WO2011020537A1

WO2011020537A1 - Identification document having two superimposed images

Info

Publication number: WO2011020537A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/004527
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Wanjek; Anton Brunner
Original assignee: Mühlbauer Ag
Priority date: 2009-08-18
Filing date: 2010-07-23
Publication date: 2011-02-24
Also published as: EP2467266A1; DE102009037832B4; SG178511A1; DE102009037832A1; DE102009037832A8

Abstract

The invention relates to an identification document, which is provided with two superimposed images, and a method for producing such an identification document. The invention further relates to a method for checking the authenticity of such an identification document. In order to better secure identification documents provided with a color image against counterfeiting or manipulation, the images are applied in separate work steps, at least one of the images is present in a form that is not accessible from outside, one of the images is a grayscale image, and one of the images is a color image, which comprises both color information and light/dark information.

Description

description

The invention relates to an identification document which is provided with two superimposed images as well as to an identification document with two overlapping images

Process for the preparation of such

Identification document. In addition, the concerns

The invention relates to a method for checking the authenticity of such an identification document.

Identification documents, such as identity cards or passports, or other recording media, such as bank cards or credit cards, etc. are increasingly provided with a color image, for example, with a color light image of the owner. The most common in practice

applied printing method for printing color images, e.g. the dye-sublimation printing, are considered unsafe as the

Dyes can be removed relatively easily due to their low penetration depth. For the safety of

Color image has been added in the past

transparent laminate or a paint on the color image

applied. Another way to increase the security of such documents is to use, in addition to the printing process, another method of applying higher security image information. This is true

Labeling with a caption laser due to

possible high penetration depth and the irreversible

Material change as a secure labeling process, so that in practice the color printing with a

Laser marking is combined. Such a combination is known, for example, from document EP 0 537 484 A1. In the method described therein, a color image is divided into two parts, namely a light / dark portion and a colored portion, wherein the

Light / dark portion with the help of a caption laser forgery-proof is introduced into an image carrier. The sub-image thus generated is then superimposed coincident with the color component, which is printed on the image carrier for this purpose. In other words, the printed color sub-image contains only color information, while the associated light / dark information is contained in the sub-image underneath. The two fields complement each other to the stored total information. The bright-dark sub-image introduced in the image carrier without forgery remains intact even if the printed color image is removed from the image carrier. An identification should then be possible solely on the basis of the remaining light / dark field.

A disadvantage of the described method, however, is that the two partial images must always be arranged exactly one above the other, so that the desired overall impression arises with a complete image information. For this purpose, either a complex coordination of the data sets for printer and laser arrangement or a no less complex assignment of the two partial images is required to each other by provided on the image carrier markings using optical

Sensors are detected. The method described is therefore comparatively complicated, especially when different printing systems have to be used and coordinated with one another. In addition, the increase in security is limited. Since the color partial image superimposes the light / dark partial image congruently, the bright / dark partial image is not completely visible to the naked eye, so that the image information of the light / dark component can only be verified poorly. In a manipulation of the image data, it could be exploited that only a portion of the image information

protected against counterfeiting in the light / dark field has been deposited. Thus, it is possible to remove the color image and print with a conventional color printing system a new color image with other image information, which then superimposed on the unchanged light / dark content. Such manipulation is facilitated in identification documents with photos due to the

The fact that a uniform orientation of the head, the size of the image, etc. is required for photographs. Due to the high similarity of the different

Photographs with each other thus the newly applied color image of the more visible components of

Light / dark partial image (eg eyes, nose, mouth etc.)

be aligned so that a very precise superimposition of the manipulated color sub-image with the existing

Light / dark partial image is possible. An object of the present invention is

Identification documents that are provided with a color image to better secure against counterfeiting or manipulation.

This object is achieved by an identification document according to claim 1 or a method for producing such an identification document according to claim 8. The identification document according to the invention is characterized in that it is provided with two superimposed images, that the images are applied in separate steps, that at least one of the images is present in a form not accessible from the outside, that it is one of the images Grayscale image, and that one of the images is a color image that includes both color information and light / dark information. The inventive method for producing a

Identification document provided with two overlapping images is characterized in that one of the images is a grayscale image, that one of the images is a color image containing both color information and bright / dark information and that the color image is printed on an image carrier and the grayscale image is introduced by means of a controlled laser beam in an image carrier. In addition, the above task is accomplished by a

A method for testing such an identification document or the like according to claim 11 solved.

The inventive method for checking the authenticity of an identification document is characterized by the steps of: irradiating the identification document or the like with a first test radiation for reading the identification document

Image information of the color image, irradiation of the

Identification document or the like with a second test radiation for reading the image information of

Grayscale image, reading the image information of the color image and the grayscale image and evaluation, in particular

Compare the obtained image information. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. The following related to the procedures

explained advantages and refinements apply mutatis mutandis to the devices of the invention and vice versa.

Under an identification document within the meaning of the invention not only identity cards or passports are understood, but also other recording or data carriers, such as bank or credit cards or the like, which not or not primarily to

Identification purposes are used. In general, this means a document or record carrier that is provided with images that are against manipulation or

Falsification should be secured.

An image is understood here to be an optically readable representation of information, whereby it is thereby

in particular photos of people, Hoheitssymbole, graphical security elements, textual information or other representations may act. A basic idea of the invention is to pick up the technology described in the prior art and modify it such that the color image comprises complete image information, that is to say both coloration and contrast information. So it is a key point of the invention, just no frames

use. As always two pictures, each with complete

Image information are present, they can be verified easier, so that manipulations are easier to see or forgery is much more difficult. The picture information can be taken from one picture

completely or partially contained in the other image. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the grayscale image comprises all image information of the color image, with the exception of the color information.

If the two images are identical or the images differ only with regard to the color information, then they are advantageously arranged relative to one another such that they overlap congruently. For this purpose, both images have identical dimensions and are accurate in position

arranged to each other. In this case, two images with maximum image information can be arranged on a carrier in a particularly space-saving manner. The color image is preferably designed so that it is under daylight for a

Viewer is dominant vis-à-vis the underlying grayscale image. Therefore, no exact alignment of the two images is required. In addition, a congruent overlay is also not necessary because the images do not become one

Complete information must complete.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, none of the pictures contains picture information of the other picture. In other words, it is also possible that

To provide identification document with two different images. This possibility is not possible in the solution known from the prior art, in which the image information of the two partial images must first be added to produce the overall image. An embodiment of the invention has proven to be particularly advantageous in which the color image is permeable to a test radiation with which the gray scale image is too

Test purposes is irradiated. This ensures that a reading of the complete image information of the

Grayscale image is not hindered by the color image. This allows a particularly simple check of the authenticity of the identification document. If the color image is printed with a printer on an image carrier and the grayscale image introduced by means of a controlled laser beam in an image carrier, the application of the images takes place in other words in separate steps, then such pressure and

Be used labeling methods that have already been tested in practice. Thus, the present invention can be realized substantially with existing machines, without major Umrüstkosten arise. Preferably, it is the grayscale image that is generated in a form not accessible from the outside. Particularly suitable for this purpose is the use of a controlled laser beam, which inscribes the grayscale image in the image carrier. A grayscale image is understood to be an image that includes light / dark information. The number of grayscale plays only a minor role for the invention; In principle, therefore, the grayscale image can also be a black and white image. As the image carrier, for example, a transparent film, as it is suitable as one of the outer layers of a

Plastic identification document is used. If the transparent film as a common support element for the Color image and the grayscale image used, it will

Color image printed on the transparent foil. The

Grayscale image is burned into the film using the laser beam. Preferably, to protect the color image on the transparent film, a further protective layer,

For example, a laminate or lacquer layer attached.

Is the ink used for the color image for the

Test radiation, which is used to irradiate the grayscale image, permeable and a labeling laser is used, which in the same wavelength range

In other words, either the color image or the grayscale image may first be produced, and the visual impression of the visible color image is the same in both processes.

In another embodiment of the invention, the color image and the gray scale image become different

Image carrier used. Is the identification document

For example, built up in layers, as is often the case with laminated cards, so serve different

Layers of the map as image carrier for the color or grayscale image.

The image carrier for the color and grayscale image may be an intermediate in the manufacturing process of the

Be security document. Thus, for example, the film image carrier can be arranged on a carrier substrate that serves as part of a layer structure of an identification card. However, the image carrier may already be a finished end product. When checking the authenticity of the identification document, it is irradiated with a first and a second test radiation, wherein the first test radiation for reading the identification document

Image information of the color image and the second test radiation for reading the image information of the gray scale image is used. Subsequently, the obtained image information is compared, all of the above

Process steps, but in particular the comparison step in the corresponding test device can run automatically.

Since the color image for the test radiation, with the

Grayscale image is irradiated for testing purposes, is permeable, it can not be detected when using such a test radiation. In other words, reading the

Image information of the color image using this

Test radiation not possible. The grayscale image, on the other hand, is completely readable in this case. Thus, it can be checked whether the color image has actually been applied with those inks which are permeable to the test radiation. If false inks are used, the color image overlaps the underlying grayscale image and reading of the full image information of the grayscale image is excluded. It is possible in other words, that

Grayscale image that is covered by the color image, with

To make the help of the test radiation completely visible without the color image covering image information of the gray scale image. In the test radiation with which the grayscale image too

Preferably irradiated for testing purposes, it is preferably infrared radiation, with an infrared illumination and an infrared-sensitive detector, eg. B. a CCD sensor, which can be used in video or video cameras are detected. Alternatively, test radiation with other wavelengths or wavelength ranges may be used. The prerequisite for this is that the working environment is adapted accordingly. In particular, for the

Suitable radiation, in particular for the inks of the color image and the image carrier, are used and suitable sensors for testing the

Image information is available.

The test radiation to which the color image is irradiated for testing is preferably light visible to the human eye, e.g. Daylight. When irradiating the identification document with daylight is for a viewer essentially only the color image

visible, noticeable.

Preferably, a detector that is sensitive to both visible and infrared light is used in conjunction with a light source that emits visible light along with infrared light. It can be both

Artificial light, as well as act on sunlight. In this case, the color image and, if not covered by the color image, the gray scale image can be detected at the same time.

If a filter is attached in front of this detector, the only

Infrared light passes, then the grayscale image

be detected because the color image for the infrared light is transparent.

Alternatively, the image carrier may optionally be illuminated with visible light and infrared light. The image information of the two images thus detected, following the illumination and detection of the

Image information compared.

A manipulation or forgery can then be detected if either the color image under the infrared light is visible or the grayscale image under the infrared light or

is not visible under visible light or the grayscale image and the color image are not as expected

Information included.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawings. Hereby show:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a

Identification document with a transparent film as image carrier (sectional view), Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a

Identification document with two different image carriers (sectional view),

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a first

Example ID document in daylight

(Fig. 3a) and in IR light (Fig. 3b),

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a second

Example identification document in daylight (FIG. 4a) and in IR light (FIG. 4b), Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a third

Example identification document in daylight (Fig. 5a) and in IR light (Fig. 5b) and Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a fourth

Example identification document in daylight (FIG. 6a) and in IR light (FIG. 6b).

All figures show the invention only schematically and with its essential components. Same

Reference numerals correspond to elements of the same or comparable function.

On the schematic representation of the printer or the

Printing method for printing the color image and the

schematic representation of the laser array and the

Method for controlling the laser beam on the one hand and the schematic representation of the test method or the test device is omitted, since this information is either familiar to the expert or in

provide sufficient clarity from the description below.

A schematic representation of an identification document in the form of an identity card 1 is shown in FIG. 1. The ID card 1 comprises a polymer carrier 2 and serving as a cover layer, arranged on the carrier 2

transparent plastic film 3 as image carrier for two overlapping images.

The two images are applied in separate steps to the film 3 or introduced into the film 3. These are on the one hand to the surface 4 of the Slide 3 printed color image 5 and on the other hand to a burned in the film 3 grayscale image 6, which is thus present in a form not accessible from the outside. In this case, the color image 5 and the gray scale image 6 overlap.

The color image 5 is applied by means of a dye sublimation printer. The introduction of the

Grayscale image 6 is done with the help of one with a

Wavelength of (near) infrared laser beam operating at 1064 nm, irreversibly discoloring the processed material starting from the surface in the interior by local combustion or sooting, and thus forgery-proof.

The color image 5 is characterized in that it both

Color information, as well as light / dark information includes. The underlying grayscale image 6 comprises all

Image information of the color image 5 with the exception of

Color information. To generate the gray scale image 6, the color image 5 is preferably converted into a gray scale image 6

so that all picture information except the color information is preserved.

In Fig. 2, another identification document, also in the form of a badge 1, is shown. In this case, different layers of the constructed in layer construction ID card 1 serve as image carrier. The color image 5 is printed on an upper layer 7, while the gray scale image 6 is introduced with a controlled laser beam into an underlying lower layer 8 immediately adjacent to the upper layer 7. An exact assignment of the two layers 7, 8 to each other such that the color image 5 and the

Grayscale image 6 are arranged congruent to each other, is not mandatory, since each image is already a contains complete image information and an exact

Synopsis of the two pictures is not required.

To protect the color image 5, a protective layer 17 in the form of a transparent laminate is provided in both cases above the image carrier of the color image.

In both cases, the color image 5 is permeable to

Infrared radiation, which serves as a test radiation for irradiating the gray scale image 6.

When checking the authenticity of the ID card 1, the ID card 1 is irradiated with daylight for reading the image information of the color image 5 and irradiating with infrared light to read the image information of the

Grayscale image 6. Here, the image information of the color image 5 and the gray scale image 6 by means of

read suitable sensors and an evaluation unit for evaluating, in particular for comparing the obtained

Image information supplied.

The first example shown in FIG.

Identification document 9 is provided with a color image 10, namely the photograph of a woman. This image information is visible in daylight, as shown in Fig. 3a.

If this document 9 is irradiated with infrared light, the gray scale image 11 shown in FIG. 3b is obtained

Exception of the color information contains the same image information as the color image 10. In an evaluation of the read image information, which takes place here in particular in the form of a comparison of the image information of the color image 10 with the image information of the gray scale image 11 is found this match. There is no forgery or manipulation of the color image 10.

The second example identification document 12 shown in FIG. 4 is again colored

Photograph of a woman. This image information is visible in daylight, as shown in Fig. 4a. Irradiating this document with infrared light, one obtains the gray scale image 13 shown in FIG. 4b, which represents a photograph of a man. An evaluation of the read

Image information indicates that the image information does not match. The document 12 belongs to a male

Person. The color image 10 was forged. The third example shown in FIG.

Identification document 14 is provided with the photograph of a woman just as in the cases described above. This image information is again visible in daylight, as shown in Fig. 5a. If this document 14 is irradiated with infrared light, no grayscale image is found, as shown in FIG. 5b. It is therefore a forged document 14 in which only a color image 10 has been printed. The tamper-proof grayscale image is missing. This will be at an evaluation of the image information

detected.

The fourth example identification document 15 shown in FIG. 6 is provided with the photograph of a woman just as in the cases described above. This image information is again visible in daylight, as shown in Fig. 6a. The document 15 differs from the documents shown above in that

Color formation and grayscale image no identical Image information included. Instead, it is provided that a numeric code is inscribed below the color image, in this case the date of birth of the document holder. A fake would therefore be recognized immediately if the number code is missing. If one illuminates this document 15 with infrared light, one finds, as shown in Fig. 6b, a grayscale image 16, which shows the numeric code. Nevertheless, as in Fig. 4, the color image and the grayscale image are different from each other, it may appear at first glance

be assumed that there is no forgery. to

Confirmation of this statement is a subsequent evaluation of the image information, in particular an evaluation of the numerical code and verification of the date of birth required. Conventional devices for checking the authenticity of

Identification documents usually already comprise the components necessary for carrying out the test method according to the invention, in particular a lighting unit for

Irradiating the identification document 1 with a first test radiation (e.g., daylight) for reading the

Image information of the color image 5 and / or for irradiating the identification document 1 with a second

Test radiation (e.g., infrared light) for reading the

Image information of the grayscale image 6 and a

Evaluation unit for evaluating, in particular for comparing the obtained image information. For carrying out the method according to the invention, therefore, only an adaptation of the evaluation algorithms is usually required. Deviations from the exemplified embodiment are possible. Thus, for example, the color image 5 can also be applied by means of another printing method, provided that the use of infrared-permeable Printing ink allowed. In another variant, the grayscale image 6 instead of a birthday another, different from the color image 5 contain image information, such as a serial number, a crest or other national emblem or the like.

All features illustrated in the description, the following claims and the drawings can be used individually as well as in any combination with one another

be essential to the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

I ID card

2 carriers

3 foil

4 film surface

5 color image

6 grayscale image

7 Upper layer

8 Lower layer

9 first document

10 color image

II grayscale image

12 second document

13 grayscale image

14 third document

15 fourth document

16 grayscale image

17 protective layer

Claims

claims

1. Identification document (1) or the like provided with two overlapping images (5, 6),

- wherein the images (5, 6) are applied in separate steps,

wherein at least one of the images is present in a form that is not accessible from the outside,

- one of the images being a grayscale image (6), and - one of the images being a color image (5) comprising both color information and light / dark information.

2. identification document (1) or the like according to claim 1, wherein at least portions of the image information of a

Picture in the other picture are included.

3. identification document (1) or the like according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gray scale image (6) all

Image information of the color image (5) with the exception of

Includes color information.

4. Identification document (1) or the like according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the images (5, 6)

overlap congruently.

5. identification document (1) or the like according to claim 1, wherein in any of the images (5, 6) image information of the other image are included.

6. identification document (1) or the like according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the gray scale image (6) is present in a form not accessible from the outside.

The identification document (1) or the like according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the color image (5) is transparent to a test radiation irradiated to the gray scale image (6) for a test such that the color image (5) is reading the image information of the grayscale image (6) is not hindered.

8. A method of producing an identification document (1) or the like provided with two overlapping images (5, 6), wherein one of the images is a grayscale image

(6) acts,

- wherein one of the images is a color image (5) comprising both color information and light / dark information, and

- wherein the color image (5) on an image carrier (3; 7)

imprinted and the grayscale image (6) by means of a

controlled laser beam in an image carrier (3; 8)

is introduced.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the image carrier (3) for the color image (5) at the same time the image carrier (3) for the

Grayscale image (6) is.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the image carrier

different, preferably immediately adjacent layers (7, 8) in the layer structure of

Identification document (1) or the like.

11. Method for checking the authenticity of a

An identification document (1) or the like according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the steps of:

Irradiating the identification document (1) or

the like having a first test radiation for reading the image information of the color image (5),

Irradiating the identification document (1) or

the like having a second test radiation for reading the image information of the gray scale image (6),

- reading the image information of the color image (5) and the gray scale image (6) and - evaluating, in particular comparing the obtained

Image information.