Imaging System for Identification Document Feature Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image recording systems for identification documents are time-consuming, lack reproducibility, and cannot efficiently capture illumination angle-dependent features or support ultraviolet and infrared wavelength ranges, limiting their ability to record multiple reference features in a single operation.

Innovation Solution

An image recording system that illuminates identification documents from different angles using a lighting device with adjustable light element arrangements and multiple cameras capable of capturing images in various wavelength ranges, allowing for quick, reproducible, and calibrated recordings of features, including those with iridescent or holographic properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional image acquisition systems are used to capture reference features, then images can be acquired with manual adjustment options, but the process is time-consuming and requires several hours to days to complete

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual adjustment capabilityVSAvoidimage acquisition speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of lighting fixtures with an automated illumination device that uses multiple light sources arranged at different angles. The system automatically captures images from multiple angles without requiring manual repositioning of lighting equipment, thereby dramatically increasing acquisition speed while maintaining operational flexibility

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

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination device is segmented into multiple independent light sources positioned at different angles (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°). Each light source can be independently controlled to illuminate the document from its specific angle, allowing parallel capture of multiple illumination-angle-dependent representations in a single operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If conventional image acquisition systems are used, then images can be captured individually, but reproducibility of position and illumination cannot be guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual image captureVSAvoidimage reproducibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration by capturing reference images at predetermined illumination angles before actual document verification. These reference images establish a baseline for reproducible positioning and illumination conditions, ensuring that subsequent captures can be consistently reproduced without manual re-adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination device incorporates adjustable light sources that can be dynamically repositioned or reconfigured. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different document types and verification requirements while maintaining reproducible imaging conditions through automated control, ensuring consistent results across multiple acquisitions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional image acquisition systems are used, then standard lighting can be applied, but ultraviolet and infrared wavelength ranges are not supported

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewavelength range capabilityVSAvoidsystem configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination device is designed with multi-functional light sources that can emit across multiple wavelength ranges including ultraviolet, visible, and infrared. This universal illumination capability allows a single device to handle diverse verification requirements without requiring separate specialized equipment for each wavelength range, managing complexity through integration

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

4Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment of lighting fixtures is performed for each acquisition type, then specific illumination requirements can be met, but the process is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination precisionVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamically adjustable light sources that can be repositioned or reconfigured electronically rather than through manual mechanical adjustment. This allows rapid switching between different illumination configurations for different acquisition types, maintaining precise illumination control while dramatically reducing the time required to adapt between different document verification scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables efficient recording of multiple illumination angle-dependent representations of identification document features in a single operation, significantly reducing acquisition time, ensuring reproducibility, and supporting high-resolution imaging across different wavelength ranges, thereby enhancing the authenticity verification process.

Implementation Method 1

illumination device (125) for illuminating the document support (101) from different illumination angles... the identification document lying on the document support can be illuminated depending on the lighting angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

an image recording camera (103) for the illumination angle-dependent image recording of the feature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

The feature can be a hologram or have iridescent properties, so that depending on the angle of illumination or the angle of incidence of light, different representations of the feature arise, for example through reflection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIridescence: Iridescence

Implementation Method 4

an optical element (107) which is provided to direct a first portion of the incident light toward the image-capturing camera (103) and to direct a second portion of the incident light toward the second image recording camera (105)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentEP3690830B1Imaging system for capturing a feature of an identification document
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP3690830B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3690830B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3690830B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an image acquisition system (100) for capturing an image of a feature of an identification document with illumination angle-dependent representations, comprising: a document support (101) for the identification document; a lighting device (125) for illuminating the document support (101) from different illumination angles; and an image acquisition camera (103) for the illumination angle-dependent image acquisition of the feature.