EP1813438B1 - Elektronisches Echtheitsmerkmal für Sicherheitsdokumente mit einer elektrochemischen Zelle - Google Patents

Elektronisches Echtheitsmerkmal für Sicherheitsdokumente mit einer elektrochemischen Zelle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1813438B1
EP1813438B1 EP06001667A EP06001667A EP1813438B1 EP 1813438 B1 EP1813438 B1 EP 1813438B1 EP 06001667 A EP06001667 A EP 06001667A EP 06001667 A EP06001667 A EP 06001667A EP 1813438 B1 EP1813438 B1 EP 1813438B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
security document
contact points
security
document according
electronic
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP06001667A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1813438A1 (de
Inventor
Jonathan G. QinetiQ Cody Technology Park Gore
Jonathan QinetiQ Cody Technology Park Walker
Daniel R. QinetiQ Cody Technology Park Johnson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
European Central Bank
Original Assignee
European Central Bank
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by European Central Bank filed Critical European Central Bank
Priority to DE602006020832T priority Critical patent/DE602006020832D1/de
Priority to EP06001667A priority patent/EP1813438B1/de
Priority to ES06001667T priority patent/ES2359641T3/es
Priority to AT06001667T priority patent/ATE502788T1/de
Publication of EP1813438A1 publication Critical patent/EP1813438A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1813438B1 publication Critical patent/EP1813438B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
    • B42D25/20—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof characterised by a particular use or purpose
    • B42D25/29—Securities; Bank notes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to electronic security means for security documents such as banknotes, passports, chequebooks, etc, and more preferably to electronic security means comprising display means (such as liquid crystals, or microencapsulated electronic ink) to provide a visible display change when human skin contacts the secure document.
  • display means such as liquid crystals, or microencapsulated electronic ink
  • a forger may succeed in copying the optically recorded document contents, for example, the optical printed image of the banknotes, in a deceptively precise way.
  • a protection against this is the authenticity feature contained in the safety paper, used for producing the documents, as a result of the structure imparted to the safety paper during manufacture which authenticity feature supposedly practically cannot be copied by a forger with the means available to him.
  • the application of watermarks or the introduction of a safety thread into the paper is known.
  • EP 1 431 062 suggests security documents comprising substrate means, on board-electrical power supply means, such as photovoltaic cells, and electronic security means using said on-board power supply means.
  • the security feature cannot be activated by the user of the feature, if necessary.
  • a security feature of that kind is limited by the capacity of the power supply means and/or the availability of the corresponding power generating source.
  • US 6 369 793 discloses a display system for magazines, advertising, toys, greeting cards, CD jackets, etc.
  • Said display system includes a printed display formed on a substrate that is electrically connected to a printed battery, which is formed on the same substrate.
  • the display may be electrochromic, thermochromic, electroluminescent or electrophoretic.
  • the printed battery is a conventional wet electrochemical cell with an electrolyte-impermeable separation layer between the anode layer and cathode layer. Once the separation layer is removed the battery is activated, allowing for operation of the display.
  • Conventional touch pad switches may be introduced to allow the display to be switched on or off after the cell has been activated.
  • Another drawback of a display system of this kind is its high rigidity and stiffness. Repeatedly bending and folding of such a display system such as during the daily use of a banknote would lead to a delamination of the multilayered anode / wet electrolyte / cathode structure and/or to the formation of cracks within one or more of said layers, which in turn would result in a leakage of the electrochemical cell and a breakdown of the cell.
  • conventional touch pad switches comprise one or more mechanically moving parts, which make or break the connections in the circuit upon activation.
  • mechanically movable parts is not feasible within security documents that are repeatedly bent and folded during daily use.
  • US 4,623,598 relates to a flat battery wherein a flat generating element is sealed and sheathed with a sheathing film and both positive and negative terminals are installed on one surface of either the upper or the lower portion thereof.
  • the positive and negative collectors are separated one from another, but electrically connected to each other via an electrolyte, such as an electrolytic solution.
  • the battery is comparatively thin and has a high capacity per unit area.
  • US 4,623,598 does not mention any possible fields of application.
  • WO A1 03/057500 also discloses the state of the art.
  • the main objective of the present invention is to provide a more flexible and reliable overt security feature for secured documents that can be authenticated by a member of the general public, and which has improved forgery-proof properties.
  • the security feature shall be highly flexible, comparable small in thickness and highly durable.
  • a security document comprising substrate means and at least one electronic security means, wherein said security document also comprises at least two contact points each electrically connected to said electronic security means, but electrically isolated from each other.
  • the security feature of the document can be activated by the user making an electrical contact, such as a skin contact across the surfaces of at least two contact points. This results in the generation and/or flow of small amounts of electrical power that operate the electronic security means and display the security feature.
  • the present invention overcomes the size, flexibility and durability limitations of conventional electro-optic displays, electrical power sources and electrical interconnects.
  • the security document of the present invention is extremely thin, since the thickness of the power source and/or switch is only dictated by the size of the contact points.
  • the security document of the present invention exhibits a very high flexibility, and a very high durability, particularly in comparison with display systems comprising conventional electrochemical cells containing an anode, a cathode and a wet electrolyte and/or conventional touch pad switches having mechanically movable parts.
  • security document comprising substrate means and at least one electronic security means.
  • security document refers to all kind of documents that contain at least one feature that can be used to prevent counterfeiting by providing authentication, identification or classification of the document. In particular, they include banknotes, passports, chequebooks, identity cards, credit cards and/or debit cards.
  • the security document also comprises at least two contact points each electrically connected to said electronic security means, but electrically isolated from each other.
  • electrical connection refers to a connection via a material preferably having a resistivity ⁇ of less than 10 6 ⁇ ⁇ cm, very preferably of less than 10 -2 ⁇ ⁇ cm, when measured at 25°C.
  • two articles will be “electrically isolated one from another” if there is no electrical connection between said articles, in particular via a material having a resistivity ⁇ of less than 10 6 ⁇ ⁇ cm, when measured at 25°C.
  • the security document of the present invention is preferably adapted for checking its authenticity by electrically connecting the contact points and observing a status change of said electronic security means. Accordingly the surface of the contact points is preferably exposed for electrical contact so that said contact points can be electrically connected to each other by connecting the surfaces of said contact points via an electrically conductive material, preferably via a material having a resistivity ⁇ of less than 10 6 ⁇ ⁇ cm, very preferably of less than 10 -2 ⁇ ⁇ cm, when measured at 25°C.
  • At least two contact points are preferably located next to each other with a separation of 0.01 cm to 1.00 cm between said contact points to allow an electrical connection via a fingertip.
  • the positions of the contact points on the security document can principally be chosen freely. It is merely important that the contact points are electrically isolated from each other and that an electrical connection can be achieved by connecting the contact points via an electrically conductive material. However it is of particular advantage that at least two contact points are provided on the same side of said security document in order to facilitate the application of the electrically conductive material and in particular to allow the formation of an electrical connection via one single finger.
  • At least one contact point is located on the front of the security document and at least one contact point is located on the back of the security document, preferably in close proximity one to another to allow the formation of an electrical connection via a electrically conductive clamp, such as the thumb and the index finger of a human hand.
  • a electrically conductive clamp such as the thumb and the index finger of a human hand.
  • the security document comprises at least two sets comprising at least two contact points and at least one electronic security means, wherein in each set said contact points are each electrically connected to said electronic security means, but wherein in each set said contact points are electrically isolated from each other (parallel configuration).
  • at least one set preferably comprises at least anode and at least one cathode having a different electrochemical potential.
  • the contact points preferably comprise an electrically conductive material preferably having a resistivity ⁇ of less than 10 6 ⁇ ⁇ cm, very preferably of less than 10 -2 ⁇ ⁇ cm, when measured at 25°C. Furthermore it is preferred that they comprise metals within the galvanic series of metals. In addition, the contact points preferably comprise at least one conductive polymer. Further information regarding the material of the contact points can be found in the technical literature, such as Falbe et al. "Römpp-Lexikon Chemie" 10. Auflage, Stuttgart, New York, Thieme 1997, keyword “Galvanische Elemente” (galvanic cells), “elektrisch leit changede Polymere” (electrically conductive polymers) and the references cited therein.
  • the surfaces of the contact points are preferably left exposed to the environment. In such circumstances, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that materials will be preferably chosen that suffer minimal tarnishing or corrosion during everyday use of the secure document.
  • a very thin layer of solid polymer electrolyte is deposited separately onto the contact points (i.e. the electrolyte does not connect both contact points) such that the materials are protected from the environment.
  • a polymer electrolyte is preferred, as this will not detrimentally impact the desired flexibility of the invention.
  • the ionic conductivity of the solid polymer electrolyte need only be very low, that is, equivalent or better than the ionic conductivity of human skin.
  • Polymer electrolytes consist of salts dissolved in polymers (for example, polyethylene oxide, PEO). For good ionic conductivity these polymer electrolytes are usually prepared in an amorphous state and contain mobile ionic species such as lithium ions or silver ions.
  • conductivities can be of the order of 10 -3 S/m. Since these conductivities are much higher than that exhibited by human skin, these solid polymer electrolyte coatings do not impede the operation of this invention. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various contact point materials and various suitable solid electrolyte coatings are possible, and these are considered to be covered by this invention.
  • the contact points are each electrically connected to the electronic security means, preferably via one or more electrically conducting tracks.
  • the electrically conducting tracks can be made of any electrically conducting material, but preferably have a resistivity ⁇ of less than 10 6 ⁇ ⁇ cm, very preferably of less than 10 -2 ⁇ ⁇ cm, when measured at 25°C.
  • the use of copper tracks has proven of particular advantage.
  • At least two contact points have the same electrochemical potential, preferably when measured at 25°C. Very preferably they are made of the same material.
  • the contact points of this kind form a switch.
  • the circuit can be made by electrically connecting said contact points via an electrically conductive material, such as human skin. On the other hand the circuit will be broken upon removal of said electrically conductive material.
  • the security document of this particular embodiment preferably comprises one or more power generating means, and in particular at least one battery and/or at least one photovoltaic cell.
  • power generating means can be found in the technical literature, such as Falbe et al. "Römpp-Lexikon Chemie” 10. Auflage, Stuttgart, New York, Thieme 1997, keyword “Batterien” (batteries), “Solarzellen” (solar cells) and the references cited therein.
  • the security document of this embodiment comprises at least one anode and at least one cathode each electrically connected to said electronic security means, but electrically isolated from each other, i. e. the electronic security means is connected to an electrochemical cell comprising at least positive pole active material (cathode) and at least one negative pole active material (anode) but missing an electrolyte electrically connecting said anode and said cathode.
  • Every electrochemical cell requires an electrolyte to close the electrical circuit for provision of electrical power, but it does not necessarily have to be encapsulated within the cell.
  • the electrolyte can be provided to the cell when operation is required and fully removed after operation to once again leave dry anode and cathode materials that do not interact or degrade.
  • this electrolyte may be in the form of the moisture (e.g. sweat) contained at the surface of human skin.
  • This type of cell has the advantage of having no chemical electrolyte. It is - in effect - simply two electrodes before it is touched, and in reality cannot be classed as a cell in this state. There are no problems with chemical disposal, electrolyte dry out or leakage. It can be realised in many shapes and sizes, with many different configurations. It is extremely lightweight and exhibits a very low profile, with a total material thickness of only 10 ⁇ m or less being required for operation.
  • a simple electrochemical system based on the zinc-copper galvanic couple in a saline solution is appropriate for the intended application, with zinc as the anode material and copper as the cathode material.
  • This is a simple galvanic system that is normally used in laboratories to demonstrate the concept of electricity; it is not widely used in commercial applications because of the low energy, power and working voltage, which it generates.
  • the electronic security means preferably used in the present invention, such as electrophoretic displays, a thin electrochemical cell based on this electrochemical couple is suitable as a power source for the electronic security means.
  • the cathode comprises MnO 2 , preferably together with carbon black to increase the conductivity of the cathode.
  • the anode preferably comprises zinc.
  • the cathode comprises nickel oxyhydroxide and the anode comprises zinc.
  • the cathode comprises nickel oxyhydroxide and the anode comprises iron.
  • the actual shape of the contact points is not critical and can be square, rectangular, round or oval in shape, for example.
  • the use of an interdigitated design of the contact points, preferably at least one anode and at least one cathode has proven of particular advantage.
  • the electronic security means of the security document is not particularly limited and can be any known in the art. However, it is particular advantageous that the security means is an overt security feature, when activated.
  • the term "overt feature”, as used herein refers to a feature can be simply verified by a member of the general public using just the feature itself, and with no requirement for additional apparatus. Features in which the feature can only be read by special machine apparatus are so-called “covert features" which are not preferred for the purposes of the present invention.
  • the electronic security means is preferably a low power display means having an electric power consumption of preferably 10 -5 W or less.
  • the power source will have a high internal impedance that is of the order of 10 5 to 10 6 ⁇ .
  • the electrical current that can be drawn from the power source is consequently very low and is of the order of 10 -5 to 10 -6 A.
  • the potential voltage of the power source is dependent on both the nature of the anode and cathode materials used in the electrochemical cell, and the number of cells connected electrically in series with each other.
  • the potential voltage can range from approximately 0.3 V for a single cell to approximately 1.6 V for four cells in series activated by a single user.
  • Particularly suitable electronic security means for the purposes of the present invention include electrophoretic ink display means and/or liquid crystal display means.
  • the kind of the substrate means used in the present invention is not critical. However the use of substrate means comprising paper, plastic, polymer, elemental metallic foils, metallic alloy foils and/or synthetic paper is preferred.
  • the security document of the present invention is comparatively thin and its thickness is preferably smaller than 100 ⁇ m.
  • the overall thickness of the contact points, preferably at least one anode and at least one cathode, not including the substrate thickness is between approximately 10 to 50 ⁇ m.
  • the thickness of the interconnects between the power source and the display is preferably within the range from approximately 1 to 30 ⁇ m.
  • the thickness of the electronic security means, not including the substrate means depends on the kind of security means actually used, but is preferably in the range from 25 to 300 ⁇ m.
  • the substrate means is preferably provided with the contact points, in particular the anode and the cathode, and the electronic security means, wherein all components, including the electronic security means, may be printed onto a common substrate.
  • the power source and interconnects may be printed onto the substrate whereas the complete display assembly may be subsequently attached to the substrate. In this latter case, electrical connection will be made by ensuring that exposed printed contact pads on the substrate align with contact pads on the electronic security means.
  • the conducting tracks and/or the contact points are deposited onto the substrate using an electroless deposition technique.
  • an electroless deposition technique a specially formulated catalytic ink is printed onto the substrate in a desired pattern.
  • the substrate is then immersed in a chemical solution containing ions of the metal to be deposited. Over time, electroless deposition of the metal onto the substrate areas printed with catalytic ink occurs.
  • This technique is advantageous compared to other methods for producing the desired electrically conducting tracks and the contact points, such as printing of metal-loaded inks, since the technique produces deposited material with a density that is very close to that of the bulk material.
  • this technique is advantageous over standard printing of loaded inks in that the adhesion of the deposited material to the substrate is superior.
  • the - aforementioned electroless deposition technique is described in detail in Patent Application WO 02/099163 and is suitable for a range of substrates (such as polyester, polypropylene, synthetic paper, fine-weave cloths and polycarbonate) and a range of deposited metals (including copper, nickel, cobalt, iron, tin and a variety of magnetic and non-magnetic alloys).
  • substrates such as polyester, polypropylene, synthetic paper, fine-weave cloths and polycarbonate
  • deposited metals including copper, nickel, cobalt, iron, tin and a variety of magnetic and non-magnetic alloys.
  • the present invention does not preclude other methods of depositing electrically conducting materials and/or anodic or cathodic active materials.
  • Other methods include printing (such as screen printing and gravure printing) of particle-loaded inks, electroplating methods, chemical
  • the contact points are electrically connected to each other by connecting the surfaces of said contact points via an electrically conductive material preferably having a resistivity ⁇ of less than 10 6 ⁇ ⁇ cm, very preferably of less than 10 -2 ⁇ ⁇ cm, when measured at 25°C and a status change of said electronic security means is observed.
  • an electrolyte is preferably used.
  • the electronic security means is activated by said addition of an electrically conductive material to the security document.
  • the electrically conductive material is required to only have a very low level of ionic conductivity, since for electrophoretic-type displays, such as microencapsulated electrophoretic inks or electrophoretic liquid crystal-type displays, only a very low level of electrical current is required for operation of the display.
  • electrophoretic-type displays such as microencapsulated electrophoretic inks or electrophoretic liquid crystal-type displays
  • only a very low level of electrical current is required for operation of the display.
  • the activation is achieved by the moisture of human skin, such that when the skin contact is removed from the contact point surfaces the security document immediately reverts back into a non-activated state.
  • Other forms of electrolyte, liquid or otherwise, such as moisture-containing sponges or electrolytic gel, may be introduced to the contact points to switch the security document from a non-active state to an active state, and subsequently removed, by for example wiping dry, to switch the security document back to a non-active state, and these are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first particular embodiment of the present invention.
  • the cathode material 2 and the anode material 3 are preferably printed on the substrate 1 and make up the dry electrochemical cell.
  • the cathode material 2 and the anode material 3 are electrically connected via electrically conducting interconnecting tracks 4 and 5 preferably printed on the substrate means 1 to the electronic security means 6.
  • FIG. 1 is a view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a non-active state.
  • the electrically conducting tracks 4 and 5 are preferably formed from copper and are preferably deposited using the electroless deposition technique.
  • the electrically conducting tracks may be printed before or after the display 6 is printed onto the substrate or attached to the substrate, but in each case electrical connection is made to the electronic security means.
  • the electrode conducting tracks are deposited during appropriate steps of the manufacture of the display, as will be explained hereafter.
  • the cathode material 2 is preferably formed from copper and is preferably also deposited using the electroless deposition technique. This may be deposited simultaneously with deposition of the electrically conducting tracks.
  • the thickness of the deposited copper using this deposition technique is preferably about 5 ⁇ m, which is deemed suitable for the present invention although electroplating techniques may be used to further increase the thickness of the copper on the conducting tracks and cathode as required.
  • a thin layer of copper 7 is preferably also deposited, using the electroless deposition technique, at the anode location and this may be deposited simultaneously with deposition of the conducting tracks and the cathode.
  • Zinc material 3 is then deposited on top of this first copper layer at the anode location preferably by screen printing using an ink with solid loading by volume of zinc between 40% and 60%. Fine conducting powder material may be added to this ink, such as carbon black powder, to increase the conductivity of the zinc loaded ink.
  • the thickness of the conducting tracks is of the order of 5 ⁇ m
  • the thickness of the cathode element is about 5 ⁇ m
  • the thickness of the zinc material is approximately 15 ⁇ m.
  • the moisture contained within the human skin is used as the electrolyte.
  • biologically active human skin i. e. human skin comprising at least some water, such as the skin of a living human being
  • the moisture content of human skin acts as an electrolyte for the cell such that the cell generates an electric potential and allows a very small amount of electric current to flow. With specific design of the cell and careful choice of the display the generated potential and current is sufficient to operate the electronic security means.
  • the moisture content and the salinity of human skin can vary greatly from person to person, even before environmental and physical conditions have been considered.
  • the electrical impedance of human skin is dominated by the outermost (stratum corneum) layer of the epidermis layer of skin.
  • the thickness of this layer can vary between 10 ⁇ m and 1 mm according to the amount of protection and/or grip required by a region of the body.
  • the hands are typically used to grasp objects, requiring the palms to be covered with a thick stratum corneum (about 200 ⁇ m thick).
  • stratum corneum about 200 ⁇ m thick
  • the sole of the foot is prone to injury, and so it is protected with a very thick stratum corneum layer (about 1 mm thick).
  • This stratum corneum layer can act as a solid state electrolyte with only a few free ions required for dc conductance.
  • the cells of the stratum corneum layer can absorb water and this has a marked effect on the electrical conductivity of human skin.
  • the electrical conductivity of human skin, at a frequency of measurement of 1 Hertz, can vary between about 10 -7 S/m for dry skin to about 10 -5 S/m for wet skin; and a typical resistance value as measured between two contact points is ⁇ 10 5 ⁇ cm 2 .
  • the electric potential generated by the cell through the use of skin moisture as an electrolyte can be predicted from the galvanic series of metals in saline solution to be approximately 0.6 V to 0.7 V.
  • the potential generated into a Digital Voltmeter with an internal impedance of 10 6 ⁇ for this embodiment of the invention is about 0.5 V upon pressing a dry finger across the copper and zinc samples.
  • the internal resistance of this activated cell is estimated to be about 0.4 Megaohms. Consequently, the cell has a high internal resistance and is only suitable for operating devices that present a much higher resistance to the cell, and that require very small electrical current for their operation.
  • electrophoretic displays which are capacitive in nature and have a very high dc resistance, are particularly suitable for direct operation from these skin-activated galvanic cells. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other display types may be compatible with such power sources, and these are hence contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention. Improving electrolyte salinity and moisture content will reduce the internal resistance of the cell, thus improving its current-sourcing capability.
  • the anode and cathode materials are deposited in an interdigitated pattern as shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the fingers of the comb array of the anode 9 fit between the fingers of the comb array of the cathode 10. Any number of fingers may be used and the separation between anode and cathode may be of any distance but is limited by the resolution of the various printing and deposition methods mentioned earlier.
  • This arrangement has the advantage that the activated cell (that is, when pressing human skin across the interdigitated array) has a lower internal resistance and will thus be able to produce more current into a given load, when compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .
  • Many other geometrical arrangements of the anode and cathode are possible and these are considered to be covered by this invention.
  • a higher potential voltage than that provided by the simple galvanic cell previously described is required to operate the display. Higher voltages may be achieved, to some extent, by changing the nature of the anode and cathode to more negatively active and more positively active materials, respectively.
  • another option is to arrange the cells electrically in series, as shown in plan view in FIG. 5 .
  • four of the galvanic cells are arranged electrically in series such that the negative pole (preferably a zinc anode) of one cell is in electrical contact with the positive pole of the next cell (preferably a copper cathode).
  • the cells In practice, in order for the voltage potentials from series cells to sum up, the cells should not share the same electrolyte, as is the case for this particular embodiment of the invention.
  • human skin exhibits a relatively large impedance between two points (e.g. two fingers, or two hands). This, coupled with the fact that a display with extremely high impedance is connected to the cells, allows the cells to be connected in series whilst effectively sharing the same electrolyte.
  • the impedance of the skin between fingertips separates the electrolytes with an impedance that is greater than each individual cell impedance, and therefore does not shunt the cell.
  • the four cells connected in series simultaneously activated by four fingertips from one hand, provide a potential difference of 1.6V. This is higher than that provided by a single cell but, as expected, does not quite equal the sum of the potential provided by four individually operated cells.
  • a printed electrophoretic display 11 shown in cross-section view in FIG. 6 , may be used as the display 6 in the self-authenticating feature.
  • the display comprises a substrate 12 which may also be the same as the substrate means 1.
  • An electrode layer 13 is then formed on the substrate layer.
  • This bottom electrode layer may be printed, using for example a silver ink, or deposited using the electroless deposition technique previously described and as referred to in Patent Application WO 02/099163 .
  • the bottom electrode layer may be printed simultaneously with one of the electrical tracks (4 or 5) and in this manner connection between the dry electrochemical cell and the display is facilitated.
  • Other methods of forming the electrode layer will also be apparent to those skilled in the art, and these are contemplated as falling within the scope of this invention.
  • An electrophoretic layer 14 is then formed on top of the electrode layer by printing for example, although other deposition methods are considered to be covered by the present invention.
  • a suitable electrophoretic layer would be composed of, for example, electronic ink.
  • the electronic ink can constitute micro-encapsulated charged particles within an ink carrier.
  • the electronic ink may be composed of any suspension of electrically charged or electrically polarisable pigment particles contained in a fluid or ink carrier, and this is contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention.
  • a transparent electrode layer 15 is formed over the electrophoretic layer.
  • the transparent electrode material is indium tin oxide (ITO) although other transparent conductive materials may be used and are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention.
  • the transparent electrode layer may be deposited by means of a vacuum-deposition or sputtering process, but preferably, for the present invention, ITO inks are deposited using a printing process (as per US Pat. No. 5421926 ). Printing of the top electrode layer 15 may be undertaken simultaneously with printing of the remaining electrical track (5 or 4) such that electrical connection to the electrochemical cell is facilitated.
  • a voltage with a first polarity is applied across the electrodes 13 and 15 an electric field is generated within the electrophoretic layer 14. The electric field exerts a force on the pigment particles, which move towards the transparent electrode, thus producing the colour of the pigment to the viewer 16.
  • the pigment particles are attracted to the bottom electrode such that the colour of the ink dye is observed. It is preferable that the particles are light with high scattering coefficients (as is the case for titanium dioxide) in a dark-dyed ink medium. Since the display behaves electrically as a capacitor, only a small amount of power is required for operation of the display. Because the display is capacitive in nature, and the fact that the display change relies on the movement of particles within a fluid medium, there is a finite time taken for the display to change state that is dependent upon the potential voltage applied to the display.
  • two adjacent electrophoretic displays 17 and 18 and four dry electrochemical cells are configured such that when two of the electrochemical cells are activated (when the user presses fingertips across each of the cells simultaneously, and the remaining two electrochemical cells are in the non-active state) one display 17 is provided with a negative polarity and the other adjacent display 18 with a positive polarity. This has the effect of making one display appear black and the other appear white, thereby enhancing the contrast to the viewer.
  • the electrical track 19 is connected to the bottom electrode 12 of the electrophoretic display that is common to both display 17 and display 18.
  • the electrical track 20 is connected to the top electrode 15 of electrophoretic display 17 and electrical track 21 is connected to the top electrode 15 of electrophoretic display 18.
  • the bottom two electrochemical cells are activated such that the left half of the electrophoretic display is black whilst the right half of the electrophoretic display is white.
  • the top two cells of this particular embodiment are reversed in polarity such that when these are activated (and the bottom two cells are in the non-active state), as shown in FIG. 7b , image in the display reverses such that the left half of the electrophoretic display is white whilst the right half of the electrophoretic display is black
  • the connection to the bottom electrode of this electrophoretic display is not required, since the potential applied to the top electrodes of the electrophoretic displays will always be referenced against the common bottom electrode of displays 17 and 18.
  • the electrical track 22 is connected to the top electrode 15 of electrophoretic display 17 and the electrical track 23 is connected to the top electrode 15 of electrophoretic display 18.
  • a plurality of cells with different polarities could be considered, each connected to different elements within the electrophoretic display and this is considered to be covered by the present invention.
  • Each electrochemical cell could be activated, by making skin contact across the anode and cathode elements of each cell, individually or in combinations that are designed to give rise to a particular display feature. In this way, the complexity of the feature is enhanced to provide a feature that is more difficult to counterfeit.
  • liquid crystal-based displays are also electrophoretic in that the application of a voltage to the display creates an electric field, which causes rotation or other movement of molecules or particles within the display.
  • liquid crystal displays require very low electrical currents and may be suitable for operation with the high impedance, skin-activated electrochemical cells described in this invention.
  • only a very low level of electrical current, of the order of ten microamps, is required to illuminate a single pixel of a polymer-based light emitting diode, and these may therefore also be suitable for operation with the skin-activated electrochemical cells.
  • the operation of other display types using these skin-activated electrochemical cells is contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention.
  • the specific arrangements shown can also be used when the contact points have the same electrochemical potential, and preferably are made of the same material.
  • the security document preferably also comprises power-generating means and/or power-generating means are preferably connected to the security document when making the electrical contact between the contact points.
  • the use of power-generating means located on the security document is particularly preferred.

Claims (37)

  1. Sicherheitsdokument, umfassend Substratmittel und mindestens ein elektronisches Sicherheitsmittel, wobei das Sicherheitsdokument auch mindestens zwei Kontaktpunkte umfasst, die jeweils elektrisch mit dem elektronischen Sicherheitsmittel verbunden sind, aber voneinander elektrisch isoliert sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Kontaktpunkte ein elektrisch leitendes Material umfassen und mindestens zwei Kontaktpunkte ein unterschiedliches elektrochemisches Potential haben.
  2. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Sicherheitsdokument ein Geldschein, ein Pass, ein Scheckheft, ein Ausweis, eine Kreditkarte oder eine Debitkarte ist.
  3. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Sicherheitsdokument dafür geeignet ist, dass man seine Authentizität überprüft, indem man die Kontaktpunkte elektrisch verbindet und eine Zustandsänderung des elektronischen Sicherheitsmittels beobachtet.
  4. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens zwei Kontaktpunkte mit einer Entfernung von 0,01 cm bis 1,00 cm zwischen den Kontaktpunkten nebeneinander angeordnet sind.
  5. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Kontaktpunkte elektrisch miteinander verbunden werden können, indem man die Oberflächen der Kontaktpunkte mittels eines elektrisch leitenden Materials verbindet.
  6. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens zwei Kontaktpunkte auf derselben Seite des Sicherheitsdokuments angeordnet sind.
  7. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß mindestens einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein Kontaktpunkt auf der Vorderseite des Sicherheitsdokuments angeordnet ist und mindestens ein Kontaktpunkt auf der Rückseite des Sicherheitsdokuments angeordnet ist.
  8. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Sicherheitsdokument mindestens zwei Sätze umfasst, die mindestens zwei Kontaktpunkte und mindestens ein elektronisches Sicherheitsmittel umfassen, wobei bei jedem Satz die Kontaktpunkte jeweils elektrisch mit dem elektronischen Sicherheitsmittel verbunden sind, wobei aber bei jedem Satz die Kontaktpunkte voneinander elektrisch isoliert sind.
  9. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Sicherheitsdokument mindestens vier Kontaktpunkte umfasst, wobei der erste Kontaktpunkt und der vierte Kontaktpunkt jeweils mit dem elektronischen Sicherheitsmittel verbunden sind, aber voneinander elektrisch isoliert sind und wobei der zweite Kontaktpunkt mit dem dritten Kontaktpunkt elektrisch verbunden ist, aber vom ersten Kontaktpunkt und vom vierten Kontaktpunkt elektrisch isoliert ist.
  10. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Kontaktpunkte an elektrisch leitendes Material umfassen.
  11. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Kontaktpunkte Metalle innerhalb der galvanischen Reihe der Metalle umfassen.
  12. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß Anspruch 10 oder 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Kontaktpunkte mindestens ein elektrisch leitendes Polymer umfassen.
  13. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein Kontaktpunkt eine Elektrolytbeschichtung umfasst.
  14. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Kontaktpunkte Beständigkeit gegen Oxidation und/oder Trübung aufgrund einer Raumklimaeinwirkung aufweisen.
  15. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Sicherheitsdokument elektrisch leitende Bahnen umfasst, die die Anode und die Kathode mit dem elektronischen Sicherheitsmittel verbinden.
  16. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß mindestens einem der Ansprüche 10 bis 15, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens zwei Kontaktpunkte das gleiche elektrochemische Potential haben.
  17. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß Anspruch 16, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Sicherheitsdokument stromerzeugende Mittel umfasst.
  18. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß Anspruch 17, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Sicherheitsmittel eine Batterie oder eine photovoltaische Zelle umfasst.
  19. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß Anspruch 16 oder 17, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Sicherheitsdokument mindestens zwei Sätze von Kontaktpunkten und stromerzeugenden Mitteln umfasst.
  20. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß mindestens einem der Ansprüche 10 bis 15, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens zwei Kontaktpunkte ein unterschiedliches elektrochemisches Potential haben.
  21. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das elektronische Sicherheitsmittel ein offenkundiges Sicherheitsmerkmal ist.
  22. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das elektronische Sicherheitsmerkmal ein Schwachstrom-Anzeigemittel ist.
  23. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß Anspruch 22, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Schwachstrom-Anzeigemittel ein elektrophoretisches Anzeigemittel und/oder ein flüssigkristallines Anzeigemittel ist.
  24. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Substratmittel Papier, Kunststoff, Polymer, elementare, metallische Folien, metallische Legierungsfolien und/oder synthetisches Papier umfasst.
  25. Sicherheitsdokument gemäß mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass seine Dicke kleiner als 100 µm ist.
  26. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Sicherheitsdokuments gemäß mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei man die Kontaktpunkte und das elektronische Sicherheitsmittel auf dem Substratmittel bereitstellt.
  27. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 26, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass man die Kontaktpunkte auf das Substratmittel druckt.
  28. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 26 oder 27, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass man die Kontaktpunkte auf dem Substratmittel unter Verwendung von stromloser Abscheidung, Bedampfung und/oder Vakuumabscheidung abscheidet.
  29. Verfahren gemäß mindestens einem der Ansprüche 26 bis 28, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass man elektrisch leitende Bahnen auf dem Substratmittel unter Verwendung von stromloser Abscheidung, Bedampfung und/oder Vakuumabscheidung abscheidet.
  30. Verfahren gemäß mindestens einem der Ansprüche 26 bis 29, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass man elektrisch leitende Bahnen auf das Substratmittel unter Verwendung von leitfähiger Tinte druckt.
  31. Verfahren gemäß mindestens einem der Ansprüche 26 bis 30, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass man die Kontaktpunkte und die elektrisch leitenden Bahnen gleichzeitig bereitstellt.
  32. Verfahren gemäß mindestens einem der Ansprüche 26 bis 31, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass man das elektronische Sicherheitsmittel vor oder nach der Bereitstellung der Kontaktpunkte bereitstellt.
  33. Verfahren gemäß mindestens einem der Ansprüche 17 bis 23, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass man das elektronische Sicherheitsmittel und/oder die Kontaktpunkte auf beiden Seiten des Sicherheitsdokuments bereitstellt.
  34. Verwendung eines Sicherheitsdokuments gemäß mindestens einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 25 zur Überprüfung seiner Authentizität, wobei man die Kontaktpunkte elektrisch miteinander verbindet, indem man die Oberflächen der Kontaktpunkte mittels eines elektrisch leitenden Materials verbindet, und eine Zustandsänderung des elektronischen Sicherheitsmittels beobachtet.
  35. Verwendung gemäß Anspruch 34, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass man ein Elektrolyt als elektrisch leitenden Material verwendet.
  36. Verwendung gemäß Anspruch 35, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Elektrolyt Wasser umfasst.
  37. Verwendung gemäß Anspruch 36, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Elektrolyt Feuchtigkeit der menschlichen Haut umfasst.
EP06001667A 2006-01-27 2006-01-27 Elektronisches Echtheitsmerkmal für Sicherheitsdokumente mit einer elektrochemischen Zelle Active EP1813438B1 (de)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE602006020832T DE602006020832D1 (de) 2006-01-27 2006-01-27 umente mit einer elektrochemischen Zelle
EP06001667A EP1813438B1 (de) 2006-01-27 2006-01-27 Elektronisches Echtheitsmerkmal für Sicherheitsdokumente mit einer elektrochemischen Zelle
ES06001667T ES2359641T3 (es) 2006-01-27 2006-01-27 Medios de seguridad electrónica para documentos de seguridad usando una célula electroquímica.
AT06001667T ATE502788T1 (de) 2006-01-27 2006-01-27 Elektronisches echtheitsmerkmal für sicherheitsdokumente mit einer elektrochemischen zelle

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06001667A EP1813438B1 (de) 2006-01-27 2006-01-27 Elektronisches Echtheitsmerkmal für Sicherheitsdokumente mit einer elektrochemischen Zelle

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1813438A1 EP1813438A1 (de) 2007-08-01
EP1813438B1 true EP1813438B1 (de) 2011-03-23

Family

ID=36617359

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06001667A Active EP1813438B1 (de) 2006-01-27 2006-01-27 Elektronisches Echtheitsmerkmal für Sicherheitsdokumente mit einer elektrochemischen Zelle

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1813438B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE502788T1 (de)
DE (1) DE602006020832D1 (de)
ES (1) ES2359641T3 (de)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4341854A1 (de) * 2021-05-17 2024-03-27 Fingerprint Cards Anacatum IP AB Registrierungshilfsvorrichtung mit einer zelle mit einem elektrolytträger, biometrisches system und registrierungsverfahren mit dieser registrierungshilfsvorrichtung
WO2024018409A1 (en) * 2022-07-20 2024-01-25 Telesca Antonio Bioelectricity production system

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3373748D1 (en) 1983-06-23 1987-10-22 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Flat battery
US5411792A (en) 1992-02-27 1995-05-02 Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. Transparent conductive substrate
US5745094A (en) 1994-12-28 1998-04-28 International Business Machines Corporation Electrophoretic display
US5604027A (en) 1995-01-03 1997-02-18 Xerox Corporation Some uses of microencapsulation for electric paper
US6323989B1 (en) 1996-07-19 2001-11-27 E Ink Corporation Electrophoretic displays using nanoparticles
CN1184303A (zh) 1996-12-06 1998-06-10 王振喜 防伪商标显示器
US6980196B1 (en) 1997-03-18 2005-12-27 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Printable electronic display
US6369793B1 (en) 1998-03-30 2002-04-09 David C. Zimman Printed display and battery
US6665042B1 (en) 2000-05-16 2003-12-16 The University Of Rochester Electrically switchable polymer liquid crystal and polymer birefringent flake in fluid host systems and optical devices utilizing same
GB0113408D0 (en) 2001-06-04 2001-07-25 Secr Defence Autocatalytic coating method
CN100425457C (zh) * 2002-01-10 2008-10-15 联邦印刷有限公司 带有开关的有价证券或安全文件
DE60218499T2 (de) 2002-12-20 2007-11-08 European Central Bank Sicherheitsdokument mit elektronischem Sicherheitsmittel

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2359641T3 (es) 2011-05-25
DE602006020832D1 (de) 2011-05-05
ATE502788T1 (de) 2011-04-15
EP1813438A1 (de) 2007-08-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR101424820B1 (ko) 전기적으로 제어 가능한 광학 활성 층 시스템을 구비한다중층 본체
CA2701520C (en) Security element for the identification of a security document and method for producing it
US4591189A (en) Document having light-transmissive, electrically conductive authenticating interior layer
US8551673B2 (en) Optically variable magnetic stripe assembly
EP2153420B1 (de) Schaltung für ein sicherheitsdokument
GB2164466A (en) Electrochromic device
CN202693947U (zh) 液晶显示器及包含其的手提包、瓶盖和智能卡片
CA2736832A1 (fr) Structure comportant au moins deux dispositifs a microcircuit integre a communication sans contact
CN103219167A (zh) 膜式超级电容器及其制造方法
JP2008513861A5 (de)
EP1813438B1 (de) Elektronisches Echtheitsmerkmal für Sicherheitsdokumente mit einer elektrochemischen Zelle
DE10214369B4 (de) Wert- oder Sicherheitsdokument mit Seebeck- oder Peltier-Element
CN102169999B (zh) 一种金属纳米材料纸型电池
CN203882556U (zh) 自供电显示标签
CN103513457A (zh) 柔性液晶显示器及包含其的手提包、瓶盖和智能卡片
Oliveira et al. Printed batteries: an overview
ES2359642T3 (es) Medios de seguridad electrónica para documentos de seguridad usando una dinamo lineal para generación de potencia.
US8294973B2 (en) Electrochromic display substrate
ES2402364T3 (es) Medios de seguridad electrónicos para documentos de seguridad que utilizan un generador de energía termoeléctrica
TWM296484U (en) Fuel cell device
CN207690133U (zh) 薄片型电子防伪标签
WO2016092374A1 (en) All-printed paper-based memory
AU2007101087A4 (en) Security documents with security features
JP2534413Y2 (ja) シ−ト状電極およびシ−ト状電池
Service Shrinking Dimensions Spur Research Into Ever-Slimmer Batteries

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA HR MK YU

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20070911

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20071010

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AXX Extension fees paid

Extension state: MK

Payment date: 20070911

Extension state: AL

Payment date: 20070911

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL MK

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 602006020832

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20110505

Kind code of ref document: P

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602006020832

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20110505

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2359641

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20110525

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: T3

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110323

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110323

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110323

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110624

LTIE Lt: invalidation of european patent or patent extension

Effective date: 20110323

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110323

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110323

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110323

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110623

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110323

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110323

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110725

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 602006020832

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: PFLEIDERER, BERNHARD KARL, DIPL.-ING. DR.-ING., DE

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 602006020832

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: BERNHARD KARL PFLEIDERER, DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110323

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110723

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110323

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110323

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20111227

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110323

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110323

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602006020832

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20111227

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: BUGNION S.A.

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110323

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120131

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120127

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20110323

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120127

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060127

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 10

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 11

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 12

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20200122

Year of fee payment: 15

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20200121

Year of fee payment: 15

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20200124

Year of fee payment: 15

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20200221

Year of fee payment: 15

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20200123

Year of fee payment: 15

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20200121

Year of fee payment: 15

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20200121

Year of fee payment: 15

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 602006020832

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: PRINZ & PARTNER MBB PATENTANWAELTE RECHTSANWAE, DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602006020832

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20210201

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MM01

Ref document number: 502788

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20210127

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20210127

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210127

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210201

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210131

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210131

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210131

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210127

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210803

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20220427

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210128