EP0718121B1 - Data carrier and its method of production - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a data carrier, such as an identity card, credit card or the like, with at least one plastic layer having first diffusely light-scattering properties at least in a partial area due to its surface quality. In this area information is provided by means of a laser in the form of local changes of surface quality which have second diffusely light-scattering properties so that the information is readable at least at a certain viewing angle but has no color contrast with its surroundings.

Description

The invention relates to a data carrier, such as an identification card, Credit card or the like, with at least a plastic layer that is used in certain areas With the help of a laser, and a process for its production.

The data carriers mentioned here are around any information carrier with visually readable Data such as Business cards or labels etc. Im In particular, however, the invention relates to identification documents, such as ID cards, chip cards, passports or the like, in addition to general information, have individual, mostly user-related information. This is usually data such as the user's name, birthday, signature and photo. This individual data must be tamper-proof and counterfeiting are protected. With growing Spread of high quality and affordable Reproduction processes and equipment such as scanners, Color copiers or CAD systems, the manufacture deceptive imitations of real ID cards are becoming easier, so that always new and technically complex authenticity features have to be developed. In recent years have primarily hologram-like surface structures enforced as an authenticity criterion, because a visually striking, optically variable color effect deliver that is not reproduced by copiers can be. There is also the risk of total counterfeiting very low because the production of holograms is very is expensive and also has some technical know-how required.

On the other hand, this very fact leads to the fact that for certain products, especially if they are small Pieces are produced, such an effort is not economically justified.

The hologram structures are therefore very often separated manufactured as a transfer embossed hologram and under heat and Pressure in certain areas on the disk transfer. The layer thicknesses of the hologram elements are very small, but it is still with skillful handling possible, such a layer structure detach from a real document and onto a to transfer fake.

An authenticity feature is known in connection with passports become (EP 0 523 304 A1) that this disadvantage does not have and also not by copiers reproducible visual effect. Here is in the passport in addition to the usual with at least one plastic film laminated data page another plastic film provided in the at least in a partial area a layer of paint is embedded. The photo of the Passport holder, which is stuck on the data page, serves as a template for a mechanical engraving in the Color layer so that the image information in the finished passport exists twice, once as an exposed film, say as a normal photo, and once in the form of an engraving.

A similar procedure is known from EP 0 518 363 A1 known with the only difference that the image information engraved here in a special layer structure is so that the image in reflected light hardly, in transmitted light on the other hand is very visible. In the simplest case there is the layer structure from a plastic layer certain Opacity from an engraving layer, i.e. a color layer of higher opacity is covered.

The data to be protected, here the photo, can faked relatively easily by exchanging the photo that offers practically unchangeable engraving however, a good way to attempt such a forgery uncover.

The manufacturing process for such a passport is due to the additional engraving, however, very complex, since the original photo to be glued in before binding the passport scanned pixel by pixel and directly on electronic Way into a movement of the engraving stylus got to. Following the engraving process, a fixed one Allocation between original photo, engraved passport page and possibly other individualized data pages be guaranteed until the passport is finally bound is.

In addition, this method must be very fine Graver used to ensure adequate picture quality to be able to guarantee. However, these are subject high wear. This wear process is also ongoing continuously, so this process does not delivers consistently high engraving quality.

The invention is therefore based on the object Data carrier and a method for its production propose that has an authenticity feature that is neither manipulable nor copiable, and finished Product can be manufactured easily and inexpensively can.

This task is characterized by the characteristics of the independent Claims resolved. Further training is the subject of Subclaims.

The invention is based on the knowledge that the surface quality a plastic film by means of a correspondingly controlled laser can be changed, without creating discoloration in the plastic material. This creates areas with different light scattering properties, that when viewed in incident light may not be visually recognizable and only stand out clearly when viewed in the glossy angle. So can be caused by the heat of the laser, for example smooth surfaces roughened, rough surfaces smoothed, transparent materials tarnished, cloudy materials clarified or removed entire layer areas become.

Laser marking with its many advantages has long been common practice in personalization identity documents (DE 29 07 004 C2, DE 30 48 736 A1, DE 31 51 407 C1). Because one of the predominant Problems in this area are counterfeit-proof Application of personal data is, has been this technique, however, only from the point of view discussed and developed, clearly legible, information contrasting with their surroundings in To produce form of material discoloration.

But also the removal of layers of paint with the help of a Lasers has already been discussed in this context. DE 30 48 733 A1, for example, describes an identification card, the one with several layers of different Color is provided. Personalization is done by selective layer removal so that the one below the top one Color layers are visible and because of their contrast to the other layers of paint make the information readable. Because with these procedures however, several removal processes are necessary are to complete removal of each Reaching layers is proposed in EP 0 372 274 A1, between the individual layers of paint arrange transparent, laser-sensitive lacquer layer, to be able to intercept tolerances in the layer thicknesses. When laser light is applied, a part becomes the paint layer thermally degraded so that in the irradiated Area along with the varnish layer the above arranged color layer is removed. After the caption of the disk can be recognized by the for Part of the transparent layer of paint removed underlying layer of paint.

In contrast, it is an essential feature of the Invention that material processing by laser without discoloration of the substrate material or without color Contrast is created to the environment.

According to a preferred embodiment, one or multilayer plastic ID card with smooth Surface in a certain area with a micro relief in the form of characters, patterns or the like Mistake. The laser, its power and the plastic material have to be coordinated with each other be that the plastic material under the action the laser is not discolored. The microrelief points such a fine structure that it cannot be reflected in incident light is recognizable and only appears under the gloss angle occurs.

Conversely, the ID card can also be used during the lamination process in a section with a rough surface structure be provided by the laminating panels at the appropriate place with the negative structure be provided and thus imprint the relief on the cover film. When introducing the security feature the irradiated areas due to the effects of heat of the laser softens, so that the relief structure in these Areas are lost and the surface of the map is smoothed becomes. This information is also primary visible under the gloss angle.

These differences in the optical scattering behavior can with those commonly used in reproduction equipment Illumination processes are not recognized. In all Such effects are also common with these processes not adjustable.

According to a further embodiment, the outside accessible plastic film of a data carrier in the form engraved by characters or patterns, i.e. the plastic material is evaporated using the laser, so that Deepening in the form of readable information in the Plastic material arise.

This type of labeling can be particularly advantageous use in the production of passports. In In this case, at least parts of the form of a generated color contrast and thus easy to read Personalization data again in the form of a colorless Laser engraving provided on the document. The engraving can here, for example, directly below or above the respective printed or color-contrasted lasered Information can be arranged for quick comparison to enable the two information.

It is also conceivable, the engraved information to be arranged on a separate information carrier. This is particularly useful for book-shaped passports that contain several data sheets anyway. So besides the laser-marked data sheet in the usual way another made of plastic or with one Plastic sheet laminated data sheet can be provided in which at least parts of the user-related data record, e.g. the photo of the owner, through material removal can be engraved with a laser. The artificial blind film can have any opacity in this case. If it is transparent, the engraved information can read well, especially under the glossy angle become. When using opaque or translucent Foils can also create a watermark effect adding a layer of paint to the plastic film before engraving or plastic film with higher opacity becomes. As a result, the engraving hardly appears in reflected light, however, when viewed in transmitted light due to the different translucent areas clearly.

The laser engraving has compared to the mechanical engraving process the decisive advantage that with it engravings of consistently high quality can, as there are no wearing parts, such as a prick etc. are needed. Furthermore, it can be on the finished passport document be performed.

The generation of the authenticity feature according to the invention can be very beneficial in the labeling process of the disk be integrated, especially if the disk color contrasting with a laser anyway is labeled. When labeling identity documents are usually all user-related Data such as photo, name, signature etc. all in one linked single digital record that eventually to control the individual information output devices used, such as laser printers, inkjet printers or laser beam etc. is used. As part of the invention to this data set without color contrast added information to be displayed. Should certain parts of the original data record again in the form of different light-scattering areas be provided on the data carrier, so must they are marked with a label for another lasering of this data with another Laser provides.

Under certain circumstances it is also conceivable for the contrasting Laser marking and colorless laser processing one and the same laser, e.g. a Nd: YAG laser, to use. From the area of contrasting laser marking it is known that only from a certain Laser power discoloration takes place which continues at increasing laser power becomes stronger and eventually leads to the complete burning of the material. With the help of a power controllable laser it is therefore possible to generate halftone images. The laser beam is here adjusted via optics so that its focus in Volume of the plastic material is. Will the focus position laid in the surface area of the material, i.e. shortened its length, so the material in the irradiated areas melted and partially decomposed, so that notches without color changes of the plastic.

However, any other type of laser, such as CO ₂ or excimer lasers, can also be used. Which laser is most suitable for processing which substrate material depends strongly on the parameters of the decomposition energy of the substrate material, laser power and laser type (eg pulsed or continuously operated laser). These parameters must therefore be experimentally optimized for each special application.

However, the invention is not only advantageous everywhere there can be used where for reasons of counterfeit protection a security feature is to be provided. The invention also provides an easy way to store data to make it as inconspicuous as possible. For example manufacturer data, which is basically the layout of the document disrupt and their content is of moderate interest to the general public can, as part of personalization of the documents brought in without complications become. They hardly appear in reflected light and are clearly visible under the gloss angle in any case.

Further embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the figures.

Fig. 1

einen Datenträger gemäß der Erfindung,

Fig. 2

eine Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitsmerkmals,

Fig. 3

eine weitere Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitsmerkmals.

The figures show:

Fig. 1

a data carrier according to the invention,

Fig. 2

one embodiment of the security feature according to the invention,

Fig. 3

a further embodiment of the security feature according to the invention.

Fig. Shows a data carrier according to the invention. The ID card shown can be one or more layers be executed and in any case has one from the outside accessible layer of artificial peat. In addition to the usual Information in contrasting color 4 regarding the issuing authority and the user, the card 1 has an authenticity feature 2. Of the Area 5 has due to its surface quality first diffuse light-scattering properties. This Area 5 is interrupted by areas 3, one readable information or a pattern or the like represent and a different surface texture have, as their environment 5. Because of that the information 3 also other diffuse light scattering Properties that enable the information from a certain viewing angle detect.

The data carrier 1 can of course still more Security features or an integrated circuit exhibit. Such an ID card can also be used be included in a book-shaped passport.

The personalization data 4 are preferably included a laser in the form of discoloration of the plastic material brought in. In the course of personalizing the data carrier information 3 is also included With the help of the same or another laser, by the original surface texture of the Volume 1 is changed. This can vary widely Wise happen as follows is explained.

2 shows a variant of the data carrier according to the invention 1 on average, only the one to be processed Plastic layer 6 is shown. Under this Layer 6 can of course be further plastic or paper layers.

In the example shown, the plastic film in a first step with a roughened surface area 5, e.g. with the help of the laminating plates or by simply embossing a surface structure. This area 5 was then determined Position 3 with a laser that is matched to the material irradiated. Softened by the heat of the laser the plastic material 6 in the areas 3. The soft Material loses the embossed structure, the relief areas balance each other out and arise relatively uniform smooth areas 3.

3 shows a further embodiment of the invention Disk 1 shown. Here the Surface area 5 of the plastic material 6 a homogeneous smooth surface while the information 3 brought into the material in the form of a laser engraving are. Alternatively, the material can also be in the surface area be melted without discoloration of the material occurs.

It is also possible not to use the plastic layer as Foil, but as a lacquer layer on a carrier layer to design.

Claims (18)

1. A data carrier, such as an identity card, credit card or the like, with at least one plastic layer having information incorporated in certain areas with the help of a laser, characterized in that the plastic layer has first diffusely light-scattering properties at least in a partial area due to its surface quality, and first information is provided in this area in the form of local changes of surface quality produced by means of a laser which have second diffusely light-scattering properties so that the information is readable at least at a certain viewing angle but has no color contrast with its surroundings.
2. The data carrier of claim 1, characterized in that the plastic layer has in the partial area a rough surface in which the information is present in the form of smooth surface areas.
3. The data carrier of claim 1, characterized in that the plastic layer has a smooth surface in the partial area.
4. The data carrier of claim 3, characterized in that the information is present in the form of deformations of the plastic layer.
5. The data carrier of claim 3, characterized in that the information is present in the form of a removal of material in the plastic layer.
6. The data carrier of claim 5, characterized in that the plastic layer is provided at least in the partial area with a color layer or plastic film which has a higher opacity than the plastic layer, and in which the first information is present congruently to the plastic layer.
7. The data carrier of at least one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the information forms a microrelief.
8. The data carrier of at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the data carrier has second readable information which is applied in the form of a color contrast resolvable by the eye.
9. The data carrier of at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the data carrier is a single-layer identity card.
10. The data carrier of at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the data carrier is an identity document in book form, and the second information is present at least partly on a first data page.
11. The data carrier of claim 10, characterized in that the first information is likewise disposed on the first data page.
12. The data carrier of claim 10, characterized in that the first information is disposed on a second data page.
13. The data carrier of at least one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the first information is at least partly identical in content to the second information.
14. The data carrier of at least one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the plastic layer is a layer of lacquer or a plastic film.
15. A method for producing the data carrier of claim 1, characterized in that the surface quality of the plastic layer is altered by means of a laser so as to produce first information which is readable at least at a certain viewing angle, and the plastic material and laser power are adjusted to each other in such a way that the plastic layer is altered but not discolored in the areas exposed to laser radiation.
16. The method of claim 15, characterized in that the laser is an Nd:YAG, CO₂ or excimer laser.
17. The method of claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the same laser is used to apply second information in the form of discolorations or burnings of material.
18. The method of at least one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the plastic layer is smoothed, melted or partly removed by the laser radiation.

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