Authenticating objects using embedded data

• US 6,788,800 B1
• Filed: 07/25/2000
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Carr, J. Scott, Perry, Burt W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Jayanti K.
• Application Number:
  US09/625,577
• Time in Patent Office: 1,505 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/101, 382/102, 382/138, 382/139, 382/140, 382/232, 382/233, 382/115, 380/28, 380/54, 380/252, 380/201, 358/1.12, 700/214, 705/59, 705/67, 705/75, 705/26, 709/203, 709/204, 709/217, 235/375, 713/200
• 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

This disclosure describes a method of making a secure product using data hidden in the product itself and a method of using the hidden data to authenticate the product. The method assigns a product identifier to the product, such as a unique serial number. It also steganographically embeds security data into the product. The security data includes the product identifier (e.g., a hashed version of it). The security data is embedded such that it is machine readable and enables automated authentication of the product by comparing the security data decoded from the product with the product identifier.

Claims

1. A method for authenticating a product comprising:

receiving a product identifier associated with the product;

decoding security data steganographically embedded into the product; and

validating the product by comparing the decoded security data with the product identifier, and in response to validating the product, enabling use or transfer of software or content associated with the product.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the security data is embedded in a digital watermark that is decoded from an image scanned of the product.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the security data is decoded from a scan of product packaging for the product.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the embedded security data comprises a hash of the product identifier.

5. A computer readable medium having software for performing the method of claim 1.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the product comprises a physical storage medium and the software or content is stored on the physical storage medium.

7. A methods for authenticating a product comprising:

receiving a product identifier associated with the product;

decoding security data steganographically embedded into the product; and

validating the product by comparing the decoded security data with the product identifier;

wherein the product comprises software and including;

controlling installation of software in response to validating the product.

8. A method for authenticating a product comprising:

receiving a product identifier associated with the product;

decoding security data steganographically embedded into the product; and

validating the product by comparing the decoded security data with the product identifier;

wherein the product comprises a financial or access card and including;

controlling activation of the card in response to validating the product.

9. A method for authenticating a product comprising:

receiving a product identifier associated with the product, including prompting a user to enter the product identifier;

prompting the user to scan the product to capture a scan of the embedded security data;

decoding security data steganographically embedded into the product; and

validating the product by comparing the decoded security data with the product identifier.

10. A method for authenticating a product comprising:

receiving a product identifier associated with the product;

decoding security data steganographically embedded into the product; and

validating the product by comparing the decoded security data with the product identifier;

wherein a copy detection feature is printed on the product; and

further including;

using the copy detection feature to determine whether the product has been counterfeited.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the copy detection feature comprises a watermark from which copying is detectable from analysis of a payload of the watermark.

12. A method for authenticating a product comprising:

receiving a product identifier associated with the product;

decoding security data steganographically embedded into the product; and

validating the product by comparing the decoded security data with the product identifier;

wherein a copy detection feature is included on the product; and

the copy detection feature is used to determine whether the product has been counterfeited;

wherein the copy detection feature comprises a watermark that changes when copied in a manner that enables copying of the product to be detected.

13. A product including:

security data steganographically embedded into the product;

the product being assigned a product identifier that is related to the security data such that authenticity of the product is evaluated by comparing the security data decoded from the product with the product identifier, wherein successful authentication of the product based on comparing the security data with the product identifier enables use or transfer of software or content associated with the product.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the product comprises a physical storage medium and the software or content is stored on the physical storage medium.

15. A method of making a product comprising:

assigning a product identifier to the product;

steganographically embedding security data into the product, the security data including the product identifier;

wherein the security data is machine readable and enables automated authentication of the product by comparing the security data decoded from the product with the product identifier;

wherein successful authentication of the product based on comparing the security data with the product identifier enables use or transfer of software or content associated with the product.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the product comprises a physical storage medium and the software or content is stored on the physical storage medium.

17. A method of authenticating a product comprising:

extracting embedded information steganographically encoded on a physical storage medium, the embedded information being carried in a code that is machine readable when exposed to visible, UV or infrared illumination; and

using the embedded information to enable use or transfer of software or media content stored on the medium.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the embedded information is carried in a watermark on the physical storage medium.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the physical storage medium comprises an optical disk.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the watermark is embedded on the disk by altering the surface microtopology on the disk to carry machine readable information.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein the embedded information is compared with information on the storage medium to enable use or transfer of software or media content stored on the medium.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the embedded information is carried in a watermark on the physical storage medium.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the watermark is embedded on the storage medium by altering the surface microtopology on the storage medium to carry machine readable information.

24. The method of claim 17 wherein the embedded information is used to form a key for decrypting software or media content stored on the medium.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the embedded information is carried in a watermark on the physical storage medium.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the watermark is embedded on the storage medium by altering the surface microtopology on the storage medium to carry machine readable information.

27. A product including:

security data steganographically embedded into the product;

the product being assigned a product identifier that is related to the security data such that authenticity of the product is evaluated by comparing the security data decoded from the product with the product identifier;

wherein the security data is carried in a digital watermark that is machine readable when illuminated by non-visible wavelengths; and

wherein successful authentication of the product based on comparing the security data with the product identifier enables use or transfer of software or content associated with the product.

28. The product of claim 27 wherein the product comprises a physical storage medium and the software or content is stored on the physical storage medium.

29. The product of claim 28 wherein the security data is used to form a key for decrypting software or content stored on the storage medium.