Method Of Providing Security Document

Abstract

A method of providing a security document is provided in which a computer system generates a digital signature of at least part of an identity associated with the security document, generates a plurality of coded data tags to each encode data on the identity and a respective part of the digital signature, and prints, with a printer networked therewith, the security document with the tags tiled thereacross. The tags are generated and printed so that interaction with only one of the tags to detect the identity and respective signature part encoded thereby allows authentication of the entire digital signature.

1 . A method of providing a security document, the method comprising the steps of, performed by a computer system:
 generating a digital signature of at least part of an identity associated with the security document;   generating a plurality of coded data tags to each encode data on the identity and a respective part of the digital signature; and   printing, with a printer networked with the computer system, the security document with the tags tiled thereacross,   wherein the tags are generated and printed so that interaction with only one of the tags to detect the identity and respective signature part encoded thereby allows authentication of the entire digital signature.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the digital signature is generated using a secret key known only to authorised document producers. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the secret key is stored in a data store of the printer and the digital signature is generated using a processor of the printer. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the tags are printed so as to be coincident with at least some visible information on the security document. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the tags are printed on the security document using infrared-absorptive ink. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the tags encode at least one of:
 a location of the respective tag;   a position of the respective tag on the security document;   a size of each tag;   a size of the digital signature;   an identity of the respective signature parts; and   units of indicated locations.   
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the digital signature includes at least one of:
 a random number associated with the identity;   a keyed hash of at least the identity;   a keyed hash of at least the identity produced using a private key, and verifiable using a corresponding public key;   cipher-text produced by encrypting at least the identity;   cipher-text produced by encrypting at least the identity and a random number;   cipher-text produced using a private key, and verifiable using a corresponding public key; and   cipher-text produced using RSA encryption.   
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the security document is at least one of:
 a currency note;   a check;   a credit or debit card;   a redeemable ticket, voucher, or coupon;   a lottery ticket or instant win ticket; and   an identity card or document.   
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the identity is indicative of at least one of:
 a currency note attribute including at least one of:
 currency; 
 issue country; 
 denomination; 
 note side; 
 printing works; and 
 serial number; 
   a check attribute including at least one of:
 currency; 
 issuing institution; 
 account number; 
 serial number; 
 expiry date; 
 check value; and 
 limit; 
   a card attribute including at least one of:
 card type; 
 issuing institution; 
 account number; 
 issue date; 
 expiry date; and 
 limit.