Abstract: A method and system for creating an identification document are provided. According to the method, data is acquired identifying an individual. The data includes an image of the biometric data and personal identification data. The acquired data is recorded on a central database. On an identity document substrate, such as a card, a first two-dimensional symbolic barcode is printed which has a relatively high density and includes the image of the biometric data such as a fingerprint or voiceprint and personal identification data. A second two-dimensional symbolic barcode is also printed on the identification document, having a relatively low density and including the personal identification data and data for use in a biometric identification process, such as a password to be spoken by the holder of the identification document. The invention extends to a method and system for authenticating an identification document created by the method and system of the invention and to the identification document itself.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and authenticating a document are disclosed. According to the method, a user of a document creation system is registered to ensure the creation of an authentic document. A document is then created having a user discernable portion and an encoded portion. The encoded portion includes identification data identifying the registered user of the document creation system; as well as contents data corresponding to at least part of the user discernable portion of the document, and authentication data. A central record of the document is created, the record comprising data which corresponds at least partially to the data in the encoded portion of the document. To authenticate the document subsequently, an image of the encoded portion of the document is acquired, for example using fax machine or a camera of a mobile telephone and transmitted to an authentication center.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for transferring verification data from a first carrier to at least a second carrier in a secure manner. A first carrier, which is typically a smart card based ID card, contains verification data to identify the card holder securely. The method of the invention verifies the verification data on the ID smart card, reads the verification data, compresses and encrypts it, and writes it onto a second carrier, which may be a second smart card or a printed document, for example, in a machine readable form. The invention permits verification data to be securely transferred from one carrier to another, which permits a high degree of security in numerous applications such as the issuing of bank cards, medical aid claims, and other valuable documents.

Abstract: A method of generating a non-reproducible printed image, for example on a check, involves printing a first, background layer of ink on the document, and then printing data on top of the background layer. The ink used to print the background layer is reflective of light of a predetermined wavelength, typically in the infra red spectrum. The ink used to print the data is visually indistinguishable from the first ink, but absorbs light in the infra red spectrum, so that when the printed image is illuminated with infra red light, the image can be discerned. The image typically comprises an encrypted symbolic image and is used for security purposes.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and authenticating a document are disclosed. According to the method, a user of a document creation system is registered to ensure the creation of an authentic document. A document is then created having a user discernable portion and an encoded portion. The encoded portion includes identification data identifying the registered user of the document creation system, as well as contents data corresponding to at least part of the user discernable portion of the document, and authentication data. A central record of the document is created, the record comprising data which corresponds at least partially to the data in the encoded portion of the document. To authenticate the document subsequently, an image of the encoded portion of the document is acquired, for example using fax machine or a camera of a mobile telephone and transmitted to an authentication centre.