WO2018210446A1

WO2018210446A1 - Method for securing a partial product and system comprising a secured partial product

Info

Publication number: WO2018210446A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/000254
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Imhof; Peter Franz
Original assignee: Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technology Gmbh
Priority date: 2017-05-16
Filing date: 2018-05-11
Publication date: 2018-11-22
Also published as: EP3625059B1; EP3625059A1; DE102017004682A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for securing a partial product (30) which, in cooperation with a supplementary product (40) generates a predetermined visually perceptible effect (24), against unauthorised use of the partial product (30), wherein, in the method, a specific encoding alienation key (ESI) and an associated decoding alienation key (DSI) are generated, the supplementary product (40) is alienated by means of the specific encoder alienation key (ESI) and the partial product (30) to be secured is alienated by means of the associated decoder alienation key (DSI), such that the alienating partial product (30-1) generates a predetermined visually perceptible effect (24) in cooperation with the alienating supplementary product (40-1) and, in cooperation with a non-alienating supplementary product (40) or a supplementary product (40-2) alienated by means of a different encoder alienation key, does not generate the predetermined visually perceptible effect. The partial product to be secured provides an embossing structure having a plurality of raster elements, and the supplementary product changes the embossed surface of the embossed structure with regard to the reflection behaviour of the embossed surface.

Description

Method for securing a partial product and system with a secured partial product

The invention relates generally to the protection of a partial product used in the manufacture of security elements, and more particularly relates to a method of securing a partial product which, in cooperation with a supplemental product, produces a predetermined visually apparent effect against unauthorized use of the partial product. The invention also relates to an associated system of a secured against unauthorized use partial product and a supplement product, which generates a predetermined visually visible effect in cooperation with the hedged partial product.

Data carriers, such as value or identity documents, but also other valuables, such as branded goods, are often provided with security elements for the purpose of protection. Security elements often serve to verify the authenticity of the data carrier (or product) and can also be used to protect against unauthorized reproduction.

For some time now, security elements have been used for authenticity assurance, in which an embossing structure is combined with a regular repeat of embossing elements with suitable, previously printed information, for example a line or dot matrix. By means of a suitable combination of embossing structure and pressure information, optically variable effects and, in particular, motion effects can be generated. Examples of such security elements are described in the publications WO 2016/020066 A2 and EP 2 889 152 A1. In such combined security elements, not all components are often manufactured by a single manufacturer, so that there is a risk of unauthorized use of partial products, which are themselves intended as part of the finished security elements, or can be used to manufacture a component of the finished security elements , If, for example, an embossed structure and a background print are combined to produce a movement effect to form a security element, a printing company can provide or modify several different motion effects by providing, for example, previously converted subordinate data and combining these with already existing subordinate data self-made embossed structures combined. If the partial product represents a micromirror foil, a user can, for example, have a foil with comparable micromirror arrangements otherwise produced and overprinted. In the case of security elements with embossing elements that repeat themselves in a regular repeat, it is also possible, within certain limits, to reduce or enlarge the design to other repeat sizes. Based on this, the present invention seeks to protect sub-products of the type mentioned against unauthorized use. In particular, the partial products may either form part of a combined security element or may be a tool for producing a component of such a combined security element. Examples of such tools are forming tools, such as embossing tools, casting molds or the like, or printing tools, such as printing plates or printing masks. This object is solved by the features of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The invention provides a method for securing a partial product of the type mentioned against unauthorized use. In the method, a specific encoding alienation key and a corresponding decoding alienation key are generated, the supplemental product is alienated with the specific encoding alienation key, and the sub-product to be protected is decoded with the associated decoder.

Alienation key alienates so that the alienated sub-product, in cooperation with the alienated supplement product, produces the predetermined visually-apparent effect, and does not produce the predetermined visually-apparent effect in cooperation with an unaltered supplemental product or a supplement alienated with another encoding alienation key. The sub-product to be protected provides an embossed structure having a plurality of raster elements, and the supplement product changes the embossed surface of the embossed structure in its reflective behavior.

In other words, the alienated partial product according to the invention, in cooperation with the supplementary product alienated according to the invention, produces the same predetermined visually visible effect as the unaltered partial product in cooperation with the unaltered supplementary product. However, the alienated partial product is protected against unauthorized use, since it can only be used together with a (alienated by the manufacturer) supplementary product. When used with other unaltered or otherwise alienated supplements, the predetermined visually apparent Effect not generated. Preferably, in this case, no motion effect is generated at all, in particular no pumping or rotation effect, or even no coherent perceptible, visual effect generated. The predetermined visually visible effect is preferably exhibited when tilting and / or rotating the security element. The predetermined visually visible is preferably a tilting effect or a moving effect (with constant or (linearly increasing) speed in smooth tilting or turning). In particular, different partial areas may be provided, which differ in their movement, that is to say they differ, for example, in the direction of movement (for example, are opposite or orthogonal) and / or proceed at different speeds. Different sections are particularly conspicuous to the viewer, so that they can be easily recognized or verified when tilting or turning the security element.

A change in the reflection behavior comprises, in particular, visually perceptible color changes, but also includes an additional or alternative intensity change of the reflection, for example a reflection-increasing or reflection-reducing change.

Since the encoding / alienation key associated with the decoding alienation key is only known to the manufacturer, only that manufacturer can create appropriate supplemental products to the secured subproduct or, for example, for a fee, provide a user with information for producing a matching supplemental product.

With particular advantage, the specific encoding alienation key and the associated decoding alienation key are selected customer-specific or batch-specific. In this way, for example, a The customer will be given the specific sub-products that are specifically secured for him and the customer will then be provided with the associated supplementary products or information on their manufacture. In an advantageous variant of the invention, the partial product to be protected is a foil having a relief (or embossing) structure of a multiplicity of relief elements, in particular with a regular arrangement of raster elements. In another, likewise advantageous variant of the invention, the sub-product to be protected is an embossing tool for embossing an embossed structure of a multiplicity of raster elements, in particular with a regular arrangement of the raster elements. Particularly preferably, the raster elements are formed by a blind embossing, for example by intaglio printing, by embossing or embossing or are provided by a film with a micromirror arrangement.

The supplement product is advantageously produced by a different production process than the partial product. For example, the partial product may be an embossed structure and the supplementary product may be a printed image. The supplementary product is preferably a coating following the embossed surface of the embossed structure, in particular in the form of an imprint. In preferred embodiments, a reflection-enhancing layer is provided in addition to the coating, which follows the embossed surface of the embossed structure. The coating and / or the reflection-enhancing layer follows the embossed structure with at least one surface, preferably it has a constant layer thickness or follows it with both surfaces of the embossed structure. In an advantageous embodiment, the supplementary product is a printed image, which is produced by a printing process, in particular dry / wet offset printing, intaglio or inkjet printing, or a lasered image, which is generated by means of laser radiation, for example in a radiation-sensitive embossed layer. The supplement product is preferably produced using a data-based imaging method, thus in particular also allowing a personalization of the image (or effect). A data record required for the production of the supplementary product (eg encoding alienation key or alienated print or laser image) can be provided on request, server-based and / or centrally.

As a decoding alienation key, it is advantageously possible to select a specific (symmetrical or asymmetrical) distortion of the position of the raster elements or the position of the embossed structures for embossing the raster elements. The position of the grid element is changed by the distortion starting from the grid, the shape of the grid element (such as round knob, polygon, ...) remains preferably unchanged. Preferably, a positional distortion of the grid elements is less than half the grid width. Optionally, the distortion of the shape of the grid element can be changed (outer contour of the grid element is distorted, for example, the round knob is oval, a square element rectangular or trapezoidal ...). The distortion may be axis or point symmetric, but is preferably asymmetric. In particular, asymmetric distortion of the grid may vary locally.

Alternatively or additionally, as a decoding alienation key, a specific alienation of specific individual raster elements or of specific individual embossed structures for embossing the raster elements can be selected. Accordingly, the position of the alienated raster elements can be be changed, so correspond to the original grid. The raster element can be alienated by at least one of the following parameters: angular position change to the recurring raster (inclination angle and / or azimuth angle), shape distortion (such as oval instead of round raster element area) or shape change (such as local flattening on a round raster element area), surface modification (such as change the transmission or reflection properties). For each of the parameters, an intensity of the alienation can be specified. The nature and / or the intensity of an alienation is determined individually for each raster element. The alienation can be determined locally for the raster element, for example randomly, according to a quasi-random principle or deterministically, in particular by applying a derivation rule applicable to all raster elements (eg alienation rule applied to raster element position).

Another alternative for alienation of individual grid elements may also be a position exchange. If mutually distinguishable grid elements are arranged in the grid according to a rule, they can be alienated by a position exchange. The grid may, for example, consist of a recurring pattern within which a plurality of different grid elements are arranged. For example, five times five grid elements each with an angle position (inclination angle and / or azimuth angle of the particular square reflector surface) predetermined for the position in the pattern form the pattern. In the grid, a large number of these patterns lie side by side. The patterns can also be considered as pixels. As alienation positions are exchanged in all patterns, in a subarea with patterns or in certain patterns. For example, three grid elements (A, B and C), the reflector surfaces of which extend in mutually perpendicular azimuth angles, exchange. are aligned with each other, the position (A => C, B = A, C => B). Preferably, the position is changed in each grid differently.

In further variants, a sector-specific raster is selected as the decoding alienation key. Several areas have different, area-specific rasters. There are at least two, preferably at least three different area-specific rasters. Area-wise different position or shape distortions, as already described above, are possible but may be unnecessary in their complexity. It is already sufficient and therefore particularly advantageous, for example, to select a region-specific grid spacing and / or a region-specific distance between the grid elements. The screen rulings preferably differ by a factor a, with a =] 1; 3], preferably a =] 1; 1.5] (ie a = rl / r2 is greater than 1 but less than 3, preferably less than 1.5). The multiple areas will usually be patterned, so for example, mosaic or checkerboard (rectangle or square). Preferably, there are at least four, more preferably nine, regions and at least two, more preferably four, different region-specific rasters in the regions. As an alternative to patterned areas, motif borders in the visual effect can be selected as the area boundaries of the several areas, since the area boundaries will not be noticeable or less noticeable even if perfect registration is not achieved. In one embodiment, (exactly) two areas are provided, (only) a motif area (motif grid with first raster width rl), in particular by the motif given edge contour, and a surrounding area (environmental raster with r2 raster). The surrounding area (or the motif area) can optionally comprise pattern-specific areas with area-specific raster (motif with a r1 rogram is surrounded by mus terförmig arranged (more than four) areas with at least two other r21 r21 and r22).

In all variants, the specific encoding alienation key defines a corresponding alienation of the supplemental product, so that in the interaction of the two alienated products, the effects of the two alienations just cancel and the desired predetermined visually visible effect is generated. In a further variant of the invention, the decoding alienation key defines a deformation of the sub-product in the form of a free-form surface, a periodic or aperiodic wave or a 3D element, which can also be applied additively in a partial area or to the entire visual image information.

As a predetermined visually visible effect, a movement effect, in particular a non-linear movement effect, a pumping or rotation effect is produced with particular advantage. In the case of the visually visible effect, an image is expediently displayed and optionally moved, wherein the image may be a logo, a lettering, a graphic, a color play of different color gradients or a color change of a displayed graphic.

The alienation of the supplementary product and of the sub-product to be protected may in each case comprise the entire product, for example the entire area of an embossed structure or a printed image, or even only a partial area of the product, that is to say for example only a partial area of the embossed structure or the printed image. In this case, however, the alienated partial area preferably takes more than 30%, in particular more than 50%, preferably between 31% and 100% or between 31% and 95%, more preferably between 51% and 100%, 51% and 95% or 71% and 95% of the total area of the product. A non-alienated surface with the predetermined visual effect and an alienated surface without the predetermined visual effect increase the visibility of the hedge for the viewer, he sees in particular immediately what effect is missing in the alienated surface. In embodiments, the area fraction of the unaltered partial area of the product on the total area of the product is less than 50%, preferably between 5% to 30%, in particular between 10% and 20%.

It is also conceivable to alienate part surfaces of the product to different degrees. The intensity of the alienation may vary in certain regions, for example the degree of distortion of the raster or the area density of the changes of individual raster elements. In further developed embodiments, if there is an unaltered partial surface with the predetermined visual effect and an alienated partial surface without the predetermined visual effect, at least one further partial surface may be provided in which the predetermined visual effect is less pronounced. The further partial surface lies in a first variant between the alienated and the non-alienated partial surface. It thus forms a transition in which the intensity of the alienation to the alienated partial surface increases optionally. In a second variant, subareas of different degrees of alienation are arranged next to one another. For example, the area of the product may be divided into four subareas, such as quadrants, with the quadrant at the top left showing the visual effect (V alienation intensity = 0%), the quadrant at the top right does not show the visual effect (alienation intensity = 100%), the lower left quadrant shows the visual effect with reduced quality (alienation intensity = 25%) and the lower right quadrant the visual effect is only vaguely recognizable (alienation intensity = 50%).

The invention also includes a system of a partial product secured against unauthorized use and a supplemental product which, in cooperation with the protected partial product, produces a predetermined visually apparent effect. In the system, the supplemental product is alienated with a specific encoding alienation key, and the hedged subproduct is alienated with an associated decoding alienation key, such that the alienated subproduct, in cooperation with the alienated supplemental product, produces the predetermined visually apparent effect, and in conjunction with one unrelated supplement or a supplemental product alienated with another encoding alienation key does not produce the predetermined visually apparent effect. The sub-product to be protected provides an embossed structure with a multiplicity of raster elements and the supplementary product alters the embossed surface of the embossed structure in its reflection behavior. Preferably, the hedged partial product is a film having a relief structure, in particular an embossed structure, of a multiplicity of raster elements, in particular with a regular arrangement of the raster elements. Irregularly arranged raster elements, such as quasi-randomly distributed planar micromirrors, are also theoretically conceivable, but less suitable, since the complexity of alienation becomes high. Also advantageous is a system in which the hedged sub-product is an embossing tool for embossing an embossed structure of a plurality of raster elements, in particular with a regular arrangement of the raster elements. The raster elements can be formed by a film with (embossed) relief formed on only one surface, for example an embossing lacquer layer or a polymer layer. Alternatively, the grid elements are arranged as a relief structure on one of the two structured surfaces of the film, for example by means of embossing on a front side. The raster elements can initially be transparent; be formed semi-transparent reflective or opaque reflective, for example, by being uncoated or coated with a metal layer or HRI layer. By coating the supplementary product, the grating elements are locally changed in their reflection behavior. For example, first transparent grid elements are either full-surface semitransparent reflective or opaque reflective and also designed locally color or locally designed semi-transparent color reflective or opaque color reflective. Further, for example, already reflecting (or comprising a contrast layer) grid elements locally locally semitransparent color or opaque color are designed. The raster elements serve correspondingly for example as micromirrors or absorbers or filters. A substructuring of the raster elements, for example as a Fresnel mirror or blazed mirror is conceivable. The raster elements are of particular advantage by - nub-shaped, line-shaped or polygonal -

Blind embossing elements or formed by small micromirrors with flat mirror facets.

The supplementary product is a printed image in advantageous embodiments. In this case, the printed image can in particular be combined as a separate printed image with an embossed structure of the abovementioned type, or printed as an integral printed image on an embossed structure of the abovementioned type. The partial product and the supplemental product are firmly connected to each other and thereby together form a security element, as described in more detail below. Sub-product and supplementary product are present on the same unit, a final product such as value document, branded article or the like.

Finally, the invention also provides a security element made of a partial product secured against unauthorized use and a supplementary product which, in cooperation with the protected partial product, produces a predetermined visually visible effect. In the security element, the supplemental product is alienated with a specific encoding alienation key, and the hedged subproduct is alienated with an associated decoding alienation key such that the alienated subproduct, in cooperation with the alienated supplemental product, produces the predetermined visually apparent effect.

Advantageously, the hedged sub-product is a film having an embossed structure of a plurality of raster elements, in particular with a regular arrangement of the raster elements, and the supplementary product is a printed image. The printed image can be combined in particular as a separate print image with the embossed structure, or printed on the embossed structure as an integral print image.

Especially in the field of trademark protection, the partial product can also be formed by an embossed structure of a packaging, for example an injection-molded packaging. The embossing structure can be produced, for example, by an injection molding tool or a heat-sealing stamp, which deforms a thermoplastic and thereby produces a desired surface relief. In this case, the supplement can, for example, be printed shrink film may be formed, which is drawn over the embossed structure or deep drawn in the mold.

The partial product can also be formed by a tactile point or line-like pressure layer. Such a configuration can be used in particular in the packaging area with advantage. Security features are commonly used to enable authentication and / or provide copy protection. However, in the present context it is also conceivable to provide the security element merely as a visually particularly attractive design element.

Further exemplary embodiments and advantages of the invention will be explained below with reference to the figures, in the representation of which a representation true to scale and proportion has been dispensed with in order to increase the clarity.

Show it:

1 is a schematic representation of a high-quality ticket with an optically variable security element with a conspicuous rotational effect when tilting the card,

Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of the interaction of a

Embossing structure (left) and a printed image (center) of the security element of FIG. 1, for generating a conspicuous rotational effect (right), FIG. 3 shows in a representation as in FIG. 2, in (a) the interaction of embossing structure and printed image after alienation of both elements for a first user, in (b) schematically the interaction of embossing structure and printed image after alienation of both elements for a second users,

in (c) schematically shows the lack of cooperation of the embossed structure alienated for the first user with an overexposed print image, and

in (d) shows schematically the lacking interaction of the embossed structure alienated for the first user with the printed image alienated for the second user.

The invention will now be explained using the example of a combined security element for a data medium to be protected. 1 shows a schematic representation of a high-quality admission ticket 10, which is provided with a visually variable security element 20 in addition to a serial number 12 and conventional content information 14 for authenticity assurance.

The security element 20 has a shiny metallic appearance with an additional colored, windmill-like wing structure 22. A small tilting of the card 10 generates a visually conspicuous apparent rotational movement 24 of the colored wings 22. If the card 10 is tilted, the colored wings 22 move in a circular manner to the left or right depending on the direction of tilt, so that the rotational movement for the observer 24 arises. With reference to FIG. 2, the conspicuous rotational effect arises from the interaction of an embossing pattern 30 of a square grid of a plurality of embossing elements 32 with a print image 40 having a background layer 42 and a line grid contrasting therewith from a plurality of approximately, but not completely parallel lines 44. The security element 20 is created by the combination of the two components embossed structure 30 and printed image 40 on the ticket 10.

Such rotational effects are known per se, for example, from the publication WO 2016/020066 A2, the disclosure content of which is incorporated in the present application in this respect. Briefly summarized, the two separately produced elements embossing structure 30 and print image 40 for generating the rotational effect in the security element 20 are combined with each other so that essentially at least one line segment of a line 44 lies on each embossing element 32, the parameter 'position the line segment on the embossing element 'is varied in accordance with a location-dependent phase function (t> (x, y) such that the rotation effect occurs when tilting the security element 20. Depending on the design of the line grid, not only rotational movements but also linear movements or complex forms of movement such as pumping effects,

Zoom effects and also opposite motion patterns are generated. Details on this can be found in the cited document WO 2016/020066 A2. In this case, the embossed structure 30 represents a partial product of the finished security element 20, which is produced independently of the printed image 40 and with another production method, and which according to the invention is intended to be protected against unauthorized use. Alternatively, you can An embossing tool for embossing the embossed structure 30 can be secured accordingly.

In both cases, an identifier-specific or batch-specific encryption alienation key and an associated decoding

Alienation key generated. The separately produced print image 40 is alienated with the specific encoding alienation key, and the embossed structure 30 or the embossing tool to be protected is alienated with the associated decoding alienation key.

This is shown schematically for two different alienation keys for a first user and a second user Ki K ₂ in Figures 3 (a) and 3 (b) illustrates. For the user Ki, a first custom encoding alienation key ESI and an associated decoding alienation key DS1 are generated, wherein in FIG. 3 (a) a specific asymmetrical distortion of the raster elements or the lines is chosen for illustration.

The printed image 40 is alienated with the specific first encoding alienation key so that a first alienated print image 40-1 is formed with lines 44-1 that are distorted according to the encoding alienation key ESI. The embossed structure 30 to be protected is alienated with the associated decoding alienation key DS1 so that a first alienated embossed pattern 30-1 is formed with embossed elements 32-1 that are distorted according to the decoding alienation key DS1. The two alienation keys DS1 and ESI are coordinated so that the alienated embossed structure 30-1 in the finished security element 20-1 in cooperation with the alienated print image 40-1 as well as the unaltered embossed structure 30 in cooperation with the unaltered print image 40th the predetermined visually visible effect, namely the apparent rotational movement 24 of the colored wings 22 generated.

For the user K ₂ , a second custom encoding alienation key ES2 and an associated decoding alienation key DS2 are generated, with another specific asymmetrical distortion of the raster elements or lines chosen for illustration in FIG. 3 (b). The print image 40 is alienated with the specific second encoding alienation key so that a second alienated print image 40-2 is formed with lines 44-2 that are distorted according to the encoding alienation key ES2. The embossed structure 30 to be protected is alienated with the associated decoding alienation key DS2, so that a second alienated embossed structure 30-2 is formed with embossed elements 32-2 that are distorted according to the decoding alienation key DS2. The two alienation keys DS2 and ES2 are coordinated so that the alienated embossed structure 30-2 in the finished security element 20-2 in cooperation with the alienated print image 40-2 as well as the unaltered embossed structure 30 in cooperation with the unaltered print image 40 the predetermined visually visible Effect, namely the apparent rotational movement 24 of the colored wings 22 generated.

If, on the other hand, the embossing structure 30-1 of the first user alienated with the decoding alienation key DS1 is used

combined with the unaltered print image 40, as illustrated in FIG. 3 (c), the predetermined visually apparent effect does not arise because the distortion of the embossed pattern 30-1 described by the decoding alienation key DS1 does not compensate for a corresponding distortion of the print image 40 becomes. Instead, the combination of the two components 30-1 and 40, for example, shows a disordered, randomly appearing pixel pattern 26.

Even if the distorted with the decoding alienation key DS1 embossed structure 30-1 is combined with a print image coding with a non-matching Encodier- alienation key, for example the ene alienation key is alienated ES2 of the user K ₂ as shown in Fig. 3 ( d) illustrates, the predetermined visually visible effect does not arise, since the distortion of the embossed structure 30-1 described by the decoding alienation key DS1 is not due to a suitable distortion of the embossing structure

Print image 40-2 is compensated. Rather, the different distortion of the print image 40-2 described by the encoding alienation key ES2 together with the embossed structure 30-1 produces, for example, a disordered, randomly appearing pixel pattern 26 '.

It will be understood that the predetermined visual effect is not shown in the same way if the embossing structure 30-2 of the user K ₂ alienated with the decoding alienation key DS2 merges with the unaltered print image 40, or with a print image that matches an unsuitable En - Coding alienation key is alienated, is combined.

The alienated embossed structures 30-1 and 30-2 are thus effectively protected against unauthorized use. The embossing structures 30-1 of the user Ki can only be used together with a printed image 40-1 which is correspondingly distorted by the manufacturer, but not with other printed images 40, 40-2 which are either not alienated or alienated with another key. Therefore, users can not exchange or create print images without the manufacturer's knowledge and approval. The decoding alienation key and the encoding alienation key are known only to the manufacturer, but not the users, so that only the manufacturer can produce or produce suitable alienated printed images. The secured partial product may, for example, also be present in an embossing tool that is set up for embossing an embossed structure 30-1 or 30-2, instead of in the embossed structure. Here, too, the alienation of the embossing tool effectively prevents unauthorized use, since the embossing structures 30-1 produced by a user Ki with the aid of the embossing tool only cooperate with a printed image 40-1 alienated by the manufacturer, but not with other printed images 40, 40 -2, can be used.

In a specific application, the manufacturer can, for example, provide a user with a stamping tool modified in the manner described above and a data record for a correspondingly alienated print image "print image 10", with which the user can generate a security element customized for banknotes of the value 10 within a banknote series. If the user later also wants to generate security elements that are individualized for banknotes of the value 50, he can use the same embossing tool, but requires from the production of another record for the associated print image "print image 50". The user thus saves the purchase of several different embossing tools for the two value variants, while the manufacturer at the same time ensures that the delivered embossing tool can only be used for the authorized by him uses. In particular, a distortion of the embossed structure 30 or of the printed image 40 can be selected as specific alienation. Such a distortion can be expressed, for example, by a polynomial r _v = a * ro ⁴ + b * r ₀ ³ + c * r ₀ ² + d * r ₀ (1) where rv is the location of a point in the distorted (recorded) image and ro indicates the location of the same point in the undistorted image. The internal coordinates rv and ro are related to half the value of the smaller image size (height or width).

The parameter set (a, b, c, d) characterizing a specific distortion can then be used as a decoding or encoding alienation key, which is chosen, for example, to be signature-specific or batch-specific.

In other embodiments, the alienation may also be in a vortex distortion, such as a pixel in the middle of the undistorted representation. The vortex distortions are also possible in partial image sections, wherein different partial image sections may have the same or opposite course. For raster elements made of planar micromirrors, the alienation is an alienation pattern that can be repeated for the entire raster. Instead of or in addition to a distortion of the raster element layer, an angular position change to the raster (angle of inclination and / or azimuth angle) and / or a changed reflection behavior (reflective, matt and / or transparent) can serve as alienation.

In addition, non-global alienations are also considered, in which, for example, certain individual image elements (raster elements or lines) ensegmente) are alienated in the same or different ways. Whether a raster element is possibly alienated in which form, can be determined individually for each raster element. For example, a cryptographic operation using a key (a token or batch specific value) applied to a seed associated with the rasterizer may provide a result indicating the alienation. The result can encode, for example, in a first bit, if the raster element is alienated, in at least one type bit the type of alienation, such as position change in the raster, angular position change to the grid (inclination angle and / or azimuth angle), relief shape distortion (such as oval instead round raster element surface) or relief shape change (such as local flattening of a round raster element surface) and encode the intensity of the alienation in an optional, at least one further intensity bit.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

ticket

serial number

information

security element

wing structure

Rotational motion, 26 'random pixel pattern

embossed structure

embossing elements

print image

Background layer

lines

-1, 30-2 alienated embossed structure-1, 32-2 distorted embossing elements-1, 40-2 alienated printed image-1, 44-2 distorted lines

Claims

Patent claims

A method of securing a partial product against unauthorized use of the partial product, wherein a partial product in conjunction with a supplement produces a predetermined visually apparent effect, the method comprising:

a specific encoding alienation key and an associated decoding alienation key are generated,

- the supplemental product is alienated with the specific encoding alienation key, and

- the partial product to be protected is alienated with the associated decoding alienation key,

such that the alienated sub-product, in cooperation with the alienated supplement product, produces the predetermined visually-apparent effect and, in conjunction with an unaltered supplemental product or supplemental product alienated with another encoding alienation key, does not produce the predetermined visually-apparent effect,

wherein the sub-product to be protected provides an embossed structure with a plurality of raster elements, and

the supplementary product changes the embossed surface of the embossed structure in its reflection behavior.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the specific encoding alienation key and the associated decoding alienation key are chosen to be specific to a specific batch or batch.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the hedged partial product is a film with the embossed structure or an embossing tool for embossing the embossed structure.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the supplementary product is one of the embossed surface of the embossed structure following coating, in particular in the form of an imprint.

5. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in addition to the coating, a reflection-enhancing layer of the embossed surface of the embossed structure follows.

6. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, character- ized in that the supplementary product is a printed image that with a

Printing method, in particular offset printing, gravure printing or inkjet printing, or a laser image, which is produced by means of laser radiation.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein as the decoding alienation key at least one specific distortion of the raster elements or embossing structures is selected for embossing the raster elements.

8. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, character- ized in that as a decoding alienation key a specific

Alienation of certain individual grid elements or certain individual embossed structure elements is selected for embossing the grid elements.

9. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that as a decoding alienation key in a plurality of areas a region-specific raster, in particular a range-specific raster width and / or a range-specific distance between the grid terelementen is selected.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of regions are patterned or the region boundaries of the plurality of regions are selected to correspond to motif boundaries in the visual effect.

11. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a movement effect, in particular a linear motion effect, a pumping or a rotation effect is generated as a predetermined visually visible effect.

12. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the supplementary product and the hedged partial product are brought into cooperation, in particular by - the coating applied to the embossed structure, in particular imprinted, or

- The embossed structure is embossed in the coating;

wherein an optional reflection-enhancing layer is applied before or after.

13. A system of a protected against unauthorized use partial product and a supplemental product, which generates in conjunction with the hedged sub-product a predetermined visually visible effect, in which the supplement product is alienated with a specific Enderdem Verrangungsungsschlüssel, and the hedged sub-product with an associated Decoding alienation key is alienated such that the alienated subproduct, in conjunction with the alienated supplemental product, produces the predetermined visually apparent effect and does not produce the predetermined visually apparent effect in cooperation with an unaltered supplemental product or a supplemental product alienated with another encoding alienation key wherein the sub-product to be protected provides an embossed structure with a plurality of raster elements, and the supplementary product provides the embossed surface of the embossed structure in its reflection plane changed.

14. System according to claim 13, characterized in that

the secured partial product is a foil with an embossed structure made up of a multiplicity of raster elements, in particular with a regular arrangement of the raster elements, or

the secured sub-product is an embossing tool for embossing an embossed structure of a plurality of raster elements, in particular with a regular arrangement of the raster elements; and or

the supplement is a printed image;

wherein the partial product is in particular secured by a method according to one of claims 1 to 12.

15. Security element comprising an embossed structure with a plurality of raster elements and a coating which the embossed surface in reflection behavior so as to produce a predetermined visually-visible effect, in particular produced by a method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the coating and / or the embossed structure are adapted to produce the predetermined visually more visible effect and also the coating is alienated with a specific encoding alienation key and the raster of the embossed structure is alienated with an associated decoding alienation key, in particular is different in different areas and / or alienated in position and / or shape of the raster elements.