Patent Application
20060249951
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to the field of printed security documents and, more particularly, to identification documents and documents of value bearing enhanced security features.
2. Description of the Related Prior Art
As will be appreciated by those in the art, printed security documents in the form of identification documents and documents of value are widely used in our daily lives. Such printed security documents include financial transaction cards, driver's licenses, entitlement cards, travel documents (e.g. (e.g. birth certificates), vehicle titles, banknotes and the like. In the case of identification documents, the identification document is used to verify that the document bearer has the rights and privileges associated with the document e.g. to purchase goods on credit, withdraw funds from a bank, operate a motor vehicle, receive government services, cross borders etc. Such identification documents and documents of value have obvious inherent value and, as a result, are particularly subject to counterfeiting. The issuing authority of such security documents must, therefore, seek to ensure that such documents cannot easily be easily forged or altered.
Numerous technologies have emerged over recent years to restrict the ability to fraudulently copy or reproduce identification documents and documents of value while at the same time providing enhanced authentication features. Typical security features currently employed to assist in authenticating genuine documents include, among other things, intaglio printing, holograms, watermarks, micro printing, security threads, and printed indicia sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) light.
Recently, security documents have been produced using synthetic substrates rather than conventional paper. By their very nature, synthetic substrates offer some advantages over paper made from natural fibers, one of which is the ability to contain a transparent window within an opaque background. This adds an extra level of difficulty for counterfeiting and allows the authentication of genuine documents to be more certain. In addition, credit cards and other identification cards containing visually transparent zones have been proposed.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,110 entitled “Identification with a Visible Authenticity Feature” and issued Jan. 16, 1990 to Lass et al. discloses the imprinting of information on a multilayer identification card by means of a laser beam. The information is recorded by irreversibly changing (blackening) transparent synthetic material. By controlling the laser beam intensity, information is recorded only in one layer or simultaneously in several layers. If the layer arrangement, layer materials and recording parameters (intensity, writing width, etc.) are selected appropriately, images can be produced which change their appearance as the viewing angle is changed. The various visual effects which are obtained using this technique, serve to distinguish the authenticity of the identification card.
The above-cited patent discloses, in particular, an identification card which includes a transparent window. An opaque core layer has a window punched out and is sandwiched between two synthetic transparent layers. The card layers are joined together by applying heat and pressure, the window in the layer being filled in by the melted synthetic transparent layers. In the window, a parallax image can be produced using the laser at different intensities as described above. The parallax image could comprise a logo or emblem, incorporating card-individual data such as an account number.
Similarly, WO 03/095218 A1 entitled “Security Document with Biometric or Photographic Image” and published Nov. 20, 2003, teaches a security document or token in the form of an identity card which incorporates a biometric or photographic image within a transparent region or window such that the image is substantially distinguishable from both sides of the card. The security document includes a transparent substrate of plastics material which is covered with one or more opacifying layers or coatings except in the area of the transparent region or window. Regions of partial or varying opacity are provided adjacent to or surrounding the window. A portion of the photographic image extends into at least one region of partial or varying opacity and another portion of the image extends into the substantially opaque region. The portion of the image which extends into the region of partial or varying opacity is at least partly visible from both sides of the document in transmission, but only visible from one side of the document in reflection.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,016 entitled “Banknotes and the Like” and issued Aug. 20, 1985 to Solomon et al. discloses a security token, such as a bank note or identity card comprising a sheet-like substrate made up from film of transparent bi-axially oriented polymer. The substrate is coated on both sides with an opacifying pigmentary coating in such a manner so as to leave a transparent area within the film within which an optically variable device may be placed. The substrate bears printed or other identifying indicia and is protected with an intimately bonded layer of transparent polymeric material. The use of an optically variable device within the transparent area of a security token allows it to be viewed from either side of the token and allows optical transmission effects to be employed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,779 entitled “Security Document with Security Marking formed of Transparent Windows” and issued Jan. 14, 2003 to Power et al., discloses a security document with security indicia for preventing unauthorized reproduction wherein the security indicia are formed of at least partly transparent windows formed through the security document. The security document comprises an at least partially transparent substrate having one or more opaque layers applied to at least one of its opposing faces. The windows are comprised of apertures formed through one or more of the opaque layers. Although detectable in transmitted light, the security indicia are located within the bounds of a security pattern acting to visually conceal the security indicia in reflected light. The security pattern may be formed of one or more elements and has a complexity selected to enable the concealment of the security indicia.
A developing trend in the printed security document industry also relies on the application of features which visibly glow in the presence of ultraviolet radiation, but are otherwise undetectable. Specifically, identification documents and documents of value may be printed with indicia sensitive to ultraviolet UV light to provide for enhanced security features. Ultra-violet light is an invisible part of the light spectrum beyond blue. UV light has a higher frequency (shorter wavelength) than visible light. Indicia or patterns may be printed on identification documents or documents of value with invisible UV fluorescent inks. Invisible fluorescent inks are usually clear and only become visible under exposure to an ultraviolet (UV) light source. Thus, indicia or patterns printed with invisible fluorescent inks can be revealed as many times as needed under UV light. Materials exhibiting this kind of effect are not commonly available to counterfeiters who employ conventional scanning and ink jet or electrostatic printers to reproduce security documents. The presence of such features in a document is, therefore, often accepted as proof of authenticity.
Invisible UV fluorescent inks are currently used to mark currency and many other valuable documents to prevent counterfeiting. Retail stores and banks can rapidly verify the presence of these features with an inexpensive ultraviolet light source. Similarly, passport and visa documents can also be easily examined with suitable equipment at immigration checkpoints to verify the presence of ultraviolet fluorescing elements within the documents, thereby providing a quick initial validation of authenticity.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,168 entitled “Information Recording Medium and Information Recording Method Suitable for Security Purposes” and issued Dec. 5, 2000 to Sakamoto, discloses the use of ultraviolet or infrared ink to record a photo-portrait image on an information recording medium corresponding to the same photo-portrait image recorded on a different portion of the information recording medium using coloring ink. As a result, confirmation of the photo-portrait image recorded using ultraviolet or infrared ink with the photo-portrait image recorded using coloring ink may not take place under ordinary conditions since the photo-portrait image recorded using ultraviolet or infrared ink is colorless and transparent within the visible region. However, confirmation of the photo-portrait images is obtained by irradiating the portion of the information recording medium containing the photo-portrait image recorded with ultraviolet or infrared ink with ultraviolet or infrared rays, respectively.
Although the above techniques work adequately for their intended purpose, a superior printed security document may be obtained by taking advantage of the techniques disclosed to produce an identification document or document of value with enhanced security features.
In order to provide enhanced security features, a security document and method of making such document is disclosed wherein the security document comprises a transparent window with a UV blocking agent incorporated over the transparent window and wherein invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns are printed proximate respective opposite sides of the UV blocking agent within the area defined by the transparent window. When a face side of the security document is illuminated with UV light, only the fluorescent ink pattern printed within the transparent window area proximate the face side becomes visible. Similarly, when a back side of the security document is illuminated with UV light, only the pattern printed within the transparent window area proximate the back side becomes visible. When both face and back sides of the security document are illuminated with UV light simultaneously, both fluorescent ink patterns printed within the area of the transparent window and on opposite sides of the UV blocking agent become visible. This is a surprising feature not normally associated with UV authentication. Not only are the printed invisible UV fluorescent ink patterns difficult to reproduce, they may further convey meaningful information which may be compared with identical information repeated in another area of the security document in order to determine the document's integrity.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a security document comprising a transparent window formed therein, at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker layer covering at least a portion of the transparent window and at least a first invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern printed proximate a first side of the at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker layer within the area defined by the transparent window. In a preferred embodiment, a second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is printed proximate a second side of the at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker layer within the area defined by the transparent window.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a method of applying a security feature to a security document is provided comprising forming a transparent window within the security document, incorporating at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker layer over at least a portion of the transparent window, and printing a first invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern proximate a first side of the at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker layer such that the first invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern is axially aligned with said transparent window. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes printing a second invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink pattern proximate a second side of the at least one transparent ultraviolet blocker layer within the area defined by the transparent window.
Preferably, the invisible UV fluorescent ink patterns printed on each side of the transparent ultraviolet blocker layer within the region of the transparent window will be of a graphical nature, either on their own or collectively when both sides of the document are illuminated simultaneously with UV light, thereby providing for fast and efficient verification of a document's authenticity. However, it will be understood that the UV fluorescent ink patterns may alternatively comprise an array of alphanumeric characters and the array of alphanumeric characters may comprise personal data which is repeated elsewhere on the document in normal-readable form for comparison with the alpha numeric characters.
The advantage of the invention is now readily apparent. Using a visually transparent window incorporating the ultraviolet blocking feature of the present invention, UV fluorescent ink patterns invisible under normal lighting conditions can be embedded within any identification document or document of value. The authenticity of the document can then be verified by illuminating one or both sides of the transparent window with UV light and observing the different visual effects revealed produced on each side by the previously invisible UV fluorescent ink patterns. Alternatively, one or both sides of the transparent window may be illuminated with UV light and the UV fluorescent ink patterns subsequently detected, analyzed and authenticated by a machine or device designed to perform such tasks.
A better understanding of the invention will be obtained by considering the detailed description below, with reference to the following drawings in which:
The double ultraviolet (UV) security feature of the present invention relies on the presence of a transparent window area within an identification document or any other document of value. Such identification documents or documents of value may include financial transaction cards, driver's licenses, identity cards, passports, banknotes or any other document requiring enhanced security features. It will be appreciated that there are three standard methods by which a transparent window area may be formed within an identification document or document of value, depending on document construction. In a first instance, an opaque core layer may have a window punched therein and is then sandwiched between two synthetic transparent layers. The layers may be bonded together by applying heat and pressure so that the window in the opaque core layer is filled in by the melted synthetic transparent layers, thereby creating a thick semi-rigid structure as is usually associated with ID cards and credit cards. In a second instance, a transparent core polymer substrate may be sandwiched between two opaque layers having axially aligned windows punched therein. Two synthetic transparent layers are then applied on outer sides of the opaque layers and the entire structure may be bonded together by applying heat and pressure so that the windows punched in the opaque layers are filled in by the melted synthetic transparent layers. This construction would be suitable for card type documents containing, for example, a contactless chip and antenna in the inner transparent core. In a third instance, a transparent core polymer substrate may be coated on both sides with an opacifying pigmentary coating in such a manner so as to leave a transparent window area extending through the substrate, the entire structure being sufficiently thin and flexible to be a substitute for paper. Such a construction would be suitable for banknotes, passports, certificates, etc. The present invention is applicable to all three cases as will be described in detail below.
In terms of fabrication of the identity card in
In
It will also be appreciated that printing of the invisible UV fluorescent ink patterns 114 and 150 onto the transparent UV blocking layer 120 is optional. In alternate embodiments, for example, the first invisible UV fluorescent ink pattern 114 may be printed on interior surface of the first transparent layer 110 and the second invisible UV fluorescent ink pattern may be printed on the interior surface of the second transparent layer 160, such that both UV fluorescent ink patterns are contained within the transparent window 140.
In the embodiment of
In this respect, the additional transparent polymeric layer may be printed using any printing process capable of applying a sufficient amount of UV blocking agent, such as flexography, lithography or a silk screen process. Printing of the UV blocking agent on at least one side of the additional transparent polymeric layer may also be localized such that the UV blocking agent only overlays the transparent window when the various layers of the card are assembled.
As mentioned, the UV blocking agent could also be incorporated within an additional transparent polymeric layer using known methods in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,112 issued to CP Films, Inc., describes a method of applying dyestuff, including UV absorbers, to polyester films. The method described in this document consists of applying a coating onto a polyester film (e.g. the additional transparent polymeric layer) which is then heated so as to have the dyestuff or UV absorber migrate into the film. Alternatively, the UV blocking agent may be compounded directly into the resin prior to forming of the additional transparent polymeric layer. Thus, it will be appreciated that any form of UV blocking layer or agent that overlays the area of the transparent window 140 and is interposed between at least one of the invisible UV fluorescent ink patterns and the opaque core layer 130 will be sufficient to achieve the UV security feature of the present invention.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the double ultraviolet security feature may be incorporated into other types of security documents having transparent window areas incorporated therein, in addition to the identity card 100 described in relation to
Similar to the embodiment in
The transparent window area of a security document having a core substrate made from a transparent polymeric material may alternatively be formed by applying an opacifying pigmentary coating on both sides of the transparent polymeric core in such a manner so as to leave at least one transparent window through the substrate. A visually transparent UV blocking agent may then be applied or printed directly onto at least one side of the exposed transparent polymeric core within the region of the transparent window. The invisible fluorescent ink patterns can subsequently be printed on each side of the security document within the region of the transparent window. Accordingly, when the transparent window area on a given side of the document is illuminated with UV light, only the image printed on that side becomes visible. When both sides of the security document are simultaneously illuminated with UV light, the invisible UV fluorescent ink patterns printed on both sides of the document become visible at the same time, regardless of the side that the document is viewed from.
It should be understood that although the polymer document 300 in
With regard to
It should be appreciated that the configuration of a security document bearing the enhanced ultraviolet security feature of the present invention may be realized in any number of ways.
As described in the embodiments of
In other contemplated embodiments, partially visible UV fluorescent ink patterns may be printed on each side of a security document within the region of the transparent window. In addition, the printing of a particular invisible UV fluorescent ink pattern on a given side of a security document is not limited to use of a single invisible UV fluorescent ink. Specifically, more than one invisible UV fluorescent ink may be used to print a single UV fluorescent ink pattern. In other words, a single invisible UV fluorescent ink pattern printed on a given side of a security document made in accordance with the present invention may itself be comprised of different fluorescing colors when illuminated with UV light.
Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that if the transparent UV blocker used in accordance with the present invention is a printed transparent UV blocking agent, the printed transparent UV blocker could itself be patterned in any desired manner so as to leave some areas within the transparent window UV transparent, thereby producing other interesting effects, if so desired.
Although the preferred embodiments described above involve the use invisible UV fluorescent inks, it will be apparent that the invention is not restricted or limited to the use of such fluorescent pigments. For example, phosphorescent pigments are also known to react to UV light and may, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, be used to print patterns within the region of a transparent window on either side of a security document.
It should be understood that numerous variations exist with regard to the printing of invisible UV fluorescent ink patterns within the transparent window region on each side of a given security document. For example, well known simultaneous printing techniques may be used to print the invisible UV fluorescent ink patterns on each side of an identity card or document of value so as to form an interlocking image, as was depicted in
Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the invisible UV ink patterns located within the transparent window region of a security document constructed in accordance with the present invention may be printed using any one of a number of printing techniques known in the art. For example, such printing methods may include, but are not limited to, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, screen, dye transfer, electrostatic and ink jet printing.
The transparent UV blocker used in the present invention (be it a transparent UV blocking layer, a transparent UV blocking agent printed on an intermediate transparent polymeric layer or a UV blocking agent incorporated within a transparent polymeric layer) may comprise any suitable UV blocking agent known in the art. For example, suitable UV blocking agents may be obtained from Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc. and include Tinuvin®5050 and Tinuvin®5236 as well as suitable UV blocking agents from the phenyl-triazine and benzotriazole classes, such as Tinuvin®400 and Tinuvin®234, respectively. Alternatively, suitable UV blocking agents from the benzophenone class such as Uvinul®3008 and Uvinul®3050, offered by BASF, or from the cyano diphenyl acrylate class such as Uvinul®3030 and Uvinul®3035 may be used. Suitable UV blocking agents may also include nano-size titanium dioxide and include Hombitec RM 130 F and Hombitec RM 230 L offered, for example, by Sachtleben Chemie GmbH. A nano size zinc oxide, offered by Micronisers Pty Ltd. for example, may also be used as a suitable UV blocking agent. It will be appreciated that the particular choice of UV blocking agent(s) is governed by the method of application, the nature of the substrate and the effect desired.
Those skilled in the art will further understand that the invisible dye/pigments used to print the invisible UV fluorescent ink patterns can be either organic or inorganic in nature. The main criteria are that they are stable under heat and pressure (for the case of laminated security documents), do not fade under UV light, resist flaking and generally provide for longevity. It will be appreciated that thermal stability is even more critical when the security document in question is to be subjected to a lamination process after printing (i.e. for ID cards, passports etc.).
It will further be appreciated that, as an alternative to human authentication, a security document incorporating the ultraviolet security feature of the present invention may be authenticated using automated detection means or the like. In such cases, the spectral characteristics of the UV fluorescent ink and the UV blocker can be matched to specific UV light source wavelengths if the ultraviolet security feature is intended to be detected, analyzed and authenticated by a machine or device designed to perform such tasks.
Finally, the double ultraviolet security authentication feature of the present invention may be incorporated into any type of document requiring enhanced security features. An identification card is one such type of document and could take the form of a bank card, a credit card, a driver's license, a health card or any other card of the like. Typically such identification cards are used to authenticate the individual to which the card was issued along with verifying that the card has not been forged or duplicated. As will also be appreciated, identification cards may also include contact or contactless chips, magnetic or optical stripes, or barcodes each of which can be encoded with personal or biometric information and used as a further level of verification against the human-readable information contained in the identification card. The double ultraviolet security feature of the present invention is also applicable to documents of value such as passports, birth certificates, banknotes, traveler's checks, or the like.
Although various exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made which will achieve some of the advantages of the invention without departing from the true scope of the invention.
A person understanding this invention may now conceive of alternative structures and embodiments or variations of the above all of which are intended to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.
