Title of Invention

A SYSTEM WITH INFORMATION TO BE SECURED AND METHOD OF PRODUCTION THEREOF

Abstract

A system (1) with information to be secured and method of production thereof are disclosed. For securing information (4) concealed by a scratch field (3) on an object (2), intermediate layers (8, 9) disposed between the information (4) and the object (2) are provided with continuous gaps (10, 11) and spatially structured thereby. The gaps (10, 11) can be disposed in at least one layer (9) in the area of the information (4) and/or in at least two layers in an area enclosing the information (4), in which the information (4) is not applied. In the first case the information (4) is printed respectively partially on several layers (8, 9) and cannot be spied out by removing one layer. In the second case, a scalpel used for the intended unauthorized removal of layers is guided into lower layers which do not contain any information (4).

Full Text

Description Field of the Invention The invention relates to a system of an object with information to be secured applied thereon, such as for example a coding, identification mark, PIN number or the like, and a cover layer for concealing the information to be secured. The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing such a system. Background Art It is known to conceal secret numbers, PIN numbers or other secret information on documents of value, such as bank cards or credit cards, prepaid telephone cards, chip cards and the like by means of a removable, opaque cover layer, which is frequently embodied as a cover sticker or scratch label. Usually the authorized owner of the document of value removes the cover layer by scratching it off, in order to find out the information intended for him. However, it should not be possible that any tampering attempt by non-authorized persons can be carried out unnoticed, so that the authorized person can obtain knowledge of any tampering. Likewise it is important that a person in the possession of a document of value with a scratch label seeming unaltered can in any case assume that no tampering has taken place. In this context it is known from DE 102 52 521 Al to provide one or several intermediate layers between the object and the information covered by the cover layer. Locally differing adhesive forces then have the result that in the case of an unauthorized removal of the scratch label said label is visibly damaged and that the information is released only incompletely. In the production of such scratch labels, however, variations of the production process can occur due to varying production parameters, which variations can have the result that the desired effect cannot materialize completely. Summary of the Invention The invention is therefore based on the problem of proposing an object with information to be secured and a production method of the same, which consistently offers a high degree of security in regard of any tampering attempt. This problem is solved according to the invention by a system with information to be secure, comprises: an object, on which the information to be secured is applied, a cover layer with a basic surface which is smaller than that of the object, for covering the information to be secured, and at least one intermediate layer, which is disposed between the object and the information to be secure, characterized in that the intermediate layer is spatially structured by means of gaps penetrating the intermediate layer. In a preferred embodiment, due to the gaps the intermediate layer is an areally structured layer in the area of the information, so that the information to be secured is disposed on different levels. The structured intermediate layer forms an areal pattern due to the gap, in particular a regular rectangular pattern or rhomboid pattern. The structured intermediate layer has the same color as a background above which the intermediate layer is applied and which is visible through the gaps. The structured intermediate layer and the background are gray. The background of the same color is formed by a further intermediate layer. The background of the same color is formed by a field integrated in the object. Between the object and the information to be secured at least two intermediate layers are preferably arranged, wherein the gaps penetrate both intermediate layers and are situated outside the area of the information to be secured. The gaps form a closed contour enclosing the information. The gaps are filled by the cover layer. The information to be secured is printed. The present invention also provides a method for producing a system with information to be secured, comprises the steps of: supplying an object to be provided with the information, applying at least one intermediate layer on the object, applying the information to be secured on the intermediate layer, and covering the information with a cover layer with a basic surface which is smaller than that of the object, characterized by the step of spatially structuring the at least one intermediate layer by means of gaps penetrating the intermediate layer. In a preferred embodiment, the spatial structuring by means of gaps is provided in die area in which the information is applied in such a way that, when applied, the information comes to be disposed on different levels due to the gaps. The structured intermediate layer is applied as an areal pattern formed by the gap, in particular as a regular rectangular pattern or rhomboid pattern. The structured intermediate layer is applied in the same color as a background which is visible through the gaps. The structured intermediate layer and the background are gray. Before applying the structured intermediate layer a further intermediate layer forming the background is applied on the object. A field forming the background is integrated in the object. The method is characterized by the steps of: applying at least two intermediate layers on the object before applying the information; and structuring the intermediate layers identically by gaps situated outside the area of the information and penetrating the intermediate layer, before applying the cover layer. The homogeneous structuring of the at least two intermediate layers comprises a punching process. The gaps penetrating the at least two intermediate layers are embodied as a contour enclosing the area of the information. The information is printed. In an inventive system, consisting of an object with a cover layer that is smaller in surface, at least one intermediate layer is arranged between the information covered by the cover layer and the object, which intermediate layer is spatially structured in such a manner that it prevents the uncovering of the information by removing the cover layer. The spatial structuring of the intermediate layer consists of gaps which penetrate the intermediate layer completely. In an especially preferred embodiment the spatial structuring of the intermediate layer consists of an areally embodied pattern which is formed by the gaps and above which the information to be secured is disposed. This pattern can consist of any geometrical figures. However, regular patterns, for example rhomboid patterns or rectangular patterns are especially preferred. Since this structuring is present exactly in the area of the intermediate layer, in which the information to be secured is applied on the intermediate layer, the information is applied partly on the material of the intermediate layer and partly comes to lie in the gaps thereof. The information, which is as a rule printed, is thus provided on different levels of the layer structure of the system. Therein the printing thickness of the information is preferably smaller than the thickness of the structured intermediate layer. When applying the cover layer the gaps of the structured intermediate layer which partly contain printing ink are preferably filled up with the cover layer. An unauthorized removal of the scratch label or of the intermediate layer by means of a scalpel thus in each case only uncovers a partial information. It is advantageous therein if me pattern of the structured intermediate layer is designed in such a manner that the complete information cannot be reconstructed from any of the partial pieces of information. The structuring is produced when the intermediate layer is applied on the object, preferably by a printing method, by selectively leaving the gaps during the printing process. It is advantageous herein if the structured intermediate layer has the same color as the background on which it is applied, so that it is only very hardly distinguishable therefrom optically. The color is preferably gray. On the one hand it is possible to apply such a gray background layer as a further intermediate layer in the printing process before applying the structured intermediate layer on the object. On the other hand, e. g. if the object itself is lacquered or printed over a large part of its surface or over its complete surface and has a field printed in the color of the structured intermediate layer at least in the area of the information to be applied, or if such a field is integrated in the object in a different manner, the structured intermediate layer can be printed directly on the object or on the outermost coating thereof. Of course it is also possible in this context to first apply further outer layers, for example transparent or color lacquer layers with certain design elements, before applying the single- color background layer in the area of the information to be applied and, thereon, the structured intermediate layer of the same color. Insofar it is only essential that the background of the same color remains visible through the gaps of the structured intermediate layer. In a second preferred embodiment the structuring of the intermediate layer is not produced directly with the application of the intermediate layer on the object, but subsequently in a separate processing step. First, at least two intermediate layers are applied, in particular printed, on the object, into which subsequently gaps are integrated in such way that they are situated outside the areas of the intermediate layers which are printed with the information to be secured in a later processing step. These gaps extend over at least two intermediate layers applied one after another, which are insofar substantially equally structured. The structuring is preferably arranged on the intermediate layers in such a way that it encloses the area on which the information to be secured is printed continuously in the form of a contour. Preferably the gaps are punched out after the application of the intermediate layers. After the application of the information to be secured, the punched-out area can be filled up by the cover layer or can also remain unfilled. Since the materials of the intermediate layers and of the cover layer differ from each other in regard of their material properties, the punched-out area in any case acts as a guide for a scalpel applied in order to lift off the cover layer. By the punched-out areas such a scalpel is guided preferably deep into the intermediate layers in a downward direction, thus in the direction of the object, so that the information to be secured is not visible from below on the possibly removed layers. A scalpel is thus guided into a part of the color or lacquer layer which does not bear any information. In principle both embodiments described above are combinable, since the gaps respectively concern different areas of the intermediate layers. In a combined embodiment e. g. a conventional color layer and a structured color layer are applied on the object one after another, into which layers the continuous contour- shaped gap is subsequently punched, before or after the structured color layer was provided with the information to be printed. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will result from the following description of a variety of exemplary embodiments and alternative embodiments according to the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings The figures are described as follows: Figure 1: a schematic top view of a value card with a structured intermediate layer according to an embodiment of the invention, Figure 2: a schematic top view of an intermediate layer structured in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, and Figure 3: the layer structure of a value card in cross section, which combines both embodiments. Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 shows a system 1, composed of an object 2 and a scratch field 3 with a smaller surface arranged thereon, wherein the object 2, on which information 4 is applied in a secured manner, is a value card, for example a prepaid telephone card (prepaid card). Likewise, any desired other document of value or any object of value can be used as the object. In a top view the system 1 comprises a scratch field 3 applied on the value card 2, which scratch field is applied as an opaque cover layer on a layer structure 8, 9 printed on the value card 2. The opaque cover layer of the scratch field 3 of the value card 2 can be scratched off easily with a fingernail or another suitable object, in order to uncover information 4 disposed thereunder. The layers 8, 9 disposed underneath the scratch field 3 are shown (as a dashed line) in figure 1 for illustration purposes. In the top view of an unused card they are completely concealed by the scratch field 3. Figure 3 shows the layer structure of system 1 in cross section. For producing the value card 2 a card carrier 5 of a suitable plastic material is printed with a preferably all-over color print 6, preferably a four-color print, in order to give the value card 2 a certain color design. In the area in which later the information 4 is to be applied on the value card 2, instead of a color design a single-color gray field 12 is printed, which preferably has dimensions of 5.5 x 40 mm. If desired, a protective lacquer layer 7 is applied on top of the color layer 6, 12, preferably of a high gloss lacquer, on the overall value card 2. The value card 2 is thus completed in the form of a plastic card. Now further layers 8, 9 and the information to be secured 4, as well as the concluding scratch field 3 are applied on the gray field. Figures 1 and 2 separately show two combinable embodiments of the present invention, whereas figure 3 outlines the layer structure of a combined embodiment. The structured color layer 9 of Figure 1 is applied on the value card 2 as a regular rhomboid pattern. Gaps 10 between the rhombi of the rhomboid pattern are preferably of a width of 0.5 mm. For example the structured color layer 9 is applied on the object 2 or on the further layer 8 therebelow by means of an offset printing process. The gaps 10 of the structured color layer 9 leave corresponding areas in the layer 8 disposed below blank. The layer 8 applied below the structured color layer 9 on the value card 2 is optional and is visible through the gaps 10. The layer 8 can be either a further color layer, which preferably is of the same color as the structured color layer 9 itself, or can be a lacquer layer, for example of a UV lacquer or any other suitable lacquer. In the case that the structured color layer 9 is applied directly on the value card 2 without the layer 8, the gray field 12 of the value card 2 is visible through the gaps 10 thereof, since the protective lacquer layer 7 is as a rule transparent. In this embodiment it has to be taken into account that the layer or surface below, visible through the gaps 10 of the structured color layer 9, has the same color as the structured color layer 9, independent of whether it is a further color layer 8 or the field 12 integrated in the value card 2 that is visible. Through the use of the same colors the structured layer 9 is only very hardly distinguishable from the layer disposed below in a tampering attempt. Deviating from the shown rhomboid pattern, the color layer 9 can be structured as desired, for example by regular or random patterns or geometrical figures. However, it is important that by the structuring the information to be protected 4 comes to lie on different levels of the layer structure in such a way that the complete information 4 cannot be reconstructed from the knowledge of only one layer. The information to be secured 4, for example a numerical code, a PIN number or another coding is also printed as a color layer onto the structured color layer 9. The structuring of the color layer 9 results in the information 4 coming to lie partly on the raised structures of the structured color layer 9 and partly in the gaps 10 and on the further color layer or lacquer layer 8 or the lacquer layer 7 of the value card 2. In any case the information 4 is distributed on different levels of the layer structure in accordance with its structuring, so that the information is in any case only revealed partly by an unauthorized uncovering or removal of one of the layers. Of course also several structured layers can be printed, in order to distribute the information 4 on more than two levels. After applying the information 4, the scratch field 3 itself is applied in the form of a cover layer, wherein the cover layer also fills the gaps 10, so that in the case of a tampering attempt by means of a scalpel which is applied between the cover layer 3 and the structured color layer 9, portions of the information 4 printed in the gaps 10 remain hidden. However, when the scratch field 3 is scratched off, the complete information 4 is revealed so as to be readable. In the embodiment shown in figure 2 at least two layers 8, 9 are structured identically by a punching 11 penetrating both layers. The punching 11 preferably extends on the edge of the later scratch field 3 and encloses the area of the information to be secured 4. After the final application of the cover layer of the scratch field 3, as shown in Figure 3, the punched-out areas 11 are filled with the cover layer or a glue used for this purpose. The function of the punching 11 consists in that, in the case of an unauthorized attempt to lift off the scratch field 3 by means of a scalpel, the scalpel is guided as deeply as possible into the layer structure of the value card 2, so that preferably firstly the layers are irreversibly and visibly damaged and secondly the information 4 is contained completely in the removed portion of the layer structure and is inaccessible. In this embodiment it is necessary that at least two layers 8, 9, preferably applied in an offset printing process, are structured identically, wherein the punched-out gaps 11 do not necessarily have to penetrate the lowest of the layers 8, whereas in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 only the upper layer 9 has to be structured. In the combined embodiment shown in Figure 3 the color layer 9 is structured by gaps 10 forming patterns and a circumferential punched-out gap 11, whereas in the color layer 8 disposed underneath only the punching 11 is present. WE CLAIM: 1. System (1) with information to be secured (4), comprising: - an object (2), on which the information to be secured (4) is applied, - a cover layer (3) with a basic surface which is smaller than that of the object (2), for covering the information to be secured (4), and - at least one intermediate layer (8, 9), which is disposed between the object (2) and the information to be secured (4), characterized in that the intermediate layer (8, 9) is spatially structured by means of gaps (10, 11) penetrating the intermediate layer (8, 9). 2. System (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein due to the gaps (10) the intermediate layer (9) is an areally structured layer in the area of the information (4), so that the information to be secured (4) is disposed on different levels. 3. System (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the structured intermediate layer (9) forms an areal pattern due to the gaps (10), in particular a regular rectangular pattern or rhomboid pattern. 4. System (1) as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the structured intermediate layer (9) has the same color as a background above which the intermediate layer (9) is applied and which is visible through the gaps (10). 5. System (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the structured intermediate layer (9) and the background are gray. 6. System (1) as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the background of the same color is formed by a intermediate layer (8). 7. System (1) as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the background of the same color is formed by a field (12) integrated in the object (2). 8. System (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, wherein between the object (2) and the information to be secured (4) at least two intermediate layers (8, 9) are arranged, wherein the gaps (11) penetrate both intermediate layers (8, 9) and are situated outside the area of the information to be secured (4). 9. System (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the gaps (11) form a closed contour enclosing the information (4). 10. System (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the gaps (11) are filled by the cover layer (3). 11. System (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the information to be secured (4) is printed. 12. Method for producing a system (1) with information to be secured (4), comprising the steps: - supplying an object (2) to be provided with the information (4), - applying at least one intermediate layer (8, 9) on the object (2), - applying the information to be secured (4) on the intermediate layer (9), and - covering the information (4) with a cover layer (3) with a basic surface which is smaller than that of the object (2), characterized by the step of spatially structuring the at least one intermediate layer (8, 9) by means of gaps (10, 11) penetrating the intermediate layer (8, 9). 13. Method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the spatial structuring by means of gaps (10) is provided in the area in which the information (4) is applied in such a way that, when applied, the information (4) comes to be disposed on different levels due to the gaps (10). 14. Method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the structured intermediate layer (9) is applied as an areal pattern formed by the gaps (10), in particular as a regular rectangular pattern or rhomboid pattern. 15. Method as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the structured intermediate layer (9) is applied in the same color as a background which is visible through the gaps (10). 16. Method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the structured intermediate layer (9) and the background are gray. 17. Method as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein before applying the structured intermediate layer (9) a intermediate layer (8) forming the background is applied on the object (2). 18. Method as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein a field (12) forming the background is integrated in the object (2). 19. Method as claimed in one of claims 12 to 18, characterized by the steps: - applying at least two intermediate layers (8, 9) on the object (2) before applying the information (4); and - structuring the intermediate layers (8, 9) identically by gaps (11) situated outside the area of the information (4) and penetrating the intermediate layers (8, 9), before applying the cover layer (3). 20. Method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the homogeneous structuring of the at least two intermediate layers (8, 9) comprises a punching process. 21. Method as claimed in claim 19 or 20, wherein the gaps (11) penetrating the at least two intermediate layers (8, 9) are embodied as a contour enclosing the area of the information (4). 22. Method as claimed in one of claims 12 to 21, wherein the information (4) is printed. Abstract A System With Information To Be Secured And Method Of Production Thereof A system (1) with information to be secured and method of production thereof are disclosed. For securing information (4) concealed by a scratch field (3) on an object (2), intermediate layers (8, 9) disposed between the information (4) and the object (2) are provided with continuous gaps (10, 11) and spatially structured thereby. The gaps (10, 11) can be disposed in at least one layer (9) in the area of the information (4) and/or in at least two layers in an area enclosing the information (4), in which the information (4) is not applied. In the first case the information (4) is printed respectively partially on several layers (8, 9) and cannot be spied out by removing one layer. In the second case, a scalpel used for the intended unauthorized removal of layers is guided into lower layers which do not contain any information (4).

Documents:

03036-kolnp-2007-abstract.pdf

03036-kolnp-2007-claims.pdf

03036-kolnp-2007-correspondence others.pdf

03036-kolnp-2007-description complete.pdf

03036-kolnp-2007-drawings.pdf

03036-kolnp-2007-form 1.pdf

03036-kolnp-2007-form 3.pdf

03036-kolnp-2007-form 5.pdf

03036-kolnp-2007-gpa.pdf

03036-kolnp-2007-international publication.pdf

03036-kolnp-2007-pct request form.pdf

03036-kolnp-2007-priority document.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-(07-10-2013)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-(07-10-2013)-OTHERS.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-ASSIGNMENT-1.1.pdf

3036-kolnp-2007-ASSIGNMENT.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-CANCELLED PAGES.pdf

3036-kolnp-2007-CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 1.1.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-FORM 18-1.1.pdf

3036-kolnp-2007-form 18.pdf

3036-kolnp-2007-FORM 3-1.1.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-GPA.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-ABSTRACT.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-CLAIMS.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-DRAWINGS.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-FORM 1.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-FORM 2.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-FORM 3.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-FORM 5.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-SPECIFICATION-COMPLETE.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT & OTHERS.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-OTHERS.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

3036-KOLNP-2007-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

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