Process for personalizing a secure document by modifying the appearance of part of its surface

Abstract

Method for personalizing a secure document by modifying the appearance of a part of its surface The invention relates to a method for laser personalization of a secure document comprising at least one personalization zone comprising at least one frosted surface. The personalization method is particular in that it comprises the generation of at least one first image by applying a laser beam to said surface, the application of the laser beam modifying the appearance of said surface by smoothing certain portions of the latter while not blackening them. Figure for abstract: Figure 2B

Description

Title of the invention: Method for personalizing a secure document by modifying the appearance of part of its surface Prior art

[0001] The present application belongs to the general field of secure documents. It relates more particularly to a method for personalizing a secure document as well as a secure document intended to be personalized by means of such a personalization method.

[0002] The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in the field of secure documents in the form of cards made of polymer materials or in the form of booklets, such as for example passports, comprising at least one page made of polymer materials.

[0003] In order to contribute to improving the authentication of such a secure document as well as that of its holder, and / or to limit the risks of counterfeiting of this type of document, the latter include a plurality of security elements.

[0004] Such security elements may, for example, take the form of: - a photograph of the holder of the secure document engraved in grayscale or printed in color, and / or - patterns appearing on at least one of the surfaces of the secure document depending on the lighting or an angle of observation, such as abstract patterns, initials, such as for example “RF” for French Republic, or a motto such as “liberty, equality, fraternity”.

[0005] Conventionally, a secure document, such as a national identity card, is made up of a plurality of sheets stacked on top of each other. These sheets, which can, for example, be made of different polymer materials, such as PVC (or polyvinyl chloride), PET (or polyethylene terephthalate) or PC (or polycarbonate), make it possible, in particular, to personalize and authenticate the secure document.

[0006] In order to protect the secure document from any attempt at fraud and to limit the risks of counterfeiting or data theft, this stack of sheets of polymer material is then hot-laminated, thus sealing the secure document and its contents.

[0007] It is during this hot lamination step that certain security elements appearing on at least one of the surfaces of the secure document are generated. To this end, a negative of the patterns constituting these security elements is engraved on metal plates intended to be used for laminating secure documents during their manufacture.

[0008] Such a method makes it possible to manufacture secure documents in series since the same set of metal plates can be used for the lamination of a large number of secure documents, typically 100,000 documents or more with the same set of metal plates.

[0009] However, all of the secure documents thus obtained have common security elements and are only distinguished by the security elements relating to the holder of the secure document when these are present in the document. Presentation of the invention

[0010] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art, in particular those set out above, by proposing a solution which makes it possible to increase the level of personalization, to improve resistance to fraud and to reduce the risks of counterfeiting, secure documents being presented, among other things, in the form of cards made of polymer materials or in the form of booklets comprising at least one page made of polymer materials.

[0011] To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for personalizing a secure document comprising at least one personalization zone comprising at least one frosted surface, said personalization method comprising:

[0012] generating at least a first image by applying a laser beam to said surface, the application of the laser beam modifying the appearance of said surface by smoothing certain portions of the latter while not blackening them.

[0013] It should be noted that the expression "personalizing a secure document" refers to the process of creating a unique and specific identification document for each individual, such as an identity card, passport or driving license, which contains personal and / or biometric information specific to a given person. In other words, the personalization of a secure document aims to guarantee the uniqueness of the latter and to ensure the security and authenticity of the information it contains.

[0014] To this end, the personalization of an identity document generally involves the following steps: - collection of personal information of the individual, such as name, date of birth, address, photograph, fingerprints, etc. by a competent authority, - verification and validation of information by the competent authority, - design and production of the secure document by printing the individual's personal information, and / or encoding this information in an integrated electronic chip, and / or adding secure elements.

[0015] The method according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to retain the benefits of mass-producing secure documents while improving their security and their capacity to resist fraud.

[0016] In the present solution, it is proposed to use secure documents of which at least part of the surface is frosted. Such a frosted surface is obtained by lamination using a metal plate of which at least part of the surface is rough, the frosted surface of the secure document corresponding to the rough surface of the metal plate.

[0017] Such a frosted surface can then be personalized by applying a laser beam.

[0018] The application of a laser beam to such a frosted surface modifies the appearance of the latter, making it possible to generate an image specific to each secure document. During its application, the laser beam heats the material constituting the surface of the secure document and liquefies it for a very short time, without carbonizing it so as not to blacken the surface. During cooling, the surface heated by the laser beam then becomes perfectly smooth under the action of the surface tension of the material. The surface retains its smooth character after its solidification, the alternation of smooth portions and frosted portions giving rise to an image specific to each secure document.

[0019] In particular embodiments, the wavelength of the laser beam is greater than or equal to 10.5 qm (micrometers) and less than or equal to 11 qm.

[0020] Such a wavelength range can be obtained, for example, by means of a carbon dioxide laser. Applying a laser beam emitting in this wavelength range to the personalization surface has the advantage of heating the material until it liquefies without causing it to blacken. This allows a smooth and transparent surface to be obtained when the material cools.

[0021] In particular embodiments, the personalization method may comprise the generation of at least one second image interlaced with said first image by applying a laser beam to said surface.

[0022] When personalizing the secure document according to these embodiments, at least one second image, interlaced with the first image, is also generated by applying the laser beam. In order to generate this second interlaced image, the laser beam is applied to portions of the surface of the secure document distinct from the portions processed to generate the first image.

[0023] In particular embodiments, the personalization zone is made of transparent material.

[0024] It is thus possible for an agent wishing to verify the authenticity of the secure document to observe the first image and / or the second image regardless of the side of the secure document presented to him.

[0025] In particular embodiments, the personalization zone is made of polymer material.

[0026] Such a material lends itself well to lamination and has the physical properties which allow, when the material cools after being heated by means of the laser beam, the obtaining of a smooth surface.

[0027] More particularly, the polymer material may be a polycarbonate.

[0028] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a secure document comprising at least one personalization zone comprising at least one first frosted surface on which at least one first image is intended to be generated by application of a laser beam, the application of the laser beam modifying the appearance of said first surface by smoothing certain portions of the latter.

[0029] For example, it may be a document in card format such as a national identity card or driving license, or a document in booklet format such as a passport.

[0030] In particular embodiments, the secure document further comprises a lenticular network intended to reveal said at least one first image when the secure document is in a first observation configuration.

[0031] For example, a lenticular network comprises a plurality of lines, straight or curved, parallel to each other, two neighboring lines being separated from each other by a distance called a “pitch”.

[0032] In particular embodiments, at least one second image interlaced with said first image is intended to be generated by applying the laser beam to said first surface.

[0033] In particular embodiments, said optical network is intended to reveal said at least one second image when the secure document is in a second observation configuration.

[0034] In embodiments involving the presence of the lenticular network, the latter is arranged on a second surface of said personalization zone located opposite said first surface.

[0035] In some of these embodiments, the lenticular network may be formed by lamination. In such a case, a first metal plate has a rough surface allowing the frosted surface to be obtained and a second metal plate has a negative of the shape of the lenticular network.

[0036] The personalization of the secure document can be carried out on the face opposite to that on which the lenticular network is formed. Thus the application of the laser beam to the personalization surface does not damage the geometry of the lenses constituting the network.

[0037] In other of these particular modes of implementation involving the presence of the optical network, when the secure document comprises at least two pages connected to each other by a hinge, a first page comprises said personalization zone and a second page comprises said optical network arranged opposite the personalization zone.

[0038] These other modes of implementation relate more particularly to secure documents of the passport type.

[0039] Regardless of the type of secure document, in particular modes of implementation, the personalization zone is made of transparent material.

[0040] More particularly, the personalization zone is made of polymer material.

[0041] In particular embodiments, the polymer material is a polycarbonate. Brief description of the drawings

[0042] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description given below, with reference to the appended drawings which illustrate an exemplary embodiment thereof without any limiting character. In the figures:

[0043] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] represents a secure document which can be personalized using the personalization method which is the subject of the invention;

[0044] [Fig.2A] [Fig.2A] represents a cross-section of the secure document which is the subject of the invention along axis II before the implementation of the personalization method which is the subject of the invention,

[0045] [Fig.2B] [Fig.2B] represents a cross-section of the secure document which is the subject of the invention along axis II after the implementation of the personalization method which is the subject of the invention,

[0046] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents an image obtained according to the personalization method which is the subject of the invention,

[0047] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents two interlaced images obtained according to the personalization method which is the subject of the invention,

[0048] [Fig.5A], [Fig.5B] Figures 5A and 5B represent a first mode of personalization of a secure document,

[0049] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] represents a secure document in the form of a booklet,

[0050] [Fig.7A], [Fig.7B] Figures 7A and 7B represent a second mode of personalization of a secure document.

[0051] Identical references shown in the above-mentioned figures are identified by identical numerical references. Description of embodiments

[0052] The present invention aims to increase the level of personalization, to improve resistance to fraud and to reduce the risks of counterfeiting of secure documents.

[0053] For the remainder of the description, it is considered in a non-limiting manner that the secure document is an identity card described with reference to [Fig.l].

[0054] [Fig. 1] represents a secure document 10 seen from the front. Such a secure document 10 comprises on a first surface 11, at least one personalization zone ZP whose appearance can be modified by applying a laser beam.

[0055] By way of example, the personalization zone ZP can cover the entire first surface 11. Alternatively, the personalization zone ZP can simply cover a limited area of ​​the first surface 11 as is the case in the representation given in [Fig.l].

[0056] The security document 10 being in a substantially rectangular shape, a section plane II chosen parallel to a width of the secure document 10 is also shown in [Fig.l].

[0057] More precisely, the secure document 10 comprises a first surface 11 and a second surface 12 between which a stack of sheets 13 is arranged. These three constituent layers of the secure document 10 are visible in [Fig.2A] which represents the secure document according to the section plane II introduced with reference to [Fig.1]. It should be noted that this [Fig.2A] represents a sectional view of the secure document 10 before the personalization method which is the subject of the invention is implemented.

[0058] The surfaces 11 and 12 of the secure document 10 may take the form of two sheets made of a polymer material such as polycarbonate. The person skilled in the art being aware that the function of these two sheets 11 and 12 is to ensure the protection of the secure document 10 against any attempt at fraud or data theft, he knows, if necessary, how to choose materials other than polycarbonate to constitute the sheets 11 and 12.

[0059] As mentioned in the introduction to the present patent application, the stack of sheets 13 comprises a plurality of sheets which may optionally be made of different polymer materials on which information relating to the holder of the secure document 10 is printed and / or engraved, such as his name and date of birth, for example. Security elements may also be included in some of its sheets. As such, the composition of these sheets, in itself, may constitute a security element. The person skilled in the art will understand that these are examples given for informational purposes and are not limiting, the security elements being able to take any form necessary to secure the document 10.

[0060] The sheets 11, 13 and 12 are then hot laminated, thus sealing the secure document 10 and its contents.

[0061] The set of laminating plates used to seal the secure document 10 comprises a first laminating plate whose surface intended to come into contact with the surface 11 of the secure document 10 comprises a rough zone.

[0062] This rough zone is intended to give rise to the personalization zone ZP whose surface 14 is frosted. Such a rough zone can cover the entire surface of the first lamination plate and thus generate a personalization zone 11 covering the entire first surface 11 of the secure document. Alternatively, the rough zone can cover a limited area of ​​the surface of the first lamination plate and generate a personalization zone ZP covering a limited area of ​​the first surface 11 as is the case in the representation given in [Fig.l] and in [Fig.2A].

[0063] During the lamination step, the surface of the second lamination plate intended to come into contact with the surface 12 of the secure document 10 can also contribute to generating surface effects on the secure document 10. It is for example possible to generate an optical network R on the surface 12 of the secure document 10 by etching the patterns of this optical network R on the surface of the second lamination plate intended to come into contact with the surface 12 of the secure document 10.

[0064] This optical network R, which may for example be a lenticular network, is arranged opposite the personalization zone ZP and is intended to reveal a personalized image generated on the surface 14 of the personalization zone during the implementation of the personalization method which is the subject of the present invention. In such a case, the material constituting the personalization zone ZP is transparent in order to allow the image to be viewed through the optical network R. This is then referred to as a personalization window, a first frosted face 14 of which is customizable by applying a laser beam and a second face of which consists of an optical network R.

[0065] When the personalization window covers the entire surface of the secure document 10, it does not include the stack of sheets 13 and may consist of only a single sheet of polymer material.

[0066] In the remainder of this document, the term “application of a laser beam” means the scanning of the surface of the personalization zone ZP by a laser beam. The radiation intensity of this laser beam as well as the exposure time of the surface to be treated depend on the material constituting the personalization zone ZP.

[0067] In a known manner, laser scanning is a technique consisting of moving a laser beam in a controlled and precise manner in one or more directions to perform various tasks, in this case personalizing the secure document 10.

[0068] The basic principle of laser scanning is based on the use of a mirror or a system of mirrors to direct the laser beam in different directions. These mirrors are generally carried by galvanometric motors which allow rapid and precise movements.

[0069] In order to increase the level of personalization of a secure document 10 as described with reference to [Fig.l], the inventors of the present solution propose applying a laser beam with a wavelength of between 10.5 qm (micrometers) and 11 qm to the frosted surface 14 of the personalization zone ZP. The lasers capable of generating beams with a wavelength in this range are most often lasers whose amplifying medium comprises carbon dioxide; this is then commonly referred to as a carbon dioxide laser.

[0070] The method for personalizing the secure document 10 therefore comprises a step of generating a first image by applying the laser beam to the surface 14 of the personalization zone ZP.

[0071] The application of the laser beam to the frosted surface 14 of the personalization zone ZP heats the material constituting the latter and modifies its physical properties. During cooling, the surface 14 heated by the laser beam becomes perfectly smooth under the action of the surface tension of the material constituting it. The appearance of this surface 14 is then modified. The alternation of portions having a smooth surface and portions having a frosted surface generates an image specific to each secure document.

[0072] Such an alternation is for example represented in [Fig.2B]. Just like [Fig.2A], [Fig.2B] represents the secure document according to the section plane II introduced with reference to [Fig.1]. It should be noted that this [Fig.2B] represents, for its part, a sectional view of the secure document 10 after the personalization method which is the subject of the invention has been implemented.

[0073] Thus, [Fig.2B] shows the alternation of portions having a smooth surface 14L and portions having a frosted surface 14D on the surface 14 of the personalization zone ZP.

[0074] Such an alternation, corresponding to the first image 20, is shown seen from above in [Fig. 3]. In this figure representing the personalization zone ZP, the portions having a smooth surface 14L appear in shades of gray and show the number 1. The portions 14D having a frosted surface are as for they are presented in white in [Fig.3]. Alternatively, it is the portions with a 14D frosted surface that show the number 1.

[0075] Optionally, the object personalization method comprises a step of generating a second image 30 by applying the laser beam to the surface 14 of the personalization zone ZP. This second image 30 may or may not be interlaced with the first image 20.

[0076] [Fig. 4] represents two interlaced images 20 and 30 obtained by means of the personalization method which is the subject of the present invention. Image 20 represents the number 1 and is obtained following the application of the laser beam to first portions of the personalization zone ZP. Image 30 represents the number 2 and is obtained following the application of the laser beam to portions of the personalization zone ZP distinct from those used to generate the first image 20. Image 30 and image 20 are obtained by applying the laser beam through the lenticular network R, the laser beam being applied at different inclination angles for image 20 and for image 30.

[0077] More particularly, in this [Fig. 4], the portions having a smooth surface 14L which appear in light gray correspond to the first image 20 and show the number 1, and the portions having a smooth surface 14L which appear in dark gray correspond to the first image 30 and show the number 2. The portions 14D having a frosted surface are presented in white in [Fig. 4].

[0078] [Fig.5A] and [Fig.5B] schematically represent a first system for generating interlaced images by means of a laser beam. Such a system comprises a module M for generating a laser beam F. Such modules are well known to those skilled in the art. The system S also comprises a support S on which the secure document 10 is placed. In such a system, the orientation of the laser beam F can be modified. In the example shown in [Fig.5A], the laser beam F is oriented in a first direction in which it scans the personalization zone ZP to generate the first image 20. In the example shown in [Fig.5B], the laser beam F is oriented in a second direction in which it scans the personalization zone to generate the first image 30.

[0079] In embodiments, the image 20 is revealed by the optical network R when the secure document 10 is in a first observation configuration and the image 30 is revealed by the optical network R when the secure document 10 is in a second observation configuration.

[0080] When the secure document 10 is in the form of a booklet and an optical network R is necessary for revealing the image 20, the latter can be arranged on a separate page of the booklet. Such a secure document 10 is shown in FIG. 6.

[0081] The secure document 10 generally comprises a cover page 52 followed by at least one page 53 which may belong to a notebook comprising a plurality of pages. The cover page 52 and the at least one page 53 are protected by the cover pages 50 and 51.

[0082] The cover page 52, the at least one page 53 and the front 50 and back 51 cover pages are for example assembled by means of a seam forming a hinge 54 around which the different pages can pivot to open, close or browse the secure document 10. A section plane II-II chosen perpendicular to the hinge 54 is also shown in [Fig.6].

[0083] The personalization zone ZP is for example included in the cover page 52. The person skilled in the art will of course understand that the personalization zone can be included in any other page of the booklet. Page 53 which directly follows (or precedes) the page comprising the personalization zone ZP is provided with a window 55 comprising the optical network R. The window 55 is arranged opposite the personalization zone ZP which makes it possible to ensure that the optical network R is correctly arranged on the surface to be observed.

[0084] It is then possible to produce two interlaced images as described further upstream with reference to [Fig.4] by applying the laser beam to distinct portions of the personalization zone ZP to generate the first image 20 and the second image 30.

[0085] In the particular case of a secure document 10 in the form of a booklet, the application of the laser beam can be carried out according to two different variants.

[0086] According to a first variant, the laser beam can be applied through the lenticular network R at two different angles of inclination to form the two interlaced images 20 and 30, as described previously with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0087] According to a second preferred variant, the laser beam can be applied directly to the personalization zone ZP, the smooth surface portions dedicated to the image 20 and those dedicated to the image 30 being alternated according to a pitch substantially equal to that of the lenticular network R. [Fig.7A] and [Fig.7B] schematically represent a second system for generating interlaced images by means of a laser beam. Such a system also comprises a generation module M of a laser beam F. The system S also comprises a support S on which the secure document 10 is placed. In such a system, the orientation of the laser beam F is fixed, that is to say it remains the same throughout the personalization operations of the secure document 10. In the example shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the laser beam F is oriented in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the data page 53. All the elements represented in figures 7A and 7B are cut according to the section plane II-II introduced with reference to [Fig.6].

[0088] With reference to [Fig.7A], the secure document 10 is arranged on the support S according to a first opening configuration in which there is an offset “d” between page 52 and page 53. The laser beam F then scans the personalization zone ZP to generate the first image 20.

[0089] Once the first image 20 has been generated, the secure document 10 is placed on the support S according to a second opening configuration, as shown in [Fig.7B]. In this second opening configuration, there is no offset between page 54 and page 53. The laser beam scans the personalization zone ZP to generate the second image 30. At the end of this scanning, the second image 30 is generated.

[0090] Regardless of the technique applied to generate the interlaced images 20 and 30, there are two methods for alternately observing image 20 or image 30 once the latter have been generated.

[0091] A first method consists of observing the first image 20 and the second image 30 by modifying the inclination of the secure document 10 according to angles determined relative to the observation direction to make the first image 20 or the second image 30 appear respectively.

[0092] A second method consists of alternately observing image 20 or image 30 by moving, by translation, the optical network R of page 53 onto the personalization zone ZP. This movement by translation of one page relative to the other is obtained by opening the booklet of the secure document 10 according to different opening angles.

Claims

Claims

1. . Method for personalizing a secure document comprising at least one personalization zone comprising at least one frosted surface, and at least one lenticular network arranged opposite the personalization zone, said personalization method comprising: the generation of at least one first image by applying a laser beam to said surface, the application of the laser beam modifying the appearance of said surface by smoothing certain portions of the latter while not blackening them, said first image being intended to be revealed by said lenticular network when the secure document is in a first observation configuration.

2. A personalization method according to claim 1 wherein the wavelength of the laser beam is greater than or equal to 10.5 qm (micrometers) and less than or equal to 11 qm.

3. A personalization method according to claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising generating at least one second image interlaced with said first image by applying a laser beam to said surface.

4. Personalization method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the personalization area is made of transparent material.

5. A personalization method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the polymer material is a polycarbonate.

6. Secure document comprising at least: - a personalization zone comprising at least a first frosted surface, and - at least one lenticular network arranged opposite the personalization zone, in which at least a first image is generated on said frosted surface by modifying the appearance of said frosted surface by applying a laser beam which smooths certain portions of said frosted surface, said first image being intended to be revealed by said lenticular network when the secure document is in a first observation configuration.

7. Secure document according to claim 6 wherein at least one second image interlaced with said first image is intended to be generated by applying the laser beam to said first surface.

8. Secure document according to claim 7 wherein said optical network is intended to reveal said at least one second image when the secure document is in a second observation configuration.

9. Secure document according to claim 8 wherein the optical network is arranged on a second surface of said personalization zone located opposite said first surface.

10. Secure document according to claim 8 wherein when the secure document comprises at least two pages connected together by a hinge, a first page comprises said personalization zone and a second page comprises said optical network arranged opposite the personalization zone.

11. Secure document according to any one of claims 6 to 10 wherein the personalization area is made of transparent material.

12. Secure document according to any one of claims 6 to 11 in which the personalization zone is made of polymer material.

13. A secure document according to claim 12 wherein the polymer material is a polycarbonate.

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