Digital authentication with digital and analog documents

• US 7,770,013 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2003
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Carr, J. Scott, Rhoads, Geoffrey B., Perry, Burt W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barron, Jr.; Gilberto
• Assistant Examiner(s): PERUNGAVOOR, VENKATANARAY
• Application Number:
  US10/656,930
• Publication Number:
  US 20040153649A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,525 Days
• Field of Search: 713/161, 713/180, 713/155, 713168-170, 713/176, 713/185, 713/193
• US Class Current: 713/176
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1418 the inserts being deformed or preformed, e.g. by the injection pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/00 Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof printing processes to produce identification or security features B41M3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/29 Securities; Bank notes
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/333 Watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/00 Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/169 Annotation, e.g. comment data or footnotes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/121 by printing code marks applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06046 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/14 the marking being sensed by radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/18 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2019/06253 for a specific application
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1447 extracting optical codes from image or text carrying said optical code
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0028 Adaptive watermarking, e.g. Human Visual System [HVS]-based watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0071 using multiple or alternating watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0051 : Embedding of the watermark in the spatial domain
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0052 : Embedding of the watermark in the frequency domain
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/40 : Document-oriented image-based pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/253 : visually
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/0034 : using watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/004 : using digital security elements, e.g. information coded on a magnetic thread or strip
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 : for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/26 : for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus ticket printing or the like apparatus G07F17/42
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/086 : by passive credit-cards adapted therefor, e.g. constructive particularities to avoid counterfeiting, e.g. by inclusion of a physical or chemical security-layer for security documents G07D7/00; for the reading of record-carriers in general G06K7/00; for the design of coded credit-cards G06K19/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 : Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 : Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00007 : Time or data compression or expansion audio compression based on psychoacoustics G10L19/00; data processing for reproducing audio data at different playback speeds G10L21/04; video compression H04N19/00; data compression per se H03M7/30
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00086 : Circuits for prevention of unauthorised reproduction or copying, e.g. piracy indicating unauthorised use of record carriers in general G11B23/28; scrambling for television signal recording H04N5/913; network architectures or network protocols for network security H04L63/00; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00884 : involving a watermark, i.e. a barely perceptible transformation of the original data which can nevertheless be recognised by an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00891 : embedded in audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00898 : based on a hash function
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/31 : using in-band signals, e.g. subsonic or cue signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00005 : relating to image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00037 : Detecting, i.e. determining the occurrence of a predetermined state H04N1/00031 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00079 : remotely
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00973 : from a remote device, e.g. receiving via the internet instructions input to a computer terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 : in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• 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 1/32154 : Transform domain methods H04N1/32309 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/3216 : using Fourier transforms
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32203 : Spatial or amplitude domain methods H04N1/32309 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32208 : involving changing the magnitude of selected pixels, e.g. overlay of information or super-imposition H04N1/32219, H04N1/32224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32219 : involving changing the position of selected pixels, e.g. word shifting, or involving modulating the size of image components, e.g. of characters H04N1/32224 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32229 : with selective or adaptive application of the additional information, e.g. in selected regions of the image H04N1/32213 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32251 : in multilevel data, e.g. greyscale or continuous tone data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32261 : in binary data H04N1/32256 takes precedence
• 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 1/32304 : Embedding different sets of additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32352 : Controlling detectability or arrangements to facilitate detection or retrieval of the embedded information, e.g. using markers for decoding, detection or retrieval operations H04N1/32149 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/467 : characterised by the embedded information being invisible, e.g. watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23892 : involving embedding information at multiplex stream level, e.g. embedding a watermark at packet level
• 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 2201/3207 : of an address
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3225 : of data relating to an image, a page or a document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 : of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3233 : of authentication information, e.g. digital signature, watermark
• 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 2201/3239 : using a plurality of different authentication information
• 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 2201/3274 : Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/328 : Processing of the additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3284 : for error correction

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to systems for creating and authenticating printed objects using authentication information. One implementation recites: An apparatus for determining authenticity of a digital representation of an object. The digital representation includes embedded first authentication information. The apparatus includes: a storage system in which stored second authentication information is associated with stored reference codes; and a processor which receives the digital representation and a reference code associated therewith. The processor includes: an authentication information reader, and the processor: i) employs the reference code to retrieve the second authentication information associated therewith from the storage system, ii) employs the authentication information reader to recover the embedded first authentication information, and iii) employs recovered first authentication information and the second authentication information to determine authenticity of the digital representation. Other implementations are provided and claimed as well.

Claims

1. Apparatus for determining authenticity of a digital representation of an object, the digital representation including embedded first authentication information and the apparatus comprising:

a storage system in which stored second authentication information is associated with stored reference codes; and

a processor which receives the digital representation and a reference code associated therewith, the reference code is included in the digital representation, the processor including;

an authentication information reader, and

the processor;

i) employing the reference code to retrieve the second authentication information associated therewith from the storage system, ii) employing the authentication information reader to recover the embedded first authentication information, and iii) employing recovered first authentication information and the second authentication information to determine authenticity of the digital representation.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein:

the second authentication information is based on semantic information contained in the digital representation; and

the authentication information reader includes a semantic information reader and an authentication information maker.

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein:

the processor is attached to a network, receives the digital representation from a source thereof via the network, and provides an indication of the authenticity of the digital representation to the source.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein:

the source makes the digital representation from an analog form.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 5 wherein:

the source associates the reference code with the digital representation.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 wherein:

the source receives the reference code from a user of the source.

8. The apparatus set forth in claim 5 wherein:

the analog form includes a security pattern;

the source reads the security pattern and associates the security pattern with the digital representation; and

the authentication information reader further processes the embedded first authentication information with the associated security pattern to produce the first authentication information.

9. The apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein:

there is a plurality of the apparatuses in the network; and

a given one of the apparatuses uses the reference code to route the received digital representation and the reference code to another one of the apparatuses.

10. The apparatus set forth in claim 5 wherein:

the embedded first authentication information is a cryptographic hash embedded as a watermark in a graphic on or in the analog form.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said processor is operating to perform at least one of the recited functions.

2. Apparatus for determining authenticity of a digital representation of an object, the digital representation including embedded first authentication information and the apparatus comprising:

a storage system in which stored second authentication information is associated with stored reference codes; and

a processor which receives the digital representation along with a reference code associated therewith, the processor including;

an authentication information reader, and

the processor;

i) employing the reference code to retrieve the second authentication information associated therewith from the storage system, ii) employing the authentication information reader to recover the embedded first authentication information, and iii) employing recovered first authentication information and the second authentication information to determine authenticity of the digital representation, wherein;

a key is stored in the storage system and associated with the reference code; and

the processor further employs the reference code to retrieve the key; and

the authentication information reader uses the key to read the first authentication information.

22. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said processor is operating to perform at least one of the recited functions.

11. Apparatus for checking the authenticity of an analog form, the analog form including embedded first authentication information and the apparatus comprising:

an analog form converter that receives the analog form and makes a digital representation of at least the first authentication information; and

a communications system,

the analog form converter employing the communications system to send the digital representation and a reference code to a verification system, the reference code is included in the digital representation, the verification system employs the reference code and the first authentication information to determine whether the analog form is authentic and to receive a notification whether the analog form is authentic from the verification system.

13. The apparatus set forth in claim 11 wherein:

the verification system employs the reference code to locate a key that is required to read the first authentication information.

14. The apparatus set forth in claim 11 wherein:

the verification system employs the reference code to locate second authentication information and additionally uses the second authentication information to determine whether the digital representation is authentic.

16. The apparatus set forth in claim 11 wherein:

the analog form includes an image in which the first authentication information is embedded.

17. The apparatus set forth in claim 16 wherein:

the analog form is a photo ID, the image is the photo ID'"'"'s photo, and the reference code is an identification number for the photo ID.

23. The apparatus of claim 11 in which said analog form converter is operating to send the digital representation and the reference code to the verification system.

12. Apparatus for checking the authenticity of an analog form, the analog form including steganographically embedded first authentication information and the apparatus comprising:

an analog form converter that receives the analog form and makes a digital representation of at least the steganographically embedded first authentication information; and

a communications system,

the analog form converter employing the communications system to send the digital representation and a reference code to a verification system that employs the reference code and the steganographically embedded first authentication information to determine whether the analog form is authentic and to receive a notification whether the analog form is authentic from the verification system, wherein the reference code is sent in association with but not as part of the digital representation.

24. The apparatus of claim 12 in which said analog form converter is operating to send the digital representation and the reference code to the verification system.

25. The apparatus of claim 12 in which the analog form converter is operating to receive the notification.

15. Apparatus for checking the authenticity of an analog form, the analog form including steganographically embedded first authentication information and the apparatus comprising:

an analog form converter that receives the analog form and makes a digital representation of at least the steganographically embedded first authentication information; and

a communications system,

the analog form converter employing the communications system to send the digital representation and a reference code to a verification system that employs the reference code and the steganographically embedded first authentication information to determine whether the analog form is authentic and to receive a notification whether the analog form is authentic from the verification system, wherein the analog form converter analyzes the digital representation to determine whether the verification system can check the authenticity of the digital representation before sending the digital representation.

26. The apparatus of claim 15 in which the analog form converter is operating to send the digital representation and the reference code to the verification system.

27. The apparatus of claim 15 in which the analog form converter is operating to receive the notification.

18. A method of determining authenticity of a digital representation of an object, the digital representation including embedded first authentication information and the method including:

receiving the digital representation and a reference code associated therewith in the system;

using the reference code to retrieve second authentication information associated with the reference code;

reading the embedded first authentication information;

employing the first authentication information and the second authentication information to determine authenticity of the digital representation; and

routing a signal to a remote system or device based at least in part on the reference code.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the signal comprises an indication of authenticity of the digital representation or comprises the digital representation.

20. A programmed computing device comprising an electronic processor to perform the method of claim 18.