EP4613499A1

EP4613499A1 - Enhanced grip of a card shaped data carrier

Info

Publication number: EP4613499A1
Application number: EP24382255.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Oscar Miguel FERNANDEZ; Peter Tarantino; Thomas Tarantino
Original assignee: Giesecke and Devrient ePayments GmbH
Current assignee: Giesecke and Devrient ePayments GmbH
Priority date: 2024-03-08
Filing date: 2024-03-08
Publication date: 2025-09-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to a card shaped data carrier (1) and to a method for producing the card shaped data carrier (1) having a front side (2), a rear side (4) and a common edge (6) delimiting the front side (2) and the rear side (4), whereby at least one side (2, 4) comprises an area (8) disclosing personalization data of a user of the data carrier (1), whereby at least one side (2, 4) comprises a structured area (10) and a non-structured area (12), whereby the structured area (10) provides a higher friction than the non-structured area (12) to improve the grip of the data carrier (1).

Description

The present invention relates to card shaped data carriers in general and in particular to card shaped data carriers and a method for producing card shaped data carriers having an enhanced grip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Card shaped data carriers are widely used in a variety of systems such as payment cards, credit cards, access cards, identity cards to provide identification, authentication, payment, access etc.
For persons having a visual impairment there are data carriers providing embossed structures on their surface. These embossed structures are for example notches or so called braille letters to disclose e.g. the name of the user of the card and the numbers of the bank account such that this information is readable by the fingers of the persons having a visual impairment.
Persons having a constraint in relation to their fingers have the problem to grab a card shaped data carrier, especially when there are a few data carriers in a pile which is a frequent situation when the data carriers are stored in a purse or wallet. The smooth surface of a data carrier makes it more difficult to grab a special card shaped data carrier out of the pile. Even the above mentioned embossed structures for persons having a visual impairment are not sufficient to grab the data carrier in an easy and reliable way.
It is therefore desirable to provide a solution for persons having a constraint regarding their fingers which address the above-mentioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above object by the subject-matter covered by the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.
According to a first aspect of the invention a card shaped data carrier is provided having a front side, a rear side and a common edge delimiting the front side and the rear side. At least one side comprises an area disclosing personalization data of a user of the data carrier, e.g. name of the card user and bank account number. Further, at least one side comprises a structured area and a non-structured area, whereby the structured area provides a higher friction than the non-structured area to improve the grip of the data carrier. The structured area has the advantage that persons having a constraint in regard of their fingers may grab easy, reliable and secure a card shaped data carrier according to the invention. The structured area can be anywhere on the data carrier, e.g. in a corner of the data carrier on at least one side. The structured area can be on both sides or at least on one side of the data carrier. The friction can be increased if the structured area is on both sides. The shape of the structured area can have any appropriate shape.
An advantageous embodiment of the data carrier is that the structured area is located beside at least a part of the course of the edge.
The advantage is that the data carrier can be grabbed very reliable and safe when the structured area is beside the edge. This is especially advantageous if a special data carrier shall be grabbed which is in a pile of data carriers. The structured area may be extended along the complete edge or just along a part of the edge.
An advantageous embodiment of the data carrier is that the structured area is structured by geometric shapes.
The advantage is that the geometric shapes extend across the structured area providing a higher friction than in the area of the non-structured area. Therefore, the intended friction can be determined by the geometric shapes.
An advantageous embodiment of data carrier is that the geometric shapes comprise circles, waves or diamonds.
The advantage of the geometric shapes of circles, waves or diamonds is that they are easy to produce. A further advantage is that the geometric shapes of a structured area may have the same or different sizes to adjust a degree of friction, e.g. areas with high friction and areas with low friction. Even the direction of friction can be determined by the selection of geometric shapes, i.e. in one direction there is a higher friction than in another direction. Further, in a structured area the geometric shapes may be mixed, e.g. waves and circles to create a special friction. Any other appropriate geometric shape may be used for the structured area.
An advantageous embodiment of data carrier is that the geometric shapes are embossed shapes.
The advantage is that in addition to the existing friction created by the geometric shapes in the structured area, the friction may be further increased if the geometric shapes are embossed.
An advantageous embodiment of data carrier is that a varnish is provided on the structured area to increase the friction.
The advantage is that the varnish may be provided on the complete structured area or only selectively on very special areas to increase the friction. Further, the varnish has the effect of a protection of the structured area not to lose the friction by mechanical abrasion, which may happen in a purse or a wallet when a few data carriers are in a pile moving against each other.
An advantageous embodiment of data carrier is that the data carrier is a chip card.
The advantage is that especially all chip cards of the daily life, e.g. bank cards, credit cards, etc., may be handled easier and more securely by persons having an impairment of their fingers.
An advantageous embodiment of data carrier is that the data carrier is made of plastic, metal, wood or ceramic.
The advantage is that the properties of plastic, metal, wood or ceramic may be used to create a special friction by itself and in combination with the present invention. Moreover, the structured area may be used with cards comprising different materials creating friction areas depending on each used material whereby each friction area has its own friction.
An advantageous embodiment of data carrier is that the data carrier is made of a mixture of at least two materials.
The advantage is that the data carrier itself may be a compound of different materials or a mixture of different materials providing a special degree of friction. Even a mixture of different materials, e.g. applied only in the structured area may provide a special friction even from the mixture of different materials.
According to a second aspect of the invention a method for producing a card shaped data carrier according to the above mentioned disclosure is provided having a front side, a rear side and a common edge delimiting the front side and the rear side. At least one side comprises an area disclosing personalization data of a user of the data carrier. Further at least one side comprises a structured area and a non-structured area, whereby the structured area provides a higher friction than the non-structured area.
The advantage is data carriers having structured areas according to the invention may be produced by existing machines and apparatuses without the necessity to buy new machines or apparatuses.
An advantageous embodiment of data carrier is that the structured area is created during lamination or personalization of the data carrier.
The advantage is that the creation of the structured areas can be integrated in the usual production flow without any special new production steps. During lamination process the structure of the structured area is pressed into the surface of the card shaped data carrier by a lamination plate and generates the structured area having a higher friction than the not structured area. The structured area may be also generated by a laser during a personalization step or in a separate production step. During personalization also the structured area could be individually shaped for every single card shaped data carrier and for every customer.
An advantageous embodiment of data carrier is that the structured area is created by a laser, lamination plates, engraving, mechanical brushing or chemical etching.
The advantage is that the common methods may be used for creating the structured area, as no new or special method has to be developed. The different methods may also be used depending on the material of the data carrier. For cards having a higher surface stiffness e.g. metal cards the surface may be treated by a laser and also with engraving technology. Also mechanical brushing or chemical etching can be used to enhance the surface roughness. Natural materials like wood may be engraved by a laser.
Further aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skills in the art upon reviewing the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and variants of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying figures, in which

FIG. 1: shows a card shaped data carrier according to the state of the art;
FIG. 2: shows a card shaped data carrier according to the invention;
FIG. 3 a to 3 c: show different embodiments of the structured area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed explanations of the present invention are given below with reference to attached drawings that illustrate specific embodiment examples of the present invention. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention, although different, are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described herein in connection with one embodiment may be implemented within other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, it is to be understood that the position or arrangement of individual elements within each disclosed embodiment may be modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, appropriately interpreted, along with the full range of equivalents to which the claims are entitled. In the drawings, like numerals refer to the same or similar functionality throughout the several views.
Fig. 1 shows a card shaped data carrier 1 according to the state of the art.
The card shaped data carrier 1, e.g. a chip card like a credit card, bank card, etc., comprises a front side 2 and a rear side 4, whereby the rear side 4 can not be seen in Figure 1. The front side 2 and the rear side 4 have a common edge 6 which delimits the front side 2 and the rear side 4. In this embodiment an area 8 disclosing personalization data is positioned on the front side 2 of the data carrier 1. The personalization data comprises e.g. the name of the user of the card and the corresponding bank account. Any other appropriate information may be disclosed. Further, the data carrier 1 may also comprise a chip module which is in Figure 1 not disclosed for the sake of clarity.
Fig. 2 shows a card shaped data carrier 1 according to the invention.
The data carrier 1 of Figure 2 shows in addition to Figure 1 a structured area 10 and a non-structured area 12. The structured area 10 provides a higher friction than the non-structured area 12 to improve the grip of the data carrier. The non-structured area 12 has a smooth surface in contrast to the structured area 10.
Preferably the structured area 10 is located beside at least a part of the course of the edge 6 to facilitate the grabbing of the data carrier in an easy and reliable way. Any other appropriate position of the structured area 10 is possible. The structured area may be placed on the front side 2 or on the rear side 4 or on both sides 2 and 4. In Figure 2 the structured area 10 is placed on the front side 2. In a preferred embodiment the structured area 10 is outside the area 8 comprising personalization data. Further, the shape of the structured area 10 depends from the application and can have any appropriate shape. The structured area 10 may be positioned along at least a part of the course of the edge 6 or at any other appropriate position e.g. in a corner of one side 2 and/or 4.
The structured area 10 is structured by geometric shapes which create the friction according to the present invention. The geometric shapes comprise e.g. diamonds, shown in Fig. 3 a, waves, shown in Fig. 3 b, or circles, shown in Fig. 3 c. Figures 3 a to 3 c disclose by three exemplary embodiments the principle of the geometric shapes. The geometric shapes, e.g. diamonds extend over the complete structured area. Any other appropriate geometric shape may be used for the structured area 10. Further, the geometric shapes may be also mixed in the structured area 10, e.g. circles and diamonds. A preferred embodiment is also to adjust the size and direction of the geometric shapes to adjust the friction i.e. in a special direction is more friction than in another direction.
A preferred embodiment to increase the friction is to apply a varnish on one or both sides 2 and 4 of the data carrier 1. The varnish can be applied only on the structured area 10 and/or on the non-structured area 12. Further, the varnish may also be applied only in a special part of the structured area 10 and/or the non-structured area 12 to adjust the friction. A preferred embodiment is to use different varnishes with different characteristics on different positions to determine the characteristic of the friction.
A preferred embodiment is that the card shaped data carrier 1 is made of plastic, metal, wood, ceramic or any other appropriate material. Further, the card shaped data carrier 1 may also be made of a mix of the above mentioned materials or any other appropriate materials. The characteristics of each material may be used to influence the friction. Further, the complete card shaped data carrier 1 or just a part of it may be created of a mix of different materials to use the material characteristics to determine the friction.
The card shaped data carrier 1 may be produced by existing methods and apparatuses for card production. The structured area 10 is preferably created during lamination or personalization of the card shaped data carrier 1. During a lamination process the structured area 10 is created by a lamination plate which is pressed in the front side 2 and/or rear side 4 and creates the structured area 10 having a higher friction than the non-structured area 12. Alternatively, the structured area 10 may be created during a personalization by a laser. Other methods to create the structured area 10 are engraving, mechanical brushing or chemical etching, whereby the used method is often determined by the used material of the data carrier. Any other appropriate method to create the structured area 10 may be used. The structured area 10 may individually be shaped for every card and for every user of the data carrier 1.
In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

Claims

A card shaped data carrier (1) having a front side (2), a rear side (4) and a common edge (6) delimiting the front side (2) and the rear side (4),
whereby at least one side comprises an area (8) disclosing personalization data of a user of the data carrier (1),

whereby at least one side (2,4) comprises a structured area (10) and a non-structured area (12),

whereby the structured area (10) provides a higher friction than the non-structured area (12) to improve the grip of the data carrier (1).
The data carrier (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the structured area (10) is located beside at least a part of the course of the edge (6).
The data carrier (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the structured area (10) is structured by geometric shapes.
The data carrier (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the geometric shapes comprise circles, waves or diamonds.
The data carrier (1) according to claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the geometric shapes are embossed shapes.
The data carrier (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a varnish is provided on the structured area (10) to increase the friction.
The data carrier (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the data carrier (1) is a chip card.
The data carrier (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the data carrier (1) is made of plastic, metal, wood or ceramic.
The data carrier (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the data carrier (1) is made of a mixture of at least two materials.
Method for producing a card shaped data carrier (1) according to the above mentioned claims 1 to 9 having a front side (2), a rear side (4) and a common edge (8) delimiting the front side (2) and the rear side (4),
whereby at least one side (2, 4) comprises an area (8) disclosing personalization data of a user of the data carrier (1),

whereby at least one side (2, 4) comprises a structured area (10) and a non-structured area (10),

whereby the structured area (10) provides a higher friction than the non-structured area.
Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the structured area (10) is created during lamination or personalization of the data carrier (1).
Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the structured area (10) is created by a laser, lamination plates, engraving, mechanical brushing or chemical etching.