WO2016041610A1

WO2016041610A1 - Security document having a protective layer

Info

Publication number: WO2016041610A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/001180
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jürgen Karl Stahl; Günter Endres; Tobias ROSATI
Original assignee: Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-09-18
Filing date: 2015-06-11
Publication date: 2016-03-24
Also published as: DE102014013917A1; EP3195203A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a security document (2), which comprises a carrier layer (14), on which a laser-sensitive layer (12) is arranged. At least personalization data (4, 8) of an owner of the security document (2) are written into the laser-sensitive layer (12) by means of a laser. In order to protect against unauthorized changing of the data (4, 8) written into the laser-sensitive layer (12) and in order to protect against mechanical wear, e.g., scratching, the laser-sensitive layer (12) has geometric structures (6), such as letters, symbols, and characters, in the surface of the laser-sensitive layer accessible from outside. For better protection, a transparent layer (10) can additionally be arranged on the laser-sensitive layer (12), wherein the geometric structures (6) are then arranged in a surface of the transparent layer (10) accessible from outside.

Description

S i c h e i t s d o k m e n t m i t S c h u t s c h i c h t

The invention describes a security document with a layer, which data written in the security document from an unauthorized

Change protects and at the same time against mechanical wear, such as Scratch protects. As a security document within the meaning of the invention, e.g. Identity cards, passports, driving licenses, identity cards, credit cards, bank cards, health insurance cards, social security cards, etc. understood.

Security documents usually consist of several layers of film, which are permanently bonded to one another by means of a lamination process under pressure and heat. This composite contains laser-sensitive film layers into which personal data of the owner are inserted by laser. This can e.g. a photo, first and last name, address, account number, passport number, social security number, driver's license number, etc. The personal data can be seen from the outside usually with a naked eye. These data should be protected against counterfeiting and unauthorized modification. To the

Protection of personal data against counterfeiting and unauthorized alteration is introduced in the same layer in which the personal data is located or in an overlying transparent foil layer of security elements. The security elements are arranged directly over the personal data. As security elements, e.g. matte areas, holographic elements, relief structures or effect colors used.

The production of a security document which has a matt area in the surface is known from DE 102004 041 434 A1. This is where the production of a stamping sheet for a laminating press for the production of disclosure of security documents. By means of sandblasting or etching, matt areas for protection of personalization data against counterfeiting are introduced into the laminating sheet. As scratch protection of a security document, the use of a coated film or a lacquer are known in the prior art. The scratch protection is located on the outermost surface of the security document. A disadvantage of the prior art is that dull areas that are produced by sandblasting, although uniform over the area, but undefined roughness show. The roughness is then not exactly specified. The visual impression of security documents which have been personalized by means of laser is visible in matt areas, in particular in the case of flat blackening, even with the naked eye without optical aids, unlike in areas with a glossy surface. Depending on the degree of matting or roughness, this effect can lead to undesired darkening or lightening. Recessed or raised structures introduced in particular in the area of a photo show, in interaction with a laser process for introducing the personal data, eg the photo, depending on the geometry of the text structures, a more or less pronounced blackening of the text structure. This blackening is not desirable because it affects the visual appearance, for example, of the photo. A check whether the photo belongs to a specific person is made more difficult. As an alternative to textual structures, holographic elements can be used to protect and secure the photo against counterfeiting. However, holographic elements are very expensive. Effect colors can also be used to protect personal information, such as the photo. Depending on the card design, the laser parameters and / or the configuration of the laser system during the introduction of the personal data, effect colors introduced in the area of the photo show an undesired interaction with the laser beam which repeatedly leads, for example, to bursting and thus to increased optical defects.

Films with a scratch-resistant coating significantly increase the cost of producing a security document. Furthermore, they are not compatible with all safety elements. If, for example, a film layer with a scratch-resistant coating is arranged on a film layer with a design element, lenticular lenses of an optical tilt image being arranged as a security element on the side of the film with coating which is opposite the design element, then the design element may be distorted.

Starting from the prior art, it is an object of the invention to find a solution which avoids the disadvantages described.

It is a particular object of the invention to find a solution that cost-effective and over the entire period of use of the security document lasting protection against mechanical interference, such as scratching, as well as against falsification and unauthorized modification of personal information, such as the photo of the Owner of the security document. In particular, it is an object of the invention that the optical influence of a security element, for example a text structure, in the region of a photo, for example, is reduced by the interaction with a laser or is carried out so that the interaction is not perceived as disturbing.

It is a particular object of the invention that the personal data, which e.g. written in the security document by laser, providing simple and effective protection against mechanical interference, such as Scratching, getting in daily use and thus the recognizability of the personal data is guaranteed over the entire period of use of the security document.

The object of the invention is achieved by the independent and the secondary claim. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

To achieve the object, the invention discloses a security document which comprises the following elements:

at least one carrier layer,

at least one laser-sensitive layer, into which at least personalization data are written by means of a laser, the laser-sensitive layer being arranged on the carrier layer,

which is characterized in that the laser-sensitive layer has at least one geometric structure in its externally accessible surface in order to protect at least the personalization data against unauthorized modification and to protect the surface against mechanical wear. An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that at least two different structures are arranged in the surface of the laser-sensitive layer. By at least two different structures, the security against counterfeiting can be significantly increased.

A further advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the at least one structure covers at least a part of the surface of the laser-sensitive layer. As a result, an effective surface protection of the security document is achieved, in particular in the area of the personal data of the owner of the security document.

A further advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the structure is at least one letter and / or at least one number and / or at least one symbol and / or at least one character and / or at least one optical lens structure. A particularly preferred embodiment is that a surface structure consisting of letters is placed over a photograph of the owner of the security document. In addition to letters, all other suitable structures are possible. The size and design of the structure can be suitably selected depending on the application or requirement. Letters are applied flatly eg in the area of the foreground and / or the background of the photo of the owner of the security document. The smaller the structure, the lower the interactions of the structure with a laser process in applying the personal data of the owner of the security document. The larger the structure, the more pronounced the interaction of the structure with the laser process. The structure may also protrude beyond the area of the photo and connect to the area outside the photo. In the background area of the photo areas without structure are possible. An advantage of the invention is that through a flat application of the structure in the area of the photo, for example, a complete protection of the laser inscribed photo against counterfeiting is possible. Furthermore, the structure, for example in the form of letters, represents an increase compared to the personal data, eg the photo, whereby the photo is on a glossy card surface in the background, so that a mechanical wear, for example by scratching, is effectively prevented because the structure, eg the letters, is arranged above the personal data, eg the photo, and thus not the photo, but at most the structure is scratched. The structure can be optimized in shape and size so that on the one hand mechanical wear by eg scratching is effectively prevented, on the other hand, any desired visibility of the structure by the interaction with the laser in a personalization of the security document, ie when writing personal data of the owner means Laser is achieved in the safety document, for example by the protection against mechanical

Wear, such as scratching, maximizing and minimizing the visibility of the structure. This can be a combination of geometry geometry and laser intensity that does not interact with the laser. However, a visible blackening can also be achieved by a deliberately used interaction with the laser during personalization. It has been shown that the inclusion of personal data in poor image quality increases the contrast and thus improves the visibility of the personal data. Another advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the structure is a security feature. In addition to the security features mentioned above, all other suitable security features can be used. Regardless of which security feature or structure is used, an anti-counterfeiting security security The structure or security feature is so small that it can not be recognized in its details without optical aids and is difficult to copy. In addition, an optical variability of both the structure or the security element as well as the laser-introduced personal data is ensured.

Another advantageous embodiment is characterized in that at least two identical or different structures are arranged flat. Thus, the protection against counterfeiting or unauthorized modification of the personalization data can be significantly increased.

Another advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the structure is raised or recessed with respect to the surface. For example, the structure is at a perpendicular depth to the surface of the laser-sensitive layer of e.g. 30 μπι arranged.

A further advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the structure has a length of e.g. 400 μιη has parallel to the surface of the laser-sensitive layer.

Another advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the structure has a width of e.g. 100 μιη has parallel to the surface of the laser-sensitive layer. A further advantageous embodiment is characterized in that two structures are at a distance of e.g. 100 μπι have.

A further advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the structure is arranged over a security element, wherein the Security element has an optical tilt effect. By this combination, a protection can be achieved by two superimposed security features. Another advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the structure is arranged over a photograph of the owner of the security document.

Another advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the structure is arranged over personal data of the owner of the security document.

A further advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the security document comprises a chip with a contactless and / or contact-bound interface.

A further advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the carrier layer and / or the transparent layer each consist of at least one film layer.

A further advantageous embodiment is characterized in that at least one transparent layer is arranged on the laser-sensitive layer, wherein the transparent layer is permeable to laser light. Another advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the geometric structure is arranged in an externally accessible surface of the transparent layer. Another advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the transparent layer is at least partially laser-sensitive. This has the advantage that, for example, information can be introduced into the transparent layer.

The object of the invention is further achieved by a method for producing the security document described above, wherein the structure is produced before or during or after a personalization of the security document.

The method is characterized inter alia by the fact that the at least one structure e.g. is introduced into the laser-sensitive layer or in the transparent layer by means of a stamping or laminating sheet or a stamping die or a laser or an etching process. Alternatively, a three-dimensional printing process can also be used to produce the structure. Furthermore, all other suitable manufacturing methods are possible.

An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the film layers of the security document are permanently connected to one another by means of lamination or adhesive.

In the following an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures.

As an example of a security document according to the invention, FIG. 1 shows a card in which the photo is protected by means of a structure according to the invention. Figure 2-1 shows a cross-section through the map of Figure 1 along the line AB

Figures 2-2 and 2-3 show two different embodiments, such as the inventive structure 6 e.g. can be arranged in the film 10.

FIG. 3 shows a letter as an example of the structure according to the invention. FIG. 4 shows a cross section through the layer according to the invention, using the example of the letter of FIG. 3 along the section line C-D, in order to illustrate the line height and the line width of a structure according to the invention. FIG. 5 shows a table with preferred dimensions for a structure according to the invention in the form of letters.

As an example of a security document according to the invention, FIG. 1 shows a card 2 in which a photo 8 of an owner of the card 2 is protected and protected against counterfeiting and unauthorized alteration by means of a structure 6 according to the invention. At the same time, the structure 6 protects the photo 8 from mechanical wear, such as scratching. The structure 6 is here embodied as a microtext in the form of letters. For illustrative purposes only, the microtext of structure 6 has been rendered so large that it is visible with the naked eye. The microtext of structure 6 is in fact so small that it can only be recognized by optical aids, such as a magnifying glass or a microscope. The structure 6 is here partially applied to the surface of the card 2. Alternatively, the structure 6 can also be applied to the entire surface of the card 2. Here were in an area 4 without structure 6 eg name, first name and account number of an owner of the security document arranged. A combination of said structures with other structures, such as curved lines, is possible.

Figure 2-1 shows a cross-section through the map of Figure 1 along the line A-B. On a carrier film 14, a laser-sensitive film 12 is arranged. The carrier film 14 is usually opaque. However, it can also be transparent. In the film 12, the photo 8 is written by laser. On the film 12, a transparent film 10 is arranged with the structure 6 according to the invention. The film 10 is not mandatory for the invention. The structure 6 can nevertheless be arranged directly in the film 12. Film 10 is permeable to laser light. Alternatively, the film 10 may be at least partially laser-sensitive. The structure 6 is e.g. embossed into the film 10 by means of a laminating sheet with corresponding elevations and depressions, or e.g. introduced into the film 10 by means of a laser. The structure 6 may e.g. consist of letters, characters, symbols, etc. Also optical tilting or lens structures are possible as a structure 6. In the film 10, a structure 6 or more different structures 6 may be arranged. Between the structure 6, a translucent, shiny surface 7 is arranged in each case.

2-2 shows the film 10, wherein the structure 6 is arranged higher than the shiny surface 7. The shiny surface 7 is in each case arranged between the structure 6. Furthermore, the shiny surface 7 has no structure 6. This arrangement provides a very strong protection against mechanical wear, such as scratching. Figure 2-3 shows the film 10, wherein structure 6 and shiny surface 7 are each arranged inversely to Figure 2-2. The structure 6 is located lower than the surface 7. This arrangement is also shown in Figures 2-1, 3 and 4. The advantage with this arrangement is that it is relatively easy to produce by embossing the structure 6 into the film 10 by means of a stamping sheet.

With regard to FIGS. 2-2 and 2-3, the height difference between structure 6 and shiny surface 7 is, for example, 30 μm. Any other suitable height difference can be chosen.

FIG. 3 shows a letter as an example of the structure 6 according to the invention. The letter A has a structure width SB and a structure height SH. Typical structure heights SH are e.g. 150 μιη or 370 μιη.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through the layer 10 according to the invention using the example of the letter A of FIG. 3 along the section line C-D in order to illustrate line height LH and line width LB of a structure 6 according to the invention. For example, typical values for the line height LH are μπι 30, preferably 10 to 20 μπι, and for the line width LB 100 μπι, preferably 30 to 70 μπι.

FIG. 5 shows a table with preferred dimensions for a structure 6 according to the invention in the form of letters. At a structure height SH of a letter of 150 μπι, a first structure 6 has a distance between them

Letters from 10 to 30 μιη. If the letters are arranged, for example, in line form, then the line spacing is 10 μιη. The structures 6 can generally be arranged flat, wherein the individual structures 6 have the same or different distances from each other. For example For example, the structures 6 may be arranged in the form of letters in straight lines or in arbitrary waveforms.

In another embodiment, the structural height SH of a letter is 370 μπι at a distance between the letters of 100 μπι and a line spacing of 70 μτη.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2 security document according to the invention, e.g. a map

4 area without structure 6 with personalization data e.g. Name, first name and account number

6 geometric structure according to the invention, e.g. as a microtext

7 shiny surface, which is arranged between the structure 6

8 Photo of the owner as personalization data of the security document

10 transparent layer, e.g. a film with structure 6 according to the invention

12 laser-sensitive layer, e.g. a laser-sensitive film

14 backing layer, e.g. a carrier film LB line width of the structure

LH line height of the structure

SB structure width

SH structural height

Claims

Patent claims

1. Security document (2) comprising the following elements:

at least one carrier layer (14),

at least one laser-sensitive layer (12) into which at least personalization data (4, 8) are inscribed by means of a laser, the laser-sensitive layer (12) being arranged on the carrier layer (14),

characterized in that the laser sensitive layer (12) has at least one geometric structure (6) in its externally accessible surface to protect at least the personalization data (4, 8) against unauthorized alteration and to protect the surface from mechanical wear.

2. Security document (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two different structures (6) in the surface of the laser-sensitive layer (12) are arranged.

3. Security document (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one structure (6) covers at least part of the surface of the laser-sensitive layer (12).

4. security document (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the structure (6) at least one letter and / or at least one number and / or at least one symbol and / or at least one character and / or at least one optical Lens structure is.

5. Security document (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least two identical or different structures (6) are arranged flat.

6. Security document (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the structure (6) is raised or recessed with respect to the surface is arranged.

7. Security document (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the structure (6) is arranged over a security element, wherein the security element has a optical tilting effect.

8. Security document (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the structure (6) over a photo (8) of the owner of the security document (2) is arranged.

9. Security document (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the structure (6) via personal data (4, 8) of the owner of the security document (2) is arranged.

10. Security document (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one transparent layer (10) on the laser-sensitive layer (12) is arranged, wherein the transparent layer (10) is transparent to laser light.

11. Security document (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that the geometric structure (6) is arranged in an externally accessible surface of the transparent layer (10).

12. Security document (2) according to one of claims 1 to 11, dadtirch in that the transparent layer (10) is at least partially laser-sensitive.

13. A method for producing a security document (2) according to claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the structure (6) is produced before or during or after personalization of the security document (2).