1 Value-document system and method for manufacturing the same [0001] This invention relates to a value-document system having a multiplicity of individualized value documents which respectively have at least two image information items produced by laser radiation or by ink-jet methods and being variable from value document to value document. The invention relates further to a method for manufacturing such a value-document system. [0002] Value documents such as bank notes, shares, deeds, vouchers, checks, admission tickets and the like are normally provided with an individualizing identifier, such as a serial number. To increase security, this identifier is often applied on the value document in multiple fashion. For example, bank notes are numbered twice, so that each half of the bank note is uniquely identifiable. The two numbers are normally identical. [0003] The security relevance of a conventional numbering is relatively low. Thus, the numbering requires a white or at least light ground, which must moreover not be executed by intaglio printing, because otherwise ink residues can get into the numbering barrels and impair their functioning. [0004] From the print US-A-4 234 214 there is known a bank note with a legible code of letters or numbers which comprises a consecutive serial number for uniquely identifying the bank note. The legible code is applied in positive form at a first position of the bank note and in negative form with a multicolor background at a second position thereof. [0005] The print DE 10 2004 022 079 Al discloses a value document, in particular a bank note, having an individualizing identifier which is respectively applied at least once on the front side and the back side, whereby at least one of the individualizing identifications applied on front side and back side is applied to the value document by a contactless method, for example by action of a laser beam. [0006] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general 2 knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. [0007] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. [0008] A first aspect of the invention relates to a value-document system having a multiplicity of individualized value documents, wherein each individualized value document has a composite identity marking, consisting of a first image information item variable from value document to value document, and at least a second image information item variable from value document to value document, the first and second image information items are respectively obtainable by action of laser radiation, and the first image information item is logically connected to the second image information item, so as to form a composite identity marking in this way, wherein the term logical connection refers to an association in the psychological sense that mentally links human perceptions, emotions or ideas with each other and wherein logical connection is suited to arouse the attention and the curiosity of a viewer of the value document with regard to the systematics employed for individualization, thereby obtaining an intense occupation with the security features, and the first image information item and the second image information item are respectively chosen from a first thematic area and a second thematic area, wherein the individual elements of the first thematic are logically connected to the individual elements of the second thematic area. [0009] On each individualized value document the first image information item (X1; X2; ...; Xn) and the second image information item (Y1; Y2; ...; Yn) are preferably applied in a spatially spaced-apart relation so as to yield a series of 3 size of the spatial spacing between the first image information item (X1; X2; ...; Xn) and the second image information item (Yl; Y2; ...; Yn) has a relation to a serial number applied to the value document, or to a place or digit of the serial number. The relation can be present for example in the form of a linear correlation. [0010] The first image information item (X1; X2; ...; Xn) and/or the second image information item (Yl; Y2; ...; Yn) of each individualized value document can advantageously be machine-readable. [0011] Preferably, the first image information item (X1; X2; ...; Xn) and the second image information item (Yl; Y2; ...; Yn) of each individualized value document are respectively applied on different grounds. [0012] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a value-document system having a multiplicity of individualized value documents, comprising a step of producing a first image information item variable from value document to value document, by action of laser radiation, and a step of producing at least a second image information item variable from value document to value document, by action of laser radiation, wherein the first image information item and the second image information item of each individualized value document are respectively applied on different grounds, whereby the first image information item and the second image information item are logically connected and thereby form a composite identity marking, and the first image information item and the second image information item are respectively chosen from a first thematic area and a second thematic area, wherein the individual elements of the first thematic area are logically connected to the individual elements of the second thematic area. [0013] According to the invention there are provided, for individualizing identification of value documents of the number "n", security features or security elements in the form of a first image information item (X1; X2; ...; Xn) variable from value document to value document, and of a second image information item (Yl; Y2; ...; Yn) variable from value document to value document, which are preferably 3A respectively applied at least once on one side of the value document. The first and second image information items are respectively produced on the value document by action of laser radiation or by ink-jet methods. In particular, the first image information item (X1; X2; ...; Xn) variable from value document to value document, and the second image information item (Yl; Y2; ...; Yn) variable from value document to value document, can respectively be applied at least once on both sides of the value document. [0014] The first and second image information items of each individualized value document can respectively be formed independently of each other in the form of numbers, letters, pictograms or images, patterns or the like. What is crucial is that on each value document the first image information item and the second image information item are logically connected and in this way form a composite identity marking. The term "logical connection" refers e.g. to an association in the psychological sense. An association in the psychological sense mentally links human perceptions, emotions or ideas with each other. The logical connection arouses the attention and the curiosity of the viewer of the value document with regard to the systematics employed for individualization, thereby obtaining an intense occupation with the security features. The different variants of e.g. one and the same bank-note -4 denomination create a certain variety that animate users to think, explore, collect, trade and take a close look. [00151 Preferably, the first image information item and the second image information item are respectively chosen from a first thematic area and a second thematic area, whereby the individual elements of the first thematic area are logically connected to the individual elements of the second thematic area. As examples of the first image information item (X) and the second image information item (Y) that are logically connected, the following can be mentioned: (X) the name of a personality from a certain country and (Y) the marked birthplace on the map of the corresponding country; (X) the name or the company logo of a company and (Y) the marked company headquarters on a map; (X) the name of a city and (Y) a marked place on a map indicating the geographic location of the city; (X) a short quotation from a well-known personality and (Y) a picture or a caricature of the corresponding personality; (X) a poem and (Y) a picture or a caricature of the poet; (X) a mathematical formula and (Y) a picture or a caricature of the mathematician associated with the formula; (X) a chemical formula and (Y) the name of the substance associated with the chemical formula; (X) a chemical formula and (Y) a picture or a caricature of the chemist associated with the chemical formula; (X) a city name and (Y) a picture of a place of interest associated with the corresponding city; (X) a city name and (Y) a picture or a caricature of a well-known personality living in the corresponding city; (X) the picture of a terrestrial mammal and (Y) the picture of the footprint of the corresponding mammal. 100161 A value-document system according to the invention comprises individualized value documents (WI; W2; ... ; Wn) having identity markings composed from a first image information item (XI; X2; ...; Xn) and a second image information item (Yl; Y2; ...; Yn). The numerical order of magnitude of the value-document system of the invention, i.e. the number "n", is not restricted and can amount to e.g. a dozen, several dozen, several hundred, in particular several thousand or several million value documents. In the value-document system of the invention the first image information item (XI; X2; ...; Xn) and the second image information item (Yl; Y2; ...; - 5 Yn) have a mutual relation in the form of two partial information items. A value document system according to the invention comprises for example value documents whose two partial information items having a mutual relation cover all city names of a country as well as well-known personalities who live or have lived in the various cities. Further examples of the mutually related partial information items of the value document system of the invention are the following: all well-known personalities of a country linked with the dates of birth of the various personalities; all company names of a country linked with manufactured products of the various companies; all cities of a country linked with the places of interest in the various cities; a multiplicity of well known terrestrial mammals linked with the footprints of the various mammals. 100171 The security features in the form of a first image information item and of a second image information item are respectively obtained by action of laser radiation or by ink-jet methods. These individualizing image information items are respectively applied at least once on the front side and/or the back side of the value document. In particular the employment of a laser reduces the space requirement on each of the sides of the value document and increases the freedom of design for the designer. The use of laser radiation as a contactless method for individualization furthermore opens up the possibility of giving the individualizing image information items new security features, and simultaneously eliminates hitherto existing restrictions of letterpress numbering. 100181 Methods for manufacturing security features obtainable by means of laser radiation which are employable in the present invention are known for example from DE 10 2006 062 281 Al, DE 10 2004 022 080 Al, DE 10 2004 022 079 Al, DE 10 2004 038 542 Al, DE 103 56 146 Al and DE 10 2006 014 367 Al, whose disclosures in this regard are completely incorporated into this invention. Methods for manufacturing security features obtainable by means of ink-jet methods which are employable in the present invention are known for example from DE 10 2004 022 079 Al, whose disclosure in this regard is completely incorporated into this invention. 100191 The high effort for adjusting numbering barrels is thus largely no longer required, because the contactless methods can define the position of the identification -6 in computer-controlled fashion. Especially when using laser vector markers there is a great regulating range available. The high time and personnel expense for attending to the numbering barrels is no longer required or considerably reduced. 100201 At least one of the two image information items is advantageously formed by a laser-sensitive recording layer applied to the value document. Further preferably, both image information items are formed by a laser-sensitive recording layer applied to the value document. In particular, it is preferred that the two image information items are respectively formed on two different laser-sensitive recording layers applied to the value document. 100211 The laser-sensitive recording layer can be for example a printed layer, in particular an intaglio printed layer, a screen printed layer, a special-effect ink layer, an absorbent ink layer, or a printed layer comprising a mixture of a non-absorbent printing ink with an absorbent ink or other absorbent substances. In other embodiments, the laser-sensitive recording layer comprises a metal layer or a printing ink containing laser-radiation-absorbent accessory agents, such as graphite or carbon black. In particular, the recording layer can be formed by a security element provided e.g. with a metallic strip or patch. This security element can also contain further layers, such as for example a plastic layer in which diffractive structures in the form of a relief are present. [0022] Besides the stated possibility of producing the image information items using applied laser-sensitive recording layers, at least one of the two image information items can alternatively or additionally also be formed by action of laser radiation on the substrate of the value document itself. Thus, standard bank-note paper can e.g. be palpably foamed by laser radiation, thereby obtaining a gray marking. In this case, the substrate of the value document itself has the function of a laser-sensitive recording layer. To increase the color effect, however, it is preferred that a laser sensitive recording area is formed in the substrate of the value document. Such a laser sensitive recording area can be produced by incorporation of absorbent substances into the value-document substrate. Absorbent substances that come into consideration here -7 are for example TiO 2 , carbon black particles, interference pigments or infrared absorbers. 100231 In particular, it is preferred that the first image information item (XI; X2; ...; Xn) and the second image information item (Y 1; Y2; ...; Yn) of each individualized value document is respectively applied on different grounds. For example, the two image information items can respectively be formed on two different laser-sensitive recording layers applied to the value document. Alternatively, the first image information item can be formed by a laser-sensitive recording layer applied to the value document, and the second image information item can be formed by the substrate of the value document itself, or by a laser-sensitive recording area in the substrate of the value document itself. 100241 At least one of the two image information items preferably has a visually recognizable color change. In particular, the image information item is blackened. Such a color change can be obtained or strengthened for example by suitable accessory agents in the identification regions which cause a color switch upon impingement of the laser radiation. These accessory agents can be contained in applied recording layers as well as in the recording regions of the substrate. The color switch itself can be caused thennally, or be triggered by other mechanisms for color change, for example by chemical transformation. A thermally produced color switch can be excited effectively by suitable absorbent substances. It can also be provided that an uppermost color layer does not react with the laser radiation, and the color switch is only produced in a subjacent color layer. Instead of visible color layers there can also be used lacquers, or special effects, in connection with the laser radiation which, or whose marking result, are invisible to the human eye. A proof is effected here through machine detection or through the human eye with the support of auxiliary means. [00251 According to a further special embodiment, at least one of the image information items has a palpable marking with a relief structure. Palpable markings can be produced using a laser upon proper coordination of the composition of the lasered material and the inscription parameters, such as the type and wavelength of the -8 employed laser, the laser power or the relative speed of laser and value document. Palpable markings make it more difficult to forge the value document, on the one hand, and provide important information in the form of tactile markings for the blind or visually impaired, on the other hand. For example, there can also be applied, besides a serial number, the value of a bank note in the form of a tactilely detectable marking. [00261 The inscription parameters or the type and composition of the material in the region of an image information item can be chosen here such that the image information item has a palpable marking as well as a color change. However, there can also be produced palpable markings without blackening of the image information. If, for example, inscribed security paper is moistened again before the lasering of a palpable, blackened marking, the gray to black appearance disappears and there remains a marking that is palpable but not, or hardly, perceptible visually. [00271 In a further advantageous embodiment of the value-document system of the invention, the two image information items are not only produced in the form of visually visible image information items, but are additionally formed as concealed images. "Concealed images" refers here to image structures that are practically invisible under normal viewing conditions and only become recognizable with special auxiliary means, such as a microscope or a polarization filter, or under specific viewing conditions, such as from certain, precisely defined viewing angles or upon illumination with ultraviolet radiation. Preferably, the concealed images are produced by a laser-induced change of a recording area of the value-document substrate or of an applied recording layer. For example, the value document can have in the region of the concealed images a locally different surface structure, locally different polarization properties or locally different luminescence properties. [0028] As a laser source there is advantageously employed an infrared laser in the wavelength range of 0.8 mm to 3 mm, in particular a Nd:YAG laser or Nd:YVO 4 laser. The laser beam is expediently guided over the paper-of-value substrate upon marking at a speed of more than 500 mm/s, preferably more than 1000 mm/s, particularly -9 preferably more than 2000 mm/s, in order to take account of the high processing speeds in value-document printing. [00291 The first image information item (Xl; X2; ...; Xn) and/or the second image information item (Yl; Y2; ...; Yn) of each individualized value document can also be machine-readable in order to guarantee an efficient bank-note processing. 100301 In one embodiment, the first image information item (Xl; X2; ...; Xn) and the second image information item (Yl; Y2; ...; Yn) are applied on each individualized value document in a spatially spaced-apart relation so as to yield a series of individualized value documents arranged in order. In particular, the size of the spatial spacing between the first image information item (XI; X2; ... ; Xn) and the second image information item (YI; Y2; ... ; Yn) can have a relation to a serial number applied to the value document, or to a place or digit of the serial number. The relation can be present e.g. in the form of a linear correlation. Thus, e.g. the spacing in centimeters between the first image information item and the second image information item can correspond to the value of the last digit of a serial number applied to the value document. [00311 The invention will be explained more closely with reference to the following implementation variants or examples in connection with the complementary figures. The described single features and hereinafter described embodiment examples are inventive taken alone, but are also inventive in combination. The examples represent preferred embodiments, but the invention should in no way be limited thereto. [0032] Furthermore, the representations in the figures are strongly schematic for the sake of better comprehension and do not reflect the actual conditions. In particular, the proportions shown in the figures do not correspond to the relations existing in reality and serve exclusively to improve the clearness. Furthermore, the embodiments described in the following examples are reduced to the substantial core information for the sake of clarity. In the practical implementation, substantially more complex patterns or images can be used.
- 10 10033] Specifically, the figures show: Fig. 1 a, Fig. 1 b two individualized value documents of a value-document system according to the invention, whereby the first image information item variable from value document to value document is chosen from the thematic area "places of interest", and the second image information item variable from value document to value document is chosen from the thematic area "geographic position of places of interest on a map", Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b two individualized value documents of a value-document system according to the invention, whereby the first image information item variable from value document to value document is chosen from the thematic area "terrestrial mammals", and the second image information item variable from value document to value document is chosen from the thematic area "physical features of terrestrial mammals", Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b two individualized value documents of a value-document system according to the invention, whereby the first image information item variable from value document to value document is chosen from the thematic area "flying insects", and the second image information item variable from value document to value document is chosen from the thematic area "flowers", and the first image information item and the second image information item are applied in a spatially spaced-apart relation so as to yield a series of individualized value documents arranged in order. [00341 Fig. la and Fig. lb show two individualized value documents (1, 4) of a value-document system according to the invention, whereby the first image information item (2, 5) variable from value document to value document is chosen from the thematic area "places of interest", and the second image information item (3, 6) variable from value document to value document is chosen from the thematic area "geographic position of places of interest on a map". On each individualized value document the first image information item (2, 5) is logically connected to the second image information item (3, 6) in such a fashion that the shown place of interest - 11 corresponds to its geographic position marked on a map. The value document shown in Fig. la contains as the first image information item (2) the Berlin television tower and as the second image information item (3) the geographic position of the Berlin television tower marked by means of a star on a map of Berlin shown as a detail. The value document shown in Fig. lb contains as the first image information item (5) Munich's Church of Our Lady and as the second image information item (6) the geographic position of Munich's Church of Our Lady marked by means of a star on a map of Munich shown as a detail. [00351 The image information items (2, 3, 5, 6) shown in Fig. la and Fig. lb were respectively formed by action of laser radiation on laser-sensitive recording layers previously applied to the value document. The first image information item and the second image information item of each value document were respectively formed on different laser-sensitive recording layers applied to the value document. As the first laser-sensitive recording layer there was used a printed layer consisting of a mixture of a non-absorbent printing ink and laser-radiation-absorbent substances (graphite). As the second laser-sensitive recording layer there was used the aluminum layer of a metallically lustrous security strip. The action of laser radiation on the aluminum layer leads to demetallization. [0036] Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b show two individualized value documents (7, 10) of a further value-document system according to the invention, whereby the first image information item (9, 12) variable from value document to value document is chosen from the thematic area "terrestrial mammals", and the second image information item (8, 11) variable from value document to value document is chosen from the thematic area "physical features of terrestrial mammals". On each individualized value document the first image information item (9, 12) is logically connected to the second image information item (8, 11) in such a fashion that the represented foot or footprint corresponds to the relevant terrestrial mammal. The value document shown in Fig. 2a contains as the first image information item (9) an elephant and as the second image information item (8) the foot of an elephant. The second image information item (8) additionally contains the denomination of the value document. The value document - 12 shown in Fig. 2b contains as the first image information item (12) a lion and as the second image information item (11) a lion's paw print. The second image information item (11) additionally contains the denomination of the value document. 100371 The first image information items (9, 12) shown in Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b were respectively formed by action of laser radiation on a laser-sensitive recording area in the substrate of the value document itself. The laser-sensitive recording area was produced by incorporation of absorbent substances into the value document (TiO 2 ). The second image information items (8, 11) shown in Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b were respectively produced by the method described in DE 10 2006 062 281 Al. For manufacturing these security features obtainable by means of laser radiation there was used a multilayer foil body applied above an opening in the paper-of-value substrate and having a pigment ink embedded therein. The pigment ink consisted of an optically variable ink (OVI@ 9Z 3050A from the company Sicpa with pigments from the company Flex with a color switch from magenta to green) with thin-film elements in pigment form embedded therein. The thin-film elements in pigment form had a middle reflective layer (aluminum), two dielectric layers (SiO 2 ) surrounding the middle reflective layer on each side, and two outer partly transmissive layers (chromium). The laser radiation leads to a change of the partly transmissive layer, which becomes almost completely transparent, so that the viewer then only perceives the color of the metallic reflective layer. The place influenced by the laser beam is clearly recognizable, upon a viewing in incident light, as an exclusively silvery place without a further color switch. However, the neighboring regions of the optically variable ink which were not influenced by the laser beam still have a color switch in incident light. There thus results a contrast between regions with a changed color switch and regions with an unchanged color switch. [0038] Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b show two individualized value documents (13, 16) of a further value-document system according to the invention, whereby the first image information item (14, 17) variable from value document to value document is chosen from the thematic area "flying insects", and the second image information item (15, 18) variable from value document to value document is chosen from the thematic area - 13 "flowers", and the first image information item and the second image information item are applied in a spatially spaced-apart relation so as to yield a series of individualized value documents arranged in order. The spacing in centimeters between the first image information item (14, 17) and the second image information item (15, 18) corresponds here to the value of the last digit of the serial number applied to the corresponding value document. 100391 The image information items (14, 15, 17, 18) shown in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b were respectively formed by action of laser radiation on laser-sensitive recording layers previously applied to the value document. The first image information item and the second image information item of each value document were respectively formed on different laser-sensitive recording layers applied to the value document. For producing the first image information items (14, 17) there was used as a first laser sensitive recording layer a printed layer consisting of a mixture of a non-absorbent printing ink and laser-radiation-absorbent substances (graphite). For producing the second image information items (15, 18) there was used as a second laser-sensitive recording layer the aluminum layer of a metallically lustrous security strip. The action of laser radiation on the aluminum layer leads to demetallization. 100401 Further examples of value-document systems according to the invention include individualized value documents according to Figures la and lb or Figures 3a and 3b wherein the first and second image information items are respectively located on the front side of the value document, whereby at least one of the two image information items is additionally provided on the back side of the value document, e.g. by action of laser radiation on the aluminum layer of a metallically lustrous security strip.