Secure entry system

1. A secure entry system comprising:

an authorization apparatus including a reader for reading data, the reader including a transparent record medium presenting region and a border region extending alongside the transparent record medium presenting region; and

a record medium; wherein

the record medium is configured to be presented to the reader,

the reader and the record medium or a member connected to the record medium include at least two pairs of visible markings,

the reader includes a first member of each of the pairs of markings, the first member of each of the pairs of markings being located in the border region of the reader, and the record medium or the member connected to the record member includes a second member of each of the pairs of markings, the first and second members of each pair cooperating together in a predetermined manner only when the record medium is correctly presented to the reader, and

cooperation between the two pairs of visible markings is visible to a person presenting the record medium to the reader by placing the record medium face down onto the transparent record medium presenting region as the markings of each pair being disposed side by side and the first member of each of the pairs of markings being alongside a respective different lateral edge of the record medium when the record medium is correctly presented to the reader.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the members of each pair of markings differ from the members of the or each other pair of markings.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the members of each pair of markings are identical.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the members of each pair of markings have different appearances which relate to one another.

5. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the members of a pair of markings are mirror images of one another.

6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the authorization apparatus further comprises an input device for detecting information such as biodata about a person presenting the record medium, and an analyzer for comparing the detected information with the read data and for allowing entry if a satisfactory comparison is achieved.

7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the markings are or incorporate security devices such as holograms, security inks, perforations and embossings.

8. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the record medium forms part of a security booklet and one member of the or each pair of markings is provided on an outer surface of a cover of the security booklet.

9. The system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least two pairs of visible markings are substantially invisible when illuminated by a natural light, and become visible when illuminated by a light having a wavelength outside a visible wavelength range, and wherein the authorization apparatus further comprises a light source configured to illuminate the at least one of the at least two pairs of visible markings with light having the wavelength outside the visible wavelength range.

10. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the light source is an illuminating hood configured to illuminate at least the reader.

11. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the authorization apparatus further comprises:

a sensor configured to sense one or more of a person presenting the record medium and the record medium presented to the reader; and

a controller configured to switch on the light source in response to the sensor sensing one or more of the person presenting the record medium and the record medium presented to the reader.

12. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the or each pair of markings included on the record medium or the member connected to the record medium are substantially invisible when illuminated by a natural light, and the or each pair of markings included on the reader are substantially visible when illuminated by natural light.

13. The system according to claim 9 , wherein all of the at least two pairs of visible markings are substantially invisible when illuminated by a natural light, and become visible when illuminated by a light having a wavelength outside a visible wavelength range.

14. An authorization apparatus for use in a secure entry system having a record medium, the authorization apparatus including a reader for reading data from the record medium presented to the reader, the reader including a transparent record medium presenting region and a border region extending alongside the transparent record medium presenting region, the reader including two members of two pairs of visible markings located in the border region of the reader which, when the record medium is correctly presented to the reader, cooperate with other members of the two pairs of visible markings on the record medium or a member connected to the record medium in a predetermined manner,

wherein cooperation between the two pairs of visible markings is visible to a person presenting the record medium to the reader by placing the record medium face down onto the transparent record medium presenting region as the markings of each pair being disposed side by side and the member of each of the pairs of markings on the reader being alongside a respective different lateral edge of the record medium when the record medium is correctly presented to the reader.