ES2365996T3 - SECURITY FEATURES WITH MULTIPLE IMAGES FOR IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS AND PROCEDURE FOR MAKING THEMSELVES. - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for creating a secure identification document with multiple images comprising: providing information in an information carrier layer, the information being constructed and arranged so that it is capable of providing multiple images when the information is viewed at predetermined angles by means of a appropriate lens; cover the information with a layer of a substantially transparent film material; stamping a lens profile on a selected portion of the substantially transparent film material at a first location, wherein the selected portion of the substantially transparent film material comprises an area that is smaller than the entire area of the substantially transparent film material and in that the first location substantially coincides with the location of the information provided in the information carrier layer, the lens profile forms a lens in a portion of the substantially transparent film material and the lens allows the information seen through the Lens present multiple images when information is viewed with predetermined angles.

Description

Related request data

This application is related to US patent applications Nos 09 / 747,735, filed on December 22, 2000, 09 / 602,313, filed on June 23, 2000 and 10 / 094,593, filed on March 6, 2002, with the US Patent Provisional Application No. 60 / 358,321, filed on February 19, 2002, as well as with US Patent No. 6,066,594.

Priority

This claim claims the priority of the following provisional US applications:

•

Multiple Image Feature For Identification Document (Agent File No. P0526 - Inventor: Brian Labrec), serial number 60/344718, filed on December 24, 2001;

•

Secure ID Card with Multiple Images and Methods of Making (Agent File No. P0529 - Inventor: Brian Labrec), serial number 60/344683, filed December 24, 2001; Y

•

Secure ID Card with Multiple Images and Method of Making (Agent File No. P0566 - Inventor: Brian Labrec), serial number 60/341569.

Countryside

The present invention relates, in general, to a laminar assembly carrying information suitable for use as an identification card and, more particularly, to a laminar assembly carrying information having a plurality of lenticular lens elements thereon They provide a multiple image security feature.

Background

Identification documents (hereinafter "ID documents") play a vital role in modern society. An example of an ID document is an identification card (“ID card”). ID documents are used on a daily basis to prove identity, to verify age, to access a safe area, to demonstrate driving privileges, to cash a check, and so on. Aircraft passengers are required to show an ID document at the time of check-in, security check and before boarding the plane. In addition, since we live in a constantly evolving society that does not use cash, ID documents are used to make payments, access an ATM, load a bank account or make a payment, etc.

Many types of identification cards and documents, such as driving licenses, national or government identification cards, bank cards, credit cards, controlled access cards and smart cards carry the same information elements that relate to the identity of the driver. carrier. Examples of such information include the name, address, date of birth, signature and a photographic image; cards or documents can also carry other variable data (i.e., specific data to a particular card or document; for example, an employee number) and invariable data (for example, data common to a large number of cards ; for example, the name of the company). All the cards described above will be generically referred to as "ID documents".

In the production of useful images in the field of identification documents, it is often desirable to translate data or indicators representative of the document issuer (such as an ID card, a driving license, a passport or the like) for example, an official seal, or the name or brand of a company or teaching institution) and data or indicators representative of the bearer of the document (for example, a photographic portrait, name or address). Typically, a pattern, logo or other distinctive mark representative of the issuer of the document will serve as a means of verifying the authenticity, ownership or validity of issuance of the document. A photographic portrait or other personal data or indicators of the bearer will validate the right of access to certain facilities or prior authorization to carry out transactions and commercial activities.

Identification documents are known and described, such as ID cards, which have printed patterns, background designs or logos and personal identification data of the cardholder, for example, in US Patent No. 3,758,970, issued on September 18, 1973 to M. Annenberg; in Britain's patent No. 1,472,581, issued to G. A. O. Gesellschaft für Automation und Organization GmbH, published on March 10, 1976; in international patent application PCT / GB82 / 00150, published on November 25, 1982 as Publication No. WO 82/04149; in US Patent No. 4,653,775, issued March 31, 1987 to T. Raphael, et al .; in US Patent No. 4,738,949, issued April 19, 1988 to G. S. Sethi, et al .; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,261,987, issued November 16, 1993 to J. W. Luening, et al.

The arrival of commercial devices (printers) to produce thermally tinted images has made the production of color copies from electronic data acquired by a camcorder a relatively banal issue. In general, this is achieved by acquiring digital image information (electronic signals) representative of the red, green and blue content of an original, using color filters or other known media. These signals are then used to print an image on a data carrier. For example, the information can be printed using a printer having a plurality of small thermal elements (eg needles) for heating, following an image, of each of a series of donor sheets (which respectively carry a stain sublimable cyan, magenta and yellow). The donor sheets are contacted with an image receptor element (which can be, for example, a substrate), which has a layer to receive the transferred stains of the donor sheets following the image. The procedures for thermal transfer of stains as mentioned above are known and described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,621,271, issued November 4, 1986 to S. Brownstein and in U.S. Patent No. 5,024,989, issued June 18, 1991 to YH Chiang, et al.

Commercial systems for issuing ID documents are of two main types, namely those called "centralized" (CI) expeditions and those called "on the spot" or "counter" (OTC) expeditions.

Type ID ID documents are not provided to the bearer immediately, but are subsequently issued to the bearer from a centralized location. For example, in a type of CI environment, a bearer is presented at a documentation office where data is collected, the data is sent to a centralized location, where the card is produced and the card is forwarded to the bearer , often by mail. Another illustrative example of an IC assembly process occurs in a context in which a driver passes a driving test, but then receives permission by mail from a CI facility shortly thereafter. Another additional illustrative example of an IC assembly process occurs in a context in which a driver renews his license by mail or online, and then receives a driver's license card in the mail.

Centrally issued identification documents can be produced from digitally stored information and generally comprise an opaque interior material (also called "substrate"), such as paper or plastic, encased between two layers of clear plastic laminate, such as polyester, for protect the aforementioned information elements from deterioration, exposure to the elements and falsifications. The materials used in such CI identification documents can offer maximum durability. In addition, centrally issued digital identification documents generally offer a higher level of security than OTC identification documents, because they offer the ability to pre-print the core layer of the centralized issuance document with security features such as "microprinting", features Ultraviolet security, security indicators and other exclusive features at present of identification documents issued centrally. Another security advantage of documents issued centrally is that the security features and / or security materials used to manufacture those features are centrally located, which reduces the possibility of loss or theft (as opposed to having security materials dispersed in a large number of “counter” locations).

In addition, an IC assembly process can be an installation with a larger volumetric process, in which many cards are produced in a centralized installation, one after the other. For example, the CI installation can process thousands of cards continuously. Since the processing occurs with a large volume, the IC may have an increase in efficiency compared to some OTC processes, especially those OTC processes that work intermittently. Thus, IC processes can sometimes have a lower cost per ID document if a large volume of ID documents is manufactured.

Unlike CI identification documents, OTC identification documents are immediately issued to a bearer who is present at an office issuing the document. An OTC assembly process provides an "on the spot" ID document. (An illustrative example of an OTC assembly process is a context of the US Department of Motor Vehicles (“DMV”) in which a person is issued a driver's license on the spot, after passing an exam. In some cases, the very nature of the OTC assembly process results in print assemblers and small, sometimes compact, cards for printing the ID document.

OTC identification documents of the types mentioned above can take several forms, depending on the cost and the desired characteristics. Some OTC ID documents comprise a highly plasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC) or have a composite structure with polyester laminated to a 0.013-0.051 mm PVC film, which provides a suitable receiving layer for heat-transferring dyes that form a photographic image, together with any variable or invariable data required for carrier identification. These data are subsequently protected to varying degrees by means of thin transparent reinforcements (0.003-0.006 mm) superimposed on the printhead, hot stamped holographic metal sheets (0.003-0.006 mm) or a transparent polyester laminate (0.013-0.254 mm) that support common safety features. These last two types of protective or laminated metal foil are sometimes applied in a laminating station separate from the print head. The choice of laminate dictates the degree of durability and security imparted to the system in the protection of the image and other data.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a front view and a cross-sectional view (taken along line A-A), respectively, of an exemplary identification document (ID) of the prior art. In FIG. 1, prior art ID document 10 includes a photographic image 12, a bar code 14 (which may contain specific information to the person whose image appears in photographic image 12 and / or information that is the same as a document of ID in ID document), variable personal information 16, such as an address, a signature and / or a date of birth and biometric information 18 associated with the person whose image appears in photographic image 12 (for example, a fingerprint). Although not illustrated in FIG. 1, ID document 10 may include a magnetic stripe (which may be, for example, on the back (not shown) of ID document 10), and various security features, such as a security pattern (for example, a printed pattern comprising a narrowly printed pattern of printed and unprinted areas finely divided in close mutual proximity, such as a security pattern printed with thin lines, such as that used in printing paper money, stock certificates and the like).

With reference to FIG. 2, the identity document 10 comprises a preprinted core layer 20 (such as, for example, a white polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material) having a thickness, for example, of about 0.635 mm. The core layer 20 is laminated with a transparent material, such as a clear PVC material 22 which, by way of example, can have a thickness of 0.025-0.127 mm. The whole of the inner material 20 and of the clear PVC material 22 form what is called "blank card" 25 which can be up to approximately 0.762 mm thick. The information 26a-c is printed on the blank card 25 using a procedure such as thermal transfer printing by dye diffusion ("D2T2") (further described in US Patent No. 6066594, legally transferred, which is incorporated into the present document by reference in its entirety). The information 26a-c may comprise, for example, an indication or indications such as the invariable or non-variable information common to a large number of identification documents, for example the name and logo of the organization issuing the documents. The information 26a-c can be formed by any known procedure capable of forming the indication in the specific interior material used.

To protect the information 26a-c that is printed, an additional layer of overlaminate 24 can be attached to the blank card 25 and to the print 26a-c using, for example 0.025 mm of adhesive (not shown). The overlaminate 24 may be substantially transparent. Suitable materials for forming such protective layers are known to those skilled in the art of manufacturing identification documents and any of the conventional materials can be used with the proviso that they have sufficient transparency. Examples of usable materials for overlaminates include biaxially oriented polyester or other optically clear durable plastic films.

Since ID documents 10 can be used to allow and facilitate personal identification, it is often desirable to manufacture ID document 10 in a manner that discourages falsification and / or fraudulent alteration. There are several known ways to increase the security of ID documents 10, including procedures that incorporate additional security information or features and procedures that adapt the information on the card to help prevent fraud or make it apparent. For example, numerous types of laminations have been used in which the information bearing surface is hot rolled or with solvents on a transparent surface. The materials for the lamination and the process thereof are selected in such a way that if an attempt is made to uncover the information carrying surface for the amendment thereof, the surface is destroyed, defaced or the attempt to make it clear intrusion.

Although an identification card that, in essence, cannot be disassembled without being destroyed may provide adequate resistance against fraudulent alteration, it may not be a significant challenge against all attempts at counterfeiting. Falsification of identification cards may also involve the manufacture and issuance of identification cards by persons not authorized to do so. Such counterfeiting presents additional and different security problems for the technique. One possible way to avoid fraudulent manufacturing and shipping could involve strict control over the position of the materials and machinery involved in the manufacture of the identification card. However, in some cases, this approach is impractical or impossible, especially if some of the materials involved are commercially available and used in other applications.

A response to the problem of counterfeiting has involved the integration of verification features that are difficult to copy by hand or with machines. Such a verification feature is the use on the card of a signature of the card issuer or the bearer. Other verification features have involved, for example, the use of watermarks, biometric information, microprinting, fluorescent materials, fine line details, validation patterns or marks, and polarizing stripes. These verification features are integrated into an identification card in various ways and can be visible or invisible on the finished card. If they are invisible, they can be detected by looking at the characteristic under conditions that make them visible. At least some of the verification features set forth above have been used to help prevent and / or discourage counterfeiting. However, at least some of the features can be expensive and, in the case of the hidden features of casual visual inspection, they require specialized devices and a qualified operator for authentication. It would be advantageous for an ID document to include a security feature that was difficult to reproduce, either in a forged document or through a fraudulent alteration of an original, but that for authentication did not require either specialized devices or qualified operators.

A possible solution to the desire to provide on the cards visible security features of automatic authentication is the use of what is called the lenticular lens and lenticular image. A lenticular image comprises a sequence of images that are intertwined to form a singular image in which each individual image (or frame) is visible at a different angle to the one that looks when viewed through a lenticular lens. These various images are called views.

For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,869,946, issued September 26, 1989, discloses a tamper-proof security card comprising a transparent top layer having narrow parallel lenses on the outer surface and a substrate containing an image , the two layers forming a lenticular system by which the images of the substrate are selectively visible, depending on the angle at which the card is viewed. The embodiments disclosed in patent 4,869,946 seem to contemplate having a lenticular lens material over the entire surface of the card. In addition, patent 4,869,946 states that the individual image of data to be seen through the lenticular lens is formed by placing a photographic emulsion on a substrate layer for images by means of a lenticular system (col. 3, lines 11-20).

Summary

It can be very difficult to print variable / personalized information on ID documents using known procedures, especially if the variable / personalized information varies in type, size and location of card on card and it is not desired that the whole card incorporate a lenticular lens feature. Since the alignment of the image with the lens can be important to ensure good transitions in the image aspect from one view to another, known systems have used simpler lenticular lens characteristics, such as using the same pair of images (for example, a couple of logos) on each card. Several known systems, such as patent 4,869,946, also use the lens itself as a means of establishing the image to be seen by means of it. A prior art system even uses a laser to record an image through the lenticular lens. Using the lens to create an image may be impractical for large volume applications (such as the CI systems mentioned above), in which variable image data is printed on a core or substrate layer and / or on a laminate attached to the core or substrate layer. In some situations, the use of a lens to create an image could limit the quality of the resulting image, because the angle at which the information is written requires a high degree of accuracy, which increases manufacturing costs.

Some other known systems print multiple images on the lens itself, rather than on the substrate to which the lens is attached. Printing on the lens can make it difficult to achieve good alignment between the lens and the image, which can result in a poor transition of the image from one image to the other when looking at the image with varying angles. Printing on the lens can also limit the ability to handle images of varying sizes. In addition, printing on a lens can be very difficult to do in high-volume manufacturing environments, such as the manufacture of driver's licenses, because driver's licenses can have various formats that vary for different wearers (for example, for drivers less than 21 years, apprentices and driver ID), and the above mentioned system of driver's license of type CI may produce permits for more than one State, which could imply different designs and safety features at different locations. It is inconvenient and expensive to have to change consumables (for example, lens sheets) to allow a varied impression.

It could be advantageous if the variable or personalized information associated with a cardholder could be used as a security feature, in a way in which the security feature is difficult to detect and / or duplicate and that, despite everything , be printable on the card at the time of card personalization. It could be advantageous if an identification document with a lenticular lens feature with multiple images using personal information could be manufactured using conventional conventional consumables that are already used in the manufacture of identification documents (for example, without requiring the use of expensive sheets of lenticular lenses). It could also be advantageous if an identification document could have a custom lenticular lens feature with multiple full-color images.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, systems and methods for manufacturing a secure ID card with multiple images are provided. Printed information is provided in the form of an interlaced image (which includes the interlacing of at least two images) to an information carrier layer. A substantially transparent film material is provided to substantially cover the information carrier layer. A lens profile is stamped on a selected portion of the film material, such as the portion that covers, at least partially, the interlaced material. The portion of the interlaced image that is covered by the lenticular lens will have a different appearance depending on the angle at which the interlaced image is viewed. With the arrangement of the first embodiment, a secure ID card with a multiple image security feature can be provided in one portion of the ID card, while the information in the other portions of the ID card is not obscured by the lenticular lens According to a further aspect of the invention, the lenticular lens can be manufactured prior to the construction of the ID card and be aligned with the ID card to provide the multiple image security feature in a portion of the ID card.

In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a secure ID card with multiple images is provided. Information is provided to an information carrier layer, the information being constructed and arranged to be able to provide multiple images when the printed information is viewed at different predetermined angles through an appropriate lens. At least a portion of the information is covered with a substantially transparent film material. A lens profile is stamped on at least a second portion of the film material, the pattern forming a lens on the film material, the lens allowing the information to display multiple images when the information carrier laminar assembly is viewed at different predetermined angles. .

In one embodiment, the invention provides an information carrying document having at least a first face, the information carrying document comprising a core layer, an interlaced image and a lenticular lens. The interlaced image is formed in the core layer, the interlaced image comprising at least two images constructed and arranged to provide at least two images when the interlaced image is viewed through a predetermined lenticular lens with at least two different predetermined angles. The lenticular lens is operably coupled to at least a portion of the interlaced image, the lenticular lens being constructed and arranged to be operable with the interlaced image to allow at least two images in the interlaced image to be visible through the lenticular lens with Two different angles.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more immediately apparent from the following detailed description, which continues with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

The advantages, features and aspects of the embodiments of the invention will be more fully understood in conjunction with the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative example of a prior art identification document;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative cross section of the prior art identification document of FIG. 1, taken along line A-A;

FIG. 3 is a view of an ID document illustrating the multiple images, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a cross-section of the ID document of FIG. 3, taken on line 1C-1C of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of the ID document of FIG. 3, seen from a first angle;

FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of the ID document of FIG. 3, seen from a second angle;

FIGURES 7A-B are illustrative examples of a first security image, in original and pre-interlaced form, respectively, relevant to the creation of a multiple image security feature shown in the ID document of FIG. 3;

FIGURES 8A-8B are illustrative examples of a second security image, in original and pre-interlaced form, respectively, relevant to the creation of a multiple image security feature shown in the ID document of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is an illustrative example of a multiple image security feature created by interlacing the first and second security images of FIGURES 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is an illustrative flow chart showing a procedure for creating the multiple image security feature of FIG. 9 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is an illustrative diagram of a first centralized issuance card production system that can be used to produce the ID document of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a detailed view of a portion of the stamper of FIG. eleven;

FIGURES 13A-D are front, cross-sectional, enlarged, and perspective views, respectively, of the lenticular die of the press of FIG. eleven;

FIGURES 14A-D are cross-sectional, perspective, side and edge views, respectively, of the insulating plate of the press of FIG. eleven;

FIGURES 15A-D are top, cross-section, edge and perspective views, respectively, of the heating bar of the insulating plate of FIGURES 14A-D and FIG. eleven;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart of a first manufacturing process of the ID document of FIG. 3 using the system of FIG. 11 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart of a second manufacturing process of the ID document of FIG. 3 in a centralized dispatch environment;

FIG. 18 is an illustrative diagram of a second centralized issuance card production system that can be used to produce the ID document of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the invention; Y

FIG. 19 is an illustration of a portion of a roll of laminate showing a laminate with lenticular lenses stamped thereon.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale; In general, emphasis is placed on illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, similar figures refer to similar elements in the figures.

Detailed description of the invention

In the preceding statement, the use of the term "ID document" is defined in broad terms and is intended to include all types of ID documents, including (without limitation) documents, magnetic disks, credit cards, bank cards, telephone cards, cards with a stored value, prepaid cards, smart cards (for example, cards that include one or more semiconductor chips, such as memory devices, microprocessors and microcontrollers), contact cards, contactless cards, proximity cards ( for example, radio frequency (RFID) cards, passports, driving licenses, network access cards, employee badges, debit cards, security cards, visas, immigration documentation, national ID cards, citizenship cards, Social security cards and badges, certificates, identification cards or documents, registration cards in the census toral and / or identification, ID cards in the police, border crossing cards, badges and accreditation cards, weapons permits, badges, checks or gift cards, membership cards or badges and labels. It is even contemplated that aspects of the invention may have applicability for devices such as compact discs, consumer products, buttons, keyboards, electronic components, etc., or any other suitable element or article that can record information, images and / or other data, that may be associated with a function and / or object or other entity to be identified. Note also that, for the purposes of this disclosure, the terms "document", "card", "badge" and "documentation" are used interchangeably.

In addition, in the preceding statement, "identification" includes (without limitation) information, decoration and any other purpose for which an indication may be placed on an article in the raw, partially prepared or final state of the article. In addition, instead of in ID documents, the techniques of the invention can be used with product labels, product packaging, business cards, bags, graphics, maps, labels, etc., etc., particularly those elements that they include the marking of a laminated or overlaminated structure. Thus, the expression ID document is broadly defined in this document to include these identifiers, labels, packages, cards, etc.

In this document, "personalization", "personalized data" and "variable" data are used interchangeably and refer, at least, to data, images and information that is "personal" and "specific" to the specific carrier of the card or group of carriers. Personalized data may include data that is unique to a specific cardholder (such as biometric information, image information, serial numbers, Social Security numbers, privileges that the cardholder may have, etc.), but They are not limited to exclusive data. Personalized data may include some information, such as the date of birth, height, weight, eye color, address, etc., which are personal to the cardholder, but not necessarily exclusive to that cardholder. card (for example, other cardholders may share the same personal data, such as the date of birth). In at least some embodiments of the invention, personal / variable data may also include some fixed data.

"Laminate" and "overlaminate" include (without limitation) film and sheet products. Laminates usable with at least some embodiments of the invention include those that contain substantially transparent polymers and / or substantially transparent adhesives, or that have substantially transparent polymers and / or substantially transparent adhesives as part of their structure, for example, as an extruded feature . Examples of potentially usable laminates include, at least, polyester, polycarbonate, polystyrene, cellulose ester, polyolefin, polysulfone and polyamide. The laminates can be manufactured using amorphous polymer or also biaxially oriented polymer. The laminate may comprise a plurality of separate laminar layers, for example a barrier layer and / or a film layer. Other possibly usable laminates include security laminates, such as a transparent laminated material with patented security technology features and processes that protect valuable documents from counterfeiting, data alteration, photo substitution, duplication (including photocopying in color) and simulation through the use of materials and technologies that are widely available. Laminates can also include thermosetting materials, such as epoxy. The laminates may include impregnated or synthetic resin coated base materials composed of successive layers of materials, bonded together by heat, pressure and / or adhesive.

The material or materials from which a laminate is manufactured may be transparent, but it is not essential that they be. The degree of transparency of the laminate can be dictated, for example, by the information contained within the identification document, the particular colors and / or the safety features used, etc. The thickness of the laminate layers is not vital, although in some embodiments it may be preferred that the thickness of the laminate be approximately 0.025-0.508 mm. Lamination of any layer or any laminate layers on any other layer of material (for example, a core layer) can be achieved using any conventional lamination process, and such processes are well known to those skilled in the production of articles such as documents Identification Of course, the types and structures of the laminates described herein are provided by way of example only; Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many different types of laminates according to the invention are usable. Various lamination procedures are disclosed in US assignee patents under Nos. 5,783,024, 6,007,660, 6,066,594 and 6,159,327. Other lamination processes are disclosed, for example, in US Patent Nos. 6,283,188 and 6,003,581.

For the purposes of the illustration, the following description will continue with reference to ID document structures (such as multi-layer ID documents with TESLIN core layer) and merged polycarbonate structures. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in that regard. In fact, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, the techniques of the invention can be applied to many other structures formed in many different ways to provide a multiple image feature thereon. Generally, the invention has applicability for almost any product that should be printed and especially for those products that need to be uniquely identified and / or protected against fraud and / or forgery. For example, at least some embodiments of the invention are usable to form multiple image features on articles formed of paper, wood, cardboard, cardboard, glass, metal, plastic, fabric, ceramics, rubber, together with artificial materials, such as microporous materials. , single-phase materials, biphasic materials, couché paper, synthetic paper (for example, TYVEC, manufactured by Dupont Corp., of Wilmington, Delaware), cellular polypropylene film (which includes a calcium polycarbonate cellular polypropylene film), plastic, polyolefin , polyester, ethylene polyterephthalate (PET), PET-G, PET-F and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and combinations thereof.

It is further envisaged that the invention could have applicability even in the manufacture of articles that must have formed a multiple image feature on each other but in which the multiple image feature is not necessarily provided as a security feature. For example, it is envisioned that the invention has applicability in the formation of decorative multiple image characteristics and / or personalized multiple image characteristics.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a novel information carrier laminar assembly that would be suitable for use as an identification document or incorporated therein, such as ID document 10 of FIG. 1. The information carrier sheet assembly of this embodiment is characterized by the provision therein, as a safety feature, of a portion of lenticular lens disposed in an outer transparent layer, which provides multiple images in conjunction with the information printed on a information carrier layer. In at least one embodiment, multiple images include at least one image that includes variable / personal information. In at least one embodiment, multiple images include at least one color image, such as a full color portrait.

FIG. 3 is a view of an information carrier laminar assembly 100 (also called ID card 100) illustrating the multiple images, according to an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ID card 100 of FIG. 3, generally taken along line 1C-1C of FIG. 3. Note that the view of FIG. 3, in which both variable images are visible, it is not a view that can necessarily be seen by a user, but is provided merely to illustrate the juxtaposition and location of the multiple images. As the ID card 100 is rotated, security images 130, 130 'appear to "disappear", as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6. The disappearance of the image is due to the focus of the lens in the areas With nothing printed. As the ID card 100 is rotated around its horizontal axis, the focal point of the lens moves vertically up or down and oscillates between the two images. The lens feature increases the printed material located at its focal point, resulting in expanding the printed material, so that it looks like a single continuous image. In at least one embodiment, instead of lines, individual dots (eg, ink or toner) could be used to represent the line and the feature would work in the same way.

With reference to FIGURES 3 and 4, the ID card 100 includes an information carrier layer 106 having a first surface 104. The first surface 104 includes a multiple image portion 120 which also includes first and second images 130, 130 'security. For illustrative purposes only, the first security image 130 is shown as a portrait 130 of reduced size (which, for security purposes, may match the standard size portrait 122), and the second security image 130 'shows that It is a date of birth. However, the first and second 130, 130 ’security images can be almost any type of information that is useful and / or usable, given the type and use of the ID card 100. For example, the first and second images 130, 130 'of security can be any chosen pair of information, such as biometric information (eg, fingerprint), signatures, birth dates, serial numbers, government identification numbers ( for example, Social Security numbers), images of the ID card holder 100, address, account number, security classification, expiration date, and the like. Although it is advantageous for security purposes that one or both of the first and second images 130, 130 'of security include variable / personal information, in at least one embodiment it is not necessary that either one of the two security images (or none) Understand variable information. In one embodiment, for example, the first and second security images 130, 130 'could comprise non-variable information, especially if the non-variable information is printed using a substance (for example, an optically variable or non-visible ink) that increases the difficulty copying ID card 100. In one embodiment, either of the two security images or both could comprise fixed or non-variable preprinted information. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many different types of information are usable (in fact, almost any type of information). For example, in one embodiment of the invention, either of the two or both security images are color images, such as monochrome images, pearly colors, rainbow colors, multicolored and full color.

Note that the invention is not limited to the use of any specific or equivalent ink to print any of the features, including interlaced images described herein. Inks such as ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR), etc., are usable in at least some embodiments of the invention, as well as inks based on toner and / or UV curable. In addition, in at least some embodiments of the invention, the machinery and / or printing presses used may include offset equipment, variable digital offset, inkjet, toner-based laser printing, etc.

It will also be appreciated that the first and second 130, 130 ’security images, in at least some embodiments, may even comprise the same image or different forms of the same image. For example, the first security image 130 could be a front portrait of the cardholder and the second security image 130 ’could be a profile image of the cardholder. In at least some embodiments, the first security image 130 could be a visible portrait image of the cardholder and the second security image 130 'could be the same portrait image of the cardholder, but printed with ink not visible (for example, UV or IR ink) or, optionally, an optically variable ink. It is contemplated that many different possible combinations are within the spirit and scope of the invention.

With reference again to FIGURES 3 and 4, the first surface 104 may also include other information, such as fixed information 19 (here, the name of the issuing authority) and variable / personal information, such as a portrait 122, an address 16 and biometric information 18. Note that any variable / personal information, or all of it, could be part of portion 120 of the multiple image.

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of the ID document of FIG. 3, viewed from a first angle, which shows that only the first security image 130 is visible with the first angle. FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of the ID document of FIG. 3, viewed from a second angle, which shows that only the second security image 130 ’is visible with the second angle.

With reference again to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the information bearing core layer 106 is disposed beneath a phototransmitter outer laminated layer 102 having lenticles 116a to 116n formed thereon. The lenticules 116 and the laminated layer 102 together form a lenticular lens. Sometimes, in this report, "lenticule" and "lenticular lens" can be used interchangeably. The illustrative embodiment of FIG. 4 illustrates that the information carrying core layer 106 is interposed between two phototransmitter outer layers 102 and 114, but not all embodiments of the invention require that external phototransmitter layers be attached to both surfaces of the information carrying core layer 106.

In at least one embodiment, the information-carrying core layer 106 corresponds to a central layer (also called a substrate) of an identification document. In at least one embodiment, the information-bearing core layer 106 is made of a substantially opaque material, such as TESLIN. Of course, other rigid or semi-rigid flat materials can be used. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the invention can be adapted to work with many other materials used as an information carrier layer 106, such as thermoplastic polymer, copolymer, polycarbonate, fused polycarbonate, polyester, amorphous polyester, polyolefin, silicon filler polyolefin, film made of cellular polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, thermoplastic resins, thermoplastic design, polyurethane, polyamide, polystyrene, expanded polypropylene, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), ABS / PC, high impact polystyrene, polyterephthalate (PET) , PET-G, PET-F, butylene polyterephthalate (PBT), acetal copolymer (POM), polyetherimide (PEI), polyacrylate, poly (4-vinylpyridine), poly (vinyl acetate), polyacrylonitrile, polymeric liquid crystalline resin, polysulfone, polyether nitride and polycaprolactone and combinations thereof.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, the two outer phototransmitter layers illustrated are adhered to the core layer 106 carrying information by means of two adhesive layers 110 and 112, respectively. It is not necessary that the adhesive layers 110, 112 be provided separately, but that they could already be formed on the laminate layer 102. The first outer phototransmitter layer 102 is adhered to the core layer 106 carrying information by the first adhesive layer 110 and the second outer phototransmitter layer 114 is adhered to the core layer 106 carrying information by the second adhesive layer 112. The outer layer 102 includes a series of parallel lenticular lenses 116a -116n (generally referred to as the lenticular lens 116) that are formed as described below in connection with FIGURES 11-17.

In at least one embodiment, part of the information 118a-118n includes variable / personal information and is provided on the surface 104 of the core carrier layer 106 that is used in cooperation with the lenticular lenses 116, to provide the optical effect of multiple images In at least one embodiment of the invention, information 118 includes interlaced images that include a color portrait (the creation of such images is set forth hereinbelow). The information 118 could also include text or graphics that are representative of data that is desired to be displayed in the information carrier document,

or any type of variable / personal data set forth in this document. For example, textual data may include, without limitation, the name, address, status or privileges of the document bearer. The graphic data may include, without limitation, elements such as a photographic image of the carrier (in black and white, grayscale or color) of the information carrier document, the seal of the State or of the entity issuing the document, a registered trademark or other security element, such as a complex geometric pattern.

A person with a normal skill in the art will similarly appreciate information 118 other than security images could be provided on any surface of the information-carrying core layer 106 or the outer layers 102 and 108. In addition, information could also be provided. in either of the two adhesive layers 110 and 112. Similarly, a person with a normal mastery of the art will appreciate, taking into account the teachings provided herein, that information on some of these surfaces would require that the information be Print using an inverted format. In addition, a person with a normal skill in the art will appreciate that the information 118 could be distributed among a plurality of layers that are beneath the lenticular lens layer 116. Thus, it is not contemplated that the present disclosure is limited to providing the information with no particular orientation or on a particular surface.

In addition, the information can be provided on the desired surface using any known technique. For example, setting the information could include any procedure in which a marking material is applied to a substrate to generate a permanent mark. Thus, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be adapted to color and / or black and white printing techniques, such as photogravure, flexographic and lithographic printing, printing by inkjet printers (using solid or liquid inks), phase change printers, laser printing, laser engraving and electrophotographic printing. For example, the laser engraved information could be provided on the surface 104 of the information-carrying core layer 106, creating another level of security. Those skilled in the art of printing will appreciate that, with some of these printing techniques, it is not necessary that the "inks" used are necessarily conventional liquid inks, but that they could also be solid phase change inks, solid colors, stains, etc. It is contemplated that this disclosure includes any means of fixing the information to a particular desired surface.

The optimum dimensions of the lenticular lenses formed by the laminate 102 and its lenticles 116a-116n to view the information 118 depend, at least in part, on the thickness of the laminate layer 102, the thickness of the printed information 118 and the focal length which is expected to see information 118, and are adapted to suit them. For example, in one embodiment of the invention having a standard identification card of 0.752 mm thick with D2T2 printing of variable information on a TESLIN core layer, which is to be seen by a human being at a distance of approximately 30- 60 cm, the focal length is approximately 0.381 mm and depends on the distance between the edge of the lenticular lens and the information 118 printed on the core layer. In FIG. 4, the range of distances to be considered is illustrated as "A" and "B" range between approximately 0.254 and 0.508 mm.

The number of lenticles 116 per centimeter varies, in at least one embodiment of the invention, between approximately 1.77 and 3.94 lines per centimeter. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the number of required 116 lenses depends, at least in part, on the size resulting from the multiple image feature to be created, on the number of images that are interlaced to create it and / or on the Desired "oscillation" (eg, gradual or rapid) between multiple images.

Preferably, the lens 116 is transparent at least when the underlying information 118 can be seen. The underlying information 118 can be any information printed on the information carrying layer 106 or on any layer disposed between the information carrying layer 106 and the lens 116. Therefore, each document can be customized for the cardholder. As those skilled in the art understand, the design of the lens 116 dictates the degree of rotation that the ID card 100 needs to view the information. By turning the ID card 100, the first and second 130, 130 ’security images are presented to an observer appearing and disappearing.

In one embodiment, the slow 16a is designed to require a rotation of the ID card 100 to view the underlying information. Turning the ID card 100 makes the underlying information appear to appear and disappear when viewed by the lens 116, as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6. As will be described herein, the technique of printing the interlaced image on the information carrier layer 106 (for example, a core layer on an identification card) instead of on the lens (formed by the laminate layer 102 and the lens 116) allows the interlaced image to be printed with color information variable, if desired.

The lenticles 116 of FIG. 4 can be achieved in several ways, including by stamping laminated material 102 after it is laminated in the information carrier layer 106 (which is more fully described in FIGURES 11-17) and using a sheet purchased from lenticular lenses , as provided by Orasee Corporation, of Duluth, Georgia. Lenticles 116 can be achieved with any thermoplastic optical material, including, without limitation, polycarbonate, polyester, polyurethane, cellulose acetates, polystyrenes, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene. In at least one embodiment, the stamping process does not induce any crystallinity or surface deterioration. Some polyester materials show low levels of crystallinity during the printing process. Generally, this can be overcome by means of the processing conditions, but if crystallinity arises, the optical properties could be sacrificed by the reduction in transmission. Advantageously, the outer layers 102 and 114 are substantially optically clear within the visible spectrum. A suitable material is an amorphous ethylene polyterephthalate plate 34 (also called "PET"), for example the PET plate sold by Transilwrap, of Franklin Park, Illinois, under the trade name "TXP". In general, PET material has good strength and flexibility and has high abrasion resistance properties. Other suitable materials include homologous polyesters, which are reaction products of the polymerization of ethylene glycols with polycarboxylic acids.

For adhesive layers 104 and 108, in at least one embodiment of the invention, a usable adhesive material is an ethylene vinyl acetate adhesive, such as KRTY, which is the commercial designation of an adhesive available in Transilwrap. Of course, other hot or pressure activated adhesives may be used, the selection of which depends on the nature of the procedures by which the core layer 106 carrying information must be coupled to the outer protective layers 102 and 104. For an activated adhesive by heat, an ethylene and ethyl acrylate copolymer or a mixture thereof, as well as any of several polyolefin thermoimpregnations can be used.

FIGURES 7A-B are illustrative examples of a first security image, in original and pre-interlaced form, respectively, relevant to the creation of a multiple image security feature shown in the ID document of FIG. 3. FIG. 7A shows a first security image 130 (the crossing frame shown is for illustrative purposes and does not necessarily represent what is shown in an image) before interlacing. FIG. 7B illustrates what is here called the first pre-interlaced security image 132, which represents a portion of the first security image to be interlaced. The first pre-interlaced security image 132 is not necessarily an image that is created separately. Rather, the first pre-interlaced security image 132 represents an example showing the parts of the first security image 130 that could be used to create an interlaced image that could be placed as information 118 on an ID card 100 that is visible to through the lenses 116 attached to the card (see FIGURES 3-6).

FIGURES 8A-8B are illustrative examples of a second security image 130 ’, in original and pre-interlaced form, respectively, relevant to the creation of a multiple image security feature shown in the ID document of FIG. 3. FIG. 8B is similar to FIG. 7B, because it illustrates a second security pre-interlaced image 132 ’representing the portion of the second security image to be interlaced. The second security pre-interlaced image 132 ’is not necessarily an image that is created separately. Rather, the second pre-interlaced security image 132 'represents an example showing the parts of the second security image 130' that could be used to create an interlaced image that could be put as information 118 on an ID card 100 which is visible through the lenses 116 attached to the card (see FIGURES 3-6).

FIG. 9 is an illustrative example of a multiple image security feature created by interlacing the first and second security images of FIGURES 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B according to an embodiment of the invention, in the manner contemplated by the flow chart of the FIG. 10, which is described now.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative flow chart showing a procedure for creating characteristic 120 of

5 multiple image security of FIG. 9 according to an embodiment of the invention. Although this flowchart describes the procedure for creating a multiple image security feature 120 that is formed from two security images, those skilled in the art will appreciate that this procedure can be easily adapted to interlacing more than two images. In addition, although the expression “security image” is used as an example in this exhibition, it is not limited to including only image files, but

10 also characters / strings.

In step 200, the first and second desired security images (step 200) are received for this procedure. The security image can be almost any type of image or data. For example, in at least one embodiment, the security image is a string of one or more characters, such as a date of birth. The string can be of any type or color, and can include fixed and / or variable information. The

15 string can be supplied in many ways, such as from a database, entered by hand or extracted from a file.

In at least one embodiment, the security image is part of an image that was captured from a subject, such as a facial portrait, a fingerprint or a signature. For example, in at least one embodiment, several elements of such information about a subject can be stored in an object file that is usable as input of

20 security image. In one embodiment, the procedure of FIG. 10 receives information in the form of a personal object file called a .poff file (formerly called POLAROID object file). The following provides some additional information about the .poff file format used according to at least some embodiments of the invention.

Poff files

25 This file format is designed to encapsulate all the data necessary to process an individual ID card. All the data necessary to print and process the card will be included in the file. This allows this file to be transmitted as an entity over a network, in which it can be printed, presented or verified without the need for additional information. The specific fields and their order in the text area are not specified; There is provision for a separate block of labels for fields for presentation purposes. He

30 format is suitable for coding in “smart cards”, as well as for the transmission and printing of records.

Image file formats were chosen for their compatibility with AAMVA standards and for their widespread acceptance as file formats in popular applications and libraries.

Notes:

35 The AAMVA (American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators) has begun work on a transmission standard for image / text data and is reviewing its guide to recommended procedures for the image storage format. This format may have to be revised to adhere to this new standard.

The AAMVA reference standard for signatures is currently an 8-bit gray scale (JPEG

40 tablet); The standard also supports double level with CCITT group 3 or 4 as an accepted alternative. It is necessary to determine which of these formats is preferred by the market.

Typical files of the US Department of Motor Vehicles contain the following blocks:

Text block (identifier 0x0001)

JPG portrait block (identifier 0x0011 or identifier 0x0211)

45 ID-3000 or TIF signature block (identifier 0x0420 or 0x0520)

Optionally, they can include fingerprint blocks

File format

Headboard

Literal POFF (4 bytes)

Unsigned integer version (2 bytes) (high byte, major version; low byte, minor version)

Unsigned integer object count (2 bytes) Length of unsigned integer file (4 bytes)

Directory zone Control sum of unsigned integer directory (4 bytes) Identifier of unsigned integer object type (2 bytes) [beginning of directory] Length of unsigned integer object (4 bytes) Offset of unsigned integer object (4 bytes) [from the beginning of the file]… additional directory entries End of directory identifier

Data area Object type identifier 2 bytes [included in object length] Object control sum 4 bytes Object data ... additional sections of data

The checksums are the sums of unsigned 32-bit integers of all bytes in the range of the checksum; for the data sections, the range of the checksums is all the bytes that follow the checksum up to the identifier of the next object; For the directory zone, the range of checksums is all individual entries in a directory (the length should be 6 times the object count). The length

5 of the header is the original data object length (does not include the identifier in the checksum).

Structure of the standard file of the US Department of Motor Vehicles Headboard directory Text Data

10 Portrait

Firm Data formats All numerical formats are in the Intel x86 format (byte order) Color images

15 Primary format .JPG (JPEG file exchange format)

Alternative formats .TIF (TIFF compressed by JPEG) ID-3000 Version 2.2+. Format compatible with dial codes

20 Black and white images .PCX (modes compatible with CCITT group 3 or 4) .JPG (compressed 8-bit grayscale JFIF) .TIF (any file format compatible with TIFF 6 in black and white or grayscale )

Text data (or labels)

25 .CSV (comma separated value) A comma as data is represented by ESC, or by a single quote field. Two commas together indicate an empty field. All other characters must be printable ASCII text (32-126,128-254)

Data labels (16-bit unsigned integer) Text 0x0001 Text field labels 0x0002 Double-byte text 0x0101 (for use with Asian character sets) Double-byte labels 0x0102 (for use with Asian character sets) Portrait front 0x0011 JFIF (JPG file format) Left profile portrait 0x0012 JFIF (JPG file format) Right profile portrait 0x0013 JFIF (JPG file format) Front portrait 0x0111 TIFF Left profile portrait 0x0112 TIFF Right profile portrait 0x0113 TIFF Portrait front 0x0211 ID-3000 Left profile portrait 0x0212 ID-3000 Right profile portrait 0x0213 ID-3000 Signature 0x0020 Dual-level PCX (group 3 or 4) Signature 0x0120 Grayscale (JTIF compressed) Signature 0x0220 Grayscale (JTIF compressed ) Signature 0x0320 Grayscale ID-3000 Signature 0x0420 Binary ID-3000 Signature 0x0520 TIFF (any type of TIFF 6.0)

Bitmap fingerprint data Right thumb 0x0030 Right index 0x0031 Right heart 0x0032 Cancel right 0x0033 Right pinkie 0x0034 Left thumb 0x0038 Left index 0x0039 Left heart 0x003A Left ring 0x003B Left pinkie 0x003C

Thorough fingerprint data Right thumb 0x0130 Right index 0x0131 Right heart 0x0132 Cancel right 0x0133 Right pinkie 0x0134 Left thumb 0x0138 Left index 0x0139 Left heart 0x013A Left ring 0x013B Left pinkie 0x013C

Digital signature identifiers CRC procedure 0x0040 Polaroid 0x0041 bingo procedure

Data flow identifiers Barcode data PDF-417 0x0050

End of Directory 0x00FF User definable identifiers 0xFFxx (where xx 0x00 -0xFF)

Identifier pattern 0x0Fxx is reserved for special operations

Notes on identifier types

Digital signature identifiers are for improved file security. The system is a compromise solution between the encryption of the elements of the real data and leaving the data without security. An object of

5 digital signature contains a digital signature structure (defined elsewhere) that includes information about the specific object it protects. The original object is unaltered by the procedure; An application that wishes to validate the authenticity of an object constructs the signature for the object and compares it with the value stored in the field.

Data flow identifiers are used to represent data that is passed to the system for special purpose processing. They are used when the upper levels of the system do not have the ability to make sense of the contained data. A specific example of this would be when encrypted data is passed to the system for printing as a barcode.

With reference again to FIG. 10, almost any type of pairing of different (or similar) types of files with the first and second pair of security images is possible. For example, in one embodiment, the first and second security images comprise a string (for example, characters representing the date of birth) and part of a personal objects file, such as a portrait image. In one embodiment, the first and second security images comprise a pair of data from a personal object file, such as a portrait and a signature. In at least one embodiment, the first and second security images comprise data from a personal object file (for example, the image of a fingerprint) and an autonomous image, which could be a supplied image (for example, the seal of the State or a logo). Any element of the information (strings, object files, images) can be fixed or variable, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that different types of cards will have different security needs and, therefore, may require different types of image pairs. .

With reference again to FIG. 10, if the first and second security images no longer have a predetermined size and a standard bitmap shape, the first and second security images are converted (step 205) into bitmap files of a standard size. The size depends on the desired physical size of the multiple image feature of the card. In one embodiment, a software product usable to achieve conversion to a standard bitmap image is the LEAD TOOLS 12.0 FOR WINDOWS 32 product, available from Lead Technology, Inc., of Charlotte, North Carolina.

In step 210, an image row of the image is selected as the starting point to begin interlacing. The image row may comprise, for example, a single row of pixels or may, for example, be multiple rows of pixels. The size of the image row depends on various factors, such as the design of the lens (for example, the dimensions of the lens), the characteristics of the lens (for example, the lens per centimeter), the size of the first image security, the size of the second security image, the degree of change (fast or slow) that is desired between images, focal length and surface quality.

For example, suppose a lenticular lens formed in laminate 102 (FIG. 3) has approximately 90 lenticles (also called "lines") per inch ("lpi"). It is assumed, for the purposes of this example, that the lenticles are oriented such that they are aligned horizontally on a security image, although such orientation is not limiting. In this same embodiment, the first security image may have a size of 450 pixels in length by 450 pixels in width, each pixel (assuming square pixels) being approximately 0.028 mm in length on each side: an image of approximately half an inch of Length and half an inch wide. For an image with these dimensions and a lenticular lens formed in laminate 102 having 90 lenticles per inch (or 45 lenticles per half inch), there will be a lenticule approximately every 0.279 mm, or approximately every 10 pixels. Thus, one type of interlacing for the security image is to alternate every 10 pixels (for example, 10 pixels "activated" in the image, 10 pixels "deactivated" for a first security image, and the reciprocal for the second security image ). However, the inventors have determined that the optical interlacing for the security images used in the ID documents is a configuration of 5 pixels activated, 5 pixels deactivated. With reference again to step 210 of FIG. 10, what is called row size would be 10 pixels in this example.

To determine an image start row (that is, the image row in which the procedure will initiate "on-off" interlacing), the procedure of FIG. 10 uses one or more default input parameters. In one embodiment, a user may have an option, for example, of establishing that interlacing begins at the top of an image and proceeds down, at the bottom and proceeds up, somewhere in the middle and that proceed up or down. This is, in one embodiment, a parameter set, for example, for all identification documents manufactured in a given "batch".

It is envisioned that the invention can be adapted to be able to dynamically determine the initial row of the image based on the type and / or size of the first and / or second security images. For example, suppose the first security image is a full-color image portrait that has a first size and that the second security image is a text string that can vary from user to user (for example, an address) and which, therefore, may have a different "height" for different users (assuming that the text string could "jump line" to fill the available image space). The procedure of FIG. 10 and particularly step 210 can be adapted to select a starting row for interlacing depending on the "height" of the second security image to optimally provide a substantially complete interlacing between the first and second security images. Note also that varying the starting row may cause the angle of oscillation (or angle of view) of the image to change.

Although not specifically addressed in the example set out in relation to FIG. 10, step 210 of FIG. 10 also takes into account parameters such as the desired size of the final resulting interlaced image and the desired typefaces and typographic colors of any characters printed as part of the final interlaced image. Typographic colors can include single colors, multiple colors, rainbow colors, pearly colors, all colors and the like, as desired.

In step 215 of FIG. 10, if the first and second images are the same size, the process proceeds to step 230 (set forth below). Note that, in at least one embodiment, that two images are of the same "size" implies that the two images have the same height and width (in pixels). In this embodiment, if the first and second security images are not the same size, the interlaced image is created in a different file, but if the first and second images are the same size, the interlaced image is created by interlacing directly in one of the images (for the purposes of the example, we assume that the image is the first security image, but using the second one works just as well). Generally, for images of unequal size, the smaller image is intertwined in the larger image.

If the first and second security images are of different size, an interlaced file is defined (step 217) and the interlaced data is written to it from the first and second security images. The interlacing file has a bitmap format. This begins by writing the desired starting image from the first security image to the interlacing file (step 220). For example, if the first security image corresponded to the example of 450 by 450 described above, the initial row of the image could be the first 10 rows of pixels in the first security image. Next, the desired initial row of the image (in this example, also 10 rows of pixels) from the second security image (step 225) is written. In one embodiment, this row is written in the interlaced file to be placed directly adjacent to the row just written from the first security image. As shown in steps 225, 230 and 235, this procedure alternates in reciprocating from the first security image to the second until the desired amount of interlacing is complete or one of the images "runs out" without rows of pixels. Note that the procedure of FIG. 10 can be adapted so that only partial interlacing is required (for example, interlacing, say, the equivalent of 40 image lenses), so that the process of steps 225 to 235 can be stopped when the desired amount of interlacing is reached .

If one of the images runs out of rows, the rows of the other image are still written to the interlaced file, alternating with “empty” rows, until either rows of the image remain or the desired interlacing is completed (stage 240). In this embodiment, by "empty" it is intended that the other image be overwritten with whatever the background color (eg, white, but does not need to be white) having the information carrier layer 106. The interlaced image file is then complete (step 245) and ready to be provided to a printer for printing on a card (step 250). In at least one embodiment, the resulting interlaced image file resembles the file shown in FIG. 9.

With reference again to step 215, if the first and second security images are the same size, it is not necessary to create a new interlaced image file (although in at least one embodiment it is contemplated that it can be created, despite everything, a new interlaced image file similar to that described in steps 217 to 250). Rather, one of the security images can be "converted" into an interlaced image file through steps 255 to 250. By way of example only, it is assumed here that the first security image has to be "converted" in the interlaced images file.

The starting row of the image is retained in the first security image (step 255) (note that the initial row of the image and subsequent rows of the image are the same as defined above). The next row of the image in the first security image is overwritten with the starting row of the image from the second security image (step 260). This procedure continues (alternatively overwriting the rows of the image in the first security image) until the desired degree of interlacing is achieved or all rows are interlaced (step 265). The resulting interlaced image will have a general appearance similar to that of the image of FIG. 9, but will show the interlacing of two images of similar size. As a consequence of steps 255 to 265, the file of the first security image has been converted into an interlaced image file (steps 270 and 275) and is ready to be printed on the substrate.

People with a normal skill in the art will appreciate that various printing technologies can be used, including, without limitation, Indigo printing (variable offset), laser xerography (variable printing), offset printing (fixed printing) and jetting. ink (variable printing) to print the information 118 (which may include the interlaced image file mentioned above) in the information carrier core layer 106. The information can be printed using dots or lines of different colors to form text or images. The information may also comprise four-color or Pantone colors. Multiple image features may include personal information in a color format.

In one embodiment of the invention, the ID card 100 of FIG. 3 can be produced in a high volume centralized shipping environment. FIG. 11 is an illustrative diagram of a first system 500 for issuing centralized cards that can be used to produce the ID document of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the invention. System 500 includes an image forming system 505, a laminator and die cutter system 504 and a document production and control system 506.

The imaging system includes a 508 reverse printer to print the back of the card and a front 510 printer to print the front of the card. Each printer has its own 514, 515 high speed driver. The laminator and die cutter system 504 includes a laminator 522, a stamper 524, a stamper 558 and a laminator / stamper / stamper 553 controller. In one embodiment, the laminator / stamping / stamping controller contributes to implementing the procedure of FIG. 10.

The document production control system includes the central servers 540, a report station 534, a quality control station 536 and a 530 envelope printer and sealer. The DC station 536 and its associated barcode scanner (not shown) can be used by an operator to scan the barcode of a defective sheet or document. Keyboard input can also be used to report documents and sheets or to check them.

The production of the ID document begins in the imaging system 505, in which 508 of reverse card substrates are supplied to the printer, such as preprinted TESLIN sheets 516. The reverse sides of the TESLIN 516 sheets can be customized with the desired information (for example, restriction codes or other exclusive information from each document on the sheet). In addition, barcodes can be added to track documents throughout the production process. When the TESLIN sheet enters the second section of the imaging system 505, the obverse printer 510 prints the appropriate portrait and signature images on the front of the documents based on personalized information, stored in a file, of the bearer of the card. The obverse printer 510 also prints the interlaced images (which, in one embodiment, come from an interlaced image file accessible to the laminator / stamper / stamper 553 controller) on the obverse of the TESLIN 516 sheets. Note that, since a plurality of ID documents are produced simultaneously, the front end printer 510 can print an interlaced image file for each document at the appropriate locations of the TESLIN sheets

516. The output of the front 510 printer is 550 sheets of documents printed on the front and back.

As the completed sheets accumulate in the output reservoir of the imaging system 505, in one embodiment, an operator conducts a visual inspection and transfers the completed sheets to the entrance reservoir of the laminator / stacker system 505 / die cutter. Any sheet that does not pass the visual inspection can be taken to the DC station 536, where the barcode is scanned and the production of a replacement is automatically ordered. Then, the failed sheets are destroyed.

When the document sheets 550 are about to enter the system 504 of the laminator / stamper / die cutter, automatic scanners confirm that the obverse and reverse sides of the 550 sheets coincide, that the 550 sheets have not glued together and that 550 sheets are turned face up. After the scanning process, laminator 522 applies the desired laminate material (for example, polyester) to the material on both sides (front and back) to all sheets to form a continuous web of laminated sheets. Then, the stamper 524 stamps the laminate to form the lenticles 116 (FIG. 3). In at least one embodiment, alignment marks printed on one or both sides of the sheets 550 contribute to accurately orienting the stamper 524 so that the characteristic of the lenticular lenses is correctly formed on the interlaced images 120 printed on the sheets 550. More details on the 524 press are provided below.

The continuous strip of laminated sheets leaves the stamper and then passes to the die cutter 558, which cuts the sheet into individual documents. Once the ID documents are produced and they are given a final quality control inspection, they are supplied to the printer and 530 envelope sealer. The printer and envelope sealer prints the applicant's address on the card holder and inserts the ID document into the holder. The support is then inserted into an envelope for mailing.

FIG. 12 is a detailed view of section 526 of the stamper 524 of FIG. 11. The detailed view shows that a printing machine according to an embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of lenticular dies 554, an insulating plate 544 and a heating bar 542 on the insulating plate. The heating bar 542 of the insulating plate contributes to maintaining the laminate in the die 554 at a temperature suitable for the deformation necessary to produce lenticles during stamping.

Although not visible in FIG. 12, the stamper 524 is upward and downward motion layer 548 to achieve the stamping process (the techniques for doing this are not described here and are supposed to be within the skill of a person skilled in the art). Various parameters, such as time, temperature, pressure, press stroke and die design, can be adapted to optimize the operation of the 524 press for a given ID document, laminate and lenticle size. For example, in one embodiment, when polycarbonate materials are used, the stamper 524 uses a temperature of 218.33 degrees Celsius for 5 seconds at a pressure of 137.90 kPa according to the meter. When a PET material is used, a temperature of 135 degrees Celsius is used for 5 seconds and a pressure of 137.90 kPa. The press stroke is calibrated so that die 554 only penetrates the laminate surface to stamp the lenticules. If the race is too large, the deformation of the card will be excessive. The running time and the temperature are related to each other, because a minimum amount of heat is required to form the lenses 116. The higher the temperature 218 of the die, the shorter the time required to form the lens, and vice versa . The pressure and the stroke of the press 216 are calibrated to minimize card deformation. The deformation can occur over the entire thickness of the ID card 100 and be shown on the back of the card or on the edges of the card. By optimizing these settings, these effects are reduced to create an acceptable ID card 100.

The plurality of lenticular dies 554 allows the printing of a corresponding plurality of ID documents passing in the direction 552 of orientation of the ID documents. Specifically, each 554 lenticular die is capable of creating a plurality of lenticles in the laminate that covers each interlaced image printed in the respective ID document. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, there are 7 lenticular dies 554 that can substantially stamp simultaneously 7 different ID documents that are part of the printed sheets 550. However, it will be appreciated that the laminator 524 of FIGURES 11 and 12 could also be adapted to stamp a only one ID document at a time (for example, without subsequent punching) or for stamping documents that are passed in a different way to sheets to be stamped, such as a continuous band of 1 per n (where n is the number of documents of ID) go through the 524 stamper.

FIGURES 13A-D are illustrative top, cross-sectional, enlarged, and isometric views, respectively, of the lenticular die 554 of the press of FIG. 11. The 554 lenticular die can be formed from many different materials, including metals, ceramics, compounds and the like.

The quality of the surface of the die 554 can have a significant impact on the quality of the "activated and deactivated" effect of the lenticles it forms. For example, if a rough surface is generated from the manufacturing process of the stamping die 554, the rough surface could be transferred to the lenticular lens 116 and the functionality could be affected accordingly. Note also that various machining processes can be used to create different depths of the sinusoidal patterns of the die 554 shown in FIG. 13 (c). In one embodiment, electroerosive machining (EDM) procedures are used to make the die 218 having a surface roughness of 16 or better.

In one embodiment, the resulting lenticles formed by the die 554 can be improved by electrolytically depositing various materials such as TEFLON, Polyond, Ni plating, Cu plating or Cr plating on the die 554. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, plating It depends on the material of the die and the compatibility of the plated material.

In one embodiment, the die 554 can be plated and then coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene coating to reduce the adhesion of the die 554 to the laminate. With reference to FIGURES 3 and 13, the material of the upper outer layers 102 phototransmitters may require some mold release agents to prevent the die 218 from sticking to the ID card 100 after the stamping procedure. When the die 554 begins to rise from the surface of the ID card 100, the die 554 can adhere to the ID card 100, the ID card 100 and the lens 116 will deform and produce a deficient product. The level of demoulding is a factor in the formulation of a material that optimizes this procedure. External release agents can be used in conjunction with internal release agents to improve the process. The type of exterior demoulding will also have an effect.

For purposes of further illustration, FIGURES 14A-D are cross-sectional, perspective, side and edge views, respectively, of the insulating plate of the press of FIG. 11, and FIGURES 15A-D are top views, in cross-section, at the edge and in perspective, respectively, of the heating bar of the insulating plate of FIGURES 14A-D and FIG. 11. The insulating plate and the heating bar can be formed of any suitable material, including mild steel (CRS), Glastherm and high temperature insulating material.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart of a first manufacturing process of the ID document of FIG. 3 using the system of FIG. 11 according to an embodiment of the invention. The detailed description of these steps of the procedure in connection with the description accompanying FIGURES 3, 10, 11, 12 and 13 has already been carried out and is not repeated here.

The embodiments described above were provided to illustrate an aspect of the invention, in which multiple ID documents can be made with multiple images having a lenticular lens feature by laminating the ID document and then stamping a lenticular lens on the laminate. . However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited solely to the formation of a lenticular lens after lamination in the manner described above. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that lenticles can be formed after lamination in many different ways. For example, in at least some embodiments of the invention, the lenticles 116 of the identification documents described herein can be created by physically removing part of the laminate to achieve the desired shape, for example pickling, etching, grinding, scraping, stamping , sanding, bending, filing, cutting, inscribing and the like. Laminate removal can be done using any known tooling, by chemical procedures (eg, chemical pickling) or with a laser. It is also contemplated that, in at least some embodiments of the invention, a mold could be used to form the laminate by creating lenticles as the laminate is applied to the information carrier layer 106.

It is not clear at the time of presentation if roll laminates are available that contain a lens formed by extrusion or a laminate with previously formed lenses and respective alignment marks for subsequent lamination procedures to form ID documents. However, the invention proposes, below, a process for manufacturing such roll rolling.

In another aspect of the invention, the formation of lenticles 116 in the laminate 102 occurs prior to the lamination of the laminate on the information carrier layer 106. For example, stamping of laminate 102 with lenticles can occur before lamination. In one embodiment, an ID document with multiple images can be formed using laminated sheets having lenticular lenses already formed thereon. A separate processing step can be used to form the lenticular lenses in the laminate. This embodiment of the invention can be achieved using a system similar to the system shown in FIG. 11. However, instead of providing a 524 stamper, a system of this aspect provides a roll of sheet material that includes lenticular lenses formed thereon. Advantageously, the laminate having lenticular lenses formed thereon also includes alignment marks within the laminate to help precisely align the lenticular lens with the interlaced image when the laminate is laminated on the image.

For example, FIG. 17 is a flow chart of a manufacturing process of the ID document of FIG. 3 in a centralized delivery environment in which the creation of lenticles in the laminate 103 occurs before lamination; FIG. 18 is an illustrative diagram of a second 500 ’centralized card production system that can be used to produce the ID document of FIG. 3 according to the procedure of FIG. 17; and FIG. 19 is an illustration of a portion of a roll 800 of laminate showing a laminate having lenticular lenses 116 formed therein.

With reference to FIG. 17, a laminate is provided (step 700). The laminate can be any previously described laminate that is also capable of receiving the form of lenticles. As those skilled in the art will readily understand, the laminate can be supplied in any usable form, such as granules, powder, thermopreg and the like. The laminate is extruded (step 703) in a manner known to those skilled in the art, and then laminated is processed so that predetermined areas of the laminate have lenticular lens characteristics (such as lenticles 116 of FIGURES 3 and 4) formed on the same. In one embodiment, the processing of the laminate comprises the use of one or more known methods for forming or stamping the lenticular shapes in predetermined areas of the laminate, before the laminate is laminated onto the card. Such methods may include, for example, stamping rollers, vacuum drums, vacuum forming dies, corrugators and chain-mounted inlay presses, cutters, drills, etc., all of which are described, for example, on pages 354 -360 by Sidney Levy and James F. Carley, Plastics Extrusion Technology Handbook (2nd ed., New York, 1989). In addition, one or more procedures detailed in the following US patents, in at least some embodiments of the present invention, can also be used to form the lenticles in the laminate: patents Nos. 2,815,310, 3,496,263, 4,765,656,

5,560,799. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, prior to lamination of the card, certain laminates may have lenticles formed thereon by pickling, engraving, grinding, scraping, stamping, sanding, bending, filing, cutting, inscription and the like.

With reference again to FIG. 17, after the lens or lenses are formed in the laminate, alignment information is applied to the laminate (710) to ensure that the laminate is properly aligned with the information carrier document (s) to which it is fixed. FIG. 19 is an illustration of a portion of a sheet of a roll 800 of laminate prior to step 715. In FIG. 19 it can be seen that a plurality of lenticular lenses 116 are formed in an aligned manner on the laminate sheet 800. The laminate sheet 800 of this example has been formed with dividing lines 800 on it to further assist in the subsequent alignment and in the lamination on the information carrier layer 106. Dotted lines 810 are provided for illustrative purposes only (these lines are not necessarily on the laminate) to show where the divisions between ID documents are. An alignment mark 812 is provided on one side of the laminate 800 which will also help when the laminate 800 is then coupled into the information carrier layer 106.

In at least one embodiment, the laminate sheet 800 is part of a larger laminate sheet that ends up being rolled (step 715) so that it can be used as the special laminate 559 of FIG. 18. With reference to FIGURES 17 and 18, when documents 550 are supplied to laminator 522, the laminate is aligned so that each respective lenticular lens 116 is properly aligned with a corresponding multiple image feature on the carrier layer 106 of information (step 720). Then, the identification documents can be laminated (step 725) and stamped (step 730), as previously described.

It should be understood that the multiple lenticular image information of at least some embodiments of the invention can be provided in any color, not just black. This is achieved, at least in part, because the interlaced image is printed directly on the card and is produced using the original images. If the original images are in color, then the interlaced image may have the same color replicated in it.

Having described and illustrated the principles of technology with reference to specific implementations, it will be recognized that the technology can be implemented in many other different ways.

Although certain words, expressions, phrases, terminology and product brands have been used in this document to describe the various features of the embodiments of the invention, it is not considered that their use is limiting. The use of a word, a phrase, an expression, terminology or a product brand is intended to include all grammatical, literal, scientific, technical and functional equivalents. The terminology used in this document is for the purpose of the description and not the limitation.

The technology disclosed in this document can be used in combination with other technologies. Examples include the detailed technology in the following applications: 09 / 747,735 (filed on December 22, 2000), 09 / 969,200 (filed on October 2, 2001). In addition, instead of ID documents, the techniques of the invention can be employed with product labels, product packaging, business cards, bags, graphics, maps, labels, etc., etc., particularly those elements that include the marking of an overlaminated structure. In addition, although some of the above examples have been disclosed with specific core components, it is noted that laminates can be sensitized for use with other core components.

In order to provide an exhaustive disclosure without unduly lengthening the report, the applicant hereby incorporates by reference each of the patents and patent applications referred to above.

The particular combinations of elements and features in the detailed embodiments mentioned above are only exemplary; The exchange and replacement of these teachings with other teachings in this and other patents / applications incorporated by reference are also expressly contemplated. As those skilled in the art will recognize, variations, modifications and other implementations of what is described herein may occur to persons with a normal mastery of the art without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Consequently, the above description is by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting. The scope of the invention is defined in the following claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims (13)

1. A procedure to create a secure identification document with multiple images comprising: provide information on an information carrying layer, the information being constructed and arranged so that it is capable of providing multiple images when the information is viewed at predetermined angles by means of an appropriate lens; cover the information with a layer of a substantially transparent film material; stamping a lens profile on a selected portion of the substantially transparent film material at a first location, wherein the selected portion of the substantially transparent film material comprises an area that is smaller than the entire area of the substantially transparent film material and in that the first location substantially coincides with the location of the information provided in the information carrier layer, the lens profile forms a lens in a portion of the substantially transparent film material and the lens allows the information seen through the Lens present multiple images when information is viewed with predetermined angles.

2.

The method of claim 1 wherein the information comprises information in at least one color.

3.

The method of claim 1 wherein the information comprises a full color image.

Four.

The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the multiple images comprises variable information.

5.

The method of claim 1 wherein providing information in the information carrier layer comprises at least printing the information or engraving the information by laser.

6.

The method of claim 1 wherein the stamped profile of the lens comprises a lenticular lens.

7.

The method of claim 1 which further comprises laminating the information carrier layer in the film material layer.

8.

An information bearing document that includes:

a core layer; an interlaced image formed in the core layer, the interlaced image comprising first and second images, the interlaced image being constructed and arranged to allow the first and second images to be visible at a respective predetermined angle first and second when the first and second images are views through a predetermined lenticular lens; Y a substantially transparent layer operably coupled to the core layer, the substantially transparent layer comprising at least a first portion without a lenticular lens formed therein and at least a second portion having a lenticular lens formed therein, the lenticular lens being located at a predetermined location selected to be superimposed on at least a portion of the interlaced image when the substantially transparent layer is coupled to the core layer and in which the lenticular lens is constructed and arranged to be operable with the interlaced image to allow the First and second images in the interlaced image are visible through the lenticular lens with two different respective angles.

9.

The information carrier document of claim 8 wherein the interlaced image includes at least one image comprising personalized information.

10.

The information carrier document of claim 8 wherein the interlaced image includes at least one color image.

eleven.

The information carrier document of claim 8 wherein the lenticular lens is formed in the substantially transparent layer by stamping the lens in the substantially transparent layer.

12.

The information carrier document of claim 8 wherein the interlaced image is formed such that the interlacing arrangement depends on at least one parameter associated with at least one of the first and second interlaced images.

13.

The information carrier document of claim 12 wherein the parameter comprises at least one of the following elements: image type, image size, data type, lenticular lens size, lenticular lens arrangement, typographic size , typographic color, image color, image dimensions and starting point of interlacing.