Anonymous Image Authentication via CMOS Digital Signature Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy image authentication systems are insecure, making it difficult to verify if an image has been tampered with while maintaining user anonymity, as they often require identifying the user who generated or authenticated the image.
Innovation Solution
An anonymous image authentication method using a digital signature is implemented within a CMOS sensor, where a unique digital signature is created and inserted into the image/video data, allowing authentication without revealing the identity of the image capturer or authenticator, utilizing Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and hardware security modules to manage keys and ensure secure authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If legacy image authentication systems are used to verify image integrity, then authentication can be performed, but user anonymity cannot be maintained as the system requires identifying the user who generated or authenticated the image
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system is segmented into multiple components: a hardware security module that generates and stores cryptographic key pairs, an image processing module that applies digital signatures, and an authentication server that verifies signatures. This segmentation allows the system to maintain security through cryptographic proofs while keeping user identity information separate and protected, thus preserving anonymity.
Solution Approach 2:
A cryptographic digital signature acts as an intermediary between the user and the authentication verification. Instead of directly exposing user identity, the signature serves as a verifiable proof of authenticity that mediates the authentication process, allowing verification without revealing the user's actual identity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If digital signature insertion is implemented in the image acquisition module, then anonymous authentication is enabled, but device complexity increases due to hardware security modules and key management infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The hardware security module is merged with the image acquisition module, integrating cryptographic key generation, storage, and digital signature functionality directly into the imaging device. This consolidation enables anonymous authentication capability while managing device complexity through unified architecture rather than separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein relate to an electronic device that includes a camera sensor to capture a digital image that includes a plurality of pixels. The electronic device may further include a digital signature calculation engine coupled with the camera sensor, the digital signature calculation engine to generate, based on a private key that is shared between a plurality of image/video acquisition modules and a pixel of the plurality of pixels, a digital signature. The electronic device may further include digital signature insertion logic coupled with the digital signature calculation engine, the digital signature insertion logic to insert an indication of the digital signature into the digital image. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.