Physical Card Authentication Using 3D Sensor Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for authenticating physical cards, such as identification or transaction cards, are inefficient, prone to errors, and require significant computing resources due to manual input and inaccurate image recognition, especially in extended reality environments.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing multiple cameras and lidar systems on a user device to capture video and lidar data while flipping a physical card, generating a 3D model, and employing optical character recognition and computer vision to identify textual and physical characteristics for accurate authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual input methods are used for card authentication, then users can input card information, but the authentication process becomes inefficient and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication speedVSAvoidauthentication accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical input (typing card information) with an optical scanning system using camera(s) to capture images of the card. The system automatically extracts card details through image recognition and processing, eliminating the need for manual transcription and reducing both time consumption and human error.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication system performs self-service by automatically capturing card images, processing the visual information, extracting card details, and completing authentication without requiring user intervention for data entry. The system handles the entire authentication workflow autonomously once the card is presented to the camera.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If image recognition methods are used to capture card information, then authentication can be automated, but the accuracy is insufficient leading to processing invalid transactions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation levelVSAvoidcard information accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional 2D image recognition to 3D structural analysis by capturing depth information and spatial relationships of card features. The system analyzes the physical dimensions, thickness, and three-dimensional characteristics of the card to verify its authenticity, adding a dimensional layer of verification that significantly improves accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication system segments the card verification process into multiple independent analysis components: visual feature extraction, physical dimension measurement, structural pattern recognition, and cross-validation of multiple card features. This segmented approach allows each component to specialize in specific verification aspects, improving overall precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If traditional authentication systems are used, then card verification can be performed, but significant computing resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication capabilityVSAvoidcomputing resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary filtering and preprocessing of card images locally on the device before transmitting data to remote servers. Basic validation checks, such as verifying card presence, detecting obvious anomalies, and preprocessing image quality, are conducted locally to reduce the computational burden on centralized systems and minimize data transmission requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer of edge computing capabilities on the authentication device that processes and pre-analyzes card data before forwarding it to cloud-based authentication services. This intermediary processing reduces the volume and complexity of data requiring remote computation, thereby conserving overall computing resources while maintaining authentication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12547867B2Authenticating a physical card using sensor data

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 CAPITAL ONE SERVICES LLC

AI summary

In some implementations, a device may obtain video and/or lidar data relating to a physical card captured while the physical card is flipped from a first side of the physical card to a second side of the physical card. The device may determine an authenticity of the physical card, where the authenticity of the physical card is based at least in part on one or more physical characteristics of the physical card identifiable from the video and/or the lidar data. The one or more physical characteristics may relate to a thickness of the physical card, a length and width of the physical card, a shape of the physical card, and/or a design feature of the physical card. The device may cause, based on a determination that the physical card is authentic, information associated with the physical card to be transmitted or stored to be used in connection with a transaction.