Data carrier with window region and production method

Abstract

The invention relates to a data carrier (10), in particular a value document or security document, comprising a plurality of spaced-apart window regions (20A, 20B, 20C), each having a security feature (24A, 24B, 24C), and an intermediate region (22) that does not have an optically variable appearance and separates the window regions (20A, 20B, 20C) from one another. According to the invention, different information is displayed in each case in a plurality of window regions (20A, 20B, 20C) and the optically variable security features (24A, 24B, 24C) of the plurality of window regions produce different dynamic effects (26A, 26B, 26C).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a data carrier, in particular a value document or security document, having a plurality of spaced-apart window areas and a method for producing such a data carrier.

[0002] Data carriers, such as banknotes, stock certificates, bonds, certificates, vouchers, checks, high-quality admission tickets, and other documents at risk of forgery, such as passports or other identity documents, are usually protected by security elements in order to be able to check the authenticity of the valuable document and at the same time to protect it against unauthorized copying.

[0003] It is known to configure security elements in the form of window security elements which are fully or partially embedded in the banknote, for example in the form of window security threads which are visible in a defined window area on one or both opposing surfaces of the banknote. Although such window security elements ensure good protection of data carriers with window security elements, there is a need to further improve the visual appearance and the security against counterfeiting of data carriers protected thereby.

[0004] This technical problem is solved by the features of the independent claim. Improvements of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0005] The invention provides a data carrier, in particular a valuable document or security document, with a plurality of spaced-apart window areas, each of which has a security feature with an optically variable effect. The data carrier also has intermediate areas without an optically variable appearance, which separate the window areas from one another.

[0006] In this case, different information is respectively displayed in the plurality of window regions and the optically variable security features of the plurality of window regions respectively produce different dynamic effects.

[0007] Preferably, the optically variable security feature produces different dynamic effects of the window area when the data carrier is tilted about different axes.

[0008] The different axes for generating the different dynamic effects advantageously enclose an angle which is an integer multiple of 45° or an integer multiple of 60° or an integer multiple of 90°.

[0009] For example, two different tilted axes can be set to produce different dynamic effects, which are perpendicular to each other, i.e., they form an angle of 90°. In another example, three different tilted axes are set to produce different dynamic effects, wherein the second axis is rotated 60° relative to the first axis and the third axis is rotated 60° relative to the second axis. All intermediate angles are 60° or 120°, i.e., integer multiples of 60°. In another example, four different tilted axes are set to produce different dynamic effects, wherein the second axis is rotated 45° relative to the first axis, the third axis is rotated 45° relative to the second axis, and the fourth axis is rotated 45° relative to the third axis. All intermediate angles are 45°, 90° or 135°, i.e., integer multiples of 45°.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that

[0011] - upon tilting of the data carrier about the first axis, a dynamic effect is produced in the first window region, whereas no dynamic effect is visible in the second window region, and

[0012] In case of a tilting of the data carrier about a different second axis, no dynamic effect is visible in the first window area, whereas in the second window area the above-described dynamic effect of the first window area in case of a tilting about the first axis occurs.

[0013] In this design, when the tilt direction changes, the same dynamic effect appears once in the first window area and once in the second window area, while the other window area does not display the dynamic effect. For the observer, the dynamic effect thus appears to "jump" from one window area to the other window area when the tilt direction is switched. The first and second axes are advantageously perpendicular to each other, but can generally also enclose different angles, for example 45° or 60°.

[0014] In another advantageous embodiment, it is provided that

[0015] - when the data carrier is tilted about the first axis, a first dynamic effect is generated in the first window area and a second, different dynamic effect is generated in the second window area, and

[0016] When the data carrier is tilted about a second, different axis, a second dynamic effect is produced in the first window region and a first dynamic effect is produced in the second window region.

[0017] In this design the two dynamic effects exchange their positions when the tilt direction changes. The first and second axes are advantageously perpendicular to each other, but can generally also enclose a different angle, for example 45° or 60°.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the dynamic effect comprises a motion effect and / or a color change effect. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the optically variable security features of the window area respectively generate different motion effects.

[0019] The motion effect produced by the window area can be a linear motion effect with straight-line motion characteristics, a radial motion effect, a circular motion effect, in particular a clockwise or counterclockwise rotational motion, or also a nonlinear motion effect. The motion perceptible to the observer can also run back and forth, for example in a zigzag path, or run chaotically, for example in the case of a random motion.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, the dynamic effects may include zoom effects, deformation effects, image transformation effects, pump effects and / or pseudo 3D effects. The latter show spatial depth and the appearance that it floats above or below the data carrier and appears to move relative to the surface of the data carrier when the data carrier is tilted.

[0021] In the present description, the tilting direction is partly referred to as north-south tilting or east-west tilting, wherein, when the data carrier is located in front of the viewer, for example in the case of a map, the upper side is referred to as north, the lower side as south, the left side as west and the right side as east.

[0022] Advantageously, two or more different dynamic effects are combined in a window region, ie, for example, a motion effect and a color change effect or a color change effect and a deformation effect, so that a particularly complex appearance is produced.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, microlenses, micromirrors, nanostructures and / or holographic structures are arranged in the window region in order to generate dynamic effects.

[0024] In order to produce a color-changing effect, thin-layer elements, liquid crystals, optically variable pigments, thin tilt-chromic (in German, farbkippend) pigments, two-color structures arranged in two different planes, high-refractive-index coatings, microlens arrangements with differently colored microstructures, microlens arrangements with different nanostructures and / or diffractive azimuth tilt-chromic structures are advantageously provided in the window region.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, at least two window areas display dynamic effects, in particular motion effects, which display the same motion characteristics when the data carrier is tilted about a first axis and display opposite motion characteristics when the data carrier is tilted about a second, different axis. The second axis is preferably perpendicular to the first axis.

[0026] The security feature is particularly arranged to register with the window area. In addition, in the window area, in particular, independent information is respectively displayed. In particular, the information in the window area does not simply represent a part of the same overall information, such as an image or a graphic.

[0027] In an advantageous inventive variant, it is provided that the data carrier comprises a data carrier substrate with a security element partially embedded and partially visible on the surface of the data carrier substrate, and that the window region is formed by a subregion of the security element visible on the surface of the data carrier substrate.

[0028] The partially embedded security element advantageously has the security feature only in the window region, ie the security feature is arranged on the security element in register with the window region.

[0029] The security element is preferably a security thread, in particular a window security thread visible on at least one surface of the data carrier substrate or a pendulum security thread visible on two opposite surfaces of the data carrier substrate.

[0030] According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the security element, in particular the security thread, is designed to be machine-readable. For this purpose, it has in particular a magnetic characteristic material, a fluorescent characteristic material, a phosphorescent characteristic material, an infrared absorbing characteristic material, a THz structure and / or a metallized structure with a demetallized area in the form of a negative marking. The negative marking can in particular form an alphanumeric character sequence.

[0031] In another likewise advantageous inventive variant, it is provided that the data carrier has a data carrier substrate with an opaque cover layer and that the window region is formed by spaced-apart recesses of the opaque cover layer.

[0032] The data carrier can be, in particular, a value document or an identity card, but can also be a security element, in particular a security thread, a security strip, a transfer element or a label.

[0033] In an advantageous development of the invention, the information displayed in the window area is combined with an additional security feature arranged on the data carrier, the information content of the additional security feature being related to the information meaning of one of the window areas. The additional security feature is in particular a different type of security feature, i.e. it does not represent a window area, but is formed, for example, by a watermark, a security printed area or a transfer element. This combination with different types of security features further increases the security effect.

[0034] The invention also comprises a method for producing a data carrier of the above-mentioned type, wherein:

[0035] - providing a data carrier substrate, on which a plurality of spaced-apart window regions and intermediate regions separating the window regions from one another are provided, wherein the window regions are each provided with a security feature having an optically variable effect, and the intermediate regions are designed to have no optically variable appearance, wherein

[0036] The security features in the window regions are designed such that different information is displayed in each of the plurality of window regions and the optically variable security features in the plurality of window regions produce different dynamic effects.

[0037] Further embodiments and advantages of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which scales and ratios are not shown in order to improve readability.

[0038] In the attached figure:

[0039] Figure 1 A paper banknote is shown with a window security thread partially embedded in the banknote paper,

[0040] Figure 2 More accurately shows Figure 1 The part of the banknote containing the window security thread,

[0041] Figure 3 A detail of a data carrier having four spaced-apart window areas is shown according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0042] The invention will now be explained based on the example of banknotes. Figure 1 For this purpose, a schematic diagram shows a paper banknote 10 having a printing element 14 applied to a banknote paper 12 , a watermark 16 produced during paper production, and a window security thread 18 partially embedded in the banknote paper.

[0043] The window security thread 18 is prominent in the window areas 20 arranged at intervals on the surface of the banknote 10 and is embedded in the interior of the banknote 10 in the connecting strip areas 22 located therebetween.

[0044] The local area of ​​the banknote 10 containing the window security thread 18 is Figure 2 The window security thread 18 of this embodiment comprises three window areas 20A, 20B, 20C, in which security features 24A, 24B and 24C with optically variable effects are arranged in register with the window contours.

[0045] Security features 24A, 24B, 24C each display different information, which is indicated in the figure by the letters "A", "B" and "C". The information displayed in window areas 20A-20C is each independent information, ie in particular not just part of the overall information comprising the entire line 18.

[0046] In addition to displaying different information, the security features 24A, 24B, 24C in the window area also produce different dynamic effects. For example, when the banknote is tilted 28, for the observer, the information "A" represented by the security feature 24A moves in a direction 26A parallel to the longitudinal direction of the line, the information "B" represented by the security feature 24B moves in a direction 26B perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the line, and the information "C" represented by the security feature 24C moves in a direction 26C oblique to the longitudinal direction of the line. The different motion effects 26A-26C caused by the movement direction can be additionally combined with the same or different color change effects.

[0047] The window areas 20A, 20B, 20C are separated from one another only by a paper strip 22 which has no optically variable appearance and thus forms a visual contrast and a visual static pole for the optically variable appearance of the window areas 20A- 20C.

[0048] Since the window areas 20A-20C not only display different information "A", "B" and "C", but also present this information with different dynamic effects 26A, 26B, 26C respectively, the banknote 10 provides an attractive, complex and therefore difficult to imitate appearance with high attention value and re-identification value.

[0049] Figure 3 A further embodiment of the invention is shown which shows a further possibility for a complex appearance of an optically variable window area of ​​a data carrier according to the invention. The figure shows a partial area of ​​a data carrier 30 with four spaced-apart window areas 40, 50, 60 and 70. The window areas 40, 50, 60, 70 can be part of a window security thread embedded in a substrate of the data carrier, but can also be areas of, for example, polymer or film composite banknotes which are separated from one another by appropriate pressing of the surrounding area and the connecting strip area and which only visually create the impression of an applied elongated thread.

[0050] The first window region 40 shows the sun 42 as an optically variable element, which has a beam 44 which moves radially outwards and / or inwards relative to the observer when the data carrier 28 is tilted, as indicated by arrows 46 .

[0051] In all designs, the information displayed in the window area can be combined with other security features arranged on the data carrier, the information content of the other security features being related to the information meaning of one of the window areas. For example, the sun symbols 42, 44 of the window area 40 can be combined with a watermark 48 in the form of a cloud arranged next to the window area 40 on the data carrier. Additional security features can also supplement the information of the window area into total information, for example, the window area can contain the number "20" as information, and the printed element arranged next to the window area can contain the currency information "€". Another possibility is that the window area contains a part of the number, such as a part of the serial number, and the adjacent data carrier area contains the rest of the serial number. These two pieces of information can only be supplemented into the correct, desired total information when observed from a certain viewing direction.

[0052] The second window region 50 contains a true color hologram in the form of a portrait 52, wherein in addition to its optically variable appearance a dynamic effect is achieved by the movement of an eye 54. When the data carrier is tilted 28, the eye 54 of the person appears to move from left to right, as schematically indicated by an arrow 58 in the detail view 56 of the eye. The portrait of the window region 50 is advantageously repeated in another region of the data carrier 30, for example in a printed pattern or a portrait watermark, e.g. Figure 1 Watermark 16.

[0053] The window area 60 contains the number “50” (reference numeral 63 ) and the currency symbol “€” (reference numeral 64 ) as optically variable information elements, wherein upon tilting of the data carrier 28 , the two elements 62 , 64 move orthogonally to one another, as indicated by movement arrows 66 , 68 .

[0054] Finally, the window region 70 comprises a steering wheel 72 as an optically variable element, which rotates about its axis when the data carrier is tilted 28, as indicated by a rotation arrow 74. When the tilting direction 28 is changed, the rotation direction of the steering wheel 72 also changes.

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, the window areas 40, 50, 60, 70 each contain independent information (sun symbol, portrait, denomination, steering wheel), which are also registered with respect to the window contour. In addition, the window areas each display different dynamic effects, i.e. different motion effects. These different motion effects can also be combined with the same or different color change effects.

[0056] The window areas 40, 50, 60, 70 are each separated from one another by an intermediate area 80 without an optically variable appearance. The intermediate area 80 can be, for example, a pure paper strip of a paper substrate or a printed area of ​​a paper, polymer or hybrid banknote.

[0057] For simplicity, the window areas do not have to be arranged linearly one after another, as shown in the previous embodiment. For example, in another design variant, the data carrier can include a central window area and a plurality of spaced window areas surrounding the central window area. The central window area can display a silver arch effect, for example, and the outer window areas can display a tilted color effect, wherein the tilted color effects of the outer window areas have different tilt axes.

[0058] In a further embodiment variant, the spaced apart window regions display operating effects, which are performed in the window regions when the data carrier is tilted, wherein the direction and / or type of the dynamic effects in the window regions are respectively different.

[0059] Another design variant includes light spot images with different information content and different movement characteristics as optically variable security features in the window areas. For example, when the data carrier is tilted north-south, the first window area shows a west-east movement, while the second window area shows a north-south movement when the data carrier is tilted west-east. Such light spot images can be generated, for example, by a micro-mirror device, a diffractive structure or a micro-Fresnel lens.

[0060] The motion effect can also occur in each case when tilting about two axes, wherein the motion then runs in different directions in different window areas. For example, parallax and orthogonal parallax motions of the light spot can be generated alternately in successive window areas as a dynamic effect, so that, for example, in the case of a north-south tilt of the data carrier, a north-south motion (parallax motion) is displayed in the first window area, a west-east motion (orthogonal parallax motion) is displayed in the second window area, a north-south motion is visible again in the third window area, and so on. In the case of a west-east tilt of the data carrier, the first window area then displays a west-east motion, the second window area displays a north-south motion, the third window area displays a west-east motion again, and so on.

[0061] In another design variation, the window areas can respectively display tilted images between patterns that overlap in different viewing directions. For example, when the data carrier is tilted, the first window area displays the transformation from pattern A to pattern B, the second window area displays the transformation from pattern B to pattern C, and the third window area displays the transformation from pattern C to pattern A (or another pattern D). In different tilt directions, the pattern transformation can also be performed in different ways.

[0062] Another design variant comprises a central window area and two lateral window areas arranged on both sides of the central window area. In addition to different information, the lateral window areas also display dynamic motion effects orthogonal to the central window area.

[0063] In a further particularly advantageous embodiment, the two window areas each display a dynamic effect, which displays the same movement characteristics when the data carrier is tilted about a first axis and which displays opposite movement characteristics when the data carrier is tilted about a second, different axis. The two axes are in particular perpendicular to each other.

[0064] For example, in the case of a rotation effect, the security features in the window area can rotate in the same rotational direction when the data carrier is tilted north-south, and in opposite rotational directions when the data carrier is tilted west-east.

[0065] In the zoom effect, when the data carrier is tilted north-south, the security features of the window areas can all be increased or decreased. When the data carrier is tilted west-east, the security features of the first window area are increased (or decreased), and the security features of the second window area are conversely decreased (or increased).

[0066] In a radial movement effect, the security features of the window area can all move equally outwards or inwards when the data carrier is tilted north-south, and can move outwards or inwards in opposite radial directions when the data carrier is tilted west-east.

[0067] List of reference numerals:

[0068] 10 Banknotes

[0069] 12 Banknote Paper

[0070] 14 Printed components

[0071] 16 Watermark

[0072] 18 Window safety line

[0073] 20 Window Area

[0074] 20A, 20B, 20C window area

[0075] 22 Liantiao Area

[0076] 24A, 24B, 24C safety features

[0077] 26A, 26B, 26C movement direction

[0078] 28 Tilt

[0079] 30 Data carrier

[0080] 40 Window Area

[0081] 42 Sun

[0082] 44 Beam

[0083] 46 Movement direction

[0084] 48 Watermark

[0085] 50 Window Area

[0086] 52 Portrait

[0087] 54 Eyes

[0088] 56 Details

[0089] 58 Movement direction

[0090] 60 Window Area

[0091] 62, 64 Information components

[0092] 66, 68 Movement direction

[0093] 70 Window Area

[0094] 72 Steering Wheel

[0095] 74 Rotation Arrow

[0096] 80 Middle Area

Claims

1. A data carrier, in particular a valuable document or a security document, comprising: A plurality of spaced-apart window areas, each of which has a security feature with an optically variable effect; and an intermediate region having no optically variable appearance, separating the window regions from one another, characterized in that Different information is displayed in each of the plurality of window areas, and the optically variable security features of the plurality of window areas produce different dynamic effects.

2. The data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that The optically variable security feature produces different dynamic effects of the window area when the data carrier is tilted about different axes.

3. The data carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - upon tilting of the data carrier about the first axis, a dynamic effect is produced in the first window region, whereas no dynamic effect is visible in the second window region, and When the data carrier is tilted about a second, different axis, no dynamic effect is visible in the first window area, whereas the above-described dynamic effect of the first window area when tilted about the first axis occurs in the second window area.

4. The data carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - when the data carrier is tilted about the first axis, a first dynamic effect is generated in the first window area and a second, different dynamic effect is generated in the second window area, and When the data carrier is tilted about a second, different axis, a second dynamic effect is produced in the first window region and a first dynamic effect is produced in the second window region.

5. The data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that The dynamic effects include motion effects and / or color change effects respectively.

6. The data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that The motion effect is a linear motion effect with straight-line motion characteristics, a radial motion effect, a circular motion effect, in particular a clockwise or counterclockwise rotational motion, or a nonlinear motion effect.

7. The data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that The dynamic effects include a zoom effect, a deformation effect, an image transformation effect, a pump effect and / or a pseudo 3D effect.

8. The data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that In order to generate the dynamic effect, microlenses, micromirrors, nanostructures and / or hologram structures are arranged in the window region.

9. The data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that In order to produce a color-changing effect, thin-layer elements, liquid crystals, optically variable pigments, thin tilt-chromic pigments, two-color structures arranged on two different planes, high-refractive-index coatings, microlens devices with differently colored microstructures, microlens devices with different nanostructures and / or diffraction azimuth tilt-chromic structures are arranged in the window area.

10. The data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that At least two window areas display dynamic effects, in particular motion effects, which display identical motion characteristics when the data carrier is tilted about a first axis and mutually opposite motion characteristics when the data carrier is tilted about a second, different axis.

11. The data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that The security feature is arranged in register with the window area.

12. The data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that Independent information is displayed in each of the window areas.

13. The data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that The data carrier comprises a data carrier substrate with a security element which is partially embedded and partially visible on a surface of the data carrier substrate, and the window area is formed by a sub-area of ​​the security element which is visible on the surface of the data carrier substrate.

14. The data carrier according to claim 13, characterized in that A partially embedded security element has security features only in the window area.

15. The data carrier according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The security element is a security thread, in particular a window security thread visible on at least one surface of the data carrier substrate or a pendulum security thread visible on two opposite surfaces of the data carrier substrate.

16. The data carrier according to claim 13, characterized in that The security element, in particular the security thread, is designed to be machine-readable and for this purpose has in particular a magnetic characteristic material, a fluorescent characteristic material, a phosphorescent characteristic material, an infrared-absorbing characteristic material, a THz structure and / or a metallized structure with demetallized areas in the form of negative markings.

17. The data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that The data carrier has a data carrier substrate with an opaque cover layer and the window areas are formed by spaced-apart recesses of the opaque cover layer.

18. A method for producing a data carrier according to one of claims 1 to 17, wherein - providing a data carrier substrate, on which a plurality of spaced-apart window areas and intermediate areas separating the window areas from one another are provided, wherein: The window regions are each provided with a security feature having an optically variable effect, and the intermediate region is configured to have no optically variable appearance, wherein The security features in the window regions are designed such that different information is displayed in each of the plurality of window regions and the optically variable security features in the plurality of window regions produce different dynamic effects.

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