CZ20002052A3 - Magnetic, metallic or magneto-metallic protective means having multiple protective characteristic signs, process of its manufacture and verification method of its genuineness - Google Patents

Abstract

Magnetic-metal protective means (10) having! protective the features used in the security article (12) ticket, label or tag to authenticate the subject (12) and / or encode the data to be associated with the subject (12) relate. One example of a preservative includes a carrier a substrate (14), a metal layer (20) disposed on the support a substrate (14) and a magnetic track (23a, 23b) disposed thereon the metal layer (20) in substantial association with the at least part metal layers (20) thereby providing both metal security features as well as magnetic security features The metal layer (20) and the magnetic layer also form a graphical layer or visually identifiable evidence (16) on support substrate (14) to provide a visual protective coating a characteristic feature, one of them causes metal layer (20) is applied to the support substrate (14), magnetic the layer is applied to the metal layer (20) and the layers are etched to create a graphical evidence. Magnetic the layer may in one embodiment comprise a magnetic layer a chemically resistant coating (22) that is printed on a metallic layer in the form of a graphical feature. Magnetic protective features use one or more magnetic parameters such as magnetization level and magnetism loss parameter for soft magnetic materials to authenticate and / or encode data. Magnetic the security element may also include magnetic tracks for data recording. Metal protective features use different lengths of conductive areas to verify a data encryption.

Description

The present invention relates to magnetic, metallic or magneto-metallic protective means, and in particular to a magnetic-metal protective means or element having multiple protective features that can be used with valuable goods or articles. It further relates to a method for their manufacture and a method for verifying their authenticity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Counterfeiting and falsifying securities or legal instruments such as banknotes, checks, tickets, credit cards and the like and other valuable goods or articles is a common problem in many areas of business. To prevent counterfeiting, many valuable documents and other valuable items are provided with a security means or element, such as a security thread, placed on the document. The security device typically includes one or more security features, such as metallic security features, magnetic security features, or luminescent security features, which are indicative of the authenticity of the document and prevent counterfeiting and / or counterfeiting.

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To verify authenticity, many conventional protective devices merely require the existence of a single protective feature. Counterfeiters need only identify the security feature on the document or article and reproduce this single security feature on the counterfeit document or article so that the security feature can be detected when the counterfeit document is verified. Advances in technology have even provided new and easier ways of identifying these security features and reproducing valuable documents or legal documents with the protective device. Thus, there is a need for more hidden protective features that are not readily detectable and reproducible.

One type of security thread comprises metallic features such as a metallic graphic indicia located on a support substrate. By conventional chemical etching methods, a chemically resistant coating is printed on the metal layer in the form of a graphic indicia, either positively or negatively, and metal is removed from the area with a metal layer not covered by the chemically resistant coating, causing the graphical indicia to be either negative or a positive formed by the remaining metal layer. Security threads having only a metal security element made in accordance with this method do not provide adequate protection because the counterfeiter can easily recognize and reproduce the metal graphic indicia.

Efforts have been made to combine multiple security features such as metallic and magnetic security features to make counterfeiting more difficult. One example is the use of magnetic ink for printing graphic proofs that take

- 3 • Detectors for reading characters printed by magnetic ink, hereinafter referred to as Magnetic Ink Character (MICR) detectors. Recognition). However, when a magnetic ink is used to print graphic indicia with or on metallic security features, the magnetic features and the metallic features can easily be distinguished and identified. The counterfeiter could recognize that both magnetic and metallic security features have been used and need to be reproduced.

Other types of protective fibers have also used hybrid metals or alloys to produce graphical indicia having both magnetic and metallic protective features, but hybrid metals and the process of depositing or deposition of hybrid metals to produce graphical indicia is costly. The use of hybrid metals also limits the ability to alter the magnetic properties that can be used.

Thus, there is a need for a security device having multiple security features such as metallic and magnetic security features that are not readily distinguishable and recognizable upon observation of the security device. There is also a need for a security device in which the security feature (or elements) is capable of providing machine-readable encoded data, e.g., belonging to the security device or document, in addition to the detectable security features of the security document. What is also needed is a method of manufacturing a magneto-metallic preservative using existing chemical etching or demetallization processes.

The essence of the invention »at the 9th at 9th 9th 9th

The present invention relates to a magnetic-metallic protective means for use in an article to provide it with multiple protective features. The protective means comprises a carrier substrate, a metal layer (20) disposed on the carrier substrate to form metallic security features, and a magnetic layer disposed at substantially the same location on at least a portion of a metal layer to provide magnetic security features. Together, the metal layer and the magnetic layer form graphical indicia on the support substrate, either as a positive or negative. In one embodiment, the coating layer is placed over graphic indicia formed by the metal layer and the magnetic layer.

The magnetic-metallic protective means has various embodiments in which the magnetic layer provides magnetic protective features. In one embodiment, the graphic indicia is formed as magnetic features readable by MICR detectors. In another embodiment, the magnetic layer comprises a magnetically hard material capable of being magnetized to record data on the magnetic layer.

In another embodiment, the magnetic layer comprises at least one type of magnetic substance having at least one predetermined magnetic parameter that is detectable, in turn, to verify the authenticity of the article having said protective means. In one example, the magnetic substance is a magnetically soft pigment capable of retaining a certain level of magnetization for a period of time.

In a further embodiment, the magnetic layer comprises at least first and second types of magnetic substances having at least first and second predetermined magnetic parameters, respectively. The first and second types of magnetic substances are arranged in a magnetic one

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99 of a layer according to a predetermined pattern representing data encoded in the magnetic layer such that the first and second predetermined parameters are detectable to read the predetermined pattern and decode the data. In one example, the first and second predetermined magnetic parameters represent binary integers, and the predetermined pattern of the first and second types of magnetic materials represents data in binary-encoded format. One example of the first and second types of magnetic substances are first and second magnetically soft pigments having first and second predetermined rates of magnetism loss or predetermined levels of magnetization.

The magnetic-metallic protective means also has various embodiments in which the metallic layer provides metallic protective features. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the metal layer comprises at least one predetermined parameter that is detectable to verify the authenticity of the article having the protective means.

In another embodiment, the metal layer forms a plurality of conductive regions on the substrate. The conductive regions are separated by non-conductive regions and have at least two different predetermined lengths forming a predetermined pattern that represents the encoded data. The predetermined lengths of the conductive regions are detectable so that a predetermined pattern can be read and decoded data. In one example, the conductive regions include first and second predetermined lengths that are binary integers, and the predetermined pattern of the first and second lengths of the conductive regions encodes the data in binary coded format.

The present invention also includes a magnetic protective device for use with the subject matter. Magnetic protective means φ φ • · • •

• φ φφ φφ includes a carrier substrate and a plurality of magnetic regions located on the carrier substrate. The plurality of magnetic regions have different predetermined magnetic parameters, and these are arranged in a predetermined pattern that represents data encoded by the magnetic regions. The first and second predetermined parameters are detectable so that a predetermined pattern can be read and decoded data.

The present invention also includes a metal preservative for use with this subject. The metallic protective means comprises a support substrate and a plurality of conductive areas disposed on the support substrate. The conductive regions are separated by non-conductive regions and have at least two different predetermined lengths forming a predetermined pattern that represents the encoded data. The predetermined lengths of the conductive regions are detectable so that a predetermined pattern can be read and decoded data.

The present invention also encompasses a method of manufacturing a magneto-metallic security device having a plurality of security features. The method comprises taking a carrier substrate having first and second surfaces, depositing a metal layer on at least a portion of the first surface of the carrier substrate, depositing a magnetic layer on at least a portion of the metal layer and etching the magnetic layer and metal layer such that the metal layer is substantially in the same position and together they form graphic indicia on the support substrate.

A particularly preferred method of manufacturing a magnetic-metallic protective means comprises taking a carrier substrate having first and second surfaces, applying at least a portion of the first surface of the carrier substrate to a metallic layer, at least a portion of the metallic layer applying a magnetic chemically resistant coating, the durable coating creates a graphic pattern of the proof character. on the metal layer and the metal layer is chemically etched to remove the exposed portions of the metal layer, the chemical etching resists the magnetic chemically resistant coating so that the magnetic chemically resistant coating and the portion of the metal layer beneath the magnetic chemically resistant coating together form an indicative feature pattern on the support . The method may also include applying an additional layer over the graphic indicia formed by the magnetic chemically resistant coating and a portion of the metal layer under the magnetic chemically resistant coating.

Overview of the drawings

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description, referring to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a document or object having a security device according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a magnetic 3A to 3C are cross-sectional side elevational views of the magnetic-metallic preservative in the various stages of the manufacturing process of the present invention; FIG. 4A is a plan view of a magnetic-metallic preservative having magnetic FIG. 4B is a schematic and graphical representation of a magnetic-metal protective means having machine-readable encoded magnetic and metallic protective features according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the function of FIG. and an apparatus for detecting or reading magnetic protection features according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a machine readable encoded metallic protection feature according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a machine-readable encoded metallic security feature and capacitive sensors for reading encoded data according to one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a machine-readable metallic security means according to another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan view of a machine-readable metal protective device according to another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of a machine-readable metal protective device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The protective means 10 of FIG. 1 of the present invention is used with an article 12 to prevent forgery or reproduction of the article 12 or other article to which the article 12 is attached. The security means 10 has multiple security features, such as metallic security features and magnetic security features, capable of encoding data in a machine-readable format therein in addition to performing authentication of the article 12. The metallic and magnetic security features are s preferably, they are formatted with a magnetic chemically resistant coating, as will be described in more detail below, so that at least some of the metallic and magnetic protective features are generally precisely placed on top of each other and are essentially not distinguishable to the naked eye.

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The security means 10 can be used to protect documents, including, for example, banknotes, bills, passports, vizs, possessions, permits, registrations, checks, payment orders, original documents, authorization certificates, event tickets and gift certificates. The security means 10 provides authentication of the security or carries encrypted data relating to the security or to the security means itself.

The preservative 10 can also be used on labels, tags or packaging materials, including, for example, pressure sensitive labels, adhesive labels, molded labels, heat shrink film labels, interwoven labels, tear tapes, shrink caps and sleeves, and of stickers. In this example, the magneto-metallic protective means 10 verifies authenticity or contains encoded data relating to the products to which the labels or packaging material are attached, such as liqueurs or other valuable goods.

The security means 10 may further be used with a layered product for, for example, passports, identity cards, access cards, licenses, and sprite cards. In this example, the protective means 10 is used to verify the authenticity of the laminated product or is encoded with data relating to the product or the owner of the product.

The security means 10 can also be used for tickets or IDs, e.g., event tickets, transit tickets, lottery tickets and authorized entry cards. According to this example, the security means 10 may provide authentication of the ticket or passage either alone or may contain encoded data relating to the action. Other protective uses and applications are contemplated by the present invention

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- 10 means 10 to prevent counterfeiting, reproduction or other protection for valuable objects or products.

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According to an exemplary embodiment, the protective means 10 is formed as a fiber or strip that extends partially or wholly along the object 12 in some direction. The protective means 10 may be embedded in the article 12, attached to the article 12, woven into the article 12 or inserted as a laminate layer between The plurality of layers of the article 12. The article 12 may also include a plurality of protective means 10 according to the present invention.

The protective means 10 of FIG. 2 comprises a support substrate 14, e.g., formed as a thread or strip. One type of support substrate 14 is one that is made of polyester, polyvinyl carbonate or polypropylene film or paper. Optionally, the support substrate 14 may be of plastic film or metallized paper or other type of material used in conventional protective fibers.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protective means 10 includes graphical indicia 16 formed from a magnetic-metal medium disposed on a support substrate 14. The graphical indicia 16 may be formed positively on a support substrate 14, i.e., graphical indicia features 16 are composed of a magneto-metallic medium. The graphical indicia 16 may also be formed as a negative, i.e., the area 18 surrounding the graphical indicia 16 is composed of a magneto-metallic medium. The magnetic-metal security means 10 may also be a combination of positive and negative graphic indicia 16. Graphic indicia 16 may be printed as consisting of lines where fixed areas are printed in the desired shape or halftone where tiny dots are printed with changing pitch to achieve shading. Although graphical proofs are represented as alphanumeric characters, ♦ ·

The present invention does not mean any particular symbol, pattern, shape, or other graphic indicia.

A method of manufacturing an exemplary protective device 10 of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 3A and 3B and comprises first depositing a metal layer 20 on a support substrate 14. The metal layer 20 preferably comprises aluminum deposited as powder or vapor deposited on the support substrate 14. Alternatively, the metal layer 20 may be a metal foil or other type of metal applied to the support substrate 14.

Then, a magnetic chemically resistant coating 22 according to the desired pattern of the graphic indicia 16 is applied to the metal layer 20, e.g., printed as a positive, negative, or both. The magnetic chemically resistant coating 22 comprises film-forming chemically resistant resins containing ferromagnetic or other magnetic pigments. Chemically resistant coatings include, for example, resin systems which are capable of polymerizing by electron beam or ultraviolet radiation and which are based on a solvent, water or a solid base, or other conventional chemically resistant resins. Magnetic pigments include both magnetically hard and magnetically soft pigments, as described in more detail below, generally in the range of about 200 oersted to 10,000 oersted.

Thereafter, the etching process is performed on the magneto-metallic preservative as shown in Figure 3B to remove portions of the metal layer 20 which are not protected by the magnetic chemically resistant coating 22. The etching process includes conventional chemical etching processes known to those of ordinary skill in the art. . The magnetic, chemically resistant coating 22 resists chemical attack and remains on the underlying metal layer 20 while being arranged in the desired printed pattern. The magnetic chemically resistant coating 22 is superimposed over

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Substantially at least a portion of the underlying metal layer 20, thereby producing both magnetic and metallic security features that are substantially indistinguishable in at least some areas of the protective means 10. The magnetic chemically resistant coating 22 thus acts both. It resists chemical attack by etching the metal layer 20 but also by providing a magnetic security feature superimposed on the metallic security feature so that it is not readily identifiable.

Alternatively, the graphic indicia 16 may be formed using techniques of another type, such as laser, mechanical engraving, abrasion, and the like. One example may be a substrate comprising a metal layer (20) that is coated with a magnetic layer and subjected to a laser firing process. Laser firing selectively removes both the magnetic and metal layers (20) and produces the desired graphical indicia 16 having magnetic security features in a layer disposed over a substantially identical metallic security feature.

The present invention also contemplates the use of an additional coating layer or laminate layer 24 of Fig. 3C above the graphic indicia 16 on either or both sides. One example is that an additional layer 24 is used to help hide the protective means 10 when embedded in paper and observed in reflected light. In this case, however, the graphical indicia 16, formed by a magnetic chemically resistant coating, are still observable when viewed in transmitted light.

The security means 10 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B may be encoded by machine-readable analog or digital data, as well as provide authentication through a variety of paths using

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9 • 9 9 · • 9999 · * various properties of metallic and magnetic safety features. The use of one or more metal and / or magnetic properties to verify the authenticity of the security device 10 or the article 12 involves detecting whether or not one or more properties are present on the security device 10. By using one or more metallic or magnetic properties to encode as analogue or digital data, it involves detecting and retrieving a combination of properties that represent a numeric code, for example in the form of a binary-coded decimal (BCD) and decoding that code. to determine the data this number represents.

The magnetic security feature is able to verify the authenticity of an object or to encode data relating to an object in several ways. For example, the graphical indicia 16 are constructed as magnetic alphabetic characters that can be read by conventional MICR detectors. In this example, the graphic character is preferably formed as positive text.

In another example, the magnetic chemically resistant coating 22 comprises a magnetically hard pigment capable of being magnetized in the same manner as a magnetic recording tape. In this example, the graphical indicia 16 of FIG. 4A are preferably formed in negative text such that a magnetic chemically resistant coating 22 comprising a magnetically hard pigment produces one or more magnetic tracks 23a, 23b. Authentication of data or other information may be written and read from the magnetic track or tracks 23a, 23b using conventional recording devices and read using conventional reading devices.

In another example, the magnetic chemically resistant coating 22 comprises a magnetically soft substance that may be

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9 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · The use of a soft magnetic material allows the magnetic security element to be hidden even more since the magnetic properties will not be detected unless the soft magnetic material is first magnetized. Magnetically soft materials generally have predetermined magnetic parameters such as the level of magnetization they can achieve and the rate of magnetization loss. Magnetically soft materials can be used to perform authentication by first magnetizing the magneto-metallic protective means 10 and then detecting the existence of magnetization, the level of magnetization or the rate of loss.

By providing magnetically soft fabrics with varying magnetic parameters, such as different levels of magnetism that can be achieved or the rate of magnetization loss, the graphic indicia 16 of Figure 4B can be further used to encode data in a machine readable format. For example, the graphical indicia segments 16a to 16d may include two types of magnetically soft pigments, one having a high decay rate 28a and the other having a low decay rate 28b that represent encoded data in the form of binary integers in BCD format. Some graphical indicia segments 16a, 16c are printed with magnetic substances having a rapid loss of magnetization, and other graphical indicia segments 16b, 16d are printed with magnetic substances having a slow magnetization disappearance. The data is thus encoded in BCD format (0101) by adhering to a predetermined pattern of segments 16a to 16d having two different types of magnetic pigments. The encoded data may include authentication data or other data related to the subject 12.

According to one embodiment of the method of the present invention, a different mixture of a magnetic, chemically resistant coating 22 having magnetic pigments with different magnetic properties is printed on the metal layer 20 by means of multiple printing stations, as is done in a multi-color offset printing press. or parameters. The use of multiple print stations allows the graphic indicia to be printed in any desired pattern using different combinations of magnetic, chemically resistant coatings having different, different magnetic properties.

Properties.

encoding

The present invention also encompasses the simultaneous use of the level of magnetism and the rate of decay in magnetically soft materials, as well as mixtures of magnetically hard and soft materials to achieve any combination of magnetic parameters or properties to verify the authenticity of an object or to encode data relating to an object. Although the exemplary embodiment described above relates to two different magnetic properties for encoding data in BCD format, any other number of different ones may be used to encode data in other numerical formats. In addition to providing authentication and data using magnetic security features, the metal security means also provide authentication of the encoded data, eg by creating segments 16a to 16d with different metal lengths representing data in the BCD format (1100), as will be described in more detail below.

The device 30 of Fig. 5 for reading the magnetic-metallic security features comprises at least a detector with a reader 34 for detecting one or more parameters of a metal or magnetic layer or for reading a predetermined pattern formed by metal and magnetic regions having different parameters. After detecting one or more parameters

The 16 authentication device 36 determines whether the protective means is genuine. After the predetermined pattern has been read, the decoder 38 decodes the data represented by the predetermined pattern.

When the protective means 10 includes magnetic protective features having a magnetically soft nature, the device 30 further comprises a magnetizer 32 which magnetizes the soft magnetic pigments before the reader 34 detects the characteristics of the magnetic substance, such as the existence of the magnetic substance, level of magnetization, magnetism or other detectable magnetic parameters. Authentication can be performed based on whether the soft magnetic material is present, whether the soft magnetic substance has a predetermined level of magnetization, or whether the soft magnetic substance has a predetermined rate of loss.

Decoding is performed by determining the pattern of the various magnetic parameters read by the reader 34. For example, if the magneto-metallic protective means 10 shown in FIG. 4 is magnetized by a magnetizer 32, then over time the segments 16b, 16d having a slower rate of loss 28b will remain magnetized. 16c having a faster rate of loss 28a will no longer be magnetized. The reader 34 distinguishes different magnetic properties and determines a predetermined magnetic property pattern. From its predetermined magnetic property pattern, its corresponding binary representation (0101) is determined and the data thus represented is decoded.

The metallic security feature 40 of Figure 6 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of conductive areas 42 and non-conductive areas 44, such as a metallized polyester film having demetallized breaks, e.g.

- 17 · · 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 «17 17 17 s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s using the chemical resistance process described above. Each non-conductive area 44 is located between two conductive areas 42. The plurality of conductive areas 42 and non-conductive areas 44 form a predetermined pattern that represents a verification code or data encoded by the metal security feature 40.

Each conductive region 42 has one of at least two predetermined lengths, for example a long conductive region 42a and a short conductive region 42b. Each predetermined length corresponds to a predetermined value so that the data can be determined by detecting the length of each conductive area 42 and determining the corresponding value.

In one embodiment, the long conductive regions 42a correspond to 1 and the short conductive regions 42b correspond to 0 ". In this example, the long and short conductive areas 42a, 42b are used to encode data in the BCD format. The long and short conducting regions 42a, 42b are arranged in predetermined series corresponding to the binary representation of the data to be encoded. In this example, the detector with the reader 34 detects the length of each conducting area 42 in series (ie, whether it is long or short) and determines the corresponding binary representation. To perform authentication, the binary representation is compared with a predefined verification code for the item 12. The binary representation is then decoded to retrieve the encoded data.

Accordingly, depending on the arrangement of the conductive areas 42 having varying lengths, a substantially unlimited number of verification codes or data can be encoded using a machine readable metal security feature 40. The machine readable metal security feature 40 of the present invention allows it to be encoded data easily changed by changing the order of the conductive regions 42a, 42b. The conductive areas can be formed according to

- 18 * · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · provided that they are conductive along one predetermined length, as described in more detail below.

Although only two lengths are given for the sake of simplicity, any number of different lengths of the conductive regions can be used to encode the data. For example, octal data can be encoded using eight conductive regions of different lengths.

One method of reading and verifying the machine-readable metal security element 40 of FIG. 7 is to detect long and short conductive areas 42a, 42b using capacitance verification or detection, as described in U.S. Pat.

No. 419,424, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

According to the capacity verification methods, the machine-readable metal security feature 40 is placed near the capacitive sensors 50 which are connected to the verification device (not shown).

When the capacitive sensor 50 is placed near the conductive regions 42, the conductive regions 42 capacitively connect one sensor 52a to another sensor 52b. Where there is a non-conductive area 44 or a conductivity break, there will be no capacitive connection between adjacent capacitive sensors 52b, 52c on either side of the non-conductive area 44. By detecting capacity changes when the machine-readable encoded metal security feature 40 is placed near the capacitive sensors 50 the presence of long and short conductive regions 42a, 42b. The present invention also includes other verification devices and methods capable of detecting the lengths of the conductive areas 42a, 42b, such as various electromagnetic verification devices.

The conductive areas 42 of the machine-readable encoded metal security feature 40 are preferably formed of a metallic material such as aluminum. Examples of such methods include, for example, forming the conductive areas 42 by plating

- 19 9 ** 9 9 9 9 · 99 · * 9 ··· · 9 ·· 99 * 9 9 • 99 99 «9999 99 9 99 9 99 99 Polyester foils, hot stamping and printing conductive areas 42 metal containing in ink. The present invention also encompasses other types of metallic materials and methods of forming conductive areas and non-conductive breaks.

The machine-readable encoded metal security feature 40 and the protective means in which it is used are preferably designed to allow minimal stretching, for example a length change of about 5% or less. Also, the detection of the lengths of the conductive areas 42a, 42b should take into account the potential extension of the protective means and the machine-readable encoded metal security feature 40, for example, by taking into account the potential percent change in length.

According to another embodiment of the machine-readable encoded metal security feature 40a of Fig. 8 according to the present invention, each conductive area 42a, 42b includes detection indicia 46 disposed thereon. The indicia 46 printed or placed on the conductive areas 42a, 42b may be used to provide additional verification code or data, or may be used to provide false patterns that deceive counterfeiters and obscure the true verification code. Such indicia include alphanumeric characters 46a, barcodes 46b, or other patterns 46c. The indicia 46a to 46c according to this embodiment is printed or located on the conductive areas 42a, 42b without interrupting the conductivity of each conductive area 42a, 42b and without affecting the capacitive detection of the length of each conductive area 42a, 42b using capacitive sensors 52.

According to another embodiment of the machine-readable encoded metal security feature 40b of Fig. 9, the conductive areas 42 are formed as the conductive areas of the indicia features 62a to 62c formed of a conductive material, e.g. printed with a metal-containing ink or formed by a chemical

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9 99 99 resistance. The conductive regions of the indicia 62a, 62c are designed such that the individual indicia features or symbols 49a to 49f are joined at the contact points 48 and separated in the non-conductive regions 44. The conductive indicia features 62a to 62c are therefore of predetermined lengths and are arranged in predetermined lengths. determined patterns representing the encoded data to be detected as described above. The conductive areas of the indicia characters 62a to 62c include alphanumeric characters as well as other symbols or indicia used to secure additional verification code or to create false patterns that deceive counterfeiters and obscure the actual encoded data.

Another embodiment of the machine-readable encoded metal security feature 40c of FIG. 10 according to the present invention includes conductive areas 42a to 42c, such as narrow areas of metallic material and non-conductive areas of indicia 64a to 64c, which break conductivity between conductive areas 42a to 42c. For example, specific alphanumeric characters or other symbols may be generated between the conductive regions 42a to 42c from a non-conductive material or by a chemically resistant material or by a demetallization process to ensure a break in the conductivity. Furthermore, alphanumeric characters or other symbols that create areas with non-conductive indicia features 64a to 64c provide additional data or codes and false patterns that deceive counterfeiters and hide actual encoded data.

The present invention encompasses the use of magnetic security features and metallic security features alone or together on a protective device. Each number of magnetic or metallic properties described above, individually or in combination with other properties, may be used to ensure the authenticity of the article, the encoding of the article-related data, or both.

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According to various embodiments of the present invention, one or more protective means or fibers 10 may be placed on a document or embedded in a security or legal document 70 at different locations. One or more protective means 10 is also legible in different directions as well as face up or upside down. . In one example, the security document 70 is formed by adhering the security means 10 between two half layers of paper, which are then joined together into a laminate. in this example, the security means 10 is preferably non-laminated, so any attempt to separate the sheet 70 into layers and remove the security means 10 will cause the adhesive bonding layer to remove the metallic or magnetic security features and alter the security feature or encoded data.

One example of Schedule 70 is a ticket to sporting events, concerts, theaters, shows, lotteries, transportation, rallies, pilgrimages and other events. The security means 10 on the ticket may be encoded with a predetermined verification code or encoded data that can be read when the security document 70 is presented, for example, upon entry into said event.

In one example, one complete code 72 appears over a length of about 2.5 (6 cm).

Thus, the security device of the present invention verifies the authenticity of an object or encoded by data relating to an action in a number of ways with one or more security features, such as metallic security features and magnetic security features, which generally appear together as one single security feature. Thus, the security features and the encoded data are more difficult to identify and reproduce. Method for producing a protective agent using chemical etching and magnetic

- 22 · • φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ The method of printing graphic indicia using a magnetic chemically resistant coating also facilitates the use of magnetic pigments having different magnetic parameters or properties by printing using different magnetic chemically resistant compositions.

The person skilled in the art will appreciate various possible modifications and substitutions within the scope of the present invention without limitation to the scope of the claims that follow.

Industrial applicability

The security devices or elements having multiple security features of the present invention are useful in those areas where counterfeiting and counterfeiting securities or legal documents such as banknotes, checks, tickets, credit cards and the like or other valuable goods or articles occur.

Claims (48)

A magnetic-metallic protective means for use with an article for providing multiple protective features, characterized in that it comprises a carrier substrate (14), a metal layer (20) disposed at least on a portion of said carrier substrate (14) for providing metallic protective features (40) and a magnetic layer disposed on said metal layer (20) and having a substantially identical location to the metal layer (20) for providing the magnetic protective features, the metal layer (20) and the magnetic layer together forming a visually identifiable graphic an indicia on at least a portion of said support substrate (14). Magnetic-metal protective means according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic layer comprises a chemically resistant coating (22). 3. The magnetic-metallic protective device of claim 1, wherein the visually identifiable graphic indicia is embodied as magnetic features readable by MICR detectors. 4. The magnetic-metallic security device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic layer comprises a hard magnetic material capable of being magnetized to record data on said magnetic layer. 5. The magnetic-magnetic protective means of claim 1, wherein the magnetic layer comprises at least one type of magnetic substance having at least one predetermined magnetic parameter and wherein at least one - 24 · · předem 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 předem předem předem předem předem předem předem předem předem předem předem předem předem předem předem předem předem the magnetic parameter is detectable to verify the authenticity of the article having said protective means. 6. The magnetic-metallic protective device of claim 5, wherein the at least one type of magnetic substance is a soft magnetic pigment capable of maintaining a level of magnetization for a limited period of time, and wherein the at least one predetermined magnetic parameter comprises said level of magnetism capable of maintaining a magnetically soft. pigment and the rate of loss of said level of magnetism within a limited time. 7. The magnetic-metallic protective means of claim 1, wherein said magnetic layer comprises at least a first and a second type of magnetic substances having at least a first and a second magnetic parameter, and wherein said first and second type of magnetic substances are arranged in said magnetic layer in a predetermined pattern that represents data encoded with the aid of said magnetic layer such that said first and second predetermined parameters are detectable such that a predetermined pattern can be read and decoded said data. 8. The magnetic-metal security device of claim 7, wherein the first and second predetermined magnetic parameters are binary integers, and wherein the predetermined pattern of said first and second types of magnetic substances is binary-encoded data. 9. The magnetic-metal protective means of claim 7, wherein the first and second types of magnetic substances have first and second predetermined φ φ φ φ. - 25 φ φ φ parametr * · · · · · · · · · · ·φ φ φ · φ φ Φ φ · · · φφφφφφ · * * a pigment having first and second magnetic loss. a predetermined speed 10. Magnetic-metal protective means according to 7 characterized by that first and the second type magnetic substances having first and second predetermined magnetic parameters include first and second magnetic pigments capable of retaining first and second predetermined levels of magnetism. The magnetic-metallic protective means of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the metal layer (20) comprises at least one predetermined parameter and wherein the at least one predetermined magnetic parameter is detectable to verify the authenticity of an article having said protective means. The magnetic-metal protective means of claim 1, wherein the metal layer (20) forms a plurality of conductive regions on said substrate (14), wherein the conductive regions are separated by non-conductive regions and have at least two different predetermined lengths forming a predetermined pattern which represents the encoded data and wherein said predetermined lengths of said conducting regions are detectable so as to read the predetermined pattern and decode its data. 13. The magnetic-metal security device of claim 12, wherein the conductive regions include first and second predetermined lengths representing binary integers, and wherein the predetermined first and second lengths of the conductive region encode data into a binary-encoded format. «· · · · · - 26 · * I * * * * * * 26 26 26 26 26 26 14. The magnetic-metal security device of claim 12, wherein the data encoded by the predetermined conductive area pattern is a verification code. The magnetic-metallic protective means of claim 1, wherein the visually identifiable graphic indicia is formed positively on the support substrate (14) by means of a magnetic layer and the metal layer (20) is below the magnetic layer. 16. The magnetic-metallic protective means of claim 1, wherein the visually identifiable indicia is formed negatively on the support substrate (14) by a magnetic layer and the metal layer (20) is below the magnetic layer. 17. A magnetic-metal protective device, characterized in that a coating is placed over the indicia formed by the metal layer. The composition of item 1 further comprising a layer (24) visually identifiable by a layer (20) and a magnetic layer 18. The magnetic-metallic security device of claim 17, wherein the visually identifiable indicia is hidden when viewed in reflected light and is observable when viewed in transmitted light. 19. The magnetic-metal security device of claim 1, further comprising at least one magnetic track disposed along at least a portion of said data recording substrate (14). 20. A magnetic protective means for use in an article comprising a support substrate (14). Β Β 1 • Β Β Β Β Β And a plurality of magnetic regions disposed on the support substrate (14), the plurality of magnetic regions having different predetermined magnetic parameters, the plurality of magnetic regions having different predetermined magnetic parameters arranged in a predetermined pattern representing data encoded by the magnetic regions areas such that the first and second predetermined parameters are detectable to read the predetermined pattern and decode the data. 21. The magnetic protective device of claim 20, wherein the various predetermined parameters include at least a first and a second predetermined magnetic parameter that are binary integers and wherein the predetermined pattern of the magnetic regions having the first and second predetermined magnetic parameters are data in binary coded format. 22. The magnetic shielding device of claim 20, wherein the magnetic regions having different predetermined magnetic parameters comprise at least first and second types of magnetically soft pigments having first and second predetermined magnetization loss rates. 23. The magnetic protection device of claim 20, wherein the magnetic regions having different predetermined magnetic parameters comprise at least first and second types of magnetically soft pigment capable of retaining first and second predetermined levels of magnetism. 24. The magnetic protective device of claim 20, wherein the magnetic regions are - 28 φφφ * φ · ···· φ φ · ΦΦ * ·· ·· ·· · · * Φ φ φ vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvoř vytvořφ 25. A metallic protective means for use in an article comprising a carrier substrate (14) and a plurality of conductive regions disposed on said carrier substrate (14), wherein the conductive regions are separated by non-conductive regions and have at least two different predetermined lengths forming predetermined lengths. a predetermined pattern representing the encoded data, and wherein said predetermined lengths of said conducting regions are detectable to read the predetermined pattern and decode the data. 26. The metal shield of claim 25, wherein the conductive regions include first and second predetermined lengths of binary integers, and wherein the predetermined pattern of these first and second lengths of these conductive regions encodes data in binary encoded format. 27. The metal protective device of claim 25, wherein the conductive areas are formed as graphical indicia and the non-conductive areas are formed as interruptions between the graphical indicia. 28. The metal preservation device of claim 25, wherein the non-conductive areas are formed as graphical indicia and the conductive areas are formed around the graphical indicia. 29. A method of manufacturing a magnetic-metal protective means having a plurality of protective features, comprising providing a carrier substrate (14) having first and second surfaces to deposit; - 29 9 9 • 99 9 99 9 99 9 9 · · 9 metal layer (20) on at least one portion of the first surface of said support substrate (14), applying a magnetic layer to at least a portion of the metal layer (20) and etching the magnetic layer and metal layer (20) such that at least a portion of the magnetic layer and the metal layer (20) are substantially in the same position and together form a visually identifiable indicia on the support substrate (14). The method of claim 29, wherein the etching of the magnetic layer and the metal layer (20) comprises chemical etching of the magnetic layer and the metal layer (20). The method of claim 29, wherein the etching of the magnetic layer and the metal layer (20) comprises laser burning the magnetic layer and the metal layer (20). The method of claim 29, wherein the etching of the magnetic layer and the metal layer 20) comprises mechanically scraping the magnetic layer and the metal layer (20). 33. The method of claim 29, wherein the magnetic layer comprises at least a first and a second type of magnetic substance having at least a first and a second predetermined magnetic parameter, and wherein the magnetic layer is applied such that the first and second types of magnetic substance are arranged in this magnetic layer in a predetermined pattern. The method of claim 29, wherein said metal layer (20) is etched to form a plurality of conductive regions on said substrate (14), wherein the conductive regions are separated by non-conductive regions and have at least two; 9 9 » 9 9 99 99 - 30 V · · VΤ 9 9 9 9 9 · 9 • 9 999 · 9 · 9 9 9 9 99 9 99 9 different predetermined lengths forming a predetermined pattern. 35. A method of manufacturing a magnetic-metallic protective means having a plurality of security features, comprising providing a carrier substrate (14) having first and second surfaces, applying a metal layer (20) to at least one portion of a first surface of said carrier substrate (14). 14), applying a magnetic chemically resistant coating (22) to at least a portion of the metal layer (20), the magnetic chemically resistant coating (22) forming a pattern on the metal layer (20) and chemically etching the metal layer (20) to remove the exposed the magnetic chemically resistant coating (22) so that the magnetic chemically resistant coating (22) and the underlying metal layer (20) lying together form a pattern on the support substrate (14). The method of claim 35, wherein the magnetic chemically resistant coating (22) comprises a film-forming chemically resistant resin comprising magnetic pigments. 37. The method of claim 35, wherein the film-forming chemically resistant resin comprises a resin selected from the group consisting of solvent-based resins, base-water resins, solid-base resins, ultraviolet-light polymerizable resins, and electron-ray polymerizable resins. . 38. The method of claim 36 wherein said magnetic pigments comprise soft magnetic pigments having at least one predetermined magnetic parameter. • 9 9 · 9 · 9 ···· · 9 · 9 9 9 · · ·· · - 31 39. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of applying said magnetic chemically resistant coating comprises printing a graphical indicia using a magnetic chemically resistant coating. 40. The method of claim 35, further comprising applying an additional layer to the graphic indicia formed by the magnetic chemically resistant coating and the underlying metal layer. 41. A method of authenticating a magnetic-metallic protective device, comprising the steps of writing data to a magnetic layer disposed on at least a portion of the support substrate (14), reading the magnetic data from the magnetic layer and comparing the read magnetic data with the expected magnetic data. 42. The authentication method of claim 41, including the expected magnetic data, including predetermined magnetic data. 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the predetermined magnetic data comprises analog data. 44. The method of claim 42, wherein the predetermined magnetic data comprises digital data. 45. The method of claim 41, wherein said magnetic data comprises a level of magnetization. 9 · 9 · - 32 I * I · · · 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 46. The method of claim 45 wherein the level of magnetization is selected from the group consisting of a high level of magnetization, a low level of magnetization, and a medium level of magnetization. 47. The method of claim 45, wherein the expected data comprises a rate of magnetization loss. 48. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of determining the presence of a magnetic layer on said magnetic-metal protective means prior to the step of writing data to said magnetic layer. 49. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of determining the presence of the metal layer on the magnetic-metal protective means is prior to the step of writing data to the magnetic layer.