DE102022003135A1 - Card-shaped data carrier with laser-activated pigments and manufacturing process - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a card-shaped data carrier (10) which has at least one film (11) with a first surface (11a) and an opposite second surface (11b), wherein the film (11) is produced by means of an extrusion process, wherein laser-activatable pigments (12) are at least partially integrated into the film (11), wherein the pigments (12) are designed in such a way that they can be activated by means of at least one laser (20), whereby an irreversible color change (30) of the film (11) can be produced. The invention further relates to a method for producing a card-shaped data carrier (10).

Description

The invention relates to a card-shaped data carrier with laser-activatable pigments and a manufacturing method for such a card-shaped data carrier.

A large number of card-shaped data carriers are known from the state of the art, for example smart cards, chip cards, in particular with RFID technology (radio frequency identification), integrated circuit cards, dual interface cards or identification cards. In particular, the use of smart cards, such as credit cards or debit cards, has become established for carrying out financial transactions. Card-shaped data carriers such as valuable documents, for example passport and ID documents, ID cards and the like are increasingly being used in public areas, but also in internal company areas.

The card-shaped data carrier typically has a card body with a module opening for receiving a chip module or other electronic components for contact-based and/or contactless data communication. The card body is often made of several films, with the individual films being bonded to form a film layer composite by means of lamination using pressure and heat. Design films or transparent cover films, so-called overlay films, with security features are preferably provided on the surface of the card body. Optical security features on the card-shaped data carriers are known and are generally intended to increase security against forgery. It is also known to personalize data carriers using a laser, whereby the personalization can also serve as a security feature. However, personalization in black is usually only possible here. This limits the design options and the variability of security features.

The object of the present invention is to provide a card-shaped data carrier, whereby personalization can be simplified and at the same time the security of the card-shaped data carrier can be improved.

This object is achieved by a card-shaped data carrier or a method for producing such a card-shaped data carrier according to the independent patent claims. Embodiments and developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. Features and details that are described in connection with the card-shaped data carrier according to the invention also apply in connection with the method according to the invention and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference can always be made to each other.

Within the scope of the application, the invention can preferably be used for smart cards, in particular for credit cards and debit cards. However, it can also preferably be used for security documents, such as identity documents.

According to one aspect of the invention, a card-shaped data carrier is provided which has at least one film with a first surface and an opposite second surface, wherein the film is produced by means of an extrusion process, wherein laser-activatable pigments are at least partially integrated into the film, wherein the pigments are designed such that they can be activated by means of at least one laser, whereby an irreversible color change of the film can be produced.

Within the scope of the application, laser-activatable pigments are provided which can be activated by means of a laser in order to produce an irreversible color change. In other words, pigments can therefore be provided which can cause a chromism, i.e. a color change or a color change. The color change of the individual pigments can produce an overall color change of the film which has the individual pigments. Thermochromatic pigments or photochromatic pigments can preferably be used here. Thermochromatic pigments can produce a color change or a color change when heated, i.e. when the temperature increases. In other words, the color change is induced by heat, in particular by the conversion of laser energy into thermal energy. Photochromatic pigments can induce a color change by light irradiation, in particular by light irradiation using laser light and its absorption. In general, any pigments can be provided which can be activated by means of a laser in order to produce a color change or a chromism. In general, a distinction can be made between reversible and irreversible chromism. In particular, in the case of irreversible chromism, the colour change remains and is therefore permanent.

In other words, due to the laser-activatable pigments, the film can have an initial colour in a first state, in particular in a non-heated state, and in a second state, in particular in a heated state, have a different final color due to the color change. The change in state from the initial color to the final color is described in the application as the color change or color change. As already mentioned, this change in state is intended to be irreversible.

The invention has the advantage that the laser-activated pigments can be used to color personalize films of security documents, such as ID documents or smart cards. This increases the security document or smart card's protection against forgery, since color personalization represents an additional security feature. This security feature can be easily verified optically and can also be easily integrated into the security document or smart card.

Preferably, it can be provided that exactly one laser is provided for the activation of the laser-activatable pigments. The use of several lasers, for example four lasers for the colors red, green, blue and black, can therefore be dispensed with. The costs for the laser personalization of the card-shaped data carrier can thus be reduced and the production process of the card-shaped data carrier can be simplified.

Preferably, it can be provided that the laser is adjustable. In particular, it can be provided that the laser power of the laser can be variably adjusted. This has the advantage that the adjustability of the laser allows the laser energy to be precisely adjusted for activating the pigments for the color change. For example, the frequency of the laser and thus the laser power can be increased and consequently a different color change can be achieved. In particular, it can also be provided that the laser power is adjusted in sections along the film in order to achieve colorful colors or color patterns. For example, the laser power in a first area of the film can be adjusted for a color change to a blue final color and in a second area of the film can be adjusted for a color change to a red final color. In particular, the laser power and thus also the laser energy can be variably adjusted to the desired laser personalization of the card-shaped data carrier. Furthermore, complex colors and thus also complex patterns or shapes, such as a passport photo of the user of the card-shaped data carrier, can advantageously be realized as a security feature.

It is particularly preferred that the laser is designed as an Nd:YAG laser or CO ₂ laser or UV laser. The use of an Nd:YAG laser not only enables the described adjustability of the laser, but also very precise focusing of the laser energy or the laser beam. This means that even very complex patterns or shapes can be used for laser personalization. As a result, both the design options and the security against counterfeiting of the card-shaped data carrier can be increased. In general, however, other adjustable lasers, such as the CO ₂ laser or fiber laser or similar, are also conceivable.

Preferably, the laser-activatable pigments can be designed as metal pigments or metal oxide pigments. For example, molybdenum oxide compounds or titanium oxide compounds can be used. Metal salt compounds, such as iron, cobalt, nickel or molybdenum salts, can also be used as laser-activatable pigments. In general, any material that can be activated by a laser to produce a color change is conceivable for the pigments. The pigments are preferably integrated into the film using an extrusion process. This has the particular advantage that the pigments are distributed and stored in a protected manner within the film and no separate printing ink needs to be applied to the film.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the film is essentially transparent. In particular, complete transparency is not provided here due to the laser-activatable pigments present within the film. In other words, the film has an essentially transparent starting color or, in other words, is initially colorless. Due to the initial colorlessness, a maximum color impression can be achieved for the final color after the laser-activatable pigments have been activated. For example, a color change from an essentially transparent starting color to a red final color can thus be achieved. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the film is white or, in other words, has a white starting color. It is also conceivable that the film is colored or, in other words, has a colored starting color, such as red, green or blue. A colored starting color of the film has the advantage that the starting color together with the color change of the laser-activatable pigments can lead to a mixed final color and an overall color impression that is changed in the desired way. Overall, the selection of the starting color of the film can enable optimization of the color impression of the card-shaped data carrier. Any combination of starting colors and final colors is possible.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the color change of the film is visible in the optical range. This has the advantage that a security feature can be created which can be verified particularly easily, for example by a user of the card-shaped data carrier.

Advantageously, it can be provided that the laser-activatable pigments can be activated at a temperature greater than the extrusion temperature of the film, preferably 300 °C. In particular, this has the advantage that the color change of the film does not take place uncontrollably during extrusion, but can take place in a controlled manner on the formed film after extrusion. In other words, an optimal temperature range can be selected in which the laser-activatable pigments can be activated without adversely affecting the film or films of the card-shaped data carrier.

Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that the color change of the film can be controlled by means of the laser in order to produce a multi-colored image on the first surface of the film. In this case, for example, a single-color color change can be provided for single-color personalization or a multi-color color change can be provided for multi-color personalization. As already described, the laser power can be controlled in sections along the film in order to achieve colorful colors or color patterns on the film.

Preferably, the card-shaped data carrier can have at least one transparent overlay film, which is arranged on the first surface of the film in such a way that the color change of the film is visible. The color change of the film can preferably represent a security feature of the card-shaped data carrier. The longevity of the achieved security feature can be guaranteed by means of the overlay film. At the same time, the security feature can be easily recognized and verified due to the transparency of the overlay film.

Preferably, the laser-activatable pigments can have a pigment size of at least 1 µm and at most 60 µm.

It can particularly preferably be provided that the laser-activatable pigments are distributed homogeneously in the film or along at least one edge of the film. A uniform color change can advantageously be achieved by means of a homogeneous distribution. With distribution along the edges of the film, in particular, edge personalization of the film or the card-shaped data carrier can be achieved.

Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that the color change is generated along at least one edge of the film. In particular, the color change can be generated along all edges of the film. A specific color impression can therefore be achieved along the edges of the film. For example, multi-colored edges or multi-colored logos can be generated along the edges of the film. Edge personalization of the card-shaped data carrier can in particular further increase the security against counterfeiting. Advantageously, this means that the use of colored core films can be dispensed with. This improves warehousing and logistics in particular.

Preferably, it can be provided that the card-shaped data carrier has at least one light-diffractive or light-refracting structure, in particular wherein at least one laser beam of the laser for the activation of the laser-activatable pigments can be guided through the light-diffractive or light-refracting structure. In general, several such structures can be provided for the card-shaped data carrier. The light-diffractive or light-refracting structure can be referred to as a lens structure in the context of the application. Preferably, it is provided that the lens structure is arranged on a surface of the card-shaped data carrier, in particular on an outer film of the card-shaped data carrier. Preferably, the lens structure can be arranged on a first surface and on an opposite second surface of the card-shaped data carrier. In general, the lens structure can comprise a surface relief in the form of a lens grid. Individual lenses can be designed, for example, as depressions and/or elevations on the surface of the card-shaped data carrier. Using a lens grid with a number or multitude of individual lenses such as spherical lenses, rod lenses and/or cylindrical lenses, various optically variable effects can be achieved in conjunction with the color change of the laser-activated pigments. This creates an optical security feature that further increases the counterfeit security of the card-shaped data carrier.

In particular, it can be provided that at least one laser beam of the laser for the activation of the laser-activatable pigments can be guided through the light-diffractive or light-refracting structure. In other words, the laser beam can be guided or directed through the lens structure onto the laser-activatable pigments. Due to the The lens structure allows the laser beam to undergo a specific deflection or directional variation, which in conjunction with the laser-activated pigments can produce further optical effects.

It can be provided that the light-diffractive or light-refracting structure or the lens structure is arranged or introduced during lamination by means of at least one laminating sheet on the card-shaped data carrier, in particular on a surface of the card-shaped data carrier, such as on a surface of an overlay film of the card-shaped data carrier. In terms of time, the film with the integrated laser-activatable pigments can be produced before lamination. In particular, the lens structure to be formed on the card-shaped data carrier can be introduced into the laminating sheet as a laminating structure by means of a negative image. If the lens structure is to be introduced, for example, on the first surface and the opposite second surface of the card-shaped data carrier, two laminating sheets, each with a corresponding laminating structure, can be used. During lamination, the card-shaped data carrier is arranged, for example, between the laminating sheets. Pressure can be exerted on the card-shaped data carrier by means of the laminating sheets, and a temperature increase is usually also carried out during lamination. Using the existing pressure and heat, the corresponding lens structure can be laminated onto the respective surface of the card-shaped data carrier using the respective lamination structure. This simplifies the production of the card-shaped data carrier, as the lens structure can be produced during lamination and not in a separate production step.

As an alternative to the laminating sheet, one or more stamps can be provided for introducing the lens structure onto the card-shaped data carrier. In general, for example, a laminating sheet, an embossing stamp, an intaglio printing plate and/or an ultrasonic process can be used to introduce the lens structure.

• - Bereitstellen von wenigstens einem Folienmaterial;
• - Bereitstellen von laseraktivierbaren Pigmenten;
• - Einbringen des Folienmaterials und der laseraktivierbaren Pigmente als Mischung in einen Extruder einer Extrusionsvorrichtung,
• - Erhitzen der Mischung zur Ausbildung einer Schmelze;
• - Extrudieren der Schmelze durch einen Düsenaustrittsspalt der Extrusionsvorrichtung zur Ausbildung einer Folie mit einer ersten Oberfläche und einer gegenüberliegenden zweiten Oberfläche, wobei in der Folie zumindest teilweise die laseraktivierbaren Pigmente integriert sind;
• - Aktivieren der laseraktivierbaren Pigmente mittels wenigstens einem Laser zur Erzeugung eines irreversiblen Farbumschlags der Folie.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for producing a card-shaped data carrier is provided, in particular according to one of the preceding embodiments, the method comprising the following steps:

• - Providing at least one film material;
• - Providing laser-activated pigments;
• - Introducing the film material and the laser-activatable pigments as a mixture into an extruder of an extrusion device,
• - Heating the mixture to form a melt;
• - Extruding the melt through a nozzle exit gap of the extrusion device to form a film with a first surface and an opposite second surface, wherein the laser-activatable pigments are at least partially integrated into the film;
• - Activating the laser-activatable pigments by means of at least one laser to produce an irreversible color change of the film.

The sequence of the steps of the method according to the invention is not necessarily limited to the described sequence or fixed in time. In particular, the film material and the pigments can be provided one after the other or simultaneously. Furthermore, lamination with further films can take place before the laser-activatable pigments are activated.

Within the scope of the application, for example, the film material can be provided as granules for the extruder, in particular as plastic granules. In the extruder, the mixture of the film material and the laser-activatable pigments can be heated or melted to form a melt. In other words, the mixture is converted into a molten state. In particular, the melt comprises the molten film material and the laser-activatable pigments. The melt can then be extruded or pressed out through the nozzle exit gap. The nozzle exit gap represents a shaping opening. By extruding the melt through the nozzle exit gap, a film can be formed, with the laser-activatable pigments in particular being integrated into the film or arranged within the film. The extruded melt can usually cool down or completely solidify within a certain time interval after exiting the nozzle exit gap to form the film. By solidifying the film, the film can form a kind of solid matrix around the laser-activatable pigments, so that they are permanently integrated within the film. For cooling, the extruded melt can be conveyed, for example, to a roller arrangement comprising at least one cooling roller adjacent to the nozzle exit gap. In terms of time, after the film has been formed, in particular after the film has finally solidified, the laser-activatable pigments can be activated by means of the laser. The activation The irreversible color change of the individual pigments and thus also of the film is produced.

The same advantages and modifications as previously described continue to apply. In particular, the security against counterfeiting of the card-shaped data carrier can be increased due to the color personalization according to the invention.

Preferably, it can be provided that, in terms of time, the film is laminated with at least one transparent overlay film and/or other films before the laser-activatable pigments are activated. In particular, the overlay film can be arranged on the first surface of the film. Preferably, several other films can be provided for the card-shaped data carrier, and these can be arranged in particular on the second surface of the film. The other films can be designed as core films, for example, and preferably be opaque. Advantageously, the card-shaped data carrier is laminated with all the existing films as a film layer structure and then the laser-activatable pigments are activated by means of the laser. In other words, the color personalization according to the invention preferably takes place after the lamination of the films of the card-shaped data carrier.

In summary, the film with the laser-activatable pigments can first be produced using the extrusion process described. This can then be followed by lamination with other films as a film layer structure. The color personalization can then be carried out by activating the laser-activatable pigments.

It can be particularly preferably provided that at least one light-diffractive or light-refracting structure is arranged on the card-shaped data carrier, in particular wherein at least one laser beam of the laser for activating the laser-activatable pigments is guided through the light-diffractive or light-refracting structure. In other words, it is preferably provided that, in terms of time, after the light-diffractive or light-refracting structure has been arranged on the card-shaped data carrier, the activation of the laser-activatable pigments takes place by means of the laser. In other words, the laser beam of the laser for activating the pigments can be guided through the lens structure onto the pigments. This can advantageously produce further optical effects.

• 1: einen kartenförmigen Datenträger nach einem erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 2: einen kartenförmigen Datenträger nach einem weiteren erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 3: einen kartenförmigen Datenträger nach einem dritten erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsbeispiel; und
• 4: einen kartenförmigen Datenträger nach einem vierten erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsbeispiel.

The present invention is described below by way of example in the context of embodiments with reference to the attached figures. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided that this is technically feasible, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Elements with the same function and mode of operation are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures. The figures show schematically below:

• 1 : a card-shaped data carrier according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 2 : a card-shaped data carrier according to a further embodiment of the invention;
• 3 : a card-shaped data carrier according to a third embodiment of the invention; and
• 4 : a card-shaped data carrier according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

1 shows a card-shaped data carrier 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. For example, the card-shaped data carrier 10 can be designed as an identification document or as a smart card. The card-shaped data carrier 10 has a film 11 with a first surface 11a and an opposite (not visible) second surface. A chip module and/or further electronic components for contact-based and/or contactless data transmission can be provided on the film 11, for example in a module opening (not shown). For the sake of clarity, the 1 to 4 the electronic components of the card-shaped data carrier 10, such as the chip module, are not shown.

The film 11 is designed to be essentially transparent, for example. In particular, laser-activatable pigments 12 are integrated into the film 11, which are illustrated by the dots in the film 11. Due to the laser-activatable pigments 12 present in the film 11, complete transparency of the film 11 is not intended.

The laser-activatable pigments 12 are, for example, distributed homogeneously in the film 11. Furthermore, the pigments 12 are designed such that they can be activated by means of a laser 20, whereby an irreversible color change 30 of the film 11 can be produced. For example, exactly one laser 20 is provided for the activation of the laser-activatable pigments 12. The laser 20 is in particular designed to be adjustable. Preferably, a laser power of the laser 20 can be variably adjusted. For example, the laser 20 is designed as an Nd:YAG laser.

For example, the laser-activatable pigments 12 can have a pigment size of at least 1 µm and at most 60 µm and/or be formed as metal pigments.

To activate the laser-activatable pigments 12, a laser beam L can strike the respective pigments 12 by means of the laser 20. The laser beam L is illustrated by the arrow. When laser energy from the laser 20 or the laser beam L strikes the laser-activatable pigments 12 in the film 11, the laser energy can be converted into heat energy, for example. The conversion into heat energy can increase the temperature of the pigments 12. Due to the increase in temperature, the pigments 12 can cause a color change 30. The color change 30 is illustrated as a black circle 30. However, this can be a color change 30 to a red, green or blue final color. In other words, due to the laser beam L striking an area of the film 11, a color change of the laser-activatable pigments 12 in this area and thus a color change of the film 11 in this area is achieved. For the sake of clarity, only a single color change 30 is shown here for illustrative purposes. However, several color changes to different final colors can be provided at different locations on the film 11. Alternatively, the laser-activatable pigments 12 can be activated photochromatically, as already described.

As already described, the color change 30 can be generated in sections in the film 11, whereby the laser beam L of the laser 20 is only focused on a partial area of the film 11. The circle shown illustrates the partial area of the film 11 for the color change 30. Alternatively, the color change 30 can be generated in the entire film 11, whereby the laser beam L of the laser 20 is moved along the film 11 or is focused on the entire film 11. Preferably, the edges of the film 11 can also be personalized.

In particular, it can also be provided that the laser power is adjusted in sections along the film 11 in order to achieve bright colors or color patterns. For example, the laser power can be adjusted in a first area of the film 11 for a color change 30 to a blue final color and in a second, different area of the film 11 for a color change to a red final color. The laser power and thus also the laser energy can thus be variably adjusted to the desired laser personalization of the card-shaped data carrier 10.

Preferably, the color change 30 of the film 11 is visible in the optical range, which enables easy verification by a user of the card-shaped data carrier 10.

Advantageously, the laser-activatable pigments 12, which are integrated in the film 11, can be used to personalize the card-shaped data carrier 10 in color. This can increase the security against counterfeiting of the card-shaped data carrier 10.

The film 11 is produced in particular by means of an extrusion process. For this purpose, for example, the film material can be provided as granules for an extruder of an extrusion device (not shown), in particular as plastic granules. Furthermore, the laser-activatable pigments 12 can be provided for the extruder. The pigments 12 and the film material can be introduced into the extruder as a mixture. In the extruder, the mixture of the film material and the laser-activatable pigments 12 can be heated or melted to form a melt. The melt can then be extruded or pressed out through a nozzle outlet gap of the extrusion device. The film 11 can be formed by extruding the melt through the nozzle outlet gap, wherein in particular the laser-activatable pigments 12 are integrated in the film 11 or arranged within the film 11. After the film 11 has been formed, in particular after the film 11 has finally solidified, the laser-activatable pigments 12 can be activated by means of the laser 20, as described. The activation produces the irreversible color change 30 of the individual pigments 12 and thus also of the film 11.

2 shows a card-shaped data carrier 10 according to a further embodiment of the invention. The card-shaped data carrier 10 has, for example, three analogous to 1 formed films 11 each with laser-activatable pigments 12.

As opposed to 1 are in 2 Three color changes 30 due to three laser beams L are shown by means of the black circles. The color changes 30 are provided as examples for the final colors red, green and blue. The color changes 30 can occur at different temperatures for the different colors. Consequently, the laser power for the respective laser beam L can be variably adjusted in order to achieve the desired color change 30.

Furthermore, the card-shaped data carrier 10 has further foils in addition to the three foils 11 with the laser-activated pigments 12. With In other words, a film layer structure, in particular made of films arranged one above the other or stacked, is provided for the card-shaped data carrier 10. In particular, two transparent overlay films 13 arranged on the outside are provided. In other words, the films 11 with the laser-activatable pigments 12 are arranged between the outer overlay films 13. The laser-activatable pigments 12 in the films 11 can be additionally protected by means of the overlay films 13. The number and the material of the films of the film layer structure can be adapted as desired. Essentially, the number or arrangement of transparent or opaque core films and/or transparent overlay films 13 can generally be varied.

A further embodiment for a different arrangement of the foils in the foil layer structure for the card-shaped data carrier 10 is shown in 3 The card-shaped data carrier 10 has, for example, five analogous 1 formed foils 11 each with laser-activatable pigments 12. Three color changes 30 are shown as examples, whereby these are produced along the edges 11c of the respective foils 11. The color change 30 can preferably be produced along all edges 11c of the foils 11. A specific color impression can therefore be achieved along the edges 11c of the foil 11. Personalizing the edges of the card-shaped data carrier 10 can in particular further increase the security against forgery. Advantageously, this means that the use of colored core foils can be dispensed with.

4 shows a further embodiment for a card-shaped data carrier 10. The card-shaped data carrier 10 has, for example, a film layer structure. A film 11 according to the invention is arranged centrally in the film layer structure. The film 11 has a first surface 11a and an opposite second surface 11b. Laser-activatable pigments 12 (not shown) are integrated in the film 11. The film 11 is analogous to 1 educated.

The laser-activatable pigments 12 are designed in such a way that they can be activated by means of a laser, whereby an irreversible color change 30 of the film 11 can be produced. The activation of the laser-activatable pigments 12 can be carried out in accordance with the description of 1 The film 11 is arranged between two transparent core films 14. A transparent overlay film 13 is arranged on each transparent core film 14.

The transparent overlay films 13 each have a lens structure 40 on an outer surface. The lens structure 40 generally represents a light-diffractive or light-refracting structure. It can be provided that the lens structure 40 extends only partially or completely along the surface of the overlay film 13. In particular, it is provided that the lens structure 40 is arranged so as to overlap or partially cover the laser-activatable pigments 12 of the film 11. As a result, a laser beam L from the laser 20 for activating the laser-activatable pigments 12 can advantageously be guided through the lens structure 40 onto the laser-activatable pigments 12.

The lens structure 40 can be a surface relief in the form of a lens grid. For example, a lens grid with individual lenses such as spherical lenses, rod lenses and/or cylindrical lenses can be used.

Through the interaction between the laser-activated pigments 12 and the lens structure 40, a viewer can recognize viewing angle-dependent representations or tilted images or generally optically variable effects. This generally increases the security against counterfeiting of the card-shaped data carrier 10 and represents a further security feature.

List of reference symbols

10

card-shaped data carrier

11

foil

11a

first surface

11b

second surface

11c

Edge

12

laser-activated pigments

13

Overlay film

14

Core foil

20

Laser

L

laser beam

30

Color change

40

Lens structure

Claims (17)

Card-shaped data carrier (10) which has at least one film (11) with a first surface (11a) and an opposite second surface (11b), wherein the film (11) is produced by means of an extrusion process, wherein at least partially laser-activatable pigments (12) are integrated in the film (11), wherein the pigments (12) are designed such that they can be activated by means of at least one laser (20), whereby an irreversible colour change (30) of the film (11) can be produced. Card-shaped data carrier (10) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that exactly one laser (20) is provided for the activation of the laser-activatable pigments (12). Card-shaped data carrier (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser (20) is adjustable. Card-shaped data carrier (10) according to Claim 3 , characterized in that a laser power of the laser (20) is variably adjustable. Card-shaped data carrier (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser (20) is designed as a Nd:YAG laser or CO ₂ laser or UV laser. Card-shaped data carrier (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser-activatable pigments (12) are designed as metal pigments or metal oxide pigments. Card-shaped data carrier (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the color change (30) of the film (11) is visible in the optical range. Card-shaped data carrier (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser-activatable pigments (12) can be activated at a temperature greater than an extrusion temperature of the film (11), preferably 300 °C. Card-shaped data carrier (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in order to produce a multi-colored image on the first surface (11a) of the film (11), the color change (30) of the film (11) can be controlled by means of the laser (20). Card-shaped data carrier (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the card-shaped data carrier (10) has at least one transparent overlay film (13) which is arranged on the first surface (11a) of the film (11) in such a way that the color change (30) of the film (11) is visible. Card-shaped data carrier (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser-activatable pigments (12) have a pigment size of at least 1 µm and at most 60 µm. Card-shaped data carrier (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser-activatable pigments (12) are distributed homogeneously in the film (11) or are distributed along at least one edge (11c) of the film (11). Card-shaped data carrier (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the color change (30) is produced along at least one edge (11c) of the film (11). Card-shaped data carrier (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the card-shaped data carrier (10) has at least one light-diffractive or light-refracting structure (40), in particular wherein at least one laser beam of the laser (20) for the activation of the laser-activatable pigments (12) can be guided through the light-diffractive or light-refracting structure (40). Method for producing a card-shaped data carrier (10), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the following steps: - providing at least one film material; - providing laser-activatable pigments (12); - introducing the film material and the laser-activatable pigments (12) as a mixture into an extruder of an extrusion device, - heating the mixture to form a melt; - extruding the melt through a nozzle outlet gap of the extrusion device to form a film (11) with a first surface (11a) and an opposite second surface (11b), wherein the laser-activatable pigments (12) are at least partially integrated into the film (11); - activating the laser-activatable pigments (12) by means of at least one laser (20) to produce an irreversible color change (30) of the film (11). Procedure according to Claim 15 , characterized in that, prior to the activation of the laser-activatable pigments (12), the film (11) is laminated with at least one transparent overlay film (13) and/or further films. Procedure according to Claim 15 or 16 , characterized in that at least one light-diffractive or light-refracting structure (40) is arranged on the card-shaped data carrier (10) is, in particular wherein at least one laser beam of the laser (20) for the activation of the laser-activatable pigments (12) is guided through the light-diffractive or light-refracting structure (40).

Images