Decoding information to allow access to computerized systems

• US 8,316,239 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2009
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: McKinley, Tyler J., Sharma, Ravi K.
• Primary Examiner(s): JUNG, DAVID YIUK
• Application Number:
  US12/401,394
• Publication Number:
  US 20100009714A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,351 Days
• Field of Search: 713/186, 713/185, 713/182
• US Class Current: 713/186
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3823 combining multiple encryption tools for a transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3827 Use of message hashing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• 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 2201/327 which are undetectable to the naked eye, e.g. embedded codes

Abstract

The presently claimed invention relates generally to gaining access to secure systems. One claim recites an apparatus including: an image or video sensor for capturing image or video data; and a multi-purpose computer processor configured to: decode machine-readable information encoded in captured image or video data representing a plurality of physical objects, each instance of machine-readable information includes identifying information; determine an order in which the physical objects are presented to the image or video sensor for evaluation via the identifying information; and comparing the order to a predetermined sequence to determine whether to allow access to a remotely located computerized system. The apparatus may be housed, e.g., in a cell phone. Other combinations and claims are provided as well.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

decoding, using a processor, machine-readable information encoded in each of a plurality of physical objects, wherein each instance of machine-readable information includes identifying information;

determining, using the processor, an order in which the encoded physical objects are presented for evaluation via the identifying information; and

comparing, using the processor, the order to a predetermined sequence to determine whether to allow access to a computerized system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein access is granted to the computerized system when the order and the predetermined sequence coincide in an expected manner.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

determining an orientation of at least one physical object utilizing at least some orientation information provided in encoded information; and

comparing the orientation information to a predetermined orientation to determine whether to allow access.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the computerized system is remotely located relative to the processor.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the computerized system is remotely located relative to the processor.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the machine-readable information encoded in each of the plurality of physical objects comprises digital watermarking.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the computerized system is remotely located relative to the processor.

6. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, having instructions stored thereon, the instructions comprising:

instructions to decode machine-readable information encoded in each of a plurality of physical objects, wherein each instance of machine-readable information includes identifying information;

instructions to determine an order in which the encoded physical objects are presented for evaluation via the identifying information; and

instructions to compare the order to a predetermined sequence to determine whether to allow access to a remotely located computerized system.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the computerized system is remotely located relative to the non-transitory computer-readable medium.

9. An apparatus comprising:

an image or video sensor for capturing image or video data;

a processor configured to;

decode machine-readable information encoded in captured image or video data representing a plurality of physical objects, wherein each instance of machine-readable information includes identifying information;

determine an order in which the physical objects are presented to the image or video sensor for evaluation via the identifying information; and

compare the order to a predetermined sequence to determine whether to allow access to a computerized system.

10. A cell phone comprising the apparatus of claim 9.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein access is granted to the computerized system when the order and the predetermined sequence coincide in an expected manner.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine an orientation of at least one physical object utilizing at least some orientation information provided in encoded information; and

compare the orientation information to a predetermined orientation to determine whether to allow access.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the computerized system is remotely located relative to the processor.

15. The cell phone of claim 10, wherein the computerized system is remotely located relative to the cell phone.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the computerized system is remotely located relative to the processor.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the computerized system is remotely located relative to the processor.

18. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the machine-readable information encoded in the captured image or video data comprises digital watermarking.