Biometric Face Detection with Offset Lighting and Digital Mirror

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biometric facial recognition systems at border controls face issues with imaging errors, leading to false rejections and increased manual checks, which are time-consuming and costly, particularly due to suboptimal image quality from automatic passport photo machines and varying lighting conditions.

Innovation Solution

A device with vertically offset lighting units and a digital mirror system that ensures glare-free, homogeneous illumination, combined with a sensor for deception detection and an overview camera for depth information, minimizes imaging errors and maintains compliance with ISO 19794-5 standards for facial images, even in varying lighting conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automatic passport photo machines are used to create passport photos, then the process is automated and efficient, but image quality deteriorates due to imaging errors and incorrect user posture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation efficiencyVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a camera to capture the user's face and displays the image on a digital mirror in real-time, allowing the user to adjust their posture and positioning. This feedback mechanism ensures high image quality while maintaining automation, as the system automatically captures the photo once the user is properly positioned based on the displayed image.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The user actively participates in the photo capture process by viewing themselves on the digital mirror and adjusting their own posture and position. This self-service approach ensures that the user is properly positioned for optimal image quality while the system remains automated in capturing the final photo.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If professional photographers are used instead of automatic machines, then image quality improves, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to take their own passport photos independently using the digital mirror and camera setup. Users can properly position themselves by viewing the real-time display on the digital mirror, eliminating the need for professional photographers while maintaining high image quality and reducing processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The digital mirror displays a real-time visual copy of the user's face, allowing them to see and adjust their appearance and posture as it would appear in the final photo. This copying mechanism enables users to achieve professional-quality images on their own without time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If varying lighting conditions exist at border control points, then operational flexibility is maintained, but image quality deteriorates due to shadows and poor illumination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs specific lighting arrangements and image processing techniques tailored to the border control environment. The lighting units are positioned to minimize shadows, and the digital mirror system provides real-time feedback to ensure optimal illumination conditions for capturing high-quality facial images.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If manual checks by border guards are increased to verify false rejections, then security is improved, but time consumption and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidverification time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses real-time image capture and display on the digital mirror to ensure high image quality from the outset, reducing the number of false rejections. By providing immediate feedback to the user during the photo capture process, the system minimizes the need for subsequent manual verification while maintaining security standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 significantly reduces false rejections and manual checks by ensuring high-quality passport photos and real-time image monitoring, enhancing security and efficiency in biometric facial recognition systems.

Implementation Method 1

an illumination device (140) comprising a first illumination unit (141) and a second illumination unit (142)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

an optical mirror (104) which serves to fold a beam path (105) running between the person's face (110) to be captured and the camera (103)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a digital mirror (106) which is designed to display the image captured by the camera (103)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImage display:

Implementation Method 4

a sensor (120) for deception detection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation detection: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3671543B1Apparatus for detecting biometric features of a face of a person
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP3671543B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3671543B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (100) for capturing biometric features of a person's face (110), comprising a camera (103) for capturing the biometric features and an optical mirror (104) for folding a beam path (105) running between the person's face (110) and the camera (103), an evaluation and/or control unit (108) which is in communication with a digital mirror (106) on which the captured image can be displayed, and a lighting device (140) comprising a first and a second lighting unit (141, 142) arranged vertically offset with respect to the beam path (105) running between the optical mirror (110) and the person's face (100), wherein the first lighting unit (141) is arranged vertically offset in a first direction.and wherein the second lighting unit (142) is arranged vertically offset in a second direction that differs from the first. The invention also relates to an arrangement (400) comprising such a device (100).