Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
  • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
  • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
  • B42D25/20—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof characterised by a particular use or purpose
  • B42D25/23—Identity cards
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
  • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
  • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
  • B42D25/30—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
  • B42D25/305—Associated digital information
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
  • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
  • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
  • B42D25/30—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
  • B42D25/36—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery comprising special materials
  • B42D25/378—Special inks
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
  • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
  • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
  • B42D25/40—Manufacture
  • B42D25/45—Associating two or more layers
  • B42D25/455—Associating two or more layers using heat
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
  • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
  • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
  • B42D25/40—Manufacture
  • B42D25/45—Associating two or more layers
  • B42D25/46—Associating two or more layers using pressure
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
  • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
  • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
  • B42D25/40—Manufacture
  • B42D25/48—Controlling the manufacturing process
  • B42D25/485—Controlling the manufacturing process by electronic processing means
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
  • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
  • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
  • G06K19/08—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code using markings of different kinds or more than one marking of the same kind in the same record carrier, e.g. one marking being sensed by optical and the other by magnetic means
  • G06K19/083—Constructional details
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
  • G07C9/20—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass
  • G07C9/22—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check of the pass holder
  • G07C9/25—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check of the pass holder using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
  • G07C9/253—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check of the pass holder using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition visually

Definitions

• the present invention is concerned with a method and apparatus for making a security card and also a security card made by such method or apparatus.
• the invention is concerned with any form of security card such as used for passports, identity documents, driving licences, and any other such document which has details relating to a part ⁇ icular individual person (a card-holder) and is potentially liable to forgery.
• Various forms of such security card already in use include a graphic image which is charac- teristic of the card-holder. Such a graphic image may be in the form of a photograph of the holder or may be the holder's signature for example.
• Such security cards also normally include typed or printed information in the form of purely alphanumeric data usually relating to the holder ' and the nature and/or usage of the card.
• S UB S TITUTE SHEET proposed and in use hi.th.erto for the production of such security cards employs photographic techniques for re ⁇ producing the graphic image, usually a photograph, of the holder on the card.
• photographic prints usually on photographic paper coated with a sensitised gel layer is used to provide the photographic image and this is affixed to a surface of the card.
• a transparent plastics film This film is typically formed of a two-layer laminate com ⁇ prising a high melting point outer layer, usually of polyester, and a thermoplastic inner layer, e.g- of polyethylene.
• the card with photograph attached is bonded between the thermoplastic layers by heat-sealing so that the thermoplastic layers.are bonded together around the edges of the card and to the • card surfaces.
• a problem with such security cards is that they are susceptible to forgery.
• the gel-coating of the photograph does not bond readily to the covering thermoplastics film so that the thermoplastics film can be removed to expose the photo ⁇ graph which can then be altered or changed.
• the present invention is concerned with providing a security card which is less susceptible to forgery and yet relatively simple to produce in large quantities. in accordance with one aspect of the present
• OMH invention there is provided a method of making a security card bearing a graphic image which is characteristic of the card-holder together with alphanumeric data relating to the holder and the nature and/or usage of the card, comprising applying said graphic image to said card by facsimile printing on to the card and applying said alpha ⁇ numeric data to said card by printing in a predetermined type-face on to the card.
• the facsimile printing step envisaged above is one which reproduces the graphic image on the card or any other substrate employing an ink or toner bonded to the card's surface.
• Existing facsimile printers are known which use electrostatic techniques to sensitise a substrate in a pattern corresponding to the intended graphic image to be formed on the substrate.
• the substrate is electrostatically charged so that it can take up a toner substance in densities corresponding to the desired graphic image. With this technique full grey- scale reproduction can be provided.
• the toner is then bonded to the substrate usually by processing with heat.
• a main advantage of using this process to apply a graphic image to a security card is that, when encap ⁇ sulating the printed card ' between thermoplastic ilm as described above, the toner or ink used to produce the graphic printed image becomes firmly bonded to the thermoplastics layer so that it cannot be physically
• Various alphanumeric information to be provided on the security card can be printed using normal printing techniques, i.e. with a printer having a predetermined type-face.
• a sample reproduction, or an original of said graphic image is recorded and digitised for storage in a computer store, said digitised signal being then fed to a facsimile printer for printing said image on the security card.
• a video camera can be used to record the image, the video signal from the camera being digitised for storage in a video frame store.
• the alphanumeric data to be printed on the card may be keyed into a computer store in digital format for subsequent feeding to an on-line printer for printing on to said card.
• the security card includes one or more security features.
• One such feature is that the card is pre-printed with a security design before printing with the facsimile image and desired alphanumeric data. It has been found then that on encapsulating such a card with a pre-printed security design, between thermoplastic layers as mentioned above, the ink of the security design also becomes firmly bonded to the thermoplastic layer. As a result,- it becomes substantially impossible to tamper with the graphic image formed by facsimile printing without also destroying the security design pre-printed on the card.
• apparatus for making a security card bearing a graphic image which is characteristic of the card-holder together with alphanumeric data relating to the holder and the nature and/or usage of the card
• the apparatus comprising digital computer means including a computer store, means for supplying digital data defining said graphic image to the computer for storage, means for supplying digital data defining said alphanumeric data to the computer for storage, a facsimile printer responsive to said image defining data from the computer to print said image on to said card, and an on-line printer having a pre- determined type-face responsive to said alphanumeric de ⁇ fining digital data from the computer to print said alpha ⁇ numeric data on the same card.
• the apparatus conveniently includes a video camera and means for digitising the video signal therefrom for feeding to the computer means.
• the video camera can then be used to load the computer with the desired graphic image.
• the apparatus includes an encapsulating and sealing machine for encapsulating and sealing the fully- printed security card between thermoplastic transparent layers of film and bonding the film to the ink or toner layer of the facsimile printed image and any other ink- printed layers on the card.
• the present invention still further envisages a security card comprising a card base having a graphic image facsimile printed thereon which is characteristic of the card-holder and also alphanumeric data printed thereon in a predetermined type-face, said alphanumeric data relating to the holder and the nature and/or usage of the card.
• a security card comprising a card base having a graphic image facsimile printed thereon which is characteristic of the card-holder and also alphanumeric data printed thereon in a predetermined type-face, said alphanumeric data relating to the holder and the nature and/or usage of the card.
• the card has one or more security
• ⁇ features such as a pre-printed security design.
• Other security features envisaged include a micro-tint back ⁇ ground on the card base, an ultraviolet responsive design provided on the card, a watermark in the paper of the card base, or substances in the card which are sensitive to various reagents used by forgers.
• the completed card usually includes layers of thermoplastic transparent film between which the fully- printed card is encapsulated and heat-sealed.
• the film is a laminate comprising an inner polyethylene layer and an outer polyester layer.
• FIGURE 1 is a block schematic diagram illustrating an example of apparatus for making security cards and embodying the present invention
• FIGURES 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views, much enlarged, of two embodiments of security card embodying the invention.
• FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a typical security card embodying the invention.
• FIGURE 4 illustrates the lay-gut of a complete passport page of the kind which may be made by this example of the invention.
• an ordinary photograph of the passport holder is provided in the usual way and when the passport page constituting the security card is to be produced, the photograph, referenced 10, is first located on a mount 11 so as to.be viewed by a T.V. camera 12.
• a sample signature of the passport holder is also provided and located next to the photograph on the mount 11 to be viewed simultaneously by the camera 12.
• the video signal from the camera which represents th.e photographic image (and usually the signature ⁇ of the holder, is fed from the camera to a r_Ldeo digitiser 13 where the normal video signal is converted into digital form for feeding to computing apparatus 14.
• the computing apparatus is arranged to provide a video framestore which can store the digital data representing one complete frame of video from the T.V. camera 12.
• the framestore may be embodied as part of a disc store 15 illustrated in FIGURE 1.
• the single frame of video from the T.V. camera may be relatively subject to noise and thus desirably a plurality of successive frames of the same image are processed to provide in the framestore a digital representation of the image with a reduced noise level.
• Apparatus and techniques for performing the a_ove-mentioned functions are- well-established and suitable computing apparatus for the purpose is available from a number of manufacturers, including Comtal.
• Alphanumeric data relating to the holder of the pass ⁇ port and also specific to the passport itself is also entered into the store of the computing apparatus by means of a keyboard 16 associated with a display 17.
• the display 17 may be simply an alphanumeric display enabling the alpha ⁇ numeric data being entered by the keyboard 16 to be mcnitored and corrected as necessary during entry.
• an operator can enter via the keyboard 16 the vital statistics of the passport holder as required for printing on the passport.
• the computing apparatus 14 may be pre-programmed to respond to shortened code words for various items of the alphanumeric data, such as town names in addresses.
• the apparatus is ready to print the image and the data on the appropriate page.
• Digital data defining the graphic image and the alphanumeric data is supplied by the computing apparatus to an on-line graphic printer 18 and also an on-line alphanumeric printer 19.
• the card base which is to be printed with this information is fed first to the graphic printer 18 for printing thereon the graphic image, and subsequently to the printer 19 for printing thereon the various relevant alphanumeric data.
• several passport pages are produced in succession on successive card bases fed in a continuous web first to the graphic printer 18 and then automatically to the alphanumeric printer 19.
• the computing apparatus 14 may be able to organise the digital data defining the graphic image to be printed so as to locate the image as desired when printed on the security card by the printer 18.
• the positioning of the various items of alpha ⁇ numeric data on the card by the alphanumeric printer 19 may also be arranged via the computing apparatus 14.
• this facility is under the control of an operator and there may be provided a further high-resol ⁇ ution T.V. monitor 20 with a controller 21, both linked to the computing apparatus 14.
• the high-resolution T.V. monitor is arranged to display the graphic image held in the framestore of the computing apparatus and the location of the image relative to a security card can then be adjusted by keying on the controller 21.
• the graphic image includes both a photograph and a sample signature of the card-holder
• these two elements of the image may be separated electronically in the computing apparatus so as to be printed by the printer 18 at different places on the card.
• the ' location of the various items of alphanumeric data can also be controlled and adjusted as desired.
• the computing apparatus may be arranged to process the graphic image data in various ways. For example, enhancement of the image may be provided to improve contrast or even focus. Established mathematical techniques are known and available for processing digitally-stored images in this way. Also, the graphic image in the frame- store may be digitally overwritten with a desired security pattern so that the graphic image supplied to the printer 18 is a mixed signal containing both the graphic information and the security over-print.
• monitor 17 and key ⁇ board 16 may provide a dual function of monitoring the alphanumeric data as entered, as well as enabling monitor ⁇ ing of the graphic image to be printed and controlling the composition of the card.
• the separate high- resolution T.V. monitor 20 and controller 21 can be dis ⁇ bannedd with.
• the fully printed cards from the alphanumeric printer 19 are then supplied after separating from their continuous roll to a film encapsulation unit 22 which applies transparent plastics film to both, sides of the card and heat-seals the film around_the edges of the card.
• the film is typically a laminate comprising a relatively high- melting point plastics, such as polyester as an outer layer and a thermoplastic plastics such as polyethylene as an inner layer enabling the two layers to be bonded around the edge of the card and also firmly bonded to the surfaces of the card.
• the thermo ⁇ plastics layer not only bonds to the paper surface of the card, but also becomes bonded firmly to the toner and ink layers used for the various printing operations.
• the stock paper fed initially to the graphic printer 18 is already treated to provide various security functions.
• the paper usually has a security print covering. It has been found that this security printing of the paper also becomes firmly bonded to the thermoplastics-encapsulating layer so that it becomes impossible to tamper with the graphic and alpha ⁇ numeric data printed on the card over the security printing without removing or destroying the security print.
• the card production facility may not be located with the data entry and computer storage apparatus. It is a relatively straight-forward matter to link the computing apparatus 14 via a modem 23 and over telephone lines with a remote card production facility. Referring now to FIGURE 2, an example in. cross- section of a complete security card, such as produced by the apparatus of FIGURE 1 is illustrated.
• the card employs a paper base ' 30.
• the paper base may include itself various security features such as a watermark-
• a security print 31 is then provided on at least one face of the paper base 30.
• Various security print designs may be used for this purpose.
• the graphic image and the alphanumeric data is then printed over the security print in layer 32.
• the layer 31 comprises the ink of the security print
• the layer 32 comprises the ink and/or toner of the facsimile-printed graphic image and the alphanumeric printed data.
• the printed card is then encapsulated on both sides between plastics films .33 formed of a laminate comprising an outer polyester layer 34 and an inner polyethylene layer 35.
• Polyethylene layer 35 is thermoplastic so that the protective films can be heat-bonded firmly to the surfaces of the card and also around the edges of the card to each other.
• the outer polyester layer 34 provides a relatively durable skin to the finished article. It has been discovered that the thermoplastic layer 35 of the protective film bonds not only to the exposed surface of the paper base 30 but also makes a very firm bond to the exposed ink and toner layers 32 and 31. In fact, the thermoplastic material effectively perm- eates the ink and toner layers 32 and 31 during the heat-
• FIGURE 3 illustrates another example of security card incorporating further security features.
• the paper base is provided with an additional layer 36 underneath the security- printed layer 31.
• the additional layer may comprise a micro- tint background which is invisible to the naked eye but can be viewed under ultraviolet light.
• the inner face of the encapsulating film 33 may be printed with a layer 37 before application to the card.
• the layer 37 may also comprise a phosphorescent or fluores ⁇ cent pattern visible under ultraviolet light.
• an example of a suitable system employs a T. V. camera in which the video signal is digitised to provide 512 x 512 pixels each having a 6-bit code identifying one of up to sixty-four grey levels for the cell.
• the data defining the desired graphic image may be produced by other techniques, e.g. laser scanning.
• the graphic printer 18 may be constituted by a fac ⁇ simile printer which operates using electrically-sensitised paper ' which can be electrostatically charged to pick up toner in accordance with the desired image to be printed. The toner is then heat-treated to form the printed image.
• on-line xerographic techniques can be em ⁇ ployed which can print the desired image on to plain paper.
• the alphanumeric printer 19 can conveniently be a daisy-wheel printer of one of the types currently available from various manufacturers.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=10521940

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (30)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 1982
  • 1982-05-20 EP EP82901521A patent/EP0079354A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1982-05-20 WO PCT/GB1982/000150 patent/WO1982004149A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1982-05-20 JP JP57501568A patent/JPS58501010A/ja active Pending
  • 1982-05-20 GB GB08214765A patent/GB2101931A/en not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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