FR2772719A1 - SECURE DOCUMENT MANUFACTURING METHOD AND IMPLEMENTATION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

The secure document manufacture has a printer (IMP) recording personal information on labels (V1-V3), glued to support strips (FS), which is then cut to separate the labels. A gluing press (PR) attaches the labels to the secure document. The label and document transporting and processing mechanisms are controlled by a central controller (CC).

Description

PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SECURE DOCUMENTS AND

IMPLEMENTATION SYSTEM

  The invention relates to a method for manufacturing secure documents and to a system implementing this method. It is applicable in particular in the manufacture of documents which will be made tamper-proof such as passports or identity cards. These documents can be single sheet or multiple sheet. The information entered can be designed to be machine-readable, which then requires a great deal of

  positioning accuracy when printing these documents.

  The generalization of personal documents allowing each individual to justify his identity increases the number of documents in the world and the number of falsifications. In addition, the commercialization of a reprographic machine carrying out faithful and good quality reproductions puts more people within reach of

  tools for making false papers.

  It is therefore necessary to make the task of counterfeiters increasingly difficult. It is known to protect the personalization information of the papers by a plastic film stuck on the information. However, the removal of this plastic film does not always prohibit the reuse of the document. In addition, printing personalization information directly on the document requires special printers, especially when it comes to passports for example. In addition, it is advantageous to limit any human intervention in the production of these documents, to automate

  as much as possible this manufacturing.

  The invention therefore provides a solution to these problems.

  The invention therefore relates to a method for manufacturing secure documents, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: A'Glue at least one sticker on a support sheet and production of a first mark in relation to the position of the sticker on the support sheet; B'- Printing of personalization information on the sticker; C '- Positioning of the support sheet in a storage and return platform then in a cutter; D '- Cutting with a guillotine of the support sheet upstream of the front edge of the sticker and downstream of the rear edge of the sticker; E '- Laying of the support sheet and of the document to be manufactured in the press with the sticker positioned in contact with the document; F '- Pressing in order to stick the sticker on the document; G '- Withdrawal of the document from the press and removal of the support sheet;

'H' - Withdrawal of the document.

  The invention also relates to a system for manufacturing secure documents, characterized in that it comprises arranged online: - a printer making it possible to print personalization information on thumbnails stuck on support sheets, the printer having a system of exit allowing the support sheets to wedge against a reference part; - a cutter for cutting the support sheet upstream of the front edge of each sticker and downstream of the rear edge of each sticker; - A bonding press for receiving on the one hand a cut support sheet carrying a sticker and a document to be secured and allowing the bonding of the printed face of the sticker against a face of the document to be secured; - a secure document withdrawal system; - a system for gripping and transporting a support sheet making it possible to transport a support sheet from the platform to the cutter, then from the cutter to the press; - a central control circuit managing the operation of the system and ensuring communications with a network

IT if necessary.

  The various objects and characteristics of the invention will appear

  more clearly in the description which follows and in the figures

  attached which represent: - Figure la, an embodiment of the system of the invention; - Figure 1b, an alternative embodiment of the system of Figure la; - Figures 2a to 2d, examples of support sheets carrying labels to be printed and affixed to a document to be secured; - Figure 3, a diagram of the production method according to the invention. Referring to Figure la, we will therefore describe an example of

  realization of the system of the invention.

  This system is divided into several zones referenced from I to VIII.

  Operation is managed by a CC control circuit.

  In zone I there is a sheet presentation system containing a stack of support sheets each carrying one or more stickers adhering to the surface of the sheet. The role of this system is to present the support sheets one by one at the input of an IMP printer. According to

  In the example of Figure 1, each sheet FS has three thumbnails V'l to V'3.

  In addition, according to the invention, when applying the stickers on the

  support sheet, a reference R1.1 to R3.1 associated with each sticker is produced.

  This mark is either a printed mark or a perforation. Its position is associated with that of the sticker and will make it possible to locate the position of the

  thumbnail in the rest of the process.

  The support sheet is preferably a sheet of paper. The stickers are preferably made of transparent plastic and adhere to the support sheet temporarily either by electrostatic or by an adhesive.

low adhesion.

  In the zone It is located the printer. This printer allows you to print personalization information on each sticker. In addition, according to the invention, the printer prints on the support sheet FS marks R1.2, R1.3, R1.4 associated with the sticker V1. The same applies to the other stickers. To carry out this printing, the printer can use the marks R1.1, R2.1, R3.1 to position the printing. However, according to a preferred variant, the printer can print relative to the front edge of the support sheet. Then, a detector will check the correct relative positions of the mark R1.1 and at least of the printed marks R1.2 to R1.4 then of the mark R2.1 and of the marks R2.2 to R2.4, etc. Printing is controlled by the CC circuit. A sheet is obtained as shown in FIGS. 2a or 2b carrying printed labels V1, V2, V3 as well as marks such as R1.2, R1.3, etc. According to the example sheet shown in Figure 2a, the pins are aligned in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction XX 'of the sheet. According to the example in Figure 2b. The marks are aligned with the

  marks R1.1, R2.1, R3.1, perpendicular to the axis XX '.

  The function of the marks is for example the following: R1.1, R2.1, R3.1 = marks linked to the positioning of each thumbnail to control the position of the printing and possibly for

order the cutter.

  R1.2, R2.2, R3.2 = position markers of the print allowing to control the position of the print compared to the position of the sticker. R1.3, R2.3, R3.3. = sorting control after documents have been produced. R1.4, R2.4, R3.4 = indications of the format or type of document

to manufacture.

  Rl.x, R2.x, R3.x = optional benchmarks.

  After printing the thumbnails, the position of the marks, such as R1.1 produced before printing on the support sheet FS, is therefore compared with that of the printed marks such as R1.2. This comparison is preferably made at the output of the printer. In FIG. 1, there are shown detectors DEC1 and DEC'1 detecting the passage of the marks and for each

  sticker, detecting the respective positions of the different marks.

  In the event of incorrect position of the marks, the central control circuit CC is informed of this and can order the rejection of the defective sheet or else, give an alarm so that the service personnel

  remove this sheet after it leaves the printer.

  In zone III is located a PLT1 platform for output from the printer. The output movement of the sheets from the printer takes place along an axis XX '. A guide piece PLT2 is placed parallel to the axis XX 'at the edge of the platform and makes it possible to guide an edge of the sheet. For the guidance of the sheet to be effective, the platform has a mechanism with inclined belts (CIN) relative to the direction XY 'and

  which forces the printed sheet to wedge against the guide piece PLT2.

  The stop in position XX 'is controlled by the reference R1.1 which is detected by the detector DEC1. According to a variant of the invention, the output system of the printer has two levels: At the upper level, a receptacle for printed pages, consisting of two articulated flaps acting as a hatch and controlled by a rod actuated by motor and return mechanism; this hatch ensures transfer to the lower level, to the lower level, * a transfer and referencing device oriented (jogging) with two belts driven by a motor and a support mechanism for the support page (movable pad). The output system works as follows: The printer returns a personalized support page on the

higher level.

  A presence sensor À allows, in combination with the sensor from the lower level (empty lower level), the transfer of the personalized page to the lower level, 25. authorizes the printer to create a new support page

(empty upper level).

  On the lower level, the support page is referenced (right side, top view) by the inclined belts against PLT2, the shoe

pressing is in the high position.

  The support page advances (inclined belts) to a sensor allowing the fine positioning of the laminate support page relative to the machine; the pressing shoe is put in the low position and maintains the

support page in position.

  The combination of the information "page in position" and "correct printing" authorizes the gripping of the support page for conveying to the cutting station as will be described in this

  following, the pressing pad goes to the high position during this conveying.

  On the way and for each sticker, a sensor monitors the position of the print in relation to the physical edges; if there is an out of tolerance offset, the machine stops and a start indicator

  fault is lit or an alarm operates.

  In zone IV there is a system for conveying and cutting

the support sheet.

  The conveying system comprises, according to the example of FIG. 1, at least one clamp PI which comes to take, under the control of the control circuit CC, the sheet FS at the level of the first sticker. The PI clamp makes a first movement parallel to the axis XX 'and presents the edge of the sheet situated on the side of the front edge V1.1 of the first sticker near the cutter for cutting the MAS cutter so that the cutter cuts the FS sheet according to the mixed line 'masl' indicated in Figure 2. This cut

  is, for example, 2 mm from the edge V1.1.

  When this cut is made, the pliers PI performs a second placement and advances the sheet FS in the cutter so as to present the mixed line 'mas2' at the location of the cutter cutter device so that the sheet is cut according to this mixed trait. This

  cutting is done, for example, 2 mm from edge V1.2.

  The clamp PI then performs a third movement under the control of the circuit CC parallel to the axis XX 'and transports the cut sheet carrying the sticker Vl to place it on the plate of the press PR. In zone V there is a reserve of PASS documents to be secured. These documents are for example passports which are stored in the reserve to be ready for use. In the case of passports they are opened on the page on which the sticker which has just been affixed

posed on the press.

  A displacement device CH makes it possible to control the displacement one by one of the PASS documents along a displacement axis YY '. The PR press is located in a zone V1 at the intersection of the axes XX 'and YY'. In this way, after the press has received the sheet carrying the sticker Vl, the device CH, controlled by the circuit CC pushes

  a PASS document so as to superimpose it on the Vl sticker.

  The document movement path is bordered by a guide piece REF parallel to the axis YY '. The movement path has a system which forces the PASS document to move by pressing on the guide piece REF. This system includes a set of refl, ref2, etc. drive rollers, the axes of which make an angle other than 90 with the guide face of the REF part so that the document is

pushed towards the part REF.

  The press then compresses the Vl sticker against the PASS document. The sticker Vl or the PASS document being provided with a layer of glue, there is bonding of the sticker VI on the PASS document. If the glue layer is hot glue, the pressing is done hot to obtain the

  bonding, for example at a temperature between 50 C and 140 C.

  When the bonding is done, the press releases the PASS document and the CH device, controlled by the CC circuit, pushes the document towards zone VII. The PASS document therefore carries the sticker at

  which always adheres the support sheet.

  In zone VII, a clamp and / or roller system makes it possible to grab the support sheet and remove it from the PASS document. This one is finished and

  the CH device pushes it towards an exit from the system.

  The central control circuit CC controls the return of the clamp PI and of the displacement device CH to their respective initial positions. The PI clamp again grasps the support sheet, presents it to the cutter and the same cycle as above is repeated (cutting of the

  support sheet, collage on a document, etc.).

  In the example of FIG. 1, the support sheet FS carries three labels. When the three labels have been used, the PI clamp will look for the next support sheet under the control of the CC circuit. It should be noted that the advantage of the two-level printer output makes it possible: To process a support page (cutting, conveying to the press, then heat sealing of the three thumbnails of the support sheet);

  print a support page in parallel.

  The independence of the functions of the storage / handling system of the support page allows flexibility and optimization of the machine's automatisms (movement of the PI clamp,

  pressing and printing pad).

  A system of multiple printed support pages can be

  envisioned and produced by a multi-channel system.

  In the case where the output system of the printer does not include any particular device, provision can be made for the control circuit CC to control the printing of the support sheets as and when they are

used by the machine.

  It should be noted that the displacement device CH must, after the ejection of each document, return to its initial position to push the next document towards the press PR. For this, the displacement device CH must be able to be erased under the displacement surface of the

  documents so as to pass under the reserve of documents.

  The system is equipped with detection devices, such as photoelectric detectors, placed at different points in the system to

  inform the central control circuit CC.

  We have previously seen that the detectors DEC1 and DEC'1

  check the agreement of the references R1.1 and R2.1.

  The detector DEC1 makes it possible to detect the mark R1.1 and to position the support sheet so that the first cut of the

  support sheet is made according to the line 'mas 1'.

  The second cut is executed along the line 'mas2' from a

  programming in relation to the detection of the benchmark R1.1.

  The detector DEC1 also makes it possible to read the references R1.3, RI.4 for example. These benchmarks are significant information necessary for the functioning of the system. The result of the reading of these marks is therefore communicated to the central control circuit and is memorized. For example, these marks give information to the system indicating that the document must be oriented towards an automatic stacking output of the documents or else towards a manual output or the documents are taken one by

one by an operator.

  The reference R1.2 can be used to allow positioning of the sticker V1 under the press in conjunction with the detector DEC1, the movement being done automatically. In another version, the benchmark

  R1.2 could be used for cutting instead of the mark R1.1.

  According to another example, the reserve of documents to be processed can comprise several types of documents. The marks can then indicate to the control circuit CC, the type of document which must receive the sticker with which these marks are associated. The control circuit

  CC can therefore order the appropriate document to be placed on the PR press.

  It is also possible to provide for manual placement of documents in the press. In this case the control circuit CC at l0 is informed by one of the references R1.2 to R1.4 and releases the command

automatic machine.

  It should be noted that when printing the thumbnails, the printing is done in geometric inversion also called in "mirror mode" so that after pasting the thumbnail on the document, the information can be read through the thumbnail , which is carried out in the form

a transparent plastic film.

  It will be noted that in the system of FIG. 1, the printer IMP is mounted on a slide system allowing it to move along the axis XX 'and to move away from the platform PLT1. This displacement allows the

printer maintenance.

  FIG. 1b represents an alternative embodiment which differs from the system of FIG. 1a by the fact that a set of sensors DEC2, DEC4, DEC5 makes it possible to control the document and to follow it up in the machine. The DEC2 detector positions the sheet for the first cut

  (mas 1). DEC5 checks the consistency of the benchmarks such as R1.1 and R1.2.

  DEC4 makes it possible to read the reference marks carrying information such as R1.3 and R1.4. The invention also relates to a method for producing

secure documents.

  This process can be implemented by the system which has been

  described previously in relation to Figures 1 and 2.

  We will therefore describe an exemplary embodiment of this process in

referring to Figure 2c or 2d.

  This process comprises the following main steps: A'- Bonding of at least one sticker V1 to a support sheet FS (as shown in FIG. 2c) and production of a first marker R1 whose position is linked to the position of

the sticker on the support sheet.

  We place a certain number of support sheets in an input reserve of the printer then we present them one to

  one to the printer (in figure 3: "loading -

  printer power supply). You can also supply the support sheets manually to the printer (loading

1 0o unit).

  B '- Printing of personalization information on the sticker In addition, the marks R2, R3, R4 are printed on the support sheet. The position of these markers is therefore linked to that of

printing of thumbnails.

  'C' - Positioning of the support sheet in a storage and return platform. This positioning is done using the

reference R1.

  D'- Cutting by a cutter of the support sheet upstream of the front edge of the sticker and downstream of the rear edge of the sticker (reference R1); E 'Transport of the cut sheet of the cutter to the press (mark R2). Laying of the support sheet and of the document to be produced in the press with the sticker positioned in contact with the document; 'F' - Pressing in order to stick the sticker on the document. This

  bonding can be done by heat sealing.

  G '- Withdrawal of the document from the press and removal of the support sheet; H'- Transport of the document to an output of the machine. On exit, documents can be stacked automatically

or removed manually.

  After pasting a sticker on a document, the system checks whether all the stickers on the support sheet have been used. If this is not the case, the system loops back to step 'C' so as to use the next sticker on the support sheet. When all the thumbnails of a carrier sheet have been used, the system loops back to "storage

  (restitution) "in order to print the thumbnails of a following sheet.

  According to an alternative embodiment, the printer makes it possible to print support sheets in advance and has storage means. In this variant, when all the thumbnails of a support sheet have been printed, the control circuit CC controls the transfer of the next sheet to the cutter, etc. Furthermore, after sticking a sticker, the system controls

  taking (conveying) a new document and putting it in the press.

  After printing (step B), the relative positions of the first and second marks R1 and R2 are checked so as to cause the corresponding sticker to be discarded in the event of a position shift between the two marks. In fact, if the sheet has been correctly positioned in the printer, the positions of the marks R1 and R2 should

match.

  Steps 'C' and 'D' can include the following phases: Ca'- A first positioning of the support sheet with the front edge of the sticker near the cutter's cutting position; 'Cb' - Cutting of the support sheet upstream of the front edge of the sticker according to the mixed line 'masl' (see Figure 2); Cc'- A second positioning of the support sheet with the rear edge of the sticker near the cutter's cut position; 'Cd' - Cutting of the support sheet downstream of the rear edge of the

  thumbnail according to the mixed line 'mas2'.

  These positions are done using the R1 mark on the sticker that is cut out. R2 mark printed at the same time as the sticker

  can also be used for cutting.

  As we have seen, several marks (R2 to R4) have been printed on the sheet. They are memorized before cutting the sheet. These benchmarks are used to give indications for the rest of the process. For example, it indicates the type of documents, the type of manual or automatic removal of the document, etc. Regarding the sticking of the sticker on the document, the sticker or the side of the document intended to receive the sticker can be

  coated with a hot glue such as a polymer (ethylene / vinyl acetate, etc.).

  The bonding is then done hot at a temperature of, for example, between 50 ° C. and 140 ° C.

Claims (29)

  1. Method for manufacturing secure documents, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: A '- Bonding of at least one sticker (Vl) on a support sheet (FS) and production of a first mark (R1) in relation to the position of the sticker on the support sheet; B Printing of personalization information on the sticker; C'Positioning of the support sheet in a storage and return platform system then in a cutter; D '- Cutting with a guillotine of the support sheet upstream of the front edge of the sticker and downstream of the rear edge of the sticker E'- Laying of the support sheet and of the document to be produced in the press with the sticker positioned in contact with the document; F '- Pressing in order to stick the sticker on the document; G '- Withdrawal of the document from the press and removal of the support sheet; 'H' - Withdrawal of the document.   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that during step 'B' at least one second mark (R2) is also printed in relation to the first mark and in that the positioning of step 'C'   is done with respect to the first or second marks (R1, R2).   3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that after printing a control of the relative positions of the first and second marks (R1, R2) is carried out so as to cause the scrapping of the corresponding sticker in the event of position shifting between the two marks. 4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that steps 'C' and 'D' comprise the following steps: Ca'- A first positioning of the support sheet with the front edge of the sticker near the cutting position paper cutter; Cb '- Cutting of the support sheet upstream of the front edge of the sticker; Cc'- A second positioning of the support sheet with the rear edge of the sticker near the cutter's cut position; Cd '- Cutting of the support sheet downstream of the rear edge of the sticker. 5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the   first mark is perforated or printed.   6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises, after step 'B', a setting of the support sheet after printing   on an output area of the printer.   7. Method according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that step 'A' provides for the bonding of several stickers (Vl to V3) on the support sheet and the production of at least one marker (R1) associated with each sticker; and in that after cutting the support on either side of the first sticker (steps 'C', 'D' and 'Ca' to 'Cd') and carrying out steps 'E' to 'G', the support sheet is positioned and cut in the cutter on either side of the second sticker and so on to all thumbnails.   8. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that one or more marks (R2, R3) are printed and then stored before cutting the sheet, these marks being used to give indications for the rest of the process such as "type documents "," manual removal "or automatic document.   9. Method according to one of claims 1 or 8, characterized in   what step 'H' involves manual removal of the document or step   stacking of documents produced.   10. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that step 'E' comprises, when the document is placed in the press, guiding the document by guiding one side of the document against the side a guide piece.   11. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the support sheet is placed on a die of the press, the sticker being on the side opposite to this matrix relative to the support sheet and in that the document is placed on the sheet support with its face intended to receive information, in contact with the sticker, a second press matrix   pressing the document against the support sheet and the sticker.   12. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that step 'A' is preceded by a step of depositing a hot glue on the face   to print the sticker, and in that step 'F' is done hot.   13. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that before step 'E' the face of the document intended to receive the sticker is coated   a layer of hot glue and in that step 'F' is done hot.   14. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage platform system comprises two levels: - an upper level receiving the sheets leaving the printer; - a lower level receiving the sheets coming from the first level and in which they are made available for their use in the rest of the process, a transfer system allowing the transfer of the sheets from the first level to the second level and a system of detection sensors whether or not there is a document at the lower level authorizes said document transfer.   15. System for manufacturing secure documents, characterized in that it comprises arranged online: - a printer (IMP) making it possible to print personalization information on thumbnails (Vl, V2, V3) stuck on support sheets (FS ); - a cutter for cutting the support sheet (FS) upstream of the front edge (V1.1) of each sticker and downstream of the rear edge (V1.2) of each sticker; - a bonding press (PR) for receiving, on the one hand a cut support sheet carrying a sticker and, on the other hand, a document to be secured (PASS) and allowing the bonding of the printed face of the sticker against a front of the document to be secured (PASS); - a secure document withdrawal system (PASS); - an input and transport system (PI) of a support sheet   (FS) for transporting a support sheet of the platform   cutter shape, then press cutter; - a central control circuit (CC) managing the operation of the system. 16. System according to claim 15, characterized in that the storage platform system comprises two levels: - an upper level receiving the sheets leaving the printer; - a lower level receiving the sheets coming from the first level and in which they are made available for their use in the rest of the process, a transfer system allowing the transfer of the sheets from the first level to the second level and a system of detection sensors whether or not there is a document at the lower level authorizes said transfer. 17. System according to claim 15, characterized in that it has a device for transporting documents from an entry reserve to the press (PR).   18. System for manufacturing secure documents according to claim 15, characterized in that each support sheet has a first marker (R1.1 to R3.1) associated with each sticker, locating each sticker on the sheet and making it possible to control the position of printing   relative to the position of the sticker.   19. The system of claim 15, characterized in that during the printing of each sticker, the printer also prints at   minus a second mark (R2) on the support sheet.   20. System according to claim 15, characterized in that the gripping and transport system (PI) has a clamp making it possible to   grab the support sheet and move it.   21. System according to claim 15, characterized in that the gripping and transport system (PI), controlled by the central control circuit (CC) makes it possible to move the support sheet towards the cutter for the first time in order to cut the support sheet upstream of a sticker then a second time towards the cutter to cut the support sheet downstream of the sticker and a third time to transport the sheet   support carrying said sticker to the press (PR).   22. System according to claim 19, characterized in that the positions of the support sheet in the cutter are made with reference to the second mark (R1.2) or to the first mark (R1.1). 23. The system as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a detection device (DEC1 and DEC'1) making it possible to check the agreement of the first and second marks and to inform the central control circuit (CC) of this concordance, which allows the continuation of the   operation or disposal of the improperly positioned sticker.   24 System according to claim 15, characterized in that the detector (DEC1) makes it possible to read the second mark to position the support sheet in the press (PR) and to deduce therefrom information system operation.   25. The system of claim 15, characterized in that the press (PR) comprises one or two heating matrix (s) intended (s) for receiving the support sheet carrying a sticker, the support sheet being in contact with the heating matrix.   26. System according to claim 25, characterized in that the document is placed in the press with its face to be personalized in contact with the sticker.   27. System according to claim 24, characterized in that it comprises a first outlet to an automatic document stacking system and a second outlet allowing manual retrieval of documents, orientation of a document towards the first or the second output being controlled by the central control circuit (CC)   depending on the reading result of the third mark (R3) for example.   28. The system of claim 14, characterized in that the transfer of a document to be secured to the press is done along a path having a guide piece (REF) on which rests one side of the document, a system of training forcing the document to lean on said guide piece (REF).   29. System according to claim 28, characterized in that said drive system has rollers (refl, ref2) whose axes are   inclined to the plane of the guide piece (REF).