EP2004504B1 - Method and tradeable packet for holding a portable data storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves placing a portable data medium (10) e.g. smart card, and an accessory equipment into a tradable package e.g. outer package, where the data medium carries a secret code and identification information. The outer package is designed as partially transparent, so that a viewing side of the medium is recognizable, and the outer package is individualized through reproduction of the information on an outer side of the medium. The information is superimposed on a lower side of the medium and is read from the medium after the medium is placed in the outer package. An independent claim is also included for a portable data medium.

Description

The invention relates to the packaging of mass-produced, suitable for the identification of a user portable data carriers in tradable individual packaging. In particular, the invention relates to the packaging of SIM ( Subscriber Identity Module ) modules in individual packaging.

From the US 5,541,395 A A method for packaging magnetic stripe cards in shipping bags is known. The magnetic stripe cards and the shipping bags are printed with matching information, such as the name of a future cardholder. The information is also coded in the magnetic stripe and printed again on the mailer in the form of a machine-readable barcode. Prior to assembling the magnetic stripe card and shipping pouch, the applied information is checked for compliance. For this purpose, the magnetic strip on the one hand and the machine-readable barcode on the other hand are read. The method allows a machine to perform the packaging process and ensures that personalized cards arrive only in their respective shipping bags. The method assumes that the shipping bags are completely personalized when they are brought together with the cards to be packaged. It is not suitable for applications in which the individualization of a package takes place only after assembly with a disk to be packaged.

From the US 5,054,271 A For example, there is known a method of packaging an article in an overpack that is transparent in the area of the article. The outer packaging consists essentially of a molded transparent plastic material, which is held by a support frame, which consists for example of paper.

From the US 5,505,494 A Furthermore, an identity card is known, which is provided on one side with a person identifying information such as in particular a photo and personal data and carries a two-dimensional barcode on the back. The two-dimensional barcode also contains in machine-readable form the data identifying the person. Two-dimensional barcodes contain information in coded form along a main direction and perpendicular to this main direction. Two-dimensional barcodes are known in various configurations, such as under the designation PDF 417 or as so-called matrix code, both of which are described in international standards.

From the DE 4415 667 A1 a method for producing a chip card shipping unit is known, which consists of an envelope in which a cover letter and a shipping envelope with one or more smart cards are inserted. The shipping envelope consists of a series of contiguous individual pockets, which were cut off, for example, from a continuous shipping envelope. In each individual pocket a chip card is placed. Shipping envelope and cover letter are each provided with a matching identification code. Several shipping envelopes can carry the same identification code. By means of the identification code, shipping envelopes and cover letters are brought together. On a smart card can continue to be plain text chip card data attached. Likewise, plain text data can also be applied to the envelope or its back. The application of plain text data is completely independent. The success of the process depends on the correct application of the identification codes to shipping envelopes and cover letters. If an error occurs here, this leads to an incorrect assignment of chip cards and cover letters.

From the DE 40 20 578 A1 Furthermore, a solution is known for applying a machine code corresponding to the specifications of a national post office to an envelope. For this purpose, the actual letter is to be provided next to a plain text address with a readable for an internal reading station machine code. The address field is then placed in the window of an envelope with a window. Subsequently, the internal machine code is read automatically through the window and from this a machine code corresponding to the specifications of the respective national post office is generated. This is finally printed on the outside of the envelope. A letter processed in this way can in principle also contain attachments. The solution is completely based on the handling of ordinary postal mail.

From the DE 20 2005 019161 U1 Further, a mailing envelope for DVDs is known which includes a window through which a code attached to a DVD is readable. The code is read by machine and allows the assignment of the DVD to a receiver whose address is applied to the outside of the envelope. The solution is also designed exclusively for postal mail and does not provide any form of visualization of a different area of a DVD in addition to the machine code.

From the DE 44 38 460 A1 It is known to apply a machine-readable barcode to the underside of a data carrier, which may in particular have the shape of a chip card.

From the US 2003/189095 A1 It is known to connect a data carrier in the form of a SIM card with an electronic label, with the aid of the circulation of a SIM card can be monitored.

From the US Pat. No. 6,898,299 B1 It is known to provide a card in credit card format with a bar code in order to identify a card owner. Incidentally, the concept of providing data carriers in the form of credit or SIM cards with electronically readable codes in order to make identifications possible is generally known.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method for packaging portable media in tradeable packages, which allows to bring small-sized portable media in outer packaging, which are customized after insertion on the disk.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the data carrier associated with ID information is no longer applied as before on the visible side of the disk but on the bottom and read from there through the Umverpakkung through the ID information to regain and be able to apply to the outer packaging. The application of the ID information to the underside of the data carrier has the advantage that as a rule the entire surface of the data carrier can be used and the ID information can be correspondingly formed over a large area or more extensively. By reading out the ID information after placing the data carrier in the outer packaging, by a Verfah-continued with p. 4.1. Abs. Of the original application documents direct linkage of information taken directly from a data carrier with the corresponding information applied to the outer packaging ensures that the data carrier belonging to an ID information is actually in the outer packaging. Special steps for assigning an ID information to a disk, something the breaking out of small-sized media from larger carriers, on which the ID information is located, is eliminated. By the portable data carriers can be handled for packaging in its final size, the inventive method allows the fully automated packaging of very small-sized data carriers. These can be provided in an advantageous manner, in particular in a roll or in the form of strips, from which they are separated by machine for packaging. The inventive method is particularly advantageous for packaging SIM cards or chip cards of comparable or even smaller size, which are provided in a roll or in strips of a plurality of individual cards.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the ID information is applied in the form of a two-dimensional barcode. Preferably, the ID information is also invisible to the naked eye or at least difficult to recognize and readable only with a special reader. In order to support the readout, the packaging is preferably designed to be transparent at the placement location of the data carrier. By reading out the ID information from the bottom of the data carrier, the provision of the secret code contained on the data carrier is preferably controlled. With reference to the drawing, an embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail below.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Aufsicht auf die Sichtseite eines tragbaren Daten- trägers,

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Aufsicht auf die Unterseite eines tragbaren Da- tenträgers,

Fig. 3

ein Paket enthaltend einen tragbaren Datenträger und einen Beipack im Querschnitt.

Fig. 4

die Bereitstellung zu verpackender Datenträger in einer Rolle,

Fig. 5

die Vereinzelung von in einem Streifen bereitgestellten tragbaren Da- tenträgern,

Fig. 6

ein Flußdiagramm des erfindungsgemäßen Herstellungsverfahrens,

Fig. 7

eine Variante eines Paketes,

Fig. 8

das Grundprinzip einer Umsetzung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfah- rens, und

Fig. 9

eine Unterform mit eingelegtem, aus einem Magazin zugeführten Mo- dul in teilperspektivischer Ansicht.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of the visible side of a portable data carrier,

Fig. 2

a perspective view of the underside of a portable data carrier,

Fig. 3

a package containing a portable data carrier and an accessory pack in cross section.

Fig. 4

the provisioning of data carriers in a roll,

Fig. 5

the separation of portable data carriers provided in a strip,

Fig. 6

a flow chart of the manufacturing method according to the invention,

Fig. 7

a variant of a package,

Fig. 8

the basic principle of an implementation of the method according to the invention, and

Fig. 9

a lower mold with inserted module fed from a magazine in partial perspective view.

For the following description, the embodiment for a portable data carrier to be packaged is based on a known, standard SIM module, as shown in FIGS Fig. 1 and 2 is indicated. The basis of a SIM module as a design for a portable data carrier 10 takes place only as an example for the purpose of easier description. Nevertheless, the proposed method is also equally successful for other data carrier design forms which have a visible side which is considerably occupied by technical or informative elements and an underside which has no or little occupancy.

The SIM module 10, referred to below simply as a module, has a flat, approximately rectangular shape with a visible side 12, on which a contact pad 14 is formed, and a planar underside 16. A module is located in the module 10, which is inaccessible from the outside 11, in which a secret software code is stored. The chip is connected to the contact pad 14. The contact field 14 typically covers more than half of the visible side 12. In the remaining free area of the visible side 12, an information field 18 is formed in which information about the module are displayed. The information field 18 typically contains identification information for the unambiguous designation of the module 10 as well as information about the distributor of the module 10.

On the bottom 16 of the module 10, a machine-readable code 20 is applied, for the reading of a reader 70 is required. The machine-readable code 20 is preferably a two-dimensional barcode, hereinafter this embodiment is used. The barcode 20 expediently covers all or most of the underside 16, so that the largest possible embodiment of the partial areas of the barcode 20 is achieved. The barcode 20 also contains the unique identification of the module 10 serving identification information. In addition, the two-dimensional barcode 20 may contain further information, such as information about the distributor of the module 10, the module manufacturer or features of the module 10. Also, the two-dimensional barcode 20 a Contain control information by means of which in the chip 11 of the module 10 located secret software code is identifiable. The two-dimensional barcode 20 is preferably embodied in a form which is invisible to the naked eye or at least difficult to recognize. For example, it is such that it is visible only in ultraviolet light. Suitably, the two-dimensional barcode 20 is a "matrix code" as defined in international standard ISO / IEC 16022. In this embodiment, it can be read omnidirectionally by means of CCD camera scanners, whereby a successful reading is also possible if up to 25% of the code could not be detected. In addition, however, other designs are possible, for example according to the type "PDF 417".

For delivery to an end customer, the module 10, as in FIG Fig. 3 illustrated packaged in a tradable package 30. The tradable package 30 allows the shipment of the product contained, ie the module 10, and can be delivered without further action to an end user.

The package 30 consists of an outer packaging, in which the module 10 and an accessory pack 50 are introduced and on the outside of a label 60 or a print is applied. The outer packaging is formed by joining together a lower mold 34 and an upper mold 40 and has cavities 42 and 44 which enclose the module 10 and the accessory pack 50. The cavities 42 and 44 are formed by conformal troughs 36, 38 and 46, 48, respectively, which are formed in the lower mold 34 and in the upper mold 40, respectively. The troughs 36, 38, 46, 48 each define a fixed placement within the outer packaging for the module 10 or the accessory pack 50 and secure them against slipping. The entire outer packaging, or at least parts of it are transparent. Preferably, in particular, the upper mold 40 is transparent in such a way that through the upper mold 40th through the visible side 12 of the module 10 and the accessories 50 are visible. The lower mold 34 and upper mold 40 are suitably joined together along the edges by suitable methods such as welding, gluing or riveting. The accessory pack 50 contains information about the module 10. Typically, it contains instructions for use as well as a reproduction of the secret software code of the module 10. Suitably, the secret code is reproduced on a sheet 52 which is inserted into the accessory pack 50 so that it is in an unopened form Accessory 50 can not be read from the outside. Expediently, the identification information contained in the information field 18 is contained in the accessory pack 50, preferably on the sheet 52. Typically, the accessory pack 50 is a booklet or leaflet.

The label 60 preferably also carries in plain text the identification information used for unambiguous identification of the module 10. It is applied after closing the outer package by joining the lower mold 34 and the upper mold 40 on the outside of the outer packaging, preferably on the outside of the upper mold 40. In conjunction with the identification information contained in the information field 18 on the module 10, the tag 60 allows checking whether the module 10, the accessory bag 50 and the label 60 belong to one another. In addition, information on handling the package 30 may be applied to the label 60, for example logistic information. The label 60 consists in a conventional manner of an adhesive carrier on which information is printed. In a variant, it is possible to dispense with the adhesive carrier and apply the information directly to the upper mold 40, for example by printing or by means of a laser.

Based on the in Fig. 6 The flow chart reproduced in the following is the preparation of the in Fig. 1 shown tradeable package 30 described. The production begins, step 100, with the provision of a module 10. The module 10 can, as in Fig. 4 illustrated, in particular in the form of a roll or in the form of strips of a plurality of modules 10 are provided. The individual modules 10 are still connected to each other via later to be removed webs 80. Depending on the separation technology used later, however, the webs 80 may also be omitted. If the modules 10 have a longer and a shorter main axis, as is the case in particular for the underlying SIM modules, they are preferably as in FIG Fig. 4 indicated, connected along the longer major axis in the role or in the strip.

The module 10 is first graphically individualized, step 102. On the visible side 12 of the modules provided for this purpose, a module 10 uniquely identifying identification information is applied to the information field 18.

Subsequently, the module 10 is electrically personalized, step 104. For this purpose, a secret software code is generated and written into the chip 11 of the module 10. In the case of SIM modules, the secret software code typically comprises a PIN and a PUK for identifying a subscriber with respect to a mobile radio network. The secret software code written in the chip 11 is further stored outside the module 10 in a production database 82 along with the identification information applied in step 102.

In the following step 106, the two-dimensional barcode 20 is applied to the underside 16 of the module 10, which also contains the identification information and possibly further information.

The implementation of steps 102 to 106 can be carried out completely in the roll or in the strip.

If they are still connected, as if they were present in a roll or a strip, the modules 10 are separated in the following step 108. One possible form of isolation is in Fig. 5 illustrated. She can, as in Fig. 4 indicated, take place with the aid of a mechanical separating device 84, which separates the modules 10 directly in their final size from the strip or the role. In addition, any other known technique can be used for singling.

For the production of the package 30, the lower mold 34 is then provided, step 110. In the lower mold 34 troughs 36 and 38 are formed for receiving the module 10 and the accessories 50. At least the trough 36 is designed to be transparent, so that the two-dimensional barcode 20 can subsequently be read out by means of a reading device 70 through the lower mold 34. The module 10, step 112, is inserted into the depression 36 which is mounted to receive the module 10.

After placing the module 10 in the trough 36, the two-dimensional barcode 20 is read out by means of a reading device 70 in a following step 114. From the read two-dimensional barcode 20, the identification information contained therein is determined. Under access to the production database 82, the secret software code stored in step 104 and belonging to the data carrier 10 is thus determined. This is transmitted, preferably in plain text, to a sheet 52, step 116, which is then inserted into the accessory pack 50 or optionally also glued, step 118.

The accessory pack 50 is then also inserted into the recess 38 also provided in the lower mold 34, step 120. In one variant, the accessory pack 50 is first inserted without the sheet 52 together with the module 10 in the prepared recess 38 and the sheet 52 then Inserted in the tray 38 placed in the trough 38.

Subsequently, the lower mold 34 and the upper mold 40 are joined together and the package 30 is closed, step 122.

After sealing, the two-dimensional barcode 20 on the underside of the module 10 is read out through the lower mold 34 again by means of a reading device 70, which may be other than that used for the first reading in step 114, step 124. From the barcode 20 which has been read out the identification information contained therein is determined and, preferably in plain text, applied to a label 60, step 126. The label is then, step 128, applied to the outside of the package 30. In a variant for applying a label 60, the identification information is applied directly to the outside of the pact 30, preferably as a print. In this case, in step 126, preparing an imprint is carried out, which is then applied in step 128. For direct application, in particular known printing techniques are considered, such as printing by means of an ink-jet printer or the blackening of the package outside by means of a laser beam.

Preferably, the label 60 or the imprint is placed on the outside of the upper mold 40 so that it can be read from the same side as the information field 18 on the module 10. Together with the identification information can be applied to the label 60 more information, such as information on product labeling for the trade or information about the manufacturer of the module 10. The additional information can also be applied in machine-readable form, in particular as a common barcode or again as a two-dimensional barcode.

In the Fig. 7 10, an implementation of the above-described method by means of successive processing stations 86, 88, 90 is illustrated. At the processing stations 86, 88, 90 magazines 92, 94, 96 are arranged, from which in each case the modules 10, the Beipacke 50 and the labels 60 are supplied. A variant of a package 30 is made, in which, unlike the embodiment according to Fig. 3 , the two troughs 36, 38 are designed to receive module 10 and accessories 50 on top of each other in the form of a two-stage trough, the package 30 is in Fig. 7 shown in cross section. The information field 18 is covered in this arrangement by the accessory pack 50 and can be read only after opening the package 30.

Fig. 8 shows the basic principle of implementation. At a first processing station 86, steps 110 and 112 are carried out, ie, the lower mold 34 is provided and the previously singulated module 10 is inserted therein. The module 10 becomes, as in Fig. 9 illustrated in partial perspective view, inserted into the smaller, deeper depression 36. Preferably, the module 10 is fed from a magazine 92.

Subsequently, the lower mold 34 is conveyed to a following processing station 88, where steps 114 to 120 are carried out. In step 120, via the module 10, in the larger recess 38, whose base is substantially from the top 12 of the previously inserted Modules 10, the accessory pack 50 is laid. The supply of the accessory pack 50 preferably also takes place from a magazine 94.

The upper mold 40 is then brought over the stocked lower mold 34 and connected to the lower mold 34, so that a sealed package 30 is formed, the step is in Fig. 8 indicated by a double arrow.

At the following processing station 90, steps 124 through 128 are performed, which, as shown, result in the application of a label 60 to the outside of the package 30. The label 60 is preferably in turn fed from a magazine 96.

It is understood that the inventive method instead of by means of in Fig. 8 indicated processing at successively arranged processing stations 86, 88, 92 are also implemented stationary by the lower mold 34 is provided at a fixed mounting location and there subsequently successively the further steps for producing a package 30 are executed.

Maintaining the basic idea of manufacturing a portable data carrier package by providing the volume on the underside with a two-dimensional bar code and reading it through a packaging designed to be transparent for this purpose after it has been inserted into the package allows the above solution a variety of variations not described individually here. Thus, individual method steps can be interchanged as steps 102 and 104. Also steps can be omitted, such as step 124, by storing and reusing the information read in step 114. Wide room for variation offers The provision of the portable data carrier 10. This can of course already be done in isolated form but also for example in the form of stacks, which are resolved by means of suitable separating tools. In a package, additional elements can be inserted next to the accessories and linked by applying information if necessary with the disk 10. The provision of the secret code does not have to be done from a production data memory 82, but can also be realized, for example, by calculation from information derived from the two-dimensional barcode 20. To insert the secret software code in the accessory pack 50, a differently shaped insert can be selected instead of a sheet 52. The insert can be placed separately from the accessory pack 50 in a separate trough. The accessory pack 50 itself can also have any other designs in addition to a book-like shape and be enclosed, for example, in the form of a CD.

Claims (15)

1. A method for producing a marketable package comprising an outer packaging into which a portable data carrier and an extra item are incorporated, the data carrier possessing a viewing side and an underside and bearing a secret code as well as identification information, the outer packaging being at least partly transparent so that the viewing side of the data carrier is recognizable, and the outer packaging being individualized to the data carrier by rendition of the identification information on the outer side, characterized in that the identification information is applied to the underside of the data carrier (10) and read out from there through the outer packaging (34, 40) after placement of the data carrier (10) in the outer packaging (34, 40) in order to apply it to the outer packaging (34, 40).
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the identification information is applied in the form of a machine-readable code.
3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the identification information is applied in a two-dimensional bar code (20).
4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the two-dimensional bar code (20) is applied so as to be invisible or at least poorly recognizable to the human eye.
5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the identification information on the underside (16) of the data carrier (10) is read out (114), the secret code determined on the basis of the read-out information, and said code transferred to a sheet (52) which is enclosed in the package (30).
6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer packaging comprises a lower form (34) and an upper form (40) which when joined together enclose a cavity (42) for receiving the data carrier (10).
7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that a hollow (36) for receiving the data carrier (10) is formed in the lower form (34), and the lower form (34) is manufactured from transparent material at the place of the hollow (36).
8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the identification information is read out and applied to a label (60) after upper form (40) and lower form (34) are joined together.
9. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the label (60) is applied to the outer side of the outer packaging.
10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the identification information is read out and applied directly to the outer side of the outer packaging after upper form (40) and lower form (34) are joined together.
11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the secret code is supplied for incorporation into the extra item (50) on the basis of the read-out identification information.
12. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the identification information is read out after lower form (34) and upper form (40) are joined together.
13. A marketable package consisting of an outer packaging into which a portable data carrier and an extra item are incorporated, the data carrier possessing a viewing side and an underside and bearing a secret code as well as identification information, the outer packaging being at least partly transparent so that the viewing side of the data carrier is recognizable, and the outer packaging being individualized to the data carrier by rendition of the identification information on the outer side, characterized in that the identification information (20) of the data carrier (10) is applied to the underside (16) thereof, the outer packaging has for receiving the data carrier (10) a hollow (36) transparent under the data carrier (10) through which hollow the identification information (20) is read out, and identification information (20) is also applied to the outer packaging (34, 40).
14. The marketable package according to claim 13, characterized in that the portable data carrier (10) has a viewing side (12) with a contact pad formed thereon for connection to an external device, and that there is applied to the underside (16) a machine-readable code in the form of a two-dimensional bar code (20) which contains identification information.
15. The marketable package according to claim 14, characterized in that the two-dimensional bar code (20) is invisible or at least poorly recognizable to the human eye.

Images