Abstract: A covert material for printing onto a printing medium is provided, the covert material comprising a covert pigment and a binder encapsulating the covert pigment into a particle, where the binder comprises at least one of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), butyral vinyl acetate, acetyl butyrate, and acetate butyrate. Alternatively, the binder comprises at least one of polyester, polyolefin, acetyl butyrate, acetate butyrate, polystyrene copolymer, and polystyrene-polyvinylpyridine. The covert material can comprise additional components, such as ethyl acetate and/or n-propyl acetate. In one embodiment, the covert pigment comprises about 0.5-5% of the covert material. In one embodiment, the binder comprises about 5-30% of the covert material. In one advantageous embodiment, the covert pigment comprises at least 2% of the covert material and the binder comprises about 20-25% of the covert material. The covert material can further comprise at least one of a colorant, a surface additive, and a magnetic particle.

Abstract: A composition is provided for adhering a first article to a second article, the composition comprising a thermally active low Tg polymeric resin; and a multifunctional crystalline polymer. The thermally active low Tg polymeric resin can, for example, comprise 50-99% of the composition. The multifunctional crystalline polymer can, for example, comprise 1-50% of the composition. In one embodiment, the multifunctional crystalline polymer comprises 5-20% by weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the multifunctional crystalline polymer has a low molecular weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to identification documents, and in particular to pre-printing 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.

Abstract: An image destruct material comprises a release layer positioned between an image receiving layer and a base layer. The adhesion between the release layer and the base layer is greater than adhesion between the release layer and the image receiving layer. The release layer material can be used in secure documents that have an image receiving layer. After information is printed on the image receiving layer, an overlaminate is applied over it. Removal of the overlaminate destroys the printed image on the receiving layer because of the relative adhesive properties of the image receiving layer, overlaminate and release layer.

Abstract: An image destruct material comprises a release layer positioned between an image receiving layer and a base layer. The adhesion between the release layer and the base layer is greater than adhesion between the release layer and the image receiving layer. The release layer material can be used in secure documents that have an image receiving layer. After information is printed on the image receiving layer, an overlaminate is applied over it. Removal of the overlaminate destroys the printed image on the receiving layer because of the relative adhesive properties of the image receiving layer, overlaminate and release layer.

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.

Abstract: The invention provides hard coat and image receiving layer structures and related methods used in ID document production. These structures and methods provide ID documents that offer hard protection in areas where needed (e.g., in optical windows for machine readable data), and also provide image receiving layers for later printing of variable data, such as personalization information of the bearer. Implementations of the structure provide an effective interface between hard coat and image receiving layers that provides enhanced durability in manufacture and field use.

Abstract: A composition is provided for adhering a first article to a second article, the composition comprising a thermally active low Tg polymeric resin; and a multifunctional crystalline polymer. The thermally active low Tg polymeric resin can, for example, comprise 50-99% of the composition. The multifunctional crystalline polymer can, for example, comprise 1-50% of the composition. In one embodiment, the multifunctional crystalline polymer comprises 5-20% by weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the multifunctional crystalline polymer has a low molecular weight.

Abstract: A security feature for an identification document and method for making it provide layers of security, including, for example, tamper evidence, optically variable effects, and personalized information that links the security information to the document and its bearer. The feature is made by printing a first material representing first information on a core layer of the document. This first material at least partially overlaps the core layer. One example is Xerographic printing of information about the ID document applicant and the applicant's photo. The process also applies a second material representing second information adjacent to the first material. One example is ink jet printing of personal information with a UV curable ink in the form of a relief pattern on the core layer. Finally, the process applies a laminate layer over the core layer. The laminate layer covers the first and second materials.

Abstract: An image destruct material comprises a release layer positioned between an image receiving layer and a base layer. The adhesion between the release layer and the base layer is greater than adhesion between the release layer and the image receiving layer. The release layer material can be used in secure documents that have an image receiving layer. After information is printed on the image receiving layer, an overlaminate is applied over it. Removal of the overlaminate destroys the printed image on the receiving layer because of the relative adhesive properties of the image receiving layer, overlaminate and release layer.

Abstract: The invention provides hard coat and image receiving layer structures and related methods used in ID document production. These structures and methods provide ID documents that offer hard protection in areas where needed (e.g., in optical windows for machine readable data), and also provide image receiving layers for later printing of variable data, such as personalization information of the bearer. Implementations of the structure provide an effective interface between hard coat and image receiving layers that provides enhanced durability in manufacture and field use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to assembling identification documents in an over-the-counter issuing environment. In one implementation of the present invention, an ink jet printer-based assembling system is provided. An identification document substrate receives ink jet printed information. The printed substrate is laminated. In another implementation, a carrier web carries lamination pieces. Both the carrier web and the document substrate include form feed holes or other registration notches. 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 identification documents and smart cards. In one implementation, we provide a contactless smart identification document comprising a first contact layer, a second contact layer, and a carrier layer. The carrier layer is sandwiched in between the first and second contact layers, and the carrier layer includes least a transceiver and electronic circuitry. At least a portion of the first and second contact layers migrate into the carrier layer. This migration helps to secure at least a portion of the transceiver or electronic circuitry to the first and second contact layers.

Abstract: The invention relates to identification documents, and in particular to pre-printing processing covert images, such as UV or IR images, provided on such identification documents. In one implementation, the invention includes 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.

Abstract: A security feature for an identification document comprises a base document layer, including a first image printed with a covert ink, and a personalized image relating to a bearer of the document (such as a facial photo) printed over the first image. The personalized image is printed with an ink that is incompatible with the covert ink such that the first image becomes overt within the personalized image upon printing of the personalized image. This feature creates an interlocking relationship between the covert image, which may be pre-printed prior to personalization on card stock, and personalized information printed over the covert image. Variations of this feature can be made in which the first image is not covert, yet still creates an interlocking relationship due to ink incompatibilities. Further, the second image may depict information other than personal information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing an identification document is provided. The method includes: providing a substrate constructed and arranged to receive printing thereon; printing a first variable indicium on the substrate, where the first variable indicium is not visible to the human eye in ambient light but is visible to the human eye when viewed using a first type of light; and printing a second variable indicium on the substrate, the second variable indicium being visible when viewed using ambient light. Other methods, systems and documents are provided as well.

Abstract: A composition is provided for adhering a first article to a second article, the composition comprising a thermally active low Tg polymeric resin; and a multifunctional crystalline polymer. The thermally active low Tg polymeric resin can, for example, comprise 50-99% of the composition. The multifunctional crystalline polymer can, for example, comprise 1-50% of the composition. In one embodiment, the multifunctional crystalline polymer comprises 5-20% by weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the multifunctional crystalline polymer has a low molecular weight.

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.

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. Both the carrier web and the document substrate include form feed holes or other registration notches. 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: A security feature for an identification document comprising a document substrate, a first security feature applied to the document substrate, and an image of a bearer of the identification document transferred over the first security feature. The image includes a knockout portion in which selected areas of the image are not transferred to the substrate. The selected areas expose the first security feature and selected areas are in the form of personal information of the bearer of the document.