DE102019007418A1 - Security element and value document with visually and machine checkable security features that are spatially related to one another - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a security element in the form of a strip, thread or patch which has a machine-readable code and at least one visually detectable, optically variable security feature. The machine-readable code is arranged in at least two spatially separated areas of the security element, which form a first code area and a second code area, and is based on at least one IR substance that is absorbed in the IR wavelength range and transparent in the visible range. The optically variable security feature is arranged in a third area of the security element which is spatially separated from the first code area and the second code area and is spatially related to the first and the second code area. The invention also relates to a value document which has the security element applied in register, a method for producing the value document and a method for checking the authenticity of the value document.

Description

The invention relates to a security element in the form of a strip, thread or patch, which has a machine-readable code and at least one visually detectable, optically variable security feature, the machine-readable code consisting of at least two discrete code areas that are in a defined spatial relationship to one another and to the visually detectable, optically variable security feature. The invention also relates to a document of value with a security element of this type applied in precise register, a method for producing the document of value, and a method for checking the authenticity of the document of value.

Documents of value are equipped with security elements that allow the authenticity of the document of value to be checked and serve as protection against forgery. Documents of value are to be understood as meaning, in particular, bank notes, shares, identification documents, credit cards, certificates, insurance cards and documents generally at risk of forgery, for example also product security elements such as labels and packaging for high-quality products. The term “document of value” as used herein includes not only finished, fit documents of value, but also preliminary stages of documents of value such as security papers that do not have all the features of a document of value that is fit for circulation, for example also security papers in sheet or roll form.

Security elements generally have the form of threads, strips or patches which are applied to a value document or at least partially introduced into a value document, such as window security threads and pendulum security threads, or which are used to cover through openings in a value document.

Security elements have one or more security features, i.e. components with visually and / or mechanically verifiable properties, on the basis of which the authenticity of a document or another object can be determined.

Security features with optically variable properties are of increasing importance, i.e. the appearance of the security feature varies depending on the viewing angle. A movement effect is created when the viewing angle is continuously changed. Optically variable security features are considered to be very forgery-proof, since the movement effects cannot be generated by conventional printing processes and cannot be "copied" when a security element is photocopied. Examples of optically variable security features are micro-optical security features such as moiré magnifiers, holograms and thin-film elements

The authenticity of documents of value should not only be able to be checked visually, but also by machine. Machine verifiability offers a high level of security and is also mandatory in many cases, for example when processing banknotes. Devices such as automatic counting machines and vending machines must be able to recognize denominations and verify the authenticity of a banknote.

Up to now, magnetic security features have typically been used for machine authentication. Magnetic materials, however, have the disadvantage that they have a strong inherent color, which is why they are clearly visible both in incident light and in transmitted light. Therefore, they can affect the appearance of other security features. In particular in the case of optically variable security features and security features to be viewed in transmitted light, they have a very disruptive effect. On the other hand, materials of other security features, for example metallizations of holograms, can interact with magnetic security features or impair their readability.

There is therefore a need for a security element which has a high degree of security against forgery and which can be checked for authenticity both visually and by machine.

In particular, there is a need for a security element that has both a security feature with optically variable properties and a security feature that forms a machine-readable code.

The optically variable security feature and the machine-readable security feature should not interfere with one another, i.e. neither the visual appearance and the visual effects of the optically variable security feature should be impaired by the machine-readable security feature, nor should the readability of the machine-readable code by the visually testable code Security feature are disturbed.

The invention satisfies this need by a machine-readable code, which is arranged in at least two spatially separated areas of a security element, which form a first code area and a second code area, and is based on at least one IR substance that absorbs in the IR wavelength range and is based on visible wavelength range is transparent, the discrete code areas in a defined spatial relationship to each other and at least a discrete security feature, which is a visually detectable, optically variable security feature.

The present invention provides a security element in the form of a strip, thread or patch with the features according to independent claim 1, a value document with the features according to independent claim 11, a method for producing the value document with the features according to independent claim 14 and a method for authenticity checking a value document with the features according to independent claim 15 ready. Embodiments of the invention are given in the respective dependent claims.

It goes without saying that the security element must be sufficiently transparent for visible light, at least in the area in which the optically variable security feature is located, in order to ensure the visual perceptibility of the optically variable security feature. It is also understood that the security element must have sufficient transparency for IR radiation in the detection wavelength range, at least in the areas in which the IR substance to be detected is located, in order to ensure the readability of the machine-readable code.

The present invention enables multicoding that is achieved by combining coding by means of at least one IR substance within a discrete code area and coding by the relative arrangement of at least two code areas to one another.

The IR substance used according to the invention generates a characteristic IR signature, i.e. an absorption spectrum that can be used for the unambiguous characterization of the IR substance in question. For example, the wavelengths of absorption maxima and / or absorption minima, the width of the absorption maxima and / or absorption minima, the slope or the change in the slope of a spectrum, and in the case of several absorption maxima or absorption minima, their distance from one another and / or their relative height to one another can be evaluated.

For the purposes of the present invention, suitable IR substances must meet certain requirements.

For reasons of good detectability, it is preferred that the IR substances absorb as strongly as possible in the IR range (in the wavelength range from 700 nm to 2500 nm). Strong absorption in the near infrared range (NIR range), i.e. in the wavelength range from 700 nm to 1100 nm, is particularly desirable. This range is easily accessible with silicon photodetectors that are sensitive up to a wavelength of 1100 nm.

Furthermore, IR substances with broadband absorption in the IR range are preferred over IR substances with narrowband absorption. The reason for this is that there is no IR color standard in the IR range that is comparable to the CIELAB standard. Therefore, the values that are measured with different detectors for a specific absorption of an IR substance can vary. The deviations are not significant in the case of rather broadband absorptions, but are noticeable in the case of very narrowband absorptions and could lead to an incorrect evaluation of the measured values measured with different detectors.

Examples of suitable IR substances are given in the publication WO2007 / 060133 A1 specified. Particularly suitable are iron (II) and copper (II) compounds with an Fe2 + ion or a Cu2 + ion in a suitable chemical environment, a suitable chemical environment for example a phosphate ion or a polyphosphate ion or, more generally, a phosphorus and oxygen containing group. These IR substances absorbing broadband in the NIR range (700 nm to 1100 nm) are transparent in the visible range (400 nm to 700 nm) of the electromagnetic spectrum, whereby they have at most a slightly yellowish or bluish tint.

Pigments of the printing inks sold by the company SICPA (SICPA SA, Ave de Florian 41, 1008 Prilly, Switzerland) under the trade name SICPATALK are particularly preferred. These printing inks have been found to be particularly well suited for the purposes of the present invention. SICPATALK® CBA and SICPATALK® NFB have proven to be particularly suitable, both of which are almost colorless and therefore essentially invisible to an observer. SICPATALK®-ETM, -SEL and -SEN can also be used advantageously.

Other suitable IR substances that can be mentioned by way of example are LUMOGEN-S from BASF Corporation, 100 Park Ave., Florham Park, NJ 07932, which in GB 2168 372 disclosed IR absorbing materials that are invisible or transparent in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum and that are disclosed in U.S. 6,926,764 disclosed IR markers.

These IR marking substances are substituted phthalocyanines, naphthalocyanines, metal-containing phthalocyanines or poly-substituted phthalocyanines. Thiophenol-substituted copper phthalocyanines, in particular para-toluenethiol-persubstituted copper phthalocyanines, are preferred.

The type of application of the IR substances is in principle not restricted in any way, but is preferably carried out through formulation as printing inks, the inks being particularly preferably applied using the intaglio printing process. The intaglio printing process has the advantage that inks with a high solids content can be used. This allows the use of IR substances which have only weak IR absorptions in the desired range, since they can be used in high concentration and thus generate sufficiently strong signals.

Suitable concentrations of IR substance are in the range from 5 to 70% by weight, preferably 10 to 50% by weight, and particularly preferably 20 to 50% by weight, based on the weight of the ink as a whole. In addition, the usual printing ink components, in particular intaglio printing ink components, which are known to a person skilled in the art, can be used.

When applying the IR substances using the intaglio printing process, care should be taken that the average particle size does not exceed 50 µm, preferably 20 µm, and particularly preferably 10 µm. There should not be any particles larger than 100 µm in size, since such particles can be wiped out of the engraving on the printing plate.

According to one embodiment of the invention, not only one IR substance is used for coding, but at least two IR substances. In this way, each code area can be structured not only through different shapes and arrangements of the areas with IR substances, but also through a change between different IR substances and optionally through mixtures between different IR substances. If several IR substances are used, they must absorb in different IR wavelength ranges that can be distinguished from one another by machine.

The IR substances used according to the invention are essentially transparent in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum (in the wavelength range from 400 nm to 700 nm). This has the advantage that they can also be used in combination with those security features in which visually clearly perceptible substances, such as strongly colored substances and / or magnetic substances, cannot be used. These are in particular optically variable security features which, as visually detectable security features, are particularly forgery-proof precisely because of their optical variability.

The optically variable security features include, for example, moiré magnifiers. Moiré magnifiers are multilayer structures which comprise a focusing layer such as a lens arrangement, an image layer with an arrangement of picture elements, and typically also a spacer layer between the lens layer and the image layer. The picture elements are enlarged or optically changed in some other way when viewed through the lenses. Further functional layers and / or auxiliary layers can also be present. The structure, materials and production of security elements with optically variable security features such as lens-based security features are known to a person skilled in the art. In this regard, reference is made to the explanations in the publications WO 2006/087138 A1 , EP 2 853 411 A1 , WO 2017/097430 A1 and WO 2018/072881 A2 .

Other optically variable security features are, for example, holograms and thin-film elements. Liquid crystal layers can also be viewed as optically variable security features.

As a special example, so-called LEAD (Longlasting Economical Anticopy Device) security elements should be mentioned. These security elements have functional layers on a carrier film, such as an embossed lacquer layer with a holographic security feature, metallized layers with colored or fluorescent imprints, layers with motifs recognizable in transmitted light, etc. This functional layer structure also includes auxiliary layers such as pressure acceptance, adhesion promoter or protective layers. LEAD security elements are available as T-LEAD security elements and as L-LEAD security elements. T-LEAD security elements are designed as transfer elements, i.e. a transfer film is peeled off after the transfer onto the value document. L-LEAD security elements contain a film which is transparent at least in the wavelength range of visible light and which remains in the security element structure. L-LEAD security elements are preferably used to cover through openings in documents of value.

With the security elements according to the invention, optically variable security features can be included in the machine-readable code, since the IR substances do not interfere with the visual perceptibility of the optically variable security feature. The coding according to the invention can also be used with advantage in such multi-layered security elements as the above-mentioned LEAD security elements. In general, it applies to all security elements that have a coding according to the invention that the materials used are in the detection wavelength range of Coding for the detection wavelengths must be transparent. A lack of transparency of certain layers for the detection wavelengths can, however, also be used deliberately in order to make certain parts of the code recognizable only under respectively defined conditions. For example, part of the code could only be recognizable when checked on one of the surfaces of a value document, while the other part of the code can only be detected when checked on the other surface of the value document.

The present invention uses several levels for securing or checking the authenticity of a document of value.

On the one hand, each security element has at least two discrete code areas, with each code area being able to be checked on its own. The number of coding possibilities offered by a single discrete code area can be increased by using two, three or more different IR substances, or by using one or more UV-absorbing substances in addition to the IR substance or substances. If the coding is carried out by an additional UV-absorbing substance, the security element or value document materials used must of course also permit detection in the UV wavelength range.

On the other hand, the presence of at least two discrete code areas also makes it possible to use the spatial relationship of the code areas to one another for the authenticity check. The code areas can for example be arranged along a security element at a defined distance from one another, a visually detectable security feature being arranged between two code areas. Conversely, a code area can be arranged between two visually detectable security features. In the case of a film patch that is considerably larger than a security strip or a security thread, machine-testable code areas and visually detectable security features can also be arranged in the form of an array with a more or less regular arrangement of machine-testable and visually detectable security features that alternate with one another.

The combination of the machine-checkable code areas with the optically variable areas is of particular advantage if the optically variable areas not only serve to divert the attention of the viewer from the presence of machine-checkable security features and in particular from the relevance of their spatial arrangement, but also from a machine-detectable one Represent a feature that a potential forger must also place in a correct spatial relationship to the code areas.

Furthermore, the grid of the machine-testable features or their spatial position to one another can be enlarged, and the forgery-proofness of a document of value can be increased even further, if not only on the security element, but also on or in the substrate of the document of value that has the security element is to be equipped, discrete code areas are provided. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the security element is applied in register to the value document substrate or partially into the value document substrate. For application with precise register, control features are used on the value document substrate, as is known in the prior art and, for example, in US Pat EP 1 567 714 B1 is described. In the present invention, machine-readable features are used as control features which are formed from the same IR substances that are also used to produce the code areas of the security elements according to the invention. The control features are preferably also designed as discrete code areas which, together with the code areas of the security element, form an overall code whose authenticity check also checks the registration of code areas on the security element on the one hand and on the document of value substrate on the other hand.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. The figures each represent exemplary embodiments which are in no way to be understood as restricting the invention in any way. In addition, the figures are only schematic representations that do not reflect the real proportions, but only serve for illustration. Only the features essential for understanding the invention are shown in each case and it goes without saying that further features can be present in each embodiment. In addition, features that are shown in different figures can be combined with one another.

The same reference numbers denote the same or similar elements.

• 1 eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitselements in Aufsicht,
• 2 eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Wertdokuments in Aufsicht,
• 3 bis 7 Teilansichten von Ausführungsformen erfindungsgemäßer Sicherheitselemente mit optisch variablem Sicherheits-merkmal und maschinenlesbarem Sicherheitsmerkmal, im Querschnitt, und
• 8 eine Ausführungsform eines Codierungsbereichs eines erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitselements (Streifen) in Aufsicht.

Show it:

• 1 an embodiment of a security element according to the invention in plan view,
• 2 an embodiment of a document of value according to the invention in supervision,
• 3 to 7th Partial views of embodiments of security elements according to the invention with an optically variable security feature and machine-readable security feature, in cross-section, and
• 8th an embodiment of a coding area of a security element according to the invention (strip) in plan view.

1 shows an embodiment of a security element according to the invention in the form of a film strip in plan view. The security element 1 has two discrete code areas 5 , 5 ' , which are identical in the illustrated embodiment, but can also be different. The code of the code area 5 is formed by the printed lines or bars a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and the code of the code area 5 ' is formed by the printed lines or bars a ', b', c ', d', e ', f', g '. A printing ink with a substance absorbing in the IR range but transparent in the visible light range was used for printing. The code that the code ranges 5 or. 5 ' form, is therefore machine-readable, but not visible to a viewer. The code areas 5 , 5 ' are discrete areas that are at a defined distance from each other and by a visually detectable discrete character 6 ' separated from each other. The visually detectable security feature is also arranged in pairs, ie there is an identical security feature 6th that like the security feature 6 ' a defined area of the security element 1 occupies. The areas 6th , 6 ' are optically variable security features, for example moiré magnifiers, in the illustrated embodiment, identical optically variable security features. The optically variable areas are referred to below as VIS areas because of their visual perceptibility.

The security element shown 1 has two discrete code areas 5 , 5 ' and two discrete VIS areas 6th , 6 ' that are arranged alternately. However, the invention also includes embodiments in which there are three or more code areas and three or more VIS areas that are in a defined spatial arrangement to one another, for example are arranged alternately at certain distances from one another.

The VIS ranges also preferably contain 6th , 6 ' at a defined point an IR substance that absorbs in the IR wavelength range and is transparent in the visible range. In 1 this is indicated by the points i, r, each in the center of the VIS areas 6th , 6 ' . This results in a reference point that enables the VIS areas as well 6th , 6 ' to be included in the machine readout.

For the machine authenticity check of the security element shown 1 For example, the type of IR substance (s) in the code area can be used 5 The type of IR substance (s) that was used was in the code area 5 ' was used, the exact location, relative thickness and shape of the IR ink areas a, b, c, d, e, f, g, a ', b', c ', d', e ', f', and g ' , and the distance between the discrete code areas 5 , 5 ' . In the embodiment shown, the center lines d, d 'are used to determine the distance d3. Since in the illustrated embodiment, the VIS areas 6th , 6 ' contain an IR substance that can be detected by machine, there are a number of other possibilities, the correct position of the security features of the security element 1 to be checked, for example by determining the distances d1, d2, d4 and d5, which in 1 are illustrated.

Maintaining defined distances between certain discrete areas of a security element is not trivial. Foil security elements have a stretchable substrate and are kept under tension, i.e. stretched, when they are applied or introduced onto / into a document of value substrate. If a forger tries to remove an original security element and use it to upgrade a forged value document, it is almost impossible to apply the individual security element to the forged value document under the same tension as was used in the authorized manufacturing process. Therefore, in the case of the forged document of value, the position of the individual security features with respect to one another is slightly but measurably changed.

2 shows a document of value according to the invention 3 in supervision of one of its surfaces. The represented document of value 3 has two security elements according to the invention, a film strip 1 and a window security thread 4th . The foil strip 1 is that related to 1 described security element. The window security thread 4th possesses on the surface of the document of value 3 visible areas 4 ' as well as areas embedded in the value document substrate 4 " .

Also the window security thread 4th has discrete code areas and discrete VIS areas, which are arranged alternately along the length of the security thread. In the illustrated embodiment, the areas are VIS 4 ' different from each other while the code areas 4 " (the embedded areas) are identical. One of the VIS areas is a moiré magnifier that represents a star motif, and one of the VIS areas is a hologram that represents a wave pattern. The entire surface of the hologram area is additionally printed with an IR substance, and one of the stars of the star motif of the moire magnifier is produced by a printing ink that contains an IR substance in addition to the visible pigments.

The code areas 4 " point in the in 2 illustrated embodiment of the Security thread 4th three identical strips running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the security thread, each of which was printed on using the same IR substance.

This in 2 represented document of value 3 points on the surface on which the security element 1 or the VIS areas 4 ' of the security thread 4th are exposed, control features or security features that enable a registration or introduction of the security strip 1 or the window security thread 4th serve. In the case of the foil strip 1 these are the security features 21 , 21 ' , and in the case of the window security thread 4th it is the security feature 22nd and the control features 23 , 24 , 24 ' , 24 " . Security features and control features are both printed on by means of a printing ink that contains an IR substance that absorbs in the IR wavelength range and is transparent in the visible range. Security features and control features differ in that the security features are part of the overall code to be used for the authenticity check, while the control features are only used to apply the security elements in precise register.

The application of security elements in register to a value document is state of the art and is described, for example, in EP 1 567 714 B1 . With regard to the introduction of a window security thread into a value document substrate, reference is also made to the disclosure in the publication EP 0 059 056 A1 .

When a security element is applied to a value document substrate in precise register, the security element in the form of an “endless” strip and the value document substrate in web form are fed to one another. Machine-readable control elements both on the security elements and on the value document substrate are detected by detectors, and information relating to their relative position to one another is transmitted to a control unit. The control unit regulates the tension of the security element band in such a way that the band is either stretched or relaxed, so that control features on the security elements are in register with corresponding control elements on the value document substrate. The security elements must therefore be stretchable to a certain extent, which is usually the case with security elements with optically variable security features, since they have transparent polymer substrates.

The in 2 represented document of value 3 there are numerous machine-readable features that are required when the security elements are applied in register 1 , 4th can be used on the value document substrate. For the precise positioning of the security element 1 For example, there are corner points of the code areas 21 , 21 ' their relative position to one of the lines of the code areas 5 , 5 ' and / or the machine-readable center of the VIS areas 6th , 6 ' can be controlled. For the precise positioning of the security element 4th can be the relative location of the control features 23 , 24 , 24 ' , 24 " or the relative position of the code area 22nd to the code areas 4 " or machine-readable features of the VIS areas 4 ' to be controlled. In the case of the hologram area 4 ' , which is printed all over with an IR substance that absorbs in the IR wavelength range and is transparent in the visible range, the edges of this area can serve as control features, for example.

For the authenticity check of a value document, as it is in 2 is shown, on the one hand the relative spatial position of security features of a security element to one another can of course be checked by machine, as is the case for the security strip 1 in connection with 1 was explained. With the security thread 4th could for example be the distance d6 between coding elements of adjacent code areas 4 " or the distances between coding elements of the code areas 4th and a machine-readable feature that is integrated into a VIS area, can be machine checked. There are, of course, numerous other possibilities to single out certain machine-readable features within a machine-readable code and possibly within a VIS area and to use them to check the correctness of the exact position.

In addition, however, it is also possible to check the relative spatial position of security features of the security element and the value document substrate to one another by machine. In the case of the security feature 1 For example, the length of the routes would come for this D1 , D2 , D3 , D4 and D5 in combination with the inclination of the routes relative to the longitudinal axis of the security element. With the security element 4th analogously, for example, the length and any incline of the routes would come D6 , D7 , D8 , D9 and D10 into consideration. The routes D6 and D7 are the distances between the control features 24 or. 24 ' and the central star of the VIS area 4 ' . This star is also printed with an IR substance. The distance D10 is the distance between one edge of the VIS area 4 ' , which is supposedly printed on the surface with an IR substance, and the control feature 23 . Furthermore, code areas like the areas 5 , 5 ' on the security element 1 and the areas 21 , 21 ' jointly form a code on the value document substrate. During the machine authenticity check of the document of value, the code is read out at precisely defined points. Are the areas in the case of a Forgery not in the exact positions intended for it, the code cannot be read out and the document of value is exposed as a forgery.

The 3 and 4th show embodiments of security elements according to the invention with a visually detectable, optically variable security feature and a machine-readable code which is arranged in two discrete code areas, in cross section. A moire magnifier is shown as an example of an optically variable security feature. Such a moiré magnifier consists of 3 can be seen from a layer of microlenses 11 , an image layer 13, a spacer layer 12th between the image layer 13th and the microlenses 11 , a functional layer 15th and an adhesive layer 16 for attachment to a value document. The picture layer 13th consists in the illustrated embodiment of an embossing lacquer in which micro-depressions are embossed. In the case of moiré magnifiers, all of these microwells are filled with a colored substance and form image elements 14th , so-called microimages. The microlenses 11 and the microimages 14th each form a two-dimensional arrangement. The microimages 14th are viewed through the microlenses 11 enlarged or optically changed in some other way. The picture layer 13th and the layer with the focusing elements 11 together form the optically variable security feature. The functional layer 15th can for example contain a magnetic security feature.

This in 3 illustrated security element according to the invention 2 differs from security elements of the prior art in that there are alternating areas with microimages 14th (VIS areas) and code areas. In the embodiment shown, the code areas are achieved simply in that the microwells are not filled with a colored substance, but with an IR substance 17th that absorbs in the IR wavelength range and is transparent in the visible range. In areas with an IR substance there is no visually detectable, optically variable security feature, since the IR substance is transparent in the wavelength range of visible light. In these code areas 11 ' in which the microwells in the embossing lacquer layer 13th with an IR substance 17th are filled, no image can be recognized by a viewer, ie there is no visually detectable, optically variable security feature. In the fields of 11 ' the microlenses can therefore also be omitted, as in 4th is shown.

The ones in the 3 and 4th illustrated security elements 2 each have two visually detectable discrete characters and machine-readable discrete code areas that are arranged alternately. The security elements 2 however, they can also have more VIS areas and code areas which extend over the entire length and / or width of the security element.

The 5 to 7th representations are similar to the representations of 3 and 4th . The 5 to 7th show that the IR substances which absorb in the IR wavelength range and are transparent in the visible range, in principle, in every layer within the layer structure of a security element according to the invention 2 can be arranged. The ones in the 5 to 7th illustrated security elements 2 each contain two different IR substances 17, 18. With the security element 2 , this in 5 is shown, the two IR substances 17, 18 are in the functional layer 15th , at the security element 2 , this in 6th is shown, there is a first IR substance 17th in the functional layer 15th and a second IR substance 18th in the spacer layer 12th , and the security element 2 , this in 7th is shown, there is a first IR substance 17th in the functional layer 15th and a second IR substance 18th in the adhesive layer 16 . In the in 7th In the embodiment shown, there are overlap areas of the IR substances 17, 18. In order to generate code areas according to the invention, in the representations of the 5 to 7th the microimages 14th and / or the microlenses 11 be omitted.

8th shows an exemplary embodiment of a code area of a security element according to the invention, in plan view. The code area shown 25th is of a first IR substance 17th , a second IR substance 18th and a mixture 19th of the two IR substances, the substances / the substance mixture being printed in the form of bars of different widths. There are areas between the bars 20th that are free of IR substance.

It goes without saying that the machine-readable codes are more difficult to forge the more IR substances are used and the more complex shapes the code areas or the partial areas covered by an IR substance or an IR substance mixture within the individual code areas will have. Increasing the number of code areas also increases the security against forgery.

The inventive combination of visually detectable, optically variable security features with machine-readable security features based on IR substances is suitable for any type of security element or document of value, provided that care is taken that in the areas that are accessible for detection of the IR substances must, no materials are used that weaken the intensities to be measured too much. This can usually be done easily can be achieved in that the IR substances are provided in areas of a security element close to the surface. By including a spatial component, the arrangement of at least two discrete code areas relative to one another, the present invention provides a check feature that is irreversibly lost as soon as the security element is removed from the value document, since the length of a security element, and thus the spatial Relationship between the discrete code areas, changed as soon as the security element is removed from the value document.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• WO 2007/060133 A1 [0019]
• GB 2168372 [0021]
• US 6926764 [0021]
• WO 2006/087138 A1 [0028]
• EP 2853411 A1 [0028]
• WO 2017/097430 A1 [0028]
• WO 2018/072881 A2 [0028]
• EP 1567714 B1 [0036, 0049]
• EP 0059056 A1 [0049]

Claims (15)

Security element in the form of a strip, thread or patch, having a machine-readable code and at least one visually detectable, optically variable security feature, wherein the machine-readable code is arranged in at least two spatially separate areas of the security element, which form a first code area and a second code area, and is based on at least one IR substance that absorbs in the IR wavelength range and is transparent in the visible wavelength range, and wherein the optically variable security feature is arranged in a third area of the security element which is spatially separated from the first code area and the second code area and is spatially related to the first and the second code area. Security element according to Claim 1 , characterized in that it has at least one further visually detectable, optically variable security feature which is arranged in a fourth area of the security element which is spatially separated from the first and second code areas and the third area and is spatially related to them . Security element according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the spatial relationship consists in optically variable security features and code areas being arranged one after the other and alternating with one another. Security element according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the first code area and the second code area are identical or complement each other to form an overall code. Security element according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized in that the area of the optically variable security feature also contains at least one IR substance which absorbs in the IR wavelength range and is transparent in the visible range and which is arranged in spatial relation to the first and / or second code area. Security element according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the machine-readable code is formed by at least two different IR substances which can be distinguished by machine, the different IR substances being arranged in the same or in different code areas. Security element according to one of the Claims 1 to 6th , characterized in that the at least one IR substance is an iron (II) or a copper (II) compound. Security element according to one of the Claims 1 to 7th , characterized in that the at least one IR substance is selected from the group consisting of the ink pigments of the printing inks SICPATALK® - CBA, SICPATALK® - NFB, SICPATALK® - ETM, SICPATALK® - SEL, SICPATALK® - SEN and mixtures from that. Security element according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th , characterized in that it also has at least one UV radiation absorbing feature, which is optionally part of the machine-readable code. Security element according to one of the Claims 1 to 9 , characterized in that the optically variable security feature is a moiré magnifier. Document of value, such as a bank note, identification document, credit card or certificate, characterized in that it is provided with a security element according to one of the Claims 1 to 10 is equipped, wherein the security element is applied in register. Document of value after Claim 11 , characterized in that, in addition to the first and second code area of the security element, it has at least one further code area which - is based on at least one IR substance that absorbs in the IR wavelength range and is transparent in the visible range, to the security features of the security element in is in a spatial relationship and which, together with the first and second code areas, forms a machine-readable code. Document of value after Claim 12 , characterized in that the at least one IR substance on which the further code area is based is an IR substance as in FIG Claim 7 or 8th Are defined. Method for producing a document of value, characterized in that a security element according to one of the Claims 1 to 10 is applied in register to a value document substrate or is applied in register in part to a value document substrate, with machine-readable security features on the security element and the value document substrate being used for the register-accurate application. Method for checking the authenticity of a document of value according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the relative spatial position of security features of the security element to one another and / or of security features of the security element and the value document substrate to one another are checked.

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