3D Image Data Degradation for Reverse Engineering Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for protecting 3D images fail to prevent unauthorized reverse engineering and industrial use while allowing public access to the images in their original form, as they either alter the image too much or not enough to maintain usability and security.
Innovation Solution
A method that degrades 3D image data by modifying constraint parameters, creating levels of indirection in metadata, and applying disturbance functions to vertices, allowing the image to be viewed in its original form while preventing reverse engineering by altering dimensions and geometry, thus limiting unauthorized use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If 3D image data is distributed in original form for public access, then usability and viewing quality are improved, but unauthorized reverse engineering and industrial use become possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 3D image data into multiple components including geometry data, topology data, and attribute data. By dividing the data structure, the system can apply different degradation levels to different segments, allowing public access to visual information while protecting critical manufacturing information through selective degradation of geometric precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters of the 3D data by degrading geometric precision while maintaining topological relationships. This involves modifying the level of detail in surface representations and altering dimensional accuracy parameters, enabling the image to remain viewable and usable for authorized purposes while preventing accurate reverse engineering for manufacturing.
2Reliability
If 3D image data is degraded to prevent reverse engineering, then security and intellectual property protection are improved, but viewing quality and usability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by degrading only specific portions of the 3D data that are critical for manufacturing while preserving visual quality in areas important for viewing and analysis. This selective approach ensures that security is enhanced where needed without significantly impacting overall viewing quality and usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial degradation to the 3D data by maintaining sufficient visual quality for authorized viewing and analysis while degrading geometric precision enough to prevent accurate reverse engineering. This partial action approach balances security requirements with usability needs, avoiding excessive degradation that would compromise viewing quality.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional protection methods like encryption are applied to 3D images, then unauthorized access is prevented, but the image cannot be displayed or used in meaningful ways
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary degradation process that transforms the 3D data into a protected format. This intermediary step creates a degraded version that can be freely distributed and viewed, serving as a mediator between the need for public access and the need for protection, eliminating the need for encryption that would completely block access.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for degrading 3D information such as a 3D image file from its original form so that that the subject matter of the 3D image is altered in a way which prevents one from reverse engineering or manufacturing the subject matter of the 3D image while the degraded image is still identifiable or recognizable as that of the original 3D image. The degrading method selectively alters dimensions or relationships between portions or parts of the 3D image from their original form while maintaining the integrity and recognizablility of the image as that of which was in the original 3D image. The present method can be applied to both original CAD files as well as reduced or lightweight files produced from an original CAD file.