EP2363296B1 - Valuable document with grid-true positioned safety element - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a value document with an elongated security element, which has a machine-readable coding. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a value document with a substrate and an elongate security element embedded in the substrate, which has a machine-readable coding.

In the context of the invention, a value document can be banknotes, identity documents, check cards, credit cards, but also shares, certificates, stamps, checks, tickets, tickets, air tickets, identity cards, visa stickers or the like, as well as labels, seals, packaging or other Elements. The simplified term "value document" therefore always includes documents of the type mentioned below.

From the prior art it is known to provide value documents with security elements, such as security strips or security threads, which contain a coding. For example, a coding with a sequence of magnetic and non-magnetic regions may be provided as coding of a security thread, the sequence being characteristic of the type of value document to be secured. In addition, it is known to use various magnetic materials for magnetic encoding, for example, with different coercive force.

As magnetic coding, for example, two different coercive magnetic materials can be used, from which two types of magnetic bits are formed. Along the magnetic Coding are the different coercive magnetic bits usually spaced apart, for example, separated by non-magnetic material.

The DE 10 2007 025 939 A1 describes a security element according to the preamble of claim 1, with a magnetic coding having at least a first coding element and at least one second coding element. The first and second coding elements are arranged along a predetermined direction on or in the security element. The first coding element has a first magnetic field with a first coercive force along the predetermined direction, the second coding element contains a first gap region and a second magnetic region having a second coercive force that differs from the first coercive force. The first magnetic region is arranged along the predetermined direction immediately adjacent to the second magnetic region. In addition, the lengths of the first and second magnetic regions are selected such that the sum of the lengths of the first and second magnetic regions along the predetermined direction is at most 8 mm. Such magnetic coding can be reliably detected by the magnetic sensor even if the security element is transported along the magnetic coding.

For machine testing of a value document with a coding, it is desirable that the coding can be detected independently of the orientation of the value document by the optical sensor or by the magnetic sensor. For example, for a delay-free flight clearance at departure counters, it is desirable for elongated boarding passes to be coded along their transverse direction in a transport direction that corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the boarding pass Viewed from both standing on the foot, and standing upside down can be reliably detected by the sensor. A similar need exists in the mass processing of passengers in subway stations with ticket readers, but also in the automatic checking of banknotes by. Banknote processing systems.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a value document with a machine-readable encoding, wherein the coding in the transport direction of the value document can be reliably measured relative to the sensor regardless of the position of the document of value.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a method for producing the above-mentioned value document.

These objects are achieved by the feature combinations defined in the independent claims. Further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

One aspect of the invention relates to a value document according to claim 1.

The machine-readable coding can be formed, for example, by one element or by a plurality of elements selected from the group consisting of a hologram, a laser engraving, a print motif, a fluorescence motif, a luminescence motif, a diffractive motif and an optically variable motif.

The machine-readable encoding may comprise a magnetic material.

The document of value advantageously contains a substrate which has paper and / or at least one plastic film.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method according to claim 4.

The control feature of the elongated security element can be formed in particular by the machine-readable coding.

The value document according to the invention contains at least one elongated security element, wherein the security element is a machine-readable. Coding, which is formed with respect to the center of the value document with respect to the longitudinal axis or transverse axis of the value document mirror-symmetrical. The mirror-symmetrical design of the machine-readable coding makes it possible, in the case of a transport direction of the security element which coincides with the mirror axis or is oriented perpendicular to the mirror axis, to reliably test the security element independently of the position of the value document. For example, in the case of an elongated value document, along its Transverse axis is provided with a relative to the longitudinal axis of the document of value mirror-symmetrical machine-readable encoding, the coding are automatically detected in a transport in the longitudinal direction of the value document regardless of whether the value document is transported when viewed in supervision standing upside down or standing on the foot.

The sensor system used for the mechanical testing of the security element comprises an optical sensor.

The machine-readable coding of the elongated security element can be formed, for example, by a security feature produced by printing technology and / or holography. The coding can advantageously include marking elements such as, for example, characters, symbols, text or even patterns. More particularly, the machine-readable encoding may be formed, for example, by one or more elements selected from the group consisting of a hologram, a laser engraving, a print motif, a fluorescent motif, a luminescent motif, a diffractive motif, and an optically variable motif. In particular, the machine-readable coding may be a diffraction structure, such as a (volume) hologram, or a hologram-like diffraction structure, a matte structure, a metallization, where also several differently colored metals may be used, a perforation, a lens or micromirror structure, a micro-optical system , in particular a micro-optical moiré magnification arrangement, a thin-film element, a polarizing filter or a print having at least one substance with optically variable or luminescent properties. As substances with Optically variable properties are, for example, effect pigments, in particular pigments prepared on the basis of liquid-crystalline polymers or so-called pearlescent pigments, such as the silver white, gold luster or metallic luster pigments marketed by Merck KGaA under the name Iriodin® or Colorcrypt. Interfacial pigments are also suitable as materials with optically variable properties. Interference layer pigments typically have a thin-film structure which expediently contains at least one reflection layer, one absorber layer and a dielectric spacer layer arranged between the reflection layer and the absorber layer.

The machine-readable coding of the elongate security element may additionally comprise magnetic material, so that a magnetic coding is present. Suitable magnetic encodings which can be used to produce mirror-symmetrical magnetic encodings are known, for example, from US Pat DE 10 2007 025 939 A1 known. As a machine-readable coding of the elongated security element is therefore suitable for. B. a magnetic coding having at least a first coding element and at least a second coding element. The first and second coding elements are arranged along a predetermined direction on or in the security element. The first coding element has a first magnetic field with a first coercive force along the predetermined direction, the second coding element contains a first gap region and a second magnetic region having a second coercive force that differs from the first coercive force. The first magnetic region is arranged along the predetermined direction immediately adjacent to the second magnetic region. By "immediately adjacent" is meant that the first and second magnetic regions along the predetermined direction are arranged substantially side by side. In the case of a plan view of the plane of the security element, a partial overlap of the directly adjacent first and second magnetic areas may exist. Preferably, the edges of the immediately adjacent to each other first and second magnetic regions border each other as closely as possible, ie with minimal overlap or distance from each other.

The elongate security element can preferably extend over the entire width or height of the value document. In this way, e.g. in the case of an elongated value document, which is provided along its entire transverse axis with a mirror-symmetrical machine-readable coding relative to the longitudinal axis of the value document, half of the entire transverse axis of the value document is used for individualizing the value document by means of coding elements.

The value document according to the invention advantageously has a substrate, which is designed, for example, as one or more layers and consists of paper and / or at least one plastic film. As paper any kind of paper comes into consideration, in particular paper made of cotton. Of course, it is also possible to use paper which contains a proportion of polymeric material in the range of 0 <x <100. As a plastic film such as a polyester film into consideration. The film may also be monoaxially or biaxially stretched. The stretching of the film, inter alia, leads to it receiving polarizing properties that can be used as an additional security feature. It may also be expedient if the substrate material is a multilayer composite which has at least one layer of paper or a paper-like material. Such a composite is characterized by an extremely high stability, which for the durability of the paper is of great advantage. It is also conceivable to use a multilayer, paper-free composite material as the substrate material. This composite material can be used to advantage in certain climatic regions of the earth. All materials used as substrate material can have additives which serve as an authenticity feature. It is primarily to be thought of luminescent, which are preferably transparent in the visible wavelength range and in the non-visible wavelength range by a suitable tool, such as a UV or IR radiation emitting radiation source can be excited to a visible or at least detectable with tools To produce luminescence.

The oblong security element having a machine-readable code of the value document according to the invention can, for example, be applied to the substrate as a strip, patch, label or stamping foil element or introduced into the substrate, in particular laminated. The application preferably takes place by means of an adhesive or lacquer layer. A patch here is a label-shaped single element. A strip has a width substantially less than its length, the strip preferably extending from one edge of the substrate to an opposite edge. Such a strip is for example a window thread, a two-sided thread or an embedded thread. A window thread occurs here on one side to the surface of the substrate, a two-sided thread occurs on both sides of the surface of the substrate. An embedded thread, on the other hand, is located inside the substrate and, while not touching the surface of the substrate, may span gaps, such as a hole, in a substrate.

Embedded threads are for example off EP 1141480 A1 and window threads and two-sided threads, for example EP 1 854 641 A2 . WO 2003/068525 A1 or WO 2003/070482 A1 known.

A special case of the two-sided window thread is also referred to as a see-through window thread, which is simultaneously clearly visible from both sides of the security element. A see-through window thread spans, as it were, a hole or translucent area in a substrate. Another two-sided window thread is a so-called alternating window thread, which is alternately well visible on the front and back of a substrate.

In addition to security threads, however, it is also possible to use so-called transfer elements for the production of an elongate security element, these usually having recesses, e.g. a hole, spanning. The transfer element is a security element in the form of a strip or patch, which is prepared on a separate carrier layer, for example a plastic film, in the reverse order as it later comes to rest on the substrate and then by means of an adhesive or lacquer layer in the desired outline shapes is transferred to the substrate. The carrier layer can be removed after the transfer of the layer structure of the security element or remain as a protective layer as an integral part of the layer structure. As adhesives, hot melt adhesives are preferably used. However, other adhesives, such as reaction paints, may also be used.

According to a preferred embodiment, the value document according to the invention contains a machine-readable coding Oblong security element, wherein the coding relative to the optical sensor can be reliably detected by machine both in the right-sided arrangement of the document of value, as well as in the reverse order arrangement of the document of value. The term "right-sided arrangement of the value document" here means the front view of the document of value viewed from the sensor. The term "reversed order of the value document" is to be understood as the rear view of the document of value as viewed from the sensor. Magnetic coding is particularly suitable for the reliable mechanical detection of an elongate security element provided with a machine-readable code because it can be reliably measured by the magnetic sensor in the case of both right-sided and laterally reversed arrangement of the document of value. However, a reliable machine detection in both right-handed and laterally reversed arrangement of the document of value can also be accomplished when using an optical sensor if the elongate security element can be optically detected both from the front of the document of value and from the back of the document of value , For this purpose, suitable as the elongated security element, for example, a see-through window thread, which can be visually detected both from the front, as well as from the back of the value document. Instead of a see-through window thread, however, a strip or a patch which spans a recess in the substrate of the value document can also be used as the elongate security element in this case. Security elements that span a recess in the substrate of the document of value and can be optically detected both from the front and from the back of the document of value, for example, from WO 2010/000432 A1 known.

• Einführen des länglichen Sicherheitselements in das Substrat auf solche Weise, dass es wenigstens teilweise im Substrat eingebettet ist;
• Überwachen der Lage eines Kontrollmerkmals des länglichen Sicherheitselements nach dem Einbetten des länglichen Elements im Substrat;
• Überwachen der Lage eines Kontrollmerkmals des Substrates;
• Steuern der Spannung des länglichen Elements bei seiner Einführung in das Substrat unter Verwendung der Lageinformation, um auf diese Weise die Geschwindigkeit, mit der das längliche Sicherheitselement eingeführt wird, so zu steuern, dass das Kontrollmerkmal des länglichen Sicherheitselements zu dem Kontrollmerkmal des Substrates ausgerichtet ist.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment, the elongated security element of the value document according to the invention is a security element embedded in register in the substrate. Methods for register-accurate positioning of elongated security elements in substrates are, for example EP 1567 714 B1 known. The value document according to the invention with a substrate and an elongated security element, wherein the security element has a machine-readable coding, which is mirror-symmetrical to the center of the value document with respect to the longitudinal or transverse axis of the value document, can in particular be produced by a method comprising the following steps :

• Inserting the elongated security element into the substrate such that it is at least partially embedded in the substrate;
• Monitoring the location of a control feature of the elongate security element after embedding the elongated element in the substrate;
• Monitoring the location of a control feature of the substrate;
• Controlling the tension of the elongate member as it is inserted into the substrate using the positional information so as to control the speed at which the elongate security member is inserted such that the control feature of the elongated security member is aligned with the control feature of the substrate.

In the method according to the invention, the embedding of the elongated security element into the substrate takes place in register in such a way that a control feature of the elongate security element which can be monitored by means of a suitable sensor is arranged in register with respect to a control feature of the substrate which can be monitored by means of a suitable sensor. The term "register-accurate arrangement" is the To understand positional accuracy or fit. The control feature of the substrate may be, for example, a watermark. Alternatively, the control feature of the substrate may also be a register mark produced by printing technology, which can be measured opto-electronically. With suitable, known in the art sensor or measuring systems very small register marks can be detected. They are in part only a fraction of a square millimeter, so that they are barely visible in the print image, so hardly disturb or are easy to arrange. The control feature of the elongate security element can be formed, for example, by a microchip, a security feature produced by printing technology and / or holography or by magnetic material. The control feature of the elongate security element can be formed in particular by the machine-readable coding of the elongate security element itself.

The elongate security element may be partially embedded in the substrate, e.g. To form a window thread or a two-sided window thread. However, the elongated security element may also be completely embedded in the substrate, e.g. to form an embedded thread.

The at least partially embedding of the elongated security element in the substrate is advantageously carried out by means of in the EP 1567 714 B1 described round screening paper machine. The oblong security element to be embedded in the substrate is made of a thread material which comprises a multiplicity of elongate security elements in the form of repeat units. The thread material is in a stored on roles state. The embedding of the elongate security element by means of a variable braking device that slows down the unwinding speed of the role on which the elongated Security element is wound, and thus controls the tension of the elongated member in its introduction into the substrate. The tension of the elongate security element as it is inserted into the substrate controls the rate at which the elongate security element is inserted into the substrate such that the control feature of the elongate security element is aligned with the control feature of the substrate.

The invention will become apparent from the following embodiments or examples in conjunction with the additional figures.

The illustrations in the figures are highly schematized for better understanding and do not reflect the realities. In particular, the proportions shown in the figures do not correspond to the conditions present in reality and serve exclusively to improve the clarity. Furthermore, the embodiments described in the following examples are reduced to the essential core information for ease of understanding. In the practical implementation much more complex patterns or images can be used.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Anordnung aus einem Magnetsensor und einem an dem Magnetsensor im Längstransport vorbeitransportierten Wertdokument mit einem Sicherheitselement, wobei das Wertdokument vom Betrachter aus gesehen auf dem Fuß steht;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Anordnung aus einem Magnetsensor und einem an dem Magnetsensor im Längstransport vorbeitransportierten Wertdokument mit einem Sicherheitselement, wobei das Wertdokument vom Betrachter aus gesehen auf dem Kopf steht;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Anordnung aus einem Magnetsensor und einem an dem Magnetsensor im Quertransport vorbeitransportierten Wertdokument mit einem Sicherheitselement, wobei das Wertdokument vom Magnetsensor aus gesehen auf dem Fuß steht; und

Fig. 4

eine schematische Anordnung aus einem Magnetsensor und einem an dem Magnetsensor im Quertransport vorbeitransportierten Wertdokument mit einem Sicherheitselement, wobei das Wertdokument vom Magnetsensor aus gesehen auf dem Kopf steht.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic arrangement of a magnetic sensor and a transported to the magnetic sensor in the longitudinal transport value document with a security element, wherein the value document is seen from the viewer on the ground;

Fig. 2

a schematic arrangement of a magnetic sensor and a transported to the magnetic sensor in the longitudinal transport value document with a security element, the document of value being viewed from the viewer upside down;

Fig. 3

a schematic arrangement of a magnetic sensor and a transported to the magnetic sensor in the transverse transport value document with a security element, wherein the value document is seen from the magnetic sensor on the foot; and

Fig. 4

a schematic arrangement of a magnetic sensor and a transported to the magnetic sensor in the transverse transport value document with a security element, the value document from the magnetic sensor is upside down.

In Fig. 1 is a schematic section of a device for testing documents of value on the magnetic properties shown. A document of value 1 to be checked, in the present case a note standing on its foot as seen by the observer with the value "10", with an elongated security element 2 is moved by a transport system, not shown, along the arrow in FIG Fig. 1 transported transport direction transported by the device. The oblong security element 2 of the banknote 1 has a magnetic coding, which is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the center of the banknote with respect to the longitudinal axis of the banknote. The banknote 1 is transported in the transverse transport to an inductively operating magnetic sensor 5. there is the elongated security element 2, which is arranged with its longitudinal direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the banknote 1, tested for its magnetic properties. The elongated security element 2 is, for example, a security thread which is completely embedded in the banknote substrate, or a security thread which is partially embedded in the banknote substrate and only occurs at windows on its surface or is visible on its surface.

The magnetic sensor 5 has a plurality of measuring tracks 3, which are arranged along a line perpendicular to the transport direction of the banknotes. Starting from the inductively operating magnetic sensor 5, the magnetic signals are transmitted to an evaluation device 4, which checks the authenticity and / or the currency and / or the emission and / or the denomination of the banknote 1.

In Fig. 2 1 shows schematically the examination of the banknote 1 for its magnetic properties, the banknote 1, in contrast to the one in FIG Fig. 1 As seen from the viewer, the arrangement shown is upside down. Due to the mirror-symmetrical design of the magnetic coding of the elongated security element 2, the magnetic signals transmitted by the magnetic sensor 5 to the evaluation device 4 with the magnetic signals, which in the in Fig. 1 identical to the measurement geometry shown. The mirror-symmetrical design of the magnetic coding of the elongated security element 2 thus enables, in a transport direction of the security element 2, which coincides with the mirror axis, a reliable, independent of the position of the value document mechanical examination of the security element.

It is obvious that deviating from the in Figures 1 and 2 shown arrangements a variety of changes and variations are possible.

Instead of a magnetic coding, the elongate security element 2 can have a machine-readable coding which is selected, for example, from a hologram, a laser engraving, a print motif, a fluorescence motif, a luminescence motif, a diffractive motif or an optically variable motif. The in the Figures 1 and 2 shown magnetic sensor 5 would have to be replaced by an optical sensor in this case.

Furthermore, the elongated security element 2, which is mirror-symmetrical to the center of the banknote 1 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the banknote 1, may be arranged on the banknote 1 in such a way that it is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the transverse axis of the banknote 1.

The elongate security element 2 does not necessarily have to be a security thread, but can also be applied to the substrate as a strip, patch, label or stamping foil element, in particular laminated.

Furthermore, that is in the Figures 1 and 2 shown value document 1 is not necessarily a banknote. As applications for the value document according to the invention, for example, also tickets, tickets or air tickets in question, in which regardless of their arrangement when inserted into a ticket reader reliable machine testing can be ensured. This facilitates, for example, a problem-free handling of ticket readers especially blind people who between the page-right arrangement and the reversed arrangement of a ticket, or between the upside-down arrangement and standing on the foot arrangement of a ticket, can not distinguish.

Furthermore, in the in Figures 1 and 2 shown measurement geometry, the examination of the magnetic properties of the elongated security element 2 so that the elongated security element 2 is arranged with its longitudinal direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the banknote 1. In the case of the value document according to the invention, however, the examination of the magnetic properties of the elongate security element could also be carried out in the type described in US Pat DE 10 2007 025 939 A1 described measuring geometry, in which the value document is transported parallel to the direction of the magnetic coding. Such a measuring geometry is for further illustration in the FIGS. 3 and 4 shown.

In the Fig. 3 Banknote 6 shown comprises an elongate security element 7 with a magnetic coding, which is mirror-symmetrical to the center of the banknote 6 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the banknote 6. The elongate security element 7 is also arranged in the middle of the longitudinal axis of the banknote 6. The banknote 6 to be checked is moved by a transport system, not shown, along the arrow in FIG Fig. 3 transported transport direction transported by the device. Compared with in Figures 1 and 2 illustrated measuring geometry is the in Fig. 3 Banknote shown 6 transported in the transverse transport to an inductively operating magnetic sensor 8. In this case, the elongated security element 7, which is arranged with its longitudinal direction along the transport direction of the banknote 6, tested for its magnetic properties.

In Fig. 4 schematically shows the examination of the banknote 6 on their magnetic properties, wherein the banknote 6 in contrast to the in Fig. 3 shown measuring geometry of the magnetic sensor 8 is upside down. Due to the mirror-symmetrical design of the magnetic coding of the elongated security element 7, the magnetic signals transmitted by the magnetic sensor 8 to the evaluation device 9 are connected to the magnetic signals which are generated at the in Fig. 3 identical to the measurement geometry shown.

Furthermore, in mosaic-like consideration, the in FIGS. 1, 2 . 3 and 4 shown measurement arrangements that the inventive document of value is advantageously designed so that it has either an elongated security element with a machine-readable coding, which is mirror-symmetrical to the center of the value document with respect to the longitudinal axis of the value document and arranged in the middle of the longitudinal axis of the document of value is, or has an elongated security element with a machine-readable coding, which is mirror-symmetrical to the center of the value document with respect to the transverse axis of the value document and is arranged in the middle of the transverse axis of the value document. The central arrangement of the mirror-symmetrical coding having elongated security element ensures that the coding can be detected in all transport directions of the security element relative to the sensor.

Claims (6)

1. A value document (1) having an elongate security element (2), namely a see-through windowed thread or a strip spanning a gap in the substrate of the value document, wherein the security element has a machine-readable coding, characterized in that the coding is configured to be mirror-symmetric towards the middle of the value document with reference to the longitudinal axis or transverse axis of the value document, and that the security element can be captured optically both from the front side of the value document and from the back side of the value document by employing an optical sensor.
2. The value document according to claim 1, wherein the machine-readable coding is formed by an element or by several elements, chosen from the group consisting of a hologram, a laser engraving, a printed motif, a fluorescent motif, a luminescent motif, a diffractive motif and an optically variable motif.
3. The value document according to any of the claims 1 or 2, wherein the value document contains a substrate having paper and/or at least one plastic foil.
4. A method for manufacturing a value document having a substrate and an elongate security element, namely a see-through windowed thread, wherein the security element has a machine-readable coding configured to be mirror-symmetric towards the middle of the value document with reference to the longitudinal axis or transverse axis of the value document, and wherein the security element can be captured optically both from the front side of the value document and from the back side of the value document by employing an optical sensor, comprising the steps of:

   inserting the.elongate security element in the substrate in such a fashion that it is at least partially embedded in the substrate;

   monitoring the position of a check feature of the elongate security element after embedding the elongate element in the substrate;

   monitoring the position of a check feature of the substrate;

   controlling the tension of the elongate element upon its insertion in the substrate by employing the position information, in order to so control in this fashion the speed at which the elongate security element is inserted that the check feature of the elongate security element is aligned relative to the check feature of the substrate.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the machine-readable coding is formed by an element or by several elements, chosen from the group consisting of a hologram, a laser engraving, a printed motif, a fluorescent motif, a luminescent motif, a diffractive motif and an optically variable motif.
6. The method according to any of the claims 4 or 5, wherein the check feature of the elongate security element is formed by the machine-readable coding of the elongate security element.

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