Card Authentication Device with Edge Resting Point

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing authentication documents, such as ID cards and smart cards, often incorporate bulky biometric sensors, leading to uncomfortable ergonomics and increased thickness, which hinders their compactness and usability.

Innovation Solution

An authentication device with compact geometric dimensions that captures images of a skin area from multiple positions, allowing for the composition of an overall image, thereby enabling efficient person authentication without the need for bulky sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bulky biometric sensors are integrated into authentication documents, then authentication functionality is achieved, but the document thickness and ergonomics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication functionalityVSAvoiddocument thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the bulky semiconductor sensor from the authentication document and replaces it with a minimal optical component (transparent support element) that remains in the document, while the imaging functionality is moved to a separate compact camera device. This extraction resolves the contradiction by achieving authentication functionality without compromising document thickness and ergonomics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic semiconductor sensor system with an optical imaging system. Instead of using a bulky capacitive or thermal semiconductor sensor embedded in the card, the solution uses a transparent support element with optical imaging, substituting the mechanical sensor infrastructure with a lighter optical approach that maintains authentication reliability while reducing document thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple image captures are performed to ensure accurate authentication, then authentication reliability is improved, but the time required for authentication increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication accuracyVSAvoidauthentication time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by capturing multiple images at different positions of the skin area and systematically combining them. The controller automatically performs sequential image captures at multiple positions and merges them into a complete authentication image, ensuring high reliability while maintaining efficient processing through structured periodic imaging rather than random repeated captures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining multiple capture positions and the combination methodology before authentication begins. The system prepares the multi-position imaging protocol in advance, allowing seamless execution during authentication without real-time decision delays, thus improving reliability through comprehensive coverage while minimizing authentication time through pre-planned efficient capture sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution allows for efficient person authentication by capturing detailed images of the skin area, even with compactly designed authentication devices, thereby maintaining the ergonomic integrity of the authentication document.

Implementation Method 1

a transparent support (101) for placing a skin area (207) on it; a lighting device (103), which is configured to illuminate the transparent support (101) from behind with an illumination light in order to illuminate the skin area (207)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

an image camera (105) for taking a first image of the skin area (207) in the first position on the transparent support (101) and a second image of the skin area (207) in the second position on the transparent support (101)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3408791B1Device and method for authenticating a person
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP3408791B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3408791B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3408791B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an authentication device (100) for authenticating a person, wherein the authentication device (100) is a card authentication device and has a card body (201), comprising a resting point (101) for placing a skin region (207) of the person thereon, wherein the skin region (207) can be positioned on the resting point (101) in a first position and a second position; an illuminating apparatus (103), which is designed to illuminate the resting point (101) with an illumination light (211) on the back side in order to illuminate the skin region (207) in the first position and in the second position; an image camera (105) for recording a first image recording of the skin region (207) in the first position on the resting point (101) and a second image recording of the skin region (207) in the second position on the resting point (101); and a processor (107), which is designed to authenticate the person on the basis of the first image recording and the second image recording, wherein the resting point (101) is arranged on a side surface or an edge of the card body (201).