Method, system and computer program for comparing images

A method of determining whether a user of a mobile device corresponds to a previously authenticated user using an identity document issued by a trusted authority, the identity document comprising:

• a photographic image of the previously authenticated user, the photographic image being visible on said identity document;
• and an integrated circuit component storing data representative of a digital image of the previously authenticated user, the method comprising:
• using a chip reader integral with the mobile device to access the integrated circuit component, whereby to retrieve said data representative of a digital image of the previously authenticated user;
• using a camera integral with the mobile device to capture a first image, the first image corresponding to an image of a portion of the identity document containing said photographic image visible on the identity document;
• using a camera integral with the mobile device to capture a second image, the second image corresponding to a user of the mobile device;
• arranging for the second image to be checked, whereby to determine whether the second image is an image of a live person;
• arranging for said retrieved data and data indicative of said first and second images to be compared, whereby to determine whether the first image, the second image, and the digital image represent the same user;
• and
• responsive to determining (i) that the second image is an image of a live person and (ii) that the first image, the second image, and the digital image represent the same user, authenticating the user of the mobile device as the previously authenticated user.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, comprising a set of computer-readable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a processing system, cause a mobile device to perform a method of determining whether a user of the mobile device corresponds to a previously authenticated user using an identity document issued by a trusted authority, the identity document comprising:

• a photographic image of the previously authenticated user, the photographic image being visible on said identity document;
• and an integrated circuit component storing data representative of a digital image of the previously authenticated user, the method comprising:
• using a chip reader integral with the mobile device to access the integrated circuit component, whereby to retrieve said data representative of a digital image of the previously authenticated user;
• using a camera integral with the mobile device to capture a first image, the first image corresponding to an image of a portion of the identity document containing said photographic image visible on the identity document;
• using a camera integral with the mobile device to capture a second image, the second image corresponding to a user of the mobile device;
• arranging for the second image to be checked, whereby to determine whether the second image is an image of a live person;
• arranging for said retrieved data and data indicative of said first and second images to be compared, whereby to determine whether the first image, the second image, and the digital image represent the same user;
• and
• responsive to determining (i) that the second image is an image of a live person and (ii) that the first image, the second image, and the digital image represent the same user, authenticating the user of the mobile device as the previously authenticated user.

A mobile device for use in determining whether a user of the mobile device corresponds to a previously authenticated user using an identity document issued by a trusted authority, the identity document comprising:

• a photographic image of the previously authenticated user, the photographic image being visible on said identity document;
• and an integrated circuit component storing data representative of a digital image of the previously authenticated user, the mobile device comprising:
• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory including computer program code;
• wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the mobile device at least to:
• use a chip reader connected to or integral with the mobile device to access the integrated circuit component, whereby to retrieve said data representative of a digital image of the previously authenticated user;
• use a camera connected to or integral with the mobile device to capture a first image, the first image corresponding to an image of a portion of the identity document containing said photographic image visible on the identity document;
• use a camera connected to or integral with the mobile device to capture a second image, the second image corresponding to a user of the mobile device;
• arrange for the second image to be checked, whereby to determine whether the second image is an image of a live person;
• arrange for said retrieved data and data indicative of said first and second images to be compared, whereby to determine whether the first image, the second image, and the digital image represent the same user;
• and
• responsive to determining (i) that the second image is an image of a live person and (ii) that the first image, the second image, and the digital image represent the same user, authenticate the user of the mobile device as the previously authenticated user.