Patent Description:
A security document (e.g., a plastic card, passport, or the like) generally includes a substrate with data. A security document can, for example, include an identification card/certificate, a driver's license, a membership card, a financial card (e.g., a credit card, a debit card), a phone card, a health card, a passport, or the like. Data including, for example, a home address, a birthdate, a name, a portrait image, and/or other identifying information can be printed on the security document. The security document can also include a security feature (e.g., a hologram) to deter counterfeiters from modifying or reproducing the security document.

Document <CIT> relates to an ID card with a contoured relief structure. Document <CIT> relates a method for making a latent image on a document substrate. Document <CIT> relates to a security document with a background image security feature.

In one case, a security document is provided that includes a card or passport substrate having a laser reactive material, data, and an optically variable tactile security feature described herein. The security document may also include a magnetic stripe and/or a programmable chip that contains information related to the intended holder of the security document. In some embodiments, the data on the security document can include alphanumeric text or characters, images, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the optically variable tactile security feature can overlap a portion of the data. The optically variable tactile security feature can include a data portion and a non-data portion that surrounds, partially or completely, the data portion. In one embodiment, the data portion of the optically variable tactile security feature can be non-tactile and remain at or near the surface of the security document, while the non-data portion can be tactile relative to the data portion. The optically variable tactile security feature can exhibit optically variable properties (e.g., can exhibit an apparent color change depending on viewing angle).

In another case, data such as text (e.g., regular text or inverted text (inverted text is white text surrounded by a black background)) can be added to a security document using a laser. In another case, the data can be added to the front of the security document. In an other case the data can be added to the back of the security document.

In another case, an optically variable tactile security feature can be added to the security document in which the optically variable tactile security feature can overlap a portion of other data (e.g., a photo, etc.) applied to the document. This can, for example, make it more difficult to substitute or add information to the security document (e.g., counterfeit or otherwise reproduce the security document).

In another case, data of the optically variable tactile security feature may remain at a surface of the security document, while an area surrounding that data of the security feature is raised above the surface of the security document. In another case, data of the optically variable tactile security feature may be raised above the surface of the security document, while the area surrounding the raised data of the optically variable tactile security feature remains at the surface of the security document. In an embodiment, having the data of the optically variable tactile security feature remain at the surface of the document while the surrounding area is raised may be preferred.

A security document can be made of any suitable material that supports the formation of optically variable tactile security feature described herein. In an embodiment, the security document includes a substrate (e.g., plastic card stock or a passport page) having a laser reactive (LR) material at the surface. In an embodiment, the LR material is commercially available under the trade name MAKROFOL® by Bayer Material Science LLC. In an embodiment, the LR material can be between at or about <NUM> thick and at or about <NUM> thick. In an embodiment, the LR material can be transparent. The thickness of the LR material may determine a darkness level of the optically variable tactile security feature and how high the tactile portions of the optically variable tactile security feature are raised.

References are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part of this disclosure, and which illustrate embodiments in which the systems and methods described in this specification can be practiced.

Security documents described herein can include both tactile and non-tactile portions. In one case, non-tactile portions may visually appear to be generally white (e.g., not laser marked) and tactile portions may visually appear to be generally black (e.g., laser marked) when viewed with the naked eye (e.g., without a microscope or optical magnifier). Laser marking can result in tactile and/or non-tactile portions of the security document being produced. An optically variable tactile security feature, as described herein, can provide both non-tactile and tactile portions where both the non-tactile and tactile portions may visually appear to be generally black to the naked eye. The optically variable tactile security feature, as described herein, can also exhibit an apparent visual color change depending on the viewing angle (e.g., white appearance from one or more viewing angles and black appearance from one or more different viewing angles). When viewing the optically variable tactile security feature with an optical magnifier, such as a loop or a microscope, characters in a line of text may appear to be raised from the security document, even though they are actually depressed relative to the tactile portions of the security document (i.e., they are relatively even with a surface of the security document that is not tactile). This can make it more difficult to correctly duplicate the text (e.g., the attempted duplicate could include raised text, when in fact the authentic document includes text that is not raised). In some embodiments, special lighting may be necessary in order to correctly identify an authentic document described herein.

The optically variable tactile security feature can include any type of laser marked data (photo, text, logo, etc.). In one embodiment, the optically variable tactile security feature may include a line of text where the text is non-tactile and the area surrounding the text is tactile.

A security document can include any one of a variety of plastic cards, or a passport page that one may wish to protect the authenticity of using a security feature. Examples of security documents include, but are not limited to, a financial card (e.g., a credit card, a debit card, or the like), a driver's license, an identification card/certificate, a page of a passport, or the like.

Types of data on a security document that can be used to form the optically variable tactile security feature can include, for example, alphanumeric text or characters, images, or combinations thereof. For example, a security document can include variable data (e.g., variable from one security document to the next) that is personal to an intended holder of the security document. Examples of variable data include, but are not limited to, a home address, a name, a portrait image (e.g., a photograph) of the intended holder of the security document, and other identifying information. Variable data can similarly be referred to as personalization information. The variable data can be personal to an individual for whom the security document is printed, randomly generated, related to the card issuer, or the like. The data can also include fixed or non-variable data that may appear on multiple security documents and is not personal to the intended holder of the security document. Examples of non-variable data include, but are not limited to, a government entity name, a name of the document issuer, a company logo, a general security logo, or the like.

Data can be applied to a security document by laser marking, printing (e.g., retransfer printing or direct to card printing), or a combination thereof. Laser marking generally includes darkening of a portion of the security document by a laser. The results of the laser marking can be non-tactile or tactile.

Security documents generally may also include one or more additional security features such as, but not limited to, holograms, micro printing, or the like. The one or more additional security features are designed to prevent counterfeiting or modification of the security documents. Some security features can be undetectable (e.g. not visible to the naked eye) unless viewed under a microscope, a special light, or the like. For example, a security feature may only be detectable when the security document is viewed under a black light.

An image is not limited to a portrait image. Examples of images include, but are not limited to, one or more partial or complete portrait images of the intended document holder, one or more alphanumeric characters, one or more symbols, one or more logos, one or more phrases, or combinations thereof.

As used throughout the description and claims, the word non-tactile, non-tactile portion or the like encompasses a portion of the optically variable tactile security feature that may feel generally smooth to the touch.

As used throughout the description and claims, the word tactile, tactile portion or the like encompasses a portion of the optically variable tactile security feature that can be perceived via touch for example using one or more fingers.

A color, as used herein, can include, but is not limited to, white and black, as well as relative shades between white and black.

As described further below, upon application of a laser beam to the security document, a laser reactive (LR) material on or in the security document reacts to the laser beam. A power level of the laser beam can determine how the laser reactive material reacts and thus determine the appearance of the optically variable tactile security feature. The laser reactive material contacted by the laser beam may become darker, the laser reactive material contacted by the laser beam may become darker and become raised up above the surrounding surface of the security document, the laser beam can contact the laser reactive material at one power level to create a portion of the optically variable tactile security feature having a first shade of color while the laser beam can contact the laser reactive material at a second power level to create another portion of the optically variable tactile security feature having a different shade of color that can be lighter or darker than the first shade, etc. Application of the laser beam to an area that was already marked can cause the area to become raised. Many variations are possible.

<FIG> show an example of text including an optically variable tactile security feature on a security document when viewed with the naked eye at different incident light conditions, according to an embodiment. <FIG> show the same text element on a security document at different lighting conditions. Note that the characters of the text visually appear to be raised, but in fact are depressed compared to the adjacent areas (i.e., the adjacent areas are raised relative to the characters of the text).

The row <NUM> of text in <FIG> shows light, for example white light, directed straight toward the surface and coming from multiple directions. With the exception of a few highlights, the area <NUM> is stippled in appearance to represent a relatively darker color (e.g., black) appearance. The row <NUM> in <FIG> generally illustrates what would be seen at a "first look" viewing condition typical of the "first look" at the security document.

The row <NUM> of text in <FIG> shows light, for example white light, from a single source reflected from the surface of the security document. The characters <NUM> appear white (no stippling) against a darker (stippled) background area <NUM>. In general, the characters <NUM> in <FIG> appear white because they have a relatively smooth surface and reflect incident light. Visually, the background area <NUM> appears darker to a viewer because of, for example, camera and lighting conditions associated with capturing the image.

The row <NUM> of text in <FIG> shows a different angle of reflected light from the surface of the security document. The characters <NUM> appear relatively darker (a first shade of stippling) against a lighter background area <NUM> (a second shade of stippling).

The stippling used to show the variations in appearance is an example. It will be appreciated that the relative appearance of the rows <NUM> - <NUM> of text may be varied. Another example is shown in <FIG> includes the rows <NUM> - <NUM> of text. The variations in appearance include a different relative appearance than illustrated in <FIG>. It will be appreciated that the relative appearance of the rows <NUM> - <NUM> may vary beyond these embodiments in accordance with the principles described in this specification.

<FIG> show a portrait image forming an optically variable tactile security feature on a security document when viewed with the naked eye at different incident light conditions, according to an embodiment. <FIG> show similar effects as described with reference to <FIG>. The same portrait is shown in <FIG> under two different lighting conditions 40A, 40B. In general, it may be relatively easier to determine which portions of the optically variable tactile security feature are raised relative to the surface of the security document and which are even with the surface of the security document (e.g., depressed relative to the raised portion) when the security feature is a portrait image. The appearance of the portrait image when viewed under the different lighting conditions 40A, 40B can be different. In view 40A of the portrait image (<FIG>), the hair area <NUM> of the portrait image appears to be black, while in view 40B (<FIG>) of the portrait image, the hair area <NUM> appears to be white or a lighter shade of gray. Although the hair area <NUM> of the portrait image appears to be raised in the view 40A, as shown in the view 40B the hair area <NUM> is actually not raised. Similarly, although the background area <NUM> in the view 40A appears to not be raised, as shown in the view 40B, the background area <NUM> is raised.

Which portions of the optically variable tactile security feature are raised (e.g., tactile) and which portions are not raised (e.g., non-tactile) can be relatively difficult to determine. However, because a portrait image can have a relatively more irregular arrangement of tactile and non-tactile portions, it may be relatively easier to determine than, for example, text which generally includes a relatively more regular arrangement of tactile and non-tactile portions.

<FIG> shows various text including an optically variable tactile security feature on a security document. The rows of text decrease in font size (e.g., from <NUM> pt, to <NUM> pt, to <NUM> pt, to <NUM> pt) from top to bottom in the figure.

<FIG> shows a portion of text <NUM> including an optically variable tactile security feature overlapping with a portion of a portrait image <NUM>, according to an embodiment. The text <NUM> in <FIG> is a line of inverted text crossing a portion of the portrait image <NUM>. When viewed without magnification, the text <NUM> appears to be covered by the portrait image <NUM>, as can be seen by the stippling of the text <NUM> in the overlapping region, which text <NUM> is not stippled in the non-overlapping region. <FIG> illustrates that the optically variable tactile security feature overlapping a portion of other data (e.g., a portion of portrait image <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment, etc.) may depend on content (e.g., color) of the other data. For example, as shown in <FIG>, if there is no black on the portrait image <NUM>, there will be no tactility to the text <NUM> in the overlapping portion.

<FIG> shows a security document <NUM>. A surface <NUM> of the security document <NUM> is shown. The surface <NUM> can be representative of either a front surface or a back surface of the security document <NUM>. In this example, the security document <NUM> is generally rectangular in construction with rounded corners. The illustrated security document <NUM> may be representative of, for example, a financial card (e.g., a credit card, a debit card, or the like), a driver's license, an identification card/certificate, or the like. The surface <NUM> can include first data <NUM>, a programmable chip <NUM> (e.g., an integrated circuit chip), second data <NUM>, and an optically variable tactile security feature <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the surface <NUM> can include additional features such as one or more additional security features, additional data, or the like. Further, the layout of the security document <NUM> is an example, and the various features shown can be moved to different locations on the surface <NUM>, or could be moved to a surface opposite the surface <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the security document <NUM> taken along line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG> through the text character B. In this example, the text characters of the optically variable tactile security feature <NUM> are non-tactile and substantially level with the surface <NUM> of the security document, while the areas of the optically variable tactile security feature <NUM> surrounding the text characters, the areas between the text characters, and the areas within the text characters (for example within the empty space of the letter B) are tactile and raised above the surface <NUM> and the text characters. In <FIG>, the stem of the character B is depicted at area <NUM> as being flat and level with the surface <NUM>, while the tactile areas of the border around the character B are indicated at <NUM> as being raised above the surrounding surface <NUM> and the area <NUM>. The illustrated embodiment is an example. It is to be appreciated that a height, location, geometry, etc. of the tactile areas <NUM> and the areas <NUM> may vary.

<FIG> is a schematic sectional view of the security document <NUM> of <FIG>, according to an embodiment. The security document <NUM> includes a substrate <NUM> and a laser reactive material <NUM> disposed on the substrate <NUM>. As shown, the substrate <NUM> and the laser reactive material <NUM> are two layers of the security document <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> can be a first material and the laser reactive material <NUM> can be a second material that is applied to the substrate <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the laser reactive material <NUM> and the substrate <NUM> could alternatively be a composite material in which the material forming the laser reactive material <NUM> and the material forming the substrate <NUM> are blended together rather than being separately identifiable layers. In addition, there can be one or more additional layers in the security document <NUM> in addition to the substrate <NUM> and the laser reactive material <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method <NUM> for producing the security <NUM>. The method <NUM> includes controlling a laser to selectively mark the security document <NUM> to form a first marked area at <NUM>. At <NUM>, the laser is controlled to selectively mark the security document to form a second marked area. The second marked area can be relatively larger than the first marked area.

The method <NUM> includes two passes over an area with a laser. The first pass (e.g., <NUM>) can be used to make the data (e.g., text, etc.). For example, when the data is text and the text is inverted (e.g., white text on a black background), the first pass can result in white text having a black background. The second pass (e.g., <NUM>) covers an entire area (e.g., text as well as an area surrounding the text, etc.) so that previously marked areas become tactile and the previously unmarked areas become black but remain non-tactile. In the embodiment having inverted text, the previously marked area is the background area surrounding the text and the previously unmarked area is the text. In an embodiment, covering the entire area can include marking an area that is relatively larger than the text. For example, in an embodiment, covering the entire area can include marking a rectangle that is relatively larger than the text which was marked in the first pass. It will be appreciated that marking a rectangle is intended as an example, and that other geometries can be marked within the scope of the disclosure herein.

As a result of the second pass, the areas that were previously marked (e.g., areas surrounding the text) will become tactile and all previously unmarked areas (e.g., the text) will become black, but will remain non-tactile. The previously marked areas become tactile because they were previously marked, and with the second pass, the security document absorbs additional laser energy, becoming tactile. The non-tactile areas reflect light and appear white when the incident light is at the correct angle when viewed with the naked eye.

In an case, the laser may be set to a relatively lower energy level in the second pass. This may be dependent on a material being marked. That is, different laser reactive materials may require different laser settings.

Claim 1:
A security document (<NUM>), comprising:
a substrate (<NUM>) including a laser reactive material (<NUM>);
a first marked area of the substrate (<NUM>) that has been marked using a laser, the first marked area being visible to the naked eye and appearing generally black to the naked eye;
a second marked area of the substrate (<NUM>) that has been marked using a laser, the second marked area being visible to the naked eye and appearing generally black to the naked eye;
the first marked area and the second marked area overlap, and the area where the first marked area and the second marked area overlap is tactile;
the first marked area and the second marked area do not overlap, and the area where the first marked area and the second marked area do not overlap is non-tactile,
wherein when viewed at a first viewing angle, where the first marked area and the second marked area do not overlap visually appears to be a first shade of color, and at a second viewing angle different from the first viewing angle, where the first marked area and the second marked area overlap visually appears to be a second shade of color that is different from the first shade of color.