Mobile ID Card Data Decoding via PDF-417 Scanning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Manual entry of personal information is error-prone and insecure, especially on mobile devices without full keyboards, and existing OCR methods for identification card data are processor-intensive, less accurate, and not machine-to-machine compliant, leading to high transaction abandonment rates.

Innovation Solution

A system using a digital camera on mobile devices to scan and decode machine-readable data, such as PDF-417 codes, on identification cards, processing the images to extract and transmit data to a server for verification, which then inserts the information into applications, reducing manual entry and enhancing security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual typing of personal information is used, then data entry can be performed on devices without machine-readable scanners, but the process is error-prone, insecure, and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata entry accuracyVSAvoiddata entry time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical typing with automated optical scanning and image processing. A digital camera captures an image of the identification card, and software automatically extracts and decodes the machine-readable data, eliminating the need for manual keyboard entry and significantly improving both accuracy and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy of the identification card data by scanning the machine-readable portion with a camera. This digital copy is then processed to extract personal information, replacing the need for manual transcription and ensuring accurate replication of the original data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is used to scan identification card data, then data can be extracted without manual entry, but the method is processor-intensive, slower, and less accurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata extraction speedVSAvoidprocessor energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential machine-readable data portion from the identification card image, rather than processing the entire card image through full OCR. By focusing specifically on the encoded data section, the system reduces computational requirements while maintaining high extraction speed and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the processing approach from general-purpose OCR to specialized decoding algorithms tailored for machine-readable formats. This parameter change in the processing method significantly reduces computational complexity and energy consumption while improving extraction speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If OCR methods are used for scanning, then data extraction is possible, but the accuracy is lower and machine-to-machine compliance is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachine-to-machine complianceVSAvoiddata detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces OCR text recognition with dedicated machine-readable code decoding. By using specialized algorithms designed for barcodes and similar encoded formats, the system achieves both high detection accuracy and full machine-to-machine compliance, as the decoding process is deterministic and highly reliable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution significantly reduces the time and effort required for data entry, increases accuracy, and ensures machine-to-machine compliance, thereby reducing transaction abandonment and enhancing security by using standard camera hardware and efficient algorithms to decode identification card data.

Implementation Method 1

a digital camera may be used to capture an image of an identification card

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3637301B1Systems and methods for decoding and using data on cards

Publication Date: 2023.04.05 INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL LLC

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3D

AI summary

A system for decoding and using data on cards include a scanner configured to scan a passive data source on the identification card and transmit a scanner signal associated with the passive data source. The system for includes a processor coupled to the scanner, the processor configured to: receive the scanner signal; determine a type of encryption associated with the passive data source; extract one or more known data elements from the passive data source; transmit: data associated with the one or more known data elements; and, the type of encryption; to a server. The server configured to: extract information from the data, the information comprising one or more of: a first name, a last name, an address, a city, a state, a zip code, an issue date, an expiration date, or a birthdate; and, transmit the extracted information to a device associated with the scanner. The processor further: receives the extracted information from the server; and, displays the one or more known data elements and the extracted information in a form.