CN101296299A - A system and method for determining whether a test object is an authentic object - Google Patents
A system and method for determining whether a test object is an authentic object Download PDFInfo
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- CN101296299A CN101296299A CNA2008100935386A CN200810093538A CN101296299A CN 101296299 A CN101296299 A CN 101296299A CN A2008100935386 A CNA2008100935386 A CN A2008100935386A CN 200810093538 A CN200810093538 A CN 200810093538A CN 101296299 A CN101296299 A CN 101296299A
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Abstract
A method is provided for determining whether a test object is an authentic object having an authentication image applied to an authentication image area thereof. The method comprises positioning and orienting a portable image acquisition device for selectively viewing and capturing a magnified image of a target surface area of the test object. The target surface area corresponds to the authentication image area of an authentic object. The method further comprises capturing a magnified digital image of the target surface area using the image capture acquisition device. The captured digital image is then processed to obtain a processed digital image and an authentication result is determined based on whether the processed digital image meets predetermined authentication criteria.
Description
The application requires in the U.S. Patent application No.60/913 of submission on April 25th, 2007,931 rights and interests, and its content all is herein incorporated by reference.
Technical field
The object that the present invention relates to use portable digital image to obtain equipment authenticates.
Background technology
File is forged and the product imitation is a major issue of having utilized the whole bag of tricks to solve.Wherein more successful a kind of method is to use and is applied to or prints on hiding or implicit image on the protected object.These images are normally invisible under the assistance that does not make their visible particular devices.
A kind of method that forms hidden image is a coded image optically, therefore when printing, has only by the use corresponding decoding device and just can see image.This image in fact can be used for the mimeograph documents of arbitrary form, comprises legal document, identity card and security, label, currency, stamp etc.The commodity that can also be applied to be forged or the packing of commodity.
Can be by coded image being decoded and the authentication image of decoded picture and expectation being compared the object of authentication application coded image.Authentication image can comprise the specific information of reliable object or the information relevant with similar the group of objects product of concrete manufacturer or device fabrication (for example by).The generation of coded image and use can Be Controlled, thus they can not be replicated easily.In addition, can the configuration codes image so that tamper with a document or label on information very obvious.
The authentication of file and other object typically requires to use hardware decoder in " this area ", for example the lens of decode encoded images or microarray lens optically.These lens must have optical characteristics with corresponding to being used to encode and being applied to the parameter of authentication image, and must be by suitably directed, so that user's decoding and watch image.
Because can only be used to have the coded image of individual features, hardware decoder is not instrument flexibly comparatively speaking.Also existing use optical decoder device to come decode encoded images is unrealistic and undesirable situation.For example, use the authentication of optical decoder device to need scene (on-site) immediately decoded picture and authentication image to be compared.This requirement treats that the site inspection person of reliable object must be able to differentiate the difference between decoded picture and the expectation authentication image.This exists under a plurality of situations that may change in the expectation authentication image is unpractical.In addition, do not need site inspection person can read the information that is embedded in the decoded picture yet.At last, use watching in real time of exemplary hardware decoder not produce the hard copy images that can be preserved for using from now on.In order to prove the initial object inspection, any research after a while all must rely on the inspector.
Summary of the invention
The invention provides the system and method that the coded image that is used to use amplification comes reliable object.Aspect of the present invention provides a kind of and has been used for determining whether tested object is the method for having used the reliable object of authentication image on its authentication image zone.This method comprises location and orient portable formula image acquisition equipment, optionally to watch and to catch enlarged image in the target surface area of tested object.This target surface area is corresponding with the authentication image zone of reliable object.This method also comprises by using picture catching to obtain the digital picture that equipment comes the amplification of captured target surf zone.Then the digital picture that is captured is handled, the digital picture after handling with acquisition, and whether satisfy the predetermined authentication criterion based on the digital picture after handling and determine authentication result.
Aspect of the present invention provides a kind of and has been used for determining whether tested object is the system that has used the reliable object of authentication image on its authentication image zone.This system comprises that portable digital image obtains equipment, is used for catching the digital picture of amplification of at least a portion of tested object.This numeral is obtained equipment and is comprised lens apparatus, can easily operate to be used for respect to tested object location and directional digital image acquisition equipment.This numeral is obtained equipment and is comprised certified processor, and this certified processor optionally obtains equipment with this portable digital image and communicates.This certified processor comprises image processing module, and this image processing module is suitable for this portable digital image is obtained the digital picture of the amplification that equipment catches to be handled, with the digital picture after obtaining to handle.This system comprises authentication module in addition, is used for whether satisfying predetermined authentication image based on the digital picture after handling and determines authentication result.
Should be understood that above-mentioned general description and following detailed description only as illustration and explanation, and the invention of being stated is not construed as limiting.Accompanying drawing has constituted the part of specification, shows specific embodiment of the present invention together with describing in detail, in order to principle of the present invention to be described.
Description of drawings
Can more fully understand the present invention by reading following detailed description with the accompanying drawing, similar Reference numeral is used to indicate similar components, in the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is to use the optical decoder device to printing the demonstration graph that encoded authentication image is decoded.
Fig. 2 is the flow chart of the method that according to an embodiment of the invention object authenticated.
Fig. 3 is the demonstration graph of object Verification System according to an embodiment of the invention.
Embodiment
The invention provides and be used to use the authentication image that is applied thereon to come authentication document, commodity and other objects.As used herein, term " authentication image " expression is disposed especially or printed is used to verify the image that authentication image is applied to the authenticity of object wherein.Authentication image can comprise the image/mark that uses special-purpose ink (for example, only at the visible ink of specific wavelength) to print, or is not easy to see image/mark that the mode of certain content constitutes or prints with bore hole.For example, can print authentication image, it is become or only comprise little printed contents readable under high-amplification-factor.Can also carry out encoding of graphs, embedding or scrambling to image, make image do not decode or the situation of descrambling under can't watch.
In authentication method of the present invention, the use image acquisition equipment is caught the digital picture of wishing the target area on the authentication image existence object thereon.Then, can on-the-spot watch the image that captures and/or the image that captures is decoded, or transmit the image that captures, to watch and/or to decode by network.This image acquisition equipment can comprise and be suitable for lens or the lens apparatus of amplifier digital image to improve its resolution, thereby allows to watch little printing and/or use and based on the technology of software the coded image of being caught is decoded.Method of the present invention can also comprise the target illuminated zone of using specific wavelength, to catch only visible authentication image when so throwing light on.Can shine and/or amplify this authentication image by image acquisition equipment.In certain embodiments, this image acquisition equipment can comprise the lens apparatus with the rayed authentication image of expectation wavelength.In a particular embodiment, this image acquisition equipment can comprise the lens apparatus that is used in irradiation at short distance or amplifies authentication image.Suitable lens apparatus can comprise the U.S.App.No.11/928 that submitted on October 30th, 2007, those described in 194 (" ' 194 applications "), and this application all is herein incorporated by reference.
As the U.S. Patent No. of submitting on August 19th, 2,005 11/207, the U.S. Patent No. 11/068 that on February 28th, 437 and 2005 submitted to, described in 350 (these two applications all are herein incorporated by reference), can catch the digital picture of authentication image by image acquisition equipment, and this digital picture downloaded or is sent to certified processor, in certified processor, be to watch and/or handle the image that captures, to determine whether to exist the authentication image of expectation.If this authentication image is the image of optics or encoding of graphs, then can use multiple based in the decoding technique of software any one to come the image that captures is decoded.Can determine mark and/or information according to decoded picture, use this mark and/or information to authenticate then coded image is applied to wherein object or file.
According to system, can field download also handle the image that captures, or the image that captures is sent to central processing unit by network (for example by Email or other network transmission processes), at the central processing unit place this image is handled, and produced authentication result.In some systems, can catch decoded picture by site inspection person, the inspector is transferred to the processor (or a series of processor) of separation with the image of catching, and this processor is decoded to image, and alternatively itself and desired image is compared.Then, can the result be returned to site inspection person or other authorized person by identical or different network.Therefore, in certain embodiments, the authentication image that captures does not need to be watched by the people.
Authentication method of the present invention can be used for improving the effectiveness of various types of authentication image, comprises the image and the optical encoding image that use little printing technique to form.Usually the optical encoding image is formed and be embedded in background or the source images and print on the project that to be distorted, forge and copy.Just as used herein, term " coded image " or " encoded authentication image " are meant rasterisation, scrambling, processing and/or hiding image, thereby in file or background area or other image, be employed or embed and/or when hiding, under the situation of not using optical decoder equipment, can't from bottom document material or background area or other image, identify this authentication image.Some coded images are hidden, and therefore are difficult to it is gone out from background or main image recognition.Can use the particular characteristics set that comprises coding parameter, produce coded image according to authentication image.Other coded image can see at an easy rate that but not readable, this is by systemic scrambling or processing because of picture material.
The coded image that has certain sense for the present invention is to be configured to use the image that carries out optical decoder based on the decoding device of lens.This imagery exploitation particular type lens (for example biconvex lens) can come the advantage of sampled images content based on its optical characteristics.For example, biconvex lens can be used for sampling and the enlarged image content based on lenticular layer (lenticule) frequency of lens.Typically, one of use in the several different methods employed image is encoded, this method relates to creates the regular periods figure have with the corresponding frequency of frequency of the biconvex lens that is used as decoder, and introduce and the image that is encoded in the corresponding aliasing of content.These distortions can be very little, thereby be difficult to maybe to utilize bore hole to distinguish image from regular figure.Such coded image can use specific photographic equipment to produce with analog form, as U.S. Patent No. 3,937,565 is disclosed, perhaps can produce with digital form, as United States Patent (USP) 5,708,717 (' 717 patents) are disclosed, and these two all is herein incorporated by reference.
Digitally coded image can be embedded in background or other image, thereby is difficult to only identify the existence of this coded image.In certain methods, less important image can be encoded separately, merged then or be embedded in the main authentication image, perhaps can utilize and embed identical mode and come less important image is encoded, thereby realize telescopiny.With reference to figure 1, can use main image or source authentication image 20 and less important authentication image 40 to create coded image 10, wherein watching the mode of less important image 40 that less important image 40 is embedded in the main image 20 by the decoding device 30 of preset frequency.Identical with the coded image 10 of Fig. 1, main image can be greyish white or the color background image, maybe can comprise the visual image content, for example pattern or photo or other mark pattern.Less important image can also be the image or the mark of arbitrary form, and can comprise relevant with main image in some way mark.In example codes image 10, less important image 40 is based on the repeat pattern of vocabulary " Department of Transportation ".Less important image can be encoded separately, merged then or be embedded in the main image, maybe can utilize and embed identical mode and come less important image is encoded, thereby realize telescopiny.As shown in Figure 1, can watch less important image by on coded image 10, decoding device 30 being set with correct direction.In the example of Fig. 1, decoding device has trunnion axis 32 and vertical axis 34, and coded image 10 has trunnion axis 22 and vertical axis 24.When the trunnion axis 32 of decoding device 30 during, can show less important image with respect to 22 one-tenth α decodings of trunnion axis angular orientation of coded image 10.Decoding angle α is coding and embeds the coding parameter of establishing before the less important image.
Embed less important image or can be divided into two kinds of general schemes with the method for main image co-registration.In first kind of scheme, utilize preset frequency that the cyclic behaviour of rule is imposed on the main image.This is mainly by realizing with the main image of preset frequency rasterisation.Then, less important image mapped is arrived main image, thereby can change the regular behavior of main image with comprising the corresponding position of less important image of picture material.These changes are very little, to such an extent as to be difficult to be discovered by human eye.Yet when the biconvex lens that has with the corresponding frequency of preset frequency was set on main image, this biconvex lens was sampled to main picture material, thereby thereby manifesting these changes forms the less important image of hiding.
In second kind of scheme, at first the cyclic behaviour of rule is forced at less important image rather than main image, as long as wherein exist the content of less important image the change of this behavior just to occur.Then, less important image mapped based on the content of the less important image of encoding, changes the content of main image to main image by pixel ground.
The another kind of method of embedded images is generally used for bank note and check.In this method, by generating hidden image in the direction that changes raster element in the visual image with the corresponding position of the content of hidden image.For example, the vertical light grid line of main image can become horizontal line with the corresponding position of hidden image.Typically, can see hidden image by the bank note that tilts slightly.Yet, can also come the deviation in the main image is decoded by the optical decoder device.This is because the grid stroke of main image hiding on the location of content and will extending along the length of the biconvex lens line of decoder, has only a cross section (cross section) but exist on the position that hides content.This species diversity causes when watching by decoder, and it is brighter than viewable portion that hidden image seems.
The public thinking of all above-mentioned image encode methods and generation coded image thereof is that it relates to the deviation (for example, locus, tonal density, grating angle) with regular cyclic behaviour.Can create the cyclic behaviour of rule and the deviation that therefore produces based on employed coding method and predetermined coding parameter set.Can make deviation apparent by the decoder that use has with one or more coding parameter corresponding characteristic.For example, one of coding parameter can be the frequency of the cyclic behaviour of rule.Decoder (no matter based on hardware or based on software) must dispose according to this frequency.For example, under the situation of biconvex lens, produce the lens frequency, so that the frequency of the cyclic behaviour of rule is identical with the lens frequency or the even-multiple of lens frequency.Then, biconvex lens can serve as content sampling device/amplifier, is used to emphasize the deviation of cyclic behaviour with rule, and it is assembled in the less important image.
Biconvex lens can be used for its content is decoded by the visual coded images of systemic scrambling and the coded image that is embedded into main image or background.Described in ' 194 applications, this lens can also be integrated in the illuminating lens equipment, can watch or catch decoded authentication image by this illuminating lens equipment.Yet,, 350 (' 350 application as U.S. Patent application No.11/068) and described, also can be used for being decoded by the coded image that digitally produces or catch based on the decoder of software.These decoders can be suitable for the Any Digit version of optical encoding image is decoded, and comprise from unprinted digital coding image and have been scanned or have been converted to by other means the coded image of the printing of digital form.Digital coding image can be the hidden image that is embedded in background or the main image, perhaps can be by the visual image of systemic scrambling or processing.Main image can be not have the blank image (for example grey frame) that can discern content, perhaps can be to have the real image that can discern content.
The software that is used for digitally coded image being decoded can be integrated into the arbitrary data processor in fact.For the purpose of putting into practice authentication method of the present invention, this software can use any coding/decoding method, including, but not limited in the method described in ' 350 applications.This comprises that method (1) need be about the information of main image, less important image or the content of the two; Method (2) need be about any knowledge of picture material.These two kinds of Method types all need to know and are used for less important image is encoded and embedded the coding parameter of less important image.According to coding method, this coding parameter can be retrieved from database.In some cases, can use specific image analysis technology, calculate one or more coding parameter from image self.
Only can use when being shone visible medium to print or use the mark of above-mentioned all coded images and non-coded image and little printing by specific wavelength of light.Under multiple situation, the employed medium only light (for example infrared or ultraviolet) outside visible spectrum is following as seen.
As described in the application of ' 350, can use image acquisition equipment to come the coded image of printing is scanned or the numeral seizure.As used herein, term " image-capturing apparatus " and " image acquisition equipment " are meant and are used to catch or produce the digital picture of file or object or any apparatus or the system of its target part.This image acquisition equipment can be suitable for image is amplified and record.This equipment can have the amplification characteristic of embedding, in order to this embedding feature to be provided.Image acquisition equipment can be any portable or non-portable equipment.Image acquisition equipment is including, but not limited to scanner, digital camera, PDA(Personal Digital Assistant) and have analog video camera and the system of the combination of frame grabber.This image acquisition equipment can be suitable for using visible light and invisible light (for example UV and the IR) part in the electromagnetic spectrum to catch image.This image acquisition equipment can scan or catch the coded image of printing.
Can watch and handle the coded image (that is, being scanned or having used image acquisition equipment to carry out the printed encoded image that numeral is caught) of being caught by using certified processor.If this authentication image is a coded image, then this certified processor can be suitable for using one or more decoding algorithm based on software and produces decoded result.Method utilization such as the optical character identification (OCR), this decoding processor also can be suitable for from decoded picture extracting mark and/or information, and the mark that extracted and/or information and predetermined authentication criterion are compared.As described below, this decoding processor can be positioned at the position away from image acquisition equipment.
Generally speaking, the high-resolution of image can be improved the ability that coded image is decoded.Have been found that the image acquisition equipment with high amplifying power is specially adapted to the coded image of watching and/or catching the secure print image and be used to observe with high-resolution, and decode in due course.Particularly, optics amplifies provides higher optics dpi (dots per inch) resolution, thereby allows to improve the ability of watching the line in the coded image, improves the decoding function quality, and the influence that reduces the image imperfection.This amplification can be obtained equipment by the special image that use has embedded amplifying power, be obtained equipment to its interpolation or the standard picture of having enclosed multiplying arrangement and realize based on the equipment of lens or by using.For example, the lens with amplifying power can be invested or be embedded into special image obtains equipment, obtains equipment based on the annex and/or the standard picture of lens, so that the amplification of expectation to be provided.Particularly, can use disclosed lens apparatus those in ' 194 applications.Can be annex with these equipment disposition at the standard digital video camera.This equipment also can be used for improving significantly the resolution of image viewed and/or that catch.As discussed previously, these equipment also can be used for, when capturing the image of target area, with the light frequency irradiation target area of expectation.In certain embodiments, the luminaire of separation can be used for shining the target area.This luminaire can be operated individually or with lens or other multiplying arrangements in combination.
Referring now to Fig. 2, can carry out digital decoding to the coded image of being caught according to Basic Authentication method M100 of the present invention.Method M100 can be used for the checkout object, and to determine whether to have used to the target area of this tested object the authentication image of expectation, this authentication image has been applied to the target area of all reliable objects.Employed at this, term " authentication " is typically indicated by mandate source or authorization and is produced object.The authentication image of expectation can be the image or the coded image of little printing or be printed on the only normal image on visible medium under the specific light frequency.The authentication image of expectation can be identical for each tested object, perhaps can be for the different variable authentication image of each object.Can suppose not carry any object of expecting authentication image and indicate non-authentication property, or indicate applied object or mark to change as yet.
At S110, can come the directional aim object with respect to image acquisition equipment.To understand, in a plurality of examples, it is static that this tested object will keep, and this image acquisition equipment is placed with opposite way.In either case, to help the mode of watching or catching, determine the relative position of this object and image acquisition equipment to the image in the target area.This can realize by site inspection person, user by object and/or observer, this object itself (under the situation of self-orientating object) or by processor and/or equipment.Alternatively, at S120, can be with the target illuminated zone in the predetermined wavelength range.This scope is determined based on the medium that is used for authentication image is applied on the reliable object.For example, if use the UV ink, the light that then is applied to the target area can be at 150nm in the 800nm scope.
To understand, and can carry out the action of irradiation target area by light source in image acquisition equipment or the lens apparatus or luminaire, these lens obtain equipment and are configured to be attached to or invest on the image acquisition equipment.Even if will watch this image with visible light, closely illumination is used for improving the ability of image acquisition equipment resolution image, especially under the situation that this image also has been exaggerated.
The light of the light emitted in the scheduled frequency range can be revealed and otherwise be difficult to identification or sightless ink, information or data.Visuality when this scheduled frequency range is based on the rayed of authentication image in scheduled frequency range is selected.This scheduled frequency range comprises ultraviolet frequencies and infrared frequency.As mentioned above, this scheduled frequency range can be at about 150nm to about 800nm.This scheduled frequency range also can be at about 300nm to about 450nm.This scheduled frequency range can also be at about 370nm to about 375nm.This light source can be on the specific region of authentication image radiative concentrated part.
This light source can also comprise the equipment that is used for scattered light, perhaps can comprise the function that is used for scattered light.This diffuser equipment can have arbitrary shape.For the even distribution of light on authentication image, diffuser can have the shape of " rib shape " centrum.
Can expand and/or dwindle the light wavelength that light source represents by optical filter.This optical filter can comprise colour filter, another arena filter, Polarization filter or be used for any other filters of digital photography.This filter can help to watch and/or catch authentication image.This optical filter can be broadband filter, narrow band filter or band pass filter.Broadband filter acts on the broad band that sends long wavelength radiation, thereby stops short wavelength radiation.Narrow band filter acts on the broad band that sends short wavelength radiation, thereby stops long wavelength radiation.
Light source type can change.Under many circumstances, light source can be LED, incandescent lamp bulb, fluorescent lamp or tungsten halogen lamp.LED is preferred, because LED typically has less size, but still can produce the big light quantity that the electric energy that consumed with them is compared.This light source can provide constant illumination or be arranged to meet the transient flash of image acquisition.This flash unit or other light source can comprise the filter that is used to adjust illumination spectra.Although preferably battery power is used as make based on the equipment of lens removable and with it (for example, socket) range-independence then can transmit electric energy to light source by any power supply to static power supply.
At S130, can obtain the equipment that equipment uses by image acquisition equipment or combining image alternatively and amplify authentication image based on lens.This image acquisition equipment can comprise the amplifying lens with amplifying power or comprise the annex of the lens with amplifying power.This amplifying lens can amplify authentication image, to watch and/or to catch.This amplifying lens can allow from 6 microns to 10 microns ground to watch and/or catch image.In certain embodiments, these lens can be the 10-60x lens.These lens can exchange with mutual with zoom lens or the regular lens in the image acquisition equipment.These lens can be mutual with the flash memory in the image acquisition equipment.In addition, these lens can be mutual with image acquisition equipment, to increase or to reduce the amplification to authentication image.The amplification of lens can be manual or automatic.In addition, these lens can be physics lens and/or electronic/digital lens.
At S140, use image acquisition equipment to catch the digital picture of the amplification of tested object.As long as the digital picture of being caught comprises that authentication image is applied to the target area of reliable object, then this digital picture can comprise all or part of of object.Can dispose the digital picture of being caught,, can be configured so that perhaps the target area is included in the bigger view so that only capture the target area.Under any situation, the image of being caught can comprise can discern leading mark, the target area part in the digital picture that this leading mark permission identification and suitable location are captured.At S150, certified processor can be downloaded or sent to the digital picture that captures.At S160, watch and/or handle the digital picture that captures by certified processor.Some or all of certified processors can be co-located in checkpoint (that is, catching the position of the digital picture of tested object), and some or all of certified processor can be away from this checkpoint.In either case, certified processor can be connected with image acquisition equipment by network.Can utilize the any-mode such as Email or other transmission courses, transmit the digital picture that captures by network.In certain embodiments, can transmit digital picture by radio telephone or other communication networks.Digital picture can also be sent as the Email of arbitrary form or the annex of text or Multimedia Message.
This certified processor can be configured to some or all remaining steps among the automatic designation method M100.If necessary, authentication can be used the image that captures and authenticate the authentication that criterion is come identifying object, and this authentication criterion can comprise the authentication image of expectation.In addition, if authentication image is a coded image, then certified processor can be decoded to this authentication image.In this example, one or more in the coding parameter that certified processor can be identified for authentication image is encoded.The number of parameters needed can depend on employed optional network specific digit coding/decoding method.Can from data storage, obtain coding parameter, when coding, coding parameter be placed in this data storage.This data storage can be certified processor a part or with this certified processor colocated, perhaps can be disposed in the data processor or server that is easy to the separation by this certified processor of access to netwoks.This data storage can also be taked the form of magnetic stripe, laser card, smart card, processor chips, memory chip, flash memory or bar code, can or be affixed to the object of having used authentication image to it with this data storage stickup, or this data storage is associated with this object.This coding parameter can or can be constant at the special object collection based on object.In certain embodiments, can use the coding request to receive some or all coding parameters, or can determine some or all parameters according to the content of image.
In certain embodiments, this method is suitable for determining whether the authentication image of being caught comprises miniature printing or be formed the grating of given shape.Can utilize coding and non-coded image to identify this printing device.
This certified processor can utilize object boundary mark (landmark) to come target area in the directed digital picture that is captured, so that watch and/or decode.These boundary marks can be based on object intrinsic geometry or topological structure, or can specifically be applied in authentication image when being applied to reliable object.In the later case, the appearance of this boundary mark can be used as the initial authentication inspection.It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that if use following mode to catch digital picture: with respect to image acquisition equipment, the accurately directed in the same manner all the time object of object, the numeral that then need not the image of catching is directed.For example, if tested object is can be by scanning pinpoint file, then the orientation of target area can enough be stablized, and the orientation of the digital picture that is captured is unnecessary.
At S170, create authentication result.This can comprise with image whether being present in a series of criterions that the target area begins equably.If image exists, then it directly can be compared with authentication image, or this image is further handled, with the information that provides the result that can compare maybe can from authentication image, derive with authentication image.Therefore, checking can be particularly including following action to the authentication of this image: watch the image that captures and/or its authentication image with expectation compared, this reliable object is decoded, and from the image that captures or its decoded version acquired information.This method ends at S175.
In certain embodiments, in case the target area of directed digital picture of being caught, then certified processor can be applied to digital decoding method the digital picture of being caught, to produce decoded result.Then, this decoded result and authentication criterion can be compared, to determine authentication result.This can finish by the demonstration and the decoded result of the visual comparison of authentication image.Alternatively, OCR or other Figure recognition software can be used for the comparison of decoded result and authentication image.Comprise in authentication image under the situation of object specific information, the information content of decoded result can compare with the information that directly comes from object, rather than original authentication image.
The optics amplification can be used for reducing the influence of imperfection in the digital object that is captured together with digital decoding method, and improves the ability that the digital signal that is captured is sampled.In certain embodiments, this coding/decoding method utilization and coding frequency of frequency match and angle delegation or the multirow more in the digital picture that is captured of sampling.For example, can be in conjunction with delegation in the digital picture that is caught in or multirow more, to produce the delegation in the decoded result.The optics of image amplifies the actual pixel pitch of having determined between the sampling row.The physical scan of image should be mated the line space that uses in cataloged procedure, or the line space of equivalent amplifying lens.Number of pixels and coding parameter between the sampling row of calculating amplifying lens.Physical measurement such as the picture of calibration grid can be used for obtaining the proportionality factor of amplifying lens.This physical measurement can be calculated automatically.This digital decoding method has increased the sampling row in the digital picture that is caught in, and removing the gap between the row, thereby produces decoded result.
Determine based on the decoded result and the authentication of relatively making of authentication criterion.Should determine and to make or to make automatically the observation of decoded result by the people by certified processor.Under any situation, authentication result can be stored and/or return to the requestor of user or other mandate.In an embodiment, authentication is determined to make in the position away from the checkpoint, and authentication is determined to be sent to the checkpoint.
When watching and/or catch image, must consider that how (a) determines the actual per inch pixel resolution of the image that is caught in; And (b) compensating images obtains the dissimilar geometric distortion that equipment is introduced.Suppose that image acquisition equipment and object keep same distance, and do not use zoom function.For example, image acquisition equipment is positioned directly on the surface of object, and consistent lock-on range is provided thus.Yet,, be difficult to use precalculated value if use zoom function or this image acquisition equipment to fail the distance that is consistent.Need recomputate the position of reference point on object and the proportionality factor of distance and image.
Can use several different methods to determine the actual per inch pixel resolution of the image that is caught in.Two kinds of methods wherein are to use the resolution of calibrating the real pixel to pixel of determining image and reset the ratio of separating code frequency.
Usually, the image that captures of scanner has the actual DPI resolution of the head that is written to the file that is scanned.Therefore, DPI is consistent, and has reflected the per inch pixel size of image from the DPI value of this document.
When using digital camera to watch and/or catching image, typically the fixed value with 180 DPI (or being 72 DPI under rare occasion) writes the image file head.The actual per inch pixel size that therefore, can not reflect the object of being watched and/or capture according to DPI value from file.Because the DPI value is unreliable, therefore when using digital camera, can not calculate the halftone pattern element.Can calibrate digital camera, to determine the actual per inch image resolution ratio of image that watched and/or that capture.Can calculate the proportionality factor of digital camera.Particularly, can use the fixedly DPI that replaces image that watched and/or that capture at the true DPI that image acquisition equipment and digital camera calculated in inside.Proportionality factor calculates and is undertaken by taking the known reference pattern of its physical size.Alternatively or in addition, but image acquisition equipment or the lens apparatus enclosed can produce repeat function to the image that captures that can be used as reference.For example, amplifier can be limited in the image that is captured in the known circle and (have fixed diameter).In either case, if be coated with 1800 pixels in reference pattern 1 inch, then resolution is 1800 pixels of per inch.Next, can determine proportionality factor in the true resolution that is written into the picture headers file by reference pattern resolution is removed.In this example, proportionality factor can followingly calculate: 1800/180=10.When calculating proportionality factor, the true resolution that is written in the picture headers file can be set, with the resolution of reflection reference pattern.For example, 1800 DPI can be the new resolution of image file head, thereby have replaced the fixed resolution value of 180 DPI.
Other method is the ratio that resets the frequency that will decode to coded image.By the frequency row of the per inch in safe in utilization or the coded image and the proportionality factor of top image acquisition equipment that calculates and digital camera, calculate and separate code frequency.The frequency row of the per inch in safety or the coded image is removed in proportionality factor, separate code frequency to provide.For example, determine to separate code frequency, 200 row of the per inch frequency in the image can be removed in proportionality factor 10 in order to use the coded image that is produced with per inch frequency 200 row.This calculating may cause per inch 200/10=20 capable separate code frequency.Reset the ratio of separating code frequency make usually its can be more easily in the future the image of self-scanning instrument and video camera sneak into same application.
When watching and/or catch coded image, also must consider geometric distortion.Unjustified and/or rotation can make the object distortion, yet these two can compensate by decoding software.Decoding software can calculate the anglec of rotation in the image of being watched and/or capture.In several different methods, a method that is used to calculate the anglec of rotation need be used some reference point position on object of location easily, or need seek maximum at the Radon conversion of image with main capable structure.In case calculated the anglec of rotation, then the image that is captured can remain on its reference position, to avoid the caused distortion of rotary course (for example, the interpolation on digital grid makes image blurring).The decoding parametric of coded image uses the anglec of rotation of adjusting.For example,, and calculate object rotation 3 degree in the image that is caught in, then the adjustment angle of 15+3=18 degree should be used for decoding algorithm if with 15 degree screen angle embedded coding images.
Obtain in the equipment at the specific image such as mobile phone and PDA, distortion can be produced by the optics of video camera, is known as barrel-shaped distortion.When taking one when having covered not straight square in big portion view area and its limit, barrel-shaped distortion appears.Can or in decoding algorithm, realize that inverse variation proofreaies and correct barrel-shaped distortion by the direct image that opposite geometric transformation is applied to capture, (for example to minimize to the influence of additional image processing operations, make image blurring by on digital grid, carrying out interpolation, increase the processing time, etc.).
In addition, in video camera,, then may go wrong if do not align with object plane in the focal plane of video camera.On object, physically equidistant point can have different pixel distances, thereby causes linear distortion.By using the reference point of on strategy, locating on the object surface to calculate the parameter of phase inverse transformation, can the compensated linear distortion.
With reference to figure 3, can utilize to comprise that digital picture obtains the object Verification System 100 of equipment 110 and certified processor 120 and carry out the method according to this invention M100 and additive method.Object Verification System 100 can also comprise encoded information database, and this encoded information database is included in the certified processor 120 or with certified processor 120 and communicates.Object Verification System 100 is configured to check and the authentication test object, to verify existing of the authentication image on the reliable object on it.Be used for to be stored in encoded information database, so that it is addressable for certified processor 120 to some or all coding parameters that authentication image is encoded.
The parts of Verification System 100 can interconnect via the suitable means that comprise by network.Certified processor 120 can adopt can be by single inspector in company with handing the portable processing apparatus form (as portable scanner or digital camera) that image acquisition equipment carries.In some embodiments of the invention, in fact image acquisition equipment and certified processor can be integrated in the individual unit.Alternatively, the inspector can only carry the numeral that optionally is connected to remote authentication processor 120 and obtain equipment 110.For example, scanning device can be configured to send the image caught to certified processor by Email.In another example, the radio telephone with imaging capability can be used to catch image and be forwarded to certified processor by communication network.The practical application of this respect is following scene: the possible buyer of product or the site inspection person of product utilize camera phone to catch the image of product, and send an authentication request to certified processor.Authentication result can return to the requestor by telephone network, for example text or Multimedia Message.
Be appreciated that if coded message is not the object special use one group of tested object that can utilize the single set of coded message to authenticate to have the equating expections authentication image by certified processor 120.The set of this coded message can once obtain from encoded information database, and be stored in that authentication module is 126 addressable, in the memory of certified processor 120.
Need on single treatment facility, not carry out the function of certified processor.They can be distributed in a plurality of processors by network interconnection.In addition, decoding can be stored in different user by in the database of identical or different network-accessible from the required information of the coded image of being caught of tested object and decoding and authentication result.
Verification System of the present invention has higher flexibility and can be widely used in multiple authentication scene.In the typical scene, encoded authentication image is applied to the packing of the product of the client manufacturer of being palmed off or forging.Can send the site inspection person that is equipped with portable inspection processor and enlarged image to obtain equipment to as the place in the warehouse of a large amount of packaging products of storage and so on.The inspector can utilize image acquisition equipment to scan or catch the digital picture of the target area of suspect product packing.Can import additional information by the inspector, as date, time, position, product ID etc.Alternatively, by checking the automatic importation of processor information.Be equipped with decoding and the authentication software of himself if check processor, then the inspector can authenticate suspect product immediately.Select a ground or additionally, check that processor can also be used for submitting authentication request to remote authentication server.Can send authentication request based on single project.Selectively, can gather the authentication image and relevant product information of being caught, and submit to as the part of single authentication request at a plurality of test events.For example, this makes it possible to use to check processor, and is connected with the networking irrelevant, thereby from a plurality of test events, gather verify data, be connected to network (as signing in to internet site) then, to submit the single authentication request of criticizing to.
When receiving when checking the authentication request of processor, certificate server checking request, retrieval required image coding information arbitrarily from encoded information database, and handle the digital picture of being caught.The decoding image of being caught is also compared with the authentication criterion that retrieves, to determine authentication result.Then, authentication result can be stored in the authentication database.Then, by being connected to authentication database, the representative of manufacturer or other authorized user can the access registrar result.In certain embodiments, this can be by signing in to the controlled website of safety and submitting to the authentication result request at tested object to realize.
In certain embodiments, certificate server can be configured to pass through website visiting.Authorized user can Website login, uploads scan image, and receives authentication result immediately by its browser.The result can also be stored in the authentication database, be used for and to visit.
In the exemplary embodiment, the law enfrocement official can use portable image to obtain the authenticity that equipment is verified driving license.The law enfrocement official can use this equipment to watch and catch authentication image.The law enfrocement official can the access authentication result.This method will help to detect false driving license, thereby can stop the individual to make false papers, and prevent to sell tobacco and wine to the minor.
In certain embodiments, can use interface and data statement standard to realize based on network authentication service.For example SOAP and XML are so that the third party can link to each other with software its information service with authentication service.This method can realize seamless authentication request/response flow in various platforms and software application.
As mentioned above, can utilize the individual data processor to carry out the function of Verification System of the present invention and the action of authentication method, or be distributed in a plurality of processors of interconnection.For example, in certain embodiments, can carry out decoding and authentication function by different processors.Can utilize single processor or a plurality of network processing unit to carry out decoding function itself.
Should be understood that authentication method of the present invention and system can be used for watching and/or the image that captures of the amplification of the coded image of the arbitrary form of decoding, and can use based on the method for software the image that captures that amplifies is decoded.
Those skilled in the art will be readily appreciated that the present invention has practicality and application widely.Under the prerequisite that does not break away from essence of the present invention or scope, except described herein, a plurality of embodiment of the present invention and adaptive and a plurality of variant, revise and be equal to that to be provided be conspicuous, or the present invention and advising in preceding description.
Although the front is illustration and described specific embodiments of the invention, be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to structure disclosed herein.Not under the prerequisite of its spirit or intrinsic propesties, the present invention can be presented as other particular form.
Claims (25)
1. one kind is used for determining whether tested object is the method for having used the reliable object of authentication image on its authentication image zone, and described method comprises:
Location and orient portable formula image acquisition equipment, optionally watching and to catch enlarged image in the target surface area of tested object, described target surface area is corresponding with the authentication image zone of reliable object;
Use described image acquisition equipment to come the digital picture of the amplification of captured target surf zone;
The digital picture that is captured is handled the digital picture after handling with acquisition; And
Based on the digital picture after handling whether satisfy the predetermined authentication criterion and determine authentication result.
2. method according to claim 1, wherein, the described action that the digital picture that captures is handled is carried out by the decoding processor that obtains equipment away from described portable image, and described method also comprises:
By network, the described digital picture that captures is obtained equipment from described portable image be sent to described decoding processor.
3. method according to claim 2, wherein, the digital picture of utilizing email message to transmit to capture.
4. method according to claim 2 wherein, by communication network, transmits described authentication result via one in the set that comprises text message and Multimedia Message.
5. method according to claim 2, wherein, described network comprises one or more in the set of being made up of local area data processing network, wide-area data processing network and communication network.
6. method according to claim 1, wherein, the described action that the digital picture of being caught is handled comprises:
With the digital image decoding algorithm application in the digital picture that is captured, to produce decoded result.
7. method according to claim 6, wherein, the action of described definite authentication result comprises:
Described decoded result and described authentication image are compared.
8. method according to claim 6, wherein, the action of described definite authentication result comprises:
Information extraction from described decoded result; And
With the information extracted with can compare by the information that the visual inspection of described tested object is determined.
9. method according to claim 1, wherein, described portable image obtains equipment can catch digital picture with about 10 microns resolution.
10. method according to claim 1, wherein, described portable image obtains equipment and is configured to catch by the formed image of the light in the predetermined wavelength range.
11. method according to claim 10 also comprises:
With the described target surface area of the rayed in the predetermined wavelength range.
12. method according to claim 10, wherein, described portable image obtains equipment and has amplifying lens equipment, and described amplifying lens equipment has the lighting device of installing in inside, and described lighting device is configured to the described target surface area of the rayed in the predetermined wavelength range.
13. method according to claim 10, wherein, described predetermined wavelength range comprises in the set of being made up of ultraviolet wavelength and Infrared wavelength.
14. one kind is used for determining whether tested object is the system that has used the reliable object of authentication image on its authentication image zone, and described system comprises:
Portable digital image obtains equipment, is used to catch the digital picture of amplification of at least a portion of tested object, and described numeral is obtained equipment and comprised amplifying lens equipment, can easily operate to be used for respect to tested object location and directional digital image acquisition equipment;
Certified processor optionally obtains equipment with described portable digital image and communicates, and described certified processor comprises:
Image processing module, the digital picture that is suitable for described portable digital image is obtained the amplification that equipment catches is handled, with the digital picture after obtaining to handle; And
Authentication module, be suitable for based on the digital picture after handling whether satisfy predetermined authentication image and determine authentication result.
15. system according to claim 14, wherein, described certified processor also comprises the image receiver module, and described image receiver module is suitable for obtaining equipment by network from described portable digital image and receives the digital picture of amplifying.
16. system according to claim 15, wherein, described image receiver module is suitable for receiving via e-mail the digital picture of described amplification.
17. system according to claim 15, wherein, described network is a communication network, and described image receiver module is suitable for via a digital picture that receives described amplification in the set that comprises text message and Multimedia Message.
18. system according to claim 14, wherein, reliable object has the coded image of the expectation that is applied thereon, and the coded image of described expectation is by the set of using one or more coding parameter authentication image to be encoded to constitute, and described image processing module comprises:
Decoder module is suitable for the digital picture of digital image decoding algorithm application in described amplification, to produce decoded result.
19. system according to claim 18, wherein, described authentication module is suitable for described decoded result and object authentication criterion are compared, to determine described authentication result.
20. system according to claim 14, wherein, described portable digital obtains equipment and comprises in the set of being made up of hand-held digital camera, shooting mobile phone and PDA one.
21. system according to claim 14, wherein, described portable image obtains equipment can catch digital picture with about 10 microns resolution.
22. system according to claim 14, wherein, described image acquisition equipment is configured to catch by the formed image of the light in the predetermined wavelength range.
23. system according to claim 21, wherein, described amplifying lens equipment is suitable at least a portion with the described tested object of rayed in the predetermined wavelength range.
24. system according to claim 22, wherein, described amplifying lens equipment is included in the inner lighting device of installing, and described lighting device is configured at least a portion with the described tested object of rayed in the predetermined wavelength range.
25. system according to claim 21, wherein, described predetermined wavelength range comprises in the set of being made up of ultraviolet wavelength and Infrared wavelength.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US91393107P | 2007-04-25 | 2007-04-25 | |
| US60/913,931 | 2007-04-25 | ||
| US12/029,108 | 2008-02-11 |
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| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN101296299A true CN101296299A (en) | 2008-10-29 |
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNA2008100935386A Pending CN101296299A (en) | 2007-04-25 | 2008-04-23 | A system and method for determining whether a test object is an authentic object |
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| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN101296299A (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA200803184B (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN103270539A (en) * | 2010-12-22 | 2013-08-28 | 尤尼卡技术股份有限公司 | Method and device for authenticating documents marked with photochromic systems |
| CN103875026A (en) * | 2011-09-06 | 2014-06-18 | 德国联邦印制有限公司 | Method and arrangement for verifying a security document having a security feature in the form of a fluorescent printing element and use of such an arrangement |
| CN106846607A (en) * | 2017-01-11 | 2017-06-13 | 深圳怡化电脑股份有限公司 | A kind of Paper Currency Identification and device |
| WO2019109242A1 (en) * | 2017-12-05 | 2019-06-13 | Xu Hongzhen | Systems, apparatus, and methods for identifying and tracking object based on light coding |
-
2008
- 2008-04-10 ZA ZA200803184A patent/ZA200803184B/en unknown
- 2008-04-23 CN CNA2008100935386A patent/CN101296299A/en active Pending
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN103270539A (en) * | 2010-12-22 | 2013-08-28 | 尤尼卡技术股份有限公司 | Method and device for authenticating documents marked with photochromic systems |
| CN103270539B (en) * | 2010-12-22 | 2016-12-21 | 尤尼卡技术股份有限公司 | For the certification method and apparatus of the file of light-induced variable colour system system labelling |
| CN103875026A (en) * | 2011-09-06 | 2014-06-18 | 德国联邦印制有限公司 | Method and arrangement for verifying a security document having a security feature in the form of a fluorescent printing element and use of such an arrangement |
| CN103875026B (en) * | 2011-09-06 | 2016-10-26 | 德国联邦印制有限公司 | Verify method and apparatus and the application of this device of the secure file with the security feature that form is fluorescent printing element |
| CN106846607A (en) * | 2017-01-11 | 2017-06-13 | 深圳怡化电脑股份有限公司 | A kind of Paper Currency Identification and device |
| WO2019109242A1 (en) * | 2017-12-05 | 2019-06-13 | Xu Hongzhen | Systems, apparatus, and methods for identifying and tracking object based on light coding |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ZA200803184B (en) | 2009-01-28 |
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