Abstract:
A process for printing ID cards having a uniquely encoded security authentication component, where an ID card is created having a unique covert code embedded thereon that includes a verifiable fingerprint, which allows the card to be authenticated. A code is included into the image printed on the face of the card that contains important and relevant information pertaining to the time and place of card issue such as the printer manufacturer, issuing authority, time at which the card was printed, date when the card was printed and the printer serial number. The code uses specifically identified printed pixels in a predictable location on the face of the ID card. The pixels in the code location have specific colors that correspond to numbers.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to and claims priority from earlier filed provisional patent application No. 60/344,917, filed Dec. 31, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a process for printing ID cards having a uniquely encoded security authentication component. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process and an ID card formed thereby, where an ID card is created having a unique covert code embedded thereon that provides a verifiable fingerprint, which allows the card to be authenticated. 
     The present invention was developed in respond to a meeting that was held at the US Secret Service headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 19-20, 2001. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Secret Service and approximately sixty consultants from private industries. The meeting was organized by the Industry Advisory Board of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators to discuss driver&#39;s license security issues. The Secret Service stated that while they had various means of analyzing paper documents to determine the equipment that had produced the document, they complained that they have no way to trace documents that had been produced on a dye sublimation printer. Specifically, they requested that the industry develop some means of “fingerprinting” documents produced in desktop ID printers that use a dye sublimation printing process. 
     In the prior art, many different forms of ID cards include different types of security microprinting using certain words in the background of the ID. This is also a common feature on US and other foreign currencies and other forms of negotiable paper such as certified checks. In general, the microprinting appears as a kind of watermark on the background of the ID or may be imbedded into a shape contained on the ID card. For example, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts may microprint “Commonwealth of Massachusetts Official Document” across the entire background of the card in a diagonal pattern. Another example is the pattern placed in the background of a certified check that appears as the word void if the check is electronically scanned or copied. Typically, printing of this type is placed on the raw card stock itself when the raw stock is made and shipped to the issuing authority where the personalized information is printed onto the card at the card issuance location. In general, therefore, the microprinting is provided on the blank card stock when the card stock is received at the card issuance location. 
     The difficulty with applying this type of microprinting as described in the prior art is that it is typically completed using a single pass operation of black ink. While single pass printing is very clear and readable, it is also easily repeatable using most thermal printing technologies available on the market today. As a result, it is easy for counterfeiters to reproduce the microprinting security feature onto raw card stock and then apply the personalized ID information onto the card in a separate operation, thereby circumventing the security of the card. The other issue is that since the micro printing is placed onto the card stock at the point of manufacture, it is possible for a counterfeiter to obtain raw stock as the material passes through various warehousing, shipping and storage operations. In this manner, it is easy for a counterfeiter to create fraudulent ID cards simply by printing the desired personal information onto the raw cards that they obtain. Finally, there is currently no manner by which an ID card can be fingerprinted, thereby allowing the card to be matched to the printer on which it was printed. This feature is considered important when fraudulent ID cards are discovered to allow them to be traced to their point of origin. 
     There is therefore a need for an identification card that includes a microprinted security feature that overcomes the above noted drawbacks while producing a card that includes a code that is difficult to reproduce at a location other than the card issuance location. Specifically, there is a need for an ID card with a microprinted security feature that is applied at the time and place of the card issuance that cannot be easily reproduced using readily available imaging technology while also creating a fingerprint by which that card can be traced to its point of origin. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a printed security feature is applied to the ID card at the issuance location at the time the card is issued. The current invention therefore also provides for a unique process of producing an ID card that includes an imbedded security feature, which is applied at the time and place that the card is issued. Specifically, the present invention provides for a process of producing an ID card having an imbedded security code that is generated and specifically matched to the particular printer on which the ID is printed that is applied at the time and place that the card is issued thereby providing a code by which the authenticity of the ID card can be cross verified. 
     Card issuance locations typically utilize a high quality three pass thermal color printing process to achieve color images on the ID cards that they issue. Given that the layout for a driver&#39;s license or an ID card can be configured into any of an infinite number of combinations of colors and patterns, it is difficult to embed codes that can be quickly identified by a person who is educated with respect to the code while concealing them from the casual observer. In this respect, the general concept of the present invention is applicable in a broad manner, but would require a governmental mandate to create a standard that identified a small and definite area of the card, which can then be used for incorporating the coding system of the present invention. 
     The fingerprinting system of the present invention requires that a code be included into the image printed on the face of the card that is difficult to see with the naked eye. The code must be unobtrusive while effectively disappearing into the background printing on the card and not obscuring any existing characteristics. The code contains important and relevant information pertaining to the time and place of card issue such as the printer manufacturer, issuing authority, time at which the card was printed, date when the card was printed and the printer serial number. 
     The code as will be further described below in detail provides for the use of specifically identified printed pixels in a predictable location on the face of the ID card. The pixels in the code location include specific colors that correspond to numbers. Once the code is converted from colors to numbers, the position of each number further corresponds to a specific piece of relevant identification data thereby providing a fingerprint on the ID card. The imbedded code is further obscured from the casual observer by only using one pixel periodically along a printed row of pixels, for example one out of each ten. In this manner, a person that is not aware of the code would not be able to see or translate the code. 
     The benefits to the ID cards and the process used in the present invention are two fold. The first benefit is that the raw cards do not have to be pre-printed with the security-coded printing. This saves on processing costs by eliminating an additional handling and printing step while also reducing the possibility that prepared cards may be obtained by counterfeiters. Secondly, since the encoded information contained on each card provides a unique fingerprint that is specific to the time and place where the card was issued, it becomes more difficult for counterfeiter to reproduce an ID card that would properly include this encoded information. Fake cards become immediately detectable because of a lack of the encoded information or the print code contained thereon would not match the proper code that was expected to be found thereon. 
     The process of the present invention therefore includes providing a blank piece of card stock for printing, encoding the information relating the current print job and printing an image onto the ID card that includes the imbedded code fingerprint. In addition, the present invention includes the ID card end product that is produced using the process of the present invention. 
     Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is the provision of an ID card that includes an integrally embedded printed security fingerprint feature that is applied at the time and place of card issuance. Another object of the present invention is the production of an ID card that includes a security code that acts as a fingerprint to identify the time and place of card issue in addition to the specific printer used for card issue. A further object of the present invention is the provision of an ID card that is resistant to counterfeiting due to the inclusion of a unique fingerprint that is related to the time, date and location of issuance of the ID card thereby allowing the authenticity of the card to be verified. Yet a further object of the present invention, is the provision of a process whereby an ID card is produced to include a unique fingerprint feature that is imbedded in the image of the card at the time and place of card issuance that can be used to identify the issuing authority for verification of the authenticity of the ID card. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention: 
     FIG. 1 is front view of the identification card of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a close up view of the area of the ID card having the security printing thereon; and 
     FIG. 3 is an expanded view showing the pixels of the embedded security code of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, the identification card of the present invention is illustrated and generally indicated at  10  in FIG.  1 . The ID card  10  has a substrate  12  with indicia printed thereon. Portions of the indicia on the ID card  10  are specially placed and printed to enhance the security of the ID and deter the manufacture of counterfeit ID&#39;s as will be more fully described below. Further, the present invention provides for a method of manufacturing an ID card  10  that includes security printing that is placed onto the ID card  10  at the time and place of the issuance of the ID card  10  also further deterring the manufacture of counterfeit ID cards  10  and providing a unique fingerprint for each ID card  10  as will also be described below. The present invention therefore provides a convenient and economical ID card  10  that is easy to produce while providing enhanced features that deter fraudulent issuance of fake ID cards  10  that has not been previously available in the prior art. 
     Turning to FIG. 1, the front of the ID card  10  of the present invention is shown. Typically, the card  10  includes a substrate material  12  onto which the relevant card features and information is printed. The substrate  12  may consist of a variety of constructions. In the preferred embodiment, the substrate  12  is a rigid plastic material onto which the indicia are printed directly. Further, the card  10  may include additional features such as a clear overlay (not shown) to further protect the printed indicia. Finally, the card  10  may also include a laminated cover (not shown) over the entire front and back surface of the card  10  to further protect the card  10  and prevent alteration of the front of the card. In addition, the substrate  12  onto which the card is printed is not limited to plastic but may also include paper or cardboard or any other sheet material suitable for printing as is known in the art. 
     The face of the ID card  10  includes several different types of printed indicia. These indicia can be divided into three general categories. The first is the issuing authority information  14 . This includes the generic information that is the same regardless of the person to whom the card  10  is issued and includes for example, the name of the issuing authority, the purpose of the ID, etc. This generic information  14  is maintained within the image file that is printed onto the card  10  and is combined with the other two categories of indicia for printing onto the ID card  10 . 
     The second category of indicia is the biometric information  16  that is specific to each recipient of the ID card  10 . This biometric information  16  includes the user&#39;s name, address, weight, height, date of birth, picture, signature, etc. and is customized to match the profile of each user to whom an ID card  10  is issued. This information is also included into the overall image to be printed onto the ID card  10 . 
     The final category of indicia printed onto the ID card  10  is the security printing features  18 . This component is critical to the present invention. The security printing features  18  of the present invention are printed in predetermined locations on the card  10 . Specifically, the security indicia  18  is provided as a printed code that is imbedded into the other indicia printed on the face of the card that creates a unique fingerprint for the ID card  10  that is undetectable by the unaided eye. The code  18  is formed using a pattern of colored pixels  20  that are placed in a specific position and in a specific arrangement. Generally, each of the pixels  20  included in the code  18  represent a numeral from 0-9 that corresponds to the color of the pixel  20 . Therefore, the code  18  is a numeric code in which the number 0-9 is represented by a group of individual pixels  18 , each having one of ten predetermined and distinct colors that each corresponds to a numeral. In the preferred embodiment the color-coding used is the same as the existing standard resistor color code as provided below in Table 1. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Color 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Black 
                 Brown 
                 Red 
                 Orange 
                 Yellow 
                 Green 
                 Blue 
                 Violet 
                 Gray 
                 White 
               
               
                   
                 (Bk) 
                 (Bn) 
                 (R) 
                 (O) 
                 (Y) 
                 (Gn) 
                 (Bl) 
                 (V) 
                 (Gy) 
                 (W) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                  Number 
                 0 
                 1 
                 2 
                 3 
                 4 
                 5 
                 6 
                 7 
                 8 
                 9 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The present invention therefore provides for placing specifically colored pixels  20  into specific locations within the printed indicia on the ID card  10 . Since these imbedded pixels  20  need to be identified in some manner to differentiate them from the other pixels  22  used to form the other printed indicia, the present invention also provides for a start character  24  and an end character  26  to allow the person trying to identify the particular code  18  to find and identify the code  18  within the pattern of pixels  22  on the face of the card  10 . For the purpose of this description, these start  24  and end codes  26  will be a double yellow pixel. While this scheme is described herein, it is not meant to be limiting, as the start code  24  and end code  26  could be any identifiable color or configuration. 
     Turning now to FIG. 2 the embedded code  18  of the present invention can be seen in an exploded view of the coded area of the card  10 . To make the inclusion of the coded pixels  20  less noticeable to a casual observer, the pixels  20  used for the code  18  are not placed immediately adjacent to one another. Each pixel  20  of the code  18  will be placed in spaced relation to one another by a predetermined and fixed number of standard image pixels  22 . The pixels  22  that are placed between the code  18  pixels  20  are the pixels  22  used to form the image of the other printed indicia on the face of the ID card  10 . In this manner, the pattern of pixels  20  that form the security code  18  are less noticeable because each pixel  20 , while not necessarily in harmony with the surrounding pixels  22 , is spaced apart from the other code pixels  20  by a fixed number of normal pixels  22 , thereby eliminating a solid string of code pixels  20  that deviates from the rest of the image. For purpose of the preferred embodiment, each of the code pixels  20  are spaced apart by nine normal pixels  22  or, stated another way, one pixel printed out of every ten pixel positions is a code pixel  20 . While a one in ten ratio is used for the preferred embodiment of the present invention, other pixel spacing where the coded pixels  20  are placed closer together or further apart are fully anticipated within the present disclosure. 
     Turning to FIG. 3, a sample code  18  is shown having eight digits. The code  10  location must first be identified on the ID card  10  and the start  24  and stop  26  codes located. As can be seen the start  24  and stop  26  codes are the double yellow pixels at the beginning and end of the chain. Next, each of the relevant code pixels  20  is identified. In this case, the code pixels  20  are spaced using a ten-pixel module, where every tenth pixel is relevant to the code  18 . Then the colors or each code pixel  20  is read as the number  28  it represents using Table 1. The code  18  in FIG. 3 therefore is 00122502. Next, the code  18  is applied to the predetermined standardized data format. For example, in this code  18 , the first two digits  28  represent the manufacturer of the printer and the next six digits  28  represent the print date of the ID card  10 . The information provided by this code  18  is that the printer was manufactured by manufacturer 00 or Atlantek and the print date was Dec. 25, 2002. Given a standard image size for printing on an ID card  10  has a length dimension that includes 952 pixels, printing one pixel every ten positions would allow 95 different digits that correspond to relevant information to be stored along the long edge of the card  10 . Codes  18  could be provided that include not only the manufacturer and print date but also the printer serial number, time of day, issuance location, etc. The actual format could be modified to include any data necessary. Further, if necessary the code  18  could be printed across more than one print line. 
     It is recognized that digital representations of color will vary in actual printed color tone over a population of operational printer hardware. Printed color will also vary when dyes from different manufacturers are used in the print process. In addition, there are also differences in the human eye&#39;s ability to recognize colors and discriminate between colors. This is particularly true when trying to differentiate between two colors that have a high degree of similarity such as orange and brown. In order to assist examiners in the ability to recognize and differentiate between colors used in the embedded security code  18 , the first ten pixels printed in the code  18  will be the standard colors representing the numbers 0-9 in numeric order. In this manner, a calibration standard that is mated to the printer on which the ID card  10  was printed is provided for immediate comparison to determine the standard by which the code  18  was generated. 
     The indicia in all of the three above described categories, generic  14 , biometric  16  and security  18 , are all combined into a single image at the time and place of card issuance and printed onto the card substrate  12  in a single printing operation. The first benefit to producing the cards  10  in this manner is that the raw cards  10  do not have to be pre-printed with the security code  18  printing. This saves on processing costs by eliminating an additional handling and printing step while also reducing the possibility that prepared card stock may be obtained by counterfeiters during the warehousing, shipping or storing of the card stock. In addition, since the security code  18  is produced and embedded into the print image at the time the card  10  is printed, it is difficult for a counterfeiter to reproduce an ID card  10  having a properly coded security feature. 
     The process of the present invention includes the provision of a blank substrate material  12  that is placed into the feeding mechanism of a high precision three-pass thermal printer. A security code  18  is generated that corresponds to the specific information relating to the ID card  10 . The numeric code  28  is converted to an array of corresponding colored pixels  20 . An image file is produced that includes the generic issuance information  14 , the biometric information of the recipient  16  having the array of pixels  20  relating to the security-code  18  embedded therein. The information is all combined and printed onto the card substrate  12  in one printing operation, thereby producing a finished ID card  10 , ready for issuance. Verification of an ID card  10  would then simply require that the person seeking authentication identify and read the code  18  as described herein to obtain a fingerprint that is unique to the ID card  10 . 
     It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides a unique ID card  10  and a method of producing the same that includes an integral security code feature  18  that reduces the ability of a counterfeiter to produce fraudulent ID cards  10 . Specifically, the present invention provides for a method of producing an ID card  10  in a single printing operation that reduces the opportunity that raw card stock can be obtained for fraudulent purposes while enhancing the security of the finished product. For these reasons, the instant invention is believed to represent a significant advancement in the art, which has substantial commercial merit. 
     While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.