Identification document and related methods

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and systems for authenticating identification documents. We also teach an identification document including two or more digital watermarks. The watermarks correspond with each other or with indicia carried by the identification document. The correspondence can be verified to determine authenticity. We also provide digital watermark detection methods and systems to identify the different watermarks through embedded orientation components. We then focus watermark message-decoding efforts on areas identified as likely including watermark orientation components. In one implementation we provide a watermark detection trigger to identify so-called legacy documents. The trigger may indicate the presence or expected absence of a digital watermark. In other implementations we provide a versatile document authenticator to toggle between watermarking and non-watermarking authentication processes depending on a detection trigger.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA [0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60 / 418,762, filed Oct. 15, 2002, 60 / 421,254, filed Oct. 25, 2002, 60 / 494,709, filed Aug. 12, 2003, 60 / 495,236, filed Aug. 13, 2003 and 60 / 495,373, filed Aug. 14, 2003. Each of these patent documents is herein incorporated by reference. [0002] This application is also related to assignee's U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 945,244, filed Aug. 31, 2001 (published as 20020057823 A1), Ser. No. 09 / 503,881 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,614,914), Ser. No. 09 / 452,023 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,082), Ser. No. 10 / 366,541, filed Feb. 12, 2003 (published as US 2003-0179903 A1), Ser. No. 09 / 433,104, filed Nov. 3, 1999 (allowed), Ser. No. 10 / 032,282, filed Dec. 20, 2001 (published as US 2002-0114491 A1), and Ser. No. 09 / 498,223, filed Feb. 3, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,350), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,389,151. The Ser. No. 10 / 366,541 application is a grandchild of assignee's U.S. Pat. No. 5,8...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The printed substrate 21 is usually laminated. The laminate typically includes a plastic, polyester or polycarbonate-based top sheet 23 and bottom sheet 25 that respectively overlay the top and bottom of the substrate 21. Heat and / or adhesives and pressure are used to bond the laminate sheets 23 and 25 with the substrate 21. Or a laminate can include a pouch into which the substrate 21 slips. Again, heat and / or adhesives and pressure are used to bond the substrate 21 with a pouch laminate. The laminates provide a protective covering for the printed substrate and provide a level of protection against unauthorized tampering. (For example, a laminate would have to be removed to alter the printed information and then subsequently replaced after the alteration.). A laminate layer 23 or 25 may optionally carry information like a card bearer's signature or security features.

[0018] The photo ID document includes a photograph 1010 that is attached to the document 1000. Printed, human-readable information 1012 is incorporated in the document 1000, adjacent to the photograph 1010. Machine-readable information, such as that known as “bar code” may also be included adjacent to the photograph. Generally, the photo ID document is constructed so that tampering with the document (for example, swapping the original photograph with another) should cause noticeable damage to the card. Nevertheless, skilled forgers are able to either alter existing documents or manufacture fraudulent photo ID documents in a manner that is extremely difficult to detect. Security associated with the use of photo ID documents is enhanced by supplementing the photographic image with encoded information (which information may or may not be visually perceptible), thereby facilitating the correlation of the photographic image with other information concerning the person, such as the printed information 1012 appearing on the document 1000.

[0024] One aspect of this invention provides enhanced security and certainty in the use of photo identification documents.

Problems solved by technology

Generally, the photo ID document is constructed so that tampering with the document (for example, swapping the original photograph with another) should cause noticeable damage to the card.

Nevertheless, skilled forgers are able to either alter existing documents or manufacture fraudulent photo ID documents in a manner that is extremely difficult to detect.

Fraudulent use of identification documents may occur where, for example, an otherwise legitimate identification document is modified such that the original photograph is swapped with that of another person, thereby enabling the other person to masquerade, at least temporarily, under the guise of the original identification document holder.

Even in the absence of photo swapping or alteration, it is oftentimes difficult to confirm by inspection that the individual depicted in the photograph of the identification card is indeed the bearer of the card.

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