Abstract:
The invention provides for an information medium containing one or more light transmissible opening. Further processes and/or security features may be added within this see-through section or on other part(s) of the information medium body or both. This includes, but not limited to, personalization, hologram stamping, laser engraving, printing, etc.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to information medium for a secured digital travel document. More particularly, the present invention relates to an information medium having a see-through window, and a method of producing the same. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Any personalization or other features done in the light transmissible opening allows it to be viewed from both sides of the information medium. The light transmissible opening can be at least used as a level 1 security feature where authentication can be done visually, i.e. under naked eyes, without any aide or equipment. Therefore it is desired that to provide a system and method of producing an information medium with a see-through window. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information medium comprises a core layer defining an opening; and two transparent layers adapted to sandwich the core layer there between. The opening provides a see-through window defining the information medium. 
         [0004]    In one embodiment, the core layer may comprise a first opaque layer defining the opening. It is possible that the core layer comprises a second opaque layer defining a second opening with at least a portion of the second opening align with the opening to define the see-through window. It is also possible that the opening is different in size and/or shape from the second opening. An intermediate transparent/translucent layer may also be provided between the first opaque layer and the second opaque layer. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the core layer comprises a first printed layer with an unprinted area defining the opening. The core layer further comprises a second printed layer with a second unprinted area defining a second opening. At least a portion of the second opening aligns with the opening to define the see-through window. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the present invention, a method of forming an information medium can also be provided. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an exploded cross-sectional drawing of an information medium with a light transmissible opening according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are exploded cross-sectional drawings of two embodiments of information medium of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are exploded cross-sectional drawings of two further embodiments of information medium of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C are exploded cross-sectional drawings of another three embodiments of the information medium of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are exploded cross-sectional drawings of further two alternative embodiment of the information medium of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Embodiments of the present invention shall now be described in detail, with reference to the attached drawings. It is to be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
         [0013]    The present invention illustrates various embodiments of an information medium with a light transmissible opening and method of producing the same. The information medium includes, but not limited to, security and/or non-security documents or papers such as identity cards, passports, e-passports, visa, e-visa, driving licenses, health card, badges, banking cards, loyalty cards, etc. The information medium may or may not include one or more chip and/or module and/or integrated circuit. The information medium may be made of any kind of polymer or composite of polymers, including but not limited to polycarbonate (PC), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene (PET), polyurethane (PU) or any other suitable materials. 
         [0014]    Adapting one or more light transmissible openings on an information medium would make it difficult to forge and copy/scan optically (i.e. under photocopier or scanner) or duplicate as such light transmissible openings allows a 3D security feature to be implemented thereon by connecting the front and the back side of the information medium. It is also desired that the light transmissible opening shall also temper-proof. Any tempering attempt will be obvious as it may cause the opening becoming opaque or have increased opacity. 
         [0015]    Security features may be added in or around the light transmissible opening or on the entire information medium to further reinforce the security of the information medium. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a explored cross-sectional view of a information medium  10  having a light transmissible opening according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The information medium  10  comprises an opaque layer  15  defining an opening  17  and two transparent layers  11  and  13 . The opaque layer  15  is adapted to sandwich between the two transparent layers  11  and  13 . The opaque layer  15  and the two transparent layers  11  and  13  can be laminated together under high heat and/or compressions. The two transparent layers  11  and  13  overlay on top and bottom of the opaque layer  15  and covering the opening on both sides. The laminated piece forms the information medium having a see-through window  19 . 
         [0017]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate two alternative embodiments of the information medium  20  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the information medium  20  comprises two opaque layers  25  and  26  and two transparent layers  21  and  24 . Both opaque layers  25  and  26  have respective openings  27  and  28  of the same size and location defined thereon. The two opaque layers  25  and  26  are placed together with the openings  27  and  28  aligned to form a light transmissible opening. The opaque layers  25  and  26  are then being sandwiched between the two transparent layers  21  and  24  to form the information medium  20  with a see-through window  29 . 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the two opaque layers  25  and  26  can be bonded together via suitable chemical means, such as adhesive. In another embodiment, the two opaque layers  25  and  26  can be secured together via the laminations between the two transparent layers  21  and  24 . In yet another embodiment, the two opaque layers  25  and  26  can be attached together via high temperature and/or compressions. 
         [0019]    One or more transparent layers  22  may be added between the two opaque layers  26  as shown in  FIG. 2B . 
         [0020]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an information medium  30  having a see through window  39  in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. The information medium  30  comprises an opaque layer  35  defining an opening  37 , filler  32  and two transparent layers  31  and  33 . The filler  32  is a transparent/translucent material provided to fill in the opening  37 . It can be a cut off material to fit in to the opening  37 , or alternatively a fluid or semi-solid material provided to fill in the opening  37 . The opaque layer  35  is sandwiched between the two transparent layers  31  and  33  after the opening  37  is filled up. The opaque layer  35  and the two transparent layers  31  and  33  can be laminated together under high heat and/or compressions. The two transparent layers  31  and  33  overlay on top and bottom of the opaque layer  35  and cover the opening  37  on both sides. The laminated piece forms the information medium  30  having the see-through window  39 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3B  illustrates another embodiment of the information medium  30  of the present invention. The information medium  30  has an essentially the same configurations as that shown in  FIG. 3A , with an opaque layer  36  and a transparent layer  34  added below in a similar manner. The opaque layer  36  also defines an opening  38  that has a same size and corresponding position as the opaque layer  35 . In this embodiment, the opening  38  on the opaque layer  36  may or may not be filled with the transparent/translucent material. 
         [0022]    The filler may be attached with adhesives or may be heat-activated. 
         [0023]    Accordingly to the present invention, the filler may be in any form, such as solid and semi-solid form. The filler may further comprise adhesive as bonding agent to bond the filler onto the opaque layer. The adhesive can also be any bonding agent, inclusive heat-activated bonding agent. Similarly, the present invention is not limited to embodiments of the information medium that has one or two layers. 
         [0024]    It is possible that the information medium may further comprise single opaque or multiple opaque layers that have openings defined thereon. The information medium may also comprise one or more transparent layers inserted between the opaque layers as intermediate layer. It is also possible that the information medium comprises opaque and transparent layers in any combinations. 
         [0025]    In yet a further embodiment, the transparent layer may also defines corresponding opening, when desired. In the event that the intermediate transparent layer does not consist of an opening or aligned openings with the opening(s) in the opaque layers, one or more filler material may be introduced from any side opaque layers. The information medium may be a laminated article one or more outer transparent layer(s) as protective layers. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an information medium  40  in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. The information medium  40  comprises two transparent layers  41  and  42  that are laminated together with a printed layer  45  disposed there between. The information medium  40  is formed by printing the printed layer  45  on one transparent layer  42  leaving an area  43  unprinted to define the opening area or light transmissible opening. The printed layer  45  can be printed with any suitable ink through any suitable printing methods. Once the printed layer  45  is formed as desired, another transparent layer  41  is laminated on top of the printed layer  45  to conceal it there between. The artwork of the printed layer  45  can be viewed from both sides of the information media card with one see-through window  49  defining thereon. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4B  illustrates the information medium  40  accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, there is provided a core transparent layer  42  with both sides printed with a first printed layer  43  and a second printed layer  45  respectively. With this embodiment, it is possible to provide different artworks independently on both sides. Similarly, the first printed layer  43  and the second printed layer  45  are printed with unprinted layers  45  and  47  defining a see-through window  49 . Once the printed layers  43  and  45  are provided, two transparent layers  41  and  44  can be provided to sandwich the core transparent layer  42  in between to conceal the two printed layers  43  and  45 . 
         [0028]    In an alternative embodiment, it is also possible to pre-printed the printed layer  43  and the printed layer  45  on the transparent layer  41  and transparent layer  44  respectively, and then laminates the core transparent layer between the two printed transparent layers  41  and  44  to form the information medium. 
         [0029]    Depending on the ink used for printing the printed layers, a layer of base ink may be required to allow proper adhesion of the ink on the transparent layer. When desired, it is also possible to provide multiple printed layers printed on each side of the transparent layers. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4C  illustrates an information medium in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, there is provided two core transparent layers  42  and  48  for sandwiching between the two transparent layers  41  and  44 . Before the two transparent layers  42  and  48  are sandwiched, it may be pre-printed with printed layers  45  ad  43  respectively. Once the printed layers  45  and  45  are formed, the two transparent layers  41  and  44  can be provided to laminate the two core transparent layers  42  and  48  together with the printed layers  43  and  45  to form the information medium. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an information medium  50  in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. The information medium  50  comprises a first opaque layer  55 , a second opaque layer  56 , an security layer  52  and two transparent layers  51  and  54 . The first and second opaque layer  55  and  56  define a first opening  57  and a second opening  58  respectively. The first opening  57  and the second opening  58  may be provided with different sizes and/or shapes, with at least a portion of the openings  57  and  58  aligned provide a see-through window  59 . In this case, the first opening  57  is larger than the second opening  58 . The two opaque layers  55  and  56  may be laminated together between the first transparent layer  51  and the second transparent layer  54  to form the information medium with the see-through window  59 . 
         [0032]    In another embodiment, if desire, there may be provided with a security layer  52  that contains security features at the see-through window  59  for allowing visual verification through the see-through window  59 . The security layer  52  may be a printed layer provided around the perimeter of the second opining  58  so that it is visible through the first opining  57  on side  1 . 
         [0033]    In a further embodiment as illustrated on  FIG. 5B , the information medium  50  may include one or more transparent layers  53  between the opaque layers  55  and  56 . In this case, the security layer  52  may be provided on the transparent layer  53 . 
         [0034]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5A and 5B , the inner side of the opaque layer  56  with the smaller opening  58  can be seen from the side of the opaque layer  55  with the larger opening  57  on side  1 . The security feature may be provided in any of the opaque and/or transparent layer(s) so that it is visible from Side  1  only and not Side  2  or visible from Side  1  without any aide and visible from side  2  with the aide of a bright light or any other kind of lighting. The security feature(s) may include but not limited to laser engraving, printing, etc. The security feature(s) may be applied on the whole card or at the specific area where the inner side of the opaque core can be seen or in the light transmissible opening or any combination of the above. 
         [0035]    It is understood to a skilled person that there can be many types of configuration for forming a see-through window on an information medium. With that in mind, when two opaque layers or two printed layers are used, it is possible to form a first opening different from a second opinion in size and shape without any limitation as long as at least a portion of both opening are aligned to facilitate a see-through window. 
         [0036]    It is also understood to a skilled person that the openings on the opaque layers can be produced via a punching method consisting of a cutting tool and a machine that exerts pressure downwards to create the openings. One possible cutting tool may include of a wooden base and cutting blades which are embedded into the wooden base, herein referred as a woodknife. 
         [0037]    The cutting blades are at an angle 90 degrees to the wooden base, with its sharp edges pointing upwards. The top part of the wooden base are covered with a soft to reasonably soft sponge or any other suitable material, exposing only the tip of the cutting blades. 
         [0038]    The material or materials intended to be punched to create opening(s) are laid flat on the woodknife, with the woodknife&#39;s cutting blades below the said material to be punched. The woodknife and material in the said configuration is placed in a machine which exerts a downward pressure on the material and woodknife up to a certain depth. The sponge provides cushioning when the machine presses downwards on the material and the woodknife. The material(s) is pressed upon the cutting blades and thus are separated from the sheet, creating the opening(s). 
         [0039]    The openings are produced before laminations. The information medium may be laminated with high temperature and pressure for a certain period in a hot chamber before being transferred to a cold chamber to be cooled with a certain lower temperature for a certain period. The information medium may or may not be exerted with pressure in the cold chamber. The lamination parameter may be a single step or multiple steps for either hot or cold chambers or both. 
         [0040]    It is also understood to a skilled person that the transparent layer may also be a semi-transparent or translucent layer, when desired. 
         [0041]    While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, it is understood that many changes, modifications, variations, and combinations thereof could be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention.