Cryptographic Image Verification for Fishing Tournament Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Virtual sporting tournaments, particularly fishing tournaments, face challenges in preventing cheating as participants can manipulate measurement data without physical specimens, leading to unfair advantages and potential disqualification due to token inconvenience or loss.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a computing device with a camera, light, and control board to capture and verify image data by creating a digital fingerprint through a cryptographic hash function, associating user profiles with measurement data, and encrypting it to prevent manipulation, ensuring legitimate measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a token is given to participants to verify timing, then the timing verification is improved, but the convenience and reliability are worsened due to token transport inconvenience and risk of loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical token system with a digital verification system using cryptographic hash functions. Instead of physically transporting tokens, participants use mobile devices to capture images with embedded metadata (timestamp, location, device identifiers) that are cryptographically signed. This eliminates the need for physical token handling while maintaining timing verification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of verification data through cryptographic hashing. The original measurement data is transformed into a unique hash value that serves as verification evidence. This digital copy can be stored and verified without risking loss or inconvenience associated with physical tokens.
2Measurement precision
If a token is given to participants to verify timing, then the timing verification is improved, but the reliability is worsened due to potential disqualification from token loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fragile physical token system with a robust digital cryptographic system. Verification data is stored in secure digital form with cryptographic signatures that cannot be lost or damaged in the same way physical tokens can. The system automatically verifies timestamps and locations through cryptographic validation, eliminating human error in determining disqualification.
3Ease of operation
If image editing software is allowed, then participant convenience is improved, but cheating prevention is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cryptographic hashing to the original image data immediately upon capture, before any editing can occur. The hash value is generated from the raw image bytes and stored as verification evidence. Any subsequent editing of the image would change its hash value, making tampering detectable. This preliminary cryptographic action prevents cheating while allowing participants to use image editing software for legitimate post-processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the cryptographic hash value serves as verification evidence that can be checked against the original captured data. The system provides feedback by comparing the submitted image's hash with the stored hash, automatically detecting any unauthorized modifications. This maintains cheating prevention while preserving participant convenience for legitimate editing needs.
4Ease of operation
If measurement devices are used without verification, then ease of measurement is improved, but data integrity is worsened due to potential manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual verification of measurement devices with automated cryptographic verification. Measurement devices connect to mobile applications that automatically capture device identifiers, timestamps, and location data. These data points are cryptographically signed and stored on a server, providing automatic verification of data integrity without adding manual steps for participants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary cryptographic hashing and digital signing of measurement data at the moment of capture. The measurement device's identity and the measurement timestamp are embedded in the cryptographic signature before the data leaves the device. This preliminary action ensures data integrity is built into the measurement process itself, maintaining ease of use while preventing manipulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for measuring an attribute of wildlife/marine life and confirming that measurement as legitimate by matching a digital code of the measurement device with a digital lock of the system is provided. A user may capture image data using a camera of a computing device, wherein the image data may contain measurement data that may be extracted and saved to a user's user profile. The system may determine if the data is legitimate based on a digital code contained within the image data and a digital lock of the system. The system may also create a digital fingerprint using a cryptographic hash function and data associated with the image data. The system may subsequently watermark a digital image with said digital fingerprint to create a watermarked digital image, wherein said digital image was created using said image data having said associated data.