METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A PLASTIC DESIGN ELEMENT ON AN AUTHENTICATION DATA CARRIER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the printing-based production of three-dimensional design elements onto a small-format, two-dimensional security element. In particular, the invention relates to the application of a three-dimensional printed pattern onto an authentication data carrier. The invention further relates to a corresponding device for producing a three-dimensional design element on an authentication data carrier.

[0002] US9514393B2 discloses a method for the 3D printing of raised design elements on a bank card. The design elements are created by repeatedly performing a standard 2D printing process. Different heights are achieved by controlling the number of printing cycles and the printing time. In this way, 3D printed patterns can be produced. The method is inexpensive but also slow. It requires a preliminary step in precisely calculating the necessary printing cycles and printing times.

[0003] WO2017 / 076489A1 discloses a transaction card whose surface features a 3D-printed pattern. The pattern is applied using a printing process for creating three-dimensional objects. This allows for the production of cards with impressive 3D effects. However, the production of such transaction cards requires, as a preparatory step, the creation of a custom design that incorporates the raised areas in a machine-readable format. Therefore, this solution is not commercially suitable for custom designs.

[0004] US patent 10513081 B1 discloses a method for manufacturing a payment card whose surface features contours created using 3D printing. The 3D printing is performed as part of the personalization process at a printing station suitable for three-dimensional printing.

[0005] German patent DE 102019203173 A1 discloses a method for producing a three-dimensional motif and information carrier, according to which digital data of a motif are provided, based on which the surface of a plastically deformable substrate is printed in color. From the digital information, 3D data of the motif are further derived, according to which the printed carrier is 3D embossed using an embossing tool.

[0006] From WO2021058097A1, a method for generating an edge image from an image template is known, in which an initial image, which is present, for example, in the form of a grayscale image, is converted by means of edge detection into an edge image that reproduces the contours of the motif contained in the initial image, similar to a painting template. The object of the invention is to provide an efficient method that allows the creation of effective 3D effects with reasonable preparation effort.

[0007] The problem is solved by a method with the features of the main claim.

[0008] The method and the device according to the invention are characterized by the fact that they enable the flexible creation of printed patterns with three-dimensional design elements on authentication data carriers. It becomes possible to process small to very small order sizes with reasonable effort and to obtain good results. The execution of the orders can advantageously be largely automated.

[0009] A particular advantage of the method according to the invention is the derivation of the 3D printing template from edge detection in the print data. This allows for the automated determination of print thicknesses. Furthermore, the print thickness can be controlled via numerous parameters, resulting in good printing outcomes.

[0010] For effective process execution, the edge detection provided for in the procedure is preferably only carried out in those areas of a printed pattern where three-dimensional design elements are provided.

[0011] The device according to the invention has the advantage that it can be easily constructed with minimal effort based on components and methods that are known per se.

[0012] Further advantageous developments and configurations result from the characteristics of the dependent claims.

[0013] Description of the characters Fig. 1 shows an order for carrying out the procedure Fig. 2 The steps carried out in the process are shown as a flowchart. Fig. 3 shows an authentication data carrier before and after the application of a print pattern.

[0014] Fig. 1 Figure 1 schematically shows an arrangement for applying a print pattern 10 to an authentication data carrier 1. The arrangement includes, but is not limited to, an image processing unit 30, an edge detection unit 32 connected to the image processing unit, a first print control unit 34, and a second print control unit 36. The first print control unit 32 is connected to the image processing unit 30, and the second print control unit 36 ​​is connected to the edge detection unit 32. The arrangement further includes a first print unit 38 connected to the first print control unit 32 for performing 2D printing operations, and a second print unit 40 for performing 3D printing operations, which is connected to the edge detection unit. A transport device 42 for conveying authentication data carriers 1 from the first print unit 38 to the second print unit 40 is also part of the arrangement.

[0015] The authentication medium 1 takes the form of a small, flat security element. For example, it can be a payment card with a chip or an identification card in credit card format. The authentication medium 1 can also take the form of a key fob or any other small, flat object.

[0016] The authentication data carrier 1 has at least one surface 2 onto which a print pattern 10 is applied. The print pattern 10 can include graphic, pictorial, and / or alphanumeric elements. It can be entirely or partially in color or black and white. It can cover the entire surface of an authentication data carrier or parts thereof. At least part of the print pattern 10 is generated based on 50 source images provided by users.

[0017] The printed pattern 10 contains at least one three-dimensional design element 11, i.e., an area in which the printed pattern 10 is executed as a raised print job. The printed pattern 10 is expediently divided, as shown in Fig. 3 illustrated into first areas 13, in which a conventional two-dimensional print is carried out, and second areas 14, in which one or more plastic design elements 11 are formed in the form of a raised, three-dimensional print application.

[0018] As in Fig. 3 The printed pattern 1 can, for example, consist of a larger first area 13 and a comparatively smaller second area 14. The first area 13 contains a basic graphic pattern 15 and, superimposed on it, alphanumeric information 16, a photograph 17, and a graphic element 18. The second area 14 features a motif 19 in the form of a raised print, creating a three-dimensional design element 11. The execution of the three-dimensional design element 11 can, for example, consist of the dominant edges 20 of the motif 19 being raised.

[0019] In the image processing unit 20, print data is created. For this purpose, predefined design specifications and boundary conditions for a type of authentication data carrier to be processed 1 are combined with individual source images 60 provided by users 50.

[0020] Design specifications may, for example, consist of the fact that user-provided source images may only be placed in certain areas of a print sample or only in certain areas on an authentication data carrier, while a fixed design is specified for the remaining areas.

[0021] Boundary conditions include, for example, the external dimensions of the authentication data carriers to be processed, as well as the specification of areas that cannot or must not be printed on.

[0022] The print data generated by the image processing unit 30 is transferred to the first print control unit 34 and to the edge detection unit 32.

[0023] Users 50 can be, for example, individuals providing source images 60 with custom designs, or companies providing source images 60 with company-specific designs. The source images 60 are provided in the form of standard image data sets.

[0024] Print data generated by the image processing unit 30 can be divided into first area data, which are executed as a conventional two-dimensional print on an authentication data carrier 10, and second area data, in which a three-dimensional print job is carried out. The first area data correspond to the first area 13 in the print pattern, the second area data to the second area 14 in the print pattern.

[0025] The edge detection unit 32 serves to identify potential three-dimensional design elements 11 in the print data supplied by the image processing unit 30, which are then produced as a three-dimensional print job. The execution of the edge detection can be limited to the second areas 14. The edge detection is carried out using a known method. The dominant edges 20 are determined, which delineate the surface areas 22 contained in the motif defined by the print data. The dominant edges 20 represent the contours of the elements forming the motif 19.

[0026] In one variant, the contours formed by the dominant edges 20 constitute the three-dimensional design elements 11, which are subsequently produced as a three-dimensional print. If the areas bounded by the dominant edges 20 are produced as a flat print, a three-dimensional design element 11 is created, whose motif 19 is contoured by raised edges 20. The thickness of the print, if any, is determined by predefined maximum heights. Maximum heights are regularly set, for example, by credit card organizations and are generally between 0.40 and 0.48 mm.

[0027] In another variant, the areas 22 enclosed by the dominant edges 20 are subsequently executed as a three-dimensional print job. Here, both the dominant edges 20 and the enclosed areas 22 can be designed with a raised relief. The enclosed areas 22 and the dominant edges 20 can have different thicknesses. The respective thicknesses of the enclosed areas 22 can, for example, correspond to the brightness values ​​for these areas 22. For instance, areas 22 with a brightness above a defined threshold can have a greater thickness than areas 22 with a brightness below the threshold. Simultaneously, the dominant edges 20 can have a third thickness. All thicknesses are, in turn, adjusted to any specified maximum heights.It may also be provided that the strength with which the contained surface areas 22 22 are applied depends on further and / or other information determined from the print data, for example on the local color or the position within a motif 19 or on the authentication data carrier 1.

[0028] The edge detection unit converts the determined print elements into a 3D print template 32 and transfers this to the second print control unit 36.

[0029] The first print control device 34 serves to convert print data received from the image processing into control data, by means of which the connected first printing unit 38 is caused to apply a standard two-dimensional print pattern to an authentication data carrier 1 in accordance with the print data.

[0030] The second print control unit 36 ​​serves to convert the 3D print template received from the edge detection unit 32 into control data. This data is used to instruct the connected second print unit 40 to apply a print job with a thickness determined by the 3D print template to an authentication data carrier 1. The application of the thickness-increasing print job is made onto the previously created two-dimensional print pattern. The first print unit 38 is a conventional print unit for applying a two-dimensional print pattern to a flat surface. The first print unit can be, for example, a laser printer, an inkjet printer, or a thermal transfer printer.

[0031] The second printing unit 40 is a well-known 3D printing machine, for example a UV84 type machine offered by Direct Color Systems (DCS), a digital 3D flatbed printer, etc.

[0032] The printing materials used by the two printing units 38 and 40 for the print job are coordinated to form a strong bond. This may involve intermediate steps in which the generated print jobs are subjected to additional material treatments, such as UV curing to harden the print job or chemical pretreatment.

[0033] The transport device 42 serves to feed authentication data carriers 1 to be processed, first to the first printing unit 38 and from there to the second printing unit 40, in order to assign print jobs to them in the printing units 38 and 40, respectively. The transport device 42 can, as shown in the Fig. 1 It is implied to be a conveyor belt. However, it can also be set up in any other way, for example using magazines that are moved by robot grippers.

[0034] Fig.2 shows the process for applying a print pattern 2 to an authentication data carrier 1 using the in Fig. 1 The sequence of steps performed is shown in the depicted arrangement.

[0035] In a preparatory step 100, 30 print specifications are provided to the image processing unit. For this purpose, users provide 50 individual source images 60. Furthermore, predefined design specifications and boundary conditions for the processed type authentication data carrier 1 are provided.

[0036] From the provided individual source images 60 and the design specifications and boundary conditions predefined for the type of authentication data carrier 1 to be processed, the image processing unit 30 creates print data in one step 102. The print data reproduces the print pattern 2 and the individual source images 60 contained therein as a solid-area print pattern. The image processing unit 30 transfers the print data to the first print control unit 34 and to the edge detection unit 32.

[0037] In the following step, the first pressure control device 34 generates control data from the received pressure data to form a two-dimensional print pattern, which it forwards to the first printing unit 38.

[0038] In accordance with the received control data, the first printing unit 38 applies a flat print pattern (2D printing) to the supplied authentication data carrier 1 in a first printing process in the following step 106.

[0039] After the application of the flat print pattern is complete, the authentication data carrier 1 is conveyed to the second printing unit 40. Intermediate steps 108 may be included here, for example a drying process.

[0040] From the print data received by the image processing unit 30, the edge detection unit 32 simultaneously generates a 3D printing template for the production of a three-dimensional design element 2 in a step 110. To this end, the edge detection unit 32 performs edge detection on the print data using a standard procedure to determine the dominant edges 20 in the motifs 19 contained in the print data. These edges 20 define the contours of the surface areas 22 that form the motif. The dominant edges 20 represent the contours of the elements that constitute the motif 19. The edge detection is expediently limited to the second areas 14. The edge detection unit 32 then transfers the determined 3D printing template to the second print control unit 36.

[0041] In the following step 112, the second printing control unit 36 ​​generates control data from the received 3D printing template to form a three-dimensional printing pattern, which it forwards to the second printing unit 40.

[0042] In accordance with the received control data, the second printing unit 40 applies a raised, three-dimensional print pattern (3D printing) to the supplied authentication data carrier 1 in a second printing process in the following step 114, over the flat print pattern applied in the first printing process.

[0043] The application of the three-dimensional printed pattern may be followed by post-processing steps – not shown – such as a curing process.

[0044] While maintaining the fundamental concept of creating a printed pattern with a three-dimensional design element by first applying a flat printed pattern and then, in a separate printing process, applying a raised printed pattern based on edge reduction performed on the flat printed pattern, the invention permits a number of embodiments, which are not detailed here. For example, the thicknesses of the dominant edges 20 and the contained surface areas 22 can be graduated in many steps, and the gradation can be achieved using further available frame or printing information. The printing processes can be carried out separately in terms of location and time, and further intermediate steps can be provided.

Claims

1. Method for producing a plastic design element on an authentication data carrier comprising the following steps: - providing (100) an individual starting image (60), - generating printing data, which reproduce (102) the starting image (60) as a planar printed pattern, - applying the starting image (60) as a planar printed pattern in a first printing process (106), - carrying out an edge detection to determine dominating edges (20) in the printing data, which delimit the surface areas (22) contained in the printing data from one another and reproduce (110) the contours of the motif (19) contained in the starting image (60), - creating a 3D printing template, which is based on the dominating edges (20) found, - applying a three-dimensional printed pattern in accordance with the 3D printing template to the planar printed pattern in a second printing process (114).

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that, to generate the printing data, the individual starting image (60) provided by the user (50) is combined with design specifications and boundary conditions for the type of authentication data carrier (1) to be processed.

3. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the printing data are divided into first area data, which are embodied in the form of a typical two-dimensional print on an authentication data carrier (1), and second area data, in which a three-dimensional print job takes place.

4. Method according to Claim 3, characterized in that the edge detection is only executed in the second area data.

5. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the 3D print is executed using a defined height.

6. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the contours formed by dominating edges (20) form plastic design elements (11), which are produced in the second printing process (114) as a three-dimensional print job.

7. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that surface areas (22) delimited by the dominating edges (20) are embodied (114) in the second printing process as a three-dimensional print job.

8. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the dominating edges (20) are applied with a different thickness than the delimited surface areas (22).

9. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the thickness with which the delimited surface areas (22) are applied depends on further information ascertained from the printing data, in particular on the colour and / or the position.

10. Device for producing a plastic design element on an authentication data carrier, comprising an image preparation unit (30), which is configured to generate printing data from an individual starting image (60) provided by a user, which data reproduce (102) the starting image (60) as a planar printed pattern, a first printing control unit (34), which is configured to generate (104) control data for forming a two-dimensional printed pattern from the received printing data, a first printing unit (38), which is configured to apply (106) a planar printed pattern to the supplied authentication data carrier (1) in accordance with the control data in a first printing process, characterized in that it furthermore comprises: an edge detection unit (32), which is configured to carry out an edge detection on the printing data in order to generate (110) a 3D printing template for forming a plastic design element (11), a second printing control unit (36), which is configured to generate (112) a three-dimensional printed pattern from the 3D printing template in the control data, and a second printing unit (40), which is configured to apply (114) a three-dimensional printed pattern onto the supplied authentication data carrier (1) onto the planar printed pattern applied in the first printing process in a second printing process.