Chip Card Light Guide with Fluorescent Graphic Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chip cards lack a mechanism to make a graphic element visible only when a light source is activated, limiting visual differentiation between switched-on and switched-off states to luminosity rather than color changes.
Innovation Solution
A chip card design featuring a light guide with a transparent section and a light-converting area, where the graphic element is imperceptible when the light source is off and changes color when activated, using fluorescent dyes or UV-active pigments, with the light source positioned to direct light into the transparent area, ensuring the graphic element is hidden or visible based on the light source's state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source is arranged in the card body to illuminate the graphic element, then the graphic element can be highlighted regardless of lighting conditions, but the optical difference only allows luminosity change not color change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-changing materials (photochromic or thermochromic) to the graphic element, allowing it to change color based on light exposure or temperature. This enables visual differentiation between switched-on and switched-off states beyond mere luminosity changes, directly resolving the limitation identified in the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes materials that change their optical properties (color, transparency) in response to changes in physical parameters (light intensity, temperature) caused by the light source. This allows the graphic element to exhibit different visual characteristics in different operational states, enhancing the versatility of visual differentiation.
2Loss of information
If the graphic element is always visible on the card body, then information is continuously accessible, but security and visual distinction are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the graphic element dynamically visible or invisible based on the switching state of the light source. When the light source is off, the graphic element remains hidden; when activated, it becomes visible. This dynamic behavior provides both security (information not always accessible) and clear visual distinction between states, resolving the contradiction between information accessibility and security.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the light source is arranged offset below an opaque layer, then the light source is not visible from outside, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the light source directly into the card body structure without requiring separate opaque layers or complex positioning mechanisms. The light source is embedded in a way that combines it with the existing card architecture, achieving invisibility from the outside while avoiding additional structural complexity.
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 allows for a graphic element to be hidden when the light source is off and visibly change color when activated, enhancing security and aesthetics by providing a clear visual distinction and customizable appearance.
Implementation Method 1
The data carrier body comprises a light guide which can be illuminated by the light source and which in turn comprises a transparent section. Below the transparent section of the light guide, at least in the area of the graphic element, there is a surface that can be seen when the light source is switched off.
Implementation Method 2
using fluorescent dyes or UV-active pigments, with the light source positioned to direct light into the transparent area, ensuring the graphic element is hidden or visible based on the light source's state.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a data carrier 1 with a light source 18 and a graphic element 6, wherein the appearance of the graphic element 6 can be changed by a light source 18 arranged in a body 2 of the data carrier 1, depending on the switching state of the light source 18. The data carrier body 2 comprises an optical fiber 12 that can be illuminated by the light source 18, wherein the optical fiber 12 includes a transparent section 14. Below the transparent section 14 of the optical fiber 12, at least in the area of the graphic element 6, a surface 10B, 19B is arranged, which is visible when the light source 18 is switched off.