ES2290482T3 - SECURITY ELEMENT THAT INCLUDES A BAR CODE IN THE FORM OF A WATER BRAND. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a bar code which is integrated into the paper in the form of a watermark. The fields (6) separating the information-providing bars of the bar code are configured as watermarks. The information-providing bars can but do not necessarily have to be configured as watermarks. Their breadth is the result of the distance between the separating fields (6). The separating fields (6) are narrower than the information-providing bars, thereby keeping the entire length of the bar code short.

Description

Security element comprising a code of watermarked bars.

The present invention relates to an element security, specifically a barcode in the form of a brand to the water, and also to a security paper and to the documents of security value or documents made with such paper, such such as banknotes, checks, stocks, documents of identity, tickets for means of transport or tickets, equipped with said bar code, as well as a procedure and a grid for the manufacture of said security paper.

The method of including on paper is known, especially on security paper, a barcode in brand form to the water, for the manufacture of valuable documents or Security documents For example, it is possible to check by the barcode the authenticity of banknotes when all banknotes of a certain value and the same date of issuance carry in the same way the same particular brand to Water. The authenticity of a banknote can be checked comparing the barcode with the serial number and the value printed on the banknote. Depending on the degree of complexity of the information encoded in the watermark bar code, the barcode can be relatively long, which is not desirable for small value documents, for example, banknotes.

However, not only is the code length of bars which raises problems, but especially the possibility of checking said code to determine the authenticity, since the greater the thickness of the bars included in the paper in form of watermarks, the more unequal it looks when They see the light. This is because it is very difficult to make a Watermarked with a uniform dark surface. For the watermark manufacturing is stamped the grid of papermaking to modify fiber accumulation during the formation of the sheet of paper. If the grid is stamped down accumulates in the area in question more paper mass, while the upward stamping hinders the accumulation of mass of paper On a patterned surface they are well profiled on All the edges of the surface. The surface itself is again lighter or darker inward.

The document DE-A-3034916 unveils a role security with the characteristics of the introductory part of claim 1

The object of the present invention is to give know a security paper with a barcode in watermarks form, more versatile and relatively occupying less space, and a valuable document or security document, as well as a procedure and a grid for the manufacture of said security paper

This goal is achieved with a role of security, a security document, a procedure and a grid according to independent claims. The dependent claims present advantageous configurations and investment improvements.

Correspondingly, the separation camps through which the transmitter bars of each other are separated information are configured in the form of watermarks uniquely detectable. In this way, the code reader of bars reads said separation fields as (separation) bars. However, the actual barcode information not determined by the width of the bars (separating) detected, but by the width of the fields located between the bars (of separation), so that these fields represent the proper bars of the barcode, that is, that the separation field bars respectively indicate the principle and the end of the information transmitting bars.

This presents with respect to the prior art the following two fundamental advantages. First, the information transmitting bars located between the separation fields can be chosen of any desired width. Since the very brightness of the information transmitting bars does not intervene in the analysis, a dark or light bar surface of uneven density at light does not pose difficulties. Secondly, the separation fields can be set especially narrow, in particular by using electrotypes on the grid, whereby the total length of the bar code is relatively short and saves
space.

To further reduce the code length of bars, it is advantageous to configure it as a barcode two-dimensional, which involves several clues of information from parallel path

A particularly advantageous configuration of the invention provides that the fields located between the fields of separation and that form the information transmitting bars proper of the bar code are not conformed as watermarked bars, so that only the light is recognized as watermarks the separation camps. In this case, the first and last fields of separation constitute the limits of Barcode.

To increase the contrast, you can also form the information transmitting bars as watermarks  of the barcode, so that the separation fields are configured as clear watermarks, and transmitter bars of information such as dark watermarks, or the opposite way. Is preferably in this case configure as clear watermarks the separation fields and no information transmitting bars anymore that, otherwise, with clear information bars there would be a risk of holes in the paper forming when Increase the width of the bars.

According to a special configuration of the invention, a barcode separation field located in one of the sides, that is, initial or final, defines, for example, through its characteristic width or fiber density, the information content to assign to bars of different widths, that is, if a thick bar represents a "1" and a thin bar a "0", or the opposite. As an alternative, it can be defined the first bar as the initial bit and its width can indicate if a thick barcode bar represents a "1" and a fine bar a "0", or the opposite.

According to a preferred embodiment, a security document or value document, according to the invention, is It provides additional storage support. Said support of storage can be magnetic for example a track magnetic, or electronic, for example, a microchip with integrated switching circuits. In this embodiment, instead of the value of a document the barcode can also Contain data to encode or decode information. In this case, the storage medium can advantageously store the value of the document transmitted by the barcode along with the serial number of the document, or, for example, the result of a predetermined combination between the value figure and the serial number. This increases security against fakes and the possibility of verifying the authenticity of a document. The storage of said combination in the support Additional storage can be done during the manufacture of the document or when it is put in circulation. The result of the combination can be read from storage support during a check of authenticity. When the combination class is known, you can rebuild the serial number using the value of the document that reads with Very easy to watermark the barcode. Yes in addition the serial number is also read directly from the document, there is an additional possibility to check if a read storage media really corresponds to a certain document, for example, a banknote.

In addition, attributes can be used casual barcode according to the invention, such as the paper cloudiness in the barcode region or the edge inequalities of certain sections, as elements additional measures to increase security against falsification of a document or improve the verification of its authenticity.

The invention is described below, in For example, based on the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows a banknote with a watermark bar code according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a light view of a watermark bar code according to the invention;

Figure 3 shows another light view of a watermark bar code according to the invention;

Figure 4 schematically shows the section cross of a grid;

Figure 5 shows an intensity curve luminous intern for a first embodiment of a code watermarked bars according to the invention;

Figure 6 shows an intensity curve luminous intern for a second embodiment of a code watermarked bars according to the invention;

Figure 7 shows an intensity curve luminous intern for a third embodiment of a code watermarked bars according to the invention;

Figure 8 shows a light view of a watermark barcode, according to the state of the technique;

Figure 9 shows an intensity curve luminous intern of a barcode of watermarks, according to the state of the art;

Figure 10 shows another intensity curve luminous intern of a barcode of watermarks, according to the state of the art

Figure 1 shows, as an example of many Value documents and possible security documents, a ticket of bank (1) of value (2) "100 EUR". The banknote (1) It has a two-dimensional barcode (3), integrated into watermark form on the security paper of which it is manufactured the banknote (1).

Value documents with a barcode One-dimensional watermark is already known in the state of the art The thicker the bars are in the form of watermark on paper, the more uneven its appearance is light, which makes the interpretation of the bars. This is depicted in Figure 8, which shows schematically a barcode (3) of watermarks observed  in the light The barcode (3) has been generated with a grid for making patterned paper that, in its areas generators of the bars (5) of the bar code (3), favors the accumulation of paper fibers. However, the density of fibers, that is, the thickness of the paper, decreases towards the center of the area of the bars, so that although the edges of the areas they appear well represented, the interior of the same returns to appear lighter in the light. This is shown graphically in the Figure 9, in which the light intensity has been represented through (I +), (I -) that varies with respect to intensity normal through light (I o). It can be seen that in the center of the bar the passing light intensity I is all the more close to the normal through light intensity (I o) the more thick the bar. It should be noted that in Figure 9 the normal through light intensity (I o) has been represented as  An ideal line. In reality, this value I_ {o} fluctuates around an average value, so that for thick bars you can happen that the barcode sensor indicates the end of a bar (5) or the beginning of a separation field (6) although only the center of the bar has been reached (5). This can lead to read errors when a thick bar (5) is interpreted mistakenly like two thin bars.

The alternative of using a barcode clear instead of a dark barcode presents the same inconvenient, because fiber density decreases towards the center of the bar. Nor is a clarity bar obtained uniform of the desired extension. Also, in thick bars there is a risk that holes will form in the paper.

The intensity is represented in figure 10 luminous intern I of a barcode disclosed by the DE 30 34 916 A1, in which the problems do not arise described above. Here the areas of the grid to generate barcode bars, in the form of straight triangles of uneven sides. The water brand part generated with the steep edge is recognized without difficulty at light as a light or dark strip well differentiated that points the start of a bar (5). The fact that the bar (5) represents a "1" or a "0" does not depend on its thickness but on whether it is light or dark, that is, if the grid pattern is made up or down with respect to the grid plane. This also allows the length of the entire code to be reduced of bars, since separation fields can be dispensed with (6) that uniquely delimit the bars (5). However, the drawback is that the barcode is limited to one digital coding, because it only differs between fields light and dark fields.

Figures 2 and 3 show, respectively, a section of different embodiments of a barcode (3) watermarks of Figure 1, according to line (AA), observed in the light. In both cases, as well as in the cases of example explained below, is a digital barcode composed of zeros and ones, so that the thickness of a bar indicates the value "0" or "1". The bars (5) are separated each other by separation fields (6), so that the first and the Last separation fields delimit the barcode. So therefore, the bar code represented in figures 2 and 3 is in the two cases 0-1-1-0.

In the exemplary embodiment according to figure 2, the separation fields (6) are darker than the bars (5). This means that in the areas of the separation camps (6) the banknote has a higher fiber density, achieved by means of the corresponding grid pattern used to the manufacture of paper for banknotes. This print of the grid leads to a greater accumulation of fibers during the paper formation, thereby correspondingly reducing the Through light intensity when the paper is seen in the light, and the separation fields (6) appear dark. The bars (5), which define the actual barcode information, they appear in the light with a luminosity neither greater nor less than the of the banknote material surrounding the barcode, and that the bars (5) do not have any brand characteristics at Water. Since for this reason a barcode reader does not detects the bars (5) transmitting information, but the fields separation (6), the thickness of the transmitting bars of information is determined indirectly from distance between the separation fields (6) detected.

The same applies to the embodiment example that shows figure 3, except that, unlike in the example of embodiment according to figure 2, the separation fields (6) of the barcode appear clear, except for the field of separation of the left end. The separation camps (6) clearings can be made especially visible by use of the so-called electrotypes. Electrotypes they are usually small pieces of metal fixed firmly on one side of the paper, for example, welded, or in the form of clips fixed by insertion into the openings of the grid and folded. With them you can generate very light effects fine and especially bright easy to detect by sensors

The separation field (6) from the left end of Figure 3 determines that subsequent thick bars they represent a "0" and the thin bars (5) an "1", equal than in figure 2. In case the separation field (6) conformed as a clear separation field (6), the information content of the bars (5) would be the opposite, of so that the total barcode information would not be 0-1-1-0, but 1-0-0-1.

Instead of the passing light intensity characteristic or extreme separation field density (6) left (could also be the end separation field (6) right), you can use the thickness of the separation field to define the information content of the thick bars (5) and fine You can also combine the two possibilities, in special to define additional code information bars.

Alternatively or additionally, the first bar (5) or the last bar can serve as an initial or final bit, respectively, so that, for example, the thickness of the bar of the initial bit or the final bit report whether the bars thick should be read as "0" and thin bars as "1", or in the opposite way.

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Figure 4 shows schematically and how example a section of a grid (8) with which it can be manufactured a paper with a barcode brand water, according to the figure 3. To do this, the grid (8) has, on its surface paper former, electrotypes (7) properly spaced each other to generate clear separation fields (6), as well as an area (9) with downward stamping to form the field of separation (6) left end that has a paper thickness higher or higher fiber density, so at light appears as darker.

Figure 5 shows the ideal curve of the through light intensity of a barcode similar to the code  of bars of figure 2 with dark separation fields (6) and bars (5) information transmitters. The light intensity (I) in the areas of the separation camps (6) is below the normal through light intensity I_ {o} of the paper of the banknote, since the density of fibers (F) in the zones of the separation fields (6) is high enough. From this way, the through light intensity curve I coincides with the fiber density curve (F) when the intensity increase (I +) is represented upwards and the density increase of Fibers (F +) are represented down. Therefore, the curve of Through light intensity and fiber density curve are represent together with the reference number (4).

Figure 6 shows the intensity curve (4) light through and fiber density for a barcode similar to the one shown in figure 3. In this case, the intensities luminous passages (I) in the areas of the separation camps (6) are higher than the normal through light intensity (I o), with the exception of the separation field (6) leftmost, for that the through light intensity (I) is less than the normal through light intensity (I o). Contrary to the representation of figure 5, in figure 6 the curve of through light intensity is represented less schematic, so it is observed that the light intensity through or fiber density, despite its distribution I_ {o}, F_ {o} in general uniform, along the entire length of the Bars (5) of the barcode fluctuate slightly around a average value I_ {o} or F_ {o}, which represent the "intensity normal through light "and" fiber density general".

Figure 7 shows another form of embodiment of the invention. Basically, it is a combination of state of the art according to figure 9, and the embodiment according to figure 6 or figure 3. That is, both the fields of separation (6) as the bars (5) are integrated in the paper in watermark shape, so that the bars (5) appear at light as dark areas with their central parts somewhat lighter, what has been described above as an inconvenience, and the separation fields (6) appear as very clear lines easily identifiable The passing light intensity especially high in the areas of the separation camps (6) exceeds the through light intensity in the central areas more clear of the bars (5) transmitters of information in such measure, that the risk of interpretations may be considered non-existent wrong as described at the beginning. The embodiment according to figure 7, compared with the embodiments according to Figures 5 and 6, or Figures 2 and 3, leads to an increase additional contrast between the areas of the bars (5) and those of the separation fields (6) and, with it, better readability of the barcode.

Claims (25)

1. Security paper with a general fiber density (F_ {) for the manufacture of security or security documents such as, for example, banknotes, checks, stocks, identity documents, tickets for means of transport or inputs, which includes a barcode (3) transmitter of information consisting of bars (5) separated from each other by means of separation fields (6), characterized in that the separation fields (6) are integrated in the security paper in It forms a watermark, so that the fiber density (F) of the security paper in the area of these separation fields (6) differs from the general fiber density (F o). 2. Security paper according to claim 1, in which the fiber density (F) of the security paper within the areas of the information transmitting bars of the barcode (5) differs by more or less from the overall fiber density (F_) in the opposite direction to what it happens in the areas of the separation camps (6). 3. Security paper according to claim 2, in which the fiber density (F) of the security paper, compared to the overall fiber density (F o), it is higher in the areas of the information transmitter bars (5) and more low in the areas of the separation camps (6). 4. Security paper according to claim 1, in which the fiber density (F) of the security paper in the zones of the transmitter bars (5) correspond to the overall fiber density (F o). 5. Security paper, according to one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the separation fields (6) are narrower than the information transmitting bars (5). 6. Security paper, according to one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein, when viewed in the backlight, it is seen that at least one of the separation fields (6) appears lighter than areas of paper with overall fiber density universal (F_ {o}) and at least one other separation field (6) appears darker than the areas of the security paper with the overall fiber density (F o). 7. Security paper, according to one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein a transmitter bar (5) of barcode information (3) located on the edge of one of the sides have a characteristic attribute, to indicate which is the information content ("0", "1") respectively attributed to the bars (5) transmitting information of different bar code widths (3). 8. Security paper according to claim 7, in which the characteristic attribute is width and / or density of fibers of the bar located at the edge. 9. Security paper, according to one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the bar code (3) is a Two-dimensional barcode. 10. Security paper according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a support additional memory such as, for example an area for magnetically storing information or a microchip. 11. Security document or value document (1) that has a security role, according to one of the claims 1 to 9. 12. Security document or value document, according to claim 11, selected from the following group of Documents: banknotes, checks, stocks, documents Identity, transport tickets, tickets. 13. Security document or value document, according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that it includes an additional memory medium, such as, for example, an area for the magnetic storage of information, or a microchip. 14. Procedure for the manufacture of a security paper with a general fiber density (F o) for a security document or value document (1) such as, for example, banknotes, checks, stocks, documents of identity, transport tickets or tickets, with a code of bars (3) information transmitter consisting of bars (5) separated by separation fields (6), so that the role of security is manufactured in the separation fields (6) in the form of Watermark with a fiber density (F +) (F -) different from the general fiber density (F o). 15. Method according to claim 14, made using a paper making grid (8) of special conformation in the areas of the separation camps (6), so that in these areas it is influenced positively or negative in the accumulation of fibers to create a brand at Water on the security paper. 16. Method according to claim 15, in which the grid (8) in the zone of the transmitting bars (5) of information is shaped so that it does not influence or positive nor negatively in the accumulation of fibers. 17. Method according to claim 15, in which the grid (8) is stamped so that it influences positively in the accumulation of fibers in the areas of the bars (5) transmitters of information. 18. Procedure, according to one of the claims 14 to 16, wherein the grid (8) is stamped of form that positively influences the accumulation of fibers in, at least the zones (9) of one of the separation fields (6). 19. Procedure, according to one of the claims 14 to 18, wherein the grid (8) is equipped, at least in the area of one of the separation camps (6) with an electrotype (7), so that it negatively influences the fiber accumulation 20. Grid (8) for the manufacture of a paper security with a barcode (3) information transmitter consisting of bars (5) separated from each other by means of fields separation (6), said grid (8) forming areas for generating the separation fields (6) in which the grid is specially shaped to influence negatively or positively on the accumulation of fibers in these areas when creating a mark the water on a paper made with said grid. 21. Grid according to claim 20, the which, in its zones that generate bars (5) transmitters of information, is shaped so that it does not influence so special in the accumulation of fibers in these areas and does not generate no watermark on a paper made with said grid. 22. Grid according to claim 20, which It is stamped on its bar generating zones (5) transmitters of information, so that it positively influences the fiber accumulation in these areas in order to generate a brand at water in a security paper made with said grid. 23. Grid according to claims 20 or 21, which is stamped (9), at least, in one of its zones generating separation fields (6), so that it influences positively in the accumulation of fibers in these areas in order to generate a watermark on a security paper made with said grid. 24. Grid according to one of the claims 20 to 23, which is equipped with an electrotype (7), at least, in one of its generating areas of separation camps (6), so which negatively influences the accumulation of fibers in order to generate a watermark on a security paper made with said grid. 25. Grid according to one of the claims 20 to 24, in which the grid areas intended to generate the separation fields (6) are narrower than the areas of the grid designed to generate the transmitting bars (5) of information.