Patent · US Expired

Method and system for recognizing security documents

US6674886B2 · kind B2 · utility

38Cited by
34References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 28, 1999
Grant dateJan 6, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 28, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F2221/2101
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A document is analyzed to determine whether it is a banknote or the like, by reference to image data corresponding to the document. Two analysis techniques may be used, one based on detection of a visible pattern characteristic of a security document, the other based on detection of a steganographic digital watermark characteristic of a security document. If either characteristic is found, the image is flagged, and appropriate anti-counterfeiting steps may be taken. Detection of the visible pattern can be performed using a series of successively more rigorous tests. If the image fails a test, successive testing steps can be skipped, speeding the process. Hough transform-based pattern recognition techniques are used in some embodiments. Provision of both a visible pattern detector and a watermark detector in a single apparatus enhances detection reliability, while permitting various implementation efficiencies.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.