SK1932000A3 - Security element structure for documents, devices for controlling documents comprising such security elements, and method for using said security elements and devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns the security element structure for documents, devices for controlling documents comprising such security elements, and a method for using said security elements and devices as per the patent application DE 197 34 855.6. The invention aims at completing the security element structure for documents, and at proposing devices for controlling such security elements, an a novel method for using these security elements and devices, making it very difficult, if not impossible, for forgers to discover how the methods and devices work, as far as the security elements are concerned, and subsequently produce forged documents so identical to the original documents as to make them undetectable by the control devices. The security element structure for documents to be controlled corresponds to the new design which is not based primarily on visual observation but on control methods. Said design referred to below as functional design, results from the combination of electrically conducting and insulating structures of identical or different sizes, in identical or different planes, with identical or different conductivity, and it is materialised by metal-coated structures and/or writing or printing electrically conductive inks.

Description

Structure of security features on documents, devices for checking documents with such security features and how to use those security features and devices

Technical field

The invention relates to the structure of security elements on documents according to patent application DE 197 34 855.6. The invention further relates to document control devices with such security elements and to a method of using such security elements and devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Documents with optically flexurally effective security features, in particular holograms, have hitherto been checked with costly optical inspection devices. The object to be inspected must be positioned very precisely. The entire inspection process takes so long that these inspection methods cannot be used in high-speed document processing machines.

Testing, for example, documents with optically bending security features or so-called OVDs (Optical Variable Device) is not feasible in a document processing machine because it operates at a high speed.

US 4,255,652 discloses an apparatus for inspecting security features on documents with electrically conductive zones. With the first capacitance element extending across the width of the document being inspected, an electric charge is transferred to one of the electrically conductive zones. As the document is being transported, the charged electrically conductive zone arrives below the second capacitance extending across the width of the document being inspected. the charge is removed. The evaluation and decoding circuits have a typical signal function.

This device and the functional principle used are based on relatively large electrically conductive areas extending across the width of the document to be inspected, since the size of the transported charge is greatly reduced for smaller areas. It is not possible to control several electrically conductive zones simultaneously. especially finding the fine line pattern.

EP 0 097 570 further describes an apparatus for testing the dielectric properties of sheet materials, in which the test material is guided between a pair of stickers of a series of capacitors of a particular configuration. A change in the dielectric properties results in a change in the voltage at the sensing electrodes The signals are amplified and evaluated separately.

In this device, which is based on the examination of the dielectric properties of the sheet material, in particular watermarks, all capacitors are fed simultaneously by the oscillator frequency, and as a result, coupling between adjacent channels may occur. When a greater distance between the capacitors is chosen to overcome this drawback, the achievable geometric resolution is reduced. Only rough structures can be detected. In order to cope with the oscillation problem on the capacitor receiving plaques, only a relatively low switching frequency is permissible, as a result of which the inspection speed is limited. The described apparatus is also not suitable for fast-running document processing machines for design reasons.

EP 0 338 478 discloses a combined method of pressing and shaping a hologram, wherein the reflective material is applied either to the hologram itself or to the surrounding material. The material from the outside of the hologram is either removed by etching or, in order not to damage the backing layer, is left on the backing layer

DE 27 47 156 discloses a method and a test apparatus for authenticating holographic OVD identification cards and reproducing them, and then performing a visual inspection. This method is not suitable for rapid, efficient and operator-independent inspection.

EP 0 042 946 discloses an apparatus for producing sensed patterns which are controlled by means of a laser, a mirror and lens system and a photodetector. Also in this case the financial costs are very high These costs would increase even further if the items to be checked should be checked without prior classification In order to eliminate this previous classification, a multiple implementation of the authentication system would be necessary.

EP 0 092 691 A1 discloses a device for detecting security strips in banknotes. The material-specific absorption zones of the plastic security strip are measured using two illuminating measurement channels operating in the region of infrared light with a wavelength of approximately 5 nm. Testing the authenticity or quality of the optically bending metal reflective security elements, such as reflective holograms or kinegrams, is not described in this document and would also not be possible with this known device.

It is known from GB 21 60 644 A to test banknotes in incident light using a line-scan camera. It is known from CH-PS 652 355 to test cards having a special layer structure in incident or transmitted light. In both cases, this is a test in which the acquired image information is compared with the originals. The reflections occurring in both these methods and traces of use are problematic and very disadvantageous.

DE-OS 38 11 905 describes an automatic authentication of holographic information. In the described solution, the transmission of holograms in transmitted light is used and the transmitter and receiver are arranged directly opposite each other so that the holographic information can be analyzed. Said arrangement of the transmitter and the receiver opposite to each other can result in undesirable waking and possibly even damage to the sensing elements by direct light impact in the spaces between successive banknotes. Testing is practically impossible for used banknotes, since in this case it is prevented by accidental reflections on the folds of such banknotes.

All known methods described above require precise positioning of the objects to be examined and none of the devices described are suitable for high-speed processing machines.

It is proposed in DE 196 04 856 A1 that the inspection of the condition, quality or registration of optical security elements in the form of metal reflective layers, such as kinegrams, holograms or the like on securities, in particular banknotes, be carried out in such a way the security element is scanned in a known manner in transmitted light by means of an electronic camera, preferably a CCD-Line-Scan camera, whereby the actual values obtained are compared with the desired values by known methods for evaluating the image so that banknotes with defective security elements, or possibly worn out banknotes. The device described in DE 196 04 856 A1 consists of a security transfer device known per se in the area of an electronic camera and an infrared radiation source on the side of the security paper facing away from the camera. The optical axis of the camera with the optical axis of the illumination device is preferably at an angle different from 180 ° and the transport device is preferably formed by transport belts spaced apart from one another across the transport direction. Also, this device or process has the disadvantage that in particular used folded banknotes or also banknotes having damaged or contaminated kinegram foil are not recognized as genuine banknotes. In addition, the method described and the apparatus are automated, but are not suitable for high-speed banknote handling machines operating at 1200ppm.

Until now, optically bending security elements or OVDs on securities such as the German 100 and 200 DM banknotes are checked manually, possibly visually, for damage, the accuracy of the headers, the precise embossing at the edge and the like.

The check is carried out visually both during production and if necessary sorting of banknotes returning from circulation. The procedure described is time-consuming and expensive. Furthermore, the control is inaccurate because, for example, in optically effective security elements, demetallized zones are formed, for example, by chemical etching. As a rule, frayed contours arise As shown in US-5,248,544 and US-5,388,862, optically variable security features for documents in the form of so-called holograms and security threads are provided with metal layers which reflect the incident light in holograms

DE 195 42 995 A1 discloses, inter alia, a method for testing the authenticity of a data carrier by comparing the various data available. According to this document, the following options are available:

- comparing the standard hologram image with the image stored in the storage unit,

- comparing hologram data with data in a defined area of the data carrier and / or data from the storage unit,

- comparing hologram data with data available through the input unit,

comparing the individual hologram image with the data of the input unit of the storage unit and / or the data of the defined area.

This method is also time-consuming and costly. Inspection is performed optically by comparing the image captured by the reading unit and is therefore unsuitable for high-speed processing or monitoring devices.

As already mentioned in patent application DE-197 34 855.6, bending optically effective security elements or OVD are used only to achieve optical effects and are only controllable by optical inspection methods or by visual inspection. Other methods of control, in particular those applicable to high-speed document processing machines, are not known

Known security features, control areas and structures, as well as methods and devices for testing the authenticity of objects, securities and, in particular, banknotes, have the major drawback of being known. This knowledge is such that it allows the counterfeiter to on the basis of knowledge of the method of testing and the associated equipment and the principle of their operation, it has also drawn conclusions on the safety features, control zones and structures checked.

This implies an entirely new task for the control of objects, securities and, in particular, banknotes, that is, the creation of a new system for the use of security features and test methods and devices to prevent the information code from being easily found and copied.

The object of the invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to design the structure of security elements for documents in combination with other security elements, to design a device for testing such security elements and to propose a new way of using security elements and devices that make it much more difficult to allow the function of test methods and devices to draw conclusions about the safety features checked and then produce counterfeits that are similar to the original in such a way that they cannot be detected by the test devices

It is a further object of the invention to provide optically bendable security elements and segments, or OVDs, which, in combination with electrically conductive inks, can be accurately controlled quickly, independently of the operator and at low cost. Accordingly, it is also an object of the present invention to provide some devices according to the invention so that these devices can control a defined number of multiple security elements or segments that are The purpose of the invention thus determined is that, depending on the acceptable costs and the controllable security elements, different control criteria can be implemented

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This problem is solved and the drawbacks of known solutions of this kind largely eliminated by the structure of flexibly optically effective security elements on documents according to patent application DE 197 34 855.6 according to the invention, which is based on targeted electrical coding of information by tape, grid, arc and / or circular electrically conductive structures with steep edges to adjacent non-metalized structures, wherein the line width of the smallest controllable electrically conductive structures is equal to or less than 5 mm.

The structure of the security elements according to the invention is further characterized by targeted electrical coding of the information by means of strip, grid, arc and / or circular electrically conductive structures with steep edges to adjacent non-metalized structures, wherein the line width of the smallest controllable electrically conductive structures is equal to or less than 5 mm.

It is preferred that the different metallized security elements have different conductivities.

in

It is further preferred that at least two structures within the security element have different metallization thicknesses.

In addition, it is advantageous if the width of the metallised structures with constant electrical conductivity corresponds to the width of at least two electrodes of the monitoring device

The distance between the two metallised structures with constant and / or different electrical conductivity is preferably at least 0.1 mm

The invention also relates to an apparatus for checking documents having flexibly optically effective security elements according to patent application DE 197 34 855.6, the principle of which is based on the invention in that a capacitive working scanner by means of a plurality of electrodes arranged sequentially in one or more rows , checks the metallized security elements that are located in the superior metallized security elements, and evaluates the control electronics and the evaluation electronics by comparing the waveform of the document being checked with the corresponding reference waveform

Preferably, at least two adjacent scanner electrodes are electrically connected

The control electronics preferably comprise power circuits, a multiplexer, an oscillator for generating power for the transmitting electrodes, and an oscillator for controlling the multiplexer.

The evaluation electronics then preferably consists of a power supply circuit, an amplifier, a demodulator, a comparator, a memory microprocessor and filters to suppress foreign and disturbing signals.

The minimum distance between the two transmitting electrodes is preferably less than 0.5 mm.

The distance between the sending electrode and the receiving electrode is preferably at least 0.5 mm.

The device is preferably provided with a pressing mechanism for guiding the documents to be inspected parallel to the transmitting electrodes and the receiving electrodes and pressing them against the scanner.

The roller shafts for transporting the documents to be inspected are preferably connected to the frame of the device by sliding contacts.

The device can be placed in high-speed document processing machines or handheld devices.

Finally, the invention also relates to a method of using bending optically effective security elements on documents and to the use of the present apparatus, characterized in that the metallized control elements in the form of metallized layers, metallized zones, metallized lines or metallized security elements are dimensional, shaped, spaced apart on the documents to be checked, at least one of the metallized controls shall be tested in the user group A using a handheld scanner, that in the user group B as defined below, a special software-equipped scanner installed in a high-speed processing machine test at least two metallized controls that in a very small and narrowly defined group of C users, using a highly specialized software-equipped scanner that is installed in a fast in a circulating processing machine, they test at least three metallized controls, the metallized controls representing coding which is also visually recognizable for Group A users, for Group B users visually and by software decoding, and for Group C users by software primarily by decoding that is not accessible to users in groups A and B.

The structure of the security features for controlled documents envisages a new design that will not be based primarily on visual observation but on a test method. This design, hereinafter referred to as the functional design, is a combination of electrically conductive and insulating structures of the same or different dimensions, in the same or different planes, with the same or different electrical conductivities. The functional design is formed from metallized structures and / or electrically conductive inks Functional design, in its versatility and in various material combinations, has a coding function in all distinguishable security elements and is thus capable of scrambling in a coded manner. The functional design according to the invention may consist of an optically bending security element or consist of electrically conductive inks or inks. a design made as an optically bending effective security element can coincide with an optically, this is a visually perceptible design and even support this visual design. Furthermore, it is possible that the brilliance of the demetallised or unmetallised regions can be increased in various ways.

Security elements are capacitive-controllable structures created by metallization and electrically conductive dyes or inks in the form of lines, dots and figures. Such security features are placed on the documents individually or in combination with each other.

The security feature consists of at least one security element, for example consisting of a plurality of security elements of identical or different arrangement, size, color and / or conductivity.

According to the invention, the flexibly optically effective security elements are formed from the metallized structures according to the invention, using known manufacturing techniques instead of the prior demetallization of the individual structures. In order to produce high quality controlled security elements, according to the invention, metallized security elements are produced with a very high approximation to the desired metallized structure and with steep edges to adjacent insulated structures. The steepness of these edges allows for the formation and control of microstructures. As mentioned above, demetallized zones are formed in bending optically effective security elements according to hitherto common practice, for example by chemical etching. These methods do not, as is known, allow the attainment of steep edges and the exact course of the desired structures. As a rule, fragmented waveforms are produced. These edge waveforms do not allow demetallized zones of the order of tenths of a millimeter to be used as a functional design. Other manufacturing technology must be used to achieve a precise edge pattern for functional design. Targeted metallization with adjacent non-metalized zones is carried out in known high-vacuum steamers. For counterfeiters, this means an increase in costs in the production of counterfeits. The flexibly optically effective security elements according to the invention have at least one controllable tape, grid, arc and / or circular security element with a line of less than 5 mm in the control zones in addition to the more or less flat structures known per se. These security elements also represent the coding of information that can be detected and evaluated by the devices according to the invention

The device for checking the described security elements according to the invention comprises a capacitive operating scanner. The scanner comprises a plurality of transducer electrodes arranged side by side and a receiving electrode arranged parallel to said plurality of transmit electrodes. This small-area electrode scanner has the advantage over large-area electrode sensors that there is little capacitive coupling between the individual electrodes. The scanner is arranged in the document processing device such that the device according to the invention is activated by optical or mechanical sensors, which are usually equipped with document processing machines. In order to avoid detection and measurement errors, a sensor carrier is preferably used on which all the sensors necessary for checking are stored. The distances between the sensors are thus minimized. This minimization of the distance between the scanners is necessary to avoid changing the position of the documents to be checked, since during document transfer the position of the documents varies depending on the condition of the documents, their degree of wear and machine wear, and environmental conditions, especially temperature and humidity. Due to the unfavorable conditions when loading documents, the distance of the documents to each other also changes. Due to the wear of the transport rollers and bearings, the documents may also pass in the rotated position, which means that the straight-drawn document is rotated during transport. These undesired position changes result in the defined time course being disrupted and the documents being evaluated incorrectly. The smaller the security features, the more difficult their detection is. The pressing mechanism guides the document parallel to the transmitting and receiving electrodes, or presses the document to be scanned advantageously to the scanner. Furthermore, the transport roller shafts are connected to the frame by means of sliding contacts. Shading and pressing mechanism ensure reproducible conditions as well as even distances and contact of documents during the inspection, which significantly increases the functionality of the sensor. The excitation of the individual transmitting electrodes by means of the control electronics is performed with time shifts at a frequency of the order of kilohertz and higher. The main components of the control electronics are the power circuits, the multiplexer, the oscillator for generating power for the transmitting electrodes and the oscillator for controlling the multiplexer.

In the presence of an electrically conductive element, a capacitive energy transfer occurs between the transmit electrode just constructed and the receiving electrode. The waveform of the receiving electrode is converted to a corresponding signal image. This signal image depends on the metallized structure of the bending optically effective security element. The evaluation electronics, which is connected to the receiving electrode, compares this signal image of the document to be inspected with the corresponding reference signal image. This evaluation electronics consists essentially of a power supply circuit, an amplifier, a demodulator, a comparator, a memory microprocessor and filters to suppress foreign and disturbing signals.

In addition to the microprocessor software, the memory also stores reference signal patterns that are compared to the signal pattern read on the document to be checked. Since the scanner extends over the entire width of the document, each electrically conductive feature is removed by the device according to the invention. The comparison with the reference signal patterns results in a classification signal which is further processed. For example, documents that have been evaluated as counterfeits can be sorted, for example by stopping the inspection device. In order to suppress interference, the sensor carrier is compactly connected to the board carrying the control and evaluation electronics

Various modifications to the electrode arrangement are also within the scope of the invention. One possible variant is that one elongate transmitter electrode is positioned parallel to the array of receiving electrodes. Received signals are processed by multiplexer in this case. The remaining part of the evaluation electronics corresponds to the already described embodiment

A further possible embodiment of the transmission and reception electrodes is that the rows of transmission and reception electrodes are arranged side by side and / or that the transmission and reception electrodes are alternately arranged in one row. Both the excitation of the transmission electrodes and the reception of the signals are then performed by multiplexing. possibly by demultiplexing.

When used in handheld devices, the device according to the invention, in analogy to the corresponding devices, is equipped with a document or scanner transport mechanism, the function of which corresponds to the transport devices in photocopiers, sheet-feed optical scanners or fax machines.

The device according to the invention is provided with a different number of transducing or receiving electrodes arranged side by side for the targeted control of a defined number of security elements on a document. The higher the resolution thus achieved, the more security features and coding with an increased degree of tampering can be controlled. As a result, simple and easy-to-use devices can be constructed at low cost, for example, for everyday use. Higher-resolution devices allow the inspection of additional safety features, but without being able to inspect all safety features. This is done by simple microprocessor software that is only sensitized to certain security features and is not publicly available. Even higher resolution with the use of the advanced microprocessor software then allows all security features to be checked. Such a thorough inspection is carried out, for example, by manufacturers of such security devices and by users with very high inspection reliability requirements in order to achieve the most reliable inspection results. In this way, different conductivities of the security elements can also be reliably detected.

According to the invention, the whole system of the use of the described security elements and document control devices is also contemplated by the recognition of the graphic elements on the documents and the control of the status of these documents. The recognition of the graphic elements is enabled by electrically conductive security elements. These may be separate coding or auxiliary coding for sorting purposes, value coding for example banknotes and coding for authentication purposes. No additional security feature is present in separate coding, and an electrically conductive security feature, such as the position on the document, must be clearly identified to minimize the number of erroneous document defect reports. In the case of coding used as an aid or support, additional features are present; it serves as a reference in case a false rejection of a document has been detected. The device according to the invention can also be used to check the status of the document, so that the conductivity of the security element can be used to draw conclusions about the status of the document, since the large circulation of the document also leads to experience worn electrically conductive structures and thereby to change their electrical conductivity. The individual levels of wear are classified using software. Thus defined documents with a certain degree of wear can be sorted. The degree of wear is manifested, for example, by partial damage to the OVD, tearing of the document and thereby damaged security element, or excessively strong wrinkling of the document, which usually leads to fractures of the electrically conductive structures of the security element. Thus, a number of versatile combinations of authenticity checking, graphic item recognition and document status are possible. The security elements on the document to be inspected are, in addition to the optical embodiment, coded according to the invention which, in a mathematical relationship, for example in sum, indicates the master code which again together with the signal or the code from the concurrently authenticating metal security thread and / or An OVD determines the authenticity, status or type of a particular document

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the invention follow from the claims and from the drawings and the individual features represent embodiments capable of being claimed herein both in themselves and in the form of partial combinations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated by the following non-limiting examples, which are described in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1

FIG. 2, 3 is a schematic representation of a document with a meandering metallized security element.

schematic representation of a document with tape metallized security features,

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a document with grid metallized security features;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a document having multiple security features;

FIG. 6

FIG. 7-9

FIG

FIG

FIG. 1 2 is a block diagram of a control device, a schematic representation of various scanners, a schematic representation of the scanner and the document to be inspected in a side view, a schematic section through demetallized security features.

voltage waveform of the evaluation signal.

13-15 are schematic illustrations of scanners with a structured security element

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 5, the documents with security elements according to the invention are illustrated, and is also schematically shown on a capacitive principle operating scanner of the device according to the invention.

In FIG. 1 schematically shows the structure of the security element 1 with metallized layers 2. These metallised layers 2 are separated from each other by an insulating zone 3 In plan view, the insulating zone 3 is meander-shaped. The width of the meander-shaped insulating zone X is in this case greater than the smallest distance of the two electrodes of the scanner 4. The capacitive scanner 4 comprises a row of side-by-side transmission electrodes 5 and one receiving electrode 6 arranged parallel to each other.

In FIG. 2 schematically shows the structure of the security element 1, in which the strip metallized zones 7 and the strip insulating zones 8 are arranged in parallel to one another. In the plan view, the strip zones 7, 8 run according to FIG. 2 parallel to the transport direction of the document or according to FIG. 3 across this direction. The distance between the two tape zones 7 or X of equal electrical conductivity is 0.2 to 1.0 mm. The widths of the tape zones 7 or 8 of the same electrical conductivity vary. Different conductive zones with different widths are also possible.

In FIG. 4 shows a combination of features of the embodiments of FIG. 2 and 3. In parallel to the direction of document transport, the tape metallizing zones 7 and the tape insulating zones 8 are alternately arranged. The tape metallizing zones 7 are interrupted across the tape insulation zone 9 extending therebetween.

Fig. 5 shows a document with several security features.

The targeted combination provides additional coding. This will increase the reliability of the control

Figures 6 to 9 show block diagrams of various embodiments of the capacitive scanner 4.

In FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a control device according to the invention, which consists of a control electronics, based on the capacitive principle of the working scanner 4 and the evaluation electronics. The control electronics essentially comprises a multiplexer 10 in addition to the power circuits. 12 to control the multiplexer 10.

The evaluation electronics consist mainly of power supply circuits, amplifier 13 of demodulator 14, comparator 15 of memory microprocessor 16 and filters for suppressing foreign and disturbing signals.

Transmitting electrodes 5 and receiving electrodes 6 are embedded in the scanner holder 4 and extend over the entire width of the document. The ribbon-shaped receiving electrode 6 extends across the transport direction of the document. The transmitting electrodes 5 are arranged parallel to the receiving electrode 6. The distance between the transmitting electrode 5 and the receiving electrode 6 is determined for the document by typical electrically conductive security features.

By arranging a plurality of transmitting electrodes 5 in a row, there is the possibility that more electrically conductive features can be sensed simultaneously in the longitudinal axis on the capacitive principle of the working scanner 4. The resolution attainable by this arrangement depends on the number of transmission electrodes used. 5 In this embodiment, the resolution is approximately one resolution per mm in both longitudinal and transverse directions. The minimum distance between adjacent transmission electrodes 5 is limited by mutual interference capacitance. this has been avoided and the interfering effects of the adjacent transmitting electrodes 1 have been suppressed, the transmitting electrodes 5 are driven successively by the multiplexer 10. Due to the arrangement of the transmitting electrodes 5, the document is checked independently of its position across the width of the document. sort multiple documents.

In FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a scanner 4 with a plurality of transmitting electrodes 5 and one receiving electrode 6. The control and evaluation is carried out by a device according to the block diagram shown in FIG. 6.

In FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an embodiment on the capacitive principle of a working scanner 4 with one transmission electrode 17 and multiple receiving electrodes 18. In contrast to the block diagram of FIG. 6, the transmitting electrode 17 is driven by an oscillator. The signals from the receiving electrodes 18 are processed by the multiplexer. Another part of the evaluation electronics, which consists of the supply circuits, the amplifier, the demodulator, the comparator, the microprocessor with the memory and the filters for suppressing foreign and disturbing signals, corresponds to the block diagram according to FIG. 6th

In FIG. 9 schematically depicts another embodiment of the capacitive principle of a working scanner 4 with a plurality of transmit electrodes 19 and a plurality of receive electrodes 20, which are alternately arranged in a row. Due to this arrangement, both the excitation signals of the transmitting electrodes 19 and the evaluation signals from the receiving electrodes 20 are processed in a multi-duplex or demultiplex process.

In FIG. 10 is a side view schematically depicted on the capacitive principle of the working scanner 4 and the document being checked. The security element 1 consists of partial metallized lines 21 and an electrically insulating carrier film 22.

In FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a security element 1 with a support layer 23 and a partially metallized layer 24. This partly metallized layer 24 comprises a plurality of insulating segments 25. The partly metallized layer 26 has a different electrical conductivity than the partly metallized layer 24. In FIG. 12 shows the voltage waveform of the respective evaluation signal.

In FIG. 13 to 15, the scanners 33, 34, 35 and the structured security element 36 are schematically illustrated. The structure of the security element 36 consists of an annular metallized security element 37 of the tape metallized security element 38 and two rectangular metallized security elements 39. 40. an apparent high steepness of the edges by metallization, as this will greatly increase the falsification effort.

Simple handheld devices include the scanner 33 of FIG. 13 The resolution is so small that only the tape security element 38 can be detected. Such handheld devices are suitable for everyday use because they are simple, easy to use and also cheap to manufacture.

The higher resolution devices of FIG. 14 contain a scanner 34 and allow, in addition to the strip security element 38 to be checked, additional security elements, in this case annular security element 37, to be checked. The rectangular security elements 39, 40 are not checked. This is accomplished using a simple microprocessor 16 and software that responds only to certain security features. Rectangular safety features

39. 40 are not stored as reference signal patterns.

In FIG. 15 shows an embodiment with high resolution and correspondingly implemented microprocessor software 16. This embodiment allows the inspection of all security elements, i.e. rectangular security elements 39. 40. To achieve the brilliance of optically effective security elements, microstructures are produced by targeted metallization. In this way, steep edges are formed towards the non-metallicized structures.

In order to accomplish the task of the invention, that is, to propose a new system for the use of security elements, control procedures and devices in order to counteract the familiarity or rapid familiarization with the function of the control procedures and devices. and structures.

The use of the invention is to be explained in the following examples. For the broad application of the invention, it is necessary to define groups of users who specifically acquire certain knowledge of the control system and, in particular, perform the authenticity check as well as the appearance and condition using the prescribed control technique.

The use of a control system is further explained for groups A, B and C

Group A:

It is known that state banks publish information about active security features on banknotes, so that the user can do a check according to the instructions himself. The above publications refer to both the non-aid control methods and the scan methods that are performed with the scanner scanner. according to the invention, be incorporated into a handheld device With this handheld device and special software, it is possible to check the electrical conductivity of certain safety features.

The software is modified so that by dragging the banknote around the optical sensors the scanner is activated and then the passage length is measured. The electrical conductivity of the security element must have a defined value. Optical sensors detect the end of the banknote and deactivate the scanner sensor. In this way, the position of the electrically conductive security element on the object to be inspected can be determined. Using a computer, the data is then compared with the stored data and evaluated.

Group B:

Group B entities have banknote handling machines at their disposal. These machines are equipped with special sensors to detect various safety features. At present, these machines are equipped with sensors operating in the optical region and / or for demonstrating magnetic properties and / or capacitive sensors for measuring the passage length. These capacitive sensors can detect the presence of electrically conductive elements larger than 6 mm. However, said capacitive sensors do not allow the detection of a plurality of electrically conductive security elements in a direction transverse to the direction of passage. In addition, the detection of different electrical conductivities within the security elements is also not possible. Also, structures within the security element cannot be detected. However, with the described scanner sensor, these checks are possible, so that subjects in Group B can perform a high-value check. The software for Group B is designed so that an optical scanner activates the scanner sensor and subsequently detects an annular metallized security element 37 and In this case, the electrical conductivity value is determined. Inspected objects with a 30% deviation up or down are rejected.

• Group C.

The software is designed in such a way that all security elements can be known. The scanner sensor is activated by means of optical sensors. The passage length and the passage width of the structured security element 36 are determined. Annular security element 37. The strip security element 38 and the rectangular security elements 39 and 40. The electrical conductivity values 30% greater or less than the predetermined value are rejected.

Particularly for use in categories B and C, the entire control system is variable and, in particular, for the control of Euro banknotes is modifiable according to national requirements. For example, although the security element to be checked is the same for all EURO countries, it is possible to modify both the control method and the control devices in the individual countries according to the emphasis placed on the security elements or to change them over time.

The use of security features and controls as described above is accomplished as follows: Coded metallization creates distinctive features These distinctive features can be used for a variety of purposes, in particular for sorting, distinguishing value or authenticating. Another advantage of the test method is to check the condition of the banknote. Measurement of electrical conductivity makes it possible to draw conclusions on the condition of banknote paper For highly worn paper, electrical conductivity will be greatly reduced

In the foregoing description, the structure of the security features and authenticating devices of such security features has been explained on specific embodiments. It should be noted, however, that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments, since various modifications and variations are within the scope of the claims. The deliberate combination of optically bending security elements with other electrically conductive security elements constitutes additional coding. In addition, other electrically conductive safety elements, for example an electrically conductive safety thread, can be evaluated by means of the test device according to the invention.

Claims (18)

PATENT CLAIMS 1 Structure of flexurally optically effective metallic reflective security elements on documents, characterized by targeted electrical coding of information by means of additionally applied tape, grid, arc and / or circular electrically conductive structures with steep edges to adjacent non-metallic structures in different planes, the width being the line of the smallest controllable electrically conductive structures is equal to or less than 5 mm. The security element structure according to claim 1, characterized by targeted electrical coding of the information by means of additionally applied tape, grid, arc and / or circular electrically conductive structures with steep edges to adjacent non-metalized structures in different planes, the line width of the smallest controllable electrically conductive structures. equal to or less than 5 mm. in The security element structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the different electrically conductive structures have different conductivities. The security element structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two structures within the security element have different thicknesses of metallization applied. The security element structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width of the electrically conductive structure with constant electrical conductivity corresponds to the width of at least two electrodes of the monitoring device. The security element structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between two electrically conductive structures with a constant and / or different electrical conductivity is at least 0.1 mm. The security element structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additionally applied electrically conductive structures are formed by inks or inks. Document control device having a bending optically effective security element with a metal reflective layer, characterized in that a capacitive principle scanner (4, 33, 34, 35) whose width is greater than the largest width of the document by means of a plurality of transmission electrodes (5) the electrodes and, on the same side of the document to be inspected, along the transmission electrodes (5) of the arranged receiving electrode (6), arranged one after the other in one or more rows, inspects the metallized security elements (39, 40) security elements (37), and using the control electronics and the evaluation electronics located in the scanner (4, 33, 34, 35) by comparing the waveform of the document to be checked with the waveform of the corresponding reference signal. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that at least two adjacent electrodes are electrically connected. Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the control electronics consists of power circuits, a multiplexer (10), an oscillator (11) for generating energy for the transmitter electrodes (5) and an oscillator (12) for controlling the multiplexer (10). ). Device according to one or more of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the evaluation electronics consist of a power supply circuit, an amplifier (13), a demodulator (14), a comparator (15), a microprocessor (16) with memory and suppression filters. foreign and disturbing signals. Device according to one or more of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the smallest distance between the two transmitting electrodes (5) is less than 0.5 mm. Device according to one or more of Claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the distance between the sending electrode (5) and the receiving electrode (6) is at least 0.5 mm Device according to one or more of Claims 8 to 13, characterized in that it is provided with a pressing mechanism for guiding the documents to be inspected parallel to the transmitting electrodes (5) and the receiving electrodes (6) and pressing them against the scanner (4, 33, 34). 35). Device according to one or more of Claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the roller shafts for transporting the documents to be inspected are connected to the frame of the device by means of sliding contacts. Apparatus according to one or more of Claims 8 to 15, characterized in that it is located in high-speed document processing machines. Device according to one or more of Claims 8 to 16, characterized in that it is arranged in hand-held devices. Method of using bending optically effective metallic reflective security elements on documents having a structure according to one or more of claims 1 to 7 and using a device according to one or more of claims 8 to 17, characterized in that the electrically conductive structures are of their dimensions , shapes, number and distances placed on controlled documents - that in group A users at least one of the electrically conductive structures is tested by means of a scanner (33) designed as a hand-held instrument, I - that at least two electrically conductive structures are tested in a narrowly defined group B of the users by means of a special software equipped scanner (34) which is installed in a high-speed processing machine and which differs from that of group A software, - that in a very small and narrowly defined group C users, at least three electrically conductive structures are tested with a highly specialized software equipped scanner (35) installed in a high-speed processing machine and its software is different from the software of groups A and B, - the electrically conductive structures being coding which is also visually recognizable for group A users, for group B users visually and by software decoding, and for group C users by software primarily by decoding not accessible to group A users, and B.