FR2815881A1 - PLAYING CARD COMPRISING A SECURITY ELEMENT, METHOD FOR SECURING PART OF CARDS, SYSTEM AND DEVICE FOR VERIFYING THE AUTHENTICITY OF A PLAYING CARD - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a playing card (1) comprising an element of security. The element of security is not visible and extends at least between two ends of the card.

Description

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 The present invention relates to playing cards and more particularly those provided with security elements making it possible to avoid their substitution by other cards during the game.

 The invention relates more particularly to cards used in casinos.

 It is known from US Pat. No. 5,374,061 to provide playing cards used in casinos with a code representative of the value of the card and therefore having to be integrated into the card during its manufacture or printing, after analysis of the patterns printed on it, if applicable. This code, which may be magnetic, is present in two locations on the card, as can be seen in the figures of this patent.

 The production of such a code can prove to be relatively complicated and costly, especially when it must not be apparent.

 However, playing cards are frequently replaced and it is desirable that their cost be as low as possible.

 In addition, their authentication must be able to be carried out discreetly if necessary on the game table itself, which encourages the use of authentication devices of small size, the least complex possible.

 There is a need to have secure playing cards which can be easily manufactured and capable of guaranteeing the desired security.

 The invention meets this need with a new playing card, comprising a security element, characterized in that this security element is not visible and extends at least between two ends of the card.

 Thanks to the invention, the security element can be easily integrated into the card.

 This integration can be done online on the assembly line of the various materials constituting the card or during the manufacturing process of the latter, the security element then being incorporated into the raw materials used to make the card.

 The two ends in question can correspond to the short sides or the long sides of the card.

 The security element can be distributed in the two dimensions of the plane of the card or be in the form of at least one wire or strip.

 When the security element is evenly distributed in both

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 dimensions of the map plane, it may include a dispersion of particles or fibers having magnetic or electromagnetic properties and / or a tracer excitable at a given wavelength, preferably in the infrared and more preferably in the near infrared.

 In general, the card comprises one or more jets of fibrous material, generally paper and its outer faces are covered with at least one layer called printing / writing.

 In the case of several jets, these are assembled by laminating, and each jet can have one or more layers on the surface.

 In particular, the card can include the following structures: - an outer printing / writing layer, a filler layer, a paper jet, a layer of glue, a paper jet, a filler layer and a layer external printing / writing layer, - an external printing / writing layer, a filler layer, a paper spray, a filler layer, a layer of glue, a filling layer, a paper spray, a layer filler, an outer printing / writing layer, - an outer printing / writing layer, a filler layer, a paper jet, two filler layers, a layer of glue, two coating layers, a paper jet, a filler layer and an outer printing / writing layer, - an outer printing / writing layer, a filler layer, a paper jet, a layer of glue, a paper jet, a layer of glue, a paper spray, a sealant layer, a layer outdoor printing / writing.

 Still other structures can be produced without departing from the scope of the present invention.

 Fibers or particles having magnetic or electromagnetic properties can be mixed with the glue used to make the card or mixed with the fibrous material of at least one of the paper jets or mixed with the material of the filler layer or the material of the print / write layer.

 The fibers are preferably introduced into at least one of the jets of fibrous material, preferably at a rate of at least 0.01% by weight (in dry) relative to

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 to the other fibers forming the fibrous material and preferably still in a proportion close to 0.1%.

 When the fibers are incorporated into the material of at least one of the filler, glue or printing / writing layers, their rate preferably represents at least 0.01% of the weight (in dry) of the or of the layers concerned, and more preferably about 0.1%.

 When the particles are introduced into at least one of the jets of fibrous material, their dry weight content is at least 0.01%, preferably close to 1%.

 When the particles are integrated into the material of at least one of the filler, glue or printing / writing layers, their rate preferably represents at least 0.1% (in dry) of the weight of the or of the layers concerned and preferably still around 5%.

 To increase the opacity, the glue used generally includes dark pigments, for example carbon black. The dispersions of particles having magnetic or electromagnetic properties are also generally dark in color and can advantageously at least partially replace the opacifying pigments conventionally used.

 When the card includes a security element comprising an excitable tracer in the infrared and preferably the near infrared, this tracer can be mixed with at least one of the constituent materials of the card, preferably an adhesive used to assemble paper jets.

 In the case where the tracer is mixed with the glue, its concentration is at least 0.0005% by weight (in dry) relative to the total weight of the glue and preferably at least 0.005%.

 The tracer used preferably has maximum fluorescence in the infrared around 800-900 nm.

 The subject of the invention is also a method for the manufacture of playing cards, characterized in that particles or fibers having magnetic or electromagnetic properties or an excitable tracer in the infrared are mixed with an adhesive, that we assemble with this glue at least two coated paper jets and that we print on the card the desired patterns for the game.

 The invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of cards with

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 play, characterized by the fact that fibers or particles having magnetic or electromagnetic properties or an excitable tracer in the infrared are mixed with a fibrous material and that a jet is produced from the mixture thus obtained of paper, that the layer of paper is coated, that this layer of coated paper is optionally assembled with at least a second layer of coated paper and that the patterns of the game are printed on the card thus formed.

 The subject of the invention is also a process for the manufacture of playing cards, characterized in that particles or fibers having magnetic or electromagnetic properties or a mixture are mixed with a composition intended to serve as a filler layer. excitable tracer in the infra-red, which one layers this composition on a paper jet, which one layers on the paper jet thus coated a layer of printing / writing, which one assembles this jet of coated paper with at least a second throw of coated paper, and the patterns of the game are printed on the printing / writing layers.

 Another subject of the invention is a method for securing a part of cards, which is characterized by the fact that information specific to the whole game or to each card in the game is stored in each card of the game , the cards each comprising a magnetic support capable of memorizing information, and by the fact that one reads the information present on this magnetic support during the game or at the end of it, to compare them with the information initially memorized .

 The memorized information can include, for example, the date of the day of use, the table number, a number specific to the game, a number specific to each card or else a random code renewed periodically, for example each day.

 Preferably, the information stored in the cards is the same for the entire game, which simplifies the authentication processing carried out by the casino.

 The subject of the invention is also an authentication system for verifying the authenticity of a playing card, this card comprising a security element having magnetic or electromagnetic properties, this authentication system being characterized in that it includes an authentication device capable of detecting magnetic or electromagnetic properties of the playing card after or during

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 exposure to an activation device.

 This activation device may, in a first example of implementation of the invention, include a magnetization head capable of imparting magnetic properties to the playing card, when the latter includes a security element capable of being magnetized, the authentication device then comprising a detection head for detecting the magnetic properties thus conferred by the magnetization head.

 In another example of implementation of the invention, the activation device comprises a device for transmitting a radio signal and the authentication device is capable of detecting the radio signature of a security element present in the playing card, with a specific radio signature.

 The invention also relates to an identification system preferably in two parts, comprising on the one hand a writing device comprising a writing head capable of writing information on a magnetic security element integrated in the card , the latter being able to memorize this information, and on the other hand a reading device comprising a reading head capable of reading the information thus recorded on the security element.

 The reading device advantageously comprises a processing unit making it possible to compare a code read with expected information.

 Another subject of the invention is an identification or authentication device for identifying or authenticating a card as defined above, comprising an excitable tracer in the infrared and preferably the near infrared, this device being characterized in that it comprises an optical transmitter such as a laser diode and an optical sensor such as a photodiode.

 Preferably, the optical transmitter has an emission centered on 800 nm and the sensor is coupled to a filter so as to be sensitive to wavelengths 800-900 nm.

 The invention also relates to a game table equipped with an authentication, identification or reading device, integrated into the table or the play mat.

 Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge on reading the detailed description which follows, of nonlimiting examples of implementation of the invention, and on examining the appended drawing, in which: FIG. 1 schematically represents a playing card,

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les figures 2A à 2D sont des coupes selon le trait II-II de la figure 1, correspondant à différentes structures possibles pour la carte à jouer, la figure 3 représente de manière schématique un boîtier combinant un système d'authentification des cartes à jouer, - les figures 4 et 5 représentent, de manière très schématique, des dispositifs d'activation et d'identification contenus dans le boîtier de la figure 3, la figure 6 représente de manière très schématique un dispositif d'écriture d'un système d'identification,

la figure 7 représente de manière très schématique un dispositif de lecture destiné à être utilisé avec le dispositif d'écriture de la figure 6, la figure 8 illustre l'intégration d'un dispositif d'authentification radiofréquence à une table de jeu, les figures 9 et 10 illustrent des variantes de réalisation de l'élément de sécurité, et - la figure 11 illustre l'authentification d'une carte au moyen d'un dispositif d'authentification à diode laser et photodiode.

FIGS. 2A to 2D are sections along the line II-II of FIG. 1, corresponding to different possible structures for the playing card, FIG. 3 schematically represents a box combining an authentication system for playing cards, - Figures 4 and 5 show, very schematically, activation and identification devices contained in the housing of Figure 3, Figure 6 shows very schematically a writing device of a system identification,

FIG. 7 very schematically represents a reading device intended for use with the writing device of FIG. 6, FIG. 8 illustrates the integration of a radio frequency authentication device into a game table, the figures 9 and 10 illustrate alternative embodiments of the security element, and FIG. 11 illustrates the authentication of a card by means of an authentication device with a laser diode and a photodiode.

 There is shown in Figure 1 a playing card 1 printed on both sides.

 One side is printed with patterns characterizing the value of the card and the other side is printed with a decorative pattern which is the same for all cards in the game.

 The card 1 has a multilayer structure, which can have various configurations.

 Four nonlimiting examples are shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, without respecting the true relative thicknesses of the different layers for greater clarity.

 In the example of FIG. 2A, the card comprises: an outer printing / writing layer T, a filler layer S, a jet of paper J, a layer of glue C, a jet of paper J, a sealer layer S and an outer print / write layer T.

 In the example of FIG. 2B, the card comprises: an external printing / writing layer T, a mouth-pore layer S, a paper jet J, a mouth-porage layer S, a layer of glue C, a diaper

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 filler S, a jet of paper J, a filler layer S and an outer printing / writing layer T.

 In the example of FIG. 2C, the card comprises: an outer printing / writing layer T, a mouth-pore layer S, a paper jet J, two mouth-porage layers S, a layer of glue C, two filler layers S, a jet of paper J, a filler layer S and an outer printing / writing layer T.

 In the example of FIG. 2D, the card comprises: - an outer printing / writing layer T, a filler layer S, a jet of paper J, a layer of glue C, a jet of paper J, a layer of adhesive C, a jet of paper J, a layer of filler S and an external coating of printing / writing T.

 The adhesive layer C contains one or more natural or synthetic binders as well as various natural or synthetic pigments, for example carbon black.

 The adhesive layer C can also comprise a dispersion of magnetic particles, in particular so-called hard magnetic particles, based on strontium or barium ferrite, in a mass proportion (in dry) equal for example to 10%.

 Each of the two paper jets J can for example have a surface weight of 130 g / m2 and the adhesive layer C is for example deposited at a rate of 10 g / m2.

 Each sealer layer S can for example comprise 10% by weight (in dry) of magnetic particles, in particular the aforementioned hard magnetic particles.

 Each sealer layer S can comprise a natural binder such as starch and / or synthetic such as for example a styrene-butatiene copolymer as well as coating pigments such as calcium carbonate, in a proportion for example of 12 parts. of binder for 100 parts of coating pigments.

 Each sealer layer S is deposited for example at a rate of 10 g / m2 on the associated paper jet J.

 The magnetic particles can also be incorporated into each jet of paper J, for example by being introduced before the formation of the jet of paper at a rate of

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 1% by weight (dry) in the cellulosic mass.

 Each printing / writing layer T may contain titanium dioxide pigments, in order to mask the filler layer or the underlying paper jet, which optionally has a beige coloring due to the presence of magnetic particles.

 The playing card 1 comprising the dispersion of magnetic particles can be authenticated for example by means of an authentication system 10 which has been shown very schematically in FIG. 3.

 This authentication system 10 comprises a receptacle 11 open on the side, in which one or more cards can be placed to be authenticated.

 The cards are placed in the tray 11 and introduced into a slot 12, by a suitable drive mechanism, not visible in FIG. 3.

 The tray 11 is provided in the example described with optical detection means, capable of detecting the presence of a card and triggering the drive mechanism so as to allow authentication processing of this card.

 The drive mechanism comprises for example rollers but could, as a variant, include any other conventional means making it possible to move a card, for example a suction cup system.

 The authentication system 10 also includes at least one signal transmitter, for example at least one indicator. For example, in Figure 3, the device includes two indicator lights, namely a green light 13 and a red light 14, to discreetly report to the dealer a possible problem during authentication.

 The authentication system 10 can comprise, in a first example of implementation of the invention, on the one hand an activation device 50 shown in FIG. 4 comprising a magnetization head 16 and on the other hand a device 40 shown in FIG. 5, comprising a detection head 17.

 The detection head 17 is connected to a processing unit 30 comprising for example a microprocessor.

 The magnetization head 16 can be constituted by a magnet or be of the inductive type.

 The detection head 17 can be of the inductive or magnetoresistive type and measure the remanent magnetization or the saturation magnetization.

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When the magnetization head 16 is of the inductive type, it preferably comprises an air gap in which a magnetic field is created greater than or equal to
1000 Oe (approximately 79.5 103 A / m), which makes it possible to magnetize magnetic particles of high coercivity (approximately 135 103 to 800 103 A / m) present in the card 1, for example in the adhesive layer C .

 The air gap is large enough for the field loops to be able to magnetize the magnetic particles, even if the latter are relatively far from the magnetization head 16.

 When passing under the magnetization head 16, the card 1 is magnetized.

 When a card 1 previously magnetized in this way is then brought into contact or in the vicinity of the detection head 17, the magnetization of the card 1 is detected and the signal delivered by the detection head 17 is processed in the processing unit 30, which determines whether the detected signal corresponds to the expected signal.

 The processing unit 30 is arranged to light the green light 13 when the magnetization detected by the detection head 17 falls within a predetermined range of values, in order to signal to the croupier that the card which has just been analyzed is indeed a authentic menu.

 On the other hand, if the card which is analyzed does not have the expected magnetic properties, then the detection head 17 will not detect the desired magnetization, and the red light 14 will light up, signaling to the croupier the authentication defect.

 The authentication device 40 and the activation device 50 can be placed inside the same box or in two different boxes, only the box containing the authentication device 40 being present at the gaming table. .

 In a second example of implementation of the invention, advantage is taken of the magnetic properties of the card to store information in the latter.

 We can then use an identification system shown in Figures 6 and 7 and divided into two devices 40 'and 50', one for writing, the other for reading.

 The writing device 40 ′ comprises, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a writing head 16 ′ allowing to write a specific code on the card, according to a known magnetic coding and recording method, for example F / coding. 2F used to write on magnetic strips bank cards.

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 This recording can be done along a virtual track identified with respect to an edge of the card, for example.

 The reading device 50 ′ comprises a reading head 17 ′ which is magnetoresistive or inductive, connected to a processing unit 30 ′ comprising for example a microprocessor.

 Before using the card game for the game, one can thus memorize in all the cards of this game a code containing for example the date of the day and / or the table number and / or the number of the casino and / or a random code, renewed every day for example.

 It is also possible to use cards in which, in addition to the aforementioned information, the value of each card is stored.

 During the games, the cards of the winning hands are read by the reading device 50 ', integrated for example in a box such as that shown in FIG. 3 or in a box of different shape.

 In case of correspondence between the information obtained from the read code and the expected information, the green light 13 will light up while in the opposite case it is the red light 14 that will light up.

 It is also possible to use, in place of magnetic particles, magnetic fibers, in particular fibers having a soft magnetism, for example in a proportion of 0.1% by mass (dry) in at least one of the paper jets , for example.

 The magnetic properties can then be detected for example according to the method described in patent application WO 98/26379.

 It is possible to use, in a variant implementation of the invention, particles or fibers having electromagnetic or radioelectric properties, replacing magnetic particles or fibers.

 One can in particular use a dispersion of particles or fibers of metallic nature, called radio frequencies, sold by the company INKODE in particular.

 In the case of the use of particles or fibers having electromagnetic properties, authentication can be done remotely by means of a radio frequency detector arranged so as to detect the resonance of said particles or fibers in

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 response to an electromagnetic excitation field, of suitable wavelength.

 The authentication system is then arranged so that if the electromagnetic response obtained does not correspond to that expected, a warning signal is emitted.

 The authentication system, or at the very least the radio frequency detector, can advantageously, in the case of the use of particles or fibers having electromagnetic properties, be integrated into the table or the play mat, as illustrated in the Figure 8, since it allows remote card authentication.

 This FIGURE shows an authentication system 20 comprising a radio frequency detector and two green 21 and red 22 lights to indicate to the dealer whether a card brought in the vicinity of the radio frequency detector is authentic or not.

 Of course, the fibers or particles having electromagnetic properties can be, as previously described with respect to magnetic particles, integrated into the card in various ways, by being mixed with glue or dispersed in the material of a layer of sealer. , a paper throw or a print / write layer composing the card.

 It is also possible to use, instead of a dispersion of particles or fibers which are magnetic or have electromagnetic properties, a wire or a strip which has magnetic or electromagnetic properties, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

 FIG. 9 shows a playing card comprising a wire 25 extending over the entire length of the card, between its ends a and b, and in FIG. 10 a 1 "playing card comprising a wire 26 extending over the entire width of the card, between its ends l'c and l'd.

 The wires 25 or 26 may for example comprise a support made of plastic, for example PET, of a small thickness, for example 13 μm, coated by vacuum deposition for example of a soft magnetic alloy detectable from a distance.

 One can also use a wire with a soft magnetic alloy present discontinuously on the wire, the arrangement of the magnetic portions on the wire being able to constitute a code specific to a given casino.

 The detection can be carried out in a similar manner to what has been described previously for the magnetic fibers, in particular the magnetic fibers of

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 soft magnetism.

 One could also use a wire having a hard magnetism extending continuously from one end to the other of the card and carry out a writing / reading as in the previous example concerning the use of magnetic particles.

 Each wire 25 or 26 can be integrated online into the playing card, between two jets of paper J for example.

 The aforementioned magnetic alloy could also be deposited by hot transfer.

For example, in the case of FIG. 2A, it can be placed on the back of one of the paper jets J before it is laminated on the other paper jet.

 Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which have just been described.

 One can in particular use other security elements without departing from the scope of the present invention.

 In particular, an excitable tracer in the infrared can be used as a security element, in particular in the near infrared.

 As a tracer, one can use for example a dye sold by the company ISOTAG, having a very low absorption in the visible, non-colored and which can be introduced into the material making up one of the layers of the playing card, for example glue .

 In the example described, the tracer used has an absorption in the near infrared between 750 and 850 nm and a maximum fluorescence in the infrared around 800-900 nm.

 The detection can be done by reflection by means of an authentication device 60 as shown in FIG. 11, comprising a laser diode 61 and a photodiode 62 provided with a filter letting the band of wavelengths 800- 900 nm.

 The laser diode is preferably a Ga Al As diode having an emission centered around 800 nm.

 In the example described, the tracer concentration is at least 0.0005% by weight (in dry) relative to the weight of the adhesive and preferably 0.005%.

 In general, the higher the amount of tracer, the more the absorption at the wavelength of the laser diode will produce a significant response.

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 To authenticate a card, the card is placed so that it is subjected to irradiation by the laser diode 61.

 When the card comprises, for example in the adhesive layer C, the aforementioned tracer, the latter re-emits a wavelength slightly offset from the emission wavelength of the laser diode 61 and this fluorescence is detected by the photodiode 62 thanks to the associated filter.

 The detection of the tracer is done in all or nothing, like the detection of the magnetic properties of the security element in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4.

 It is also possible to use the tracer to record information, the authentication device 60 being replaced by an identification device capable of reading this information.

Claims (28)

 1. Playing card (1) comprising a security element, characterized in that the security element is not visible and extends at least between two ends of the card.  2. Card according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is produced by laminating at least two jets of paper.  3. Card according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said ends correspond to the short sides (a, l'b) or to the long sides (1'c, l'd) of the card.  4. Card according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the security element is distributed in the two dimensions of the plane of the card.  5. Card according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the security element comprises a dispersion of particles or fibers having magnetic or electromagnetic properties.  6. Card according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fibers or particles having magnetic or electromagnetic properties are mixed with glue (C) used to assemble at least two jets of paper.  7. Card according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the fibers or particles having magnetic or electromagnetic properties are mixed with the material of a filler layer.  8. Card according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the fibers or particles having magnetic or electromagnetic properties are mixed with the material of a printing / writing layer.  9. Card according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises fibers having magnetic or electromagnetic properties introduced into at least one jet of fibrous material, preferably at a rate of at least 0.01% by weight (in dry) relative to the other fibers forming the fibrous material and more preferably in a proportion close to 0.1%.  10. Card according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises particles having magnetic or electromagnetic properties introduced into at least one jet of fibrous material, preferably <Desc / Clms Page number 15>  their dry weight ratio with respect to the jet of fibrous material being at least 0.01%, preferably still close to 1%.  11. Card according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises particles having magnetic or electromagnetic properties incorporated into the material of at least one of the porous, adhesive or printing layers / writing, the level of these particles preferably representing at least 0.1% of the weight (in dry) of the layer or layers concerned, more preferably around 5%.  12. Card according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises fibers having magnetic or electromagnetic properties incorporated into the material of at least one of the porous, adhesive or printing layers / writing, their rate preferably representing at least 0.01% of the weight (in dry) of the layer or layers concerned, more preferably about 0.1%.  13. Card according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises an excitable tracer in the infrared and preferably the near infrared.  14. Card according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tracer is mixed with at least one of the constituent materials of the card, preferably an adhesive used to assemble jets of paper, its concentration being at least 0 .0005% by weight (in dry) relative to the weight of the adhesive, and preferably at least 0.005%.  15. Card according to one of claims 13 and 14, characterized in that the tracer has a maximum fluorescence in the infrared around 800-900 nm.  16. Card according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an external printing / writing layer, a filler layer, a jet of paper, a layer of glue, a jet of paper, a diaper

 filler and an outer printing / writing layer. 17. Card according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it comprises an outer printing / writing layer, a filler layer, a paper jet, a filler layer, a layer glue, a filler layer, a paper spray, a filler layer, an outer layer <Desc / Clms Page number 16>  printing / writing.  18. Card according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it comprises an outer printing / writing layer, a porous layer, a paper jet, two mouth-pore layers, a layer of glue. , two filler layers, a paper jet, a filler layer, an outer print / write layer.  19. Card according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it comprises an external printing / writing layer, a porous layer, a paper jet, a layer of glue, a paper jet, a layer of glue, a jet of paper, a filler layer, an outer layer of printing / writing.  20. Method for securing a part of cards, characterized in that cards as defined in any one of claims 1 to 19 are used, which are memorized before the game is used for the part of information in the cards of the game, each card comprising a magnetic support able to memorize the information, and that one reads the information present on the magnetic support during the game or at the end of it, to compare them with the information initially stored.  21. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the stored information is chosen from the date of the day of use of the card game, the table number, a number specific to the game, a number specific to each card, a random code renewed periodically.  22. Authentication system (10; 20) for verifying the authenticity of a playing card as defined in any one of claims 1 to 19, this card comprising a security element having magnetic or electromagnetic properties, this system being characterized by the fact that it includes an authentication device (40) capable of detecting the magnetic or electromagnetic properties of the playing card after or during exposure to an activation device (50).  23. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the activation device comprises a magnetization head (16) capable of imparting magnetic properties to the playing card, when the latter comprises a security element capable of be magnetized, and by the fact that the authentication device comprises a detection head (17) for detecting the magnetic properties thus conferred by the head <Desc / Clms Page number 17>  magnetization.  24. The system as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that the activation device comprises a device for transmitting a radio signal and in that the identification device comprises a radiofrequency detection device capable of detecting the signature electromagnetic of a security element present in the playing card, presenting a specific radioelectric signature.  25. Identification system for identifying a playing card as defined in any one of claims 1 to 19, the card comprising a magnetic security element capable of memorizing information, characterized in that it comprises on the one hand a writing device comprising a writing head (16 ') capable of recording information on the security element, and on the other hand a reading device comprising a reading head (17') capable of reading information thus recorded on the security element.  26. Identification system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a processing unit (30 ') making it possible to compare a code read with expected information.  27. Identification or authentication device for identifying or authenticating a card as defined in one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that it comprises an optical transmitter such as a laser diode (61) and an optical sensor such as a photodiode (62).  28. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that

 the optical transmitter (61) has an emission centered on 800 nm and the optical sensor (62) is coupled to a filter so as to be sensitive to wavelengths 800-900 nm.