Abstract:
The invention relates to identification documents, and in particular to providing optically variable personalized data to identification documents. In one implementation, we provide an identification document comprising a document layer and a first indicium. The document layer comprises a material capable of being printed by a thermally transferable optically variable ink. The first indicium is printed on the document layer and comprises personalized data and printed to the document layer by a thermally transferred optically variable ink. The first indicium may be printed to the document layer by disposing a thermally transferable optically variable ink in a mass transfer panel of a printer ribbon adapted for use in a dye diffusion thermal transfer printer, and printing the first indicium as part of a mass transfer printing process. The thermally transferred optically variable ink can be selected and printed such that the first indicium has at least one of a luster, shine, sheen, pearlescent appearance, iridescent appearance, and mirror-like appearance. This technology enables the creation of a halftone "mirror image" over a color ghost image to achieve a layered and linked multiple personalization scheme of ID documents.
Abstract:
An identification document is provided, comprising a core layer, such as TESLIN, laminated directly to a laminate layer, such as polycarbonate, without the use of an adhesive. The core layer has at least one indicium formed thereon and has a first surface. The first layer of laminate is affixed to the core layer by a press lamination process where the press lamination process is sufficient to couple the core layer to the first layer such that an attempt to separate the first layer from the core layer causes at least a partial destruction of the core layer.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to assembling identification documents in an over-the-counter issuing environment. In one implementation of the present invention, we provide an identification document capable of being printed by an ink jet printer-based system in an over-the-counter environment. The identification document comprises a core layer and a first indicium. The core layer has a first surface, and the first indicium is printed directly onto at the first surface of the core layer. The first indicium is formed by a pigmented ink jet ink. The core material can have an affinity for a particular substance ( e.g. , water) and the pigmented jet ink can include that substance ( e.g. , an aqueous-based ink jet ink). An identification document substrate can receive pigmented ink jet ink from an ink jet printer without requiring a receiver layer or receiver coating on the substrate. The absence of the receiver layer allows for direct bonding of additional layers, such as laminates, to an unprinted substrate, thereby not interfering with the bonding mechanism of the laminate to the substrate. Identification documents formed in this manner can meet or exceed all AAMVA, ANSI, and ISO requirements.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to identification documents and smart. cards. In one implementation, we provide a smart. identification document including a document core. The document core is printed and laminated. The laminated core is milled to create a cavity. An integrated circuitry module is provided in the cavity. In one implementation, the cavity includes an upper cavity and a lower cavity. A laminate layer houses the upper cavity while the lower cavity extends into the document core. The upper cavity's aperture exceeds the aperture of the lower cavity resulting in a ledge in the laminate layer. A portion of the module may rest on the ledge, while another portion of the module may extend into the lower cavity. In another implementation, we provide a contactless smart. card including a multi-layered structure. The Structure includes a carrier layer including the smart card electronics. The carrier can be permeable (like a mesh or scrim) so that additional layers may be laminated into or through the carrier layer. A multi-layer structure provides a enhanced durability and helps protect the smart. card electronics. In still another implementation, we provide a PET -based identification document. The PET -based document includes favorable durability and earth-friendly characteristics.
Abstract:
Techniques are described to embed graphical identifiers into a ghost image within a layer of laminate of an identification document. The ghost image includes optically variable media that has a first appearance when viewed from a front of the identification document in reflected light at a first angle and a second, different appearance when viewed from the front of the identification document in reflected light in a second, different angle. During the ghost image generation process, a graphical identifier can be placed on a baseline ghost image to generate an adjusted ghost image. Once the adjusted ghost image is printed onto the identification document, the graphical identifier can be viewable based on the appearance of the adjusted ghost identifier in relation to the reflected light.
Abstract:
An ID document includes a document core and a multi-layer laminate. The multi¬ layer laminate includes at least three layers: a top layer, a middle layer, and a bottom layer. The top layer, in combination with other layers, provides durability to the ID document. The top layer can be made of a material with strong intrusion or scratch resistance and a high thermal softening/deformation point and can also have high resistance to solvents. The middle layer may be made of a material with a low melting point, and may also have high resistance to solvents. The bottom layer helps to facilitate strong binding to the document core or inlay and may be made of a material with a relatively high melting point.
Abstract:
An identification document (100) is provided, comprising a core layer (102), such as TESLIN, laminated directly to a laminate layer (134a), such as polycarbonate, without the use of an adhesive. The core layer (102) has at least one indicium (114) formed thereon and has a first surface. The first layer of laminate (134a) is affixed to the core layer (102) by a press lamination process where the press lamination process is sufficient to couple the core layer (102) to the first layer (134a) such that an attempt to separate the first layer from the core layer causes at least a partial destruction of the core later.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to assembling identification documents in an over-the-counter issuing environment. In one implementation of the present invention, we provide an ink jet printer-based assembling system. An identification document substrate receives ink jet printed information. The printed substrate is laminated. In another implementation, a carrier web carries lamination pieces. The holes or notches are used to align the substrate with the lamination pieces, and to align a laminated document substrate for final cutting.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to assembling identification documents in an over-the-counter issuing environment. In one implementation of the present invention, we provide an identification document capable of being printed by an ink jet printer-based system in an over-the-counter environment. The identification document comprises a core layer and a first indicium. The core layer has a first surface, and the first indicium is printed directly onto at the first surface of the core layer. The first indicium is formed by a pigmented ink jet ink. The core material can have an affinity for a particular substance ( e.g. , water) and the pigmented jet ink can include that substance ( e.g. , an aqueous-based ink jet ink). An identification document substrate can receive pigmented ink jet ink from an ink jet printer without requiring a receiver layer or receiver coating on the substrate. The absence of the receiver layer allows for direct bonding of additional layers, such as laminates, to an unprinted substrate, thereby not interfering with the bonding mechanism of the laminate to the substrate. Identification documents formed in this manner can meet or exceed all AAMVA, ANSI, and ISO requirements.
Abstract:
The invention relates to identification documents, and in particular to preprinting processing covert images, such as UV or IR images, provided on such identification documents. In one implementation, the invention provides a method of processing a digital image that is to be printed on a surface of an identification document as a fluorescing-capable image to improve the quality of the image. Edges or boundaries are detected within the image, the detected edges or boundaries forming an intermediate image. The edges or boundaries within the image are emphasized, and the emphasized image is used for printing the covert image. In some implementations of the invention, a digital watermark is embedded in the covert image.