EP3030427A1

EP3030427A1 - Method for applying an image to a data carrier by means of a laser device

Info

Publication number: EP3030427A1
Application number: EP14744303.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roland Gutmann; Olga KOSIOR; Andreas Wolf
Original assignee: Bundesdruckerei GmbH
Current assignee: Bundesdruckerei GmbH
Priority date: 2013-08-05
Filing date: 2014-07-23
Publication date: 2016-06-15
Also published as: DE102013108423B4; DE102013108423A1; WO2015018639A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for applying an image to a data carrier (11) by means of a laser device, wherein the image (15) to be applied consists of a multiplicity of pixels to which grey-scale, brightness or colour values are assigned, and wherein the image (15) comprises additional information with at least one security feature, wherein at least one zone (22) which is free of pixels of the image (15) actually to be applied is formed in the image (15) to be applied, and wherein additional information with the at least one security feature is introduced into the at least one zone (22), said at least one security feature having graphical or geometrical laser structures (23) that deviate from the pixels (25) of the image (15) to be applied.

Description

Method for applying an image by means of a
Laser device on a disk
The invention relates to a method for applying pixels by means of a laser device to a data carrier, in which the image to be applied consists of a plurality of pixels, to which gray or brightness values or color values are assigned.
EP 2 100 747 A1 discloses a method for applying an image to a data carrier, such as a data, value or identity card. In an image to be applied to the disk, additional or microinformation is embedded which consists of a plurality of pixels corresponding to the resolving power of the output device. It is provided that the gray or brightness values of the pixels forming the additional information
or brightness value of the pixels of the actual image are superimposed.
US 2004/0056007 A discloses a method for producing laser-induced images, which consist of incomplete data that are completed during production.
Furthermore, EP 0 384 274 A1 discloses a method for producing a multilayer ID card in which non-transmissive films are printed by means of a digital printing method with previously digitally stored cardholder-specific information.
Furthermore, US 2008/0284157 A1 discloses a forgery-proof identification document which comprises a transparent substrate made of a polymer material with grating lenses arranged thereon. On one side an ink jet printable layer is applied. This includes laser inscribable additives. A biometric image and interlaced images are lasered into the inkjet printable layer.
In the case of laser-personalized data carriers, manipulations are carried out by partial overwriting or over-lasering of the existing picture elements of the image by the holder of the data carrier in order to change the appearance of the owner. By the superimposition of additional information, which consist of gray or brightness values of the pixels, such manipulation should be prevented.
The invention has for its object to provide a method for applying an image by means of a laser device on a disk, in which a simple detection of manipulation is possible.
This object is achieved by a method for applying an image by means of a laser device to a data carrier, wherein in the image to be applied, which consists of a plurality of pixels produced with a laser device, at least one zone is formed which is free of these pixels and in which additional information with at least one security feature is introduced into the at least one zone, which has graphical or geometric laser structures that deviate from the pixels for the image to be applied. This makes it possible that in a manipulation attempt by subsequently introducing pixels with a laser device, that the introduced pixels of the laser device are immediately recognizable, since they have a standardized contour and in particular are designed as round laser points, which of the graphical or geometric laser structures which deviate to form the security feature.
It is preferably provided that the security feature comprises graphic or geometric laser structures which are not recognizable to the human eye. In the mere viewing of the image containing the security feature, the additional information can not be recognized by the naked human eye or unaided human eye. Preferably, this examination of the data carrier is performed with an optical aid, such as a magnifying glass, a camera, in particular in a mobile phone. Thus, a simple recognition of the security feature, which is introduced as a microstructure analogous to micro-writing, allows.
According to a first embodiment of the method, it is provided that graphically structured laser points which deviate from the round laser points introduced by means of a standard laser to form the round pixels for the image to be applied are selected as laser structuring. For example, triangles, hexagons, octagons, or other geometric shapes other than a round shape may be selected to form a laser spot for the security feature. By means of such geometrically formed laser spots, it is possible to introduce gray or brightness values or color values analogously to the pixels forming the actual image, so that the zone with additional information as such is not highlighted or appears, but can be integrated into the image fluently. If now a manipulation by a usual overwriting by means of a laser device take place, these newly introduced pixels are immediately recognizable due to the deviating geometry.
Preferably, the laser structure may comprise areal filled, graphically structured laser spots. Alternatively, these laser structures can also be embodied as unfilled, graphically structured laser spots or formed by a linear frame. This represents a further variation to the design of the laser spots, which can be combined with other laser spots.
Furthermore, it can be provided that the laser structure is formed by an intensity-modulated Guillosch structure. As a result, instead of individual points lines are used, which is not possible or destroyed by the subsequent overwriting by means of a laser device in this fineness.
Furthermore, it can be provided that laser structures are provided as security feature for the additional information, which consist of length-limited lines. As a result, defined interruptions of individual lines or structures of the length-limited lines can be introduced, the overwriting of which in turn can be seen by additional points that are generated during the subsequent over-lasering.
Furthermore, the production of a laser structure can be provided as a security feature, in which a superposition of the lines and / or line width is formed with different gray levels. In particular, flowing transitions from the zone containing the additional information to the adjacent area of the actual image can thereby also be effected.
A further embodiment of the laser structures can be given by the fact that a plurality of intersecting lines are provided, which have laser points applied to the crossing points and / or on the lines. These laser points may differ in geometry from round laser spots or even correspond to the usual round pixels. In the case of the last-mentioned exemplary embodiment, when this structure is overwritten, individual laser points will be positioned outside the intersection points of the lines so that the manipulation can be recognized.
A further embodiment of the method for introducing the security feature into the additional information-containing zone may be that the selection of the laser structure is based on a customer-specific encryption. As a result, another security feature can be integrated.
Another embodiment of a security feature may be that the laser structure is formed by individual lines having a certain orientation. In particular, lines of predetermined length may, for example, be oriented to the right or to the left, upwards or downwards within the zone for introducing the additional information. Depending on the orientation, laser structures can again be applied on the line. For example, a line having a first orientation may have a first geometry of the laser spots. The second line with a different orientation may have geometric laser points, which also differ from the first orientation, etc.
The introduction of the additional information is preferably carried out in annular or circular zones or rectangular zones. Likewise, areas can also be selected whose course of the zone are determined by brightness levels of the pixels.
The zone for receiving the additional information is introduced in an image, in particular a portrait photo of a holder of the data carrier, preferably in a core area. In this case, for example, an eye, nose or mouth area can be selected. It is understood that several zones can be provided. To shorten the production time of an image on a data carrier with additional function, only individual regions are preferably selected. It goes without saying that the overall image can also be constructed from such graphic and / or geometric laser structures that deviate from conventional round laser spots which form the actual image.
The laser structure for forming the additional information is preferably produced with a microlaser module. As a result, it is possible to create laser structures which, in analogy to the microfilm, have a size of less than 0.3 mm.
The invention and further advantageous embodiments and developments thereof are described in more detail below with reference to the examples shown in the drawings and explained. The features to be taken from the description and the drawings can be applied individually according to the invention individually or in combination in any combination. Show it:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a data carrier with a security feature according to the invention,
FIG. 2 a shows a representation of a portrait photo on the data carrier according to FIG. 1 with a security feature shown enlarged,
FIG. 2b a schematic representation of a manipulated security feature according to FIG. 2a,
3a shows a representation of a portrait photo on the data carrier according to FIG. 1 with an enlarged alternative security feature, FIG.
FIG. 3b shows a schematic representation of a manipulated security feature according to FIG. 3a,
FIG. 4 a shows a representation of a portrait photograph on the data carrier according to FIG. 1 with an enlarged alternative security feature,
FIG. 4b shows a schematic representation of a manipulated security feature according to FIG. 4a,
Figure 5a u. b is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment to Figure 2a and b and
Figure 6a u. b is a schematic representation of another alternative embodiment to Figure 2a and 2b.
FIG. 1 shows a data carrier 11. This data carrier 11 can be designed, for example, as a data card, in particular as a passport or bank card. This volume 11 may also be part of a data page for a book-type document. Likewise, this volume 11 may be part of other value or security documents. The data carrier 11 has a layer 12 which is writable and / or printable. On this layer 12 a Personalisierbereich is provided in which, for example, the name 14 of the holder and his picture 15, in particular portrait photo are applied or recorded. Furthermore, security features 16, such as, for example, tilt images or holograms, and / or further security features 17, such as, for example, a guilloche structure, security threads or the like, can be applied to the layer 12 or in the layer 12. In addition, further data fields 19 may be provided, which may include a company identification or the indication of an institution or the like.
In Figure 2a, the portrait photo 15 is shown schematically enlarged, as can be seen with the naked eye. This portrait photo 15 is produced by the introduction of pixels by means of a laser device. The gray or brightness values or color values of these points are known to be set by means of a control of the laser device. In an enlarged view of the portrait photo 15, the image is composed of a plurality of individual, round laser dots as pixels.
In the portrait photo 15 additional information is integrated with at least one security feature 21, which is recognizable with an optical magnification aid, such as a magnifying glass or a camera, and is shown schematically enlarged. This at least one security feature 21 is introduced in a zone 22 having a defined size. Preferably, the zone 22 is provided in a core area of the image 15 of the owner, such as in the eye, nose and / or mouth area.
The introduced within the zone 22 security feature 21 includes geometric or graphical laser structures 23, which according to the first embodiment of round pixels have different geometries, such as triangles, hexagons or the like, which adapted according to the gray or brightness gradient of the introduced area of the actual image 15 are. As a result, a different frequency of the individual laser structures 23 can occur in regions within the zone 22. For example, according to FIG. 2a, hexagonal and triangular laser structures 23 are mixed with one another. Alternatively, only one laser structure 23 may be introduced, which is however deviating from round pixels. Likewise, a mixture of a plurality of geometrically different laser spots may be provided to form the laser structures 23.
FIG. 2b shows a manipulated security feature 21. When attempting to manipulate by overwriting or over-lasering the image 15, an over-lasering of the zone 22 with additional information, for example, to integrate a pair of glasses in the portrait image 15 or to change the eye contour, so that in addition round pixels 25 as laser points, with a conventional laser device can be seen within the laser structuring 23 in the zone 22. The manipulation becomes immediately apparent.
FIG. 3 a shows an alternative embodiment of the security feature 21. The laser structure 23 is exclusively linear. These lines 27 may have the same line thickness. Likewise, a line may be altered by modulating the intensity when applied to zone 22. In particular, an intensity-modulated Guillosch structure can be introduced. Preferably, such an embodiment is selected for the zone 22 in the eye area, in particular in the area of the iris.
FIG. 3b shows a manipulation of a laser structure 23 according to the embodiment in FIG. 3a. The subsequently introduced round pixels 25 are immediately apparent.
FIG. 4 a shows a further alternative embodiment for forming the laser structure 23. For example, intersecting lines 27 are introduced into the zone 22 in the manner of a network. In addition, for example, round pixels 25 can be applied, which correspond to the usual round pixels, but which are applied selectively to crossing points of the lines 27 and / or on the line 27.
FIG. 4b shows a manipulated security feature 21 according to FIG. 4a. The manipulation is evident from the fact that round pixels 25 are not located at intersections or not on the lines 27, but in between and thus the manipulation is recognizable.
FIG. 5 a shows a further alternative embodiment for forming the laser structure 23. This embodiment deviates, for example, from that in FIG. 2 a in that no areally blackened or surface-colored security features 21 are provided, but instead they are designed as unfilled geometries.
FIG. 5b shows a manipulated security feature 21 according to FIG. 5a. The manipulation is again evident from the fact that the round pixels 25, which are also completely filled, clearly stand out from the unfilled laser structures 23 and lie therebetween. Even if the round pixels 25 lie within the not completely filled, geometrically structured laser structure 23, the manipulation becomes apparent.
FIG. 6 a shows a further alternative embodiment for forming the security feature 21. This zone 22 comprises lines 27, which correspond to the figure 4a, wherein in the embodiment for clarification of the deviation from Figure 4a, two individual lines are also shown only partially and by way of example. Depending on the orientation or orientation of the lines 27, various geometrically formed laser structures 23 can additionally be positioned on the lines 27. For example, on the left line 27, which has an opening to the right, a laser structure 23 with a square geometry is applied. In the opposite line 27, which opens to the left, for example, laser structures 23 are applied with a round geometry, which are not filled. The laser structures 23 applied on each line 27 may also differ from one another along the line 27. Furthermore, it can be provided that the right and left line 27 comprises in a predetermined ratio and / or in a predetermined number of redundant laser structures 23.
FIG. 6b shows a manipulated security feature 21 according to FIG. 6a. The manipulation can be seen by the fact that the round pixels 25 stand out from the lines 27, even if they happen to lie on the line 27.
The introduction of the laser structure 23 as a security feature 21 is preferably produced with a microlaser module. In this case, preferably round, angular or annular zones 22 in the core regions of such a portrait photo 15 are selected, wherein at least one zone 22 for receiving at least one security feature 21 is formed.

Claims

A method for applying an image by means of a laser device to a data carrier (11), wherein the image to be applied (15) consists of a plurality of pixels, which gray, brightness or color values are assigned and in which the image (15) additional information with at least one security feature (21), characterized in that in the image to be applied (15) at least one zone (22) is formed, which is free of pixels from the actually applied image (15) and in that at least one zone (22 ) Additional information is introduced with the at least one security feature (21) which has one or more graphical or geometric laser structures (23) which deviate from the pixels of the image (15) to be applied.
A method according to claim 1, characterized in that for the security feature (21) graphic or geometric laser structures (23) are used, which are not visible to the naked human eye.
A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that as a laser structure (23) graphically structured laser points are selected, which differ from round pixels of the actual image (15).
Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser structure (23) comprises surface-filled or unfilled laser points (23).
A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the laser structure (23) is formed by an intensity-modulated Guillosch structure.
A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the laser structure (23) by length-limited lines (27) is formed.
A method according to claim 3 to 6, characterized in that the laser structure (23) by an overlay of the lines (27) and / or a change in the line thickness and / or different gray, brightness or color values of the lines (27) are formed.
A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the laser structure (23) as a security feature (21) by a plurality of intersecting lines and on the intersections of the lines (27) and / or the lines (27) applied pixels (25) is formed.
A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the laser structure (23) by lines (27) is formed, which are differently oriented and preferably superimposed depending on the orientation with different laser structures (23).
A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the selection of the laser structure (23) is formed on the basis of a custom encryption.
A method according to claim 1, characterized in that for introducing the at least one security feature (21) circular, annular, rectangular zones (22) or other free forms for the zones (22) are selected or that a zone (22) along one of the brightness levels the pixels certain contour is selected.
A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the zone (22) in a core region of the image (15), in particular in the nose, eye and / or mouth area, is positioned.
A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the laser structure (23) for forming the at least one security feature (21) is introduced with a micro laser module.