Security Device Grayscale Image Segmentation for Identity Documents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current security devices for identity documents are vulnerable to counterfeiting and require a simpler yet more secure authentication method.

Innovation Solution

The method involves creating grayscale images representing color components of a digital color image, which are positioned contiguously or interlaced on a physical support, and can be viewed at different angles using a lens array, making the security feature difficult to reproduce.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional printed security data is used on identity documents, then authentication is simple and visible, but the security device is vulnerable to counterfeiting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-counterfeiting capabilityVSAvoidauthentication method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the color image into multiple grayscale images corresponding to different color components (e.g., red, green, blue channels). Each grayscale image is printed separately on the security device, and special viewing tools (such as colored filters or digital processing software) are required to recompose the original color image. This segmentation makes counterfeiting difficult while maintaining simple authentication for legitimate users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the color image into grayscale images by changing the color parameter representation. Each pixel's color information is converted to grayscale values that represent specific color components. This parameter transformation allows the security feature to be easily reproduced by authorized systems while being difficult to counterfeit without the proper decoding knowledge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If multiple grayscale images are positioned at different locations on the physical medium, then authentication can be performed by simple image recomposition, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication easeVSAvoidsecurity device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions multiple grayscale images in different spatial locations or layers on the physical medium. Instead of overlaying all images at the same position, they are distributed across different areas or depth layers. Special viewing tools or digital processing are required to properly align and recompose the images, adding a dimensional aspect to the authentication process that simplifies verification while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4015228B1Method for manufacturing a safety device and associated safety device
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 IDEMIA FRANCE SAS
  • EP4015228B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP4015228B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3
  • EP4015228B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates essentially to a method for manufacturing a security device, comprising the following steps: - obtaining (S310) at least a first, a second, a third and/or a fourth greyscale image from a color digital image: -- said first greyscale image comprising a plurality of pixels each presenting a greyscale level representing a first color component of the corresponding pixel of the color digital image, and -- said second greyscale image comprising a plurality of pixels each presenting a greyscale level representing a second color component of the corresponding pixel of the color digital image, - forming (S320) said at least a first and second greyscale images on a physical support of said security device.