Ownership Protection of Specified Image Data Using Blockchain Technology

Abstract

We propose a method to protect ownership of specified areas on image data using blockchain. Different values are assigned corresponding to the object's importance in the region and the ownership of the area is managed and given to the required user. The detected areas are individually encrypted by XOR cipher, and a corresponding key image is created to decrypt to protect ownership of selected object regions detected by the object recognition algorithm. We use non-fungible tokens(NFTs) to secure key images by managing ownership of each object on image data. Key images to decrypt are registered as NFTs. Ownership NFTs are also created to access and retrieve the key image NFTs. Each key image NFT is generated by key holders and ownership NFTs are obtained by users requiring them. In addition, there is a judging function that clarifies if ownership and key NFTs match. Key NFTs appear on the screen only when they are matched. With this method, we can give different value to partial areas of image and ensure ownership of them. Besides, ownership can be transferred and shared with multiple people. Furthermore, original image holders can get financial profit depending on how valuable the images are. Lastly, this method would improve securing image data.