Method for producing a data carrier and data carrier produced therefrom

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a data carrier comprising an opaque layer and a method for making the data carrier. During personalization phase, the ablation of the opaque layer by laser through the data carrier allows to define a see-through portion of the data carrier carrying opaque security, said see-through portion having an improved security corresponding to opaque embossing pattern overlapping at least partially the opaque security partially destroyed. Said defined see-through portion carrying opaque security partially destroyed with opaque embossing pattern on its surface is even more difficult to reproduce by forger, even more difficult to remove, replace or exchange and easy to check.

Claims

1. A method of producing a data carrier having metalized personalization features and security patterns, comprising: placing an opaque metal layer portion applied into two layers of a body of the data carrier, the opaque metal layer portion is selected so thin that an irradiation by the laser beam results on a local destruction of said opaque metal layer portion; placing a beam-modifying portion applied onto a surface of the body of the data carrier, said beam-modifying portion being positioned at least partially overlapping the opaque metal layer portion, said beam-modifying portion having an optical property capable of modifying a laser beam; irradiating the laser beam to the opaque metal layer portion through the surface of the data carrier of partially destroying the opaque metal layer portion in such a way that it creates an opaque personalized data in the form of holes in the opaque metal layer portion, irradiating the laser beam to the opaque layer portion through the beam-modifying portion to allow the modifying of the laser beam according to the optical property to produce a resultant laser beam that locally destroy said opaque layer portion, in such a way that it creates an opaque pattern with a visual impression of an opaque embossed structures corresponding to the result of the irradiation of the beam-modifying portion said opaque pattern is in a superposing relation with the beam-modifying portion to create an appearance of a metalized embossing structure.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data carrier is a multilayer data carrier comprising: a first layer of plastic that comprises an upper side; a second layer of plastic comprising a rear side and an upper side, the opaque layer is arranged on said upper side of said first layer and partially covering said upper side; the rear side of the second layer of plastic is arranged on the first layer, said second layer being transparent at least in a subregion of the opaque layer, said upper side of the second layer comprising a plurality of raised surface portions comprising each an embossing beam-modifying portion, said embossed beam-modifying portion comprising a surface profile having an optical property capable of modifying a laser beam, said embossed beam-modifying portion being positioned adjacent or at least partially over the opaque layer portion.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein a layer of the data carrier is printed in a color before application of the opaque layer in the first layer or the second layer, so that the color is visible after the holes into the opaque layer by the irradiation steps.

4. The method according to the claim 1, wherein the data carrier is a multilayer data carrier comprising: the opaque layer being arranged on said rear side of said second layer and partially covering said rear side of the second layer, said second layer being transparent at least in a subregion of the opaque layer, said upper side of the second layer comprising at its upper side a plurality of raised surface portions comprising each an embossing beam-modifying portion, said embossed beam-modifying portion comprising a surface profile having an optical property capable of modifying a laser beam, said embossed beam-modifying portion being positioned at least partially over the opaque layer portion.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the opaque layer is laminated between the first and the second plastic layers.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the opaque layer is arranged in a window of the otherwise at least regionally opaque layer.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein to create the opaque personalized data and the opaque pattern the step of partially destroying the opaque layer is using the laser beam until the metal layer has at least recessed, evaporated, color changed, color altered or removed.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the metal layer is vapor deposited onto the first layer or the second layer, applied by hot stamping or laminated together with a carrier layer.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein owing to the reflection behavior of the metal layer, the metalized personalized data and the metalized pattern when viewed can be seen as positive or negative depending on the viewing angle.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the opaque layer comprises at least two metal sheets arranged at a distance from one another and parallel above one another, these two metal sheets are provided with holes, wherein the two metal layers are exposed vertically with respect to their plane or at an inclination with respect to their planes so that the holes extend vertically or at an inclination with respect to said planes.

11. A data carrier having the appearance of including a metalized embossing structure, comprising: a first layer of plastic that comprises an upper side; a second layer of plastic comprising a rear side and an upper side, an opaque metal layer that is arranged between said rear side of the second layer and the upper side of the first layer, the opaque metal layer portion is selected so thin that an irradiation by the laser beam results on a local destruction of said opaque metal layer portion thereby leaving a hole in the opaque metal layer, said rear side of said second layer of plastic being arranged on the upper side of the first layer, said second layer being transparent at least in a subregion of the opaque layer, said upper side of the second layer comprising a plurality of raised surface portions comprising each an embossing beam-modifying portion, said embossed beam-modifying portion comprising a surface profile having an optical property capable of modifying a laser beam, said embossed beam-modifying portion being positioned adjacent or at least partially over the opaque layer portion, and an opaque pattern written into the opaque metal layer by a laser beam irradiated through the beam-modifying portion thereby having rendered holes in the opaque metal layer, the opaque pattern being in a superposing relation with the beam-modifying portion thereby creating an appearance of a metalized embossing structure.

12. The data carrier according to claim 11, wherein the opaque metal layer being arranged on said rear side of said second layer and partially covering said this rear side, or the opaque metal layer being arranged on said upper side of said first layer and partially covering said this upper side.

13. The data carrier according to claim 12, wherein the data carrier is an identity card, a page of a passport, a credit card or the like.

14. The data carrier according to claim 11 wherein the opaque layer is sufficiently thin that an irradiation by the laser beam results on a local destruction of said opaque layer.

15. The data carrier according to claim 14 wherein the opaque layer comprises an opaque personalized data resulting from partial destruction by a laser beam through the surface of the data carrier.

16. The data carrier according to claim 15 wherein the opaque layer comprises a visual impression of an opaque embossed structures corresponding to the result of the irradiation of the beam-modifying portion produced by laser irradiation through the beam-modifying portion.

17. The data carrier according to claim 11 wherein the opaque layer is laminated between the first and the second plastic layers.

18. The data carrier according to claim 11 wherein the opaque layer is arranged in a window of the otherwise at least regionally opaque layer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The following detailed description will be better understood with the drawings, in which:

(2) FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 schematically illustrates a cross section through of a multilayer data carrier according to the invention according to different embodiments.

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross sectional drawing of the data carrier further showing a laser beam used to create destroying in the metal layer according to the invention.

(4) FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically illustrates a plan view of a multilayer data carrier under different lighting conditions according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(5) As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the invention is embodied in a method of producing a data carrier and a data carrier produced using the method. The data carrier comprises an opaque laser-destroyable portion and a beam-modifying portion overlapping at least partially the opaque laser portion. The beam-modifying portion is a beam-modifying protective layer of the opaque laser-destroyable layer.

(6) The action of suitable laser radiation on the opaque laser-destroyable portion used in accordance with the invention results in creating holes into the opaque laser portion to obtain an irreversible and visually readily detectable change into the opaque laser portion.

(7) In an embodiment, the laser radiation printing method used can be a laser marking method wherein a local destruction of the opaque laser portion is observed by local heating of the opaque laser portion.

(8) In another embodiment, the laser radiation printing method used can be a laser engraving method wherein material is ablated from the opaque laser portion. This ablation process can be carried out by the laser beam with removal, evaporation, or recess on the opaque laser portion.

(9) During the action of the laser printing onto the opaque laser-destroyable portion, selective part of the opaque laser portion are present in the form of gaps in the opaque laser portion.

(10) The selective gaps of said opaque laser portion producing, if desired, microinscriptions and/or images. Microinscriptions and/or images can be produced with different sizes and line thicknesses.

(11) The laser beam is irradiated through the beam-modifying portion to produce holes corresponding to a copy or a transfer of the pattern of the beam-modifying portion into the opaque laser-destroyable portion.

(12) It is to be understood that various other embodiments and variations of the invention may be produced without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The following is provided to assist in understanding the practical implementation of particular embodiments of the invention.

(13) The same elements have been designated with the same referenced numerals in the different drawings. For clarity, only those elements and steps which are useful to the understanding of the present invention have been shown in the drawings and will be described.

(14) Reference throughout the specification to an embodiment or another embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in an embodiment or in another embodiment in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

(15) Hereafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in the context of data carrier and a method for producing it. However, it is to be understood that the invention is usable with any data carrier that includes a laser marking as a verifiable mark of authentication. Such a data carrier includes, but is not limited to, a driving license, a badge or pass, a passport, a discount card, a membership card, a banking card, a credit card, a money card, a multi-application card, and other security documents and papers of value that are to be provided with information or data in such a way that they cannot be easily imitated by common means and are also protected from attempted manipulation.

(16) Data carriers are generally made with several layers coated or not, made in plastic material, such as polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). It may also be combination of these plastic materials.

(17) Hereinafter reference will be made to FIGS. 1 to 4 to describe laminating sheet, in the layer structure of which a laser-induced individualization can be produced for the purposes of affording a forgery-proof nature and to provide combinatory visual effects.

(18) The various sheet shown in the Figures will now be described in regard to their layer structure and the material composition of the individual layers.

(19) FIG. 1 shows a data carrier 10 comprising an opaque core sheet 11, a lower transparent cover sheet 12 and an upper transparent cover sheet 13. The data carrier 10 comprises an opaque layer 14 placed between two layers.

(20) In the example illustrated hereinafter, the opaque layer 14 is between the core sheet 11 and the cover sheet 13. In an embodiment, the opaque layer 14 is applied onto an upper side of the core sheet 11. In another embodiment, the opaque layer 14 is applied in a rear surface of the cover sheet. The rear surface of the cover sheet 13 is in direct opposing face with the upper side of the core sheet 11.

(21) In an embodiment, the opaque layer 14 is a metal layer. The metal layer is for example vapor deposited or applied by hot stamping. In what follows, a metal layer also refers to a metallized layer or a metallic layer. Such layers are known per se. The metal sheet may also be formed as a hologram. The cover sheet 13, the core sheet 11 and the lower cover sheet 12 are bonded in a manner known per se by lamination. The metal layer then correspondingly lies between the core sheet 11 and the cover sheet 13.

(22) The metallized layer is advantageously thinner than 4 m, in the ideal case thinner than 1 m. If it is laminated together with a carrier layer, the carrier should be no thicker than 50 m, in the ideal case about 20 m or thinner. Indeed, the metal layers is selected so thin that it is not feasible to actually make markings to them other than such holes. And then the optical structure on top moderates and redirects the laser and locale saves the foil from destruction.

(23) The metallized layer may contain holographic diffraction structures. The metallized layer consists, for example, of aluminum, although other metals may be envisioned, for example titanium. The techniques for applying the metal layer onto a thermoplastic sheet are known to the person skilled in the art.

(24) In another embodiment, the opaque layer 14 is a thin opaque plastic layer having a special additive. This special additive allows to modify the opaque plastic layer during the exposure of a laser radiation in such a way that it becomes transparent or at least translucent. The additive is, for example, a pigment which can be destroyed during the exposure to the laser radiation. Such pigments are known to the person skilled in the art. Instead of a pigmented plastic, it is possible to use a semicrystalline opaque plastic in which the macromolecules arranged in crystallites are converted into an amorphous and transparent structure by the heat input of the laser radiation.

(25) In the description hereinafter, the opaque layer 14 is the metal layer knowing it can be any kind of opaque layer above described.

(26) The upper surface of the cover sheet 13 comprises embossed pattern 15. These embossed pattern 15 can be fine relief structures whose geometrical parameters of spacing, orientation and profile shape are able to change a beam property of a laser beam irradiated therethrough.

(27) In an embodiment, the embossed pattern 15 can be raised onto the cover sheet 13 during manufacturing phase of the cover sheet 13. In another embodiment, the embossed pattern 15 can be raised onto the cover sheet 13 during lamination phase of the data carrier 10. In another embodiment, the embossed pattern 15 can be raised onto the cover sheet 13 after lamination phase of the data carrier 10. The embossed pattern 15 onto the cover sheet 13 can be made from any technology enabling relief structuring onto a surface.

(28) In the embodiment herein after described, the embossed pattern 15 is raised onto the cover sheet 13 during lamination phase of the data carrier 10. For that, the core sheet 11 is laminated with the cover sheet 13 using a laminating plate having a patterned contacting surface. A layer of adhesive (not shown) may be used between the lower cover sheet 12, the cover sheet 13 and the core sheet 11 to fixedly attach the three layers to each other. For PC data carrier, it is possible to laminate the layers together without the use of adhesive. The thickness of each layer may be in the range of thirty to hundreds of microns as long as the total thickness of the data carrier 10 does not exceed that specified in the standards, for example, the ISO standards.

(29) The patterned contacting surface of the laminating plate when brought into contact with the cover sheet 13, for example during lamination, creates a corresponding embossed pattern 15 on the surface of the cover sheet 13 to define a surface profile.

(30) The laminating plate having a patterned contacting surface is arranged over the metal layer 14 in order to enhance the forgery-proof nature. The position of the embossed pattern 15 can be provided to be disposed over the opaque layer hereinafter the metal layer 14 in a delimited region which covers at least partially the surface of the metal layer 14. The laser treatment is effected by laser radiation through the cover sheet 13 so that a resulting personalized data 17 from a personalization phase are produced in accurate register relationship with the embossing pattern 15.

(31) The result obtained from this registration is a unique security feature which is composed by an accurate register relationship between the personalized data 17 and the embossed pattern 15.

(32) The personalized data 17 and the embossed pattern 15 can be arranged in certain regions, overlapping completely or portion-wise in accurate register relationship, preferably in aligned mutually superposed relationship, see FIG. 5, and FIG. 6.

(33) In an embodiment, the embossed pattern 15 is arranged in register with the metal layer 14 according to known registration means based on registration tolerance requirement.

(34) In an embodiment, the embossed pattern 15 is arranged in register with the metal layer up to some industrial tolerances. The personalization phase is at best registered with respect to the metal layer which is easy to detect with for example machine vision systems or image processing. The embossed pattern 15 is copied to the metal layer with perfect registration with respect to the surface structure (automatically in the laser process) and with the above mentioned tolerance with respect to the personalized data.

(35) The composition in accurate register relationship can be readily checked from the exterior without expensive equipment, preferably by simple viewing thereof, in order to establish authenticity. This means that this specific co-operation of the embossed pattern 15 with the respective personalized data 17 forms a combinatory effect representing a quasi-synergistic effect. Specific combinatory visual effects can be produced under different lighting conditions.

(36) During the personalization phase, a laser beam 16 is irradiated through the laminating sheet 13 to create at least the personalized data 17 at the metal layer 14, as shown in FIG. 2. This personalized data 17 includes, but is not limited to, personalized information and data, such as name, date of birth, address, personnel number, signature, portrait, etc.

(37) A laser light source which includes a laser and also an optical system (all not shown) which is necessary for beam guidance and beam focusing is used to generate the laser beam 16. The laser beam 16 may be controlled by a control device, for example a computer (not shown). The laser beam has a spot width of about 25.4 m. Lasers of other spot widths may also be used.

(38) The power density of the laser beam 16 and the local exposure time of the data carrier 10 are predetermined in such a way that on the one hand the metal layer 14 is destroyed and that the information and data are formed thereat, and that on the other hand the two layers 13, 12 are not damaged or destroyed by the heating effect.

(39) During the personalization phase, the laser printing procedure is applied in a pre-defined window frame of the personalization data 17 to be formed in the metal layer 14. Positioning of the laser in accurate position in the pre-defined window frame can be implemented by suitable control of the laser beam. Preferably control can be effected electronically by the control device, more specifically in dependence on detection of the pre-defined window frame position of the personalized data 17.

(40) The laser can be controlled by the detection of configurational parameters of a background layer, by detection of configurational parameters of the laser-sensitive layer or the laser-induced image constituent, in particular by means of image processing or machine vision system. Preferably the position, the direction of incidence of the laser light, the laser wavelength, the period of action, the number of pulses and/or the laser intensity can be controlled.

(41) During creation of the personalized data, the control device controls the laser beam 16 so that it passes through the laminating sheet 13 which is transparent in respect thereto to be focused onto the metal layer 14 to cause destroying thereat, under the effect of released thermal energy.

(42) Using the laser apparatus, the metal layer 14 is selectively destroyed in such a way that, for example, the personalized data 17 and a resulting pattern 22 can be formed, see FIGS. 5 and 6. The resulting pattern 22 is a result of a copy or transfer of the embossing pattern into the metal layer during the personalization phase. The superposing relationship between the resulting pattern 22 and the embossed pattern 15 creates an appearance of metallic embossed pattern.

(43) During the personalization phase, the embossed pattern 15 modifies the laser beam 16 as shown in FIG. 2 to produce a resultant laser beam 18. This resultant laser beam 18 into the metal layer has a distinctive visual impression corresponding to the resultant laser beam 18. The laser beam 16 is modified by deviation and/or dispersion.

(44) In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, during the laser printing process, at the position when the laser beam 16 or the diverted laser beam 18 hits the metallic layer 14, the metal sheet is destroyed by ablation (evaporation, recess or removal) and a marking 19 is produced. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the metal layer 14 is ma by ablation and the marking 19 is a hole illustrated by a black circles.

(45) According to features of the surface of the core sheet 11 which can serve as optical lenses diverting the laser beam and the control of the printing process by the control device, metal layer zones 20 of the metal layer 14 are not hit with the laser beam 16 or the diverted laser beam 18. The metal layer zone 20 is illustrated by a dashed line in FIG. 2. The markings 19 and the metal layer zone 20 form the personalized data 17 and the resulting pattern 22 created from the radiation of the embossing pattern 15.

(46) As illustrated in the FIGS. 5 and 6, the marking 19 and the metal layer zone 20 produce from the radiation of the embossing pattern 15 provide the resulting pattern 22. The resulting pattern 22 and the embossed pattern 15 onto the cover layer 13 form an appearance of a tactile metalized patterns thanks to the opposing relation position between the resulting pattern 22 and the embossed pattern 15.

(47) And moreover, the marking 19 and the metal layer zone 20 from the radiation of the surface of the cover sheet 13 produce the metalized personalized data 17. The resulting pattern 22 and the metalized personalized data 17 are not accessible from the data carrier 10 surface since they are produced in the interior of the data carrier 10. With the holes into the metal layer 14, the metalized personalized data and the tactile metalized pattern 22 is readily viewable and recognizable to a viewer.

(48) In an example of implementation illustrated in FIG. 5, the embossed pattern 15 comprises different sizes of stars partially overlapping for example in the edge the personalized data which is hereinafter a photograph. FIG. 5 illustrates a resulting data carrier after the personalization phase. When looking at the resulting of the metal layer 14 after the personalization phase, in back light which is part of the normal authentication procedure for such metalized personalized window, the normal face of the photograph and the embossed metalized star shape are revealed. As shown in FIG. 6, a normal frontal lighting on the data carrier of FIG. 5 reveals a negative image of the photograph plus the metalized embossed pattern. Titling the resulting of the metal layer 14 after the personalization phase with different conditions of light can reveal optically variable effect of the metalized embossed pattern from the backside.

(49) The embossed pattern 15 resulting to a metalized embossed pattern 22 after the personalization allows to increase the security of the personalized data 17 in several ways. Indeed the metalized features attract attention of anyone looking at the document boosting the role of such a window. The metalized features are obvious and easy to explain making it also obvious if such features are missed in a counterfeit document. The surface patterns leading to the metalized features may be continued across one or more edges of the window making difficult to remove a window from one document and try to place it into another one, or to use as part of a fake.

(50) In another example of implementation (not shown), the embossed pattern 15 comprises lines and letters raised onto the surface of the cover sheet 13 with a round cross section profile. After the personalization process, as a result the lines or letters would be seen as metalized and tactile in the final personalized data 17. As the position of the metalized embossed pattern 22 can impact the view of the personalized data, the embossed pattern 15 can be positioned to one or more corners of the pre-defined featured frame of the personalized data during registration phase in order not to affect the recognizability of the personalized data.

(51) To increase the security against tamper and fraudulent alteration or counterfeit, a layer of the data carrier can be laminated with some specific security features before application of the opaque layer in the core sheet 11, so that the specific security features is visible after the destruction of the opaque layer by the irradiation beam laser.

(52) In an embodiment, the layer of the data carrier laminated with some specific security features is the core sheet 11. In an embodiment, the core sheet 11 can be printed in a color before application of the metal layer, so that the color is visible with the holes into the metal layer and provides a special effect. In another embodiment, the core sheet 11 can be doped with a material to fluoresce under UV light or luminescence under Infra-Red light for additional authentication. In another embodiment, optically variable diffractive devices such as holograms and optical interference based devices can be added to the core sheet 11 before application of the metal layer.

(53) In an embodiment, the metal layer 14 can be introduced or applied, respectively, onto or into a transparent window in the data carrier, so that the personalized data 17 and the resulting pattern 22 are visible in transparent view but the rest of the data carrier comprises an opaque core layer.

(54) In an embodiment, the core sheet 11 of the data carrier can comprise a transparent sheet 21 on which the metal layer 14 is applied, for example vapor deposited see FIG. 3. The destroyed regions of the metal layer 14 are in this case visible from both sides, from above through the cover sheet 13 and from below through the cover sheet 12.

(55) In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the transparent sheet 21 of the core sheet 11 can comprise a first metal layer 14a and a second metal layer 14b. These metal layers 14a and 14b may likewise be vapor deposited or applied by hot stamping. These two metal sheets 14a and 14b are at a distance from one another of, for example, at least 50 micrometers or preferably 100 or more micrometers.

(56) During the printing phase using the laser, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the data carrier 10 can be placed obliquely at a predetermined angle a. The holes takes place in the two metal layers 14a and 14b. If, owing to the laser intensity, it is not possible to write the two metal layers 14a and 14b from the same side of the card, two matching laser processes may also be envisioned on the rear side and the front side of the data carrier 10. In this case, the closer-lying metal layer 14a and 14b is respectively processed. By identical placement of the data carrier 10 before the laser processing, the lasered image is visible in transparent view only at the corresponding viewing angle. It is also conceivable to laser two different images with different angles from one another, and thus obtain a tilt effect between the two images, or the two metal layers 14a and 14b, during observation at different angles. The core layer 11 may, as can be seen, be fastened and in particular laminated between two layers, or cover sheets.

(57) In an embodiment, the patterned contacting surface of the laminating plate is brought into contact with the lower cover sheet 12 to create the corresponding embossed pattern 15 on the surface of the lower cover sheet 12 to define the surface profile. During personalization, the laser printing process can be made from the the lower sheet 12 side.

(58) Advantageously, the data carrier 10 that is produced is substantially protected against forgery and manipulation. The data carrier 10 has an effective copy protection since distinctive visual impression of the laser destroyed information and data cannot be rendered by common forgery methods. Additionally, the process for manufacturing the data carrier 10 is simple, requiring little modification to the current process and equipment. The laminating plates that are currently used for security purposes and for making changeable laser image lenses can be easily modified for embossing the laminating sheet. These laminating plates can be used for thousands of lamination cycles for producing tens of thousands of data carriers. These laminating plates are cheap.

(59) Although the present invention is described as implemented in the above described embodiment, it is not to be construed to be limited as such. Other materials, for example, papers or plastic materials of different surface nature, such as photographic papers, passes, documents, value-bearing papers, checks, any support having an opaque layer removable by laser can be used.