Title of Invention	METHOD OF MAKING A SECURE ELECTRIC OR ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT ELEMENT, ELEMENT OBTAINED AND SUPPORT INTEGRATING SAID ELEMENT
Abstract	The present invention relates to a method of making a secure electric or electronic circuit element, in which security is achieved with the aid of an authentication means associated with the element; the method is distinguished in that it comprises a step of associating a security wire (3) directly with the circuit element (7, 17, 21, 25, 31), the security wire comprising the authentication means (5). The invention also relates to the element obtained and support integrating such an element.

Title of Invention

METHOD OF MAKING A SECURE ELECTRIC OR ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT ELEMENT, ELEMENT OBTAINED AND SUPPORT INTEGRATING SAID ELEMENT

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of making a secure electric or electronic circuit element, in which security is achieved with the aid of an authentication means associated with the element; the method is distinguished in that it comprises a step of associating a security wire (3) directly with the circuit element (7, 17, 21, 25, 31), the security wire comprising the authentication means (5). The invention also relates to the element obtained and support integrating such an element.

Full Text	Method of making a secure electric or electronic circuit element, element obtained and support integrating said element. The present invention relates to a method for making a secure electric or electronic circuit element with the aid of an authentication means associated with the circuit element. The invention also relates to the circuit element achieved and the secure support integrating such element. It more particularly concerns a method for securing a support having an electromagnetic communication interface and the support thus made secure. The invention has an application more particularly in the field of persons or objects identification supports of the contactless type, such as an identification card, a passport, a driving license, an health card, a certificate of car ownership, a certificate of authenticity, an electronic label, etc. Such supports already comprise security elements directly associated with the support and represented as wires twisted with one or several color wires so as to reproduce a colored pattern which can be recognized by an authority or an entity wishing to check the authenticity of the support. In a passport, it is known to attach the sheets composing the page at the level of the page fold with one or several security wires of the above-mentioned type, having such authentication signs or marks and sewn with another wire for maintaining the sheets. This security wire is visible on the fold when opening the passport in the middle thereof. In some cases, such wires comprise radiation sensitive substances more particularly ultra-violet (UV) sensitive and/or fluorescent substances. In one country, a fluorescent blue and white code composes the security wire used in the fold of the passport. All the identification documents are in principle provided with means for meeting problems of forgery, however the inventors found out that there is no economical protection against the fraud of the technology realizing the passport electromagnetic communication function. As a matter of fact and more particularly in an electronic passport including an electromagnetic antenna connected to an electronic chip to form a radio frequency transponder, it is possible to substitute or to clone the chip and/or the antenna simply by delaminating or ungluing the transponder which is generally positioned on a support currently called an electromagnetic insert or inlay. This physical substitution fraud or cloning operation can concern any support of the contactless type with a transponder (with a chip) or a theft security support (without chip) as well as any electronic label, or electronic module. The fraud may concern the substitution of a conductive element, an electric and/or electronic component. As regards the electronic components, it is known to integrate identification digital codes in memories such as cryptographic certificates, but these are not visible at first glance. The general aim of the invention is to provide the security of an electric and/or electronic circuit element which can easily be detected and implemented. Another object of the invention is also to provide the protection against the fraud of means participating in an electronic communication function including means sensitive to the reception and/or able to emit electromagnetic waves with the aid of an antenna. More particularly, one object of the invention is to provide a security solution with contactless inserts, also called inlays, intended to be used for contactless products such as electronic passports, some of which are more particularly compatible with the ISO 14443 standard. For this purpose, the invention, in its design, consists in associating or attaching with the circuit element a security wire including an authentication means. A wire close to this security wire is used in the field of secure printing or for example in passport bindings; it must however be adapted to the circuit element to be protected and to the utilization conditions of this element. More precisely, the invention consists in interlacing or associating one or several security or safety wires with the conductive wire of the antenna. Security is achieved by using sensitive elements introduced for example by doping security wires, using UV, IR or fluorescent materials or using tracers and preferably but not necessarily using, for the detection thereof, wavelengths in the region which is not visible with the naked eye. For this purpose, the first object of the invention is a method for making a secure electric or electronic circuit element in which security is achieved with an authentication means associated with the element. The method can be distinguished in that it comprises a step of associating a security wire directly with the circuit element, the security wire including the authentication means. Contrary to the prior art in which the security wire is associated with a non electrically functional support, the invention directly associates this security wire with an electric conductive element. This association with a non conductive wire is not naturally obvious, since a priori it does not participate in the improvement of the electric and/or electronic function proper and thus it is not desired firstly. It does not ensure either a direct mechanical behavior function as in the connection of a passport sheets. In most cases of the invention, the association is direct because of a contact between the security wire and the circuit element. In the best of cases, a melting or an assembling which is hardly dismountable is preferred. According to other characteristics of the method: - the step of association is carried out on a conductive wire as the circuit element, by forming a hybrid wire including the security wire and the conductive wire; - the hybrid wire is achieved by downtwisting at least one security wire with at least one conductive wire; - the hybrid wire is achieved by downtwisting at least one conductive wire about at least one core wire so that the conductive wire is helically wind about the core wire; the step of association is carried out by sewing or embroidering the circuit element on a support using a security wire participating in the sewing or the embroidery; - the circuit element is an antenna and the step of association is carried out upon the realization of the antenna wire as a hybrid wire, said hybrid wire including at least one security wire and one conductive wire. - the circuit element includes or is connected to contact pads or studs, and in that the end of the security wire is attached or blocked by welding on the connection pad or stud. Another object of the invention is also a method for making a secure support, said support comprising at least one circuit element and a security wire associated with the support. The method can be distinguished in that the securing of the support is carried out through a secure circuit element associated with the support, said secure circuit complying with the method according to one of the preceding claims. The method is particularly advantageous when making an antenna in that, when the same antenna is made on a support, security is achieved. The turns of the antenna are formed more particularly by sewing or embroidering an already secure conductive wire or a security wire used for example as a sewing or embroidery thread. When the already secure antenna has to attach or fix in addition a component such as a chip module, security is extended to the module and the secure antenna is used as an element for securing the module since the secure sewing thread is attached to the module. Another object of the invention is an electric or electronic circuit element made secure using an authentication means associated to the element. The circuit element is distinguished in that it includes a security wire attached to the circuit element, the security wire including said authentication means. According to other characteristics or embodiment: the circuit element includes a hybrid wire including the security wire and the conductive wire; - the hybrid wire includes at least one security wire downtwisted with at least one conductive wire; - the hybrid wire includes the conductive wire helically wound about at least one core wire; - the circuit element is fixed to a support using a sewing or embroidery technique with the aid of a security wire participating in the sewing or the embroidery; the circuit element is selected among a conductive wire, an antenna, a connection pad or stud of an electronic component; - the antenna is formed using a hybrid wire, said hybrid wire including at least one security wire and a conductive wire. Another object of the invention is a secure support, said support including at least one circuit element and one security wire including an authentication means. The support is characterised in that the circuit element is complying with the above characteristics. According to other characteristics or embodiment of the secure support including the hybrid wire antenna: - at least one end of the antenna is fixed to at least one connection pad or stud of an electronic component, so that the end of the security wire is fixed to the connection pad; - the end on the security wire is locked or fixed by a welding on the connection pad or stud; - the secure support including an electric or electronic circuit element constitutes the whole or a part of an contactless insert or inlay; it can be the whole or a part of an identification support such as a passport or an identification card. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear upon reading the detailed following description which is supplied while referring to the appended drawings, wherein: - Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a hybrid wire complying with the invention; Fig. 2 illustrates a method for fixing the hybrid wire on a support according to the invention; - Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an insert for a contactless identification product; - Figs. 4 to 7 illustrate various modes for associating a security wire to an electronic or electric component; Fig. 8 illustrates a step of laminating an insert between two sheets; Fig. 9 illustrates a passport including the insert of Figure 8. In Fig. 1, a secure electric circuit element 1 according to the embodiment of the invention is illustrated and it is exposed to the radiation of a UV lamp. In the example, this circuit element 1 first includes a basic conductive wire 7 more particularly made of copper or gold, which can be used as an electric connection element, a resistance, an antenna, etc. It also includes, according to the invention, a security wire 3 attached to the circuit element 7; the security wire includes an authentication means 5 as explained hereinunder. In the description, security wire means any wire used more particularly for securing the identification support such as a passport, a bank note. The security wire has the shape of a lengthy element extending on a given length with a generally substantially round section but it can also have a deformable section more particularly when it is composed of fibers, or a rectangular section like that of a ribbon. The thread/wire can be made of various materials more particularly natural materials such as cotton or synthetic material more particularly polymer such as polyamide. The security wire 7 includes authentication means. In the example, the authentication means are sensitive elements or particles 5. They can also be doping agents comprising UV, IR sensitive or fluorescent materials or tracers. These authentication means emit a radiation 6, preferably under the effect of wavelengths belonging to the invisible region such as ultra-violet (UV) in order to increase the difficulty to fraud. In an alternative solution, the thread can also include a succession of colored threads which are wound together or not and which are presented in a determined order, so as to produce a visible color code which can be recognized with the naked eye. According to the preferred embodiment, the secure circuit element includes a hybrid wire including at least two wires, the security wire and the conductive wire. In the example of Fig. 1, the hybrid wire includes three threads/wires respectively a security wire 3 downtwisted with at least a conductive wire 7 about a core wire, more particularly a polyamide thread 9. The security wire is attached to the conductive wire through a downtwisting operation. Preferably, the conductive wire 7 is wound helically about at least one core wire 9 having more particularly rigidity characteristics and the capacity to be fixed or attached in supports for example by a sewing method. The core can also be formed by the security wire which is then enclosed in the conductive wire. In an alternative, the conductive wire can also be used as the core and the security wire is then wound about it. The dimensions of the conductive wire are so as to meet the required characteristics for a radio frequency (RF) communication and the security wire is marked so as to be a security element. The security wire can be a structural wire or not in so far as it directly participates or not to the holding of the conductive wire on a support. In the case where the hybrid wire participates in a technology of the antenna sewn on a woven or non woven support, the weight of the security wire is preferably between 15% and 40% of the total weight of the hybrid wire and the total weight of the hybrid wire can vary from 400 to 600 dtex, 1 dtex being equal to lg/10,000m. The hybrid wire may include for example two security wires for a total together of about 80 to 160 dtex, plus the copper wire. In a passport for example, the security wire alone is approximately equal to 3 times the weight in dtex of both security wires together contained in the hybrid wire. The above values of the hybrid wire results from a compromise optimizing the sewing or embroidering speed without breaking the thread, the radio frequency RF performances and/or the constraints imposed by the contactless transponder standard ISO 14443. This security wire can be associated or added to a security wire by another means than downtwisting. The wire can be attached or assembled in any other way for example by a braid using at least three threads/wires. The threads/wires can also be parallel rather than in the form of spirals and/or assembled by a thermal gluing material or wire. Then, for example the conductive wire can be sheathed with an isolating material which can adhere directly to the security wire or through an adhesive agent. The adhesive agent can be more particularly introduced as a wire associated with other threads/wires. The security wire can advantageously be metallic and have one or several strands made of various metals (gold, silver, platinum, copper, aluminum). Thus, the welding can be carried out so as to best attach the end thereof to a circuit element. Under the effect of the UV lamp, the sensitive particles 5 of the security wire are activated and emit a visible radiation 6. In Fig. 2, the secure circuit element 1 similar to that in Fig. 1 is attached on the support 11 with the aid of a sewing technique using a thread 1 participating in the sewing. The secure conductive wire made of copper 7 used as a sewing or embroidering thread is held with a bobbin thread 13. Other similar or equivalent techniques using attachment thread such as embroidery, knitting also make it possible to attach the circuit element. Thus, for example the bobbin thread 13 may become the embroidery thread. Alternatively, the bobbin thread 13 can be exchanged with the secure conductive wire 1 for the embroidery or the sewing. At least one of the threads participating in the sewing or the embroidering or the knitting may be the security wire, whereas the other one can be or include the conductive wire. As a matter of fact, any combination of such wires is possible. To reinforce the security, the bobbin thread 13 can also be a security wire with or without a conductive wire. Thus, it adds additional marking means to the already secure conductive wire 1. As an alternative, the circuit element 1 may not include a security wire but include a conductive wire alone or associated with a wire such as a core wire, with the security wire being brought through a subsequent assembling more particularly by sewing, embroidering or any other assembly means such as gluing, etc. This alternative solution makes it possible to uncouple the linear conductor 7 manufacturing technique from that of the security wire. Thus, for example, a metallized track is achieved by electrochemical etching on a support as a circuit element, whereas the attachment technique for the security wire is for example embroidery. The security wire can be attached or added using any thread/wire attachment technique on a support such as sewing, embroidery, ultrasound etching etc. The securing technique can also be chosen according to the desired advantages. For example, an implementation is easy with sewing or embroidery and gains in productivity can be achieved. The circuit element 1 can also be embedded in the support more particularly of a plastic type with ultrasounds which thus makes the separation of the security wire from the conductive wire even more delicate. The separation can also be prohibited by means of a plastic coating, for example a transparent one around the circuit element, or even a melting of the wires together. The circuit element according to the invention may also be selected more particularly among an antenna or a connection pad or stud of an electronic component as described herein under. In the case of an antenna, the latter may be formed from the hybrid wire as previously described. Alternatively, the antenna can also be made in a known way by means of an ultrasound embedding technique. Preferably, the security wire is embedded with the security wire. The security wire may subsequently be added if need be, when the antenna is formed on a support. More particularly, the antenna can also be achieved by a metallization by etching or a deposition of a conductive material such as a serigraphy with a conductive ink. Figure 3 illustrates a secure support 15 according to one embodiment of the invention. This support includes at least one circuit element and the security wire including authentication means. The circuit element is an antenna 17 which can be achieved from a conductive or a hybrid wire as previously described. In the example, the antenna is a hybrid wire and is fixed on a support using an embroidery technique. Other attachment techniques mentioned hereabove may also be appropriate. At least one end 19 of the antenna is attached to at least one connection pad or stud 21 of an electronic component 23, so that the end of the security wire is locked or attached to the connection pad or stud. The electronic component is shown by a chip 25 module 23 of the contactless type. It includes a chip on a support 27 carrying metallized contact studs 29. The chip pads 31 are connected to the contact studs by any known means such as a wire welding, a conductive material or a flip chip or chip technique (Fig. 7) etc. Figures 4 to 7 illustrate various ways to attach or fix the security wire to contact studs (or even pads) of an electronic component or connected thereto. Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 in that the attachment is carried out by directly sewing the metallic studs 21, with the security wire going through alone or preferably with the conductive wire a connection stud 21. A coating 35 can protect the connections either of the chip alone or also of the end 19 of the antenna. It can be noted that the invention makes it possible not only to secure the antenna itself when it is associated with the security wire, but also that the thus secured antenna also makes it possible to secure the electronic component which it is attached to and thus the support by being attached thereto as, for example, when it is sandwiched between two polycarbonate sheets welded together or a sewing with another security attachment wire to the support. In Figure 5, the end 19 of the secure conductor is attached to connection studs 31 by a thermo- compression welding 33 (or any other connection means) carried out on the connection studs. A coating resin can cover the non conductive and conductive ends and thus lock the security wire. This embodiment or implementation is particularly advantageous to obtain secure interconnections of components on a support such as a contact stud module, a battery, a display system, etc. The hybrid wire can fix the support at least at some places and include sewing or embroidering or gluing points or any equivalent point. In Figure 6, two connection surfaces are connected by means of a secure conductive wire according to the invention. The welding is a thermo compressed welding. If need be, the hybrid wire 1 can be attached at some places of the isolating support 27, more particularly by sewing or embroidering. In Figure 7, the chip is mounted as a flip chip against connection studs. The ends 19 are attached by means of anisotropic conductive glue which locks the chip support and ends 19 of the hybrid wire together. Alternatively, each pad may receive a drop of isotropic conductive glue. The welding 33 on the embodiment in Figure 6 can be carried out using various techniques with or without an addition of material more particularly an addition of a conductive glue 35 for example an isotropic glue. In Figure 8, the support achieved 15 may be the whole or a part of an insert or an inlay 37 of the contactless type. For this purpose, the insert 15 can receive one or several protective additional laminated sheets or a cover 37, 39. In Figure 9, the support 15 may be the whole or a part of an identification support such as an electronic passport 43. The insert can be added to a cover 45 or preferably a passport sheet, the support or at least a coating covering it is transparent, so as to show the security wire. Transparency can be localized on at least a part of the antenna to allow a visual examination. In the case where the sheet is opaque, other sensitive agents can be used so as to be detected through the opaque sheet, such as magnetic, metallic agents which can be detected by a capacitive effect. The lamination method for an inlay, a card or a document makes it possible to enclose the antenna between the lower and higher layers and this method can be forged or duplicated in case the inlay is replaced. Using transparent layers during the lamination step will make it possible to see the antenna with the naked eye and to authentify it with a detection tool. CLAIMS 1. A method for making a secure electric or electronic circuit element, in which security is achieved with the aid of an authentication means associated with the element, characterised in that it comprises a step of associating a security wire (3) directly with the circuit element (7, 17, 21, 25, 31), the security wire comprising the authentication means (5). 2. A method according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the step of association is carried out on a conductive wire (7) as a circuit element, by forming a hybrid wire (1) comprising the security wire (3) and the conductive wire (7). 3. A method according to claim 2, characterised in that the hybrid wire (1) is achieved by downtwisting at least one security wire (3) with at least one conductive wire (7). 4. A method according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterised in that the hybrid wire is achieved by downtwisting at least one conductive wire about at least one core wire (9), so that the conductive wire is helically wound about the core wire. 5. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the step of association is carried out by sewing or embroidering the circuit element on a support (11, 15) using a security wire (1) participating in the sewing or the embroidery. 6. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the circuit element is an antenna (17) and the step of association is carried out during the realization of the antenna wire, in the form of a hybrid wire (1), said hybrid wire comprising at least one security wire (3) and one conductive wire (7). 7. A method for making a secure support, said support comprising at least one circuit element and one security wire associated with the support, characterised in that the security of the support (11, 15) is achieved through a secure circuit element (1, 17) associated with the support, said secure circuit being in compliance with the method according to one of the preceding claims. 8. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the circuit element comprises or is connected to contact pads or studs and in that the end on the security wire is attached or blocked by a welding on the connection pad or stud. 9. A secure electric or electronic circuit element made secure with the aid of an authentication means associated with the element, characterised in that it comprises a secure wire (3) attached to the circuit element (7, 17, 21, 25, 29), the security wire including said authentication means (5). 10. A circuit element according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it comprises a hybrid wire including the security wire (3) and the conductive wire (7) . 11. A circuit element according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the hybrid wire comprises at least one security wire downtwisted with at least one conductive wire. 12. A circuit element according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterised in that the hybrid wire comprises the conductive wire helically wound about at least one core wire (9). 13. A circuit element according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterised in that it is fixed to a support using a sewing or embroidering technique with the aid of a security wire (1) participating in the sewing or the embroidery. 14. A circuit element according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterised in that the circuit element is selected among a conductive wire, an antenna 17, a connection pad or stud (21, 29) of an electronic component (25). 15. A circuit element according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the antenna is formed from a hybrid wire, said hybrid wire including at least one security wire and one conductive wire. 16. A secure support (1, 15, 27, 37, 43), said support including at least one circuit element and one security wire including an authentication means, characterised in that the circuit element is in compliance with one of claims 9 to 15. 17. A secure support according to the preceding claim including the antenna made of a hybrid wire, characterised in that at least one end of the antenna (19) is fixed to at least one connection pad or stud (21, 29) of an electronic component (25) , so that the end of the security wire is locked on the connection pad or stud. 18. A secure support according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the end of the security wire is locked by a welding (33) on the connection pad or stud. 19. A secure support including an electric or electronic circuit element according to one of claims 9 to 18, characterised in that it constitutes the whole or a part of a contactless insert or inlay (15). 20. A secure support according to one of claims 9 to 19, characterised in that it constitutes the whole or a part of the identification support, such as a passport or an identification card (37, 43, 45). The present invention relates to a method of making a secure electric or electronic circuit element, in which security is achieved with the aid of an authentication means associated with the element; the method is distinguished in that it comprises a step of associating a security wire (3) directly with the circuit element (7, 17, 21, 25, 31), the security wire comprising the authentication means (5). The invention also relates to the element obtained and support integrating such an element.

Full Text

Method of making a secure electric or electronic
circuit element, element obtained and support
integrating said element.
The present invention relates to a method for
making a secure electric or electronic circuit element
with the aid of an authentication means associated with
the circuit element. The invention also relates to the
circuit element achieved and the secure support
integrating such element.
It more particularly concerns a method for
securing a support having an electromagnetic
communication interface and the support thus made
secure.
The invention has an application more
particularly in the field of persons or objects
identification supports of the contactless type, such
as an identification card, a passport, a driving
license, an health card, a certificate of car
ownership, a certificate of authenticity, an electronic
label, etc.

Such supports already comprise security elements
directly associated with the support and represented as
wires twisted with one or several color wires so as to
reproduce a colored pattern which can be recognized by
an authority or an entity wishing to check the
authenticity of the support.
In a passport, it is known to attach the sheets
composing the page at the level of the page fold with
one or several security wires of the above-mentioned
type, having such authentication signs or marks and
sewn with another wire for maintaining the sheets.
This security wire is visible on the fold when opening
the passport in the middle thereof. In some cases,
such wires comprise radiation sensitive substances more
particularly ultra-violet (UV) sensitive and/or
fluorescent substances. In one country, a fluorescent
blue and white code composes the security wire used in
the fold of the passport.
All the identification documents are in principle
provided with means for meeting problems of forgery,
however the inventors found out that there is no
economical protection against the fraud of the
technology realizing the passport electromagnetic
communication function.
As a matter of fact and more particularly in an
electronic passport including an electromagnetic
antenna connected to an electronic chip to form a radio
frequency transponder, it is possible to substitute or
to clone the chip and/or the antenna simply by
delaminating or ungluing the transponder which is
generally positioned on a support currently called an
electromagnetic insert or inlay.

This physical substitution fraud or cloning
operation can concern any support of the contactless
type with a transponder (with a chip) or a theft
security support (without chip) as well as any
electronic label, or electronic module. The fraud may
concern the substitution of a conductive element, an
electric and/or electronic component.
As regards the electronic components, it is known
to integrate identification digital codes in memories
such as cryptographic certificates, but these are not
visible at first glance.
The general aim of the invention is to provide
the security of an electric and/or electronic circuit
element which can easily be detected and implemented.
Another object of the invention is also to
provide the protection against the fraud of means
participating in an electronic communication function
including means sensitive to the reception and/or able
to emit electromagnetic waves with the aid of an
antenna.
More particularly, one object of the invention is
to provide a security solution with contactless
inserts, also called inlays, intended to be used for
contactless products such as electronic passports, some
of which are more particularly compatible with the ISO
14443 standard.
For this purpose, the invention, in its design,
consists in associating or attaching with the circuit
element a security wire including an authentication
means. A wire close to this security wire is used in
the field of secure printing or for example in passport
bindings; it must however be adapted to the circuit

element to be protected and to the utilization
conditions of this element.
More precisely, the invention consists in
interlacing or associating one or several security or
safety wires with the conductive wire of the antenna.
Security is achieved by using sensitive elements
introduced for example by doping security wires, using
UV, IR or fluorescent materials or using tracers and
preferably but not necessarily using, for the detection
thereof, wavelengths in the region which is not visible
with the naked eye.
For this purpose, the first object of the
invention is a method for making a secure electric or
electronic circuit element in which security is
achieved with an authentication means associated with
the element. The method can be distinguished in that
it comprises a step of associating a security wire
directly with the circuit element, the security wire
including the authentication means.
Contrary to the prior art in which the security
wire is associated with a non electrically functional
support, the invention directly associates this
security wire with an electric conductive element.
This association with a non conductive wire is not
naturally obvious, since a priori it does not
participate in the improvement of the electric and/or
electronic function proper and thus it is not desired
firstly. It does not ensure either a direct mechanical
behavior function as in the connection of a passport
sheets.
In most cases of the invention, the association
is direct because of a contact between the security

wire and the circuit element. In the best of cases, a
melting or an assembling which is hardly dismountable
is preferred.
According to other characteristics of the method:
- the step of association is carried out on a
conductive wire as the circuit element, by forming a
hybrid wire including the security wire and the
conductive wire;
- the hybrid wire is achieved by downtwisting at
least one security wire with at least one conductive
wire;
- the hybrid wire is achieved by downtwisting at
least one conductive wire about at least one core wire
so that the conductive wire is helically wind about the
core wire;
the step of association is carried out by
sewing or embroidering the circuit element on a support
using a security wire participating in the sewing or
the embroidery;
- the circuit element is an antenna and the step
of association is carried out upon the realization of
the antenna wire as a hybrid wire, said hybrid wire
including at least one security wire and one conductive
wire.
- the circuit element includes or is connected to
contact pads or studs, and in that the end of the
security wire is attached or blocked by welding on the
connection pad or stud.
Another object of the invention is also a method
for making a secure support, said support comprising at
least one circuit element and a security wire
associated with the support.

The method can be distinguished in that the
securing of the support is carried out through a secure
circuit element associated with the support, said
secure circuit complying with the method according to
one of the preceding claims.
The method is particularly advantageous when
making an antenna in that, when the same antenna is
made on a support, security is achieved. The turns of
the antenna are formed more particularly by sewing or
embroidering an already secure conductive wire or a
security wire used for example as a sewing or
embroidery thread.
When the already secure antenna has to attach or
fix in addition a component such as a chip module,
security is extended to the module and the secure
antenna is used as an element for securing the module
since the secure sewing thread is attached to the
module.
Another object of the invention is an electric or
electronic circuit element made secure using an
authentication means associated to the element. The
circuit element is distinguished in that it includes a
security wire attached to the circuit element, the
security wire including said authentication means.
According to other characteristics or embodiment:
the circuit element includes a hybrid wire
including the security wire and the conductive wire;
- the hybrid wire includes at least one security
wire downtwisted with at least one conductive wire;
- the hybrid wire includes the conductive wire
helically wound about at least one core wire;

- the circuit element is fixed to a support using
a sewing or embroidery technique with the aid of a
security wire participating in the sewing or the
embroidery;
the circuit element is selected among a
conductive wire, an antenna, a connection pad or stud
of an electronic component;
- the antenna is formed using a hybrid wire, said
hybrid wire including at least one security wire and a
conductive wire.
Another object of the invention is a secure
support, said support including at least one circuit
element and one security wire including an
authentication means.
The support is characterised in that the circuit
element is complying with the above characteristics.
According to other characteristics or embodiment
of the secure support including the hybrid wire
antenna:
- at least one end of the antenna is fixed to at
least one connection pad or stud of an electronic
component, so that the end of the security wire is
fixed to the connection pad;
- the end on the security wire is locked or fixed
by a welding on the connection pad or stud;
- the secure support including an electric or
electronic circuit element constitutes the whole or a
part of an contactless insert or inlay; it can be the
whole or a part of an identification support such as a
passport or an identification card.
Other characteristics and advantages of the
invention will appear upon reading the detailed

following description which is supplied while referring
to the appended drawings, wherein:
- Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a hybrid
wire complying with the invention;
Fig. 2 illustrates a method for fixing the
hybrid wire on a support according to the invention;
- Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an insert
for a contactless identification product;
- Figs. 4 to 7 illustrate various modes for
associating a security wire to an electronic or
electric component;
Fig. 8 illustrates a step of laminating an
insert between two sheets;
Fig. 9 illustrates a passport including the
insert of Figure 8.
In Fig. 1, a secure electric circuit element 1
according to the embodiment of the invention is
illustrated and it is exposed to the radiation of a UV
lamp.
In the example, this circuit element 1 first
includes a basic conductive wire 7 more particularly
made of copper or gold, which can be used as an
electric connection element, a resistance, an antenna,
etc. It also includes, according to the invention, a
security wire 3 attached to the circuit element 7; the
security wire includes an authentication means 5 as
explained hereinunder.
In the description, security wire means any wire
used more particularly for securing the identification
support such as a passport, a bank note. The security
wire has the shape of a lengthy element extending on a
given length with a generally substantially round

section but it can also have a deformable section more
particularly when it is composed of fibers, or a
rectangular section like that of a ribbon. The
thread/wire can be made of various materials more
particularly natural materials such as cotton or
synthetic material more particularly polymer such as
polyamide. The security wire 7 includes authentication
means. In the example, the authentication means are
sensitive elements or particles 5. They can also be
doping agents comprising UV, IR sensitive or
fluorescent materials or tracers. These authentication
means emit a radiation 6, preferably under the effect
of wavelengths belonging to the invisible region such
as ultra-violet (UV) in order to increase the
difficulty to fraud.
In an alternative solution, the thread can also
include a succession of colored threads which are wound
together or not and which are presented in a determined
order, so as to produce a visible color code which can
be recognized with the naked eye.
According to the preferred embodiment, the secure
circuit element includes a hybrid wire including at
least two wires, the security wire and the conductive
wire. In the example of Fig. 1, the hybrid wire
includes three threads/wires respectively a security
wire 3 downtwisted with at least a conductive wire 7
about a core wire, more particularly a polyamide thread
9. The security wire is attached to the conductive
wire through a downtwisting operation.
Preferably, the conductive wire 7 is wound
helically about at least one core wire 9 having more
particularly rigidity characteristics and the capacity

to be fixed or attached in supports for example by a
sewing method.
The core can also be formed by the security wire
which is then enclosed in the conductive wire. In an
alternative, the conductive wire can also be used as
the core and the security wire is then wound about it.
The dimensions of the conductive wire are so as
to meet the required characteristics for a radio
frequency (RF) communication and the security wire is
marked so as to be a security element. The security
wire can be a structural wire or not in so far as it
directly participates or not to the holding of the
conductive wire on a support.
In the case where the hybrid wire participates in
a technology of the antenna sewn on a woven or non
woven support, the weight of the security wire is
preferably between 15% and 40% of the total weight of
the hybrid wire and the total weight of the hybrid wire
can vary from 400 to 600 dtex, 1 dtex being equal to
lg/10,000m.
The hybrid wire may include for example two
security wires for a total together of about 80 to 160
dtex, plus the copper wire.
In a passport for example, the security wire
alone is approximately equal to 3 times the weight in
dtex of both security wires together contained in the
hybrid wire.
The above values of the hybrid wire results from
a compromise optimizing the sewing or embroidering
speed without breaking the thread, the radio frequency
RF performances and/or the constraints imposed by the
contactless transponder standard ISO 14443.

This security wire can be associated or added to
a security wire by another means than downtwisting.
The wire can be attached or assembled in any other way
for example by a braid using at least three
threads/wires. The threads/wires can also be parallel
rather than in the form of spirals and/or assembled by
a thermal gluing material or wire. Then, for example
the conductive wire can be sheathed with an isolating
material which can adhere directly to the security wire
or through an adhesive agent. The adhesive agent can
be more particularly introduced as a wire associated
with other threads/wires.
The security wire can advantageously be metallic
and have one or several strands made of various metals
(gold, silver, platinum, copper, aluminum). Thus, the
welding can be carried out so as to best attach the end
thereof to a circuit element.
Under the effect of the UV lamp, the sensitive
particles 5 of the security wire are activated and emit
a visible radiation 6.
In Fig. 2, the secure circuit element 1 similar
to that in Fig. 1 is attached on the support 11 with
the aid of a sewing technique using a thread 1
participating in the sewing. The secure conductive
wire made of copper 7 used as a sewing or embroidering
thread is held with a bobbin thread 13.
Other similar or equivalent techniques using
attachment thread such as embroidery, knitting also
make it possible to attach the circuit element. Thus,
for example the bobbin thread 13 may become the
embroidery thread.

Alternatively, the bobbin thread 13 can be
exchanged with the secure conductive wire 1 for the
embroidery or the sewing. At least one of the threads
participating in the sewing or the embroidering or the
knitting may be the security wire, whereas the other
one can be or include the conductive wire. As a matter
of fact, any combination of such wires is possible.
To reinforce the security, the bobbin thread 13
can also be a security wire with or without a
conductive wire. Thus, it adds additional marking
means to the already secure conductive wire 1.
As an alternative, the circuit element 1 may not
include a security wire but include a conductive wire
alone or associated with a wire such as a core wire,
with the security wire being brought through a
subsequent assembling more particularly by sewing,
embroidering or any other assembly means such as
gluing, etc.
This alternative solution makes it possible to
uncouple the linear conductor 7 manufacturing technique
from that of the security wire. Thus, for example, a
metallized track is achieved by electrochemical etching
on a support as a circuit element, whereas the
attachment technique for the security wire is for
example embroidery.
The security wire can be attached or added using
any thread/wire attachment technique on a support such
as sewing, embroidery, ultrasound etching etc. The
securing technique can also be chosen according to the
desired advantages. For example, an implementation is
easy with sewing or embroidery and gains in
productivity can be achieved.

The circuit element 1 can also be embedded in the
support more particularly of a plastic type with
ultrasounds which thus makes the separation of the
security wire from the conductive wire even more
delicate. The separation can also be prohibited by
means of a plastic coating, for example a transparent
one around the circuit element, or even a melting of
the wires together.
The circuit element according to the invention
may also be selected more particularly among an antenna
or a connection pad or stud of an electronic component
as described herein under.
In the case of an antenna, the latter may be
formed from the hybrid wire as previously described.
Alternatively, the antenna can also be made in a
known way by means of an ultrasound embedding
technique. Preferably, the security wire is embedded
with the security wire. The security wire may
subsequently be added if need be, when the antenna is
formed on a support. More particularly, the antenna
can also be achieved by a metallization by etching or a
deposition of a conductive material such as a
serigraphy with a conductive ink.
Figure 3 illustrates a secure support 15
according to one embodiment of the invention. This
support includes at least one circuit element and the
security wire including authentication means. The
circuit element is an antenna 17 which can be achieved
from a conductive or a hybrid wire as previously
described.
In the example, the antenna is a hybrid wire and
is fixed on a support using an embroidery technique.

Other attachment techniques mentioned hereabove may
also be appropriate. At least one end 19 of the
antenna is attached to at least one connection pad or
stud 21 of an electronic component 23, so that the end
of the security wire is locked or attached to the
connection pad or stud.
The electronic component is shown by a chip 25
module 23 of the contactless type. It includes a chip
on a support 27 carrying metallized contact studs 29.
The chip pads 31 are connected to the contact studs by
any known means such as a wire welding, a conductive
material or a flip chip or chip technique (Fig. 7) etc.
Figures 4 to 7 illustrate various ways to attach
or fix the security wire to contact studs (or even
pads) of an electronic component or connected thereto.
Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 in that the
attachment is carried out by directly sewing the
metallic studs 21, with the security wire going through
alone or preferably with the conductive wire a
connection stud 21. A coating 35 can protect the
connections either of the chip alone or also of the end
19 of the antenna.
It can be noted that the invention makes it
possible not only to secure the antenna itself when it
is associated with the security wire, but also that the
thus secured antenna also makes it possible to secure
the electronic component which it is attached to and
thus the support by being attached thereto as, for
example, when it is sandwiched between two
polycarbonate sheets welded together or a sewing with
another security attachment wire to the support.

In Figure 5, the end 19 of the secure conductor
is attached to connection studs 31 by a thermo-
compression welding 33 (or any other connection means)
carried out on the connection studs. A coating resin
can cover the non conductive and conductive ends and
thus lock the security wire. This embodiment or
implementation is particularly advantageous to obtain
secure interconnections of components on a support such
as a contact stud module, a battery, a display system,
etc. The hybrid wire can fix the support at least at
some places and include sewing or embroidering or
gluing points or any equivalent point.
In Figure 6, two connection surfaces are
connected by means of a secure conductive wire
according to the invention. The welding is a thermo
compressed welding. If need be, the hybrid wire 1 can
be attached at some places of the isolating support 27,
more particularly by sewing or embroidering.
In Figure 7, the chip is mounted as a flip chip
against connection studs. The ends 19 are attached by
means of anisotropic conductive glue which locks the
chip support and ends 19 of the hybrid wire together.
Alternatively, each pad may receive a drop of isotropic
conductive glue.
The welding 33 on the embodiment in Figure 6 can
be carried out using various techniques with or without
an addition of material more particularly an addition
of a conductive glue 35 for example an isotropic glue.
In Figure 8, the support achieved 15 may be the
whole or a part of an insert or an inlay 37 of the
contactless type. For this purpose, the insert 15 can

receive one or several protective additional laminated
sheets or a cover 37, 39.
In Figure 9, the support 15 may be the whole or a
part of an identification support such as an electronic
passport 43. The insert can be added to a cover 45 or
preferably a passport sheet, the support or at least a
coating covering it is transparent, so as to show the
security wire. Transparency can be localized on at
least a part of the antenna to allow a visual
examination.
In the case where the sheet is opaque, other
sensitive agents can be used so as to be detected
through the opaque sheet, such as magnetic, metallic
agents which can be detected by a capacitive effect.
The lamination method for an inlay, a card or a
document makes it possible to enclose the antenna
between the lower and higher layers and this method can
be forged or duplicated in case the inlay is replaced.
Using transparent layers during the lamination
step will make it possible to see the antenna with the
naked eye and to authentify it with a detection tool.

CLAIMS
1. A method for making a secure electric or
electronic circuit element, in which security is achieved
with the aid of an authentication means associated with
the element, characterised in that it comprises a step of
associating a security wire (3) directly with the circuit
element (7, 17, 21, 25, 31), the security wire comprising
the authentication means (5).
2. A method according to the preceding claim,
characterised in that the step of association is
carried out on a conductive wire (7) as a circuit
element, by forming a hybrid wire (1) comprising the
security wire (3) and the conductive wire (7).
3. A method according to claim 2, characterised
in that the hybrid wire (1) is achieved by downtwisting
at least one security wire (3) with at least one
conductive wire (7).
4. A method according to one of claims 2 or 3,
characterised in that the hybrid wire is achieved by
downtwisting at least one conductive wire about at
least one core wire (9), so that the conductive wire is
helically wound about the core wire.
5. A method according to claim 1, characterised
in that the step of association is carried out by
sewing or embroidering the circuit element on a support
(11, 15) using a security wire (1) participating in the
sewing or the embroidery.
6. A method according to claim 1, characterised
in that the circuit element is an antenna (17) and the
step of association is carried out during the
realization of the antenna wire, in the form of a

hybrid wire (1), said hybrid wire comprising at least
one security wire (3) and one conductive wire (7).
7. A method for making a secure support, said
support comprising at least one circuit element and one
security wire associated with the support,
characterised in that the security of the support (11,
15) is achieved through a secure circuit element (1,
17) associated with the support, said secure circuit
being in compliance with the method according to one of
the preceding claims.
8. A method according to claim 1, characterised
in that the circuit element comprises or is connected
to contact pads or studs and in that the end on the
security wire is attached or blocked by a welding on
the connection pad or stud.

9. A secure electric or electronic circuit
element made secure with the aid of an authentication
means associated with the element, characterised in
that it comprises a secure wire (3) attached to the
circuit element (7, 17, 21, 25, 29), the security wire
including said authentication means (5).
10. A circuit element according to the preceding
claim, characterised in that it comprises a hybrid wire
including the security wire (3) and the conductive wire
(7) .
11. A circuit element according to the preceding
claim, characterised in that the hybrid wire comprises
at least one security wire downtwisted with at least
one conductive wire.
12. A circuit element according to one of claims
10 or 11, characterised in that the hybrid wire

comprises the conductive wire helically wound about at
least one core wire (9).
13. A circuit element according to one of claims
9 to 12, characterised in that it is fixed to a support
using a sewing or embroidering technique with the aid
of a security wire (1) participating in the sewing or
the embroidery.
14. A circuit element according to one of claims
9 to 13, characterised in that the circuit element is
selected among a conductive wire, an antenna 17, a
connection pad or stud (21, 29) of an electronic
component (25).
15. A circuit element according to the preceding
claim, characterised in that the antenna is formed from
a hybrid wire, said hybrid wire including at least one
security wire and one conductive wire.
16. A secure support (1, 15, 27, 37, 43), said
support including at least one circuit element and one
security wire including an authentication means,
characterised in that the circuit element is in
compliance with one of claims 9 to 15.
17. A secure support according to the preceding
claim including the antenna made of a hybrid wire,
characterised in that at least one end of the antenna
(19) is fixed to at least one connection pad or stud
(21, 29) of an electronic component (25) , so that the
end of the security wire is locked on the connection
pad or stud.
18. A secure support according to the preceding
claim, characterised in that the end of the security
wire is locked by a welding (33) on the connection pad
or stud.

19. A secure support including an electric or
electronic circuit element according to one of claims 9
to 18, characterised in that it constitutes the whole
or a part of a contactless insert or inlay (15).
20. A secure support according to one of claims 9
to 19, characterised in that it constitutes the whole
or a part of the identification support, such as a
passport or an identification card (37, 43, 45).

The present invention relates to a method of making a secure electric or electronic circuit element, in which security is achieved with the aid of an authentication means associated with the element; the method is distinguished in that
it comprises a step of associating a security
wire (3) directly with the circuit element (7,
17, 21, 25, 31), the security wire comprising
the authentication means (5). The invention
also relates to the element obtained and
support integrating such an element.

Documents:

http://ipindiaonline.gov.in/patentsearch/GrantedSearch/viewdoc.aspx?id=5NGD/WFFel24En4qludPHw==&loc=wDBSZCsAt7zoiVrqcFJsRw==

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Patent Number

279195

Indian Patent Application Number

1570/KOLNP/2009

PG Journal Number

03/2017

Publication Date

20-Jan-2017

Grant Date

13-Jan-2017

Date of Filing

27-Apr-2009

Name of Patentee

GEMALTO SA

Applicant Address

6, RUE DE LA VERRERIE, F-92190 MEUDON

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	ROBLES, LAURENCE	ROUTE SOURCE DES NAYES, F-83640 SAINT ZACHARIE
2	BANCHELIN, XAVIER	123, CHEMIN DES AMARYLLIS, F-13012 MARSEILLE

PCT International Classification Number

G07D 7/00,B42D 15/00

PCT International Application Number

PCT/EP2007/061947

PCT International Filing date

2007-11-06

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	06301139.9	2006-11-09	EUROPEAN UNION