Biometric Image Security via Device-Bound Digital Watermarking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biological characteristic image technologies face security issues due to the risk of stealing and interception, allowing unauthorized use of encrypted images for fraud, and incur high computation costs from repeated encryption and decryption.

Innovation Solution

Embedding a digital watermark into biological characteristic images based on device and user identification information, which is verified upon receipt or storage to ensure the image can only be used on the device it was generated on, preventing unauthorized use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If encryption is performed on biological characteristic images to prevent unauthorized use, then security is improved, but computation cost increases and user experience decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidcomputation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by embedding a digital watermark into the biological characteristic image during the initial image acquisition or storage phase. This watermark contains device identification information that binds the image to a specific device. When the image is later used for authentication, the system only needs to verify the watermark's validity rather than performing full encryption/decryption cycles, significantly reducing computation cost while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If encryption is performed on biological characteristic images to prevent theft, then security is improved, but the cracked image can still be used repeatedly for fraud

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidusability verification
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a digital watermark as an intermediary element that mediates between the biological characteristic image and the authentication system. The watermark contains device-specific identification information that acts as a binding mechanism. When verification is needed, the system checks whether the watermark's device ID matches the current device, preventing transferred or cracked images from being used on unauthorized devices without requiring complex cryptographic verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If digital watermark embedding is performed on biological characteristic images, then unauthorized use is prevented, but file size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidfile size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a lightweight digital watermarking technique that embeds compact device identification information into the image data. Rather than using bulky encryption keys or complex authentication protocols, the watermark uses a concise representation of device identity that can be stored efficiently within the image file structure, minimizing the increase in file size while providing effective security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP3132368B1Method and apparatus of verifying usability of biological characteristic image
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LTD
  • EP3132368B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3132368B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3132368B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and an apparatus of verifying a usability of a biological characteristic image are disclosed. The method includes: receiving a biological characteristic image uploaded by a terminal; verifying a digital watermark included in the biological characteristic image; and if verification is passed, determining that the biological characteristic image is usable. The technical solution of the present disclosure can ensure that a biological characteristic image generated in a device can only be used in that device, thus avoiding a security problem which may be caused by the theft and interception of a biological characteristic image of a user when storing or transmitting the image using a biological recognition technology.