Digital technique for encrypting information in text fonts
This technology is a method called FontCode which alters text fonts to embed metadata or an encrypted message in a visually imperceptible but machine-readable format.
Unmet Need: Method to easily encrypt information within a text document
Steganography, the act of concealing secret messages within other plain messages, carries a rich history for the transmission of secret messages. In the digital era, steganographic techniques are often employed in digital production to claim copyright against piracies. However, text document metadata, including information about editing and file creation, is currently stored in a document type-specific manner and is often lost in the conversion or printing of files. Hiding a cryptic message within a text file currently requires exchanging letters in the text itself, which is a visually obvious change. Instead, user-specified information can be embedded within the text font itself, for a visually-imperceptible method to prevent information loss during file conversion or printing.
The Technology: Digital steganography technique for permanently embedding information in text files
FontCode is a technology that subtly alters the shape of glyphs in text in order to store metadata or a cryptic message in a text document. The alterations are not perceptible to the human eye but can be deciphered electronically and optically with the FontCode algorithm. As the hidden information is associated with the text font itself, this technology allows information to be permanently associated with the document regardless of printing or file conversion. Unlike a QC code or barcode that is perceptible to the viewer, this technology encodes information without a visually perceptible signature.
This technology has been validated using a smartphone app that can decode encrypted messages in a text document regardless of its format.
Applications:
- Encoding cryptic messages within the text font of a document
- Embedding text file metadata within the text font
- Creating optical codes that can be read like QR codes within the text font
- Embedding a text document signature within the text font to ensure document authenticity and integrity
- Additional layer of security against forgery for government-issued identification, bank documents, or currency
Advantages:
- Does not require exchanging characters to hide a cryptic message, which would change the meaning of the text
- Encrypted messages are visually imperceptible
- The message is permanently embedded within the font, and is retained during file conversion or printing
- Low memory requirement
- Compatible with any text file type
Lead Inventor:
Patent Information:
Related Publications:
Tech Ventures Reference:
IR CU17228
Licensing Contact: Greg Maskel