WO2000036554A1

WO2000036554A1 - Plastic card with optically active layer

Info

Publication number: WO2000036554A1
Application number: PCT/CZ1998/000050
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lubomír SLUNSKÝ; Judita SLUNSKÁ
Original assignee: Slunsky Lubomir; Slunska Judita
Priority date: 1998-12-11
Filing date: 1998-12-11
Publication date: 2000-06-22
Also published as: AU1432099A

Abstract

Plastic card consists of the same elements as usual plastic cards, but the core is provided with optically active layer (3) provided with recording tracks (4), recorded or recordable. Tracks (4) are in the shape of circle or spiral and/or its sections. Recording tracks (4) contain, beside useful information, also address of the segment and code of the beginning and end of record in the segment, and the card is provided with opening (5) for its use in existing drives. Chip module or chip module and antenna can be part of the internal construction of the card.

Description

Plastic card with optically active layer

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a plastic card provided with at least one optically active layer with record track on its surface. Shape of tracks is designed so that the card represents information carrier for multimedia and computer applications readable in replay CD drives.

State of the art

At present, plastic cards such as for instance credit cards, telephone cards, permanent tickets, contactless controllers of computers or entrance devices, company ID cards and passes, etc. are commonly used during data processing for various purposes. Shape as well as thickness of these cards are defined by unification regulations. According to the type of recording systems used, these cards are contact, contactless, or combined cards: Base of the card is always a plastic core, sometimes comprising several layers, possibly provided with surface foils. Manufacturing methods are described by Christine Lesher (Advanced Smart Card Manufacturing Techniques and Methods, Conference Freedings - Card Tech ^'97, 1997, vol.1 , 139-148). The intelligent element of the card is usually in the form of chip module in the case of contact cards, in the form of optically active layer or combination of chip module and antenna in the case of contactless cards. Antenna is usually performed as a printed circuit on non-conducting core or as a printed conductive pattern on non-conducting core or in the orm of shaped filament made of conductor and places on the card core. Combined chip cards than contain combination of chip module and antenna with contacts. Cards provided with optically active layer which are known at present, have optically active layer in a shape of parallelogram. Its optically active layer is provided with straight tracks arranged lengthways side by side These cards are described for instance by Decaix Marianne (Optical card, Conference Proceedings - Cartes ^'96, 1996, Sec C4) Optically active materials suitable for manufacture of this layer are already well known and commonly available nowadays The way of creating records, usually with the help of laser, is known as well

All the intelligent card types stated above are applicable only in devices exclusively intended for this purpose which are approximately ten times more expensive than CD-players or CD ROM drives, and the given technology also limits purposes for which it can be used No one of the said cards can be used in common multimedia or computer equipment, for instance for playback of sound recordings in CD drives

On the other hand, compact discs known as CD discs are used as information carriers for playback of sound recordings in CD drives They are of well known flat circular shape with central pin hole, provided with optically active layer with one spiral-coiled recording track or with recording tracks in a shape of numerous concentric circles Shape of the discs and method of recording is internationally standardised and steadily developing These discs are employed on a mass scale in the field of culture, show-business, computers and multimedia technology Capacity of such discs is too high for number of applications, e g for publishing single records Their suitability to be stored is not excellent and they require special case All this influences its price, which is relatively high They are not used for a number of technically feasible applications because its use would not be economical

Essence of the invention

The above mentioned drawbacks are eliminated by plastic card according to the invention New type of plastic card is designed with optically active layer, where the essence of the invention is in that each record track is created in rounded shape in each section which allows processing of the information record in the course of rotational movement of the card in the reading device i.e. in the shape of circle and/or spiral and/or their sections while the card is in the shape of common plastic card i.e. it is a flat body of approximately rectangle shape. Similarly as in the case of existing plastic cards, its base is plastic core or, as the case may be, possibly comprising several layers. Core of the card is provided with optically active layer accessible for reading or writing beam from at least one side of the card, covering at least part of the surface. Optically active layer consists of layer of optically active material provided with at least one recording track for information record. On the recorded card, appropriate information recording is performed on this track or tracks. Surface of the card can be provided with protective layer such as varnish or foil. Only transparent protective layer can be on the optically active area to allow access of the reading or recording beam.

Series of the following alternative solutions is possible according to the shape of tracks. The track can be one, in a shape of continuous or discontinuous single spiral. Other realisations can be derived from the shape of single spiral, when the first track i.e. the track nearest to the centre is of the spiral shape, and other tracks located further from the centre are of the shape of spiral sections or, especially in the case when the optical layer is produced as a section of the original circular area covered with spiral track, all the tracks are of shape of spiral sections. Other variant solutions can be derived from the second basic system, when the tracks are in the shape of numerous concentric circles. Than, the inner tracks can also be of the shape of concentric circles, whereas the remaining tracks, external relatively to the inner tracks, are of the shape of sections of other concentric circles, or, when the card is provided with the optically active layer in the shape of sector, all the tracks are of the shape of sections of concentric circles. Tracks can also be of shape which is combination of the above-mentioned shapes. Creation of track of long interrupted section, at simultaneous interruption of optical layer for instance during manufacture by cutting, is a surprisingly new. Although such card is usable only in recent CD drives calculating with short-term interruption for example by scratching, and therefore are able to process information records while rotating the inserted information carrier and which are able to keep the orientation even when the recording track is interrupted, however this possibility of use of rectangular plastic cards is economically so effective and such technical breakthrough, that it can fundamentally influence further development and especially mass use of plastic cards. If the track interruption is short, for instance by scratching on the carrier, no special treatment of recording tracks is necessary. However, if the interruption is longer, software treatment of writing records is necessary so that each information segment would contain usable information as well as address of the segment and code of beginning and ending of the record in the segment. Recent CD ROM drives will than handle such inserted card without any problems even if its shape and shape of optically active layer does not correspond to presently used CD discs. Even more, it is not necessary to specially center seating of the card in the drive because the very recent drives are able to process the information just if they catch any track. In the case of card treated by the above mentioned way, the evaluating device can assemble continuous record such as music with continuity not influenced by interrupted processing of the information from individual sections of recording tracks. Main advantage of the said plastic card is possibility to use massively expanding CD drives without its significant modifications.

For use in standard CD drives, it is necessary that the plastic card is provided with circular hole allowing its fixation in the reading device. Than, during reading or writing records, the card is fixed for rotational movement during information processing by the same way as CD discs. It is optimal if centre of the opening is located in the centre of the card mainly because its balance during rotation, because the reading and/or writing drive of the information system works to compensate the card movement.

From the point of view of manufacture and manipulation, from all variations of possible implementations of the invention, the most advantageous one is when optically active layer reaches on all sides up to the edge of the card so that it covers, with the exception of the central opening, at least one whole surface side of the card core.

Plastic card according to the invention allows creation of next, completely new construction type of the combined chip card with incorporation of contactless electronic subsystem. For this application, it is necessary to prepare optically active layer from material inert to presence of electromagnetic field, to prevent undesirable effects. Plastic core is than provided with antenna embedded in the card, the same as in existing contactless cards, and also semiconductor chip module fitted with necessary contacts is build into the card.

The invention can be used for plastic cards with optically active layer provided with information record for common CD drives such as CD players and CD ROM drives. They can be also produced as multipurpose cards by combination with construction of presently known plastic cards. Than, they can have wide spectrum of application for instance as telephone chip cards with audio record or in health care and other fields as combined plastic cards in which only some information would be commonly accessible via CD drive, whereas another, secret, information would be accessible with the help of special code etc.

Review of figures on drawings

The invention is clearly demonstrated with the help of drawings, where Fig. 1 represents exemplary embodiment of the plastic card from the top view, Fig. 2 in the structural side view, and Fig. 3 Through 5 represent various other exemplary embodiments of the card, with schematic indication of shape workmanship of record tracks, Fig. 6 shows exemplary embodiment according to the Example 4 in the structural side view, and Fig. 7 and 8 other exemplary embodiments of the card with schematic indication of shape workmanship of record tracks. Examples of embodiment of the invention Example 1

Exemplary embodiment of the invention is a plastic card shown on FigJ from the top view, and on Fig. 2 in the structural side view. Carrying element of this card is approximately rectangular plastic core 1, which is on its lower surface printed and covered with transparent surface foil 2. On its upper surface, the plastic core 1 is provided with optically active layer 3, which is provided with recording track 4 in the shape of spiral (shape of the spiral is indicated only schematically on Fig. 1 , in reality it is a track with dense winding one track close to the other, just as in the case of known CD disks). Opening 5 for fixation of the card in the reading CD drive is located in the centre of the spiral. Optically active layer 3 is made from the same material as in the case of CD ROM disks. Optically active layer 3 is provided on its surface also with transparent surface foil 2.

The said card has been provided with optical information record in capacity of 4 conventional HD diskettes. Recipient received the information after inserting the card in recent reading drive common for optical disks.

Example 2

Other exemplary embodiment of the invention is a plastic card with audio record according to Fig. 3. Plastic card has plastic core 1_ of approximately rectangular shape. It is covered on its upper and lower surface with optically active layer 3. The first recording track 4 has spiral shape, the other, prevailing in the surface, recording tracks 4 are in the shape of spiral sectors practically in the continuation of the shape of the first track (schematically shown on Fig. 3). Opening 5 is located in the centre of the card.

This card has been provided with audio information recording namely in the volume of one so called "single play" i.e. one musical record on each side. Information laser record has been recorded for the needs of continuous record so that each information segment i.e. each sector of the recording track 4 contains besides its useful information also its address on the card and information on beginning and end of the record, so it is possible to place it one by one correctly. Information on the card is processed during rotational movement of the card with rotation in the plane of the card. After inserting the card to the CD replaying drive so that the opening 5 is seated alike during replay of CD disks, it is possible to listen to the recorded music without any unwanted effect of discontinuous processing of the information from individual sectors of recording tracks 4 on its continuity. This card is illustration of optimal embodiment of the invention.

Card where tracks are combination of spiral and circular shape can look identically. That is, for instance, spiral track can be in the middle part, near to the opening, whereas sectors of concentric circles will be located on circumference.

Example 3

Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is a contactless plastic card according to Fig. 4. Also this card consists of the same elements as previous cards, but the plastic core 1 is multilayer. Optically active layer 3 covers part of the upper surface of the plastic core 1_. Optically active layer 3 has shape of approximately circular sector. Recording tracks 4 are in the shape of sectors of one spiral (only schematically indicated on Fig. 3). Optically active layer 3 and remaining part of the surface area of the plastic core 1 are covered with transparent foil 2. Plastic card has been provided with information record in the same way as the card according the previous example.

Example 4

Other exemplary embodiment of the invention is a contactless plastic card according to Fig 5 and Fig 6 This card consists of the same elements as previous cards Optically active layer 3 is of circular shape, and opening 5 is located in its centre and at the same time in the middle of the card Recording tracks 4 for information record are in the shape of concentric circles (shape of Recording tracks 4 is only schematically indicated on Fig 1 , real density is the same as in the case of CD disks)

Example 5

The most advantageous embodiment of the invention is a combined plastic card according to Fig 7 This card looks the same as usual telephone card at the first glance, with that difference that its lower surface of the core is covered by optically active layer 3 and that it is provided with the opening 5 in its centre It consists of multilayer plastic core 1_, internal antenna in the shape of printed circuit on the plastic core 1, chip module and necessary interconnecting contacts which has been fitted together by the method described in the CZ PV 1213-97 Upper surface of the upper layer of the plastic core 1, with the exception of the chip module, is covered with surface foil 2 Optically active layer 3 is of approx rectangular shape, it covers all the lower surface of the lower layer of the plastic core 1 except opening 5 Fig 5 indicates schematically shape of recording tracks 4 in the view to the lower side of the card Internal recording tracks 4 are in the shape of concentric circles whereas remaining recording tracks 4, relatively outer to the previous ones, are in the shape of sectors of other concentric circles and are predominant on the area Optically active layer 3 is covered with very thin transparent surface layer of protective varnish

Optically active layer 3 has been provided with information record in the same way as the card according the example 2 Than, this card fulfils function of the combined plastic card which data are accessible through chip module after insertion into corresponding reading device With the help of the same card, it is possible to listen to the audio recording after insertion of the card into CD drive.

Example 6

Other exemplary embodiment of the invention is plastic telephone card according to Fig. 8. Also this card consists of the same elements as previous cards. It looks similarly as plastic card according example 3 with that difference that it has no opening 5. Optically active layer 3 covers part of the upper surface of the plastic core 1, it is of approx. circular shape. Recording tracks 4 are in the shape of sectors of concentric circles (only schematically indicated on Fig. 8).

Plastic card 3 has been provided with information record in the same way as the card according the example 3. This card can be used only in CD drives of the most recent type in which the reading device is able to collect information regarding beginning of the information record based on interception of information wherever, just based on the evaluation of the address of the segment stored on each individual segment in the shape of sector of circle.

Claims

C L A I M S

1 Plastic card with optically active layer, which is card of approximately rectangular shape with plastic core, possibly multilayer, provided on at least one side on at least part of the surface with optically active layer with at least one recording track, possibly provided with information record where surface of the card is possibly provided with protective surface layer, distinguished by that that each recording track IAI is created in the rounded shape along its whole length

2 Plastic card with optically active layer according to claim 1 , distinguished by that that recording track IAI is in the shape of spiral

3 Plastic card with optically active layer according to claim 1 , distinguished by that that at least one recording track IAI is in the shape of spiral, and remaining recording tracks IAI are in the shape of spiral sectors

4 Plastic card with optically active layer according to claim 1 , distinguished by that that all recording tracks IAI are in the shape of spiral sectors

5 Plastic card with optically active layer according to claim 1 , distinguished by that that recording tracks IAI are in the shape of concentric circles

6 Plastic card with optically active layer according to claim 1 , distinguished by that that inner recording tracks IAI are in the shape of concentric circles, whereas remaining recording tracks IAI, external relatively to the internal ones, are in the shape of sectors of next concentric circles

7 Plastic card with optically active layer according to claim 1 , distinguished by that that all recording tracks IAI are in the shape of sectors of concentric circles

8. Plastic card with optically active layer according to claim 1 , distinguished by that that recording tracks IAI are in the shape of combination of shapes stated above.

9. Plastic card with optically active layer according to claim 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8, distinguished by that that recording tracks IAI are provided with information arranged into segments so that beside useful information, also address of the segment and code of beginning and end of record in the segment is in each segment.

10. Plastic card with optically active layer according to claims 1 through 9, distinguished by that that it is provided with circular opening 151 for fixation in the reading device.

11. Plastic card with optically active layer according to claim 10, distinguished by that that centre of the opening 151 is placed in the centre of the card.

12. Plastic card with optically active layer according to claims 1 through 11 , distinguished by that that optically active layer 131 reaches on all sides up to the peripheral edge of the card.

13. Plastic card with optically active layer according to claims 1 through 12, distinguished by that that its surface optically active layer 131 is non-active to the presence of electromagnetic field, and its plastic core IM is provided with antenna embedded inside the card, semiconductor chip module and necessary contacts.