EP4375083B1 - Security document comprising a perforated metal layer and a colour subpixel matrix and method of manufacturing it - Google Patents

Description

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of security documents, and in particular security documents on or within which images can be observed and their manufacturing method.

The invention applies non-exclusively to physical identity documents, such as a passport, an identity card, a driving license, a residence permit, etc.

Prior art

The identity market today requires increasingly secure physical identity documents (also known as identity documents or security documents). This market concerns a wide variety of documents, such as identity cards, passports, access badges, driving licenses, etc., which can come in different formats (cards, booklets, etc.).

Security documents must be easily and quickly authenticated. They must also be difficult to counterfeit (if possible, tamper-proof), in the face of the latest counterfeiting techniques.

Security documents usually feature colored images, for example, photographs of the faces of a security document holder.

Color imaging techniques for secure identity documents use colored subpixel arrays (e.g., Red-Green-Blue subpixels or Cyan-Magenta-Yellow subpixels) and techniques for blackening a layer that will mask portions of the subpixels to obtain pixels of a desired color.

For example, it is known to use laserizable layers, as described in the prior document FR 2 972 553 in which a laserable layer tops a matrix of colored subpixels.

By laserizable, we mean that the application of a laser beam to the layer (usually called laserization) generates visible gray levels by carbonization in this layer. For information, a laserizable layer can be a transparent polycarbonate layer and can include additives sensitive to the passage of a laser beam because this beam carbonizes them. Such a laserable layer will be blackened or at least partially grayed throughout its thickness depending on the power of the laser since the additives sensitive to the passage of a laser beam are distributed uniformly throughout the thickness of the layer.

Current color imaging techniques, such as those using laser-enabled layers, particularly in secure identity documents, do not always provide satisfactory visual rendering quality. Problems arise, in particular, when the imaging techniques used are limited in their ability to produce certain colors. In other words, the color gamut (variety of achievable colors) of known color imaging techniques is sometimes limited.

Examples of conventional security documents are provided in WO2016030315-A1 , WO2022112708-A1 , FR3055112-A1 And WO2019034398-A1 .

There is a need for security documents with colored images that have a less limited color gamut.

Statement of the invention

To this end, the present invention proposes a security document comprising a stack of layers comprising a matrix of colored sub-pixels (SB, SM, SJ), a metal layer adjacent to at least part of a face of the matrix of colored sub-pixels, in which the metal layer comprises perforations facing sub-pixels of the matrix of colored sub-pixels, in which an image displayed in at least a first window of said document located facing at least one zone not comprising said metal layer, is reproduced at least partially in a second window of said document, said second window being located facing a zone comprising said metal layer.

Thus, the invention proposes to use a metal layer which is perforated to reveal certain colored sub-pixels. It is thus possible to form image pixels with colored sub-pixels under or on which a metal layer is deposited and colored sub-pixels under or on which the metal layer is perforated, which makes it possible to have a wider color gamut, and in particular brighter colors.

In some embodiments, said metal layer comprising perforations is located only in a first window of said document. In this way, it is possible to make only one part of the image brighter. This advantageously makes it possible not to modify the color rendering outside the window, compared to a usual rendering of the document, which is important when said document is a security document.

In some embodiments, said metal layer is positioned above the colored sub-pixel array.

In some embodiments, said metal layer is positioned below the array of colored sub-pixels.

In this way, it is possible to choose the desired rendering on the front or back of the document, the position of the metallic layer on the front or back giving a different rendering in terms of brightness and contrast.

In some embodiments, the metal layer is positioned above the pixel array in one or more windows of the document and below the pixel array in one or more windows of the document.

In some embodiments, the image viewed in said window comprises at least a portion of an image viewed on a second window of said document, said second window being located on an area of said document not comprising said perforated metal layer.

This is particularly advantageous when the document represents an identity document. Indeed, the image represented in the window may be the face of the document holder and it is particularly advantageous to print the face in a window whose color gamut is widened so as to better distinguish the details. On the other hand, displaying an image with a widened gamut makes it more difficult to falsify the document because this image includes more details.

In some embodiments, it may be envisaged to represent information other than the face, for example personal identification information of the bearer of the document, such as their marital status or information relating to the document, such as a registration number.

In certain embodiments, it may also be envisaged to represent in the window a part of the information present in another zone of the document, by changing their orientation, for example by rotating this information.

In certain embodiments, said metallic layer is previously partially demetallized so as to adhere to the layer(s) between which it is inserted.

This advantageously allows the layers to be sealed together more strongly because inserting a metal layer between two layers, such as polycarbonate, weakens the adhesion of the two polycarbonate layers to each other. Demetallizing part of the metal layer, even minimally, improves the assembly of the layers and thus the lifespan of the document over time.

In some embodiments, said perforated metal layer is perforated so that the image viewed in said first window has a different visual rendering depending on whether said document is illuminated from the front face or from the back face.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a security document in which a matrix of colored sub-pixels is assembled with a metal layer, adjacent to at least a portion of a face of the matrix of colored sub-pixels, the method further comprising the formation of perforations through said metal layer facing sub-pixels of the matrix of colored sub-pixels in which an image displayed in at least a first window of said document located facing at least one area not comprising said metal layer is at least partially reproduced in a second window of said document, said second window being located facing an area comprising said metal layer.

Brief description of the drawings

• La figure 1 représente une vue de dessus d'un document de sécurité selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• La figure 2a est une vue en coupe de documents de sécurité avant perforation, selon un exemple,
• La figure 2b est une vue en coupe de documents de sécurité avant perforation, selon un exemple,
• La figure 3a est une vue en coupe de documents de sécurité avant perforation, selon un exemple,
• La figure 3b est une vue en coupe de documents de sécurité avant perforation, selon un exemple,
• La figure 4a est une vue en coupe du document de la figure 3a après perforation,
• La figure 4b est une vue en coupe du document de la figure 3b après perforation,
• La figure 5a illustre le phénomène observé lors de l'observation du document selon certains modes de réalisation,
• La figure 5b illustre le phénomène observé lors de l'observation du document selon certains modes de réalisation,
• La figure 5c illustre le phénomène observé lors de l'observation du document selon certains modes de réalisation,
• La figure 5d illustre le phénomène observé lors de l'observation du document selon certains modes de réalisation,
• La figure 6 est une vue de dessus de la matrice de sous-pixels colorés selon un premier exemple,
• La figure 7 est une vue de dessus de la matrice de sous-pixels colorés selon un second exemple.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description given below, with reference to the appended drawings which illustrate exemplary embodiments thereof which are not limiting in nature. In the figures:

• There Figure 1 represents a top view of a security document according to one embodiment of the invention,
• There Figure 2a is a sectional view of security documents before perforation, according to an example,
• There Figure 2b is a sectional view of security documents before perforation, according to an example,
• There Figure 3a is a sectional view of security documents before perforation, according to an example,
• There Figure 3b is a sectional view of security documents before perforation, according to an example,
• There Figure 4a is a sectional view of the document of the Figure 3a after perforation,
• There Figure 4b is a sectional view of the document of the Figure 3b after perforation,
• There Figure 5a illustrates the phenomenon observed when observing the document according to certain embodiments,
• There Figure 5b illustrates the phenomenon observed when observing the document according to certain embodiments,
• There Figure 5c illustrates the phenomenon observed when observing the document according to certain embodiments,
• There Figure 5d illustrates the phenomenon observed when observing the document according to certain embodiments,
• There Figure 6 is a top view of the matrix of colored subpixels according to a first example,
• There Figure 7 is a top view of the colored subpixel matrix according to a second example.

Description of the embodiments

We will now describe security documents comprising both a matrix of colored sub-pixels and a metallic layer, with an improved color gamut at least in terms of brightness over at least a portion of the security document.

The images formed by these subpixels are customizable images, which can be different for each document, and which can be specific to each document user.

The documents described here may be physical identity documents such as a passport, an identity card, a driver's license, a residence permit, etc. In fact, the documents described here may be associated with a user, and the colored images that will be obtained may be images of the users' faces.

On the Figure 1 , a top view of a security document D according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The document D comprises general information, in particular information relating to the type of document, to a reference or identification of the document and also information personal data relating to the bearer of the document. In order to improve the security of the document D, a window F includes information whose brightness and contrast are different from the brightness and contrast of the other areas of the document D. Preferably, the contrast and brightness of the information present in the window F are improved for a human eye.

According to some embodiments, the window F includes information visible from both sides of the document D. This can be made possible by the presence of transparent layers above and below the window F. According to some embodiments, the visual rendering of this information is different depending on whether the document is observed from its front face or its back face.

According to some embodiments, the window F may include information not present on other parts of the document F.

According to certain embodiments, the window F may include or repeat part of the information present on the document D.

According to certain embodiments, this window F may also include part of the information present on the document D in a modified manner, for example with a rotation or at a different scale. This information may be, for example, the face of the bearer of the document D, or personal data, such as his civil status, for example his date of birth, his place of birth, distinctive physical signs, etc.

According to some embodiments, several windows F may be present on the document D. These windows may include different information in each window (or in one or more windows) or the same information in each window (or in one or more windows) having different contrast or brightness in several windows.

THE figures 2 to 5 illustrate embodiments in which sectional views of document D illustrate how a different visual rendering is obtained in window(s) F.

On the Figures 2a and 2b , a document 100, respectively 100', obtained by assembling different layers, which may have been implemented by means of lamination, is shown schematically. The documents 100 or 100' may be a representation of the document D of the Figure 1 .

The document 100 or 100' particularly comprises a matrix of colored sub-pixels 101, for example a transparent or opaque layer on which colored elements have been printed, each forming colored sub-pixels. Here, the matrix of colored sub-pixels comprises sub-pixels having three possible colors, cyan sub-pixels SB, magenta sub-pixels SM, and yellow sub-pixels SJ. Here we find the three colors of the color model well known to the person skilled in the art under the acronym CMY (“Cyan Magenta Yellow”). The invention is not limited to this color model and can also use a model such as the RGB model (“Red Green Blue” in English). Of course, other color triplets that differ from CMY and RGB can be used.

The subpixels are arranged in a matrix which will be described in more detail with reference to the Figure 6 or to the Figure 7 . It can nevertheless be noted that a PM pattern of three sub-pixels SB, SM, and SJ is repeated several times in the section visible on the Figures 2a to 5d .

The documents 100 and 100' also optionally comprise a transparent layer 103, for example made of polycarbonate, and a transparent layer 104, for example made of polycarbonate. These two layers may be protective layers. The transparency of these protective layers makes it possible to observe the document 100 or 100' from its front face or its back face while viewing information present on one or other of the faces.

On the Figure 2a , a metal layer 102 was assembled above the colored subpixel matrix.

On the Figure 2b , a metal layer 102 was assembled below the matrix of colored sub-pixels.

This layer can be chosen so that perforations can be formed in this layer easily, for example by applying a laser beam with a given wavelength called the perforation wavelength.

This layer 102 may consist of a reflective opaque metallic film, this metallic film being able for example to be produced by deposition of a metallic ink. Thus, the present invention relates to a security document comprising a stack of layers comprising a matrix of colored sub-pixels, a metallic layer adjacent to at least a portion of a face of the matrix of sub-pixels colored, in which the metal layer has perforations facing sub-pixels of the colored sub-pixel matrix.

On the Figures 3a and 3b , a document 1000, respectively 1000', obtained by assembling different layers, which may have been implemented by means of lamination, is shown schematically. The documents 100 or 100' may be a representation of the document D of the Figure 1 .

Documents 1000 and 1000' differ respectively from documents 100 and 100' in that the metal layer 102' is positioned on or under a portion, or window, of the document 1000 or 1000' and does not cover the entire matrix of colored sub-pixels 101. According to certain embodiments, this metal layer 102' may be deposited on or under several portions or windows of the document D.

THE Figures 4a and 4b show document 1000' after a step in which perforations are formed in the metal layer 102' has been implemented. This step may include the application of a laser beam at the perforation wavelength. It should be noted that the Figures 4a and 4b relate to documents 1000 and 1000', or to the positioning of the metal layer on a part of the sub-pixel matrix as represented by the Figures 3a and 3b but that of course this also applies to documents 100 and 100' as represented in Figures 2a and 2b .

At this point, we note that some colored subpixel patterns are associated with different perforations. From left to right on the Figure 4a , we observe:
A metal layer present above a yellow SJ subpixel, above an adjacent yellow SJ subpixel and a magenta SM subpixel, and then above an adjacent yellow SJ subpixel and a magenta SM subpixel.

From left to right on the Figure 4b , we observe:
A metal layer is present below a yellow SJ subpixel, below an adjacent yellow SJ subpixel and a magenta SM subpixel, and then below an adjacent yellow SJ subpixel and a magenta SM subpixel.

The presence of this metallic layer above or below certain colored sub-pixels makes it possible to accentuate the brightness and contrast of the image formed by the colored sub-pixels. A colored image appears when looking at the document 1000 or 1000', with brighter colors than in the techniques according to the prior art. It is possible note that the combination of patterns and perforations forms image pixels, but, as will be described below, those obtained after the optional laserization step are called pixels. It is understood that the combination of the perforated metal layer 102' makes it possible to obtain a very wide color gamut, in particular for the brightest colors.

This is explained in relation to the Figures 5a to 5d . We do not detail here the effect of lighting on the portions of documents 1000 or 1000' which are not included in window F because the metallic layer 102, respectively 102' is not present on these portions.

There Figure 5a represents a sectional view of the security document 1000 when illuminated from its rear face.

The back face of the document 1000 is exposed to a light source and more particularly the window F. The metal layer 102' present above the first yellow sub-pixel of the window F, starting from the left, blocks the transmission of light from the back face to the front face of the document. Thus, the yellow component is no longer present in the pixel viewed on the front face and the combination of the adjacent cyan and magenta sub-pixels gives a blue color whose luminance and contrast are accentuated compared to the prior art or compared to the pixels located outside the window F.

The metal layer 102' present above the second yellow sub-pixel from the left of the window F and the adjacent magenta sub-pixel to its left, blocks the transmission of light from the back face to the front face of the document. Thus, the yellow and magenta components are no longer present in the pixel viewed on the front face and the combination of the adjacent cyan and yellow sub-pixels gives a green color whose luminance and contrast are accentuated compared to the prior art or compared to the pixels located outside the window F. This is also accentuated by the presence of the metal layer above the magenta sub-pixel located to the right of the window.

There Figure 5b represents a sectional view of the security document 1000 when illuminated from its front face.

The front face of the document 1000 is exposed to a light source and more particularly the window F. The metal layer 102' present above the first and second yellow sub-pixels of the window F, prevents the light from reaching these sub-pixels. yellow. Thus, the combination of the cyan and magenta sub-pixels located between these two yellow sub-pixels gives a pixel whose brightness is modified by this non-reflection of light on the yellow sub-pixels surrounding them and gives a blue brightness with gray levels, NVG, the presence of gray being due to the gray color of the metallic layer present on the adjacent yellow sub-pixels.

The metallic layer 102' present above the second and third yellow sub-pixels from the left of the window F and the adjacent magenta sub-pixel to its left, prevents light from reaching these magenta sub-pixels. Thus the combination of the cyan and yellow sub-pixels located between these two magenta sub-pixels gives a pixel whose brightness is modified by this non-reflection of light on the magenta sub-pixels framing them and gives a green brightness with gray levels, NVG, the presence of gray being due to the gray color of the metallic layer present on the adjacent yellow sub-pixels.

We can thus see that the presence of the metallic layer above the yellow or magenta sub-pixel (it would be the same if the sub-layer were located on one or more cyan sub-pixels) makes it possible to obtain a different light rendering depending on whether the document is lit from its front face or from its back face, making the reproduction of such a document more complex and therefore improving its robustness in terms of security.

There Figure 5c represents a sectional view of the security document 1000' when illuminated from its rear face.

The back of the 1000' document is exposed to a light source, and more specifically window F.

The metal layer 102' present below the first yellow sub-pixel of the window F, starting from the left, blocks the transmission of light from the back face to the front face of the document. Thus, the yellow component is no longer present in the pixel viewed on the front face and the combination of the adjacent cyan and magenta sub-pixels gives a blue color whose luminance and contrast are accentuated compared to the prior art or compared to the pixels located outside the window F.

The metallic layer 102' present below the second yellow sub-pixel from the left of the window F and the adjacent magenta sub-pixel to its left, blocks the transmission of light from the back face to the front face of the document. Thus, the yellow and magenta components are no longer present in the pixel viewed on the front face and the combination of the adjacent cyan and yellow sub-pixels gives a green color whose luminance and contrast are accentuated compared to the prior art or compared to the pixels located outside the window F. This is also accentuated by the presence of the metallic layer above the magenta sub-pixel located to the right of the window. The color rendering of the Figures 5a And 5c is the same.

There Figure 5d represents a sectional view of the security document 1000' when illuminated from its front face.

The front face of document 1000' is exposed to a light source and more specifically window F.

The metal layer 102' present below the first yellow sub-pixel of the window F, starting from the left, increases the reflection of the yellow sub-pixel because the light can no longer pass through the yellow sub-pixel. The adjacent sub-pixel on the right lets the light pass (because the layer 102' is perforated under the magenta sub-pixel) and thus a predominance of the yellow color is observed compared to the other sub-pixels. Thus, the observed color is a yellow whose luminance and contrast are accentuated compared to the prior art or compared to the pixels located outside the window F.

The metallic layer 102' present below the second yellow sub-pixel from the left of the window F and the adjacent magenta sub-pixel to its left, increases the reflection of these two pixels because the light can no longer pass through these two sub-pixels. These two yellow and magenta sub-pixels being surrounded by blue sub-pixels under which the layer 102' is perforated, these two blue sub-pixels let the light pass. Thus, the yellow and magenta components have an increased reflectivity compared to the adjacent blue sub-pixels and thus, a predominance of the red color (combination of yellow and magenta) is observed. Thus, the observed color is a red whose luminance and contrast are accentuated compared to the prior art or compared to the pixels located outside the window F.

The metallic layer 102' present below the third magenta sub-pixel from the left of the window F, increases the reflection of this sub-pixel because the light can no longer pass through. This is accentuated by the fact that the layer 102' is perforated below the yellow sub-pixel adjacent to the left of the magenta sub-pixel. Thus, the observed color is a magenta whose luminance and contrast are accentuated compared to the prior art or compared to the pixels located outside the window F.

Examples of Figures 5a to 5d illustrate that the perforated metal layer advantageously makes it possible to obtain modified colors and in particular a contrast and a enhanced brightness. Thus, this perforated metal layer makes it possible to expand the color gamut obtained by the sub-pixel matrix in the absence of the perforated metal layer.

Advantageously, it may be envisaged to represent in the window F, an image or information already contained in another part of the document 1000 or 1000'. Indeed, when the document 1000 (or 1000') is an identity document, this document generally comprises, on a surface V of the document, an image representative of the face of the holder of the document.

It may be desired to reproduce, in a window F of smaller dimension than the surface V, this image with a larger color gamut. The present invention can advantageously allow this reproduction. The presence of this portrait in the window F improves the security of the document by making it more difficult to falsify. In addition, as illustrated in the Figures 5a to 5d , the rendering of colors being different in transmission or reflection of light on the document, this falsification is made even more complex.

It may also be desired to represent in this window F, an image or information already represented in one or more parts of the document, for example with a rotation of this information in the window F in relation to their orientation in the other part of the document.

In some embodiments, the metal layer may be located above the pixel matrix in one or more windows of the document and below the pixel matrix in one or more windows of the document. This further enhances the security of the document by making it more complex to manufacture. In order to improve the adhesion of the metal layer with adjacent layers, and for example adjacent polycarbonate layers, the metal layer may be partially demetallized beforehand to promote adhesion of the layers and make the document more resistant. A demetallization of around 2% of the metal layer may be sufficient to achieve this goal.

Furthermore, it can be seen that the transparency of the protective layers 103 and 104 in the different embodiments illustrated above can allow the information contained in the window(s) F to be viewed on both sides of the document. As illustrated previously, it can be seen that the visual rendering can also be different depending on whether the document is viewed from its front face or from its back face. The presence of transparent layers below and above the assembly formed by the pixel matrix and the metallic layer allows this visual rendering. The presence of transparent layers on the other parts of the document or on all other parts of the document is optional, at least on both sides. When the window includes a part, modified or not, of content reproduced on another part of the document, then it is necessary that this other part be visible and that the document therefore also includes a transparent layer at the level of this part so that this content is visible when observing at least one of the two sides of the document.

On the Figure 6 , a top view of a first example of the colored sub-pixel matrix 101 is shown.

Here, colored lines are aligned in groups of three colors, or three lines.

On the Figure 7 , a top view of a second example of the colored subpixel matrix 101 is shown.

Here, colored sub-pixels are arranged in the form of a mosaic by alternating in each row and each column the cyan, magenta and yellow colored sub-pixels. Other examples of sub-pixel matrix are of course conceivable within the scope of the present invention according to the appended claims.

Examples of arrangement of the figures 6 And 7 are given as an example of a representation of the arrangement of the subpixel matrix and can be used in the subpixel matrices shown in the figures 1 to 5 .

Claims (10)

1. Safety document (D, 100, 100', 1000, 1000') comprising a stack of layers including a matrix (101) of colored subpixels (SB, SM, SJ), a metal layer (102, 102') adjacent to at least a portion of a face of the colored subpixel matrix (101) (SB, SM, SJ), wherein the metal layer (102, 102') includes perforations opposite subpixels of the colored subpixel matrix (101), the document being characterized in that an image viewed in at least one first window of said document (D, 100, 100', 1000, 1000') located opposite at least one area not comprising said metallic layer (102, 102'), is reproduced at least partially in a second window (F) of said document (D, 100, 100', 1000, 1000'), said second window (F) being located opposite an area comprising said metal layer (102, 102').
2. Document according to claim 1, wherein said metal layer is positioned above the colored sub-pixel matrix.
3. Document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said metal layer is positioned below the colored sub-pixel matrix.
4. Document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said metal layer is previously partially demetallized so as to adhere with the layer(s) between which it is inserted.
5. Document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said perforated metal layer is perforated so that the image viewed in said second window has a different visual rendering depending on whether said document is illuminated by the front face or by the rear face.
6. Method for manufacturing a security document (D, 100, 100', 1000, 1000') wherein a matrix (101) of colored subpixels (SB, SM, SJ) is assembled with a metal layer (102, 102'), adjacent to at least a part of a face of the colored sub-pixel matrix (101), the method furthermore comprising forming perforations through said metal layer (102, 102') facing sub-pixels of the colored sub-pixel matrix (SB, SM, SJ), the method being characterized in that an image viewed in at least one first window of said document (D, 100, 100', 1000, 1000') located opposite at least one area not comprising said metal layer (102, 102'), is reproduced at least partially in a second window (F) of said document, said second window (F) being located opposite an area comprising said metal layer (102, 102').
7. Manufacturing method according to claim 6, wherein said metal layer is positioned above the colored sub-pixel matrix.
8. Manufacturing method according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein said metal layer is positioned below the colored sub-pixel matrix.
9. Manufacturing method according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein said metal layer is previously partially demetallized so as to adhere with the layer(s) into which it is inserted.
10. Manufacturing method according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the formation of perforations is obtained by lasering the metal layer.

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