Image recording for a document generation system

• US 6,593,962 B1
• Filed: 05/18/2000
• Issued: 07/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: L-1 Identity Solutions Operating Co. (Advent International Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Imaging Automation Inc. (Imaging Automation (DE) LLC)
• Inventors: Downer, Raymond J., Duggan, Charles F
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, LUONG TRUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/573,738
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.99, 348/207.1, 348/207.2, 348/239, 348/586, 348/587, 348/585, 348/584, 348/722, 348/211.99, 396/2, 396/3, 382/164, 382/173, 382/282, 382/286, 382/162, 382/163, 345/589, 345/590, 345/591
• US Class Current: 348/211.99
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/64 Computer-aided capture of images, e.g. transfer from script file into camera, check of taken image quality, advice or proposal for image composition or decision on when to take image

Abstract

An automated image recording and document generation system is disclosed that generates identity documents using image and text information that is input to the system using computer controlled video cameras. The image and text information is combined with other stored images, such as logos, signatures and seals, to produce official identity documents such as identity cards, drivers licenses and passports. Prior to use the system automatically enters a setup and calibration phase wherein a video camera images a backdrop having borders on the left and right vertical edges and the digitized video output is analyzed to adjust the camera zoom and to locate the center of the backdrop in front of which an individual will sit or stand to have their picture taken. The image of a person whose picture is taken is analyzed and is centered horizontally in a picture by adding or subtracting columns of background color to the left or right side of the picture as needed. The system also adjusts the iris of the camera for brightness. After setup an individual whose picture is to be taken is positioned in front of the backdrop and their picture is taken. The picture is analyzed to locate the edges of the face of the individual. The camera is tilted under control of the computer to roughly position the individuals face vertically in the picture. Thereafter, the system adds or subtracts scan lines of the backdrop color above the face of the individual to finally position the face in the picture. The picture is also electronically adjusted for gamma and picture brightness.

Claims

1. A method for setting up and adjusting computer controlled video camera equipment used to take a picture of a person that will be positioned before a colored backdrop in front of the camera, the backdrop having left and right borders of one color and a known width, and a central area of another color and a known width, the camera having a tilt mechanism for pointing said camera vertically and having zoom, focus and brightness adjustments that may be adjusted responsive to signals from a computer, said method comprising the steps of:

locating the position of the borders and using that information and the known width of the central area of the backdrop to locate the vertical center of the backdrop;

taking a picture of a person in front of the backdrop; and

horizontally centering the image of the person in the picture by adding and subtracting the another color to either side of the image of the person to substantially have an equal amount of the another color on the left and right side of the image of said person in the picture.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

manually aiming said camera toward the middle of the backdrop during set up of the computer controlled video camera equipment; and

vertically centering the image of the person in the picture by adding or subtracting scan lines of the another color above the image of the person in the picture to substantially have a predetermined amount of the another color on the top side of the picture.

3. The method in accordance with claim 2 wherein the step of vertically centering the image of the person in the picture comprises the steps of:

locating the top of the head of the person in the picture by sensing a transition from the another color at the top of the picture;

comparing the number of scan lines of the another color above the top of the head of the person in the picture is sensed to a predetermined number of scan lines; and

modifying the number of scan lines of the another color at the top of the picture to match the predetermined number of scan lines by adding or subtracting scan lines having the another color to thereby vertically center the image of the person in the picture.

4. The method in accordance with claim 3 wherein the step of horizontally centering the image of the person comprises the steps of:

counting the number of pixels of the another color on either side of the image of the person in the picture taken with the camera; and

modifying the number of pixels of the another color on either side of the image of the person in the picture so they are equal by adding or subtracting columns of pixels having the another color to thereby horizontally center the image of the person in the picture.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

counting the number of scan lines of the another color at the top of the picture until a transition from the another color to the top of the head of the image of the person in the picture is detected;

comparing the number of scan lines of said another color until the top of the head of the image of the person in the picture is sensed against a predetermined number of scan lines; and

moving said camera vertically in a direction to better center the image of the person in the picture by having the number of scan lines of the another color above the top of the head of the image of the person in the picture closer to said predetermined number of scan lines.

6. The method in accordance with claim 5 further comprising the step of better centering the image of the person vertically in the picture by adding or subtracting scan lines of the another color above the image of the person to have the predetermined amount of another color on the top side of the image of the person in the picture.

7. The method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the step of horizontally centering the image of the person comprises the steps of:

counting the number of pixels of the another color on either side of the image of the person in the picture taken with the camera; and

modifying the number of pixels of the another color on left and right side of the image of the person in the picture so they are equal by adding or subtracting columns of pixels having the another color to the left or right side of the picture and thereby horizontally center the image of the person in the picture.

8. The method for setting up and adjusting the computer controlled video camera equipment in claim 7 further comprising the step of changing the zoom adjustment of the video camera so the horizontal distance between the left and right borders is a predetermined value.

9. The method for setting up and adjusting the computer controlled video camera equipment in claim 8 further comprising the step of measuring the brightness of the backdrop and changing the iris adjustment of the video camera so that a predetermined brightness level is achieved.

10. The method for automatically setting up and adjusting the computer controlled video camera equipment in claim 9 further comprising the step of adjusting the brightness and gamma of the picture to match predetermined settings to achieve better overall contrast and to bring out facial features of the person whose picture has been taken.

11. The method for setting up and adjusting the computer controlled video camera equipment in claim 4 further comprising the step of changing the zoom adjustment of the video camera so the horizontal distance between the left and right borders is a predetermined value.

12. The method for setting up and adjusting the computer controlled video camera equipment in claim 11 further comprising the step of measuring the brightness of the backdrop and changing the iris adjustment of the video camera so that a predetermined brightness level is achieved.

13. The method for automatically setting up and adjusting the computer controlled video camera equipment in claim 12 further comprising the step of adjusting the brightness and gamma of the picture to match predetermined settings to achieve better overall contrast and to bring out facial features of the person whose picture has been taken.

14. A method for setting up and adjusting computer controlled video camera equipment used to take a picture of a person that will be positioned before a colored backdrop in front of the camera, the backdrop having left and right borders of one color and a known width, and a central area of another color and a known width, the camera having a tilt mechanism for pointing said camera vertically and having zoom, focus and brightness adjustments that may be adjusted responsive to signals from a computer, said method comprising the steps of:

manually aiming said camera toward the middle of the backdrop during set up of the computer controlled video camera equipment; and

vertically centering the image of the person in the picture by adding or subtracting scan lines of the another color above the image of the person in the picture to substantially have a predetermined amount of the another color on the top side of the picture.

15. The method in accordance with claim 14 wherein the step of vertically centering the image of the person in the picture comprises the steps of:

locating the top of the head of the image of the person in the picture by sensing the transition from the another color at the top of the picture;

comparing the number of scan lines of the another color above the top of the head of the image of the person in the picture to a predetermined number of scan lines; and

modifying the number of scan lines of the another color at the top of the picture to match the predetermined number of scan lines by adding or subtracting scan lines having the another color to thereby vertically center the image of the person in the picture.

16. The method for setting up and adjusting the computer controlled video camera equipment in claim 15 further comprising the step of changing the zoom adjustment of the video camera so the horizontal distance between the left and right borders is a predetermined value.

17. The method for setting up and adjusting the computer controlled video camera equipment in claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

measuring the brightness of the backdrop and changing the iris adjustment of the video camera so that a predetermined brightness level is achieved; and

adjusting the gamma of the picture to match predetermined settings to achieve better overall contrast and to bring out facial features of the person whose picture has been taken.