Method of making an identification card

• US 4,687,526 A
• Filed: 01/08/1986
• Issued: 08/18/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LaserCard Corp. (Assa Abloy AB)
• Original Assignee: Identification Systems Company LP
• Inventors: Wilfert, Ronald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson, Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US06/817,242
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 40/1.5, 40/625, 40/626, 156/64, 156/277, 156/309.6, 283/75, 283/77, 283/82, 283/107, 283/108, 283/109, 428/916, 428/203
• US Class Current: 156/64
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2425/00 Cards, e.g. identity cards, credit cards
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/185 Laminating sheets, panels or inserts between two discrete plastic layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/145 Printing
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2033/04 Transparent material
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2033/20 Coloured material; Pigments or inks
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2033/24 Reliefs or indentations
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2033/28 Paper or card board
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2033/30 Plastic material
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/06 Picture of the user
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/08 Alphanumerical data
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/14 Dot or raster patterns
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/50 Corresponding markings appearing in different shapes or at different places
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/00 Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof printing processes to produce identification or security features B41M3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/23 Identity cards
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/313 Fingerprints
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/318 Signatures
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/328 Diffraction gratings; Holograms
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/40 Manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/41 using electromagnetic radiation B42D25/435 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/435 using electromagnetic radiation, e.g. laser
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/455 : using heat
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/46 : using pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/475 : Cutting cards
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/485 : by electronic processing means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/253 : visually
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/916 : Fraud or tamper detecting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24868 : Translucent outer layer

Abstract

A high-security identification card is produced in a system in which a photograph from a video camera is converted to digital data and reproduced with high-fidelity on a video display screen. Other images, such as signatures and fingerprints, can be treated in a similar manner using either a video camera or a CCD (charge-coupled device). After processing, the video information is displayed on the screen where it is combined with variable data typed in from a keyboard. The digital data from the terminal is fed into a laser printer that prints the portrait and any desired alphanumeric information on a paper sheet. The paper is then laminated, under heat and pressure, between two sheets of transparent thermoplastic material, at a temperature and pressure sufficient to cause the plastic material to penetrate the interstices between the fibers of the paper card and form a unitary structure that cannot be delaminated without destruction of the identifying data. The digital information is stored in a permanent memory to allow the card to be reproduced later, with or without modifications.

Claims

1. The method of fabricating an identification card comprising the steps of

recording an identification image in the form of a first set of digital data,

processing said first set of data to produce a visible reproduction of said image,

providing a second set of digital data representing additional identification information,

forming a visual image of both of said set of data,

recording both of said sets of data in a permanent memory,

printing by means of a laser printer a visual pattern controlled by said sets of data on a sheet of paper, and

laminating said paper between two sheets of thermoplastic material, at least one of which is transparent to visible light, with sufficient heat and pressure to cause said plastic to penetrate interstices between the fibers of said paper.