Data carrier with window regions, and production method

Abstract

The invention relates to a data carrier (10), in particular a value or security document, comprising a plurality of spaced window regions (20A, 20B, 20C) which each have a security feature (24A, 24B, 24C) having an optically variable effect, and comprising intermediate regions (22) without an optically variable appearance, which intermediate regions separate the window regions (20A, 20B, 20C) from one another. According to the invention, different information is displayed in the plurality of window regions (20A, 20B, 20C) and the optically variable security features (24A, 24B, 24C) of the plurality of window regions each produce different dynamic effects (26A, 26B, 26C).

Description

[0001] Data storage devices with window areas and manufacturing processes

[0002] The invention relates to a data carrier, in particular a valuable or security document, having a plurality of spaced-apart window areas. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a data carrier.

[0003] Data storage media such as banknotes, shares, bonds, certificates, vouchers, checks, high-value tickets, but also other documents that are susceptible to counterfeiting, such as passports or other identification documents, are often provided with security elements for security purposes. These elements allow the authenticity of the valuable document to be verified and at the same time serve as protection against unauthorized reproduction.

[0004] In this context, it is known to design security elements in the form of a window security element fully or partially embedded in a banknote, for example, in the form of a window security thread that is visible in certain window areas on one or both opposite surfaces of the banknote. Although such window security elements ensure good protection for the data carriers provided with them, there is a need to further improve the visual appearance and counterfeit security of such secured data carriers.

[0005] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] The invention provides a data carrier, in particular a valuable or security document, with a plurality of spaced-apart window regions, each having a security feature with an optically variable effect. The data carrier also has intermediate regions without an optically variable appearance, which separate the said window regions from one another.

[0007] Different information is displayed in each of the multiple window areas, and the optically variable security features of the multiple window areas each create different dynamic effects.

[0008] Preferably, the optically variable security features generate the different dynamic effects of the window areas when the data carrier is tilted about different axes.

[0009] The different axes for generating the different dynamic effects advantageously include angles that are an integer multiple of 45° or an integer multiple of 60° or an integer multiple of 90°.

[0010] For example, two different tilt axes can be provided to generate different dynamic effects, which are perpendicular to each other, i.e. enclose an angle of 90°. In another example, three different tilt axes are provided to generate different dynamic effects, with the second axis rotated 60° relative to the first axis and the third axis rotated 60° relative to the second axis. All intermediate angles are then 60° or 120°, i.e., an integer multiple of 60°. In another example, four different tilt axes are provided to generate different dynamic effects, with the second axis rotated 45° relative to the first axis, the third axis rotated 45° relative to the second axis, and the fourth axis rotated 45° relative to the third axis. All intermediate angles are then 45°, 90°, or 135°, i.e., an integer multiple of 45°.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that when the data carrier is tilted about a first axis in a first window area, a dynamic effect is generated, while in a second window area no dynamic effect is visible, and that when the data carrier is tilted about a second, different axis in the first window area no dynamic effect is visible, while in the second window area the above-mentioned dynamic effect of the first window area is generated when tilting about the first axis.

[0012] In this configuration, 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 shows no dynamic effect. The dynamic effect therefore appears to the viewer to "jump" from one window area to another when the tilt direction changes. The first and second axes are preferably perpendicular to each other, but can generally also enclose a different angle, for example, 45° or 60°.

[0013] In another advantageous embodiment, it is provided that when the data carrier is tilted about a first axis in a first window area, a first dynamic effect is generated and in a second window area, a second, different dynamic effect is generated, and that when the data carrier is tilted about a second, different axis in the first window area, the second dynamic effect is generated and in the second window area, the first dynamic effect is generated.

[0014] In this configuration, the two dynamic effects swap places when the tilt direction changes. The first and second axes are preferably perpendicular to each other, but can generally also enclose a different angle, for example, 45° or 60°.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the dynamic effects each comprise a movement effect and / or a color-changing effect. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the optically variable security features of the window areas each produce different movement effects.

[0016] The motion effect created by a window area can be a linear motion effect with rectilinear movement, a radial motion effect, a cyclical motion effect, particularly with a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation, or even a non-linear motion effect. The movement perceived by the viewer can also be back and forth, such as in a zigzag path, or chaotic, as in a random movement.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, the dynamic effects can include a zoom effect, a morphing effect, an image change effect, a pumping effect and / or a pseudo-3D effect. The latter demonstrate spatial depth and appearances that hover above or below the data carrier and appear to move relative to the surface of the data carrier when the data carrier is tilted. For the purposes of this description, the tilt directions are sometimes referred to as north-south tilting or west-east tilting, whereby for a data carrier placed in front of a viewer, such as a map, the top side is referred to as north, the bottom side as south, the left side as west and the right side as east.

[0018] It is advantageous to combine two or more different dynamic effects in the window areas, for example a movement effect and a color change effect or a color change effect and a morphing effect, so that a particularly complex appearance is created.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, microlenses, micromirrors, nanostructures and / or hologram structures are provided in the window areas to generate the dynamic effects.

[0020] To create a color change effect, thin-film elements, liquid crystals, optically variable pigments, thin color-shifting pigments, a double-color structure arranged on two different levels, a high-refractive coating, a microlens array with differently colored microstructures, a microlens array with different nanostructures and / or diffractive azimuthal color-shifting structures are advantageously provided in the window areas.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, at least two window areas exhibit dynamic effects, in particular motion effects, which exhibit the same motion behavior when the data carrier is tilted about a first axis and opposite motion behavior when the data carrier is tilted about a second, different axis. The second axis is preferably perpendicular to the first axis.

[0022] The security features are arranged in a registered manner in the window areas. Furthermore, each window area displays separate information. In particular, the information in the window areas does not simply represent excerpts from the same overall information, for example, an image or graphic.

[0023] In an advantageous variant of the invention, it is provided that the data carrier comprises a data carrier substrate with a security element that is partially embedded and partially visible on the surface of the data carrier substrate, and that the window regions are formed by the partial regions of the security element that are visible on the surface of the data carrier substrate.

[0024] The partially embedded security element advantageously has security features only in the window areas, so the security features are registered to the window areas on the security element.

[0025] 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 both opposite surfaces of the data carrier substrate.

[0026] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the security element, in particular the security thread, is designed to be machine-readable. For this purpose, it comprises, in particular, magnetic feature substances, fluorescent feature substances, phosphorescent feature substances, IR-absorbing feature substances, THz structures, and / or a metallization with demetallized regions in the form of negative identifiers. The negative identifiers can, in particular, form an alphanumeric character string.

[0027] In another, likewise advantageous variant of the invention, it is provided that the data carrier has a data carrier substrate with an opaque cover layer and the window regions are formed by spaced-apart recesses in the opaque cover layer.

[0028] The data carrier may in particular be a value document or an identity card, but it may also be a security element, in particular a security thread, security strip, a transfer element or a label.

[0029] In an advantageous development of the invention, the information displayed in the window areas is combined with an additional security feature arranged on the data carrier, the information content of which is meaningfully related to the information in 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 print area, or a transfer element. The security effect is further increased by such a combination with a different type of security feature.

[0030] The invention also includes a method for producing a data carrier of the type described, in which a data carrier substrate is provided and is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart window regions and with intermediate regions separating the window regions from one another, wherein the window regions are each provided with a security feature with an optically variable effect, and the intermediate regions are formed without an optically variable appearance, wherein the security features in the window regions are formed such that different information is displayed in each of the plurality of window regions and the optically variable security features of the plurality of window regions each produce different dynamic effects.

[0031] Further embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the figures, in which a true-to-scale and true-to-proportion reproduction has been omitted in order to increase clarity.

[0032] They show:

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a paper banknote with a window security thread partially embedded in the banknote paper,

[0034] Fig. 2 shows the partial area of ​​the banknote of Fig. 1 containing the window security thread in more detail, and Fig. 3 shows a partial area of ​​a data carrier with four spaced-apart window areas according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0035] The invention will now be explained using banknotes as an example. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a paper banknote 10 with a printing element 14 applied to the banknote paper 12, a watermark 16 generated during paper production, and a window security thread 18 partially embedded in the banknote paper.

[0036] The window security thread 18 protrudes in spaced-apart window regions 20 on the surface of the banknote 10, while it is embedded in the intermediate web regions 22 in the interior of the banknote 10.

[0037] The portion of the banknote 10 containing the window security thread 18 is shown in more detail in Fig. 2. The window security thread 18 of the exemplary embodiment contains three window regions 20A, 20B, 20C, in each of which a security feature 24A, 24B, or 24C with an optically variable effect is arranged, registered to the window outline.

[0038] The security features 24A, 24B, and 24C each display different information, represented in the figure by the letters "A," "B," and "C." The information displayed in the window areas 20A-20C is each independent information, and is therefore not simply excerpts from a complete information encompassing the entire thread 18. In addition to displaying different information, the security features 24A, 24B, and 24C of the window areas also each produce different dynamic effects. For example, when the banknote is tilted 28, the information "A" displayed by the security feature 24A moves in direction 26A parallel to the longitudinal direction of the thread, the information "B" displayed by the security feature 24B moves in direction 26B perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the thread, and the information "C" displayed by the security feature 24C moves in direction 26C obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the thread.The movement effects 26A-26C, which differ in the direction of movement, can additionally be combined with the same or different color change effects.

[0039] The window areas 20A, 20B, 20C are separated from each other by mere paper webs 22, which do not have an optically variable appearance and therefore form a visual contrast and a visual resting point for the optically variable appearances of the window areas 20A-20C.

[0040] Since the window areas 20A-20C not only contain different information

[0041] By not only showing "A", "B" and "C", but also presenting this information with different dynamic effects 26A, 26B, 26C, the banknote 10 offers an attractive, complex and therefore difficult to replicate appearance with a high level of attention and recognition.

[0042] Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the invention, illustrating further possibilities for the complex appearance of the optically variable window regions of a data carrier according to the invention. The figure shows a partial region of a data carrier 30 with four spaced-apart window regions 40, 50, 60, and 70. The window regions 40, 50, 60, 70 can be part of a window security thread embedded in a data carrier substrate, but they can also be, for example, regions of a polymer or composite film banknote that are separated from one another by suitable overprinting of the surrounding regions and the web regions, and merely visually create the impression of an applied elongated thread.

[0043] The first window area 40 shows, as an optically variable element, a sun 42 with rays 44 which move radially outwards or inwards for a viewer when the data carrier is tilted 28, as indicated by the arrows 46.

[0044] In all designs, the information displayed in the window areas can be combined with another security feature arranged on the data carrier, the information content of which is meaningfully related to the information in one of the window areas. For example, the sun symbol 42, 44 of the window area 40 can be combined with a watermark 48 in the form of a cloud, which is arranged next to the window area 40 on the data carrier. An additional security feature can also supplement the information of the window area to form a complete piece of information. For example, a window area can contain the number "20" as information, and a print element arranged next to the window area can contain the currency "€". Another possibility is for a window area to contain part of a number, for example, a serial number, and the adjacent data carrier area to contain the remainder of the serial number.The two pieces of information can only be combined to form the correct, desired overall information when viewed from a specific viewing direction. The second window area 50 contains a true-color hologram in the form of a portrait 52, which, in addition to its optically variable appearance, creates a dynamic effect through the movement of the eyes 54. When the data carrier is tilted 28, the person's eyes 54 appear to move from left to right, as schematically indicated by the arrow 58 in the detailed representation 56 of the eyes. The portrait of the window area 50 is advantageously repeated in another area of ​​the data carrier 30, for example in a print motif or a portrait watermark, such as the watermark 16 in Fig. 1.

[0045] The window area 60 contains the number "50" (reference number 63) and the currency "€" (reference number 64) as optically variable information elements, whereby the two elements 62, 64 move orthogonally to each other when the data carrier is tilted 28, as indicated by the movement arrows 66, 68.

[0046] Finally, the window area 70 contains an optically variable element, a steering wheel 72, which rotates about its axis when the data carrier is tilted 28, as indicated by the rotation arrows 74. When the tilt direction 28 changes, the rotation direction of the steering wheel 72 also changes.

[0047] As can be seen from Fig. 3, the window areas 40, 50, 60, 70 each contain a separate piece of information (sun symbol, portrait, denomination, steering wheel), which is also arranged in register with the window outline. Furthermore, the window areas each display different dynamic effects, specifically different motion effects. These different motion effects can additionally be combined with the same or different color change effects. The window areas 40, 50, 60, 70 are each separated from one another by intermediate areas 80 without an optically variable appearance. The intermediate areas 80 can, for example, represent mere paper webs of a paper substrate or printed areas of a paper, polymer, or hybrid banknote.

[0048] The window areas do not have to be arranged linearly one behind the other, as shown for simplicity in the previous embodiments. For example, in another design variant, a data storage device can contain a central window area and several spaced-apart outer window areas surrounding the central window area. The central window area can, for example, exhibit a silver-colored bulge effect, and the outer window areas can each exhibit a color-shift effect, with the color-shift effects of the outer window areas each having different tilt axes.

[0049] In another design variant, the spaced window areas show a scrolling effect that continues across the window areas when the disk is tilted, with the directions or type of dynamic effects differing in each window area.

[0050] Another design variant incorporates a light spot pattern with different information content and different movement behavior in each window area as an optically variable security feature. For example, a first window area exhibits a west-east movement when the data carrier is tilted north-south, while a second window area exhibits a north-south movement when the data carrier is tilted west-east. Such light spot patterns can be generated, for example, using micromirror arrays, diffractive structures, or microFresnel lenses.

[0051] The movement effects can also occur when tilting around two axes, with the movement then running in different directions in the different window areas. For example, a dynamic effect can be created by alternating parallactic and orthoparallactic movement of the light spots in successive window areas, so that, for example, when the data carrier is tilted north-south, a north-south movement is shown in a first window area (parallactic movement), a west-east movement in a second window area (orthoparallactic movement), a north-south movement is visible again in a third window area, and so on. When the data carrier is tilted west-east, the first window area then shows a west-east movement, the second window area a north-south movement, the third window area again a west-east movement, and so on.

[0052] In another design variant, the window areas can each display a tilting image between matching motifs in different viewing directions. For example, when the storage device is tilted, a first window area displays a change from motif A to motif B, a second window area displays a change from motif B to motif C, and a third window area displays a change from motif C to motif A (or another motif D). The motif change can also occur differently for different tilt directions.

[0053] Another design variant includes a central window area and two side window areas arranged on either side of the central window area. In addition to various information, the side window areas also display a dynamic motion effect orthogonal to the central window area.

[0054] In a further, particularly advantageous embodiment, two window areas each exhibit dynamic effects that exhibit identical movement behavior when the data carrier is tilted about a first axis and opposite movement behavior when the data carrier is tilted about a second, different axis. The two axes are, in particular, perpendicular to each other.

[0055] For example, in a rotation effect, the security features of the window areas can rotate in the same direction when the data carrier is tilted north-south, while they rotate in opposite directions when the data carrier is tilted west-east.

[0056] With a zoom effect, the security features of the window areas can all enlarge or reduce when the data carrier is tilted north-south, while when the data carrier is tilted west-east the security features of a first window area enlarge (or reduce) and the security features of a second window area conversely reduce (or enlarge).

[0057] With a radial movement effect, the security features of the window areas can all move equally outwards or inwards when the data carrier is tilted north-south, while they move outwards or inwards in opposite radial directions when the data carrier is tilted west-east.

[0058] 10 paper banknotes

[0059] 12 banknote paper

[0060] 14 Pressure element

[0061] 16 watermarks

[0062] 18 window security thread

[0063] 20 window areas

[0064] 20A, 20B, 20C window areas

[0065] 22 bridge areas

[0066] 24A, 24B, 24C security features

[0067] 26A, 26B, 26C Movement directions

[0068] 28 cigarettes

[0069] 30 data carriers

[0070] 40 window area

[0071] 42 Sun

[0072] 44 rays

[0073] 46 Direction of movement

[0074] 48 watermarks

[0075] 50 window area

[0076] 52 Portrait

[0077] 54 eyes

[0078] 56 Detailed view

[0079] 58 Direction of movement

[0080] 60 window area

[0081] 62, 64 Information elements

[0082] 66, 68 directions of movement

[0083] 70 Window area Steering wheel rotation arrows Intermediate areas

Claims

Patent claims 1. Data carrier, in particular a valuable or security document, with a plurality of spaced-apart window areas, each having a security feature with an optically variable effect, and with intermediate areas without an optically variable appearance that separate the window areas from each other, characterized in that different information is displayed in the multiple window areas and the optically variable security features of the multiple window areas each generate different dynamic effects.

2. Data carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the optically variable security features generate the different dynamic effects of the window areas when the data carrier is tilted about different axes.

3. Data carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the data carrier is tilted about a first axis, a dynamic effect is generated in a first window area, while no dynamic effect is visible in a second window area, and that when the data carrier is tilted about a second, different axis, no dynamic effect is visible in the first window area, while in the second window area the aforementioned dynamic effect of the first window area when tilted about the first axis is generated.

4. Data carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the data carrier is tilted around a first axis, a first dynamic effect is created in a first window area, and a second, different dynamic effect is created in a second window area, and that when the data carrier is tilted around a second, different axis, the second dynamic effect is created in the first window area, and the first dynamic effect is created in the second window area.

5. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the dynamic effects each comprise a motion effect and / or a color change effect.

6. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the motion effect is a linear motion effect with rectilinear motion behavior, a radial motion effect, a cyclic motion effect, in particular with a rotational movement in or against the clockwise direction, or a non-linear motion effect.

7. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the dynamic effects comprise a zoom effect, a morphing effect, an image change effect, a pumping effect and / or a pseudo-3D effect.

8. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that microlenses, micromirrors, nanostructures and / or hologram structures are provided in the window areas for generating the dynamic effects.

9. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that thin-film elements, liquid crystals, optically variable pigments, thin color-tilting pigments, a double-color structure arranged on two different planes, a high-refractive coating, a microlens arrangement with differently colored microstructures, a microlens arrangement with different nanostructures, and / or diffractive azimuthal color-tilting structures are provided in the window areas to generate a color-changing effect.

10. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least two window areas show dynamic effects, in particular motion effects, which show the same motion behavior when the data carrier is tilted about a first axis and opposite motion behavior when the data carrier is tilted about a second, different axis.

11. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the security features are arranged in relation to the window areas.

12. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that independent information is displayed in each of the window areas.

13. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the data carrier comprises a data carrier substrate with a security element that is partially embedded and partially visible on the surface of the data carrier substrate, and the window areas are defined by the visible sub-areas of the security element are formed on the surface of the data carrier substrate.

14. Data carrier according to claim 13, characterized in that the partially embedded security element has security features only in the window areas.

15. 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 both opposite surfaces of the data carrier substrate.

16. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the security element, in particular the security thread, is designed to be machine-readable, and for this purpose comprises in particular magnetic marker materials, fluorescent marker materials, phosphorescent marker materials, IR-absorbing marker materials, THz structures and / or a metallization with demetallized areas in the form of negative markers.

17. Data carrier according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, 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 in the opaque cover layer.

18. Method for manufacturing a data carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein a data carrier substrate is provided and is equipped with a plurality of spaced-apart window areas and with intermediate areas separating the window areas from one another, wherein the window areas are each provided with a security feature with an optically variable effect, and the intermediate areas are designed without an optically variable appearance, wherein the security features in the window areas are designed such that different information is displayed in each of the multiple window areas and the optically variable security features of the multiple window areas each generate different dynamic effects.

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