Optical Skin Authentication for ID Cards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing authentication devices integrated into identification documents, such as ID cards or smart cards, face challenges due to their large size and low resolution, which affect the identification rate and vulnerability to presentation attacks.
Innovation Solution
An authentication device with a compact design that includes a lighting source emitting light in a predetermined wavelength range, typically nearby infrared, to illuminate a skin area, and a detector, such as a CCD sensor, to capture and compare the resulting pattern with a reference pattern stored in the device or an external memory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If capacitive or thermal semiconductor sensors are used for authentication, then the authentication device can be integrated into identification documents, but the device becomes comparatively thick and has low resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based semiconductor sensors with an optical measurement system. A light source illuminates the skin area, and a detector captures the reflected light pattern, eliminating the need for thick semiconductor sensors while achieving high resolution through optical imaging principles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from electrical properties (capacitive/thermal) to optical properties. By using light reflection patterns from skin surface topography, the system achieves higher resolution without requiring physical contact sensors, thus maintaining thin profile integration.
2Ease of operation
If the authentication device is integrated into the identification document, then portability is improved, but the geometric dimensions become comparatively thick
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thick mechanical semiconductor sensor structures with a thin optical system consisting of a light source and detector array. This substitution maintains the portability benefit of integration while dramatically reducing the thickness constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional physical contact sensing to two-dimensional optical pattern capture. By measuring skin surface topography through light reflection rather than physical sensor contact, the system achieves authentication functionality in a thinner profile suitable for card integration.
3Extent of automation
If semiconductor sensors are used, then biometric capture is enabled, but the resolution is comparatively low affecting false match and false mismatch rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces low-resolution semiconductor sensors with an optical imaging system that captures detailed skin surface patterns through light reflection. This substitution enables high-resolution biometric capture, significantly improving the ability to distinguish genuine matches from false matches.
4Reliability
If the authentication device is integrated into the identification document, then the association between document and person is strengthened, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a light source and detector system that serves multiple functions: illuminating the skin area, capturing reflection patterns, and enabling authentication. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity compared to specialized semiconductor sensors while maintaining high authentication reliability.
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 enables efficient and accurate authentication with improved identification rates and enhanced resistance to presentation attacks, while maintaining compact geometric dimensions suitable for integration into identification documents.
Implementation Method 1
a light source (101) which is configured to illuminate a skin area of the person with light in a predetermined wavelength range, in which the light at least partially penetrates the skin area
Implementation Method 2
a detector (103) for detecting an image of the skin area in the predetermined wavelength range
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an authentication device (100) for authenticating a person, said device comprising a light source (101) which is designed to illuminate an area of the skin of the person with the light at a determined wave length range, in which the light at least partially penetrates into the area of the skin; a detector (103) for detecting a detection image of the area of the skin in the predetermined wavelength range; and a processor (105) for authenticating the person based on the detection image.