JP2010524070A - Document having security features, reading device, and method for reading security features - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a document comprising a security feature 102 and an optical element 108. The security feature is disposed in front of the optical element, and the optical element is switchable between at least a first optical state and a second optical state for inspection of the security feature. The security feature can be optically inspected in only one of the first state and the second state.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a document having security features, in particular an important document or security document, a reading device for such a document, and a method for reading security features.

  From the state of the art, various security features for important or security documents are known. These security features include optical security features that can be captured visually by the user and / or mechanically by the optical sensor.

Examples of optical security features include:
Wave stripes: Wave stripes are printed on a document by so-called line printing. Wave fringes usually consist of wave and fringe patterns printed in overlapping colors in various colors.
Micro characters: This is a printed handwriting on a very small character. The micro-characters can hardly be recognized with the naked eye. For example, a micro character is incorporated in a motif as a pixel in a euro banknote. Micro characters can be read using a magnifying glass.
Conditional color matching system: Due to color identity due to conditional color matching, different spectral compositions of light can give the person the same color impression, for example using a color filter or a variable illumination source. The composition can be made optically perceptible.
Printed text having fluorescent, phosphorescent and / or upconversion colors.
Printed text with infrared color: This color can only be detected by the reader with a corresponding sensor under infrared radiation. Euro banknotes, for example, have this optical security feature.
Bar codes, especially one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcodes. Single color or color.
Optical variable ink (OVI): In the optical variable ink, the color impression changes according to the observation angle. This is because light is refracted, scattered or reflected in the pigment.
Hologram and kinegram (transparent or reflective)
Watermark A digital watermark with visible and / or mechanically readable information. Registration print (Passerdruck: registration print): various patterns or symbols overlap to produce a specific image together Or printed side by side. Even a slight misalignment, that is, a so-called registration error, can be easily recognized with the naked eye. For example, if there are partial images on both sides of a document such as a banknote, this optical security feature is called watermark registration (looking-through registration).
Transparent window (Durchsichtsfenster: looking-through window): A window made of transparent plastic foil is incorporated into the document.
Spotted fibers (Melierfasern: mottled fibers): Fibers that emit various colors under UV light are mixed into the paper of the document.
Security thread Micro perforation

  From Patent Document 1, a valuable / counterfeit-proof product provided with a luminescence element is known. A luminescent element is placed under the layer that is formed as a means for authenticating, whereby a visual or mechanical optical authenticity determination can be performed under all lighting conditions. This allows true / false judgments in the dark without the need for a separate radiation source. However, when a radiation source is used, the authenticity determination means can determine in any case without depending on the state of the luminescence element.

  Patent document 2 which is a patent application filed by the same applicant and not published at the time of filing discloses a document comprising an optical element arranged in front of a security feature. The optical element covers a security feature located under the optical element so that the security feature is invisible to the user as long as the optical element is in the opaque state of the optical element. For inspection of security features, the optical element is moved to a transparent state.

German Patent Application Publication No. 197 35 293 German Patent Application No. 10 2006 059 865.2-55

  The present invention is based on the problem of creating an improved document and a reading device and method for such a document relative to the state of the art published.

  Each of the problems on which the invention is based is solved by the features of the independent patent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are presented in the dependent patent claims.

  The present invention creates documents with optical security features, such as important or security documents, in particular payment means, chip cards, certificates, credentials, payment means, etc. The document can be realized on a paper and / or plastic basis.

  The document according to the invention has security features, which are arranged in front of the optical element in the direction of incidence of radiation for observing or mechanically capturing the security features. The optical element can be switched between the first state and the second state, and in these states, the optical elements have different optical characteristics. For example, the optical element generates a background for the security feature in which the security feature in front of it can be optically captured in the first state of the optical element. In contrast, the optical element generates a background to the security feature, for example, in the second state of the optical element, the security feature in front of it cannot be visually and / or mechanically captured optically. To do.

  Additional security features are provided by requiring the optical element to be in one of both states for security feature inspection. This is because the inspection of the optical security characteristics of the document assumes that the user can switch the optical element using a reader, for example. Furthermore, the document according to the invention can be formed to have a high forgery resistance. This is because the readjustment of the document is not possible using conventional security printing techniques or using digital techniques alone.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, one of the states of the optical element is a normal state where the security feature cannot be captured optically. The supply of energy causes the optical element to transition at least temporarily to another state of the optical element where the security features can be optically captured.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the optical element has a first state in which the optical element has a transmission effect and a second state in which the optical element has reflectivity. Security features can be inspected on the back side of a document only when the optical element is in the transmissive state of the optical element.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element is supplied with energy from the first state of the optical element to the second state of the optical element and / or the second state of the optical element. It is possible to switch from the state to the first state of the optical element. Depending on the embodiment of the optical element, energy can be supplied directly to the optical element, for example by an electromagnetic field, so that the optical element is in a second substantially transparent state of the optical element. .

  However, the supply of energy can also take place via a separate coupling element, for example a contact interface, a contactless interface or a dual mode interface, in particular a chip card interface or an RF interface. The coupling element can be, for example, an antenna or a coil for inductive supply of voltage that switches the optical element to a second substantially transparent state of the optical element.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element is bistable. That is, the optical element remains in its respective state unless switched. Thus, in the case of such a bistable optical element, the optical element is moved from the second substantially transparent state of the optical element to the first substantially same of the optical element again after inspection of the optical security feature. It is necessary to switch back to the opaque state. This can be done by a corresponding circuit of the document and / or by a new supply of energy, for example from an external reader.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element is quasi-bistable. Thus, the optical element remains in the first state of the optical element. After the optical element is switched to the second state of the optical element, the optical element stays in this second state for a certain period of time and then automatically returns to the first state again. This embodiment requires only one switching operation to shift the optical element to the second state of the optical element for a specified period for inspection of the optical security characteristics of the document, and the optical element Has the advantage of automatically returning from the second state to the first state again without the need for further switching operations. The first state can be substantially reflective and the second state can be substantially light-absorbing. In a further embodiment, the first state can be made substantially light-absorbing and the second state can be made substantially reflective. In further embodiments, the first state can be substantially opaque and the second state can be substantially transparent, or vice versa.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the optical element is a bistable rotating element display comprising a rotating element that acts to absorb light at the first rotating position and allows light to pass at the second rotating position. So that the optical security features of the document are hidden when the rotating element is in the first rotating position of the rotating element.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element comprises a rotating element that acts to absorb light at the first rotational position and has a reflective element that is reflective at the second rotational position. So that the optical security features of the document are not recognizable when the rotating element is in the first rotating position of the rotating element.

  According to one embodiment, the optical element comprises an electrophoretic display device or an electrochromic display device.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element comprises an electrostatic wetting element, ie a so-called electrowetting display device.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the optical element comprises a liquid crystal display device having in particular a cholesteric liquid crystal material or a nematic liquid crystal material.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the optical element includes a flexible display such as that sold by Citala (http://www.citala.com).

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the optical element includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) such as a micro shutter array such as that sold by Flixel (www.flixel.com).

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element comprises a display device based on a ferroelectric material.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element comprises a display device based on an organic light emitting diode.

  A display device for forming an optical element can include, for example, a matrix-like display element. However, the display elements do not necessarily have to be driven individually, and in order to shift the display elements to the first substantially opaque state or the second substantially transparent state, respectively, Driving is sufficient.

  A display device for forming an optical element can include, for example, a matrix-like display element. However, the display elements do not necessarily have to be driven individually, and in order to shift each of the display elements to the first substantially non-reflective state or the second substantially reflective state, the display elements Collective driving is sufficient.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the optical security features of the document include wavy stripes, micro characters, conditional color matching system, printed text having fluorescent color, phosphorescent color, and / or upconversion color, infrared color Selectable wavelengths from printed text, optically variable ink (OVI), hologram or kinegram (transparent or reflective), watermark, registration print, transparent window, part of watermark registration, transmission hologram, visible light spectrum Holographic filters or other transmissive elements, plaque fibers, security threads, and / or microperforations.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the security feature includes optically readable information. For example, the security feature is a digital watermark or a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode. Each watermark and barcode can be printed on the document.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the security feature is formed in particular on a plastic basis by means of an optical data storage device, in particular a holographic data storage device.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the security feature stores biometric data such as face data, fingerprint data, and / or iris scan data. For example, the document is in particular a machine readable travel document (MRTD) according to the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standard. The biometric data may be biometric data of the MRTD holder.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the security feature stores data that can be used in so-called basic access control. For example, a document has a machine reading area (MRZ) in which optically readable data is stored. These data, the encryption of the data, or the hash value of the data can be stored in the security feature.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the document includes integrated electronic circuitry for driving the optical element, thereby extending the optical element from a first state of the optical element to a second state. / Or after the optical element is transitioned from the second state of the optical element to the first state of the optical element and an optical access to the security feature is made, the optical element may be inspected for security features as required. Transition from the possible state of the optical element to the normal state of the optical element again.

  The integrated electronic circuit may comprise or be connected to an interface through which energy for operation of the integrated electronic circuit and driving of the optical element is supplied without or with contact. Is done. In particular, the interface can be a chip card or an RF interface.

  In a further aspect, the invention relates to a reading device for documents according to the invention. The reading device has means for initiating a switch between the first state and the second state of the optical element, thereby allowing optical access to the security features of the document.

  In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for reading a security feature of a document according to the invention.

  In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a document according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a further embodiment of a document according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a further embodiment of a document according to the invention and a reading device according to the invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a document according to the present invention when the optical element is in a first state of the optical element. FIG. 5 is the embodiment of FIG. 4 when the optical element is in a second state of the optical element. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a document according to the invention when the security feature has a line pattern, in particular when the optical element is in a first state of the optical element. FIG. 7 is the embodiment of FIG. 6 when the optical element is in a second state of the optical element. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a document according to the invention, wherein the security feature is formed as a volume hologram and the optical element is in a first state of the optical element. FIG. 9 is the embodiment of FIG. 8 when the optical element is in a second state of the optical element. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a document according to the present invention with the optical element in a first state of the optical element. FIG. 11 is the embodiment of FIG. 10 when the optical element is in a second state of the optical element. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a document according to the present invention with the optical element in a first state of the optical element. FIG. 13 is the embodiment of FIG. 12 wherein the optical element is in a second state of the optical element. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a document according to the present invention with the optical element in a first state of the optical element. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a document according to the present invention with the optical element in a first state of the optical element. FIG. 15 is the embodiment of FIG. 14 wherein the optical element is in a second state of the optical element. Fig. 14b is the embodiment of Fig. 14b where the optical element is in a second state of the optical element. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a further embodiment of a document according to the invention and a further embodiment of a reading device according to the invention. 2 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method according to the present invention.

  In the following description of the drawings, corresponding elements of the various embodiments are given the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a document 100 according to the present invention. The document 100 has a security feature 102, which can be any optical security feature known from the state of the art. The security feature 102 is located on the document 100 or embedded within the body of the document 100 so that the security feature is not visible from the back side 104 of the document 100. However, the back side 104 of the document can also be made transparent so that the security feature 102 is visible from the back side 104 depending on the state of the optical element 108. This is when the security feature 102 is a watermark registration, part of a watermark registration, a transmission hologram, a holographic filter that selectively passes wavelengths from the visible light spectrum, a transparent window, or other transmissive element. Particularly advantageous.

  Behind the security feature 102 is an optical element 108 disposed within the body of the document 100. The optical element 108 can be switched between at least two different states. In these states, the optical elements 108 have different optical characteristics. For example, the optical element 108 may be used to generate different backgrounds for the security features 102, and in front of these backgrounds, the security features 102 may or may not be captured optically. Furthermore, the optical element 108 has, for example, a light-absorbing effect on incident radiation in the first state of the optical element, while being reflective in the second state of the optical element.

  The reader 112 can be formed as an energy source. Energy is supplied to the optical element 108 from the energy source, thereby switching the optical element. If the optical element 108 is a quasi-bistable optical element, a single energy pulse may be sufficient to cause the optical element 108 to transition to a particular state for a particular period of time. Then, after this period expires, the optical element automatically returns from the state. On the other hand, if the optical element 108 is a bistable optical element, additional energy pulses may be required to move the optical element back to its original state.

  Further, the optical element 108 may be formed such that it is necessary to constantly supply energy to keep the optical element 108 in a particular state. If the supply of energy is interrupted, in such an embodiment, the optical element 108 immediately returns to the starting state of the optical element again.

  For example, the optical element 108 can be formed as a bistable rotating element display or as a bistable electrophoretic display as is known per se, for example from WO 03/009059. In the case of a bistable embodiment, the optical element 108 includes a display device comprising, for example, an electrophoretic display. For embodiments where it is necessary to always supply energy to keep the optical element 108 in the second state of the optical element, the optical element can include an LCD display.

  For example, the optical element 108 includes a rotating element that is charged or magnetized. Moving the rotating element such that the optical element 108 is switchable between a first state of the optical element and a second state of the optical element by emitting a corresponding electromagnetic field from the reader 102; Can do. Thus, in such an embodiment, energy is supplied directly to the optical element 108.

  FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a document 100 according to the present invention comprising a coupling element 114 that supplies energy for driving the optical element 108. The coupling element 114 can be realized as a contact, contactless or dual mode interface, in particular as a chip card interface or an RF interface. For example, the coupling element 114 can be an antenna or a coil, thereby inductively providing a voltage that shifts the optical element 108 to a second state of the optical element, for example.

  For example, the coupling element 114 is connected to the optical element 108 by a conductor 116, thereby driving the optical element and providing energy to the optical element when necessary. Such a device offers the advantage of high security against tampering because it cannot be removed from the document 100 and placed in another document body without breaking the device. This is especially true when the lead 116 extends into the document body. Here, the document body of the document 100 can be realized on a paper and / or plastic basis, for example in the form of a paper-based travel document or chip card.

  FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a reader 112 according to the present invention. The reading device 112 has an energy source 118 for supplying energy to the coupling element 114 via, for example, a contact or non-contact interface. The reading device 112 further includes a radiation source 120 that generates a reading beam 122 for optical inspection of the security features 102 of the document 100.

  In order to optically capture security features, the reader 112 includes one or more photosensors, such as photosensors 124 and 126, for example. The optical sensor 124 is located on the same side of the document 100 as the radiation source 120, thereby causing the radiation 128 reflected by the security feature 102 and possibly the optical element 108 due to the reading beam 122. It is shaped to capture. In contrast, the optical sensor 126 is positioned relative to the back surface 104 of the document 100, thereby capturing the transmitted radiation 130, ie, the portion of the reading beam that has been transmitted through the security feature 102 and the optical element 108. As shown in FIG. 3, a storage area 132 for storing the document 100 can be formed in the reading device 112.

  The light sensor is shown symbolically. In particular, it is possible to arrange a plurality of sensors in order to detect a pattern that is reflected over a wide range, such as arises from so-called “Diffractive Area Codes”. Furthermore, the sensor can be directed via further optical auxiliary means, such as for example a beam splitter, whereby light reflected in the direction of the radiation source 120 can also be detected.

  The reader device 112 implements program instructions 121 for controlling various components of the reader device 112 and program instructions 123 for evaluating signals transmitted by the optical sensor 124 and / or by the optical sensor 126. Have Further, the processor 119 can drive the interface 125 of the reader 112. The interface can be a user interface and / or a network interface. Via the interface 125, data obtained based on the evaluation and / or other data read from the document 100 can be output.

  FIG. 4 shows a cross section of one embodiment of a document 100 according to the present invention. The document has a support 134 that can be plastic-based and / or paper-based and can include additional security features, printed text, and the like. An optical element 108 is disposed on the support 134. FIG. 4 shows the optical element 108 in a first state of the optical element, in which the optical element has a light absorption effect.

  An additional layer 136 can be disposed over the optical element 108 and the optical security feature 102 is present on the layer. Typically, the document 100 can further include a protective layer 138 that overlies the security feature 102.

  In the embodiment discussed herein, the security feature 102 acts to reflect radiation in a particular spectral region, such as green light, while other spectral components in the visible region, particularly red light. And blue light. For example, the security feature 102 can be formed as a volume hologram.

  FIG. 4 exemplarily shows the red component 122 ′, the green component 122 ″, and the blue component 122 ′ ″ of the reading light beam 122. The red component 122 ′ and the blue component 122 ′ ″ are transmitted through the security feature 102 and absorbed by the optical element 108 because the security feature 102 is transparent in these spectral regions. In contrast, the green component 122 '' is reflected by the security feature 102, so that the reflected radiation 128 consists of the portion reflected by the security feature 102 of the green component 122 ''. This reflected radiation 128 thus gives the user 110 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) a green color impression or image 111.

  FIG. 5 shows the document 100 after the optical element 108 has been switched to another state of the optical element. The optical element 108 produces a black background in the first state of the optical element shown in FIG. 4, while white or reflective (reflective) in the second state of the optical element shown in FIG. Bring the background). In this state, the optical element 108 acts as a reflector.

  This causes the portion of the reading beam 122 that is not reflected by the security feature 102 but is transmitted through the security feature to be scattered or reflected by the optical element, thereby resulting in the entire reading beam 122 being It can exit the document or be directly reflected. Thus, radiation scattered in 128 directions is no longer composed solely of the green spectral region, but is subject to an apparent color shift due to the additionally present red and blue components, so that the security feature 102 is not perceptible Or hardly perceptible. Thus, the reflected radiation 128 in this case consists of the reflected red component 122 ′, green component 122 ″, and blue component 122 ′ ″ of the reading beam 122. This generally results in the user 110 having a generally white color impression of the image 111, for example, so that the security feature 102 is not perceptible.

The embodiment of the document 100 of FIGS. 4 and 5 is particularly advantageous when the security feature 102 is a volume reflection hologram. This is because the visibility of the volume reflection hologram is greatly improved by the presence of the volume reflection hologram on a dark background. Thus, for example, a full-color hologram is very suitable for a white background when the properties of the holographic recording medium are appropriately selected, for example, when the material thickness is about 10 μm and the refractive index modulation is 10 ⁻³ to 10 ^−2. It is difficult to see but looks very good on a black background. Thus, the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 can improve contrast with respect to the security feature 102 formed as a volume hologram when the optical element is in the light-absorbing or black state of the optical element.

  The optical element 108 can be formed such that it can be switched between two different colors. For example, the optical element 108 can be formed to be black in the first state of the optical element to create a black background for viewing the security feature 102. In contrast, the optical element 108 has, in the second state of the optical element, approximately the same color that the security feature 102 reflects or scatters the incident reading light beam 122. In this case, the structure of the security feature is invisible to the user 110. This is because the background created by the optical element 108 has the same color as the security feature 102 when the optical element is in the second state of the optical element.

  The security feature 102 can also be formed as an active radiation source that generates its own colored radiation. Even in this case, the optical element 108 has a different color from the security feature 102 in the first state of the optical element, and thus, for example, black, and in the second state of the optical element, the security feature 102 emits. Can be formed to have substantially the same color as the color used to release. This embodiment has the advantage that the reading beam 122 is not necessarily required.

  For example, the security feature 102 can be a luminescence mark. The luminescent mark emits radiation having a specific color. In this case, the optical element 108 is, for example, black in the first state of the optical element, and in the second state of the optical element, has approximately the same color as the color from which the security feature 102 emits radiation.

  For example, the security feature 102 can be a luminescence mark. The luminescent mark emits radiation having a specific color. In this case, the optical element 108 is, for example, black in the first state of the optical element, and in the second state of the optical element emits light that the security feature 102 excites for emission of radiation.

  In a further embodiment having a luminescence security feature 102, the luminescence security feature emits light having a color impression that corresponds to the color impression of the first switched state of the optical element 108. However, in the second switching state, the optical element 108 has a different color impression, so that the luminescence security feature cannot be perceived.

  In a third embodiment having a luminescence security feature 102, the luminescence security feature emits light having a color impression corresponding to the color impression of the optical element 108 in the first switching state. However, in the second switching state, the optical element 108 emits light having another color impression, particularly preferably a contrasting or complementary color, whereby the security feature 102 can be easily verified.

  Furthermore, the optical element 108 can preferably be formed as an active radiation source. For example, the optical element does not emit luminescence in the first state of the optical element, i.e. for example black. In contrast, the optical element 108 emits luminescence in the second state of the optical element. Here, the radiation output by the optical element 108 based on luminescence is similar or identical to the radiation of the security feature 102. The same effect can be achieved by using an organic light emitting diode or organic light emitting diode display as the optical element 108.

  Security feature 102 may consist of printed text having a color that is conditionally equal to the color of optical element 108 when the optical element is in the second state of the optical element. In this second state, which is preferably the normal state of the optical element 108, the printed motif of the security feature 102 can be observed only under certain lighting conditions. For verification of the security feature 102, in particular for mechanical verification, the optical element 108 is switched in a short period from the second state of the optical element to the first state of the optical element, wherein The optical element has a contrasting color, preferably black or white.

  According to a further embodiment, the security feature 102 is a color printed text that reflects linearly polarized light in the first polarization direction. In this case, the optical element 108 is configured to reflect linearly polarized light in the second polarization direction. Here, the second polarization direction is rotated 90 degrees with respect to the first polarization direction. Accordingly, the component of reading beam 122 in the first polarization direction is reflected by security feature 102. On the other hand, the component of the reading light beam 122 in the second polarization direction is reflected by the optical element 108.

  In one embodiment, security feature 102 consists of a certain color of printed text. The optical element 108 switches between a state in which the optical element has the same color as the security feature 102 and a second state in which the optical element 108 has a color having the same color impression (conditional color). In a further embodiment, the optical element 108 can be switched between the color of the security feature 102 and a contrast color, or in a further form, between a color of the conditional color and the contrast color. The contrasting colors are each color that makes it particularly possible to optically capture security features without using technical means.

  Consequently, the reading beam 122 is reflected entirely by the document 100 as a result. In the switched state of the optical element, where the optical element 108 reflects linearly polarized light in the second polarization direction, the security feature 102 can only be captured using a polarizing filter. In order to verify the security feature 102, in particular for mechanical verification, the optical element 108 can be switched to a contrasting color, preferably black or white. Alternatively, the optical element 108 can be formed to reflect linearly polarized light in the first polarization direction in another state of the optical element. Thus, in the latter case, only the component of the reading beam 122 in the first polarization direction is still reflected by the document 100. In this case, the security feature 102 can be captured without a polarizing filter.

  In a further embodiment of the invention, the security feature 102 is a printed text of a color that absorbs visible light but not infrared light. Thus, the visible component of the reading beam 122 is absorbed by the security feature 102 while the infrared component of the reading beam 122 passes through the security feature rather than being absorbed by the security feature 102. Thereby, the infrared component of the reading beam can reach the optical element 108 located under the security feature 102. Here, the optical element 108 is configured to absorb infrared light in a certain state and reflect or transmit infrared light, for example, instead of absorbing infrared light in another state of the optical element. Therefore, depending on the switching state of the optical element 108, the signal in the infrared region can be detected by the reading device 102 or cannot be detected.

  In a further embodiment of the present invention, the security feature 102 is a printed text that does not cover the entire surface in a color that absorbs light of invisible spectral components such as infrared light but allows visible light to pass through. Such a security feature 102 also has an optical element 108 that has a state that absorbs infrared light and does not absorb infrared light, and thus has another state that, for example, reflects or transmits. Can be inspected by. In this embodiment, the optical element 108 can have the same, similar, or different characteristics in the visible region of light in both states of the optical element.

  FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of a document 100 according to the present invention having a security feature 102 having a structure such as a line pattern. FIG. 6 illustratively shows lines 140, 142, and 144 of security feature 102.

  In the embodiment considered here, the reading beam 122 is not perpendicular as in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, but is directed at an angle to the document 100 as shown in FIG. When the reading beam 122 is incident on one of the lines of the security feature 102, one spectral component of the reading beam 122 is reflected while the other spectral component of the reading beam 122 passes.

  As in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, this is exemplarily shown with respect to the green component 122 ″ in FIG. Accordingly, the red component 122 ′ of the reading beam 122 passes through the security feature 102 regardless of whether the red component 122 ′ is incident on one of the security feature 102 lines. Accordingly, the red component 122 ′ reaches the optical element 108. In the state shown in FIG. 6 of the optical element 108, the optical element has a light absorption effect, whereby the red component 122 ′ of the reading beam 122 is completely absorbed by the document 100. Corresponding applies to other spectral components of the reading beam 122, in particular the blue component 122 ′ ″, and also to the green component 122 ″ unless it is incident on one of the lines of the security feature 102.

  If the green component 122 ″ of the reading beam 122 is incident on one of the lines, for example line 140, reflected radiation 128 is provided. Due to the reflected radiation 128, an impression of the line pattern 146, ie an image of the lines 140, 142, 144,.

  This embodiment is formed so that the line pattern reflects vertically, and thus functions even when it has no wavelength selectivity. When the security element 108 is switched to have light absorbency, a line pattern is seen at high contrast, and when the security element 108 is switched to have reflectivity, this contrast is weakened.

  FIG. 7 shows the document 100 of the embodiment of FIG. 6 when the optical element 108 is in another state of the optical element that has a reflective effect. In this case, spectral components that are transmitted through the line of security feature 102, in particular red component 122 ′ and blue component 122 ′ ″, are reflected rather than absorbed by optical element 108. This results in a modified line pattern 148 consisting of a superposition of the line pattern 146 and the line 150 generated by the red component 112 ′ and the blue component 112 ′ ″. Line 150 is generally magenta due to the fade out of green component 122 ''.

  Layer 136 can have a height of, for example, approximately 100 μm, and thus, when viewed at 45 degrees, a print having a width of 200 μm or less and a thickness of about 2.5 or less lines per millimeter Can be selected. Alternatively, the layer can have a height of eg 250 μm. In this case, printing having a line with a width of 500 μm or less can be selected. Instead of a reflector, the optical element 108 can also form a white surface in the state shown in FIG. 7 of the optical element. In this case, the magenta line 150 would be seen with reduced brightness from any angle. However, even in this embodiment, the perception as a changing line image is still obtained.

  The variant embodiments described above with reference to the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 apply equally to the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7, for example with respect to different polarization directions, luminescence and infrared radiation components. Can do.

  FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of the document 100 where the security features 102 are formed as volume holograms. The volume hologram is created such that the outgoing observation beam can be viewed under an angle different from that expected according to standard reflection conditions. For example, if the reading light beam 122 is incident on the volume hologram image point 152 of the security feature 102, as exemplarily shown in FIG. 8, at an incident angle of about 45 degrees, 0 degrees, ie, under the viewing angle of the image point 153. Reflected radiation 128 is provided. The optical element 108 has a light absorption effect in the state shown in FIG. 8 of the optical element. That is, the red component 122 ′ and the blue component 122 ′ ″ of the reading light beam 122 are absorbed by the optical element 108.

  FIG. 9 shows the document 100 in the embodiment of FIG. 8 after the optical element 108 has switched to another state of the optical element that has a reflective effect. In this state, the red component 122 ′ and the blue component 122 ′ ″ of the reading light beam 122 are reflected by the optical element 108 rather than being absorbed. Here, as shown in FIG. 9, the exit angle is the same as the incident angle. The overlap of the red component 122 ′ and the blue component 122 ′ ″ results in an additional magenta color point 154 from the volume hologram image point 152.

  10 and 11 illustrate one embodiment of the document 100 in which the optical element 108 is switchable between an extinction state as shown in FIG. 10 and a transparent state as shown in FIG. Depending on the embodiment of the security feature 102, the reading beam 122 can be changed by the security feature 102 or remain unchanged. For example, the reading beam consists of only the green component 122 '', against which the other layers of the structure of the document, i.e. the protective layer 138, the layer 136, and the support 134 are transparent. In the state shown in FIG. 10 of the optical element 108, the security feature 102 cannot be inspected. This is because the reading beam is completely absorbed. In contrast, in the state shown in FIG. 11 of the optical element 108, at least a portion of the reading beam is transmitted, thereby providing a corresponding transmitted image 156.

  Here, the security feature 102 may be a watermark registration, a part of the watermark registration, a transmission hologram, a holographic filter that selectively passes a wavelength from the visible light spectrum, a transparent window, or other transmission element. it can.

  12 and 13 show a further embodiment of the document 100 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the optical element can be switched between the light absorption state shown in FIG. 12 and the transmission normal state shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, in the light absorption state of the optical element 108, a single image 111 is obtained as in the embodiment of FIG. 4, while in the transparent state of the optical element 108 an additional image 158 is obtained. The additional image is magenta due to the reflection of the green component 122 '' at the security feature 102, based on the superposition of the red component 122 'and the blue component 122' '', considered here by way of example. Appears at Security feature 102 may be formed as a hologram in the embodiments discussed herein.

  14 and 15 show one embodiment of a document according to the present invention comprising a reflector 160. Here, the security feature 102 can be a transmission hologram. The optical element 108 can now be switched between the opaque state shown in FIG. 14 and the transparent state shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, an image 162 is obtained only when the optical element 108 is in the transparent state of the optical element.

  Only when the optical element 108 is in the transparent state of the optical element is the portion of the light beam 122 diffracted by the transmission hologram, ie, the light beam 122b, incident on the reflector 160 through the optical element 108, thereby obtaining an image 162. It is done. The non-diffracted part of the light beam 122, that is, the light beam 122a operates correspondingly.

  The reflector 160 can be a reflective metal surface. The reflective metal surface can be formed as a constituent element of the optical element 108, for example, as a back electrode of the display element forming the optical element 108. If the optical element 108 is switchable between a reflective state and a light absorbing state, no additional reflector is required in this embodiment.

  According to a further embodiment of the invention, the security feature 102 comprises a Fourier hologram. Fourier holograms have the property that an image can be projected in the case of illumination with suitable light of a suitable wavelength and a suitable incident angle. This image can be, for example, a data page, a logo, or the like. Conventional display hologram laser irradiation can produce the same effect. Figures 14b and 15b each illustrate this feature.

  In all the above embodiments, instead of pure holographic mirrors or similar diffractive structures, Fourier holograms or display holograms can be used as appropriate.

  FIG. 16 shows a further embodiment of a document 100 according to the invention and a reading device 112 according to the invention. In the embodiment considered here, the document 100 is a travel document such as an electronic passport. The document 100 has a so-called machine reading area 164. Here, the coupling element 114 is formed as an RF chip. The RF chip is used to implement program instructions 166 for implementing cryptographic protocols and program instructions 168 for driving optical elements 108. In addition, data 170 can be stored in the RF chip, such as confidential data or data that requires protection, in particular biometric data of the owner of the document 100.

  Here, the processor 119 of the reader 112 is used to implement program instructions 172 that perform the steps associated with the reader 112 of the cryptographic protocol. The energy source 118 of the reader 112 is here formed as an RF interface, thereby communicating with the RF chip of the document 100. In addition to the optical sensor 124, the reading device 112 can include an additional optical sensor 174, thereby capturing, for example, MRZ 164 or other optically mechanically readable data.

  The cryptographic protocol implemented by program instructions 166 and 172 can be, for example, a protocol for implementing basic access control (BAC). The RF chip is further configured such that the optical element 108 is driven by the program instructions 168 so that the security feature 102 can be inspected by the reader 112 only after successful implementation of the BAC. .

  Therefore, for example, the MRZ 164 is first captured by the optical sensor 174. From the data thus captured, the reading device 112 encrypts a random number transmitted by the reading device 112 by the RF chip and generates a key used to transmit the encryption to the RF chip by the RF interface. . The RF chip checks this cipher for consistency with the expected value. If the cipher matches the expected value, the BAC is considered successful.

  FIG. 17 shows the corresponding flow chart. In step 200, the BAC protocol is implemented between the reader and the document. After successful completion of the BAC protocol, the RF chip outputs a switching signal to the document optical element, which shifts the optical element to a state where the security features of the document can be examined. In step 204, the data stored in the security feature is read by the reader. In step 206, a check is made for a match with the data captured from the MRZ of the document for implementation of the BAC protocol. If not, the reader outputs an error report at step 208. If there is a match, the reader accesses the data stored in the document at step 210, thereby reading the data via RF (stored in the storage device 170 in the embodiment of FIG. 16). See data).

  If what is stored in 102 is sensitive data, it is possible to make the prerequisite for successful extended access control (EAC) in addition to successful BAC. During the extended access control, the terminal proves that it has the right to access the data stored in the security feature 102.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Document 102 Security feature 104 Back surface 106 Front surface 108 Optical element 110 User 111 Image 112 Reading apparatus 114 Coupling element 116 Conductor 118 Energy source 119 Processor 120 Radiation source 121 Program instruction 122 Reading light 123 Program instruction 124 Optical sensor 125 Interface 126 Optical sensor 128 Reflected radiation 130 Transmitted radiation 132 Containment area 134 Support 136 Layer 138 Protective layer 140 Line 142 Line 144 Line 146 Line pattern 148 Line pattern 150 Line 152 Image point 153 Point 154 Point 156 Transmitted image 158 Image 160 Reflector 162 Image 164
166 Program instruction 168 Program instruction 170 Data 172 Program instruction 174 Optical sensor

Claims (14)

  A document comprising a security feature (102) and an optical element (108), the security feature being arranged in front of the optical element, the optical element being at least a first for inspection of the security feature. Switchable between one optical state and a second optical state, the security feature can be optically inspected only in one of the first state and the second state, A document in which security features are configured to be visually perceptible only in the first state or the second state of the optical element.   The document of claim 1, wherein the optical element is switchable between a first state of the optical element and a second state of the optical element by supplying energy.   The optical element comprises an electrophoretic display device, an electrochromic display device, an electrostatic display device, a rotating element display device, an electrowetting display device, a ferroelectric display device, and / or a cholesteric liquid crystal material or a nematic liquid crystal material. 2. A liquid crystal display device, including a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) such as a micro shutter array, and / or a display device based on a ferroelectric material or an interferometric modulator, an organic light emitting diode or an organic light emitting diode display. 2. Document described in 2.   Said security features include holograms, in particular volume holograms, reflection holograms, transmission holograms, Fourier holograms, display holograms, luminescence marks, reflectors for the reflection of polarized light, absorbers for the absorption of light in specific spectral regions, Wavy, micro letters, conditional color system, printed text with fluorescent, phosphorescent and / or upconversion color, printed text with infrared color, optical variable ink (OVI), kinegram (transparent or reflective) 4. A document according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is a watermark, barcode, registration print, transparent window, blotch fiber, security thread, and / or microperforation.   5. A document according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the security feature comprises data that is optically readable and / or optically perceptible.   The document according to claim 5, wherein the data is biometric data and / or personal data.   A document according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an integrated electronic circuit (114) for switching the optical element.   The document according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical element absorbs incident radiation in a first state of the optical element and reflects incident radiation in a second state of the optical element.   The security feature is formed for reflection in the first spectral region (122 ″) and for transmission in the second spectral region (122 ′, 122 ′ ″), the optical element comprising: The optical element is formed so as to have a light absorption effect in at least the second spectral region in the first state, and to have a reflection effect in at least the second spectral region in the second state of the optical element. The document of claim 8.   The security feature is configured for reflection, scattering, or generation of radiation in a first spectral region, and the optical element is reflective in the first spectral region in a second state of the optical element. The document of claim 8, formed for.   The security feature is a mark that emits luminescence in a first spectral region, and the optical element does not emit luminescence in the first state of the optical element, and in the second state of the optical element, 11. A document according to any one of the preceding claims, which emits luminescence in the first spectral region.   The security feature has a first color, the optical element has a second color different from the first color in the first state of the optical element, and the optical element is an optical element of the optical element. 12. The document according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein in a second state, the document has a third color that is a conditional color with respect to the first color.   13. Document according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an integrated electronic circuit (114) that implements a cryptographic protocol and drives the optical element when conditions of the cryptographic protocol are met.   14. A document according to any one of the preceding claims, which is an important document or security document, in particular a travel document or certificate, a chip card, a credential, a payment instrument.

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