U.S. patent application number 14/247714 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-07 for x-ray security system.
This patent application is currently assigned to MACH 1 DEVELOPMENT, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Mach 1 Development, Inc.. Invention is credited to Paul Greene.
Application Number | 20140217171 14/247714 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48279655 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140217171 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greene; Paul |
August 7, 2014 |
X-Ray Security System
Abstract
The present invention is directed to security systems that
utilize electromagnetic radiation. The security system includes an
authentication security document, an authentication system, and a
process for authenticating security documents. The security
document includes a document body with an RFID and body information
pertinent to the security document. The RFID inlay includes a
radiopaque material or other material that is opaque to ranges of
electromagnetic radiation. The authentication system for secured
documents includes an electromagnetic scanning device, a document
with a document body, and the RFID device. The scanning device
includes a secured device inlet suitable to accept the document
body and a display that shows the results of the electromagnetic
bombardment of the document body. The process for authenticating
security documents includes positioning within the scanning device
the security document to create a radiated image thereof that
displays the inlay information.
Inventors: |
Greene; Paul; (Leesburg,
VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mach 1 Development, Inc. |
Leesburg |
VA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
MACH 1 DEVELOPMENT, INC.
Leesburg
VA
|
Family ID: |
48279655 |
Appl. No.: |
14/247714 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13293316 |
Nov 10, 2011 |
8720776 |
|
|
14247714 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
235/380 ;
235/492 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 19/07749 20130101;
G06K 5/00 20130101; G06K 19/07771 20130101; G06K 19/0723
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/380 ;
235/492 |
International
Class: |
G06K 5/00 20060101
G06K005/00; G06K 19/077 20060101 G06K019/077 |
Claims
1. An security document comprising: a document body having an
information surface bearing visible alphanumeric body information;
an RFID device, affixed to said body with an inlay bearing inlay
information marked as radiopaque alphanumeric characters upon said
inlay relating to said body information and an antenna adapted to
transmit identification information related to said body
information.
2. The document of claim 1 wherein said antenna is positioned on
said inlay to visibly obscure at least a portion of said inlay
information.
3. The document of claim 1 wherein said identification information
is a reproduction of said body information.
4. The document of claim 1 wherein said identification information
is a reproduction of said inlay information.
5. The document of claim 1 wherein said inlay information is a
reproduction of said body information.
6. The document of claim 1 wherein said inlay information is buried
inlay information.
7. The document of claim 1 wherein said security document is a
passport.
8. An authentication system for secured documents, said system
comprising: an electromagnetic scanning device producing
electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined scanning device
frequency range and having a device inlet and a display for
depicting the results of materials contacting by said
electromagnetic radiation; a document with a document body having
an information surface bearing visible alphanumeric body
information, wherein said document body is dimensioned to pass
freely through said device inlet; and an RFID device, affixed to
said body with an inlay bearing inlay information marked as
radiopaque alphanumeric characters upon said inlay relating to said
body information and an antenna adapted to transmit identification
information related to said body information.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein said scanning frequency range is
approximately 3.times.10.sup.16 Hz to 3.times.10.sup.19 Hz.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein said document is a passport.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of, and claims priority
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 from U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.
13/293,316 titled X-RAY SECURITY SYSTEM filed Nov. 10, 2011, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of security and
more specifically to the field of electromagnetic radiation
security systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Modern technology has made it easy for most people to
quickly and inexpensively make accurate copies of documents.
Counterfeiting of security documents is an increasing problem.
Software and high quality photographic and printing technology are
making it easier for criminals to produce and pass counterfeit
documents.
[0004] The main reason that counterfeiting remains a major concern
is the ease and speed with which large quantities of counterfeit
documents can be produced using publishing software combined with
high quality photographic and printing equipment. The occurrence of
counterfeiting is likely to increase because these technologies are
more readily available, and the techniques are more easily
understood by an increasingly larger segment of the criminal
population.
[0005] While these technologies may not reproduce the watermarks,
color shifting, embedded security threads, microprinting, and the
general feel of documents, in high-volume security examinations
these features are often overlooked so that counterfeit documents
are often accepted as genuine. Most of the countries around the
world are therefore now committed to introducing new technologies,
as well as additional regulations and processes to make
identification of counterfeit documents easier, to thereby reduce
the incidence of accepting counterfeit documents.
[0006] There is a need for devices that accurately, quickly, easily
and affordably distinguish the difference between authentic and
counterfeit documents.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present invention is directed to an X-ray security
system. The X-ray security system includes an authentication
security document, an authentication system, and a process for
authenticating security documents. The security document includes a
document body with an RFID and body information pertinent to the
security document. For example, body information for a driver's
license may include the driver's license number, birthdate, name,
etc. The RFID includes an inlay with radiopaque inlay information
relating to the body information. The radiopaque nature of the
inlay is designed to block the path of x-rays. The RFID includes
RFID storage that retains identification information related to the
body information that may be transmitted through an RFID
antenna.
[0008] The authentication system for secured documents includes an
electromagnetic scanning device, a document with a document body,
and the RFID device. The scanning device produces electromagnetic
radiation at a predetermined scanning device frequency range,
preferably that of x-rays. The scanning device includes a secured
device inlet suitable to accept the document body and a display
that shows the results of the electromagnetic bombardment of the
document body.
[0009] The process for authenticating security documents includes
positioning within the scanning device the security document. The
security document is bombarded with X-ray radiation to produce an
adjusted image. The adjusted image is then displayed on the
scanning device such that the inlay information is discernable.
Identification information is received from the RFID of the
security document.
[0010] Therefore, it is an aspect of the present invention to
permit the authentication of security documents.
[0011] It is a further aspect of the present invention to permit
evaluation of security documents with existing, common
machinery.
[0012] It is a further aspect of the present invention to allow
multiple avenues of authentication of security documents.
[0013] These aspects of the invention are not meant to be
exclusive. Furthermore, some features may apply to certain versions
of the invention, but not others. Other features, aspects, and
advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with
the following description, and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a security
document of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an embodiment of a security
document of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view an embodiment of an RFID of the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an RFID of
the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the system
of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a view of the process of manufacturing RFID of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a plan view of an assembly sheet of RFID of the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a view of an embodiment of a process for
authenticating security documents of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a basic embodiment of a
security document 100 is shown. The security document 100 includes
a document body 104 with an RFID device 102 and body information
106 pertinent to the security document 100. The security document
includes any document that purports to relate to or from a source
and includes information about that source on an information
surface 108. Examples of security documents include electronic
health cards/ids, military electronic identification, WHTI
electronic ids, electronic passports, RFID enabled credit cards,
contact smart card enabled credit cards, or chip identifiers.
Examples of body information may include passport numbers, identity
document numbers, tax identification numbers, social security
numbers, credit card numbers, dates of birth, any data contained in
the electronic passport that is part of the ICAO 9303 standard,
motor vehicle licensing information, and the like.
[0023] Turning now to FIG. 3, the RFID device 102 includes an inlay
110 with radiopaque inlay information 116. By radiopaque, it is
meant any material suitable to block the path of a substantial
amount of x-ray radiation to permit the viewing of that material in
quantity minute enough to permit effective scribing of information
in alphanumeric characters. Although lead is a preferred radiopaque
material, other suitable materials may include lead-polymer
composites, solid lead encased within a matrix such as a polymer
matrix, or as a filler. The filler may include lead particles,
tribasic lead-sulfate or lead-oxide particles or particles of a
specified shape or size, or as a mixture with other materials such
as tin. Tungsten shielding, or polymer-tungsten may also be used.
Other suitable candidates may be determined from a search of
existing materials suitable for thin-dimension x-ray shielding.
Examples of suitable materials for the inlay substrate include, but
are not limited to, high Tg polycarbonate, polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), polyarylate, polysulfone, a norbornene
copolymer, poly phenylsulfone, polyetherimide,
polyethylenenaphthalate (PEN), polyethersulfone (PES),
polycarbonate (PC), a phenolic resin, polyester, polyimide,
polyetherester, polyetheramide, cellulose acetate, aliphatic
polyurethanes, polyacrylonitrile, polytrifluoroethylenes,
polyvinylidene fluorides, HDPEs, poly(methyl methacrylates), a
cyclic or acyclic polyolefin, or paper. Both the inlay 110 and the
security document 102 permit the transmission of x-ray radiation
therethrough, and an examination of the security document during
x-ray bombardment will reveal only the inlay information 116. The
identification information is related to the body information in
that it may be a reproduction of the body information, supplement
the body information, provide an access code to a secondary
database that permits authentication of the body information, and
the like.
[0024] The inlay information 116 is preferably related to the body
information 106. The inlay information is related to the body
information in that it may be a reproduction of the body
information, supplement the body information, provide an access
code to a secondary database that permits authentication of the
body information, and the like. The relationship between body
information and inlay information may provide any direct or
indirect means of authenticating the security document or the user
of the security document.
[0025] The RFID preferably includes storage in the form of a
processor 112 that retains identification information related to
the body information. The identification information is related to
the body information in that it may be a reproduction of the body
information, supplement the body information, provide an access
code to a secondary database that permits authentication of the
body information, and the like. The relationship between body
information and identification information may provide any direct
or indirect means of authenticating the security document or the
user of the security document. The RFID device further includes an
antenna 114 for transmission of the identification information. The
antenna may be formed from conductive ink that is printed or
otherwise deposited on the inlay. Alternatively, the antenna may be
formed from metal deposited on the inlay by any of a variety of
suitable, known deposition methods, such as vapor deposition. As a
further alternative, the antenna may be part of a web of antenna
material that is adhered to the substrate by suitable means, for
example, by use of a suitable adhesive in a lamination process. The
web antennae may be made from, for example, copper, silver,
aluminum or other thin conductive material (such as etched or
hot-stamped metal foil, conductive ink, sputtered metal, etc.). The
web of antennae may be on a film, coated paper, laminations of film
and paper, or other suitable substrate. As yet another alternative,
the antenna 114 may be formed by selective removal of metal from a
metal layer, for example, using known lithography processes. It
will be appreciated that other suitable means, for example,
electroplating, may be used to form the antenna 106 on the inlay
substrate.
[0026] The inlay information 116 is preferably related to the
identification information. The inlay information is related to the
identification information in that it may be a reproduction of the
body information, supplement the body information, provide an
access code to a secondary database that permits authentication of
the body information, and the like. The relationship between
identification information and inlay information may provide any
direct or indirect means of authenticating the security document or
the user of the security document. As FIG. 4 shows, the antenna 114
or other component the RFID device may obscure at least a portion
of the inlay information 116. Furthermore, the inlay information
may be entirely obscured by the presence of an additional layer of
material, i.e. buried information.
[0027] Turning now to FIG. 5, the authentication system 200 for
secured includes an electromagnetic scanning device 202, and a
security document (not shown) with a document body bearing the RFID
device. The scanning device 202 produces electromagnetic radiation
at a predetermined scanning device frequency range, preferably that
of x-rays. X-rays have a wavelength in the range of 10.0 to 0.01
nanometers, corresponding to frequencies in the range 30 petahertz
to 30 exahertz (3.times.10.sup.16 Hz to 3.times.10.sup.19 Hz) and
energies in the range 120 eV to 120 keV.
[0028] The scanning device includes a secured device inlet 210
suitable to accept the document body and a display 204 with a
screen 208 that shows the results of the electromagnetic
bombardment of the document body. A preferred scanning device
includes a standard X-ray scanner, as is typically found airports
and other travel hubs. The preferred scanning device further
includes a receiver 206 to accept transmissions from the RFID
antenna of the security document. Alternatively, the present
invention may utilize a receiver 206 located on an ancillary
device, e.g. a handheld receiver, not directly connected to the
scanning device.
[0029] Turning now to FIG. 6, the RFID of the present invention may
be fabricated in the normal fashion of RFID interposer layers with
the addition of an inlay information application unit 302. The
inlay application unit 302 may utilize any known means of applying
type to a material, including printing or silk-screening to the
inlay or inlay substrate before, during or after the metallization
process. The inlay application unit 302 preferably applies inlay
information through a dispenser 304 to a moving sheet 306 of inlay,
which may then be cut into individual RFID as is shown by FIG.
7.
[0030] Turning now to FIG. 8, the process 400 for authenticating
security documents includes positioning 402 within the scanning
device the security document. The security document is bombarded
404 with X-ray radiation to produce an image adjusted by the
radiation of the scanning device. The adjusted image is then
displayed 406 on the scanning device such that the inlay
information is discernable to a user of the machine. Identification
information is received 408 from the RFID of the security document.
From the radiating step 404 and the identification step, together
with a simple visual review of the security document a security
advisor has three sets of secured information to relate one to the
other. The user may correlate the body information to the
identification information, correlate 414 the body information to
the inlay information, or correlate 412 the inlay information to
the identification information 410. The authenticity of the
security document may be judged 416 therewith.
[0031] Although the present invention has been described in
considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions
thereof, other versions would be readily apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the
appended claims should not be limited to the description of the
preferred versions contained herein.
* * * * *