Grayscale security microprinting for identification cards
US6988665B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 11, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 24, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 26, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB42D2035/44
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The present invention provides counterfeit resistant ID cards where a microprinting security feature is applied to the card at the time and place of card issuance. The present invention further provides for an ID card that includes microprinted security information including a code by which the authenticity of the ID card can be cross verified. In accordance with the present invention a microprint text in a grayscale gradient is placed onto an ID card using a high accuracy multi-pass thermal printing technology. In using the process of the present invention, a three pass thermal printer is used that is configured to such a high tolerance, that the grayscale gradient microprinting is possible without producing significant artifacts. When this technique is applied, any imperfections that result from the use of lower quality printing equipment become immediately identifiable reducing the ability of counterfeiters to produce fake or altered ID cards.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.