WO2002036218A1

WO2002036218A1 - Playing card

Info

Publication number: WO2002036218A1
Application number: PCT/FR2001/003381
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sandrine Rancien; Jerôme BORDEAU
Original assignee: Arjo Wiggins; Arjo Wiggins Papiers Couches
Priority date: 2000-10-31
Filing date: 2001-10-31
Publication date: 2002-05-10
Also published as: TNSN01154A1; UY27004A1; FR2815881A1; AU2002215093A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a playing card (1) comprising an element of security. The element of security is not visible and extends at least between two ends of the card.

Description

Playing card The present invention relates to playing cards in particular, and more particularly but not exclusively those provided with security elements making it possible to avoid their substitution by other cards during the game. The invention thus addresses, among other things, cards used in casinos.

It is known from US Pat. No. 5,374,061 to provide playing cards used in casinos with a code representative of the value of the card and therefore having to be integrated into the card during its manufacture or printing, after analysis of the patterns printed on it, if applicable. This code, which may be magnetic, is present in two locations on the card, as can be seen in the figures of this patent.

The production of such a code can prove to be relatively complicated and costly, especially when it must not be apparent.

However, playing cards are frequently replaced and it is desirable that their cost be as low as possible. In addition, their authentication must be able to be carried out discreetly if necessary on the game table itself, which encourages the use of authentication devices of small size, the least complex possible.

It is known from US Pat. No. 5,259,907 to produce an optical code invisible to the human eye on a playing card, in particular by means of pigments deposited by printing.

However, playing cards are generally covered with a print or varnish on both sides, which is likely to interfere with the reading system.

It has been proposed in the application FR 2 775 196 to incorporate a chip into a playing card. The cost of the chip and the difficulties of incorporating it into the card makes it too expensive for its use in casinos, in particular.

US Patent 2,600,951 describes a plastic playing card loaded with paramagnetic particles, in order to make the card magnetizable and allow playing on a magnetic board in full wind. Paramagnetic particles do not allow information to be saved. There is a need to have secure playing cards which can be manufactured easily and capable of guaranteeing the desired security.

The object of the invention is in particular to meet this need.

Thus, according to one aspect of the invention, the playing card comprises at least one outer layer, at least one jet of fibrous material, in particular paper, and at least one element having magnetic properties, not visible and extending at least between two ends of the card, elsewhere than in the outer layer of the card.

Such an element can be easily integrated into the card. This integration can be done online on the assembly line of the various materials constituting the card or during the manufacturing process of the latter, the security element then being incorporated into the raw materials used to make the card.

The two aforementioned ends may correspond to the short sides or to the long sides of the card, in particular when the element is in the form of at least one wire or of a strip. The element can also be distributed in the two dimensions of the plane of the card, for example in a substantially uniform manner, in particular when it comprises or consists of a dispersion of particles or fibers having magnetic or electromagnetic properties. They can be ferromagnetic particles. They may also be particles detectable by magnetic resonance such as for example nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), resonance with a low electronic spin field ESR, VLF) or _. nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR), for example a resonance with a zero external static field as described in US Pat. of resonance. The particles may in particular be those proposed by the company MICRO-TAG TEMED LDT, holder of the aforementioned patent. The particles can be based on a ferromagnetic metal, an alloy, an organic compound comprising at least one type of nucleus with a non-zero nuclear spin.

Another subject of the invention is, according to another aspect thereof, a flat article comprising at least one jet of fibrous material, in particular paper, a third article constituting for example a playing card, the article containing a dispersion an optically excitable tracer, extending throughout the plane of the article.

Another subject of the invention, according to another aspect thereof, is a flat article comprising at least one jet of fibrous material, in particular paper, such an article constituting for example a playing card, the article containing a dispersion of a substance detectable by magnetic resonance, extending or not extending throughout the plane of the article. The tracer used can include an excitable substance at a given wavelength, preferably in the infrared and more preferably in the near infrared.

In general, the article according to the invention, in particular the playing card, can comprise one or more jets of fibrous material, generally paper, and its outer faces can be covered with at least one outer layer called d printing / writing.

In the case of several jets, these can be assembled by laminating, and each jet can have one or more layers on the surface. In particular, the article, in particular the map, can have the following structures:

- an outer writing printing layer, a filler layer, a paper jet, a layer of glue, a paper jet, a filler layer and an outer printing / writing layer, - an outer layer d printing / writing, a filler layer, a paper spray, a filler layer, a layer of glue, a filler layer, a paper spray, a filler layer, an outer printing layer /writing,

- an outer printing / writing layer, a filler layer, a paper spray, two filler layers, a layer of glue, two filler layers, a paper spray, a filler layer and a printing / writing outer layer,

- an outer printing / writing layer, a filler layer, a paper spray, a glue layer, a paper spray, a glue layer, a paper spray, a filler layer, an outer layer printing / writing.

The article, in particular the card, may have a layer of varnish on its outer surface.

Still other structures can be produced without departing from the scope of the present invention. Fibers or particles having magnetic or electromagnetic properties can be mixed with the glue used to make the card or mixed with the fibrous material of at least one of the paper jets or mixed with the material of the filler layer.

The fibers are preferably introduced into at least one of the jets of fibrous material, preferably at a rate of at least 0.01% by weight (in dry) relative to the other fibers forming the fibrous material, and more preferably in a proportion close to 0.1%.

When the fibers are incorporated into the material of at least one of the filler or glue layers, their rate preferably represents at least 0.01% of the weight (in dry) of the layer or layers concerned, and more preferably about 0.1%.

When the particles are introduced into at least one of the jets of fibrous material, their dry weight rate is at least 0.01% in said jet, for example close to 1%. The quantity of particles introduced can still be greater than these values.

When particles are integrated into the material of at least one of the sealer or glue layers, their rate preferably represents at least 0.1% (in dry) of the weight of the layer or layers concerned, for example about 5% or more. To increase the opacity, the glue used generally includes dark pigments, for example carbon black. The dispersions of particles having magnetic or electromagnetic properties are also generally dark in color and can advantageously at least partially replace the opacifying pigments conventionally used. When the article, in particular the card, comprises a security element comprising an excitable tracer in the infrared and preferably the near infrared, or any other detectable element, for example a substance detectable by magnetic resonance, this tracer or this substance can be mixed with at least one of the constituent materials of the card, preferably an adhesive used to assemble paper jets. This can facilitate the processing and recycling of manufacturing waste, for example by reducing the risk of contamination with the tracer or said substance of the recycled fibrous materials.

In the case where the tracer is mixed with the adhesive, its concentration can be at least 0.0005% by weight (in dry) relative to the total weight of the adhesive and preferably at least 0.005%.

The tracer used can have a maximum fluorescence in the infrared around 800-900 n, for example. Another subject of the invention is a process for the manufacture of playing cards, characterized in that particles or fibers having magnetic or electromagnetic properties or an excitable tracer in the infrared are mixed with an adhesive, 'we assemble with this glue at least two coated paper jets and we print on the card the desired patterns for the game.

The invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of playing cards, characterized in that fibers or particles having magnetic or electromagnetic properties or an excitable tracer in the infrared are mixed with a fibrous material and that a paper jet is produced from the mixture thus obtained, that the paper jet is coated, that this coated paper jet is optionally assembled with at least one second coated paper jet and that the the patterns of the game are printed on the card thus constituted.

The subject of the invention is also a process for the manufacture of playing cards, characterized in that particles or fibers having magnetic or electromagnetic properties or a mixture are mixed with a composition intended to serve as a filler layer. tracer excitable in the infrared, that one layers this composition on a jet of paper, that one layers on the jet of paper thus coated a layer of printing / writing, that one assembles this jet of coated paper with at least a second layer of coated paper, and we print the game patterns on the print / write layers.

Another subject of the invention is a method for controlling a game of cards, which is characterized by the fact that information is stored in each card of the game, before the game, information specific to the whole game or to each card of the game, the

. cards each comprising a magnetic element capable of memorizing information, and • by the fact that the information present on this magnetic element is read during the game or at the end of it, to compare them with the information initially memorized.

The memorized information can include, for example, the date of the day of use, the table number, a number specific to the game, a number specific to each card or else a random code renewed periodically, for example each day. The information stored in the cards can be the same for the entire game, which simplifies the authentication processing carried out by the casino. The subject of the invention is also an authentication system for verifying the authenticity of a playing card, this card comprising a security element having magnetic or electromagnetic properties, this authentication system being characterized in that it includes an authentication device capable of detecting magnetic or electromagnetic properties of the playing card after or during exposure to an activation device.

This activation device can, in a first example of implementation of the invention, include a magnetization head capable of imparting magnetic properties to the playing card, when the latter comprises a security element capable of being magnetized, the authentication device then comprising a detection head for detecting the magnetic properties thus conferred by the magnetization head.

In another example of implementation of the invention, the activation device comprises a device for transmitting a radio signal and the authentication device is capable of detecting the radio signature of a security element present in the playing card, with a specific radio signature.

The invention also relates to an identification system, for example in two parts, comprising on the one hand a writing device comprising a writing head capable of writing information on a magnetic security element integrated in the card, the latter being able to memorize this information, and on the other hand a reading device comprising a reading head capable of reading the information thus recorded on the security element.

The reading device advantageously comprises a processing unit making it possible to compare a code read with expected information.

The subject of the invention is also an identification or authentication device for identifying or authenticating an article, in particular a card, as defined above, comprising an excitable tracer in the infrared and preferably the near infrared, this device being characterized by the fact that it comprises an optical transmitter such as a laser diode and an optical sensor such as a photodiode.

The optical transmitter can have an emission centered on 800 n and the sensor can be coupled to a filter so as to be sensitive to wavelengths 800-900 nm.

The optical sensor can be arranged to read a section of the card, for example, which has advantages, as explained below. The invention also relates to a game table equipped with an authentication, identification or reading device, integrated into the table or the play mat.

Another subject of the invention is, according to another of its aspects, a method of authenticating or identifying an article comprising at least one jet of fibrous material, in particular a playing card, in which optical properties are detected presented by the section of the article.

It is for example possible to detect the presence, within the article, of a tracer having particular optical properties, in particular optical properties of fluorescence at at least one given wavelength. The tracer can be dispersed homogeneously in the plane of the article, for example, in which case the method makes it possible to authenticate the article.

The tracer can also be located in a particular way, so as to form a readable code.

An advantage of detection on the edge of the article is to avoid the problems posed by the crossing by light of the various layers of the card, in particular the layer of varnish or printing.

Another subject of the invention is, according to one of its aspects, an interactive game method comprising the following steps:

- provide a player with at least one playing card without an electronic chip and containing data not apparent to that player,

- read the data,

- allow access by the player to information relating to the game, specific to the data read.

Access to said information can be done using a specific program, loaded into a computer, a game console, a mobile phone or a pocket organizer, for example.

Access to said information can also be done via a computer network, in particular the Internet. The data may correspond, for example, to an Internet address or refer to the Internet address of a site relating to the game. The card may, for example, include a character and the site to which it is referred contain information relating to this character.

The data, which can form a code, can be stored in the playing card, when it has adequate magnetic properties. In this case, specific information may possibly be loaded into the card depending on the data read; this data may be replaced, if necessary, by new data, during the game. The data may also be permanent in the playing card, in particular when the data is in the form of an optically readable code.

The subject of the invention is also a game, comprising: a set of playing cards each lacking an electronic chip, capable of memorizing each of the data or comprising of data,

- a reader capable of reading card data and possibly recording data on cards, an interface allowing the reader to transmit information to a computer, a game console, a mobile phone, a pocket organizer or a computer network , means for delivering, as a function of the information transmitted by the reader to the computer, to the game console, to the mobile telephone, to the pocket organizer or to the computer network, at least information relating to the game.

The interface can be arranged to be compatible for example with serial, parallel, infrared, USB ports, a network card, and can if necessary be arranged so that it can be connected directly to a telephone line.

The reader and / or the interface can, if necessary, constitute a unitary construction with a portable telephone, the reader and the interface being housed for example in a casing capable of being rigidly fixed on the portable telephone or of being connected by cabling. to this one.

The invention also relates, according to one of its aspects, to a game method, comprising the following stages, at least two players each having at least one card devoid of electronic chip, each card memorizing or containing data, the players opposing at least two cards in a phase of the game: - reading data from the two cards,

- determine the winner of said game phase based at least on the data read. In such a method, the cards can have magnetic properties for example, so that they can also store information.

In an example where the card materializes a character, data can be stored in the card after each phase of the game, for example for. modify character attributes, to take into account for example a modification of the character's strength after a fight.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge on reading the detailed description which follows, of nonlimiting examples of implementation of the invention, and on examining the appended drawing, in which: FIG. 1 schematically represents an example of a playing card,

FIGS. 2A to 2D are sections along the line II-II of FIG. 1, corresponding to different examples of possible structures for the playing card,

- Figure 3 shows schematically an example of a housing comprising a playing card authentication system, Figures 4 and 5 very schematically represent activation and identification devices contained in the housing of the figure 3,

FIG. 6 very schematically represents a writing device,

FIG. 7 very schematically represents a reading device which can be used with the writing device of FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 represents another example of a writing device,

- Figure 9 shows another example of a reading device, Figure 10 shows an example of a signal delivered by the reading device of Figure 8, - Figures 11 and 12 illustrate alternative embodiments of the security element,

FIG. 13 illustrates the integration of an authentication device into a game table,

FIG. 14 illustrates access to data from a remote server as a function of data from the card,

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate examples of authentication of a card by means of a laser diode and photodiode authentication device, and - Figures 17 and 18 show examples of association of data readers with mobile phones.

Throughout the description, including the claims, the expressions "comprises a" or "comprises a" should be considered as being synonymous with "comprises at least one", unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a playing card 1, printed on its two faces.

One side can be printed with patterns characterizing the value of the card and the other side can be printed with a decorative pattern which is the same for all cards in the game.

The card 1 can have a multilayer structure, which can have various configurations.

Four nonlimiting examples are shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, without respecting the true relative thicknesses of the different layers, for greater clarity. In the example of FIG. 2A, the card comprises:

an outer printing / writing layer T, a sealer layer S, a paper jet J, a layer of glue C, a paper jet J, a sealer layer S and an outer printing layer / writing T.

In the example of FIG. 2B, the card comprises: - an external printing / writing layer T, a mouth-porage layer

S, a paper spray J, a filler layer S, a layer of glue C, a filler layer S, a paper spray J, a filler layer S and an outer print / write layer T .

In the example of FIG. 2C, the card comprises: - an external printing / writing layer T, a mouth-porage layer

S, a jet of paper J, two layers of filler S, a layer of glue C, two layers of filler S, a jet of paper J, a layer of filler S and an outer layer of print / write T .

In the example of FIG. 2D, the card comprises: - an external printing / writing layer T, a mouth-pore layer

S, a jet of paper J, a layer of adhesive C, a jet of paper J, a layer of adhesive C, a jet of paper J, a sealant layer S and an outer layer print / write T.

The adhesive layer C can contain one or more natural or synthetic binders as well as various natural or synthetic pigments, for example carbon black. The adhesive layer C may also include a dispersion of magnetic particles, for example ferromagnetic particles with coercivity between about 15.5 10 ³ and about 800 10 ³ A / m, in particular so-called hard magnetic particles, based for example on strontium or barium ferrite, in a mass proportion (in dry matter) equal for example to 10%. The proportion of particles can be greater, depending on their magnetic response.

Each of the two paper jets J can for example have a surface weight of 130 g / m ² and the adhesive layer C is for example deposited at a rate of 10 g / m ² .

Each sealer layer S can for example comprise 10% by weight (in dry) of magnetic particles, in particular the aforementioned hard magnetic particles.

Each sealer layer S can comprise a natural binder such as starch and / or synthetic such as for example a styrene-butatiene copolymer as well as coating pigments such as calcium carbonate, in a proportion for example of 12 parts. of binder for 100 parts of coating pigments.

Each sealer layer S can be deposited for example at a rate of 10 g / m ² on the associated paper jet J.

The magnetic particles can also be incorporated into each jet of paper J, for example by being introduced before the formation of the jet of paper at a rate of 1% by weight (in dry) in the fibrous mass. The paper jets can comprise natural fibers, in particular cellulosic fibers, and / or synthetic fibers.

Each printing / writing layer T may contain titanium dioxide pigments, in order to mask the overflow layer or the overlying jet of paper, which optionally has a beige coloration due to the presence of the magnetic particles.

Preferably, the nature and the proportion of the magnetic particles used will be chosen so as to allow the recording of data on the card, in particular binary data, for example data coded on at least two bits.

The playing card 1 comprising the dispersion of magnetic particles can be authenticated for example by means of an authentication system 10 which has been shown. very schematically in FIG. 3. This authentication system 10 comprises a receptacle 11 open on the side, in which one or more cards can be placed to be authenticated.

The cards are placed in the tray 11 and introduced into a slot 12, by a suitable drive mechanism, not visible in FIG. 3.

The tray 11 is provided in the example described with optical detection means, capable of detecting the presence of a card and triggering the drive mechanism so as to allow authentication processing of this card.

The drive mechanism comprises for example rollers but could, as a variant, include any other conventional means making it possible to move a card, for example a suction cup system. The authentication system 10 also includes at least one signal transmitter, for example at least one indicator. For example, in Figure 3, the device includes two indicator lights, namely a green light 13 and a red light 14, to discreetly report to the dealer a possible problem during authentication.

The authentication system 10 may comprise, in a first example of implementation of the invention, on the one hand an activation device 50 represented sm ^{* in} FIG. 4, comprising a magnetization head 16, and on the other hand an authentication device 40 shown in FIG. 5, comprising a detection head 17.

The detection head 17 can be connected to a processing unit 30 comprising for example a microprocessor. The detection head 17 can be of the inductive or magnetoresistive type and measure the remanent magnetization or the saturation magnetization.

The magnetization head 16 can be constituted by a magnet or be of the inductive type. When the magnetization head 16 is of the inductive type, it may include an air gap in which a magnetic field is created greater than or equal to 1000 Oe (79.5 10 ³ A / m approximately), which can make it possible to magnetize magnetic particles of high coercivity (approximately 135 10 ³ to 800 10 ³ A / m) present in the card 1, for example in the layer of adhesive C. The air gap can be sufficiently large so that the loops of field can magnetize the magnetic particles, even if the latter are relatively far from the magnetization head 16.

When passing under the magnetization head 16, the card 1 is magnetized.

When a card 1 previously magnetized in this way is then brought into contact or in the vicinity of the detection head 17, the magnetization of the card 1 is detected and the signal delivered by the detection head 17 is processed in the processing unit 30, which determines whether the detected signal corresponds to the expected signal.

The processing unit 30 can be arranged to light the green light 13 when the magnetization detected by the detection head 17 falls within a predetermined range of values, in order to signal to the croupier that the card which has just been analyzed is indeed an authentic menu.

On the other hand, if the card which is analyzed does not have the expected magnetic properties, then the detection head 17 will not detect the desired magnetization, and the red light 14 will light up, signaling to the croupier the authentication defect.

The authentication device 40 and the activation device 50 can be placed inside the same box or in two different boxes, only the box containing the authentication device 40 being present at the gaming table. , for example. In a second example of implementation of the invention, advantage is taken of the magnetic properties of the card to store information in the latter.

We can then use an identification system shown in Figures 6 and 7 and divided into two devices 40 'and 50', one writing, the other reading.

The writing device 40 'can comprise, as illustrated in FIG. 7, at least one writing head 16' making it possible to write a specific code on the card, according to a known magnetic coding and recording method, for example the F / 2F coding used to write on magnetic stripes of bank cards.

This recording can be done along a virtual track identified with respect to an edge of the card, for example. The reading device 50 ′ may comprise at least one magnetoresistive or inductive reading head 17 ′, connected to a processing unit 30 ′ comprising for example a microprocessor. Before using the card game for the game, one can thus memorize in all the cards of this game a code containing for example the date of the day and / or the table number and / or the number of the casino and / or a random code, renewed daily for example. It is also possible to use cards in which, in addition to the aforementioned information, the value of each card is stored.

During the games, the cards of the winning hands are read by the reading device 50 ', integrated for example in a box such as that shown in FIG. 3 or in a box of different shape. In case of correspondence between the information obtained from the code read and the expected information, the green light 13 will light up while in the opposite case, it is the red light 14 that will light up.

FIG. 8 shows schematically another example of a writing device 40 ", comprising several writing heads 16a", 16b "and 16c" connected to a processing unit 30 "and at least one magnet permanent 41 ". This writing device

40 "also includes a guide making it possible to guide the movement of the card with respect to the writing heads. Such a guide may include a slot, for example.

Lines A, B1, B2 and B3 have been shown by broken lines according to which the magnet 41 "and the writing heads 16a", 16b "and 16c" scan the card, respectively.

The magnet 41 "can be used for example to make one or more magnetized zones on the card intended to constitute a spatial and temporal reference when reading the card. Two magnets 41" can be used while being positioned symmetrically with respect to a median plane of the card, to allow reading in two opposite directions of the card, for example.

Reading can be carried out for example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, by means of a reading device 50 "connected by a cable or a wireless link to a processing unit, which can be for example the same as that the writing device, or the like. The reading device 50 "can possibly, in particular when it is not a casino playing card, be connected to a computer, a pocket organizer, a console game or mobile phone, for example directly or through an interface, or even be connected to a computer network, for example by being connected directly to the telephone line.

The reading device 50 "is moved on the playing card substantially perpendicular to the lines A, B1, B2 and B3. During reading, the reading device 50" detects peaks due to the remanent magnetization left on the card by the magnet 41 "then by the writing heads 16a", 16b "and 16c", if these three reading heads have been activated.

We understand that depending on the write heads which are activated or not, we can record a binary word on the card, and in the case of three write heads, we can code information on three bits, which offers eight codes different: 000, 001, 010, 011, 100, 101, 110 and 111.

The duration of passage of the reading device 50 "on the card can be determined by virtue of the magnetic imprint left on the card by the element 41", this duration being referenced T ₃ in FIG. 10. It is assumed in the example from this figure that the three writing heads 16a ", 16b" and 16c "have been activated, so that the reading device 50" will detect three peaks of amplitude respectively Pi, P ₂ and P, the peaks of amplitude Pi and P ₂ being separated by a duration Ti and the amplitude peaks P ₂ and P ₃ being separated by a duration T ₂ .

By performing a thresholding from a certain amplitude, it is easy to detect or not the presence of the peaks.

Magnetic fibers, in particular fibers having soft magnetism, for example in a proportion of 0.1% by mass (in dry matter) in at least, can be used as an authentication or identification means in place of magnetic particles. minus one of the paper jets, for example. The detection of the magnetic properties can then be done for example according to the method described in the. Patent application WO 98/26379, the content of which is incorporated into the present application by reference.

It is also possible to use, in a variant implementation of the invention, particles or fibers having electromagnetic or radioelectric properties, replacing magnetic particles or fibers.

One can in particular use a dispersion of particles or fibers of metallic nature, called radio frequencies, sold by the company INKODE in particular. In the case of the use of particles or fibers having electromagnetic properties, authentication can be done remotely by means of a radio frequency detector arranged so as to detect the resonance of said particles or fibers in response to an electromagnetic field d excitation, of suitable wavelength. The authentication system is then arranged so that if the electromagnetic response obtained does not correspond to that expected, a warning signal is emitted.

The authentication system, or at the very least the radio frequency detector, can advantageously, in the case of the use of particles or fibers having electromagnetic properties, be integrated into the table or the play mat, as illustrated in the Figure 13, since it allows remote card authentication.

This FIGURE shows an authentication system 20 comprising a radio frequency detector and two green 21 and red 22 lights to indicate to the dealer whether a card brought in the vicinity of the radio frequency detector is authentic or not. Of course, the fibers or particles having electromagnetic properties can be, as previously described with respect to magnetic particles, integrated into the card in various ways, by being mixed with glue or dispersed in the material of a layer of sealer. or a paper throw.

It is also possible to use, instead of a dispersion of magnetic particles or fibers or having electromagnetic properties, an element comprising a wire or a strip having magnetic or electromagnetic properties, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIG. 11 shows a playing card comprising a wire 25 extending over the entire length of the card, between its ends a and b, and in FIG. 12 a 1 "playing card comprising a wire 26 extending over the entire width of the card, between its ends the c and the d.

The wires 25 or 26 may for example comprise a support made of plastic, for example PET, of a small thickness, for example 13 μm, coated by vacuum deposition for example of a soft magnetic alloy detectable from a distance. One can also use a wire with a soft magnetic alloy present discontinuously on the wire, the arrangement of the magnetic portions on the wire being able to constitute a code specific to a given casino. The detection can be done in a similar way to what has been described previously for the magnetic fibers, in particular the magnetic fibers of soft magnetism.

One could also use a wire or a strip having a hard magnetism extending continuously from one end to the other of the card and proceed to a writing / reading as in the previous example concerning the use of magnetic particles . The wire or strip could have magnetic properties over its entire length or only over part of its length.

Each wire 25 or 26 can be integrated online into the playing card, between two jets of paper J, for example.

The aforementioned magnetic alloy could also be deposited by hot transfer. For example, in the case of Figure 2 A, it can be placed on the back of one of the paper jets J before it is laminated on the other paper jet.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which have just been described.

One can in particular use other security elements without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is possible in particular to use substances detectable by magnetic resonance, for example particles as described in patent US Pat.

As a tracer, one can use for example a dye sold by the company ISOTAG, having a very low absorption in the visible, non-colored and which can be introduced into the material making up one of the layers of the playing card, for example glue .

The tracer used can for example have an absorption in the near infrared between 750 and 850 nm and a maximum fluorescence in the infrared around 800-900 n.

The detection can be done for example by reflection by means of an authentication device 60 as shown in FIG. 15, comprising a laser diode 61 and a photodiode 62 provided with a filter allowing the band of wavelengths to pass 800-

900 nm. The laser diode 61 is preferably a GaAIAs diode having an emission centered around 800 nm.

In the example described, the tracer concentration is at least 0.0005% by weight (in dry) relative to the weight of the adhesive and preferably 0.005%.

In general, the higher the amount of tracer, the more the absorption at the wavelength of the laser diode will produce a significant response.

To authenticate a card, the card can be arranged so that it is subjected to irradiation by the laser diode 61.

When the card comprises, for example in the adhesive layer C, the aforementioned tracer, the latter re-emits a wavelength slightly offset from the emission wavelength of the laser diode 61 and this fluorescence is detected by the photodiode 62 thanks to the associated filter.

The detection of the tracer is done in all or nothing, like the detection of the magnetic properties of the security element in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4. The detection of the tracer can also be carried out, as illustrated in Figure 16, on the edge.

The advantage of a reading on the edge is to reduce the possibilities of interference between the tracer and the various constituent layers of the card.

In the case of a reading on the edge, the detection device can be arranged so as to guide, by means of a slot for example, the card so that its edge comes opposite at least one detection cell. .

The tracer can be present throughout the plane of the card or only in predetermined regions, so as to constitute, for example, a code capable of being read later. The invention is not limited to a playing card for casinos and also applies to other types of playing cards, for example playing cards on one of the faces of which a character is represented.

The invention makes it possible to use the cards in an interactive game, at least one game card, and preferably all the cards in the game, comprising data, preferably not visible to the players, capable of being read during the part.

All or part of the players can have access to a reader 70 capable of reading data from the card, for example a binary word of a few bits, or even a volume of more important data.

The reader 70 can for example comprise a display 71 making it possible to display data relating to the game, as a function of the data read from the card.

The reader 70 can also be designed to be able to be connected, directly or indirectly, via a computer, a game console, a pocket organizer or a mobile phone, to the Internet and have access to information present on a site of a server W, this information being for example relating to a character M, printed on the card 1.

By way of example, the card 1 which may, for example, have one of the multilayer structures described above, for example a structure in which ferromagnetic particles are mixed with the adhesive layer, may include a code consisting of a binary word of a few bits, for example two bits, making it possible to code four values, and the reader 70 can be arranged so that, depending on the value read, a connection is made to an Internet address according to the table below:

Each of the pages to which it is referred can contain information relating to the game, for example attributes of the character M represented on the map.

Information transmitted back by the server W can possibly be recorded on the card 1 in the form for example of a new code. Thus, each character M associated with a card can have attributes which vary over time, data relating to these attributes being stored on the cards.

The invention is not limited to a particular type of reader and it is possible, for example, to produce a reader capable of reading information on the card, in particular data recorded in magnetic form in the card, which can be connected to a telephone. portable P, as illustrated in Figures 17 and 18.

FIG. 17 shows a reader which can be rigidly coupled to the P phone, for example to replace the original antenna.

FIG. 18 shows a reader which can be connected in a non-rigid manner to the portable telephone P, for example by a cable fixed in a connector of the portable telephone P. The portable telephone P can be used independently, after loading of a program transmitted by an operator or, as a variant, transmitting the data read from the card to a remote server and receiving in return data relating to the game, this data being able to be displayed on the screen of the telephone and / or broadcast from above -phone speaker when it comes to audio data, obtained for example by voice synthesis.

The telephone P can for example receive a sequence of images representing the combat of two characters M corresponding to the cards of the confronting players. Additional data can optionally be entered using the keyboard in addition to the data read from the cards. The mobile phone P can for example display information relating to the winner and the attributes of the character of the winner.

Claims

1. Playing card (1) comprising:

- at least one outer layer, - at least one jet of fibrous material, and

- At least one element having magnetic properties, not apparent, and extending at least between two ends of the card, elsewhere than in said outer layer.

2. Card according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises at least two j ets of laminated paper.

3. Card according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said ends correspond to the short sides (a, l'b) or to the long sides (l'c, l'd) of the card.

4. Card according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said element is distributed so _. substantially uniform in the two dimensions of the map plane.

5. Card according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said element is constituted by a dispersion of particles or fibers having magnetic or electromagnetic properties. 6. Card according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has the following structure:

- an outer printing / writing layer, a filler layer, a paper spray, a layer of glue, a paper spray, a filler layer and an outer printing printing layer. J. Card according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it has the following structure:

- an outer printing / writing layer, a filler layer, a paper spray, a filler layer, a layer of glue, a filler layer, a paper spray, a filler layer, a printing / writing outer layer.

8. Card according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it has the following structure: - an outer printing / writing layer, a filler layer, a paper spray, two filler layers, a layer of glue, two filler layers, a paper spray, a filler layer and a printing / writing outer layer.

9. Card according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it has the following structure:

10. Card according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises fibers having magnetic or electromagnetic properties introduced into at least one jet of fibrous material, preferably at a rate of at least 0.01% by weight (in dry) relative to the other fibers forming the fibrous material and more preferably in a proportion close to 0.1%.

11. Card according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises fibers having magnetic or electromagnetic properties incorporated into the material of at least one of the filler, glue or adhesive layers. printing / writing, their rate preferably representing at least 0.01% of the weight (in dry) of the layer or layers concerned, more preferably about 0.1%.

12. Card according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises particles having magnetic or electromagnetic properties introduced into at least one jet of fibrous material, their rate by dry weight relative to the jet of fibrous material preferably being at least 0.01. %.

13. Card according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises particles having magnetic or electromagnetic properties incorporated into the material of at least one of the filler or glue layers, the level of these particles preferably representing at least 0.1% of the weight (in dry) of the layer or layers concerned.

14. Card according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises fibers or particles having magnetic or electromagnetic properties mixed with an adhesive (C) used to assemble at least two paper jets.

15. Card according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises particles detectable by magnetic resonance.

16. Card according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that said particles are ferromagnetic.

17. Card according to claim 16, characterized in that said particles have a coercivity greater than or equal to 15.5 10 ³ A / m.

18. Card according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the element comprises a wire or a strip having magnetic or electromagnetic properties.

19. Method for controlling a game of cards, characterized in that cards as defined in any one of claims 1 to 18 are used, which are memorized before the game is used for the game , information in the cards of the game, each card comprising a magnetic element able to memorize said information, and that one reads the information present on the magnetic element during the game or at the end of it, to compare them to the information initially memorized.

20. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the stored information is chosen from the date of the day of use of the card game, the table number, a number specific to the game, a number specific to each card, a random code renewed periodically.

21. Authentication system (10; 20) for verifying the authenticity of a playing card as defined in any one of claims 1 to 18, this system being characterized by the fact that it includes a device for authentication (40) capable of detecting the magnetic or electromagnetic properties of the playing card after or during exposure to an activation device (50).

22. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the activation device comprises a magnetization head (16) capable of imparting magnetic properties to the playing card, and in that the authentication device comprises a detection head (17) for detecting the magnetic properties thus conferred by the magnetization head.

23. The system as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that the activation device comprises a device for transmitting a radioelectric signal and in that the identification device comprises a radiofrequency detection device able to detect the electromagnetic signature of a security element present in the playing card, having a specific radioelectric signature.

24. Identification system for identifying a playing card as defined in any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that it comprises on the one hand a writing device comprising at least one head writing (16 '; 16 "a; 16" b; 16 "c) capable of recording information on said element, and on the other hand a reading device (50'; 50") comprising at least one reading head capable to read information thus recorded on said element.

25. Identification system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a processing unit (30 '; 30 ") making it possible to compare a code read with expected information.

26. Planar article, in particular playing card, comprising at least one jet of fibrous material, in particular paper, characterized in that it comprises a dispersion of an optically excitable tracer, extending throughout the plane of the article.

27. Article according to claim 26, characterized in that said tracer is excitable in the infrared, and preferably the near infrared.

28. Article according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the tracer is mixed with an adhesive (C) used to assemble paper jets.

29. Playing card, comprising at least one jet of fibrous material, in particular paper, characterized in that it comprises a dispersion of a substance detectable by magnetic resonance.

30. Identification or authentication device for identifying or authenticating an article as defined in any one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that it comprises an optical transmitter and an optical sensor such as a photodiode .

31. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the optical transmitter (61) has an emission centered on 800 nm and the optical sensor (62) is coupled to a filter so as to be sensitive to wavelengths 800 -900 nm.

32. Device according to one of claims 30 and 31, characterized in that said optical sensor is arranged to read a section of the article.

33. Method of authentication or identification of an article comprising minus a jet of fibrous material, in particular a playing card, in which optical properties presented by the edge of the article are detected.

34. Game comprising:

a set of playing cards, each without an electronic chip, capable of memorizing each of the data or comprising data,

- a reader capable of reading card data and possibly recording data on cards,

- an interface allowing the reader to transmit information to a computer, a game console, a mobile phone, a pocket organizer or a computer network,

- Means for delivering, as a function of the information transmitted by the reader to the computer, to the game console, to the mobile telephone, to the pocket organizer or to the computer network, at least information relating to the game.

35. Game according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the reader and / or the interface are capable of constituting with a mobile telephone a unitary construction, the reader and the interface being housed for example in a housing capable of being fixed. rigidly on the mobile phone or to be connected by a cable to it.

36. Process for the manufacture of playing cards, characterized in that particles or fibers having magnetic or electromagnetic properties or an excitable tracer in the infrared are mixed with an adhesive, which are assembled by means of this glue at least two jets of coated paper and that you print on the card the desired patterns for the game.

37. Process for the manufacture of playing cards, characterized in that fibers or particles having magnetic or electromagnetic properties or an excitable tracer in infrared are mixed with a fibrous material and which are produced from mixture thus obtained a jet of paper, which one layers the jet of paper, that one optionally assembles this jet of coated paper with at least one second jet of coated paper and that one prints on the card thus constituted the motives of the game.

38. Process for the production of playing cards, characterized in that particles or fibers having magnetic or electromagnetic properties or a tracer are mixed with a composition intended to serve as a filler layer excitable in the infrared, that we layer this composition on a paper jet, that we layer on the paper jet thus coated a printing / writing layer, that we assemble this paper jet coated with at least a second throw of coated paper, and the patterns of the game are printed on the printing / writing layers.

39. Game table equipped with an authentication device as defined in claim 21 or with a reading device as defined in claim 24. or with an identification or authentication device as defined to claim 29, integrated into the table or a play mat.