OA17506A - Security document with differentiated tactile zones, and method for its manufacture. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates in particular to a security document (1), such as an identity card or a passport, which comprises, on a support (10), at least one datum (2) visible to the naked eye, such as a text or an image, this datum consisting of at least a first region (20) having a first shade (T1), and at least a second region (21), exhibiting a second shade (T2) different from the first, this datum being coated with an impression of a transparent or translucent material forming a raised tactile element. It is remarkable in that said printing of transparent or translucent material superimposed on said first region (20) has a thickness and / or a percentage of coverage and / or a gloss and / or is produced according to a different design (s) from that (or those) of the printing (31) of transparent or translucent material superimposed on said second region (21), this difference being visually perceptible.

Description

The present invention falls within the field of security documents, more particularly identity documents, comprising variable data and which are in particular in the form of a booklet such as a passport (so-called ID3 format) or of a card (so-called ID3 format). ID2 or ID1), or a self-adhesive label.

In this area, the fight against attempted falsification and counterfeiting is the subject of the development of ever more advanced systems. The purpose of these devices is, in addition to protecting against any attempted fraud, to allow the competent authority to check the said document.

The first control most practiced is a so-called first level control. It is characterized in that no external means (device or equipment) are used to authenticate the document.

In fact, the security imagined are all the more relevant as they allow authentication by first-level control. It is in this context that the present invention falls.

In the field of identity documents, sensitive data are on the one hand the personal elements linked to the bearer (photograph, name, first name etc.) and on the other hand the variable elements (passport number, date of issue etc. ). These personalization elements are sensitive since the main fraud attempts consist not in carrying out a complete forgery of the document, but in falsifying at least part of this data originating from an authentic document. We therefore understand the value of:

- ensure physical protection of data by making it difficult to access and consequently modify data;

- make the means of producing this data more complex (use of multiple personalization techniques);

- increase the number of customization areas;

- facilitate the control of the authenticity of the document by first level security;

- make any attempt at tampering evident.

On the other hand, it is known in the field of fiduciary printing to provide printing allowing, by deformation of the printed surface, to produce so-called tactile elements. This printing called "intaglio" is used when printing banknotes, in particular.

Security documents are also known which comprise, on a medium, data visible to the naked eye, such as a text or an image, these data being coated with an impression of a transparent or translucent material forming an element. tactile relief.

The function of this varnish forming a tactile element is to protect the data located below, or even to make their perception easier by blind or visually impaired people, or even to make falsification of the data more difficult.

Document EP-1676 715 discloses a data medium such as an identity card on the surface of which a touch element is provided.

This element is formed by the outline of a biometric element and each point of this tactile element provides an optical magnification forming a magnifying glass.

Document DE-10 2005 062047 describes a card-type document, such as an identity card, in which data is printed in relief. This is for example the signature of the card holder or the outline of his photograph.

The present invention aims to further improve the types of document mentioned above so as to:

- prevent an attempted falsification by overprinting, but also to:

- provide control authorities with a visual and tactile means to verify the authenticity of the document;

- Guarantee a high degree of security due to the complexity of producing said printing;

- provide an alternative to traditional two-dimensional customization methods (inkjet printing, laser engraving, thermal transfer).

Thus, a first aspect of the invention relates to a security document, such as an identity card or a passport, which comprises, on a support, at least one datum visible to the naked eye, such as a text. or an image, this datum consisting of at least a first region exhibiting a first shade, and at least a second region exhibiting a second tint different from the first, this datum being coated with an impression of a transparent material or translucent forming a raised tactile element.

It is remarkable in that said impression of transparent or translucent material superimposed on said first region has a thickness and / or a percentage of coverage and / or a gloss and / or is * iL · produced according to a different design (s) from that (or those) of the printing of transparent or translucent material superimposed on said second region, this difference being visually perceptible.

The term given is understood to mean information such as a text or an image, excluding the background of the security document itself.

Thanks to the invention, said two regions will be covered with a material of the varnish type, with different characteristics (thickness and / or percentage of coverage and / or gloss and / or graphics) so that in the event of a desire to falsify data, it is particularly difficult to reproduce this varnish according to the same characteristics as the original.

The printing of cover is therefore specific to each region it covers, so that it has unique characteristics that inextricably link it to the data of the security document to which it relates.

In addition, these different characteristics are at least visually perceptible, so that checking the authenticity of the document is facilitated.

According to other advantageous characteristics of the invention:

- Said second region is contiguous to the first;

said one thickness and / or said percentage of coverage is proportional to the luminance of said region;

said thickness is high or low, depending on whether the region is dark or light respectively and / or whether the percentage of coverage is respectively high or low, depending on whether the region is dark or light respectively, or vice versa;

- Said printing of transparent or translucent material is a total printing, that is to say which covers the entire surface of said data, said first and second regions being differentiated by a difference in thickness of the printing of transparent or translucent material;

said datum is data printed on said medium, coated with an impression of transparent or translucent material, itself covered with at least the repetition of said printed datum, itself coated with an impression of transparent or translucent material ;

- said printing is a partial printing, that is to say which does not cover the entire surface of said data, the printed areas constituting patterns having a predetermined shape and / or orientation and / or lineage ( s);

- Said patterns have the form of lines, dots, circular or not, figures, geometric or not, or alphanumeric characters;

- Said data is printed on the support by means of at least one ink which penetrates only more partially into said support;

- Said ink is a photopolymerisablc ink;

- Said printing is superimposed exactly on said first region, respectively said second region, or is offset and / or enlarged and / or narrowed with respect to the latter.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of making such a document.

This method is characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one step which consists in providing said medium with said datum and at least one additional step consisting in coating said datum with a transparent or translucent printing forming a tactile element, in particular with the using an inkjet printer.

This method also includes the variant according to which a laminate (ie a sheet) is positioned on the data, on which the printing is carried out.

According to possible embodiments of this method:

- An additional support which carries said previously printed data is fixed on the support;

- said data is printed directly on said medium;

- Firstly, the data is printed on said medium, secondly the printing of transparent or translucent material, thirdly, said data is printed again on the transparent material, or translucent, then on printing, on this data, of transparent or translucent material;

- Said printing of transparent or translucent material is carried out in several successive passes, so as to locally generate extra thicknesses;

- the following steps are implemented:

. acquisition of said data;

. processing of this data to transform them into a black and white image at x gray levels, x being an integer at least equal to 2 and less than 256;

. creating a dithering filter with patterns having a predetermined shape and / or orientation and / or lineage ^);

. association with each gray level of a specific percentage of coverage;

. printing with said transparent or translucent material the screen resulting from the combination of said screening filter and each specific percentage of coverage;

- Said printing of transparent material of differentiated thicknesses is carried out, in several successive passes, each time reducing the range of gray levels to be preserved;

- said patterns have the form of alphanumeric characters specific to the holder of said document,

The expression data acquisition is also understood to mean the loading of data from a database.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the following description of certain embodiments. This description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified top view of a document according to the invention such as an identity card comprising data visible to the naked eye, consisting here of the representation of the letter F.

FIG. 2 is a top view of this enlarged letter F, intended to show two zones of different colors which characterize it.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view, along the plane Ill-Ill of Figure 2, of the letter F of this Figure 2.

FIG. 4 is a view of another embodiment of the data appearing on the document, this data still consisting of the letter F.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are views of other possible embodiments of the impressions of transparent or translucent material which can be used within the framework of the invention.

Figures 8 and 9 are simplified perspective views of two embodiments of a passport according to the invention,

FIG. 10 is a portrait which can be integrated into a security document according to the invention;

FIG. 11 is a portrait identical to the previous one on which different zones of different shades have been identified.

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Figures 12 and 13 are flowcharts intended to illustrate the main steps of a method of manufacturing such a document.

Before entering into the description of the embodiments illustrated in the figures, it is important to note that these are completely and exclusively illustrative and give simplified embodiments, with the sole aim of understanding the invention properly.

The document shown in FIG. L is for example an identity card l of standardized format.

This card forms a support which can be made in any material such as fiduciary paper, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, polyethylene, or any other fibrous, plastic or hybrid support known in the field of identity documents. ,

The document 1 comprises, on the support 10, data visible to the naked eye, such as a text or an image.

The term text is understood to mean for example one or more words relating to the identity or to the physical characteristics of the card holder. We generally speak of variable mentions.

It is also understood that this may include information relating to the issuing authority of said card.

When the term image, it should be understood in its broadest sense, which means that it encompasses both the representation of the portrait of the holder of the document, as well as a drawing falling under the authority of this document, te) qu 'a flag, an emblem, etc. We then speak of fixed mentions.

On the other hand, by the term luminance, as used herein, is meant the gray levels of the text and the image.

In the case illustrated here and for reasons of clarity, the data 2 in question consists of the capital letter cn stick character F,

This data 2, in this case the letter F, is printed on the medium.

Photopolymerizable inks can be used for this printing mainly consisting of oligomers, monomers and photoinitiators. Such an ink is at room temperature in the liquid state, its viscosity and its surface tension allowing printing by a printhead. inkjet, of the piezoelectric type for example.

The ejection of the ink through the nozzles of this print head can be carried out continuously or on demand (in English drop on demand).

Drying (polymerization reaction) of the ink is carried out by exposing the latter under a lamp generating ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of between 120 and 400 nanometers.

When such inks are used, only part of the liquid penetrates into the support when the latter is paper, so that the crosslinking of the polymers during drying thus ensures a strong bond between the fibers of the support and the ink deposited. , the part of the ink which has not penetrated the support being polymerized on the surface.

It is also possible to use a type of ink which does not penetrate inside the paper, but simply sticks together on it, on its surface.

However, inkjet printing with water-based or solvent-based inks can also be used, as is widely used.

These inks penetrate completely into the paper so that an attempt at forgery irreversibly damages the support. On the other hand, it does not protect against overprinting.

In other embodiments, other techniques can be used for printing said data.

Without limitation, mention may be made of laser engraving, thermal transfer, diffusion of dyes, traditional photography or even holography, such as volume holography.

Referring again to Figures 1 and 2 attached, it can be seen that the data 2, which here consists of a representation of the letter F, includes a first region 20 of light shade Ti, as well as a second region 21, contiguous to the first region 20, dark tint T2.

In an embodiment not shown, these regions could be distant from each other, that is to say not contiguous.

These two shades are therefore different from each other.

According to the invention, these data are completely coated with an impression of transparent or translucent material 3 produced in such a way that the printing 30 superimposed on the first region 20 here has a thickness which is different from the printing 31 of material. transparent or translucent superimposed on the second region 21.

This difference in thickness is moreover noticeable tactile and visually.

In a particular embodiment, the printing could be slightly colored, while remaining translucent.

It will therefore be understood that the thickness of the transparent or translucent material, which will be designated interchangeably under the generic term varnish, is proportional to the luminance of the corresponding region.

The way in which the printing of the transparent or translucent material (vomis) is carried out will be described later in the description.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, we are again dealing with data 2 consisting of the letter F, with a first region 20 and a second region 21 of different hue.

We are dealing here, above the first region 20, with a partial printing of varnish, so as to create printed and parallel lines 300, separated by unprinted intervals 301. It is therefore a linear screen. .

Region 21 is also provided with discontinuous printing 31, with printed and parallel lines 310, separated by unprinted intervals 311. This is also a linear screen.

According to the invention, the print 30 of the region 20 has a percentage of varnish coverage of this region different from the print 31 of the second region 21, this difference in the percentage of coverage being perceptible by touch and visually. In this example, the two linear screens are oriented in the same direction, but their coverage areas are different.

To summarize the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 4, it can be seen that the printing of varnish, which forms a screen or even a mask, is in no case a uniform printing but is differentiated according to regions 20 and 21, so that this impression is specific to each region that it covers, and that it has unique characteristics which link it inseparably to the data of the security document.

In other words, if an infringement of the authenticity of the document is committed by a counterfeiter and, if this one destroys even partially the varnish, it will be necessary for him to reconstitute it while respecting the initial characteristics of thickness and / or percentage of recovery.

If he comes to retouch the data, he will also have to reconstitute the varnish according to the new data that he has put in place.

In these two embodiments, it has been envisaged that the thicknesses and percentages of overlap are separate characteristics.

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However, it will be preferable to proceed with the printing of this varnish by adopting a thickness and a different percentage of coverage depending on the region concerned.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, the varnish printing is characterized by three data.

The first datum is that relating to the shape of the impressions 300 and 310. In this case, these are parallel lines.

However, it could be circles 300 and 310 as illustrated in FIG. 5, geometric figures such as polygon 300 in FIG. 6 or alternatively alphanumeric characters such as the acronym OT referenced 300 in FIG. 7.

Preferably, these patterns will be repeated to constitute a printed frame whose individual lines have the same orientation. This orientation may however be modified, depending on the particular case.

Insofar as the varnish is colorless or translucent, the angle capable of capturing the attention should preferably be chosen around 45 ° from the horizontal. Thus, depending on the angle of inclination of the document from normal observation to grazing observation, the gloss of the varnish is varied, from mat to gloss, or vice versa.

Finally, in order to modulate the sensitivity to the touch, the repetition of the patterns is made at different frequencies, preferably from 15 to 50 Ipi (incs per inch for line per inch).

The pattern repetition rate (or the alphanumeric character scale) varies the spacing between each point or line.

This linearization allows optimum image quality while maintaining good touch sensitivity, around 20 to 30 Ipi.

At higher or lower frequencies, it is no longer possible to form distinct characters.

In an embodiment not shown, it is possible to overprint on the varnish, a repetition of the data already printed on the support then, on them, to proceed to a new printing of transparent or translucent material, the result of this succession. operations being to give an effect of volume and relief to the image thus obtained.

In Figures 8 to 9 are shown very schematically two embodiments of a security document consisting here of a passport.

This passport 1 consists of a data page 4, the rest of the booklet being symbolized by the reference 5.

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In Figure 8, data page 4 contains a two-dimensional portrait of the passport holder, printed in an area 6.

The data 2 in accordance with the present invention here consist of variable entries relating to the name and first name of the holder of the passport.

In the embodiment of Figure 9, we find ourselves in a situation similar to the previous one, except that the portrait is printed directly on the passport holder, while the data 2 consists of a reproduction of the portrait of the holder , in three dimensions.

It will be noted that a means of falsifying a document according to the invention consists in overprinting on the existing image a different image or in adding a few elements modifying the original image.

When it comes to the photo of a face, we think in particular of the addition of hair, a mustache, a change in the color of the eyes, or even a total reprint of the oval of the face.

Such a falsification by direct overprinting of an image or image elements on the original image is not possible since the constituent elements of the mask, using a photopolymerizable ink, do not allow not sufficient adhesion to water-based or solvent-based inkjet inks.

However, if this grip were sufficient, the overprinted elements would color the mask formed by the vomit, which is normally colorless.

In addition, the mask having very varied micro-reliefs, these will disturb contact with the overprinting ink, thus leading to a degraded overprinting of the added elements,

Finally, this overprint would be done on the varnish and not on the original image.

The attempted falsification would therefore be revealed.

It is of course possible to increase the level of complexity of this security by adding in particular to the varnish additives such as fluorescent pigments or dyes, pigments or dyes visible under infrared, or else tracers, thermochromes and / or photothcrmochromes. .

It is also possible to combine the effects of the base image with the varnish, in particular as described in patent FR 97 05597.

Referring now to Figures 10 and 11, there is shown the face of a person, which constitutes the data 2 according to the invention, fri

Her hair 22 and her eyebrows 23 constitute a first region A of shade Ti, while her lips 24 constitute a second region. B of shade Ta, the rest of the face 25 constituting a third region C of shade T3. Of course, this example is simplified because the photograph reproduced here presents tints T1, T2 and T3 with already shades of gray inside.

Thus, when this image is coated with an impression of transparent and translucent material, we will globally differentiate three regions A, B and C of different thickness and / or percentage of coverage.

Here again, it is clear that this impression of varnish is intimately linked to the shape and colors of the basic image.

Reference will now be made to the flowcharts of FIGS. 12 and 13 to illustrate an embodiment of a method of manufacturing a document according to the invention.

This method is preferably implemented using computer means.

With reference to FIG. 12 and more particularly to block 70, one proceeds to the acquisition of data or the loading of the latter from a database, in this case to a base image, preferably in color. .

This image is processed at the level of block 71 to transform the base image into a black and white image at x gray level, x being an integer at least equal to 2 and less than 256.

One then proceeds to the creation of a computer screening filter with patterns acquired from a database therefore having a predetermined shape and / or orientation and / or ruling (s).

In a first step, referenced neither in FIG. 12, the filter is adjusted so as to preserve all of the gray levels of the image.

This is block 72A.

A first printing of all the data is then carried out, which corresponds to block 73A.

In a step n2 represented by blocks 72B and 73B, the screening filter is restricted so as to keep only the highest gray levels, and a second printing pass is then carried out.

In steps n3 and n (blocks 72C and D), the screening filter is further restricted so as to implement a third, or even an umpteenth, printing pass (blocks 73C and D).

V> L

Finally, we will have made repeated passages in the dark colored areas (it can be the reverse), which accentuates the differences in relief,

Figure 13 repeats substantially the same methodology as that which has just been described with reference to Figure 12.

However, a file is used here comprising personalization data of the holder of the security document.

This is block 78.

Alphanumeric characters (for example, the wearer's date of birth) are selected from among these data, which will constitute the printed frame.

This is block 79.

One proceeds at the level of the block 74 to the creation of an alphanumeric character screening filter with a modulation of the form of the frame, of its angle and of its linearization.

Of course, we will have carried out beforehand, at the level of the blocks 70 and 71, the acquisition of a base image and the transformation into an image at different gray levels,

At block 75, the filter is applied to the grayscale image such that the density of printed dots is a function of the percentage of coverage of the base image.

In block 76, the image is rasterized and customized in black and white.

And, in the end, the printing is carried out, for example using an inkjet printer (block 77).

In the examples which have just been described, it has mainly been envisaged that the impressions which are superimposed on the two regions have a different thickness and / or a percentage of overlap.

However, it is also possible to provide embodiments in which these prints have a different gloss and / or are produced according to a different design (different patterns), optionally in combination with a different thickness and / or a different percentage of coverage.

By the expression different gloss is of course included the case in which one print is glossy, and the other is matte.

Claims (19)

1. Security document (1), such as an identity card or passport, which includes, on a support (10), at least one item of data (2) visible to the naked eye, such as a text or an image, consisting of at least a first region (20; A) exhibiting a first shade (Ti), and at least a second region (21; B), exhibiting a second shade (Tj) different from the first, this datum (2) being coated with an impression (3, 30, 31) of a transparent or translucent material forming a raised tactile element, characterized in that said impression (30) of transparent or translucent material superimposed on said first region (20; A) has a thickness and / or a percentage of coverage and / or a gloss and / or is produced according to a design (s) different from that (or those) of the printing (31) of transparent material or translucent superimposed on said second region (21; B), this difference being visually perceptible. 2. Document according to claim 1, characterized in that said second region (21; B) is contiguous to the first (20; A). 3. Document according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said one thickness and / or said percentage of coverage is proportional to the luminance of said region. 4. Document according to claim 3, characterized in that said thickness is high or low, depending on whether the region is dark or light respectively and / or whether the percentage of coverage is respectively high or low, depending on whether the region is respectively dark. or clear, or vice versa. 5. Document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said impression (3) of transparent or translucent material is a total impression, that is to say which covers the entire surface of said data ( 2), said first and second regions (20; A; 21; B) being differentiated by a difference in thickness of the impression of transparent or translucent material. 6. Document according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said data (2) is data printed on said support (10), coated with a print (3, 30, 31) of transparent or translucent material, itself covered with at least the repetition of said printed data (2), itself coated with an impression of transparent or translucent material (3, 30, 31). 7. Document according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said impression (3, 30, 31) is a partial impression, that is to say which does not cover the entire surface of said data, the printed areas constituting patterns (300, 310) having a shape and / or a predetermined orientation and / or linearization ^). 8. Document according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said patterns (300, 310) have the form of lines, points, circular or not, figures, geometric or not, or alphanumeric characters. 9. Document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said datum (2) is printed on the support (10) by means of at least one ink which penetrates only more partially into said support (10). ). 10. Document according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said ink is a photopolymerizable enerc. 11. Document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said impression (3, 30, 31) is superimposed exactly with said first region (20; A), respectively said second region (21; B), or is offset and / or enlarged and / or narrowed in relation to it. 12. A method of manufacturing a document according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one step which consists in providing said support (10) with said datum (2) and at least one additional step consisting in coating said datum (2) of a transparent or translucent print (3, 30, 31) forming a tactile element, in particular using an inkjet printer. 13. The method of claim 12, characterized in that one fixes on the support (10) an additional support which carries said data (2) previously printed. 14. The method of claim 12, characterized in that one prints directly on said support (10), said data (2). 15. The method of claim 12, wherein said printing of transparent or translucent material (3, 30, 31) is a continuous printing which covers the entire surface of said data (2), characterized in that the the data (2) is printed firstly on said support (10), secondly to the printing of transparent or translucent material (3, 30, 31), and in a third step to a new printing of said datum (2) on the transparent or translucent material (3, 30, 31), then on printing, on this datum, of transparent or translucent material (3,30,31). w. 16. Method according to one of claims 12 or 15, characterized in that said printing of transparent or translucent material (3, 30, 31) is carried out in several successive passes, so as to locally generate excess thicknesses. 17. The method of claim 12, wherein said printing of transparent or translucent material is a discontinuous printing, characterized in that the following steps are implemented: - acquisition of said data (2); - processing of this data to transform it into a black and white image at x gray levels, x being an integer at least equal to 2 and less than 256; - creation of a screening filter with patterns (300, 310) having a shape and / or a predetermined orientation and / or lincaturc (s). - association with each gray level of a specific percentage of coverage; - printing with said transparent or translucent material (3, 30, 31) of the screen resulting from the combination of said screening filter and each specific coverage percentage. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said printing of transparent or translucent material (3, 30, 31) of differentiated thicknesses, characterized in that one proceeds to ccttc printing in several successive passes, in each time reducing the range of gray levels to keep. 19. Method according to one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that said patterns (300, 310) have the form of alphanumeric characters specific to the holder of said document (1).