Method for authenticating objects identified by images or other identifying information
OwnerFrank T. Leighton, Silvio Micaliinventors
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Abstract
The method and system of the present invention utilizes public-key cryptography to create "secure" titles for personal and real property such as vehicles and the like. The title preferably comprises a card in which is stored a digital signature of one or more identifiers such as a vehicle identification number, the vehicle license plate and the owner's name. To effect a transfer of the property, the digital signature on the title must first be shown to have been generated from the one or more identifiers.
Claims9
A method for authenticating an object identified by a data string, the data string including a digitized image of the object, comprising the steps of:
- generating a signature of the data string using a private key of a public-key cryptosystem pair, the public-key cryptosystem pair also having a public key M;
- decrypting the signature using the public key M of the public-key cryptosystem pair;
- and
- comparing the decrypted signature with the digitized image to thereby authenticate the object.
A method for authenticating an object identified by a data string, the data string being stored on a storage media and including at least a digitized image of the object, comprising the steps of:
- receiving the storage media and generating a signature of the data string using a first key of a cryptosystem pair, the cryptosystem pair also having a second key;
- decrypting the signature using the second key of the cryptosystem pair;
- and
- comparing the decrypted signature with the digitized image to thereby authenticate the object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.