EP1819527B2 - Security arrangement for security documents - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a security arrangement (20-1, 20-2) for one of a plurality of homogeneous security documents (10-1, 10-2), having an authenticating feature (22-1, 22-2) that is characteristic for the security document and at least one verification element (24-1, 24-2) for checking the authenticating features (22-1, 22-2) of others of the plurality of homogeneous security documents, in which a damageless check of the authenticating feature (22-1) of a security arrangement (20-1) is practicable exclusively through a predefined combination effect with a verification element (24-2) of a security arrangement (20-2) disposed on another homogeneous security document (10-2).

Description

The invention relates to a security arrangement for one of a plurality of similar security documents. The invention further relates to a security document with such a security arrangement.

In order to increase the security against counterfeiting, documents of value such as banknotes, stocks, bonds, certificates, vouchers, checks, high-quality admission tickets, but also other forgery-prone papers, such as passports or other identity documents, are usually provided with security elements that are difficult to forge, their authenticity or integrity can be visually checked by a user with or without additional aids.

This type of protection also includes so-called self-verifying banknotes, as described in the document WO 98/15418 A1 are disclosed. The self-verifying banknote described therein is formed from a flexible sheet of a plastic substrate with identification marks. The sheet has a transparent window area containing a self-verification means for checking a security element located in a laterally spaced area of the sheet. The self-verification is performed by bringing the window portion into register with the security element by bending or folding the sheet, and the security element and the self-verification means cooperate there appropriately to confirm the authenticity of the banknote.

The publication EP 1 127 712 A1 discloses a security and / or value document, in particular banknote, with security features and with a verification element for verifying the security feature. In order to develop a generic security and / or value document in which the security against counterfeiting is increased and the simplified examination of document authenticity is ensured without external aids, at least one verification element and at least one security feature verifiable with this verification element are integrated into the document at different points , wherein the verification element and the security element are superimposed only for verification.

From the publication WO 03/054810 A2 is a document of value known, in particular a banknote, which has one or more window areas, each with an example optically active element which rotates a polarization plane of passing through the window area polarized light by a defined angle. If such value documents are stacked and polarized light is emitted through the overlapping window areas, the number of stacked value documents can be determined on the basis of the total rotation of the plane of polarization. In the case of banknotes, the total nominal value of the banknote stack can thus be determined. The window areas can have category-specific rotational characteristics for different categories or nominal values and / or can be present at category-specific positions in the value document.

The publication US 2003/0169468 A1 relates to a security system, in particular for value documents, in which a security element is provided in a carrier plane which reconstructs a pattern holographically outside the carrier plane, a pattern in which a hidden information is stored, and with a flat, transparent verification element, the surface contact of the security element makes the information stored therein readable. Furthermore, the invention relates to a security element and a verification element for use in the security system and a value document that is equipped with the security system. In addition, the invention relates to a device for reading the hidden information, which is holographically stored in the pattern reconstructed under the incident light on the security element.

Statistical studies have shown that knowledge about the distinctive authenticity features of banknotes is scarcely widespread and present in the population. In general, if a particular copy of a banknote is present, the average citizen can not decide whether it is a genuine banknote or a reasonably good counterfeit. Even with self-verifying banknotes, the user must recognize the self-verifying feature without comparison offer. In general, the average citizen, who does not know the effect of the real banknote, will easily be outwitted by some convincing effect in a forgery. The security level of a self-verifying banknote is also not significantly higher than that of a common banknote; because with the security element typically also the verification element is forged and pretends the user a seemingly real verification.

Based on this, the object of the invention is to provide a safety arrangement which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the security arrangement should combine a high security against counterfeiting with a high recognition security even by laymen.

This object is achieved by the safety arrangement having the features of the main claim. A security document with such a security arrangement and a method for producing one of a plurality of similar security documents are specified in the independent claims. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the security arrangement has an authenticity feature characteristic of the security document and at least one verification element for checking the authenticity features of others of the plurality of similar security documents. This is a damage-free test of Authentication feature of a security arrangement exclusively via a predetermined combination effect with a verification element arranged on another similar security document security arrangement feasible, so a self-exclusion excluded. This measure ensures that the user has to take a second copy of the security document, for example a second similar banknote, at hand during the authenticity check.

In a preferred variant of the invention, the authenticity feature of a security arrangement is tested in a predetermined relative position of the authenticity feature and the verification element. The predetermined relative position may be, for example, a superimposition of authenticity feature and verification element with a certain distance. This distance can be given for example by the focal length of a lens or the normal reading distance of a human. The preferred distance may also be zero, the authenticity feature and the verification element are then placed on top of each other for testing. Some effects, such as the effect of crossed polarizing films, can be perceived by the preferred distance in a wide interval, while others, such as the magnifying power of a lens, can only be seen in a narrow range around the preferred distance.

Advantageously, the authenticity feature and the verification element of the same security arrangement are arranged geometrically relative to one another such that they can not be brought into the predetermined relative position on the security document without damage. Alternatively or additionally, the authenticity feature and the verification element of the same security arrangement can be coordinated with one another such that the authenticity feature and the verification element of the same security arrangement do not exhibit the predetermined combination effect in the predetermined relative position. In both cases, the self-authentication of the security document is effectively prevented, the user is forced to use a second similar document for the authenticity check.

Preferably, the authenticity feature and / or the verification element are transparent. Transparency refers to the full transparency of a material with a certain gray density, whereby, in contrast to the translucency, the objects located behind the transparent material remain recognizable.

In an advantageous embodiment, the authenticity feature and the verification element are arranged in or above a common window area or hole of the security document.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the authenticity feature and the verification element are arranged in close proximity to one another on the security document. As a result, it is particularly easy to create a geometric arrangement in which a self-authorization of the safety arrangement is eliminated.

In an expedient embodiment, the verification element comprises an optical imaging element for inspecting the authenticity features of other security arrangements arranged on similar security documents. The optical imaging element in particular represents a magnifying lens, such as a Fresnel magnifying lens or a distortion lens. Thus, for example, a microprint printed in the authenticity feature can be made legible, or an optically distorted printed motif can be brought into the correct shape by the associated correction lens.

In another advantageous embodiment, the authenticity feature contains an area printed with metameric colors. Metameric colors have different reflection spectra, but appear to the human eye in the same hue due to the sensitivity curves of the three color receptors in ordinary daylight illumination. The underlying difference of the reflection spectra, however, occurs with colored illumination of the metameres or when using suitable filters. The verification element therefore expediently comprises a filter element for viewing the metameric color range of other security arrangements arranged on similar security documents.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the authenticity feature comprises a first linearly polarizing window area and the verification element comprises a second linearly polarizing window area. As a rule, authenticity feature and / or verification element also comprise further polarizing regions. Due to the interaction of the different directions of polarization when bringing the different areas over one another, a series of different authenticity tests can be carried out by the contrast effects that occur.

The authenticity feature and the verification element According to a further preferred embodiment, each comprise a fine line pattern, which generate interference effects, in particular moiré effects, when the authenticity feature and the verification element are arranged one above the other.

In further embodiments, the authenticity feature and / or the verification element for checking the authenticity feature may have a diffractive diffraction effect, a lens raster effect, a liquid crystal effect, or a thin-film or multilayer film effect.

In one development of the invention, it is provided that the security arrangement contains at least two verification elements for checking the authenticity features of others of the plurality of similar security documents. The verification of the authenticity feature is carried out while simultaneously using two or more of the verification elements, which are arranged on one or more of the plurality of similar security documents.

For example, the two verification elements can be arranged at eye relief and designed in the manner of a stereo eyeglass, wherein the authenticity feature of a security arrangement when viewed binocularly by the two verification elements of a security arrangement applied to another security document causes a three-dimensional image impression.

In another advantageous embodiment, to verify the authenticity feature of a security arrangement, two verification elements and the authenticity feature must be superimposed in a predetermined order. In order to exclude a self-verification, it is preferably provided that the bringing together of the two required for checking the verification elements of a security arrangement makes the authenticity feature of the same security arrangement inaccessible. If the two verification elements are brought one above the other by a certain bending or folding process, then it can be provided, for example, that the authenticity feature is folded together by this bending or folding process and thus becomes accessible. Alternatively, this bending or folding process can automatically bring an opaque cover layer onto the authenticity feature, which prevents subsequent verification.

In all of the aforementioned variants of the invention, in addition to the authenticity feature, the verification element for the security document may also be characteristic, so that a check of the authenticity feature can only be carried out with those security arrangements whose verification element has a characteristic design corresponding to the authenticity feature. For example, in the case of a banknote series with different denominations, both the authenticity feature and the verification element can be characteristic for the particular denomination of a banknote, so that banknotes of a particular denomination can only be verified with other banknotes of the same denomination.

Alternatively, only the authenticity feature for the security document is designed to be characteristic, so that a check of the authenticity feature can be carried out with each verification element of a security arrangement arranged on another similar security document. In the aforementioned example of a banknote series, provision may be made for only the authenticity feature to be characteristic of the particular denomination of a banknote, but the verification element is identical in all banknotes of the series. Then, a banknote of a particular denomination can be verified with every other banknote of the same series, regardless of their denomination.

The invention also encompasses a security document, such as a security paper, document of value or the like, having a security arrangement of the type described above. Preferably, the authentication feature and the verification element are geometrically arranged on the security document such that they do not fall into one for authenticity testing without damaging the security document required predetermined relative position can be brought.

It is advisable to arrange the authenticity feature and / or the verification element in or over a window area or hole of the security document.

The security document may, in particular, be a security paper or a value document such as a banknote, a check, an identification card, a document or the like.

Since the user is forced in the described security arrangement to use a second copy of the same for authentication, it combines high security against counterfeiting with high recognition security even by laymen who do not have the effect to be tested in memory. In addition, the authenticity check can be easily and reliably performed by anyone without additional aids.

Further exemplary embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the figures, in the representation of which a representation true to scale and proportion has been dispensed with in order to increase the clarity.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Banknote mit einer in ei- nem transparenten Fenster angeordneten Sicherheitsanordnung nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,

Fig. 2

eine Sicherheitsanordnung nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,

Fig. 3

die Echtheitsprüfung einer mit der Sicherheitsanordnung der Fig. 2 ausgestatteten Banknote mithilfe einer gleichartigen Banknote,

Fig. 4

in (a) eine Sicherheitsanordnung nach einem anderen Ausfüh- rungsbeispiel der Erfindung und in (b) die Echtheitsprüfung einer mit der Sicherheitsanordnung von (a) ausgestatteten Banknote mithilfe einer gleichartigen Banknote,

Fig. 5

in (a) und (b) Sicherheitsanordnungen nach einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, die eine Fremdverifizie- rung innerhalb derselben Banknotenserie ermöglichen,

Fig. 6

in (a) ein Diagramm, das die Polarisationsrichtungen der betei- ligten Bereiche bei der Fremdverifizierung einer Banknote zeigt, in (b) ein Diagramm, das entsprechenden Polarisationsrichtun- gen bei einer versuchten Selbstverifizierung zeigt,

Fig. 7

in (a) eine Sicherheitsanordnung nach einem weiteren Ausfüh- rungsbeispiel der Erfindung und in (b) das Gesamtbild bei der Echtheitsprüfung,

Fig. 8

eine Banknote mit einer Sicherheitsanordnung nach einem wei- teren Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung im Querschnitt,

Fig. 9

in Detaildarstellung zwei zur Echtheitsprüfung übereinander gelegte Banknoten der in Fig. 8 gezeigten Art,

Fig. 10

eine Banknote mit einer Sicherheitsanordnung nach noch einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung im Querschnitt,

Fig.11

eine genauere Darstellung des Echtheitsmerkmals (a) und des Verifizierungselements (b) der Sicherheitsanordnung von Fig.10,

Fig. 12

eine Banknote mit einer Sicherheitsanordnung mit zwei Verifi- zierungselementen nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfin- dung in Aufsicht,

Fig. 13

eine Banknote mit einer Sicherheitsanordnung mit zwei Verifi- zierungselementen nach einem anderen Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung in Aufsicht, und

Fig. 14

in (a) und (b) zwei Varianten zur Echtheitsprüfung einer mit der Sicherheitsanordnung der Fig.13 ausgestatteten Banknote.

Show it:

Fig. 1

1 a schematic representation of a banknote with a security arrangement arranged in a transparent window according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2

a safety arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 3

the authentication of a security arrangement with the Fig. 2 banknote using a similar banknote,

Fig. 4

in (a) a security arrangement according to another embodiment of the invention and in (b) the authenticity check of a banknote equipped with the security arrangement of (a) by means of a similar banknote,

Fig. 5

in (a) and (b) security arrangements according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, which enable external verification within the same banknote series,

Fig. 6

in (a) a diagram showing the polarization directions of the areas involved in the foreign verification of a banknote, in (b) a diagram showing corresponding polarization directions in an attempted self-verification,

Fig. 7

in (a) a safety arrangement according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention and in (b) the overall image in the authenticity test,

Fig. 8

a banknote with a security arrangement according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention in cross-section,

Fig. 9

in detail, two banknotes superimposed on the authenticity check of the in Fig. 8 kind shown,

Fig. 10

a banknote with a security arrangement according to yet another embodiment of the invention in cross-section,

Figure 11

a more detailed representation of the authenticity feature (a) and the verification element (b) of the security arrangement of Figure 10 .

Fig. 12

a banknote with a security arrangement with two verification elements according to an embodiment of the invention in supervision,

Fig. 13

a banknote with a security arrangement with two Verifiz zierungselementen according to another embodiment of the invention in plan view, and

Fig. 14

in (a) and (b) two variants for checking the authenticity of a with the safety arrangement of Figure 13 equipped banknote.

The invention will be explained below using the example of a banknote. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a banknote 10, which is equipped in a transparent window 12 with a security arrangement 14 according to the invention. As explained in detail below, the far-end area 12 appears structureless in normal viewing. Only when a second, similar banknote is picked up and the two banknotes are brought into a predetermined relative position does a characteristic feature appear in the window area, such as a predetermined graphic motif or the denomination of the banknote.

Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of such a security arrangement 20. The security arrangement 20 has an authenticity feature 22 and a verification element 24, which are arranged directly next to one another in the window area 12 of the banknote 10. The authenticity feature 22 includes a first linearly polarizing region 26 in the form of the numeral "5", with a first polarization direction, which in the exemplary embodiment is + 45 ° with respect to the center line 36 of the safety arrangement 20. A second linearly polarizing region 28 surrounds the first region 26 and has a second polarization direction, which in the exemplary embodiment is 0 °. The outline circumscribing the first linearly polarizing region 26 is added in the figure merely to the clearer representation of the two regions.

The verification element 24 of the security arrangement 20 contains a third linearly polarizing region 30 of the same shape and size as the first region 26 of the authenticity feature 22 and a fourth linearly polarizing region 32 surrounding the third region. The polarization direction of the third region 30 is perpendicular to the polarization direction of the first region Region 26, while the polarization direction of the fourth region 32 is parallel to the polarization direction of the second region 26. The four polarization regions 26-32 all have the same gray density.

Since the human eye is not sensitive to the polarization direction of the light, the four areas 26-32 of the security assembly 20, under normal lighting conditions, give the viewer the impression of a featureless translucent gray area.

Now, as in Fig. 3 shown, two similar notes 10-1 and 10-2 with security arrangements 20-1 and 20-2 superimposed so that the verification element 24-2 of the second banknote 10-2 over the authenticity feature 22-1 of the first banknote 10-1 comes to rest, the figure "5" for the viewer 34 due to the crossed polarization directions of the two superimposed, linearly polarizing regions 26 and 30 clearly stands out. The appearance of the correct denomination when placing another similar banknote can be used by the user as proof of the authenticity of the banknote 10-1 to be checked get ranked.

Of course, the banknote 10-1 can also be used to verify the authenticity of the banknote 10-2, so that the two banknotes can verify each other. Such a mutual verification leads to an increased level of security compared to self-verifying banknotes, since with self-verifying banknotes in addition to the authenticity feature, the verification element can also be forged. In the case of mutual verification, the authenticity check therefore takes place with two banknotes. Usually, the user already owns one of them and checks with it a new one taken, e.g. Change at checkout. The probability that the already existing banknote and the newly accepted banknote are forged in the same way and thus a verification with two counterfeit banknotes, is practically negligible.

A self-authentication of the banknote 10, that is to say the use of the verification element 24 for checking the authenticity feature 22 of the same banknote, is not possible according to the invention without damaging the note.

This is ensured in the embodiment by the choice of polarization directions of the various linearly polarizing regions and the lack of mirror symmetry of the coded digit "5". By folding the banknote 10 about the center line 36 of the security arrangement 20, the verification element 24 and the authenticity feature 22 are brought one above the other, but the digit areas formed by the areas 26 and 30 are not congruent, but aligned mirror-inverted.

In addition, the polarization direction of one of the two linearly polarizing regions 26 and 30 is mirrored when folding on the center line 36 and thus rotated by 90 °, so that the regions 26 and 30 have the same polarization direction after folding. Even in their overlapping area, therefore, there is no additional weakening of the transmitted light due to crossed polarizations, so that the encoded information can not be detected due to the lack of contrast difference to the surroundings 28, 32.

In an alternative embodiment, the security arrangement 20 is formed in the window area with such high rigidity that it can not be folded about its center line 36 without damage. It is also possible to arrange authenticity feature and verification element with given rigidity so small and with so little distance that they can not be placed on top of each other due to the minimum radius of curvature when folding. In both cases, authenticity feature 22 and verification element 24 of the same note can not be physically overlaid.

Another possibility to exclude the self-verification of an externally verifiable security arrangement 40 is in the FIGS. 4 (a) and (b) illustrated. In the safety arrangement 40 of the Fig. 4 (a) are the authenticity feature 42 and the verification element 44 except for the square shape basically as in Fig. 2 educated. In contrast to the local configuration, however, the authenticity feature 42 and the verification element 44 are not only arranged directly next to one another, but additionally rotated by 90 ° relative to one another. This makes it impossible to place the verification element 44 in the correct orientation on the authenticity feature 42 of the same banknote without destroying the banknote.

However, if two similar banknotes 10-1 and 10-2 with authentication features 42-1 and 42-2 and verification elements 44-1 and 44-2 are available, then the second banknote 10-2 is turned by 90 ° for authentication purposes on the first one Banknote 10-1 placed as in Fig. 4 (b) shown. As a result, the digit areas of the verification element 44-2 of the second banknote 10-2 and the authentication feature 42-1 of the first banknote 10-1 come to lie one above the other in the same orientation, and the encoded information can be read as described above.

In the embodiment of the Fig. 5 The security arrangements 50 shown not only permit foreign verification by means of a second banknote of the same denomination but also enable verification by banknotes of other denominations within a series of banknotes. Exemplary are in FIGS. 5 (a) and (b) Security arrangements 50 for banknotes with two different denominations ("5" and "10", respectively) are shown.

The safety arrangement 50 of Fig. 5 (a) The authenticity feature 52 has a first linearly polarizing region 56 in the form of the figure "5" with a first polarization direction of -67.5 ° with respect to the center line 62 of the safety arrangement, which is surrounded by a second linearly polarizing region 58 having a second polarization direction of + 22.5 °. The two linearly polarizing regions 56 and 58 have the same gray density when viewed in unpolarized light, so that the coded digit "5" can not be recognized under ordinary viewing conditions.

The verification element 54 of the safety arrangement 50 contains a third linearly polarizing region 60 whose polarization direction corresponds to the polarization direction of the second region 58, that is to say + 22.5 °.

The safety arrangement 50 of Fig. 5 (b) for a banknote of another denomination, except for the shape of the first linearly polarizing region 56, which in this case forms the numerical sequence "10", is identical to the security arrangement 50 of FIG Fig. 5 (a) built up.

If now two banknotes of this banknote series with arbitrary denomination are superimposed in such a way that the verification element 54 of the upper banknote is above the authenticity feature 52 of the lower banknote Banknote, results in a relative position of the involved polarization directions as in Fig. 6 (a) is shown.

The polarization direction of the third region 60 functioning as an analyzer and the polarization direction of the second region 58 are aligned in parallel and thus translucent, while the polarization directions of the analyzer 60 and the first region 56 are perpendicular to one another and thus do not transmit light. The digit or sequence of numbers of the underlying banknote thus appears in transmitted light with a clear contrast black against a gray background.

In this case, for example, the number "5" appears when the verification element 54 of Fig. 5 (b) on the authenticity feature 52 of the Fig. 5 (a) is placed, the digit string "10", if conversely, the verification element 54 of Fig. 5 (a) on the authenticity feature 52 of the Fig. 5 (b) is placed. Analogous results are obtained for the other denominations of the banknote series.

Self-assembly of the security assemblies 50 by folding about the centerline 62 of the assemblies is not possible due to the selected polarization directions. Namely, the verification element 54 of the Fig. 5 (a) folded to the associated authenticity feature 52, the polarization direction of the third linearly polarizing region 60 is mirrored at the center line 62 and is now -22.5 ° after folding, as indicated by the direction of polarization of the folded third region arrow 60 'in FIG Fig. 6 (b) illustrated. The polarization directions of the first and second linearly polarizing regions 56 and 58, respectively, then enclose the same angle (45 °) with the polarization direction of the folded third region 60 'such that unpolarized light from the first region 56 and third third region 60 is combined 'and the combination of the second area 58 and the folded third area 60' is equally attenuated. The first and second areas 56 and 58 therefore have no contrast difference when viewed, the coded digit or numerical sequences of the authenticity feature 52 can not be perceived.

In the further embodiment of the Fig. 7 (a) For example, the authenticity feature 72 and the verification element 74 of the security arrangement 70 are each broken down into a plurality of strips 76 and 78 of the same width arranged alternately. The coded information, again the number "5" here for illustration, is essentially distributed over all strips 76 of the authenticity feature 72.

In addition to the division into strips, the authenticity feature 72 and the verification element 74 for coding can again have linearly polarizing partial regions with different polarization directions, as described above. In any case, the security arrangement 70 is designed such that the digit or sequence of numbers of the authenticity feature 72 is not recognizable under normal viewing conditions, but emerges only in cooperation with the verification element 74.

For checking the authenticity of a banknote provided with the security arrangement 70, another banknote of the same denomination is absolutely necessary. If the two banknotes are stacked one above the other by the width of a strip, one strip 76 of the authenticity feature 72 of one banknote and one strip 78 of the verification element 74 of the other banknote overlap each other so that the encoded information becomes visible. For example, results in the in Fig. 7 (a) shown security arrangement after superimposing two notes that in Fig. 7 (b) Appearance 80. It will be appreciated that even a finer subdivision of the authenticity feature and verification element into stripes or a design of the numbers adapted to the shape of the stripes will allow even clearer outlines of the overall image 80 to be obtained.

Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment of the invention, in which the security arrangement 90 comprises an authenticity feature 92, which is introduced into a surface layer on the front side of a banknote 96, as well as a small spaced verifying element 94 from a lens grid of parallel cylindrical lenses, which over a window area or Hole 98 of the banknote 96 is applied. Authentication feature 92 and verification element 94 are mounted near the center of banknote 96 so that they can not be superimposed by rolling the banknote into a cylinder.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the authenticity feature 92 contains a latent tilting image that is characteristic of the banknote and that can be displayed with a lenticular grid in the manner of the verification element 94. The security arrangement 90 is designed for foreign verification with banknotes of different denominations of the same series, as with reference to the detailed representation of FIG Fig. 9 explained in more detail.

Fig. 9 shows two banknotes 96-1 and 96-2, which are superimposed so that the verifying element 94-2 of the upper banknote 96-2 lies on the authenticity feature 92-1 of the lower banknote. In the figure, the two banknotes are shown with a small gap for the sake of clarity.

The authenticity feature 92-1 contains a latent tilt image characteristic of the banknote 96-1 which, for example, can represent the denomination of the banknote from a first viewing direction 100 and a graphic motif from a second viewing direction 102. The lenticular 108 of the verification element 94-2 is identical in all notes of the banknote series, so that each banknote of the series can be equally used for external verification. In the in Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 2, the lenticular 108 has a spacing d given substantially by the thickness of the banknote paper from the tilting image of the authenticity feature 92-1.

The image information 104, 106 of the two images of the tilt image are, for example, alternately inscribed with a pulsed infrared laser in a laser-sensitive recording layer of the banknote 96-1 or are printed on the banknote paper in a manner suitable to those skilled in the art. The sequence of the image information 104, 106 is matched to the focusing effect of the lens grid 108 and the distance d in the authenticity check that from the first viewing direction 100 only the image information 104 of the first motif and from the second viewing direction 102 only the image information 106 of the second Motive are visible.

Without placing the lenticular 108 of the second banknote 96-2, the authentication feature 92-1 merely shows a confusing pattern in which the image information 104, 106 of the two registered motifs are mixed. Only by placing an adapted lenticular grid, a tilting image is created, which shows different motives from different viewing directions. As a result, the image pattern 104, 106 of the authentication feature alone is referred to as a "latent tilt image".

The appearance of the tilting image when placing the second note 96-2 offers the viewer the guarantee of the authenticity of the banknote 96-1 to be checked. Conversely, the banknote 96-1 with its verification element can also be used to verify the banknote 96-2.

A self-authentication of a banknote 96 is not possible according to the invention since, on the one hand, the authenticity feature 92 and the verification element 94 could not be superposed by rolling the banknote. A folding of the banknote 96 along the center line of the two elements does not lead to a representation of the tilting image, since depending on the folding direction either the lenticular grid of the verification element 94 comes to lie head over on the authenticity feature 92, so that the cylindrical lenses can not unfold their focusing effect, or the distance between the image information 104, 106 and the lenticular is twice the design distance d, such that the image information 104, 106 is not correctly distributed to the viewing directions 100, 102 by the cylindrical lenses.

In a modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 related to Figure 10 is explained in more detail, the coded information is contained in the lenticular grid, which thus acts as an authenticity feature, while an imprint on the banknote forms the verification element.

Figure 10 1 shows a banknote 116 having a security arrangement 110 according to the invention, which comprises an authenticity feature 112 applied over a window or hole 118 of the banknote in the form of a specially designed lens raster and a verification element 114 in the form of a printed decoding area adapted to the lenticular. The authenticity feature 112 is in Fig. 11 (a) , the verification element 114 in FIG Fig. 11 (b) shown in more detail.

The authenticity feature 112 in the exemplary embodiment consists of an approximately 100 μm thick transparent PET film into which a surface relief in the form of a lenticular grid 120 is introduced. The raster elements 122 are formed by parallel straight cylindrical lenses which, for example, have a width of 50 μm and a spacing of 100 μm (raster period).

In a partial area 124 of the lenticular grid, the grid elements 122 are offset by half a grid period, in other words by 50 μm in the exemplary embodiment, from their position outside the portion 124. The shape of the subregion 124 represents the desired information, for example the denomination of the banknote, here the numeral "5". The outline shown in the figure merely serves for better recognizability of the subregion 124 and is not present in the case of a real lenticular grid. Due to the small raster period, the offset of the sub-region 124 is hardly or not at all visible under normal viewing conditions in transmitted or incident light.

In order to read out the information of the authenticity feature 112, this is placed on the decoding area 126 of the verification element 114. The decoding area 126 contains in printed form a grid structure 128 which corresponds to the grid structure of the lens grid 120, but without the information-containing offset of the sub-area 124. As a result of this coordination of the two raster structures 128 and 122, the information contained in the subregion 124 clearly appears when the lens raster 120 is placed on the decoding region 126.

If the lenticular grid 120 lies on the decoding area 126, the observer only sees a certain section of the printed decoding area 126 due to the focusing effect of the cylindrical lenses 122. In the case of a register-containing arrangement of the lenticular grid 120 and decoding area 126, the observer outside of the subarea 124 will just see the black areas Print lines 128 while looking within subregion 124 at the white space between adjacent print lines 128. The information, here the number "5", thus appears white on a black background. When the authenticity feature 112 and the verification element 114 are shifted by half a grid period, the negative image impression, that is to say black information on a white background, results in particular.

As in the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 a damage-free self-authentication of a banknote 116 is not possible because the authenticity feature 112 and the verification element 114 can not be superimposed by rolling or folding the banknote in the correct orientation.

In the following with reference to the FIGS. 12 to 14 described embodiments, the security arrangements each contain two verification elements that are used to check the authenticity feature have to work together. Also in this way it can be ensured that only a foreign but not a self-certification of banknotes can take place.

Fig. 12 shows a banknote 130, which is provided with a security arrangement 132 of an authenticity feature 134, a first verification element 136 and a second verification element 138.

The two verification elements 136 and 138 are arranged at eye relief on the banknote and designed in the manner of a stereo glasses, for example a red-green stereo glasses, or a polarization stereo glasses. In the case of a red-green stereo goggle, the verification elements 136 and 138 consist, for example, of red or green filter foils embedded in the banknote paper.

The authenticity feature 134 arranged between the two verification elements 136, 138 in this case contains an image motif which is printed on a light background with red and green color. The two colored partial images show the image motif from two different angles, so that when the partial images are fed through the corresponding filter film to the eye, a three-dimensional plastic image effect arises in the viewer. The spatially represented image motif, represented only schematically in the figure as a cube, typically contains a characteristic characteristic of the banknote, such as its denomination.

Such a banknote 130 can now not be brought into a position without damage, in which its authenticity feature 134 can be viewed through the two verification elements 136 and 138; rather, a second similar banknote is always required for the authenticity check. If all the banknotes in a series are provided with such security arrangements 132, with only the authenticity features 134 differing depending on the denomination, then each banknote of the series can be used to check the authenticity of other banknotes in the series.

The two verification elements 136 and 138 can also form a polarization stereo eyebox by being formed from two polarization sheets oriented perpendicular to each other in a window area or hole of the bill. The authenticity feature 134 arranged between the verification elements 136, 138 in this case contains two polarizing partial images which are matched to the polarization angles of the polarization films and which can be printed, for example, with the aid of dyes containing liquid crystal pigments.

Fig. 13 shows a further embodiment of the invention, in which the two verification elements 146 and 148 of the security element 142 must be connected in series, in order to check the authenticity feature 144 can.

In the illustrated embodiment, the authenticating feature 144 is a liquid crystal layer containing a suitably-introduced characteristic motif. For example, the liquid crystal layer may include a first portion 152 that selectively reflects right circularly polarized light, and a second portion 154 that selectively reflects left circularly polarized light with the same color reflection spectrum. Under ordinary viewing conditions, the different circular polarization of the light reflected from the authenticating feature 144 can not be perceived, the feature appears as a featureless color area.

In the exemplary embodiment, the first verification element 146 of the security arrangement 142 consists of a λ / 4 layer adapted to the color reflection spectrum of the liquid crystal layer of the authenticity feature 144, the second verification element 148 of a suitably oriented, linearly polarizing layer. In order to be able to recognize the coded motif of the authenticity feature 144, the two verification elements 146 and 148 must be placed in the correct order over the authenticity feature 144, as described below with reference to FIGS FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b) explained in more detail.

The two verification elements 146 and 148 are arranged directly next to one another on the banknote 140, so that they can be stacked on one another by folding the banknote 140 about the center line 150 of the two elements. The centerline 150 divides the authentication feature 144 into two halves, such that the juxtaposition of the two verification elements 146 and 148 simultaneously folds the authentication feature 144 into itself by folding the bill. This ensures that the authenticity check can not be carried out with a banknote 140 alone, since the authenticating feature 144 is no longer available in the required form if the verification elements have been placed on top of each other.

Fig. 14 (a) shows a first variant of the authentication of a provided with the security arrangement 142-1 banknote 140-1. A second similar banknote 140-2 is folded so that its two verification elements 146-2 and 148-2 are superimposed in this order, and the folded banknote 140-2 is placed on the first banknote 140-1. For the sake of clarity, the two banknotes are shown in the figure with a small distance.

The authenticity feature 144 selectively reflects in its first partial region 152 right-circularly polarized light, which in its second partial region 154 is selectively left circularly polarized. The λ / 4 layer of the first verification element 146 converts this circularly polarized light into linearly polarized light with mutually perpendicular polarization directions. The subsequent linear polarizing layer of the second verification element 148 is oriented in the exemplary embodiment in such a way that it transmits the light originating from the second partial region 154 and blocks the light originating from the first partial region 152. The motif, the number "5" appears in the embodiment then black against a light background.

The authenticity check can also be carried out with three similar banknotes, as in Fig. 14 (b) shown. Unfolded second and third banknotes 140-2 and 140-3 are placed on the banknote 140-1 to be checked. The banknotes must be superimposed in such a way that the authenticity feature 144-1 of the first banknote 140-1, the first verification element 146-2 of the second banknote 140-2 and the second verification element 148-3 of the third banknote 140-3 are stacked in this order lie. In this configuration, the information of the authentication feature 144-1 can be read out as described above.

Claims (24)

1. A security arrangement for one of a plurality of homogeneous security documents, having an authenticating feature that is characteristic for the security document and at least one verification element for checking the authenticating features of others of the plurality of homogeneous security documents, in which a damageless check of the authenticating feature of a security arrangement is practicable exclusively through a predefined combination effect with a verification element of a security arrangement disposed on another homogeneous security document.
2. The security arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that a check of the authenticating feature of a security arrangement occurs in a predefined relative position of the authenticating feature and the verification element.
3. The security arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the authenticating feature and the verification element of the same security arrangement are geometrically so disposed to one another that they are not bringable into the predefined relative position on the security document without damage.
4. The security arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the authenticating feature and the verification element of the same security arrangement are coordinated with each other in such a way that, in the predefined relative position, the authenticating feature and the verification element of the same security arrangement do not display the predefined combination effect.
5. The security arrangement according to at least one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the predefined relative position is a stacking of the authenticating feature and the verification element with a certain spacing.
6. The security arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the authenticating feature and/or the verification element is formed to be transparent.
7. The security arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the authenticating feature and the verification element are disposed in or over a common window area or hole in the security document.
8. The security arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the authenticating feature and the verification element are disposed in immediate proximity to one another on the security document.
9. The security arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the verification element comprises an optical imaging element for examining the authenticating features of other security arrangements disposed on homogeneous security documents.
10. The security arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that the optical imaging element constitutes a magnifying lens or a distortion lens.
11. The security arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the authenticating feature includes an area printed on with metameric inks, and the verification element comprises a filter element for viewing the metameric ink area of other security arrangements disposed on homogeneous security documents.
12. The security arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the authenticating feature comprises a first linearly polarizing window area, and the verification element a second linearly polarizing window area.
13. The security arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the authenticating feature comprises a first fine line pattern, and the verification element a second fine line pattern, the two line patterns producing interference effects when the authenticating feature and the verification element are stacked.
14. The security arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the authenticating feature and/or the verification element exhibit a diffraction effect, a lenticular array effect, a liquid crystal effect or a thin-film or multi-layer-film effect for checking the authenticating feature.
15. The security arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the security arrangement includes at least two verification elements for checking the authenticating features of others of the plurality of homogeneous security documents, a check of the authenticating feature occuring with the simultaneous use of two or more verification elements that are disposed on one or multiple of the plurality of homogeneous security documents.
16. The security arrangement according to claim 15, characterized in that two verification elements are disposed at interpupillary distance and are formed in the manner of stereoscopic glasses, the authenticating feature of a security arrangement evoking a three-dimensional image impression when viewed with both eyes through the two verification elements of a security arrangement applied on another security document.
17. The security arrangement according to claim 15, characterized in that, to check the authenticating feature of a security arrangement, two verification elements and the authenticating feature must be brought into the predefined sequence on top of one another.
18. The security arrangement according to claim 17, characterized in that the bringing on top of one another of the two verification elements of a security arrangement required for the check makes the authenticating feature of the same security arrangement inaccessible.
19. The security arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that, in addition to the authenticating feature, also the verification element is formed characteristically for the security document such that a check of the authenticating feature is practicable only with such security arrangements whose verification element exhibits a characteristic design corresponding to the authenticating feature.
20. The security arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that only the authenticating feature is formed characteristically for the security document, such that a check of the authenticating feature is practicable with any verification element of a security arrangement disposed on another homogeneous security document.
21. A security document, such as a security paper, value document or the like, having a security arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 20.
22. The security document according to claim 21, characterized in that the authenticating feature and the verification element are geometrically so disposed on the security document that they are not bringable into a predefined relative position required for the authenticity check without damage to the security document.
23. The security document according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the authenticating feature and/or the verification element is disposed in or over a window area or hole in the security document.
24. The security document according to at least one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the security document is a security paper or a value document.

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