CN1092374C - Information carrier with optical markings - Google Patents

Abstract

An information carrier contains an information track formed from machine-readable markings, and patterns formed from further markings, the markings; being changeable by the application of heat energy in order to devalue (cancel, invalidate) or individualize the information carrier. The information in the information track can be read by means of an infrared reader beam. The patterns produce changing optical effects when the information carrier is viewed and moved in visible light. The pattern is formed from part-surfaces which occupy only a small part of the surface of the information track. The machine-readable information in the information track and the visual impression produced on the human eye by the patterns can only be changed jointly. Such an information carrier is suitable for use as a cashcard or for individual verification of documents such as passports, banknotes, identity cards etc.

Description

The information carrier of band optical markings

The present invention relates generally to a kind of information carrier of the optical markings of reading with available machines used, this mark be made with the structure of diffracting effect and be embedded in the substrate of thermoplastic and overlayer in or in the enamelled coating of thermoplastic and the adhesive layer and conversion can take place owing to being heated.

This kind information carrier is used to the telephone charge card of the cash-free conversation usefulness in for example so-called public telephone station and for example as the means of identification of the personal identity card in the access supervisory system.They also are applicable to the security feature as file, the pass, credit card or debit card, bid, bank money etc.

Swiss patent specification NO.604215 discloses the device that the cashless payment of a kind of commodity or labor service is used, and wherein being arranged in the information rail on the value card is optical markings with the representative unit of value of phase grating form.Optical markings is deducted or cancellation is worth by removing.Surplus value on the value card is proportional to the length of information rail, and the latter comprises the optical markings of not removing as yet.For safety, unit of value being configured to human eye can not see.Swiss patent specification NO.641 200 explanations use the enamelled coating of thermochromatic effect to represent the surplus value that stays on the value card, and the latter is arranged on the phase grating, and when value was gone from blocking button with thermology method, its color changed.A shortcoming of this solution is that the required change color of generation need be than cancellation unit of value more energy.In addition, add enamelled coating requirement extra work operational ton, and if value card only part cover, it is stacked to cause value card to be difficult to.

The information carrier of the sort of type that the present invention relates generally to can be known from swiss patent specification NO.635 949.The information project of the optical encoding that available machines used is read is represented unit of value, and information project is included in to operate in the optical markings of the phase grating form that produces by protruding seal in this case.Unit of value is by cancellation on the single part that heat energy is added to phase grating.

Swiss patent specification NO.594 935 discloses a kind of technology of producing the file of band optical markings, and this file can be by change or the specific optical markings of cancellation are encoded subsequently.For example can use the known method that has gone out to have gone out in 2 or 7 coding in 5 to represent numeral or alphabetic characters, forge preventing.This kind encoding operation is generally acknowledged can make do not produce other numeral when the other optical markings of cancellation additionally, but it needs sizable storage space.

Swiss patent specification NO.604 215 discloses a kind of technology that the surface discharges image of producing in thermoplastic, wherein under first condition of work with one first diffraction structure of the protruding seal of a kind of temperature in the material thermoplasticity scope in second condition of work with one second diffraction structure of the protruding seal of a kind of temperature in the thermoplasticity scope, first diffraction structure is transformed into the elastic stress field that no longer has diffracting effect, and diffracting effect can return to first diffraction structure once more owing to additional heat energy.First diffraction structure can particularly a kind of mat surface or a kind of diffraction grating.

European patent specification EP 375 833 B1 disclose the picture on surface that can change on the optics that is suitable as safety component.401 466 A1 can know from European patent application EP, this kind color pattern or picture on surface are printed as the configuration of a kind of composite layer and go out mark from this composite layer configurations so that the form of phase grating is protruding, this mark be fixed on such as on the class file of the pass or evidence for payment as the feature of reliability.In the configuration of this kind composite layer, can come on the scene with the feature of looking.

Basis of the present invention provides a kind of information carrier of the optical markings of reading with available machines used, its high safety, can not forge and duplicate, it is cancellation irreversibly, perhaps undertaken individual by the specific change in the single optical markings, wherein optical markings is indicated the residual value that stays or individual information in such a way, makes that the people that observes can be visual and understand.

According to the present invention, the information of the sort of type that the present invention relates generally to is characterised in that, when the information carrier optical effect that observed and mobile tense marker changes to human eye under common lighting condition, and be that the information that available machines used is read is merely able to the joint transform by the topical application of heat energy with the visual impression that sends the mark of human eye to.

Feature of the present invention shows in claim 1,7 and 14.Development of the present invention and favourable configuration are set forth in the appended claims.

Basis of the present invention is to consider design diffraction structure like this, and its predetermined optical effect is created in two definite wavelength coverages.A kind of first embodiment has single diffraction structure, it comprises available infrared light (IR) on the one hand carries out machine and reads and can prevent the information of forging or duplicating, can show on the other hand can be under lighting condition usually in visible light obvious visible diffracting effect.The cancellation that is worth or adapt to individually that needs are to realize by the part diffraction structure of conversion like this, be exactly infrared light and visible light for example be differently diffraction or diffusivity ground scattering.In a kind of second embodiment, provide a kind of infrared light effectively and the combination of the space of the effective diffraction structure of visible light as optical markings.The effective structure of infrared light comprises the information that available machines used is read.The effective diffraction structure of visible light is formed the obvious visible color pattern of above-mentioned human eye.Closely close local dove stern construction provides infrared light the effective and effective optical markings structure of visible light, and this optical markings is for example represented a unit of value, and both are merely able to joint transform.

The structure of this kind diffraction structure and production technology for example can be known from following instructions: swiss patent specification NO.595 664, NO.604 279, NO.604 146, NO.604215 NO.661 368 and NO.670 905, EP 401 466A1 and swiss patent specification NO.680 170 are not described in detail herein.Optical markings with this light efficiency structure can be according to the conversion in many ways of its optical property, the performance of the carrier material that depends on their corresponding structure and may adopt, perhaps pass through mechanical effect, for example utilize protruding seal punching press, utilize the high-temperature machinery effect, utilize heating element or thermal-radiating heating, perhaps utilize laser ablation.Used infrared source can be a laser, and its advantage is local resolution of hypermutation that can obtain heating surface (area) (HS.

As an example, describe embodiments of the invention in detail below with reference to accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 represents the information carrier with optical markings;

Fig. 2 represents another information carrier;

Fig. 3 is the expression value card;

Fig. 4 represents another value card;

Fig. 5 represents the part of value card;

Fig. 6 represents file;

Fig. 7 represents the 3rd example of information carrier.

Fig. 1 is the sectional view of information carrier 1.It comprises a substrate 2 and the transparent covering layer 4 made with thermoplastic that have covered thin reflection horizon 3.Optical markings 5 representatives have the zone of optical encoding machine reader and/or visual information object, and it is embedded in the substrate 2 with the form of diffraction structure 6.Diffraction structure 6 can be a diffraction grating, a hologram or the like.It for example can directly or pass through reflection horizon 3 reliefs in substrate 2, and then the lacquer with overlayer 4 flattens.Substrate 2, reflection horizon 3 and overlayer 4 form a separable hardly composite bed configuration, the feasible very safe and difficult forgery of mode that comprises optical markings 5.

Fig. 2 represents to have the another kind of information carrier 1 of optical markings 5, and it comprises the thermoplasticity enamelled coating 7 that has covered reflection horizon 3 and adhesive layer 8.Enamelled coating 7 with reverse side, reflection horizon 3 on add a foils 9.Mark 5 is embedded in enamelled coating 7, reflection horizon 3 and the adhesive layer 8 with the form of diffraction structure 6.By shifting process, information carrier 1 can be combined on the surface (not shown herein) of a base card, bank money, a file or similar articles.After jump operation, remove foils 9, add upper caldding layer 4.Overlayer 4 is added on the enamelled coating 7, till a line that is represented by dotted lines.The preferably a kind of thermal stability lacquer that can print in the above of overlayer 4, just a kind of its softening point is than the high about 20 ℃ lacquer of softening point of enamelled coating 7.This makes in the use of subsequently information carrier 1, when information project in cancellation element by additional heat energy and by one so-called when removing head and changing, surface one side towards removing head of information carrier 1 is difficult for adhering to be removed on the head.Utilize UV (ultraviolet) light can advantageously solidify the lacquer of overlayer 4 usefulness.

Fig. 3 represents a kind of planimetric map that can not have the information carrier 1 of the value card that the coin phone uses as public telephone set.Value card has an information rail 10, the latter have can utilize infrared (IR) light carry out optical markings that machine reads with (Fig. 1).Information rail 10 be divided into 10a and 10b two parts and by mat surface 10d as the surface.In one embodiment, the coding project of mark 5 representative informations among the 10a of first utilizes them to set up some parameter of value card, for example its application target.In second portion 10b, mark 5 is represented unit of value, and in part 10c (if present), mark 5 changes in such a way, makes them represent a kind of unit of value of cancellation.Single marking 5 with utilize additional heat energy to be changed in mode known per se, for example utilize the surface of the substrate 2 of the elimination that can heat a spot heating supporting mark 5.Operation is changed but mark also can utilize mechanic effect such as die-cut operation or embossing, heats simultaneously or does not heat.Remaining surplus value of value card is established as the length L of 10b part, and its mark 5 does not change in being worth the elimination operation.In visible light, when value card tilts or turns to, unaltered mark 5 makes the 10b part present different colours according to diffraction law, and, therefore as surperficial 10d, be rendered as unreflected mat surface by be worth eliminating 10c part that operation changed along all directions scatter incident light equably.The surplus value of value card can easily be awared with eyes in constant height place safety false proofly in this way, because any variation in the information that available machines used is read causes the variation of visual information.

Fig. 4 represents to have the part of the value card of information carrier 1 shown in Figure 2, and information carrier is the form of information bar 11.Information bar 11 has optical markings 5 (Fig. 1), and the latter also has cruciform pattern 12, rhomboid pattern 13 and alphanumeric 14 except that information rail 10, and the latter has been configured on the surface 15 of background effect.Information rail 10 comprises the information that available machines used is read.Pattern 12 and 13 is a kind of like this configurations, is exactly that pattern 12 and 13 produces the optical effect of obvious variation, for example different color effects or the variation between the light and shade when value card is observed and mobile under normal lighting condition.Other optical effect can so that, in many identification icons 12 or 13, some single patterns can find out with eyes with different colours or brightness in various degree, when value card was rotated or tilt, pattern 12 or 13 relative brightness or color changed.Pattern 12 parts are present in the information rail 10.With reference to Fig. 5 explanation, their configuration does not influence the machine of information in the information rail 10 and reads as following.Letter 14 seems lackluster on the surface on 15, and their light and shade depends on the illumination that relates to and the direction of observation.Pattern 12,13 and have the geometric configuration on numeral 14 surface 15 and the removing area of bed of reading device so cooperatively interacts, make when button goes to be worth from value card, in pattern 12 and 13, numeral 14 and surface 15, change, wherein pattern 12, some parts with pattern 13, numeral 14 and surface 15 preferably is rendered as lacklustre surperficial 10c.Because the mat surface of 10c part is the whole width of configuration information bar 11 not, so the deletion of 10c part is tangible especially.

Fig. 5 represents the part after information bar 11 is amplified, and has by the shared surface portion of information rail 10 and pattern 12.The diffraction structure b (Fig. 1) that available machines used is read for example can be expressed as optical grating construction 16, and its predetermined grating constant is d1, the predetermined φ 1 that is oriented to.Pattern 12 is formed by sub-surface 17, the latter produces the diffraction validity and the part of the surface area of configuration information rail 10 only of height in the visible range of electromagnetic wave spectrum, make the machine readable of optical grating construction 16 be guaranteed and no matter those have the existence of the sub-surface 17 of optical effect.It is the optical grating construction 18 that d2 is oriented to φ 2 that sub-surface 17 preferably has grating constant, and they have grating constant and the orientation that is different from optical grating construction 16, and wherein the value of d2 and φ 2 is can be from a sub-plane 17 different mutually to another sub-plane 17.Typical grating constant d1, d2 are positioned at the scope of 10 to 1 μ m.Sub-plane 17 such yardsticks are favourable, can not differentiate at common viewing distance place naked eyes exactly.Because sub-plane 17 interconnects closely with the part of information rail 10, both independent changes of the optical grating construction 16 that available machines used is read and visual tangible optical grating construction 18 are definitely not accomplished.From technological standpoint, partly overlapping information rail 10 and cross pattern 12 can be considered to be single object with optical grating construction 16 and 18, and the latter is embodied as the form of phase grating, embed simultaneously in substrate 2 (Fig. 1) or the enamelled coating 7 (Fig. 2).Except information bar 11 or its part, on value card, can also print other, make the 10a of first (Fig. 3) for example remain the overlayer 4 of invisible to the human eye and information bar 11 owing to layers 19 be configured in the depths of value card, layer 19 produces (see figure 1) in printing operation, make and produce good protection, do not abrade overlayer 4, this scratch may take place in the use of transportation or value card.

A kind of read with infrared that utilizes of swiss patent specification NO.594 935 explanations is stored in the read head that the information in the value card is used, and comprises a light source and many optical sensors.For compatibility, the parameter of the optical grating construction 16 of major decision information bar 11 and 18 optics behavior as grating constant d1, d2 and grating orientation φ 1, φ 2 and optical grating construction is predetermined be so a kind of performance, the light that is light source is reflected on the optical sensor under the condition almost constant with respect to the value card that does not have pattern 12, and visible light produces a kind of tangible impression.In known reading device, for reading operation, value card is inserted in the opening, makes it be in the dark of retaining impurity elimination astigmatism.In addition, substrate 2 (Fig. 1) or enamelled coating 7 (Fig. 2) advantageously blacking in such a way, make visible light be absorbed and infrared light by transmission.Utilize the operation of reading optical beam sense information to realize by the side relative 9 usually, but also can realize from the side of overlayer 4 with overlayer 4 (Fig. 1).

Because transparent overlayer 4 is connected with the tight local dove tail of contained information in the information rail 10, adds visual tangible pattern 12, just can need not the surplus value that stays on other help ground visual identification value card.

Pattern 12 also can be formed by stacking by the optical grating construction of two diffraction, and one of them is designed for the diffraction infrared light, and another is designed for diffracts visible light.In this case, except visual information, sub-surface 17 also comprises the information that available machines used is read.

Substrate 2 the most handy visible lights and infrared light material transparent with value card of structure shown in Figure 1 are made.Material can be transparent or light as the crystal.Then from the rear side of value card can visual information rail 10 optical markings 5 (Fig. 3), promptly machinery utilization is read the side that light beam is read optical markings 5.The front face side of value card can be used for print image and not need any groove like this, makes that the groove 19 ' in the layer 19 has not just needed.Consequently protect optical markings 5 to avoid damage admirably, and less limited the art design of value card front.The elimination that is worth is changed optical markings 5 by value card front side partial restriction ground additional heat energy and is carried out, and allows from the rear side change of control mark 5 simultaneously.The surplus value that stays of value card can be from rear side by possessor's visual identification.

If if a kind of base card with its structure information carrier 1 as shown in Figure 2 that is embedded in or is adhesive in its front surface be make with transparent material and also comprise that the front surface of information carrier 1 is subjected to the printing on whole surface, the value card that is made of this base card just provides same advantage so.

A kind of like this value card is especially suitable for use as the tax card.

Adopt a kind of configuration and configuration of suitable visual visible optical markings 5, this information carrier 1 also can be as a kind of safety element of the available machines used reading that can encode, in this case, the information content can for example be come protruding seal with a protruding seal towards tool after actual production process.A kind of like this file can prevent to forge and duplicate basically, can be discovered by human eye immediately because change the mark 5 of carrying machine readable information subsequently.

Fig. 6 represents a kind of file 20 with optical information carrier 1 of band information bar 11.Optical markings 5 (Fig. 1) produces a kind of chessboard grid 21, and the latter is owing to a kind of like this optical effect is suitable for safety, and promptly their light and shade outward appearance of the adjacent area of chessboard grid difference alternate depends on corresponding relevant illumination and direction of observation.In order clearly to discern file 20, digital alphabet 22 and image cell 23 are formed in individual step in the information bar 11, and its outward appearance is lackluster owing to the method for selected manufacturing information carrier 1.In individual step, owing to there is a kind of irreversible variation in the following fact, in case this fact is the matt image that produces letter 22 and image cell 23 forms, it just can not inversion in gridiron pattern sub pattern 21.The project of a kind of coded message of image cell 23 representative, it is to understand visiblely, but is not directly to understand.Can be machine-readable because form the mark 5 of pattern 21, so the also available machine with suitable reading device of digital alphabet 22 is read.But image cell 23 is easy to decipher.Because digital alphabet 22 and image cell 23 are local chain, therefore be all conversion separately of digital alphabet 22 or image cell 23, thus all conversion separately of information that make information that available eyes read and can only read with machine.File 20 can be the pass, identity card, bank money, credit card, any other value card, also can be the identification card that a kind of access supervisory system is used, and the latter can provide single identification in this case.Machine read and visual discover from the same side carry out.

Information bar 11 also can be made by similar optical markings 5, and they show as complete bright or complete dark under the state of not conversion, and this depends on corresponding observation and the illumination direction that relates to, but appearance is rendered as lackluster under the state of conversion.The information project that in this mode, might represent a kind of figure line or picture form, to such an extent as to the not shift sign 5 (vice versa) that interrelates by the shift sign 5 that interrelates with bright figure image point with dark figure image point is with the scanning image image of preparation of bright dark figure image point and transfer in the information bar 11, in this case, this not shift sign 5 also form a kind of safety feature.Particularly a width of cloth portrait photo can be used as a kind of like this scanning image and is replicated on the optical information carrier 1 and is fixed on the file of for example pass, credit card, driving license and so on.Photograph technology is particularly suitable for the scanning image biography is moved on on the information bar 11, and scanning image is used to utilize heat radiation that information bar 11 is exposed as negative film in this case.The variation of the optics behavior of mark 5 also can be subjected to the influence of the local laser ablation in reflection horizon 3, and laser beam can utilize computer-controlled equipment with mode channeling conduct known per se in this case.The sort of optical means provides the advantage that does not comprise contact.

A kind of like this information bar 11 also is suitable for subsequently with automatic gauging bar code mark, and this mode can be read with the self-clocking control effect, for example according to MIL-STD-1189, according to " European article counting coding " EAN etc.A kind of bar code of forgery no longer can be read out.

The production of such optical signalling carrier 1 can realize with batch process in inexpensive mode, because individual operation can realize with straightforward procedure subsequently.The digital protruding seal punching press of utilization order can stamp numeral and be welded on the bank money information carrier 1 is for example protruding.The information that relates to can be made up of two parts, a part be the observer understand as name or numeral, another part is a coding, it for example is the bar code form, wherein advantageously utilize those codings, wherein the variation of not having in the plain optical encoding 5 as coding produces a kind of element that falls into outside the coding.

Because above-mentioned have the various processes that add the protruding seal structure of optical effect in the thermoplastic, so might adopt far-ranging all kinds of combination, so that control the visual effect in the individual operation.When use comprise the diffraction structure that originally do not have optical effect be the thermoplastic of elastic stress field the time, might for example on the parts of diffraction structure, produce optical effect by the local finite application of heat energy, make digital alphabet 22 appear on the information bar 11 as matt background, when in visible light, observing and when mobile, they illuminate into the color of variation, have the brightness of variation and/or are in the program of variation.

Fig. 7 represents the information carrier 24 of the cooperative programs of a kind of first information carrier 1b shown in Figure 1 and the second information carrier 1b shown in Figure 2.Diffraction structure 6a is configured in first plane of the configuration of first composite layer 2a, 3a, 4a, and the optical markings 5a that representative can be machine-readable.Diffraction structure 6b is configured in second plane of the configuration of second composite layer 8b, 3b, 7b, and represents visual visible optical markings 5b.The visualization of information carrier 24 is realized by opposite side 2a and utilize the machine of reading light beam 25 to read from the side of overlayer 4b.It is respectively based on the reflection of incident light at corresponding reflecting layers 3b and 3a place that visual impression and machine are read both, but therefore incident light does not exist bothersome interference effect from two in opposition to each other.In the case, the style of diffraction structure 6a can be fully and diffraction structure 6b irrelevant.The variation of diffraction structure 6a should be used for realizing by the local finite from the heat energy 2b of the side of overlayer 4b, make the optical effect of conversion on the one hand can during conversion, utilize reading light beam 25, and conversion also takes place as heat diffraction structure 6b when overlayer 4b flows to diffraction structure 6a by diffraction structure 6b on the other hand by machine monitors.

Claims (14)

1. the information carrier (1) of an optical markings (5) of reading with available machines used, it is characterized in that, this mark is made with the structure (b) of diffracting effect, the latter is embedded in the substrate (2) of thermoplastic and the overlayer (4) or in the enamelled coating (7) of thermoplastic and the adhesive layer (8) and conversion can take place owing to being heated, when information carrier (1) is observed under common lighting condition and is mobile, the optical effect that mark (5) changes to human eye, the information that available machines used is read can only jointly be come conversion by the topical application of heat energy with the visual impression that is sent to the mark (5) in the human eye.

2. information carrier according to claim 1 (1) is characterized in that, mark (5) presents tarnish or direct reflection when conversion.

3. according to claim 1 or the described information carrier of claim 2 (1), it is characterized in that substrate (2) can see optical markings (5) by substrate (2) by constituting in visible and infra-red range material transparent.

4. according to any one described information carrier (1) in the claim 1 to 3, be used as value card and have information rail (10), the mark (5) that in the part (10b) of information rail (10), comprises the available machines used reading of representing unit of value, it is characterized in that, when value card during in the visible light medium dip, partly the mark (5) in (10b) makes part (10b) present different colors, and be with the mark (5) that is had conversion in this way by the part of the unit of value of cancellation (10c), promptly staying surplus value can discern with eyes.

5. according to any one described information carrier (1) in the claim 1 to 3, be used as value card and have information rail (10), the mark (5) that in the part (10b) of information rail (10), comprises the available machines used reading of representing unit of value, it is characterized in that, information rail (10) has the pattern of being made up of other mark (5) (12), and when information carrier (1) is observed and mobile in visible light, the optical effect that it changes also is configured in a kind of like this mode, be exactly when local additional heat energy, the information that the available machines used in the information rail (10) is read can only joint transform with the visual impression that is sent to the pattern (12) of human eye.

6. according to claim 4 or 5 described information carriers (1), it is characterized in that partial information carrier (1) is printed, information rail (10) is configured to certain depth thus.

One kind the band optical markings (5) information carrier (1), this mark is made with the structure (6) of diffracting effect, the latter is embedded in the substrate (2) of thermoplastic and the overlayer (4) or among first enamelled coating (7) of thermoplastic and second enamelled coating (4) and conversion can take place owing to being heated, it is characterized in that, information carrier (1) has an information bar (11), its mark (5) produces the optical effect as security feature, and in order to adapt to indivedual needs, the optics behavior of the single marking (5) in the information bar (11) can give conversion by outer heating or by mechanical means.

8. information carrier according to claim 7 (1) is characterized in that, information bar (11) can provide mark (22) by the single optical markings of conversion (5).

9. information carrier according to claim 8 (1) is characterized in that, mark (22) can be read by machine or human eye.

10. according to any one described information carrier (1) in the claim 7 to 9, it is characterized in that information bar (11) can provide by the single optical markings of conversion (5) and represent encoded information items purpose element (23).

11., it is characterized in that information bar (11) is represented the bar code field in individual operation back according to claim 7 or 10 described information carriers (1).

12. information carrier according to claim 7 (1) is characterized in that, information bar (11) can be provided comprise a conversion and scanning image of the optical markings of conversion (5) not.

13. the application according to any one described information carrier (1) in the claim 7 to 12 is used to discern file (20), credit card, value card, bank money, I.D. or the pass.

14. information carrier (24) with the optical markings (5a) of available machines used reading, this mark is made with the structure (6a) of diffracting effect, the latter is embedded in first composite layer configuration (2a, 3a, in first plane 4a) and conversion can take place owing to being heated, it is characterized in that, at second composite layer configuration (8b, 3b, the other optical markings (5b) of structure (6b) form with diffracting effect is provided in second plane 7b), when disposing (8b from covering second composite layer, 3b, overlayer 7b) (4b) unilateral observation information carrier (24) also makes it in visible light when mobile, the optical effect that these other optical markings change; Reading machine readable mark (5a) is to utilize from the next reading light beam (25) of a side (2a) on overlayer (4b) opposite to finish; Machine readable mark (5a) and other mark (5b) can only carry out joint transform by the local additional heat energy (2b) of coming from overlayer (4b) side, and wherein, the conversion of machine-readable indicia (5a) can utilize reading light beam (25) to monitor.

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