Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20070152067?dq=patent:+7360079
Timestamp: 2017-10-22 09:23:38
Document Index: 725119657

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60']

Patent US20070152067 - Covert variable information on ID documents and methods of making same - Google Patents
In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing an identification document is provided. The method includes: providing a substrate constructed and arranged to receive printing thereon; printing a first variable indicium on the substrate, where the first variable indicium is not visible to the human eye...http://www.google.com/patents/US20070152067?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20070152067 - Covert variable information on ID documents and methods of making same
Publication number US20070152067 A1
Application number US 11/472,507
Publication date Jul 5, 2007
Priority date Dec 24, 2001
Also published as CA2471457A1, CA2471457C, EP1459239A1, EP1459239A4, EP1459239B1, US7063264, US7798413, US20030173406, WO2003056500A1, WO2003056500B1
Publication number 11472507, 472507, US 2007/0152067 A1, US 2007/152067 A1, US 20070152067 A1, US 20070152067A1, US 2007152067 A1, US 2007152067A1, US-A1-20070152067, US-A1-2007152067, US2007/0152067A1, US2007/152067A1, US20070152067 A1, US20070152067A1, US2007152067 A1, US2007152067A1
Inventors Daoshen Bi, Robert Jones
Original Assignee Daoshen Bi, Jones Robert L
Patent Citations (99), Referenced by (20), Classifications (24), Legal Events (5)
US 20070152067 A1
In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing an identification document is provided. The method includes: providing a substrate constructed and arranged to receive printing thereon; printing a first variable indicium on the substrate, where the first variable indicium is not visible to the human eye in ambient light but is visible to the human eye when viewed using a first type of light; and printing a second variable indicium on the substrate, the second variable indicium being visible when viewed using ambient light. Other methods, systems and documents are provided as well.
providing a thermal transfer printing medium comprising a first panel, the first panel comprising a color component that is not visible to the human eye in ambient light but is visible to the human eye when viewed using a first type of light; and
applying heat to a portion of the first panel so as to form a first variable indicium on a substrate, where the first variable indicium is not visible to the human eye in ambient light but is visible to the human eye when viewed using the first type of light.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first type of light is at least one of ultraviolet and infrared light.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the thermal transfer printing medium further comprises a second panel, the second panel comprising a second color component associated with a second color, the second color component being not visible to the human eye in ambient light.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first color component comprises a thermally diffuseable dye dissolved in a resin.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the thermally diffuseable dye comprises at least one of an ultraviolet (UV) and an infrared (IR) dye.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first variable indicium appears to comprise at least a first color when the first variable indicium is viewed using the first type of light.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first variable indicium appears to comprise at least two colors when viewed using the first type of light.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first variable indicium appears to have at least a first color when viewed using the first type of light and at least a second color when viewed using a second type of light.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first variable indicium comprises a full color image.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer printing medium further comprises a second thermal transfer panel, the second thermal transfer panel comprising a colorant visible to the human eye in a second type of light, the second type of light being different than the first type of light, and wherein the method further comprises:
printing a second variable indicium on the substrate using the second thermal transfer panel, the second variable indicium being visible when viewed using the second type of light.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the second thermal transfer panel further comprises a covert colorant that is invisible to the human eye in ambient light and wherein the second variable indicium is viewable in both ambient light and in the first type of light.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein the first variable indicium is at least partially superimposed over the second variable indicium.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first variable indicium is constructed and arranged so that at least a portion of the first variable indicium is diffused within the substrate and a portion of the first variable indicium is disposed on top of the substrate.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer printing medium is part of a dye diffusion thermal transfer printing medium, the dye diffusion thermal transfer printing medium comprising at least one dye diffusion panel, the dye diffusion panel comprising a visible colorant visible to the human eye in ambient light, and wherein the method further comprises printing a second variable indicium on the substrate using the dye diffusion panel.
15. An identification document, comprising:
a first variable indicium printed to the substrate using a thermal transfer printing medium comprising a first panel, the first panel comprising a color component that is not visible to the human eye in ambient light but is visible to the human eye when viewed using a first type of light, wherein the first variable indicium is not visible to the human eye in ambient light but is visible to the human eye when viewed using the first type of light.
16. The identification document of claim 15, wherein the substrate further comprises a second variable indicium, the second indicium being visible to the human eye in a second type of light.
17. The identification document of claim 16, wherein the second type of light is visible light.
18. A method for manufacturing an identification document, comprising:
providing a substrate constructed and arranged to receive printing thereon;
printing a first variable indicium on the substrate, where the first variable indicium is not visible to the human eye in ambient light but is visible to the human eye when viewed using a first type of light; and
printing a second variable indicium on the substrate, the second variable indicium being visible when viewed using ambient light.
19. The method of claim 19 wherein the first variable indicium is at least partially superimposed over the second variable indicium.
20. An identification document made according to the method of claim 18.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/330,032, filed Dec. 24, 2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,063,264), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/344,686, filed Dec. 24, 2001 and 60/371,335, flied Apr. 9, 2002. Each of these above patent documents is hereby incorporated by reference.
This application also is related to the following U.S. provisional patent applications, which were filed Dec. 24, 2001:
Sensitizing Materials For Laser Engraving (Application No. 60/344,677, Attorney Docket No. P0503—Inventor: Brian LaBrec);
Full Color Laser Engraved System For Identification Card Imaging (Application No. 60/344,674, Attorney Docket No. P0504—Inventor: Robert Jones);
Reducing Cracking In Identification Documents (Application No. 60/344,710, Attorney Docket No. P0507—Inventors: Robert Jones and Lori Shah);
An Inkjet Receiver On Teslin Sheet (Application No. 60/344,685, Attorney Docket No. P0508—Inventors: Daoshen Bi and Drank Dai);
Laser Engraving Coating System (Application No. 60/344,675, Attorney Docket No. P0515—Inventor: Brain LaBrec);
Forming Variable Information In Identification Documents By Laser Ablation (Application No. 60/344,676, Attorney Docket No. P0516—Inventor: Brian LaBrec);
Laser Etched Security Feature (Application No. 60/344,716, Attorney Docket No. P0517—Inventors: George Theodossiou and Robert Jones);
Manufacture Of Contact Smart Cards (Application No. 60/344,717, Attorney Docket No. P0518—Inventors: Thomas Regan and Robert Jones);
Manufacture Of Contact-Less Smart Cards (Application No. 60/344,719, Attorney Docket No. P0519—Inventors: Daoshen Bi, Robert Jones and John Lincoln);
Manufacture Of An All-Pet Identification Document (Application No. 60/344,673, Attorney Docket No. P0520—Inventors: Thomas Regan and Robert Jones);
Tamper Evident Coating To Combat Heat Intrusion (Application No. 60/344,709, Attorney Docket No. P0521—Inventor: Brian LaBrec);
Pressure Sensitive UV Curable Adhesive Composition (Application No. 60/344,753, Attorney Docket No. P0522—Inventor: William Rice);
Heat Activated UV Curable Adhesive Composition (Application No. 60/344,688, Attorney Docket No. P0523—Inventor: William Rice);
Security Ink With Cohesive Failure (Application No. 60/344,698, Attorney Docket No. P0524—Inventor Bentley Bloomberg);
Variable Based Identification Documents With Security Features (Application No. 60/344,686, Attorney Docket No. P0525—Inventors: Robert Jones and Daoshen Bi);
Multiple Image Feature For Identification Document (Application No. 60/344,718, Attorney Docket No. P0526—Inventor: Brian LaBrec);
Biometric Identification System (Application No. 60/344,682, Attorney Docket No. P0527—Inventor: Thomas Lopolito);
Identification Document Using Polasecure In Differing Colors (Application No. 60/344,687, Attorney Docket No. P0528—Inventors: Bentley Bloomberg and Robert Jones); and
Secure Id Card With Multiple Images and Method of Making (Application No. 60/344,683, Attorney Docket No. P0529—Inventor: Brian LaBrec).
Identification Document and Related Methods (Application No. 60/421,254, Attorney Docket No. P0703—Inventors: Geoff Rhoads, et al);
Identification Document and Related Methods (Application No. 60/418,762, Attorney Docket No. P0696—Inventors: Geoff Rhoads, et al);
Image Processing Techniques for Printing Identification Cards and Documents (Application No. 60/371,335—Inventors: Nelson T. Schneck and Charles R. Duggan);
Shadow Reduction System and Related Techniques for Digital Image Capture (Application No. 60/410,544—Inventors: Scott D. Haigh and Tuan A. Hoang);
Systems and Methods for Recognition of Individuals Using Combination of Biometric Techniques (Application No. 60/418,129, Attorney Docket No. P0698D—Inventors James Howard and Francis Frazier, filed Oct. 11, 2002);
Methods of Providing Optical Variable Device for Identification Documents (Application No. 60/429,115, Attorney Docket No. P0720D—Inventors Jones et al.)
Systems and Methods for Managing and Detecting Fraud in Image Databases Used with Identification Documents (Application No. 60/429,501, Attorney Docket No. P0718D—Inventors James Howard and Francis Frazier, filed Nov. 26, 2002);
Identification Card Printed with Jet Inks and Systems and Methods of Making Same (Application Ser. No. 10/289,962, Attorney Docket No. P0708D—Inventors Robert Jones, Daoshen Bi, and Dennis Mailloux, filed Nov. 6, 2002);
The present invention is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/747,735, filed Dec. 22, 2000, and Ser. No. 09/602,313, filed Jun. 23, 2000, Ser. No. 10/094,593, filed Mar. 6, 2002, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/358,321, filed Feb. 19, 2002, as well as U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,594.
This application is also related to the following United States Provisional Applications, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:
Variable Based Identification Documents With Security Features (Application No. 60/344,686, Attorney Docket No. P0525—Inventors: Robert Jones and Daoshen Bi, filed Dec. 24, 2001); and
Image Processing Techniques for Printing Identification Cards and Documents (Application No. 60/371,335, Attorney Docket No. P0609—Inventors: Nelson Schneck and Charles Duggan, filed Apr. 9, 2002); and
Image Processing Techniques for Printing Identification Cards and Documents (Application No. not yet assigned, filed Nov. 25, 2002—Inventors: Nelson T. Schneck and Charles R. Duggan).
The invention relates in general to identification documents and security features for identification documents. In particular, the invention relates to printing covert variable or personal information on identification documents, such that the covert variable or personal information is not identifiable in visible light but is identifiable when viewed in a predetermined non-visible light.
Identification documents (hereafter “ID documents”) play a critical role in today's society. One 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 secure area, to evidence driving privileges, to cash a check, and so on. Airplane passengers are required to show an ID document during check in, security screening, and prior to boarding their flight. In addition, because we live in an ever-evolving cashless society, ID documents are used to make payments, access an automated teller machine (ATM), debit an 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 thereon certain items of information which relate to the identity of the bearer. Examples of such information include name, address, birth date, signature and photographic image; the cards or documents may in addition carry other variant data (i.e., data specific to a particular card or document, for example an employee number) and invariant data (i.e., data common to a large number of cards, for example the name of an employer). All of the cards described above will hereinafter be generically referred to as “ID documents”.
Referring to FIG. 2, the ID document 10 comprises a pre-printed core 20 (also referred to as a substrate). In many applications, the core can be a light-colored, opaque material, such as, for example, white polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material that is, for example, about 25 mil thick. The core 20 is laminated with a transparent material, such as clear PVC material 22, which, by way of example, can be about 1-5 mil thick. The composite of the core 20 and clear PVC material 22 form a so-called “card blank” 25 that can be up to about 30 mils thick. Information 26 a-c is printed on the card blank 25 using a method such as Dye Diffusion Thermal Transfer (“D2T2”) printing (described further below and also in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,594, which is incorporated hereto by reference in its entirety.) The information 26 a-c can, for example, comprise an indicium or indicia, such as the invariant or nonvarying information common to a large number of identification documents, for example the name and logo of the organization issuing the documents. The information 26 a-c may be formed by any known process capable of forming the indicium on the specific core material used.
To protect the information 26 a-c that is printed, an additional layer of overlaminate 24 can be coupled to the card blank 25 and printing 26 a-c using, for example, 1 mil of overlaminate. The overlaminate 24 can be substantially transparent. Materials suitable for forming such protective layers are known to those skilled in the art of making identification documents and any of the conventional materials may be used provided they have sufficient transparency. Examples of usable materials for overlaminates include biaxially oriented polyester or other optically clear durable plastic film.
Dye diffusion thermal transfer printing (“D2T2”) and thermal transfer, (also referred to as mass transfer printing) are two printing techniques that have been used to print information on identification cards. For example, D2T2 has been used to print images and pictures, and thermal transfer has been used to print text, bar codes, and single color graphics.
D2T2 is a thermal imaging technology that allows for the production of photographic quality images. In the art, D2T2 has sometimes been referred to as “dye sub”, but D2T2 is not, in fact, really a dye sublimation process. Rather, D2T2 is a diffusion process, and use of the term “D2T2” herein is not intended to include dye sublimation processes. In D2T2 printing, one or more thermally transferable dyes (e.g., cyan, yellow, and magenta) are transferred from a donor, such as a donor dye sheet or a set of panels (or ribbons) that are coated with a dye (e.g., cyan, magenta, yellow, black, etc.) to a receiver sheet (which could, for example, be part of an ID document) by the localized application of heat or pressure, via a stylus or thermal printhead at a discrete point. When the dyes are transferred to the receiver, the dyes diffuse into the sheet (or ID card substrate), where the dyes will chemically be bound to the substrate or, if provided, to a receptor coating. Typically, printing with successive color panels across the document creates an image in or on the document's surface. D2T2 can result in a very high printing quality, especially because the energy applied to the thermal printhead can vary to vary the dye density in the image pixels formed on the receiver, to produce a continuous tone image. D2T2 can have an increased cost as compared to other methods, however, because of the special dyes needed and the cost of D2T2 ribbons. Also, the quality of a D2T2-printed image may depend at least on an ability of a mechanical printer system to accurately spatially register a printing sequence, e.g., yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.).
Both D2T2 and thermal ink have been combined in a single ribbon, which is the well-known YMCK (Yellow-Magenta-Cyan-Black) ribbon (the letter “K” is used to designate the color black in the printing industry). Another panel containing a protectant (“P”) or laminate (typically a clear panel) also can be added to the YMCK ribbon)
Many color images are formed by subtractive techniques, e.g., light is passed through absorbing dyes and the combination of dyes produce an image by sequentially subtracting cyan, magenta, and yellow components to provide the full color image. In the example of a UV fluorescing image, the UV image is formed by light emitting from fluorescing dyes or pigments as they are activated by a UV light energy source. In some implementations, a special pigments or dyes used to form a given image can fluoresce in a first color when exposed to light having a first wavelength and a second color when exposed to light having a second wavelength.
For example, the assignee of the present invention has developed and marketed a proprietary product called PolaPrime-UV™. PolaPrime-UV™ is a type of security feature One application of PolaPrime-UV™ is for full color photo quality printing of fixed (i.e., not variable data) fluorescent images. The artwork that can be printed using PolaPrime-UV™ includes many images that can be produced with a combination of red, green, and blue phosphors. Under the appropriate light (e.g., a light source capable of providing UV light), the effect seen when viewing an image printed with PolaPrime-UV™ is similar in appearance to a television screen in that the image is formed by emission of light rather than reflection as with ink on paper. To date, PolaPrime-UV™ has been a reliable authenticator for genuine identification documents. Because PolaPrime-UV™ is a fixed process and has no variable capability, PolaPrime-UV™ has only been used for pre-printed or non-variable data, not personalized or variable full color images.
In another aspect, for at least the printing of UV information that comprises characters or single color images (e.g., simple logos or graphics), the inventors have discovered that using a thermal transfer approach to print full color UV images can overcome at least some of the problems that can be seen when printing UV information using D2T2 printing. In one embodiment, thermally diffusible UV dyes are used with a mass transfer medium, resulting in a UV image that is disposed both on top of and into the medium to which the UV image is printed. Having an image that is formed both on top of and into a medium can increase the security of the image that was printed, because even if the portion of the image that is on “top” of the medium is removed (e.g., in an attempt at alteration), the portion of the image that is disposed “into” the medium remains.
In a further aspect, the image to be printed in UV is digitally manipulated so that a UV image is printed on an identification document using only two of the three colors, printing a so-called “false two color” UV image. In one embodiment, the two colors comprise yellow and at least one of cyan and magenta. The “false two color” UV image is printed using UV dyes. We have found that one, two or three UV colors, as well as false two color, images printed in accordance with the invention can be of “identification quality” (i.e., good enough discernibility enough to be used for identification purposes).
FIG. 3F is an illustrative example of a fifth ID document in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention, as viewed in both ultraviolet and infrared light.
FIGS. 10A-E are illustrative examples of megapixel densities used with at least one embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 14 a-14 g are images illustrating an inventive aspect of the present invention, and in particular:
FIG. 14 e illustrates a composite image of FIGS. 14 c and 14 d;
FIG. 14 f illustrates a binaryized version of FIG. 14 e; and
FIG. 14 g illustrates an inverted version of FIG. 14 f.
FIG. 15 is a cross section of the ID document of FIG. 3A, taken along the 1C line, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and
In addition, in the foregoing discussion, “identification” at least refers to the use of an ID document to provide identification and/or authentication of a user and/or the ID document itself. For example, in a conventional driver's license, one or more portrait images on the card are intended to show a likeness of the authorized holder of the card. For purposes of identification, at least one portrait on the card preferably shows an “identification quality” likeness of the holder such that someone viewing the card can determine with reasonable confidence whether the holder of the card actually is the person whose image is on the card. “Identification quality” images, in at least one embodiment of the invention, include covert images that, when viewed using the proper facilitator (e.g., an appropriate light source), provide a discernable image that is usable for identification or authentication purposes.
Of course, it is appreciated that certain images may be considered to be “identification quality” if the images are machine readable or recognizable, even if such images do not appear to be “identification quality” to a human eye, whether or not the human eye is assisted by a particular piece of equipment, such as a special light source. For example, in at least one embodiment of the invention, an image or data on an ID document can be considered to be “identification quality” if it has embedded in it machine-readable information (such as digital watermarks) that also facilitate identification and/or authentication.
As used herein, the term “fixed data” refers at least to data which is identical for each ID card. Fixed data can, for example, be preprinted on an overlay patch, a laminate or an information-bearing layer of the ID card. Fixed data can also be printed on each individual ID card during the process of printing and optionally laminating the ID card. The term “variable data” refers generally to data which differs for each ID card and is associated with personal information, an image of the ID card holder or a unique reference number for security purposes assigned by the issuing agency.
As used herein, an “information-bearing layer” refers at least to the parts of an ID document where pictures, images, text, bar codes, fixed and/or variable data are printed. The information-bearing layer can include a separate receiver layer adapted to accept inks, dyes, pigments and resins from thermal print ribbons. The information-bearing layer can itself be the receiver layer. Depending on the particular design of the ID document, the information bearing layer can be the substrate or core layer, but also can be a laminate applied thereto, or to another laminate layer on the card. There can be different information bearing layers in an ID document for pre-printing and for personalization.
“Laminate” and “overlaminate” include (but are not limited to) film and sheet products. Laminates usable with at least some embodiments of the invention include those which contain substantially transparent polymers and/or substantially transparent adhesives, or which have substantially transparent polymers and/or substantially transparent adhesives as a part of their structure, e.g., as an extruded feature. Examples of potentially usable laminates include at least polyester, polycarbonate, polystyrene, cellulose ester, polyolefin, polysulfone, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyamide. Laminates can be made using either an amorphous or biaxially oriented polymer as well. The laminate can comprise a plurality of separate laminate layers, for example a boundary layer and/or a film layer. Other possibly usable laminates include security laminates, such as a transparent laminate material with proprietary security technology features and processes, which protects documents of value from counterfeiting, data alteration, photo substitution, duplication (including color photocopying), and simulation by use of materials and technologies that are commonly available. Laminates also can include thermosetting materials, such as epoxy. Laminates can include synthetic resin-impregnated or coated base materials composed of successive layers of material, bonded together via heat, pressure, and/or adhesive.
Further, it should be appreciated that although the some of the figures illustrate a particular species of ID document—a driver's license—the present invention is not so limited. Indeed our inventive methods and techniques apply generally to all identification documents defined above. Moreover, as noted herein, our invention is applicable to non-ID documents, e.g., such as printing or forming non-visible images on physical objects, holograms, etc., etc.
In one aspect, the invention provides ID documents having full-color UV “identification quality” variable information printed thereon at the time the ID document is personalized. The variable UV information is not visible in normal (e.g., ambient) light, but is visible when viewed using a non-visible light source, such as a UV light source.
The inventors of the instant application have discovered at least one reason why, until now, it has been is difficult to obtain “identification quality” full color images UV images when printing variable data in UV on an ID document such as an ID card. Recall that humans see visible images when light is shined on them and the light reflecting back creates an image visible to a human eye—a net subtractive technology. When humans (using an appropriate light source) see UV (or IR) images, however, what the human eye sees is not a reflection, but rather an emission—humans see the light that is emitted because the compounds used to form the image fluoresce when viewed using the appropriate [UV or IR] light source.
When non-visible variable information is printed on ID documents that already have pre-printed information thereon, however, the reflections of the preprinted information can interfere with the light emitting from fluorescing dyes or pigments as they are activated by an appropriate light or energy source. This interference can result in diminished quality of the non-visible image. In addition, some of the emissions from the fluorescing dyes or pigments can be absorbed back into parts of the ID document, including back into dyes that might be on the ID document. The reflections from the pre-printed information do not always affect the ability to discern some types of information (such as characters and simple graphics) printed with non-visible inks/dyes, but the reflections can make an image such as a portrait virtually unusable as an “identification quality” image. We have found that to help achieve the best quality colored UV images, it is necessary during printing and selection of the printing ribbon to take into account the reflections of pre-printed information that still occur when UV information is viewed using a UV light source. We have found that the existence of these reflections can limit the physical locations on an ID document where one can form an “identification quality” UV image using D2T2 type printing. For printing UV using D2T2, we have found that it often is necessary to have a substantially “pristine” card area (an area where there are no reflections already present from other image) in which to print a D2T2 image.
Another problem associated with printing some types of non-visible images, such as UV images, is that since the non-visible image “glows” under appropriate UV stimulation, image details are less apparent, blurred or can be completely lost. The UV glowing essentially washes out an image's perceptible crispness (e.g., similar to a situation in which a dimly lighted object is in proximity to a brightly lighted object). The following commonly assigned pending provisional patent applications provide some methods for addressing this problem:
Image Processing Techniques for Printing Identification Cards and Document (Application number not yet assigned, Attorney Docket No. P0720D, filed Nov. 25, 2002—Inventors: Nelson Schneck and Chuck Duggan.
We have found that use of the techniques and methods recited in the above applications (which we explain at a high level below) can, in combination with the techniques described herein, improve the quality of variable information printed in full color UV. In at least some embodiments, the above-cited provisional applications provide ways to enhance image details to overcome the UV washout problem. In at least some embodiments, the above-cited provisional applications disclose ways to digitally process an image prior to printing to compensate for the glowing effect.
In a first aspect of the invention, we provide an ID document and method for making the ID document, where the ID document has thereon a discernable, identifying variable data image that is visible only under UV illumination. In one embodiment of the first aspect, this discernable identifying variable data image (which we call a “UV Ghost Image”) is provided on the card in addition to a visible image (which can, for example, be the same image) printed on the card. For example, FIG. 3A is an illustrative example of a first ID document 100 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, as viewed in ambient light, and FIG. 3B is an illustrative example of the first ID document 100 of FIG. 3A viewed in ultraviolet (UV) light.
Referring to FIG. 3A, the ID document 100 includes a bar code 14, variable personal data 16, 16′, 16″, biometric information 18, preprinted nonvariable information 104, and a bearer image 122. FIG. 3B illustrates that when the ID document 100 is viewed in ultraviolet light, additional information becomes viewable (not that, for purposes of illustration only, in FIG. 3A the visible image 122 is shown as being “fainter” when viewed in UV light. An actual visible image might appear to be blue when viewed under UV light. In FIG. 3A, the additional information viewable only in UV light and a UV Ghost image 112.
Note that although the UV Ghost image 112 is shown as being smaller in size and in a different place than the visible bearer image 122, the invention is not limited to this implementation. It at least one embodiment, for example, the location of the UV Ghost image 112 can coincide with the respective location of the corresponding visible information (in which case, the appearance of the ID document 100 under UV light could look very similar to the way it looks in visible light in FIG. 3A). In one embodiment of the first aspect, the UV Ghost image is the only image of its kind on the card (that is, the UV Ghost is not a duplicate of other information on the card).
In FIG. 3B, the UV ghost image 112 can be a UV image that comprises one or several UV fluorescing colors. In one advantageous embodiment, the UV ghost image 112 is a so-called “false two color image” made of two UV fluorescing colors (i.e., any two of yellow, magenta, and cyan) and is located in a different space on the ID document than the corresponding visible image 122. In one preferred embodiment, the false two color image is made of yellow and magenta, which we have found produces an image adequate for identification.
In one implementation of this embodiment, the UV ghost image 112 is formed with a dye panel that contains a UV fluorescing dye. The UV dye panel is used as an additional panel to the CMY panels in a conventional D2T2 ribbon. For example, FIG. 4 is an illustrative example of a first YMC ribbon 150 that we have developed that can be used to make an ID document with a UV ghost image 112, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The YMC ribbon 150 comprises a plurality of color panels, including a yellow color panel 152, a magenta color panel 154, a cyan color panel 156, a yellow UV color panel 158, and a magenta UV color panel 160 (two UV panels, and the particular two UV colors selected, are not limiting). Each color panel 152-160 can be coated with a colorant such as a diffuseable dye in a resin. The yellow UV color panel 158 and the magenta UV color panel 160 each comprise a heat diffuseable UV fluorescing dye. Such dyes are known to those skilled in the art. UV images printed using the yellow UV panel 158 and the magenta UV panel 160 will be so-called “false two color” UV images.
In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the UV ghost image 112 of FIG. 3B can be printed on the ID document 100 at the same time that the visible image 122 is printed, using the yellow UV panel 158 and the magenta UV panel 160. We have found that using the two UV dyes, as illustrated in FIG. 4, helps to minimize the absorption problems (i.e., emission losses) that can occur when printing variable UV images on top of (or near) visible information. Of course, other pairings of UV colors (e.g., yellow and cyan, magenta and cyan) are usable in at least some embodiments of the invention, although we have found that pairings that at least incorporate yellow provide the best quality images.
In still another embodiment of the first aspect, to help create a discernable fluorescing image on an ID document (useful for identification and security checks) we have found that we can enhance the digital data that is used to create the UV image. Enhancing the digital data as described herein can help to overcome possible “washout” problems that can occur when a UV image is fluoresced. These enhancements (which are also detailed in the following commonly assigned pending provisional patent applications) provide some methods for addressing the UV washout:
These digital enhancements, in combination with the other embodiments of the invention described herein, help to achieve “identification quality” variable UV image printing onto identification documents. Digital Enhancements for UV images.
Our first inventive method is particularly well suited for producing bitonal images (e.g., black and white images), such as produced through mass-transfer thermal printing and Laser Xerography. Generally, we process a captured image to bring-out or otherwise enhance relevant features found in the captured image. Relevant features of a human face may include the face outline, nose and mouth pattern, ear outline, eye shape, hairline and shape, etc. Once identified, these featured can be “thickened” or otherwise emphasized. The emphasized features can then form a digital version of UV ghost image 112, which can be transferred to an identification document.
The following discussion proceeds with reference to the accompanying flow diagrams and images (FIGS. 14 a-14 g) that variously correspond to our inventive steps.
Now, consider a specific implementation with reference to FIG. 11. We initially improve the contrast in a captured image (step 520). FIG. 14 a illustrates such a captured image—a headshot corresponding to a human subject—while FIG. 14 b corresponds to a contrast improved version of FIG. 14 b. While FIGS. 14 a and 14 b are color images, the present invention is not limited to such. Indeed, our inventive techniques apply to black and white images as well. FIG. 14 a preferably corresponds to visible bearer image 122 in FIG. 3A (note that, for purposes of illustration, the actual image in FIGS. 14 a-g are not literally the image of the same individual as shown in FIG. 3A; the applicable principles of the invention are, however, the same). For example, step 520 is intended to make dark pixels relatively darker and light pixels relatively lighter so as to increase the contrast of the image. Although not required, step 520 improves the performance of subsequent steps, such as the edge detection step 524. In some implementations, we then optionally convert the contrast-improved image (FIG. 14 b) to a monochromatic image, e.g., a gray-scale image (step 522).
The composite image is then smeared, thickened or otherwise emphasized in step 528 (FIG. 14 e). For example, we can “grow” the edges by a predetermined factor (e.g., 1½-2 times the original edge or line thickness). Or we can use an iterative pasting of each sub-image or image plane, multiple times onto a final composite image, but each time offsetting the sub-image by a few pixels (e.g., in a range of 2-5 pixels). Or once a composite image is formed, the composite image can be repeatedly copied onto itself, but offset in different directions (toward image corners, or along an X-Y axis, etc.).
An alternative implementation is discussed with reference to FIG. 12. We improve the contrast in a captured image (step 520). Here again, FIG. 14 a illustrates such a captured image—a headshot corresponding to a human subject—while FIG. 14 b corresponds to a contrast improved version of FIG. 14A. As previously noted, step 520 emphasizes the contrast of an image, e.g., by making dark pixels relatively darker and light pixels relatively lighter. Our contrast-enhancing step 520 improves the performance of subsequent steps, such as the edge detection step 524.
With reference to FIG. 13, a method for enhancing UV images formed through, e.g., D2T2, is described. An originally captured image is processed to increase the contrast in the captured image or in selected areas of the original image (step 540). (In one implementation, we use an edge-detection algorithm to identify selected areas (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth, face shape, etc.) in the original image, and the contrast in only these selected areas is increased.). We note that care should be taken when using image-adaptive software to avoid removing pixel-intensity information that contributes to the quality of a final image. Dithering (e.g., the Floyd-Stein dithering method or other conventional dithering methods) of the contrast-adjusted image is employed to produce a print-ready image (step 542). The dithering helps to minimize the effects of UV washout. The dithered image is used as a master for printing a corresponding UV image (step 544). In some cases we invert the dithered image, and then guide printing with the dithered image. As an optional step (not shown in FIG. 134), we scale the contrast-adjusted image to a size that it will be printed, prior to step 542.
In a second aspect of the invention, we provide an ID document and method for making the ID document, where the ID document 100 that is provided that includes variable data (e.g., text, personal information, biometric data, etc.) that is imperceptible to the naked human eye. When illuminated with UV (or IR) light, however, the variable data or security features become readily visible. For example, with reference to FIG. 3C, ID document 100 includes variable UV character data 110 (which is shown by way of example only to be a birthdate) that is only visible upon UV illumination by UV light source (not shown). In one embodiment, The UV text is visible as (e.g., comprises) a single color, when viewed using a UV light source. In one embodiment, the UV text is visible as comprising two or more colors. For example, for the illustrative variable data/character string “12345”, each character in the string can be printed to emit (under UV) as a different color and/or a different combination of colors, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, when viewed under a UV light, the “1” can be printed to emit yellow when, the “2” can be printed to emit pink, the “3” can be printed to emit orange, purple, brown, and blue simultaneously (e.g. different parts of the character itself will emit different colors), the “4” can be printed to emit in a “rainbow” or “pearlescent” appearance of many colors, the “5” can be printed to show optically varying colors under UV depending on the angle at which the character is viewed, etc. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the color combinations and permutations for coloring characters and strings of characters are limitless.
In one implementation of this aspect, at least one character and/or bar code based variable data (e.g., name, date of birth, address, tracking number, sequence number, and the like) that is printed in visible text on an ID document also is printed on the ID document in UV inks, such as by a specific panel on a D2T2 ribbon. In one embodiment, the specific panel on the D2T2 ribbon is a “resin transfer” panel, (not unlike the a K panel that is conventionally used for visible text and bar codes), where the resin transfer panel further comprises UV fluorescing dyes or pigments, the desired color(s) for printing UV characters. FIG. 6 is an illustrative example of a D2T2 UV resin transfer ribbon 172 that we have developed and which is usable to make the ID document 100 of FIG. 3C. The resin transfer ribbon 172 comprises yellow, magenta, and cyan panels 152, 154, 156, respectively, and a UV resin transfer pane 181.
Although the variable UV character data 110 is shown in FIG. 3C in a different location than the corresponding visible variable information 16″, the invention is not limited to this implementation. Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, using a mass transfer ribbon as described herein, the variable UV character data 110 can be printed directly over other variable [non UV] information on the ID document 100. For example, In FIG. 3E (which shows an ID document 100 being illuminated by a UV light source), the UV character data 110 overlays the visible bearer image 122.
In a third aspect of the invention, we provide an ID document and method for making the ID document, where the ID document has thereon a discernable, identifying variable data image that “glows” when illuminated by UV light. In one embodiment of the first aspect, this discernable identifying variable data image is provided on the card in addition to a visible image (which can, for example, be the same image) printed on the card. For example, FIG. 3C is an illustrative example of an ID document 110 as viewed under UV light, where at least some of the variable data on the card “glows” under UV light. In FIG. 3C, the visible bearer image 122 is “glowing”, as are some of the variable personal data 16, including the birth date 16″ and the signature 16 (it should be understood that the ability to illustrate the “glowing” UV feature is limited, so if a given item is indicated as being only visible under UV light or “glowing” it should be viewed as so). Although not illustrated in FIG. 3C, the “glowing image” also could be another feature on the card, such as a security indicia, a code, a state seal, a digital watermark, etc., that is only visible under UV illumination.
In one implementation of this aspect, variable data is D2T2 printed with a special ribbon that contains the usual visible Cyan (C), Magenta (M) and Yellow (Y) panels, but where at least one of the visible panels also contains a corresponding a heat diffuseable UV fluorescing dye. The heat diffuseable UV fluorescing dye can be the same color as the visible panel that is diffused into the ID document substantially simultaneously with the visible panel, but it need not be the same color. In fact in at least one embodiment, it is preferred that the color of the heat diffuseable UV fluorescing dye be different than the color of the panel, to enable the color of the UV to be viewed more clearly under UV light. FIG. 7 is an illustrative example of a UV glowing ribbon 180 that can be used to print the “glowing” variable data in FIG. 3C. Each color panel 182, 184, 186 in the UV glowing ribbon 180 that we have developed that includes a corresponding diffuseable UV fluorescing dye. The UV dye is diffused into the ID document substrate along with the Y dye. (In at least one implementation of this embodiment, the UV dye is heat diffusible.). Note that the UV dye in each color panel 182, 184, 186 need not fluoresce in the same color as the color of the visible panel.
In this implementation, the UV image that glows in necessarily coincides exactly with the corresponding visible image (as can be seen in FIG. 3C). Although the glowing ribbon 180 shows that all three color panels 182, 184, 186 have a UV component (to provide a “full color” glowing UV image), it will be appreciated that the glowing ribbon 180 also could be provided with just a single one of the color panels having a UV component, whereby the variable data printed using such a glowing ribbon 180 would fluoresce in a single color.
This aspect of the invention also can provide forensic advantages. Because the design of the UV glowing ribbon 180 links the dye that makes the visible image to the dye that makes the fluorescent image, it can be extremely difficult to duplicate a pair of visible-UV dyes on and ID document. Thus, the use of a fraudulent dye for either the UV or the color or both can help to serve as a “fingerprint” in detecting the origin and type of fraud.
It generally has been difficult to have information such as black text and/or black bar codes be able to be printed with UV colorant (dyes/inks) such that the black text/bar codes can glow, because the black text/bar codes tend to absorb much of the emitted light. To help overcome at least some of this problem, in a fourth aspect of the invention, we provide an ID document and method for making the ID document, where at least some of the variable black text on the document glows in one or more of a number of available colors under UV illumination. In one embodiment, the black text is printed by a conventional K (black) panel, such as a resin transfer panel with carbon black for optical density. The ribbon containing the K panel, however, is constructed to include an optically clear layer containing an UV fluorescing dye or pigment. FIG. 8 provides an illustrative example of a UV on black ribbon 190 that we have developed, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The UV on black ribbon 190 comprises yellow, cyan, and magenta panels 152, 154, 156, a K panel 170, and (disposed underneath the K panel), an optically clear panel 192 that contains UV colorants, such as inks or dyes, disposed in a resin. The optically clear panel 192 can, for example, be placed underneath the K panel 170 and above the release layer on a carrier web that typically is included as part of the ribbon.
A cross sectional view of the UV on black ribbon 190 is illustrated in FIG. 16, which also illustrates how pixels of UV on black are deposited on a substrate, such as an ID card 25. Referring now to FIG. 16, the thermal print head 200 comes down to the UV on black ribbon 190 and, through its normal action, a pixel 202 comprising UV and black is “stamped out” of the UV on black ribbon 190 and deposited on the surface of the ID card 25. The pixel 25 is seen as black under visible light but fluoresces in a selected color (corresponding to the UV colorant in the optically clear layer 192) under illumination in UV light.
In a fifth aspect of the invention, we provide an ID document and method for making the ID document, where the ID document has a full color UV variable image formed thereon and the full color variable UV image is printed on the ID document using a thermal transfer method. The appearance of the resultant full color UV image in this aspect can be similar to that of the full color UV images discussed in connection with the first aspect of the invention; further, all of the special digital processing of the image discussed in connection with the first aspect is similarly applicable here. However, this fifth aspect of the invention differs from the first aspect in that in this aspect prints the full color UV image via thermal transfer. This fifth aspect of the invention can be particularly advantageous for speeding the manufacture of ID documents such as driver's licenses and other photo ID cards, because thermal transfer printing tends to be quicker than D2T2 printing. In addition, this fifth aspect can of course be used to print variable image data on an ID document
To print the full color UV image on an ID document, we have developed a full color UV thermal ribbon 204, as illustrated in FIG. 9, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The full color UV thermal ribbon 204 comprises yellow, cyan, magenta, and K panels 152, 154, 156, 170, respectively, as well as a “Z” panel 206. The Z panel 206 is subdivided further into three colored UV sub-panels, which are shown for illustrative purposes as red UV 208, green UV 210, and blue UV 212 panels. In addition, although the colored sub panels 208, 210, and 212 are shown to be equivalent in size (e.g., each colored sub panel being about ⅓ of the size of the Z panel 206) the invention is not limited to that size. Providing the three colored sub panels enables all the printing of full color.
Note also that, in at least one embodiment of the invention, the Z panel comprises two colored UV sub panels and is capable of producing a so-called “false two color image”, in the manner described below.
Each colored UV sub panel 208, 210, 212 comprises thermally diffuseable UV dyes dissolved in a resin. Use of thermally diffuseable UV dyes in a resin used in a conventional thermal/mass transfer ribbon improves the printing and security of a UV image formed on a substrate because the resultant image is formed both on top of and into the substrate. This is illustrated more particularly in FIG. 15, which illustrates a cross section of an ID document 10 that has been printed using the full color thermal UV ribbon 204. The ID document 10 has similar composition to the ID document 10 of FIG. 1, except it can be seen that the printed information 26 c-26 f does not merely sit on top of the PVC 22, but in fact is disposed both on top of and into the PVC. 22. This occurs with the thermal printing using the full color thermal UV ribbon 204 because the UV colors in the Z panel 206 each comprise a solid solution of a thermally diffusible UV fluorescent dye dissolved in the resin. The heating of the full color thermal UV ribbon 204 during printing permits the UV dyes in the Z panel 206 to diffuse into the PVC 22. Thus, when a pixel (or megapixel) is printed on a receiver layer such as the PVC 22, a portion of the UV dyes in the Z panel 206 are diffused into the receiver layer (e.g., PVC 22), while the remaining portion remains on top of the card. For example, it is possible that about 10% of the UV dyes diffuse into the PVC 22 while the remaining 90% sit on top of the PVC 22 (although these proportions are not limiting).
In another embodiment, it is preferred that the full color UV image printed using the Z panel be printed with a resolution of at least 300 dots per inch (dpi). For a 300 dpi resolution, the full color UV thermal ribbon 204 and the thermal print head are constructed and arranged to operate to print at least 4-6 levels of color in a given pixel.
One way to achieve multiple color levels of color is through the use of so-called megapixels. A megapixel is created by dividing a given pixel into a plurality of sub-pixels, such that (using a square pixel, for example) an n-by-n megapixel is formed. Thus, instead of a given pixel being “on” or “off”, a given pixel can have 5 different levels of shading. This is illustrated for the example 2 by 2 megapixel of FIG. 10A-E, which shows, 5 different levels of shading (including zero or no shading), representing 5 different levels of density.
In at least one embodiment of this aspect, the UV and IR components can be part of the same ribbon and printed to the ID document at the same time, using either D2T2 or mass transfer printing. The combination of UV and IR also can be printed to the same image. So, for example, a given image (e.g., a portrait on an ID card) could be printed entirely in a yellow UV color and entirely in a magenta IR color. These UV and UR images can be wholly or partially superimposed, or positioned on entirely separate parts of the ID document. Thus, a given image could show a yellow color when viewed using a UV light source and, either in the same location or a different location, a magenta version of the image can be visible when viewed using and IR source. And, neither image will be viewable using only visible light (although either or both of the UV and IR could be superimposed, wholly or partially, on one or more visible images).
Many combinations are possible in this aspect of the invention. In one combination, the photograph is augmented with UV dyes, while the text is augmented with IR dyes, or vice versa. In another combination, a “ghost image” is seen under IR illumination, while other features are visible with UV illumination: Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many implementations of this aspect are possible
Persons skilled in the printing art will appreciate that with some of these printing techniques, the “inks” used need not necessarily be conventional liquid inks but also could be solid phase change inks, solid colors, dyes, etc. This disclosure is intended to include any means of affixing the information to a particular desired surface.
The technology disclosed herein can be used in combination with other technologies. Examples include at least the technology detailed in the section above entitled “Related Application Data”. It is specifically contemplated that the invention disclosed herein is to be used with the following disclosures.
60/371,335, Attorney Docket No. P0609—Inventors: Nelson Schneck and Charles Duggan, filed Apr. 9, 2002); and
Instead of ID documents, the inventive techniques can be employed with product tags, product packaging, business cards, bags, charts, maps, labels, etc., particularly those items including providing a non-visible indicia, such as an image information on an over-laminate structure. The term ID document is broadly defined herein to include these tags, labels, packaging, cards, etc. In addition, while some of the examples above are disclosed with specific core components, it is noted that-laminates can be sensitized for use with other core components. For example, it is contemplated that aspects of the invention may have applicability for articles and devices such as compact disks, consumer products, knobs, keyboards, electronic components, decorative or ornamental articles, promotional items, currency, bank notes, checks, etc., or any other suitable items or articles that may record information, images, and/or other data, which may be associated with a function and/or an object or other entity to be identified.
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U.S. Classification 235/487, 235/491
International Classification G06K19/00, G06K19/06, B41M3/14, B42D15/10, H04N1/32
Cooperative Classification H04N1/32144, B42D25/23, B42D25/387, B42D25/382, B42D25/309, B42D25/00, H04N2201/3271, B42D25/41, H04N2201/3233, H04N1/32133, H04N2201/327, B41M3/144, H04N2201/3236
European Classification H04N1/32C17B, B42D15/10, H04N1/32C19, B41M3/14F
Free format text: MERGER/CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:DIGIMARC CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:022135/0812
Owner name: L-1 SECURE CREDENTIALING, INC.,MASSACHUSETTS
Owner name: DIGIMARC ID SYSTEMS, LLC, OREGON
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BI, DAOSHEN;JONES, ROBERT;REEL/FRAME:024969/0611
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DIGIMARC ID SYSTEMS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:025021/0823