Biometric Face Image Manipulation Detection via Segmented Feature Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

The reliability of automated access control systems is compromised by the ease with which digital reference facial images can be manipulated, making it difficult to ensure the authenticity of identity documents, as manipulated images can biometrically fit multiple individuals.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that compares digital reference facial images from identity documents with captured facial images, using biometric features and manipulation indicators to detect image manipulation, such as morphing, through statistical and neural network evaluations, to determine the likelihood of image tampering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If digital reference facial images are stored in identity documents for automated access control, then convenience and speed of identification are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to ease of image manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of identificationVSAvoidauthenticity of identity document
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by capturing and storing multiple facial images of the same person at different times during the identity document issuance process. These pre-captured images serve as a reference baseline before any potential manipulation can occur, enabling future detection of unauthorized changes when the stored reference image is compared against newly captured images

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If image manipulation detection is implemented to improve reliability, then authenticity verification is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthenticity verificationVSAvoidcomplexity of detection system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by storing multiple copies of facial images captured at different times in the identity document. Instead of implementing complex real-time manipulation detection algorithms, the system creates simple image copies that can be directly compared, reducing computational complexity while maintaining reliable detection capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by focusing comparison on specific facial features and key regions rather than analyzing the entire image in detail. This selective approach reduces the computational burden and simplifies the detection system while still achieving reliable manipulation detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If multiple biometric comparisons are performed to detect manipulation, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanipulation detection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the facial image into multiple regions or features (such as eyes, nose, mouth, or other distinctive facial characteristics) and performing comparisons on these segmented elements. This allows parallel processing of different facial features, improving detection accuracy through multiple comparison points while reducing overall processing time through concurrent evaluation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3629232A1Device for detecting image manipulation in a digital reference face image of a person
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP3629232A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3629232A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3629232A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (100) for detecting image manipulation in a digital reference facial image of a person. The device (100) comprises a document reader (101) configured to read the digital reference facial image of the person from an identity document of the person. The device (100) further comprises an image sensor (103) configured to capture a digital facial image of the person. The device (100) further comprises a detection device (105) configured to capture a biometric reference feature in the digital reference facial image, to compare the biometric reference feature with the biometric feature to obtain a manipulation indicator, and to detect the image manipulation in the digital reference facial image based on the manipulation indicator.The device (100) may also include a database (107) in which a biometric comparison reference feature is stored.