Security reader for automatic detection of tampering and alteration

• US 7,821,621 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2006
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thales DIS France SA
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Mann, Graeme R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Toatley, Jr.; Gregory J
• Assistant Examiner(s): VALENTIN II, JUAN D
• Application Number:
  US11/276,475
• Publication Number:
  US 20060139622A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,700 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 356/71
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/29 Securities; Bank notes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06046 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/14 the marking being sensed by radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10574 Multiple sources

Abstract

A method and systems for recovering an image and/or information from a document layer(s) is provided. A first light source directs light to the document. A second light source directs light towards a beam splitting mirror which reflects the light towards the document. An image receiver receives the first and second reflected light from the document layer(s). The image receiver passes a signal to a personal computer which processes the received information. Such processing is to establish whether the document includes a retroreflective laminate, a plain polyester laminate, or neither. Additionally, further processing can establish whether the document has been tampered with, altered, or forged.

Claims

1. A method for recovering an image from a document having an image, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a document having a first layer and a second layer located below the first layer, wherein the first layer transmits and reflects light and includes at least one image;

illuminating the first layer with a light source;

recovering the image from the first layer with a video image receiver to provide a source image;

comparing the source image with at least one stored image that is stored in a computer; and

providing an output signal comprising information about the source image.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the light source emits light within the visible portion of the spectrum.

3. A method of claim 1, wherein the light source emits light within the infrared portion of the spectrum.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the light source emits polarized light.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

sending the output signal to a personal computer.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein illuminating the first layer with the light source comprises illuminating the first layer to identify a type of the first layer.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein illuminating the first layer to identify a type of the first layer comprises:

illuminating the first layer with the light source at a low intensity to invoke a visual response; and

determining the type of the first layer based on the visual response.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of:

adjusting the intensity of the light source based on the identified type of the first layer.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein identifying a type of the first layer comprises identifying the first layer as a retroreflective laminate, and wherein adjusting the intensity of the light source comprises illuminating the image with the light source at substantially mid-brilliance to recover the image.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein identifying a type of the first layer comprises identifying the first layer as a polyester laminate.

11. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

recovering visual data from the document;

determining a country of origin of the document based on the recovered visual data;

accessing a reference table stored in the computer that associates types of first layers with countries of origin of documents; and

determining whether the determined type of the first layer matches the type of first layer associated with the country of origin of the document.

12. A system for reading information from a document comprising an image and at least one layer, the system comprising:

a first light source for directing a first light at a first angle of incidence at the document;

a second light source for directing a second light at a second angle of incidence, different from the first angle of incidence, at the document;

a light receiver for receiving a reflection of the first light from the layer, receiving a reflection of the second light from the layer, and producing at least one image signal; and

a processor for processing the image signal to determine whether the layer is an at least partially light-transmissive layer, wherein the processor further processes the image signal to determine whether the layer is damaged;

wherein the first light source and the second light source are illuminated to substantially full brilliance, and wherein the processor determines whether the layer is damaged by applying a brightness threshold to the image signal to identify dark areas indicating damage.

13. A system for reading information from a document comprising an image and at least one layer, the system comprising:

a first light source for directing a first light at a first angle of incidence at the document;

a second light source for directing a second light at a second angle of incidence, different from the first angle of incidence, at the document;

a light receiver for receiving a reflection of the first light from the layer, receiving a reflection of the second light from the layer, and producing at least one image signal; and

a processor for processing the image signal to determine whether the layer is an at least partially light-transmissive layer, wherein the processor further processes the image signal to determine whether the layer is damaged; and

a third light source for directing third light at a third angle of incidence at the document,

wherein the light receiver produces a second image signal, and

wherein the processor determines whether the layer is damaged by determining whether the second image signal indicates flairs in the layer that were not detected under the second light source.

14. A system for reading information from a document comprising an image and at least one layer, the system comprising:

a first light source for directing a first light at a first angle of incidence at the document;

a second light source for directing a second light at a second angle of incidence, different from the first angle of incidence, at the document;

a light receiver for receiving a reflection of the first light from the layer, receiving a reflection of the second light from the layer, and producing at least one image signal; and

a processor for processing the image signal to determine whether the layer is an at least partially light-transmissive layer,

wherein the image is a first image, wherein the layer is a first layer, wherein the first layer includes the first image, wherein the document further comprises a second layer disposed behind the first layer, and wherein the second layer includes a second image.

15. A system for reading information from a document comprising an image and at least one layer, the system comprising:

a first light source for directing a first light at a first angle of incidence at the document;

a second light source for directing a second light at a second angle of incidence, different from the first angle of incidence, at the document;

a light receiver for receiving a reflection of the first light from the layer, receiving a reflection of the second light from the layer, and producing at least one image signal; and

a processor for processing the image signal to provide information regarding the layer,

wherein the image is a first image, wherein the layer is a first layer and the first layer transmits and reflects light, wherein the first layer includes the first image, wherein the document further comprises a second layer disposed behind the first layer.