DE10057326A1 - Production of personnel passes, etc. using a digital camera linked to a data reader, such as a barcode reader, so that image data and personnel data can be combined in a document without use a PC - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for input and combination of image data recorded with an image recorder or camera (20) and an ID-code read in separately with a reader device (7). The image data are recorded directly before or after the ID-code or group of ID-codes are recorded. The ID code can be a bar code, OCR text, etc. Independent claims are made for method for producing a document containing image and text data and a device for recording an image and reading in an independent ID-code and combining the two.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for linking of image and text data for creating or editing documents.

Consider an example of the application of the present invention the production of an identity card, must be on the ID document the personal data of the card holder, the image of the ID owner and, if necessary, a personal data Corresponding machine-readable code, for example a barcode be printed. You can use a computer to view the personal data names, i.e. name, date of birth, place of birth etc. as well as a photo of the Aus digitize the holder and for printing on a blank ID card Recycle. Together with the picture and the printed in plain text by A barcode can also be printed for personal data.

Regardless of whether the image of the person as a photograph an application form Form for an ID card is attached, or whether a person from the manufacturer the ID card must be photographed directly using a digital camera a clear allocation between the personal data of a Given the person and the photo of the person.

One can now think of it, for example the personal data from an ID application form from a suitable device or by a person to record them on a magnetic tape, for example, a magneto-optical memory or the like to store them personal data then - for example by assigning fixed Memory areas - to be linked with image data of the person concerned. The image data can, for example, from a photo of the person at the same time with an associated barcode. Linking the  Image data with the personal data is then based on the bar codes in a calculator. However, this procedure requires that the Fo ID assigned to the card holder before the photo graphic recording of the image is available. In addition, the Procedure mentioned above the use of a computer in the Linking the image data and the associated barcode (general: ID Codes) ahead.

From EP-PS-0 314134 it is known which, for example, on a type image form and personal data compiled using the contract form together with a barcode in a computer system to enter a Produce ID document. This method also makes use a computer.

The invention has for its object a method for detecting and Linking image data and an associated ID code, which even then without the use of a computer linking the Image data with the associated ID code can run if the ID code is only available at the time the picture is taken.

In addition, a device for receiving a Image and to link the resulting image data with an ID Code can be created which is made without connecting a computer comes and can make the link even if the ID Code for the picture to be taken only at the time of taking the picture is available.

To this end, the invention provides a method for capturing and linking on the one hand of image data recorded by means of an image recording device and an ID code of another read in separately by means of a reader hand, in which the image data, for example the image of a person, from the  Imaging device immediately before or after reading the associated one ID codes are included.

In this method according to the invention, the reader Code that uniquely identifies a specific text record, for example personal data, is assigned, preferably via a cut read into the image capture device coupled to the reader, then the picture is taken. This is an immediate one Image data can be linked to the ID code. Then when on the train of the further method, for example for producing an identity card, the Linking image data with personal data is always one clear and correct assignment possible because the image data in the image recording device immediately with the associated identification (ID code) were linked.

The ID code is a machine-readable code, in particular a bar code OCR-readable text or text obtained from a chip card. Grundsätz The code can also consist of a sequence of letters or numbers. In In any case, this machine-readable code is during or after reading converted by the reader into ID data, which with the associated image da ten can be linked.

The image recording device is preferably a digital one camera. The data representative of the captured image (pixel data) are saved in a digital memory of the camera.

The term "link" here generally means that the ID data associated with the correspond to the ID code read by the reader, a unique, right have a constructible relationship to the associated image data. at When using a digital camera, the image memory usually has one Series of memory areas, one of which is a memory area  Image is assigned. The link can now be that inner Half of this storage area for a picture is a storage space or a memory is reserved for the associated ID data.

The image data of a person linked to the ID data can be opened after take a series of images and link these individual images with each associated ID data can be loaded into a PC, with the help of the ID data is linked to the personal data and Create output data for, for example, an ID card.

This can be used to transfer the data from the image recording device to the PC Image recording device (the camera) can be directly coupled to the PC, in principle, however, all known possibilities of Da are possible transfer, including caching to, for example optical, magneto-optical, magnetic or other data carriers.

As part of a process for producing an ID card, first of all for the future holder of the ID card based on their personal data an ID code is created. There are no be regarding the ID code special restrictions except that this ID code is clearly the be must be assigned to the person concerned. Then with the help of the above he refined procedure, a picture of the person in question was taken, whereby the ID code is read into the image recording device. This will make for each person in the image capture device formed a data set consisting of the image data and the ID code of the person corresponding to ID data. The Data record is then entered, for example, in a PC and with the to associated personal data - again with the help of ID data for this person - linked. From this you can, for example Print data for an ID card are formed. The print data for the The ID card then contains data for printing the person's picture Printing of personal data and, if necessary, data on  Print out a machine-readable code, for example a barcode. This code then printed out can be identical to that in the picture ID device read in for clear referencing of the image data, but it can also be a differently designed code, which corresponds to the content of the personal data.

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the Drawing explained in more detail. Show it:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a system for producing ID cards.

Figure 2a is a flow chart for illustrating the inventive method. and

FIG. 2b shows a partial flow diagram to illustrate an alternative method with respect to the method according to FIG. 2a.

The method according to the invention and a device for carrying it out The process of the following example is based on the production egg ID card are explained.

According to FIG. 1, a form 2 A contains personal data of an ID applicant, for example last name, first name, date of birth, place of birth, gender, etc. These personal data, generally designated 4, are converted into a right by means not shown here PC 16 shown below in Fig. 1 entered. The form A 2 contains a bar code in addition to the personal data 4 nor an ID code 6 in the form. This ID code 6 can contain the personal data 4 in a correspondingly coded form, but it can also be a different code. The minimum requirement for this ID-code 6 is that clearly can be identified with its help the person who belongs 2A to personal data 4 on the form.

Of particular importance in the context of the invention is the inclusion ei nes image, in this case, an image of the person to whom belong 2 A per sonen related data 4 on the form.

In Fig. 1, corresponding to the Form 2 A person is schematically indicated at 14A, an image of that person 14 A is includes using a camera 20 be taken, the tion in the present case a digital camera portion 8, and a Steue / interface 10. To the controller / interface 10, a bar code reader 7 is connected, is read with the aid of which the ID code 6 from the Form 2 A in the camera 20th The digital camera part 8 of the camera 20 takes a picture of the person 14 A in a manner known per se.

As is known per se, a digital camera contains a certain amount of storage areas, each an area for storing digital data corresponding to a captured image. In the one memory area of the digital camera unit 8, in which the image data of the person 14 A are ge stores a memory location for the ID code 6 is reserved, which was read from the form A 2.

A unique association or referencing the image data of the person 14 A is possible through the ID data corresponding to the read ID code of the form 2 A and 14 A are stored in a memory location of the memory area for the image of the person image data.

In the embodiment described above, there is the linkage of the ID data corresponding to the read ID code 6 on the one hand and the image data of the person 14 A, which was recorded by the digital camera part 8 , on the other hand, in the local or logical storage space allocation within the Camera.

This assignment of ID data from the barcode reader 7 on the one hand and the recorded image data for the person on the other hand is accomplished with the aid of the control / interface 10 , which has suitable programming to carry out the linkage.

In a modified embodiment, the link can also be made via a pointer, for example. For example, inserts the Steue tion / interface 10 to that of the form 2 A read ID code 6 a "pointer vector" added, which, has the next free memory area for a captured image in this case, for a picture of the person 14. A ver. Other links are possible.

Fig. 2a shows in the form of a flowchart the procedure described above: in a step S1, the ID code is read using the barcode reader 7 ge. The controller / interface 10, which can be integrated in the camera, makes a link with the image data, which are recorded in the subsequent step S2 (image acquisition) with the aid of the digital camera part β. Depending on the specific embodiment of the link in step S3, the ID code and the image data recorded immediately after it has been read in are linked. If the link is made by means of a pointer in the manner mentioned above, the link comes about directly by the fact that the image data for the person 14 A are stored in the memory area provided there; because the pointer attached to the ID data of the previously read ID code 6 refers to precisely this memory area.

In step S4 in FIG. 2a, a query is made as to whether further ID codes are to be read. If no, the process has ended, if so, another ID code is read in next in step S1. In the present case, the ID code 6 would then be read in by another form 2 B, then it would be taken again, this time by the person 14 B, and so on. In the present case, three forms 2 A, 2 B and 2 C for persons 14 A, 14 B and 14 C are shown as examples. Of course, several image recordings can also be linked with a single ID code, for example to link images of a person from different perspectives to a form.

The sequence shown in FIG. 2a can also be modified in such a way that first an image is taken in accordance with step S2 and that the ID code for the person just picked up is then read in. The link between the ID data and the image data is identical or similar to the embodiment in which the ID code is first read in and then the corresponding image is recorded.

In a further modified embodiment, several ID codes can also be read in, according to FIG. 2b, for example ID codes ID1, ID2,. , , IDn in order to then use the corresponding persons P1, P2,. , , To photograph pn. This method is not so cheap because it must be ensured that the people are photographed in the same order in which the ID codes were read.

The method shown in FIG. 2b can also be reversed in order, that is to say a group of people P1, P2,. , , Take a picture of Pn and then, in the appropriate order, the ID codes ID1, ID2,. , , Read IDn as a group of ID codes.

After a certain amount of ID codes 6 have been read by various forms and associated people have been photographed using the camera 20 , the corresponding data records can be transferred from the camera 20 to the PC 16 .

In Fig. 1 individual data records 12 A, 12 B and 12 C are shown corresponding to the persons 14 A, 14 B and 14 C. Each data record comprises the image data (pixel data) for the person concerned and associated ID data corresponding to the ID code 6 read for this person from the associated form.

The transfer can take place by connecting the camera 20 directly to the PC 16 with the aid of a cable, but the transfer can also take place via an intermediate store, for example a magnetic tape, an optical disk store or the like.

In the PC 16 , the data records 12 A, 12 B, 12 C etc. stored there are linked to the relevant personal data 4 from the forms 2 A, 2 B, 2 C etc. in order to create print data which can then be printed an ID blank 18 serve.

The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments mentioned above. Instead of the camera 20 with a digital camera part 8 , other image recording devices can also be used. This is particularly favorable if not the people themselves are photographed, but, for example, photographs of these people are converted into image data.

Of course, the application is not for creating ID cards limited. The method according to the invention or the invention These devices are suitable for all applications where the image contains text data link are applicable. The creation of Gutach is an example here where expert photos are linked to the corresponding text  are or the inclusion of fingerprints, which personal Data are assigned, called.

Claims (11)

1. A method for capturing and linking image data recorded by means of an image recording device ( 20 ) and an ID code read separately by means of a reading device ( 7 ), in which the image data immediately before or after reading in the associated ID code ( 6 ) or a group of associated ID codes can be recorded by means of the reading device ( 7 ) coupled to the image recording device (20). 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that as ID A machine-readable code is read in each code. 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that as ma machine-readable code a barcode is read. 4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the ma machine-readable code is read from a chip card. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a digital camera with digital memory is used as the image recording device ( 20 ). 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that in the di gital memory for each picture to be recorded a predetermined Memory area is reserved, which is a storage space for the ID Code contains corresponding ID data.   7. A method for producing a document containing image and text data, comprising the following steps:

• a) generating an ID code that can be read by a reader and is uniquely assigned to the text data;
• b) applying the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 to create a data set ( 12 A, 12 B, 12 C) containing the image data and the associated ID code; and
• c) Entering the data record in a device ( 16 ) which, using the ID code, combines the image data with associated text data and transmits the data, preferably together with a machine-readable code, to a blank document ( 18 ).

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that
the image data contains the image of one or more people,
the text data are each personal data of the person corresponding to the image, and
the document to be created is an identity document. 9. Device for taking an image and for linking the image data obtained by this with an ID code, characterized by
an image pickup device ( 20 );
a reading device ( 7 ) for reading an ID code ( 6 ) which is coupled to the image recording device ( 20 ); and
a controller ( 10 ) which links the image data ( 14 A, 14 B, 14 C) with the associated ID code. 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the Lesege advises ( 7 ) is a bar code reader. 11. The device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the image recording device is a digital camera ( 20 , 8 ).