Blockchain Video Watermarking for Tamper-Proof Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for authenticating digital video recordings are unreliable and susceptible to forgery or manipulation, as they often rely on in-frame artifacts that can be easily falsified or removed, lacking a precise and reliable timestamp.

Innovation Solution

The use of blockchain technology or random number generation to apply watermarks to video data, providing a unique timestamp that is resistant to forgery and manipulation, and is compatible with standard digital video recording equipment, allowing for precise and reliable authentication without requiring specific video content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If in-frame artifacts (e.g., newspapers) are used for video authentication, then the video can be nominally confirmed not to be created before the artifact's date, but the method is unreliable because artifacts can be added or removed in post-processing and does not provide a precise upper boundary timestamp

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo authentication reliabilityVSAvoidtimestamp precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual artifact placement with automated watermark embedding. Instead of requiring users to physically place dated objects in video frames, the system automatically embeds cryptographic watermarks containing precise timestamps into the video data, eliminating human error and post-processing manipulation risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces cryptographic watermarks as an intermediary between the video recording system and authentication process. These watermarks serve as trusted mediators that carry verified timestamp information from the recording device, preventing direct manipulation of video content while maintaining authentication reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If in-frame artifacts are used for authentication, then some timestamp information can be obtained, but the method requires forethought and selection of suitable artifacts, making it inconvenient for spontaneous recording

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication capabilityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the video recording system to automatically perform authentication functions without user intervention. The watermark embedding system automatically timestamps videos using the device's internal clock, eliminating the need for users to manually select or place artifacts while maintaining authentication capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the video recording device multi-functional by integrating both recording and authentication capabilities into a single system. The device simultaneously performs video capture and cryptographic watermark embedding, eliminating the need for separate authentication procedures or specialized artifacts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If blockchain or random number generation is used for watermarking, then precise and reliable timestamps resistant to forgery are achieved, but the system complexity increases due to integration with external sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetimestamp authenticityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses blockchain networks or random number generators as external intermediaries that provide trusted timestamp data to the watermarking system. These external sources act as mediators that generate cryptographic proofs of time, which are then embedded into video watermarks without requiring the video device itself to implement complex cryptographic protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs watermark embedding contemporaneously with video recording, capturing the timestamp at the moment of recording rather than adding it later. This preliminary action ensures the timestamp reflects the actual recording time and prevents post-processing manipulation, while the watermark is applied in a single integrated step

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10176309B2Systems and methods for authenticating video using watermarks

Publication Date: 2019.01.08 ACRONIS INT

AI summary

Disclosed are blockchain-based methods and systems for watermarking digital content. In an exemplary aspect, a method for watermarking digital content is provided, by receiving, by a processor, a data stream comprising audio and/or video content; receiving watermark data, by a processor, from a computing node communicatively linked to a blockchain-based distributed ledger; and applying at least one watermark to the data stream based upon the watermark data, wherein the watermark comprises at least one hash based on one or more data blocks stored in the blockchain-based distributed ledger.