DE102011005518A1 - Security element with a 3D color effect and verification method and verification device for such a security element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a security element (2) for producing a 3D color effect comprising graphic information (3) which comprises at least a first information component (3-1) and a second information component (3-2), the first and the second information component have different spectral distributions in the remission and / or transmission spectrum in the case of broadband excitation with electromagnetic radiation, the first information component (3-1) and the second information component (3-2) being designed so that their remission and / or transmission spectrum each through a spectral distribution of a spectral color is dominated. The invention also relates to a method for its verification and a verification device (20).

Description

The invention relates to security elements for value and / or security documents and in particular to security elements which are colored and can be optically verified.

From the prior art, a number of security elements are known that can be optically verified. Security elements in this case are those entities which have at least one feature which complicates and / or prevents copying, falsifying, duplicating or the like of an object on which this entity is attached or in which this entity is integrated. Items that have at least one security feature or security element are called security documents. If these additionally embody a value, these are also referred to as value documents. Examples of security documents include, for example, passports, identity cards, driving licenses, access cards, but also labels and tickets, to name only a few. Security documents, which additionally embody a value and are therefore also referred to as value documents, include, for example, banknotes, postage stamps, tax stamps, vouchers, shares, to name only a few as well. A precise delineation of the group of value documents is difficult, since, for example, bank or credit cards usually embody no value directly, but they allow a disposition of funds or the like.

As a rule, security elements only fulfill their function if there is a possibility of verifying their authenticity. This makes it possible to copy or copy the true security elements of pirated or spoofed security elements. To distinguish security elements. Counterfeiters become common. Value and / or security documents falsified in such a way that the associated security elements are imitated or emulated as well as possible. Such counterfeits are also referred to as simulataneous counterfeits because they initially give the impression that the correct security element is present in the value and / or security document. Only with a more precise verification of the security element is then to determine that it is a falsification or other type of imitation.

Particularly suitable are security elements that can be verified by humans with the aid of simple aids, but also offer the possibility of using automated or semi-automated ones. Mechanisms to verify. In addition, it is often desirable to be able to associate information with a security element that can be secured by this security element itself in terms of falsification, imitation or other manipulation. Furthermore, it is desirable for a security element to give a pleasing aesthetic impression in order to give the valuable or security document a distinctive and / or aesthetically pleasing appearance.

The invention is therefore based on the technical problem of creating a novel security element for value and / or security documents.

Basic idea of the invention

The invention is based on the idea of creating a security element which comprises graphic information consisting of different pieces of information. At least two pieces of information are coded or formed so that they have a reflectance and / or transmission spectrum in a broadband excitation with electromagnetic radiation, for example white light, which comprises a continuous spectrum, which is dominated by a spectral distribution of a spectral color. The two pieces of information are formed so that they are dominated by different spectral colors. Ideally, the reflectance and / or transmission spectra correspond to those of a spectral color. This means that the remission and / or transmission spectrum in each case has a remission or transmission only in a contiguous narrow-band wavelength range. If one looks at such graphic information and selects for the two spectral colors those which have a large wavelength separation in the optical spectrum, for example a blue spectral color and a red spectral color, these are already imaged differently in the human eye because of the different wavelengths, since a radiation propagation is wavelength dependent in the human eye. This effect can be amplified by using an optical device by which the remitted and / or transmitted radiation is guided during the viewing and / or image acquisition, which wavelength-dependent propagation of the electromagnetic radiation. affected. If, for example, such a security element comprising two pieces of information showing reflectance spectra of different spectral colors when illuminated with white, continuous light is viewed by means of a condenser lens exhibiting a strong chromatic aberration, this results in the fact that due to the different spatial propagation directions of light different wavelength in a person the sense impression is awakened that the different Information shares, which are arranged in the security element next to each other in the same plane, are formed in different levels. The human observer thus perceives the differently colored information portions as if they were arranged in different spatial planes, so that a three-dimensional effect, ie in addition to the areal extent, adds a different spatial depth. This effect is referred to here as a 3D color effect. For verification, therefore, only a light source with a continuous white light spectrum and a magnifying glass is required, which has a certain chromatic aberration. Commercially available loupes or magnifying lamps have also proven to be suitable, comprising, for example, a magnifying glass with 3 dioptres and a light source surrounding the magnifying glass, which is covered to a viewing side by a housing enclosing the magnifying glass and to a lighting and viewing object whose security element is verified should be, is open. An appropriate distance may be easily selected depending on a loupe diameter, a diopter value and a vision of a human observer.

Such a security element offers, in particular, a very good protection against appearances of fake color graphics are created with multi-color printing systems. Modern laser printers, which for example have a cyan-yellow-magenta color system, are able to reproduce the graphic information in such a way that, when viewed and / or reproduced without chromatic aberration, they have an identical image or identical optical image Impression causes, however, an optical element is inserted, which influences the propagation direction wavelength dependent, for example, a lens with a strong chromatic aberration, so caused by the original security element 3D color effect is observed not or only greatly attenuated. The reason for this lies in the fact that in the information portion of. Color impression is caused by a color subtraction of different colored surface portions, a reflectance and / or transmission spectrum, which not only shares a spectral color, but a plurality of spectral colors, which now due to the wavelength-dependent propagation direction influence by the optical element at different locations on the retina or a Location and wavelength resolution detector can be mapped.

definitions

A spectral color is a color caused by light of a wavelength or a limited wavelength range. A spectral distribution of a spectral color thus has an intensity which is different from zero only at one wavelength or a narrowly limited wavelength range.

The excitation with electromagnetic radiation is understood to mean the irradiation with electromagnetic radiation, in particular with light.

Remission here is the process in which electromagnetic radiation emanates from an object which is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation. The radiation emitted by the object is regarded as remission radiation. Here, all physical processes are summarized in which the electromagnetic radiation does not pass through the object itself. The remission thus includes both the diffuse and directed scattering and / or reflection as well as luminescence radiation, which is triggered by the irradiation with electromagnetic radiation. This only distinguishes the process in which the light passes through the object itself, which is referred to as transmission. A remission spectrum is the spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation emanating from the object in the remission. A transmission spectrum is the spectrum of the radiation transmitted through the article whose transmission spectrum is considered. The transmission spectrum may also comprise portions of a luminescence radiation which is excited on the basis of an irradiation of the object.

The expression that a spectrum is dominated by a spectral distribution of a spectral color means that the corresponding spectrum has more than half of its intensity in a limited wavelength range that produces a monochrome color impression of a spectral color in an observer.

Under electromagnetic radiation is understood in particular light in the visible wavelength range, but also radiation in the infrared wavelength range and in the ultraviolet wavelength range. As white light is understood here electromagnetic radiation with a continuous spectrum, which includes the visible to a human observer wavelengths of the optical spectrum.

A contour information is that information that is determined by a contour of a graphic and / or graphical elements. In this case, contour information of graphical elements are identical if their contours or images of the contours can be converted into each other by a scaling operation.

The 3D color effect refers to that effect which gives the impression to a human observer that information components which are arranged next to one another in a plane and cause different color impressions in the observer would be arranged at different distances from the observer. This is an effect that is not caused by perspective representations, but only due to the different colors of the information shares.

Preferred embodiments

In particular, a security element for a value and / or security document for producing a 3D color effect is proposed, wherein the security element comprises graphic information and wherein the graphic information comprises at least a first information part and a second information part, wherein the first information part and the second information part in the case of a broadband excitation with electromagnetic radiation, different spectral distributions in the remission and / or transmission spectrum are provided, it being provided according to the invention that the first information component and the second information component are designed such that their remission and / or transmission spectrum in each case dominates by a spectral distribution of a spectral color is or are.

In order to verify a security element which has a 3D color effect, a method is proposed which comprises the steps of illuminating the security element with electromagnetic radiation, guiding the electromagnetic radiation reflected or transmitted to the security element through at least one optical device which permits spatial propagation of the electromagnetic radiation Depending on the wavelength dependent electromagnetic radiation, detecting and evaluating a wavelength-resolved graphical image of the security element.

Such a verification can be carried out, for example, with a security element verification device with a 3D color effect of a security and / or security document comprising: a broadband electromagnetic radiation source for illuminating the security element, a detection device for detecting an optical image of the security element; Detection device is formed, preferably at the same time, spatially spatially resolved to detect at least two different spectral channels, and at least one optical device which affects a spatial propagation of the electromagnetic radiation wavelength dependent and is arranged or can be arranged such that a remitted or transmitted by the security element electromagnetic radiation when capturing the image is guided by the at least one optical device, and an evaluation device for evaluating the acquired Abbildun G. For a human observer, verification by means of a broadband radiation source and an optical device which influences a spatial propagation of the electromagnetic radiation as a function of wavelength, for example a chromatic aberration, is necessary in order to check whether the different information components are due to a 3D color effect in different levels appear arranged in the security element. If the verification is carried out by means of a verification device, the evaluation preferably comprises a comparison of the color values of a plurality of positions of the acquired image with expected color values for these positions. If the information components, as provided in the case of a genuine security element, are designed or applied to the security element in such a way that they each have a reflectance or transmission spectrum dominated by a spectral color, then the various information portions corresponding to this spectral color and the wavelength associated therewith only become imaged in a way. This means that an optical path of the radiation which images the one information component is determined by the wavelength of the spectral color, which dominates the respective remission or transmission spectrum. Is the information component designed in such a way that it does indeed metamere when viewed. Produces color impression to the corresponding spectral color, but has a reflectance or transmission spectrum that is not dominated by only one spectral color, the different spectral components are mapped along different imaging paths due to the wavelength-dependent optical device, so that the resulting images can be distinguished from each other. Checking the color values at different positions of the resulting image thus makes it possible to check whether it is a genuine security feature or a counterfeit security feature.

In a preferred embodiment of the security element, the first information component and the second information component are coded by means of colorants which each have a reflectance spectrum and / or transmission spectrum which, when excited with white visible light, is dominated by a spectral distribution of a spectral color in the visible wavelength range, the first information component are dominated by a first spectral color and the second information component by a second spectral color.

The information components are preferably each designed so that they are perceived as a whole or constituents thereof as monochrome, areal regions with suitable excitation with electromagnetic radiation. Even lines or points that are perceived as homogeneously monochromatic, are here understood as areal areas.

A particularly clear 3D color effect is perceivable when the wavelengths of the spectral colors have a particularly large wavelength spacing. This is the case, for example, if the first spectral color lies in the blue wavelength range and the second spectral color lies in the red wavelength range or vice versa. For example, when viewed through a large magnifying glass, the portion of information perceived as blue is perceived to be closer to the viewer than the other portion of information whose spectral color is in the red wavelength range. According to their arrangement in the wavelength spectrum, the others. Spectral colors are perceived on levels in between. Of course, it is possible to code further information portions so that their reflectance spectra are dominated by other spectral colors.

Further effects can be realized if the graphical information comprises at least a third information component which, when excitation with electromagnetic radiation in the non-visible wavelength range, in particular in the ultraviolet wavelength range, has a reflectance spectrum and / or a transmission spectrum which dominates by the spectral distribution of a third spectral color is. Preferably, the third spectral color is also in the visible wavelength range.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that the graphical information additionally comprises a fourth information component, which has a reflectance spectrum and / or transmission spectrum when excited with electromagnetic radiation in the non-visible wavelength range, in particular in the ultraviolet wavelength range, which dominates by the spectral distribution of a fourth spectral color is and the first information component and the second information component in the excitation with electromagnetic radiation in the non-visible wavelength range show no or almost no remission or transmission in the visible wavelength range and the third and fourth information component in the excitation with white visible light no or almost no remission or show a white remission and / or no or almost no transmission or a white transmission in the visible wavelength range. A white transmission is considered to be a transmission in which the white light is transmitted almost unattenuated or almost equally attenuated over the entire spectrum. This means that the transmission in the visible wavelength range is completely or almost wavelength-independent.

When considering such a security element under white light, the first and the second information portion are visible, which show a 3D optical effect. If, however, the security element is viewed under excitation with non-visible electromagnetic radiation, for example UV radiation, then the third and the fourth information component are perceptible, which also show a 3D color effect. It is essential here that the third and the fourth spectral color must differ from one another. Otherwise, no relative depth effect is perceived by a human observer.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the first information component and the third information component comprise the same contour information. If the first and the third spectral color are different, the information represented by the contour information appears to change its distance relative to the viewer when the types of excitation between white-light excitation and non-visible radiation excitation, for example UV excitation, are changed. For example, the second and fourth spectral colors may be the same spectral color or nearly the same spectral color. This spatial movement of a contour in human perception, which takes place during a change of excitation, can be further supported by the fact that a planar expansion, i. H. Scaling the contour, making the contour larger in that portion of information whose spectral color is perceived as being closer to the viewer.

An embodiment therefore provides that an extension of the same contour information in the third information component has a greater extent than in the first information component, provided that the third spectral color is observed. by an optical device which influences a propagation of electromagnetic radiation as a function of wavelength, is perceived to be more prominent than the first spectral color, and otherwise has a smaller extension in the third information component.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that a wavelength difference of the first spectral color and the second spectral color is different from a wavelength difference of the third spectral color and the fourth spectral color. For example, it may be provided that the first information part and the third information part the same contour information and the second and the fourth information component comprise another contour information different from the first information component, which is identical in the second and fourth information component. In such a case can. For example, the first information component in the spectral color blue and the second information component in the spectral color red are perceived by white light excitation and, after a change of the excitation, the third information component is perceived in red and the fourth information component in blue. In this case, the contour information changes its planes when the excitations change.

Particularly preferably, the various information portions are applied by means of colorants in a plane of a security and / or value document by printing technology. Thus, it is easily possible to integrate individualized and / or personalized information shares in the security element. As individualizing information shares such information is considered, which can be assigned to an object in a group of similar objects individually. Personalizing is the information that can be assigned to a person. Personalizing information includes, for example, a date of birth, a name, a birthplace, just to name a few. For example, a serial number of an ID card or a banknote can be individualizing.

In an automated verification, it is provided in one embodiment that, during evaluation, a spectrally resolved contour recognition is performed and the determined contours, the positions of the determined contours and / or their intensity ratios in the individual spectral channels are compared with expected contours, positions and / or intensity ratios , In this case, a comparison of the intensity ratios within a spectral channel between different contours, which are caused by different information components, or between channels can be performed for contours, which can be assigned to the same information component. Since optical sensors are usually used to capture images, which can only distinguish a limited number of spectral channels, generally three channels for blue, green and red, for example, the detection areas of these channels overlap. Light of a spectral color is thus usually detected in at least two spectral channels of a location and wavelength-selective sensor. However, if the remitted radiation of an information component is one dominated by a spectral color, the structures produced by that information in the different channels will produce edges only at those positions to which that spectral color is imaged. However, if the remission spectrum has several spectral components, edges of the same information will be detectable in the different color channels at different positions in the image, since the different spectral components are mapped differently with regard to their position. In this way, reliable verification by machine is possible.

In order to enable such an evaluation also for graphical information, which is not previously known to the verification device, it may be provided to detect a reference image of the security element with the same or a comparable imaging geometry, wherein, however, the at least one optical device, which is the geometric propagation of the electromagnetic Radiation is dependent on the wavelength, not arranged in the beam path and the expected positions of contours and / or intensity ratios of the spectral channels of the detection device and / or the expected color values are calculated based on the reference image and a knowledge of the at least one optical device. The reference image is thus evaluated, at least with regard to such information shares, which are assigned to specific color values, as if this information were coded by means of colorants which reproduce this information by means of the corresponding spectral color with suitable excitation. Based on the knowledge of the imaging properties of the at least one optical element, it is then possible to calculate the image which is detected when the at least one optical device is positioned in the beam path. A comparison of the thus recorded image with the calculated image thus allows a verification. If the corresponding information of the at least two selected color values is not coded by colorants which show a reflectance spectrum which is dominated by the corresponding spectral colors, deviations from the calculated image result for the image which is detected with the optical device in the beam path.

An evaluation device can be designed accordingly for the verifications described above. Preferably, an evaluation device is designed and implemented by means of a program-controlled computing unit.

In order to enable rapid detection and to keep no moving parts in the verification device, this can be formed so that two matched or mutually calibrated detection devices are provided, which are arranged so that the one wavelength-dependent propagation-influencing optical device is arranged only in the beam path of a detection device.

In other embodiments, it may be provided that the at least one optical device is movable, for example pivotable, into the beam path. An embodiment can be designed such that movements of the at least one optical device in and / or out of the beam path can be carried out automatically.

Likewise, verification devices are conceivable in which the document is detected by means of different detection devices, which at the same time perform a detection, but of different sections of the security element and / or sequentially capture the same part of the security element, only in the beam path of one of the detection devices, the at least one optical device is arranged, which influences a wavelength-dependent propagation of the electromagnetic radiation. This may be for example a lens with a chromatic aberration. Other embodiments of the at least one optical device include a prism, a grating, or the like.

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

1a a schematic plan view of a security document with a security element;

1b a schematic representation for explaining a verification of a security element according to 1a and a 3D color effect;

2 a schematic representation of a verification device;

3a a representation of a remission spectrum, which is dominated by a spectral line;

3b a remission spectrum, which in a human observer with a similar color impression as the remission spectrum after 3a but not dominated by a spectral line;

4a another security document with a security element in exposure to white light;

4b the security document after 4a when illuminated with UV light;

5a a security document with a security element when excited by white light; and

5b the security element after 5a when illuminated with UV light.

In 1a is schematically a security document 1 represented, which is a security element 2 which shows a 3D color effect. The security element includes graphical information 3 , which is a first piece of information 3-1 , a second piece of information 3-2 as well as another piece of information 3-5 includes. The different information shares 3-1 . 3-2 . 3-5 the graphic information 3 are applied with different colorants, for example on the security document. The security document may be, for example, a paper document or a plastic-based document. The different information shares are all formed in one document level. It goes without saying for the expert that the individual information shares 3-1 . 3-2 . 3-5 not on the surface of the security document 1 but also inside the security document 1 can be trained. Preferably, the information portions are applied by printing technology in all embodiments described here. An arrangement in a plane is also present when individual pieces of information are printed on top of each other. Furthermore, it is possible to print different pieces of information in one printing operation. Likewise, multiple pieces of information may be printed or otherwise applied together with a printing ink or composition comprising different colorants. For example, one colorant shows a remission in the case of white light excitation, the other colorant on UV excitation. An information portion may comprise several components, all of which have the same remission and / or transmission spectrum. The individual pieces of information are each formed homogeneously monochrome, ie their constituents are perceived with suitable excitation as a flat homogeneously monochrome areas. In this case, also points or lines that are perceptible as such, considered as flat. Also, a flat, homogeneously monochromatic perceived area can be created by printing technology from pixels whose extent is below the perceptual limit, as this is common for example in digital printing processes (laser printing, inkjet printing, etc.).

The different information shares 3-1 . 3-2 . 3-5 are prepared with colorants which have different reflectance or transmission spectra at a broadband excitation of the electromagnetic radiation, for example with white light, which has a continuous spectrum in the range of about 400 nm about 800 nm. The individual pieces of information each have a homogeneous uniform color. The colorants are chosen so that the reflectance or transmission spectra of the individual information components 3-1 . 3-2 . 3-5 are each dominated by a distribution spectrum of a spectral color. A spectral distribution of a spectral color has a significant intensity only in a narrowly limited wavelength range. In the illustrated embodiment, the first information portion 3-1 formed, for example, with colorants which have a reflectance spectrum which is dominated by the spectral color blue, ie by intensity in the wavelength range of for example 440 nm. The second piece of information 3-2 is for example designed with colorants whose reflectance spectrum is dominated by the spectral color red, for example at a wavelength of about 680 nm. The further information share 3-5 is formed for example by colorants whose reflectance spectrum is dominated by the spectral color yellow, for example in the wavelength range of about 570 nm. For a human observer viewing the security document in white light illumination without the aid of tools, the graphical information is 3 as one of the several pieces of information 3-1 . 3-2 . 3-5 existing graphics are arranged, which are arranged in a plane, ie at a distance from the viewer. Becomes the security element 2 However, with the aid of, for example, a large magnifying glass, ie a convergent lens, which has a chromatic aberration, the different information components according to human perception are apparently arranged in different planes with respect to a viewing distance. The first piece of information 3-1 , which causes a blue color impression, is perceived as being closer to the viewer than the second piece of information 3-2 , which causes a red color impression. The further information share 3-5 , which causes a yellow color impression, is perceived in a plane in between. This means that the viewer receives the first piece of information 3-1 as in the foreground, the second piece of information 3-2 as being in the background and the further information share 3-5 perceives as being in the middle ground.

Based on 1b this will be explained again as an example. Schematically represented are the eyes of the beholder 11 which the security document 1 by an optical device 12 which influences a propagation direction of electromagnetic radiation, in particular of light, in the visible, infrared or ultraviolet wavelength range depending on the wavelength. The optical device 12 may be formed, for example, as a converging lens, which shows a chromatic aberration. This means that a focal length of the condenser lens is different for the different spectral colors. Thus, the different information components lying in an object plane are imaged differently on the retina of the eyes of the observer depending on the wavelength. Above the eyes are dashed the perceived pieces of information 13-1 . 13-2 and 13-5 shown schematically how they are perceived in different levels by a viewer. Upwards, the perceived distance decreases from the viewer.

In 2 schematically is a verification device for an automated. Verification of a security element represented with a 3D color effect. The verification device 20 has a document recording 21 on which a document is placed during verification. In the illustrated embodiment, the document holder is 21 from a transparent at least in the visible wavelength range material, such as glass or Plexiglas formed. In order to allow a transmission of electromagnetic radiation in the UV range, the support can also be made of a quartz glass. The verification device 21 further comprises an optical device 22 which influences a propagation direction of electromagnetic radiation as it passes through the wavelength. The optical device may be constructed, for example, as a chromatic aberration converging lens, but also as a prism or a complex of different prisms. Likewise, optical gratings can be used as an optical device. The verification device 20 additionally comprises an excitation source producing a white light spectrum 23 , This produces a continuous or nearly continuous emission spectrum whose light is perceived as white by a human observer. Furthermore, the verification device comprises an imaging detection device 24 which captures a spatial and spectral resolution of an image of the security element on the security document, while this example, with electromagnetic radiation of the excitation source 23 is illuminated. Remitted radiation passes through the optical device 22 and is then from the detection device 24 detected. For example, a CMOS chip of a color camera as a detection device 24 be used. Depending on the wavelength of the individual information shares, these become different on the detection device 24 displayed. This means that a position does not depend exclusively on the position of an information element in the plane of the security document, but additionally on its color. However, it is essential here that the reflectance spectrum or, as explained below, the transmission spectrum is dominated by a spectral color.

In 3a For example, a reflectance spectrum is shown, which is dominated by a spectral color, for example the spectral color in the yellow wavelength range. It can be seen an intensity in a narrow wavelength range. A comparable color impression is caused in a human observer by a remission spectrum, which is determined by a red and green spectral component, as in 3b is shown as an example. Without consideration by an optical device, which effects a wavelength-dependent influencing of the propagation direction of electromagnetic radiation, information components which differ only with respect to their remission spectrum are imaged identically.

However, an optical device which propagates a wavelength becomes wavelength dependent. influenced, used, like this in 2 is shown, otherwise identical security elements, whose one information share in the one case differs the remission spectrum 3a and in another case, the remission spectrum 3b shows. While in the case in which the information portion reflects the remission spectrum 3a shows that only one imaging geometry exists, in the case where the information component detects the remission spectrum 3b shows two different imaging paths, which are characterized by the spectral colors red and green. Thus, on the detection device, different images occur when these are evaluated spectrally resolved. The information captured in the red and green spectral range are offset from one another in this case, whereas in the former case they have not contiguous contours of the information component.

An evaluation of the image acquired by means of the remission / transmission is carried out in an evaluation device 25 made, for example, by means of a microprocessor, which executes a stored in a memory program code.

For example, if the security document is made of plastic, it may be desirable to verify the security element in transmitted light. For this situation, the verification device alternatively or additionally has a further excitation source 26 which, for example, is likewise designed as a white light source which emits a continuous wavelength spectrum in the visible wavelength range. In this case, the transmission spectrum is evaluated.

Further effects can be realized if, alternatively or additionally, an excitation is carried out in the non-visible wavelength range. For this purpose, the verification device has a UV light source 27 on. The optical device 22 , which influences the propagation of electromagnetic radiation wavelength dependent, is with an actuator 28 coupled, so the device 22 removed from the beam path and can be moved back into the beam path to record reference images without a wavelength-dependent spatial propagation influence.

Based on 4a and 4b should be explained as by an alternative use of the excitation source 23 and the UV light source 27 a further effect can be realized in which contour-like or contour-like information portions are perceived in the different types of stimulation in different levels.

In 4a is a schematic plan view of the visible at white light excitation information shares shown. A first piece of information 3-1 is again designed with colorants that show a reflectance spectrum dominated by the blue spectral color. The second piece of information 3-2 is formed by colorants that exhibit a reflectance spectrum when white light excitation, which is dominated by a red spectral color. Another piece of information 3-5 is formed, for example, by colorants whose reflectance spectrum is dominated by a green spectral color. When viewed through an optical device which influences a propagation direction as a function of wavelength, the components of the first information component become 3-1 as in the foreground and the second piece of information 3-2 perceived as being in the background. Between them are the components of the further information share 3-5 , If you change the excitation of the white light excitation to a UV excitation, you take the in 4b true information components shown, which are shown schematically in plan view. In terms of their contours, a third piece of information is similar 3-3 the first piece of information 3-1 and a fourth piece of information 3-4 the second piece of information 3-2 , Another piece of information 3-6 resembles the further information share 3-5 , The third information share 3-3 , the fourth information share 3-4 and the other information share 3-6 are coded with colorants which show no remission on excitation with visible light. Upon excitation with UV light, however, they show a reflectance spectrum, which is dominated by a spectral color. The third information share 3-3 is red by the spectral color, the fourth information component 3-4 by the spectral color blue and the other information component 3-6 dominated by the spectral color green. The luminescence occurring in the case of UV light excitation is here also regarded as remission. The colorants of the first information component 3-1 , the second piece of information 3-2 and the further information share 3-5 are formed with colorants that show no response when excited by UV light. When viewing the security element during UV light excitation, the viewer thus perceives the individual information portions in different levels. The components of the third piece of information 3-3 , which in terms of their geometric design of those of the first information component 3-1 are perceived as being in the background, whereas the fourth portion of information is perceived as being in the background 3-4 , which in terms of its contour the second information share 3-2 is similar to being perceived as being in the foreground. The other information share 3-6 when UV excitation is as well as the further information share 3-5 when white light excitation perceived as located in the middle ground. In this embodiment, a wavelength difference of the first spectral color and the second spectral color is different from a wavelength difference of the third spectral color and the fourth spectral color. Here the sign changes. The different contours thus seem to change their relative position with respect to a distance to the viewer when changing the excitation. This effect can be further enhanced by, for example, additionally making a size scaling of individual contours.

In 5a and 5b The views of a security document are again shown schematically in white light excitation and UV light excitation. While the components of the third information component are smaller in terms of their areal extent relative to the components of the first information component, the fourth information component is enlarged in comparison to the second information component. When changing the wavelength for a contour from blue to red, therefore, a reduction takes place and, in the case of a change from red to blue, a corresponding enlargement takes place. As a result, the "dynamic" 3D color effect when changing the excitation is further enhanced for a human observer. However, the contour information does not change.

In the 2 The device shown can also be used by the human for verification without the detection and evaluation. In order to be able to observe a "dynamic 3D color effect" in transmission, a further UV light source can be arranged adjacent to the further excitation source.

There are also combinations of incident and transmitted light irradiation possible, for. For example, the change from white light to UV light may be accompanied by the change from an evaluation of the remission spectrum to an evaluation of the transmission spectrum.

In yet another embodiment, for example, a magnifying lamp is used for verification: this includes, for example, a converging lens with 3 diopters and a diameter of about 15 cm. The condenser lens is enclosed in a housing. In the housing, a circularly formed converging lens almost completely enclosing light source, for example in the form of a fluorescent tube or an incandescent lamp arranged. The housing is open to an object side, so that the security element to be verified is illuminated by means of the light source. to a viewing side, the light source is shielded by the housing. As a suitable distance for viewing and observing the 3D color effect, there has been a lens-to-security distance of about 19.5 cm. The magnifying glass can also be used for verification without the built-in light source. Other embodiments additionally or alternatively comprise other light sources, for example IR or UV light sources, or a combination of different light sources, which individually or jointly can illuminate the security element.

For a smaller magnifying glass with a diameter of about 9 cm, an optimal distance of 16.5 cm was found.

It is understood that only exemplary embodiments are described here. The features of the individual embodiments may be combined with one another to carry out the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

The security document

2

security element

3

graphic information

3-1

first piece of information

3-2

second piece of information

3-3

third piece of information

3-4

fourth information share

3-5

further information share

3-6

other information share

11

eyes

12

optical device

13-1

perceived information shares

13-2

perceived information shares

13-5

perceived information shares

20

verification device

21

document recording

22

optical device

23

Excitation source (white light)

24

Detection device (spectrally resolved / spatially resolved)

25

evaluation

26

further excitation source (white light)

27

UV-light source

28

actuator

Claims (11)

Security element ( 2 ) for a value and / or security document ( 1 ) for generating a 3D color effect comprising graphic information ( 3 ) containing at least a first portion of information ( 3-1 ) and a second information share ( 3-2 In the case of a broadband excitation with electromagnetic radiation, the first and the second information component have different spectral distributions in the remission and / or transmission spectrum, characterized in that the first information component ( 3-1 ) and the second information share ( 3-2 ) are formed so that their reflectance and / or transmission spectra are each dominated by a spectral distribution of a spectral color. Security element ( 2 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first information portion ( 3-1 ) and the second information share ( 3-2 ) are coded by means of colorants which each have a reflectance spectrum and / or transmission spectrum which, when excitation with white visible light, is dominated by a spectral distribution of a spectral color in the visible wavelength range, the first information component ( 3-1 ) by a first spectral color and the second information component ( 3-2 ) are dominated by a second spectral color. Security element ( 2 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the graphical information ( 3 ) at least one third piece of information ( 3-1 ), which has a reflectance spectrum and / or transmission spectrum when excited with electromagnetic radiation in the non-visible wavelength range, which is dominated by the spectral distribution of a third spectral color. Security element ( 2 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the graphical information ( 3 ) additionally a fourth information share ( 3-4 ) which, when excitation with electromagnetic radiation in the invisible wavelength range, has a remission spectrum and / or transmission spectrum which is dominated by the spectral distribution of a fourth spectral color and the first information component ( 3-1 ) and the second information share ( 3-2 ) exhibit no or almost no remission / transmission in the visible wavelength range when excited with electromagnetic radiation in the invisible wavelength range, and the third and fourth information component in the excitation with white visible light no or almost no remission or white remission and / or no or show almost no transmission or white transmission in the visible wavelength range. Security element ( 2 ) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the first information component and the third information component ( 3-3 ) comprise the same contour information and an extension of the same contour information in the third information portion ( 3-3 ) greater extent than in the first piece of information ( 3-1 ), provided that the third spectral color when viewed through an optical device ( 22 ), which influences the propagation of electromagnetic radiation as a function of the wavelength, is perceived to be more prominent than the first spectral color, and otherwise a smaller extension in the third information component (FIG. 3-3 ) having. Security element ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the different information shares are applied by means of colorants in a plane printing technology. Method for verifying a security element having a 3D color effect, comprising the steps of: illuminating the security element ( 2 ) with broadband electromagnetic radiation, guiding the electromagnetic radiation reflected and / or transmitted to the security element by at least one optical device ( 22 ), which influences a spatial propagation of the electromagnetic radiation as a function of wavelength; Capture and evaluate a wavelength-resolved graphical image of the security element ( 2 ). A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the evaluating comprises comparing the color values to a plurality of positions of the captured image with expected color values for those positions. A method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that when evaluating a spectrally resolved contour detection is performed and the determined contours, the positions of the determined contours and their intensity ratios in the individual spectral channels with expected contours, positions and intensity ratios are compared. Method according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that a reference image of the security element is detected with the same or a comparable imaging geometry, wherein, however, the at least one optical device ( 22 ) not in the beam path and the expected positions of contours and / or intensity ratios of the spectral channels of the detection device ( 24 ) and / or the expected color values are calculated on the basis of the reference image and a knowledge of the at least one optical device. Verification device ( 20 ) for a security element ( 1 ) with a 3D color effect of a value and / or security document comprising a broadband electromagnetic radiation source for illuminating the security element, a detection device ( 23 ) for detecting an optical image of the security element, wherein the detection device ( 23 ) is formed, preferably simultaneously, spatially spatially resolved to detect at least two different spectral channels, and at least one optical device, which influences a spatial propagation of the electromagnetic radiation wavelength dependent and is arranged or can be arranged such that one of the security element ( 2 ) Reflected or transmitted electromagnetic radiation during detection of the image is guided by the at least one optical device, and evaluation device for evaluating the detected image.

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