Patent · US Expired

Secure authentication of images

US5799082A · kind A · utility

112Cited by
62References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 7, 1995
Grant dateAug 25, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 7, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N2201/3281
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus for capturing and authenticating a visual image of a selected view, using a digital image forming means, such as a digital camera, together with a position determining system that provides position information, including location, angular orientation and/or time of observation at the time a digital image is formed by the digital camera. Once captured, the visual or electronic image and accompanying position information cannot be deleted or altered within the digital camera and can be downloaded only by an authorized downloader. The digital image of the selected view is presented as an array of pixels with associated pixel values. The position information may be incorporated in the digital image by altering selected pixel bit values for a selected pattern of pixels in the pixel array, or as any other suitable overlay; and this selected pattern may be determined using the position information. The position information may be encrypted, using an encryption key based on position information, and may be stored as part of the digital image. Optionally, position information includes the distance from the digital camera to a selected object in the selected view.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.