comprising:
-
a digital image camera, having a lens that forms a digitally expressed image of a selected view; digital image recording and storage means for receiving the digitally expressed image from the camera and for storing this digitally expressed image as an array of pixel values, with each pixel value corresponding to a pixel in an array of pixels; position determination means for determining position information, which includes at least one of the location of the camera, the angular orientation of the camera and the time at which the camera forms a digitally expressed image and for storing this position information as part of the digitally expressed image in the digital image recording and storage means; and display means, connected to the digital image recording and storage means, for providing information contained in a digital frame in at least one of electronically perceptible form, visually perceptible form and audibly perceptible form, to allow authentication of, or withholding of authentication of, information contained in the digital frame, where the display means displays the digitally expressed image and displays at least a portion of the position information as an overlay on the digitally expressed image in visually perceptible form. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
Specification