FR2947209A1 - SAFETY DOCUMENT WITH DIFFERENTIATED TOUCH ZONES, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME. - 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 medium (10), data (2) visible to the naked eye, such as a text or an image, consisting of at least a first region (20) having a first hue (T), and at least a second region (21), having a second hue (T) different from the first one, these data being coated with an impression of a transparent or translucent material forming a tactile element in relief. It is remarkable that said printing of transparent or translucent material superimposed on said first region (20) has a thickness and / or a percentage of overlap and / or a gloss and / or is carried out according to a different graphic (s) than the one (or those) of the printing (31) transparent or translucent material superimposed on said second region (21), this difference being visually perceptible.

Description

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

In this field, the fight against attempts at falsification and counterfeiting is the subject of developments of ever more advanced devices. The purpose of these devices is, besides protecting against any attempt of fraud, to allow the control by the competent authority of said document. The first control most practiced is a so-called first level control. It is characterized in that no external means (apparatus or equipment) is used to authenticate the document. In fact, the security imagined are all the more relevant as they allow authentication by a first level control. It is in this context that the present invention is located.

In the field of identity documents, the sensitive data are on the one hand the personal elements related to the bearer (photograph, surname, first name etc.) and on the other hand the variable elements (passport number, date of issue etc.). ). These elements of personalization, are sensitive since the main fraud attempts consist, not to realize a complete counterfeit of the document, but to falsify at least a part of these data resulting from an authentic document. We therefore understand the interest of: - ensuring physical protection of data by making access difficult and consequently the modification of data; to make the means of producing these data more complex (use of multiple personalization techniques); - multiply the areas of personalization; - facilitate the control of the authenticity of the document by first level security; - to make obvious any attempt of falsification. On the other hand, it is known in the field of fiducial printing, to provide an impression allowing, by deformation of the printed surface, to produce so-called tactile elements. This print called "soft cut" is used when printing banknotes, among others. Safety documents are also known which comprise, on a support, 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. touch in relief. The operation of this "varnish" forming a tactile element is to protect the data below, or even to make their perception easier by people without or low vision, or even to make it more difficult to falsify data. Document EP-1 676 715 discloses a data carrier such as an identity card on the surface of which a tactile element is provided. This element is constituted by the outline of a biometric element and each point of this tactile element provides an optical magnification magnifying glass. The present invention aims to further improve the types of document mentioned above so as to: - prevent an attempt to falsify by printing, but also to: - provide the supervisory authorities with a visual and tactile means to verify the authenticity of the document; to guarantee a high degree of security due to the complexity of making said printing; 20 - provide an alternative to traditional customization modes in two dimensions (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 medium, data visible to the naked eye, such as text or an image, consisting of at least a first region having a first hue, and at least a second region having a second hue different from the first, these data being coated with an impression of a transparent or translucent material forming a tactile element in relief. It is remarkable that said printing of transparent or translucent material superimposed on said first region has a thickness and / or a percentage of overlap and / or gloss and / or is made according to a graphic different from that (or of those) printing transparent or translucent material superimposed on said second region, this difference being visually perceptible.

Thanks to the invention, said two regions will be covered with a material of the varnished kind, with different characteristics (thickness and / or percentage of overlap and / or gloss and / or graphics) so that in case of will of falsification data, it is particularly difficult to reproduce this varnish according to the same characteristics as originally. The coverage printing is therefore specific to each region it covers, so that it has unique characteristics that bind it indissociably to the data of the security document to which it relates. In addition, these different characteristics are visible at least visually, so that the control of the authenticity of the document is facilitated. According to other advantageous features of the invention: said second region is contiguous with the first; said thickness and / or percentage of coverage is proportional to the "luminance" of said region; said thickness is high or low, depending on whether the region is respectively dark or light and / or that the percentage of overlap is respectively high or low, depending on whether the region is respectively dark or light, or vice versa; said printing of transparent or translucent material is a "total" impression, that is to say which covers the whole of the surface of said data, said first and second regions being differentiated by a difference in thickness of the transparent or translucent material printing; said data are data printed on said support, coated with an impression of transparent or translucent material, itself covered with at least the repetition of said printed data, themselves coated with an impression of transparent or translucent material; said printing is a "partial" printing, that is to say which does not cover all of the surface of said data, the printed areas constituting patterns having a predetermined shape and / or orientation and / or lineation (s); said patterns are in the form of lines, dots, circular or otherwise, figures, geometric or not, or alphanumeric characters; said data is printed on the support by means of at least one ink which penetrates only partially into said support; Said ink is a photo-polymerizable ink; said printing is superimposed exactly with said first region, respectively said second region, or is shifted and / or enlarged and / or narrowed with respect thereto. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of making such a document. This method is characterized in that it comprises at least one step consisting in providing said support with said data and at least one additional step of coating said data with a transparent or translucent impression forming a tactile element, in particular using an ink jet printer. This method also includes the variant according to which a laminate (ie a sheet) is positioned on the data, on which printing is carried out. According to possible embodiments of this method: an additional support is fixed on the support which carries said previously printed data; the said data are printed directly on said support; the printing of the data on said support is first carried out, in a second step the printing of transparent or translucent material, in a third step in a new printing of said data on the transparent or translucent material. then to the printing, on these data, 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 these data to transform them into a black-and-white x-grayscale image, x being an integer at least 2 and less than 256; . creating a dither filter with patterns having a predetermined shape and / or orientation and / or lineation (s); . associating each gray level with a specific percentage of coverage; . printing with said transparent or translucent material the resulting weft of the combination of said screening filter and each specific percentage of coverage; said printing of transparent material 5 of differentiated thicknesses is carried out in several successive passes, each time reducing the range of gray levels to be retained; - the said motifs are in the form of alphanumeric characters specific to the holder of the said document. By the term "data acquisition" is also meant the loading of data from a database. Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of some 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, here consisting in the representation of the letter F. Figure 2 is a top view of this enlarged letter F, intended to show two zones of different hues that characterize it. FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view, along the plane III-III of FIG. 2, of the letter F of this FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a view of another embodiment of the data contained in the document This data still consists of the letter F. FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are views of other possible embodiments of the transparent or translucent material imprints which can be used in the context of the invention. Figures 8 and 9 are simplified perspective views of two embodiments of a passport according to the invention. Figure 10 is a portrait that 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 hues have been identified. Figures 12 and 13 are flowcharts for illustrating the main steps of a method of manufacturing such a document. Before going 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 examples of embodiment, for the sole purpose of a good understanding of the invention. The document represented in FIG. 1 is for example an identity card 1 of standardized format.

This card forms a support which can be made of any material such as fiduciary paper, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, polyethylene, or any other fibrous, plastic or hybrid medium 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. By the term "text" is meant, for example, one or more words relating to the identity or physical characteristics of the cardholder. 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" should be understood in its broadest sense, which means that it includes both the representation of the portrait of the holder of the document, a drawing of the issuing authority of this document, such as a flag, an emblem, etc. This is called "fixed mentions". Furthermore, the term "luminance" as used herein refers to the gray levels of the text and the image. In the case illustrated here and for the sake of clarity, the data 2 in question consists of the capital letter in the character F. This data 2, in this case the letter F, is printed on the support. For this printing, photo-polymerizable inks consisting mainly of oligomers, monomers and photoinitiators can be used. Such an ink is at room temperature in the liquid state, its viscosity and surface tension permitting printing by an inkjet printing head, of piezoelectric type, for example. The ejection of the ink through the nozzles of this print head can be performed continuously or on demand (in English "drop on demand"). The drying (polymerization reaction) of the ink is carried out by exposing it under a lamp generating ultraviolet radiation of wavelength between 120 and 400 nanometers.

When using such inks, only a part of the liquid enters 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 deposited ink , the part of the ink that has not penetrated the support being polymerized on the surface. One can also use a type of ink that does not penetrate inside the paper, but simply agglomerates on it, on its surface. However, it is also possible to use ink jet printing with water-based or solvent-based inks, as is widely known.

These inks penetrate completely into the paper so that an attempt at forgery irreversibly damages the medium. On the other hand, it does not protect from overprinting. In other embodiments, other techniques can be used for printing said data.

Non-limiting examples include laser etching, heat transfer, dye diffusion, traditional photography and holography, such as volume holography. Referring again to the appended FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the data 2 which here consists of a representation of the letter F, comprises a first region 20 of light shade TI, as well as a second region 21, contiguous to the first region 20, of dark shade T2. In an embodiment not shown, these regions could be distant from each other, that is to say non-contiguous. These two colors are therefore different from each other.

According to the invention, these data are completely coated with a transparent or translucent material impression 3 made in such a way that the printing 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 also perceptible tactilely and visually. In a particular embodiment, the print could be slightly colored, while remaining translucent. It is therefore understood that the thickness of the transparent or translucent material, which will be referred to indifferently under the generic term "varnish", is proportional to the "luminance" of the corresponding region.

The manner in which the transparent or translucent material (varnish) is printed will be described later in the description. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, data 2 consisting of the letter F, with a first region 20 and a second region 21 of different hue, is again encountered. We are dealing here, above the first region 20, a partial printing of varnish, so as to create printed lines and parallel 300, separated by non-printed intervals 301. It is therefore a linear grid . Region 21 is also provided with discontinuous printing 31, with parallel printed lines 310, separated by unprinted intervals 311. It is also a linear pattern. According to the invention, the printing of the region 20 has a percentage of coating varnish of this region different from the printing 31 of the second region 21, this percentage difference of recovery being perceptible and visually tactile. In this example, the two linear fields are oriented in the same direction, but their coverage areas are different. To summarize the embodiments of Figures 2 and 4, it is found that the varnish printing, which forms a frame or a "mask", is not in any case a uniform impression but is differentiated according to the regions 20 and 21, so that this impression is unique to each region it covers, and that it has unique characteristics that bind it indissociably 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 it partially destroys the varnish, it will have to reconstitute it while respecting the initial characteristics of the document. thickness and / or percentage of recovery. If he retouches the data, he will also have to reconstitute the varnish according to the new data he has put in place. In both of these embodiments, it has been contemplated that the overlap thicknesses and percentages are dissociated features. However, it will be preferred to proceed to the printing of this varnish by adopting a thickness and a different percentage of recovery depending on the region concerned. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the varnish printing is characterized by three data.

The first datum is that relating to the shape of the prints 300 and 310. These are parallel lines. However, it could be circles 300 and 310 as illustrated in FIG. 5, geometrical figures such as polygon 300 of FIG. 6 or even alphanumeric characters such as the initials OT referenced 300 in FIG. 7. Preferably, these patterns will be repeated to form 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 likely to capture the attention should preferably be chosen around 45 ° with respect to the horizontal. Thus, according to the angle of inclination of the document passing from a normal observation to a grazing observation, the gloss of the varnish is varied, from matte to gloss, or vice versa. Finally, in order to modulate the touch sensitivity, repetition of patterns is made at different frequencies, preferably 15 to 50 lpi ("lines per inch"). The repetition frequency of the pattern (or the alphanumeric character scale) varies the spacing between each point or stroke. This linearization allows optimum image quality while maintaining a good touch sensitivity, around 20 to 30 lpi. 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 25 and then, on these, to proceed to a new printing of transparent or translucent material, the result this succession of 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 here consisting of a passport. This passport 1 consists of a data page 4, the remainder of the booklet being symbolized by the reference 5. In FIG. 8, the 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 surname and first name of the holder of the passport.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the situation is similar to the previous one, except that the portrait is directly printed on the passport support, whereas the data 2 consists of a reproduction of the holder's portrait. , in three dimensions.

It will be noted that a means of falsifying a document according to the invention consists in overprinting the existing image with a different image or providing some 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 a complete reprint of the oval of the face. Such falsification by direct overprinting an image or picture elements on the original image is not possible since the constituent elements of the mask, using a photo-polymerizable ink, do not allow not a sufficient grip on water-based or solvent-based inkjet inks. However, if this adhesion was sufficient, the overprinted elements would color the mask formed by the varnish which, normally, is colorless. In addition, the mask having very varied micro-reliefs, the latter will disturb the contact with the overprinting ink, thus leading to a degraded superimposition of the added elements. Finally, this print would be performed on the varnish and not on the original image. The attempt to falsify 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 pigments or fluorescent dyes, pigments or dyes visible under infrared, or tracers, thermochromes and / or photothermochromes. It is also possible to combine effects of the basic image with the varnish, in particular as described in patent FR 97 05597. Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, the face of a person is represented, which constitutes the data 2 according to the invention. Her hair 22 and her eyebrows 23 constitute a first region A of shade TI, while her lips 24 form a second region B of tone T2, the remainder of the face 25 constituting a third region C of shade T3. Of course, this example is simplified because the photograph reproduced here has shades T 1, T 2 and T 3 with already shades of gray on the inside.

Thus, when this image is coated with an impression of transparent and translucent material, three regions A, B and C of different thickness and / or percentage of coverage will generally be differentiated. Again, it is clear that this varnish impression is intimately related to the shape and hues of the base image. Reference will now be made to the flow charts of Figures 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, data acquisition or loading of the latter is carried out from a database, in this case to a basic image, preferably in color. . This image is processed at block 71 to transform the base image into a black-and-white x-grayscale image, where x is an integer at least 2 and less than 256. a computer screening filter with patterns acquired from a database thus having a predetermined shape and / or orientation and / or lineation (s). In a first step referenced nl in FIG. 12, the filter is adjusted so as to preserve all the gray levels of the image. This is block 72A. We then proceed to a first impression of all data, which corresponds to block 73A. In a step n2 represented by blocks 72B and 73B, the dithering filter is restricted to keep only the highest gray levels, and then a second print pass is made. In steps n3 and n, the screening filter is further restricted so as to implement a third or even an "nth" print pass. Finally, repeated passages will be made in the dark areas (this may be the opposite), which accentuates the differences in relief. FIG. 13 substantially repeats the same methodology as that just described with reference to FIG. 12. However, a file comprising personalization data of the security document holder is used here. This is block 78.

Alphanumeric characters (for example, the date of birth of the wearer) are selected from these data and will constitute the printed frame. This is block 79. Block 74 is created at the creation of an alpha-numeric character screening filter 5 with a modulation of the shape of the frame, its angle and its screen. Of course, it has been previously carried out, at blocks 70 and 71, the acquisition of a base image and the transformation into an image at different levels of gray.

At block 75, the filter is applied to the gray level image so that the printed dot density is a function of the percentage of coverage of the base image. In block 76, the image is rasterized and personalized in black and white. And, in the end, printing is done, for example using an ink jet printer. 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 percentage of overlap (s). However, it is also possible to provide embodiments in which these prints have a different gloss and / or are made in a different graphic (different patterns), possibly in combination with a different thickness and / or percentage of overlap. By the term "different gloss" is of course included the case where one print is glossy, and the other is matte.

Claims (19)

REVENDICATIONS1. Security document (1), such as an identity card or a passport, which comprises, on a medium (10), data (2) visible to the naked eye, such as a text or an image, consisting of at least a first region (20; A) having a first color (T1) and at least a second region (21; B) having a second color (T2) different from the first color (2) being coated with an impression (3, 30, 31) of a transparent or translucent material forming a tactile element in relief, characterized in that said printing (30) of transparent or translucent material superimposed on said first region (20; ) has a thickness and / or percentage of overlap and / or gloss and / or is made in a pattern different from that (or those) of the impression (31) of transparent or translucent material 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 with the first (20; A). 3. Document according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said thickness and / or said percentage of recovery 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 respectively dark or light and / or that the percentage of recovery is respectively high or low, depending on whether the region is respectively dark or light, or vice versa. 5. Document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said printing (3) transparent or translucent material is a "total" printing, that is to say that covers the entire surface of the said data (2), said first and second regions (20; A; 21; B) being differentiated by a difference in thickness of the transparent or translucent material printing. 6. Document according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said data (2) are data printed on said support (10), coated with an imprint (3, 30, 31) of transparent or translucent material, itself even coated with at least the repetition of said printed data (2), themselves 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 printing (3, 30, 31) is a "partial" printing, that is to say which does not cover the whole of the surface of said data, the printed areas constituting patterns (300, 310) having a predetermined shape and / or orientation and / or lineation (s). 8. Document according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said patterns (300, 310) have the form of dashes, points, circular or not, figures, geometric or not, or alphanumeric characters. 9. Document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said data (2) is printed on the support (10) by means of at least one ink which penetrates only partially into said support (10). ). 10. Document according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said ink is a photo-polymerizable ink. 11. Document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said printing (3, 30, 31) is superimposed exactly with said first region (20; A), respectively said second region (21; B), or is shifted and / or enlarged and / or narrowed with respect thereto. 12. A method of manufacturing a document according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one step of providing said support (10) said data (2) and at least one additional step of coating said data (2) of a transparent or translucent printing (3, 30, 31) forming a tactile element, in particular by means of an ink jet printer. 13. The method of claim 12, characterized in that one secures on the support (10) an additional support which carries said data (2) previously printed. 14. The method of claim 12, characterized in that one directly prints on said support (10), said data (2). 15. The method according to 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 first, the data (2) is printed on the said medium (10), the second time the transparent or translucent material (3, 30, 31) is printed, and in a third step, a new one printing said data (2) on the transparent or translucent material (3, 30, 31), then printing on these data, transparent or translucent material (3, 30, 31). 16. Method according to one of claims 12 or 15, characterized in that said printing transparent or translucent material (3, 30, 31) is made in several successive passes, so as to locally generate extra thicknesses. 17. The method of claim 12, wherein said printing of transparent or translucent material is a discontinuous printing, characterized in that it implements the following steps: - acquisition of said data (2); processing these data to transform them into a black-and-white x-grayscale image, x being an integer at least 2 and less than 256; - Creating a dithering filter with patterns (300, 310) having a predetermined shape and / or orientation and / or lineation (s). associating with each gray level a specific percentage of coverage; printing with said transparent or translucent material (3, 30, 31) the resulting frame of the combination of said screening filter and each specific percentage of coverage. 18. A method according to claim 17, in which said printing of transparent or translucent material (3, 30, 31) of differentiated thicknesses is carried out, characterized in that this printing is carried out in several successive passes, by reducing each time 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 a form of alphanumeric characters specific to the holder of said document (1).