Method for producing a security element for a security document, method for producing a security document, method for personalizing a security document, security element for a security document, security document and ID document

Abstract

Method for producing a security element for a security document, comprising - Providing a hologram layer (6); - producing a hologram in the hologram layer (6), wherein light irradiation is irradiated onto the hologram layer (6) and the produced hologram is visible when viewing the hologram layer (6) at a viewing angle; and - generating defects (9) in the hologram, wherein the hologram in the hologram layer (6) is locally disturbed by irradiating pulsed light beams and the defects (9) are visible when viewing the hologram layer (6) at the viewing angle; wherein the defects (9) form a grid and a grid spacing between adjacent defects (9) is between approximately 21 µm and approximately 130 µm.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for producing a security element for a security document, a method for producing a security document, and a method for personalizing a security document. Furthermore, the invention relates to a security element for a security document, a security document, and an ID document. background

[0002] Security elements are used to evaluate a security document when checking it, in particular to verify its validity. If the security document is assigned to a person or personalized for that person (ID document), this enables the person to be identified. Security elements are known in various forms. A security document can be designed with one or more security features. These include, for example, holograms that are manufactured into a hologram layer in the security element. The security element with the hologram layer can be integrated into a security document in such a way that the security element containing the hologram is evaluated when the security document is checked.

[0003] Document WO 2017 / 109 119 A1 discloses a method for integrating a hologram into a security document body comprising a laminate body, the method comprising the following steps: providing a hologram film with a carrier substrate layer and a photo layer, providing further substrate layers, carrying out a lamination to form the lamination body, wherein the hologram film is collected together with the further substrate layers to form a substrate layer stack and is joined together with the further substrate layers in a lamination process to form the lamination body.

[0004] Document DE 10 2007 042 386 A1 discloses a method and a device for producing colored, individualized holograms used as security elements for security and / or valuable documents. The method involves generating light of several different colors, spatially modulating the light individually and separately by color, optically guiding the modulated light such that the light is at least partially diffracted and / or reflected on a holographic master and is thus superimposed on the modulated, non-diffracted and / or reflected light in a holographic recording material, and recording the multicolored, individualized hologram, wherein the light is simultaneously modulated in color by means of several spatial light modulators.Each of the multiple colors is assigned its own spatial light modulator, and the multiple single-color modulated light beams of the multiple colors are collinearly combined to form a multicolor, color-separated, individually modulated exposure light beam before being diffracted and / or reflected on the holographic master and superimposed in the holographic recording material, so that exactly one of the multiple colors is assigned to each of the pixels of the individualized hologram.

[0005] A hologram and a security document with color patterns of different spectral colors are disclosed in document EP 2 738 624 B1.

[0006] Document EP 3 552 837 A1 discloses a security document constructed from a number of layers. At least one layer comprises a security element having a structure comprising structural elements with dimensions of less than 200 micrometers. The structural elements are configured as holes. Furthermore, the structure comprises individualizing information about a holder of the security document.

[0007] Document DE 10 2005 055 123 A1 discloses a method for improving the security of a volume hologram by recording individualized information (e.g., biometric patterns) therein by irradiating the volume hologram with laser light, thereby physically or chemically modifying it. A laser marking hologram is disclosed with a volume hologram layer containing interference fringes recorded therein. The volume hologram layer contains information about, for example, biometric patterns recorded therein with a contrast between an irradiated portion and a non-irradiated portion. The contrast is provided by selectively irradiating the volume hologram layer with laser light to modify the irradiated portion.

[0008] Document DE 10 2019 126 674 A1 relates to a method for personalizing an identification, valuables, or security document, which comprises a card-shaped composite body with a plurality of material layers. The plurality of material layers comprises a first material layer with a first security element and a second material layer with a second security element. The method comprises personalizing both security elements, wherein the personalization comprises congruently incorporating personalization information into both security elements using an abrasive processing method. Material removal resulting from the use of the abrasive processing method extends from a surface of the composite body through the first security element and the second security element.

[0009] Document DE 10 2006 057 123 A1 discloses a holographic security element with a holographic recordable film in which a planar first pattern in the form of a first hologram is formed, wherein partial regions are formed in the first pattern in which the first pattern is interrupted and which form a second pattern different from the first pattern. Summary

[0010] The object of the invention is to further increase security in connection with security elements for security documents and in connection with security documents by creating an improved security element.

[0011] To solve this problem, a method for producing a security element for a security document is provided according to independent claim 1. Independent claims 12 and 13 relate to a method for producing a security document with the security element and a method for personalizing a security document. Furthermore, a security element for a security document, a security document, and an ID document are provided according to independent claims 14 to 16. Further embodiments are the subject of dependent subclaims.

[0012] According to one aspect, a method for producing a security element for a security document is provided, which method comprises the following: providing a hologram layer; producing a hologram in the hologram layer, wherein light irradiation is irradiated onto the hologram layer and the produced hologram is visible when viewing the hologram layer at a viewing angle; and generating defects in the hologram, wherein the hologram in the hologram layer is locally disturbed by irradiating pulsed light beams and the defects are visible when viewing the hologram layer at the viewing angle.

[0013] According to a further aspect, a method for producing a security document with the security element is provided, wherein a document body of the security document is formed with a stack of layers and the security element with a hologram and hologram defects is arranged in the stack of layers.

[0014] According to another aspect, a method for personalizing a security document is provided, wherein information concerning defects is stored in a machine-readable hologram on the document body of the security document.

[0015] According to one aspect, a security element for a security document is provided, comprising: a hologram layer; a hologram formed in the hologram layer and visible when viewing the hologram layer at a viewing angle; and defects in the hologram visible when viewing the hologram layer at the viewing angle.

[0016] According to further aspects, a security document with a security element and an ID document are provided. In the security document, a document body is formed with a stack of layers, and the security element with the hologram and defects in the hologram is arranged in the stack of layers. In the ID document, information regarding the defects in the hologram is stored in a machine-readable manner on the document body.

[0017] To further improve the security of security elements and security documents with such security elements, it is proposed to subsequently provide a previously introduced hologram in a hologram layer with defects or markings. In such a way that the hologram is locally disrupted by irradiating it with pulsed light beams, thus creating (local) defects. When viewing the hologram layer with the hologram and the defects, the hologram and defects are visible together from at least one viewing angle. By deliberately introducing the defects into the area covered by the hologram in the hologram layer, a further security feature is provided in the hologram layer in addition to the security feature formed with the hologram.

[0018] The hologram can be at least partially removed locally in the area of ​​the defects when the defects are created. During this defect formation, the hologram is subsequently at least partially removed or eliminated locally in the area of ​​the defect. This locally alters the material of the hologram layer so that the previously formed part of the hologram is no longer visible. The irradiated pulsed light beams apply energy to the material of the hologram layer containing the hologram, either through optical and / or thermal processing, to effect the local material change.

[0019] When creating the defects, the hologram can be locally altered in the area of ​​the defects compared to the (previously) produced hologram. During this defect formation, a local appearance of the hologram is altered by the irradiation of the pulsed light beams, without being eliminated.

[0020] When creating the defects, ultrashort light pulses can be irradiated onto the hologram layer containing the hologram. The ultrashort light pulses can comprise ps and / or fs light pulses. For example, a pulse duration of less than 10 ps, ​​in particular less than 1 ps or less than 500 fs, can be used. The pulsed light beams are preferably laser beams.

[0021] The wavelength of the pulsed light beams can be the same as the wavelength of the light beams used to write the hologram into the hologram layer. Alternatively, the light for the pulsed light beams can have a wavelength that differs from the wavelength of the light irradiation used to create the hologram.

[0022] When creating the defects, pulsed UV light beams can be irradiated onto the hologram layer. Alternatively or in addition to UV light, light of a different wavelength can be used if the light of that wavelength is suitable for optically and / or thermally processing the hologram layer to create the defects.

[0023] The hologram layer can be provided with a hologram foil and / or a film. In this or other embodiments, the hologram layer can be formed with a photo layer into which the hologram can be stored by means of the exposure process, wherein the hologram is stored after exposure and fixation. In the unexposed state, the photo layer can be formed, for example, as an emulsion comprising a photopolymer. Other embodiments can comprise a gelatin-based emulsion, which in one embodiment can comprise a silver halide. Hologram foils and / or films are known as such in further embodiments. The hologram foil can, for example, be made from a polycarbonate.

[0024] The hologram layer can be arranged on a substrate layer. A carrier layer can be formed with the substrate layer, for example, for receiving the photo layer.

[0025] During the production of the hologram in the hologram layer, the hologram layer can be cured, and the defects can be created in the hologram before, during, and / or after curing. The curing of the hologram layer, for example, the photo layer made of an emulsion, can be carried out by means of thermal and / or optical processing, generally by applying energy. In one embodiment, UV light irradiation can be used to cure the material of the hologram layer. The irradiation of the pulsed light beams to create the defects in the region of the hologram can be carried out before, during, and / or after curing.

[0026] A protective layer can be formed on the hologram layer. The formation of the protective layer on the hologram layer can be carried out before or after the hologram is produced. The defects can be created before and / or after the protective layer is produced on the hologram layer. The protective layer can be a curable protective layer that is applied flatly over the hologram layer. By applying energy, the chemical and / or physical structure of the curable protective layer can be modified so that it exhibits greater strength after the energy is applied. For example, such a protective layer comprises prepolymers, monomers and / or oligomers or polymers which, due to the application of energy, are caused to undergo a higher level of polymerization and / or crosslinking.

[0027] When creating the defects, personalized defects can be created in the hologram. In this embodiment, the defects are part of a personalization of the security element or a security document containing the security element. The defects then carry personalized or person-specific information. The personalized defects can have a person-specific arrangement of defects. Alternatively or additionally, the flat shape of the defects can be personalized. In this way, the security element is suitable for a security document in the form of an ID document in order to (additionally) personalize it, i.e., to individualize it for a person.

[0028] The method for producing a security document with the security element can comprise the steps described above in connection with the method for producing the security element individually or in any combination as part of the manufacturing process for the security document. The introduction of the defects in the previously generated hologram can occur at any time during the formation of the document body with the stack of layers, for example, before and / or after a lamination process for the layers of the stack.

[0029] The creation of the defects can be part of the method for personalizing a security document, in which the previously produced document body is processed by irradiating the pulsed light beams to create the defects, in particular to create the personalized defects or a personalized arrangement of defects.

[0030] The embodiments described above can be provided individually or in any combination in connection with the security element for the security document, the security document and / or the ID document accordingly.

[0031] In one embodiment, the locally formed defects can have dimensions of less than approximately 200 µm, for example, a diameter between approximately 10 µm and 100 µm. A grid spacing between adjacent defects can be selected depending on the desired type of display and is between approximately 130 µm (approximately 200 dpi) and approximately 21 µm (approximately 1200 dpi). Varying the grid spacing depending on the gray values ​​to be displayed enables, for example, the display of grayscale images (dithering) and is suitable, for example, for the display of facial images.

[0032] Examples of security documents include identity cards, passports, driving licenses, ID cards, access control badges, visas, tax stamps, tickets, motor vehicle documents, banknotes, checks, postage stamps, credit cards, any chip cards and adhesive labels.

[0033] The hologram and defects may be visible when viewed at an acute angle.

[0034] The defects are manufactured in a non-reversible manner, which supports counterfeit protection.

[0035] The defects may be designed so that they are visible to the naked eye at least from one viewing angle. Alternatively, some or all of the defects may not be visible to the naked eye, but are visible when viewed with magnifying optics.

[0036] The hologram can be stored as a volume hologram in the volume material of the hologram layer. A configuration as a so-called volume reflection hologram, which is intended for reconstruction of the hologram in a reflective geometry, can be provided. In this case, illumination with reconstruction light occurs from the same side of the hologram as the viewing of the reconstructed hologram. Alternatively, a surface hologram, also referred to as a thin hologram, can be formed in the hologram layer. If the security document with the integrated security element is transparent at least in some areas, a volume transmission hologram can also be provided.

[0037] The hologram is usually used to protect the security document against forgery and imitation, as well as to protect the information stored therein, such as facial images, other biometric data, but also information such as name or date of birth.

[0038] The hologram can be designed to cover a partial area of ​​the security document or to cover essentially the entire area. Description of implementation examples

[0039] Further embodiments are explained below with reference to a figure.

[0040] The single figure shows a schematic perspective view of a partial section of a document body 1 of a security document. The document body 1 is formed from a stack of layers 2 that are bonded together by lamination. For example, the document body 1 can be produced using a hot-cold laminating press. Polycarbonate, for example, can be used as a material for the layers 2.

[0041] In the exemplary structure shown in the figure, a carrier or substrate film 3 is provided in the stack of layers 2, on which an optically sensitive, in particular laser-sensitive, film layer 4 is arranged. Laser-generated information, for example in the form of a label visible from the top side 5 of a document, can be inscribed into the optically sensitive film layer 4 by means of blackening. In one embodiment, infrared laser light can be used for this purpose. Alternatively, the optically sensitive film layer 4 can be omitted.

[0042] Also visible from the top side 5 of the document is a generally personalized print applied to the optically sensitive film layer 4. This is protected from tampering or forgery by an exposed hologram layer 6 applied to the top side of the document body 1. The hologram layer 6 can be formed, for example, using a hologram film and is protected from damage, abrasion, and tampering by a protective layer 7, for example a lacquer layer. By appropriately exposing the hologram layer 6 to coherent laser radiation, "holographic" structures (hologram, in particular volume hologram) are introduced into the hologram layer 6, which, with a suitable exposure and viewing angle, display a previously exposed image due to the Bragg condition.

[0043] By using a laser beam 8 with a suitable wavelength, intensity, and preferably ultrashort laser pulses, the incorporated hologram is deliberately destroyed by creating one or more defects 9. In this way, individualized or personalized information with high resolution, for example, in the micrometer range, can be incorporated into the document body 1.

[0044] The formation of the defects 9 occurs after the hologram has been produced, either immediately after or at a later time, for example, in the case of an otherwise finished security document, for example, as part of a personalization process. The overlying protective layer 7 and the underlying optically sensitive film layer 4 remain unprocessed. The destruction of the exposed hologram to create the defects 9 is irreversible and therefore cannot be manipulated.

[0045] The features disclosed in the above description, the claims and the figure may be important for the realization of the various embodiments both individually and in any combination. List of reference symbols 1 document body 2 stacks of layers 3 Carrier film 4 optically sensitive film layer 5 Document top 6 hologram layer 7 Protective layer 8 laser beam 9 defects

Claims

[1] Method for producing a security element for a security document, comprising - Providing a hologram layer (6); - producing a hologram in the hologram layer (6), wherein light irradiation is irradiated onto the hologram layer (6) and the produced hologram is visible when viewing the hologram layer (6) at a viewing angle; and - generating defects (9) in the hologram, wherein the hologram in the hologram layer (6) is locally disturbed by irradiating pulsed light beams and the defects (9) are visible when viewing the hologram layer (6) at the viewing angle; wherein the defects (9) form a grid and a grid spacing between adjacent defects (9) is between approximately 21 µm and approximately 130 µm. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat the hologram is at least partially eliminated locally in the area of ​​the defects (9) when the defects (9) are created. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the hologram is locally modified in the area of ​​the defects (9) when the defects (9) are created compared to the produced hologram. [4] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that when the defects (9) are created, ultrashort light pulses are irradiated onto the hologram layer (6) with the hologram. [5] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that when the defects (9) are created, UV light rays pulsed with the hologram are irradiated onto the hologram layer (6). [6] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the hologram layer (6) is provided with a hologram foil and / or a film. [7] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the hologram layer (6) is arranged on a substrate layer (3). [8] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that during the production of the hologram the hologram layer (6) is cured and the defects (9) in the hologram are created before, during and / or after curing. [9] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a protective layer is formed on the hologram layer (6). [10] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that when the defects (9) are created, personalized defects are created in the hologram. [11] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the hologram is produced as a volume hologram. [12] Method for producing a security document with a security element according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a document body (1) is formed with a stack of layers and the security element with the hologram and the defects (9) is arranged in the stack of layers (2). [13] Method for personalizing a security document according to claim 12, wherein information concerning the defects (9) in the hologram is stored in a machine-readable manner on the document body (1). [14] Security element for a security document, with - a hologram layer (6); - a hologram which is produced in the hologram layer (6) and is visible when viewing the hologram layer (6) at a viewing angle; and - defects (9) in the hologram which are visible when viewing the hologram layer (6) at the viewing angle; wherein the defects (9) form a grid and a grid spacing between adjacent defects (9) is between approximately 21 µm and approximately 130 µm. [15] Security document with a security element according to claim 14, wherein a document body (1) is formed with a stack of layers (2) and the security element with the hologram and the defects (9) is arranged in the stack of layers (2). [16] ID document formed with a security document according to claim 15, wherein information concerning the defects (9) in the hologram is stored in a machine-readable manner on the document body.

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