Patent Application
20080106090
This application claims priority of French Patent Application No. 06/09713, filed Nov. 7, 2006, herein incorporated by reference.
This disclosure relates to the field of security protective films for protecting identity documents (passports, identity cards, driving licences and the like) and which are used for sealing a page, made of paper, plastic or the like, containing the personal information of the identity document.
It is common to use a transparent protective film that may comprise optical security elements (holograms, for example) to seal personalization information printed on official documents such as passports. The protective films used for this purpose are generally reactivable films having an activable adhesive layer, overlain by a transparent polymer layer serving as a protective layer. Thus, the films are activated during their application on the document to be protected to activate the adhesive property of the adhesive layer. The activation may be created by heating (thermo-activable films) or by radiation (for example, ultraviolet). Such films comprise a certain number of optical security devices (UV printing, diffractive elements, holograms, variable inks, other special printing, etc. widely described such as in US 2004/0239099) with the aim of allowing authentication of the set consisting of a protective film and the document that it is supposed to protect. The component allowing the sealing of information is commonly known as laminate.
The increasingly secured laminates thus represent one of the key obstacles for producing a fake identity document.
In the case of passports, it is understood that they concern any document comprising data sealed by a protective film, and the laminate and the passport are manufactured by different parties. The assembly is typically carried out by the printer who integrates the laminate when assembling all of the pages of the passport into a “stitched laminate” or at the location where the document is edited, personalization via printing of the personal data to be sealed having taken place according to the cases either on the document, or on the laminate before transfer.
The absence of any mark on the latter prevents individual management of the security components creating, among other things, a security flaw in so far as the laminate may be lost, stolen or misappropriated for dubious reasons before being definitively sealed on the document.
WO 2006/071732 discloses an identity document structure comprising a main layer, a coating and a protective laminate. Information of the holder of the document is pre-printed on the main layer. The security coating is partially superimposed with the pre-printed information and represents variable data personalized to the document holder such as an image, a text or digits. The protective laminate is generic, not allowing an individual management.
It could therefore be advantageous to allow such an individual management of the laminates such as to increase the security of the laminated identity documents. It could also be advantageous to secure the laminate and, therefore, the identity documents thus laminated without complicating the process of manufacturing identity documents.
We provide an identity document including a support; and a transparent protective film laminated on the support to seal personal information of the individual, wherein the protective film includes inscription of a first unique identification datum of the film among a plurality of films.
We also provide a system for managing a plurality of identity documents including a support; and a transparent protective film laminated on the support to seal personal information of an individual, the protective film including a first identification datum of the film among a plurality of films, the support of the documents further comprising a second unique support identification datum, the system including a first database storing, in a same recording for each document, at least the first protective film identification datum, the personal information and the second support identification datum.
We further provide a method for producing an identity document including a document support and a transparent protective film including inscribing personal information of an individual on the support or the transparent film; and laminating the transparent protective film on the document support to seal the personal information, wherein, during the laminating, the transparent protective film includes a first unique identification datum of the film among a plurality of films.
We still further provide a method for managing a plurality of identity documents including a support and a transparent protective film, the protective film including a first unique identification datum among a plurality of films and the support including a second unique identification datum, including inscribing personal information of an individual on the support or the transparent film; recording, in a first database, the second identification data associated with the personal information; laminating the transparent protective film on the document support to seal the personal information; scanning the laminated document to determine the first and second identification data; and adding into the database, during recording relating to the second identification datum, the first identification datum.
The subject matter of our disclosure will also be best understood with the aid of drawings wherein:
It will be appreciated that the following description is intended to refer to specific examples of structure selected for illustration in the drawings and is not intended to define or limit the disclosure, other than in the appended claims.
We provide the laminates with identification numbers or other data allowing the unique identification of a laminate among a set of laminates. In particular, we provide a transparent protective film for protecting a surface, the protective film comprising an individualized and indelible inscription of a first unique film identification datum. The inscription is carried out by the laminate supplier.
A simple and individualized management of the laminates is thus made possible, which is akin to a simple management of identifiers. Furthermore, such laminates, if they are lost or stolen, cannot be used easily for producing a fake identity document because the visible number remains easily identifiable. Furthermore, the pair constituting the number and an identifier of the laminated document may constitute a reinforced security key.
Moreover, the usual methods involving laminates do not need to be modified for the use of the laminates. No additional step in the use of the latter is necessary.
The identification data used may be of different types so long as they can be generated in large quantities to ensure a uniqueness of the latter or a quasi-uniqueness (use of a number with x digits, two numbers are repeated every 10x numbers). Wide-spread uni-dimensional bar codes, bi-dimensional bar codes or alphanumeric sequences are particularly suitable.
We also provide an identity document for an individual comprising a support and such a transparent protective film, the protective film being laminated on the support such as to seal the personal information of the individual.
The support is the paper or plastic (PVC—polyvinyl chloride, PET—polyethylene terephtalate, PETF, Polycarbonate and the like) base of documents such as the passport, the identity card, the driving licence or any other document attributed to a person to which a unique identification number is attributed, for example, in the form of a bar code. As in the case of the passport, the personal data, for example, the last name and first name, the date of birth, the nationality, the date of validity, a photo, etc. are printed on the support, either directly, or via the use of intermediate layers. For security reasons, the supports now include optical security elements.
Generally, the protective films comprise a transparent polymer layer on one hand, and also a transparent adhesive layer on the other hand, the latter allowing adhesion of the laminate on the support, for example, via thermo-activation. Optionally, the film is provided with one or more intermediate layers comprising optical security elements.
The identity document thus produced is more secure. Indeed, the process of reconstituting a document or modifying an existing document by a person with bad intentions is more complex: the latter must now acquire a blank protective film of the same type and provide the latter with the appropriate identification data.
Moreover, it is preferable to protect the number of the laminate from an access by a third party who may therefore modify it via chemical or laser methods. It is thus envisaged that the first identification datum is inscribed in mirror image on the face of the protective film adjacent to the support. The face adjacent the support is that which includes the adhesive layer. Thus, the number of the laminate may be inscribed on the adhesive layer via methods suitable for the type of adhesive. Because the face is seen turned over when it is laminated against the support of the document, it is necessary to inscribe the number or the datum inversely (via mirror effect). In this way, when the identity document is laminated, the area inscribed is not directly accessible to a third party. The latter must either detach the laminate or pierce the upper layers (upper polymer layer and possibly the intermediate layers equipped with optical security elements) to access the area. It is therefore easy to detect an alteration of the laminate and, therefore, a potential fake document.
The inscription methods which apply particularly well are, by way of example, printing via ink-jet, thermal marking, laser printing and the like.
Advantageously, in the case of a printing via ink-jet, an ink may be used which penetrates the glue thickness and is “absorbed” by the support when exposed to a stress during the lamination. It is understood by “absorbed” the fact that at least one part of the ink of the film is transferred on the support, the latter absorbing the ink in its structure (paper or plastic). Various stresses may be applied for transferring the ink: heat and/or mechanical transfer or via ultraviolet irradiation or even via infrared irradiation. In particular, it is envisaged that the stress is the same as that used for lamination, allowing the lamination and ink transfer to be carried out at the same time in one single action.
The ink selected may be visible or invisible in the visible spectrum and may be developed under a UV (ultraviolet) or IR (infrared) lamp.
Therefore, an indelible mark of the number is transferred on the paper support and the later installation of a new numbered film therefore becomes complicated due to the necessity of exact positioning and alignment on the old inscription. Furthermore, in the presence of optical security elements, inscription of the number on the protective film must also be exact in consideration of the position of the optical security elements.
An alternative to the printing in mirror image is that the protective film comprises a transparent outer layer, a transparent adhesive layer suitable for being applied on the support, and a metallic surface representing a portion of the surface of the protective film, the metallic surface being disposed between the outer layer and the adhesive layer, and the first identification datum is engraved into the metallic surface. The engraving is produced, for example, via laser marking. The metallic surface may also comprise optical security elements such as a hologram aiming to complicate reproduction of the latter.
Moreover, it is envisaged that the first identification datum further comprises checksums of the bar code or alphanumeric sequence. For example, the number inscribed on the film is completed with a plurality of check digits calculated according to known methods, for example, according to a hash function (for example, SHA-256), a parity bit checksum via redundancy or cyclic redundancy (CRC). The presence of such data complicates generation of coherent identification data and allows a first local verification of the coherence.
We also provide a set of protective films comprising a unique base having a plurality of protective films, each one of the protective films comprising the inscription of a first unique film identification datum. The protective films may be disposed on the base, for example, by means of a slightly adhesive layer. The protective films may also be produced from a single part with the base and are not yet cut out.
The set of protective films may be presented in the form of a wound reel, in the form of large sheets comprising a plurality of films or in other independent formats.
The set may be produced by the laminate manufacturer and easy to use for the personalization center or printer.
Optionally, the first identification data are generated randomly for the plurality of protective films. Therefore, the distribution of a number (or bar code) does not provide information on the other numbers also distributed via the same reel or via the same set.
To simplify management of the identification data, the first identification datum may comprise an alphanumeric sequence(s) and the alphanumeric sequence(s) are generated sequentially for the plurality of protective films, for example, via simple incrementation.
To simplify identification of protective films in the set, it is possible to equip the set with marks. Holographic images present in the structure may be used as marks when the same pattern is applied to the same location for each of the protective films. When the set is continuous, i.e., that a pattern is repeated throughout without providing information of any position of the protective film, it is envisaged to provide a regular marking on the set (reel), for example, via a printing of a mark, a pre-cut out or an identifiable symbol.
In the past, verification of passports at a customs post has been restricted to verifying that the photo is that of the holder and that the data printed corresponds to the passport number in a central database. The systems do not allow, during verifications, new data inserted into the laminates to be taken into account. We thus provide a system for managing a plurality of identity documents for individuals comprising a support and a transparent protective film laminated on the support such as to seal the personal information of the individual, the protective film comprising a first identification datum, the supports of the documents further comprising a second unique support identification datum, for example, the number of the passport, the system comprising a first database, “the central database,” storing, in the same recording for each document, at least the first protective film identification datum, the personal information and the second support identification datum. The recordings are accessible by the customs officers without modification of their interface and only require a small adjustment of the already existing databases to add there a field dedicated to the number of the laminate. In this way, the checks at customs posts may be more complete.
Filling out this database, in particular the activation of the laminate number and its association with the data of the passport, is carried out during a step for controlling the quality of the identity document, just before issue. Various mechanisms allow the laminate number to be activated, for example, automatically due the single fact that the number is present in the database and thus used, or specifically by completing a dedicated field (a flag, for example) when an effective activation is desired, for example, when the identity document is handed over to its holder.
It seems desirable to provide an additional check on the laminate numbers available at the time of the checking step so not to validate an incorrectly input or incorrectly identified number. To this end, it is envisaged that the system further comprises a second database storing the first identification data of the protective films and comprising, for each of the identification data, a status indicator taking a first value when the first identification datum is associated with a second identification datum in a recording of the first database and taking a second value when the first identification datum is not present in the first database.
The second database is supplied by the laminate supplier who, during manufacturing of the latter, provides information on the numbers of the laminates produced and delivered for distribution. In the base, the numbers are identified as good for the production (first value of the status indicator), i.e., the corresponding laminate is available to be applied to an identity document, then are identified as used (second value of the indicator) when they appear in the central database, i.e., the corresponding laminate has been used for laminating an identity document. Consultation of the second database allows the availability of a number to be validated before its use and placing in use of the passport or corresponding document.
The second database may be easily produced in the form of an electronic file containing the available numbers.
The checking step is generally carried out by an automatic scanner which reads the information and data of the identity documents. It is thus envisaged that the system further comprises means for scanning the identity documents, the scanning means being arranged for determining the first identification datum of the protective film and the second identification datum of the support and for associating, in the first database, the first identification datum of the protective film with a recording comprising the second identification datum of the support. Optionally, the scanner also verifies the accuracy of the personal information completed in the database in relation to that scanned.
We also provide methods for manufacturing, by the laminate supplier, transparent protective films of a surface comprising a step for generating a first unique identification datum and a step for associating the first identification datum with the protective film via inscription of the first identification datum on one of the faces of the film. The aforementioned transparent film is thus obtained.
Our methods distance themselves from known methods because no inscription of an identification datum is produced on the known laminates. The latter are used blank, as illustrated in the aforementioned WO 2006/071732.
Our methods have the advantage of remaining simple while providing an additional degree of security for such laminates.
According to various aspects:
The protective film may be equipped with an activable adhesive layer and the inscription is, therefore, produced inversely (mirror effect) on the adhesive layer.
In one alternative, the protective film, or even the base from which the film originates, comprises a metallic surface disposed between the activable adhesive layer and the outer protective layer, the film identification datum being engraved into the metallic surface.
It is understood that preliminary steps for constituting the transparent film may be envisaged, in particular, for developing a multiple-layer structure equipped with security elements such as aforementioned.
We further provide methods for manufacturing an identity document for an individual comprising a document support and a transparent protective film, the methods comprising a step for inscribing personal information of the individual (on the support or the transparent film) and a step for laminating the transparent protective film on the document support such as to seal the personal information, the transparent protective film comprising, during the laminating step, a first unique film identification datum. Our methods thus differ in that now, as a laminate, a protective film equipped with an identification number or equivalent, is applied.
The aforementioned security advantages are thus provided by the method. The traditional methods are only modified a little and are based on the same laminating, printing, etc., machines.
According to various aspects:
Referring to the aforementioned management system, we also provide methods for managing a plurality of identity documents for individuals comprising a support and a transparent protective film, the protective film comprising a first unique identification datum and the support comprising a second unique identification datum, the method comprising:
It is also envisaged a later step for checking, for example, at customs, an identity document comprising verification in the first database of the existence of a recording comprising the first and second identification data of the document checked.
The addition step may simply consist of filling out, with the identification number of the laminate read by the scanner, a field left blank by the administration in the recording relating to the data of the passport or document. The step thus remains simple and only requires slight adjustment of the already existing databases and control software of the latter.
Finally, the later check is carried out when the document is used by the individual, for example, at customs. The additional verification is simple and includes checking the existence of a recording associating the laminate number with the passport number.
Thus, during a check, a simple verification of the correspondence of the number of the passport with the number of the laminate allows, via a simplified interrogation of the central database, the legitimacy of the components of the passport to be verified. The method has the advantage of adding an important functional security without adding steps to the process of developing and issuing passports.
Moreover, it is also envisaged that the method further comprises:
The subject matter of this disclosure applies notably to any security laminate used for the production of sensitive documents such as passports or other identity document.
Referring to
Embossing of the last layer 4 is carried out to form by exposure to heat microstructured areas constituting the optical security elements.
Then follows a vacuum deposition, on the free surface of the embossed layer 4, of a layer of a transparent material having a high optical refractive index 5, for example, a transparent dielectric material, in particular, ZnS or the like. The layer also constitutes an optical and holographic security element.
Then, the coating is carried out of the lower surface of the refractive layer 5 via a heat reactivable adhesive layer 6. Individual personalization of the laminates is carried out via printing of a number 7 on the lower surface of the adhesive layer. Printing is produced in mirror image.
The adhesive layer is transparent either by nature or after thermal activation or equivalent, i.e., once laminated, the layer is transparent to allow vision via the upperside of the protective film of the number 7 printed.
Finally, finishings are carried out, typically the manufacturing of bobbins/reels or of the components to be inserted into the passport. Optionally, the personalization may take place before or after the finishings.
After lamination, only the layers 3 to 7 are thus transferred on the document to be protected.
Another film is shown in
Then follows a step for depositing a refractive layer 5 then an adhesive layer 6 coating as above-mentioned.
The step for individual personalization of the laminates is carried out via laser marking in the metallic layer a number, for example, via local destruction of the layer.
The finishings are applied in the same manner as aforementioned.
The protective film thus produced is applied in the similar manner as that described in relation to
Various characteristics of the numbering of the laminate are as follows:
Referring to
The manufacturer 40, therefore, transfers 43 the reel of numbered laminates to the printer 44 who will laminate the films on the official documents to be sealed. A transfer of the numbers produced corresponding to the numbers supported by the laminates is also produced 45 either by means of a database completed by the manufacturer 40 or by means of a dedicated digital file.
If necessary, the laminate manufacturer 40 may transmit in a secured manner 46 to an end customer 47 (not the printer, but in general the government department responsible for issuing passports), a file 48 containing all of the codes issued.
The printer 44 then transmits 49 the laminated documents to the end customer 47.
Activation of the code (laminate number) is carried out automatically during quality control of the passport by the government department responsible for issuing passports 50. Control is carried out automatically via digitalization of the document in a known manner.
It is already known to carry out the following operations via a scanning machine:
It is possible to carry out the following additional operations:
The additional operations only require a minor adaptation of the already existing management software and operation is thus completely transparent on the place of issue of the passport.
When operational, the laminate number constitutes an additional security for the official documents (passports) and a check of the passport is therefore carried out by the dedicated entities 52, for example, customs. The following steps are carried out during verification:
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR 0609713 | Nov 2006 | FR | national |
