Image capturing system and method for automatically watermarking recorded parameters for providing digital image verification

In an image capturing system, a method for authenticating a captured image, comprising the steps of:

• measuring a plurality of parameters associated with said captured image;
• watermarking said plurality of parameters into said captured image to generate a watermarked image, and generating a verification key associated with said watermarked parameters;
• extracting said plurality of parameters from said watermarked image with said associated verification key;
• and
• comparing said extracted plurality of parameters from said watermarked image with said measured plurality of parameters associated with said captured image, whereby said captured image is authenticated if said extracted parameters match with said measured parameters.

A method for verifying the authenticity of a captured image, said captured image being generated by an image capturing system having means for measuring a plurality of parameters associated with said captured image and means for watermarking said plurality of parameters within said captured image, said method comprising the steps of:

• specifying at least one of said plurality of parameters to be measured and watermarked by said image capturing system;
• capturing an image of a desired object with said image capturing system;
• watermarking said captured image of said object with said specified parameters;
• generating a corresponding verification key based on said watermarked parameters;
• storing said watermarked image and said corresponding verification key;
• retrieving said watermarked image and said corresponding verification key;
• extracting from said watermarked image said watermarked parameters using said verification key;
• comparing said extracted parameters with said specified parameters to determine if said extracted parameters match said specified parameters.