FR2947210A1 - SECURITY DOCUMENT WHOSE DATA ARE PROTECTED BY A ROUGH COATING. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a security document such as an identity card or a passport, which comprises, on a medium (1), data visible to the naked eye such as a text or an image, at the at least some of these data being protected by a coating (2). This document is mainly characterized by the fact that: - the free surface (S) of said coating (2) at least in its region (20) vertically to said data is rough, that is to say that it presents, whatever the direction considered, parallel to the general plane in which the support (1) is contained, asperities of amplitude (a) between 2 and 200 micrometers; said coating (2) is transparent or translucent, and leaves said data visible to the naked eye, without optical modification.

Description

The present invention relates to a security document such as an identity card, a bank card or a passport, which comprises, on a medium, data visible to the naked eye such as a text or an image. at least some of these data being protected by a coating. It is well known in the field of security documents, such as identity cards, visas and passports, to protect the data contained therein. These data are for example those relating to the bearer of the document. We speak of "variable data". These include the photograph, name, first names, date of birth, etc. It can also be "fixed data" relating to the issuing entity. Examples of such data are a coat of arms, coats of arms, etc.

On a document such as a passport, a large part of this data, or even all, is written on the same "data page". The security of such a page is particularly sensitive since the information present may be erased and / or replaced by other information, during an attempt to falsify.

In order to improve safety, it has been proposed to protect it with a transparent film. Such a film is for example cold rolled or hot rolled on the page, after "customization" thereof. The main developments made on such films are to improve their adhesion to the support material, and to secure them by incorporating means such as diffractive elements, security inks, embrittlement, etc. However, this solution is not satisfactory because the detachment of the security film can be obtained more or less easily by different techniques.

The variable data are then accessible for forgery. The film is then repositioned or replaced by a copy of the latter, more or less well imitated.

The incorporation of security in the film has no real use when the latter could be taken off without being damaged and it is possible to put it back. This is even counter productive during a check. Indeed, the complexity of the structure of the film, because of the many security features it contains, makes it paradoxically more difficult to detect fake information, by impairing the visibility of the alterations made to the variable information, and by misleading the authorities of control that verifies the authenticity of the security film, and not the data listed below.

In any case, such films do not prevent attempts to falsify by overprinting the film, that is to say carrying out the printing of the modified data directly on the surface of the coating. The present invention aims to solve these difficulties.

Thus, it 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 a text or an image, at least a part of these data being protected by a coating, characterized in that: • the free surface of said coating is rough, that is to say that it has, regardless of the direction considered, parallel to the general plane in which is contained medium, asperities of amplitude between 2 and 200 micrometers; said coating is transparent or translucent, and leaves said data visible to the naked eye, without optical modification.

Thanks to these characteristics, in the absence of damage to the integrity of the coating, the data remains perfectly visible. If degradation is undertaken on the coating, it will be particularly difficult to reconstitute it as it was originally because of the irregularity of its surface. Thus any attack, partial removal or reconstruction disrupts the initial appearance of the coating. Last but not least, the particularly irregular nature of its surface gives little "hook" to an ink or equivalent material that would be used to achieve a recovery of the original data by another text or another image. Under these conditions, falsification is particularly detectable.

According to other advantageous and nonlimiting features: said roughness is irregular; Said asperities consist of the regular lateral and vertical repetition of a subset of irregular asperities; the maximum spacing between two vertices or two peaks of said coating is less than or equal to 10 mm; Said coating has a maximum thickness of less than 200 micrometers; said coating is an attached sheet, for example glued on said data; said sheet is a sheet whose surface has been roughened before being affixed to said data, preferably as soon as it is manufactured; said sheet is a sheet whose roughened surface after being affixed to said data; said sheet is based on plastic, for example polyester, silicone or polytetrafluoroethylene; said coating consists of a material which has previously been progressively deposited on said data; said coating consists of a material deposited in a fluid state on said data, for example by the inkjet technique; said coating is surface-proofed; said support is made of paper made of natural and / or synthetic fibers, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or a mixture of at least two of these materials; • said data are variable data, that is to say relating to the identity of its holder; • The document consists of a booklet and the support is a page or cover of this booklet Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment. This description will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a simplified view, in perspective, of a sheet-shaped data carrier constituting a document according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a view from above, also simplified, of another embodiment of such a support. - Figure 3 is a top view of variable data, in this case a face, partially covered with a coating; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a support and a plate for its production; FIG. 5 is an additional embodiment of the support of FIG. 4; - Figure 6 is yet another alternative embodiment of the support of Figure 4; FIGS. 7 to 11 are diagrammatic and purely illustrative representations of five embodiments of the coating used in the context of the invention; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an additional embodiment of the support; FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIGS. 7 to 11 of a coating used in the context of FIG. 12; FIG. 14 is a photograph of a portion of a coating on which an overprinting attempt has been made; and finally, FIG. 15 is a photograph of data, in this case a face, protected by a coating, on which an overprinting attempt has been made. Throughout the present application, the following terms and expressions have the definition given below: amplitude: maximum difference in level between the high and low points of the asperities; - peak (s): summit (s), in the form of peak (s) or plateau (x), asperities; - without optical modification: without deformation (magnification for example) or data filtering. In Figure 1 attached is shown an unrelated page of a passport that carries variable mentions relating to the identity of its holder. The thickness of the medium constituting the page has been exaggerated so as to make the reading of the figure easier. This support 1 consists of a material usually used to constitute a passport or an identity card. It is preferentially paper (based on natural and / or synthetic fibers), polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or any other polymer known in this field, as well as the combination of at least two of these materials (hybrid medium). The support 1 here receives data visible to the naked eye D1, D2, D3 and D4.

Data D1 is relative to the surname and forename of the holder of the passport. Data D2 relates to the date of issue of the passport, while data D3 relates to the expiry date of said passport. Finally, the D4 data consists of the person's photograph.

These data can of course be directly printed on the support 1, as is well known. In another embodiment, and more specifically with regard to the aforementioned photograph, it is conceivable that it was previously printed on a first support, itself fixed on the support 1. As shown in this figure, each data D1 to D4 is individually protected by a coating 2 to which will be discussed later in the description. The embodiment of support 1 of FIG. 2 is slightly different. Here, the coating 2 protects almost all of the surface of the support 1 and only a region 20 of this coating, which is located vertically to the datum D to be protected, has a rough and irregular free surface. An example of what is visible on the surface of such a support is given in FIG. 3 in which the data D to be protected is a

6 photograph and where the area of the face of the person concerned has been protected, particularly below the eyes, by a coating that has surface irregularities giving it a honeycomb-patterned appearance.

On the right part of Figure 4 is shown in section, a security document with a support 1 according to the invention. This support comprises a datum D represented here in the form of a thick line, protected by a coating 2 with a region 20 disposed at its vertical, which is rough and irregular.

This means that its free surface S has, regardless of the direction considered, parallel to the general plane in which the support 1 is contained, non-regular asperities of amplitude between 2 and 200 micrometers. This amplitude has characterized the difference in elevation between basins and peaks, furrows and crests.

In the example shown here, the coating 2 consists of a transparent or translucent mono- or multilayer film. Originally, this coating 2 is flat and is fixed and deformed by cold embossing or hot lamination on press using a form 3 etched. Of course, the form 3 has a shape imprint complementary to the asperities that it is desired to create on the surface of the coating. In this embodiment, the work performed also distorts the data D, whereas in the similar embodiment of Fig. 5 these data are not affected.

The free surface S of the coating 2 therefore has an irregular appearance in the region 20 with ridges 200, 202 and 203 separated by plates 201 and recesses 204. Preferably, the maximum spacing between two ridges 200 and 202 of the coating 2 is less than 3 millimeters.

Of course, in another embodiment, it is conceivable to deform the surface of the coating and then to position it on the support 1. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the operation is carried out in the same manner as above but with a form 4 which is embossed so as to form projecting elements 40 which will sink into the thickness of the support 1 and its coating 2, and deform them. Figures 7 to 11 are shown in the form of photographs, different embodiments of the coating 2.

Thus, in Figure 7, there is a coating having a rough free surface conferring the appearance of a honeycomb structure, each of the hexagons which is the pattern having a recessed contour. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, there is substantially the same structure as before, the elements constituting this structure being elongated this time. In Figure 9, we are dealing here with a tangle of lines created randomly, which give the whole an aspect of an assemblage of puzzle pieces. Each of the lines which delimits a part is made hollow with respect to the rest of the surface of the coating. Finally, FIGS. 10 and 11 show two embodiments of coatings, in which the free surface is etched and generated in a totally random manner, thus causing a chaotic structure. To designate this last embodiment, it is called caviardage. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the coating 2 is constituted of a material which is progressively deposited on the data and the support 1. In this case, this coating consists of a material deposited in the fluid state on said data. This may be for example a varnish deposited by the well-known technique of inkjet. In this case, and as indicated in the figure, it is sufficient to make several successive passes of printing said varnish, in a localized manner, to generate extra thicknesses in certain parts of the surface of the coating. A very irregular structure is thus obtained, as shown in the photograph of FIG. 13. In another embodiment, the coating 2 could be made by coating the support 1, or even by projecting a fluid adequate. In these embodiments, there is a synergistic effect between the nature of the added element and its texture. Thus, the coating can be made with plastic-type materials, more particularly the family of polyesters, or else materials based on silicone, polytetrafluoroethylene, or a varnish having the property of waterproofing the surface with a final result. dry to the touch. Waterproofing means protection against the penetration of a liquid or a solid. This waterproofing also reduces the possibilities of grip, adhesion to the surface. By adding a microrelief texture to this coating, its surface is more effectively protected. It becomes non-adherent and non-printable. Due to the surface irregularities of the coating, it is particularly difficult to superimpose data on the surface thereof. Overprinting is the printing of a pattern in registration with respect to an already printed pattern. The superimposition of a support integrated in a document according to the invention is particularly difficult to achieve because the ink or substance used will have difficulty in setting normally to the surface of the coating, because of its rugged terrain, and thus to form a resolute image, correctly defined. This disturbance is further increased if the coating is made impermeable because it will prevent inter alia the adhesion of the ink, slow the oxidation drying of the inks using this means, cause coalescence of ink jet ink drops. In the context of data forgery by overprinting, the goal is to modify the original data by being as discrete as possible. Ideally, a counterfeiter wishing to imitate or modify already printed data will have to use the same printing method as that used for initial customization of the document.

9 Among the customization methods, there are at least two families of techniques. The first is a contact method such as laser printing (electrophotography) or heat transfer.

The second family of techniques is the non-contact process such as inkjet printing or laser engraving. Upon observation of the photograph of Figure 14, it is found that the overprint 5 is fixed in certain disparate locations corresponding probably to peaks or ridges on the surface of the coating 2. When looking at the photograph of Figure 15, in which the lower part of the face has been retouched according to a known method of fraudsters, it is observed that this retouched area has strong irregularities that attract attention and undoubtedly show that the original data have been changed. Finally, note that the present invention also protects against the deposit of a new custom coating over the existing coating (laminat). Indeed, a means of tampering with a document is to personalize a bare, i.e., unsafe, coating and to glue it over an authentic liner. This makes it possible to discretely modify the original data and leaves the original graphic security features of the authentic laminate coating visible or partially visible over a large portion. However, since the surface on the original coating is rough and uneven, attaching a new coating to the previous one is particularly delicate and unstable. Finally, it is possible to increase the level of complexity of the coating by adding additives such as fluorescent pigments or dyes, infrared visible pigments, liquid crystals or tracers, thermochromes and / or photothermochromes. Referring again to the embodiments of Figs. 7-11, some data which characterize them will be given by way of example. This is primarily the value of the amplitude above. Then, in the manner of contour lines, for a predetermined intermediate height of the coating (measured from the base of this coating) is given, what is the percentage of the area actually occupied by the material of the coating. Figure 7

In this structure, the coating has an amplitude of 100 m. At 10 μm 85% 1% of the area is occupied by the coating material A 20 m, 71% 1%. At 30 m, 57% 1%. At 40 m, 44 1%. At 50 m, 32 1%. At 60 m, 23 1%. At 70 m, 15% 1%. At 80 m, 9% 1% .A 90 m, 5% 1%. At 100 m, 1% 0.9%.

Figure 8 In this structure the coating at an amplitude of 100 m. At 10 μm 88% 1% of the surface is occupied by the coating material. At 20 m, 77% 1%. At 30 m, 64% 1%. At 40 m, 52 1%. At 50 m, 41 1%. At 60 m, 30 1%. At 70 m, 20% 1%. At 80 m, 1 1% 1% .A 90 m, 5% 1%. At 100 m, 0.5% 0.4%.

Figure 9

In this structure the coating has an amplitude of 100 m. At 10 lm 28% 1% of the surface is occupied by the coating material. At 20 m, 23% 1%. At 30 m, 19% 1%. At 40 m, 16 1%. At 50 m, 14 1%. At 60 m, 12 1%. At 70 m, 10% 1%. At 80 m, 8% 1%. At 90 m, 5% 1%. At 100 m, 0.1% 0.9%.

Figure 10

In this structure the coating has an amplitude of 100 m. At 10 μm 88% 1% of the surface is occupied by the coating material. At 20 m, 75% 1%. At 30 m, 61% 1%. At 40 m, 46 1%. At 50 m, 32 1%. At 60 m, 20 1%. At 70 m, 1 1% 1%. At 80 m, 5% 1%. At 90 m, 2% 1%. At 100 m, 0.5% 0.4%. 5 5 10 Figure 11

In this structure the coating has an amplitude of 100 m. At 10 μm 91% 1% of the surface is occupied by the coating material. At 20 m, 87% 1%. At 30 m, 83% 1%. At 40 m, 79 1%. At 50 m, 74 1%. At 60 m, 69 1%. At 70 m, 64% 1%. At 80 m, 57% 1%. At 90 m, 48% 1%. At 100 m, 6% 1%.

For all these figures, the maximum distance between two adjacent peaks or two neighboring vertices is less than 10 millimeters. 11

Claims (14)

REVENDICATIONS1. Security document such as an identity card or a passport, which comprises, on a support (1), data (D, D1, D2, D3, D4) visible to the naked eye such as a text or an image, at least a part of these data being protected by a coating (2), characterized in that: - the free surface (S) of said coating (2), at least in its region (20) to the vertical of said data (D, D1, D2, D3, D4), is rough, that is to say, regardless of the direction considered, parallel to the general plane in which is contained the support (1), asperities d amplitude (a) between 2 and 200 micrometers; said coating (2) is transparent or translucent, and leaves said data (D, D1, D2, D3, D4) visible to the naked eye, without optical modification. 2. Document according to claim 1, characterized in that said asperities are irregular. 3. Document according to claim 1, characterized in that said asperities consist of the regular lateral and vertical repetition of a subset of irregular asperities. 4. Document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maximum spacing between two ridges (200-202) of said coating (2) less than or equal to 10 millimeters. 5. Document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coating (2) has a maximum thickness of less than 200 micrometers. 25 6. Document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coating (2) is an attached sheet, for example glued on said data (D, D1, D2, D3, D4). 7. Document according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said sheet is a sheet whose surface has been roughened before being affixed to said data (D, D1, D2, D3, D4), preferably as soon as it is manufactured. 8. Document according to claim 6, characterized in that said sheet is a sheet whose surface roughened after being affixed to said data (D, DI, D2, D3, D4). 9. Document according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that said sheet is based on plastic, for example polyester, silicone or polytetrafluoroethylene. 10. Document according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said coating (2) consists of a material which has previously been deposited progressively on said data (D, DI, D2, D3, D4). . 11. Document according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said coating (2) consists of a material deposited in the fluid state on said data (D, DI, D2, D3, D4), for example by the technique of the inkjet. 15 12. Document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coating (2) is surface-proofed. 13. Document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support (1) is made of paper based on natural and / or synthetic fibers, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or a mixture of at least two of these materials. 14. Document according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists of a booklet and said medium is a page or cover of this booklet.