EP0993379A2

EP0993379A2 - Security and/or value document

Info

Publication number: EP0993379A2
Application number: EP98943666A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Benedikt Ahlers; Frank Kappe; Roland Gutmann; Ralf Paugstadt; Arnim Franz-Burgholz; Bertl Podoll
Original assignee: Bundesdruckerei GmbH
Current assignee: Securency Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1997-07-04
Filing date: 1998-07-02
Publication date: 2000-04-19
Anticipated expiration: 2018-07-02
Also published as: CO4790121A1; EP1127712A1; ATE227217T1; PL208128B1; CA2294755A1; NZ502142A; WO1999001291A3; DK0993379T3; PE101699A1; DE59806201D1; PL337943A1; DE19729918A1; EP1127712B1; EP0993379B1; AU9152098A; WO1999001291A2; DE19729918B4; DE59814094D1; ES2186219T3; PT993379E

Abstract

The invention relates to a security and/or value document, especially a bank note, comprising security features and a verification element for verifying the security feature. The aim of the invention is to develop a generic security and/or value document which offers greater protection against counterfeiting and makes it easier to verify document authenticity without external aids. To this end, at least one verification element (2) and at least one security feature (3) verifiable by means of said verification element (2) is integrated into the document (1) at various points. The verification element (2) and the security element (3) are placed on top of each for verification only.

Description

Security and / or value document

The invention relates to a security and / or value document according to the preamble of claim 1.

In particular personal documents, banknotes, securities, certificates, service cards such as credit cards or the like. , Postage stamps, general Products that have to be authorized can often be produced in an easy to reproduce process. It is desirable for these products to incorporate features that enable their authenticity, ie their originality, to be verified.

The security features should be as inseparable as possible from the product to be authorized and / or have properties that are difficult to reproduce.

The production and use of security features for security and / or securities are general prior art.

A large number of security features are known, such as fluorescent fibers / planchettes / colors, micro-fonts, moiree-generating structures, holograms and the like.

As a security feature, special colors with special spectral properties or with magnetic properties or with temperature dependencies (thermochromic colors) are often incorporated into the product to be protected. Bar codes are used in which the reflectivity differences of the surface are used, or lattice structures or film antennas are used to utilize the resonance frequency in a resonant circuit.

Security documents are known from AU 488 652, in which security features can be checked by means of transmitted light observation. There is an optically variable safety element arranged, which can be viewed through a transparent window in the cover sheet above. It is particularly disadvantageous here that the security features applied are only visible to the naked eye using the transmitted-light method, and that the material properties of the document are greatly changed.

The introduction of only one transparent window into banknotes is also known as a security feature (Australian banknotes).

DE 43 34 847 AI describes a document of value with a window, in which the carrier is subsequently provided with a window-like opening which is closed with a transparent cover film, the cover film being provided with additional security features in this area of the window. The production of the subsequent opening of the security of the security to a window and the cover with a transparent cover film, which in turn is partially provided with a security feature, is technologically complex and has an increase in the thickness of the security. The condition that areas of the window must remain transparent in order to be able to recognize the security features with the naked eye using the transmitted light method limits the possibilities of concealed security features. Like the well-known window threads in banknotes, these are elements which, taken on their own, are only used as a security element, but do not take on any other function. The known windows can also contain security features on their own.

The authenticity check of the known security features generally requires the use of special devices, methods and, in particular, external test devices such as magnifying glasses for checking microscripts, lenticular screens for checking hidden, graphic elements, UV lamps for making fluorescence visible, or in the transmitted light process the optical recognizability of the security feature.

DE 36 09 090 AI describes a security with security thread embedded therein, which can be checked visually without technical aids. The security thread is made of a transparent material. A grid of cylindrical lenses is embossed on one surface. A printed image is applied directly to the opposite surface of the film of the thread. The print image is designed taking into account the optical properties of the cylindrical lenses. By designing the print image accordingly, information can be brought in that is only visible from certain angles.

It is disadvantageous that paper is arranged directly under the thread, so that the security feature can only be viewed in reflection and not in transmission. Security is only in the thread. The thread forms a common security element. The invention has for its object to develop a generic security and / or value document in which the security against counterfeiting is increased and the simplified checking of document authenticity is guaranteed without external aids.

The solution to this problem results from the features of claim 1. By providing security features and verification means such as detectors for verifying the security features on or in a document, it is achieved that no external aids are required to check the authenticity of the document. The authenticity of security features located on a banknote, for example, can be checked by using, for example, one or more transparent windows on the same banknote. The combination of security features and a verification system on the same banknote increases their security against forgery, since the verification system can also be designed as a security feature. To check the authenticity, the front and back of the banknote can be used. A security feature can be checked by suitably folding the banknote or any other document which is designed according to the regulation of the invention, or by superimposing several banknotes, by bringing the security feature into effect with one another using the verification system, for example windows. It can be checked at various points in the document with the verification element applied to the value document.

In a passport, for example, two opposite pages can be used to verify the document. A page with the verification element, e.g. a lenticular screen film, partially or over the entire surface, the other side with the security feature to be analyzed, for example latent visible screen structures. The authenticity is checked by a suitable stacking. Likewise, two banknotes, checks or two other documents of similar design can be checked for authenticity.

The functionality of the window or windows integrated in the document is decisive. Essentially, no additional thickness of the document is generated, since the detection means and the security features are arranged on a document at different locations and not one above the other.

The preferred embodiment of the verification element as a detector / analyzer or also decoder in the form of one or more transparent windows or also a window with several analyzer areas with detection elements ensures a variety of variants for checking the authenticity of a large number of possible security features. The verification elements on / in one or on / in several windows or in areas of a window are preferably formed from a clear, transparent material and preferably from the following groups:

1. The verification elements are formed by lenticular lenses / cylindrical lenses / wobble images and autostereoscopic devices, which enable the visualization of optically coded security features or of structures applied to the document by printing technology, which are located in / on a transparent film or the like.

The lenticular grid preferably consist of similar cylindrical lenses, which are arranged parallel to one another, preferably at the same distance (e.g. 200 μm). The focus of such a lenticular screen is preferably matched to the optical thickness of the transparent substrate material used.

These cylindrical lenses can be made into a transparent material, e.g. PVC films, e.g. by pages with a suitable master, they can also be produced by casting the film into a suitable shape, they can also be formed by specially shaped spray nozzles by extrusion in the film.

2. The verification elements are Lenses or similar magnifying optical structures are formed, which enable the recognition of very small letters or of graphic elements on the document.

3. The verification elements are formed by applied, preferably printed, fine graphic structures both on the film of a window and on part of the document.

The window forms the mask for a "parallax-barrier display".

When the corresponding areas are superimposed (window / security feature on the document), so-called moiree structures are created. The line or point grids on the window form a moiree structure with the corresponding line or point grids in the area of the security feature of the value document. The resulting moiree pattern is a characteristic security feature for the value document.

If the windows are arranged in such a way that they lie one above the other when the document is folded, then it can be achieved that structures with exactly register produce a change in color or pattern in the event of a relative shift.

4. The verification elements are formed by polarization filters. Two clear windows are preferably arranged side by side or a window is divided into two analyzer areas.

The windows can be designed as two polarizers for viewing polarization stereo images.

It can be achieved that at least one specially shaped window forms a "polaroid vectograph".

Windows can be formed to create a contrast envelope between transmissive and opaque. Structures of this type can be realized by applying lambda-half regions to a linearly polarizing film, for example using suitably oriented films of the correct thickness:

- The light and dark areas of an image are linearly polarizing areas with alternating horizontal and vertical polarization directions.

Windows can be formed that implement a clear color change according to the "color shutter" principle.

5. The window is designed as an interference / color filter (transparent diffraction structures, multilayer systems). The transparent window is designed as a holographic filter that reflects a narrow spectral range, either

- analogous to holographic laser safety glasses or

- a mixed color appears in a different color,

- a pure spectral color disappears.

Such a filter is also suitable for two clear windows, it being possible for the verification window to be divided into a holographic and a non-filtering part lying next to one another.

The windows are designed as two color filters for viewing anaglyphs (stereo images) or as prisms, preferably as gradient index prisms (if possible superchromatic) for a chroma stereoscopic image.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the subclaims.

The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments of a banknote shown in the drawings as a document of value. Show it :

1 is a schematic representation of a banknote with a window and a security feature,

Fig. 2 shows the schematic representation of the

Arrangement of one window with two Areas on the banknote as a verification element,

Fig. 2a shows the schematic representation of the

Arrangement of a window with two areas according to FIG. 2 to form a "vectograph",

Fig. 2b shows the schematic representation of the

Arrangement of a window with two areas according to FIG. 2 to form different patterns,

Fig. 2c shows the schematic representation of the

Arrangement of a window with two areas according to FIG. 2 to form a chromastereoscopic image,

Fig. 2d shows the schematic representation of the

Arrangement of a window with two areas according to FIG. 2 to form "lambda half" areas,

3 shows the schematic representation of the arrangement of two windows lying next to one another with different verification elements,

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the

Generation of raster structures and 12 -

Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a

Banknote with windows on one corner.

As shown in Figure 1, a document of value, e.g. a bank note 1, formed with a transparent window 2, which is used as a detector or the like by being equipped with verification elements in order to verify a security feature in an area 3 of the bank note 1. The verification of the security feature in area 3 of banknote 1 takes place e.g. by superimposing the two areas 2 and 3.

In a first embodiment, the window 2 in FIG. 1 is provided with a lenticular grid as a verification element. The orientation of the lenticular screen in the area of the window 2 and the corresponding printing-generated screen as a security feature in the area 3 of the banknote 1 must be coordinated in such a way that the desired effects become visible when the areas 2 and 3, e.g. by folding, are made to coincide.

The printed raster structures as a security feature in area 3 can be produced with all printing methods used in security printing, preferably in a simultaneous offset method (letterset) due to the high resolution required.

4 is a simple example of the generation shown by grid structures in the form of the letter "D". By superimposing the lenticular grid in the window 2 with the line grid 4 in the area 3, the clear image 7 of the letter "D" is created in the eye of the beholder.

Printed line structures in combination with embossments, which show so-called tilting effects (DE 23 34 702), and are preferably produced in intaglio printing, can be made visible by suitably superimposing the areas 2, 3 (FIG. 1) of the bank note 1, the area 2 must have the lenticular grid in order to intensify the tilting effect.

The lenticular grid preferably consist of similar cylindrical lenses that are parallel to one another, preferably at the same distance from e.g. 200 μm are arranged.

These cylindrical lenses can be made into a transparent material, e.g. PVC film can be introduced, for example by casting a film onto a strip with a profile in negative form or by extruding lenticular grids through specially shaped spray nozzles, e.g. Wide slot nozzles.

The cylindrical lenses can also be produced by pages with a suitable pattern or by rolling out films between rolls with a corresponding negative profile.

Gradient index lenses can be made from bleached silver halide layers or photopolymers are formed.

In a second exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, the verification element in the window 2 of the bank note 1 is by Fresnel lenses or by similar magnifying optical structures, which enable the recognition of very small fonts or graphic elements in the area 3 on the document 1 by suitable superimposition of the Areas 2, 3 allow formed. Here, the very small thickness of the Fresnel lenses combined with a good magnification of the magnifying glass, e.g. 5 to 10 times, a decisive advantage for the integration in substrate materials.

According to a third exemplary embodiment, the verification element in the window 2 of the bank note 1 in FIG. 1 is formed by fine line structures which are also formed on part of the document 1 in the area 3. When the corresponding areas 2 and 3 of the document 1 are superimposed, so-called moiree structures are produced in this way. Examples of moiré-generating patterns are described in DE 28 19 640, DE 23 24 702, DE 26 03 558, DE 36 02 563.

The verification element in the window 2 can be a printed line or dot matrix for a visual decryption / encryption method for a bank note 1. In addition to printing fine dots and / or lines, there is also the possibility of punching or stamping area 2 (window) of document 1 to perforate, preferably by means of laser perforation, so that a moiree pattern is produced by suitably superimposing regions 2 and 3 of bank note 1, for example by folding. The area 3 of the banknote 1 can be a transparent material with line / raster print, an opaque material with line / raster print or also an area with a suitable perforation, preferably a laser perforation.

In a fourth embodiment, a polarization filter is placed on / in a preferably transparent film material as a verification element in area 2, e.g. a banknote 1, in combination with another, similarly designed polarization filter integrated in area 3. The polarization filter in area 3 is preferably configured perpendicularly or parallel to the polarization filter in area 2 and acts as an analyzer, so that by appropriately superimposing areas 2 and 3 of banknote 1 and rotating areas 2 and 3 lying one on top of the other, the optical transparency (bright / dark) changes or changes.

A further embodiment is formed in that an additional dichroic (birefringent), graphically structured layer, for example by printing, sputtering, casting and the like, is applied to one of the two polarization filters in the regions 2, 3, so that the layers are suitably superimposed Areas 2, 3 of the banknote 1 and rotation of the areas 2, 3 lying one on top of the other, a graphic element, for example a font, becomes visible. A further embodiment is achieved by replacing one of the two polarization filters in the regions 2, 3 by a reflective layer, a dichroic, graphically structured layer additionally being applied to this reflective layer. A suitable superimposition of the areas 2, 3 of the bank note 1 and rotation of the areas 2, 3 lying one on top of the other makes a graphic element, for example a font, visible.

Another embodiment provides for one of the two polarization filters to be replaced by a reflective layer, a dichroic, graphically structured layer additionally being applied to this reflective layer. This birefringent transparent layer can preferably be formed from a liquid crystal-containing film. By suitably superimposing areas 2, 3 of bank note 1, e.g. by folding, and by rotating the superimposed areas against each other, a graphic element, e.g. a font, visible.

For many verification effects, it is desirable to simply and quickly bring two different types of verification elements over the security feature. This often makes it easier to perceive a change in the event of movement or color change effects. It facilitates verification in cases where rotation of the verification element relative to the security feature is required. Such a rotation would be great with a single verification window 2 - 17th

impractical. To remedy these problems, the division of the verification window 2 into two adjacent analyzer areas (FIGS. 2, 2a to 2d) or the arrangement of two adjacent windows 2 (FIG. 3) with different verification elements are proposed.

2c shows an embodiment of a window 2 as a verification element, in which at least two clear analyzer areas 5, 6 are arranged next to one another as a window 2 on the banknote 1 as verification elements. The analyzer areas 5, 6 are preferably designed as holographic prisms, if possible as superchromatic prisms, for a so-called chromastereoscopic image. The prisms are preferably designed as gradient index prisms in the form of thin film materials.

An embodiment according to FIG. 2a provides that the at least two clear analyzer areas 5, 6 arranged next to one another are designed in a window 2 as a so-called "Vectrograph". A "Vectograph" consists of two polyvinyl alcohol foils laminated on top of one another, which form linear polarization filters when printed with iodide inks. The two foils are oriented in such a way that the front side forms a vertical polarization when in contact with the iodide color and the back side in horizontal contact when in contact with the iodide color (FIGS. 2a, 2b). A selected first pattern, for example a square 10 (FIGS. 2a, 2b), is applied to the front film using iodide paint, and the Reverse a selected second pattern, such as a star 11 (Fig. 2a, 2b), printed. When the foils lying one above the other are viewed with a linear analyzer (window 2, area 5 in FIGS. 2a, 2b), the first pattern (square 10) appears when the analyzer 5 is oriented horizontally and the second pattern when the analyzer 6 is oriented vertically (Star 11). Color changes can also be implemented.

A verification window 2 divided in this way with analyzer areas 5, 6 saves the rotation of the window 2, the window 2 is only shifted.

Areas 5, 6 of similar shape can be formed between transmitting and opaque in order to implement a contrast change. Such structures can be realized in that so-called "lambda half" areas 9 (phase plates with a phase shift of 180 ° between ordinary and extraordinary beam), for example by suitably oriented film, on a linearly polarizing film 8 (FIG. 2 d). Materials of the correct thickness are applied (Fig. 2 d). In these areas, the direction of polarization is rotated by 90 °. This effect is particularly impressive with surface fill patterns. Similar structures are used to achieve a clear color change based on the so-called "color shutter" principle.

In a further embodiment of the verification element (s) are in the window 2 of the banknote 1 Interference / color filters, generally transparent diffraction structures, multilayer systems are used.

The interference / color filters are formed in / on a preferably transparent film material or consist of this material. The filters are integrated on, for example, a bank note 1 in area 2 in combination with a colored graphic element in area 3. By a suitable superimposition of the areas 2, 3 of the bank note 1, a certain spectral range in the graphic element, e.g. Font, hidden or let through by area 2, so that a color impression deviating from the original color is created.

Colored, transparent materials as well as transparent materials with e.g. vapor-deposited / sputtered, printed colors can be used as interference / color filters.

In a further embodiment, at least two clear analyzer areas 5, 6 are arranged next to one another as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. These areas 5, 6 are designed as at least two color filters for viewing so-called anaglyphs (stereo images), the anaglyphs being located on area 3 of bank note 1. A stereo impression is created by suitably superimposing areas 5, 6 and 3 at a certain distance from one another.

All windows can be in any form, preferred wise in a shape that best corresponds to the type of the selected verification element, also thread-like or, as shown in FIG. 5, triangular.

The windows can be formed at any point in the document, including a corner of the document, as shown in FIG. 5 by way of example. They only have to meet the condition that security features and verification elements for verifying the security feature are brought into operative connection with one another can be, for example by folding, twisting, stacking one or more documents.

The superimposition can take place in direct contact or in some cases also at a distance between the security feature and the verification element.

BEZUGSZEICHENLI _S TE

Security document / banknote

Area (window / verifier ₎

Area (security feature)

Line grid

Analyzer area

image

Polarizing film

"Lamda half" area

square

star

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Security and / or value document, in particular bank note, with security features and with a verification element for verifying the security feature,

d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

At least one verification element (2) and at least one security feature (3) verifiable with this verification element (2) are integrated into the document (1) at different points, the verification element (2) and the security element (3) being brought one above the other only for verification.

2. Security and / or value document according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one security feature (3) is formed on the front and / or back.

3. Security and / or value document according to claim 2, characterized in that the security feature

(3) is formed by at least one window. - 23 -

4. Security and / or value document according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one verification element (2) is formed on the front and / or on the back.

5. Security and / or value document according to claim 4, characterized in that the verification element (2) is formed by at least one window.

6. Security and / or value document according to claim 4, characterized in that the verification element (2) as a strip on an edge of the document

(1) is formed.

7. Security and / or value document according to claim 4, characterized in that a corner of the document

(1) is designed as a verification element (2).

8. Security and / or value document according to claim 5, characterized in that the verification element (2) is formed by at least one window with at least one transparent area and with verification means such as lenses, graphic elements, polarization filters, color filters, interference filters, holograms, perforated areas is.

9. Security and / or value document according to claim 8, characterized in that the verification element (2) is formed by at least one window with at least two areas (5,6) with verification means.

10. Security and / or document of value according to claim 8, characterized in that the lenses are lenticular lenses / cylindrical lenses or Fresnel lenses or gradient index lenses.

11. Security and / or value document according to claim 8, characterized in that the window (2) forms a mask for a parallax-barrier display.

12. Security and / or value document according to claim 8, characterized in that the window (2) forms the line or dot matrix for a visual decryption process with lines or dots.

13. Security and / or value document according to claim

8, characterized in that at least one window (2) is designed as a holographic filter which reflects a narrow spectral range.

14. Security and / or value document according to claim

9, characterized in that the verification window (2) lying side by side in a holographic and in a non-filtering area

(5,6) is subdivided.

15. Security and / or value document according to claim 9, characterized in that the verification window (2) lying side by side in two color - 25 -

filter areas (5, 6) is designed for viewing anaglyphs.

16. Security and / or value document according to claim 9, characterized in that the verification window (2) is formed side by side in areas (5, 6) with prisms for a chromastereoscopic image, in particular with gradient index prisms.

17. Security and / or value document according to claim 9, characterized in that the verification window (2) has a mask for a security feature (3) for generating a parallax barrier display.

18. Security and / or value document according to claim 9, characterized in that the verification window (2) is formed side by side in two areas (5, 6) with polarizers for viewing polarization stereo images.

19. Security and / or value document according to claim 9, characterized in that the areas (5, 6) of the verification window (2) form a vectograph.

20. Security and / or value document according to claims 14 to 19, characterized in that the analyzer areas (5,6) of the verification window (2) are formed separately in two adjacent windows. - 26 -

21. Security and / or value document according to claim 1, characterized in that the verification element (2) and the security feature (3) of the document (1) by folding the document (1) for verifying the security feature (3) and brought together are mechanically recognizable in this operative connection.

22. Security and / or value document according to claim 1, characterized in that the verification element (2) of a document (1) and the security feature (3) of another document

(1) are brought together to verify the security feature (3).