FR2975945A1 - Identification document e.g. a passport and plastic and composites cards comprises a document body having window regions in which a sheet member is disposed, and a diffractive optically variable device disposed within the window regions - Google Patents

Abstract

The identification document comprises a document body (14) having window regions (18) in which a sheet member (20) is disposed, and a diffractive optically variable device disposed within the window regions. A security feature of variable data (30): is unique to the identification document; extends from the document body and into the widow regions; is formed on the document body and formed by removal of the sheet member in the window regions using a laser; is laser etched on the document body or printed on the document body; and comprises a variable data of holder of the document. The identification document comprises a document body (14) having window regions (18) in which a sheet member (20) is disposed, and a diffractive optically variable device disposed within the window regions. A security feature of variable data (30): is unique to the identification document; extends from the document body and into the widow regions; is formed on the document body and formed by removal of the sheet member in the window regions using a laser; is laser etched on the document body or printed on the document body; and comprises a variable data of holder of the document. The window regions have a perimeter in the form a territorial boundary of a country, a region, a state, a city or a logo representing a government entity or a business. The diffractive optically variable device is disposed on a portrait image (24) formed by removal of the holder of identification document. The portrait image and the security feature of variable data are transparent. The identification document further comprises: a colored coating disposed in the window regions; a security holographic device disposed in the window regions; optically variable device disposed in the window regions; and a superficial holographic layer placed on the document. An independent claim is included for a process for forming an identification document.

Description

SECURE IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT HAVING A SHEET MEMBER THAT CAN BE SUBJECT TO ABLATION

The present invention relates to security features that can be used on identification documents, such as plastic and composite cards, including identification cards, credit and debit cards and the like, as well as passports. More particularly, the present invention relates to a security feature formed in an operable sheet member that can be ablated in an identification document. Identification documents, such as identification cards, credit and debit cards and the like, and passports, are personalized with information about the holder of the identification document and then issued to the holder. Customization and issuance is usually handled by government agencies, credit card companies or other entities with permission to customize and issue. As part of the personalization and issuance process, identification documents may be subject to a number of personalization procedures, such as printing, portrait printing, tape coding, and / or chip, embossing, laminating protective laminates, and other known procedures. A number of security measures have been put in place to combat the counterfeiting or falsification of identification documents. An example of an earlier security feature that is formed by ablation of a sheet is described in US patent application publication 201 1/0 037 247. It may be useful to make further improvements to security measures for fight counterfeiting or falsification of identification documents, as well as against their fraudulent use after their issuance.

The invention aims to improve the situation.

According to one aspect of the invention, an identification document comprises a document body having a window region in which an ablatable sheet member is disposed; and a variable data security feature which is unique to the identification document, which extends from the document body and into the window region, the variable data security feature being formed on the document body and formed by ablating the leaf member in the window region. According to another aspect of the invention, the sheet element of the identification document is a metal sheet or a non-metallic sheet.

According to another aspect of the invention, the variable data security feature of the identification document is laser etched on the card body or printed on the card body, and the variable data security feature is the window region is removed by ablation of the sheet member by means of a laser.

According to another aspect of the invention, the variable data security feature of the identification document comprises variable data of the identity document holder.

According to another aspect of the invention, the window area of the identification document has a perimeter in the form of a territorial boundary of a country, a region, a territory, a state a city, or the shape of a logo representing a government entity or a company.

According to another aspect of the invention, the identification document further comprises a plurality of window regions in the document body, each window region having an ablatable sheet member, and a security feature formed by removing the leaf member in each window area.

According to another aspect of the invention, the identification document further comprises an optically variable diffractive device disposed within the window region. According to another aspect of the invention, the optically variable diffractive device of the document of FIG. identification is arranged on the portrait image formed by ablation of the holder of the identification document.

In another aspect of the invention, the ablated portrait image and the ablation variable data security feature are transparent.

According to another aspect of the invention, the identification document comprises at least one of the following features: the sheet element is a metal sheet coated with aluminum, gold, copper or mixtures thereof this ; a colored coating disposed in the window region; a holographic security device in the window region; an optically variable device in the window region; and a holographic surface layer on the identification document.

According to another aspect of the invention, which can be implemented independently or in combination with other aspects of the invention, an identification document comprises a document body having a window region in which a sheet element can to undergo ablation is arranged; and the window region has a perimeter in the form of a territorial boundary of a country, a region, a territory, a state, a city, or the form of a logo representing an entity government or a company.

According to another aspect of the invention, the identification document according to any one of the eleven aspects of the invention mentioned above is a card or a passport.

According to another aspect of the invention, the identification document further comprises a portrait image of the holder of the identification document formed by ablation in the sheet element in the window region; and the document body has a portrait image of the identity document holder out of the window area.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of forming an identification document comprises: forming a variable data security feature which is unique to the document of identification on the document body, so that the variable data security feature extends from outside the document body window region into the window region, the variable data security feature being formed on the document body and formed in the document body; leaf in the window area.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method comprises laser etching or printing the variable data security feature on the card body outside the window region, and using a laser to form by ablating the variable data security feature on the leaf element in the window region.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method comprises forming the window region so that it has a perimeter having the shape of a territorial boundary of a country, a region, a territory, a a state, a city, or the shape of a logo representing a government entity or a company.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method further comprises forming a plurality of window regions in the document body, each window region including a sheet member capable of being ablated, and the ablation forming of a security feature in the leaf element in each window area.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method further comprises placing an optically variable diffractive device within the window region. According to another aspect of the invention, the method comprises positioning the optically variable diffractive device so that after the formation of the portrait image formed by ablation of the identity document holder, the optically variable diffractive device covers the portrait image formed by ablation.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method further comprises: forming a portrait image of the identification document holder on the document body outside the document body window region; and the ablation formation of a portrait image of the identification document holder in a sheet element in the window area of the document body.

The present application describes security features that can be used on identification documents, such as identification cards, driver's licenses, credit and debit cards and the like, as well as passports, to combat Counterfeiting and falsification of the document, while being easy to verify. If a modification of the document is attempted, it will be easily identified during the presentation of the document at an inspection point due to the presence of defects. A security feature that is added at the time of personalization of the identification document is preferred, as this allows the use of personal data in the security feature (s), which reduces the risk of counterfeiting on a large scale. In addition, security against tampering can be easily added at this time, which, for a criminal, reduces the value of stolen "virgin" documents. According to one embodiment, a security feature is formed in a window region of the identification document in which an ablatable sheet member is disposed. The security feature may be a portrait image of the holder of the identification document or any other personal data of the holder. The security feature is added to the sheet element at the time of document customization, by means of a laser to remove (i.e. remove) a material, such as a metal in the case of a metallized sheet, of the sheet. The sheet may be non-metallic. According to a possible embodiment, if the sheet is non-metallic, then an opaque non-metallic material is then removed by ablation of the sheet. The ablation of the material reveals a transparent layer on which the material removed by ablation was initially deposited. In one embodiment, the resulting security feature may be referred to as a positive security feature when the security feature is formed at locations where the material is removed by ablation and the resulting security feature is transparent. In this embodiment, a metal or other material is removed from the sheet and security is formed at locations where the material is removed. Thus, the security feature prevents the fraudulent addition of security feature information, such as longer hair, glasses, a beard, and so on. in the case of a photograph. In another embodiment, the resulting safety feature may be referred to as a negative safety feature when the safety feature is formed by the ablative removal of the material surrounding the safety feature and the safety feature is formed by the non-safety material. removed by ablation that stays behind. In this embodiment, the security feature is not transparent to the places where the material not removed by ablation remains. The security feature in the window region can be enhanced by adding a variable data security feature that extends across the boundary between the window region and the remainder of the map body. According to one possible embodiment, the variable data security feature extends substantially in a plane parallel to a main surface of the document. According to a possible embodiment, the variable data security feature is specific to the identification documents. For example, it is formed from personal data of the holder. In one embodiment, the variable data security feature is formed on the body of the document, for example by laser etching or printing on one side of the boundary, and in the sheet element in the window region of the document. on the other side of the boundary, for example by laser ablation of the sheet element. However, any customization method or any combination of methods can be used to form the variable data security feature on either side of the boundary. For example, the variable data security feature can be indented or embossed on either side of the boundary, laser etched and printed, laser ablated, and so on.

Within the window region, the variable data security feature can be formed at locations where the material has been removed by ablation of the sheet, and the variable data security feature is transparent and surrounded by regions of undeleted material. by ablation of the leaf. Alternatively, the material may be removed by ablation of the sheet leaving behind areas not subject to ablation and forming the security feature of the variable data, so that the variable data security feature is not transparent and surrounded by transparent regions where the material has been removed by ablation of the sheet.

In another embodiment, the perimeter of the window region is irregularly shaped. For example, the window region has a perimeter in the form of a territorial boundary of a country, a region, a territory, a state, a city, or the shape of a logo representing a government entity or a business. The irregularly shaped window region can be formed by the printing process that is used to create the basic color of the document. In one embodiment, a territorial boundary or logo may also be formed by ablation in the leaf element, for example by surrounding the image of the portrait of the holder of the identification document which has also been formed by ablation in the leaf element. leaf element. The territorial boundary or logo formed by ablation may be disposed within the corresponding irregularly shaped window region. Alternatively, a territorial boundary or logo may be ablatively formed in the adjacent sheet, while being separated, from any other security feature formed by ablation in the sheet, or the safety features formed by ablation may be overlap, etc. In addition, a territorial boundary or logo may be formed by ablation in the leaf element in a separate window on the identification document. As used herein, the expression "ablative formation of a security feature (whether a portrait image, a variable data security feature, a territorial boundary or logo, or other) in a sheet member "includes situations in which the security feature is formed at locations where the material has been removed by ablation of the sheet member, and the variable data security feature is transparent and surrounded by regions composed of a non-transparent and non-ablatively removed material of the sheet member. The term "ablative formation of a safety feature in a sheet member" also encompasses situations in which material is removed by ablation of the sheet member, leaving behind nondrawn areas by ablation forming the characteristic. safety feature, so that the security feature is not transparent but, instead, surrounded by transparent regions where the material has been removed by ablation of the sheet member. In one embodiment, an identification document includes a document body having a window region in which an ablatable sheet member is disposed, and a portrait image of the identity document holder formed by ablation in the document. leaf element in the window area. The portrait image may be transparent and surrounded by the material of the sheet element not removed by ablation, or the portrait image may be non-transparent and formed by the material of the sheet element not removed by ablation and surrounded by transparent areas of the sheet member where the material has been removed by ablation. The document body further includes a portrait image of the identification document holder outside the window area. In addition, a variable data security feature unique to the identification document extends across the boundary between the window region and the remainder of the document body. The security feature of the variable data is formed on the document body and formed by ablation in the sheet member in the window region. The sheet member may be a metal sheet or a non-metallic sheet. In each case, at locations where the sheet material is removed by ablation or removed by the laser, a clear layer over which the removed ablation material was initially deposited is disclosed. This makes it possible to see through the window region where the material has been removed, if the layers of the card body under the window region are transparent or translucent. In one embodiment, the variable data security feature can be laser etched on the document body or printed on the document body, and the variable data security feature in the window region can be formed by ablation into the document body. sheet element by means of a laser. However, other methods of personalization or combination of methods, such as indentation or embossing, laser engraving and laser printing, printing and ablation, can be used to form the variable data security feature on each side. of the limit. The variable data security feature preferably includes variable data of the identification document holder. Examples of variable data include, but are not limited to, parts or all of the portrait picture of the holder, a name, date of birth, social security number, signature, address, number assigned account and any combination thereof. The variable data security feature may extend partially into and out of the window region, the feature may extend across the window region to intersect two or more boundaries, the feature may cross the same Limit twice or more than twice, the variable data security feature can cross the portrait image formed by ablation or be separated from the ablation-formed portrait image, many other configurations, sizes and shapes of the characteristic variable data security is possible. In one embodiment, the variable data security feature is formed by microetching and microablation formation of variable text data, where the text is too small to be read with the naked eye but can be read with a magnifying glass. optical. However, the text can be written so that it can be read with the naked eye without magnification. To enhance security, other security features may be incorporated into the identification documents, separately or in addition to the variable data security feature. For example, the window region may have a perimeter in the form of a territorial boundary of a country, a region, a territory, a state, a city, or the shape of a logo representing a government entity or a business. In another example, a plurality of window regions may be in the document body, each window region having an ablatable sheet member, and a particular shape security feature is formed by ablation in the sheet member. in each window area. In another example, an optically variable device (OVD), such as an optically variable diffractive device (DOVD), is disposed within or above the window region, for example on the portrait image formed by ablation of the holder of the identification document.

The identification document may be any type of document for which protection against counterfeiting and fraudulent modification is important. For example, the identification document may be a card or a passport. The card is mainly formed from a single type of plastic material (for example, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate or the like) or it can be formed from several types of plastic materials. Specific examples of cards include, but are not limited to, national ID cards, driver's licenses, health identification cards, and credit or debit cards. For passports and other travel documents, the security features described in this document may be used on one or more pages of polycarbonate data. An embodiment of a method of forming the identification document comprises forming the variable data security feature such that the variable data security feature extends from outside the window region of the document body in the window region, the variable data security feature being formed on the document body and formed by ablation in the sheet member in the window region. For example, the variable data security feature can be laser etched or printed on the card body outside the window region, while a laser is used to ablatively shape the variable data security feature on the element. leaf in the window area. An advantage of using a single technology, such as a laser, to produce the continuous security feature across the window boundary is that an inspection will determine if a simulation of the security feature has been performed. produced using alternative personalization technologies.

The invention will be better understood in light of the following drawings. Fig. 1 is a view of the front face of an identification document which has a security feature formed by ablation in a window, with a variable data security feature extending into the window.

Fig. 2 is a close-up view of the area in the circle 90 in Fig. 1 showing the details of the variable data security feature at the boundary between the window and the document body. FIG. 3 is a view of the front face of an identification document which is similar to that of FIG. 1 but which has additional security features, in particular an irregularly shaped window, which can be incorporated into the document of FIG. identification. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the identification document along the line IV-IV of Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 4, but showing an alternative construction of an identification document.

Figure 1 illustrates an identification document 10 having a security feature formed by ablation 12. The identification document 10 may be any identification document including personalization, for example a portrait image or other personal informations. Examples of identification documents on which the security feature may be used include, but are not limited to, cards primarily formed of a single type of plastic (for example, PVC, PET, polycarbonate) or cards made from different types of plastics, such as identification cards, credit and debit cards and the like, and passports. The document 10 is formed of a document body 14 having a window region 18 in which an ablatable sheet member 20 is disposed. Various configurations of the sheet member 20 are possible, as described below in Figures 4 and 5. The sheet member 20 may be a metal sheet or a non-metallic sheet. In each case, the sheet member contains ablatable material that is deposited on a transparent layer. When the ablatable material is removed, the transparent layer is updated.

A portrait image 22 of the identification document holder is formed by ablation in the sheet element in the window region. In the illustrated embodiment, the resultant ablation portrait image 22 is transparent. The document body 14 also includes a portrait image 24 of the identification document holder outside the window region 18. The portrait image 24 can be applied using known techniques. Additional personal data 26, for example, but not limited to, the name of the holder of the document, a unique identifier such as an account or serial number, a date of birth or a signature, or general information such as that nationality, can also be provided on the body of document 14 by means of known techniques. According to a possible embodiment, and as described more precisely in the document US 2011/0 037 247, the portrait image formed by ablation 22 of the document holder is transparent, which allows to see through the entire document. The ablation is performed by means of a laser which removes a material, such as a metal, from the sheet at the places corresponding to the photograph. When the material is removed, the remaining sheet that is unveiled is transparent. As the material is removed from the sheet, the portrait image 22 provides protection against the fraudulent addition of information on the portrait image 22, such as longer hair, glasses, a beard, etc. However, the ablated portrait image 22 may be non-transparent and formed by non-ablated areas surrounded by transparent regions that have been removed by ablation of the sheet member.

Hereinafter, the portrait image 22 and other security features mentioned below will be described as security features formed by ablation or ablated form of the sheet member. This language encompasses situations in which the security feature is formed at locations where material has been removed by ablation of the sheet member and the security element is transparent and surrounded by regions of non-transparent material and not removed by ablation of the sheet member, and also encompasses situations in which the material is removed by ablation of the sheet member leaving behind non-ablated areas forming the safety feature, so that the characteristic The safety guard is not transparent but is instead surrounded by transparent areas where the material has been removed by ablation of the sheet element. To further enhance security, a variable data security feature 30 unique to the identification document 10 is added.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the variable data security feature 30 extends continuously from the document body 14 across the boundary 32 between the document body and the window region 18 and into the Therefore, the variable data security feature 30 is formed on both the document body 14 (other than the window region 18) and in the window region 18. The variable data security feature 30 is specific to the identification document 10 since it is formed from variable data of the holder. In the illustrated embodiment, the variable data security feature is the name of the credential holder. However, the variable data can be any personal variable data of the holder of the identification document or only attributed to the latter. Examples of variable data include, but are not limited to, parts or all of the holder's photograph, a name, a date of birth, a Social Security number, a signature, an address, an assigned account number and any combination thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the variable data security feature 30 starts from the card body 14, crosses the boundary 32 and extends partially into and terminate in the window region 18. However, the variable data security feature 30 may extend through the window region 18 so as to cross two or more boundaries 32 of the window region, the variable data security feature may cross the same boundary 32 Once or more than twice, the variable data security feature may intersect the ablated photograph 22 or be separated from the photograph 22, with many other configurations, sizes and shapes of the variable data security feature being possible. The text forming the variable data security feature can be micrometric in size, the text being too small to be read with the naked eye but can be read with an optical magnifier. Alternatively, the text may be large enough to be read with the naked eye, or a combination of a text large enough to be read with the naked eye and a micro-text. The variable data security feature 30 is formed on the document body 14, for example by a laser or by printing on one side of the boundary 32, and is also formed on the sheet member 20 in the window region 18 on the other side of the boundary 32, for example by laser ablation of the sheet member. In one embodiment, a single laser may be used to create the variable data security feature 30. For example, the laser may be used to laser engrave the portion of the variable data security feature on the body of documents 14 in a manner known in the art. However, the laser continues across the boundary 32 to subject the sheet to ablation to create the portion of the variable data security feature that is formed on the sheet member 20. Thus, in this example, a portion of the variable data security feature is formed by laser etching, while another portion of the variable data security feature is formed by a portion of the sheet member that has been ablated. If appropriate, the laser may continue across the window and across another boundary or across the same boundary as it initially crossed and back into the document body 14, to continue formation of the security feature variable data. If necessary, the energy level of the laser and its focus can be changed during laser transitions on both sides of the boundary for laser etching and laser ablation to be correct. Although it has been described that the variable data security feature is formed by means of a laser, any customization method or any combination of personalization methods can be used to form the security feature. variable data on either side of the limit 32. For example, the variable data security feature can be indented or embossed on either side of the boundary, etched in the document body and printed on the sheet member, printed on the body of the document and subjected to laser ablation on the sheet element, etc. Therefore, the variable data security feature may have a portion in the document body formed by a first type of personalization method and a second portion on the sheet member formed by a second type of personalization method different from the first type of customization process. In Figure 4, an exemplary construction of identification document 10 in the form of a plastic card is presented. In this construction, the card includes a sheet layer 50 that may be a metal sheet or a non-metallic sheet. A suitable foil is available from Crown Roll Leaf, Inc. of Paterson, New Jersey. When a laser is applied to the sheet layer, the metal is removed leaving a transparent layer on which the metal was initially arranged. Coatings 52, 54 are disposed on each side of the sheet layer 50. The coatings 52, 54 may be any suitable material for forming a card or other identification document, for example PVC, PET or a polycarbonate. The coatings 52, 54 are transparent at least in the window region or regions, although the coatings may also include colors, patterns, holographic elements, etc. According to one possible embodiment, one or more layers 56 of ink are printed on the coating 52 to form the base color, for example a white color, of the document. The ink layer 56 can be applied using a suitable technique, such as lithographic printing or screen printing.

However, the ink is not printed where the window region 18 is to be formed. Therefore, since the ink layer 56 is applied by printing, the boundary of the window region or window regions 18 as well as the location or locations on the document can be precisely controlled. Similarly, one or more ink layers 58 are printed on the outer surface of the coating 54 to help form the base color, for example a white color, of the document 10 by a technique identical to or different from that of used for the ink layer 56. According to one possible embodiment, after the printing of layers 56, 58, protective coatings 60, 62 are applied above and below. The coatings are transparent, although the coatings may also provide colors, patterns, holographic elements, etc. According to one possible embodiment, a security print is printed on one or more ink layers 56, 58 and / or a security print may be applied to the coatings 60, 62 or formed on layers not shown in FIG. above layers 56, 58 of ink. Many other constructions of the document are possible. Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment where the sheet layer 50 of Figure 4 is replaced by a piece 70 of ablatable sheet having a size which is generally slightly larger than the intended window area. The piece 70 is disposed between two film layers at 72, 74 which are similar to the coatings 52, 54. Ink layers 76, 78 are printed on the outer portion of the films 72, 74, in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 4, to form the basic color of the document. After the printing of the ink layers, protective coatings 80, 82, similar to the coatings 60, 62, are applied above and below the document. This construction reduces the amount of sheet that is used and improves the construction of the document since a high quality bond between coatings 52, 54 and sheet 50 in FIG. 4 may be difficult to obtain. Regardless of the specific construction of the document that is used, the use of printing on the layers 52, 54, 72, 74 to form the basic color of the document expands the possible choices with respect to size, shape and the location of the window region or window regions 18 on the document by controlling the printing process that applies the ink layers. A window region can be formed anywhere on the document by proper control of the printing process. Therefore, only one window region or multiple window regions may be formed on the document. In addition, the window region may be formed to have a regular shape, for example circular, rectangular, triangular, etc., or so as to have an irregular shape. An irregular shape allows the formation of uniquely shaped windows that may be required by consumers. For example, the window region may be formed to have an irregular perimeter whose shape is a territorial boundary of a country, region, territory, state, city, or the form is a logo representing a government entity or a company. An example of an irregular window is shown in Figure 3, where a window 100 to the Minnesota state reform. Although the shape of the window 100 and the ability to form irregularly shaped windows are unique, the ablated portrait image 22 may optionally be formed within the window 100 and the variable data security feature may possibly be provided as well. Optionally, an OVD 104, for example a DOVD such as a hologram or an optically variable printed device, may be used to further enhance security. The OVD may be formed in the sheet of the window area and / or in a coating on the window area so that the OVD is disposed within the window area. For example, the OVD may be formed in a coating so that the OVD is above the window region, for example the window region 100 as illustrated in Fig. 3, or above the window region 18 shown in Figure 1. The OVD may be positioned to be disposed on at least a portion of the portrait image formed by ablation of the identification document holder in the window region. The OVD 104 may be provided in any suitable manner, for example on the protective coating 60, 80, or the OVD may be in the form of a piece which is positioned between the protective coating 60, 80 and the ink layer 56, 76. Alternatively, the OVD may be formed in the sheet 50, 70 of the window area. Any means for obtaining the OVD, as long as the OVD is disposed within the window region, can be used.

Figure 3 also shows additional windows 102a, 102b, 102c formed in the document. If sheet layer 50 is used, a security feature may be formed in each of windows 102a-c, if desired, by ablating the sheet. Alternatively, a piece of ablatable sheet may be the base of each window 102a-c to permit the removal of a security feature in each window. Many options are available to add security features in the window area. In the case of metallized foils, most of the metallized foils are metallized with aluminum, so that portions of the foil not removed in the window region have the color of aluminum. However, other metallized sheets can be used to change the color that appears in the window. For example, copper, gold, other metals, and metal mixtures can be used to metallize the sheet to facilitate the color change of the window region. In addition, various color hues can be added to the sheet layer, coatings 52, 54, coatings 60, 62, or anywhere in the window region or window regions, or colored coatings can be placed in the window area or the window regions, to obtain a desired color appearance.

In addition, one or more registered and unrecorded holographic security devices may be placed in the window region. The holographic device may be, for example, a hologram or an optically variable printed device located in or on any layer within the window region. In addition, an additional holographic coating or laminate may be added as the top layer of the document construction (i.e., on the 60 layer of Figure 4 or on the layer 80 of Figure 5). The embodiments described in the present application are merely illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the claimed invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and any changes in the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the claims are considered to be covered by the claims.

Claims (19)

REVENDICATIONS1. Identification document (10), comprising a document body (14) having a window region (18) in which an ablatable sheet member (20) is disposed; and a variable data security feature (30) which is unique to the identification document (10), which extends from the document body (14) and into the window region (18), the security feature variable data element (30) being formed on the document body (14) and formed by ablation of the sheet member (20) in the window region (18). The identification document (10) of claim 1, wherein the sheet member (20) is a metal sheet or a non-metallic sheet. Identification document (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the variable data security feature (30) is laser etched on the card body (14) or printed on the card body (14). and the variable data security feature (30) in the window region (18) is formed by ablation of the sheet member (20) by means of a laser. The identification document (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the variable data security feature (30) comprises variable data of the identification document holder (10). The identification document (10) according to claim 1, wherein the window region (18) has a perimeter in the form of a territorial boundary of a country, a region, a territory, a a state, a city, or the form of a logo representing a government entity or a company. The identification document (10) of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of window regions (102a, 102b, 102c) in the document body (14), each window region (102a, 102b, 102c) having a an ablatable sheet member (20), and a security feature (12) formed by ablating the sheet member (20) in each window area. The identification document (10) of claim 1, further comprising an optically variable diffractive device disposed within the window region (18). 8. Identification document (10) according to claim 7, wherein the optically variable diffractive device is disposed on the portrait image (24) formed by ablation of the holder of the identification document (10). The identification document (10) of claim 1, wherein the ablated portrait image and the variable data security feature (30) formed by ablation are transparent. The identification document (10) according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following features: the sheet member (20) is a metal sheet coated with aluminum, gold, copper or blends of these; a colored coating disposed in the window region (18); a holographic security device in the window region (18); an optically variable device in the window region (18); and a holographic surface layer on the identification document (10). 11. Identification document (10) according to claim 1, wherein the identification document (10) is a card or a passport. 25 The identification document (10) of claim 1, further comprising a portrait image of the holder of the identification document (10) formed by ablation in the sheet member (20) in the window region (18). ; and the document body (14) includes a portrait image of the identification document holder (10) outside the window region (18). 30 A method of forming an identification document (10), comprising: forming a variable data security feature (30) that is unique to the identification document (10) on the document body (14). ), so that the variable data security feature (30) extends from outside the window area (18) of the document body (14) into the window region (18), the security feature of variable data (30) being formed on the document body (14) and formed in the sheet member (20) in the window region (18). The method of claim 13, comprising laser etching or printing the variable data security feature (30) on the card body outside the window region (18), and using a laser for ablatively forming the variable data security feature (30) on the sheet member (20) in the window region (18). The method of claim 13 comprising forming the window region (18) to have a perimeter shaped as a territorial boundary of a country, a region, a territory, an a state, a city, or the shape of a logo representing a government entity or a company. The method of claim 13, further comprising forming a plurality of window regions (102a, 102b, 102c) in the document body (14), each window region (102a, 102b, 102c) including a ablatable sheet (20), and the ablative formation of a security feature in the sheet member (20) in each window area. The method of claim 13, further comprising placing an optically variable diffractive device within the window region (18). 25 18. The method of claim 17, comprising the positioning of the optically variable diffractive device so that after the formation of the portrait image formed by ablation of the holder of the identification document (10), the optically variable diffractive device covers the portrait image formed by ablation. The method of claim 13, further comprising: forming a portrait image of the holder of the identification document (10) on the document body (14) outside the window area (18) of the body of document (14); and ablating a portrait image of the identification document holder (10) in a sheet member (20) in the window region (18) of the document body (14).