Card-Shaped Data Carrier with Light-Conducting Optical Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional card-shaped data carriers lack the ability to create optical effects that vary with light intensity, relying solely on reflective features like holograms, which do not account for daylight variations, making it difficult to distinguish them visually from other cards, especially for individuals with visual impairments.
Innovation Solution
A card-shaped data carrier with a translucent inner layer between two cover layers, utilizing either ambient light or an active light source, such as an LED, to create a luminous effect along the card edges, enhancing visibility and security through a light-conducting design that can be beveled, embossed, or patterned for added haptic and visual appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional reflective features like holograms are used, then security features can be implemented, but the card cannot create optical effects that vary with light intensity, making it difficult to distinguish visually from other cards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by incorporating a light-conducting layer with photoluminescent or fluorescent materials that emit light at different intensities or wavelengths in response to ambient light or UV illumination. This allows the card to display variable optical effects that change with light intensity, solving the contradiction between maintaining security features and achieving dynamic visual differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters by using a light-conducting layer with specific optical properties (translucency, light conductivity, photoluminescence) that respond to varying light conditions. The layer's optical parameters change dynamically based on illumination intensity and type, enabling the card to exhibit different visual characteristics under different lighting conditions while maintaining its security function.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple layers with light-conducting material are added, then optical effects varying with light intensity are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light-conducting layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural card body component, provides optical diffusion and light conduction, and enables photoluminescent/fluorescent effects for visual differentiation. By making this single layer multi-functional, the patent achieves complex optical effects without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by incorporating photoluminescent or fluorescent additives into the light-conducting layer material matrix. This creates a composite structure where the base material provides structural integrity and light conduction, while the added materials provide the light-response optical effects, achieving multiple functions within a unified layer rather than separate components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a card that is more recognizable and secure, offering a unique optical effect that changes with light intensity, improving perception and security by making it difficult to replicate, while being aesthetically appealing and usable by individuals with visual impairments.
Implementation Method 1
The light-conducting inner layer can be used in such a way that light can enter the card body at least at one point and can exit again at another point
Implementation Method 2
at least one light-conducting inner layer which can be used in such a way that light can enter the card body at least at one point and can exit again at another point
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a card-shaped data carrier with optical features which allow, preferably by means of luminous features, the data carrier to be located more easily, for example in a wallet. In addition, the card-shaped data carrier according to the invention is especially esthetically pleasing. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for producing said type of cart-shaped data carrier and to a computer program product comprising control commands which implement said method.