Secure photo carrying identification device, as well as means and method for authenticating such an identification device

A terminal arranged to communicate with an identification device, said identification device comprising:

• a photographic image of a person;
• and
• a microprocessor,
• the microprocessor comprising:
• a processor,
• a memory connected to the processor and comprising authentication data, and
• interface means connected to said processor for communication with a terminal,
• wherein said photographic image comprises stenanographically hidden information, the content of which together with said authentication data allows authentication of said photographic image and the microprocessor is arranged to carry out at least part of the authentication of the photographic image,
• said terminal including:
• a picture scanner to scan the photographic image and to generate image data,
• a terminal interface allowing communication with said processor of the identification device, and
• an image processor arranged
• to receive said image data
• to analyze the image data in accordance with a predetermined image analysis procedure to derive said hidden information, and
• to transmit at least the hidden information to the processor to allow the processor to carry out the at least part of the authentication of the photographic image.

A method for authenticating a photographic image on an identification device, said identification device comprising:

• a photographic image of a person;
• and
• a microprocessor,
• the microprocessor comprising:
• a processor,
• a memory connected to the processor and comprising authentication data, and
• interface means connected to said processor for communicating with an external device,
• wherein said photographic image comprises stenanographically hidden information, the content of which together with said authentication data allows authentication of said photographic image,
• said method comprising the following steps:
• scanning the photographic image and generating image data,
• analyzing the image data in accordance with a predetermined image analysis procedure to derive said hidden information, and
• carrying out said authentication of said photographic image based on said hidden information and said authentication data, wherein the microprocessor performs at least part of the authentication.

A data carrier provided with a computer readable program for a method for authenticating a photographic image on an identification device, said identification device comprising:

• a photographic image of a person;
• and
• a microprocessor,
• the microprocessor comprising:
• a processor,
• a memory connected to the processor and comprising authentication data, and
• interface means connected to said processor for communicating with an external device,
• wherein said photographic image comprises stenanographically hidden information, the content of which together with said authentication data allows authentication of said photographic image,
• said method comprising the following steps:
• scanning the photographic image and generating image data,
• analyzing the image data in accordance with a predetermined image analysis procedure to derive said hidden information, and
• carrying out said authentication of said photographic image based on said hidden information and said authentication data, wherein the microprocessor performs at least Dart of the authentication.

A computer program product for a method for authenticating a photographic image on an identification device, said identification device comprising:

• a photographic image of a person;
• and
• a microprocessor,
• the microprocessor comprising:
• a processors,
• a memory connected to the processor and comprising authentication data, and
• interface means connected to said processor for communicating with an external device,
• wherein said photographic image comprises stenanographically hidden information, the content of which together with said authentication data allows authentication of said photographic image,
• said method comprising the following steps:
• scanning the photographic image and generating image data,
• analyzing the image data in accordance with a predetermined image analysis procedure to derive said hidden information, and
• carrying out said authentication of said photographic image based on said hidden information and said authentication data, wherein the microprocessor performs at least part of the authentication.