US6748533B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for protecting the legitimacy of an article
Assignee: National University of Singapore
•
Filing: 1998-12-23
•
Granted: 2004-06-08
•
Expires: 2018-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A method, an apparatus and a computer program product are disclosed for protecting the legitimacy of an article ( 100 ), and in particular an electronic document, against forgery or fraud. Such articles include passports, credit cards, bank notes, lottery tickets, secure forms. The method includes the following steps: several watermarks ( 204, 224, 244 ) are generated independently ( 304, 306, 308 ) by different cryptographic watermarking mechanisms controlled utilising information permanently associated within the article or product ( 100 ); and each watermark is embedded in a linked cryptographic manner ( 160, 162, 164 ). Subsequently, the watermarks can be scanned and digitised ( 410 ). The authenticity of the article ( 100 ) can be determined by verifying the correctness of extracted watermarks and the encryption links ( 160, 162, 164 ) among them. Also disclosed is a method of embedding an invisible watermark ( 714 ) in an official seal ( 712 ) incorporated in an electronic article or document ( 700 ).
Inventors
- 👤 Jiankang Wu
- 👤 Qibin Sun
- 👤 Huijie Robert Deng
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:28
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T1/00; G06T1/0021; G06T1/0028; G07; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/003; G07D7/0034; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/12; G07F7/125; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/32; H04N1/32101; H04N1/32144; H04N1/32149; H04N1/32288; H04N1/32304; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3201; H04N2201/3225; H04N2201/3233; H04N2201/3235; H04N2201/3236; H04N2201/328; H04N2201/3281
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 100
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of embedding linked watermarks in an article requiring protection against forgery, said method including the steps of: extracting information from a first portion of said article; encrypting said extracted information from said first portion; generating a watermark using said encrypted information; rendering said watermark to a second portion of said article; and repeating the extracting, encrypting, generating and rendering steps with another portion of said article until all relevant information of said article has been processed and a cryptographic link is formed thereby.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of embedding linked watermarks in an article requiring protection against forgery, said method including the steps of: extracting information from a first portion of said article; encrypting said extracted information from said first portion; generating a watermark using said encrypted information; rendering said watermark to a second portion of said article; and repeating the extracting, encrypting, generating and rendering steps with another portion of said article until all relevant information of said article has been processed and a cryptographic link is formed thereby.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said watermark is generated based on a selected watermark generating mechanism dependent upon said encrypted information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 2 , wherein each of said watermarks is generated based on different watermark generation mechanism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 3 , wherein seeds for generating a watermark are from only one portion of said article or several selected portions of said article.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said information is extracted directly from text.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said information is extracted from one or more invariant features of an image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 6 , wherein said image depicts biometric data of a person associated with the article.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said article is an electronic document.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus for embedding linked watermarks in an article requiring protection against forgery, said apparatus including: means for extracting information from a first portion of said article; means for encrypting said extracted information from said first portion; means for generating a watermark using said encrypted information; means for rendering said watermark to a second portion of said article; and means for repeating the extracting, encrypting, generating and rendering steps with another portion of said article until all relevant information of said article has been processed and a cryptographic link is formed thereby.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus for embedding linked watermarks in an article requiring protection against forgery, said apparatus including: means for extracting information from a first portion of said article; means for encrypting said extracted information from said first portion; means for generating a watermark using said encrypted information; means for rendering said watermark to a second portion of said article; and means for repeating the extracting, encrypting, generating and rendering steps with another portion of said article until all relevant information of said article has been processed and a cryptographic link is formed thereby.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein said watermark is generated based on a selected watermark generating mechanism dependent upon said encrypted information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein each of said watermarks is generated based on different watermark generation mechanism.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein seeds for generating a watermark are from only one portion of said article or several selected portions of said article.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein said information is extracted directly from text.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein said information is extracted from one or more invariant features of an image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein said image depicts biometric data of a person associated with the article.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein said article is an electronic document.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
107 words
A computer program product having a computer readable medium having a computer program recorded therein for embedding linked watermarks in an article requiring protection against forgery, said computer program product including: means for extracting information from a first portion of said article; means for encrypting said extracted information from said first portion; means for generating a watermark using said encrypted information; means for rendering said watermark to a second portion of said article; and means for repeating the extracting, encrypting, generating and rendering steps with another portion of said article until all relevant information of said article has been processed and a cryptographic link is formed thereby.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
107 words
A computer program product having a computer readable medium having a computer program recorded therein for embedding linked watermarks in an article requiring protection against forgery, said computer program product including: means for extracting information from a first portion of said article; means for encrypting said extracted information from said first portion; means for generating a watermark using said encrypted information; means for rendering said watermark to a second portion of said article; and means for repeating the extracting, encrypting, generating and rendering steps with another portion of said article until all relevant information of said article has been processed and a cryptographic link is formed thereby.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer program product according to claim 17 , wherein said watermark is generated based on a selected watermark generating mechanism dependent upon said encrypted information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer program product according to claim 18 , wherein each of said watermarks is generated based on different watermark generation mechanism.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer program product according to claim 19 , wherein seeds for generating a watermark are from only one portion of said article or several selected portions of said article.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer program product according to claim 17 , wherein said information is extracted directly from text.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer program product according to claim 17 , wherein said information is extracted from one or more invariant features of an image.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer program product according to claim 22 , wherein said image depicts biometric data of a person associated with the article.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer program product according to claim 17 , wherein said article is an electronic document.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
62 words
An article requiring protection against forgery or fraud, said article including: two or more portions for containing information, said information including text, biometric data, or both; and two or more watermarks, each watermark printed in a respective one of said portions and being dependent upon information in a different portion, whereby a cryptographic link is formed between said two or more portions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
62 words
An article requiring protection against forgery or fraud, said article including: two or more portions for containing information, said information including text, biometric data, or both; and two or more watermarks, each watermark printed in a respective one of said portions and being dependent upon information in a different portion, whereby a cryptographic link is formed between said two or more portions.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article according to claim 25 , wherein said article is an electronic document.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
133 words
An article requiring protection against forgery or fraud, said article formed by the steps of: extracting information from a first portion of said article, said article having two or more portions for containing information, said information including text, biometric data, or both; encrypting said extracted information from said first portion; generating a watermark using said encrypted information; rendering said watermark to a second portion of said article; and repeating the extracting, encrypting, generating and rendering steps with another portion of said article until all relevant information of said article has been processed so that two or more watermarks are formed, each watermark being rendered in a respective one of said portions and being dependent upon information extracted from a different portion, whereby a cryptographic link is formed between said two or more portions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
133 words
An article requiring protection against forgery or fraud, said article formed by the steps of: extracting information from a first portion of said article, said article having two or more portions for containing information, said information including text, biometric data, or both; encrypting said extracted information from said first portion; generating a watermark using said encrypted information; rendering said watermark to a second portion of said article; and repeating the extracting, encrypting, generating and rendering steps with another portion of said article until all relevant information of said article has been processed so that two or more watermarks are formed, each watermark being rendered in a respective one of said portions and being dependent upon information extracted from a different portion, whereby a cryptographic link is formed between said two or more portions.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of forming an article requiring protection against forgery, said method including the steps of: generating an invisible watermark dependent upon information contained in said article; and rendering said watermark within an official seal placed on said article, said official seal being a securely controlled item of an authority.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of forming an article requiring protection against forgery, said method including the steps of: generating an invisible watermark dependent upon information contained in said article; and rendering said watermark within an official seal placed on said article, said official seal being a securely controlled item of an authority.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 28 , wherein said article is an electronic document.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 28 , further including the steps of: extracting information from a portion of said article; and encrypting said extracted information.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 30 , wherein said information is extracted directly from text.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 30 , wherein said information is extracted from one or more invariant features of an image.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 32 , wherein said image depicts biometric data of a person associated with the article.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
51 words
An apparatus for forming an article requiring protection against forgery, said apparatus including: means for generating an invisible watermark dependent upon information contained in said article; and means for rendering said watermark within an official seal placed on said article, said official seal being a securely controlled item of an authority.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
51 words
An apparatus for forming an article requiring protection against forgery, said apparatus including: means for generating an invisible watermark dependent upon information contained in said article; and means for rendering said watermark within an official seal placed on said article, said official seal being a securely controlled item of an authority.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 34 , wherein said article is an electronic document.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 34 , further including: means for extracting information from a portion of said article; and means for encrypting said extracted information.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 36 , wherein said information is extracted directly from text.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 36 , wherein said information is extracted from one or more invariant features of an image.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 38 , wherein said image depicts biometric data of a person associated with the article.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
66 words
A computer program product having a computer readable medium having a computer program recorded therein for forming an article requiring protection against forgery, said computer program product including: means for generating an invisible watermark dependent upon information contained in said article; and means for rendering said watermark within an official seal placed on said article, said official seal being a securely controlled item of an authority.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
66 words
A computer program product having a computer readable medium having a computer program recorded therein for forming an article requiring protection against forgery, said computer program product including: means for generating an invisible watermark dependent upon information contained in said article; and means for rendering said watermark within an official seal placed on said article, said official seal being a securely controlled item of an authority.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer program product according to claim 40 , wherein said article is an electronic document.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer program product according to claim 40 , further including: means for extracting information from a portion of said article; and means for encrypting said extracted information.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer program product according to claim 42 , wherein said information is extracted directly from text.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer program product according to claim 42 , wherein said information is extracted from one or more invariant features of an image.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer program product according to claim 44 , wherein said image depicts biometric data of a person associated with the article.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
56 words
An article requiring protection against forgery or fraud, said article including: a portion containing information, said information including text, biometric data, or both; an official seal placed on said article, said official seal being a securely controlled item of an authority; and an invisible watermark dependent upon said information and being rendered within said official seal.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
56 words
An article requiring protection against forgery or fraud, said article including: a portion containing information, said information including text, biometric data, or both; an official seal placed on said article, said official seal being a securely controlled item of an authority; and an invisible watermark dependent upon said information and being rendered within said official seal.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article according to claim 46 , wherein said article is an electronic document.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
57 words
An article requiring protection against forgery or fraud, said article formed by the steps of: generating an invisible watermark dependent upon information contained in said article, said information including text, biometric data, or both; and rendering said watermark within an official seal placed on said article, said official seal being a securely controlled item of an authority.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
57 words
An article requiring protection against forgery or fraud, said article formed by the steps of: generating an invisible watermark dependent upon information contained in said article, said information including text, biometric data, or both; and rendering said watermark within an official seal placed on said article, said official seal being a securely controlled item of an authority.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of verifying the legitimacy of an article against forgery, said method including the steps of: inputting said article as two or more portions; extracting at least one watermark from each portion; determining a watermark from information in each portion; comparing said extracted watermark from one portion with said determined watermark from a different portion to determine if a corresponding cryptographic link is found; and repeating said comparing step until all portions of said article have been processed, said article being verified as a legitimate article if all cryptographic links are found between said two or more portions.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of verifying the legitimacy of an article against forgery, said method including the steps of: inputting said article as two or more portions; extracting at least one watermark from each portion; determining a watermark from information in each portion; comparing said extracted watermark from one portion with said determined watermark from a different portion to determine if a corresponding cryptographic link is found; and repeating said comparing step until all portions of said article have been processed, said article being verified as a legitimate article if all cryptographic links are found between said two or more portions.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 49 , further including the steps of: scanning said product; and dividing said scanned product into two or more portions.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 50 , further including the step of: scanning information from a portion of said product to reconstruct a seed to a generated watermark using a cryptographic technique carried out in a process of embedding a watermark in said portion.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 51 , further including the step of: extracting an invariant feature from said scanned information to reconstruct said seed.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 52 , wherein said extracted, invariant feature includes biometric data.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 51 , further including the step of: decrypting said scanned information to reconstruct said seed.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 49 , wherein a cryptographic link is a self-circle.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for verifying the legitimacy of an article against forgery, said apparatus including: means for inputting said article as two or more portions; means for extracting at least one watermark from each portion; means for determining a watermark from information in each portion; means for comparing said extracted watermark from one portion with said determined watermark from a different portion to determine if a corresponding cryptographic link is found; and means for repeating said comparing step until all portions of said article have been processed, said article being verified as a legitimate article if all cryptographic links are found between said two or more portions.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for verifying the legitimacy of an article against forgery, said apparatus including: means for inputting said article as two or more portions; means for extracting at least one watermark from each portion; means for determining a watermark from information in each portion; means for comparing said extracted watermark from one portion with said determined watermark from a different portion to determine if a corresponding cryptographic link is found; and means for repeating said comparing step until all portions of said article have been processed, said article being verified as a legitimate article if all cryptographic links are found between said two or more portions.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 56 , further including: means for scanning said product; and means for dividing said scanned product into two or more portions.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 57 , further including: means for scanning information from a portion of said product to reconstruct a seed to a generated watermark using a cryptographic technique carried out in a process of embedding a watermark in said portion.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 58 , further including: means for extracting an invariant feature from said scanned information to reconstruct said seed.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 59 , wherein said extracted, invariant feature includes biometric data.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 58 , further including: means for decrypting said scanned information to reconstruct said seed.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 56 , wherein a cryptographic link is a self-circle.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
121 words
A computer program product having a computer readable medium having a computer program recorded therein for verifying the legitimacy of an article against forgery, said computer program product including: means for inputting said article as two or more portions; means for extracting at least one watermark from each portion; means for determining a watermark from information in each portion; means for comparing said extracted watermark from one portion with said determined watermark from a different portion to determine if a corresponding cryptographic link is found; and means for repeating said comparing step until all portions of said article have been processed, said article being verified as a legitimate article if all cryptographic links are found between said two or more portions.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
121 words
A computer program product having a computer readable medium having a computer program recorded therein for verifying the legitimacy of an article against forgery, said computer program product including: means for inputting said article as two or more portions; means for extracting at least one watermark from each portion; means for determining a watermark from information in each portion; means for comparing said extracted watermark from one portion with said determined watermark from a different portion to determine if a corresponding cryptographic link is found; and means for repeating said comparing step until all portions of said article have been processed, said article being verified as a legitimate article if all cryptographic links are found between said two or more portions.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer program product according to claim 63 , further including: means for scanning said product; and means for dividing said scanned product into two or more portions.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computer program product according to claim 64 , further including: means for scanning information from a portion of said product to reconstruct a seed to a generated watermark using a cryptographic technique carried out in a process of embedding a watermark in said portion.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer program product according to claim 65 , further including: means for extracting an invariant feature from said scanned information to reconstruct said seed.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer program product according to claim 66 , wherein said extracted, invariant feature includes biometric data.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer program product according to claim 65 , further including: means for decrypting said scanned information to reconstruct said seed.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer program product according to claim 63 , wherein a cryptographic link is a self-circle.
Claim 83
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of verifying the legitimacy of an article against forgery, said method including the steps of: extracting at least one invisible watermark from an official seal, said official seal being a securely controlled item of an authority; and comparing said extracted watermark with verification information to determine if said extracted watermark matches said verification information indicating that said article is legitimate.
Claim 84
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of verifying the legitimacy of an article against forgery, said method including the steps of: extracting at least one invisible watermark from an official seal, said official seal being a securely controlled item of an authority; and comparing said extracted watermark with verification information to determine if said extracted watermark matches said verification information indicating that said article is legitimate.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 70 , wherein said verification information is information identifying said authority.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 70 , further including the step of: generating a watermark dependent upon information forming part of said article to provide said verification information.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 72 , wherein said information forming part of said article is biometrics data.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 71 , further including the step of: decrypting said watermark.
Claim 89
Independent Claim
61 words
An apparatus for verifying the legitimacy of an article against forgery, said apparatus including: means for-extracting at least one invisible watermark from an official seal, said official seal being a securely controlled item of an authority; and means for comparing said extracted watermark with verification information to determine if said extracted watermark matches said verification information indicating that-said article is legitimate.
Claim 90
Independent Claim
61 words
An apparatus for verifying the legitimacy of an article against forgery, said apparatus including: means for-extracting at least one invisible watermark from an official seal, said official seal being a securely controlled item of an authority; and means for comparing said extracted watermark with verification information to determine if said extracted watermark matches said verification information indicating that-said article is legitimate.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 75 , wherein said verification information is information identifying said authority.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 75 , further including: means for generating a watermark dependent upon information forming part of said article to provide said verification information.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 77 , wherein said information forming part of said article is biometrics data.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 76 , further including: means for decrypting said watermark.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
78 words
A computer program product having a computer readable medium having a computer program recorded therein for verifying the legitimacy of an article against forgery, said computer program product including: means for extracting at least one invisible watermark from an official seal, said official seal being a securely controlled item of an authority; and means for comparing said extracted watermark with verification information to determine if said extracted watermark matches said verification information indicating that said article is legitimate.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
78 words
A computer program product having a computer readable medium having a computer program recorded therein for verifying the legitimacy of an article against forgery, said computer program product including: means for extracting at least one invisible watermark from an official seal, said official seal being a securely controlled item of an authority; and means for comparing said extracted watermark with verification information to determine if said extracted watermark matches said verification information indicating that said article is legitimate.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer program product according to claim 80 , wherein said verification information is information identifying said authority.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer program product according to claim 80 , further including: means for generating a watermark dependent upon information forming part of said article to provide said verification information.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer program product according to claim 82 , wherein said information forming part of said article is biometrics data.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer program product according to claim 81 , further including: means for decrypting said watermark.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-06-08 | 2007-12-08 | 2008-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-06-08 | 2011-12-08 | 2012-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-06-08 | 2015-12-08 | 2016-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |