Data carrier having identifiers

Abstract

The invention relates to a data carrier into which, by means of a laser beam, identifiers are introduced that are visible in the form of irreversible changes, caused by the laser beam, in the optical properties of the data carrier. According to the present invention, the data carrier comprises a laser-sensitive layer ( 20 ) that is opaque in the visible spectral range, and that is combined with a securing layer ( 22 ) that is metallized at least in a sub-area, the identifiers ( 30, 32 ) being introduced by the laser beam simultaneously and in perfect register into the laser-sensitive layer ( 20 ) and the metallized sub-area ( 24 ) of the securing layer ( 22 ).

1 . A data carrier into which, by means of a laser beam, identifiers are introduced that are visible in the form of irreversible changes, caused by the laser beam, in the optical properties of the data carrier, characterized in that: 
 the data carrier comprises a laser-sensitive layer that is opaque in the visible spectral range and that is combined in such a way with a securing layer that is metallized at least in a sub-area that the two layers overlap at the metallized sub-area of the securing layer, and    the opaque, laser-sensitive layer and the securing layer each include separate identifiers, the identifiers being introduced by the laser beam simultaneously and in register into the opaque, laser-sensitive layer and the metallized sub-area of the securing layer.    
   
   
       2 . The data carrier according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the introduction of the identifiers into the securing layer occurs through material ablation in the metallized sub-area.  
   
   
       3 . The data carrier according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the introduction of the identifiers into the securing layer occurs through a local transformation of the metal into a transparent or translucent modification.  
   
   
       4 . The data carrier according to  claim 1 , characterized in that one or more intermediate layers are disposed between the laser-sensitive layer and the securing layer.  
   
   
       5 . The data carrier according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the intermediate layer(s) are colored and/or printed on and/or fluoresce.  
   
   
       6 . The data carrier according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the intermediate layer(s) exhibit one or more apertures in the area of the identifiers.  
   
   
       7 . The data carrier according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the metallized sub-area is vapor deposited on the securing layer.  
   
   
       8 . The data carrier according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the metallized sub-area is formed by a printing layer of a metallic effect ink.  
   
   
       9 . The data carrier according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the metallized sub-area exhibits a diffraction pattern.  
   
   
       10 . The data carrier according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the laser-sensitive layer is formed by a plastic foil that is doped at least in a sub-area.  
   
   
       11 . The data carrier according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the laser-sensitive layer is formed by a plastic foil that is provided, at least in a sub-area, with a printing layer that absorbs the laser radiation.  
   
   
       12 . The data carrier according to  claim 1 , characterized in that multiple laser-sensitive layers are provided that are opaque in the visible spectral range.  
   
   
       13 . The data carrier according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the identifiers comprise a halftone pattern reproduced from an original.  
   
   
       14 . The data carrier according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the halftone pattern is introduced in a screening technique, different brightness levels of the halftone pattern being produced by a different grid-point density, a different grid-point size and/or by a different grid-point blackening.  
   
   
       15 . The data carrier according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the metallized sub-area, together with the opaque layer, displays, in reflected light, a tilt effect in which the image impression of the introduced identifiers switches from a positive image to a negative image when the viewing angle changes.  
   
   
       16 . The data carrier according to  claim 1 , characterized in that multiple securing layers are provided that are metallized at least in a sub-area, whereby the combination of metallized securing layers in various levels achieves a spatial effect.  
   
   
       17 . The data carrier according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the or one of the metallized securing layers is additionally provided with a laser-tilt-image pattern.  
   
   
       18 . The data carrier according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the laser-sensitive layer and/or the securing layer are covered with further layers that are transparent at least in the area of the identifiers, such that at least one of the laser-sensitive layer or the securing layer are disposed in the interior of the data carrier.  
   
   
       19 . The data carrier according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the data carrier constitutes an identification card, such as a credit card, bank card, cash card, authorization card, identity card or passport personalization page.  
   
   
       20 . The data carrier according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the data carrier constitutes a transfer element disposed on a carrier layer for application to an identification card or the like.  
   
   
       21 . A method for manufacturing a data carrier according to  claim 1 , in which the laser-sensitive layer that is opaque in the visible spectral range is combined in such a way with the securing layer that is metallized at least in a sub-area that the opaque, laser-sensitive layer and the securing layer overlap at the metallized sub-area of the securing layer, and in which, to introduce the identifiers, the layer structure is impinged on from the side of the laser-sensitive layer with laser radiation, causing separate identifiers to each be introduced simultaneously and in perfect register into the laser-sensitive layer and the metallized sub-area of the securing layer.  
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 21 , characterized in that the identifiers are introduced with pulsed laser radiation.  
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 21 , characterized in that, as the identifier, a halftone pattern reproduced from an original in a screening technique is introduced, different brightness levels of the halftone pattern being produced by a different grid-point density, a different grid-point size and/or by a different grid-point blackening, and the grid-point density being selected to be between 50 and 500 dpi.  
   
   
       24 . A method for checking the integrity of a data carrier according to  claim 1 , in which the data carrier is illuminated with a strong light source, the register accuracy of the identifiers in the opaque, laser-sensitive layer and the metallized sub-area of the securing layer is determined, and on the basis of the determined register accuracy, the integrity of the data carrier is assessed.