Automated holographic optical recognition and decoding system for verification

• US 5,432,329 A
• Filed: 11/25/1992
• Issued: 07/11/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: OpSec Security Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: American Bank Note Holographics, Inc. (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: O'Boyle, Lily, Colgate, Gilbert Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHEPPERD, JOHN W
• Application Number:
  US07/982,299
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 235/454, 235/468, 235/487, 359/2
• US Class Current: 235/487
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/08 using markings of different kinds or more than one marking of the same kind in the same record carrier, e.g. one marking being sensed by optical and the other by magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/083 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/16 the marking being a hologram or diffraction grating
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/086 by passive credit-cards adapted therefor, e.g. constructive particularities to avoid counterfeiting, e.g. by inclusion of a physical or chemical security-layer for security documents G07D7/00; for the reading of record-carriers in general G06K7/00; for the design of coded credit-cards G06K19/10

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method of automatically decoding holographic signals by establishing an optical clock and performing subsequent optical signal analysis. In addition to a primary holographic image, the present invention comprises an optical image which generates a periodic pattern to create an optical clock for initializing the data reading device. By using a light source illuminating the optical image, diffraction signals are received by the detector(s). With a scanning (swiping) motion, signals of the optical clock and the primary image are read and the signals are processed and compared. The optical pattern can further be processed through an encryption algorithm and stored in a magnetic stripe, computer chip, hand held processor or a host computer for verification.

Claims

1. A security document comprising;

a carrier;

a primary optical image provided on said carrier, said primary optical image adapted to define a first set of coded, machine readable data, wherein said primary optical image comprises a hologram of a bar code coding a numerical digit; and

an optical clock affixed to said carrier, said optical clock comprising a reference image formed as a periodic pattern on said carrier, whereby said optical clock is adapted to initialize a data reading terminal to accurately read said coded, machine readable data, wherein said primary optical image and said optical clock comprise preset information defining a preset optical arrangement upon affixation to said carrier.

2. A security document according to claim 1, further comprising a magnetic stripe mounted on said carrier and having a second set of coded, machine readable data.

3. A security document according to claim 2, wherein said primary optical image forms part of said magnetic stripe.

4. A security document according to claim 1, wherein said carrier is a plastic embossed document.

5. A security document according to claim 1, wherein said optical clock comprises visible ink printed on or near said primary optical image.

6. A security document according to claim 1, wherein said optical clock comprises invisible ink printed on or near said primary optical image.

7. A security document comprising;

a carrier;

a primary optical image affixed to said carrier, said primary optical image adapted to define a first set of coded, machine readable data,

an optical clock affixed to said carrier, said optical clock comprising a reference image formed as a periodic pattern on said carrier, whereby said optical clock is adapted to initialize a data reading terminal to accurately read said coded, machine readable data, wherein said optical clock comprises an image plane holographic pattern.

8. A security document comprising;

a carrier;

a primary optical image affixed to said carrier, said primary optical image adapted to define a first set of coded, machine readable data,

an optical clock affixed to said carrier, said optical clock comprising a reference image formed as a periodic pattern on said carrier, whereby said optical clock is adapted to initialize a data reading terminal to accurately read said coded, machine readable data, wherein said optical clock comprises an out of focus holographic pattern having a background plane in three-dimensional composition.

9. A security document comprising;

a carrier;

a primary optical image affixed to said carrier, said primary optical image adapted to define a first set of coded, machine readable data,

an optical clock affixed to said carrier, said optical clock comprising a reference image formed as a periodic pattern on said carrier, whereby said optical clock is adapted to initialize a data reading terminal to accurately read said coded, machine readable data, wherein said optical clock comprises partial metalization of said primary optical image, said partial metalization adapted to define said periodic pattern and be read by said data reading terminal.

10. A method of optical data recognition for a security document comprising the steps of:

providing onto said document a predefined reference image comprising a periodic pattern, said periodic pattern defining an optical clock and adapted to be detected by a data reading terminal,

providing onto said document a predefined primary optical image comprising a first set of machine readable data, said primary optical image adapted to be detected by said data reading terminal, whereby said reference image defines a holographic pattern which initializes said data reading terminal to consistently read said primary optical image.

11. A security document according to claim 10 further comprising the steps of encoding said reference image and said first set of coded, machine readable data, said encoding step comprising detecting said reference image and said first set of coded, machine readable data, and, based on the alignment of said reference image and said first set of coded, machine readable data, digitizing and/or registering alignment information with respect to a given address in a memory location as coded information.

12. A method according to claim 11 further comprising the step of decoding said reference image and said first set of coded, machine readable data, said decoding step comprising detecting said reference image and said first set of coded, machine readable data, and comparing said detected reference image and readable data with said coded information, whereby if said detected reference image and readable data match said coded information, the document is verified as valid and if said detected reference image and readable data do not match said coded information, the document is verified as invalid.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein said decoding step further comprises a data manipulation step wherein said reference image and said readable data are manipulated by an encryption algorithm prior to being compared to said coded information.

14. A method according to claim 11 wherein said encoding step further comprises a data manipulation step wherein said reference image and said readable data are manipulated by an encryption algorithm prior to being stored as coded information.

15. A method according to claim 11 wherein said memory location comprises a magnetic or holographic magnetic stripe whereby a communication link to a memory bank separately located with respect to said data reading terminal is eliminated.

16. A method according to claim 11 wherein said memory location comprises a computer chip located in said data reading terminal whereby a communication link to a memory bank separately located with respect to said data reading terminal is eliminated.

17. A method according to claim 11 wherein said memory location comprises a handheld microprocessor.

18. A method according to claim 11 wherein said memory location comprises a central memory bank adapted to receive a plurality of signals from a plurality of data reading terminals.

19. A method according to claim 10 further comprising the step of providing onto said document magnetic information adapted to be read by said data processing terminal for further enhancing the security of said document.

20. A method according to claim 10, wherein said reference image comprises an image plane holographic pattern.

21. A method according to claim 10, wherein said reference image comprises an out of focus holographic pattern having a background plane in three-dimensional composition.

22. A method according to claim 10, wherein said reference image further defines an optical starting signal and an optical ending signal whereby the reliability of said optical data recognition method is enhanced.

23. A method of optical data recognition for a security document comprising the steps of:

providing onto said document a reference image comprising a periodic pattern, said periodic pattern defining an optical clock and adapted to be detected by a data reading terminal,

providing onto said document a primary optical image comprising a first set of machine readable data, said primary optical image adapted to be detected by said data reading terminal, whereby said reference image initializes said data reading terminal to consistently read said primary optical image, wherein said reference image comprises partial metalization of said primary optical image, said partial metalization adapted to define said periodic pattern and be read by said data reading terminal.

24. A security document comprising:

a carrier;

a primary optical image affixed to said carrier, said primary optical image adapted to define a first set of coded, machine readable data,

an optical clock affixed to said carrier, said optical clock comprising a reference image formed as a periodic pattern on said carrier, whereby said optical clock is adapted to initialize a data reading terminal to accurately read said coded, machine readable data, wherein at least a portionof one of said optical clock and said primary optical image is superimposed on the other of said optical clock and said primary optical image.

25. A security document comprising;

a carrier;

a primary optical image provided on said carrier, said primary optical image adapted to define a first set of machine readable data,

an optical clock provided on said carrier, said optical clock comprising a reference image formed as a periodic pattern on said carrier, wherein said optical clock defines an optical starting signal and an optical ending signal, said optical starting signal being read by a data reading terminal prior to said primary optical image, and said optical ending being read by said data reading terminal after said primary optical image, whereby said optical clock defines a beginning and an end of said primary optical image,

wherein at least a portion of one of said optical clock and said primary optical image is superimposed on the other of said optical clock and said primary optical image.

26. A method of optical data recognition for a security document comprising the steps of:

providing onto said document a reference image comprising a periodic pattern, said periodic pattern defining an optical clock and adapted to be detected by a data reading terminal,

providing onto said document a primary optical image comprising a hologram of a bar code coding a numerical digit, said primary optical image adapted to be detected by said data reading terminal, whereby said reference image initializes said data reading terminal to consistently read said primary optical image.