METHOD FOR PRODUCING A PRINTED IMAGE ON A DATA CARRIER FOR A SECURITY OR VALUE DOCUMENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for producing a printed photograph on a data carrier for a security or valuable document that is protected against counterfeiting, and to the security or valuable document. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for verifying the authenticity of an image printed on the data carrier.

[0002] Security documents such as identity cards, driver's licenses, or passports, which can be in the form of data storage cards or book-like documents, incorporate photographs as a security feature. During the production of security documents, the data from the digitized photographs is processed using the raster imaging process (RIP). The image visible in the security document is printed using colored inks in the three standardized optimal colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

[0003] In order to detect manipulation of the photographs, it is common practice to provide photographs with security features, which can, for example, be provided in a zone in the image to be applied.

[0004] Security documents are forged, among other things, by applying a photograph of another person over the photograph of the document holder or by changing / manipulating the photograph in such a way that identity theft by another person becomes possible.

[0005] The application of the other person's photograph can be done directly, for example, by printing it directly onto the card's surface using an inkjet printing process, or indirectly, by first printing it onto a transfer film and then overlaying the image onto the actual photograph. Particularly good counterfeits leave the other security features, such as luminescent underprinting or kinematic holographic structures (Identigram), largely intact, so that the document appears virtually untampered with or slightly aged.

[0006] Manipulation of photographs of genuine documents to create false identities is therefore an increasing threat.

[0007] Proving such falsification relies on the expertise of the person conducting the check or on complex, sometimes forensic, methods. Automated, machine-based verification and detection of manipulated photographs, however, is almost nonexistent.

[0008] Manipulated documents often have a destroyed chip or the special access rights to the file for the photograph in the chip are not guaranteed by the control level, so that the authenticity of the photograph cannot always be proven via the electronic component.

[0009] It would be desirable if data storage devices containing photographs could also be checked for authenticity without having to access the data stored on the chip.

[0010] DE 10 2017 206 467 A1 discloses a method for producing security features and their authentication. This method involves providing a first piece of information as an open, machine-readable first graphic code and a further piece of information as a further graphic code embedded in a two-dimensional complex function, which is Fourier-transformed into a function, and the function is binarized into a second image, with the first and second images being linked. This is intended to make copying security features more difficult.

[0011] DE 10 2014 214 548 A1 teaches a method for producing a document in which a document layer is printed with an ink, the ink is dried, whereby due to the drying the ink in the area takes on a random surface structure and the surface structure randomly created due to the drying is optically detected and encoded in a code value and stored as a security feature.

[0012] Furthermore, a method for authenticating an optically variable security element, in particular a diffractive security element, is known from DE 10 2013 113 340 A1.

[0013] EP 2 930 699 A1 relates to a security feature with a marking section and a code section with a code element, wherein the marking section has stochastically distributed marking particles, wherein the code section has a contactlessly readable code element with a deterministic code, and wherein, furthermore, an identification feature formed from the marking section is stored in the code element.

[0014] US 2003 / 0173406 A1 relates to a method for verifying the authenticity of a printed image on a data carrier of a security document, wherein the data carrier comprises a printed photograph and image contours and a control marking encoded in the printed photograph in detectable form.

[0015] The invention is based on the object of specifying a method for producing a printed photograph on a data carrier for a security or value document, which is protected against manipulation even independently of the functionality of a chip, to provide such security and value documents and to specify a method for detecting manipulation of the security and value documents, which can be carried out in a simple manner.

[0016] This problem is solved by the features of claims 1, 9 and 13.

[0017] According to the invention, data carriers for security and valuable documents are protected against tampering with the photographs by calculating image-specific results from the printed photograph or from the data of the digitized photograph, determining the positions of the image-specific results relative to a control mark on the data carrier, and storing the image-specific results and their positions on the data carrier in the form of a preferably graphic data code. The integrity of the data code can be additionally ensured by a digital signature contained therein.

[0018] The image-specific results are contours, support contours or landmarks that are calculated from the photograph and represent a kind of "fingerprint" of the respective photograph.

[0019] The printed photograph is preferably additionally encoded with the image-specific results, ie the contours, landmarks or fingerprint of the photograph, in detectable form, in particular with a transparent IR-absorbing or luminescent ink.

[0020] During a subsequent exposure, the image-specific results and their position relative to the control mark can be calculated from the printed photograph using the same algorithm and compared with the read data code. If the data set from the subsequent exposure and the data code match, no manipulation of the printed image has occurred. If this is not the case, manipulation has occurred.

[0021] If desired, the correspondence of the image-specific results calculated from the printed photograph with the image-specific results encoded in detectable form in the photograph, i.e. the contours, support contours or landmarks, can also be checked.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the image is encoded with both the data code and the image-specific results. This is particularly preferably achieved by simultaneously printing the photograph, the image-specific results, in particular the contours, with an ink that is transparent and luminescent or IR-absorbing in the visible spectral range, and the graphic data code, which can be colored or transparent in the visible spectral range. This embodiment is characterized by a particularly high level of security, since both security features are printed together with the image and are thus part of the image itself, and the two security features also correspond with each other. In this embodiment, the control marking is defined by the image itself.

[0023] In a further preferred embodiment, the encoding with the data code takes place on the data carrier outside the photograph. In this embodiment, the encoding with the data code can take place after the photograph has been printed, whereby the image-specific results can also be printed into the photograph at the same time. In order to define the position of the image-specific results in relation to a location outside the photograph, a control mark must be defined or provided on the data carrier when data encoding takes place outside the photograph.

[0024] The data code can preferably also be signed or encrypted within a PKI. This requires a forger to not only forge the contours and ensure their detectability under UV or IR irradiation, but also alter the data code, thereby circumventing its encryption.

[0025] In this embodiment with the image-specific results additionally coded in a detectable form, the authenticity of the photograph can be additionally verified by checking the correspondence of the photograph with the image-specific results stored in the photograph and / or the correspondence of the image-specific results stored in the image with the data coding, for example under UV or IR irradiation.

[0026] The method according to the invention for producing a printed photograph on a data carrier for a security or valuable document based on the data of a digitized photograph comprises the following steps: a) Providing a data carrier, b) Printing the digitized photograph and providing a tax mark on the data carrier, c) Reading the printed photograph and calculating the image-specific results from the printed photograph and / or calculating the image-specific results from the data of the digitized photograph, whereby the image-specific results are facial contours determined from the photograph or positions of individual, specific points on the face, clothing or jewelry of a data carrier holder or landmarks calculated from the color or brightness contrasts of the photograph or from individual areas of the photograph, d) Determining the positions of the image-specific results in relation to the tax mark, e) Storing the image-specific results and their positions as a data code on the data carrier,f) and optionally encoding the printed photograph with the image-specific results in detectable form.

[0027] In the following, steps a) to e) for producing the data carrier with the printed photograph and the data code are described first, followed by the optional additional step f), which describes the production of the additional coding of the printed photograph for the production of the doubly secured photograph with the calculated image-specific results.

[0028] Production of the data carrier with printed photograph and data code

[0029] After a data carrier is provided, a photograph based on the data of a digitized photograph is printed on the data carrier. A tax mark is also provided on the data carrier.

[0030] In this context, "data carrier" is understood to mean both a substrate layer carrying data and a data carrier comprising several substrate layers, in particular in the form of a card.

[0031] The visible light image can be printed in the usual way using colored inks.

[0032] The control mark serves to define a coordinate system within the data carrier. The control mark can be applied to the data carrier, for example, by printing a control mark with visible or invisible ink. It is advantageous and preferred to apply the control mark in the same process step as the photograph itself in order to keep positioning tolerances as small as possible.

[0033] The tax mark, also referred to as a "fiducial mark," can be defined by a mark, particularly a printed mark, a cross, a star, a letter, a number, or another position applied to the photograph or elsewhere on the data carrier, but also by a corner point or center of gravity of a design or sovereign element, such as the federal eagle, the country code "DE," or the like. The tax mark can also be defined by the printed photograph itself or by a position on the data carrier itself, for example, a corner or edge position or the position of a rounded edge. The tax mark serves to determine the absolute position of the respective image-specific results on the data carrier.

[0034] In principle, the position of the tax mark is freely selectable. However, once it has been determined, its position must be used as the basis for every verification.

[0035] The control marker defines the origin of an internal disk coordinate system by means of which the positions of the individual image-specific results are defined in the internal disk coordinate system.

[0036] The zero point of the internal map coordinate system can, for example, be the center of gravity of a sovereign symbol such as the federal eagle, which can be printed on different layers of the data carrier to be produced (UV, VIS, IR, hologram).

[0037] In the case of a data carrier consisting of several substrate layers, the control marking can be arranged in the same layer as the photograph, but also in a different layer.

[0038] In order to calculate the image-specific results from the printed photograph, the printed image must first be read. This reading or extraction can be done using a document inspection device, a camera, or a scanner, for example. The image-specific results are then calculated from the resulting data.

[0039] Alternatively, the image-specific results can also be calculated directly from the data of the digitized photograph.

[0040] In the context of the invention, image-specific results are understood to mean all possible image-specific results that can be determined from the respective image or portrait, namely the contours of a face, the position of individual, specific points of a face or also of the clothing or jewelry of the data carrier owner visible in the image, or specific results (landmarks) calculated from the color or brightness contrasts of the photograph or individual areas of the photograph, which can be calculated (unambiguously) from the printed and / or the data of the digitized image by means of a specific algorithm.

[0041] The calculation of image-specific results, especially image contours from the printed or digitized image data, can be performed, for example, using Canny edge detection (Canny or Canny edge algorithm). Canny edge detection (or Canny) is a robust edge detection algorithm widely used in digital image processing. It is divided into various convolution operations and produces an image that ideally contains only the edges of the original image.

[0042] Using Canny edge detection, specific, i.e., unique, algorithm-based contours or support contours can be extracted from a portrait and output as a separate contour image. Of course, other algorithms can also be used to extract a contour image from the visible light image.

[0043] The calculation of image-specific results can also be performed using landmark detection. For example, the positions of individual, specific points on a face are calculated relative to the data carrier's internal coordinate system.

[0044] The image-specific results and the positions of the respective image-specific results defined based on the control marking are stored on the data carrier as a data code. The data code is preferably a graphic code, for example a matrix code, in particular a Data Matrix Code (DMC), but also a barcode or a QR code.

[0045] The data code is incorporated into the data carrier, for example, in the same substrate layer as the printed image and / or the control mark or in a different substrate layer. It can be both visually perceptible and visually invisible. Preferably, the graphic code is printed onto the data carrier or a substrate layer, for example, with a visible or visually invisible ink that luminesces under UV radiation or a transparent ink that absorbs infrared radiation. In principle, the graphic code can also be incorporated into the data carrier using a laser or other means; however, this results in lower accuracy than the variant involving the joint printing of the image and the data code.

[0046] It is also possible that the data code is stored, for example, as a barcode on the chip of the data carrier.

[0047] The data code preferably contains a signature of the image-specific values ​​to ensure its integrity.

[0048] The graphic code can be located outside the photograph or within the photograph.

[0049] In this way, the exact positions of certain contours can be determined unambiguously and stored as graphic coding in the data carrier.

[0050] In addition, the calculated image-specific results, such as direct or coded contours, can be encoded into the data of the digitized image during image acquisition. This can be achieved, for example, by using the LSB (last significant bit). This ensures that the contour information associated with the image is documented traceably throughout the entire process and can secure this process.

[0051] The encoding of the data of the digitized image with the image-specific results, for example using the LSB, can of course also be carried out independently of the printing of the image and secure the data of the digitized image as such. Production of a data carrier with a printed photograph, data code and additional coding in the printed photograph

[0052] The production of the data carrier with a printed photograph, the data code and the additional coding in the printed image (photograph with double security) provides that the printed image is additionally encoded with the results calculated from the data of the digitized image in a detectable form according to step f).

[0053] In order to be able to check the correspondence of the visible light image printed in step b) with the image-specific results encoded in the image, the image-specific results must be detectable. In order to be able to detect, i.e. observe, recognize, measure or see these image-specific results encoded in the image, the image-specific results can be printed into the printed image, in particular using an ink that is invisible in the visible spectral range and luminescent under UV radiation, or with an ink that absorbs in the infrared (IR-A, IR-visible) if the other components of the light image are infrared-transparent (IR-T). The coding of the image-specific results can also be introduced into the layer area above the printed image in the form of a hologram or a milling or in another form that can be perceived or measured, for example visually or haptically.

[0054] Since the printed visible image itself is encoded with the image-specific results and the encoding is detectable, the verification of the authenticity of the image can be done based on the image or the layer area above the image alone.

[0055] In the context of the present invention, the phrase "coding the printed image" also includes the coding of a layer located above the image.

[0056] If the coding is not carried out in the image itself, but in an area in one or more layers above, ie above the image, ie either in an area of ​​a layer of the data carrier between the image and the visible side of the data carrier or in the visible side of the data carrier itself above the image, the image is printed first and then the coding is carried out in the area in one or more layers above the image.

[0057] Image contours can also be provided as a hologram or volume hologram, whereby a carrier layer film, such as a holographic film, is exposed with the image-specific results, in particular the contours, and this is then precisely applied to the photograph, glued and sealed.

[0058] In another variant, the image-specific results, particularly image contours or landmarks, are removed from a layer above the image, particularly on the visible side of the data carrier, for example, by laser ablation. The result is a data carrier card with a photographic image, in which the contours milled into the visible side, as tactile indentations, precisely match the contours of the underlying photograph in a genuine document.

[0059] In another variant, the image is printed and, independently of this, the coding is carried out with the image-specific results of the image in a carrier layer film, which is then positioned and fixed above the image.

[0060] The coding can be either visible in visible light or invisible. Invisible coding has the advantage that it is not easily detectable by a counterfeiter.

[0061] The coding of the printed image with the image-specific results in step f) can preferably be carried out in the visible image simultaneously with the printing of the digitized image (step b), but also before or after the printing of the visible image.

[0062] In a particularly preferred variant, the data carrier has, in addition to the (graphic) data code, a printed image into which the image-specific results calculated from the data of the digitized image are printed by means of a transparent luminescent ink, ie the printed image is itself also encoded by a coding that is only visible under UV irradiation.

[0063] In this variant, the image features not only the visible image but also an invisible luminescent contour image, which can be made visible under a UV source, allowing the contour image to be verified to match the visible image. The visible image is thus overprinted with its own invisible contour image.

[0064] By providing a contour image using a luminescent dye that only becomes visible under UV irradiation, photo manipulation by over-gluing a film or overprinting under UV light becomes visible, as the unique contour calculated from the digital image data matches only the printed photo. If the photo were manipulated in the visible range, the contour would no longer match the manipulated photo, thus revealing the forgery.

[0065] With a mechanical or chemical shave, which also alters the luminescent contour image, there is no longer any correspondence, either with the original photograph or with the manipulated image, making the forgery recognizable. This, of course, also applies to mechanical or chemical shaving of holograms or milled contours.

[0066] In addition to the data code described above, the photograph can be additionally (invisibly) coded and thus secured using image-specific results.

[0067] As an alternative to the ink that luminesces under UV irradiation, the contours can also be printed with an ink that is invisible in the visible spectral range but absorbs in the infrared (IR-A, IR-visible) if the remaining components of the light image are infrared-transparent (IR-T). An IR image in which all color components below a specific wavelength, for example, < 800 nm, are "filtered out," is then sufficient for detection.

[0068] Preferably, the contour or landmark image is printed with the transparent and luminescent or IR-absorbing ink together with the visible image being printed with the colored inks in step b). In a preferred variant, in addition to the color channels for the chromatic colors (CMYK), the printer provides an additional color channel (spot color) for the luminescent or IR-absorbing ink, so that all inks can be printed simultaneously.

[0069] The result is an image that is a "normal" image of the document holder under daylight or when irradiated with white visible light, but under UV excitation or IR irradiation only the relevant contours or landmarks of the image are visible as luminescent or IR absorption lines.

[0070] In addition, the contour or landmark image can be printed first with the transparent and luminescent or IR-absorbing ink and only then can the visible image be printed into the contour or landmark image, or the visible image can be created first and then the contour or landmark image can be printed into the visible image.

[0071] In another variant, the contour or landmark image is printed with the luminescent or IR-absorbing transparent ink onto a first carrier layer, for example, a polycarbonate-based one, and the visible image is printed with the colored inks onto a second carrier layer, preferably also a polycarbonate-based one. The carrier layers are then positioned relative to one another and then joined, in particular laminated under increased temperature and pressure, as described in DE 10 2007 052 ​​947 A1.

[0072] In principle, all inks containing the desired UV-absorbing and transparent soluble dyes, luminescent in the visible spectral range, or transparent dyes in the visible spectral range and absorbing in the IR spectrum, suitable for printing on the respective data carriers, can be used as transparent luminescent or IR-absorbing inks. The proportion of dyes is preferably up to 10% by weight.

[0073] Materials that are largely transparent in the visible spectral range but absorb in the (near) infrared range are described, among others, in EP 2101986B1 (BASF AG).

[0074] For printing data storage media based on polycarbonate polymer layers, the inks known from DE 10 2007 052 ​​947 A1 are preferably used. Such inks contain up to 20 wt.% of a binder with a polycarbonate based on a geminal disubstituted dihydroxydiphenylcycloalkane, at least 30 wt.% of an organic solvent, up to 10 wt.% based on the dry mass of a colorant or colorant mixture, and optionally functional materials, additives, and / or auxiliaries. Preferred solvents are hydrocarbons and / or ketones and / or organic esters.

[0075] These inks can be printed onto polycarbonate polymer layers using inkjet printers and then laminated to form a composite with convincing optical properties.

[0076] In luminescent transparent inks, the colorants or colorant mixtures are luminescent dyes. Luminescent dyes are substances that fluoresce, phosphorescent, or luminescent.

[0077] In order for the contour image printed with the ink containing the luminescent dye to be invisible when illuminated in the visible spectral range and thus transparent, the luminescent dye should not absorb or only very slightly absorb in the visible spectral range.

[0078] A pure substance or a mixture of luminescent dyes can be used as the luminescent dye. In principle, the luminescent dye can be an inorganic or organic substance, with organic luminescent dyes being preferred. The luminescent dye must be excitable by UV radiation and soluble in the respective ink solvent. The luminescent dye(s) can emit in the visible spectral range in various colors such as yellow, red, and green, but also in mixed colors or even nearly white.

[0079] Through the specific selection, combination, and, if necessary, concentration ratios of one or more luminescent dyes and their excitation and emission wavelengths, special luminescence can be generated that can be detected visually under a UV lamp, but also spectroscopically, and can represent an additional security feature. If multiple luminescent dyes are used that differ in their excitation and emission wavelengths, different luminescence colors can also be generated using different excitation wavelengths in the UV.

[0080] The selection and, if necessary, combination of special luminescent dyes thus enables an additional security feature, because counterfeiters would not only have to completely suppress the luminescence of the original contour image and integrate the contour image applied with luminescent ink into the counterfeit image, but would also have to use the same luminescent dye (mixture).

[0081] Thus, such a data carrier contains a photograph and two codes, both based on the image-specific results of the photograph, but encoded in different forms. These two different codes, based on the same characteristics, complement each other in such a way that if difficulties arise in decoding one code, for example, because the required special document verification equipment is unavailable, the authenticity of the photograph can still be determined using the other code.

[0082] A key advantage of this variant of the security and valuable document with two complementary codings is that the photograph itself is invisibly encoded and thus secured using characteristic image-specific elements, while a (different) image-specific coding of the same photograph is stored in a separate data code, for example, a graphic data code such as a matrix code. This allows the photograph to be verified, for example, via a smartphone with a special barcode reader app and built-in (flash) illumination.

[0083] The data carrier comprises one or more layers made of the following polymers or their derivatives, namely polycarbonate, bisphenol A polycarbonate, carboxy-modified PC, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), its derivatives such as glycol-modified PET (PETG), carboxy-modified PET, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), vinyl polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polystyrene (PS), polyvinylphenol (PVP), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyacrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyamides, polyurethanes, polyureas, polyimides or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), in particular thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), and / or paper and / or cardboard and / or glass and / or metal and / or ceramic. Furthermore, the product can also be made of several of these materials. It is preferably made of PC, PET and / or PVC.The polymers can be either filled or unfilled. In the latter case, they are preferably transparent or translucent. If the polymers are filled, they are opaque. The above information applies both to films to be bonded together and to liquid formulations applied to a precursor, such as a protective or topcoat. The document is preferably produced from 3 to 12, preferably 4 to 10 substrate layers (films), preferably using a lamination process in which the substrate layers are fused together under the influence of pressure and heat. The individual films can consist of the same material or of different materials. Overlay layers formed in this way protect a security feature arranged underneath and / or impart the required abrasion resistance to the document.

[0084] As already explained, process steps a) to e) or f) or the substeps of individual process steps do not have to be carried out consecutively in the listed order. For example, step f) can be carried out after step b), or steps b) and f) or parts of steps b) and f) can be carried out simultaneously, or step c), the second alternative, can be carried out before step b).

[0085] The invention also relates to a method for verifying the authenticity of a printed photograph on a data carrier of a security and value document, which comprises a printed photograph, a control mark and a data code based on the image-specific results of the printed photograph and the position of the control mark, wherein the printed photograph is read out, the position of the control mark is determined, the image-specific results and their position are calculated and compared with the values ​​stored in the data code.

[0086] If the data code is signed, the signature of the data code can also be verified.

[0087] If the values ​​stored in the data code agree with the image-specific results calculated from the captured photograph during the review, taking into account the position of the control mark, the photograph has not been manipulated.

[0088] The invention also relates to a method for verifying the authenticity of a printed image on a data carrier of a security and value document, which comprises a printed photograph, image-specific results encoded in detectable form in the printed photograph, such as a transparent luminescent or IR-absorbing contour image printed in the photograph, a control mark and a data code based on the image-specific results of the printed photograph, for example the contour image, and the control mark, wherein the printed photograph and the detectable image-specific results, optionally encoded in the printed photograph, for example a luminescent or IR-absorbing contour image, are read out,and values ​​are calculated from the read-out image-specific results and the position of the control mark or from the image-specific results calculated from the read-out printed photograph and the position of the control mark, and these calculated values ​​and their position are compared with the values ​​stored in the data code.

[0089] If the image-specific results calculated from the captured photograph based on the position of the control mark and / or the image-specific results read from the photograph based on the position of the control mark match the data code, the photograph is authentic.

[0090] If no match is achieved, the printed visible photograph is a forgery because the image-specific results calculated or read from it do not match the data code in the coordinate system defined by the control mark, for example because the original photograph was overprinted.

[0091] To reliably verify the authenticity of the photograph, the calculation should be carried out using the same algorithm as the original calculation of the image-specific results from the digital photograph data.

[0092] The authenticity of the data carrier can be verified using a document verification device, a smartphone, a device with a camera (possibly with a flash) or a scanner to read the printed image, software to evaluate the graphic code, software to calculate the image-specific results and, if necessary, a UV or IR light source.

[0093] Preferably, the verification of the authenticity of the coded visible photograph is carried out automatically.

[0094] In addition to the automated verification or alternatively, the verification of the detectable coding can also be carried out visually, provided that it is visible in the visible spectral range or can be made visible by irradiation with electromagnetic radiation, such as UV or IR radiation.

[0095] If the detectable coding in the printed image is visible in daylight because it is printed with color ink, or can be made visible under electromagnetic irradiation because it is printed, for example, with an ink that is visible under UV or IR irradiation, the verification of the conformity of the printed image with the detectable coding is preferably carried out visually in daylight, for example with an RGB camera with white light irradiation, or in daylight under additional electromagnetic, in particular UV or IR irradiation.

[0096] InIn the preferred variant with the contour image printed into the image with luminescent transparent ink, a digital image of the printed color photograph in the security document can be taken during verification to calculate the expected contours for the printed photograph from the digital data of the printed image. The expected contours are then compared with the luminescence contour image of the printed image measured under UV irradiation. If the contours match, the photograph is authentic.

[0097] The document is then stimulated with UV radiation, for example, at a wavelength of 365 nm, and the luminescence image of the contour image is recorded and compared with the expected contours calculated from the light image. Matches between the measured contour image printed with the luminescent ink and the contours calculated from the RGB image verify the light image, or indicate tampering if there is a discrepancy.

[0098] In order to be able to compare the contours calculated from the recorded printed photograph and thus to be expected in the photograph with the contours originally calculated and invisibly printed in the colour photograph, the digital recording of the printed photograph in the security document should be carried out under the same conditions as the production of the original digital image, i.e. under white light, preferably with an RGB camera.

[0099] The described process also works if, instead of luminescent inks, an ink is used that absorbs exclusively in the infrared range and is otherwise largely transparent. For this purpose, a well-known IR camera is used on the detection side, and the image comparison is performed between the visible image and the IR contour image. The material basis for this is so-called transparent NIR absorbers.

[0100] Security documents in the form of book-like documents such as passports include, in addition to the laminated data carrier, a book cover and a book block that encloses the data carrier.

[0101] The invention also relates to a security or valuable document comprising a data carrier with a control mark on which a photograph is printed and on which a data code is stored which is based on the image-specific results of the photograph and the position of the control mark.

[0102] The invention also relates to a security or value document comprising a data carrier with a control marking, on which a photograph is printed, in which photograph image-specific results are coded in detectable form and on which data carrier a control marking is applied and on which data carrier a data code, in particular a graphic code, is stored which is based on the image-specific results of the photograph and the position of the control marking.

[0103] The invention and further advantageous embodiments and developments thereof are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the examples shown in the drawings. They show: Figure 1 a) a photograph, b) the contour image derived from it, c) a list of the calculated contours and d) the graphic DMC code, Figure 2 a)a data carrier with the federal eagle and photograph and b) the federal eagle, the data carrier's internal coordinate system and the contour image, Figure 3 a data carrier with the Federal Eagle and photograph and a contour image printed in the photograph, Figure 4 a schematic representation of the production of the light image encoded with a transparent luminescent contour image from Figure 3 , Figure 5 a possible layer structure of the data carrier Figure 3 , Figure 6 the production of contours in the visible side of a data carrier above the printed image with a laser and Figure 7 the production of contours in a data carrier with an image in the form of a (volume) hologram.

[0104] In Figure 1 a)a printed photograph 15 based on the data of a digitized image is shown, and in b) a contour image 13 calculated from the printed photograph 15. The calculation of the contours can be carried out, for example, using Canny edge detection or another suitable algorithm. The contour image 13 has a plurality of contours K 1 ... K n that differ in their length, their course, their curvature, their position, etc. Examples are shown in Figure 1b ) three contours K 1 , K 2 , K 3 are drawn.

[0105] For each contour K 1 ... K n, a specific value W 1 ... W n can be calculated. In the present case, the specific values ​​W 1 ... W n of the contours K 1 ... K n are the position of the respective center of gravity (center X, Y) of the contour and the length L of the respective contour. The position of the center of gravity 50 is specified in relation to a data carrier-internal coordinate system 52, which in this example is based on the center of gravity 50 of the position of the federal eagle 51, which in Figure 2 is shown.

[0106] In Figure c) the twenty-nine longest contours K 1 .... K 29 from the contour image 13 are now Figure 1b) are evaluated with respect to the position of their center of gravity "Center" in the data carrier-specific coordinate system 52 and their length (Length) as contour-specific values ​​W 1 ... W 29. The position of the centers of gravity (Center X, Y) of the contours K n is determined in the present case with respect to the position of the center of gravity 50 of the federal eagle 51 as the zero point of the coordinate system 52, cf. Figure 2 .

[0107] In this example, the center of gravity 50 of the federal eagle 51 is the control mark 50.

[0108] In In this example, the specified length corresponds to the number of pixels times the pixel size of the corresponding contour line.

[0109] Figure d) shows the coding of the values ​​W 1 ... W 29 from Figure 1c ) as DataMatrixCode (DMC) 60, which is preferably signed.

[0110] Figure 2 shows in Figure 2a) schematically shows the visible side 28 of a data carrier 20 with the federal eagle 51, photograph 15, and the data carrier's internal DMC code 60 based on the image-specific results and the position of the federal eagle 51, which is also printed on the visible side 28. The center of gravity 50 of the federal eagle 51 is the control mark 50 and defines the position of the zero point of the data carrier's internal coordinate system 52.

[0111] The positions of the centers of gravity 50 of the contours K n are determined in relation to the data carrier-internal coordinate system 52 defined by the center of gravity 50 of the federal eagle 51. This is shown schematically in Figure 2b The positions of the centers of gravity of the contours K n are then stored on the data carrier 20 in the matrix code 60.

[0112] The matrix code 60 is printed on the data carrier 20 in this embodiment with transparent, near-infrared (NIR) absorbing ink 22. However, it can also be applied to the data carrier 20 with a luminescent ink 24 or otherwise and / or stored in the electronic chip of the data carrier 20.

[0113] During the production of the data carrier 20, a data carrier 20, a substrate or a data carrier layer 27 are provided, and these are printed with the federal eagle 51 and the image 15 using colored ink 16, 17, 18, 19. It is irrelevant whether the federal eagle 51 or the photograph 15 is printed first, or both together. The federal eagle 51 and the photograph 15 can also be printed on different layers of the data carrier 20.

[0114] Subsequently, the determination of the center of gravity 50 of the federal eagle 51, which in the present case is the control mark 50 and defines the zero point of the data carrier-internal or substrate-internal coordinate system 52, the calculation of the image-specific results, namely the contours K 1 ... K n and the contour-specific values ​​W 1 ...W n , as in Figure 1 described and the matrix code 60, which is signed and added to the data carrier 20 in a further personalization step.

[0115] In In another variant, the image-specific values ​​are first calculated from the data of the digitized image and the data code 60 is calculated based on the position of the control mark 50. Subsequently, image 15, control mark 50, and data code 60 are printed, preferably simultaneously, onto the data carrier 20.

[0116] In Figure 3is a preferred variant of a data carrier 20 with two codings, namely the one already in Figure 2 described matrix code 60 based on the contour image 13 and the data carrier-internal coordinate system 52 and the contour image 13 printed in the light image 15, preferably with a transparent luminescent ink 24 that is only visible under UV radiation.

[0117] Thus, the data carrier 20 has two security features based on the data of the digitized image. The two codes correspond and can both be recorded with a suitable recording device such as a camera or scanner and evaluated with the appropriate software, thus being independent of the functionality of a data chip.

[0118] In a preferred variant of an "all in one" coding, the image-specific results (contours) and - based on the desired position of the control mark 50 - the data code 60 are first calculated from the data of the digitized image. Then, the light image 15 is printed with colored ink 16, 17, 18, 19, the contour image 13 is printed with transparent ink 24 that luminesces under UV irradiation, preferably via an additional color channel, into the light image 15. Preferably, likewise in the same printing process, the control mark 50 and the matrix code 60 are also printed simultaneously, wherein the matrix code 60 is preferably printed with a transparent IR-absorbing ink 22 and the control mark 50 is printed with a colored ink 16, 17, 18, 19.

[0119] In this preferred variant, the control mark 50 can also be printed in the photograph 15 itself, but also outside the photograph 15.

[0120] Figure 4shows schematically the production of the contour image 13, which is only visible under UV irradiation, in the photograph 15 from Figure 3 In addition to preparing the digital image data in a raster imaging process (RIP) for color printing of the photograph 15 with the colored inks 16, 17, 18, 19, the contours are calculated from the digital image data using Canny edge detection. Specific contours or support structures are calculated from the portrait and output as a separate contour image 13 ("Canny contour").

[0121] This contour image 13 is prepared as a separate color channel (spot color) during printing and is printed simultaneously with the color colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, core (CMYK)) using transparent luminescent ink 24, which is only visible under UV irradiation ("spot").

[0122] As a result, a printed image 15, 13 is created which, in the visible spectral range, is a "normal" image 15 of the document holder in the printing colors CMYK, in which the contours are encoded, since these are only visible as luminescent lines under UV excitation.

[0123] The production of the data carrier 20 from Figure 3 with the matrix code 60 and the contour image 13 printed in the photograph 15 with ink 24 visible only in UV is carried out in a similar way to the production of the data carrier 20 from Figure 2 However, in the pre-press stage, the contour image 13 is created from the data of the digitized image according to the first step in Figure 4 generated, and only then are the federal eagle 51, visible image 15 and, with the invisible ink 24, the contour image 13, which is only visible under UV irradiation, printed into the photograph 15, as in Figure 4explained. The specific values ​​W 1 ... W n are then calculated from the position of the center of gravity 50 of the federal eagle 51 and the photograph 15 and / or the contour image 13 and stored as a signed matrix code 60 in the data carrier 20 or the substrate or the data carrier layer 27.

[0124] Figure 5 shows the structure of a data carrier 20 of a security document 21, which consists of a printed photograph 15 and several layers 27 laminated together to form a composite. The printed photograph 15 is located within the composite layer in layer 27". In the underlying layer 27‴, the center of gravity 50 of the federal eagle 51, which represents the tax marking 50 in this example, is drawn on the right side. And in layer 27", namely the layer with the printed photograph 15, the calculated matrix code 60 is schematically shown.

[0125] The contour image 13 is additionally printed into the light image 15 printed with the colored inks 16, 17, 18, 19 using the transparent, luminescent ink 24 visible under UV radiation. The matrix code 60 is printed into the layer 27" using ink 22 visible under IR radiation.

[0126] Thus, the verification of the light image 15 in the data carrier 20 can be carried out under daylight with respect to the printed visible light image 15, under UV irradiation with respect to the luminescent contour image 13, and under IR irradiation with respect to the matrix code 60. The layers 27, 27', 27", 27‴ are laminated to form a composite.

[0127] In Figure 6 The production of contours in the visible side 28 of a data carrier 20 above the printed photograph 15 using a laser 40 is shown. The control marking 50 and the matrix code 60 have been omitted in this illustration.

[0128] The area 25 of the layer 27, which extends above or over the light image 15 in the direction of the visible side 28, is transparent and thus allows a view of the light image 15. In this area 25 of the layer 27 located above the light image 15, in the example of the Figure 6 into the visible side 28 in the area 25 of the layer 27, the contours 13 (support contours) are now created by means of laser ablation or precisely fitting into the finished data carrier 20 with a suitable laser 40, for example a CO 2 laser (wavelength 10 micrometers) or a CO laser (wavelength 5 micrometers).

[0129] The result is a data carrier 20 in which the contours 13 are milled precisely above the printed photograph 15, whereby the contours represent more or less tactile depressions.

[0130] In Figure 7On the left side, a holographic film 26, i.e., a carrier layer film 26, is shown, into which the calculated contours are exposed by means of a laser 40 to produce a hologram 13. Subsequently, the holographic film 26 is precisely applied to the data carrier 20 above the printed image 15, bonded to the data carrier 20 by means of an adhesive layer 29, and the surface is subsequently sealed with a scratch-resistant varnish 30.

[0131] The result is a data carrier 20 with a light image 15 and precisely fitting holographic contours above the light image 15. List of reference symbols

[0132] 13Contour image; detectable or printed image-specific results 15Printed photograph 16Color ink 17Color ink 18Color ink 19Color ink 20Data carrier 21Security or valuable document 22IR-absorbing ink 24Transparent ink luminescent under UV irradiation 25Area of ​​the data carrier above the image 15 26Film 27, 27', 27", 27‴Layer of the data carrier 28Visible side of the data carrier 29Adhesive layer 30Scratch-resistant varnish 40Laser 50Tax mark, center of gravity of the federal eagle 51 51Federal eagle 52Coordinate system 60Data code, graphic code, matrix code

Claims

1. A method for producing a printed photograph (15) on a data carrier (20) for a security or value document (21) from the data of a digitized photograph, comprising the following steps: a) providing a data carrier (20), b) printing the digitized photograph and providing a control marking (50) on the data carrier (20), c) reading the printed photograph (15) and calculating image-specific results from the printed photograph (15) and / or calculating image-specific results from the data of the digitized photograph, the image-specific results being facial contours determined from the photograph or positions of individual, specific points of the face, clothing or jewelry of a data carrier owner or landmarks calculated from the color or brightness contrasts of the photograph or from individual areas of the photograph, d) determining the positions of the image-specific results in relation to the control marking (50), e) storing the image-specific results and their positions as a data code (60) on the data carrier (20).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method comprises a further step f) of coding the printed photograph (15) with the image-specific results in a detectable form (13).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control marking (50) is a printed marking, in particular a design or sovereignty element (51), a cross, star, letter, a number or another defined position or another feature on the data carrier (20), for example an edge or position, a rounded edge, and / or the calculation of the image-specific results is carried out with the Canny edge detection and / or the data code (60) is a graphical code (60), in particular a matrix code (60), a data matrix code (DMC), a barcode, a QR code or a graph, which is preferably printed, or is an electronic data code (60) stored on an electronic chip of the data carrier (20) and / or the data carrier (20) has one or more layers (25, 26) made of the following plastics or their derivatives, namely polycarbonate, bisphenol-A-polycarbonate, carboxy-modified PC, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), glycol-modified PET (PETG), carboxy-modified PET, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), vinylic polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl phenol (PVP), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyacrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyamides, polyurethanes, polyurea, polyimides or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), and / or the data code (60) is signed or has a digital signature.

4. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printing of the photograph (15) in step b) is done with colored inks (16), (17), (18), (19).

5. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coding of the printed photograph (15) in step f) is effected by printing with an ink that is transparent in the visible spectral range, in particular with a luminescent ink (24) or an infrared-absorbing ink (22), in the visible image (15) or a region of a layer (25) above the image (15) or in the form of a hologram or a milling, in particular by laser ablation, or in another visually, haptically or otherwise perceptible or measurable form in a region (25) of a layer (27) above the image (15), wherein preferably the printing of the image (15) in step b) and the encoding of the printed image (15) by printing with an ink (22, 24) transparent in the visible spectral range in step f) and the printing of the data code (60) in step e) are carried out simultaneously, wherein furthermore preferably the printing of the data code (60) is carried out in the image (15) itself or on the data carrier (20) outside the image (15).

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the coding of the printed image (15) in step f) is carried out by printing with a transparent luminescent ink (24) or a transparent infrared-absorbing ink (22), characterized in that the luminescent transparent ink (24) or the transparent IR-absorbing ink (22) comprises up to 10% by weight of at least one soluble luminescent dye that can be excited by means of UV radiation and emits in the visible spectral range, or up to 10% by weight of at least one dye that is transparent in the visible spectral range and absorbs in the infrared, and / or that during printing the luminescent transparent ink (24) and / or the transparent ink (22) absorbing in the infrared is / are supplied via an additional colour channel.

7. A process according to any one of claims 4 or 6, characterized in that the colored inks (16, 17, 18, 19) according to claim 4 and / or the luminescent transparent or transparent IR-absorbing ink (22, 24) according to claim 6 are comprising up to 20 wt.% of binder comprising a polycarbonate based on a geminally disubstituted dihydroxydiphenylcycloalkane and at least 30 wt.% of organic solvents, in particular hydrocarbons and / or ketones and / or organic esters.

8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method steps a) to e) or a) to f) are not carried out in the listed order one after the other.

9. A method for verifying the authenticity of a printed image (15) on a data carrier (20) of a security and value document (21), which data carrier (20) comprises a printed photograph (15), a control mark (50) and a data code (60) based on image-specific results of the printed photograph (15) and a position of the control marking (50) based data code (60), characterized in that the printed photograph (15) is read, the position of the control marking (50) is determined, the image-specific results and their position are calculated and compared with the values stored in the data code (60) values, the image-specific results being facial contours determined from the photograph or positions of individual, specific points on the face, clothing or jewellery of a data carrier owner, or landmarks calculated from the colour or brightness contrasts of the photograph or from individual areas of the photograph.

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the printed photograph (15) additionally comprises image-specific results encoded in the printed photograph (15) in a detectable form (13), and the detectable image-specific results (13) encoded in the printed photograph (15) are read out, and from the read out detectable image-specific results (13) and the position of the control marking (50), or from the calculated image-specific results read out from the printed photographs (15) and the position of the control marking (50), the image-specific results and their position are calculated and compared with the values stored in the data code (60).

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the data code (60) is signed and the signature of the data code (60) is checked with regard to consistency with the image-specific results and with regard to passive authentication or the use of authentic signature keys, and / or the calculation of the image-specific specific results from the read printed photograph (15) is carried out with the same algorithm as in the production of the photograph (15) and / or the reading of the printed photograph (15) is carried out under white light irradiation with an RGB camera and / or the verification of the authenticity of the printed photograph (15) is carried out in an automated manner and / or the verification is carried out with a document checking device, a smartphone, a device with a camera, optionally with flash, or a scanner for reading the printed photograph (15), a software for evaluating the data code (60), in particular the graphical code (60), and optionally a software for calculating the image-specific results and optionally a UV light source.

12. Method according to one of the claims 9 to 11 for checking the authenticity of a photograph (15) printed on a data carrier (20) according to one of the claims 1 to 8.

13. A security or value document (21) comprising a data carrier (20) with a control marking (50), on which a photograph (15) is printed and on which a data code (60) is stored, which is based on image-specific results of the photograph (15) and a position of the control marking (50), the image-specific results being facial contours determined from the photograph or positions of individual, specific points on the face, clothing or jewelry of a data carrier owner, or landmarks calculated from the color or brightness contrasts of the photograph or from individual areas of the photograph.

14. Security or value document (21) according to claim 13, characterized in that in the photograph (15) additionally are coded in detectable form image-specific results and that the data code (60) stored on the data carrier (20) is based on the image-specific results of the photograph (15) and on the position of the control marking (50).

15. A security or value document (21) according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the security or value document comprises a data carrier card or a book-type document having a data carrier, a book cover and a book block.