EP0978107B1 - Security element structure for documents, devices for checking documents with such security elements, method for the use thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A structure of a security element for documents provided with a combination of differently reacting or responding security features and functional designs, including conductive, magnetic and diffractive ones, which render it difficult or impossible for counterfeiters to discover the functioning of the security element.

Description

The invention relates to the construction of security elements for documents and Devices for checking documents with such security elements as well Procedure for use.

So far, documents with diffractive optically effective security elements have been used controls complex optical testing technology. A test with documents, for example diffractive optical security elements or with so-called OVD's (optical variable device) is not possible within a document processing machine, since this works at high speeds.

DE 27 47 156 describes a method and a testing device for authenticity testing holographically secured identity cards. The OVD is reproduced and then subjected to a visual inspection. For a quick, efficient, person-independent check is this method is not suitable.

EP 0 042 946 describes a device for generating scanning patterns which using a laser, mirror and lens system and a photo detector. The In this case too, economic effort is very high. It would go on rising if the test material is to be checked unsorted. To avoid pre-sorting, would be a multiple arrangement of the authenticity check system or a multiple check necessary.

EP 0 092 691 A1 describes a device for detecting security strips in Banknotes described. With the help of two transmitted light measuring channels in the infrared range Wavelengths of about 5 mm become the material-specific absorption bands of one Plastic security strip measured. An authenticity or quality check from diffractive optical security elements that reflect metallic, such as for example reflex holograms or kinegrams, would not be described in said EP also not possible with the named device.

From GB 21 60 644 A it is known to use a line scan camera to test the incident light Banknotes, and from CH-PS 652 355 it is known to cards with a special layer structure in the To check reflected or transmitted light procedures. In both cases it’s an exam, in which image information obtained is compared with originals. Problematic and therefore the reflections occurring in both methods and are of great disadvantage Signs of wear.

An automatic authenticity check of hologram information is described in DE-OS 38 11 905 described. The arrangement described in DE-OS provides for the transmitted light hologram test before, sender and receiver directly opposite to each other to the To be able to analyze hologram information. This opposite arrangement of Transmitter and receiver have overmodulation, which is disadvantageous in terms of measurement technology, and possibly even damage to the receiving elements due to direct incidence of light in the Gaps between the successive banknotes result. During the exam of used banknotes make existing creases due to accidental reflections an examination practically impossible.

According to the known methods described above, an exact positioning of the Test objects are required and all devices are not suitable for high-speed ones Processing machines.

DE 196 04 856 A1 proposes condition, quality and passport control of optical security features in the form of metallic reflective layers such as Kinegrams, holograms and the like on securities, in particular banknotes, see above make a metallic reflective security feature of the security in itself known way in transmitted light by means of at least one electronic camera, preferably a CCD line scan camera, is scanned and the actual values determined in the process are displayed using Known image evaluation methods are compared with target values in order to use banknotes to mark faulty security features or used notes in one To sort out the sorting system. The device as described in DE 196 04 856 A1 is, is characterized by a known transport device for moving the Securities in the field of electronic camera, an infrared radiation source on the the side of the security to be checked facing away from the camera and that the optical axis of the Camera with the optical axis of the lighting device deviates from 180 ° Includes angle and the transport device is preferably formed by transport belts, which are spaced apart from one another transversely to the transport direction. This device or Procedure has the disadvantage that used banknotes in particular Wrinkles or banknotes that are damaged or contaminated on their surface Have kinegram film, not recognized as real banknotes. Beyond that The method described and the associated device are automated, but for the High-speed banknote machines with a throughput of 1,200 Pieces per minute not suitable.

Diffractive optical security features or OVD's on securities such as the German 100 and 200 DM banknotes are currently on manually or visually Damage, register accuracy, exact edge design, etc. checked. The test is done visually both when producing banknotes and when necessary Sorting out banknotes flowing back from circulation. This procedure is time consuming and costly.

DE 195 42 995 A1 describes, among other things, a method for checking the authenticity of a Data carrier described by comparing the various data available.

• Vergleich des Standardbildes des Hologramms mit dem der Speichereinheit,
• Vergleich der Hologrammdaten des Hologramms mit den Daten in einem definierten Bereich des Datenträgers und/oder denen einer Speichereinheit,
• Vergleich der Hologrammdaten mit den Daten, die über eine Eingabeeinheit zur Verfügung stehen,
• Vergleich des individuellen Bildes des Hologramms mit Daten der Eingabeeinheit der Speichereinheit und/oder den Daten des definierten Bereichs.

According to this patent, the following options are available:

• Comparison of the standard image of the hologram with that of the storage unit,
• Comparison of the hologram data of the hologram with the data in a defined area of the data carrier and / or that of a storage unit,
• Comparison of the hologram data with the data available via an input unit,
• Comparison of the individual image of the hologram with data of the input unit of the storage unit and / or the data of the defined area.

This process is also time-consuming and costly. The examination takes place on the optical paths by comparison via image recognition with a reader and is therefore for high-speed processing or testing machines are not suitable.

Colors are also known as a test feature with special physical properties Securing documents of value and banknotes. You can choose between colors distinguish that can be recognized visually or tangibly without aids and those that can only be identified with special aids, depending on the physical properties of the color, e.g. B. electrical conductivity or fluorescence, are detectable. To the group of without additional Aids of recognizable colors include the interference colors. These are e.g. B. in the DM banknotes the series can be found from 1996 (1997 edition). Here, when changing the Viewing angle, a color change is observed. This tipping effect makes it quick and simple manual individual checking of banknotes possible. Colors that have fluorescent or magnetic properties or a certain electrical Have conductivity can only be detected with appropriate aids. Previous But test devices have a relatively low resolution, so that corresponding Security features must have large dimensions in order to be easily recognizable guarantee.

When testing inks with different conductivities, it turned out to be disadvantageously proven that the different conductivities with different Test devices in the same test process in succession or in two test processes corresponding software design must be checked by the same test device.

In addition, the measuring accuracy is low with low conductivity of the test field. A Testing of electrically conductive printing inks based on their application thickness and Feature substrates also have a different electrical conductivity is with the known test devices not possible because of their low resolution.

EP-A-0 097 570 contains a device for checking the dielectric Behavior of objects, especially for banknotes and checks. Because the contained therein Capacitors are fed at the same time as the oscillator frequency Crosstalk between neighboring capacitors. This is a great distance between the capacitor plates, so that the resolution is low. It there is also a high level of radiation and thus interference. The Test speed is relatively slow with this device.

US-A 4,255,652 contains a device for the detection of identification features Documents. This device is for the detection of smaller electrically conductive areas less suitable, due to the functional principle of the charge transport Strong signal decreases with smaller areas. Likewise, there is no simultaneous It is possible to test several test centers in the form of several conductive surfaces. The The geometrical size and shape of the conductive surfaces cannot be determined.

The known characteristics to be tested, test zones and structures as well as the test methods and devices for the authenticity test of objects, securities, in particular Banknotes have the main disadvantage, which lies in their popularity. Namely in Awareness that enables the counterfeiter, knowledge of the test procedures and devices and their functioning on the features to be tested, the test zones and -close structures. This results in a completely new task for the examination of Derive objects, securities, especially banknotes, the solution of which can be found in one new system of application of test features, test methods and devices must be reflected in order to easily find out information codes and copy them to prevent.

The object of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular the construction of security elements for documents with others To complete security elements and devices for testing such Security elements and a new method of applying security elements and To propose devices that make it significantly more difficult, if not more difficult, for the counterfeiter make impossible from the functioning of test methods and devices to that security elements in order to then produce false certificates that the Originals are so similar that they cannot be detected by test devices.

It is also an object of the invention to provide diffractive optical security elements and -propose features or OVD's in combination with electrically conductive Printing inks can be checked quickly, independently of people and with little effort. The associated devices for feature testing are said to be both in high-speed Document processing machines as well as in hand testers find application. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention, several of the devices according to the invention to design that they have a defined number of several existing on a document Check security elements or features, the number of to be checked Security elements between the devices is different. This task pursues the goal of different test criteria according to the possible cost and to achieve the testable security elements.

The task is solved by the following description of the invention.

The construction of security elements for documents to be checked sees a new one, not superficially on the visual observation, but on the design test-oriented design in front. This design - hereinafter referred to as functional design - is the combination of electrically conductive and insulating structures of the same or different sizes, in same or different levels to each other, with same or different Conductivities and is made from metallized structures and / or conductive inks or printing inks. Preserved in its diversity and different composition the functional design in all distinguishable security elements and is coding function encrypted so that it can be checked. The functional design can be according to the invention diffractive optical security element or made of electrically conductive colors or Inks exist. If it is designed as a security element with an optical diffraction effect, it can agree with the optically, i.e. visually perceptible design and even in its support optical design. It is also possible to upgrade the brilliance of the to sputter demetallized or non-metallized zones.

The use of holograms and other safety elements with optical diffraction effects to secure documents and other securities as well as banknotes against counterfeiting is currently becoming increasingly common. Such documents are e.g. the DM banknotes the 1996 series, which next to the electrically conductive security strip have a diffractive optical security element in the form of a kinegram.

Electrically conductive printing inks are also known. These colors are in the various printed images, especially on banknotes in structures within one Test feature housed and leave with known test fixtures due to their low Resolution no distinction or recognition of the structures. This increases the Anti-counterfeiting of documents. For example, the banknote numbering or others graphic details consist of these colors. Structures according to the invention in test zones or printed images of electrically conductive color have, in addition to known, more or less full-surface printing areas at least one testable beam, grid, arch and / or circular security element with a line width ≤ 5 mm. These security elements represent at the same time a coding of information that by means of the invention Devices are recognized and evaluated. To expand the described According to the invention, coding and to increase test reliability become electrically conductive Colors with different conductivities and shades are used, e.g. B. in different color thicknesses are applied, so the different conductivity to get different encodings. The colors with their different conductivities - as described by different colors and / or different color thicknesses - are used for coding and thus increase the security against forgery. In addition, the coding resulting from the different conductivity of the colors Safety standard combined with diffractive optical safety elements. Under Use of the capacitive coupling is used to check the authenticity of documents Diffractive optical security layers the electrical conductivity discontinuous metallization layers or partial metallic layers or zones metallic layers evaluated in different levels. The signals received this Evaluation are linked with the coding signals of the color evaluation and become one uniform test signal supplied to the evaluation electronics.

The device for testing described test features according to the invention has one capacitive scanner. This scanner consists of a variety juxtaposed transmission electrodes and a parallel to this string lying receiving electrode. This scanner with small electrode areas has opposite Sensors with large electrodes have the advantage that there is a lower capacitive Coupling between the individual electrodes results. The scanner is in one Document processing machine arranged so that the usual Document processing machines existing optical or mechanical sensors Activate the test device according to the invention. To reduce detection and Measuring errors, a sensor carrier is preferably used, which all sensors for testing records. The distances between the sensors are minimized. This minimization of Distances between the sensors is to reduce the change in position of the test Objects, e.g. B. banknotes required because during the banknote run through the Machine by the banknote condition, the degree of wear of the machine as well as by Ambient conditions, especially temperature and humidity change the location of the Change banknote. The banknote spacing changes due to unfavorable banknote entry to each other. Sloping banknote throughput can also result from wear and tear Transport rollers and bearings result, which also means that a just moved in Banknote twisted during transportation. This undesired change in position has the consequence that the defined timing is disturbed and false rejections arise. The smaller the test zones are the more problematic is their detection. As a result of the low Differences in conductivity between insulating support and, for example, the electrical Conductive colors device according to the invention has a pressure device. This Pressure device is necessary because the distance between the transmitting and receiving electrodes is very small and therefore the probability that a flat test zone of the banknote Sensor is small. The pressure device must be very small Represent resistance to the banknote. A pressure device preferably consists of a film that is regularly divided into segments. Alternatively brushes are also suitable, provided that the resistance to the banknote is low is because heavily wrinkled banknotes are also accepted. This pressure device leads the document parallel to the scanner or preferably presses open the document to be checked the scanner, the axes of the transport rollers are also moved using sliding contacts Ground connected. Through these additional shields and the pressure device repeatable test requirements for an even banknote distance or - Contact guaranteed and the functionality of the sensor significantly improved. The control of the individual transmitting electrodes with electrical energy is carried out with a time delay using a Control electronics with a switching frequency in the kHz range and beyond. The Control electronics contain one of the main components in addition to the power supply Multiplexer, an oscillator to provide the energy for the transmitting electrodes and one Oscillator to control the multiplexer.

In the case of electrical conductivity, the energy of the respective controlled transmission electrode becomes capacitively coupled over between this transmitting and the receiving electrode. The waveform at the receiving electrode is converted into a corresponding signal image. The signal picture depends on the structure of the electrically conductive layer of the security element. One of the The following evaluation electronics receive electrode compares the signal image of the test object with corresponding reference signals. The evaluation electronics essentially consists of a power supply, an amplifier, a demodulator, a comparator, a Microprocessor with memory and filters to suppress external and interference signals. In addition to the software for the microprocessor, there are reference signal images in the memory saved, depending on the features to be checked with the scanned signal image of the test document are compared. Since the scanner spans the entire width of the Goes beyond the document, each electrically conductive feature with the invention Device detected. The comparison with the reference signal images provides a classifying Signal for further processing. Accordingly, for example, one could be a fake recognized document can be sorted out by stopping the test facility or the Banknote transport route is redirected. To reduce interference, the Sensor carrier compactly connected to a circuit board, which the control and Evaluation electronics carries.

The entire test facility is located within document processing machines, so that the space requirement is kept relatively small. The transmit and receive electrodes are arranged above or below the documents in document processing machines so that safe scanning is guaranteed. This happens e.g. B. with the help of tapes or Area of deflection devices, so that the document during transport to the sending and Receiving electrodes is pressed. For color prints with low conductivity differences find pressure rollers or the pressure device described above use whose Axes are also connected to ground.

In a modification of the electrode arrangement, it is within the scope of the invention to: elongated transmitter electrode parallel to a series of a plurality to arrange adjacent reception electrodes. In this case, the received signals processed by multiplexers. The further evaluation electronics corresponds to that already described.

A further embodiment of the transmitting and receiving electrodes is characterized in that that a plurality of transmitting and receiving electrodes side by side and / or in series are arranged. Both the control and the reception of the signals are after the Multiplex or demultiplexing processes.

For use in handheld devices, they contain corresponding devices for analog Transport of the document or scanner, the function of which in the transport devices Copiers, optical image scanners or fax machines are similar.

In a modification to this, a device is provided which by means of stop elements Position of capacitively operating scanner according to the test device according to the invention Document defined.

For targeted testing of a defined number of security features of a Document, the device has a different number of side by side Transmitting or receiving electrodes. The greater the resolution achieved, the more more security elements and encodings with increased difficulty in the Counterfeits can be checked. This allows simple handheld devices, e.g. for the everyday use, where the presence of security features, e.g. an easy one Security thread are checked, simple, easy to handle and inexpensive to manufacture. Higher resolution devices allow testing of additional ones Security features, but without being able to recognize all security features. this will realized by a simple microprocessor software that only works on certain Security features are sensitized and not public. A higher resolution with Appropriately designed software for the microcontroller lets everyone check Security features too. This high test effort is e.g. at the manufacturers of such Security features and applied to users with very high security standards to get the best possible test results. This also allows different Detect conductivity reliably.

On the overall system of use of the described features and devices for the Inspection of objects, documents, in particular banknotes, also comes according to the invention image recognition and condition control of the banknotes. Image recognition via the coding is by means of the electrically conductive test features possible, namely an independent or as a supportive coding for Sorting purposes, a coding for value level determination and a coding for Authenticity determination. With an independent coding is no further test feature available and the electrically conductive feature must be clearly identifiable, e.g. B. the Position on the banknote to minimize the incorrect rejection rate. With an as Additional features supporting coding are available, the coding serves then as a reference in the event that a false rejection was recognized. A Condition control is carried out with the aid of the test device according to the invention, namely in the shape that the conductivity of a test characteristic allows conclusions to be drawn about the state of the Banknote allows, because experience has shown that a heavily used banknote also becomes one Wear of the electrically conductive printing inks leads and thus the electrical Conductivity changed. The individual degrees of wear are classified using software. In this way, banknotes can be sorted out with a certain degree of wear. This degree of wear is expressed, for. B. by a partially damaged OVD, a torn banknote and a damaged security feature or an excessive badly kinked banknote, causing it to break within a security feature has come. This results in versatile combination options between Authenticity check, image recognition and condition control. In addition to the optical design of test zones on an object to be tested are - as described in more detail above Security structures according to the invention provided with codes that in one mathematical relation to each other - for example as a sum formation - a main code result, which in turn with a signal or code from the concurrent authenticity check a metallic security thread and / or a test of the same kind OVD's determines the authenticity, condition or type of a particular banknote.

The features of the invention go beyond the claims also from the description and the drawings. Embodiments of the invention are in the Drawings are shown and are explained in more detail below.

Fig. 1

schematische Darstellung eines Dokuments mit elektrisch leitendem Farbdruck und OVD,

Fig. 2

Blockschaltbild einer Prüfvorrichtung,

Fig. 3-5

schematische Darstellung verschiedenartiger Scanner,

Fig. 6 - 8

schematische Darstellungen von Scannern und einem strukturierten Sicherheitsmerkmal.

The drawings show:

Fig. 1

schematic representation of a document with electrically conductive color printing and OVD,

Fig. 2

Block diagram of a test device,

Fig. 3-5

schematic representation of different types of scanners,

6 - 8

schematic representations of scanners and a structured security feature.

1 shows a document with an electrically conductive color print 1 and an OVD 2 . The targeted combination of different security elements results in additional coding. This increases test security. The figure shows the schematic structure of an electrically conductive color print 1 , in which alternating conductive strip-shaped zones 3 and insulating strip-shaped zones 4 are arranged parallel to one another. The zones 3, 4 which are strip-shaped in plan view run parallel to the document transport direction. The OVD 2 consists of a metal layer 5, strip-shaped demetallized zones 6 running parallel to the document transport direction and a demetallized zone 7 running perpendicular to the document transport direction. Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows the schematic representation of the scanner 8 with a multiplicity of transmission electrodes 9 and a reception electrode 10.

FIG. 2 shows the block diagram of the test device according to the invention, consisting of control electronics, a capacitive scanner 8 and evaluation electronics. In addition to the power supply, the control electronics essentially contain a demultiplexer 17 , an oscillator 11 for providing the energy for the transmitting electrodes and an oscillator 12 for controlling the demultiplexer.

The evaluation electronics mainly consist of a power supply, an amplifier 13 , a demodulator 14 , a comparator 15 , a microprocessor 16 with memory and filters for suppressing external and interference signals.

The transmitter and receiver electrodes are cast in a sensor carrier. These form a capacitive scanner 8 over the entire width of the document feeder. The strip-shaped receiving electrode runs across the document feed direction. The transmitting electrodes are arranged parallel to the receiving electrode. The distance between a transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode is determined by the document-typical electrically conductive test features. The stringing together of a plurality of transmission electrodes gives the possibility of simultaneously detecting a plurality of electrically conductive features in the longitudinal axis of the capacitive scanner 8 . The resolution that can be achieved with this arrangement depends on the number of transmitting electrodes used. In this embodiment, the resolution is at one scannable point per mm in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. The minimum distance between adjacent transmission electrodes is limited by the interfering capacitive coupling. In order to prevent this and to reduce interfering influences from adjacent transmission electrodes, the transmission electrodes are controlled in succession by a multiplexer 17 . Due to the arrangement of the transmitting electrodes over the entire document feed width, the documents are checked in a position-neutral manner. This means that there is no pre-sorting of several documents in one document processing machine.

FIG. 3 shows the schematic representation of the scanner 8 with a multiplicity of transmitting electrodes 9 and a receiving electrode 10 . The control and evaluation takes place according to the block diagram shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows the schematic representation of an embodiment of the capacitively operating scanner with a transmission electrode 18 and a plurality of reception electrodes 19 . 2, the transmitting electrode 18 is controlled by means of an oscillator. The signals of the receiving electrodes 19 are processed by means of multiplexers. The further evaluation electronics, consisting of a power supply, an amplifier, a demodulator, a comparator, a microprocessor with memory and filters for suppressing external and interference signals, is similar to the block diagram according to FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 shows the schematic representation of a further embodiment of the capacitive scanner with a multiplicity of transmitting electrodes 20 and a multiplicity of receiving electrodes 21 . These are alternately arranged in a row. Accordingly, both the control signals of the transmitting electrodes 20 and the evaluation signals of the receiving electrodes 21 are processed by means of multiplex or demultiplexing methods.

6 to 8 show schematic representations of scanners 33, 34, 35 and a structured security feature 36 . The structure of the security feature 36 consists of an annular security element 37 , a strip-shaped security element 38 and two rectangular security elements 39, 40 . The security elements 37, 38, 39 consist of electrically conductive paint, while the security element 40 is optically identical to the security element 39 , but has no electrical conductivity. This increases the security of the test, since it is not visually perceptible which security features are on a document. Simple handheld devices include a scanner 33 according to FIG. 6. The resolution is so low that only the strip-shaped security element 38 can be detected. Handheld devices of this type are suitable for everyday use because they are simple, easy to handle and inexpensive to produce.

Devices with a higher resolution according to FIG. 7 include a scanner 34 and, in addition to checking a strip-shaped security element 38, allow the checking of additional security elements, in this case an annular security element 37 . The rectangular security elements 39, 40 are not checked. This is implemented using simple microprocessor software that is only sensitized to certain security elements. The rectangular security elements 39, 40 are not present in the memory as reference signal images.

FIG. 8 shows a higher resolution with correspondingly designed software for the microcontroller. This allows all security features to be checked, ie also the rectangular security elements 39, 40 .

To fulfill the task on which the invention is based, namely a new one System of application of test features, test methods and devices to propose to the awareness or the quick becoming known of the functioning of test methods and devices, the following use of Test characteristics, test zones and structures under appropriate process application and Inclusion of inventive devices explained.

The application of the invention is illustrated in the following examples. For broad Application of the invention makes it necessary to define groups of examiners which receive specific knowledge of a test system and by means of prescribed testing technology, in particular authenticity testing but also image recognition and carry out a condition check.

The use of the test system is to be explained using groups A, B and C.

Group A:

As is known, the state banks make publications active Security features are made so that the user can carry out an examination even after following instructions can perform. These publications relate both to test methods, which without, and test methods that are carried out with aids. According to the invention the scanner sensor can be installed in a handheld device. Using this handheld device and one Special software can check the electrical conductivity.

The software is modified so that when the banknote is pulled through optical sensors the scanner is activated and then the pass length is measured. The electrical The conductivity of the color print must be in a defined value. By means of optical The end of the banknote is determined by sensors and the scanner sensor is deactivated. So can the position of the electrically conductive test zone on the test object can be determined. Means Controllers compare and evaluate the data with the saved data.

Group B:

Group B has machines for processing banknotes. These machines are equipped with special sensors to detect different features. Currently, these machines are equipped with sensors for the optical area and / or the Verification of magnetic properties and / or testing using a capacitive sensor Pass length measurement equipped. You can do that with these capacitive sensors Detect the presence of electrically conductive features larger than 6 mm. Allow you no detection of several electrically conductive test zones in a pass width. Besides, that is Different electrical conductivity cannot be detected in the test zones. Structures within a test zone cannot be detected either. By means of the described scanner sensor these tests are possible, so that this group B a can carry out a higher quality test. Using special functional print images and the The device according to the invention for testing with modified software can be used by the machines take the exam.

The software for group B is designed such that the scanner sensor is activated by means of optical sensors and then the ring-shaped security element 37 and the strip-shaped security element 38 are read in. The value of the conductivity is fixed. Deviations above or below 30% are rejected.

The scanner sensor is deactivated and evaluated with optical sensors.

Group C:

The software is designed so that all test features are recognized. The scanner sensor is activated by means of optical sensors. The passage length and passage width of the structured security feature 36 , the ring-shaped security element 37 , the strip-shaped security feature 38 , the rectangular security element 39 and the rectangular security element 40 are recognized as a non-conductive security element. The electrical conductivity is specified and deviations greater and less than 30% are rejected.

In combination with other physical characteristics, the combined test increases the Security standard.

In the following, the previous statements on Group C will be further specified:

Group C has a full software version or hardware, which on is of the highest quality, so that all the specified structures and dimensions of the test field are detected can be.

As an additional coding, the rectangular test element 39 is designed as a feature print of different physical quantities.

One possibility is to design the rectangular test element 39 as a high-value fluorescence feature. This means that this test element is excited with a light source and after the light source has gone out, the persistence (reminescence) is determined. An optical sensor activates the test sensor system when it passes the banknote. The test sensor system consists of an optical sensor and a scanner sensor for the detection of electrically conductive test fields. The optical sensor contains a light source and a receiver. The test object is irradiated with a defined time. The persistence of the feature colors is then measured at the receiver. This persistence is a coding. When the optical feature is present, the capacitive scanner sensor is activated. An individual test is also possible.

Another possibility is to design the rectangular test element 39 as a fluorescence feature with different color emissions. This means that the feature print is irradiated with light frequency a and color tone a ^{+ is} emitted. With light source with frequency b, hue b ^{+ occurs} . An optical sensor activates the test sensor system, which consists of an optical sensor and the capacitive scanner sensor. The optical sensor consists of two light sources of different frequencies. Special filters ensure that only one receiver is required. Another possibility is to use a light source, but two separate receivers with upstream filters. The optical sensor system activates the capacitive scanner sensor when the optical feature is present. An individual test is also possible here.

A third possibility is to design the rectangular test element 39 as magnetic color printing. When the banknote is passed, an optical sensor activates the test sensor system, which consists of a magnetic reading head and the capacitive scanner sensor. The magnetic reading head can detect the presence or a coding. If the magnetic feature is present, the scanner sensor is activated.

A fourth possibility is to design the rectangular test element 39 with a conductivity that is 50% lower than the annular security element 37 or the strip-shaped security element 38 . A special test software is required for detection, which is only accessible to this group. If the conductivity is reduced further, a static measurement is required, for which a special single-note test facility is required.

The entire test system can be varied, particularly for use in groups B and C. and especially when examining the euro, its tasks can be changed nationally. Because the security feature to be checked, for example, the same for the euro in all countries is, but can vary nationally depending on the focus, both the test procedure and the test devices are also modified and changed one after the other.

The application of the security elements and test devices as described above is used as follows: By means of the coded targeted metallizations an image recognition takes place. This image recognition can be used for different purposes, in particular sorting purposes, value level or authenticity determination can be used. Further Condition control is an advantage of the test method. The electrical conductivity measurement leaves Conclusions about the condition of the banknote paper. Very badly worn paper minimize electrical conductivity very much.

In the present invention, the structure of Security elements and a device for testing such elements explained. It is but notes that the present invention is not limited to the details of the description in the exemplary embodiments is limited because changes within the scope of the claims and variations are claimed. The targeted combination of diffraction optics effective security elements with other electrically conductive features results in another Coding. At the same time, other electrically conductive test features, such as. B. a Classify electrically conductive security thread using the test device according to the invention.

Claims (12)

1. The use of the procedure for the testing of documents using the capacitive coupling between the transmitter and the receiver and the transmission of energy between the transmitter and the receiver by electrically conductive safety materials by means of a capacitively working scanner consisting of a number of adjacent transmitting or receiving electrodes and a receiving or transmitting electrode arranged in parallel to this side-by-side arrangement, in which for the counterfeit test of documents of at least one diffraction-optically effective safety element with a specific electric coding of information by means of beam-shaped, latticed, curved and/or circular metallized structures with steep edges to adjacent non-metallized structures, where the line width of the smallest testable electrically conductive structure is ≤ 5 mm, the electric conductivity is determined and evaluated by means of a reference signal image comparison.
2. The use of the procedure according to claim 1 in which, for the counterfeit test of documents, of diffraction-optically effective safety layers with a discontinuous metallizing layer or partially metallic layers or zones of metallic layers at different levels,
   the electric conductivity is determined and evaluated by means of a reference signal image comparison.
3. The use of the procedure according to one ore several of the above claims in which in top view a structure of an electrically conductive ink has the shape of a meander the electric conductivity of which is determined and evaluated by means of a reference signal image comparison.
4. The use of the procedure according to one or several of the above claims in which strip-shaped structures of an electrically conductive ink are arranged in parallel and isolated to each other, where in top view the strip-shaped zones run parallel or vertically to the document transport direction, the electric conductivities of which are determined and evaluated by means of a reference signal image comparison.
5. The use of the procedure according to one or several of the above claims in which different electrically conductive inks within a safety element have different conductivities which are determined and evaluated by means of a reference signal image comparison.
6. The use of the procedure according to one or several of the above claims in which at least two structures within a safety feature have different ink thicknesses the electric conductivities of which are determined and evaluated by means of a reference signal image comparison.
7. The use of the procedure according to one or several of the above claims in which the width of an electrically conductive structure with a constant electric conductivity corresponds to the width of at least two electrodes the electric conductivity of which is determined and evaluated by means of a reference signal image comparison.
8. The use of the procedure according to one or several of the above claims in which the electric conductivities of two structures having the same and/or a different electric conductivity with a distance of at least 0.1 mm are determined and evaluated by means of a reference signal image comparison.
9. The use of the procedure according to one or several of the above claims in which the electric conductivity of a structure of electrically conductive ink layers at different levels is determined and evaluated by means of a reference signal image comparison.
10. The use of the procedure according to one or several of the above claims in which the electric conductivity of structures of an electrically conductive ink which are arranged within structures of an electrically conductive ink is determined and evaluated by means of a reference signal image comparison.
11. The use of the procedure according to one or several of the above claims in which the electric conductivities of at least two structures of different electric conductivity are separately determined and evaluated by means of a reference signal image comparison.
12. The use of the procedure for the testing of documents using the capacitive coupling between the transmitter and the receiver and the transmission of energy between the transmitter and the receiver by electrically conductive safety materials by means of a capacitively working scanner consisting of a number of adjacent transmitting or receiving electrodes and a receiving or transmitting electrode arranged in parallel to this side-by-side arrangement, in which the electrically conductive structures are tested in size, shape, number, tint, spacing to each other and conductivity on documents to be tested in this way, where

    at least one of the electrically conductive structures is tested by a scanner (33) designed as a manual device by a group of persons A,

    at least two of the electrically conductive structures are tested by a small defined group of persons B by a scanner (34) equipped with a software designed to detect at least two of the electrically conductive structures, installed in a high-speed handling machine,

    at least three of the electrically conductive structures are tested by a very small group of persons C by a scanner equipped with a software designed to detect at least three of the electrically conductive structures, installed in a high-speed handling machine (35) and the electrically conductive structures represent codings which are visually perceptible by group A, visually and via decoding by means of the software by group B and by the group of persons C mainly by decodings by means of the software not accessible to group A and B.

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