Image Sensor Signing for Verifiable Capture Authenticity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods struggle to provide a robust proof of authenticity for images taken after a certain time, as they rely on trusted timestamps which are difficult to verify.

Innovation Solution

An image sensor integrates a cryptographic key securely embedded at manufacturing, allowing it to sign captured image data with an authentic hash value, providing a signature verifiable by a trusted service, thus ensuring proof of authenticity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an authentic hash value is obtained and image data is signed using a cryptographic key embedded in the image sensor, then the reliability and verifiability of image capture time and authenticity are improved, but the device complexity increases due to integration of cryptographic functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproof of authenticityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cryptographic key storage and signing functionality directly within the image sensor device. The image sensor integrates a cryptographic module that securely stores private keys and performs digital signing operations on captured image data, merging security functions with the imaging function in a single device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cryptographic key is pre-generated and securely embedded in the image sensor during manufacturing before the device is deployed. This preliminary action ensures that the security credentials are already in place when the image sensor begins operation, enabling immediate authentication of captured images without requiring external key management infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the cryptographic key is securely embedded in the image sensor at manufacturing time, then the security and privacy of image data are improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases due to additional secure embedding processes

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The image sensor device autonomously performs the signing operation using its embedded cryptographic key without requiring external intervention. The device self-manages its security credentials and independently generates digital signatures for captured images, reducing the need for external key management infrastructure and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the image sensor signs image data with an authentic hash value, then the proof of capture time and location is improved, but the processing time and productivity are affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproof of capture timeVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential authentication elements (digital signature and associated metadata including timestamp and location) from the complete image data package. Instead of processing or transmitting the entire high-resolution image for authentication purposes, only the compact signature and metadata are generated and stored, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining full proof of authenticity, capture time, and location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses cryptographic hash functions to create a compact digital representation (hash) of the image data that serves as a unique fingerprint. This hash is then signed to create the digital signature. The signature and hash together provide complete authentication without requiring processing of the original large image file, enabling fast verification while maintaining security and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12580773B2Methods and apparatuses for providing a proof of authenticity of image data

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an image sensor device (100). The image sensor device (100) has a data communication interface (110) configured to receive a hash value (112), a cryptographically secure storage (120) storing a cryptographic key (122) of the image sensor device, and a processor (140) configured to sign captured image data (132) or a processed version thereof and the received hash value (112) using the cryptographic key (122) to generate a signature (142) of the image data. The data communication interface (110) is configured to transmit the generated signature (142), the captured image data (132), and an identifier (150) of the image sensor.