Abstract
Provided is a data carrier (1) extending along an extension direction (E) comprises at least one first colour element (2), wherein the first colour element (2) exhibits an appearance under a first illumination and/or exhibits an appearance under a second illumination being different from the first illumination, at least one second colour element (3), wherein the second colour element (3) exhibits an appearance under the first illumination being different from the appearance of the first colour element (2) under the first illumination and/or exhibits an appearance under the second illumination that is different from the appearance of the first colour element (2) under the second illumination.
Claims
1. A data carrier (1) extending along an extension direction (E) and comprising: at least one first colour element (2), wherein the first colour element (2) exhibits an appearance under a first illumination and/or exhibits an appearance under a second illumination being different from the first illumination; at least one second colour element (3), wherein the second colour element (3) exhibits an appearance under the first illumination being different from the appearance of the first colour element (2) under the first illumination and/or exhibits an appearance under the second illumination that is different from the appearance of the first colour element (2) under the second illumination; at least one personalization element (4, 6), and at least one security element (7), wherein the first colour element (2) and the second colour element (3) are arranged staggered with respect to the extension direction (E), wherein the security element at least partially comprises the first colour element (2), the second colour element (3) and the personalization element (4, 6), and wherein the security element (7) exhibits a first appearance under the first illumination and a second appearance being different from the first appearance under the second illumination.
2. The data carrier (1) according to claim 1, wherein the personalization element (4, 6) is configured and/or arranged to affect at least one of the first colour element (2), the second colour element (3), the appearance of the first colour element (2) under the first illumination, the appearance of the first colour element (2) under the second illumination, or the appearance of the second colour element (3) under the second illumination.
3. The data carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the personalization element (4, 6) is at least partially overlapping and/or arranged at least partially offset to the first colour element (2) and/or the second colour element (3) with respect to the extension direction (E), and/or wherein the personalization element (4, 6) is at least partially overlapping and/or arranged at least partially offset to the first colour element (2) and/or the second colour element (3) with respect to at least a transverse direction (T1; T2) extending perpendicularly to the extension direction (E).
4. The data carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first colour element (2) is arranged before the second colour element (3) with respect to the extension direction (E), and wherein the personalization element (4, 6) is arranged before the first colour element (2) or between the first and second colour element (3) or after the second colour element (3) with respect to the extension direction (E), or wherein the second colour element (3) is arranged before the first colour element (2) with respect to the extension direction (E), and wherein the personalization element (4, 6) is arranged before the second colour element (3) or between the second and first colour element (2) or after the first colour element (2) with respect to the extension direction (E).
5. The data carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the personalization element (4, 6) is generated from a processing element (5; 8), and wherein the processing element (5; 8) is configured to alter its appearance upon irradiation of electromagnetic radiation (R), whereby the personalization element (4, 6) is generated at the location of the irradiation, or wherein the processing element (5; 8) preferably together with at least part of the first colour element (2) and/or of the second colour element (3) is configured to be removed upon irradiation of electromagnetic radiation (R), whereby the personalization element (4, 6) is generated at the location of the irradiation.
6. The data carrier (1) according to claim 5, wherein the processing element (8) corresponds to a C-doped layer and/or to one or more polymers such as thermoplastic polymers and in particular to polycarbonate and/or to thermal ink, and wherein the personalization element (6) corresponds to an opaque mark, or wherein the processing element (5; 8) corresponds to one or more pigments, and wherein the personalization element (4,6) corresponds to a bleaching, or wherein the processing element corresponds to thermochromic ink and/or photochromic ink, and wherein the personalization element (4, 6) corresponds to a colour change, or wherein the processing element (5; 8) corresponds to one or more pigments and/or photochromic ink and/or thermochromic ink, and wherein the personalization element (4, 6) corresponds to a transparency change, or wherein the processing element (5) corresponds to a varnish and/or ink with one or more metallic particles being configured to be ablated upon irradiation with electromagnetic radiation (R), and wherein the personalization element (4) corresponds to an ablation, the varnish preferably being transparent.
7. The data carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first colour element (2) comprises or consists of standard ink and/or offset ink, and/or wherein the first colour element (2) comprises or consists of a fluorescent ink, and/or wherein the second colour element (3) comprises or consists of a fluorescent ink, and/or wherein the security element (7) has the shape of an image and/or of an alphanumeric character.
8. The data carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first colour element (2) and the second colour element (3) are arranged at a distance from one another with respect to the extension direction (E), or wherein the first colour element (2) and the second colour element (3) are arranged immediately adjacent to one another with respect to the extension direction (E).
9. The data carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more further first colour elements (2a, 2b, . . . ), wherein said one or more further first colour elements (2a, 2b, . . . ) are arranged at least along a transverse direction (T1; T2) extending perpendicularly to the extension direction (E), and/or further comprising one or more further second colour elements (3a, 3b, . . . ), wherein said one or more further second colour elements (2a, 2b, . . . ) are arranged at least along a transverse direction (T1; T2) extending perpendicularly to the extension direction (E), and/or further comprising one or more further personalization elements (4a, 4b, . . . ; 6a, 6b, . . . ), wherein said one or more further personalization elements (4a, 4b, . . . ; 6a, 6b, . . . ) are arranged at least along a transverse direction (T1; T2) extending perpendicularly to the extension direction (E).
10. The data carrier (1) according to claim 9, wherein the first colour elements (2, 2a, 2b, . . . ) are arranged as a pattern, preferably a pixelated pattern comprising or consisting of pixelated first colour elements (2, 2a, 2b, . . . ), and/or wherein the second colour elements (3, 3a, 3b, . . . ) are arranged as a pattern, preferably a pixelated pattern comprising or consisting of pixelated second colour elements (3, 3a, 3b, . . . ), and/or wherein the personalization elements (4, 4a, . . . ; 6, 6a, . . . ) are arranged as a pattern, preferably a pixelated pattern comprising or consisting of pixelated personalization elements (4, 4a, . . . ; 6, 6a, . . . ).
11. The data carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one first colour element (2) and/or at least one second colour element (3) and/or at least one personalization element (4; 6) are aligned according to a selected alignment (A) with respect to one another and with respect to the extension direction (E) and/or with respect to a transverse direction (T1; T2) extending perpendicularly to the extension direction (E).
12. The data carrier (1) according to claim 11, wherein at least one first colour element (2) and/or at least one second colour element (3) and/or at least one personalization element (4; 6) are aligned with respect to one another and with respect to the extension direction (E) and/or with respect to the transverse direction (T1; T2) according to a further selected alignment (A1, A2, . . . ), wherein the further selected alignment (A1, A2, . . . ) is preferably different from the selected alignment (A).
13. A security document comprising or consisting of a data carrier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the security document preferably being an identity card, a passport, a credit card, or a bank note.
14. A method of producing a data carrier (1) extending along an extension direction (E), preferably a data carrier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, the method comprising the steps of: Providing at least one first colour element (2), wherein the first colour element (2) exhibits an appearance under a first illumination and/or exhibits an appearance under a second illumination being different from the first illumination; Providing at least one second colour element (3), wherein the second colour element (3) exhibits an appearance under the first illumination being different from the appearance of the first colour element (2) under the first illumination and/or exhibits an appearance under the second illumination that is different from the appearance of the first colour element (2) under the second illumination; Providing at least one personalization element (4; 6), and Providing at least one security element (7), wherein the first colour element (2) and the second colour element (3) are arranged staggered with respect to one another and with respect to the extension direction (E), wherein the security element (7) at least partially comprises the first colour element (2), the second colour element (3) and the personalization element (4; 6), and wherein the security element (7) exhibits a first appearance under the first illumination and a second appearance being different from the first appearance under the second illumination.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the personalization element (4; 6) is generated by irradiating electromagnetic radiation (R) onto the data carrier (1), and wherein at least one further personalization element (6; 4) is preferably formed by irradiating further electromagnetic radiation (R) onto the data carrier (1), wherein the electromagnetic radiation (R) and the further electromagnetic radiation (R) are the same or different from one another.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following with reference to the drawings, which are for the purpose of illustrating the present preferred embodiments of the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same. In the drawings,
[0034] FIG. 1a shows a sectional view of a data carrier comprising a first colour element, a second colour element, and a first and second processing element in an unprocessed state;
[0035] FIG. 1b shows a sectional view of the data carrier according to FIG. 1a, wherein the first processing element is processed so as to generate first personalization elements;
[0036] FIG. 1c shows a sectional view of the data carrier according to FIG. 1b, wherein the second processing element is processed so as to generate second personalization elements;
[0037] FIG. 2a shows a sectional view of another data carrier comprising a first colour element, a second colour element, and a first and second processing element in an unprocessed state;
[0038] FIG. 2b shows a sectional view of the data carrier according to FIG. 2a, wherein the first processing element is processed so as to generate first personalization elements;
[0039] FIG. 2c shows a sectional view of the data carrier according to FIG. 2b, wherein the second processing element is processed so as to generate second personalization elements;
[0040] FIG. 3a shows a sectional view of another data carrier comprising a first colour element, a second colour element, and a first and second processing element in an unprocessed state;
[0041] FIG. 3b shows a sectional view of the data carrier according to FIG. 3a, wherein the first processing element is processed so as to generate first personalization elements;
[0042] FIG. 3c shows a sectional view of the data carrier according to FIG. 3b, wherein the second processing element is processed so as to generate second personalization elements;
[0043] FIG. 4a shows a sectional view of another data carrier comprising a first colour element, a second colour element, and a first and second processing element in an unprocessed state;
[0044] FIG. 4b shows a sectional view of the data carrier according to FIG. 4a, wherein the first processing element is processed so as to generate first personalization elements;
[0045] FIG. 4c shows a sectional view of the data carrier according to FIG. 4b, wherein the second processing element is processed so as to generate second personalization elements;
[0046] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of another data carrier comprising a first colour element, a second colour element, and a processing element, wherein the processing element is processed so as to generate personalization elements;
[0047] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of another data carrier comprising a first colour element, a second colour element, and a processing element, wherein the processing element is processed so as to generate personalization elements;
[0048] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of another data carrier comprising a first colour element, a second colour element, and a processing element, wherein the processing element is processed so as to generate personalization elements;
[0049] FIG. 8a depicts a top view on a layer of a standard ink colour pattern;
[0050] FIG. 8b depicts a top view on a fluorescent UV ink layer;
[0051] FIG. 8c depicts a schematics illustrating an arrangement of the layers according to FIGS. 8a and 8b;
[0052] FIG. 8d depicts a schematics illustrating personalization elements in the form of opaque marks being arranged in a pattern;
[0053] FIG. 8e depicts the arrangements according to FIGS. 8c and 8d and being personalized with personalization elements in the form of removed varnish when observed under day light;
[0054] FIG. 8f depicts the arrangement according to FIGS. 8c and 8d and being personalized with personalization elements in the form of removed varnish when observed under ultraviolet light;
[0055] FIG. 8g depicts the arrangement according to FIG. 8e and being further personalized with personalization elements in the form of opaque marks and removed varnish when observed under day light;
[0056] FIG. 8h depicts the arrangement according to FIG. 8f and being further personalized with personalization elements in the form of opaque marks and removed varnish when observed under ultraviolet light;
[0057] FIG. 8i depicts the arrangement according to FIGS. 8c and 8d with personalization elements in the form of opaque marks between the standard ink and the Fluo UV ink layers when observed under daylight light;
[0058] FIG. 8j depicts the arrangement according to FIGS. 8c and 8d with personalization elements in the form of opaque marks between the standard ink and the Fluo UV ink layers when observed under ultraviolet light;
[0059] FIG. 9a depicts a top view on a layer of a standard ink colour pattern comprising three different standard ink colours;
[0060] FIG. 9b depicts a top view on a layer of a fluorescent UV ink pattern comprising three different fluorescent UV ink colours;
[0061] FIG. 9c depicts a schematics illustrating an arrangement of pixelated layers of fluorescent UV ink and standard colour ink, wherein nine pixels are illustratively aligned;
[0062] FIG. 9d depicts conceivable alignments of the pixels according to FIG. 9c, wherein selected pixels are personalized by pixelated personalization elements;
[0063] FIG. 9e depicts other conceivable alignments of the pixels according to FIG. 9c, wherein selected pixels are personalized by pixelated personalization elements;
[0064] FIG. 9f depicts a security element of a data carrier comprising first colour elements, second colour elements and personalization elements being aligned according to particular alignments;
[0065] FIG. 9f depicts the security element according to FIG. 9f when observed under daylight;
[0066] FIG. 9g depicts the security element according to FIG. 9f when observed under ultraviolet light;
[0067] FIG. 9i depicts another security element of a data carrier comprising first colour elements, second colour elements and personalization elements being aligned according to particular alignments;
[0068] FIG. 9j depicts the security element according to FIG. 9i when observed under daylight;
[0069] FIG. 9k depicts the security element according to FIG. 9i when observed under ultraviolet light;
[0070] FIG. 9l depicts another security element of a data carrier comprising first colour elements, second colour elements and personalization elements being aligned according to particular alignment;
[0071] FIG. 9m depicts the security element according to FIG. 9l when observed under daylight;
[0072] FIG. 9n depicts the security element according to FIG. 9l when observed under ultraviolet light.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0073] Various aspects of a data carrier according to the invention shall now be described with reference to the figures.
[0074] As best seen in FIGS. 1a to 7, the data carrier 1 extends along an extension direction E and comprises at least one first colour element 2 and at least one second colour element 3. In the depicted examples said colour elements 2, 3 are provided as layers that extend along transverse directions T1, T2 extending perpendicularly to the extension direction E as well as perpendicularly to one another. Said extension direction E can also be defined as a vertical direction. The transverse directions T1, T2 can thus also be seen as horizontal directions, and wherein the horizontal direction runs perpendicularly to the vertical direction.
[0075] The first colour element 2 exhibits an appearance under a first illumination and/or exhibits an appearance under a second illumination being different from the first illumination. The second colour element 3 exhibits an appearance under the first illumination being different from the appearance of the first colour element 2 under the first illumination and/or exhibits an appearance under the second illumination that is different from the appearance of the first colour element 2 under the second illumination.
[0076] The data carrier 1 furthermore comprises one or more processing element 5, 8 that can be processed, whereby one or more personalization elements 4, 6 are generated. In the depicted examples the processing elements 5, 8 are provided in the form of layers extending along the transverse direction T1 and T2, as well. Furthermore, the processing elements 5, 8 are configured to be processed by electromagnetic radiation R that is irradiated onto the processing elements 5, 8. In FIGS. 1a, 2a, 3a and 4a, the data carriers 1 correspond to unprocessed or unpersonalized data carriers 1, i.e. their processing elements 5, 8 have not been processed or personalized yet. In FIGS. 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b and 5 to 7, one of the processing elements 5 is being processed or personalized by the irradiation of the electromagnetic radiation R, whereby personalization elements 4 are generated. In FIGS. 1c, 2c, 3c, and 4c, the other processing element 8 is additionally processed or personalized by the further irradiation of electromagnetic radiation R, whereby further personalization elements 6 are generated. As readily follows, the appearance of the processing elements 5, 8 alters upon the irradiation of the electromagnetic radiation R at the location of the irradiation.
[0077] The first colour element 2 and the second colour element 3 are arranged staggered with respect to the extension direction E. In fact, in FIGS. 1a to 7, the second colour element 3 is arranged before the first colour element 2 with respect to the extension direction E. In other words, the second colour element 3 is arranged on top of or above the first colour element 2. In other words, the first and second colour elements 2, 3 are not arranged at a same height in the data carrier 1 if the extension direction E is defined as a vertical direction.
[0078] In addition, the first colour element 2 and the second colour element 3 are arranged at a distance from one another with respect to the extension direction E, wherein one or more layers are arranged in between. In fact, in all depicted examples a transparent plastic layer 9 is arranged between the colour elements. In these examples, the data carrier 1 comprises further such transparent plastic layers 9, for example a transparent plastic layer 9 being arranged before the second colour element 3 and forming a top of the data carrier 1, see FIGS. 1a to 2c and 5. Moreover, in all of the depicted examples the data carrier 1 comprises a card body 10 as it is known in the art, i.e. a stack of layers common in the card industry, wherein said card body encompasses here the colour elements 2, 3 and the processing elements 5, 8 and the personalization elements 4, 6 as well as further layers such as the transparent layers made of plastics 9.
[0079] Furthermore, in FIGS. 1a to 1c, 3a to 3c and 5 the processing element 5 and the second colour element 3 are overlapping one another with respect to the extension direction E and the transverse directions T1, T2. In fact, the processing element 5 and the second colour element 3 are provided as a single layer. Consequently, the processing element 5 and the second colour element 3 are arranged offset to the first colour element 2 with respect to the extension direction E. In these examples, the processing element 5 corresponds to a varnish that comprises the second colour element 3 in the form of UV fluorescent ink. The varnish, i.e. the processing element 5 and the second colour element 3 are configured to be bleached or made transparent upon irradiation of electromagnetic radiation R, whereby the personalization element 4 in the form of said bleaching or transparency is generated at the location of the irradiation. In these figures the further processing element 8 corresponds to a C-doped layer that forms an opaque mark 6 upon an irradiation of electromagnetic radiation R, whereby the personalization element 6 in the form of an opaque mark is formed. Said further processing element 8 is arranged here after the first colour element 2 with respect to the extension direction E. Furthermore, in FIGS. 1c, 2c, 3c and 4c the personalization elements 4 in the form of the bleachings or transparencies and the personalization elements 6 in the form of the opaque marks are arranged congruent to one another and with respect to the extension direction E.
[0080] It furthermore follows from FIGS. 1a to 4c that the personalization of the data carrier 1, i.e. the generation of personalization elements 4, 6 in the processing element 5, 8, is achieved with electromagnetic radiation R originating from a same source of radiation, wherein merely the electromagnetic radiation R and the further electromagnetic radiation R are preferably provided by a source of radiation such as a laser, e.g. an Infrared laser. Electromagnetic radiation R and further electromagnetic radiation R differing from one another could comprise different wavelengths, different laser powers, different focal points, different pulse durations, i.e. different laser parameters. Hence, the present invention allows the generation of two or more possibly different personalization elements 4, 6 using a same source of radiation, wherein merely the laser parameters and associated optics are adjusted so as to achieve a different focal point in order to selectively reach the element of choice, for example either the varnish or the C-doped layer or both components at the same time. Hence, from these figures it becomes apparent that several different types of personalizations can be achieved with the present invention. For example, the varnish could be removed in a first type of personalization (FIGS. 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b), the varnish could be removed as well as opaque marks can be generated at the same time in a second type of personalization (see FIGS. 1c, 2c, 3c, 4c), or only opaque marks could be generated in a third type of personalization (see figures FIG. 5, 6, 7).
[0081] As follows from FIGS. 8a, 9a and 9b, the data carrier 1 can comprise one or more further first colour elements 2a, 2b, . . . and/or one or more further second colour elements 3a, 3b, . . . , which are arranged along one or both of the transverse directions T1, T2. In fact, these first colour elements 2, 2a, 2b, . . . and second colour elements 3, 3a, 3b, . . . are arranged along a horizontal plane running perpendicularly to the extension direction E and cover a surface area. In the depicted examples, the first colour elements 2, 2a, 2b, . . . and the second colour elements 3, 3a, 3b, . . . are arranged immediately adjacent to one another with respect to the transverse direction T1, T2. Moreover, the appearance of the first colour elements 2, 2a, 2b, . . . and the appearance of the second colour elements 3, 3a, 3b, . . . are different from one another. In fact, in the present examples the first colour elements 2, 2a, 2b, . . . correspond to standard inks of different colours and the second colour elements 3, 3a, 3b, . . . correspond to UV fluorescent ink of different colours.
[0082] Furthermore, the first colour elements 2, 2a, 2b, . . . and the second colour elements 3, 3a, 3b, . . . are in each case arranged as a pattern, preferably a pixelated pattern consisting of pixelated first colour elements 2, 2a, 2b, . . . and pixelated second colour elements 3, 3a, 3b, . . . , see explanations provided below with reference to FIG. 9c and following.
[0083] One or more security elements 7 are formed by the first colour elements 2, 2a, 2b, . . . , the second colour elements 3, 3a, 3b, . . . , and the personalization elements 4, 4a, . . . 6, 6a, . . . , see FIGS. 8a to 9n. Said security elements 7 have here the shape of alphanumeric characters. The particular arrangement and/or configuration of the first colour elements 2, 2a, 2b, . . . , the second colour elements 3, 3a, 3b, . . . and the personalization elements 4, 4a, . . . 6, 6a, . . . , result in the generation of security elements 7 that exhibit different appearances or multiple visibilities.
[0084] For example, and as follows from FIGS. 8a to 8c, a data carrier 1 can comprise first colour elements 2, 2a, 2b, . . . in the form of a layered standard ink colour pattern comprising three different colours being arranged alternatingly and second colour elements 3, 3a, 3b, . . . in the form of a layered fluorescent UV ink that are arranged above one another with respect to the extension direction E. In fact, in the depicted example the fluorescent UV ink layer is arranged before the standard ink colour pattern, see FIG. 8c. Although not depicted in these figures, processing elements 5, 8 in the form of a varnish and a C-doped layer are present as well. Furthermore, and as follow from FIG. 8d, a particular laser personalization pattern is applied. Said laser personalization pattern is constituted here by opaque marks that are generated in the C-doped layer and/or removed varnish.
[0085] These elements allow different types of personalizations. Namely, in a first type of personalization, and as follows from FIGS. 8e and 8f, a first laser setting could be used to selectively remove the varnish. In other words, the fluorescent UV ink is selectively bleached. As a consequence, only the standard ink pattern is visible when the data carrier 1 is observed under daylight (FIG. 8e), and the opaque marks at the locations of the removed varnish and the fluorescent UV ink at locations where the varnish is still present is visible when the data carrier 1 is observed under UV light (FIG. 8f). In a second type of personalization as depicted in FIGS. 8g and 8h, the varnish is selectively removed, i.e. the fluorescent UV ink is selectively bleached, and opaque markings are generated inside the C-doped layer. Consequently, when the data carrier 1 is observed under daylight (see FIG. 8g), opaque markings as well as standard ink colours at locations without opaque markings are visible. When the data carrier 1 is observed under UV light (see FIG. 8h), opaque markings are visible at locations where the varnish has been removed and fluorescent UV ink is visible at locations where the varnish has not been removed. In a third type of personalization as depicted in FIGS. 8i and 8j the varnish is not removed, i.e. the fluorescent UV ink is not bleached. Instead, only opaque marks are generated in the C-doped layer. Hence, when the data carrier 1 is observed under daylight (FIG. 8i), opaque marks and standard ink colour at locations without opaque marks are visible. When the data carrier 1 is observed under UV light, only the fluorescent UV ink is visible (FIG. 8j).
[0086] As will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 9a to 9n, the first colour elements 2, 2a, 2b, . . . , the second colour elements 3, 3a, 3b, . . . and the personalization elements 4, 4a, . . . 6, 6a, . . . , can be aligned according to selected alignments A, A1, . . . with respect to one another, with respect to the extension direction E, and with respect to the transverse directions T1; T2 extending perpendicularly to the extension direction E, respectively.
[0087] In fact, the provision of first colour elements 2, 2a, 2b, . . . , second colour elements 3, 3a, 3b, . . . and personalization elements 4, 4a, . . . 6, 6a, . . . that are aligned according to different alignments A, A1, . . . allows the generation of a security element 7 that exhibits different appearances such as different colour impressions and/or different spatial impressions depending on the illumination condition of the data carrier 1. This effect shall now be illustrated with the concrete examples presented in FIGS. 9a to 9n.
[0088] As follows from FIGS. 9a and 9b, the first colour elements 2, 2a, 2b, . . . are provided in the form of a layered standard ink colour pattern comprising three different standard ink colours being alternatingly arranged and in the form of a layered fluorescent UV ink pattern comprising three different fluorescent UV ink colours being alternatingly arranged as well. In fact, the patterns are in each case constituted by lines of different colours, and wherein the lines of the standard ink colour pattern run perpendicular to the lines of the fluorescent UV ink colour pattern.
[0089] The fluorescent UV ink layer is arranged before the standard ink colour layer with respect to the extension direction E, see FIG. 9c. Furthermore, and as also follows from FIG. 9c, the individual colours of the two different layers are defined as pixels. In fact, for illustrative purposes it is shown that e.g. 3?3 pixels of the fluorescent UV ink layer can constitute a sub matrix of fluorescent UV ink that is arranged congruent with 3?3 pixels of the standard ink colour layer. The 9 pixels of the fluorescent UV ink layer and their congruent 9 pixels of the standard ink colour layer can be said to form a sub matrix pixels superposition. For example, the sub matrix of the fluorescent UV ink representing the second colour elements 3, 3a, 3b, . . . could be made by horizontal lines consisting of a first line in Red, a second line in Green, a third line in Blue, and so on, whereby the elements of the sub matrix 1,2,3 are Red, the elements 4,5,6 are Green, and the elements 7,8,9 are Blue. Moreover, the sub matrix of the standard ink colour representing the first colour elements 2, 2a, 2b, . . . could be made by vertical lines consisting of a first line in Yellow, a second line in Magenta, a third line Cyan, and so on, whereby the elements of the sub matrix 1,4,7 are Yellow, the elements 2,5,8 are Magenta, and the elements 3,6,9 are Cyan.
[0090] FIGS. 9d to 9e depict different conceivable alignments A, A1, . . . of these pixels, wherein selected pixels are personalized by pixelated personalization elements 4, 4a, . . . 6, 6a, . . . . As a result, different appearances are generated when observed under daylight and under UV light, see FIGS. 9f to 9n. Here, the personalization of the data carrier 1, i.e. the provision of selected personalization elements 4, 4a, . . . 6, 6a, . . . being represented here by the black squares, corresponds to a selected bleaching or removal of the fluorescent UV ink and a selected blocking or hiding of the standard ink colour by an opaque mark over it according to particular alignments.
[0091] In particular, FIGS. 9d and 9e in each case depict black squares, wherein each black square represents a personalization of one colour element of the sub matrix being constituted by the pixels as just described.
[0092] Using the alignments A1, A2 or A3 of FIG. 9d, the same global color of the submatrix is obtained. For example, assuming that the Color Standard A corresponds to blue offset, said colour is achieved with 1 pixel of Yellow+2 pixels of Magenta+2 pixels of Cyan+4 pixels of Black. As a consequence, Color Standard A is visible under day light, but not under UV light. Using the alignment A1 the global color of the submatrix under UV light corresponds to Yellow, which is constituted by 2 pixels of Red+2 pixels of Green+1 pixel of Blue+4 pixels of Black=Color UV a. Using the alignment A2 the global color of the submatrix under UV light corresponds to Magenta, which is constituted by 2 pixels of Red+1 pixel of Green+2 pixels of Blue+4 pixels of Black=Color UV b. Using the alignment A3 the global color of the submatrix under UV light corresponds to Cyan, which is constituted by 1 pixel of Red+2 pixels of Green+2 pixels of Blue+4 pixels of Black=Color UV c. The Color UV a and the Color UV b and the Color UV c are not visible under day light, i.e. they appear transparent, but instead are visible under UV light.
[0093] Likewise, alignments A4, A5, and A6 in FIG. 9e represent three different type of personalizations. It should be noted that the alignment A6 corresponds to the alignment A1 of FIG. 9d. Using the alignment A4 the global color of the submatrix corresponds to Standard Red, which is constituted by 2 pixels of Yellow+2 pixels of Magenta+1 pixel of Cyan+4 pixels of Black=Color Standard B. Using the alignment A5 the global color of the submatrix corresponds to Standard Green, which is constituted by 2 pixels of Yellow+1 pixel of Magenta+2 pixels of Cyan+4 pixels of Black=Color Standard C. Using the alignment A6 the global color of the submatrix corresponds to Standard Blue, which is constituted by 1 pixel of Yellow+2 pixels of Magenta+2 pixels of Cyan+4 pixels of Black=Color Standard A (same as A1, i.e. A6=A1). The Color Standard A and the Color Standard B and the Color Standard C are visible under day light but are not visible under UV light. Using the alignment A4 or A5 or A6 the same global color of the submatrix, for example UV Yellow being constituted by 2 pixels of Red+2 pixels of Green+1 pixel of Blue+4 pixels of Black is formed, which corresponds here to Color UV a. The Color UV a is not visible under day light, but instead is visible under UV Light.
[0094] FIG. 9f represents a security element 7 in the form of characters T and A that is generated with particular personalizations as just described. In particular, the background out of the character shape corresponds to the personalisation being achieved with the alignment A4. The T character shape is achieved with the personalization A5, and the A character shape is achieved with the personalization A1 or A6.
[0095] FIG. 9g depicts the data carrier 1 comprising the security element 7 in the form of the characters T and A when observed under day light. The background, which is generated by the alignment A4, corresponds to the colour Red. The character T, which is generated by the alignment A5, corresponds to the colour Green. The character A, which is generated by the alignment A1 or A6, corresponds to the colour Blue. The characters will appear, i.e. be visible to or recognizable by the observer, in colour over the Red background.
[0096] FIG. 9h depicts the data carrier 1 comprising the security element 7 in the form of the characters T and A when observed under UV light. The background, which is generated by the alignment A4, corresponds to the colour Yellow. The character T, which is generated by the alignment A5, corresponds to the colour Yellow. The character A, which is generated by the alignment A1 or A6, corresponds to the colour Yellow. Since the characters appear with the same colour as the background, the characters will not appear, i.e. be invisible or not recognizable by the observer.
[0097] FIG. 9i represents a security element 7 in the form of characters A and T that is generated with particular personalizations as just described. In particular, the background out of the character shape corresponds to the personalisation being achieved with the alignment A1 or A6. The character T corresponds to the personalization being achieved with the alignment A2. The character A corresponds to the personalization being achieved with the alignment A3.
[0098] FIG. 9j depicts the data carrier 1 comprising the security element 7 in the form of the characters T and A when observed under day light. The background, which is generated by the alignment A1 or A6, corresponds to the colour Blue. The character T, which is generated by the alignment A2, corresponds to the colour Blue. The character A, which is generated by the alignment A3, corresponds to the colour Blue. Since the characters appear with the same colour as the background, the characters will not appear, i.e. be invisible or not recognizable by the observer.
[0099] FIG. 9k depicts the data carrier 1 comprising the security element 7 in the form of the characters T and A when observed under UV light. The background, which is generated by the alignment A1 or A6, corresponds to the colour Yellow. The character T, which is generated by the alignment A2, corresponds to the colour Magenta. The character A, which is generated by the alignment A3, corresponds to the colour Cyan. The characters will appear, i.e. be visible to or recognizable by the observer, in colour over the Yellow background.
[0100] FIG. 9l represents a security element 7 in the form of characters A and T that is generated with particular personalizations as just described. In particular, the background out of the character shape corresponds to the personalisation being achieved with the alignment A1 or A6. The character T corresponds to the personalization being achieved with the alignment A5. The character A corresponds to the personalization being achieved with the alignment A2.
[0101] FIG. 9m depicts the data carrier 1 comprising the security element 7 in the form of the characters T and A when observed under day light. The background, which is generated by the alignment A1 or A6, corresponds to the colour Blue. The character T, which is generated by the alignment A5, corresponds to the colour Green. The character A, which is generated by the alignment A2, corresponds to the colour Blue. The character T will appear, i.e. be visible to or recognizable by the observer, in Green colour over the Blue background.
[0102] FIG. 9n depicts the data carrier 1 comprising the security element 7 in the form of the characters T and A when observed under UV light. The background, which is generated by the alignment A1 or A6, corresponds to the colour Yellow. The character T, which is generated by the alignment A5, corresponds to the colour Yellow. The character A, which is generated by the alignment A2, corresponds to the colour Magenta. The character A will appear, i.e. be visible to or recognizable by the observer, in Magenta colour over the Yellow background.
TABLE-US-00001 LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 1 data carrier 2, 2a, . . . first colour element 3, 3a, . . . second colour element 4, 4a, . . . personalization element 5 processing element 6 personalization element 7 security element 8 processing element 9 transparent layer 10 card body E extension direction T1 transverse direction T2 transverse direction R electromagnetic radiation A, A1, . . . alignment
