EP3023946B1 - Document test device for checking a document - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of document verification.

The publication US 2008/237350 A1 shows a portable authentication device for printed security products.

The publication US 2005/007776 A1 shows a method and system for illuminating identification documents to check them.

The publication EP 1 589 496 A1 shows an arrangement and a method for testing optical diffraction structures.

The publication WO 2014/166649 A1 shows an image pickup system for image acquisition of a feature of an identification document.

The publication US 2012/217416 A1 shows a method for authenticating banknotes. WO 2011/055432 A1 shows in Fig. 1 a transport path on which a work piece is arranged. On the workpiece slides are stored, which may include, for example, holograms.

For checking a document, for example by means of optical features of the document, the document can be illuminated by means of a diffuse light source in order to reduce directional reflections on the document surface. For diffused illumination of the document, a dome illumination can be used. Here, the document can be covered by a dome-shaped cover, wherein the inner surface of the dome-shaped cover, as in an integrating sphere, may comprise a diffusely reflecting coating. By illuminating the inner surface of the dome-shaped cover by means of a light source, passive diffuse illumination of the document can be achieved. However, with such passive illumination, multiple reflection may occur on the document surface and the inner surface of the dome-shaped cover. This may result in a change in the light emitted by the light source, depending on the characteristics of the document surface. For example, if the light source emits white light, a colored document surface may discolor the light due to multiple reflection. For example, a green Lead to a discoloration of the white light in green light. This discoloration of the light can result in optical features of the document, in particular colored optical features of the document, being able to be checked only with great difficulty.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an efficient document checking device for checking a document.

This object is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous forms of further development are the subject of the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a document checking device for checking a document, comprising: a document receiver for receiving the document; a dome-shaped cover of the document receiver, wherein the dome-shaped Cover comprises a lighting device which is adapted to illuminate the document diffuse; and an image sensor for detecting the light reflected by the document in response to the diffused illumination by the illumination means. As a result, the advantage is achieved that a homogeneous, diffuse and reflection-free illumination of the document can be achieved.

The document may be an identification document, a banknote or a certificate.

The identification document may be one of the following identification documents: identity document, such as identity card, passport, access control card, authorization card, company card, tax stamp or ticket, birth certificate, driver's license or vehicle pass, means of payment, for example a bank card or credit card. The identification document may further comprise an electronically readable circuit, for example an RFID chip. The identification document can be single-layered or multi-layered or paper and / or plastic-based. The identification document can be constructed from plastic-based films which are joined together to form a card body by means of gluing and / or lamination, the films preferably having similar material properties.

Furthermore, the document may comprise an optical feature. The optical feature may be formed by printing on the document. For example, a first printing ink is used for printing a first character and a second printing ink is used for printing a second character. The first printing ink and the second printing ink may have the same optical properties, for example the same color, when exposed to visible light. When irradiated with infrared light, the first printing ink and the second printing ink may have different optical properties, for example, the first printing ink reflects infrared light while the second printing ink absorbs infrared light. Further, the first printing ink or the second printing ink may comprise fluorescent pigments which emit light in the visible spectrum when irradiated with ultraviolet light. Furthermore, the optical feature may be an optical, non-diffractive security feature.

To check the document, the visual feature of the document can be checked. Checking the visual feature of the document can be automated or by a user of the document checker. For example, an image of the optical feature is displayed to the user of the document checking device by means of a display device, wherein the image of the optical feature is detected by means of the image sensor.

The document receiver can be a support on which the document rests. Furthermore, the document recording can be light transparent or lichtintransparent.

The dome-shaped cover may be formed to shield against ambient light.

The lighting device may include a light-emitting sheet disposed on an inner side of the dome-shaped cover. For example, the illumination device comprises an active OLED film, which is glued to the inside of the dome-shaped cover.

The image sensor may be configured to detect light in the infrared, visible and / or ultraviolet wavelength range. Furthermore, the image sensor may comprise a photodiode, a charge-coupled device or a charge-coupled device (CCD). The image sensor may further be configured to capture an image of the light reflected by the document.

According to one embodiment, the illumination device is arranged on a document receiving side facing the dome-shaped cover at least partially flat. As a result, the advantage is achieved that the illumination device and thus the dome-shaped cover can have a particularly compact design.

According to one embodiment, the illumination device dresses at least in sections a side of the dome-shaped cover facing the document receptacle. As a result, the advantage is achieved that a particularly homogeneous illumination of the document can be achieved.

According to one embodiment, the illumination device comprises a light-emitting film, in particular an OLED film. As a result, the advantage is achieved that a particularly efficient illumination device can be used for the diffuse illumination of the document.

The OLED film may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED) film.

According to one embodiment, the illumination device comprises a plurality of luminous elements, in particular of organic light-emitting diodes. As a result, the advantage is achieved that the illumination device can be produced particularly inexpensively.

The plurality may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50.

According to one embodiment, the illumination device comprises a scattering element in order to produce a diffuse illumination. The diffuser may be, for example, a glass element or a plexiglass element having a rough or corrugated surface, whereby light scattering may be effected to produce diffused light. This provides the advantage that an efficient diffuse light source can be used to diffuse the document.

According to one embodiment, the illumination device is designed to emit white light, infrared light or ultraviolet light. This provides the advantage that the document can be illuminated with light of different wavelength ranges.

According to one embodiment, the dome-shaped cover of the document receiver on the shape of an ellipsoidal segment, in particular a hemisphere on. This provides the advantage that the domed cover of the document receiver can be formed for efficient illumination of the document.

The shape of the dome-shaped cover of the document receiver can be adapted to the geometric shape of the document and / or to the dimensions of the document in order to optimize the illumination of the document.

According to one embodiment, the image sensor is arranged on an opening of the dome-shaped cover, wherein the opening is arranged above or above the document receptacle. This provides the advantage that the image sensor can efficiently detect the light reflected by the document.

The image sensor may be positively received in the opening of the dome-shaped cover.

According to one embodiment, an objective for focusing on a surface of the document is arranged on the image sensor. This provides the advantage that documents of different thicknesses can be checked.

The lens may be positively received in the opening of the dome-shaped cover.

According to one embodiment, the image sensor is designed to detect infrared light, visible light or ultraviolet light. As a result, the advantage is achieved that light of different wavelength ranges can be detected by the image sensor.

According to one embodiment, a filter for transmitting or suppressing light in a predetermined wavelength range is arranged on the image sensor. As a result, the advantage is achieved that predetermined wavelength ranges of the light reflected by the document can be detected by the image sensor.

The filter can be a gradient filter, an edge filter or a Bayer filter.

According to one embodiment, the document checker further comprises a processor for extracting an optical feature of the document from that of the image sensor detected remitted light. Thereby, the advantage is achieved that an extracted optical feature of the document can be provided.

According to one embodiment, the processor for determining a comparison measure is formed from a comparison of the extracted optical feature of the document with a prestored optical reference feature. This provides the advantage that a measure of the authenticity of the document can be determined.

The optical reference feature may be a visual feature of the document pre-stored in a memory of the document checker.

The comparison of the extracted optical feature of the document with the prestored optical reference feature can be performed by means of a pattern comparison. The pattern comparison may be a comparison of image features, for example, corners, edges, relative distances, positions, and / or locations.

The comparison measure may be an agreement measure of the extracted optical feature of the document with the prestored optical reference feature. Furthermore, the comparison measure can be displayed to a user of the document checking device by means of a display device.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a document inspection method comprising: diffusely illuminating a document by means of a dome-shaped illumination device; and detecting the light reflected by the document in response to the diffused illumination by the illumination device. This provides the advantage of providing an efficient document review process.

The document verification process can be performed using the document tester.

The invention can be implemented in hardware and / or software.

Fig. 1

eine Querschnittsansicht eines Dokumentprüfgeräts zum Überprüfen eines Dokuments gemäß einer Ausführungsform; und

Fig. 2

eine Querschnittsansicht des Dokumentprüfgeräts zum Überprüfen des Dokuments gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform; und

Fig. 3

ein schematisches Diagramm eines Dokumentenprüfverfahrens gemäß einer Ausführungsform.

Further embodiments will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a cross-sectional view of a document checking device for checking a document according to an embodiment; and

Fig. 2

a cross-sectional view of the document checking device for checking the document according to another embodiment; and

Fig. 3

a schematic diagram of a document verification method according to an embodiment.

Fig. 1 FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of a document checking apparatus 100 for checking a document 101 according to an embodiment. The document checking device 100 comprises a document receiver 103, a dome-shaped cover 105, a lighting device 106, which lines the side of the dome-shaped cover 105 facing the document receiver 103, and an image sensor 123.

The document checking apparatus 100 for checking the document 101 may be formed with: the document receiver 103 for receiving the document 101; the dome-shaped cover 105 of the document receiver 103, wherein the dome-shaped cover 105 comprises a lighting device 106 which is adapted to illuminate the document 101 diffuse; and the image sensor 123 for detecting the light reflected by the document 101 in response to the diffused illumination by the illumination device 106.

The document 101 may be an identification document, a banknote or a certificate.

The identification document may be one of the following identification documents: identity document, such as identity card, passport, access control card, authorization card, company card, tax stamp or ticket, birth certificate, driver's license or vehicle pass, means of payment, for example a bank card or credit card. The identification document may further include a electronically readable circuit, for example, comprise an RFID chip. The identification document can be single-layered or multi-layered or paper and / or plastic-based. The identification document can be constructed from plastic-based films which are joined together to form a card body by means of gluing and / or lamination, the films preferably having similar material properties.

Further, the document 101 may include an optical feature. The optical feature may be formed by printing on the document 101. For example, a first printing ink is used for printing a first character and a second printing ink is used for printing a second character. The first printing ink and the second printing ink may have the same optical properties, for example the same color, when exposed to visible light. When irradiated with infrared light, the first printing ink and the second printing ink may have different optical properties, for example, the first printing ink reflects infrared light while the second printing ink absorbs infrared light. Further, the first printing ink or the second printing ink may comprise fluorescent pigments which emit light in the visible spectrum when irradiated with ultraviolet light. Furthermore, the optical feature may be an optical, non-diffractive security feature.

To check the document 101, the optical feature of the document 101 can be checked. The checking of the optical feature of the document 101 may be automated or performed by a user of the document checking device 100. For example, an image of the optical feature is displayed to the user of the document checking apparatus 100 by means of a display device, wherein the image of the optical feature is detected by means of the image sensor 123.

The document receiver 103 may be a support on which the document 101 rests. Further, the document receiver 103 may be light transparent or light transparent.

The dome-shaped cover 105 may be formed to shield against ambient light. Furthermore, the dome-shaped cover 105 may have the shape of an ellipsoidal segment, in particular a hemisphere. The shape of the dome-shaped cover 105 may correspond to the geometric shape of the document 101 and / or to the Dimensions of the document 101 are adapted to optimize the illumination of the document 101. For example, the dome-shaped cover 105 may be formed elongated to check an elongate document 101. Furthermore, the dome-shaped cover 105 may cover a portion of the document receiver 103.

The illumination device 106 may include a light-emitting foil disposed on an inner side of the dome-shaped cover 105. For example, the illumination device 106 comprises an active OLED film, which is glued to the inside of the dome-shaped cover 105.

The image sensor 123 may be configured to detect light in the infrared, visible and / or ultraviolet wavelength range. Furthermore, the image sensor 123 may comprise a photodiode, a charge-coupled device or a charge-coupled device (CCD). The image sensor 123 may further be configured to capture an image of the light reflected by the document 101. Further, the image sensor 123 may be positively received in an opening of the dome-shaped cover 105.

Fig. 2 FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the document checking apparatus 100 for checking the document 101 according to another embodiment. The document inspection apparatus 100 includes the document receiver 103, the dome-shaped cover 105 having a plurality of lighting elements 107 to 121 constituting the illumination device 106, and the image sensor 123.

The light-emitting elements 107-121 may be light-emitting diodes, in particular organic light-emitting diodes. Further, the light emitting elements 107-121 may be configured to emit white light, infrared light or ultraviolet light.

According to one embodiment, the light-emitting elements 107-121 may be provided by organic light-emitting diodes in the form of moldable films or in the form of moldable OLED films. For example, the light-emitting elements 107-121 are each formed by an OLED film portion, which is adhered to the inside of the dome-shaped cover 105.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of lighting elements 107-121 may be configured for simultaneous illumination of the document 101.

Fig. 3 FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of a document review process 200 according to one embodiment.

The document verification method 200 includes: diffused illumination 201 of the document 101 by means of the dome-shaped illumination device 106; and detecting 203 the light reflected by the document 101 in response to the diffused illumination by the illumination device 106

The document checking method 200 may be performed using the document checking apparatus 100.

According to one embodiment, for checking a document 101, in particular for checking colored features of a document 101, homogeneous and reflection-free illumination can be provided by means of a dome illumination or an integrating sphere. This allows a reproducible validation of optical, non-diffractive features. However, with passive illumination, the color of the light diffused diffusely, for example by the document 101, relative to the inspection surface may be changed as the background changes, for example, when the document 101 has a colored document surface. This can be caused by the indirect illumination of the homogeneous area of the dome illumination or of the Ulbricht sphere with white light and the use of the diffuse light thus produced for object illumination, for example for illuminating the document 101. The light color can thus be specified by the area ratios of the scattering surfaces involved, including the test object, for example the document 101.

According to one embodiment, illumination-relevant surfaces of a dome illumination or of an integrating sphere can be replaced by active and diffuse light sources whose intensity can be above the diffuse remission of possible spurious surfaces in the inspection area, for example in the area of the document receiver 103 or the document 101.

According to one embodiment, the illumination device 106 may comprise moldable films or formable OLED films. As a result, a diffuse, homogeneous and shapable white-light illumination, for example of the document 101, can be provided. For this purpose, the surface equivalent to the passive dome illumination or to the passive integrating sphere or a derived optimized surface can be covered with such films.

According to one embodiment, the document checking device 100 comprises an opening for an objective of the image sensor 123 or a camera lens as well as a stop for the document receiver 103 or a document support.

According to one embodiment, the document to be tested 101 can be illuminated homogeneously, diffusely and without reflection. As a result, the light intensity can be increased by means of an Ulbricht sphere compared to passive dome illumination or passive illumination.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

Dokumentprüfgerät

101

document

103

documents admission

105

Dome-shaped cover

106

lighting device

107

light element

109

light element

111

light element

113

light element

115

light element

117

light element

119

light element

121

light element

123

image sensor

200

documents test procedures

201

Diffuse lighting

203

To capture

Claims (15)

1. A document test device (100) for checking a document (101), having:

   a document receiver (103) for receiving the document (101);

   a dome-shaped cover (105) of the document receiver (103), wherein the dome-shaped cover (105) includes an illumination device (106) that is designed to diffusely illuminate the document (101); and

   an image sensor (123) for detecting the light that is remitted by the document (101) in response to the diffuse illumination by means of the illumination device (106).
2. The document test device (100) according to Claim 1, wherein the illumination device (106) is situated, at least partially flatly, on a side of the dome-shaped cover (105) facing the document receiver (103).
3. The document test device (100) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the illumination device (106) lines, at least in sections, a side of the dome-shaped cover (105) facing the document receiver (103).
4. The document test device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination device (106) includes a light-emitting film, in particular an OLED film.
5. The document test device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination device (106) includes a plurality of lighting elements (107-121), in particular organic light-emitting diodes.
6. The document test device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination device (106) includes a scattering element for generating diffuse illumination.
7. The document test device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination device (106) is designed for irradiating white light, infrared light, or ultraviolet light.
8. The document test device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the dome-shaped cover (105) of the document receiver (103) has the shape of an ellipsoidal segment, in particular a hemisphere.
9. The document test device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the image sensor (123) is situated at an opening in the dome-shaped cover (105), wherein the opening is situated above or on top of the document receiver (103).
10. The document test device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a lens for focusing on a surface of the document (101) is situated on the image sensor (123) .
11. The document test device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the image sensor (123) is designed for detecting infrared light, visible light, or ultraviolet light.
12. The document test device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a filter for transmitting or suppressing light in a predetermined wavelength range is situated on the image sensor (123).
13. The document test device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further including a processor for extracting an optical feature of the document (101) from the remitted light that is detected by the image sensor (123) .
14. The document test device (100) according to Claim 13, wherein the processor is designed for determining a comparative measure from a comparison of the extracted optical feature of the document (101) with a prestored optical reference feature.
15. A document test method (200), comprising:

    diffusely illuminating (201) a document (101) by means of an illumination device (106) having a dome-shaped design; and

    detecting (203) the light that is remitted by the document (101) in response to the diffuse illumination by means of the illumination device (106).

Images