Copy protection medium and method for producing copy protection medium

Abstract

To provide a copy prevention medium capable of freely varying a shape and a place of a display for copy prevention in accordance with demand and desire of a user, and a method for manufacturing the copy preventing medium.SOLUTION: A copy prevention medium according to the present disclosure has a copy prevention portion for preventing copying of information, and includes: a surface layer; a thermochromic ink layer that is a layer disposed below the surface layer and includes thermochromic ink that becomes transparent in response to heat application; and a reflective layer disposed below the thermochromic ink layer. The copy prevention portion is formed by removing a part of the front surface layer with a laser to form a region corresponding to the copy prevention portion and applying heat to the thermochromic ink layer to expose the reflective layer in the region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a copy prevention medium having a function of preventing information recorded on a medium from being copied, and a method for manufacturing the copy prevention medium.

Background Art

[0002] In information display (storage) media such as cards, cards having a copy prevention function for preventing information recorded on the card from being copied are known.

[0003] For example, a technique has been proposed to prevent information from being copied by specularly reflecting the light irradiated by a copying machine with a metallic glossy surface and preventing the reflected light from reaching a light receiving part, thereby reproducing the metallic glossy surface as black (for example, Patent Document 1). Further, as a technique for determining that the card itself has been copied, for example, a technique for displaying information for authenticity determination by changing the color by applying heat at a specific temperature is known (for example, Patent Document 2). Further, a technique is known in which, by changing the thickness of the lines printed on the card or the density of the halftone dots of the background pattern, characters or the like are made to stand out when copied by a copying device or the like (for example, Patent Documents 3 and 4).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] According to the prior art, even when a card or the like is photocopied, the information recorded on the card is not reproduced, so that information leakage can be prevented.

[0006] However, printing on a medium is usually performed according to plate making. For this reason, the region for forming the anti-copying metal gloss layer is fixed, and it is difficult to apply the above technology to various media such as cards that can adopt various layouts.

[0007] Therefore, in the present disclosure, an anti-copying medium and a method for manufacturing an anti-copying medium are proposed in which the region for anti-copying can be freely varied according to the needs and desires of the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the anti-copying medium according to the present disclosure has an anti-copying portion for preventing copying of information, and includes a surface layer, a thermochromic ink layer disposed below the surface layer and containing thermochromic ink that becomes transparent in response to heat application, and a reflective layer disposed below the thermochromic ink layer. The anti-copying portion is formed by removing a part of the surface layer with a laser to form a region corresponding to the anti-copying portion, and is formed by applying heat to the thermochromic ink layer so that the reflective layer appears in the region.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the embodiment, in an information display medium, the region for preventing copying can be freely varied according to the needs and desires of the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0012] (1. Embodiment) (1-1. Outline of Anti-Copying Medium) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an anti-copying card 10 according to the embodiment. The anti-copying card 10 is an example of the anti-copying medium of the present disclosure.

[0013] The anti-copying card 10 is, for example, an identification card or the like on which personal information such as the name and address of the person who owns the card is described. The user may need to submit or notify the card number or the like of such an identification card to a public institution or the like. At this time, the user obtains a copied sheet obtained by copying the card with a copier, or transmits the image data at the time of copying, and submits the information to a public institution or the like.

[0014] At this time, a public institution that does not have the authority to receive personal information requests the user to submit the information in a hidden state where the personal information is blacked out so as not to be visible in order to reject the reception of personal information. In this case, the user must cover the personal information part of the card with a sticker or the like before copying, perform a masking process, and then copy, which is time-consuming. Also, if the user makes a mistake in the masking location or fails to perform appropriate processing according to the submission destination, the user will be forced to copy again.

[0015] In such a case, if anti-copying processing has been performed on the card side in advance, the user can simply copy the card and obtain copied paper or image data with personal information blacked out. In this way, media such as cards with anti-copying processing are highly convenient for users and can also facilitate the smooth progress of processing by public institutions and the like.

[0016] As described above, anti-copying processing can be realized, for example, by exposing a metallic luster layer on a part of the card. Since the area where the metallic luster layer is exposed is reproduced in black when copied, the printed part (changed to black) engraved with a laser or the like also assimilates with the black color, so that information cannot be reproduced by copying.

[0017] In the example of FIG. 1, the anti-copying card 10 has a ground pattern area 15 and an anti-copying area 20 where the metallic luster layer is exposed. When the anti-copying card 10 is copied, the copy image 11 shown in FIG. 1 is obtained. In the copy image 11, the printed part 16 is the part corresponding to the ground pattern area 15 where characters or the like are printed outside the anti-copying area 20. Also, the blacked part 21 is the part corresponding to the anti-copying area 20.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, when the anti-copying card 10 is copied, the display of "No. 1234567", which is the number indicating the card, remains, while personal information such as name and address is blacked out, so that the user can conceal specific information described on the anti-copying card 10. Although details will be described later, since the metallic luster layer is not exposed in the anti-copying area 20 during normal times, the appearance does not change between the ground pattern area 15 and the anti-copying area 20.

[0019] By the way, since various designs and layouts of cards such as identity cards are issued, there is a problem that it is difficult to set a place for uniformly performing anti-copying processing. That is, when a card manufacturer tries to expose the metallic luster layer only on the parts that require masking, the position where the metallic luster layer is exposed is fixed, and the masking position cannot be changed by post-processing.

[0020] However, depending on the card, even if the design is the same, the length and layout of the information to be masked may be different. For example, when printing on the card, there may be a case where it is desired to vary the copy prevention area (the position where the metallic luster layer appears) at the post-processing stage.

[0021] Therefore, the copy prevention card 10 according to the present disclosure solves the above problems with the following configuration. That is, the copy prevention card 10 includes a surface layer, a thermochromic ink layer disposed below the surface layer and containing thermochromic ink that becomes transparent in response to heat application, and a reflective layer disposed below the thermochromic ink layer. Further, in the copy prevention card 10, a region corresponding to the copy prevention portion is formed by removing a part of the surface layer with a laser, and the copy prevention portion is formed by the thermochromic ink layer being heat-applied and the reflective layer appearing in the region. In this way, the copy prevention card 10 uses thermochromic ink that becomes transparent when heat is applied, and exposes the metallic luster layer, which is the reflective layer, only in a part of the region removed by the laser. Since the removal of the surface by the laser is possible in the post-processing after the production of the card base material, the card manufacturer can freely form the copy prevention portion by removing a part of the region based on the user's request and by the transparency due to the thermochromic ink. In addition, since the card manufacturer can prevent the copying of the information printed in the region corresponding to the copy prevention portion and allow the copying of the information printed in the region other than the copy prevention portion, the information that allows copying can be freely selected according to the user's request. In this way, the copy prevention card 10 according to the embodiment can freely vary the region for copy prevention and the information to be copied according to the user's needs and requests.

[0022] (1-2. Configuration of Copy Prevention Medium) Subsequently, the configuration of the copy prevention card 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the copy prevention card 10 according to the embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view and a plan view of the anti-counterfeiting card 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the anti-counterfeiting card 10 is composed of, in order from the bottom, a core material 40 which is a main constituent member of the card (such as plastic, etc.), a metallic gloss layer 38 that serves as a reflective layer, a thermochromic ink layer 36, a laser sheet 34, a concealing layer 32 that forms a surface layer, and a design layer 30, which are laminated and bonded to each other.

[0024] The design layer 30 is a layer formed by printing with a general ink on the surface of the anti-counterfeiting card 10. The concealing layer 32 is a layer formed by a known opaque ink or the like.

[0025] The laser sheet 34 is a layer located at the center of the anti-counterfeiting card 10 and is formed of, for example, a transparent resin or film. Since the laser sheet 34 changes color when irradiated with a laser, which will be described later, printing and the like are possible.

[0026] The thermochromic ink layer 36 is a layer formed by applying a thermochromic ink that becomes transparent when heat is applied. Note that the thermochromic ink not only becomes transparent when heat is applied, but its color can also be varied depending on the film thickness and properties, and various colors can be exhibited.

[0027] The metallic gloss layer 38 is a layer having the property of reflecting light irradiated for copying. For example, the metallic gloss layer 38 is a metal thin film layer formed by vacuum deposition or sputtering of various metals.

[0028] The core material 40 is a resin that constitutes the card, and is, for example, a base material mainly composed of an opaque white resin. The core material 40 is, for example, 560 μm thick and is formed of a known opaque resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PET-G), or polycarbonate (PC).

[0029] As described above, in the anti-copy card 10, since the concealment layer 32 is opaque, when the user views the anti-copy card 10 from the surface, only the design layer 30 is visible to the user, and the thermochromic ink layer 36 and the metallic luster layer 38 cannot be seen.

[0030] (1-3. Formation of the anti-copy part) Subsequently, the process of forming the anti-copy part in a partial region of the anti-copy card 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the formation procedure of the anti-copy part according to the embodiment.

[0031] For the formation of the anti-copy part, a known laser irradiator is used. With respect to the anti-copy card 10, the laser irradiator irradiates, for example, a carbon dioxide laser (CO 2 laser) to remove the design layer 30 and the concealment layer 32. The region removed by the laser in this way is formed as the anti-copy part 50.

[0032] In the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 3, the anti-copy part 50 is formed leaving the part below the laser sheet 34. In the embodiment, since the same color or colors of the same series are used for the design layer 30 and the thermochromic ink layer 36, even when the user views the anti-copy part 50 from the surface, it looks the same as the design layer 30. That is, in the plan view shown in FIG. 3, the region corresponding to the anti-copy part 50 is indicated by a dotted line, but the user does not recognize visually that the anti-copy part 50 is formed. Although a step is formed in the anti-copy part 50, the card manufacturer can also form the anti-copy card 10 so that no step occurs by filling the region corresponding to the anti-copy part 50 with a transparent sheet, resin, or the like.

[0033] (1-4. Printing on the card) Subsequently, the process of printing personal information and the like on the anti-copy card 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the printing procedure of the anti-copy card 10 according to the embodiment.

[0034] For the printing process, a known IR (Infrared) laser irradiator is used. The IR laser irradiator prints predetermined characters, symbols, etc. on the anti-copying portion 50 and areas other than the anti-copying portion 50. In the example of FIG. 4, the IR laser irradiator prints personal information 52 in the area of the anti-copying portion 50. Also, the IR laser irradiator prints information 54 in areas other than the anti-copying portion 50. When the IR laser irradiator prints in an area other than the anti-copying portion 50, it removes the design layer 30 and the concealing layer 32 at the location corresponding to the characters.

[0035] As shown in the plan view of FIG. 4, personal information 52 consisting of the character string "NAME" is printed in the area of the anti-copying portion 50. Also, information 54 consisting of the character string "No.001" is printed in areas other than the anti-copying portion 50.

[0036] (1-5. Expression of the anti-copying function) Subsequently, the process of expressing the anti-copying function of the anti-copying card 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the anti-copying function of the anti-copying card 10 according to the embodiment.

[0037] When expressing the anti-copying function of the anti-copying card 10, the user exposes the anti-copying card 10 to the heat source 56 or irradiates the anti-copying card 10 with light that can serve as the heat source 56 to make the temperature-indicating ink in the temperature-indicating ink layer 36 transparent. For example, the user applies heat to the anti-copying card 10 by methods such as warming the anti-copying card 10 with body temperature to make the temperature-indicating ink transparent. Note that in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, an example where the heat source 56 is located on the upper surface of the anti-copying card 10 is shown, but the direction of heat application is not limited to from the upper surface. As long as heat that can make the temperature-indicating ink transparent can be applied, such as from the lower surface or the side surface, the direction does not matter.

[0038] As shown in the plan view of FIG. 5, when the temperature indicating ink becomes transparent, in the anti-copying portion 50 of the anti-copying card 10, the laser sheet 34 is transparent, and since the temperature indicating ink layer 36 becomes transparent, the metallic luster layer 38 is exposed. On the other hand, in regions other than the anti-copying portion 50, even if the temperature indicating ink becomes transparent, since the design layer 30 and the concealing layer 32 are exposed, the metallic luster layer 38 is not exposed.

[0039] When the metallic luster layer 38 is exposed, when the anti-copying card 10 is copied, the region corresponding to the anti-copying portion 50 reflects light. Therefore, in the copy image 11 shown in FIG. 5, since the anti-copying portion 50 is painted black, the characters of "NAME" cannot be recognized by the user. On the other hand, in the copy image 11, since the regions other than the anti-copying portion 50 are not painted black, the characters of "No.001" can be recognized by the user.

[0040] Thus, according to the technology according to the present disclosure, in the anti-copying card 10, by using a laser to perforate the concealing layer 32 at the post-processing stage after card manufacturing, regions that permit copying and regions that prevent copying can be freely formed. That is, the technology according to the present disclosure can freely vary the regions for anti-copying according to the diversity of the card layout and design, and thus can achieve flexible anti-copying that meets the needs and desires of users.

[0041] (2. Modifications of the Embodiment) (2-1. Printing Mode) In the above embodiment, an example of using an IR laser for printing on the anti-copying card 10 is shown, but printing may be performed by other methods. This point will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the anti-copying card 10 according to the modification. In the configuration of FIG. 6, the anti-copying card 10 has a transparent sheet 60 instead of the laser sheet 34. The transparent sheet 60 is formed of, for example, a transparent resin, film, or the like.

[0042] In the example of FIG. 6, the card manufacturer performs printing by applying ink to the surface layer of the card using, for example, inkjet ink used in an inkjet printer, a thermal transfer ribbon, or the like. In this case, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6, ink 62 for printing personal information 52 consisting of the character string "NAME" is applied to the area of the copy prevention portion 50 (i.e., the surface of the transparent sheet 60). Further, ink 64 for printing information 54 consisting of the character string "No. 001" is applied to the area other than the copy prevention portion 50.

[0043] Even by such a method, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 6, a card can be formed that looks the same as the copy prevention card 10 shown in FIG. 4 from the user's perspective.

[0044] Note that the printing does not necessarily have to be black, but considering that copying is prevented by blackening, it is more preferable to be closer to black because the printed data will not be transparent during copying.

[0045] (2-2. Types of Copy Prevention Media) In the above embodiment, the copy prevention card 10 is exemplified as the copy prevention media. However, the copy prevention media is not limited to cards, and any media that can be printed as described above may be used. Further, the copy prevention information display media of the present disclosure can be used in all industries such as the manufacture, sale, and use of information display media used for copy prevention.

[0046] (2-3. Configuration of Copy Prevention Media) In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the metallic luster layer 38 appears only on one side of the copy prevention card 10. However, the copy prevention card 10 may be configured such that the metallic luster layer 38 also appears on the back surface. For example, the copy prevention card 10 can be configured to have the design layer 30 and the like shown in FIG. 2 laminated on the front and back surfaces with the core material 40 as the center, so that the copy prevention portion 50 can be formed at a desired position on the front or back surface.

[0047] In addition, the materials of each layer constituting the anti-copy card 10 are not limited to the examples of the embodiments. For example, the metallic luster layer 38 is not limited to a metal, and any material may be used as long as it reflects light for copying. Further, the object of anti-copying is not limited to printed characters, and may be any information used to indicate information, such as symbols and two-dimensional codes.

[0048] Further, the anti-copy card 10 is not limited to the configuration of each layer shown in the embodiment. This point will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the anti-copy card according to the modified example. FIG. 7 shows an anti-copy card 110 which is a modified example.

[0049] The anti-copy card 110 in FIG. 7 is not provided with the laser sheet 34 and the transparent sheet 60 as compared with the anti-copy card 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, and for example, a printed portion (ink 62 shown in FIG. 7) is formed on the temperature indicating ink layer 36 by printing or transfer. Further, similar to the configuration of FIG. 6, the anti-copy card 110 may be provided with a printed portion (ink 64 shown in FIG. 7) on the design layer 30. Also with the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the anti-copy card 110 can expose the metallic luster layer 38 in the same manner as in FIG. 6 etc. by making the temperature indicating ink transparent by heat application, so that an anti-copy portion can be formed.

[0050] (2-4. Aspects of Temperature Indicating Ink) In the above embodiment, as the temperature indicating ink, an ink that becomes transparent at a predetermined temperature was exemplified. However, the temperature indicating ink may not only be one that becomes transparent, but also one that has the property of changing color by heat application. In this case, depending on the color, although there is a possibility that the ratio of the metallic luster layer 38 reflecting light decreases and the black coating becomes thinner, the anti-copy card 10 will have characteristics such as changing color according to temperature, so that excellent design properties can be provided to the user.

[0051] (3. Other Embodiments) The processes according to the above-described embodiments may be implemented in various different forms other than the above embodiments.

[0052] For example, among the various processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being automatically performed can also be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being manually performed can be automatically performed by a known method. In addition, regarding the processing procedures, specific names, and information including various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings, they can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each figure is not limited to the illustrated information.

[0053] Also, each component of each illustrated device is a functional concept and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. That is, the specific form of the distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of it can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads and usage situations.

[0054] In addition, the above-described embodiments and modification examples can be appropriately combined as long as the processing contents do not conflict.

[0055] Also, the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and there may be other effects.

[0056] (4. Effects of the anti-copying medium according to the present disclosure) As described above, the anti-copying medium according to the present disclosure (the anti-copying card 10 in the embodiment) has an anti-copying unit (the anti-copying unit 50 in the embodiment) for preventing the copying of information. In addition, the anti-copying medium has a surface layer (the design layer 30 or the concealment layer 32 in the embodiment), a thermochromic ink layer (the thermochromic ink layer 36 in the embodiment), and a reflective layer (the metallic luster layer 38 in the embodiment). The thermochromic ink layer is a layer disposed below the surface layer and contains thermochromic ink that becomes transparent in response to heat application. The reflective layer is disposed below the thermochromic ink layer. In addition, the anti-copying unit is formed by removing a part of the surface layer with a laser to form a region, and by applying heat to the thermochromic ink layer so that the reflective layer appears in the region.

[0057] In this way, in the anti-counterfeiting medium according to the present disclosure, since the region of the anti-counterfeiting portion is formed by laser removal and the reflective layer is disposed below the temperature indicating ink layer, the region where the reflective layer appears when the temperature indicating ink becomes transparent can be freely formed. Thereby, the anti-counterfeiting medium can freely vary the shape and location of the display for anti-counterfeiting according to the needs and desires of the user without depending on plate making.

[0058] Further, the anti-counterfeiting medium further has a printing portion (personal information 52 and information 54 in the embodiment) on which characters or symbols for recording information are printed. The anti-counterfeiting portion prevents the reproduction of the printing portion included in the region by reflecting the light irradiated for reproduction by the exposed reflective layer.

[0059] In this way, when the region of the anti-counterfeiting portion is reproduced by the reflective layer reflecting light, the anti-counterfeiting medium blackens the region. Thereby, the anti-counterfeiting medium can prevent the user from recognizing the printing portion existing in the region, so that important information can be prevented from being reproduced or the user can be saved the trouble of masking personal information during reproduction.

[0060] Also, in the anti-counterfeiting medium, the background pattern of the surface layer and the temperature indicating ink layer may be formed in the same color. Thereby, even after the anti-counterfeiting portion removed by laser is formed, the anti-counterfeiting medium can keep the aesthetic property high because it does not give the user a feeling of change in appearance.

[0061] Also, the reflective layer may be formed of a metal that reflects the light irradiated for reproduction. That is, by using a metal having a relatively high reflectance as the reflective layer, the anti-counterfeiting medium can surely blacken the region corresponding to the anti-counterfeiting portion during reproduction, so that the reproduction of information can be surely prevented.

[0062] In addition, the anti-copying medium may include a transparent layer (such as the laser sheet 34 or the transparent sheet 60 in the embodiment) between the surface layer and the temperature-indicating ink layer. In this case, the printed portion is formed on the transparent layer by means such as laser printing or transfer. Thus, the anti-copying medium can also be configured to provide a transparent layer for purposes such as adjusting the perforation distance of the laser or enabling clear printing.

[0063] As described above, the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the aspects described in the section of the disclosure of the invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0064] 10 Anti-copying card 30 Design layer 32 Concealing layer 34 Laser sheet 36 Temperature-indicating ink layer 38 Metallic luster layer 38 40 Core material 50 Anti-copying portion

Claims

1. A copy prevention medium having a copy prevention portion for preventing copying of information, a surface layer, a layer disposed below the surface layer and including a thermochromic ink layer containing a thermochromic ink that becomes transparent in response to heat application, and a reflective layer disposed below the thermochromic ink layer, wherein the copy prevention portion is formed by removing a part of the surface layer with a laser to form a region corresponding to the copy prevention portion, and by applying heat to the thermochromic ink layer to expose the reflective layer in the region, characterized in that it is a copy prevention medium.

2. The copy prevention medium further has a printing portion on which characters or symbols for recording information are printed, wherein the copy prevention portion prevents copying of the printing portion included in the region by reflecting light irradiated for copying by the exposed reflective layer, characterized in that it is the copy prevention medium according to claim 1.

3. The ground pattern of the surface layer and the thermochromic ink layer are formed in the same color, characterized in that it is the copy prevention medium according to claim 1.

4. The reflective layer is formed of a metal that reflects light irradiated for copying, characterized in that it is the copy prevention medium according to claim 1.

5. Furthermore, a transparent layer is provided between the surface layer and the thermochromic ink layer, wherein the printing portion is formed on the transparent layer, characterized in that it is the copy prevention medium according to claim 2.

6. A method for manufacturing a copy prevention medium having a copy prevention portion for preventing copying of information, by bonding together a surface layer, a layer disposed below the surface layer and including a thermochromic ink layer containing a thermochromic ink that becomes transparent in response to heat application, and a reflective layer disposed below the thermochromic ink layer, forming a region corresponding to the copy prevention portion by removing a part of the surface layer with a laser, and forming the copy prevention portion by applying heat to the thermochromic ink layer to expose the reflective layer in the region, characterized in that it is a method for manufacturing a copy prevention medium.

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