EP1934057A1 - Method of creating an image on a support - Google Patents

Method of creating an image on a support

Info

Publication number
EP1934057A1
EP1934057A1 EP06793948A EP06793948A EP1934057A1 EP 1934057 A1 EP1934057 A1 EP 1934057A1 EP 06793948 A EP06793948 A EP 06793948A EP 06793948 A EP06793948 A EP 06793948A EP 1934057 A1 EP1934057 A1 EP 1934057A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
support
regions
activator
pattern
image
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06793948A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Jean-Luc Lesur
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Thales DIS France SA
Original Assignee
Gemplus SCA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gemplus SCA filed Critical Gemplus SCA
Publication of EP1934057A1 publication Critical patent/EP1934057A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
    • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
    • B41M5/26—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used
    • B41M5/40—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used characterised by the base backcoat, intermediate, or covering layers, e.g. for thermal transfer dye-donor or dye-receiver sheets; Heat, radiation filtering or absorbing means or layers; combined with other image registration layers or compositions; Special originals for reproduction by thermography
    • B41M5/42—Intermediate, backcoat, or covering layers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
    • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
    • B41M5/26—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used
    • B41M5/34—Multicolour thermography

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the creation of an image on a support.
  • the image may in particular be a color image, however it is also possible to implement the invention to create a monochrome image.
  • the support can be any.
  • the invention particularly relates to information carriers in the smart card format, such as a plastic card.
  • These cards have on their main faces images (which may be decorative elements and / or correspond to information - the term "image” here being understood in the broad sense of visual element), such as a photographic reproduction. These images can be created according to various known methods, especially with a view to personalizing the support. An application of image creation is thus the personalization of smart cards.
  • Some imaging methods involve a treatment of the support with light beams such as lasers.
  • FIG. 1 thus illustrates a known method of creating a color image on a support 50 by light beams.
  • the support 50 comprising three layers 1, 2, 3 is exposed to the beams 4, 5, 6 of three respective lasers 16, 17, 18.
  • the lasers 16, 17, 18 each have different wavelengths.
  • Each layer 1, 2, or 3 comprises a respective component, distinct, able to produce a hue (said elementary hue) when it is exposed to the beam 4, 5, or 6 of a respective laser 16, 17, or 18. More specifically, in the case of Figure 1, the component of each layer is able to produce a respective elemental shade when the layer that contains it is exposed to one of the three lasers - and the component does not react to the other two lasers.
  • a first component located in a first layer 1 is able to produce a first hue when exposed to a light beam 4 whose particular characteristic is to be of a first wavelength ⁇ l.
  • a second component located in a second layer 2 is able to produce a second hue when exposed to a light beam 5 of second wavelength ⁇ 2.
  • a third component located in a third layer 3 is able to produce a third hue when exposed to a light beam 6 of a third wavelength ⁇ 3.
  • the three colors that have just been mentioned may for example correspond to shades or elementary colors (for example red yellow, and blue respectively). These are referred to as "elemental" hues because they can be combined to form different colors.
  • color is understood to mean a coloration or discoloration, created by the activation of a particular thermal activator or under the effect of a light beam of wavelength suitable for reacting the reaction. component.
  • discoloration is thus also understood as a “hue”.
  • the components may be reagents, pigments, dyes, thermo-chromes, any type of agent capable of changing color or becoming transparent or to be sublimated (to reveal another color), this selectively when it is activated, for example in being exposed to a light beam of given wavelength to produce a hue.
  • the light beams referred to in this text can be beams of light whose wavelength is concentrated around a peak of a single wavelength (laser beam for example), or around several peaks (case of beams having several main wavelengths).
  • the three layers 1, 2, 3 shown in FIG. 1 are superimposed vertically with respect to the plane of the support 50 (this plane corresponding by convention to a so-called “horizontal” plane) and these layers cover the same surface when they are observed according to the direction D beams 4,5,6.
  • successive scans of the entire surface 7 of the support 50 are carried out with lasers 16, 17, 18 to selectively expose points of the support 50 to the beam 4, 5, 6 of each laser 16, 17 , 18.
  • This laser 16 selectively attacks points of the support 50 with the light beam of first wavelength 4 associated with the first component 1, to create at the irradiated points of the support 50 the first elementary tint that this first component can generate.
  • the "selective" character of the attack of the laser beam is obtained by a controlled power supply of the laser so as to supply it only when its beam must meet the support at the points which one wishes to attack, and / or in using masks allowing the laser beam to pass only in relation to these desired points.
  • a first set of dots was thus "tinted” (by coloring, or fading) according to the first elementary tint.
  • a second scan is then carried out with the second wavelength light beam to selectively attack points of a second set of points and locally create the second elementary hue by reaction with the second component, then a third scan with the second set of points.
  • third wavelength light beam 6 for selectively driving points of a third set of points and locally creating the third elementary hue by reaction with the third component.
  • each beam sweeps the entire surface of the support.
  • the scanning pitch of the beam (case of successive parallel line sweeps on the surface of the support) is adapted so that this step corresponds to the diameter of the beam.
  • the duration of the passage of a laser 16, 17, 18 over the entire surface 7 of the support 50 is of the order of 10 seconds (for an image of 300 dpi corresponding to an area of 25 x 20 mm). Since the different scans are performed sequentially, the total time to create a color image is greater than or equal to 30 seconds in the case of a support comprising three components such as that illustrated in FIG.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a method and an associated system for reducing the time required to create a color image on a medium
  • Another object of the invention is to allow obtaining an image of high quality (especially in terms of clarity).
  • Another object of the invention is to reduce the costs of creating a color image on a medium.
  • a support comprising at least a plurality of regions capable of revealing a hue under the effect of the activator, said regions being displaced from one another, seen from the activator,
  • the support provided comprises three pluralities of regions, each plurality being able to reveal a determined hue under the effect of an activator,
  • each region is pre-recorded and in that it comprises a step of controlling the activation so as to activate only on said regions,
  • the regions comprise at least one component
  • the regions cover components capable of being sublimated or become transparent under the effect of an activator;
  • the activator is chosen from a thermal probe, an electromagnetic wave beam, a laser,
  • the regions are organized in strips on the surface of the support,
  • the strips form on the surface of the support a repetitive pattern.
  • the invention proposes a support comprising an external surface and at least a plurality of activatable regions able to reveal a hue under the effect of an activator, said regions being offset from each other outside perpendicular to said surface.
  • said regions of the support are organized on the surface of the support essentially continuously, said regions of the support are organized in strips,
  • the regions form on the surface of the support a repetitive pattern.
  • the invention also relates to the use of a support as defined above for the manufacture of a personalized card.
  • FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of the method according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is an illustration of a system able to implement an implementation mode of the method according to the invention
  • FIG. 4 is an illustration of a support advantageously adapted to the method according to the invention
  • FIGS. 5a to 5c illustrate three possible modes of distribution of parts of a support facing its surface, for an advantageous implementation of the invention
  • FIG. 6 illustrates another possible mode of distribution of parts of a support facing its surface, for an advantageous implementation of the invention.
  • the invention notably proposes a method for creating a color image on a support, the support comprising at least two components, each component being able to produce a respective elementary tint when it is exposed to a respective light beam having characteristics respectively, the method comprising scanning regions of the surface of the support with the light beams respectively associated with said components to create local elemental hues in the support material by selectively exposing local areas of the support to one or the other another of said light beams, the method for creating a colored image from said local elemental hues and their possible combinations on the same local areas, characterized in that: • The method comprises, for each light beam, the definition on the support surface of a pattern region that is individually a associated with said light beam, and ⁇ The method comprises controlling the scanning of the light beams so as to scan with each light beam only the pattern region associated therewith.
  • ⁇ said characteristics of the light beams are wavelength characteristics
  • Said light beams are laser beams
  • Said local areas are points making it possible to constitute an image
  • said pattern regions are arranged on the surface of the support so as to allow substantially continuous scanning of said pattern regions;
  • Said pattern regions are organized in strips, the bands associated with the different light beams form on the surface of the support a repetitive pattern
  • the invention also proposes a system for creating a color image on a support, the support comprising at least two components, each component being able to produce a respective elementary tint when it is exposed to a respective light beam having respective characteristics, the system for creating a colored image from said local elemental hues and their possible combinations on the same local areas, characterized in that it comprises means suitable:
  • the invention also proposes a support such as a plastic card comprising at least two components, each component being able to produce a respective elemental shade when exposed to a respective light beam having respective characteristics, the different components being distributed in respective different layers, characterized in that said layers extend so as to face different respective regions of the surface of the support, thus defining for each component at least one region on the surface of the support.
  • Said regions of the surface of the support are arranged on the surface of the support essentially continuously,
  • the strips associated with the various components form on the surface of the support a repetitive pattern
  • Said layers are formed in a sheet of the support which extends substantially parallel to the surface of the support,
  • FIG. 2 there is schematically illustrated an embodiment of the method according to the invention.
  • This method makes it possible to create a color image on a medium such as a chip card format card, for example made of plastic.
  • the method can be applied to any type of support comprising at least two components.
  • a “component” can be a photosensitive component as mentioned in the introduction to this text, suitable for produce an elemental hue (such as, for example, yellow, cyan or magenta) in response to exposure to a light beam having particular characteristics.
  • wavelength of the beam or a wavelength, in the case where the beam has several wavelengths capable of generating an elementary tint by the component in response to a exposure to said light beam.
  • This (non-limiting) example of the wavelength as a particular characteristic will be developed later in this text.
  • the method according to the invention can be applied to a support of known type, for example: a support as illustrated in FIG. 1 and comprise a superposition, in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the support on which it is desired to create a image, layers may each comprise a different component, ⁇ or a support as taught by the document EP 912 916.
  • the method according to the invention is also applicable to other types of supports known to those skilled in the art such as supports comprising a single layer in place of the superposition of layers, this single layer may comprise a mixture of several components.
  • this method can also be applied to a particular type of support, which corresponds to an advantageous aspect of the invention.
  • a step 110 of the method define regions of patterns to be personalized 20, 30 on the surface of the support 50 on which we want to create an image. These regions, which thus form a pattern on the surface of the support, will be referred to as "pattern regions”.
  • the pattern regions may be defined to form a partition covering the entire surface on which an image is to be created, or so as to cover only this surface partially.
  • these regions 20, 30 are sets of elongated and alternating strips which extend parallel to the surface of the support.
  • the pattern region 20 thus consists of all the bands referenced 20 in this figure, and the pattern region 30 consists of all the bands referenced 30.
  • the surface of the support will be scanned by several light beams, each of which is associated with one or more specific wavelength (s).
  • the surface of the support will be scanned by at least two different wavelengths. And as we will see, this scan will be done in a particular way.
  • each pattern region with one of the wavelengths of the beam (s) with which (or which) we will scan the surface of the support.
  • This "association" of each beam region to a wavelength means that during the scanning of the support surface by the beam (s), each beam will scan only the pattern region that is associated with the length of the beam. wave of the beam (or at a wavelength of the beam if it has several).
  • each beam will not systematically scan the entire surface of the support, as is the case in the state of the art which has been illustrated with reference to Figure 1. It is thus possible to perform a scan of the surface in a reduced time. Compared to the prior art for a support comprising three components, the activation time will be reduced by at least a factor of three.
  • each pattern region will be scanned only by the beam containing the wavelength associated with said region.
  • Each pattern region comprises at least one component. And in any case each pattern region comprises a component able to react to the exposure of a beam of the wavelength associated with the region, to create a particular elementary hue.
  • the elementary hues associated in this way with the different wavelengths are different from each other.
  • each of the pattern regions is individually associated with one of two light beams 40, 70, each beam being itself associated with particular characteristics that are specific to it (typically in terms of length In this text we use the example of the wavelength as a particular characteristic, but in absolute terms this characteristic may be different (energy or intensity, exposure time, type of laser source and others for example) Thus, each pattern region is associated with only one of the beams having different characteristics.
  • the pattern regions 20, 30 are arranged on the surface of the support 10 so as to allow optimized scanning of said pattern regions 20, 30.
  • An "optimized scan” is defined as a scan in which the path traveled by the beam (s) (x) bright is minimized (total length of the path traveled by the beam plus inter-region jumps pattern).
  • One way to achieve such optimization is to provide regions 20, 30 which can be scanned by a continuous scan.
  • continuous scanning is intended to mean a strictly continuous scanning (as for example in the case of the displacement of a beam along a single pattern region covering the surface to be treated - for example a region of spiral pattern) or continuous "piecewise” minimizing jumps between different areas (as for example in the case of moving a beam along separate segments or bands). It is specified that this continuous character of the scan has nothing to do with the fact of continuously supplying the beam with energy or not - it simply refers to a mode of displacement of the place of impact of the beam (if it is powered and if the beam is not intercepted) on the surface of the support.
  • the pattern regions 20, 30 are arranged in a set of bands. These bands associated with the different beams 40, 70 may form a repeating pattern 80 on the surface of the support 10.
  • these pattern regions may be organized to form networks of zones or points (discrete and separated or interconnected) uniformly distributed at a determined pitch, solid discs, dashes forming a pattern repetitive that can be intended to increase security, homogeneity of customization.
  • n is defined as regions of patterns (n being an integer greater than or equal to two), the pattern regions being constituted by reference to a set of discrete regions such as small rectangles, distributed (preferably regularly) on the surface of the support.
  • each of these rectangles comprising n zones - here three zones - which each form part of a respective pattern region, "In this way, three regions of pattern are formed: o A first pattern region that brings together the" first zones “of each rectangle R (for example for each rectangle R the leftmost zone of the rectangle in the figure), o A second pattern region that gathers the "second zones” of each rectangle R (for each rectangle R, for example, the central zone of the rectangle in the figure), o A third pattern region that gathers the "third zones” of each rectangle R (for example for each rectangle R the rightmost zone of the rectangle in the figure).
  • Each pattern region will then be scanned with a respective beam, as will be explained in more detail.
  • FIG. 6 corresponds to an advantageous embodiment, since it makes it possible to have the components only in certain parts of the support, the surfaces located between the rectangles being devoid of any component.
  • This embodiment makes it possible to constitute images in a particularly simple manner, while retaining the advantages mentioned above.
  • the image carrier has at least a plurality of activatable regions offset from each other from the outside perpendicular to said surface (i.e. each other when these regions are observed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the support).
  • a support of the type illustrated in FIG. 6 may also be used with any known imaging process involving a scanning of the entire surface of the support for the treatment of the support by a a) beam (x) light (can for example create an image on such a support with a method as illustrated in Figure 1, or with a method as taught by EP 912 916).
  • the activation is localized on the regions of the support comprising the component.
  • This localized activation makes it possible: to limit the activation energy losses associated with the scanning of the surfaces of the support devoid of any component, and to reduce the exposure time and thus reduce the time of creation of an image.
  • the first light beam 40 is moved from a light source 50 so that this first beam luminous 50 only scans the first pattern region 20 which is individually associated with it.
  • This step is to generate, in certain zones of the region 20, a first elementary hue locally in the support material by selectively exposing local areas of the support and activating the component (s) of these zones that are associated with the wavelength. the first beam 40.
  • Local areas are for example points. They will contribute to the constitution of an image.
  • the zones exposed to the first light beam correspond to desired points of the first pattern region, according to the desired personalization for the image to be created.
  • the exposure of the support to the beam is carried out point by point, and the transverse dimension (diameter typically) of the beam arriving on the support is controlled to correspond to the desired dimension of the points, by:
  • a second light source 60 is displaced capable of emitting the second light beam 70. This displacement of the second source 60 is controlled so that the second light beam 70 sweeps only the second pattern regions 30. which are individually associated with it.
  • This step is indeed intended to generate in certain areas of the region 30 a second elementary hue locally in the support material by selective exposure of local areas of the support and activation of the component or components of these areas which are associated with the length of the wave of the second beam 70.
  • each light source 50, 60 does not travel through the entire surface of the medium to be printed, but travels only a part of the surface of the support.
  • the customization time is reduced by a factor of nine with respect to a configuration known from the prior art in which the entire surface of the support is swept with each of the three beams, and where these three scans would also be performed sequentially one after the other.
  • FIG. 3 there is illustrated an embodiment of a system for implementing the method described above.
  • This system comprises a base 300, input means 310 and control means 320 able to control a plurality of light sources (these sources are three in this particular example).
  • the base 300 is intended to receive the support 200 on which it is desired to create an image. In one embodiment, this base is fixed. In another embodiment, the base is able to move, the displacement of the base being controlled by the control means.
  • the input means 310 allow a user to enter user parameters such as the number of components of the support 200 to be processed.
  • the light sources 331, 332, 333 of the plurality of light sources 330 are of any type known to those skilled in the art.
  • the light sources 331, 332, 333 here are lasers that emit laser beams 334, 335, 336, each component being sensitive to a particular wavelength.
  • the control means 340 are for example a computer programmed to implement the steps of the method and in particular to control the scanning of the light beam 334, 335, 336 from each source 331, 332, 333 of the plurality of light sources 330.
  • the steps of defining the pattern regions and the adapted scan make it possible to react only certain components of the layer or layers to create the elementary hues while scanning with each beam that the pattern region associated with it.
  • a support 400 according to the invention has been illustrated which is particularly suitable for use with the method and the system for creating a color image.
  • This support 400 is for example a plastic card such as a card of the card type payment, identification, phone card, etc..
  • the support 400 is obtained by laminating together several layers or sheets of material:
  • the card body 600 which constitutes a set of sheets including in particular a sheet called “heart” card, or a sheet (in the case where the body is reduced to the heart) relatively thick (giving a thickness of the order of mm ).
  • This body is in the case of plastic cards generally made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or PET (polyethylene), or PC (polycarbonate),
  • cover sheets 610 thin (of the order of a few tens or even a few hundred microns) glued on both sides of the body 600. These cover sheets 610 are called "overlay" according to the common English terminology. They are generally transparent,
  • the card body 600 of the support 400 has one (or more) coating (s) which comprises (s) as a whole the three different components that can be deposited by various processes that can be inkjet, material, printing offset, screen printing ....
  • Each component is able to produce a particular hue when exposed to a particular light beam having particular characteristics.
  • the first, second and third components are respectively distributed in first, second and third portions 410, 420, 430 which are arranged to form on the surface of the support a pattern - here strips.
  • Each portion 410, 420, 430 extends so as to face different respective regions of the surface 650 of the support 400, thereby defining for each component at least one region at the surface 650 of the support 400.
  • the portions 410, 420, 430 extend in the thickness of the support 400 and belong to the same sheet substantially parallel to the surface of the support 400.
  • the portions of the surface 650 of the support 400 are organized at the surface 650 of the support 400 of essentially continuous way.
  • the regions of the surface of the support are organized into strips, and form on the surface of the support a repeating pattern.
  • the number of light sources is reduced which corresponds to a saving.
  • the invention also saves the activatable components in the support.
  • the present invention has been described mainly in the case of components capable of revealing a color by exposure to a light beam, it is possible to implement the invention with components activated in a manner other than exposure to a light. light bleam. It is thus possible (and not limited to) to implement the invention with components that are activated for example by a thermal probe, or by an electromagnetic wave beam.
  • the invention can be implemented according to a simplified mode, in which a single pattern region is defined on the surface of the support.
  • the pattern region may be a continuous region, or the union of discrete areas or points and separated from each other.
  • the unique pattern region can thus consist of the union of discrete zones such as the rectangles R of FIG. 6 - simply in this case the support will comprise only one component at the level of the rectangles.
  • the unique pattern region may comprise only one component.
  • the pattern region can be scanned with a plurality of beams, with some areas of the pattern region being scanned by one (or some) beam (x) only to create different elemental tints in the different areas of the region. unique pattern.
  • This simplified mode makes it possible to exploit a medium comprising only a single component.
  • the pattern region is scanned with a single beam.
  • a monochrome image is created by generating the single elementary tint that the single component produces in response to the exposure of the single beam, at the places where this exposure is performed.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Thermal Transfer Or Thermal Recording In General (AREA)
  • Exposure And Positioning Against Photoresist Photosensitive Materials (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of creating an image, such as a printed and/or customised graphic element, on a support comprising regions that can be activated by an activator. The inventive method consists in using a support (400) comprising at least a plurality of regions that can reveal a colour under the effect of an activator, said regions being offset in relation to one another when observed from the activator. The colour is only activated in a localised manner on the aforementioned regions.

Description

PROCEDE DE CREATION D'UNE IMAGE SUR UN SUPPORT METHOD FOR CREATING AN IMAGE ON A MEDIUM
La présente invention concerne la création d'une image sur un support. L'image peut notamment être une image en couleurs, toutefois il est également possible de mettre en œuvre l'invention pour créer une image monochrome.The present invention relates to the creation of an image on a support. The image may in particular be a color image, however it is also possible to implement the invention to create a monochrome image.
Le support peut être quelconque. Toutefois l'invention vise notamment des supports d'information au format carte à puce, tels qu'une carte plastique.The support can be any. However, the invention particularly relates to information carriers in the smart card format, such as a plastic card.
Ces cartes comportent sur leurs faces principales des images (qui peuvent être des éléments décoratifs et/ou correspondre à des informations - le terme d' « image » étant ici entendu au sens large d'élément visuel), comme par exemple une reproduction photographique. Ces images peuvent être créées selon différents procédés connus, notamment en vue de personnaliser le support. Une application de la création d'image est ainsi la personnalisation de cartes à puce.These cards have on their main faces images (which may be decorative elements and / or correspond to information - the term "image" here being understood in the broad sense of visual element), such as a photographic reproduction. These images can be created according to various known methods, especially with a view to personalizing the support. An application of image creation is thus the personalization of smart cards.
Certains procédés de création d'image font intervenir un traitement du support par des faisceaux lumineux tels que des lasers.Some imaging methods involve a treatment of the support with light beams such as lasers.
La figure 1 illustre ainsi un procédé connu de création d'une image en couleurs sur un support 50 par des faisceaux lumineux.FIG. 1 thus illustrates a known method of creating a color image on a support 50 by light beams.
Sur cette figure, le support 50 comportant trois couches 1, 2, 3 est exposé aux faisceaux 4, 5, 6 de trois lasers respectifs 16, 17, 18.In this figure, the support 50 comprising three layers 1, 2, 3 is exposed to the beams 4, 5, 6 of three respective lasers 16, 17, 18.
Les lasers 16, 17, 18 ont chacun des longueurs d'onde différentes.The lasers 16, 17, 18 each have different wavelengths.
Chaque couche 1, 2, ou 3 comporte un composant respectif, distinct, apte à produire une teinte (dite teinte élémentaire) lorsqu'il est exposé au faisceau 4, 5, ou 6 d'un laser respectif 16, 17, ou 18. Plus précisément, dans le cas de la figure 1, le composant de chaque couche est apte à produire une teinte élémentaire respective lorsque la couche qui le contient est exposée à un des trois lasers - et le composant ne réagit pas aux deux autres lasers.Each layer 1, 2, or 3 comprises a respective component, distinct, able to produce a hue (said elementary hue) when it is exposed to the beam 4, 5, or 6 of a respective laser 16, 17, or 18. More specifically, in the case of Figure 1, the component of each layer is able to produce a respective elemental shade when the layer that contains it is exposed to one of the three lasers - and the component does not react to the other two lasers.
Par exemple, un premier composant situé dans une première couche 1 est apte à produire une première teinte lorsqu'il est exposé à un faisceau lumineux 4 dont la caractéristique particulière est d'être d'une première longueur d'onde λl. Un deuxième composant situé dans une deuxième couche 2 est apte à produire une deuxième teinte lorsqu'il est exposé à un faisceau lumineux 5 de deuxième longueur d'onde λ2. Un troisième composant situé dans une troisième couche 3 est apte à produire une troisième teinte lorsqu'il est exposé à un faisceau lumineux 6 d'une troisième longueur d'onde λ3.For example, a first component located in a first layer 1 is able to produce a first hue when exposed to a light beam 4 whose particular characteristic is to be of a first wavelength λl. A second component located in a second layer 2 is able to produce a second hue when exposed to a light beam 5 of second wavelength λ2. A third component located in a third layer 3 is able to produce a third hue when exposed to a light beam 6 of a third wavelength λ3.
Les trois teintes qui viennent d'être mentionnées peuvent par exemple correspondre à des teintes ou couleurs élémentaires (par exemple rouge jaune, et bleu respectivement). On s'y réfère comme à des teintes « élémentaires » car elles peuvent être combinées pour former différentes couleurs.The three colors that have just been mentioned may for example correspond to shades or elementary colors (for example red yellow, and blue respectively). These are referred to as "elemental" hues because they can be combined to form different colors.
On précise qu'on entend dans ce texte par « teinte » une coloration ou une décoloration, créée par l'activation d'un activateur notamment thermique ou sous l'effet d'un faisceau lumineux de longueur d'onde adaptée pour faire réagir le composant. Au sens de cette définition adoptée pour les besoins de ce texte, une décoloration est ainsi également entendue comme une « teinte ».It is specified that in this text "color" is understood to mean a coloration or discoloration, created by the activation of a particular thermal activator or under the effect of a light beam of wavelength suitable for reacting the reaction. component. For the purposes of this definition adopted for the purposes of this text, discoloration is thus also understood as a "hue".
Les composants peuvent être des réactifs, des pigments, des colorants, des thermo-chromes, tout type d'agent apte à changer de couleur ou à devenir transparent ou encore à être sublimé (pour laisser apparaître une autre couleur), ceci sélectivement lorsqu'il est activé, par exemple en étant exposé à un faisceau lumineux de longueur d'onde donnée pour produire une teinte.The components may be reagents, pigments, dyes, thermo-chromes, any type of agent capable of changing color or becoming transparent or to be sublimated (to reveal another color), this selectively when it is activated, for example in being exposed to a light beam of given wavelength to produce a hue.
Les faisceaux lumineux dont il est question dans ce texte peuvent être des faisceaux de lumière dont la longueur d'onde est concentrée autour d'un pic de longueur d'onde unique (faisceau laser par exemple), ou autour de plusieurs pics (cas de faisceaux comportant plusieurs longueurs d'onde principales).The light beams referred to in this text can be beams of light whose wavelength is concentrated around a peak of a single wavelength (laser beam for example), or around several peaks (case of beams having several main wavelengths).
Et comme on le verra, ces faisceaux jouent le rôle d'activateurs des composants et sont ainsi une illustration particulière d' « activateurs » au sens plus large - d'autres types d'activateurs pouvant être envisagés dans le cadre de l'invention.And as will be seen, these beams play the role of activators of the components and are thus a particular illustration of "activators" in the broader sense - other types of activators that may be considered in the context of the invention.
Les trois couches 1, 2, 3 représentées sur la figure 1 sont superposées verticalement par rapport au plan du support 50 (ce plan correspondant par convention à un plan dit « horizontal ») et ces couches couvrent la même surface lorsqu'elles sont observées selon la direction D des faisceaux 4,5,6.The three layers 1, 2, 3 shown in FIG. 1 are superimposed vertically with respect to the plane of the support 50 (this plane corresponding by convention to a so-called "horizontal" plane) and these layers cover the same surface when they are observed according to the direction D beams 4,5,6.
Pour créer une image colorée, on effectue des balayages successifs de la totalité de la surface 7 du support 50 avec des lasers 16, 17, 18 pour exposer sélectivement des points du support 50 au faisceau 4, 5, 6 de chaque laser 16, 17, 18.To create a colored image, successive scans of the entire surface 7 of the support 50 are carried out with lasers 16, 17, 18 to selectively expose points of the support 50 to the beam 4, 5, 6 of each laser 16, 17 , 18.
Par exemple, on commence par balayer la totalité de la surface du support 50 avec le faisceau lumineux 4 de première longueur d'onde émis par le premier laser 16. Ce laser 16 attaque de manière sélective des points du support 50 avec le faisceau lumineux de première longueur d'onde 4 associé au premier composant 1, en vue de créer aux points irradiés du support 50 la première teinte élémentaire que ce premier composant peut générer. Le caractère « sélectif » de l'attaque du faisceau laser est obtenu par une alimentation contrôlée du laser de manière à ne l'alimenter que lorsque son faisceau doit rencontrer le support au niveau des points que l'on désire attaquer, et/ou en employant des masques ne laissant passer le faisceau du laser qu'en regard de ces points désirés.For example, we start by scanning the entire surface of the support 50 with the first wavelength light beam 4 emitted by the first laser 16. This laser 16 selectively attacks points of the support 50 with the light beam of first wavelength 4 associated with the first component 1, to create at the irradiated points of the support 50 the first elementary tint that this first component can generate. The "selective" character of the attack of the laser beam is obtained by a controlled power supply of the laser so as to supply it only when its beam must meet the support at the points which one wishes to attack, and / or in using masks allowing the laser beam to pass only in relation to these desired points.
Un premier ensemble de points a ainsi été « teinté » (par coloration, ou décoloration) selon la première teinte élémentaire.A first set of dots was thus "tinted" (by coloring, or fading) according to the first elementary tint.
On effectue ensuite un deuxième balayage avec le faisceau lumineux 5 de deuxième longueur d'onde pour attaquer sélectivement des points d'un deuxième ensemble de points et y créer localement la deuxième teinte élémentaire par réaction avec le deuxième composant, puis un troisième balayage avec le faisceau lumineux 6 de troisième longueur d'onde pour attaquer sélectivement des points d'un troisième ensemble de points et y créer localement la troisième teinte élémentaire par réaction avec le troisième composant.A second scan is then carried out with the second wavelength light beam to selectively attack points of a second set of points and locally create the second elementary hue by reaction with the second component, then a third scan with the second set of points. third wavelength light beam 6 for selectively driving points of a third set of points and locally creating the third elementary hue by reaction with the third component.
Les points ainsi teintés de ces trois ensembles de points permettent de créer une image colorée à partir des teintes élémentaires, et de leurs combinaisons éventuelles sur des mêmes points.The dots thus tinted of these three sets of dots make it possible to create a colored image starting from the elementary tints, and their possible combinations on the same points.
Chaque faisceau balaye la totalité de la surface du support. A cet égard, on adapte le pas de balayage du faisceau (cas de balayages par lignes parallèles successives sur la surface du support) pour que ce pas corresponde au diamètre du faisceau.Each beam sweeps the entire surface of the support. In this respect, the scanning pitch of the beam (case of successive parallel line sweeps on the surface of the support) is adapted so that this step corresponds to the diameter of the beam.
Dans le cas d'un support 50 tel qu'une carte plastique au format carte à puce, la durée du passage d'un laser 16, 17, 18 sur la totalité de la surface 7 du support 50 est de l'ordre de 10 secondes (pour une image de 300 dpi correspondant à une surface de 25 x 20 mm). Comme les différents balayages sont effectués séquentiellement, la durée totale pour créer une image couleur est supérieure ou égale à 30 secondes dans le cas d'un support comprenant trois composants tel que celui illustré à la figure 1.In the case of a support 50 such as a chip card format plastic card, the duration of the passage of a laser 16, 17, 18 over the entire surface 7 of the support 50 is of the order of 10 seconds (for an image of 300 dpi corresponding to an area of 25 x 20 mm). Since the different scans are performed sequentially, the total time to create a color image is greater than or equal to 30 seconds in the case of a support comprising three components such as that illustrated in FIG.
On précise qu'une variante de ce qui vient d'être décrit, et dans laquelle le support comprend une couche combinant plusieurs composants, est illustrée par le document EP 912 916.It is specified that a variant of what has just been described, and in which the support comprises a layer combining several components, is illustrated by the document EP 912 916.
Un but de la présente invention est de proposer un procédé et un système associé permettant de réduire la durée nécessaire à la création d'une image en couleurs sur un support,An object of the present invention is to provide a method and an associated system for reducing the time required to create a color image on a medium,
Un autre but de l'invention est de permettre l'obtention d'une image de haute qualité (notamment en termes de clarté).Another object of the invention is to allow obtaining an image of high quality (especially in terms of clarity).
Un autre but de l'invention est de permettre de diminuer les coûts de la création d'une image en couleurs sur un support.Another object of the invention is to reduce the costs of creating a color image on a medium.
A cet effet on prévoit un procédé de création d'une image telle qu'une personnalisation et/ou impression graphique sur un support comportant des régions activables sous l'effet d'un activateur, caractérisé en ce queFor this purpose there is provided a method of creating an image such as personalization and / or graphic printing on a support comprising activatable regions under the effect of an activator, characterized in that
- l'on fournit un support comportant au moins une pluralité de régions aptes à révéler une teinte sous l'effet de l'activateur, lesdites régions étant décalées les unes des autres, vues de l'activateur,a support is provided comprising at least a plurality of regions capable of revealing a hue under the effect of the activator, said regions being displaced from one another, seen from the activator,
- et en ce que l'activation de la teinte est effectuée uniquement de manière localisée sur lesdites régions.- and in that the activation of the hue is performed only in a localized manner on said regions.
Des aspects préférés mais non limitatifs du procédé selon l'invention sont les suivants : - le support fourni comprend trois pluralités de régions, chaque pluralité étant apte à révéler une teinte déterminée sous l'effet d'un activateur,Preferred but non-limiting aspects of the process according to the invention are the following: the support provided comprises three pluralities of regions, each plurality being able to reveal a determined hue under the effect of an activator,
- la position de chaque région est pré enregistrée et en ce qu'il comprend une étape de contrôle de l'activation de manière à n'activer que sur lesdites régions,the position of each region is pre-recorded and in that it comprises a step of controlling the activation so as to activate only on said regions,
- les régions comprennent au moins un composant,the regions comprise at least one component,
- les régions couvrent des composants aptes à être sublimés ou devenir transparents sous l'effet d'un activateur, - l'activateur est choisi parmi une sonde thermique, un faisceau d'onde électromagnétique, un laser,the regions cover components capable of being sublimated or become transparent under the effect of an activator; the activator is chosen from a thermal probe, an electromagnetic wave beam, a laser,
- les régions sont organisées en bandes à la surface du support,the regions are organized in strips on the surface of the support,
- les bandes forment sur la surface du support un motif répétitif.the strips form on the surface of the support a repetitive pattern.
Par ailleurs, selon un autre aspect l'invention propose un support comportant une surface externe et au moins une pluralité de régions activables aptes à révéler une teinte sous l'effet d'un activateur, lesdites régions étant décalées les unes des autres vues de l'extérieur perpendiculairement à ladite surface.Furthermore, according to another aspect, the invention proposes a support comprising an external surface and at least a plurality of activatable regions able to reveal a hue under the effect of an activator, said regions being offset from each other outside perpendicular to said surface.
Des aspects préférés mais non limitratif du supoport selon l'invention sont les suivants :Preferred but nonlimiting aspects of the supoport according to the invention are the following:
- lesdites régions du support sont organisées à la surface du support de manière essentiellement continue, - lesdites régions du support sont organisées en bandes,said regions of the support are organized on the surface of the support essentially continuously, said regions of the support are organized in strips,
- les régions forment sur la surface du support un motif répétitif.the regions form on the surface of the support a repetitive pattern.
L'invention concerne également l'utilisation d'un support tel que définit ci- dessus pour la fabrication d'une carte personnalisée.The invention also relates to the use of a support as defined above for the manufacture of a personalized card.
D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention ressortiront encore de la description qui suit, laquelle est purement illustrative et non limitative et doit être lue en regard des dessins annexés, sur lesquels, outre la figure 1 qui est une illustration d'un procédé de création d'une image en couleurs de l'art antérieur et qui a déjà été commentée ci- dessus :Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, which is purely illustrative and nonlimiting and should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, in addition to Figure 1 which is an illustration of a process for creating a color image of the prior art and which has already been commented on above:
- La figure 2 est une illustration d'un mode de mise en œuvre du procédé selon la présente invention,FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of the method according to the present invention,
- La figure 3 est une illustration d'un système apte à mettre en oeuvre un mode de mise en œuvre du procédé selon l'invention,FIG. 3 is an illustration of a system able to implement an implementation mode of the method according to the invention,
La figure 4 est une illustration d'un support avantageusement adapté au procédé selon l'invention, - Les figures 5a à 5c illustrent trois modes possibles de répartition de parties d'un support en regard de sa surface, pour une mise en œuvre avantageuse de l'invention,FIG. 4 is an illustration of a support advantageously adapted to the method according to the invention; FIGS. 5a to 5c illustrate three possible modes of distribution of parts of a support facing its surface, for an advantageous implementation of the invention,
- La figure 6 illustre un autre mode possible de répartition de parties d'un support en regard de sa surface, pour une mise en œuvre avantageuse de l'invention.- Figure 6 illustrates another possible mode of distribution of parts of a support facing its surface, for an advantageous implementation of the invention.
L'invention propose notamment un procédé de création d'une image en couleurs sur un support, le support comportant au moins deux composants, chaque composant étant apte à produire une teinte élémentaire respective lorsqu'il est exposé à un faisceau lumineux respectif ayant des caractéristiques respectives, le procédé comprenant le balayage de régions de la surface du support avec les faisceaux lumineux associés respectivement auxdits composants en vue de créer des teintes élémentaires locales dans le matériau du support par exposition sélective de zones locales du support à l'un ou l'autre desdits faisceaux lumineux, le procédé permettant de créer une image colorée à partir desdites teintes élémentaires locales et de leurs combinaisons éventuelles sur des mêmes zones locales, procédé caractérisé en ce que : • Le procédé comprend, pour chaque faisceau lumineux, la définition sur la surface du support d'une région de motif qui est individuellement associée audit faisceau lumineux, et β Le procédé comprend un contrôle du balayage des faisceaux lumineux de manière à ne balayer avec chaque faisceau lumineux que la région de motif qui lui est associée.The invention notably proposes a method for creating a color image on a support, the support comprising at least two components, each component being able to produce a respective elementary tint when it is exposed to a respective light beam having characteristics respectively, the method comprising scanning regions of the surface of the support with the light beams respectively associated with said components to create local elemental hues in the support material by selectively exposing local areas of the support to one or the other another of said light beams, the method for creating a colored image from said local elemental hues and their possible combinations on the same local areas, characterized in that: • The method comprises, for each light beam, the definition on the support surface of a pattern region that is individually a associated with said light beam, and β The method comprises controlling the scanning of the light beams so as to scan with each light beam only the pattern region associated therewith.
Des aspects particuliers de ce procédé sont les suivants : β lesdites caractéristiques des faisceaux lumineux sont des caractéristiques de longueur d'onde,Particular aspects of this method are as follows: β said characteristics of the light beams are wavelength characteristics,
• lesdits faisceaux lumineux sont des faisceaux laser,Said light beams are laser beams,
» lesdites zones locales sont des points permettant de constituer une image,Said local areas are points making it possible to constitute an image,
« pour chaque faisceau lumineux lesdites régions de motif sont organisées à la surface du support de manière à permettre un balayage essentiellement continu desdites régions de motif,For each light beam said pattern regions are arranged on the surface of the support so as to allow substantially continuous scanning of said pattern regions;
• lesdites régions de motif sont organisées en bandes, « les bandes associées aux différents faisceaux lumineux forment sur la surface du support un motif répétitif,Said pattern regions are organized in strips, the bands associated with the different light beams form on the surface of the support a repetitive pattern,
Et l'invention propose également un système de création d'une image en couleurs sur un support, le support comportant au moins deux composants, chaque composant étant apte à produire une teinte élémentaire respective lorsqu'il est exposé à un faisceau lumineux respectif ayant des caractéristiques respectives, le système permettant de créer une image colorée à partir desdites teintes élémentaires locales et de leurs combinaisons éventuelles sur des mêmes zones locales, système caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens aptes :And the invention also proposes a system for creating a color image on a support, the support comprising at least two components, each component being able to produce a respective elementary tint when it is exposed to a respective light beam having respective characteristics, the system for creating a colored image from said local elemental hues and their possible combinations on the same local areas, characterized in that it comprises means suitable:
» pour chaque faisceau lumineux, à définir sur la surface du support des régions de motif qui sont individuellement associées audit faisceau lu mineux, β à contrôler le balayage des faisceaux lumineux de manière à ne balayer avec chaque faisceau lumineux que lesdites régions de motif qui sont individuellement associées audit faisceau lumineux. Enfin comme on le verra, l'invention propose également un support tel qu'une carte plastique comportant au moins deux composants, chaque composant étant apte à produire une teinte élémentaire respective lorsqu'il est exposé à un faisceau lumineux respectif ayant des caractéristiques respectives, les différents composants étant répartis dans des couches respectives différentes, caractérisé en ce que lesdites couches s'étendent de manière à se trouver en regard de différentes régions respectives de la surface du support, définissant ainsi pour chaque composant au moins une région à la surface du support.For each light beam, to define on the surface of the support pattern regions which are individually associated with said light-emitting beam, β to control the scanning of the light beams so as to scan with each light beam only said pattern regions which are individually associated with said light beam. Finally, as will be seen, the invention also proposes a support such as a plastic card comprising at least two components, each component being able to produce a respective elemental shade when exposed to a respective light beam having respective characteristics, the different components being distributed in respective different layers, characterized in that said layers extend so as to face different respective regions of the surface of the support, thus defining for each component at least one region on the surface of the support.
Un tel support peut notamment présenter les caractéristiques suivantes :Such a support may especially have the following characteristics:
• lesdites régions de la surface du support sont organisées à la surface du support de manière essentiellement continue,Said regions of the surface of the support are arranged on the surface of the support essentially continuously,
* lesdites régions de la surface du support sont organisées en bandes, * Said regions of the substrate surface are arranged in bands,
• les bandes associées aux différents composants forment sur la surface du support un motif répétitif,The strips associated with the various components form on the surface of the support a repetitive pattern,
• lesdites couches sont formées dans une feuille du support qui s'étend sensiblement parallèlement à la surface du support,Said layers are formed in a sheet of the support which extends substantially parallel to the surface of the support,
En référence à la figure 2, on a illustré schématiquement un mode de mise en oeuvre du procédé selon l'invention. Ce procédé permet de créer une image en couleurs sur un support tel qu'une carte de format carte à puce, par exemple en plastique.Referring to Figure 2, there is schematically illustrated an embodiment of the method according to the invention. This method makes it possible to create a color image on a medium such as a chip card format card, for example made of plastic.
Le procédé peut être appliqué à tout type de support comprenant au moins deux composants.The method can be applied to any type of support comprising at least two components.
Comme indiqué précédemment, un « composant» peut être un composant photosensible tel que mentionné en introduction de ce texte, apte à produire une teinte élémentaire (telle que par exemple le jaune, le cyan ou le magenta) en réponse à une exposition à un faisceau lumineux ayant des caractéristiques particulières.As indicated above, a "component" can be a photosensitive component as mentioned in the introduction to this text, suitable for produce an elemental hue (such as, for example, yellow, cyan or magenta) in response to exposure to a light beam having particular characteristics.
II est également possible de mettre en œuvre des composants pouvant être sublimés ou retirés en tout ou partie de la couche dans laquelle ils se trouvent initialement, de façon à produire une teinte élémentaire en réponse à une exposition à un activateur tel qu'un faisceau lumineux ou laser ayant des caractéristique particulières.It is also possible to implement components that can be sublimed or removed in all or part of the layer in which they are initially, so as to produce an elementary hue in response to exposure to an activator such as a light beam. or laser having particular characteristics.
Par « caractéristique particulière » on entend typiquement la longueur d'onde du faisceau (ou une longueur d'onde, dans le cas où le faisceau comporte plusieurs longueurs d'ondes) apte à faire générer une teinte élémentaire par le composant en réponse à une exposition audit faisceau lumineux. Cet exemple (non limitatif) de la longueur d'onde comme caractéristique particulière sera développé dans la suite de ce texte.By "particular characteristic" is typically meant the wavelength of the beam (or a wavelength, in the case where the beam has several wavelengths) capable of generating an elementary tint by the component in response to a exposure to said light beam. This (non-limiting) example of the wavelength as a particular characteristic will be developed later in this text.
Le procédé selon l'invention peut être appliqué à un support de type connu, par exemple : * un support tel qu'illustré à la figure 1 et comprendre une superposition, selon une direction perpendiculaire à la surface du support sur laquelle on veut créer une image, de couches pouvant comporter chacune un composant différent, β ou encore un support tel qu'enseigné par le document EP 912 916.The method according to the invention can be applied to a support of known type, for example: a support as illustrated in FIG. 1 and comprise a superposition, in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the support on which it is desired to create a image, layers may each comprise a different component, β or a support as taught by the document EP 912 916.
Le procédé selon l'invention est également applicable à d'autres types de supports connus de l'homme de l'art tels que des supports comprenant une couche unique à la place de la superposition de couches, cette couche unique pouvant comporter un mélange de plusieurs composants.The method according to the invention is also applicable to other types of supports known to those skilled in the art such as supports comprising a single layer in place of the superposition of layers, this single layer may comprise a mixture of several components.
Et comme on le verra ce procédé peut également être appliqué à un type de support particulier, qui correspond à un aspect avantageux de l'invention. Dans une étape 110 du procédé, on définit des régions de motifs à personnaliser 20, 30 sur la surface du support 50 sur laquelle on veut créer une image. Ces régions, qui forment ainsi sur la surface du support un motif, seront désignées par le terme de « régions de motif ».And as will be seen, this method can also be applied to a particular type of support, which corresponds to an advantageous aspect of the invention. In a step 110 of the method, define regions of patterns to be personalized 20, 30 on the surface of the support 50 on which we want to create an image. These regions, which thus form a pattern on the surface of the support, will be referred to as "pattern regions".
Les régions de motifs peuvent être définies de manière à former une partition couvrant l'ensemble de la surface sur laquelle on veut créer une image, ou de manière à ne couvrir cette surface que partiellement.The pattern regions may be defined to form a partition covering the entire surface on which an image is to be created, or so as to cover only this surface partially.
Sur la figure 2, ces régions 20, 30 sont des ensembles de bandes allongées et alternées qui s'étendent parallèlement sur la surface du support. La région de motif 20 est ainsi constituée de l'ensemble des bandes référencées 20 sur cette figure, et la région de motif 30 est constituée de l'ensemble des bandes référencées 30.In FIG. 2, these regions 20, 30 are sets of elongated and alternating strips which extend parallel to the surface of the support. The pattern region 20 thus consists of all the bands referenced 20 in this figure, and the pattern region 30 consists of all the bands referenced 30.
La surface du support va être balayée par plusieurs faisceaux lumineux dont chacun est associé à une ou plusieurs longueur(s) d'onde spécifique(s).The surface of the support will be scanned by several light beams, each of which is associated with one or more specific wavelength (s).
II est également possible de prévoir de ne balayer la surface du support qu'avec un faisceau unique comportant au moins deux longueurs d'onde principales, dans le cas où on utilise le support particulier qui vient d'être mentionné et qui sera décrit plus loin dans ce texte.It is also possible to plan to scan the surface of the support only with a single beam comprising at least two main wavelengths, in the case where the particular support which has just been mentioned and which will be described later is used. in this text.
La surface du support sera balayée par au moins deux longueurs d'onde différentes. Et comme on va le voir, ce balayage sera réalisé de manière particulière.The surface of the support will be scanned by at least two different wavelengths. And as we will see, this scan will be done in a particular way.
A propos de ce balayage, on précise que non seulement on définit des régions de motif, mais on associe en outre chaque région de motif à une des longueurs d'onde du ou des faisceau(x) avec lequel (ou lesquels) on va balayer la surface du support. Cette « association » de chaque région de faisceau à une longueur d'onde signifie que durant le balayage de la surface du support par le ou les faisceau(x), chaque faisceau ne balaiera que la région de motif qui est associée à la longueur d'onde du faisceau (ou à une longueur d'onde du faisceau si celui-ci en comporte plusieurs).About this scan, we specify that not only we define the pattern regions, but we also associate each pattern region with one of the wavelengths of the beam (s) with which (or which) we will scan the surface of the support. This "association" of each beam region to a wavelength means that during the scanning of the support surface by the beam (s), each beam will scan only the pattern region that is associated with the length of the beam. wave of the beam (or at a wavelength of the beam if it has several).
De la sorte, chaque faisceau ne balaiera pas systématiquement l'ensemble de la surface du support, comme cela est le cas dans l'état de la technique qui a été illustré en référence à la figure 1. On peut ainsi réaliser un balayage de la surface en un temps réduit. Par rapport à l'art antérieur pour un support comportant trois composants, le temps d'activation sera réduit au moins d'un facteur trois.In this way, each beam will not systematically scan the entire surface of the support, as is the case in the state of the art which has been illustrated with reference to Figure 1. It is thus possible to perform a scan of the surface in a reduced time. Compared to the prior art for a support comprising three components, the activation time will be reduced by at least a factor of three.
Et inversement, chaque région de motif ne sera balayée que par le faisceau contenant ia longueur d'onde associée à ladite région.And conversely, each pattern region will be scanned only by the beam containing the wavelength associated with said region.
Chaque région de motif comprend au moins un composant. Et en tout état de cause chaque région de motif comprend un composant apte à réagir à l'exposition d'un faisceau de la longueur d'onde associée à la région, pour créer une teinte notamment élémentaire. Les teintes élémentaires associées de la sorte aux différentes longueurs d'onde sont différentes les unes des autres.Each pattern region comprises at least one component. And in any case each pattern region comprises a component able to react to the exposure of a beam of the wavelength associated with the region, to create a particular elementary hue. The elementary hues associated in this way with the different wavelengths are different from each other.
On reviendra plus loin dans ce texte sur la répartition des composants dans les régions élémentaires.We will come back later in this text on the distribution of components in elementary regions.
Lors du balayage de chaque région de motif par le faisceau qui lui est associé, on réalise une attaque sélective de certains points de la région de motif pour y créer localement une teinte élémentaire associée. L'attaque sélective est réalisée par tout moyen connu en soi (contrôle de l'alimentation du faisceau pendant qu'il balaie la région de motif qui lui est associée, utilisation d'un masque, etc.). On réalise ainsi des teintes élémentaires réparties de manière contrôlée sur la surface du support, en un temps réduit.When scanning each pattern region by the beam associated therewith, a selective etching of certain points of the pattern region is performed to locally create an associated elementary tint. The selective attack is carried out by any means known per se (control of the power supply of the beam as it scans the pattern region associated with it, use of a mask, etc.). Elementary tints are thus produced which are distributed in a controlled manner on the surface of the support in a reduced time.
Dans l'exemple de la figure 2, chacune des régions de motif est individuellement associée à l'un de deux faisceaux lumineux 40, 70, chaque faisceau étant lui-même associé à des caractéristiques particulières qui lui sont propres (typiquement en termes de longueur d'onde - dans ce texte on utilise l'exemple de la longueur d'onde comme caractéristique particulière mais dans l'absolu cette caractéristique peut être différente (énergie ou intensité, temps d'exposition, type de puise laser et autres par exemple)), Ainsi, chaque région de motif est associée à un seul des faisceaux ayant des caractéristiques différentes.In the example of FIG. 2, each of the pattern regions is individually associated with one of two light beams 40, 70, each beam being itself associated with particular characteristics that are specific to it (typically in terms of length In this text we use the example of the wavelength as a particular characteristic, but in absolute terms this characteristic may be different (energy or intensity, exposure time, type of laser source and others for example) Thus, each pattern region is associated with only one of the beams having different characteristics.
On précise qu'outre les dispositions spécifiques exposées à propos de l'invention, il est de manière générale possible de prévoir en addition un faisceau supplémentaire pour noircir sélectivement certains endroits de la surface du support, en vue par exemple d'y augmenter le contraste.It should be noted that, in addition to the specific arrangements set forth with respect to the invention, it is generally possible to provide an additional beam in addition to selectively blacken certain areas of the surface of the support, for example in order to increase the contrast therein. .
Les régions de motif 20, 30 sont organisées à la surface du support 10 de manière à permettre un balayage optimisé desdites régions de motif 20, 30. Un « balayage optimisé » est défini comme un balayage dans lequel le chemin parcouru par le ou les faisceau(x) lumineux est minimisé (longueur totale du chemin parcouru par le faisceau additionnée de sauts inter-régions de motif).The pattern regions 20, 30 are arranged on the surface of the support 10 so as to allow optimized scanning of said pattern regions 20, 30. An "optimized scan" is defined as a scan in which the path traveled by the beam (s) (x) bright is minimized (total length of the path traveled by the beam plus inter-region jumps pattern).
Une manière d'obtenir une telle optimisation est de prévoir des régions 20, 30 qui peuvent être balayées par un balayage continu.One way to achieve such optimization is to provide regions 20, 30 which can be scanned by a continuous scan.
On entend, dans le cadre de la présente invention par « balayage continu » un balayage strictement continu (comme par exemple dans le cas du déplacement d'un faisceau le long d'une seule région de motif couvrant la surface à traiter - par exemple une région de motif en colimaçon) ou continu "par morceaux" minimisant les sauts entre différentes zones (comme par exemple dans le cas du déplacement d'un faisceau le long de segments distincts ou bandes). On précise que ce caractère continu du balayage n'a rien à voir avec le fait d'alimenter continûment le faisceau en énergie ou non - il se rapporte simplement à un mode de déplacement du lieu d'impact du faisceau (si celui-ci est alimenté et si le faisceau n'est pas intercepté) sur la surface du support.In the context of the present invention, the term "continuous scanning" is intended to mean a strictly continuous scanning (as for example in the case of the displacement of a beam along a single pattern region covering the surface to be treated - for example a region of spiral pattern) or continuous "piecewise" minimizing jumps between different areas (as for example in the case of moving a beam along separate segments or bands). It is specified that this continuous character of the scan has nothing to do with the fact of continuously supplying the beam with energy or not - it simply refers to a mode of displacement of the place of impact of the beam (if it is powered and if the beam is not intercepted) on the surface of the support.
Dans un mode de réalisation, les régions de motif 20, 30 sont organisées en ensemble de bandes. Ces bandes associées aux différents faisceaux 40, 70 peuvent former un motif répétitif 80 sur la surface du support 10.In one embodiment, the pattern regions 20, 30 are arranged in a set of bands. These bands associated with the different beams 40, 70 may form a repeating pattern 80 on the surface of the support 10.
Dans d'autres modes de réalisation, ces régions de motif peuvent être organisées de manière à former des réseaux de zones ou points (discrets et séparés ou reliés entre eux) uniformément répartis selon un pas déterminé, des disques pleins, des tirets formant un motif répétitif qui peuvent être destinés à accroître la sécurité, l'homogénéité de la personnalisation.In other embodiments, these pattern regions may be organized to form networks of zones or points (discrete and separated or interconnected) uniformly distributed at a determined pitch, solid discs, dashes forming a pattern repetitive that can be intended to increase security, homogeneity of customization.
On précise à propos de ces modes de réalisation dans lesquels chaque région de motif est organisée en un ensemble de zones ou points discrets, que dans un mode particulier, on définit n régions de motifs (n étant un entier supérieur ou égal à deux), les régions de motif étant constituées en référence à un ensemble de régions discrètes telles que des petits rectangles, réparties (de préférence de manière régulière) sur la surface du support.It is specified in connection with these embodiments in which each pattern region is organized into a set of discrete zones or points, that in a particular mode, n is defined as regions of patterns (n being an integer greater than or equal to two), the pattern regions being constituted by reference to a set of discrete regions such as small rectangles, distributed (preferably regularly) on the surface of the support.
On peut ainsi notamment, comme illustré sur la figure 6 ;It can thus notably, as illustrated in FIG. 6;
« Définir sur la surface du support un ensemble de petits rectangles R (rectangles ou autre forme - la représentation de la figure 6 n'est qu'une illustration particulière de ce mode),"Define on the surface of the support a set of small rectangles R (rectangles or other shape - the representation of Figure 6 is only a particular illustration of this mode),
« Chacun de ces rectangles comprenant n zones - ici trois zones - qui forment chacune une partie d'une région de motif respective, « De la sorte, on constitue trois régions de motif : o Une première région de motif qui rassemble les « premières zones » de chaque rectangle R (par exemple pour chaque rectangle R la zone la plus à gauche du rectangle sur la figure), o Une deuxième région de motif qui rassemble les « deuxièmes zones » de chaque rectangle R (par exemple pour chaque rectangle R la zone centrale du rectangle sur la figure), o Une troisième région de motif qui rassemble les « troisièmes zones » de chaque rectangle R (par exemple pour chaque rectangle R la zone la plus à droite du rectangle sur la figure)."Each of these rectangles comprising n zones - here three zones - which each form part of a respective pattern region, "In this way, three regions of pattern are formed: o A first pattern region that brings together the" first zones "of each rectangle R (for example for each rectangle R the leftmost zone of the rectangle in the figure), o A second pattern region that gathers the "second zones" of each rectangle R (for each rectangle R, for example, the central zone of the rectangle in the figure), o A third pattern region that gathers the "third zones" of each rectangle R (for example for each rectangle R the rightmost zone of the rectangle in the figure).
On procédera ensuite au balayage de chaque région de motif avec un faisceau respectif, comme cela va être expliqué plus en détail.Each pattern region will then be scanned with a respective beam, as will be explained in more detail.
On précise que cette figure 6 (et ses adaptations dans lesquelles on utilise comme formes élémentaires des formes différentes de rectangles) correspond à un mode de réalisation avantageux, car il permet de ne disposer des composants qu'en certains endroits du support, les surfaces situées entre les rectangles étant dépourvues de tout composant.It is pointed out that this FIG. 6 (and its adaptations in which elementary forms of the different forms of rectangles are used) corresponds to an advantageous embodiment, since it makes it possible to have the components only in certain parts of the support, the surfaces located between the rectangles being devoid of any component.
Ceci permet une réalisation économique du support, car les composants sont habituellement onéreux.This allows an economic realization of the support, because the components are usually expensive.
Ce mode de réalisation permet de constituer des images de manière particulièrement simple, tout en conservant les avantages énoncés ci- dessus.This embodiment makes it possible to constitute images in a particularly simple manner, while retaining the advantages mentioned above.
Dans ce mode de réalisation, le support d'image comporte au moins une pluralité de régions activables décalées les unes des autres vues de l'extérieur perpendiculairement à ladite surface (c'est-à-dire décalées les unes des autres lorsque ces régions sont observées selon une direction perpendiculaire à la surface du support).In this embodiment, the image carrier has at least a plurality of activatable regions offset from each other from the outside perpendicular to said surface (i.e. each other when these regions are observed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the support).
On précise qu'un support du type de celui illustré à la figure 6 peut en outre être utilisé avec tout procédé connu de création d'image faisant intervenir un balayage de l'ensemble de la surface du support pour le traitement du support par un (des) faisceau(x) lumineux (on peut par exemple créer une image sur un tel support avec un procédé tel qu'illustré à la figure 1, ou encore avec un procédé tel qu'enseigné par le document EP 912 916).It is specified that a support of the type illustrated in FIG. 6 may also be used with any known imaging process involving a scanning of the entire surface of the support for the treatment of the support by a a) beam (x) light (can for example create an image on such a support with a method as illustrated in Figure 1, or with a method as taught by EP 912 916).
Toutefois, dans un mode avantageux, l'activation est localisée sur les régions du support comportant le composant.However, in an advantageous mode, the activation is localized on the regions of the support comprising the component.
Cette activation localisée permet notamment : de limiter les pertes énergétiques d'activation liées au balayage des surfaces du support dépourvues de tout composant, et de réduire le temps d'exposition et de réduire ainsi le temps de création d'une image.This localized activation makes it possible: to limit the activation energy losses associated with the scanning of the surfaces of the support devoid of any component, and to reduce the exposure time and thus reduce the time of creation of an image.
Dans le cas d'une utilisation d'un tel support avec un procédé connu, on conserve notamment l'avantage d'économiser les composants du support.In the case of a use of such a support with a known method, one particular advantage of preserving the components of the support is retained.
On précise également que ce type de configuration se prête bien à un mode simplifié de mise en œuvre de l'invention, dans lequel on constitue une image monochrome. On reviendra sur ce mode simplifié.It is also specified that this type of configuration lends itself well to a simplified mode of implementation of the invention, in which a monochrome image is constituted. We will return to this simplified mode.
On va maintenant détailler un exemple de balayage de la surface du support par les faisceaux 40 et 70.We will now detail an example of scanning the surface of the support by the beams 40 and 70.
Dans une étape 120 du procédé, on déplace le premier faisceau lumineux 40 provenant d'une source lumineuse 50 de sorte que ce premier faisceau lumineux 50 ne balaie que la première région de motif 20 qui lui est individuellement associée.In a step 120 of the method, the first light beam 40 is moved from a light source 50 so that this first beam luminous 50 only scans the first pattern region 20 which is individually associated with it.
Lors de ce balayage on réalise une attaque sélective de certaines zones de la région 20 avec le faisceau 40.During this scanning, a selective attack of certain zones of the region 20 with the beam 40 is carried out.
Cette étape a pour but de générer dans certaines zones de la région 20 une première teinte élémentaire localement dans le matériau du support par exposition sélective de zones locales du support et activation du ou des composants de ces zones qui sont associés à la longueur d'onde du premier faisceau 40.The purpose of this step is to generate, in certain zones of the region 20, a first elementary hue locally in the support material by selectively exposing local areas of the support and activating the component (s) of these zones that are associated with the wavelength. the first beam 40.
Les zones locales sont par exemple des points. Elles permettront de contribuer à la constitution d'une image.Local areas are for example points. They will contribute to the constitution of an image.
Plus précisément, les zones exposées au premier faisceau lumineux correspondent à des points désirés de la première région de motif, selon la personnalisation désirée pour l'image à créer.More precisely, the zones exposed to the first light beam correspond to desired points of the first pattern region, according to the desired personalization for the image to be created.
A cet effet, l'exposition du support au faisceau est effectuée point par point, et la dimension transversale (diamètre typiquement ) du faisceau arrivant sur le support est contrôlée pour correspondre à la dimension désirée des points, en :For this purpose, the exposure of the support to the beam is carried out point by point, and the transverse dimension (diameter typically) of the beam arriving on the support is controlled to correspond to the desired dimension of the points, by:
« utilisant un faisceau lumineux de diamètre adapté (par exemple en utilisant une lentille de focalisation),"Using a light beam of appropriate diameter (for example by using a focusing lens),
* ou en utilisant un faisceau de diamètre supérieur au diamètre désiré pour le point et en intercalant alors entre la source de lumière et le support un filtre ou un masque cachant les parties du support à ne pas exposer.or by using a beam of diameter greater than the desired diameter for the point and then interposing between the light source and the support a filter or a mask hiding the parts of the support not to expose.
L'attaque est ainsi dirigée sur des points précis des premières régions de motif de la surface de la couche à imprimer, selon le motif désiré. Dans une autre étape 130 du procédé, on déplace une deuxième source lumineuse 60 apte à émettre le deuxième faisceau lumineux 70. Ce déplacement de la deuxième source 60 est contrôlé de sorte que le deuxième faisceau lumineux 70 ne balaie que les deuxièmes régions de motif 30 qui lui sont individuellement associées.The attack is thus directed to specific points of the first pattern regions of the surface of the layer to be printed, according to the desired pattern. In another step 130 of the method, a second light source 60 is displaced capable of emitting the second light beam 70. This displacement of the second source 60 is controlled so that the second light beam 70 sweeps only the second pattern regions 30. which are individually associated with it.
Et lors de cette étape encore, une attaque sélective sera réalisée avec le faisceau 70 pour créer avec les composants contenus dans la région de motif 30 une deuxième teinte élémentaire en des points désirés.And in this step again, a selective etching will be performed with the beam 70 to create with the components contained in the pattern region 30 a second elemental tint at desired points.
Cette étape a en effet pour but de générer dans certaines zones de la région 30 une deuxième teinte élémentaire localement dans le matériau du support par exposition sélective de zones locales du support et activation du ou des composants de ces zones qui sont associés à la longueur d'onde du deuxième faisceau 70.This step is indeed intended to generate in certain areas of the region 30 a second elementary hue locally in the support material by selective exposure of local areas of the support and activation of the component or components of these areas which are associated with the length of the wave of the second beam 70.
Ainsi, chaque source lumineuse 50, 60 ne parcourt pas la totalité de la surface du support à imprimer, mais parcourt une partie seulement de la surface du support.Thus, each light source 50, 60 does not travel through the entire surface of the medium to be printed, but travels only a part of the surface of the support.
On précise qu'il est même possible de réaliser les balayages des différentes régions de motif avec différents faisceaux simultanément (dans l'exemple qui vient d'être cité cela revient à réaliser les étapes 120 et 130 simultanément), en utilisant par exemple un peigne qui porterait ces faisceaux côte à côte et en déplaçant le peigne au-dessus de la surface du support de sorte que chaque faisceau ne balaie que la région de motif qui lui a été associée.It is specified that it is even possible to perform the scans of the different pattern regions with different beams simultaneously (in the example just mentioned it amounts to carrying out steps 120 and 130 simultaneously), for example using a comb which would carry these beams side by side and moving the comb above the surface of the support so that each beam sweeps only the pattern region associated with it.
Par exemple, sur un support comportant trois composants, en utilisant trois faisceaux, on réduit le temps de personnalisation d'un facteur neuf par rapport à une configuration connue de l'art antérieur où on balaierait l'ensemble de la surface du support avec chacun des trois faisceaux, et où ces trois balayages seraient en outre effectués séquentiellement les uns après les autres.For example, on a support comprising three components, using three beams, the customization time is reduced by a factor of nine with respect to a configuration known from the prior art in which the entire surface of the support is swept with each of the three beams, and where these three scans would also be performed sequentially one after the other.
En référence à la figure 3, on a illustré un mode de réalisation d'un système permettant de mettre en œuvre le procédé décrit ci-dessus.Referring to Figure 3, there is illustrated an embodiment of a system for implementing the method described above.
Ce système comprend une embase 300, des moyens de saisie 310 et des moyens de commande 320 aptes à commander une pluralité de sources lumineuses (ces sources sont au nombre de trois dans cet exemple particulier).This system comprises a base 300, input means 310 and control means 320 able to control a plurality of light sources (these sources are three in this particular example).
L'embase 300 est destinée à recevoir le support 200 sur lequel on désire créer une image. Dans un mode de réalisation, cette embase est fixe. Dans un autre mode de réalisation, l'embase est apte à se déplacer, le déplacement de l'embase étant commandé par les moyens de commande.The base 300 is intended to receive the support 200 on which it is desired to create an image. In one embodiment, this base is fixed. In another embodiment, the base is able to move, the displacement of the base being controlled by the control means.
Les moyens de saisie 310 permettent à un utilisateur de saisir des paramètres utilisateur comme par exemple le nombre de composants du support 200 à traiter.The input means 310 allow a user to enter user parameters such as the number of components of the support 200 to be processed.
Les sources lumineuses 331, 332, 333 de la pluralité de sources lumineuses 330 sont de tout type connu de l'homme de l'art. Dans un mode de réalisation, les sources lumineuses 331, 332, 333 sont ici des lasers qui émettent des faisceaux laser 334, 335, 336, chaque composant étant sensible à une longueur d'onde particulière.The light sources 331, 332, 333 of the plurality of light sources 330 are of any type known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the light sources 331, 332, 333 here are lasers that emit laser beams 334, 335, 336, each component being sensitive to a particular wavelength.
Les moyens de commande 340 sont par exemple un ordinateur programmé pour mettre en œuvre les étapes du procédé et notamment pour contrôler le balayage du faisceau lumineux 334, 335, 336 issu de chaque source 331, 332, 333 de la pluralité de sources lumineuses 330.The control means 340 are for example a computer programmed to implement the steps of the method and in particular to control the scanning of the light beam 334, 335, 336 from each source 331, 332, 333 of the plurality of light sources 330.
Dans tous les cas, les étapes de définition des régions de motifs et de balayage adapté permettent de faire réagir seulement certains composants de la ou des couches pour créer les teintes élémentaires tout en ne balayant avec chaque faisceau que la région de motif qui lui est associée.In all cases, the steps of defining the pattern regions and the adapted scan make it possible to react only certain components of the layer or layers to create the elementary hues while scanning with each beam that the pattern region associated with it.
II est également possible de mettre l'invention en œuvre sur un support particulier, que l'on va maintenant décrire.It is also possible to implement the invention on a particular support, which will now be described.
En référence à la figure 4, on a en effet illustré un support 400 selon l'invention particulièrement adapté à l'utilisation avec le procédé et le système pour la création d'une image en couleurs.With reference to FIG. 4, a support 400 according to the invention has been illustrated which is particularly suitable for use with the method and the system for creating a color image.
Ce support 400 est par exemple une carte plastique telle qu'une carte du type carte de paiement, d'identification, carte téléphonique, etc.This support 400 is for example a plastic card such as a card of the card type payment, identification, phone card, etc..
Le support 400 est obtenu en laminant ensemble plusieurs couches ou feuilles de matériau :The support 400 is obtained by laminating together several layers or sheets of material:
» Le corps de carte 600, qui constitue un ensemble de feuilles comportant notamment une feuille dite « cœur » de carte, ou une feuille (au cas où le corps est réduit au cœur) relativement épaisse (donnant une épaisseur de l'ordre du mm). Ce corps est dans le cas des cartes plastiques généralement constitué en PVC (polyvinyle Chlorure) ou PET (polyéthylène), ou encore en PC (polycarbonate),The card body 600, which constitutes a set of sheets including in particular a sheet called "heart" card, or a sheet (in the case where the body is reduced to the heart) relatively thick (giving a thickness of the order of mm ). This body is in the case of plastic cards generally made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or PET (polyethylene), or PC (polycarbonate),
• Deux feuilles de recouvrement 610 peu épaisses (de l'ordre de quelques dizaines voire quelques centaines de microns) collées sur les deux faces du corps 600. Ces feuilles de recouvrement 610 sont appelées « overlay » selon la terminologie anglo-saxonne répandue. Elles sont généralement transparentes,• Two cover sheets 610 thin (of the order of a few tens or even a few hundred microns) glued on both sides of the body 600. These cover sheets 610 are called "overlay" according to the common English terminology. They are generally transparent,
• Et dans certains cas des couches adhésives intermédiaires entre le corps et les feuilles de recouvrement. Ces couches adhésives sont destinées notamment à solidariser le corps et les feuilles de recouvrement. Le corps de carte 600 du support 400 possède un (ou plusieurs) revêtement(s) qui comporte(nt) dans leur ensemble les trois composants différents pouvant être déposés par différents procédés pouvant être le jet d'encre, de matière, l'impression offset, la sérigraphie....• And in some cases intermediate adhesive layers between the body and the cover sheets. These adhesive layers are intended in particular to secure the body and the cover sheets. The card body 600 of the support 400 has one (or more) coating (s) which comprises (s) as a whole the three different components that can be deposited by various processes that can be inkjet, material, printing offset, screen printing ....
Chaque composant est apte à produire une teinte particulière lorsqu'il est exposé à un faisceau lumineux particulier ayant des caractéristiques particulières.Each component is able to produce a particular hue when exposed to a particular light beam having particular characteristics.
Les premier, deuxième et troisième composants sont respectivement répartis dans des premières, deuxièmes et troisièmes parties 410, 420, 430 qui sont agencées pour former à la surface du support un motif - ici des bandes.The first, second and third components are respectively distributed in first, second and third portions 410, 420, 430 which are arranged to form on the surface of the support a pattern - here strips.
II est possible de prévoir ainsi un nombre quelconque de « parties », chacune étant associée à un composant - et chaque composant étant lui- même associé à un faisceau d'une longueur d'onde donnée avec laquelle il peut réagir pour générer une teinte élémentaire.It is thus possible to provide any number of "parts", each being associated with a component - and each component being itself associated with a beam of a given wavelength with which it can react to generate an elementary tint. .
Chaque partie 410, 420, 430 s'étend de manière à se trouver en regard de différentes régions respectives de la surface 650 du support 400, définissant ainsi pour chaque composant au moins une région à la surface 650 du support 400.Each portion 410, 420, 430 extends so as to face different respective regions of the surface 650 of the support 400, thereby defining for each component at least one region at the surface 650 of the support 400.
Et ces régions seront avantageusement utilisées comme « régions de motif » dans le cadre du procédé qui a été décrit.And these regions will be advantageously used as "pattern regions" in the context of the method that has been described.
Dans le mode de réalisation illustré à la figure 4, les parties 410, 420, 430 s'étendent dans l'épaisseur du support 400 et appartiennent à une même feuille sensiblement parallèle à la surface du support 400.In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the portions 410, 420, 430 extend in the thickness of the support 400 and belong to the same sheet substantially parallel to the surface of the support 400.
Dans un mode de réalisation, les parties de la surface 650 du support 400 sont organisées à la surface 650 du support 400 de manière essentiellement continue. Par exemple, dans un mode de réalisation, les régions de la surface du support sont organisées en bandes, et forment à la surface du support un motif répétitif.In one embodiment, the portions of the surface 650 of the support 400 are organized at the surface 650 of the support 400 of essentially continuous way. For example, in one embodiment, the regions of the surface of the support are organized into strips, and form on the surface of the support a repeating pattern.
II est également possible de répartir ces différentes parties de manière généralement homogène en regard de la surface du support, en une pluralité de zones discrètes séparées les unes des autres. Ceci est illustré sur les figures 5a à 5c, qui sont trois exemples de répartition de trois parties en regard de la surface du support.It is also possible to distribute these different parts in a generally homogeneous manner facing the surface of the support, in a plurality of discrete zones separated from each other. This is illustrated in Figures 5a to 5c, which are three examples of distribution of three parts facing the surface of the support.
Le lecteur aura compris que le support selon l'invention ne se limite pas au mode de réalisation illustré à la figure 4.The reader will have understood that the support according to the invention is not limited to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4.
Il en va de même du procédé et du système selon l'invention qui peuvent être adaptés à tout type de support comprenant au moins un composant.The same is true of the method and system according to the invention which can be adapted to any type of support comprising at least one component.
On notera que dans le cas de la mise en œuvre de l'invention sur un support dont la surface est partitionnée en différentes régions de motif, le fait d'éviter de superposer verticalement (c'est-à-dire selon une direction perpendiculaire à la surface sur laquelle l'image est créée) les composants et les teintes permet également d'éviter de superposer les résidus et autres particules qui leur sont associés et qui tendraient à diminuer la clarté de l'image obtenue. L'invention permet donc à cet égard de créer des images de qualité (notamment en termes de clarté) améliorée.Note that in the case of the implementation of the invention on a support whose surface is partitioned into different pattern regions, the fact of avoiding superimposing vertically (that is to say in a direction perpendicular to the surface on which the image is created) the components and the hues also makes it possible to avoid superimposing the residues and other particles associated with them which would tend to reduce the clarity of the image obtained. The invention therefore makes it possible in this respect to create images of improved quality (especially in terms of clarity).
En outre, dans le cas où on met en œuvre l'invention avec un faisceau lumineux comportant plusieurs longueurs d'ondes principales, le nombre de sources de lumières est réduit ce qui correspond à une économie.In addition, in the case where the invention is implemented with a light beam having several main wavelengths, the number of light sources is reduced which corresponds to a saving.
L'invention permet également d'économiser les composants activables dans le support. Bien que la présente invention ait été décrite principalement dans le cas de composants aptes à révéler une couleur par exposition à un faisceau lumineux, il est possible de mettre en œuvre l'invention avec des composants activés par une autre manière que l'exposition à un faisceau lumineux. On peut ainsi (et de manière non limitative) mettre en œuvre l'invention avec des composants que l'on active par exemple par une sonde thermique, ou par un faisceau d'onde électromagnétique.The invention also saves the activatable components in the support. Although the present invention has been described mainly in the case of components capable of revealing a color by exposure to a light beam, it is possible to implement the invention with components activated in a manner other than exposure to a light. light bleam. It is thus possible (and not limited to) to implement the invention with components that are activated for example by a thermal probe, or by an electromagnetic wave beam.
On précise que l'invention peut être mise en œuvre selon un mode simplifié, dans lequel on définit une seule région de motif à la surface du support.It is specified that the invention can be implemented according to a simplified mode, in which a single pattern region is defined on the surface of the support.
Dans ce cas encore, la région de motif peut être une région continue, ou bien la réunion de zones ou points discrets et séparés les uns des autres. La région de motif unique peut ainsi être constituée de la réunion de zones discrètes telles que les rectangles R de la figure 6 - simplement dans ce cas le support ne comportera qu'un composant au niveau des rectangles.In this case again, the pattern region may be a continuous region, or the union of discrete areas or points and separated from each other. The unique pattern region can thus consist of the union of discrete zones such as the rectangles R of FIG. 6 - simply in this case the support will comprise only one component at the level of the rectangles.
Dans ce mode simplifié, l'unique région de motif peut ne comprendre qu'un composant unique.In this simplified mode, the unique pattern region may comprise only one component.
Ce composant peut réagir différemment à différentes longueurs d'ondes, pour créer des teintes élémentaires différentes. Dans ce cas, on pourra balayer la région de motif avec plusieurs faisceaux, certaines zones de la région de motif étant balayées par un (ou certains) faisceau(x) seulement en vue de créer différentes teintes élémentaires dans les différentes zones de la région de motif unique.This component can react differently at different wavelengths, to create different elemental tints. In this case, the pattern region can be scanned with a plurality of beams, with some areas of the pattern region being scanned by one (or some) beam (x) only to create different elemental tints in the different areas of the region. unique pattern.
Ce mode simplifié permet d'exploiter un support ne comportant qu'un composant unique. Et dans une variante particulière de ce mode simplifié, on effectue le balayage de la région de motif avec un seul et unique faisceau. Dans ce cas on crée une image monochrome, par la génération de la teinte élémentaire unique que le composant unique produit en réponse à l'exposition du faisceau unique, aux endroits où cette exposition est réalisée. This simplified mode makes it possible to exploit a medium comprising only a single component. And in a particular variant of this simplified mode, the pattern region is scanned with a single beam. In this case, a monochrome image is created by generating the single elementary tint that the single component produces in response to the exposure of the single beam, at the places where this exposure is performed.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Procédé de création d'une image telle qu'une personnalisation et/ou impression graphique sur un support comportant des régions activables sous l'effet d'un activateur, caractérisé en ce que1. A method of creating an image such as a personalization and / or graphic printing on a support comprising activatable regions under the effect of an activator, characterized in that
- l'on fournit un support (400) comportant au moins une pluralité de régions aptes à révéler une teinte sous l'effet de l'activateur, lesdites régions étant décalées les unes des autres, vues de l'activateur, - et en ce que l'activation de la teinte est effectuée uniquement de manière localisée sur lesdites régions.providing a support (400) comprising at least a plurality of regions capable of revealing a hue under the effect of the activator, said regions being displaced from each other, seen from the activator, and in this respect that the activation of the hue is performed only in a localized manner on said regions.
2. Procédé selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que le support (400) fourni comprend trois pluralités de régions, chaque pluralité étant apte à révéler une teinte déterminée sous l'effet d'un activateur.2. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support (400) provided comprises three pluralities of regions, each plurality being able to reveal a given hue under the effect of an activator.
3. Procédé selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que la position de chaque région est pré enregistrée et en ce qu'il comprend une étape de contrôle de l'activation de manière à n'activer que sur lesdites régions.3. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the position of each region is pre-recorded and in that it comprises a step of controlling the activation so as to activate only on said regions.
4. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les régions comprennent au moins un composant apte à réagir différemment à différentes longueurs d'ondes pour créer des teintes différentes.4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the regions comprise at least one component capable of reacting differently at different wavelengths to create different hues.
5. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les régions couvrent des composants aptes à être sublimés ou devenir transparents sous l'effet d'un activateur. 5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the regions cover components capable of being sublimated or become transparent under the effect of an activator.
6. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'activateur est choisi parmi une sonde thermique, un faisceau d'onde électromagnétique, un laser.6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activator is selected from a thermal probe, an electromagnetic wave beam, a laser.
7. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les régions (20, 30) sont organisées en bandes à la surface du support.7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the regions (20, 30) are arranged in strips on the surface of the support.
8. Procédé selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que les bandes forment sur la surface (55) du support (10) un motif répétitif.8. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the strips form on the surface (55) of the support (10) a repeating pattern.
9. Support (400) comportant une surface externe et au moins une pluralité de régions activables aptes à révéler une teinte sous l'effet d'un activateur, lesdites régions étant décalées les unes des autres vues de l'extérieur perpendiculairement à ladite surface.9. Support (400) having an outer surface and at least a plurality of activatable regions capable of revealing a hue under the effect of an activator, said regions being offset from each other from the outside perpendicular to said surface.
10. Support selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que lesdites régions du support (400) sont organisées à la surface (650) du support de manière essentiellement continue.10. Support according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said regions of the support (400) are arranged on the surface (650) of the support substantially continuously.
11. Support selon l'une des revendications 9 et 10, caractérisé en ce que lesdites régions du support (400) sont organisées en bandes.11. Support according to one of claims 9 and 10, characterized in that said regions of the support (400) are organized in strips.
12. Support selon l'une des revendications 9 à 11, caractérisé en ce que les régions forment sur la surface du support un motif répétitif.12. Support according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the regions form on the surface of the support a repeating pattern.
13. Utilisation d'un support selon l'une des revendications 9 à 12 pour la fabrication d'une carte personnalisée. 13. Use of a support according to one of claims 9 to 12 for the manufacture of a personalized card.
EP06793948A 2005-10-07 2006-10-03 Method of creating an image on a support Withdrawn EP1934057A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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FR0510291A FR2891765B1 (en) 2005-10-07 2005-10-07 METHOD FOR CREATING AN IMAGE ON A MEDIUM
PCT/EP2006/066982 WO2007042426A1 (en) 2005-10-07 2006-10-03 Method of creating an image on a support

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EP3476618A1 (en) * 2017-10-31 2019-05-01 Gemalto Sa Method for securing the customised zone of a secure document and secure device comprising such a customised zone

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FR2891765A1 (en) 2007-04-13
WO2007042426A1 (en) 2007-04-19
US20090315969A1 (en) 2009-12-24

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