Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LASER PERFORATION IMAGE READER AND METHOD OF READING LASER
PERFORATION IMAGE
Technical field
The present invention relates to a perforation image verification apparatus
and a
method of reading a plate-shaped medium based on a perforation image. More
specifically,
the present invention relates to a perforation image verification apparatus
for reading a
random-number perforation image perforated on a plate-shaped medium and then
restoring
an original image using an image restoration application, and a method of
reading a plate-
shaped medium based on a perforation image wherein an encryption function is
used to
form a random-number dot image and an inverse function of the encryption
function is used
to restore an original image.
Background Art
In general, an identification check or an inquiry of identification
information is
performed by confirming a picture printed on an identification card or using a
resident
registration number, and the identification check or the inquiry of
identification information
at a mobile working area, such as a checkpoint, performance hall or the like,
is performed
merely by inquiring a resident registration number through a wireless
transceiver and
confirming replied personal information. In this case, measures for correctly
checking and
preventing the forgery of an identification card are needed, which are also
required for
checking a driver's license, admission ticket, check, or other various
certificates.
However, since checking the forgery of an identification card, driver's
license or
the like is performed merely with naked eyes, there is a problem in that the
checking
reliability is lowered. Further, since personal information such as picture
and resident
registration number is exposed on the identification card or the like, a
person who tries to
forge the identification card or the like can easily access the personal
information.
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Therefore, the forgery by copying and replacing a picture is attempted in a
large scale, and
the leakage of personal information is highly increased. In addition, since
current
techniques for preventing the forgery of admission tickets, checks and various
certificates,
including a technique for printing a hologram or a watermark, a technique for
inserting a
smart chip and determining the forgery using a specific reader, a technique
for inserting a
pattern unrecognizable with naked eyes and reading the pattern using an
infrared reader, and
the like, are already widely known, the y are extremely in effective against
the forgery
prevention.
A technique for perforating a shape that is the same as a picture printed on
or
attached to an identification card or an issuance number of a check using a
laser perforation
apparatus as shown in Fig. 1 can basically prevent the forgery using a scanner
or a color
printer. That is, since microholes with a size of 95 m to 125 m are drilled
by using a
laser instead of using a general papermaking technique, there is an advantage
in that the
forgery prevention can be effectively performed and a plate-shaped medium of
the
identification card or the like will not be damaged. However, even though a
perforation
images is formed, the perforation image can be recognized with naked eyes and
perforation
information can be easily understood. Thus, a desire for forgery may be
stimulated.
Further, if the perforation image is character information, there is still a
problem in that
personal information such as a resident registration number may be leaked
through the
perforation image.
Disclosure of Invention
Technical Problem
The present invention is conceived to solve the aforementioned problems.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a perforation
image verification
apparatus and a method of reading a plate-shaped medium based on a perforation
image,
wherein a desire for forgery is fundamentally excluded or leakage of personal
information is
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also blocked by forming a random-number dot image from an original image using
an
encryption function and perforating only the formed random-number dot image on
the plate-
shaped medium, and forgery of an identification card, admission ticket, a
variety of
documents can be determined by comparing an image restored through an image
restoration
application with an original image.
To achieve the above object of the present invention, the present invention
provides
a perforation image verification apparatus which comprises a reader unit for
reading an
encrypted random-number perforation image perforated on a plate-shaped medium,
an
image restoration application unit for restoring an original image by applying
a decryption
function to the random-number perforation image, and a display unit for
displaying the
image restored by the image restoration application unit.
Technical Solution
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
perforation
image verification apparatus, which comprises a reader unit for reading an
encrypted
random-number perforation image perforated on a plate-shaped medium, an image
restoration application unit for restoring an original image by applying a
decryption function
to the random-number perforation image, and a display unit for displaying the
image
restored by the image restoration application unit.
At this time, the encrypted random-number perforation image may be created by
applying an inverse function of the decryption function of the image
restoration application
unit to the original image.
Further, the image restoration application unit may include an image selection
unit
capable of omitting application of the decryption function if the random-
number perforation
image is a recognizable image. In addition, the image restoration application
unit may
include a character recognition unit for recognizing a portion of the
decrypted original
image as a character and then converting the recognized character image into
character
information. In particular, the character information may be a personal
identification
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number. Moreover, the perforation image verification apparatus may further
comprise an
interface unit for allowing the apparatus to communicate with an external
device, through
which relevant information is further obtained from the external device using
the personal
identification number as a key.
The perforation image verification apparatus may further comprise an interface
unit
for allowing the apparatus to communicate with an external device. The reader
unit may
further have a function of reading a chip and include a function selection
unit for selecting
and reading at least one of the perforation image and chip information.
In addition, the plate-shaped medium is a common term referring to a medium
containing an image or character to be encrypted in accordance with the
present invention,
which is either a plastic card including an identification card, a driver's
license and a credit
card, or a paper document including an admission ticket, a certificate, a bill
and a check.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
method of
reading a plate-shaped medium based on a perforation image, comprising the
steps of
defining an encryption function for converting a dot image and a decryption
function that is
an inverse function of the encryption function; reading an image to be
perforated on the
plate-shaped medium, forming the read image into a dot image, and inputting
the dot image
into a laser perforation apparatus; forming a random-number dot image by
applying the
encryption function to the formed dot image and manufacturing a plate-shaped
medium on
which a random-number perforation image corresponding to the formed random-
number dot
image is perforated; reading the plate-shaped medium using a perforation image
reader and
restoring an original dot image by applying the decryption function to the
random-number
perforation image; and displaying the original dot image on a display unit of
the perforation
image reader.
At this time, the method of the present invention may further comprise the
step of
obtaining more relevant information from an external device through an
interface unit using
the character information as a key.
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Brief Description of Drawings
Fig. 1 is a view showing a sample of conventional securities on which its
serial
number is perforated.
Fig. 2 is a view showing a sample of a conventional identification card on
which its
picture is perforated.
Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a perforation image verification apparatus
according the
present invention.
Fig. 4 is a view showing the configuration of the whole system using a
perforation
image verification apparatus according the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing encryption and restoration processes using
encryption and restoration applications.
Fig. 6 is a view showing the configuration of an identification card inquiry
system
used when it is connected to a computer at a fixed working area according to
an
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a view showing the configuration of a stand-alone identification
card
forgery determination system according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described
in
more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a perforation image verification apparatus
according the
present invention, and Fig. 4 is a view showing the configuration of the whole
system using
the perforation image verification apparatus according the present invention.
First, the perforation image verification apparatus 100 will be described. A
card
reader unit 120 is constructed to accept a plate-shaped medium and performs a
function of
reading an encrypted random-number perforation image perforated on the plate-
shaped
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medium. The encrypted random-number perforation image is created by applying
an
inverse function of a decryption function of a restoration application 140 to
an original
image. Recently, identification cards, credit cards and the like tend to
include a memory
chip and store a variety of data in the memory chip. Therefore, the card
reader unit 120
further comprises a chip reader unit 121 capable of reading information stored
in the
memory chip in addition to an image reader unit 122 for reading a perforation
image. The
card reader unit also includes a function selection unit and thus can
selectively read the
perforation image or chip information. The selection of function in the
function selection
unit is made by alternatively selecting either a chip inquiry key 112 or an
image inquiry key
113 included in a key input unit 110. In a case where neither the chip inquiry
key 112 nor
the image inquiry key 113 is selected, the perforation image is preferentially
read by the
image reader unit 122. The perforation image or chip information read by the
card reader
unit 120 is transferred to the restoration application 140. Here, the card
reader unit 120 is
described as a plastic carder reader, but it is obvious that the card reader
unit can be easily
modified into a document reader for reading admission tickets, checks or the
like.
The restoration application 140 serves to restore an original image by
applying a
decryption function to the perforation image transferred from the card reader
unit 120, and
the restored image is then transferred to a display unit 150. The restoration
application 140
includes an image selection unit such tha a process of applying the
decryption function can
be omitted in a case where the random-number perforation image transferred
from the card
reader unit 120 is a recognizable image. Further, the restoration application
includes a
character recognition unit capable of recognizing a portion of the restored
original image,
which is recognized as a character, and then converting the recognized portion
into character
information. At this time, the character information can be a variety of
personal
identification numbers, such as a resident registration number, depending on
the type of the
plate-shaped medium to which the present invention is applied.
The display unit 150 serves to output the chip information or the restored
image
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transferred from the restoration application 140 onto a screen of the
perforation image
verification apparatus 100, and supports to output the chip information or the
restored image
through an external printer, if necessary.
The key input unit 110 includes, in addition to the chip inquiry key 112 and
the
image inquiry key 113, an additional information output key 111 for outputting
additional
information onto the screen of the perforation image verification apparatus
100 depending
on the type of an inquiry, a function selection key 114 for allowing various
types of
identification inquiry, and a power key 115 for turning on and off the
perforation image
verification apparatus 100. Here, a connection terminal for connecting the
perforation
image verification apparatus to a wireless LAN 180 is provided at a lower end
of the key
input unit 110, and a plurality of connection lamps 116 for indicating a state
where the
perforation image verification apparatus 100 is connected with to a desktop
computer 500, a
notebook computer 600 or the like through an external interface 160.
The control unit 130 comprises a microcomputer and a control circuit, and is
connected to components of the perforation image verification apparatus 100,
including the
key input unit 110, the card reader unit 120, the restoration application 140
and the like, to
store input and output data for each of the components, to display the input
and output data
onto the screen or to. transmit and receive communication data.
A modem 170 is connected to a terminal cooperating with the perforation image
verification apparatus 100 to perform wired communication.
The wireless LAN 180 is used such that the perforation image verification
apparatus 100 can be connected to a central information providing server 700
using a
wireless communication technique when the perforation image verification
apparatus is
used at a remote area such as a checkpoint.
The interface unit 150 (4 external interface unit 160) is used to connect the
perforation image verification apparatus 100 to a desktop computer 500, a
notebook
computer 600 or the like at a fixed working area for the purpose of using the
perforation
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image verification apparatus 100 only as a card input terminal, and also
includes a
connector or jack for connecting with the desktop computer 500 or the notebook
computer
600.
The perforation image verification apparatus 100 of the present invention can
be
used in both wired and wireless communications. Preferably, TCP/IP and PPP
stacks are
mounted on the perforation image verification apparatus for conveniently
connecting with
the Internet.
Further, an integrated circuit (IC) card security algorithm is used for
security and
authentication. If the perforation image verification apparatus 100 is
portable and used
standalone, a firewall is installed such that a connection with the central
information
providing server 700 should be allowed through a high-level authentication
process. If the
perforation image verification apparatus 100 is used only as a card reader
terminal at a fixed
area where a desktop computer 500, a notebook computer 600 or the like is
installed, a
security connection function of the perforation image verification apparatus
100 is blocked
such that security regulations installed in the desktop computer 500 or
notebook computer
600 can be observed.
Furthermore, it is preferred that power can be supplied through a rechargeable
battery or an ordinary battery, and a recharge function using a cigar jack of
a car can also be
provided considering when the system is moved by a car.
Next, before describing the configuration of the whole system using the
perforation
image verification apparatus with reference to Fig. 4, encryption and
decryption processes
performed through encryption and restoration applications 40 and 140 will be
first described
with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows an example of a rectangle that is a
simple figure
recognizable with naked eyes. An original image such as a picture 10 attached
to an
identification card or an image 20 for confirming an admission ticket is first
converted into
a dot image, and then, the converted dot image is composed of coordinates
pointing to
respective dots. The dot image is converted into random-number dot images 10a
and 20a
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by means of an encryption function in the encryption application 40, and the
random-
number dot images 10a and 20a composed of converted coordinates can be
obtained
accordingly. Decryption of the random-number dot image 10a and 20a is
performed by
means of a decryption function in the restoration application 140. In such a
case, there is
the inverse function relationship between the encryption and decryption
functions. That is,
the following relationship is satisfied:
P* =MP , and
P =M-'P`.
At this time, M denotes the encryption function, M"1 denotes the decryption
function, P denotes coordinates of an original dot image, and P* denotes
coordinates of an
encrypted random-number dot image.
The random-number dot images 10a and 20a formed in the encryption process are
inputted into a laser perforation apparatus 200 and perforated onto a plate-
shaped medium.
Unlike the initial rectangular figure, the perforated image becomes an
abstract image that
cannot be recognized with naked eyes.
A person 50 possessing a plate-shaped medium such as an identification card
400a,
an admission ticket 400b or a driver's license 400c where an encrypted image
is perforated
through the encryption and perforation processes has been subjected to an
identification
process and a process of confirming whether the plate-shaped medium has been
forged,
through the perforation image verification apparatus 100 at an area 60 where
the
identification is required. At this time, a person can connect to the
information providing
server 700 in a wired or wireless manner using the perforation image
verification apparatus
100 and can use an additional service after the identification process has
been performed.
For example, a variety of credit cards or the like can be used in connection
with a network
of a value-added network (VAN) service provider of a bank/credit card company
or Korea
Financial Telecommunications and Clearings Institute after it is confirmed
through an
identification and forgery determination system 2000 using a perforation image
verification
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apparatus whether the card has been forged.
In particular, on the plate-shaped medium such as an identification card 400a
or a
driver's license 400c finally manufactured through the encryption and
perforation processes
is perforated only encrypted dot images 10a, 20a and 30a created through the
encryption
application 40, and the original images 10, 20 and 30 are not recorded
thereon.
Accordingly, it is possible to prevent personal information such as a picture
or a resident
registration number from being leaked.
The perforation image verification apparatus 100 and the identification and
forgery
determination system 2000 using the same can be generally divided into a fixed
type in
which they are used at a fixed working area (district office, court, bank or
the like) and a
mobile type in which they are used at a mobile working area (checkpoint, area
where
questioning by a patrolling policeman is made using the verification
apparatus, various
performance halls, or the like).
Fig. 6 shows the system configuration and communication when the perforation
image verification apparatus is used at a fixed working area (district office,
court, bank or
the like), wherein the perforation image verification apparatus 100 is
connected to a desktop
computer 500 or a notebook computer 600.
If a person possessing an identification card 400a or an admission ticket 400b
requests a service (issuance of a variety of certificates, request for
admission, banking
transaction or the like) (step S 10), a worker on duty requests the person to
show the
identification card 400a or the admission ticket 400b (step SI1). If the
person provides the
identification card 400a or the admission ticket 400b (step S 12), the
identification card 400a
or the admission ticket 400b is inserted into the perforation image
verification apparatus 100.
At this time, an object to be inquired can be selected by choosing either the
chip inquiry key
112 or the image inquiry key 113 from the key input unit 110 of the
perforation image
verification apparatus 100, and an image restored by the restoration
application 140 is
displayed on the perforation image verification apparatus 100a and 100b and
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computer 500a or notebook computer 600a.
In this case, the restoration application of the perforation image
verification
apparatus 100 includes a character recognition unit for recognizing a portion
of the restored
original image that is recognized as a character and converting the recognized
portion into
character information. In particular, the character information can be a
personal
identification number, such as a resident registration number, depending on
the type of the
plate-shaped medium.
If it is determined by the worker that more personal information is necessary,
the
worker can connect to the information providing server 700 and requests
additional
information using the personal identification number recognized by the
character
recognition unit as a key (step S 14). The inquired information received from
the
information providing server 700 is displayed on the screen of the desktop
computer or
notebook computer 500a or 600a (step S 15). After the steps described above,
the worker
working at a fixed working area will provide the service requested by the
person possessing
an identification card (step S 13).
Next, Fig. 7 shows the system configuration and communication when the
perforation image verification apparatus is used at a mobile working area
(checkpoint, area
where questioning by a patrolling policeman is made using the verification
apparatus,
various performance halls or the like), in which the procedures performed in
Fig. 6 are
performed in the same manner. However, a step of connecting to a wireless
network (step
S 16) is further needed to connect to the information providing server 700 for
requesting
additional information and receiving inquired information.
As such, the present invention can be applied to determining the authenticity
of a
variety of credit cards, membership cards, various kinds of documents or the
like, and the
identification of a person. Further, if an information access rule according
to users is
clearly established, the leakage of personal information can be absolutely
prevented.
That is, patrolling men or workers at a checkpoint can efficiently prevent and
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manage crimes using a handheld card reader for identification in which
information on
criminals or the like is previously stored. Further, since a person possessing
a card, an
image shown on the card, and an image read by the card reader can be easily
compared with
one another, the forgery or falsification of the card can be completely found.
At this time, if the size of the perforation image verification apparatus 100
is
adjusted in accordance with the size of an object to be confirmed, social
costs required for
removing fear of forgery prevailing in our society can be greatly reduced.
Further, the
perforation image verification apparatus can be applied in various ways.
Meanwhile, although the present invention has been described and illustrated
in
connection with the specific preferred embodiments, it will be readily
understood by those
skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made thereto
without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the
appended claims.
Industrial Applicability
According to a perforation image verification apparatus and a method of
reading a
plate-shaped medium based on a perforation image, since a random-number
perforation
image perforated on a plate-shaped medium is restored using the perforation
image
verification apparatus to determine whether a plate-shaped medium has been
forged, a
desire for forgery can be blocked, and it can be correctly and promptly
checked whether the
plate-shaped medium has been forged. Further, since it is not necessary to
record personal
information on the plate-shaped medium, a problem of leakage of the personal
information
can also be prevented. Furthermore, the plate-shaped medium can be effectively
checked
at a remote area by applying a wireless communication technique thereto.
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