EP2875963B1 - Security document with bend safety feature - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a security document, a method for producing a security document and a verification method for a security document having a security feature, which is embodied in a document body of the security document and contains a first information stored inside the security document relative to a lens array.

It is known from the prior art to produce security documents which have a flat document body with an upper side and an opposite lower side, wherein a lens array is formed in the upper side over at least part of the area, and information is stored in the interior relative to the lens array is visible in a top view of the top of the document body through the lens array under an excellent viewing direction. Under a different viewing direction, which is defined relative to the plane in which the flat surface of the document body is located, the first information is not visible or greatly altered. Under this deviating viewing direction, a second information different from the first information is often visible. Since the storage of the different information under different viewing directions through the lens array can be effected simply by means of laser radiation, such a security feature in the prior art is also referred to as a Changeable Laser Image (CLI). The lens array in this case has a plurality of focusing lens elements, for example, parallel to each other oriented cylindrical lens elements with a positive radius of curvature. Depending on the irradiation direction of the laser light, it is focused by the lens elements at different points in the document body. Via the laser irradiation, a material change, for example a discoloration, in particular via a carbonization, is effected in the focal point and, as a result, the different information for the different viewing directions is marked.

From the WO 03/022598 A1 For example, a record carrier is known which has an upper layer which has on its outer side a plurality of lenticular lenses and on the back a display element which appears to be movable about at least one axis when the record carrier is tilted. The lenticular lenses extend only over a portion of the entire outside. The presentation element is a Security element printed on an inner card layer. It is not stated how the lenticular lenses are inserted into the document body.

From the DE 10 2008 008 044 A1 An inexpensive method for the production of security and / or value documents is known that is suitable for producing flexible and tamper-proof structures with low thermal stress, the surface structure in the top and / or bottom of substrates used for the production of documents with an embossing device having at least one embossing tool each having a contact surface, embossed using an embossing pressure and using ultrasound, wherein the contact surface is equal to or greater than the top or bottom of the substrate. Embodiments of the manufacturing method are described which impress microlenses in a document body.

From the DE 10 2008 031 653 A1 discloses a method and apparatus for introducing a security feature into a security or security document, the security or security document comprising a document body having at least one thermoplastic surface layer, the method comprising the steps of: providing the document body; Providing and / or creating a structured sonotrode that is or will be coupled to a sound source; Arranging the document body relative to the sonotrode; Contacting the sonotrode and the surface layer of the document body and simultaneous coupling of sound waves via the sonotrode into the value or security document, so that a relief structure is formed in the surface layer, wherein the sonotrode is provided and / or manufactured with a structuring which is a target intrusion plane and the sonotrode is patterned such that protruding portions project from the target intrusion plane and recessed portions project into the target intrusion plane, the sonotrode being moved into the document body during sonic engagement by applying pressure until the target intrusion plane coincides with a document body surface target level and the protruding portions recessed relief structures and the recessed areas create protruding relief structures in the surface layer.

From the EP 0 216 947 A1 a card-shaped data carrier with a substrate and at least one transparent cover film is known. The substrate is used a laser beam provided with information detectable through the cover sheet, the transparent cover sheet carrying a relief applied at least partially overlapping the information area prior to the recording of the information, which characteristic changes the information recording by virtue of its optical lens effect. Depending on the irradiation direction of the laser light, the information is stored at different locations in the substrate. Likewise, in a visual inspection, different information is perceived depending on a viewing angle.

From the EP 0 219 012 B1 a data carrier is known in which information is introduced by means of a laser beam in an inner volume region, which are visible in the form of changes in the optical properties due to an irreversible, caused by the laser beam material change. For example, card-shaped data carriers which have a lenticular grid on a surface are described. The lenticular grid can be embossed during a laminating process by incorporating a negative of the lenticular grid into a corresponding laminating plate. Likewise, a thermostable embossing die can be used, which is inserted between the transparent cover layer and the lamination plate. It is further described that the card can be produced by means of a lamination process and the lenticular screen is subsequently introduced by means of an embossing punch or embossing roller. The information is introduced via a laser beam, which introduces information through the lens grid into the card body under different directions. This makes it easy to implement tilt pictures.

In the known from the prior art method and resulting security documents in which first an optical structure, preferably an optical structure in the form of a lenticular grid, is introduced into a surface and then the information is introduced by means of a laser beam on causing irreversible material changes, In essence, only information in the form of gray values can be stored. In addition, a subsequent addition of information can be used by re-laser irradiation to falsify the security document. Full color or colorful information storage is usually not possible. In the from the WO 03/022598 A1 Although the information can be printed in color, in particular colorful, known methods, but an achievable resolution for a viewing angle-dependent security feature is characterized limited that when inserting and integrating the printing information in the document body in the lamination process shrinkage processes occur as well as an exact alignment of the print information within the document body and in particular relative to introduced at the same time in a laminating microlenses is only insufficiently guaranteed.

From the DE 10 2010 048 772 For example, a method for producing a security document having a viewing angle-dependent security feature and a security document are known. A preferred embodiment of the method described therein comprises the steps: printing a printing information on a substrate layer; Integrating the printed substrate layer into a document body and introducing microlenses into a surface of the document body,
wherein the introduction of the microlenses after integrating the printed substrate layer in the document body by optically detecting the integrated pressure in the document body and at least one feature of the detected pressure information is evaluated, and based on the evaluated feature one or more tools aligned relative to the document body be and then accurately to the integrated pressure information, the microlenses are introduced into the surface.

From the WO 2007/076952 A2 For example, a security element for security papers, documents of value and the like is known, comprising a micro-optical moire magnification arrangement with a motif image which consists of a planar or curved surface applied periodic or at least locally periodic arrangement of a plurality of micromotif elements, and a planar or curved surface periodic or at least locally periodic arrangement of a plurality of microfocusing elements for moire-magnified viewing of the micromotif elements of the motif image, wherein the arrangement of micromotif elements and / or the arrangement of microfocusing elements in the planar case in their periodic or at least locally periodic areas no symmetry axis in the plane of the arrangement having.

From the US 2009/0102179 A1 a security symbol is known that is visible through a microlens array. These are identical image information under each of the Microlenses of the microlens array introduced, which are enlarged when viewed.

From the WO 2008/008635 A2 For example, a micro-optical system and a safety device are known. The device comprises an array of focusing elements and an array of picture elements. At least two different artificial images are generated, one of the images being designed to modulate or control the appearance of the other image.

Thus, a variety of security documents and security features are known from the prior art, in which the information which can be detected depends on the viewing angle relative to a document surface.

Generally, there is an interest in integrating security features in security documents which, on the one hand, allow easy verification but, on the other hand, are difficult for a counterfeiter to imitate and / or manipulate.

The invention is therefore based on the technical object to provide an improved security document with a novel security feature, to provide a novel verification method and a method for producing such a security document.

The invention is based on the idea, in a security document with a flat document body extended, which is preferably card-shaped and a Has top and an opposite bottom, at least part of a lens array to bring. In addition, the document body should have a bending elasticity against pressing forces acting on opposite points or front edges of the document body, so that pressure forces acting tangentially on the document in a reference plane lead to a curvature of the document out of the reference plane. The reference plane is a plane in which the document surface is in a state in which no forces act on the document. The invention uses the newly found finding that with a suitable design of the microlens array this is also changed in terms of its imaging properties due to the curvature of the surface. Parallel incident light under an excellent direction with respect to the reference plane is focused at first focus positions by the microlenses of the microlens array in the ground state where the document is not curved but flat. If the document surface is arched out of the reference plane as a whole by forces acting tangentially on one another, acting in the reference plane on opposite edges or points of the document body, the lens array is also arched. Parallel incident light along the excellent direction is now focused by a plurality of the lens elements at second focal positions deviating from the first focus positions. Thus, a first information when viewing the top of the document body in the ground state in plan view along the excellent direction is perceptible through the lens array formed over marks in the first focus points. If, on the other hand, the document body is arched out of the reference plane by forces acting tangentially on one another in the reference plane, then the microlens array is also arched, so that the first information through the microlens array is no longer or at least clearly visible when viewed along the excellent direction with respect to the reference plane changed and no longer completely perceptible. In the curved state, the focus positions of the microlenses are at different locations in the document body. In the curved state, other loci are imaged in the interior of the document body by the lens elements than in the non-curved, planar ground state.

In a further development, a second information is stored at the second focus positions via markings in the document body in the interior, which in the arched position in a plan view along the excellent direction on the top of the document through the lens array is perceptible. This second information is in the ground state, in which the document body has returned to its flat flat initial state, imperceptible, but again the first information.

definitions

Graphic information is any information that can be graphically represented. Graphic information may include, for example, an image, a pictogram, symbols and characters, in particular alphanumeric characters and the like, in any combination.

As graphically detectable, information stored on or in an object is designated when in a captured image of the object those elements representing the information are contained and can be perceived cognitively or mechanically. Cognitively, information is perceptible when a human observer can extract the information of the image when viewing, for example, recognizes a symbol or can read a lettering. By machine, information is perceivable when an algorithm that implements a pattern recognition method, for example, can extract the information from the captured image. If a lettering by means of an optical letter recognition algorithm (OCR - optical character recognition) can be determined correctly, the encoded in letters information of the figure can be removed.

A security feature is a feature that is designed to make mimicking, duplicating, falsifying or the like of an item impossible and / or at least significantly more difficult.

A security document is an item that includes at least one security feature. Security documents include in particular ID cards, ID cards, driver's licenses, visas, but also postage stamps, checks, check cards, securities, driver's licenses and the like.

As a lens element having a positive radius of curvature, a lens element is referred to when the center, with respect to which the radius of curvature of the lens element defines the surface contour of the lens element, is inside Document body is located. For example, if cylindrical lenses are introduced into a document surface, then the cylindrical lenses have a positive radius of curvature whenever the cylinder axes of the lenses are located inside the security document. In addition, it is assumed that a document body thickness is greater than the radius of curvature itself. This means that the center point or the cylinder axis is located on the document-facing side of the document surface. In the case of a lens with a negative radius of curvature, however, the center point or, in the case of a cylindrical lens, the cylinder axis is located outside the document body, ie on the side of the lens surface facing away from the document.

Preferred direction of bending is the direction along which an intended and preferred curvature of the object out of a plane can be effected by means of oppositely acting deformation forces, this plane being defined by a surface of the object when no external deformation forces act thereon. A gravitational force is here no deformation force. The curvature thus takes place with opposite mutually acting deformation forces acting along the preferred bending direction in the undeformed state of the article, transverse to the preferred bending direction.

Explanation of the invention

According to the invention, there is provided a security document according to independent claim 1, having a flat document body having an upper side and an opposite lower side, wherein the document body has a bending elasticity with respect to compressive forces which act on the upper side at opposite points or side edges of the document body, a lens array is formed at the top of the document body, and inside the document body is stored first graphical information relative to the lens array, which is in a top-plan direction along the top of the document body while in a planar ground state no pressure forces acting on the document body, is graphically detectable through the lens array, wherein the excellent direction is set relative to a reference plane in which the top in the ground state of Doku ment body is located, and in a curved state of the document body, in the pressure forces of predetermined strength tangentially in the Reference plane act on the document body so that the document body arches in the region of the lens array from the reference plane, the first information from the excellent direction is not or only graphically detectable in a modified appearance, with each lens element of the lens array corresponds to a section and in each section only part of the first graphical information is stored.

Furthermore, a method for producing the security document according to independent claim 10 is provided, which comprises the steps of: producing a surface-expanded document body having a top side and an opposite bottom side, wherein the document body against compressive forces, with respect to the top at opposite points or Attack side edges of the document body, having a bending elasticity, wherein a lens array is formed in the manufacture of the document body at the top of the document body, and storing a first graphical information inside the document body relative to the lens array, so that the first graphical information along a excellent Direction to the top of the document body while on this no compressive forces act and this is in a flat ground state, through the lens array is graphically detectable, the out is defined in relation to a reference plane in which the upper side is in the ground state of the document body, and the first information in a curved state of the document body in which pressure forces of predetermined strength in the reference plane on the document body act so that the document body in Area of the lens array from the reference plane bulges, from the excellent viewing direction through the lens array is not graphically detectable or only in a modified form, with each lens element of the lens array corresponds to a section and when storing the first graphic information inside the document body relative to the lens array in each section stores only a portion of the first graphical information.

Furthermore, according to the independent claim 13, a verification method for the security document is provided with a flat document body having a top and an opposite bottom, wherein the document body against compressive forces which act on the top at opposite points or side edges of the document body, a bending elasticity having,
and wherein a lens array is formed on the upper side of the document body and inside the document body a first graphical information relative to the lens array is stored, wherein a portion corresponds to each lens element of the lens array and only a portion of the first graphical information is stored in each section, comprising the steps of: detecting a graphic image of the top surface of the document body from an excellent direction while no pressure forces are applied to the document body and the document body is in a flat ground state, the excellent direction being determined relative to a reference plane in which the top surface is in the ground state of the document body; Checking if the first information in an area where the lens array is imaged is included in the captured graphic image; Applying compressive forces of predetermined magnitude which act tangentially on the document body in the reference plane, and translating the document body into the arched condition; Detecting a further graphic image of the top of the document body from an excellent direction, checking whether the first information is contained unaltered in that area of the second graphic image on which the lens array is imaged; and determining a negative verification decision if the first information in the further map is unchanged in the area where the lens array is imaged, and if the first map is checked, the portions of the first graphical information stored in each section collectively display the first graphical information form.

The proposed articles all have the advantage that an easy-to-verify but difficult-to-mimic and falsifying security feature is provided or a verification method that can be used for this purpose is specified.

The first information can be stored in an embodiment of the manufacturing process, for example by means of laser radiation through the lens array along the direction excellent. Such storage provides the advantage that small lens errors and deviations do not adversely affect the storage of the first information. The information is stored at the locations in the document below the lens array at which the lenses, as implemented, focus the laser radiation.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that a material layer of the document body may be prepared for laser marking. This means that an otherwise transparent material additives may be added, which favor absorption of laser radiation, which is used for marking. Preferably, only that layer of material for a laser marking in the region below the lens array is prepared, in which lie the focal points of the lenses located above. Such targeted preparation of a specific material layer is particularly easy in embodiments in which the document body from different substrate layers, such as plastic films, in a lamination process to the Document body is or is merged. The person skilled in suitable materials for this purpose are known. In particular, polycarbonate, polyethylene, PVC, ABS and other plastic materials which are transparent to light at least in one wavelength range are suitable. Of course, the document body may of course also comprise opaque layers of material or areas or else layers of material which are not made of plastic. However, all material layers are particularly preferably produced on the basis of the same plastic material, because this makes it possible to form a monolithic document body in which no phase transitions in those regions in which different substrate layers are produced in the production process are detectable in the finished document body after assembly with respect to the material structure were joined together.

In one embodiment, the storage of the first information in the document body takes place such that the first information in the curved state is not completely and correctly graphically detectable, preferably none, not only from the excellent direction but from a plurality of directions viewing direction. The angles between each of the viewing directions of these plurality of directions and the excellent direction are all in a solid angle range around the excellent direction. Preferably, the first information is graphically detectable from any direction whose angle relative to the designated direction is smaller than a predetermined angle. This predetermined angle is ± 25 ° in one embodiment. More preferably ± 30 or even ± 40 °.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in the document body, second graphical information other than the first graphical information is stored relative to the lens array which is not or not completely detectable in the ground state of the document body under the excellent direction and the curved state from the excellent direction is graphically detectable. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that the appearance of the document body in the area of the lens array changes significantly for a viewer when it changes from the ground state to the curved state. A corresponding verification method additionally comprises the step of checking the further acquired image for whether second information, that of the first Information is different, in the area where the lens array is shown, is included, and if so, to make a positive verification decision.

In the case of the verification decision, it may additionally be included that the acquired information, which is compared from the acquired image for the ground state and / or the further acquired image for the curved state, with given information. It can thus be checked whether an information content of the first information corresponds to an expected information content. Likewise, it can additionally or alternatively be checked whether the second information acquired in the further illustration in the region of the image of the lens array corresponds in terms of the information content to that which is expected and predetermined for the second information.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the second information is stored in the document body such that the second information in the non-curved, planar ground state is not visible from at least one viewing direction, or at least can not be completely correctly detected or detected. Thereby, the second information can be concealed from being detected when viewed in the ground state of the document body.

Such an embodiment can be realized in particular with very well localized small markings.

In a preferred embodiment, the first information is arranged so that it has no coded content, in particular no content in the form of alphanumeric characters, symbols, pictograms, bar codes or point codes, such as QR codes, etc. In such an embodiment, the first information not perceived as such by a user. The first information may, for example, be represented graphically in the form of a monochrome area or a regular pattern, a color-changing area with a guilloche pattern, etc. In the curved state, however, a "second information" is completely detectable. The second information can thus be quasi the only information that is provided in the document body for verification and whose content is verified during verification.

A further development of the verification method provides that a positive verification decision is made only if the second information depicted in the further illustration completely agrees with a specification for the second information.

A "hidden" second information can be realized particularly reliably with an embodiment in which the lens array comprises differently shaped lens elements, wherein the radii of curvature of the surfaces of the different lens elements each have the same sign. For example, the lens elements are formed so that they act in the curved state for the excellent direction as cylindrical lens elements, but are elliptical, so that they do not all act as cylindrical lenses in the ground state. Depending on the distance from a center of the lens array, the elliptical lenses "tilt" inward in the ground state.

Furthermore, the lens elements may also be formed in a wave-like manner instead of a straight line, the stored second graphic information may consist of straight lines.

A development of the invention provides that in the document body a third graphical information is stored relative to the lens array, which is not or not fully detectable in a plan view along an excellent direction on the top of the document body while it is in a flat ground state is and differs from the first graphic information and the second graphical information and is stored such that in an additional curved state of the document body, in which second pressure forces of predetermined strength act tangentially in the reference plane on the document body so that the document body in the area of the lens array from the reference plane, but having a radius of curvature whose sign is inverted from the curvature radius of the document body in the curved state, the third information from the excellent direction is completely graphically detectable. Thus, two concealed information can be stored which is easy to verify, but a normal copying process in which the security document or its document body is in the ground state, can not be detected and / or duplicated.

A further development of the verification method envisages that the document can be adjusted by applying second compressive forces of predetermined thickness, which are tangential in the Reference plane acting on the document body, and if necessary, by a momentarily applied directing force, which acts transversely to the reference plane, is transferred to an additional curved state in which a radius of curvature of the document body has an opposite sign as in the curved state, and in the additional curved state, an additional graphic image is detected, and the additional image is checked for whether third information other than the first information and the second information is included in the area where the lens array is imaged, and only if this is the case, a positive verification decision is made. The second compressive forces may be the same as the compressive forces to induce the arched state.

For example, all three graphical information may show the same lettering, the first graphical information in red, the second graphical information in green, and the third graphic in blue. During verification, the red parts of the image are complete in the ground state, only the green parts of the image in the curved state, and only the blue parts of the image in the additional convex state. It is important that the graphical information from the excellent direction in the assigned state are each fully recognizable, but not in the other states or at least not completely.

Particularly large are the deviations of the focus positions of the lenses for the different states in edge regions of the lens array. Preferably, therefore, the second information and / or third graphical information are formed so that essential content components are formed just in the outer areas. The center is preferably left out. For example, alphanumeric identifiers etc. are arranged at the edge of the graphic information or information.

In a preferred embodiment of the production method, it is provided that the second information is likewise marked by laser radiation through the lens array. In one embodiment it is provided that, by applying compressive forces of the predetermined magnitude which act in the reference plane on the document body, the document body is converted to the curved state and along the excellent direction a second information into the document body by means of laser radiation through the lens array is marked. Also, the introduction of the second information by means of laser radiation in the curved State of the document body makes it easy to introduce the marks in the document body at the correct locations, so that the second information can be detected from the excellent direction. Alternatively, it is possible to introduce the first and / or the second information by printing technology into the document. For this purpose, it is necessary to accurately calculate the corresponding marking positions by taking advantage of the mapping laws of geometric optics, taking into account the surface geometry of the lens array and the predetermined curvature. In order to achieve a correct relative positioning of the printed first and / or second information and the lens array, it can be provided in one embodiment that the lens array is impressed after completion of the document body in the surface of the document body. A positioning of such an embossing stamp can thus be carried out aligned with the already executed printing of inner material layers. Particularly suitable for this embossing dies, which are designed as sonotrodes.

In a preferred embodiment, the lens array comprises parallel cylindrical lens elements with a positive radius of curvature with respect to their longitudinal axes. These lens elements have a focusing property and are easy to manufacture. More complex lens arrays, which allow bending dependencies in different bending planes and / or stored information for different detection directions, which are not all in one plane, can also be formed, for example, from spherical microlenses. Particularly preferably, the longitudinal axes of the cylindrical lenses are oriented perpendicular to a preferential bending direction. The preferred direction of advancement is that direction along which the forces acting tangentially on the force acting on the document in the reference plane act on one another in order to produce the desired effect. In a rectangularly shaped card-shaped document body, the preferential bending direction is preferably oriented parallel to a longer longitudinal side of the upper side of the document body.

In order to obtain a clear discrimination effect and a good separation of the focus points for radiation directed along the excellent direction on the document in the document between the ground state and the curved state, it is advantageous if the individual lens elements which have a focusing effect Spacing, which is greater than a minimum distance.

In a preferred embodiment, therefore, the cylinder axes of adjacent cylindrical lenses with positive radii of curvature at a distance which is greater than the sum of the respective radii of curvature of adjacent cylindrical lenses with a positive radius of curvature. This means that the cylindrical lenses are spaced apart by more than the sum of the respective radii of curvature of the adjacent cylindrical lenses with positive radii of curvature. The same applies likewise to spherical lens elements.

In one embodiment, which has proven to be advantageous, the cylindrical lens elements with positive radius of curvature all have the same radius of curvature and between two adjacent cylindrical lens elements with positive radius of curvature each having a cylindrical lens element with negative radius of curvature, wherein the negative radius of curvature of the cylindrical lens element with negative radius of curvature preferably the amount positive radius of curvature of the adjacent cylindrical lens elements with positive radius of curvature corresponds.

Such an embodiment allows a particularly good curvature of the document in the region of the lens array. In a preferred embodiment, the lens array extends across the entire transverse direction of a card-shaped document body, i. between the two longitudinal edges of the rectangular document body. The preferential bending direction is then oriented parallel to the longitudinal edges. The smaller the radius of curvature of the upper side of the document body in the region of the lens array, the greater the focal point displacements for the individual lenses achievable by the curvature between the curved state and the ground state. The individual focal point shift distances are different for the individual lenses in the lens array.

In a development, it is provided that the first information and the second information are related to each other. In one embodiment, the first information and the second information show the same alphanumeric characters, but in different colors. This means that the recorded graphical information in the ground state and in the curved state differ by the color impression produced. Such an object is obtained, for example, by using as first information stores a lettering by means of red markings in the document body and stores the same lettering by means of blue markers as the second information in the document body in such a way that the red lettering, ie the first information, in the ground state is perceptible by the lens array and the blue lettering in the arched state is perceptible or detectable. This creates a very easy-to-verify optical effect.

Other embodiments may provide that the first and the second information are related to one another in such a way that a "movement effect" or cinematographic effect results in the transition between the ground state and the curved state. For example, when switching between states, the characters may appear to be overturning, much like those who "flip over" from a normal font to a italic type when changing the appearance of a font: For example, "text" in the ground state becomes "text" in the curved state .

Particularly good cinematographic effects or motion effects can be realized with embodiments that have further curved states whose curvature of the document body is different in each case from the curvature of the one arched state and the vaults other remaining vaulted states. Each of these further curved states is then associated with a further graphic information that can be detected in the corresponding further curved state from the excellent direction. In this way, a continuous movement of an object can be realized, which can also change at the same time, for example, changes its color or shape. Thus, for example, a transition from a red circle in the ground state to a yellow rectangle displaced from the position of the circle in the curved state can take place via a green ellipse in the further curved state, in which the curvature of the document body is less than in the curved state. A position of the green ellipse lies between that of the circle and that of the rectangle.

In yet another embodiment, the first information comprises a grid formed of raster elements whose raster elements are spaced apart from one another but which are similar to the distances of the lens elements of the lens array in the ground state, so that when viewed from the excellent direction a moiré effect results. Alternatively or additionally, too the second information comprises a further raster formed from further raster elements, wherein the raster elements have similar but deviating distances from one another as the lens elements of the lens array in the curved state, so that a further moiré effect can be detected in the curved state.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Sicherheitsdokuments im Grundzustand;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung des Sicherheitsdokuments im gewölbten Zustand;

Fig. 3

eine erfasste Abbildung einer Draufsicht auf ein Sicherheitsdokument im Grundzustand; und

Fig. 4

eine weitere erfasste Abbildung einer Draufsicht auf dasselbe Sicherheitsdokument im gewölbten Zustand.;

Fig. 5a

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Speichersicht eines Dokumentkörpers; und

Fig. 5b bis 5d

schematische Draufsichten auf ein Sicherheitsdokument durch ein Linsenarray mit Grundzustand (5b), im gewölbten Zustand (5b) und im zusätzlichen gewölbten Zustand (5c), wobei das betrachtete Sicherheitsdokument jeweils die Speichersicht nach Fig. 5a unter dem Linsenarray umfasst.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. Hereby show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a security document in the ground state;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of the security document in a curved state;

Fig. 3

a captured image of a top view of a security document in the ground state; and

Fig. 4

another captured image of a top view of the same security document in the curved state .;

Fig. 5a

a schematic plan view of a memory view of a document body; and

Fig. 5b to 5d

schematic plan views of a security document through a lens array with ground state (5b), in the curved state (5b) and in the additional curved state (5c), wherein the considered security document respectively the memory view to Fig. 5a under the lens array.

In Fig. 1 schematically a security document 1 is shown with a document body 3. The security document 1 has a top 5 and an opposite bottom 7, which in a ground state, the in Fig. 1 is shown, in each case substantially planar and are plane-parallel to each other. The document body 3, which preferably has a rectangular top 5, further has a left short side edge 9 and a right short side edge 11 and in addition a front longitudinal edge 13 and a lower longitudinal side edge lying below the plane of the drawing.

At the top 5, a lens array 31 is formed. In the area of the lens array, the document body is transparent at least in an area facing the upper side in the volume except for any markings 77, 97, which are explained in more detail below. The transparency extends to a depth which corresponds to the focal length of lens elements 33. At the bottom and at material depths, which, viewed from the top side, are larger than the focal lengths of the lens elements 33, the document body can also be made opaque.

Preferably, the document body has a standardized card format, for example the standards ID1, ID2 or ID3, which are normalized for security documents such as passports, identity cards, driving licenses or the like.

In the illustrated security document 1, the lens array 31 has a plurality of cylindrical lens elements 33 having a positive radius of curvature. By way of example, a radius of curvature 35 is shown. In the case of cylindrical lens elements 33 having a positive radius of curvature, the radius of curvature describing the curvature of the cylindrical lens elements 33 starts from a center 37 located in the interior of the document body 3. Through this center also extends a cylinder axis 39 of the cylindrical lens elements 33, which is oriented perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. In the illustrated embodiment, cylindrical lens elements 43 having a negative radius of curvature are disposed between adjacent cylindrical lens elements 33 having a positive radius of curvature. By way of example, a negative radius of curvature 45 and the associated center 47 are shown. Through the center 47 extends perpendicular to the plane of the drawing corresponding to a cylinder axis 49 of such a cylindrical lens element 43 with a negative radius of curvature.

In a ground state of the security document or document body 3, in which no external, mechanical deformation-inducing forces act, the top side 5 or the flat document body 3 defines a reference plane 21. With respect to this reference plane, directions for viewing or acquiring information or information are defined defines a writing of markings. By way of example, the surface normal 23 of the reference plane is shown here, with respect to which, for example An angle to an excellent viewing direction or detection direction is measured. In the illustrated example, it is assumed that detection occurs along an excellent direction 61 which is collinear with the surface normal 23 of the reference plane. However, this is not necessary and chosen here only in the exemplary example. The detection is carried out in the embodiment of a viewing position 106 centered on the lens array 31. The detection direction indicates the direction along which is looked at a center of the lens array 31. At positions on the surface spaced from the center, the detection direction slightly deviates at a finite distance of the viewing position 106 from the top 5 from the excellent direction 61.

Inside the document body 3 for detection along the designated direction 61, marks 77 of first information are stored in the document at first focus positions 75. Collectively, these markers 77 of the first information store the first information 71. This can be seen by taking a map along the designated direction 61 from this figure.

Fig. 3 shows a captured image 103 of the security document 1 in the ground state, wherein the detection along the excellent direction 61 has been made. In a region 101 in which the lens array 31 is shown, the first information 71 is shown in the form of a circle 73 of Figure 103.

If pressure forces, which act on the short side edges 9, 11 tangentially in the reference plane via pressure force arrows 81, 83, then the document body bulges out of the reference plane 21 along a direction 85. In the embodiment shown, a preferred bending direction 87 is parallel to the front Longitudinal edge 13 oriented.

In Fig. 2 is the security document after Fig. 1 shown in the curved position, which act on an action of predetermined compressive forces which act tangentially in the reference plane 21 on the opposite side edges 9, 11. Since the individual cylindrical lens elements 33 with a positive radius of curvature have a distance from each other which is greater than twice the radius of curvature, the individual cylindrical lens elements 33 can become due to the curvature of the document almost twisting each other. This is recognizable by the fact that the distances between the apexes 34 of the lens elements in the ground state, which are marked by crosses, in the curved state have a greater distance from each other than in the ground state. Further, light irradiated on the arched security document 1 along the excellent direction 61 is focused at second focus points 95 where there are marks 97 of second information 91. In the curved state, the second information 91, which represents a square 93, can thus be taken from a further image 103 'recorded from the excellent direction 61 in that region 101' in which the lens array 31 is depicted.

Fig. 4 shows this captured additional figure. The further illustration for the curved state, the first information of the captured image is no longer or at least not completely removed. Depending on the selected excellent direction, it may happen that individual image areas 104 of the first information are also partially to be detected in the image of the arched security document. The same can apply to parts 105 of the second information in the map of the ground state. However, it can be clearly seen that the two images 103, 103 'clearly differ from one another in the region 101, 101' of the representation of the lens array 31. The figure 103 clearly shows a circle 73 and the further figure 103 'clearly shows a square 93. This information change due to the arching of the security document 1 or the document body 3 can be used to derive a verification decision.

In the present case, a change from a circle 73 to a square 93 is expected and also observed. Thus, if these two pieces of information are perceived, the security document 1 is verified as genuine. In other embodiments, it may be sufficient as a verification requirement that a disappearance of the first information is observed. On the other hand, if the first piece of information does not change as the security document bulges, this finding is used to make a negative verification decision. Such behavior is not expected for a real document.

In the description so far, it has always been assumed that security documents are from a single detection direction or excellent Direction is considered or illuminated. This applies if the security document is viewed / illuminated from an infinite distance or an image is captured or a laser mark is taken from it from an infinite distance. In the real case, however, a document is usually viewed / exposed at close range. This means that the direction under which a single lens element is viewed / illuminated varies slightly from lens element to lens element. This variation can be read in each case. Only for reasons of simpler presentation, this aspect was not explicitly mentioned. In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are drawn through arrows 79 and 99, which respectively indicate the direction under which the first information 71 and the second information 91 are imaged by the respective lens elements 31. In Fig. 1 The arrows 79 meet in the viewing position 106 and represent the image of the first information, which is detected when viewed under the excellent direction 61 at the viewing position 106, which is shown via a schematized eye. The detection can also be done with a camera or the like. In Fig. 2 For example, as indicated by the arrows 99, the second information is mapped to the viewing position 106 indicated by the schematic eye when detection along the designated direction 61 occurs.

In the described embodiments, the first and the second information differ with respect to the geometric shape of the respective illustrated objects, which are, for example, a circle and a square. For example, in other embodiments, the first information of the second information may differ only by the color, so that a color transition is to be observed or detected in a transition from the ground state to the curved state of the document body from the excellent direction.

Other embodiments may exhibit a kinetic effect in the transition between the various states of the document body. For example, the letters may, for example, move apart and slightly tilt a word "text" of the first piece of information, so that the following text will result in the second piece of information: "text".

In another embodiment, the second information is stored in the document body by means of raster elements which, in the curved state of the document body, have gaps spaced apart from one another by distances between the lens elements of the document body Lens arrays slightly differ in the curved state, so that a moiré effect results, which "generates" a pattern or a sign, which is different from the second information or their graphical representation.

In Fig. 5a 3 is a schematic simplified view of a memory view 200 of a document body on which segmented three graphical information is stored. These are printed, for example. A strip 205, 206 divided into three strips 211, 212, 213 corresponds to each lens element. Strips labeled 211 are the first graphic information, the strips of the second graphic information indicated by the reference numeral 212 and the strips labeled 213 associated with the third graphical information.

The first graphical information "Text1" can be recognized in the ground state (cf. Fig. 5b ), the second graphical information "Text2" is in the curved state (cf. Fig. 5c ), in which a center 207 of the lens array is closer to the viewer than edges 208, 209 of the lens array, and the third graphical information "Text3" in the additional curved state (see FIG. Fig. 5d ), in which the center 207 of the lens array is farther from the viewer than the edges 208, 209 of the lens array.

Although the respective graphical information "completely" is reproduced in the stripes 211, 212, 213, it is understood that each of the stripes 211, 212, 213 comprises only a part of the corresponding graphic information 201, 202, 203. Strips 211 each include a portion of the first graphical information "Text1". The same applies to strips 212 and 213.

It can be seen that the first graphical information 201 is stored distributed over all assigned sections 205. The second graphical information and third graphical information are each stored only in sections 206 that are spaced from the center 207. This takes into account that the focus position deviations caused by the bulges increase towards the edges of the lens array.

The font is also "rotated" and shown in a reduced size. These contents "Text2" and "Text3" are in the basic state ( Fig. 5b ) not detectable and only in accordance with associated arched condition ( Fig. 5c - "Text2") or additional curved state ( Fig. 5d - "Text3") and completely detectable. In the ground state, only "Text1" can be detected, of which "residues" 210 may be detectable in the other curved states. This is due to the fact that for a central lens element, the strips 211, 212, 213 actually overlap and are shown here side by side and separated only for the sake of illustration. Also, the position of the strips 211, 212, 213 to each other, their "distances" and "extent" actually vary with the distance from the center 207, assuming similar cylindrical lenses as lens elements. If varying lens elements are used this applies to an even greater extent.

It is understood by those skilled in the art that only an exemplary embodiment is described here. Depending on the specific configuration of the lens elements, it is possible, under certain circumstances, additionally store different information in the ground state and / or in the curved state for different detection directions, ie different first information and different second information, each correctly correct only in the ground state or in the curved state of the Document body are detectable.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

The security document

3

document body

5

top

7

opposite bottom

9

left short side edge

11

right short side edge

13

front longitudinal side edge

21

reference plane

23

surface normal

31

lens array

33

Cylinder lens element with positive radius of curvature

34

Intersections in the ground state

35

positive radius of curvature

37

Focus

39

cylinder axis

43

Cylindrical lens element with negative radius of curvature

45

negative radius of curvature

47

Focus

49

cylinder axis

61

excellent direction

71

first information

73

circle

75

first focus points

77

Marking the first information

79

Arrows to illustrate the mapping of the first information

81, 83

Pressure force arrows

85

arrow

87

Preference (bending) in the direction

91

second information

93

square

95

second focus points

97

Marking the second information

99

Arrows to illustrate the mapping of the second information

101, 101 '

Area where the lens array is shown

103

Illustration of the top in the ground state

103 '

Illustration of the top in the arched state

104

individual image areas of the first information

105

Part of the second information

106

Viewing position (schematic eye)

200

storage layer

201

first graphical information (Text1)

202

second graphical information (Text2)

203

third graphical information (Text3)

205

section

206

section

207

center

208

edge

209

edge

210

Remains (of the first graphic information)

211, 212, 213

strip

Claims (16)

1. Security document (1) having a two-dimensionally extended document body (3) comprising an upper side (5) and an opposite underside (7), with the document body (3) having a bending elasticity in response to compressive forces which, relative to the upper side (5), act at opposite points or side edges (9,11) of the document body (3), with a lens array (31) being configured on the upper side (5) of the document body (3) and a first graphic information (71) being stored inside the document body (3) relative to the lens array (31), which (information), when viewed from above along an indicated direction (61) down onto the upper side (5) of the document body (3) while the latter is in a planar basic state in which no compressive forces are acting on the document body (3), can be graphically detected through the lens array (31), with the indicated direction (61) being determined relative to a reference plane in which the upper side (5) is located when the document body (3) is in the basic state, and when the document body (3) is in an arched state in which compressive forces of a given strength are acting tangentially in the reference plane (21) on the document body (3) such that the document body (3) arches up and out of the reference plane (31) in the region of the lens array (31), the first information (71) cannot be graphically detected from the indicated direction (61) or can only be graphically detected in an altered manifestation, characterised in that a section corresponds with each lens element of the lens array (31) and only a part of the first graphic information (71) is stored in each section.
2. Security document (1) according to claim 1 wherein a second graphic information (91) which is different from the first graphic information (71) is stored in the document body (3) relative to the lens array (31) and cannot be detected or cannot be completely detected in the indicated direction (61) when the document body (3) is in the basic state and can be completely graphically detected in the indicated direction (61) when the document body (3) is in the arched state.
3. Security document according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the lens array (31) in relation to its longitudinal axes comprises cylinder lens elements (33) oriented parallel with one another and having a positive curvature radius.
4. Security document (1) according to claim 3 wherein the longitudinal axes are oriented perpendicular to a preferential bending direction (87).
5. Security document (1) according to claim 4 wherein the preferential bending direction (87) is oriented parallel with a longer longitudinal side (13) of the upper side (5) when the upper side (5) of the document body (3) and the underside (7) of the document body (3) comprise a rectangular form.
6. Security document (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein cylinder axes (39) of adjacent cylinder lens elements (33) having positive curvature radii are spaced apart from one another by more than the sum of the respective curvature radii of the adjacent cylinder lens elements (33) having positive curvature radii.
7. Security document (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the cylinder lens elements (33) having a positive curvature radius all comprise the same curvature radius (35), and one cylinder lens element (43) having a negative curvature radius (45) is in each case arranged between two adjacent cylinder lens elements (33), with the negative curvature radius (45) of the cylinder lens element (43) having negative curvature radius being equal in amount to the positive curvature radius (35) of the adjacent cylinder lens elements (31) having positive curvature radius.
8. Security document (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the lens array comprises differently formed lens elements, the curvature radii of the surfaces of the different lens elements each having the same sign.
9. Security document (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein a third graphic information (203) is stored in the document body relative to the lens array (31) and cannot be detected or cannot be completely detected when viewed from above along an indicated direction (61) onto the upper side (5) of the document body (3) while the latter is in a planar basic state, and differs from the first graphic information and from the second graphic information and is stored in such a way that in an additional arched state of the document body (3) in which second compressive forces of a given strength are acting tangentially in the reference plane (21) on the document body (3) such that the document body (3) arches out of the reference plane (21) in the region of the lens array (31), but with a curvature radius whose sign is the opposite of the sign of the curvature radius of the document body in the arched state, the third information can be completely graphically detected from the indicated direction (61).
10. Method for producing the security document (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps:

    producing a two-dimensionally extended document body (3) comprising an upper side (5) and an opposite underside (7), the document body (3) having a bending elasticity in response to compressive forces which, relative to the upper side (5), act on opposite points or side edges (9, 11) of the document body (3),

    with a lens array (31) being configured on the upper side (5) of the document body (3) when the latter is produced, and

    storing of a first graphic information (71) inside the document body relative to the lens array (31)

    so that, when viewed from above along an indicated direction (61) down onto the upper side (5) of the document body (3) while no compressive forces are acting on the latter and it is in a planar basic state, the first graphic information (71) can be graphically detected through the lens array (31), with the indicated direction (61) being determined relative to a reference plane (21) in which the upper side (5) is located when the document body (3) is in the basic state, and so that when the document body (3) is in an arched state in which compressive forces of a given strength are acting tangentially in the reference plane (21) on the document body (3) such that the document body (3) arches up and out of the reference plane (21) in the region of the lens array (31), the first information (71) cannot be graphically detected in the indicated direction (61) through the lens array (31) or can only be graphically detected in an altered manifestation,

    wherein

    a section corresponds with each lens element of the lens array (31) and when the first graphic information (71) is stored inside the document body relative to the lens array (31), only a part of the first graphic information (71) is stored in each section.
11. Method according to claim 10 wherein the first information (71) is stored by way of laser radiation through the lens array along the indicated direction (61).
12. Method according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the document body is transposed into the arched state by the applying of compressive forces of the given strength in the reference plane onto the document body and a second information (91) is marked into the document body (3) through the lens array (31) by way of laser radiation along the indicated direction (61).
13. Verification method for the security document (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 having a two-dimensionally extended document body (3) comprising an upper side (5) and an opposite underside (7), with the document body (3) having a bending elasticity in response to compressive forces which, relative to the upper side (5), act at opposite points or side edges (9,11) of the document body (3),
    and with a lens array (31) being configured on the upper side (5) of the document body (3) and a first graphic information (71) being stored inside the document body (3) relative to the lens array (31), with a section corresponding to each lens element of the lens array (31) and only a part of the first graphic information (71) being stored in each section, comprising the steps:

    detecting of a graphic image (103) of the upper side (5) of the document body (3) from an indicated direction (61) while no compressive forces are acting on the document body (3) and the document body is in a planar basic state, the indicated direction (61) being determined relative to a reference plane (21) in which the upper side (5) is located when the document body (3) is in the basic state;

    verifying whether the first information (71) is contained in the detected graphic image (103) in a region (101) on which the lens array (31) is imaged;

    applying of compressive forces of a given strength which act tangentially in the reference plane (21) on the document body (3), and transposing the document body (3) into the arched state;

    detecting of a further graphic image (103') of the upper side (5) of the document body (3) from the indicated direction (61), verifying of the further graphic image (103') as to whether the first information (71) is contained unaltered in that region (101') on which the lens array (31) is imaged; and

    establishing of a negative verification decision if the first information (71) in the further image (103') is contained unaltered in that region (101') on which the lens array (31) is imaged,

    wherein

    during the verifying of the first image (103) the parts of the first graphic information (71) which are stored in each section jointly form the first graphic information (71).
14. Verification method according to claim 13 comprising the additional step of verifying the further image (103') as to whether a second information (91) which differs from the first information (71) is contained in that region on which the lens array (31) is imaged, and of taking a positive verification decision only if this is the case.
15. Verification method according to claim 14 wherein a positive verification decision is taken only if the second information (91) imaged in the further image (103) is wholly consistent with a requirement for the second information.
16. Verification method according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein, through the applying of second compressive forces of a given strength which act tangentially in the reference plane (21) on the document body (3) and, if necessary, through a momentarily exercised directional force which acts transverse to the reference plane (21), the document body (3) is transposed into an additional arched state in which a curvature radius of the document body has a sign opposite to that in the arched state, and in the additional arched state an additional graphic image is detected and the additional image is verified as to whether a third information (91) which differs from the first information and from the second information is contained in that region on which the lens array (31) is imaged, and a positive verification decision is taken only if this is the case.

Images