GB2130526A - Improvements in and relating to security cards - Google Patents

Improvements in and relating to security cards Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2130526A
GB2130526A GB08224175A GB8224175A GB2130526A GB 2130526 A GB2130526 A GB 2130526A GB 08224175 A GB08224175 A GB 08224175A GB 8224175 A GB8224175 A GB 8224175A GB 2130526 A GB2130526 A GB 2130526A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
card
pattern
laser
mask
lasers
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08224175A
Inventor
Harold Morris Fisher
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Omal Group Ltd
Original Assignee
Omal Group Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Omal Group Ltd filed Critical Omal Group Ltd
Priority to GB08224175A priority Critical patent/GB2130526A/en
Publication of GB2130526A publication Critical patent/GB2130526A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/40—Manufacture
    • B42D25/405—Marking
    • B42D25/41—Marking using electromagnetic radiation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/30—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
    • B42D25/36—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery comprising special materials
    • B42D25/364—Liquid crystals
    • B42D2033/26—

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Laser Beam Processing (AREA)
  • Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
  • Laser Beam Printer (AREA)

Abstract

A credit card having a sensitive inner surface 14 concealed beneath a liquid crystal mask 15 has identifying marks placed on the inner surface by means of at least one laser, the laser light being arranged in a variable pattern by means of optical fibres. The pattern is projected onto the inner surface. Suggested patterns are the seven segments arranged as in the number eight and a simple dot matrix. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to security cards This invention is concerned with an improved security system.
A security system has recently been proposed in which a mask is provided over, for example, part of a credit or security card bearing a number or signature, the mask being normally opaque but being responsive to a suitable electric field to become transparent to allow the number or signature to become visible. A suitable mask could be made from a liquid crystal layer, for example. Such a system has considerable advantages in checking, at locations equipped to apply the electric field, that the person presenting the card is in fact the proper bearer of the card.
If one is dealing with small numbers of such cards then clearly there is no difficulty in inserting identification numbers, signatures or even photographs in position beneath the mask while the card is being made up but this is unrealistic if large numbers of cards are required.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of marking such a card after it has been made up.
The present invention is a method of marking an internal surface of a card comprising focussing light from at least one laser on said surface to form the markings.
The surface may be located beneath a mask made of a material which, upon application of a suitable electric field, changes from an opaque state to an at least translucent state.
The present invention is also apparatus for marking an internal surface of a card, comprising at least one laser, means for forming the light from said at least one laser into a pattern, means for changing the pattern of laser light and means for projecting the pattern of laser light onto the internal surface of the card.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 7 is a cross section through a credit or security card; and Figure 2 diagrammatically illustrates apparatus according to the present invention.
Referring now to Fig. 1, a credit or security card 10 may consist of a base layer 11, a top layer 1 2 having a window 1 3 formed therein, a sheet 14 sensitive to a laser beam on the base layer beneath the window and a mask 1 5 located in the window to cover the sheet 14, the mask 1 5 being made of a material which upon application of a suitable electric field changes from an opaque state to an at least translucent state. Liquid crystal materials suitable for the mask 1 5 are well known.It should be understood that in practice the card 10 may be considerably more complex than shown and include other features such as polarising plates for applying the field to the mask 1 5. Fig. 1 does, however, illustrate the essential features of the card as they relate to the present invention, namely, an interior surface (the sheet 14) on which markings are to be placed which is covered by the mask 1 5.
The present invention proposes to form the markings on the sheet 14 by means or one or more lasers focussed on the sheet through the mask 1 5. Suitable apparatus is illustrated in Fig. 2 and consists essentially of a bank of lasers 20 with their associated control equipment an optical fibre light guide system 21 for receiving the light from the lasers and forming a suitable pattern and a projection system 22 for focussing the pattern onto the sheet 14.
The best pattern will vary with the circumstances. If it is desired to mark the sheet 14 with numerals only then a suitable pattern would be the seven element pattern in the shape of a number 8 familiar in, for example, digital watches. Seven lasers would be provided in the bank, each laser being associated with a respective segment and by firing appropriate combinations of lasers any number could be marked on the sheet. A multidigit number would be formed, of course, quite simply by indexing the card beneath the apparatus and firing the appropriate laser combinations at appropriate times. In a modification of this embodiment, a single more powerful laser is employed, and the optical fibre system would function to split the laser beam into seven beams.In this modified embodiment, shutters are provided to mask the pattern segments that are not required for the particular numeral required.
A second embodiment is proposed when it is desired to mark the sheet 14 with letters and here the bank would consist of say thirtyfive lasers to produce a pattern comprising a seven by five dot matrix. By firing appropriate combinations of lasers letters (and indeed numbers) can be formed.
In a further embodiment of the invention a single laser may be used, its beam being moved over the surface so that with repeated firing of the laser the desired marking is formed on the surface in the pattern formed by movement of the beam
CLAIMS: 1. A method of marking an internal surface of a card comprising focussing light from at least one laser on said surface to form the markings.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the surface is located beneath a mask made of a material which, upon application of a suitable electric field, changes from an opaque state to an at least translucent state.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to security cards This invention is concerned with an improved security system. A security system has recently been proposed in which a mask is provided over, for example, part of a credit or security card bearing a number or signature, the mask being normally opaque but being responsive to a suitable electric field to become transparent to allow the number or signature to become visible. A suitable mask could be made from a liquid crystal layer, for example. Such a system has considerable advantages in checking, at locations equipped to apply the electric field, that the person presenting the card is in fact the proper bearer of the card. If one is dealing with small numbers of such cards then clearly there is no difficulty in inserting identification numbers, signatures or even photographs in position beneath the mask while the card is being made up but this is unrealistic if large numbers of cards are required. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of marking such a card after it has been made up. The present invention is a method of marking an internal surface of a card comprising focussing light from at least one laser on said surface to form the markings. The surface may be located beneath a mask made of a material which, upon application of a suitable electric field, changes from an opaque state to an at least translucent state. The present invention is also apparatus for marking an internal surface of a card, comprising at least one laser, means for forming the light from said at least one laser into a pattern, means for changing the pattern of laser light and means for projecting the pattern of laser light onto the internal surface of the card. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 7 is a cross section through a credit or security card; and Figure 2 diagrammatically illustrates apparatus according to the present invention. Referring now to Fig. 1, a credit or security card 10 may consist of a base layer 11, a top layer 1 2 having a window 1 3 formed therein, a sheet 14 sensitive to a laser beam on the base layer beneath the window and a mask 1 5 located in the window to cover the sheet 14, the mask 1 5 being made of a material which upon application of a suitable electric field changes from an opaque state to an at least translucent state. Liquid crystal materials suitable for the mask 1 5 are well known.It should be understood that in practice the card 10 may be considerably more complex than shown and include other features such as polarising plates for applying the field to the mask 1 5. Fig. 1 does, however, illustrate the essential features of the card as they relate to the present invention, namely, an interior surface (the sheet 14) on which markings are to be placed which is covered by the mask 1 5. The present invention proposes to form the markings on the sheet 14 by means or one or more lasers focussed on the sheet through the mask 1 5. Suitable apparatus is illustrated in Fig. 2 and consists essentially of a bank of lasers 20 with their associated control equipment an optical fibre light guide system 21 for receiving the light from the lasers and forming a suitable pattern and a projection system 22 for focussing the pattern onto the sheet 14. The best pattern will vary with the circumstances. If it is desired to mark the sheet 14 with numerals only then a suitable pattern would be the seven element pattern in the shape of a number 8 familiar in, for example, digital watches. Seven lasers would be provided in the bank, each laser being associated with a respective segment and by firing appropriate combinations of lasers any number could be marked on the sheet. A multidigit number would be formed, of course, quite simply by indexing the card beneath the apparatus and firing the appropriate laser combinations at appropriate times. In a modification of this embodiment, a single more powerful laser is employed, and the optical fibre system would function to split the laser beam into seven beams.In this modified embodiment, shutters are provided to mask the pattern segments that are not required for the particular numeral required. A second embodiment is proposed when it is desired to mark the sheet 14 with letters and here the bank would consist of say thirtyfive lasers to produce a pattern comprising a seven by five dot matrix. By firing appropriate combinations of lasers letters (and indeed numbers) can be formed. In a further embodiment of the invention a single laser may be used, its beam being moved over the surface so that with repeated firing of the laser the desired marking is formed on the surface in the pattern formed by movement of the beam CLAIMS:
1. A method of marking an internal surface of a card comprising focussing light from at least one laser on said surface to form the markings.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the surface is located beneath a mask made of a material which, upon application of a suitable electric field, changes from an opaque state to an at least translucent state.
3. Apparatus for marking an internal surface of a card, comprising at least one laser, means for forming the light from said at least one laser into a pattern, means for changing the pattern of laser light and means for projecting the pattern of laser light onto the internal surface of the card.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the pattern comprises seven segments arranged in the form of the number eight.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which seven lasers are provided each associated with a respective segment, and said means for changing the pattern of laser light comprises means suppressing firing of selected ones of the lasers.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the pattern formed by said means comprises a matrix.
7. A method of marking an internal surface of a card, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
8. Apparatus for marking an internal surface of a card, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
GB08224175A 1982-08-23 1982-08-23 Improvements in and relating to security cards Withdrawn GB2130526A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08224175A GB2130526A (en) 1982-08-23 1982-08-23 Improvements in and relating to security cards

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08224175A GB2130526A (en) 1982-08-23 1982-08-23 Improvements in and relating to security cards

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2130526A true GB2130526A (en) 1984-06-06

Family

ID=10532474

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08224175A Withdrawn GB2130526A (en) 1982-08-23 1982-08-23 Improvements in and relating to security cards

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2130526A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0980907A1 (en) * 1998-08-14 2000-02-23 Clariant GmbH Laser marking for effect coatings
US7252239B2 (en) 2000-02-25 2007-08-07 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Method for producing laser-writable data carriers and data carrier produced according to this method

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1580553A (en) * 1977-08-22 1980-12-03 Bank Of England Document carrying a legible code and method and apparatus for producing same
GB2052841A (en) * 1979-05-08 1981-01-28 Canon Kk Semiconductor laser device and an image recording apparatuus the same
GB2092066A (en) * 1980-12-23 1982-08-11 Gao Ges Automation Org An identification card and a method of producing same
GB2092519A (en) * 1980-12-23 1982-08-18 Gao Ges Automation Org An identification card and a method of producing it
GB2092518A (en) * 1980-12-23 1982-08-18 Gao Ges Automation Org An identification card and a method of producing same

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1580553A (en) * 1977-08-22 1980-12-03 Bank Of England Document carrying a legible code and method and apparatus for producing same
GB2052841A (en) * 1979-05-08 1981-01-28 Canon Kk Semiconductor laser device and an image recording apparatuus the same
GB2092066A (en) * 1980-12-23 1982-08-11 Gao Ges Automation Org An identification card and a method of producing same
GB2092519A (en) * 1980-12-23 1982-08-18 Gao Ges Automation Org An identification card and a method of producing it
GB2092518A (en) * 1980-12-23 1982-08-18 Gao Ges Automation Org An identification card and a method of producing same

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0980907A1 (en) * 1998-08-14 2000-02-23 Clariant GmbH Laser marking for effect coatings
US6207240B1 (en) 1998-08-14 2001-03-27 Clariant Gmbh Laser marking of effect coatings
US7252239B2 (en) 2000-02-25 2007-08-07 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Method for producing laser-writable data carriers and data carrier produced according to this method
EP1274585B2 (en) † 2000-02-25 2017-10-11 Giesecke & Devrient GmbH Method for producing laser-writable data carriers and data carrier produced according to this method

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5350198A (en) Recording medium with colored picture information, in particular a check card or identity card
EP3319807B1 (en) Methods of manufacturing security devices and security documents
ES8302550A1 (en) Identification card and a method of producing same
AU600922B2 (en) Card data carrier and method of producing it
EP0520363A1 (en) Latent images comprising phase shifted micro printing
NO883516D0 (en) PROCEDURE FOR PROVIDING IDENTIFICATION AND / OR MARKING ON A GLASS GLASS.
KR100277612B1 (en) How to sculpt a model on the workpiece surface
ATE79182T1 (en) CLEAR LAYER CONTAINING DIRECTIONAL IMAGE INFORMATION AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME.
RU2002123343A (en) A method of manufacturing laser-imprinted storage media and a storage medium manufactured in this way
ATE397771T1 (en) COEXTRUDED COMPOSITE FILM
SE8001530L (en) IDENTITY CARD AND SET FOR ITS PREPARATION
DE1284128B (en) Character recognition device
MX172163B (en) PAPER FOR LOTTERY TICKETS AND METHOD FOR ITS MANUFACTURE
GB968808A (en) A recording apparatus
EP1309941B1 (en) Optically active structure for personalizing cards and the like, and method for the production thereof
US3858031A (en) Credit card having clear middle layer encoded by discrete opaque areas and system for decoding same by laser beam
DE2643803C2 (en) Method for producing and reproducing holographic recordings
GB2130526A (en) Improvements in and relating to security cards
US5369273A (en) Method for labeling an object using laser radiation
EP0043509A1 (en) Method of making a hologram with reconstruction thereof in mono- or polychromatic light
US6541189B1 (en) Apparatus and method of marking polymer-based laminates
US2379534A (en) Optical work area locator
US4420174A (en) Identification card bearing latent image perceptible in the presence of background light
FR2763889B1 (en) INTERMEDIATE SHEET, METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE PREPARATION OF A DOCUMENT WITH VARIABLE INSCRIPTIONS
RU2079167C1 (en) Information carrier

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)