{"id":93,"date":"2026-05-03T09:43:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T09:43:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost:8080\/projects\/f-scan\/"},"modified":"2026-05-22T14:26:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T14:26:43","slug":"pia-7","status":"publish","type":"tb_project","link":"https:\/\/www.tb-software.ch\/ai\/en\/projects\/pia-7\/","title":{"rendered":"PIA-7 for Projectina"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Customer:<\/strong> Projectina AG, Heerbrugg (SG), A Division of Forensic Technology
End customers:<\/strong> Police, customs, border controls worldwide
Time period:<\/strong>010\u20132024 (until PIA-7)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What PIA-7 is<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The PIA-7 imaging software offers functionality for applications such as forensic document examination and microscopy. Images are captured, compared in various modes, and stored. Multiple cameras are supported. Remote control of Projectina document inspection devices (e.g., Docubox HD, Docubox Digital) is possible directly from the software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Forensik-Operator
Forensic operator at the Docubox Digital: Document in the inspection drawer, controlling light sources and camera via PIA-7 on the PC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Main menu: eight function groups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • File<\/strong>File operations: Load, Save, Print, Copy\/Paste<\/li>\n
  • Compare<\/strong>Measurement tools: Mask, Frame, Tangent, Tangent Mode, Move Tangent, Transparency, Difference, Red\/Green Overlay, Superimposition, Chopper, Chopper Delay<\/li>\n
  • Overlay<\/strong>Annotation tools: Grid and annotations over the image<\/li>\n
  • Edit<\/strong>Image adjustments: Mirror, Rotate, RGB Channels, Hue, Saturation, Brightness, Inversion, Black & White, Contrast, Sharpen<\/li>\n
  • Camera<\/strong>Camera settings: Digital Zoom, ROI, Noise Reduction, Auto and Manual Exposure, Gain Control, Auto and One-Push White Balance, RGB Channel Control<\/li>\n
  • Device<\/strong>Device control: Remote control of Projectina devices (e.g., Docubox HD\/Digital), including 14 light sources: UV-A 365 nm, UV-C 254\/313 nm, IR Luminescence, Oblique Lighting, Anti-Stokes Inks-IR, Multi-Angle Ring Light<\/li>\n
  • Apps<\/strong>Special features: MRZ (Machine Readable Zone, reading of pass and ID cards), IPI<\/li>\n
  • Help<\/strong>: Hilfe-Funktionen und Debug-Informationen<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    F\u00fcnf Ansichtsmodi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • 3D<\/strong>: 3D-Ansicht verschiedener Panels, navigieren durch Klicken und Ziehen zwischen den Panels (touchpad-\u00e4hnlich)<\/li>\n
    • True<\/strong>: Bild in Originalgr\u00f6\u00dfe (1:1 zur Realit\u00e4t, erfordert korrekte Kalibrierung)<\/li>\n
    • 1:1<\/strong>: Ein Kamerapixel zu einem Monitorpixel; beste Bildqualit\u00e4t, keine Neuberechnung w\u00e4hrend des digitalen Zooms<\/li>\n
    • Fit<\/strong>: Passt das Bild in den verf\u00fcgbaren Raum im Anwendungsfenster<\/li>\n
    • Full<\/strong>: Vollbildmodus, zur\u00fcck mit ESC<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Bildmanager und statischer Bereich<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Der untere Bereich des Anwendungsfensters ist als Bildmanager reserviert, ein zentrales Bildverwaltungssystem, das alle geladenen Bilder als Miniaturvorschauen anzeigt. Bilder werden hier nebeneinander verglichen, zum Beispiel w\u00e4hrend der Vergleichskontrolle eines verd\u00e4chtigen Dokuments mit einem Authentizit\u00e4tsmuster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      L\u00f6sung: technische Architektur<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Professional Windows desktop software in C#\/.NET (WinForms \/ WPF). Plugin architecture: each hardware device and each new light source is its own plugin that can be added without core changes. SQL backend for the frequency\/wavelength database and programmable test sequences. Dongle-based licensing. International multilingualism. Printing function for test protocols. Training seminars 2014 on-site in Heerbrugg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      IPI: make hidden text in security documents visible<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      One of the specialties in PIA-7 is the IPI algorithm<\/strong> (Invisible Personal Information), which I developed for Projectina. Many security documents (passports, banknotes, IDs) have additional personalized texts embedded through the printing grid that are invisible to the naked eye. They appear as neutral security structures or guilloche patterns. The IPI logic in PIA-7 analyzes the grid, compensates for printing distortions and camera perspective, and makes the hidden text readable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"IPI-Decode
      IPI-Decode in PIA-7: what the naked eye perceives only as a fine print grid is resolved by the algorithm into clearly readable text. Own development, not purchased.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Practical application: a border officer scans a suspicious passport in the Docubox, PIA-7 focuses on the security print grid and delivers the embedded personalized text (e.g., name or passport number, which were invisibly included alongside the visibly printed content) within seconds. If this does not match the visibly printed content, it is a clear indication of forgery. Combined with the MRZ reading<\/strong> (Machine Readable Zone) in the same apps block, both security layers are checked in a workflow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      TB-PluginManager: visual node editor, since 2013<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      What distinguishes PIA-7 from typical forensic software is the TB-PluginManager<\/strong>. It allows entire inspection workflows to be assembled as a visual diagram from building blocks: each plugin is a node with input\/output interfaces that are connected in the grid via mouse. Properties per plugin directly editable in the UI. Configuration is saved as .pip<\/code>-file (XML) and can be switched on-the-fly via dongle or in the UI, in the middle of operation, without restarting the software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"TB-PluginManager
      TB-PluginManager (2013): building blocks in the grid, directed connections, property grid on the right. Visual programming like today\u2019s node editors, but 12 years earlier.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      A standard configuration for a Projectina Docubox HD contains about 60 plugin instances<\/strong>, combined from around 25 plugin classes. Each class a clearly defined building block:<\/p>\n\n\n\n