Introduction
Over the years, computing technology has evolved to create new products that are continually redefining how people interact with their world. It is these processes that have led to the creation of augmented reality (Schmalstieg & Hollerer, 2016). Augmented reality is a relatively new technology, which allows for the integration of real-life elements into a virtual environment. In such a setting, virtual images and videos are perceived to be real.
To provide this experience, virtual reality utilizes multiple sensory channels, including visual, audio, haptic, and somatosensory senses (Papagiannis, 2017). This technology intertwines the physical and virtual elements of reality to create an immersive world where people can experience their lives differently. Augmented reality has different applications because it can be used in different fields, including literature, archeology, architecture, education, and visual arts (Schmalstieg & Hollerer, 2016). Its application in security management is relatively underexplored, but this paper demonstrates that virtual reality can also be used to improve personal security through advanced document verification processes.
Inspecting Holograms
As a supplement to manual verification, holograms have been used to verify passports and other important personal data documents. However, they often show different patterns during image verification processes, depending on the angle of images taken (Hartl, Arth, & Schmalstieg, 2014). Sources of illumination and various physical variations, such as diffraction, can also affect the quality of imaging obtained from holograms.
For example, rainbow holograms are often visible using white light (Hartl et al., 2014). The technology allows objects to appear in different colors, depending on the number of information layers used during the verification process. A natural appearance of images is also obtained when true color holograms are used (Hartl et al., 2014). While these attributes of holograms are useful in document verification, they are only realized when there is considerable interaction between people and the verification documents (Hartl, Arth, Grubert, & Schmalstieg, 2015).
Although authorities do use holograms in identity verification, this technology is still subject to several issues that can affect the document verification process. Augmented reality helps to address some of these flaws. For example, according to Peddie (2017), virtual reality could match different hologram patches using carefully designed user interfaces. The efficiency of automatic recording during the registration process could also be enhanced using augmented reality through mobile hologram verification (Hartl et al., 2015). These benefits demonstrate that virtual reality could be used in hologram verification.
Hartl et al. (2014) reviewed typical user behavior in document scanning using mobile-based augmented reality verification and evaluated the use of augmented reality for purposes of inspecting holograms. They reported promising results, which suggested that virtual reality improved the efficiency of hologram verification by reducing temporal efforts by 15 seconds, as well as expanding the scanning view range (Hartl et al., 2014).
Although these results were obtained using a mobile prototype, they delivered sound verification performance. When compared to human verification standards, Hartl et al. (2014) established that the efficiency and accuracy of standards associated with augmented reality were higher. Hartl et al. (2015) also demonstrated the usefulness of augmented reality technology in verifying holograms by saying that the technology’s use of multiple reference patches to verify images improves the speed and efficiency of the process. Here, it is difficult to ignore the role of mobile verification because it is still important to manually record patches.
Detection and Tracking
Another way that augmented reality can help in document verification is through detection and tracking. To accomplish this goal, it is important to have a standard document template to compare all other documents (Hartl et al., 2014). An algorithm of detection can be developed to identify documents that do not have the right measurements. Hologram detection could follow several steps, as outlined in the diagram below:
According to Figure 1 above, for each frame posed the processes of image selection, registration, and spatial filtering have to be completed before an image is stacked. By creating an image outlay, it is possible to build a map and segment associated data according to geographical locations. It is also possible to produce these processes as downloadable mobile phone applications to help in the verification task (Hartl et al., 2015). Researchers such as Jung and Dieck (2017) hail this technique for its high level of interactivity, especially because it allows users to verify physically unseen documents. Overall, the detection and tracking of changes in important documents allow for the control of image capturing processes by improving distorted and substandard measurements.
Improvements in Registration
One challenge associated with identity verification is the difficulty in identifying people’s appearances as they age. Augmented reality could help to solve this challenge by using the registered image stacking technique, which allows users to track and observe identification patterns from different viewpoints (Hartl et al., 2014). The stacking process often undergoes three processes: frame selection, warping, and spatial filtering (Hartl et al., 2014).
Following on from this assertion, Hartl et al. (2015) say that augmented reality can be used in document verification by using overlaying 3D graphics. This technique comes from the same technical background that has enabled the use of QR codes for security verification purposes (Jung & Dieck 2017). The use of biometrics in identity verification has also been associated with these codes (Schmalstieg & Hollerer, 2016).
Augmented reality could also help to improve the document verification process by developing 3D videos and maps, which could be integrated into current technologies used for passport registration. In other words, virtual reality necessitates the use of new software and technological upgrades for better tracking and verification. Current technologies used for registration need to be improved to equip themselves with these features. For example, in some jurisdictions, poor imaging technology is a problem in document verification. It generates substandard image measurements because of varied quality standards, which then makes it difficult to ascertain the authenticity of documents.
Integrating augmented reality technology into the development of passports and other identification documents would increase the depth of information contained in these documents by allowing data to be captured from multiple viewpoints. This technology is already being fitted to some security gadgets, such as cameras and mobile phones because they allow users to capture data from multiple perspectives (Jung & Dieck, 2017).
The improvements in virtual realities highlighted above are largely realized through a spatial filtering process, which allows authorities to better manage the weaknesses of current registration processes. In this way, inaccuracies in registration can be minimized by introducing a new stack of information layers over the old ones. A windowed mean filter has been used to initiate this type of development using integral image computation, as explained by Hartl et al. (2015). From such developments, it is possible to account for incomplete image information, which is often associated with most current registration technologies. Therefore, augmented technology significantly improves the quality of information captured in registration, thereby making it easier to verify.
Interacting with Information from Anywhere
One of the biggest challenges associated with document verification is the fragmentation of information or data management systems, making it difficult for authorities from one jurisdiction to verify information about a document that is registered in another. This inconsistency is rooted in data management loopholes and the failure of authorities to create information management synergies. Augmented reality could address this problem because it allows authorities to project information from anywhere and interact with the associated data, just as if they were in their respective workstations.
Instead of looking for information from monitors, virtual reality makes it possible for a person to walk around and interact with information, enabling users to experience them virtually, by wearing devices such as the Microsoft halogen (Wilson, 2015). Therefore, there is no need to physically move from one location to another to access data; it can be obtained in real-time and verified using geospatial technology. This technique can be applied in document verification processes by integrating software with device lenses. The software would enable the lenses to verify specific data ingrained in the documents reviewed.
Lastly, virtual reality could also minimize incidences of identity theft because it allows for the creation of spatial maps, which have integrated technology that captures data about the location of a document using satellite imaging (Hartl et al., 2015). Experiments have already been done to affirm the technology’s efficiency in this regard, especially through gaming software, which has shown particularly promising results (Hartl et al., 2015).
Overall, the true potential of augmented reality will only be realized when the technology can be used arbitrarily and not just in carefully monitored laboratory settings. In other words, they need to be dynamic and applicable in everyday life, as opposed to the special purpose way they are currently employed. At the same time, several technologies, such as a global wireless system and location-based computing services, need to be implemented and perfected to make this happen (Papagiannis, 2017). From the rapid pace of technological innovation witnessed today, it is highly plausible that the widespread application of augmented reality in document verification and other purposes will be realized very shortly.
Conclusion
This paper has shown that virtual realities are applicable in document detection and verification because they allow authorities to interact with information from anywhere, improve the registration process for important documents, verify holograms, and can help track documents. As such, it is important to explore the promising nature of augmented technology in document verification.
However, people need to be cognizant of the fact that current challenges associated with its use, such as image capturing and modeling weaknesses, also need to be addressed. Overall, stakeholders need to consider the use of augmented reality in document verification because of its extensive advantages. As anticipated by many science fiction movies, it is no longer tenable to ignore this technology for purposes of security advancement, even more so because many early adopters are registering moderate success in this area.
References
Hartl, A., Arth, C., Grubert, J., & Schmalstieg, D. (2015). Efficient verification of holograms using mobile augmented reality. IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 22(7), 1-3.
Hartl, A., Arth, C., & Schmalstieg, D. (2014). AR-based hologram detection on security documents using a mobile phone. In Advances in visual computing. ISVC 2014. Lecture notes in Computer Science, vol 8888. Web.
Jung, T., & Dieck, T. (2017). Augmented reality and virtual reality: Empowering human, place, and business. New York, NY: Springer.
Papagiannis, H. (2017). Augmented human: How technology is shaping the new reality. New York, NY: O’Reilly Media, Inc.
Peddie, J. (2017). Augmented reality: Where we will all live. New York, NY: Springer.
Schmalstieg, D., & Hollerer, T. (2016). Augmented reality: Principles and practice. New York, NY: Addison-Wesley Professional.
Wilson, K. (2015). Fundamentals of Windows 10. New York, NY: Elluminet Press.