CA3035285C

CA3035285C - Card-shaped data carrier with optical features

Info

Publication number: CA3035285C
Application number: CA3035285A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Josef Riedl; Gunter Endres
Original assignee: Giesecke and Devrient Mobile Security GmbH
Current assignee: Giesecke and Devrient Mobile Security GmbH
Priority date: 2016-09-16
Filing date: 2017-09-12
Publication date: 2020-11-10
Anticipated expiration: 2037-09-12
Also published as: EP3512712A1; WO2018050281A1; CA3035285A1; EP3512712B1; DE102016011220A1; ES2835788T3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a card-shaped data carrier with optical features which allow, preferably by means of luminous features, the data carrier to be located more easily, for example in a wallet. In addition, the card-shaped data carrier according to the invention is especially esthetically pleasing. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for producing said type of cart-shaped data carrier and to a computer program product comprising control commands which implement said method.

Description

CARD-SHAPED DATA CARRIER WITH OPTICAL FEATURES
[0001] The present invention is directed to a card-shaped data carrier having optical features which allow the data carrier to be better recognized, for example in a wallet, preferably on the basis of luminous features. Furthermore, the proposed card-shaped data carrier is especially optically appealing. The present invention is further directed to a correspondingly arranged method for supplying the card-shaped data carrier as well as to a computer program product having control commands which implement the proposed method.

[0002] DE 10 2008 033 467 Al shows a card-shaped data carrier with at least one security feature which is applied on or incorporated in at least one edge area of the data carrier. The security feature here extends over at least two layers of the card body and has a color.

[0003] EP 2 332 739 Al shows a security document having several lamellae which are configured in different colors.

[0004] EP 1 970 211 Al shows a security document having an inscription at one edge of the card body.

[0005] US 2014 0259838 Al shows a security document having a structure at one edge area.

[0006] Quite generally, there is a need for optical variations of credit cards and smart cards, also referred to generally as card-shaped data carriers. These optical variations have several uses here. On the one hand, by means of these optical arrangements or configurations, security features can be implemented, or simply an optically appealing card is to be created. For this, various techniques are known as to how the surface structure of such card-shaped data carriers can be changed.

Here, in particular printing methods are known, with which also graphic elements can be deposited on the data carrier.

[0007] A further variation of a credit card or a smart card consists in adapting the surface structure in such a way that, in addition to an optical effect, there exists also a haptic effect. For this it is known, for example, to configure a surface of a card-shaped data carrier in such a way that an embossing results. This embossing can reflect, for example, a credit card number. As already quoted, it is also known to provide also the card edges with a relief in such a way that they are optically appealing and further have a haptic effect. This haptic effect can also be employed for practical intended uses, so that a direct viewing of the card is no longer necessary. Thus, also people with visual impairments can reliably distinguish such a card from other cards in their wallets, for example.

[0008] It is particularly disadvantageous with known configurations of data carriers that typically either optical or haptic elements are employed, which always have the same effect also under a corresponding viewing angle or at a certain ambient light. For example, it is not possible with conventional methods to create an optical variation depending on, for example, daylight in such a way that the optical effect results in dependence on a light intensity. Only mirroring features are known, such as a hologram, for example. Although the optical feature of a hologram changes in dependence on a viewing angle, no light effects whatsoever, as they arise from daylight, can be taken into account. There is therefore a general need to propose a card-shaped data carrier which has a further security element or simply an optically appealing element which achieves a special optical effect in dependence on a luminous intensity or a light intensity.

[0009] Accordingly, it is an object to propose a card-shaped data carrier which is particularly readily perceptible and is distinguishable from other data carriers.
Furthermore, the proposed data carrier should be producible with little technical effort and still stand out optically from a multiplicity of data carriers. It is also an object of the present invention to propose a corresponding method, which makes it possible to supply the proposed card-shaped data carrier as well as to propose a computer program product having control commands which implement the proposed method.

[0010] The object is achieved by a card-shaped data carrier according to the features of claim 1. Further advantageous configurations are stated in the subclaims.

[0011] Accordingly, there is proposed a card-shaped data carrier having optical features for improved perception. The data carrier comprises a first and a second cover layer and between the first and the second cover layer there is disposed at least one translucent inner layer which forms at least a part of a card edge.

[0012] The card-shaped data carrier is, for example, a credit card, a smart card, an ID document, a bank card, a driving licence document or a similar card format.
The card-shaped data carrier here has a card body which has a front side and a back side as well as at least one surrounding card edge. However, it is also possible here to define a card edge in such a way that the card-shaped data carrier has four card edges. Thus, the thickness of the card-shaped data carrier is defined by the height of the card edge. The optical feature is preferably a feature which is supplied by means of a passive or active light source. For example, daylight can be used as a passive light source in such a way that the daylight enters into the inner layer of the card body at at least one place and exits at a different place. It is further also possible, however, to provide an active illuminant, for example an LED, in the card body itself. This can also be UV light, for example.

[0013] The proposed data carrier may be a data carrier with a card body built up in layers. Here, it is provided that according to one aspect of the present invention several layers or foils are stacked on top of each other and interconnected.
This can be effected, for example, by means of hot-laminating. The individual layers can here be formed from plastic or from a plastic foil. Typically, the data carriers are supplied in large numbers and individual data carriers are punched out or generally separated. Here, it may be necessary to post-process the data carrier in a further method step in such a way that the advantage of the invention arises. For example, punched-out cards must be subsequently bevelled, embossed or printed at least at the edges.

[0014] The layers are two so-called cover layers, also referred to as overlay, which lie at least horizontally on the inner layer. This results in a layer sequence of such a type that above and below the inner layer there is respectively attached one overlay layer. Here it is possible that the inner layer is entirely visible at least at its edges from outside the card body. However, it is also possible that the inner layer is at least partially covered at the card edges. A particularly well perceptible optical effect results in daylight if the inner layer is circumferentially visible from outside the card body. This ensures that as much daylight or ambient light as possible is incident on or can exit the card body. This results in an optical effect with regard to the further layers of the card body, for example the cover layers, so that the inner layer stands out optically from the cover layers. Thus, a luminous effect is recognizable at the card edge.

[0015] The inner layer here is configured translucent, i.e. it is light-transmissive.
For this it is possible that the inner layer is transparent or at least semitransparent.
Thus, the amount of ambient light penetrating or exiting the card body can also be varied depending on the set translucency.

[0016] Here it is particularly advantageous that the inner layer is covered by the cover layers merely at the top side and the bottom side. This results in a card arrangement in which the inner layer is visible in a side view of the card body. This visible part of the inner layer also makes it possible for ambient light to be incident or exiting.

[0017] The present invention is also directed to a card body which is illuminated merely by means of passive light, i.e. ambient light, or else has an active light source. It is particularly appealing that, for example, with an active light source, the proposed credit card or generally the card-shaped data carrier of the invention is already recognizable in a wallet. For example, a certain logic can be deposited in a smart card, which switches the built-in illuminant on or off. Therefore, it is possible to provide a special optical effect, for example a flashing, by means of the translucent inner layer in interaction with the illuminant.

[0018] It is further possible that the card body has further structural features which also cover the otherwise visible circumferential part of the inner layer.
According to the invention, it is thus not excluded that further design features can be incorporated into the card body or attached to the card body. These further structural features may also conceal at least a part of the card edge.
However, it is preferred here that at least a part of the circumferential card edge is not covered, such that a luminous effect can exit from the inner layer of the card body.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present invention, at least one translucent inner layer is configured to be light-conducting. This has the advantage that the inner layer is not only configured translucent, i.e. light-transmissive, but rather that structural features can be provided which promote the entry of light into the card body or the inner layer or the exit therefrom. According to the invention, it is thus possible that if the inner layer has an elongated structure, this is configured such that light is actually conducted and not only transmitted by the inner layer.
Therefrom arises again an aesthetically especially appealing optical effect that can also be used as a security feature. This means that the material of the inner layer may not be configured homogeneously, which means that there is no uniform light scattering, but rather that the light is guided in a special way and, for example, results in a pattern.

[0020] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the at least one translucent inner layer has a security feature that can be optically perceived from outside a card body. This has the advantage that not only an aesthetically appealing card arrangement is created, but rather it is possible to make it more difficult for an attacker to rework the proposed structural features. In general, there are available card blanks which can be adapted to an existing credit card in further steps.
However, it is not known to provide the proposed arrangement. This makes it more difficult or impossible for a counterfeiter to provide the card of the invention starting out from an existing blank.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, the at least one translucent inner layer is bevelled. This has the advantage that not only a further security element is offered, but rather the bevelled inner layer enables a haptic element as well as a particularly appealing optical effect. A bevelled inner layer can be a chamfer, such that the inner layer is chamfered. Such a chamfer is a bevel that is incorporated into the inner layer. Thus, the light is refracted accordingly and again an optical effect arises.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, the at least one translucent inner layer protrudes from between the first and the second cover layers. This has the advantage that a haptic and optical feature is supplied in such a way that the area of the inner layer is larger than respectively the area of the outer layers. Thus, at least one end of the inner layer protrudes at least partially from the cover layers. This is advantageous particularly because the part of the inner layer protruding from the card body again can be bevelled or be provided with a security feature. Thus, the user receives a new card form, which is not known as such.
This increases the forgery resistance compared to conventional card-shaped data carriers.

[0023] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the at least one translucent inner layer has an embossing, an engraving, a print, a structure and/or a pattern. This has the advantage that the proposed markings can be attached preferably circumferentially at the places of the inner layer which are visible from outside the card body. Thus, an individualization of the card-shaped data carrier is effected in such a way that a lettering, a logo, a structure, or quite generally a pattern can be supplied at the card edge. For example, it is possible to incorporate a company logo and/or a lettering into the inner layer in such a way that this is visible from outside the card body. A special optical effect results if this marking is backlit.

[0024] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the at least one translucent inner layer is at least partially configured colored. This has the advantage that the translucent layer is at least partially pigmented such that although light can generally pass through the inner layer, this light obtains a certain coloring, or that the pigments are illuminated by the active or passive light source.
This again results in a particularly appealing optical effect, which also makes it possible to incorporate company colors into the inner layer in such a way that the credit card or the smart card can immediately be unambiguously assigned to a certain brand.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, the at least one translucent inner layer is arranged in the card body such that light entering the card body through the at least one translucent inner layer can also exit through this. This has the advantage that the inner layer or other structural features are formed in such a way that at least at a first place light can enter the card body and at least at a second place this light can exit. The first and the second places may be two separate places, but this may also be a contiguous region where light can enter as well as exit. Thus, light inlets or light outlets in turn can be designed such that there results a desired pattern on the surface of the card body or at the card edge. If, for example, ambient light is utilized as a passive light source, it is particularly advantageous that the inner layer is recognizable entirely circumferentially from outside the card body. Thus, the greatest possible optical effect is achieved when ambient light or daylight is used, since the light inlet in particular is especially large.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, the card body has an active illuminant. This has the advantage that the illuminant can be arranged within the card body in such a way that at least a part of the generated light exits the card body through the translucent inner layer. Thus, there is also the possibility that the illuminant is driven, for example, by an electronic component and generates a light signal according to a predetermined pattern. The card-shaped data carrier may be present as a smart card having a microcontroller coupled to the illuminant.
For example, a light signal can be generated in dependence on a certain time of the day or on a certain data signal. This light signal is then fed into the inner layer and exits the card body at the card edge. Thus, by way of example it is possible that if a user inserts the card body into a reader and enters a wrong PIN, the card edge will light up red. In general, the illuminant can also be configured colored such that a particularly appealing light effect arises.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, the at least one translucent inner layer is present as at least one foil. This has the advantage that the inner layer can easily be supplied within a foil stack and can be laminated together with the other layers in one production process. It is thus also possible to configure the inner layer in such a way that several translucent foils are placed on top of each other. Thus, also these several translucent foils are laminated together and form in their entirety the inner layer of the invention.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, the at least one translucent inner layer has at least two partial layers which differ in optical features.
This has the advantage that by means of a mixture of different partial layers there can in turn be generated a particularly appealing optical effect which differs from known data carriers. Thus, it is possible to supply a certain sequence of partial layers which provides a certain color combination. From this sequence of colored partial layers there then arises an optical effect glowing in color, which exits from the card body.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, the at least one translucent inner layer has at least two partial layers which differ in their chamfer geometry. This has the advantage that at least a part of the inner layer, which protrudes from the cover layers, can be configured in its shape. Thus, by means of the different geometries there can be set an optical effect because the light refracts differently at the different geometries, and/or a haptic effect can be set, since the different geometries can be configured to be palpable. For example, a first chamfer geometry can be configured rounded, and a second chamfer geometry can be configured to have corners. In addition, one partial layer can be chamfered at a first oblique angle, and a second partial layer can be chamfered at a second, different oblique angle.

[0030] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the card body has electronic components. This has the advantage that by means of the electronic components there can be realized for example a smart card. Thus, it is possible that the electronic components are at least partially incorporated into the inner layer. In general, the proposed card-shaped data carrier has several layers and is not to be understood as exhaustive with regard to the proposed two cover layers and the inner layer. Thus, further layers can be provided, which in interaction with the inner layer receive the electronic components. An electronic component can be, for example, a card memory or a microcontroller. Moreover, further electrical components are to be provided, such as for example an induction coil. The proposed electronic components can thus also influence the optical effect of the data carrier as a whole.

[0031] The object is also achieved by a method for producing a card-shaped data carrier having circumferential optical features, comprising a supplying of a first and a second cover layer, between the first and the second cover layer there being disposed at least one translucent inner layer which forms at least a part of a card edge.

[0032] The object is also achieved by a computer program product having control commands which implement the proposed method.

[0033] According to the invention, it is particularly advantageous that with the card-shaped data carrier there are proposed structural features which can be implemented by means of method steps to be provided. Thus, the structural features can also be reused with regard to the proposed method in such a way that with regard to each structural feature a corresponding method step is proposed.
Thus, the proposed method as a whole is arranged to supply the proposed data carrier in an embodiment or a part thereof. The corresponding method steps can also be reflected in the computer program product, whereby control commands implement the corresponding method steps.

[0034] Further advantageous configurations are explained in more detail with reference to the attached Figures. There are shown:
Fig. 1: a cross-section through a punched card comprising the proposed layers according to one aspect of the present invention;
Fig. 2: a cross-section through a punched card provided with a chamfer, according to one aspect of the present invention;
Fig. 3: a cross-section through a punched card, having two colors, provided with a chamfer;

Fig. 4: a cross-section through a punched card provided with a chamfer and changed chamfer geometry, according to one aspect of the present invention; and Fig. 5: a method for supplying the proposed card or the card-shaped data carrier, according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows respectively one cover layer at the top and at the bottom, which is configured as an overlay. Here, the two overlays the light-conducting core, i.e. the inner layer, form the card body. The card body is shown in its cross-section, whereby in the present Fig. 1 on the left and right it can be seen that an embossing is attached to the inner layer on the left and right. The embossing generally can also be a structure that is incorporated mechanically, for example by means of a printing method, under the action of temperature, or by laser. In the present case it is possible for light to enter and exit the inner layer on the left and right.
This results in a particularly aesthetic optical effect on the left and right card edges.
It should be especially pointed out here that the present Figure is to be understood only schematically and, in particular, that the dimensions of a card-shaped data carrier are typically present such that the thickness is configured smaller than shown in the present Fig. 1. Typically, the card-shaped data carrier is to be configured thinner in its proportion to its length.

[0036] In general, previous core materials of card bodies were only decorated with passive foil colors. When light-conducting foils according to the present invention are used, the light is coupled into the core material both in daylight and in artificial light and when exiting at the edges leads to a more intensive perception of the card edges. An additional irradiation with UV light leads to an even more intense radiation. If the edges then are also provided with a chamfer, the radiation increases again. If these edges are now combined with an embossing, as shown in the present Fig. 1, a light-induced transition can be seen at each edge of the embossing. Thus, a card is supplied, which regarding its card configuration is immediately recognizable already in a wallet. Thus, the proposed feature of the invention of the translucent inner layer is perceived much more strongly than in the case of so-called colored-core cards, and an especially appealing technical effect results in particular in combination with chamfered card edges.

[0037] Fig. 2 likewise shows the card-shaped data carrier of the invention in a cross-section, the inner layer protruding from the two cover layers. This protruding part is additionally bevelled and provided with an embossing or a structure.
This results in a light-conducting edge which is visible on both sides, i.e. from the front side and the back side of the data carrier. In particular, light can especially easily penetrate into the middle layer here, even if the card-shaped data carrier rests horizontally on a surface. The bevel of the inner layer, i.e. the light-conducting core, is generally also referred to as a chamfer.

[0038] Here it is possible that the proposed card is punched out from a layer produced over a large area and then post-processed in further method steps.
Thus, in general, the card body as such can be punched out from a card sheet, and the edges can be bevelled in further subsequent method steps. In again subsequent method steps, the embossing or the structure can be incorporated.

[0039] Fig. 3 shows the card-shaped data carrier according to the invention, the inner layer being configured as several different foils. In the present example, two foils are provided which have a geometry inverse to each other. It is thus further possible that both layers have different color pigments. In this way, the two partial layers supply a certain mixed color that glows out of the card body. Here, it may be necessary to provide further layers within the card body. There also arises the optical effect that the protruding area of the inner layer shows a different coloring from the top side and the bottom side.

[0040] Fig. 4 shows a configuration of the inner layer according to the invention, in which the chamfer geometry is changed in such a way that the inner layer or several inner layers are not bevelled but are configured in steps. In general, however, this example should not be regarded as limiting, and the person skilled in the art will recognize here that according to the invention he can apply different geometries. In particular roundness, stepped shapes or the like can be applied. In particular, it is possible to apply a geometry on the left side of this Fig. 4 which is different from that on the right side. In particular, the chamfer geometry can be adapted to a desired haptic effect in such a way that a certain surface structure is supplied. For this purpose, e.g. an orientation of the card-shaped data carrier can be haptically displayed.

[0041] According to known methods, for cards having a colored core there have hitherto been used colored foils, without the ambient light being utilized for a more intensive perception of the colored edge. According to the invention, however, a colored and light-conducting foil is disposed in the card core in order to utilize the ambient light for a better perception of the colored core when the light exits the foil. UV light enhances the perception. In addition, the card edge is chamfered, which makes possible a better perception from a certain direction. Further, the card edge can also be provided with an embossing.

[0042] Fig. 5 shows a method for producing a card-shaped data carrier, comprising supplying 100 a first and a second cover layer, between the first and the second cover layer there being disposed 101 at least one translucent inner layer which forms at least a part of a card edge. The person skilled in the art recognizes here that further partial steps may be necessary.

[0043] What is not shown herein is a computer program product having control commands which implement the proposed method.

Claims

1. A card-shaped data carrier having optical features for improved perception, comprising:
a first and a second cover layer, wherein between the first and the second cover layer there is disposed at least one bevelled translucent inner layer which &urns at least a part of a card edge.

2. The data carrier according to claim 1, wherein at least one translucent inner layer is configured light-conducting.

3. The data carrier according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein at least one translucent inner layer has a security feature which is optically perceptible from outside a card body.

4. The data carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one translucent inner layer protrudes from between the first and the second cover layer.

5. The data carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one translucent inner layer has an embossing, an engraving, a print, a structure and/or a pattern.

6. The data carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one translucent inner layer is configured at least partially colored.

7. The data carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one translucent inner layer is disposed in the card body in such a way that light entering the card body through the at least one translucent inner layer also exits through it.

8. The data carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the card body has an active illuminant.

9. The data carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one translucent inner layer is present as at least one foil.

10. The data carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one translucent inner layer has at least two partial layers which differ in optical features.

11. The data carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one translucent inner layer has at least two partial layers which differ in their chamfer geometry.

12. The data carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the card body has electronic components.

13. A method for producing a card-shaped data carrier having optical features for improved perception, comprising:
supplying (100) a first and a second cover layer, wherein between the first and the second cover layer there is disposed (101) at least one bevelled translucent inner layer which forms at least a part of a card edge.

14. A computer program product having control commands which implement the method according to claim 13.