Imaging System Encryption Circuitry for Secure Data Embedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image sensors lack secure methods to embed and protect additional data within images, making them susceptible to unauthorized tampering and alteration, which compromises the authenticity and integrity of the embedded information.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating encryption circuitry within imaging systems that uses a private cryptographic key to encrypt additional data, such as metadata, and embed it into the image as undetectable watermarks or headers, ensuring only authorized users can access and modify the data with the corresponding decryption key.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If additional data is embedded in images using conventional image sensors, then the images contain useful information (metadata, timestamps, location), but the embedded data is vulnerable to unauthorized tampering and alteration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/data embedding methods with cryptographic encryption. Instead of simply embedding metadata in standard image formats, the system encrypts additional data using cryptographic keys and embedding algorithms, transforming the protection mechanism from physical/format-based to mathematical/crypto-based security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of embedded data from plaintext to encrypted form, and from easily modifiable to cryptographically protected. The embedding process transforms standard image data into a format where the additional information is encoded with cryptographic protection, changing the accessibility and tamper-resistance parameters of the embedded data
2Reliability
If encryption circuitry is added to imaging systems, then data security and authenticity are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines encryption circuitry, embedding circuitry, and image sensor functionality into an integrated imaging system. The encryption and embedding operations are merged with the image capture process, allowing security functions to be performed alongside standard imaging operations without requiring completely separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is designed to perform multiple functions: standard image capture, encryption of additional data, embedding of encrypted data into image output, and verification of embedded information. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated security devices while maintaining comprehensive protection
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system may embed encrypted data into image data. The imaging system may generate image data in response to light received at a pixel array. The imaging system may include encryption circuitry that accesses an encryption key. The encryption circuitry may receive data related to the imaging system and/or to an environment in which an image is captured and encrypt the data using the encryption key. The imaging system may include data embedding circuitry that embeds the encrypted data into the image data to generate an output image. The components of the imaging system may be formed on a single imaging system chip. The encrypted data embedded in the output image may be extracted using an extraction engine and decrypted using a decryption engine and decryption key such that the data may be accessed by a user with access to the decryption key.