Digital File Anti-Forgery via One-Way Accumulator Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing digital files against forgery and tampering often fail to effectively verify the authenticity of digital files within a batch, as they typically treat files in isolation and lack robust mechanisms for offline verification.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the calculation of digital file signatures using one-way functions, aggregation of these signatures using a one-way accumulator to create a reference aggregated digital signature, and inclusion of a digital file verification key in a machine-readable digital security marking, allowing for offline verification of digital file authenticity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If digital watermarks or serial numbers are used to track digital files, then traceability is improved, but security against forgery deteriorates because counterfeiters can easily copy such identifiers
Solution Approach 1:
The verification key is segmented into multiple components: the aggregate signature component (AS) that provides batch-level verification, and the individual file signature component (FS) that provides file-specific authentication. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both traceability and security by distributing verification functionality across different layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital signature mechanism combines multiple cryptographic elements into a composite structure: individual file hashes, aggregate signatures over multiple files, and verification keys that integrate both components. This composite approach creates a security mechanism that is more robust than simple watermarks while maintaining traceability across batches.
2Reliability
If files are secured individually with digital signatures, then security against tampering is improved, but the ability to verify batch authenticity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges individual file signatures into a collective aggregate signature that represents the entire batch. The aggregate signature is computed by combining the hash values of multiple files through a cryptographic accumulator, enabling batch-level verification while preserving individual file security. This merging allows verification of both individual file integrity and batch authenticity simultaneously.
3Reliability
If conventional digital signature methods are used, then individual file security is improved, but offline verification capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-computing and embedding the aggregate signature component and verification key into each file's digital signature before distribution. This preliminary embedding of verification data enables offline verification without requiring real-time connection to a central authority, as all necessary verification information is self-contained in the file itself.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to securing of a digital file content against forgery and falsifying, and particularly of digital data relating to its belonging to a specific batch of digital files, while allowing offline or online checking of the authenticity of a secured digital file and conformity of its digital data with respect to that of a genuine original digital file.