Encrypting apparatus and encrypting method

• US 7,894,600 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2004
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Sato, Hideo
• Primary Examiner(s): Pich; Ponnoreay
• Assistant Examiner(s): King; John B
• Application Number:
  US10/553,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20060233357A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,253 Days
• Field of Search: 380/28, 380/44, 380/277
• US Class Current: 380/44
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/606 by securing the transmission between two devices or processes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/72 in cryptographic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2107 File encryption
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/14 Vascular patterns
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0891 Revocation or update of secret information, e.g. encryption key update or rekeying
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3231 Biological data, e.g. fingerprint, voice or retina network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using biometrical features in a packet data network H04L63/0861

Abstract

To propose an encryption device and encryption method capable of improving reliability of an encryption function. An element-specific parameter unique to a solid imaging element is created based on a uniform image signal S2 output from the solid imaging element as a result of imaging a uniform imaging target with the imaging unit 11, and identification information D1 is encrypted with encryption key information D2 extracted from this element-specific parameter, thereby being capable of ensuring confidentiality of the identification information D1 and thus improving reliability of an encryption function.

Claims

1. An encryption device for encrypting information on a unique confidential target, comprising:

an imaging unit including a movable diffusion plate and configured to perform imaging by emitting light on a target and to output analog first and second signals,

the first signal including image data of an inside portion of the unique confidential target,

the second signal including image data of a solid imaging element located inside the imaging unit to create variation patterns unique to the imaging unit, and

the diffusion plate being movable into and out of a path of light emitted based on the signal being output by the imaging unit;

an identification unit configured to perform analog/digital conversion on the first signal having the image data of the inside portion of the unique confidential target to create identification information;

a creation unit configured to perform analog/digital conversion on the second signal having the variation patterns unique to the imaging unit by performing an algorithm on the second signal to create encryption key information;

and an encryption unit configured to encrypt the identification information by using the encryption key information.

2. The encryption device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a storage unit configured to store a plurality of predetermined evaluation patterns having different hamming distances,

wherein the creation unit uses the plurality of predetermined evaluation patterns and at least one hamming distance of the image data of the second signal as a seed to create the encryption key information.

3. The encryption device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a communication unit configured to communicate with a prescribed communication party; and

the creation unit is further configured to select evaluation patterns requested by the communication party, from the plurality of predetermined evaluation patterns stored in the storage unit.

4. The encryption device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit is further configured to project near-infrared light into the target.

5. The encryption device according to claim 1, wherein the first signal includes blood vessel pattern information representing a formation pattern of blood vessel tissues inside the target.

6. The encryption device according to claim 1, wherein the second signal includes data based on a signal output from a plurality of piezoelectric elements of a touch pad.

7. The encryption device according to claim 1, wherein the second signal includes data based on a signal output from a group of active elements.

8. The encryption device according to claim 1, wherein the second signal includes data based on a signal output from a group of passive elements.

9. An encryption method for encrypting information on a unique confidential target, comprising:

performing imaging on an inside portion of a target by emitting light on the target via an imaging unit;

outputting an analog first signal that includes image data of the inside portion of the unique confidential target;

outputting an analog second signal that includes image data of a solid imaging element located inside the imaging unit to create variation patterns unique to the imaging unit;

moving a diffusion plate into and out of a path of light emitted based on the signal being output by the imaging unit;

performing analog/digital conversion on the first signal having the image data of the inside portion of the unique confidential target to create identification information;

performing analog/digital conversion on the second signal having the variation patterns unique to the imaging unit to create encryption key information by performing an algorithm on the second signal; and

encrypting via a processor the identification information by using the encryption key information.

10. The encryption method according to claim 9, further comprising:

storing a plurality of predetermined evaluation patterns having different hamming distances; and

creating the encryption key information using at least one hamming distance of the image data of the second signal and the plurality of predetermined evaluation patterns as a seed.

11. The encryption method according to claim 10, further comprising:

selecting evaluation patterns requested by a prescribed communication party, from the plurality of predetermined evaluation patterns being stored.

12. An encryption device for encrypting information on a unique confidential target, comprising:

imaging means for performing imaging by emitting light on a target and outputting analog first and second signals,

the first signal including image data of an inside portion of the unique confidential target, and

the second signal including image data of a solid imaging element located inside the imaging unit to create variation patterns unique to the imaging means;

diffusion means for moving a diffusion plate into and out of a path of light emitted based on the signal being output by the imaging unit;

identification means for performing analog/digital conversion on the first signal having the image data of the inside portion of the unique confidential target to create identification information;

creation means for performing analog/digital conversion on the second signal having the variation patterns unique to the imaging means to create encryption key information by performing an algorithm on the second signal; and

encryption means for encrypting the identification information by using the encryption key information.