EP2886362A1 - Valuable document - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a value document (1), in particular a banknote, with a visually and machine-readable individualizing identifier (2) formed from alphanumeric characters (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E) and with a machine-readable inspection element (1). 4, 5, 6). According to the invention, it is provided that the individualizing indicator has a machine-readable code and that the test element (4, 5, 6) contains the type of coding for verifying the authenticity of the individualizing code (2) in a coded form.

Description

The invention relates to a value document, in particular a banknote, with a visually and machine-readable individualizing identifier, which is formed from alphanumeric characters and with a machine-readable inspection element. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a value document and to a method for verifying the authenticity of such a document of value.

Value documents, such. As banknotes, but also passports, credit cards and other media often have an individualizing indicator, which is formed from alphanumeric characters. The individualizing tag is usually visually and machine readable. The identifier can therefore be detected by a viewer as the value document individualizing and the authenticity of the value document securing character. In addition, the license plate can also be read by machine and the authenticity of the thus marked value document can be checked. To further secure the value document against counterfeiting, it is known to additionally provide a machine-readable inspection element on the value document, which correlates in a specific form with the individualizing characteristic.

A disadvantage of the known value documents with such an individualizing indicator and a machine-readable inspection element is the fact that both the mark and the test element can usually be imitated by known printing methods with relatively little effort, and therefore the document of value insufficient counterfeiting and Imitation is secured.

Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is to specify an advantageous value document of the type mentioned in the introduction, which is characterized in particular by improved protection against counterfeiting and imitation. This object is solved by the features of the independent claims.

Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, in the case of a value document, in particular a banknote, with a visually and machine-readable individualizing identifier, which is formed from alphanumeric characters, and with a machine-readable inspection element, it is provided that the individualizing identifier has a machine-readable code and the test item is the type the coding for verifying the authenticity of the individualizing mark in an encoded form.

The invention is therefore based in particular on the idea that the protection against counterfeiting is substantially improved by an individualizing characteristic when the identification number has a machine-readable coding and the test element again contains the type of coding of the individualizing characteristic in a coded form. Because this is the value document is better protected against counterfeiting not only by the additional coding of the individualizing mark, but it is automatically possible to easily check whether the nature of the coding of the individualizing mark is genuine or a mere imitation or forgery. Contains the individualizing indicator z. As alphanumeric characters with a magnetic coding, it is possibly still possible for a counterfeiter to recognize that a magnetic Coding is present in the license plate, but under no circumstances can he a complicated magnetic coding, as provided on a real value document and as it is contained in the test element of the value document again in coded form, adjust. The machine detection of the forged individualizing mark with such a forged code and the automatic detection of the coding type as contained in the check element of the value document leaves a comparison of the forged type of coding of the individualizing mark and the authentic type of coding contained in the checking element a conclusion about the authenticity of the value document. For the type of coding is contained in the test element of the manufacturer of the value document in coded form known only to him, so that a counterfeiter, even in the event that he can read the test element on the value document, no conclusion on the exact nature of the coding can draw the individualizing indicator or any conclusions are associated with a considerable experimental and technical effort. Advantageously, the counterfeit protection of the value document is thereby considerably increased, so that genuine and counterfeit documents of value can be reliably distinguished from one another by appropriately equipped banknote processing machines.

Particularly preferred is a value document which contains a serial number as an individualizing identifier. Although it is fundamentally irrelevant to the invention whether the individualizing mark formed from alphanumeric characters is only a specific arrangement of alphanumeric characters or a serial number formed according to a specific educational specification, the formation of the individualizing mark as a serial number is advantageous since the user of the Value document these usually associated with a value document rather brings more than just a certain array of alphanumeric characters and hence the counterfeit protection is higher because of the greater recognition value of such a serial numbered document. Furthermore, serial numbers can be read out extremely reliably by machine, which enables faster and more reliable machine banknote processing. The term serial number includes according to the invention in addition to digits and letters.

In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the machine-readable coding of the value document is formed by at least two alphanumeric characters with different physical properties. A further improvement of the counterfeit protection by the individualizing characteristic is achieved by the fact that a large number or even all alphanumeric characters of the individualizing characteristic have different physical properties. In principle, however, not all characters must differ in their physical properties, but it is sufficient, for example. if it is z. B. two groups of characters, wherein the first group has a first physical property and the second group has a second physical property and the first and second group z. B. are arranged alternately or in the form of a predetermined coding. For a serial number with z. B. eight to twelve characters results in the arrangement of the characters of the first and the second group in a fixed type of coding already a large number of possibilities, so that the counterfeiter is given a high hurdle in the imitation of the coded individualizing mark.

Although the alphanumeric characters may differ in arbitrary physical properties, it is presently preferred that the different physical properties be different magnetic, optical, electrical, thermal, mechanical or acoustic properties.

The different magnetic properties may in further preferred embodiments be substances with different remanence and / or coercive field strength. For example, one alphanumeric character may contain one high co-material, while another character may have a substance with a different, especially lower, coercivity. Substances with essentially no coercivity are in particular different iron modifications. In the case of medium coercivity substances, it is possible in particular to specify iron oxide, preferably in the modification Fe ₂ O ₃ or Fe ₃ O ₄ . For the identification of the magnetic materials is often spoken of hard, medium-hard and soft magnetic materials, the transitions are partially fluid. Typically, the coercive force of soft magnetic materials used for the magnetic coding according to the invention is less than about 3 kA / m, while the coercive force of medium-hard magnetic materials about 10 kA / m to 30 kA / m and of hard magnetic materials about 150 kA / m is up to 400 kA / m. For the magnetic coding of an individualizing mark magnetizable substances in particular magnetizable pigments can be used.

For example, a pigment available under the name 025 BASF from BASF SE can be used. The pigment 025 BASF has a coercivity of less than 1 kA / m and is formed by pure iron.

Also usable are the magnetic iron oxide pigments 340 BASF, 345 BASF and 346 BASF, likewise obtainable from BASF SE. The coercive field strength for the pigments 340 BASF, 345 BASF and 346 BASF is 18 kA / m, 21 kA / m and 28 kA / m, respectively. Further details of the pigments mentioned above can be found in the datasheet EVP 003304 e, Rev. 0, July 2004, which can be found at http://www.basf.pl/ecpl/Poland/pl/function/conversions:/publish/ uplo ad / 02_Products_Industries / 04_Business_Segments / Pigmenty / Pigmenty_m agnetyczne_.pdf is available.

The abovementioned pigments from BASF SE can be used in printing inks with which individualizing characteristics with magnetic properties, in particular serial numbers with magnetic coding, are produced. The color shade of the pigment 025 BASF is specified in the product data sheet as gray, while the color shade of the pigments 340 BASF, 345 BASF and 346 BASF is indicated with black. In principle, it is conceivable to lighten the usually dark hue of the printing inks containing these pigments by appropriate additives or to use pigments which contain a light coating, in particular a titanium dioxide coating (TiO ₂ ). Magnetic pigments with a titanium dioxide coating generally have a light to white hue.

The aforementioned pigments of BASF SE are particularly suitable for application by offset, screen, flexographic, gravure printing processes, in particular intaglio printing. If, by contrast, an inkjet printing method is used to apply the magnetic colors, nanopigments having a particle size in the range between 50 nm and 100 nm are generally suitable. Further suitable for the inkjet printing method are inks containing ceramic magnetic pigments. Since the ceramic magnetic pigments are generally larger than the abovementioned nanopigments, the use of such ceramic pigments requires one special printhead assembly of inkjet printing device. Due to the fact that such special printhead structures are generally much more robust than printheads for conventional inkjet printing processes, it should also be possible to process particles with a particle size of up to 5 μm.

Further, for magnetic coding in connection with inkjet printing processes, it is also possible to use inks containing nanomagnetic pigments, which are certified for the printing of an MICR code. Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) refers to a special variant of the recognition of characters, such as those used in the USA for processing checks. On the one hand, the numbers are printed in a special character set called E-13B and, in addition, the ink used for the printing is mixed with magnetizable iron oxide particles. Such inks containing nanomagnet pigments which are certified to print the MICR code are e.g. VersaCheck.com (USA) "VersaInk nano ™" magnetic inks and similar inks.

For example, if a laser printing process is used instead of the non-contact inkjet printing process, MICR codes may be printed with a "VersaToner Ferro Titanium Series" toner from VersaCheck.com (USA). The VersaInk nano ™ or VersaToner Ferro Titanium Series inks and toners mentioned above are believed to have relatively low coercivities. Therefore, it is preferable to use such inks or toners containing magnetic pigments in combination with magnetic materials having a much higher coercive force, in particular, substances which are known as medium hard or hard magnetic materials according to the apply to the definition given above. It is conceivable, for example, the production of parts of the individualizing characteristic with said toners or inks with nanomagnetic pigments in combination with the production of other parts of the individualizing characteristic by means of a classic printing process using medium-hard or hard magnetic materials / printing inks. In any case, the combination of the above-mentioned non-contact methods and related ink / toner and conventional medium-hard or hard-magnetic printing methods can produce a magnetic coding individualizing feature which is extremely complex and therefore very well protected with the mark secured value document offers.

In the context of the present invention, the term "optical properties" encompasses, in particular, the properties of a color perceived by humans as fundamental, namely hue, brightness and color saturation. The quality of the color effect of a color range, in particular individualizing characteristic, on a viewer can be further described by valences such as chroma, color (color intensity), chromaticity, color depth, brilliance and gray tone. Furthermore, the optical properties of the individualizing characteristics also by other properties, such. As the reflectance, for example, shiny / not shiny, are characterized. It should also be noted that the alphanumeric characters need not have different optical properties over the entire visible wavelength range from about 380 nm to about 780 nm or non-visible wavelength range of less than 380 nm or greater than 780 nm. Rather, the optical properties at a first wavelength with respect to a first optical property and at a second, different from the first wavelength wavelength with respect to a second, different from the first optical property optical property. It is also conceivable that a change in the viewing angle between an alphanumeric character and the viewer causes a change in the optical properties of this character. This is z. As in individualizing characteristics with optically variable properties of the case. That is, any one of the above-mentioned optical properties, in particular, the hue, the brightness, the color saturation, or the reflectivity of the color range under consideration changes with the viewing angle. It is therefore possible for two visually distinguishable characters to differ in a first viewing angle with respect to a first optical property and at a second viewing angle with respect to a second optical property.

As a result, two alphanumeric characters in the context of the present invention thus have different optical properties precisely if they differ in at least one wavelength in at least one optical property. In this case, the wavelength with different optical properties of the alphanumeric characters can be in the visible (about 380 nm to about 780 nm), but also in the non-visible wavelength range.

For alphanumeric characters with different optical properties in the non-visible wavelength range, it may, for. B. be such characters that are formed from substances with different luminescence properties. Conceivable here are z. B. different fluorescence or Phosphoreszenzstoffe. The different fluorescent substances can be those organic or inorganic fluorescent substances which, when excited at any wavelength, have light with them emit different wavelength, ie the emission wavelength of the different fluorescent materials is different. Similarly, phosphors in the emission wavelength of the emitted light may differ after previous excitation. It is also conceivable z. B. a different cooldown after previous excitation, ie the intensity of the phosphorescence sounds at the different phosphors at different rates. Particularly preferred are alphanumeric characters with different optical properties in the ultraviolet or infrared wavelength range, since in these cases a particularly reliable machine detection is possible.

In preferred embodiments, at least two alphanumeric characters have different electrical properties, in particular different electrical conductivity. Also conceivable are alphanumeric characters with different thermal, mechanical or acoustic properties, which can be realized for example by substances with a different and mechanically detectable thermal conductivity, different density or with different vibration properties.

In principle, a denomination-specific coding is also conceivable. For example, For example, the coding may encode the denomination of a value document, in particular a banknote, and an indication of how many denominations the banknote series comprises.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the test element contains the type of coding of the individualizing identifier in the form of a code, preferably a bar code, in particular an EAN, UPC, IAN, JAN code, or a 2D code. All the codes mentioned above can be detected extremely reliably by machine. In principle, however, it is possible for the test element to contain the type of coding of the individualizing code in the form of a code, which is merely an alphanumeric character. For only the manufacturer and, where appropriate, the processor of the banknotes according to the invention with a test element comprising the type of the individualizing identifier can draw conclusions about the type of coding of the individualizing identifier from the specification of a specific alphanumeric character. This will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the test element has the type of coding of the individualizing characteristic in the form of substances having different physical properties. For the substances with different physical properties, the explanations apply to the different physical properties that have been made above with regard to the alphanumeric characters of the individualizing mark.

In further preferred embodiments, it is provided that the test element has the type of coding in the form of an imprint applied to the substrate of the value document, in particular an imprint applied by means of an offset, screen, flexographic, gravure printing method. It is furthermore particularly preferred if the test element has the type of coding in the form of an imprint applied to the substrate by means of a non-contact inkjet or laser printing method. The contactless printing processes allow a precise production of the test elements as well as of the individualizing characteristics, but at the same time they allow a large number of different materials for the Apply application to the value document, and thus to produce very different embodiments of the test element or the individualizing indicator.

In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the test element is a film element arranged on or at least partially in the document of value, in particular a security thread, security strip or security patch. In this case, it is further preferred that the film element preferably has the type of coding of the individualizing characteristic in the form of a fine structure, in particular a diffraction structure, matt structure or lens arrangement. A matt structure in the context of the present invention is an achromatic structure. The provision of a test element designed as a film element has the advantage that the test element can be manufactured as a separate element and can be arranged on or at least partially in value documents provided for this purpose.

In other configurations, it is preferred that the test element has the type of coding in the form of a watermark arranged in the substrate of the value document, in particular a high-resolution, so-called multitonal watermark. Multitone watermarks allow the viewer to see a large number of hues and are therefore also referred to as multi-level watermarks or multi-tone watermarks.

Instead of a watermark arranged in the substrate of the value document, it is also possible to use a watermark or so-called pseudo watermark produced by printing technology. Is the substrate of the document of value, for example, a polymeric substrate, can be generated by a paint application with partially different color layer thickness and thus different light transmission a pseudo-watermark, which is modeled on a arranged in a paper substrate watermark.

The imprint provided for the generation of the pseudo-watermark may also be a substantially opaque, i. Opaque or opaque layer act, which has local recesses. Such an embodiment is advantageously produced on a transparent region of a polymer banknote.

Furthermore, the test element can also be designed in the form of a substrate with an arrangement of complete apertures, in particular in the form of a bar code or in the form of microperforations (eg round apertures).

To increase the protection against counterfeiting, in particular of a test element designed as a watermark or pseudo-watermark, a further feature substance, in particular one of the abovementioned luminescent substances, may be provided in the region of the watermark or pseudo-watermark. Preferably, in the region of a watermark embedded in a paper-based substrate of the value document, a first subregion titanium dioxide in a first modification and a second subregion titanium dioxide in a second modification may be included. For example, the first portion titanium dioxide in the modification anatase and no titanium dioxide in the modification rutile, while the second portion contains titanium dioxide in the modification rutile and no titanium dioxide in the modification anatase. The anatase and rutile modifications are essentially indistinguishable visually, but differ in their absorption and luminescence properties. The provision of this special arrangement of titanium dioxide in the anatase and rutile modifications makes it possible to produce a modified watermark with an extraordinarily large protection against counterfeiting since, in addition, there is protection by the various absorption and luminescence properties of the rutile and anatase modifications, especially in the ultraviolet wavelength range ,

In a further variant, the region of a watermark may have a first subregion which contains hollow beads and no mixture of the rutile and anatase titanium dioxide modifications, while a second subregion comprises titanium dioxide in the modification rutile and / or the modification anatase, but no hollow beads. The hollow spheres are plastic-based hollow spheres which scatter light and are therefore suitable for forming a covering coating. Particularly suitable as the material for the hollow spheres polystyrene (PES) or sintered polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Also by such a security feature, comprising titanium dioxide in the modifications rutile, anatase, and hollow spheres, the protection against forgery of the valuable document thus secured is considerably increased by the described security feature with special luminescent properties.

It is understood that the variants described above, containing titanium dioxide, also independently, i. without the watermark or pseudo-watermark can be designed as a test element.

In a still further embodiment of the test element, the test element is designed in the form of an optically variable coating, in particular of an optically variable bar code. For example, the optical variable bar codes have a color shift effect from green (top view) to magenta (oblique viewing angle), while the areas surrounding the bar code have a color shift effect from green (top view) to gold (oblique viewing angle). In such a case, the inspection element is substantially invisible to a viewer in plan view, while at an oblique viewing angle, a magenta check code is visible against a gold-colored background. Such a test element is in particular a film element arranged on or at least partially in the document of value, as already explained above.

The provision of the test element in the substrate of the value document also fundamentally enables the production of value documents with different test elements and thus different codes of the individualizing characteristic. This can be done with some technical effort during the production of the paper-based substrate required for the value document. In particular, in the training of the test element as a multitone watermark results in an extremely high protection against counterfeiting, since such watermarks represent an extremely high hurdle due to the technical complexity of a counterfeiter.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the test element contains the type of coding in a visually unreadable form. Although it is basically conceivable to form the test element visually and machine readable, the design of the test element in a machine-readable form has the advantage that a counterfeiter can not find the test element on the document of value or only with considerable technical effort. The protection against counterfeiting of such value documents with visually non-detectable inspection elements is thus particularly high. In the case of the machine-readable inspection elements, substances can be used in turn, as they already are for visually unrecognizable alphanumeric characters were mentioned earlier in the text, ie in particular luminescent substances which are not excitable in the visible wavelength range.

In a further preferred embodiment, it is further provided that the machine-readable coding is contained in at least one alphanumeric character in the form of a preferably visually unreadable additional information, in particular an interruption, a pattern or a microtext. Such embodiments are also characterized by a high protection against counterfeiting and can be manufactured with corresponding technical complexity and with high precision. The additional information in one or more alphanumeric characters of the alphanumeric character itself, ie z. B. the serial number, which further improves the protection against counterfeiting with such variants of secured value documents.

• ein Substrat mit zumindest einem visuell und maschinell lesbaren individualisierenden Kennzeichen versehen wird, das aus alphanumerischen Zeichen gebildet wird und das eine maschinell lesbare Codierung aufweist, und
• das Substrat mit einem Prüfelement versehen wird, das die Art der Codierung des Kennzeichens zur Verifikation der Echtheit des Kennzeichens in codierter Form enthält.

The invention further comprises a method for producing a value document, in particular a banknote, in which

• providing a substrate with at least one visually and machine readable individualizing mark formed of alphanumeric characters and having machine readable coding, and
• the substrate is provided with a test element containing the type of coding of the mark for verifying the authenticity of the mark in coded form.

Particularly preferred is in particular that the individualizing characteristic and / or the test element by means of an offset, screen, flexo, Gravure printing method or by means of a non-contact method, preferably an inkjet or laser printing method, is applied to the substrate. It is understood that the application of the individualizing mark and the test element can be carried out by the same method or with different methods. Although the application is more economical with only one method, on the other hand, the application with different methods can further improve the protection against falsification and imitation of the value document, as a counterfeiter usually not all conceivable for the application of individualizing plate and test element methods and printing inks required or inks or toners are accessible.

In particular, however, it is also conceivable for the individualizing license plate to apply the alphanumeric characters, in particular a serial number, with a known mechanical numbering mechanism. Here, in preferred embodiments, a part of the alphanumeric characters, in particular the digits with a mechanical numbering and another part of the alphanumeric characters by means of a printing process, in particular a non-contact printing method, z. As inkjet or laser printing process can be applied. Such embodiments, which have a with a mechanical numbering and another printing method, in particular non-contact printing method applied individualizing characteristic, are particularly well protected against counterfeiting and imitation.

As an alternative to the non-contact laser printing methods mentioned in this application, it is also possible to use methods in which the substrate of the document of value is obtained by exposure to laser radiation and the resulting color change of the substrate with the individualizing Flag and / or the test element is provided. Of course, a layer applied to the substrate of the document of value for producing an individualizing mark or a test element can also be exposed to suitable laser radiation.

In a preferred variant of the method, the test element is produced as a separate film element, in particular as a security thread, security strip or security patch, and arranged on or at least partially in the substrate of the value document. The generation of the test element as a separate film element has the advantage that z. B. different codes and thus different test elements can be provided for a particular banknote series. For example, in a typical banknote sheet, which is also referred to as Mehrnutzenbogen and has 64 still to be separated banknotes, up to 64 different codes can be realized. For this purpose, each of the 64 banknotes is provided with a specific individualizing identifier and a specific coding of the individualizing identifier and each of the 64 banknotes provided with the type of coding of the individualizing identifier having test element, which, for. B. by means of a so-called security patches, ie a z. B. round, square or otherwise limited film element can be done. If, however, instead of the non-elongated security patch, an elongated film element, in particular a security thread or a security strip, introduced as a test element or partially in the document of value, the type of coding is preferably in each column of the 64 still to be separated banknotes arc having the same kind the coding of the individualizing plate and thus have the same test element. The provision of identical codes and test elements in a column of the banknote form results from the manner of producing the banknote sheet. In a further preferred variant of the method, it is provided that the test element is produced during the production of the substrate as a watermark, in particular as a multitonal watermark. This also makes it possible to generate a value document which, due to the integration of the test element into the value document, has an extraordinarily high counterfeit protection.

Finally, the invention also encompasses a method for verifying a value document, in particular a banknote, wherein the value document has a visually and machine-readable individualizing identifier formed from alphanumeric characters and a machine-readable inspection element, wherein the individualizing identifier has a machine-readable code and wherein the Inspection element contains the type of coding of the individualizing plate in coded form, characterized in that the coding of the individualizing plate and the type of coding contained in the test element are read by a sensor and compared to verify the authenticity of the individualizing plate.

By means of the method according to the invention, it is thus possible by machine to establish the authenticity of a value document according to the invention or to distinguish a counterfeit from a value document according to the invention. For a forgery will differ either in the type of coding of the individualizing license plate or in the type of coding stored in coded form in the test element from a value document with a genuine individualizing license plate or real inspection element.

The substrate of the value document according to the invention may in particular be paper, preferably cotton paper, a polymer or a film-paper composite. The latter preferably has a layer sequence foil / paper / foil or paper / foil / paper. The document of value may also be an identification card, in particular a credit card, a bank card, a cash payment card, an authorization card, an identity card, a passport or a passport personalization page.

In the context of the present invention, the term "value document" encompasses both executable documents and documents that are not fit for circulation, that is, documents that are still to be completed prior to the in-circulation delivery, e.g. still have to be equipped with certain security features.

In all embodiments, an optically variable layer can be provided for the individualizing characteristic or the test element of the value document, which contains first optically variable effect pigments for generating a viewing angle-dependent visual impression, and contains the second, by an external magnetic field reversibly alignable effect pigments, the degree the expression of the viewing angle-dependent visual impression of the optically variable effect pigments depends on the orientation of the magnetically orientable effect pigments relative to the plane of the layer. The provision of such a layer for the individualizing characteristic or the test element gives the value document secured thereby a further enhanced protection against forgery, since the individualizing characteristic or the test element can be completely visually and mechanically completely detected only by means of an external magnetic field, ie the characteristic or test element is interactively visually and machine readable by means of an external magnetic field.

Further exemplary embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the figures, in the representation of which a representation true to scale and proportion has been dispensed with in order to increase the clarity.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Banknote mit individualisierendem Kennzeichen und Prüfelement in Aufsicht, und

Fig. 2

in (a), das mit einem Sensor detektierte Signal des in Fig. 1 gezeigten individualisierenden Kennzeichens mit einer magnetischen Codierung und in (b) das Signal eines individualisierenden Kennzeichens mit gleicher Zahl an alphanumerischen Zeichen, aber ohne magnetische Codierung.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a bill according to the invention with individualizing characteristic and test element in supervision, and

Fig. 2

in (a), the signal detected by a sensor of the in Fig. 1 shown individualizing characteristic with a magnetic coding and in (b) the signal of an individualizing identifier with the same number of alphanumeric characters, but without magnetic coding.

The invention will now be explained using the example of a value document in the form of a banknote. Fig. 1 shows in plan a schematic representation of a banknote 1, which is provided with an individualizing characteristic 2 according to the invention and a test element in three different embodiments. The different variants of the test element are provided with the reference numerals 4, 5 and 6. As a rule, the banknote has only one inspection element.

The individualizing identifier 2 is a sequence of alphanumeric characters in the form of a serial number, wherein the first part of the serial number is realized by the number sequence "123456789" and the second part of the serial number by the sequence of the letters "AB". The numbers "12" and "67" are with a magnetic color by means of a contactless inkjet printing process have been applied and are in Fig. 1 denoted by the reference numerals 3A and 3B. The letter sequence "AB", which is designated by the reference numeral 3C, represents a magnetic imprint applied by means of a non-contact printing method.

The numerals "345" and "89" provided with the reference symbols 3D and 3E, respectively, represent a nonmagnetic imprint of essentially the same color as the imprints 3A, 3B and 3C. B. been applied by means of a mechanical numbering. Alternatively, the numbers 3D and 3E can also be generated by applying the laser beam to the data carrier and thereby causing the color change of the value document substrate.

As a result, the individualizing license plate 2 is visually detectable for the user of the banknote, whereby the viewer can not generally distinguish the individual parts of the license plate 2 through the provision of substantially identical shades for the parts 3A to 3E of the individualizing license plate 2. However, a distinction between the parts 3A to 3E of the individualizing mark 2 is readily possible by machine, in particular the coding provided in the mark 2 is machine readable, as described below with reference to FIG Fig. 2 will be explained in more detail.

In Fig. 2 (a) the signal 22 of a sensor is reproduced, the license plate 2 from the banknote 1 according to Fig. 1 has read out. While the x-axis to the in Fig. 1 is correlated, which also represents the direction of movement of the banknote 1 relative to the magnetic sensor during the read-out operation of the license plate 2, the signal height is shown along the y-axis. Both the x-axis as well as the y-axis are marked with arbitrary units (w. In Fig. 2 (a) Furthermore, the sequence of the magnetic characters 3A, 3B and 3C is marked with the number sequence "11" within the coding 20, while the non-magnetic parts 3D and 3E are marked with the numbers "0" in the coding 20. Due to the sequence of magnetic signs 3A, 3B and 3C and non-magnetic signs 3D and 3E arranged therebetween, the signal 22 of the magnetic sensor is characterized in particular by the additional modulation ZM. In any case, the magnetic coding of the mark 2 can be unambiguously distinguished from a corresponding mark without magnetic coding, as shown in FIG Fig. 2 (b) is shown. This is the signal detected by the magnetic sensor for an in Fig. 1 not further represented number plate with the same number and sequence of alphanumeric characters, as is the case with the number 2, although all characters with a magnetic color, ie without coding, were applied to the substrate of the value document. Out Fig. 2 (b) it is good to see that the additional modulation according to ZM Fig. 2 (a) essentially missing. The magnetic coding of the number plate 2 is therefore very easy to distinguish mechanically from a visually appearing to be the same indicator without magnetic coding. The additional modulation ZM in the signal 22 thus results primarily from the sequence of characters with and characters without magnetic properties. In this case, for example, a color or ink with magnetic pigments can be used for the characters having magnetic properties, wherein all the printing methods, printing inks, inks and magnetic substances mentioned above in the text can be used.

The invention will now be further described with reference to Fig. 1 explained. In Fig. 1 are in the right area of the banknote 1 three variants of an inventive Test element shown. The test element provided with the reference numeral 4 is a bar code which is machine readable and contains the type of coding of the individualizing license plate 2. The bar code 4 may advantageously not be visually visible, which is not visible when using in the visible wavelength range, but upon excitation with suitable electromagnetic radiation z. B. in non-visible wavelength range emitting substances is possible. For example, in the visible wavelength range, non-visible luminescent substances can be used which absorb and / or luminesce in the infrared (UV) or ultraviolet (UV) wavelength range or absorb in the IR and UV wavelength ranges and luminesce in the visible wavelength range.

The bar code 4 contains the known to the manufacturer of the bill and based on Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 explained coding of the individualizing mark 2. In other words, the sequence of magnetic and non-magnetic signs 20 in coded form in the bar code of the test element 4 is included. The shape of the coding of the test element 4 is known to the manufacturer of the bill. For example, the bar code could correspond to the numeral "202", where the numeral "202" corresponds uniquely to the type of encoding described herein with the digit string "11000110011". Since the form of the coding of the test element 4 is known only to the manufacturer and, if appropriate, to an authorized processor of the banknote, instead of the method described in US Pat Fig. 1 displayed bar codes also only the Ziff. "202" z. B. with visually unrecognizable luminescent colors applied to the banknote 1. In any case, the machine detection of the individualizing plate 2 and the test element 4 by comparing the type of coding machine-read for the plate 2 and the test element via the Barcode read code digit immediately a statement about whether the bill is genuine or if it is a forgery. For with providence of a correspondingly complex coding for the individualizing characteristic 2 or for the test element 4, an imitation of the individualizing characteristic or test element can be readily determined by machine.

This in Fig. 1 shown test element 4 may be provided in a corresponding manner as a watermark in the substrate of the banknote 1. For this purpose, the bar code is generated during paper production as a watermark, in particular as a very high-resolution so-called multitonal watermark. The detection of such a watermark can be done by means of a so-called transmitted light or transmission sensor. On the other hand, that will be in Fig. 1 shown, in particular printed test element 4 detected by means of a Auflicht- or reflection measurement suitable sensor.

The inspection element 5 of the banknote 1 represents an alternative embodiment, which is an elongate film element, in particular a film strip, which runs along the short side of the banknote. The film element 5 contains, in addition to security features not shown in particular a coding, which in turn can be designed as a bar code. Of course, any other form of coding on the test element 5 is conceivable, in particular a sequence of substances with different magnetic, electrical, optical etc. properties. Since such a film strip 5 is applied during the production of the value document on the substrate sheet to be separated with documents of value, all banknotes in a column of the so-called Mehrnutzenbogens have the same test element. In another column of the multi-utility sheet, each value document could be associated with another Be provided test element having a different type of coding, which correlates to a differently coded individualizing identifier. Finally, in Fig. 1 Yet another variant of a test element denoted by the reference numeral 6, which is the sequence of three rings of different sizes, which are arranged concentrically. The test element 6 could be a so-called foil patch, that is to say a non-elongate film element which in particular has a diffraction structure or a matt structure. Due to the special design, in particular the choice of the diameter D1, D2, D3 and the width B of the rings, in turn, the nature of the coding of the individualizing plate 2 in the test element 6 can be stored in machine-readable form. As an alternative to the variant described above, the test element 6 could again be formed as a watermark in the form of these rings and be machinable by means of a suitable transmitted-light or transmission sensor.

In particular, in the case of the test elements applied by means of a printing method, it is conceivable that the value document with individualizing characteristic 2 is provided with the test element only at a later point in time. Also by means of non-contact methods, in particular by exposure to laser radiation, the test element can be added to the value document at a later time, so that the value document can only be completed after the test element has been added and put into circulation or placed on the market.

Depending on the method used for applying individualizing mark and test element, it is possible according to the invention, in a multi-use sheet all banknotes on the sheet or all banknotes on the sheet in a column with the same type of coding and the same To equip all the banknotes on the sheet in a row with the same type of coding and the same test element. In a very specific embodiment, it is also possible to equip all banknotes on the sheet with each differently coded individualizing characteristics and corresponding test elements.

Claims (18)

Value document, in particular banknote, with a visually and machine-readable individualizing identifier, which is formed from alphanumeric characters, and with a machine-readable inspection element, characterized in that the individualizing indicator has a machine-readable encoding and that the test element, the type of coding for verification the authenticity of the individualizing mark in a coded form. Value document according to claim 1, characterized in that the individualizing identifier is a serial number. Value document according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the machine-readable coding is formed by at least two alphanumeric characters with different physical properties. Value document according to claim 3, characterized in that the different physical properties are different magnetic, optical, electrical, thermal, mechanical or acoustic properties. Value document according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the alphanumeric characters contain substances with different remanence and / or coercive field strength. Value document according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the alphanumeric characters contain substances with different luminescence properties. Document of value according to at least one of claims 1 to 6,
characterized in that the test element, the type of coding of the individualizing indicator in the form of a code, preferred a bar code, in particular an EAN, UPC, IAN, JAN code, or a 2D code contains. Document of value according to at least one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that the test element has the nature of the coding of the individualizing characteristic in the form of substances having different physical properties. Document of value according to at least one of claims 1 to 8,
characterized in that the test element, the type of coding in the form of an applied on the substrate of the value document imprint, in particular by means of an offset, screen, flexo, gravure printing or by means of a non-contact method, preferably an inkjet or laser printing method, applied imprint having. Document of value according to at least one of claims 1 to 9,
characterized in that the inspection element is a film element arranged on or at least partially in the document of value, in particular a security thread, security strip or security patch, and the film element preferably the type of coding of the individualizing mark in the form of a fine structure, in particular a diffraction structure, matt structure or lens arrangement , having. Document of value according to at least one of claims 1 to 10,
characterized in that the test element includes the type of coding in the form of a disposed in the substrate of the value document watermark, in particular a multi-tonal watermark. Document of value according to at least one of claims 1 to 11,
characterized in that the test element contains the type of coding in a visually unreadable form. Document of value according to at least one of claims 1 to 12,
characterized in that the machine-readable encoding is contained in at least one alphanumeric character in the form of a preferably visually unreadable additional information, in particular an interruption, a pattern or a microtext. Method for producing a value document, in particular a banknote, in which - Providing a substrate with at least one visually and machine-readable individualizing identifier, which is formed from alphanumeric characters and having a machine-readable encoding, and - The substrate is provided with a test element, which contains the type of coding of the indicator for verifying the authenticity of the plate in coded form. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the individualizing characteristic and / or the test element by means of an offset, screen, flexo, gravure printing method or by means of a non-contact method, preferably an inkjet or laser printing method, is applied to the substrate. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the test element is produced as a separate film element, in particular as a security thread, security strip or security patch and is arranged on or at least partially in the substrate of the value document. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the test element during the production of the substrate as a watermark, in particular as a multi-tonal watermark is generated. Method for verifying the authenticity of a value document according to one of Claims 1 to 13, in particular a banknote, the value document having a visually and machine-readable individualizing identifier formed from alphanumeric characters and a machine-readable inspection element, wherein the individualizing identifier has a machine-readable code and wherein the test element contains the type of coding of the individualizing mark in coded form, characterized in that the coding of the individualizing mark and the type of coding contained in the test element are read out by means of a sensor and compared with each other for verifying the authenticity of the individualizing mark.

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