DE102010054054A1 - Portable data carrier e.g. smart card has thermochromic color layer whose color is changed by performing thermal energy change in color layer such that data input from input unit is acknowledged - Google Patents

Abstract

The carrier (1) has an input unit (4) for inputting data into the data carrier by a user. The inputted data are processed in a semiconductor chip (2). The thermochromic color layer (5) is provided in the top face of the data carrier main portion. The color of the thermochromic color layer is changed by performing thermal energy change in the color layer such that the data input from the input unit is acknowledged. An independent claim is included for method for confirmation of data input of user into portable data carrier.

Description

The invention relates to a portable data carrier with an input means and a thermochromic ink layer and a method for confirming an input.

Thermochromism is the property of certain substances to change color when the temperature changes. This process is reversible, that is, a color change is reversed by appropriate heat or heat dissipation and receive the original color at the time of departure. Reason for the color changes are changes in the crystal structure of the respective dye. The cholestrial phase (also chiral nematic order) of liquid crystals shows selective reflections of circularly polarized light whose wavelength maximum is changed during heating / cooling, resulting in different color impressions.

The terms cooling, heating, heat or heat dissipation are synonymous with the terms thermal energy change or thermal energy difference. Here, priority is given to the increase or decrease in the ambient temperature of the portable data carrier, which results in a temperature change of the data carrier.

The use of thermochromic ink layers on portable data carriers has long been known and, for example, in WO 2009/106242 A1 described. Here, a thermochromic security element is described, which indicates the authenticity of the value document due to a heat input.

In the DE 10 2007 009 213 A1 For example, a portable data carrier is known that has contactless communication means for performing contactless communications. A light sensor connected to an integrated semiconductor chip serves as a release switch in combination with a theromochromic region. By heating, the thermochromic layer becomes transparent, whereupon the light sensor activates the contactless communication.

Regardless, continue to portable data carriers are known, which are equipped with input means, such as buttons, touchpads. These input means are generally used to enter data for further processing in the disk, with additional hardware, in particular an external keyboard, an input field of an additional terminal etc. should be dispensed with. In order to make the input visible to a user, such data carriers are now equipped with a display or LEDs. Alternatively, the input is displayed on a terminal. Therefore, the disks are expensive to manufacture or the infrastructure requires a logical connection to an external device, resulting in a higher uncertainty and also inflexibility.

The invention has for its object to provide a portable data carrier, which allows the user of the disk, in a cost-effective, easy and secure way to enter data and beyond to give the user an optical feedback on the entered data.

The object of the invention is achieved by the measures described in the independent independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the respective dependent claims.

The object is achieved in particular by a portable data carrier with a data carrier body and an integrated semiconductor chip. The data carrier body has an input means for data entry into the data carrier by a user. The data is processed in the semiconductor chip. Furthermore, the data carrier has a color layer of thermochromic material on an upper side of the data carrier. The data carrier confirms the input by a color change of the thermochromic ink layer, which is caused due to a thermal energy change to the color layer.

The data input takes place directly on the portable data carrier without intermediate input help, such as external keyboards or via logical communication with the data carrier in connection terminal device, such as disk readers. The input means is thus understood as a means which introduces information of a user into data in machine-readable form in the semiconductor chip, so that the semiconductor chip further processes this data.

The data are not limited in their nature, length and shape. The data are, for example, secrets, so-called PIN, for authenticating the user to the data carrier.

The portable data carrier is in particular a data carrier with corresponding security functionalities, such. As smart cards, smart cards, tokens and / or electronic identity documents, such as an electronic identity card, passport etc stored on a chip machine-readable identification data of a person.

The portable data carriers have either a monolithic data carrier body produced by means of injection molding or a through Laminating of different materials, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) produced data carrier body.

This disk now has the advantage that can be dispensed with externally connected display devices or display devices on the disk. The color layer of the thermochromic material can be easily incorporated into the data carrier during production. In particular, the thermochromic material is a thermochromic printing ink which is laminated in the form of a film in the data carrier or applied to the data carrier during a printing operation.

In particular, the color change of the thermochromic material is to be regarded as confirmation of the data input. If the user presses the input means, he is confirmed by the color change, which input he has made.

The input means is preferably in the form of at least one touch-sensitive pushbutton, wherein the data carrier is set up to verify a touch-caused signal as data input. By the contact is achieved in an advantageous manner that the volume body is heated by the body temperature of the user, whereby the color change is achieved.

In a particular embodiment, the input means is designed in the form of a strain gauge, wherein the data carrier is adapted to verify a measurable by means of the at least one strain gauge, DMS deformation as data input. According to the applications DE 10 2010 052 985 . DE 10 2010 052 983 such as DE 10 2010 052 992 the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference, data collection by means of DMS is described in detail. In this embodiment, a very cost-effective and easily to be implemented by printing means input means is generated, the inevitable contact for operation also leads here to the heating of the data carrier with serving for confirmation color change.

The input means is in particular a keypad, for example a number field on an upper side of the data carrier body. As a result, numbers, for example PIN, TAN or other number combinations can be entered into the data carrier in a simple manner.

The input means is preferably arranged below the thermochromic ink layer, so that the direct contact of the user leads to a rapid heat exchange between the user and the data carrier.

In a preferred embodiment, a heating element, in particular a resistive element, is introduced into the data carrier body. The confirmation of the data entry is now due to activation of the heating element by the semiconductor chip. The resistive element heats up due to the activation, whereby a large part of the heat is given off to the data carrier body and thus also the thermochromic layer. In this embodiment, the touch of the user is not necessary because the confirmation is controlled by the semiconductor chip.

In a further improved embodiment, the input means is designed as a heating element, so that the confirmation of the data input takes place on the basis of an activation of the input means by the semiconductor chip. Thus, the input means is first used for data input and in a subsequent step as a confirmation element, wherein due to the activation by the semiconductor chip, the color change of the thermochromic layer is triggered. As a result, an input means with confirmation unit is realized in a very cost-effective manner.

The heating element and / or the thermochromic ink layer is additionally formed in the geometric shape of a pattern, an alphanumeric character or a symbol, so that the confirmation represents the particular character, symbol, pattern. In one case this can also be an OKAY pattern, which signals a user to successfully enter a secret.

The thermochromic ink layer, which is arranged above the input means, is preferably divided into at least a first and a second region, wherein in a first region a different color change of the thermochromic layer to the second region takes place and wherein the difference of the color changes due to different temperatures and / or different compositions of the thermochromic ink layer is achieved. In particular, the color change of the first area is caused due to the body temperature of the user and the color change of the second area due to a heater.

Thus, a two-stage confirmation for a user can be made. In a first stage, a first area is changed in color due to the user's touch. This is the confirmation that the input means has been touched. The semiconductor chip receives and processes the input data and then activates the second area by means of a heating element. This is for the User as confirmation that the input is recognized by the semiconductor chip. It is also an affirmation in case the user pressed a key on a keypad, but another key was detected due to error.

According to one embodiment, the heating element is provided to heat the thermochromic layer to a temperature greater than 36.5 degrees Celsius, so that when touched by the user, the thermochromic layer is cooled at least partially. This then causes the color change. In this way, the dependence on fluctuating ambient temperature and different body temperature of the thermochromic layer is inhibited, whereby a more reliable and constant confirmation is achieved.

In a preferred embodiment, the data carrier has a heat conducting layer, in particular a printable graphite layer. Since the data carrier body is usually constructed of a material with poor thermal conduction properties, the data carrier sometimes reacts too slowly to data entries made by the user in quick succession. By the Wärmeleitschicht this disadvantage is prevented. Another advantage of the graphite layer is that it saves on the already necessary black pressure required by the thermochromic layer.

There is further described a method for confirming data entry of a user into a portable data carrier. At this time, the user performs an input by touching the input means. Subsequently, the data carrier confirms the data input by color change of the thermochromic layer on the basis of the body temperature and / or a heating element introduced into the data carrier.

The invention or further embodiments and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to figures, the figures only describe embodiments of the invention. Identical components in the figures are given the same reference numerals. The figures are not to be considered as true to scale, it can be exaggerated large or exaggerated simplified individual elements of the figures.

Show it:

1 A cross-section AA 'of an embodiment according to the invention of the portable data carrier

2 A detailed presentation of the in 1 illustrated data carrier

3 A disk according to 2 during data entry

4 A top view of the in 1 illustrated data carrier according to the invention

5 A detailed representation of an input means of 4

6 A to 5 alternative embodiment according to the invention

7 One too 2 alternative inventive embodiment of a data carrier

1 shows a cross section AA 'of a disk 1 with a semiconductor chip inserted therein 2 and an optional contact communication interface 3 , The disk 1 is in a top view in the 4 shown. Not shown, but optionally may also be included a contactless communication interface, with a necessary RFID antenna is inserted into the disk body.

The semiconductor chip 2 comprises a plurality of functional units, such as volatile and non-volatile memory areas and a central processing unit. In addition, the semiconductor chip 2 also a data input processing unit 21 on.

In the disk 1 are still input means 4 brought in. Above the input means is in each case a thermochromic printing ink 5 applied. The thermochrome layer 5 can either be full area on the top of the disk 1 be applied or regionally, preferably above the input means 4 be upset.

As input means 4 become strain gauges 9 used as in the applications DE 10 2010 052 985 . DE 10 2010 052 983 such as DE 10 2010 052 992 the same applicant described. Strain gauges 9 and the overlying thermochrome layer 5 are at a top of the disk 1 arranged so that a touch of the DMS simultaneously a change in temperature at the layer 5 conditionally, whereby a color change takes place as confirmation of the input. The input device 4 is here in the form of a keypad 8th provided, described in more detail in 4 , The keypad 8th can be at the top or bottom of the disk 1 be arranged.

Alternatively, the input means 4 also be a single button, in which the data input takes place in the form of successive tactile sequences. For example, the digit could 4 by pressing four times. Or the letter F by six times consecutive To press. Alternatively, the input means 4 also an increment-decrement switch 81 be.

In all these variants, the input means 4 provided data in the semiconductor chip 2 of the disk 1 enter. The input means thus generates in each case a signal which in the semiconductor chip 2 processed and evaluated. Each time you press the input device 4 becomes the volume 1 and thus also the thermochrome layer 5 the input is visually confirmed by a color change for a user.

This color change, or also referred to as color change, can be configured in any desired form. The thermochromic material in the layer 5 is preferably used in the form of microencapsulated liquid crystal pigments whose temperature range and color play can be adjusted within wide ranges. Since the confirmation is purely visual, the colors should be in the visible range, ie at a wavelength between about 380 nm (blue) and 780 nm (red), so that a user recognizes the color change.

The thermochromic layer 5 has a first color in an initial state and a second color in a confirmation state. Increases the temperature of the layer 5 On, the color change from the first color to the second takes place in a fluid manner. The difference in color, ie the difference between the initial and the confirmation color should be perceptible to a human eye. Depending on the first color, a few 10 nm to 40 nm color difference makes sense. The temperature range, in which the color change takes place fluently, should be between 20 to about 70 degrees Celsius. The temperature ranges are arbitrarily adjustable, wherein a color change, for example, takes place when heated from a color with a large wavelength to a color with a low wavelength. When cooled, the effect is correspondingly reversed.

The input device 4 is not below the thermochrome layer in an alternative embodiment 5 arranged. In this case, the confirmation can be done with the help of a heating element 11 , in particular one. Resistance. The user thus gives his data via the input means 4 on, the semiconductor chip 2 processes the data and activates the heating element as confirmation of the data input. Resistance below a portion of the thermochromic layer 5 is heated by the activation, in particular when sufficient current flow is caused in the resistor. As soon as the heating is the temperature above the temperature range by the color change occurs, a visual confirmation is achieved.

An application example is the direct PIN entry on the data medium 1 whose successful entry is made with the color change at a certain point.

The heating element 11 may have the geometric shape of one or more alphanumeric characters, a pattern, a symbol, etc., so that a confirmation "PIN OK" or "PIN not ok" or a tick is displayed by the confirmation.

In 2 and 3 is the operation of an input means 4 shown. The disk 1 is here as a laminated layer structure 6 illustrated, wherein a carrier substrate 7 from a layer with the input means 4 followed by a layer of the thermochromic material 5 is shown. Further layers, in particular further printing or protective layers or alternative structures of the data carrier 1 are conceivable. Both the strain gauges 9 as well as the thermochromic ink layer 5 are thus in a lamination process and / or a printing process in the disk 1 brought in.

Is the input means a strain gauge 9 Thus, the data input is done by deforming the volume body, as in 3 shown. The deformation changes the resistance of the strain gauge, resulting in the connected semiconductor chip 2 is evaluated and processed as a keystroke.

In 4 is a top view of the in 1 illustrated volume 1 shown. The keypad 8th includes nine buttons, an increment-decrement switch 81 as well as an ESC and an ENTER key. Thus, a user is able to through the input means 4 Enter number combinations as data. Instead of the thermochrome layer 5 above the buttons could also be an area below the keypad 8th be used by means of heating element as a visual confirmation. Of course, the keys can be arranged arbitrarily and other characters, for example letters, can be used.

In the 5 is now a key of the disk 1 of the 4 shown. Here is the area of the thermochrome layer 5 ring-shaped and two-parted. The inner area 51 has a different chemical composition than the outer region 52 on. As a result, different temperature ranges for the color change preset or other colors are realized.

The key is with a label 13 , here the numeral 9 , Mistake. The caption 13 may in an overlying layer or as a recessed portion of the thermochromic layer 5 be realized.

Below the inner area 51 is - shown in dashed lines - a strain gauge 9 in the disk 1 brought in. The strain gauge 9 is with a connection line 10 to a data input processing unit 21 connected. This unit 21 is preferably a functional part of the semiconductor chip 2 ,

When the user presses the button 5 the data carrier is actuated according to 3 deformed. In normal use, the disk has 1 at its top the ambient temperature, for example 20 degrees Celsius. This temperature is exemplary in a first temperature range of 15-28 degrees of the outer region 52 , By touching the outer area 52 with the user's finger becomes the outer area 52 heated to a temperature greater than the first temperature range, whereby a first color change is achieved.

The operation of the DMS 9 is in the data input processing unit 21 processed. Was recognized that the button 9 has been pressed, the input means becomes a heating element 11 activated. This is the activation unit 22 used, which generates an electric current sufficient to the inner area 51 to heat over a second temperature range of, for example, 40-60 degrees Celsius. This electrical current is now through the DMS 9 as a heating element 11 over the connecting line 10 directed. Heating up over the second temperature range now becomes the inner region 51 the thermochrome layer 5 perform a color change, which visually confirms to the user that the input is via button 9 from the semiconductor chip 2 of the disk 1 was detected. The colors of the inner area are preferred 51 different from the colors of the outer area 52 , The areas 51 and 52 Of course, they can also be reversed, so that they are below the outer area 52 the DMS 9 is arranged.

In 6 is one too 5 alternative embodiment of an input means 4 of the disk 1 shown. In contrast to 5 is the DMS 9 not heating element at the same time 11 , In this version, the activation unit supplies 22 the heating element 11 independent of the DMS 9 as input means 4 with a current, so the outer area 52 is always heated above the second temperature range. In addition, also the inner area 51 be heated to the temperature range, allowing for electrical insulation between the heating element and strain gauge 9 must be taken care of. When the user presses the button 9 pressed, it cools the area due to its body temperature 52 and possibly area 51 causing the color change (this time of color 2 on color 1 ), whereby the user experiences the visual confirmation that he is key 9 pressed.

All color envelopes are reversible, so that after a sufficient period of time, the initial states are reached, as the temperatures cool down again accordingly, or in 6 rise again.

Exemplary could be the inner area 51 have a temperature range of 42-70 degrees Celsius and a color change from black to green. The color black is not achievable with liquid crystal pigments. In the design with liquid crystal pigments, the thermochromic color becomes transparent, that is virtually invisible, so that the color of the underlying layer becomes visible. If this background color is black, the thermochrome element also appears as black. The outer area has a temperature range of 28-40 degrees Celsius and changes from black to red, with black as just described basically the underlying color is meant, since the Thermochromschicht is transparent. As a result, it is already visually distinguishable which key is pressed (outer area 52 ) and which key is recognized (inner area 51 ) has been.

Not shown is the case that the key has a one-piece annular area. In this case, the entire surface is under the range of strain gauges 9 arranged, causing the DMS 9 the entire key area as a heating element 11 can warm up.

In 7 is an alternative embodiment of the data carrier 1 shown. Here is the layer structure of the disk 1 a heat conducting layer 12 provided, which is in particular a printed graphite layer. This layer has a significantly higher coefficient of thermal conductivity than the other layers of the data carrier 1 so that color-shift effects and color-change time periods can be significantly improved. In this way, in addition, a good contrast to the thermochromic layer 5 created, which greatly enhances the visual confirmation and saves the already necessary black print. The graphite layer thickness is 130 μm, for example, whereas the substrate has a layer thickness of 100 μm. The thermochrome layer usually has a layer thickness between 10-100 microns. The thicker the thermochrome layer, the more colorful it is.

In addition to the heat conducting layer 12 Heat storage capsules can also be provided as heat storage.

The card body is preferably produced by a lamination process with different films, wherein the individual functional layers could also be printed on opposite sides of the films. In particular, the heat conducting layer 12 , the thermochrome layer 5 and the Strain gauges 9 provided in a printing process.

Instead of strain gauges 9 Other touch-sensitive buttons, such as mechanical buttons, capacitive buttons and the like are conceivable.

Instead of resistive elements as heating elements 11 It is also possible to use alternative heat sources or heat sinks, in particular Peltier elements.

The specified temperature ranges are of course only exemplary and may differ from these values. Also, the distance between the first and the second temperature range and the absolute maximum and minimum temperatures of the respective area are not limiting here.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Portable data carrier, smart card

2

Semiconductor chip

21

Data entry processing unit

22

Activation unit for heating element

3

Communication interface, contact-based

4

input means

5

Thermochromic paint layer

51

Inner area

52

Outer area

6

Layer structure of the data carrier

7

carrier substrate

8th

keypad

81

Increment-decrement switch

9

Strain gauges

10

connecting line

11

heating element

12

heat conducting

13

Lettering of the key

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2009/106242 A1 [0004]
• DE 102007009213 A1 [0005]
• DE 102010052985 [0017, 0040]
• DE 102010052983 [0017, 0040]
• DE 102010052992 [0017, 0040]

Claims (15)

Portable data carrier ( 1 ), in particular a chip card with a data carrier body and an integrated semiconductor chip ( 2 ), wherein the data carrier body: - an input means ( 4 ) for data entry into the data carrier ( 1 ) by a user and the data in the semiconductor chip ( 2 ) and - a color layer of thermochromic material ( 5 ) on an upper side of the data carrier body, characterized in that the data carrier ( 1 ) by the action of a thermal energy change on the color layer ( 5 ) a color change of the thermochromic ink layer ( 5 ) and thus confirms the data input. The data carrier according to claim 1, wherein the input means ( 4 ) is designed in the form of at least one touch-sensitive pushbutton and the data carrier ( 1 ) is arranged to verify a touch-caused signal as data input. A data carrier according to claim 2, wherein the probe in the form of a strain gauge ( 9 ) is formed and the data carrier ( 1 ) is adapted to a by means of the at least one strain gauge ( 9 ) to verify measurable deformation as data input. Data carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input means ( 1 ) a keypad ( 8th ) on a top side of the data carrier ( 1 ). A data carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermochromic material is a thermochromic ink and the input means ( 4 ) below the thermochromic printing ink ( 5 ) is arranged. A data carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the confirmation of data entry is due to the body temperature of the user. Data carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the data carrier body a heating element ( 11 ), in particular in the form of a resistive element, and the confirmation of the data input due to an activation of the heating element ( 11 ) through the semiconductor chip ( 2 ) he follows. Data carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input means ( 4 ) as a heating element ( 11 ), so that the confirmation of the data input due to activation of the input means ( 4 ) through the semiconductor chip ( 2 ) he follows. A data carrier according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the heating element ( 11 ) and / or the material of the thermochromic layer ( 5 ) is formed in the geometric shape of a pattern, an alphanumeric character or a symbol. A data carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermochromic layer ( 5 ) above the input means ( 4 ) and the thermochromic layer ( 5 ) into at least a first and a second area ( 51 . 52 ), where in a first area ( 51 ) one to the second area ( 52 ) different color change of the thermochromic layer ( 5 ), wherein the difference of the color changes due to different temperatures and / or different compositions of the thermochromic layer ( 5 ) is achieved. The data carrier according to claim 10, wherein the color change of the first area ( 51 ) due to the body temperature of the user and the color change of the second area ( 52 ) due to a heating element ( 11 ) are caused. A data carrier according to claims 7 to 9, wherein the heating element ( 11 ) the thermochromic ink layer ( 5 ) heated to a temperature greater than 37 degrees Celsius and when touched by the user, the thermochromic ink layer ( 5 ) at least partially cooled so that a color change takes place. Data carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a heat conducting layer ( 12 ), in particular a printable graphite layer, for improving the color change in the data carrier ( 1 ) is arranged. Method for confirming a data input of a user into a portable data carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The user makes an input by touching the input means; - Confirms the data input due to the body temperature and / or introduced into the disk heating element of the disk by color change of the thermochromic ink layer. The method of claim 14, wherein the thermochromic dye layer is divided into at least a first and a second regions, and - the data input of the user is confirmed by a color change of the first region due to the body temperature; and - the data input detected in the semiconductor chip due to the input means by a color change of the second area is confirmed by activating the heating element by the semiconductor chip.

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