WO1983002081A1

WO1983002081A1 - Engraved image identification card

Info

Publication number: WO1983002081A1
Application number: PCT/US1982/001740
Authority: WO
Inventors: Interface And Software Limited California; John Smalley Hall; Barry Coon Phelps
Original assignee: California Interface Software
Priority date: 1981-12-14
Filing date: 1982-12-14
Publication date: 1983-06-23
Also published as: EP0096071A4; AU1150983A; EP0096071A1

Abstract

Machine engraved identification cards. Prior identification cards required an opaque base of one color overlaid with an opaque layer of a contrasting color so that light impinging on the engraved surface of the card is variably reflected back to the eye of the observer according to the location and amount of the top layer removed to expose the bottom layer to form an observable image. Prior cards rely solely upon the variable reflectivity of light from the two opaque layers on the front of the engraved card. Thus, background light is irrelevant. The present card (10) has a translucent base layer (30) with engraved scores (36) extending through an opaque top layer (34) into the base layer whereby a "negative" image appears when the background light is below a determinable value and a latent, "positive" image appears when the background light passing through the translucent base is above the determinable value.

Description

ENGRAVED IMAGE IDENTIFICATION CARD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to identification cards and in particular to machine engraved identification cards.

Engraved identification cards are known and can be made utilizing any one of a number of available electronic engraving systems such as that disclosed in Noda, et al_*. United States Patent No. 3,950,608 filed February 21, 1974 and issued April 13, 1976 or Wada et al., United States Patent No. 4,052,739 filed January 30, 1976 and issued October 4, 1977 or any other engraving system. Utilizing an electronic engraving system, an image can be engraved in an identification card blank by making a multiplicity of "V" shaped scores through one opaque colored plastic layer of the card blank into a second different colored opaque plastic layer of the card blank. By altering the depth of the "V" shaped scoring, the width of the region between scores can be continuously varied to generate light and dark regions which make up the desired image. A complete description of such prior art identification cards and^' the method of making them is disclosed in Oka, et al.. United States Patent No. 3,897,964 filed May 17, 1972 and issued August 5, 1975 and Oka et al.. United States Patent No. 3,930,924 filed February 28, 1973 and issued January 6, 1976.

f

Y " Such identification cards required an opaque base of one color overlaid with an opaque layer of a contrasting color so that light impinging on the engraved surface of the card is variably reflected back to the eye of the observer according to the location and amount of the top layer removed to expose the bottom layer to form an observable image.

The present invention provides a translucent base with but a single colored layer which is disposed across one surface of the translucent base. Engraving occurs through the colored layer into the translucent base to variably expose^"the translucent base. Background light then passes through the translucent base material in only those regions not covered by the opaque regions, i.e., where the opaque- layer has not been removed by the engraving process.

The image is therefore a result of the contrast between the background light passing through the trans¬ lucent base in those regions where the single colored layer has been removed and the light reflected from the front of the card in the regions where the colored layer has not been removed. This is in contrast to prior art cards whic rely solely upon the variable reflectivity of light from the two opaque layers on the front of the engraved card. Thus, in prior art cards, background light is irrelevant.

A surprising and particular advantageous feature of such an engraved card is that both a "negative" and a "positive" image can be observed even though only a single image is engraved. By way of explanation, because the image observed depends on the contrast between the background light passing through the translucent base and the foreground light reflecting off of the colored layer on the front of the card, when the amount of background light is below a certain level, the engraved image looks like a photographic negative whereas when the background light is above a particular level then the engraved image looks like a photographic positive.

This dual image effect provides an inherent security feature whereby the authenticity of a particular card can be tested without special equipment or user training. For example, if the engraved image is removed from the card by scraping the engraved surface of the identification card and then printing another image on the card, the above-described dual image effect will not be created. Hence, such a counterfeit card will be readily discernible simply by holding the identification card up to the light.

In addition to the above, engraving into a single colored layer or into a translucent layer without providing similar scoring through an adjacent contrasting layer had not been attempted because the low contrast between the engraved and non-engraved regions prevented the engraved image from being easily observed.

In another embodiment of the present invention this low contrast problem is overcome by enhancing the contrast in an engraved single layer translucent base member. This enhanced contrast is provided by affixing or otherwise positioning a colored member to either the engraved or non-engraved surface of the engraved translucent member after the engraving has been performed. The contrasting colored layer, whether itself translucent or opaque, enhances the contrast between the engraved regions, which appear as frosted regions on the translucent base member, and the non-engraved regions.

The present invention also provides an improved security identification card by engraving identical images on each of two different planar members and then affixing the two planar members together with, for example, a -suitable adhesive or a heat bond so that the two engraved images are aligned and appear to a viewer as a single image. A slot or space may be provided between the two engraved planar members with an edge opening to enable insertion of an opaque card between the two engraved images to thereby mask one of the images and prevent the simultaneous viewing of both images. Security is increased because it is necessary to engrave two cards in such a way that the images will align.

One advantage of this double engraved identification card is that the resultant composite image gives the illusion of the depth. Consequently, the viewed composite image appears more realistic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An engraved latent image identification card includes a translucent base having a surface with a plurality of depressions engraved therein for defining a plurality of non-engraved surface regions of varying dimension along the surface between the engraved depressions. An opaque or semi-opaque layer covering the non-engraved surface regions is provided so that a "negative" image appears when the background light passing through the translucent base is less than a determinable value and a latent, "positive" image appears when the background light passing through the translucent base is greater than the determinable value.

In one embodiment, the opaque layer may comprise a layer disposed on the translucent base surface prior to engraving so that the plurality of depressions are engraved through the opaque layer into the translucent base.

In an alternative embodiment, the card in accordance with the invention has an opaque layer which comprises an ink layer disposed only on^' the non-engraved surface regions after the engraving of the translucent base is completed.

In the above embodiments, the opaque layer may be a single white layer. However, the opaque layer may consist of a first layer having a first color which is disposed against the non-engraved surface regions of the translucent base and a second layer having a color contrasting with the first color, disposed to cover the- first layer whereby the latent image appears only when the card is viewed from the back so that the first layer is viewed through the translucent base. In still another embodiment, the non-engraved surface of the translucent base opposite the engrave_d surface may be provided with a semi-light transmissive layer disposed so as to increase the amount of background light required to enable observation of the laten_t image.

As used herein, translucent is intended to include transparent and reference to an opaque layer is intended to include a semi—opaque layer.

The enhanced contrast embodiment of the engraved identification card in accordance with the invention -includes a translucent planar member having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The first major surface has an image engraved therein defined by engraved regions and non-engraved regions. The engraved regions and non-engraved regions combine to generate an observed image of the translucent planar member. The invention further comprises a colored planar member which is positioned to cover one of the first and second major surfaces for enhancing the observable contrast between the non-engraved and the engraved regions whereby the observed image is more readily seen.

The colored planar member may be positioned over the first or engraved surface. If such is the case, then i is preferable, although not necessary, that the engraved image be the mirror image of the image desired to be observed since observation will occur from the "back side" or second non-engraved major surface of the translucent member.

OMPI WIPO Alternatively, the colored planar member may be positioned over the non-engraved second surface. The colored planar member and the translucent planar member may be permanently affixed to one another by either a suitable adhesive or by heat bonding.

The embodiment of the invention incorporating two engraved members includes a first planar member having a first major surface with a first image engraved thereon and a translucent second planar member having a first major surface with a second image engraved thereon. The first and second engraved images on the first and second planar members are aligned so as to coincide and appear to an observer as a single composite image. Such a composite image may be formed by providing an identical engraved image on each of the two planar members and then affixing the two planar members to one another with the non-engraved side of one planar member being positioned adjacent to the engraved side of the other planar member. Alternatively, the first and second engraved images may be mirror images of one another in which case the engraved surface of the first and second planar members are aligned in facing relationship to each other.

The first planar member may be a laminated structure having a first ply with a first color and a second ply with a second color which contrasts with the first color whereby the first engraved image is formed by engraving through the first ply into the second ply.

OMPI BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention and of the above and other advantages and features thereof may be gained from a consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which;

FIGURE 1 is a two-layered card blank with a translucent base and an opaque layer;

FIGURE 2 is the card blank shown in FIGURE I with a plurality of engraved scores thereacross;

FIGURE 3 is an engraved translucent base used to make the identification card illustrated in FIGURE 4?

FIGURE 4 is the engraved translucent base illustrated in FIGURE 3 wherein an opaque ink layer is disposed on the non-engraved surface regions of the translucent baser

FIGURE 5 is another embodiment of the invention having a configuration similar to the embodiments of FIGURES 2 and 4 but additionally including a generally dark-colored opaque layer disposed on the exposed surface regions of the first opaque layer on the translucent base;

FIGURE 6 is another embodiment of the invention incorporating a semi-light transmissive layer over the surface of the base opposite the engraved surface. Figure 7 is an exploded side view of an engraved identification card with an opaque layer affixed to cover the engraved surface in accordance with the invention;

Figure 8 is an exploded side plan view of an engraved identification card where the opaque layer is affixed to the major surface opposite the engraved surface;

Figure 9 is a side plan view of the identification card of Figure 8.

FIGURE 10 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of the double engraved identification card in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional side plan view of the double engraved identification card of Fiσure 10 in an assembled configu ation.

FIGURE __2"^*is a top view of the assembled double engraved identification card of Figures 10 and 4^' .

FIGURE 13 is an exploded side plan view of a mirror image embodiment of a double engraved identif¬ ication card in accordance with the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIGURES 1 and 2, an - engraved identification card in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is illustrated as comprising a unitary card blank 10 having a translucent base layer 12 made from a suitable engravable material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and an opaque layer 14 disposed to cover one surface 16 of the translucent base 12. The laye^'r 14 may be made of plastic, ink or any other suitable opaque material which can be applied to and made to adhere to the translucent base 12 to form the unitary card blank.

The top layer 14 may be of any desired color but preferably it is white and it is substantially opaque. However, it will be appreciated that varying amounts of light may pass thorugh the layer 14 in a more or less diffused manner depending upon the thickness, opacity and color of the layer 14 without departing from the invention.

Suitable indentations or scores are made in the card blank 10 utilizing a suitable electronic engraving apparatus to create an engraved image on the card blank 10. Referring specifically to FIGURE 2, a multiplicity of generally parallel scores 18 of varying depth may be scored so that the greater the depth of the scoring, the more of the opaque layer 14 which will be removed and hence the more background light 22 which will be allowed to pass through the translucent base 12 to the eye 20 of the observer. As the depth of a score decreases, the amount of the opaque layer in the region - adjacent to the score increases thus decreasing the transmissivity of background light 22 through the translucent base 12.

Referring to FIGURES 3 and 4, another embodi¬ ment of the invention is illustrated wherein a translucent base 30 is initially engraved utilizing an electronic engraving machine. The resultant engraved card includes for example, a multiplicity of scores 36 with non- engraved surface regions 32 of varying width there¬ between. Of course, it will be appreciated that if the engraved scores are sufficiently deep then the entire surface region between adjacent scores will be removed and there will be no non-engraved surface regions 32. In order to make the non-engraved surface reqions substantially opaque to achieve the above-described latent image effect, a suitable vinyl ink may be applied over the engraved surface using a steel roller. The vinyl ink is thereafter dried by any suitable means such as by exposure to infra-red light, so that it becomes bonded to the surface of the base 30. The resultant identification card is illustrated in FIGURE 4 and includes a translucent base 30, with a substantially opaque ink 34 bonded to the non-engraved surface regions 32, between the engraved scores 36. Of course, it will be appreciated that the generally opaque ink may be applied to the non-engraved surface regions of the translucent base by any suitable means so long as the ink does not fill the scores 36. Thus, the viscosity of the ink must be selected so as to not flow once it is applied and the application method must be such as to limit the amount of ink so that it is applied just to the non-engraved surface

- regions 32.

In addition the ink must become bonded to the non-engraved s'urface regions during the drying or curing process to prevent easy removal. A suitable vinyl ink should.be sufficiently hard when dry so as not to scratch during the engraving process. One such ink may be the vinyl base laminating black ink produced by Sinclair and Valentine of Kansas City, Kansas.

Referring to FIGURE 5, yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated comprising a translucent, preferably colorless base layer 40 and an opaque, preferably white layer 42 disposed on the non-engraved surface regions 44 of the base 40 in any suitable manner such as that described in conjunction with FIGURES 1 through 4. In order to increase the opacity of the layer 42 and thereby increase the contrast of the engraved image, a second opaque layer 46 is disposed to cover the opaque layer 42. In the preferred embodiment the opaque layer 42 is white while the opaque layer 46 i_{s a} dark color such as black. In such an arrange¬ ment, the image as viewed from the engraved side of 48 will be a normal positive image regardless of the

O background light. However, when the image is viewed from the non-engraved side 50 through the transparent base, the dark layer 46 will be hidden by the opaque white layer 42 and a negative image will appear when the level of background light is above a determinable level.

Because the negative/latent image duality will be readily observable only by viewing the card from the non-engraved side 50 in the embodiment of FIGURE 5, it will be appreciated that any engraved alphanumeric characters or images will have to be engraved as the inverse or mirror image of the image desired to be seen. Suitable inversion route lines can be incorporated in the above-identified electronic engraving systems or alternatively, the image to be engraved can simply be reflected in a conventional mirror and the reflected image then stored and subsequently engraved in a manner described in the above-identified patents for electronic engraving systems.

Referring to FIGURE 6, a modification of the embodiments illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 4 is shown where a translucent base 60 with a substantially opaque layer 62 covering a non-engraved surface region 64, has a semi-light trans issive layer 66 disposed to cover the surface 68 of the translucent base 60 opposite the engraved side 70. The effect of the semi-light trans- missive layer is to increase the amount of background light which must impinge on the card and pass throuqh the light transmissive layer and the translucent base 60 to enable the latent, positive image to be viewed from the engraved side 70 of the card. As previously indicated, the opacity of the layer 66 may be altered by varying the pigment concentration in the material used to form the layer 66, by altering the thickness of the layer 66, or by altering the color of the layer 66. The layer 66 may in one example be a thin layer of the above-identified vinyl ink used to form the opaque layer 36 in FIGURE 4.

The means of bonding the opaque layers above- described in conjunction with FIGURES 1 through 6 to the card blank includes adhesive attachment using a suitable colorless transparent adhesive such as a PVC adhesive well-known in the art, heat bonding or fusing, or any other suitable technique well-known in the art.

Alternatively, the layers may be made of opaque ink suitably applied to the translucent base either before or after the engraving process. The ink layers may be fused into the top surface region of the translucent base material by heating processes well-known in the art or may simply be bonded as a consequence of the drying or curing process. Such techniques are well-known in the art.

Referring next to Figure 7, the engraved identification card 110 includes a translucent planar member which is made from an engravable material such as polyvinyl choiride (PVC) . The translucent member or layer 112 has a first major surface 114 and a second major surface 116 opposite the first major surface 114. A plurality of scores or depressions are made into the first surface 114 to define a plurality of engraved regions 118 in the first major surface 114. The engraved regions 118 define scores of varying widths along the first major surface 114 with non-engraved regions 120 being located adjacent to the engraved regions 118. The plurality of engraved regions 118 and non-engraved regions 120 combined to form an engraved image 122 in the first major surface 114.

It is to be emphasized that the translucent member 112 does not have an opaque or colored layer but rather is entirely translucent. Thus, the engravings do not extend through an opaque or colored layer into a translucent or different colored layer but rather simply extend into the translucent member 112. The resultant engraved regions 118 appear as lightly frosted regions in the first surface 114, and the non- engraved regions.120 appear as unfrosted regions. The engraved image is defined by the contrast between the frosted and unfrosted (engraved and non-engraved) regions. It will be appreciated that the resultant engraved image can be viewed only with some difficulty since there is only a slight difference in contrast between the non-engraved regions and the engraved regions. In order to increase the contrast in accordance with the invention, a colored or opaque member 124, which may be a black opaque PVC material, is positioned adjacent the first major surface 114 covering the en- graved image 122. The member 124 thus enhances the contrast between the non-engraved regions 120 and the engraved regions 118 when positioned over the engraved image 122.

In this embodiment, the engraved image 122 must be viewed looking at the first major surface 114. Therefore, the image observed by the viewer (observed image 126) will'be the mirror image of the engraved image 122. In order that the observed image 126 not be a mirror image, the image data stored in the processing apparatus must be inverted^*" utilizing well-known data inversion routines. Alternatively, mirror image data can be initially stored in the processor by storing the reflection of an object such as by viewing the object through a mirror.

In one embodiment, the colored or opaque member 124 may be adhesively affixed to the first major surface 114 so that the positioning of the colored member 124 is permanent. However, if an adhesive is utilized between the first major surface 114 and the member 124 it is preferred that the adhesive not fill-in the engraved regions since such a filling would greatly decrease the contrast between the engraved and non-engraved regions thereby decreasing the effectiveness of the colored member 124 in enhancing the contrast. Therefore, the adhesive is preferably selected to have a viscosity which prevents the adhesive from flowing. In addition. the quantity of adhesive applied is limited so that the adhesive does not flow into the engraved regions. Of course, other techniques of bonding the colored member 124 to the translucent member 112 such as heat fusing may be utilized without departing from the invention.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, another embodiment of an engraved identification card 150 in accordance with the invention is illustrated wherein a translucent member 152 has a first major surface 154 on one of its sides and a second major surface 156 on its other side. The first major surface 154 has a plurality of scores or other depressions comprising a plurality of engraved regions 158 and a plurality of non-engraved regions 160. The engraved regions^ 158 and the non-engraved regions 160 combined to define an engraved image 162 in the first major surface 154 as previously described in con¬ junction with Figure 7.

In order to enhance the contrast between the engraved and non-engraved regions, a colored or opaque member 164 is positioned adjacent the second major surface 156 opposite the engraved regions. The colored or opaque member 164 may be permanently affixed to the translucent member 152 by any suitable means such as by heat bonding or bonding with an adhesive such as adhesive 168. The resultant structure illustrated in Figure 9 is viewed from the first major surface 154 so that the observed image 166 has the same orientation as the engraved image 162, that is, the observed image is not the mirror image of the engraved image as was the case in the embodiment shown in Figure 7.

_ O PI Referring next to Figures 10, 11 and 12, the improved security embodiment of the engraved image identification card in accordance with the invention comprises a first planar member 212 having a first image 214 engraved in a first surface 224. The first image 214 is formed by a plurality of variable width engraved regions 216 and a plurality of non-engraved variable width regions 218 distributed over the first surface 224 so as to form an image. The construction of the first planar member

212 may be in accordance with the above-identified Oka, et al. , United States Patents in which case the first planar member 212 includes a first opaque ply 220 overlaid with a second opaque ply 222 with the engraving being performed through the second opaque ply 222 into the first opaque play 220 utilizing any of the above- identified electronic engraving systems.

Alternatively, the first planar member 212 may be provided with an engraved image as described in Figures 1-9. Accordingly, the first planar member 212 may have any of a number of configurations. For example, the first planar member 212 may consist of two plies where one ply is opaque and the other ply is a colorless trans- lucent member. In another example, the first planar member 212 may consist of three plies where a third ply 229 is an opaque colored ply (e.g. , black) positioned on top of and in coincidence with the second ply 222 which is at least semi-opaque and of a different color (e.g., white) with the first ply 220 being translucent.

In yet another alternative arrangement, the second ply 222 can be eliminated and a single opaque ply 227 affixed to the second surface 226 of the first ply 220 where the first ply 220 is translucent. Various other configurations of the first planar member 212 are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention in its broadest aspects.

In addition to the first planar member 212, the double engraved identification card embodiment includes a second planar member 232 having a first surface 240 with an engraved image 234 formed therein by variable width engraved regions 236 and variable width non-engraved regions 238. The second planar member 232 also has a second surface 242 which in one embodiment is positioned adjacent to the first surface 224 of the first planar member 212.

The first and second planar members 212 and 232, which may be affixed together using a suitable adhesive 244, is applied to selected regions of either the first planar member 212 or the second planar member 232. The adhesive 244 may be any adhesive which will bond the materials out of which the first and second planar member 212 and 234 are made and is preferably a trans¬ lucent colorless adhesive.

Referring more particularly to Figures 11 and 12, the adhesive 244 may be applied in only specified regions between the first and second planar members 212 and 232 so that a slot 250 remains between the second surface 242 and the first surface 224 transversely between the engraved images 214 and 234.

An opaque card 252 such as a thin piece of paper or plastic will then cover and therefore mask the first engraved image when it is inserted in the slot 250. The validity of the card can be confirmed because the insertion of the opaque card 252 does not mask the second engraved image 234 in the second planar member 5 232 so that an image will still be observed.

Of course, it will be appreciated that if the first planar member 212 is transparent, the insertion of the opaque card 252 into the slot 250 will allow the 10 first engraved image 214 to be viewed from the back of the first planar member 212 through the second surface 226. In that instance, the second engraved image will be masked from view.

15 As illustrated in Figure 12, when the opaque masking card 252 is not in place in slot 250, a composite image 254 comprised of the overlaid and transversely aligned first and second engraved images 214 and 234 will be observed by a viewer. On the other hand, when

^'20 the opaque masking card 252 is inserted into the slot 250, an image will still be observed but the image observed will not be a composite image but rather will be either the first engraved image 214 or the second engraved image 234 depending on the side of the double

25 engraved identi ication card 210 from which viewing occurs.

Referring to Figure 13, an alternative double engraved identification card 260 in accordance with the invention is illustrated which includes the first 30 planar member 212 as previously described in conjunction with Figures 10 through 12 and a second planar member

262 having a first surface 266 in which a second image 264 is engraved. The engraved image 264 is the mirror image of the first engraved image 214. The second planar member 262 is then affixed to the first planar member 212 with the first surface 266 of the second planar member 262 facing the first surface 224 of the first planar member 212. Thus, the engraved images are in facing relationship but because the second engraved image 264 is^' the mirror image of the first engraved image 214, the two images will coincide and appear as a single composite image when the first planar member 212 is aligned with the second planar member 262. In all other respects, the construction of the embodiment shown in Figure 13 is substantially the same as the construction of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 10 through 12.

While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it will be appre¬ ciated that various changes may be made without departing from the true spirit of the present invention and it is the object of the following claims to encompass all such modifications and variations as are within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An engraved identification card for being viewed in the presence of background light comprising: a translucent base having a surface with a plurality of depressions engraved therein for defining a plurality of non-engraved surface regions of varying dimensions between the engraved depressions; and a substantially opaque layer covering the non-engraved surface regions whereby a negative image appears when the background light passing through the translucent base is less than a determinable value, and a latent, positive, image appears when the background light passing through the translucent base is greater than the determinable value.

2. The identification card of Claim 1 wherein the translucent base is colorless.

3. The identification card of Claim 1 wherein the opaque layer comprises a layer on the trans- lucent base surface, the plurality of depressions being engraved through the opaque layer into the translucent base_*

4. The identification card of Claim 1 wherein the opaque layer comprises an ink layer disposed on the non-engraved surface regions after the translucent base surface is engraved. 1 ζ, The identification card of Claims 1, 3, or 4

2 wherein the opaque layer is white.

6. The identification card of Claims 1, 3

M or 4 wherein the opaque layer comprises: ₂ a first colored layer having a first

- color disposed on the non-engraved surface regions of

. the translucent base, and

_ a second colored layer having a second

₆ color which contrasts with the first color disposed to

_ cover the first colored layer whereby the latent image g appears when the card is positioned so that the first

_Q colored layer is viewed through the translucent base. 0

7. The identification card of Claim 6

1 wherein the first color is white and the second color 2 is black. 3

8. The identification card of Claim 6

₁ hwerein the image engraved on the translucent base _ surface is the mirror image of the image to be viewed _g through the translucent, base.

4

9. The identification card of Claims 1, 3

₁ or 4 wherein the translucent base has a non-engraved surface opposite the engraved surface, the card further comprising a semi-light transmissive layer disposed

. on the non-engraved surface.

10. The identification card of Claim 5 wherein the translucent base has a non->-engraved surface opposite the engraved surface, the card further com- prising a semi-opaque layer disposed on the non-engraved surface.

11. The identification card of Claim 6 wherein the translucent base has a non-engraved surface opposite the engraved surface, the card further comprising a semi-opaque layer disposed on the non- engraved surface.

12. The identification card of Claims 1, 3 or 4 wherein the plurality of engraved surface regions comprise a plurality of surface regions of varying widths whereby the non-engraved surface regions are surface strips having widths which vary inversely relative to the widths of the immediately adjacent parallel scores.

13. An identification card for being viewed in the presence of background light comprising: a translucent planar base having a top and a bottom surface; a generally opaque layer variably located on predefined regions of the top surface whereby the background light passes through the regions of the top surface without the variably located opaque layer and is substantially prevented from passing through the regions of the top surface covered by the opaque layer to form a negative-like image when the base is viewed against a r>ack- ground having a level of light below a determinable value and passing through the

O translucent base and a latent, positive, image when the translucent base is viewed against a background having a level of light passing through the translucent base which is greater than the determinable value.

14. An engraved identification card comprising: a translucent planar member having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, the first major surface having an image engraved therein defined by engraved regions and non-engraved regions for generating an observed image on the translucent planar member; and a colored planar member positioned to cover one of the first and second major surfaces for enhancing the contrast between the non-engraved and the engraved regions whereby the observed image is more readily seen.

15. The identification card of Claim 14 wherein the colored planar member is positioned over the first surface.

16. The identification card of Claims 14 or 15 wherein the engraved image is the mirror image of the observed image.

17. The identification card of Claim 14 wherein the colored planar member is positioned over the second surface.

O PI 1

18. The identification card of Claims 1, 14, 15

2 or 16 wherein the colored planar member is permanently

3 affixed to the translucent planar member.

19. The identification card of Claim 16

2 wherein the colored planar member is permanently

3 affixed to the translucent planar member.

1 20. The identification card of Claim 18

2 further comprising an adhesive between the colored

3 planar member and the translucent planar member for permanently affixing the colored planar member and the

5 translucent planar member together.

1 21. The identification card of Claim 14

2 wherein the colored planar member is opaque.

•_j

22. An engraved identification card for

2 use with an opaque masking member comprising:

3 a first planar member having a first major surface with a first image engraved thereon and a second

5 major surface opposite the first major surface;

5 a translucent second planar member having η a first major surface with a second image engraved

8 thereon, and a second major surface opposite the first g major surface, the second engraved image coinciding with 0 the first engraved image when the second planar member 1 is aligned with the first planar member; and means for affixing the first and second planar members together with the first and second engraved images in coincidence whereby a slot is provided between the first and second planar member transversely adjacent the first and second engraved images for removeably receiving the opaque planar member in the slot for masking one of the first and second engraved images from view.

23. The double engraved identification card of Claim 22 wherein the first planar member is a laminated dual play member comprising: a first ply having a first color, and a second ply having a second color which contrasts with the first color, the first engraved image being formed by engraving through the first ply into the second ply.

24. The double engraved identification card of Claim 23 wherein at least one of the first and second Pl s is opaque.

25. The aligned double engraved identification card of Claims 22, 23 or 24 wherein the second engraved image is the mirror image of the first engraved image and the first major surfaces of the first planar member and the translucent second planar member are positioned in facing relationship to each other.

26. The aligned double engraved identification card of Claims 22, 23 or 24 wherein the second major surface of the translucent second planar member is positioned adjacent the first major surface of the first planar member with the first and second engraved images haying the same optical orientation relative to each other whereby the first and second engraved images are transversely aligned.

27. The double engraved identification card of Claim 22 wherein the first planar member is laminated and comprises: a first translucent ply, and a second colored ply affixed opposite the engraved first major surface.

28. The double engraved identification card of Claim 27 wherein the second colored ply is opaque.

29. A double engraved identification card comprising: a first planar member having a first major surface with a first image engraved thereon, and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; a translucent second planar member having a first major surface with a second image engraved thereon, and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, the second engraved image coinciding with the first engraved image when the second planar member is aligned with the first planar member; and

M

OMPI means for affixing the first and second planar members together with the first and second engraved images in coincidence.

30. The double engraved identification card of Claim 29 wherein the first planar member is a laminated dual ply member comprising: a first ply having a first color, and a second ply having a second color which contrasts with the first color, the first engraved image being formed by engraving through the first ply into the. second ply.

31. The double engraved identification card of Claim 30 wherein at least one of the first and second plys is opaque.

32. The double engraved identification card of Claims 29, 30, or 31 wherein the second engraved image is the mirror image of the first engraved image and the first major surfaces of the first planar member and the translucent second planar member are positioned in facing relationship to each other.

33. The double engraved identification card of Claims 29, 30 or 31 wherein the second major surface of the translucent second planar member is positioned adjacent the first major surface of the first planar member with the first and second engraved images having the same optical orientation relative to each other whereby the first and second engraved images are transversely aligned.

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