Message authentication code with improved error tolerance

摘要

A method of generating a authentication code ("MAC") with improved error tolerance exhibits improved survivability against acceptable signal distortions such as recompression. A method of generating a message authentication code associated with an image includes receiving blocks of image coefficient data where each coefficient has an original value falling within a range of values. The range of values is divided into first and second regions both having allowed coefficient values, and an error tolerance buffer region formed between the first and second regions having disallowed coefficient values. The original values of DC coefficients from each block of the image coefficient data is mapped to a modified value contained in one of the first and second regions, but not contained in the error tolerance buffer region. A MAC is generated as a function of the most significant bits of the modified image coefficient values.