EP3481642B2 - Method for producing a layer arrangement for a security document, and security document - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a layer arrangement for a security document and a security document.

background

Security documents are known in which layer arrangements are used, with several layers of plastic material being stacked one on top of the other in the layer arrangement, for example by means of laminating several layers of the same or different plastic films. Such security documents are made, for example, in the form of a card, for example a plastic card. One example are so-called chip cards or smart cards, in which a chip is integrated into the plastic card.

From the document EP 2 307 614 B1 a method for producing a security element with a coating applied on both sides is known. The security document is, for example, a banknote, a security or a card. When producing the security element, an opening is produced in a substrate, which is closed on one side with an at least partially transparent film.

In the document DE 10 2014 000 133 B4 discloses a method for processing a planar, at least single-layer substrate. A window opening in the substrate serves to receive electronic components, a chip or the like. The substrate can be designed as a multi-layer plastic substrate.

In the document WO 98/50883 A1 describes a method for producing a plastic card with a layered structure. A flat coil and a chip connected to it are embedded in the layer structure.

The document EP 1 719 637 A2 describes a security document with a transparent window incorporating an ultraviolet light blocking substance. Invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns are printed within the transparent window area on respective opposite sides of the ultraviolet light blocking fabric. When either the front or back of the security document is exposed to ultraviolet light, only the pattern printed on that side within the transparent window area becomes visible. When the front and back are irradiated with ultraviolet light at the same time, the patterns printed on both sides of the ultraviolet light-blocking cloth within the transparent window area become visible at the same time.

From the document DE 10 2012 209 665 A1 a method for individualizing a security document is known, in which a document blank, which includes a lamination body, and a digital printing device are provided. At least one outer surface of the lamination body is printed by means of the digital printing device using at least one preparation for introducing individualization information into the lamination body. In this case, the document blank is provided with a lamination body which, at least in an individualization area in an outer material layer adjoining the at least one outer surface, has a large number of perforation openings penetrating the outer material layer up to an information layer. The individualization information is printed onto the outer surface in such a way that at least part of the individualization information is printed through the perforation openings onto the information layer.

In the document EP 2 559 563 A1 a method for producing a security document is disclosed. Transparent external layers and at least one semi-transparent internal layer with a see-through area more transparent than most of the rest of the document are provided. The layers are laminated to form the security document and, before and/or after laminating the layers, personalized data and a see-through security feature is applied to the document in the see-through area. The see-through feature includes a first sub-image applied to one side of the at least one semi-transparent internal layer and a second sub-image applied to the other side of the at least one semi-transparent internal layer. The first and second partial images form a complete image when viewed in transmitted light. Before applying the see-through security feature, personalized data for the security document and the complete image for the see-through security feature are obtained. The full image is divided into the first partial image and the second partial image using a function that has a value that depends on at least part of the personalized data for the security document.

The document U.S. 2015/0360500 A1 discloses a method according to the preamble of claim 1.

An overview of different printing processes can be found in the lecture Printing or Coating: Organic Electronics Saxony - Workshop (U. Herzau-Gerhardt, March 20th, 2013, http://www.oes-net.de/uploads/media/Vortrag_HTWK_Herzau-Gerhardt.pdf ).

Summary

The object of the invention is to specify improved technologies for producing a layer arrangement for a security document and a security document, with which an individualization of the security document can also be efficiently provided in a manner suitable for mass production, for example for personalization.

A method for producing a layer arrangement for a security document and a security document according to independent claims 1 and 13 are provided for the solution. Alternative configurations are the subject of dependent claims.

The security document can be, for example, an identity card or other identity document, for example a plastic card. Alternatively, the layer arrangement can be integrated into a different type of identification or security document.

The printed image on the inside provides a printed image embedded in the layer arrangement, which is integrated into the layer arrangement with the stack of layers made of plastic material and can be viewed from the outside, for example through transparent film sections of the layers overlapping the printed image.

The layers in the flat stack of the semi-finished product can consist of one or more different plastic materials. Provision can be made for one or more layers to be formed from a plastic film.

The stack of layers of the semi-finished product can be designed as a stack of layers lying one on top of the other, which are secured against movement relative to one another, in particular slipping, for example by means of tacking and/or clips.

Some or all of the layers of the stack of the preform may be laminated. The lamination takes place, for example, in a hot-pressing process known in the production of security documents, in which thermoplastics are pressed together at elevated temperatures, so that a monoblock is formed. However, the stacked layers can also be joined by using adhesive and/or by means of plastic welding.

The recess can be produced at least partially as an opening in the outer layer, in which case the printed image can then be printed on a layer underneath. The printed image can be printed in whole or in part on the underlying layer. The printed image can be printed partly on the underlying layer and partly on the outer layer in the area of the recess. The breakthrough can extend through several layers.

The recess can be produced at least partially as a depression in the outer layer, it being possible for the printed image to be printed in the region of the depression. The printed image can be produced partially or completely in the depression of the outer layer by means of printing. In contrast to the breakthrough, the outer layer is not completely removed when the depression is produced.

The recess can be produced in the outer layer by means of mechanical processing. Mechanical processing can be carried out, for example, by means of milling, planing and/or engraving. Alternatively or additionally, stamping with an engraving can be used to produce the recess.

The recess can be produced in the outer layer by means of laser machining. The laser processing can be combined with the mechanical processing to produce the recess.

The printed image is printed at least in sections covering a recess edge surrounding the recess. The material used to produce the printed image, for example a printing ink, is also partially printed onto the edge of the recess surrounding the recess. As a result, in one embodiment, an image defect can be produced in the printed image that can be recognized by means of an optical readout device and/or with the naked eye.

The edge of the recess surrounding the recess can be produced at least in sections with sloping walls.

The printed image can be produced with a printed layer thickness that is less than a height of the recess. The layer thickness of the printed image can essentially be the same as the height of the recess. In an alternative embodiment, the printed layer thickness is greater than the height of the recess. In these or other embodiments, the printed image can completely or partially cover the surface of the recess.

The edge of the recess surrounding the recess is produced at least in sections following an outer contour of the printed image. In terms of its course, the edge of the recess follows at least partially the outer contour of the printed image, it being possible for the outer edge of the printed image and the edge of the recess to abut. Alternatively, the two edges can be spaced apart.

The printed image can be produced with image defects that individualize a security document. The image imperfections can be evaluated with the aid of an optical reading device, for example with the aid of a camera and subsequent digital image analysis. It can be provided that the image imperfections that individualize the security document are visible to the naked eye. The image defects can identify persons, for example in that the image defects determined in this way can be assigned to a person-related data set when reading out with the aid of an optical readout device. In the various designs, the image imperfections can extend over a partial area of the printed image or over the entire printed image.

In the area of the recess, imperfections that individualize the security document can be produced in the layer arrangement, which are assigned to the image imperfections. The imperfections in the area of the recess can be produced by means of mechanical processing and/or laser processing. For example, the imperfections can be produced as depressions on the surface in the area of the recess. In this way, associated image imperfections can arise in one embodiment when the printed image is printed, for example because the imperfections in the outermost layer and/or an underlying layer of the layer arrangement lead to a different flow of the printed printing material than outside of the imperfections. In this configuration, the image imperfections can arise automatically as a result of the previously produced imperfections or defects in the region of the recess in the layer material. The image imperfections assigned to the imperfections can be designed to correspond to the imperfections in terms of their course and/or their shape. The defects can be produced on a surface of the outer layer and/or on the surface of an underlying layer. The layer of the layer arrangement in which the imperfections are produced can consist of an opaque layer material.

An electronic storage medium can be embedded in the layer arrangement, and readable electronic data can be stored in the electronic storage medium, which data indicates information about the image imperfections and/or the imperfections. The electronic data can, for example, specify properties of the imperfections and/or the image imperfections that can be read by a machine and/or with the naked eye, for example a course. If the layer arrangement is integrated into a security document, the electronic data can be read from the storage medium, for example from the chip of a chip card, when the security document is read out. Furthermore, the printed image can be read out optically, whereupon the image imperfections are determined. The electronic data that has been read out and the image defects determined can then be compared in order to carry out an examination of the security document. As an alternative to introducing the storage medium when producing the layer arrangement, provision can be made for the electrical storage medium to be introduced during further processing of the layer arrangement for producing a security document. The electronic data can be stored, for example, as part of a personalization of the security document.

The method can provide for the following steps: generation of electronic processing data by means of a data processing device, in which case personal and/or non-personal data are processed and an arrangement of the imperfections individualizing the security document is determined; transmitting the electronic processing data to the processing facility; and producing the imperfections according to the arrangement individualizing the security document by means of the processing device. When generating the electronic processing data, the personal and/or non-personal data can be encoded by determining the arrangement of the imperfections by determining the arrangement of the imperfections that individualizes the security document as a function of this data. The personal and/or non-personal data can thus be converted into an individualized arrangement of disruptive points. This arrangement is then produced in the layer arrangement by means of the processing device. The imperfections can lead to associated image imperfections when the printed image is applied. As a result, the individualized arrangement of the imperfections can be converted into an associated arrangement of image imperfections. Additional image imperfections that are not related to an associated imperfection can be provided. Such additional image imperfections can be produced during the printing of the printed image. The electronic processing data and/or electronic data obtained from them can be stored in the storage medium.

As an alternative or in addition, the method can provide the following steps: generation of electronic print data by means of the data processing device, the personal and/or non-personal data being processed and a formation of the image imperfections individualizing the security document being determined; transmitting the electronic print data to the printing device; and producing the image defects according to the arrangement individualizing the security document when printing by means of the processor. The personal and/or non-personal data determine the formation of the image imperfections that individualizes the security document, so that the data are encoded in an arrangement and characteristic of the image imperfections. Imperfections in the image can be produced, for example, by means of a higher or lower discharge of printing material, a different color and/or the use of different print patterns in the area of the imperfections when the printed image is applied. This can affect the area of overlap with and/or areas outside of the previously created imperfections.

The layer arrangement produced according to the alternative configurations can be subjected to further processing in order to produce a security document, for example a plastic card, whether with or without a chip. Technologies for integrating the layer arrangement into such a card or another security document are known as such in various embodiments. In this case, the layer arrangement can be supplemented by one or more further layers, for example on the front and/or the back, for example by means of laminating layers of plastic material.

Description of exemplary embodiments

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung zum Herstellen eines Schichtaufbaus mit einem Druckbild für eine Kunststoffkarte;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung für ein alternatives Verfahren zum Herstellen eines Schichtaufbaus mit einem Druckbild für eine Kunststoffkarte;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung für ein weiteres alternatives Verfahren zum Herstellen eines Schichtaufbaus mit einem Druckbild für eine Kunststoffkarte;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung einer Kunststoffkarte, bei der in einem Kartenkörper, der als Schichtaufbau gebildet ist, ein Sichtfenster vorgesehen ist;

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung einer Kunststoffkarte, bei der in einem Kartenkörper, der als Schichtaufbau gebildet ist, ein Sichtfenster vorgesehen ist, wobei hierin ein Druckbild von einem Rand umgeben ist, welcher einer äußeren Kontur des Druckbilds folgend ausgebildet;

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Kunststoffkarte, bei der im Bereich des Druckbilds Bildfehlstellen einer Kontur folgend ausgebildet sind;

Fig. 7

eine schematische Darstellung einer Anordnung mit Teilen einer Vorrichtung zum Herstellen einer Kunststoffkarte und

Fig. 8

eine schematische Darstellung einer Kunststoffkarte, die zusätzlich zu dem innenliegenden Druckbild einen Chip aufweist.

Further exemplary embodiments are explained below with reference to figures of a drawing. Here show:

1

a schematic representation for producing a layer structure with a printed image for a plastic card;

2

a schematic representation of an alternative method for producing a layered structure with a printed image for a plastic card;

3

a schematic representation of a further alternative method for producing a layered structure with a printed image for a plastic card;

4

a schematic representation of a plastic card in which a viewing window is provided in a card body, which is formed as a layered structure;

figure 5

a schematic representation of a plastic card in which a viewing window is provided in a card body, which is formed as a layered structure, wherein a printed image is surrounded by an edge which is formed following an outer contour of the printed image;

6

a schematic representation of another plastic card in which image defects are formed following a contour in the area of the printed image;

Figure 7

a schematic representation of an arrangement with parts of a device for producing a plastic card and

8

a schematic representation of a plastic card, which has a chip in addition to the internal printed image.

1 shows a schematic representation of a method for producing a layer structure 1 with a printed image 2 for a security document, for example a plastic card. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the layer structure is provided in a simple configuration with layers 3 , 4 . These are layers that each consist of a plastic material. The layer structure 1 can be provided as a single sheet or as a continuous material from the roll for further processing. During further processing, a recess 5 is produced in layer 3 by removing layer 3 in the region of recess 5 . Mechanical or non-mechanical methods can be used to produce the recess 5, in particular micro-milling, micro-planing, micro-engraving and/or laser machining. In particular when using mechanical processing methods such as micro-milling or micro-planing, side walls 6, 7 of the recess 5 can be designed as sloping wall sections, which is 1 is shown. Alternatively, the side walls 6, 7 can be formed substantially upright on the layer 4.

A printed image 2 is then applied to the layer 4 in the area of the recess 5 by means of a printing process. For example, an inkjet printing process can be used. In this way, an inlaid printed image is generated in the recess 5 . The height of the printed material (ink) applied can be less than 20 µm. The height of the printed image 2 can be less than or approximately the same as the layer thickness of the layer 3 . In one embodiment, layer 3 is an opaque layer. The layer 4 can be designed as a transparent or opaque layer, with the printed image 2 being visible through the layer 4 in the case of a transparent design.

The printed image 2 can cover the recess 5 in its entire width or in parts, which in 1 is shown where the printed image 2 is surrounded by a border 8, an area of the recess 5 which is not printed.

The layer structure 1 produced in this way can then be subjected to further processing to produce a plastic card. In this case, at least one further layer is laminated onto the top side 9 of the layered structure 1, so that the printed image 2 is covered. Further laminating steps can be provided in order to finally produce the plastic card with an integrated or internal printed image, which can be viewed from one or both sides of the plastic card through transparent layers.

2 shows a schematic representation of a alternative method for producing a layered structure for a plastic card. For the same characteristics, in 2 the same reference numbers as in 1 used.

During or after the production of the recess 5 are in the process 2 In the region of the recess 5 on a surface 10 of the layer 4 target defects or target defects 11, 12 are produced, which in the illustrated embodiment are formed as depressions which can have a V-shape in cross section, for example. The predetermined imperfections 11, 12 can be produced by means of mechanical processing, in particular by means of micro-milling and/or micro-planing. Alternatively or additionally, microengraving and/or laser processing can be used. The various processing methods can be combined with one another.

When the print image 2 is subsequently applied, image defects or image defects 13, 14 of the print image 2 occur in the area of the desired defects 11, 12. For example, during printing, the applied ink can collect in the area of the desired defects 11, 12 with a greater layer thickness, resulting in a shadow contour within of the printed image. In this way, the printed image 2 is specifically provided with additional forgery-proof features that can be visible to the naked eye. Alternatively or additionally, an evaluation of the printed image 2 by means of optical measurement can be provided.

3 shows a schematic representation of a further alternative method of a layer structure 1 for a plastic card. For the same characteristics, in 3 the same reference numerals as in FIGS 1 and 2 used.

In contrast to the procedure from 2 are in the design in 3 the desired imperfections 11, 12 are produced in the layer 4 without the recess 5 (cf. 1 and 2 ) will be produced. The printed image 2 is applied to the layer 4 by sweeping over the area of the predetermined imperfections 11 , 12 , so that the imperfections 13 , 14 in the printed image 2 arise. The print image 2 can be printed as a print screen, for example. The image imperfections 13, 14 in the printed image 2 can arise in particular from the fact that the ink of printed halftone dots runs in the area of side walls 15, 16 of the intended imperfections 11, 12 due to the sloping design, in contrast to the ink of halftone dots on the horizontal surface of the layer 4.

The layer structure 1 can in the embodiment according to 3 are then fed to the further processing of the plastic card in order to laminate one or more layers, whereby a plastic card with an integrated or internal printed image is produced. Various process configurations are known as such for the further production process, which is why they do not need to be explained further here. One or more transparent layers of plastic material can be laminated on, through which the printed image 2 can be seen. One or more opaque layers can be integrated, through which an image lying behind cannot be seen, in which case a recess may then have to be worked into the opaque layer as a window in order to enable the printed image 2 to be seen. Various layer structures with transparent and opaque layers can be provided, with the printed image 2 lying on the inside being visible from at least one flat side of the plastic card through one or more transparent layers.

4 shows a schematic representation of a plastic card 40 in which a viewing window 42 is provided in a card body 41, which is formed as a layered structure, in which the printed image 2 can be seen. In the embodiment shown, the printed image 2 is surrounded by the edge 43 . The edge 43 is formed following an outer contour 44 of the printed image 2 what figure 5 shows schematically. For this purpose, the recess 5 was produced accordingly when the layer structure 1 was produced.

6 shows a schematic representation of a further plastic card 60, in which the image imperfections 61 are formed in the area of the printed image 2.

On the security document, in particular the plastic card, an illustration of the formation of the image imperfections can be additionally printed, for example in the form of a line representation for the course of the image imperfections or as a reference image. In this way, for example, any contours or symbols can be incorporated into the printed image as imperfections, which are shown on the plastic card for comparison, which supports an authenticity check in a simple and efficient manner. 6 shows this by way of example for the image imperfections 61 in the further plastic card 60 (cf. card bottom left).

A device can be provided for the production of the layer structure 1 in its various configurations for the subsequent further processing for the production of the plastic card, for the device parts in 7 are shown schematically. With the device in 7 a raster image processor 70 provides processed digital data, which includes control data both for a printing system 71 for printing the printed image 2 and for processing systems 72, 73, which are used when producing the layered structure 1, the recess 5 and/or the intended imperfections 11, 12 to produce, in particular by means of laser processing and / or mechanical processing. The raster image processor 70 is also referred to as a pixel area calculator. The raster image processor 70 is usually used to prepare data from the prepress stage for an exposure unit or a printer, so that the print image 2 determined by means of a layout page can be produced. Here, the raster image processor 70 receives data intended for printing that has been stored using a page description language such as Postscript, and repositions all the components presented in order to then convert them into a grid of grid points. An exposable bitmap can be created here. The data generated in this way in the raster image processor 70 can be supplied as raster data via a database 74a to the printing system 71, which generates the printed image 2 when the layered structure 1 is produced.

In addition, the raster data provided by the raster image processor 70 are processed as processing data via a further database 74b in a respective control device 75, 76 for the processing devices 72, 73 and converted into corresponding control signals. This is done by providing and transferring one or more data files. It can be provided here that the processing devices 72, 73 are used for mechanical processing (milling, planing) and/or laser processing. Due to the processing of the raster data both for the control of the printing system 71 and the control of the processing device 72, 73, when producing the layer structure 1, maximum precision can be achieved when producing the recess 5 and/or the predetermined imperfections 11, 12 on the one hand and the subsequent application of the printed image 2 are guaranteed in their area on the other hand.

The raster data provided by the raster image processor 70 may be processed to generate the raster data 74a and the edit data 74b at different resolutions. The processing data 74b can be made available for the processing systems 72, 73 in a respectively adapted format, for example in a "CNC language" which can be processed by the mechanical processing devices (milling, planing). For laser processing, raster data for the laser ("dot size, intensity") per se and coordinates for a mirror system of the laser can be provided.

8 shows a schematic representation of a plastic card 80, which has a chip 81 in addition to the printed image 2 on the inside. Corresponding to the structure of a conventional chip card, the chip 81 can be written with electronic data during the production of the plastic card 80, which can be read out by a suitable reading device, as is known in various configurations. Such electronic data can be entered in the chip 81 as part of personalization. Provision can be made for the electronic data stored on the chip 81 to include imperfections data which display information relating to the desired imperfections 11, 12 and/or the image imperfections 13, 14 in the printed image 2. For example, the contour (line shape and/or image contour) can be indicated by the imperfection data.

As part of an authenticity check for the plastic card 80, the missing or imperfections data can be read using the card reader and displayed to the user of the card reader via a display, so that the user can compare the information displayed with the image imperfections on the chip card 80 that are visible to the naked eye. Alternatively or in addition, it can be provided that the internal printed image 2 with the image imperfections is scanned using a scanning device and the image imperfections are determined in the scanned image in order to compare them with the imperfection data stored in the chip 81 . This can be carried out using a test device which has the scanning device and the card reader, for example a chip card reader, as separate or integrated functional units. Depending on the result of the comparison, the result of the authenticity check can be communicated to the user by means of an optical and/or acoustic output. Test devices that are set up to scan plastic cards with a chip and to read electronic data from the chip on the plastic card are known as such in various embodiments, for example as test terminals.

The features disclosed in the above description, the claims and the drawing can be important both individually and in any combination for the realization of the various embodiments, insofar as the embodiments fall below the claims.

reference list

1

layer structure

2

print image

3.4

layers

5

recess

6, 7

side walls

8th

Print image 2 surrounding border

9

cover page

10

surface

11, 12

Target imperfections in layer

13, 14

image defects

15, 16

side walls

40

plastic card

41

card body

42

viewing window

43

edge

44

outer contour

60

another plastic card

61

image defects

70

Raster Image Processor

71

printing system

72, 73

editing systems

74a

Database

74b

another database

75.76

respective control device

80

chip card

81

chip

Claims (13)

1. A method for producing a layer arrangement for a security document, having the following steps:

   - providing a semi-finished product with a layer arrangement (1) with a stack of layers made from plastic material;

   - producing a recess (5) in an external layer of the layer arrangement (1) with the aid of a machining device;

   - printing a printed image (2) in the region of the recess (5) by means of a printing device,

   characterized by the further following step:

   - producing an internal printed image, wherein a further layer made from plastic material is hereby applied onto the external layer in such a manner that at least the recess (5) with the printed image (2) is covered by the further layer, and wherein the internal printed image is visible from outside from a front and/or rear side of the layer arrangement (1) through at least one of the layers,

   wherein

   - the printed image (2) is printed at least in certain regions encompassing a recess edge surrounding the recess; and

   - the recess edge surrounding the recess (5) is produced following an external printed image contour at least in certain sections.
2. The method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the recess (5) is produced at least partially as an opening in the external layer and the printed image (2) is printed on a layer lying therebelow.
3. The method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the recess (5) is produced at least partially as a depression in the external layer and the printed image (2) is printed in the region of the depression.
4. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (5) is produced by means of mechanical machining in the external layer.
5. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (5) is produced by means of laser machining in the external layer.
6. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess edge surrounding the recess (5) is produced with wall bevels at least in certain sections.
7. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printed image (2) is produced with a printed layer thickness which is smaller than a height of the recess.
8. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printed image (2) is produced with image imperfections (13, 14) individualizing a security document.
9. The method according to Claim 8, characterized in that imperfections (11, 12) individualizing the security document are produced in the layer arrangement in the region of the recess, which imperfections are assigned to the image imperfections (13, 14).
10. The method according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that an electronic storage medium (81) is embedded into the layer arrangement and readable electronic data are stored in the electronic storage medium, which data show information about the image imperfections (13, 14) and/or the imperfections (11, 12).
11. The method according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized by the following steps:

    - creating electronic machining data by means of a data-processing device, wherein personal and/or non-personal data are processed here and an arrangement of the imperfections (11, 12) individualizing the security document is determined;

    - transferring the electronic machining data to the machining device; and

    - producing the imperfections (11, 12) according to the arrangement individualizing the security document by means of the machining device.
12. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, insofar as referred back to Claim 8, characterized by the following steps:

    - creating electronic printing data by means of the data-processing device, wherein the personal and/or the non-personal data are processed hereby and a formation of the image imperfections (13, 14) individualizing the security document is determined;

    - transferring the electronic printing data to the printing device; and

    - producing the image imperfections (13, 14) according to the arrangement individualizing the security document during printing by means of the machining device.
13. A security document having a layer arrangement, which is produced according to at least one of the preceding claims and has an internal printed image, which is visible from outside from a front and/or rear side of the layer arrangement through at least one of the layers.

Images