Identification Document Multi-Focal Reference Image Capture

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing personal identification systems face challenges in accurately identifying individuals due to optical aberrations and distortions caused by varying distances and focal lengths between the person and the camera, particularly when using mobile devices like smartphones, which can lead to difficulties in comparing recorded images with reference images.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves recording multiple reference images of a person at different distances and with various focal lengths, including wide-angle and telephoto lenses, to account for optical aberrations, and storing this data for comparison, allowing for the generation of a digital three-dimensional reference model that compensates for distortions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single reference image is used for identification, then the identification process is simple, but optical distortions at different distances and focal lengths make accurate identification difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoidreference data structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reference data into multiple reference images, each captured at different distances and/or with different focal lengths. This segmentation allows the system to account for optical distortions by providing multiple reference views, thereby improving identification accuracy without requiring a completely new approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of reference image capture by varying distance and focal length to create a set of reference images that cover different optical conditions. This enables the system to handle distortions by selecting or combining appropriate reference images based on the capture conditions of the query image.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple reference images are stored for different recording scenarios, then identification accuracy improves, but data storage and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification reliabilityVSAvoidreference data volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal reference data structure that can serve multiple recording scenarios. By organizing reference images with metadata indicating their capture conditions (distance, focal length), the system can efficiently select appropriate references for different scenarios, reducing the need to store redundant data for each possible scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary organization of reference images by capturing them under controlled conditions and storing them with metadata about their capture parameters. This preliminary structuring enables efficient retrieval and matching during identification, reducing processing requirements compared to unorganized multiple references.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If reference images are captured at different distances and focal lengths, then optical distortions are accounted for, but the complexity of capturing and organizing these images increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistortion compensation accuracyVSAvoidreference image creation process
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic adjustment of capture parameters (distance and focal length) during reference image acquisition. The system can adaptively select which reference images to capture based on the specific identification scenario, making the reference creation process more flexible and easier to implement across different applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates standardized copies or representations of reference images with associated metadata about their capture conditions. This copying approach with structured metadata simplifies the organization and retrieval process, as the system works with standardized data structures rather than raw, unorganized images.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3286690B1Identification document, identification device and corresponding methods
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP3286690B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3286690B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3286690B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an image recording device (100) for capturing a plurality of reference images for identifying a person (110), the device comprising: a housing (101); an imaging camera assembly (103, 105) provided in the housing (101) and designed to capture a first image of the person (110) with a first optical focal length at a first optical distance from the person, (110) in order to obtain a first reference image, and to capture a second image of the person (110) with a second optical focal length at a second optical distance from the person (110), in order to obtain a second reference image of the person (110); and a communication interface (117) for outputting the first and second reference images of the person (110).