US 9242502

Summary of U.S. Patent 9,242,502

Title: Identification document and a method of producing

Assignee: As of the latest assignment recorded on October 30, 2025, the assignee is Thales DIS France SAS. The original assignee was Gemalto SA.

Inventors: Teemu Pohjola, Kristian Lappalainen

Filing Date: November 10, 2010

Issue Date: January 26, 2016

Abstract:
The invention relates to an identification document (21) comprising a non-transparent core (6), and one or more layers of a transparent material (14) arranged on at least a back (13) or a front surface (12) of said core. In order to achieve an identification document where forgery attempts are visibly detectable, the identification document (21) has a translucent security element in a region (7) where the thickness of the non-transparent core (6) material is smaller as compared to the thickness of the non-transparent core material in other parts of said core (6).

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims

As of today's date, May 4, 2026, a review of CAFC dockets for 2026 did not indicate any appellate litigation for this specific patent.

Independent Claim 1:

This claim describes an identification document, such as an ID card or passport data page, that is designed to show evidence of tampering. The document has a main, non-transparent core layer where a photo or personal information is located. This core is covered by clear layers. The key security feature is a special, thinner area in the non-transparent core. This thinned-down region contains a "non-transparent element" (like a second, smaller photo). Under normal light, you can't see this security feature from the top of the card. However, when you hold the card up to a light source (backlighting), the thinner area becomes visible as a translucent window, revealing the non-transparent element inside it. The thickness of the core in this special area is reduced but is not zero.

Independent Claim 11:

This claim outlines the method for making the identification document described in Claim 1. The process involves several key steps:

1. Creating a non-transparent core.
2. Intentionally forming a "thinner region" within this core where the core material is not as thick as the rest of the core, but still present.
3. Placing a "non-transparent security element" (like a photo) into this thinner region.
4. Arranging personal information or a primary photo on the surface of the core.
5. Laminating one or more transparent layers over the front and/or back of the core.
   The final product is constructed so that the security feature in the thinner region is hidden in normal viewing light but becomes visible when the document is backlit.