FI57053C - FOERFARANDE FOER BESTAEMNING ELLER KONTROLL AV EN INDIVIDS IDENTITET SAMT IDENTITETSHANDLING FOER UTFOERANDE AV FOERFARANDET - Google Patents

Description

\ Γ1 .... WHERE IS A PUBLICATION C ΠΛ C 7 [B] UTLAGG NI NGSSKRI FT ^ / 0 5 3 (51) Kv.ik. '/ Int.ci. * A 61 B 5/10 G OJ P 3/00 '' G 07 C 11/00 H 04 Q 5/00 FINLAND —FINLAND (i1) PttunUlh.k.mu.-PaMntwrflcnlni 1853/72 (22) Hakwnltpilvl - Afttöknlnpdag 29.06.72 (23) AI bubble vi— Gllti | h «Udag 29.06.72 (41) Tullut | ulklMktl - Bllvlt offtntlig 05.05.73

Patent and Registration Office .... ...... ., , ......

_ * (44) Date of issue and date of issue. -

Patent- och registerstyrelsen 'AnKJktn utlagd och utl.akriftan publicerad 29.02.80 (32) (33) (31) Requested atuoikeui — Baglrd prloritat 01 + .11.71 Sweden-Sweden (SE) · 11 + 109/71 09.05.72 usa ( us) 251807 (71) (72) Rolf Eric Rothfjell, Luntmakargatan 52, 113 58 Stockholm,

Sweden-Sweden (SE) (7I +) Berggren Oy Ah (5I +) Method for determining or verifying the identity of a person and identity document for carrying out the method method for determining or verifying the identity of a person. The invention also relates to an identity document for carrying out this method.

"Identification" primarily means the establishment of a person's identity, ie the verification of whether the person in question is the person he or she claims to be. The principle of the invention can also be used to determine the identity of an unknown person.

Until now, various identity cards with certain characteristics of the person concerned have usually been used for such identification purposes. These cards are mainly intended for visual inspection, ie the inspector decides by looking at the card whether or not the cardholder has the identification features marked on the card, although such cards can also be checked automatically. Known cards are therefore provided with at least two separate forms of identification information, one form for manual identification and the other form for mechanical identification.

57053

It must therefore be possible to verify, either manually or by mechanical means, that the identity card: (a) is correct and not forged; (b) has not been altered (no new features have been added), and (c) has not been used by an unrelated person.

In order to meet these requirements, the card must be equipped with a relatively large number of security features, i.e. security measures, which must not be so simple as to allow the card to be falsified or another person's insignia to be affixed to it.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a simple method for obtaining an identity card which is secured against forgery, to which it is not possible to add new features and which is not used by unauthorized persons. The identity card of the present invention may be verified manually or by mechanical means, using the same individual characteristics for both purposes. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a completely reliable identity card with only a limited number of identifying features.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means by which identity can be verified using computers. Such a system is becoming increasingly desirable as the use of computers increases, especially in cases where it is necessary to ensure that only the persons concerned have access to certain information stored on the machine. For this purpose, the method has been applied to provide each person concerned with a secret personal code, which, if desired, information is entered from the computer into the machine by piercing, while others are entered into the machine, e.g. the information on the punched card or tape, after which the computer verifies that the code number entered therein matches the information marked on the punched card or tape. This method has the disadvantage that, despite all the precautions, it is possible for unauthorized persons to become aware of the the person's secret code number, along with other necessary information. Attempts have also been made to use sound as an identifier. However, the characteristics of human voice are not permanent, and when the voice is used for automatic identification purposes, from time to time it is not sufficiently consistent with the voice stored on the computer. The use of fingerprints has also been suggested, but can be falsified.

3,57053

Thus, there is a need for an identification means that can be easily stored in a computer in such a way that the machine can compare the registered identification means with the person himself or with an image taken into the machine. The means of identification should take the form of inherent characteristics of the person concerned, i.e. other than an arbitrary numerical or alphanumeric code or the like, the characteristics being so unique that they exclude virtually any possibility of another person having identical characteristics. The features chosen as a means of identification should be such that they remain unchanged for several years, preferably throughout the life of the person concerned. The means of identification should also be visible to the naked eye to allow visual identification.

Accordingly, another object of the invention is to provide a reproduction of a feature which is characteristic of a person receiving an identification means and which can be identified in a data processing machine.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a means for performing a comparison between the characteristics of a person stored in a data processing machine and the person providing the identification means to the machine, the comparison means being either the person himself or his image.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an identification means which is secured against counterfeiting, which prevents unauthorized use and which can be used in connection with monetary transactions, in particular those in which a data processing machine is used to debit the account of the person concerned.

As mentioned above, attempts have been made in the past to use special, individual characteristics for identification purposes. However, the features used so far have been quite simple in nature and relatively easy to falsify.

A person’s facial features inherently form a good characteristic data set for identification purposes. However, with current technology, it is practically not possible to store complete images of a person's face on a data processing machine. In addition, it is also difficult with a data processing machine to compare the complete image of a person stored in the machine with the complete image of the person himself or 4,57053 taken from another person.

In order to solve this problem, the method according to the invention is characterized by what is set forth in the appended claim 1.

The principle of the invention can be applied by photographing the face of the person in question and drawing a certain line from the photograph by drawing, for example, the outline of the face. Although it is possible to use only one photograph, it is advantageous according to the present invention to use several photographs, for example one photograph taken directly from the front, another photograph taken as a side image and a third photograph taken at an angle of about 45 ° to the face, and lines are drawn from all these photographs.

The invention will now be explained in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, and in this connection further features characteristic of the invention will become apparent. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a series of photographs;

Fig. 2 shows the same set of photographs as shown in Fig. 1, further comprising examples of lines that can be derived from the photographs for identification purposes;

Fig. 3 shows the lines marked in Fig. 2 separated from other parts of the corresponding photographs, showing different ways of collecting data for use in a data processing machine in which a series of photographs is stored and / or intended to identify said series and thus the person concerned;

Figure 4 is a partial schematic representation of an information system for identifying a series of photographs as shown in Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a partially schematic representation of a system for directly identifying a person.

Figure 1 shows a series of natural photographs of a person, i.e. a series of conventional black and white photographs. In principle, photographs can be taken with any suitable camera using conventional film, from which copies can be made in the normal way. A suitable camera is, for example, an Antenna-type camera described in U.S. Patent No. 2,868,096. The film can be a normally sensitive either black and white or color film, such as the well-known commercially available films produced by AGFA * or Kodak. . The film is developed using conventional methods.

The series of photographs in Figure 1 shows the same person in three different positions. The set comprises the face shown in Fig. 1 directly from 5 57053 from the front, in Fig. 2 at an angle of about 45 ° and in Fig. 3 from the side. Although the example presented herein comprises three images taken at different angles, it will be appreciated that any number of such photographs (more than one) may be sufficient in various embodiments of the system of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the same series of photographs as in Figure 1, with certain lines reinforced by wide lines following the characteristic features of the face in each photograph. Thus, lines 4, 5 and 6 are the outlines on the right side of the face image in each of the photographs 1, 2 and 3, respectively. In Figure 1, lines 7 and 8 characteristic of the face of the person in question are reinforced in the same way as lines 4, 5 and 6. , 10 and 11 reinforced in photo 2 and - line 12 in photo 3 · In Figures 2 and 3, lines 4-12 are drawn on the front surface of photos 1-3. This can have a distracting effect on the person viewing the photos, and the actual lines in the photo will also be obscured. To avoid this disadvantage, lines 4-12 are preferably drawn on the back surface of photographs 1-3. As shown in Figures 1-3, the subject in question has been characterized with the aid of a series of lines which, as a selected combination, can only be found here on the person's face or facial images, so that the person is well defined. Obviously, the number of lines may be larger than shown above or also smaller. Variation in the number of lines selected offers greater scope for accurate identification. As described above, an original or dominant image is obtained which is suitable for drawing lines 4-12 and storing it in a data processing machine such as a digital calculator such as IBM 370. The original set of photographs can also be used as an identity card as shown in reference 15 in Figure 4.

Lines 4-12 can be taken from photographs 1-3 by freehand drawing on their copies, using photographic or xerographic High-contrast copying technology, electronically amplifying contrasts in photographs, or using a laser beam controlled by the strongest contrasts in the face image in the photograph. Importantly, lines 4-12 follow the intended lines with such accuracy that, at least when checked with the naked eye, they appear to be completely identical to said lines. Each of the lines 4-12 must cover a sufficiently long part of the feature line in question to substantially eliminate the possibility that similar lines may occur in two persons.

6 57053

When making an identity card for a person, lines 4-12 can be drawn on the back surface of the photograph, with the front surface showing three photographs 1-3, and covered with a layer of plastic material that is sufficiently translucent or transparent to visually inspect the information on the card. For example, any known transparent plastics such as polyesters as well as polyethylene or polyethylene terephthalate can be used as the cover. In this way, it can be ensured that the photographs on the ID card actually belong to it and have not been altered or subsequently attached to it. The authenticity of the card can be checked by holding the card against the light, making it easy to ascertain whether the lines actually match the lines of the photos or not. Thus, it is, in fact, impossible to assimilate the identity of the person to whom card 16 was issued simply by affixing one’s own photographs over the lines.

The resulting lines 4-12, shown in Figure 3 separated from other parts of the corresponding photographs, can also be easily stored in a data processing machine, for example by identifying any number of points on each line as coordinate points with respect to appropriately selected axes. Three-dimensional lines can also be easily stored in a data processing machine, and it is within the scope of this invention to use three-dimensional lines derived from three-dimensional images such as holograms. Such lines can be stored on data processing machines, e.g., using an optical reader such as the commercially available readers IBM 1287 or IBM 1288, the reading of which can be stored in the data storage element of the calculator. The lines may be read in horizontal and / or vertical steps, as indicated by references 13 and 14 in Figure 3, or by any other suitable means. Of course, in order to preserve the integrity of the data bank, only the persons concerned must be allowed to enter the data into the memory of the calculator.

Thus, lines 4-12 shown in Fig. 3 represent information stored in the memory of a data processing machine. The number of points selected from each line is not critical, but -as it is certainly clear that the closer the points selected from the line are to each other, the more reliable the identification information is.

The above-mentioned identity card 15, in which lines 4-12 are arranged placed on the back surface of photographs 1-3, i.e. below them, can also be checked manually. Thus, if you want to check the validity of the card in relation to its holder, the checking authority, eg bank cashier, police, passport inspector, etc. only needs 7 57053 to compare the photo on the card face and then hold the card against the light to make sure the lines below the photos match facial features of the images.

Furthermore, as will be apparent from the above description, the lines need not be marked on the card itself, but may be stored on a data processing machine. Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a system by which a person's identity can be verified using an identity card which does not itself contain the above-mentioned selected facial features. In this case, a series of photographs 1-3 corresponding to those shown in Figure 1 is attached to the identity card, in addition to which a personal account number 16 or any other desired personal data set, i.e. information, is suitably marked on it.

The card 15 used in connection with the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which lacks facial features, can be used for identification purposes in banks, shops and the like, where, for example, a cashier can make a visual comparison between photographs 1-3 and the person presenting the card. In order to check that the photographs are correct and that the card is not a counterfeit, the cashier then inserts the card in accordance with the invention in an electronic reading and reproducing device, indicated by reference numeral 17, connected to a central computer in which characteristic lines 4-12 are stored. The reading and reproducing device may comprise e.g. a reading means part 19 adapted to read the code numbers 16 marked on the card. The reading device used in the present invention may be of a type reading magnetic characters, the code numbers being appropriately written therein, or of an optical reading type, although any suitable reading device can be used.

The reading means part 19 transmits the sequence of numbers it recognizes to the central computer 18, which responds by transmitting the data belonging to the person identified by the number sequence 16 to the reproducing means 20 comprising the image surface 21, both of which are parts of the remote unit 17. The information transmitted to the reproducing device 20 includes information regarding lines 4-12, which are characteristic of the facial features of the subject in question. The lines are then repeated on the image surface 21 of the reproduction medium 20.

Thus, if it is desired to verify the authenticity of such a card, the card 15 is inserted into the reading and reproducing apparatus 17, photographs 1-3 placed on the image surface 21, and the remote unit is started to provide a reading signal to the reading means 19, after which the above-mentioned The lines reproduced under illumination on the image surface 21 can now be visually inspected through the card to see if they coincide with the corresponding lines in the photographs 1-3 of the card.

The system described above can also be connected to account terminals so that the customer can use his ID card as a credit card, in which case the cashier only needs to enter a significant item into the customer's account on a keyboard connected to a computer 18 on which the customer's account information is also stored. In addition, the invoicing system may comprise means for copying a person's characteristic lines or any other information, and such a copying system may be used to generate receipts or other markings for each delivery made by the customer concerned.

As described above, it is possible to simply check - either with or without a computer - whether or not the card has been issued to the person presenting it. It is clear that if the characteristic lines drawn below the photograph, i.e. on the back surface or appearing on the image surface connected to the data processing system, do not correspond to the corresponding facial features in the photographs, the card has been altered or is incorrect.

By combining the two methods described above for describing the characteristic facial features of the subject in question, e.g., by storing the lines on the card and the data processing unit 18, the data processing unit itself can be programmed to check the validity of the card. In this case, the reading means portion 19 of the reading and reproducing apparatus 17 is provided with a reading means such as an optical reading means corresponding to the above-described means for reading the lines ä-12 to the data processing unit 18 for storage. When checking the identity card presented by the person in question, the cashier, for example, first visually checks that the features of said person correspond to those shown in photographs 1-3, after which the cashier places the card in the reading device 17 of the remote station. The reading means part 19 then reads the lines, which are compared with the lines stored in the memory unit of the central computer 18. This comparison is performed automatically on the computer 18, which can then ensure the person's right to receive the desired information. In this respect, the search in the computer's memory register is performed using, for example, a personal identification number, account number or the like marked on card 16, or alternatively using a personal code entered on the card as described above, -12 to the lines in the memory register. If the lines do not match, the computer will not provide the requested information, refusing to perform the delivery. In addition, the lines on each card shown may also be stored in a special register, making it possible to carry out subsequent checks as to which persons have attempted to use the system on the wrong grounds. This can be valuable in certain cases, especially in investigations provided by the police or individuals, for example.

In addition, a search in the memory register of a data processing machine can be performed without using a personal account number or a personal code as a guide. As such, the data derived from the lines on the card can initiate a search in the memory register. Once started, the search proceeds according to a method already programmed into the computer.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to include in the data processing machine an initial check that the lines are consistent with the corresponding features in the photographs, providing the computer with means enabling it to simultaneously identify both the photographs and the lines according to a predetermined program.

Thus, it is not necessary to store each line of the set of lines 4-12 in its entirety in the memory unit 18 of the central computer, but each line can be represented only by a predetermined number of points whose coordinates are stored in said memory. When the reading card part 19 reads the identity card, the result is transmitted to the central computer 18, and it is only necessary to check that the points stored in the computer correspond to said result.

In this case, the reading means 19 needs to be adapted to read the lines 4-12 marked on the card 15 only along one or more specific identification lines, such as lines 13 and 14 shown in Fig. 3. The number of identification lines, the starting point of identification and the scanning direction are all variables. and which form the key points in the code of identity, and thus are also factors which should be kept secret as far as possible. The card can thus be inspected according to either the "on line" or "off line" technique.For all the mechanical checks described above, the card is read along one or more identification lines.Each point where lines 13, 14 intersect lines 4-12 can be given a numerical value , and these values are appropriately aggregated and used as a checksum of 10 57053.

It is further possible, with the aid of television cameras and optical systems to reproduce the lines 4-12 stored in the data processing machine 18, to make a direct comparison between the stored lines and the actual face of the person concerned.

This can be achieved solely by means of a computer or by using said machine in cooperation with the person in question.

Thus, instead of an identity card, it is possible to use the person in question as a real object when comparing lines 4-12 stored on a computer. In this embodiment, a glass plate, for example, can be placed between the person in question, e.g. the customer and the cashier, on which the lines stored in the computer can be projected. The projection of the lines on the glass plate can be initiated by hitting the identification number presented by the customer on the keypad of the remote station, after which the mainframe computer projects the lines in response to it. The customer can then be asked to stand in front of the glass plate so that certain places coincide, corresponding to the position of eyes, mouth, etc., so that the cashier can determine whether the lines on the glass plate correspond to the corresponding features of the person's face.

Corresponding and more accurate identification can be achieved by applying a direct identification technique, as shown in Figure 5, so that one or more television cameras are aimed at the subject's face, transmitting image signals to monitors 24. Monitors 24 form a series of images substantially similar to Figure 1. lines 4-12 or a certain number of points of these lines taken from the computer's memory unit can be placed on the respective monitors on top of the previous images, in which case the feature lines of the image group in the monitors should be consistent with the superimposed lines. In this way, a similar image to that shown in Figure 2, or portions thereof, is obtained for the monitors 24, provided that the customer has provided the correct identification number.

When using the system according to the invention for identifying an unknown person, it is of course necessary to make a comparison between the lines from the face of the person in question and the lines in the memory register from a number of known persons.

Another use to which this invention can be applied is to use it to establish any common connection between different 57053 individuals, the computer being programmed to perform a comparison between the lines of the individuals to be related to each other by comparing the similarity of their facial features.

The present invention has been described above with reference to lines according to the facial features of the subject in question, provided in one or more angles of view. However, features other than those described above may also be used, such as the shape of the eyes, ears or mouth. In addition, if a facial contour is used, particularly protruding facial areas can be displayed in the contour according to predetermined rules, and the particularly distinct areas thus obtained can provide additional possibilities for inspection.

Feature lines of the type used in this specification do not normally change over the years or change only slightly and may remain substantially constant throughout the life of the person concerned. However, if these facial features change due to, for example, an accident, plastic surgery, or a serious illness, it is, of course, necessary to re-photograph the face and replace the old lines with new lines taken from a recent photograph.

It is further noted that the system according to the invention provides absolute protection for the integrity of the person concerned, since the system can be applied in such a way that no functions can be performed on a data processing machine without the presence of the person in question.

Claims (7)

57053 12 1. A method for determining or verifying the identity of a person by comparing the person or image with the recording of a characteristic to determine whether or not the recording and the corresponding characteristic of the person are consistent, characterized by deriving one or more characteristic curves from one or more faces , these are stored and the recording is used for comparison on the corresponding curves of the person whose identity is to be determined or verified. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the curve or curves are marked on an identity card, which optionally also comprises copies of it or the images from which the curve or curves are derived. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the curve or curves are stored in a computer in the form of data of a curve or a set of points of curves. Method according to Claim 3, characterized in that the identity is determined or verified by directly comparing the curves stored in the computer with the faces of the person by means of television cameras and optical systems illustrating the stored curve. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the determination or verification of the identity takes place as a comparison performed on a computer between the stored or stored curves and the facial image of the person presented to the computer. Identity document for carrying out the method according to claim 1, comprising one or more images of a person's face, characterized in that one or more person-specific curves derived from these images are arranged on a surface separate from the images in positions uniform to the corresponding shape lines in the images . Identity document according to Claim 6, characterized in that it is so transparent that the uniformity of the curves with the contour lines can be checked by X-ray.