[0001] The present invention relates to an identity document according to the pre-amble
of claim 1.
[0002] Such an identity document is known from
DE 2937906 and can be a passport with cover, identity page affixed within and visa pages, as
well as identification in the form of a card, such as a debit card, driving licence,
credit card.
Such documents are continually being further protected against misuse by the addition
of ever more safety features thereto.
It is assumed that as a result of applying a large number of different safety features
manipulation of such identity documents becomes increasingly more difficult.
Some governments have recently imposed the requirement that the identity document
must have characteristics of the holder stored in electronic form. Such characteristics
can be e.g. characteristics of the iris of (the eye of) the holder and his/her appearance.
[0003] Some governments are now giving preference to the use of one or more fingerprints
for identification. The aim is to store the fingerprint concerned in a chip, mounted
in the identity document, possibly in an encrypted manner. The contents of the chip
are read at the time of identification and compared with the actual fingerprint of
the holder of the card. During this operation a decryption operation possibly also
takes place in order to be able to compare the encrypted information with the actual
fingerprint.
In the case of theft the new holder will, with malicious intent, be interested in
the fingerprints of the legitimate holder in order thus to be able to identify him/herself
illegally using these legal fingerprints.
To prevent problems it is proposed to store two fingerprints, from the left and right
hand, in the system. By this means it is more difficult for the person bent on misuse
to take fingerprints from the user. However, it is important that the identity document
concerned is also protected as far as possible.
DE 2937906 discloses a method for storing personal data such as an image and fingerprints on
a laminated PVC card which may be provided with a magnetic strip containing additional
information. During lamination, profiled steel plates are used to compress the PVC
layers, wherein the specific profile forms a further security feature and prevents
copying.
EP 0 832 756 describes an identity card made up of a laminate in which a relief is applied in
order to obtain an improved appearance of the card e.g. with regard to gloss. The
roughening is used to improve the laminated effect. The final structure is not provided
with roughening.
US 2004/0 140 665 discloses a card provided with surface elevations which form lens structures to obtain
optical effects.
The aim of the present invention is to promote the security of the identity document
in general.
This aim is realised with an identity document as described above in that this has
the support comprises a chip that can be read externally and that contains stored
therein the information with regard to the fingerprints, wherein the distance between
two adjacent raised parts is 800-1400 µm.
According to the present invention the structure of the identity document is chosen
such that no fingerprints of the user easily appear thereon which could be copied
for identification in the case of theft of the document.
The distance of 800 - 1400 µm described above corresponds to the range of two raised
parts in a fingerprint pattern. Because of crossing of the ripple structure and the
fingerprint an irregular fingerprint is produced on the document that is so imperfect
that this cannot be used for subsequent identification purposes.
The ripple structure concerned is preferably applied to the transparent surface layer
of the identity page, under which the photograph is mounted. This is in general a
smooth plastic layer on which fingerprints can remain particularly easily. By now
providing said part with the ripple structure according to the invention it is no
longer possible to take perfect fingerprints therefrom.
Furthermore, the ripple structure can be used in other locations in the identity document.
In this context the cover and any visa pages may be mentioned. The ripple structure
can be built up in various ways. This can consist of parallel lines that delimit the
raised and lowered parts. It is also possible to apply groups of parallel lines, which
groups cross one another. Another possibility is to apply convex parts or pyramid
parts or other elevations.
The difference in height between the raised part and lowered part is approximately
5 % of the distance between them. That is to say, if the distance between two adjacent
raised parts is approximately 1000 µm, the height is at least 50 µm but can, of course,
be more.
The ripple structure described above can be produced by applying the ripple structure
concerned during the final embossing process for producing the document concerned.
It is also possible to carry this out in the laminating plate when laminating, for
example, the photograph and/or chip in a card. Another possibility is the provision
of material for producing the identity document that is provided with the ripple structure.
[0004] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an illustrative
embodiment shown in the drawing. In the drawing:
Fig. 1 shows, diagrammatically, a passport according to the invention;
Fig. 2 shows an identity part according to the invention;
Fig. 3 shows, in detail, the surface structure of the part circled in Fig. 2, in cross-section;
Fig. 4 shows an alternative surface structure in plan view; and
Fig. 5 shows a further alternative structure in plan view.
[0005] In Fig. 1 a passport or other identity document is indicated in its entirety by 1.
This consists of a cover 2, in which an identity page 3 is affixed. Visa pages are
indicated by 4. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1 a chip 5 is mounted in the cover,
which chip cannot be removed therefrom without damaging the document. It is also possible
to mount the chip concerned either in one of the visa pages 4 or in the identity page
3.
[0006] An identity card 10 is shown in Fig. 2. A chip 12, as well as a photograph 11, are
also incorporated therein.
[0007] For both the documents described above it is the case that the chip 5, 12 concerned
contains information with regard to the user's fingerprint. This information can be
incorporated in encrypted or non-encrypted form. At the time of identification a scan
has to be made of the actual fingerprint of the bearer of the document and this must
be compared with the information stored in the chip 5, 12.
[0008] In order to prevent that, in the event of theft, the person of ill will can take
fingerprints of the legal holder from the document 1, 10, it is proposed to provide
this document with a surface structure as shown in Fig. 3. This structure can be applied
to both sides of the part. Fig. 3 is a detail of a cross-section of the top of the
top layer of the document 10 close to the photograph 11. It can be seen from this
that the top surface of the top layer of the document 10 is provided with a ripple
structure 17. This ripple structure 17 is undulating and consists of peaks 15 and
troughs 16. The distance between two peaks (or two troughs) is indicated by (a). According
to the present invention the distance a is between 800 and 1400 µm and more particularly
approximately 1000 µm. The height (h), that is to say the difference in height between
a peak 15 and a trough 16 is around at least approximately 5 % of the distance (a).
[0009] In other words, in a preferred embodiment, the distance (a) is approximately 1000
µm and the height at least approximately 50 µm. It will be understood that a greater
height is possible. After all, the aim of the present invention is to prevent a perfect
fingerprint remaining on the undulating structure 17. To this end the frequency of
the peaks 15 and troughs 16 is so chosen that this corresponds to the frequency of
the peaks and troughs of an average fingerprint, as a result of which when this undulating
structure is grasped only a highly fragmented fingerprint remains which is completely
unsuitable for scanning for identification purposes.
[0010] In Fig. 3 the undulating structure is shown as a group of continuous lines. Alternatives
are indicated in Figs 4 and 5. In Fig. 4 a pyramid-like structure is shown by 20,
whilst in Fig. 5 a structure with hemispheres is shown. These can easily be applied
by stamping, pressing or embossing in the plastic material or the plastic cover of
the document before, during or after combining the various layers.
[0011] Apart from on the card 10, the structure described above can also be on the cover
or on the visa pages of an identity document.
1. Identity document (1,10) having
- a part (3,10) in which an identifying photograph/image (11) is incorporated,
- a support (2,4,10) with, incorporated therein readable information with regard to
fingerprints, wherein the surface of said support and/or said part with identifying
photograph/image is provided with a ripple structure (17,20,21) comprising raised
and lowered parts, characterised in that,
the support comprises a chip (5,12) that can be read externally and that contains
stored therein the information with regard to the fingerprints, wherein the distance
(a) between two adjacent raised parts is 800-1400 µm.
2. Identity document according to Claim 1, wherein said part with identifying photograph/image
(3, 10) has a transparent surface layer in which said ripple structure is applied.
3. Identity document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said ripple structure
(21) comprises a group of spherical parts.
4. Identity document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said ripple structure
comprises a group of essentially parallel lines.
5. Identity document according to Claim 4, wherein said ripple structure (20) comprises
two groups of lines, wherein the lines of the different groups cross one another.
6. Identity document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the difference
in height (h) between said raised and lowered parts is at least 5 % of the distance
between two adjacent raised parts.
7. Identity document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said support is
a cover (2).
8. Identity document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said support is
a visa page (4) of a passport.
9. Identity document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said support is
said part in the form of a card.
1. Identifikationsdokument (1, 10) mit
- einem Teil (3, 10), in dem eine identifizierende Fotografie/Bild (11) eingebaut
ist;
- einem Träger (2, 4, 10) mit darinnen eingebauter lesbarer Information bezüglich
Fingerabdrücken, wobei die Oberfläche des erwähnten Trägers und/oder des erwähnten
Teils mit der identifizierenden Fotografie bzw. dem identifizierenden Bild mit einer
geriffelten Struktur (17, 20, 21) versehen ist, die erhöhte und abgesenkte Teile besitzt,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Träger einen Chip (5, 12) aufweist, der extern gelesen werden kann, und der darinnen
die gespeicherte Information bezüglich der Fingerabdrücke enthält, wobei der Abstand
(a) zwischen zwei benachbarten erhöhten Teilen 800-1400 µm ist.
2. Identifikationsdokument nach Anspruch 1, wobei der erwähnte Teil mit identifizierender
Fotografie bzw. dem identifizierenden Bild (3, 10) eine transparente Oberflächenschicht
aufweist, in der die erwähnte Rippenstruktur aufgebracht ist.
3. Identifikationsdokument nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Rippenstruktur
(21) eine Gruppe von sphärischen Teilen aufweist.
4. Identifikationsdokument nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Rippenstruktur
eine Gruppe von im Wesentlichen parallelen Linien aufweist.
5. Identifikationsdokument nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Rippenstruktur (20) zwei Gruppen
von Linien aufweist, wobei die Linien unterschiedlicher Gruppen einander kreuzen.
6. Identifikationsdokument nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Höhendifferenz
H zwischen den erhöhten und den abgesenkten Teilen mindestens 5 % des Abstands zwischen
zwei benachbarten erhöhten Teilen ist.
7. Identifikationsdokument nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der erwähnte
Träger eine Abdeckung (2) ist.
8. Identifikationsdokument nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der erwähnte
Träger eine Visaseite (4) eines Passes ist.
9. Identifikationsdokument nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der erwähnte
Träger der erwähnte Teil in der Form einer Karte ist.
1. Document d'identité (1, 10) comprenant
- une partie (3, 10) dans laquelle une photographie/image d'identification (11) est
incorporée,
- un support (2, 4, 10) dans lequel sont incorporées des données lisibles relatives
aux empreintes digitales, dans lequel la surface dudit support et/ou de ladite partie
comprenant une photographie/image d'identification présente une structure ondulée
(17, 20, 21) comprenant des parties en relief et en creux, caractérisé en ce que
le support comprend une puce (5, 12) qui peut être lue de façon externe et dans laquelle
sont stockées les données relatives aux empreintes digitales, dans lequel la distance
(a) entre deux parties en relief adjacentes est de 800 à 1 400 µm.
2. Document d'identité selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite partie comprenant
une photographie/image d'identification (3, 10) comporte une couche superficielle
transparente dans laquelle ladite structure ondulée est appliquée.
3. Document d'identité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel
ladite structure ondulée (21) comprend un groupe de parties sphériques.
4. Document d'identité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel
ladite structure ondulée comprend un groupe de lignes sensiblement parallèles.
5. Document d'identité selon la revendication 4, dans lequel ladite structure ondulée
(20) comprend deux groupes de lignes, dans lequel les lignes des différents groupes
se recoupent.
6. Document d'identité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel
la différence de hauteur (h) entre lesdites parties en relief et en creux représente
au moins 5 % de la distance entre deux parties en relief adjacentes.
7. Document d'identité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel
ledit support est une couverture (2).
8. Document d'identité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel
ledit support est une page de visa (4) d'un passeport.
9. Document d'identité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel
ledit support est ladite partie sous la forme d'une carte.