Passport security marking process

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for security marking a passport manufactured using production equipment from components bearing identification data, said components including a booklet of numbered pages inserted in a cover, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: Acquiring identification data from at least some of the passport components or from at least some of the production equipment; Generating a two-dimensional code from the component or equipment identifiers; Generating a digital signature using the two-dimensional code with a digital signature algorithm; Printing the digital signature of the two-dimensional code onto at least one passport component. Abstract Figure: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Security marking method for passports

[0001] The present invention relates to a new method of security marking of a passport, intended to identify and trace the components used for the manufacture of a passport, whether it is a biometric passport equipped with a microelectronic chip, or a simple non-biometric passport. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Known passport manufacturing processes consist of assembling a number of components, such as a booklet of paper sheets, assembled with a cover that may or may not include a module equipped with an electronic integrated circuit, and then numbering the passport as the final manufacturing step. This final numbering step is generally carried out in two ways by passport manufacturers. According to a first known process, a unique number is printed on each page of the passport with ink that may be visible, or invisible but reactive to become visible under ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This numbering by printing is also called "stamp printing." According to another process, a laser beam is used to perforate each page of the passport in a conical pattern to inscribe a unique number.

[0003] However, these known methods are no longer always sufficient to guarantee the integrity and authenticity of passports in circulation, as criminal entities are increasingly finding ways to imitate these known marking methods. This allows them to produce counterfeit passports by assembling components from forged passports, or even stolen ones during the manufacturing process. Another common form of fraud involves substituting passport pages to conceal visas obtained from certain countries.

[0004] The problem has escalated to the point that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and law enforcement agencies in various countries are now requesting improved tracking of passport production stages to prevent the reuse of stolen or lost passports or passport components. Therefore, there is a need for a new security marking solution for passports or passport components that can ensure the traceability of a passport's components during its production and of the passport once finalized. PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The general aim of the invention is therefore to propose a new marking method that overcomes the drawbacks of existing safety markings. on passports or their components, as well as a new method for checking passports thus marked.

[0006] More specifically, the invention aims to propose a new method which is based on the integration, upstream of the passport assembly process, of a code which makes it possible to authenticate the origin of the passport and its components in a way which cannot be falsified or counterfeited.

[0007] A particular objective of the method according to the invention is to enhance the security of the numbering and pairing of passport pages, so as to facilitate the detection of a page removed from the passport, or the addition of a fraudulent page. Indeed, the identical pairing of all passport pages by laser perforation is increasingly being imitated by fraudsters.

[0008] Another specific objective of the invention is to provide a method for marking the passport components throughout the passport manufacturing process. It is therefore necessary to find a way to associate all the components with a specific passport, preferably from the beginning of the manufacturing process and throughout the production stages. PRINCIPLE OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In principle, the proposed solution is based on printing an identification code on each page of the passport. This code may be one-dimensional or, preferably, two-dimensional, for example, in the form of a QR code, a Datamatrix code, or an equivalent high-density code. It will contain a unique traceability number for one or more passport components and may optionally contain additional data, such as production timestamp data or data relating to the machines used in the production of the components of the future passport. This code may be printed either on the components prior to assembly or directly into the passport assembly feeders. These typically consist of assembly stations, each capable of assembling four passport pages, and an insertion module for manufacturing the passport booklet.Furthermore, this code can be printed in either visible ink, invisible UV fluorescent ink, or both visible and UV fluorescent ink. This code will be systematically digitally signed to prevent counterfeiting. It may optionally be encrypted in all or part of its fields.

[0010] The invention also provides a solution for reviewing and checking the code, integrating verification of the authenticity of the signature and its decryption if it has been encrypted. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The invention therefore relates to a method of security marking of a passport manufactured using production equipment from components provided with identification data, said components including a booklet of numbered pages inserted in a cover, characterized in that it comprises steps consisting of: - Acquiring identification data from at least some of the components of the passport or from at least some of the production equipment; - Generate a two-dimensional code from the aforementioned component or equipment identification data; - Generate a digital signature using said two-dimensional code with the help of a digital signature algorithm; - Print the digital signature of said two-dimensional code on at least one component of the passport.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the process, a digital signature is calculated for and printed on each of the passport pages.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the method, the printing of the digital signature of the two-dimensional code is carried out using an ink visible under daylight, an ink visible under UV light, or a combination of such inks.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the process, the identification data includes timestamp data of the use of a given component of the passport by a given production equipment.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the process, it includes a step of encrypting some of the identification data between the digital signature generation step and the step of printing the signature of the two-dimensional code.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the method, said two-dimensional code is a high-density code consisting of a QR code or a Datamatrix code.

[0017] The invention also relates to a method for checking a passport marked using the marking method defined above, characterized in that it comprises steps consisting of: - Read the digital signature printed on a component of the passport; - Verify the digital signature, and if the verification is positive, deduce that the passport is authentic.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the control process further includes a step of decrypting and displaying the decrypted identification data.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the control process is carried out at the end of passport production or between two stages of the passport production process.

[0020] Alternatively or cumulatively, the control procedure is implemented in the field by a controller equipped with a control terminal during a passport control operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following detailed description, in relation to the figures, in which: - Fig. 1 represents a schematic diagram of the steps in the process of obtaining a two-dimensional security code used according to the invention to mark a passport. - Fig. 2 represents an example of a two-dimensional graphic code (QR code) obtained using the process of Fig. 1; - Fig. 3 represents a diagram of the steps in the process of checking a passport bearing a security marking obtained using the process according to the invention. - Fig. 4 represents a diagram of the main stages in the production of a passport, indicating the stages in which the security code can be inserted, or read.

[0022] Reference is made to [Fig. 1]. The method for generating a unique identification code according to the invention comprises a number of steps, numbered 1 to 5.

[0023] In a first step 1, a certain amount of data relating to the production of each passport is acquired. This may include, in particular, a simple identification number of the passport manufacturer, which will constitute the main data for authenticating the passport.

[0024] But the data acquisition can be much more precise and complex. For example, it can incorporate identification numbers for some, or even all, of the components used in a passport and listed on a traceability list, also known as a "white list." This can also include identification numbers for the machines used during production, the materials used, and the timestamp of the use of a particular component (passport sheet, passport booklet, cover, electronic component in the case of a biometric passport) by a specific machine in the manufacture of a particular passport. The machines used in the manufacturing process, and whose traceability is sought in a passport, may include offset printing machines, page assembly machines, or booklet sewing machines. They can be identified, for example, by their serial number.The granularity of this data acquisition can vary depending on the desired level of security. It is possible to collect only certain data relating to specific components and machines, thus minimizing the volume of data to be processed. Conversely, it is possible to acquire data relating to all components of the future passport and to all or part of the machines involved in the manufacturing process.

[0025] Ideally, all pages of the passport are intended to be marked with a security code according to the invention, in order to be able to detect any page which is counterfeit or non-compliant.

[0026] In a second step 2, a unique identification code is generated from the aforementioned production data acquired in step 1. Generating this unique identification code requires calculation according to an algorithm kept secret by the producer. This algorithm takes as input the aforementioned production data or a hash of this data and generates as output a digital security code. The security code can be one-dimensional, such as a barcode, or preferably integrated into a two-dimensional code with high information density, in particular a QR code (Quick Response Code) or a Datamatrix code. As is well known, this is a type of two-dimensional barcode consisting of black square modules arranged in a white square. The black dots define the information contained in the code. This machine-readable design can be viewed on the screen of a mobile device or printed on paper.

[0027] In step 2, a digital signature of the data is obtained. This signature can use various known cryptographic mechanisms.

[0028] This digital signature may be unique for a given passport manufacturer or may be differentiated according to the production plant and / or the issuing country and / or the type of passport.

[0029] In an optional step 3, the signature obtained in step 2 is encrypted. This involves associating the signed data obtained in step 2 with encrypted data, which is stored in a database. This ensures that, after decryption, the data is only accessible to authorized individuals who possess the decryption key, such as law enforcement. It also prevents anyone outside the manufacturer from accessing certain sensitive or confidential data relating to the manufacturing process, for example, information about specific machines or materials used in the production process. This encryption uses various symmetric or asymmetric cryptographic mechanisms, which are known per se. For example, a 256-bit AES-type algorithm could be used.

[0030] In step 4, the two-dimensional security code, for example the QR code, is generated using the encrypted or unencrypted data obtained in the previous steps.

[0031] In step 5, the security code thus obtained is printed on the pages of each passport. It may be the same security code for all pages of one or more passports, in cases where it is only necessary to confirm the origin of a passport or a batch of passports from a given manufacturer. But the code may it can also be diversified, notably by incorporating the page number of each page of the passports.

[0032] The signed and possibly encrypted code can be applied to the passport by means of digital printing using any technology, for example, but not limited to: inkjet or laser marking. It can be printed indifferently in a way that is visible under daylight, visible under daylight and visible under UV light, or invisible under daylight and visible under UV light.

[0033] Since each passport page has its own unique identification number and has been processed by machines with their own unique identification and timestamp, it can be seen that the code printed on each page can be completely unique, and that the number of each page is correlated to the numbers of the other pages and components of the passport through production information such as the serial number of the machines. In other words, a page from another passport or bearing a fraudulent code would have no chance of matching the series of codes of the legitimate components of the passport or of the machines used, and would therefore not correspond to the unique security code of the passport.

[0034] Figure 2 schematically represents the identification code 8 obtained from the digital signature 3, which is itself obtained from the identification numbers 6 of the components and other production information 7. In this case, the identification code 8 is in the form of a high-density two-dimensional code such as a QR code intended to be printed on the pages of a passport. The method for verifying the authenticity of a passport equipped with a security code obtained according to the method of the invention is schematically illustrated in Figure 3. It comprises the following steps.

[0035] In step 10, the process begins with a machine reading (using a scanner) of the security code, particularly the two-dimensional code, printed on the passport. Depending on the scope of the check, it is possible to read the security code on a single page or on several pages of the passport. In practice, the officer, particularly a law enforcement officer, will scan a page that appears suspicious, and the adjacent pages, to verify that the page numbers decoded from the security codes correspond to the numbers and order of the physical pages. To read the codes, they can use a simple QR code reader application, such as those available for smartphones equipped with a camera.

[0036] In 11, the controller verifies the electronic signature from the scanned code and a verification application loaded on board its verification terminal.

[0037] In step 12, the control terminal displays the authenticity of the passport signature. If the verified signature matches the expected one, the passport is deemed authentic in step 13, which means that the passport does indeed come from the manufacturer whose identity was encoded in the security code printed on the passport.

[0038] In 14, the control terminal displays the number of the page checked, and if the page number from the decoding of the security code coincides with the physical page number of the passport booklet, the latter is deemed to be identified in 15.

[0039] In 16, the security code data is decrypted, if it has been encrypted, and in 17, the control terminal displays the decrypted data.

[0040] In step 18, if the data decrypted from the security code matches the data stored during passport production, the passport is deemed traceable, meaning that the passport or passport component being checked is indeed the one that underwent the production steps of the legitimate and original passport manufacturer. It should be noted that the data stored during passport production can be made accessible by the manufacturer either through local storage in the control terminal or through online access to a secure server belonging to the manufacturer, which stores the production data for all passports it has produced.

[0041] Figure 4 gives an example of steps 40 to 49, which are typical steps in a passport manufacturing process. It includes steps 40-43 for manufacturing or printing components, steps 44-45 for trimming the pages to the correct dimensions, and final steps 46-49 for assembly and finishing. The initial steps 40-41 are most suitable for printing a security code such as the QR code shown in Figure 2. In particular, to ensure later verification during a check that the passport pages are correct, it is necessary that the inner pages of the passport be printed with the security code developed according to the invention, as shown in step 42.This security code can then also be read at one or more of the subsequent steps 44 to 49, or even at all of these steps, which will make it possible to trace the different components, i.e. to verify at each of these manufacturing steps that all the components implemented during the initial steps 40-43 are still present and that no unauthorized component has been introduced during the different manufacturing phases. ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0042] The invention achieves the stated objectives and provides several advantages over passport marking techniques used until now. It allows the passport and its various components to be authenticated, identified, and tracked using a two-dimensional code. This triple function enhances security compared to traditional passport numbering solutions, and this is achieved using only one type of code, which is unprecedented in the world of passport security.

[0043] Furthermore, the process according to the invention requires only minimal and inexpensive modifications to the passport manufacturing line, such as the addition of digital print heads, in addition to the offset print heads used at the output of the printing machine or on each of the print feeders.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for security marking a passport manufactured using production equipment from components having identification data, said components including a booklet of numbered pages inserted in a cover, characterized in that it comprises steps consisting of: - Acquiring (1) identification data from at least some of the components of the passport or from at least some of the production equipment; - Generating from said identification data of the components or equipment a two-dimensional code; - Generating (2) a digital signature using said two-dimensional code using a digital signature algorithm; - Printing (5) the digital signature of said two-dimensional code on at least one component of the passport.

2. A marking method according to claim 1, characterized in that a digital signature is calculated for and printed on each of the passport pages.

3. Marking method according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the printing (5) of the digital signature of the two-dimensional code is carried out using an ink visible under daylight, an ink visible under UV light, or a combination of such inks.

4. A security marking method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification data includes timestamp data of the use of a given component of the passport by a given production equipment.

5. A marking method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step (3) of encrypting some of the identification data between the step (2) of generating a digital signature and the step (5) of printing the signature of the two-dimensional code.

6. A marking method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said two-dimensional code is a high-density code consisting of a QR code or a Datamatrix code.

7. A method for checking a passport marked by the marking method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises steps consisting of: - Reading (10) the digital signature printed on a component of the passport; - Checking (11) the digital signature, and if the check (11) is positive, deducing (13) that the passport is authentic.

8. Control method according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises a step (16) of decrypting and displaying (17) the decrypted identification data.

9. A control method according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that the control is carried out at the end of passport production or between two steps of the passport production process.

10. Control method according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that it is carried out in the field by a controller equipped with a control terminal during a passport control operation.

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