Card-shaped insert module, card element and card-shaped data carrier

Abstract

The invention relates to a card-shaped insert module (10). The insert module (10) comprises a card-shaped support element (11) with an edge (12) that connects a front (13) to a back (14) of the card-shaped support element (11). The insert module (10) further comprises an electronic element (15) integrated into the card-shaped support element (11). The edge (12) of the card-shaped support element (11) comprises a guide element (16) that extends at least partially along the edge (12). The guide element (16) is configured to interact with a corresponding guide element (26) of a separate card element (20) to enable the card-shaped insert module (10) to be inserted into a recess (25) of the separate card element (20) along a displacement direction (40).The invention also relates to a card element (20) with a guide element (26) for receiving a card-shaped insert module (10) and a card-shaped data carrier (1) with the insert module (10) and the card element (20), wherein the card-shaped insert module (10) can be inserted into the recess (25) of the card element (20).

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the individual adaptability of card-shaped data carriers. In particular, the invention relates to a card-shaped insert module, a card element, and a card-shaped data carrier. Background of the invention

[0002] Card-shaped data carriers are used in a wide variety of applications today. For example, such card-shaped data carriers can be used for cashless payment of goods or services, for personal identification, or for accessing internet-based applications. Accordingly, there are, for example, card-shaped data carriers in the form of chip cards in general, payment cards such as credit or debit cards, as well as identity cards or national identity cards. These card-shaped data carriers are generally manufactured according to standardized norms and procedures and are therefore limited in their structural design freedom. In particular, such card-shaped data carriers often lack the individual adaptability to different application requirements or user needs. Description

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to improve the individual adaptability of a card-shaped data carrier to different application requirements or user needs.

[0004] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Exemplary embodiments are described in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0005] According to one aspect, a card-shaped insert module is specified, which is hereinafter also referred to as an adapter card. The card-shaped insert module comprises a card-shaped carrier element with an edge that connects a front to a back of the card-shaped carrier element. The card-shaped insert module further comprises an electronic element integrated into the card-shaped carrier element. The edge of the card-shaped carrier element includes a guide element that extends at least partially along the edge, the guide element being designed to interact with a corresponding guide element of a separate card element to enable the card-shaped insert module to be inserted into a recess of the separate card element along a sliding direction.

[0006] With such a card-shaped insert module, it is possible to provide a kind of adaptable and modular adapter card, which can be designed independently of the separate card element into which the card-shaped insert module can be inserted. Conversely, this also allows the separate card element to be adapted to individual user needs or application requirements, independently of the card-shaped insert module. This makes it possible, among other things, to provide a card-shaped data carrier that can be adapted to the flexible needs of the end customer or user.

[0007] A key principle is to separate the electronics from the rest of the card body, i.e., the separate card element, so that the electronics can be inserted into different card bodies or separate card elements, and thus both the card-shaped insert module and the separate card element can be modified, adapted, or designed independently of each other. First, the details relating to the card-shaped insert module according to the invention will be discussed, followed by a discussion of the details relating to the card element according to the invention.

[0008] The card-shaped carrier element can form the basis for the card-shaped insert module, with the electronic element being integrated into or arranged on the carrier element. The electronic element can, for example, include a chip or integrated circuit embedded in the carrier element, a memory module, and / or a microprocessor. The electronic element can also have a contact interface and / or a contactless interface, for example, in the form of an antenna element, to communicate with an external reader and provide data transmission.

[0009] The electronic element, in particular a contact interface of the electronic element, can extend at least partially across the front surface of the card-shaped carrier element. The electronic element can cover a large portion of the front surface of the carrier element, so that the card-shaped carrier element essentially comprises only a carrier material and the electronic element itself.

[0010] The edge of the card-shaped carrier element can define a border around the card-shaped insert module, with the border connecting the front and back of the card-shaped carrier element along its entire circumferential length. The card-shaped carrier element can have a rectangular or square shape in a top view of the front. The electronic element can cover most or all of the front of the card-shaped carrier element.

[0011] The guide element located at the edge of the card-shaped support element can have a specific geometric shape that allows the card-shaped support element or the card-shaped insert module to be inserted into the recess of the separate card element by interacting with a geometrically corresponding guide element of the separate card element. This insertion can occur via a linear movement of the card-shaped insert module relative to the separate card element. For example, the guide element of the card-shaped insert module can engage with the corresponding guide element of the separate card element while the card-shaped insert module is inserted into the separate card element in the direction of movement. This direction of movement can be essentially or exactly parallel to the front and / or back of the card-shaped support element.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the guide element is designed to allow the insertion of the card-shaped insert module into the recess of the separate card element only along the direction of movement and to prevent movement of the card-shaped insert module relative to the separate card element in a direction deviating from the direction of movement.

[0013] The guide element of the card-shaped carrier element can be a linear guide element, which allows a linear displacement of the card-shaped insert module relative to the separate card element. This ensures that, after the card-shaped insert module is inserted into the recess of the separate card element, locking against removal of the card-shaped insert module from the recess is only required in a single direction.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the guide element has a triangular and / or rectangular projection which extends outwards from the edge of the card-shaped support element.

[0015] The corresponding guide element of the separate card element can have a correspondingly shaped triangular or rectangular recess into which the triangular and / or rectangular projection of the guide element of the card-shaped support element can engage.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the edge of the card-shaped support element has a first edge section and a second edge section opposite the first edge section, and the guide element of the card-shaped support element has a first guide element section and a second guide element section, wherein the first guide element section is arranged at the first edge section and the second guide element section is arranged at the second edge section.

[0017] The card-shaped support element can thus have two separate guide element sections, which allow the card-shaped insert module to be inserted into the separate card element in the direction of movement. The first guide element section and the second guide element section can each extend along the edge sections of the card-shaped support element.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the edge of the card-shaped support element further comprises a locking element which is designed to interact with a corresponding locking element of the separate card element in order to lock the card-shaped insert module relative to the separate card element.

[0019] The locking element can be shaped such that, during insertion of the card-shaped insert module into the recess of the separate card element, the card-shaped insert module snaps into place within the separate card element, thus preventing the card-shaped insert module from releasing itself from the separate card element. Alternatively, the locking element can be designed such that the card-shaped insert module can only be removed from the recess of the separate card element by applying a specific release force.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the locking element has a notch in the edge of the card-shaped support element, which is designed to interact with a corresponding protrusion of the separate card element in order to lock the card-shaped insert module relative to the separate card element. Alternatively or additionally, the locking element has a protrusion in the edge of the card-shaped support element, which is designed to interact with a corresponding notch of the separate card element in order to lock the card-shaped insert module relative to the separate card element.

[0021] It may be provided that the locking mechanism prevents the card-shaped insert module from automatically detaching from the separate card element, whereby detachment of the card-shaped insert module from the separate card element can only occur when a certain force threshold is exceeded, causing the protrusion to move out of the notch. It may also be provided that the card-shaped insert module can only be pulled out of the recess of the separate card element after this force threshold has been overcome.

[0022] According to one aspect, a card element is specified. The card element comprises a card body with a border that connects a front and a back of the card body. The card body has a recess, and the border of the card body extends along the recess to form a first border section that at least partially defines the recess. This first border section, which at least partially defines the recess, has a guide element designed to interact with a guide element of a card-shaped insert module, thus enabling the card-shaped insert module to be inserted into the recess of the card body along a sliding direction.

[0023] In other words, the card element according to the invention is designed to receive the card-shaped insert module as described above. The card element particularly includes a guide element which can interact with the guide element of the card-shaped insert module described above to enable the insertion of the card-shaped insert module into the card element.

[0024] The card element can therefore be the previously described separate card element into which the card-shaped insert module can be inserted. The card element can also have a surrounding border that connects a front and a back of the card element. Part of this surrounding border also forms the recess.

[0025] The separate card element, into which the card-shaped insert module can be inserted, can be a card element manufactured separately from the card-shaped insert module. The card element can form the base body, which is adapted to the underlying application. In one example, the separate card element is a card in the so-called ID-1, ID-2, ID-3, or ID-000 format, with the additional recess into which the card-shaped insert module is placed to provide a virtually "finished" card-shaped data carrier after insertion. Thus, the card-shaped insert module can provide the carrier for the electronic components of the card-shaped data carrier, while the separate card element can only provide the receiving body for the card-shaped data carrier.

[0026] The card element can therefore be structurally or stylistically adapted to various operational requirements or individual user preferences. This allows for customization of the card element for the customer or user. Furthermore, the card elements can be provided to the customer separately and individually. For example, additional design or functional features can be incorporated into the card element. This also includes customized printing on the card body.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the edge of the card body extends along the recess to further form a second edge section and a third edge section that at least partially define the recess, wherein the third edge section that at least partially defines the recess runs perpendicular to the first edge section that at least partially defines the recess and perpendicular to the second edge section that at least partially defines the recess.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the card element has a spring mechanism designed to pre-tension the card-shaped insert module relative to the card element or the card body after the card-shaped insert module has been inserted into the recess of the card body. The spring mechanism can facilitate the removal of the card-shaped insert module from the card element when the locking mechanism is released.

[0029] The card-shaped insert module and / or the card element can be made of plastic, wood, bamboo, metal, or another material. The card-shaped insert module and / or the card element can be manufactured using injection molding technology, for example.

[0030] The properties and functions of the guide and locking element of the card-shaped insert module according to the invention also apply analogously to the properties and functions of the guide and locking element of the card element according to the invention, since the guide elements of both components correspond to each other and the locking elements of both components also correspond to each other. This is summarized below.

[0031] The guide element of the map element can be designed to allow the insertion of the map-shaped insert module into the map element only along the direction of movement and to prevent movement of the map-shaped insert module relative to the map element in a direction deviating from the direction of movement.

[0032] The guide element of the card element can have a triangular and / or rectangular projection extending outwards from the first edge section that at least partially defines the recess. The rectangular projection can have a stepped shape.

[0033] The guide element of the map element can also have a first guide element section and a second guide element section, wherein the first guide element section of the map element is arranged on the first edge section that at least partially defines the recess, and the second guide element section of the map element is arranged on the second edge section that at least partially defines the recess.

[0034] The first edge section, which at least partially defines the recess, can further comprise a locking element designed to interact with the locking element of the card-shaped insert module described above, thus locking the card-shaped insert module relative to the card element. Similarly, the second edge section, which at least partially defines the recess, can also comprise a locking element.

[0035] The locking element can have a notch on the first edge section, which at least partially defines the recess. This notch is designed to interact with the protrusion of the card-shaped insert module described above, thus locking the card-shaped insert module relative to the card element. Additionally or alternatively, the locking element can have a protrusion on the first edge section, which at least partially defines the recess. This protrusion is designed to interact with the notch of the card-shaped insert module described above, thus locking the card-shaped insert module relative to the card element. The protrusion and / or notch can also be provided analogously on the second edge section, which at least partially defines the recess.

[0036] According to another aspect, a card-shaped data carrier is specified. The card-shaped data carrier comprises the card element as described herein. The card-shaped data carrier further comprises the card-shaped insert module as described herein. The card-shaped insert module is inserted into the recess of the card element. In this inserted state, an edge portion of the card element located outside the recess of the card element is substantially flush or aligned with an edge portion of the card-shaped insert module.

[0037] In one example, the card-shaped data carrier is an identification document, an identity document, a chip card, or a payment card. Brief description of the characters Fig. Figure 1 shows a front view of a card-shaped deployment module and a map element. Fig. Figure 2 shows a rear view of a card-shaped deployment module and a map element. Fig. Figure 3 shows a cross-section of a guide element for a map element. Fig. Figure 4 shows a cross-section of a guide element for a card-shaped deployment module. Fig. Figure 5 shows a cross-section of an alternative guide element for a map element. Fig. Figure 6 shows a cross-section of an alternative guide element for a card-shaped deployment module. Fig. Figure 7 shows a front view of a card element with a locking element. Fig. Figure 8 shows a front view of a card-shaped insert module with a locking element. Fig. Figure 9 shows a spring mechanism for a card element. Fig. Figure 10 shows a front view of a map-shaped insert module placed into a map element. Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

[0038] The representations in the figures are schematic and not to scale. If the same reference symbols are used in different figures in the following figure description, these denote identical or similar elements. However, identical or similar elements can also be designated by different reference symbols.

[0039] Fig. Figure 1 shows a front view of a card-shaped insert module 10 before insertion into a separate card element 20. The card-shaped insert module 10 comprises a card-shaped support element 11 with a rim 12, which has a front 13 and a back 14 (see Figure 1). Fig. 2) of the card-shaped carrier element 11. The edge 12 has a first edge section 12a and a second edge section 12b opposite the first edge section 12a. An electronic element 15 is integrated into the card-shaped carrier element 11. This electronic element 15 can have a contact interface and / or a contactless interface. The electronic element 15 can be a chip module arranged on the card-shaped carrier element 11. The edge 12 of the card-shaped carrier element 11 has a guide element 16 which extends at least partially along the edge 12. In particular, a first guide element section 16a extends along the first edge section 12a and a second guide element section 16b extends along the second edge section 12b. The guide element 16 is designed such that it connects with a corresponding guide element 26 of the also in Fig. The map element 20 shown in Figure 1 interacts to enable the insertion of the card-shaped insert module 10 into a recess 25 of the map element 20 along a sliding direction 40. The map element 20 comprises a map body 21 with a surrounding border 22, which has a front 23 and a back 24 (see Figure 1). Fig. 2) of the map body 21. The map body 21 includes the aforementioned recess 25, and the border 22 of the map body 21 extends along the recess 25 to form a first border section 22a, a second border section 22b, and a third border section 22c, each defining the recess 25 at least partially. The first border section 22a and the second border section 22b each have an associated guide element section 26a and 26b, respectively, of the guide element 26 mentioned above.The guide element sections 26a, 26b of the card element 20 are designed to cooperate with the guide element sections 16a, 16b of the card-shaped insert module 10 in order to enable the insertion of the card-shaped insert module 10 into the recess 25 of the card body 21 along the displacement direction 40.

[0040] Fig. Figure 2 additionally shows a rear view of the card-shaped insert module 10 before it is inserted into the card element 20, with reference to the explanations for the individual components. Fig. 1 was referred to.

[0041] Fig. Figure 3 shows a cross-section of a guide element 26 for the [unclear text] in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 described map element 20. As can be seen, the guide element 26 in cross-section AA (cf. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) the first guide element section 26a and the second guide element section 26b, wherein the guide element sections 26a, 26b each have a tapered, i.e. triangular depression in the edge area of ​​the recess 25 of the map element 20.

[0042] Fig. Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the guide element 16 for the [unclear text] in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 described card-shaped deployment module 10. As can be seen, the guide element 16 comprises cross-section BB (cf. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) the first guide element section 16a and the second guide element section 16b, wherein the guide element sections 16a, 16b each have a tapered, i.e. a triangular and outwardly directed projection on the opposite edge sections of the card-shaped deployment module 10.

[0043] Fig. Figure 5 shows a cross-section of an alternative guide element 26 for the [unclear text] in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 described map element 20. As can be seen, the guide element 26 in cross-section AA (cf. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) the first guide element section 26a and the second guide element section 26b, wherein the guide element sections 26a, 26b each have a block-shaped, i.e. a rectangular or square depression in the edge area of ​​the recess 25 of the map element 20.

[0044] Fig. Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the guide element 16 for the [unclear text] in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 described card-shaped deployment module 10. As can be seen, the guide element 16 comprises cross-section BB (cf. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) the first guide element section 16a and the second guide element section 16b, wherein the guide element sections 16a, 16b each have a rectangular, i.e. a rectangular or square and outwardly directed projection on the opposite edge sections of the card-shaped insertion module 10.

[0045] Fig. 7 shows a front view of the [unclear] in the Fig. 1 and Fig. The card element 20 described in section 2 has a recess 25 in the card body 21, in which a locking element 27 is arranged. The locking element 27 can have two protrusions arranged on opposite edge sections of the recess 25.

[0046] Fig. Figure 8 shows a front view of the [item] in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 described card-shaped insertion module 10 with a locking element 17, which is designed to be used with the in Fig. The locking element 17 and the corresponding locking element 27 of the card element 20 shown in Figure 7 are designed to cooperate in order to lock the card-shaped insert module 10 relative to the card element 20. The locking element 17 can have two notches arranged on opposite edge sections of the card-shaped support element 11.

[0047] Fig. Figure 9 shows a front view of a spring mechanism 30 for the [unclear text] in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Card element 20 described. In particular, a sleeve 33 can be inserted between two card layers 28 and 29 of the card element 20. A spring 31 is located in the sleeve 33, which presses a pin 32 against the card-shaped insert module 10 (not shown) when the latter has been inserted into the recess 25. Preferably, in this inserted state, a small indentation is present in the card-shaped insert module 10 at the location of the pin 32. This indentation is located, as shown in Fig. Figure 8 shows, by way of example, the locking element 17 in the edge section of the card-shaped carrier element 11 of the insert module 10. When the card-shaped insert module 10 is inserted into the recess 25, the pin 32 of the spring mechanism 30 in the card element 20 will engage in the notch in the edge of the insert module 10 at a specific time, thereby pre-tensioning the spring 31 slightly. The card-shaped insert module 10 can also be locked in the card element 20 in this way.

[0048] Fig. Figure 10 shows a front view of the map element 20 and the map-shaped insert module 10 inserted into the map element 20. In particular, the Fig. 10 the card-shaped insert module 10, after it has been inserted or slid into the recess 25 within the card body 21 of the card element 20. Both components 10, 20 together form a card-shaped data carrier 1, for example, an identity document, a chip card, or a payment card. The card-shaped insert module 10 can be essentially or exactly the same size as the recess 25 of the card element 20, such that an outer edge of the card-shaped insert module 10 is flush with an outer edge of the card element 20, as shown in Fig. 10 can be seen.

Claims

[1] Card-shaped insert module (10), comprising: a card-shaped carrier element (11) with an edge (12) which connects a front side (13) to a back side (14) of the card-shaped carrier element (11); an electronic element (15) integrated into the card-shaped carrier element (11); wherein the edge (12) of the card-shaped carrier element (11) comprises a guide element (16) which extends at least partially along the edge (12); wherein the guide element (16) is designed to cooperate with a corresponding guide element (26) of a separate card element (20) in order to thus enable insertion of the card-shaped insert module (10) into a recess (25) of the separate card element (20) along a displacement direction (40). [2] Card-shaped insert module (10) according to claim 1, wherein the guide element (16) is designed to enable the insertion of the card-shaped insert module (10) into the recess (25) of the separate card element (20) only along the displacement direction (40) and to prevent a movement of the card-shaped insert module (10) relative to the separate card element (20) in a direction deviating from the displacement direction (40). [3] Card-shaped insert module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide element (16) has a triangular projection extending outwardly from the edge (12) of the card-shaped support element (11); and / or wherein the guide element (16) has a rectangular projection extending outwardly from the edge (12) of the card-shaped support element (11). [4] Card-shaped insert module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the edge (12) of the card-shaped carrier element (11) has a first edge portion (12a) and a second edge portion (12b) opposite the first edge portion (12a); wherein the guide element (16) of the card-shaped carrier element (11) has a first guide element section (16a) and a second guide element section (16b); wherein the first guide element section (16a) is arranged on the first edge section (12a) and the second guide element section (16b) is arranged on the second edge section (12b). [5] Card-shaped insert module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the edge (12) of the card-shaped carrier element (11) further comprises a locking element (17) which is designed to cooperate with a corresponding locking element (27) of the separate card element (20) in order to thus lock the card-shaped insert module (10) relative to the separate card element (20). [6] Card-shaped insert module (10) according to claim 5, wherein the locking element (17) has a notch in the edge (12) of the card-shaped carrier element (11), which is designed to cooperate with a corresponding protuberance of the separate card element (20) in order to thus lock the card-shaped insert module (10) relative to the separate card element (20); and / or wherein the locking element (17) has a protrusion in the edge of the card-shaped carrier element (11), which is designed to cooperate with a corresponding notch of the separate card element (20) in order to thus lock the card-shaped insert module (10) relative to the separate card element (20). [7] Map element (20), comprising: a card body (21) having an edge (22) connecting a front side (23) to a back side (24) of the card body (21); wherein the card body (21) has a recess (25) and the edge (22) of the card body (21) extends along the recess (25) to thus form a first edge portion (22a) at least partially defining the recess (25); wherein the first edge portion (22a) at least partially defining the recess (25) has a guide element (26) which is designed to cooperate with a guide element (16) of a card-shaped insert module (10) in order to thus enable insertion of the card-shaped insert module (10) into the recess (25) of the card body (21) along a displacement direction (40). [8] Card element (20) according to claim 7, wherein the edge (22) of the card body (21) extends along the recess (25) so as to further form a second edge portion (22b) at least partially defining the recess (25) and a third edge portion (22c) at least partially defining the recess (25); wherein the third edge portion (22c) at least partially defining the recess (25) extends perpendicular to the first edge portion (22a) at least partially defining the recess (25) and perpendicular to the second edge portion (22b) at least partially defining the recess (25). [9] Card element (20) according to one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the card element (20) has a spring mechanism (30) which is designed to prestress the card-shaped insert module (10) with respect to the card body (21) after insertion of the card-shaped insert module (10) into the recess (25) of the card body (21). [10] Card-shaped data carrier (1), comprising: a card element (20) according to one of claims 7 to 9; a card-shaped insert module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6; wherein the card-shaped insert module (10) is inserted into the recess (25) of the card element (20).

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