ISO/IEC 7811-9:2015

Overview

ISO/IEC 7811-9:2015 is an international standard that specifies the physical characteristics and layout of the Tactile Identifier Mark (TIM) on identification cards. This standard facilitates the accessibility of ID cards by visually impaired cardholders, enabling them to distinguish their cards through tactile means. The TIM consists of Braille-style embossed dots arranged in specific patterns on the card's front surface. ISO/IEC 7811-9 ensures the tactile markings are standardized for consistent, easy recognition across different cards and issuers.

Key Topics

• TIM Location: The tactile identifier mark must be positioned within the name and address area as defined by ISO/IEC 7811-1. It can be placed in the default area or an alternate area that avoids interference with embedded components such as ICs or antennas. A minimum clearance of 1 mm from other raised areas and 3 mm from electronic components is recommended to maintain card integrity.

• Dot Arrangement: The TIM consists of up to three groups of six dots (maximum 18 dots in total). These dots are arranged precisely according to the standard’s dimensional specifications, ensuring tactile recognition and consistency on all compliant cards.

• Dot Dimensions: Each embossed dot must have a relief height between 0.3 mm and 0.48 mm above the card surface. The shape of dots is flexible but must provide sufficient tactile feedback when touched.

• Sign Design: The cardholder can select which dots are raised, ranging from a minimum of one dot to a maximum of eighteen. This flexibility accommodates individual differences in tactile perception, ensuring the TIM is practical and user-friendly.

Applications

ISO/IEC 7811-9:2015 applies widely to all forms of physical identification cards, including:

• Bank and Payment Cards: Enhancing usability for visually impaired customers by allowing easy card identification without visual inspection.

• Government-issued IDs: Passports, driver’s licenses, and national identity cards benefit from tactile marks to support accessibility.

• Access Control Cards: Employee or member ID cards with contactless or embedded technologies can incorporate TIMs without interfering with internal components.

• Transport and Loyalty Cards: Daily-use cards can be equipped with TIMs to empower the visually impaired community.

The tactile identifier mark plays a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and independence for visually impaired users, supporting compliance with accessibility regulations and best practices.

Related Standards

ISO/IEC 7811-9:2015 is part of the broader ISO/IEC 7811 series covering identification card recording techniques including:

• ISO/IEC 7811-1: Embossing standard, which defines general embossing techniques on cards.
• ISO/IEC 7811-2 to 8: Various magnetic stripe standards (low to high coercivity and density) relevant for card data encoding.

These standards collectively ensure interoperability, durability, and functionality of identification cards worldwide. For detailed design and manufacturing guidance of the TIM, ISO/IEC 7811-9 works in harmony with these other parts to maintain the integrity and performance of multi-functional ID cards.

Keywords: ISO/IEC 7811-9, tactile identifier mark, TIM, identification cards, visually impaired accessibility, Braille embossed dots, card embossing standard, tactile recognition, ISO card standards, assistive technology.