FR2967089A1 - OPTICALLY VARIABLE SECURITY COMPONENT FOR A DOCUMENT-VALUE - Google Patents

Abstract

This security component (16) comprises at least first (Z1) and second (Z2) zones respectively producing first and second optical effects each capable of presenting at least two characteristic aspects according to distinct observation configurations of the component (16) . More specifically, the component (16) comprises an image (18) extending at least partially in both areas (Z1, Z2) and being structurally configured to act with the first and second optical effects so that at least first (20) and second (22) graphic elements of the image (18) are respectively revealed in the first (Z1) and second (Z2) zones with the appearance of at least one of the two aspects respectively of the first and second optical effects.

Description

The present invention relates to the technical field of security elements for securities documents, such as fiduciary documents or similar. By "fiduciary document" is meant in the sense of the invention all documents such as banknotes, checks, bank cards, used to transmit a sum of money. "Assimilated document" means any document issued by an administration of the State to prove the identity of a person, his rights to drive a vehicle, such as in particular the identity card, the passport, driving license, etc. By this expression is meant also any document used to authenticate an object of value such as for example a label affixed to a luxury garment. We also hear any document used to authenticate the payment of a tax such as tax stamps. In the field of securities documents, in particular banknotes, it is known to affix one or more security components of various kinds in order to protect these documents from counterfeiting. To date, there is a strong demand for document-values comprising one or more security components easily identifiable with the naked eye while being particularly complex to reproduce, at the time of a simple attenuation. Such security components are also referred to as "first level security". Generally, such a security component produces an optical effect in one or more optical functions such as contrast, Muer epics and the like. In particular, a first orientation of the component with respect to a lighting direction, and a second zone producing a color effect of a first color according to a first orientation of the component and then a second different color for an orientation perpendicular to this first orientation. The complexity of making such a component generally lies in a combination of various printing techniques that are difficult to reproduce with consumer copying equipment (scanner, laser or color inkjet printers, etc.) and / or standard printing equipment. The object of the present invention is to propose a security component, for example of the first level, improving the properties of the components already known while being very difficult to reproduce in order to guarantee a great difficulty of counterfeiting. For this purpose, the subject of the invention is in particular a document-value security component comprising at least first and second zones respectively producing first and second optical effects that may each have at least two characteristic aspects in accordance with configurations of FIG. distinct observation of the component, characterized in that it comprises an image extending at least partially in both areas and being structurally configured to act with the first and second optical effects so that at least first and second graphic elements of the image are respectively revealed in the first and second zones with the appearance of at least one of the two aspects respectively of the first and second optical effects. The image and the effects play a combined role. Thus, according to the invention, the image acts in synergy with the generated optical effects to produce a set of on-Ibi and light, even color, by concentrating, scattering or defying the light from a light source. The invention proposes to take advantage of the luminous variations obtained to scramble, partially reveal or entletement of the information of safety of the Mol nt confijurations. s of the component.

Thus, depending on the optical observation configuration of the component, one of the optical effects is preferentially combined with one of the parts of the image to produce an ignition or extinguishing effect of the part concerned. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the image is configured so that the first and second elements are concealed with the appearance of the other of the two aspects respectively of the first and second optical effects. Thus, the appearance of a first aspect related to one of the optical effects allows the revelation of one of the graphic elements while the appearance of a second aspect allows its disappearance or dissimulation. By change of observation configuration, it is then possible to reveal or hide information contained for example in the graphic element in question. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in the same observation configuration, the first graphic element is revealed and the second graphic element is hidden. The information contained in the graphic elements can thus be partially revealed in the same observation configuration. Preferably, the image comprises a structure at least partially raised.

This relief makes it possible to act in a combined way with the optical effects by modifying locally their optical properties of reflection and diffusion. For example, the relief is determined by relief parameters selected from a relief shape, a relief depth, a spatial frequency, etc.

A security component according to the invention may further include one or other of the features that: one of the optical effects has at least three distinct features, a third graphic element of an image is disclosed per appearance this third aspect in at least one of the two zones; ef is formed by irrpres: -nn of type tirnhre

the image is formed at least partially by a single or multiple latent image; at least one of the optical effects acting in at least one preferred direction, the image comprises at least one frame oriented in a remarkable direction coinciding substantially with the preferred direction of action of the optical effect; the image comprises a background, the background has a frame oriented in a first direction remarkable and at least one of the graphic elements has a frame oriented in a second direction remarkable; the frame of the bottom and the frame of the graphic element are oriented in the same remarkable direction and are offset relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the remarkable direction; the frames being periodic of identical period, the frames are shifted relative to each other by at least half a period the graphic element has at least two frames oriented in two distinct distinct directions; the frames of the image are formed in relief; at least one of the optical effects is generated by a diffractive grating having at least one preferred direction of diffraction; at least one of the effects produces at least one characteristic rainbow appearance; at least one of the effects produces at least one metallized characteristic aspect (aluminum, copper, gold, etc.); at least one of the effects produces a first color appearance of a first color and a second color appearance of a second color in one of the colors by a color subtraction stream; 10 15 20 25 15 20 25 30

at least one of the effects is generated by a volume hologram producing an animation effect capable of simulating a displacement of a part of the image according to an observation configuration of the component; the part of the image able to move is positioned in register with another part of the image so that the two parts come to complement each other according to an orientation of the component; the two zones of the structure together form a repeating pattern, for example arranged alternately. The invention also relates to a document-value, such as a bank note comprising a support carrying a security component, characterized in that the security component is according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the light of the description which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 represents a document-value such as a bank note comprising a security component according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIGS. 2A and 2B show the security component of FIG. 1 according to two different points of view; Fig. 2C shows a detail view of part of the image; FIGS. 3A safety-ion according to three different points of view respectively; at 3C represent the component of a second embodiment of FIG. 3D is a detail view of part of the image; FIG. 4 represents the security component according to a third embodiment of the invention; and FIGS. 5A to 5c show the security component according to a fourth embodiment of the invention according to three different points of view respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AT LEAST ONE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a document-value. This document value is designated by the general reference 10. In the example described, the document-value 10 is a banknote. Alternatively, the document 10 may be a passport, a driver's license or any other document that may require security. The document 10 comprises a support 12, made of a material comprising for example essentially paper, plastic or a mixture of both. Of course, the invention is not limited to a particular material for the support. The support material may also have a multilayer structure, where appropriate to compote several layers laminated together. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the document 10 further comprises a security component 16 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The component 16 according to this first embodiment is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In accordance with the invention, the security component 16 comprises first and second Z1 and Z2 zones respectively producing first and second optical effects. The first and most important optical effects are described below, the two aspects are well differentiated, which makes it easy for an observer to distinguish them.For the purposes of the invention, an observation configuration is defined by a set of observation parameters such as, for example, an orientation of the component 16 with respect to an observation direction, a relative position of a light source, the size of the source, the wavelengths of emission of the source, its transmission power, etc. Thus, the first effect for example has a first aspect according to first and second observation configurations (FIG. 2A) and a second aspect according to a third observation configuration (FIG. For example, the first and second configurations respectively correspond to observation directions 24A, 24B angularly separated by a quarter of a turn, for example inclined at an angle of 45 ° by ratio to the plane comprising the component 16. The third configuration corresponds to a grazing observation schematized by the reference 24C. In the example described and illustrated by the figures, the optical effects vary in particular according to predefined orientations of the component 16 relative to a light source S diagrammatically represented in the figures by a sun and more precisely with respect to a lighting direction 20 ( not shown in the figures). Of course, the light source S can emit a directional or diffuse beam. Although the invention is not limited thereto, it is particularly well suited to be used with a diffuse visible (eg white) polychromatic light illuminating the security component. Of course, alternatively, the light source S may comprise a spectral wavelength of the vislbie domain (conventionally defined in 0.4 to 0.7 micrometers) for example in the ultraviolet range of spectrum e length d wave less than 3.4 micrometers or the infrared range of sire of length wavelength beyond 0.7 mierometries Caris case. It is a very good practice for the United States and the United States.

For example, the optical effects each act in at least one preferred direction whose orientation depends, for example, in particular on the main illumination direction of the source S. In the example described, the first optical effect associated with the zone Z1 is generated by a diffractive grating producing at least a first rainbow characteristic appearance in at least one shading observation direction 24C (FIG. 2B) and at least one second non-diffractive appearance, for example dull gray, according to at least one other direction of observation, for example in the direction 24A or 24B (Figure 2A).

Thus, preferably, the first optical effect has at least one preferred direction of action which is linked, in the case of a diffractive grating, notably to the direction of a diffraction order of this grating. The observation direction 24C is determined in this example, in particular by the lighting direction of the component 16 and for example coincides substantially with a direction of a diffraction order of the grating. Thus, the diffractive grating preferably has at least one preferred direction of diffraction which determines the observation direction 24A and 24B of the rainbow aspect of the first effect. This diffraction direction is itself defined, for example, with respect to the reference illumination direction of the source S. In a manner known per se, a diffractive grating is generally formed by a regular arrangement of identical diffracting elements. Each of the elements diffracts the incident light in all directions and each diffracted beam in one direction interferes with the other diffracting beams in the same direction. The network makes it possible to produce a chromatic dispersion at the origin of this observable rainbow appearance in at least one observation direction. In the example described, I-I understands a furefité of strokes s ecl icant in a longitudinal direction that determines the preferred direction of en r ciCe Pane e rem, c rurtIlsation This aesecié to the

according to one of the configurations and a second color aspect of a second observable color according to the other of the configurations. In the example described, the first color is green and the second color is red. Preferably, the second optical effect associated with the second zone Z2 is generated by a diffraction color subtraction filter. This second optical effect is produced, for example, by a diffraction grating structure having predefined network parameters so that the diffractive structure is configured to separate an incident polychromatic light into at least one pair of angularly separate adjacent reflected beams and contrasting colors. In the case of this second optical effect with a color change, the diffractive grating preferably has two preferred directions of action corresponding to each of the contrasting colors. In addition, the red and green color beams are preferably spaced angularly, for example at a 90 ° angle. In other words, to observe the color change of the zone Z2, the component 16 must be turned by a quarter of a turn, or a rotation of a quarter turn of the observation direction 24A of the component 16 towards the observation direction 24B (FIG. 2A).

In addition, the second optical effect has, for example, a third non-diffractive aspect in a third observation configuration corresponding to the shading observation 24C (FIG. 2B). By network parameter is meant, for example, a number of lines per unit length, a physical profile of the network structure, a line orientation of the network, etc. According to the invention, the security component 16 comprises an image 18 which extends at least partially in the two zones Z1 and Z2. In this example, the component 16 has a general parallel shape, and the zones Z1 and Z2 extend over the entire surface of the core 16. However, alternatively, the zones Z1 and Z2 may occupy only surface of the component 16.

In the examples described in this application, the first and second zones Z1 and Z2 are arranged between them to form an alternating pattern, for example oblique hatching as illustrated in the various figures. In the example illustrated in the figures, the zones Z1 and Z2 are adjacent. However, in a variant not shown in the figures, the zones Z1 and Z2 may be spatially spaced or overlap partially. Of course, in another variant, the arrangement of zones Z1 and Z2 can be varied: for example, the zones can form concentric disks, nestings of geometric shapes, etc.

According to the invention, the image 18 is structurally configured to act with the first and second optical effects. Thus, in accordance with the invention, the image 18 acts in such a way that at least the first 20 and second 22 graphic elements of the image 18 are respectively revealed in the first and second zones Z1 and Z2. The revelation of the elements 20 and 22 is linked in particular with the appearance of at least one of the two aspects respectively of the first and second optical effects. For example, graphical elements 20 or 22 include alphanumeric characters. In a non-illustrated variant, the graphic elements include micro-lettering, geometric figures, drawings, portraits, etc. In the example described, to act with the optical effects, the image 18 is formed at least partially in relief. Preferably, the relief of the image 18 is determined by relief parameters selected from a relief shape, a relief depth, a spatial frequency, etc.

For example, the relief is formed by dry stamp printing. For this embossing, it is possible to use, for example, a conventional inkless intaglio printing process for dry embossing. Preferably, the image 18 is at least one frame oriented 30 or a remarkable rection choit based on at least one of the preferred directions of action of the optical effect considered to obtain a

optical synergy. For example, the remarkable direction substantially coincides with at least one of the preferred directions of the optical effect considered. Those skilled in the art will easily find a relative orientation of the frame of the image with respect to one of the preferred directions of action of the optical effect considered to offer an optimal optical synergy. For example, the image 18 is formed at least partially by a latent image, preferably of simple type. The latent image is arranged in register with the first optical effect for example. The orientation of the screened part is for example 90 ° with respect to the frame of the diffractive grating producing the first optical effect or possibly parallel to this frame. In the first embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 2A and 2B, the image 18 is formed by a positive-negative effect type relief. For example, the image 18 is generated by an engraved engraving plate (not shown) or an embossing plate or other engraved tool. Alternatively, the image may comprise a non-rasterized background and at least one of the graphic elements may have at least one raster part oriented in a remarkable direction. In the example, the background or the background of the image 18 is framed while the graphic elements 20 and 22 are unframed as shown in FIG. 2C. To form this image 18, the etched plate comprises a screen portion to form the background and a non-screened portion of substantially planar surface to form the graphic elements. The background frame defines a remarkable orientation direction of this frame corresponding to the orientation of the lines 23 of the frame.

In this first embodiment, the first graphic element 20 forms a first character string "TECK"> extending in the first zone Z1 and the second graphic element 22 forms a second character string DCBE "extending in the second zone Z2. The bottom core, for example, provided with a plurality of lines, and such a deflection in FIG. 2C and the resettable direction of this frame corresponds to the orientation of the lines 23. From FIG.

Preferably, this remarkable direction is aligned substantially with the preferred direction of action of the optical effect considered. According to a first orientation of the component 16 illustrated in FIG. A, the first zone Z1 has a non-diffractive dull appearance while the second zone Z2 has a colored appearance of a first color, for example green. The first character string 20 does not appear in this orientation while the second string 22 is revealed by the color appearance of the second optical effect and gives the impression of lighting. When the observer rotates a quarter of a turn in his plane as illustrated in FIG. 2A, in the direction 24B, the positions of the source S and the component 16 remaining unchanged, the first zone Z1 retains its dull, non-diffracting aspect. . On the other hand, the second zone Z2 changes color very markedly, for example from green to red so the characters "DCBE" remain visible but change color from green to red. When the direction of observation, corresponding for example in grazing observation 24C, coincides with one of the preferred directions of the first optical effect, the background weave acts in combination with the first optical effect (Figure 2B). The first optical effect produced in this direction of grazing observation, a rainbow aspect which will have the effect of revealing the first character string "TECK" (FIG. 2B) thanks to the particular relief structure of the picture 18 in the Z1 area. The first graphic element 20 of the image 18 then becomes visible by the action of the raster background during the appearance of the rainbow appearance while the second graphic element 22 of the image 18 is hardly perceptible to the naked eye or almost invisible. Preferably, the image 18 is configured so that the first 20 and second 22 elements are concealed with the appearance of the other of the two aspects, respectively, the first, second and second optical effects. Air. dnr? the first, the first,

and the same is true of the second element 22 which is also scrambled with the extinction of the color of the second optical effect. Moreover, in this first embodiment, in the same observation configuration, for example that illustrated in FIG. 2B, the first graphic element 20 is revealed and the second graphic element 22 is hidden, contrary to the observation configurations illustrated on FIG. Figure 2A. FIGS. 3A to 3D show an optical component 16 according to a second embodiment. In these figures, the elements similar to FIGS. 1 to 2G bear identical references. In this second embodiment, the image 18 is a multiple latent image. For example, the image 18 includes a bottom 28 having a frame oriented in a first direction (FIG. 3D). In addition, preferably, one of the graphic elements has at least one frame oriented in a remarkable direction. Thus, at least one of the graphic elements 20 or 22 has a frame oriented in a second remarkable direction 32 distinct from the first direction 30. In a variant not shown in the figures, the frame of the bottom 28 and the frame of the graphic element 20 or 22 are oriented in the same remarkable direction and are offset relative to each other in a direction substantially transverse to this remarkable direction. For example, the frames are periodic of the same period and the offset between the two frames corresponds to half a period. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3D, the graphic element 22 comprises a first portion 22A raster oriented in a second direction 32 remarkable distinct from the first 30 and a second portion 22B raster oriented in a third remarkable direction 34 distinct from the first 30 and second 32 remarkable directions. In addition, the second 32 and third 3.1 directions are perpendicular to each other.

Oxempre. The optional element 22 comprises a bus prerr choke, octer- second chain r. incl .; So,

18 has a frame oriented in a first direction remarkable 30, the first chain "DCBE" has a frame oriented in the second direction remarkable 32 and the second chain "TECH" has a frame oriented in the third direction remarkable 34.

In addition, preferably, the second optical effect associated with the zone Z2 acts in at least two preferred directions. These directions are for example spaced angularly from each other by a quarter turn. For example, in the first observation configuration illustrated in FIG. 3A, defined in particular by an observation direction 26A, the first optical effect of the zone Z1 has a rainbow appearance and the second optical effect of the zone Z2 has a dull non-diffracting appearance. In this configuration, the first graphical element "DCBE" of the first zone Z1 is revealed by the appearance of the rainbow aspect of the first optical effect. For example, the first graphic element "DCBE" has a frame oriented in a remarkable direction corresponding to one of the preferred directions of the second optical effect. On the other hand, the second graphic element 22 is concealed by appearance of the non diffractive dull aspect of the second optical effect. In a second observation configuration illustrated in FIG. 3B, in particular defined by the direction 26B, the second optical effect has a first color appearance of a first color, for example green. The first character string "DCBE" of the graphic element 22 having a frame oriented in the second remarkable direction 32 coinciding substantially with the first preferred direction of action of the second optical effect is revealed. The other character string "TECH" of the same graphic element 22 is on the other hand scrambled because it has a frame oriented in the third remarkable direction 34 which does not coincide with the preferred direction of the second optical effect. Finally, in a third observation configuration illustrated in FIG. 3C, defined in particular by the observation dilation 26C, the second effect has an effect of this embodiment of a compound which is

Zone Z1 is still scrambled because the first optical effect always has in this direction of observation a dull non-diffracting aspect. On the other hand, in this configuration, the second character string <(TECH >> of the second graphic element 22 is revealed by the red coloring of the second optical effect.It is shown a third embodiment in FIG. embodiment, the image 18 comprises a third graphic element 28. This third graphic element 28 is printed for example in offset, flexographic, screen printing, letterpress, intaglio with or without ink, etc. The third graphic element 28 is invariant whatever the observation configuration of the component 16. Preferably, this third graphic element 28 is arranged in register with respect to the other graphic elements so that it complements the other graphic elements 20 or 22 for example to provide a For example, in this figure, the graphic element 22 and the graphic element 28 are shown in position age relative to each other in the second zone Z2. There is shown a fourth embodiment of the invention in FIGS. 5A to 5c. In this fourth embodiment, the first zone Z1 has, for example, one of the optical effects described above, for example the first optical effect. Alternatively, the first zone Z1 may comprise the second optical effect described above. In this embodiment, the second zone Z2 generates a volume hologram producing an animation effect able to simulate a displacement of a part of the image as a function of an orientation of the component 16. Thus, as illustrated on FIG. FIG. 5A, in a first orientation, the first graphic element 20 appears and the character string "TECH" is revealed for example by the rainbow aspect of the first optical effect.

According to a second orientation of the component 16 illustrated in FIG. 5B, the second graphicpo element 22 is revealed. This second element

graph 22 gives the impression of moving by varying the inclination of the component 16 according to the arrows indicated in the figure. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 5C, the part of the image able to move is positioned in register with another part of the image so that the two parts come to complement each other according to a component orientation. Thus, in this orientation, the graphic element 20 is simultaneously revealed with the graphic element 22 and the two elements complement each other by a slight inclination of the component 16. The main aspects of operation of a component according to FIG. invention with reference for example to the first embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 2A to 2C. An observer wishes to authenticate the document-value, that is to say the banknote 10. For this, it causes a rotation of the banknote 10 so as to observe various aspects produced by the optical effects. Depending on the appearance generated by the optical effects, graphic elements appear or disappear with the movements caused by the observer. The observer then quickly authenticates the document-value all the more easily as the appearance changes of the optical effects are well marked. Moreover, because of the complexity of implementation, such a document-value is difficult to falsify. Although the invention has been described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, it is understood that many modifications may come to the mind of those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Other optical effects may be implemented within the scope of this invention. Thus, at least one of the effects may produce a metallized characteristic appearance, for example of alumina, copper or gold type,

Claims (6)

1. A security-value component (16) (10) comprising at least first (Z1) and second (Z2) zones respectively producing first and second optical effects each capable of presenting at least two characteristic aspects in accordance with FIGS. distinct observation configurations of the component (16), characterized in that it comprises an image (18) extending at least partially in the two zones (Z1, Z2) and being structurally configured to act with the first and second Io optical effects so that at least first (20) and second (22) graphic elements of the image (18) are respectively revealed in the first (Z1) and second (Z2) areas with the appearance of the at least one of the two aspects respectively of the first and second optical effects. 15 2. Component (16) according to the preceding claim, wherein the image (18) is configured so that the first (20) and second (22) elements are concealed with the appearance of the other of the two aspects. respectively first and second optical effects. 3. Component (16) according to the preceding claim, wherein, in the same observation configuration, the first graphic element (20) is revealed and the second graphic element (22) is concealed. A component (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the optical effects has at least three distinct characteristic aspects, a third graphic element of the image (18) is revealed by the appearance of this third aspect in at least one of the two zones (Z1, Z2). 5, Component (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the image (18) is formed at least partially in relief. 30 6. Component (16 according to the present invention), in which the formula does not contain any more than one part of the compound of formula (16) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the relief is formed by dry stamp type printing 8. The component (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the image (18) is formed at least partially by a latent image of single or multiple type. A component (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, at least one of the optical effects acting in at least one preferred direction, the image (18) comprises at least one directionally oriented frame. characterized by the preferred direction of action of the optical effect to achieve optical synergy 10. The component (16) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the image (18) comprises a background ( 28), the bottom (28) has a frame oriented in a first direction ection remarkable (30) and at least one of the graphic elements (22, 22A, 22B) has at least one frame oriented in a second direction remarkable (32, 34). 11. Component (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphic element (22, 22A, 22B) has at least two frames oriented in two distinct distinct directions. 12. Component (16) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the frames of the image (18) are formed in relief. 13. Component (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the optical effects is generated by a diffractive grating having at least one preferred direction of diffraction, corresponding for example to a diffraction order of the grating. . 14. Component (16) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one of the effects produces at least one rainbow characteristic appearance. A component (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the effects produces a first color appearance of a first color and a second cofore appearance of a second color. The component (16) of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the effects is generated by a diffraction color subtraction filter. 17. Component (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the effects is generated by a volume hologram producing an animation effect capable of simulating a displacement of a part of the image ( 18) according to an observation configuration of the component (16). 18. Component 16) according to the preceding claim, wherein the movable part of the image (18) is positioned in register with another part of the image (18) so that the two parts come to complement each other according to an orientation of the component (16). 19. Component (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two zones (Z1, Z2) together form a pattern, for example the two zones are arranged alternately. 20. Document-value (10), such as a banknote comprising a support (12) carrying a security component (16), characterized in that the security component (16) is according to any one of the claims preceding.