Digital authentication with analog documents

• US 7,043,052 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2002
• Issued: 05/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Rhoads, Geoffrey B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johns, Andrew W.
• Application Number:
  US10/164,899
• Publication Number:
  US 20030002710A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,435 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/135, 382/137, 382/232, 713/176, 380/287, 380/51, 380/54, 340/5.6, 340/5.86, 356/71, 283/74, 283/75, 283/77, 283/113, 283/901, 235/462.13
• US Class Current: 382/100
• 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 25/23 Identity cards
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/309 Photographs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• 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 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• 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: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/005 Robust watermarking, e.g. average attack or collusion attack resistant
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0052 Embedding of the watermark in the frequency domain
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0064 for copy protection or copy management, e.g. CGMS, copy only once, one-time copy
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0065 Extraction of an embedded watermark; Reliable detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/80 Recognising image objects characterised by unique random patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/41 : with means for the generation of identity documents
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/22 : in combination with an identity check of the pass holder
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/253 : visually
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/0032 : using holograms
• 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: G07D 7/0047 : using checkcodes, e.g. coded numbers derived from serial number and denomination
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/005 : Testing security markings invisible to the naked eye, e.g. verifying thickened lines or unobtrusive markings or alterations
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/2016 : using feature extraction, e.g. segmentation, edge detection or Hough-transformation
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/2033 : Matching unique patterns, i.e. patterns that are unique to each individual paper
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 : for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 : by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• 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: G07F 7/1016 : Devices or methods for securing the PIN and other transaction-data, e.g. by encryption arrangements for secret communication, see H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/12 : Card verification
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/122 : Online card verification
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/018 : Audio watermarking, i.e. embedding inaudible data in the audio signal
• 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 20/00094 : involving measures which result in a restriction to authorised record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00115 : wherein the record carrier stores a unique medium identifier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00166 : involving measures which result in a restriction to authorised contents recorded on or reproduced from a record carrier, e.g. music or software
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00181 : using a content identifier, e.g. an international standard recording code [ISRC] or a digital object identifier [DOI]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/0021 : involving encryption or decryption of contents recorded on or reproduced from a record carrier
• 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: H04B 1/665 : using psychoacoustic properties of the ear, e.g. masking effect
• 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 1/32144 : 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 1/3216 : 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 1/32251 : in multilevel data, e.g. greyscale or continuous tone data
• 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 1/32352 : 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 19/00 : Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/467 : characterised by the embedded information being invisible, e.g. watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91321 : the copy protection signal being a copy protection control signal, e.g. a record inhibit signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91335 : the copy protection signal being a watermark
• 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 2201/3226 : 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 2201/327 : 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 5/913 : for scrambling ; for copy protection

Abstract

Security of photographic identification documents is enhanced by embedding within the photographic image encoded information that may be correlated to other information pertaining to the individual represented by the image, such other information being, for example, printed on the document adjacent to the photograph.

Claims

1. An apparatus to determine authenticity of an analog form, the analog form including first authentication information that is provided on the analog form so that its presence is not readily apparent to a human observer of the analog form, and wherein the first authentication information is provided through alterations to data representing imagery or graphics on the analog form, and wherein the first authentication information corresponds to or is redundant with at least some human readable information present in the analog form and that is incorporated into the analog form, the apparatus comprising:

a human readable information reader that reads the human readable information in the analog form;

an authentication information reader that reads the first authentication information from the analog form, wherein the authentication information reader utilizes optical scan data; and

an authenticator that determines whether the analog form is authentic by reference to at least the i) first authentication information, and ii) the human readable information or information corresponding to or redundant with the human readable information.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the document comprises an identification document.

3. A scanner characterized in that the scanner employs the apparatus set forth in claim 1 to determine authenticity of analog forms scanned by the scanner.

4. A method of providing an analog form, the method comprising:

producing first authentication information that corresponds to or is redundant with at least some semantic information that will be present in the analog form; and

steganographically incorporating the first authentication information into the analog form, wherein the semantic information remains useful in the analog form, and wherein the first authentication information provided through alterations to data representing imagery or graphics on the analog form so that the presence of the first authentication information is not readily apparent to human observers of the analog form,

whereby the first authentication information may be retrieved from the analog form and compared with the semantic information in the analog form or information corresponding to or redundant with the at least some of the semantic information to determine authenticity of the analog form.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the first authentication information is incorporated into a background image as a digital watermark.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the analog from comprises a cash document, and wherein the semantic information includes information printed on the document.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the analog form comprises a cash document, and wherein the semantic information includes an identifier for the bank account, an amount to be paid, or the name of the payer.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 the first authentication information is encrypted with a key, whereby the payer signs the semantic information.

9. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the analog form comprises an identification document, the identification document being issued by an issuing authority and wherein the semantic information includes identification information.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first authentication information is encrypted.

11. The apparatus set forth in claim 9 wherein the identification document comprises a bank card.

12. An optical scanning device characterized in that the optical scanning device employs the method of claim 4 to determine authenticity of a document scanned thereby.

13. A method to provide a physical article including semantic information, said method comprising:

providing plural-bit information, wherein the plural-bit information corresponds to or is redundant with at least a portion of the semantic information; and

steganographically providing the plural-bit information on the physical article, wherein the information is provided through alterations to data representing imagery or graphics on the physical article so that the presence of the information is not readily apparent to human observers of the physical article, wherein the plural-bit information is provided so as to be machine-readable from optical scan data of at least a portion of the physical article.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the physical article comprises an identification document.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the physical article comprises a financial instrument.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the financial instrument comprises a paper document.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the physical article comprise legal tender.

18. The method of claim 13 in which the steganographic providing comprises encoding that is locally sealed in amplitude in accordance with visible features on the article.

19. The method of claim 13 in which the steganographic providing comprises encoding that spans some, but not all, of the article.

20. The method of claim 13 in which the steganographic providing comprises encoding that includes slight changes to a visible image, the changes being tailored in accordance with local characteristics of the image so as to minimize impairing the aesthetics thereof.

21. A physical article provided according to claim 13.

22. A method to authenticate a physical article provided according to claim 13 comprising:

receiving optical scan data corresponding to at least a portion of the physical article;

analyzing the optical scan data to recover the plural-bit information;

comparing the plural-bit information to the semantic information or information corresponding to or redundant with the semantic information to determine authenticity of the article.

23. A method to provide a physical article including semantic information, said method comprising:

providing plural-bit information, wherein the plural-bit information corresponds to or is redundant with the semantic information; and

providing the plural-bit information on the physical article, wherein the plural-bit information is provided so that its presence is not readily apparent to human observers of the physical article, yet can be detected from visible light scan data generated by visible light scanning of the physical article.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the physical article comprises an identification document.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the physical article comprises a financial instrument.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the financial instrument comprises a paper document.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein the physical article comprise legal tender.

28. The method of claim 23 in which the plural-bit information is provided with steganographic encoding that is locally scaled in amplitude in accordance with visible features on the article.

29. The method of claim 23 in which the plural-bit information is provided with steganographic encoding that spans some, but not all, of the article.

30. The method of claim 23 in which the plural-bit information is provided with steganographic encoding that includes slight changes to a visible image, the changes being tailored in accordance with local characteristics of the image so as to minimize impairing the aesthetics thereof.

31. A physical article provided according to claim 23.

32. A method to authenticate a physical article provided according to claim 23 comprising:

receiving optical scan data corresponding to at least a portion of the physical article;

analyzing the optical scan data to recover the plural-bit information;

comparing the plural-bit information to the semantic information or information corresponding to or redundant with the semantic information to determine authenticity of the article.

33. The method of claim 23 wherein the plural-bit information is provided with steganographic encoding.

34. The method of claim 23 wherein the plural-bit information is provided with digital watermarking.

35. A method to provide a physical article including semantic information, said method comprising:

providing plural-bit information, wherein the plural-bit information corresponds to or is redundant with at least a portion of the semantic information; and

steganographically providing the plural-bit information on the physical article, wherein the machine-readable code is provided on the article so that its presence is not readily apparent to human observers of the article, yet can be detected from scan data generated by visible light scanning of the article, wherein the plural-bit information is provided so as to be machine-readable from optical scan data of at least a portion of the physical article.

36. A method of providing an analog form, the method comprising:

producing first authentication information that corresponds to or is redundant with at least same semantic information that will be present in the analog form; and

steganographically incorporating the first authentication information into the analog form, wherein the semantic information remains useful in the analog form, and wherein the first authentication information is provided on the analog form so that its presence is not readily apparent to human observers of the analog form, yet can be detected from scan data generated by visible light scanning of the analog form,

whereby the first authentication information may be retrieved from the analog form and compared with the semantic information in the analog form or information corresponding to or redundant with the at least some of the semantic information to determine authenticity of the analog form.